"Unacceptable! This is completely unacceptable!" Minerva McGonagall raged.
Albus Dumbledore watched his colleague with an amused smile as she paced his office with a fervor.
"Severus is still in Albania searching for rare ingredients, Filius is still in Greece watching the annual dueling tournament and We still haven't a word from Quirrel about his new position!" She ranted, an annoyed look upon her face.
Albus smiled, popping a lemon drop into his mouth. "All in due time, Minerva. There are still several weeks before the start of the semester."
"Weeks!" Minerva said, angrily, "Weeks! We have not only the start of the school year to worry about, but now we have to hide the philosopher's stone inside the school!"
Albus gave her a comforting smile. "Sit, Minerva, there is no reason to get worked up about such things."
Minerva gave him a harsh glare. "Hiding such a thing inside of a school! What is that man thinking?" Minerva huffed, glaring at his desk before turning to him, more worried than angry. "Are you sure this is safe, Albus? For the student's sake, I mean. A Cerberus, devil's snare, trolls? Inside of a school?"
Albus nodded. "I understand your concerns, Minerva but Nicholas is convinced that someone is after the stone." He frowned, placing his hands together on the desk. "Immortal life, Minerva. Can you not think of anyone dangerous enough to kill for it?"
Minerva gasped. "Surely you don't think-" She paused. "Surely you don't think He-who-must-not-be-named is after the stone? He was destroyed that Halloween when he went after the Potters."
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself, Minerva" Albus smiled at her. Minerva rolled her eyes. "I am unsure who is after the stone but it is clear they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Gringotts is no longer safe." He cast a glance to the paper on his desk dating July 31st, 1991.
'Gringotts Break-In'
"If I had not sent Hagrid to retrieve the stone, it would already be in their hands," Albus said, folding his hands together. "And that would be much more dangerous than any troll."
Minerva heaved a sigh. "We take all necessary precautions, Albus. No one gets hurt." She warned.
"Of course, Minerva," Albus nodded as she stalked from the room, the door closing behind her.
Once he was alone, a small cry came from nearby. Albus smiled as a bird resembling a fire landed on his desk, it's talons digging into the wood of the desk. He smiled, reaching a hand to stroke the head of the bird.
"I know, my friend," Albus said. "But I fear the truth will do more harm than good."
The bird gave a shrill cry as if holding a conversation with him.
Albus smiled, stroking the bird's head. "There are too many mysteries that need to be solved." he frowned, looking at an opened letter on his crowded desk.
"Headmaster of Hogwarts,
We are writing in concern of two First-year students who will be in attendance at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on First September 1991. The two aforementioned students have been reported to have a Familiar Bond.
A Mister Hadrian James Potter and a Miss Amaryllis Lillian Potter, both of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter have both been bonded to a familiar as of 1st August 1991. We are writing to inform you of these events and hope you will be able to confirm the bond yourself when they arrive at Hogwarts for their first year.
As it has been many years since a student last attended Hogwarts with a Familiar Bond, we hope to remind you of the Hogwarts Familiar Law and its pre-established clauses. Should the two students be found to have a Familiar Bond, you will be required to allow them into the school.
Thank you for your consideration,
In cooperation between
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement
And
The Department of Mysteries
"Familiars," Albus said, concern flickering across his face. Heaving a sigh as the bird on his desk gave a sorrowful trill. "are a very rare thing. It is curious that two of such a young age would bond but even more curious that it would be these two."
He frowned his gaze heavy on the names of the two children.
"But even more, It is impossible to stop a killing curse," Albus said, his eyes flickering to the letter. "So then how did they survive such a feat?"
The bird of fire and rebirth gave a sad trill as it watched the old man fall further from his path.
