Chapter 9
Staffing and Revelations
The next morning Harry went through his usual routine, as he walked up to Albus' office at eight fifty five. Knocking on the door to the office Harry was wondering what the events of today would bring, as the door opened of its own accord and Harry walked in he was greeted with the singing of Fawkes in greetings, a reply came from Harry's shoulder as Lily greeted Fawkes.
"Ah there you are Harry come in and have a seat and we will begin," said Albus walking over to a side sitting area of his office, where there was two arm chairs and a couch.
Walking over and placing Lily on the perch with Fawkes, Lily had grown a lot since her hatching, she said it was part of being a Phoenix to grow quickly, that explained how Fawkes had regained his adult body so quickly after swallowing the Avada Kadavra curse the Voldemort cast at Albus. Taking a seat on the couch, Harry was handed a cup of tea from Albus.
"Well Harry, today I thought we could try and sort out our staffing problems, I have asked the following to come so we can talk with them and see if they would be interested in the jobs we have to offer. First my brother Aberforth will be here at half past nine, at ten o'clock Remus is coming, Alastor is coming at ten thirty, I have arrange a Portkey for Charlie Weasley to arrive here at eleven o'clock, Nymphadora shall be here at eleven thirty, Sybil Trelawney has requested to meet with us over the prospect of her employment here. I have informed Charity Burbage that her services will no longer be required. I am still looking for someone to teach Muggle studies, the only person I can think of that is dully qualified is Arabella Figg, though in the past the board of Governors would not employ a squib as a professor I would hope you could see past such trifles"" Said Albus smiling
"That's fine with me Albus, arrange for Mrs Figg to come here before we meet with Professor Trelawney." Said Harry, who felt weird telling Albus what to do.
"I thought you might say that, Fawkes can to take this letter to Arabella," asked Albus writing a quick not and giving it to the Phoenix who vanished in a ball of fire.
"Well then, so did you get everything you needed yesterday?" asked Albus
"Yea I think so, though from the amount of things I bought it might take me forever to put them away," said Harry
"Did you get the domestic magic book on the list you were given?"
"Yes? But that's that got to do with putting the things away?" asked Harry
"Well domestic magic isn't just cleaning you house, it also involves putting things into places without doing it the Muggle way" said Albus with a wink
"Ah, thanks Albus, so how are you anyway," asked Harry
"To be honest with you Harry I'm good, with you taking over control of the school wards and helping to set the school into order a lot of weight has been taken off my shoulders. Old age sometimes brings its burdens, that doesn't mean I'm losing my power it just means that when I use a lot of my reserves it takes a while to recharge fully but because I don't have to worry about the wards now, it's making my recharge time quicker"
"Good, I'm glad I've been able to help," said Harry
"More importantly Harry how are you, I know things have changed very quickly how are you dealing with it?" asked Albus who worried about his ward
"I'm fine; it is taking some getting used to all these new things but I'm getting used to it. I'm glad that I can talk to the people I care about, I did find something very interesting yesterday" said Harry
"Always know Harry that you can talk to me, so what was it that you found?" asked Albus intrigued
"Four portraits and a painting"
"Really, who where in the portraits?"
"two of them are my mum and dad, and the other two are Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff, they are inactive just now I was going to take them to the Mansion, but I don't know how to activate them. The painting I found was a family portrait of me and my parents though I don't think it's a magical portrait," said Harry
"Really I had been wondering since I saw the portraits of Godric and Rowena if there where portraits of the other two founders. I did know that you parents had got portraits done before they went into hiding with you, but I thought they were lost the night Godric Hollow was destroyed. To activate the portraits all you have to do is with the others is touch them with your wand and say 'awake'. Also I've been thinking if we can get everything we need to do done today we could perhaps leave for the mansion a few days early perhaps even the day after tomorrow once we have a chance to prepare as much as we can for the new term"
"Sounds good, the new gym equipment order should be ready for later on today, so if we get our choice for Physical Exercise Professor she can go and pick it up. One thing we will have to do is find a place for the lessons to be taught I'm sure there will be a small hall in Hogwarts somewhere" said Harry
Just as Harry finished his sentence there was a knock at the door.
"Come in Aberforth" said Albus
"How do you always seem to know who's at the door?"
"Magic" said Albus with a mischievous twinkle in his eye
As the door opened, Harry thought that maybe Albus had got it wrong for once, that was the barman from the Hogs Head, only he was cleaned up, neatly trimmed beard, black robes, the same sparkling eyes as Albus
"Harry, I believe you have met my brother Aberforth," said Albus in introduction
"Pleasure to meet you again Mr Dumbledore" said Harry reaching out to shake Aberforth's hand
"Pleasures all mine Lord Potter," said Aberforth shaking Harry's hand
"Please call me Harry"
"Only if you call me Abe and Al you know I hate to be called Aberforth and well you know," said Abe
"Yes Abe I know but I had to be formal here, this is work not personal" said Albus with a smile as he retook his seat
"So you wanted to see me about something?" asked Abe
"Yes we were wondering if you might be interested in the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, Albus here has told me your quiet the expert," said Harry
"Expert, well I don't know about that I know how to take care of myself, fought with Al here in the war with Grindlewald and first time around against Voldemort, went through the Auror academy top of my class, created some records even old Mad Eye couldn't beat" said Abe
"Really, well I can see that you have a lot of experience, can I ask you something though?" asked Harry
"Sure, Harry ask away," said Abe
"How would you teach your subject?"
"I'd balance it between the theoretical work and the practical, for example if a class is lacking in the theory more than the practical while I would still have them practice practically I would want to focus some of the time more on theory. The trick to casting a spell is by knowing the theory behind it as well as the wand movements," answered Abe
"Excellent, well I think I would be happy for you to work here Abe, but ultimately the choice lies with the headmaster on these occasions" said Harry smiling
"Well I don't know," said Albus placing a lemon drop in his mouth and passing the bowl around to his two companions
"Al, stop messing around you know you've wanted me to work here for years, it's just that cover story threw off the Governors"
"Oh alright them Aberforth will you come and be Hogwarts Defence teacher?" asked Albus with a smile
"Aye why not, makes a change and nothing else planned for a while and the bars getting a bit boring the now," said Abe laughing
"Can I ask what cover story?" asked Harry backtracking
"Well you've heard rumours about Abe and goats right, well it's all lies started so that people wouldn't pay too much attention to him and think he's gone nuts and spends all him time talking to goats. The truth of the matter is Abe is an Animagus, which funnily enough is a goat form, that's how he used to find out information in the past, walk out the room change into his goat form come back in people would think Abe was away and would relax on what they were talking about always very interesting. It also helped Abe into his semi retirement as the ministry wouldn't be bothering him about carrying on working, truth is that he can't stand Cornelius," said Albus
"He's an idiot, how he ever got elected I'll never understand" said Abe
"Well, I think we've got the right wizard for the job, welcome aboard" said Harry standing up and shaking Abe's hand,
"So what happens now?" asked Harry to Albus
"Well, Abe as you know Harry, I and a few others shall be leaving the castle for a month in a few days, would you be willing to stay and watch over it, there is a special ward we will be putting in place but I would feel safer knowing it can be defended until we can be alerted. Also with the apprenticeship this year, Abe you will be a mentor to some witch or wizard , I know who you will have but at the moment I am still considering, you will have lessons for all the years as well as the Apprentices. Who will be receiving advanced training, including a crash course on what they will miss through their sixth and seventh years here at Hogwarts. That about covers it the annual pay for staff members is thirty eight thousand Galleons a year, staff meetings are every Tuesday mornings and staff poker night is on Saturday nine o'clock staff lounge." Said Albus sitting down again
"alright then, well I need to sort out the bar but I can be back here by this evening with everything, I was considering shutting the place down but I don't know it does have its uses. Mandingos Fletcher could be quite handy only thing is would I have a bar to ever go back to?" said Abe laughing before leaving.
"Well one down, several more to go" said Albus sitting back down
It was just before a minute to ten when the door knocked again.
"Come in Remus"
"Seriously how do you do that?" asked Harry
"Magic" said Albus simply enjoying his little fun
"Morning Albus, Harry is this about the History of Magic job?" asked Remus sitting down
"Yes, know before you say anything, there will precautions put in place for the school year." Said Harry
"Like what?" asked Remus
"Well for a start you would have an ample supply of Wolfsbane; there will be a room for you to stay in the nights of the full moon. I also will hopefully be able to stay with you in one of my Animagus forms, and also you won't be out on the school grounds unless with another Animagus with a form strong enough to protect you, so what do you think?" said Harry
He had thought long and hard about what to do about Remus' once a month furry little problem, and with plenty of preparation no one should get hurt.
"Harry, I don't know after what nearly happened last time I don't want to hurt anyone," said Remus sadly
"Remus if I felt that having you here would endanger anyone I wouldn't have you here, but I know you and you are a fantastic teacher, a loyal friend and most importantly you are a part of my family know will you do Hogwarts the honour of accepting the post of History of Magic Professor?"
"Yes" said Remus with emotion in his voice as he embraced his cub, "Thank you" Remus whispered into Harry's ear
"Anytime Mooney" said Harry back as he was released from the strong embrace
"Well Remus as you have quite a task of bringing the History Department up to date I ask you to start straight away see what state the department is in, I also need to know by later on today what book you want on the reading list for this year. As you know the wage for the year is Thirty Eight thousand Galleons, Tuesday mornings is staff meetings and Saturday nights are the staff poker nights as you would well remember, quite a few times it was just you and Severus playing head to head with you coming out the victor." Said Albus with a smile
"Remus there is also something new to the staffing requirements, no scruffy robes we are an education establishment the best in the world and as such you need to look the part, we are looking to leave the day after tomorrow so I expect you to go and buy yourself an entire new wardrobe, go and get a haircut. If not as head of the Black family I have access to your vault and I will buy you new robes and remember what Sirius said if you don't spend it Bellatrix gets it so go wild and get things you normally wouldn't buy, that's an order" said Harry with a smile
"Fine then you win," said Remus with a fake pout
"Well now that was easier than we thought it would be," said Albus "and if you can come with your recommendations for the reading list and also what you think the department needs if you need any help I'm sure a few of the house elf's will be more than happy to assist you, they hate the summer very little to do"
"Thanks well I'll see the both of you later," said Remus leaving
"Bye Remus"
"Bye Professor Lupin" said Harry with a laugh
"Watch it Potter or it'll be detention," said Remus smiling
"Oh no anything but that" said Harry in mock pain
"Bye" said Remus laughing as he left the office
They only had to wait a few minutes before there was a knock on the door this time Harry wasn't even going to give Albus the satisfaction of asking how he did it.
"Morning Alastor"
"Morning Albus, Potter so what is it that you wanted to see me about?" asked Mad Eye
"Well we are planning on having a physical education program here at Hogwarts but we also want to introduce a magical fitness program, give students a chance to use their magic and keep it in shape, I'm hoping it might help with those who lack confidence in casting with a class they can practice. I know that you are used to teaching Auror's Alastor but I hope that you might see the benefits to this class would be the teaching of proper wand elementary," said Harry pausing at this hoping to catch the old Auror's attention
"Well Potter you put forth an interesting case, the ministry is wanting me to go back and work in the Auror department but as we know the ministry at the moment is useless, with Voldemort lying low there's not a lot for me to do. I have a feeling most of the action will be taking place here Potter, I'm in." Said Alastor who despite all appearances wanted to come and teach properly, especially when it came to wand elementary it was one of his pet hates.
"Well, if you could come up with a list of all the things you will be needing for your department, I will need to know what you want on the required materials for schools lists as letters are being sent out tomorrow. Annual wage is thirty eight thousand Galleons a year; staff meetings are Tuesday mornings and staff poker night is in the staff room nine o'clock Saturday night." Said Albus smiling at his old friend
"Righto, well I better get to work I'll be back tonight, and this time check it is me and not another bloody imposter I don't fancy another nine months locked up in my own trunk" said Mad-Eye leaving
Harry was impressed how well things were going today, but surely, there must be something that was going to turn up to throw things up in the air.
"Well today seems to be a good day for employing staff," said Albus who was also thinking along the same lines as Harry.
"My thoughts exactly" said Harry still deep in thought
"Well we have a few minutes before Charlie Weasley arrives," said Albus looking at his watch
"Nope he's just about to arrive," said Harry as he detected the wards wanting permission to grant access to the Portkey. Allowing the Portkey through Harry stood up to greet Charlie
There was a sudden mist of multicolours before it cleared and before them stood Charlie Weasley.
"Hey Harry, how's things kid heard you've been a bit busy recently" said Charlie with a wink at Harry
"Hello Albus, what is it that I can do for you, I don't have too long I'm needed at the dragon reserve soon. By the way Harry, Ron says hello that he's having a wonderful time and that he'll see you when he gets back just before the apprenticeship begins"
"Please take a seat. What we need to talk to you about Charlie is that this year Hagrid will not be able to take his Care of Magical Creatures class as he will be studying for his OWL's, he has recently purchased a new wand and is coming back for the year for private study to prepare for his OWL's. We need someone to cover for him for the year, how you would feel about taking a year out for the dragon reserves and coming to work here?" asked Albus
"Are you serious, you want me to come here and teach, well it would keep mum happy and with what's going on with the war here I would be of more use. I will miss the dragons but if it's only for a year I'm sure I could manage it, I accept," said Charlie with a laugh
"Excellent, thank you Charles and you never know we may even want a dragon here at the castle for protection and having a dragon handler on the staff could have its advantages not to mention Hagrid would be over the moon" said Albus with a twinkle
"So what do I need to do?" asked Charlie excited
"Well we are looking to bring in new animal's to the grounds, it has been rejected before but I would like you to look into buying the school some winged horses about fifty," said Albus looking at Harry who nodded in agreement
"We'll trust to you judgement, the funds are there for proper stabling and to set up a paddock for the horses. New buildings for the housing of the animals will be built. Aberforth Dumbledore will be at the school for the month that we are away he will be able to contact us, so anything you want, bring it to us by the end of today. After that see Aberforth who will be able to reach us," said Harry
"I will also need to know what books you want put on the requirements for this year's reading list. The wage for the year is Thirty Eight thousand Galleons, Tuesday mornings is staff meetings and Saturday nights are the staff poker nights. You must return to the school a week before September 1st"
"Right cool, well I'll go and sort that stuff out the now, I'll go the ministry about the winged horses and I'll see you later about the book Albus, is it alright to floo from here to HQ?"
"Fine with me, my boy. Give your mother our greetings," said Albus with a smile
Once Charlie was gone, Harry turned to Albus.
"Is this what these interviews are like? I know we know what they are capable of but they all seem to be agreeing to easily," said Harry
"Yes, but I think it's to do with two factors, a lot of people feel that they need to give back to Hogwarts for the years that she has given them. Secondly, it is you that is asking them to come and work here for them it is a great honour to know that you feel them qualified to teach the students of Hogwarts," said Albus
Before Harry to could answer back, there was a knock at the door. Tonks interview was very similar to the others she agreed instantly to the job, she said that with the state that the ministry is in and the fact that she has been put off being an Auror full time. With what happened in the DoM and the loss of Sirius she had been thinking about taking a change in career paths. It also paid more to work at Hogwarts than at the Ministry and Tonks liked a good game of poker. Before leaving Tonks was already given the task of collecting the equipment for the new school gym and returning to the school to set up the new gym in a hall that was not used that Hogwarts had told Harry about.
Harry was looking forward to the interview with Mrs Figg, for one reason he was fond of the old cat lady who had been the only person who in Privet Drive who didn't hate him. She arrived by floo, when she stepped out however she was not wearing her usual Muggle clothing but clean black robes.
"Hello Mrs Figg, how are you?" asked Harry
"oh I'm fine dear, life's a bit boring in Little Whinging now I don't have to keep an eye on you and to be honest I'm still quiet young to be sitting around doing nothing" said Arabella
"well it looks like we will be able to help you there Arabella my dear, how do you feel about taking the post of Muggle Studies Professor, we know you have valuable knowledge of both Muggle and Magical worlds." Said Albus
"Are you serious here Albus?
"yes Arabella I am deadly serious things at Hogwarts are now changing for the thanks better, to Harry here and we both feel that you are the right person for the job, so will you take the job?" asked Albus already knowing the answer
"Yes I will, it's about time people actually knew about the way the Muggle world works"
"Exactly, people might realise that Muggles aren't as stupid as they think; now the wage for the year is Thirty Eight thousand Galleons, Tuesday mornings is staff meetings and Saturday nights are the staff poker nights. You must return to the school a week before September 1st and I will need to know what book you want on the reading list for this year by the end of today"
"Well if it's alright I'll go and pack up and return this evening if that is okay?"
"Of course, if you hold on I will arrange for some of the house elf's to come with you to make it quicker," said Harry smiling
After wishing Arabella a good day and promising to send some House Elf's over to help with the packing, it would keep them happy they hated the summer month's as there was so little to do. As Arabella disappeared in green fire, Harry called for Winky, Dobby was still at Grimmauld Place, finishing off Rose's room, as well as other elves working on the rest of the renovation of the house, they seemed happy as they didn't have a restriction on their magical use to get their jobs done. After asking Winky to collect a small team of volunteer's no more than ten over to Arabella's house to help pack up her things, bring them and her cats here to Hogwarts to one of the staff quarters. While some of the elves where doing that, could another team prepare the staff quarters for Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Aberforth Dumbledore and Arabella Figg.
Just as Winky popped out of the room there was a knock at the door,
"Ah that must be Sybil here... come in Sybil"
As the door opened slightly Professor Trelawney poked her head in slight through the gap, she looked rather nervous and dressed in her usual assortment of shawls.
"Oh...h-hello headmaster...M-Mr Potter" said Trelawney walking into the room, the door closed itself behind her making her jump slightly
"My dear Sybil please take a seat, can I get you refreshment," said Albus indicating the tray of fresh tea's and coffee before them.
"N-no thank you headmaster, I prefer to drink tea only when looking at what the leaves may show."
" Sybil please, you have been here sixteen years its about time you called me Albus, now as you know we want to talk to you about the future of Divination in this school, the grades are you know are well below average Sybil and Hogwarts is now going through a period of changes for the better..."
"Harry do you know that this witch has a power block on her" said Hogwarts suddenly to Harry
"Are you being serious?"
"Yes deadly, its on a very strong gift of magical sight, in the past there have been times when the vision or prophecy has been too strong for the block and broken through, but its not been strong enough to break the block on her magical gift"
"What can we do about it? Shall I tell Albus?"
"Yes that would be for the best I think, though I think you should be the one to remove it, I can guide you through the entire process, something like this can be very dangerous and sometime can be fatal but if we work together my lord I believe we will achieve our goal"
Coming out of his conversation with Hogwarts, Harry found both Albus and Trelawney staring at him,
"Are you alright Mr Potter, I am afraid that this morning while having my morning tea I saw death imminent upon someone I know I am sorry if it is you" said Trelawney trying to sound mystical
"Harry, my boy, are you okay?" asked Albus with concern in his eyes
"Yes, I'm fine I was talking with Hogwarts, she was informing about Professor Trelawney here it would appear that there is a powerful block on a magical gift that she has the gift of Sight" said Harry looking at Dumbledore
"Interesting, blocks can cause damage to the person involved if not removed properly, I'm afraid it could take some time to do my dear Sybil..."
"Hogwarts said she could show me how to do it without any damage being done to the Professor, I believe her after all she has over a thousand years of magical experience as a sentient being" said Harry
"Very well, what do you think Sybil?" asked Albus
"Are you sure you can do it?" said Trelawney with pain in her voice for the thing she had longed for so much in her life that she thought had been denied to her and she had put up this pretence just to keep up the image that the gift still ran in her family
"Yes, Hogwarts will instruct me to do it without any damage Professor"
It was hard going but after half an hour of careful manovering and learning a branch of magic Harry had never done before he had managed to break away most of the block on Professor Trelawney, just as he destroyed the last bit with his magic he was hit with a serious of images
He was in a small kitchen and there was a kind elderly woman rocking a young girl in her arms trying to sooth the child, as the child fell asleep the was placed in the living room on the couch. As the old woman walked back through the kitchen she sat down at the table and looked at a young couple.
"She has the Sight, its very strong, too strong for someone her age, it will drive her insane before long we must do something" said the old woman sighing heavily with a heavy heart
"But what can we do gran, I mean how can we stop her having the visions" asked the young man
"We can place a block on it until she is old enough, at which point we will ease the block off bit by bit so it will not over whelm her"
"Will she be safe though" asked the young woman next to the man reaching her hand out to the old witch.
"Yes, it would be best to do it while she sleeps, I will need your help with it to make sure the block is strong enough"
Suddenly the image changed to the three standing around the sleeping child on the couch pointing the wands and chanting in unison to place the spell on the poor child, again the image changed and Harry was standing in a graveyard it was raining and there was a freshly buried grave with three names on the headstone
Cassandra Trelawney
Albert Trelawney
Lorraine Trelawney
"In death never forgotten, always loved, beloved family"
Next to the grave stood an elderly man holding onto a little girls hand with thick glasses.
The scene quickly changed to the Library in Potter Mansion, Harry saw himself sitting there reading a book entitled, 'Magical Veils and what you never knew about them', the scene changed to the Department of Mysteries and Harry was standing before the veil, he could hear the voices again and for some reason Harry walked up to the veil and spoke,
"Sirius Orion Black come home"
The Room of the Veil filled with wind and suddenly the form of Sirius Black fell through the veil unconscious,
After that all went dark and Harry found himself standing in Albus' office again, with Professor Trelawney unconscious in the chair she had been sat it
"Harry, is everything okay?"
"Yes, the block is gone, though once I broke the power block, I say certain images, first of all was a Cassandra Albert and Lorraine Trelawney talking about a young girl who possessed a strong gift of the Sight, then it changed and the three Trelawney's where placing a block on her, then it changed to a graveyard where there had just been a funeral and three names where on the headstone, those that I have just said to you. But the strangest thing is what I saw next, I saw myself in the Library in Potter Mansion, I was reading a book entitled Magical Veils and what you never knew about them", then I saw myself in the Department of Mysteries in the Veil Room and I called Sirius back from the veil and he came after that everything went dark and I was back here in the office"
"well that explains the death of the three Trelawney's, Cassandra was Sybil's Great-great grandmother and Albert and Lorraine where Sybil's parents, they three of them where found dead one afternoon in Cassandra's house, the death was unknown but there must have been a reaction the did not anticipate and it has killed them, Sybil was raised by her Grandfather Rupert, Cassandra's son and Sybil's Great Grandfather. But I think it would be best to get our Divination Professor to the Hospital Wing just now before we look into what else you saw" said Albus placing a hand on Harry's shoulder
When they had gotten to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomphrey was curious to say the least and when she heard that they had removed a power block on Trelawney, she had to take a calming draught, but was still muttering to herself about foolish wizards.
After leaving Professor Trelawney in the capable care of Madam Pomphrey, they headed to Potter Mansion. Entering the Dining Hall they where greeted by the portraits. But today Harry was too preoccupied to stop for pleasantries; he went straight up to Godric.
"What do you know about the Veil in the Department of Mysteries?"
"Not a lot my boy, but there is a book with in the Library titled' Magical Veils and what you never knew about them'. But apart from that I don't know" answered Godric
Without waiting to give a reply Harry ran out of the Hall for the Library, entering the Library Harry headed straight over to the large Tomb that was an index of the entire Library, searching through the pages until he found the right one. Taking out his wand and hitting the title with the tip of the wand, the title glowed for a second before the book came flying through to the table. Throwing himself into the chair at the table, Harry began to rapidly look through the book. Flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for, at the top of the page the was an animated picture of the arch way that had haunted his dream ever since the night Sirius fell through it.
The Veil,
Thought to have been created by Merlin originally, the Veil is a Prison
Once a person falls through the Veil, the cannot walk back through unless called back by someone of the old Families of Britain, the last person thought to have been able to control it is Rowena Ravenclaw one of the Founders of Hogwarts.
To call a person back from the prison, a person must send some of their magic into the veil calling the person within the veil to come through, if the person or persons are not strong enough magically to call the person back then the person or persons being called will not return
A note about the Veil is that its noticeable about the Veil is that those who hear voiced coming from the veil have the power to call those back from the Veil
It should be noted that those in the veil are frozen in time and space, but after a period of time start to reverse in form until they reach they stage that they where never created. But this only takes place after decades within the veil.
Once returned from the Veil, the person or persons will need plenty of sleep to return to full strength
Looking up from the passage, Harry had tears in his eyes full of joy, Sirius wasn't dead he had just ended up in another prison, better than Azkaban, but still a prison and from what Harry read he could soon be reunited with his Godfather. Getting up Harry quickly ran from the Library in search of Albus
