The Houses Competition: [Y7] Round 6: Spring Awakens
House: Hufflepuff
Class: DADA
Type: Drabble
Prompt: [Event] Staff meeting
Word Count: 987 words
A motorcycle's engine roared, and Hagrid blundered into the meeting. The summer heat wafted into the small room.
"Ah, welcome, Rubeus," Dumbledore greeted. "How was your trip?"
"Good sir," the groundskeeper replied. "Harry's all set. Got 'im a nice owl. And er, got'ya the thing yer wanted." He patted his jacket.
"Thank you, Rubeus," Dumbeldore responded, turning to the rest of the table. Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Quirrell sat attentively.
Dumbledore addressed the room, "I have some concerns regarding recent happenings. I have gathered you here to ask a favor from each of you."
McGonagall and Snape nodded, but the others looked perplexed. "What h-h-happenings?" Quirrell asked, looking around the table.
"It is safest, I think, not to share too widely. I intend to do everything in my power to keep this school safe. Rubeus has retrieved something that I believe will be safe at Hogwarts. I wish for your help in protecting it."
"We would be happy to provide our services, Albus," Flitwick responded from atop his pile of books, "but what exactly do you need?"
"I will need each of you to devise a challenge. Something only the pure of heart and noble-minded could pass, but which would prove quite perilous to darker forces."
Dumbledore checked an old pocket watch, "The students will be arriving in 8 days. Kindly let me know before then." With that, the headmaster left the room.
"I know what I'm going to use already," Hagrid announced, "got him in Wales a few months back. Once he's full-grown –"
McGonagall cleared her throat pointedly.
"I think, Rubeus, that Albus would prefer we not share our plans," she chided.
"Right, err, shouldn't've told ya that," the gameskeeper apologized.
"I suggest," McGonagall said, "that we try to avoid too much mortal peril. This is a school, after all. I suspect my house alone is not alone in having over-curious students."
"We'll be sure to keep the Weasley boys alive," Snape's voice was dripping with sarcasm, which McGonagall ignored.
"Very well. Best get to it then."
Albus was feeding Fawkes some lemon sherberts when Flitwick entered, obscured behind a pile of books.
"Filius! Have you thought of something?"
Panting slightly as he put a large book on the desk, Filius pointed to a drawing of old-fashioned keys and two broomsticks.
" I'm convinced I can enchant the keys so there's no magic that can summon the right one."
Dumbledore nodded, "Very good. Thank you, Filius."
"Albus," the Charms professor replied, "you don't think You-Know-Who's supporters could be –"
"I have suspicions, but I don't know anything," Dumbledore responded, gesturing to the door.
Professor Sprout carried a sapling of Devil's Snare into the office, "It shouldn't harm any students. We teach Devil's Snare their first year. If they get in, they'll know how to get out."
"Hmm," Albus responded. His Herbology professor was unendingly optimistic about her student's progress, but the threat they faced might be far darker than even he feared. Perhaps the danger was worth it.
"See that they learn it well this year," he conceded.
Dumbledore was glad Quirrell had not actually brought the troll into his office. As it was, the man was covered in a rather astounding volume of malodorous fluid.
"I h-h-have a g-g-gift with t-t-trolls. It's p-p-perfectly s-s-secure."
"Very well," Dumbledore dismissed the man.
Quirrell turned at the door, "May I ask w-w-what we're p-p-protecting?"
"Some information is safer not shared, my friend," Dumbledore said, gesturing him out.
Fluffy chased Fawkes and Dumbledore hid a smile at the sight of his groundskeeper throwing his considerable bulk after the duo.
After restraining the puppy, Hagrid explained, "He'll fall right asleep to music he will, but if somebody tried to fight him." He was interrupted by two tongues licking his face, "Well, he'll be fearsome in a couple months when he's bigger, sir."
"Wonderful, thank you, Rubeus."
The transfiguration to pull off Minerva's idea was astoundingly elegant and complex. Albus suppressed expressing pride in his former student.
Minerva interrupted, her voice tight, "Albus, Harry Potter will be on the train. What justifies bringing malicious attention here, where the boy may face danger?"
Dumbledore wrestled with sharing his fears that Voldemort still lived with his friend. It would be a relief to share the burden, but alas. The fewer people knew his suspicions, the safer.
"I fear that if we cannot keep this object safe, the boy will be in greater danger. Do keep an eye on him, Minerva."
Dumbledore hoped that any students skillful enough to reach the final room would be clever enough not to be poisoned by Severus's puzzle. It was ingenious; Voldemort, who disdained non-magical thinking, would not be able to use his magic to discern the answer.
"Severus, you have worked at Hogwarts for eleven years."
"I have," Severus said tersely.
"You recall Harry Potter will matriculate this year?"
"Yes." Old pain flashed on Severus's face.
"I suspect, as I think you might also, that Voldemort didn't die that night in Godric's Hollow. I have asked that the sorcerer's stone be secured in the castle. There is nothing he will want more."
"He would stop at nothing for it," Snape agreed.
"There've been rumors of odd happenings in Albania. It would be wise, I think, to keep an eye on Quirrell after his recent travels there."
"You don't suspect –"
"I don't know anything he may have experienced, but we should be proactive."
"I will do what is needed." With that, Severus left.
Dumbeldore emerged on the third floor, leaving Fluffy snoozing happily behind him. The stone was in place and, hopefully, safe. His faculty had devised ingenious challenges that even a skilled wizard would struggle with.
From a nearby window, he saw carriages pulling the older students to the castle. With a final glance at the door, he began to head down to the Great Hall. It was to be an interesting year.