Chapter 32: Rebuilding
Tuesday 28th February 1995.
Luna hummed as she navigated the hallways. She had been simply following her feet for the past hour as they guided her on unfamiliar paths through the giant building. it was one of her favourite ways to whittle away an afternoon, simply seeing where whimsy would take her on any given day.
Her cloak and jumper were still a little damp from her jaunt outside about thirty minutes ago in the lovely Scottish afternoon drizzle, but it didn't bother her. The warming charm that Hermione had discovered kept her warm regardless of how damp her clothes may have become.
"Hello, Luna." A voice came from beside the suit of armour she had just passed.
Luna spun on her heel and saw a pair of faces she had missed a lot over the past few days. She rushed forward and before either of them could say a word, she had them both in a firm embrace.
"It's good to see you too, Luna," Hermione said as she rubbed the wee girl's back. "How have you been?"
"Alright. Lonely, but ok." Luna replied, letting the hug deepen.
"No one has been giving you any trouble have they?" Harry enquired and Luna couldn't help but smile.
"No. They're still afraid of you."
Harry sighed as he tightened his grip on her. "I wish it was because they truly regretted what they had done. But if fear is what it takes…"
"Harry…" Hermione warned softly.
"It's alright. I know most of them find me weird."
Luna finally pulled away from the pair and looked up at them. "You aren't weird, Luna. You're unique."
"A different word for the same thing. It really doesn't bother me. Not anymore."
Harry glanced at Hermione and Luna could see the anger he was trying to hide from her. It made her feel so lucky to have someone she could not only call friend but who was utterly unafraid to call her one in return and keep her safe.
"How are you two?" She asked, trying to distract Harry before he went on a currently underserved rampage. "I assume you didn't just pop in to see me."
Hermione sighed and turned to face her front on. "Luna, spending time with you is a delight."
"But you aren't just here to see me," Luna replied plainly, not in any way hurt that they might combine purposes with a visit.
"Luna…"
"I don't mind. It just makes sense to make one trip. Are you allowed to tell me what else you're doing today?"
"Of course we can, Luna." Harry smiled. "We're going to visit the mervillage. To apologize."
"I'm sure they'll be pleased. How are you feeling after the Task, Hermione? It must have been strange being down there so long."
Luna could see the smile spread across Hermione's face and it made her own grow in return.
"It wasn't that bad for me actually. I don't remember anything after I went to bed that night until Harry pulled me above the surface."
"Oh, that's good then," Luna replied, stepping close to Harry and taking his hand softly. "And it's a good thing we've such a heroic friend in Harry."
Hermione gazed at the now blushing boy and smiled. "Yes, that is very true."
Harry suddenly glanced up and stared down the hallway Luna had come from, his face taking on a far sharper edge. "Someone is coming."
He looked at Hermione and she nodded, taking his other hand and Luna was swept away from the hallway, finding herself standing with her two friends in the school's boathouse, the heavy rain thundering against the tiled ceiling. "That is fun. Do you think you could teach me how to do that?" She asked matter-of-factly.
"I would very much like to, Luna. But I don't think it works once you get to a certain age. I've never seen it work on someone older than eleven."
"Ah, poo. Oh well. Did you come here so you can get to the mervillage easier?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other with a smirk and Luna smiled brightly at the both. She liked that they had no trouble keeping track of her train of thought as it rushed from one station to the next.
"Not really, but that is a good idea. I just figured no one would likely be here on such a rainy day."
"Quite clever. It has been raining like this for several hours now. I'll bet most people are tucked away inside. I suppose that I should let you both get to it."
"Luna, we don't have to leave right now. We really did come to see you as well." Hermione explained.
"I know, and it makes me very happy that you did. But the merpeople are in a bit of a state at the moment. The Ministry is ignoring all their complaints. You can come and see me again before you go."
Harry looked at Hermione and Luna could see an idea forming on his face. "Harry," Hermione said, her voice low and accusatory.
"What? I didn't do anything."
"You're thinking it though."
"You're the one who said… it was her idea."
"Just ask already, we both know you won't be happy unless you do."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the boy as he turned and smiled at Luna. "Want to come with?"
Luna paused in surprise for several long seconds, simply staring at Harry with her wide eyes. "Come with… to the mervillage?"
"Yep. Hermione and I can do the bubblehead charm for you. And we've lots of spare Gillyweed from the Task just in case. You told Hermione you wanted to explore down there, and classes are finished for the day."
Hermione sighed as she pulled a pad of paper from her pocket and began scribbling a note. Luna looked back to Harry and nodded quickly, amazed that they'd be willing to let her come with them. Hermione finished her writing and tapped the piece of paper which changed into a paper bird and began flying through the heavy rainstorm, back up to the castle.
Luna looked at the elder girl curiously. "We promised Professor McGonagall we'd notify her next time we borrowed a student."
Luna nodded with recognition before turning back to Harry who had knelt down in front of her and had his wand poised near her chest. "Ready?"
She nodded rapidly, her scraggly and still damp hair flapping about. Harry grinned as he tapped her wand and she heard him mutter the incantation. He also handed her a small handful of a sticky green weed. "Remember, just in case."
Luna nodded again and felt the odd magic around her face wobble slightly. She glanced at Hermione to see the girl had cast the spell on herself and was elongating her feet into flippers. She turned to Luna who held up her bare left foot to the older girl and watched excitedly as her own foot extended out, almost tickling as it grew. Once her left was adequately sized, she held out her right and the process repeated.
She flapped heavily over to the edge of the dock and saw Harry standing there with long flippery feet and a bubble over his face too. He held out his right hand and she took it firmly, feeling Hermione grab her other hand. Harry briefly tapped her head and then Hermione's, making her feel even warmer, before he stood up straight once more and stared out over the water. They stood there in silence for several long moments before Luna glanced between the other two and realized they were waiting for her to be ready.
With a smile and a laugh that echoed in the bubble, Luna stepped off and jumped into the water, the other's following right behind with a splash. The world immediately became muted heavily as the water pressed in on them and Luna kicked her legs sharply, nearly popping back out of the water due to their effect under her.
She slowly found the sweet spot and began to hover gently in the water, turning about to see the boathouse from underneath for the first time ever.
"That's so cool." She whispered and felt a slight shudder in Harry's arm. She turned to face him and noted he was giggling as he watched her.
Luna blushed slightly before she scrunched up her face and stuck her tongue out at the boy, drawing a bigger laugh which sent bubbles spurting through the flimsy pocket of air on his face and soaring up to the surface.
Looking up reminded her to look down, and Luna swept her eyes into the dark depths below. She was not afraid of the dark, nor afraid of any creatures that might be in the waters below. And even if she were, she knew that no harm would come to her while in the company of Harry and Hermione. With a renewed sweep of her lengthened feet, she turned in the water and began heading down.
Harry and Hermione easily kept pace with her, both still holding her hand tightly as she headed out further into the deep lake. Before too long, Harry gave a slight tug on her arm and pointed that they needed to head further to the right. Luna allowed Hermione to aim them and continued kicking softly as they calmly soared through the depths.
It was an experience Luna doubted she'd ever be able to adequately describe to anyone, though she knew she would be writing an enormous letter home to her mother tonight trying her best to do so. Not only was she exploring the Black Lake, but was doing so with two very good friends. This was turning out to be one of the best days she had ever had.
At their languid pace, it took almost an hour before the rocky buildings of the mervillage came into sight, several dark figures hanging in the water in front of them, all of whom were armed with long sharp pikes and tridents. Luna felt a sliver of fear lick through her body at the sight, but both hands tightened on her own and gave her renewed courage to keep going.
As they approached, a trio broke off from the waiting crowd and approached them slowly. Two of them were tall green coloured men with long powerful scaled tails. Each carried one of the two types of jagged weapons, though theirs looked to be made of a finer and stronger material than some of those still behind them. The third figure was quite different, however. She was clearly someone important to the merfolk and was wearing some sort of weeded sash over her bare scaled chest. A jagged crown of stone and kelp was woven into her snakelike hair and her eyes were fixed on Harry.
The human trio stopped in the water and allowed themselves to go vertical. Harry squeezed her hand before he let go and Hermione pulled her a little closer in the water, placing her free hand on Luna's shoulder as Harry swept slightly forward of the two girls.
He raised his hands to the approaching merfolk and bowed his head as they came within reach. He put both hands together and touched his chest lightly before placing the palms flat to one another and bowing to the woman.
"We can speak underwater, Harry Potter. Though your attempt at rudimentary communication does amuse me slightly."
Harry waved his hand near his face and the bubble over his features tightened significantly, now practically flush with his skin. "My apologies, I am woefully ignorant of your customs and ways. I hoped to make right what damage I may have caused in my haste the other day."
"You have been sent by your Ministry?" the mermaid asked.
"No. I've not spoken with them in many days. They stole my girlfriend. If I were to see them right now, I would be hard-pressed not to attack them for it."
The scaled woman stared at Harry carefully for several long moments. "You came of your own accord then?"
"I wronged your people. I would like to make up for that. My friends couldn't resist the chance to visit your magnificent village when they learned my intentions."
Luna shivered slightly despite the powerful warming charm as the powerful woman locked her in her gaze before sweeping her eyes to Hermione.
"This one has been here before."
"Indeed I have, though last time I was unable to see very much." Hermione offered and Luna noted her bubble was much tighter too.
The mermaid stared between Harry and Hermione several times before she spoke again. "Your Ministry has been ignoring our requests. What amends can you offer, young one?"
"Firstly, I'd like to fix any damage I may have caused. I was somewhat frantic last week and did not consider my actions greatly before I made them. I needed to rescue my friend as fast as I was able. Consequences be damned." Harry replied.
"Very well. You will be watched. But if you truly come to help, we are not so proud as to refuse aid."
The woman spun in the water so quickly, Luna wasn't sure she hadn't imagined it. With a single flick of her powerful tail, the woman was halfway back to the larger group in a moment and Harry drifted back over to where they were hovering in the water as the two mermen watched him closely.
"Looks like they're willing to accept our help, but be sure not to make any sudden movements and be careful where you point your wand if you want to help," Harry said to her directly.
Luna nodded softly as he took her hand once more and the trio slowly followed the retreating mermaid deeper into the village. She noted several large chunks of stone were missing from a good number of the houses and she recalled the massive pieces of rock that the Giant Squid had been returning to the lake after the Task. She could not help but be impressed by the amount of power Harry must have used in his spells during the event.
They soon arrived at an empty square and Luna felt Harry tense up as he stared into the middle of the open space. Hermione released her hand and quickly swam past Luna, coming to rest looking at Harry.
"I'm right here. I'm ok, you're ok. Calm yourself."
Luna felt like she was intruding on something as Harry closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. He opened them again and looked over Hermione's shoulder to the empty water before nodding. Hermione shifted to Harry's left and took the boy's other hand as they approached the mermaid who was once more hovering in place watching them approach.
"This was a place of great importance to my people. The image of Atargatis holds power in these depths, and you destroyed it." The woman growled, and the faces of the gathered seemed to take on a more monstrous appearance for a moment. Luna felt the fear spike once more at the sight and she tightened her grip on Harry's hand.
"I am very sorry. If you have a replica of the image, I will try my best to restore it."
Those gathered facing them seemed taken aback at his offer. "You truly think you can achieve this?"
"As I said, I wronged your people. I wish to make amends. Where better to begin than an icon central to your people's faith? Though I will certainly need Hermione's help."
Luna watched silently as a few of the merfolk whispered amongst themselves before a single one darted off into the darkness. Several tense moments passed as those gathered stared at the human trio, gently hovering in the water. Luna couldn't contain her curiosity as she kicked softly, casting her eyes about the open square. At its farthest bounds lay more houses, some also missing pieces, while others had coverings of kelp and weeds that made them look even more beautiful than the bare stone.
Before she could inspect much else, the mermaid approached, also wearing a strange form of sash over her chest, but this one was almost bleached white. Luna found herself wondering how such a thing was possible when the mermaid stopped in front of Harry and held out a small foot-high piece of stone.
A second glance showed it to be a sculpture of a mermaid. The tail curved to the right under her outstretched arms, and had the finest detail around the scales of its sweeping length. The upper body was entirely smooth and defined as some of the sculptures she had seen in Greece on the travels with her parents as a small child. The face though, caught and held her attention ferociously. The face was both incredibly beautiful and unfathomably powerful, frightening and caring all at once.
The face and body of a god captured in a moment in stone.
Harry turned to Hermione who extended her left hand slowly. The mermaid watched her cautiously before she handed the girl the icon. Hermione held it up to her face, appearing to take in all the fine detail all around the small piece. "How tall was it?"
"Er," Harry paused, clearly thinking carefully. "It was about fourteen times your height."
"That's a lot of stone, Harry. Something of that size will need a lot of material to work off."
"I know. I feel terrible."
Hermione returned the statue to the waiting mermaid and turned to Harry, pressing her lips softly to his cheek. "I know." She turned back to the mermaid. "Would it be possible to have access to unworked stone? Probably… I'm unsure of your size or weight measurements."
"You wish for stone enough to build the icon anew?" the mermaid asked curiously, her voice raspy and high at the same time.
"Something like that."
The mermaid gestured another forward from the crowd and a merman quickly approached. This one seemed younger than the others and was not armed like a large portion of the rest. "Take them to the quarry storage."
The merman nodded and signalled for them to follow as he headed off to the north. The trio tried their best to keep up with his rapid pace and Luna was very grateful for the flippers right now. As they soared above the buildings of the village, she began to see the true extent of the damage. So many of the houses had at least a small chunk of rock missing, allowing her to see inside. Some even had eyes looking back out at them, tiny figures huddled within.
Luna felt Harry's hand firm up again and she noticed he was looking in the same direction she had been. But she had a feeling this anger was directed inwards. Hermione must have done something to draw his attention as he turned to the other side and a moment later his hand slackened once more.
They quickly arrived at a series of outcroppings not far from the mervillage where large chunks of stone were laid about in the silt. Luna was amazed at the size of the material and impressed that the merfolk were able to maneuver such large blocks about.
Harry turned to Luna and nodded at her, his hand loosening fully and she let him go as he pulled his wand from inside his robes. Luna pulled her own but was unsure what to do as Harry and Hermione moved a little closer to the stone, the merman to the side watching them both carefully. With a synchronised swipe of their wands through the water, all the large blocks on the lakebed lifted up, rising higher and higher into the water.
Luna was stunned at the sheer power her two friends were capable of utilising before the spell broke and the blocks fell to the ground once more. Luna swam forwards as Harry and Hermione stared at one another, seeming to be communicating something as when Luna arrived, Hermione quickly swam off back towards the village.
"What's wrong?" Luna asked, releasing that her bubblehead had not been adjusted to allow her to speak clearly underwater.
Harry turned to her and smiled, apparently understanding what she was asking regardless. "We can lift them all, but there are a lot of houses between here and the square. I'd be mortified if we lost focus over the village and caused more damage."
"Then how?"
"Our secret." Harry held one finger up to his mouth and made a shushing sound that spurted bubbles out around the finger and made Luna giggle.
Harry twitched upright in the water and turned back towards the village, responding to a signal that Luna could not see. He turned back to her for a moment and gave her a wink before he swam over the stones and turned back towards the village.
Luna watched silently as Harry tucked his wand back into his robes and spread his arms wide. His fingers were splayed outwards and Luna thought she saw movement between the open digits. The water seemed to shimmer around Harry's hands before, with a sudden movement, Harry's arms swept inwards and he clapped loudly in the water. Luna felt herself yanked forwards momentarily before she could right herself against the sudden current and when she glanced up once more, all the stone was gone.
Harry once more seemed to respond to an unseen signal and swam quickly over to where Luna was hovering in the water. She looked at him curiously and he smiled in return, taking her hand once more and making a big show of clicking his fingers. Luna surged around in the water, taking in the fact that she had once more moved locations without warning. Harry's smile grew as he gently directed her downwards and she saw Hermione below them, hovering over all the large chunks of stone now deposited around the centre of the large square.
Luna glanced back to Harry who gave her a shush signal once more before he joined Hermione and the two linked hands and pulled their wands once more. Harry's in his left and Hermione's in her right hand. Hermione looked over her shoulder at Luna and gestured for her to swim back a little and the girl did, watching in fascination as the two began to swish their wands through the water in mirrored actions.
The two moved in perfect harmony as the stone beneath them began to crack apart and drift upwards, coming together again in a new shape in the water in front of the two. As their arms moved up and down, back and forth, the object began to take shape and Luna realized they were reforming a larger version of the small statuette they'd been shown before.
Luna felt the water around her move and turned to see several members of the merfolk crowd had joined her position closer to the action and were also watching in awe as the two worked in unison. As the work continued and more and more people joined Luna in watching, she felt the water in front of her heating up. She extended her hand and noted that the closer it got to the pair, the warmer it became. She realized they must have been channelling an enormous amount of power to accomplish their goal.
It took quite a while, but eventually, the statue was fully formed once more and Luna watched from the crowd as the merwoman who had greeted them swam forward to Harry and Hermione. The pair twisting slightly at her approach but continuing to weave their wands gently through the water.
"How is it?" Hermione asked and the merwoman swam around the statue from top to bottom, even ducking under the still levitating bottom of the tail on which Luna assumed it would normally rest.
"It's perfect. How?" The merwoman questioned as she rejoined them.
"We work well together," Harry replied cheekily.
"If you're happy with it, we'll let it set and place it down."
The merwoman nodded and the pair swept their wands upwards together. A sound of cracking stone filled the water and Luna saw water being jetted out of tiny gaps she had not even noticed in the stonework as the giant icon knitted itself together. With a final slow downward sweep, the statue came to rest heavily on the lake bed and the people around Luna clapped and cheered at the sight of their renewed holy symbol.
"I know it doesn't make up for ruining the original, but I hope it helps a little." Harry nodded to the merwoman who looked back at him curiously.
"It does. And it shows my own manners have been lacking. I am Mer-cheiftainess Murcus."
The pair bowed their heads at the chief merwoman and Luna echoed their efforts. "I am Harry Potter, as you apparently know. This is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger. And our good friend," Harry gestured to Luna, "Luna Lovegood."
"You are a most unusual human being," Murcus replied.
"I get that a lot. But, we have to get Luna back up to the castle at a reasonable hour." The boy glanced into the water far above before checking his watch and looking back up at the Mer-chieftainess. "We will come back shortly to finish helping repair the houses."
Hermione bowed to the woman once more and swam over to where Luna hovered, now surrounded by merfolk. "Making more friends, I see," Hermione noted as she arrived.
Luna glanced at the surrounding merfolk and smiled, an action which they cheerfully returned. She noticed the one closest to her had been the one who guided them over to the quarry and gave him a slight nod which he mirrored.
"Guess so." She replied, the sound still muffled by her regular bubblehead charm.
As they floated in place, Harry came over to them, a small pale cat hovering beside him that looked oddly familiar to Luna. "Looks like visiting hours are over, I'm afraid. We have to get you back or risk a rather severe scratching next time we go to Transfiguration."
Luna nodded and turned to the assembled merfolk, waving happily at them as Harry gently took her free hand. Luna turned back to see Hermione reverting her feet to normal and with another sudden change, she was once more in the air, the bubble over her face popping and allowing her to breathe the clear Scottish air again.
"That was wicked." She said plainly, the three dripping onto the dock heavily.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Harry smirked again as he too drew his wand and glanced to Hermione.
"What?" Luna asked, unsure of the cheeky look on her friends' faces.
"You're all wet. Can't have you going inside like that. Filch will have a heart attack." Hermione explained and she lifted her wand.
"Ok," Luna said.
Suddenly the two wands pointed at her feet began to blow comfortably warm air over her figure and the two friends stepped back to get a better angle as they swept them up over her body, Luna giggling happily at the feeling as the water flicked off and her clothes whipped about in the moving air. When they pointed towards her face, she closed her eyes and her giggling increased as she felt her hair flapping in the streams.
As the air lessened and she opened her eyes, she felt warm inside and out now that she was dry. And for having spent a wonderful afternoon exploring with her two closest friends. "That was fun."
Harry stepped over and laid his still wet hand gently on her shoulder. "Yes, it was. We'll have to do it again sometime. I'd give you a hug, but…"
Luna stepped forward and wrapped him in her arms for a moment, not caring that it undid the drying effect they had just treated her to. "I don't mind."
She felt Hermione's arm on her shoulders as well and Luna let herself fall into the comfort of having such wonderful friends. All too soon the pair pulled back and Luna smiled at them.
"We'll come by when we can. Hopefully, we won't have to stay away for long." Hermione noted as Luna stepped back.
"I look forward to it."
"If anyone gives you any trouble, call for Tybalt. He knows to come if you call. And will bring us if needed." Harry added and Luna felt even happier knowing that even in their absence they were ensuring she was watched over. The letter to her mother was going to be epic tonight.
"I will." She nodded lightly. "Stay safe."
"We will." The pair smiled and raised their hands, fingers readied to snap and Luna knew what was about to happen after the few times they'd done so today. "Bye for now."
Luna waved at them as she heard the snap and a moment later she was standing in Professor McGonagall's office, staring at the stern woman who was trying her hardest not to let the extreme surprise she was feeling show on her face.
"Miss Lovegood. I trust you had a productive afternoon." The professor asked.
"It was wonderful. The merfolk seem much happier now."
"Merfolk?" The professor's voice cracked and she lost the war with her face, the surprise now plain to see.
"Indeed. But if you don't need anything, I am a mite hungry. I'll head off to dinner now." Luna explained, smiling brightly at the elder woman.
When Professor McGonagall said nothing further, Luna turned on her heel and began humming the same tune from earlier as she skipped out of the office and into the hall, wondering what she might enjoy for dinner after such a glorious afternoon of fun.
ϟ
Albus adjusted his belt as the grate opened and allowed him out onto the second level, most of the wide space filled with desks separated by low partitions. Several Aurors were busily working away at their desks but most of the floor was empty as he strolled through the bull pit. His brisk pace soon brought him to the line of office he was seeking and he noted Auror Dawlish standing beside the water fountain.
"Dawlish. Is she in?" He greeted plainly, nodding to the nearby door.
The young Auror glanced at him before his eyes flicked to the door and he nodded silently. Albus returned the nod and headed for the door, ignoring Dawlish as he tried to tell him he couldn't just walk on in.
The door swung inwards and the woman at the desk inside looked up at him in surprise, eyes widening.
"Miss Everett. I'm glad you are here."
"Professor Dumbledore. To what do we owe your visit?" Senior Auror Everett replied, gesturing to Dawlish to settle.
Albus stepped towards the desk, not letting his gaze drift from the woman's face. "I am here to inform you that, due to your actions, you are hereby officially banned from setting foot on Hogwarts grounds going forwards."
Everett's eyes widened and her mouth began to flap silently. "What is going on here?" A stern voice came from behind Albus, though he did not turn, recognizing the owner.
"I was simply informing your Senior Auror that her actions had seen her banned from school grounds," Albus informed the Department Head.
"Her actions?" Amelia asked, stepping over to the desk as well, her eyes fixed on the Auror behind the desk.
"Yes. I've interrogated the portraits around the Hufflepuff dormitories and it seems Miss Everett here is the one who entered the female dormitory and came out a few minutes later levitating the unconscious form of Miss Granger. I know for a fact that Miss Granger, nor her family were consulted regarding her involvement in the task. I will not tolerate such behaviour at Hogwarts, especially from visitors. As such, she is no longer welcome on the grounds. Hopefully, this doesn't interfere with your work, Amelia."
Albus finally pulled his gaze from the fish-out-of-water face before him and turned to see Amelia was glaring at the Auror with a great deal of anger. "None whatsoever, Dumbledore. It seems we will be having a meeting of the management staff of this department about taking orders from outside the chain of command."
Albus smiled softly at the formidable woman. "Good to know such instructions did not come from your office. Good day, Amelia."
"You can't…" Everett finally spoke before being immediately silenced by Amelia, both magically and through the intimidating look in her eyes.
"Sit down! Auror Everett. It appears your status has just come under review. Have a nice day, Professor." Amelia said as she stepped even closer to the desk, towering over the retreating figure on the far side.
Albus walked quickly to the door and noticed Auror Dawlish standing by the opening, glancing furtively inside. "Dawlish," Albus stated simply as he walked back off towards the elevators, every eye in the bull pit now following him closely.
The stares made him uncomfortable again these days and Albus hated that he had become so used to the fact people naturally deferred to him due to actions he had made decades prior. He tried to shrug off the feeling as he walked confidently away from the office, several raised voices now emanating behind him.
His rage at the events of the Second Task had cooled slightly, but he was going to make absolutely sure that any further interaction the Ministry had with Hogwarts was vetted and approved, and most of all, didn't put any of its students in danger. The others were right that he had allowed events to go to his head and corrupt him. But that Albus was gone now. The man he once was had resurfaced and he was done with games. If people wanted to see the Great Albus Dumbledore at work, he would give them something worth watching.
A man committed to his charges.
The elevator grate closed in front of him once more and he clipped the number four on the panel. Now to try and get the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to get off their butts and resolve the very valid issues their people had with the Ministry after the event.
Albus sighed as he realized the damage was not caused by the Ministry, but he'd be damned if he let them off here. They were responsible for the Task even existing. But more than anything, this event had solidified Albus' need to speak with Mister Potter, while at the same time making it pretty certain the boy would never want to speak to him ever again.
He shook his head softly as the elevator came to a halt once more and cleared the thoughts from his mind, this was going to be far more difficult than his previous appointment.