Chapter 2
Professor Alymere Dearden sat in his favourite brown leather seat in the library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as he did during most of his spare time. The rain pittered on the window and the School was relatively quiet, with most of the student on a trip to Hogsmeade village. He was a tall skinny man with wiry, chin length brown hair. He was the Professor of Magical History. He had started his 1st year at Hogwarts as the daughter of the famous Wizard, Harry Potter – Lily – had started her 6th.
Even though he was in Ravenclaw and she like all her family was in Gryffindor he'd heard all about the stories and exploits of her father during his time in and out of Hogwarts; fights with Voldemort and other dark wizards, run ins with all sorts of magical beasts, strange items such as the Philosopher's Stone and the Horcruxes (items of historical importance imbued with a part of Voldemort's soul). These stories had got him into learning about magical artifacts and in turn, the history of Magic itself.
During the rebuild of Hogwarts, a secret library had been uncovered from a secret magic covered chamber with books that had previously not known to have existed with more history and more magic than what had ever been known. The chance to get his hands on these had spurred him on, upon leaving Hogwarts in year 7 with the highest scores in history in the classes and eventually to him joining Hogwarts as a Professor. Whilst he was still young, he was already seen to be a leading expert in the field so was given the opportunity to study in the forbidden section of the school library where the books had been moved to. Most of them hadn't yet been studied, so he was always finding new things. Having not long sat down with a few books he had not yet scanned through, got himself comfortable and dragged the top book off his pile Crafting of Stone Cauldrons and Their Uses by Persephone Arcturus when he heard the gate to the restricted section open with its usual creak.
"Professor," came a muted voice.
Alymere turned in his chair to see one of the librarians walking towards him, his robe swishing as he walked.
"Good afternoon," he greeted with a smile.
"Professor McGonagall wants to see you urgently. I'll put these away for you," he said gesturing to the pile of books. Alymere raised an eyebrow and stood up grabbing his things.
"Thank-you Percy," he replied, then proceeded to make his way to the Headmistresses' office.
"Ahh Alymere," The Headmistress greeted as he entered her office. It was filled with the portraits of the former Heads of Hogwarts; some smiling, some sleeping and others talking amongst themselves. There were strange oddities; there was an hourglass that ran backwards with silver sand, a strange small hand that looked to be pointing at something but he couldn't see at what, there was a large empty bird stand with a silver bowl below it – the bird stand of the legendary Phoenix Fawkes – and of course, the Sorting Hat, which was snoring on the top of a bookshelf, and so many more things.
The room always fascinated him when he came in to see the Headmistress.
"What can I help you with Minerva?"
She held up a letter. "The Minister of Magic has requested your assistance in a matter of urgent importance. You are to leave immediately and report to Auror Pelleas, you can use the Floo," she said gesturing to the fire over to her side. "We will get the things you need sent over to you as soon as possible."
"Report to an Auror? Do you know what it's about?" Professor Dearden asked with a puzzled tone.
"I know nothing Alymere, just what I've told you." Alymere made his way to the fireplace and took a handful of powder. "Alymere, be careful," Professor McGonagall said warmly.
"I will, thank you." He stepped into the fireplace and threw the powder at his feet "The Ministry of Magic," he shouted, as he vanished in the green flames.