Dumbledore stepped out of the grate a few minutes later. He sat down
behind his desk, and looked up at Harry. "Harry, I know that we had a talk
last year. I just want to fill you in on a few gaps that you may have
noticed since your honorary induction. For one, you've noticed that
Professor Rasbutinoff has been working for the Order of the Phoenix, but
not doing much fighting. He is here as a refugee. Voldemort is hunting
him down. Over the summer, Voldemort and some of his followers headed into
some other countries, to try and expand their numbers even larger.
Voldemort had heard about a large cult following who practiced the Dark
Arts. He went to make contact with them, thinking that they would be a
useful addition to his army.
However, Professor Rasbutinoff was on their tail. Before fleeing, he worked as a Russian equivalent of an Auror. He had made contact with Charlie, and was working with the Order of the Phoenix, even though he wasn't a member. The Russian government wanted this cult, the Valenkyr to be rounded up before they fell in with Voldemort. One of Professor Rasbutinoff's Aurors had infiltrated the Valenkyr, and was feeding him information. He reported that some Death Eaters had come to present Voldemort's case to the cult, and they were ready to follow. That night, Rasbutinoff snuck in and single-handedly rounded up all fifty members of the Valenkyr. However, one escaped, and passed on the information to Antonin Dolohov, one of the Death Eaters. Dolohov used to be a member of the Valenkyr before coming over to Voldemort's side. Professor Rasbutinoff is now a refugee, and he is hunted by the both the Death Eaters and the other factions of the Valenkyr¸ who came over to Voldemort.
"Professor Snape told me that last year you told him that you thought his job was to make contact with the Death Eaters. You were correct in this assumption. He is our insider there. However, the time will come when he will have to leave. Hogwarts will be a safe haven to him along with any others.
"I know you probably have more questions, but I can't answer them. I will not divulge information vital to the Order of the Phoenix."
Harry nodded, then spoke. "Professor, I noticed that Voldemort always attacks on a holiday. On Halloween, he attacked the Ministry of Magic. Christmas was when he attacked Hogsmeade. Now, today, Valentine's Day, he attacked Diagon Alley. I can't help but think that Easter will be the day he next strikes, and possibly at St. Mungo's or Gringotts. What do you think?"
"I have noticed this pattern, and trust me, we will be prepared. You remember that last year, when Mr. Weasley was attacked, I sent two of the former Heads to their other portraits? I have Dilys positioned in St. Mungo's, and we have Bill standing guard in Gringotts, with backup hiding in one of the closest vaults. Don't worry. Moody and Lupin have "volunteered" at St. Mungo's, so they're on guard there. Besides, you remember the leaflet about St. Mungo's. You must achieve an "O" in Defense Against the Dark Arts. The staff is fully qualified."
Harry nodded, and got up to leave. As he did, Dumbledore said, "Oh, Harry, good luck next weekend. I know as Headmaster, I'm not supposed to side with any particular House, but I do hope that my former House wins the Quidditch cup this year." Harry thanked him, then walked out the door, back to the common room. He was intercepted by Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, who had come to find him. He reported to them what Dumbledore said, then reminded them that they needed their sleep. He was going to start a full scale Quidditch training program, starting tomorrow morning.
However, Professor Rasbutinoff was on their tail. Before fleeing, he worked as a Russian equivalent of an Auror. He had made contact with Charlie, and was working with the Order of the Phoenix, even though he wasn't a member. The Russian government wanted this cult, the Valenkyr to be rounded up before they fell in with Voldemort. One of Professor Rasbutinoff's Aurors had infiltrated the Valenkyr, and was feeding him information. He reported that some Death Eaters had come to present Voldemort's case to the cult, and they were ready to follow. That night, Rasbutinoff snuck in and single-handedly rounded up all fifty members of the Valenkyr. However, one escaped, and passed on the information to Antonin Dolohov, one of the Death Eaters. Dolohov used to be a member of the Valenkyr before coming over to Voldemort's side. Professor Rasbutinoff is now a refugee, and he is hunted by the both the Death Eaters and the other factions of the Valenkyr¸ who came over to Voldemort.
"Professor Snape told me that last year you told him that you thought his job was to make contact with the Death Eaters. You were correct in this assumption. He is our insider there. However, the time will come when he will have to leave. Hogwarts will be a safe haven to him along with any others.
"I know you probably have more questions, but I can't answer them. I will not divulge information vital to the Order of the Phoenix."
Harry nodded, then spoke. "Professor, I noticed that Voldemort always attacks on a holiday. On Halloween, he attacked the Ministry of Magic. Christmas was when he attacked Hogsmeade. Now, today, Valentine's Day, he attacked Diagon Alley. I can't help but think that Easter will be the day he next strikes, and possibly at St. Mungo's or Gringotts. What do you think?"
"I have noticed this pattern, and trust me, we will be prepared. You remember that last year, when Mr. Weasley was attacked, I sent two of the former Heads to their other portraits? I have Dilys positioned in St. Mungo's, and we have Bill standing guard in Gringotts, with backup hiding in one of the closest vaults. Don't worry. Moody and Lupin have "volunteered" at St. Mungo's, so they're on guard there. Besides, you remember the leaflet about St. Mungo's. You must achieve an "O" in Defense Against the Dark Arts. The staff is fully qualified."
Harry nodded, and got up to leave. As he did, Dumbledore said, "Oh, Harry, good luck next weekend. I know as Headmaster, I'm not supposed to side with any particular House, but I do hope that my former House wins the Quidditch cup this year." Harry thanked him, then walked out the door, back to the common room. He was intercepted by Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, who had come to find him. He reported to them what Dumbledore said, then reminded them that they needed their sleep. He was going to start a full scale Quidditch training program, starting tomorrow morning.
