Ch 18: Staff Meeting

Shortly before the Christmas holiday, Dumbledore met with the rest of the staff to review the progress of the school during the previous several months and discuss any problems facing the school.

"Someone has been stealing potion ingredients again this year. A lot of potion ingredients," added Snape.

"Could you give me a list of the missing items, Severus?"

"Of course."

"Someone has been entering the Restricted section in the library. I am constantly finding books missing for a day or two at a time, only to find them turn up again," complained Madame Pince.

"And all of the books have been returned?"

"Yes, except for the three that are currently missing. And when I trapped the shelves with howler books, the perpetrator left all of their tongues tied in knots."

Dumbledore hid a small smile.

Hagrid added, "There's been a lot of activity in the Forbidden Forest. I haven't seen any students," he explained at Dumbledore's quick look, "I mean there has been a lot of different creatures coming and going is all."

"Do you suspect Death Eater spies?" asked Dumbledore.

"No, it's not like that. It's odd. It's not like they're spying, but I get the feeling that they're up to something. The forest has a very thoughtful mood about it. I dun't know how to explain it Professor.

"The forest is thoughtful?" sneered Snape.

Hagrid returned an even stare, "That's what I said."

"Very well. Anything else?"

"Well, as you probably already know, the DADA classes are going extremely well," added Moody.

"And the DA club is doing extremely well. Harry has delegated quite a few of the teaching responsibilities, which is giving a number of other students invaluable experience. They're accomplishing quite a lot on their own," concluded Moody rather proudly.

"It's not really a complaint, but has anyone noticed that Peeves has been behaving rather strangely lately?" asked McGonagall.

"If you mean that he seems to be focusing his misdirected maliciousness mostly at the Slytherins and hardly at all at the Gryffindors, then yes, I have noticed," growled Snape.

"Ah, yes. Peeves. Who can really understand why a ghost does anything," mused Dumbledore, with an amused glint in his eye. "If there is nothing further, enjoy your holidays and try not to assign too much homework to the students over the break. They can use the vacation. Dismissed."

*-*-*

Later that afternoon, in Dumbledore's office, Harry knocked and was invited in.

~He looks tired, but then its been a grueling four months with all of his extra training.~ thought Dumbledore as Harry sat in a chair across from his desk. "First, I want to commend you on your excellent work with the DA club. It seems you have been able to help even more students this year than last."

"Thank you sir."

"Are you looking forward to the break, Harry?"

"Yeah, a break would be nice," replied Harry unconvincingly. "I could probably use a few days off."

"Yes, I can imagine. I asked you here because I wished to discuss with you several issues that some of the faculty have raised. I know it has been very difficult keeping your additional training secret and you have done well. Would you know anything about books disappearing from the Restricted section of the library? Or tongue-tied howler books?" Dumbledore seemed to be smiling.

Harry grinned back. "Well, I have to admit that I have been doing a little extra-curricular reading. It was a little inconvenient to have the howler books setting off alarms in the school, waking up Madame Pince and Filch. I figured that they needed their rest, so I altered the howler books slightly so that I could borrow the books I needed without disturbing anyone."

"I suspected as much. What about missing potion ingredients from Snape's office?"

Harry blushed faintly. "Yes, well, it seemed easier than trying to order the components I needed by owl. And I always intended to fully reimburse the school at the end of the year."

"Yes, yes, I do not doubt it. But what potions are you brewing that you need so many ingredients?"

Harry paused, then replied, "Well, we…err…I am trying to create a variety of power enhancing potions along the lines several we…er…I have discovered in some of the restricted texts. Don't worry, sir, I'm not taking them myself, I'm just trying to determine how to counteract their effects. I believe Voldemort may have taken some or is still taking some and I am looking for a way to counteract them." Dumbledore looked at him intently as he gave his answer.

Harry held his breath as he watched Dumbledore think. ~Don't ask anymore. You don't want to know about the potions I am really making. You don't want to know that I am getting many more ingredients from Fred and George. Don't ask any more questions about the ingredients. Just believe my story.~ thought Harry desperately.

Dumbledore asked, "Is there anything else, Harry?"

"No, sir," came the short reply.

"Hagrid mentioned that he has noticed an unusual amount of activity in the Forbidden Forest. Do you know anything about this, Harry?"

"No, sir," repeated Harry, this time managing to keep a straight face. ~How had Hagrid noticed that? How much time did Hagrid spend in the woods, anyways? Well, at least Hermione and I only go there in our Animagi forms, so Hagrid would never have seen either one of us. I'll have to be extra careful in the future when I change to my human form to speak with the other magical creatures, though.~

"Very well. One last question. Do you know anything about Peeve's recent change in behavior?"

Harry started laughing. "Well, Peeves caught me one day in the northeast tower practicing and when he threatened to make a new little song about what he'd seen, I had a little chat with him."

"Oh?" asked Dumbledore, looking amused.

"Yes. I asked Peeves if he would like to spend the rest of eternity in the shape of a mouse so that Filch's cat could chase him and play with him to his heart's content. He did not seem to care for that idea, so I told him to lay off of me and the rest of the Gryffindors. I guess he's been taking out some of his frustrations on the Slytherins." Harry chuckled.

"Very well, Harry. Enjoy your Christmas holidays. I will probably stop by to visit."

Sensing he was dismissed, Harry got up and left.

"The boy is holding back, you know," said Phineas.

"Oh yes, I am quite sure of it. And I doubt that either one of us guesses correctly the full extent of what he is trying to hide," replied Dumbledore.

"Students! Always thinking they're cleverer by half than their instructors."

"I really cannot blame him, Phineas. Perhaps if I had been completely forthright from the beginning with him, he would be more open with me now. I will do the best that I can, and hope that it will be enough," finished Dumbledore.