Disclaimer: I forgot this before; please note that I am not the inventor of the characters or even the genre of Harry Potter. It all belongs to JK Rowling.
Should a muggle see a phoenix they may just notice that although its predominant colouring is that of reds and golds, there is in fact some purple in it. However, usually when a muggle saw a phoenix they would most likely throw themselves onto the ground cowering in fear, that is, if they hadn't run away at first glimpse of the creature. Most of those who had actually taken a good look at a phoenix seemed to be fixated on its powerful talons or razor sharp beak, or at least this was what they had gibbered to Ministry officials before being happily obliviated.
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Albus Dumbledore eyes twinkled in the sunlight. Too often, in his opinion, people focused on supposed dangers and not on the beauty in front of them. In earlier times it had been easy to soothe them, but now, now the fear was overtaking even the sturdiest of minds.
"Albus, have you paid even the slightest attention to what I've said?"
A tall, portly woman of considerable years paced irritably from her previous position in an old but comfy armchair by the fire to place her weathered face in front of his.
"Albus! This is serious we ha' to consider the safety of th' children"
Minerva McGonagall's Scottish brogue had come to the fore highlighting her distress. She had leant in close to him, their noses barely a hair's width apart. The concern was etched over her already lined face.
"Come, come now Minerva. Granted the Astronomy Tower does seem to be the place where most of the children caught out of bounds are found. But who among us can resist the pull of the stars or even the moon in all her lunar glory? And naturally, one would not wish to observe such treasures alone which would probably account for the number of times our students are caught in pairs there."
A ghost of a smile graced Minerva's face for a second but was quickly hidden. Her stance softened somewhat and she moved to regain her seat. The forgotten teacup that had been placed on the mahogany coffee table near the hearth was taken up and she moved to have a sip, all the time keeping her eyes on Dumbledore to see if he would speak more on the matter. He relaxed somewhat thinking that she had deferred to his judgement.
At this point it should be made clear that whilst many powers have been attributed to the headmasters of Hogwarts, including mind-reading and purposeful vagueness, none of these, in fact, are true. Albus Dumbledore's reputation of being able to speak or ask the questions you least wanted voiced had nothing to do with his position as headmaster and everything to do with the wizard that he was. Of course every master of a skill has a weakness; Dumbledore's was that of underestimating Minerva McGonagall once she got a bee in her bonnet. And he could be forgiven this weakness because, contrary to the opinion of most students, Minerva McGonagall really wasn't fastidious about many things at all. In fact, it could be said that there was only one thing that got Minerva McGonagall's knickers in a twist; the safety of her children and she considered all the students of Hogwarts 'hers'. Before she finally took a taste of her now cold tea she quietly said:
"A castle is only a defence if all its towers stand strong."
She lowered her eyes from his as his forehead knitted into a frown. Despite her age Minerva was still a good strategist; her words on such a matter could not be taken lightly. As the school term had grown closer she had fretted over defence plans, more willing than any other professor to impinge on the freedom of the students to keep them safe. In this she had been overruled by Dumbledore and a majority of the senior staff who felt that it would be too disruptive and upsetting for them.
"We have already impressed on the staff members responsible for the Towers that they need to be secure, to single out Augusta for further comment would be offensive to her not to mention uncomfortable for me. I do not want to force people into showing their hands before it is time."
He looked at her to see if she understood. They were both aware that the case of Augusta Sinistra was not straightforward. She had just begun her teaching career in Hogwarts when the first war with Voldemort began. Many of her former housemates and friends were open Deatheaters but she was not. She had stood with Hogwarts when called to do so but had not been part of the Order of the Phoenix and it was known that she maintained contacts with many of her old circle. As Minerva often mused to herself, Augusta Sinistra was playing her own game within the wider backdrop of the battle.
In keeping with his belief in all of his long-term staff, Albus Dumbledore gave Sinistra his full trust and support; yet Minerva's voiced worries were not the only ones. As the Deputy of Slytherin House, Augusta Sinistra had not made many friends within the faculty. She did not take open interest in the affairs of Hogwarts which unfortunately led to the mistaken view by the majority that she didn't much care for the school. Added to this was her uncanny ability to take offence to even the most well-intentioned suggestions, seeing them as criticisms not advice.
"The peace is over Albus; it is time."
Minerva's voice broke his train of thought. He blinked rapidly, readjusting himself to his environment. A mischievous thought entered his mind and he subtlely schooled his features to be vacant.
"I suppose you are right Minerva. I know that you will explain the seriousness of the situation to both her and Severus so that they understand the pride of Slytherin House is at stake, what with them having the weakest Tower. We can tell them at breakfast. Sherbet Lemon?"
"Er, no. Pride? I rather thought…"
What she had been thinking at that moment was drowned out under the sound of the breakfast bell. And so it was that a rather bemused and apprehensive Professor McGonagall found herself being lead to breakfast by a beaming Headmaster Dumbledore.
As he strode through the door Albus muttered a short spell to prevent people from leaving the Hall until he was ready. Standing on the podium he cleared his throat to get the attention of the few students who had made it into the Hall thus far. Breakfasts at weekends in Hogwarts were generally quite a relaxed affair, the students appeared and left when they wished unlike on other days where they were required to be seated at a certain time. Twenty-six or so eyes gazed up expectantly at him.
"Just a short announcement; please do not leave the Hall until after I have made another announcement telling you about a new inter-House competition that will be beginning from Monday."
With that he made his way to his place at the table, ignored the curious glances from the rest of the staff and helped himself to seven pieces of toast and a veritable mountain of strawberry jam. Usually the Hall would be buzzing after such an announcement, today it was quiet, although he knew that this would end once those already present told those who came next. After about thirty minutes a good hum had started to sound from the rapidly filling benches as more and more pupils began to puzzle over the possibilities of a new competition.
On the staff table, Professor McGonagall had turned a particularly awful shade of puce which some of the more observant, and awake, faculty members spotted. She began to play with her pancakes, avoiding the raised eyebrows of her colleagues and once again in her mind cursed whichever wizard or witch had thought to make it impossible to disapparate within Hogwarts. Finally, as the last student took their place with their House, Dumbledore rose from his seat, noting that even his professors were paying him close attention.
"All of you know that this castle was built by its founders to be a haven and a fortress for all those studying within its walls. Over the years, as the dangers from without have receded the focus has fallen mainly on the idyllic and academic aspect of our founders' aspirations, perhaps to the loss of some of the castle's initial strength. To this end we have devised a competition to rebuild the physical strength of Hogwarts to its former glory. I hereby announce the reinstatement of the Towers Cup."
At this murmurs broke out. Admittedly, these were mostly along the lines of "Wow, that sounds cool, what's the Towers Cup?" or in the case of Quidditch players "Do you think that this'll cut into practice?" although those who had read 'Hogwarts a History" were sitting in stunned silence as they digested this information. This was mostly the Ravenclaw table and Hermione Granger who looked very alarmed. Dumbledore raised his hands and the Hall was silent once again.
"Of course we have modified the rules and goals somewhat. The winning house is no longer the one that causes most horrific injuries to members of the other houses and no boiling oil is to be used in any circumstance. You may consult with your Heads of Houses over strategy and for passes to the Restricted Section in the library which I do not doubt you will need. Points will be given for imagination, suitability and effectiveness. In the absence of a Defence Against the Dark Arts class this year this time shall be used for preparation and experimentation. I wish you all the best of leprechaun luck!"
This time the Hall erupted with a thousand young voices eagerly discussing the Cup which fortunately masked the combined groans of all the professors. They knew better than to try and reason with Dumbledore against this but they knew full well that for at least until Halloween they would not be able to distract their charges from this new competition to their schoolwork.
"We shall have a staff meeting at six tonight to discuss the rules fully, before that Severus, Augusta, I believe Minerva will be briefing you as to where Slytherin lies at the moment and I will brief the other Heads of Houses at their earliest convenience."
Two dark heads, one sleek the other a mess, turned their heads as one to look at her and she managed to flash them a weak smile. The chatter from the student's tables continued unabated whilst Professor McGonagall began to develop a serious migraine as she racked her brain for a way to tell Hogwarts' two prickliest Professors that their tower was currently in last place in the new competition.
"Shall we say coffee at eleven o'clock in your office Minerva?"
She started at the feel of Augusta Sinistra's breath across her shoulder; the hard black eyes of the potions master were also upon her. Her slight nod of assent was registered by both and a slight swishing sound told her of Sinistra's departure, Snape resumed his breakfast. Rather unsteadily she pushed herself back from the table and exited the Hall, not feeling the laughing eyes of Albus Dumbledore, who had watched the exchange with gleeful interest, on her back.
As he cast his eyes over the four tables of students before him Albus Dumbledore felt more hopeful than he had felt in a long while. On each the same image of clustered heads in earnest conversation repeated itself with varying shades of hair colour.
Yes, he felt very hopeful indeed.
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Author's notes
Thankyou to my one reviewer, Saff, you are a star!
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