Chapter Nineteen:

Staff Meeting

Albus Dumbledore sat at the large desk in his circular office, watching the enchanted clock positioned off to the corner of it. He had been seated there ever since the night before. Too many thoughts and assumptions filled his head and he had to sort them out. Most already were – pulled out of his head and added to the penseive on the shelf

Was Voldemort really near? That was the one question that seemed to continue to resurface in his mind every five minutes. He couldn't shake it.

Why would he risk coming here after the incident at the Ministry? he thought to himself. It seemed a stupid act since the entire ministry was looking for him.

But, who am I trying to joke? Dumbledore asked himself as he stroked his long, silver beard. No ministry has the strength to take on Voldemort!

That was the truth. Even the Order of the Phoenix which he'd put Harry in the trust of wasn't enough any more. They'd slowly given up following Harry everywhere now that he was back at Hogwarts, but now that was changing. Since the scar incident the night before, Dumbledore had come to many conclusions on the actions he was going to take.

Giving a deep sigh, he looked up at the wall wrapping around him. Covered with portraits of past headmasters, they all started solemnly back at him.

"Well..." he said softly to the portraits. "I believe it's time."

Each one whispered some hushed comment to their neighbor as Dumbledore picked up his wand. Pointing it at his throat, he muttered, "Everloud."

This allowed his voice to be heard all over the castle. With great solemnity in his voice, he started his announcement.

"Attention everyone. This is Headmaster Albus Dumbledore speaking. I would like to ask that every staff member present in the castle please report to my office for a brief meeting. Thank-you."

Slowly after that, one by one teachers filed into the large office, making it appear smaller and cozier than it actually was. Each one – besides Minerva McGonagall had confused and curious expressions on their faces. Dumbledore just sat at his desk, arms crossed until every teacher was there

He was about to start when someone else came into the room. Oliver Wood, apologizing his way through the room, made his way up to Dumbledore. His brown hair was a mess and he was wiping beads of sweat from his brow. It was evident he had ran.

"Headmaster –"he started, still trying to catch his breath. "Please excuse me – but I wasn't sure if this was something I should be present for."

Slowly he looked around the room at the silent faces, grinning out of embarrassment. Dumbledore put a warm hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye over his half-moon spectacles.

"Of course," he started reassuringly. "It would be best if you were here. I consider you staff as of tomorrow anyway."

Wood smiled as he let out a sigh and dropped his guard. Stepping back, he stood in the crowd of teachers by McGonagall.

"Now," Dumbledore started, hands folded before him. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you're here."

Snape let out a tense chuckle as he looked around the room. "Is it that obvious, Headmaster?"

This seemed to relieve some of the tension in the room as each of the teachers muttered something to his or her neighbor.

"No need for sugarcoating, Headmaster," Professor Flitwick squeaked. "We all know what's happened recently."

Dumbledore nodded. He knew – of course – that there was no way he could sugarcoat anything.

"Right," he started, avoiding eye contact. "I feel it is my duty to inform you of an event that took place last night. You all know of course the precarious position we are in housing young Harry Potter?" There were grumbles from the group of teachers. "Well, last night young Hermione Granger had the misfortune of finding Mr. Potter passed out on the Gryffindor Common Room floor."

Everyone in the room paled except for Snape who started to chuckle. Each teacher stared over at him, glares upon their faces.

"Come on –"he chuckled. "We find Potter passed out and it's call for alarm? Probably too much Butterbeer..."

Dumbledore wasn't pleased with Snape's attitude, but gave him a small smile.

"He told Madame Pomfrey it was because his scar erupted with pain, Severus"

Snape immediately stopped chuckling and seemed to shrink back into his teaching colleagues.

"Well...I..."

Dumbledore nodded, understanding.

"But – you-know-who can't be near here...can he?" Professor Sprout asked in a nervous tone, glancing around the room.

"It's not an impossibility," Dumbledore told her and everyone else in the room. "Which is why I'm urging all of you to be on the alert. If you see anything out of the ordinary – you are to report it directly to me."

"Is that it?" came a voice from the middle of the room and the group split to allow Mad-Eye Moody to make his way to the front. His magical eye fixed itself on Dumbledore as he seemed to stare him down. "That's your big plan? This is big, Albus – bigger than you and the whole Magical Community!"

"I believe I have everything under control, Moody," Dumbledore said, trying to hold his composure.

"But what if this is the beginning of an attack?" Moody pressed on and seemed to be rousing the nerves of the crowd.

"Please calm down, Moody." Dumbledore said, motioning with his hands. "If there is an attack, I will call a lockdown of the castle."

"A lockdown?" McGonagall exclaimed nervously. "Seriously?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said calmly. "It will be in the best interest of the students to protect them within this castle. I have unbreakable charms surrounding the corridors and entrances including windows," he quickly added, trying very hard to reassure the ruffled teachers. "Do not be alarmed. I'm sure Voldemort is far away from this castle. Now, I believe I've kept you from your nightly duties long enough. You are dismissed."

Slowly, the crowd parted and disassembled. Wood lingered behind afterwards, waiting as though he wished to speak with Dumbledore.

"Headmaster –"he started once the office was empty save them.

"Yes, Oliver?" Dumbledore said, stepping down to the timid looking Wood.

"Since this...event has happened...do you wish me to go on with my duties?"

Dumbledore smiled as he put a hand on Wood's shoulder.

"Of course I wish you to go on with our plans, Oliver," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "The Quidditch Finals will go on as planned – don't worry. That's one of the only things keeping the students going."

Wood nodded. "I'll agree."

Slowly, Dumbledore led Wood to the spiraling staircase.

"Tomorrow please make sure you hunt down our target," Dumbledore said, smiling as Wood chuckled.

"Don't worry," Wood said as he grinned. "Training's my job. Why do you think I came back here?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"I shall see you tomorrow at breakfast," he said in farewell as Wood descended the stairs. Watching him leave, he sighed.

His job was finished. For the night, at least.

He'd just have to wait and see what would happen. He prayed it would stay quiet. The last thing he needed was a panicked castle.

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