Chapter 43

A/N A thousand and one thank you's to Maria for taking the time to beta this.

**** time shift

#### change in narrator

Normally Robert Binns would have made a big fuss and insisted on Miss Grindelwald sharing the bacon supply. He was very good at making big fusses. They were of great use in getting his way. Today however, he did not even attempt it.

Oh, it wasn't because it was the girl's first day back after her illness and he was feeling magnanimous. It was because today he was afraid to even look at the platter of bacon. Every time he did, the girl's puffskein would cease its happy humming, turn, and gnash its many, many teeth at him.

So for today he had decided to forgo his daily bacon ration and instead busied himself looking around the Great Hall at anything other than the girl, her puffskein, or the bacon supply.

He noticed most of the other children at the table had chosen to space themselves a healthy distance from the girl and her puffskein. How he envied them!

Mr. Riddle remained next to the girl, but he too seemed displeased. Perhaps Riddle too wished for some of the bacon and that was why he was glaring at the puffskein as the girl continued, piece by piece, feeding the entire platter of bacon to it. She didn't even keep any for herself.

Looking to the Head Table, he could see the usual seats of Dippet and Dumbledore were empty.

Last night as soon as Governor Malfoy had been evicted from her room, Miss Grindelwald had again declared, 'It is not wake up time' and flopped back down onto the bed with her puffskein. The others present had not been so undaunted.

The four men had returned to the Headmaster's office to discuss how best to deal with this new turn of events. Dippet was confident that Malfoy was correct, Minister Augustus would be eager to turn over custody of the girl to him. Malfoy's wergild claim was valid and an equally valid claim would be necessary to prevent the Minister from doing just that.

Dumbledore and Dippet had come up with two very different solutions, both of which Binns knew had absolutely no hope of working.

Dumbledore's plan was to convince the family of one of Grindelwald's other victims to petition to exercise the right to adopt the girl. One of the many flaws with that plan was that the wergild was based on levels of society. A claim by a member of the family of a former Minister of Magic would need to be countered by the family of someone of equal ranking. That would have to be that of another former Minister of Magic. Since Grindelwald had murdered no less than six Ministers of Magic, that idea didn't have to immediately be ruled out. It had some potential, right up until the point where it became clear that Dumbledore was suggesting trying to convince one of those families to do something to help the daughter of the man who murdered their family member. That was quite a shortcoming to get someone to overlook.

Dumbledore had known the Bones family for many years. He seemed to sincerely believe that they could be capable of such a thing. In response, Dippet had disparaged Dumbledore, calling him entirely too naïve if he really thought the Bones family would have any interest in the girl.

Still, Dippet's idea hadn't been much better. Since the wergild was paid by rank in society and it didn't seem possible to find anyone of equal rank to challenge the Malfoy's claim, Dippet's plan was to somehow find a relation of Artemisia's to petition. Since Artemisia was Grindelwald's first victim, Dippet wished to suggest that the girl be disposed of in chronological order. The problem with that was how exactly did he plan to go about finding a Themis descendant? Naturally Miss Grindelwald herself didn't count and it wasn't as if anyone else was foolish enough to admit to being one. Still, for some reason Dippet seemed confident he could make it work.

After further unproductive discussion, Dippet had moved on to his usual solution to everything, retiring for the evening. This morning Dumbledore and Dippet were both attempting to put to work their feeble plans.

All were to meet again in the afternoon to discuss their progress, but it was all rather pointless really. Neither of their plans would work. The others just weren't looking at the problem the right way. Binns knew a solution that would work. There was a claim that could be made upon the girl that would supercede all others. Yes, there was a way to solve the whole problem and he knew it, but he certainly wasn't going to tell it to anyone.

####################################

Armando Dippet straightened after attaching the letter to the owl's leg. Mr. Loki had not been back to the castle since that first day. Perhaps he was not aware of the seriousness of the current situation. While it was quite unfortunate that things had progressed in this way, Dippet really had no choice in the matter. He was serving Mr. Loki notice that he was going to need to take responsibility for the girl.

Dippet frowned as the owl carrying the letter addressed to Mr. Loki remained on its perch in the owlry. After a moment he realized his error. Mr. Loki had preferred to be addressed simply as Loki. With his wand he removed the title, leaving just the one word.

Still the owl made no attempt to depart.

His unease growing, Dippet scrawled out a summons for the other auror, Mr. Moody. Not surprisingly, rather than exit through the unpaned window openings in the stone walls, the owl to whom he attached the summons exited through the door. Mr. Moody was once again prowling the halls of Hogwarts and quickly arrived in the owlery.

"Mr. Moody, I wish to contact that other auror but I cannot seem to correctly remember his name. I had thought it to be Loki or Mr. Loki."

Moody shook his head. "Oh, you won't find him. The day Dumbledore found the girl, as soon as he got back to the Ministry he resigned. I think that girl spooked the hell out of him. He moved to…well, I don't know to where, but no one has seen him since."

Dippet frowned. He suspected it was not so much the girl as his own questioning that had unsettled the other man.

Dippet had one other idea on how to potentially resolve the situation, but he was loathe to use it. As unlikely as he believed the possibility to be, he sincerely hoped Master Dumbledore was encountering better luck than he had.

######################################

Despite his confidence last night while making the suggestion to Dippet, Albus Dumbledore began to feel less sure of himself as the family elf escorted him through the house still draped in mourning almost a year after Minister Bones' death. Before passing into the drawing room where Mrs. Bones was awaiting him, he was certain he saw the shadows at the top of the stairs move.

Dumbledore had known Susan Bones for many years and she had always been a warm and inviting person. Yet he thought he detected more than a slight coldness to the way she stood to greet him today. It became very clear when she addressed him.

"Professor Dumbledore."

Previously they had been on a first name basis for years. Attempting to ignore the slight, he greeted her as he normally would have. After she offered him a seat, the same elf from earlier entered with a tray of coffee. Not normally a coffee person, Dumbledore stopped himself from requesting tea just in time to avoid what, given the circumstances, would have been a moment of extreme awkwardness.

After accepting a cup, he tried to open with a few pleasant inquiries about the children, but Susan would not have it.

"Professor Dumbledore, what is it that you wished to speak to me about? In your letter you said it was a matter of great importance and delicacy. If it is so important, let us get to it."

Growing more and more uneasy about his mission, Dumbledore nonetheless persisted. "When Grindelwald was sent to Azkaban, his estate was divided up and distributed out to pay the wergild-"

Very curtly Susan interrupted, "We were offered, but we took nothing. My family wants no reminders of that man."

Dumbledore nodded. That the Bones family had taken nothing for the wergild was actually one of the reasons he had been so hopeful when he arrived. Having never received even a partial payment, the Bones would have a greater claim to the girl than Malfoy, who had taken the first pick of the elves and various other items in payment. Mrs. Bones' last statement extinguished even more of his hope.

"I am aware of that. Since then it has become known that Grindelwald had a child, a daughter."

"We may not all be as learned as you, Professor Dumbledore, but I can read a newspaper."

He probably should have left right then, made his excuses and departed. Should have, but he didn't.

"Mephistopheles Malfoy is repetitioning the wergild. He wishes the child."

The Wizarding community was small and the most powerful and influential families might not all like each other, but they certainly knew each other. Susan knew the Malfoy family enough to be startled and suspicious. "Whatever for?"

Rather than answer in words, Dumbledore looked her in the eye and let her figure it out in the silence that spread between them.

Folding her arms and diverting her gaze to one of the windows, Mrs. Bones looked entirely uncomfortable with the situation he had put her in. When she spoke she didn't look at him. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I thought perhaps you and your family might consider taking in the girl."

Her answer was not what he had hoped for when he made his way here, but it was what he had more recently begun to expect. "You cannot be serious? You simply cannot be serious!"

Again he knew he should simply leave, but he thought if only he could get her to look beyond her own grief. Perhaps if he could just appeal to her as mother. "Susan, think if it were one of your children. If the positions had been reversed -"

Mrs. Bones was outraged. "How dare you! How dare you come into my home and even suggest such a thing. My husband was a pillar of this community. To compare him to that murdering degenerate! How dare you!"

"Susan, I know this has been a difficult time for you and your family, and I know it is a great deal to ask, but the child has not done anything. To make her responsible, to make her suffer for actions taken by her father-"

Absolutely livid, Mrs. Bones interrupted him. "-Everyone suffers, Professor Dumbledore. Everyone has problems, but that girl is not mine. If Grindelwald was such a gifted Seer, than he should have seen this coming."

As she again repeated herself, the anger was punctuated by a sob. "That girl is not my problem."

Despite her words, Dumbledore knew Susan Bones to be a good person. It was simply still too soon. Dippet had been correct, the wound was still entirely too fresh to realistically expect the Bones family to be of assistance.

"I apologize for coming. I will show myself out."

Leaving the drawing room he again saw the figure lurking in the shadows at the top of the stairs. He paused, giving Amelia a moment to decide if she wanted to speak to him or just continue lurking. She made her way partially down before speaking in a voice laced with accusation.

"You lied to me."

It pained him to be the cause of such anger. He wanted to make her understand the reasoning behind what he had done, that there were not only absolute rights and absolute wrongs, but also some things that weren't so easily labeled. In life, some things were difficult.

"It was not my secret to tell."

As he said those first words, seeing the look of betrayal in her eyes he realized he could go on in that way and try to explain, but it would hold no meaning to her. Amelia Bones already knew that life could be hard. While his words might be true, but they weren't the only truth and they weren't the truth she was looking for.

"Yes, I lied to you."

It was clear he had made the right decision. Amelia was surprised, shocked even at his frank admission. Her eyes were not entirely clear of that look of betrayal, but now for the greater part they looked to be filled with inquisitiveness.

"Amelia, do you remember when you were made Head Girl and you spoke to me? You were concerned, unnecessarily as we both know, that you were selected because of who your father was. You wished to be judged only upon your own accomplishments."

As he had spoken, Amelia, so like her mother in both looks and disposition, had frowned and averted her gaze from his. Still looking down, she did give a slight nod. Amelia was a very clever and perceptive girl. There was no need to elaborate, she was quite capable of considering what he had said and making her own parallels.

Reaching into one of the pockets of his robes, he produced a lemon drop and extended it towards her. Amelia shook her head, slightly amused or exasperated, he wasn't sure which, but she did take the proffered sweet. For the moment that was a start.

#########################################

Robert Binns watched Dippet look up almost hopefully as Dumbledore finally entered the office.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I still hold some hope that Mrs. Bones might come around, but it isn't likely. Dippet, I take it from your expression that your idea didn't fair any better?"

"No, it did not."

Dumbledore frowned. "There has to be someone else with at least some claim who is willing to take in the girl. We should spread the word."

Binns snorted, but said nothing.

Dippet shook his head. "Spread the word? I'm not sure that would be the best of ideas."

##########################################

Leaving the Headmaster's office and making his way to his classroom, Albus Dumbledore was pleasantly surprised to see Miss Grindelwald and her puffskein standing in a hallway, minus the presence of Tom Riddle. She smiled at Dumbledore as he made his way towards her. Unfortunately before he could get close enough to actually speak to her, Tom came out of the nearby boy's lavatory.

Riddle saw him and frowned. Without even a word to the girl he lifted her up and carried her off in the opposite direction. Over Tom's shoulder Minerva waved back at him. In the hand waving his watch could be clearly discerned. Looking from him to the watch and back, she smiled, her eyes practically dancing.

He smiled back at her until the surging crowd of students swallowed her from his sight. Turning to head in the direction of his classroom, he saw Moody holding what was unmistakably an invisibility cloak.

"Hello Moody."

"What the hell was that?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "It seems Mr. Riddle doesn't want Miss Grindelwald near me."

"I can get behind that idea. What was that in her hand? If I didn't know any better, I would say-"

Not wanting to get into a discussion about what was in the girl's hand, Dumbledore interrupted. "-Alastor, it isn't a coincidence that you just happened to be in this hallway with your invisibility cloak. You were following her just now, weren't you?"

"Of course I was. That's my job."

"Following around after an eight year old girl trying to catch her doing something wrong? Is that really what the Ministry has come to?"

Moody looked affronted. "I would hardly call her a normal eight year old. Merlin knows you have seen the things Grindelwald taught her to do."

Frowning, Dumbledore pulled Moody into an empty classroom and shut the door for privacy. "None of which we have seen any sign of her remembering, never mind repeating since she has been here. Besides what you saw her do once under the direct influence of Grindelwald, what have you ever seen her do?"

Moody's eyes narrowed. "She lied about me to that other professor."

"She lied? Call out the Azkaban guards! Assuming for the moment that it wasn't a misunderstanding, I'm certain no eight year old has ever told a lie before."

Moody flushed, appearing slightly ashamed so Dumbledore softened his tone. "Have you found any other evidence of wrong doing by her?"

"No, but just because I haven't found it doesn't mean its not there. I'm not a complete fool, Albus. I know there is something or somethings going on that Dippet is trying to keep hushed."

Now it was Dumbledore's turn to flush slightly. It was all getting to be too hard to manage. Trying to keep an eye on Tom Riddle, the girl's though unintentional, sometimes unmanageable behavior, keeping information from Moody so it wouldn't get back to the Ministry, and now this problem with Mephistopheles Malfoy.

Moody was a very persistent individual. Despite their best efforts, there was no question to it, if Moody was going to continue lurking around eventually he was going to start finding things out, like the fact that the girl was an animagus.

When Moody discovered it on his own he would go straight to the Minister. But maybe, just maybe there was a way to prevent that from happening. Maybe by showing some trust in Moody, he could get some of Moody's trust in return. Besides, Moody was going to find out on his own sooner or later.

After another moment of consideration Dumbledore came to his decision. "Yes, Alastor there is something that we have been deliberately keeping from you. I tell you this now, in confidence, because I believe you to be a reasonable and honorable man. As such, I am confident you will react in a reasonable and honorable manner."

Dumbledore paused a moment before letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. "It wasn't Grindelwald or his elves that transfigured the girl. She did it to herself, she is an animagus."

#########################################

Seeing the girl's knowing smile as she sipped the glass of 'milk' he offered her, Armando Dippet wondered exactly where he would discover the mandrake potion this time.

He gave a sigh of resignation as the noise of the puffskein chewing both the red and the black pieces brought his attention back to the checkers board.

The girl offered only a shrug before picking up a checker that had fallen to the floor and handing it to the puffskein.

When Mr. Riddle returned to collect the girl, Dippet gave firm instructions.

"Tomorrow when you come here, the puffskein is to remain in your rooms."

#########################################

Alastor Moody watched the Minister of Magic continue pacing around the office.

"You mean to tell me in all this time you haven't been able to find out anything?"

Moody considered the things he actually knew - not the things he thought or suspected, not the things he feared, just the things he actually knew.

The girl had lied about him to the Magical Creatures professor. But was that because she was an evil half-demon creature or was that because little girls sometimes lie? There had been some truth in what she said. She had just manipulated it to suit her needs. Deserving of a sound spanking? Yes. Being subjugated to the horrors of the Dementors of Azkaban? No.

It wasn't as if when he had entered the girl's room he had done so with a clean slate. Shamed, he thought back to the dinner where he had shaken and almost struck the little girl. At the time he had been so sure she was responsible for the other child's choking. He had quickly learned how very wrong those suspicions were, but that experience probably hadn't left the girl with the best of impressions of him.

He had no proof of any other wrong doing by the girl. There was no new information to suggest she had any real involvement in the things Grindelwald had done. In the past few weeks there had been far too many accidents and incidents at the school for his liking, but the school Headmaster had assured him it was all coincidence and while Moody didn't believe him for a minute, he had no hard proof otherwise.

The only evidence against the girl that he did have had been supplied by Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore had confided in him that the girl was an animagus. Being an unregistered animagus was a serious crime, but a reasonable person wouldn't hold an eight year old to such a standard. Not that for the moment he would exactly call the Minister a reasonable person.

No, if he told the Minister, the Minister had already made it quite clear what his response would be. Moody had been to Azkaban and it was no place for a child. So, to what would soon become his if not everlasting, at least for the next forty years, regret Alastor Moody shook his head.

"No, sir. Nothing."

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Standing at the entrance to the Great Hall, Robert Binns was growing very perturbed. The Headmaster had already announced dinner. The food was on the tables! And here he was stuck listening to the great debate between Miss Grindelwald, her puffskein and Mr. Riddle.

"No, my Tom. My puffskein and I have decided we should all sit at the other table, the one with the cat pictures."

"They aren't cats, they are lions! And that stupid puff-"

Miss Grindelwald gave a warning glare. As unobservant as he was, even Binns hadn't failed to notice that one did not criticize the puffskein.

Mr. Riddle was beginning to sound just as frustrated as Binns felt. "-that puffskein doesn't get to decide anything. How many times do I have to explain this to you? We are Slytherins. We sit at the Slytherin table. Only Gryffindors sit at that table. What is so hard to understand about that?"

Miss Grindelwald looked back and forth between the Slytherin and Gryffindor mascots that were depicted and animated on the House banners hanging over their respective tables. Despite having this same argument at most every meal, Miss Grindelwald gave the impression of giving the matter serious contemplation. "Well, maybe we should look into becoming Gryffindors. How do we do that?"

Binns scowled at the girl and her puffskein for their insurgency.

Riddle frowned. "We don't want to be Gryffindors. Salazar Slytherin's house if by far the best. He was a great man who worked tirelessly for a very noble purpose. The students in Slytherin House are the elite. They are cunning and determined."

Binns nodded his approval as Mr. Riddle went on trying to explain to the girl the way the world was. "Godric Gryffindor was, and his band of worthless miscreants continue to be the foulest, most useless bunch of whining-"

Still staring at the snake that circled the length of its banner hissing and occasionally pretending to strike, the girl interrupted. "I like the cat pictures better."

Riddle looked back and forth between the lion on the banner and the puffskein cradled in Miss Grindelwald's arms. "You know, cats eat puffskeins."

That got the girl's full attention. The hand holding the puffskein seemed to spasm. "That is not true. Professor Kettleburn said-"

Tom shook his head. "Professor Kettleburn lied to you. You mustn't listen to him. He isn't to be trusted. Now do you really want to go sit by the cat pictures?"

The girl looked incredibly uncertain as she alternated looking at the lion, the serpent and the puffskein. Her gaze finally again settled on Mr. Riddle. When she began to speak, she started out hesitantly, but seemed to locate some Gryffindor qualities as she went on. Still even with her last words there was in her voice some doubt clearly discernable.

"Well, you said they are not cats, they are lions, and anyway I think Professor Kettleburn knows more about puffskeins than you do."

Binns sighed. The girl wasn't budging. Enough was enough, there was food on the table! "Dinner has already started. Just go sit down."

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At dinner Albus Dumbledore looked over to the Slytherin table. While he was pleased Minerva was well enough to again attend classes, Tom Riddle's presence around her had precluded any opportunity to speak to her and get his watch back.

Minerva happened to look up from her puffskein and noticed him looking in her direction. Her mouth widened into a grin. After a glance to Tom, who was occupied in conversation with another of his housemates, and then to Dippet, similarly involved, she opened her hand to reveal his watch. At least it was good to know nothing had happened to it. Dumbledore smiled back at her.

Kettleburn took the seat next to him. "You haven't gotten your watch back yet?"

Shifting the salad around on his plate, Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I haven't had an opportunity to. Actually, I was thinking of just letting her keep it. It certainly seems to be making her happy. I saw her in the halls this morning and she had it with her then, too. She had such a smile while playing with it."

Now Kettleburn was the one shaking his head. "I'll bet she did. You really don't have a clue what is going on, do you?"

At Dumbledore's startled look Kettleburn continued. "She hustled you out of your watch and now every time she sees you, she shows it to you. Albus, she is taunting you."

"Kevric! She is a child. She isn't some manipulative -"

"Yes, she is a child and like all children, she is manipulative. Albus, when you were little did you have one parent that was more lenient than the other? More likely to allow you to do something or have something you wanted? Didn't you ever wait to make a request to the one and not the other?"

"Yes," Dumbledore agreed. "But that is a bit of a stretch from what you are saying."

"When she took the watch from you and refused to give it back, it was a test to see if you would make her give it back. You failed and every day you allow her to keep that watch you continue failing."

Kettleburn sighed. "Look, it's not just with you. She has been testing her limits with all of us. The problem is, no one is actually setting any limits for her. Tom Riddle is - I just don't know about Tom, but Dippet's and Binns' ideas about child rearing seem to be based on a theory of appeasement.

Now I know Dippet doesn't like children and he especially doesn't like Kitten, but to see some of the things he lets her get away with! Have you ever been in his office when Kitten was there? Rather than actually interact with her or engage her in conversation, he tries to do paperwork. When Kitten interrupts him with some ridiculous request for candy, looking for attention, he actually gives her the sugar hoping to keep her quiet rather than actually deal with the real problem of her wanting attention.

And Binns, my gods! Do you know I once heard Kitten tell him that he should give her candy or else she would scream? And he actually gave it to her!

Albus, she may not understand all of what is going on, but she is still a very clever child. She notices patterns of behavior and adopts them or adapts to them.

Maybe you were too busy with your lettuce and missed the lovely little habit of lying that she picked up the day of the beetle incident. Hagrid suggested she didn't really know what was going on, Tom very emphatically gave her the impression that it was unacceptable to not understand things, and now rather than ask questions when she doesn't understand something, she thinks its better to evade the topic or flat out lie." Kettleburn seemed to be almost blushing. "Not that I've helped much with that particular habit."

Dumbledore had noticed her reluctance to ask questions about those things she didn't know. He had to admit as Kettleburn kept talking, that most of what he said made sense.

"Look, we are great professors and individually maybe we would be good parents, but collectively we are the worst parents I have ever seen. Children her age need a very strong structure and routine. Some sort of discipline. None of which Kitten has seen any of since getting here. Believe me, take the watch back. It will be good for her."

##########################################

Now that Miss Grindelwald was well enough to return to her rooms, Robert Binns had a very serious problem. Miss Grindelwald had never actually slept in her rooms before. She had always slept in the house common room with Mr. Riddle.

Binns had been watching from the end of the hallway. As soon as Kettleburn had finished 'tucking in' the girl and left, Mr. Riddle had slipped into her rooms. Sleeping in the common room was one thing, it wasn't as if anything untoward would go on in the house common room. A girl and a boy alone in a bedroom was an entirely different matter. As much as he did not want to get involved, he certainly was not going to tolerate that.

Fortunately, as he approached the door he discovered he would not in fact have to get involved.

"Kitten, the Common room is empty now. We need to move there to go to sleep."

"It is okay, my puffskein will stay with me here. You can go sleep in your own room."

The puffskein was laying on the bed with the girl, but it's tongue was wandering the room, collecting and devouring all the toy animals Kettleburn had put in the room the day the girl was discovered. Mr. Riddle seemed rather perturbed watching it.

##########################################

Making his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast Albus Dumbledore was quite pleasantly surprised to see Amelia Bones levitating her trunk up one of the other staircases. She happened to turn and look in his direction. Before returning her attentions to her trunk she did, if only slightly and very briefly, return his smile.

It reaffirmed his belief that the Bones family were good people who were still going through some very bad times. Perhaps there was still hope that Susan Bones could be brought around.

##########################################

Professor Tofty hadn't really seen a point to asking Miss Grindelwald to follow along with the rest of the class, she already knew this material. Instead at the beginning of the double Charms lesson he had given her a box of crayons and some parchments to draw on. He recalled his children and grandchildren being kept happily occupied for hours with such simple supplies when they were her age.

As the end of the class neared it was actually Mr. Riddle who caused a disturbance, though slight.

While walking round and critiquing the other students' Charm efforts, Professor Tofty paused to compliment the girl's artwork. "What a lovely picture, dearie."

Mr. Riddle too leaned over to get a look at the picture. His voice started out at a normal tone and volume. Smiling and pointing to the picture, he questioned her. "Kitten, is that supposed to be you?"

Miss Grindelwald nodded and indicated a custard colored circle. "Yes, and that is my puffskein."

Mr. Riddle frowned, looking from the custard colored circle to the live puffskein happily gnawing on those crayons not presently in use. Returning his attention to the parchment, he again questioned her. "Where am I?"

Exchanging crayons with the puffskein, she distractedly answered. "I have not drawn you yet."

Mr. Riddle's voice was rather agitated as he responded. "You drew the puffskein before you drew me!"

Miss Grindelwald regarded him earnestly. "I left a space for you. I was going to draw you next."

As the bell rang, Mr. Riddle seemed to regain his former composure. He began calmly and methodically packing up his belongings. "We need to stop at your rooms in the dungeons and drop off the puffskein before going to see Dippet."

"But I want to keep my puffskein with me."

Eyeing the puffskein, Mr. Riddle shook his head. "No, that thing definitely needs to go."

#########################################

Armando Dippet gave a sigh of relief to see Mr. Riddle escort into his office only Miss Grindelwald. Dismissing Mr. Riddle, Dippet knew that if he had had to endure the presence of that puffskein one more time, there was no telling what he would have done.

#########################################

Immediately upon entering the room, the young man used his wand to light the fireplace. From above the fireplace the room's other occupant was at first unconcerned. Even in the early summer months and even in human form the young man's companion enjoyed the warmth of the fire.

It was only after the young man removed a small creature from the folds of his robes and he remembered that this was the hour the girl usually spent in the Headmaster's office, that he began to comprehend what was to happen.

So as not to have to witness what was to come, he immediately made to leave for the sanctuary of another frame in the castle. Any other frame in the castle. However his momentary lapse had left him already too late.

The horrid screeching sound that replaced the puffskein's usual humming noise might not have in actuality lasted very long, but it would haunt him for quite some time after.

tbc