The restricted area

Hermione was pacing around in her appartment. She couldn't forget the things Lucius had told her. He must have been lying, she thought.

She tried to forget it and took a small breakfast. When she put the dirty dishes away, Lucius' words intruded her mind again : "...killing dozens of wizards and witches...", "...systematic erased Dumbledores mistakes..."

"That's it" Hermione said to herself, "There's only one way to see if this is true."

Minerva McGonagall was very surprised to find Hermione in the hallway of Hogwarts. She hadn't seen or heard from her best student for a while and now suddenly she stood in front of her, totally dripping from the heavy rain outside.

"Good Lord, Miss Granger, what has you made come up here in this dreadfull weather?" she asked.

"Good afternoon Professor, I've come here with a request." Hermione replied.

"We'll discuss your request in my office, after you've dried up a little and enjoyed a cup of tea." McGonagall said determined.

After they had settled in front of the fire and had drunk a cup of tea, Hermione decided to come to the point.

"Professor, would it possible for me to take a look in the restricted area of the library?" she asked.

"What for, Miss Granger?"

"I couldn't find a proper book with a list of Death Eaters who served You-Know-Who before his fall," Hermione quickly lied, "It's for my investigation, you see."

"Oh, well, I think I can arrange something for the best student of Hogwarts since ages." McGonagall said with a smile. She took some floopowder and threw it in the fireplace.

"Madam Pince," she said, "I'm sending Miss Granger to you, she has my approvement to visit the restricted section."

"Thank you," Hermione smiled, "I'll pass through here when I'm leaving the castle."

"You do that, child." McGonagall said, opening the door and letting Hermione out.

Hermione felt like she was breaking a dozen rules when she entered the restricted area, eventhough she had received McGonagall's approvement.

The room was dark, now and then enlighted by the thunderstorm outside. Hermione passed books that growled, cried and screamed.

When she saw that Madam Pince had lefted the area, she quickly went to the history books. She took 'The Battles of Famous Wizards' and she took a seat at a large oak table.

She looked for the name 'Albus Dumbledore' in the table of contents, but only found 'Percival Dumbledore' and 'Aberforth Dumbledore'.

Hermione reminded herself that Aberforth was a brother of Dumbledore, who had fought with the Order of The Phoenix. She took her chance with Percival Dumbledore, and took the right page. On the top of the page stood 'Dumbledore, Percival Wulfric Brian Albus'.

Hermione looked closely at the title. Albus? She read further and her amazement grew.

This is what she read :

Dumbledore, Percival Wulfric Brian Albus

Percival Wulfric Brian Albus Dumbledore is widely considered to be the greatest wizard of the current age. Dumbledore is currently the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is famous for defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for discovering the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and for his work on alchemy with his friend Nicolas Flamel. After the fall of Lord Voldemort, Percival received the Order of LeFey from the Ministry of Magic, for the discovery of twenty Death Eaters who hadn't been identified by the Ministry yet. Thirteen were sent to Azkaban, seven died during a battle with Dumbledore.

The list of Death Eaters is available in the small Library of Knockturn, Knockturn Alley nr. 7b.

Hermione closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. This was what Lucius ment, nobody knew what Dumbledore had done, because he was listed with his second name. That's why she had never come across it. But why keep it a secret? He had received an Order for that. It couldn't have been barbaric what he had done. Why was this so special to Malfoy, he knewthat Dumbledore had killed more Death Eaters.

Hermione remembered the adress she had read in the book. She quickly opened the book again and copied the adress on a small paper. She had to go to Knockturn Alley today, her curiosity forced her to.

Hermione left the restricted area. She let escape a small scream when someone suddenly lay his hand on her shoulder. It was Dumbledore himself.

"My my, Miss Granger, since when are you afraid of your old headmaster?" he chuckled.

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, I didn't hear you coming." Hermione blushed.

"Yes, that can happen to you sometimes. I remember one day when I was investigating an old castle, suddenly a boggart came out of a closet. Oh, I believe I yelled so loud that the boggart feared me more, than I him and...I'm talking nonsense again, aren't I?" Dumbledore asked when he saw Hermione's faint smile.

"Not at all, Professor, but I should be going. I still have a lot of work to do..." Hermione hastily said.

"Maybe not interested in sharing some lemon drops with me, are you?" Dumbledore asked.

"No really, I have to get going, but I'll visit Hogwarts as soon as possible. That's a promise." Hermione said.

She shook hands with Dumbledore and left the library with a quick pace. Just when she wanted to close the door behind her, she heard the Headmaster calling for her. She turned around.

"Oh, and Miss Granger, I don't think it's wise to dig too deep into the past. What do you think?" the Headmaster said, his eyes looking right through her.

Hermione became cold inside.

"Oh uhm, I think you're right." Hermione muttered. She turned around and ran out of the library, not caring for the wondering looks of students who passed.