As the Marauders approach their final year, Dumbledore decides to rope in a trainer for his Order.
1977
31st March 1977
Dear Tante Giselle
I am an Auror from a long line of Aurors. At the recent recruitment drive at Hogwarts, I have been approached by the headmaster to conduct special training for a group of talented young ones outside their regular lessons. These should include duelling, detection spells and shielding. In fact, he stressed that he would like the students to achieve a standard on par to that of qualified Aurors.
Most of these kids are in their fifth or sixth year. I know we do the recruitment talk about then. I suppose some of them might be Auror material, but others leave much to be desired in terms of discipline. With that pack of Death Eaters running about, I must admit we are running short on the Aurors – but untrained kids? Should I be worried? I mean, it is the Albus Dumbledore…
A Moody
Spring 1977
Dear Moody
If you trust that old prat, do hold those lessons. At the very least, it would give the students an edge when they start their actual Ministry approved Auror training, assuming you have that still instead of packing them to the front once they sign up. I am not fond of Aurors as a rule and I would recommend the students go freelance instead of tying themselves to the Ministry, which has probably been overrun by Death Eaters, or will be in the near future.
GG
P.S. You sound halfway decent for an Auror. Ever considered going private?
15th July 1977
Dear GG
I am approaching my final year in Hogwarts. I have been undergoing special training over the summer under a qualified Auror at my headmaster's recommendation. I am concerned about is how the rise of Voldemort would affect my Muggle family. I know with the Statutes of Secrecy and all, I cannot tell them my friends and I are off fighting a dark lord. I do believe my parents are getting a little concerned about my summer Quidditch camp given I was never into the sport to start with. How can I keep my Muggle kin safe? My folks are asking me about whether I am walking out with James, Peter, Remus or Sirius seeing they have been taking turns to fly me home after training. We are just friends.
Lily
Summer 1977
Dear Tiger Lily
Do be informed it is considered horribly bad form to recruit underaged wizards for a war. I can see what your headmaster is up to. As much as he would deny it. I would suggest you fake an elopement, obliviate your Muggle folks, or convince them to move Down Under. The main thing is to remove them from your life and to a place of safety should you wish to go after a dark lord. Alternatively, you might quit this training and take a year off to see the world. I would recommend Japan or the Far East. You sound like you need to widen your horizons a little. I do happen to know a witch in Japan I can put you in touch with.
Yours sincerely
GG
Summer 1977
Dear Dumbledore
You bumbling dummkopf! What are you thinking sending little boys and girls off to fight your latest war with a dark lord while I am left here to rot in the alps. For your information, Aurelius was of age when I recruited him, even if his childhood was likely non-existent with those Muggles. Has the entire Wizengamot lost their marbles? What does the ICW have to say about this? Do not be surprised if you lose your entire student cohort.
Come on, I am offering my services to help. Do not ignore me, you hear? Just get these shackles off me and portkey me to Britain already!
Grindelwald
20th September 1977
Dear Grindelwald
I am Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts and I need you to be honest, as far as you are capable of. Are there any unregistered animagi running about the school? There have been far more sightings of a black dog and a stag running about on full moon nights that can be easily explained by stray animals from the Forbidden Forest. This is of gravest concern as not only will the students face possible disciplinary action if they get caught, but a term in Azkaban too. Not to mention the risks involved in the process. There is a reason why aspiring animagi must be supervised. I have tried to voice my concerns to Dumbledore, but he isn't listening. Abe mentioned he only listened to you, and you would most likely know all his secrets.
Yours sincerely
Professor McGonagall
Fall 1977
Dear Professor McGonagall
It is a pleasure hearing from Albus' wing-witch again. Do try to keep him in line. He never listens to me either. Stopped well back in 1899. He would eb the last one to keep me informed of any happenings in his School, assuming he can pull his head out of his own ass to see anything. Be assured that if there are any unregistered animagi running about Hogwarts, you will be the first they would approach should they run into any difficulties with the transformation process. The fact that you have not heard from them is good news, no? Two of three is not a bad score for tracking unregistered animagi. I will not share any names.
Are you and Aberforth the goat a pair now? What happened to that Ministry chap? Absence did not make the heart grow fonder?
Yours sympathetically
Grindelwald
P.S. Tell Albus to write. Lest I follow up my Auntie's tell-all book with one of my own with his dirty little secrets. Tell him I said socks.
1st October 1977
Dear Gellert
Socks? I thought you promised not to mention that incident again, ever. And no, you are not getting out to involve yourself in this war. You are washed-up, your magic's spent, and have you ever considered the possibility that there are still wixen here with a bone to pick with you? I do not wish for you to be blasted to bits on sight. You are staying in your cell for your own safety more so than ours.
Albus
P.S. For your information, my students volunteered for the fight and about two-thirds of my group are of age.
Author's Notes:
Albus and Gellert are still doing that to and fro discussion about whether Gellert has anything worthwhile to contribute to the current war to justify his release from prison. Albus has his reasons for wanting Grindelwald locked up for now.
I will not elaborate on what socks mean to the pair. I welcome any reader or writer out there to contribute their own little fic on what the socks incident is about for Albus and Gellert.
