The mood in my office was difficult to gauge. Somber, yes, but more than that was the sense of horror and fear.

Judging entirely by their reputations, I doubt it was fear for themselves that they felt. I took it upon myself to voice my suspicions.

" The diary Horcrux took the form of a teenage boy. Based on his monologue, he was a teenager, around sixteen when he created it. "

" I do not doubt for a moment, that he would not have thought it adequate to create just one. Especially later, as his skill, knowledge and power became greater. "

" I bet that there are more out there. Protected by the nastiest protections he could think of. " The Unspeakable nods his head.

" I agree with the Headmaster on all accounts. This does pose the question though. Just what are we to do? We cannot risk this information getting out. "

" Nobody can be trusted with this. Especially at the Ministry. Headmaster, could you call Bill Weasley to your office? " I frown slightly, but summon my Patronus and send it to Bill, asking that he comes to my office.

While we wait, each of us is lost in our own thoughts. Maybe ten minutes later, there's a knock on my door. With a twitch of my wand, the door opens.

Bill takes a look around at everyone as he enters. The door closes behind him. After he conjures a seat for himself, the Unspeakable talks.

" The information all of us possess regarding You-Know-Who is extremely dangerous. It cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. "

" The Department of Mysteries has actively hunted down and destroyed all books and scrolls relating to the creation of Horcruxes over the centuries. "

" None of us however, could have imagined that such knowledge would be kept at Hogwarts. Headmaster, once our discussion is finished here, you must grant me access to the Restricted Section of the library so that I may destroy the book or books, as it may be. "

" The rest of you are welcome to watch if you want. But firstly, we need to make a vow to keep this information between us. " Here he reached into his pocket.

Moody twitched, but didn't react further. From within his robes, the Unspeakable removed an iron chest that had been shrunken.

He placed it on my desk and tapped his wand against it. It immediately enlarged. Though, it wasn't what I expected. The box was only the size of a textbook.

From inside the box, the Unspeakable removed an ancient looking silver medallion. He looked at each of us then.

" This is one of the artifacts kept secret and guarded by the Department of Mysteries. It's known as the Torque of Loki. It works almost like the Fidelius Charm, in a way. "

" It can seal away knowledge possessed by people and no magic can break that seal, nor can they be coerced through force. Crucially, unlike the Fidelius, the knowledge cannot be given away willingly either. "

" Once our knowledge of You-Know-Who's Horcruxes are sealed, we'll only ever be able to talk about it to each other. To be clear, neither Veritaserum, Legilimency nor anything like that, will be able to take the knowledge from your mind. "

Moody looks like he's about to protest, but the Unspeakable violently slashes his arm down. " No! This is too dangerous to be left unguarded. I will use the Torque on you by force on you all if I must Alastair. "

Before things can degenerate, I cough. " That's enough. Neither of you will be fighting in my office. You might have a few obscure tricks up your sleeve to take down Moody, but the wards of Hogwarts have been strengthened. "

" They are not at full strength yet, but attacking me in my office would bring what strength it does have upon you. I'd rather not have to explain why ashes are all that's left you. "

" That being said, I will do this willingly. You're right. The knowledge that You-Know-Who has made Horcruxes must be kept secret at all costs. "

" Not just to prevent any of the ' reformed ' Death Eaters from getting any ideas, but a more practical reason as well. This magic must never become common knowledge. "

Moody however, made one last protest. " Couldn't we atleast inform Albus of this? Surely a wizard of his calibre would be of help to us? "

I was surprised by the Unspeakable's reply though. " What makes you think that he doesn't already know? Or atleast suspect. Dumbledore was one of You-Know-Who's Professors after all. "

" What's more, this whole business with the Philosopher's Stone confirms that he never believed him to be dead. Yet that, and all that happened last year, was kept secret. "

" How can you expect any of us to trust him, when he doesn't return the courtesy. Now enough stalling. It's time. "

Under his direction, we put our right hands on top of each other's. Then he loops the chain of the Torque around our joined hands.

With his wand tip touching the medallion, he begins to chant in ancient Norse. I only understand parts of what he's saying though. My interest in the language only went to far as runes were concerned.

The chain begins to emit a faint white light. Standing this close, I can make out the tension in Moody's body. Bill looks unconcerned. Madam Bones appears to be somewhere in the middle.

It's strange. I can feel the moment the magic starts to take affect. For a moment, just a moment, an almost foggy feeling goes through my head. Almost like the build-up to a headache. It vanishes almost as soon as it appeared however.

Once our hands are untangled, Moody lurches backwards. I sigh at the same time as Madam Bones rolls her eyes.

We all retake our places again. This time, I speak first. " We need to begin searching for any other Horcruxes he made. I could be wrong, but I'm sure there must be some kind of limit as to how many times a soul can be split..." I trail off as I look at Bill and the Unspeakable.

Bill frowns and shrugs. " I don't know. I doubt any of the Senior Cursebreakers at Gringotts would know either. While not exactly common, this kind of magic was practiced by the upper echelons of ancient Egyptian religious magicals. "

The Unspeakable was silent, until we all turned to look at him. It's only then that he spoke. " Those of us that have studied this magic have theorised that the limit is either three or seven. Knowing the hubris of You-Know-Who, I'd assume he would try the maximum number possible. "

" Regardless, we now know his true name. Which means his past and his movements will have to be researched very carefully. "

" The shade mentioned a muggle father. This needs to be looked into. All of us have full-time jobs however and disappearing on a regular basis is sure to draw some suspicion. "

Moody coughed then. Gruffly, he spoke. " Actually, I've been considering this for awhile now and especially since that moron Fudge started sniffing around. "

" I'm going to retire at the end of this year. That will give me all the free time to do research. Based on what happened last year, we can surmise that You-Know-Who is actively looking to return. "

" We likely only have a few years, before things start up again. We'll need to have tied down these loose ends before that. "

Here is where I interject though. " Before you get ahead of yourself though, we need to make something clear. These Horcruxes are likely very well protected. "

" Likely they will be too much for a single person to handle. So we need you to agree that once you get suspicions of the location of one of these things, that you'll inform the rest of us. That way we can be there for backup. "

" Who knows, perhaps they'll be in locations guarded by Class XXXXX creatures. " The other three nod their heads and Moody only does so grudgingly, after a moment.

Thankfully, the meeting is brief after that. I ask Bill to take the Unspeakable to the library. Moody goes to pay a brief visit to Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.

Director Bones floos out. Once they've all left my office, I move towards my window and just gaze out onto the grounds.

All I had initially wanted, was to look out for Luna. That's why I applied for the job of Defence Professor. Who could have known that things will spiral out of control so fast.

Christmas is just over three weeks away and yet so much has happened. What's more, there's still so much to do. I haven't even informed the staff of the acromantula nest.

Then there's Harry Potter. An idea has been forming in my mind for some time now, but so many things have been happening.

Now that things have calmed down, I can focus on this issue. Mind made up, I went to go do a bit of research myself. Hopefully, what I'm thinking of is actually possible.

I spend what's left of the day reading dry texts and treatises. I have my meals brought to me. Unfortunately, just after dinner, my floo chimes again.

I sigh in annoyance. Who floo calls this time of the day? I barely hold in my grimace when the face of the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, Dolores Umbridge's face appears in the fire.

" Headmaster, it's good you answered so promptly. I'm a very busy woman and don't have the time to go chasing after people. "

" Your presence will be required at nine in morning on Monday at the Ministry. We will accept no excuses. It's time to put the nasty business of the year to rest. "

Now I do frown. " Madam Umbridge, I'm not sure I understand. Why would I be needed at the Ministry? I thought the investigation was concluded? "

Here she smiles. She likely thinks she looks pleasant. I don't enlighten her. " You're such a silly man, Professor Lovegood. "

" This isn't about any investigation. Indeed, the Minister wishes to show Wizarding Britain his gratitude towards you. Saving the school from Dumbledore's incompetence. You'll be getting an Order of Merlin! "

I know how ridiculous I must look, but I can't help it. Looking at her face, I gape.