Dumbledore's Explanation

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"Um..." the Golden Trio paused in front of the gargoyle entrance to Dumbledore's office.

"What's the password?" Harry asked.

"I don't know!" Hermione said worriedly "How are we going to get in now?"

"His password is usually a sweet of some sort. Let's just try different candies." Harry suggested.

"Cockroach cluster!"

"Fizzing Wizzbee!"

"Licorice wand!"

"Chocolate frog!"

Harry and Hermione had been taking turns shouting sweets at the gargoyle.

"Um...lemon drop?" Ron asked quietly.

The gargoyle leapt aside and Harry and Hermione stared at Ron, shocked that he had had a good guess.

"Well...?" Ron asked "Let's go!"

And the three friends hurried up the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office. As they reached the top and the great wooden door to the office and answers, Hermione knocked three times. The door swung open and revealed Dumbledore sitting at his desk as of waiting for them.

"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley. What a surprise to find you here. How can I help you?" Dumbledore peered over his half moon glasses.

"Um..." Hermione hemmed and hawed for a moment before straightening her back and stealing her will to say "We have some questions, Professor."

"Yes, I thought you might." Harry was trying to make eye contact with Dumbledore, who was avoiding his eyes "What do you want to know, Miss Granger?"

"We were wondering what happened with Lydia this morning." Harry blurted out before Hermione could speak.

"Yes, I am aware that Miss Granger was there."

"So? What happened?" Ron asked loudly "Was Smart being possessed or something?"

"No, no." Dumbledore assured them "Miss Smart is not possessed. She's ill. She has a medical condition that makes her have seizures."

"Really?" Hermione asked, shocked "I had no idea! I've shared a dorm with her for five years and I had no idea!"

"Most of the time she takes a potion to suppress the seizures but it appears she's built up a tolerance." Dumbledore sighed "I've referred Miss Smart to Madam Pomfrey and hopefully she will find a solution."

"Can I help?" Hermione begged "I feel terrible for her."

"No. Do not feel pity for her. She hates that. All I ask is that you keep this information to yourself. Miss Smart does not want it out in the open." Dumbledore explained "And I do not think Madam Pomfrey needs any assistance at the moment. Although I appreciate your offer, Miss Granger."

Hermione sighed "Alright, thank you Professor."

She and Ron turned to leave but Harry stayed behind. Telling them to go on without him and he'd meet them back in the common room.

"Professor?" Harry's asked nervously "I was wondering...well, if you could tell me-?"

"I'm afraid not Harry." Dumbledore avoided Harry's eyes "Now is not the best time. I will tell you everything in time."

Harry sighed loudly "Alright." He turned to leave but stopped and moved back into the room "By the way, I know you're lying about Lydia having seizures. I don't know why but I know you are."

"You are entitled to your own beliefs, Harry." Dumbledore spoke calmly "But I ask that you do not share your beliefs with Mr. Weasley. He seems to have a strong dislike of Miss Smart."

"Yeah, alright." And Harry left the office.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Seizures? Seriously?" Lydia rolled her eyes "That's the best you could come up with?"

"Would you have preferred the truth? That you see the future. That you are a seer like Professor Trelawny." Dumbledore asked.

Lydia thought about it for a moment before responding with a resolute "No."

"I know it's not ideal, but please, just play along for now." Dumbledore pleaded.

"You forget, Professor, I've seen what could happen. I don't want Voldemort to gain any more power than he already has. I'll play the game as long as it takes to bring him down."

Lydia left the office, her robes sweeping behind her in a very good impression of Professor Snape, and made her way back to the common room and the questions Hermione surely had.

On her way down, she ran into The spirit of Ariana.

"Hello." She greeted.

"Hello, Lydia." Ariana smiled slightly "How was Albus?"

"Frustrating as ever." Lydia laughed "But, he does what must be done, I suppose."

"Yes, he does work towards 'The Greater Good.'" Ariana grumbled "He always has and it seems he always will."

"I know you aren't Professor Dumbledore's biggest fan, but what happened between you?"

"I suppose it's time I told you." Ariana sighed "Albus is my brother."

"No way!" Lydia gasped "I knew Dumbledore had a brother but I didn't know anything about a sister."

"Yes, I died very young. When Albus was only about," She scrunched up her nose in thought "Oh, eighteen? Nineteen? The longer you're dead the harder it is to remember."

"I'm sorry." Lydia said sadly "I know it's rude to ask, but how did you die?"

"That, I'm afraid, is a story for another time." Ariana smiled mysteriously and floated through a wall, away from Lydia.

"Goodbye!" Lydia called quietly. Spirits were horrible at farewells, often forgetting that humans couldn't follow them through walls.

"Who are you talking to?" Fred and George stepped out from behind a tapestry.

"Oh...no one!" Lydia stumbled over her words for a moment before lying.

"No, you were talking to someone." George said.

"Who would I be talking to? There's no one here." Lydia pointed out "I was thinking aloud. That's all."

The twins narrowed their eyes in an identical movement.

"Then why would you say goodbye?" Fred questioned.

"None of your business." And Lydia hurried off, back to the common room.

"Freddie?" George turned to his twin "Do you think our dear Miss Smart is hiding something?"

"Why yes, Georgie, I do believe she is." Fred grinned "Should we try to find out what it is?"

"If I were you, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall rounded the corner "I would do no such thing. In fact, I would get back to your common room before I take points from Gryffindor for your being out at this hour."

Fred and George looked at each other and bolted, knowing McGonagall was serious.

Word count: 1050 words

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