The Potter Timeline
Chapter 27 - A Revealing Conversation
Harry stared at an enormous, circular room that seemed too large to fit inside the top of the second tallest tower at Hogwarts, suggesting its interior was enchanted to be bigger than physically possible. The ceiling was dome-shaped and engraved with constellations of the Zodiac. Several windows lit the room as did a few floating candles near the ceiling. But the room's scale wasn't what amazed the twelve-year-old. The headmaster's office was a veritable wonder of items magical, whimsical, and...mysterious.
A library of old tomes wrapped around two thirds of the lower wall. Several tables of ancient oak supported odd machines that whirred, clicked, and threw off small puffs of steam. Harry wondered at these devices. Perhaps Dumbledore was an inventor or tinkerer alongside his headmaster duties.
Above the bookshelves, moving portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses hung in no discernible pattern. Most were snoozing at tables or desks, a few were reading books they'd never finish, and one old wizard sat at a dinner table eating a meal he'd never completely consume.
Harry moved toward a low, stepped platform leading to the headmaster's enormous, cherrywood desk. Its claw-shaped feet and the imposing leather chair behind it made it formidable even without the presence of the school's chief administrator. A set of shelves behind the chair contained numerous trinkets among which sat something familiar: the old sorting hat. As Harry stepped onto the platform, he noticed that above its wrinkly face, the hat's point was slowly moving up and down as though the hat was sleeping. Next to the hat, a glass case contained a fascinating sight: a silver, doubled-edged sword engraved with the name "Gryffindor", the hilt of which contained large, sparkling rubies.
To the right of the desk Harry saw a shallow basin, sitting atop a marble pedestal, inside a black cabinet whose doors were open. Peering into the cabinet at this mysterious object, the basin seemed to contain a liquid of some kind, giving off an eerie, whitish glow. Bypassing this, he stepped up to a gold-plated telescope pointing out a window behind a set of spiral stairs that seemed to lead to an attic. He gazed into the telescope and grinned. It pointed at Hogwarts Quidditch pitch! Dumbledore could see the matches from his very own office! Harry watched as the Hufflepuff team was in the midst of a practice round. He nearly caught sight of Cedric Diggory closing in on the Snitch when something squawked at the twelve-year-old, causing him to jump with fright.
He spun around to find himself face-to-face with the most amazing bird he'd ever seen. Orange, red, and yellow feathers gave the tall, thin creature a look of living flame with a singular feather jutting out from behind its head and a long feathery tail below. Its yellow eyes gazed at the boy knowingly as the bird sat on a perch suspended above a circular brass dish. When Harry stepped closer to the beautiful creature, it turned its head this way and that as though examining him, able to see through him somehow.
"Hello," Harry said to it.
The bird craned its neck down to its left, pointing at a bowl containing marble-sized, yellow pellets. Harry picked one up and held it in his palm. The animal leaned over and with a swift snap, grabbed the pellet in its beak and consumed it. It then placed its head in Harry's palm. The boy smiled and petted the bird gently.
"It appears Fawkes likes you!" the voice of Dumbledore came from above.
Harry spun around to find the headmaster descending the spiral stairs from out of the ceiling. The old wizard smiled at him.
"Good afternoon, sir," Harry said.
"Good afternoon, Harry," was the reply as the man stepped down onto the floor next to him.
"Fawkes," Harry repeated, gazing at the animal once more, "what kind of bird is he?"
The old man gave it a pet on the head just as Harry did, the creature's eyes closing at the soothing touch.
"He's a phoenix. A rare, fascinating creature with amazing abilities and a keen intuition."
Dumbledore gave Fawkes a pellet as well and the bird swallowed it whole with another snap. The man went on.
"Phoenixes can carry heavy loads and their tears have healing properties. But what's most fascinating is its powers of observation. The phoenix, Harry, can sense character in a person and its loyalty is unmatched. Noble creatures they are indeed."
As the man uttered these words, a few feathers fell from the bird into the dish beneath it.
"It appears to be shedding. Is it alright?" Harry asked, recalling Hedwig shedding her feathers while locked in her cage for several days.
"Oh yes!" the man replied as he leaned in to examine the feathers in the dish, "when the phoenix begins to shed, that means its Burning Day is near."
"Burning Day?"
"The phoenix can live for many hundreds of years and does so by consuming itself in fire at certain times and then re-birthing through the ashes. It's an astonishing thing to see, really, and from the looks of it, Fawkes should be ready to...'flame up', if you will, in a couple of months."
Harry nodded as Dumbledore now turned to face him.
"Well, I trust you've examined my office and encountered its many wonders."
"Yes, sir," the boy replied, "it's amazing!"
"Most of what you see was installed by my predecessors. But I've added my own touches here and there."
The old man motioned to his desk.
"Shall we?" he asked. Harry nodded.
The pair walked to the desk, Harry taking a seat in a single chair before it as Dumbledore sat in the enormous chair behind it.
"Care for a lemon drop?" the wizard asked, holding a small bowl before Harry.
"Thank you," he replied while taking one. As soon as he popped it in his mouth, his face contorted, and his lips puckered up - it was so sour it seemed to suck all moisture out of him.
"Mr. Flume of Honeyduke's is a good friend of mine," Dumbledore mentioned while popping one in his own mouth, "and knowing my weakness for sweets, always sends me a batch of his latest creation. I'll be sure to let him know these are a bit too tart."
'A bit too tart?!' Harry wondered incredulously while trying to get his mouth back to normal. After a few moments he felt better. The headmaster continued.
"So, how are Hermione and her fellow dorm mates doing after last night's ordeal?"
Harry took one more swallow before answering.
"They're good, professor. Madam Pomfrey is having them rest today, but they should be able to attend classes tomorrow like normal."
"That's excellent, Harry. I've already informed Mr. Filch of the need to fix their room and make it like new. They should be able to return to it by Wednesday, I believe."
Harry nodded. Dumbledore went on.
"I've also spoken with the heads of each House, and they all agree some new security measure should be installed to help prevent these unfortunate events, even if they are rare. That will be forthcoming."
The headmaster sat back in his chair.
"Now, as for the culprit of this act, I've asked Professor McGonagall to inspect the other girls' dorms to find which one has a missing a candlestick unaccounted for."
Harry's eyes went wide at these words and Dumbledore's narrowed at him.
"But by the look on your face, it seems you may already know who the culprit is."
Harry frowned.
"I...have a suspicion, professor."
"I see. And will you tell me the name of this person?"
Harry hesitated.
"Before I tell you, what will happen to her if it's proven she did it?"
The headmaster took on a very stern expression.
"Endangering the lives of fellow pupils and destruction of school property are serious offenses which must be dealt with by expulsion. Then, depending on the circumstances, the Ministry could level charges against her parents as she is most likely underage."
These words struck Harry hard. Despite their eccentricities, Harry liked the Weasleys and would hate to see them punished and disgraced. And he still had a hard time believing their young daughter would do something so heinous. Harry's intuition told him there was more to the girl's behavior than mere jealousy. But hiding her name from Dumbledore seemed silly - the headmaster and his deputy could no doubt discover the guilty person without his help. And from his discussions with the headmaster the previous year to this present one, Harry learned that if he was forthright with Dumbledore, Dumbledore would be forthright with him. If the twelve-year-old wanted to know what the professor knew, it seemed best to simply...tell the truth. Harry took a deep breath.
"It's a first-year...Ginny Weasley," he told the man.
Dumbledore nodded.
"And how do you know this, Harry?"
"One of her dorm mates told me that one candle was missing from their room. But that's not all. When I came down to the common room before Padma told us about the fire, I saw Ginny in the corner crying. And...I've noticed she's been very jealous of Hermione...because of me, I believe."
The headmaster nodded.
"Is that all?" he asked.
"No, sir," Harry replied, "I suspect there's something more behind her behavior than jealousy. The same dorm mate told me Ginny talks a lot to some invisible boy named 'Tom' and is always writing in her diary."
Dumbledore sat up straight in his chair and for the first time since meeting the old wizard, Harry saw astonishment in his eyes.
"Tom, you say?" the man asked.
"Yes, sir," Harry answered.
Dumbledore rose from his chair and slowly walked to the right of it, his hand on his chin as he gazed at the floor, obviously disturbed. The boy's curiosity was piqued.
"Is there something special about that name?"
Dumbledore turned and threw a very serious gaze at him, enough to cause Harry to swallow hard. The headmaster seemed hesitant to answer at first, but then his expression relaxed.
"Yes, Harry. It is significant, I'm afraid," he said. The man walked back behind the desk and placed both hands on the back of the chair. He continued.
"Many years ago, there was a very bright pupil here whose name was Tom Riddle. The boy came from an unfortunate background much like yours. But despite his excellent grades and the myriad of commendations given him at Hogwarts, he turned out very bad in the end. In fact, he turned out as wicked as one possibly could."
"Did he die, sir? Is that why Ginny...talks to him? Is his spirit still here?"
Dumbledore managed a weak smile at Harry's train of thought.
"Yes, and...no."
The boy's brow furrowed.
"I don't understand."
Dumbledore sat back down in his chair and leaned forward, placing his clasped hands on the desk top.
"Tom's pursuit of 'greatness', as he put it, led him down a very dark path which twisted and transformed the once handsome young man into a fearsome, terrible form. And he changed his name to something that would strike terror into the hearts of anyone who heard it."
"What's that?"
"Lord Voldemort."
Harry's eyes grew large.
"Voldemort!" he exclaimed in half-shock, though not terribly surprised either.
"Yes, Harry. As such, you have the answer to your questions. He did die, as we spoke of previously, attempting to kill you. And yet he didn't die either - his spirit, as you and Miss Granger witnessed last year, still remains and is ever searching for a way to come back in physical form."
Harry sat back in the chair and thought about this.
"That was the young man Hermione saw in the mirrors in the Hall of Reflection! He recognized her through Quirrell! And if Ginny's talking to Tom...Voldemort, perhaps he influenced or even made her set Hermione's bed on fire!" he said to the wizard.
"An excellent deduction, Harry," Dumbledore replied, "in which case, poor Ginny might not be as culpable as it seems. But unfortunately, we need more proof."
Harry looked at the man knowingly.
"We might already have that, professor," Harry said.
"How so?" the man asked.
"Well, the night I stayed at the Leaky Cauldron, Dobby showed up in my room, looking for something."
"What exactly?"
"He wouldn't tell me. He said he couldn't betray his master. But he did tell me that besides the terrible thing that's to happen here at the school, Hermione was in particular danger. He mentioned, sir, that...'the dark one knows'. I can only guess he was referring to Voldemort."
Dumbledore nodded at him, clearly in thought.
"That's another reasonable deduction. And speaking of Dobby, as I told you we would, I looked him up in the House Elf registry at the Ministry. As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I have access to such information. I was able to find the name of Dobby's master."
Harry sat up.
"Really?" he asked with intense curiosity. Dumbledore nodded.
"Unfortunately," the old wizard continued, "wizarding law forbids me to reveal the name as it's considered privileged information. However, wizarding law does not prohibit me from telling you that this person was once a supporter of...Lord Voldemort during the first war."
Harry's eyes widened again. The boy thought of the ramifications.
"Then perhaps this person is helping Voldemort again, to bring about the terrible thing, to...target Hermione or even me!"
"Perhaps, although this person claimed their allegiance to the dark lord was not serious and would most certainly deny a connection with any 'terrible thing' were it to take place."
"But, what about Dobby's word? Couldn't that be considered proof?"
"Harry, when Dobby told you he couldn't betray his master, it wasn't out of a sense of loyalty. The bond between an elf and his master is made magically and considered just as binding as an Unbreakable Vow. If Dobby, even with the sincerest desire to do what's right, betrays his master in this way, he will die."
Harry sat back in his chair with a frown. Despite the creature getting him into trouble with his relatives, Harry felt sorry for the elf and wouldn't want to see him punished, much less die. There had to be another way. But before he could think of one, Dumbledore stood from his chair once more.
"Whether Dobby's master is behind a new scheme of Voldemort or not, as headmaster of Hogwarts my first duty is to protect the students and staff from dangers both without and...within. As such, considering what you've told me, I feel I need to question Miss Weasley over this incident and find out what I can. Perhaps she may have more information about Tom and what he's up to."
"Yes, sir," Harry said forlornly, concerned over the poor girl. Dumbledore sensed this.
"But rest assured, Harry. I have no desire to punish a student if they were acting under the influence of a dark wizard. If it can be determined that it was Tom who coerced her into setting the bed on fire, then I will most certainly clear the girl of wrongdoing."
Harry was relieved at these words. Dumbledore continued.
"In the meantime, I suggest you and Miss Granger remain vigilant. Whatever terrible thing that Dobby spoke of has not yet occurred and hopefully we may prevent it. However, it's possible that further dark deeds are planned which we may not foresee."
"Yes, sir. We will."
The two sat in silence momentarily. Then the headmaster spoke once more.
"Now, before you leave, I mentioned speaking with you about your future. In particular, your future with your relatives."
At this, Harry sat up with interest. The man went on.
"Professor McGonagall informed me that she supports and is willing to aid in finding you another living situation during the summer rather than four Privet Drive."
"Yes, sir," the twelve-year-old stated with eagerness.
"Well, before we discuss that, allow me to tell you what I mentioned after we retrieved you - that which concerns your protection..."
The headmaster once more rose from his chair and slowly paced to the edge of his desk with his hands behind his back.
"As I told you in one of our conversations last term, it is my belief that your mother's sacrifice created a type of magical protection - a protection that allowed you to survive a curse which had been, until that time, considered impervious. More specifically Harry, I believe that protection came to reside in her blood and consequently, yours."
Harry thought about this.
"So, my own blood protects me against attacks from Voldemort?"
"In theory, yes."
"That would explain why Quirrell was burned when I touched him."
"Correct, Harry. In his present state, Voldemort and anyone he possesses cannot physically touch you without severe consequences."
The boy thought a little more.
"But if it was my mother's blood that did this, and then mine, how would staying with my relatives be a form of protection?"
Dumbledore paced to the other side of his desk.
"Your aunt and cousin have the same blood in them that your mother had. Not to mention that after depositing you on the steps of your uncle and aunt's house, I placed several protective wards on the property, just in case."
Harry's face scrunched up in puzzlement.
"But how would mine, my aunt, and my cousin's blood protect me, if we were already alive before my mother made the sacrifice?"
The headmaster smiled at Harry's smart deduction.
"It is my belief, Harry, that the blood itself became a ward, whether it resides in your relatives, your mother, or you. Something about that blood now causes a violent reaction against Voldemort and his vessels which you witnessed last term. Thus, under your relatives' roof, you would be surrounded, as it were, in the event the dark lord sought to attack you there."
This didn't entirely make sense to Harry, but he figured Dumbledore had an understanding of these things he himself couldn't, as yet. Nevertheless, he thought there had to be a better way.
"Professor, you also told Hermione and me that while you were present here, at the castle, Voldemort wouldn't attempt to attack me either, correct?"
"That's correct."
"Well, Professor McGonagall mentioned the idea of me staying here during the summer. Since it's only a few months anyway, and I would be able to study and practice magic too, I'd prefer to do that. While the idea of living with a proper wizarding family also sounds great, I wouldn't want to put any of them in danger. Here I would be protected, as you said, though in a different way. And if it's a matter of cost, I have plenty of galleons in my Gringott's account to cover it - I'd be happy to use it for that purpose."
Dumbledore smiled and returned to his chair.
"I thought you might say this, Harry, after Minerva mentioned the idea to me. I'm glad to see you are thinking this through and not simply trying to avoid your relatives. And I am still glad to see you are eager to improve your knowledge and skills. Remaining here for the summer would allow you to do just that - under my supervision, of course. Further, as I told you a week ago, your protection under your relatives' roof seems moot if you wind up a prisoner in their home. If one must surrender freedom and a normal life in order to survive, what good does that survival do in the end but lead to bondage and slavery? Therefore, I will seriously consider that option, and we will discuss this before the end of your second term next year."
Harry's face lit up.
"Thank you, sir!" he uttered excitedly.
The headmaster smiled broadly.
"Yes, well, we still have a full year before then and...we'll see what happens in the interim. In the meantime, with regard to Dobby's 'terrible event', you'll let me know if you notice anything unusual or untoward, won't you?"
"Yes, sir. I will," he said before the thought of the voice he heard the previous night came to mind. But he still wasn't sure if it was real or not.
"Good. Together, Harry, we might nip this dark event in the bud before someone is truly harmed."
"I hope so," Harry said with a frown as he rose from the chair.
"And would you mind sitting in on the meeting with Ginny Weasley, as an eyewitness?"
"I'd be glad to."
"Excellent! I'll let you know when it takes place. Perhaps your presence as a fellow pupil might help ease the girl's mind."
Harry nodded with a smile. Dumbledore sat back in his seat with a pleasant look.
"Well, enjoy the rest of your afternoon and good luck with your classes next week!"
"Thank you, sir," the boy replied then headed for the door to Dumbledore's office. But before he could reach it, someone knocked on the other side. Harry paused and looked back at the headmaster. Dumbledore threw Harry an expression of curiosity before answering.
"Come!" he spoke.
The door opened and in walked...Filch. The mangy-haired caretaker stopped and looked up at the headmaster.
"Afternoon, professor," he muttered in that scraggly voice of his.
"Good afternoon, Argus. Please, come in."
As the cantankerous man shuffled inside and closed the door behind him, he noticed Harry and threw the boy a squinty-eyed suspicious stare.
"Afternoon, there, Master Potter," he said sarcastically.
Harry merely nodded back, and his face scrunched up. There was a reason the students derisively nicknamed the man "Mr. Filth": he always smelled like the inside of a rubbish bin. The caretaker walked up to the platform.
"I've checked, and we have enough o' the spare four-posters and another set o' drawers to replace those in the girls' room. And I've asked Professor McGonagall to do the...magic cleanin' for me. She's agreed."
"Excellent, Argus. Thank you. I'm sure the girls will appreciate that. Is there anything else?"
"There is...in fact," the man stated sharply while throwing a hard gaze back at Harry, "last night, someone dumped water all along the first-floor corridor, one end to the other."
Filch's fists curled, and his expression became angry.
"Took me nearly all night to clean it up!" he complained.
Dumbledore nodded.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Argus. Any idea how it got there?"
"Naw, sir. Not yet," he muttered with another glare at Harry, "but I'll find the culprit. Normally, somethin' like this, I'd guess it was the twins. But then again, any one of the students could a done it..."
"Very well. But before you leave, I have a few more things I need to discuss with you...Harry? If you'll excuse us?"
"Yes, sir," Harry replied with a nod and marched to the door, opening it, and closing it back softly behind him.
As he rode the moving stairs back to the lower floor, Harry pondered his conversation with the headmaster. There seemed but one conclusion to what happened last night.
Voldemort was at it again.
When the stairs came to a stop on the lower floor, Harry sprinted through the gap in the wall which closed behind him after. The twelve-year-old paid no mind to the large gargoyle who jumped back in place after Harry took off down the main corridor. The boy was eager to see Hermione and tell her all about his talk with Dumbledore.
Their suspicions had been confirmed.
The mystery was deepening...