Chapter 7: Start of a New Year

"Enter," Dumbledore called cheerfully as he was getting ready to head downstairs. He was not surprised in the least to see that it was Minerva McGonagall who came in.

"Headmaster, I wanted to let you know that the rest of the teachers have all just arrived this morning before breakfast, so everyone's here and settled in. I told them to be in the staff room so we can discuss anything before the start of term," she announced, not the least bit hesitant about getting to the point.

"Yes, excellent," Albus mused as finished a letter to Ollivander. The old wandmaker had written to him that Harry Potter had indeed bought the other phoenix wand… all the more proof that Harry and Voldemort were destined to meet up again someday. But he pushed those thoughts out of his head for the moment.

"Yes, I imagine that will have to be taken care of rather immediately. Shall we go down, then?" He stood, gave Fawkes a passing stroke, to which the phoenix sang a few notes happily, and walked side-by-side with Minerva.

All the other members of his staff were waiting for them, and after warm greetings (from most of them anyway) all around, they fell respectfully silent, waiting for him to speak. Albus sat down in his chair at the end of the table and cleared his throat. "Yes, welcome back. Before we address any questions that you may have, however, I would like to make an announcement."

They all looked at him expectantly.

"As I'm sure that many of you know my friend, Nicholas Flamel, with whom I have done some work with art of alchemy. You may also know that he possesses what may be the only Sorcerer's Stone ever created. He has asked me to keep the stone safe for him this year, and I agreed. The Stone will reside here at Hogwarts for one year and then it will be moved somewhere else—unless of course unforeseen circumstances arise."

A few people gasped, some began talking about this to each other, and others simply looked amazed. Dumbledore ignored them and went on, "I have arranged to have the Stone hidden in a newly added chamber that is located beneath the castle and only accessible through a trap-door installed in the third floor corridor. Hagrid here," Albus gave a nod and a smile to the half-giant taking up an entire corner of the staff room, "has kindly agreed to lend us the services of one of his… ah… creatures to guard the door."

Albus paused, as there were several mutterings and a few groans at this announcement.

"And which creature, pray tell," Severus said slowly, "would that be?"

Hagrid swelled proudly, "That'd be Fluffy, tha' would. Don't worry. I'm sur' he's up to the task."

"Fluffy?" Minerva asked, and Albus detected a hint of misgiving in her voice. "What kind of creature is Fluffy, exactly, Hagrid?"

"He's a dog," Hagrid said excitedly. "A bit like Fang, only about 20 feet high"—he gestured with his hand, and Quirenius looked as though he might faint—"an'… well, he's got three heads. He's got the sweetest disposition though once you get to know him."

"W-w-well," Quirenius stammered at this news. "This d-dog sounds l-l-like… it h-has th-three h-heads! A-a-and all with t-teeth, no d-d-doubt of c-course, so th-ther-there's no need t-to wo-worry," he gave a nervous little laugh. "It s-s-sounds t-to me th-this stone will be v-very well p-p-protected."

"We'll have to warn the students to stay away from that corridor," Filius voiced. "And as for some extra precautions, we should add a few locking charms. I know the students generally keep away from doors that are locked, but its best to be safe than sorry."

"Except those Weasleys brats," Argus Filch said with a furious look. "Give them a locked door, and they'll be clamoring to see what's behind it. And I hear that there's going to be another one arriving this year! If he's anything like his brothers…"

"Now, be reasonable, Argus," Madam Promfry interrupted. "While Fred and George may be trouble-makers, Percy is hardly one to pry into locked doors. He's a prefect this year, and perhaps with the extra authority he can keep his younger brothers in line."

Argus looked as though he very much doubted this.

"I will make it plain during the announcements at the welcoming feast that the corridor is dangerous and to be avoided," Albus said to stem further arguments.

"Is the dog all that's guarding the stone, Albus?" Pomona asked, looking slightly worried.

"No, indeed," Albus answered, "And it is this point that I wished to discuss with you. I have provided the stone with additional protection, but I am worried that it might not be enough. There are several antechambers leading to the location of the stone that I feel would be perfect for additional enchantments, obstacles, or guards. I would like to know what each of you thinks should be guarding the stone, and if you would be willing to help. Quirenius? Would you care to lend your expertise in your field?"

The stuttering professor started at being addressed. "W-well, I would s-s-suggest s-some sort of g-g-g-guard. P-perhaps a d-dark creature es-s-specially d-difficult to p-p-pass?" he stuttered, looking around as if he was scared that he would be jinxed for suggesting it.

Albus frowned at this idea. "I must admit I'm rather reluctant at the idea of having a dark creature inside Hogwarts."

Severus raised an eyebrow scathingly, "If that's the case, exactly what do you call—what was its name?—Fluffy?"

"Fluffy ain' no dark creature!" Hagrid protested, "He's—'e's jus' misunderstood that's all!"

Albus cleared his throat again to regain his small audience's attention. "What kind of creature would you suggest on top of Fluffy, Quirenius?"

"T-t-trolls have always b-been s-s-successful guards," he said carefully.

"Trolls?" Minerva asked skeptically. "Really, I could transfigure something more intelligent than that. There's a reason why 'T' is the lowest failing grade."

"There really ought to be something that requires more than brute strength to get past," Severus said quietly.

"Yes, I agree," Albus said, pleased that the Potions professor had touched on such a subject. "There ought to be tests to prove strength, but also—"

"Intelligence," squeaked Flitwick. "Wisdom!"

"Cunning," Snape added smoothly. "Logic, perhaps."

"Let us not put aside all value of bravery," Minerva put in sharply.

"Loyalty," Pomona put in. "I mean no one that's not loyal to the school and to its headmaster,"she gave a nod to Albus, who blushed and gave her a slight nod, "should be able to get through to this stone."

"Yes, they must all be accounted for in anyone wishing to get to the stone," Albus agreed. "May I therefore have other suggestions as to what should be in place to protect the stone?"

"I have some extra buds of Devil's Snare at the moment," Pomona volunteered. "Perhaps you could place them under the trapdoor? Imagine it… they drop through the trapdoor only to land on top of a killer plant!"

"Thank you, Pomona, I'm sure that would be excellent."

"I believe I can find some more complicated locking charms than Alohomora," Filius suggested. "Perhaps I can enchant some keys."

"You could make it even more difficult by making them fly and having broomsticks to—" began Madam Hooch.

"Is your mind always so irrevocably connected to Quidditch, Rolanda?" Severus asked dryly.

"No, I like that idea. I'm very interested to hear about your ideas, Madam Hooch," Filius countered.

"Are there other enchantments any of you would be willing to contribute?" Albus asked to the room at large. He noticed that Argus flinched slightly at the word enchantments.

"You know I've never been very good at that sort of thing, Dumbledore," the professor Sinistra said with a sigh. "I'll support anything you care to protect within these walls, but I can't help you defend it. I'm no great caster of spells."

"Nor am I," put in Irma Pince, "but I would be happy to do any research you require."

"Thank you, Irma," Albus acknowledged.

"I'm sure I could put together a puzzle and brew a few potions as a test for logic and cunning," Severus offered.

Albus nodded, and cleared his throat again. "I am glad to have so many ideas. Minerva, could I ask you to organize the planning of this project? I wish to have it finished by the time the students arrive in a few days time. There are five chambers leading to the one in which I have hidden the Stone. I think that one test per chamber should be enough. Now, are there any questions about the coming year before we end this meeting? Are there any other concerns we need to address?"

"Is it true that Harry Potter will be attending this year?" Filius' squeak of excitement provoked several murmured comments, and numerous mentions of his parents, Lily and James Potter.

"I knew it," Sibyll spoke up in her most mystical voice. "I have foreseen his coming, a coming that will change the very nature of Hogwarts!" no one paid her any attention, and Albus was certain that he heard Minerva gave a snort of annoyance.

"Yes," Albus answered simply, "It is true." He did not miss the roll of Severus' eyes, and knew the potions master was not the slightest bit pleased about the boy finally arriving at school.

"Are there to be any special measures regarding the boy?" Pomona asked, somewhat suspiciously; Pomona was of the opinion that all students should be treated exactly alike; whether they were famous or not.

"I have not anticipated the need for any, but I will most certainly inform you if I should change my mind," Albus promised. "Are there any other concerns that do not involve Harry Potter?"

"Peeves, Professor," Argus spoke up. "Is that vile poltergeist to still be allowed to wreak havoc on this castle? I keep telling you every year that we should be rid of the damn…" he demanded.

Albus sighed as he interrupted, "And as I say every year, Argus, there is a place and a use for everything that is in this castle, and that includes Peeves."

"Getting off topic, I should like to restrict the loaning of library books to two weeks instead of three this year, Albus," Irma declared. "When I finally get them back they are in horrible shape. I swear that the students are only borrowing them to practice their charms on!"

"If that is your wish, Irma," Albus said. "Poppy? You have sufficient supplies for this term?"

"Yes, headmaster," Poppy answered with a bob of her head. "Though I do have need of a few plants, I am sure that Pomona can readily supply."

Albus nodded as Pomona expressed her willingness. "Severus? You have the potion ingredients for the term, or shall I write to the apothecary?"

"I have everything I need, headmaster."

"Excellent. Any other concerns?"

"The punishments, professor," Argus spoke again in a strangled sort of voice as if hoping that he would at least get one thing that he wanted. "Are you quite sure that whipping would be considered too cruel a—"

"Yes, Argus," Dumbledore said forcefully. "There will be detentions, the same as last year. That is the extent of necessary discipline for the students."

"Oh, please… just for the Weasley twins… if they cause me any trouble this year, can't I at least be allowed to hang those two by their thumps in the dungeons?"

Albus raised his eyebrows at him, "I think that you already know the answer to that, Argus. The detentions are not up to you to decide."

Argus mumbled something incoherent about what he would do if he did have any say what the punishments would be, but gave in.

"If that is everything, the meeting is over," Albus announced. "I have faith in your capabilities and believe this term shall be one of the most memorable years that Hogwarts had ever seen."

"You say that every year, Albus," Minerva reminded him.

"Yes, but the years just keep improving," he responded with a smile.

*One week later*

A week later, Albus was pleased to hear the faint sounds of students entering the castle. The sun set quite magnificently that summer evening, and Albus had just gotten the old tattered sorting hat from its shelf when there came a knock on his office door. "Enter," he called as cheerfully as ever, and Minerva McGonagall burst into the room, looking flustered.

"Albus, we still need the sorting hat, and the students are waiting in the room off the Entrance Hall—"

" Minerva, relax. This isn't like you. Besides, it's tradition to make the first years even more nervous by making them wait, am I right?"

Minerva glared at him, but nodded.

"Is there anything upsetting you?" Albus asked warmly.

"Peeves," the Transfiguration professor responded shortly. "He's been terrorizing the house elves again, not to mention releasing a pack of mice all over the entrance hall. Filius only barely managed to take care of it in time. And not only that, he tried to set the house tables on fire with some torches. Honestly, Albus, why you insist that wretched poltergeist stay in the castle…"

"Peeves has his uses," Albus said quietly, remembering all the times the poltergeist had lightened up the atmosphere of the castle when it was otherwise gloomy with the quiet of exams or lack of students. "Are you quite sure that is all that's upsetting you, Minerva?"

"No. It's—there's not—I have a bad feeling that we have someone on the inside trying to get the stone," she burst out.

"Minerva," Albus began.

"But Dumbledore, did you not hear what happened? Someone broke into Gringotts and tried to rob the vault! If Hagrid did not recover the stone when he did…"

Dumbeldore put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Yes, I know. And we can count our lucky stars that we were able to retrieve it when we did. I hate to imagine what could've happened if the stone fell into the wrong hands…"

"Yes, yes, but how do we know that the same person who tried to steal it before won't come here?" Minerva demanded. "I have no doubts that they won't be able to get to the stone, but what if they go after the students? We cannot be certain that the students won't be targeted in a desperate attempt to go to retrieve the stone."

Dumbledore put a soothing hand on her shoulder and led her out of his office, the sorting hat in his hand, and said, "Minerva… I don't know what will happen this year; but I promise you that I will do everything in my power to protect the students. Now… let us go down and enjoy the welcoming feast!"

He left her in the Entrance Hall and made his way to the Great Hall, where the tables were already scenes of happy reunions of students that had been away all summer. He hummed to himself as he strode the length of the hall to the high table, waving at a few of the students as he passed. He then passed the sorting hat to one of the teachers before he greeted his fellow professors at the table, with a nod to Quirenius (who seemed to be trembling), and sat down in his seat at the center. A few minutes later, Minerva was leading in the new students.

Ah, there he was. Most definitely his father's son, if looks were anything to judge by. But his eyes were without a doubt Lily's. Albus noted with some amusement that he was standing near a redheaded boy that had to be the newest Weasley. He stifled a chuckle as the redhead turned around to glare at a bushy-haired girl behind him, who had made a comment about the enchanted ceiling.

Everything was in place. Ten years ago, when he left little Harry Potter on the doorstep of his relatives' house, he told himself that he was making the right decision; that the protection of his mother's blood, was the best course of action. If Harry was to be protected from the Death Eaters that were then still at large, and from Voldemort, then he needed the best possible protection that he could offer to keep him out of harm's reach.

And all of these were, and still are, to some extent, convincing arguments. But the fact remains that when he saw Harry Potter again in the flesh, tonight at the sorting, he did not expect the weight of sorrow that he perceived about him, not to mention his physical stature: small, pale and underfed

It should not have come as a surprise to see Harry's condition. He have been looking in on him from time to time, and he have seen how mistreated the boy was by the Dursleys, suffering from his aunt's disdain for magic, his uncle's fear of anything different, and his cousin's spoiled, violent attitude. More than once he have been sorely tempted to intervene on his behalf, but only once did he do anything about it.

Once, he had sent a Howler to his aunt when she leaving him hungry and unwatched for days on end. Even that very nearly upset the delicate balance of the magic that he set in place around young Harry, after that he always reminding myself that the plan for keeping Harry safe was the upmost priority, or all be lost.

And now Harry was finally in his care, a first-year student at Hogwarts, and hopefully, he can begin to undo some of the damage inflicted upon him. He couldn't pretend that he would be able to heal all of his scars, and by this he meant his emotional scars, but promised that he would do everything he could.

Would that he could explain to the boy his reasons for leaving him at that terrible house. He knew that he deserved to understand why things had to happen the way that they have done, and someday he may be able to do so. He feared that Harry's greatest trials are only just beginning, though he couldn't imagine what they could be, but he will need every last bit of knowledge and wisdom that he could give him.

But he is too young to know these things yet, and Dumbledore decided that he would leave him with some measure of happiness for now, at the discovery of who he was, his powers, and the world to which he belongs. He began looking very closely at Harry, trying to figure out who he was more like… his mother or father.

Harry looked quite as nervous as any of the other first years. Perhaps he did not have James' confidence, then? Maybe he had his mother's more gentle and easy-going personality that Lily had. Time would tell, he reminded himself as Minerva began calling the students forward.

Albus smiled a bit as the muggle-born girl that had made the comment about the enchanted ceiling was sorted into Gryffindor. He would've guessed that she be a Ravenclaw. Especially for someone who apparently read Hogwarts, A History for entertainment over the summer.

A haughty-looking blond boy that he knew to be Draco Malfoy, was immediately sorted into Slytherin. Albus frowned slightly as he took a closer look at him. He was, no doubt, very like his father. Albus wondered if the boy's years at Hogwarts could, perhaps, prevent him from following his father's ridiculous prejudice. Though his hopes were very high.

Ah, but it was finally Harry's turn. Albus sat up straight, gazing intently at the boy who looked so much like his father. Harry was gazing around the hall in nerviously at the whispers as he approached the stool. He wasn't comfortable with standing out? That boded well—or so Albus hoped. There—the hat was on his head. Albus waited… and waited… what was taking so long?

James and Lily had been a shoe-in for Gryffindor. Stealthily, he focused on the hat using legilimency.

'Not Slytherin, eh?' he heard the hat say. 'Are you sure? You could be great you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin would help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that… No? Well, if you're sure, better be…'

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Albus smiled widely and clapped loudly with everyone else. Yes, if the boy's choice was anything to judge by, he was very much like his parents. With his doubts dispelled for the moment, he relaxed and listened to the rest of the sorting, noting the level of each new student's anxiety.

At last, the Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor just like the rest of his family, and looked quite happy to sit next to Harry with whom he had obviously become friends with.

When the last student had been sorted, Minerva rolled up her scroll of parchment and nodded at Albus to stand and say a few words as she removed the hat and stool to the antechamber. His stomach began to groan in hunger as he stood.

"Welcome," he began, smiling at all the students. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our feast, I would like to say a few words," Albus paused briefly. A few words? As far as he knew, anyone who said that had considerably more than a few words to say. No doubt Minerva expected him to go into a long speech about the rules and everything else this year…

However, his stomach had different ideas. "And here they are: nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak. Thank you."

He sat down, and a second later, platefuls of food appeared in front of him.

"Dumbledore," Minerva said reprovingly as the food appeared on the plates, "You were supposed to talk about a review of Quidditch trials, the forbidden forest, and Filch's complaint about no magic in the corridors. Surely you haven't forgotten already have you?"

"I know, Minerva," Albus replied as he helped himself to mashed potatoes, "But my stomach was speaking so loudly that I no choice but to comply. Best to deal with all of that after the feast."

Minerva's lips twitched slightly, and that was enough for Albus.

When he judged everyone well fed, Albus did get up to make a proper speech remembering to tell them to stay away from the third floor corridor, and then sent the students to their beds with a cheery "Off you trot."

He watched as Harry got up with all the other students; his eyes followed him out of the great hall and out of his sight. Yes… something told him that this would be one on the most memorable years that Hogwarts had ever seen.