A/N: Second chapter is Dumbledore POV. Yes, the story is very slow in the beginning, so almost nothing happened yet... But Dumbledore need time and reason to become a super-hero.

Thank all who reviewed for comments and inspiration!

Chapter 2. The Headmaster and the Professors.

September 1943, Hogwarts.

Recently, Albus Dumbledore often happened to stay in his office long after work, sometimes way past midnight.

There were several reasons for that. First, in his experiments with dragon blood, after thousands vain attempts, a glimpse of light began to show; second, this year he was made a Head of Gryffindor house, and this position had added a many new chores; and third – that probably was the most significant reason - he had been suffering from insomnia.

This lasted for a couple of month already. Of course, none of his colleagues would have suspected that he, a prominent alchemist and quite a capable specialist in other fields of magic science, could fall a victim of such a trivial muggle decease as inability to sleep. Indeed, all that he needed to do was to consume small dose of Sleeping Tincture, or, if he preferred charms, to cast an easy Somnio spell upon himself – and then to enjoy a deep and profound sleep. He could even decorate it with a variety of pleasant dreams of his choice, had he wish to perform some additional efforts.

And yet, Albus Dumbledore refused to do anything of the mentioned, and not because his abilities on potion brewing or spell-casting were insufficient. The point was that that he considered such a direct fighting with the insomnia to be wrong and even to some extent dangerous. The sleep could not just vanish without the reason, he thought; and instead of stuffing himself with medicines, no matter magic or muggle ones, one should think seriously and try to find out what was the real cause of ailing.

So far Albus was undecided. Too many things had happened during several past months, both here in Hogwarts and in the Outer World. Maybe, he simply needed more time to get accustomed to the changes. He was not, although, completely honest to himself: he knew that there were some things that he never would be accustomed to, no matter how much time would pass. A week, a month, a year, or even a decade – the whole eternity may fly – but the war will always be what it is; an unnatural, insufferable, loathsome thing, utterly contradictive to human nature; and he would never become used to its horrors, no matter how many reports 'from the spot' he would read or how many eyewitnesses of the events he would meet.

To say the truth, here, at Hogwarts, tension of the Outer World events was almost unnoticeable. The daily routine remained as it had always been, and the lessons were conducted duly as they should be. Of course, hardships of the war time were influencing Hogwarts life; for example, dinner menu was more than scarce, and the heating of the bedchambers was evidently insufficient – but in general this school year was passing just as any other. At least, that was what could be seen prima facie, brief and cursory.

Albus Dumbledore belonged to the select few inhabitants of Hogwarts castle who knew how deceiving this impression of general well-being was. On the contrary, he was almost sure that something definitely was happening in the school. It was something very strange and not good. It might not be directly connected to the terrible war spreading all over Wizarding Europe, but nevertheless it could be – at least, for Hogwarts inhabitants – no less dangerous than this war. Or even more dangerous; for in the war your enemy was known and thus understandable, and there… There Albus Dumbledore had nothing but some vague and indefinable 'bad feelings'.

Sometimes he almost came to conclusion that these 'feelings' were not at all forerunners to some real threat; that they were just a figment of his imagination, exhausted with insomnia. And indeed, had there been something real behind them, he surely would not be the only one to notice, for Albus Dumbledore's colleagues, by no means greenhorns, were quite capable of finding and securing any possible danger.

All of his colleagues, by the way, were outstanding people.

Take, for example, Armando Dippet, Hogwarts Headmaster and an old friend of Albus'. They knew each other for more than sixty years, since Paracelsus Readings, and Albus considered himself to be obliged to Dippet. If not for Armando, Dumbledore's remarkable scientific career as an alchemist could have stopped without even starting, for all of those academics, hoary with age, just winced contemptuously while listening to Dumbledore's first timid reports, and Dippet alone came to his defense, giving Albus his support and encouragement. Moreover, Albus was thankful to his older friend for a couple of most practical and tactfully expressed advices on how to build his research efficiently and at the same time not to provoke all those conservators from science. Upon recovering his spirit, Albus continued his more than 'non-orthodox' experiments and, as time went by, had achieved a really prominent results; so that even the most dyed-in-the-wool conservatives began to exchange bows with him and call him 'our dearest colleague'.

Or to take Otto von Strommen, the Head of Slytherin and the Charms teacher, - he is without any doubt an outstanding person. Of course, Albus by no means did approve the teaching methods von Strommen used, considering them to be way too harsh and inhumane: there was not a single day without some sort of incident on Charms lesson that usually ended for an unfortunate student in Hospital Wing. Dumbledore believed these 'training attacks' von Strommen practiced to be more suitable for Defense against Dark Arts lessons, and he had a doubt that even there they would not be a way too much. Nevertheless, he could not deny that such system of teaching was in some sort very effective; at least as a compensation for Galatea Merrythought's too academic exercises. Moreover, Albus held professor von Strommen in high respect because he was nearly the first Head of Slytherin in recent history who did not share that shameful prejudice against muggleborn wizards, which was still common in the circles of so called 'magic aristocracy'. Two years ago at the annual meeting of the Hogwarts Patrons Committee, where Heads of the Houses were traditionally invited to, von Strommen very sharply put Sestim Silverspoon in his place when the latter started to express his indignation on the matter of 'filthy half-breeds being in noble Slytherin House'. Silverspoon was considered a person of great influence in Wizarding Britain, so it was very brave for von Strommen to object in such a manner; 'a pure Gryffindor braveness in its best… and its worst', as Horace Slughorn admitted to Albus afterwards.

Nicolai Dubinin, a former Head of Hufflepuff, was another example of extraordinary braveness. He was absent from Hogwarts this year; he decided to retire from teaching and joined one of the squads of battle mages fighting with Grindelwald forces. ...Now there were no members of Hogwarts staff left who could be made the head of Hufflepuff house. But, regardless of that fact, Albus thought that all of them, maybe, should do the same…

The rest of Hogwarts professors were also very decent people, even if not so prominent. In believing so, Dumbledore was basing mainly on his feeling rather than the real facts, but that did not matter.

Today, in chill and overcast day of the middle of September, all of these outstanding professors were scheduled to meet at the special School Board Council, unexpectedly announced by Dippet upon receiving some Ministry Directive of great importance.

Albus Dumbledore was going to be there beforehand; he needed to discuss with Dippet one question which had been bothering him for quite a long time. Unfortunately, he did not succeed and even was almost late because of the group of worried students from Gryffindor Quidditch team who had been keeping his attention till the very last moment. From some 'mysterious but most reliable' sources they inquired that this year Quidditch Cup was to be cancelled by the Ministry, and now they were begging for his support - for he was believed to be the only person who could persuade Headmaster Dippet to change this disastrous decision. Albus encouraged them by telling that the Ministry had not a slightest intention to restrict Quidditch, and only after that the students, slightly relieved, allowed him to go.

When Dumbledore entered Headmaster's office, he found there, besides Dippet, only Galatea Merrythought, Defense against Dark Arts teacher, who was the head of the Ravenclaw House. She must have come, as usual, twenty minutes before the appointed time, or even half an hour. Professor Merrythought extremely did not like to be in a hurry. Any time stress was a disaster for her. Due to that reason, she was always checking if she had plenty of time, and only then she felt comfortable enough. Being in the state of abovementioned 'comfort', she usually gained a dreamy and somewhat mysterious look; and now she looked just like that.

Dumbledore greeted Dippet and nodded socially to Merrythought, after what he took his seat, slightly surprised why there are only three of them. Where could be other staff members? Maybe, the meeting had been postponed, and he did not know it?

'All is correct? At three o'clock, I presume?' he asked Galatea.

'Yes, you are right,' she answered and threw a brief glance at her dress-watch. The watch was very elegant though a bit old-fashioned, as Madam Merrythought herself. 'We have two minutes left.'

'Hmm, thank you,' said Dumbledore vaguely and fell silent. It seemed that the meeting should take place as planned.

There was a soft sound of door opening, and then professor von Strommen appeared, straight like stuff. This man always was precisely in time; one may even check the watch. After a rather dry welcome von Strommen gave his colleagues, he sat at the other side of the table, just across Headmaster Dippet.

Dippet sighed and, having cleared his throat, said:

'Good evening again, colleagues, I believe it is time to start. Five more minutes, if you don't mind… We are still waiting for one person…Professor Slughorn, to be exact. Ah, here he is – good evening, Professor!'

'I thought only Heads of the Houses were invited,' von Strommen said with cold perplexity, watching as Slughorn was taking his seat. 'The Ministry Directive ordered just as that, didn't it?'

'That was what the Directive recommended; you are right,' answered Dippet gently, almost like apologizing; the only objection he had afforded himself was to stress slightly this 'recommended'.

Albus noticed the feeble smile at Slughorn's face, fading away on the instant. Everybody was aware that Slughorn and von Strommen had no special liking of each other. The principle cause for their mutual dislike was Slughorn's ambition to become Head of the Slytherin house - a position that he had every reason to claim to. To be honest, Dumbledore also believed Horace to be more suitable for this position than von Strommen was: despite the higher respect he had for the latter, he felt greater sympathy for the former.

Meanwhile, Dippet continued:

'All of you, dear colleagues, undoubtedly know about the last Ministry directive, as well as are aware of its contents,' he said. Nobody objected, and Madam Merrythought nodded. 'It is obvious that the fulfillment of the Ministry orders will require a complete reorganization of the entire teaching process, which is especially vital for the sixth and seventh grade students. Even those who have already chosen the theme for the graduation project should not be excluded. No one can deny that the matter we deal with is of a most complex and delicate nature. But we all understand why we are ought to do this, as well as are conscious of the sad circumstances that have made this decision necessary. Of course, the Ministry demands have not always been…' Dippet paused for a moment in search of appropriate word, 'well… adequate - but this is clearly not the case. I would like you to take into consideration the very nature of the problem, which is not so much academic as organizational one. We are dealing not with just changing of school subjects - we are dealing with people here. That is why I need your help at first place; I'm addressing you not as professors and staff members, I'm addressing you as the Heads of the Houses. The authority you had been given puts a great responsibility upon you, especially at the times like this. The influence you had upon your students is the important tool without which we can not succeed.'

But of course! That is why today there are only five of them including Dippet; Slughorn must have been invited because of his 'Slug Club' and the influence it has… or because of his Ministry connections? The rest of the staff should be informed afterwards; why Albus had not guessed it before? Now Dumbledore was looking at the purpose of the meeting differently and was rather satisfied with the opportunity to share his thoughts on the subject of Hogwarts' new role in the time of war – in fact, he had been thinking on it for a while. But before Dumbledore managed to formulate his opinion, von Strommen made a sign, asking for attention.

'I think there is nothing to talk about, because everything is clear. In present situation we simply have no choices to discuss,' as always, von Strommen's words were strict and harsh. 'I would like to forewarn you that some of my propositions may seem to you way too cruel or inhumane,' with this word he glanced briefly at Dumbledore. 'I do understand that as well as all of you do. And if I nevertheless propose to discuss them, it means that I truly believe them to be the most efficient measures in our situation.'

After that von Strommen stopped for a moment, giving his colleagues a possibility to think deeply on his latest statement. None of the professors made a move; everybody was listening to him in silence.

'Excellent,' von Strommen continued. 'The first we need to do is to perform a severe differentiation between all Hogwarts students basing on their magical capability and their usefulness for our goal. Here I mean all the students, not only the sixth and seventh grades. Very roughly, they could be divided on three groups. The biggest one will consist of all those who are completely worthless for us - I mean, not very promising in practical magic. They should be sent away from Hogwarts as soon as possible. Their education would be only waste of time and efforts. We simply can not afford that now. Next group, elder students of moderately good capabilities and some of the most promising juniors will form our reserve. Those should stay here and study under current rules; I think that minimal corrections to the curriculum will suffice. And, at last, the remaining group – the best students we have – the best we could offer for the needs of Resistance. I daresay it will consist of not more than fifteen or twenty students. They should be trained on a completely unique basis, in a way that has never been seen in Hogwarts history'.

When von Strommen's speech was over, Galatea Merrythought frowned and asked:

'What do you mean by this "unique training", professor von Strommen?'

'I was just about to explain, madam Merrythought,' said von Strommen, smiling coldly. 'First of all, of course, all lessons should be purely practical,' he stressed that practical. 'Martial arts, then general course of strategy and tactics, some topics from advanced Battle Charms; the classical Defense from the Dark Arts should be taught more strongly; well, and the Dark Arts themselves should also be considered...

At his last words Galatea Merrythought visibly shivered. Albus felt some discomfort as well.

'The Dark Arts?' Dippet repeated with discontent.

'Indeed,' von Strommen was not disarmed with the unfavorable impact his speech had on his colleagues. 'The mere fact of our existence is in danger now, and this is not appropriate time to play the fairy knights. We should understand clearly that we could never conquer our opponent if we remain in different planes of reality. Only equals can fight with each other. Thus, we should become a match for them. There is no other way.'

Was the matter in firm, metal notes of von Strommen's voice or in his unconquerable self-reliance, but Dumbledore suddenly imagined a large number of people in black and silver, embattled in columns and marching dashingly accompanied by sounds of some pompous battle song… He did not like the picture at all.

'Listen, dear professor, but even in more common branches of magic there are spells powerful enough, which are capable to stop any of the dark magic curses – with the obvious exclusion of Unforvigables… Am I not right, Headmaster?' inquired madam Merrythought, looking at her greatest authority, Dippet.

Armando did not answer at once; so von Strommen again took the initiative:

'That is correct, madam Merrythought. To stop them, they are undoubtedly capable. But this is not enough! If our goal is 'to stop them', we are doomed to fail. To stop them! This is a semidecision, cowardice, a simple stupidity. We should aim not to stop Grindelwald as you suggested. We should conquer him, overcome him, excel him – do you understand me? But if we instead restrict ourselves to just 'stopping', we are bound to the passive defense. You know that any defense could not last forever. Sooner or later, we will make a mistake – and this will be the end for us.'

'But they could make mistakes as well, professor,' commented Dippet peacefully.

'Yes, they could', von Strommen agreed. 'They already did in fact, several times. But what's from that? Their power is growing nevertheless. And it is growing because they are active, because they fight, because they choose the most effective measures in order to prevail, regardless of some abstract ethical problems, such as 'humanity of their actions'…

Albus wondered why von Strommen, speaking of 'humanity', looked directly at him. And why one should speak of this matter with such a disdainful grin?

'So, you suppose that we should become like them?' asked Dumbledore doubtfully, trying to make clear how much he did not like such kind of approach. Von Strommen turned to him quickly.

'Let me guess the final point of your argumentation, professor Dumbledore, and save a few minutes of your time. Were not you going to blame me for the thesis that "evil could be conquered only by evil", were you?' he squinted.

'But, wasn't that exactly your point?' asked madam Merrythought perplexedly.

'There is no such thing as 'pure evil', try to understand that at last!' von Strommen cried out violently. Albus even recoiled, frightened by this unexpected burst: he would have never suspected Otto von Strommen to be capable of passionate speeches of the kind. 'Could you tell me, what is it? Just stretch your finger and point out - Here Be Evil?'

'Well, we can point our fingers at Grindelwald,' said professor Slughorn with a thoughtful air, 'Why not to do it? We will be pointing at him - and he, therefore, at us… A perfect symmetry, don't you think?'

Von Strommed gave him a rather unpleasant look, but did not say anything. After a few moments of silence, he closed his eyes briefly and said as firmly and dispassionately as ever:

'I beg your pardon. I think I was carried away for a moment. May I continue?'

'Nothing to worry about, professor', answered Dippet wearily. 'Let's continue. But, as far as I notice, your colleagues already have a number of objections regarding your idea. I think it would be wise to hear them now before we go on… Who would like to comment on professor von Strommen proposal?'

'Let me, Headmaster', said Dumbledore and Merrythought at the same time and looked at each other – who will be the first to speak? Dumbledore gave that right to madam Galatea.

'In my humble opinion, dear colleague, with all the respect to you, the measures you propose are somewhat… excessive,' as always, when Galatea Merrythought worried, her speech became fanciful and abstruse almost beyond understanding. 'While considering the necessity of the decisions most harsh, we, at the same time, should not forget, that present Hogwarts students would have – and I rather say will have – a normal, full life – if, of course, the named measures would not take away the very possibility of an existence of such a life,' she took her breath and continued, 'What I was just trying to say is that when we are protecting our "normal world" with the means supposed by you, professor, we by this very act already set this world for destruction – and, if I may stress it again, for destruction by our own hands!"

'May I ask you, what is the alternative you propose, madam Merrythought?' von Strommen inquired, noticeably annoyed with such a blurred style of talking.

'I believe that we could maintain the educational process in its present form,' said she cautiously. 'Maybe, we consider the possibility of adding some extra studies – for a few of the subjects you propose – but, of course, any direct Dark Arts references should be completely avoided. And, I daresay, the choice of specialization should be voluntary, as it is now; and this choice should not be based upon the 'student potential' – what a disgusting idea, by all means! What do you think, Headmaster?'

'Hm,' said Dippet, 'a well-thought opinion', and then fell silent again.

'This is not a solution,' said von Strommen icily and settled back in his chair. This "I wash my hands" posture, as Dumbledore supposed, was inclined to show an extra level of disagreement with such weak-willed drivellers.

Albus Dumbledore understood perfectly the reasons that persuaded professor von Strommen to propose such a project, and knew that despite the unbreakable confidence professor demonstrated the decision was not easy for him. At the same time, he did not think that turning Hogwarts into something Durmstrang-like is such a wonderful idea. Aside from that, Albus agreed that the weak alternative Madam Merrythough suggested could not help them in their present situation. Skills, required from Hogwarts graduates in order to made them useful for Resistance, could never be obtained with a help of typical academic training and extra subjects.

'I think that professor von Strommen is right…,' Albus said cautiously. 'Not in all the details, maybe, but in general… Yes… But you also have the point, madam Merrythought. That's why I propose a sort of compromise.'

Dumbledore stopped for a moment, collecting his thoughts.

'I would not like to touch the subject of initial differentiation between students – we discussed it many times before,' he adjusted his spectacles and continued. 'The main issue here is not of academic, but of ethic nature. What will happen to a child who will be marked as 'completely worthless' and thrown away? Nothing good, I daresay...' Albus noticed impatient gesture von Strommen made and decided to move on to concrete proposition. 'But enough of that. I propose namely the following: choose some most promising students, as you suggested, and work with each of them individually. Yes, individually, this is important. I believe that we all know both strengths and weaknesses of our pupils, and are capable of developing the former while smoothing over the latter. Our task is to do it in most delicate manner; any kind of compulsion should be excluded. You see, I am not an enemy of differentiation after all… I believe we should try to work in the beginning with a selected number of sixth and seventh year students – not more than fifteen, I agree with your estimation, professor von Strommen… Then we will see. What about the other students – I think there is no need to change their schedules at all… Or even tell them something special… Well, I understand that this kind of approach demands much from us as well as from our 'chosen ones,' he smiled, 'but in the end our alumni's chances to become really good specialists will be higher than if...'

Dumbledore concluded silently: '…than if we train a squad of demented killer-automats'. He would not dare to say that aloud – von Strommen would hardly like such kind of characterization, and Albus did not want to insult him.

'Well', the Head of Slytherin nodded pensively, 'This will create additional difficulty… but is acceptable. Indeed, in form of individual projects we can…' he did not finish the sentence, being absorbed in some sort of in-mind calculation.

'If we are talking about only few of the students… And they will agree voluntarily…,' agreed Madam Merrythought indecisively. 'And we need to decide exactly what should we say to them'.

Of course not that the Ministry obliged us to prepare a special squadron to fight Grindelwald, thought Dumbledore.

'But do we need to say anything unusual to them? To say the truth, this plan is not different from a professional specialization, which is common for elder students…' said von Strommen. 'All we should do is to make sure that the most interesting students will choose the subjects we need them to choose…'

'I wonder if I can help you with that', Horace Slughorn said with a polite smile. 'The connections I have within the student's community are rather informal and thus allow performing it in the way most natural.'

'Thank you for your noble proposal, professor, but I think that this is our task as the Heads of the Houses,' von Strommen answered coldly.

The ways Horace Strommen used to recruit his apprentices for advanced projects sometimes were not within borders of strict Hogwarts rules. He was even blamed by some of his colleagues for the so-called 'Slug Club' he founded - 'not the best example of Hogwarts professor behavior', they said. Dumbledore believed that they were simply jealous. Albus was a bit jealous himself, to say the truth. That's why he was rather amused when von Strommen could not helped saying:

'I don't think that it will be a problem for you, professor Slughorn.'

'I beg your pardon, colleague?'

'I suppose that I'm not the only one who noticed that you are ready to do everything in order to make our most prominent students specialize in your subject.'

Slughorn smiled:

'One may do that, dear colleague, one may. Besides, I never make anybody agree by force. Any member of the staff is trying to do the same.'

'But of course!' muttered von Strommen.

'Colleagues, in order to prevent us from possible misunderstandings, I propose to decide on the project themes and their appropriate executors together,' said Dumbledore, trying to prevent the next argue of these two eternal opponents.

'If you like,' said von Strommen. 'I think we could be prepared by the next week… Do you agree, Headmaster Dippet?

Dippet roused himself, as if coming to his senses after long and distressing thoughts. Dumbledore noted suddenly that the good old Dippet looked much worse lately. Even today, on a very important meeting, he was almost silent and did not make a slightest effort in order to guide the discussion.

Nevertheless, they came to an agreement surprisingly fast today, and all that Armando had to do was to summarize:

'Well, dear colleagues. I am glad to see that we came to an agreement. I propose to meet again the next Monday and discuss themes of the projects in detail as well as assign them to the particular students. You all have the Ministry Directive, so you know what direction of research is expected. I appoint our Deputy Headmaster, Professor von Strommen, to take responsibility for our new training program, if only he does not object… No? Well, excellent. Then I suggest, dear professor, that you will cooperate with your colleague professor Slughorn in order to work out the less formal ways to influence the desired students. No objection on that? As much as I hoped. Now I wish you all a pleasant evening and would like to remind you that your mentioning of the matters of today's discussion to any other members of the staff is prematurely. Though, I believe, it is needless to say.'

The meeting was over, and the professors, having left their chairs, headed for an exit. Albus Dumbledore watched Horace Slughorn gallantly exchanging bows with madam Merrythought while holding door for her; then waited till the sound of his colleagues' steps faded, checked once again if the door is shut and turned to Dippet.

'Armando,' he said, 'I think I need to talk to you.'