The Aftermath.
The night started about as normal as any Halloween would, at least until Quirrell came running into the Great Hall and started screaming about a troll in the Dungeons. And then fainted before them, like the utterly useless idiot he was.
Dumbledore had been absent at the feast, thus forcing McGonagall to take control of the situation. She told the prefects to ensure the students would return to their Common Rooms. However, that was a severe problem in the case of Slytherin, because their common room was right in the path of the destruction of that troll.
Thankfully, Isabella and Gemma had enough sense to take them to an unused classroom. The first through fourth year Slytherins were all piled up in the classroom, where the desks had been hastily rearranged and sleeping bags had been conjured. Not that any of them would be able to sleep. The upper years would stand guards.
Lyra Malfoy was one of them. Minute by minute, the night ground on, with no news on what happened. Which put her on edge and Lyra drummed her fingers nervously.
"It's just one troll," Blaise grumbled. "Surely the teachers aren't having any problems with that?"
"I don't know," Daphne said, as she checked her watch. "Lyra?"
"I don't either, but it's not like we can do anything about it, until Gemma and Isabella return to unlock the doors," Lyra said.
"Harry really missed out on tonight, didn't he?" Pansy asked.
"He's not going to come back until this is settled," Autumn said.
"With the entire school on lockdown, I figured as much," Daphne said.
Lyra rose up to her feet and started to pace back and forth. Something about Quirrell bursting into the Great Hall at the right time bothered her, along with the fact he conveniently fainted just after he told that news And he wanted everyone to know there was a troll in the Dungeons.
"This is really serious," Lilith Moon murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
"Yeah, we might miss breakfast," Goyle said.
"You two will be fine," Lyra said.
"But, isn't breakfast supposed to be the most important meal of the deal?" Crabbe asked.
"Maybe one of the upper years know?" a third year, Graham Montague asked.
"I don't know, they seem a bit…standoffish, don't they?" another third-year asked.
"Pricks, sometimes. Although Travers is gone, he was the worst of them."
"Can't believe he thought he was going to big man Harry Potter."
"It's so cool that he's a Parselmouth," a second-year girl said.
"Yeah, and there's other…perks," a fourth-year girl said in a dreamy voice.
Lyra just did not pay attention to the idle chatter. She had a feeling something was wrong, and she could not place what.
"Is that a phoenix song?" Autumn asked.
"If it is, it's in pain," Daphne said.
"Why would a phoenix be in pain?" Tracey asked.
The rest of the group shrugged in response. They had no idea.
"There's a lot of weirdness going on," a third-year commenced. "Did you feel that burst of magic going through the air last night?"
"The skies lit up outside when it happened," a fourth-year said in awe. "It was so powerful…and so intimidating."
"And beautiful," another fourth-year girl said.
"I still want to know what's happening," Blaise said.
"Fine, I'll ask someone," Millie said.
Millie rose up to her feet and pounded on the door.
"What the hell is going on out there?"
"Go back to bed, firstie!"
Millie just scowled and stormed off. Lyra reached over and put a hand on the taller girl's shoulder.
"Noble effort, but they're not going to tell us anything," Lyra said. "I'm not sure if they even know."
As if on cue, the sounds of a heated discussion reached the group.
"After what happened last night, Gemma, if it were up to me, I wouldn't want him to step return to Hogwarts!"
"That's Merula, isn't it?" Pansy asked.
"Hush, Pansy, I want to hear this," Lyra snapped.
"I understand you're upset, and I am too, after…what I saw in that bathroom," Gemma said. "But, Merula, he's…Harry Potter…"
"And he's in more danger than any of us are," Merula said. "Maybe the Ministry, Dumbledore, the Board of Governors, will wake the fuck up if there is any danger they're going to lose Harry Potter to another school or to self-study. They'll be the laughing stock of the International Wizarding Community."
"But…"
"And I think that if he goes, other parents will pull their children," Merula said. "And that will force them to actually react and not sweep the blood matter under the rug this time."
"Is that what you and Cassie want, a revolution?" Isabella asked.
"No, I'll tell you what Cassie and I want," Merula said. "We want a school where we don't have two deaths in three years. Where first years aren't mangled by a troll! Where Dumbledore doesn't play stupid fucking games and put something up on the third floor for reasons he only understands. And where is Quirrell? Does anyone know that?"
"Damn it, Quirrell," Daphne murmured.
"So, he was after it," Tracey said.
Daphne nodded grimly.
"I agree with you," Isabella said. "Dumbledore dropped the ball and he has a lot to answer for."
Lyra could not find herself disagreeing.
"I'm also going to write to Narcissa Malfoy about what happened, although given that Lucius is on the Board, he'll likely already know about it," Merula said. "The Circle can teach Harry fine, and anyone else who wants to leave Hogwarts over this."
"If Harry wants to leave," Gemma reminded her.
"I'll talk to him about it and let him think it over," Merula said. "I don't want to speak to McGonagall or Snape right now, but tell them that Harry will not be returning until tomorrow at the earliest. If he does at all."
"The Ministry won't give Harry Potter up without a fight," Evie chimed in.
"Well, Brazil's pretty nice this time of year and it doesn't have an extradition treaty with magical Britain," Merula said. "I'll owl Alanza too, see what she has to say about this."
"You want something out of this," Isabella said.
"And you should talk it over with Harry first, before you make plans," Gemma reminded her.
"Yes, Farley, I intend to," Merula said in a bored tone. "I'm just going to make sure he understands that he has an extreme amount of leverage over the Ministry right now and the Board of Governors. And therefore, they will have to make concessions to appease him."
The discussion died down. Lyra just frowned. She spent her entire childhood, hearing about how Hogwarts was the pinnacle, and how it was a privilege to attend. Everyone who she knew would be going to Hogwarts. And it was a school of prestige.
Anyone who did not go would be less. Anyone who was expelled, it would be a matter of great shame.
Someone like Harry though, Lyra thought the honor would be getting the one who defeated You-Know-Who in their school. Hogwarts should be very lucky to have him as a student.
Although, Lyra wondered if Dumbledore did something underhanded to make sure that Harry did attend Hogwarts.
"So, what do you think?" Blaise asked Lyra.
"I think Fudge will bend over backwards to appease Harry, if push comes to shove," Pansy said.
She had zero disagreement about that.
"I'll write to my mother," Blaise said.
"And I'll do the same to my father," Lyra said.
The lower year Slytherins still had an incomplete picture of what happened though. Something was off.
"Someone died," Daphne said somberly. "Did you hear, Merula? Second death in three years."
"Does anyone know who?" Millie asked.
There had been a shrug, but Pansy's mouth opened for a second.
"What?" Autumn asked.
"I just remembered something," Pansy said. "Granger ran off crying from Charms class yesterday, and Parvati mentioned to me that she was still in the bathroom before the feast."
"Why didn't you bring that up?" Daphne asked.
"Because, I didn't think some Mudblood sniveling because a Weasley hurt her feelings was relevant at the time," Pansy said in a snappish tone. "And you know, every time Granger gets brought up….Harry doesn't like it."
"Even if he's not here," Tracey said.
"It didn't seem important either," Pansy said.
"Granger hasn't been as bad as she was that first time, though," Millie said.
"Only because she's walking on eggshells around Harry, afraid to upset him," Pansy said. "We only see her in Potions. Parvati tells me she's still her usual…self in other classes."
"What did Harry say to her in that detention?" Daphne asked.
Everyone shrugged, even Lyra.
"Wait, she was in the bathroom because of Weasley?" Blaise asked.
Pansy just nodded.
"Yes, because Weasley apparently said the quiet part outloud and accused Granger of being an insufferable know-it-all without any friends, oh and he blamed her for Harry not being in Slytherin," Pansy said.
Lyra frowned. Technically, Weasley was not wrong, about the insufferable know-it-all part anyway. Harry had his path set for Slytherin before he even met Granger.
"Oh boy," Millie grumbled.
"I don't blame him at all, she obviously found some way to get on his nerves," Pansy said. "But, Weasley had to be a Weasley…and she apparently had a breakdown over it."
"Was she the first-year that got smashed?" Goyle asked suddenly.
"Like squished by a troll?" Crabbe asked.
Every now and then, Crabbe or Goyle stumbled upon a good point. And Lyra feared it was one of those times.
"You might be right," Lyra said in a low, serious voice.
"Damn," Daphne breathed. "That's…."
"I know," Pansy said.
Lyra did not know what to think about the possibility of Granger being dead. If she did not distinguish herself by being such a pushy, bossy nuisance, the chances of Lyra ever taking notice of her were slim to none. She just had to make such a horrific first impression on that train ride, that she would be someone that Lyra would notice.
Still, as much as Granger got on Lyra's nerves, she did not want her dead. Because, dead people did not learn. And any hope that Granger would learn from her blunders was gone now.
Also, Lyra was deeply disturbed the fact that the Gryffindor house prefects apparently did not notice she was missing. But, that was Gryffindor for you.
"Lyra?" Daphne asked.
"Just thinking," Lyra said. "That we shouldn't jump to conclusions until we get a full picture of what happened."
"Fair point," Daphne said. "Something big like this, Dumbledore's going to have to address this at breakfast."
"I'm not sure, he wasn't there last night, was he?" Blaise asked. "Weird he's gone last night, of all nights, given what happened ten years ago."
"He didn't look too well when I saw him the other day," Lyra said.
Lyra decided to not inform them that Dumbledore experienced this bout of unwellness after he read Harry's memories. Although Lyra knew things were bad, given Dumbledore fought at least two different dark lords during his time, it seemed rather unsettling that he was even disturbed by those memories.
The words "squash it out of him" led to all kinds of implications in Lyra's mind. And made her want to spring her aunt Bellatrix from Azkaban, so she could have a little "playtime" with the Dursleys.
"I'm sure, he'll be fine, he's Dumbledore," Blaise said.
"Bastard will outlive us all," a fourth-year chimed in, who had been eavesdropping.
The door opened and a very tired looking and irritable Gemma Farley opened the door. Isabella and Evelyn did not look much better. The trio looked like they had been through a whole lot.
"Come on you lot, breakfast," Gemma said. "And McGonagall's going to address you all afterwards…after what happened last night."
"Granger's dead, isn't she?"
Pansy Parkinson had a couple of virtues, but tact was not certainly one of them. Gemma gave her a very irritated glance and sighed.
"Yes," Gemma said in a stone-cold voice.
The first-years all looked shaken. No matter how much they disliked Granger, one of their own classmates being killed was not a pleasant ordeal to go through.
"McGonagall will address you all at Breakfast," Gemma repeated. "Move."
No one wanted to question her in the mood she was in. The Slytherins all filed out in the Great Hall. There was a tense atmosphere. Pansy and Parvati locked eyes with each other for a second.
"She's dead," Pansy mouthed to Parvati. "Gemma told us. The troll got her."
Parvati's eyes widened and she turned to Lavender, Sophie, and Fay and told them the bad news. The girls looked a bit shaken. Maybe they were not friends with Granger, but when your dormmate was killed by a mountain troll, it was still unsettling.
"Maybe I should have said something," Pansy said.
"It's not your fault, Pans," Autumn told her. "None of us could have known that Granger would have been murdered last night."
"Did anyone go after her?" Daphne asked.
"Parvati tried, she wanted to be left alone, and I'm guessing in the chaos of last night, she must have forgotten," Pansy said.
"Why didn't Prefect Weasley notice she was missing?" Tracey asked.
"Too busy being on a power trip knowing him," Daphne said.
Speaking of Prefect Weasley, they caught sight of him. And he was talking to his twin brothers.
"The Terrible Twosome look more serious than before," Tracey said.
"They're more serious than I've ever seen them," Montague said.
"Hey, the youngest Weasley's not there," Flint chimed in.
"There does seem to be a lot less first years than there were yesterday," Macnair said.
"Granger's dead," Gemma told him.
"You're shitting me!"
"No, Wally, I'm not shitting you," Gemma said while rolling her eyes "She was smashed by a troll. She was dead before Merula got there."
"Merula, Merula Snyde?" Macnair asked. "What was she up to?"
Gemma just waved off her hand. The rumors were spreading, although Lyra would wait for McGonagall to address them.
"No Quirrell and no Dumbledore either," Daphne remarked.
"He was up to something," Lyra said.
"Both him and his secret boyfriend, Tom," Blaise remarked.
"Oh, will you give it a rest about that secret boyfriend rubbish?" Daphne asked.
Breakfast started but very few people were eating. Lyra had lost her appetite, after hearing the news about a first year getting squashed. And with both Weasley and Longbottom missing, Lyra wondered about their fates.
Surely even a pair of first-year Gryffindors would not be so thick to think they could handle a troll?
"Princess?"
"Hey, Merula," Lyra said.
Merula put a hand on Lyra's shoulder and steered her over towards her.
"After McGonagall gives her speech, I need to take you to Godric's Hollow," Merula said. "You have a right to give your input in what Harry does as much as anyone else."
"Do you really intend to take Harry to Brazil if the Ministry causes any problems?" Lyra asked.
Merula just smiled, although Lyra could see it was kind of strained.
"So, you heard that," Merula said. "If push comes to shove, yes. It is my future on the line, about as much as Harry's and if he's harmed…"
Merula just let her sentence drop.
"There's going to be a lot of angry witches if you take Harry Potter out of Hogwarts," Macnair said.
"Well, those angry witches should lean on the people who make decisions then," Merula said curtly "And it's up to Harry in the end. But, I intend to give my reasons to why he shouldn't return to Hogwarts, without assurance that they will take the safety ot the students more seriously."
"And we can start by having no more corridors of death," Daphne said.
"That's a good foundation, yes," Merula agreed. "I can't wait to give Dumbledore a piece of my mind…."
McGonagall cleared her throat to get their attention.
"May I have your attention please?" McGonagall asked. "Last night…last night was a rough night for all of us, but I'm afraid I have to report a tragedy which occurred last night."
Everyone knew, or thought they did. A solemn silence gripped the Great Hall.
"Professor Dumbledore died last night of a brain hemorrhage."
One could hear a pin drop when Professor McGonagall gave that proclamation.
"What?" Daphne whispered.
"Dumbledore's dead?" Macnair asked. "I don't believe it."
"McGonagall wouldn't joke about something like this."
"Professor Dumbledore…is no longer with us, for he has moved onto what he has lovingly called, the next great adventure," McGonagall said, practically choking on her words as she tried to maintain her composure. "And unfortunately, I must also report other news. As you all know, last night, Professor Quirrell entered the Great Hall, and claimed there was a troll in the dungeons."
McGonagall took a second to blow her nose before she continued.
"However, there was an extensive search, and we could not find the troll. We made a grave error last night, one which resulted in the death of one first-year student and the severe injuries of two others."
Lyra shivered and she was not the only one.
"Hermione Granger was killed instantly by the troll. Ronald Weasley suffered contusions, a concussion, a broken eye socket, and a broken arm due to injuries sustained by the troll. Neville Longbottom…received spinal trauma and it is uncertain if he will be able to walk again. Unfortunately, we have…failed these three students, and the loss of Miss Granger should have been avoided."
Merula rolled her eyes ever so slightly and Lyra could see the older witch practically chewing on her tongue.
"A moment of silence for Hermione Granger."
The Great Hall was silent at this somber moment.
"Classes will be cancelled for the remainder of this week, due to the tragedy," McGonagall said. "The Department of Magical Law Enforcement intends to investigate the matter, and I have no choice but to give them our full support and cooperation and ensure that the students and staff at Hogwarts will do the same. There will be a meeting of the Board of Governors next Monday, where the future of this school will be discussed. In light of the events, we may be forced to close down Hogwarts, indefinitely."
"I bet you five galleons that doesn't happen," Macnair murmured.
"Sucker's bet," Gemma said.
Lyra inferred that this situation was about to get really political and extremely ugly.
"In light of the situation, any students who wish to return home, will be accommodated by a special trip of the Hogwarts Express next week," McGonagall said. "Permission should be obtained by your parents and submitted to your head of house by no later than noon Monday. Your house prefects will be addressing you. Everyone please return to your Common Rooms."
"Sure there isn't a troll down there this time?"
McGonagall brushed off the heckling of the seventh year Slytherin who said that.
"I'll be taking Lyra," Merula said.
"Well, I can't stop you," Isabella said.
"And I won't," Gemma said.
"Your mother will be meeting us as well," Merula informed Lyra. "She owled me when she heard about the news."
Lyra just nodded. The fact Albus Dumbledore, one of the most important wizards in their time was dead, barely had a chance to sink in. And the ramifications that would cause.
Last night might as well go down in history as the "Halloween from Hell."
The members of the Hogwarts Staff entered the Staff Room for another emergency meeting. Snape limped, walking in agony, and thus more surly than usual.
"Severus, maybe you should get someone to look at that leg?" Sprout asked.
"It's merely a flesh wound," Snape said with a grimace. "It will pass."
"Yes, but will you?" Flitwick asked. "We still don't know what happened between you and Quirrell."
McGonagall turned her attention to Snape. Snape figured he owed his soon to be former colleagues some kind of explanation.
"After Quirrell pulled off his fainting act, I sensed something was amiss," Snape said. "The moment he slipped off, I followed. And I ended up on the third floor to follow him, and he was about in the corridor when I entered…only to run afoul of that monster dog of Hagrid's…."
Hagrid just frowned, although his face still looked red.
"Fluffy didn't mean any harm. He was just playing."
Snape just shook his head.
"Be that as it may," Snape said. "Fluffy nearly took a bite out of my leg, and I managed to get free, just barely…"
"Yeh didn' hurt 'im, did yeh?" Hagrid asked.
Damn Hagrid and his misplaced priorities.
"No," Snape said curtly. "Quirrell looked rather disoriented, and…did any of you notice a strange light show going on outdoors?"
"Well, we were all too busy being on a troll hunt," Vector said.
"The moment the sky lit up, Quirrell ran, and…I was not exactly in shape to give chase," Snape said. "And that's around the time that nuisance of a ghost was screaming her head off, and I summoned you."
"I thought you were going to collapse," Flitwick said.
"And that's where we found out what happened in the bathroom," Snape said. "Quirrell's…not gotten the object that's on the third floor."
"What is up there?" Sinestra asked.
"That's a matter between the teachers who arranged to guard it, Dumbledore, and…the person who it belongs to, Aurora," McGonagall asked.
It was here that Vector frowned and narrowed her eyes. She might be the youngest and newest Professor at the table, but even Snape knew that was not going to fly.
"That line might work on your students, Professor, but I think the other teachers have a right to know what is so dangerous that Dumbledore had to make such a production out of the danger during the opening feast," Vector said.
"Septima…"
"Dumbledore did make us promise to keep it between us, although…we agreed," Flitwick said.
"This is only your first year as a teacher, Professor Vector," Snape said. "But, you should know that Albus Dumbledore has a tendency to…"
"Make people go along with him, on account of being Dumbledore?" Babbling suggested
"He can sell ice cubes to eskimos," Flitwick offered.
"I was a student five years ago, though," Septima said.
"Yes, and have you ever seen Dumbledore anywhere but afar?" Snape asked her.
Septima shook her head.
"I can count on one hand the number of times I've spoken with the man before the past ten years, and I've worked here," Sinestra said. "And still have fingers left over."
"Same here," Babbling said. "Besides, are we avoiding the Hippogriff in the room?"
McGonagall shook her head and maintained her composure. Hagrid's ugly sobs filled the room.
Snape thought Hagrid sounded like a wounded animal, which needed to be put out of its misery.
"I can' believe it. Dumbledore dead."
"We have to face reality, Hagrid," Snape said. "He's gone. And he picked quite the inconvenient time to die."
"Now, Severus, he didn't choose this time to die," Sprout told him.
"He looked as fit as fiddle to me," Flitwick said. "For someone of his age and his number of responsibilities, he was in remarkable health."
"Or he made us believe he was," Sprout said.
Hagrid just busted out in tears and started wailing.
"Albus…hid many demons," McGonagall said.
"You don't say?" Snape asked.
Severus Snape would like to present Minerva McGonagall the award for understatement of the century.
"I talked to Poppy when he reported to the Hospital Wing, and he was out of it," McGonagall said.
"Right after he agreed to meet with Potter," Snape said.
"Come on now, Snape," Hagrid said. "Yeh can' think Harry did anything? sure he might have bin put in Slytherin, but he's jus a kid.
"There's no conspiracy," Snape told him. "But, there's no coincidences either."
"You should't accuse Potter of doing anything like that," Sinestra said firmly. "He's just a first year. Just because you can't give over the fact that Lily chose James over…."
"Aurora, that's enough," McGonagall said. "But, she's got a point. Baseless accusations will not solve anything. Namely the real serious problem that Albus is dead…."
"And on the ten year anniversary after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," Flitwick said.
"Albus is dead," McGonagall said. "And so is a student."
"The Granger girl," Snape said. "The Ministry has been informed of the situation."
"Yes and Miss Granger's body has already been retrieved as per the protocol," McGonagall agreed. "As have Augusta Longbottom and Molly Weasley about the injuries to their grandson and son respectfully."
"My condolences," Snape said. "As for the Granger girl, well the Ministry will have to deal with the matter of her family. It's a small mercy. I doubt the girl had many friends, given her personality, so there should not be much to tidy up on the Muggle end of things."
Everyone looked toward Snape. He dared them to find the lie in what he was saying.
"Severus, the body is not even cold yet," Flitwick said.
"I'm not being callous, I'm just stating facts," Snape said.
"There's a time and a place for everything," Sprout said. "And not when the girl in question is freshly dead."
"Well, if it was merely Granger, this wouldn't be much of a problem," Snape said.
"How can you say that?" Vector demanded.
"The truth is a harsh mistress," Snape told her.
"Enough!" McGonagall yelled. "The Ministry will be here to investigate further;the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as well."
"Yes, and there's no Dumbledore to use his authority as Chief Warlock to investigate himself and find nothing wrong this time," Snape said in a bored drawl.
"You're in quite the mood, Severus," Sprout said while shaking her head.
Well, he was missing a chunk of his leg thanks to Hagrid's newest pet. Fluffy, what sort of name was that for such a beast like that?
"Let's face facts, there's at least nine or ten instances where Hogwarts should have been investigated that I can remember," Snape said. "Dumbledore managed to keep matters internal."
"Who is investigating, Minerva?" Flitwick asked.
"Captain Rufus Scrimgeour of the Aurors, alongside Amelia Bones," McGonagall said.
Everyone winced. Not two people they wanted actually poking around Hogwarts, especially Bones. But Snape had is own reasons for not wanting Scrimgeour to investigate anything that he was involved. Scrimgeour was the man who arrested Snape as a Death Eater years ago, and Dumbledore vouched for him.
There was some lingering bitterness there.
"Oh, I'm sure Amelia's going to be really thrilled about the mysterious item on the third floor," Aurora said. "And she's not going to let you use a dead man as a shield."
Snape thought Sinestra hit the nail on the head.
"You might as well tell us, Minerva," Septima said. "If Quirrell was after it, and he helped protect it, cat's already out among the pixies anyway."
"It's the Philosopher's Stone," Snape said.
Snape was sick and tired of this charade and would like to get to bed sometime soon. Even if the Ministry would likely want to question him.
"Severus," McGonagall said.
"Blame me later," Snape said. "What, is Dumbledore going to return from the grave and give me a stern reprimand?"
Everyone looked at Snape like he kicked someone's puppy. And maybe he did, once. Or twice. But it was in self-defense.
There was one dog that resembled a grim that Snape got satisfaction in kicking for some reason. Annoying thing was always around. Likely did not get its shots, the mongrel. Snape could not put his finger on why he hated this particular dog either.
"Too soon?"
Of course, Snape would not put it past Dumbledore to haunt him for the rest of his miserable life. So, perhaps he should not taunt Murphy.
"The Philosopher's Stone?" Babbling asked. "Are you insane?"
"Albus thought it would be for the best," McGonagall said.
"Minerva, are you serious?" Vector asked. "Nicholas Flamel had that Philosopher's Stone, for hundreds of years. Why on Earth would Flamel let Dumbledore hide it at Hogwarts, in plain sight?"
"With a three-headed dog as its only line of defense," Sinestra said.
"It's not the only line of defense," McGonagall explained. "There are other enchantments…."
"No one knows except for Dumbledore, what they all are," Snape said. "Only that myself, Quirrell, McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick all contributed something to deter those who were after the stone."
"And Albus contributed something," Flitwick said.
"And this is supposed to be more secure than Gringotts?" Vector asked.
"The stone was nearly stolen from Gringotts," McGonagall said.
Snape could tell Minerva was not too happy about having to deal with this line of questioning. With any luck, she would be damning Dumbledore by the end of this meeting.
"It was?" Babbling asked.
"Jus hours after Dumbledore had me fetch it," Hagrid inputted it.
"Imagine that," Vector said.
Snape appreciated a good bit of sarcasm and the young Arithmancy teacher really did herself well with her biting commentary. Perhaps he could learn to tolerate Vector for the short time he would be at Hogwarts.
"Flamel trusted them with his prized possession?" Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures Teacher, asked. "His life's work? That being the goblins?"
"The man must have lived through enough goblin rebellions to maybe be a bit weary," Vector asked. "Are you sure we have the actual stone on the third floor or is it a well crafted forgery?"
"Again, this is baseless speculation," McGonagall said.
Snape could tell that McGonagall was entertaining the possibility of the Philosopher's Stone being a fake, likely created as a means by Flamel to get Dumbledore off of his back. And the fact students were put in danger by such a thing, well Snape loathed people in general but that was a step too far.
"If Dumbledore knew, he wasn't saying," Flitwick said.
"Does he ever?" Snape asked. "When is the Department of Magical Law Enforcement coming to investigate?"
"Within the hour," McGonagall said. "Which is why we should wrap this meeting up."
"Well, I do have one further piece of business," Snape said. "I would like to formally give you my two week notice regarding my resignation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding as the Potions Master."
The entire staff looked at Snape gobsmacked. Snape had no idea why. It was not like he gave anyone the impression, he liked his job or the students, or his colleagues in general. Or really anything. He only worked this job, due to his debt he had to Dumbledore.
"Now, Severus?" McGonagall asked.
"I merely took the job as a favor to Dumbledore," Snape said. "And you know as well as anyone how that man's favors could be indefinite."
McGonagall responded with a nod. She knew that.
"It might be difficult to find a replacement, given the high demand for Potioneers over the past few years," Flitwick said.
Yes, Snape realized he may have caused that, due to his rather rigid standards.
"May I suggest you contact Slughorn and begin groveling?" Snape asked. "He may require a substantial pay raise, alongside other perks. Given how Dumbledore pretty much arranged for him to retire early to accommodate my employment, there may be some lingering bitterness now."
"Horace is an option," Flitwick said. "An expensive option."
"Can you think of anyone who could teach in your place, Severus?" McGonagall asked. "Other than Horace?"
"Hmmm, I've taught many dunderheads over the past ten years…"
"And this is why you're one of the most popular teachers in all of Hogwarts," Vector said.
Now, Snape was less admirable towards her sarcasm when it was directed towards him.
"Haywood might be willing to teach, if you ask her," Snape said. "Penny Haywood,she did achieve NEWTs in Potions comparable to myself and L…Evans…and she actually may be a capable teacher. A bit younger than what Hogwarts normally hires, given she just left last year…"
"But, only a few years younger than what you yourself were when you had been hired," Sprout said.
"Yes, I did hold the record for being the youngest Professor, beating Mirabel Garlick," Snape said. "The Herbology teacher nearly a hundred years ago and the Head of the Hufflepuff House. Naturally, if you read Hogwarts a History, you would know that."
"Paying tribute to Miss Granger, by quoting her favorite book?" Flitwick asked.
Really, the girl quoted that book enough to distinguish herself in such a matter to her teachers? Snape barely avoided rolling his eyes at their misplaced priorities.
"If that's what you want to get out of this conversation," Snape said in a bored tone "Haywood is an option, although the Board might be…a bit less than thrilled having someone who was close to Jacobs and Snyde in an important teaching role. And I would also like to congratulate Aurora for being the new Head of Slytherin House as well."
"Thank you, Severus," Sinestra said. "I think."
Given how much of a toxic mess Slytherin was, especially in the upper years, Snape was not sure Sinestra should be giving him thanks. There was brewing tension between children of Death Eaters who were sent to Azkaban and the children of those who were "under the Imperius Curse" was like a powder keg ready to go off. The only way Snape kept that at bay was he could be quite intimidating indeed.
And then there was Potter, who Snape was glad he would never have to see again.
"I wish you the best of luck," Snape said. "Of course, all of those points are moot if the Ministry decides to close Hogwarts. Or they may simply decide to sack everyone involved in this mess. There's no Dumbledore to run interference and run his own investigation."
"Well, what's the chances of that happening?" Kettleburn asked.
Snape said nothing, although now he got some people really worried about their future employment.
Good, stress built character.
"And Quirrell is still missing," Flitwick said.
"Yes," Snape said. "He is."
Snape did wonder where Quirrell ran off to. If he wanted to make another play for the Stone, he would have to make it quick. He suspected Bones would remove the Stone, real or fake, from the school the second she caught wind about what was going on.
For the best.
It was really the ultimate paradox. Dumbledore was not alive to deal with the consequences of his actions, but if Dumbledore was alive, he most certainly could avoid dealing with any consequences. He would be keeping this matter internal and his investigation would absolve himself of any wrong doing.
"Is there really a Hogwarts without Dumbledore?" Kettleburn asked.
Yes, Snape mused. For centuries, there had been. And it may have run more smoothly with few incidents for much of that time. History never really talked about the unremarkable moments.
"It's time," McGonagall said.
"Best of luck, Minerva," Flitwick said.
"Amelia's not going to be in a good mood," Sprout said.
Perhaps, Snape should rescind Minerva's award and give it to Sprout, because she just made the understatement of the century award.
"And Augusta and Molly are on the way," Minerva said.
"Well, I will write your loved ones a letter of condolences," Snape said.
"You will be missed, Severus," Minerva said.
Somehow, Snape doubted it. A couple of years ago, there was a petition circling around to remove him as Potions teacher. Snape really wished he could have found it, because he wanted to sign it himself.
Everything did not go as planned for Voldemort tonight. And now he was so far from the third-floor corridor it was agitating. And the pain ringing through his head from that accursed Phoenix song was driving him mad.
He was going to make an attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone. There was a three-headed dog guarding the trapdoor thus foiling Voldemort's plans. Along with the fact Snape showed up at the worst possible time.
Getting past the dog had been a priority. Unfortunately, one class Voldemort did not take was Care of Magical Creatures, and Quirrell did not either. So neither had any idea how to take down the dog.
Some Ravenclaw Quirrell was, indeed.
Just after Snape's leg was used as a chew toy by the dog, Voldemort saw it. A bright light which illuminated the sky outside, and then he felt something else afterwards.
Pain which was comparable to the night where his soul was ripped from his body due to the failed Killing Curse and his body was destroyed. Quirrell screaming did not help Voldemort's attempts to access the situation.
He fled from the school, into the Forbidden Forest, with no knowledge as to if they managed to stop the troll.
Or where the troll had gone? All Quirrell did was set it loose, and point the teachers to the Dungeons. And then faint. All of them bought the ploy.
Other than Snape.
Severus was always too cynical for his own good. Which is why Voldemort wanted to kill the man. If it was not for Voldemort being amused enough by how pathetic Snape was in wanting to spare Lily Potter, he would not be in this situation.
"My lord it hurts!" Quirrell yelled.
"Yes, you fool, it does," Voldemort said.
Quirrell's occasional whining drove Voldemort around the bend. He ambled into the Forest. It was almost like something stalked him and forced him deeper into the forest.
"Stop, Quirrell," Voldemort hissed.
"But, if I stop, it will kill me," Quirrell whimpered.
Voldemort hated the fact he had to share a body with a man who had just lost his spine.
"It's everywhere, master," Quirrell said.
The magic in the air crackled and Voldemort saw something which made him step back.
It looked like a phoenix. But, darker, more foreboding. Those green eyes were the color of a killing curse, the same light which reflected upon Voldemort ten years ago. It lingered in front of Voldemort before it disappeared in a flash of emerald green fire.
The song still rang through for several minutes before all grew calm.
"Quirrell, it's gone," Voldemort said.
"Human, how dare you trespass in our domain?"
"Quirrell, you idiot," Voldemort hissed.
They were surrounded by a colony of Acromantula. And Quirrell had been paralyzed by their venom after one bit him on the shoulder.
"Wait," one of the Acromantula breathed. "He smells familiar."
"What is it, Aragog?"
"He smells like the one who controlled…the Accursed," Aragog stated. "Yes, he is."
"Stay away from us," Voldemort said.
"He is, it's him!" Aragog cried angrily. "I remember you!"
The Acromantula swarmed Quirrell's body and wrapped him up tightly.
"You will pay!"
"Filth, absolute filth!"
"Yes, my children. Feast upon him."
The creatures surrounded him. Aragog's rage even impressed Voldemort.
"This one is for Hagrid!"
Hagrid? Voldemort recalled that name.
The gamekeeper.
Who happened to be the idiotic oaf of a third-year that he used as a scapegoat for the Chamber of Secrets. The blundering buffoon had an Acromantula as a pet, thus making him an easy mark to prevent the school from closing when the Warren girl had accidentally stumbled upon his pet.
For Voldemort it was another Tuesday. He nearly forgot about this incident until he was facing several dozen Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest. One horrific thought entered Voldemort's mind at the sheer number of these creatures.
Hagrid managed to breed them. And spread them into a large colony.
And people called Voldemort a menace.
Lord Voldemort was merely a spirit. No matter how much Aragog wanted to bite Voldemort, he could not.
Quirrell was not so lucky. The magical spiders tore into Quirrell's flesh, but Voldemort left Quirrel to perish and to be devoured completely by the hungry spiders.
The weakened wraith retreated further into the Forest, as the spiders feasted upon Quirrell's flesh.
The plan to obtain the Philosopher's Stone was delayed.
At this point, Lord Voldemort could not even make the trip back to Albania.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts. The Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. The Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. All of those titles were held by one man, that being Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Who suddenly and unexpectedly died in the dead of night. Just as Amelia Bones prepared to deal with another problem. Several people in the Ministry had been called in during the dead of night, Amelia among them. She was just about to head off to Hogwarts to deal with the ramifications of a troll attacking, almost waiting for Dumbledore to head her off and have hours of intense debates regarding whether or not she had the right to investigate.
A battle which Amelia lost two years ago regarding the death of Rowan Khanna and the mysteries of the Cursed Vaults, along with the mysterious cabal known as "R". Many members died, others in prison, but she would be a fool if she did not think they were still at large and re-integrated into society.
She prepared to face Dumbledore. And prepared her arguments.
Only for the news to drop that he passed away suddenly. It was all over the Wizarding Wireless. The Daily Prophet had been stalled due to such late-breaking news. For the first time in many years, the Daily Prophet would not live up to its name and newspapers would be delayed for several hours.
Amelia had been in a haze, in a shock. She sent Minerva McGonagall a message, advising her she would be delayed. And it was rapidly approaching nine in the morning when she intended to arrive at Hogwarts much sooner.
Around this time, your average wizard on the street would be learning the news, receiving their paper. The vast majority of individuals in the Ministry would be filing in, and would learn about it. Everyone would be in a state of shock and in a state of panic.
Albus Dumbledore held many duties in this world. And now those titles were vacant. Perhaps it was a small mercy that Dumbledore declined the role of Minister of Magic when it was offered to him. It was offered to him constantly throughout Millicent Bagnold's tenure, but he declined.
Fudge only got the job because Bagnold finally had enough. And Fudge was a compromise between both sides. Pureblood enough not to upset the purists, and progressive enough not to upset the progressive side. For those not on those extremes, Fudge was a milktoast politician, who changed his mind and his policy often based on the last important person he talked to.
One of those men who he talked to regularly was Albus Dumbledore. Who was no longer with them.
Amelia kept thinking about it, because she found it inconceivable. She guessed everyone thought that Dumbledore would be a constant fixture in their world, for better or for worse.
And speaking of the Minister, here he came. Fudge looked in absolute disarray, having not bothered to change out of his dressing gown and bunny slippers, looking unkempt and unshaven as he ambled through the Ministry hallways. He had gotten a taste of a real crisis as Minister and obviously did not like it.
"If it was just the girl, we might be able to defuse the situation," Fudge murmured to himself. "If it was just the Weasley boy, all we have to do is weather Molly's wrath, but we've faced worse. It's just hot air, anyway…but the Longbottom boy…"
"Minister," Amelia said.
"Have you heard anything about the Longbottom boy, Amelia?" Fudge asked.
"Only that the healers will not be able to see whata they can do for him, until the swelling goes down," Amelia said.
"How does a troll get into Hogwarts and attack first-years?" Fudge asked. "How does something like this happen? And the Longbottom heir of all people."
"Those are questions that I'm going to have to ask when Captain Scrimgeour and myself investigate the matter," Amelia said. "And unfortunately there's one man who can't answer these questions."
"Albus," Fudge said. "I can't believe it. This has to be some kind of joke. Someone having a laugh. A delayed Halloween prank. An early April Fool's joke…"
"Minister, he's gone," Amelia said. "I'm sorry."
And with him, many secrets which he took to that next great adventure.
"Yes," Fudge said. "And there's no Supreme Mugwamp…or Chief Warlock…or Hogwarts Headmaster. I'm not sure if anyone can fulfill those roles."
Hopefully, separate people, because they would not have such a dire situation if there were separate people in those roles, at least that's what Amelia mused.
"Only time will tell, Minister," Amelia said.
"Minister."
Fudge almost jumped in the air. Bode of the Department of Mysteries appeared, out of the shadows.
"Bode, must you do that?" Fudge asked.
"No," Bode said. "I trust you've done everything you needed to do regarding Hermione Jean Granger."
Amelia's expression darkened in an extremely significant way. The protocols under the Statute of Secrecy regarding deceased Muggleborns, especially those who had met with foul play had been enacted. Amelia detested this particular part of the Statute, as rare as it might be to have it enacted
It was all about maintaining the masquerade. Something which threatened to unravel progressively more with each passing year, as the Muggles advanced. And there were less who worked at the Ministry, thus forcing them to work overtime to cover up some of the more gross incidents which shined a light on their world.
If nothing else, they had no choice but to keep the masquerade due to all of the measures they took to keep themselves hidden from the non-magical world. Because, there would be many who would not take it well they operated in secrecy for so long.
Amelia knew there could be debates on whether who could win an all out war between magicals and non-magicals, as the day was long. Amelia feared there would be mass casualties regardless of who would have the advantage.
"Her family had been questioned and their memories regarding her existence had been modified," Fudge said in a tense voice. "Her grandmother was a real piece of work, and the Obliviator tasked in dealing with her, muttered something about needing a drink."
Amelia's expression just grew more tense.
"And you dealt with her body?" Fudge asked.
"Yes," Bode said. "Sent through the veil."
Amelia shivered. His statement was so cold, that it was almost like he was taking out the trash. And to many, that's what disposing of a Muggleborn was.
"You're not a fan of this protocol, Madam Bones?" Bode asked.
"I'm not a fan of parents being deprived of a chance to put their daughter properly to rest because it may interfere with our secrecy," Amelia said.
"It's a rare situation," Fudge told her, trying to appease her.
"Years ago, they used that veil to execute the most hardened of dark wizards, before the International Confederation of Wizards deemed it too inhumane,' Amelia said. "If you remember History of Magic, you know that…"
"I slept through most of that class," Fudge admitted, almost sheepishly. "Binns wasn't very engaging."
Amelia barely kept her temper in check.
"I did self study," Amelia said. "Do we even know what's on the other side of that veil?"
"You're better off not knowing this information," Bode said in a misty voice.
Typical Unspeakable, Amelia thought.
"One Muggleborn is not worth rocking any boat," Fudge said.
Amelia decided now was not the time to rock this particular boat, as she would have very few people who would advocate for a Muggleborn and her rights. Even Dumbledore, if he lived, would not step in for the protocol.
It did make her investigation slightly more difficult though, given valuable evidence disappeared through the veil, to Morgana only does where.
Amelia swore an oath to uphold the law of Wizarding Britain. However, there were days like this, where it made her regret her choices. Yet, Amelia reminded herself that if she was not in this position, someone else who might not be as altruistic would be.
Some days, you had to hold your nose, until the opportunity presented itself when waves could be made.
And unfortunately, a Muggleborn who people would forget by the end of this month, was not worth trying to advocate for change. Especially when Dumbledore's death was poised to create a nasty power vacuum and political upheavel.
The timing was unfortunate.
"So, it's done," Amelia said.
"Yes, Madam Bones," Bode said. "I hope you appreciate how these things are done out of necessity, for the security of our world and the safety of magic users."
"Think of the other children who will sleep safely tonight, because some grief-stricken relative doesn't expose our world," Fudge said. "And how much less work it is for the rest of the Ministry to just do this."
"I must go to Hogwarts," Amelia said. "Good luck, Minister, Bode."
Amelia walked out and met with Rufus Scrimgeour in the hallway.
"Ready, Captain?' Amelia asked curtly.
"Ready when you are Director," Scrimgeour said. "You look…upset?"
"The Granger girl and the protocol," Amelia said curtly.
Scrimgeour put his hand on her shoulder in a sympathetic way.
"Oh, that's always a difficult one," Scrimgeour said. "But, it's for security."
"What if it was your daughter, Rufus?" Amelia asked. "What if it was Lauren?"
"I would rage if I knew I could not put her to rest," Scrimgeour said. "But, I suppose I would never have that problem. And you would not either, Amelia. I agree it's a bit much to take these measures if a Muggleborn dies, but it's rare."
"The only reason we did not do it with Lily's relatives, is because Dumbledore insisted that Harry be put there," Amelia said.
And the only reason she got a proper burial, was she was a war hero. If she was just a nameless, faceless Muggleborn, it would have been different. It was the difference between having connections that would advocate for your rights, and for not having anyone to speak for you.
"Which in hindsight, was a mistake, if the reports are true," Scrimgeour said with a grimace.
Dumbledore's death would bring many things, including the unsealing of the Potter will, and also Dumbledore's own will, which Amelia expected to be a shit show of epic proportions. Namely, the people who would likely come out of the woodwork, claiming to be Albus Dumbledore's love child.
That was a matter for the Department of Magical Inheritance, unfortunately for them.
"Shacklebolt, Proudfoot."
Kingsley Shacklebolt and Maya Proudfoot, two of their best Aurors, were accompanying them on this investigation to Hogwarts. Amelia entered the Floo, with Scrimgeour and his Aurors following.
Minerva McGonagall had been waiting for them, and she was not the only one. Molly Weasley and August Longbottom had been there.
"Minerva, I'm sorry that I'm late, urgent matters came up at the Ministry," Amelia said.
"Given the news, I understand," Minerva said.
"I can't believe Dumbledore's gone," Molly said.
No one could, there was a lot of disbelief and denial that he was gone. And Amelia doubted your average witch or wizard understood the magnitude of how much Dumbledore had been involved in their world and why his death was so groundshaking.
"We have other matters to attend to," Augusta said sharply.
"There's a corridor on the third floor, which Dumbledore claimed would lead to a sudden death," Molly said in an icy tone.
Molly Weasley was so beyond angry, that she was actually speaking calmly. She looked like a woman who would stab someone with an icepick which meant she was really angry. More angry than she was if she was shouting in full super howler mode.
"Susan wrote to me, and I regret I did not give it the attention it should have," Amelia said. "Dumbledore did not make the necessary intervention easy, Fudge was not going to go against him, and the Board preferred to keep the Ministry and Hogwarts separate. I did send him two letters about it, and he said that it was a matter of security that he could not divulge it."
Amelia hated that she was magically shackled. If she was able to give the Khanna death the proper attention it deserved, then maybe this tragedy would not happen.
"Well, your one barrier to investigation has been removed," Augusta said. "Minerva, could you explain why a troll got near enough a trio of first-years, including my grandson to injure them? Where were the teachers? Why did the prefects not notice they were missing until Merula Snyde came across them? There should have been a headcount and the prefects should have been searching for any missing students."
"And this Hermione Granger is dead and my son is traumatized because of it," Molly said. "Explain, please."
Minerva just swallowed.
"I'll tell you as much as I can," Minerva said. "But, there are matters which Dumbledore kept as a mystery, from me."
"Not surprising," Amelia said curtly. "Tell us everything you know and we'll work from there."
Minerva McGonagall resembled a woman who was under extreme inquisition. Or maybe a firing squad. She was right to be nervous.
Someone had to answer for this.
Harry stirred awake. He had a feeling that he been out for a long time.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Merula said. "Well, it's almost afternoon by this point."
He noticed Lyra was there, Narcissa, Merula was back, Cassie, Rakepick, Andromeda, and Sirius was still there.
"Careful, if he's anything like Lily, he'll wake up like the Beast," Sirius said. "Or James come to think of it. They were not morning people."
"You're mixing your Fairytales," Rakepick said. "So, how are you feeling?"
"Refreshed, and tired at the same time," Harry said.
Harry took off his glasses and realized he no longer needed them. He grew a few inches since he had been asleep, although he could tell the age gate was still in place, and with it, the Horcrux had been trapped within it.
"It will take some time to come to terms with the full power of Lily's gift," Rakepick said. "I studied the matter for two months and I understand it…enough."
"How long was I out?" Harry asked.
"Eighteen hours, fourteen minutes, and nineteen seconds," Cassie said.
"Quite the peculiar number," Andromeda said. "But, do you feel stronger?"
"Only time will tell," Harry said, but then it hit him. "Voldemort is Riddle!"
"What?" Lyra asked.
Harry figured he could explain himself better.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle is Lord Voldemort!" Harry shouted. "He's with Quirrell…working with him, well Quirrel must be working for him, to steal whatever is on the third floor."
Merula instantly whipped out the map and checked it.
"Not there," Merula said. "At least not anywhere the map shows."
"We should tell Dumbledore," Harry said.
Everyone just looked at Harry.
"I know, I know, but this is something that he has to know," Harry said. "He'll have to act."
"Harry, Dumbledore died," Lyra told him.
Now it was Harry's turn to look gobsmacked.
"What?"
Dumbledore was dead. That seemed inconceivable. Harry was pretty sure that word meant what he thought it meant, but it was inconceivable.
"Exactly what we all said when McGonagall announced it," Lyra said. "But, he died…last night."
"Dumbledore's dead?" Harry asked.
"That's our reaction too," Rakepick told him. "But this isn't a dream. This is reality."
"What else happened when I was out?" Harry asked.
Merula sighed and leaned towards Harry.
"Well, you remember that troll that I told you was attacking before CJ and Rakepick put you under?"
Harry was listening.
To Be Continued.