AN: Contrary to opinion, I have not died. Just been a very hectic…err…year. Hope you are still around to read! As always, I own nothing. I am just a feeble history major at university.

Headmaster

It had felt like I had just fallen asleep when I felt someone was shaking me awake. My eyes popped opened and was shocked to see a very fuzzy looking Professor Slughorn above me. His large face was so white it seemed to give off its own light. He was shaking head to foot. Sitting up I reached for my glasses and put them on. "Horace, a very early good morning to." I honestly did not feel like being altogether too pleasant. Like any man I like, nay, need a good night's sleep. Having been up rather late writing a new article for Transfiguration Today, I had not hoped to be up less than four hours later. However from the pallor of Horace's face I knew something was amiss. "Alb….Albu…Albus…" he managed to say as he attempted to get back air into his body. He glanced up and when our eyes connected I knew. It was the look of someone who had seen death.

I slipped from underneath my warm covered and immediately put on my robe. I said not a word until I put it on and then turned back to him, hoping he had sufficient time to become more coherent. "Horace, who has died?" Horace cleared his throat. "I went to his office to give him a paper he had asked for…I knocked and heard no reply so I opened and the door and…and…I saw Headmaster Dippet…" The second I heard the name I started out of my chambers and made swiftly for the Headmasters tower. This really was not unexpected news. Headmaster Dippet was pushing 111 and had been in ill health the past few weeks. After a minute I heard the patter of feet that told me Slughorn was following me. I paid him no heed as I continued my trek. After several minuets I came to the stone gargoyle.

"Password?" it asked. "Beethoven" I responded. It leapt aside and I climbed the moving stairs and without hesitation opened the door.

Directly to the right of the Headmasters desk was a new portrait I had never seen before…of Armando Dippet…he was slumped against the frame and gently snoring. Directly behind the headmasters desk sat the body of the real Armando Dippet. His chin rested against his chest and a quill sat next to his limp, open hand. Had it not been for the fact that one eye was half-closed and the other almost fully open, and the stillness of death that gripped the body, he looked as if he had simply nodded off. I turned to Horace who had finally come in behind me. "Horace, please go awake the other Heads of House first and then the other staff. Have them meet in my office in fifteen minutes time. I heard him turn and leave. I stared a few moments and the body of my good friend. Pulling out my wand I waved it once and slowly Armando's eyes closed. Two more quick waves and an oak casket appeared in the middle of the room and Dippet's body floated and settled into the coffin. With a sign I turned and made for the stairs.

The day after the funeral I sat in my own office attempting to get through the mountain of paperwork that Armando had left behind. The Board of Governors at this very omment were discussing his successor. I knew very well my name was in the running and that odds were I would get the job. I admitted to myself that I would be lying if I said I was eagerly hoping I got the job. The idea of becoming Headmaster had been in my mind for several years. I knew, and even in my own mind I could hear what others might sense as arrogance, that no other person would be able to be as capable as I. I am a very, very gifted wizard, and a fabulous educator and the plans that swirled in my head would revive Hogwarts.

A knock at the door interrupted me thoughts. "Enter" I said and was surprised by how off my voice seemed. It betrayed my anxiety. Horace came in and he was holding a roll of parchment. "From the Board of Governors, Albus." Taking the roll I read hungrily…

To: Professor Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore, Grand Sorc., D. Wiz., X.J.(sorc.), S. of Mag.Q., Order of Merlin Second Class, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Deputy Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot;

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

It is pleasing to us to inform you that the Board of Governor voted 11-1 to officially offer you the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please send an owl at your earliest possible convenience as to whether you accept the offer.

Yours Sincerely,

Pemberton Abbot, Chairman, Abraxas Malfoy, Erasmus Blaise, Lando Gresham, Jacob Pedigomos, Charles Stuart, Potius Rarum, Carmen Fortuna, Flasus Nomen, Harold Bishop, Ingram Plunkett, Alexander Worthington

I could feel my breath catch in my chest as a smile broke upon my face. Almost knocking over the ink I pulled the quill and quickly wrote my response.