Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling


DUMBLEDORE'S GREAT NEGLIGENCE SHOWS AGAIN!

The public's beloved Albus Dumbledore seems to have let a notorious Dark Lord roam free even as he grew old and supposedly wise. We are all aware of his ill adventures with Grindelwald, and we have now become privy to similar errors. Thanks to the new Headmistress, Dolores Umbridge, we have discovered that the infamous Dark Lord himself paid the Headmaster a visit during his rise. He was apparently asking for the spot of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! Dumbledore, then too, was fully knowing of heinous acts You-Know-Who has committed up until the said visit. Naturally, You-Know-Who's offer was rejected, but he shouldn't have been able to put it forward in the first place!

While Dumbledore's agenda cannot be clarified unless we asked the man himself, one thing is for certain — the then Hogwarts Headmaster allowed an extremely dangerous criminal to slip past justice he well deserved and thereby indirectly let him commit numerous crimes that made him the figure he is today. This is not unlike our previously reported story with his close friend Grindelwald. The Dark Lord used to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in his youth. So, perhaps the Headmaster felt sentimental for his former student, deluding himself that he might still be saved. Or was it mere incompetence that led to his grave mishap? Whatever Dumbledore's reasons were, it is very clear the former Headmaster is not adept at any position of power, not even as a school director.

Dolores Umbridge whistled softly as she read the latest issue of Britain's most popular newspaper. Not even the news of Theodore Nott's death nor Vincent Crabbe's crimes ruined her mood.

"You disappoint me, Professor Slughorn. I rated your performance better than this. Why bring this student to the old office?" Umbridge noted with disapproval.

"This boy knows trickery very well, or else the very employees of your ministry wouldn't have let him escape their grip!" Horace replied with spite.

"That may be true, but I would rather value myself higher than those fools. They will be penalized as soon as possible. It is sad that you put so little trust in me," Umbrige said faux sympathetically.

Horace merely grunted. Minerva was the next to speak.

"This is a grave sign of things to come. I'm afraid the public needs to know. Especially the parents of children here! This is unprecedented; the damage could have been catastrophic!"

"No. Nobody shall know anything. The threat has been neutralized, has it not?" Umbridge asked, appearing clueless.

Minerva looked at Umbridge with searing anger. "This is preposterous! The attack is not just about the students. It's about the safety of the entire people!"

"Rest assured that the "people" are in safe hands and that proper measures will be adopted. Certainly more proper than what had been done by other forces at large," Umbridge said with a smirk.

"Gloat while you can. We'll see where that gets you," Minerva spat.

"Is that a threat? Do you honestly think you can do anything in your position?" Umbridge sneered. "No information about this will escape these walls! And that is final."

"Is that right?" Minerva continued. "Have it your way. Hold your rotten structure in desperation. We'll knock it down, I promise you that."

"How dare you threaten me like this?!" Umbridge hissed. "I could have you thrown out of here along with that pesky little Potter kid!"

"My business here is finished. Horace, do notify the boy's mother — though she probably knows already. It is your duty as his house head nonetheless," she looked at Umbridge. "You don't have time to bother with me, Dolores. You've got a criminal right here," she gestured towards Crabbe, who was still unconscious. "Barbaric and outdated as your laws may be, they have to be respected, do they not?"

Umbridge let out something that resembled a mixture of a hiss and a squeal.

"I will pray for this child. Now then, I must leave you."

"You will stay where you are," Umbridge blocked Minerva's path. "We are not done yet—"

"I'm afraid we are," Minerva said, appearing behind Umbridge.

"How did you—"

"Goodbye, Dolores. If you want me to leave this school, leave a note on my desk. I have other matters to attend to."

Horace looked at their exchange in silent shock. After Minerva left, he finally managed to ask — "So... shall I tell the parents?"

"Yes, yes indeed you shall," Umbridge replied absentmindedly, waving her hand. "No. I will talk to them instead. This boy will have to face trial under any circumstance," she looked at Crabbe with a crooked smile. "So young. Tut tut."

"What about Professor Sinistra? Where is she?"

"Her? She's having some restful sleep as we speak. Tonight's events must have been quite a shock."

Horace narrowed his eyes at her. "Can I see her?"

"Why would you want to disturb a sleeping woman, Mr. Slughorn?" Dolores asked as two figures appeared behind Horace.

"What's going on? Umbridge, what are you doing?!"

"Oh, just quit it. Losing your memory is the least of what I could have done to you."

Horace's wand draw was followed by a blinding green light that illuminated the Headmaster's office. The potion master could not handle the combined assault.

"Curse that bloody woman. Are you sure she can't be subdued?" Umbrige asked the two figures.

"Yes. Attacking her right now would be extremely risky."

"We can't trust anything she says. She might be planning to leak the information."

"We could make everyone take the oath. As soon as the trial starts, I mean. Some of the witnesses ought to require it."

"She's very likely aware of that. Still, there's little she could do about it. Make sure you bind her in that way."

...

...

"So I can rest assured you will bring me Dumbledore's memory? Don't you worry, I will give it back," Umbridge smiled.

"Yes. But do I have your guarantee that you won't get Minnie fired or Miney cast out?" Harry asked nervously.

"That remains to be seen, Potter. If you are successful in bringing me the memory, your precious little friends and family will remain untouched. Here's to that," Umbridge made a twirling motion with her wand, signifying the honor-bound spell.

"Hopefully spells can't be faked..."

"Now get out of my sight, and don't come back unless you've collected what I desire!"

As Harry was leaving Umbridge's office, he couldn't help but smirk.


"Are you sure this will work, Headmaster? It's really funny business if you ask me. Never heard of magic like this," Harry mused.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Questioning things is always welcome, but I implore you to have more confidence... Believe me when I say this, Harry; you will have a lot to look forward to soon."

"You seem to be doing fine. I'm a bit worried myself. They've been cracking at your reputation at every possible moment. You've been silent to all of this! Can't you at least try and let your voice be heard?!"

"Patience, my dear boy. You will see in time that all the effort they've invested in painting my detestable picture to the public shall go in vain."

"They did appear a little more desperate recently. Umbridge has acted way more rashly than the previous time she tried prying at your memories."

Dumbledore nodded. "Fudge has realized that I may not have sat still as he threw mud at my image. He's an arrogant man, but very cautious nonetheless when it comes to threats to his power. It is what kept him at his position up until now, as we know."

"So I trust you have got a good plan?"

"Indeed. A plan that shall come to fruition very soon, at that."

"I'll believe you, Mr. Albus. I hope our little endeavor will satisfy that ghoul, if for a while."

"I'm absolutely certain it will."


Umbridge screeched in excitement as Dumbledore's supposed memory illuminated the Headmaster's office. It was an authentic one, showing Dumbledore and Grindelwald making a blood pact.

"We knew this, but to think he was this happy..." Umbridge noted, tilting her head. "No matter. This shall bring him down once and for all," she said. A dark passageway opened on the wall below the sleeping portraits of previous Headmasters in response to the glistening memory.

As Umbridge gleefully readied herself to enter the dark corridor, the portraits' faces shot lifeless looks at her. Their expressions changed only for a moment, so Umbridge tried to disregard it as the trick of the light.

"What am I afraid of?" she chuckled. "Let us proceed..."

Checking for potential traps, she was surprised to find none.

"Curious... was he so arrogant to believe a mere memory would be enough protection? Then again, I suppose..."

Her footsteps echoed the corridor which seemed to stretch infinitely into the dark. Umbridge had used the illumination charm, but it only lit a part of the way.

Suddenly, all her senses seemed to stop working, except for her sight.

What's going on? She thought.

Why can't I feel anything? Is this merely a part of the environment?

Seeing that she could still use spells, she tried verifying for any well-concealed charms. None revealed themselves.

This is very curious.

Continuing warily, Umbridge arrived at a point where the corridor widened into a much larger passage. The sides of it appeared hollow and bottomless. There was a wooden bridge in the middle, going further into the darkness.

Just what is this place? Where has Dumbledore hidden his relics?

Her hearing returned as swiftly as it went. She was hearing murmurs in the depths below the bridge.

Umbridge realized that not only her senses were not working properly, but her emotions were also strangely absent. Her only thoughts were about moving on, and so she did. Her touch seemed to return after the hearing. She felt the roughness of the wooden bridge's fence as she touched it.

"Very strange place. Good thing the protean charm still works."

Are you sure? A voice asked behind her. With it, her emotions followed.

She came face to face with what appeared to be an apparition of Remus Lupin.

"Who are you!?" Umbridge blurted in a panicked voice.

Remus' figure dove under the bridge, laughing at her question.

Dolores caught her protean-enchanted medallion, calling for reinforcements. None came.

That's not going to help you. Another man's form sprouted from the darkness.

"You're dead! You're supposed to be dead!" Umbridge squeaked.

Who says I'm not? The voice seemed to pierce through her like a mass of cold needles.

As fear started enveloping her, Umbridge slowly started turning away, her eyes still fixed on the leering man.

His face twisted into a distorted expression of anguish. He floated up to the Headmistress with blinding speed.

I am dead indeed! Dead because of you! The man screamed, his form bursting into an uncountable amount of slivers as he hit the Headmistress.

Umbridge turned back completely now, not quite caring about the items she came for. She began her inelegant running, her attitude far different from usual.

Is that guilt working its way up? Or are you just worried about yourself? No... You're not really capable of the first one, are you? A specter of a woman shot from the bridge's floor. Dolores went through the figure like it was made of mist.

"I have to get out of here!" Umbridge said in a trembling voice. "Someone, help me!"

The murmurs in the darkness below the bridge turned into soft laughter. As Umbridge's running escalated, so did the laughter. It soon rang Umbridge's ears. The voices laughed in unison, making it appear like there was one person laughing in her ears behind her.

"What is this accursed place?! What has Dumbledore done to me?!" Umbridge screamed.

Where are you going? You're not even at your well-deserved place yet!

The way back seemed much shorter than it was supposed to be. Returning to the office, several aurors came rushing into the room.

"What's going on? You've called us many times but you were nowhere to be seen!"

"Silence!" Umbridge cut in. "A trickery was played on my senses, that's all! Now you shall accompany me back."

"Where?"

"Shut up and follow me!"

As the group reached the bridge once more, many more phantoms seemed to swirl around them. This time, however, they did not approach closer. Their expressions seemed content on merely observing their guests.

"What are these things?"

"It's magic of the unknown. It feels very ancient. Probably undetectable with typical spells."

"Who put them here? And are they harmless?"

"It doesn't matter. Stay on your guard and proceed," Umbridge replied.

As the bridge ended at last, the dark passageway expanded into a bright light. It revealed a very large frozen lake with a raised platform in the middle. Several frozen statues were scattered across the blue surface. Some of them were familiar, others less so. Umbridge noticed that one statue resembled Remus. It seemed as if it was mocking her entrance with applause.

You belong here... A faint murmur echoed.

"What was that?!" one of the aurors yelled.

"What was what?" Umbridge asked.

"I just heard... I think I heard something."

"Must be this place playing with your senses," Umbridge shrugged. "Let us proceed again."

The platform had several books stacked upon each other, bound with a black chain. The group approached them with extreme caution, checking for any potential trap or spell in their way.

"Is this it?" one of them asked.

"It's just some blackened books."

"Dear me..." Umbridge gasped. A wide grin showed on her face. "It is what we wanted indeed!"

"How can you tell? Nothing's inscribed on them."

"Can't you feel it? Can't you sense what they emanate?!" Umbridge yelled. She placed her hand on the pile, almost ecstatic at the sight.

She turned to the aurors, ordering them to pick all of the tomes up.

"We're going back. We're done here!"

"Don't you think it's wise to verify what else is here?"

"No. We can come here any time we want. Heed my orders, or I'll have your job. Now, let us return."

"But all these things we've seen..."

"This place is affected and warped by the magic of these books. It's a very common phenomenon. Senseless theatrics of Albus Dumbledore. You are afraid for no reason, I assure you."


"Harry, we really need to talk about what happened," Hermione said in a low voice.

"No. We don't. At least not right now," Harry replied curtly.

"You have to tell us, Harry. You can't avoid the issue forever."

"I will, in due time! Just drop it for now. Do you want Hagrid to hear what we are talking about?"

A door let out its typical creak as a towering figure showed itself to them. Harry felt relieved at the usual outward sight of Hagrid.

"Abou' time, Harry. Yeh haven' bin ter me tea in a while now!" Hagrid gushed.

"You haven't been inviting us!" Harry replied with a smile.

"Righ'. Well then, wha' are yeh doin', jus standing there? Get in!"

Hermione, Neville, Ron, and Harry stood in awe of a completely different interior of Hagrid's home.

"Surprised, are yeh?" Hagrid chuckled. "Done everything meself, I can say. Pretty difficult gettin' used ter it."

"This is amazing..." Hermione noted.

"What's gotten into you, Hagrid? You would have never done this without a good reason," Ron added.

Hagrid laughed gruffly. "Yeh're righ' 'bout tha', Ron. I did have a good reason ter do this. 's a pretty important one. 's also why I've not bin around much."

"Well, do tell us then!" Neville said.

"Before tha', how are all o' yeh? I've heard an awful lot has happened ter yeh all. I'm so sorry I've not bin with yeh."

"It's been quite a handful lately, that's true," Harry replied. "We're all fine, thankfully."

"Well, not quite," Ron reminded him as Harry threw him an angry look.

"We're mostly fine," Hermione cut in. "It will take a while to adjust to everything, but we'll manage like we always did."

"Yeh are all strong. Incredibly strong. Jus know tha' I'm always with yeh, even when I'm not. Yeh get wha' I mean."

The group chuckled. "We'll have plenty of time to talk about us. What about you, Hagrid? What's gotten into you?"

"I'm not sure I can tell yeh the details, but I'll try me bes'. Dumbledore himself has given me a terribly important task, yeh see. I have ter rummage through Eastern Europe in search o' giants. Well, I had ter. I've found 'em."

"What?!"

"Shh!" Hagrid warned. "Can' ever let your guards down, I tell yeh. Even in here."

"You've changed, that's for sure..." Ron stated exaggeratedly.

"But why did you need to reach them anyway?" Harry asked. "Why does Dumbledore need contact with the giants?"

"I can' exactly tell yeh why, but rest assured tha' it will be a good thing. Especially for the coming turmoil with You-Know-Who," Hagrid said meaningfully.

"Right..."

"Hagrid, giants are not a peaceful kind. Surely you know of their hostility? How on earth could reaching them be a good thing?" Hermione added.

"I know tha', alrigh'. Tha''s exactly why Albus has given me the task o' gettin' 'em ter our side."

"Just how are you going to manage to do that, though?" Neville asked with trepidation.

"'s a bit o' a strange way, ter be frank with yeh. The giants we approached are mostly allied under two main tribes. Those two have bin killing each other fer God knows how many years."

"They seem like a nice bunch."

"Let him finish!"

"Apparently, a lad from one clan fancies a lass from the enemy clan, an' they plan on gettin' married."

"Giants have marriage?" Neville blurted.

"Yes, but not quite like ours," Hermione replied quickly.

"O' course, many giants are opposed ter the idea, since 'em gettin' married would mean peace between the groups."

"But why? What's marriage going to do? They still hate each other, don't they?" Ron wondered.

"Giants aren't like us, Ron," Hermione rolled her eyes. "You can't just impose your values on them."

"Righ' yeh are, Hermione. Even meself didn' believe it until I read up on 'em. Despite me past."

"Despite your past?" Harry narrowed his eyes at Hagrid.

Hagrid cleared his throat. "Tha' don' matter righ' now. Anyway, me job was ter firs' learn a bit more about the giants. After tha', I acquainted meself with 'em. Finally, I need ter make sure the wedding goes as planned."

"But why you exactly? I can't imagine making acquaintance with the giants is an easy task," Harry mused. "Could it be..."

"Harry..." Hagrid sighed. "Yeh all aren' stupid. I'm sure yeh can guess why. But I don' really wan' ter talk 'bout it righ' now. I jus hope tha''s fine with yeh."

The group exchanged meaningful glances, nodding before Hagrid quickly went on.

"As yeh said, makin' friends with 'em is no easy thing. Had ter switch places with Grubbly-Plank many times ter have a trip ter 'em. Either way, it seems it's goin' well."

"Can't you bring someone else with you? Just in case things go awry," Neville wondered.

"No can do, sadly. They react more strongly ter... others. So I had ter do it alone."

"Take care of yourself, Hagrid. Please..."

Hagrid smiled. "I will. In any case, most o' 'em are comin' ter terms with changes. There are some tha' reject it fervently though. They are more 'n ready ter kill ter stop it."

"But that makes no sense... They have a chance at peace! They can prevent bloodshed. I mean, no matter what their values are, that ought to be a good thing. Who wants war?"

"Funny thing, change. Yeh know, I've bin alive fer sometime now, an' not ev'ryone's ready fer it. Some feel threatened by it in many ways, yeh could say. So they're ready ter throw caution ter the wind. Seems like tha' includes giants too. Even more so, I suppose. Since they're stubborn as a rock."

"Have you been hurt by any of them?" Hermione fidgeted with her wand.

"Not really. Most o' 'em aren' onto why I'm there in the firs' place. I've bin challenged ter a fight jus fer intruding though. A fistfight ter be fair. Had ter enchant me fists before, o' course. I can' take a giant directly, no way."

"You fought a giant?! Wicked! How did it go?" Ron gushed.

"You're unbelievable, Ron... How could it go? Have you ever read up on giants, at all?" Hermione glowered.

"'s fine, Hermione. Ron, when giants fight, the loser gets exiled from the tribe an' all allied clans. Meaning tha' if yeh lose, yeh are cast out. Yeh lose everything."

"So... you won, I assume?"

"I did. Poor bastard got clobbered. I tried hurting 'im as little as possible. I admit, I cried afterwards. I think nobody was looking... Anyway, I gave 'im some food an' told 'im where ter go, but he rejected everything an' spat at me. Tha''s the las I saw o' 'im."

"That's awful..." Neville sighed.

"Felt pretty guilty afterward. But I had me mission in mind. Things like these are bound ter happen."

"What's the general air in the tribe, though? Do they trust you?"

"Trust me?" Hagrid let out a deep sigh. "They never will trust me completely. Though they do allow me more an' more space as we get along. Hopefully, enough ter meddle a fair bit in the comin' ceremony."

"I can only imagine there are giants who aren't so open with their intentions as well?" Hermione continued.

"Righ' again, Hermione. O' course, those buggers are the real headache. Some rumors say they've bin gettin' ready ter murder the groom. Others say they've bin riling ev'ryone they could in both clans ter actively oppose the marriage. Some even say the couple themselves are gettin' manipulated. Lord knows. Me job is ter prevent tha'."

"I wish there was something we could do..." Hermione lowered her head.

Hagrid carefully patted her on the shoulder. "Jus bein' here with me righ' now is enough. Showing yeh care, an' all. Hey, I'm not good with words. I'm jus awful glad yeh're here."

"You seem wordy enough," Harry smiled.

"Let's have more of these tea parties in the future. Now that we know what's going on, we won't stop bothering you!" Neville grinned.

"I do miss the old house, though," Ron joked. "I see you have your equipment here, but where are the ornaments?"

"That's what you care about?" Harry clicked his tongue. "Ornaments?"

"Oh come on. You know how I am with these moments!"

"I know. That's why you need to practice. Practice makes perfect, right?" Harry said.

"Sending Hagrid off to risk his life with the giants is truly good practice, yes," Ron nodded sarcastically.

"I mean, it's as good of an opportunity as any, I think."

Hagrid laughed again. "I've bin missing your usual chatter too."

"I'm not sure you will be missing it for long, however," Hermione shook her head.


"Rodolphus was right. Entrusting this task to a fledgling child was very risky..." Crouch rubbed his forehead. "What now?"

Coming up to his chair, Crouch produced a misty, floating image of Hogwarts.

"Feeling safe in there, are you Potter?" he hissed.

"Can we be certain the kid's dead?" Macnair asked.

"You're doubting his magic now, Macnair?"

"No, but I've never seen it cast yet. Are you sure you've made no mistakes?"

Crouch sighed. "I assure you that I wouldn't act with half a brain when conducting such an important mission, thank you."

"What do we do now? What possibilities do we have?!"

"That is what I'm trying to solve!" Crouch bellowed. "You asking the same question for an indefinite amount of time isn't helping!"

"You know, Crouch..." Macnair approached Barty to whisper. "We could just resurrect the master without Potter's blood. Much was lost over the last couple of years. Master would understand, time was running out!"

Crouch seemed to ponder the idea, before gravely shaking his head. "I'd rather not risk incurring his wrath, let alone endanger him. The Dark Lord wants Potter's blood so desperately for a reason."

"We've lost Bellatrix, Rabastan, Crabbe, Malfoy, and Nott... not to mention that we've been betrayed by Snape as well. We're losing troops quickly and we don't have enough quality blood to replace them!"

"I can see that, Macnair! I can see that very well!" Crouch spat. "Our dwindling numbers are not enough to counter both the ministry and that blasted Order, thank you for reminding me. Now, have you got anything else to say; preferably useful, not just blabber?"

"I'm sorry, Barty. I'm helpless."

"Yes, you are. You really are. Get out of my sight."

...

...

"What do you want, sir?"

"Reach out to Oliver Greengrass. It's time he made his choice," Crouch said.