Chapter Two

Dumbledore's Plan

Dumbledore wholeheartedly bit into a chicken wing when he noticed young and impressionable Evan Abercrombie. He was doing a very sad attempt at 'accidently' overhearing Fred and George's conversation.

The brothers were usually close to one another speaking in low voices. Tonight they sat up straight and talked clearly so everything they said could be easily heard. Dumbledore realized their plan was taking action.

"So, Fred."

Fred patted his mouth lightly with a napkin. "Why yes George?"

"I just overheard the most interesting thing. Would you care to hear it dear brother?"

"Yes, I would be delighted to."

Evan reached for the pitcher of pumpkin juice getting closer to Fred and George.

George cleared his throat. "Did you hear about The Stash?"

"Stash?"

"You know. The Stash."

"No!" Fred hit his hands against the table for added effect.

"Yes, apparently it's in Dumbledore's office."

"Are you sure? Anyone who possesses The Stash is said to be very powerful."

"Dumbledore's as powerful as they come. Ask his old buddy Gellert Grindelwald."

"What if," Fred's voice grew into a loud whisper, "Harry Potter's right?"

"Right about what?"

"What if," Fred held a long pause, also for effect, "You Know Who is back and tries to get The Stash?"

George placed his hand on Fred's shoulder. "Let's hope it never comes to that."

"Should we tell Harry?"

"I don't know… I just don't know."

The twins got up and left before the shocked first year could compose himself and ask questions.

Evan scanned the Gryffindor table for the famous trio. He only saw Ron wedged between Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom. He would have to do. Evan ran around the long wooden table lavished with food. He tapped Ron on the shoulder.

"Ron, I need to tell you something very important!"

Ron turned around with half a slice of apple pie in his hand. With his mouth full Ron shouted, "I'm busy!" He then continued to eat. It was a rare time he could do so without having Hermione lecture him on useless things such as manners.

Neville watched as sad Evan ran out of the Great Hall.

A few calming breaths later Evan decided his best bet was the library. Hermione was rumored to spend massive amounts of time in there. It was also said that she had tried to correct Irma Prince's, the librarian of Hogwarts, method of sorting books with a muggle technique. She called it the Dewey Decimal System.

Sure enough, there sat Hermione. She was surrounded with books, much how her bushy hair surrounded her face. Evan walked closer, avoiding the tall piles of bonded paper that lay on the floor.

"Hermione I need to tell you–"

"Shh!"

"But–"

"Can't you see I'm busy?"

Evan stomped off to the portrait of the fat lady.

"Password."

Evan opened his mouth, but closed it shortly after. "I don't remember."

"Then you can't come in."

Evan looked up at the painting with an act he had used many times on his parents when he wanted candy. His small nose sniffed and his pouting lips quivered. Candle light sparkled of his big blue eyes and reflected off the small droplets the fell down his face.

As soon as the portrait swung open Evan's tears became nonexistent. He walked into the common room glad to see Harry Potter.

The boy who lived was occupied staring out the window and pondering life.

"I'm so glad I found you–"

"My scar!" Harry gripped his forehead.

"But–"

"Not now! I'm busy." Harry went up the stairs.

Evan sank into the plush red couch.

Ribbit.

Evan looked down at his feet surprised to find a toad aside them.

"Trevor!" Neville ran towards the toad who made a narrow escape. Neville noticed the sad first year. "What's wrong?"

Through real sobs Evan spoke. "I overheard Fred and George talking about some stash in Dumbledore's office. I tried to tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They wouldn't listen. Why are they all so busy?"

"Because they're saving the wizarding and muggle world from the forces of darkness." Saying it out loud Neville came to see what an odd and egotistical pastime the three teenagers had. "But don't worry. If Dumbledore has something to show them he will."

"Really?"

"Really. No more being sad, okay?"

Evan hugged Neville before he ran off with a big smile plastered to his round face.

Neville, on the other hand, became extremely curious about what Dumbledore would be hiding in his office. His thoughts were distracted when he saw Trevor hop by him and head out of the common room.

As Neville chased his pet Dumbledore and McGonagall had bumped into each other in the hall.

"Ah, Minerva. How are you this lovely evening?"

"Just finished a detention with four Gryffindors."

"Oh yes," Dumbledore chuckled, "I heard about that." More specifically, he had heard it from Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts. Filch had complained the entire afternoon that he had to clean up the mess in the Transfiguration classroom.

"I just wonder where on earth they got their hand on exploding slime."

"Yes," Albus coughed, "Very mysterious."

"Albus…"

"Shh," he held his finger to McGonagall's lips. "Listen."

From around the corner the Head Master and Mistress heard the collision of two students.

"Oi! Watch where you're going Neville," said Seamus Finnigan.

Neville scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry, I was chasing Trevor."

"You always are." Seamus picked up the toad.

"Seamus, can I tell you something?"

"Sure." He wiped the toad slime onto his robes. "What is it?"

"You know Evan Ambercrombie?"

Seamus nodded.

"He told me that he overheard Fred and George talking about how Dumbledore has some sort of stash in his office."

McGonagall looked at Dumbledore and spoke in a whisper. "A secret stash in your office? That's the most preposterous thing I've ever heard of."

"I know. "Albus looked at Minerva though his half-circle glasses. "Now play along."

Seamus shook his head. "Are you sure?"

"Evan seemed pretty sure to me," said Neville.

"But he did hear it from Fred and George. How do we know this isn't some sort of prank?"

The two heard their Professor and Head Master's voices from around the corner. "Yes, Minerva. It is a very grand stash in my office."

"What is it Albus?" Minerva said in over acted surprise.

"Come and I shall show you." Dumbledore pulled out his wand and with a single flick created the illusion of two sets of footsteps fading in the distance.

Seamus and Neville looked at each other, mouths hanging open.

Dean Thomas walked down the hallway, happily whistling to himself when he noticed his fellow Gryffindor's. "What's the matter with you two?"

Seamus said, "Neville, go make sure the common room is empty. Dean and I will go find a few more Gryffindors to help us." Neville nodded. He didn't notice when he ran past his elders who were pressed against the wall. Nor did he notice that the one with a beard was holding in his laughter.

"Help with what?" asked Dean.

"I'll explain later." Seamus pulled Dean to the Great Hall.

Minerva looked at Albus, her face consumed with confusion. "Why did you just encourage students to break into your office?"

"Because I think it will be a good bonding experience for all the houses."

"You think they're all going to work together. Even Gryffindor and Slytherin?"

"Yes, because I will leave obstacles forcing them to work together. It's educational."

McGonagall placed her hands on her hips still unconvinced.

Dolores Umbridge walked down the same hallway. "What are you two doing here?" It was a miracle she could see them with her nose so high in the air.

At the same time Dumbledore and McGonagall said, "Nothing." They walked off leaving Umbridge's frog eyes squinting with suspicion.