Friday 15 November, 1991
It was just after the first Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Slytherin that Harry observed when he got a 'brilliant' idea. After spending a bit of time messing around on his Assistant, he dug out his ingredients and started brewing. What resulted was a small cauldron of a glowing green goop that shone brightly in a darkened closet. While the glow wouldn't last all that long, at least according to his experimentations, he figured it would at least last six hours during the night. He then went back and added some pigments to create a complete set of colors. 'Hmmm…Red for Gryffindor, Blue for Ravenclaw, Yellow for us Puffs and Green for the Slytherins. Then I think the Quaffle ought to be an Orange color, the Bludgers should be Neon Purple and the Snitch should be a Dazzler. Yup, this ought to work out just nicely!'
He approached Professor McGonagall first, as she was a known proponent of the game…'Heh, more like obsessive fanatic…' and offered to coat the respective brooms and equipment with the glow-in-the-dark colors for an exhibitionist night game. When Minerva saw what Harry had in mind, she quickly called Madam Hooch and all four Quidditch teams to get their input. Well, it was obvious that the Weasley Twins were all for the idea; the others were a bit skeptical though in the end they decided to give it a try.
The next Saturday evening, all four teams converged on the Quidditch Field for the first test of Harry's 'Glow-In-The-Dark Quidditch Match' and there was already a large amount of other students crowding into the stands. Under close inspection by Madam Hooch, Harry coated the Quaffle, Bludgers and Snitch with their respective colors then used a sleeve with the team's respective colors and attached to the player's brooms. He then used a brush to apply the respective team colors to the lettering on the back of their jerseys.
Once that was done, Madam Hooch called for everyone to take his or her places. First up was Slytherin against Gryffindor. The game's announcer, Lee Jordan explained what the different colors were about and when the referee blew her whistle, the game commenced. It was played just like a normal daylight game but it now had the added difficulty of not really being able to see the players, the 'streaking effect' as the balls flew across the pitch and the sudden appearance and disappearance of the Dazzler Snitch.
The game was a short one by design, no points were factored into the end of the year totals towards the Quidditch Cup but it didn't matter, everyone was having way too much fun. Each game was scheduled only to last two hours then the teams would switch to the next set. By the time that curfew was called, all four teams were exhausted but exhilarated by the outcome. Harry's glowing color markings were a huge hit and were now going to be featured in future games.
Harry approached his House's Quidditch Captain, Eric Hoffman, later and offered to make a Memory Sphere so they could record their training practices or even the actual games so they could be played back to analyze team actions and reactions. Eric was deeply moved and grateful that Harry would do this. Hufflepuff hadn't won the Quidditch Cup in a long time and was always viewed as the weak team in the school. Anything that could help them was a good thing.
"I'll need that Sphere back at the end of the season though," Harry stated to which Eric agreed.
After curfew had passed…
Albus had returned to the school earlier in the evening but avoided everyone as he grumped and stormed his way back into his office. He wanted to change out of his grubby clothes and take a nice, long hot bath and contemplate his next move against the brat. He ranted and raved about the injustices that had been placed upon him and plotted his revenge.
Fawkes finally had enough of the manipulations and machinations of Albus Dumbledore. With a sad trill, the eternal phoenix flamed out of the office and set off for parts unknown.
It was nearing the end of November when Harry got word that the trial for his godfather, Sirius Black would be held soon. The realization that the man had never had one before shocked the Wizengamot into action as the idea percolated through their minds that if the Heir Apparent of such a powerful family could be tossed into prison without a trial, what could happen to the rest of them? It would set an awful precedent that none of them wanted to contemplate.
Remus Lupin had been found and was brought in for questioning regarding the reason for his absence during the past ten years. It was found Dumbledore had told the man repeatedly that Harry was safe and shouldn't be disturbed by anyone from the magical world. Remus hadn't believed that and had searched relentlessly, stopping long enough to get a temporary job to fund his searches. It was to Remus' joyous relief when he was informed that Harry was indeed safe and currently enrolled at Hogwarts.
Harry also found the Headmaster had taken to, at first glance, stalking him when in the hallways between class or during free times before curfew. Each and every time, the look of anger, disgust and downright hatred washed over the Headmaster's face briefly before it was hidden behind a mask of genial indifference. It unnerved Harry very much and decided to make a note of each occurrences. If it got worse, then he'd send the list into Madam Bones and let her deal with it.
Monday 25 November, 1991 Great Hall, Hogwarts
Amelia Bones sat back in her chair and pondered the implications of some disturbing information that had surfaced in regards to the machinations of one Albus Dumbledore. The questioning session that she had with the man had piqued her outrage when Dumbledore had finally admitted to the fact that he didn't like Harry Potter being so independent and popular. She couldn't understand why though and unfortunately without the use of the regular Veritiserum and with his powers of Occulumency she couldn't get the answer she needed. They eventually had to release him afterwards. She also received a list of some rather nasty occurrences between the two in the hallways of Hogwarts from Harry. It was unfortunate, but until the man laid a finger upon Harry, merely glaring at the boy wasn't enough to do anything. But she did send a response thanking him for keeping her in the loop.
She had received a letter back on September sixth from all people, Severus Snape, in which he detailed the suspicion that the Headmaster was secretly rerouting money to his own personal account. Severus suspected that the salary normally paid to the History of Magic ghost professor, Cuthbert Binns, was being used for something other than teaching duties because as, Severus stated it, what use was there in paying a ghost a salary? He asked if the money was found, the school board could use the funds to hire a potions professor who could teach the younger years while leaving him to teach the ones who passed their OWLs? She could understand his reasoning, the man was a genius when it came to potions but had little patience dealing with the younger children. Pursing her lips, she decided to write to Susan to gain her niece's ground level view of what was going on in the school.
Amelia received the reply letter the next day and was horrified by the rumors of a mysterious artifact that supposedly resided behind a locked door on the third floor corridor. She was further horrified and angered by the reasons given by Dumbledore at the Sorting Ceremony that the corridor should be 'avoided by all those who do not wish to die by a most painful death.' According to Susan who said that there was a rumor of a large beast that lived behind the door and could be heard growling and scratching whenever someone got near it. Additionally, Susan complained on the poor quality of teaching in Potions, DADA and History of Magic, the condition of the school brooms and how unsafe they were along with a host of other problems.
Now determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, Amelia called together a team of Aurors, cursebreakers, Beast control, and a couple of Unspeakables. It was time for some hard truths and answers.
Director Bones and her assembled team of Aurors, cursebreakers, Beast control and Unspeakables apparated to the gates of Hogwarts just after lunchtime. They headed in and entered the Great Hall. Susan spotted her aunt leading the Ministry group and rushed over to say hello.
"Auntie? What are you doing here?"
"We came by to see what was being contained up on the third floor corridor," Amelia said, "According to my source, there's something not…right." She gave Susan a knowing look.
Dumbledore came striding over with a brief look of annoyance on his face, "What is the meaning of this intrusion, Amelia?"
"We have received intelligence that you are holding something dangerous in this castle, Headmaster. Something that shouldn't be held in the presence of young students."
Albus scoffed and waved his hand dismissively, "As long as the children obey my warnings, there's no danger. Now I think it's time for you to leave, you're disrupting the children's routine."
Amelia glanced at her colleagues with a disbelieving eye, "Headmaster, your attitude leads me to believe that there's something you don't wish for me to know. My team and I will NOT be leaving until you can give us a clear and believable reason for keeping a dangerous artifact in the presence of children and especially my niece. Now, shall we dispense with the bull or do you wish to have another 'conversation' in one of our interview rooms?" Albus gave her a glare and a much put upon 'grandfatherly' grumble.
Amelia directed the team of cursebreakers and Beast Control to head to the third floor corridor to determine the extent of the rumor. Minerva offered to escort them there and to explain things if necessary. She was secretly happy that things were shaping up as they were. She had told Albus repeatedly that she didn't want to be party to the 'whole mess' but was overruled.
While Albus and Amelia were arguing, a sphere like the one seen in McGonagall's class floated up to one of the Unspeakables. The Unspeakable gazed curiously at the sphere and saw that it had a note taped to it asking him/her to follow. With a brief glimpse to gain the attention of his/her colleagues, the Unspeakables followed the orb out of the room and to a small antechamber off the main hallway. Upon entering they found Harry waiting for them.
"Mr. Potter? Interesting method of getting our attention."
"Um…thanks…sir…ma'am…" Harry couldn't tell whom he was addressing as the person was covered head to toe in a shapeless robe with their face covered except for the eyes.
"Unspeakable is acceptable, Mr. Potter. You have information for us?"
"Yes, I've heard from the other students that behind a locked door on the Third Floor corridor is a Cerberus and that there is a mirror in a unused classroom just off the Library that shows amazing things to those who look at it. I don't know what it's all about but I think the Headmaster has been trying to get me to investigate the 'mystery' if you will. I have here a list of occurrences and incidents between the two of us since school started. Additionally, I hope that since you're here, one of you could check to see if the 'Curse of the DADA Professorship is true and if it could be removed? It's clear to a bunch of us that Dumbledore is…reluctant…to admit that he needs help."
"Anything else you feel we should know about?" Asked the Unspeakable.
"Yes, I've recently had an examination and extraction by one of your team regarding my scar and I think I should tell you that it only hurts when I'm in the presence of the DADA professor. I don't know if anything was done but since the man is still here, maybe you could interview him and find out his side of things. There's something creepy about the guy."
A pair of Unspeakables left to 'interview' DADA Professor Quirnius Quirrel. After a brief "interview," Quirrel was stunned and "escorted" from the premises while an Auror remained behind to substitute teach the class until his return.
Minerva led the cursebreakers and Beast Control team to the door outside the Third Floor Corridor where upon opening a simple locked door, they found the Cerberus and quickly subdued the creature. They then followed the leader through the trapdoor and discovered the nature of the other 'traps' including a particularly nasty nest of Devil's Snare! When they finally reached the last room, they discovered that the 'trap' was none other than the legendary Mirror of Erised. They were collectively disgusted with the idea that these rooms were ever supposed to capture or even slow down a Dark Lord. One even commented that a first year student would be able to get through all of this! The thought that any of the students could potentially get in and be hurt angered all of them.
Minerva informed the team that the mirror was Dumbledore's idea of a trap and contained the legendary Philosopher's Stone and could only be retrieved by someone who wished to find it but not use it for their own gain. One member gazed into the mirror and felt the stone drop into his pocket. An Unspeakable who had joined the excursion took the stone away and secured it for the return to the Ministry. After returning to the upstairs corridor, the Beast Control people prepared to move the Cerberus out. The Devil's Snare was left to Professor Sprout to deal with. The gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, stood by quietly sobbing at the sight of his precious "Fluffy" being carted away.
The Unspeakable who interviewed Harry asked Minerva about the so-called 'DADA Curse' and she replied that no one knew where or how the curse was applied. The cursebreakers examined the school's wards and found it to be a crazy mess that was in dire need of refurbishing. After nearly sixteen hours of study, they discovered the runes that directed the application of the curse in both the school's central Wardstone and a stone paver in the center of the DADA classroom. They were able to trace the magic to the Headmaster's office doorjamb and to the standard contract that all DADA professors signed upon hire. Minerva let out a sigh of relief once the curse had been cleared. Maybe now they'd be able to hire someone competent. The cursebreakers then finished clearing out and restoring the Hogwarts' wards to the way they were supposed to be. The final report of what was and wasn't activated was surprising and upsetting to say the least.
Later in the day…
Albus entered his office after his unscheduled and frustrating meeting with Director Bones. He had a terrible headache and a short temper from all the inane questioning. He called for a castle-elf to bring him a Headache Remedy and whatever was available for lunch.
"Damn that brat! I knew I should've Obliviated him when I had the opportunity! I am Albus Dumbledore, the boy should be worshipping me and heeding everything I say like everyone else." He muttered sulphurously. When Albus called for a staff meeting, he was surprised to learn that one of his professors had been 'called in for questioning' and had yet to return.
"Where is young Quirnius, Minerva?"
"No idea, Albus. A pair of Unspeakables took him away while you were in conference with Amelia. They did leave behind an Auror to substitute for the class." Albus just grunted at that news. He was not happy that a decision was made without his input or approval.
"Fine," he growled, "let's begin the rest of the meeting. Any other new business that I should know about?"
When all of the staff had left after the meeting, Albus sat back in his chair pondering what went wrong since the start of the year. It was obvious to him that he was being 'played' but for the life of him couldn't figure out who it was or why. He glanced up to Fawkes' perch but the phoenix wasn't there. Come to think of it, I haven't seen that flaming pigeon for a while now. What is going on with everyone?
Amelia finished reading the transcripts of her meeting with Albus. She had the notes pulled from memory of the impromptu meeting. There was something deeper going on than the mutterings of a man supposedly 'jealous of the attention given to an accomplished young inventor and author.' Despite not being a Healer, everything smacked of Albus suffering from dementia or some other mental disability.
She developed some suspicions as she read the report of the interview of Quirrel. It was determined from a medical scan taken during the questioning; he had a parasitic…something residing in the back of his head. Further investigation revealed it to be a possession of the wraith of Lord Voldemort! Quirrel had been quickly stunned and immobilized then sent down to the depths of the Department of Mysteries for further study. It made her wonder why Albus never mentioned the discrepancy before, he knew the young professor before his sabbatical to gain experience for the DADA position.
Then there was the report from the cursebreakers about the state of the school's wards. The wards that suppressed violence, anger and aggression had been turned off; the ones controlling mail distribution was rerouted and required a key pass from the Headmaster. There were a host of other problems dating back to nearly the thirteen hundreds as prior headmasters or headmistresses put in their two knuts as to how things ought to be handled.
The ward that detected the presence of Dark objects or spirits was the most troubling. It had been turned off the summer prior to the start of the school year. That suggested that Dumbledore knew about the possession of Professor Quirrel and set Harry and the Stone to be used as bait.
She made the official determination that if she ever got the chance to arrest Albus Dumbledore, he would be required to undergo a Mental Health exam by either the Mind Healers at Saint Mungo's or by the DoM.