TT14 Dumbledore gets told

(A/N I apologize for taking so long. I challenged myself to finish my first novella by June. so it took up all of my time save for when I hit road blocks and worked on this story. I completely forgot I had another Harry Potter fic, so I will be trying my best to catch up on for you anything as well. I have roughly 5 more after this one for time turned. ha... this chapter will be mostly snippets of different events that happened in the castle during the winter break. Enjoy!)

The castle came into view and the kids all took turns putting on uniforms. Persephone made sure she was completely turned away not looking back at the three. Her face was hot but she swallowed it away the best she could. The other girls however seemed to have no shame, talking to each other and not caring that the others were only in their underwear. Hades, taking example from the boys had actually padded after them, sitting at the feet. Persephone had dressed far faster than the others and stared at the wood for the door. Doing her utmost best to ignore the sounds of fabric. It was going to be a long few moments for her. Next time I'm just dressing in the bathroom. She thought to herself. Avoid all of this until I figure out what's wrong with me. Fortunately for them, they didn't have to take the boats again, instead there were carriages to take them up to the castle. All of them fit nicely into one, and they for the most part stayed quiet. Only the sounds of invisible hoofbeats could be heard.

Once inside the warmed castle and out of the cold air, the seven of them found their way to the round table. Persephone looked up to the head table, seeing master Epsi sitting beside Hagrid. The two chatted softly. Her eyes glanced up and down the table l, eyeing each professor but mostly on Dumbledore. He had a face that made it look like he had been sucking on a lemon. His eyes were straight down at his plate, his grandfatherly look was disheveled and out of sorts. He was even wearing a dark blue color robe, solid without any eccentrics. Wonder what's going on? Her eyes traveled more and that's where she saw the other newest person at the table. Her large witches hat was an eye catcher, the large vulture on the rim. Her face was weathered and tired but she still smiled chatting with McGonagall. "Why is my Gran here?" Neville spoke softly, shrinking into himself. "The fact she's sitting at the staff table I'm guessing she works here now." Cedric calmly responded. Neville shrunk more and that simply would not due. "Think of it this way, you can prove her wrong now Neville." Harry gave him a clap on the shoulder. Neville touched the new wand in his hand now. Thanks to Harry coming over and helping him convince his Gran, he had received a new wand and the improvement was astounding. "Yeah, guess I will."

Flash to Christmas at Hogwarts*

Dumbledore stalked the halls with a scowl on his face. Harry Potter had been able to leave, despite his protests to the senior staff. Minerva had held the strongest voice against him. Going so far as to get right up in his face almost touching noses, and telling him to leave the Potter boy alone. Dumbledore had relented but had been in a foul mood ever since. He had plans to have Hagrid talk to the boy and slip up about Nicholas Flammel. But so far Harry had wanted nothing to do with him, he didn't have a grateful attitude for being saved from his relatives, he had multiple friends and not a single one of them had been Ronald. The boy to install bias and shown proper light minded thinking. His face grew darker as his thoughts continued to darken. He killed the troll, the troll meant to kill the one girl, and it was close to a two for one. The hormones of a female troll had been placed in the girls clothing, but thanks to the friends he had made, the troll was killed and the friendships of the dragons grew. That was another thing. Hogwarts opening up the house of dragons. That wasn't the plan. He didn't spend the past two years perfecting his spell to confundus the hat to place Harry Potter in gryffindor for him to just go there instead. Now the Potter boy had allies, friends and the ability to become more than the moniker of the boy who lived. Once Dumbledore had reached his office, he slumped into his chair, eyeing the various trinkets on the shelf in front of him. As long as they whirred and puffed their little smoke streams, he could plan. So the boy didn't have the curiosity to figure out what was on the third floor. He couldn't even use the Malfoy heir to lure them into a late night escapade to 'accidentally' discover the Cerberus. He scratched his chin softly, plucking a candy from the dish on his desk, and absent mindedly unwrapping it before popping it into his mouth. He gave a soft sigh in delight, savoring the rich lemon flavor. Folks sat upon his perch and looked at his friend. He had come to Dumbledore when he saw the good in him. Lately though the phoenix saw less and less of the man he bonded too. Thanks to the events of Hogwarts unbinding the ward around the house of Pendragon, the other wards that had been put in place fell. All of the wards before the time of the locking of Arthur's house had been cracked and now threatened to collapse completely. The headmaster had no idea at the moment that the wards he had placed were failing or gone and Folks clicked sadly to himself.

Dumbledore began to mumble, shuffling through the scrolls on his desk. He chuckled a little, tapping a scroll with his pointer finger.

$$HP$$

Minerva, Filius, Pomona and Severus all sat in the hospital wing with the school healer waving her wand and muttering angerly to herself. "What is it Poppy?" Filius asked not liking the murderous look in the healer's eye. "That manipulative old goat! Each and every one of you have something on you. Each of you will be taking three flushing potions. One every three days. There is so much to clear out of each of you. Even that might not be enough. But it's a start." "Is it really that bad?" Severus frowned. He did not like the idea that even he, a potions master, could not detect something in his food or drink. "I'm afraid so. The rest of the staff will need checked too…"

"That might not be the best idea." Severus cut her off, causing the glare to turn his way and a shiver to crawl up his spine. "That is to say, inform them or the headmaster of what is going on. If he catches wind of it, he will just reapply the effects on them without them knowing. Might I suggest a…what do the muggles call it…check up? Yes a check up of the staff. Say it's a new thing you heard the other schools doing. Checking the 'general' health of the staff. But in fact do a hard inquiry and give them a flushing potion." The healer gave a soft humph. "That actually is a good idea. Have all the staff in at once, and give them flushing potions so they can't go blabbing off, and then the headmaster can come in after, have a pepper up saying it's standard for his age. He won't suspect." Ponoma spoke and the others agreed. "It may work. I'll schedule it to start tomorrow, not give Albus a chance to disagree."

Early the next morning, Poppy made the announcement for all staff to come to the hospital wing for a general check up. Albus showed a look of curiosity and a little apprehension on his face. "What is this about Poppy?" She gave him a smile. "Oh I heard that other magical schools were starting to implement this, a general check up, make sure there are no hidden ailments or whatnot. They do it two or three times a year. Keeps the staff healthy and ready to teach nothing serious Albus. I have you scheduled after the rest of the staff so you can have privacy." Albus cleared his throat and gave a subtle nod. "I can see how that may help. I admit even I hold stuff close to the chest when it hurts. Very well I shall see you?"

"In about an hour."

"An hour it is." With a sweep of his robes, which were a goddy yellow, he swiftly left as the other professors walked in. "Good! Everyone in front of a bed. It should only take a few moments for each of you." Professor Babbling was first, her body was scammed over. Poppy nodding and handing her two potions. "Standard flush and muscle knitting. Why didn't you come sooner to help with that knee?" The professor looked away embarrassed but downed the muscle first, allowing the potion to kick in. "Take the other in a half hour. Now off with you!" Poppy walked away to the next person. Next was professor Trelawney. The smell of alcohol wafted off of her and it made the Mediwitch crinkle her nose. "Well I can't perform my duties while you're like this. In bed, you'll be taking sobering potions tonight, we will continue our work up tomorrow." The spacey professor said some nonsense and quickly crawled into the bed, taking the large glass of water and the potion. She was snoring within moments, the potion allowing her to sleep away. With a shake of her head, she continued down the line. Filtch gave her a strange look but allowed her to do her work without comment. He was handed three viles, a small joint supplement potion, a muscle knitting potion and the flushing potion. "Take the last in a half hour. Oh and this." She handed him the single wrapped treat. "A vitamin for Mrs Norris." He gave her a grateful smile, quickly drinking the first two and giving her a nod before walking away. Hagrid had been next, he had a happy smile on his face, making the healer raise her brow at him. He said nothing though and accepted his flushing potion and nutrient potion and walked away, trying to get all the drops of the sweet potion out of the vile by slapping it to his lips. With a shake of her head and an eye roll she continued. Professor Sinistra was next, Poppy frowned at her scan and began handing her potion after potion. "You stubborn witch. How long has this been bothering you?" The witch wouldn't look her in the eye. "A concussion, calcium build up in your hand and wrist, three improperly set or healed toes, and irritated lungs?" Her glare darkened and the professor tried to look anywhere but there. It was an almost growl that made the professor look at the healer and give her a sheepish smile. "You're in for the night too. In bed. I have to rebreak your toes, set them, oooh you make me angry, Aurora." Doing as told to not ire the Mediwitch, she crawled into bed and took the first potion given to her. "I'll be back for you." She said lowly and the astronomy professor cowared.

Madam Hooch was next and only needed the flusher, she was in more often than any other professor due to flying lessons and refereeing quittach. Burbage also only needed a flushing potion and she gave a warry smile, knowing how unpleasant the next few hours would be. But inside she was thankful she wasn't one of the two professors doomed to stay in the hospital overnight. Professor Vector was given a mild draft of a headache potion, a potion to clear her lungs and the flushing potion. She also quickly escaped to avoid the Mediwitch. Quirrel was skipped, him being strangely absent. Perhaps his shadow was keeping him in his room. The Mediwitch chuckled to herself and went to her next victim…I mean patient madam Pince. Surprisingly she didn't need any potions, and just walked away after her scans. "Books need attending." The woman didn't even stop when children were absent.

The final professor stood there knackered and gave the Mediwitch a tired look. His eyes told horrors that she didn't even want to know. A pepper up was first, then a vitamin and nutrient potion mix, then finally with the same instructions, the flushing potion. With a hobble, the professor left, leaving the two female professors and the Mediwitch.

Dumbledore strode in after another few moments and gave her a look. "I see two need more care?" Poppy nodded. "One stubborn the other drunk. Seriously Albus she needs talking too or she needs to be let go. She can't be a competent teacher like this." Albus gave a sad nod of his head. "Alright Albus behind the screen." The headmaster did so, sitting on the stool provided for him. She began her scan furrowing her brow a few times and muttering softly. Once done she gave him a nod and handed him a couple viles. "Now, there is a potion in your hand that little pink one you

need to take it daily. Every morning you will come here and get it. Your body is beginning to fail you Albus. And because you have been stubborn it'll take a year maybe more to catch you up again. Repair the damages. Maybe be able to give you 10 or 15 more years. Had you come to me a decade ago we could have fixed this no problem. But now you are going to have to pray to the fates to let you see this year's first years graduate." Albus paled drastically. "Yes…thank you Poppy I will do that. This was a marvelous idea you had." He stood quickly drinking the first two, then eyeing the pink vial. "I'd take that last Albus." Poppy cautioned so he nodded and down his final potion before his pink one. The pink vile made him turn a bit green and he had to hold onto the curtains bar. "I see, will it always be this bad?" Poppy only nodded. "After breakfast, give it about a half an hour after eating and you should be fine." He swallowed dryly, quickly conjuring himself a glass of water and taking a sip. "Thank you Poppy." She only gave him a nod, shooing him out and turning her attention to the two still in her care.

$$hp$$

Albus had a bit of pep in his step, and the pepper up wasn't the reason for it either. After the foulness the potion had left in his mouth, he felt his whole body tingle. Reserves of energy he hadn't felt since his eighties returned and it made him grin. His mind felt clearer than it has in decades. Folks looked at his friend and gave a trill of a song. Only peeking up the headmaster more. "Oh folks I feel great. Now I can focus on the task at hand. Getting Harry to the stone .." he began to mutter again and folks sagged a bit. Just when the bird thought all was going right…

$$hp$$

Minerva and Poppy sat side by side in poppy's office, a parchment on the desk. "Well with all the memory evidence from the healers, the boy's own statements and such you should be able to get Amelia to investigate. Surely the boy cannot go back to that environment." Minerva sighed, stirring a cup of tea in her hand. "I agree, he is currently with miss Gallows for the yule break." Poppy nodded taking her own dip. "Well tell her that, let her draw her own conclusions. But I will sign every parchment I have to. Potter will never cross their threshold again." Both witches agreed and began to form the letter.

The letter had barely been sent when the floo roared and Amelia's head popped up in the flames. "Poppy, I need access." The Mediwitch nodded and stood, giving Minerva a look before allowing the auror in. Amelia bones had a look of righteous fury on her face, slamming a stack of parchment on the desk. "Is it true? Is Harry Potter being abused?!" Her face was red and her chest heaved. "We only just sent the owl, how on earth are you here already?" The auror sat and huffed loudly, a cup of coffee popped in front of her, she quickly took it and took a hard gulp. "I received a large letter back in September. I must have forgotten about it cause I rediscovered it on my desk while cleaning two days ago. At first I didn't want to believe it. Then I watched the vile memory from a miss Nymphadora Tonks. Then another from Penelope Clearwater. Showing the markings on his back. His reactions to touch. The single wizarding photo I have shows a close up of his back and I just." She sighed out letting her shoulders slump. "How do we proceed with this?"

"Very carefully Amelia." Minerva began. "You see we have to do a lot under Albus's nose at the moment. Just before the break I had to get into an altercation with him because he didn't want the boy to leave the castle. He has an unusual liking to him. He is currently with one of his house mates Persephone Gallows." Amelia gave a curt nod. "Any reason why he seems so fixated on the boy?" Both of the others shook their head. "Albus has always been tight lipped about his thoughts or reasons. And now we know why we never questioned him about it."

Amelia gave her a look that asked the transfiguration professor to continue. "I had a loyalty bind on my core and had been dosed with potions for years. But something happened. When the house of Pendragon reformed, the school shifted, like it was purified. The senior staff all noticed something was wrong." Amelia rubbed her face again. "And what may I ask is the plan for that?" Poppy gave her a smile. "Already working on it. Albus isn't one to go down easily. I have all the evidence by dict-a-quil in my office. All the staff had one thing or another. Only a few didn't need to be flushed." Amelia sighed louder. "You're giving me an impossible task…anything else I need to know?" Both women looked at each other then shook their heads. "I don't believe so, at least not yet. I'd write to the boy and see for yourself what he has to say." Amelia gave a curt nod and stood to leave. "I will be in contact with the school board. Let them know some of the staff were facing ailments and see if they can send a representative to oversee welfare and protocol. Not that I don't trust either of you, but one more in our corner will help for sure." With a click of her heel, she exited to the floo and flamed away. "Well that's one we can tick off." Poppy said softly, Minerva agreed.

$$hp$$

Augusta Longbottom stormed the halls of the ministry. Her face contorted into a deep scowl, eyes flaming in rage. People quickly moved out of her path when they saw her. Crackles followed in her wake and the floor beneath her splintered. Her forceful thrust of the door caused many to jump, Lucius being one of them. He was a proud pure blood, one who stood in the dark lords presents and only a few times messed himself for it. But he was no fool, Augusta was called a dragon for a reason and if she wanted blood, by the gods she would get it. He said nothing as she stood tall, shaking with rage. Letter in hand.

"I will tell you all now." She spoke in low tones. "If things are this bad the headmaster will not be headmaster for much longer." Her eyes bore down on each member of the school board. "A bloody troll?! Almost kills seven students, some secret is on the third floor and he is telling students they'll die if they go there? And now teachers are having to be treated for ailments that a random health check finds? Half of the teachers needing flushing potions? If any of you object to me asserting myself there speak now or by the Gods give me a reason!" Not a single person said a word. No one dared. Augusta's hair blew in a non-felt breeze as her anger truly crackled around her. Her grandson was the reason for this. Her only connection to her family left. With her son and his wife at saint mungo's there was little she could do. And Neville, was her pride and joy. Even if she never showed it. Now however a long sleeping dragon had been poked. "Good! Come the next few days I will be going back and forth until the term starts. Then I will be residing at Hogwarts for the foreseeable future. Good day." With a curt sniff and quick turn she left. Leaving the others sitting dumbfound. "Did anyone else see that?" All nodded. "Good I wanted to make sure that actually happened." "I feel bad for Albus. I think he just made his year a living hell." Another spoke softly. Lucius gulped and took a calming breath. Thankfully the blood to be spilt was not his, this time.

It took her a mere few moments to gather her wits about her and floo home. Neville was out with his housemates down at the local auction and she needed to move quickly. With the aid of her house elf, she was dressed and ready to go to Hogwarts with all the authority she needed. With permission from the headmaster she flooed right to his office. His grandfatherly smile faded away the moment he saw her ire. He then noticed the uniform patch for the school board and he felt his stomach drop. "Hello Augusta what can I do…"

"Silence!" She spat, cutting him off. Him in his shock said nothing and only stared at the witch who dared to silence him. "Now headmaster Dumbledore." She began, and his cheeks twitched. Oh great. He thought abysmally. "I act as representative from the school board today. And as such I will need honest answers from you Albus, your job could be on the line." Albus froze. "Yes, I see you realize my words now. I want to know why…no, HOW a troll got in the school, then about the neglect of the staff's health." Albus sighed and waved his hand, tea popping up for the two. "Lemon drop?" He asked softly, when declined he popped one in his own mouth.

He knew the dragon was out and it was best to give her as little of the truth as possible while still giving her enough to sate her. "We are still unsure how a troll got into the wards, but I have a suspicion. You see, I was doing a check on the ward stone earlier today, and the forming of the old house cracked the stone. Years of new wards and adjustments were cracked away, causing the system to reset. I believe the wards were still powering up and unable to sway the troll away." Augusta snorted at that. "Even the basic wards for magical properties, including Hogwarts have such installed on them to prohibit trolls from getting in."

"I agree, but alas I think the recharging allowed him to slip in and after he was in the forest, the wards came back online trapping him inside." Augusta nodded and took a sip of her tea. She made a face and called her elf to her. "I hope you don't mind Albus, but it seems like my Neville makes a tea blend I've grown to love. Can't seem to drink anything but it anymore I'm afraid. Doesn't even need milk if you can believe that." Albus internally scowled but gave her a grin. "No harm done. I'd like to try someday, perhaps on a weekend in case it doesn't allow me to sleep." He chuckled softly and the older woman only quirked her lip. "Now, Albus." She began again, her new tea in hand. "What happened with the staff?" That made him light up. "Poppy came up with a wondrous plan. Other schools had been doing this and she agreed to give it a try. She examined all the staff and discovered they were not one hundred percent. Half of the staff here is so stubborn, some were just dealing with their injuries. My readings tell me that it's to be two or three times a year type of commitment. The staff are now required to partake to remain at their best. The staff already seem to be much better." His eyes twinkled, trying to coyly play off the idea as his own. "Irregardless, I have the parchment for you here. As per sanction fourteen article three. A high inquisitor may be placed at the school to help investigate. Promote welfare and protocol deemed acceptable by the school board. So I have elected to take the position of a high inquisitor until I can see for myself the new regulations and health checks of staff are in place. It is not up for debate." Albus quickly read over the paper and his shoulders failed. It was of course an article he himself wrote, and such could not dismiss it. "Very well. We shall hold a staff meeting tomorrow and go over everything the board deems needed." Albus, defeated, slumped into his chair. "Very well. I shall have Minerva floo me when to be here. And one other thing Albus." He looked up softly, his half moon spectacles not rising high enough to see her fully. "Buy yourself black, Dark blue or green robes. Those." She gestured to his flamboyantly purple robes. "Are not official staff robes as headmaster you are to be the example for others to follow. Good day Albus." She left a smile on her face, as she swore sniffles could be heard from the old man. "What's wrong with purple?"

$$hp$$

back to present day Hogwarts*

The headmaster after a few moments stood and approached the podium. "Students and staff. I have two to introduce to you. The first is Madame Longbottom. She will be acting as a high inquisitor of Hogwarts. She will be watching the school carefully and making an official report to the school board. If she asks you to fix something it will be done or house points can and will be taken from her. She has the ability to give and take points like any member of staff can." Madame Longbottom stood and gave a short bow to the students before sitting once again. "Next we have our new head of house for the Pendragon house, Master Gerald Epsi. He will also be instructing the old ways of battle as an elective for third years and up. And all students will now be taking.." he looked down at a parchment before looking up again. "Basic martial arts. They will be on updated timetables." The man stood and gave a deep bow, then a bow to his new house. "Classes will resume tomorrow. For now let us eat!" He clapped his hands and the food appeared.

"High inquisitor Neville? You didn't know?" Draco asked softly. "Nope, makes sense though, she said she'd see me soon. Guess now I know why." Persephone chuckled to herself and looked to the headmaster again. Explains the robes. He must be just miserable.