The Wall of Stone
This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy.
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Chapter 16 An Unpleasant Surprise for Albus Dumbledore 8 July 1995When Healer Dittmer entered the hospital room that morning, she observed that the patient was agitated. The news that New Management had taken control of Hogwarts had caused Albus Dumbledore to rant and rave for almost an hour before he calmed enough to be given a calming potion – the strongest emotions had to be expressed before a potion could be used.
The article printed yesterday with the Gringotts certification of the death of McGonagall, Snape, someone named Crouch, another unknown person named Tom Riddle, and the supposed heroic Peter Pettigrew, during the Triwizard Tournament was another series of shocks for the elderly wizard.
In conference, the healers shared their concern that Dumbledore might suffer a heart attack with these monumental revelations. Considering everything she'd learned about her patient and his age, Thelma Ditter schooled her features and called for everyone's attention. She stated, "DMLE Director Amelia Bones has notified me that she must speak to Patient Dumbledore this morning. It is a matter of some urgency to allow Hogwarts to reorganize and open on 1 September as scheduled.
"What does the Director want?" a healer asked.
"She must speak to Dumbledore about the position he will fill at the school in the coming year," Ditter replied.
Someone else asked, "Didn't the school fire him?"
"Apparently, Albus has a contract that states he can't be fired without a full year's notice," Thelma replied. "There's nothing like that in any contract at Saint Mungo's! Dumbledore isn't headmaster any longer, but the school must keep him on staff for another school year."
Sarcastically, one young healer asked, "Dumbledore isn't going to teach potions, is he?"
This comment generated mutters and grumbling around the table – the Healer's Guild had lobbied for ten years to replace Severus Snape – the number of qualified candidates for healer training fell precipitously after just three years of Snape's horrible instruction and never recovered. Every graduate from Hogwarts who wanted a position in Magical Britain that required a mastery in Potions was forced to pay for two or more years of remedial instruction arranged by the Guild.
The Department of Mysteries despaired for Magical Britain's future because the muggleborn deserted Magical Britain in every greater numbers because of prejudices and the shoddy education they'd received at Hogwarts.
To begin damning the wand drain, Hogwarts New Management published articles in the Daily Prophet and Quibbler that outlined the changes planned to improve education, and foster empathy between the different houses at the school.
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When the door to his private room opened, Albus was caught off guard by the two individuals who entered behind Amelia Bones. One was an Unspeakable and the other was a goblin dressed in the robes that their elders wore in the privacy of their deepest caverns (allegedly – Albus had never been into these caverns or talked with an elder).
"Amelia, I am not in the mood for company," Dumbledore said rather than greeting his visitors.
The Director of the DMLE smiled graciously and ignored the elderly wizard's statement. She nodded her head slightly to acknowledge a wizard of lesser status than herself and said, "Mr Albus Percival Dumbledore, elder in the common house of Dumbledore, we come today to discuss matters that concern you directly. If you refuse to meet and hear our announcements, New Management at Hogwarts will have valid cause to terminate your contract and dismiss you out of hand."
"They can't do that! You can't do this! I don't recognize whoever this is claiming to take over my school! When I am released from this illegal imprisonment, I shall return to my castle. The wards will obey me and eject these interlopers."
The argument continued for five minutes and during the exchange of veiled insults between Amelia Bones and Dumbledore, the Unspeakable was pleased to note that for the first time in his memory, Dumbledore was unable to cast surreptitious charms and compulsions on persons who did not agree with him. The aura of invincibility that had surrounded the old wizard for the last fifty years was missing. The Unspeakable did observe that the goblin cast more than fifteen wandless spells upon Dumbledore and study the old human closely.
Finally, Albus raised his single hand and said, "Very well, Amelia…say your piece and then leave me in peace."
"Today, I am present as the representative of the Ministry for Magic," the witch said.
Rudely, Albus interrupted her and asked, "Where's Cornelius? He is the proper official to represent the Ministry for Magic when speaking to me, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."
Ignoring Dumbledore's question, Amelia continued, "I have been charged to share important information that you must hear and acknowledge."
"I must acknowledge nothing," Albus replied. "You have no authority to force me to agree…to acknowledge anything."
Again, Madam Bones ignored Dumbledore's second declaration and said, "In general session with a majority of voting members present on 6 July, the Wizengamot vacated the seat of Chief Warlock. The continued illness of the current Chief Warlock, combined with the incapacity of the current Minister for Magic to perform any of his duties, forced the Wizengamot to act. Lord Lloyd Ogden was elected unanimously to the post of Chief Warlock."
"Once he was installed in office, Chief Warlock Ogden called for any motions. Mr Geoffrey Diggory made the motion that the Wizengamot vacate the position of Minister for Magic. The motion was seconded by Madam Griselda Marchbanks, and this motion also passed unanimously. In the subsequent discussions that followed, different members were nominated to hold the position of Minister for Magic for the balance of Fudge's term. In the end, the members unanimously agreed on Horace Greengrass as Minister for Magic."
Dumbledore allowed his dissatisfaction to show on his face when he heard that Greengrass was the new minister, though none of his visitors made mention of it. Until Greengrass was mentioned, the individuals named as making motions and taking offices were members of the grey and light sections of the governing body.
"How is it you weren't nominated, Amelia?" Albus asked curiously.
It was the Unspeakable who explained, "It is the opinion of the Department of Mysteries and all thoughtful persons in Magical Britain that Madam Bones chose to remain as the Director of the DMLE where she can continue to contribute to the greater good. Her duties as Regent Bones, match well with the position of Chief Governor for the Board of Governors for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Again, she serves the greater good there."
To hear his often-used reason for his actions used by someone else, the expression on Dumbledore's face grew sour and remained that way for the rest of the discussion.
"What is this Chief Governor?" asked Dumbledore. "I never approved of that!" But his question hadn't been answered when Amelia continued.
"On 29 June 1995, there was a press release from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where New Management declared they had assumed control of the school and the wards. The school has become sentient and fully powered the wards to provide the protections previous management allowed to fall by the wayside."
Grimacing to hear himself described as 'previous management', Dumbledore objected and once again argued for five minutes. However, nothing he said invoked any response from his visitors. He sighed and said, "You can't fire me. My contract demands that I have a year-long notice before I can be dismissed."
"Indeed," Amelia Bones, replying directly to the former headmaster for the first time. "In discussions between the New Management, Lady Marchbanks, and I, we discussed many ideas and facts. Hogwarts was displeased to learn about that requirement in your contract, but the castle will honour it."
"Then as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I demand…"
"Hold! Mr Albus Percival Dumbledore, you are no longer headmaster of Hogwarts. Per the charter of the school, you deserted your post and abandoned the children who were your responsibility. New Management has taken full control of the wards and planned to terminate your employment."
"I was injured at the end of the Third Task and since then, I have been confined to this hospital room," Dumbledore argued. "And my deputy and senior staff are present and in charge at the school."
The Unspeakable asked, "Mr Dumbledore, have you at any time since you have been hospitalized contacted any members of the staff at Hogwarts? DID you ask the DMLE to ensure the safety of the students?"
"Minerva and Severus have my full confidence and trust," Albus said with as much confidence as he could muster.
Amelia frowned and replied with scorn obvious in her voice, "No one has heard from Minerva McGonagall or Severus Snape since the night of 22 June."
"What?" asked Albus, obviously disturbed by this news. "Have your Aurors searched for them?"
"We have searched without success. Also missing are Ludo Bagman, Lucius Malfoy, Alastor Moody, and Walden MacNair."
Dumbledore mentioned, "I saw an Acromantula carry Ludo toward the forest while I was fighting other spiders. No doubt Ludo was cocooned, dissolved, and eaten that same night."
"We have another pair of names to share with you," Amelia continued.
"What about my position as headmaster! I will accept nothing less!
The Unspeakable nodded the cloaked head and agreed, "Your contract will not allow you to be demoted. Lady Marchbanks suggested that New Management promote you to the honoured position of Headmaster Emeritus for the new school year. Then in June 1996, you can fade away."
"Emeritus? What is a Headmaster Emeritus?"
"You will present lectures for the students based on your vast experience in alchemy, magic, government, and ICW policies to maintain the Statue of Secrecy," explained Director Bones.
Puffing up, Albus complained, "I will be nothing more than an animated niffler on my most beautiful robes!"
"Exactly!" the Unspeakable declared. "It is gratifying that you grasp your new role in the next year at Hogwarts so quickly."
"New Management expected you to fight wand and cauldron against this unique promotion," Amelia added. "But, nonetheless, we must speak concerning two more individuals."
Albus motioned for the Director to continue as if she were still a Hufflepuff in her first class to learn transfiguration. Amelia's eyes flashed with irritation, but she kept her tone neutral when she announced, "Peter Pettigrew's body was recovered from the site of that Fourth Task Mr Potter complained about in the article. Pettigrew had been alive only two days earlier and the tattoo of the Dark Lord was present on the man's arm."
"Describe the area around Pettigrew's body," ordered Dumbledore. "Were there missing body parts? A large cauldron? One big enough to put a body inside?"
Ignoring the questions, Bones continued, "The DMLE and Wizengamot want to know if you were aware that Pettigrew was alive all these years."
"That information is not important any longer."
"Mr Albus Dumbledore, if you are not forthcoming with friendly questions, I shall have you arrested – if you survive your hospitalization," warned Amelia. "Such an arrest will give New Management reason to terminate your contract before 1 September."
The Unspeakable added, "Answer the Director's questions, Mr Dumbledore."
Reluctantly Albus Dumbledore admitted that he'd been told about the survival of Peter in June 1994.
"That would be at the end of Mr Potter's third year at Hogwarts."
"Yes, I believe that is correct."
"And will you affirm that you were not aware that Pettigrew hid among the students at Hogwarts in his rat Animagus form from 1987? Did not the wards register its presence and report to you about the Animagus present in Gryffindor tower?"
"I don't remember," Albus replied dissembled.
Now Amelia pursed her lips and the Unspeakable added, "I am witnessing the manifestation of mental deficiencies in Mr Albus Percival Dumbledore. His promotion to Headmaster Emeritus is warranted and approved by the Department of Mysteries for the greater good."
"Wait! No!" Albus argued.
Ignoring the man, Amelia continued, "Mr Dumbledore, the DMLE is also searching for Mr Tom Riddle."
Despite his eyes growing wide and several twitches of the beard around his mouth, Dumbledore managed to sound convincing when he asked, "Who?"
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