Disclaimer: I'm too young to be Rowling so there is sadly no way Harry Potter is mine…

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

… … … …

MINISTRY APPROVED

CHAPTER 5

… … … …

VANDALISM IN THE CORRIDORS OF HOGWARTS

…

Detectives Filch and Norris investigating

.

Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sometime yesterday evening, or yesterday night someone went and unscrewed every chandelier in Hogwarts. Detectives Filch and Norris are currently leading the investigation. "It's quite troubling," Detective Argus Filch commented. "It seems that a person decided to vandalize our venerable halls. There have been portrays turned upside down, armours painted in green, red, yellow and blue and tapestries rolled up or hidden away. It has always been troublesome, but ever since the new Headmistress started her reign, it's been getting worse!"

The investigation into the vandal of Hogwarts started in the early morning when Headmistress Dolores Umbridge barely escaped a falling chandelier. Only then, it was discovered that every chandelier of Hogwarts has been unscrewed – some of them even have gone missing. As of now, only two of the missing chandeliers have been recovered. One of them was added to the collection of Professor Filius Flitwick's feathers for his Charms classes, the other one was found in Professor Snape's spare-cauldron collection.

"We already have a suspect or two," Detective Filch declared with Detective Norris miaowing in agreement. "Sadly, as of yet, we don't have enough evidence to apprehend them."

The vandal, suspects Filch, might not have worked alone.

"There is no way that a single person would have been able to unscrew every chandelier in Hogwarts," Detective Filch explains. "Even the most dedicated vandal would have needed days to manage even half of the deed that happened in one night." Detective Norris agrees. "No," Filch declares. "It's clear that it has to have been a collaboration of at least two, most likely, though, three to four people."

Of course, according to Filch, there aren't that many people dedicated to that kind of vandalism living in Hogwarts. "It's not possible that someone from outside of Hogwarts did that," the Detective explains. "In my eyes, the way the whole vandalism was conducted, points to one person in particular." The trouble, though, is the evidence. As of yet, Detectives Filch and Norris have no evidence to accuse and apprehend the vandal, nor do they have any hint for the vandal's helpers.

"We will find them, though," Filch said. "And if we do, we will ensure that they will be brought to justice!"

The Headmistress agrees and adds. "For every chandelier recovered, there will be a reward of one waiver for detention. For everyone aiding the vandals to escape justice, there will be punishment that will amount to the same the vandals will face the moment they are found."

"Mrs Norris will find them," Detective Filch promises. "Until now, she has been able to uncover every evil doer at Hogwarts. She will not falter now." And for sure, with a good nose as Detective Norris' this case will be solved within the upcoming days.

On a side note, there have been rumours of Peeves and Professor McGonagall spending last night roaming the halls of Hogwarts together.

Minerva McGonagall slowly and properly closed the newspaper.

"Roaming the corridors at night, Minerva?" Filius Flitwick asked amused and looked up from his own newspaper towards the Deputy Headmistress.

"I was on duty last night," Minerva said and dabbed her mouth with napkin. "Ensuring that the children didn't leave their beds – like every week."

"And you met Peeves?"

Minerva raised an eyebrow at her colleague. "You can't tell me that you don't meet Peeves on your rounds through the corridors, Filius."

"Well, I have to say that I met him sometimes on my rounds," Filius agreed and reached out to his tea cup and taking a sip. "Have you heard that the Headmistress is on warpath because of last night?"

"Hasn't she been on warpath before that? She has been cracking down on the student population quite harshly."

"Too true," Filius agreed. "I imagine, the way she's taking drastic measures, there will be soon no troublemaker left at Hogwarts. Why! I'd even say that we have less troublemakers than we had before already!"

Minerva raised a delicate eyebrow, before she pointedly picked up her newspaper and shook it out.

"Detective Argus only suspects three to four people, according to that," Filius pointed out. "That's less troublemakers in a night than we have to deal with usually."

"Are you not counting the older students that meet for a tête-à-tête on the Astronomy Tower or elsewhere at Hogwarts anymore?" Minerva asked drily.

"According to the Headmistress, students meeting in a group of two is allowed," Filius pointed out. "There is no specification as to when or where they meet, so I'm quite sure we can't call them troublemakers any longer, which is why the quote of troublemakers is certainly lower than it ever was in Albus' time."

Minerva just raised a delicate eyebrow at that. "I hope you don't just ignore those legal meetings, Filius," she said drily. "We have no room for a crèche here at Hogwarts."

"Oh, no," Filius said. "I just see no reason for detentions or point loss in those cases. The meetings are legal, after all."

Then, he took another sip of his tea. "Nevertheless, I'd suggest that we should go around and check the chandeliers today. We wouldn't want the next one to barely miss the Heasmistress again."

"Hmm," Minerva said in agreement and took a sip of tea. "That's quite sure a good reason to check the chandeliers tonight."

She took another sip. "I guess, I will talk to some people." She took another sip.

"I heard that Dolores Angels are still recruiting," Filius pointed out amused.

Minerva hummed. "Are you suggesting I should join a student issued fan club?"

"Well…" Filius turned the page of his newspaper.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think I'm a bit too old to join?"

"You could supervise them," Filius offered. "They certainly need some supervision. It would be better for all of us – and it might lessen the chance for a chandelier to narrowly miss the Headmistress."

Minerva put her cup down. "A narrow miss is still a miss," she said.

"Exactly," Filius agreed. "Which is why I suggested that you'd talk to Dolores Angels."

Minerva had nothing to say to that.

I hope you liked it.

'Till next time.

Ebenbild