Chapter 20
February 2 1996
My Dear Hermione,
I hope you are well, I can't wait for the next Hogsmeade weekend at the end of the month. I long to feel you in my arms again.
While Severus and Remus can protect you, please stay safe, between the potion and the continued articles, Dumbledore is becoming quite unhinged.
As you likely already know, the Wizengamot has voted to oust him from his Chief Warlock position and Amos Diggery has been elected instead.
Diggory and trusted allies are doing their best to sound out possible alliances within the Wizengamot members, it's looking like Augusta Longbottom might be on our side, as it appears Dumbledore was the one to cast the Fidelius to hide her son and his family, but also the one to suggest they were now safe, leaving them at the mercy of the Lestranges and Crouch Junior.
With the Wizengamot secured, it's looking like we're finally making headway.
Let me know if you hear anything from the students.
I miss you,
Percy x
February 26 1996
Darling Hermione,
I have talked at length with Lucius regarding his son, and it appears we'll have a long conversation with Draco sometime this summer. Lucius has said Draco knows he needs to dial down his behaviour, can you confirm he has done so?
Our allies on the Hogwarts' Board of Governors indicate the murmurs of dissent are growing steadily, and I highly doubt the Headmaster will still be there for your 6th year.
Severus tells me your preparation for the Potions NEWT is going well, and you should be ready by summer. Are you feeling ready for the Ancient Runes NEWT as well? I don't really know your Professor, but I can find you a tutor if needed. Let me know.
How is young Harry coping? As I understand, he's feeling much more stable without the Horcrux's manipulative magics.
I understand it's hard to witness the breakdown of friendship between Harry and the Weasley boy, thankfully Harry has a ready-made excuse due to Dumbledore's increasingly unstable behaviour.
I hope in time the Weasley boy can realise his mistakes, although I'm not holding my breath. I empathise with your desire to see your intended family on the right side. At least, the 2 oldest are. Both Charles and William have come back from abroad, they are currently staying at Riddle Manor to avoid detection, but are planning on finding a flat in Muggle London soon.
Do not fret about the movements, we are not planning for a full-on war, a political one of course, but it's best to be prepared.
Love,
Your father
Dumbledore's plans at Hogwarts, a secret ally for You-Know-Who?
Rita Skeeter
Dear readers, as promised, I continue to dig into Dumbledore's past to better shine light on his present.
Albus Dumbledore became headmaster after previous headmaster Dippet retired, a short few years after his duel with Grindelwald.
What has he been up to there since?
Quite a lot, as it appears.
Upon being made Headmaster, Dumbledore chose to seal the room used to help werewolves transform in peace and safety, he then blocked access to Hogwarts to any prospective werewolves student. Between this exclusion and Fenrir Greyback violent tendencies, the werewolf population has become even more ostracised and excluded from normal society.
The late Dolores Umbridge has drafted and passed a number of laws furthering the discrimination of werewolves. Were they working together on the topic?
What is Albus Dumbledore hoping to gain from this?
The long-term goal of werewolf exclusion is currently unknown.
However, my dear readers, this is only the first of the changes Albus Dumbledore has made.
Of course, we know of the ban on Dark Arts, using the rise of Dumstrang educated Grindelwald to justify it at the time. Dark Arts were being taught as an elective, starting in third year, the aim of the course was to understand Dark Arts, use them if really necessary, but mostly defend against them. It offered students a more complete education regarding Dark Arts and their Defence. The current DADA course doesn't allow students to understand what they are fighting against, nor does it allow for nuances or ethical discussions.
Current DADA Professor and known werewolf (the only one able to attend Hogwarts in recent years! More on pg. 9) Remus Lupin had this to say: "Dark Arts is a misnomer, all magic can be dark. You can use a levitation spell to throw someone off a cliff. The only thing that matters is intent."
The headmaster was not available to comment on the topic, rumour has it he is currently isolating himself in his office and refusing to come out.
Dark Arts was not the only course dropped of course, Albus Dumbledore also removed Alchemy (at the disapproval of Nicolas Flamel), Warding and Ritual Magic. He's also replaced the History teacher with a ghost, who seems to have a personal vendetta against the Goblin nation.
All those lost electives, and the subpar History course, had made Hogwarts reputation fall internationally. Currently the History OWL and NEWT from Hogwarts are not recognised outside Britain due to the narrow focus and prejudice of the current "professor".
One might wonder why Albus Dumbledore has chosen this course of action, it has led to weaker graduates, and has given wizarding raised graduates quite the advantage, as Warding and other topics are taught in many pureblood homes.
Is Albus Dumbledore trying to exclude muggle-raised children from the Wizarding World? This is only a theory of course, but we should look at the facts my dear readers.
I have unearthed reports from the Board of Governors trying to install a Wizarding Culture class, mandatory to all Muggle-raised students their first 3 years at Hogwarts, to make sure the culture divide could not go further and to bridge the gap as one might say. Of course, this brilliant proposition has been constantly shut down by one Albus Dumbledore.
Looking at all this information, one might wonder why Albus Dumbledore is trying so hard to fight against You-Know-Who? It appears their long-term goals are quite similar…
Daily Prophet under Fire!
Rita Skeeter
The Daily Prophet was targeted with Fiendfyre a few hours ago. Thankfully Aurors were quickly on the scene and were able to restrain the magic fire with no loss of life.
Adding to this attack, this reporter would like to come out and announce another targeted attack. A few months ago, before Yule, my home was attacked in the middle of the night and I was able to escape in the nick of time. I have been staying at a safe house since.
Those two attacks followed articles on the fall of Albus Dumbledore, and although it appears the Daily Prophet was attacked by You-Know-Who, one wonders why?
Did I strike a nerve? Is being compared to Albus Dumbledore an insult to the self-proclaimed Dark Lord? Or did I hit too close to the truth?
I will let you know.
Albus Dumbledore to step down from Hogwarts
Rita Skeeter
Following his departure from the Wizengamot, it appears Albus Dumbledore is losing his Headmaster position as well.
This morning, 6 March 1996, the Board of Governors voted to end Albus Dumbledore's contract at the end of the current school year.
His deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall is currently viewed as the prime candidate to take over.
Over the last year, Albus Dumbledore has lost the Chief Warlock position, his perfect hero image as this report uncovers more and more of his past each day, and is now losing Hogwarts.
Is the ICW taking notes? Being the supreme Mugwump should be an honour, is Albus Dumbledore the best for this job now?
June 28 1996
Percy,
I have taken all my OWLs and am feeling quite confident. Of course, I will now focus on the two NEWTs I will take this Summer session.
I did have a meeting with Professor McGonagall, and she accepted my reasoning for less OWLs. She doesn't know about the NEWTs, nor will she. Her loyalty to Dumbledore seems to weaken, but I'm not sure.
Speaking of, the Headmaster made a long-winded speech last night, saying he would be back and was being persecuted by the Daily Prophet printing lies. He said we would need him against Voldemort, the irony.
I should be back home around 6 pm tomorrow, I hope to see you. It has been too long.
Love,
Hermione x