MetaFic

31 October, 1981 - 11:49 pm

Albus Dumbledore stood at the edge of the clearing about the ruined cottage at Godric’s Hollow. An unsettling two days had ended with disaster. Emotions he thought men his age could no longer feel flooded him: uncertainty and cold fear when the Concutio Orb on his desk flashed to red; the uncontrollable tremor in his hands as he waiting for word from Hagrid; the bile in his throat as he learned of James’ and Lily’s fate; and the horror that whatever caused Voldemort’s Avada Kedavra to fail also left a fearsome scar on their orphaned child’s forehead.

Sirius, carrying a shrieking Harry, was arguing loudly with Hagrid about who should hold the toddler as Albus arrived at the shattered cottage. The only way Voldemort could have found the Potters was if their Secret Keeper told him directly. The notion that James’ best friend, Harry’s godfather, would betray them was beyond disturbing. Albus’ first impulse was to rip the child from the traitor’s arms and strike the man down on the spot. An immediate sentence to Azkaban seemed generous at the moment. Albus only refrained because he did not want the panicked boy to witness further violence.

However, the night’s surprises were only beginning. His knees nearly gave out on him when Sirius agreed to voluntary Legilimency and he discovered that the Secret Keeper had been switched at Sirius’ suggestion. Peter Pettigrew had betrayed the Potters. He was further surprised to discover that Pettigrew, along with Sirius and James, was an illegal Animagus. That knowledge would help immensely in the manhunt for the traitorous murderer. There would be time later for a long discussion with Sirius about the physical and legal dangers of being an unregistered Animagus.

Albus’ stomach turned again as he realised that Harry should have died along with his parents and very nearly did. One thing was horrifyingly obvious - the double-blind arranged by James and Sirius failed. They had selected Peter as the Secret Keeper for Lily’s Fidelius Charm. To draw the attention of Voldemort’s spy away from Peter, they had allowed the Order at large to think the obvious choice, Sirius, was their Keeper. No one had suspected the unassuming Peter was Voldemort’s mole in the Order. Albus sighed wearily, realising all too well that prophecies cared not about minor things such as human duplicity.

The subject of the Trelawney Prophecy was now clear, even if it still remained unclear what it might mean. The Longbottoms were safe, and Harry Potter was, for all time, a marked man. Albus pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to stave off the sharp pain growing behind his eyes. Harry was a marked child, barely over a year in age. He looked over at a very wan Sirius, who was cradling the boy and attempting to calm Harry’s frightened hysterics as he called out for his mother. Hagrid had left them and cleared the cottage’s wreckage enough to recover the bodies of James and Lily. The half-giant had laid them under a nearby tree and covered them with a bed sheet when young Harry’s frantic cries became too ardent. Remus then moved Voldemort’s corpse to bare ground, away from his victims. Albus sighed again; this headache was not going to go away. He felt the burdens of everyone else’s choices come to rest upon his own shoulders as he pondered the disaster that had resulted.

Standing in the dark, figuratively and literally, Albus had one of the dubious flashes of genius that he prided himself on, though he was never sure where they came from. Voldemort was dead, but for some reason his soul had not passed on. Harry should be dead, but he was quite alive, and again Albus did not know why. If he had nary a clue as to what happened, then no one would know what happened, or why, and any story would be believed. His grand plan might still be salvageable, and everyone’s hopes for peace might be still achieved. Time was of the essence, he could feel that, so he strode briskly to Sirius, calling for Remus to join him on the way. He summoned a plate from the remains of Lily’s Welsh dresser with a negligent flick of his wand.

“We need to do everything possible to protect Harry,” Albus pointed out. Remus and Sirius looked at him, confusion evident in their eyes.

“I thought that’s what we were doing,” Sirius responded bitterly.

Albus shook his head, ignoring the younger man’s retort. “The Ministry will have to be involved in this. We have no choice. But they don’t have to know all the details of what happened tonight.”

Albus took the plate, murmured, “Portus,” and tapped it with his wand. He handed the plate to Remus and then drew a gossamer packet from a fold in his robes.

“I asked James to loan me his Invisibility Cloak last week. Take it now. This portkey will send you directly to my office at Hogwarts. Use the Cloak to cover yourselves and go immediately to my private quarters. The password is ‘Vivaldi.’ No matter what happens, remain hidden there until I personally come for you. If any portraits notice you, tell them they are to do and say nothing without my express permission. I will be along shortly to explain more to them.”

Sirius looked down at Harry, still fussing fitfully in his arms, then back to Albus. “How long will we have to stay hidden? Harry will need food, nappies, toys, and all the rest. Surely you aren’t going to keep Harry cooped up in your quarters for long?”

“Unfortunately, he and you must stay there for the next few days. I will arrange for more suitable accommodations, but it might take me a week to do so. In the meantime, I insist that you enjoy my hospitality. My personal elf, Blinkin, is sworn to keep my secrets. She can be trusted and will appreciate the challenges a young child can bring.” Smiling ruefully, he added, “I am afraid she chafes a bit at the predictability of an old man’s needs.”

Remus held the plate-turned-portkey tightly. “What of the three of us after several days’ time? Nowhere is safe now, is it? Where can you arrange a new home for Harry?”

“I have several ideas concerning a sanctuary for Harry but no time to think them through at this moment. As far as the Ministry and public will know, Sirius and Harry will be in the Americas. I need you, Remus, to help me track down and capture Pettigrew. Then you will join Sirius and Harry.”

“What?” Sirius hissed. “America? Why are you exiling us to America?”

“Harry Potter has defeated Lord Voldemort,” Albus replied drolly. “For this momentous act, the wizarding world will be quite grateful. There will be considerable rejoicing, I expect, and possibly a holiday declared – though I shall try to oppose that. Sadly, young Harry was gravely wounded in his battle -” Sirius began to interrupt but Albus held out a hand to silence him. “- and was sent to specialised Healers in the Americas. As his godfather, you accompanied him, looking after his best interests. That ought to keep the Ministry from making any custody demands on him.”

“Custody demands?!” Sirius half-shouted hotly. “Harry is my godson! He is my responsibility! Not some bloody bureaucrat’s!” His face flashed an irate look before he began to calm the startled boy in his arms.

“You may know that, but James and Lily never filed the papers because Voldemort’s supporters are rife within the Ministry. Without any proof, the next person legally entitled to raise Harry is his mother’s sister, his aunt,” the old wizard replied curtly.

Remus gave the older man a blatantly sour look. “Lily and Petunia were not on the best of terms. Her sister hates anything to do with magic.”

Sirius seemed, in Albus’ eyes, to grow the hackles and canine teeth indicative of his Animagus form. “I will not allow anyone to send him to her, Albus!” he growled. “You would be condemning this poor boy to a hell on earth! I truly will take him to America before I let that shrew get her hands on him!”

Albus raised both his hands and hoped he could placate the two men in front of him before their frustrations manifested themselves in something beyond angry words. They were running out of time, and if Ministry officials arrived before they were gone, all hope would be lost. “Peace, gentlemen. Unfortunately, you are quite right, and I understand only too well the source of Petunia’s displeasure. Given his aunt’s antipathy to us, there would be a strong case for Harry to be raised as a ward of the Ministry.

“This child will be hailed as a hero, a saviour – you must both understand that. The Ministry will definitely want to control the news about this. While I can delay Minister Bagnold for a time, she - or rather less scrupulous petitioners beneath her - will want to make this child a puppet for their agenda. The worst case is that a wealthy family of Voldemort’s supporters might arrange to buy his guardianship. I doubt Harry would ever he heard from again. With a modicum of help from you, I can ensure that won’t happen.”

“The true problem of the evening is what that body,” Albus paused to point at the withered carcass that Remus had dragged away from the house, “tells us — the simple fact that Voldemort is not finished. Voldemort’s body is dead, but not his soul. He will be relentless in finding a way to return, and this is far from over. Until I find out why he is not dead and how to strike him down for good, Harry is not safe. Not now, and certainly not in the future. I want him secreted away and kept safe. With you supposedly out of Britain, the Ministry cannot lay their hands on him. Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and you, Sirius, will have sole possession of Harry.”

“Albus, is this necessary?” Remus asked into the strained silence. Albus’ blunt revelation of Voldemort’s continued existence had obviously rattled both of the younger men.

Sirius warily added, “I thought we were clever with the Fidelius Charm, and with Peter as Secret Keeper. For Harry’s sake, I can’t afford to be that clever again!”

Albus suddenly felt as old and frail as his years suggested as the three men glanced, simultaneously, at the bed sheet over James’ and Lily’s corpses.

“I… Several pieces must be put into place,” Albus said. “I will need several days to work out the details. For right now, Sirius, Harry will be safe with you at Hogwarts. Remus, I will need you to be part of the search for Peter. We don’t know if he is aware that Harry survived or not. Either way I prefer him to be captured as quickly as possible. That takes priority over any other Order assignments. Pettigrew cannot be allowed to remain loose. And we are running out of time to debate what to do next. We can change details later, but if the Ministry gets here before you leave, we’ll have no say whatsoever in this matter.”

A soft Apparition ‘pop’ caused Hagrid to look up from his search through the cottage’s rubble as Albus and Remus, wands already drawn, stepped in front of Sirius and Harry.

Seeing the wands on him, Alastor Moody held his hands away from his body, palms open, and nodded at Albus. “Vigilance! Good,” he barked.

“What special preparations did you make for the Ladies’ Choice Spring Ball in your sixth year? And why?” Albus demanded.

“Damn you, Albus! That was almost fifty years ago.” Albus and Remus kept their wands trained on Moody. “Dancing lessons. I hired a private dancing tutor so I wouldn’t tread all over Emmeline Vance’s feet. Are you happy now?” Alastor spat. “Albus, what is your least favourite Bertie Bott’s Bean flavour?”

“Ah,” Albus grimaced, “that would be earwax. One of the reason I much prefer lemon sherbets.”

Alastor gave a half-annoyed and half-amused huff. His bemused expression turned to a frown as he looked about the scene of destruction: the blasted cottage, the two bodies laid neatly by a tree, and a third body deposited on the bare ground near where they stood. He stumped over to the third body and gave it a kick with his wooden leg. “That’s him, then?”

“More or less,” Albus replied after contemplating the question for a moment.

“It’s quite late, and I’m in no mood for your word games, Albus,” the Auror growled.

Albus sighed. “Neither am I, my old friend. Unfortunately that is the best answer I can give you for now.” Turning to the younger men he said, “Sirius, show Harry’s forehead wound to Alastor. I will need his cooperation regardless of what choices we make.”

“What?! Is this necessary?” asked Sirius in consternation. “I object to Harry being an item for display.”

“It is quite necessary,” Albus lectured. “This scar is part of the story and mystery surrounding the events that occurred here. Please show him the boy’s forehead.” Reluctantly Sirius pulled back the cowl of Harry’s blanket and turned him for Alastor to see.

The old Auror came up to Harry and peered into the blanket. “Mordred’s buggered arse! What the hell did that, Albus?”

“That seems to be the question of the hour. I have some rough guesses, but nothing I would consider worth discussing yet. Let these three be on their way. There is much for you and I to discuss that does not concern them. Yet.” Turning to Remus and Sirius with Harry he said, “You have accomplished all you can here. Wrap yourself in the Cloak and activate the portkey. We must keep Harry safe.”

Alastor stumped back over to Albus as the other men disappeared beneath the Cloak. “What do we really have here, Albus?”

“Pettigrew is the spy.”

Alastor’s head whipped up at that. “How did Voldemort get their location? Black was their Secret Keeper.”

Albus shrugged. “Black and the Potters tried a ruse. They told us Black was the Secret Keeper because that is what we all expected. Pettigrew was the actual Secret Keeper.” Alastor stared at Albus, totally nonplussed. “Yes, quite a nasty surprise. It appears James duelled Voldemort, but I doubt he or Lily ever stood a chance. We can discover some of what occurred when we get back to Hogwarts and check their wands for recent spells. I have no clue as to what caused the cottage to explode. Hagrid is clearing away debris to make our survey easier.” He and Alastor began to walk towards Voldemort’s corpse.

“So that’s it for him, right? We can all catch a breath before rounding up the scum who followed him.” Alastor waited a moment, obviously expecting an affirmative answer. “Well, Albus?” he prodded. “Right?” he finished insistently.

Albus looked him in the eye and slowly shook his head. “Try the Transitus spell,” he said cautiously. “Tell me what result you get.”

Alastor performed a series of short, controlled wand movements. He ended them by saying, “Transitus Animitus,” then he swiftly ran his wand over the length of the body. A faint red glow surrounded the corpse then faded. He looked up in shock and muttered sharply to himself. He re-performed the wand movements and words with no change to the spell’s glow. Peering sharply at Albus, he asked, “What am I doing wrong?”

“That is the same result I achieved,” Albus told him quietly.

The Auror pondered this answer. “His soul is still tied to this plane of existence? This body is dead, but he isn’t?” Alastor replied incredulously. “How can that be?”

“Alastor, there is much here that is a complete enigma. You are right, though. Voldemort is dead, or should be, but he isn’t. Harry is alive, but he shouldn’t be. There seems to be nothing to explain the destruction of the house -”

“Pr’fessor, I’ve searched ev’rywhere, but I can’t find You-Know-Who’s wand,” Hagrid interrupted.

“Where were James’ and Lily’s wands?” Albus asked.

“They wer’ holdin’ ‘em,” Hagrid replied with a catch in his voice.

“Where did you find this?” Alastor asked, pointing at Voldemort’s corpse.

“He were righ’ near,” Hagrid paused a moment to take a breath and let it out, “near Lily’s body, an’ where Harry was in ‘is crib.”

“Where was James?” Alastor asked the large man.

Albus saved Hagrid from having to continue answering the questions. His groundskeeper was obviously close to breaking from the emotional blows the night had delivered. “He was at the foot of the stairs. It appears he fought Voldemort in an attempt to allow Lily and Harry time to escape.” Albus noticed a grim smile flash across Alastor’s face.

“Might the wand have fallen out of his hand when the body was moved?” Alastor wondered.

Albus paused and reflected on what he had been told or had witnessed personally. “Remus didn’t say that there was a wand when he moved the body. Hagrid, did you see a wand when you discovered it?”

“No, Pr’fessor.”

Albus removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose yet again. This night was getting longer: each new discovery resulted in too many questions with no apparent answers. He thrust out his wand and waited a moment. When nothing happened, he muttered, “Accio Tom Riddle’s wand,” and waited again. Clearly frustrated with this turn of events, he whipped his wand in a circle, the tip glowing bright blue, and called out, “Accio Lord Voldemort’s Wand!” He waited again, but nothing happened.

Alastor looked shrewdly at the older man. “Albus, who else has been here?”

“The Potters and Voldemort, obviously. Hagrid, myself, Sirius, Remus, and now you.”

Alastor frowned and stumped around. “Pettigrew is Secret Keeper, you say?” Albus gave a curt nod. “Then Pettigrew was most probably here with Voldemort. Any bets on whether Pettigrew took his Master’s wand with him when he left?”

“I need time to think,” Albus muttered impatiently. “Hagrid!” he called out. “Go to London and contact Barty Crouch. Tell him about this attack and that I ask for as many wizards from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as possible. Also tell him I have already contacted Alastor about Auror assistance.”

“Righ’, Pr’fessor.” Hagrid turned away and called, “Tenebrus! We got a bi’ more trav’lin’ ter do.”

Albus felt the need to caution his friend, for he knew that Hagrid tended to let secrets slip when he was emotional. “Hagrid, say nothing about Harry other than he was hurt, he is in Sirius’ custody, and you don’t know where he is. The boy’s safety from this night on is worth more than my life, do you understand?” Hagrid paled at this then nodded slowly. “Return directly to Hogwarts after delivering my message to Crouch. Refer any questions from the Ministry to me. However, when you get to Hogwarts, brief Minerva on what you know. Tell her nothing about Harry, Sirius, and Remus, though. I will need the use of your hut for a meeting after breakfast this morning, when I will discuss what we shall do with everyone who needs to know. I want you, Minerva, Alastor,” he nodded to the Auror, “and Remus or Sirius. Preferably both.”

“Yes, Pr’fessor. I’ll tell them about the meetin’ and make sure no one approaches me hut wi’out yer permission.”

“Alastor, I assume you can be at Hagrid’s by … let’s say, nine?”

Alastor grunted an affirmative as he stared at the spell damage to the wall near the cottage’s stairway.

“I expect Crouch’s people and a group of your Aurors to be here within the hour. We need to make sure this area is warded against any Muggle interference. They have become quite ingenious at ferreting out clues to our world over the past ten years.” Gesturing about the wreckage, Albus said wearily, “I think, old friend, that we still have a busy night ahead of us.”

1 November, 1981 – 9:03am

A very pale Minerva McGonagall walked into Hagrid’s hut and handed Albus and Alastor each a vial of Pepper-Up Potion. “You both look like you need it,” she said acerbically. Her stoic features softened as she asked Albus, “Is it true, then, about Lily and James?” Albus nodded. “Harry survived?” He nodded again. “And,” she glanced about and whispered, “Voldemort is finally gone?”

Albus frowned and sighed as she sat at the table with Alastor, Hagrid, and Remus. “That is part of this morning’s discussion, Minerva,” Albus replied. Minerva frowned back at his non-answer. He chose to ignore her for the moment. Addressing Remus, he asked, “I take it Sirius is feeding Harry breakfast?”

Remus shook his head briefly. “No, Harry’s finally sleeping. We didn’t get him settled until about an hour ago. Sirius wanted to stay in case Harry woke up. It was a rough night for… for all of us I suppose.”

“Where is the boy, Albus?” Minerva asked. “All I know is he survived. How is he, really?”

Albus looked up sharply as a Proximity Alarm spell went off. Remus’ and Alastor’s drawn wands tracked an owl as it flew through the window and deposited a copy of the Daily Prophet on the table.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. “A tad late, isn’t it? The post owls were here almost two hours ago,” she commented.

“Not even the course of human events can alter the schedule of a newspaper, Professor,” Albus remarked wryly. “But there are events that can make even the Fourth Estate move out of their comfort zones.” He unfolded the paper, nodded grimly, and turned the front page towards his companions. An overly large headline proclaimed a special edition about the defeat of You-Know-Who by the young wizard, Harry Potter.

Handing the paper to Alastor, Albus said, “This is remarkably quick, although even by the Prophet’s low standards it is light on actual facts. Alastor,” he asked, “you do remember what you once claimed, at the height of this war?”

Alastor snorted in what seemed mild contempt. “You mean that I would retire and leave the Dark Wizard hunting to the ‘children’? Well… I suppose I’ll have to, won’t I? My word has always been my word.”

“What if you only retire publicly?” Albus asked pointedly.

Alastor sighed with exasperation. “Am I going to like this? Not all of your ideas are as great as you think they are.”

“Do you feel you still have skills to teach? Would you consider taking on some special pupils in a few years?”

“A private tutor? Depends. Would it pay well? Who are you thinking of? And why the wait?”

Albus pointed to the paper open on the table. “This is an important story right now. But I will see that there’s little in the way of new information coming out about Harry. In several days, I think, the news will be of him being sent to America because his injuries require specialised Healers not available here in Britain.” Minerva sat up with an abrupt start, but Albus waved at her to remain silent. “Sirius shall accompany him. Remus, you will join them as soon as you can. There shall be intermittent stories from America about Harry, all vague of course, but most sounding rather dire. If I place a few rumours every now and then about injuries from which he might never recover, it will further confuse the issue. As time passes, if I am any judge of the human attention span, the stories about a dying Harry Potter will themselves die out from lack of interest.”

Minerva leaned forward and prevented him from explaining further. “You’re going to feed the press some cock-and-bull story about the Potter boy and Sirius going to America? What if the Ministry finds out!? With You-Know-Who -” Albus shot her a stern look, which she ignored “– gone, the Minister may no longer allow you to play as fast and loose with facts as you have lately.”

“Minerva, I am not ‘playing fast and loose’ as you call it,” he snapped at her. “Voldemort is not dead -”

“What?!” exclaimed Minerva, glancing from Albus to Remus, who merely nodded. Albus saw his own weariness reflected in the young man’s eyes.

“Both Alastor and I performed a Transitus spell on the body. Voldemort’s soul has not passed on. I do not yet know what he is, but it is incorrect to assume that he is dead. If he is not dead, we can rest assured that he is already working on ways to restore himself. Voldemort’s actions last night made Harry the one to fulfil the Trelawney Prophecy. This information must never get out. Harry’s life is now of supreme importance for all our futures.”

“But Albus,” she paused and blinked. With a hint of desperation in her voice she began again, “He’s but a child, barely talking and walking!”

“You are correct, as usual, Minerva. But Harry will grow up. And he must be allowed to do so in safety. Even if Voldemort is not a direct danger today, his followers are. Some of them will not rest until their Master’s destruction is avenged. Remus,” he said, shifting topics quickly, “I want you to continue your theoretical work.”

Remus rubbed wearily at his eyes before meeting Albus’ gaze. Hesitantly he said, “Lily’s death will hurt us, Albus. Her ability to catalogue my research and connect seemingly separate causes and effects was nothing short of extraordinary. Don’t get me wrong, Alice is a great help, but she is nothing like Lily.”

Albus frowned as he thought of the implications from the man’s comment. Their research was, in some sense, vital to the eventual elimination of Voldemort. More than that, however, it held the promise to resolve many open questions and perhaps lead to an age without Dark Lords arising on a quasi-frequent basis. “Does this mean the Order’s efforts are now at a standstill?”

Remus shook his head. “No. But I cannot continue at the same pace as before… as before all of this,” he said, shrugging listlessly.

Albus sighed in response, acknowledging the point. “It is not the pace, Remus, but the quality of the research. I… I understand how this impacts your work. Lily truly was a godsend, but I think Nicolas and Perenelle may still have slight contributions to make.” He paused and smiled at the young man to take any possible sting out of his rebuke.

“We have time yet. Harry and Neville are still quite young. It is imperative that we move beyond research, Remus - that we begin developing a magical training curriculum for Harry and Neville. It is Harry whom Voldemort has marked, but Neville remains no less important in the Order’s research. It is unfair to Harry, but he is now our only weapon to truly defeat Voldemort when he returns.”

“Weapon?” Minerva asked uncertainly. Her lips pursed, and something dangerous flashed in her eyes. “Albus, what are you on about?” she said coldly. “Harry Potter is a baby, just barely a toddler. He is not some weapon!” Her anger was almost palpable in the small cottage.

Remus looked equally disturbed at the revelation of what Albus was thinking. “I’m still uneasy that you perverted the Order into your own private army, and I highly object to you using my research to create a weapon rather than to create a renaissance in magical education.”

“Peace, Minerva, Remus. We have known since Sybill’s prophecy that Voldemort’s end was at hand. Neville’s and Harry’s birth dates met the prophecy’s criterion. And now Harry has been marked as Voldemort’s equal.”

Minerva’s voice sounded sick. “Marked? What do you mean marked? You have yet to tell me how Harry is and if he truly was hurt.”

Albus sat back and pinched the bridge of his nose. With his eyes closed, he explained, “Harry is fine as far as we can tell. When he is awake again, I want Poppy to come to my quarters and examine him so we know for certain. However, Harry has a rather unusual scar on his forehead. A curse scar.” Minerva gasped in shock. “I have a rough idea of what happened - whatever caused that scar is what prevented Harry’s death and struck down Voldemort instead.” Opening his eyes and looking at her, Albus continued, “But I haven’t a clue as to why or how Voldemort’s curse rebounded. James and Lily were killed with the Avada Kedavra. Suffice it to say that I believe Voldemort tried to use Avada Kedavra on Harry, too, and now the Curse has one known survivor.” Albus pointed to the Prophet’s headline that blazoned ‘Harry Potter - The Boy Who Lived.’ “Voldemort was struck down last night, but he was not killed. His soul remains tied, somehow, to this plane of existence.” Growing agitated Albus explained, “At least one of his attempts at immortality was obviously partially successful. Voldemort will return! I cannot begin to guess how he will do it or how long it will take him to return, but Harry must be ready.”

Albus paused as another worry arose in his mind. “Voldemort might well think he chose wrong last night. If so, he will eventually go after Neville, and Frank and Alice. Aurors of their calibre really don’t need additional training in defense” – Alastor gave slight snort – “but Neville can not be left defenseless. Alastor, let’s wait a fortnight to be sure, but if things go well in rounding up Voldemort’s supporters I think we can lift the Fidelius Charm over the Longbottoms. Harry will draw public attention after last night, but Neville remains important. I must see what I can arrange to ensure they are trained together.”

Albus let out a sad sigh as he looked at Minerva and Remus. “You might find this hard to believe, but I sympathise with your concerns about the boy. Your wish for us to raise Harry in a vacuum, against what is coming, is noble but misguided.” Albus’ voice grew louder, “I do not wish to treat him as a weapon, but I do wish to give him every chance of success against what will come. That means that he - and Neville - must be taught starting the moment they know what a wand is. Is this clear?”

When only an awkward and unhappy silence reigned, Albus continued in a quieter tone. “Alastor, in a few years, I will need you to visit Hogwarts on a somewhat regular basis. You’ll be here to teach the boys, but no one must know that.”

Alastor shrugged once. “I suppose I could always cultivate an air of instability. You know, one too many Dark Curses I couldn’t avoid or some such rot. Maybe after a few years of roaming about as a crazy, washed up warhorse, I can come and go on my own schedule. No one will look too closely at ‘Mad Moody.’” He smiled as the potential of this cover story registered.

“Do you need any help with that?” Albus asked slowly. A twinkle appeared in his eye for the first time that morning. “I understand there are several wizards who think me a ‘bit barmy’ myself.”

Alastor snorted once in response. “Thank you for the kind offer, Albus, but I can manage ruining my reputation on my own. It will take a few months to clear up all my outstanding cases and submit my retirement papers. I’m sure Crouch, if not Bagnold herself, will want me to stay on for a bit and help my successor. I want to be absolutely certain my latest training courses are in place, with people I trust in charge of training new Aurors. That time table might change a bit if the ‘children’ have problems with capturing some of the worst of Voldemort’s followers. The LeStranges, Carrows, Selwyns, and Malfoys come to mind.”

Albus nodded, understanding that no one would be able to just drop everything. “Take your time, Alastor. Don’t rush things, as we have a couple of years before Harry and Neville are truly ready to begin.”

Alastor nodded absently while muttering mostly to himself. “So young… Start about age four? Start them off with hide and seek … simple awareness games… yes… vigilance first…” As the old Auror smiled, Albus had some hope that his plan was not as barmy as he feared.

“But Albus,” said Remus, “where will all of this occur? And Harry, where will he live? If any Death Eaters even get a hint that Harry is within their reach you know that they will come after him. There is probably nowhere safe in Britain.”

Albus smiled faintly and knew that everyone else would be dreading what came next. Sometimes his own brilliance surprised him out of a sound sleep. “Usually I would concur, but not today. Today, I differ. Hogwarts is the safest place for him -”

“No!” Remus cut in.

“I beg your pardon. No?” Albus replied, surprised at the interruption. “What do you mean ‘no’?” he said curtly.

“Oh, bloody hell, Albus! You have a Death Eater on your staff, Lucius Malfoy’s henchman no less. Snape -”,

“Professor Snape,” Albus corrected.

Remus sneered with disgust and continued. “- Snape has ties to the worst of the other Death Eaters. He has a history of personal animosity with anyone whose last name is Potter. Hogwarts was never safe for the Potters, even less so now. Sirius and I refuse to place Harry in such danger. Think of another plan, Albus!”

“Remus, if no one suspects he is even in this country, given our ruse about the Americas, then I don’t see the danger. Severus will not be a problem, I can vouch for him.”

“Sirius and I can’t, and won’t,” Remus snapped. “I repeat, think of another plan.”

“Hogwarts is not a nursery school, regardless!” Minerva interjected. “It is not adequately arranged for even our families, let alone an orphan and several guardians not attached to our staff. And Remus is right; despite our efforts in the past decade, this school is far from being a secure sanctuary. Need I remind you of what almost happened after Lily and Alice gave birth here?” she warned Albus.

Albus’ superior smile flickered as he remembered that near fiasco. Mentally shuddering to himself, he stood and looked out a window towards the castle. By the greenhouses a group of first year students waited for a Herbology lesson to begin. Their whole demeanour was different from the day before. To him they seemed a bit more… carefree… he decided as he studied their postures and gestures to each other. How to keep them and their children that way was his responsibility for the moment.

In a near perfect imitation of his History Master, Professor Binns, he began to lecture. “One of the things I have always enjoyed about Hogwarts is the plethora of towers that reach for the sky.” The others looked at him, puzzled at his change of mood. “Why, if a tower were to disappear, I doubt anyone would even notice!”

“What are you playing at, Albus?” Minerva’s cool tone made it clear that she was highly annoyed with his apparent tangent. “As you stated, we have much to do and little time to do it in. There is no time for the luxury of parlour word games.” When he turned to meet her gaze, he was pleased that her eyes matched her tone. It was reassuring to know that he could be right at times like this. “The castle has never lost a tower once one appears. And we haven’t had a new tower added since the Secrecy Act went into effect.”

“I really think, for once, you are mistaken, Deputy Headmistress,” he calmly responded. “Towers, towers everywhere. House common room towers, guest and staff quarters towers, astronomy class terraces, and those used by the elves for storage. Would anyone even notice if a tower disappeared?”

“Get to the point, Albus. Unlike some in this room, I have a class to conduct later this morning,” Minerva sniffed. Alastor looked up from his ruminations and chuckled.

Albus glanced at Alastor and then back to Minerva. He sighed.

“Quite right, then. Harry needs a place to stay, a place that is safe, where he can be nurtured. He also needs a place where he can be taught to understand who he is, where he and Neville can begin schooling under the theory of magic Remus is devising. I will arrange to Charm and ward the corridor which leads to the tower entrances in the castle’s rear curtain wall. I’ll place one of those towers under a Fidelius Charm. It is there that Harry will be raised, taught, and trained to meet Voldemort when he resurfaces.”

Remus sat bolt upright, sucking in a surprised breath.

“Albus!” Minerva snapped. “Really! This is too much. Harry is a child, James’ and Lily’s child! I cannot believe we are even discussing this - he is not a tool to be honed and used at some later date!”

“No Minerva, in this instance you are wrong!” Albus spat, surprising everyone with his vehemence. “Harry Potter is not ‘a child.’ For better or for worse, last night’s event makes him The Child. Were you not listening to me? Voldemort will return, bringing his darkness back with him. I don’t know how he will do it, or how long it will take him, but there are many ways available to him. To ignore this leaves Harry waiting to be slaughtered. Voldemort knows Harry is the one. Harry is the only person that can rid us of him.”

“But you are the one he fears -”

Albus barked a bitter laugh. “And I hope he is foolish enough to continue to do so. Last night Voldemort marked Harry and condemned the boy to be the only one who can vanquish him.” Albus paused a moment, looking at the castle. “I have monopolised enough of your time this morning. Alastor, you have other duties to attend to, but I shall be in touch. Minerva, you have your students to teach. Remus, let Sirius know that I will have the tower’s Fidelius Charm prepared by week’s end. When the Charm is ready, I will personally be the Secret Keeper.”

“No!” Remus snapped again.

Albus turned to the younger man, angered by his second, negative, interruption. “I grow tired of your poor manners, Remus,” he warned angrily.

“I grow tired of your thoughtless machinations, Albus,” Remus spat in reply. Even Alastor sucked in a breath at Remus’ impertinence.

Remus took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “My apologies, Albus. I know you are doing what you think is best, but remember Sirius and I have lost our two closest friends, our family, and almost lost their child. If - and that is a big if - we agree to your plan, then Sirius must be the Secret Keeper. If you cannot agree to that, then there is no point in continuing to discuss these measures.”

Albus peered at the young man who had so bluntly challenged his leadership and wisdom. What he saw in Remus’ eyes was hurt and anger over the deaths of his dearest friends. They were among the few who had accepted him as he was. Albus also saw a fierce protectiveness for the one legacy James and Lily had left the world. Albus risked a brush of Legilimency, and that confirmed his suspicion. Remus and Sirius had anticipated his proposing something like this. They had agreed to accept only Sirius as Secret Keeper.

Albus mulled over this compromise. Agreeing to their demand would keep Harry close. It would keep Sirius, a loose cannon on a good day, close, too. Death Eaters feared Sirius as much as the Order feared his cousin Bellatrix. While Albus was loath to cede control of a situation, in this instance it was for the greater good. That phrase caused him to mentally shudder, but he knew it was true.

“I can agree to that,” Albus told Remus. He had to smile at the surprise in the younger man’s eyes. Clearly he and Sirius had expected more resistance. It felt good to know he could still keep people guessing as to his thoughts. “I want the three of you moved in this weekend while most of the students are distracted by a surprise Hogsmeade visit. There remains much to do in preparing an unused tower for long term habitation; I will explain more when we meet again, tonight after dinner. I propose bringing Filius into our plans. As one of two Charms Adepts -”

“There is only one left now, Albus,” Remus said with a slight hitch in his voice.

Albus sat, open mouthed and pale, for a second. In the rush of events over the past two days he had forgotten Lily’s tangible contributions to magical knowledge. Albus shook his head slightly; one twisted man had caused so much desolation.

“All the more reason to use his skills,” Albus continued, “the spells and Charms protecting Harry must be flawless. Filius is the only Wizard left in Britain for that level of Charms expertise, and he will be honoured to help Lily’s son.” He looked over at Remus, “Do you or Sirius have any disagreement with that?”

“Albus, Sirius and I agree to include him. Lily would be pleased that her mentor played a part in Harry’s safety.”

“Excellent! I will tell him about this personally. I think we are as far along as we can go for the moment. I wish you all a good day.”

Albus spent the rest of the day brooding in the solitude of his tower office. He brought out his Pensieve and reviewed his memories of the previous night, frowning when he realised there was little he had missed. He would be in touch with Alastor, Remus, Sirius, and Hagrid, gathering their insights and their memories for examination.

As far as Harry’s future was concerned, there was much to be done. He had the broad outline of his plan. All he needed were details and time. Harry was still but a child. A blasted child, he thought bitterly. “Damn you, Tom!” he snarled to the portraits about the office walls. Albus pondered his plan’s details; they, at least, were elements he could control.

There were no easy paths to choose - each had its dangers and pitfalls. The worst was to raise Harry in complete ignorance of whom and what he was. Remus’ and Minerva’s admonitions still rang in his ears, but he knew his original plan was best. As soon as he was old enough to understand, Albus planned to tell Harry what was coming in the boy’s future; to prepare him for Voldemort’s eventual return. In the meantime Albus would do all he could to learn what was needed to beat this monster and to determine how to pass this knowledge on to Harry. The existing methods of magical education would allow neither Harry nor Neville to grow to their full potential. He would have the original Order members, trusted people all, secretly train the two boys using the magical theory curriculum Remus was developing. The Flamels, Griselda Marchbanks, and Tiberius Ogden were already on the short list, but Albus began to ponder the benefits of Muggle learning as well as the deeply magical.

Remus’ work was more important that ever. That man, too, would have to be protected. He, along with Sybill and Severus, now had sanctuary within the ancient walls of Hogwarts. But the Potters and Longbottoms had not found that safety here. Was the Prophecy at fault? Would Harry actually have a safe haven now? Perhaps. If no one knew he survived, any doubts or rumours could become allies. Minerva was scandalised by the thought that he “played fast and loose” with the Ministry. Albus snorted in ironic humour. She would be horrified to realise that he was “playing fast and loose” with Fate itself.

But back to the boys… Albus would see to developing tools which helped them learn to control magic from an early age without realising what they were doing. And at some point Albus would have to become directly involved with Harry’s training. Oh yes, in the years ahead there would be much work to be done.

Leviticus Brown for the Daily Prophet. Last night He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named attempted the latest in a series of nasty murders. He appeared at a cottage in Godric’s Hollow to kill James and Lily Potter, along with their one-year-old child, Harry. While successfully murdering the parents, the Dark Lord was apparently not able to kill young Harry. For whatever reason, You-Know-Who’s Killing Curse did not strike down Harry but destroyed You-Know-Who himself. Harry miraculously survived the Curse but was severely wounded and is now under close Healer care at an undisclosed location. James and his Muggle-born wife, vocal members of the resistance against You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters, apparently thought themselves invulnerable to discovery, safely hidden under a Fidelius Charm (see page five, Merlin’s Gift: Ancient Magics).
According to sources close to the Potter family, James chose his old friend Peter Pettigrew as the Charm’s Secret Keeper. Pettigrew, unbeknownst to them, is a spy for You-Know-Who and betrayed their location to him. Pettigrew remains at large and is considered extremely dangerous. In addition to his role in the Potters’ murder, he is also an illegal Animagus, taking the form of a common rat (see page four, Animagus Revelius Spell). Any sightings of Pettigrew should be reported to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement immediately.
When asked about Harry’s astonishing survival of the Unforgivable Curse, Albus Dumbledore, Wizengamot Chief Mugwump and Headmaster of Hogwarts, said, “There is much that is unknown about what occurred last evening.” Besides noting Harry is the first known survivor of the Killing Curse, he declined further comment.
Minister Bagnold declared a holiday to celebrate the defeat of You-Know-Who by “The Boy Who Lived” (see story page three).

Milo Wonderwall for the Daily Prophet. In a surprise announcement, Minister Millicent Bagnold, together with Wizengamot Chief Mugwump Albus Dumbledore, informed the Daily Prophet Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, was taken to America due to his substantial injuries. Silas DeVaux, Senior Healer as St. Mungo’s, added the wounds resulting from his valiant defeat of You-Know-Who were so extensive and unique that the hospital could not give the boy hero proper treatment. He was taken to the unplottable Healing Centre, known to the social elite as a place to take wizards suffering unusual or extraordinary spell damage. Sirius Black, scion of the Black Family and The Boy Who Lived’s godfather, accompanied the child to America. He issued a brief statement regarding his decision to travel with young Potter. “I will spare no expense to ensure the finest Healers and techniques are used to heal my godson’s injuries. If I can’t find them in Britain, then I will search the world.” (See page ten, Black Family “Toujours Pur”.)
Beyond the rumour of an unusually shaped scar on his forehead, no accurate report of the child’s injuries has been released, leading to great speculation about how much Dark Magic was used against the boy.

Leviticus Brown exclusive for the Daily Prophet. In a stunning turn of events, Peter Pettigrew, the elusive illegal Animagus who betrayed the Potter Family to You-Know-Who, was captured yesterday morning. Remus Lupin, a werewolf befriended by James Potter, found the traitor and called in Aurors assigned to the wizard-hunt. An intense duel, ending with a large explosion, occurred in Ipswich on a street packed with Muggles on their way to work. One Auror, Jacob Rit, was gravely hurt and Portkeyed St. Mungo’s for immediate Healing. Three other Aurors received injuries of various sorts which required overnight observation at St. Mungo’s. The werewolf was also hurt, but St. Mungo’s refused him admittance to the hospital. He may have received care at the Hogwarts infirmary, but the school has denied any knowledge of this. A dozen Muggles were killed too, and the street and surrounding store fronts were severely damaged. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement lead investigator, Deputy Undersecretary Cornelius Fudge, noted this latest confrontation with You-Know-Who’s followers is a major crisis for the Ministry. “This is a real budget buster, with so many Muggles to Obliviate. The paperwork is overwhelming, and I don’t know if the Exchequer can afford it!”
Head Auror Alastor Moody issued an official statement that Pettigrew was brought immediately before the Wizengamot for trial. Barty Crouch, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, found him guilty and sentenced him to life in Azkaban (see page five, Voldemort’s Followers Require more Dementor Guards). When asked if the werewolf infected Pettigrew, Moody replied, “Pillock! It was a new moon last night. Lupin is no more a danger than you, probably less. Go away!” (see page nine, Dark Wizard Hunter Moody: Past his Prime?)

The Daily Prophet Staff. This newspaper discovered, Remus Lupin, the werewolf who caught the traitor Peter Pettigrew, left Britain and joined his friend Sirius Black to keep watch over The Boy Who Lived. Harry Potter (see page four, The Potter Family Murders) was sent to a specialised care centre nearly a fortnight ago for injures suffered while destroying You-Know-Who. The departure of a second Potter family friend to maintain vigil over the boy is an ominous sign for young Harry’s health. Neither the Ministry not the Wizengamot responded to questions regarding the child’s condition.

Rita Skeeter exclusive for the Daily Prophet. The followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named continue his schemes of chaos and confusion despite allegations of his defeat and disappearance three weeks ago, British wizards are shocked to learn of a vicious attack two nights ago against the Senior Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom. They were brutally tortured at their home in Lancashire by Rodolphus LeStrange, his wife Bellatrix, his brother Rastaban and a fourth, as yet unknown, wizard. There is a major scandal within the Ministry linking this fourth Death Eater to a Senior Ministry official.
Other than an incident to further terrorise the public in the name of their rumoured missing Master, the purpose of the attack remains unknown. Since the reported defeat of You-Know-Who by The Boy Who Lived, most accused Death Eaters were apprehended or forced into hiding. Those noble Pure-blood families subjected to the Imperious Curse by You-Know-Who have been freed from their slavery to Darkness.
The Longbottoms were held under the Cruciatus Curse for an undetermined, but clearly considerable, period of time (see page five, Bellatrix LeStrange, the Dark Lord’s Favourite?). They were admitted to the Janus Thickey Ward for Long-Term Spell Damage at St. Mungo’s, where their prognosis for recovery is bleak (see page two, St Mungo’s Incapable of Healing The Boy Who Lived?).
Head Auror “Mad-Eye” Moody, himself recovering from a Dark spell that destroyed his right eye while attempting to rescue the Longbottoms, released a statement condemning this pointless attack. In a separate statement, Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, vowed not to rest until the remainder of the Death Eaters are brought to justice. Perhaps we shall see how close to home this vow extends.

Leviticus Brown for the Daily Prophet. One year ago tonight, You-Know-Who met his downfall attempting to kill The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. After ruthlessly slaughtering the young hero’s parents, You-Know-Who’s Killing Curse was reflected back on him by Harry, thus ending his rampage of woe and misery. Over the past year many accused of supporting the Dark Lord were brought before the Wizengamot. Those found to be free of the Imperious Curse (see page three, You-Know-Who’s Use of Unforgivables) are in Azkaban.
The year was not without tragedy, however. Respected Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom were tortured to insanity by several Death Eaters three weeks after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s fall (see page three, Longbottoms, Respected Aurors). This attack also severely injured Head Auror Alastor Moody and forced his retirement after so many years of selfless service. Sirius Black, whose cousin Bellatrix was leader of the Longbottom attack (see page six, Black Cousins: Family of Contrasts), has yet to return from his sabbatical in America looking after his godson, the grievously wounded Harry Potter.
Numerous Boy Who Lived sightings have been reported to this paper. Last month, Daily Prophet reporters investigated a possible sighting of The Boy Who Lived in Kent. We came upon Remus Lupin, the werewolf friend of Black and the late James Potter, while he was on holiday. Lupin had no comment when asked about young Harry and has since returned to America. Another rumour, first mentioned in a notoriously unreliable broadsheet, is that Stubby Boardman is, in fact, Sirius Black using an alias as he travels between private Healer Centres throughout Britain. The Daily Prophet caught up with Stubby at a concert at Leeds (see page seven, Muggle Band “The Who” Not Associated with You-Know-Who). In an exclusive interview, he told this reporter, “If I were Sirius Black, with that family’s fortune behind me, do you honestly think I’d bother singing for the likes of you louts?” (see page eight, Stubby Boardman, His Best Years Are Behind Him).
The lack of news about The Boy Who Lived has many wondering - how Dark was the magic used against the child, and is Harry even still alive?

The Daily Prophet Staff. Britain has been free of the dark cloud cast by You-Know-Who for five years tonight. On All Hallow’s Eve 1981, You-Know-Who attempted to kill Harry Potter and was defeated. In the past five years, many in wizarding Britain have grown concerned because so little has been heard about young Harry, once known as The Boy Who Lived. Flurries of Harry Potter sightings were reported for several years after his departure to the Americas for specialised treatment. There are still occasional reports, but none have been substantiated. The last supposed sighting was over six months ago in Kathmandu. Harry, if he remains alive, was rumoured to be undergoing an ancient Oriental magical remedy to remove remnants of Dark Magic.
Over a year ago, this paper investigated a report that Harry was imprisoned at Azkaban for trying to raise a Dark Army. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement denied any such thing (see page four, Barty Crouch: Pride Before the Fall). Their statement requested an end to idle speculation and asked if people really believe a child who, if he lives, would have been five years old could command Dark Wizards and Dark Creatures.
Two years ago Daily Prophet reporters investigated a rumour that Harry was living with Muggle relatives near London. When asked if he would answer a few questions, the boy’s uncle, an obese and unpleasant Muggle named Vernon Dursley, bellowed, “Get off my doorstep, you freaks! Leave my family alone, never come here again!” He then slammed the door in the reporter’s face. A routine check with the Ministry showed no reports of accidental magic occurring in the area of their Little Whinging house.
Both the Wizengamot and Ministry officially scoff at any rumours Harry Potter became a Dark Lord. However, when asked if Harry Potter still lives, they officially and, more ominously, unofficially declined comment, asking only that responsible reporting be used in regards to a child to whom we owe so much.
Sirius Black was in England a fortnight ago, opening a new St. Mungo’s ward for the research and treatment of magical maladies. Beyond his chairmanship of the Black Family Beneficent Foundation, and providing Witch Weekly with a steady source of gossip, little else has been heard from Black. Stubby Boardman continues to deny any association with Sirius Black.

In a stunning announcement, Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall confirmed Harry Potter, The Boy Who Obviously No Longer Lives, was not on the Hogwarts Express yesterday, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Young Harry, if he had survived the horrendous Dark magic used against him, would have turned eleven this past summer. Although his name remains on the School rolls and was called out at last night’s Sorting Ceremony, he did not appear. When asked what that meant, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore replied, “It means nothing. Harry Potter has done a great thing for us, and his name will always remain on Hogwarts’ Rolls.” Asked if his absence meant Harry was indeed dead, Dumbledore looked taken aback and responded he, personally, was unaware of any news of that sort. Ever the petty tyrant, he warned the Daily Prophet not to spread unsubstantiated rumours (see page five, Albus Dumbledore, Nearly a Century of Superb Service. Is it Time to Retire?). In a move thought to presage the Potter boy’s arrival at Hogwarts, last year Sirius Black took a seat on the School’s Board of Governors. However, other than carefully orchestrated charity appearances and idle social gossip, nothing has been publicly seen or heard from Potter’s godfather in several years (see page four, Black and Malfoy Families Top Wizard Philanthropic List for Past Five Years).
Despite the occasional, and vague, pronouncement about Harry Potter, Ministry and Hogwarts officials have yet to answer the ultimate question: if Potter remains The Boy Who Lived, why is he not at Hogwarts?

Harry Potter, the former Boy Who Lived, achieved well-deserved fame ten years ago last night with his miraculous defeat of You-Know-Who writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Despite countless young wizards and witches who continue to wish him well, the statement by the Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress that Harry did not come to Hogwarts sadly verified the frequent rumours of his death. Officially, neither Minister Fudge nor Hogwarts Headmaster Dumbledore will confirm or deny news of the boy’s passing. Mr. Lucius Malfoy did issue a statement on behalf of the Board of Governors for Hogwarts, “[T]hat idle gossip about Harry Potter cease.” The statement noted, “Ten years after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, it is time to stop looking over our shoulders. While Harry Potter has been the subject of numerous children’s stories and used as a beacon of hope for a new generation at Hogwarts, we know he succumbed to his injuries, and should allow him and his brave parents to rest in peace. They are a part of our past and there they should respectfully remain.”
In related Hogwarts news, a Muggle-born witch was seriously injured last night by a Mountain Troll that apparently found its way into the School through the dungeons. Headmaster Dumbledore released a statement saying, “It appears to be a student Halloween prank gone awry, and the school is conducting an investigation.” Mr. Malfoy, again speaking for the School’s Board, noted their concern that Muggle-borns simply did not have the basic magical knowledge required to attend the school safely. Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, Dolores Umbridge, has long urged laws limiting attendance at Hogwarts to those with proven magical blood, as a way to prevent senseless tragedies such as this. The Board of Governors expressed concern with the Headmaster’s cavalier treatment of this incident, citing an increase in “pranks gone awry” over the past several years. Worried that Dumbledore is losing his touch, they pledged to take a closer look at his administration of the School.

Professor Quirinus Quirrell was found dead on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry yesterday, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Professor Quirrell had assumed duties as the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor this previous fall after teaching Muggle Studies for several years. This reporter learned the gifted young Professor was last seen after the first year students’ Defence Against the Dark Arts final examination. His body was discovered yesterday morning by the school’s Gamekeeper in the Forbidden Forest. Professor Dumbledore released a statement expressing sadness at the young Professor’s death. He noted Professor Quirrell seemed a bit off towards the end of the year. While this is a bit rich, considering the source, the Headmaster said he going to talk with Professor Quirrell over the summer break. As in other areas of his leadership at the School, he was a day late and a Galleon short. The young Professor was apparently killed by a poisonous snake.
Hogwarts Board of Governors spokesman Lucius Malfoy said, “This was a very sad year for our beloved School. Harry Potter was not aboard the Express in September, making certain the tragedy of his death. A Muggle-born student almost died because she lacked the magical skill to overcome a simple Halloween prank gone awry, and now a gifted Professor is dead due to a Dark Creature he should have been able to handle. While we have expressed confidence in Professor Dumbledore’s leadership in the past, the Board has notified the Headmaster that it is compelled to take a more hands-on role regarding his stewardship of Hogwarts.” As well they should.