Author's Notes: I have received a few reviews talking about mistakes in names and so on. Thank you for pointing these out. I'm currently working on a dictionary for Harry Potter for OpenOffice so hopefuly these mistakes won't be repeated in the sequel.
And here is the requisite disclaimer. You know what they say: A disclaimer a day keeps the lawyers away.
My Car: Mine ... actually, the banks.
My Computer: Mine.
My copy of the hitchiker's guide to the galaxy: Mine.
Harry Potter: Not mine. All JK's
Prelude – May you live in interesting times.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, and Grand Sorcerer; Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards; Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Also famous for defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945 and discovering the twelve uses of dragon blood sat at his desk in his office and frowned.
This was not a usual occurrence since the man was rather jolly; had a taste for sweets; a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and if rumors were to be believed, was slightly insane even if he did prefer the term eccentric.
The reason for Dumbledore's consternation was the letter he had just read.
His phoenix Fawkes, trilled a inquiring tune.
"Yes, old friend. This is quite disturbing news."
This day had started like every other summer, term preparation day. The headmaster was still in his perennial quest to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position. That position had not been held by a single professor for more than one year in over 30 years. The applicants for the position were rather weak since most qualified instructors considered, and rightfully so, the position to be cursed. It would be easier to fill the position of Care of Magical Creatures teacher than the Defense position. The headmaster was re-reading the application of one Quirinus Quirrell, slightly amused at the alliteration in the name, when a post owl flew into the office from the single window overlooking the grounds.
The letter it carried was rather upsetting but the tone of the letter was offset by what looked like an ice cream stain.
The aged headmaster and his familiar sat in silence for a time, the headmaster contemplating the letter and the phoenix contemplating whatever it is that immortal avians contemplate.
Suddenly there came a knock on his office door.
"Come in Minerva, come in." He said before the person on the other side could announce themselves.
"One of these days Albus I will discover how you do that." replied Minerva McGonagall as she opened the door. She was carrying a letter and looked more than a little flustered.
"Ah Minerva, I see that you received one as well." He said pointing to the letter she was carrying.
Before she had a chance to reply, the fireplace burst into emerald flames and a head poked out of the flames.
"Albus, are you there?" came a male voice from somewhere at ground level.
"Alastor, this is quite a surprise! Come on through old friend." replied the headmaster.
A few moments later a heavily scarred man sporting a wooden leg and a roving electric blue eye came through the fireplace.
"Albus you'll never ... oh! Hello Minerva, I didn't see you there." This comment left both professors speechless as Alastor Moody's favorite phrase was "constant vigilance" and his eye could see through all types of matter. For the paranoid ex-auror to not notice someone in a room he had just entered was unheard of.
"What brings you here Alastor?" replied the headmaster once he had recovered from his initial surprise.
"Why you'll never guess who sent me a letter is all." Replied the grizzled old man.
But before he could mention a name a knock came at the door.
"That would be Hagrid." Said the both the headmaster and the old Auror simultaneously, sharing a grin.
"Let me guess Hagrid, you have received a shocking letter this morning?" Asked the aged headmaster a twinkle in his eyes and a smile coming to his lips. He leaned back into his chair, took out a small pouch, drew a small yellow sphere from it, popped it into his mouth and asked "Lemon drop anyone?"
This was going to be an interesting day.