Ch 9: Secret Books
"I would very much like to hear your opinion of Harry's progress, Minerva," requested Dumbledore as he leaned back in his chair.
Seated in another chair on the other side of his broad desk, McGonagall answered, "Well, it's only been two weeks, but I've been very impressed with his progress so far. If only he would apply himself like this during the regular school year, he might give Hermione a run for her money in earning top marks."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, yes. I too am very pleased with his progress. He is working very hard," His eyes softened. "He inherited so many wonderful qualities from both of his parents."
"Well, he could do with a few more from his mother and a few less from his father," replied McGonagall, but her face too softened as she remembered Harry's parents. "Do you realize I've given up trying to keep track of the number of school rules that young man has bent, broken, or fractured in just five years?"
"Really, Minerva? I was quite unaware that Harry was not following all of the school rules to the letter," said Dumbledore in a mock serious tone while his blue eyes twinkled laughingly.
Before McGonagall could reply, a voice from the fireplace spoke.
"Professor Dumbledore, it is Harivius Blinkblott. If you have a moment, I would like a word with you."
"Very well, Harivius," invited Dumbledore. "Go ahead."
A greenish head appeared in the fireplace and began to speak. Slightly surprised at seeing Professor McGonagall, he continued. "As you have requested, I have been keeping an eye open for any unusual purchases. Normally, I wouldn't bother you with this, since the purchase of that spellbook requires the immediate notification of both the Ministry of Magic and the Licensing Board."
Harivius Blinkblott was a co-owner of the famous Blinkblott bookstore in Diagon Alley, and one of the most widely respected booksellers in all of Great Britain. Very few books changed hands in the wizarding world of which he was unaware. Since the incident with young Ginny Weasley, Dumbledore had enlisted his aid in hopes of preventing another such incident. And with the return of Voldemort, Dumbledore had asked him to watch out for any type of suspicious activity, especially involving books about the Dark Arts.
"Is there a problem then?" asked Dumbledore earnestly.
"Well, I'm not quite sure. Let me explain. About two weeks ago, two of the Weasleys, Fred and George, began buying about every book they could find on Animagi. Of course, they didn't buy them all here-that would have been too obvious. No, they bought the books from about every source one can find in Diagon Alley, and even tracked down a few in Hogsmeade. That's what made me really suspicious. They didn't buy more than a book or two from any one source, and two thirds of those sources are not the kinds of sources that a normal wizard would uhh-well, come into contact with every day-if you know what I mean. It seems like they didn't want anyone to know they were looking for information about Animagi. But then they went and bought the latest edition of The Making of an Animagus: Ten Difficult Steps. But the purchase of that book, as you well know, requires immediate notification of the Ministry of Magic and the Licensing Board. It doesn't make any sense. Why sneak around and buy all these other books about Animagi secretly and then buy the one book that automatically informs the Ministry of what you're interested in?"
"So they've been making these purchases over the last two weeks?" asked Dumbledore, tapping his fingertips together as he thought. "Was there anything else?"
"I was just getting to that. It appears as if they have registered with the Ministry of Magic and the Licensing Board and declared their intent to attempt the Animagus transformation."
"What?" roared McGonagall. "They're too young. You can't attempt it unless you're twenty one. Not without a parent's signature giving permission. And I don't see either Molly or Arthur giving them permission. Well, maybe Arthur, but Molly would kill him. Is the ministry mad?"
"Well, that's a different question entirely, but I saw the paperwork myself when they purchased the book. And it appears as if Arthur has given his permission."
"But he is in Romania with Ginny visiting their son Charlie. They've been there all summer on … uh-vacation. They must have forged it. That's the only way," argued McGonagall.
"The Ministry uses very sophisticated spells to prevent this type of forgery. I doubt they've even seen this kind of age protection spell before," finished Harivius.
"Actually, they have Harivius. Though they failed to pass my age protection spell guarding the goblet of fire, they have had nearly two years to think about it. They are very clever and resourceful. Indeed, I would not be surprised at all if they had discovered some way to forge a signature capable of fooling the Ministry of Magic."
"Hmmm. Well, as disturbing as it is to think that they might have fooled the Ministry of Magic in order to get a hold of this book, this last piece of news is what I found most distressing. As you can imagine, they buy large quantities of spell components to create the various items in their joke shop. When I made some discreet inquiries with several shops, I found that in the last two days they have ordered several specific components in addition to the usual orders they normally place. These additional ingredients are all crucial ingredients for the potions necessary for the Animagus tranformation. And they have purchased enough components to make enough potions for not just two people, but as many as five or six. Knowing the type of business they are running, and being aware of their close ties to Hogwarts, I fear that they might be attempting to create some sort of joke that might turn students into animals or something. I'm not sure they realize the deadly consequences a prank of this nature might pose, and I thought it imperative that I warn you."
McGonagall looked stunned as Dumbledore thanked Harivius for the warning. The head in the fireplace disappeared.
"I never thought those two might actually endanger another student's life in such a thoughtless, silly manner. I'd better inform Molly. The next time I see those two…"
"Just a moment, Minerva. If Fred and George were really contemplating such a prank, it seems unlikely that they would buy the Making of an Animagus and register it. At the very least they would have tried to buy an outdated copy from someone who wouldn't see the need to report it."
"But why buy all those other books secretly, if all they needed was the Making of an Animagus?" asked McGonagall.
"I am getting to that. First, it seems that neither Fred nor George care if the Ministry knows they are trying to become Animagi. It provides them with cover if anyone else discovers that they are buying other books about Animagi or ingredients for the necessary potions. But they also purchased enough components for five or six people. Now I know those two could be careless in class, and I'm sure Severus would insist that they're incompetent in potions, but those two are very clever and actually extremely competent wizards when it suits their purpose. I seriously doubt they would be careless in trying to create the potions and spells of the Animagus process, nor would they anticipate needing to remake the potions two, possibly three times. No, I believe that they are openly announcing their intention to become Animagi so that three or four of their friends can secretly become Animagi."
"Who would…" McGonagall's brow furrowed in thought and then her eyes widened momentarily as she realized, "Potter. It's always Harry. He's always mixed up in these kinds of wild schemes. Honestly, how does he think he's going to be able to complete all of the necessary preparations while doing all the extra work we're giving him?"
"Oh, I agree with you Minerva. I'm quite certain Harry is involved. But I don't believe he will be the one doing all the preparations…"
"Well, it wouldn't be Ron. That only leaves…Hermione?! No, she knows better than this. This is much too risky. She's much more level-headed than the rest of them. She would never do something this dangerous," argued McGonagall.
"Normally, I would agree with you. She would think this foolish and dangerous. However, she is also perfectly willing to break the rules if she thought it was for the greater good or would help her friends somehow. I'm not talking about cheating in class or anything like that, I'm talking about things like breaking curfew and room restrictions to help Harry learn a spell or find clues to unravel a mystery. It does not always make sense to follow the old rules, especially if the world has changed, as it certainly has with the return of Voldemort."
"Yes, I suppose you're right…"
"Besides, who else besides Hermione would insist on acquiring every possible book related to Animagi?" smiled Dumbledore.
"Oh, yes. You're entirely correct about that," chuckled McGonagall. "Still, it's a very dangerous spell to attempt at their age. I've never seen students like these before. Honestly."
"Never?" questioned Dumbledore. "I seem to recall a rather rowdy bunch that called themselves the Marauders, and they too attempted a rather foolhardy spell in order to help a friend."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. But we'll have to keep an extra close watch on them."
"Of course, Minerva. But I am afraid that I am beginning to run out of eyes with which to watch young Harry," chuckled Dumbledore.
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