Location: Hogwarts Headmaster’s Office. Present parties: A. Dumbledore, M. McGonagall, Phoenix (‘Fawkes’).
DUMBLEDORE: [Looking over a small packet of parchment] Well, if we’ve paid the plumber, I believe that makes it to the end of my checklist, Minerva. I trust the bill was nothing too egregious?
McGONAGALL: I’ve included the invoice in the file.
DUMBLEDORE: [Flipping through the packet and raising his eyebrows] Dear me. Makes you wish we were back in the old days, doesn’t it? We hadn’t made the upgrades yet in my youth in Mould-on-the-Wold. The more civilized among us used the forest or the shed, but I remember old Cornelius Codwallis would simply squat at a roadside ditch and then – flick, swish, evanesco! Elimination elimination, as it –
McGONAGALL: I am perfectly satisfied with our, er, modern solutions. But if you’d prefer that Argus do the cleaning by hand –
DUMBLEDORE: No, no. I merely digress along a charming reminiscence of simpler times. Pay the rapscallion his fee. Poor Miss Warren deserves a clean septic system on the anniversary of her death.
McGONAGALL: Yes, now that you mention that . . .
DUMBLEDORE: [Closing his eyes] You’ve spoken with Severus, I see.
McGONAGALL: I have.
DUMBLEDORE: And you share his concerns.
McGONAGALL: I – well, I was quite surprised to hear the Wizengamot’s decision.
DUMBLEDORE: Minerva McGonagall, calling for increased Ministry presence at Hogwarts? I never thought I’d see the day.
McGONAGALL: In a year – this year – and with no Defence specialist on staff –
DUMBLEDORE: Minerva. You disrespect your colleagues.
McGONAGALL: Surely you jest. Surely you know the man’s reputation –
DUMBLEDORE: [Smiling] I don’t know what you are talking about.
McGONAGALL: You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. The man is a charlatan at best – and the rumours . . .
DUMBLEDORE: . . . are nothing but. Where do they originate, Minerva?
McGONAGALL: You said it yourself. Plenty have forgotten, but I have not. Myrtle Warren. I was there –
DUMBLEDORE: [Chuckling] You most certainly were not –
McGONAGALL: I was there when the memory was still alive, then! This is the 50th year, we have no expertise on staff in the art of defence, and now we have no access to Ministry protection –
DUMBLEDORE: [Still chuckling] Where does this paranoia come from, Minerva? Where this concern?
McGONAGALL: The boy, Albus. My concern is for the boy.
DUMBLEDORE: Ah. This couldn’t have anything to do with any deals with a certain Dorset sporting club, could it?
McGONAGALL: I – I am offended that you would even consider it, Albus.
DUMBLEDORE: Forgive me.
McGONAGALL: Are you not concerned that he might be at risk?
DUMBLEDORE: If I had reason for concern, I would voice it.
McGONAGALL: Do you not – first this legislation, and then – this man – this – infiltration –
DUMBLEDORE: [No longer smiling] Minerva, I am sorry to say that you are out of line.
McGONAGALL: Don’t insult me Albus. I know what he is. I know who sent him. I know what he’s –
DUMBLEDORE: [Standing] Minerva. I am terribly sorry to repeat myself, but you seem to insist upon it. You are out of line.
next file: artefacts report #3>>
THE PENSIEVE PAPERS 