SKREIGH- C.DIGGORY

32

The stairs to Dumbledore's office turn as Harry and Delilah stand on the top step. Once they get to the door of the office, a heated conversation fills their ears. Three different voices could be registers. One of them belonged the minister of magic, another to Moody and the final was the voice of their headmaster.

"A man has died here. And he won't be the last, you must take action," Dumbledore says.

"I will not," Fudge says. "In times like these, the wizarding world looks to its leaders for strength Dumbledore"

"Then for once show them, some," Dumbledore says.

"The tri-wizard tournament will not be cancelled. I will not be seen as a coward,"

"But surely that is what's right, no matter what others think,"

"What did you say? What did you say to me?"

"I said what I think, no matter what others think,"

"What about the Potter girl?" Fudge asks. "I have people demanding her be locked away in St Mungo's, it's being spearheaded by Thomas Newton. Many say she's dangerous Dumbledore. A threat to society"

"Delilah Potter doesn't have a dangerous bone in her body," Dumbledore says. "She's an exemplary student and many teachers and pupils will attest to such"

"She's a half breed Dumbledore" Fudge spits out.

"Prejudice isn't a good look for you Cornelius,"

"Excuse me, gentlemen, it may interest you to know that this conversation is no longer private"

The door slowly creaks open, revealing the two eavesdroppers who's eyes are wide, caught in the act.

"Harry! Harry how good to see you again and you Delilah," Fudge's voice was cheerful as Delilah stares at the man unimpressed.

"We can come back later Professor," Harry says.

"Oh, not necessary Harry the minister and I are done. I'll be back in a moment. Minister, after you. Harry do feel free to indulge in a liquorice snack in my absence, but I have to warn you they're a little bit sharp"

"Minister," Delilah says and Fudge turns. "Banshees aren't half-breeds so you might need to do some reading on them before you throw such labels around"

Harry and Delilah are left alone in the large office. Delilah begins to read the spines of the books on Dumbledore's shelf.

Delilah's eyes are drawn to a dark black book with silver writing on the spine. The book was about a magical item Delilah had never heard of. Horcruxes.

The sound of snapping and Harry's hisses of pain causes Delilah to turn away from the bookshelf. Harry had liquorice snaps attached to his hand causing him to shake his hand aggressively, flicking the offending items off his hand.

The siblings' attention is drawn to a compartment in the wall which had cracked open, emanating a blue light that ripples.

Delilah and Harry approach the compartment which had what looked like a birdbath. The liquid inside was the source of the blue light as it illuminates the siblings' faces. The two siblings lean forward, the urge to press their faces in the water overtaking them.

The sensation of falling is all Delilah can focus on before she lands harshly on a wooden bench.

It was clear to Delilah this was definitely not part of Dumbledore's office and was clearly a different time. The room they were in was a courtroom, with a spiked cage in the middle.

Delilah's eyes move to see a younger Dumbledore with darker hair than his usual stark white.

"Professor?" Harry asks.