The Wizard's Guide to Timelords and Other Demons Book 1: The Forgotten War

Prognostication

"Ah, Professor McGonagall, won't you please join us," said Professor Dumbledore as he arose and gestured for her to take a seat at their table at the back of the Grand Hall. Severus Snape and Remus Lupin also stood up, showing proper manners even though they had been waiting for McGonagall to arrive for some time now.

Only a few students remained from the hundred or so that had been there less than an hour ago for the initial breakfast rush. All of them were noisily engage in conversation on the other side of the hall as they finished their cold oatmeal and scones—pretty much all that had been left by the earlier group—and provided enough ambient cacophony to ensure a private conversation.

"I apologize for my tardiness, gentlemen," said a beleaguered McGonagall. "I did receive your communication Professor Dumbledore, and I strongly recommend that, in the future, we both refrain from using Peeves as a courier. I just spent the last half hour cleaning up what erupted out of all my ink wells at the climax of his fanfare."

"I believe it is I who must apologize, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said while Remus Lupin let out a small chortle. McGonagall glared at Lupin for an instant and he stifled it immediately. Then she took a seat at the table as the others did the same.

"I have just finished briefing Remus and Severus on the Acromantula issue, and they are as puzzled as we are," said Dumbledore.

"However, I did point out that the Acromantula colony has been at that location for over fifty years now. Perhaps they simply felt it was time to move on." said Professor Snape.

"Well then, unless Professor McGonagall has anything to add, I suggest we also move on," said Dumbledore. "Professor?"

"Other than bidding the Acromantulas a fond and enthusiastic farewell, I have nothing to add," McGonagall responded. "By the way, Albus, have you been able to meet with Elise Winchester?"

"Indeed, I have. I met with her this morning," he answered. "A very charming young woman. I can see why Sybil is so proud of her."

"Are you referring to Professor Trelawney's visiting niece?" asked Snape. "The one she keeps going on about, incessantly?"

"Yes, have you met her?" said Dumbledore.

"No, I've not yet had the pleasure," Snape said in a snide voice that was probably not intentional.

"But did you sense anything strange about her, Albus?" asked Professor McGonagall, eagerly.

"Nothing too unusual, really," replied Dumbledore. "I judiciously asked her a few questions intended to help me determine if she might be any kind of threat. And though I did have a sense that she was concealing things from me, there was nothing to suggest that she meant harm towards anyone at Hogwarts."

"What about the strange magic I sensed? Did you sense anything?" she asked.

"I'm afraid not, Professor," he replied. "It's quite possible that you had encountered Miss Winchester together with Miss Nott shortly after she used magic, and that all trace of it had waned long before my conversation with her."

"That certainly makes sense," McGonagall conceded.

"I would agree that further investigation may be warranted," Dumbledore said, "and were it not for a more pressing concern that is upon us I would certainly recommend it. In fact, it is for this very concern that I have invited Remus to Hogwarts to join us."