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

Penguins and Professors

Elise and Professor Snape returned from the Great Hall to find the headmaster sitting at the desk in his office, waiting patiently for them to finish their lunch.

"Welcome back Miss. Winchester," he said, lifting himself from his chair to stand, "Did you enjoy your meal?"

As a matter of fact, she had. The house elves had arranged a delicious assortment of sandwiches, hors d' oeuvres and desserts, much of which Elise had consumed ravenously.

Was I really that hungry? She thought.

She reminded herself that her transformation often left her famished. Particularly when her time in the wolf-state did not include a meal procured through other, less civilized means, as it often did.

Professor Snape had been a perfect gentleman, at least as far as this was possible for him. Her ability to resist his mind-probing spells earlier seemed to have earned her quite a bit of respect from the Potions Master. Not to mention her having changed herself into a wolf in front him, though surprisingly, that had not seemed to impress him as much.

Nevertheless, her transformation somehow had the effect of allaying their suspicions of her, and this she could not understand. Furthermore, it was not so much that she had turned into a wolf as it was that she had become a white wolf. She decided it best to seek answers to that question later.

"Lunch was wonderful, thank you," Elise replied to Dumbledore's query.

"Splendid. Then, Miss. Winchester..."

"Please Professor," she interrupted, "call me Elise."

"Very well then...Elise," Professor Dumbledore continued, then gestured to a chair across the desk from the one where he had been sitting.

"If you wouldn't mind taking a seat, we are very eager to hear more of your story."

Elise walked over to the desk and lowered herself into the chair behind it. It wasn't a particularly comfortable chair, but it would do. She was also still feeling quite full after having scarfed down one to many chicken sandwiches.

"However, before we begin," Dumbledore added, "there is one more thing I need to mention to you. Something important."

Elise considered the old wizard's eyes that were now fixed on hers. There was something about those eyes that made Elise want to trust him. They were old, of course, and wise. She could sense that they had seen much sorrow over the years. But they were also kind, gentle and understanding. They told her that this was a man that she could trust—and perhaps even tell things to. Though certainly not everything, she thought sadly. The professor continued:

"I will be introducing you to a gentleman who will arrive shortly with Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore continued. "He is called the Doctor. He is not of the wizarding community, but we have compelling reasons to believe it essential that he be a part of our forthcoming discussion."

"He's a...Muggle then?" Elise asked. She had been hoping for the opportunity to use the word since she had first heard it yesterday.

"Not exactly," he replied, "but Professor McGonagall is currently going through great lengths to assist him in understanding the realities of our world."

Almost on cue, the door to Dumbledore's office swung open and in stepped Professor McGonagall, followed immediately by what looked like a penguin. The penguin waddled enthusiastically behind her, determined to keep up. Elise immediately recognized it to be an Emperor penguin, much like one she had seen during a trip to Antarctica a few years back. Only the wing feathers on this one were light brown instead of black. It also had a peculiar tuft of dark brown plumage on the top of its head. The penguin hurriedly scuttled out of the way as McGonagall closed the door behind her, then shuffled over to a nearby chair where it waited contentedly for its escort to arrive at its side.