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

Three Timelords and A Book

"Another meeting?" The Doctor said to Elise as the two of them traversed the courtyard, making their way back to the Hogwarts staff room. "Why do we have to go through another meeting? "

Elise, deep in thought, had not actually heard the Doctor's question, but shrugged her shoulders in response, nonetheless. It was dark now, and the grounds were brightly lit by torches set into ornate sconces which were mounted to the stone pillars surrounding the courtyard square. The firelight from the torches cast alternating patterns of shadow and light onto the TARDIS's outer walls as it rested silently on the ground where it had landed earlier today. As a result of that landing, the TARDIS had been depleted of nearly all its power and was not regenerating as it should. Something was preventing that, and the Doctor would much rather be spending his time searching for a solution than being shanghaied into seemingly endless consultations with stodgy old wizards.

Hang in there, old girl. The Doctor sighed to himself, then returned to his rambling.

"These people really like to sit around and talk, don't they? It almost feels like I'm part of a Woody Allen movie. You do know who Woody Allen is, don't you?"

Elise, still pensive, shook her head almost involuntarily.

"You don't?" he continued. "You really have no idea who Woody Allen is? Well, advantages of being young I suppose. Wait, maybe Woody Allen doesn't exist in your universe. I can't imagine that would be a bad thing, would it?"

Again, Elise responded obliviously, nodding in agreement. Since the previous meeting, Elise's thoughts had been fixated on the giants. Eavesdropping on a conversation outside the staffroom as they were leaving for their break, she had also heard Professor Hagrid mention other things that were assembling in the Forbidden Forest. Despite her familiarity with numerous supernatural beasts on her own world, she did not recognize many of the creatures Hagrid had spoken of—though they certainly sounded rather nasty. This changes things, she thought. It was settled now. Elise had to tell them what she knew—very soon. But I can't tell them everything.

Elise and the Doctor entered the staff room to find Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Lupin already seated at the conference table. Professor Snape was standing off to the side, leaning against one of the lounge's paneled walls. He was looking paler that usual, but he had already assured the others that he was only weary from his exertions earlier that day.

As soon as the door to the staffroom had closed, Professor Dumbledore started to speak.

"Thank you for joining us again, Doctor, Miss. Winchester." He smiled warmly as the two of them located their previous chairs and sat down in them.

"I imagine that both of you, by now, may feel that there are more pressing matters you need to attend to at this moment. However, I am certain that you will agree that the ensuing discussion will be of the utmost interest to you."

Dumbledore turned first to the Doctor and said, "Doctor, you may have noticed that I had intentionally omitted any mention of certain things in our earlier discussion about Professor Umbridge."

"Yes," the Doctor said, deciding already that this topic was going to be a waste of his time, "you didn't say anything about the Eye of Chaos."

"Correct, Doctor," Dumbledore went on, "I had preferred not to pursue that topic in front of the other teachers at the time for reasons that I believe will shortly become clear to all of you."

The Doctor glanced briefly at the expressions shown by the others in the room, which clearly revealed that they, too, were unaware of the direction the old headmaster was heading.

His eyes still fixed on the Doctor, Dumbledore continued, "I would be grateful if you would now tell us about the Eye of Chaos and, if possible, explain why the Beast would be so interested in it."