The Princess Witch - 1st book

Chapter VIII: The Forrest

The next morning, in the common room, before going to breakfast, the Gryffindor prefect reprimanded the quartet because he had received a letter during the night from McGonagall about their little nocturnal escapade and their forthcoming detention. He was so frustrated that he wondered how Gryffindor would get back into the points race in the space of a few months before the end of the year.
In the Great Hall, the students looked at the hourglasses and saw that Gryffindor's was empty. As the foursome began to sit down to breakfast, all the students stared at them as they learned from Draco Malfoy that it was they who had caused Gryffindor to lose so many points. The four friends ate their breakfast in silence without speaking to each other and as Dumbledore passed in front of them, Talia called out to him:
-Good morning Professor.
-Good morning Talia," replied Dumbledore.
-I wanted to know if it would be possible for me to come to your office later on to continue the discussion we had last night?
-Which discussion, my child? Yes, you can come to my office at lunchtime if you like.
-You don't remember our chat yesterday! How odd. But there's no problem with lunch later on. -All right, then. For your information, the password has been changed," he said, moving closer to them so that no one could hear the password. That's Stir-fried Ramen you later.
And he left. Talia looked at her friends and said in a low voice:
-I told you last night that Dumbledore was strange. I don't know which gorgon stung him, but I don't think he's the same Dumbledore I saw yesterday.
-Maybe it's the age," intervened Enola. How old does he have to be? Around a hundred, isn't he? -Maybe more," said Davina, swallowing her fried egg quickly. We've got to get to Defence Against the Dark of Arts.
They got up and left the Great Hall under the glares of the other Gryffindor students.
Within hours, the quartet had become the laughing stock of the entire school. Talia, who was the most popular for having won every Quidditch match for her house and the future queen, became the most hated in the space of a morning. Even Slytherin and Hufflepuff took it out on them, as they had all hoped that Gryffindor would beat Slytherin for once. Wherever the quartet went, they were singled out or insulted. Unlike the other students, the Slytherins applauded and bowed to them every time they passed.
As the morning wore on, the quartet had fallen silent, even in class. Even Enola no longer knew what to say to teachers who asked her questions about the lessons, for fear of making mistakes: she'd lost all confidence in herself.
At the end of class, Talia headed for Dumbledore's office as instructed. On the way, she heard Dumbledore's voice echoing through the ancient vaults of Hogwarts.
-As I was saying, there's no need to kill Hagrid. He's just a klutz. He'll never be an obstacle to our plans.
Talia froze. Dumbledore calling Hagrid a klutz? Was that even possible? And how could he be both in a corridor and in his office, where he should have been waiting for Talia?
Unsure what to do, Talia continued on her way to Dumbledore's office. There she uttered the password she'd been given:
« Stir-fried ramen! »
The staircase to the office appeared in front of her, and she climbed it thoughtfully.Dumbledore was waiting for her in his office. How had he got there so quickly? He was eating his stir-fried ramen without the slightest distinction. SLURP! SLURP! He was sucking down his ramen like a dementor sucks down the soul.
-Talia! Talililala princess as some people call you these days!
-Please, Professor, it's not a very pleasant nickname.
-I'm just having fun with it. It's true that I should listen to Professors Snape and McGonagall, who are urging me to launch a campaign against bullying. At the same time... Imagine this, my dear child, Hogwarts without bullying! What would become of the competition between the four houses?
Puzzled, Talia didn't know what to say.
-Well, my dear, I didn't ask you here to discuss the politics of just one school, but the politics of the world, the world of which you will one day be one of the greatest queens.
-It's true," Talia murmured. Sometimes I can hardly believe it.
-So, dear Talia, I think I should introduce you to politics. Let's start with a few simple ideas. Muggle-born: likeable or loathsome.
-Likeable! Some of my friends are muggle-born!
-Which ones?
Talia couldn't answer.
-Are you a Muggle-born, Talia?
-No, I'm not a Muggle!
-Then for the sake of your public image, make some Muggle-born friends! Now!
Talia nodded vigorously. She was then surprised to see Dumbledore disappear under her desk. SLURP! SLURP! Clearly, Dumbledore was drinking something without a care in the world for his young guest.
Talia dared to glance over to the other side of the desk. He was drinking from a large bottle covered by a label on which were inscribed foreign letters: Водка. Vodka!
-Let's see, Professor!" exclaimed an outraged Talia.
-SHIT!  It's a gift from Igor Karkaroff! I'm entitled to it! Go and cook yourself a dragon's dung, I'm entitled to it!
Just then, the office door flew open. Professors Snape and McGonagall burst into the room.
-Again!" cried Minerva.
-Professor, this can't be!" added Severus. Miss Winchester, get out! Minerva, we have an intervention.
-By Merlin's underpants and by all the billions of gargoyles, you won't get me!" cried Dumbledore as he made for the window.
Talia was surprised to see that the bottom of her wizard's robe was neon pink. No doubt one of the old man's eccentricities.
-GET OUT WINCHESTER!" cried Minerva and Severus.
And Talia left without asking for her rest.