A Taste of Magic

Chapter 76: 76th Course - Perseverance

"No alcohol?" Moody asked.

Dumbledore snorted softly. "I seem to have overindulged as of late, using it as a coping mechanism so I am trying to cut back some." He looked over as Moody stomped over to the cabinet. "Do help yourself though," he added dryly.

"Thanks," Moody grunted and came back with a bottle and several glasses. He poured out generous measures before claiming a glass for himself.

McGonagall accepted a glass. "So, what is the fallout then?"

"Officially, Hogwarts is not being held at fault for the events of the last Task," Dumbledore sighed.

"And unofficially?" Remus asked.

"Technically, a Ministry official was responsible for 'accidentally' including the lethifolds. They are holding true to that they received the wrong plans and it appears to be a genuine mistake." Dumbledore shook his head. "I find myself suspicious. Not to mention the weakening of the maze is also suspect. It is true that there were creatures in the maze that could weaken parts of the hedge walls, but they were not near the points of collapse until after the collapse happened, as far as the investigators could tell."

"Could it be a natural flaw in the hedge?" Flitwick asked.

Sprout shrugged. "It is possible but they were quite healthy as they were grown."

"And what did Maxime and Karkaroff say?" McGonagall asked.

"Luckily, they were not too upset. Obviously they had to do more to keep things contained but not even Igor is raising too much of a fuss." Dumbledore snorted. "Of course, his Champion won so that might be part of his good mood but I will take what I can get. He can be very difficult to deal with."

"He's a Death Eater, I can handle him," Moody said sourly.

Dumbledore refilled Moody's glass. "Of course. But yes, thankfully relations with the other two schools are fine. Better than fine honestly. Their students enjoyed themselves and had made it clear to their Heads. We will probably maintain good contact and they are already speaking of the next Tournament."

"That's a positive," Flitwick said brightly. Then he sobered. "And any more word from Quirrell?"

"He continues to blame Hogwarts and is telling everyone and anyone how much we failed the students and the Tournament," Dumbledore said wearily. "How it was a travesty from the beginning."

"Then why was he so eager to butt in?" Sprout asked, incensed. "He helped make it one!"

"I have no idea," Dumbledore said. "And we will have the whole summer to fight over the future of our schools and how things will be divided between incoming students and the Ministry." He looked at a glass of firewhiskey with a wanting expression.

"This is really going to change things for us, for Hogwarts," McGonagall said sadly.

"Indeed. There will be darker and uncertain times ahead," Dumbledore murmured.

After a long awkward silence, Remus cleared his throat.

"One of these days, you will actually need a cough drop," Dumbledore said with a weak smile.