A Taste of Magic

Chapter 80: 80th Course - Pleasantly Passing

"Come in," Dumbledore called out, not looking up from his desk. He finished what he was writing and then looked up at the person half-way across his office. "Oh, Drake, hello. Good to see you. I did not know you arrived, I would have met you at the station."

Drake nodded genially. "No problem. Filius came to fetch me, as if I could not find my way to the castle. My sense of direction is better than that."

Dumbledore sighed and sat back, waiting for Drake to sit across from him. "You are upset at me."

"Upset? Me?" Drake asked mildly.

"Yes. Or irritated. You are not being overly dramatic right now."

Drake smiled. "One might say my usual temperament is dramatic, so me acting more or less than that would be overly dramatic."

"Quite. Well go on then. Get it out of your system."

Drake snorted. "Fine. First, the formalities." He handed a rolled piece of very ornate looking parchment to Dumbledore. "You are officially and cordially invited to this year's International Scholastic Showcase. You and a selection of your students will be the guests of the ICW and will have the opportunity to show the world at large the educational abilities of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Head of Education at the ICW wants to share her sincere congratulations. It has been many years since Hogwarts last participated."

Dumbledore took the scroll gratefully, smiling down at it. The denizens of the portraits of previous Headmasters and Headmistresses cheered and clapped at the news, looking happy. "I never thought I would see the day," he said soulfully.

"The Head was quite impressed with the actions of Hogwarts and what she saw when she visited during the Triwizard," Drake said. "I offered to bring the invitation to you sooner so you may then have more time to prepare."

"Thank you, my friend," Dumbledore said gratefully.

"Of course." Drake said nothing more, staring at Dumbledore with slightly red eyes.

"Now is the time for informalities?" Dumbledore asked.

"Indeed. Give me one good reason for me to not go out and find this Quirrell and drain him of every drop of blood." Drake's eyes became blood-red and he leaned over, his lips peeling back to show very sharp fangs. "And if you tell me a prophecy, I will tell you where to shove that crystal ball."

"You spoke to Nicolas and Perenelle then?" Dumbledore sighed.

"Of course I did! I am also insulted that you did not consult with me!"

"It is much harder to get a hold of you! I was waiting for you to visit and I was going to get your opinion as well!"

Drake hissed and waved his hand. He took a deep breath through his nose and looked about. "Is it here then?" He looked at the locket closely when Dumbledore gave it to him. He turned it over and over in his hands, gazing at it. "It is disgusting," he said at last. "Whoever made this was equal parts too careful and too careless. The vessel is powerful but the magic around it is surprisingly fragile."

"I did some looking through my memories and some investigations with Alastor," Dumbledore said quietly. "We think that locket belonged to Salazar Slytherin."