Hogwarts and the New Headmaster

2. A Reluctant Invitation

Viridis had just cast the last of the cleaning spells when the knock on the door announced the arrival of visitors. With one last look around the room to ensure everything was in place, or at least hidden from view, he hurried to the door and threw it open.

Dawn stood on the porch, wearing her usual assortment of owls. Next to her was a man wearing an expensive suit. His face was flushed and dripping with sweat. Was this the person he was supposed to impress?

"Good morning, young man," the man said. "I'm looking for a Mr. Viridis Olwyn. I understand he lives here."

"At your service," Viridis said, bowing slightly.

The man's jaw dropped and he rocked back as if Viridis had slapped him across the face. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but no words came out. Viridis wondered if the bow had been too much.

"You're Viridis Olwyn?" The man finally gasped, sounding as if someone had their hands around his throat.

"Yes."

"The Viridis Olywn who graduated ten years ago?"

Viridis winced. Twice in one day.

Dawn stepped forward. "Good morning, Viridis. It's good to see you again." She held out her hand for him to shake.

Viridis stared at the proffered hand. Dawn usually greeted him with a hug, and she usually called him "Vir." Was he supposed to pretend to be surprised by this visit?

"Hello, Dawn," Viridis said, following her lead and shaking her hand. "It's good to see you, too."

"Let me introduce you to Sean Steed," Dawn said, gesturing to the man who was furiously dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief. "He works at the Ministry."

Viridis suppressed a gasp. The Ministry? Why would he need to impress someone from the Ministry? He wondered if he was in some kind of trouble. He held out his hand. "Good morning."

Steed stopped dabbing at his forehead and gazed at the hand blankly for several seconds before taking it. "It's a—pleasure to meet you, Mister Olwyn." An awkward silence followed as Steed and Viridis stared at one another.

Dawn cleared her throat. "Perhaps you might invite us inside?"

"Oh, right. Please come in." Viridis stepped to one side and motioned for them to enter, his mind racing. He watched Steed for any sort of clue as to why he might be here, but the man's attention was immediately captured by the collection of Hogwarts photographs. As Steed moved closer to study them, Viridis took the opportunity to pull Dawn aside.

"Shouldn't you be teaching a class today?"

"I gave my students the day off."

"Seriously?" Viridis said, feigning shock. "You're not turning soft, are you?"

Dawn shot him a nasty look. "Don't worry. I assigned each of them to catch a mudpuppy by the next class."

Viridis lifted an eyebrow. "Do your students know mudpuppies only come out after midnight, after they're supposed to be in bed?"

Dawn shrugged. "Depends on whether or not they bothered to read the chapter I assigned them first."

Steed suddenly pointed at a murky blue-black picture hanging on the wall. "Is that what the monster in the lake really looks like?" he asked.

Viridis nodded.

"I never would have guessed." Steed said, turning away from the pictures. "A most extraordinary collection of photographs you have here, Mr. Olwyn. The only item missing is a picture of the Forbidden Forest. It is part of the school grounds, you know."