Chapter 213. Dementors
"Your brothers must have put some hair gel on you," Adrian Wesson smiled faintly. "Ah, I hear you've been made Head Boy this term—congratulations."
"Yes, Professor," Percy said at once, very prim. "I will do the job well."
"You've always been an excellent student." Adrian patted Percy's shoulder cheerfully. "All right, it's about time. I'll be off."
"Wait!" Percy suddenly called after him.
"Is there something else?" Adrian asked.
"...Yes." Percy hesitated, then asked, "Professor, are you on good terms with the Minister for Magic?"
So it was about that. Adrian sighed inwardly.
Percy had probably noticed his interactions with Fudge.
He knew Percy had long hoped to work at the Ministry of Magic after graduation; it was perfectly normal for him to be interested.
At this stage, Percy was very keen to make the acquaintance of people with power and influence.
"Oh, that," Adrian answered casually. "We've only met a few times. I'm not well acquainted with Fudge."
"Oh. All right," Percy said. "Goodbye, Professor."
Percy's expression didn't change much, but Adrian could see the disappointment in his eyes.
For that, Adrian shook his head in secret.
Power isn't much of a good thing, Percy...
Lupin arrived at the Leaky Cauldron at the appointed time.
He was wearing a brand-new set of robes, and he looked remarkably well.
It seemed he'd been doing rather nicely lately.
"I took some time to rest," Lupin said, lifting his suitcase. "I feel good now."
"I hope you're prepared to deal with the curse on the Defence Against the Dark Arts post," Adrian poured a little cold water on him.
At that, Lupin gave a wry smile and shook his head. "To be honest, I don't think I'm anything special, but I hope I can last a bit longer. How are we getting to Hogwarts? If I remember right, the Hogwarts Express doesn't leave until tomorrow."
"Apparition," Adrian replied succinctly. "We'll go to Hogsmeade first."
Near noon, Adrian and Lupin reached the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
A cloying sweetness hung in the air.
Dumbledore was reclining comfortably in his chair, with a small box of Sherbet Lemons on the desk—the same as today's password to the Headmaster's office.
"Delighted to see you for the new term, Remus," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "If you'd turned me down, I truly wouldn't know where to find an excellent Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."
Lupin nodded. "Thank you for your trust, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore stood. "Ah, Professor McGonagall should be expecting you. She'll arrange everything for you. I hope you still remember where the Transfiguration professor's office is."
"Of course."
Lupin left, and only Dumbledore and Adrian remained in the office.
Dumbledore came up to Adrian—and suddenly paused.
"Have you got something on you?" He narrowed his eyes, studying Adrian in puzzlement. "Perhaps an energy of some sort, exceedingly... happy—ah, forgive me, I can't think of a suitable adjective."
"You're not wrong."
Adrian shrugged. A small silver hedgehog wriggled out from his sleeve and climbed onto his shoulder.
Dumbledore examined the little hedgehog closely; it winked at him mischievously.
"Is that... a Patronus?"
"More or less."
Adrian reached up to tease the little fellow on his shoulder, then said, "It hasn't wanted to go back lately."
"How unusual."
Dumbledore extended a hand to touch it, but it immediately hopped to Adrian's other shoulder, just like a real animal.
"This little chap is shy," Adrian changed the subject. "Professor Dumbledore, why did you want me back a day early?"
"Oh, that's another matter."
Dumbledore plucked a Sherbet Lemon from the box and popped it into his mouth. "You've seen the recent news, I suppose. A criminal has escaped from Azkaban, and that criminal appears to have designs on Hogwarts."
"Yes." Adrian nodded. "Sirius Black."
"Quite." Dumbledore shrugged. "So the Ministry will be conducting a sweep today."
"So I..."
"You'll be the one to receive them, Professor Wesson," Dumbledore said airily.
"Mm? Me?" Adrian was a little surprised.
After all, this wasn't the sort of task that ought to fall to him.
"Professor McGonagall is busy with other matters, and I've an important meeting," said Dumbledore. "You're well suited to it."
Adrian meant to decline, but Dumbledore, smiling, gave him a gentle push. "The Ministry people are already here.
Off you go, Professor Wesson."
Leaving the Headmaster's office, Adrian let out a sigh.
He wasn't keen on too much contact with Ministry officials just now—especially Fudge.
Thinking of that ridiculous rumour Mr Weasley had mentioned!
Dumbledore's heir?
Adrian suddenly felt a headache coming on.
With a touch of reluctance, he walked to the front gates of Hogwarts.
As Dumbledore had said, the Ministry people had arrived.
Old acquaintance Fudge stood at the front, with two oddly dressed figures behind him—both swathed from head to toe in heavy grey robes and wearing strange metal helmets.
Adrian had seen that get-up before; the two were guards from Azkaban.
And if Azkaban's guards were here, that meant the Dementors must be nearby.
"Glad it's you, Professor Wesson, even though we saw each other this morning," Fudge came forward, all smiles. "Business this time, though. The Ministry needs to inspect the whole of Hogwarts, to make sure no ill-intentioned person gets in. Dumbledore will have told you, I trust?"
Adrian frowned. "You've brought Dementors to Hogwarts?"
"Ah, an unavoidable precaution," Fudge said, looking a touch embarrassed.
Clearly, he too felt that bringing Dementors into the school was a bit improper.
But there was no help for it.
Seeing this, Adrian waved a hand. "Don't misunderstand, Minister. I think it's reasonable. But you must keep strict control over their behaviour. If any student is harmed in any way, the Dementors will have to leave."
At that moment, one of the Azkaban guards stepped forward, as if to say something.
Fudge raised a hand to forestall him and said, "Of course—no problem at all. We'd never allow students to be injured."
"Then we're fine," Adrian said with a nod.
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