Harry Potter and the Enchanted Scroll

When Harry had arrived at Hogwarts, he still had a month until the school year started. Later that today, he had received birthday presents from Ron (a bag of tricks that Fred and George had invented) and from Hermione (a book about Quidditch Seekers, The Art of Seeking). Quidditch was the best sport in the magical world. Harry was the Seeker for the Gryffindor team. At lunch that day, Dumbledore had given him a birthday cake. He and the ghosts had sung a very merry version of Happy Birthday.

Dumbledore was the only teacher present at Hogwarts during the summer. He told Harry that most of the professors arrived in the last two weeks of August. So for two whole weeks, Harry was free to explore Hogwarts without worrying about being caught by teachers.

Harry already knew much about Hogwarts, including several secret passages out of the school. All thanks to the Marauder's Map that was given to him in his third year by Fred and George Weasley. It was a secret map of Hogwarts that showed where people were located throughout the castle. His father and his friends had written it when they were at Hogwarts. But Harry no longer had the map. Dumbledore had taken it when they had discovered that Barty Crouch Jr. was posing as Mad-Eye Moody, Harry's last Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

This day, Harry wanted to take a trip to Hogsmeade. He had been stuck in the castle for 2 weeks and he wanted to go out. He wasn't sure if Dumbledore would let him go by himself so he was going to try to convince Dumbledore to come with him.

He headed to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore's office was hidden by behind a stone gargoyle on the second floor. Harry spoke the password ("Fizzing Whizbee") and climbed the staircase that led to Dumbledore's office. He paused at Dumbledore's door, poised to knock, when he heard loud voices from within.

"Dumbledore, we must do something!" he heard the voice of Professor McGonagall shout loudly. "We just cannot allow him to gain more power."

"Minerva, this is what I have been striving to do for the last 2 months," said Professor Dumbledore calmly.

"Dumbledore, you must tell him. He is capable. Look at what he has accomplished in the 4 years he has been here." Harry had a strong suspicion she was talking about him.

"NO," said Dumbledore, loudly. "He must not know until he is ready."

"But Dumbled..." implored Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva...." Dumbledore said. Harry could tell by the sound of his voice that Dumbledore was getting impatient and wanted the matter dropped.

"Very well. What shall we do in the mean time?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"We shall continue doing what we have been doing," replied Dumbledore. "We must allow Lord Voldemort to make the first move, which he did two weeks ago."

"How is Harry?"

"He was unharmed," said Dumbledore, simply.

"How did he find him?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"I am not quite sure. Obviously, the magic I used fourteen years ago was not enough. How he was able to circumvent it, I am not sure."

"What are you going to do now?" she asked again.

"Right now, I am going to go the Ministry of Magic to try and convince them that Voldemort is back. Perhaps now, they will see the truth."

"Dumbledore, they aren't going to listen. They don't want to listen," said Professor McGonagall.

"That does not mean we should stop trying to convince of them of the truth," replied Dumbledore. "I must go. Can you stay and protect Harry and prepare things for the coming school term?"

"Of course," replied Professor McGonagall.

"I expect the rest of the staff to arrive in the next couple of days. Inform them what has happened and let them know I will speak with them when I return."

Harry decided that he should knock because he did not want Professor Dumbledore to catch him outside his door when he left. He rapped on the door twice and waited for an "Enter" from Dumbledore.

"Professor Dumbledore.... Professor McGonagall, what are you doing here?" He pretended to be surprised to see her.

"She just arrived this morning, Harry. What can I do for you?" asked Professor Dumbledore, a kind look on his face.

"Uh.. I was wondering if we could go to Hogsmeade? You know, get out of the castle?" asked Harry.

Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, I guess it can rather boring here during the summer." His face became serious. "Unfortunately, we will have to do it another time. I must go to London for a week. Professor McGonagall will be here with you in my absence. Perhaps she would like to accompany you to Hogsmeade."

Harry turned to her and waited for her answer. "Well...I suppose I could go for a couple of hours."

"Excellent," exclaimed Dumbledore. "I will see you in a week. Remember what we discussed, Minerva." Dumbledore gazed at her over his half-moon spectacles.

"I will," she said. "Come, Harry. Let's be on our away," she said, heading for the door.

"Bye Professor. Have a good trip," said Harry has left Dumbledore's office.