Dumbledore And The Ageing Potion

CHAPTER 1            THE TRANSFORMATION

Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles, placed them on his desk and glanced at the clock. "Five more minutes," he muttered and sat back in his chair, with his eyes closed.

For some time now, he had been getting evidence of one of the Professors being a spy. He would have to tread carefully from now on. It would not do to give any of them the impression that he distrusted them.

He would alert Snape and McGonagall regarding his suspicions when they came. It was important that they determine the identity of the spy before the start of the term, lest any of the student’s or Professor’s life be endangered.

'It had been a hectic day,' he reflected. 'And a heavy one,' his stomach reminded him.

He had gone to pay a visit to all (well….nearly all, for a couple had to visit him) the professors at Hogwarts. The ostensible reason was to discuss with them the changes to be made in the syllabus for all the classes. That had to be done considering the changing scenario.

'It all came back to that, ' he thought. ‘To Voldemort regaining his form. There was lot of work to be done. If only Fudge had been less obstinate, if only he were not so blind...,well no point going over all that now. As things stood it was up to him to put up a defense against Voldemort, and when the appropriate time came, to attack.’

The visit to the Professors had been satisfactory. They had each already formulated a syllabus. He merely had to give his consent in a few cases and make few changes in most.

But the visit had not been without its after-effects. They had all (without an exception) insisted on his having a drink with them. That was why his stomach was now painfully reminding him of its presence within his self.

Professor Sinstra's brew had been good. He had been unable to find out all its ingredients. He must remember to ask her for the recipe someday. His last visit unfortunately was accompanied with the painful memory of his having to drink what Trelawney called tea. He had never developed a taste for tea. The cup he had at Trelawney's room made him more determined than ever to avoid tea at all costs. Thank heavens he had remembered the spell then. He had left behind more than half his cup undrunk, but Trelawney had perceived it as an empty cup.

He had returned to his room hoping to enjoy a cup of strong blackcurrant syrup that he had asked a house-elf to bring him, only to find two owls waiting for him.

The one from Sirius gave satisfactory news. Mundungus Fletcher was agreeable to the proposal. The news from Hagrid though not as satisfactory, was better than expected. The giants had a few demands that had to be met. Hagrid had sent him the list. The first three were what he himself had had in mind. They could be agreed to. The fourth…well, he'd find a way through it though it would take some time.

There was a soft knock on the door. "Enter," he said. McGonagall and Snape entered.

"Snape tells me that You-know-who has not made any efforts to get the Giants to his side. He seems to be still rejoicing the regaining of his body." From her tone it was apparent that she did not approve of Voldemort's overindulgence.

Dumbledore looked at Snape, his eyebrows raised.

"We can thank the Minister for this," said Snape. "His pooh-poohing of the story that The Dark Lord has returned seems to be giving The Dark Lord a sense of security. He does not feel the need to expedite such matters."

"Fudge seems to have made himself extremely useful to us," said Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling. "Perhaps I needn't have been too harsh on him."

"He deserved it. I never thought he could be so pig-headed," McGonagall snapped. She obviously thought discussing Fudge was a waste of time for she immediately asked, "So, any news from Sirius or Hagrid?"

Dumbledore showed them the two letters that he had just received.

A house-elf entered with a glass. "Thank you," said Dumbledore taking the syrup. "What would you both have?" he asked.

"Butterbeer," said Snape

"Pumpkin juice," said McGonagall.

Dumbledore took an appreciative sip of his syrup. After Trelawney's tea, this was heaven-sent.

"Mundungus Fletcher here?" asked Snape, looking up from Sirius' letter.

Dumbledore nodded.

"What do you plan to do about the demands of the giants, Dumbledore?" asked McGonagall.

Dumbledore sighed.

"You look tired, Headmaster," said Snape concerned. He got up from his chair and stopped short.

McGonagall's eyes widened.

Dumbledore's long white beard was turning auburn. The beard slowly decreased in size to reveal a clean-shaven face. His hair now did not even reach up to his shoulders. The nose, which had previously looked as if it had broken in at least two places, now looked unbroken.

A fifteen-year-old boy stared back at the two Professors who were gaping at him in astonishment.

Snape was the first to apparently recover. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Albus Dumbledore, studying in the fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," came the prompt reply.