Chapter 18

"Unfortunately, not even Merlin himself could devise a spell capable of cutting through red tape." Dumbledore sighed. "The short answer is that there have been no reported attacks on any wealthy wizard's residence recently, and no detections of underage magic from the vicinity around Hogsmeade."

"I knew it," Snape sneered. "The boy spun us a web of lies. No mere child could escape Death Eaters."

"I really had thought better of him," McGonagall sighed. "Oh well, I suppose he is only a boy. Any word on the broomstick, Filius?"

"Well, as we all know, reported thefts are kept quite confidential down at the DMLE," Filius said. McGonagall sighed, she'd hoped they could make headway there. "But I have a friend from my duelling days down in the Department of Mysteries, and he used to share an office with someone in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and he says that while no official reports have been filed, his old flame down in the organ that handles broomstick registry claims that Walden Macnair—who works as Executioner for the Ministry, but he's an ex-Death Eater—recently bought a Nimbus Two Thousand," Flitwick said proudly, then paused to catch his breath.

"Which tells us what, exactly? These... broomsticks... are, I'm led to believe, extremely popular," Snape said.

"They are also extremely expensive, and Macnair already owned one." Flitwick said with aplomb.

"Hardly evidence. A man can have two broomsticks," Snape said. To Dumbledore, however, he gave a quick, discreet nod. Dumbledore sighed.

"I have other information, and I dare not say from where or who, that suggests the Death Eaters are up to their old game again."

Professor Sprout gasped.

"Surely not, Headmaster? Not with their leader dead, and their numbers reduced?" she asked, her voice gripped with fear.

"I'm afraid so, Pomona."

"We should contact the Aurors at once!" McGonagall exclaimed.

"Without any proof? Lucius would have any who acted sacked," Snape sneered, slouched across his chair.

"I'm afraid, Severus, that you are correct," Dumbledore said. "We shall have to be extra vigiliant."

"And, what of the boy?" Flitwick asked.

"He shall continue his education here at Hogwarts until he learns to control his magic—accidents like what happened in Severus's Potions class cannot be allowed to happen out where Muggles might see—and until we are certain Macnair and his comrades have forgotten that young Milo stole the broomstick," Dumbledore said. "He appears to be an exceptionally confused and troubled young orphan, but his heart is true. Quirinus spoke very highly of him this evening, and how he attempted to help rescue—unsuccessfully, unfortunately—a number of lost Gryffindors."

Snape smiled briefly. He was particularly proud of that punishment.

"Which brings me to another matter," Dumbledore continued gravely. "Hagrid has been finding something most concerning in the Forbidden Forest." The Heads of Houses listened carefully, intrigued. "He's found signs—blood, some hair—that something has been attacking the unicorns who live there."

Sprout gasped. McGonagall looked stunned. Flitwick shook his head sadly, and even Snape looked disgusted. Attacking a unicorn was low, even by his standards.

"Hagrid has been unable to find whatever has been causing the attacks, but Quirrell has volunteered, as Defence Professor, to take over the investigation. He said that it was likely the work of some fell creature—or possibly even a powerful dark wizard."

If the collective amount of surprise felt by the assembled professors were expressed in terms of, say, water, using the baseline of one fair-sized pink plastic beach bucket full of seawater representing the surprise felt when a politician suggests something sensible in Parliament and a bathtub full of water representing the theoretical surprise not felt when the idea doesn't get ridiculed by the opposing party, then their earlier surprise (when they heard of the unicorn attacks) could be collected in a two-litre bottle of Diet Coke (once said Diet Coke has been safely disposed of alongside other toxic chemicals) while their current surprise, caused by hearing that Quirrell had volunteered for something dangerous, was almost, but not quite, the size of the Mediterranean Sea.

"Well, now," McGonagall mused. "It seems we've quite underestimated the Defence Professor."

"Indeed, it appears that, in a crisis, he can really pull himself together," Filius said. "I'm rather proud of him, actually."

"He also pointed out that this is an excellent opportunity for detention," Dumbledore said. "Between him and Hagrid, any students with them will be quite safe, but absolutely petrified."

"You're not suggesting we deliberately send children into the Forbidden Forest—it got its name for a reason, Albus—to hunt after something vile enough to attack a unicorn?"

"I, for one, rather like the idea," Snape said. "Should make that boy think twice about attacking my students."

o—o—o—o

"I heard there's werewolves in the Forbidden Forest!" Ron said when they heard the news. McGonagall had come to inform them that Quirrell had offered an alternate detention for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Milo; and that while it was particularly awful, if they went then the statue-cleaning punishment for all the Gryffindors would be reduced.

"It's not a full moon, Ron," Hermione sighed.

"What, werewolves are real?" Harry asked.

"Obviously, everyone knows that," said Ron. "They're as real as dragons and goblins."

"Dragons are rea—no, nevermind. If we do this, it counts against how many statues we have to clean—and after the last time, I think we want to avoid that," Harry said. "I'm in."

"Same. The experience alone will be well worth it," Milo said. "And I can probably handle anything they throw at me."

"You're insane, mate," Ron said. "I'd sooner clean another thousand statues than set one foot in that forest."

"I'm with Ron," Hermione said. "Cleaning isn't so bad, and that sounds really dangerous."

"We'll be fine," Milo said. "Quirrell will be with us, and I for one like the cut of his jib."

"And Hagrid will be there," Harry said. "What's the worst that could happen?"

.

.

________________________________________________

Patreon.com/Black_Zetsu

Subscribe to my Patreon for more advanced chapters