Bellatrix shook her head. "They'll probably causetrouble if we leave them."
It took a little maneuvering, but Harry and Bellatrixwere soon in the bathroom and being eyeballed by Moaning Myrtle. "Did youkill it?" she asked, squinting at Harry and Bellatrix in an attempt toascertain their identities. She was unsuccessful, however. They had castdisguise charms on themselves as they had flown the broomstick up the pipe.
"Yeah," said Harry, "it's dead, but let'skeep it a secret for now. In fact, let's make you the chief guardian of thesecret. Do you think you're up for it?"
Bellatrix snorted, apparently finding the conversationamusing. She didn't participate because she was busy casting a number of charmson the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets so that she could open it herselflater.
"Of course," Myrtle said, her eagerness clearlyreflected on her face.
"Great," said Harry. "Now, the only peopleyou can tell anything about what has happened tonight are people who alreadyknow that the monster has been killed. They can't guess that it's dead, theyhave to know that it's been killed."
"Right," said Myrtle. "Killed. I promiseto keep the secret."
"I think that concludes our business here,"Bellatrix said as the entrance to the pipe closed up at her command. She kickedthe pig they had levitated up the pipe with them and nudged it toward theentrance, the chicken under one of her arms.
Harry waved goodbye to Myrtle and followed Bellatrix asshe exited the bathroom with the animals. They were soon standing out in thedark, empty corridor. Bellatrix handed Harry the chicken. "I think it's upto you to dispose of the chicken," Bellatrix announced. "Maybe youcan give it to the gamekeeper… or the house elves in the kitchen."
"All right," Harry said, accepting the chicken."What about the pig?"
"I'll take care of it," Bellatrix said toHarry.
"What are you planning?" Harry asked, curious asto why Bellatrix would want to keep a pig.
"If you keep your ears open, you might hear about ittomorrow," Bellatrix said.
.....
Minerva McGonagall rode the stairs up to AlbusDumbledore's office, deep in thought. When she found herself facing the door tothe aged headmaster's office, she knocked and entered to find Dumbledoresitting behind his desk. Alastor Moody sat in a chair in the corner, loungingcasually.
"Professor," Alastor said by way of greeting,standing and nodding.
"Minerva," Albus smiled, proffering the bowl oflemon drops. "Thank you for coming."
"I was intrigued by your invitation,"McGonagall said, accepting a lemon drop and taking one of the many seats thathad been set up around the office. "Before more of your guests arrive, Iwondered if I might ask a question."
"Of course," Albus said, spreading his hands,signifying his acquiescence.
Minerva leaned back in her seat. "Do you know of anyway that a male student could get into the female dorms in Gryffindor Tower bysomehow bypassing the protections?"
"I personally know of no way," Dumbledore said."Why?"
"This morning," Minerva declared, "MissEvans woke to find herself cuddling a pig."
"A pig?" Alastor asked disbelievingly.
"Yes," Minerva said dryly, "a full-sizedpig that licked her face and made disgusting pig noises, causing her greatdistress and consternation."
Professor Dumbledore chuckled, "Howextraordinary."
"How disgusting!" McGonagall said, correctingthe headmaster. "The usual suspects have denied everything, citing thefact that they are completely unable to enter the female dorms. Unless it canbe established that it is possible for males to get up there, they'll walkfree."
Dumbledore shrugged and looked toward his office doorexpectantly. Almost immediately, a knock sounded, signifying the arrival ofanother person. "Enter," Dumbledore called.
The door opened to admit a man who appeared to be of asimilar age to that of Dumbledore himself. The headmaster smiled warmly."Elphias, how good of you to come. Minerva, Alastor, this you may or maynot know is Elphias Doge. Elphias, this is Minerva McGonagall, my deputy, andAlastor Moody, an auror held in high esteem."
Elphias smiled. "Their reputations precedethem."
Before he was seated, another knock sounded, marking thearrival of Caradoc Dearborn. Introductions resume and before they hadconcluded, Emmeline Vance arrived. Before long, Dorcas Meadowes and MarleneMcKinnon arrived. With their arrival, each of the chairs in the headmaster'soffice became occupied, and introductions were complete.
Conversation ceased as Dumbledore stood and held up hisarms to signify that he wished to speak. He smiled at those gathered."Friends," he said, "Alastor and I have asked each of you herebecause of your talents, your reputations, and your personalities. Moreimportantly, we've asked you here because we know that each of you is the sortto do what you view as being right." Dumbledore scanned the faces beforehim, trying to gauge the prevailing atmosphere. Some of the guests looked curious,others seemed resigned, and others were thoughtful.
Dumbledore took a breath and continued. "I think Iwould be correct in saying that each of you has observed in the past months,even in the past year, the increasing lack of peace and civil order our countryhas witnessed. The rising generation is unruly and walking on the edge ofdisaster. The Ministry under various administrations is partly to blame.Because of its corruption, many of these problems have been left unchecked.Because of the corruption of previous administrations, the self-styled Nobleand Most Ancient House of Black has been able to seize the reins of thegovernment."
Caradoc Dearborn's eyes widened slightly, and he coughedwith surprise. "Are you suggesting that we rebel against MinisterBlack?" he asked, disbelief and outrage evident in his voice.
"No, I am not," Dumbledore said sharply."I am merely stating the facts."