Chapter 124: Pensive (1/2)

”Yes? Come in.” Dumbledore's voice sounded and Chris pushed the door and entered.

Moody was standing in front of Dumbledore's desk and Cornelius Fudge was standing beside it, wearing his usual pinstriped cloak and holding his lime-green bowler hat. Fudge threw a irritated look towards Chris. Chris didn't give any particular expression. Fawkes came and sat on her shoulder. Chris slightly patted him and directly looked at Dumbledore.

”Professor, I wanted to talk to you.” Chris said seriously.

”Yes, Christina.” Dumbledore said calmly.

”Then I'll take my leave, Dumbledore.” Fudge said hurriedly. ”I'm taking them with me.”

”I still believe, Minister...” Moody started but Dumbledore stopped him.

”Wait for me here, Christina.” Dumbledore said to Chris as he got up. ”Let's go Fudge.”

Fudge was taken aback for a moment then gladly walked out of the office followed by Mad-Eye and Dumbledore.

Chris was thinking how to convince Dumbledore about Bagman, while casually looking around Dumbledore's office. Not getting enough attention, Fawkes flew back to on his golden perch beside the door. Chris was noticing how much the office was different than in her dreams. Other than pictures of previous headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts, all of whom were fast asleep in their frames, Chris saw the sorting hat, the Gryffindor sword, a metallic structure of a symbol.

”Deathly Hallows!” Chris whispered looking at it.

'But why would Dumbledore like to keep a this big metallic structure of a old story? Is that mean they're real? There are three Hallows like the story?'

Chris had finished the story book Luna gave her last year, the Tales of Beedle the Bard. It was a nice story book, but now Chris thought there's more to these stories. When she noticed a patch of silvery light, dancing and shimmering on the glass case. Chris looked around for the source of the light and saw a sliver of silver-white shining brightly from within a black cabinet, whose door had not been closed properly. Without hesitating, Chris pulled open the cabinet door and saw a shallow stone basin lay there, with carvings around the edge: runes and symbols. There was signs of: Unknown, Memory, Wishdom, Logic, Knowledge, Connection, Experience and Enlightenment.

The substance inside it wasn't liquid nor gas. It was a bright, whitish silver, and it was moving ceaselessly; the surface of it became ruffled like water beneath wind, and then, like clouds, separated and swirled smoothly. It looked like light made liquid or like wind made solid, it was difficult to make one's mind. After reading this signs and watching the substance inside the basin, Chris had an idea about this thing. It was an ancient Pensive. Chris have read about it, when she was reading about the founders. The pensive was one of the most precious artifact, handed down from one Headmaster/Headmistress to another.

Chris knew it wasn't harmful but peaking inside Headmaster's memory wasn't a wise thing to do. After debating for a moment, she decided to look into it. There's no need to be goody good all the time, is it?

Chris pulled her wand out from inside of her robes, looked at the contents of the basin, and prodded them.

The surface of the silvery stuff inside the basin began to swirl very fast.

Chris bent closer, his head right inside the cabinet. The silvery substance had become transparent; it looked like glass. She looked down into it, and saw the hospital wing of Hogwarts. She saw a figure lying on a hospital bed and he was looking very familiar. Chris leaned even closer, tilting her head, trying to see . . .

The tip of her nose touched the substance into which she was staring.

Dumbledore's office gave an almighty lurch — she was thrown forward and pitched headfirst into the substance inside the basin —

But her head did not hit the stone bottom. She was falling through something icy-cold and black; it was like being sucked into a dark whirlpool —

And suddenly, Chris found herself in the Hospital wing, standing beside Dumbledore. He was looking at Madam Pomfrey, who was very nervous because of some reasons. Then he turned towards the another person beside the bed, Mad-Eye. For a moment Chris thought, Mad-Eye will see her but then, his eyes swept past her without any reaction.

”It's just like my dreams.” Chris said loudly. ”No one can see me or hear me.”

As expected no one heard her. Then Chris noticed the man on the Hospital bed. It was Mr Crouch.

”What happened, Poppy?” Dumbledore asked calmly.

”He woke up once Professor. Just now, that's why I called you in. His mind state it really bad but he's very eager to tell you something.” Madam Pomfrey replied.

”What do you think happened?” Dumbledore asked.

Madam Pomfrey looked more nervous.

”After checking him, I think... it's either a strong memory charm or....” she stopped.

”Imperious Curse.” Moody growled. ”I've told you from the start, Albus. Something is terribly wrong here.”

”I know Alastor and I can clearly see that.” Dumbledore said quietly.

”Professor! Professor Dumbledore!” Hagrid came in. ”Here... the house-elf.”

Filthy, disheveled, little house-elf, peered around Hagrid's enormous legs. It was Winky. Her mouth opened wide as soon as she saw Crouch and then she let out a piercing shriek.

”Master! Master!” She flung herself on Crouch's leg. ”You is killed master? You...”

”He's unconscious Winky and we didn't do anything.” Dumbledore said. ”But someone is trying to harm him and I guess you've the answer.”

”I? Winky?” She gasped. ”I know nothing.”

”Don't you dare to lie elf.” Moody growled loudly.

Winky jumped back. She started to shake her head.

”I... keep secrets.... Winky's a good elf.... I... I...” Winky was trembling. ”I is not telling you. No...”

Mad-Eye's appearance can make many people tremble with fear but Winky was brave enough to still keep her secret. She was stubborn. She really was a good house-elf.

”It's alright, Winky.” Dumbledore said reassuring her. ”We're not going to ask you anything, if you don't want to tell.”

”But Albus...”

”We should go out Alastor. If anything happens, inform me, Poppy.” Dumbledore said stopping Moody. ”And let Winky stay here with Barty.”

Madam Pomfrey nodded and Dumbledore looked at Mad-Eye, he reluctantly nodded.

Then suddenly the Hospital wing around her, started dissolving as though it were made of smoke; everything was fading; she could see only her own body... all else was swirling darkness. . . .

And then, the Hospital wing returned. Chris was standing behind Dumbledore. Dumbledore was back in the Hospital wing. Mr Crouch was awake and he was mumbling again, this time Madam Pomfrey was Percy. Winky was sobbing hard. Dumbledore gave a wave with his hand towards Madam Pomfrey. She nodded and left.

”Barty! Barty! I'm here.” Dumbledore shook Crouch by his shoulder. ”Tell me. Tell me what you've done.”

”No... No... Don't say anything master... please...” Winky sobbed harder.

”Barty! Look at me.” Dumbledore said ignoring Winky. ”Albus Dumbledore.”

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”Dumbledore!” Cried Crouch suddenly. His eyes were still unfocused but he heard Dumbledore's name. ”I've done terrible things... must tell... Dumble... dore.”

”Master you're not fine.” Winky said coming in front of Crouch. ”Don't talk please.”

”Winky!” Crouch looked at Winky and panicked. ”I was wrong, Winky.... I shouldn't have sacked you... I should've handed him over... he should be the one... he did terrible things... he is doing terrible things....”

”He... who? Who, Barty?” Dumbledore asked calmly.