Popping in to see the headmaster

Jeremy walked down the hall, approaching a golden gargoyle. Jeremy approached it and said, "For me? Please?" and the gargoyle instantly twisted to reveal its spiral staircase. He walked up the stairs and entered the round room with portraits of past headmasters of Hogwarts.

"Owen! It's been so long, how have you been. Hope you don't mind me here at Hogwarts, brings back memories you know."

Owen sat at his desk writing something on the piece of parchment thinking about the frist days at the new age of the school. It would seem that everything runs fine these days. His professors are doing their job and students are behaving. We did not have any major crisis on our hands form the beginning of the term, but Owen did not fool himself that will continue.

He stood up and went to the window to gaze at the lake. This office he is in now was office of great professor Dumbledore, and it would be tough to fill in his shoes but for now Owen is doing the job right. But he was preparing for the possible crisis, he doubled the defences of the castle and now he is ready to ask from the minister possible additional security in form of squad of Aurors that would keep the castle safe. After all you can never be ready enough. He was deep in his thoughts when the statute of head of Gargoyle said in a brisk voice: "Minister is here to see you would you have him". Owen turned sat at his desk and said "Sure bring him in".

Owen watched Minister Rufford climbing up the stairs and greeting him. "Hello minister, you are most welcome here in this old castle. It sure does bring memories. I remember my first days here. I spent most of them sitting outside the entrance of Ravenclaw common room since I did not know the answers to questions. Have a seat. do you want something to drink, tea or perhaps something stronger?" Owen said to Minister Rufford.

"No thank you headmaster. I have very important matters to go over with you. Firstly, I presume you are doing the best to your abilities to run Hogwarts smoothly like Dumbledore did." The minister said, looking at the sleeping portrait of Dumbledore. "Owen, I am sure you are wondering why I am here."

"Well I give my best so that everything runs as smooth as it can, and up to now we did not have any troubles. I can sure hope that will stay that way." Owen said while waving his wand and bringing himself the glass of firewhiskey "I hope you do not mind minister if I take a drink." He took a sip and said: "So why are you here, except to check up on us?"

"Actually headmaster, that is exactly why I am here." Jeremy said as he helped himself to the nearest chair. "Owen, I am looking for something. A weapon. Something I desperately need. And it is hidden here." He paused. "In this castle, Owen. And I want to deploy my own people to search the castle for it."

A weapon Owen remained calm even tough his insides are burning, and it is here in Hogwarts, with all of these students around it, what if it is dangerous and unstable, what if some of the students find it and accidentally activate it. Owen started to worry about his security measures, we need extra security and we need to make evacuation plan. Minister is searching for this weapon that is interesting. "So you want to send us ministry workers to search the caste, don't you think that will cause a widespread panic with the students parents. I think it would be better for this to be more covert operation. But of course I am willing to accomodate your people but for protection of the caste." Owen said to the minister.

"That is why, headmaster, I may also consider your professors as spies. I would like to have a meeting with your professors, if that's okay with you. I want to discuss the new terms and what to be aware of. It is very important. You see, the de--de--death eaters." Jeremy stuttered, "The death eaters are regrouping, there is no way to hide it and to pretend it is not true." He finished that sentence in a whisper.

"Jeremy, we've known each other for a very long time, and I count you among my friends, but I won't do a single thing until you tell me what the hell is going on here." Owen said.

"Owen, I don't exactly know what the," he paused for a quick second, "hell it is but it's a weapon and it's hidden in Hogwarts. It can be anything. My spy that I deployed a few weeks ago told me. Have you heard of any of this from your-- professors, perhaps?"

"A book, what book. I honestly do not know what are you talking about. My professors did not tell me anything and why should they since it would seem only top echelon knows about this, plus when I chose my staff I chose only people I know and trust. Can you tell me more about the spy."

"The spy, I sent him out to pretend to join the death eaters. He was an inter spy who gave me a lot of information, and was highly useful. He told me they are looking to break into Hogwarts, Owen. That is why we need protection. And they also mentioned something about finding a book in Hogwarts. Hogwarts is a vast place, Owen, It will be nearly impossible to find."

"I understand the magnitude of the search at hand, and I am willing to accomodate your people for protective purposes. Did the informant give you any additional information about this threat? And where is he now? Is he still behind enemy lines?"

Jeremy shook his head. "No." he sighed. "I haven't heard from him in a while. And he didn't give me any more information, just how something is within Hogwarts, and death eaters want it, for some reason. I want to send my own people to the castle at night to search the castle floors, and it'd be nice to inform the professors as well to be on the look out for any suspicious student, Owen, we don't know. Any one of them can be under the Imperius curse!"

ooc: Sorry I did not answered for this long but I had one internship and it took all my time

"Trust me I choose only people I know and I trust each and every one of my teachers, I am sure they would not appreciate you taking them on, but if you want be my guest. And regarding you sending your people to rummage trough my castle, I am not sure I can allow it. I will investigate and send you regular reports, but your people will cause panic, I want the for protection only and not meddling int he affairs of the Hogwarts." Owen said.