Albus Dumbledore's silver instruments

Albus Dumbledore kept a variety of silver instruments in his office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They made constant whirring noises and occassionally emitted puffs of smoke. In December of 1995, by making careful observations of the snake-shaped smoke emitted from one of the devices, Dumbledore gained greater insight regarding Nagini's nature as a Horcrux, as well as Harry Potter's mental connection to Voldemort.

In June of 1996, Harry broke many of these objects in a fit of rage after the death of Sirius Black. Dumbledore made no effort to stop him, remarking simply that he had too many possessions anyway. They appeared to have been repaired or replaced sometime before September of that same year.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince