"Constance... We've gotten reports of new surge behavior, and again it is modifying the Calamity... But it's different this time. This surge feels almost benign..."
"Yes, but I'll remind you that this is the Calamity and everything must be returned - even objects that aren't dangerous are important. And, to be honest, something about this particular surge is nagging at me, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is..."
The Monster Book of Monsters is one of the most unique items on a students shopping list due to vicious nature. Under normal conditions the book is aggressive towards readers and must be physically restrained when not in use. It can however be calmed with a gentle stroke of the spine, if you can catch it.
"Those monster books... I LOATHE them. Mine bit me once. Took a chunk out of my arm — right there, see? Did it when I wasn't looking. School's bad enough. You don't need to add ravenous textbooks into the mix, do you?"
Goblins are exceptional metal workers, managing the Galleons, Sickles and Knuts used for currency throughout the wizarding world. For many years Wizards and Goblins had tumultuous and occasionally violent relationship, but in recent years this division has lessened and Goblins have become an integral and accepted part of wizarding culture.
"Do you want a bit of scandal? I knew a girl at Hogwarts — Bethany Swordbane - who was obsessed with Goblins. She would make me go to Gringotts with her and we would stand in the lobby for hours while she ogled. It was... uncomfortable."
This Hogwartslist features most elements crossed off and reads: Uniform; Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black), One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear, One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar), One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings). Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times. A second page (featuring the books and other equipment required fo school) seems to be missing.
"Oh, I remember that list! I think I still have the pointed hat we bought somewhere. This really is bringing back memories!"
Gringotts, the wholly Goblin owned bank famed for its privacy and security, plays a key role in the Wizarding world's economy. With its snow-white marble towers looming above Diagon Alley, Gringotts features a massive, labyrinthine, sprawling vault system hidden underground. Travel to vaults requires the use of special tram cars and the Goblins protect those vaults relentlessly (even using a Dragon at one point to deter thieves).
"My Grandfather loves to tell the story of how, after the Ironbelly dragon was released inside Gringotts, we had to change the family vault location because ours was destroyed by dragon detritus."
The Cauldron, being the preferred vessel for potion making, is a common sight in most Wizarding communities. A Pewter, standard size 2 Cauldron is a requirement for First YearHogwarts students. Buyers should beware of using imported stock — which are notoriously less durable due to their deceptively thin bottoms.
"My mum wouldn't buy me a new cauldron. No, she gave me my brother's old, used one and bought him the new one. And he was absolutely rubbish at potions."
"We've made quite a lot of good headway against this surge. The team have done well and I must say, it's one of the more delightful threats to wizarding kind we've ever come across."
"Not quite. This one is centered more around Hogwarts itself... Mostly the professors and house ghosts, to be specific. We need to return all of it as soon as possible, as per our normal protocols. For those whose memories have been taken this experience is rather awful... We cannot forget that."
"Do you remember a while ago when we were returning stolen pieces of my past in another surge and I came back with a distinctly new memory? One of a conversation with Grim Fawley?"
"No, but Professor Sprout does. According to the Professor, Grim Fawley claims to have found a way to influence the Calamity enough to truly modify it. This surge? It's made from his memories - almost exclusively.
His First Year experience and his memories of the Professors - that is what we've been returning... He has figured out a way of affecting it... If this is true, this is massive."
The diminutive Filius Flitwick served as the HogwartsCharms Teacher and Head of Ravenclaw House during both Wizarding Wars. Before becoming a Professor, he was regarded as one of the foremost Duellists of his time and was one of the kinder, more "student friendly" teachers at Hogwarts.
"Professor Flitwick. I was never quite as adept at Charms as I would have liked. I failed in Charms, never really got over it. We had a parent's meeting which included Headmistress McGonagall. It was awful and I spent the time between classes practicing various Charms on my pet newt, Nevin."
Sybill Trelawney was the oft ridiculed Divination Teacher at Hogwarts School. Great-great-granddaughter of famed seerCassandra Trelawney, many believed she did not in fact possess the sight of her ancestry, due to repeated inaccurate predictions of student fatalities. However, a thorough examination of her trance-induced prediction related to the death of Voldemort seems to prove otherwise.
"For years Professor Trelawney took a lot of stick about her divination powers. And since the end of the Second Wizarding War new, similar accusations have seeped into the conversation again since then - until now. She predicted this Calamity. Mind you she also predicted the Chudley Cannons would have a flawless season this year..."
Horace Eugene Flaccus Slughorn was a talented wizard who has served at HogwartsPotions Master several time over the years. He was known to have a penchant for socialising with witches and wizards he deemed destined for great things through his "Slug Club". As a professor he told Tom Riddle how to construct a Horcrux; a secret he tried to keep hidden for years. In haunted him until Voldemort's death at the Battle of Hogwarts.
"I never met Professor Slughorn, but, I always thought I would have been a perfect candidate for the "Slug Club"."
Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (aka "Nearly Headless Nick") is Gryffindor HouseGhost. Nick's unfortunate demise came after promising Lady Grieve he'd fix her crooked teeth and casting a tooth-straightening spell caused her to grow a tusk. This transgression led directly to his execution. Nick's execution was not clean — it required 45 strokes of a dull axe to kill him and still his head wasn't quite cut off, eventually leading to his whimsical post-life nickname.
"I always liked Nearly-Headless Nick. I mean, he's terribly daft, but he has so many great stories. If you ever get the chance, put an afternoon aside and get him started...."
"Yes, it is certainly a “something-or-other...” It looks to me like it may be some sort of prophecy — the language is very dense. Perhaps someone transcribed this? What is unusual is that it seems to be “attached” to these Traces somehow — it's not simply a Foundable out on its own. That makes me think that it is being placed here intentionally. And whoever placed it wants us to find it."
"Yes, but there's more. She also claims that the “Ministry of Fools” (I don't appreciate that commentary, I'll be honest) will blame “the Grim man” - does she mean Grim Fawley? — for at least a year. Is she saying he didn't do it?
My God... If this is real, this may well be confirmation that Grim's not behind this disaster after all."
"Well, despite our delightful trip down memory lane, this was some surge! And still we're left with so many questions... Did Professor Trelawney predict the Calamity? Was she referring to Grim Fawley in that prophecy?
And is that prophecy even real? We know Grim can manipulate the Calamity... And there's no record of such a prophecy within the Ministry..."
"It seems rather odd that he can control what the Calamity steals, and he can send messages through it... but he cannot stop it, and he cannot escape wherever it is he is being held.