Albus stared silently at the artificial Rhem cow blood on the table.
As he thought, Pomona remembered Mundungus Fletcher, whom she had seen in Hogsmeade not long ago. Though he was a thief, he was still an artist and was welcome on many occasions.
"Should I drive him away?" Pomona asked.
"How did your investigation into Harry's Patronus Charm go?" Albus suddenly asked.
She gathered her thoughts.
"Do you remember what an 'aura' is?" Albus said.
"Yes. It is a term referring to a magical phenomenon of unknown nature," Pomona replied.
Albus said nothing.
"An aura can surround a person or a place touched by magic. If it is a person's aura, it is related to that person's traits. If it is the aura of a place, it is related to the frequency of spellcasting and the energy of the spells," Pomona continued. "It even includes the surrounding environment. Even places where magic is not often used retain residual magical energy."
"The Trace can sense that residual energy," Albus said. "Those interns who signed confidentiality agreements did not have their Traces removed; instead, they were registered with the Ministry of Magic. Magic used around them would not be recorded. You know, even a Squib carries an 'aura' at birth. The Quill of Acceptance senses it, but a Squib's aura eventually fades, and the Book of Admittance refuses to record her or his name."
"Do you want to talk to me about Neville?" Pomona asked.
"He is not like Harry. He does not possess such outstanding magical power." Albus rose and began pacing around the headmaster's office. "Did you find 'talent' in him?"
Pomona recalled what she had seen in the greenhouse. He had seemed to be talking to Wormwood.
"No," Pomona said.
"Like a companion star around a primary star,