Dumbledore returned to his seat. Fawkes gave a low cry from his perch and tucked his head beneath his wing.
"This evening, Professor Edwina Croft passed along some information to me."
Dumbledore spoke at an even pace. "She heard some rumors near Yorkshire Valley. They concern the people who have been active outside lately, as well as the Ministry of Magic's lockdown."
McGonagall leaned forward slightly. "What rumors?"
Dumbledore relayed the conversation Edwina had recounted.
Severus Snape's expression scarcely changed. Only when Dumbledore mentioned "a lunatic wrapped up from head to toe" did one of his brows twitch, almost imperceptibly.
McGonagall was silent for a moment after Dumbledore finished, then said, "Dumbledore, do you think these lunatics are Death Eaters? And if so, what are they doing this for? Voldemort's hidden treasure?"
"I cannot be certain for now." Dumbledore's fingers spread across the desk, then curled together. "But these recent events are indeed unusual. Since the details of the Azkaban breakout spread, the Ministry's field agents have suffered continuous losses, the restricted zones have kept expanding, and none of the public explanations have been clear."
He paused and looked at McGonagall apologetically.
"We need to organize the information more systematically. Someone must specifically handle two channels: communication with the Ministry of Magic and notifications from the Board of Governors."
McGonagall glanced at him. "You want me to take charge of that?"
"That is right, Minerva. You are more suited to it than anyone." Dumbledore said, "The Board of Governors trusts you, and you have connections in the Ministry archives. You need not make any statements. Just listen—record what they are willing to say, as well as what you notice they are unwilling to say, then compile it for me. One written report each week will be enough."
McGonagall nodded. She