Night fell, and the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts was brightly lit.
"Albus, you're a hard man to see!" Cornelius Fudge had been waiting on the sofa for some time, and he could not help exclaiming when Dumbledore arrived.
"Sorry, Cornelius," Dumbledore said with a smile. "The school year has just begun, and there's been so much to attend to. I really haven't had much time."
"I understand, Albus." Fudge nodded. "But I heard Hogwarts had a rather eventful day. A student was injured?"
"Yes, but the school nurse has examined the student. It's nothing serious, just an accident." Dumbledore shook his head. "Cornelius, you know that isn't why I asked you here."
Cornelius Fudge's expression darkened.
"A group of Dementors came right up to Hogwarts Castle today. Students could have been hurt—or worse!" Dumbledore's face was grave, his voice heavy with concern and displeasure. "Cornelius, you know very well what those dark creatures are like, and how utterly merciless they can be. You know what they could do to the students if they slipped out of control!"
"Perhaps... perhaps they sensed something!" Cornelius Fudge said hesitantly, uncertainty in his voice. "I know, Albus. You've always opposed stationing Dementors around the school. I don't want this either, but we're trying to protect Harry and catch Sirius as quickly as possible, aren't we?"
Dumbledore said nothing. He looked steadily at Cornelius Fudge, and a deathly silence settled over the office, broken only by their faint breathing.
At last, Dumbledore spoke, weariness and resignation in his voice. "Before the school year began, you promised me the Dementors would not harm a single student. I expect you to keep that promise."
"All right, Albus, I'll be honest with you!" Cornelius Fudge avoided Dumbledore's gaze, sounding embarrassed. "The Dementors have been behaving strangely these past