Dimensions of Perception

Prologue

Raindrops falling against the windows made a soft but steady drum, like that of a beating heart – unnoticed until it is gone. Of course the inhabitants of the room – and what a room it was: the office of a headmaster of Hogwarts – had what they thought were more important matters on their minds.

Of course, none of them spared a thought to the fact that the room was just as mundane as any other in the castle, and that having a discussion there would have been in no way different to the meeting they were holding now. Yet, it escaped the attention of the gathered people, that the headmaster's office was designated as such by mere men and it had its flaws.

Many vials glittered in the light, hidden safely from the outside world by the unbreakable glass. Yet the light could reach them and make their contents – various potions and poisons – shine with different colours. The same could be seen if one were to turn their attention away from the potions cabinets and onto the bookcases. There, like sleeping dragons old tomes laid, covered in dust, hoarding all their treasures – all the knowledge they possessed – hidden on their pages. How many opportunities missed! Their covers, usually black, now was revealed to be brown and cracked in places despite all the charms that were put on them for the sake of their preservation.

The bookcases themselves looked like exquisite pieces of carved woodwork, yet the light put an end to their fantastic legend of invulnerability. The holes and rattled doors, fractures and cracks were laid bare for all to see. One would have been surprised how much light from a simple old lamp could reveal, yet no one paid any attention to these earth-shattering revelations. Everyone believed that their topic was the most important.

"Now then, Severus, I believe you have some important information to share," an old man, dressed in a ridiculously colored robe – of course for him it was the most sensible choice in the Universe and the people around him were the real madmen for choosing something so inexplicably tedious to wear – said.

"Yes, headmaster," a man dressed in all black – he could easily compete for the title of chief madman among those who dressed like stones – stood up. "The Dark Lord is suspicious. He trusts his current followers less and less since the last two missions were sabotaged. Voldemort intends to break his imprisoned followers out of Azkaban."

There were gasps all around. Of course to the two men who were speaking the reaction seemed quite out of place. After all, from what they knew the Dark Lord's move was perfectly sensible. And fear of one's name... Dumbledore lost count of how many times he told everyone who would listen that the name was nothing to fear. Didn't they understand that victory demanded bravery?

"What do we do?" it was professor McGonagall who asked the question. According to Dumbledore, that woman could compete with Severus for the title of the queen of rocks. "Does the ministry even know they are going to be attacked? For that matter when is the attack going to take place?" she looked worried.

"The Dark Lord plans to attack tomorrow at dawn, he revealed the plan this late to not give any spies an opportunity to warn anyone," Snape replied with a sour look on his marble-like face.

"Arthur, please, alert madam Bones," Dumbledore asked the father of the Weasley family. The man stood up at once and nodded before disappearing in green flames.

"I believe we must now dedicate our meeting to planning the defence of Azkaban," Dumbledore looked around the room. His gaze swept by Mrs Hermione Weasley and Mr Ronald Weasley – newly married. The young woman already had a growing belly. The old man couldn't suppress and small smile at that – a new life! Indeed, light could be seen even in the absolute darkness, if one only tried to look. Next were Mr Neville and Mrs Luna Longbottom, another young family. Near them sat Fred and George Weasleys with their young wives as well as Ms Ginevra Weasley with her betrothed Cormac McLaggen. Not too far away from the young sat the "old guard": Moody, the teachers, the rest of the Weasleys with their respective families, Remus Lupin and Mrs Tonks-Lupin, his wife – ah, the aged headmaster was so glad that the gentle werewolf was finally able to find some joy in his life, especially after what happened to Sirius and Harry.

"But first," Dumbledore said coolly, "there is a matter of great importance. We all know what is hidden in the depths of Azkaban. It must be guarded, it cannot fall into Voldemort's hands."

"I will guard him, professor," Ron said at once, steel in his eyes.

"I will too," Hermione followed her husband's example.

"No, you won't, Hermione," Ron argued immediately. "What if something happens to you? Think about the baby," he urged. Seeing the desperation and love in her husband's face, the young woman sighed and nodded.

"Fine," she sighed. "I won't go... But you'd better come back, Ronald Billius Weasley," Hermione finished with a glare.

"Are you sure, Mr Weasley?" Dumbledore asked in concern. "I know of your connection to it..."

"I'm an Auror, sir," Ron said with conviction. "I won't hesitate to do what must be done, should Voldemort break through our defences," he sighed. "Besides, I still want to know just... why he did it... I still can't understand."

"Very well, Mr Weasley," Dumbledore nodded amidst the uneasy silence.

AN: I know this story looks like it belongs in the Graphomaniac's Outlet (and I honestly have no clue as to how it will develop beyond first three chapters), but I think it is promising. Reviews are of course always welcome.