In the dark of the night, two hooded Aurors made their way across the Hogwarts ground. At the entrance of the front doors, Professor McGonagall politely awaits and greets the Aurors. She leads them through the castle to the entrance of the headmaster's office, where an ugly gargoyle stands guard.
"Follow me if you will," Professor McGonagall instructed as she whispered the password to the gargoyle. The stone wall split open to reveal a spiral-moving staircase. The two Aurors follow closely as the stars rise higher and higher before coming to a still before a gleaming oak door with a polished brass knocker.
Professor McGonagall firmly knocks on the door as the voice of Dumbledore says, "Please send them in, Minerva. That will be all," Professor McGonagall moves to the side to permit the two auror's step inside, before closing the doors behind them, and returning the way she came.
Looking up from his desk from behind half-moon spectacles, Dumbledore asks, "Auror to what do I owe the pleasure for the unexpected evening visit?"
"It's been some time, Headmaster," Alastor Moody answered in a thick Scottish brough. He lifted his rugged hand to tug back his hood revealing a still-healing scar across the bridge of his nose. A recent acquirement during the apprehension of a wily escapee.
"I am well, Auror Moody. Might be introduced to your companion?" Dumbledore politely asked.
The second Auror removes her hood revealing the sharp face of Sara Vinovich. Her gleaming yellow owl-like eyes seem to take everything in as she studies the headmaster's office. "Auror Vinovich," she briskly introduced herself with no further introduction beyond her namesake.
Moody hides a glimmer of laughter at Sara Vinovich's brief response. He takes an offered seat, while Vinovich remains standing guarding Moody's back. Seeing the solemn atmosphere, Dumbledore furrows his silvery brows. "I fear this is not a social visit, am I correct, Auror Moody?"
"No, Professor Dumbledore," Moody earnestly murmured. "I'm afraid, we're here to discuss a much more somber topic."
"Yes, well, I'm all ears," Dumbledore leaned back clasping his hands together and allowing them to rest on top of his desk.
"I received your recent letter, Headmaster," Moody carefully said, "but there was still something that was left unsaid."
"Did I not go into sufficient detail or failed to provide an adequate answer?"
"Well, honestly, yes, Headmaster. Why did you say that after the death of a student during Riddle's term as Head Boy you kept a closer eye on him afterward?"
Vinovich's eyes narrow on Dumbledore as he grows a bit stiff and still. "You must understand, I never wished to think terribly of a student," Dumbledore honestly answered. "And there was never any proof for he was a well-liked boy by all including previous Headmaster Dippet. Yet I felt that a closer eye could do no harm."
"Don't play coy, Dumbledore," Vinovich rudely snapped.
"Vinovich!" Moody exclaimed. "I am so sorry for this, Headmaster, but she's always had a bit of a temper.
"I'm by no means offended, please do carry on," Dumbledore calmly gestured that all is forgiven.
Vinovich narrows her eyes and coldly says, "I remember Grindelwald, Professor Dumbledore. My father was one of the Aurors who died seeking to apprehend Grindelwald for his crimes. I very clearly recall the part you played as well as you remained holed up in your castle like some sort of muggle princess in her tower."
"I even know how you used Newt Scamander when you were too afraid to act yourself. And yet, no one speaks of the valor of Newt Scamander or of all those Aurors who lost their lives in the apprehension of Grindelwald," Vinovich bitterly recounted. "All the wizarding world recalls is the grand defeat of Grindelwald, but what most fail to recall is that you, Dumbledore had to actually be begged by countless wizards and witches to intervene. The obvious and most logical question that no one ever seems to ask is why did you not do so sooner?"
"Vinovich," Moody growled knowing her emotions were getting to Vinovich, (his former Auror trainer when he was still a rookie Auror).
Vinovich snorts and folds her arms over her chest defensively. "I am not saying anything that is untrue, Moody!" Moody opens his mouth but is unable to think of anything to refute her claim.
"I know a bit more than most, Moody!" Vinovich hissed. "But I digress on the topic given that this is neither the place nor time for it. Nevertheless, we both know that you must have sensed or even seen the signs, Dumbledore. After all, who better than the childhood friend of Grindelwald to notice the signs of another dark wizard."
Moody clearly blinks in shock at the revilement. "Is that true, Professor Dumbledore?" Moody gawked. "Were you once friends with Grindelwald?"
"In our youth," Dumbledore quietly answered causing Moody to snap his mouth shut in shock.
"I will ask you once more, Dumbledore," Vinovich poisonously said. "Did you or did you not see the warning signs, Albus Dumbledore?"
"I may have noticed one or two similar traits," Dumbledore reluctantly admitted.
Vinovich coldly laughed. "Of course, what else was to be expected? As usual, the heroic Dumbledore waits in his castle to act until the last minute when all hope is lost. How very typical of you, Albus Dumbledore, the hero at the end of our tale."
Dumbledore remains silent as Moody coughs to break the tension. "Vinovich perhaps, it would be best if you remain outside for the rest of the conversation."
"No, I'll hold my tongue, Moody," Vinovich growled. "But don't even think for a second, I will ever like this man."
"Fair enough," Moody mumbled before clearing his throat and saying, "I apologize for the divergence, Headmaster. But as I was saying, in my letter, is there anything else that you can think of that could be of importance?"
"None that the moment," Dumbledore truthfully replied as Vinovich loudly snorted in disdain.
Casting a glare in her direction, Moody quickly says, "In that case, we'll be taking out leave, Headmaster. Good night."
Moody and Vinovich turn to leave, when Dumbledore says, "How did you come to learn of Tom Riddle's past? Surely, he wasn't on the Ministry's agenda until recently, but you seem to know far too much about him, Auror Moody."
Moody narrows his eyes and turns around with a polite smile. "It is my job to know, Headmaster, it is my case."
Dumbledore sagely nods his head and says, "I see." Moody nods once more to Dumbledore, before leaving the way they came.
The two of them are silent until they make their way out onto the ground. "I told you so," Vinovich finally said.
"About what?" Moody arched his brow.
"Dumbledore."
"Don't use that mocking tone with me, Moody! You heard that last question direction directed at you. Why would such a benevolent Headmaster even think to ask such a question?"
After a long silence, Moody reluctantly replies, "I don't know."
"And that is precisely why I don't like him," Vinovich growled. "Dumbledore claims to do things for the greater good even if it means the sacrifice of others. Now, whose philosophy does that sound like?"
Moody remains silent as they both know the obvious answer, Grindelwald. Their return back is long and quiet as Moody changes his perspective of Headmaster Dumbledore. That wasn't to say, that he believed that Dumbledore had been turned or was in league with Tom Riddle. It was just that perhaps, there was some truth to Vinovich after all. Headmaster Dumbledore played games with the people's lives and whether for the greater good or not, he himself most certainly did not agree with that view.