Dumbledore's Discovery - Proud to win!

"Cockroach Cluster!" Harry yelled at the Gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's room.

"You've got the password right, young man, but I can't allow you in anyway," the Gargoyle replied.

"Can't allow me in? Can't allow me in?" Harry was desperate.

"The Headmaster doesn't wish to be disturbed."

"You're sounding like Snape. What's Dumbledore doing that's so important?"

The Gargoyle looked around furtively. Then, dropping his voice to a whisper, he said, "Nobody's ever asked me that question before and I don't know the protocol when they do. But since I like you, I'm going to tell you."

Harry's curiousity was aroused. He forgot what he had come for. (Peeves had trapped Neville up a chimney and nobody had been able to get him down.) "What is the Headmaster doing, then?" he asked.

"He's finding a new use for scandium."

"He's whatting what for what?"

The Gargoyle reeled off: "21 is the atomic number of the chemical element scandium. Discovered in 1879, it is classified as a rare-earth element."

"So?"

"Scandium is a soft metal with a silvery appearance. It develops a slightly yellowish or pinkish cast when oxidized by air," the Gargoyle continued.

"So?" Harry repeated.

To his surprise, the door behind the Gargoyle opened and Dumbledore peered out.

"So, young Potter, you can be the first to try the new use I have found for it!"

His heart pounding, Harry stepped into the Headmaster's office. The Headmaster took him straight to the desk, which, surprisingly, was empty except for ...

"Sir? This is a jar of shoe-polish."

Harry had seen enough shoe polish at the Dursleys' to last him a lifetime. He was always being made to shine his uncle's shoes, and his cousin's.

"Yes, try it. Try it on your shoes."

Skeptically, Harry picked up the jar, took the little brush that was in it and smeared a bit on his left shoe.

The smear showed up silvery, and then turned yellow. Then, it turned pink.

Dumbledore was clapping in glee and skipping little skips of pure joy. "It worked! It worked! Now, people need not get shoes to match the clothes in their wardrobe, they can simply smear on Dumbledore's Dollop and the shoe changes colour!"

"But these are the colours it oxidises to ... what about others?"

"I'm working on that."

"But - why?"

"Why? Why? Think about all the closets lined with shoes that'll now have free space. If Willy Wonka can have candy that changes colour and Diagon Alley can have ink that changes colour, why not a shoe polish?"

Harry was laughing now. Dumbledore's delight was infectious. "Will you give me some to take to Privet Drive, Sir, please?" he asked.