Space Address: 3B - Fire

Word Count: 346

Warnings: WWII; bombs; Dumbledore being terrible

AU: Blatantly evil Dumbles.

~o0o~

There were two times in history when students could remain at Hogwarts during the summer, back when Hogwarts was first established up until the Statute of Secrecy was established and during the Second World War. Muggle children from central London were sent to the country, wizard parents kept their children at Hogwarts.

But that wasn't necessarily the best decision.

Wizards couldn't have known that the enchantment that made Hogwarts unplottable, caused Muggle navigation equipment to go haywire. And the current wards didn't protect them from bombs.

They learned that the hard way.

Professor Calarook learned that the hard way. She and Albus Dumbledore had volunteered to remain during the summer.

"Albus," she said as they walked the corridors, "why isn't that Riddle boy here? I would've thought he, more than anyone, would need to stay at Hogwarts to be safe."

"It is best for young Tom to spend some time away from his peers," said Albus in a wise tone.

Calarook didn't buy it. "That's nonsense, Albus! The boy needs a place to be himself, keeping him in isolation is only going to steer him wrong. I was raised in an orphanage, too, it is a terrible place to grow up. I'm going to go and get him right now."

"I wouldn't do that, Calarook," the wizard responded.

"Just you try and stop me."

Before their argument could continue, the roar of engines resounded overhead, causing the window panes to rattle. Calarook opened the window and heard the air raid sirens.

"Oh, no…" she breathed and heard the whistle of bombs. "Albus! We need to act now, the students!"

A force blew her down the hallway, but it wasn't the explosion from the first bomb.

"I'm sorry, Calarook," said Albus. "I can't have you meddle in matters that don't concern you."

"ALBUS!"

"Silencio. Petrificus Totalus."

Calarook lost her voice and became still. Albus levitated her body into the library, and the last thing she heard was the glass shatter as a bomb entered through the windows.

The last thing she felt was the blast of heat.