Wizarding Savior?

Chapter 4

Arthur and the rest of the Weasleys returned to the Burrow, where Molly hustled them up to their rooms, and Arthur Apparated to Grimmauld Place to see who amongst the Order he could press into service. Hestia and Diggle were the only ones there. Arthur said, "Start flooing Order members. Harry disappeared from the platform."

Diggle went for the Floo, while Hestia looked piercingly at Arthur, "What do you mean he disappeared? The boy isn't old enough to Apparate, and Portkeys don't work on the platform."

Arthur shrugged, "I don't know. We all saw him get off the train with the others, and then Hermione was telling us she was gone. We searched the platform and couldn't find him, besides he wouldn't have left without saying goodbye to his friends."

Hestia nodded, "That would fit with what we know of him. I think I will head to the Ministry to talk to Amelia."

"Mad-Eye sent Tonks to do that. He also sent Remus to Dumbledore, so we should be having numerous people showing up shortly."

Meanwhile, Tonks had gotten into Amelia's office, "Amelia, Harry Potter disappeared from Platform 9 ¾. It's possible that he was abducted by Death Eaters."

"How would he have been abducted by Death Eaters on the platform? Portkeys don't work, and Side-Along Apparition is impossible if the second person isn't willing," replied Amelia.

That brought Tonks up short, "I hadn't thought of that, but who would Harry have left with willingly? All of his friends were already on the platform."

"I'm afraid I can't answer that question, Auror Tonks, as I don't know the boy, and have only met him once. However, unless you have proof that he has been abducted, I caution you to warn Dumbledore's little Order that any illegal activity that they engage in will be prosecuted most harshly. I don't approve of vigilante organizations."

Tonks nodded cautiously before slowly backing out of the room and fleeing for the Apparition point to get back to headquarters.

Remus apparated to Hogwarts and raced across the grounds into the castle. Minerva spotted him as he was running through the halls and hurried after him. He shouted out the password to the gargoyle, and raced up the stairs into Dumbledore's office. He stopped to catch his breath and gasped out, "Harry is missing," just as Minerva was entering the office.

Dumbledore stood in alarm, "What?"

Remus took a couple of deep breaths, "He got off the train with the others, and then he was just gone. None of us actually saw anything, not even Moody. Hermione was actually the first one to notice that he was missing. Mad-Eye sent Arthur to headquarters to start contacting Order members, and Tonks to Amelia to get the Ministry involved."

Dumbledore started moving towards the fire, "We must get to Grimmauld and get everyone organized to begin a search." The three of them went through the fire to Grimmauld Place and met several others as they were Apparating outside and coming or popping through the fire. Most of the Order was assembled when Sturgis Podmore came racing into the kitchen, and said, "Harry Potter was spotted going into Gringotts with a man and two younger girls. The person that spotted them didn't recognize the people that he was with."

Dumbledore jumped up with a purpose, "I'm on my way to Gringotts, then. The rest of you remain here, and be prepared to have a meeting when I return with Mr. Potter."

Remus and Minerva stood, "I'm going with you," they both said simultaneously.

Dumbledore waved them off, "That won't be necessary."

Remus insisted, "Yes, it is. Harry isn't exactly happy with you right now. He blames you at least in part for Sirius' death. He's far more likely to listen to Minerva and I than you."

Dumbledore sighed, "You may be right. Come along then."

The three of them Flooed to Diagon Alley and made their way into Gringotts. Dumbledore snagged the first available teller, "It is my understanding that Harry Potter is at the bank. I need to see him."

The teller eyed Dumbledore for a moment, "I will get you a manager."

A few moments later a goblin in more ornate clothing came out and said, "I am Ironknife. How may I help you?"

"I have been informed that Harry Potter is in the bank. I need to see him most urgently," replied Dumbledore.

Ironknife shook his head, "I am afraid that is impossible. Mr. Potter is in private conference with Runetooth and cannot be disturbed. You will have to wait until they are finished."

Dumbledore practically snarled at the goblin, "As Chief Warlock, I demand to see Harry Potter, right now."

The goblin smiled, which if you know anything about goblins you know is a bad thing, "Your titles mean nothing inside this bank, Albus Dumbledore. This is goblin territory. Only our laws matter here. If you would like to wait until Mr. Potter is done, then do so. If you persist in this action, I will have you removed from the bank."

Albus reached for his wand, but Remus grabbed his arm, "Have you lost your mind? Drawing a wand in Gringotts is a death sentence. The goblins won't allow harm to come to him. We can just wait."

Albus visibly calmed down, and went to the benches to sit and wait for Harry. Remus turned to look at Minerva and raised his eyebrows. She shrugged with an alarmed look on her face. Neither of them had ever seen Dumbledore lose his cool in such a fashion.

The three of them sat and waited for nearly forty-five minutes, until it was becoming apparent that Dumbledore's renowned patience was wearing thin. Remus got up and said, "I'm going to go ask and see if they know how much longer Harry will be." He walked over to the teller that had gotten Ironknife for them and cleared his throat. The goblin looked up at him. "I was wondering if we might inquire as to when Harry Potter would be finished with his business?"

The teller nodded, "I will get Runetooth for you."

Moments later Runetooth entered the lobby. He walked over to Remus, who was standing next to the bench that Albus and Minerva were sitting on. He said, "I understand that you are looking for Mr. Potter."

Albus interjected, "Yes, and if you are finished with your business with him, then I demand to see him, now."

"I'm afraid that's impossible, as Mr. Potter is no longer within the bank."

Albus' face darkened, "How did he leave?"

"By Portkey."

"That's not possible. Portkeys don't work in Gringotts."

"While it is impossible to make a Portkey to get into Gringotts, you can however leave Gringotts by Portkey with the permission of a bank manager. I gave Mr. Potter and his associates permission to do so."

Albus ground his teeth together, "Who were his associates?"

"I'm afraid their identity is covered by bank confidentiality."

"I am Harry Potter's magical guardian. I have the right to know who he is meeting with and what he is meeting for."

"I'm afraid you are once again misinformed. Your guardianship of Mr. Potter only gave you rights to know his dealings when it involves removing money from an account. Since, no money was removed during this visit to Gringotts, you have no rights to interfere in his business, and I am not bound to break confidentiality and inform you of anything." With that the goblin turned around and walked out of the lobby.

Albus stood there completely flabbergasted at not getting his way for a few moments and then wordlessly turned and walked from the bank. Remus and Minerva hurried after him with perplexed looks on their faces.

The three of them returned to Grimmauld Place, where the rest of the Order were waiting for them. Once they entered the kitchen Molly Weasley burst out, "Where is Harry?"

Most of the Order member rolled their eyes at the possessive and overbearing woman. Albus responded, "We don't know, Molly." He raked his eyes over the rest of the Order to make sure he had their attention, "It is imperative we discover who Harry was meeting with while at Gringotts, and we must find out what they were meeting about. The goblins could have told him anything."

Hestia asked, "So, we know he did have a meeting at Gringotts?"

Remus nodded, "Yes. The goblins confirmed that he was there, but they wouldn't reveal why he was there, or who he was meeting with. Also, they allowed Harry and whoever he was with to Portkey directly from the bank, so that we were unable to speak with him."

Dumbledore began to dispense orders to everyone of what they should be doing to help find Harry. The Order began to notice that nothing was said about combating the Death Eaters, which didn't sit well with several of them, but most thought of it as who were they to question Albus Dumbledore. They had focused on keeping Harry safe for a year, so he must be more important than just a symbol. This concept had several of them wondering just exactly what was in that Prophecy.

After most of the Order was filing out and Dumbledore had left, Remus walked over to Minerva, "Did you notice how tense Albus was?"

Minerva sighed, "Yes, I've never seen him behave in such a manner. He was actually going for his wand in Gringotts. If there is anyone who could actually get out of Gringotts alive after doing so, it would be him, but the ramifications on wizard-goblin relations if he did so is mind boggling. I can't imagine what would cause him to act so."

Remus mused, "Well, I have a bit of an idea about that. Albus seemed far more concerned with what Harry could have possible learned at Gringotts than with his safety. That has me wondering what it is that he doesn't want Harry to know."

"Could it have something to do with Sirius' will?" asked Kingsley from behind them.

Remus and Minerva both jumped in surprise, "That's possible, but I can't imagine what would have been in Sirius' will that would be so bad. It was my understanding from Sirius that he planned to leave most of the Black fortune to Harry, but since the Potters were already rich, I don't see how that could be that much of a big deal."

Minerva added on to Remus rumination, "The only thing that I could think of would be a magical emancipation, but even that shouldn't be a cause for worry. Harry can be a bit reckless when it comes to protecting people he cares about, but he mostly has a level head on his shoulders. Even if he is emancipated, he will still listen to advice from us."

The others nodded, and departed on their way with doubts still permeating their minds about what Albus Dumbledore could possibly be up to.

A/N: I know Dumbledore is extremely out of character, and my argument for that is so far in the canon universe, no one has actually challenged his plan for how things are to turn out. Harry re-learning about his heritage from the goblins, and them discovering and breaking the memory charm, which is what he assumes was happening, are a serious threat to his plans for the Greater Good of Albus Dumbledore. Thus, his loss of composure.