A/N: Again thanks to my Beta Reader Jessara and to Bronte's Mum and Anthot Formiant for their unending patience. Sorry chapter is a bit short, but next chapter should be longer as I am hoping to reveal what Harry's illness is and how he got it. So stay tuned. Please, Please review even if you think the story is boring, so I at least know what I am doing wrong.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and his world, they belong to J. K. Rowling and I thank her for them every day.
Professor Albus Dumbledore was sitting alone at the kitchen table of 12 Grimauld Place, a steaming cup of lemon and ginger tea half way towards his lips, when there was a sudden flash of green in the fireplace.
With reflexes born of a lifetime of magic, he gripped the teacup more tightly in one hand and reached for his wand with the other. Peering into the green flame the face of a very worried Arabella Figg appeared.
"Dumbledore, what in the name of Hecate is going on at the Dursleys? Hermione Granger and her parents have just carried Harry off and driven away."
Dumbledore looked at her with a concerned look on his face, as he answered, "When did this happen, Arabella?" returning the cup to the table and the wand to his belt.
"About fifteen minutes ago, Hermione said she sent you a note via Hedwig to explain and that Harry's guard could follow them. She's taking Harry and Petunia home with her." Arabella stopped to catch her breath.
Dumbledore's worried look eased a little. " That's alright Arabella, we do know where she lives and can set up wards on her house before they arrive. Harry will be safe as long as he's with Petunia. Did she tell you why she has done this?"
"No, I assume it is in the letter Hedwig is carrying. Dumbledore, Harry looked so thin and weak, he couldn't even walk. But it was the strangest thing, he was smiling as though he didn't have a care in the world."
The worried look deepened again on Dumbledore's face " Arabella, go back and keep an eye on the Dursleys and I'll arrange for the wards to be put on."
Arabella Figg suddenly gasped " Oh! I almost forgot! Hermione gave me another message. Can you arrange for someone to collect Harry's trunk from the Dursleys and keep it safe?"
Dumbledore nodded and Arabella Figg promptly disappeared with another flash of green light. He sat at the table for a few minutes sipping his tea and mulling over this unexpected turn of events.
What must he think of me? I have obviously let him down again very badly; I may never regain Harry's trust and affection.
Is it possible, am I getting so old that my ability to judge people has become impaired. I thought the little talk the others gave the Dursleys would make them behave better this year. Could I have been so mistaken?
As for Hermione Granger, I would never have imagined her going against the measures that the order has set up to protect Harry. Surely she realizes this action will place her and her parents in grave danger. I shall set up the wards on her home personally.
I'm glad now, that Remus asked me to stay here for a while. I know it has been difficult for some of the others because of the recent shocking loss of Sirius. At least my being here will make Hedwig's flight a lot shorter and I can find out what is going on a lot more quickly.
(end POV)
Dumbledore contemplated the now empty cup; the thought of Harry's trunk pushed itself to the front of his mind. Things must indeed be serious, if Hermione had taken Petunia Dursley but left Harry's trunk behind.
Well the matter of the trunk could be easily addressed. He had no doubt at all that Fred and George Weasley would be the right men for the job. They had already rescued Harry once, so obviously knew their way around number 4 Privet Drive. Dumbledore was only too well aware that they also had a peculiar knack for Muggle locks and sneaking around generally.
He stood up and had started to search his many pockets for the two-way mirror to contact the twins, when he suddenly stopped. If Harry's trunk was still at the Dursleys that could well mean that Harry didn't have his wand with him and had no way to protect himself.
Dumbledore resumed his searching a bit more vigorously and soon found what he was looking for. It occurred to him that he couldn't leave headquarters unmanned so he would also have to get someone to stay while he was at the Grangers.
First he contacted the twins at Diagon Alley who, despite their raging curiosity being unsatisfied, agreed to go and collect the trunk and take it to Mrs. Figg. He also asked them to check that anything of importance to Harry was not left behind at the Dursleys, especially Harry's wand
Next he contacted Molly Weasley at The Burrow and requested her to come and take over duty at Headquarters, explaining that his presence was required elsewhere within half an hour. He hoped that Hedwig would arrive before Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley otherwise they would be sure to ask awkward questions to which he did not have the answers. Although he might be able to deflect them by just saying that Harry was with Hermione. As always he saw no need to lie.
Fifteen minutes later, Hedwig arrived and Dumbledore quickly relieved her of her message. He quickly opened it as he sat down. Not for the first time today, did a look of alarm spread over his face. His mind raced, if he had hoped the letter would bring answers he was sorely disappointed. Although the request for a healer didn't surprise him, the fact that Hermione had asked for one with Muggle knowledge did seem unusual. Why Muggle clothes and why not bring anyone else? Perhaps most puzzling was the damage she mentioned. He definitely was not fond of questions to which he didn't already know the answers. He needed to think on this at length.
Unfortunately for Albus Dumbledore luck was not on his side today, he was startled out of his pondering by the ill-timed arrival of the Weasleys, who all looked over at Dumbledore questioningly. Ron spotting the open letter in Dumbledore's hands exclaimed " Hey that's Hermione's writing, I'd recognize it anywhere."
Ron only just managed to note that the letter was addressed to Professor Dumbledore, before the headmaster had folded the letter and put it inside his robes.
Ginny Weasley had come to stand in front of Dumbledore, with her arms folded across her chest and looking very indignant as she burst out "Why is Hermione writing to you and not Ron or me?
Ron joined in now standing beside her " Yeah! Is it something to do with Harry, we already know you sent the twins to collect his trunk. If he isn't at the Dursleys and it's obvious he's not here, where is he?" concern for his best mate's safety clearly visible on his face.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, and stood up, but encountered a near to erupting Molly who had taken up a position on the other side of Ginny. She spluttered, " If you had to move Harry, why couldn't he come to the Burrow?"
Taking a step back, Dumbledore held up his hands in front of him as though trying to shield himself from all the emotion around him. Finally he said firmly "ENOUGH! Please I haven't got time for this. Come and sit down and I'll tell you what I can"
All three sat down looking at Dumbledore expectantly. "First let me stress as far I know Harry is safe, he's with Hermione and her parents. As to the reason Hermione wrote to me, that is currently between Miss Granger and myself AT HER REQUEST."
He paused momentarily "Now, I have a great deal to do before I see them and not a lot of time to do it. I promise that I will be back in touch as soon as I have information to share. Till then, I bid you farewell" with that he picked up Hedwig and strode purposefully from Grimauld Place.
