THE ORPHIC

Disclaimer:All characters are the property of J. K. Rowling, and Time Warner.This is strictly for non-profit Internet entertainment use.

A/N:This chapter is greatly inspired by the link I mentioned in the earlier chapter.

Chapter 8: Figuring it out

Bubbling with excitement, Amanda said,"Harry,if you don't mind could you relate the events occuring during Dumbledore's death?"

Nodding,Harry related the events throwing an occassional questioning look at Amanda,who was listening to him in stufefied attention.

When, Harry finished she stood up quietly,deep in thought. Finally she stood up and asked Draco his side of the story.Draco too related the events but with an ashamed expression. Hesitantly,Amanda said,"Harry, I don't think that Dumbledore is dead." A deafening silence followed this declaration.

Harry got up on his feet and said,"Amanda, you don't know what you are talking about.I was there when he died and so was Draco.You can't tell that we are lying when you didn't even know the man let alone see him die.I think your idea is too far-fetched to be true."

Amanda patiently replied,"Harry I know this sounds strange but I believe I've gathered proof.Hermione." turning towards her,"I'm greatly surprised you didn't figure it out."

To this both Hermione and Ron were about to retort when Harry stopped them and instead nodded at her as though telling her to start her theory.

Taking a deep breath,Amanda said,"Firstly the question that arises in my mind is that why in the world did Dumbledore freeze you when you were already invisible to the Death Eaters and how did he react so fast. we know that his reflexes are not the same anymore the proof being his scarred hand.The only explanation could be that Dumbledore already knew, had already planned, that he would die this night (or appear to die), and not only did he not want Harry to become involved and possibly be injured himself, he needed Harry to be a witness, to be able to tell everyone else what happened. Dumbledore might have also promised Snape that he would make sure that Harry would not be able to interfere, knowing how Harry feels about Snape and what Snape was about to have to do. The supposition that it was Dumbledore's plan to do this all along is supported by the fact that he acted so quickly to do it, almost without thinking, when Draco burst in on the scene."

Now, Amanda had surely captured theattention of her audience for they were looking at her with an expression that said why-didn't- I-yhink-of -that-before.

Now, turning to Draco she said,"Draco, didn't you tell me that Dumbledore said he has ways that could make it appear that Draco died when he really hadn't. Doesn't that sound exactly like what we suspect that Dumbledore has planned for himself? Next, Harry hasn't Fawkes come to your rescue whenever you are about to die or are in danger?Can't a pheonix heal wounds? Tell me,why then has Fawkes not come to her master's rescue.If she can rescue you,be loyal to you, why not her own master?I think the fact that he didn't makes it possible to believe that Dumbledore didn't want his life to be saved, and this supports the theory that it was Dumbledore's plan all along to "die" up on that tower that night." Harry then asked,"If you are trying to tell me that Dumbledore had already planned to fake his own death,that snape hasn't killed him.Then why hasn't he told of his plan to the Order?" Amanda replied,"He must have done so.Do you think anybody will tell us that?How do you think Snape came into the picture? I have further proofs which are not made on assumptions. Like the fact that when Dumbledore is hit with the Killing curse Dumbledore violently flies up and away from the tower.Every other time we've seen the Avada Kedavra performed, the victim simply falls over dead:Perhaps his spell was different because even though those were the words Snape said, he didn't perform the killing curse at all.Perhaps Snape said Avada Kedavra, but the curse he was really thinking, the nonverbal one, was a different curse, one that only made it appear that Dumbledore was dead.

Hermione stood up now,she had kept quiet long enough now.Catching the drift she said,"If Snape was really working on Dumbledore's orders to make it look to the world as if Snape had killed him, even if he had used the real Avada Kedavra, if he had not really meant it, if he really didn't want to kill Dumbledore, then isn't it possible that the curse didn't kill Dumbledore, but only injured him badly? Harry, you tried to curse Bellatrix with an Unforgivable but yet she survived! So it is possible that Dumbledore has not died after all!"

Ron too excited now said,"Harry, we heard Fawkes sing in the Hospital Wing that same night. A Pheonix has got healing powers right? So, if Amanda's theory is right then Fawkes was doing some healing that night for sure.I remember really well how the song seemed to soothen my spirits even after what had happened."

Hermione nodded furiously in agreement said," And Harry,we didn't actually see Dumbledore's body. It was covered in that cloth. Maybe it wasn't his body at all.Just think,this might be an excuse to fool the world.I think Amanda is right.Don't you Draco?" Draco who now was confined to silence simply nodded.

Amanda became angry at him for showing no concern.She gave him a look that said all.Ignoring her pointedly he said,"Harry, I don't know whether you believe her banter or not but my only advice is to chalk out a foolproof plan because if we are leaving tom morrow, we must leave fully prepared."

"He is right",said Ron,"we must plan as quickly as possible."

Harry said,"We'll do that today after lunch but right now,all I know is that we must first visit Godric Hollow."Everybody nodded.Harry then sighed and led the way to the door for lunch for it was lunch time now.In a single file,they followed him downstairs each in his own thought.As soon as they closed the door behind them, a figure crept out of the cupboard and Apparated.

A/N : Please review.