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Chapter 28:

Professor McGonagall returned moments later with a young Slytherin first year, "Mr Rowan, please come in and take a seat," Professor Dumbledore gestured to the seat in front of his desk. "This is Mr Potter – the head of the aurors office at the ministry." Charlus nodded kindly. "You are probably wondering why you have been summoned to my office."

The small boy looked like he was about to cry. "Yes professor."

"Well, I'm afraid that I have some bad news. You will of course already know about this morning's incident with the muggles' underground train system?"

"Yes sir," the small boy nodded.

"Well, I'm so sorry Alfredo but your mother was on the train that the wizards attacked. She – She didn't make it. She was taken directly to St Mungo's but she didn't survive. Your mother was pregnant and that complicated matters slightly, Alfredo."

"Yes sir, she only had a month and a bit left until – until the baby was due to be born…" He blurted out.

"Well, the healers at St Mungo's managed to save the baby. You have a new baby brother. He is with your father and is perfectly healthy. I expect you wish to see them?"

"Yes sir," Alfredo cried. Professor McGonagall held the small boy's hand.

"May I ask that you wait until tomorrow?" Dumbledore asked, "I would like you to get a good night's sleep before you travel."

"O-Ok sir," the small boy nodded.

"Your family have been assigned an auror for protection purposes. We have reason to believe that this was not a random attack but rather that the wizards responsible premeditated the attack." Charlus said officially, before softening, "it has been a terrible day and I am very sorry for your loss."

The small boy nodded once more. Dumbledore smiled sadly at him, "Professor McGonagall will escort you to the hospital wing where you will spend the night. Madam Pomfrey will give you a tonic to help you sleep." Professor McGonagall led the small boy back out of the room and down the stairs.

"My mum's dead?" Alfredo asked her.

"I'm afraid so," Professor McGonagall replied, putting an arm on his shoulder, "I'm so sorry." A tear fell down McGonagal's cheek. This was the worst part of her job.


The men waited patiently in Dumbledore's study. They made small talk but when that failed they began to talk about business again. "We are going to have to do something about this Dumbledore."

"We will," Dumbledore nodded.

"I didn't expect it so soon," Charlus sighed. "They have attacked the muggles before of course but this is different. They've made demands."

"Indeed. Something needs to be done," Albus agreed, turning to look out the window, "I'm concerned about the minister. Alcaraz will be under a lot of pressure. You should befriend him and try to encourage him to be strong and resolute. He must lead the wizarding community in a war soon and he must be ready."

"Very well," Charlus replied, "I'll invite him for dinner." Charlus chortled.

There was a final knock on the door, "please come in."

The door opened and in walked Remus Lupin. "Remus please make yourself comfortable, we need to talk."

"Yes, Professor," Remus nodded.

"I am afraid that I have some bad news," Dumbledore began.

"I already know," Remus said gently.

"You already know?" Albus asked.

"It's obvious isn't it? One wizard died this morning – it was in the paper – and now I am being called to your office and the head of the auror office is here. What else could it be professor?"

"Always so wise," Dumbledore whispered, "I'm sorry."

Remus nodded, words failing him. Their conversation did not last long and soon Remus was on his way to the hospital wing to join the others. There he would spend the night in a dreamless sleep. That's what Dumbledore had said. Remus' thoughts were all over the place. He was completely devastated. He had been told that he would be allowed to visit his mother in the morning after a good night's sleep.


When Remus arrived in the hospital wing, he was surprised by the number of people in the room. Madam Pomfrey quickly led him to a bed in a quiet corner and gave him some water. She informed him that dinner would be in about half an hour and that some nightclothes and toiletries had already been collected from his dorm room for him by one of the house-elves. "Thank you very much Madam Pomfrey."

The witch drew the curtain around his bed so that he could change in private. As soon as he was separated from the outside world by the curtain, he began to cry heavily.


Charlus looked at Albus, "I suppose that's it."

"I suppose so," Albus nodded. "You will stay for tea?"

"Yes. I'd love to." Charlus smiled, "it'll be good to see James."

"I suppose I can't tempt you to join me and the teachers at the head table then?" Albus chuckled softly.

"I think not," Charlus laughed outright, "Gryffindor table will do me just fine."

"Would you mind if I join you?" Albus asked.

"I don't see why I would mind," Charlus smiled, "I can't wait to see the look on their faces though."

They quickly left the office and made their way down towards the Great Hall. Instead of making their way to the head table they went and joined the Gryffindors. They all looked very surprised to have their headmaster sitting with them but they didn't comment on the strange occurrence. James smiled when he saw his father and quickly went to sit with him, "hello dad. What are you doing here?"

"Work, James."

"Someone's parent died?" James asked, a sad look passed his face briefly but refused to stay. Soon he was smiling once more; after all, his father was with him.

"I'm afraid so," Charlus replied. Dinner passed slowly with Dumbledore making conversation with several students, including a few first years who looked completely terrified.

"I should do this more often," Albus said jubilantly, "sit with my students…"

Charlus laughed at the idea. When it was time for Mr Potter to return home, he asked James to walk him out to the gate. They left the Great Hall and soon found themselves walking through the grounds down towards the gate. The sun was beginning to set. "James, your friend Remus' father has died. He will not want a fuss but could you perhaps check on him, be his friend. Don't tell the others but be there for him."

"Yes, father," James replied. They exchanged hugs at the gate and Charlus told James to keep himself safe and out of trouble. James wished he could ask the same of his father but he knew that it would be unfair to ask it. Once his father had disapparated on the other side of the gate, James began to make his way back towards the castle. He walked quickly, almost running. He made his way into the dorm room and grabbed Remus' favourite book before leaving for the hospital wing. He knew that Madam Pomfrey wouldn't really be happy about him going so he hid under his cloak. Remus was still awake when James arrived. "Remus," James whispered.

"James?" Remus answered, "Is that you?"

"Yes. My dad told me," James said as he removed the cloak, "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok James," Remus said sadly.

"No it's not," James frowned, "I brought your favourite book."

"Thank you, James," Remus looked like he was about to cry.

"Do you want me to stay? I could, you know. Magical cloak and all that…"

"No. No, I'll probably just sleep but thank you for the book James. It was very thoughtful." Tears were falling down the twelve year old's face now.

"We're brothers," James explained, "Marauders. It's what we do."

Remus nodded, wiping his tears away on his sleeve.


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