Chapter Thirty Six

Hogwarts Student Goes Missing!

Minerva was sitting in her office going through the third years Transfiguration exams with mild exasperation at some of them. You would think that some of them had never picked up a Transfiguration book in their lives. Minerva could excuse lack of power as not everyone was gifted but it was not difficult to remember the spells.

That was when a small brown Ministry owl flew through the window. Minerva wondered if it was yet another parent who was trying to bump up their child's grades with an anonymous donation to the Transfiguration department. You'd think they learned by now that Minerva would not change a grade for anyone but some still begged her to change their minds.

Opening it Minerva was shocked at what she found out from opening the letter. It was the last thing Minerva had expected when Gryffindor's popularity had once again soared because of Harry Potter. This time thanks to the young man winning the Triwizard Tournament by outcompeting three of-age competitors.

Dear Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall,

I Foma Salazar Slytherin do hereby withdraw my son and heir Hadrian Salazar Slytherin – also known as Harry James Potter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Yours Sincerely

Foma S. Slytherin

It was short and put its point across quickly. Minerva couldn't believe that Voldemort had somehow managed to take guardianship of Harry Potter. How was she going to explain this to the young man? Dumbledore must be able to do something about all this!

Minerva was about to go straight to Dumbledore's office when a chap came on the door. Minerva groaned not wanting to deal with whatever idiot child of hers had managed to do something they shouldn't. If this was Severus furthering his vendetta against her house Minerva would curse something or someone – possibly Severus Snape himself.

'Come in,' Minerva called hoping she didn't sound too annoyed.

There walked in Harry Potter's friends or given what the Daily Prophet had reported his now ex-friends Ronald and Ginevra Weasley. Minerva was surprised not see Granger there with them. They had been complaining about the way that Harry had been treating them for weeks.

'Professor McGonagall,' the Weasley boy said. 'We can't find Hermione.'

'Is it possible that she is with Mr Potter?' questioned Minerva.

'We haven't seen Harry either,' the Weasley girl said after a pause.

'Is it possible that they are together?' asked Minerva.

'Maybe,' the red haired girl said after swallowing thickly.

'Have you looked for them?' asked Minerva.

'We've looked everywhere for her,' the Weasley boy said.

'And Harry,' added his sister a bit too quickly.

'When was the last time you saw them?' asked Minerva.

'Last night,' the Weasley boy said.

'They didn't turn up to the victory party,' added Ginevra Weasley.

Minerva frowned thinking that wasn't like Harry Potter. Had Voldemort already taken the boy? That would explain his disappearance but not Grangers. The girl might have missed the party for her books but could she have been captured with Harry.

'And Harry wasn't there when I went to bed,' added the Weasley boy.

Minerva frowned not liking this at all. There had to be something going on especially with Voldemort's apparent adoption of Harry Potter. Minerva hid how worried she was about her two students.

'Thank, Miss Weasley, Mr Weasley for bringing this to my attention,' Minerva said. 'I will speak to the Headmaster.'

Minerva waited five minutes for the two children to leave before she left her office for the Headmaster's office. Albus seemed very stressed when Minerva entered. Not that Minerva blamed him considering the war that Albus was solely fighting against the Dark for.

'Albus,' Minerva greeted.

'Minerva, is there anything I can help you with?' questioned Albus.

'This,' Minerva handed Albus the letter to read. 'Somehow Voldemort has managed to gain guardianship over Harry Potter by claiming he's his father. Additionally, both he and Miss Granger has gone missing which I do not believe to be a coincidence.'

Albus sighed heavily, 'I always feared what would happen if Harry or Voldemort were to find out the truth.'

Minerva frowned at this comment wondering what that was supposed to mean. Did that mean that the Dark Lord was Harry Potter's father? But that was ludicrous the Dark Lord would never go for a Muggleborn!

'What do you mean?' demanded Minerva lips thin.

Albus sighed sadly, 'I'm afraid to say it is true that Lord Voldemort is Harry Potter's father or Hadrian Slytherin as he is now going by.'

Minerva was floored by this revelation. Minerva remembered Lily and James' shot gun wedding after Lily found out she was pregnant. James had come over to the Light side to protect his Muggleborn lover and half-blood son.

Was that all a lie? Had James actually been protecting his Lord's lover and unborn son? Would Voldemort have really had an affair with a so called Mudblood? More to the point would Lily Evans have ever gone for Lord Voldemort?

Unless it was rape. Minerva tried to remember back all those years. Had there been any incidents that Lily could have been raped at? Minerva couldn't remember but that didn't mean that could just mean that Lily had been hiding what had happened to protect Harry?

Then what was James' role in all this. Had he realised what had happened to Lily Evans and been so horrified he had switched sides. Or was he working for the Dark Lord to protect You Know Who's baby?

No Voldemort couldn't have known or he wouldn't have tried to kill the boy. How did Voldemort find out? How was Harry taking it? Minerva shuddered at the idea of finding out the monster who had killed your father and supposed mother was your father.

'How!?' demanded Minerva.

Albus sighed, 'do you remember when James switched side.'

'Of course,' Minerva said.

'Officially it was because he fell in love with Lily,' Albus said.

Minerva snorted, 'he was not in love with Lily. I always thought he switched side for the child. Don't think we didn't notice that James and Lily married almost exactly nine months before Harry was born!

'I was always surprised that he didn't just claim the boy and leave Lily for the Dark side. After all Harry was his Heir so he'd win guardianship any day. It isn't like the Dark has any problem with half-bloods. I was always suspicious of James' sudden change in allegiance,' Minerva admitted, 'but I take it there was more to James' switch in allegiance.

'Indeed,' Albus agreed. 'In actual fact when James was still a loyal Death Eater Voldemort,' Albus sighed heavily, 'forced himself on James.'

Minerva felt sick at what had happened to James. All those glares of suspicion and James had been dealing with that the whole time! Minerva wished he could take back what a hard time Minerva had given the young man.

Minerva frowned realising if James was the one raped by Voldemort that meant he was father. Then how come Lily pretended to be pregnant? Unless it was all an act to keep Voldemort from realising the truth!

'Are you saying James is Harry's bearer!?' demanded Minerva.

Albus nodded gravely, 'after James realised he was pregnant he wanted out to protect Harry from Voldemort's influence. Lily agreed to a scam marriage to protect the child from his father's influence but not from Voldemort himself.

'When Harry survived due to the fact that the Dark Lord could not harm his own flesh and blood I decided to hide his relation. I thought it would destroy Harry to know that his Sire killed his father and step-mother.

'You have no idea how much I regret that decision know. I should have told Harry the full story rather than lied to him,' Albus sighed. 'If I hadn't maybe Tom wouldn't have been able to manipulate Harry.'

'What do you mean, Albus?' asked Minerva glaring daggers at her employer.

'When I was at the Ministry earlier I ran into Harry and Voldemort,' sighed Albus. 'Harry is angry at me. He believes that I have drugged, embezzled, plotted to have him killed, kept his fortune and seats from him, abandoned and neglected him with Muggles who hated him.'

The mention of the Dursleys made Minerva realise something. Albus had claimed that Privet Drive was the only safe place for him with Voldemort's followers after him because of the blood wards but Harry wasn't related to the Dursleys at all. That meant Albus had lied about that.

'Why did you send him to live the Dursleys?' demanded Minerva. 'The Dursleys aren't related to him!'

'If he had not Lucius would have adopted him through Narcissa,' Albus said gravely. 'At best they would have found who he was converting him to their ideology. At worse they would have sentenced Harry to death and covered it up.'

Minerva nodded, 'I understand. How did they even find out?'

'I am not sure,' Albus admitted. 'The point is stands that Harry is gone and apparently not coming back.'

'You'd think that You Know Who would use Harry to spy on the Order,' frowned Minerva.

There was something wrong about all this. Harry was a kind, gentle young man Minerva just couldn't believe that the boy would betray them all even if Voldemort was his father. There had to be something that had pushed Harry into the Dark Lord's loving arm.

Albus sighed, 'I know but even I cannot predict Voldemort's actions.'

'And Miss Granger?' asked Minerva.

'I fear that she was used as a sacrifice in Voldemort's resurrection,' Albus sighed. 'I just hope that it was not Harry who lured Miss Granger away from Hogwarts.'

'Harry, wouldn't kill his best friend,' denied Minerva.

Albus sighed, 'they haven't been friends since Rita Skeeter's article.'

'Harry wouldn't kill her!' Minerva denied once more.

Albus sighed, 'I wish that were true. Minerva you have to report what has happened to Amelia Bones. What happened to Miss Granger was horrific but at least we can stop it happening to anyone else by proving that Voldemort has returned!'

Minerva closed her eyes but nodded. Voldemort had only been back one day and already a seventeen year old girl was dead even in the last war most of the casualties were adults. Actually apart from Harry Minerva couldn't remember a child being targeted at all.

Albus called Amelia from his office as they knew that a missing child would not be important enough for the Head of the DMLE to come herself. Albus knew that his positions would force the woman to come. Albus just hoped that she wasn't still annoyed at him for harassing two so called "innocent" people.

'Amelia,' Albus said crisply.

'Albus,' nodded Amelia coolly.

'Amelia,' smiled Minerva.

'Minerva,' Amelia smiled at her old classmate before turning frosty eyes on the headmaster. 'Albus, this better be important and be warned if it is more harassment against Foma and Hadrian Slytherin be warned that Lord Slytherin is pressing charges you don't want any more evidence against you.'

Minerva had always known that Amelia disliked Albus but enough to refuse to believe that Voldemort had returned! Minerva just hoped that Amelia would come to her senses soon enough. They needed Amelia and the DMLE on their side especially as Harry Potter had betrayed them to the Dark.

'Amelia,' Albus said kindly. 'Voldemort has returned and he is going by the name Foma Slytherin-'

'I have seen no evidence of that,' Amelia said sharply. 'I have spoken to Lord Slytherin and his son. Minerva please don't tell me you have called me here to try and convince me of you theories!'

'Amelia,' Albus tried again to sway the Head of the DMLE. 'I am not going to try and convince you that the Dark Lord is alive. You will see so for yourself soon enough. I just pray it is not too late to stop him!

'No I called you here today to tell you that Miss Hermione Grange is missing. We believe that Hadrian Slytherin lured her out of Hogwarts where she was sacrificed allowing Voldemort to return to full life,' Albus said gravely.

'Have you any proof of this?' asked Amelia sounding like she doubted it.

'No,' admitted Albus.

'When did you last see Hermione Granger?' asked Amelia.

Minerva frowned trying to figure if she saw Granger at the Third Task yesterday. Minerva couldn't recall seeing the girl being too busy worrying for Harry Potter. Minerva decided in the end that the last time she had seen her was at dinner.

'At dinner, yesterday,' Minerva said.

'That is where I last saw Miss Granger as well,' Albus said.

'Do you know who last saw or was seen with her?' asked Amelia.

'Ronald and Ginevra Weasley were the last to see her heading into the castle on her own,' Minerva said.

'Are you sure that she is not in the castle or Hogsmeade?' Amelia asked.

'Miss Granger is a strict rule-abider,' Albus said. 'She would not go to Hogsmeade except on a Hogsmeade weekend.'

Amelia pursed her lips, 'has Hogwarts been checked?'

'I had the paintings and ghosts search for Miss Granger,' Albus said.

'And I had the armours search for her,' Minerva added.

Amelia nodded, 'I'd still prefer to have my Aurors conduct a search as well. Have you contacted Miss Granger's parents?'

'No,' Albus admitted.

For the first time since Amelia Bones had stepped inside Hogwarts she looked pleased with their actions. Minerva had a feeling that her loyalty to Albus was going to harm her relationship with Amelia. Minerva wished that Amelia would come to his senses.

'Good,' Amelia said. 'I will speak to them after we have confirmed that Miss Granger really is missing.'

Minerva knew that Albus was not impressed with the Aurors who flooded through searching for Hermione Granger. At seven o'clock Amelia returned looking very serious. Minerva felt a sinking feeling knowing that Hermione Granger had not been found.

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Amelia sighed as she walked down the Muggle Street in a pin striped suit. Amelia had once been terrible at Muggle clothes but after the first few times Amelia been to the Muggle world Amelia had learned to dress like a Muggle. After becoming Head of the DMLE Amelia made sure all her employees had to learn a how to dress like a Muggle.

Amelia hoping against hope that she would find that the girl had just run home for whatever reason but Amelia had a bad feeling about this. Amelia suspected that the girl wasn't going to turn up again. Amelia feared that Albus had used her disappearance to try and convince them that Voldemort had returned.

Amelia had been suspicious of Foma Slytherin at first after Albus' accusations but Amelia hadn't wanted a battle in the atrium where innocents could be hurt. That was why she had got Dumbledore out of there as quickly as possible knowing that she was making an enemy of the older wizard. Then Amelia had spoken to the older man.

Only then had Amelia had relaxed. Amelia always listened to her instincts which rarely led her astray. Amelia could tell the man could be dangerous which wasn't surprising considering he had studied at Durmstrang which was well known for teaching the Dark Arts. Amelia could tell both Slytherins had their secrets and plans for the Wizarding world.

But watching Foma interact with his son Amelia couldn't believe that Foma Slytherin was Lord Voldemort. Amelia had seen the Dark Lord in early 1981 at the height of the war. Amelia could say for absolute certain that that monster was not capable of the love he was showing his son.

Amelia knocked on the door of the Grangers door hoping that the couple would be in. More so Amelia hoped that their daughter was also there. This was the part of being an Auror Amelia had always hated informing the relatives that the person they cared for was missing or dead.

'Hello,' Mr John Granger greeted taking in the woman before him. 'If you're selling anything I don't want it.'

'I'm Amelia Bones of the DMLE,' Amelia said to blank looks. 'Department of Magical Law Enforcement,' Amelia explained to the Muggle.

'Is Hermione okay?' demanded John Granger.

'Who is it John?' called Jean Granger.

'Magical Law Enforcement,' John Granger called back.

'Is Hermione okay?' called the worried mother.

'Can I come in?' asked Amelia.

John Granger nodded, 'yes, of course.'

Amelia was lead into the living room where she took a seat on the armchair opposite the Granger couple. Both of the Grangers looked incredibly nervous. Amelia remembered that the girl was supposed to be a strict rule abider so the parents must know if Amelia was here it would be bad.

'What's happened to Hermione!?' demanded John Granger. 'First, a month into first year we got the letter that the Hermione had been attacked by a bleeding troll! Then we got the letter telling us that she had been caught out of bed past curfew!'

'Hermione had never broken a single rule before she started your school!' Jean added angrily.

'Then she was bloody petrified,' John Granger said angrily. 'We weren't even allowed to see her because we're Muggles! Don't think we don't know how your society treats people like us! Now tell us what the hell has happened to our daughter bad enough for law enforcement to pay us a house call!'

'I am sorry to tell you that your daughter is missing,' Amelia said grimly.

Both Grangers suddenly burst into tears. Amelia knew from the reactions of the Mr and Mrs Grangers that the Granger girl hadn't contacted her parents. Still as protocol demanded Amelia had to ask.

'I am sorry to have to ask you this but has your daughter contacted you recently?' asked Amelia.

'Sunday,' John Granger said thickly.

'Hermione sent us her weekly letter,' Jean Granger added tear-struck.

'When did you last see her?' asked Amelia.

'When we dropped her off at Arthur and Molly Weasley's in Devon,' John Granger replied.

'How did she sound in her letter?' asked Amelia.

'Upset,' John Granger said. 'Her classmates and friends have been ostracising her because of the lies that that awful reporter said about her!'

Amelia kept a cool face, 'is it possible that she could have run away because of the bullying?'

'No,' John said without a thought. 'She was bullied in Primary but she never run away!'

Amelia nodded, 'you can contact me on this number should your daughter contact you.'

After their first few cases in the Muggle world where they had been unable to contact the Muggle law enforcement, witnesses or family members Amelia had decided to get a small, cheap, Muggle office in outer London. It allowed a receptionist to be keep in contact with any necessary Muggles. It was the number they used as the helpline if anyone saw Sirius Black.

'We'll keep you appraised of the investigation,' Amelia said.

Amelia returned to Hogwarts hoping that she could get more information out of Granger's friends and dorm mates than the parents. Amelia wanted to talk to the Weasley siblings first as they had been the last to see Granger. Hopefully they would have some insight into Miss Granger's whereabouts.

'Albus, I need a room to conduct my interviews,' Amelia said.

'There's a spare classroom a few corridors down,' Albus said.

Amelia nodded, 'okay I want to speak to Mr Weasley first.'

Amelia settled herself behind one of the desks which she set up as an interview desk. Amelia set up a recording spell that she would activate at the start of an interview. Amelia would review the interviews later for any irregularities.

Ronald Weasley was led into the room by Auror Jones. Amelia inspected Arthur's seventeen year old son who she had known from Ministry parties for year. The boy was looking desperate and like he was trying to hide how miserable he was.

'Mr Weasley,' Amelia greeted. 'Please have a seat. I should warn you that this conversation is being recorded.'

The boy nodded and sat down, 'have you found Hermione?'

'No, I have not,' admitted Amelia. 'I understand that you were one of the last people to see Miss Granger alive.'

Weasley nodded, 'yeah. She was heading off to Gryffindor Tower on her own. I was … too caught up in the celebrations.'

'How did she seem?' questioned Amelia.

'Fine,' Weasley said.

'Did it worry you that she wasn't at the party?' asked Amelia.

The boy shook his head, 'Hermione doesn't like parties. I thought she'd gone to bed with a book.'

Amelia nodded, 'when did you realise she was missing?'

'When Ginny told me this morning,' Weasley said. 'I had already realised that Harry was missing.'

'Mr Slytherin has been taken out of Hogwarts by his father,' Amelia said.

Amelia nodded, 'how has she been coping after Rita Skeeter's guardian?'

The boy scowled, 'the same as me. I can't believe Harry fell for Skeeter's lies!'

Amelia smiled and nodded, 'okay thank you, Mr Weasley.'

'Do you think she's okay?' Weasley asked.

'I am sure she's fine,' assured Amelia. 'Now can you send in your sister?'

The details between the two siblings were so similar that Amelia was sure that they had spoken beforehand. Then Lavender Brown Heiress to the Brown Lordship entered blonde hair bouncing. Seeing Amelia she seemed disappointed so Amelia summarised that the girl had been hoping for a handsome Auror.

'Miss Brown,' Amelia said. 'Please have a seat. I should warn you that this conversation is being recorded.'

'Okay,' the girl said. 'So what's happened?'

'Miss Hermione Granger has gone missing,' Amelia said. 'Can you tell me when was the last time you saw Miss Granger?'

The girl frowned, 'History of Magic exam. I was annoyed at her because she was going on about the goblins I couldn't remember! She's always so smart whilst the rest of us struggle.'

'How did she seem?' asked Amelia.

'Worried about her exam,' Brown said.

'Did you see her any later?' asked Amelia.

'No,' Brown said.

'Did you notice anything amiss when you got back to your dorm?' asked Amelia.

'She wasn't there but the party was still ongoing,' Brown replied. 'I thought she was still at the party.'

'And this morning?' asked Amelia.

'She wasn't there when I woke up,' shrugged the girl. 'I thought she was already up studying or something.' The girl frowned, 'there was a letter on her bed this morning.'

'A letter?' asked Amelia.

'Yes,' Brown said.

Amelia allowed the girl to leave the abandoned classroom. The other dorm mates confirmed that there had been a letter left on the bed that morning so Amelia had her Aurors check it out. There was no such letter found so Amelia called Ginevra Weasley back in as she had alerted everyone that Miss Granger was missing.

'Miss Weasley,' Amelia greeted. 'Take a seat. Once again you are being recorded. You are the one who realised Miss Granger was missing?'

'Yes,' agreed Ginevra.

'Did you see a letter?' Amelia asked.

There was a pause and looked down, 'no.'

'Miss Weasley,' Amelia said seriously. 'Your friend is missing if you are hiding evidence then you are endangering her life.'

Amelia gave a piercing look but the girl refused to say anything else to Amelia. Amelia knew that she would not be able to get anything out of the girl. Amelia had seen this before so many times and it always led back to one man and his people's loyalty to him.

Albus Dumbledore.