Harry Potter and the Order of Mercaba
by SeraphimBlue
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all the characters of his universe are owned by J.K. Rowling. I hold no claim over anyone here, except for my original characters and the Order of Mercaba, which is my own creation.
Chapter Six
The headline on the front page of the Daily Prophet had the entire Wizarding World in shock. It started with the Daily Prophet but soon was picked up by every paper of every country in the International Confederation of Wizards.
Dark Lord Dumbledore
by Rita Skeeter
"It is with a sad heart that I must release this horrible and terrible information. You will think it all lies, but it's true. Albus Dumbledore… Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wisengamot… was discovered unconscious in his office, the victim of an unknown attack that revealed a dark secret he was hiding.
In his office were many dark artifacts, dreadful things really, artifacts that are required by ICW mandate to be handed over to the Department of Mysteries immediately upon discovery. There were enough of said items in his office that one wouldn't think it was just a random thing… no, dear readers, there were enough of them there that you know he had to have been saving them… hiding them.
As well as that, sources have stated that Albus Dumbledore has had a severe attack against his magical core... and his core is refusing to allow itself to be fully healed. If you didn't know, most attacks that effect the core can be repaired by our brave Healers at Saint Mungo's… unless you have performed unholy Dark Rituals on yourself.
Dark artifacts in his office; an injured core that can only be created by Dark Rituals. Something isn't looking that well for our supposed Leader of the Light.
On top of that… where is his familiar, the beloved and beautiful phoenix Fawkes? Why is it not here in his time of need? It seems obvious to me, dear readers. Phoenixes are renown for their aligning with anything Light and Good. For it to… abandon him… well that just goes to show that Albus Dumbledore isn't as Light as he wants everyone to believe.
To make matters worse, as if it could get any worse, reports have come in from Gringots London that there are numerous charges of Theft, Child Endangerment, Possible Line Theft and Attempted Murder.
Now you're wondering… how could this be? I will tell you. It has been brought to my attention that Harry Potter, our glorious Boy Who Lived, defeater of the Dark Lord Voldemort… otherwise known as He Who Must Not Be Names... was abandoned by none other than the great Albus Dumbledore himself… of all places on the steps of an empty, abandoned Muggle home… at night in below freezing temperatures, with nothing but a thin blanket to protect him.
He abandoned young Harry Potter… who had just lost his parents, James and Lily Potter, and who had just survived an attack by He Who Must Not Be Named. Abandoned like a pile of trash of the steps of an empty Muggle home. Left there in the cold… to die… alone and forgotten.
Now I don't know about you, but I for one am furious about this… oh but it gets worse. Albus Dumbledore has been stealing money from the Potter Vault. Not just a small amount of gold, mind you, no… millions of galleons… as well as precious family items. Theft from a baby he tried to kill off. Why you might ask… to hide his actions perhaps?
Now you're probably wondering, where is our poor Harry Potter? Is he safe?
I'm happy to tell you that it has been confirmed by Gringots that yes… Harry Potter is safe and in a loving Wizarding family. He was found, thank Merlin, by a lucky wizard who came upon a crying Harry Potter lying in the cold that horrible night. The wizard in question, who wishes to remain anonymous right now… for his safety and the safety of his family from retaliation by those loyal supporters of the Dark Lord Dumbledore… was out for a stroll when he heard poor Harry's cry.
Taking the poor waif into his arms, he rushed him home to his wife, a healer, who was able to save the poor boy from death.
You're probably wondering… why didn't they take young Harry to the Ministry? Rumor has it there was a note left behind by Dumbledore stating to keep the boy in hiding… safe from the rest of the world so that the Dark Lord's followers couldn't find him.
Safe indeed. More like out of the spotlight so he wouldn't interfere in Dark Lord Dumbledore's nefarious plans for World Domination… or better yet, dead.
Why would he leave him with Muggles? Why would he leave him out in the cold? There can only be one sad answer. Albus Dumbledore wanted Harry Potter… to die. There would be no one to stop him from taking over. No one to stop him from destroying our wondrous world… and with young Harry Potter dead, he could claim the entirety of the vast Potter Estate as his own.
Thankfully that will not come to pass. Albus Dumbledore is in a magical coma and will hopefully be incarcerated once he awakens. Harry Potter is safe and will grow up healthy and happy in a good Wizarding home. We're all safe.
Until I know more, fear not… dear readers… I will be on the case. I will, as ever, keep an eye out for more news and let you all know it first. Have no fear."
Gringots London
The whole nation was in shock. The story in the Daily Prophet mentioned them numerous times as having told what was going on with the Potter accounts… but every goblin knew that to be untrue. Feldspar stared at the paper and just shook his head.
"She's right… to a degree… so it's not all bad. We're not shown in a bad light and the reports coming from the tellers so far seem good. Those making comments to us, as a whole, have been glowing, thanking us for reporting what horrible deeds Dumbledore has done. I don't see any reason why we can't… to a degree… go along with what she's saying."
The goblins before him slowly nodded and one stepped forward. "What do we do when they ask the name of the family caring for Harry Potter?"
Feldspar pondered that for a moment then smiled a very sharp toothed grin. "That nonsense about keeping the family anonymous, don't know where she came up with that. If they ask, tell them… hmm… yes that might work. Tell them that the heir of the Gorbain family, a family known for its strong beliefs in what is right and what is wrong… a family that fought for the side of Light in every great war of the last 200 years… a family that has always been resoundingly Grey... has come home."
He thinks a moment then continues, "Rumors of the heir's death were just that… rumors. He is alive and well and safe back in England. Gringots had confirmed his identity and all is well. The new Lord is back to take up the mantle his father and his father's father and so on held for so many years."
Feldspar, really making up a story, continued. "After years abroad… as a freelance Hit Wizard… yes, that should explain his strong magic… as a freelance Hit Wizard, who traveled the world and learned amazing foreign magics from every corner of the globe, Alexander Gorbain has returned and found our savior… no rescued our savior... and is happily taking care of him… as a legal member of his family. The Gorbain family adopted young Harry Potter as one of their own and are looking forward to the day that young Harry can safely return to the loving arms of the Wizarding World."
The goblins nodded as Feldspar spun a tale. "Until that day, however, they wish to keep Harry safe in anonymity. The Gorbain estate… long known to be highly protected and impossible to find… will be the perfect place for Harry to grow up a happy boy, brought up knowing right and wrong… well educated in how he should be. Yes… that's good."
Grinning the goblins nodded to each other. The one who spoke before moved toward the office door. "I'll let the tellers know." He left to go spread the word and left Feldspar to discuss the rest with the others.
The Ministry of Magic… office of the Minister
Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold stared at the paper before her in shock and terror. The first thought that came to mind was it all had to be a lie, it just had to be… but reports coming in from her Aurors stated it was all true. Albus Dumbledore really was in Saint Mungo's in a magical coma that had many wondering if he would ever awaken. His office had held many dark artifacts that the Department of Mysteries were enraged over. Apparently said items had been stolen years ago… from a room that only three people had access to… herself, the Department head and Albus Dumbledore.
"I don't want to believe it… but I have to. There's no other explanation and every sign leads me to believe it's all true."
Looking at the man before her, Barty Crouch Senior, she did the one thing she could. "I want you to talk to the head of the Department of Mysteries. Find out from him… or her… or whatever… what is needed to capture and hold Albus Dumbledore. He has shown control over magic that would defeat most, if not all, of my Aurors. They should have something that will keep him from fighting back or just leaving… I hope."
Barty Crouch grinned slowly. He hated Albus Dumbledore on a level so deep, that it was an immense thrill to be able to arrest the bastard.. and finally he could drop the mask he wore and show his true emotions. "I'll go speak to them and then send my best Aurors to bring Dumbledore in."
Minister Bagnold nodded then frowned. "Make sure none of the Aurors you send are in Dumbledore's pockets… we don't want any of them helping him to escape. Along those lines… check out the rest of the Ministry. We need to make sure he has no spies planted in our midst. There is that Order of the Phoenix of his. How many of my men and woman are in it… and how many are spying for him?"
Barty nodded. "With pleasure, ma'am. I'll find them all and lock them up. None of them will get away."
With that said, he stood and left leaving a troubled Minister behind. She turned to her fireplace and activated the Floo. She had someone else she needed to speak to and hoped that said person would be trustworthy.
"Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall."
Hogwarts… Office of Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
Sitting at her desk, Minerva rubbed her head and stared at the latest edition of the Prophet. Someone had spread the news about what had happened and now all hell was breaking loose. She'd been busy all day dealing with rioting students, angry parents and many members of the Board of Governors, who were wanting to know what was going on with the state of the school.
As it was now, as Deputy Headmistress… she was in charge for as long as Albus was incapacitated. She was doing her best to keep her head above water and keep things flowing as smoothly as possible… but it wasn't easy. So many students and parents were greatly upset… and that eventually led to trouble.
"Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall."
Minerva blinked and looked over at her fireplace. That was the voice of the Minister.
Moving to the fireplace she saw she was right.
"Minister Bagnold… how can I help you? Would you like to step through?"
Minister Bagnold looked back at her from the fireplace and sighed. "I'd cross over, but there is much I need to do. I'm sure you know what is going on with Dumbledore by now. It's my duty to inform you that until further notice… you are the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, effective immediately."
Minerva gasped in shock.
"I'm sure it will all just be a misunderstanding and Albus will return when.."
The Minister's face grew angry.
"No! He will not be returning to Hogwarts, Madam McGonagall. Albus Dumbledore has proven himself to be unreliable… and if other reports are true, a Dark Lord."
The Minister shook her head.
"Everything he's done… all the harm and danger. It's inexcusable. On top of that… I have recently heard that he lied to all of us about what he did concerning Grindlewald."
Minerva looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Minister Bagnold looked her in the eyes.
"I had him checked out. After everything that has happened, I chose to not just take everything Albus Dumbledore says as truth. I had my people dig deeper. Grindlewald is alive… kept in a hidden room at the top of Nurmengard Prison… placed there, in secret, by Albus Dumbledore. The man lied to us all. He didn't kill him… he just hid him away and told us he was dead. Rest assured, he's dead now. I had my men kill him as soon as he was found."
Minerva just blinked in shock. Albus had lied… about that… to everyone. What else had he lied about?
"… will not be returning to Hogwarts or anywhere else for that matter. So, Minerva, you are now the Headmistress of Hogwarts and will be so until you no longer wish to hold the position… or are regretfully removed at a later date. Now… I must go. Good luck with your new position."
With that, the Minister stepped back away from the fire and Minerva just stared in shock for a moment longer before she moved back to her desk. Headmistress of Hogwarts… she had to notify her staff about the new changes.
Pausing to grab her robe, she turned and headed to go collect the Professors. She had a very important meeting ahead of her.
Elsewhere… in transit to Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire
Alex looked at his sleeping wife and son in the backseat and smiled. They'd drifted off soon after leaving London and the peace and quiet was giving him time to think. He'd seen the story in the Wizarding paper, The Daily Prophet, and knew it was time to make a run for it… for a while.
"We'll go visit Grandmother… for a week or two… perhaps a month. This will be good for us. We will get out of London and give things time to calm down a bit. Plus… Harry needs to be formally introduced to her and the cousins… as well as receive her blood and formal blessings…"
Alisa had argued that she had projects she was working on; that she couldn't go away right now… but in the end, it made sense and so she agreed. They'd cleared it with the Director and had their assistants handling things for them until they return. Everything should be fine.
They gathered up some clothes, food, gifts and special items; loaded the car… then pulled out onto the highway, headed west… to Puzzlewood.
"Why Puzzlewood?" Alisa had asked once they were on the road. It was the closest location to London that Alex knew of that held a Gate… or at least one he knew how to control.
"Deep in the forest beyond Puzzlewood, there is a Gate I can open that will take us to the local aspect of Underhill. From there, I can get us the rest of the way quickly."
He paused and answered her next question before she could ask it. "I can't shadowwalk us there… traveling between realms like that is very dangerous... so a Gate is our only option. We'll drive to Puzzlewood and then walk from there into the woods. I know the path…"
That had been hours earlier and soon they would reach their destination. They'd park somewhere safe, load everything up onto Alex's back and then head off into the trees. Alex knew the path to the Gate; he'd used it a few times. It was hidden from mundane eyes, so there was no fear of being followed. Once there, he'd open the Gate and they'd step through.
"I hope the others are ready for visitors. Harry is so much younger than I was the first time I traveled Underhill. Perhaps it will be easier on him. Thankfully he's too young for the Trials."
Alex remembered his own experiences with the Trials. He'd been barely 14 and had nearly died. The Magus in charge of the Trial of Magic had cheated and tried to kill him. It was sheer dumb luck that Alex survived.
"No… Harry won't be going through that… not until he's much older and only if he chooses to do so."
Alex shook his head and focused on the road. They had a long way to go before morning...