Chapter 2

7th July, AD 1991.

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office going over the defenses he and the other professors had devised for the Philosopher's Stone. Tom would come for it, how or when he did not know, but he was sure that he would come for it. He had asked each of the heads of house and his new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to aid him in the security. Hagrid had volunteered the use of his Cerberus as well. Though unlikely to prevent Lord Voldemort, it would be a good deterrent to any students who stumbled upon him. It was inevitable some miscreant student would feel the need to find out just why the seventh-floor corridor was forbidden this year.

The Headmaster looked up as he heard the gargoyle moving. Moments later, Minerva entered his office.

"Minerva, how can I help you?" the aged wizard asked in his grandfatherly voice.

"I feel inclined to inform you, headmaster, that one of the owls has yet to return after delivering the letters to this year's students."

"I'm sure it will be along shortly."

"The others all arrived two days ago, and this particular one raises some concern."

"Is it an older bird?"

"No. It's not the bird that worries me, Albus, it's the recipient."

"And who might that be, my dear?"

"Harry Potter."

Dumbledore's eyes lit up at this announcement, "Why wouldn't have this owl returned? Surrey should have been an easy journey."

"That's why I informed you, Headmaster."

"Minerva, please ask Hagrid to venture to 4 Privet Drive immediately. I shall consult my instruments and make sure the wards are still in place.

The witch turned and vacated the office, leaving Albus with his thoughts. Upon investigation, he was terrified that the blood wards around the muggles' home had vanished. He decided then that Hagrid was insufficient for the task. While he trusted the gamekeeper with his life, this was something that needed his own personal investigation.

Albus apparated directly to Privet Drive. The neighborhood was as perfectly normal and dull as he remembered it being ten years ago. He cast a quick spell over number 4 and confirmed that the blood wards had indeed vanished completely. Albus was worried, even if the Dursley's had relocated the blood wards surrounding the house would have been intact. He had set up systems to alert him if they were ever breached, and he knew those were still intact. The only way the wards could have vanished as they did was if Lily Evans's blood no longer lived on this earth, aside from her son. He had to be sure. Transfiguring his robes into an emerald muggle suit, Albus walked up to the door of 4 Privet Drive. He rang the bell and stood patiently on the porch. After a moment the door opened to reveal a young woman, roughly 7 months pregnant standing in the doorway. Albus could see signs of a young family behind her, and even heard children echoing from the hall. He smiled to himself at the sign of a happy family, but he could tell this woman was not Petunia Dursley.

"Can I help you, sir?" The woman asked.

"Perhaps. I am looking for the Dursley family, they resided here previously, do you know where I might find them?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but when we moved here the house was vacant. If I remember correctly, the previous owners were deceased. Not that there was any sign they had lived here; the house was in mint condition."

Albus's brow darkened at this confirmation, "thank you, Madam, I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help to you."

"Not at all, you told me what I needed to know. Good morning, Madam."

Albus walked down the street to the home of Arabella Figg, the elderly squib woman who lived with her cats. Albus had placed her here as a mole to keep an eye on Harry, she should have informed him if something happened and the Dursley's had either moved or died. Ringing the bell on her house, Albus waited for her to answer. When she answered, she looked surprised to see him.

"Professor Dumbledore, what brings you here?"

"I've come looking for Harry Potter, Arabella."

"He's not here anymore, Professor, I thought you knew that."

Albus looked at the woman, "what do you mean?"

"It was in the obituary's this past winter. Vernon Dursley and his family were killed while on vacation just before the New Year. His sister, Marge, inherited any of his money and sold the house. The family that lives there now, the Holmes are a wonderful family. Gerald, the husband, is quite handsome, and his wife, Bethany, is a dear. She's expecting twins in September and–"

"Forgive me, Arabella," Dumbledore interrupted, "but I'm not concerned with the current muggles residing in number 4. I am however, deeply concerned about the previous inhabitants, especially their nephew."

"Oh, I know, Harry was such a sweet boy. Such a pity they treated him so poorly."

"They did?"

"Oh, yes, Headmaster, they were quite keen on trying to stamp out the wizard in the boy; not that they ever told anyone that. They hardly spent a dime on him if they didn't have to, and told everyone he was a delinquent youth, not quite right in the head."

Albus frowned, he had been afraid the Dursley's might try something along those line, but it couldn't be helped. He had left instructions for them, hoping that they would follow them. Vernon and Petunia were as pure-blooded muggles as one could find on the earth. His mind began racing. He should have been alerted if Harry was killed. At the very least, the ward surrounding the boy would have been triggered if he had been in immediate danger. And the prophesy, Harry was the one predicted to defeat Lord Voldemort. Albus could not accept that the boy was dead, not while Tom lingered in some dark corner of the world.

"I do wonder what happened to the boy, Professor," Arabella drew him out of his thoughts, "Marge never mentioned him in the obituary, although that could have been out of spite, she never like him much either. If you ask me, she's the one not quite right in the head, what with all her dogs and all."

"Arabella, are you sure Harry was not killed?"

"He was never named among the deceased in the obituary, Professor, but then again he wasn't named as a survivor either."

Albus's eyes darkened in thought once again. This was perplexing. Either Harry Potter was dead, and no one ever heard, which seemed unlikely, or he was missing, most likely in an orphanage or living as a Ward of the Court.

"Arabella, if you'll excuse me, I need to make some inquiries."

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore. Good morning."

Albus left quickly walking to the corner of the street.

"Professer!"

Albus stopped as he heard Hagrid's voice.

"Professer Dumbledore, I came as fast as I could, Sir. Professor McGonagall tol' me e'ry thin' 'bout it."

"Not everything, Hagrid. You see, it appears that Vernon Dursley and family are deceased, and young Harry has slipped from beneath my watch. We need to locate him as soon as possible. While I do not believe he is in any immediate danger, he is our responsibility."

"Right ya are, sir,

"Hagrid, I need you to go to the muggle's Child Services office here in Surrey and ask them for any records on Harry Potter, or anything connected to the Dursleys."

"I'm on it, Professor Dumbledore, Sir."

With that, the half-giant lumbered away. Albus raised his wand and disaperated to London.

1st August, AD 1991

The Batman dropped from a rooftop to the alley floor. Quickly, he entered a door and found himself in a backstage. Silently, he moved through the shadows until he came to the hallway with dressing rooms. Picking the simple lock in seconds, he let himself into the room, walking into the corner, he stood silently in the dark and waited for his objective.

He did not wait long. Minutes after he entered, the dressing room door opened, and the lights flicked on. A dark-haired woman in fishnet leggings, thigh-high leather boots, a white tuxedo shirt and bow-tie, and a black coat with tails, walked in carrying her top hat and wand in her hands. Sitting down in front of a mirror, put her things down on the white desk in front of her. Her eyes caught a piece of neatly folded paper sitting in front of her jewelry cabinet. Opening the paper up she saw the image of a bat. Inhaling sharply, she spun around and saw him standing there.

"Zatanna."

"How are you, Bruce?"

"Busy."

"As always," she said reclining back in her seat seductively, "How can I help you?"

"What can you tell me about Hogwarts?"

Zatanna raised an eye brow, "What about it? It a magical academy in Great Britain."

"So, it's real."

"Yes of course."

"Then this letter is legitimate. It was delivered to my youngest…by an owl."

"Bruce, magical children receive acceptance letters when they turn eleven. Robin's thirteen? He would have started his magical training two years ago."

"Not Robin, I adopted a boy this winter, just after his family was murdered."

"Another one, Bruce? That makes what, four orphans plus one of your own?"

Batman nodded once in response.

Zatanna ran a hand through her hair smiling at the dark, brooding vigilante who adopted more children than many families have naturally, "Bruce, what I don't understand is why your son received a letter from Hogwarts; he should have been contacted by Ilvermorny."

"That's the American school I'm assuming?"

Zatanna nodded.

"He was born and raised in the U.K. until his family was killed while visiting Gotham and I adopted him."

"Even then, because he moved before school age, there should have been a magical immigration process filled out by the government, if he was from a magical family, if he's a No-Maj, the MACUSA would have picked up his unregistered magical signature and filed him. If he's No-Maj born, there should have also been a representative from Ilvermorny, or Hogwarts as it is, to hand deliver the letter and explain the existence of magic to the parents."

"How do I find out if his family were wizards or No-Maj?"

"His name would be easiest, especially in England, blood status is outrageously important there."

Batman pulled out the letter from Hogwarts, "Here's his letter."

Zatanna opened it and read the addressee's name. Her eyes enlarged, "Bruce…your son is Harry Potter?"

"Yes."

"He's a celebrity in England and known across the wizarding world. He's the only person ever to survive the killing curse, he was reported missing early last month and there's been conspiracies, and suspicions floating around ever since."

"If he's so important, why haven't they realized he's 'missing' before now? Plus, if he's missing, how did they know where to send his letter?"

Zatanna shook her head, "I don't know, Bruce, but I do know he's caused a big stir by not being in England."

"I need to meet with the people at Hogwarts."

"I can try to arrange a meeting."

"Just tell me where it is, I can arrange it myself."

"It's unplottable, I can't tell you the exact site."

"A general location will suffice."

"Scottish Highlands."

Batman turned to leave, "Bruce?" He paused, "can I meet him?"

"After I get some answers," he said plainly, with that he left the room as silently as he came.

Ye Ol' Author's Note: I am surprised by the response of the readers since posting this story. Thank you, Dear Readers, I hope you enjoy this chapter and will continue following this story.

-A.R. Templar