Harry Potter and the Servants of Soileh


"Professor Dumbledore."

"Ah, good day to you Arthur! Any particular reason you called upon me at so early an hour?"

"It's Harry, Professor. I'm very worried."

"How kind of you! If only we all had such faithful friends. But, of course, I understand the seriousness of the situation. Tell me: what other unpleasant surprises has Voldemort and his retinue cooked up for dear Harry?"

"It's not what they've done; it's what I'm afraid they'll do."

"My old friend, Sir Ugington the IV once said that the true danger is worrying too much about things we imagine, and not enough about the things that are a real threat. That very afternoon, he was killed by a rogue muggle car. And do you know what the point of my story is?"

"With all due respect, sir, no, I don't."

"Well, actually, now that you mention it I'm not so sure myself. It's either that Ugington was an old codger, or that what we imagine is very real. Please forgive me, my memory is not so keen in the morning."

"Does that mean you'll let us take Harry in for the remaining month of the summer vacation?"

"I'm terribly sorry, Arthur. But I can't allow it."

"Eh? Why not?"

"No place will be safe, if Harry is there. Your family is as kindhearted as you, my friend. I have no doubt that they would do all in their power to keep him safe. But if the Death Eaters track him to your house, then I fear that the worst may come to pass.

"We can't just leave him with his Aunt and Uncle, with no magical protection whatsoever!"

"And of course, I won't allow such a thing. Harry is going to be transported to a secret location tonight. He will stay with me and an old friend."

"I know this isn't any of my business, Professor. But can I ask where?"

"Please understand, Arthur, that telling you would endanger both Harry and yourself, and would be in no one's best interest."

"Of course, you're right. I shouldn't have asked."

"Your questioning only shows your concern. And as I said before: Would that we all had as loving and faithful friends as yourself. Harry, though heaven only knows what he's lost, is a very lucky boy to have you and your family."

"It's probably not such a good idea, anyway, to send him to stay with us. Things haven't been going so keenly with the ministry. Old Fudge isn't helping matters either..."

"Yes, I gathered that there was an increase in Death Eater activity. But has it really gotten so bad?"

"Another Dark Mark was sighted."

"That is surprising, considering the Newspapers aren't inflaming people about it's sighting."

"It wasn't in England. It was in a small Spanish community. But that only makes things more frightening. You-know-who's arm has grown longer, that means."

"That is indeed a bad sign, and in more ways than one. I'll have to be more careful where I get my information."

"What?"

"Never mind... I was just thinking aloud. But what about Cornelius? How is he handling the situation?"

"Well, he still won't beleive that He-who-must-not-be-named has returned, though I don't really blame him for wanting to ignore the information. But short-sighted little bureaucrat he may be, putting the Aurors around the school was a good idea.

"Do you think so? Do you really think, Arthur, that these Aurors, however talented they may be, can really protect the school? Or do you think, as I do, that they are merely a more civilized version of the Dementors?"

"I don't-"

"Do you remember what I said to your children on their final day of school?"

"Y-you said that we were only as strong as we were united, and as weak as were divided."

"And that is true. These are not normal Aurors, Arthur. They are the best of a rare breed. They do not unify. They destroy. They may defeat Voldemort, that they might. But they will surely destroy us in the process."




Annette paced around the decadent living room, wondering where her two guests were. One, Harry Potter, the boy she had sent her letter to, should be arriving at any minute now, depending on whether he snuck out of his hotel room or not. The other, Albus Dumbledore, she considered slightly mad, though brilliant, and expected him to show up much later than anticipated.

It still didn't break the tension in the room.

The only other person present was her handmaiden, Sajani. The Indian girl was standing by, as unobtrusively as she could. But her awkward stance told Annette that the girl wanted more than anything to get out of her anxious mistress's parlor. And no blame to her. Annette kept walking in circles in front of the roaring fireplace, heading towards a large picture window that overlooked the Black Sea, and then stomping towards a portrait of her mother, the late Anna Fudge, her footsteps so heavy the picture shook.

Finally, though, she could bear the silence no longer.

"Where are they?" she hissed to the girl, who was twirling a lock of her silky black hair around her finger nervously.

"I-I don't know, ma'am. Maybe Dumbledore fell off his broom or something. He is very old, you know."

Annette wasn't in the mood to explain to Sajani about Albus Dumbledore and his exuberence. So she merely ignored the comment and said, "I mean, how long does it take to get from England to Turkey on Broomstick? Three hours, maybe?"

"Honestly, Ma'am, I wouldn't know."

Annette collapsed into a chair in front of the fire. She pulled her housecoat up around her shoulders and shivered. There was no need to worry. Maybe Harry hadn't been able to sneak out. Maybe the lobby had somone on duty.

Or maybe the Death Eaters intercepted my message and went and found Harry. Maybe...

Stop it! she told herself firmly. He's alright. He's got to be...

But then she worried again, because after all, she hadn't received a message from Harry, had she? Maybe it was because he knew that any response was dangerous, and that it could fall into the wrong hands.

What about Hades, then? The owl hadn't returned from the trip yet, and though she'd sent the message a few days ago, it surely had arrived in Austria by then. She had placed a speed charm on it, hoping that it would get to the boy faster.

Sajani looked at her worriedly. For a moment, Annette felt guilty.

"Sajani," she said kindly as she could, though her voice was torn with tension. "Please, dear, make us some tea, alright?"

Sajani nodded, and left the room, her sunshine yellow robes trailing out from behind her. Annette leaned her head backwards against the chair, and covered her eyes with her hands. It was a sign of despair. It meant that she would admit, if only to herself, that she was terrified. This was the first time in her sheltered life that she had been exposed to real danger. Certainly there was the occasional threatening letter, from people who claimed she'd only risen to power through her father, but that never bothered her much, knowing that she had enough guardians to protect.

But now she was utterly, completely alone, with no one, not even her father, to talk to. Except Dumbledore. But how could she pour out her sorrows to a man whom she barely knew, and her father was now at proverbial war with?

Her thoughts were interupted when she heard a knocking at her front door. Normally she would have let Sajani answer it, but her worry combined with her releif that she wouldn't have to wait alone made her rush to the door and fling it open. And on her doorstep was none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.

Annette was pleased and angry at the same time.

"It took you long enough! Where were you?" she demanded.

Dumbledore put a wrinkled hand on her shoulder and steered her inside. "Come inside, Annette. Close your blinds. Don't let any light show through."

Annette was worried now. "Why?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What's happened, Profes-"

But Dumbledore made a gesture for her to be silent. "Just call your elves to close all the blinds, and then you and I will go into a very private, secluded place, such as the maids quarters, or the music room behind the bookcase."

The girl was tempted to ask how he knew about the music room when not even Sajani did, but the sense of urgency in his voice frightened her too much. He wasn't how she remembered him; the quiet, amused old man with the crooked nose. Instead he was transformed into a pale, serious wizard, bent with weariness.

So she called her house elves, who instantly appeared, some out of dark, dusty corners, others from making dinner, others from doing the laundry. "Close all the drapes," she said. "Let no light show."

Dumbledore nodded as the house elves scurried off to do their chores. "Has Harry arrived yet?" he asked.

"No," Annette said, knawing on a finger nail. "And I have no idea what happened to him!"

The old wizard took off his cloak. "I am sorry, Annette. I know this must be frightening."

It was true. But proud Annette would not let this stranger know it. She simply shook her head.

Dumbledore made a gesture which she took to mean, 'Lead me to the music room.' But at first she didn't. She stared at him awkwardly, wondering what on Earth was going on.

Finally, he sighed. "You think I mean to trick you. But I only want to protect yourself and Harry. Please, show me in, Annette."

She nodded, her throat very dry. "Come on. But first, let me get Sajani, my-"

"Your handmaiden, I know. I understand. These are times that call for absolute honesty between allies," he said. And for the first time that night, he smiled. It was a small, almost sad one, but she was greatly releived to see it none the less.

After stopping in the kitchen and getting the girl, who was making tea, Annette led the two into the Music room, which was concealed by two large bookshelves, which rolled aside when Annette said the password (formus).

Sajani was very visibly afronted when she found that Annette had never told her about the hidden room. But when she saw how tight with worry Annette's pale face was, she kept her mouth closed.

As soon as the three were comfortably seated in the room, Dumbledore sealed the door with a locking spell, which was Annette's first sign that things were very serious.

Now, thought Annette, I only hope Harry gets here soon.




Hey hey! How was that! Anyway, thanks to all who reviewed. I really appreciate it. Last time a tried to put up a HP fic, no one reviewed. That sorta sucked, but oh well! Things are good now.

Anyway, please review some more. Come on... you know you want to... reviewing makes you write better... yeah right. That's a statement that belongs with "smoking up makes you drive better," and "drinking makes you do better in school." Heh heh, anyway, review anyway, me bum-oleys!