Dumbledore tiredly massaged the bridge of his nose and leaned

back against the head chair of the long banquet table the other twenty

eight occupants watching him intently as a soft sigh escaped his lips.

He slowly lowered his hand and turned to the tall gray- haired man

seated at his right. "No word yet, Remus?"

"All search parties are still reporting negative, HeadMaster. The

Ministry is requesting assistance from the Muggle authorities but until

now, they have not replied." Remus Lupin ran a tired hand through his

graying hair, his voice quiet and solemn. His amber eyes roamed the

seated people, then settled on two youngsters sitting side-by-side a

few seats away from him holding each other's hands. "My pardons,

Hermione, Ron. I fear I have failed James, Lily and Sirius."

"No, you haven't, Professor Lupin," Hermione faintly whispered,

squeezing Ron's hand assuringly. "I am sure that James and Lily Potter

and Sirius appreciated the effort you are putting for this search."

"Severus, are you sure that Voldemort does not have the boy."



"No, HeadMaster. Even he is sending us, his DeathEaters, to find

our young Mr. Potter," was Snape's nonchalant reply.

"I see," Dumbledore sighed softly once more and then turned to

the woman sitting two seats away from Lupin. "No signs from the

Dursleys, Arabella?"

"None yet, HeadMaster, though Petunia did say that she needs to

speak to you."

Dumbledore nodded at Arabella , clasped his hands together and

placed them on the table before regarding the people sitting on the

table seriously.

"Until we find young Mr. Potter, all of our searches will

continue." Dumbledore paused in his speech at the sound of a loud blast

coming from the front door, only to be followed by loud shrieks of a

woman. He was to continue on when all of sudden, a loud voice boomed

all throughout the house, "DUMBLEDORE!!! YOU PROMISED ME THAT YOU WOULD

KEEP HARRY SAFE," as the thick double doors of the dining room blew

open and there stood in the midst of the broken doors, a familiar

black-haired man glowing eerily.

Dumbledore stared dumbstruck at the newcomer as Lupin sent his

chair toppling backwards when he jumped up and shouted, "Sirius!"