Chapter 16: The Evacuation

Author's Note: I have realized that the last several chapters in this story consist of a lot of rambling. The problem is that I've changed my idea about the plot about seven times since I started this sucker nearing two years ago. I can't hardly even guarantee I'll finish it anymore but I'll try.

Elanus paced angrily in the headmaster's office while Dumbledore conferred with the school governors who had arrived the morning after the kidnapping. The governors were upset over the recent kidnappings and demanded to know why the children hadn't been recovered. This made Elanus even more agitated and Samuel tried to explain what had happened.

"There is a wizard slayer here, and the head of the Department of Mysteries as well," one of the governors said, "Explain to me why you couldn't do a simple thing like recover a few abducted children? They were taken by vampires for crying out loud. What do we pay you for?"

"I told you, my cousin was unconscious and I was being threatened by a hostile vampire. What do you expect? I couldn't very well let him turn Elanus here, imagine what would have happened if I had?" Samuel asked, "Besides all that they didn't seem to want to hurt the children anyway. If I had ran in and tried to save the children immediately it's likely they would have caused them harm and Elanus would likely be a vampire himself this morning, or dead if he was lucky. As for what you pay me for, you pay me to kill rogue wizards should the need arise not vampires."

"If they didn't intend to harm the children why did they take them from the school?" the governor asked.

"I don't think kidnapping is always intended to be harmful, at least not to the victim," Samuel replied, "That's not really relevant though, what is relevant is what are you people going to do? And what is the plan to find the children and get them back?"

"We'll have to shut the school down until this matter is resolved, I'm afraid," the governor replied.

"I don't know if that's at all necessary," Elanus said, "This was all planned. They knew we'd dispatch those things earlier this year, and they knew once we did the more curious students would go right down into the crypts to investigate. Then they'd make their move."

"Why not snatch them from the halls?" another of the governors asked.

"I think I have the answer to that," Dumbledore replied, "Mr. Filch would have had to invite them in to any other level except the crypts. He lives in the castle all year long, it's his home."

"And vampires are not barred from graveyards or places of the dead," Samuel continued, "contrary to popular belief."

The governors conferred with each other for several minutes before shaking their heads. "I'm sorry, we can't risk anymore children being kidnapped and unless I'm greatly mistaken there will be parents here by the droves to take their children home this evening. If you would be so kind, headmaster, to make the announcement the children need to be evacuated by nightfall if possible. We're all in agreement that it is the best thing to do at this time. I hope it will all be resolved quickly so that the children might return."

Dumbledore nodded silently, with only a bare hint of disapproval on his face, "I will do so at once," he said, rising from his seat. He walked the governors to his study door and shut it behind them. Dumbledore shook his head gravely and sat down behind his desk, rubbing his temples.

"I don't see why they came to that conclusion," Samuel remarked.

"Politics my dear boy, politics," Dumbledore replied, "There are many who think wizards are superior to everyone. They think that we are the stewards of the 'lesser' creatures and we know what is best. Vampires and muggles are included in this long list of 'lesser' beings. If word got out that the professors at Hogwarts were bested by a bunch of vampires, well it would not be pleasant for any of us."

"Hogwarts professors weren't bested though, it was Elanus and I," Samuel said, "We were just doing our jobs."

"I know, I know, there's more to it then that," Dumbledore said.

"He means they don't trust us, Samuel, we're both inferior because of who our parents are and were. They never have and probably never will. I would suspect there will be a large scale cover up and we'll be tracking down vampires for the next few weeks if not months. It'll be a regular witch hunt if you take my meaning," Elanus said.

"I suspect you are right about the vampire hunting," Dumbledore said, "I think that there are a great many people who do trust you, and see you two for the heroes that you really are. They'll come to your aid when you need them. Just be careful whose aid you accept."

Samuel chuckled in amusement, "Well I suppose we better get packing." With that the two left the headmaster's office. As they were walking down the hallways Dumbledore's voice echoed through the corridors.

"Attention students. Classes have been suspended indefinitely please remain in your dormitories and gather your belongings as quickly as possible. Owls have been sent to your parents, most of who will be arriving this afternoon at King's Cross to retrieve you. Lodging will be provided to those students who are unable to return home. That is all."

"Not very subtle today is he?" Samuel asked, "Who do you have in mind to join us on this merry escapade?"

"No one, just me an you," Elanus replied in a grim tone, "I don't trust anyone at this point."

"Care to explain? We can't just go tracking these guys down by ourselves."

"We can't risk anyone else. I hate to even take you along," Elanus replied, "Despite my better judgment, and not wanting to put my family in danger I have to. I'm going to need your skills on this one."

"I take it you don't plan on being very nice."

"No Samuel, I don't," Elanus replied.

The Gryffindor common room was bustling with activity. Students were frantic trying to recover all their belongings that they had let others borrow. Most were trying to find out any scrap of information they could about why the school was suddenly shutting down. Dumbledore hadn't specifically said it was being closed down but many had already figured that out.

Harry, however sat in his room looking rather despondent. Every one of his room mates had either already left or were in the common room or Great Hall waiting further instruction. Ron and Hermione sat on his bed with him trying to cheer him up.

"I'm sure Mum and Dad wouldn't mind you living with us until this all clears up," Ron said.

"If not I know my parents have room for you," Hermione said, "You can visit at very least. If it's your schooling you worry about I can tutor you until the school opens again."

"I'm not worried about anything you can teach me, Hermione," Harry said, "I was supposed to begin my Auror training this year. We all know that won't happen now."

"Janie said that there are some students missing," Hermione said, "I'm sure when they find them we'll be allowed to return to school. You'll see, it won't be long."

"I overheard Professor Green talking about vampires last night," Harry said, "I think they're going to hunt them down."

"Great," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Why do you hate them so much?" Ron asked, "They saved our lives last year, and they're both very good at what they do."

"Professor Green is not much better then a hired assassin. Do you realize he's a wizard slayer? Ron, he makes his living killing wizards. How great a person can he be? And Elanus Green is a well known eccentric. He's always tampering with muggle artifacts. Do you realize your father's position on that?"

Ron glared at her and turned his attention back to Harry, "You better decide what you're going to do and quick. They'll be putting you in an inn for the next few months if you don't, either that or the Dursley's and they'll make you go to a muggle school."

Harry cringed at the thought, "You said Elanus and Samuel were going to be hunting the vampires down? Maybe I'll ask Uncle Gene if I can go back to Texas with him. I ought to be safe there and they still count as family."

"I think that only applied to Voldemort," Ron said.

"I meant safe from Dudley," Harry chuckled, "What are your plans Hermione?"

"Well, I got the lesson plans from all my teachers, except Professor Snape, at the beginning of the year," Hermione replied, "I'm going to continue studying the lessons as if I were here at Hogwarts."

"Which means you should blow through them in about three weeks, what do you plan on doing if the school is shut down for longer?" Ron asked, "Plus how will you practice? You can't perform magic outside of school until after next year."

Hermione shrugged and looked away, "I just don't want to be unprepared when they reopen the school."

Samuel and Maria were busy packing their belongings in their quarters. Maria stomped back and forth across the room grumbling in Spanish.

"What do you mean I can't go with you?" Maria asked, "Are you saying I'm not capable of defending myself?"

"No," Samuel said, stuffing various articles of clothing into a suitcase, "This is going to be an extremely dangerous trip Elanus and I are taking. Believe me I don't like not being able to take you along any more then you like it. Elanus is insistent that only the two of us go, and he's not happy he has to bring me along either. Besides all that, I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt, or worse."

"I am not going to die," Maria said, folding her arms across her chest, "Even if I did, I'm prepared, you know that."

"Maria, death is not the worst thing that could happen, believe me," Samuel said as he snapped the suitcase shut.

"Then why do you have to go?" Maria asked, "This shouldn't be required of you. They can't make you."

"It is my sworn duty to help protect these people and those students who were kidnapped are just children," Samuel replied, "Even though I'm amused to no end that a group of vampires had the guts to break into Hogwarts, I can't let them harm those children. If they have, it is my job to take care of the problem."

"Just be careful. I don't want to spend our one year anniversary at your funeral," Maria said.

Samuel smiled and kissed his wife, "I intend to come back very much alive."

"Are you taking all this stuff with you?" Maria asked.

"No this goes home with Dad. I have a few changes of clothing in my book bag," Samuel replied.

"What about your armor and sword?"

"It's all in there," Samuel replied, "Fred and George do excellent work."

"Do you think I could get a purse like that?" Maria asked.

"Probably, just get someone to take you to Diagon Ally or write the twins and see. Tell them I'll pay them when I get back," Samuel replied as he summoned their house elf. Samuel instructed the elf to deliver their things to Gene's quarters where it would later be transported to Texas.

Elsewhere in the castle chaos ruled the halls. Children were leaving the castle as quickly as possible. They either met their parents outside or boarded carriages bound for Hogsmeade.

Harry waited patiently outside Gene's quarters when a small group of house elves arrived at the door with Samuel and Maria's belongings floating behind them. The house elf looked up at Harry curiously and knocked on the door. Gene answered the door and looked down at the house elves and rolled his eyes. "Samuel was too lazy to bring them himself was he?" Gene asked.

"It is our job, and these are heavy," the elf replied. Gene chuckled and picked up all four suitcases at once and easily set them inside his room much to the house elves' surprise.

"Oh, Harry, I didn't see you there, what can I do for you?" Gene asked.

"I was um," Harry stammered, "wondering if."

"Wondering if you could go home with me?" Gene finished for him.

"Yes."

"I don't see why not, you know we'll have to get permission from your uncle and aunt," Gene said, "Why don't you come in. Dumbledore will be here any minute anyway."

Harry nodded and stepped inside. Gene's quarters had pretty well been stripped bare and several wooden crates sat in the middle of the room. Gene sat down on one of them and looked around the room thoughtfully.

"I'll sure miss this place but it will be good to be home," he commented.