Chapter 26: Whispers.
"Did you hear he was back?" Fred Weasley whispered to his brother Bill.
"I've heard it, but I haven't seen him yet. Have you?" Bill asked.
"No. I'm only told that he's back by Ron. Ron has seen him. So either he and the whole lot of them are insane or he really is back!" Red said, his whisper getting louder.
"I haven't seen him, Faith, Remus or Sarah since that night." Bill put in.
"I know. They stay locked up in Faith's room. Harry and Dumbeldore are always going in and out, and I've seen Faith come out once or twice while we're asleep." Fred added.
"What did he say brought him back?" Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron as they sat up late into the night the day before school was to resume.
"He said that it wasn't his time to die and that he wasn't really dead to begin with." Harry replied.
"Then what was he?" Hermione asked. Ron shrugged and Harry thought about it before answering with
"Missing."
"Where was he?" Ron asked.
"He cant say." Harry replied.
"Why not?" Hermione asked.
"No idea. I think that maybe he'll get taken back there if he tells. Maybe he just doesn't want to. Who knows?" Harry said with a shrug. Hermione sat back and bit her lip. Her eyes looked glazed over as she thought.
"This is bound to be an exciting year, Headmaster." McGonagall said as she and Dumbeldore neared the Great Hall. It would only be a few minutes before the students returned to the school.
Already seated at the teachers table were Remus, Sarah and Faith. The three were talking excitedly. No doubt about Sirius or the new baby on its way. Shortly later the other teachers arrived. A small black owl dropped a letter in Dumbeldore's lap as Serverus stormed into the Great Hall and took his seat looking very upset. Dumbeldore opned the letter and read:
Voldemort has advanced! We're at War!
-Fudge
Dumbeldore looked up at McGongall and said
"Yes, Yes, this year will be very interesting."