It came soaring towards the window, black wings outstretched, reaching for the horizon that was so close, yet so far. Red sunset framing its body, it swooped downwards, as if dragged by an undercurrent of wind. It held a single letter, attached to the left leg. It hung limply there, the twine bouncing with the sudden jolts of the wings as it bounded closer towards the looming open window.

With a mere screech of warning, it blew into the room, it's span taking up the majority of space until it calmed down and settled upon a cherry colored desk. One man sat behind it, his hands clasped together in front of his face, intrigued by his guest. Grey eyes surveying the letter, he reached out, hands fragile, yet as he ripped the rope, a strength radiated from each flake of skin. Sealed loosely, the white envelope was plain, unmarked and unscathed by the travel.

"Settle down." A deep voice soothed the bird, who croaked out a hoot at the man, as if beckoning him to open the letter.

Slipping a slender finger into the crease, the man moved it slowly away from him, so that it tore open. Inside was a single sheet of pape -- plain and white, identical to the envelope. Lifting a curious eyebrow, he opened one side, then another -- to it's full length.

A few sentences were scribbled across the top, though the handwriting was loopy and gentle. With little effort, his eyes read the words, and then read them again, a peculiar expression daunting his face as his hands placed it upon the desk, the words staring straight back up.

To Whom It May Concern:

We will be removing our daughter, Juliet Hoffman, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by December of this year. We request her files be transferred to Beauxbaton.

Gregory and Natalie Hoffman

Settling back against a large, leather chair, Dumbledore stared straight ahead at the door that stood poised in the frame, unmoving. Eyes remaining steady, he tapped his fingers gently upon the table, the letter rustling beneath the pressure, though the crinkling didn't bother his ears as much as the words bothered his eyes. It was almost unheard of to remove a student during their seventh year, and was only done with the utmost caution for their health, safety and happiness.

Lips pressed together in a creased look, he shut his eyes and stared at the blackness that consumed his vision, erasing thoughts from his mind as he did so.

Rumors had been spreading like wildfire of a Dark Lord who was taking over the Magical world. Already muggles were being murdered, left without a scratch on their body, though dead. Even Wizards and Witches were disappearing. Just yesterday he had heard that an unfortunate secretary from the Department of Magical Reversal's had been absent from work for the third day in a row. When her coworkers had gone to search her house, they found it in pristine condition with no woman, only a large marking on the wall.

Painted with what appeared to be blood, as it was crimson against the pale, creamy white of the house, it had been a skull with a snake slithering out of it's mouth.

Letters had arrived daily since then from worried parents, but he had assured them all that Hogwarts was guarded by curses and hexes that not even they would be able to solve, let alone an imaginary Dark Lord, for even Dumbledore had trouble believing it.

Their French counterpart, Beauxbaton, was known for their strength in teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, for not only did they teach the counterjinxes, but the original curses. Dumbledore supposed the Hoffman's felt their daughter was being shrouded by Hogwart's foggy approach at the Dark Arts. It was his philosophy that it was unwise to teach unstable teenage Wizards about these killing and torturing methods, but he knew that others felt differently.

As he ran a hand down his face, he shoved the letter off to the side, to deal with tomorrow. For tonight the children must rest, he thought, tomorrow classes will begin and then he can approach Julie about her parents wishes, and their rationale behind it.

But tonight they must sleep, for tomorrow may hold no such opportunity.

Ooc: Thank you all for the lovely reviews as they really inspire me to write frequently! As you can tell, this chapter is shorter, as I am preparing for a lengthier chapter next! I start school soon, so please be wary of my time constraints, I will attempt to get it up by at /least/ next week!