Chapter Eight
Mysterious Disappearance

Ginny and Dumbledore were seated comfortably in Minister Krum's office, waiting for the minister to come out of his meeting with the Hogwarts' School Governors. His office was decorated with memorabilia from his Quidditch days; only two years ago he was made Minister of Magic and retired as the Bulgarian National Team's Seeker. At the ripe age of 21, Viktor Krum was a breath of fresh air at the Ministry. (Especially since his predecessor, Cornelius Fudge, refused to acknowledge the rise of the Dark Lord and put the whole wizarding world in danger because of his ignorant denial.)

Ginny found the Minister's office fascinating. On the magnificent gold-painted walls were team photographs, old broomsticks, Quidditch robes, and framed magazine and newspaper articles. Ginny had only seen one office that was more intriguing and excellent: Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts.

As Ginny stared absentmindedly around the room, Dumbledore couldn't help but notice that the School Governors' meeting should have ended forty-five minutes ago. A few moments later, an eagle owl flew in through the open window and dropped a letter onto Dumbledore's lap.

Ginny came out of her 'trance' and noticed that as Dumbledore read the letter, a frown appeared on his face. Wondering whom the letter was from, and why Dumbledore found it disheartening, Ginny realized that her bracelet was talking again.

"Ginny, are you there? Is the meeting over? If it isn't just ignore me, I'm sorry," came Hermione's voice from the little snitch.

"It's okay, the meeting hasn't even started yet. What's up?" was Ginny's reply.

"Well, we were just wondering what was taking Dumbledore so long. When he came back from his meeting at Hogwarts this morning, he told us not to leave until he came back from your meeting. Why hasn't it started yet?"

Ginny glanced at Dumbledore who was writing a reply on the reverse side of the parchment he received. "Well, the Minister must still be in his meeting with the School Governors. I'll tell you when the meeting's over. And I'll talk to you every other day with these bracelets, okay? I don't want to be completely separated from my friends and family. Bye."

Just as Ginny finished, and twisted the snitch back into place, Dumbledore stood up and attached his reply to the owl's leg.

"Ginevra, I'm afraid that this meeting will not take place after all. You should inform the others just as soon as I explain it to you. It seems that the Minister has disappeared. After the meeting with the School Governors, he made his way up here. But a few Ministry workers were with him on the lift, and they said that as soon as he stepped off, he vanished without a trace. They searched the whole building, but the Minister is nowhere to be found. Now if you will kindly communicate that to Hermione on those fascinating bracelets…"