OLD MAGIC

Chapter 27: A Long Search Ends

Dumbledore sat with a cup of tea, stirring it mindlessly, as he stared out the window of his office. The first day of the new year had started sunny, but deteriorated as the day progressed and now promised more snow, the skies leaden and gray which matched his mood.

He shivered a bit, his body still cold from being outdoors all day. Ever since Snape and Malfoy had been snatched, several members of the Order of the Phoenix and over twenty aurors combed the Forbidden Forest and surrounding countryside for the pair. They could find no witnesses and, despite questioning a few of the forest dwellers willing to speak to them, no reasons for the snatch.

As time passed, a grim despair began to grip the searchers. The longer the pair went missing, the less chance of them being found at all. Christmas Day came and went and still no trace of the pair could be found. The days continued onward and now it was New Years Day and the school session was about to start anew tomorrow.

His mind went back to the conversation he had with the searchers when they'd stopped to rest and reconnoiter a few hours ago.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

It was nearly dusk when the three groups of searchers returned to the designated meeting place on the far north side of the forest from Hogwarts. A magically created fire had been set up and cups of either fire whiskey or hot cocoa had been passed around to revitalize exhausted teams.

"They might be dead by now," Auror Dawlish muttered, staring into his cup, a morose expression on his face.

"Unlikely," Dumbledore interjected quickly. "Though they have no reason to be our friends, I've not heard any whisper of the forest dwellers killing innocents."

"We never heard of them kidnapping them either," Moody growled.

"Well that's not completely accurate, Alister," Shacklebolt corrected. "There has been reports of Death Eaters being taken and never being found again. As a matter of fact, I heard more of them have been ending up dead. I don't know why the Death Eaters are interested in our missing people but they've gotten death from the forest for their efforts. That's in our favor since that means fewer of them to cause more harm."

"And that is good news as it means they aren't aligned with them," Dumbledore reminded them all.

"True, but they're not aligned with us nor aiding us either," Shacklebolt retorted.

Malfoy's reaction to their conversation was to maintain a blank and uninterested expression, no trace of his growing anger at the loss of the Dark Lord's minions showed. The magical beasts were troublesome and needed to be ferreted out and destroyed if they could find a way to do that didn't end in more fatalities for their side. It didn't help matters that their master wished to make alliances with some of them to aid in his war. Malfoy had always felt that wasn't in their best interests but never dared to say so to Voldemort's face. Right now though, he was losing men and the ones that were left were becoming very leery of continuing this seemingly worthless endeavor.

Only fear of the Dark Lord's displeasure if his pet potion's master wasn't found alive kept them even looking at all. None of them cared about a wizard's child being missing even if it did belong to one of their own. Lucius knew only too well if MacNair was still among them, he would have argued against this mad search before it even began.

But he had no choice. Draco was his heir and it would look bad for his reputation if he simply abandoned his son to his fate without making an attempt to find out what had happened to the boy. So he must keep up the appearance of a distraught and angry father (even if he didn't' care a whit if his progeny ever showed up again). Time to put on his act so they could finish this mad running around in the woods at night.

"I care not who's side they are on. I just want my son found and those that took him punished!" He snarled convincingly. He lunged to his feet and stormed off, picking a random direction that hadn't been searched yet, his team of less than savory characters hurriedly tailing after him.

The rest eyed his retreating back for some moments while they finished their drinks.

"Break time's over, let's be off!" Moody barked, suddenly, making his cup disappear, then getting to his feet, pointing his staff at the fire and extinguishing it before heading off into the opposite direction of Malfoy's group, taking half the aurors with him.

The rest rose to their feet and prepared to head out except for Dumbledore. "I'm sorry, but I must leave you all. The Hogwarts Express will be arriving very soon and I must prepare for the students and find a temporary replacement for my potion's instructor."

Crouch scowled in annoyance but gave the headmaster a brisk nod of understanding. "Of course. We don't want the students upset nor disrupt their normal schedule if it can be helped. You go ahead, Albus. I intend to hunt until it's too dark to see. We'll see you at the castle later."

Dumbledore nodded. "I will have hot food and drinks waiting. Good hunting!"

Crouch said nothing as he turned away and stomped off into the cold snow once more. Tonks, Moody, Shacklebolt and the rest of the aurors following after him.

Shivering and sighing, Dumbledore apparated to the gates of Hogwarts then walked in the growing gloom, up to the main entrance. The halls at this hour were quiet, the students most likely in their common rooms waiting for the dinner hour.

Meeting no one, he headed for his office. Once inside, he sighed in relief as heat from the brightly burning fireplace began to thaw his cold body. Pulling off his wet cloak, he hung it on a nearby coat rack and went to his desk.

"I would like a cup of hot tea," he murmured to the air and instantly a house elf appeared and placed a full mug, steaming gently, before him. "Thank you. Be alert to the return of the hunters when it gets full dark. They will need hot food and drinks as soon as they walk in." The elf nodded his understanding then vanished.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

His mind returning to the present, he took a deep swallow of his hot tea instantly feeling the warmth thaw his insides very nicely.

Glancing over to the perch nearby, he saw his Phoenix was sound asleep. He wished he could be doing that right now. He was getting too old to be traipsing around the woods in the cold. A scowl of annoyance briefly appeared on his face as he stared at his familiar unhappily. The search wouldn't have been necessary if the dratted bird had been willing to tell them where the pair were. However, for reasons of its own, Fawkes had not been forthcoming with that information hence the waste of a search in the cold.

He thought of it as a waste because it was obvious by the bird's behavior, the pair in question were safe and unharmed by whoever had them. But, because he didn't want a war begun between wizards and the forest dwellers, he couldn't tell anyone of his suspicions.

The whole event was maddening and hurtful because it proved his familiar didn't quite trust him on this one subject and pushed home the fact the Phoenix had divided loyalties. That didn't sit well with Dumbledore. Such a thing shouldn't be possible with one's familiar. So he was forced to wonder what he'd done to incur such mistrust?

Apparently sensing his bond-mate's displeasure and hurt, Fawkes woke and raised his head to stare into Dumbledore's blue eyes. He made a soft warbling sound in his throat.

"Well it feels like you don't trust me," Dumbledore snapped, his temper getting the better of him.

More sounds from Fawkes, ones that sounded conciliatory.

The headmaster shook his head. "I don't care how sorry you feel about it, it's just not right to be keeping secrets and still be my bond-mate.

Fawkes rolled his eyes in frustration then reared up and shook his feathers as if to try and dismiss the tension between them.

"I'm sorry, but that's how I perceive this situation between us! I don't know how we can resolve it as it leaves me uncertain of your loyalties," Dumbledore said, feeling tired suddenly and sad.

Fawkes flew to Dumbledore's shoulder and proceeded to rub and coo, attempting to soothe his familiar's ruffled feelings. There was little else he could do. The boy's safety was his paramount concern though he was unhappy that it caused his bond-mate pain.

Dumbledore sighed in resignation and gently caressed his longtime companion. "Yes, I know you're only trying to protect Harry, but so am I." He went silent for a long moment then quietly murmured, "I'll let this go for now, however, I want a full explanation when you're able to give it."

The bird nodded its head then returned to its perch to preen. It had done all it could to give comfort. Answers would be forthcoming soon, patience was needed for now.

Shaking off his uncertainty where his bird was concerned, Dumbledore focused on preparing for the students arrival and who he would have temporarily take care of the potion's class.

Suddenly, he realized he had another issue to deal with...Hagrid wasn't there to see to handling of the students baggage.

The half giant was part of the search, though he chose doing it alone. He had said it made sense he not be accompanied by any of the wizards as it was they the forest people resented. Going alone ensured he might have better luck getting them to speak to him.

Dumbledore had been forced to agree that was a good reason (though surprised Hagrid had thought of it). So he had allowed the half giant to head off on his own but to return at the end of each day to compare notes.

Tonight, Hagrid had yet to return and he wasn't certain if the half giant would be back in time to do the task he normally undertook. Pushing his glasses up, he rubbed his tired eyes. A solution came to mind a moment later and he summoned a house elf.

One appeared immediately. "You called, sir?" It squeaked.

"Yes, I need a group of you to handle the students baggage, please. Hagrid is otherwise detained."

"Yes sir. We take care of it."

"Good, thank you." The creature flashed a brief smile than vanished.

"That's dealt with ... as for the class, I suppose I will have to be the instructor for now. Here's hoping Severus returns soon," he thought aloud making a note to himself. Now that those issues had been dealt with he moved his attention to the small amount of paperwork he had to do so as to make the time pass faster.

An hour and a half later, he was warned of the train's arrival by its horn sounding when it arrived at the small station in the woods. It wasn't too much later when the sound of excited children could be heard echoing up the stairs, as he made his way down to the ground floor. The students were just pouring into the great hall in preparation for the dinner service as he reached the main foyer. He nodded at them as they passed in a stream and sang out his name. After such a long trip, they were always very hungry, so it wasn't a surprise they made a hurried beeline for their house tables.

He made for the head table when suddenly he was stopped by a loud pop just in front of him. An excited house elf stood there, wringing its paws.

"Sir, scary auror told me to fetch you. Student missing has returned!" It squeaked excitedly.

McGonagall, who had silently brought up the rear of children, sighed in relief. "Thank Goodness! I'll take care of things here, Albus you go on and see what's happening. I do hope Draco Malfoy is alright but there was no mention of Severus...," her voice drifted off worriedly, her eyes monitoring the children as the stragglers took their seats.

"I'll let you know as quick as I can, Minerva," Dumbledore said distractedly, his attention on the house elf. "Where are they?"

"I take master!" It snapped its fingers and the two of them vanished only to reappear not far from Hagrid's hut.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Snow had begun to fall lightly outside and immediately covered his glasses, obscuring his vision. Frowning, Dumbledore cast a soundless cleansing spell that would keep them clean so he could see what as going on. Before him was an angry group and standing silent and still in front of them was a centaur.

Apparently, the search parties had ended the hunt for the night and had just gathered at this spot before heading to the castle but spied the centaur first and halted to investigate. Seeing it was carrying a burden, the group of aurors and others immediately formed a semi-circle around the creature but didn't quite dare to enter the forest behind it to bracket it completely in fear it might bolt back where it came from with its burden still on its back.

Recognizing the centaur, Dumbledore quickly pushed through the group to reach the creature before he was hurt by one of the others.

Lucius Malfoy stood within ten feet of the centaur, his fair face suffused with anger. Holding his cane high and pointing it menacingly at the centaur, he roared," Let my son go, you worthless creature!"

"Peace, Lucius. Yelling abuse at him will not get him to do what you ask. Be patient and we'll see if we can't reason with him," Dumbledore quickly interjected, smoothly inserting himself between the centaur and the furious wizard. He knew the boy would not come to harm though he was puzzled and upset as to why Firenze, a sometime teacher of Divination at Hogwarts, would be a part of this affair. Perhaps he might get some answers at last as to what was going on but only if he managed to keep hot tempers in check.

It was at that moment Hagrid chose to appear. For such a big person, he moved with quiet stealth out of the forest just behind the centaur. Apparently understanding what was transpiring, he veered to the right so as to come up beside Malfoy and the headmaster.

Fresh snow covered the half giant's head and shoulders making him look like a shaggy snowman. Hagrid eyed the situation quietly. "Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, soir ... but if yeu'll allow me, I might be able to persuade him to release the boy..."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The long trip to Hogwarts through the dark, cold forest had been brutal. To survive it, Draco reminded himself that this would be over soon and he'd be in the hospital wing getting his injuries healed. The thought of a long soak in a tub of blissfully hot water, some warm food for his poor abused stomach, and a warm bed after, made all he was going through almost bearable.

He was so focused on trying to keep his pain and discomfort at bay and just endure, he had failed to notice Firenze had slowed to a walk. It wasn't until the centaur halted completely that he realized the trees had thinned and they were on the edge of the forest at last. From his awkward, upside down position, Draco could just make out Hagrid's hut to their far right.

Firenze had felt the boy move and softly warned, "Speak not! They come!"

Draco realized the sounds he'd been hearing for some minutes, were the mutter of many voices getting louder as they approached the two of them. Firenze kept the forest at his back and Draco could feel his muscles tense as if he might turn and flee. The boy could hardly blame him. It sounded like an army swooping down on them but was most likely the search parties hunting for him and Severus. He made himself very still and listened.

The group halted and spread out. Draco knew this because he could just see the cloaks of three people from his position. Then one voice shouted, silencing the rest. It was a coldly angry and very familiar voice that made Draco wince in fear but he continued to hold his body still not daring to show he was aware of what was going on ... not yet. However, he dearly hoped this standoff wouldn't last long.

His whole body hurt and he couldn't remember being this miserable before except for that one time, at age eight, his father sought to teach his son a lesson for misbehaving that day by leaving him outside the mansion doors in a snow storm for over an hour. His mother had been furious but she hadn't dared to interfere. He'd gotten a terrible cold and fever because of it.

This time, however, he'd willingly allowed himself to be mistreated and he was paying for it with his whole body aching fiercely and nearly frozen from the cold despite his use of a warming charm and Firenze's efforts to make the trip as quick as possible for him. At least he knew he wouldn't suffer for very long ...that is, if his father allowed Mrs Pomfrey to treat him. The man could decide to take him straight home. There he would be questioned and, very likely, not receive treatment until he'd answered his father's questions and perhaps not even then. That possibility made him shiver with fear.

Please don't let that happen, he thought, anxiously.

He went limp with relief when he heard Hagrid's voice speaking softly to Dumbledore. He'd been worried the half giant wouldn't get here in time but he had and Dumbledore was here as well. Perhaps he would be able to stay as the headmaster wouldn't allow Draco's father to just waltz off with him. He listened as Hagrid asked to remove him from Firenze's back but, before the headmaster could answer, his father refused to allow it. Draco was left waiting to see what Dumbledore would do now but Firenze broke the deadlock.

"To you alone, Rubeus Hagrid, have I been tasked to deliver the boy."

Hagrid's voice came closer and he spoke directly to Firenze. "Then I will relieve yeu of yere burden and thank yeu for its deliverance," he said quietly. He ignored Malfoy's hiss of anger.

Draco felt Hagrid's huge hands undo the rope that held him to Firenze's back then his body being lifted. "Thank yeu," Hagrid said politely to Firenze then stepped away.

Using Hagrid's blocking body, Firenze wheeled about and quickly bolted off into the woods despite the shouts of 'Halt!' by Moody who shot a spell off but failed to connect as the centaur dodged it adroitly before vanishing among the trees.

"Curse it! We needed to question that beast!" Crouch snarled, angry and annoyed giving Hagrid a suspicious look which the half giant ignored as he turned to make for the castle.

But Malfoy stepped quickly in his way and shoved his arms out in a demand for his son. He too wasn't pleased the centaur had been allowed to escape but there was nothing he could do about it. Taking his boy from the half giant, he noted Draco's wrists and ankles were bound and muttered a spell that forced the ropes to let go and drop to the ground.

Draco, are you alright?" His father asked, pretending concern, as he held his son in his arms and noted all the injuries.

"Hurt...cold..." Draco moaned, not having to fake it at all and keeping his eyes closed.

"Let us get him inside, quickly," Dumbledore urged, coming closer to stare down at the boy in concern. "He needs to be seen by Madam Pomfrey to have his wounds treated and to be warmed immediately." He knew Lucius would want to take the boy away but with the aurors standing around wanting to question Draco, he didn't think the man would dare defy them. He was right.

"Very well, since it is closer, we'll do that, but I want to take him home for a few days afterwards so he can recover," Malfoy insisted.

"Nonsense! Once his injuries have been taken care of and he's warmed, he'll be fine. I must insist we be allowed to question him as soon as possible. After all, Professor Snape is still missing and your son is the only clue to him," Crouch insisted, waving off the father's concerns and rights.

Malfoy was annoyed but hid it well. He would rather take the boy home and question him there but he didn't dare disobey a member of the ministry. "Fine! Then let's be off." He stalked toward the castle, jolting the boy all the way.

Draco wisely refrained from cursing his father and clamped his teeth together to keep from crying out in pain due to his father's rather callous handling. He did shudder though and it wasn't because he was cold.

Dumbledore kept pace with Malfoy while behind them hurried the rest of the search party. Hagrid paused to watch Moody pick up the lengths of rope he'd used to tie Draco. He frowned a little in worry but didn't' think the retired auror would be able to detect anything from the ropes. Shaking his head mentally, Hagrid easily caught up with the group and followed close on their heels. He knew he couldn't just slip away without causing some suspicion. But his other reason for staying was to help Draco maintain their charade and to protect the boy from his own father. It was a bitter thing to see a father care so little for his own progeny but he'd seen it a lot in the wealthy and it filled him with disgust.