Chapter 10: Missing
A brief interlude with Dumbledore
Dim candlelight fell over crinkled parchment. It was a testament to how long he had been studying it that he was surprised that the long candle actually died and left him in darkness. The old man adjusted his half-moon glasses and rose his wand, calling softly into the night: Lumos. A gentle blue-white glow illuminated the words on the faded parchment once again.
Minny!
Troubling rumors: Snakes sighted in Surrey! Please send for someone to ward the neighborhood. It's just a rumor, and there's been no official sightings, but still… Anyway, my best to the Headmaster!
Love, Bella
Albus Dumbledore studied the flowery script with tired eyes in the fading light of his spell. The note was obviously written some months ago despite the lack of date. The parchment had been crumpled and torn nearly beyond recognition. Only guesswork, and a bit of magic, had repaired the note to near its original condition. He had recognized the script. It was from Arabella Figg, one of the hand-picked few that Dumbledore had trusted with the location of Harry Potter. The note was clearly intended for the Deputy Headmistress, who had also known of young Harry's location, and who had personally dedicated a few days out of the year to check up on the boy to ensure his well-being.
At the time, Albus had thought it very wise of himself to burden only three people with the task of helping keep young Harry safe, stressing the importance that they watch from a distance and observe, to not interfere under any circumstances.
Today, Harry Potter was missing.
The news had come to Dumbledore via a thundering Sirius Black, followed by a more controlled but firmly concerned Remus Lupin. Dumbledore himself had conducted a short interview with the Dursley family and found they had been aware that Harry Potter was missing for more than two months.
The Blood Wards were failing fast in his absence.
He had summoned a handful of the old crowd and developed a top-secret search for Harry Potter. Emmeline Vance and Dedalus Diggle were sent to opposite ends of London to make discreet inquiries. Minerva followed up with Arabella Figg, who was using her network of Muggle friends to ask about in an inconspicuous manner for any leads in the Muggle world. Alastor Moody had grudgingly accepted Dumbledore's request to put in the most delicate probes at the Ministry about missing persons and promised to 'feel around' for any Death Eater activity. Severus had reported no activity from his Dark Mark though he remained diligent. Even with everyone working together, there had been no clues of any kind for weeks.
Dumbledore read the parchment again.
Snakes sighted in Surrey!
He drew a blank sheet of parchment from his desk, summoning a quill and ink well with a wave of his wand. Then he reached over to the snuffed candle and pinched the wick. The flame sprang back to life under his fingertips, illuminating the room with warm yellow light. The Headmaster drafted a quick note of his own. Upon its completion he beckoned to the beautiful red-gold phoenix perched upon its gilded stand. Fawkes glided over soundlessly, perching at his human's desk with one foot outstretched.
The Headmaster smiled wryly. "Thank you, old friend," he said as Fawkes accepted the letter, "I know you are not an owl, but this letter must find the right persons with all haste. Please wait on a reply."
The phoenix cooed and disappeared in a wheel of flame.
The candlelight seemed whole inadequate in the wake of Fawkes' exit.
Dumbledore wasted no time waiting on his familiar's return, banishing the contents of his desk and tapping it with his wand to double its width. Scrolls leapt off the shelf at his wand's beckoning and flattened themselves against the table. No less than a dozen more candles came out of the cupboard and were cast around the room, lit by a single flourish of the Headmaster's wand. The Headmaster himself had just finished rolling up his long periwinkle-blue sleeves when Fawkes returned in a glorious burst of fire. The phoenix trilled a triumphant note and held out its leg.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said, and retrieved the responses. They were concise, but then again, it was near half-two in the morning.
Headmaster,
Will start searching Muggle papers,
will send any relevant clippings.
Cheers,
X.L.
The second read,
Albus,
Happy to help! Look for a Ministry
Owl, can't send ours, of course!
All the best,
A.W.
The Headmaster fed the responses to a floating candle, the flame curling upwards and incinerating the parchment pieces. He sincerely hoped both searches turned up with nothing. Pausing over the scrolls of parchment flung across his broadened desk, the Headmaster sighed deeply.
"I'm so sorry, Harry Potter. Please be safe."
End Chapter