Chapter 4

"Professor Dumbledore, are you asking me to get the rest of Jack's team to go searching for him?" Daniel's voice was an octave higher than usual as he strained to get the words out, not quite believing that Dumbledore could actually be asking that of him.

"In a manner of speaking…yes. You see, you and your friends know the man he's become these last few years far better than we do. You have a far better chance of tracking him than anyone here would."

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment as tried to take in what the headmaster was asking. He knew that Jack had been relatively speaking, out of touch with the wizarding world until the his kidnapping months before, but to think that Daniel and the rest of SG-1 would even know where to begin to look for Jack was the most insane idea he'd ever heard.

"You can't be serious? I know Jack's been living in…our world for the last thirty years, and despite being close friends, what makes you think that we would even know where to start looking?"

Dumbledore ran his thumb and index finger down his beard a few times before responding and Daniel couldn't help but sigh at the curious gesture.

"Have you another suggestion, Doctor Jackson?"

The linguist opened his mouth to give an answer, but quickly closed realizing he didn't have one. He turned to his right to see Severus sitting quietly beside him, staring at the carpet on the floor as though it were the most fascinating thing he ever seen. Shrugging his shoulders Daniel shook his head at the Headmaster.

"I don't have another suggestion, but…" With a heavy sigh Daniel felt himself begin to cave. "Fine, I'll get the others here, but I don't see how we'll be able to find him."

An hour later Daniel had come up with a plan and was back at Hagrid's, saying good-bye to Severus and Dumbledore as he readied himself to go back to Colorado. This time he was ready for the ride through the chimney, but he wasn't ready for the surprise visitors he had at his house just as he arrived.

Daniel stared blankly at the two currently people standing in his living room, and then slowly started to get to his feet.

"Um, Daniel?" Samantha Carter was doing her best to hide the confusion on her face, but she was sure she was failing miserably. "Why exactly did you just shoot out of the fireplace?"

"I just got back from Hogwart's."

Sam and Teal'c cocked their heads in surprise and slowly moved closer, their looks of disbelief obvious to the archeologist.

"You went to Hogwart's through the fireplace?" Sam's voice was full of skepticism, and Daniel shrugged his shoulders as he nodded.

"I know that sounds bizarre, but it's true."

Reluctantly, the Major sighed and shook her head. "I guess with all the things we've seen over the years and especially since we found out the Colonel was a wizard…this shouldn't be all that surprising…"

The room was silent for a moment before Teal'c began to speak. "What is O'Neill's status? Has he regained consciousness?"

"Well..." Daniel lowered his head and sighed.

"Has his condition worsened, DanielJackson?" Teal'c's concerned voice made the linguist look up and he shook his head.

"Not exactly."

"What does that mean?" Both Sam and Teal'c looked as though they were ready to explode and Daniel sighed again.

"He's missing."

"He was catatonic when we left, how could he be missing?" Sam sounded less than amused as Daniel shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"Apparently, he woke up this morning and ran away. Stole his brother's wand and just took off. No one is really sure where, or even why he left." Sam and Teal'c stared in disbelief at their teammate as they shook their heads. Neither seemed able to speak and Daniel decided to go ahead dump the rest of the story in their laps while he still had their attention. "Also, Severus and Dumbledore want us to go look for him."

Sam's jaw nearly hit the floor and Teal'c's right eyebrow was almost touching the ceiling at Daniel's words, and they took a few steps closer to the linguist who was now nervously trying to back himself out of the door.

"How are we supposed to do that?" Carter asked as she stepped around Teal'c to stand square in front of Daniel.

"Well…um…I'm working on that. I was thinking that we might be able to get Thor to help us with that. We already know he's kept tabs on Jack in the past. I was thinking he might be able to help us find him."

> > >

Harry was smiling as he walked through the muggle street with Ron and his dad. It was amusing to watch the older wizard trying to blend in when he so obviously didn't need to. Even Ron was softly laughing to himself as they neared their destination. When they arrived at the spot where the portkey was waiting, they were all surprised to see a familiar face standing beside it.

"Snape, what on Earth are you doing here?" Arthur Weasley asked as he stepped up to the dark-haired wizard cautiously.

"I need to speak with Harry." He turned his gaze to Harry and his expression made the boy slightly nervous.

"What is it?" Harry curiously moved closer with Ron just behind him and Severus put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm afraid I have some less than pleasant news."

"Is it about Jack? Is he…?" Harry left the question hanging, not wanting to say the words out loud. The thought had plagued him all summer, and he had dreaded a visit from Snape, not wanting to hear that his uncle had died.

"No. He's alive, but he's disappeared."

Severus watched as Harry, Ron, and Arthur blinked in confusion at his words. It was Arthur that managed to find his tongue first.

"How did it happen?"

Snape shrugged his shoulders. "He woke up yesterday, and ran off. Everyone's been looking for him, but we haven't had a spot of luck yet."

"He woke up?" Harry's voice cracked slightly and as he raised an eyebrow at Snape. "If the dementors gave him their…kiss, how is it that he woke up?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. One moment he was unconscious, and the next he was up and running through the forest like a madman."

"You were with him then?" Severus nodded at Harry, and the boy's angry glare seemed to soften. "This makes no sense. What are we going to do?"

Snape shook his head. "'We' aren't going to do anything. You and the Weasleys are going to enjoy yourselves at the Quidditch Cup. Leave finding Jack up to Dumbledore and myself. I only came here to let you know what was going on. We'll find him, Harry. I promise."

Harry watched as Snape turned and walked away from him. He stared at the older wizard's retreating back for a moment, and then turned to see Ron and his dad waiting patiently for him. Without a word he followed Mr. Weasley's instructions and they took the portkey in hand and felt themselves transported to the campground where the Quidditch Cup was being held.

tbc...

Thank you to everyone that has sent feedback and encouraged me to continue this story. RL has been a little hectic and I haven't had as much time as I'd like to work on this fic, but I am still working hard on it. I'm hoping I can get the next chapter out very soon.