No Warnings

Chapter 6: Over the Horizon Part III

"I do believe we are waiting on just a few others," Dumbledore said at the head of the table. The whole Order of the Phoenix, or what was left of it, had been called to discuss the disappearance of Voldemort. Dumbledore knew that Tom had been gone for some time, almost immediately after the Halloween fiasco. His followers were the problem. Some of them had attacked indiscriminately when their master disappeared, others feigned innocence.

What was worse, was the fact that none of the families would leave their children home. They were all there at headquarters. They were supposed to be staying outside, but a few of them had strayed indoors and caused some problems. No thanks to Sirius Black, a few pranks were accomplished. Dumbledore didn't trust Black, but the man was more than willing to prove that he was more than a name and that he could truly be Light. Dumbledore knew better though, but whatever made the Potter's happy, he would oblige.

Of course, the only reason the Potter's got what they wanted was because of Harry. He was Dumbledore's darkest secret. A secret that could ruin him. Mundungus Fletcher finally entered the meeting room. The meeting could finally start.

"Now, I am sure you all know why we are here today," Dumbledore started. He was blissfully unaware of the three children watching the meeting. "Lord Voldemort seems to have disappeared."

Lily and James seemed to go stiff. They understood that with Voldemort gone Harry would be safe, but Dumbledore knew that in order for Voldemort to truly disappear Harry would have to disappear as well.

"Many alleged Death Eaters have come forward claiming to have been under the Imperious Curse. There have been no signs of the Dark Lord for nearly four years. It would appear that the war is truly over." Dumbledore said with what seemed to be long awaited relief. Many of the occupants of the room relaxed and looked truly relieved. But Dumbledore went on, "The problem seems to be with the Death Eaters. Many are still loyal to the Dark Lord. They have still been holding attacks."

"But, there have been more Death Eaters that have denounced the Dark Lord completely," Sirius said from next to James. "The Auror's Office is having a hard time prosecuting anyone. At this point, we are still looking for the Lestrange's."

"Sirius is right. Those truly loyal to the Dark Lord have been the only ones who have been attacking innocents. We've been having a hard time tracking them. They seem to be using some kind of anti-tracking charm, and a very powerful one at that." James agreed.

"Those that have been suspected as Death Eaters in the last two years have been able to avoid conviction, despite our efforts," Frank Longbottom said. Alice nodded beside her husband. Dumbledore had to hide his annoyance at being interrupted. Of course the Aurors where having such a hard time finding Death Eaters. There was a Black in that office, after all.

"Very true," Dumbledore feigned agreement. "At this point, I believe the best route for the Order is to find Voldemort's most actively loyal Death Eaters and bring them to justice. After that I feel the best we can do is to wait."

"Wait for what?" Mundungus asked. Everyone had similarly confused faces.

"I believe the Dark Lord Voldemort still lives," everyone in the room paled and became deathly silent. Dumbledore could see that Lily was going to say something. "I believe the events that happened four years ago, resulting in the disappearance of Voldemort did not ultimately kill him. I believe it merely injured him to the point of impending weakness. If he were to ever be found by those true followers, then Lord Voldemort will rise again."

Lily gripped James' arm tightly. Her worst fears were unfolding before her eyes. Voldemort came after Harry once; he would surly come after him again. Lily felt compelled to go look for her son. But the sound of Dumbledore's voice stopped her.

"As long as we keep a close eye on suspected Death Eaters and find his most loyal Death Eaters, we have no fear of Lord Voldemort returning." Dumbledore said with confidence. Of course, the only true way for Voldemort to be dead was for all of those items are destroyed, Harry included. Dumbledore could see the determination in Lily's face, and the old man smiled. She played into his hands so completely that it was almost pitiful.

"So, Sirius," Dumbledore turned to the head of the Black family, "we all know that your family has been heavily involved with Voldemort, especially Bellatrix, do you know of any estates she might go to."

Sirius looked devastated that he was singled out, but he answered, "There could be several that she would go to, but the problem lies within the fact that she is a Black. My family is notorious for its secrecy. Any estates she inherited, the wards would immediately change to her specifications. It's true of all the estates." Sirius paused before continuing. "When Regulus was made heir of the Black family, I was…banished from all of the estates my father owned. After his death, I was reinstated as the Black heir and the wards allowed me back into the estates. It's very old magic that keeps them like that; there are almost no records of how it is done anymore."

James set a hand on Sirius' shoulder. The Potter heir knew how hard it was for Sirius. He had lost so much in the last five years. All of his family was either dead or not talking to him; with the exception of Andromeda, who Sirius was very close with, but the loss would still be hard on anyone.

"I see," Dumbledore was less than pleased with this news. He had to try very hard to keep a scowl off of his face. "Don't worry, Sirius. You are not to blame at all for your family's reputation. Our top priority is the Lestrange's. As long as we keep an eye out for them, we should be fine. After they are in custody, we will have little to fear from the Dark forces."

Once again everyone in the room was relieved at the news. Lily still looked as though she would do anything to protect Harry. Lily hardly trusted anyone these days, especially after what happened with Pettigrew. The dark clad man in the corner of the room gazed longingly at Lily.

Severus was just as responsible for her pain as Pettigrew was. And even though, he had taken an Unbreakable Vow to protect her son for her, Lily still couldn't look Severus in the eye without anger clouding her expression. Before Severus' thoughts could become more depressing, there was a small knock on the door.

Everyone looked at Dumbledore, and the eldest of the group nodded toward the door. Arthur Weasley opened the door to find little Harry smiling sheepishly up at him. Lily shot up to go to her son. James sighed and shook his head behind his wife's back.

"What's wrong Harry?" Lily cooed.

"I was wondering if I could go to Fred's and George's and Ron's and Ginny's house today?" Harry's voice was innocently sweet. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at the child, the harbinger of his demise. Dumbledore trusted Harry less than he trusted Sirius or the werewolf. The headmaster of Hogwarts was glad that no one was looking at him, because he was unable to suppress his hate for the boy, and he was sure it was showing on his face.