Many days and actions would haunt Albus Dumbledore, but nothing was as bad as being relieved out of his function by an American girl, who claimed that her school, Pacific Academy had been the target of multiple attacks from members of the British community, who all had strong connections with him.
That he, the greatest wizard of all time was ordered by the ICW to clarify, that had to be an insult.
But as he portrayed himself as the leader of the light, Dumbledore had to comply. Afterall, he was the leader of the light, and as such, he had to 'obey' the laws that governed the countries who were members of the ICW.
So Dumbledore sat in the chair, used by many before his, as he was asked by the ICW spokesperson, to give a detailed explanation into his search of Harry Potter. "As far as I know, Harry Potter has not been found. I have made the connection between mister Potters disappearance, and the returning name of 'Pacific Academy'. Therefor, I believe that mister Potter is at this so called Academy, and I demand as his legal guardian that he is returned to me for his schooling at Hogwarts." Stated Dumbledore.
"Do you really believe that?" Asked the american member of the ICW. "Why would I have any doubt about that. I am Harry Potter magical Guardian." Said Dumbledore, as he looked at the witch who asked the question. "Can you provide the paper that states that you are such guardian of this boy?" Asked the witch. "Well, no. But everybody knew that I was the only logical choise. As I am the headmaster and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the right falls to me to select a new guardian, or to claim it for myself."
"I see, so you have nothing to prove, and just hope that we trust you on your word?" Asked the witch.
"Yes." Said Dumbledore.
"Very well. I would like to submit a piece of evidence, collected from the boy in action, Harry Potter" the witch said. Nobody seemed to protest, so the witch poured the memory into a projection pensieve. The memory was played in front of the entire ICW.
"You freak. I should have killed you years ago. You are worth nothing. Not even the clothes that we have given you out of the goodness of our heart."
The large man started to kick and hit a little figure, and after a few seconds several members could see the figure moving away, and now all members could see that the figure was Harry Potter himself.
"There is more, but I'll save it for another time. I've read the reports from Doctor Richards, who did a full physical on the boy. Several broken bones, a constant array of bruises, and worst of all, an almost depleted magical core. Meaning that the boy had to heal his injuries himself. Can you explain why you didn't follow your own rules, and just dumped Harry Potter there? At an place where he was clearly not wanted?" Asked the witch, her voice getting harder every time she said something.
"Madam, I believe the word 'dumped' is a very gross misunderstanding. I clearly stated to this family that they should treat him like their own son" Said Dumbledore. "Sorry, but I don't believe that. Those images you saw were not of a loving family, but some of the worst muggles I've ever seen. But let's disprove your words, shall we? Continue with the viewing"
"You freak. Tomorrow you'll do the garden, and the car must be washed before I go to work."
"B-B-But Uncle Ver'on, I'm only five. I can't do those things." Said image Harry.
For his response, Harry got another kick from the fat bastard that looked like a hippo in clothes.
It knocked Harry out, and as Vernon threw Harry in the cupboard, and closed the doors, the ICW members looked on. Although the door was closed, and they watched from Harry's point of view, they could still hear voices. "Vernon, be careful with the boy. If he dies, we'll never get those monthly paychecks for him." The entire group of wizards and witches then heard the snort of Vernon's voice. "I don't care about that Petunia. You know what the letter said from that Dumbledore character. As Long as we are kicking him around, he'll see that old fool as the savior. And we even get paid double every time can report the injuries. Grab a camera, and start making pictures."
They heard someone moving around and as the door to the cupboard opened, they could see a very skinny woman, holding a device that started to make pictures. The witch, who had collected these memories decided to close the pensieve memory, before more members would throw up their breakfast.
"Treating him like their own son, Dumbledore? It seems to me that they abused him even more than a house elf in some cases."
"Madam, please. There were other circumstances that needed to be attended. If I knew that this was that bad, I would have removed him with the slightest sign of trouble." Dumbledore's words fell on deaf ears, as each and every member of the assembly started to shout.
The witch raised her arm, and slowly all voices calmed down. Many members were looking at Dumbledore with hate in their eyes.
"Members of the International Confederation of Wizards and Witches. We have seen this evidence, and have heard from the horse's mouth personally. I also have here, in front of me a official document, stating that Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle Flamel have taken guardianship over Harry Potter. This document was sighed and sealed on the thirty-first of May in 1987." She pointed now at Dumbledore, who was watching the witch with anger in his eyes.
"This man had plans designed for Harry Potter. Those plans were of no good, and we have all seen that." She pointed at the screen that had shown Harry's abuse at the Dursley Family. "I for one am disgusted that we are here, sitting and talking about this, while we know that there must be taken action. I therefore submit a motion of NO CONFIDENCE to the current Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Witches."
Having said her final words, Alexandra Summers, Headmistress of Pacific Academy sat down. Her end speech was one that got a tremendous applause. "They like you" Said the man next to her. "Well, it's about time we did something about him Roeland. Afterall, he's been leading the ICW for many years and he is only trying to pacify this group of idiots."
"Don't I know it." said Roeland as South Korea voted with the motion. Dumbledore looked at his longest ally, and knew that time that his allies had abandoned him.
The vote was put, and an overwelming vote came from the assembly, to remove Dumbeldore as Supreme Mugwump, and choose with an even larger vote for the newcomer in the group. The new Supreme Mugwump became Roeland Flaters. A wizard from the Netherlands.
Dumbledore made his way tiredly to his office at Hogwarts. After the assembly at the ICW had ceremonious kicked him out, after thanking him for his many years of service, Albus had to fight wave after wave of reporters who wanted the ins and outs of the ICW. Using it at his advantage, Dumbledore spun the story that he had retired from the ICW, to spent more time at Hogwarts.
Of course, he didn't said he would work with all the paperwork, that was Minerva's job. No, now he had more time to shape the Wizengamot into his perfect little band of followers.
That was until he received a letter, that he was under investigation considering several agenda items that seemed to clash with the wizengamot. His temporary replacement was Arthur Weasley. While Arthur was reasonable easy to manipulate, he was also very honest, and had a work ethic that was rare at the ministry. The only person who had a work ethic like Arthur Weasley, was Amelia Bones. And She had been chosen to be Arthur's 'secretary'
Opening his office door, Dumbldore looked around. Portraits, items, and parchment was laying around, like a whirlwind had come in and had decided to do a little 'house cleaning'. Getting a feeling of dread, Dumbledore started to search in all his secret places. The magical protrait of Harry's Parents was gone, as well as the invisibility cloak. That hiding place had a little note, writing in loopy writing. "I've taken the cloak, as it belongs to Harry. Signed, Your worst nightmare."
Shouting, and cursing Dumbledore moved past a window and looked down. The view of Hogwarts was normally a view to calm his mind, but today that was not the case. He wondered what all those students did surrounding those two oddly shaped statues. Exiting his office, Dumbledore mad ehis way outside, where more than half the school was standing. From burly seventh years to little first years, all were looking at the starnge statue.
Dumbledore's eyes popped almost out of his eye sockets, as he saw Severus Snape hanging from a cross, with a little note to the crossbeam. Beside Snape was his Defence against the dark arts teacher. Quirinis Quirrell was hanging from a simular cross, and on is head was drawn a symbol. Having studied Runes in his time at Hogwarts, Dumbledore recognised the symbol. It was an exorcist rune, used to drive out evil spirits out of your body. Someone had used it on Quirrell and it had killed him.
Removing his wand, Dumbledore ordered a prefect to get madam Pomfrey, before sent the studenst bach to their dowms. The classes for today were cancelled. Moving around, Dumbledore saw that Snape was still breathing, if slowly. The note that hung with Snape drew his attention.
"The next time you sent someone, we'll return him in many pieces."
(A/N. As easy as some chapters come, as hard as this one was. Never have I had to think real hard to write what I wanted to write. Still, Hope you like it.)
I'm going away for a few days, that's the reason that this chapter is out earlier.