Ch 4: Dumbledore Interlude
It started out as a normal summer holiday for Albus but then one night things changed. Albus was sitting at his desk reading the evening edition of the Daily Prophet when all of a sudden one of his devices monitoring Harry started spinning and making a hissing sound. 'Harry has left the safety of the wards. I must find him.' He went over to the fireplace and used floo powder to get to the ministry. Albus calmly walked to the minister's office, 'don't want to raise suspicions' he thought as he knocked on the office door. "Come in" called Fudge.
"Ah Albus! Nice to see you. Did we have a meeting scheduled and my assistant forgot to mention it?"
"No Cornelius, I am sorry to say we have a situation and I need your help. Mr. Potter has left the wards of his aunt's house and I need for you to help me find him quietly."
Before Fudge could respond a memo flew into the room. Fudge read it and said, "Albus, it looks like Harry used magic in front of his family. When the obliviators showed up his aunt said Harry ran away. One of the undercover aurors who was on the Knight Bus saw Harry and heard him say that he wanted to be dropped off at the Leaky Cauldron. I will head over there and talk to Mr. Potter." Albus nodded and told Fudge to go easy on Harry considering the Sirius situation and then went back to Hogwarts. With the Harry situation under control for now Albus decided to head to bed.
(The next day)
"Albus, where is Severus? He can't miss a meal. That boy is too thin as it is!" huffed Minerva.
"Minnie, you know Severus gets lost in his potions," Albus chuckled, "But if it makes you feel better I will get him for lunch". Minerva nodded but could be heard muttering something about "stubborn dungeon bats". Albus smiled at his deputy head but couldn't help but wonder ' Why does she mother him so much? Maybe I underestimated her maternal instincts when it comes to Severus when I blocked her memories.'
Albus knew what he did was for the greater good. The wizarding world needed him as their leader. Gellert had wanted to take over the wizarding world by force but Albus knew a sneakier approach was warranted. Some compulsions, a few blocked memories, and a staged defeat of Gellert paved the way for Albus to be seen as the unspoken leader for then light. To keep his light lord persona he needed a new enemy to fight. Tom Riddle was easy to mold as soon as he started Hogwarts but Albus got lazy during Tom's later school years. He did not account for Tom to fall in love with a Gryffindor girl and start a family. This caused Albus to resort to some stronger, darker compulsions but Tom quickly transformed to Voldemort.
The death of the Potters was unfortunate since Dumbeldore lost two great pawns but sacrifices had to be made. He needed them to die so Harry would grow up with Lily's sister and come to Hogwarts idolizing the great Albus Dumbledore. Harry couldn't have grown up around the love of his family and friends. If Harry grew up without the manipulations he would become the richest, most politically powerful, and strongest wizard in Great Britain and Albus did not want that. Albus was wandering the castle lost in his thoughts for hours when he remembered his promise to Mcgonagall and headed down to the dungeons to get Snape.
While in the Great Hall, Albus noticed Snape got a letter from Gringotts if he saw the seal correctly. "Severus leaving so soon? Your potions can wait."
"Albus, I have to go to Gringotts. There seems to be an issue with my account. I shall be back soon."
Albus couldn't detect anything amiss with his potions professor but something was worrying him. 'Why does Gringotts need to see him so urgently? Is something happening at the bank? Has Harry been to the bank without any supervision to keep him from finding the truth?'. Whatever was happening at the bank Albus was determined to question Severus when he got back but until then he would enjoy lunch and plan for the upcoming year.