Emergency Order meeting
Dumbledore found himself in the kitchen fireplace of 12 Grimmuald Place under a minute. After brushing himself off with a quick wave of his wand, he found two other wands pressing harshly against his face and a mixed look of suspicion and anger on both the faces of Remus and Sirius. "Lower your wands, you too, it is only me, Albus Dumbledore", he admonished, slightly amused by the reaction of the two with their wands out. "Well, maybe if you had given us some warning first before the random intrusion into my house….." retorted Sirius, obviously annoyed at this unannounced visit, but Lupin put a hand on his shoulder to silence him.
"Sorry about the sudden intrusion, I appreciate the fact that it is indeed your house, but it is emergency, so I am calling an emergency Order meeting meaning you can expect the 'intrusion' of several other of our Order members very shortly" Dumbledore now looked very serious.
"Oh, how so?" asked Remus, paling slightly.
Before Dumbledore had the chance to explain, the fire place burst into life again and much to Sirius's displeasure, Severus Snape emerged from the emerald flames. Both Sirius and Snape exchanged looks at each other like they had seen an unwanted rodent.
"What could possibly be so important you had to disrupt my latest potion making project, forcing me to have to restart it later at my own great expense?!" he hissed.
Again, before Dumbledore had the chance to reply, Minerva McGonagall emerged from the fire place looking slightly dazed after Dumbledore's repeated control spells he had cast on her, followed by Mr and Mrs Weasley, then Bill and Charlie Weasley, then Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, and finally Mad Eye Moody.
Dumbledore motioned everyone to sit around the kitchen table. "Are you finally going to explain the sudden 'house party'" Sirius demanded. "All in good time my boy" Dumbledore said gently. He then conjured up for himself a bottle of tonic, earning a roll eyes reaction from McGonagall seeing as he had already drunk a full bottle of the stuff in his office a few minutes earlier.
"I have called you all here at such short notice, which I apologize for due to the fact that it has come to my attention Harry Potter is missing". Everyone else sat around the table looked like they had just seen Voldemort appear.
Dumbledore couldn't help but notice the sudden strange looks on both Remus's and Sirius's faces, "Is there something you two gentlemen wish to share with me?" he enquired gently. The two hesitated for a few seconds before shaking their heads slowly, "No, Albus it's just as his guardians, we take news like this particularly serious", Lupin replied. Dumbledore attempted to probe the pair's minds using his Occlumency skills, as he had a sneaking suspicion they were hiding vital information, but got a sudden feeling of being blocked and pushed with force, he nearly fell out of his chair! However, now was not the time to attempt to go any further with it, he would deal with the two later regarding their sudden suspicious behavior towards him.
"But neither of you are his guardians, you know full well his Aunt and Uncle, plus Albus are", added Mrs Weasley unexpectedly. "Errrrm, EXCUSE ME?! Who the fuck are YOU to decide that?!" Sirius roared at her, slamming his fists so hard against the table, it was a miracle the whole table didn't collapse. He had never acted like that before to a Weasley, especially not Molly Weasley, but nobody dictates to how his relationship with Harry takes course, especially not in his own home!
Snape seemed to be almost laughing at the sight of Sirius getting angry in this way. Mrs Weasley was just about to open her mouth to retort when Dumbledore held a hand up, "That will do. Now, Alastor, seeing as you were in charge of ensuring Harry's safety from here to Platform 9 3/4, do you recall anything untoward about Harry's behavior at any time?"
"Nah, can't say in all honesty I ever did, Albus. Of course, we need to locate his whereabouts to confirm he is safe, that I agree wholeheartedly with, but Albus, if he is found safe, what business is it of ours to force him back to somewhere where his safety has obviously been compromised largely down to your gross failings these past four years? If it turns out the lad has 'done a runner' as so to put it, good on him I say. I will check he is safe, and if necessary move him to somewhere safe, but I draw the line at forcing him back to Hogwarts."
"Alastor, you are really beginning to lose the plot, aren't you? We probably would not be facing this pathetic situation if it wasn't for your incompetence with keeping tabs on him. Now, tell me, what makes Potter so special he thinks he can just galavant off round the world, whilst…" Snape sneered before being cut off harshly with a "SILENCE YOU GREASY HAIRED RAT!" from Moody. Everyone else, apart from Molly and Dumbledore clapped, even Professor McGonagall! Snape was just about to retort when his Dark Mark started burning intensely like he had burnt himself on a stove. He pointed to his arm, looked at Dumbledore who gave him a nod, then he left the house to apparate to where Voldemort was located. Voldemort obviously had something to say about Harry's unexpected disappearance.
After Snape's departure from the meeting, it was Dumbledore's turn to speak again. "Alastor", he didn't really take kindly at being told he had failed anyone in any way, paling slightly, he asked, "I'd love to hear from you exactly how I have failed Harry in any way, shape or form? Harry chose of his own free will to confront Voldemort in his first and second year, chose of his own free will to put himself into the danger zone for the love of someone who isn't stable enough to guard himself let alone a godson", (earning a wand out and growl, almost barking reaction from Sirius, only for Lupin to quickly restrain him), "And the last year the danger he was in was completely out of my hands and would have been more than my seat in the Wizengamot is worth to intervene in any way. If…"
Now it was Lupin's turn to intervene. He really wanted to do nothing more than punch the old man in the face, a broken nose, even better!
"Stop right there, Albus! Now if you could please explain to me how overlooking putting in place wards to prevent Lord Voldemort entering the castle on the back of a teacher, or death eaters entering under the guise of a teacher, unnecessarily moving a stone from a Gringotts vault where Voldemort is gaureenteed not to be able to have any access to a school full of children, not checking the entire castle for hidden dark creatures such as basliks and allowing a deadly tournament to take place at all, that would be much appreciated by myself and everyone in this room! If you won't, I'll be seriously doubting your competency as a headmaster and bring into question your Wizengamot seat."
Things took an unexpected turn when Dumbledore sneered in a way almost worthy of Snape. "Remus, you know perfectly well I was under no legal obligation to implement anything like what you suggested, if it wasn't required by law for me to implement, then it probably wasn't worth the money it would have cost to implement".
Lupin was shaking with fury so much so, it was becoming nearly impossible to restrain himself from hurting Dumbledore one way or another. "Haven't you ever heard of a thing called 'common sense'?! You are obviously sorely lacking it in many levels!"
Dumbledore tutted and shook his head, looking slightly pitiful in a mocking way. "Remus, why would I waste money on his protection when he is destined by the prophecy to die anyway? Neither can live whilst the other survives. If he had died within those four years the prophecy would have been fulfilled far quicker, a win-win situation for the wizarding world, wouldn't you agree?"
This was too much for Lupin. Before Dumbledore had chance to defend himself, Lupin was over at the other side of the table, thanks to his quick werewolf reflexes, and he did the unthinkable: punched Dumbledore in the nose, so hard that the sound of his nose breaking sounded like an egg being smashed. Lupin was breathing heavily, taking in seeing Dumbledore's heavily bleeding nose.
Professor McGonagall fainted and fell out of her seat, and Molly looked like she'd seen death. Sirius sniggered hand over face, no doubt trying his best not to laugh. Moody clapped slowly and silently.
"You well and truly disgust me, Albus!" Lupin snarled before spitting in Dumbledore's face. "H-how so?" Dumbledore murmured weakly. "If I didn't know any better, it's like you enjoyed every moment of his pain and suffering! And, no nobody in their right mind in the light side of the wizarding world would see any sort of win in the way you described, Let's start by looking at the recent chain of events, shall we? Truth be told, had it not benefited your already vast amounts of wealth, (and let's face it, if it had benefited Hogwarts in any way, you would have poo-pooed the idea in the first place) you would never have agreed to Hogwarts hosting the TriWizard tournament. Here's what I think is the real reason why you forced Harry to compete. Never mind the bullshit excuses of magical contracts, you know full well your seat on the Wizengamot could easily have allowed you to withdraw Harry from the tournament but then that would have meant no chance of an indemnity payout straight into your vault should Harry have died during the tournament. For exactly the same reason, when he was kidnapped via the portkey, you would have allowed him to die at the hands of Voldemort had he not made it back on his own accord rather than him be rescued, knowing that the indemnity payout would triple in the event of a kidnap and subsequent death outside of the tournament host's location. Your greed and your greed alone is causing your total, utter delusional behavior and short sightedness towards Harry and quite frankly, that's enough for the entire Order to turn their backs on you and nominate someone much more competent, would we all agree?" Everyone, even (a very pale and shaken) Professor McGonagall nodded and Mrs Weasley, albeit in a somewhat reluctant fashion.
"And how could we forget Harry's third year? You continued to allow dementors to prance around the grounds, despite knowing full well that they were a danger to Harry's well-being and that the castle could have been guarded more effectively with Aurors because, oh yes, that's right, you were able to cash out on the insurance payouts Hogwarts would receive in the event of any incidents taking place as a result of the dementors, I bet you were laughing all the way to Gringotts after that incident when Harry fell off his broom during Quidditch during the dementor attack! Even Cornelius Fudge himself had suggested withdrawing the dementors in favor of something far safer for Harry's well-being at that point, but Mr 'I know best' Dumbledore knew there would be nothing in it for him, had he followed the advice given to him!"
Before Remus could roast Dumbledore over any other part of Harry's life, Dumbledore picked himself up again, albeit rather less powerful and commanding to his tone of voice prior to Remus attacking him. "That's quite enough, Remus! A pretty poor way to repay the one who gave you a golden chance at Hogwarts to be a teacher, don't you think? Now, for the original matter in hand, Harry. Disappearing without a trace sounds like a very Voldemort like characteristic, it's exactly what he did prior to turning dark and resurfacing under his current 'Lord Voldemort' persona, I wouldn't put it past Harry to take some form of revenge on those who have wronged him well and truly and those of us whom have the best of intentions for him, but he believes otherwise. For everyone's sakes as well as his own, he must be found at the earliest opportunity and further binding to his magical core added. Without Harry, Hogwarts will have no future, if other's parents get wind of Harry's absence and his reasons why, they will indeed be very likely to withdraw them from Hogwarts, if 'the-boy-who-lived' can't seem to make a viable life for himself at the school, there's likely something to be seriously wrong with the school and they won't take their chances with it to find out exactly what those problems are, especially given last year's events."
"Wherever he may be hiding, and even without any dark intentions, any new friends or acquaintances Harry makes outside those I have approved of for Harry, (chiefly Ron and Hermione) will damage the effects of the blood wards as well as null and void the contents of the prophecy. When I set the blood wards up, I set them up in a fashion that meant I could use them later to tie Harry to a set of friends only I approve of for him. His existing binding of his magical core compulses him not to make friends with anyone other than the Weasleys and Hermione Granger, so that he doesn't break the effects of the blood wards. And once the prophecy is void, Voldemort will be close to impossible to defeat, unless the prophecy is destroyed, but doing so will cause such amounts of political instability that Voldemort will have free reign to overthrow the Ministry."
"Talking out your arse as per usual", Sirius snorted. "Where is the proof in all of that? What gave you the idea that Harry is going to turn dark? The Ministry lick your arse out and would take your word for it, effectively giving you a license to imprison Harry to use as an experiment, all 'for the greater good'".
"More to the point", added Lupin, "There is no law that states Harry must attend Hogwarts like it's the be all and end all of everything."
"But Remus", Dumbledore wagged one finger at Lupin, "As both Harry's wizarding guardian and a first class supreme Wizengamot member, I was able to pass legislation and make an amendment to the Hogwarts charter that states Harry MUST attend Hogwarts meaning that because Harry is breaching the charter, he is liable to have his magic binded, which will not do as he has a responsibility to defeat Vol-".
He was interrupted very abruptly indeed, first by a silent silencing charm applied by Sirius, then ropes conjured up around him by Remus. Before he had time to take in what had happened he found himself in the corner of the kitchen, facing everyone, but unable to move. Sirius took Dumbledore's seat.
"I think we've heard enough of your bullshit for one day", sneered Lupin. In his mind, Dumbledore was furiously trying to figure out a plan to compulse everyone into agreeing to help bring Harry, by all force necessary back to Hogwarts. A single compulsion charm wouldn't be nearly powerful enough, especially with the tough cookies that were Sirius and Remus. Severus would be a breeze though, no compulsion charms needed, Severus was seemingly happy already to be his subservient lapdog, so that was a small part of the battle won already! Molly Weasley, with a careful bit of planning could be tricked into forcing Harry back to where he belongs and bribe him with her trademark love and affection gestures so much so, he'll be almost blinded by it, and not realize the real he had fallen into a trap until it was far too late!
This meeting at 12 Grimmuald Place would be the final time Albus Dumbledore was going to allow himself to be humiliated so easily!
To avoid being humiliated any further, he decided that he would play along to everyone else's tune as much as possible, then figure out a plan of his own once he had returned to the confines of his office back at Hogwarts.
He felt relief as the ropes spell disappeared but thought it prudent to stay put for now.
"Alright then!" barked Sirius suddenly. "Those who are in favor searching for Harry under MY terms stay sat at this table, those who wish to do so under Dumbledore's orders get the fuck over there in the corner with him!"
It didn't take long before Mrs Weasley and Tonks joined Dumbledore in the corner, not that it surprised either Sirius or Remus. Nobody else moved over to Dumbledore's side.
"Well, that's settled then!" exclaimed Sirius joyfully. "That just leaves - SNIVELLUS!" he roared almost on cue as Snape entered the kitchen looking worse for wear after his talk with Voldemort. "To the corner with Dumbledore NOW!" not even giving any thought to who's side Harry Potter search party he should be on. Normally, Snape would have argued, but after his ordeal, (more on that in another chapter) he felt it more prudent to simply obey, nodding absent mindedly as he did so.
"Those of you on Dumbledore's side will be escorted to the hallway outside, everyone else may stay put," called out Lupin. Just as Moody begun manhandling those on Dumbledore's side out of the kitchen, Dumbledore said rather sadly, "No need", made for the fireplace and waved at everyone with a grimace before taking some floor powder to make his exit back to his office at Hogwarts.
Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Snape were out of the kitchen before either of them could consider even a word of protest, followed by a slam of the door. Almost on cue, Sirius gave the door two flicks of his wand, sealing the door locked and with a privacy charm so that those waiting outside couldn't eavesdrop on their rescue plan for Harry.
He also sealed the fireplace for the duration of this meeting to eliminate the possibility of Dumbledore using the floor to spy on Harry. If he attempted to, he was in for a surprise.
"Now, before we begin", Sirius called to everyone. "This meeting isn't just concerning rescuing our Harry, but my plan to regain what is mine, and find a way to get myself cleared of the false charges, since with a trip to Gringotts, there is no way of knowing what kind of reception I will receive on arrival. You will all also be required to take an oath that you will not repeat a word of anything said here in this meeting to anyone else, especially not Dumbledore himself. The oath will prevent him from using his Occlumency on any of you to extract any information received from this meeting." This was going to be an interesting meeting to say the least.
Back in the office, Dumbledore had his head down on his desk, trying to come up with an effective way to get the Order back onto his side. He thought perhaps he could could discreetly use the floo to spy on the meeting he knew he was barred from attending. He got up off his desk, knelt down into the fireplace, dropped some floo powder before inserting his head into the flames. For a split second, he could see the kitchen at 12 Grimmuald Place again, only to feel like he had been punched in the face and thrown out of the floo. What was more, he found his bearded face was bare, his beard had disintegrated, as soon as he touched it!
To drown out his frustration, he got a bottle of the finest mead, a gift from Madame Rosemerta thirty years ago, conjured up a drinking glass for himself and poured some. The flavor he found comforting. Yes, great idea he thought, he'll get Severus to mix a strong compulsion potion for him and insert it into some meade, not this one of course, this one he enjoyed too much to share, then invite everyone one by one for a drinking session. Then, if all it went well, he would be able to find Harry on his own terms much quicker.
His thoughts were interrupted by a letter that had just appeared on his desk from Gringotts.