CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The Phoenix
'Albus, you must come at once.'
The words echoed through the little sitting room in Aberforth's quarters, chilling Albus to the bone. He was on his feet before the cat had vanished, his dinner quite forgotten.
'I do apologise,' he said to his brother, already summoning his travelling cloak.
'Don't bother,' Aberforth grunted. 'Go where you're needed, Albus.'
The headmaster inclined his head, fastening the cloak around his shoulders. He swept for the fireplace at once, tossing a pinch of powder into the embers.
'Headmaster's office, Hogwarts,' he called. The heat of the fire rushed around him as he was swept home.
Albus stepped out of the floo moments later, brushing wayward ash from the sleeves of his robes. The office was still and silent, the many silver instruments glowing in the faded gold of the setting sun. There was no sign of Minerva, nor any of his other colleagues.
Albus swept over to his desk, calling to the portraits on the wall. Fawkes, on his perch, opened one beady eye to watch his progress.
'Does anyone know where Minerva is?' he asked the painted figures.
'In the Gryffindor common room, I believe,' said Armando Dippet in a heavy voice. 'She met with the staff, and sent all the Heads of House to speak to their students. I dare say she will return here in due course. Have you been apprised of the situation?'
'Not as such,' Albus said. 'I received her message to return, but no details.'
'The Heir of Slytherin,' offered Eupraxia Mole, 'has attacked again. He has taken a young girl into the Chamber of Secrets – a Miss Weasley, I believe,' the portrait continued. 'Minerva is intending to close the school in the morning.'
Albus felt his heart clench as he steadied himself against the desk, thinking of the sweet little girl he'd met in the Weasleys' kitchen the previous summer.
'Have her parents been informed?' he asked.
'I do not know,' Eupraxia replied, shaking her head. 'Minerva made no mention of it.'
Albus nodded, turning away from the many faces on the wall. He sank into the chair behind the desk, his head in his hands. He recognised this powerless feeling – he had felt it before. How could he have let this happen? He knew who had taken Ginny Weasley... but he still knew not how. Fawkes gave a sympathetic trill, floating over to settle himself upon Albus's shoulder. The phoenix's familiar weight gave him comfort.
After nearly an hour, Minerva finally entered the room, steering a white-faced Percy Weasley. Albus's heart ached at the sight of the usually over-confidant boy, reduced to tears and helplessness. He had not anticipated this particular encounter.
'Mr Weasley,' he said gravely. 'I am so sorry.'
Percy nodded, apparently too far gone for words.
'Albus,' Minerva breathed. Her voice and face were a tumult of emotion – love, relief and agonised despair. He did not dare to go to her in front of her student, but stared deeply into her eyes for several long moments. Until she blinked, looking away and brushing her fingers over her cheeks to catch her tears.
'There is much to be done,' Albus said, getting to his feet. 'You are intending to floo Molly and Arthur, I presume?'
Minerva shook her head. 'I think this news would be better delivered in person. I thought perhaps Mr Weasley and I would go together. Molly and Arthur may wish to return to the school with us...'
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'Of course,' Albus agreed. 'Would you like to use this hearth, or were you looking to apparate?'
'Apparate, I think,' Minerva said. 'I don't know if the fire would be wholly appropriate...' she trailed off. Albus rather suspected the walk across the grounds was time Minerva had counted on – to pull herself together. He nodded his understanding.
'Of course,' he said. 'I see you have informed the school governors already.' He gestured to the desk, where the dozen or so letters he'd received in the hour waiting for Minerva were spread before him – each begging for his immediate reinstatement.
Minerva nodded curtly. 'Yes,' she acknowledged. 'But we'll need official sanction from the Ministry, of course. Would you prefer to do that after the visit to the Weasleys, or shall I handle that call alone while you go to Fudge?'
Albus hesitated, looking at Percy Weasley. He felt he should probably go to Molly and Arthur as well... but, on the other hand, the sooner he wrapped things up with Fudge, the sooner he would be able to resume his place and his duties, which would probably be to the greater benefit of everyone.
'I shall go to the Ministry, immediately,' he decided. 'I'm sure the Weasleys will want to return with you. Please bring them up here, and I will meet with them myself as soon as I finish with Fudge. Have you spoken with the other Heads of House about seeing to the watch over the castle?'
Minerva nodded again. 'Yes, Filius will take the lead in that.'
'Excellent,' said Dumbledore, rising to his feet.
He pulled out his wand, conjuring three silver phoenixes. He gave each the message that he was headed to the Ministry while Minerva saw the Weasleys, and that they should return in an hour or so. With his nod of dismissal, the patronuses streaked away toward Severus, Filius, and Pomona. That finished, Albus turned to Fawkes, who was watching the scene unfold with bright interest. He stroked the phoenix's beautiful head.
'Keep an eye out for me, won't you?' he asked the bird. Fawkes trilled his understanding as Albus reached for his travelling cloak once more.
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Minerva and the Weasleys beat Albus back to the office. His conversation with the Minister and the necessary paperwork had taken far longer than he had expected, and he did not return to the castle for nearly two hours. When he did, he found both Weasley parents and Minerva in a state of sheer panic. Percy, he noticed, was no longer there. Albus supposed his parents had sent him to re-join his brothers in Gryffindor Tower.
'Molly, Arthur,' he said heavily, reaching a hand for Molly's arm. 'I am so sorry. What happened to Ginevra was –'
'Do you have Ron?' Molly cut in, looking behind Albus as though he was hiding the youngest Weasley boy from view. 'And Harry? Where are they?'
Albus felt his heart freeze in his chest. 'What are you –'
But Molly Weasley cut across him again, giving a panicked sort of wail as she clutched at his arm. 'They're gone! How could they be gone? Tonight of all nights... Gi- Ginny, and now Ron... and Harry... I can't lose them all, Albus, I just can't!'
Minerva broke off from her tense conversation with Arthur at the fireside, sweeping up to the pair at the door and leading Molly Weasley gently toward the sofa. Her own face was strained and pale.
'What has happened?' Albus asked sharply, looking from Arthur Weasley – still standing stoic and white-faced at the hearth – to Minerva, fussily insisting that Molly take a sip of calming draught while her own hands shook.
