Child of Hogwarts: Part I

Chapter Twenty-Eight - The Phoenix

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...'