Up To No Good

Chapter Twenty-Eight

As the days went on, Lord Voldemort only became stronger.

And he became greedier.

People were beginning to notice that Dumbledore seemed to know something they didn't, although at the same time no one dared to ask him. Everyone collectively seemed to assume that he had his reasons to keep that information to himself.

"James."

It was Dumbledore. James turned around; the Hogwarts Headmaster was seated in one of the Longbottoms' slumped armchairs, further away from everyone else. He was reading something from over his half-moon spectacles.

"Sir?"

"Yes... I was wondering about something you had in your possession."

Something he had? What did he mean?

"I'm not sure what you mean, Professor."

"Before your father passed away, he gave you an Invisibility Cloak, did he not?"

James felt rooted to the spot. He would never lie to Dumbledore. But at the same time, admitting he did would only be confirming what Filch more than likely went on about constantly.

"Yeah. He did. I haven't used it since my Hogwarts days, though... I don't have much use for it. Did you need it?"

Dumbledore turned to him, adjusting his spectacles so that James could see his brilliantly blue eyes behind them. "I merely wondered if you would permit me to study it," he explained. "I have a theory about what this Cloak may be, although you understand I would need your consent."

"If you have no intention to damage it, it's all yours," James shrugged. "Keep it as long as you need. Like I said... I don't really need it anymore, unless the Order needed it for a mission of some kind."

"I will return it to you intact," Dumbledore replied.

"I'll bring it by your office later, if it's alright with you."

"Certainly." Dumbledore steepled his fingers, adjusting his gaze on his long crooked nose. "I'm sure you've come to the understanding that I have a theory regarding Lord Voldemort."

James stroked his chin, unsure how to respond. He didn't want to sound accusatory, but he would be far from the only one who had noticed Dumbledore's increased secrecy. He rested his head on his fist. "I mean... I know some people think you might have found Voldemort's weakness. But I know that's all what we wish would happen."

Dumbledore gave a single, slow nod. 

"I wouldn't consider it a weakness. But perhaps a clue about his motives," Dumbledore answered him.

"We already know his motives," James responded, feeling himself get frustrated. Then he added: "Professor."

"Which are?"

"He's a pure-blood who believes that Muggles are scum, and that Muggle-borns like Lily have no business existing in the magical world. It's like World War Two, only with wizards. He wants to wipe out Muggles and Muggle-borns alike. That's why he started all this."

"Yes. That is certainly why all of this started. And yet... I have concerns for what he may do in the future."

"Like?"

"I do not wish to worry you, James. I must learn more before I reveal anything that I know."

That frustration began to boil up once more. Could Dumbledore really be deliberately holding information from him? After all he'd done for the Order? "If this has anything to do with my family, then just say it," he told Dumbledore, more sternly than he'd originally meant.