The Contract

Chapter 29

Albus barely glanced up when he felt the stairs leading to his office begin to ascend, bringing who he knew to be Minerva to his domain. If he had spared even a moment longer, he would have realized there were additional magical signatures that indicated that she wasn't alone. He was busy reading missives from his contacts, who were looking for Elmer Eddison. A now retired Healer, who was touring around the world, from what he had been able to glean from those he questioned at St. Mungo's unobtrusively as possible, of course. There was talk of too many different countries being his 'first port of call' in order for Albus to pin point exactly where he was. Which was irritating, especially as he had to remain at Hogwarts as the Headmaster. He was already on shaky ground with the Board of Governors, Wizengamot and the public as well. He dared not be seen stepping a toe out of line for fear of losing his home.

Hogwarts was indeed his home, it had always been, but for a few years while he was a young man. He was the one influencing the minds of the current generation, which was the best way to gain the brightest minds of the generation for his various causes. He had done so for as far back as he could recall, and had rarely been disappointed with his picks. There was also the safety here, that he wouldn't find elsewhere, he did not trust anyone enough to dare to use them for the Fidelius Charm in order to secure his own place. Not that he had one, no, he needed no other place other than Hogwarts, so yes, he had to tread very carefully.

"Albus?" Minerva cleared her throat, eyes blazing at being ignored, especially with company. It made Albus look so utterly petulant, when she knew he was just very busy at the moment, she knew just how difficult it was to keep up with the correspondence, she was the Deputy Headmistress after all.

"Yes, Minerva? Is all well?" Albus asked, brow furrowed as he read the missive in front of him, hmm, interesting, India seemed like a very good bet. Not only had he sent a postcard from India to St. Mungo's but spoke of the beautiful sites he was seeing while there. Perfection. He had a country and place, all was left was to find the Healer himself. He had no funds to spare in order to have someone narrow the search down farther, not yet, and Fawkes was much too near burning day to be of help for any ingredients that might see him gaining funds just that much sooner. He refused to sell of what was left of his treasure trove of items. He'd rather track the healer down himself than do such a thing. It had pained him to sell what he had, but he was determined to buy them back just as soon as he was able. He shouldn't have had to sell anything, he was Albus Dumbledore. Damn Harry Potter and whoever was pulling his strings.

"Albus, may I introduce you to the three inspectors that the school Governors have chosen, Mavis and Michael McMahon, and their partner Auror Dan Strauss." Minerva said, lips pursed, she did not like the thought of strangers inspecting the school any more than Albus did, although he hadn't been aware of when they were coming he had been warned by one of his contacts in the Ministry that it was happening. Unfortunately, she was smart enough to acknowledge that there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it.

That had Dumbledore's full attention, as he straightened up, head coming straight up he stared at the newcomers, none of his anger and frustration showing. Slow a twinkle and beaming smile spread across his face, despite his inward detest, they were not ones he would have chosen, two Slytherin's and a Ravenclaw. "Ah, Mavis, Michael, Daniel! Welcome back to Hogwarts! I apologise I wasn't there to greet you, but I'm afraid I wasn't alerted to you coming." Giving a small chiding for showing up uninvited, gauging to see how they'd react.

"That's the whole point of a surprise inspection," Dan Strauss drawled out, his dark hair swept up in a messy ponytail, dressed in fine tailored attire from one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world. Lordship ring on clear display, despite 'drawling' his words, he had an enigmatic look on his face, his purple eyes eerily taking everything in.