Moments in Love

A Light in the Dark: Part 1

Madam Bones performed a reparo charm on her shattered monocle, and picked it up off the stone floor of her austerely decorated office where it had fallen. She adjusted it and tried to compose herself before responding to Dumbledore.

"Good Heavens! You can't be serious Albus! Dementors... attacking Mr Potter?"

"All too serious, I am afraid," sighed the Headmaster of Hogwarts, looking very grave. "And this would be the second such attempt if Professor Lupin is to be believed... and I trust Remus completely."

"This simply cannot stand Amelia. Hogwarts must remain out of bounds to the Dementors! They are not welcome on the grounds as long as I am Headmaster, under any circumstances whatsoever! And if I had any say in it, they would be removed from the search for Sirius Black altogether..."

"Well... you are correct of course regarding the stationing of the Dementors," interjected Madam Bones stiffly. "I shall order them explicitly to stay off Hogwarts grounds. It simply will not do to have them accosting students. But after the recent incident with Black in the castle itself, I cannot in good conscience call them off the hunt altogether... Surely you can understand, given the danger that Black presents to the public."

"I daresay that given the apparent main target - Harry Potter himself - the Dementors may present an even bigger danger than Black." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and peered at Madam Bones with his crystal blue eyes until she swallowed uncomfortably.

"Yes... I quite see your point," Madam Bones said finally. "Unfortunately, the politics of the situation makes it a near impossibility for me to pull the Dementors off the case altogether. The Wizengamot would have my head, and Fudge's too if I were to do so, and that will do nobody any good. You of all people should know that."

Dumbledore sighed again, then he nodded. "That is very likely true. As Chief Warlock, I cannot force the Wizengamot to do my bidding, but merely offer them my counsel and guidance. People are frightened, and when that is so, they often make rash decisions. Very well... as long as it is clear to the Dementors that Hogwarts is out of bounds to them, I shall make do."

"Thank you for understanding Albus... Just one last thing, do you have any inkling why the Dementors might be singling out Mr Potter?"

"I have my suspicions Amelia, but without any evidence, I hesitate to make them known."

As Madam Bones regarded the Headmaster's countenance shrewdly, she paled, understanding all too well his insinuation.

"I see..." Amelia Bones' features softened slightly. "I will look into it then. I cannot promise anything of course - unless I have some actionable evidence, I cannot open an official investigation."

"Thank you Amelia," replied Dumbledore, a twinkle returning to his eyes. "That is all that I can ask under the current circumstances."

~o0o~

Harry stayed in the Hospital Wing for the rest of the weekend following the Dementor attack and the fall from his broom. He didn't mind in the least - as long as Hermione was allowed to keep him company at night.

During the day on Sunday, Harry had a number of visitors, all intent on cheering him up. But Harry found himself growing more anxious and restless as the day wore on. Oliver Wood was among the first of his visitors, showing up in the morning when the entire Quidditch team arrived again.

"I don't blame you in the slightest Potter," Wood told him with a vaguely haunted look in his eyes.

"Of course he doesn't," Fred muttered quietly to George, rolling his own eyes. "Gryffindors don't ask for rematches..." he snorted. Wood unfortunately overheard and shot Fred a glare.