Growing up Pureblooded

The First Suspect

Remus Lupin sat in the Three Broomsticks and sipped a butterbeer as he waited for Dumbledore to arrive. The Headmaster's letter was very vague and said nothing about why he wished to meet, only that it was imperative for them to do so. The urgency in his tome made Remus anxious. At length he saw the familiar profile come through the door. Remus checked his watch; Dumbledore was right on time. The elderly wizard looked over the entire room briefly before settling his eyes on Remus. Something about his gaze made the werewolf uncomfortable. The customary twinkle was absent. Dumbledore strode over to Remus's table. Remus rose to greet the Headmaster. "Food evening, Professor." he said politely, shaking Dumbledore's hand. "Good evening, Remus," Dumbledore replied. "Do you mind if I join you?" "of course not Professor. Please sit down." Madam Rosmerta made her way over to their table , and the Headmaster ordered a tankard of her finest mead before sitting down. Once the mead had arrived, Dumbledore thanked her, and then, once she had left, looked sharply into Remus's eyes. "Tell me, Remus," he said quietly. "Had you anything to do with the disappearance of Harry Potter?" Remus was startled. "Harry? Harry's disappeared? What happened?!" Dumbledore looked into Remus' eyes for what seemed an eternity, but finally he seemed convinced that Remus's surprise was genuine, as he sat back in his chair and sighed.

"Yes, I am afraid Harry has been taken from his relatives' home in Surrey," He replied sadly. "I have been unable to determine who is responsible." Remus couldn't believe it. James's son- kidnapped! The werewolf was devastated. He had obeyed Dumbledore's wishes and avoided Harry these five years, but it had pained him to do it, and Remus continued to care deeply for his friend's son. " I could never hurt Harry," he Whispered. "I would do anything to help him." Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I know, in fact that is why I suspected you in the first place. I feared that you might have removed Harry from his relatives' care out of a misguided wish to help him." Remus's eyes narrowed. "Didn't they treat him well?" Dumbledore shook his head wearily, looking for all the world like a man completely exhausted and broken. "I am afraid that they treated him very poorly indeed. I suspect Harry may have left voluntarily with his kidnappers. It is the only way I believe they could have penetrated the defenses that surround the Dursley residence." "Do you have any leads?" Remus asked his concern growing. "None." Dumbledore's voice sounded more uncertain then Remus had ever heard it. "The Dursley's memories have been altered." He laughed mirthlessly. "They do not even remember Harry ever existed." "What can I do to help?" Remus asked, his expression resolute.

"There is something." Dumbledore said slowly. "It is conceivable that one of the neighbors might have heard or seen something that could give us a clue. You could return to Privet Drive and make discreet inquiries." Remus nodded. "I'll do it. Anything to help." "Excellent" Dumbledore drained his mead and stood up to leave. "Let me know if you learn anything of value. I have some other avenues to explore as well." He looked resolute. "We shall get to the bottom of this, Remus." Remus hesitated. "Professor, what is to become of Harry when we find him?" HE steadfastly refused to say "if" "We can't send him back to his relatives, not if they really are mistreating him." Dumbledore looked at Remus severely. "It is imperative that Harry return to the Dursleys' care. The fate of the entire world may well depend on it."