The Assassin

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The only two occupants in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts stood in a tense silence. Kingsley Shacklebolt would have flinched at the immense power emitting from the other if he was not already used to the common power show-offs at the Ministry of Magic. It was unfortunate that he could not just deliver the news and take his immediate leave. He knew that once Albus Dumbledore heard the rumours he came to deliver, then an Order meeting would be called.

Albus, on the other hand, had no clue as to what he was about to hear. Never before had Shacklebolt called an emergency meeting with him in the last nine years. He waited anxiously after the other had arrived for the news, but the hesitancy the other showed really concerned him. Dumbledore had never seen the man in this manner before.

"What is wrong, Shacklebolt?" demanded Dumbledore, magic lashing out only slightly.

"I have come to tell you the rumours and talk that's been going around the Ministry lately," Kingsley cleared his throat nervously. "There are rumours suggesting You-Know-Who is back."

"Preposterous," scoffed Dumbledore. "I took the extra measures to ensure he could not come back until Harry Potter was found."

"Albus," Kingsley paused as he tried to look at anything but the other man. "It's been almost five years since that duel and since you got rid of him. He's come back once, what makes you think he would not have found another way back sooner than you thought?"

With his face quickly becoming red, Dumbledore turned on the spot and marched over to the nearest window to overlook the quiet grounds of Hogwarts. His magic flickering out at being questioned on his capabilities. He couldn't even remember the last time someone dared to doubt him, his powers or how he executed a successful plan. How dare Shacklebolt come to his office and show such disrespect to the leader of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Do you think these are just nonsense rumours?" Dumbledore asked without turning around. "Do you believe these have any merit to any truth?"

"Yes I believe there is truth behind all of this talk," he immediately responded without hesitation. "Albus, there have been a lot of old, dark and wealthy wizarding families discussing this in the vicinity of others. They do not care if they are overheard because they all believe Harry Potter is dead and no one can stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named if he was to come back. I have been listening, and have been collecting intel on the situation. I would not have come here tonight if I did not believe there was a serious threat."

Dumbledore stood in silence for a few minutes, contemplating all of the information from his little rat in the ministry. If this was true and Voldemort was truly back, he needed to act fast and devise multiple plans to be well prepared. Now, more than ever, they all needed to find that missing nuisance of a prophet child and prepare him for immediate battle. Everything had all been going to his carefully, malicious, detailed plan until the Potter spawn disappeared. If, no, when he was found... Merlin help him not to kill the child out of rage.

"I'll call an Order Meeting now," Dumbledore muttered grumpily as he walked over to his desk and sat down in his chair. "Expecto Patronum!"

A white, glowing Phoenix materialised from the tip of Dumbledore's wand. It flew around the office before perching itself on the edge of the Headmaster's desk. The Phoenix's silvery eyes eagerly looked at its caster, awaiting instruction since there was no danger in the vicinity. Dumbledore looked back upon his patronus with fiery eyes, trying to contain all of his raw emotions in front of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Go to all of the Order members and deliver this message," Dumbledore's annoyed voice filled the silent room. "Emergency meeting now. Come immediately to my office."