Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 65: Alive or Dead?
A couple of individuals approached the door of an old manor, and this one opened up before they could reach it.
Minerva McGonagall stared anxiously at the latest arrivals.
"How did it go?"
Moody and Tonks glanced at each other.
"Let's talk inside," Moody said.
"How is my cousin Sirius doing?" Tonks asked as they crossed the door.
McGonagall shook her head. "The physical injuries are not too severe. We have already treated his burns with some ointments, but his mental state really worries me. He hasn't spoken a word since Mundungus brought him back."
"Then he will want to hear what we have to say," Moody responded.
"You mean… is Harry alive?" McGonagall looked shocked.
"Let's get everyone together before we explain," Tonks said. "We can't stay for long. Madam Bones has recalled all aurors to the Ministry."
"Right…" McGonagall could imagine why. This wasn't just some random wizard who got attacked, but the Boy Who Lived.
News travels very fast, and the Minister of Magic had no choice but to get personally involved and assure the press that they were going to find the one responsible for blowing up Harry Potter's house.
"I still find it surprising how the press found so quickly that it was Harry's house. Not many were supposed to know."
"That's not really true. Many at the Ministry knew where he lived," Moody revealed. "Dumbledore tried to keep it a secret, but there is a limit to how long something like that can be kept hidden."
"But Albus assured me that Harry was safe in there. That he had set powerful protections. That's why he insisted on sending him back to that house every year… despite…" She didn't want to say it, but they both knew how miserable Harry had been growing up in the Dursleys' house.
McGonagall never suggested moving him out because of the protections that were supposed to keep him from harm.
"Yeah, well… no protection is perfect," Moody told her before entering the dining hall.
Inside, they found Sirius sitting on a sofa, staring at the floor with empty eyes.
Hagrid and Snape were at the table. They had been waiting for the two aurors to return with some news.
A middle-aged woman with long brown hair was sitting on the couch next to Sirius. This was Hestia Jones, one of the old members of the Order.
"And?" Snape asked with impatience, already wanting to know for sure if Harry Potter was dead and if he had failed his promise to Lily. "Have you confirmed the boy's death?"
Sirius seemed to react to Snape's words.
"Severus! Have some tact, for Merlin's sake," the woman next to Sirius snapped at him.
"I'll go straight to the point." Moody didn't want to beat around the bush with this. "None of the muggle or magical authorities who searched the scene were able to find a single body in the house. Every bit of evidence points to the fact that the place was empty before the explosion."
"They were not at the house?" McGonagall's eyes moved to Hestia, as she had been the last one to see them.
Mundungus had already given them his report before leaving, and he claimed that no one left the house during the entire night.
"That's impossible. I know for sure they were in there," Hestia said. "Potter and his aunt arrived in the late afternoon, while his uncle and cousin only left briefly during the morning to do some shopping."
"Could they have missed their… remains? You know, if the explosion was too violent… ehm…" Hagrid didn't want to say it outright. But he was trying to suggest that the fire had been violent enough to turn their bodies into dust, leaving no trace of them.
Moody shook his head. "Not a chance. Even in a violent fire like the one Sirius described, there would have been something left. At least some pieces of bones."
"Could it be that they are all alive somewhere else?" McGonagall wondered.
Snape glanced at Hestia. "Are you completely confident that they could not have left the house under your watch?"
Hestia frowned. "Of course I'm confident. If anything, it's Fletcher who you should be doubting."
"No, the man is sketchy, but he takes his job seriously. If he says that no one left, I believe him," Snape said.
"Minerva." Tonks addressed the older woman. "Doesn't the school have a way to check if a student is alive or dead?"
"Now that you mention it… there is a way." McGonagall looked pensive. "The book of students shows not only the address of every child, but their names will only appear while they are still alive. If Harry Potter's name is no longer in the book, then…"
"Then what are we waiting for?" Sirius stood up. "If there is a chance that Harry is still alive, I must know immediately."
McGonagall nodded. "We can take the floo directly to the Headmaster's office. It will be the fastest way."
"There is no need for all of us to go. Just send us a message," Hestia suggested.
"Tonks and I must return to the Ministry of Magic. Keep us updated," Moody said.
"Just write something on that page I gave you," Tonks added.
"I'll go," Sirius said. "I need to know."
"Me too." Snape stood up.
"Hagrid?" McGonagall glanced at the man.
"The floo travel doesn't agree with me… I'll go by broom." The giant knew that if he tried to go through the fireplace, he was going to make a mess.
In the end, only McGonagall, Snape, and Sirius traveled back to Hogwarts.
McGonagall wasted no time in moving to the section of the Headmaster's office where they kept the student book and moved it to the newly repaired table.
Sirius and Snape remained silent while watching from behind as she continued to turn pages until she arrived at the class from 1991.
Her finger ran through the page, passing names quickly.
"Here!" McGonagall exclaimed. Her eyes were open as plates.
The name was clearly visible. Harry James Potter was still alive.
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