16.
The streets of Kansas City were a far cry from the old, magic-infused London that Albus Dumbledore knew. Here, the magic was more subtly hidden, woven into the modern skyline and bustle of the Muggle world. But beneath the surface pulsed an ancient force—the magical community of America.
Dumbledore stepped out of the portkey-platform, his long cloak billowing lightly in the crisp morning breeze. He held his wand steady in his hand as he surveyed his surroundings. The square where he had landed looked empty, but he knew that was only an illusion.
A group of magical enforcers stood a few yards away. They wore the distinctive insignia of MACUSA and regarded the old wizard with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
The leader of the group, a stately woman with sharp features, stepped forward and bowed briefly. “Professor Dumbledore. It is an honor to welcome you to America.”
Dumbledore smiled kindly and nodded. “Thank you. Your help is much appreciated.”
“We have been expecting your arrival,” she continued. “The name Dumbledore carries a lot of weight, even here. We know why you are here.” Dumbledore’s gaze grew more serious. “Then you know I have little time to waste.”
The woman nodded understandingly. “Of course. As Supreme Mugwump, you have our full cooperation. We will escort you to our district.” Dumbledore briefly scanned the group. “I am looking for a child. Dana Potter. She is somewhere here in America.”
The woman looked at him searchingly but kept her tone neutral. “We have heard of her… presence. But she is not easy to find.” Dumbledore smiled weakly. “Thankfully, I have never been afraid of a challenge.” She turned and gestured to her colleagues. “We will take you to the magical district. You may begin your search there.”
Dumbledore pulled his cloak a little tighter around him and walked with them, his gaze sharp and purposeful. He was here to find Dana.
***
The marble lobby of the American Gringotts branch exuded the same imposing atmosphere as its British counterpart. The large doors were decorated with silver runes and copper engravings that shone subtly in the morning light. Albus Dumbledore stepped quietly into the lobby, staff in hand, his eyes taking in his surroundings.
A goblin with a stern face and pointed ears, dressed in a tight-fitting dark gray suit, approached him. His name tag read Axan.
“Professor Dumbledore,” Axan said with a curt bow. “Welcome to American Gringotts. I understand you are here for… sensitive information?”
“That is correct,” Dumbledore replied kindly. “I am looking for information about a specific client. Dana Potter.” Axan’s eyes glistened briefly, but his face remained impassive. “Dana Potter is a recent adoptee, Professor.”
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. “Adopted?”
“Indeed,” Axan confirmed. He gestured to a smaller room and led Dumbledore there. “According to our records, Mrs. Potter was officially adopted through a blood magic ritual.”
Dumbledore’s gaze turned serious. “By whom?” Axan sat down at a desk and pulled out a thick ledger. He opened it and ran his finger over the text. “By a certain Dean Winchester.”
Dumbledore remained silent for a moment, the name lingering in his mind. “Dean Winchester… a Muggle?” Axan nodded. “A Muggle, indeed. But not just any.” He looked at Dumbledore intently. “I suspect you are not familiar with this name, but here in America, the Winchester brothers are anything but unknown.”
“Tell me more,” Dumbledore asked quietly, but with an undertone of urgency.
“Sam and Dean Winchester,” Axan began, pulling out another document, “are known as hunters. They operate primarily in the non-magical world, but they have come into contact with magical creatures more often than most Muggles ever will.” Dumbledore leaned forward slightly. “So MACUSA knows of their existence?”
Axan grinned faintly. “MACUSA keeps a close eye on them. They are known for their conflicts with witches, vampires, werewolves… you name it. But despite their reputation as hunters, they are surprisingly protective of those they consider family.” Dumbledore was silent, letting the information sink in. “And this Dean Winchester… is now her father?”
Axan nodded again. “Yes. The blood adoption is registered and recognized by both Gringotts and MACUSA. Dana Potter is now legally and magically protected as a Winchester.”
Dumbledore’s gaze sharpened. “Were you personally involved in this adoption?” Axan leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together. “That’s right. I conducted the ceremony myself.”
“And you agreed to this?” Dumbledore asked, his voice slightly sharp. “Involving a Muggle in a blood magic ritual?” Axan’s eyes narrowed. We goblins act according to the rules of the bank. Dean Winchester’s blood was accepted by the magical protection of the Potter line. That’s what matters. And let me remind you that a blood-magic adoption is not done lightly. It was only allowed because the ritual was fully accepted by the ancient magic that protects the Potter legacy.”
Dumbledore paused for a moment, carefully considering Axan’s words. “So you’re saying that the magic itself recognized them?”
“Exactly,” Axan confirmed. “Dean Winchester was deemed worthy by the ancient magic. His blood now protects her, just as the blood of her biological family did. And that officially makes her his daughter.” Dumbledore let the information sink in slowly. “How did Dana react to all this?”
Axan smiled faintly. “She was nervous. But once the ceremony was over, she seemed relieved. She finally felt at home, Professor.” Dumbledore's gaze softened at the words. He thought of the girl he had once left with the Dursleys, with the best of intentions. A girl who had now found a new home with people who protected her.
"And what does MACUSA have to say about this?" Dumbledore finally asked.
Axan shrugged. "MACUSA has no official jurisdiction over blood adoptions. But they know Dana Potter is here, and they also know the Winchesters are protecting her. They won't interfere, Professor. Unless you try to do that."
Dumbledore smiled weakly. "A warning?" Axan grinned broadly. "A word of advice."
Dumbledore stood up slowly and nodded at the goblin. "Thank you for your honesty, Axan. This was... enlightening." Axan bowed slightly. "Good luck with your search, Professor. And again... be careful. The Winchesters are not the kind of people to be manipulated." With those last words, Dumbledore left the room, his cloak trailing behind him as he walked out of the bank lobby. The world Dana now lived in was very different from what he had imagined.
“Dean Winchester,” he muttered softly to himself as he walked through the streets of the magical district. “It seems I must speak to her new family first.” His gaze grew determined. He knew what he had to do. He had to find the Winchesters.
After leaving Gringotts, Albus Dumbledore walked through the magical district of Kansas City. His mind was heavy with the information he had received. Dana had been adopted by a Muggle—a hunter, no less—and the adoption was tied to blood magic. This was far more complex than he had expected.
He stopped in front of an unassuming building with a simple sign that bore only the letters MACUSA. The American magical government was much more hidden than the British Ministry of Magic, but they were efficient and aware of almost everything that went on in their country.
Inside, Dumbledore was greeted by a woman with short black hair and a sharp face. She wore a dark cloak with the MACUSA insignia on her chest.
“Professor Dumbledore,” she said with a slight bow of her head. “Welcome to MACUSA. My name is Livia Carter. I am here to help you.” Dumbledore smiled kindly. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. I appreciate your time.”
“You are seeking information on the Winchester brothers, correct?” Carter asked immediately. Dumbledore’s eyebrows knitted together for a moment, but he nodded. “That is correct. They have taken a young witch under their wing. I want to make sure she is safe.”
Evelyn pulled out a chair and gestured for Dumbledore to sit down as well. “The Winchesters are known to us. They are on our radars because of their activities as hunters. But their methods are different from most others.”
“What do you mean?” Dumbledore asked. Carter leaned forward slightly. “Most hunters are cruel, ruthless, and treat anything magical as a threat. But the Winchesters? They make distinctions. They protect the innocent. Even when it comes to magical creatures.” Dumbledore nodded slowly. “So they are different.”
“Very,” Carter confirmed. “And that makes them both dangerous and fascinating.” Dumbledore kept his gaze on her. “Do you know where I can find them?”
Evelyn hesitated for a moment. “They have a fixed abode that we know off. But we can’t exactly pinpoint them…” She pulled a map from her drawer and spread it out on the table. “There are rumors of an underground bunker. An old World War II facility, modified by hunters.”
Dumbledore studied the map intently as Carter ran her finger along various locations.
“Our sources say this bunker is somewhere here, in Kansas,” she said, placing her finger on a specific region. “It’s well hidden. Even MACUSA has never been able to locate it. But the Winchesters are frequently seen in the surrounding areas.”
Dumbledore ran his gaze over the map. “An underground lair… that sounds fitting.” Carter smiled weakly. “The Winchesters don’t trust anyone. But if you find them, you’ll find them fiercely loyal to those they protect.” Dumbledore straightened and nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. This is very helpful.”
“One last piece of advice, Professor,” Carter said as she stood. “Approach them with caution. They protect their family with everything they have. And I suspect that Dana Potter is now part of that family.” Dumbledore smiled weakly. “I gathered that.” With that, he left the MACUSA office, his mind already on his next move. Finding the Winchesters would not be easy. But it was necessary. Dana’s safety depended on it.