Chapter 9
It had been a few days since Dumbledore informed the Minister Fudge about Harry Potter's disappearance. So far there were no sightings of Harry Potter. The only good thing was that the wizarding communities around the world were informed and were now using their aurors to look for him. Dumbledore prayed that Charlotte Potter and Bernard Dowd don't find out about this, because if they do...Dumbledore knew he would be in trouble. He just hoped that this information wouldn't get back to Charlotte Potter. Luckily, the ICW were able to keep things quiet and the news wouldn't be put out by the papers. The last thing Dumbledore wanted to see was getting sued.
Dumbledore even took extra measures to have a curse-breaker to examine to goblet. William Weasley to be exact. Of course others asked him why could he just sent an owl to Bernard Dowd, the famous curse-breaker, but Dumbledore made an excuse that the Dowd boy was probably busy. From what William Weasley told him, the goblet had been confounded by an adult wizard and put a counter charm on the age line. Dumbledore suspected something like this happened. He knew Harry Potter would never know how to get his way around the age anyway. However, he still needed to prepare the boy when he faces Tom one day.
However, in the Great Hall, everyone was still talking about the boy's disappearance. Everyone was still wondering where he had gone. Dumbledore was seated with the teachers. As he stood up, the whole Great hall became quiet. Dumbledore held his wand near his mouth so everyone could hear him.
"Harry Potter has indeed disappeared," Dumbledore announced. "We don't know where he is, but I assured you that when he is found, I expected each and every one of you will have his support. It was confirmed by a curse-breaker that the magical signature that was left came from an adult. I am appalled how all of you thought a fourteen year old would confounded the Goblet of Fire, when in reality it takes a very skilled adult to do it. The lack of support and treatment you all had shown in your own is very daunting. When Harry Potter returns, I expect all of you to apologized and offer any assistance when he needs to do the tasks."
However with that last part Dumbledore said in his speech...he knew he will make sure that no one would help Harry Potter in these three tasks. It was best for the boy to learn everything on his own. He needed to experienced the dangers of how his life could get. Dumbledore knew he was desperate, but he could tell that Tom had ways to get his power back. The boy needed to experienced everything in those three tasks, that way he would be prepare. If the boy was indeed a horcrux, then Dumbledore knew his plan would be flawless.
With that, Dumbledore sat down and everyone began to each. The whole Great Hall was silent. The other schools were smirking at the Hogwarts students. Dumbledore didn't like how the lack of support looked bad to the other schools. He knew Hogwarts was the most prestigious wizarding school throughout the wizarding world and if the word gets out how Hogwarts students don't support their own, it would make other transfer students choose other schools than Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall glared at everyone. She looked like she was going to give the whole school detention. The other teachers looked ashamed of themselves, except for Severus Snape, which Dumbledore expected. After all, Severus never thought highly of the boy, even though the boy had Lily's personality, despite her eyes that he inherited. Dumbledore was sure that Severus could tell the boy was like his mother. After all, Severus was childhood friends with her, so if anyone would know Lily Potter enough, it would be Severus. If seeing her personality through Harry Potter made Severus dislike the boy more, Dumbledore wouldn't be surprised. It made Dumbledore wondered if Harry looked like Lily, but with James's personality and eyes, he wondered if Severus could handle that.
Of course Dumbledore would expect rumors again. Not that it was surprising since children would be children. Ever since the boy entered his first years, rumors rose from all the deeds he had done for the school. Dumbledore did tried to cover that rumor. He didn't want it getting out of Hogwarts. So far after Harry Potter's first year, nothing came out of those rumors. Which was exactly how Dumbledore wanted. If people did realized all of those things did happened, he knew he would be in trouble. Yes, he knew that the Professor McGonagall and the rest of the teachers always noticed that every year, something happens, and the one student that was involved was Harry Potter, but it was tough to hide since they noticed.
Then an owl with a letter flew into the Great Hall and it landed in front of the headmaster. Dumbledore took the letter and realized who it was from. It was from the Wizengamont. Dumbledore turned pale as he opened the letter. In the letter, it said there is a meeting being held soon - a discussion about the search for Harry Potter. Along with other international wizards who will be joining them. Dumbledore cursed under his breath.
This isn't what he had hoped.
Even when the boy wasn't here, he was still causing trouble for him.
~OoO~
Hermione was doing well after Harry left. At first she was sadden of the fact that he was gone without telling her what he was really planning, but she couldn't blame him. After everything that had happened to Harry, Hermione wished the best of luck...wherever he is. She just hoped he found the freedom he has. Even if he does end up being a muggle, she knew there would be a good chance that he could bear magical children. After the research she had done, any wizard or witch who ended up loosing their magic are able to bear magical children, so Harry has nothing to worry about.
She didn't talk to Ron after he abandoned Harry. In fact, she didn't want to go near him. Hermione contemplated what she really saw in Ron when she first started to have a crush on him in their third year. She didn't even remember why she was attracted to him in the first place. Luckily, she got over her crush on him quickly, because she was starting to have interest on another person. A certain Quidditch star to be exact. Yes, he was older than her and the age gap was only a three years, but at least he's better than Ron.
Hermione was with the girls in the library - Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, Cho Chang, and Astoria Greengrass. Hermione wasn't sure how she ended up being their friends, but she did. It was a miracle, really. Hermione was able to discovered that she did had things in common with other girls. She had more things in common with Cho and Astoria, like for their love of study and reading books, but Cho was more on the girly side like Susan and Lavender. It became a routine where they all planned a study session, take a break, and just talk about anything - studying, makeup, boys, and other things everyone was interested it. Hermione even branched out and tried hobbies that the girls enjoyed. There was some she liked, others she didn't, but it was nice to explored other interest than she did with Harry and Ron. Now she thought about it, Harry never explored his other interests since he was always in constant danger. She hoped that he'll have the freedom to do that.
They were taking a break from their homework and were discussing about just anything. They told Hermione how she can change her hair into nice curls, which Hemione was thinking about during the summer. As much as she love her bushy hair, but it got in the way at times and wanted to fix that. Astoria, who is a half blood and use muggle makeup told her how she can use makeup to make it look like she's not wearing makeup. Hermione found that very helpful, since she wasn't a full on makeup person, but wanted to try it. She was shocked how Astoria was a half blood and discovered that it was a coverup because her mother pretty much cheated on her pureblood husband with a muggle and had Astoria. To make sure Astoria's blood status didn't go out, the Greengrass family lied to the purebloods to stay on their good graces. Only a few people know Astoria's blood status and Astoria did tell people since she hated lying to others about it. However, her older sister was denying it, which made people believe not to listen a word of Astoria's status.
"Do you think they'll find Harry?" Lavender asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I'm not sure. Wherever he is, I hope they don't. Harry deserved some peace and quiet."
"I heard my aunt will be having a meeting with Dumbledore and the rest of the Wizengamont," Susan said. "I heard it was Harry Potter related."
Hermione pursed her lips. Whatever they were going to talk about, she hoped things would get figured it out. Hermione was surprised none of this got out to the Daily Prophet. She knew Rita Skeeter was around Hogwarts, but Hermione did noticed that the reporter wasn't around. Hermione was sure she gotten some of the things she needed.
"Do you think he might be in Gotham?" Astoria questioned. "I heard Bruce Wayne, the famous muggle likes to adopt orphans with black hair and blue or green eyes with a tragic backstory. That's what my biological father told me."
Cho nodded. "I did heard about his adoption addiction. Although I think he only goes for orphans with tragic backstories. I think the black hair and blue or green eyes might just be a coincidence."
Hermione raised a brow. She knew who Bruce Wayne was too and looking back of all the people he had adopted...he had a type. Of course there were two people who don't fit the profile, but two out of four, it's very daunting. Harry would obviously fit the profile. Besides, Hermione knew Harry enough that there was no way Harry would go to Gotham, let alone be adopted by Bruce Wayne. She could see him getting along with all of Wayne's adopted children...except for Wayne's biological child, Damian Wayne. Hermione had heard of Damian Wayne. From the articles she had read, she knew that he was very rude to people in a blunt way and doesn't like talking to people. Hermione was sure that if those two ever meet, they won't get along. Although, she will give credit that he is an advocate for animal rights and being a vegetarian. Luckily, he's not like Malfoy, so that was a good thing. However, Hermione knew why Gotham would be brought up. It was the only place that wizards and witches don't want to live. It would be a good place for Harry to hide, but Harry hated to be endanger. She imagine him in a beach in South America and having the time of his life.
"I don't think so," Hermione answered. "Gotham would be the last place Harry would go to."
"That is true," Cho said. "Potter doesn't seem the type to go to a dangerous city."
Hermione nodded. "Anyway, I heard rumors that there might be a ball..."
Soon, Hermione and the rest of the girls started to talk about the ball and who they might go if the ball was true. As much as Hermione was worried for Harry's safety, she knew he will be fine, since he has Sirius after all, and Hedwig of course. She wasn't sure if he had anyone else with him, but whoever else was with him, she knew they will support Harry. Hermione knew she probably had a bit too much faith into Harry, but considering the fact how things were going in the wizarding world and the search for him, she actually hoped that Dumbledore wouldn't find him. Wherever Harry is, she knew Harry could adapt easily. Although as much as Hermione wanted a letter from Harry, she knew that Harry needed the time for himself. He went through so much for the last three years. He deserved a break, make new friends, and find love.
The last part made her giggle.
"What's so funny Mione?" Susan asked.
Hermione giggled. "Oh nothing, nothing!"
Hermione knew Harry used to have a crush on Cho after he found out from their third year that Cho fancies Cedric. Now Harry left the wizarding world, he has all the time he needs to find love. Whoever that person is and whoever Harry falls in love with, Hermione will support him. However, if this person made Harry cry, Hermione wouldn't hesitate to drop her studies and go over to where Harry was hiding and punch the guy.