When two of Dumbledore's most trusted went out of his office, one looked impasse and the other slightly frightened. Under the Invisibility Cloak, I noticed, however, that the former was carrying the Deluminator with him, which glowed ever so slightly with sapphire light. I felt a shiver run down my back from another invisible spot near the Headmaster's Office entrance.
'Dumbledore figured out the Cloak? He shouldn't have the Elder Wand, though…'
I checked my new prize, just in case.
'Fawkes… in inventory. Wand… Elder Wand… no? The item was called 'Gregorovitch-made Traceable Wand'. No wonder the man was able to determine my location so accurately.'
The presence felt closer and closer. Snape was lingering behind after saying goodbye to a hysterical Professor McGonagall… I waited until the last moment, just as two Stupefy flew towards me, and shadow-moved up a floor, then another, before standing outside the Room of Requirement.
This was not enough to throw off the tail. Staircases and doors rumbled as what I assumed were two wizards rushing towards my location. I walked quickly across the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy teaching ballet, thinking desperately:
'I need a place to hide things. I need a place to hide things. I need a place to hide things…'
After the third walk, a doorway opened, in which I rushed quickly inside. It closed immediately when I did so, preventing both Dumbledore and Snape from finding out where I am at. I sighed with relief. It was way too soon to reveal the identity of the 'phoenix-thief', much rather keep the Headmaster on his toes. For all he knew, anyone not accounted for while talking to Harry could be a security risk, including Crouch Jr. Which also means I could frame him by planting the wand and some phoenix feathers - a strong Confundus and discreet memory charms would do the work.
If both of them are heading to him, I could make it seem like Crouch Obliviated himself to forget about the phoenix/wand, just to hide it in the secret Room. Anyhow, better hide it here and make up some traces of phoenix struggle, just in case. I linked Fawkes to inventory and pulled him out. Immediately, the squawking, scratching and feathers flying accompanied the flaming bird. He looked at me wearily, trying to break free but unable to.
"Hey, Fawkes."
The bird glared at me, but stopped making too much noise.
"Look, give me a few feathers and tears, promise to stay away from Dumbledore for a little, and I'll let you go. Deal?"
Fawkes trilled and swiped his claws at the ground. I could make out three marks, followed by two marks, while the phoenix flew to grab a torn calendar where he marked a date.
"Three feathers, two tears, right?" he nodded. I turned to the proposed period of absence that Fawkes proposed. "The date's fine, I think. Though if you want to come back early, not that I can really stop you, just do so after the Yule Ball. Are you okay with that?"
The phoenix cocked his head in reply and I lifted three fingers to shake on the deal, which he returned. Not missing a beat, Fawkes provided his tears into a clear cup and turned the bright plumage to me. I kept eye contact and took exactly three before making an 'OK' with my fingers. After confirming the two drops were there, I removed him from the 'Owned' section on my system and Fawkes flew away cautiously.
I made no more attempts to keep him, and the phoenix disappeared in a bright burst of fire.
______________________________________________________
When I finally went down to breakfast the next day, half-sure that Dumbledore wouldn't have recognised the real thief, the few that came early were huddled in groups. One of them with whom I've never spoken pulled me over and silently gave me an early Daily Prophet. My question as to why this was the case died in my throat as I scanned the headlines.
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, REPORTED MISSING"
The following article was filled with 'condolences' from the man's many acquaintances and, true to Rita Skeeter's fashion, elaborate half-truths or outright lies mixed in between. How do I know which was which? Well, any line that started with alleged witness accounts claiming the Headmaster was 'last seen at his office' could be safely dismissed. This was largely guesswork, but if there's one thing agreed upon about that man, it was that he absolutely loved keeping secrets.
Right as I gave back the paper to that student, Hermione arrived. I ripped off the bandage before she could rain barrages of questions upon me.
"Dumbledore's missing. It's in the Prophet, so read yours first."
Her expression cycled between curiosity, shock and outrage before settling to some reluctant acceptance. The girl looked at me with an 'I'll deal with you later' before deciding to do just that. When more Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students arrived, they were also shocked by various foreign and local newspapers. It appears Dumbledore is quite a huge deal, though I suppose internationally more due to his victory over Grindelwald than the Headmaster of the only school in the country.
On the staff's table, Snape looked the calmest of the lot, which confirms that he was in on the plan. Professor Mcgonagall, Sprout and Flitwick all looked alarmed at the news yet were trying to calm a hysterical Hagrid. Two others were huddled on the far end - Maxime and Karkaroff - speaking in hushed whispers. Crouch Jr's mask was impasse, but his lack of regular movements indicated that whatever the news must be more important than playing the impostor.
Fortunately, after the initial novelty wore off, I was digging quickly into the abundant and uneaten food. It was almost certain that this topic will be on everyone's lips for the next week or so, regardless of how little it affects most things. Dumbledore didn't teach a class personally, and all the work could be handed to Professor Mcgonagall just like second year. Besides, if Fawkes kept his word, the Headmaster should be back at Yule and no one would be the wiser.
"How is your day going, Harry?"
An ethereal voice sounded behind me. I would've jumped like the others sitting near me, if not for the high resistance to the Luna-ness that is Luna.
"You know, a bit less than ideal and all that. Dumbledore's missing see…"
She continued as if not hearing my reply.
"I heard that someone is looking for a flaming chicken. You don't happen to carry one around, right?"
"Well, not anymore. I have a feeling it might fly back for Yule, though."
Luna looked decidedly content at my answer and saddled next to me for some equally important comments on the latest Quibbler. I, of course, humored her without noticing the drills Hermione was staring into me. Such were the difficulties of pleasing multiple people.