November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
After leaving the reins of his mini army composed of 20 muggle born in the hands of Amelia Bones, Harry returned back to Hogwarts.
As soon as Harry apparated in his office, he felt a certain presence outside the Hogwarts wards.
"Dobby," Harry called for his elf who popped in.
"A guest is standing outside Hogwarts wards near the main entrance," he said. "Bring her in."
Few minutes later, a knock greeted the office's gate.
"Come in," said Harry.
The gate was pushed open and in walked an elderly lady. She had raven black hair and black eyes. Her facial features were sharp and aristocratic. Her face was expressionless and stern.
"Madam Longbottom," Harry stood up in proper respect. "I am sorry for the inconvenience."
"I was absent from Hogwarts since the wards are in lockdown… no one other than me could have felt your presence."
A smile blossomed on Augustus' face as she heard this, "I am also pleased to hear this, Lord Potter."
"I was feeling that you are intentionally making me wait. And my mind could not help but wonder if whatever assurances you gave me inside the letter might just be sugar coated words."
Harry smiled, "NO, madam Longbottom. Please take a sit."
Augustus Longbottom and Harry Potter both simultaneously took their seats. They remained silent for some time during which Dobby served tea and some snacks.
"I believe, it is no use to beat around the bush," madam Longbottom broke the silence. "As I had made clear in the letter, I want to return back to the alliance and need your help in finding Bellatrix."
"I have no objections regarding both the matter, madam Longbottom," said Harry. "And trust me, I am more desperate to find Bellatrix Lestrange than you."
Augustus raised an eyebrow at this and Harry sighed.
"Now that we are about to form an alliance," he said. "You must know the truth."
He paused and then added, "Voldemort, is not completely gone. He is attempting to make a comeback… this attack on Hogsmeade and Azkaban was under his orders. He was the one who rescued Bellatrix."
Augustus Longbottom almost flinched from her chair in fear. Her eyes were wide and cold sweats appeared on her forehead.
"This… this can't be true," she stammered in her shell shocked condition only after few moments.
"Unfortunately, this is the truth, madam Longbottom," sighed Harry.
"How?" madam Longbottom barely whispered.
"Horcrux," answered Harry calmly.
And Augustus stood up from her seat in shock. Horcrux was after all such a foul magic. She took few moments to calm her nerves down.
And then Harry began Voldemort's tale. From his identity as a half blood, Tom Riddle to his horcrux. He told her as much as he had told Amelia.
He did not tell them about the latest Voldemort's planning. He would do at some time later.
"So, you have all but 2 horcruxes?" Questioned madam Longbottom.
Harry nodded in response.
"And of these 2, you know the location of 1 and the other one was hidden somewhere by Bellatrix?"
Harry again nodded, "And without Bellatrix, we cannot possibly search where she might have kept it."
"Maybe in the Lestrange manor… maybe under some tree or in some lake," said Harry. "For efficient search, I need Bellatrix."
Augustus's face grew solemn to which Harry said, "Don't worry too much, madam Longbottom."
"I probably have a plan in mind to capture Bellatrix," he said. "It just needs some fine tuning."
Augustus heaved a sigh of relief, "And I believe that you would not be willing to tell me your source of information?"
Harry shook his head, "No… at least, not for now."
The two continued their chat for some time until they finally reached Dumbledore.
"So, you are certain that all what happened to you was a plan of Dumbledore? But you have no idea of his motive?" Questioned Augustus.
Harry nodded at which madam Longbottom chuckled.
"Lord Potter," she said. "Among your supporters, probably only headmistress McGonagall might have some idea of Dumbledore's character. Even that would be one sided as she had always seen the man at position of seniority."
"But I have known him even better than Minerva," said Augustus at which Harry's ear perked.
"Dumbledore… is a silly man," she said. "All the silly things he does, like speaking rubbish on first day of Hogwarts the way he laughs is not something he acts out. That is his character."
"His ideas are not something can be measure up on the scale of reasoning. You might be trying very hard to find his motive but you would never be able to think the way he thinks."
"It might be the sillies of the reasons why is he doing so," added madam Longbottom.
"The other thing in him is that he is a believer of destinies… fate and all other ridiculous things. These two combinations are definitely not something good."
"He might have a goal in his mind, which the world may call silly or something which he believes is fated or destined to happen," she said. "Think on these lines. And you might get your answer."
Hearing these words, although, Harry could not think of some silly reason but his mind could something with destiny or fate. The prophecy.
Even so, he could still not think of Dumbledore's reasons for doing all what he did or what he wanted to achieve.
"Thank you, madam Longbottom for your advice," said Harry.
"I would soon try to set up a meeting with madam Bones and Lord Greengrass so that you can formally be added into the alliance," he said.
Augustus stood up, "It should me who should thank you, Lord Potter."
"I believed you would not mind if I have a quick meeting with my grandson," she added.
"No, madam Longbottom. Take your time," he said.
Agustus gave a nod and walked away leaving a thoughtful Harry behind.
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