Chapter 226 - The Order of the Phoenix (2/2)
Dumbledore furrows his brows as he recalls that a missive had arrived from St. Mungo's that morning stating that Rowan Prince would be returning to Hogwarts as per usual, but not be allowed to perform arduous tasks until Madam Pomfrey deemed otherwise. However, he'd been led to believe that it had been a simple illness that which she was recovering from.
”And how did Miss Prince fall to such a tragic state?” Dumbledore pointedly asked.
Alastor quickly tried to keep his lie as centered in reality as possible as he says, ”I am told that she was invited to the Gringotts Auction for having spoken goblin to one of the tellers, who requested the child be allowed to attend. However, unlike the rest of the guests, she would not be participating in the auction merely viewing it from a private room.”
”Then was the child attacked while there?”
”We believe that is the case as there were two goblin guards posted at the door who neither saw nor let anyone in until Ragnok, one of the upcoming goblins within the bank came to check in on her.”
”Could the guards' memories have been obliviated or have been put under the Imperius curse?”
”That is one of the possibilities we are thinking,” Alastor admitted. ”However, what we can't find is the motive? Rowan Prince is merely a child and of no threat to anyone.”
Dumbledore's eyes flash as he says, ”And what of revenge for Reginald Prince and that of his sister actions at last winter's Malfoy ball?”
Alastor stiffens as his eyes race at the solemn conclusion and in utter relief. He'd been so blinded by the fact that he feared that Rowan had been discovered when the truth had been something else all along. ”You are right, Professor,” Alastor Moody said with a gleam in his eyes.
”I feared as much,” Dumbledore quietly said. ”I fear that dark times are before us, Moody. As dark wizards gather in the shadows for foul purposes. First, the Malfoy ball, then the attack on the sleepy town of Caithness, the tragic, unexpected deaths of Nicholas Flamel and his wife, and now the latest attack on the young, Rowan Prince, all point to dangerous times that lie straight ahead.”
”Professor?” Alastor said, already half knowing that would be proposed. The child had written when the time came the order would be proposed. And for him and the Prewett brothers to join the order when that time came.
”I believe that if there is a dark order in place, then there must be one for the light,” Dumbledore explained. ”Moody, will you join me in creating the Order of the Phoenix?”
”Aye, Professor,” Alastor gravely answered. ”But I do believe it'll be just the two of us for now. However, if you don't mind me, I'd like to make a suggestion.”
Seeing Dumbledore gesture for him to continue, Alastor says, ”I'd like for the Prewett brothers to be made part of the order. They're both powerful wizards and Auror's to boot. But most of all, they can be trusted.”
”They are both commendable,” Dumbledore said as the two men began to quietly discuss the creation of the Order of the Phoenix. It was long into the night before they finally departed. Each lost in his own thoughts as they made their way home. It would be a rather sleepless night for both them as many thoughts constantly whirled away in their minds.