Here Be Dragons

Chapter 12
June 1997

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Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore. "Avada Kedavra!" - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 27

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26 June, 1997

Dear Charlie,

Sit down before you read any further, son. I've got the most terrible news to deliver today, I'm afraid: Dumbledore is dead. Murdered by none other than Severus Snape. The Order is compromised, and we are completely at loose ends. No one knows what to do.

But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. First: the battle. Some of the Order were patrolling the castle a few nights ago as per Dumbledore's orders. Malfoy's son somehow managed to sneak a gang of Death Eaters in using some sort of Vanishing cabinet or other - the details aren't entirely clear. Harry says You-Know-Who had commanded the poor boy to kill Dumbledore or be killed, but when faced with the actual task, he faltered. That was when Snape took over. According to Harry, Dumbledore was already in a weakened state, ill and wandless, when Snape cast the Killing Curse.

Let me assure you Ron and Ginny are fine. But Bill was also there patrolling that night and was attacked by a werewolf. He is gravely wounded but ought to survive without suffering the full effects, we think, as the brute was not transformed at the time. (I honestly marvel at the difference between this Greyback monster and our dear Lupin, I really do.) I will send you word again soon regarding Bill's continued improvement - your mum and Fleur are with him round the clock, and Poppy Pomfrey visits often.

We are operating under the assumption that Grimmauld Place is no longer safe. Do not attempt to go there for any reason. Consequently, I offered up our place as the new headquarters - your mum and I thought it was the least we could do. You should know the Burrow is now under a Fidelius Charm with me as Secret-keeper. There - that should do to bring you under it. I'm sure it goes without saying, but do destroy this letter, Charlie, when you've finished reading.

As much as it saddens me to write it, I must ask you not to discuss any of this with Percy. That fence has yet to be mended, though your mother and I are heartsore about the whole business. Did I tell you he's working in Scrimgeour's office now? I see him in the corridors every once in a while, but he pretends not to notice me. And as we cannot absolutely ascertain his... well, let us say his sympathies, rather than allegiance... we must guard against all possibilities of further infiltration, as remote as they might seem. I can't ever see him joining the other side willingly, but these times are as confusing as they are dangerous.

We're all simply gutted, as you can imagine. Dumbledore's loss has hit us all quite hard, most particularly in the traitorous manner by which it was delivered. Poor Harry's absolutely wrecked, as you can imagine. He's back at his mother's sister's place for safekeeping - at least until we can figure out what to do next. Dumbledore always insisted it was the safest place for him during the summers, and we're trusting in his prior plan for the time being.

Moody's stepped up as of late and taken charge of the Order, as it were. I respect the man immensely, but - well, he's no Dumbledore, is he? Where Dumbledore would've calmed us with careful reassurances, Moody's screaming "Constant vigilance!" all the time and whipping us into a right paranoid frenzy, expecting Death Eater ambushes at every bloody turn. Thank Merlin that hasn't come to pass yet.

I understand secrecy is our most valuable defense right now, but I wish to hell somebody could just explain to me what is going on and what needs to be done about it. We've got no plan at all aside from hiding ourselves and watching over Harry. We've no idea what the other side's doing or planning. Dumbledore's strategy, whatever it was, may well have perished with him. And who knows how much of his plan depended on trusting Snape?

Dumbledore's death leaves all our eggs in one very young, very vulnerable basket, I'm afraid. But who else have we got left to trust? Ron's being rather tight-lipped about it all, but he's assured me that over the past year, Dumbledore has taken pains to give Harry a good deal of special training. He let it slip that Harry's even been set a special task of some sort to complete. That was as much as I've been able to suss out of him, unfortunately.

Forgive your old dad, Charlie. I know I shouldn't let it get to me. Worse still, I don't wish to burden you with my worrisome weakness. There's hope as long as we've got Harry, isn't there? That's what I tell myself when I start feeling down. Dumbledore always set so much store by him, didn't he? That's got to count for something.

I'll write again when I know anything more. Stay safe, Charlie. Looking forward to seeing you at the wedding, son.

Love,
Dad

"You know, I've grown to really hate owls from your family," Sasha mumbled softly.

Charlie clutched the parchment in his slightly shaking hands. What am I to do?

Sasha reached toward the letter. Charlie instinctively crumpled it in his hands, held it to his chest. Sasha's hand darted back, and he wore a confused look.

"Sorry." Charlie's voice was the faintest bit hoarse. "It's not you. I'm being stupid. Give me a minute, yeah?"

Sasha nodded, then backed away, feigning casualness and understanding.

What am I to do now? he thought again. Should I go home? Can I go home, even? Charlie skimmed through the letter again, searching it for a summons to return to England, but the closest thing to it was his father's mention of Bill's wedding in a month's time. He consoled himself for a moment with the thought that if the wedding was still on, his father was telling the truth about Bill's likely recovery.

"Sash, I..." Then he faltered, unable to find the words. Is this the effect of the Fidelius? he wondered.

"Something bad has happened," Sasha said, both his voice and expression full of concern. "Is someone ill?"

Charlie shook his head. "Worse. A very important person is... is dead." The words rang hollow in his mouth. Dumbledore is dead! It was too devastating to be believed. Whatever will we do now? It was nearly impossible not to think all was lost.

Sasha looked perplexed. "A death... in your family?"

"No, thank Merlin," Charlie sighed. "This has to do with the... o-o-other... b-business," he said a little haltingly.

Sasha gave a single nod of understanding, such as it was.

"Something has ch-changed," Charlie said, becoming more and more convinced that the Fidelius was affecting him now. "You know that I trust you. But this... th-this is... my fam-mily's safety."

Sasha's dark eyes sparkled as his mind deciphered the clues quickly. "There is an enchantment on the letter. Helping you to keep the secret. I understand this now."

"I... I w-wish I could t-tell you..."

Sasha shook his head vigorously. "Destroy the letter. Now. What you've told me is enough. Your family's safety comes first - this is right."

Charlie shot him a look of gratitude. After reading the disturbing letter once more, he incinerated it, then Vanished the ashes.

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Author's note: I know this chapter is awfully short. Please bear with me - the rest are much longer!