Sirius and Lupin had reported all the information they knew, yet there were still plenty of questions and unknowns.
Professor Dumbledore couldn't help feeling a headache coming on. He rubbed his temples repeatedly.
"Fawkes." With a sigh, Professor Dumbledore looked up at the little Phoenix still perched on its stand, preening its feathers.
"Do me a favor and fetch that book."
Fawkes gave an unhappy chirp, but obediently spat out a stream of golden-red flames.
The flames swirled before Professor Dumbledore, then slowly faded away.
A heavy book with a pure white cover emerged from the fire. There wasn't a single word written on it.
Professor Dumbledore drew his wand and gently tapped the book's cover.
It opened by itself and began flipping rapidly through its pages. Each page bore a name, with a mark beneath it.
These were communication marks representing various magical masters or members of the Order of the Phoenix. The idea had been inspired by Voldemort's Dark Mark.
Professor Dumbledore had certainly never considered branding the marks onto anyone's body. Instead, he had modified them and bound them to the pages of a book.
At last, the book stopped on a page fairly near the back. On it was a dark, rather messy-looking mark.
Professor Dumbledore tapped the black mark with his wand and called out, "Are you there, Mundungus?"
A moment later, a white light flashed across the mark, which then began to glow steadily.
A voice that smelled of grease, yet sounded exceedingly respectful, rang out:
"Headmaster, I'm here. Is there anything you need my help with?"
"Are you free at the moment?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "Well... free for at least a day."
"Uh? Hmm... I think so... Just a moment..."
A brief flurry of clattering came from the mark, along with a few