The Missing Dementors

"Go on in, kids! A colleague of mine is inside to speak with you. Don't worry, he just wants to hear what happened!"

After hearing Kingsley Shacklebolt, Jerry and Hermione entered the compartment.

"Good evening, you two. I'm Arthur Weasley from the Ministry of Magic. Please, sit down."

At Arthur Weasley's words, Jerry asked, "Are you... Ron's father?"

"You know who I am? Did Ron tell you about me?"

Jerry nodded. "We're good friends with Ron. He told us his father worked at the Ministry of Magic. But didn't you all go to Romania?"

Arthur Weasley warmly invited Jerry and Hermione to sit, then sighed. "I had planned to go on holiday, but something urgent came up at the Ministry of Magic. Every official is working overtime."

Seeing the dark circles under Arthur Weasley's eyes, Jerry couldn't help asking, "Mr. Weasley, can you tell us what happened? Does it have something to do with the Dementors?"

Arthur Weasley fell silent for a moment. Then he looked at them gravely and said, "I really shouldn't tell you this, but since you encountered a Dementor today, I think you need to know the truth."

"Dementors began disappearing from Azkaban a year ago. There were only a few at first, so the Ministry of Magic didn't pay enough attention."

"But three days ago, something happened that shocked everyone. A third of Azkaban's Dementors vanished overnight!"

Arthur Weasley's eyes were full of worry. "Dementors carry out the harshest punishments and guard Azkaban. With a third of them gone, the Ministry of Magic's ability to keep watch over the prison has been severely weakened."

"And that isn't even the worst of it. We're afraid the Dementors might enter Muggle areas, wreak havoc, and cause mass casualties."

Jerry and Hermione exchanged a look. They could feel Arthur Weasley's anxiety. The missing Dementors were clearly a serious matter, and the one they had encountered today was connected to it.

Jerry couldn't help wondering what kind of plot lay behind it all.

That Dementor on the train wasn't after me, was it?

Hermione asked, "Has the Ministry of Magic found any of the missing Dementors?"

Arthur Weasley shook his head. "No. They vanished without a trace. The one today was the first we've found."

Arthur Weasley's answer deepened Jerry's sense of foreboding. The Dementor really might have come for him.

Damn it! What's wrong with you people? Harry Potter is The Chosen One! Why go after me, Jerry Green, instead of him?

Looking for a fight, are you?

Arthur Weasley then asked Jerry what had happened, and Jerry answered every question truthfully.

Before long, Dumbledore knocked on the door and came in.

"Arthur, have you finished your conversation? I need to speak with Jerry and Miss Granger."

"We have, Headmaster Dumbledore. I'll leave these two with you. I need to report to the Minister."

"Goodbye, Mr. Green. Goodbye, Miss Granger. You're welcome to visit my home whenever you have time!"

After Arthur Weasley left, Dumbledore stepped inside and smiled at the two of them. "Well done, both of you! Even though it's the holidays, I must say it: fifty points to Slytherin and thirty points to Gryffindor!"

Hermione jumped up in excitement. Jerry, however, didn't much care and merely smiled.

"Hermione, could you go back to our compartment first? I'd like to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore alone."

Hermione was surprised, but she didn't hesitate for long. She did as Jerry asked and left the compartment.

On her way out, Hermione thoughtfully closed the compartment door so no one else could hear their conversation.

Dumbledore seemed surprised too. He asked curiously, "What did you want to discuss with me, Jerry? And why keep it from Miss Granger? As far as I know, you two are rather close!"

Ignoring Dumbledore's teasing, Jerry took a small gift box from his coat pocket and handed it to him.

Dumbledore accepted the box and asked, puzzled, "What's this...?"

Seeing his confusion, Jerry said, "It isn't your Christmas present. I prepared yours a while ago. I'd like to ask you to give this one to another relative of mine."

"Headmaster Dumbledore, you must know who I mean! And right now, you're probably the only person who knows where he is!"

Dumbledore's expression turned serious. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Jerry, so you've figured it out."

At the look on Dumbledore's face, Jerry smiled. His suspicion had been confirmed.

Jerry said, "Headmaster Dumbledore, until now, I only had my suspicions. But after seeing your reaction, I think I can be certain."

"You..."

"Can I see him?"

"I'm sorry, Jerry. You can't see Gellert yet. But I can promise you this: you'll meet him after your first year ends."

Jerry looked thoughtful. "So my family background really is connected to Grindelwald!"

Dumbledore: "..."

"I understand. Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. And please give him this Christmas present for me. Thank you!"

Without waiting for Dumbledore to reply, Jerry turned and quickly left the compartment.

Dumbledore watched him go, then studied the gift in his hand. With a sigh, he slipped it into his pocket.

"Jerry, you're back!"

When Jerry returned to their compartment, Hermione didn't ask what he had wanted to discuss with Dumbledore. He couldn't help asking, "Hermione, aren't you curious why I wanted to see Headmaster Dumbledore?"

"Of course I am," Hermione replied. "But I trust you. If it's something you can tell me, Jerry, I know you won't keep it from me!"

Hermione's words were as sincere as clear spring water. The trust in them sent a flicker of warmth through Jerry's heart, which had been as cold as stone.

Damn! When did this little witch get so good at saying things like that?