Chapter 28

Xavier Von Diggenweld pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

"Albus, why are you insisting that you know my student roster better than I do? Do you not think that if Harry Potter himself were at my school that I would not shout it from the rooftops?"

"But, my information says -"

"Albus, was 'your information' in that toilet rag you call a newspaper?"

"Ah..."

"Why are you even after the boy, Albus? He has already rid the world of Voldemort twice."

"Because he needs my guidance, Xavier. I have an plan to-"

"He needs your guidance to destroy Voldemort? Which he has already done?"

"Voldemort isn't gone, Xavier. He will be back."

"And you know this how?"

"I... I can't say."

"As though Horcruxes are some hideous secret."

"Xavier!" Albus's eyebrows jumped up.

"Oh please, Albus. A dark wizard returned from the grave and you think the rest of the world would not automatically assume? Tom came through here once in the sixties. He was unbridled by a conscience or a sense of patience. Of course he would take the quickest, most evil path to what he wanted. You always did think you were the only clever one in the room, my friend. You should have gotten out more, found a love to keep you grounded."

"Yes well... It's a little late now. How is Inga?"

Xavier grinned. "Still as sharp and cunning as the day we married, thank you for asking. You should come to dinner, Albus."

"Ah, thank you no, I should get -"

"Back to looking for Harry Potter?"

"Well, not to put too fine a point on it..."

Xavier sighed. "I am sorry I cannot help you in this regard, and I wish you luck, old friend."

Albus stood, and Xavier held out a hand, which he shook. "Thank you, Xavier, my apologies. Give my best to Inga."

"I will. Auf Wiedersehen."

Albus nodded, and left the Headmaster's office of the Alpfen Institut der Magik in Geneva. He spared a moment to take in the Alps and the snow blowing from the peaks, and then trundled toward the Apparation point just in front of the parking lot.

Fawkes appeared as he reached the spot, a newspaper clutched in his talons.

"Thank you, Fawkes." He said as he took it.

Harry Potter comes to Fortescue's!

By Penelope Clearwater

That's right folks, the Boy-Who-Lived himself graced Diagon Alley yesterday with his self-admitted girlfriend (sorry, girls!) to enjoy some ice cream in the wake of his godfather, Lord Sirius Black, being exonerated of the murder of James and Lily Potter. The tall, handsome, blue-eyed ginger teen was all smiles as he signed several autographs and stood for photos with a lucky few patrons. This reporter spoke with Mr. Florian Fortescue following the Boy-Who-Lived's departure from the scene. Mr. Fortescue claimed privileged information and wouldn't share with us what Mr. Potter said, but he did say there may be some big news in the future from Mr. Potter.

For more on Lord Black's trial, turn to page 7.

For more on Mr. Potter's visit, turn to page 9.

Albus crumpled the paper in his fist.

He hated being manipulated.