Chapter Text
Prologue
25 June 1998
Kingsley cannot believe his eyes and ears. A man (a Muggle, at that!) long thought dead, came back from a hiking spree, knowing all the while that it was just 2 hours that passed, and not 2 years.
“Mister Green – Julian - if you can please walk me through, again, the series of events that happened.”
Mister Green snapped into attention upon hearing his name, and reluctantly tore his eyes away from the moving pictures on the walls and the numerous paper memos zipping through the air of their accord in and out of Kingsley’s office.
“As I mentioned, Mister Sheke—”
“Shacklebolt”
“Shacklebolt, right. As I told you earlier – I went to the Visayas in the Philippines to hike this majestic volcano – Kanlaon. It was an easy enough trek, and I am not inexperienced myself when it comes to hiking, mind you. It was supposed to be a one week hike, so I came all prepared and there are local guides anyhow. About 75% up the mountain, we felt tremors. The volcano has been well behaved in the past years, no activity whatsoever, so imagine our surprise when smoke starts to come out of the side vents. The tremors started to feel like full-blown quakes and we are on the verge of panicking, when a tree in front of us opened up, and tiny winged creatures enveloped me and the group, and the next thing I know, I was in the middle of a feast. There were a number of people whom I do not recognize dining there and they kept on insisting I eat some of their food. Naturally, it would have been quite rude to not partake, and so I took a bite out a berry in front of me. It was the most delectable thing.”
Mister Green’s eyes glazed over at this point and a tiny trickle of drool actually escaped the corner of his open mouth.
“Mister Green, please do continue.” Said Kingsley.
“Oh yes, right. So it was just a bite that I had, mind. But somehow I feel so full, I didn’t take anymore. And then…. Well, no matter how I try to recall what happened after, I just couldn’t. And even the place, I can picture it in my head, but cannot form the words to describe it, let alone say the exact name of the place. All I can give you is that it feels.. how do I say this – magical. No - it is even more than that. Otherworldly, yes, that’s it.”
Kingsley considered the man’s recount, and had he not been the wizard that he is, he would have scratched this as utter bollocks. But no one returns from the dead – and this muggle’s been clinically cleared to be sane. Plus, a new Veritaserum specifically for muggles is in his system and is the one currently speaking this truth.
“Thank you, Mister Green. We will be in touch with you if we do need anything else. In the meantime, healers will be with you to ascertain you are in excellent health and sound mind.
Kingsley nodded to the Auror by the door and Mister Green is whisked away, ready to be looked over. After a few moments, another man stepped inside his office.
“Ah, Fungbury, there you ware. I need you to go on a mission. Go to the Visayas in the Philippines and investigate this case. There’ve been recordings of people missing in that area and then turning up later with no proper recollection of where they’ve been and how long they’ve gone missing.”
“As you wish, Minister. However, if I may ask, why do we need to get involved? The Philippines is a thousand miles away, and that man will be properly obliviated. By tomorrow, Muggle news will have concocted a crazy and elaborate yet, no less believable story - in their minds, anyway - to explain all this.”
“That is true, Fungbury. But the volcano in question, Kanlaon, used to be incredibly quiet, and now has been acting up since Green’s reappearance. And since then, every volcano in the Pacific Ring of Fire has been agitated as well. Not to mention, there have been magic ripples felt in these volcanoes. Bulgaria, Italy and Iceland, specifically has been in a state of unrest. This case is the most recent occurrence related to the Kanlaon, which we have first hand recount of. This has become an international concern, so to speak.”
“I understand, I will be off the soonest.”
“Ah, Fungbury – take Potter with you.”
“Minister, with all due respect, Mister Potter is a talented wizard, I’m sure, but I am more than capable for this mission. Also, he is still a probationary Auror, I hardly think he should be involved in cases of this magnitude.”
Shacklebolt stood up, reached for a bottle of firewhiskey and poured two glasses, offering one to Fungbury. With a sideways glance to the Auror, who has been one of his long-time friends – Shacklebolt uttered, “It is not for the mission, Dorian. It is for Potter himself. A change of scenery and on the job exposure from a highly skilled Auror, will undoubtedly be good for his state of mind. If I do not trust you so, I will not ask this of you.”
Shacklebolt tilted his head and awaited Fungbury’s response.
“Of course, Kingsley.”
A weary smile appeared on Shacklebolt’s face – “Thank you, my friend. You will leave in two days. Report back to me as soon as you find anything. Tread carefully when you are in the Philippines. They are rather religious, and might not take too kindly to any, ah, unusual events.”
With a slight bow his head, Fungbury exited the Minisiter’s office to prepare for the mission at hand.