A Web Of Magic

March 1989:

Headmaster Dumbledore,

As per the Ministry's laws, we are sad to inform you that Magnus Webb, son of Thomas and Selene Webb, was attacked by a group of renegade dark wizards in Egypt. The parents were deceased in action and the boy missing. Since the boy is enrolled in Hogwarts for the year 1989, and now that he lacks his guardians, as per the law, you are assigned as his temporary guardian as Hogwarts headmaster as is the custom. The Ministry shall coordinate with the Egyptian Ministry to find the boy as soon as possible. If you find this inacceptable, you may contact the relevant department at the Ministry.

Bartemius Crouch Snr,

Head of Department of International Magical Cooperation

Albus Dumbledore closed the letter and set it aside on his table. It always saddens him when families are torn apart due to irrational acts by dark wizards. Despite their best efforts, the number of dark wizards seems to be on the rise. Especially in a place like Africa where their numbers are hard to track. With Africa being the alleged birthplace of magic and the wide variety of magics available there, it is hard to say which is dark magic and which is not. The different ministries of magic there have a tough time in making regulations regarding these magical practices. 'Ah enough of an old man's ramblings. It seems I need to intervene. By the time the British and the Egypt ministries come to an agreement it might be too late for the boy. There's too much bureaucracy and too little action these days. Time to write to an old friend,' Dumbledore decided.

March 1989:

Dear Babajide,

I hope you are doing well. I need a favor from you. A young man's life depends on your actions. A student of Hogwarts...….

I know you have your own school and problems to deal with, but the situation at hand requires quick action. I would have come myself but my duties at ICW keep me busy. You are more experienced than me with regards to the dark wizard situation in the African region. While the Ministry might take action eventually, I'm afraid it might be too late by then. I request you to act swiftly and discreetly.

With regards,

Albus

March 1989:

Dear Albus,

It was tough but we found the boy in the Forest of Forgetfulness in Sudan. They used a lot of anti-tracking measures to throw us off course that caused some delays, not to mention the forest itself. While the boy is safe now, something untoward did happen to him. The hag that kidnapped him tried to do some dark ritual which seems to have backfired killing the witch. I do not know how he survived, but he did. Yet his body seemed to be contaminated with dark magic. It did not have any adverse effects on him beyond dampening his emotions, but I have performed a purification on him as he slept. He recovered and is in no danger as of now. He is an intelligent and talented boy, shame that something like this happened.

The details of the ritual are as follows...

I have only been able to decipher some part of it….

The whole situation looks like a plan gone awry to me. There were similar situations that happened in some other African countries. We initially thought it was a small group of dark witches, but there seems more to it than that. I think...

There were six more kidnappings before this, but there weren't any attacks involved. Unfortunately, the children couldn't be saved. The boy is the only survivor. I cannot find any reason why they were chosen. I will let you know when there are further developments. The boy seems to flinch whenever a woman comes near him. He himself doesn't seem to notice this. Might be some kind of a trauma due to the hag. You might want to consider that. I shall leave him at the ministry. It is up to you after that.

With regards,

Babajide

Dumbledore folded the letter. He was thankful that the boy was safe. He would have to see to what extent the dark magic ritual has affected the boy. Dark magic always leaves traces that are hard to get rid of. He did some digging up about the boy's family and there were some points that called his attention. The Webb family was always very secretive about their lives. It was almost like they were hiding from something. The various rumors about them being a Dark Wizarding family with barbaric practices didn't help their cause. They seem to be one of those New Wizarding families that migrated to Britain in the past few centuries. They remained neutral in the squabbles between the Old and the New Wizarding families and also during the last war. Where they came from, he couldn't find. That alone was a cause for concern. There aren't many things that he couldn't find out in Britain. He could only find where the parents and their aunt worked but no deeper details about the family. He hoped he was just overreacting and that there was no cause for concern. 'Maybe it's because I have seen too many dark things in my life that I look at everything suspiciously. Well, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious,' Dumbledore decided and reached for his quill.

Dear Molly,

I find myself in need of your help. I heard you were acquainted with Viola Webb, bless her soul, and a family member of hers could use your help. Magnus Webb…

Be his guardian in my stead and observe him for me. He might need some motherly touch….

Now I know that the following might be unpleasant and you would help regardless, but the Ministry has set up a fund for him and a stipend for his guardian. I advise you to make use of it now that your own twins are set to start school this year. I heard they are a handful. Wish your family on my behalf.

With regards,

Albus

May 1989:

Dear Albus,

I have been taking care and observing (I do not like this word!) Magnus for a month now. I see nothing wrong with him except for the occasional sad look that crosses his face when he thinks I'm not looking. He is such a m.a.t.u.r.e and sweet boy. If only my boys were that way….

Regards,

Molly

July 1989:

Dear Albus,

I checked the boy like you requested, despite my dislike, and I found him to be perfectly healthy. There's no Obscurus like we have feared. I don't sense any malice from him (you know I am good at finding such things). In fact, he wants to be a healer when he grows up, and he's very good at it. His body has a higher than average resistance to magic and it even resists external healing magic. Though the latter might be a family trait according to him and I left it at that. There's no need to dig too deep into someone else's secrets Dumbledore. You don't have to know the answers to everything, especially when they aren't yours to know and the person in question isn't evil.

He's a good boy and looks intelligent, if a bit crafty. He's not a threat to anyone and he's fit to attend school. Though you might want Poppy to perform a check-up later as I am no expert outside of my domain. All in all, he's a nice kid and leave him out of any plans you might have. And leave me out of them too, I had enough adventures to last a lifetime. I have a book to finish and a retirement to enjoy.

With Regards,

Newt