Order of the Hidden Dragon

Albus was thrilled to be back at work. He had already taken a trip back to the Base to visit Sophia, and to thank Greg personally, and to his relief it seemed the events surrounding the raid and arrests had not made them more inclined to believe what McLaggen kept saying. In fact, some of those that had tried to become part of his "clique" had now changed their minds and instead hung out more with Mary and Sophia. Sophia was a bit taken aback that she was now seen as a "leader" of anything. The fact that she had been the one to talk the Ministry out of arresting them had become a huge deal, even after Sophia had tried to explain that it was her fault that they had come in the first place. Not even Mary seemed to think that it was her fault at all, which Albus was happy with. He had worried that the raid would cause a further divide in the group, but it seemed it would not. McLaggen became more and more irritated though, and thus Mary and Sophia had started looking for another place to be, in preparation for McLaggen trying to assert authority because it was his land. Sophia had told Mary what they had heard with the Extendable Ear, and she wasn't surprised. It seemed many of them had already suspected that McLaggen had some personal issues with the Ministry.

"I'm not at all surprised to hear that he has worked there but been fired," Mary said. "He's the kind of person that will never admit fault and yet fails to do many things. It's not like his experiments are much to brag about either. All he's really done is give us a place to stay, and even that was done with ulterior motives."

After Albus had been back at work for two days and realised that they truly had no idea where to look for Yang next, he asked for a private meeting with his father. Then he shared what he had seen prior to the raid, and that they should try to search in the north-east part of France, which was where they had lost track of him. To his great relief, his father understood why he hadn't said anything about that before and wasn't angry about it.

"I will need the rest of the day to arrange a task force and inform the Ministry of Magical Affairs in France. I suppose you want to be a part of it?" Albus just nodded. He wouldn't want to miss this.

"Take the rest of the day to prepare for it then. I'll assign Rose and Scorpius too, if they want to go. Scorpius knows a bit of French, that will probably be helpful." Albus nodded and smiled. He liked it best when he was out with those two, even though he sometimes felt like the third wheel in their duo. Since he had already planned to go and meet Sophia today, he decided to go home first and tell his mother what was going on. She had been quite put out that he hadn't told her what had happened when he ran away. Albus had noticed that she didn't like being kept out of things. Harry usually told her, if she asked, but Albus had thought that his mother would worry more if she knew what he had done. They had been able to talk about these things when he was in the hospital. He would try to be better about telling her what he was up to, especially if he would be gone for a while.

After a brief stop with his mother he went to the restaurant he had agreed to meet Sophia in. It was a Muggle establishment, so he changed into more appropriate Muggle clothing first.

This was the first time he would meet with Sophia alone since he had recovered. He wondered if she considered this a date. Did he want it to be? But considering he would be leaving the country quite soon, and not knowing how long it would be, he didn't want to ask.

***

Sophia was undeniably nervous about this dinner. He hadn't called it a date, and neither had she, but it would be the first time since he had recovered that they would be alone together. She spent a long time considering what to wear, before she thought better of it and just put on her normal clothes. Albus had seen her wear Muggle clothes before, it was what she usually wore, and besides, this wasn't a date. But did she want it to be?

It was strange seeing Albus in Muggle clothing as well. At least he had on reasonably normal clothing, unlike some other wizards she had met. It made sense, since his family had made him go to a Muggle school before he went to Hogwarts. He wasn't as clueless as some other wizards were. She tried to smile at him but found that her mouth had stopped working. Luckily the waiter led them to a table before she had to say anything.

'Pull yourself together, Sophia' she said to herself. 'This is Albus. No need to be so nervous.'

By the time she had decided from the menu, she was able to look up at Albus without feeling like her larynx was tightening.

"So, what have you been up to? Or is it a secret?" she said in what she hoped was a witty tone. Albus smiled briefly but then looked serious. Did she say something wrong again? Or was there something he couldn't tell her? She knew he wasn't supposed to have told her about the Knocker. Were they still looking for him?

Before he could reply, the waiter was back with their drinks. Albus had ordered water, but she had a Coke. Had Albus ever had a fizzy drink before?

"Have you ever tried a Coke?" she asked, desperate for a safer subject.

"I have. Aunt Hermione has taken me to some restaurants like this before, usually on her birthday, or special occasions for some of her family. I'm not a huge fan of carbonation, so I prefer water."

Sophia was glad he said something to keep the conversation going.

"I'm glad I don't have to enlighten you on the topic of sugary drinks then. There's so much variety in Muggle food, sometimes I wonder if some of the chefs are secretly wizards."

"I've thought the same myself. Though I think it's more because Hogwarts usually sticks with the traditional British cuisine. Most adult wizards I know have at least some more variety in their diet."

"I'm glad to hear it. I usually make food from Muggle grocery stores, they sell a lot of food made for one and they only need to be heated, which I can do with magic. That is what I eat on the days I'm not making food in the kitchen on the base. Or eat out, like today." Why did she say that? Now she sounded like a person who didn't know how to cook. She did know the basics, she just didn't bother, most of the time.

"Cooking is an art unto itself, and while I can cook, I am by no means an expert. The main perk of still living at home is that my parents make the food more often than I. My mother is an excellent cook, she learnt from my grandmother."

Even Sophia had heard of Molly Weasley's excellent cooking.

"I don't think you should compare yourself to them. They have decades of experience after all." Albus smiled and they continued talking about different types of food until they were ready to order. That was when she saw that Albus looked a bit nervous as well. Why was he nervous? Did he wonder if this was a date as well? Or was it something about work, which he hadn't told her about? Did she even have a right to ask? She considered Albus a friend, but there was still so much she didn't know about him. He had stood by her on many occasions now, not the least during the raid and the aftermath, but how did he feel about her exactly?

They talked about minor things while they waited for their food, but Sophia definitely felt like Albus was avoiding telling her about something. How could she get him to open up? She didn't want to press too hard, especially if it was something he wasn't supposed to tell her. But would he be so nervous if it was just something about work? He looked more nervous now than when he first came down the opening to their Base. Or was it just that she knew him better now? When the food finally arrived, neither of them seemed to be able to enjoy it much. Sophia decided she just had to ask. This awkward silence was probably worse than being told it wasn't her business.

"Okay, out with it. What is it that you're avoiding telling me?"

Albus seemed surprised, then a little relieved. But he quickly got a serious expression on his face again.

"I suppose it was obvious. I didn't want to ruin dinner, but maybe it would have been better to say it all at once. The thing is, I am going away for a while. For work. I don't know how long it will be, and I didn't want you to worry."

He was leaving? That was what he didn't want to tell her? Why would that be a big thing?

"Oh. Where are you going?"

"France. North-east area of France. With Rose and Scorpius, and a few other Aurors."

France? Why would he need to go to France? And why would he not want to tell her that?

It took a moment for her to remember. The last known location of the Knocker. They had lost the signal in France. He was going after him from the last known location they had. And he didn't want to ask her to check if he was still there.

Sophia needed to say something, but what? Her mind was drawing a complete blank.

"That sounds nice. Hopefully it won't be for long though."

"I hope not."

"Have you worked abroad before?"

"Not officially. My father has to coordinate with the French Ministry, so I'll know the details by tomorrow."

"You're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, most likely."

Sophia didn't know what else to say. They finished their dinner, Albus insisted on paying and they said goodbye. She wished him luck and he smiled in thanks.

Sophia sat down at her computer, staring at the blank screen. It would be easy for her to check. It wasn't like her to leave things unfinished. And this might be the most righteous cause she had ever had. Why was she holding back?

Mary came in, most likely to hear how the date had gone. Her teasing smile vanished as she saw her expression.

"What happened? Did he dump you?"

"Don't be stupid. I told you; it wasn't a date."

"Then what did he do?"

"Nothing."

"If it was nothing, you wouldn't sit here with a look that says the world is ending. Out with it. Do I need to knock some sense into him?"

Sophia chuckled before telling the story. She realised Mary didn't know all the details, just what Albus had told the Minister during their interrogation. They used to tell each other everything, but ever since Albus literally crashed into their lives, things had become quite chaotic.

"… And now he's going to France, because that's where we last saw the signal, and I don't know if I want to help him locate him or let him waste time searching for a man who most likely isn't even there anymore," she finished, after dumping all her messy thoughts on her friend.