Two needles in a haystack

Dumbledore's letter found Snape in the Australian outback about a week after they began searching for Hermione's parents. Since it was only safe to Apparate to well-known locations, he and Hermione traveled around Australia using Muggle transport, stayed in Muggle hotels, and ate at Muggle diners. Hermione tirelessly lectured him on what was healthy or harmful, what should and shouldn't be done, quoting entire pages from manuals, instructions, and recommendations she had read in the past. It was one of those rare occasions when Snape almost wept with joy at receiving new instructions from the restless old man.

All those days, Snape had tried to convince Hermione that using blood magic would significantly reduce their efforts. Hermione insisted that it was dark magic, criminal simply because even her genius couldn't handle it, and she stubbornly refused to agree with the obvious. However, when the Ministry's postal parrot found Snape through a visa amulet and delivered a letter with Dumbledore's request, she reluctantly agreed that they could perhaps ask the Malfoys for help, since they had to return to Britain anyway. Snape didn't bother pointing out that only he had been summoned back to Britain, and they Apparated to the Australian Ministry and then traveled home through a portal.

There, Hermione tagged along with him to Dumbledore. Snape couldn't figure out why she needed to be part of the conversation – maybe she was afraid some intriguing secret would slip by without her – but he couldn't shake off the Gryffindor brainiac. Not that he tried too hard – why should he suffer alone when Dumbledore could also share in the misery? Her presence alongside Snape was a surprise to the white-bearded elder.

"Hermione, didn't you stay in Australia?" Dumbledore asked, hiding his annoyance behind a tone of sympathy.

"Professor," she began quickly, "Mr. Snape insists that the only way to quickly find my parents is through blood magic. It's impossible that all the search spells are based only on dark magic! You know so much, professor, surely you know reliable search methods!"

"My dear..." Dumbledore sighed wearily, like he used to when speaking to Lily. "Relatives are found by blood, there are no other reliable methods, and reliable methods are not always safe. Unfortunately."

"Well, it's one thing if Mr. Snape says so, but you..." Hermione suddenly realized Snape was present and could hear her. "Mr. Snape, I didn't mean it like that, but everyone knows your... tendencies. But you, professor, how can you advise me to resort to dark magic?!"

"Child, I'm not advising anything. I'm just saying that there are no other magical methods to search for relatives. I'm not saying they're impossible, but no one has developed them yet. Everyone sticks to the old ways."

"We need to bring this up in the Ministry. We should form a committee to compile a list of dark methods and find safe alternatives," she said, looking at Dumbledore, clearly upset. "But I need to find my parents now, not later..."

He spread his hands helplessly.

"I don't know what to do, my dear. I didn't think it would be this hard."

Hermione looked between him and Snape, hoping they would try to persuade her, and she could agree after putting up a bit of a fuss. She was silent for a moment, making a difficult decision.

"Maybe, just this once... for a good cause... it wouldn't hurt?"

Still, both men remained silent.

"Maybe it's fine, right?"

Dumbledore continued studying the floor, but Snape lost patience sooner.

"Granger, no one is stopping you from searching for your parents the old way. I'm a busy man, and Dumbledore and I have more important matters, but you have plenty of free time to do as you wish."

"Severus..." Dumbledore, it seemed, had been waiting for Snape's patience to snap. "We can't leave Hermione alone with her problem. We are all part of the Order, and we must help each other."

Hermione looked at him with hope in her eyes.

"My dear, you'll have to wait a little," he said in a consoling tone. "My task for Severus is partially related to your problem, and he'll arrange the search for you as well. In the meantime, while he's handling that, I have a small request for you."

"What am I supposed to arrange, exactly?" Snape asked, already irritated.

"You need to visit Narcissa as soon as possible. I hoped you would take care of that matter when you helped Hermione, but unfortunately, it's urgent. When you discuss the inheritance issue, ask Narcissa to help find Hermione's parents. She's a Black by birth and should know blood magic. We're counting on you, Severus. The Malfoys have always respected you."

"And what should I do?" Hermione asked, suddenly full of energy.

"Hermione, this concerns Harry Potter. Not the current one, but the one you were friends with at Hogwarts. You remember him, don't you?"

"I do." Hermione grew cautious. The story of the Chosen One's replacement still seemed questionable to her, even from the perspective of the greater good. "He must have been upset when he found out."

"The old Harry was kind and selfless. He should understand the necessity of this change," Dumbledore's voice flowed gently. "But I'm worried about him, my dear. He's all alone now, and he needs friends to remind him that he's not alone, that they're always ready to support him and offer a helping hand. He needs that reassurance, Hermione, or he may stray down the wrong path. You must remind him that nothing is more important than his loyal friends, you and Ron, and I doubt Ron has the sensitivity to explain this to him. But you must manage, my dear!"

Hermione listened and nodded sympathetically.

"Yes, sir. I understand everything, sir. Harry is in a bad place right now, and I need to help him."

"Of course, dear. Who else will help him if not his best friends? Just try not to call him by his old name so as not to upset him further. He's now Arcturus Travers, and he needs to get used to his new name."

"I'll remember – Arcturus Travers. Where can I find him?"

"I believe he's living in the Black house where our headquarters used to be. It shouldn't be hard for you to confirm, should it, my dear?" Dumbledore chose not to mention how he and Sirius had been thrown out.

"Of course, I'll find out, sir."

"And make sure to tell Arcturus that we all appreciate him and his sacrifice, but for the greater good, the true Chosen One must return. Arcturus isn't a vain boy, he never sought attention for his name – remind him that his wish has finally come true."

"Yes, sir. Harry always disliked his position."

"Point out the positive side of what's happened and let him know we're all still with him."

"Everything will be done, sir," Hermione assured him, filled with the importance of her mission.