"Destination Unknown"
(Marietta)

Laurel Raegan paused to wipe the sweat off her brow. Even in the shade, the heat of the desert in July was almost unbearable. Only magically-helped vegetables such as the ones she was tending, could ever survive in such a God-forsaken place as this. None but the hardiest people lasted very long in the harsh desert climate.

Which was just how she liked it. Laurel had spent the past decade of her life exploring the world's most isolated places, finding the overwhelming solitude preferable to the general inquisitiveness of people, wizard and Muggle alike. After her botched suicide attempt ten years ago, Laurel had run far and fast, away from people and their stupid questions, away from reporters and their misinterpretations of all she said, but most of all away from her memories. Living in her self-imposed banishment, Laurel had come to grips with her inner turmoil and had managed to systematically remove all traces of her past from her conscious memory. However, it all hung at the edge of her sub-consciousness, threatening to overpower her yet again.

At least if Laurel lost it out here in the desert, no one would witness her breakdown. And as she planned never to return to civilization, no one ever would. Yes, alone was the best way for her to live. Her old life need never come haunt her.

"That is quite a garden, Miss Raegan, for such an arid climate."

For a second, the voice didn't register with Laurel as actually belonging to a person and not some sun-induced madness. When reality kicked in, she spun around to see her uninvited guest. A tall man with long white hair and beard, pale laughing blue eyes, half-moon spectacles, and flowing wizard's robes stood in front of her.

Instead of reacting out of fear or anger, her first impulses, Laurel chuckled softly and bowed her head. "I should have known that you would be the one to find me, Professor Dumbledore."

The old man smiled warmly. "Oh, come now, Miss Raegan. Surely you can bring yourself to call me Albus. After all, you are hardly a student anymore."

Laurel tried to hide her fear at this sudden intrusion of her past behind friendly words and a weak smile. "Fair enough. But only if you call me Laurel and tell me how you discovered my deception over a glass of iced tea."

"That I will be happy to do, Laurel. I do think we have much to discuss," said Dumbledore, following her into her small house.

Laurel led him into her meager kitchen and offered him a seat at the table. After filling two glasses with ice and drink, she took her place across from Dumbledore. "So Prof-Albus, would you like to fill me in on how you managed to track me?"

Dumbledore took a sip of his drink before answering. It was obvious that he was unfamiliar with the concept of iced sweet tea, but he managed to partially conceal his surprise with practiced ease. "It was not that hard once I realized you were alive. As you know, your family's unique gift often leaves miniscule traces on the recipients. I recognized signs of your recent presence so to say, on both Remus Lupin and young Mr. Potter. From there, I contacted a few old liaisons in the foreign Ministries of Magic and found out where you had been hiding all these years."

Laurel looked up from staring blankly at the tabletop. "Could I ask how many people are aware of this? My talent is not exactly publicized. The Raegans met with unfair treatment, as well as their end, because of it."

"You need not worry, my dear. As it stands, only Professor McGonagall and myself are aware of your continued existence. But I would like to ask you to consider returning to England," said Dumbledore calmly.

Laurel was momentarily speechless. "I…I don't think I could do that."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I beg you not to pass judgement until you have heard me out. Once again, these are desperate times. Voldemort has returned with all his power. Twice in the past four years he has used professors to infiltrate Hogwarts. Last year at the TriWizard Tournament, he kidnapped two Champions, Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter. Mr. Diggory was killed and Mr. Potter was used to give Voldemort his body back. Luckily Mr. Potter escaped, but the Dark Lord proved once again that he is a force to be reckoned with. Despite this eminent threat, Cornelius Fudge refuses to believe me.

"This term, I would like to have as many absolutely trustworthy professors on staff as I possibly can. I have resurrected the old dueling classes, but I ask that you return as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

This time Laurel was stunned absolutely speechless. Sensing the awkward silence, Dumbledore snapped his fingers and a large tawny owl flew in the open window. "This will be a difficult decision, I realize. Take some time to think about it. Send this owl back with your reply before the fifteenth of August, if you would. I will be awaiting you note. It has been pleasant talking with your once again, Laurel."

With that, Dumbledore stood and Apparated out of the room, leaving Laurel with only the owl and her ghosts for company.