Severus quietly approached the back end of the hospital wing and to the bed in which Harry was laying. Harry was still and had his back to most of the room, but Severus knew he wasn’t sleeping.

Slowly, he came to the side of the bed.

“Potter.”

Harry gave a small start, before turning and giving him a small smile. Coral was sleeping soundly wrapped around his healed wrist.

Thankfully, Greyback had not injured her too badly when he had tossed her aside.

“The Headmaster has gone to make the final arrangements for where you will be staying,” Severus said simply, before conjuring himself a chair and taking a seat.

“Oh. Do you know where that will be?” Harry asked.

“Not at this time, but the Headmaster has assured me it is a place you will enjoy for the rest of the summer. He has also hinted that, if you truly like it, it may become a bit more permanent.”

“You mean, I won’t need to stay at the Dursleys anymore?” Harry asked, hopeful.

“Perhaps, as it is clear the Dursleys do not provide the care and safety you need and deserve. They will certainly be hearing from me in the near future,” he stated flatly.

“This isn’t their fault, sir. I was on my way back from the library when it happened. And they have been giving me enough food and leaving me be.”

“Even so, you should never have been in a situation allowing Greyback to even approach you. And isn’t the library over a mile away?”

“Well, yes,” Harry admitted, looking down before heaving a heavy sigh and turning his head away.

Severus suspected correctly that Harry was finding it difficult to reign in his emotions.

“You feel weak, don’t you, Potter?” Severus asked, deciding on a course of action.

Harry bit his lip as he slowly sat up and pulled his legs up.

“You are a child, Potter. And need I remind you Greyback was a werewolf? Fully grown and trained wizards have been hurt by him. The fact you were aware enough to activate the portkey and knew when to fight back the way you had . . . you did very well, Potter. Most adults wouldn’t have been able to react as intelligently.”

“He was so strong, and fast. If the Headmaster hadn’t come when he did, he would have. . . .” Harry swallowed.

“You’re right, he would have killed you, but the Headmaster did come.” Severus shifted the chair closer to the bed. “I will not try to whitewash reality for you, Harry. I believe it’s a foolish thing to do, especially when the truth is right in front of you.”

Harry remained silent.

“You will get stronger, Harry. You will become a powerful wizard, and not simply because of your magic ability, but because of your determination and compassion. Never forget those are your strongest qualities.”

“Severus is right, my boy.”

Harry jumped, turning his eyes to the Headmaster who had just come up behind the Potions Master. Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey were with him.

Dumbledore pulled out his wand and conjured a chair beside Severus’ before conjuring two more for Pomona and Poppy on the other side of the bed.

“Well now, since you are awake, I’d like to speak with you, Harry,” Albus said, moving the conversation right along as he sat.

Harry waited, wondering if they wanted him to retell what had happened, even though he had already told most of it to the Headmaster earlier.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Harry. Nothing big, mind you, I would simply like to procure your memory of this afternoon,” Dumbledore said.

“My memory?” Harry asked, confused.

“I have a Pensieve. It allows the user to view memories. All you need to do is think about this afternoon, and I will extract your memory. I will return it to you once we have viewed it.”

“Oh, alright,” Harry managed, still a little puzzled but willing to go along with it.

“You’ve already told me what you remember, but this will allow Madam Bones and the Aurors to perhaps find more clues,” Dumbledore continued.

“Okay, so I just think of what happened?”

“Yes. The memory will be at the surface of your mind and magic will do the rest,” Dumbledore said, taking out a glass vial from his pocket.

Severus gave him an encouraging nod.

“Ready, Harry?” Albus asked, gently lifting his wand and placing the tip at Harry’s temple.

“Yeah,” Harry answered, before Dumbledore whispered something and slowly pulled his wand away, extracting a silver wisp and swiftly placing it in the awaiting glass container.

“Thank you, Harry. Hopefully with this, and the portkey, the Aurors will be able to track Voldemort down.”

“I hope so,” Harry agreed.

Dumbledore put the memory aside before refocusing on him. “Harry, there’s something else I must discuss with you. It has nothing to do with recent events, but rather—”

“If I may, Headmaster, perhaps it would be easier if I. . . .” Severus paused, realizing he had just interrupted his employer.

“Very well, Severus,” Albus said, unfazed. If anything, Severus suspected he was actually pleased for some reason.

Inwardly shaking his head, he cleared his throat and looked at Harry. “Do you remember what I told you in Diagon Alley?” he asked, deciding that would be a good place to start. “Particularly about the Legacy Spell?”

Harry slowly nodded. “You said you would talk to me about my abilities when I was ready.”

“Correct. Well, there is something that we feel you should be told now.”

“Okay,” Harry said, relaxing slightly, now that he knew this had nothing to do with Greyback or what had happened earlier that day.

“There are different kinds of wizards in the world, some stronger than others — in magic ability,” Severus said, glancing at Dumbledore. “The unique cases include Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Mages.”

“Few people know this, but I am a Warlock,” Dumbledore put in. “I tend to avoid bringing attention to this as most people associate being a ‘Warlock’ as being ‘dark’. Though, I am ‘Chief Warlock’ for the Wizengamot, but that’s more of a title than anything else.”

“A Warlock?” Harry asked.

“My magic is stronger overall and better suited to performing advanced forms of transfiguration and combining spells with alchemy than other wizards. This ability, of course, can easily be twisted into unpleasant things, which is why people are leery about Warlocks.” Dumbledore’s eyes darkened, as if recalling something. “The Wizarding World has experienced the tyranny of many Warlocks in her history.”

“Am I a Warlock then?” Harry asked, deciding parselmagic was sort of similar to transfiguration.

“No,” Professor Sprout said, causing him to turn to her. “You are what is called a Slumbering Mage. It simply means you have the potential of becoming a specific type of Mage.”

“Okay. . . .”

“It concerns your locked magic, Potter,” Severus explained. “Once you have learned the proper amount of control, your magic will eventually unlock and you will become a fully realized Mage. An Awakened Mage, to be exact.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Harry asked.

“Not much is known about Slumbering Mages, but what is known is that they have the innate ability to manipulate magic beyond the norm. They surpass the magical prowess of all other wizards, but it takes a great deal of work and practice on their part to get to that point — fully awakening their magic,” Dumbledore answered.

“We just want you to be aware of what we know, so you will know a little of what to expect as time goes on, dear,” Professor Sprout said. “It is going to be a long while before you need to worry about much of what we’re saying, but it would be wrong of us to say nothing.”

Harry nodded, appreciating their honesty and apparent faith in him.

“So, there’s been other Slumbering Mages?” he asked.

“The last known and confirmed one was a child named Abramelino in the 1700’s. Unfortunately, he was murdered, and his murder remains a mystery,” Severus supplied.

“Merlin is rumored to have been one. Everyone knows he was a Mage, but scholars are still unsure whether or not he was an ‘Awakened’ one or not,” Poppy said, privately wanting to bop Severus. Really, to bring up murder at a time like this? !

“Merlin?” Harry was amazed.

They nodded, amused by his wonder.

“Uh, what’s the difference between a ‘Mage’ and an ‘Awakened’ one?” Harry asked.

“Well, someone who is born as a ‘Mage’ has access to all of their magic the moment they are born. It is a unique advantage, and they are naturally gifted in many aspects of magic,” Dumbledore explained. “A wizard protégé.”

“So, like a genius?” Harry asked.

“In a magical sense, yes,” Dumbledore said with a nod.

“And an ‘Awakened’ Mage?”

“This is not quite an ideal illustration, but it will have to do. Have you seen those wrist and ankle weights some muggles use to help them get in shape?” Severus asked, earning an impressed glance from Albus.

“Yeah. The neighbor at number seven wears them whenever he runs,” Harry answered, wondering what this had to do with anything. “They look pretty heavy — or at least the ones he uses.”

“Now, imagine yourself having weights like that, going throughout your day with them on all the time. It would be difficult at first, correct?”

Harry nodded.

“Well, what would happen if, after years of wearing them, you were to take them off?”

“I suppose things would be a lot easier,” Harry said. “And I’d be stronger.”

Severus nodded. “When a Slumbering Mage awakens, it is much like someone taking off weights they have been carrying for a long time. Do you understand?”

“I think so, professor, but, I mean, are you sure I’m . . . slumbering, as it’s called?” Harry asked, his fascination with it all now fading into disbelief.

“Yes,” Severus stated. “What I was shown through the Legacy Spell and what I’ve seen in the past year verifies it for me.”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked.

“From the few documented cases of Slumbering Mages, it is known that there are signs that surface as they get closer to awakening. You, Harry, have already shown some of these,” Dumbledore calmly explained.

Harry’s eyebrows rose. “What signs?”

“Your control of magic within your body and the bodies of others, for one. Granted, some of that can be contributed to your ability to use parselmagic, but not all of it. You manipulated my magic with ease when you healed my hand before Winter Break. That is quite a feat, as my magic can be rather . . . well, ‘domineering’ may be the best word. Your ability to calm your accidental magic is another. Few wizards can do what you can so soon after their emotions have gotten the better of them,” Dumbledore answered.

Harry looked down. He didn’t really feel it was a big deal.

“Well, either way, Harry, we just want you to know what to expect. We don’t want your own magic to come as a surprise to you,” Professor Sprout said soothingly, patting his hand that was resting on his knee. 

There was a brief moment of silence before the Headmaster shifted forward in his chair.

“Well, the final arrangements have been made for where you will be staying the rest of the summer,” Dumbledore said. “Would you like to meet your caretakers now, or after you have rested?”

“Now, please,” Harry said, eager to meet the people who very well may replace the Dursleys.

Dumbledore smiled, amused and relieved by Harry’s apparent resilience. “I will send them in then.”

He stood, quickly followed by Severus, Pomona, and Poppy.

O o O

“Harry, this is Master Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle Flamel,” Dumbledore introduced. “Nicholas, Perenelle . . . Harry Potter.”

Nicholas appeared to be in his mid 50’s, white peppering his brownish blond hair. He was clean shaven and was shorter than Dumbledore and had broad shoulders. Perenelle was around the same age, appearance-wise, and had her hair in a loose bun.

Harry couldn’t help but fidget where he sat.

He was going to be staying with the Flamels? !

“Hello,” he said a little shyly, but he held out his hand to shake Nicholas’.

Coral was on his left wrist, gazing at them. They didn’t seem to mind her presence at all.

“Nice to meet you, lad. I have heard a bit about you, but I hope to get to know you well for myself during the rest of the summer,” Nicholas said kindly.

“We have a room all set up for you, child. We do hope you will like it,” Perenelle said happily.

“Thank you. I’m sure I will, but I hope it hasn’t been too much trouble,” Harry said, a bit awkwardly.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, preparing the house has been quite enjoyable. It has been some time since someone has visited our humble abode,” Nicholas said with a smile.

“I will allow you all to get acquainted. I will be in my office,” Dumbledore said simply, before quietly leaving the room.

“So, this is the famous Coral,” Nicholas said, looking to the small serpent on Harry’s wrist. “Hello, madame, I am honored to meet you.”

She perked up and gave a short bow. :I think I’m going to like this man, Harry:

O o O o O

Severus was waiting in the Headmaster’s office when Albus arrived.

“I’ve contacted Madam Bones as you instructed,” he stated. “She will be here momentarily.”

“Very good, Severus,” Dumbledore said as he went to his pensieve and pulled out the vial with Harry’s memory.

He poured it in as the fireplace flared and Madam Bones stepped out. Thankfully, Dumbledore had had time earlier to repair his office, but the missing desk and side bookcase did make Madam Bones pause.

“Glad you could make it at such short notice,” Dumbledore said jovially.  

“No problem, Headmaster. I trust this is Mr. Potter’s memory of his kidnapping?” she asked, approaching the bowl.

Dumbledore nodded, putting the empty vial aside.

“I have given the portkey to someone I trust in the Department of Transportation. I hope to have the location pinpointed by the end of the day. Hopefully the boy’s memory will help us further.”

“Yes, I hope so as well,” Dumbledore agreed.

“Alright. Shall we then?” she asked.

With that, Dumbledore entered first, followed by Severus and Madam Bones.

They found themselves in a Muggle alleyway and saw Harry hurrying past them with a thick book under his arm.

-CRACK-

“Gotcha!”

Even though they knew Harry was now alright, it was still quite troubling to see Harry snatched by the massive werewolf just before they vanished.

“A portkey,” Bones stated as the scene shifted violently.

“Let me go!” Harry cried, struggling as his book fell.

They took a moment to look around the room as Greyback laughed. The room had several people around the perimeter. There were about a dozen or so adults, but what had their attention was the nine children hunkered behind them. Some had bandages on their arms. Bitten.

“Children,” Severus breathed, stunned.

“These are the missing muggleborns,” Bones whispered. “I recognize some of them from photos we had been given to help find them.”

“What do you want?” Harry asked.

They turned back around, finding Greyback staring down menacingly at Harry.

“More than I can say,” Greyback said, yanking Harry up and making him dangle in the air. “You’re such a small thing, you know, but impressive, I admit. Too bad things weren’t different. You would have made a good cub.”

“That man truly does disgust me,” Albus stated before a door opened beyond them and Harry visibly flinched from a flash of pain.

They didn’t need to guess the cause as Voldemort, still possessing Pettigrew, entered the room.

Severus was very tempted to begin mentally calling him Petermort.

“You may put him down, Greyback. I daresay his shoulder is about to pop.”

“Merlin,” Madam Bones breathed.

“Bring him to me, Greyback,” Voldemort stated.

“The deal was that I would get to play before handing him over to you,” Greyback answered, to their horror.

“Then by all means, play,” Voldemort answered with a gruesome smile.

Albus’ breath actually caught, and Severus’ already pale skin went white. Madam Bones looked absolutely sick. Their eyes shot to Harry, who was clearly horrified, his fright so plain it was heartrending.

“Fawkes’ Base!” he bellowed.

The scene shifted once more, and they watched as Harry and Greyback plummeted to the floor. They could only watch as Greyback promptly began attacking Harry, the portraits around shouting out in distress.

The crack of Harry’s wrist echoed around them as Greyback struck his side, just before Coral launched up from his pocket and latched onto his large nose. But it seemed all for naught, for soon after he had batted her away he went back to his assault, striking Harry again and again.

They wanted to look away, but couldn’t as Greyback’s giant hand came around Harry’s throat. . . .

“Get off!” Harry roared as he snapped his eyes open.

The vibrant green of his eyes morphed into a pearly white as the entire room was engulfed in magic.

They couldn’t help but jump slightly as a thrum of power reverberated up from Harry himself as the air around Greyback visibly trembled and slammed him back to bash ruthlessly into the Headmaster’s desk.

The three adults were all astonished.

Although it was clear it was accidental magic caused by desperation, the sheer strength was mind blowing.

But they knew the fight was not over as Greyback rose up, his own power undeniable as he shrugged off Harry’s impressive counterattack. Severus and Madam Bones stared at Greyback, their hatred for him clear on their faces. But Albus wasn’t watching him. His eyes were on Harry, who was moving to retrieve his wand, still not giving up in spite of how hopeless it seemed. Dumbledore looked on with a proud, but sad smile.

“I will devour you!”

Madam Bones and Severus could only watch as the memory-Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace in that moment and viciously intercepted Greyback in midflight.

Severus was instantly reminded of the few times Albus was truly furious. This had certainly been one of those times; his magic was whirling around him like a thunderous storm.

KUH-KUNG!

Bonnnnnng!

Crack. . . .

Severus didn’t bother watching the werewolf’s form slam into the bookcase. He was focused on memory-Dumbledore’s outraged face. It was one of the most intimidating things he had ever seen. Voldemort was certainly correct to fear this man.

O o O o O

“You can go in now,” a nurse said, opening the door for him.

“Thank you,” Remus replied, before entering. The nurse shut the door after him. “Sirius?”

The room was dimly lit. The healers had decided it best to keep the light dim around Mr. Black, as the years in Azkaban had been very dark. It would take some time before his eyes would be able to deal with excess light without inducing a severe headache.

“Remus?”

Remus went over by the bed and sat in the nearby chair. “I would have returned sooner, but the Healers said you needed your rest, so I—”

“Remus, you don’t need to explain. I was sleeping anyway.” His voice was quiet.

“That’s good,” Remus answered softly.

“I forgot to ask you before. I had been too out of it. Have you seen Harry?” Sirius asked after Remus had gone silent.

“I work at Hogwarts now, as the Defense teacher. I saw Harry this last term.” Remus smiled. “He looks exactly like James, but has Lily’s eyes.”

“Tell me more. What is he like? Has he done any pranks yet?” Sirius asked, shifting up on his pillow.

“He is very good in magic, particularly healing magic. He is going to be a very powerful wizard some day. He isn’t really into pranking, but that may change; though, from what I have seen, I doubt it.”

“Healing magic?” Sirius asked, curiously.

While in Azkaban, he had not been told of anything concerning the outside world. If he hadn’t been told the year, he never would have even known Harry had started Hogwarts. He didn’t know about Harry’s parselmagic, the Lycanthropy cure, the events surrounding Quirrell and Voldemort, or anything within the past year. He was completely out of the loop. All he knew was Pettigrew had somehow been found out, and the Ministry had decided to finally carry out a trial, thanks to Madam Bones and Albus Dumbledore.

“Sirius, I want you to listen very carefully, okay? A lot of this is going to be hard to believe, but it’s true.”

“Alright.”

“Harry is a parselmouth.” Remus quickly lifted his hand for silence. “Now, before you begin spouting questions, let me continue. Albus believes he got the ability from Voldemort that night, which definitely sounds plausible. Well, because of that, he can do parselmagic.”

“Parselmagic?”

“Healing and protective magic,” Remus answered before leaning forward. “It’s truly amazing, Sirius. He can heal injuries and even destroy curses. Near the start of last term, he saved Draco Malfoy’s life, so the Malfoy family now owes him a life debt.”

Sirius’ eyes widened, knowing Draco was the son of his cousin, Narcissa. “I can imagine Lucius Malfoy was not pleased with this.”

“Indeed, but he is acting like a respectable pureblood. The man may be evil, but he doesn’t mess with old magic, particularly when it will be his family that suffers.”

Sirius grunted faintly. 

“And Harry cured me. Mooney is gone, Sirius. Because of Harry, lycanthropy is being cured.”

Sirius sat up, stunned. “How is that possible?”

And so Remus told him. He told him about the white magic and how the Potion Master of Hogwarts (he neglected to say who the professor was) discovered how to distribute the cure through blood. He told him how, through Dumbledore, the method was successfully tested on him, and how it felt to finally be rid of the curse.

“That’s amazing, Remus. I wish I could have been there to see it.”

“Well, there’s always pensieves, you know. Albus has one,” Remus said with a smile.

O o O o O

Severus set his glass down. The day was finally coming to an end, but he was not ready to call it a night just yet. He had something to do.

Harry had just left with the Flamels, as it was decided the sooner he left with them the better. They had more work to do on the wards the next day, and having a child on the grounds, no matter who they were, was not a good idea. Only those constructing the wards should be present.

He wondered what things the Flamels would teach Harry, in magic and in family. He hoped Harry would benefit from his time with them.

He stood up and made his way to the fireplace and refocused on what he needed to do. He had to succeed in this.

“Malfoy Manor, Lucius’ Study,” he stated as he threw in the powder and stepped in. . . .

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” Lucius asked, looking up from his desk at Severus.

“Good evening, Lucius,” he said simply before stepping in front of the desk. “I trust you recall a previous conversation we had in my study concerning a certain obligation we share?”

Lucius put his quill aside, placing his full attention on Severus.

“Yes, Severus.”

“I believe I have a means to . . . alleviate our burden.”

Lucius smiled, his grin slightly predatory as his eyes revealed a gleam of relief. “Then, Severus, why don’t you sit and share your plan with me?”

Severus didn’t take the offered seat; instead, he went to Lucius’ bookcase and perused the shelf until his hand came to the top edge where a small, leather bound. . . .

Lucius was the kind of man who believed the best hiding places were in plain sight, as most wizards were too narrow-minded to see what was right in front of them. Unfortunately, Severus was not most wizards.

Lucius stood, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Severus stilled. “He hasn’t come to you yet, has he?” he whispered as the room suddenly became very quiet.

Lucius didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. Severus turned his head slightly, but kept his hand where it was on the shelf.

“And this is why I have come, Lucius. I have seen him, he is getting stronger, and someday, someday very soon, he will come to you and expect you to choose him over . . . everything.” Severus looked back to the bookcase and slowly removed the black diary from the shelf. “I know he gave this to you.”

“He did,” Lucius stated, his voice very thin, no longer as inviting as it had been when Severus had first entered.

“The Dark Lord doesn’t understand Old Magick as we do, Lucius, and he never will.”

“You are talking dangerously, Severus,” Lucius stated flatly, his eyes glancing down to the book in the potion master’s hands.

“The truth is dangerous, Lucius, but with it comes freedom.” Severus stepped away from the shelf, his hand clasping tightly around the book’s binding. “I have thought about this long and hard, Lucius. I know what he had promised us, but things are not as they had been. We are no longer the same gullible children we used to be. We are men, men with debts and responsibilities.”

Severus locked eyes with him, hoping to see the side of Lucius that had been destroyed by Voldemort during the years of war, before the man had been twisted beyond all hope of return.

Lucius remained where he was, his face betraying no emotion at all, but Severus had not given up hope yet.

“You’re right, Severus. We are not the same as before, but why do you think I have become a man who will not do the Dark Lord’s bidding?”

There was no going back now. After this, either their roles in the coming war would be changed forever, or curses would be exchanged and Draco would lose his father.

Severus faced him fully, unconsciously allowing some of his magic to bleed into the room.

“Because I am such a man. I have seen through the Dark Lord’s lies and false promises. Look at this diary. Do you know what it means?”

Severus lifted the book up, his thumb sliding beneath: T.M. Riddle.

Lucius’ jaw clenched.

“The Dark Lord is not a pureblood, and neither are all in his inner circle . . . including myself. Do you see the truth now, my old friend? He does not seek to form a Utopia for purebloods, but a throne for himself. And in his quest, he will see to the ruin of the world, both magical and muggle. And his followers will be the first to realize this, as I have already. Will you allow yourself to remain blind in this? Will you condemn your son to this? And what of the Old Magick? You know as well as I do that the moment Potter saved your son’s life, Potter’s enemies became yours. It is the same truth I should have come to sooner, before I allowed myself to be branded!”

Severus threw the diary onto the floor. It landed cover up with a flat thud. Lucius stared down at it, the golden letters of Lord Voldemort’s real name gleaming up at him.

“Will you trust me, Lucius?” Severus asked after a long moment.

“What are you proposing?” Lucius asked, his eyes rising to his once again.

O o O o O

Harry could hardly believe where he was. He was in the Flamels’ home!

It wasn’t what he had expected; though, he hadn’t really known what to expect.

The Flamel’s cottage lay near the center of five hundred acres. It wasn’t a castle, but it was magnificent. It had four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two offices, a kitchen, a large living/dining room, a basement, and an attic.

“You can rearrange the room however you like, Harry,” Mrs. Flamel, Perenelle, said as he entered, finding his things already waiting for him on the bed.

“I think it’s brilliant as it is,” Harry said, taking everything in.

“I’m glad you think so,” Nicholas said, beaming. “This will be your room for as long as you wish it. Tomorrow, I’ll show you some of the grounds, as there’s someone who is eager to see you.”

Harry turned, confused. “There is?”

Nicholas nodded, but it was clear he wasn’t going to reveal anything more. “Tomorrow, Harry, tomorrow. Right now, I think it’s time for bed. If you need anything, you can just call us. We’re across the hall. Or you can call Phlow if you wish. She’s one of our house elves.”

“I have one too. His name is Dobby,” Harry said. “Though, he’s at Hogwarts right now.”

“Well, if you wish, you could call him here,” Nicholas said. “The other house elves are always happy to welcome a newcomer.”

Harry nodded, deciding he might give Dobby the choice tomorrow, after he had slept. He was honestly a little too tired to explain everything to an excited Dobby at the moment.

“Breakfast will be ready in the morning. Do you like orange juice or milk?” Mrs. Flamel asked.

“Um, milk, please,” he said.

“Very good,” Mr. Flamel said before glancing at the clock. “Well, we will leave you now to get some sleep. It is getting late and Perenelle and I should probably call it a night as well.”

Harry nodded, a bit relieved they weren’t making a big deal over bedtime. Sure, he was a kid, but he had never been tucked in before and he honestly didn’t care to start now. It would be too weird.

They left quietly, giving him the privacy they correctly assumed he desired, content in knowing he would be staying with them for the rest of the summer.

O o O o O

“We sure this is the place?” a black headed auror asked.

“Quite sure,” Madam Bones stated, entering the crumbling mansion. “We traced a reliable portkey back to this property and viewed a memory from a witness. This is where they had been.”

“Well, they aren’t here now,” he stated, looking around the dirty place with distaste.

“No, they aren’t, but it’s clear they left in a hurry,” Bones stated, stepping past the auror and into the very same chamber she had seen in Harry’s memory. “Look at the floor, there’s no dust. This room was clearly used more than the others.” She pointed, indicating the clean floors before glancing behind her where the hall was littered with debris and filth.

Turning back, she headed further in, her eyes now fixed on the door where Harry’s memory had shown ‘Petermort’ entering from.

The place had already been searched, but she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy entering a room Voldemort had waited in before Greyback had arrived with Harry.

The door creaked as she opened it, making her recall Harry’s memory with even more clarity. Finally, as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, she moved forward, taking in the barren room.

“Madam?” the auror questioned behind her.

Bones didn’t answer. Instead, she lifted her wand and bathed the room with magical light. She was not about to say the trail had gone cold, not unless it was absolutely and unquestioningly true. There had to be something here. Something to tell her where the muggleborn children were, as well as their captors. She cast a complex revealing charm, hoping it may expose a bit more than footprints on the hardwood floor.

“What is that?” the auror asked, his eyes staring down at the floor.

“The imprint of a large cauldron,” Bones answered grimly.

“Merlin, why would they need one this large?”

Bones shook her head. “Nothing good comes to mind.”

O o O o O

Pomona sipped her tea before setting it down on the tiny table beside her.

“I really do wish you would take a day or two away from the castle. You haven’t had a real vacation since you became a professor, am I right?” she said.

“Oh, I don’t mind. I really do like it up here in the tower. Going anywhere else clouds my inner eye. The Headmaster has tried to get me to visit Hogsmeade, but I have reminded him of the feelings I have gotten from the beyond. It is best that I remain here.”

“Well, Sybill, if you’re sure. I just wanted to . . . Sybill?”

Pomona shifted forward in her seat in concern as Sybill went rigid.

“The beginning of the end is near! The Dark Lord will take and use the blood of his first enemy, and he will become stronger and more terrible than he ever was. Soon, he will seek to prove his supremacy, instigating a great duel that will shape and forever mark the future of the Wizarding World. The beginning of the end is near!”

Pomona stared, all of the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.

“Oh, I’m sorry, my dear, were you saying something?” Sybill asked, completely oblivious to what she had just said.

Pomona swallowed. “It’s quite alright. I was just saying it is time for me to go. Minerva wanted to see me before dinner.”

“Of course. Thanks for bringing the tea. It was quite refreshing.”

Pomona nodded and smiled kindly, all the while fighting the urge to bolt from the tower and dash to the Headmaster’s office as she made her way out of the room.