Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, London, 3/1/1986, 21:28
Harry had no idea why he let Sirius drag him to this meeting but apparently, it was important that Harry come with him. Harry had no intention of joining the Order of the Phoenix but Harty figured could at least hear what Dumbledore had to say.
Harry was about halfway through his trip to his second trip to South America and had been planning on enjoying this weekend with his family. He would be taking a portkey back to Brazil early Monday morning to continue collecting venom from neotropical rattlesnakes.
After that, he had to collect four hundred samples from the fer-de-lance. This snake was the most deadly snake in the region, not because of its venom which was a little less potent than Athena's, but because they lived in such close proximity to humans and were very hard to spot.
Pulling his attention back to the room, Harry recognized quite a few faces seated at the table. There were less than a dozen people here but most of them he remembered from the order of his time, the most notable of which, was Alastor Moody.
The house was almost spotless, Kreacher had been keeping the house up in the odd case one of the Black sisters came by to peruse the library.
This was the first time Harry had visited the London townhome in years and he was amazed at how nice the house loomed. Even more shocking was the caretaker, Harry didn't even recognise the old elf compared to the filthy rude version he'd met before his fifth year.
Ever since the night they had destroyed the locket, Kreacher had become a completely different elf. His appearance was always immaculate and he treated almost everyone with the utmost respect (Sirius being the one exception). And going by the spotless kitchen, he was also very thorough in his cleaning duties
Harry remained quiet as Sirius caught up with a man Harry thought to be Sturgis Podmore and sat there waiting for the meeting to start.
It was maybe five minutes later before the Hogwarts contingent of the order arrived. Dumbledore flanked and Minerva McGonagall entered the kitchen bringing the various conversations going on around the table to an immediate halt.
Harry watched as Professor McGonagall took a seat across from him and Sirius, while Dumbledore approached the head of the table and gracefully took a seat. He sat there a moment and looked around the table, his eyes twinkling brightly before he finally began to speak.
"Thank you all for coming tonight, I know some of you are not officially part of the order but I believe that you should be made aware of recent developments," Dumbledore said getting everyone's undivided attention.
"The death eaters from the last war have been conspiring to return Lord Voldemort to power, over the last two years they have steadily become more active," Dumbledore continued.
"I thought he was dead?" Alastor grunted from the seat next to Dumbledore.
"No, he was just severely injured on the night he attacked the Potters. His followers are attempting to give him aid and restore him to health," Dumbledore clarified.
"How do you know this?" Sirius asked looking worried.
"I have a spy in the death eater's ranks," Dumbledore admitted as said spy stalked into the kitchen.
"Snivelus," Sirius muttered in sudden understanding.
"Black, it's been too long," Snape sneered as he took the seat Albus gestured to on his immediate right.
"As I was saying, Voldemort's followers led by Thomas Avery and Antonin Dolohov, have begun taking steps to locate their master," Albus continued.
"A scrying ritual?" Harry asked after some thought.
"Yes, essentially. They performed the ritual during the last summer solstice and have since been trying to return to their master," Dumbledore said giving Harry a surprised look.
"If you know where he is, why not take care of him, Albus?" an older man wearing a fez asked.
"Because he is incorporeal at the moment," Harry answered before Dumbledore could speak.
"How do you know this?" Dumbledore exclaimed his eyes locking onto Harry's.
"I entered young Harry Potter's mind many years ago. I watched what happened that night through his eyes. Voldemort's body was literally vaporized by the rebounding spell but a black spectral cloud lingered long enough for me to clearly make out his Voldemort's features. It fled through the hole in the nursery wall seconds before the lad passed out from magical exhaustion," Harry lied easily, though in a way he supposed he technically wasn't lying.
"You used legilimency on s toddler?" The same man with a fez demanded angrily.
"He did, I gave him my permission. Harry didn't even notice," Sirius cut in much to Harry's relief.
"I don't suppose you have any other information on this topic?" Albus asked giving Harry a calculating look.
"Not as of yet," Harry lied, deciding there was no need to share too much information with the room at large.
"Very well, Mr Peverell is very much correct. Voldemort is not in human form at present, he is more of a spirit-like wraith," Dumbledore explained.
"I am guessing there is some ritual he could use to regain a body?" the older man wearing the fez asked sounding alarmed.
"Yes Elphias, I believe if he gains aid from his followers they can return him to a body in short order," Dumbledore answered.
"So why not take out his followers, you all know who they are?" Harry demanded as if it were obvious.
"Because we have no authority to arrest them and if we just went around killing them we'd all end up in Azkaban," Moody snorted.
"Only if you get caught," Harry pointed out giving the auror a pointed look.
"As tempting as following that course of action may seem, I would prefer to do this with as little bloodshed as possible," Dumbledore answered firmly.
"And Dolohov and a few of the others are in deep hiding, it would be near impossible to take them all out," Snape added.
"You know where they're hiding, why not take them a package with C-4 hidden inside of it," Harry suggested.
"C-4?" Sirius asked in confusion.
"Muggle explosive looks like modelling clay," Harry answered.
"I wouldn't even attempt to muck about with muggle explosives," Snape sneered as if the thought were insane.
"In other matters, Augusta Longbottom is almost certainly going to be elected minister in June. It might be wise to begin ingratiating ourselves with her," Dumbledore said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
"Good luck with that, she's still ticked off about what happened to Frank and his wife," Some guy with his dark hair in a ponytail muttered shooting Harry a dark look.
"Got something to say, mate?" Harry asked meeting the man's stare with a hard one of his own.
"That's quite enough Malcolm," Dumbledore said warningly.
"I've actually been feeding Augusta information about Cassie since she was released from Azkaban. We're not exactly friendly but we've come to an understanding, of sorts" Harry admitted taking his eyes off of Malcolm and looking towards Dumbledore.
"That was how her party was always prepared for the bills, Aunt Cassie put to the Wizengamot," Sirius piped in.
"Ah yes my favourite one was that muggleborns should pay a thousand per cent excise tax on their wands," Harry snorted at the ridiculousness of the idea.
"Do you think you could contact her on our behalf and see if she is open to working with us?" Albus asked hopefully.
"No, she and I were working together out of necessity but she won't take anything I suggest on board unless she has no choice in the matter," Harry said flatly.
"Same here," Sirius admitted.
"She hasn't been very receptive towards me either," Dumbledore confessed.
"I will approach her," The man with the ponytail sighed.
"Thank you Mr Vaisley," Dumbledore said gratefully.
"I will be out of the country starting next week as I try and track down an old friend of mine, I am hoping to close one of Voldemort's possible avenues to regaining his body," Dumbledore said to the room at large.
"You're going after Flamel, aren't you?" The man wearing the fez asked.
"I am, under no circumstances can the death eaters get their hands on it," Dumbledore said.
"Just please don't hide in the school, I don't want my niece getting injured if they decide to attack the school in hopes of stealing it," Harry said pointedly.
"I plan to have it destroyed," Dumbledore assured him.
"We have enough to be getting on with at the school because of your delinquent niece," Snape sneered.
"Yes, I heard from Andi that she borrowed my age line ward," Harry chuckled.
"You created that infernal ward!" Minerva exclaimed her eyes narrowing in his direction.
"Well um yeah, I used to put it up near the ocean to keep the kids from going into the sea unsupervised but my wife hit the roof when Ignotus activated it last summer," Harry admitted somewhat sheepishly.
"I can't say I blame her but how did Ms Tonks learn how to create them, those wards ate N.E.W.T level?" Minerva asked in a tone of exasperation.
"I have no idea but I will ask her when she comes home for the summer," Harry promised.
"Well I believe that is all for the evening, thank you all for joining me here tonight," Dumbledore said looking amused by Harry and Minerva's conversation.
The order members quickly left (Snape being the first out the door) and It didn't take long for the kitchen to clear out so that it was just Sirius, Harry and Dumbledore still seated at the table.
"Mr Peverell you seem well informed about Tom Marvolo Riddle," Dumbledore began as soon as the last member left the room.
"'I've looked into him," Harry shrugged.
"Have you found out anything of importance?" Dumbledore pressed.
"As a matter of fact, I have, "Harry answered deciding not to drag this out.
"Will you please share it with me?" Dumbledore implored while Sirius sat silently listening intently.
Harry weighed his options, on the one hand, he really did not wish to work with Dumbledore if he could avoid it. The headmaster could seriously hinder Harry's efforts to deal with Voldemort and his minions the way he planned. The headmaster preferred to stun his foes and send them to prison while Harry believed the only way to deal with them was to take them out permanently.
On the other hand, maybe combining their resources could speed up the process of removing the horcrux from little Harry and they might have a chance of preventing Voldemort's return altogether.
Dumbledore had many faults, his wish to try and redeem the death eaters being the one that irritated Harry the most. Still, there was no denying that Albus Dumbledore was insanely powerful and had decades of experience in all sorts of obscure branches of magic.
Deciding it couldn't hurt to give him some information Harry met the blue eyes of the aged headmaster
"Voldemort created soul anchors or horcruxes tying his soul to the mortal plane. My wife and I destroyed all but one back in eighty-two when we discovered a horcrux inside this very house. After figuring out what it was, we sought out the rest of them," Harry admitted.
"You destroyed them?" Dumbledore asked softly as if suddenly realizing something important.
"We did, well all but the sixth as it is attached to a five-year-old child," Harry said his eyes boring into the headmaster's.
"So you know about young Harry Potter then?" Dumbledore whispered his eyes widened in shock.
Harry gave Dumbledore a pointed look, "I have known for years. The only way I know of to destroy the soul fragment is to destroy the vessel. I believe you already know this as well," Harry replied looking frustrated.
"I've had my suspicions but that suspicion was only confirmed recently," Dumbledore confessed.
"And you have no idea how to remove it?" Harry asked looking at Dumbledore hopefully.
"None, these objects are so rare that there is very little written about them other than texts giving instructions on how to create them," Dumbledore admitted tiredly.
"I have a theory on how to remove it but it cannot be done before July thirty-first of next year at the earliest," Harry admitted.
"When Harry's core has reached the first maturation?" Dumbledore nodded his understanding.
"Exactly, there is a ritual my sister-in-law invented to remove things that are latched onto a person's core. I believe the ritual can be modified to remove the soul fragment," Harry explained.
"I would like to see this ritual. I could be of help in this matter providing the ritual is not too deep in the dark arts," Dumbledore offered.
"It's a runic ritual, but I will most likely take you up on that offer, your insight would be much appreciated," Harry agreed.
This was the result he was hoping for when He had divulged this information, with Dumbledore's assistance on the runic ritual, Harry was optimistic that they could remove the horcrux and not harm his younger self.
"See if you can get a copy of the notes for the ritual, I will look through them and give you my assessment," Dumbledore said.
"I will, though I should warn you that there is a slight chance that Harry's core will still not have matured enough on his seventh birthday. If it hasn't then we will have to wait for his eleventh birthday," Harry explained.
"My thoughts exactly, there is still a debate as to whether a child's core is strong enough to use magic at seven. Eleven has always been the point that we start their education but it has been suggested many times through the centuries to begin a magical child's education at seven when the first signs of magic appear," Dumbledore explained going into full lecture mode.
"From what I know, the first manifestations of accidental magic are a sign of a child's first maturity. Most believe their magic is too uncontrolled at that age and tied to their emotions," Harry added.
"I admit that you have surprised me with the amount of knowledge you have on this rather obscure subject," Dumbledore commented.
"I have been researching underaged magic because of my daughter, she has had the gift of parseltongue since birth and by all accounts that should not be possible," Harry explained
"Remarkable, I admit that I have never heard of such a feat but I could look into it in my private library," Dumbledore said sounding genuinely intrigued.
"I would appreciate that, headmaster," Harry said with a respectful nod.
"Not that this isn't fascinating, but how will you know if Harry's magic has matured?" Sirius asked, speaking up for the first time since the order meeting.
"That will be simple enough with a little predictive arithmancy," Dumbledore assured the Marauder.
"That's it you'll just do a few calculations and get to it?" Sirius exclaimed incredulously.
"We'll double and triple check our findings but the calculations will give us our answer," Harry explained.
"It is getting late but there is one last thing I would like to know," Albus said looking at Harry.
"What's that?" Harry asked curiously
"What were the other horcrux vessels?" Dumbledore asked.
"The locket of Salazar Slytherin, the goblet of Helga Hufflepuff, the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw, a diary belonging to T.M Riddle, and the Gaunt family ring," Harry listed off.
"Three founders relics," Dumbledore whispered looking devastated at this news.
"Yes, unfortunately there is no hope of repairing them," Harry sighed.
"I feared as much, I believe it is time I took my leave," Dumbledore said still looking troubled.
"Goodnight headmaster," Harry said.
"Just Albus will be fine," Dumbledore said before sweeping from the room.
"You realize what this means, don't you?" Sirius said with a spark of mischief in his grey eyes.
"That I am going to end up making a deal with Narcissa where I will probably end up as her personal servant waiting on her hand and foot," Harry groaned as he realised that could very well be the case.
"Narcissa is as predictable as phases of the moon," Sirius agreed, looking highly amused.
"Believe me, I know," Harry sighed as he got up from his seat.
"I'll catch you later, Peverell, Little Suzie is staying with us. I swear she and Harry are always into something," Sirius said as he got up as well.
"Mine are no better, last week Ignotus somehow got on top of the icebox, Bella about had a fit," Harry chuckled as they approached the fireplace.
"Is it alright if I come over with the kids tomorrow so they can play in the sand for a bit?" Sirius asked as he took a pinch of floo powder.
"Sure, why don't you bring Amelia and Edgar, you can stay for dinner. Jonathan and his family will be over as well," Harry suggested.
"I'll run the idea by Amy but she'll probably be thrilled to get out for a bit," Sirius said before disappearing in green flames.
Harry stood there for a moment reflecting on the conversation he had with Dumbledore tonight. He was optimistic that with Dumbledore's assistance they could remove the soul shard from his younger self. If they could accomplish this before Voldemort gained a body, they may be able to vanquish him before he had a chance to terrorise the wizarding world a second time.
'It would be nice if we can pull it off,' Harry thought as he stepped into the fire and made his way home secretly hoping the kids were still up.
Wizengamot Chamber, London, 6/12/1986, 09:39
"I present our new minister of magic, Lasy Augusta Martha Longbottom," Dumbledore called out over the chamber to roaring applause.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. I am very grateful to the peoples of the wizarding world for giving me the opportunity to hold this office. The position of minister for magic was always meant to guide the people and help pass laws for the betterment of our society as a whole. My predecessor did a lot of harm during her time in office but nothing that we cannot fix together. The country is still healing after the horrific war we fought in the last decade but I can promise you that we will heal! Thousands of Men and women gave their lives for the belief that all people that have the gift of magic are equal and I will not let their sacrifice be in vain".
"The concept of segregating, taxing, and treating witches and wizards of muggle birth as second-class citizens goes against everything this office stands for and I will do my best to abolish these outdated ideals! We are all magical, we all bleed the same colour and we can all work together to make the wizarding world a better place for our children and our grandchildren! I ask the Wizengamot to work with me in my efforts, and let the struggles of our past remain in the past so we can move the wizarding world into a new era! Once again, I want to thank the citizens of Magical Britain for giving me this chance, I promise I won't disappoint you," Augusta exclaimed loudly, her voice echoing around the Wizengamot chamber as she concluded her speech.
There was silence for perhaps a moment before the public gallery erupted into deafening applause most of the Wizengamot lords standing up and applauding as well. Harry would admit that speech was very well done, some of the darker families looked like they had swallowed a wasp but for the most part, the Wizengamot seemed to approve of Augusta's message.
Harry knew there was a fine line that had to be walked when making significant changes to the wizarding world. Any changes that infringed on century-old traditions were ultimately doomed to failure. Even Hogwarts was not exempt from this otherwise they wouldn't still use quill and parchment when pens were easier, cheaper, and cleaner to use.
No contrary to her speech, progress would be slow in overturning laws that had been in place for centuries. Hopefully, she could at least clean up her own house and do away with preferential treatment toward purebloods in the ministry.
Harry didn't expect any major changes to the country as a whole as far as muggleborns were concerned unless Augusta pulled a miracle out of that vulture hat of hers.
"Now for the first bill to put before the body," Dumbledore called out pulling Harry from his musings.
"What did you think of her speech, Peverell?" Lord Greengrass asked from his right.
"It sounded good but I'm sceptical if she can deliver," Harry shrugged as Lord Ogden stood from his seat and proposed a two per cent tax be imposed on spirits of a magical nature (mainly firewhiskey) and the money that generated be used to help fund renovations for Azkaban Prison.
"Same here, even the light side holds tightly to the ancient traditions that's why we have to wear these hideous robes," Jonathan muttered.
"That colour does not suit you," Harry agreed.
"You're one to talk," Jonathan snorted in amusement.
Harry sat and listened to Lord Ogden's proposal, it was actually penned by the new minister but she had gotten Lord Ogden to sponsor it. The greedy bastard could have just donated two per cent of his profits towards the bill but instead, he wanted that two per cent added on top of the price so it didn't affect his bottom line.
Having been a guest of the prison Harry knew the prisoner accommodations were awful not that they were planning on improving prisoner living conditions. The money this tax would generate would be directed towards wards around the prison and placing bracelets on every prisoner that wouldn't let them leave the prison ward boundaries.
Harry remembered hearing a quote in primary school that said *A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals.* If he applied this logic to their society then the wizarding world was a bunch of barbarians. The conditions inside the wizarding prison were horrific and it would be kinder to execute them than send someone to spend the rest of their lives with those soul-sucking nightmares.
Harry was pulled from his thoughts as Dumbledore called for a vote.
Harry raised his wand to vote against the new bill, he was in the minority and knew it but he couldn't see this bill being any more effective than the measures already in place. All it would really do is raise the price of butterbeer and firewhiskey.
The rest of the session went similarly with Minister Longbottom presenting bills through sponsors and most of them passing.
"Looks like Augusta's been very busy," Jonathan whispered after a bill that made the use of veritaserum compulsory in all heinous crimes was passed by a narrow margin.
"Yeah, I bet she had to call in a lot of capital to get that passed," Harry muttered.
'Harry knew he would have to keep an eye on the new minister. If it wasn't for the oath she had sworn to leave Bellatrix be, Harry would be very concerned by all of these new laws Augusta was presenting.
'Maybe some of them will do some good,' Harry sighed as the next bill was about to be presented.
Peverell Beach House, Cornwall, 7/16/1986, 15:58
Harry watched the twins playing in the waves while he and Bella lay on a sun lounger. He had just returned from his third trip to Africa and was enjoying some RR with the family.
He would be off for a few weeks before he was going to make a trip to the southeast United States to collect eastern diamondback and copperhead venom.
This time he was taking Bellatrix and the children along as he wanted to take the kids to a certain muggle theme park while he was there. Apparently, it was the happiest place on earth according to the advertisement. Harry had his doubts but he had heard great things about the park and Sanjay suggested he check it out while he was in Florida.
"Hey uncle Harry, mind if we join you?" Tonks called out from the house as she led a stockily built redhead towards them.
"This wouldn't be the Weasley boy would it?" Harry asked when they got closer.
"Charle Weasley, sir," Charlie said nervously.
"Yeah you two can join us but stay away from Athena, she still doesn't like you," Harry said indicating the snake curled up under his chair.
"I know," Tonks nodded.
"So your mother informed me that you two delinquents set up my wards at the school?" Harry asked while Bellatrix watched them over her sunglasses.
"Yes, they were a riot," Tonks exclaimed happily.
"Maybe for you but that was the second time your mother has torn strips off of me because of those damn wards," Harry scowled while Bella giggled beside him.
"I'm sorry," Tonks said though from the amused look on her face Harry doubted she meant it.
"Tonks, I'm very disappointed in you," Harry sighed looking her right in the eye.
"I really am sorry for using the wards, Uncle Harry," Tonks muttered looking worried now.
"I'm not upset about you using the wards," Harry snorted in amusement.
"Then why-
"I'm upset that you were so careless. Rule number one, don't get caught," Harry exclaimed as if it were obvious.
"It was those ceiling wards, they took longer than we planned to set them up," Charlie spoke up.
"Very well, I have a new booby trap for you two to try out," Harry said.
"You're going to help us get into trouble?" Tonks asked incredulously.
"What is family for," Harry smirked as he saw Ares Slithering over to the twins.
"There is a massive snake over there by those kids," Charlie exclaimed in horror.
"Yes, he's talking to my daughter I expect," Harry said unconcernedly.
"No, he's talking to Ignotus," Bellatrix corrected.
"Really?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Yes and Iggy is hissing back!" Bellatrix added as soon as she cast a listening charm.
"Brillant!" Harry beamed as he looked over at the twins.
Harry turned in time to see Ignotus gently run his hand over Ares' scales before the six-foot juvenile bushmaster slithered back towards the house, no doubt to retreat into the much more humid jungle room.
"Charlie whatever you do, don't step on a bushmaster's tail, they hold a grudge for a very long time," Tonks said as she pointed to Athena who was eyeing her from under Harry's chair her large head resting on her coils
§Then Watch where you walk, you pink-haired Klutz§, Athena hissed irritably.
"She understands English, Tonks. She says you should watch where you walk," Harry said as his familiar stuck her head out from under the shade of His chair.
Charlie recoiled when he saw where Tonks was pointing and took several steps back he got a good look at Athena's head.
"There's no reason to be frightened of Athena, she has a lovely temperament," Harry assured the boy.
"She's not poisonous is she?" Charlie asked warily.
"She's one of the most poisonous snakes in the western hemisphere," Harry said somewhat proudly.
"Bugger, I can't see how you would work with snakes," Charlie muttered incredulously.
"They're better than dragons," Tonks pointed out.
"They're certainly safer than dragons," Harry conceded.
"Uncle Harry worked with dragons and even captured some poachers trying to steal their eggs," Tonks said with a grin.
"Actually I haven't ever worked with dragons, I've observed them from a distance but I've never worked directly with the species," Harry said not noticing Bella giving him an approving nod.
"I want to work with Dragons when I finish school," Charlie said with a longing look in his eye.
"Good luck with that," Harry shuddered.
" Ugh, you both are insane, between his psychotic snake and those fire-breathing monsters," Tonks huffed before taking off her tee shirt and then her shorts, to reveal she was wearing a pink two-piece bikini underneath.
"Your mother lets you wear that?" Harry exclaimed in embarrassment as Charlie looked at her with his jaw hanging open.
"She wears them," Tonks exclaimed somewhat childishly
"Let Andi deal with it," Bella shrugged as Tonks took Charlie's hand and drug him to the water's edge.
"Poor kid looked like he got clobbered by a troll," Harry sniggered as Corina came up to him and handed him a pink seashell.
"That is very pretty," Harry smiled as Ignotus arrived handing Bella one as well.
"I'm thirsty," Corina said eying the bucket of Coca-Colas by his chair hopefully.
"You're a bit young for one of daddy's sodas just yet," Harry chuckled before saying, "Jangles."
'pop'
"Yes, master Harry?" The Peverell house elf asked eagerly.
"Could you please bring the twins some lemonade," Harry asked kindly
"At once sir, perhaps a sandwich as well?" Jangles offered.
"That would be nice, could you fix enough for all of us?" Harry grinned and gestured to the two giggling teens playing in the surf.
"Of course, Jangles will makes extra just in case, teenagers eat like starving dragons, Master Harry," Jangles said cheerfully.
"Jangles is starting to develop a sense of humour," Harry grinned as he conjured some child-size chairs and a small table between their lounge chairs.
"He's just now reaching adulthood," Bellatrix pointed out.
Harry lay back in his chair after he got the kids their snack and listened to the kids' chatter excitedly.
"The babies aren't really babies anymore,' Harry thought as Corina sipped her lemonade like he had seen Narcissa do countless times showing how well she was taking to her etiquette lessons with Narcissa.
It was several hours later when Narcissa and Andromeda arrived that everyone went inside for the day. Charlie had to be home by seven and left through the floo ten minutes before Jangles called them for dinner.
"So, Andi how was your day?" Narcissa asked curiously.
"It went well, I have a new case to start on. It's a land dispute but it should be pretty open and shut," Andromeda shrugged.
"When are you leaving for Florida?" Narcissa asked looking over at Harry.
"The first of August," Harry answered between bites of his salad.
"Excellent, I have the notes you asked for but I need a favour in return," Narcissa said conversationally.
"Knew that was coming," Harry muttered.
"I have an issue that requires your brand of expertise," Narcissa continued as if she hadn't heard him.
"Let's hear it," Harry sighed as he put down his fork and looked at his sister-in-law warily.
"I am brewing a potion and I need seven scales freshly plucked on the full moon," Narcissa said with an easy smile.
"What kind of scales?" Harry asked, relieved this was not like the usual tasks she set him.
"Basilisk scales," Narcissa replied casually.
"Basilisk scales," Harry repeated dumbly
"Yes, I need seven of them," Narcissa agreed.
"It's not impossible, I would have to get clearance to enter the Greek reserve and that is very difficult at present," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Don't trouble yourself with the details, I already received your pass for the night of the twenty-first," Narcissa said matter of factly.
"What is this potion for exactly?" Andromeda asked interestedly.
"It's a restorative for the mind, specifically a mind that has been damaged by overexposure to the cruciatus curse," Narcissa replied.
"Unbelievable, you're trying to get in the minister's good books, aren't you?" Harry accused, pointing his fork at her.
"Such a hurtful thing to say, as if I would be so insensitive," Narcissa said in mock offence.
"You have a deal," Harry sighed knowing full well he didn't have much choice in the matter.
"I thought I might," Narcissa said smugly before chastising Draco for picking a tomato up with her fingers.
'Looks like I will be visiting Emerald again" Harry thought as he dug into the delicious lasagna Jangles had prepared this evening.