A/N Thank you for all of you who read and left a review for the first chapter. Like always, I am amazed that people actually want to read my little story. Many thanks to my beta Matt2Parker for helping polish this up.

Ch. 2

Amelia woke up in the morning and found two sleeping preteens still fast asleep next to her with their arms wrapped around each other. She shook her head; smiling at the cuteness of the scene, she resolved that she would have to have another talk with her niece, and maybe have Kingsley have a talk with Harry. There was no way in hell she was going to let Sirius give him The Talk. She felt a shudder run down her spine at the thought of the old Marauder teaching Harry about the birds and the bees. Deciding not to embarrass her kids this time she quietly got out of bed slowly so as not to wake either of them. She tiptoed out of Harry's room and made her way back to her own room.

After a quick shower Amelia dressed in a set of casual robes and left her room before deciding that the kids had slept long enough for the morning and walked back to Harry's room, where Susan and Harry were exactly how she left them. Walking over to the two sleeping preteens, she leaned over the bed and gently shook both of their shoulders.

"Time to wake up you two, we have a lot to get done today" she quietly said.

Slowly two pair of eyes opened and blinked owlishly until both seemed to realize how close they were to each other and bulged comically while being surrounded by matching blushes. Harry seemed to come out of his daze first as he jumped from the bed and rushed into his bathroom quickly shutting the door behind him. Susan came out of her daze at the sound of the door slamming and Amelia saw the smile that she quickly tried to hide. "We will talk about this later young lady" Amelia told her giving her a knowing look while Susan just nodded. "Now get up and go get ready for the day." Susan jumped out of the bed and made her way to her own room while Amelia knocked on the bathroom door and told Harry to get dressed and come down for breakfast.

Breakfast was both entertaining and awkward at the same time. Entertaining as Amelia watched the shy looks pass between the two kids, and awkward as both seemed unable to string two sentences together before getting tongue tied and blushing. Luckily for Amelia's sanity, both Harry and Susan seemed to come out of it by the time breakfast ended.

"So we have two things we need to do today" Amelia told the kids. "First, Harry you need a new wand so we are going to go to Ollivanders first. While we are in the Alley do either of you want to make any more stops?"

"Can we stop at the bookstore" Harry asked. "I was hoping to get a few books on the new subjects we will be taking." Amelia nodded in agreement before handing Harry his hat and floo powder. After a whoosh of flames Harry disappeared followed by Susan and finally Amelia followed. She was greeted by loud laughter from the early morning patrons of the Leaky Cauldron. Looking around she found the cause as both Susan and Harry were working on getting off the floor, both with scarlet faces.

"It might be a good idea to wait a little longer to follow me Suzy" Harry said. "That will give me time to get off the floor and out of the way."

"Or you could just learn how to floo without falling down" Susan grumbled back sticking her tongue out.

"That's enough you two; we have a lot to do today." Both nodded and followed Amelia out the back of the pub. After Amelia opened the portal to Diagon Alley they made their way to Ollivanders. Amelia let out a relieved breath as she looked around Diagon Alley, thankful that they came early and there were few shoppers about yet. Even with Harry wearing a hat, she still feared that he would be recognized and swarmed by fans.

The three made their way to the ancient shop and entered, greeted only by the sound of a single bell above the door. Amelia peered around dark and dusty shop noting that little had changed from when she came to buy her own wand all those years ago, and then when she brought Susan here to buy hers.

"Ah Madam Bones" the eerie voice of Mister Ollivander said from the shelves. "Birch and Unicorn hair, eleven inches, strong, and rigid; a good all-around wand; and Miss Bones: Cherry wood and dragon Heart String, eleven and a half inches, nice and bendy, good for transfiguration. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this fine morning?"

"I need a new wand Mr. Ollivander" Harry said stepping out of the shadow he was standing in. "Mine doesn't seem to like me anymore."

"Hmmm, a tricky customer you were Mister Potter: Holly and Phoenix Feather, an odd combination. Let me see your wand please." Harry took out his wand and handed it to Ollivander who held it close to his eyes and ran his fingers up and down the smooth wood. "Yes, it is still in perfect order but you are right, it is no longer a match for you." Ollivander gazed at Harry through his bushy eyebrows. "I wonder what brought this change on Mister Potter."

"No need to worry about that Garret," Amelia said. "All that matters is that Harry gets a working wand."

"Of course, of course, let's find you a wand. I assume your wand hand is still your right?" Harry nodded and Ollivander disappeared into the back of the store for a few minutes before returning with an armful of boxes. "I remember how difficult it was to find you a wand the first time so I thought we would try some of the more unique combinations of wands first this time."

Realizing that this might take a while Amelia pulled out her wand and conjured two chairs for her and Susan while Harry proceeded to work his way through wand after wand. Ollivander didn't seem to mind, in fact he seemed excited by each wand Harry tried and failed to get a feeling for. Beside her Amelia felt Susan slump against her and doze off before a loud cheer startled her awake. Looking up Amelia saw both Harry and Ollivander smiling broadly as Harry brandished a wand that seemed to be radiating power.

"Wonderful. Again you proved to be a tricky customer Mr. Potter, but we have found you a match. Twelve and three quarter inches, Eucalyptus with a phoenix feather core well suited to healing." At Harry's panicked look Ollivander laughed. "Do not worry, it is the feather of another phoenix that my grandfather met on his travels through Australia where he also harvested this wood. Do not worry Mr. Potter your wand is completely unique." Amelia could tell that Harry was relieved.

"Can we get two wand holsters for Harry and Susan also Garret?" Amelia asked.

"Of course, I will also throw in a can of wand polish since Mr. Potter failed to get one the first time he was here. It's important to keep your wand polished and cared for."

After paying the man, the three left the dimly lit store into the bright sunlight of Diagon Alley. Amelia looked at her watch. "That took a little longer then I thought but we still have a few minutes to look around Flourish and Blotts." Harry nodded and took off to the bookstore, Amelia and Susan following close behind him. "So what classes did you three decide on for the fall?" Amelia asked Susan.

"Harry decided on Runes, Arithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures while Hannah and I decided against Arithmancy. I think Harry is the only Hufflepuff to take Arithmancy, most of the older puffs said it is the hardest class, and usually only Ravenclaws take it. When Harry heard he would learn to make his own spells though, he was sold."

"The kids are right, it is probably the hardest class that Hogwarts offers, but I have full confidence that Harry can handle it. Speaking of Harry, we better hurry and catch up before he buys the whole store." Susan laughed as the two witches hurried to catch up.

-(=)-

Amelia emerged first this time from the public floo in the Ministry of Magic, followed by her niece. Both women quickly turned just in time to see Harry shoot out of the floo, but this time they were able to catch him before he fell flat on his face. Amelia readjusted his cap and led the two to the security desk, and after checking in their wands they entered one of the lifts and rode it down to the department of Mysteries. They were met at the nondescript door by the familiar form of Algernon Croaker. "Amelia, so good you could make it today, and Mr. Potter, it is good to see you up and about."

"Thank you for seeing us today Croaker" Amelia said only to have her thanks waved away.

"No bother at all, what we will be doing today is rather important after all. Please, if you all could follow me." Croaker turned and after tapping his wand on the door opened it and led the three into the circular room. After stopping in the middle the doors spun around until they stopped and the group followed Croaker through the door right in front of them.

The room they entered reminded Amelia of the Hospital wing at Hogwarts, right down to the overly clean air that permeated the whole room. Along one of the walls stood numerous beds all made up with clean white sheets, while along the other side were instruments of all shapes and sizes hanging on the wall. Amelia moved to have a closer look at some of them, but couldn't deduce what any of the strange devices were used for. Amelia's inspection was interrupted by Croaker. "Now Mister Potter why don't you sit down on the bed and we can get started working on your scar?"

Harry complied and moved to the bed and sat on the edge with Susan and Amelia flanking either side of him. The group was joined by a witch around the same age as Amelia with long greying hair tied back in a tight bun and wearing the white robes worn by Saint Mungo's Healers, but without the Saint Mungo's crest on the breast. "This is Healer Wilson. She is the Chief Healer for the Department of Mysteries and as it just so happens, she is also one of the leading experts on soul magic and magical cores" Croaker said indicating the woman.

"It's nice to meet you all. I have been following your case since it was brought to our attention last year Mister Potter" Healer Wilson said smiling pleasantly. She took out her wand and in a few flicks Harry's clothes were transfigured into a hospital gown. "Now first things first, I'm going to run a few tests on your scar and then your core." Harry nodded as Healer Wilson flicked her wand a few times and summoned one of the instruments sitting along the wall. Amelia eyed the device curiously. It seemed to be a large metal fork but with only two prongs with glass orbs attached to the ends that seemed to alternate in color. Healer Wilson held the handle and pointed the device a few inches away from Harry's face and pressed a button on the handle.

The two prongs began to spin around the handle, creating a soft buzzing noise that permeated the room. Amelia watched as Harry's scar began to glow and a strand of light extended from it and went between the rotating prongs, where it coalesced into a ball of light. Healer Wilson released the button to stop the rotation, and held the device in front of her face as she studied the residue that was still caught between the prongs.

"This is Wonderful Mr. Potter: I can confirm that you did indeed have a soul shard lodged in your scar, but it has been completely removed and no trace of the soul remains." Harry smiled at the Healer relief evident on his face. Healer Wilson handed Croaker the device with the bit of light still lodged in between the two prongs and he left the room.

"What is that bit of light Healer Wilson?" Amelia asked curiously.

"That, Madam Bones, is the magical residue of Tom's soul" Healer Wilson explained. "Think of it as a fingerprint and this is the second sample we have, and that should enough to create a device that will allow us to track down other pieces of his soul. Ok Mister Potter, let's take a look at your core and see what is happening. I would like you to lie back and relax."

Harry again complied and leaned back with his hands resting on either side of his torso. "Just relax Harry" Amelia said taking his hand. Healer Wilson summoned another device from the wall and this time it appeared to be a normal pair of glasses and a pair of gloves. "These will allow me to see a virtual representation of your core and manipulate it to some degree." Healer Wilson donned the glasses and gloves and cast a few spells at Harry's chest. "Ah yes, I can see what Poppy was talking about when she said your core was unstable." To Amelia's eyes she seemed to be looking at nothing while moving an invisible globe around in front of her. "Yes your core is quite chaotic right now as It appears your magic has been fighting the soul shard to keep it from possessing you. That plus the protection that your mother imbued into you kept the soul separate. Now that it no longer has to fight the soul fragment, your core is out of flux." Healer Wilson took the glasses off and handed them to Amelia. "See for yourself Madam Bones."

Amelia put on the glasses and immediately a bright ball of light appeared floating over Harry. The globe contained torrents of green and gold light flowing like a storm in a bottle. "Do see how the colors are swirling together" Healer Wilson asked and Amelia nodded. "A normal core would be much calmer with the colors easily flowing together."

Amelia handed the glasses to Harry so he could see. "What do the colors mean?" Harry asked after a few seconds of looking at his core.

"We are not sure. Our research hasn't shown any correlation between the colors of people's core and any aspect of their magic or personality. What you are seeing isn't even an accurate depiction of your core. Your core isn't a ball of magic somewhere in your body. Instead it permeates your entire body and soul. Some have theorized that it comes directly from your soul but no one has been able to prove it. So far it is all just theory."

Harry nodded and handed the glasses to Susan to take a look before she handed them back to Healer Wilson. "I do not think you will be having too many problems. You might have some trouble at first controlling your spells, at first as your core will be a bit stronger now, but after a few weeks of practice your core should settle down and you will be right as rain."

Amelia was relieved at the news and gave the healer a smile of gratitude before smirking at Harry. "I guess it's a good thing I already have your exemption for underage magic use back home." Harry and Susan nodded. At that moment Croaker walked in with a large smile on his face.

"If everything is taken care of, then shall we move on to the next part of this meeting?" he said. Amelia nodded and helped Harry off the bed while Healer Wilson transfigured his clothes back to normal.

"If you have any questions feel free to contact me" the Healer said waving the four out of the infirmary. Amelia, Susan and Harry followed Croaker back to the spinning room and after watching the rooms spin around for a minute followed the Unspeakable through another one of the doors, this one leading to Croaker's office.

"Now, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that with the residue from Harry's scar along with the residue from Riddle's Diary, we will be able to create a device to track down the other Horcruxes. Assuming that the Diary was the first and Harry's scar was the last, we are also able to make a guess as to how many were made using some very clever Arithmancy."

Harry perked up at the mention of his new subject. "Really, how do you do that? Do you think you can show me how you did it?"

Croaker laughed at Harry's enthusiasm. "I take it you're taking Arithmancy this year?" Harry nodded. "I fear it might be a bit too advanced for you, but maybe we can go over it during the Christmas holidays after you've learned some of the basics."

Amelia cleared her throat loudly. "You mentioned some bad news."

"Ah yes, well unfortunately, we are unable to fully banish Tom while he is in his wraith form even if we get rid of all of his Horcruxes. We will have to wait till he is in some sort of a body again. This isn't too bad manly due to the fact that while he is in his wraith form, he cannot do much. My people are working on identifying all the ritual's that he could use to acquire a body again."

Amelia frowned. She didn't like the fact that they might have to let Voldemort regain a body in order to fully destroy him. "How long until we can start tracking down those vile creations?" she asked.

"It will take about two months to finish the sensor. In the mean time we can start researching Tom's background in order to narrow our search down. The device will only work if can get within a fifty mile radius of the things. Once there we should be able to track them to a more specific location."

Amelia nodded. She knew it wasn't going to be that easy. "I was thinking of forming a team of highly trusted individuals to work on this. How many Unspeakables are already involved?"

"So far only three of us, Healer Wilson, a muggleborn named Franklin White, and me. I trust both Wilson and White with my life."

"Good; I would like to bring in five other people on the team: three Aurors and two civilians; Connie Hammer, Anne Daily, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. I trust each person with this, and all have good occlumency shields."

"What about Madam Longbottom?" Croaker asked.

"I would rather leave her out of this, as she is much too public of a figure right now. I will keep her abreast of what's going on in general, but it is better if she stays out of this."

"I understand and agree with you. I will get in contact with Black and Lupin and they can start research, and I will leave the Aurors to you. We should schedule a meeting together soon to go over plans."

"Agreed, I will talk to my people and see what we can organize. Have you thought about how we are going to destroy these things when we find them?"

"Our research shows that a quick trip through the Veil of Death will take care of them. There is also Fiend Fire, and Basilisk Venom. We will probably use a combination of Basilisk Venom and then throw what remains through the Veil."

Amelia agreed that sounded like a good idea, and luckily they knew where a large supply of Basilisk Venom was. "Well I should get these two back home. I think that is enough excitement for one day. I will contact you when we can get the meeting set up."

Amelia rose from her chair and led the two kids out. When they returned to the Manor Amelia ordered the two kids into their swim costumes and into the pool for an afternoon of fun in the sun while she joined them in a lawn chair on the pool deck.

A/N A lot of exposition in this chapter but it was necessary to set up the story. Things will begin to move forward in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and as always let me know what you think in the reviews.