Chapter IX – One Down, One to Go

After leaving Kingsley's office Ron headed back to the soaring class, reminding Hermione to keep him up to date on what she was doing, and asking Harry to try and get back to the soaring class as soon as he could.

When Ron was gone Harry and Hermione talked about what she had to do and she decided to go with Harry to the department of Mysteries since it was the one place in the ministry where secret activities could be worked on without anybody asking questions.

When they entered the Room of Doors Hermione spoke out loud to the empty room asking it for a private room where she could work and nobody else could enter without her permission. One of the many doors opened and as she walked toward it she commented to Harry that this was like asking the Room of Requirement back at Hogwarts to become something. "It has to work on the same principle," she said, "just with more options for more users at the same time." As she walked into the other room and the door closed behind her.

Harry stood there for a moment thinking about what Hermione had said and then asked the room to show him the way to Mr. Pinkley's office. One of the doors opened into a hallway and Harry walked to the far end where there was a sign on a door that read Mr. Pinkley, Magical Theory Research. Harry knocked and a voice said, "Come in Mr. Potter and have a seat."

Pinkley reminded Harry of the ministry official, Wilkie Twycross that taught the apparation class at Hogwarts four years ago. He was small and unsubstantial almost as if a good wind would blow him away.

Harry sat down and Pinkley immediately started to ask question after question most of which Harry couldn't answer, like what was the exact temperature and humidity in the room, or how many calories Harry ate each day for the entire week before the incident. In response to Harry's question, Mr. Pinkley explained a calorie wasn't a type of vegetable but a measure of how much energy was in food.

The obvious questions like what time it happened, where it happened, who else was present, and exactly where his wand was made sense; but why Pinkley wanted to know the size of Harry's shoes, or the color of his grandmothers' eyes, or whether his grandfathers were bald Harry didn't understand.

After about a half an hour of such questions Pinkley said that was all for today. He asked how to contact Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Kreacher; then told Harry he could go until such a time that some experiments could be set up to test if Harry could repeat the incident. He gave Harry the impression that he thought Harry was lying or hallucinating the entire event and when Harry told him Ron and Hermione worked at the ministry Pinkley got all excited and told Harry to go get them now. He didn't seem happy when Harry explained that Ron was teaching a class and Hermione was working on a project for the Minister of Magic so they couldn't just stop what they were doing to come see him.

Ginny could come in after her practice some day; but Kreacher would be a problem. Harry didn't want to ask Pinkley to come to Grimmauld Place but also didn't want Pinkley to interview Kreacher without Harry being there. Pinkley insisted that Kreacher would have to come into the ministry and had to be interviewed without Harry there because house elves in the presence of their master are often intimidated and don't answer. Again Pinkley got upset when Harry hesitated about Kreacher.

After thinking over how important Kingsley thought this to be; Harry promised he would tell everyone to come see Pinkley as soon as possible. Apparently satisfied, Pinkley calmed down a bit and ducked down with his nose almost against the desk to begin going over Harry's answers. Harry hesitated only a moment and slipped out the door. When he got back to the Room of Doors he asked the room to show him where Hermione was but the room didn't open any doors. Then he remembered Hermione had asked that nobody could get into her experiment without her permission and he realized he would have to wait to tell her about Pinkley. He asked the room for the exit and returned to the classroom where Ron was going over the theory of soaring with the class.

At lunch break Harry told Ron the story of Pinkley and Ron said he would go see Pinkley now if that was alright with Harry. After finishing eating Ron left Harry to do the afternoon session and returned just after two shaking his head. At the afternoon break Ron told Harry how Pinkley got all excited when he arrived and then asked many of the same questions he had asked Harry. Other questions concerned the nature of the book Ron threw, how many pages it was, how heavy, if it had ever been in a haunted house for any length of time, and if Ron threw it underhand or overhand.

A few minutes before five, two memos arrived, one from Kingsley asking them to come to the Department of Mysteries at five; the other from Hermione asking the same thing as if she wasn't sure Kingsley would ask them.

When the entered the Room of Doors Harry hesitated to ask to see Hermione since the room didn't respond to him last time, but Ron spoke up and a door opened into a hall. Hermione must have told the room to allow them in. At the end of the hall there was another door this one without a knob on it so Harry said, "Harry Potter and Ron Weasley here to see Hermione Granger." and the door opened.

Hermione was inside with Kingsley and Clyde Chitterly but the room was empty otherwise. When the door closed behind them Hermione spoke first.

"You two are late," she said, "I already showed the Minister and Head Auror the reference book I've been using and explained the nature and theory behind a Fidelius charm. Then I preformed the charm for them; I was about to cancel the charm."

"Where did you get a reference book about Fidelius charms?" Ron asked.

"I asked the room for it and it was here." answered Hermione.

"Where is this book now?" Harry said looking around.

"On the desk." said Hermione.

"What desk?" said Ron also looking around, "The room is empty."

"The desk I cast the Fidelius charm on." said Hermione. It's hidden now by the charm so you can't find it since you're not a secret keeper."

Ron began to feel around using his arms and legs to try and bump into the desk but found nothing while Hermione and the others waited. "I don't feel any desk." he finally said.

"That's because its not here." answered Hermione.

"You said it was hidden by the charm," Ron said, "and now you're saying it isn't here. Which is it?"

"Both," said Hermione, "the charm removed the desk and everything on it from the dimensions of this room and put it into another dimension. This other dimension is part of this room but not part of the dimensions we live in. Not being a secret keeper you can't enter or reach into this other dimension. The desk is not invisible like putting a disillusionment charm or invisibility cloak on it. With them we wouldn't be able to see it but it would still be here and we could bump into it or feel it.

The secret keeper can see into the other dimension and reach the desk. Now I will remove the charm and the desk will return into the dimensions we live in."

She waved her wand in a complex motion without uttering a single word and suddenly the desk was there with a thick book resting on it.

As she watched the others' faces she said, "What I just explained about the desk is why the Horcrux at the castle can't be bumped into, felt by your Aurors, or found accidently by a stranger. As long as Bellatrix, its secret keeper is alive, it will stay in another dimension. If Luna can feel the Horcrux through the dimensional opening, and I'm not sure she will be able to, she can describe it to me and I may be able to draw it back into our dimensions. No guarantee, Mr. Minister; but we have nothing to lose by trying."

"Okay," said Kingsley, "I still don't quite understand but I agree we have nothing to lose. I will ask Luna to come see you and you explain to her what you intend to do and work out whatever logistics you think necessary. Now lets get out of here, this place gives me the willies."

"I want to go to Hogwarts tomorrow, Mr. Minister" said Hermione, "and you will have to notify my superior that I will be out of work for the next few days."

"Why Hogwarts?" asked Kingsley.

Hermione chose her words carefully, "The ministry library could only show me three books about Fidelius charms. The one I showed you was the best of them but still I think incomplete. Also I talked to some of your Magical Theory people here in the Department of Mysteries and they were of different opinions about what I am trying to do. I am hoping the Hogwarts' library may have more information and that Professor Flitwick can tell me more about these other dimensions. I know you want this kept secret but he is the only person I can think of that may be of help. Also the Sword of Gryffindor is back in Headmistress McGonagall's office and I want to ask her to borrow it when we are ready. If we do get the Horcrux we'll need it."

"Of course Hermione." answered Kingsley. "Dumbledore was my charms teacher back when I was in school but I know Filius; he's the best there is at charms and he can be trusted to keep a secret. For this to work you will have to know everything there is to know about Fidelius charms so do what you feel you have to but be careful. I'll send a memo to your superior."

That night at home Harry and Ron related their meetings with Pinkley to the girls and both promised to go see him tomorrow; Hermione before she left for Hogwarts and Ginny after practice. Harry explained to Kreacher what was expected of him and promised to go with Kreacher to Pinkley's office and that Kreacher should return to Grimmauld Place by himself when Mr. Pinkley dismissed him. He also explained that Kreacher should answer only questions that concerned the book incident and nothing else that happens at Grimmauld Place. Kreacher said he understood and would never reveal his master's secrets.

The next morning Harry accompanied Kreacher and Hermione to Pinkley's office. Hermione asked to go first so she could leave for Hogwarts and Pinkley provided a room for Kreacher to wait in. Hermione's interview took over two hours since she got into a discussion about almost every question Pinkley asked. Pinkley seemed pleased that she understood so much about the theory of magic and tried to answer all her questions.

Then she asked what he knew about Fidelius charms and she discovered he was quite versed in the theory. His explanation gave her more ideas about how to reach into other dimensions because she thought she saw now how the Room of Doors, the Room of Requirement, her Undetectable Extension charm purse and suitcases were all related to the hidden dimensions of the Fidelius charm. She was getting the feeling that she really could find the Horcrux in its new dimension.

Before she left she saw to it that Kreacher was comfortable with Pinkley and reminded him that master Harry was just upstairs if there was a problem.

It was close to noon and Ron and Harry were finishing up the morning session when Kreacher suddenly appeared in the front of the classroom.

"Kreacher," yelled Harry, "what's the matter, why are you here?" Harry looked at Ron with the 'give me a few minutes' look and then took Kreacher out into the empty hallway as Ron continued with the class.

"That man, he is nosey." Kreacher said. "He asks many personal questions about master and master's friends. When Kreacher would not tell him master's secrets he becomes angry and yells and threatens Kreacher. Master told Kreacher not to answer questions except about the book so when that man tells Kreacher he will punish Kreacher if Kreacher don't tell him what he wants to know Kreacher comes to tell master."

Harry stuck his head back through the door and saw that Ron had finished up but wouldn't let the students go so they couldn't overhear Harry's talk with Kreacher. Harry dismissed the class and brought Kreacher into the classroom where he explained to Ron what Kreacher said.

"I better take Kreacher down to Pinkley's office and get his side of the story. I'll try t be back for the start of the afternoon session.

When Harry found Pinkley locked in his office with his mouth glued shut he had to suppress a laugh.

"Please free him." said Harry and though Kreacher didn't look happy about it he removed the hex. Pinkley started yelling at Harry about an out of control house elf and how he would not put up with being treated like this and he would see to it that both Harry and Kreacher would be punished. Harry could see Kreacher ready to act again to stop Pinkley from yelling at master and ordered him to freeze and do nothing. Then he gradually got Pinkley calmed down.

"You may know a lot about Magical Theory," said Harry, "but you don't know anything about House elves. House elves are magically bound to keep their master's secrets and if they think somebody is prying into their master's business they must stop that person and defend their master. I asked that you allow me to be here when you interviewed Kreacher and you refused. I tried to explain to Kreacher what he should do; but I can't break the enchantments that bind an elf to his master.

If you are willing I will stay here while you interview Kreacher, if not I will send him home and you will get nothing. Pinkley saw that Harry was serious about sending Kreacher home and reluctantly agreed to let Harry stay. The questions Pinkley asked were no more personal than the ones he had asked Harry and just as odd. Whenever Kreacher hesitated Harry would tell him it was alright to answer and eventually Pinkley realized Harry was not trying to have Kreacher hide anything.

After about an hour Pinkley stopped the questioning. "It seems I was wrong about you Mr. Potter. When I first heard your story I thought you were trying to trick me because I never heard of magic being preformed without a wand. After your interview I thought one of your friends or this elf had done something to trick both you and me. Now I get the feeling that this is real and important. I still need to talk with this other person who was there, Miss Weasley I believe her name is, but if she tells the same story I want you here next week to begin controlled trials of this new power you have discovered

"I'm sure arrangements can be made." Harry said. "Now if you're done I will have Kreacher go home and I have to get back to the class I am supposed to be teaching."

Just then there was a knock on the door and Ginny's voice was heard from the hall. "Mr. Pinkley, this is Ginny Weasley and I'm here to be interviewed as you asked."

Harry gave her a quick kiss in passing saying he would see her at home, and took Kreacher into the hall telling him to return to Grimmauld Place and that Kreacher had done the right thing and Master Harry was proud of him.

At five Ron and Harry apparated home to find that Hermione hadn't returned yet. They listened to Ginny's story of her interview which was much like the others and Harry told the story of Kreacher's interview to a couple of roars of laughter about Pinkley's mouth being glued shut. Just before seven Hermione arrived and over the meal she told them what she had learned from Professor Flitwick.

"He told me these other dimensions vibrate at different speeds from the ones we normally live in. These vibrations should carry the presence of the Horcrux through our dimensions making it possible for Luna to feel it. He also suggested a few possible spells that would attune this dimensions vibrations to match ours. If I can do that the Horcrux will be visible to me only and I will have to stab it with the sword of Gryffindor destroying it in that dimension. It should be just as dead as if it were in our dimension. By the way he wasn't surprised when I told him about Luna; he said he always felt there was something special about her but couldn't get her to talk with him about it.

Hermione sent Luna a message over the Galleon network asking her to come as soon as she could. Luna responded that she and Rolf were close to catching a Snorkack and she would come to Grimmauld place no later than Sunday whether they got the Snorkack or not.

That will be good enough Hermione told the others. "I want to try some new experiments based on what Professor Flitwick told me and that will take the rest of the week." She said. "It's not like the Horcrux is going anywhere as long as Bellatrix is in custody.

Friday at five Ron and Harry finished the last soaring class and met Hermione at the elevator on the way home. When they reached the disapparation area Harry suddenly stopped. "You two go home without me." he said. "I just remembered Ginny asked me to pick up some of the herbs she uses in her Bludger balm poultices she puts on her bruises and I have been meaning for weeks to go to Diagon Alley to refill my potion ingredients kit. We will be starting our regular schedule after Christmas and I'm low on a few things I may need for these final classes. Do either of you want me to pick up anything for you while I'm at the Magical Apothecary."

"Ron and Hermione both decided to come along since each needed an ingredient or two. Harry said there was no reason for all of them to go and he would pick up the few things they needed along with his list but they said they might as well go, there was nothing special that had to be done at home.

When they arrived, the Apothecary was about to close and the chemist only let them in when he realized who Harry was. As they went over their needs list and as the chemist filled the order he talked with Harry.

"You're lucky," he said, "we normally would have been closed by now but our new herb supplier just left after delivering an order and I didn't lock up because I was putting the fresh herbs in the proper containers. You'll save to because we made a deal with this supplier and his prices are low enough for us to pass the price reduction along to our customers."

Harry only was paying half attention. It was still early but he was hungry and thinking of what Kreacher might be making that night. When all their orders were ready they thanked the chemist and Harry suggested they stop at the Leaky Cauldron for a drink and maybe a snack to hold them over until dinner.

None of them had been in the Leaky Cauldron for a long time and was surprised to see that the owner Tom wasn't at the bar. Instead Hannah Abbott was serving drinks and waiting tables. He hadn't seen her since Dumbledore's funeral three and a half years ago.

"Hello Hannah." he said, "Do you recognize me, I'm…"

"Harry, Ron, Hermione" she said, "of course I recognize you all; everyone recognizes you Harry. But I haven't seen any of you in here since Tom retired and sold out to my parents. I've been running the place for almost six months now but I guess you don't have a lot of free time. I read about you three and Ginny being killed in a muggle plane crash about a year ago. I was happy to find out it was a mistake. Neville said he was there but won't tell me the whole story; what really happened? Where is Ginny?"

"She's home waiting for us." Harry said trying to answer all her questions, "We had to pick up some things in Diagon Alley on the way home. You say you've seen Neville?" Harry asked. "I haven't seen him in months. That plane crash thing was just a mix-up with paperwork," Harry said not being able to tell the real story which was classified, "the muggles had us listed on the wrong plane. It got straightened out the next day.

Trying to change the topic Harry said, "So you're running the place now. We didn't know but we decided to stop for a drink and a snack before heading home."

"Well it's your lucky day," Hanna said, "Neville is eating dinner in the back room. Tell me what you want and go sit with him and I'll bring your order over."

Interested now to find out what was up; they ordered three Butterbeers. Harry also ordered a cut of his favorite treacle tart with cream; Ron and Hermione onion soup; then they headed back to talk with Neville.

Neville was at a table against the wall with his back to them. When Harry got near him he said, "Neville, what are you doing here?" and then they sat in the three open chairs at the table.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, how are you? Neville asked. "I've been meaning to stop at Grimmauld Place but I've been really busy starting up my new business."

"You started a business?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," replied Neville, "actually I've been thinking of it for more than a year and working on it for months now. I didn't want to say anything until I knew I could make it a go.

You all know I want to be the Herbology Professor at Hogwarts some day."

They all nodded and Hermione said, "Yes, we've known that for years now."

"Well," said Neville, "Professor Sprout isn't ready to retire yet. She told me when she is ready she will recommend me to take her place; but that won't be for a few years yet. In the meantime I've been thinking of what I can do and it hit me about a year ago that I should collect and grow herbs. Particularly medicinal herbs and herbs needed for potion making. "

Hanna arrived with their orders and pulled up a chair.

Neville continued as they ate, "My gran had a greenhouse at her place for years now; if fact that's why I got interested in Herbology in the first place. She has been growing some herbs for her own use but mostly flowers. I talked it over with her and I have expanded the herb section so it is large enough to provide a lot of the herbs the apothecary in Diagon ally sells and also most of what St. Mungos uses for potions.

I just got back from a two week trip to Asia where I gathered specimens of some of the herbs we import from there. I divided the greenhouse into sections for local herbs, tropical herbs, mountain herbs, and desert herbs. A few weeks ago I felt that I have a good supply of most things and I went to the people in charge at the apothecary and St. Mungos and offered them a deal to supply their needs at a lower cost than the foreign suppliers they have been using.

Hannah has been helping me with the cost and pricing part. She is great with money and book keeping. She's also a great cook and I eat here most nights. When her business gets slow we work on plans to expand my business into other items like ingredients from animal parts. I am going to South America next week to get cuttings from some to the jungle herbs we use from there. I am also adding another greenhouse next to gran's old one for the new plants. I want gran to have enough room to keep her flowers growing.

If I knew you needed supplies I would have told you to save your money. From now on come over to gran's and I'll pick and process whatever you need for free."

"They all said they couldn't take Neville's herbs without paying but he insisted. " You four helped me since the first day we met and I'll never be able to repay you for that."

It was getting close to seven so Harry, Ron, and Hermione said their good-bys and left Neville and Hannah talking about the business.

They told Ginny about Neville during dinner and she commented, "From what you say it looks like Neville has gotten over Luna and moved on like she did."

Hermione smiled and say, "Looks like we'll have to change some of our wedding invitations."

Luna arrived early Sunday afternoon with Rolf so when Hermione took Luna into the sitting room to talk about her plans the boys and Ginny were left to entertain Rolf. He turned out to be less stiff than the first impression they got the last time he visited with Luna. He had a lot of stories about his grandfather and the afternoon went quickly. Ginny invited him to come watch her practice on Monday when Luna would be at the ministry with Hermione but he declined saying he wanted to visit friends he hadn't seen in years.

Monday morning Hermione and Luna left for the Department of Mysteries accompanied by Harry who was going to see Mr. Pinkley again. Rolf went to see his friends and said he would be back late but in time for dinner. Ron who was off till after Christmas now that the Soaring classes were over offered to go see Ginny's practice and then take her to eat when she was finished. They left just after Rolf.

At five Hermione and Luna returned to Grimmauld Place to find everyone waiting except Rolf. Everyone exchanged information about their day and finally Hermione said she was satisfied with the progress she made with Luna's help and had told Kingsley they would go to the ruins in Ireland tomorrow to attempt to locate the Horcrux. Harry and Ron insisted on going with them and Hermione reminded them that had to stop at Hogwarts first to pick up the Sword of Gryffindor.

Tuesday at eight they left with Rolf also coming along. Luna had not told him about what a Horcrux was but did tell him they were trying to find 'a hidden artifact of great importance' and he wanted to see what that involved. After getting the sword; they apparated to the ruins according to Clyde's directions. Over the next two hours Luna walked slowly about with her eyes closed half of the time until finally she stopped in a room with the ceiling partially fallen in. She reached out with her hands and moved them back and forth.

"I can feel it, it's near here but I'm having trouble pinpointing exactly where." she said.

"Keep trying," Hermione said as she began waving her wand in the direction Luna was holding her hands. Hermione mumbled a spell in a language the others did know, then another spell, and then another. Then Luna began to shake. Harry and Ron got behind her knowing what was going to happen but Rolf just watched not understanding.

Hermione went on with more spells almost sounding as if she were singing something. With her left hand she pulled out the sword that she had hanging from a belt she was wearing. Suddenly Luna fell back and as the boys caught her Hermione stepped forward taking Luna's spot. She continued to speak quietly turning slowly one way then the other for several minutes. Then she jabbed the sword in front of her into nothing the others could see but the sword seemed to be pulling her forward. The sword disappeared, then Hermione's left hand and fore arm disappeared. Ron and Harry grabbed her and could feel the three of them being pulled by something. She continued to wave her wand and sing different spells and the movement of her upper left arm showed that Hermione was still jabbing the sword at something; then the three of them fell backward on the stone floor.

Hermione had dropped the sword and her left arm was lying limp at her side but she was smiling. "One down, one to go." she said.

"Are you alright?" asked Ron who was now up and trying to help Hermione get up.

"I'll be fine," Hermione said, "sore for a few days but fine. Let's go to the Ministry, Kingsley told me he wanted to hear what happened as soon as I had something to report, and he'll want to hear this."

"I would like to take Luna to your place," said Rolf, "she needs rest."

"No," said Hermione, "she will be needed at the ministry for what we have to do next. Do you agree with me Luna."

"Yes" answered Luna I know what you want Hermione, and I agree. I'll be fine Rolf. You go back to Grimmauld Place and we'll be back in two or three hours. Hermione, Harry, and Ron will help me if I need anything and you won't be allowed in to where we have to go."

Rolf looked at her for a few seconds then nodded. "I'll be waiting for you at Grimmauld Place darling Luna, please take care of yourself." and he disapparated.