"Invaluable?" Harry snorted, not really believing it when he looked at the ragged cover. "Why?"

"Dumbledore had the original book at his office, and when I went there to try and get a job—"

"You what?"

"I tried to become a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Marvolo said, arching an eyebrow. "Anyway, he was studying this book, and when he went out of the office, I made a copy of it, including all the notes he had written in them. Like you, I wondered what he was doing with a fairy tale book… but look here…" the man said, and turned a few pages until Harry saw the strange symbol again. "This is the symbol of the so-called Hallows. They are three objects, with which the owner can conquer death itself. I tried to search for them, but to no avail. I didn't have the time to organise a full search, and I didn't stumble over any of them accidentally…Or maybe I did, I don't know."

"What kind of objects?"

"You better read the story first. It is based on the truth, like with so many sagas."

Marvolo handed Harry the book, and he began to read the tale of the three brothers. In the end, he closed it and gazed at the wall, lost in thoughts.

"You're saying they really exist? This stone, wand and cloak?"

"I'm positive. So is Dumbledore."

"One question: That invisibility cloak. What's so special about it? I mean, sure, they're rare, but aren't they all the same?"

The man looked up in surprise. "Of course not. Most have disillusion spells on them, or are made of Demiguise hair. However, they all lose their effect over time. What makes this particular cloak so special, is that throughout the centuries, it has survived, and supposedly is still as effective as when it was created. Imagine! A cloak that makes you invisible, always, without fail! And the other thing is that it should work as a shield against every hex and curse. It may be the one thing that protects one against the Killing curse…"

"Uhm, wait, what? You're talking about a cloak, that has survived centuries, still works perfectly and protects against curses on top of that?"

"Exactly. Pitifully enough, the chances to actually find it are as small as the chance that Dumbledore will die of his own this year."

"Hmm, I might start working on a condolence card for everyone then." Harry grinned, and then doubled over in laughter at the absurdity of it all.

"And what, may I ask, is so funny?"

"That cloak… is in my possession." The teen said, still grinning.

"I beg you pardon?" his lover said.

"I got it from Dumbledore. It was my dad's old cloak. A family treasure, so to say. Now I think of it, I've never been injured if I was under it either. I didn't know it was because of the cloak."

"Where is it now?" Marvolo said, perplexed.

Harry's face fell a bit. "Darn. The Order has it now. However, Ron and Hermione said they would take care of my stuff."

"I suppose it is safe then. But did you just say that you got it from Dumbledore?"

"Yes, I did. He must have borrowed it from my dad to study it…"

"I wonder why he gave it back…"

"Maybe he had no use for it anymore? Maybe, when it was finally in reach, it lost worth in Dumbledore's eyes? Often, when people strive for something their whole lives, and suddenly, they have it, they don't think it's interesting anymore. Why did you give up the hunt for these Hallows?"

"No progress, and I had better things to do than chase after fabulous objects that might exist… somewhere."

"I see your point."

"Yes, however, now I finally have a chance to see one of them, I might continue the search, if only for its scientific purposes. I'd love to see what exactly the secret behind that cloak is, for example. Can I study it, once you have it back?"

"You needn't ask that." Harry answered, taken aback. "Though I might need it as well, when trying to fulfill my tasks. Maybe you can study it at Hogwarts?"

"Yes… that might be best. I wonder if there are any clues that could lead to the other Hallows."

"What exactly is fact and fiction about them?"

"I am not sure. I do not know how this stone works. If it is the same as in the story, than it is not really useful. Bringing back people who do not want to be brought back can be very dangerous. I dabbled in Necromancy when I was in my thirties, and though I personally never went further than making Inferi—"

"What?"

"Living corpses. Muggles would call them zombies. They are controlled by the Dark wizard who created them."

"Ew. Continue please."

"I met several Necromancers who tried to communicate with the dead, or even bring them back. The last always failed though. However, the ones who could actually speak with the dead, said that it is very rare for spirits to want to come back to the living."

"I bet you would."

"Yes, I would. However, I can't."

"Can't?"

"No… did Dumbledore ever tell you why I was able to resurrect myself?"

"No. I wasn't even aware of the fact you could, not without a philosopher stone or the like."

"To cut a long story short, I've found a way to become immortal. It's good that the old man did not tell you… That lessens the possibility that he knows of it. It would be rather inconvenient for me if he did know."

Harry stared at him. "I… Immortal? Like… you can't die?"

"My body can die, but I can always find a new body. If it goes like last time however, it would take several years before I can come back. On the other hand, now I know what to do, so it may very well take just a few months."

"How?"

"The process is too long to explain, but if you want, I will tell you the basics. But first of all, I want you to think about if you want to hear it. There is knowledge that should be a secret to the world, lest it will cause destruction. Secondly, promise me to never, ever try to do this. At least, not of your own, and not without having a damn good reason. I may be hypocritical with this, because I made myself immortal when I was barely sixteen, and only with the help of books, but I knew exactly what I was doing, and why. In your case, you don't have a reason to want to live forever, right?"

"Well…" Harry said, unsure. "If you're immortal… I want to live with you as long as I possibly can. And when the Light finds out about my betrayal… No doubt would they try to kill me."

Marvolo sighed at that and gazed at Harry pensively for a few minutes. "Don't make rush decisions Harry. I thought it over for two years, knowing that I sacrificed a piece of my humanity every time I took a new step on the path to immortality. Can you? This will chance your being, my love. It will make you more… detached from the world, in some ways. I lost my emotions for years, before you showed up and made me find them again."

"Well, I have you for that, no?" Harry smiled. "Just explain how it is done. I can decide later."

"If I must… You have to make a Horcrux. A Horcrux is an object –any object- which you use to store a piece of your soul in. There are several ways of making one. For the process to be possible, you must rip your soul, so that you can store a piece of it in the object through spells. The easiest way to do this is murder. Killing rips the soul apart. It is a most painful process to do deliberately, for not only do you tear it, you also have to get it out of your body and into the object of choice."

"How high is the chance that Dumbledore knows?" Harry mused.

"He knows I am immortal, but I am not certain if he is aware of my Horcruxes."

"How many did you create?"

"I intended to make six, so I would have seven parts of soul, myself included. However, right now I have five. I wanted to use your death, when I tried to kill you as a baby, to complete the process. As you know, it got interrupted."

"And they're safe now?"

"As far as I know, they are all intact… I didn't feel anything, and I'd say that, if a piece of your soul is murdered, one would feel it, no?"

"So, these… objects, how would they look?"

"Mine?"

"I mean in general. How would they react, when they have an actual soul?"

"The soul would take over the object, and thus it would get a conscience of sorts. How it reacts depends greatly on what you use. Even I am not entirely aware of how my soul pieces act in the objects I put them in."

"Would you mind telling me about them?" Harry asked, chewing on his bottom lip, wondering if he was about to pass a privacy border.

Indeed, Marvolo's eyes bored in his for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and absently rubbed his head, his gaze drifting away again. "I suppose… I made my first when the chance was there. I had intended to make one, but I had not yet searched for a victim whose death I would use. It happened on accident. Well, the killing part. I first have to explain you how the girl I used was killed… You see, there is a room at Hogwarts, made by Slytherin when the castle was built…"Harry froze on this, not liking where he was going. "He named it the Chamber of Secrets, and placed a giant statue of himself in it, as well as a creature, his favourite pet. Have you ever heard about a Basilisk?"

Hell, I've had its blood and drool and poison all over me.

Harry merely nodded, not able to speak.

"Good, that will make things easier. Only the heir of Slytherin could open the chamber, you see, and release the snake so it could fulfill its purpose: ridding the world of filth. I have to admit that by that time, I was absolutely anti-Muggle, mudblood and blood-traitor, and also acted upon that hate, other than now. Anyway, I'm getting off trail. I released the creature from its chamber and seized control over her. It went well for a while –she could travel through the school by using the pipelines which were no longer in use-, but one day, she came outside and her gaze fell on a girl who had been crying in the bathroom. Ridiculously, the entrance of the chamber led into the girl's bathroom." Marvolo snorted. "The basilisk's gaze fell upon her and she died. I used her death to—"

"Wait a minute!" Harry frowned. "How was your soul ripped by the Basilisk accidentally killing her?"

"I released the serpent, and I had commanded it to kill whoever stood in its way. So in fact, it was I who killed her, and because I perceived it as such, I was able to create a Horcrux. I used my old diary to store my soul in it. I gave it to Lucius, so he would keep it safe until I returned. I suppose I have to ask it back one of these days…"

Harry's stomach twisted, but he was too much of a coward to admit rightout that it had been him who had stabbed the diary. Marvolo however, noticed something was wrong when he kept silent.

"Harry? What is wrong?"

"Your diary… it… it…" Not able to proceed, he just threw himself on the man and began to sob apologies as the consequences of his actions two years ago came crashing down on him, constricting his breathing. He'd destroyed a part of Marvolo's soul. In a way, he'd murdered his lover.

"Harry, please! What are you doing?"

Fearfully, Harry looked into ruby eyes. "I killed it. Your diary. I… stabbed it with a Basilisk fang." He whispered.

The last thing before he fainted was disbelief and betrayal struggling for dominance in the man's eyes.

XXx

He didn't know what to do, what to say. He could hardly believe Harry's words. Destroyed? A piece of his soul was destroyed? And on top of that, Harry claimed it to be his fault? Looking down on the teen, he cradled Harry in his arms. No. Whatever he did, he would not blame his lover for it. If anyone, he should go see Lucius to… talk… about the matter. Far more important questions then –he could figure that out later- came to the surface. Why hadn't he known? Was it because he had been in a spirit-like state or was it something else? Were his other Horcruxes safe? If Basilisk venom had destroyed the diary, then what else could be used to destroy a Horcrux? And was that fang still at Hogwarts, within Dumbledore's reach? He laid Harry on the bed, kissing the boy's forehead, and scribbled a long note to explain where he was going and what he would do, and made it abundantly clear that he was not angry at his love.

He stalked out of the room and headed to the library, where he went to the back and through a secret door in the wall. He lit the small stone room and looked at the shelves, summoning 'Secrets of the Darkest Arts' which he had copied from Hogwarts' library to be able to study it thoroughly. Flipping through the pages, he searched for a particular section, and placed the book open on the table when he had found what he had been searching for.

Following the instructions, he took a piece of parchment and some charcoal, and coloured the parchment until it was fully covered in black. Slicing open his hand, he let blood drip on the parchment, letting the charcoal absorb it.

"A Carbone Sanguinis, Anima: Prodio." he muttered.

The paper rippled, and slowly, black, ghostly images of himself rose from the paper. He breathed out in relief when he saw four come out, all different ages. It appeared that only the first had been destroyed. Then, his breath caught, as a fifth rose, and fascinated, he saw it was older then the others. he wracked his brain, trying to figure out how this could have happened. He had not created a sixth Horcrux, had he?

"Speak, my soul." Marvolo commanded the image, his eyes narrowed. "What is your vessel?"

"My vessel?" it spoke, its voice like a shadow. "Do you not know? Whenever you look in his eyes, whenever he ~speaks.~ His Horcrux hissed. "You are fortunate that he is unconscious now, for else it wouldn't have been able to appear in front of you. His mind is too strong to break from the inside out for me, although the bond has been strengthened ever since you used his blood to gain your new body."

"It cannot be…"

"And yet it is… How peculiar, that fate always binds us together, no? In his mind, I have seen strange things though, some of which I do not like… how could I, Lord Voldemort, bind myself willingly to my enemy? How could I surrender to that weakness which is love? Has a decade as a spirit made you forget the prophecy?"

"Begone!" Marvolo hissed, breaking the image while his other selves watched in silence. "I will not have a past me decide my actions!" he glared at the other, hovering black images.

"Now, you are safe still? Not moved from where I brought your vessels?"

"I have been." One of them whispered, and Marvolo snapped his head to the side to look at his Locket-Horcrux.

"By whom?"

"Black. Regulus Black. We underestimated the magic of the house-elf we borrowed to hide our soul, who apparated out of the cave and went back to wail at his master. Regulus swore revenge. However, he could not destroy it, nor could his elf, and thus I am at the house of Black's parents. Conveniently enough, it is also the Order's headquarters. Now what I am interested about… what is your new vessel? I couldn't make much out of it."

Marvolo pondered on telling his past selves about Harry, for they would have no knowledge at all about him, and looked at the book again, knowing that there should be a way to transfer his memories –all memories- to his Horcruxes. It was too much to explain.

He growled when he read that the spells had to be done within the presence of the Horcruxes instead of like this.

"I will show you when I come find you. One of the Horcruxes has been destroyed, so I will take no more risks and keep you with me."

"Good. Are we dismissed?"

"Not yet. Are any of you in the possession of someone who knows what you are?"

"My vessel is still within the ruins of the gaunt house." One spoke.

"Mine in Bella's vault."

"Mine in the chamber of lost things."

"The Order is busy with reorganising and cleaning the house. One of them steals everything he can to sell it himself. They do not know what I am, but there is a good chance that I won't be at the Order's soon."

"Who is this thief?"

"Mundungus Fletcher."

"I'll take care of him. Is there any hope that they will not remove you from the house?"

"They are throwing everything else away, but the elf is still alive and tries to keep items. He already did a few tries to take me. I suppose he is our only hope right now."

"Good, then I may still have time. If they remove you, where will they bring you?"

"I am not sure. They just throw everything away. The Waste-Centre perhaps?"

"Damn it. I hope the elf hides you. You are dismissed now."

The images disappeared in the parchment again and it became blank once more, as if having absorbed the charcoal and blood. Despite the uncertainty of whether or not he could find his locket in time, he felt relieved. The others were still where he had placed them, so finding them wouldn't be such a problem. He now had a way into Hogwarts, he could just apparate to the Gaunt house, and order Bella to bring him the cup from her vault. Deciding to begin solving these problems right now, he got up and spun around, his destination clear in his head.

Marvolo landed in the soft, soggy soil. It was raining heavily, a fact he was glad for, because it would reduce the chances to be spotted. He cast a warming and a water-repelling charm on himself to avoid becoming frozen and soaked to the bone. With steady pace, he walked upon the ruins of the small cot. Last time he had come here, it had still been an actual house… He called out in Parseltongue and dismissed all the wards he had placed around the site. It had been tricky magic he had woven here. It would make it exceptionally hard for enemies to take the Horcrux, but he himself could take it without obstacles. He inspected the stone to make sure it wasn't broken, and smiled when feeling the faint heartbeat. He placed it on his middle finger and whisked away to his home.

Before summoning Bellatrix, he decided to go see if Harry was awake already, and he found the teen sitting on his bed with the note in his hands, smiling sadly at it.

"Harry?" he asked softly. "Are you alright?"

Harry looked up and smiled, nodding. "Yeah. How'd it go?"

"I've decided to try and get my remaining Horcruxes here. I found one of them already. I'm about to get the second. The other two will be harder to find. And then… there is something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"That night… when I tried to kill you as a baby and the curse rebounded… it looks like a sliver of my soul broke off and attached itself to the nearest object it could find."

He let it sink in and realisation dawned on Harry's face. "You mean…" he rasped out. "That I have your soul… inside of me?"

"Yes. It would explain a lot. The Parseltongue, the pain of your scar…"

"About that… I haven't felt anything past weeks."

"It could be because of the ritual. I used your blood to gain a body. However, at the graveyard, your pain was even more intense than it was before, so I must admit that theory is probably inaccurate. Perhaps it was something I did subconsciously, and now I don't hate you anymore… well, these are all speculations."

"Yeah… You really don't hate me?" Harry said, looking up hopefully, and the gaze tore at Marvolo's heart.

"Of course not. I love you." He said, and embraced the teen tightly.

"I love you too." Harry whispered.

"I know… now, would you like to see how I order Bella and Lucius around?"

Mirth entered his love's eyes. "Always." He smirked.

"Then come."

They walked out of the room, and when they were on their way to Bellatrix' chambers, for she still lived here while she and her husband –and said husband's brother/lover- had nowhere else to stay, Harry broached the subject of the Hallows once again.

"You didn't tell me about that wand. The Elder wand."

"Ah yes. It is the object that initially captured my interest. Imagine an unbeatable wand… However, while it is true that it cannot be beaten, it can certainly be stolen. I researched the subject, and a simple expelliarmus charm could make someone else master of the wand. Here as well, I am more interested to see how it was made then actually use it. –though certainly, it would be nice to have- I simply don't have the time right now to search for it.

"One of my tasks is to copy and hand over Dumbledore's memories no? There might be memories among them about the Hallows."

"Hmm… if that is so, I'm sure you'll come across them. It's good to look into. Ah, we've arrived. Now, act like you did with Severus and all will be fine." Marvolo chuckled.

XXx

Bellatrix looked up when she heard a knock on her door. "Yes?" she asked, rather rudely. It opened and she froze when the Dark Lord crossed the threshold in all his glory. She tried not to stare at his perfection and lowered her gaze to the floor when falling on her knees, using the motion to reveal as much of her cleavage as possible.

"Milord. To what do I owe this honour?" She asked, and raised her head again to look up to him in adoration. Irritation and jealousy shot through her when the Potter brat stood behind her Lord.

Unworthy scoundrel. She thought and sneered inwardly. She honestly didn't know why he had been accepted so easily by the rest. Couldn't they see he was just a tool for their cause, to be cast aside as soon as his tasks were done? Tasks that he could probably never accomplish either. She wondered why she hadn't been chosen for a mission lately. But now he was here, maybe with a favour for her? Her heart swelled with pride when he spoke her name.

"Bella." He spoke, his voice as powerful and deadly as he himself. "I assume you still have that cup entrusted to you?"

"Of course! It is safe in my vault still milord!"

"I need it. Go to Gringotts and get it for me."

"Now?" she said with surprise, and froze when realising she had questioned him. His gorgeous eyes narrowed dangerously, and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze.

"I beg you pardon?" he said in a low whisper.

"I mean… of course Lord, I will get it this instant!"

"Good. Go, there is no time to waste."

Knowing better than to stall, she rushed out of the room to the meeting hall, where she could apparate, and went to Diagon alley, disguising herself with a few spells so she looked like a middle-aged short woman with brown, straight hair and light blue eyes. With a confidential stride, she walked to the colossal marble building and entered it. She was probably one of the few persons who liked goblins. They weren't interested in who you were or what side you were on. They treated every witch and wizard the same. Rude, but with blatant honesty. They always spoke their minds. Seeing one she recognised, she walked up to him.

"Tarpit?" she said coolly, and the goblin looked up, disturbed, before revealing a row of sharp, pointy teeth when he grinned.

"Mrs Lestrange… You've come for your vault? Storage?"

"No, I need to collect an item."

He scowled. "Goblin-made, I presume?"

"I believe so. However, it is not my decision."

"Ah, I see… Is he planning moves for us Goblins yet?" the goblin asked in a sour tone.

"No. My Lord is perfectly fine with your current business."

"Good. We would not want wizards to mingle in our affairs… Lords or not."

Bellatrix scrunched her nose when the almost-insult was uttered concerning her Lord, but decided to let it slip. "Here is the key." She said. Tarpit inspected it and nodded, waving another goblin to bring her to her vault.

Twenty minutes later, she had accomplished her mission and walked out of the building, the shrunken cup in her pocket. However, she stopped when she heard someone call out:

"Buy here, nice artifacts, jewelry, furniture, books and more! All for a nice price!"

Interested, she approached the small man, and snorted when seeing a third-rate thief.

"Let me see your… wares." she said, and the man turned to her with a hopeful and greedy gaze. Her eyes scanned the goods, but she saw nothing noteworthy. "You call this merchandise?" she asked, one of her eyebrows quirked. "This is garbage!"

"Antique!" he defended. "All antique!"

"I'm sure…" she scoffed.

"No, wait, Madam! Come by tomorrow, and I will show you my finest wares! This is only a fraction of what I have!"

"Really… then what are you fabulous treasures?"

"I… I have a locket…" he said, lowering his voice till it was but a whisper. "Very valuable, with real emeralds on it!"

"And that is actually in your possession, or do you yet have to steal it? Oh no, don't say anything, please," she said when he opened his mouth to reply. "It isn't hard to see that you do not have enough money to acquire such a fine piece as you described."

"I will be able to have it by tomorrow." He scowled.

"Hmm, I don't have anything to lose by just looking, have I? Very well, I'll come by tomorrow. Have it ready by then."

"Thank you madam! I assure you, it's a good choice!"

"We'll see." She said skeptically.

She apparated back, apologised profoundly for the delay, and handed her Lord the cup, marveling in the feeling of his skin when her fingers grazed hers. She managed to throw Potter the most evil look she could muster and sat down in front of the fire again with a book. Yes, her evening had gone well…

XXx

When Bellatrix apparated away to get Marvolo's Horcrux, they went to the meeting room, where his lover called for Lucius. The man came immediately, thoroughly confused as to why he had been called. Harry saw that Marvolo was a bit in a menacing mood, something which aroused him to no end.

"Lucius… I take it you have no idea why I summoned you? None at all?" the man said coolly. Remaining silent, Malfoy just shook his head. "Really… Years ago, before my… absence… I entrusted a book to you. A very important object. Any idea where it is?"

Malfoy paled, and shot a quick glance at Harry, who ignored him in favor of glancing at his lover, thinking about how hot he looked from the side.

"I…" he began, and wetted his lips when a strangled sound came out. "I didn't think it was all that important…" he whispered, tensing up when his Lord's wand came out and Voldemort began to circle around him.

"And here I thought I had made that clear. Were my orders that vague? To just keep it with you on a safe place? I must say that I am disappointed with you, Lucius. What happened to it, exactly? What caused its destruction?"

Lucius frowned, and looked at Harry again. "He—" Malfoy began, and cried out when he was thrown through the room a few feet and smacked on the floor, a red streak on his face.

"I don't recall telling you to ensure it went to Hogwarts, where my enemies were. I don't recall telling you to use it for your own gain, as I'm sure that is what happened. I didn't tell you to let it out of your sight!" He yelled, outraged, and his wand swept down again. Lucius cramped and his limbs twitched under the curse. His breathing became ragged and hoarse, as if he had trouble breathing. "And yet you did… explain yourself!"

The curse was lifted, and Lucius took a moment to recover before he spoke, avoiding Voldemort's gaze. "I have no excuse." He whispered hoarsely. "It is as you say, Milord. I was simply looking for my own profit."

"At least he's honest." Harry spoke up, and Marvolo stared at him with disbelief. "What? He could have tried to worm his way out of it and he didn't…"

"He should have told me himself the moment I came back!" the man snarled. "I was lucky I came to know it now, but what if I had discovered this too late? I should tear him apart and feed him to my chimaeras!"

"You have chimaeras?" Harry said in astonishment.

"Yes, but that doesn't matter now…" he said and began to pace. "What should I do with you, Lucius? Clearly, I can't trust you as much as I used to. However, you have made it far in politics. It would be a waste to try and get someone else in that position…"Harry could see his brain working, trying to consider all possibilities in mere seconds. "I ban you from your position as second in command Lucius." Marvolo said, frowning. "Also, I will cancel your current tasks until I have found something more fit for you. In the meantime, do as you wish on the Ministry, and work harder so that you may get closer to the Minister. I need him to be controlled like a puppet, so that I can use him to change more laws. Understood?"

"Yes, Milord." Malfoy said, quivering, and obviously relieved that he hadn't been killed.

"Now, go home. We won't speak about this matter anymore."

"Thank you, Lord."

Marvolo spun on his heel and stalked out of the room, his anger still clear, yet not so much as before. Guessing he wanted to check if Bellatrix was back already, Harry rushed after him. It surely had been a full day, he thought, when really getting the need to go to bed.

Some days passed, in which not much eventful happened. Another meeting was held, but it was more of the same, though Harry heard Karkaroff had been found. He had guessed that he would be killed for his treachery, but Marvolo had rethought that decision, not wanting to lose the control over Durmstrang. Karkaroff was now at the school again, though under supervision of some Death Eaters. Furthermore, the Alpha of Nicane had visited the dark quarters to establish an alliance between him and the Dark side. It appeared Greyback had given in and shared the land sooner than Harry had thought he would.

Harry was now sauntering through the library and checking up some information about potions when a group of Death Eaters came in. Harry remembered their faces and recognised them as a team that was working on trying to erase trails the other Death Eaters made. Remembering the tasks he had to do at Hogwarts, which would surely involve making sure his tracks were covered, he decided to ask for some tips and spells. He hadn't seen Eyolf anymore, and wanted to make sure he didn't made huge errors. Thus, he needed instruction.

"I'm sorry, can I ask something?" he asked upon approaching the group. They looked up in surprise and wariness, but some of them looked friendly.

"Naturally." A man said.

"Good. I got certain... missions, but seeing as I am not used to being very careful when I do something, do you have any spells which I could use, or information in general? I know you are part of the tailing team, and thus I thought..."

"Certainly, certainly." The same man spoke again. "I'll teach you the basics, if you wish?"

"Would be helpful."

"Great. Now, You cannot perform magic here right?"

"Pitifully enough."

"Indeed it is... well, I'll just have to teach you the non-magical part of it. "He waved at a table, and suddenly it was full of trinkets and dusty objects. "You can only learn by doing, and doing it fast. I give you fifteen seconds to bring me the black quill, the small round vase, a silver watch and the piece of silk. Starting now."

Walking towards the table, he quickly found the artifacts and brought them to the man. "Here. And now?"

"And now you have fifteen seconds to place them back again. And make sure it is on the same spot. Exactly the same spot." He smirked. Harry blinked, not having expected that, and went towards the table again. Then he stood there with a puzzled expression, wondering what he had taken from where.

"Time's up." The voice behind him said dryly. Let me guess, you had no idea where to place what?"

"Yeah." Harry admitted sheepishly.

"Don't worry, happens to everyone. Really, everyone. Now there's a handy spell for this, which you can practice later, but for now, try to take in as much as you can of the scene in the first few moments before taking the items..."

The rest of the hour, Harry was instructed how to blend in with the shadows, how to walk without sound and to remember how to place back objects within a short period of time. It was really helpful, and he made a mental note to practice every one of those skills every day from now on, so it would aid his missions. Breaking into Dumbledore's office would go more smoothly then he'd anticipated when he'd been given the assignment, he thought.

A Carbone Sanguinis, Anima: Prodio: By blooded charcoal, soul, come forth.

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xx GeMerope