Seeing the situation

It didn't take long before the infirmary was filled with Kingsley, Hermione, Ron, most of the Weasley family, the Malfoy family, and Neville Longbottom and his grandmother Augusta. Most people would think it was weird that Harry had asked Neville to come when he had nothing to do with the Ministry or the war, but Harry knew Neville's grandmother was well-connected and she might have some information. Even if she didn't, Neville was easily over-looked by most people so it was good to have someone (besides Serenity) at the school who could help give them information or help the other students without anyone knowing.

Everyone grabbed or conjured chairs and was soon seated around Harry, Harry noticed that they were all looking at him and realized it was because he had been chosen as the defacto leader. It did make sense, after all Harry had asked everyone here, and he was the person these types of things usually revolved around, so it wasn't completely strange to have everyone looking to him for a lead-off into whatever they were facing. It was a slightly new experience for Harry who was not use to being in charge or gathering information (especially from people much older and more experienced then he was), but Harry decided not to worry about that right now.

Harry focused on the task at hand and turned to Kingsley, "can you tell us what's going on with the Ministry and what they think about Mr. Olivander."

Kingsley said, "As crazy as it sounds, the Death Eater attack was a pre-emptive strike. Somehow information got to the Death Eaters that the Minister himself was going to question Mr. Olivander so they went after him before the Ministry could."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "what did the Minister of magic want with Mr. Olivander?"

Kingsley shook his head, "I don't know. It's possible he wanted a back-up wand made, but I do not think so."

Harry asked, "back-up wand?"

Kingsley nodded, "Yes, many people who work in the Ministry have two wands made, the second is a back-up wand in case your primary wand is lost or broken in a duel or taken from you when you are attacked. That way there is another wand available to defend yourself with. Most people keep it quiet so that is a possibility, but I do not think that is what happened. I think the Minister wanted information on rare and obscure magical items."

Harry pointed out, "So the Ministry and the Death Eaters are both after the same thing, and the Death Eaters heard the Ministry were going after Mr. Olivander, so they beat him to the punch."

Kingsley said, "It's the most logical solution."

Harry asked, "But why go after a wand maker?"

Lucius spoke up, "The Death Eaters are trying to find a way to restore the Dark Lord to power. Whatever this object is it would be old magic. A powerful magical object of some kind would be hard to find and difficult to use. Wand makers study obscure aspects of magic that most witches and wizards do not, which means Mr. Olivander would have a great deal of knowledge that could be used by either side. What's more because most witches and wizard in the U.K. get their wands at Olivanders' shop people who come in might discuss things without paying attention to what they are saying when Mr. Olivander is around. What's more Olivander has many contacts and access to other witches and wizards which makes him very well-connected. A Wand maker like Olivander would be a good source of information."

Harry said, "So they might be after something having to do with wands, but there's a good chance it doesn't have to do with wands at all. So we are back to square one. What in the world would be helpful in either stopping the Death Eaters or bringing Voldemort back to power?"

Lucius said, "That I do not know."

Harry put his head back, "Hermione, Ron, did you guys find anything in or on the stuff Dumbledore left for you?"

Ron shook his head, "sorry mate, but no. Far as I can tell this things just takes the lights out of a room and puts them back when you click it again. There aren't any magical symbols, or words, or initials on it. Bill even took a look at it for me and he didn't find a thing."

Hermione spoke up, "Harry I've read this book over and over, and I don't see anything odd, but I did notice something." Hermione thumbed through The Tales of Beadle the Barduntil she came to the title page. She held it open and Harry saw a symbol similar to the one that Mr. Lovegood had been wearing at Bill and Fluer's wedding (the symbol Victor had said was Grindlewald's) Hermione said, "At first I thought it was an eye, but now I can tell it's been inked in."

Harry looked at it and said, "Victor said this symbol had to do with Grindlewald, and we know Dumbledore defeated Grindlewald so whatever it is we're looking for probably has to do with Grindlewald or belonged to Grindlewald when he was still alive."

Lucius and Severus both nodded as Lucius said, "It does make the most sense, after all Grindlewald was similar to the Dark Lord in many ways and undoubtedly collected many dark artifacts during his lifetime. It is possible some of those items became Dumbledores' after he defeated Grindlewald."

Harry asked, "But wouldn't the Ministry have confiscated anything dark?"

Lucius pointed out, "they would if they knew it was dark, but as you are well aware many dark objects often look relatively harmless. What's more certain magical objects bond with the witch or wizard who owns them and can only be taken from that witch or wizard after they die. If the witch or wizard is killed then those items become the property of whomever took their life. If the witch or wizard dies naturally the item is passed to the next living heir, usually their first born child or the item becomes completely useless. Some things will only bond with a witch or wizard under certain circumstances and once that person is dead the object will no longer function correctly."

Harry asked, "Mr. Malfoy, do you have any idea what the Death Eaters could be after?" then he turned to Severus, "Or you sir, anything at all?"

The two men looked at each for a moment and then Severus said, "During my time as a spy I heard whisperings of magical items that the Dark Lord himself was determined to gain possession of. Apparently the Dark Lord believed these items would grant him the ability to truly overcome death. However, I do not know what these items are or even if they really exist or were simply the ravings of an obsessive mad man."

Harry said, "it seems like several people think these things (or some of them are real) and it doesn't seem like this is just some rumor. I mean the Death Eaters I can see going nuts over the possibility of something that can give back what they lost, but Scrimgeour, never. He is way too careful. He wouldn't just go running off on a wild goose chase unless he had a really good reason to believe it was worth the trouble."

Kingsley said, "that is very true, I can tell that this matter is very important to Scrimgeour which means it's something he feels is a strong threat to him or something that will provide him with a great deal of strength."

Sirius added, "Yeah, Scrim isn't the type to go chasing rainbows, these things are definitely real."

Harry turned back to Severus and Lucius, "So you have no idea what specifically they are after or what it is supposed to do?"

Lucius crossed his arms and said, "It would probably be some kinds of magical object used for necromancy or the summoning of spirits. Once they called upon the Dark Lords' spirit it would be easier to bring the Dark Lord back to power."

Severus nodded, "Yes, there are many dark magic items used to summon the dead or communicate with the dead. However, magic like that can be dangerous, there is always the possibility you will not summon the correct spirit or that the spell or the object will have an adverse affect on the casters. In some cases such items can even cause the death of the casters. That is why most witches and wizards shy away from such spells."

Harry scratched his head, "but that doesn't make any sense, what would the Minister of magic want with something that would summon the dead? How would that help him beat the left-over Death Eaters?"

Kingsley said, "Scirmgeour may be willing to go to extremes, but necromancy is a line even he would never cross. He wouldn't be willing to risk his own life on the off chance of accessing some obscure magic. Especially when it's something as uncertain as necromancy which does not often work correctly."

Harry felt like he'd been punched in the gut, "Oh dear sweet Merlin."

Harry looked around and saw that Hermione, Severus, Remus, and Serenity all seemed to have reached the same conclusion he had. Ron asked, "What, what's wrong?"

Hermione said, "Don't you see Ron, if the Death Eaters want something that will summon a spirit. The Minister wants to stop the Death Eaters with a powerful old magical object, but he wouldn't use necromancy. So the Death Eaters and the Minister are each looking for two separate; old, powerful, magical objects that each are intended to do something entirely different."

Ron's eyes went wide, "Which means that what we're doing just got twice as hard."

Harry nodded feeling his stomach drop, "Wonderful, so why did the Death Eaters go after Mr. Olivander, did they not figure this out? Or did they really think Mr. Olivander has information they need?"

Severus said, "It could honestly be either one."

Harry turned to Sirius, "Dad did you find anything in your book?"

Sirius said, "I've looked through it a few times Kiddo, but I haven't seen anything yet."

Harry asked, "What about the box?"

Remus said, "I Placed several items in it then closed the lid, but nothing happened, this box may need a specific pass word or magical signature, or set of circumstances to work correctly."

Hermione suddenly jerked her head up, "Professor, could you hand me the box?"

Remus said, "Yes, of course." And passed it to Hermione.

Hermione turned to Ron, "hand me the Deluminator, Sirius, I'll need your book, and Harry I'll need your snitch."

Harry took the snitch out of his pocket and handed it over to Hermione as Sirius and Ron handed over the book and Deluminator."

Hermione carefully put the books down inside the box then placed the snitch and the Deluminator on top of them and closed the box. After a few moments she opened. Nothing happened, the items were exactly where they had been, and there was no change or alteration to the items. Harry even picked up the snitch and put it to his lips again, hoping that it would open, but nothing happened.

Hermione looked disappointed while Harry and Ron cursed, "It was a good idea Hermione."

Hermione said, "It seemed the most logical conclusion."

Serenity said, "Hermione, it was great idea, but you need to remember this is Dumbledore we're talking about, logic wasn't ever his thing."

Hermione nodded in understanding while Harry turned to Augusta Longbottom, "Mrs. Longbottom, I know you have a great deal of connections with many people and you did know Dumbledore. Do you have any idea what these items could be or how we should go about finding them?"

Harry had never met Neville's grandmother before, but he knew she was a wealthy well-connected witch with a great deal of knowledge about obscure magic. This was because the Longbottom family had a family history of researching and studying obscure aspects of magic. In fact many of Neville's ancestors (and living relatives) were magical scholars.

Augusta said, "There are several items I can think of that are able to contact or summon spirits or grant a wizard excessive power, but none of the ones I know of are connected to Grindlewald in any way."

Harry pointed out, "Well something's better than nothing, and at least it could give us a place to start."

Augusta nodded, "Well there is the scepter of Osiris. According to legend the ancient Egyptians used this magical scepter to commune with deceased pharaohs or priests, or even call upon the gods themselves. It is said to be about a yard long and made of solid ivory taken from the tusk of the oldest elephant in the area at the time. Legend says the chief priest of Osiris sacrificed this great bull elephant to the god Osiris and then used one of the tusks to make the scepter and the other tusk was used to make and a staff for the chief priest himself. This staff was passed form chief priest to chief priest, and it is said that if you unite the two together it will offer the witch or wizard who wields it great power."

Harry nodded, "So that is an option."

Augusta said, "Yes, but it is said that you need to be a servant of Osiris and priestess of that order to control, or even handle these objects without being killed."

Severus spoke up, "the Death Eaters probably wouldn't care about that, they would believe that as servants of the Dark Lord they have knowledge or and control over powerful magical objects so they would not shy away from something just because it is said you need certain knowledge to control them."

Augusta nodded in agreement and continued, "I think it more likely the Death Eaters are seeking items that once belonged to the founders of Hogwarts."

Harry sat up, "the founders?"

Augusta nodded, "Yes, you have encountered one yourself Mr. Potter-Black, the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Using it allowed you the slay the basilisk in your second year. Each of the founders had personal magical object that would be a powerful tool to be used for either good or evil magic. These items would be connected to the founders and their abilities. Salazar Slytherin was a potions master who also experimented with necromancy so any items of his might be able to perform such tasks. Roweena Ravenclaw was a powerful seer who foretold many prophecies and was also incredibly knowledgeable in magical arts, so her items could also be used to contact the dead (theoretically). Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff were both very powerful and they experimented with magical items that could be used to focus or amplify the magic a witch or wizard can wield."

Harry said, "So that's probably our best bet."

Lucius and Severus both nodded as Lucius said, "Yes. Mr. Potter-Black, the Dark Lord was obsessed with this school, he believed that as the last living heir to one of the four founders he, and he alone, had the right to control this school and mold it into the type of institution he wanted. It's why he cursed the Defense Against the Dark Arts position when Dumbledore denied it to him, and also part of why he so resented Dumbledore."

Severus added, "The most likely option for either the Ministry or the Death Eaters would be a combination of items. For example using something that once belong to Salazar Slytherin in combination with an item of Roweena Ravenclaws' would make it easier (an more likely) to successfully contact a spirit and possibly restore them to life. While an item of Godric Gryffindor's combined with an item of Helga Hufflepuff's would amplify the power of a witch or wizard and allow the Minister to defeat the Death Eaters or overpower almost anyone."

Harry asked, "So beside the sword, does anyone know what these items are or how to find them?"

Severus answered, "The Dark Lord did have a family ring that he wore his last few years at Hogwarts, it was whispered that the ring assisted him in finding and opening the Chamber of Secrets."

Lucius pointed out, "there was also, according to legend, a locket that belonged to Salazar Slytherin that may have belonged to the Dark Lord's mother before she died."

Harry took out his notebook and wrote it down, the locket, the sword, the ring. Then Harry asked, "what about Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?"

Augusta said, "there is the lost diadem of Ravenclaw, it is a small crown like a tiara, but it has been lost for centuries. Many witches and wizards have dedicated their lives to finding the diadem with no success. Then there was the cup of Helga Hufflepuff which once belonged to an affluent witch, but vanished after her death."

Severus said, "I believe that the Dark Lord also possessed the cup, of the diadem I do not know."

Lucius said, "Yes I agree, I never heard tell of the diadem, but the Dark Lord did have several items he was very protective of, and I know one of them was a cup."

They proceeded to give a description of the items and Harry took notes instantly thinking, "This has got to be it, this has got to be what we're looking for. After all Grindlewald was a dark wizard so he would have been after these types of things. Dumbledore was the Headmaster of Hogwarts so he probably knew about these things and had access to them because he was Headmaster."

The others nodded, it made the most sense. Harry said, "SO now all we have to do is figure out where these things might be."

Severus gestured at the walls, "The school would be the best place to begin, we know for a fact one item is here."

Harry asked, "Has the Minister tried to ask for the sword?"

Kingsley shook his head, "Not to my knowledge."

Harry asked, "Do you know what the Minister is planning to do now that this attack on Mr. Olivander has occurred?"

Kingsley sighed, "It's going to be heavy handed. You have to understand Harry the Dark Lord is gone, people are starting to settle back into their lives and feel safe again. And then this happens. Scrimgeour has to be seen as dealing with the problem, quickly and effectively. And knowing him it's not going to be an easy thing."

Harry nodded, "Alright, so we need to figure out where these items might be and how we use them once we find them. We also need to figure out why the Minister hasn't gone after the sword yet and what the next move for both sides would be. Where will they look? Who will they go to for additional information?"

Lucius spoke up, "I have a few contacts left, I may be able to get some information, also there are people and places the Death Eaters have accessed in the past in order to gain information. Logically they might go to those same sources again. I can go to some of those places and talk to many of those individuals."

Severus added, "As can I."

Harry asked, "Would that be safe?"

Severus gave a smirk, "Mr. Potter-Black one does not survive as a spy for over 20 years without knowing how to make subtle inquiries safely."

Lucius said, "I am more than capable of taking care of myself and ensuring safety for myself and my family. You do not need to worry about everyone Mr. Potter-Black we are both adults and capable of taking care of ourselves and responsible for our own actions and choices."

Harry said, "I know, but I still don't want anyone to take any unnecessary risks."

Kingsley said, "I'll continue to make inquiries and keep my eyes and ears open as to the plans of the Ministry and I'll try to let you know what's happening, before anything actually happens. That way there's a chance to cut it off at the pass."

Sirius said, "we should check the Chamber of Secrets for anything that might be hidden there, if Voldemort did leave something in the school that's probably one of the places he would have felt comfortable leaving it in. I don't think there'd be anything in any of the common rooms because there's just too much risk of someone else happening upon it no matter how well it's hidden, but maybe some of the tunnels or hidden passages might have something."

Remus said, "And we should ask Minerva to allow us to search the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore lived there for years and he may have left something behind there as well. At the very least we could be given the opportunity to examine the sword again."

Hermione pointed out, "We should also talk to Bathilda Bagshot, she knew Dumbledore, and Dumbledore left Sirius a book that she wrote so it makes sense she might have something."

Harry nodded, "Sirius, what about your family vaults, would anything be hidden there? Your brother was a Death Eater."

Sirius said, "Yes he was, but Regulus was not very high ranking, and he only served Voldemort for three years before he died. Still, we can check. Kreacher did just finish that inventory of the vaults so we can look through it and check the vaults themselves."

Harry felt some of the tension leave him, for the first times since this all started he had the feeling that they were on the right path and had the chance of getting ahead of the entire mess before it all came too far. As soon as he recovered Harry promised himself that he would began searching the school for possessions of the four founders and speaking to anyone who might know where to find such things. Despite the reassurance that this meeting had on Harry he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more out there, something that he was forgetting. Something important he needed to do. Harry couldn't help feeling that this was much bigger and more complicated than any of them had realized and that they weren't quite where they needed to be to find what they needed.

a/n as promised next chap is here. Hope you liked it please review.