Chapter 14

By lunchtime, Harry and Remus have assembled a fairly impressive team of cursebreakers. Fleur and Hermione talk quietly in the kitchen, Hermione telling her about the visions, dreams, and telepathy while Fleur tries to lecture her about the timeline of Veela mates. Bill and Remus inspect Regulus's magical casket, while Harry is on the phone with Ginny, arguing in a hushed voice with her about Ron.

"I just don't know. I haven't felt any particular draw towards him, but then again, he's mostly unconscious. Do you think the telepathy and everything are related to the Veela thing?" Hermione demands.

"Undoubtedly. The question is, what stage are you at? We have two weeks to unlock Regulus, but you might have less time to claim him. Veelas are naturally possessive creatures. If we can't free him before time runs out, the pain will return, and worse."

"Great."

"Hermione!" Harry suddenly calls, rushing over to her and looking extremely flustered. "Can you talk to Ginny?"

"Uh… sure?" She and Fleur share a confused glance as Hermione takes the cellphone. "Ginny?"

"Hermione! I swear to Merlin, I'm going to punch Ron. I had no idea he would do anything like this. Next time I see him, I'll -"

"Ginny! Ginny, calm down! I'm fine. What's going on?"

"The thing in the paper. I just saw it, I'm so -"

"You don't have to apologize. You're not the one that spilled my secret all over the wizarding world. What could you have done?" She replies logically. "You're halfway across the continent. Ginny, I'm fine. It's OK."

"I'd come back, but -"

"Actually, Ginny, while I have you, what do you know about the mystery informant sending letters to Harry? Because he thinks it's Draco Malfoy."

"I do not!" Harry splutters in the background. "I'm just saying, when you weigh all the evidence, it's possible -"

"He thinks it's Draco Malfoy."

"Hm. That's possible, I guess."

"Are you serious? You're on this too?"

"It's hardly a likely scenario, but I mean… it could be. You never know. Stranger things have happened."

"I will admit, it would be just like Malfoy to do the least likely thing we could think of. But even if it is him, how do we find him?"

Hermione can't see Ginny's face, but she can practically hear the shrug in her friend's voice.

"If it's Malfoy, I'd just keep an eye out. He'll show up. If there's one thing he's not, it's inconspicuous. I have to go, but I'll call you soon. Let me know if anything with Malfoy comes up, or if Ron still needs his arse kicked after you're done with him."

"I will. Bye, Ginny."

"Bye."

Hermione hands Harry back his cell.

"Thank you." He breathes, relieved. "She was just threatening Ron as loud as she could, and I couldn't make heads or tails out of anything she said."

"Well, that -" Hermione begins, but she's cut off by Remus and Bill crossing the kitchen.

"We have a plan," Bill announces. "Based on the width of the average male teenager, the shell is about four inches thick. If you think about it like an onion, there are many layers to peel back. But if you think about it as a ball of yarn, there are individual strings of magic to separate. There's some debate on how to go about dismantling the shell, whether by layers or by strings. However, since the majority of us believe it will be better, in the long run, to detangle rather than peel, that's what we'll do. Remus and I found a spell that should work. The spell itself is just "extrico veneficium hominum, and while you say it, you twirl your wand around three times, then drag it from left to right. We'll practice that a few times, then head up."

"Question," Hermione interjects, raising one hand. "Should we move Regulus to a more open area? This might get messy."

"That's probably a good idea, but the problem is, I don't know where would be a good place to park him. It? Him? I think we can say 'him.' Because there's a person in there."

"Remus!"

"Sorry. My point is, we just don't know where would be a better place to put him if we take him out of his room."

"That's true," Harry admits thoughtfully. "The basement, maybe?"

"Sure." Bill says with a nod. "I'll go up and get him. You all practice the spell, we'll get started when I finish transporting it. Does anyone want to order food? This will take a good deal of magical energy, and I don't want anyone passing out."

"I'll do it. My phone's out anyways." Harry volunteers. "The rest of you go on down."

"Hermione." Fleur pulls her aside as Remus goes downstairs and Harry dials a nearby pizza shop. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"You just said I have to get my mate out, to avoid torture and all. That's what I'm doing."

"Your magic might be a bit off, even depleted. I just don't want you to overdue it."

"Depleted? Off? Wh - the Veela thing." Hermione slumps against the wall, defeated. "Of course."

"I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you'll soon find that being a Veela is a gift. Your magic will return, stronger than ever. Just give yourself some time."

"I've given myself some time, Fleur. When will I be able to return to work as usual?"

"It's different for everyone. You might be back to normal now. There's no way to tell until something happens."

Hermione sighs.

"Thank you."

"Of course."

Hermione smiles briefly and follows the others downstairs.

"Extrico veneficium!" Harry, Hermione, Fleur, Bill, and Remus yell in unison. The casket shakes and slowly starts to come apart, with strands that look like silly string pulling away from the main body and falling to the floor, but progress comes slowly. The spell is well built, and Grindelwald is one of the most powerful witches of the age.

"It's working!" Hermione breathes, nudging Harry excitedly. He looks over, smiling fondly at how flushed with excitement her face is. He hasn't seen her looking this healthy in a long time.

A/N: I am so so sorry I haven't updated this in so long! If you're still sticking with this story, thanks. I know it hasn't gotten very interesting yet, but I'm going to try to update it more over the summer. Please leave a comment or something to let me know there are still people reading!

Love, iLeftMyHeartInNarnia