Recognizable characters belong to the great and mighty JKR, the rest belongs to me and my psyche.
When the group met back together a week later, everyone had finished their assigned task. Snape had "interrogated" Lucius Malfoy, Arthur had created a wearable alarm that did not require a wand to operate, and Molly had made Snape a clock similar to the one she used for the children indicating where they were at all times. Snape had been so impressed by the alarm that he floo'd home to take it to Harry right away, helping him conceal it under his shirt before returning to the meeting. Minerva's contribution had been to research and try and trace the transfiguration of the puppy, and Dumbledore strengthened the wards both at Spinner's End and the Burrow. But even with all this work, Snape was not satisfied.
"But we're just waiting for him to strike again!" he complained, knowing that there was little else they could do.
"He or she will have to show themselves before we can know more," Minerva sighed. "There is some strange magic going on here, something out of our regular experience."
"I'm afraid there is not much else to do," Dumbledore told them despondently. "We have done our best to prevent his being captured and to have systems in place for if it does happen, but in the end all we can do is wait until the person shows himself."
"What about a fidelius charm?" Minerva asked.
"The wards that are up are at least that strong," Dumbledore told her. "And Spinner's End is already very difficult to find. I don't think it would help."
"Have we thought about bait?" Snape asked, glaring at the ceiling. "Maybe I could Polyjuice myself and take my wand . . ."
"Do you have polyjuice potion made up?" McGonagall asked.
"No," Snape admitted. "I don't think it's the kind of thing that's a good idea to keep at a school full of mischievous teenagers. Obviously there's no time to make any, but I will look into seeing if any of my contacts have it made . . ."
"Maybe he should have a wand," Molly suggested. "He is so young for it, but maybe with a wand and a few spells . . ."
"It would have to be a family wand," Arthur added. "Olivander won't sell you one for an eight year old. I agree, we should arm Harry."
"There are risks to arming an underage wizard," Dumbledore countered. "There are reasons that we usually wait until eleven. Not to mention the fact that he would have zero chance against a fully trained wizard."
"Those should be secondary to the needs that the child has now!" Molly insisted. "It will not do him any good to wait until eleven if he doesn't live that long!"
"Do you have family wands, Professor?" Arthur asked.
"We have some from the Prince line, yes," he answered. "I shall give Harry a chance tomorrow morning to see if any respond to him."
But really, everyone knew that the threat would still exist until they were able to identify and confront the threat. And that wasn't going to happen until the person struck again.
The next morning as Snape prepared to go to Hogwarts, he laid out the seven wands that he had inherited as part of his Prince family legacy. Some wizards were buried with their wands, and some were passed on to descendants to see if they might suit a young wizard. Snape's mother had given him one of the family wands when he went to Hogwarts, they had been too poor to get a proper one fitted to him at Olivander's. It hadn't been until he was nearly ready to take the dark mark that he had saved enough money to get his own wand.
Pushing back those memories, Snape had put out the seven wands for Harry to see. Harry looked at them thoughtfully, wondering why these wands were here.
"You are too young for your own wand," Snape explained to him. "But it might be helpful for you to know a few spells in case you are attacked. So I wanted to see if any of these wands responds to you."
"Responds?" Harry asked, quizzically.
"PIck one up," Snape said. "You'll see."
Harry picked up the first one, feeling it get a little warm in his hand.
"Give it a wave," Snape told him, and when Harry obeyed several sparks flew out the end.
"Hmm," Snape concentrated. "Try the next one.'
In the end, one wand was chosen that had given a steady spray of sparks.
"I will teach you more spells as we go," Snape explained. "But for now I want you to learn one really good one. Now, the word is Expelliarmus. You say it firmly and wave the wand like this, see?" He demonstrated with his own wand.
Harry practiced, saying it several times until it felt natural.
"This spell disarms someone," Snape explained. "And, if said with power and passion, it can also knock the person over or even out. Now, I want you to try it on me."
"On you, sir?" Harry asked doubtfully.
"I seriously doubt you will able to so much as give me a papercut your first time with a wand, Harry," he smirked. "Now, I have my wand, try to disarm me."
Harry, still doubtful, waved his wand as Snape had showed him and said, "Expelliarmus."
"Own it," Snape barked at him. "Disarm me."
Harry said it again, this time his wand warmed a little and Snape felt a small tug on his wand.
"Again," he commanded. "Pretend that I am someone frightening that is about to attack you."
Harry had a flash of his Uncle, planted his feet sternly, and barked, "Expelliarmus!"
Snape felt his wand fly out of his hand and his chest feel a strong push back, knocking the air out of him. He blinked in amazement, he had never seen a child do that before. He had hoped that Harry might eventually get the wand out of his hand without him holding on it very firmly, but he had not expected this. Taking a deep breath to belay his astonishment, he bent to pick up his wand.
"Very good," Snape praised, getting his wind back. "All right, the other one I'm going to show you today is Stupefy. It can be used to stop someone, and if done correctly will render them unconscious. Now, bring the wand down forcefully and say it loudly, like you mean it."
"Should I do it to you again?" Harry asked, a little concerned that his last spell had managed to push his guardian back a little.
"Yes," Snape told him. "If you can knock me down I will take you out for ice cream."
Smiling, Harry tried the next charm. It took several times, and he saw Snape beginning to be pushed by the spell.
"You must use your emotions," Snape told him. "It's not just about words for this spell, it is about conviction and passion. You must want to knock me down; that's why I offered you ice cream. Now mean it!"
"Stupefy!" Harry rang out and a blast knocked against Snape, nearly knocking him down. Snape was able right himself, and smirked at the boy.
"Very good, Harry," he told him. "That's how you do it. Next time I dare say you will be successful. I don't want to wear you out, so we should end for today. Oh dear, I'm going to be late. Now, I want you to promise me not to touch any wand unless I am practicing with you, all right?"
"Yes, sir," he answered, feeling a little shocked about how good it had felt to cast those charms.
"I mean it Harry, it is very dangerous to be doing wand work unsupervised at your age. However, if you ever are in danger," he glared at him to make his point clear. "Get. a. wand. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir," Harry agreed.
"Good, then," Snape responded. "I'll see you at four for tea then."
Harry spent the morning working on what Snape had assigned, but his mind had really been on the wand. It had felt so good - like the wand focused the random energy that he had and put it towards what he wanted. That one moment had taught him more about being a wizard than anything he had done so far. He longed to be able to try out the wand again, but knew very well that it would be foolish to try. But he did find himself practicing the word and the wand movements with his quill.
Maisie had given him an apple to eat as he walked in the yard that afternoon. His teeth pierced the skin of the apple as he thought about the spell again. Could it be used against someone who was unarmed? What if they were armed with something other than a wand, like a gun or knife? He would have to ask the Professor at tea.
"Harry!" he heard someone call, turning his head. He saw that it was Percy Weasley.
"Percy!" Harry yelled back. "What are you doing here?"
"There's been an accident," Percy explained. "In the potions lab. I was sent to fetch you right away."
"Is the professor all right?" Harry asked, beginning to panic.
"I don't know," Percy answered. "But I think it's serious. I can't come in because of the wards, you'll have to come out."
"And then you'll take me to Hogwarts?" Harry asked. He felt a niggle of doubt in his head, he wondered if Snape would be mad if he went beyond the wards again. But this was surely an emergency . . .
"Hurry!" Percy insisted.
Throwing caution to the wind, he took a deep breath and began to push the membrane of the wards. He found them stronger than last time, but he focused on pushing through. His hand popped free of the membrane, and he felt Percy grab his hand firmly. Instantly, he was apparated away.
When they appeared with that stomach-sickening jerk, Harry's nose was assaulted with smells of dust and mold. He saw dark, dingy wallpaper and dark, dusty velvet curtains. Turning his head, he came face to face with a creature that truly struck fear into his heart: Treadle. Harry suddenly realized that he was not in Hogwarts at all and that Percy had just been the latest attempt to lure him away. His hand went to his alarm on his shirt and he was able to press it as he heard a voice cry out, "Stupefy!" And then everything went black.