Chapter 33
The twins blinked, not saying anything.
"Well? What were you doing in there?" Ron repeated.
"We were just exploring," Harry said.
"I saw you put something in your pocket," Eric said.
"Oh this?" Harry asked, pulling out the locket.
Alex glanced at it and noticed the priceless green gems on the locket were gone. It looked like a normal locket, not Slytherin's locket; no doubt Harry's doing.
"I saw this locket and thought it looked cool. I already checked it for dark magic. It didn't react and I don't feel any curses on me, so I think it's safe," Harry said, smiling innocently.
Harry dangled the locket from his fingers.
"I thought it would make a nice gift for our mother so she won't be too hard on us...you know, for not coming home straight away," he said.
The trio hid a wince at that, believing Harry's lie without hesitation.
"I understand," Hermione said, smiling. "But maybe you should ask Sirius if you can take it; it is his house after all."
"I will," Harry said, his smile widening.
"What are you guys doing up here?" Alex asked.
"We've been looking for you," Ron said. "Mum wants us all in bed by a certain time, says there's another meeting soon. She doesn't want to risk us eavesdropping after she found Fred and George's Extendable Ears."
"Where's Sirius? I'll ask him about the locket now," Harry said.
"He's downstairs," Eric said.
The trio went down first with the twins following at a slower pace. They glanced at each other and relaxed in unison.
"That was too close," Alex hissed quietly. "What are we going to do if Sirius or the others want to check the locket for dark magic?"
"Don't worry, I have a plan for that," Harry breathed, smirking.
They reached the bottom of the stairs. They saw Sirius in the kitchen talking to James.
"Sirius!" Harry called.
Sirius looked over as the twins ran over to them. Harry pulled out the locket, still disguised as a normal locket.
"We found this in a room. I didn't detect dark magic from it, so I think it's fine. Would it be okay if I took it as a gift for our mother?" Harry asked.
Sirius frowned and took the locket.
"I don't remember seeing this locket in the house before," he said.
He shrugged.
"I guess my dear old mum got it when I ran away," Sirius said. "Hang on, I'll use some more complex spells to check it for dark magic and if it's fine, you guys can take it. I don't care for anything in this house anyways; I'll probably get rid of everything eventually."
Sirius set the locket on the table and pulled out his wand. Alex tensed up slightly. Harry caught his hand and gave him a warning look. Alex forced himself to relax as Sirius chanted and waved his wand over the locket. After a few tense moments, Sirius lowered his wand and picked up the locket.
"Looks like it's safe," he said. "It'll be a lovely gift for your mother."
"Thank you," Harry said, smiling sweetly.
Sirius smiled back and gave the locket back to Harry.
"You two should go off to bed now," James said, smiling as well. "It's getting pretty late."
"Good night," Harry called as the twins left.
Sirius and James waved before resuming their conversation. The twins walked upstairs.
"How did you do it?" Alex asked quietly.
Harry giggled softly as he pulled out the locket and then pulled out another one. Alex could feel the dark magic radiating from the second locket.
"You knew this would happen," Alex stated.
He smirked and shook his head.
"You were always too smart for your own good, Harry."
Harry giggled again as he tucked the lockets back into his pockets.
"We'll have to leave soon. We can't keep the locket's dark magical signature hidden forever," he hissed.
"How much longer can you keep it hidden?" Alex muttered.
"10 days at most," Harry muttered back.
Alex nodded.
"We'll leave in a week then."
"We've finally received word from Snape," James said at dinner.
"That's a relief," Molly said. "I was worried something happened to him."
"Apparently You-Know-Who was keeping him busy brewing potions," James said. "He won't be able to make it back until next week."
"Hang on, the full moon is in two days," Lily said.
Remus froze before sighing.
"I'll go somewhere else. It's too dangerous for me to be around people during the full moon," he said.
"Don't bother," Harry said.
Everyone looked at him. Harry smiled.
"Have you forgotten already, professor? I know how to brew the Wolfsbane Potion," he said. "Since Professor Snape won't be here to brew it for you, I will take his place. I've already brewed it for you a few times in the past year."
Remus sighed.
"That's true," he said. "Thank you, Harry."
"How is it you know potions so well, Harry?" Lily asked.
"I just have a real knack for it," Harry said.
"Are you sure you're not hungry, Harry? You haven't eaten anything today and you barely ate anything yesterday," Molly said, frowning in concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Weasley, but really, I am not hungry," Harry said, smiling kindly at Molly.
"Well, if you get hungry later on, feel free to help yourself to the leftovers," Molly said.
Harry nodded.
"All right then, it's settled," Sirius said, changing the topic back to the previous one. "Harry will take care of you, Remus, buddy."
Remus smiled in thanks to Harry.
"I really do appreciate it, Harry; thank you again," he said.
"No problem; it gives me a chance to brew potions," Harry said, waving his hand.
"Hermione has spoken of you a lot." Lily said. "You are a very bright child; same with you, Alex."
"Harry was born a genius. I was born somewhat book smart," Alex said.
"Don't discredit yourself, Alex," Hermione said. "You've helped me loads of times."
"Harry is the one who taught me most of what I know today," Alex said.
"I taught you the basics; nothing else," Harry said. "You learned everything else on your own."
"Amazing," Lily said, smiling. "You truly are something, both of you are. Are you planning to stay the entire summer?"
"Unfortunately, we can't stay for much longer or our parents will be angry with us," Alex said. "We've decided we're going home next week."
"Next week? So soon?" Sirius asked. "Are you sure you'll be all right?"
"We'll be fine," Harry said. "We've already been here for little over a month and we'll see you all again for fourth year. It's been fun!"
"If you say so..." Lily said, sighing. "At least say you'll come again next summer...perhaps even winter break?"
"I think next summer will be fine," Alex said. "Perhaps we'll be able to stay longer too."
"That would be lovely," Lily said, nodding in acceptance.
"Deserts, anyone?" Molly asked.