A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

-oOo-

Chapter 66

-oOo-

February 14, 1996

Hogwarts, Scotland

Astoria woke a little earlier than normal. Harry was already up and working out. Moving off the bed, she went to her and Luna's room to get a change of clothes for the day and take a shower before retrieving something from her armoire.

By the time she got back, Harry was gone, probably gone to take a shower. Luna was on the bed, pillow over her face and probably fighting the morning light that was taking over the sky.

She sat on the bed and shook Luna's leg. The girl rolled over and buried her face in a pillow. "Time to get up, Moonbeam."

"Go away if you are not crawling back in with me. I'm having a good dream," Luna whinged.

Astoria leaned over and kissed her blonde girl's cheek. "Time to get up. We have potions this morning and it is almost half-past-seven. I have a present for you too."

Luna moved and she saw one sky-blue eye look at her. Alright, to be fair to Luna, Harry and her may have kept her up last night for her birthday... "A present like last night," Luna said hopefully.

Astoria laughed and pushed Luna's hair back off her face. "Maybe later. We have to be to class in a little over an hour, you need a shower and to eat."

"Will you wash me," Luna asked.

Astoria found she wanted to very much, but she doubted that Professor Slughorn would be forgiving to them for being late, or skipping. As it was, the man wanted them to start coming to some get togethers. She knew he was interested in Harry, actually all three of them. The man was pestering Neville and Hermione also. Maybe they should go to one or two. She heard the parties or gatherings were fun.

"Not today, Moonbeam. We really need to get something to eat and you need a shower."

Luna closed her eyes and started to stretch, rolling over and arching her back like a cat. The sheets pulled off her and the shirt pulled down to show Luna's knicker clad bottom. Merlin, their Moonbeam was beautiful. Like Harry and her, she also looked older than sixteen, even if she was fifteen.

"You sure we have to go," Luna asked shaking her bottom.

Astoria put the small box next to Luna and got up. "Later. We have to get to the Great Hall," she told Luna.

Harry opened the door and slipped in. His hair was still wet, but the smell of eggs and bacon came with him. "I have some breakfast sandwiches if you want?"

Luna rolled over again and sat, her hair a mass around her head and she stretched her arms over her head. "Will you go see the sunrise with me tomorrow?" Luna asked.

"Sure, luv. Oh, that is something we need. We haven't replaced our omnioculars yet," Harry told them, putting the basket on the trunk at the end of the bed.

Luna yawned. "We can talk to Lily and Remus later. Astoria has something for us today," Luna told him, crawling to the edge of the bed as Harry handed Astoria a sandwich.

"Runny, just the way you like it," he told her.

"Thank you. This is for you. Happy Valentine's day," Astoria told them, handing a small box to Harry.

Harry blinked. "Oh, Merlin. I wasn't even thinking of that with Luna's birthday yesterday and the club and..."

She leaned in and put a finger to his lips. "I know you got us something. Don't worry if you didn't plan anything else. It is my turn this year," she told him. She had a nice dinner planned for them later.

Luna took her sandwich. "It should be lovely," Luna stated before unwrapping it. "I will make sure Harry looks nice for you."

"Luna, you are coming too," Astoria told her.

Luna gave a dreamy smile. "I know, but you want me to get Harry there."

"What is going on," Harry asked.

"Don't you say a word," Astoria told Luna. Luna took a bite of her sandwich. "Luna?"

"After last class we are getting all dressed up for our Aster and then I will take you someplace," Luna told him.

Astoria shook her head. "You're lucky your so cute."

Luna smiled. "I know," their girl said. She didn't sound conceited. It was just a fact the girl knew how they both saw her.

Harry chuckled. "I will be good and try not to get the secret out of Luna, unless you want to tell me?"

"You better not! This was supposed to be a surprise for both of you," Astoria stated all flustered now from the nerves of organizing the dinner.

Luna moved and kissed Astoria on the cheek. "I will be surprised."

Harry watched them and took up the small box. There was something fluttering in her stomach. Harry opened it and looked at the contents. He ran a hand over a bracelet that had thick, flat rings with what looked like snake skin impressions. She knew he was embracing more of his Parselmouth abilities and thought it might look manly enough for him.

"This is exquisite, our Aster," Harry told her.

"You like it?" she asked.

"It's goblin silver. I hadn't realized you moved up to something like this. It's very impressive," he complimented her.

Astoria felt the heat in her cheeks at his praise. "It's still nowhere close to what you can do, and I had to try like six times, but you really like it?"

"Yes," he said, taking it out and examining the runes on the inside. "Very impressive."

She blushed more. "I copied many of the sequences you had in the grimoire. It should give you both a shield, be able to stun someone if you touch them and cast the spell."

"You also but a luster, ownership, imperturbable charm and..." He twisted the bracelet. "Did you figure out how to do a hex and jinx block?"

"I may have stolen your recent notes for a night," Astoria admitted. All the others were rune chains Harry had figured out. She knew she could do it, but she was not as proficient as Harry.

"Wicked," Harry told her. "I've been trying to figure that out for weeks."

Luna took hers out. It was a beaded bracelet with blue beads the color of her eyes and streaked with white and a darker blue. A moon, a raven and an aster dangled from it.

"Thank you," Harry told her and kissed her. When he backed up, and she felt a little lightheaded from the kiss, Luna reached out her arm. "Can you put it on, please," Luna asked.

Astoria felt very pleased with herself as they joined the few remaining fifth-year Slytherin for potions. Daphne and Tracey sat before Luna and her. Zabini and Bulstrode were the only others now. Harry sat behind them with Su Li. The sun shone in. She much preferred the first-floor classrooms to the dungeons.

When Professor Slughorn came out of a storage closet, the man gave a little start. "Oh, I didn't realize the time. Very nice to see you all this morning," Professor Slughorn greeted them and put a few vials on his table next to his desk. "Just give me a few moments. If you would all turn to page eighty-nine and you can gather the ingredients for an everlasting potion today. I will go over everything before we start," the rotund man told them with a smile.

Like always, a double potions with Professor Slughorn was enjoyable and far more informative than anything they got from Professor Snape. By the time the lesson was done, their potion was the aqua colour it was supposed to be and smelled of mint. As Slughorn walked by, he stopped for a moment. "Very good, ladies. I must ask about the mint though. That is not standard," the man commented, wafting more of the smell to him.

"Professor Lupin-Potter always finds that mint helps to counteract the slight headache that can occur when using anything of the nightshade family," Luna commented. "You need to add it just at the end though. More than thirty seconds with a fire under it and the mint will not work."

The man gave her a broad smile. "Very well thought out, Ms. Lovegood. Five points. Perhaps you can convince Ms. Greengrass and Mr. Potter to join a tea I will have Saturday. I would like to know more of what you really know about potion making. Professor Lupin-Potter was a prodigy and it appears her son and his betroths are as well."

"We would love too, Professor," Astoria told him.

"Excellent," the man exclaimed.

He walked to Harry and had a similar conversation. Luna was looking at her when Daphne turned to fill two vials to turn in for them. "What?"

"I like your aura today. You are happy," Luna told her.

Astoria smiled. "I am," she agreed.

At lunch, Hermione and Neville joined them, as did Ron and Ginny. "How you doing today," Harry asked Neville.

"I feel rested," Neville told him. Last weekend Harry and Lily had done something new to Neville. She had to admit that their friend looked better than she could remember since Christmas.

Hermione kissed his cheek. "You have slept better," she said.

Ron eyed them, before turning to Harry. "Harry, who is that girl that you were talking with when you came in?"

"Yvette Gregor?"

"Yeah. She is a fifth-year?"

"Fourth," Astoria responded. "She just turned fifteen over Christmas break. We help her and a few others at a study session before lunch on Wednesdays."

Ron looked down the table to see Yvette talking with a few others. "Does she like anyone?" he asked.

"Yvette likes Nathan Everheart," Luna observed. "If you are looking for someone to ask, Meghan Jones likes Quidditch players and looks at you at times."

Ron rose his eyebrow and turned. "She is the blonde talking with Hannah and Susan?"

Neville shook his head. "Do I want to know what you are thinking?"

Ron's neck flushed some. "We have that social that was posted on the boards today. Thought I might ask someone," Ron told him.

"What social?" Astoria asked.

"Professor Lupin came in just before I came down for lunch and put up a notice. Two weekends from now they are going to have a social with some dancing," Ron told them.

"Will you go with me," Harry asked.

"Of course," Luna smiled.

"And you, Astoria?"

She turned to him and pecked him. "Do you have to even ask?"

"It is the polite thing to do."

"Do you always have to be so sweet with each other?" Ron asked.

"Leave them be. You're just jealous," Ginny pipped up next to Ron.

Hermione shook her head. "Ron, Harry or Astoria are not people to make upset."

Ron looked at them and saw the look from her Harry. Ron looked away. "I was only trying to make a joke. Without Fred or George around..." Ron trailed off.

"We know Megan from the duelling club. If you want to come Saturday, I can probably have her practice with you," Harry said besides her.

Ron looked up. Astoria understood. The Weasley's had gone through a lot and were probably still trying to cope with their father and everything.

"Yeah, sure, thanks."

Neville gave Harry a thankful look.

After Runes class, Astoria kissed Luna and Harry and rushed off to the unused classroom on the sixth floor that she had warded to keep people away. She hoped they held. As she approached, it was apparent that no one had entered. She let out a breath. "Willow, she called out, putting her bag just inside the door."

The Potter's house elf came to her. Lily and Remus had taken Willow with them to keep an eye on Calla. At almost a year old, the girl had started to take the first steps to walking and Lily told them she would be chasing after them soon. "Miss Astoria call Willow?"

"Yes. Is this a good time?"

"Mistress Lily has Calla. Willow can help Miss Astoria," Willow told her.

"Thank Merlin," she uttered. "Can you get me the following?"

It was close to six and she was standing nervously in the room. She knew Harry had always wanted to take them out on a real date. This was the best she could do and hoped he would like this. She had asked Luna to keep Harry from planning anything like this. This was as much for Harry as it was Luna. She looked down at the dress Lily had helped her get. It was a Muggle style with broad shoulder straps, a flaring skirt and top that hugged her chest more than she had expected, but hoped Luna and Harry would appreciate. She wore the lacy choker with the emerald Harry had made her for Christmas. It complimented the green dress.

A table set for three was in the corner with a candelabra in the center. Other candles floated around the room, casting the place in a soft glow. A gramophone that Remus had been able to get for her was on a desk near the table.

"Luna, where are you," she asked the room. Willow had retrieved Luna and Harry's favorites, and even was able to get sticky toffee pudding for Luna. She had asked Luna to be here with Harry for six, and it was almost six.

She giggled at herself for being so nervous. For one night, she was trying to be a normal teen on a date. "This should be Harry doing this," she told herself. Maybe after this Harry would be able to do more dates like this for her and Luna. There was a fleeting thought about when she became so bold to do this? Her mother had taught her the man should do this, but Harry was so busy with everything else, she doubted he had thought of something like this yet.

It was a few minutes past six and she started to pace, her heels clacking on the flagstone floor.

When the knock came she stopped, straightened her dress and called out, "Come in."

The door opened and she felt her breath catch. Harry led Luna into the room and they both stopped. Harry was in a set of fine dress robes. He had added a few inches this year, but he was filling out more than he was stretching. His green eyes were showing the power he had. Lately, they had started to take on a slight sheen when the light caught them just right. There Raven was handsome and his never tamed hair always gave him that look he was up to no good, even if he never tried to get into trouble.

Their Moonbeam was just as stunning. She was in a burgundy coloured dress that had a lacy flower pattern. The skirt was obviously a few layers as she saw light through sections of it. Her blonde hair was nicer, but still the messy curls her girl usually had. Her long neck had the necklace with the lunar moth, the blue beaded bracelet clashed a little with the dress and she wore slippers, instead of high heels. Astoria loved it though.

"So, is this the surprise," Harry asked, that lop-sided grin she liked so much on his face.

"Happy Valentine's day," she told them. "You keep saying you want to take us on a proper date, and thought I would instead."

Luna's sky-blue eyes focused fully on her and her girls smile made the butterflies in her stomach grow. It felt silly. They slept with each other most nights! Why would this excite and make her nervous?

"It's brilliant, Aster," Harry said, moving to her and before she could protest, not wanting to get her lipstick all over him yet, he took her in his arms and dipped her as he kissed her. The swooping feeling it brought up was delicious.

He stood her up and Astoria just barely had a second to steady herself before Luna moved in. Where Astoria was wearing a dark lip stick, Luna looked like she had put on just a gloss. Luna wrapped her arms around Astoria's shoulders and kissed her, the girl's tongue searching for hers almost immediately.

When Luna let her go, Astoria looked at them. Harry was holding out his arm. "Would our Lady like an escort?"

Astoria didn't even try to put on her mask. She beamed at both of them. "It would be my pleasure, my Raven."

Harry did try to keep a smooth face as he led them both to the table. He pulled out the chair and made sure she was sitting before seating Luna and then himself between them. "This is brilliant, Astoria. I'm sorry I didn't think of this."

"Don't. I wanted to do something for you and Luna. Are you two ready to eat? And then I thought we could dance?"

"Dancing sounds quite fun. I get the first dance with our Aster," Luna declared.

Harry shrugged. "Fine by me, just as long as I get to dance with both of you."

The roiling, gurgling feeling in her relaxed as Willow helped to serve them. Astoria wanted this to be as much like a real date as possible, even being served by a waitress. Willow was so happy to be doing this for Master Harry and his Misses. Even though they spent most of their days together and talked so much, it was amazing how the three of them were able to carry on a conversation and she laughed as Harry told her a story she hadn't heard yet about Luna ending up in the creek outside her tower.

"I thought she was going to be so upset with me," Harry told her.

"I was able to find a great crested newt after falling in," Luna told him.

"You also found all that mud that ended up in my face," Harry reminded her.

Luna had her dreamy smile. "Yes, mummy had to wash us both down with her wand before she allowed us inside and then chased us up the stairs with us dripping wet."

Astoria laughed.

"I remember her telling you that you shouldn't take your dress off like that before a boy too," Harry told her.

Luna just shrugged. "We were seven and I was wet," Luna said as though it was nothing. "I still don't get why she used to say I shouldn't get undressed for a boy like that but then we went to the beaches in France at times."

"Did you get undressed for many boys?" Astoria enquired.

Luna shook her head. "Only Harry. Not that we spent time with many others besides Ginny and Ronald when we were younger."

"Yeah, we tried to go to Muggle school, but it didn't work well, so it was pretty much just Ginny and Ron," Harry told her.

Astoria had socialized with many others, but Amanda had been the one her parents most approved of. "I'm sorry, Harry. Now, would you like to dance or have desert first?"

Luna brightened. "What type of dessert?"

"Willow has misses favorite," Willow said from a corner.

Luna looked to the elf. Astoria spoke for her. "I was able to get some of the sticky toffee pudding with the pears you like."

Their blonde blurted out, "Oh, please! That usually appears on the tables in the fall."

"I am feeling a little full at the moment," Harry said.

Luna waved him off as Willow took a small plate with a small sticky toffee pudding. "Dance with our Aster."

Harry laughed and Astoria shook her head. Harry stood. "Care to dance?"

"I would, my Scion," Astoria replied. Astoria let herself be pulled up and started the gramophone. She would have preferred more modern music, but the ballroom music was just as nice as Harry bowed and she curtsied. Like at the Yule Ball, Harry took her into his arms and she was soon smiling as he led her around the floor.

Unlike last year, he was taller, his body firmer and his boyish looks had started to harden and disappear. She had heard her father talking with mother about how they were maturing faster than most. Magic was known to do that when it was needed. Harry needed it and she was sure Luna and her were following in his wake.

She giggled as he dipped her and kissed her neck.

"Harry, that is not the proper way," she lightly chastised him to his cheeky smirk.

"I would never do that at a ball, but it is just us here," he told her before twirling her. She laughed. It felt so good to not have to pretend.

It was the end of the second dance before Luna came up. Astoria pulled away and curtsied. "My Lord-apparent," she said as graciously as she could.

Harry bowed, his eyes not leaving hers. "My Lady-apparent." His voice was teasing but polite.

Astoria stood and grabbed Luna. "Teach him some manners," she told the blonde, knowing the opposite would most likely happen.

Luna came in, curtsied as he bowed and when Harry pulled her in, Luna threw her arms over his shoulders and kissed him. When they separated, Luna had a huge smirk as Harry slowly took her in. "Be nice to us or no more snogging tonight," Luna ordered.

"As my Lady-apparent wishes," Harry said licking his lips. "I think you left some of your pudding on your lips."

Luna smirked. "I know."

Astoria chuckled and enjoyed seeing Harry lead the slight blonde around the floor. Luna laughed and looked the radiant person they both liked to see her as. When Harry and Luna pulled up by her after the second song, Harry and Luna finished as they should, with a bow and a curtsy. Then Luna bounced over to her and took her hands. "Dance with me?" Luna asked.

"Luna, I'm going to trip," Astoria exclaimed with her own laugh as she stumbled in her heels.

It was close to curfew when they finally made it back to Ravenclaw tower. Unlike last night, Luna flopped in their bed still in her dress. The girl closed her eyes. "You should get out of that dress before you fall asleep," Astoria told her.

"In a few. Can we do this again?" Luna asked.

"I will make sure to setup something again," Harry told them, hanging his dress cloak in the closet.

"Harry, could you unzip my dress," Astoria asked.

"Sure." Astoria held her hair up and Harry moved to her back. After unzipping it, he placed a kiss on her shoulder and then her neck. "You looked beautiful tonight," he told her.

She gave him a smile. "Thank you. Will you help me change Luna? I think she is already out of it."

Harry wrapped his arms around her and put his head on her shoulder. "She is as beautiful as you."

"I am glad you both liked it tonight," Astoria told him, twisting to kiss his cheek before looking at Luna again.

"Loved it, my Aster," Harry whispered and kissed her ear. She felt a shiver go through her body before Harry let her go. He walked over to the bed and sat on it as Astoria took off her dress. She swooned to see how Harry pushed the hair out of Luna's face and then kissed her on the forehead. His hand slid a few inches over her and the beautiful burgundy dress was suddenly replaced with Luna's sleeveless night shirt and pants.

"Tell me you didn't transfigure that," Astoria said shocked.

"I just switched it. The dress is on the hanger this was on," Harry told her, kissing Luna on the forehead again.

It wasn't long before they were all in bed. She was being selfish tonight and sleeping with her head on Harry's chest as Luna curled up on his other side. She usually curled up with Luna, but she felt like she only wanted Harry tonight. They shared a few kisses before she put her head on his chest and was lulled to sleep by his deep breathing as he brushed his hand through her hair.

-oOo-

March 2, 1996

Hogwarts Scotland

Harry was in the workshop that his mum had built in the small apartment she shared with Calla and Uncle Remus. Neville was sitting on a chair. She had slowly let Harry get more involved. As he did, she used his knowledge of Runes and languages, and started to push his understanding into areas he had only intuitively done so far. He knew he was good at these ancient magics, but Harry was learning his niche was more in wards and protective magics, his mum's was in souls and the true ebb and flow of magic. He really didn't understand what she was doing half the time, but the magic that Voldemort had used was very obscure and Harry had a feeling very few could do what he was doing.

"Just relax, Neville. How are you feeling today?"

Neville sighed. "You won't tell Hermione?"

"You know I won't, but you really should. That girl loves you and I think you hurt her by not telling her," his mum said.

"I don't want her hurting herself," Neville replied.

"I know, but she is your betrothed. She will be your wife at some point. This is something you should not hide," his mum gently pushed him.

Neville met his eyes. "Have you told Luna or Astoria?"

"That this hurts you and that you are scared, you know I wouldn't hide that, Nev," Harry told his friend truthfully. "Luna and Astoria care for you and you know how much Astoria and Hermione talk. Are you telling me you wouldn't tell Hermione the same?"

Neville sighed as his mum ran her wand over him. "I would," Neville conceded.

"Hold still for a moment," his mum told Neville. After a moment, she asked, "Does it hurt more or less?"

Neville met his mum's eyes. "It feels like there are spikes driving into my scar and brain all the time. I can block it during the day, but it breaks through at night sometimes."

His mum's eyes pinched. She swiped her wand to an empty chalk board and the cypher appeared. "Harry, if you would?"

He swiped his hand over the board. The cypher leapt out and Neville looked at it curiously. "Have you always been able to do that," Neville asked.

"Yeah. Something I learned last year."

"Is that what you did at the dueling tournament?"

"Yeah," Harry told Neville as he looked at the cypher. His mum was doing the same. Harry swiped his hand over the fifth layer and after a moment his eyes went wide. "Mum, it's not attached to Neville's core anymore."

She stopped looking at what she was and turned to him. "What was that, Harry?"

"Your ward, it's totally sealed," Harry told her, putting a finger up and following the chains.

She moved to him, watching his finger go. "That isn't possible," she told him. "There is still a source it is pulling from."

He ran through the chains again. "It's not from Neville," Harry told her.

"What are you two talking about," Neville asked, getting up.

His mum's face furrowed and she swiped her hand over the third layer. She did the same and traced a series of runes. "Harry, it is still pulling on a source. Look," she told him.

"What are you two looking at," Neville asked walking up to them.

Harry looked at it. "This is the rune equivalent of what is in your head," Harry answered Neville.

"What does it say?" Neville asked.

"That you are mental," Harry replied easily.

"Harry James," his mum chastised him with a laugh. "Neville, I know I haven't really shown you this before. I have been afraid you might tell Hermione and she will do something she should not."

"That being said, what Harry was looking at was the seal I put around the thing in your scar. The cracks and holes that were there, are now healed. This fragment has now been cut off from your core. That was most of the pain you have felt since Christmas."

"You mean how you said it is dying?"

She nodded. "This layer," she pointed to the fourth, "is the blood ward Dumbledore used. These areas here show where it had been broken and had attached itself to you. I am not sure if it is safe to find a way to get it out of you yet. I need to make sure the seals I put on you are stable and that your core has stabilized to its new normal. Have you noticed if your magic is stronger lately?"

"You mean like how he blew apart Susan's shield at the duelling club Wednesday," Harry offered.

His mum clicked her tongue. "That might be a sign."

"How about that snarglepuff that I tried casting a simple growth charm on last week and it grew to twice the size it should," Neville offered.

"I was hoping it would eat Corner when it grabbed him," Harry chuckled.

"It almost did," Neville replied. "Then it grabbed Su Li."

Harry cringed. "Yeah, it bit off more than it could chew there, especially when one of the tentacles when up her skirt."

Neville laughed. "It will be a few weeks for the poor snarglepuff to grow back its tentacles."

His mum shook her head. "Boys," he heard her mumble. "This has become more unstable. You said you have felt legillimancy probes?"

"More like attacks," Neville said, rubbing his scar. "It's like a railroad spike at times, but before where I would feel it in my whole body, now it's just around my scar."

"I am sorry you have to feel that, but I think that another encouraging sign. Any other changes," she asked.

Neville flushed some. "Uhm, well..." his best mate said, rubbing the back of his neck.

His mum shook her head again. "If you and Hermione are feeling friskier, I don't want to hear about it."

Harry laughed at Neville as he turned three shades of red.

"You shouldn't laugh either. Minerva told me how she found you three in that classroom last week," she scolded Harry. It was his turn to look guilty and Neville offer a weak chuckle.

They hadn't meant to be caught, or even to be making out. Luna looked like she needed a few minutes away from everyone and one thing led to another... At least they still had all their clothes on, even if some buttons or belts were undone.

"Yeah, Cho dressed us down for loosing fifteen points," Harry told her. He may not care, but many in the House still did, and it had been made very apparent that next to Cho and Davies, Luna and him were next in line for control of Ravenclaw, and Astoria was quickly earning the respect to stand with them next year. It was not looking hopeful that the Ministry would drop the requirements to attend Hogwarts to get their NEWTs. There were still too many holdouts to change it.

His mum was looking at the runes again. "Neville, would you mind if I ask you to wait outside while I go over something with Harry?"

Neville nodded. "Can you do anything about these headaches?"

She gave him a sad smile. "Best I can do is have you see Madam Pomfrey to get some potions today. I'll make you some special pain potions this week. Otherwise, strengthen your Occlumancy."

Neville sighed, still looking a little red. "Is Healer Tonks going to be available soon?"

"I'll send her a message and see what we can do," his mum said kindly to Neville.

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter-Lupin. Troll," Neville said jokingly to Harry.

"Berk," Harry acknowledged back. His mum muttered under her breath again. They both shared a smirk, knowing his mum never stopped them and laughed with them as much as she muttered about them.

When Neville left, the room became very serious. "Why did you lie to Neville," Harry accused.

"I didn't lie, Harry," she sighed. "I just didn't say everything I see here. Tell me what you see."

He looked at where she was pointing on the third layer. Harry looked at it, not liking omitting things to his best mate. He huffed. As he looked at it, he followed the power source she was talking about. It was connected to other rune chains, all of them the now collapsed power structures that had been connected to Neville. As he looked, a frown fell on his face.

"That isn't Neville," Harry said after a moment.

"It is not," she agreed.

He traced some other chains to the magical core that was the soul fragment. As he looked at it more, he had a sinking feeling. "Mum, how did Dumbledore cut off Voldemort from his fragments," Harry asked.

"I need to get hold of Andi and take a trip to the Waterfall. Do you mind keeping an eye on Calla for a while?"

"Can I take her out on the grounds? If Luna isn't out there already, I know she will want to be," Harry told her.

His mum nodded, still looking at the cypher. "That's fine. Just stay away from the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid has said he has come across a few carcasses in the last few weeks and can't figure out what is killing the creatures and animals."

Harry had that sinking feeling again. "We'll keep her safe and away from the forest."

She nodded absently. "Remus is going to be gone until tomorrow night and I may be too. Just keep an eye on your sister."

"Sure, mum," Harry told her. "Just be safe."

His mum looked away to have her green eyes meet his. "I will, Harry."