Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.

"Well done, Harry. I really wouldn't want to have the Quidditch cup stare at me, whenever I visit Minerva's office. I'd rather like to display it in my own office." A smile crossed Severus' face, as he looked at the trophy in his hands.

"You're welcome, Dad." Harry grinned broadly.

HP

The test week passed uneventfully, and Harry felt relieved at the thought that he would not have any more tasks before the beginning of the holidays. He had organised everything well, at least that was what he hoped. During the first two weeks, he would travel to the Isle of Elves together with his elf family. The following two weeks were going to be spent on Inis Rún together with his parents, Felix and Lucy.

When they returned, he was going to have a few free days, which he was going to use to visit Marvolo as well as Sirius and his family, before on August first, Narcissa's summer course was going to begin. Hermione and Dean from his year along with eleven soon-to-be first-years had signed up for the course, and Harry was looking forward to get to know the new students. Together with Teddy, Ginny and Neville, he was going to attend the course out of curiosity.

During the last two weeks of the holidays, he intended to spend his time in the potions lab studying for the mastery together with the twins.

HP

It was in the morning of the day of the leaving feast that he received two letters. One of them was delivered by the distinctive owls wearing purple ribbons, the other in an extremely colourful envelope.

'What is it now?' he thought in annoyance, knowing that people mostly sent him letters if they wanted him to do something. However, glancing at the twins who were making some kind of ruckus at his right side, he realised that they were holding identical letters in their hands.

"We're invited to Buckingham Palace…"

"… for a party with the head of the magical world…"

"… and we may bring a guest each…"

"… Now, seeing that Harrykins received the same letter…"

"… would you like to accompany us, Ginny?"

"I'd love that."

Harry glanced at the parchment in his hand and quickly unfolded it, only to realise that he was also invited for the same party on August 30.

'Who could I take with me?' he wondered, looking at his parents, only to realise that his father was just handing a similar letter to his mother.

'Dad, are you going to take Mum?'

'Of course.' The reply was prompt.

'What about Felix? Could I take him?'

'Harry, I believe that it is only natural that we take him with us, even if it means that I will bring two guests. Why don't you bring Teddy or at least list him as your guest? If they refuse an elf to take part of the party, you can still think of someone else. Perhaps, don't ask him yet, just list him. If they agree for you to bring an elf, you can still ask him. He'll agree anyway.'

'That's true.' Harry grinned. 'All right. Thanks, Dad.'

"Now Ginnykins, tell us…"

"… who else shall we invite to accompany us?"

Ginny shrugged. "My classmates are all nice, but perhaps Luna? I haven't seen her for ages, and I'd love to meet her again, before she'll come to Hogwarts in September."

"Send her an invitation…"

"… and ask her then."

'It's probably a thank you for brewing the wolvescure for them,' he thought, recalling that there had been a party at the Ministry of Magic a few years ago.

Finally, he curiously opened the other letter.

'Dear Harry,
we had much fun playing together with you, and we'd like to ask you for assistance again.
On August 30, we are going to perform at the magical part of Buckingham Palace, and we'd love to play as BAHBA. Would that be agreeable for you?
We are looking forward to your positive response.
BABA'

'Is that the same party?' Harry wondered in bewilderment, before he realised that, yes, it had to be the same event.

'Oh well, playing the Suikan with them was so much fun that it'll be better than simply attending a party anyway,' he thought, feeling very happy at the idea.

HP

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. 'Oh no, I completely forgot about the elves' holidays,' he realised. 'Perhaps, I should send them on holidays in two shifts, so that we have a few elves available at any time.'

He swiftly excused himself and left the Great Hall to pop into the elves' quarters.

"Barney."

The elf appeared in a blink. "Harry?"

"Sorry, for calling you all of a sudden. I'd like to discuss the elves' holidays."

Barney immediately agreed to his suggestion and promised to organise the elves' holidays, so that everyone would take turns leaving the castle for two weeks each.

"If they don't wish to go, of course they don't have to."

Barney nodded. "Thank you for being so understanding."

Harry shook his head. "No, thank you for the organisation, as I am going to leave for the Isle of Elves tomorrow afternoon. If anyone gives you trouble, please call me at any time."

'All right, that's done, too,' Harry thought, as he made his way to the first-year study room to spend the last day before the beginning of the holidays with his friends.

HP

At the same time at the Ministry of Magic, the head healer of St. Mungo's was giving his report to the minister of magic in the presence of his temporary undersecretary, Bellatrix Black.

"Harry Prince refused to heal Malfoy and Umbridge?" Fudge repeated, his eyes narrowing. "Is there nothing you can do about that? Is he not responsible to heal people if he's able to do so?"

Bella inwardly groaned. 'Of course not, you mongrel, and I hope he won't heal Lucius anyway.'

"No sir. He doesn't have any obligations."

"That's too bad. Perhaps, we need to think of something, even if we'd have to change the laws."

The head healer chuckled. "Good luck with that, Minister. The Wizengamot is the slowest party to make any decisions whatsoever it seems."

"I will think about it. I need both Malfoy and Umbridge back as soon as possible."

'Is that a threat?' Bella wondered, resolving to speak with Marvolo about the matter. 'Fudge is an idiot anyway. He didn't even make me swear a witch's oath to keep his secrets,' she thought, inwardly grinning.

tbc...

Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter.