*Chapter 46*: Chapter 46
"So, when you found Potter, his eyes were still affected and then the effect faded to his normal appearance?" Kingsley rubbed his chin.
"I'm afraid so." Dumbledore looked grim.
"Have any idea what it means?" Kingsley asked hopefully.
"Not a clue," Dumbledore admitted.
"It could just be a residual?" McGonagall offered.
"I don't think we could ever be that lucky when it comes to Voldemort." Kingsley's eyes darkened. "We thought we were safe last time, as well."
"What do you suggest we do?" Dumbledore asked him.
"I think we should consult the Amazons and begin to seriously think about Plan D." Kingsley looked glum.
"You can't be serious—" McGonagall started, but she was cut off.
"We can't let him sift through all of wizardkind, looking for a host," Dumbledore said sharply.
"It's not even a part of him, exactly." Kingsley looked tired. "It's like a fragment of what corrupted him."
"Details." McGonagall waved him off. "Whatever it is, it needs to go."
"Which is why I think we need to—" Kingsley began.
"I don't want to think of that for the time being." Dumbledore said sharply.
"Well, we need to keep them apart, at least." McGonagall nodded firmly. "I don't care if they're married, we can't be running havoc every time they want to spend time together."
"I don't think you'll have any arguments from Harry," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "At least not for now."
0
"Oh, come on, Ginny," Hermione pleaded. "It's not forever!"
The curtain to Ginny's bed in the Russian estate whipped aside. "How do you know that? We only just got started!"
Hermione put her hands on her hips and tried not to look shocked at Ginny's appearance. "I know there are at least three more plans before they start looking for other options."
Ginny was pale, far more than her normal fair complexion, and her hair had gone several shades lighter. It was the consistency of straw, but Hermione guessed that could be fixed with a good scrub and loads of conditioner.
Nyssa looked concerned in spite of herself, and exchanged looks with Luna. "Busy hands calm a mind. You must come out."
"Then what should we do?" Luna asked.
"We could start with a hair treatment." Hermione shrugged as Ginny glared at her. "Well, it's something practical to do. What else would you do?"
Ginny's shoulders sagged. "I have no idea."
0
"It was nice they let you come home," Neville offered.
Harry snorted as he looked down at the magical ankle bracelet clamped around his leg.
"Better than nothing, mate," Ron pointed out.
"And at least you look normal now," Hermione added.
"Even need my glasses again." Harry sighed.
"It could have been so much worse, Harry." Hermione shook her head. "Ginny's back at the estate for now. I know there's talk of another plan, but I don't know what it is."
"I think I might," Harry said sheepishly. "I was let in on the Amazon's prophecy, wasn't I?
"What does that have to do with anything?" Hermione asked cautiously.
"You may have to do some digging if what I think is true." Harry screwed up his face.
"Like, research?" Neville asked. "What's she supposed to research?"
"Atlantis and the Jotun." Harry took a deep breath. "Voldemort knew some old rumors. The worlds used to be more connected in ancient days. There may have been an entryway to Jotunheim from Atlantis as well as from our world. Do you really think creatures of chaos would only have one door?"
Hermione was silent as she mulled this over. "Probably not."
"Atlantis is long gone," Neville said with a strange look on his face.
"Takes more than a typhoon/volcano/hurricane to destroy an artifact of the gods." Harry said as he glanced at Hermione.
"What else do you know?" Hermione asked.
"The Brotherhood and the Amazons aren't being entirely truthful about what they know," Harry said seriously. "I'd like to call a meeting, but I have no idea how to do it."
"I can find out." Hermione shrugged. "I'll probably see Dumbledore before you do."
"I really didn't want to send an owl." Harry looked regretful. "It's too sensitive."
"I'll do what I can." Hermione and Ron both nodded.
0
They had been watching the purple flash making its way through the waters in the direction of the Amazonian tower for some time, and Alexandra couldn't contain herself. She was grinning widely, much to Asta's amusement.
"How do you even know what it is?" Asta asked, her arms folded across her chest.
"It has no ill-will readings at all, it's in his favorite color, and the flashing coincides with mother's favorite song. The brighter purples are high notes and the darker the color, the lower the note." Alexandra said, as if the answer was obvious.
"You really are your father's daughter." Asta snorted. "Both daft."
Alexandra giggled as she ran to a pole with a seat attached. She hopped on it and the floor opened beneath her and she began to slide down the length of the watch post, Asta right above her. They zipped through several floors and they joined up to other people who were descending to the ground floor. They all dismounted and Asta followed Alexandra to the door that led to the drawbridge.
It took a dozen Amazons to lower the bridge, but they were easy to find since the drawbridge was off the main hall. Several were cranky because they were at the end of their day, but they all complied, and the drawbridge was slowly lowered. Alexandra braced herself for the cold. Thankfully, it wasn't windy. She tugged on the back of her toga and fabric fell out of the folds, giving her access to a cloak that had been warded against the cold.
Her eyes followed the light until it reached the side of the drawbridge. The water steamed in the frigid air as a pure white shark made of ice rose to the surface, a glowing scroll case strapped to its dorsal fin.
She retrieved it and the shark continued to rise out of the water and onto the drawbridge. It transfigured itself into a crystal clear dove that cooed at Alexandra.
It fluttered up to her and she cradled it under her cloak as she walked back to the Tower.
0
Misha Titov was chasing his sister, Nadja, around the kitchen table when a giant black owl with glowing red eyes flew through the window and landed on a large perch. Pieter looked up from his newspaper and at the beast that was glaring at him. The children were staring at it in awe.
Pieter snorted as he got up from his seat to retrieve the letter it was carrying. "Always with the dramatics, Nikolai?"
As he opened the envelope the owl took flight and soared out, the children watching it with wide eyes as it went.
"What was that?" Misha asked quietly.
"A common owl with a charm on it," Pieter told his son. "In a few years you will be able to make your own fantastic transfigurations."
"And me too!" Nadja exclaimed.
"A few years after Misha, you too!" He smiled as he scanned the letter. He sighed as he closed it. "I'm afraid that silly Nicolai is having another one of his fits. I will have to leave you at your Auntie Stacy's this afternoon."
"Yay!" the children exclaimed.
"Well, I am so sad that you will miss me so!" he said dramatically as they giggled. "I don't know how I will make it through!"
"We'll save you cake!" Misha cheered.
"I think that will do fine." Pieter beamed at his children. "We shall have a welcome home feast!"