Saturday morning, a week later, Harry and Hermione waved at Ron as he headed to Hogsmeade with Lavender. It was to be their first date in town. They let them get a little way ahead before they started down the path.
"Do you have any plans?" Harry asked.
"Nope, unless a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks is plans." Hermione grinned.
Harry looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was near, before he explained his plans, "I need to get some new clothes. I got three hundred galleons and I need some help."
"Ok." Hermione nodded in agreement, "Why now though? You've had money before."
"Usually, I get fifty galleons to pay for all my supplies and any spending money I need." Harry shrugged, "I thought my vault had to pay for tuition and all my supplies. After my meeting with the goblins, I have plenty to buy clothes with."
"Where do you want to go first?" she asked.
"I don't even know what stores are in town." He scratched the back of his head.
"I've not done much shopping here. I don't want to waste money on robes when I can get books." She said in a fake shocked tone.
"I'm hoping I can get more than robes." Harry grinned, "What do you think my chances of getting jeans and t-shirts are?"
"That doesn't sound unreasonable." Hermione grinned, however after a day walking though the stores in Hogmeade she rethought her answer, "I can't believe anyone buys those clothes, ugly and expensive."
"I'm pretty sure I saw Malfoy wearing one of those shirts." Harry observed with a chuckle.
"Probably did." She shuddered, "We can go shopping in London over the holiday if you want."
"Shopping in London sounds a lot more crowded." Harry frowned, "I don't need designer names or anything, just some clothes that fit."
"Mum will know of some place we can go." Hermione grinned.
Harry saw something out of the corner of his eye and quick as a blink he'd pulled his wand and shot a stunner at a rat. The twinkle of the silver paw had been what caught his eye. He quickly stepped across the lane and picked up the unconscious rat.
"I wonder what he's doing here." Hermione had followed and realized who he had picked up.
"Which professor is in town?" Harry turned and headed back toward the Three Broomsticks.
"McGonagall." She answered, "What are you going to do?"
"Have her call a few aurors." Harry explained, "That way if he's the precursor of an attack we've got some help. If not, at least we have a wanted felon to turn over."
"A sound plan." She agreed.
Within a few minutes they found McGonagall and explained. She was making the floo call and would join in the meeting. Meanwhile the teens headed up to the room Rosemerta had lent them. It would be better not to do the interrogation in a bar full of teens and an even worse idea to have the aurors leave a town full of teens if an attack was coming.
McGonagall led the two aurors into the room, "Mr. Potter brought him to my attention along with his suspicions."
"Let's see what the rat has to say." Tonks voice preceded the auror into the room.
Kingsley was right behind her and nodded as he saw the room set up, "I'll seal the room."
"I'll change him and tie him to this nice convenient chair Harry has set aside for us." Tonks grinned and took the rat from his hands and hit him with the reversal charm before setting him in the chair.
She kept a hand on him until he was tied to the chair. McGonagall cast the spell that prevented him from changing again as veritaserum was applied. He was then woken up and the questioning proved that an attack was scheduled for the next Hogsmeade weekend and that the rat was gathering information on who was in the village and where specific people went. He was stunned again before they spoke.
"The next Hogsmeade weekend is right before Christmas." McGonagall stated, "More children than normal will be out that weekend. Mostly muggleborns wanting gifts for their families."
"I think you should let him go." Harry had everyone looking at him in shock, "I mean it. If he doesn't return, we won't know if they're going to go ahead with the attack or not. Obliviate him and I'll put him back where I found him before we wake him. He won't know that we know and we can put a dent in Volde's forces. If you have more serum we can find out if there are any auror turncoats to keep out of the know."
"I can't make that decision." Kingsley sighed.
"I'll go get Bones." Tonks volunteered.
"Stay." McGonagall patted her arm, "I'll get Amelia, I'm likely to hex him if I stay any longer."
McGonagall returned followed by Amelia Bones who had her wand out, "The code?"
"Albus is an old coot." Tonks stated.
"Amelia is always right." Shacklebolt finished.
"Coot is an understatement." She replied, "And if I'm not you better not tell anyone."
"He's confessed that he-who is planning an attack on the next Hogsmead weekend." Shacklebolt explained, "Potter suggests we let this go obliviated, let the attack happen and be prepared."
"Also asking Wormy if any current aurors are with Mr. Shallnotbenamed." Tonks added, "Under Vertaserum of course."
"What kind of forces are we likely to be facing?" she asked.
"A few inner circle members and twenty new recruits." Tonks replied, "An initiation."
"We also have a vat of polyjuice." Shacklebolt grinned, "Sleeping potion in the morning pumpkin juice and a bunch of 'kids' go to Hogsmead."
"I want to be here just in case." Harry added.
"In case what?" Bones asked.
"In case Volde shows his snakey face." Harry said.
"What do you plan to do if he does?" she asked.
"That depends on the Goblins." Harry grinned, "I can't speak of what they're doing. But once its completed. He's fair game. If not, I can at least give him something to think about while his forces are being picked off."
"It's not a bad plan." Tonks admitted.
"You're willing to let a child face You-Know-Who?" Amelia asked.
"The prophecy that he was after last year says I can defeat him." Harry looked her dead in the eye, "I'm prepared to do that or die trying."
He felt Hermione's body jerk when he said that and he knew he'd hear about it later. Amelia's stare didn't waver and neither did Harry's.
"I agree to get names, obliviate him and send him packing." Amelia decided, "I want to do some testing with you before you jump to your death."
"I don't plan on dying." Harry corrected her, "I plan on taking him out."
"We'll see." She pulled another bottle of veritaserum from her pocket and dripped it onto Pettigrew's tongue.
After the intense questioning about the death eaters, their plans and supporters she asked another question, she really wanted an answer to this one.
"Who was the secret keeper of the Potters?" she asked.
"I was." He answered.
"Why did you give up their secret?" she continued.
"The Dark Lord promised a fortune to the person who would find them." He answered.
"Did you get it?" Harry asked.
"No." he replied, "He said I couldn't have it since it cost him his body."
Harry opened his mouth but Amelia stopped him, "No more."
Kingsley obliviated the rat and Tonks stunned him. Harry and Hermione took him back to the place they found him, returned to their side of the street and Harry sent a spell at him to wake him up. They were chatting about shopping again and continued to move off to Rosemerta's bar. Shacklebolt was watching the rat from under his own disillusion spell. They were just making sure the rat didn't decide to take a student back with him.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled as she slammed the door of the room of requirement behind her, "Kill him or die trying?"
"More a figure of speech than any true worry about that." He told him, "I wanted her to know I was serious."
"We know you're serious." She huffed, "You don't need to say that combination of words again. Ever!"
"I won't, I knew it was a mistake as soon as I said it." He chuckled and pulled her into a hug, "I am working hard to prepare to take him out, just don't get mad if you don't see me a lot over the next weeks."
"Do you want me to train with you?" she asked then snickered, "I can set up a schedule and I don't mind throwing a few spells your way."
"No offense, Hermione." Harry grimaced and hunched over a bit as he said the next words, "You'd really just slow me down."
"I would slow you down?" she glared at him.
"Yes, you'd worry about the theory of the spells and the proper application." He told her straightening back up when she didn't immediately throw some spells his way, "You'd want to research everything about every spell. I don't have time for research, I need a large variety of spells, I need them fast."
"Well, I guess you're right about that." She huffed, "How about I go to the library and make a list of spells, pronunciations and wand movements and you can work them out and ask for help if you don't get them."
Harry looked to the portrait for help and wasn't disappointed when he spoke up, "You can do that but it won't help Harry."
"Why not?" she demanded when she found the portrait.
"He doesn't need it." Merry smiled, "He really doesn't."
"Can I show her?" Harry asked.
"Just let me leave first, I don't want to deal with her questions." Merry grinned and waved, "She may be a Gryffindor at heart but she has the brain of a Ravenclaw and I could never stand their need to question everything."
"I don't like him." Hermione frowned at the empty frame.
"He's teasing you, mostly." Harry admitted, "You do question everything."
"Fine, I suppose I do." She huffed, "So here's the next one, what exactly is he talking about?"
"Sit. Stay. Watch." He grinned to let her know he was teasing.
"I'm going to bite you." She shook her head but grinned.
Harry handed her his wand, then called the dueling platform and some dummies. He spent the next thirty minutes laying waste to his opponents. The only sound was his harsh breathing and the spells impacting their targets. When he stopped, he looked over and found her still looking dumbfounded. He moved to sit next to her and grabbed a towel the room provided.
"Harry!" she whispered, "When did you start that?"
"This year." He answered in a normal tone, "At first, I couldn't do it. Then the goblins took the block off and it was easier, but still tough. When I found out Dumbledore was planning my death; I stormed from his office and came here to let off some steam. I never took my wand from my pocket. I blew up dummies for a couple hours then took a long hot bath. I was just getting dressed when the room jerked you in."
"I don't think you're going to have any issue fighting Vol… Vol… Voldemort." She spat it out.
"It depends on the goblins." Harry sighed, "I need to get in touch with Sharptongue and this isn't something I want to put in a letter."
"Why the goblins?" she asked.
"You remember the soul shard." He asked and she nodded, "He intentionally made some of those. It's a horrible, disgusting bit of magic. He intentionally broke his soul into seven pieces. The piece left in his body is too small for him to be considered completely human. Mine, the book during second year, one that Dumbledore got and an item in someone's vault have already been destroyed. There is one more in London, one to the north and two to the west. The goblins are looking for those pieces. When they find and destroy all but the piece in Voldemort, I will be able to kill him."
"You need to tell them about the attack and see if they can finish by then." She nodded, "Good plan. Next question, what are the spells you used? There were several you used I couldn't identify, so just tell me the newest stuff you've learned."
"The newest thing I've learned is that I don't need a spell. It's intent based magic, I don't need to say or think lumos, I just need to want light." Harry reached over to the book case and grabbed the small book, "Can you meditate?"
"Yes." She answered looking at the book in his hand, "What's that?"
"It's a very short book that will teach you to meditate and find your core." He handed it over, "It can't leave the room."
"Why?" she asked.
He snorted and she had the good grace to look sheepish, "I accidentally left with it in my pocket once. It disappeared and was sitting on the shelf when I returned."
She opened the book and read it in just a few minutes. Then she sat back to put what she'd read into action.
At breakfast the next morning Harry received an owl with the Gringotts seal on its harness. He took the missive and opened it. They were requesting his presence at the bank that afternoon. That neatly took care of his need to meet with them so he approached his head of house.
"I need to go to Gringotts today." He explained, "I can floo to Fred and George's place, it's just across the street from the bank."
"We'll go after breakfast." She smiled, "I'll inform the headmaster when he arrives."
"Just don't let him talk you out of it." Harry gave a slight grimace.
"He'd not as bad as you're thinking right now." She offered, "Though I can certainly understand your attitude."
"I know, but right now I just don't feel like being that generous." Harry shrugged and went back to his seat.
An hour later Harry arrived at the bank with McGonagall. She stepped off to the side and allowed him to go on without her. He arrived at Sharptongue's office and took the offered seat.
"Harry, we have issues." He stated, "We've figured out where they are. The one here in London is under a fidelous, you own it, but if you don't know where it is we'll have to break it. The one to the north is in Hogwarts."
"The one in London, do you have an approximate address?" Harry asked.
"Grimmauld Place." He answered.
"I know where that one is." Harry nodded in relief, "The one in Hogwarts, is there any way to pinpoint the location?"
"If you're willing, we can provide you with an artifact that will help locate it." Sharptongue offered, "We don't know how the wards will affect either the artifact or its ability to find the horcrux. Can you give us the secret to the London location?"
"Dumbledore is the keeper." Harry sighed.
"Perhaps it is for the best. He can allow the artifact to pass the wards if it is stopped by them." Sharptongue admitted.
"Another item you'll need to be aware of." Harry couldn't state it out right, "If you can get them all in the next couple weeks. We have a slight chance to end him."
"How slight?" Sharptongue asked.
"Just depends on if he decides to join in." Harry shrugged, "We've stumbled across some plans."
"If you can pinpoint a date, I think we can insure he joins." Sharptongue grinned maliciously, "The last piece other than his own construct is a pet snake that he seems to care for a great deal. We'll make sure it dies just before the attack."
Harry left with a letter to Dumbledore. He and McGonagall floo'd back to the headmaster's office and Harry approached him with the letter.
"They know where two are but they need your help." Harry took a seat after he sat the envelope on the desk as McGonagall left, "I am requesting that you provide them the information they are requesting since it is mine."
Dumbledore looked a bit confused until he read the first part of the letter, "That may explain some of the darkness of the house and Kreacher's attitude."
"I thought so too." Harry agreed.
"Here?" Dumbledore blanched as he got to the second request.
"They're asking permission so that the artifact doesn't interfere with the wards." Harry stated, "If you allow this and we find it quickly, he'll be down to two. Please sir, do not delay on this."
"Very well." He agreed, "I'll go see to this today."
"Thank you." Harry nodded and left the office.
A few days later Harry was called to the headmaster's office again. As he arrived, he heard Dumbledore speaking.
"I just want to know what you're going to talk to him about." Harry sighed as Dumbledore asked.
"If Mr. Potter wants you to know, he'll tell you." Amelia's voice nearly had him laughing, he did remember her pass phrase with Tonks and Shacklebolt.
Harry knocked and was bid to enter, "Madam Bones. Nice to see you again."
"You as well, Mr. Potter." She began.
"Now what is this meeting about?" Dumbledore asked again as Harry took the seat next to Amelia.
"Sir, did you finish the two tasks the Goblins had?" He asked.
"Now is not the time." Dumbledore tried.
"It's important to what we're meeting about." He stated.
"London is complete." He sighed, "The second one has some issues. The artifact didn't work."
"Not the best but it's a step in the right direction." Harry stated, "We've gotten information about an attack that's going to occur soon. I want to be prepared in case he shows up too."
"The goblins have taken you into the confidence?" Amelia asked Dumbledore with a lot of skepticism.
"No." Dumbledore admitted, "Mr. Potter has their confidence, I had the information required for them to take the steps they needed. Two steps still need completed and then Harry will be able to kill him."
"Why Mr. Potter?" she asked, "Why not you or an auror or anyone who is trained past a Hogwarts education?"
"There's a prophecy." Dumbledore stated, hating the fact that the information was getting out, "Harry is the only one who can defeat him."
"What extra training have you provided him?" she demanded.
"It isn't necessary." Dumbledore shook his head, "He has the power of love on his side. He will be victorious."
Harry discreetly put his hand on Amelia's arm. She took a deep breath as the dinner bell rang, "I'm going to eat dinner with Susan then I'd like to teach Mr. Potter a few tricks he can employ, until this power of love, kicks in."
"Have you ever found the room of requirement?" Harry stood and asked Amelia as he held out a hand to help her up.
"I thought it was fiction." She shook her head.
"Not fiction. I'll show you after dinner." Harry turned to his headmaster, "Sir I think its best if Madam Bones and I are the only ones in the room. I want as few people as possible to know what I learn. Less chance of anyone accidentally letting the information out."
"I would feel better if I was there." He stated.
"I would feel better if you weren't." Harry mumbled and led Amelia from the room.
"You're not getting on with him, I thought you were devoted to him." Amelia commented as they reached the bottom of the steps.
"Some of that has been lost due to his actions." Harry shrugged, "Some due to his inaction, and some of it was lost due to his plans."
"Interesting." She admitted.
Dinner was over quickly enough and Harry led Amelia up to the room. He showed her how to open it and they entered.
"That is very interesting." She admitted.
"I've asked the room to block everyone else." He explained, "That way Dumbledore can't sneak in. When I use it normally, I allow Madam Pomfrey, McGonagall, Dumbledore and my friends to enter, in case there is an issue."
"That seems to be a good idea." She agreed, "How often do you use it?"
"Every evening." He stated, "Have a seat, I'm going to show you a bit of the things I've been learning."
She took the offered seat and watched in amazement as a dueling platform was pulled from the floor. She was confused when Harry put his wand, on a stand, on the other side of the room. Three dummies mounted the opposing side of the platform. When Harry stepped onto the platform all three dummies attacked simultaneously in a pattern that reminded her of an auror exercise in dodging. She though she understood he was showing her his ability to move and Harry did dodge for a few minutes before raising his empty hands and taking all three out with different curses.
"Merlin's pants." She gasped when he was done, "I didn't know that was even possible."
"I'd like to keep it that way." Harry stated, "The prophecy says I have a power that Voldemort doesn't have. Dumbledore thinks its love. I think its wandless magic, far past what most think is possible."
"I think I agree with you." She chuckled, "I hope the goblins can finish their part."
"They will." Harry stated.
"Kingsley tells me you're interested in being an auror." She stated as they stood to leave.
"Not really, not anymore." Harry grinned, "I had thought I would need to be trained as an auror to stop him. But as I don't think that's necessary any longer, I'd prefer to stay well away from the ministry and even farther from the politicians that run it."
"I can't say I blame you for that." She nodded as they exited to find Dumbledore in the hall.
"I thought I told you I'd feel better being in there with you." He stated.
"I haven't taught him anything yet." Amelia answered truthfully then fabricated the rest, "We've made plans to meet over the holidays. We'll see what he can do and what's needed then. He's only a sixth year Dumbledore, I'm sure it's going to take longer than one evening to get him up to standard."
"Let me know when and where please." He stated.