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Under the Microscope
The Professors were giddy when they sat down with the spell researchers sent by the Departments of Magical Law Enforcement and Mysteries. Not only was their favorite test subject returning, but he'd brought them extra help? They'd have to remember to do something nice for the boy, maybe assign him a few dozen extra lessons or something.
"First things first," Auror Pinch began. The old man had a smile on his face that would have required surgery to remove. It was good to get back to work and be useful again. "I trust everyone's heard about our subject's new storage spell?"
"Enlighten us," one of the hooded figures sent by the Department of Mysteries demanded. Every researcher and professor in the room leaned forward eagerly to hear the man's report on their subject's newest research project.
"Watts, if you would," Auror Pinch prompted.
"Boy's somehow enchanted himself so he can draw anything he owns from his pockets," Auror Watts began. "It was first believed that he was drawing the objects from his trunk. That proved to be false when he filled his pockets with nearly everything we had in the evidence room. We now believe that he's created a storage area outside normal space and is also accessing objects covered in his
magical signature through it."
"It's what we're going to focus on first," Auror Pinch said, scratching a deep scar on his left cheek. "Who wants to join us?"
"I'd be delighted to until he manages to accidentally create another charm," Flitwick offered instantly. "It sounds absolutely fascinating."
"As would we," the lead figure from the Department of Mysteries stated.
"Be sure to remember that Filius and I are going to commandeer him for our respective trade shows," Minerva said sharply. "We saw him first and we're graciously allowing you to share him so long as it does not interfere with our plans."
"Want to rub him in the faces of the premiere minds in your fields, huh?" Pinch asked. "Can't say I blame you. Bunch of stuck up snooks."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Minerva said primly. "But if it so happens that having him there allows me to better show that arrogant ass Ogden Wernstrom that his proper place in the world is on the floor groveling before his betters." Along with two or three dozen unnamed individuals. "I shall certainly not shed a tear."
"Of course you won't," Pinch laughed. "What about you, Filius?"
"While I don't have quite so many . . . ah." Enemies was probably not the right word to use, despite the fact that it was the most accurate. "Professional rivalries as my esteemed colleague, there are a few individuals that I wouldn't mind showing Mr. Potter off to."
"Regarding young Mr. Potter's time, my colleagues and I may have something we can offer to aid in that." The hooded figure held up a time turner.
IIIIIIIIII
Harry felt a familiar sinking sensation as the train pulled into Hogwarts station. Gone were his carefree days at the Granger house, he was back in the hands of his Professors, back in a place where sleep was considered a barrier to working out his latest mistake and where every professor believed that their class was the most important. Oh well, maybe the new researchers Amelia had sent would distract them? Odds were they'd make things worse, but a boy could hope, couldn't he? Probably not, he decided. His life and experience had taught him the cruel lesson that a bit of hope just made things worse.
The sight of his Head of House, Professor Minerva McGonagall standing on the platform with an inappropriately wide smile on her face caused the boy to break out in a cold sweat. When he identified the object in her hand, he felt an almost overwhelming urge to flee. His life had been difficult enough before, the addition of a time turner would increase the level of suckage by at least an order of magnitude. An idle part of his mind wondered for a moment if Voldemort's offer to join him was still good?
Minerva leapt onto the train the second it stopped moving and burst into their compartment a few seconds later.
"Mr. Potter!" Minerva bounced into the room. "I just got the news and I absolutely had to be the first to share it with you."
"What is it, Professor?" He didn't like her smile, it promised all manner of unspeakable horrors in his future.
"We've been nominated for the Puddocky Transfiguration Prize," Minerva said. "Congradulations, Mr. Potter, you are the youngest nominee in history by two decades."
"Congratulations, Harry!" Hermione squeaked, throwing her arms around him.
"Good on you, mate!" Ron agreed, eyes shining. He slapped his friend on the back. "Knew you had it in you!"
"Wait till I tell Aunt Amelia," Susan said as she stepped over to give Harry a squeeze.
"Wait till we tell the other Puffs," Hannah agreed, joining Susan.
"Do you mind if I notify father?" Luna asked before boldly giving Harry a hug of her own. "I'm sure he's going to want to put out a special issue right away after he hears the news."
"I don't, do you, Mr. Potter?" Minerva asked.
"No, Professor," Harry said, wondering what the big deal was. "Feel free, Luna."
"Thank you, Harry," Luna replied.
"Winners will be announced at the Transfiguration Trade Show next week," Minerva continued. "Just being nominated is a great honor. I do not want you to feel any disappointment if we do not win, it's only a matter of time. If not this year then next and if not next then the year after. It's only a matter of time." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't know how proud I am of you for this, Mr. Potter. Well done."
"Happy to be of service, Professor," Harry replied.
"I suppose I'd better notify Albus," Minerva continued looking more excited than any of the students could remember seeing her before. "Three former students have won the prize and seven more have been nominated, but never a current student. He'll be so proud, he'll burst."
Harry waited until he was sure the Professor was gone to turn back to his friends to get a few answers. Hopefully without making himself look too ignorant.
"Um?" He gave Hermione a helpless look.
"Honestly, Harry," she huffed, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "It's like a magical Nobel Prize for Transfiguration."
"Oh." Harry blinked a few times. "Wow."
"We shall have to make a note to get a matching one for ourselves at some point in the future, Hermione," Luna giggled. "I'm sure you will win, Harry."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Luna."
The group retired to the castle and took their places at their house tables. The biggest subject of gossip was the presence of several new places at the staff table along with the witches and wizards occupying them.
"You're all wrong," Ron belched after hearing a crazy rumor that the new people were there to improve school health and safety or something else equally unlikely. "They're here to make Harry's life miserable. Nothing us normal students have to worry about."
"Thanks, Ron," Harry grumbled.
"You think I'm wrong?" Ron challenged.
"I think I would have liked a few more minutes with my delusions," Harry replied.
"They're spell researchers," one of the female firstys said firmly.
Harry relaxed a hair at her pronouncement. He knew about the spell researchers, looked like it wasn't something new after all.
"How do you know?" her neighbor asked.
"My grandpa is up there and he's a spell researcher and so is the lady next to him," the firsty replied, squinting at the table and identifying several of her grandfather's friends as well. "So are all the ones on the left."
Harry sighed, looked like Ron was right after all. Damn it!
Seeing his chance, Neville took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and acted.
"Hermione!" the boy called out.
"Yes, Neville?" the girl asked, turning her attention away from Harry pounding his head on the table. Hopefully he wouldn't damage anything too important.
"Gran wanted me to tell you right off that we're more closely related than she and your mum thought," he continued. "My . . . um . . . I forget how many greats, grandmother was your however many greats grandfather's younger sister."
"How long ago was that?" the girl asked, not noticing the curious looks directed at her by some of the purebloods at the table.
"Bit less than two hundred years ago," Neville replied. "I was supposed to tell you on the train. Don't tell gran that I forgot."
"I won't." Hermione grinned. "You can count on me, Cousin Neville."
"Thank you, Cousin Hermione." The boy flushed with pleasure at the way she instantly acknowledged their, admittedly distant, familial relationship. "She also told me that she wanted to tell your mum herself so don't spoil it."
"Okay, Neville," Hermione agreed, "I know that mum and your gran were planning to meet after we all got back to Hogwarts. I presume she'll do it then. Let me know when I can bring the subject up, please."
Surprisingly, the first day of class went almost without incident. The only thing of note happened when Neville ended up running into a bit of potential trouble on his way back from a late night at the greenhouses.
"Not so pure as you thought 'eh, Logbottom?" Malfoy sneered, blocking the corridor with his goons. Time to give the half squib a little lesson.
"Something you new money families never realized was that my purity comes from the blood in my veins. Quality has nothing to do with my ancestors' magic or lack thereof and everything to do with their nobility," Neville replied calmly, noticing something that Draco did not, namely that half a dozen of his house mates were standing behind the slimy git including an annoyed looking Hermione and a completely impassive Harry Potter. "That is what makes my blood pure. Using the same logic, yours is filthier than a sewer." Neville stepped closer, invading Draco's personal space. "Yield to your betters, mudblood, step aside, or I shall be forced to dirty my fists in dealing with you. Scum like you doesn't rate my wand."
"How dare you. How dare you!" Draco was trembling with rage. The boy's attention was caught by a snicker turned cough behind him and he turned to berate his bodyguards before putting the Longbottom in his place and froze, finally realizing the danger he was in.
"You know, I'm starting to come around to your point of view, Draco," Harry said calmly. "Well, when mixed with Neville's, of course" he amended. "Thank you for your insight, Neville. I never realized that Malfoy, of all people, might be right about something."
"I'm not sure I can agree with that, Harry," Hermione said loudly. "Mum always told me that one of the most important things to remember about coming from one of the traditionally important families was that you never lorded it over your inferiors, social or intellectual." She favored the scion of he Malfoy family with a look so condescending that even her ex-step-grandmother would approve. "Such as Draco Malfoy who is both our social inferior and our intellectual inferior."
"You are of course correct, cousin," Neville sighed. "Forgive me for the shameful display I put on in your presence."
"Of course, cousin Neville," Hermione replied, playing along. "Though I'm sure that there must be an exception for dealing with people as trying as Malfoy."
"Exception or not, I'm sorry you had to see that side of me." Neville turned back to Draco. "Please forgive me for my earlier rudeness. I'm afraid my cousin is correct, those of us fortunate enough to come from quality should behave in such a way as to set a good example for people of lesser quality such as yourself. Now if you will excuse me, I have business with my kinswoman." He strode away from the sputtering boy and into the group of his housemates.
"I'm so glad we ran into you, Neville," Hermione said quickly. "Mum sent me a letter telling me that your gran wanted her to introduce you to some of my female cousins."
"She hasn't given up that idea?" Neville asked faintly.
"Apparently not," Hermione agreed. "I wanted to warn you that my cousin Elizabeth is absolutely horrid, despite how charming she can act if she thinks it will get her something. My cousin Juliet is very sweet, but also very shy. And my cousin Annabel is . . . um . . . she has a very good personality," Hermione finished lamely.
"I see," Neville said, trying not to show any reaction.
"It's not that she's hideously ugly or anything," Hermione continued, showing that Neville wasn't as successful as he'd have liked to have been. "She's actually quite pretty, it's just that . . . well . . . um . . ." The girl's shoulders dropped. "She's as dumb as a particularly stupid dray horse. Lovely girl in both meanings of the word though."
"Nearly everyone is an idiot compared to you, Hermione," Harry laughed.
"She really is as dumb as a dray horse," Hermione repeated. "Lovely girl, pleasant personality, nothing between her ears but air. Although." Hermione shot Neville a look of frank appraisal. "It might be best to find someone nice to look after her."
"Having gran do it is bad enough, I don't need you doing it too," Neville said firmly. "Please stop, Hermione."
"Alright, Neville," Hermione agreed. "A quick letter or two to your gran recommending Juliette followed by Annabel and that Elizabeth should not be considered under any circumstances since she's a horrible shrew and I promise that I will stay out of your love life unless they ask for my opinion or there is a need for more details as to the whys of my recommendation or I absolutely feel that I have to interfere for any reason whatsoever."
"I . . . fine," Neville agreed, figuring it was as good as he could get.
IIIIIIIIII
The crew of the Hogwarts express were preparing one of the engines for the weekly cargo run to London when their two favorite students arrived for a visit.
"Um . . ." Hermione was unusually hesitant that morning.
"We would like to ask for your help in restoring Hermione's new locomotive," Luna said, taking the initiative.
"Andrew Barclay Sons 0-4-0 saddle tank number 1836 made in 1924," Hermione said, happy to talk about her favorite subject. "She's in really rough shape but she still runs."
"Happy to help," the engineer agreed. "Where is she?"
"Either on the back of a truck on her way to Scotland or waiting for us at an old coal mine," Hermione replied.
"Any chance you could have her transported to the Hogwarts line?" he asked. "Be easier if we could bring her back here to work on. More convenient for everyone too."
"It shouldn't be a problem," Hermione mused, "I can ask my father."
"You do that," he agreed.
IIIIIIIIII
Minerva looked up when there was a firm knock on the door. She wasn't expecting anyone, but it wasn't unusual for students to drop by to speak with her about things.
"Come in!" she called out.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Harry said.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Potter, what can I do for you?" Minerva asked.
"Two things, thought I'd give you a heads up that Snape tried to give me detention today," Harry began.
"Oh, What for?"
"I'm not sure," Harry admitted. "I think he was annoyed that I charmed my vial to be unbreakable. He sometimes likes to drop them and mark me down as not completing the assignment."
"Did you check to make sure that the charm would not interfere with the potion?" She made a mental note to look into his remark about her colleague.
"I did, Professor," Harry agreed. "The charm was in the potions manual along with a strong suggestion to use it."
"He tried to give you detention," she persisted.
"He did. Seemed pretty annoyed when I reminded him that I was busy and couldn't spare the time." Harry choked down a laugh.
"I'll remind Severus that I've decided to handle all of your issues personally," Minerva promised. She'd also ream him out if he was still insisting on being unprofessional and petty. "What else did you want to discuss with me?"
"I need to schedule a couple of business meetings. At least one for Hermione's father with the Harpies and at least one more with the goblins on behalf of Hermione's godfather. I'd also like to attend a couple of the Harpies games. You're welcome to come along for those if you wish, Professor. They gave me season tickets for one of the private boxes."
"I'd be delighted to, Mr. Potter, thank you," Minerva said, pleased at the thought.
"No problem Professor." Harry paused to think. "Also pretty sure that Hermione and the other girls have a few things they want me to do for them, but I don't know any details."
"I'll speak with the others and emphasize how lucky they are for you to be willing to grant them so much of your time," Minerva agreed. "Speaking of time, you're not feeling overwhelmed by the amount of research and training you're doing, are you?"
"Ask me in a week or two," Harry answered honestly. "I know what I'm doing is important and I know that I need all the help I can get since I've got all sorts of nasty people after my head, it's just a bit difficult sometimes."
"Use your time turner whenever you need to take a kip," Minerva advised, "don't think they only reason I gave it to you was so you could spend more time studying."
"Will do, Professor," Harry agreed.
"I'll also have a chat with the other Professors to have your homework load reduced, I see no reason why the time you spend researching can't replace it." One less essay to grade every week would be welcomed by all.
"Thanks, Professor."
"Not at all," Minerva replied with a smile.
IIIIIIIIII
Hermione was waiting when Harry returned to the Gryffindor Common Room. The girl had an enormous book on her lap and a hopeful expression on her face.
"Can I help you with something, Hermione?" he asked.
"You don't have to if you're too busy," Hermione blurted.
"I'm never too busy to do something for you, Hermione," Harry assured the girl.
"Would you mind going with me when I go out to do a couple things this weekend?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"Not at all," Harry said.
"That's it, you don't even want to know what they are?"
"I'd like to know what they are, but I don't have to," Harry explained. "I trust you completely, all I need to know is that you'd like me to go with you."
"Harry." The girl flushed with pleasure. "Daddy wants me to give a speech at the coal mine he bought for me and Luna to play with. I was hoping that you'd help me write it and go with us. I'm also moving my locomotive to Hogwarts and I was hoping that you'd go with us for that too."
"Luna going?"
"Yes. Hannah and Susan are also attend the opening," Hermione agreed.
"Sounds like it will be a fun outing," he murmured. Harry sat down next to her. "What are you reading?"
"A complete illustrated history of the Hogwarts Express," Hermione replied. "Did you know that there's a canal to Hogwarts that was used before the express line was finished?"
"Hadn't a clue," Harry replied. "Is it still there?"
"I think so, but it hasn't been used in so long that it must be in awful disrepair."
"Might be something to look into later," Harry mused.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"I thought you'd jump at a chance to explore a hidden part of our forgotten industrial heritage," Harry laughed.
"Harry, that's perfect! Thank you!" Hermione squealed. "I absolutely must be sure to write that down for my speech."
"I'd stress that and job creation," Harry agreed. "Don't mention anything about why the mines were closed. It was all before our time, no sense tearing off scabs." He pursed his lips. "In fact, don't say anything negative about anyone if you can help it. Everyone has friends and relatives and saying something negative about someone risks alienating their friends and relatives. There's no need to do that here. If anyone else brings it up, say that you were very young when it happened and that you don't know very much about the subject. Promise that you will add educating yourself on the matter to your list of things to do but follow up by saying that your list is fairy long so it may take some time to get to it. Then apologize for your ignorance. Playing dumb is a valid tactic, don't be too proud to use it to avoid actual fools."
"Okay, Harry," Hermione agreed. "What else do you think I should say?"
IIIIIIIIII
Tonks supervised as Bill put up another set of wards over their safe house. While not as extensive as the ones over the Granger homes, the principle was the same. The wards were like an onion, layer after layer, each placed by different contractors meaning that any hostile forces had to do more than just capture one warder to compromise the defenses.
"Done," Bill reported, "anything else you want me to do?"
"Few more places that you're not going to get to keep your memories of," Tonks agreed. "Nothing personal, but what you don't know, you can't spill under torture."
"So long as whoever takes the memories doesn't take too much," Bill agreed.
"We've got professionals working on it," Tonks assured the man. Professionals who would then lose any memory of the day's work. It was best to be thorough about these things.
"Fine," Bill agreed.
IIIIIIIIII
Harry was privately amazed that he woke up late the next Saturday morning. He'd have laid good odds that Hermione would have been overcome with excitement at the thought of being reunited with her 'Precious' and woken him up. As it was, he'd managed to get a bit of well needed rest after spending half the night trying to figure out one of his mistakes.
For once, it seemed that the universe wasn't actively out to get him. Sure, it was probably just trying to lull him into a false sense of security before the other shoe dropped, but he was more than happy to take what he could get.
Hermione was waiting for him in the Common Room when he came down and she immediately latched onto his wrist and dragged him out of the Gryffindor tower.
"Come on, the others are already waiting," Hermione said excitedly.
They found the other girls were clustered around a table in the Great Hall, and they immediately set out at Hermione's insistence.
"Thought you two weren't coming?" Harry said to Susan and Hannah.
"We'd never think of leaving our friends to do hard work without offering to help," Susan said, scandalized by the very notion.
"Yeah," Hannah agreed, not mentioning the fact that Susan had been having nightmares again and that it was hoped that spending a bit of time around Harry would quell them.
Harry had to stop for a moment to get a good look at the train when they got to the station, it looked quite different from the normal Hogwarts express. To start with, the engine was different. While the livery was the same, it was larger and the lines were obviously different, even to his untrained eye. Following that was the usual coal car, behind that was one passenger car, followed by a flat wagon, and a giant steam powered crane.
After taking in the train, the boy took a quick glance around to confirm that that the security people had already taken their positions on board. After that, they boarded and made themselves comfortable in the one passenger car where they were soon joined by Tonks and the snack cart lady.
"It'll take a few hours before we get to the section of track we'll be meeting up with the truck," the snack cart lady said, "so just make yourselves comfortable till then."
"Anyone up for a game of cards to pass the time?" Tonks asked, holding up a deck.
IIIIIIIIII
The truck was waiting for them when the train pulled to a stop and, true to the precept that anything that could go wrong would, they were unable to proceed due to a problem with a vital piece of equipment.
"Harry, they say that it'll take them at least a day to repair the crane," Hermione said, working herself up to tell her friend that he didn't have to stay with them, she hated to see him go but his time had become so valuable that she thought it selfish to monopolize so much of it.
"No problem," Harry laughed. "All you had to do was ask."
"Ask?" Hermione murmured in confusion.
The boy drew his wand and concentrated on Hermione's small locomotive for a few seconds. The crew watched in silent awe as the engine lifted off the back of the truck and onto the heavy capacity flat wagon that had been prepared for it.
"Harry," Hermione whispered in shock.
"Really takes it out of you to lift something so large," Harry panted. "Tell me if you need me to get it off again when we get to Hogwarts. I should be rested enough by then."
"Okay," Hermione said numbly, her mind racing to calculate the amount of magical power needed to lift something so large.
"Wake me up in a few minutes," he asked, yawning, "I'm gonna go take a nap."
"We'll wake you up when we get back underway," Luna agreed absently, still staring in shocked wonder at the flat wagon.
"Thanks," Harry mumbled as he got back onto the train.
"Your young man has a lot of power," the engineer commented calmly, startling the four girls. "Never seen anyone do anything like that before."
"He's Harry Potter," Luna replied proudly. "He can do anything. Right, Hermione?" her voice was filled with absolute confidence.
"I'm beginning to think so," Hermione agreed faintly.
"Never seen someone that had enough power in 'em to lift a fifty ton locomotive," the fireman added. "Maybe Dumbledore could do it, but not anyone else."
"You see, I told you he could keep us safe," Hannah said to her best friend with supreme confidence. "Like Luna says, he's Harry Potter, he can do anything."
"Yeah," Susan agreed, perking up. Feeling immensely better after seeing tangible evidence of the boy's power level.
"Hate to break this up, but how much longer are we going to be here?" Tonks asked.
"You're not amazed by what Harry did?" Susan asked.
"Not yet, I'm saving it till I get off the clock," Tonks explained. "Then I'm going to spend at least fifteen minutes gibbering in shock followed by several hours of heavy drinking. Now, I'm busy looking after you lot and it would be unprofessional to have a nervous breakdown no matter how much I really need one."
They secured the locomotive and woke Harry as they started the trip back to Hogwarts. Susan and Hannah were a lot more bubbly and full of life on the return journey, Tonks was as professional as ever, while Luna and Hermione spent the whole ride back chattering at each other in incomprehensible technobabble over a parchment covered in incomprehensible equations.
Unloading the engine had to be postponed for a few hours since the crane had yet to be repaired and the girls absolutely refused to permit Harry to stress himself by unloading it.
"You said you wanted to relax today, so relax," Susan said firmly.
"Yeah," Hannah agreed. "Why don't we all just spend the day with each other in the library or something like we did at Hermione's house?" Susan was glowing after spending a few hours with their savior so Hannah was intent on getting as much group Harry time as possible.
"Sure, why not," Harry agreed. McGonagall had somehow arranged for him to have the weekend to himself.
"We'll meet you in the library," Hermione said.
"We have an errand we need to run first," Luna agreed.
"See you there," Hannah said.
Hermione and Luna rushed through the corridors to Professor Vector's quarters and impatiently pounded on the door.
"What?" the woman demanded. "You do know it's my day off, don't you?"
"Sorry, Professor, but we thought you needed to see this," Luna said, thrusting the parchment into the woman's hands.
"What am I looking at?" Vector sighed.
"Do you see any mistakes?" Hermione asked intently.
She glanced at the parchment again. "None at all. Why?" she asked, still clearly annoyed at the intrusion on her personal time.
"Please look again, Professor, we want to be absolutely sure," Hermione said firmly. "You have to be absolutely sure."
"Fine," she sighed, squinting at the parchment.
"It looks correct but I don't see why you'd bother calculating the amount of magical power needed to lift fifty tons of steel and move it ten meters, it's not like anyone could do it," Vector said. "The amount of power needed would burn anyone to a crisp."
"Harry did," Luna blurted.
"He did what?!" Vector demanded, she leveled an intense stare at the two girls. "I want you to repeat that."
"We saw Harry Potter use magic to lift a small locomotive from the back of a lorry onto a flat wagon," Hermione repeated.
"We fudged the numbers a bit because we aren't sure of the exact weight of the locomotive, it's also not one hundred percent steel, but the distances are absolutely correct."
"Merlin," Vector gasped. She went over the equations again. "Merlin!"
"That was our reaction too, Professor," Luna said happily.
"May I keep this parchment?" the Professor asked.
"You may, Professor," Hermione agreed.
"Thank you, please tell the Hogwarts express crew that I don't want the engine Harry moved touched until after we get a chance to accurately weigh it," Vector commanded. "We're also going to need to go through it and classify every part by weight and metallurgy. Merlin, I . . . damn, this is going to change everything."
"We're going to be taking her apart for repair and restoration, Professor, would you like to join us so you can do your measurements?" Hermione asked.
"Please," Vector agreed, the woman couldn't tear her eyes away from the parchment. "If you girls will excuse me, I have some people to floo. Several people to floo."
"We'll probably be in the library for the rest of the day if you need us, Professor," Hermione said to the closing door.
IIIIIIIIII
Tonks had just gotten back to her room and poured herself a stiff drink to calm her nerves when a knock on the door disturbed the fragile peace she'd managed to build.
"Unlocked!" she called out.
"Security plan for the event just changed again," one of her underlings reported.
"Damn it," Tonks sighed, "I'm off the clock, I was planning to start gibbering in stupefied shock at the display Harry put on today."
"Bloody glad he's on our side after seeing that," the former Auror agreed. "Would hate to see what he could do to us if he was properly motivated."
"I think we'd be able to do our duty, I also think that there wouldn't be many of us left at the end of the day," Tonks agreed. Your ability to fight was based on a mixture of speed, power, skill, and endurance. She wasn't sure how Harry rated in the other three categories, but his power level was frighteningly high.
"Yeah," he agreed. The man handed over a file. "Big house is sending up a dozen people to infiltrate the crowd and Bones says that we're to do anything necessary save the unforgivables. Says we can always wipe memories if we have to."
"My orders are to use everything we have to including the unforgivables. Bit harder to cover them up than it is to wipe memories . . ."
"But it's easier than coming back to life," her colleague agreed. "Just as soon not use 'em myself. Though I will admit that it's hilarious to see one of your foes turn on his mates."
"When did you see that?" Tonks demanded.
"When Aurors broke up a raid on my house the summer of my third year," he replied. "S'what made me want to join the force."
Omake by slickrcbd
"What's with the funny look, Hermione?"
"I'm amazed at the sheer amount of power needed to move something so large and heavy."
"Size matters not, Hermione. Only difference is in your mind."