Yes, I know it's a bit late. At least it is according to my schedule. I'll release the next
part early to make up for it!

Also, if you have not yet read the revised section of Chapter 3 I suggest you do. I added a
bit more than a full page to the end.

As always:
Please leave a review!

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Morning sun filtered in the windows of the Leaky Cauldron as Harry and his friends tumbled out of the sooty fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron.  They quickly brushed the soot off their robes before stepping out into the active atmosphere of Diagon Alley.  Cloaked witches and wizards bustled about, dragging children or carrying parcels and bags from shop to shop.  The wizards' almost carefree attitude made a sharp contrast to the undercurrent of alert tension emanating from Professor Lupin and Bill Weasley when they flanked the group and made a beeline for Gringotts. 

The two adults relaxed slightly as they entered the marble and stone confines of the Wizarding Bank and allowed the resident goblins to shepherd their charges through the twisting tunnels in the bowels of London.  The Ministry of Magic's staunch denial of Voldemort's return and Dumbledore's insistence created a tenser environment in Wizarding London than Harry remembered.  Despite that, Harry asked Professor Lupin if he, Ron and Hermione could finish their shopping without an escort as long as they promised to stay close.

Before Professor Lupin answered, a sharp shattering crash from Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor startled everyone.  Professor Lupin and Bill immediately drew their wands on the invader.  The small black cat paused, glaring over the table's edge at the offending glass and sat down primly, watching the group with its mismatched eyes.  Professor Lupin smiled ruefully at the cat and put his wand away, turning back to answer Harry.  "I don't see why not.  Just stay in Diagon Alley."

"That means you two," Bill added pointedly to the Twins,  "stay out of Knockturn Alley!"  Fred and George's gleeful smiles drooped a bit at this but they agreed before slipping into the crowds.  "Someone better keep an eye on those two."  Bill sighed, settling his wand in easy reach before striding off into the Wizarding crowds.

Professor Lupin warned the remaining four to be careful and to be back in the Leaky Cauldron in two hours.  He also reminded them to head for Gringotts, the Leaky Cauldron, or Ollivanders should there be a problem.  This, Harry decided, would be the way of things for a while:  keeping one eye on their surroundings and one eye on an escape route.

As the four started out Hermione and Ron glanced at each other briefly before taking up opposite sides of Harry and Ginny.  Harry suddenly found himself sandwiched between a glowering Ron and a resigned looking Ginny.  She caught his eye, and grinned, sharing her amusement with his friends' antics.  Harry returned the grin gladly, feeling a twinge of relief that Ginny finally seemed to be getting over her shyness towards him.  The two snapped out of their thoughts as the foursome stepped into Quality Quidditch Supplies, mostly on the insistence of Harry and Ron but partly in an attempt to distract Ron and Hermione.

It had been going on all morning now, ever since Ron walked past Ginny's open door and caught her and Hermione looking over the pictures Hermione had taken over her holiday in Eastern Europe earlier that summer.  Sirius had nearly torn up the stairs when he and Harry heard the fighting, until Harry explained Ron's temper and Ginny arrived to confirm it.  Since then everyone in the house mostly ignored the flare-ups and occasionally separated them.

*

"Can you believe Dumbledore's letting Professor Lupin teach us again?"  Ron asked as they browsed through the brightly lit shelves of sports supplies.  "Not that I don't like him or anything."  He explained hurriedly.  "But with him being a well, you know . . . I wouldn't think the parents would allow it."

"Well, with Professor Myfanwy there, I'm not surprised."  Hermione replied.  The two boys looked at her oddly and she beamed as though a new edition of ~Hogwarts, A History~ had just been announced.  "This is the most incredible opportunity!  I'm sure we'll learn loads!  I mean . . ."

"Hermione!"  Ron cut her off.  "What are you talking about?"

"Well, Professor Myfanwy, of course!"  Hermione stared at them, amazed.  "You don't know who she is?  Did you two even do the werewolf essay for Professor Snape in third year?  Oh never mind!  Rowan Myfanwy is the wizarding world's foremost expert on lycanthropy!"  Spotting Harry and Ron throw each other confused looks Hermione sighed in frustration. "On werewolves!  She's written all these books on it and done all this research!  She's amazing, really she is!"

"Snuffles seemed worried about her."  Harry pointed out, browsing through an assortment of broom polishes.

"She's probably another Auror like Moody."  Ron shrugged.  "Or a defected Death Eater like Snape.  Either one would love to haul him back to Azkaban."

"Professor Dumbledore wouldn't hire Death Eater, Ron."  Ginny shook her head.  "Just because she's really interested in Dark Creatures like werewolves . . ."

"He keeps Snape on, doesn't he?"

*

After dragging Harry and Ron from Quality Quidditch Supplies, they entered Flourish and Blotts to purchase their schoolbooks.  Inside they saw several other Hogwarts students already loaded down with heavy bags of books.  Ron and Harry started searching through the Divination section while Hermione and Ginny disappeared in search of their own books.

After the two boys located their Divination books, Harry sheared off into the magical history section and began studying the spines of all the books around him.  The leather-bound books held the names of all the great wizards of the past.  Except for the one that he was looking for.

Ron followed and watched his friend curiously for a few more moments before speaking.   "What are you doing Harry?"  He asked.  He'd only seen one other person with that look on their face before.  "You look like Hermione."  Actually Harry looked like a Hermione just informed that a single essay would replace all her O.W.L.s.

"I need a book on Merlin."  Harry answered, still scanning the shelves.

"Why?"  Ron asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.  "That's not required reading.  Is it?"

"No."  Harry shook his head; he paused long enough in his search to glance back at Ron. "I want to figure out who the Heir is and what the Amulet of Achidnae is.  Voldemort . . ." Ron flinched and Harry rolled his eyes.  "Sorry . . .You-Know-Who is after it and I want to know why."

Harry didn't add that another good reason for him knowing as much about the Amulet of Achidnae was that if Voldemort was after it he probably intended to use it against their side.  For Harry Potter, knowing the capabilities of the Amulet of Achidnae could easily become a matter of survival.

"Ask Hermione."  Ron suggested.  Harry noticed Ron begin scanning the book spines as well.  "I bet she knows."

"She doesn't."  Harry muttered.  "I already asked her.  She's never heard of the Amulet before."  He grinned wryly at his friend.  "It's not mentioned in ~Hogwarts, A History~."

Several minutes later a middle-aged wizard interrupted their search, startling Harry and Ron slightly.  "Can I help you boys find anything?"  He asked, adjusting his round spectacles on his nose.

"I need a book on Merlin."  Harry requested politely.  The wizard nodded, waving them towards the back of the shop and lead them to a carved archway.

"Here you go."  The wizard gestured them inside.  "We have quite a good selection here.  Do you have a certain title in mind?"  Harry peered into the candlelit alcove beyond and blinked in amazement.  The archway opened up on a small room, stacked from floor to ceiling with tomes and scrolls of varying age.  Ron shook his head and wondering aloud where Hermione had gotten.  Research was her element.  Then again, Harry thought, knowing Hermione, she'd probably know the name, author, and publication date of the perfect, all-inclusive book on Merlin.

"Which ones are the books on Merlin?"  He ventured, hoping he wouldn't hear 'all of them'.

"These ARE the books on Merlin."  The assistant informed him.  "Well, except for a few of the more popular ones.  You'll find those up front in the History section.  Anything else I can help with?"

Harry hesitated, wondering if he should ask about the Amulet or Heir to narrow down his search.  The wizard looked trustworthy enough, but Harry found himself shaking his head and thanking the wizard assistant for his help.  He looked from Ron to the room full of books.  They had another hour before their rendezvous with Professor Lupin at the Leaky Caldron.

After about twenty minutes of searching, Ron snapped his book back onto its shelf in frustration.  "This isn't getting us anywhere, Harry!  I'm going to go find Hermione."  Harry nodded absently as Ron stalked out of the small room.

Several minutes later Harry pulled out a good-sized leather book that looked promising.  The title read:  'Vox Veritas Argentum:  A Highly Practical Guide to the Many Myths and Legends of the Wizard Merlin.' By Priscilla Skuld; and the inner covers were illuminated with drawings of castles, runes and magical beasts.  This, Harry decided, looked like a good place to start.  Tucking the book under his arm, Harry left the alcove and worked his way over to the Charms section where he'd last seen Hermione and Ginny.  Ron, he figured would most likely be with them.

"Ron, I found a . . . whoa!"  Ginny backed blindly into his chest, clutching a slender pink book to her shirt.  Harry started to apologize but stopped as Hermione's piercing shout echoed through the store.


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