Ch 8:- Discoveries

Bill finally finished speaking and Professor Dumbledore held the floor again.

'Last but not least,' concluded the Professor, 'there is the whereabouts of Peter Pettigrew. Again his whereabouts is unknown, although he is most likely to be with Lord Voldemort'

Harry spoke up quickly. 'Professor, is Wormtail still an animagus?'

'I have no reason to believe otherwise, Harry. Why do you ask? I believe he escaped from Hogwarts as a rat. What would have changed?'

'Lord Voldemort gave Wormtail a magical hand. Would the hand behave like the rest of his body under the effects of the animagus spell?'

Several of the other members of the order stirred at the thought. Tonks turned to Harry and smiled. 'Good question, Harry.' she muttered. Ginny smiled to herself.

Professor Dumbledore considered the question silently. 'Does anyone have any specific knowledge on this subject?' he asked finally. There was a general shaking of heads. The Professor pondered for a further few seconds.

'In the absence of specific knowledge, logic tells me that it does behave as human flesh under the animagus spell. The availability of an intelligent rat for scouting could be of use to Lord Voldemort. It seems unlikely his gift would be of such a nature as to remove that option.'

'So everyone look out for a rat with a silver paw!' chuckled Fred.

'Make sure you tell Crookshanks, Hermione!' added George.

Hermione smiled and nodded. 'Tell him yourself, Sparky!' she said. Ron grinned smugly at the twins from his place beside her. They didn't look pleased.

Professor Dumbledore looked from the twins to Ron and Hermione and back, clearly puzzled. 'If our younger members could contain their enthusiasm for a while, we can consider what our enemies' next steps are likely to be.' Hermione went slightly red. Fred and George grinned at her.

'Artemis?' asked Professor Dumbledore, 'What are you views on the possibility of giants being brought to this country in significant numbers?'

Mr Lovegood considered for a second or two before answering. 'Frankly, unlikely in the short term but quite possible in the medium to long term. Giants are unlikely to move in significant numbers at any time other than winter and then are likely to stay as far north as possible. Giants can swim, but the English Channel would be about their limit, even though they could wade part of the way. Somehow I don't see them being brought through a large densely populated part of western Europe, across one of the busiest waterways in the world and right up through England, without being spotted. Even with concealment charms, and in winter.'

'Mr.Lovegood,' interrupted Ron, 'could Lord Voldemort simply transport them magically?' Several people sniggered. Ron went slightly red. Hermione put her arm round him.

It was Professor Dumbledore who answered. 'It would indeed be possible,' the sniggering stopped. 'Although the amount of magical energy required would set off monitors as far as India to the east and the United States to the west. A reasonable question Ron, but the answer is no. Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters take great care not to use magic until they attack, to remain undetected by the Ministry. Please continue, Artemis.'

'Lord Voldemort has sufficient contacts and resources to hire shipping without questions being asked. The shortest land route to the sea for the giants is northwards, but in winter the sea is iced over. Norway has large numbers of deep fjords, some with minimal habitation, which could be taken over to load giants. How many you could carry per vessel is a further consideration, they would have to be in the hold. Landing places in Scotland could be found.'

Listening to this, Harry had become more and more impressed with Hagrid's feat in getting his brother to Hogwarts, and into the forest. By the time Artemis had finished, Hermione had a pensive look on her face which suggested she was also impressed. Harry resolved to ask Hagrid about the journey as soon as he returned to Hogwarts.

'We should be watching for movement and major shipping movements from November onwards.' concluded Mr. Lovegood.

'Thank you, Artemis. Now, Dementors. Hestia, have you found any evidence at all regarding their whereabouts?'

The witch stood up and looked around. 'There is no evidence that they have left the Welsh mountains in any numbers. They left Azkaban one night and just disappeared. We've been studying the muggle press, particularly the more sensational tabloids and specialist unexplained phenomena magazines, but there has been no sign. It has occurred to me that some of the Welsh hills are full of old mine workings which would provide perfect hiding places, at least in the short term.'

'Why the short term?' asked George.

'Because Dementors feed on emotions' replied Hestia. 'They need people to survive. We've been looking for evidence of depression in villages but got nothing.'

Sturgis Podmore spoke up haltingly. 'What about muggle prisons?' Could they be feeding there? They only need to be reasonably close –'his voice tailed off, and he shuddered slightly.

'Brilliant idea, Sturgis.' Said Madam Bones, encouragingly. 'I'll get my counterpart in the muggle government to look at the recent records of disturbances in prisons in South Wales. Muggle prisons are already depressing – the effect of dementors would probably cause significant problems with maintaining order.'

'Better make that all prisons, Amelia,' rumbled Kingsley Shacklebolt. 'They could have split them up to make it easier.' Madam Bones nodded.

'Mines means Goblins, Bill.' declared Charlie, 'What do you think?'

'The mines were abandoned for a reason, Charlie. Worked out, and most of them were coal. Can't see the Goblins being actively involved. Still I'll check with their leaders. Could even be a renegade bunch. Hmm. There's plenty of old mines in other parts of the country, and prisons. They could move groups about like that, keeping them hidden.'

'Excellent deduction, Bill.' beamed Dumbledore. 'If you could interrogate the Goblin leaders, whilst Amelia investigates the prisons, and Hestia, I'm afraid you will have to return to Wales. Perhaps Dedalus could accompany you, to look at the mine workings.' Hestia nodded.

'Perhaps we should turn to the remaining Death Eaters.' suggested Moody, 'They're the most likely threat at the moment.'

'Indeed they are Alastor. Very well, Kingsley, what has the Ministry found?'

'Not a lot, Albus. The Minister instructed that the suspects should all be monitored and the known Death Eaters outside Azkaban are in hiding, except perhaps Bellatrix Lestrange.'

Harry remembered the insanity in her eyes, and shivered. Ginny and Tonks were almost leaning on him by now, and both turned to look at him in surprise. They looked at each other, and moved away from him an inch or so. Harry wondered what on earth they thought he had shivered for, to make them move – influenza?

'And Lestrange is different because?' asked Mr. Weasley.

It is suspected that she has been seen near the Malfoys, and near McNair's and Goyle's houses. We think she has been instructed to lead the attack on the ground, in this country, but we have no idea what she is going to do. All the houses of the known death eaters have been searched several times.'

Professor Dumbledore thought briefly. 'It seems I must divulge some information I hoped to keep to myself a little longer. I have received a report that she is intending to find and abduct the last person Lord Voldemort believes could provide information regarding the prophecy, which was so earnestly sought last year.' Heads turned back and forth as the members of the order looked round the room and finally settled their gaze on Harry. 'No, it is not Harry. It is generally believed that seers cannot remember what they prophesy. Unfortunately this is not true. There is a way, which we are fairly sure Lord Voldemort is aware of.'

Everyone had started at the word 'seer.'

Dumbledore continued. 'Unfortunately, not only is the chance of retrieving a specific prophesy approximately one in two, but the chance of destroying the seer's mind is also one in two. Sybil Trelawney is not aware of this fact and I intend that she should not know, however security will be increased at Hogwarts accordingly.' A gentle murmur began as people began to discuss the issue.

'There is a corollary to this issue, which we must also discuss.' said the Professor, loudly enough to still the conversations. 'At present, Lord Voldemort appears to have lost interest in Harry. He knows sufficient of the prophecy to see Harry as an adversary, but insufficient to know he is more powerful than he looks. At present Harry is in less danger than he has been for some time. I suggest that the security around Harry be reduced slightly, to allow more resources to our other endeavours.'

Voices were raised immediately, mostly arguing that Harry was the vital link who should be preserved at all cost. Harry himself felt slightly numb at the prospect of being at greater risk, although a small voice inside him was making tentative noises about leading a slightly less suffocating life. Tonks and Ginny were arguing vociferously with Kingsley Shacklebolt across the room. Tonks even put an arm round Harry for a second or two, before he shook his head. Ginny gave Tonks a very strange look indeed.

Professor Dumbledore raised his voice once more to call for order.

'Yes, very well, I can see you are not convinced. I am not entirely surprised.'

Silence returned slowly and the Professor continued. 'There is one factor which you should be aware of, and again this is not an easy factor to divulge. The Prophesy requires that we keep Harry safe; that much is known to you. I have often said, however, that there are things much worse than death. There is a possibility that Lord Voldemort could be neutralised permanently, without his being killed, and without Harry's participation.'

The noise redoubled. Tonks and Ginny looked at Harry, but he was staring into the distance, wondering whether Sirius had died needlessly whilst saving him from an unnecessary peril. No, Sirius hadn't, he finally decided. If Voldemort had got the prophecy, he would have come straight for Harry anyway, and it was Voldemort who had thought the prophecy important and lured Harry to the Ministry. Sirius hadn't die in vain.

The feeling of horror in Harry's chest lessened. It was also obvious that The Headmaster was holding back regarding the prophecy. Perhaps the rest of the order didn't know more than Lord Voldemort. It made sense to restrict the knowledge.

Dumbledore was speaking again. 'Certain Ministry experiments, which have recently been made available to me, have shown that this is possible. Experimentation continues at present,' He nodded at Mr.Weasley, 'however there is a good chance that Harry will become less vital to our plans.'

Mrs. Weasley was immediately on her feet, horrified that her intervention had allowed Harry and her children to hear Harry described as possibly expendable.

'Albus! Albus! we can't abandon Harry! We can't!' she cried. Hermione and Ron were on their feet as well, shouting support for Mrs. Weasley.

Various arguments quickly broke out around the room and the noise was getting worse before Harry noticed Alastor Moody looking intently at him. A test, maybe? Wondered Harry. He wouldn't put it past Moody and the Headmaster; He nodded to Moody.

Moody stood and bellowed 'HOW ABOUT HEARING FROM HARRY.' There was a sudden silence; again all eyes swivelled towards Harry.

'Now I see the sort of information you were trying to protect me from, Professor.' He said ruefully. 'I have to admit I wasn't really happy with being the last hope though; if there's a better way – I'd – well - I'd rather that was used.'

Mrs. Weasley was staring at him open mouthed. Everyone else was starting at him as well.

'Harry, you could be killed, or worse!' she said vehemently.

'So could all of you who've been in the order from the start.' he retorted. 'To rid the world of Lord Voldemort, you'd all give up your lives. Why should I be different?'

'That's not the sa-'

'It is the same! If you find a better, more certain, way of removing Lord Voldemort that puts me in more danger - it's a positive step! You all know that! At least now I know what's going on I've more chance of fighting with you, not against you!'

'And you have more chance of winning Harry.' added Professor Dumbledore. 'With a little more training you will be the equal of Bellatrix Lestrange, in power, if not in knowledge.' Harry heard several indrawn breaths at this statement. He didn't know whether to be proud of the praise, or insulted by the surprise. The Professor went on 'There are some other benefits. Persisting with the heavy guard might well convince Lord Voldemort that Harry is still vital to our plans and lead him to attack Harry again. This way, he can be hidden in plain sight, so to speak. I think at least one fully trained member of the order should be with him outside Hogwarts, however.'

Mrs. Weasley was beginning to look slightly less annoyed. The rest of the Weasleys and Hermione were waiting to see what Mrs. Weasley would do. The headmaster smiled at her.

'As it happens, Molly, I'm expecting Harry to come back to school two weeks early, in one weeks time, to start on his extra project work. I also have to teach him several new spells and I believe he needs to start learning to disapparate. Alastor? Will you accompany Harry back on the Knight Bus?' Moody nodded thoughtfully.

Harry was frankly shocked. Learn disapparation? A year early?

Ginny muttered 'You lucky sod!' whilst Hermione and Ron were mouthing much the same sort of thing from the other side of the room. Mrs.Weasley was looking a lot less upset. She almost managed to smile at Harry.

The Professor began to wind up the meeting.

'I think everyone knows their roles now. Charlie, I had an opportunity to scout the area around Hogwarts from the air and noted at least two valleys which could house a few dragons.' Tonks smiled. 'I will give you the locations. If you would be so good as to inspect them as soon as possible?' Charlie nodded.

'Very well; thank you for attending, everyone. If anyone needs further clarification, could they please see me at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow afternoon.

- o -

Harry was one of the first to leave the meeting. He slipped out and wandered down to the kitchen where he found himself a butterbeer, then sat by the table with his feet on a chair to have a think. Footsteps sounded above, and calls of goodnight became fewer, as the members of the order left the house. He'd just opened a second butterbeer, when Hermione put her head round the door, spotted him and retreated.

'He's here!' he heard her shout, before she re-entered the room, followed by Ron, Ginny and Tonks.

'Well Harry?'

'Well what?' he asked, taking a deep draught of butterbeer.

'How does it feel to be downgraded?' asked Ron grinning.

'Shut up! Ron.' snarled Ginny. 'That's just not funny!'

'It's OK Ginny.' Harry said soothingly. Thanks for your concern, but it's actually a weight off my mind.'

'Really Harry?' Hermione looked at him closely. 'That's not just bravado, is it?'

'No, it's not – well – not entirely. I really don't like the idea of being The One. I've only survived so far because of others' help, eventually my luck's going to run out - and then where'd the Order and its' plans be! Better if they can work up a less chancy method of dealing with Voldemort whilst I'm available to draw his fire…' Harry's voice tailed off. 'I wonder how long I've got left….'

For a while, no one spoke. Eventually it was Tonks who broke the silence. 'We won't abandon you Harry, honestly.' she said earnestly. The other three nodded agreement.

'I never thought you would, any of you.' Harry said sadly, 'It's more a matter of luck, or lack of it.'

'Do not discount your luck yet Harry.' Professor Dumbledore was standing in the doorway, cloak round his shoulders.

Harry looked up at him. 'I'll try not to Professor.' he sighed 'I'll try not to.'

The Professor regarded Harry for a few moments. 'The studies I intend you to begin when you return to Hogwarts should significantly improve your chances Harry. Now, Nymphadora, Professor Mcgonagall and I are about to leave for Diagon Alley, will you find Arabella and that enormous cat so you can accompany us?'

Tonks cringed at the use of her proper name but left almost at a run to find Arabella. Hermione coaxed Crookshanks out from under the dresser and took him up stairs.

The Headmaster turned back to Harry 'I will be back tomorrow morning, Harry, there are a few books I would like to search for in your library, if I may, before I escort Hermione to meet her parents. I also believe there are one or two interesting instruments to inspect, at least according to Alastor Moody.' Harry nodded.

'I'm afraid I broke one, Professor.' admitted Ginny sheepishly. Dumbledore looked at her closely.

'The instruments described to me are not easy to break – at least, not by accident. We shall see tomorrow.' He swept out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the hall where Tonks, Arabella Figg and Minerva McGonagall were waiting. All the other visitors had already left and the Headmaster led his party out into the street.

Tonks was the last to leave. 'See you tomorrow Harry, I'll come over with the Headmaster to collect Hermione.' She blew Harry a kiss and vanished into the dark, leaving the four friends standing in the hallway like the hosts after a particularly tumultuous party.

Ron sighed heavily and shook his head slowly. 'After all the anticipation, it seems to be a bit of anticlimax doesn't it?' The others nodded. He turned and started up the stairs 'G'night Harry,' he murmured.

'Goodnight Harry,' added Hermione, following Ron up the stairs.

Ginny stood beside Harry, in the hallway, as he watched Ron and Hermione disappear up the next flight.

'I'm glad I gave them that last little push, Harry.' she said quietly.

'Yeah, I'm glad you did, too – life's a lot quieter.'

'Now there's just us.' she murmured.

Harry glanced at her. She was still looking almost wistfully up the stairs. The sound of a door closing drifted down from above.

'Us?' he muttered in a bitter voice, 'You mean me.'

She looked at him sharply.

'You're already fixed, remember?' he continued.

Ginny's face relaxed to a neutral expression as she continued to watch him. 'I haven't told Dean yet – remember?'

Harry looked surprised. 'You think he'll say no??'

'He might.' She said softly. She looked down, twisting a few strands of her hair round her fingers.

Harry hesitated. 'You're being daft, Ginny,' he said finally, 'You wouldn't have even mentioned him if you hadn't been sure he would want you.' She smiled to herself for a second.

'He won't say no,' Harry continued quietly. 'He'd have to be out of his mind…Goodnight, Gin - sleep well.' He started to walk back along the hall to the stairs down to the kitchen.

'Harry?'

He turned at the top of the stairway. Ginny was looking at him, as if she was about to say something more, but after a few seconds she shook her head and started up the stairs to her room. 'Goodnight, Harry.' he heard her say as she climbed the stairs. The sound of her footsteps faded away and another door closed.

Harry made his way slowly back down to the kitchen – and to his thoughts.

o –

Sunday morning.

Harry had woken before dawn, the revelations at the meeting of the night before churning round his brain. More danger; well what a surprise! but at least there was the chance that he wouldn't have to face Voldemort after all. That was also a surprise - and the best news of the whole meeting!

Professor Trelawney in danger; that was thoroughly unexpected, and quite how Dumbledore expected to increase the security, Harry had no idea.

Go back to school early; at least the Weasleys could go home. They most be fed up with Grimmauld Place by now.

Go back to school early; right to where Bellatrix Lestrange was supposed to be going, to kidnap Sybil Trelawney!

More spells to learn; which ones? More defence spells, he hoped

Teaching; how had he got himself into that?

Dragons! Dragons near the school. They needed large ranges, how would Charlie restrain them?

Disapperation; yes, that could be fun. Harry settled down to imagine appearing in Dye Urn Alley, to see Dora, - or at The Burrow, to see Ginny-

Dora-

Ginny-

Harry slept again.

- o -

The sun was well up when Harry woke with a start. Ron was yelling from the doorway; 'Come on Harry, wake up, The Professor'll be here soon!'

Hermione stuck her head round Ron's shoulder, grinning; 'On with socks, Harry!'

Harry grimaced and made a rude gesture at them.

'Nah, done that, mate!' chuckled Ron.

Hermione clipped the back of his head, making his hair stand up even more. 'Down stairs, you!' she giggled, and dragged him away.

Harry sat up and groaned. He didn't begrudge them their happiness, but did they have to inflict it on him at this time of day?

- 0 -

Breakfast was well under way when Harry finally reached the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was complaining about the empty bottles of butterbeer she'd found on the kitchen table.

'Ginny said she thinks you left them, Harry.'

Ginny looked up guiltily from her toast and glared at her mother. Harry gave her a thin smile.

'Erm – yeah – they were mine, - sorry.' he muttered.

'Well, I'll have word with Dobby, I think.' fussed Mrs. Weasley. 'They shouldn't have been left out.'

Harry groaned inwardly. 'Dobby wanted to clear up, but I told him to leave them whilst I was in the kitchen. I thought he'd come back after I'd gone!'

Mrs. Weasley subsided and bustled out of the kitchen muttering.

Harry started on his breakfast. He could tell this was going to be one of those days. Hermione was giving him an accusing look. She'd had other things on her mind for the last few days but she still hadn't really forgiven him for using house elves. They seemed happy though, on the few occasions they had been seen.

'I suppose you're going to keep Dobby and Winky on, Harry!' she said finally.

Harry looked at her slightly uncomfortably and nodded.

'And pay them?'

'They don't need pay, Hermione!' interrupted Ginny. 'Please leave it, can't you?' She seemed almost angry with Hermione. Harry shot her a grateful look.

Hermione looked at them both and sighed, 'Oh, alright. – There's no doubt this house has improved immensely since they appeared.' She thought for a second, 'And since Harry so rashly offered accommodation to Fred and George, it's going to need a bit of effort to keep tidy!' She got up from the table and glanced at Ron. 'Sorry Harry,' she said quietly, 'I suppose you were right, in this case. We're going to start my packing.'

Ginny caught Harry's eye as Ron and Hermione left the kitchen, then she raised her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. 'Ron's going to be impossible next week.'

'Yeah, and I don't envy her family, either,' replied Harry.

Ginny finished her breakfast and stood up. 'Harry, I forgot to ask you, what persuaded them to let us into the meeting last night?'

'Your Mum told Dumbledore I should stay. I convinced them you should all be there. I don't know why she did it though.'

There was a short silence, before Ginny spoke softly. 'Mum heard you, Harry.'

'Heard me what?'

'Arguing with Moody and Lupin.'

'So?'

'We could all hear you - the study's just above us….You were saying you'd made a mistake…'

'And?'

Ginny seemed unwilling to continue, 'And how you'd rather face death a thousand times…' she stopped.

Harry remembered. 'Oh'

'Yes, - Oh' She looked embarrassed. 'Mum went all red in the face; we thought she was going to burst into tears – We weren't much better ourselves. Then you charged in to get the knife – and we snapped out of it.' She went over to the door and turned. 'It was nice to know, Harry.' she said quietly. She went out, closing the door behind her.

- o -

Professor Dumbledore arrived soon after breakfast with a green haired Tonks in tow, seeming slightly ill at ease with his brilliantly hued companion. Tonks was her irrepressible self.

'Hi Harry! How's it going then, sleep well last night?'

Harry was about to go red, when she continued, grinning, 'No bad dreams – about being a sacrificial goat?'

This time it was Ginny who started to go red. 'That's not funny, Tonks!' she said in an exasperated voice. 'You were more sympathetic last night!'

Tonks deflated suddenly. 'Yeah, sorry Harry, couldn't resist it. Now where's these books?'

The Professor had already started in the library. He'd found two books, which had what looked like dragon skin covers - and were chained shut. Arthur Weasley had been working the day before, and had been having a lie in, but had got up to help the Professor and Tonks, once Dumbledore told him what was required. They set to work. After a while, Harry felt slightly superfluous and sat down to read the book on elementary teaching practice. The pile of books grew bigger and bigger until the Professor realised that he'd need a couple of trunks to carry it.

'Enough, Arthur, enough, - in fact too many. I can transport them, but I have no hope of reading so many within the near future.' He addressed Harry. 'I should like to take these few, Harry, if I may?' Harry nodded. 'I would also ask whether Arthur could borrow some for his research in the Ministry?' Harry nodded again.

'I'll come over during the week Harry,' said Mr. Weasley, 'I can check with Dobby whether my two jokers have left the place in a fit state!'

Tonks was still browsing the shelves. 'What this lot needs is cataloguing.' She said in a matter of fact voice.

Professor Dumbledore pounced on her. 'A brilliant idea, Nymphadora, perhaps you could make a start this morning and continue during the next few weekends. There will be no one here to disturb you after next weekend. Tonks looked like she'd dropped a galleon and found a knut. Shaking her head at her own stupidity, she produced parchment and quill out of thin air and started at one end of the library.

Harry enjoyed her discomfiture for a while, before offering to help. She looked up gratefully.

'I'll take them down and check the titles, you write 'em down, OK?'

Harry nodded and grinned. 'Let me know if you can't reach,' he joked 'I'm taller than you.' Tonks laughed. 'Well, we'll stick to the low shelves, we've only got a couple of hours. Hermione's meeting her family for lunch, so we've got to leave by about twelve thirty.'

They worked steadily along the row for almost an hour, occasionally having to tussle with a particularly recalcitrant book. They were so busy they didn't hear Ron, until he tapped Harry on the shoulder.' Harry and Tonks looked up with a start.

'Harry, The Professor's looking at the instruments with Ginny and Dad. He wants to see you. I'll take over here, OK?'

'Yeah, thanks Ron.' Harry showed Ron a nasty gash on one finger. 'Watch out for some of those books, mate, they bite!'

- o -

Ginny had taken all the instruments out of the cupboards and placed them on a table in the drawing room. The Professor and Mr.Weasley were examining them minutely. It was obvious that the Professor was the expert, however.

'Ah, Harry, a very good collection of older dark arts detection equipment.' He enthused. 'I have only seen some of this equipment before in old catalogues. I'm not surprised Professor Moody could not persuade them to work, he prefers the more modern equivalent.'

'So – do they work? Professor?'

'They should indeed work, however, I would not wish to start most of them before studying my library to find further instructions.'

Harry looked more closely at the assembled equipment. One of the items looked familiar. 'Professor,' Harry said hesitantly, 'that one looks like the one I broke in your office last year.' Ginny looked at him in surprise.

Dumbledore looked at Harry over his glasses. 'Hmmm, Yes Harry, you are correct.' The Professor stopped, as if waiting for Harry to reply.

'Well Professor – would you like to take it to – er – replace the broken one?'

Dumbledore smiled. 'Thank you Harry, but I have already replaced it with a more modern version.' He sighed. 'It is more efficient but alas, less elegant.' The Professor waved his hand over the table, 'It would be better if you kept this collection together, Harry. There may be instructions in one of your magnificent books. You should learn to use these items if possible, they may even aid you in your work.' Harry was secretly rather pleased the Headmaster didn't want the instrument; seeing them all together, he tended to agree that they should be kept as a collection

The Professor turned to Ginny. 'I do not see a broken item here, Ginny. Did you throw it away?'

Ginny seemed rather embarrassed to be reminded of the incident. 'No Professor, its still in the cupboard, I'll get it.' She delved in the cupboard again and carried the egg shaped mass of strips to the table. The Professor inspected it closely.

'So, what exactly happened?' he asked.

Ginny told the story of the machine starting up to produce a gentle light and feeling of relaxation, then flaring up and melting inside when she wanted to turn it off.

'How did you start it?' asked the Professor, gently.

'I don't know, I was looking at it, wishing it would do something nice!'

The Professor looked thoughtful. 'And when it stopped?'

I – I was wishing – wishing hard that it would stop.'

The Professor looked at Arthur Weasley. 'A mind controlled artifact, Arthur?'

'It seems so, Albus.'

'Could this be the sort of thing we need?'

'Perhaps, a pity it's broken.'

The Professor turned back to Ginny. 'When did this occur Ginny?'

Ginny thought for a while. 'Thursday, Professor. Thursday afternoon.'

Mr.Weasley looked startled. 'That's when the experiment failed, Albus!'

'Indeed.' The Professor looked at Harry and Ginny. 'Please keep this secret, please, even from Ron and Hermione, if possible.' They both nodded rapidly. 'I think we will take this to the Ministry, if we may Harry? Even a broken machine can often indicate how it worked,' He carefully packed the instrument away in a box. 'And if you see one of these ever again, I think we might just have pressing need for it. Just don't try to start it!'

Ginny carefully put all the other equipment away, while Harry went back to the Library to take over from Ron again. Ron went back upstairs to see how far Hermione had got with packing, at least that was what he said. Tonks caught Harry's eye and suppressed a smile.

The morning went quickly after that, so quickly that Hermione was downstairs with her trunk before the Professor realised it was time to go. Ron was standing beside her rather protectively, and Ginny was looking on, with a slightly sad expression. Hermione said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, then gave Harry a big hug and kiss on the cheek

'Bye Harry.' she murmured, 'Thanks for understanding.'

Harry smiled at her. 'Glad there's something to understand. Take care.'

'And you. Don't go and splinch yourself hmm? See you at the feast.'

Ginny was next, whispering something in Hermione's ear. Hermione looked at Harry, thoughtfully and nodded. Ginny smiled enigmatically, and said her goodbye.

Ron was last and quickest. Harry reckoned they'd said goodbye earlier. At last the Professor led them to a Ministry car, Harry and Ron loaded the trunk into the back and the car slowly moved away round the corner, with a hand waving from the rear door window.