Chapter 20
Return to Hearing . . . and back
"Very well," Madam Bones said, pushing up the glasses while looking through the papers. "You say that you had amnesia over the summer, is that correct?
"Yes ma'am," Harry affirmed.
"And you have several witnesses for the proof of your amnesia?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, and only some have come with me," said Harry.
"Who are the witnesses with you?" she asked.
"Mark Evans, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin," replied Harry.
"Ah, and of what relation are they to you?"
"Mark Evans is my third or fourth cousin, both Sirius and Remus were friends of my dad and few days ago, Mark is now my legal brother and Sirius is my Godfather as well as my Guardian."
"Thank you Mr. Potter," she said, looking through more documents. "And the magic you used on the way out of here? All of you were on the same elevator were you not?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, dementors came on our elevator, the elevator had stopped working for some reason that I don't know. Remus and Sirius were not holding off well, and Mark did not even know how to wield his wand. So I had to defend them," said Harry.
"Yes, and I did receive some evidence that there were dementors on the elevator. Jury, you are dismissed to discuss of what verdict Harry Potter receives," she said to some ten jury people who got up from their seat and left into a smaller room behind Madam Bones' chair. The judge sat there organizing the messy piles of paper in front of her. Harry looked around the room; he did not really see what the room looked like. It seemed to be a mini-version of a muggle-courtroom. Not very big, since it was probably as big as his dorms back at Hogwarts, except in rectangular room.
After five minutes had passed, the lead jury came back with the other people. Harry's insides froze; sometimes they would take longer than this to decide. But he supposed he saw too many muggle movies when he was young such as 'Twelve Angry Men," and not to mention some judge shows. Why Dudley watched them, he would never know. 'How could they decide something so quickly? I hope they say I am innocent… I don't know how I will take it if I'm expelled. There are evidences and witnesses, so what could go wrong in five minutes decision?'
"You all decided on a verdict I assume?" Madam Bones asked and the Lead juror nodded. "Who say guilty for Harry Potter?" Silence followed, and Harry felt relieved as he saw the faces on the jurors, they were all smiling. "Innocent?"
"Aye," replied the thirteen jurors that Harry finally counted as they all rose their hands into the air.
"Then the verdict is innocent and cleared of all charges Mr. Potter, you are dismissed," she said, slamming the mallet. Harry grinned; he could not help but smile.
"Thank you ma'am, I hope I don't have to deal with this again," said Harry, sighing.
"Well Mr. Potter, you are almost seventeen, try not to get into any trouble before then," she said with a small smile. Harry nodded, grinning still.
"I'll try," with that, he followed Remus and Sirius out of the room, swinging arms around with Mark. He laughed as he rubbed Mark's hair with his knuckles.
"HEY! That hurt!" exclaimed Mark, pouting and punched Harry on the arm. Harry grinned at his new brother. He was still unable to believe it, and he wasn't sure if he will ever get used to the idea. But he would deal for now, enjoy the moment, he never knew when trouble strikes him again.
"You know Harry, you seem happier today than usual," said Remus.
"I know," said Harry. "I mean, I — well — have a family now. You know? And on top of that, I'm cleared, how can I not be happy?"
"Well," said Sirius slowly, but a smile climbing on his face.
"What?" asked Harry suspiciously.
"We'll have to take the knight bus on the way back," said Sirius and Harry sighed.
"You got a point Sirius, can't we get a portkey?" asked Harry hopefully.
"We could pick one on the way out if you want," said Remus.
"All right! Thanks Remus," said Harry as they climbed on to a different elevator.
"Just don't kick the elevator this time…" muttered Sirius as he punched the button to the floor for Transportation floor.
"Don't worry, I won't," said Mark sheepishly. Sirius shook his head, chuckling as the elevator went up. Luckily, without an incident, they got off at the floor where the could get a portkey.
"Come on, it is this way," said Remus, leading them to the right corridor. Remus stopped at the first door and walked in as the rest followed. "Hi," he greeted a lady at the desk.
"Good morning, how can I help you?" she asked.
"We would like a portkey to Hogwarts," said Remus.
"Oh," she said looking at the younger two people. "Of course, this will only take one minute," she said standing up. The lady walked into another doorway, leaving them there standing.
"What do they have to do?" asked Mark curiously.
"They will have to register a portkey, then set the destination on an item, and be given to us. After that, we'll be on our way," explained Remus.
"Oh," said Mark. "Wow, items that can transport you anywhere…."
"Yeah, quite literally," said Sirius.
"What, even to the moon?" asked Mark, arching both eyebrows.
"Yes, even to the moon, or even to Pluto," replied Remus smiling.
"Wow, I want to go there!"
"Well, you will need bubble head charm on or you'll die on lack of oxygen," said Remus.
"Oh, this is so cool," said Mark. The woman came back with some very dirtied up rag.
"Here's the portkey," she said, setting them on the table. "You have about twenty minutes before this goes off," she said. "Thank you and have a nice day."
"Thank you Ms. Carlin," said Remus as they left.
"You know her?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, I tutored her when I was a seventh year, she was a second year," said Remus.
"Oh, couldn't you have talked to her or something?"
"See, she found out that I am a werewolf before exams started, so she freaked out and never spoke to me again," said Remus.
"Oh, sorry," said Harry quickly. 'How can you be so tactless!? Of course, that would be the logical reason the two would not talk!'
"It's not your fault, you didn't know," said Remus.
"But I was tactless, so I should be apologizing," said Harry, pressing the button for an elevator. No one talked until they climbed on and the doors closed.
"Harry," began Remus.
"What?" asked Harry softly.
"You were not tactless, that's all you needed to know, at least from me," said Remus.
"I suppose, I try not to be tactless after what happened last year."
"What happened?" asked Sirius, frowning.
"Oh, just some girl problems," replied Harry.
"Oh," said Sirius, snickering.
"Real big help Sirius," said Harry sarcastically.
"You mean you wanted help?" asked Sirius in mock-appalled.
"Of course, you doofus," said Harry laughing as everyone laughed together.
When they finally got to the main floor, Atrium and climbed off the elevator. "At least we have no problems today," said Sirius brightly. "How much longer until the portkey sets off?"
"Another fifteen minutes," replied Remus, when he looked at his watch.
"Oh, what will we do until then?" asked Sirius.
"We could go back outside," suggest Harry.
"Why would you do that?" asked Sirius.
"I don't know, I just want to get out of here," mumbled Harry. This had been the place that Voldemort; the previous Hearings and he didn't really need reminding.
"If you say so," said Remus as they made their way across the room. On the way, Harry stopped at the statue, stared at the magical creatures, and huffed in disgust. Centaurs and goblins were most certainly not like that way at all; he took out a few galleons and dumped into the pool of water. He continued his way toward the telephone booth. After the four huddled in together, and telephoned that they wished to go outside.
"Transporting you upwards," said the familiar cool voice. Suddenly, everyone on the ride up felt the telephone booth was shaking violently and stopped.
"Oh no, no, no not again!" said Sirius.
"Calm down Sirius," said Remus, trying to soothe him. "Sirius, it's going to be okay, I don't think even dementors could get in here," he said as he stroked his long black hair. Sirius leaned forward, trying to control his breath. Harry tried to look around to see what was wrong with the telephone booth and found nothing. He wasn't sure what was going on and felt a bit claustrophobic. Harry muttered, counting backwards from forty to calm his nerves.
"Sirius, if we do not get out before the portkey detonate, we will be okay, so don't worry," said Remus, continuing to soothe Sirius.
"You're right, we'll be able to get out in how much longer?"
"I would say roughly around ten minutes, lumos," he said, looking at his watch. "Oh, we have eight minutes," said Remus.
"Good, good, I'm glad," said Sirius as he causally snuggled with Remus for emotional comfort. Harry counted to zero and still not feeling quite calm. He needed some fresh air, to find some place for himself and hide. He did not think he could handle another eight minutes of this and his breathing grew raspy.
"Harry?" asked Remus.
"I… I don't feel good," said Harry, feeling sick.
"Harry, what's wrong?" asked Mark, concerned.
"I, I don't think I'm fond of small spaces either," admitted Harry.
"Oh no, not you too," groaned Remus slightly. Come here, come here," he beckoned Harry to him. Harry inched his way towards Remus and felt instant comfort in his arms. His breathing grew even and his face returned to original color. "Do you know why you don't like small spaces?"
"Let's see, I slept under the stairs for ten years, I found myself disappearing to distant parts of Hogwarts for myself so I grew fond of space. That enough?"
"You slept under the stairs for ten years?" repeated Remus.
"Er, yeah at the Dursleys, I thought I told you that…."
"Oh, I think I remember, but that's not right at all," said Remus, frowning.
"And you say that you found yourself in other parts of Hogwarts, how often?"
"As much as I can, which is like once every two days. Sometimes in the dungeons, the Astronomy tower, tunnels, corridors, empty classrooms…" said Harry, trailing off.
"Oh, and what about that Malfoy?" asked Sirius.
"We reached some sort of a truce," said Harry.
"Truce? You two made a truce?" asked Sirius, looking surprised.
"Interesting, oh we have three minutes, just take this rag so that way we don't get carried away," said Remus as everyone took hold of the rag. "So, how did that happen?"
"I invited him to D.A. and it evolved from there," said Harry.
"Are you mad?" said Sirius.
"No, I'm not mad, he's been asking to join for few weeks and his intentions seemed clean. Don't worry, I'll know when he's lying."
"How?" asked Remus.
"Er, didn't Professor Snape tell you?"
"W-what do you mean? I don't think he did," said Sirius slowly.
"He's teaching me Legillimency," said Harry as he felt a pull behind the navel.
"WHAT!?" yelled Sirius over the blowing wind and Harry grinned at his expression. Priceless, oh yes, very priceless. After they landed and Harry finally landed smoothly. "Are you saying you're taking Legillimency lessons!?"
"Yes Sirius," answered Harry.
"He must be mad to even teach you that! Does he allow to see any of his memories?"
"Yes he did, he taught me how to find a certain memory…" said Harry. "In fact, I have one with him tomorrow," said Harry.
"This is insane, why would he even allow you to see his mind? Why?"
"Basically because he offered, enhance my advantages with the war," said Harry.
"Well, at least it is very kind of him to teach you lessons in Legillimency," said Remus. "What else have we missed?"
"Well, you have heard about Grawp?"
"Yes we did, we're quite puzzled actually…" said Remus.
"Well, maybe it's just what Giants do?" helped Sirius, but Remus shook his head.
"Perhaps, but I don't think that is right, anything else Harry?"
"We're investigating the murders by Tengu," said Harry. "We're not sure, but we had to make sure there are no ties between Tengu and Voldemort. So far, we haven't found anything."
"Man Harry, why didn't you tell any of this over the mirror?" asked Sirius. Harry shrugged looking around for an excuse.
"I don't know, a topic that we can actually have when we are in person instead of the mirror?"
"I suppose that's logical then," said Remus. "Well, we better go, I think it is lunch time now for you, so take care Harry, Mark," he said, giving both a hug, Sirius hugged them good bye.
"Can we come home for the Holidays?" asked Harry and he realized that the word home felt so foreign to him.
"Of course, we can go and stay at my place," said Remus.
"Good! We don't have to stay at You-know-where!" said Sirius as Harry nodded, smiling. For once, he was looking forward to the holidays completely.
"Well, bye Harry, Mark!" said Remus and Sirius.
"Bye Sirius, Remus!" returned Harry and Mark as they made their way to Hogwarts. Harry looked back and found them gone.
"Where did they go?" asked Mark.
"Apparition," replied Harry, smiling as they went up the stairs into Entrance Hall. When they reached Great Hall and found to be empty. "Mm, we're earl–"
"Mr. Potter! I am so glad you are safe!" said Professor McGonagall, coming up to them from the doors of Great Hall. Harry frowned in confusion at her as Professors Snape, Conan, Sinistra, and Srycry followed.
"What's going on?" asked Harry.
"Something's happening at the Ministry," she said, getting to the point.
"What, no wonder," said Mark.
"Yeah, must be why the Telephone booth stopped working," said Harry.
"So, you made out of there in time then?" she asked.
"Yeah, what's going on at the Ministry?" asked Harry.
"We don't know, but Arthur Weasley is at where he's safe so there are no worries," she said, using the look that Harry recognized from last year. Harry nodded in understanding, 'Of course, the Grimmauld place…'
"Is everyone in the dormitories?"
"Yes," she answered, "I'll have Professor Conan lead you there."
"Why, we can g–"
"Please don't argue Mr. Potter, we really need to hold a meeting," said Professor McGonagall tiredly. Harry nodded as Mark started to follow Professor Conan. Harry soon ran after them and walked next to Mark.
"How long will we stay in the tower?" asked Harry.
"As long as it is necessary," replied Professor Conan. Harry nodded, and the three walked in silence.
"Major Anuis," said Harry, as the portrait opened up and let the two students in. "Thanks Professor."
"My pleasure," he said, walking away in the direction they came. Harry entered the common room and found everyone eating his or her lunch.
"Harry!" said Hermione.
"Mate, you're cleared! Right?" asked Ron as an afterthought.
"Yeah, I'm cleared," said Harry grinning.
"So, what's going on at the Ministry?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"The only odd thing that happened was the telephone booth stopped working halfway up. I think I'm glad that I said that we had to get outside…."
"You're right Harry," said Mark slowly. "If we argued any longer, we would have been… well…."
"Yeah… there's no knowing, we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the news. Or until Professors tell us," said Harry.
"So, you managed to get out of there in time?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah,, with a portkey, I didn't want to ride the Knight bus…"
"Man Harry, it seems you knew what was going to happen!" said Mark, exclaiming.
"No I don't, it is only a coincidence. Really, purely a fluke that had happened. I did say that I did not want to ride the Knight bus, and I did not want to hang around in Atrium because of the memories held there, I'm not a Seer!" he said heatedly.
"I don't think you are Harry," said Hermione.
"I better not be," grumbled Harry. "I also went my gut feeling, does that count?"
"Gut feeling? Do you mean instinct?" asked Hermione.
"Well yeah, whatever you call that. I felt some of that when we were in Atrium. Just thought that I had to get out of there for some reason, fresh air I guess," said Harry.
"Perhaps, well, that is definitely not the making of a Seer. Plus, isn't being a Seer making Prophecies like Trelawney did and not remember afterwards?" asked Hermione.
"You're right, I feel slightly better," said Harry seriously. "Oh, guess what happened?"
"What?" asked Ron, Ginny and Hermione seriously while Mark looked confused. Harry looked to Mark and grinned, trying to hint at something and he realized something.
"What mate?" asked Ron.
"Well, you know how Sirius is my Guardian now?"
"Yeah?" replied Ginny with a question.
"He didn't only take me in," his grin grew bigger.
"You're joking!" exclaimed Ron, looking at Mark. "Mark?"
"Yes, he's officially my brother," said Harry, laughing as Mark is snickering at Ron.
"This is amazing! You two and with your Godfather!" said Ron and Harry looked to Ginny and Hermione who looked as though they were trying not to weep but looking very happy.
"Oh Harry, Mark!" said Hermione, leaning forward, hugging them both, Harry felt a rush of blood to his face.
"Hey, hey, my turn!" said Ginny, weeping softly.
'Girls!' thought Harry as Ginny hugged them both.
"I cannot imagine what they will say if they catch the wind of this…." Said Hermione seriously.
"Oh no…" he knew what she meant by they. As in Daily Prophet and the media, which he isn't exactly fond of. "They can't know," said Harry.
"Well why?" asked Mark.
"I'm not going to make you in a top hit-list for Voldemort," said Harry. "He's got enough targets as it is…."
"But Harry, how will that make a difference?" asked Hermione.
"Oh like, kidnapping, luring, the first person to kill, and so on," said Harry in an almost sarcastic manner.
"Oh, but Harry–"
"Do you remember our second year? Voldemort, or should I say, Tom Riddle lured Ginny," he said while looking at her, " and dragged me down there because he knew that I would go after her. I can't let that happen again," said Harry.
"Oh Harry," said Ginny softly.
"Hang on, I have to let Sirius and Remus to keep this a secret as long as possible," said Harry, running to the dorms for his trunk. When he arrived there, his trunk automatically sprung open and knew his magic was at work. He searched for the mirror, found among his old books, walked around to his bed, and sat down. "Sirius? Remus?"
"Harry, already?" said Sirius, after ten second wait.
"Yeah, er, were you informed about what is going on at the Ministry?"
"Yes we were, and unfortunately we don't know what is attacking the place. We think it is the Death Eaters but we're not sure…"
"Yeah, could be Tengu… you do realize how lucky we are? Having the portkey and getting out of there?"
"Yes I do, and is there anything else you need to say because I'm rather busy with the Order."
"Yeah there is something else. Please keep quiet about us as a family. Especially Mark, I do not want Voldemort to find out that I have a distant cousin and that he is my legal brother. Can you do that?"
"Of course Harry, the press won't get a wind of this," promised Sirius.
"Thanks, that's all I needed to say, you can go now, bye Sirius."
"Bye Harry," and the link closed. Harry shoved the mirror back into his trunk and came back down to the busy common room.
"Well?"
"He'll keep it quiet and they don't know what is going on at the ministry either. I think that is what the Order might be busy with. That's why it was quick because I caught him at a bad time."
"Oh," said Hermione.
"Yeah, I hope it gets resolved soon because I haven't visited Hagrid lately…."
"You haven't all term Harry," said Hermione.
"… Damn," he whispered to himself.
"Don't beat yourself up over it Harry, we'll keep him company too," said Ron.
"Plus we are so busy, you can't blame yourself," said Hermione.
"You're right, but I could have made time…." Said Harry.
"Could've, would've, should've, it's in the past Harry, don't worry and you can catch up with him today, or tomorrow if you can't," said Ginny.
"Thanks guys," said Harry. "So, what did I missed for the morning lessons?"
"Here' the homework assigned for you Harry, just charms today," said Hermione, pulling a parchment out. Harry read what he had to practice a charm and that was it.
"Black Area Charm?" asked Harry.
"Read on Harry," said Hermione, urging him and Harry continued to read.
Black Area Charms are used when oneself wants to be hidden and hard to see. This charm is useful when you want to decorate a room in total black, even the lampshades will be black. How big the area gets depends on the caster's magical abilities. If a child were to cast this charm, it is estimated that it would cover ten feet in diameter. The incantation for this spell is "Ater atra atrum," see me on how to pronounce the word and for wand waving.
Harry looked up and found Hermione looking smug and Harry chuckled. He supposed that she felt proud for making other people read her notes willingly. Harry put the parchment down and turned to Hermione.
"So, you read the whole thing right?"
"Yeah, it's atera tra at rum?"
"No, no, no," she said. "It goes like this, a-ter a-tra a-trum. Now repeat after me."
"Aterratra atrum?"
"No, you're speaking too fast," separate the words as their whole."
"Ater atra aatrum?"
"No, you were a bit slow," said Hermione.
"Does that make a difference?" asked Harry exasperatedly.
"Yes, several students in Charms made their spots blue, pink, or yellow because they either stressed the words too fast or too slow!"
"Oh, I see," said Harry. "Okay," he took a breath. "Ater atra atrum."
"Yes, yes, you got it! Now, the wand waving for this spell is very easy. You make a small clockwise movement with your wand point like this," she moved her wand in clockwise motion in not more than one inch diameter. Harry copied her wand movements and got his wand to be half an inch in diameter but Hermione grinned anyways.
"Very good Harry, easy wasn't it? Okay, make this area black Harry," said Hermione.
"Okay," said Harry. "Ater atra atrum!" He said the words while moving his wand in smallest circle he could at the spot in front of him. The spot that hit the floor became not pitch black, but somewhat dark grey and grew slowly at first, but then without warning, sprang fast. He saw that with lightning speed, covering the whole of common room, and Harry saw that it was covering the walls up to the dormitory and Harry looked toward the portrait and heard the Fat Lady's screaming. "Oh no…."
"Oh my goodness!" Hermione said faintly. Harry ran to the portrait hole, peered out, and found that there was no end to where his magic ended and the colors began….
"Um, Hermione, can you come with me, Ron?"
"Y-Yeah mate, I'll come," said Ron as Hermione nodded. Everyone in the common room laughed and some were shocked at what happened to the common room.
"I just want to know where it ends…" said Harry, running down the stairs as he found was still nearly black, even the pictures were as well.
"Harry," said Hermione faintly. "Stop!" Harry stopped running down the stairs.
"What?" asked Harry but she said nothing but pointed out of the small window. Frowning, and went back up the stairs and looked out. He almost fell down the stairs in surprise, there was no way he could be this magically powerful. Harry grabbed the rails, catching his breath. "W-what does that mean?"
"Either it was a fluke mate, or that you're really strong."
"Do you think Dumbledore could accomplish this?"
"Actually, I read in one of the books about Dumbledore and I found out that he performed this charm and the entire Europe was in black. That was before we were born of course."
"How will we know if … How- how long does this magic last?" asked Harry.
"Well, with Dumbledore's it lasted a few months, so I think you have about a week… that is if you haven't got the whole world," she said with a grin.
"Please don't joke like that, what if it does?" groaned Harry.
"I seriously doubt that, I mean it was your first try wasn't it?"
"What about Dumbledore? Wasn't it a first try too?"
"….Okay, you're right, same thing happened to him when he was a sixth year here, I think we need to find a professor…" said Hermione.
"I think so too, come on Ron, stop gaping. You might see this for about a week," said Harry, going down the stairs. Ron snapped out of his trance and caught up with Hermione and Harry.
"Sorry mate, it's just that…. Bloody hell, I don't think I can ever duel you…."
"Oh Ron, I'm not even that good in duels. I can't even kill Voldemort. Wait, Dumbledore couldn't either. So, don't worry Ron."
"Well, I just hope I don't get on the bad side of you mate," said Ron.
"Oh there's a professor," said Hermione, stopping the argument between the boys. Harry looked and found Professor Snape.
"Professor, we were looking for someone. Uh…. Err–" Harry didn't know how to say about what just happened.
"Do you know who did this? This… Black Area charm?" Harry grinned slightly as he stared out of the window. "It was you?"
"Yes sir," replied Harry, looking back at him. "I…I didn't mean to…."
"Of course, you didn't mean to, we have someone finding out just how big of the area you have made and to see if any muggles are in the area…."
"I'm sorry Professor, I was just catching up my lessons from this morning…."
"Ah, your Hearing, nevertheless, come with me Potter," he said, turning around as his cape billowed behind him. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other and followed him. They came to the staff room and entered, Harry realized this was the first time they were allowed in. "We will wait for the others to return," drawled Professor Snape.
"Is the lesson still on for tomorrow?"
"Yes, regardless of what happens," he replied, looking through some papers. Harry nodded to himself and sat down.
"So prints are still readable even after the Black Area charm is cast?"
"Oh yes, always readable, otherwise we would have canceled all of the classes until things return to normal. If that had happened, I would have taken off so many points that you would not have a single chance of winning the House cup."
Harry grinned sheepishly as he went back to the papers, the door opened, trio looked up and saw that most of the Professors had returned.
"What's this Severus?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"I have found who performed the charm," he drawled.
"Which one?" asked Professor McGonagall, looking at Harry.
"I knew it!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, "It is Harry Potter isn't it?" Harry nodded in answer. "Well I'm afraid to say that you are only a shade too light Mr. Potter," said the Charms professor.
"I know, but close enough," said Harry, smiling.
"Yes, close enough, I had thought it was black at first, but it is only a bit too light. Good for us I think, or we would be blind in this castle," said Professor Flitwick. Harry chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, good thing I guess, so, did you find how far this goes for?" Professor McGonagall looked at Professor Srycry who nodded.
"Yes Mr. Potter…" replied Professor McGonagall.
"Well?" asked Harry, getting a bit anxious.
"It has covered half of this Earth Mr. Potter," said Professor Srycry. Harry shook his head in a negative way, stepping back.
'Oh no, no, no, this is not what I am hearing!' Thought Harry, not believing what he heard. "What, I think I heard you wrong, can you repeat that?" asked Harry. It couldn't be half of this Earth, it just couldn't be. He hadn't meant to do that much of an area.
"Half of this world Mr. Potter, from Brazil to Nepal, to Canada and Turkey. It's in one giant circle…."
"How did you find out?" asked Hermione, interested.
"You do know that Europe is not only without wizards and witches? Well, since we could not just find out from where we are, we had to use our immediate contacts with other schools," said Professor McGonagall.
"I see, well, half of this world, goodness, how long will this last? What about the muggles?" asked Hermione.
"Well, for the muggles, we will just have to replace their memory when this goes away. Now judging from what happened to Dumbledore, I would have to say six months," she said grimly.
"Oh no, I'll be tired of this…" groaned Harry.
"I'm sorry Mr. Potter, but only until such counter charm is invented for this purpose, we cannot do a thing," she said with a hint of humor. Harry grinned slyly. Oh he was up for some interesting work, challenge even. He looked to Hermione who caught the drift and grinned.