Hermione hardly knew what to expect as she approached the vampire-owned bar. Ryan had never been there, and she only knew what Harry had told her, and what she'd read in Sorceress.

I still can't believe I read a detailed account of Harry's sexual activities, she thought. She knew it was an invasion of his privacy, but she told herself she needed to read it as his friend. She'd always read what was printed about him, both to defend him against critics and to offer him her support.

Before Harry joined the Cannons, the Prophet usually found a reason to write about him every couple of weeks. But now, between the Quidditch news and his social life, he was featured nearly every day. That morning she'd been indignant on his behalf over the anonymous party guest who'd said he 'looked like a sodding duke, receiving guests in his wheelchair.'

'He couldn't stand!' she said to Ryan. 'How was he supposed to receive guests?'

'You have to admit, he looked like a young Bond villain—particularly with Lydia draped over him,' said Ryan.

'Maybe a little. But he doesn't have "aristocratic pretensions."'

'No, of course not. But I heard a lot of people talking about him. I can only theorise, but I think the combination of the Sorceress article, his townhouse, and Lydia looking like a Veela pushed a lot of wizards over the edge, as far as envy is concerned. People seemed to think he was showing off.'

'Harry has his faults, but he's not a show-off. Although I suppose his newfound swagger might make it seem that way.' Frowning, she added, 'Do you think he should take a break from the radio show for a week or two?'

'That's a good question. People enjoy it, but maybe he should step back for a little while. Assuming he doesn't need to correct any gross misconceptions like usual.'

'Fingers crossed,' she said. 'I'll suggest it tonight.'

Ryan played football with his mates that morning, and in the afternoon he and Hermione went flying over a secluded wood where they wouldn't be seen. She ate dinner with her parents and then met Harry for their meeting with the Light Arts master.

They went down the passage together, and she held the heavy door for him. So this is Penumbra, she thought as they entered. It was absurdly dark, and she sincerely hoped Harry wouldn't start glowing. As it was, they attracted everyone's attention, and she could hear people trying to work out why they were there.

'We have a private meeting with Alistair,' Harry told the scornful-looking hostess.

'Right this way,' she said, guiding them past tables and through a better-lit space near the bar. The arena, thought Hermione with amusement. This is where the pulling happens.

The hostess led them to a door, which she opened for them. Hermione expected a dark, luxurious room with velvet upholstery, but it was actually quite ordinary: well-lit, with a wooden table and four chairs. They were the first to arrive, so they took their places at the table.

'Do we know anything about her?' asked Hermione, pouring glasses of fruit pressé from a bottle on the table.

'Only her name: Davina Hampton.'

'I don't think that's a wizarding surname,' she said. 'But obviously I'm no expert.'

After a few minutes, the door opened and Alistair ushered in a woman of indeterminate age. At first glance Hermione thought she was perhaps fifty, but something in her eyes suggested she might be much older, or possibly younger.

'Well now, this is a surprise,' she said upon seeing Harry and Hermione. 'Although I really should have seen it coming.'

Hermione rose, and Harry said, 'I'm sorry I can't stand up, but I was hit by a Bludger yesterday.'

'Don't worry,' she said, extending her hand to Hermione and Harry in turn. 'I'm Davina Hampton. And obviously I know who you are—it's a pleasure to meet you both.'

'Thank you for agreeing to talk to us,' said Hermione. 'And Alistair, thank you for arranging it.'

Alistair politely excused himself, and the two witches sat down. 'I must say, I never expected to discuss Light magic in a vampire-owned bar in Knockturn Alley,' said Davina, 'but life is full of surprises.' They exchanged greetings and she asked, 'Why are you interested in the Light Arts?'

'I can't speak for Hermione,' said Harry, 'but starting a fortnight ago I've been experiencing accidental Light magic.'

'I see,' replied Davina. 'Would you mind describing it?'

'I'll describe what I can,' he began uncertainly, and Davina already seemed pleased.

'Yes, if it's real Light magic you won't be able to put it fully into words, but go on.'

'The easiest part to describe is the glowing.' He told her how it had started in the Sainte Chapelle, and he listed the other situations that tended to trigger it. 'I could probably do it right now if I wanted. The problem is that I can't always prevent it.'

'May I see you do it?' she asked.

Hermione was curious to watch. She'd seen him glow before, but she wondered how he'd bring it about. He closed his eyes briefly, and his shoulders relaxed. She watched his expression soften in a way that felt intimate, and she was reminded of the photograph the Prophet had run two months earlier with the headline 'The Man Who Lived.' The glow started in his hands, but within ten seconds the rest of him was glowing.

'And how do you feel?' asked Davina.

'Fantastic. And oh, love!'

'Are there specific physical sensations, or just pleasure?'

'Magic, or energy—I don't know what it is—it's flowing through me like waves. And love, oh my god. Love.'

'Do you feel yourself resisting the experience at all?'

'Why would I resist it?' asked Harry, but then he frowned. 'You're right, I'm holding back.'

He's holding back? thought Hermione. This is the abridged version?

'Yes, that's normal,' said Davina. 'Not all of you is ready to surrender to the experience. But can you make contact with the part of you that's resisting?'

'What do you mean by "make contact?"' he asked.

'You don't need to inhabit it or analyse it—just notice it, and acknowledge that it has a right to exist.'

Harry's glow began to dim. 'I've made so many mistakes,' he said unexpectedly. 'How can I be happy when I've done so many things wrong?'

What does he mean? thought Hermione. Is this still about Sirius?

'Yes, you've made mistakes,' said Davina. 'We all do.'

'I don't deserve this,' he continued. 'Fred, Tonks, Moony ...'

'People who died in the war, right at the end,' said Hermione quietly, and Davina nodded.

'I want Lydia,' he moaned. 'Stupid broken pelvis.'

Hermione laughed. 'That's another Light magic symptom he's been having.'

'It's true,' said Harry. 'I realise I'm nineteen, so it's probably to be expected, but I can't get enough. And I fall in love at the drop of a hat.'

Sweet mercy, is Harry in love with Lydia? thought Hermione with alarm.

He was still glowing faintly. 'It's hard to be away from her right now, because she's experiencing Light magic too, I think. Only not with glowing. She says she feels great, and she becomes impossibly beautiful, like a Veela.'

'Is this since you started dating?' asked Davina.

'Yes, only since yesterday. She comes from a Dark family, and her parents are afraid I've irretrievably corrupted her.'

Davina smiled and said, 'You might have done. Which family is she from?'

'Travers,' said Harry and Hermione simultaneously.

Davina raised one eyebrow. 'Perhaps history will repeat itself,' she mused.

'How do you mean?' asked Hermione.

'I come from a family like hers. Not as Dark as the Traverses, but Dark-leaning.'

'Hampton?' asked Hermione.

'No, Wynter. Hampton is my married name.'

'Is your father Romulus Wynter?' asked Harry. 'Lydia's parents mentioned him this afternoon—they said he'd lost his daughter to Light magic.'

'Guilty as charged. I married a Muggle and everything.'

'Yes, they mentioned that, and that you live like a vagabond.'

'Compared to my father I do. And yes, Light magic is almost certainly to blame. But that was my path and it needn't be yours, nor Lydia's. And she may only be experiencing sympathetic Light magic rather than the more persistent variety.'

'Does that mean it won't last?' he asked.

'It mightn't. But now she's had a taste of it, and she may find herself pulled in that direction. She doesn't practice the Dark Arts, does she?'

'No, she rejected them because she didn't like how they affected her elder sister. Her sister became less affectionate and developed a sort of sneer.'

'I know it well,' said Davina sadly. 'Several of my classmates returned from the holidays wearing that sneer, and our friendships eroded. As for Lydia, that was remarkably good judgment on her part—the Dark Arts are pure poison for the mind.'

Harry's glow had faded, and Davina turned to Hermione. 'And why are you interested in Light magic?'

'I'd read only bits and pieces about it, but then Harry told me he was experiencing it, and he showed me a book he found in the Black family library.' Hermione told Davina about the book by Jacobus Filch and what she'd read at work. 'I thought my interest was only academic, but when I saw the book at the Ministry I realised I'd experienced it as well.'

'Really?' said Harry. 'Do you glow?'

'No, and I'm envious,' she admitted, 'although I can see how impractical it is. But I had an experience I can't quite explain, nearly two months ago, and I think I've changed a lot since then.' She described her strange conversation with Luna and said, 'The change wasn't dramatic—just a tiny blip, really—but I'm no longer quite the same person.'

'Was that when you suddenly wanted to go flying?' asked Harry. Without waiting for an answer, he turned to Davina and said, 'Hermione's never liked flying, but after my first Cannons match she was suddenly desperate to get onto a broomstick.'

'Some people become less fearful and inhibited,' said Davina. 'Were you previously very cerebral?'

'I think so,' said Hermione, but Harry was nodding emphatically.

'I'm not convinced you've experienced Light magic per se,' said Davina, 'but it sounds like you've crossed the threshold, which is the hard part. The next step will be to link it to your magic.' After a pause he asked, 'What are you hoping to accomplish with Light magic? Are you planning to use it in battle?'

'I hope I never see another battle,' said Harry. 'I suppose the ability to protect people using Light magic would be useful, particularly if it could be done without hurting anyone. But otherwise I just want to know more about it, particularly now that I'm experiencing it. I don't know where it'll lead, to be honest.'

'And what about you?' she asked Hermione.

'I'm not interested in battle either,' she replied. 'Not specifically, anyway. But Light magic sounds much more effective than most of what we learnt in Defence Against the Dark Arts, so I suppose it's worth knowing just in case. But I mostly want to understand it. If there's another way to make sense of the world—particularly one that runs counter to conventional understanding—then I need to know more.'

'Those are good reasons,' said Davina. 'One of the ironies of Light magic is that it's hugely effective in certain battle situations, but you won't get very far if that's your motivation.'

'I want to prevent the next war,' said Harry. 'I don't know whether Light magic can help, but that's a huge goal of mine as well.'

'A lofty ambition,' said Davina. 'Whether you'll succeed is another question—the causes for war are far deeper than anything we can control in the moment. But you can't have a better motivation than that.'

Hermione could no longer contain her curiosity. 'Davina, could you please say more about your own practice, and where you learnt about Light magic?' She paused and added, 'I hope that's not an inappropriate question.'

'It's a highly appropriate question. You don't want to study with someone who hasn't learnt it properly herself. I was first exposed to the Light Arts when I was around your age, or a little younger. I fell in love with a classmate during my final year at Hogwarts. I was in Slytherin, and he was in Hufflepuff, so you can imagine how my parents felt about it.'

Hermione was astonished. 'You were in Slytherin?'

'Yes, most of my family was, and when I was eleven I hadn't yet developed my independent streak. The Sorting Hat proposed Hufflepuff, but I was horrified and insisted on Slytherin. Of all the insults!' she said, chuckling. 'Anyway, I fell in love with a Muggle-born Hufflepuff named Peter, and my family threatened to disown me if I married him. Back then I was obedient enough that I broke it off, but not before spending a final night with him in the Astronomy Tower.'

Davina saw how Harry and Hermione were looking at her, and she said, 'Not that kind of night. Sometimes the most powerfully romantic experiences are the most chaste, and this was along those lines. He was experiencing a form of accidental Light magic—not glowing—and that night I experienced it sympathetically. In my case it stuck, possibly because I'd spent the entire afternoon crying and was therefore vulnerable. I'm not entirely sure why, but feeling hopeless or despondent can be a precursor to a huge internal shift.'

Hermione almost raised her hand in excitement. 'That's how it was for me! Ron had just broken up with me, and then I had a disastrous meeting at work—I nearly started another goblin war. Luna took me to dinner that night, and that's when things shifted.'

'And for me it was when I knew I was about to die,' said Harry. 'The last night of the war, I had to give up my life to prevent Voldemort from coming back.' He briefly explained what had happened in the Forbidden Forest, without mentioning Horcruxes.

'That's not what I'd call a typical Awakening experience, but I can see why it worked,' said Davina. 'Anyway, I was changed after that night with Peter. It's ironic that in trying to obey my parents, I set the wheels in motion for disobeying them far more thoroughly.'

Hermione was indignant on Davina's behalf. 'Or you could say that by tearing you from someone you loved, your parents set the wheels in motion for you to stray even farther. Assuming that's what came next.'

'It was. That summer after I finished school I was heartbroken, but I also felt like a newborn foal stretching my legs. I suddenly noticed a whole world around me that I'd previously ignored.'

'The Muggle world?' asked Hermione.

'Exactly. I had an internship at the Ministry, which was the appropriate job for a young pure-blood of my station. I was expected to meet a suitable wizard and stop working as soon as we married. But instead of flirting with my coworkers, I used to wander around Muggle London during lunch and after work. I went to galleries and concerts and poetry readings ... and to places a well-brought-up young witch should never have gone. I stayed up late listening to what I thought were deep conversations amongst so-called intellectuals, although looking back it was mostly blather. But there were seeds of truth scattered amid all the rubbish, and those led me along my path.'

'Excuse me,' said Hermione. 'Are you talking about your path as a Light Arts practitioner, or a spiritual path?'

'There's no difference,' said Davina. 'The only distinction is that wizards experience a magical component, but otherwise the core experience is the same.'

Harry asked, 'Does that mean a Muggle could experience everything I do while glowing, except for the glowing itself?'

'Yes, although they might attract attention in other ways.'

'Such as?' prompted Hermione.

'Personal magnetism or charisma,' said Davina. 'Or a slightly intoxicated look of pleasure, if they're still getting used to it. I sometimes describe it as "bedroom eyes."'

'Harry, she's describing you,' said Hermione. 'Minus the glowing, of course.'

'Brilliant. So on top of everything else, I look like some kind of pervert.'

'You'll learn to integrate it,' said Davina. 'That's what's tricky about the early stages—the experience is unstable, so there's a tendency to overcommit, for fear that it might otherwise disappear. That's what causes manifestations of involuntary magic, like glowing or an allure.'

'Why do you suppose Lydia developed an allure instead of glowing?' he asked.

'There are lots of factors, but it often depends on priming. Young women are under more pressure to be attractive than men are, and as a Travers she was probably raised to be ornamental above all else. So it's not surprising her accidental Light magic would flow similarly.'

'She is vain,' said Harry. 'But I don't think she cared or even noticed that she was attracting so many other men.'

'It's true,' said Hermione. 'She only had eyes for Harry.'

'He was the source of her Light magic,' replied Davina. 'And I'm sure she's fond of you, if you're a couple.'

'Yes,' he said contentedly. 'We're in love.'

Hermione must not have hidden her reaction well, because Harry said, 'Don't worry, we'll never marry—in spite of her family's best efforts. She's moving out on Wednesday, and after that we aren't even planning to date exclusively.'

'But if you're in love?' began Hermione.

'It's not like that. It's less personal somehow ... I feel tremendous love when we're together, and thinking about her now, but I don't want to possess her. I think we both want our freedom more than we want each other, if that makes sense.'

'It's fortunate you both feel that way,' said Davina. 'I've seen painful interactions between partners where they were both in love, but only one of them wanted an ongoing commitment.'

'That's definitely not the case with Lydia. Last Sunday I got down on one knee and proposed never to marry her, and she accepted. It's become a running joke.'

Hermione relaxed, although she couldn't relate to what he was describing. I love Ryan and I want to be with him, she thought, picturing frogs hopping down a church aisle.

Davina continued describing her journey into the Light Arts. 'I originally thought my experience with Peter was a purely magical phenomenon, but in my secret life exploring Muggle London I discovered that Muggles can access it as well. And unlike wizards, Muggles aren't tempted to use it in battle, although that's not the only pitfall. But we needn't discuss those now.'

'Was that how you met your husband?' asked Hermione.

'Yes, and that's when I could no longer hide my secret life from my family. I'd been at it for several years, and I'd snubbed the wizards who tried courting me, so they assumed I'd be an old maid and could be trusted to look after my elders. But when I was twenty-two I met Christopher, and there was no question I wanted to marry him. He was brilliant and deeply curious, with the critical thinking skills wizards so often lack.'

'Was?' said Hermione, fearing the answer.

'He died nearly ten years ago. Not because of wizards, but in a car accident. We were both seriously injured, and when we were unconscious we were taken to a Muggle hospital and rushed into surgery. I recovered—miraculously well, according to the doctors—but Christopher didn't make it.'

Davina didn't seem emotional as she spoke, but Hermione didn't want to risk upsetting her with more personal questions, so she asked again about Light magic.

'It wasn't easy to find a Light Arts teacher,' said Davina, 'since it's fallen so far out of fashion. Several so-called Light magicians tried defeating Grindelwald, but they didn't succeed, and eventually Albus Dumbledore defeated him without using Light magic.'

'I wondered about that,' said Hermione. 'Do you know if he ever studied the Light Arts?'

'He probably learnt the theory, but I don't think he ever practised them.'

Hermione was reluctant to ask her next question, but Harry asked it for her. 'Dumbledore was hugely powerful, in terms of magical strength. How would Light magic have interacted with that?'

Davina looked at him appraisingly. 'Are you asking about Dumbledore or about yourself?'

'Not about me,' he replied. 'I'm barely above average in that respect.' He glanced at Hermione but didn't elaborate.

'Magical strength plays a role, but not nearly as much as with traditional magic or the Dark Arts. And it doesn't help with learning Light magic in the first place. In fact, it can be a hindrance, since the powerful wizard mightn't be willing to persevere when something doesn't come naturally to them.' She turned to Hermione and added, 'Powerful witches or wizards seldom bother unless they experience it spontaneously first.'

Davina told them about some of her Light magic teachers, and where she'd studied. 'There are a handful of schools for the Light Arts around the world, but none in Britain. Mostly it's taught by individuals or in small groups, which is how I learnt it, but that may be changing. I had an owl from a friend in Canada last week, and more people have approached him for instruction lately. And my friend in Italy mentioned something similar.'

'There may be an explosion of interest when it comes out that Harry is experiencing it,' said Hermione. 'He won't be able to keep it secret much longer.'

Davina hadn't heard about Harry's Glowpox incident. 'I'm afraid I don't follow the news very closely, but I'm certain your enemies took note. How's your Occlumency?'

'Alistair tested me and said I'm impregnable. And Lydia's father tried Legilimency on me this afternoon and couldn't make a dent.'

'And Hermione, have you learnt Occlumency?'

'No. I watched Harry struggle with it for years, but I never tried it myself. I suppose I should start.'

'Ask Owen for help,' said Harry. 'He's much better at teaching Mind Arts than Snape was. That's how I'm able to spot the Snitch.'

Davina was amused that Harry used the Mind Arts in Quidditch, and she asked him for details. 'You should teach Hermione,' she said. 'Not to catch the Snitch, of course, but how to cultivate both attention and awareness. That's an essential skill for advancing in Light magic.'

Harry laughed and said, 'This will be the first time I've ever taught Hermione anything. It's always been the other way around.'

'That's not true,' said Hermione. 'You taught me the Patronus Charm.'

'Which is Light magic,' said Davina. 'And I expect you to learn at least as much from each other as you learn from me. Assuming you'd like for me to teach you.'

'If you're willing,' said Harry, and Hermione nodded enthusiastically.

'Yes, you've passed my test, such as it was. I wanted to make sure you weren't just looking for a new way to annihilate enemies. And it helps you've already both experienced it. Speaking of which ... I suppose you're wondering how important it is to keep it secret.'

'That was my next question,' said Harry. 'Rita Skeeter already knows, but she won't reveal anything without my permission. Although I don't think she'll let me postpone it forever.'

'No, and your enemies probably know. So it's just a question of whether you want everyone else to find out.'

Harry sighed. 'I could do without the attention. But what do you think? Is there any benefit to announcing it?'

Davina thought for a moment. 'You'll definitely ignite an interest in the Light Arts. But may I warn my fellow practitioners first? It'll be international news the second you go public, and it would be good if the other teachers were prepared.'

'For the onslaught of new students?' asked Hermione.

'Precisely. Although it's not easy to teach, once you get past subjects like the Patronus Charm.'

'When I talk to Rita about it, will you be willing to advise me, or even talk to her yourself?' asked Harry. 'I can't believe I'm suggesting it, but she and I have a contract now that imposes penalties if she lies about me. All I'm required to do is offer her right of first refusal when I have a big announcement.'

'This would count as a big announcement,' said Davina. 'And yes, I'll be glad to speak with her when the time comes.'

'She'll probably mention your family background,' warned Hermione. 'Harry, can you prevent that?'

'I don't know. Davina, would that be a problem?'

She sighed. 'My family knows I'm back in England. I write to them annually, and whenever I change location. But they haven't wanted to see me since I married. And they never met my children.'

'Their own grandchildren?' exclaimed Hermione.

'Yes, but it's not surprising—neither of my children are magical. And neither of my grandchildren has shown accidental magic, but they're young, so it's not out of the question.'

Hermione was tempted to ask her more, but she refrained in case it was a sore subject. Instead Harry and Davina worked out a schedule for their lessons, starting a week from Monday, since Davina was travelling again to the Continent. At first she declined payment, but Harry insisted.

'I pay my other tutor, and there's no reason you shouldn't be paid as well.' He chuckled and said, 'But I'll pay you from the Black family vault if you prefer, just for the irony.'

Davina laughed. 'You may be amused to know that Cygnus Black tried to court me. We went to tea once and I wasn't at all interested—he married Druella Rosier instead.'

'That was Andromeda's father,' remarked Hermione. 'And Walburga's brother.'

Before they parted company, Davina gave Harry advice about his accidental Light magic. 'When it arises, try to identify any resistance you might be having to the experience, and then allow that resistance just to exist within your larger awareness.'

'So I don't need to analyse the resistance, or reason with it?'

'No, just let it be, and relax. And enjoy the experience! Over time, that will dissolve your resistance as well.'

Harry looked reluctant to pose his next question. 'What about the libido aspects? How should I handle that?'

'Is it causing a problem?' asked Davina.

'Except for the one time I was late to practice, no. But I'm getting a reputation for promiscuity.'

At least he didn't say 'manwhore,' thought Hermione. Unfortunately she'd heard him described that way several times at the party.

'Does it bother you?' asked Davina.

Harry shrugged. 'People are always criticising me for one thing or another. At least this is fun.'

'As long as it doesn't become a distraction, and you're not mistreating your partners, I don't see a problem with it.'

After the meeting, Hermione helped Harry into a taxicab and they returned to Grimmauld Place. 'Thank Merlin I can start walking with a cane tomorrow,' said Harry once they were indoors.

'You're home!' cried Lydia as she ran upstairs from the sitting room. 'Hermione, thanks for getting him in and out of the taxicab. Did the driver ask again whether he'd been to a fancy dress party?'

'No,' replied Harry. 'Hermione wasn't dressed for it, so she told him I was in a play. She was very convincing, and I didn't have to say a thing.'

'My parents took me to see The Importance of Being Earnest on Friday, so I used that.' She turned to Harry and said, 'It's by Oscar Wilde, whom you should really ask your tutor about.'

'Yes, it sounded good—perhaps I should see it if I ever have a spare evening.'

'Actually,' began Hermione, 'I was thinking you might want to consider taking a break from the radio show for a week or two.'

Harry frowned. 'Do you think it's becoming a problem?'

'Not yet ... but you don't want to risk overexposure.'

'It's not a bad idea. I never intended to do it indefinitely. And with any luck I won't need to set the record straight about anything this week, assuming the Prophet doesn't come out with fresh lies tomorrow.'

Hermione went to her parents' house instead of Ryan's flat that night, since she had an early Spinning class the next morning. But she rang him to ask about his meeting with his Charms professor.

'It was terrific,' he said. 'He was impressed with my research proposals, although he's sceptical I'll ever devise a magical compact disc player.'

'You didn't really suggest that!'

'No, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. How was your meeting with the Light Arts teacher?'

'Wonderful—she recommended several books, all of which should be returned to the Ministry library in the next week or so. But she said books are of limited use and that practice is the most important thing, and that Harry and I should work together whenever possible.'

'That's good. I know you were concerned you and Harry were starting to drift apart.'

'Is that how I phrased it?' she asked. 'I thought it was just that didn't see each other as often, now that we're no longer both dating Weasleys.'

'You did say that, but you also said it felt weird that I spend more time with him than you do now.'

'Oh right. Well, that won't change—he and I will only meet a once or twice a week, including our lesson with Davina. But it'll be nice to have a shared activity again.'

She went to bed thinking about the meeting, and reflecting in particular on what Harry had said about being in love with Lydia. How does he fall in and out of love so quickly? she wondered. Admittedly she'd fallen for Ryan less than a week after Ron had ended things, but Harry had already had multiple love affairs since joining the Cannons, not to mention his 'night of sweet exhaustion.'

It's a good thing I never fancied him, she mused. Either I'd have pulled a Ginny and broken his heart, or he'd have pulled a Harry and broken mine. Ryan was perfect, as far as she was concerned, and she fell asleep feeling grateful for how everything had turned out.