Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.


Their stay on the Isle of Elves was much fun, as usual. In the morning of the first day, Teddy woke Harry up very early.

"Let's go to the beach. I need to show you something." When Lucy let out a small growl, he added, "Leave Lucy here. We'll be back on time for breakfast anyway."

"It's all right, Lulu. You can sleep a bit more," Harry told the canine, gently caressing her fluffy ears, causing her to simply sleep on.

On the short way to the nearest beach, Harry wondered what his friend wanted to show him; however, Teddy merely smirked. Only when they arrived on the still empty beach, he transformed into a majaroo.

"You did it!" Harry stared at the four-legged animal in front of him in surprise. "How cool! Well done, Teddy."

He was so busy staring and admiring the form that only when his friend playfully slapped his arm with his right front paw, he was brought back to reality and swiftly transformed as well.

Together, they ran over the beach and through the shallow water, doing large jumps and chasing each other. It was much fun.

Only when a group of small children came onto the beach and quickly fled upon noticing two seemingly wild animals rampaging on their playground, did they realise that breakfast time had to be long over. They quickly transformed back and hurried home, glad that they did not meet anyone on the way, who might have connected them to what turned out to be the myth of the wild animals on the beach that spread like a wildfire on the Isle of Elves.

Playing on the playground with the other children, studying Healing with Anastasia and being taught about the elven history by Bandhu, two weeks of holidays passed much too quickly for Harry's and Teddy's liking.

HP

For their travel to Inis Rún, Severus held out an inflatable crocodile, much to Felix' excitement. It was large enough for Regina, Harry, Lucy, Severus and Felix, who was being held by Severus in a firm grip, to hold on to it.

They arrived on the top of what seemed to be a large dune and followed a small, wooden arrow with the inscription 'Bally Sideways'. They soon reached a village and found themselves on a relatively large square.

One side of the square was occupied by a seemingly old church built in an interesting style with several heights of roof. 'This seems to be the main place here,' Harry thought, seeing a tiny branch of Gringotts, a small bookshop and a slightly larger store that seemed to be selling every day needs on the next side of the square. On the third side, he noticed a plate in the front garden of a house decorated with lots of red flowers opposite of the church. 'Healer O'Brien' was written on it. Next to the healer's house was a building that was slightly bigger as it was stretched to the side with a large plate standing in the front of the building: 'For Sale'. The fourth side of the square was occupied by what seemed to be several tiny holiday homes as well as an interesting looking playground.

Severus led them to one of the holiday houses, pointing to the house with the number 9. "Here we are."

The house was small, but it was just large enough for the four of them plus Lucy, and to Harry's relief, it had a small garden in the back. 'Thank Merlin; otherwise, I'd have to take Lucy outside every now and then,' he thought.

"How did you know about this island?" he suddenly remembered to ask his father. "I've never heard of it before."

Severus smirked. "Have you seen the house of Healer O'Brien on the other side of the square? She wrote to me and invited us here, stating that as the inventors of the wolvescure we might be interested in jellygrapes. I told you about them."

Harry nodded. "Yes, they have strong healing properties."

Felix pulled the edge of Harry's robe. "Hawwy, go to de beach now!"

Lucy immediately confirmed the small boy's wish with a series of small woofs.

"Later on, we'll go to see Healer O'Brien. Let's go to the beach first and hope that the two of them will be tired afterwards."

Harry inwardly grinned, knowing from Lucky and Lucy how fast they had become tired, when they had been walking along the beach on the Isle of Elves.

Indeed, thirty minutes later, Severus was giving Felix a piggy ride.

"Mum, why don't you transform into your majaroo form and put Felix into your bag?"

His parents exchanged a look, before they apparently decided to try it out. When Regina transformed, Severus carefully lowered Felix into the bag, where he automatically transformed into a small majaroo.

"How cute he is," Harry cooed, as he carefully glanced into his mother's bag, causing Lucy to gently push him aside to get a good luck.

"Now, Harry and Lucy, leave your mother and Felix alone." Severus shook his head in apparent annoyance.

However, Felix seemed to have other ideas. Apparently, not feeling tired of walking anymore, he jumped out of the bag and, instead of automatically turning back into his human form, took a few unsteady steps in his majaroo form.

"I just hope he'll be able to transform back afterwards. Otherwise, we'll have to call Minerva for help," Harry commented, before he transformed into his second Animagus form as well – to Lucy's obvious displeasure.

"Hey doggy, care for some feline company?" A moment later, a lynx joined the group of three majaroos and one canine, before Felix became tired after a few minutes of jumping and running through the snow on four legs. He sat in front of his mother, raising his front paws for her to pick him up and place him back into the bag.

When Severus carefully took Felix out, so that Regina could transform back before leaving the beach later on, the child automatically took on his human form.

Harry immediately liked Inis Rún. Somehow, it reminded him of the Isle of Elves.

HP

Later the same day, they went to see Healer O'Brien, a very kind older witch, who immediately invited them to stay for dinner and told them many things about the small island. When Regina told her that Harry was a natural healer and had been studying Healing with Poppy Pomfrey for about three years so far, her eyes widened. Her expression was laced with disbelief but at the same time hope. "Is that really true? In fact, I have three patients here on the island, whom I'm not able to help."

Harry smiled at the unasked question. "If I can help, I will."

"Thank you so very much." The healer reached out to squeeze his hand in apparent gratefulness. "Let me talk to them and arrange something for next week. First of all, you enjoy your holiday here. I'll also arrange for one of the fishermen, perhaps Larry O'Leary, to take you out to harvest jellygrapes on Sunday."

Severus profusely thanked the old witch. "Harry, do you wish to accompany us?"

"Of course."

Harry thoroughly enjoyed his holidays on Inis Rún. He loved spending time on the beach together with his family. Sometimes, he even took Felix out onto the playground. The little boy could not get enough of the swing. As it was not exactly baby safe, Harry sat on it with his brother on his lap, much to Felix' delight.

One day, he accompanied his father and one of the fishermen harvesting jellygrapes. They looked like normal, albeit very tiny, green grapes, and Harry eyed the bucket they carried home in disbelief. "They don't look special at all."

Severus smirked. "That's true, son, and I can't wait to be home and try them out on several potions, of which Poppy would love to have stronger versions."

"I'm in." After almost four weeks of simply enjoying his holidays, Harry was looking forward to returning to Hogwarts and brewing potions together with his father and the twins.

On another day, Healer O'Brien took him to the North of the Island, where he healed the scars on two fishermen's faces, causing them to look much younger and healthier. Another time, a young woman was brought into the practice in a wheel chair, and the healer called him over and explained that the woman was suffering from a very rare muscle disease, which was so far uncurable. To everyone's delight, Harry was able to heal her just by gripping her arm and letting his healing magic do its work.

By the time they had to return to Hogwarts, Harry knew that he had made many people on Inis Rún very happy, that he loved the small island and that he wanted to buy the small house, which had been for sale next to Healer O'Brien's house.

"Dad, can we quickly go to Gringotts over there?"

"Why might that be?"

"Do you think I have enough money to buy the house next to Healer O'Brien's?"

Regina suddenly began to laugh. "Like father like son. Harry, your father was considering the same. Considering the cumulated amount of gold in all our accounts, we can easily buy it. It would be a fantastic place to come here during the holidays."

"Or even just for the occasional Sunday."

By the time they finally left the island, they owned the one-storey house with three bedrooms, a large dining kitchen, a bathroom, a store room, which was at some stage going to become a potions lab, and a large garden. It was even equipped with a fully functioning fireplace that was connected to the Floo network. They spontaneously chose the fireplace for their travel home. While Regina took Felix through the Floo, Harry travelled with Lucy and Severus took care of four buckets of jellygrapes, three of which Harry had received from the fishermen for healing their colleagues, friends and family.

HP

A few days after their return, Narcissa's summer course began, and Harry attended the first two days of it, mainly to get to know the new first-years who had chosen to participate.

However, after the second day, he decided that he'd rather spend his time in the lab. "Two or three years ago, it would have made sense to attend the course, but by now, Mum has already taught me so much that I don't learn anything new," he explained to his parents.

"Harry, that's fine with us. There is no need for you to attend the course if it's not interesting for you." Severus smiled, comfortingly.

Harry nodded, feeling very much reassured.

"Harry, on a different note, what are we going to do for your birthday? Do you wish to invite your classmates?" Regina cast him a questioning look.

Harry shook his head. "Not this time. I'd rather spend the day in our new house. Perhaps, we could take the twins and Teddy with us. And Misty and Cicero," he added as an afterthought.

HP

Unbeknownst to Harry, his father had already arranged with the twins and Cicero to spend a few days on Inis Rún to install a potions lab to their new home. When he told Healer O'Brien about his intention, their new neighour became extremely excited.

"Frankly speaking, we need an apothecary here on the island. We always have to order potions from London, which is extremely tedious."

Severus smirked. "We can, of course, brew the occasional potion for you on demand; however, I am a full-time professor at Hogwarts, and the twins whilst being my student assistants are only fourth-years. They will only finish Hogwarts in four years' time, although they'll have completed their Potions mastery by then, just like Harry, who is only a second-year student now."

"If we may contact you from time to time, it will help us a lot."

"Any time," Severus promised, knowing that with the twins' and occasionally Harry's assistance he was never as busy as he had been before accepting the twins as his assistants.

The twins mock bowed, causing Severus to glare at them.

"From the money we received from the muggle government…"

"… for providing the wolvescure…"

"… we intended to open a joke shop…"

"… once we finish Hogwarts…"

"… but we could as well add an apothecary to it…"

"… here on this according to Harry beautiful island."

"I would appreciate that very much, and you will have my support in any way." The healer sounded too enthusiastic for Severus' liking; however, he merely nodded, before he ushered the twins back to work.

HP

On the day before Harry's twelfth birthday, a meeting of the Wizengamot took place, and while Harry would have liked to accompanied his parents, he remained at home to look after Felix.

By the time his parents returned several hours later, they seemed upset.

"Fudge is such an idiot," Severus growled, causing Harry to stare at his father in surprise.

"If he's such an idiot, why did they elect him as the Minister of Magic?"

"He wanted to make up a new law that would have forced you to heal even criminals if you were able to do so."

"He what?" Harry asked in bewilderment.

"Fortunately, we have too many friends and allies, and only two or three others voted for his new law." Severus smirked.

"Ah, thank Merlin."

"Nevertheless, you must be careful to not listen to the minister or Dumbledore." Regina cast him a look of utmost concern.

Harry shook his head. "I won't."

HP

To Harry's utmost annoyance, Healer O'Brien spread the news that Harry was going to spend his twelfth birthday on the island everywhere, and when Harry arrived with Teddy and Lucy in tow, a huge birthday party was just about to begin on the large market square in front of their house.

Harry thoroughly enjoyed his birthday party. Even if he did not overly like being the centre of attention, everyone attending the party was extremely friendly, and the food was delicious, reaching from specialities of the island to several sorts of cake. However, for Harry, the highlight was the live music played by a group of five young islanders.

'They're really good,' Harry thought, however, was too busy talking with his friends and several children from the island to offer playing the Suikan together with them.

'I look forward to playing together with BABA again soon,' he thought. 'Just about two weeks, before I'll meet them again.'

HP

The two weeks passed much too quickly for Harry's liking. Apart from the occasional visits to Marvolo's or Sirius' home, he spent much time in the potions lab studying for the mastery together with the twins.

On the one hand, he was sad that the holidays along with his freedom was going to end soon, but on the other hand, he was looking forward to having his friends and classmates back at Hogwarts.

'Second year will be somehow much alike the first with the same professors and the same subjects,' he thought, somehow feeling slightly disappointed. 'Only in third year, we're going to have our elective subjects. Perhaps, we should make some changes in the future.'

HP

On August 30, a group from Hogwarts travelled to London. At the Leaky Cauldron, the group consisting of Severus, Regina, Harry, Felix, Lucy, Teddy, the twins and Ginny met with Ginny's friend Luna.

To Harry's surprise, they left the pub through the back door leading into muggle London, where two large, black cars were already waiting to pick them up.

While Harry had occasionally sat in the back of Vernon Dursley's car, he was surprised that these cars were not only extremely comfortable, but they had drivers, who were wearing officially looking uniforms along with white gloves.

'This somehow feels so strange,' he thought, while Regina, who was sitting on the passenger seat, made polite small talk with the driver. There was much traffic, and it seemed like a long time to him, before the driver finally announced that they were reaching Buckingham Palace now.

'I could have simply popped us,' he thought in annoyance, as he followed his parents and the twins inside, where they had to pass security and show their invitations. To his relief, Lucy behaved herself and stayed very close to him, apparently sensing the group's excitement.

They walked along a long flight of beautifully decorated corridors, and Harry looked around in amazement. 'This place is beautiful,' he thought, as he admired the artistic ornaments on the walls.

In the room, where the party was going to take place, a large table was set, and Harry eagerly skimmed the name plates on the table, realising in relief that he was supposed to sit between his father and Felix with his mother on his brother's other side. The twins as well as Ginny and Luna were sitting to Severus' left.

'Luna seems to be a bit strange, but nice,' Harry thought. 'She looks like an angel in her golden-white one-piece and golden hair.'

Looking further along the table, he realised in horror that the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was present as well; however, he was fortunately sitting far enough from him to not be able to bother him with anything.

When the doors opened marking the arrival of the Queen, Harry looked up with interest. To his surprise, however, the monarch behaved in a similar way to how the former Minister of Magic had, when she had invited them to the Ministry of Magic to award his father and him the Order of Merlin first class.

She profusely thanked Harry, Severus and the twins for curing the remaining werewolves in muggle Britain and awarded them the so-called 'Order of Albion', emphasizing that it was even higher in rank than the Order of Merlin first class.

'I wonder when BABA are going to show up,' Harry thought, feeling slightly impatient, when the first course of dinner popped up on the table. However, he should realise soon that the concert was only going to take place after dinner, which took ages due to the number of courses they were served.

By the time the table was cleared from the dessert, Harry had the impression as if he could not stomach any bit more. With a flick of a wand, the table was banished, making space for a dance area with small tables and chairs around it, and the group BABA was announced.

HP

Huge applause greeted the four musicians, when they entered the room.

"Good evening and congratulations to the four recipients of the Order of Albion. Today, we will not play as BABA. Instead, we have asked Order of Albion recipient Harry Prince to join us tonight in BABAH."

Harry rose from his chair and quickly enlarged the Suikan, which he was carrying shrunken in his inner robe pocket. Under applause, he joined the musicians and readied himself to play.

Playing together with the group, he enjoyed himself so much that he did not even hear the applause. He completely lost himself in the music and his happy thoughts. 'Music is almost better than brewing,' he thought, smiling, 'and BABA's music is so positive. I really like it.'

He did not notice that someone was crouched behind a pillar right next to him, hidden from the view by the pillar. He only noticed someone's magic nearby, but did not take further notice, before a small voice whispered to him.

"Imperio. Go to St. Mungo's and heal Lucius Malfoy and Dolores Umbridge. Do not tell anyone about it, and see to it that no one will miss you. Do it within a week."

'What?' Harry thought in shock, before he suddenly felt confused. 'What was that?' he wondered, as he tried to concentrate on the music he was playing.

As he played on, he completely forgot that something happened just for an instant. He only remembered that there was something he had to do as soon and unobtrusive as possible.

BABAH was a huge success, and when the group took their leave, they thanked him profusely for playing together with them, and one of the wizards pressed an envelope into his hand with the instruction to take it to Gringotts.

"We'll contact you again soon."

"Thank you so much. It was much fun, and I look forward to playing together again."

HP

It was only, when he was in bed late the same evening that Harry decided to pop to St. Mungo's right away. 'I better get that done as soon as possible. Perhaps, everyone will be asleep now.'