Disclaimer; Same as always.
/Still mental speech. /
"Anyone else up for a trip to Diagon Alley? I promised to show Lucy around, and we need to stop by Olivander's any way."
"Oh, are you excited about getting your first wand?" Mrs. Weasley looked nostalgic. "Your first wand is always special."
"No, she already has one, but we are going to have Mr. Olivander look it over and pick up all the other necessary bits like polish and a holster."
"Harry gave me a wand for my birthday! Want to see it?" Lucy showed everyone her new wand proudly. They marveled over the vines and flowers.
"What does this inscription mean? I've never seen this language before." Hermione always enjoyed a good mystery.
"It's in the Old Tongue, so I can't give you an exact translation, but it is a promise that this wand cannot be used for evil. It is a queen's wand and is meant to help people."
"See Hermione, I told you. Her wand can't do that." Harry had to drive his point home again.
"Well it's clearly a fine wand, why would you need Mr. Olivander to look it over?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "Where did you find such a beautiful wand anyway?"
"I want Mr. Olivander to make sure it is safe because I made it for her. I just want a professional to look over my work."
"You made her wand? But they haven't taught us how to do that, where did you learn?" Hermione was back on the case, hoping to get some back for the dark magic accusation.
"Honestly Hermione, can't you read? Enchantment is what we are going to learn in Charms this year, wand making is in chapter seventeen." Harry teased with a grin.
"That's it, I'm coming with you, we'll see if you did it right. Just because it is pretty doesn't mean it works. Then I can stop by Flourish and Blot's and get my texts." Hermione was clearly put out at seeming to be 'behind' her friend in studying.
"Is anyone else coming? Let's paint the town red!"
"Mr. Potter, Holly and Phoenix feather, is everything alright with your wand?"
"Hello Mr. Olivander, it is still in excellent condition all things considered. I'm just here to pick up some polish. I would like you to meet my little sister Lucy though. She has an interesting wand and we want your professional opinion. She will also need polish and a holster for her wrist."
"Hello Lucy, may I see your wand? I promise to be very careful with it."
She handed it to the creepy old man shyly. He carefully examined it, cast a few revealing spells over it, and finally held it in the air and said "Avis". A large flamboyant peacock strutted around the room making Lucy giggle.
"Hmm, a fine wand, but it is intriguing. Made from a wood I don't know, containing three cores. Hairs from a unicorn, a human, and a centaur? Clearly it will favor females and charms but the centaur hair makes it good for defense too. It seems like it would be a very temperamental wand in the hands of anyone else but you dear girl. Was this a Gegorvitch creation? No, too intricate. He prefers a more bold style. Who made it?"
"I did, which is why I wanted you to look it over first. The unicorn and centaur willingly gave only this one hair. The other hair is from her mother. I didn't know if it will really help, but I didn't think it could hurt either. Personally, I very much believe in the magic of a mother's love for her child. It has saved my life at least twice."
"Indeed, it will make the wand stronger for her, and that wand can never be used against her. Her mother's blood would almost assuredly cause a reaction like what brother wands share. Well done Mr. Potter, if you want a career in custom wands, come see me after you graduate. I will let you apprentice here until you know for certain how all the different components will react. You show some promise. Do consider it would you?"
"Certainly. Thank you for the complement Mr. Olivander."
"Well, what did he say?" Hermione wanted to know. Her nose was already buried in "Enchanting Enchantments".
Harry gave Lucy a couple galleons and sent her off to the sweet shop for a few minutes.
"He offered to apprentice me after we graduate. It is a good wand, but he tells me it would be too temperamental for anyone but her to use properly."
"Oh, so you got lucky, well alright then."
"Hermione, the Olivander Family has been making and selling wands for more than two thousand years. Look at the sign. Would Mr. Olivander pass on his art to just anyone? He offered to teach me, and I would like to take that as an accomplishment."
"I'm sorry Harry, I wasn't thinking. I got jealous."
"It's alright Hermione, you've had enough things from me lately that you couldn't explain and I know what that does to you. This was just one more thing, and you thought the answer was right in front of you. I shouldn't surprise you like this. Forgive me?"
"No, I was wrong. It is a nice wand Harry. Will you help me learn to make one later?"
"Of course, and I can even show you a trick I learned to make the process go faster. I need your help with some ideas I have anyway and this will be one we can work on together."
"What do you need my help with?"
"I've learned a lot of new spells this summer, but they are all built with Jewel magic. I've tried to convert them back into something I can teach you guys. It isn't any fun being the only person who can do some things. This has made me think a lot about how magic works, which kind of lead to yesterday's discussion. Hermione, you're the most brilliant witch I know. Tell me, have you ever thought it was odd that first years were never taught the nature of magic and magical theory? We just start right in with how to move the wand and what words to say. If people understood why certain movements and words caused certain effects, we might make learning magic easier."
"Well, if you studied ancient runes and arithmancy you would get some magical theory."
"That isn't until third year, it is only for certain classes, and it is a limited view. I want to teach the first years some this year. Lucy knows more magical theory than I do! The muggle born children especially with have an easier time with their classes. I want to teach them about why magic works, proper visualizations, and some techniques to make learning new spells easier. Think about the potential for change. Would you help me?"
"Wow, that's some project Harry. Have you talked with Professor McGonagall?"
"I was going to go see her later today actually, and give Lucy her first look at Hogwarts. Would you like to come along?"
"I guess I could spend a few minutes discussing this with the Professor and seeing what she thinks. I will admit some of what you said yesterday surprised me. You aren't going to do the same around Professor McGonagall are you? She would absolutely lose it if you cast that spell no matter the intent."
"No, I have a far better demonstration in mind. Would you like to see her rendered speechless? Or shocked?"
"Nothing can phase her. What are you planning?"
"Sorry can't tell you. If you'll excuse me, I need to visit the apothecary, jeweler, and plumber."
"Why those three stores? What are you planning?"
"Well I need some sulfur, copper, silver, and lead. I'm going to do magic!"
"What do those ingredients have to do with anything?"
"Here, it's all in the book." He dropped a book he got from Bernard in her arms.
"Wait! I can't read this!"
They arrived at Hogwarts after lunch and found the Headmistress still in the great hall chatting with Professor Slughorn.
"Greetings Professors. It is good to see you both again."
"Splendid to see you too Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, hopefully your schedule will be a little less complex this year and you can come to our gatherings?" Professor Slughorn was at it again.
"I'll try, but I've got a lot of plans for this year already and life never gets easier. I will try though. Maybe after I am done talking to Professor McGonagall you and I can spend some time in one of the potions labs? I've got something I need to cook up real quick."
"Certainly Mr. Potter, I look forward to it." Slughorn left to plan some new parties now that his crown jewel had promised to come to his events.
"Professor McGonagall, do you have time to talk? I wanted to talk to you about a project I was considering."
"I think I can squeeze you in now, I wanted to talk to you anyway. We will have to keep it short however, I am meeting with someone later."
"Well professor, I wanted to talk to you about taking on some more responsibility around here. I'm not talking about wanting to be a prefect or anything, hear me out. I've been doing some thinking and I realized a couple things. I learned more about how and why magic works this past summer than I ever learned here. The nature and theory behind it I mean. While teaching us the spells and wand movements certainly works well and produces good witches and wizards, I think that some of the poorer students might do better if they were taught WHY a spell works. I also remembered how much I liked teaching the D.A. in my fifth year."
"So what I want to do professor is start a club or a series of lessons for the first and second years (and any older students who want to attend) to help them understand the how's and why's of magic. The muggle born students would probably benefit the most and I want to help them out. Can I have your permission to start such a group?"
McGonagall smiled, "What brought about this great epiphany if you don't mind me asking? And will it just be you doing the teaching?"
"Well Hermione and I want to lead it. As to what gave me such a new understanding, I'll bet you a galleon I can surprise you."
"I'll take that bet Mr. Potter." She placed a galleon on the table.
"Hey Lucy, I need a galleon, can you give me one of the ones I gave you earlier?" Lucy had been looking at the illusion on the ceiling for quite a while. She was fascinated. She waved her hand absently and a galleon dropped to the table from thin air.
"That's a nice trick, but hardly surprising Harry."
"Oh that wasn't the surprise. Lucy, if you want to take a closer look at the ceiling, feel free to climb up there and check it out. Its been there for a thousand years I doubt it's fragile."
"Ok," Lucy began climbing a ladder that wasn't there as she ascended towards the ceiling. When she got to the rafters and was inside the illusion itself, she simply sat down on empty air and studied it.
McGonagall simply pushed the galleons across the table, mouth open in shock. "How does she do that?"
"No one ever told her it was impossible. She has been walking, climbing and sitting on air since she was five. She just believes that she can, and focuses her magic on what she wants it to do. Willpower, intent, and talent, everything needed for a spell to work. When I started to learn how she does that and other things, I had my epiphany on how magic works. She does that the same way you assume your animagus form. You decide to do it, state your intention to do it, and let the magic flow."
"You have my permission Mr. Potter and I dare say that if you can teach your students to do that, I will come to your study group."
"Thank you Professor, I will try not to let you down. What did you want to see me about?"
"Actually something rather similar. As you know, the position of Head Boy is a position we award to someone who exhibits leadership skills and acts as a role model to the students. He is chosen from among the prefects and quidditch captains. In your year, there is only one person the staff feels exhibits the strength of character and qualities we desire as Head Boy. We would like to offer it to you, and your request to lead this study group is just one more example of why we feel you deserve it."
Now it was Harry's turn to be floored. He honestly never expected it.
"Wow, I don't know what to say. Who is going to be Head Girl?"
"Hermione Granger of course."
Harry spun around towards the bushy haired witch. "And you never told me?"
"You aren't the only one around here who can keep secrets from their friends." She looked positively wicked.
August second was clear and beautiful, the perfect day for a summer wedding. The sky was a brilliant corn flower blue, and there was a slight breeze without being too windy. The temperature was in the mid twenties (AN; 70F-80F for the Americans).
As much as the weather was perfect, life in the Burrow seemed to be anything but perfect. People were hurrying to and fro trying to prepare for the reception and the wedding at the same time. Mrs. Weasley was in a right state. Her apron was covered in flour and her hair frazzled. She did not look ready to head to the church in an hour. Harry decided to take charge and help her enjoy the day.
"Mrs. Weasley, get out of the kitchen right now! You need to go get dressed and take care of your make up. Let me worry about the food and setting up for the reception. I won't take no for an answer. Get out of my way!"
He shooed everyone out of the kitchen and locked the door with a red lock.
"Dobby!"
"Harry Potter sir is calling Dobby?"
"Dobby, we need you're help. Everyone is rushing to get ready for Bill's wedding and they can't do that and set up for the reception too. Do you think you can get some of the House Elves from Hogwarts to help?"
"The Wheezys is having a wedding party? You should be calling Dobby sooner. Dobby would help Harry Potter and his Wheezys anytime."
"Ok great, well I am asking for your help and the help of any Elves who want extra work. I don't know what you do all summer when there are no students at Hogwarts. Here's the menu we want. All the food is in the cupboards and refrigerator. We are going to need tables and chairs set up out back I have a drawing of how we want it done around here somewhere. If you need something and we don't have it, I will leave a bag of money on the table. The reception starts at one o'clock. Can you help us Dobby?"
"Dobby will make sure it gets done. Everything will be perfect. It is what House Elves do best. You wizards go enjoy the Wheezy wedding. House Elves will do House Elf work."
Much to his amusement, Harry found himself being shooed out of the kitchen he had just commandeered. He barely had time to cast more Red locks on all the windows and the back door. Mrs. Weasley was not getting back into this kitchen until after the reception was over. Mrs. Weasley was also not happy about being locked out. Her need to be in control and hover over the details was almost as bad as a House Elf so Harry decided to redirect it.
"Mrs. Weasley, get dressed and made up quickly. You need to be at the church in an hour and we want to make sure all the flowers and music are perfect."
That was all it took. She was out the door like a shot fussing at the rest of the family in no time flat.
The service went well and Mrs. Weasley had to be physically restrained several times to prevent her from hugging and crying on a member of the wedding party until after the service.
Lucille didn't understand all of the customs and traditions, but she enjoyed seeing two people in love as much as everyone else. And the variety of guests was interesting to behold as well. Several of Fleur's Vela relatives had shown up, and there were even a few Goblins on Bill's side of the aisle. There were a few rowdy looking warlocks in the crowd who knew Bill as curse breakers, and many elegant French witches who had gone to Beauxbatons with Fleur.
As soon as the service was over everyone moved back to the Burrow for the reception. Harry was pleased to see that the House Elves came through for him and made a note to do something nice for them when he returned to Hogwarts. He had learned by now that most didn't want to be free, so he would try to find out what they did want. Service was not slavery, a distinction he could appreciate.
The food was almost as good as Mrs. Weasleys own, a point he made sure to mention knowing that she was still a little miffed at him. There was a greater variety and quantity of food than originally planned interestingly enough. The House Elves didn't know the meaning of the word waste, Harry thought as he accepted a potato rind appetizer from a floating tray. The skin of a potato was covered in the trimmings of various vegetables and sprinkled with cheese. It was a good use of what even the Weasleys would have thrown away and didn't look out of place at all. Harry mingled with all the guests, making liberal use of Saetan's language spell when he met someone from abroad.
He spent a short time chatting with an old Egyptian man about how to tell when the weather was changing. This was apparently a life saving skill in Egypt, where sand storms could be deadly. The man's voice was almost lyrical in the way he enunciated his words and made his sentences flow together.
Daemon's tutelage was getting a lot of use too. He had changed into his party outfit, designed to make the women notice, and moved with fluid grace between the groups of talking and eating people. He probably broke half the women's hearts when after chatting companionably with a Vela for a few moments without being overcome; he walked up to Ginny and gave her a short peck on the cheek. His hand brushed up her back and across her shoulders as if hesitant to leave when the rest of him walked away.
He made his way over to Fleur and handed her a package wrapped in silk.
"My Queen and the Ladies of her court asked me to bring this to you. They wouldn't tell me what it was, but blushed when I asked so I suspect you might enjoy it."
"Your Queen sent a gift to my wedding? How generous! Please let her know I thank her."
"Do you mind if we find out what it is? I know those ladies and their husbands. If they were blushing, it must be interesting."
"I don't see why not. Then at least you know what you've been tricked into. I must complement your French. Gabrielle told me, but I thought she was just exaggerating about 'the Great Harry Potter' again. She adores you."
After unwrapping enough black spider silk to make a gown, they found a book. Harry couldn't read the title even with his spell. Fleur was blushing though, so evidently she could. He examined the book, and recognized Jaenelle's psychic scent and part of the translation spell. It must only allow itself to be read by females he mused.
"Harry! You've got to tell me how you keep doing that! That's twice this week you've made a Vela blush. What's the book dear?"
"Bill, Harry just delivered a special gift from the ladies he serves. I am shocked at the title though. I hope it's as good as it sounds."
"What is the title, that isn't any script I recognize."
"Don't bother Bill, Jaenelle enchanted it herself. Apparently it only shows itself to women. Even if you managed to break the enchantment, it would be a language you don't know. So tell us Fleur, what trouble did I just let loose into the world?"
"How to Tame and Train Your Savage Male by Jaenelle Angelline-SaDiablo and the Coven, the subtitle is a bit risqué."
"Oh my god. I've heard stories about that book. Good luck Bill. I'll miss you."
"It doesn't sound that bad."
"No Bill, you don't understand. The Coven are married to the some of the most powerful and infamous men in the world. Jaenelle is married to my father, who is the equivalent of a male Vela. You don't stand a chance against the ideas in that book. Your hair will be cut and the dragon's tooth gone by the end of the month. And you will think it was your idea. I'm sorry."
"Wait, that book tamed your "I have a six week long Talk" father? Oh bugger me."
Harry and Lucy were entertaining a group of young children by juggling balls of witch-fire and making illusions when Harry felt a ripple of magic. His senses were instantly on alert as he sought the source. Suddenly he realized it wasn't that magic was added, something was missing. The detection wards were gone! The apparition and portkey wards were still up, but those that detected intruders had just fallen which meant someone was on the grounds and wanted a trapped group of unsuspecting people. He sent out a long range ping of his magic. He needed to know where and how many and he needed it now.
"Lucy, some uninvited guests have arrived and I am going to go be a violent bastard. If anyone asked, I need to see a man about a dog." His voice was almost a whisper, but she knew what that tone meant. You couldn't live with the males of the first circle and not know.
Harry called in the bracers he had made the day before in Slughorn's lab. Made from an alloy called niello and hardened by magic, they were pitch black and shiny. They were hideously ugly, and so was their intent. He could have made them pretty, but it was a reminder of their purpose. Each bracer had half of Harry's Black Jewel set in the center. The Jewel was not fully charged, but Harry didn't need full strength for what he had to do. He would probably never need his full strength until the day he killed Voldemort. He wrapped himself in every shield he knew and cast a few more from his wand.
He found them in the orchard huddled together discussing the last minute details of the plan. He created two concentric cones of power around him and added a silencing charm to the area. The outer cone surrounded the Death Eaters and gave some room to fight. The inner cone followed Harry protecting him from them. The wedding festivities would not be disturbed by what happened here today. It was time to send a message to Voldemort that he was not the only player in this game.
"Thinking of crashing a party are we?" He dropped the sound shield but kept the sight and psychic shields. His voice dripped hatred.
"Who's there, show yourself and we may spare you!" The leader shouted, already spooked.
Harry kept moving so they wouldn't even get him with a lucky shot.
"Why would I believe you? You were about to attack a wedding full of innocent people, some of them children. Would you have spared them?"
"Don't make us hunt you down, we'll kill you slowly!"
"No, I don't think so. I'll tell you what. Drop your wands on the ground and surrender now and I will spare YOU. You have ten seconds before I have to kill you."
"You are only one man, there are twelve of us. Accio Invisibility Cloak!"
"Wrong answer." Harry dropped to a kneeling stance and sent out the cutting wire spell at knee height. He sent it fast and wide in a full circle around him. The Death Eaters fell to the ground screaming and clutching what was left of their legs.
"Accio Wands. My how the tables have turned. Your legs have been severed and you are now bleeding from two major arteries. You have less than three minutes to live. Is there anything you would like to say?"
"You'll pay when the ministry finds out about this. You can't just murder a dozen people."
"But you can? That's a real hypocritical statement. Besides," Harry dropped the sight shield and became visible again a truly evil grin on his face, "Who said the ministry would ever find your bodies?"
He silenced them all so he wouldn't have to listen to their screams as he used his jewels to rip through their minds seeking information.
"Don't worry. I will give your families the same warning you gave mine. None at all. Well, if this is to be your funeral, I suppose the niceties must be observed."
"Lord, we commend these souls unto you for judgment. They were right bastards in life and we pray they get exactly what they deserve after death. Amen."
When each death eater died, he used a puff of power to shred their minds ensuring they could not remain as ghosts. It wouldn't do to be caught because a ghost led people to where the bodies were buried after all. He used craft to pass their bodies deep into the earth and cast a quick Evanesco to get rid of any blood.
It was time to return to the party.
Harry was still riding the killing edge when he returned to the party. He moved softly and silently through the crowds to find Ginny talking to Gabrielle and Hermione. He didn't even stop to say hello. He just grabbed her and pulled her into a passionate kiss, his male instincts at an all time high.
"Merlin! That looked like some kiss. Are you alright?" Hermione asked as Harry left without a word. A stunned and glassy eyed Ginny watched him go.
His instincts were screaming at him. They demanded either blood or sex and he had just walked away from a woman. He was valiantly fighting his instincts however. These were his friends, or at least friends of friends. He couldn't explode here, and he wouldn't pressure Ginny for anything, not in this state. The monster inside wanted out.
He had an epiphany. Yarbarah might slake his thirst for blood, or if he drank enough of it might sedate him while the worst passed. The energy boost would be welcome too. He hadn't fought long, but those few spells were draining, especially the cone shaped shields.
His glass was already full and rotating over a ball of fire as he approached a table of goblins. Goblins were notoriously unsocial when it came to wizards, he hoped they would not feel the need to converse right now but felt the need to follow protocol. At least they would not be hostile to his presence.
"Greetings my fine sirs. Do you mind if I sit here while I have my drink?" He asked, forgetting his translation spells were still up. Speaking politely and in perfect Gobbledygook was not the way to get Goblins to ignore you. It was probably the best way to get them to pay attention to you in fact.
One of the better dressed Goblins sniffed the air and smiled with a gleam in his eye.
"You seem stressed Mr. Potter, is there anything wrong? And do you mind if I ask why you seem to be drinking something mixed with human blood?"
"I didn't realize your sense of smell was that acute. Very well, I shall tell you. The tide is turning gentlemen. The second war against Voldemort has reached a turning point. The war is beginning to end."
"Really, I have heard of nothing that would signify such a change."
"Less than half an hour ago, this party was attacked by a dozen Death Eaters. I will no longer stand aside and act only on the defensive. I dealt with them quickly but my instincts still crave blood. I am very angry they would do such a thing as to attack a wedding party. I am hoping this will calm me down so I can enjoy the rest of the day."
"I never noticed an attack, nor heard sounds of fighting." One of the other Goblins spoke up.
"Did any of you see the wards when you came here today? I must say they were some of the finest I've seen outside of Gringotts. Twenty minutes ago, the ward that should have alerted everyone if someone unwelcome entered the property was broken." He laid his captured wands on the table. "There is no need to worry, it has been dealt with."
The well dressed Goblin took control of the situation again. "So tell me Mr. Potter, if you believe that the war has turned, what do you intend to do?"
"It has turned only because the Death Eaters and Voldemort are cowards and someone has decided to go on the offensive. They are all to willing to kill and torture. They are deathly afraid of being killed or tortured. Now that the war is two sided, it is almost over." A plan took form in Harry's head, time to see if he could play politics. "Personally I think things are just about to get interesting economically and I look forward to making a killing."
"Why do you think that?"
"It's simple really. When I was in that graveyard at the end of the Tri-Wizard tournament, I heard the names of some of the older and more influential families. Since then I have learned of others. When those families that support Voldemort fall, it will create quite a flurry over who gets that money and influence. May I make an example?"
"Certainly, I think I like where this is going."
"Lucius Malfoy died last month. His son Draco, heir to the Malfoy name and fortune, is very much like his father. They both had the dark mark burned into their arms by Voldemort. Narcissa Malfoy is the only surviving member or heir of the Black and Lestrange families thanks to her sister dying with Lucius. If Draco dies without issue, the Malfoy name and fortune reverts to Narcissa too. Unfortunately for Narcissa, she also supports Voldemort in his little crusade. If Narcissa Malfoy dies after Draco dies, we would need to find an Heir wouldn't we. Narcissa's fortune, titles and influence would follow the Black line of succession. I am the only heir to the last male bearing the Black family name."
"Ah, convenient for you, but you overlooked something."
"You are of course referring to the fact that if I killed them, or was in any way connected to their deaths, I would not inherit a single knut."
"Of course."
"But IF Draco died without children, and IF Narcissa died last, and IF they could not prove I was involved, I would be very wealthy. I would control the Potter, Black, Lestrange, and Malfoy fortunes, businesses, and titles. I say again, I am quite looking forward to making a killing in this war. And then of course, any other families that perished without Heirs would find their businesses destabilized, at which point they may be bought out with a minimum of fuss and struggle. If someone were to know that the business world was going to be slightly unstable until Christmas and then see a massive surge in trading, they could be prepared. If they knew that a great many blocks of stock and assets were to be sold off in the New Year, they could find themselves riding a tidal wave of wealth into the future. Mark my words; this war is going to see some reorganizations in the Wizarding World."
The Goblins all smiled. Life was getting interesting.
"What do you know Mr. Potter?"
"I know that this Halloween will be a very interesting day to read the newspaper. The wise will be ready before then."
That night found Harry traveling around England finishing the job he had started in the Orchard. He rode the winds or apperated to the homes of each of the men from the woods. He pinged their homes and searched all the scents within for the taint of corruption and evil. A message had to be sent. Any innocent, and there were a few mostly young children, were stunned by their invisible and silent attacker before being carried off the grounds. Then at each and every home he did the same thing.
A ring of power flared around the darkened home, silencing what was to come. A young man gathered all of his strength and cast a single spell through both his Jewels and wand with only one intent, Justice.
"Ignis Draconis" The dragon's breath spell turned a wand into a flame thrower the power of which scaled with the wielder's own power. With the power of the Black behind him, it was as if there were several angry dragons. Entire houses disappeared within seconds and left only ash.
It was very tempting to visit a certain home in Wiltshire but patience was a virtue to the wise man.
On each doorstep, where stone drives used to meet the houses, a waterproof and fire proof parchment was laid. All of the parchments said the same thing, five simple words.
"No one interrupts a wedding."
As he left, he made sure to wipe any traces of his wand's signature from the area. He couldn't do anything about his psychic scent or conceal that powerful magic had been done, but he hoped he could prevent them from proving it was him. Suspicions were fine, he wanted them to know. He also didn't want them to be able to prove it.
At dawn Harry woke Lucy and Hermione and told them it was time to leave. Hermione once again came to collect the ritual components and trying to decipher how it all worked.
After they emerged from the gate near the hall, Harry turned to Lucille.
"Tell them I am going to the cottage, I am exhausted. I need to regain my strength and control my mind."