Ron staggered as the Portkey deposited him to his destination, barely keeping his footing.

His sister wasn't so lucky. 'How did you manage that?' Ginny asked crossly, sprawled on the ground in a heap.

'Practise.' Ron replied smugly. 'Come on, get off your arse, we don't have all day.'

Not giving her a second glance, he headed towards the house that was a short distance away, shouldering his broom.

Grumbling, Ginny got up from her spot, picked up the basket of food they had been sent with and rushed to catch up to her brother picking up a much older broom as she did so.

'Nice digs,' Ron remarked, looking at the house in front of him. 'I can't believe Harry now owns a house of his own!'

'It is pretty,' Ginny said, looking at the surroundings. There was nothing but meadow that seemed to stretch for miles in all directions. The house was pretty too, a nice two-storied cottage with a sloping roof.

'I never took Harry to be the cottage type, though,' Ginny remarked. 'It's so … mature.'

Any further musing was cut short when the door opened and Fred Weasley poked his face out. 'You lot going to be coming in or are you going to be spending the time faffing about outside? Ordinarily I wouldn't care much, but I do happen to have a business I have to get back to and run.'

Rolling his eyes, Ron brushed past his brother. 'Where's Harry?' he asked.

'Outside,' Fred replied. 'Playing with himself.'

Ginny was the only one unamused by the wordplay. 'Boys' she huffed, rolling her eyes.

'Hey, Ginny,' Fred said a tad bit awkwardly. 'George and I, uh, got you something.' He thrust a package in her arms that was unmistakably a broom.

'Wow,' Ginny said, speechless. 'Thanks.' She opened the wrapping to find a Nimbus 2001.

'It isn't a Firebolt, but it's a good enough broom,' her older brother said. 'We've been thinking of getting you one ever since we saw you play last year.'

'Thanks, Fred.'

Fred just shrugged. 'Well, I got to go. Bye! Don't do what George and I would have done when we were younger!'

With that, he Disapparated.

'That is so sweet of him.'

Ron took a moment to process what he had just seen. 'Well, congrats on the new broom.' He finally said.

'What, no jealousy, big brother?' Ginny said teasingly.

Ron just shrugged. 'Eh, I have a nice enough broom, and you deserve a good broom after how well you flew last year. Besides, there are bigger things to worry about now.' He said sombrely.

'Yeah,'

The siblings lapsed into a solemn silence thinking about what had happened so far. Dumbledore had set things right during the Leaving Feast just two days back, taking an additional amount of points from the houses of all the members of the Inquisitorial Squad, much to the savage glee of three-fourths of the house in general (and Gryffindor in particular). However, that was the last bit of good news either sibling had heard since. Diagon Alley was all but deserted and the attacks were just beginning. There were almost daily attacks in the Muggle world, while a number of people were being reported missing from their homes. Florean Fortescue had been dragged out of his shop in full view of the public, leaving his shop in a mess.

'Also,' Ron said with a small smirk. 'I honestly can't be jealous over a broom that Draco Malfoy rides.' Laughing, he sped away from his scowling sister who was quick to give chase.

'Bloody hell, the kid looks just like him!' Ron breathed from his place at the threshold of the backdoor. He couldn't keep his eyes off the small boy that was flying on a child-sized toy broom as his friend Harry hovered nearby on his Firebolt, keeping a weather eye on the boy.

'Well of course he does!' Ginny replied, rolling her eyes. 'He did say that it was a clone made using his blood.'

'Still...'

Ginny didn't reply, staring intently at the scene in front of her. Ron wasn't too sure if she was looking at the full-sized version of his friend or the bite-sized version.

'Hey Harry!' she finally called, getting the attention of both boys.

A smile came on the older boy's face as he dismounted from his broom. His younger counterpart, however, was quick to land on his feet and dash behind the older one peeking from behind the teenager's legs warily.

'Hey guys, come on over!' Harry the older called out. Rolling his eyes, he reached behind him and tried to bring Little Harry to the front, giving up when the boy didn't budge.

'Hey, mate,' Ron said, slapping his friend on the back. 'Good to see you. How have you been? Hermione has been going spare worrying about you!'

'I know,' Harry said, punching his friend on the shoulder. 'She has been trying to drown me in mail.'

'So … enjoying playing with yourself?'

Harry gave the grinning ginger a sour look. 'That stopped being funny since the fifth time Fred said it.'

'Hi Harry, what happened to your glasses and your hair?' Ginny said with a smile. Looking down, she caught the gaze of a pair of big green eyes. 'Hi there,' she cooed.

The eyes disappeared behind Harry's left leg. 'He's cute,' She told Harry. Crouching down, she extended a hand. 'Come out, I won't bite.'

'Yeah right,' Ron snorted behind her.

'Don't listen to my brother,' Ginny said, still looking at the tuft of hair that was poking out from Harry's leg. 'He's a big idiot.'

It took a bit of nudging from Harry, but the toddler eventually came out from hiding, darted out, slapped Ginny's outstretched palm and dashed back.

Harry snorted. 'He must like you. That's the most he's ever done with anyone who isn't me. Or, come to think of it, professor Dumbledore. Oh, and my vision's been getting a bit wonky. Tonks took me to a healer and apparently its improving. Should take about a week or so before it stabilises. I can see better already!'

Just then the toddler pulled on Harry shirt. Crouching down, Harry listened with a bemused expression as Little Harry whispered something in his ear.

'What did he say?' Ginny asked curiously when the tot blushed and hid behind Harry.

'He thinks you are pretty.' Harry said, chuckling.

'Aw!' Ginny said. 'And you're cute too!' she said to Little Harry who blushed harder and tried to burrow his face further into Harry's leg.

'Mum did mention that he was very shy.' Ron said hesitantly. He too crouched down next to Ginny.

'Well, she is right.' Harry replied. 'Hey, how about we get into the air. This little squirt here is quite a natural.' He looked behind him. 'Why don't you show them your tricks?'

Little Harry beamed up at him and dashed to his toy broom, mounting it enthusiastically.

'Nice,' Ron chortled watching the boy fly about three feet off the ground. Mounting his own broom, he took off, flying high in the sky.

Eager to test her new broom, Ginny was quick to follow.

Harry watched them flying high, then turned his attention back to his clone. The boy was gaping at the two high flying teens with wide eyes and a slack jaw.

It didn't take long for Harry to figure out what the toddler was thinking because Little Harry started yanking on the broom handle with determination, fully intending on flying higher. Unable to increase the toy broom's altitude, he made his way to Harry, dismounted and pointed to Harry's Firebolt. 'Wanna fly up.' He demanded.

Harry raised an eyebrow, bemused. He weighed the pros and cons of taking a toddler on a racing broom.

Little Harry, however, felt that he was taking far too long in giving an answer. 'Up, now, daddy.' He whined, moving towards the broom as if ready to mount it on his own.

'Oh, no you don't,' Harry said, yanking the kid away from his precious broom.

'Hey, what's the problem?' Ron asked, swooping down and dismounting.

'This one wants to go on the big boy brooms,' Harry said dryly, his reflexes were more than up to the task of wrestling the three-year-old from so much as touching the Firebolt. 'It seems that he has just developed a thirst for open skies.'

'Ah yes,' Ron nodded sagely. 'I know what that feels like.' He crouched down. 'Want to come with Uncle Ron?'

The boy froze. He slowly turned towards Ron, looking at him calculatingly.

'You sure you'll be able to handle it?' Harry asked Ron with concern. He himself was entertaining the notion of taking the boy on a joy ride, but a small part of him that sounded a lot like Mrs Weasley was telling him that it wasn't safe.

'Of course,' Ron said easily. 'Bill has done it for me so many times! It's easy.'

Harry thought about it once more. On one hand was the Mrs Weasley voice (now joined by a Hermione voice) that was listing all the potential disasters that could happen, and on the other … well, there was the fact that Little Harry hadn't ever asked for anything. Also, the boy had never willingly gone toward anyone before. This was a big step.

'Fine,' Harry said slowly, releasing the toddler.

The boy hesitantly made his way towards Ron. Chuckling, the ginger got onto his broomstick and lifted the child in front of him.

'Ready?' Ron asked. With a hard kick, the two were off.

Harry smiled, hearing Ron's whooping mingled with the tot's laughter. Ginny also joined in the fun, flying circles around her brother who was clearly being as careful as possible by going drastically slower than normal.

Getting onto his Firebolt, he also took off. He decided to fly on a lower altitude, his wand within easy reach should there be any emergency.

'Mate, that's good food,' Ron said, leaning back with a satisfied groan.

'Thanks,' Harry said dryly. 'Your mother taught me a lot. Tell her thanks for the additional food too. I really like treacle tart.' He sank into his chair, just having put his clone to bed. The kid was out like a light the moment he had his fill. Harry knew, though, that by the time he turned in for the night, the toddler would be snoring away in the master bedroom.

'I thought I tasted something familiar about your cooking,' Ginny said thoughtfully. 'It's still great though.'

Harry smiled and casually waved his wand, causing the dishes to rise up and start washing themselves.

'How did you do that?' Ginny asked in wonder.

'With magic, Ginny,' Ron said, rolling his eyes.

'I know that, idiot.' Ginny said testily. 'I was wondering how he managed to do all those spells without uttering an incantation.' She turned her attention back to Harry. 'I saw you perform quite a few spells wordlessly, come to think of it.'

Ron turned to look at his best friend in a new light. 'Yeah, that's just like how mum does it.' he said slowly. 'How did you do that?'

'Remember when I mentioned earlier about Dumbledore agreeing to give me extra lessons?' Harry said slowly.

'Yeah,' Ron said slowly. 'Wait, that's it? I thought he was going to be teaching you some fancy spells!'

'So did I,' Harry said with a grin. 'But when I said something like that he told me that I needed to get the basics done first. Non-verbal casting is one such thing. We'll be learning it in sixth year. It's really tough. I have managed a few spells so far. Although from what Tonks has to say, I'm doing way better than she did when she was first learning it. It might have something to do with using magic every day.'

Talk then moved on to various other topics. Harry had some great stories about Dobby, Kreacher, and them comprehending what Little Harry was to Harry.

Ron started laughing uproariously. 'They think he's your son?! That's rich!'

Harry rolled his eyes. 'It was the easiest explanation. And it gets better. The kid's accepted that explanation too. He's started calling me "daddy".' He shuddered. 'Makes me feel so … old!'

'So where is Dobby anyway?'

'Ah. Well, professor Dumbledore wanted to borrow him and Kreacher for a few days.'

Ron grimaced. 'Hermione won't be happy to hear that.'

Harry sighed explosively. 'I wonder what she will do when she finds out that Dobby, her mascot for a new era of Free House-Elves has decided to work for me for free. Apparently "Dobby is not needing paying from the Great Harry Potter because working for the Great Harry Potter is the highest privilege."' He shrugged. 'And quite frankly I don't want to argue with him. From previous experience, I can tell that you put yourself between Dobby and what he wants at your own risk!'

They lapsed into silence.

'Hey, I did learn a fancy spell from Dumbledore,' Harry suddenly said. 'He showed me how to make an Age Line. I think I'll put one around my broom cupboard.'

Ron snorted. 'So the next time I come here, I'll see a three-year-old with a long white beard?'

'Nah, that's a separate jinx you can put into the spell. Dumbledore told me he was keeping Fred and George in mind when he put that one in. This is just going to act like a barrier, and keep him from crossing it.'

Ginny's eyes lit up. 'Oh that would be a great prank to play on Bill! Imagine an age line put outside his room that doesn't let anyone under thirty in!'

'Someone's testy because of someone else's fiancé.'

'Says the same someone who keeps mooning after that woman.'

Watching the siblings bicker, Harry shook his head. From the little he had gleaned from Mrs Weasley, both mother and daughter shared similar views about the woman Bill had decided to marry. Poor Fleur.

'So you didn't answer my earlier question about your hair…' Ginny said once she decided that she was done arguing with her brother.

'Oh, yes, that reminds me.' Harry said, snapping his fingers. Taking out his wand again, he waved it.

Two small boxes came flying into the room.

'Well, it turns out that my grandfather was the inventor of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion! So that means that I get a lifetime's supply of the stuff.' He indicated to his neatly styled head of hair.

'Ooh, I heard of that potion,' Ginny said, gushing. 'It's supposed to be able to tame the most untameable mop of hair, and applying it daily actually strengthens follicles and prevents baldness. It's really expensive though! Only one of the girls in my dorm has it and she's too stingy to share.'

'Yup,' said Harry. 'And as my friends…' he held out the two boxes.

Ginny all but squealed. 'Thanks, Harry!'

'Yeah, thanks, mate!' Ron said happily. 'I hear that applying it on the face promotes beard growth.' Eagerly, he opened the box, took out the bottle within and splashed out a generous portion of the stuff on his hands.

Ginny, meanwhile was busy examining the label printed on the box.

'Ron, you're supposed to use two drops,' she said bossily.

'I'll take it under advisement.' Ron replied dismissively massaging the potion into his scalp. 'I certainly don't want to end up bald like my dad, thank you very much. This hair of mine needs proper care!' taking another healthy helping of the potion, he started working it into his face.

'Prat,' Ginny said, still reading the label. 'Uh, Ron,' she said slowly. 'Um, I don't think you should use that stuff.'

'What?' Ron said, working the last of the potion off into his jaw.

'It says here that it's not recommended for redheads.' She looked at Harry apologetically.

'Really?' Harry asked. Taking the box, he read the label. 'Oh, damn, I didn't notice that. Sorry guys!' Just then he realised what Ron had done. He and Ginny looked at Ron worriedly.

'I'm fine, guys!' Ron said reassuringly. He picked up his box. 'See, it says that redheads get "unique results". Sounds a lot like a marketing gimmick to me.' As if to prove his point to himself, he got up and headed towards the drawing room to stand in front of the mirror placed over the mantelpiece, followed by his sister and very worried friend.

'See?' he said to his reflection, absently scratching his cheek. 'I'm fin – ARGH!'

Mouth agape, Harry and Ginny could only watch in horrified silence as Ron's hair suddenly started growing at a phenomenal rate till it was reaching his lower back.

But Ron's troubles were far from over, for a full red beard practically exploded out of his face, growing till it reached his waist.

There was a very long moment of silence. Whimpering, Ron slowly pulled a lock of long hair in front of his eyes as his other hand brought up the beard.

Ginny was the first to break. Snorting, she broke out into helpless laughter, holding onto Harry for support.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' Ginny said, between hiccups of laughter. 'But the results were certainly "unique".' With a supreme effort, she brought herself under control.

Harry, who was silent all this time, gave his friend an apologetic look. 'I'm so, so sorry, Ron.' He said gravely.

'It's – It's alright, Harry,' Ron said bracingly. 'I should have read the instructions first.'

'No, not that,' Harry said. 'Of course, I am sorry for what the potion has done to you, but I agree that you should have read the instructions. No I'm sorry for what I am about to say and do.' Taking his wand out, he transfigured a handkerchief into a pair of half-moon glasses that he then levitated on a confused Ron's face. Then he cleared his throat.

'Hello, Professor Dumbledore,' he said, barely keeping the laughter from showing through. 'Fancy meeting you here!'

Unable to keep it together any longer, Harry burst into laughter, shortly joined by Ginny.

'Oh ha, jolly ha!' Ron said petulantly to Harry and Ginny, who were leaning on each other for support as they laughed themselves silly. Crossing his arms, he looked a lot like a very sulky younger version of the headmaster, causing his sister and best friend to go into fresh gales of laughter.

David leaned back on the bench.

'I have eyes on the target,' he said softly. The charms that were on the newspaper that he was pretending to read allowed him to look through it while obscuring his face from the public, and more importantly, the woman he was tracking. It wouldn't do for their quarry to become suspicious.

'And I have eyes on you, son.' The voice of his partner came through the charmed piece in his ear. 'Waiting for you to move.'

'Like I said before, you aren't my type, Bert,' David said rolling his eyes at his partner's suggestive tone. Noticing his quarry begin to move away, he made a show of casually folding his newspaper and tucking it under his arm. Getting up, he picked up the suitcase that was part of his disguise and started meandering in the general direction of his mark. He kept his head down and his right hand in his trouser pocket, where he had his wand stashed, looking, or hoping to look like, a businessman on his way home.

His mark glanced around her before turning left between two houses.

David lengthened his stride, his formal shoes charmed not to make a sound on the cobbled streets. The old part of Edinburgh was full of tiny little streets underneath buildings called closes. It would be very easy for her to disappear there.

Reaching the corner, he cast a charm on the wall opposite him, creating a reflective surface.

He shook his head when he saw her just walking casually. She had not made him, and she wasn't really making any effort to hide.

Not for the first time, he wondered just why the Aurors hadn't been given the job of apprehending the rogue Unspeakables in the first place. Had that happened, then they wouldn't have to tramp around England and Scotland following a cold trail for two days till they finally found this woman. He had met wilier first-time crooks than her! Those amateurs at the Department of Mysteries and the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol had royally bolloxed things up by losing her to begin with. Honestly, how can anyone miss a massive tunnel leading out of the house, or the so-called "secret entrance" that lead to tunnel?

With a tap of his wand he was disillusioned. Turning into the corner, he moved forward with light feet, making no sound as he swiftly closed the distance between him and the ex-employee of the Department of Mysteries.

A silent stunner had her down and out for the count. Rolling his eyes, he called his partner over. He really couldn't wait to rub this in their noses. They deserved it for sitting on this for two solid weeks before coming to the Auror office!

'Well?'

'Aurors Levin and Runcorn had found her in Edinburgh. Levin had followed her to a deserted alleyway that was underground.'

'Did he manage to capture her?'

A heavy sigh, 'Unfortunately just as Levin was about make his move to arrest her, a crazed Muggle jumped out of nowhere and stabbed her multiple times in the neck. She was dead before she hit the ground.'

Dumbledore frowned. 'A pity,' he said softly. 'What of her work?'

'Nothing was found on her body.' Croaker said heavily. 'We suspect it is still in its hiding place, wherever that might be.'

'That is unfortunate.'

'I'll say,' Croaker sighed again. 'Between her home in Christchurch, and then Roswell, Edinburgh and all the tiny little Muggle villages she visited in between, it's going to be a task to find it. What a mess.'

'Well, many would find solace that they only let one out of five get away.'

'Normally, yes. But when that one happens to be the leader of that damn project, there isn't much solace to find.'

Dumbledore shook his head. 'For the record, I did suggest involving the Aurors first.'

It really pained Croaker to concede to Dumbledore on this point.

'There is one other thing,' he said as the headmaster got up. 'When debriefing the rest before Obliviating them, I found out something about …,' he waved his hand vaguely, 'The specimen.'

'Oh?'

'Yes, the "boy" isn't human per se. While he does display some impressive feats of magic, and can comprehend and follow orders and directions well, and has displayed human needs and functions, it has been determined that he has no soul. He basically has no sense of self at all. None of the four we spoke to had any recollections of the boy even speaking to them or displaying any individuality.'

'I see,' Dumbledore's expression was unreadable.

'Yes. Also, they don't expect the clone to last very long despite it being the most successful specimen. They attribute this to its lack of soul.'

Unable to see the stony expression on his old Transfiguration teacher any longer, Croaker broke eye contact. 'I am truly sorry, Professor Dumbledore.' He said regretfully, looking at his desk.

'Is there anything else you wish to tell me?' Maybe it was his imagination, but the headmaster's voice seemed to lack any warmth. With a start he realised that it lacked warmth ever since the discovery of the project.

'Very well, then.' Dumbledore said. He swept out of the room.

It was only after he had left the Ministry and was in his office that Dumbledore allowed the worry to show on his face.