Grief, Deceptions, and Hope for Freedom

Chapter 27 - A Second Meeting

It had been quite a few weeks into their year in the Room of Requirement, before Neville realized that Harry really needed to write down what he had done before they went in the Room, and what he'd need to do after they got out. If Neville hadn't thought of it, Harry might have forgotten the appointment entirely, as it was he remembered little beyond the portrait.

Harry feinted towards the kitchens, doubling back to the route without portrait spies. Though he believed the paintings were released along with the ghosts, their behavior hadn't visibly changed. Better to practice stealth and subterfuge, than hope others would keep secrets. Some secret passages were marked with tracking spells from the Headmaster, but the Heir books had taught him ways to blend his signature with Hogwarts for short periods of time, so that was no longer a worry.

Luckily the hall outside Flitwick's office was clear, and Harry heaved a sign of relief as the door quickly opened to his knock.

"Good afternoon, Harry," said Flitwick with a smile.

"Hello, Professor."

Flitwick gestured Harry to take a seat in the library section of his office, and Harry noticed that he had a copy of Desperate Protections out to the page on Patronus Pals. "I see Dean spoke to you?"

The small man hopped into the other chair, and the legs rose, so that the professor's eyelevel was slightly above Harry's. "Yes. I have suggested that Professor Sprout also be approached as a sponsor? Dean suggested the majority of participating students would be from our two houses. Independent of other goings on I say the Pals will be an excellent project for Hogwarts students." Flitwick's facial expression was reserved, despite his words.

"I suppose the testing…" Harry trailed off, ending with a half-shrug.

Flitwick raised his hand in a calming gesture, "While the way you presented your appeal was very dramatic, and might raise questions about your activities, my concern is solely for your marks. With the increase of births after 1981, and the Headmaster's refusal to hire additional staff, the lowest acceptable grade to continue has been raised for post OWL classes. The only remedial classes that will be offered will be retaking the entire year. We have to make sure you are not prevented from attending your scheduled retest."

"What?"

"And that you have ample time to review before the test. As you don't want to take the tests after your magic has essentially been dormant for a month."

Harry dropped his head into his hands. "I didn't even think of that. Preventing me from attending the retest…"

Flitwick studied Harry, "It would be the simplest way for the Ministry to marginalize you. However, with this Patronus Pals project you might achieve significant enough good press to reduce the number of potential Ministry saboteurs."

Harry stared at the tapestry that he knew was covering his family portrait. "Did you hear if they're doing anything about the mail wards?"

Flitwick shook his head. "Would you like me to check you?"

"No, I've already checked. It looks like they must be location specific, not just on me. I just don't know how I can get around them if they have them here and at Privet Drive."

"There are members of the Order watching your residence?"

"Last summer, as much good as it did."

"Warding is tricky. It is possible to purchase Warding services via Gringotts, but that requires the permission of the owners."

Harry gave a dark laugh, "That's me."

Flitwick nodded, "But you are not to know that."

"But who's to say I do? Could just be paranoid for security after the Dementors last year…"

"Have you checked your owl for curses?"

"Could I bring her to you? Or could you check her in the Owlery?"

"A snowy owl, I believe? What is her name?"

"Hedwig."

"The patron saint of orphans, rather apt." Flitwick nodded, "It would be less noticed if I see her the second to last day of school in the Owlery. Less time for the removal of any charms to be noticed, but not too close to the time of departure."

"Is there anyway to remove location owl wards without magic?"

"One of the household goods stores had an Owl entrance window, that you tap with a wand and it is automatically installed. I'm not sure what the screening criteria were for owls, but you might see if you can locate one of those, and set a mail ward on yourself directing owls to go to that window."

"But if the wards start at the property line…"

"Yes, if you can take walks out of the immediate area safely, then such warding would be detrimental. However, I think the Owl Window had an attraction charm on it, that might cancel out a weaker ward, so I think it would be good to check out in any case."

In the attic, if Harry remembered correctly, the back wall was further out than the foundation by at least a few inches. If the wards were tied to the foundation, that gap might allow owls to slip in, and if he got another set of silencing stakes, and muggle repelling charms he might be able to keep his aunt and uncle from noticing. "Sir, I'll see if I can find the seller in the library."

"If not, when we meet next, inform me, and I'll see if I can pick one up in the Alley this weekend. Now let's talk about the Fidelius."

.oOo.

Sorry this is so short, but wanted to push something out to help with my writer's block...