A/N - Quick note to say that I'm taking a break from this story in order to focus on a few others that I've kept on the back-burner since I started this. Once I catch up on those, I'll continue with the daily updates. Since the prompts are put out daily, I can pick up from where I left off with a new set of prompts. 70 more chapters to go *whew!*

Thank you to all those who have favourited and reviewed. I really appreciate the interest you've shown towards this experiment :)

Chapter 30 - If only and Enigma (Prompts)

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By the time Harry made it to the Great Hall the crowd that had attended the service had already dispersed, leaving behind only a few people milling around as they spoke in soft, whispered conversation. Ron and Hermione were among them. The moment his best mates saw him, they made their way over to him quickly, their eyes studying him curiously. Ron was the first to blurt out his question.

"What did they want?"

Harry looked around to make sure that no one was close enough to hear, only to be disappointed when he realized that they had no such luck. There were still too many people and they were all too close. "Where's your family?"

Ron looked at him in confusion. "They were sent home. Most of the people were. It's not like anyone was observant or anything, innit? Everyone was too busy ducking when they heard the noise."

Hermione leaned forward, her eyes concerned. "What is it, Harry? What was that all about?"

Harry looked at them both meaningfully before turning on his heel and walking out. As expected, his best friends followed him silently, albeit curiously. Once they were out of the castle and away from visible prying eyes, he turned towards them.

"What's with all the secrecy?" Ron questioned in exasperation, even if he did seem a tad bit excited by the prospect of having something to be secret about.

Harry lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "It was a distraction, what happened out there."

"A distraction for what?" Hermione asked in confusion.

He stepped even closer to them, aware that what he was about to say might cause them to panic and say something that others shouldn't hear. "Someone tried to break into Dumbledore's tomb."

"What?" Ron hissed. "Why?"

But Harry found his gaze held by Hermione who seemed to understand what he was saying. "The Wand," she whispered softly, realization dawning in her eyes.

Ron looked at both of them in confusion. "I thought no one knew it was there."

"Apparently, someone did," Harry mumbled dryly. It was something else to worry about. A loose thread that could unravel everything they had worked so hard for.

"It makes sense," Hermione said in a thoughtful tone. "There were so many people during the Battle. We didn't get every Death Eater. All it takes is one person to have overheard Harry telling Voldemort that he was the true Master."

Ron's eyes widened in surprise. "Blimey, Harry, does that mean they're after you?" Harry's silence only caused Ron to let out a low breath. "Brilliant," he said sarcastically, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

Harry knew exactly how his best mate felt. He was just as tired, just as drained, and he had no intention of going back to how things were before the Final Battle when he was hunted. He didn't exactly relish the idea of those around him still being in danger, either. If only he could just live his life just as he always wanted to do. He'd rather be plain, boring, with no title than the celebrity enigma people held him out to be.

It was with great difficulty that Harry finally met Hermione's eyes. "What do you think?"

She bit her lip thoughtfully. "I think...we should do whatever it takes to keep you safe." Then, almost as if an unpleasant thought suddenly materialized in her mind, her eyes widened. "Wait. What about the Elder Wand? Did whoever try to break in actually get it?"

Shaking his head with a slight twitch, Harry gestured briefly to the right side of his robes where they knew he had a pocket to house his wand; or in this case two. They both stared at him incredulously.

"Kingsley gave it to you?" Hermione asked, her tone curious. "How did...?"

"Turns out he never actually put the Wand back in the tomb." At their surprised faces, Harry said quickly, "He never intended to. He didn't think it was safe enough."

Ron shook his head in disbelief, a grin playing on his lips. "I never really figured Kingsley for such a smarmy bloke."

"And they just happened to have it now?" Hermione questioned suspiciously.

"Randal had it."

"Randal Flestern?" Ron piped in with the question. "The new Head Auror?"

Harry simply nodded. "Apparently they were holding it in shifts. Just a few people Kingsley trusts, until they finish screening all the employees at the Ministry."

"Screening?" Hermione asked them, which Ron answered with a nod.

"Percy told me about it. They still think there are moles. Maybe that's why they're not comfortable with letting the Wand out of their sight."

"Oh," Hermione said softly, her gaze falling on them both. "So that means..."

Ron and Hermione shared a look before they both turned their eyes on him.

"I know," Harry whispered, his very being tired with the prospect of going through the anxiety and fear all over again. But at that moment, there was nothing more to say.

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A/N 2 - Here's a question. Which Death Eaters do you think survived the Final Battle? I'm curious as to whether your list of suspects would match mine. Feel free to PM me your answer if you don't want to review :D