One could raise the question whether the two women had handled the situation well. Hermione's apartment at Highbury Cres was certainly cosy. And, yes, whoever would enter the apartment would recognise it as the home of a bibliophile – but was it right to Apparate there with a frozen, unknown Muggle at their side?

Ginny's appearance didn't matter at all, although she was beginning to be expected at her own apartment in Wales', which was property of the Holyhead Harpies. Hermione vaguely remembered something about being off for training tomorrow which put her mind a little bit more at ease. Ginny didn't care if her housemates would mind.

Hermione stopped looking at the pavement of Highbury Cres through the heart-patterned curtains and pointed her attention at the two people inside her house. Here was Dan, laying down on the couch, petrified – Disapparating was a bit of a hassle, but it had worked – with Ginny at his side. Dan could now murmur a yes (one 'hmm') or a no (two 'hmms') in response to her questions.

Much had become clear in the following half an hour since their confrontation in the Eaton Square Gardens. Ginny was able to tell her the latest information at her apartment. Dan was unaware of their conversation since they moved to the kitchen, which was separated from Hermione's living room. Ginny leaned against the counter, gratefully accepted Hermione's conjured cup with green tea and began her explanation.

'So – Dan here reckons he went on a date two nights ago with a woman, very charming, he assured me,' Ginny grinned, 'who, after a few drinks and some bites, persuaded him to go dancing somewhere in Soho.'

'So far nothing interesting,' Hermione noted.

'While dancing in the club he felt dizzy, almost ill-like, and fainted. He described it as if he was "drugged" ..' Ginny looked clueless.

'It means that you've taken or been given a hallucinating substance, voluntarily, or now it seems, unwillingly,' Hermione explained.

'Right..' Ginny coughed before continuing. 'Then he woke up in his bed, randomly, and it was dawn. On his right side in his bed was the pygmy puff – Dan reckoned it was moving, but he thought the movement was caused by the bed.' Hermione's eyes rolled.

Ginny laughed. 'I know, right? Anyhow,' she leaned closer to Hermione, 'the dimwit then attached the pygmy puff to his keys, since he didn't want to lose it, went to his work and drove straight to San Paolo after work for Frankie's birthday.'

Hermione glanced sheepishly at Ginny. She frowned back.

'Is there something?'

'You haven't had that much time with him,' Hermione noted. 'Yet you tell the story quite detailed..' Her upper teeth bit her lip.

'Oh, that's just because I asked yes/no questions to him, and I then filled it in myself,' Ginny nonchalantly replied. 'Our conversation in the park wasn't more than a "What the fuck are you doing?" from his side after he tried to kiss me for some reason.'

Hermione was startled. 'Sorry?'

'Yes, he really did try. That's why I was in that position, honestly – I was as confused as you were.'

'Ginny, I found you pressed against a tree, and he was putting your wand at your throat.'

'Backwards,' Ginny noted. 'But yes, very peculiar..'

Hermione again snorted in this disbelief. If Ginny hadn't been a Quidditch player she'd make a good Auror – if anything, she remained calm in extreme situations.

'Peculiar..' Hermione mumbled to herself, repeating the thought in her head.

She stared at her black electrical stove, in which light from the lamps was reflected. For a moment, she was wondering their situation would be perceived when it'd be known to the wizarding world. A small, vicious part of the Magical community would ask for their throats to be sliced, but the overwhelming majority would ask for hers and Ginny's wand – and to not be returned indefinitely.

Ginny made her way back to the living room to keep an eye on Dan when it dawned on Hermione. When having said 'Lumos' and being a direct witness of the situation Ginny was in, Dan had looked remarkably relaxed. He was angry, yes, but composed. Moreover, he used the wand as a threat, as a device to do harm. She had not yet encountered any Muggle who was able to understand directly what a wand's use was for witches and wizards. Dan would be the first. Unless he was under the influence of a curse...

Hermione walked into the living room and saw Ginny watching Dan. She was sitting on the couch. Hermione sat beside her.

'I think he's under the Imperius Curse,' she said quietly.

Ginny looked to her. 'How do we know?'

'Well, we can see if he gets aggressive when you question him about – how did he become aggressive suddenly again?'

Ginny held her breath for a second, pondering about the exact moment. 'When I asked if he wasn't hurt – he had some kind of cut on his right arm, I could see it in the light of a street lantern. He.. he.. became very defensive of himself suddenly. I figured it was because of the pygmy puff, I wanted to use it as some form of a hint to ask for it..'

'I didn't know he had a cut on his arm,' Hermione replied. 'He only had scratches on his knuckles.'

Ginny stood up from the couch and walked towards Dan. Still laying down frozen, his eyes were constantly fixated on the ceiling. Ignoring this, Ginny rolled up Dan's right sleeve and peeked at his elbow joint. Hermione watched her closely.

'Is that..?' Hermione took a closer look at the cut. It wasn't a random cut; it appeared to be in some sort of shape, although it was obvious that it was cut in a rush. There were four sides; at first glance, it seemed to be a cubicle. Then, however, Hermione corrected herself that it looked more like a diamond.. a lozenge. She peaked closer.

'Is "that" what?' Ginny asked, but she closed her mouth because of Hermione's concentrated look.

A few more seconds were needed before Hermione confirmed to herself that it was indeed a lozenge. However, whereas a lozenge has straight lines between the points where it connects to other lines to form its shape, these lines were curved inwards, as it were. Still, it didn't look like its purpose was to "scoop" out the skin in the middle of the lozenge. It appeared that the lines were cut in four ... stages.

Hermione shot a look at Ginny and told her her considerations.

'You know better than me what we need to do with this,' she replied when Hermione had finished. She sat on an arm of Hermione's reading chair. 'I can stay here for the night, but I need to leave tomorrow. What do we do with Dan? We still need to alter his friends' memories a little, not to forget his.' Ginny's eyes met Dan's body. He let out a high 'hmm'.

Hermione walked to a cupboard and took out her mobile phone. She asked Ginny to show his cut and took a photo. A flash filled the living room for a millisecond.

'Jesus, what's that?' Ginny said, looking at the phone.

'A mobile phone, Gin.'

'No, the flash of light.'

'Oh,' answered Hermione, suddenly concentrating on her conversation with Ginny rather than looking at her just-taken picture of Dan's cut.

'It's just flash, I use it to make the image brighter, so I can see the cut better.'

'Ah,' said Ginny, suddenly focusing on Dan. He was rapidly moving his eyeballs and was breathing very heavily. Hermione turned down her phone and watched Dan cautiously.

'Is he reacting to the flash?' Ginny asked.

'Possibly,' Hermione said as she shuffled herself in a position to get a closer look to Dan. He was shivering, although not extremely, since he was petrified.

'Get to the cupboard next to the dining table and take out a wooden box called which has "Essentials" written on it,' she said, tilting her head and softly caressing Dan's face. He was beginning to vibrate silently – it was a very eerie view. Ginny was alarmed and urged to the cupboard.

'Get out a bezoar, break it in half and give me the bottle labeled "Murtlap Essence", quickly!' Hermione's words spoke urgency and Ginny raced around in the box to found them. She rushed to aid Hermione, but she simply held her left hand out, in Ginny's direction.

'Give me the bezoar.'

Ginny put the bezoar in Hermione's hand. The latter turned around.

'I know what I'm doing,' she said, immediately returning to Dan's face. He was still in obvious distress; Hermione wasn't sure whether he was fully conscious.

'Okay,' she sighed and wove her wand. 'Liquescius Totalus.'

Dan's body relaxed instantly; however, after one second it started shaking increasingly heavily. Unable to respond coherently, he simply let out murmurs while his body shook violently. Hermione quickly put down her wand and shoved the bezoar in his mouth, pushed it as far as she could while she hissed: 'Swallow, swallow!'

Dan needed several attempts before he swallowed the bezoar. It had a visible effect after five seconds; his arms started to relax, only his torso was shivering. After a minute, he was lying still, his eyes closed. He let out a gasp.

'It's okay,' Hermione assured Dan. She put her right hand on his chest and turned her head to Ginny. 'Hand me the bottle.'

Hermione freed both her hands from Dan and applied the Essence to Dan's wound. She bit her lip. The wound was healing, but not fully. The magic was darker than she expected.

'And?' Ginny said. She was simultaneously frightened and impressed.

Hermione stood up.

'He's been cursed, and properly. I believe the reaction to the flash was an after effect of that curse.. and it is separate from his wound. She took Dan's arm and showed it to Ginny. 'I applied Murtlap's Essence to it and it hasn't healed properly. It works for most wounds inflicted by curses, but this..' she shook her head. 'If Harry's Dark Detectors would be in this room, they'd be off the charts.'

'Where … am … I?'

The soft voice of Dan soothed the tension of Ginny and Hermione completely; they were now focused on him. Regaining consciousness, the two women kneeled with him.

Hermione took out her wand.

'Obliviate.'

Ginny scowled at her. Hermione glared back but said nothing to Ginny. Instead, she directed her words at Dan.

'You've been found on the street in a not so well-condition, we're treating you a bit for now and then we'll take you to the hospital. You're relaxed and don't worry since you are in safe hands. Now, go sleep.'

Dan's eyes closed following Hermione's last words. A silence followed.

'Why?' Ginny blurt out.

'It's in accordance with the International Statue of Secrecy,' Hermione responded. She stood up and walked to the kitchen and came back with tea. Ginny accepted a cup. Hermione waved her wand and a teapot poured tea into her coup.

'We need to let Harry know,' Hermione said.

Ginny's eyes still sparked uncertainty, but she decided not to voice it.

'And Ron.'

'Eh, Ginny-'

'He's an Auror,' Ginny interrupted. 'If you tell Harry, the Auror Office will look into this for sure.'

Hermione looked down at Dan. 'We need to take him to St. Mungo's.'

'We will,' Ginny assured Hermione. As a sign of comfort, she put her hand on her right arm.

Hermione showed a wry smile. Ginny gave her a quick, firm hug and looked at her, smiling.

She stepped a few feet back and picked the bottle of Murtlelap Essence of the ground. 'Funny stuff,' she said as she walked to the cupboard and put it back in Hermione's box made out of oak wood.

'Got the idea from Fred and George, really,' said Hermione. Ginny swallowed hearing Fred's name. 'It solved their problem with some jinxes caused by their Skiving Snackboxes.'

Hermione stared out the window.

'It doesn't make any sense.'

Her eyes and Ginny's met. She knew Ginny wanted an explanation for her remark.

'He was under the Imperius Curse.. and you Petrified him.. however, he was still shivering after the flash from my mobile phone.' Hermione held her Muggle phone in her right hand and started to think really deep. Did she ever bewitch this phone? She knew the answer: No. Muggle phones were something she didn't take to the wizarding world; if she did that, it'd implode and she had to buy a new one. She turned her phone around in her hand. This was her fourth one.

Ginny let her eyes rest on Hermione's. Her look was sweet and spoke pure comfort; a gulf of relaxation waved through Hermione. It was at times like this that she knew perfectly well what Harry saw in Ginny, and what made her such a dear friend.

'It'll be alright.'

Hermione smiled in agreement.

Ginny gestured towards Dan. 'But this Casanova needs to go to St. Mungo's. Let's ring them up.'

Hermione did by using her Mugglephone. Five minutes later two medics arrived at Highbury Cres 7C and were let in by Ginny.

'Good night, ladies-'

The medics saw Ginny Weasley standing in their doorway.

'Ginny Weasley,' blurted the other medic.

They weren't that surprised to find Hermione Granger inside. The medics took account of Dan's medical condition, complimented Hermione on handling the situation and ensured that they would take care of him at the hospital.

The medics said that, if the Aurors needed him, he would be at the fourth floor; Spell-Induced Injuries. They were to speak to Dr. Pranay when they arrived. Ginny and Hermione thanked the medics and, after they alongside with them had safely Apparated to St. Mungo's using a very strange looking hospital bed with straps for Dan, they were left alone at Highbury Cres 7C.

Hermione closed the door and shove the locks in the right place. She leaned against the door, visibly exhausted. Ginny appeared in the hallway, too, as if she could sense that Hermione's powers were at a lower level.

'Not the greatest idea to wipe Dan's memories. He doesn't know anything now.'

'I know,' said Hermione as she bit her lip. She prompted a silence.

'We still need to alter the memories of Frankie and his "lads",' Ginny said.

Hermione nodded and walked past Ginny into the living room. She put her Muggle phone and Mirrorphone in her purse, opened the cupboard and put Murtlap Essence in her bag.

'Shall we go?' she said, glancing at Ginny. The latter had conjured herself a bright yellow raincoat. It was fashionable, no doubt, but was it sensible for what they were going to do? Hermione always wondered if Muggles remembered stuff better what they weren't supposed to know if wizards and witches who Obliviated them wore strange clothes.

Ginny smiled at Hermione. 'Nice, isn't it? Now they'll recognise me.'

'Sorry?'

'I cast a Suggestion Spell,' Ginny replied. 'They will be looking for a lady in a yellow raincoat.'

'Oh,' Hermione let out, silently complimenting Ginny's wit.

'But where? I'm just realising this, but they could be anywhere. The place's easy to reach by Muggle metro, they could've been all over London by now..'

'..Except they won't,' said Ginny. She seemed meticulously pleased with herself. 'They will stick around.' She peered at her left wrist. 'The watch says it's just a little bit after 10 PM. They should be in a pub around the Eaton Square Gardens.' Hermione sighed.

Ginny, too, was silent and took Hermione by the arm. Ginny concentrated on a dark spot in the Eaton Square Gardens as they vanished from her apartment. The room instantly became black; the darkness swallowed the dying lights of Hermione's lamps.

The Gardens were quiet. The little light that there was made the park look picturesque, Monet-like, but that was the least of the worries for Ginny and Hermione. They swung their heads behind a bush and tried to observe to the road on which San Paolo was located; they saw it right in front of them. There were still several customers inside, but not as much as when they had eaten there. Slowly, they walked over a paved path in the middle of the park, so Hermione estimated, as they scanned the surrounding pubs and restaurants.

'We're not gonna find them if we keep staying outside,' Hermione said, crossing the street to walk on the pavement. They walked past several pubs and restaurant, peeking inside and appearing to be interested in the menu. The latter didn't work; they were frequently told the kitchen was closing, as Hermione already knew, but it was at least a genuine way to fake interest.

As there was no one at a Thai takeaway and again no one of interest at a Greek restaurant, they tried their luck at a pub; the sign above the entrance said Oxly Bar and it appeared to be the only regular British pub in the street. The rest of the bars were appeared to be mostly for upper-class people, the sort of people that assigned two meanings to 'Coke'.

'Let's try our luck here,' said Ginny, stepping in first. The pub was moderately full; two tables were free near the toilets. The bar was not entire filled, too. Several seats were free and Ginny and Hermione eagerly sat on them as they tried to make eye contact with the bartender.

Ginny flipped her hair as nonchalantly as possible to draw attention from the bartender. He noticed and approached her, faking a glee smile.

'Can I help you?' he said, eyeing Ginny with more interest than is socially acceptable for a bartender.

'Yes – we're looking for a group of guys who might've passed by? Strong, tall guys?' Ginny broadened her shoulders as an imitation of Dan's friends.

'I didn't see any broad lads lurkin' around here tonight,' the bartender replied. 'But a small group of guys who came in here did insist they were looking for a girl with a yellow raincoat.' He pointed at Ginny's sunny coloured Mackintosh.

'Where did they go?' Hermione chimed in.

'Somewhere along this road. They went to, uh,' the bartender closed his eyes for a brief moment, 'Elsa's Courtyard. It's near Cadogan Hall, not far from here.'

'They told you?' said Ginny.

The bartender scratched his head. 'Yes.. quite loud, actually. I don't know why.'

Hermione and Ginny were discussing where to go as they exited. The group of guys had certainly been at Oxly Bar, but went to another pub, a few streets away from Eaton Street; Ginny and Hermione's walk took no longer than five minutes. They scanned the streets during their walk, sparsely proposing ways as to Obliviate them all swiftly.

'We just walk them into an alley, but then block the entrances on both sides. We use the Freezing Charm to immobilise them. Then we only need to perform the Memory Charm. Done is done.'

Hermione nodded at Ginny's plan. It sounded profound and was quite well-thought; the only thing on her mind that was seriously pressing to her was the state the group of guys was in. Were they aggressive? It'd be a serious problem if they were drunk. Hermione knew of some spells that could induce drunkness but spells sobering humans up were not known to her. She didn't know how the group of guys was going to react. She shot a look at Ginny. She was surprisingly calm as if it was a casual Sunday night stroll through a bunch of streets in her own neighbourhood. Her yellow raincoat was an eye catcher, and Dan's friends would certainly recognise her first; it was up to Hermione to perform the spells so they could safely and effectively be Obliviated.

They agreed on this plan. While entering D'Oyley St they spotted several groups on both sides of the street. Ginny appeared to be especially interested in a group of people standing a few feet nearby, on the other side of the road, but Hermione convinced her to first trust the bartender's word and check Elsa's Courtyard. After strolling around on the pavement and avoiding drunkards, they found themselves staring down an arch with a sign bearing their destination. Under the arch an alley led them to turn right to a beer garden; a light was dimly visible from afar.

Ginny paced forward into the dark alley and Hermione followed.

'I have a weird hunch about this,' Ginny remarked.

'Me too,' said Hermione. She stopped for a second, turned around towards the arch where they had just entered, and conjured a magical protection in the archway. Ginny added a Muggle-Repelling Charm.

The beer garden was practically deserted. It wasn't that nobody would sit in such an environment at this time, just that it was cold for this time of year. Hermione glanced inside and saw various guests inside the pub. It was bigger than she expected, as the beer garden was of a modest size. As agreed, she waited outside for Ginny to come back with the group of guys. If they were inside, that was.

'Don't make a mess, Ginny,' Hermione said stone-faced.

Ginny winked, pulled up the collar of her yellow raincoat and entered Elsa's Courtyard. Hermione stayed outside, While buttoning up her jacket she observed the surroundings; the beer garden was surrounded by tall, buildings which could be found in various English towns. Brick, built without the slightest hint of inspiration. Solid, yes, but substantially boring. Hermione focused her attention on the walls, checking if there were any walls or gaps in which they could be overheard. She cast a Muffliato charm cautiously just in case.

Hermione again peeked inside the pub and saw a yellow raincoat approaching the door, coming closer and finally pushing the door open. It couldn't be that easy, right? Were they that drunk? Or, for that matter, that willing? Ginny was beaming happily, shouting along the group of men that followed her.

'We finally found you!' shouted one.

'Ye', we've been waiting on you for ages!' cheered another.

'I know, I know guys,' replied Ginny, while making eye contact with Hermione. She understood it as a sign to magically seal off the entrance of the pub's interior and sneaked behind the last man to the group. She sealed the door with relative ease; everyone inside the pub was busily practicing having a good time or at least an attempt to it. On the other side, Ginny was chit-chatting with the group of guys.

Hermione eyed them carefully. She recognised a few of them. Certainly, Frankie was there. She eyed at the short, brown-haired fat guy. He was wearing a Hollister t-shirt, baggy pants and his hairstyle screamed "Middle-aged disaster". Hermione thought she recognised the other two.

Walking from the door towards the group of men, she held her wand at the ready. Ginny saw her and nodded slightly. In a swift move, Hermione flicked her wand.

'Immobulus.'

Dan's friends instantly froze. Ginny quickly glanced at all the faces, and it was no doubt they'd show horror and uncertainty. Hermione ignored their her-imagined icy feelings and emotions.

'Cast the Memory Charm.'

Hermione walked a half circle to Ginny and became face-to-face with the group. Frankie was frozen in an amusing expression of standing on one foot; it reminded Hermione of a flamingo, but then the slightly less elegant version. She glanced at Ginny, who was waiting for her to be ready to Obliviate the three guys. Hermione acknowledged Ginny's intention and bent her head slightly up and down.

They both focused, wands stretched forward, and a light, blue stream sprung from the tip of their wands and danced through the air to Dan's friends. Their eyes became empty; they stared through Ginny and Hermione.

Once they were done they lifted up the Freezing Charm. The group of guys was standing there, aimlessly. Frankie was looking around, clearly pondering about where they where.

'Go inside.'

Ginny's words ensured that they came into action. Hermione saw them walking into the pub. Slowly, they started chatting again as if nothing had happened and everything was normal. Of course, it wasn't, but to Hermione and Ginny it was.

The women turned around and lifted the rest of the enchantments on their way back. Ginny had conjured another coat. This time it was red and could be buttoned up to her neck. Hermione complimented her jokingly for thinking it through; if anything, Dan's friends wouldn't recognise her in any case.

'Thanks,' Ginny said, faking a laugh.

Hermione noticed she was a bit down.

'Why are you sad?'

'I'm not sad,' Ginny replied as they walked under the archway. They stopped for a moment as wondering where they go; they decided to walk around for a bit more and then stop at the tube station in Sloane and depart ways there.

Ginny changed the subject back and answered Hermione's question.

'It's just that we haven't seen the pygmy puff. For all, we know it could be wandering on its own, out in the dark.'

'Nature can be cruel,' Hermione said.

'But pygmy puffs are so small,' Ginny meeked. 'It'll get eaten so quickly.'

Hermione was about to answer her when realisation struck.

'Ginny.. maybe it wasn't a pygmy puff at all. Have you ever heard of a pygmy puff that bites or scratches?'

'No.'

'Also,' continued Hermione while they turned a corner, 'he didn't have those scratches when we took care of him at my apartment.'

Ginny stopped. She looked Hermione in the eyes but started walking slowly.

'Really?'

'Yes. Remember his diamond-shaped cut?'

'I do,' replied Ginny. 'It didn't go away.'

'Yes. But I checked both his arms and he only had that cut. Apart from the small wound near his eye, he didn't have any scratches on both his knuckles.'

'It can't be!' said Ginny.

'But you don't you see,' answered Hermione, gesturing wildly. 'Dan walks to his car and gets a scratch on his arm. He walks back after I set the alarm on his car; has a cut on his arm.'

'D'you reckon something is in his car?'

'I honestly have got no clue,' said Hermione. 'But we can take a look. His car should still be in the same spot as it was.'

They walked down a few streets to get on Eaton St and made their to for the Gardens; they were not far apart. Eaton St was one of those streets you wanted to live in your wildest dreams. The houses didn't have a big front porch or a big amount of space; they did have, however, a huge price tag. That was all that mattered these days. Hermione's thoughts rambled on over this topic for a little while, so that she had to be put out of her chain of thought by Ginny.

They were at the very same place they had been before twice already; this time there were fewer cars parked in the destined spots. Ginny quickly recognised the car. It was an old, battered car whose only purpose was to bring its seated from A to B – like a car should.

Hermione took out her wand and muttered charms to search for Dark Magic. It proved unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Ginny was walking around the vehicle to check whether there was anything suspicious inside. She leaned to a door and pulled the handle. To her surprise, it sprung open. Hermione concentrated on her Dark Magic spells and shot a look at Ginny.

'What are you doing?'

Ginny shrugged her shoulders but entered the car nonetheless. She sat on the driver's seat and touched the steering wheel. Nothing happened. Next, she put her hands under the car seat, checking if there was anything suspicious. Judging by her further research on anything interesting in the car Hermione deemed it proven that there was nothing under the car seat. Ginny was looking for an opening she could find. She moved to the co-driver's seat and put her hand on the handle of the glove box right in front of her. Hermione finally looked away to check whether there was anything weird on the outside of the vehicle. Perhaps, the tires...

'Hermione!' hissed Ginny.

Hermione looked up and rushed to Ginny. She was sitting at the same place she had been, but had her hand on a handle to open the glove compartment in front of her. She tried to click it as for it to open, but that didn't work.

'I can't get it open,' she said.

'I see.'

After a preliminary check for signs of Dark Magic Hermione tried to open it herself; she couldn't. It wasn't that difficult, she guessed, it was just irreconcilable with the material itself. That seemed fragile and easy to open as any other glove box in a car. But this one didn't.

She bit her lip and glanced at the handle.

'Alohomora.' The handle didn't move a twitch.

'Do you think it has the Anti-Alohomora Charm on it?' Ginny suggested.

'Possibly. But there's always a way to bypass that,' replied Hermione. 'Get out of the car for a second.'

Ginny got out and stood behind Hermione. The latter waved her wand around in a complex way, muttering words in an explicit spoken manner, all pointed at the handle of the glove compartment.

'Revelo Portaberto!'

The handle lit up green. Hermione glanced at it; her spell had shown her where to press and or pull to open the glove compartment. Instead, Ginny had tried open it, and it didn't work. Were they being fooled by something simple? Weren't they just simply strong enough to open the glove box?

Hermione asked Ginny to try to get it open - by force. Ginny was well-muscled; a direct effect of being a professional Chaser for Holyhead Harpies. She tried it twice, but it didn't work – as did slamming on the dashboard out of frustration. Ginny was visibly irritated.

'Bloody handle!'

Hermione moved away from the car door and looked up to the sky. What if they were being fooled and the trick to open was just plain and simple? She remembered Harry's snitch, who opened after Harry kissed it – logical if you think that it was that snitch he caught by swallowing it. The solution for this had to be simple, too. Could it be that..?

She leaned forward into the doorframe and redirected Ginny to stay seated.

'Pull the handle when I say Alohomora.'

'But that wouldn't work,' replied Ginny. 'It's too simple.'

'That's why it'll work.'

Hermione took out her wand and wove it accordingly. 'Alohomora.'

Ginny pulled the handle simultaneously and opened the glove box. The inside was a bright blue; their faces were lit up by something in the compartment itself. The inside was covered in a weird form of isolation; in the middle was a stone, ancient looking, glowing bright blue. It shone stronger every few seconds.

Hermione gestured Ginny not to touch it.

'What do we do we it, then?'

'This,' Hermione sighed as she stared at the oval stone, 'is a problem for the Auror Office.'