Disclaimer: I do not, in anyway own the wonderful world of Harry Potter, or Charmed. I am just dabbling in the world they left for us. Though I do own the plot...

Chapter 54

Of Research…

Halliwell Manor

Piper stood in the doorway to the nursery and watched, with a content look on her face, as her husband rocked their youngest child, Chris, to sleep. "What?" Leo asked softly, so as not to wake the little one in his arms.

Piper just smiled, "Nothing, I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"Everything I guess." She replied with a sigh.

Leo just smiled. "Everything is going to be okay, there is no need to worry honey."

"I know, but I can't help it. Things are going so great right now; Phoebe's career is taking off big time and she has a steady boyfriend who is great and Paige is working and has her own relationship, we have our son back and this little one is growing up so fast. I just can't help but feel like something is going to happen soon that might put an end to all of that."

"Piper," Leo said as he put Chris into the crib, "No matter what happens, we have each other and nothing can ever take that away."

"You're right; I just can't shake this feeling."

"Why don't you tell me what has you feeling this way?" he said, putting an arm around his wife.

"It's just a lot of little things I guess. Have you noticed Harry coming to manor on a more regular basis now? I mean more than usual and at odd hours too. For example, for a few nights now I have seen him in the kitchen or the attic pouring over the Book of Shadows or writing something down in a notepad, sometimes both at the same time. And then there is his Headmaster…"

"What about him?"

"You were there when Harry told us."

"Remind me."

"Well the night of the dance, when his Headmaster tried to corner him, he froze the Headmaster and a lot of other professors."

"Piper, that just means his powers are growing. I thought that you would be glad that he has your power."

"I am glad, really I am, it's just...it's just that Harry is growing up so fast and is coming into even more powers. Don't get me wrong, I love him and I am even coming to terms with his fire ability, but when is it going to stop. At the rate things are going, I just can't help but feel that he is getting all of these powers because he is going to need them and that, Leo, is not a good thing."

"Piper, Harry may have a lot of powers but look at who he comes from. He comes from a very long line of good Witches, has a Whitelighter for a Dad and has gone to a school where his magic had to adapt over the last six years making it different from the usual Witch's or in Harry's case, Wizards' magic. So it would stand to reason that he is powerful."

"And him pouring over the book, how do you explain that one?"

"I will talk to him about that, but right now, I want you to stop worrying."

"You're right, I just need to calm down and direct my attention towards other things." Piper said with a sigh of relief. "So…did you have any plans for tonight?"

"None at the moment, why, what did you have in mind?"

"Well Phoebe is on a date with her man tonight and Paige is working…"

"And the house is empty." Leo said, finishing his wife's thought with a smile.

"You read my mind." Piper said, returning the smile along with a kiss. Though the kiss didn't last long because as soon as she kissed him she pulled back and asked, "You're going to talk to Harry right?"

"Yes, I promise." Leo replied with a smile and then pulled his wife back into his arms and kissed her. "I love you Piper, with all my heart."

"I love you too Leo."

Later the evening, after everyone had gone to bed, a column of bright, blue and white light filled the dark attic. At first, the light seemed to swirl about in no real pattern, but soon it took the form of a young man. Having rematerialized safely at his destination, the young man stepped forward to the large tome sitting atop the pedestal in front of him. As he began flipping through its pages, he noticed that an unnatural silence seemed to have fallen around him, putting him somewhat on edge. So it was only natural that he jumped a foot off the ground and clutched at his chest when a voice called out from behind him.

"It's a bit late to be orbing in don't you think?"

"Technically it's only late for you," The young man said as he took a breath to calm himself. "What are you still doing up Dad?"

"I was waiting for you." Leo said as he switched on a nearby lamp.

"What…why?" Harry asked confused.

"Your mother expressed concern, to put it nicely, about your pouring over the book at odd hours, specifically late at night and I told her I would talk to you."

Harry shook his head, "I'm fine, there's nothing wrong, I was just doing some research."

"Doing research on what?" Leo asked as he crossed his arms and walked towards his son.

"Just stuff" Harry replied nonchalantly.

"Well then, you won't mind it if I ask to see this…stuff."

After a heavy sigh, Harry looked his dad in the face, "I'm doing research on how best to get rid of Voldemort, for good. I can't really have a life until he is gone and I would like that to be sooner rather than later."

Leo just looked at his son, "Wouldn't it be better if you ask your mother or aunts about this. I am sure with all the demon fighting they have done over the years that they are bound to know something."

"Your right and I would go to them if…well if I hadn't already. And to be honest they weren't that much help. Aside from the fact that they said that this kind of thing takes time and that I shouldn't rush it."

"Well they are right Harry, it does take time and you are never going to be able to write a spell or at least one that works well if…hang on a second, is this really about you wanting to get rid of Voldemort or are you just trying to distract me from why you are really up here late at night?" At his dad's question, Harry's eyes widened ever so slightly, "That's what I thought. So come on then, out with it, what have you really been up to?"

"Nothing, I…" But at seeing the look his dad was giving him, he decided to change tactics, "Okay, so it's not the only thing I am doing. I am doing research about how best to get rid of Voldemort, but I am also doing some research for a project at school."

"And what kind of project at school would have you looking in the Book of Shadows?"

"A history project…" Harry said tentatively.

"Is it really a history project, or is it something that is going to get you into trouble?"

After taking a moment to collect his thoughts Harry replied cautiously, "It's…kind of a history project."

"Do I want to know what this project is?"

"I think that it's best if you can claim plausible deniability on this one dad." Harry said truthfully.

"I see." Leo said as he nodded his head. "I will go along with this for now and tell your mother…"

"That she shouldn't worry, I am fine and I will see her next weekend."

Leo smiled, "I will tell your mother that you are fine and that she will see you next weekend, but you have to promise me that if you need any help that you will come too either myself, your mother or your aunts. We love you Harry and are here for you if you need us."

"I know dad, and I love you guys too and I promise I will come to you if I ever need anything or if I get in over my head."

"That is all we ask. Now, it was good to see you, but I am tired and need to go to bed. I will see you againnext weekend." Leo said as he pulled his son in for a hug. "Don't forget to turn out the light when you're done up here okay?"

"Actually I am getting ready to head out. Our talk, though fun, used up the majority of my free period and now I have to get back to school so as not to be late for Transfiguration. Not only would Professor McGonagall be mad at me, but so would Hermione so I think it's best if I head out now."

"Sounds like a plan. Goodnight Harry."

"Goodnight Dad."

A/N: Thank you all for being so patient with me. Between classes starting again and work in full swing, I was having a hard time finding the time to write. I hope you all liked the chapter. I wanted to give you all something for being so patient with me and this is what came out. It's not much, but it will have to do until I can get the next chapter up. The good news is that I have a good chunk of the next chapter done and i just need to work on the last half of it. So keep your eyes open.

Thank you all, again for being so patient with me.

Mudbloodpotter