A/N

Now it's time to solve some riddles and make some decisions.

Display of language: "[spoken in Latin]", "{Mind Language/Rapport Spell}"

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Second Task (2) – Lessons learned and a decision

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Hogwarts – 25th of February

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"That was close!" Cyrus had watched the whole task with no small amount of tension. He needed the Potter-boy in his family; he needed a close relation between him and Daphne. Else his whole plan about Astoria marrying Draco would come to a crashing halt. With Roxanne and Agatha staying quiet about the amount of Harry's inheritance he had to ask Lucius for help again. Some careful inquiries later he knew more: Nearly one million Galleons.

That was less than he had hoped for but far more than he needed to repay his debts to Lucius. Potter wouldn't have access to the greater part of his inheritance for a few years but the Goblins had assured their willingness to loan him the money – as soon as Potter was engaged to Daphne.

"That it was," Lucius responded, allowing his emotions to show a bit on his face. "We can't allow Dumbledore another gambit like this again. Perhaps he'll have more success the next time."

"No," Cyrus Greengrass paled. "We have…" He stared at his 'friend', waiting for a strategy as usual.

"We have to drive a permanent wedge between Dumbledore and Potter." Lucius decided like he always did.

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"Daphne…"

Harry was walking with Daphne, Hermione and Neville towards his family. Roxanne, Agatha and Anne were waiting for them at the side of the tribune together with Augusta Longbottom. The four friends stopped.

"You know, that Patronus of yours that was really impressive. But did you have to make that oath?"

Daphne smiled softly. "Yes, I had to do that. You know… you weren't the only prat for the last weeks." She pressed a kiss on his cheek, her eyes sparkling.

Harry frowned in confusion. What did she mean?

"I should have realized that you only wanted to protect me. You've done some really stupid things, you realize that, Harry?"

Harry nodded weakly, his ears turning a bit pink with embarrassment because of his former temper tantrums.

"But you didn't intend to embarrass me or hurt me. And I was a bit…"

"Bitchy," Neville helped out.

Daphne glared: "Thank you for your assistance, Mister Longbottom."

"We live to serve," Neville responded with a bow, ignoring Hermione's dig in his ribs.

"No you weren't…" Harry tried to dissuade her.

"Harry, please be honest. I should have spoken with you instead of turning away. I knew how crestfallen you were after Astoria got hurt. I really should have reacted better."

"You know," Hermione interrupted "I was a bit surprised that you didn't have a bigger reaction when I had my small talk with Vicky."

"Yes," Harry asked with a little pout. "Why did you allow her to be like that and not me?" His pouting is so cute, Daphne nearly giggled.

"First: You're my boyfriend. To you apply stricter rules. Second: She's a girl and is allowed a bit of bitchiness. It's even expected. And third: Shock."

"Shock?" Hermione asked with a grin.

"Yeah, simple shock," Daphne agreed. "I never expected something like that from you."

"Apparently you never saw the memory of Hermione 'the-fist' Granger and the broken nose of Draco," Harry grinned.

Hermione blushed deeply, even more when Neville agreed: "Perhaps it's time for a little memory sharing again."

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"Aunt Anne?"

Anne followed Harry towards the window overlooking the Lake. For the last hour the students and teachers of Hogwarts had been partying together with the other spectators – at least most of them. A few, especially the students of Durmstrang had left, not willing to celebrate the successful conclusion. Instead of realizing how unreasonable his demand had been to evict Harry from the tournament – with his eviction sealing Harry's fate to lose his magic too – Karkaroff had left the Great Hall in a fit of temper and ordered his students to accompany him.

"What's on your mind?"

Harry hesitated. He glanced towards his girlfriend who was watching him with a quizzical look and gestured her that he needed some minutes alone with Anne. "I was a real prat for the last weeks."

"I heard about it," Anne tried to soothe him. "But I think it's understandable."

"No," Harry shook his head. "It's not."

Anne watched him with a little frown but stayed silent, allowing him to gather his thoughts.

"For fourteen years I had to struggle with my temper. Ron and Hermione – they have been really good friends but they too aren't the most level-headed. Only since I spend time with Daphne and Roxanne I learned to control myself better. The meditation and Occlumency lessons certainly helped too. Remember the Winter Break, the news about my family's inheritance?"

Anne nodded.

"I had been furious. I really wanted to strangle the old goat with his own beard. But I was able to control my temper."

"I remember. Roxanne was very proud of you."

Harry smiled shortly before a new shadow darkened his face again. "And then there was Nott's attack on Daphne. For a while I even dreamed about pushing him over the crenellations of the Astronomy Tower for that. But again – Daphne convinced me to only prank him instead of beating him to a bloody pulp."

"And now you wonder why you reacted like this about Viktor?"

Harry nodded. "I should have reacted better. Merlin, I should have trusted Daphne more. I should have asked her permission to blast this git away. My behaviour was… childish."

"I understand. Hers wasn't much better from what Hermione had told me."

"Hermione?"

"Yeah," Anne smiled. "We're… exchanging letters. Pen friends you know?"

Harry sensed that there was much more about it but that had to wait for another time. He had noticed that Hermione was exchanging letters with a new pen friend but never thought it would be Anne. "Could you…"

"You want me to do the flushing ritual again?"

Harry nodded. I should have known that she'll understand, he mused. "I feel well now, but still… I would feel better to know..."

Anne bowed her head slightly to approve his request and slowly drew her wand. "I'll cast a few spells to get a first impression. After that I'll speak with Roxanne, alright?"

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"Are you alright?" Daphne asked in a whisper. A few steps away Anne was speaking with her mother, her grandma and Augusta Longbottom right now. Regretfully Anne had cast a silence spell, but the anger of the four ladies was palpable. Her mother, in particular, was very agitated – her left eyelid was twitching, a sure sign of her outmost anger. A calming spell, Daphne wondered, paling as she noticed her grandma casting that spell on her mother.

"I don't know," was Harry's ominous answer. He watched his family too. At least he had a hint what was amiss, but Anne had forbidden speaking about it. Minutes later the four women parted ways. Roxanne went looking for Tonks and Remus, while Anne gathered the teens, ignoring the fact that Agatha and Augusta were on their way towards the teachers' table.

"Astoria, you'll take care of Balou, Hedwig, Crookshanks and Mandragora for the next days. We others" she pointed towards Harry, Daphne, Neville and Hermione "we'll depart… now."

More than one teenager wanted to ask for the reason but Anne's face told that she was deadly serious, more than a bit miffed and unwilling to answer any question right now. Astoria nodded and hugged her sister goodbye.

With a last look towards Agatha and Augusta the four teenagers followed Anne towards the exit.

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How could this all go so wrong? Headmaster Dumbledore mused. Quite this morning it all seemed to fall in place like planned. He had succeeded in driving a wedge between Potter and Greengrass and the choice of the hostages was meant to be the final building block to his small master plan.

But then this little selfish git destroyed all his plans when he decided to free Greengrass instead of the Weasley-girl. How could he be so stupid? He even risked losing his magic. Potter couldn't be certain that his way to handle the matter would meet the conditions of the tasks. What if the magical contract decided that he didn't fulfil the task? Potter couldn't be so selfish to lose his magic only because of a girl-snake, could he?

And the last straw had been the girl's oath. He had planned to put out another article about her and her evil machinations in a few days. A timely detection of Viktor's love potion poisoning would be the last proof of her fiendishness. He already saw the owls carrying all kind of howlers and letters filled with Bubotuber descending towards her place.

But who would believe even Rita Skeeter after this public display of honesty? And he had to admit: He was a little impressed by her capability to cast a corporal Patronus at her age. And a feathered winged serpent to add, a sure sign of her healer soul. No, nobody would believe him now anymore in that matter.

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"Headmaster Dumbledore."

The voice was icy and the cold fury was barely hidden behind her determined face. Albus gulped. There certainly were more pleasant sights than Agatha Pinegrew and Augusta Longbottom standing side by side, fuming, breathing down your neck. Instantly both ladies had the attention of all teachers and their guests.

"There is some important family business the members of House Pinegrew and House Longbottom have to address. This includes our junior family members. Therefore we request a thirty-six hour vacation for Daphne Greengrass, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger. They'll leave with us this hour and will return tomorrow in the evening."

"Lady Pinegrew," Albus tried his best to show a façade of trustworthiness and self-confidence. "It's not that easy…"

He was interrupted by a growl of Augusta Longbottom. Totally stunned Minerva stared at her friend. A lady didn't growl, but…

Minerva edged a bit away from Albus. What had he done?

"You'll allow it, Headmaster Dumbledore," Augusta glared at him "Or we'll depart nonetheless – but then we'll extract all four students permanently from this school."

"You can't be serious," a very pale Headmaster answered. "They have to finish their education."

'El Colegio de Encantamiento' in Toledo already accepted them should they decide to switch schools," Agatha responded with a sneer. "The Spanish Ministry of Magic would be more than happy to invite our children. Daphne is already fluent in Spanish and the others will be after the summer break."

"So: What's your decision?" A very sour-faced Augusta Longbottom asked.

He couldn't lose Potter. Or Neville – the young Longbottom had always been his backup plan. Very pale he struggled to place a smile on his lips: "If it is this important to you, I think we can allow an exception."

"Good decision," Agatha Pinegrew's voice was pure ice now. Minerva wasn't able to remember a moment she had seen her former apprentice this livid.

"Charms Master Flitwick," Agatha suddenly addressed the diminutive professor, surprising everyone with her choice of title. Yes, he was a charms master like Minerva was transfiguration master by why would she address him this way? "My daughter wanted to extend an invitation to you too. If you haven't any especially important other plans House Pinegrew and House Longbottom would be honoured to host you this weekend."

Filius turned around as if looking for his Headmaster's reaction. In reality he was staring at his colleague's face and only after Minerva's short nod he responded: "I'm honoured and accept the invitation with pleasure. If you'll excuse me," he addressed the table and followed the ladies.

"What have you done, Albus?" Minerva asked hoarsely. "What have you done?"

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Pinegrew Manor – Library – Afternoon

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"Professor Flitwick," Daphne greeted her favourite professor with a tiny frown. "You're here? I mean… I'm happy to see you."

They had gathered in the library. There were signs of Remus' work everywhere. He had started to examine the Pinegrew library two weeks ago, leaving it to Bill Weasley to purge the Potter library and house from all dangerous books and artefacts. Hermione knew that he was working on a way to duplicate the contents of all three libraries – Potter, Black and Pinegrew – and merge them to one. She felt a bit giddy thinking about the possibilities and knew that at least Daphne was feeling the same.

Agatha and Roxanne; Harry, Daphne, Hermione and Neville; Tonks and Remus, Augusta Longbottom, and now Filius Flitwick; it was a large and weird gathering. Only Sirius was absent – and Anne. Daphne's aunt had left a few minutes ago to floo someone.

"Please take a seat," Agatha more ordered than begged. "Charms Master Flitwick, my daughter trusts you more than any other teacher at Hogwarts. Because of that and because of your grasp of Charms we invited you to join us today. But this is family business. I expect you to stay silent about this – that counts for everybody else too. This means silence towards everybody – especially the Ministry and the Headmaster."

Tonks and Remus nodded. There had been a time not so far ago where this would have been a problem – but not now anymore. Filius stayed silent much longer. He had no problems to hide something from the Ministry, but Albus was a completely other matter.

"Filius," Roxanne addressed him after a while. "I need your help in this matter. Please trust me."

With a thoughtful expression he looked around. Roxanne, his former favourite student; Daphne and Hermione, his current favourites; and then there was Augusta, one of the few persons who were beyond any doubts in their integrity. Slowly he nodded. "I agree."

Agatha relaxed a bit and put some papers in his small hands. "Please read."

Everybody else knew what these papers were about: Neville and how 'someone' had messed with his magical alignment; Neville and how they had been able to realign him.

Filius remained calm, deathly calm even, his voice not allowing to read any emotion when he stated after a while: "So this is the reason for Mister Longbottom's improvement. Three months ago – among the three dozen students of his year – I would have placed him around place thirty, at least in regards to practical spell-weaving. In the theory he had always been among the best dozen but his casts…"

Neville sighed, his ears a bit pink. Hermione, seating at his side, put an arm around his waist, causing tiny smiles from the onlookers.

"But he improved immensely, made bigger steps than even Mister Potter who has shown a far better control over his spells in the last weeks too." Roxanne smiled. Daphne had told her about Harry's progress but this was more official, a neutral opinion. "Now Neville's practical work is on par with his theory. I expect to see him improve further, Miss Granger."

Hermione grinned. "He will; I have my ways." Neville's blush only deepened.

"I've no doubts about that," Filius grinned back. "You know, Roxie," he ignored her frown "Miss Granger is nearly as talented as your daughter at Charms – or as you have been."

"No," Daphne denied "Hermione is far better."

"Miss Granger is a very bright witch and I expect much from her, especially with her very broad talent at every kind of magic. But you – like your mother – have a 'sense' for charms. That's a very rare gift."

Harry looked quizzical at his godmother: "I always thought Transformation Magic to be your greatest talent."

"No," Agatha responded instead of her daughter, giving her a one-armed hug. "She only obeyed my wishes. I begged her to follow my steps as Minerva's apprentice. One of my greater errors I now realize – even if not nearly as bad as my decision to allow my late husband to marry her off to Cyrus."

Roxanne stepped to her mother's side. "It wasn't so bad. And thanks to that I've Daphne and Astoria now." With a malicious grin she added: "And by the way – Cissy and I already spoke about ways to poison our dear husbands; you see – there's still hope and place for dreams."

Filius coughed slightly. Tonks looked flabbergasted: "Cissy? As in Narcissa Malfoy?"

"You do know, Dora," Remus grinned "that proverb about still waters?"

"I'll help you," Hermione suddenly interjected, stunning everybody. "What? I never liked Malfoy. Think about it: He nearly killed Ginny two years ago. And Mister Greengrass appears to be a bad copy of that prat."

"Without your mirror he would have killed you, 'Mione," Neville remarked with barely controlled anger. "He deserves a slow painful death."

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"I assume you know these spells, Filius?" Roxanne offered him a new stack of documents, these describing the spells and potions they had used on Christmas to detect any love potions or charms working on the four teenagers.

He examined them closely and nodded. "They're seldom used but I know them quite well. From time to time the Ministry wanted to have someone examined with these charms. They aren't exploitable in court but still very useful."

"We used them on Christmas. These are the results," she pointed towards another paper. "Naturally we purged all lingering effects."

Filius understood the meaning of this statement instantly. "So they should be free of all influencing effects right now."

"They should be, yes," Anne growled, who had just returned.

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Remus, Tonks, Augusta, Agatha and Roxanne watched in silence how Filius and Anne used the spells to examine Neville, Hermione and Daphne. With each subject of their examination Professor Flitwick became angrier.

"Neville and Hermione have been subjected to some low-powered Confundus Charms," Filius insisted after a while and Anne agreed. "The effect should have ended by now. I see no other lingering Charms."

Augusta sighed with relief. At least nobody had dared to mess in a more severe kind with her protégés.

"Why should someone cast a Confundus on us?" Hermione asked.

"Because," Harry responded with a low voice "You would have noticed my strange behaviour otherwise. Only you three – among the students – would know that I don't explode anymore like I did before."

"That makes sense," Hermione agreed with a low voice.

"Beside Minerva's task spells there are an active tracker and a health monitoring spell on Daphne," Filius wondered.

"They are on me," Hermione explained. She blushed when everyone stared at her. "I cast them in case…"

"In case Minerva and I bungled the task," Filius continued. "I'm so happy about your trust in my abilities."

Hermione intensely stared at her feet. Suddenly she felt arms around her and a kiss to her cheek. "You're the best, 'Mione," Harry whispered.

"What else about Daphne," Roxanne coughed.

"The reverberations of that healing spell she used on her sister, but that could be expected."

Shortly Roxanne glared at her daughter. "We have to speak about that later, Daphne."

"We do not," Daphne glared back.

"You weren't supposed to use those spells." Roxanne had been pleased to learn about Daphne's spell use but frightened too.

"Then you shouldn't give me a book like that. It was my decision. End of story. Please continue, Professor Flitwick." Roxanne started to respond but then only nodded in Filius' direction.

"Signs of Confundus Charms again, a few weak compulsion charms – only to strengthen normal behaviour, not to change it altogether. And some… I'm not certain about those signs."

"Strife," Anne interjected. "She has been in an area where a Strife spell had been cast. And more than once I would assume."

"I think you're correct about that," Filius agreed after a moment.

"You use those area spells," Anne explained to the audience "to influence someone indirectly. You don't have to cast the spell on the person and you minimize the chance that the spell can be detected."

"That leaves me," Harry stepped forward. He was unnaturally calm in the moment; a sure sign that he was quite agitated but tried hard to suppress these emotions. And it was a sign that the effects of those charms had really stopped to influence him.

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Pinegrew Manor – Daphne's Room – Evening

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"And now," Daphne asked, hugging her boyfriend. Harry was sitting at her side, his head resting against her shoulder.

Like her he apparently had been subjected to a number of Charms, mostly increasing his inclination to fight. Added to the confundus, compulsion and strife spells Filius and Anne found another that increased his hormonal level. In the end it was quite a surprise that he hadn't simply gone amok these last weeks.

"Do you want to get this protection?" Daphne asked quietly.

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"How do we protect our children in the future?" Augusta's calm voice asked what everybody was thinking about. Despite the circumstances Hermione smiled. 'Our children' – Augusta meant her too.

"I don't know much we could do," Filius sighed.

"I've spoken about this with Spiritualist Nowles," Anne explained with a low voice. So she had been the one, Anne had wanted to floo. "She's willing to use the Adamas Ritual on them. If they agree; in the end it's their decision."

"The 'unfeeling heart'," Filius asked. "You know that there are reasons this ritual is used so seldom."

"What kind of ritual is that?" Harry asked. He looked at Hermione but even his friend could only shrug.

"It is a ritual used to protect against influencing magic. It protects against a large number of spells and potions and warns you against even more. It should suppress most effects and inform you about the general nature of the used spell. It is a ritual you have to refresh yearly."

"And the side effects?"

"It protects against a large number of spells and potions," Filius repeated "even those you want to take effect. No cheering charm, no calming draught, no potion of dreamless sleep."

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"I think we should use that protection," Harry decided.

"Good," Daphne whispered, pressing a kiss on his neck. "The last month was awful. I don't want a repetition."

"Neither do I," Harry agreed.

"We decided to accept that ritual too," Hermione remarked.

"Grandma agreed," Neville added.

"Do you think that Viktor has been under a charm too?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Daphne answered after a moment of pondering. "I assume it could be something like that. But his reaction was even stronger. Perhaps someone used a potion."

Harry flinched.

"What?" Daphne asked.

"What if… first there was his reaction, perhaps caused by a potion. Then there was that article by Skeeter. She suggested that you used a potion on him. Wouldn't it be very appropriate to detect that potion now as a proof?"

Daphne paled. "You're right."

"It's too late for that," Neville interjected. "Daphne's little stunt with that oath nullified any rumours."

"I hope you're right," Harry sighed.

"But we should still help him," Hermione remarked with a thoughtful expression. "He has been a real git but if it was under the influence of a potion or charm he should be freed from that."

"But how?" Daphne asked "I don't expect him agreeing to some spells cast on him by me. Or to drink some potion I offer him."

"Poppy," Neville grinned.

"Yes, Poppy," Harry agreed. "We should speak with her. You know, Daphne, I don't feel so well after the task in the Lake. Perhaps it's time for a bit of examination for all Champions – and perhaps a potion or two, only as a precaution."

"Yes," Daphne agreed. "That would be a very wise approach for a responsible healer."

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A bit later – Library

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"I had the impression," Augusta remarked with a steely voice "that you recognized the signature of those spells, Filius."

Filius looked down and played with his tumbler of Ogden's finest. He sighed. Should he speak about it? They certainly already expected the answer.

"We won't expect you to speak about it as a witness in court, Filius. But we have to know." Agatha begged in a surprisingly calm and warm tone.

Filius nodded. "I only know a very small number of wizards who would be able to hide their handiwork that well and live around Britain. I've seen that signature before. Albus – it was Albus who cast that spell."

"I knew it." Harry's sudden voice startled all.

"Harry you shouldn't…" Roxanne started but stopped herself. She sighed deeply. With a sad expression she watched Daphne, Hermione and Neville entering the room. They all knew.

Hermione obviously was near tears and had to be consoled by Neville. Even she had guessed that it had been Dumbledore but to hear it from Professor Flitwick shocked her. With each new experience her respect for teachers took another blow.

"This has to end now," Harry decided. "We want this ritual for protection. And we want Dumbledore away from Hogwarts."

The heads of the adults snapped in his direction. They were shocked, but nobody disagreed, not even Filius.

"We all know that he hasn't been the best Headmaster. There are so many things afoul at Hogwarts: Trelawney, Binns, Snape to mention only three. We're lacking some important subjects. I remember our discussion about the introduction of Muggleborn to the Wizarding, Mother. And we need a better Muggle Lore. Arts, sports, languages – with Dumbledore as Headmaster we have no chance to change anything. But most of all: We can't trust him anymore, at least not around us. He may be all good and well at the Wizengamot, but I don't want him around Hogwarts anymore."

"Either Dumbledore leaves Hogwarts," Daphne agreed "or Grandma's statement about that Spanish School won't be an empty threat anymore."

"And who should be Headmaster in his stead," Filius asked. That he even consented to think about it showed clearly how much the events of the afternoon had shocked him.

"Either you or Minerva," Agatha proposed and everyone agreed. "I would assume you, Filius. Minerva simply loves teaching too much."

"And to have a Headmaster with a pint of goblin-blood in his veins would be an incredible political sign to all races," Daphne quietly added, earning her a soft smile from her mother.

"We'll need allies," Augusta remarked.

"I have an idea about that," Roxanne stated without further explanation. Her expression was that of someone biting into a lemon.

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Hogwarts – Gryffindor Tower

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The curtains around her bed were close-drawn, a silence spell put on them to hide her crying from her dorm-mates. This was the worst day of my life, the red-headed girl sobbed. Why didn't they listen to me? Why did they force me to be his hostage? They should have known.

Somewhere in the last two months she had realized that she didn't want all this anymore. She wanted her friends back. She still had a little crush on Harry – Ginny wasn't certain about the depth of her feelings anymore. Apparently they had changed a bit over the past months. But still she wanted him to be her friend. The same was true about Hermione and Neville: Sweet kind Neville and ridiculous smart Hermione, one of the few people who always had treated her as an equal – unlike her brothers.

But this had all changed. After Christmas she had wondered if she would be able to get their friendship back, but then her mother had started to push her again. And the Headmaster had been on her side. Both were unable or unwilling to understand that there was no chance to get Harry back – not that he ever had been 'hers' from the beginning.

Professor Flitwick had been surprised to see her among the hostages, but he had obeyed the Headmaster's order and prepared her. Daphne had only glared in her direction, understanding long before the Professor what Dumbledore had planned. The older girl hadn't spoken a word with her and Ginny had been too wounded, too depressed to say something. She had lost another friend at that moment, a friend she had been surprised to have on her side. Ginny still didn't understand why Daphne had been willing to help her, despite Ron's temper and even Harry's anger. Naturally Ron had assumed some dark motive but Fred had been convinced that the Slytherin-girl was playing fair. And Ginny had believed him – until she bungled this friendship too.

Somewhere deep down she still had hoped, still had dreamed about her black-haired prince coming to her rescue. But when she awoke it was a fuming Viktor she saw standing at her side. Harry hadn't obeyed the Headmaster's plan. Instead he had forced Krum's hand, forced him to rescue her and shown to everybody that only Daphne was important to him.

At least she would have her peace now. Her mother and the Headmaster would realize at last that there wasn't any hope anymore. Perhaps, after a while and with Luna's help, she could convince Harry and Daphne to forgive her.

Ginny turned around, pressed her face into her pillow and allowed her tears to soak it.

Tomorrow all will be better.

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Pinegrew Manor – Garden – 26th of February (Hermione's POV)

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"She'll be here any minute," Anne remarked.

We were waiting in the garden: Us four teenagers, Anne, Roxanne and Agatha together with Professor Flitwick and Remus. It was still difficult for me not to think of him as 'Professor Lupin', to call him simply 'Remus' but I was working on it. Tonks and Sirius had decided not to watch the Ritual. "No, sitting still for several hours is not my favourite kind of spending my spare time."

I on the other hand had my own problems to be calm and collected. She would be here in a few minutes – Spiritualist Nowles.

"Her name isn't Nowles really," Anne had explained at breakfast. "But her real Macedonian name is a real tongue twister so she allowed us long ago to simply call her Nowles."

Us – with us she meant the members of the 'Congregation'. Anne had told me in her letters about it and that Nowles had been her teacher and mentor like she had been for Anne's mother and grandmother before. She had to be really ancient, perhaps as old as Griselda Marchbanks even. Nobody knew that apart from the Ritual there was another reason for her visit today. She would speak with me, confirm or disapprove Anne's opinion about me.

Like she was reading my mind Anne put her hand on my shoulder and whispered: "You'll do fine. I trust you, and so will she."

I tried to show a confident smile but failed miserably. For weeks Anne and I had been exchanging letters. What do you think about faith? What do you think about philosophy? What's your opinion about the laws and rules of the Wizard society, about how we treat other races? I had been clear from the beginning that we shared opinions about many of those issues; Anne only had a more patient and pragmatic approach. It was nice to have someone to speak about something like that. Until now even my friends hadn't understood why things like SPEW had been important to me. They endured my lectures and – apart from my former friend Ron – never made fun of it. Daphne even had been helpful in the matter. But they didn't really understand.

And now there was Anne. She offered me a chance to be a member of a group with similar thoughts, with similar idea about how to change our society into something better. I feared to botch this chance.

"Spiritualist Nowles is a bit… exceptional." For a moment it sounded like she wanted to say 'odd' or 'weird'. "And I hope your Latin isn't too rusty as she dislikes using any modern tongue." Anne grinned when Harry and Neville paled about this bit of information. I knew that Daphne was speaking Latin fluently – not only reading like her knowledge in Ancient Greek, but really speaking. And I hoped that my former lessons would be enough to understand her at least. Neville and Harry on the other hand never had started to learn more than a few words, no more than you needed for spell-casting.

"You're a bitch, Anne," Roxanne laughed after a while, before she calmed our nerves: "She'll be using the Rapport Spell in the Ritual, so there shouldn't be any problems to understand her." Anne coughed slightly about the understanding part but stopped when Roxanne and Agatha glared at her.

The Rapport spell – I really wanted to learn that too. It had been more than helpful in the training with Harry. To share information, pictures and even emotions much quicker than normal, much more intensive had improved our transfer of knowledge immensely. But at the moment only Daphne and Harry were trained and able to cast the spell. We could be integrated in the 'conversation group' but not initiate it.

"[It's too cold and windy in your garden, Agatha. Apparently your weather magic didn't improve since our last session.]"

I whirled around towards the new guest. She's small, was my first thought. She's ancient, was the second. A tiny woman with a gnarled face was watching us, her expression showing her discontent clearly. I had to suppress a smile as I noticed how Agatha was fidgeting under her stare, behaving like a six-year-old under the glare of her kindergartener.

"[You think this is funny, dear?]"

I gulped. My face switching between blushing and paling I stared at her. I had the feeling that her dark eyes were drawing me into her deep soul. How long had we been standing there without speaking a single word? I didn't know. With a very hoarse voice, unsteady because I was unused to use Latin for speaking, I answered: "[I had been impressed to watch Agatha use those spells to shelter the garden from the winter weather. I'd like to watch someone doing it better but for the beginning I would be happy to be able to even use those spells.]"

"[Is that so?]" She stared again. I felt the restlessness of Harry, the tense control of Daphne and the waves of support from Neville. "[I have to disappoint you. You'll never be a real weather witch – Too much brain, too much control.]" For a moment I felt disappointment: Another kind of magic I would be unable to master.

Suddenly I sensed her hand on my cheek and she showed me a surprisingly soft and warm smile. "[I didn't say you wouldn't be able to learn those spells. I only said you would never be really good at them. It is the same with Agatha and you certainly don't think less of her, do you child?]"

I hastily shook my head. Agatha had been the one witch to slowly take over the place that had belonged to Minerva McGonagall for three years: My intellectual model.

"[Good]" She patted my cheek. "[I see much of her in your soul. Ana may be the one to teach your friend Harry, but you certainly would do better to take after Agatha. After a while you'll be… adequate.]"

Adequate? I never had been adequate. I felt anger rising in me until I saw her thoughtful look. "[Pride is something very dangerous, child. Never assume that you know all about a matter. There will always be someone better, always be something new to learn.]"

I only nodded, didn't know what to answer and apparently she didn't expect any, wanted me to think about it for a while instead. The old lady turned around and nodded in Anne's direction: "[I approve.]"

For a moment I stared at Anne in confusion. What was she talking about? She couldn't mean… months of exchanging letters with Anne to convince her and now this lady approved after a single look? But what a look it had been. I still felt her gaze somehow.

"[This place will be acceptable.]" She suddenly remarked, pointing towards a patch of grass between a few cherry trees.

"{Take your places.}"

I had expected to hear her voice in my head but still it was surprising. It felt warm, comforting, soothing – it felt simply incredible. Like sitting with my grandma in winter, a cup of cocoa in my hand and listening to her reading some Christmas carol. We followed her gestures and sat down, clad only in underwear and robes, our bare feet touching the grass, connecting us to the earth as required.

Each of us belonged to a cardinal direction; each of us belonged to an Element. Naturally Harry was the fire with Anne at his side, as his companion in this ritual. Earth – who else could be earth than my Neville? Agatha stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders, relaxed, the only one among us who had done something like this before. Roxanne was leading her daughter through the ritual as the element of water, the element of healing and life-giving. This left only the air for me, the open sky, open to new ideas, open to a strong wind destroying any boundaries down on earth.

I was happy and honoured to have Augusta at my side. Yes, she was a bit too traditional to my liking – as she had qualms with my eagerness to change everything. Together we would be a force to be feared – or so I hoped.

"{You decided on this Ritual to take place in this way: Together, with patrons at your side. To protect your mind, to steel your emotions you have to trust each other. Your patron is your weakness and your forte. You'll be connected with each other, allowing only your patron to change your mind through magic but likewise protecting you from any influence.}"

Anne had explained it to us. From now on only Augusta would be able to cast emotional spells on me in an effective way. Everybody else would fail in doing so. I would feel such a spell, even know the general intend of it, but it wouldn't influence my emotions anymore. I would be protected. Looking up I saw the quizzical stare of Augusta. I smiled and nodded slightly. I trusted her.

"{Each element is strong in its own way, but together you'll be even stronger. Hold close to each other, preserve your friendship. Intensify your bond.}"

It was clear that this wouldn't be a normal friendship anymore after this ritual. Even now I was able to feel the others, to see the invisible lines between us. Anne had explained that this bond would offer us other benefits too, the simplest being a better protection against Legilimency. I feared this nearness a little, feared to lose my seclusion, but a small squeeze from Augusta, a single smile from Neville was all I needed to relax again.

Never again would I be alone. Never again would I feel unloved, laughed at as the weird one. From now on and forever I had something very special: Friends.

.

"I'm impressed."

Professor Flitwick and Remus exchanged looks and smiles. They had used the last hour to test our protection. Even Professor Flitwick had been unable to get a reaction from us with his calming, cheering and compulsion spells. I felt better now – protected.

Spiritualist Nowles had been watching us, quietly speaking with Anne, Roxanne and Agatha about something, sometimes looking at Daphne and Harry. I was eager to close this and continue to speak with Anne. Nowles apparently had allowed her to teach Neville and I how to use the Rapport spell and even how to intensify the connection. This would be so wonderful. I nearly giggled in anticipation.

"But I fear that it's time for me to leave. I've a few things to prepare for the next week." Professor Flitwick stood up and said farewell to everyone. He sighed: "These two days had been an eye-opener to me. I have to think about what I learned from you. We should continue this conversation about the Headmaster in a week or two. However if it's okay I would like to inform Madam Sprout and Professor McGonagall."

Roxanne, Agatha and Anne exchanged glances and after a while Agatha nodded. "That would be acceptable. But please stay quiet about the Ritual. To know about a protection is the first step to circumvent it."

Filius nodded agreement and quietly left.

.

"{Before I leave we have a last thing to discuss.}" Spiritualist Nowles started. That she was able to integrate eight other persons in her mental Rapport was only another sign of her experience and strength. Daphne and Harry were only able to integrate three persons so far.

"{Do you really think that this is the right decision?}" Roxanne sighed miserably. "{I know that he deserves to know and I don't want 'to be a Dumbledore' about such important information. But still…}"

"{You can't protect Harry permanently, Mum.}" Daphne's calm thought surprised me for a moment, but not for long.

"{It's about his scar, isn't it?}" I asked quietly.

"{What do you mean? What's about my scar?}" Harry touched the scar at his forehead, the scar that had only been reason for much discomfort so far, with everyone staring at it, looking at him like an odd curiosity.

"{It feels wrong,}" Daphne remarked with a depressed 'voice'. "{It feels like it didn't belong there, like something foreign and unhealthy, not meant to exist, cheating the laws of nature.}"

Nowles smiled at Daphne, patted her hand. "{Your inner eye is remarkable.}"

For a moment a memory of Professor Trelawney and her inner eye went through my mind. I better didn't mention it, Daphne wouldn't be happy about that kind of comparison.

"{But she's right. Anne had some suspicions about your scar after she examined you two months ago. She spoke with me about it and now I have had a chance to have a look at it myself.}"

She sighed and stared at Harry, her expression more than a bit unhappy.

"{Harry, when Voldemort attacked your family and killed your parents, he didn't simply die. Someone as strong as he sometimes is able to cheat death in a way that isn't meant to be. He left behind a tiny bit from himself, a tiny chip of his soul.}"

Harry touched his scar, his expression pure disgust. "{So this is a part of him?}"

"{In a way… yes. I assume that's the reason for your Parseltongue ability. Leaving a part of his soul behind, he also left a part of his knowledge.}"

"{Does… does this influence me?}"

The fear was quite obvious, the fear to become like 'Him', that his temper was a first step on his way down a dark road. I felt the thoughts racing through his mind: Had Dumbledore been right about his dark side?

"{No.}" Spiritualist Nowles' voice was pure iron and determination now. "Your enemies and friends, your deeds and experiences influence you, but not this. You are what you are, Harry, what you want to be, what you allow your friends to change you into. This…}" She poked at the scar. "{Is a problem, even a serious problem, but no excuse.}"

"{O… okay}" Harry whispered.

He stayed silent for a long time, hugged by Daphne, the loving eyes of Hermione and Roxanne on both teenagers. Everyone allowed them to think about this news, to stomach what it meant to Harry.

"{Can you help me… to get rid of it?}" Harry asked after a while.

Spiritualist Nowles shook her head. "{I can't. But I can help Daphne learn how to do it.}"

With wide eyes Daphne stared at her and Harry looked at his girlfriend in confusion.

"{You already decided about your future, girl.}" Nowles remarked with a soft smile. "{You only have to allow your mind to follow your heart. It's no sign of weakness to follow your emotions, Daphne. I would be honoured to teach you all I know about the art of Spirit Healing. But whatever you'll decide: I'll help you to find a way to free Harry from this bad memory. However this is nothing I could teach you today or next month. First you have to grow – grow in spirit and magic. The bond between you and Harry, better even between all four of you, has to grow stronger first. Only then can we attempt to cleanse him. Only when cleansed will Harry be really free. We'll find a way, Harry. But you had to know.}"

.

Malfoy Manor – 26th of February - Evening

.

Cyrus felt a bit annoyed, sitting in Lucius' lounge, enjoying his best Cognac and waiting for a message from his dear wife, telling him about the departing of the children. She more or less had evicted him from their manor and forbidden him to come back until she said so. And he didn't even know the reason. Lucius had offered his hospitality – not for the first time – without questions.

To call it a surprise when Lucius' house elf announced a late visitor would be an understatement. His wife? Roxanne Greengrass née Pinegrew at Malfoy Manor on her own free will? Unbelievable.

But there she was. Her face clearly showing her disgust to be here, her greetings to Cyrus barely polite and her only short smile reserved for Narcissa, she entered the lounge.

"What's the reason of your visit, dear Roxanne?" Lucius asked, sensing that she hadn't the composure for small talk.

"It seems, Lucius, that we have a common goal – at the moment at least."

Cyrus watched the exchange in shocked silence and even Narcissa seemed more than a bit surprised. Only Lucius remained calm, a narrowing of his eyes his only physical reaction. "And what goal could that be?"

"We have a common enemy, Lucius. I request your help in the removal of Headmaster Dumbledore from Hogwarts."

.

A/N

'El Colegio de Encantamiento' = The School/Academy of Enchantment; Toledo is a well-known city in Spain.