One week later, just after lunch, Harry left Hogwarts to meet Mad Eye Moody, using the tunnel to reach the Shrieking Shack and then apparating directly into the back room of the Leaky Cauldron, surprising a hag who screamed loudly.

"I'm sorry," Harry said quickly. "I didn't expect to find anyone here." The hag seemed somewhat mollified, and then she decided to run off and tell her friends she had seen Harry Potter. He quickly left, entering Diagon Alley and looking for Professor Moody. He found him in a most surprising place: enjoying a sundae outside Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

"Old Florean is a friend of mine…I trust him not to poison me," Moody explained, still chewing the caramel topping from his sundae. "Now, exactly how can I help you, Harry."

Harry described their research, omitting nothing. It took nearly 20 minutes, with Moody occasionally grunting, as he either agreed with what Harry had found or reflected on some past event. When Harry finished, Moody studied him carefully, while his magical eye continued to constantly swivel, looking everywhere for potential trouble.

"Well, it sounds like you've done a very complete job. Just missing that one piece, eh?"

"I don't really know, but I think so. I remember that you said in class that the curse was unblockable, but of course it wasn't really you. Dumbledore said that if anyone could help me with this, you probably could, so I thought I'd see what you could tell me."

Moody thought for a moment, and then answered. "There might be a place where we could find what you're looking for. It's probably not a place you've ever been before, but we should be safe together since no one is expecting you to be here. Dumbledore says you've worked all term on your defensive skills, and as I recall, you've done pretty well when you've met Voldemort and his Death Eaters before." He got up and they started down the street, Moody carrying his wand at the ready.

"Are we going to Knockturn Alley?" Harry asked.

"So, you know about Knockturn do you?"

Harry nodded. "Ended up there one time, when the Floo Network took me there by mistake."

"Where'd ya go?"

"A shop called Borgin and Burke's."

"Well, that's where we're headed right now. Old Borgin probably won't be too happy to see me, but he probably is the best hope for finding what we want. Just follow my lead, and keep you wand handy, just in case."

They turned down the narrow gap between two buildings and found themselves on a dingy walkway with shops crowding both sides. It was much darker here, and even the air seemed thicker. It was also populated with a much different clientele. Moody turned at the door to Borgin and Burke's and walked in. Harry heard the little bell tinkle as the door closed behind him. It was just as he remembered, dusty, and foreboding, even though some of the products had changed. Borgin came out from the back and immediately reacted when he saw Moody.

"YOU! What are YOU doing here?"

"Why Borgin, I thought you'd be happy to see me. It could be worse…it could be a whole squad from the Ministry wanting to look at your current selections." Moody was establishing himself quickly. He knew he would only find what he wanted if Borgin could be intimidated into cooperation.

"And just what is it you're seeking," Borgin responded, slightly more respectful, and definitely more wary.

"We'd like a look at your library…the books that you don't have on display."

"All the books that I have are right there," he said, pointing to a shelf next to the counter.

Moody laughed. "We're looking for something slightly more selective. Why don't you show us the rest of your stock?"

Borgin smiled. "Are you suggesting that I have something to hide?"

"Nope. I'm not suggesting anything. You and I both know that you have a more extensive selection, that you only bring out to your more discriminating customers."

Borgin smiled again, and pointed to a cabinet. "I suspect you might find something more inside that cabinet." Moody walked to the cabinet, holding out his wand before opening the door, his magical eye never leaving Borgin. A quick glance inside was all he needed, and he laughed again as he turned to face Borgin.

"Let me explain this as simply as I can. We are here un-offically, looking for something that you most likely have available. We are even willing to pay you for it. You have two options…you can sell it to us, or we can have the Ministry come take the entire shop apart. I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing that happen, and you not only won't sell the book, but you will probably be out of business and possibly even get a free trip to Azkaban. Your choice."

Borgin played his last card. "You don't work for the Ministry anymore. You can't order me around nor can you call for support from anyone else."

Moody stumped back to the counter, placing his grizzled face inches from Borgin's. "Yes, I can. And if there's anything I can't do, you can safely bet that Harry can." Borgin looked at Harry, showing a brief glint of recognition. Moody now continued. "Would you like to bet your shop and your future on your assumption?"

Borgin flinched. Although Harry had let Moody take the lead because Borgin knew him, he decided it was time to state his position and make it clear who he was. Dumbledore had told him to be more assertive and push to get Voldemort out in he open. This seemed like a good time.

"We haven't met, Mr Borgin, but you might have heard of me. My name is Harry Potter," he began. "There will soon come a time of reckoning, and you might want to consider your position here in a more long-term way." Borgin stepped back, clearly shocked by the two-pronged assault on his future. It took only a moment for him to re-assess his situation. He walked from behind the counter and over to a case filled with dusty old objects. After casting a spell with his wand, he grabbed one side and swung it open. Then he stepped back. There was large bookcase behind it, filled with volumes.

"Ah, that's more like what we were looking for," said Moody and walked over to scan the titles. He read quickly with his normal eye while he continued to watch Borgin's every move through the back of his head, always holding his wand at the ready. He pointed to a couple of books, which Harry pulled out, and then pulled out a third himself. Together they returned to the counter, and Moody dropped his book on top of a case containing rings..

"Now, this looks like it might be just what we need. Should be about 3 or 4 galleons, right?"

Borgin had recovered somewhat and thought he saw an opening. "The price for that is 25 galleons."

Moody smiled, something he rarely did. "Now a book like this, even this rare, would be only a couple of galleons over on the next street. But there's only one problem…it isn't legal to sell this book, so actually any price is a pretty good price. 3 Galleons it is, and we'll just take these other two since they are illegal to own or even possess. We don't want the Ministry to find them and have you get into any trouble, Borgin."

But Borgin wasn't about to go down quietly. "I SAID the price is 25 galleons!"

"You know, we could probably find these books elsewhere, maybe old Durnblast down the street. But then, we'd have to notify the Ministry and report your lack of co-operation. Of course, they won't pay you at all when they confiscate them. Seems to me that something is better then nothing, don't you think Harry?"

"Yep, that's the way I see it, of course somebody else might not see it the same way. But I would think anyone who wants to remain in business would see the logic of it."

Borgin, somewhat meekly, accepted the 3 galleons. "There are others who will hear of this transaction," he threatened.

"Yep, probably so," answered Moody. "But then, they probably won't care any more than they already do. Old Voldemort doesn't need an excuse for anything he's going to try." Borgin flinched at the mention of the Dark Lord.

Harry turned back and smiled. "And your old buddy Lucius doesn't get mail at Azkaban."

Borgin just snarled as Harry and Moody left the shop. Once back in Diagon Alley, they sat down again at Fortescue's to quickly see what they had found. After a few minutes, Moody spoke up.

"Look's like you'll need a couple of hard things to find. Venomous Tentacula seeds aren't legal to trade, so they're going to be tough, although Dung might know where to find some. It's his kind of transaction."

Harry looked up and smiled. "I think I know where I might get them." Moody looked up with his magical eye, continuing to read the book normally. Harry moved to get up, and Moody rose also.

"If you're going back to Knockturn, I'd better come along."

"I wasn't. I think Fred and George might know where they're available." They both walked down the alley to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and entered the shop. Harry had been there before, but Moody stopped to look at everything. Fred was standing behind the counter, and quickly concluded his current transaction, ogling the attractive witch as she left the shop.

"Harry, what are you doing here…shouldn't you be at school?" He grinned, "you didn't get expelled, did you?"

"Nope. This is just a field trip, collecting some material I need for class." The explanation sounded strange, but Fred didn't pursue it further as he saw Moody walking around.

"What's Mad Eye want?"

"He and I are doing some research on a potion." Harry lowered his voice. "It might come in handy when I have to face Voldemort."

Fred's face grew serious. "Do you think it's going to happen soon?"

"I dunno. Could be any time, I suppose. It's more up to him than me, since I don't know where he is." Fred and George both knew about the prophecy, but it was a subject everyone left alone unless Harry brought it up.

"So, what do you need?"

"Venomous Tentacula seeds. Do you have any?"

"Sure, how many do you need?"

"Three or four should be enough."

"Just a minute," Fred responded and disappeared into the back. He returned almost immediately, with a small bag in his hand. "Here's a dozen so you'll have plenty."

"How much to I owe you?" Harry asked, reaching into his pocket.

"Harry, it's illegal to have these, so I can't sell them to you. And after all, we still owe you a thousand galleons. Consider this a small interest payment." Fred grinned, and punched Harry on the shoulder. "Would you like something to take back to school? We've got some new things no one has seen up there yet."

"Well, I don't really have time to…"

Fred pulled him over to a display, grabbing a bag and filling it with a selection from the bins on the table. "You really need these," he said, and pressed the bag full of small, wrapped candies into his hand. "Just stand back and wait for the fun to begin. The spells last a couple of minutes."

Harry grinned and slipped the bag into his pocket. Moody kept walking around the shop, looking at everything, and then finally approached Fred.

"Looks like you've found a real niche here, Fred. How's business?"

"We're doing real well. We hope to open another shop in Hogsmeade next summer, you know, closer to the school so we can bother Filch more." Fred grinned. Moody also smiled, the second time Harry had seen that look today. Harry and Moody looked around the shop for a few more minutes, and found an interesting display on the front table. Harry called Fred over to explain.

"What does that mean?" he asked, pointing at a sign above the bins of fireworks. It was attached to an enormous pile of boxes that formed the center of the display.

"Just what it says, Harry. Those boxes will be used on the day you defeat him. We don't know where yet, but it will be impressive. Do you remember that day with Umbridge?"

"Of course," Harry responded. How could anyone forget hours and hours of mayhem caused by their fireworks within the castle.

"Well, this is going to make that day look like a single, very small, match. Just wait. It'll be somewhere where you can see it."

"What about the muggles?"

"Who cares? I mean is anybody really going to complain?"

Harry and Moody smiled, both thinking they might be jumping the gun a bit. Nevertheless, Harry really looked forward to seeing this display. After a couple more minutes, they left. As they walked towards the Leaky Cauldron, Moody spoke up again.

"Harry, I wish we could do this together. I don't know what Voldemort might try, but he wants to get you alone. If I hear anything, I'll be there. Maybe we can get him this time, once and for all."

Harry smiled. "I know it comes down to me or him. I'm going to be ready, but I'm not stupid. It's not going to be easy, and I can never be ready enough. But I know I've got friends, and that's enough." Moody stared at him for a moment, almost as if stunned by what he had said, both his eyes focused exclusively on Harry.

"You know, you just might get him…you just might." Harry thought this sounded like real praise, coming from Moody. He smiled and then thought of something else he wanted to purchase.

"I have one more stop to make while I'm here, but it's right here in the alley, and then I'm going back to school. Thanks for your help." Moody grunted, looked around, and then said good-bye. Harry walked up the street to The Spinefish, where he searched for some time. Finally, he approached the owner, who smiled as he led Harry to the back room.

"I don't keep these out front. They're just too rare, and I can't get any more." Harry suspected that this was just a way to justify a higher price but he looked them over, finding two that were just alike. After some discussion about price, he bought the two, and then returned to the Leaky Cauldron, quickly apparating back to Hogsmeade.

It was dinnertime when he got back to school, but Harry first dropped off the books in his room. Then he took a couple of minutes to examine his other purchase, using his wand to load each of them with what he wanted. Finally, he wrapped one of them and went down to dinner, joining his classmates. As he sat down next to Hermione and across from Ron, he smiled, knowing a secret for later that night. Ron spent the entire meal filling him in on Quidditch practice and countless other details from the day. Hermione played her usual games, running her hand up and down his leg and tickling him periodically. After a couple of nudges, she stopped to look at him and he grinned.

"What?" she asked.

"Later."

"No. What!" She was growing impatient and switched to a different voice and manner that was reserved for only Harry. "I wanna know," she said, pleading like a petulant child.

Harry just smiled. He knew he was driving her crazy, and loved ever minute of it. Without another word, he turned and asked Ron about his Charms class. That earned him a poke in the side. He continued talking with Ron and Neville and Ginny, collecting additional abuse. Finally, Hermione had had enough with being ignored and placed her hand directly in his lap, creating a reaction that he couldn't disregard. When he turned, she gave him her "hurt little girl" look. "I wanna know," she pleaded in a whisper.

Harry decided he'd waited long enough, and he was actually done eating, so he relented, excusing himself and leaving, with Hermione following right behind. Once in their common room, he turned, locked the door, and reached over to the table, picking up a small package. "I brought you a present," he said simply, and handed it to her. She looked surprised.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to. Isn't that good enough?" Hermione smiled at his thoughtfulness, looked down at the box and then back at Harry.

"Do you want me to open it?"

"Well, that was the plan. I give it to you, and you open it. It's quite simple, really."

She almost slapped him for his cheek, but thought better of it and started taking the bow off the box. Harry just watched, waiting to see her reaction. She lifted the lid from the box and removed a small, round ball. It appeared to be some sort of multi-faceted crystal, with a dark metal band around the middle, and a flattened bottom. On top was small, funnel-shaped opening that went into the middle. As she studied it further, she saw a small, round button, protruding from one side of the band. She was confused.

"What is it?" she asked as she looked up, finding Harry's face covered with a very interesting smile.

He made her wait for moment, and then answered. "It's a Pensieve Ball."

"What does it do?"

"Do you know what a Pensieve is?" he asked. Although he had seen one several times, Hermione had never been with him when he had.

"It's a memory vessel, right?"

"That's right. This is a very special type of Pensieve. It holds only one memory, but it will hold it forever." Suddenly, her eyes widened. What memory did this one hold? Or was it empty, waiting for something to happen?

"If you set it down, and touch the enabler, it will show you its memory."

She was nervous as she put the ball on the table and drew out her wand. She looked over at Harry, seeking his approval for what she was about to do. He just smiled, telling her it was okay yet somehow daring her to proceed. She very cautiously reached out with her wand and touched it, immediately drawing back as if it was very hot.

The ball began to flicker, turning a golden color within. Then slowly a cloud of smoke rose from the top, resolving into a figure. When it was nearly a foot tall, it turned to face Hermione, her eyes widening as she discovered it was Harry now facing her. Then the figure spoke:

Never forget how much I love you

Hermione gasped, while the figure turned to smoke and blew away. She looked up at the real Harry and found him standing near, holding his arms open for her. She stepped into his embrace, almost fainting at his thoughtfulness. Harry just held her, knowing that was what she wanted more than anything. Finally, he led her to the couch and they both sat down.

"Harry, you are so wonderful. How did I get so lucky to find you?" she smiled, trying not to cry in happiness.

Harry didn't respond, since he didn't need to; he just held her close and kissed her. When she had settled down, he spoke again. "I got one for myself, too." She looked up, wanting to hear more. Harry took the second ball from his pocket and placed it on the table next to hers.

"I put in the best memory I have," he said quietly, and the touched it with his wand, whispered a password, and then touched it again.. Slowly, the smoke developed into the figure of Hermione. She was wearing a very revealing lavender dress, which made the real Hermione blush, but then she spoke

Harry, I will always be yours. I want to share the rest of my life with you, and when the time is right, I will marry you.

Now it was Harry's turn to tear a little as he leaned to her face and kissed her, feeling the heat rising between them. Hermione shifted into his arms and stayed there, wanting to spend the rest of the night right there. Harry, however, had other ideas, and slowly began to caress her, reaching for the sensitive spots that only he knew about. As she began to respond, he moved his mouth close to her ear and whispered very softly.

"Why don't you come to my room and we'll skive off rounds tonight." She responded with a squeeze that he knew meant yes.