To Ride the Carousel again
Chapter 12
Disclaimer:
I am not female, nor blonde, nor a professional writer.
Ergo I cannot be J.K. Rowling.
The Harry Potter universe rights belong to her.
Female Conundrums and Other Things
/*
Approx. 5,600 words
*/
Now that the crisis was over, Harry took the time to look at the girl who had just helped him with the fight against that horcruxes thing that Upper Management said he should destroy. He had no idea how to do that without a basilisk venom-dripping fang. Although Erzelkendis had said the Sword of Gryffindor infused with basilisk venom would work like a basilisk fang.
But to impregnate the sword with venom he would . . .
Harry had been concentrating so much on acquiring the diary, he had skipped right past the now horribly shocking realization that he was going to have to either incapacitate or kill, the huge arsed basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets if he was to have a chance to kill off the horcruxes things.
"Harry Potter, are you alright? You look like you're about to pass out."
/*
Harry just blinked owlishly at the waifish girl. She was dressed in a sleeveless, swirly bright yellow summer dress that was down to her mid-calf Her wide-eyed look of wonder or puzzlement was unchanging as Harry stared back.
"Uh, no," he somewhat stuttered. "I just used a spell I've been practicing and it's too advanced for my power. It kinda drained me for a minute there."
"If you say so," she answered back. "However, that book must be quite bad. The dark chighoulies left your scar to swarm the book before you put it in your bag. Nice bit of transfiguration, by the way."
The girl was sort of cute, Harry noticed as he continued staring at her. And she continued staring right back. Harry suddenly got the feeling he was trying to out-stare a cat.
"Crookshanks!" The remembrance of the ginger-haired, half-kneazle familiar that Hermione loved, (had loved?) had Harry cursing himself for a fool at having forgotten about him.
He was jolted out of his thoughts by Luna's voice.
"I'll be leaving now, Harry Potter. Perhaps we can talk again when we get to Hogwarts," the girl said in an airy voice.
"Are you going to Hogwarts this year?" he asked, feeling like an idiot as soon as he spoke the words. She had a bookbag over her shoulder.
"Oh, yes," she said with a large smile. "I will be in First Year. I am very excited to be going to Hogwarts. Perhaps I can be friends with Ginny Weasley again, and meet other people also. 'Bye."
As Harry watched Luna walk away, he burrowed into his memories and came up blank for any times he seen the girl with Ginny. Her first year he could understand with Ginny being influenced, and then controlled by the diary, the soul piece would not have wanted anyone to be close to Ginny who might have alerted someone that something was wrong.
The problem was, he also drew a blank at noticing Luna in his third and fourth years.
Harry promised himself this year he would pay more attention to see if there were others like him who had no or few friends in the chilly stone halls of Hogwarts.
Purchasing a journal for his use, Harry left the store, and after a short stop at the Magical Menagerie, had Ypres pop him home.
/*
After Ypres popped him back to the manor, Harry asked him if there were any hiding places in the Manor. He explained that he had something that was so valuable that he did not want to put it in his Gringotts vault.
Ypres said there was and took him to the basement and led him to a patch of fitted dark grey stone wall. As Ypres waved his arms the wall dissolved and in its place, an old-fashioned non-magical looking safe appeared in the dueling room.
Ypres explained the safe was hidden by elf magic so wizards would never find it, and it took Potter blood to open it.
"Gah!" he thought. "More blood-letting magic!"
The peculiarity of the safe was that it was almost walk-in size, being five feet tall, four feet wide, and about three feet deep, with some foot-wide shelves on the right-hand side. As he pawed through the shelves, he found a sack of galleons, a small sack of loose gems, and some paper money that looked old to Harry.
On the left-hand side was a sword. For a moment Harry thought he was looking at the Sword of Gryffindor. However, the lack of gems around the hilt told him it was not.
Harry took the sword from where it was hanging to look at it. It was heavier than it looked, and he had to put some muscle into picking it up.
It was a plain sword with some minor nicks and dings visible along the blade as he examined it. It seemed slightly longer than Gryffindor's sword and somehow older. The blade looked to be well over three feet, probably three-and-a-half long, and could use some polishing of the dull metal. The edge though looked sharp, the cross-piece was heavy looking, and the balancing ball on the handle end, (the pommel) was large and heavy.
"It must be an ordinary sword," he thought. "If it was goblin made, the blade would still be shiny. Pity. It would have a step towards solving the 'how to kill the other horcruxes' problem."
Harry shrugged, and muscled the sword back on the pegs that supported the cross-piece, or as he found out later, the quillons, and kept the point off the floor of the safe.
He then placed the transfigured weaved silver and silk bag on the floor of the safe.
Suddenly, the sword started vibrating. While Harry stared at it, the sword began to shift on its holding pegs, the point seeming to want to be near the horcruxes bag.
Harry went wide-eyed as he realized it was trying to attack or stab the horcruxes holding bag.
Working hard not to get stabbed, he snatched the bag back out of the safe, and as he got four or five feet away, the sword stopped moving.
Intrigued, Harry stepped forward, holding the bag in an outstretched hand. For all he knew, the sword would fly out of the safe to try and get at the bag. At about three feet away the weapon started to vibrate again.
Harry again retreated. "Well, this isn't working. Something has to go. I assume that that sword must have some value to it besides vibrating near an evil object. But, I need to keep the horcruxes safe from discovery." (Sir Kay, Knight of Round Table)
He stared at the sword a bit longer, then pitched the bag into the safe floor and grabbed the sword before it began moving around. Hoisting it up, He shoved the safe door closed, and headed towards the room that Ypres had explained was the armoury where Potter family weapons had been stored for hundreds of years.
Finding a circular rack that contained several swords stored on their quillons with the point down, he placed the sword partially hidden in the back where it blended in with the other saved family weaponry.
"Great. If that sword was sensing the evil in that horcruxes, I've found a way to identify them. And all I have to do is carry around a great ruddy sword all the time. That thing is heavy."
After checking with Ypres that the door to the safe was closed, locked, and hidden again, he wandered back into the armoury. He had not paid any attention to the basement yet, except to tell Lupin that he would like to have some DADA practice before school started again. They had done a revising of first-year level spells and had started on second-year yesterday.
There was quite a collection of nasty-looking pointy spears, sharp-edged swords, a couple of great battle axes, maces, things that looked like small pickaxes, sledgehammers, and literally dozens of daggers and knives.
As Harry looked around he suddenly remembered something Man Mountain had said while berating him for being pig ignorant the two times he went into the Chamber of Secrets to fight the basilisk.
"What did he say? Something about a bore (1) spear? Wonder what a bore spear is?"
Harry suddenly smacked himself on his forehead. He was willing to bet he had two solutions to his problem.
One, ask Lupin. He would probably know.
Two, his mother was muggleborn. She probably had a muggle dictionary somewhere in the library she had re-arranged.
*/
The days of August had been disappearing off the calendar. The week of Harry's visit to Diagon Alley was filled with tutoring by Remus Lupin, focusing on DADA, Charms, and Occlumency. But other subjects from first-year classes were revised with an eye on making sure Harry was prepared for his second year at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.
Remus was surprised at how well Harry performed all his first-year spells. Harry might be terrible at History of Magic, mediocre at Astronomy and decent with Herbology, and ill-taught at Potions, but he appeared to be a prodigy at spell work. He just needed some age as he was powerful, but seemed to recover from spellwork slowly.
The two had ripped through the first-year class revision in the two days before his Diagon Alley with the Weasleys trip. Thursday and Friday had Harry learning a slew of second-year DADA and Charm spells and even had him turning out an Exceeds Expectations level Strengthening Potion that was in the second-year curriculum.
For next week, Lupin had him brew another second-year potion, reading ahead on the brewing of a Shrinking Solution, and other Third-Year potions. He was positive that with Lupin's coaching and detailed explanations about why certain interactions occurred between ingredients, he would brew another successful potion.
Harry was debating, even though he already knew which way the flipped galleon would land, to ask Hermione if she wanted to join him for a class or two. She was returning from her family vacation late tomorrow, and he was hoping to see her Sunday, and if pushed would admit to wanting to see her every day until they left for Hogwarts.
Harry had the rest of his Facilitator's time filled by having him research all the companies the Potters owned and the properties that they had rented out. He did not want him visiting any of them now as he figured word of a Potter assuming Heirship or Lordship would get around the small, gossipy magical community, and eventually get to Bumblefork's ears. Bad things could then happen.
(Harry knew he was being petty, but thinking up new ways to mangle Dumbledore's name amused him)
But after Harry was at school for a week, and his Lordship untouchable, then Lupin could start truly earning his pay.
In the meantime, Harry was channeling Hermione. Again, he was writing down a list.
Sunday, ask Hermione and her parents to come to Potter Manor for spell practice, show off to them what she has learned at Hogwarts, and do some planning over dinner for the Grangers to teach him some basic accounting.
Monday's planning was for a full tutoring day. Harry would bet his inheritance that his friend being able to study and use magic would make it the best day of the summer for her. Maybe cooking dinner for two dentists who would have spent a frantic day catching up at work could get him extra 'friend of their daughter' points.
Tuesday would be shopping in Diagon Alley day. The place would be busy with school shoppers but Harry while looking at his Alley directory, had found a shop that sold eyewear. He wanted her along to help pick out some new glasses, and he was planning on 'accidentally' introducing her to Crookshanks.
The next two days would be a repeat of the last with another Diagon Alley trip on Thursday. Harry wanted to avoid the heavy crowds that would be shopping in the Alley that weekend and give Hermione lots of time to be with her parents over the weekend before the Hogwarts Express separated the family for nearly four months Tuesday after next.
If there was one thing he remembered about her, it was how desperately she missed her family in their early school years.
As he looked at his list, he felt proud of his rudimentary planning. A sudden thought brought it all crashing down.
She was going to want answers. Harry was not sure what the questions would be, but she was not going to like most of his answers.
*/
Saturday afternoon Harry sent Hedwig to Hermione's house with the invitation to visit the Manor with a tour and dinner provided for her parents, and to bring her wand because he had a surprise for her. He told her that she could tell her parents they would be traveling by magic, just as she had for her visit.
He also made a point of telling her he now had an adult as Facilitator for House Potter living at the Manor with him. What time would she prefer Harry and his 'retainers' to show up?
Hedwig returned with a note just as Harry was getting ready for bed. He read the note, in Hermione's distinctively neat writing.
Dearest Harry,
It took some time for me to convince my parents to travel with your
'retainers' rather than drive to your house. (By the way, you never did
tell me where it was located.)
Half one o'clock would be convenient for your arrival.
Your Friend,
Hermione
Harry spent the next two hours overanalyzing every word in the note. He finally dropped into a restless sleep where basilisks and snake-faced monsters pursued him, and desperately needed strong tea the next morning to clear his bleary head.
After breakfast, Harry and Lupin retreated away from the cleaning-like-possessed house elves to the basement where he worked on his second-year Charms and Transfiguration spells. They broke at half eleven for a light lunch and to get ready for their visitors, which included a shower for the sweat-soaked Harry.
At one twenty-nine exactly Harry, Ypres, and Peama appeared with a small 'pop' in a secluded corner of the Granger house back yard. He then led his little friends to the back door and knocked.
It was a surprised-looking Hermione who yanked open the door, and once she got over her surprise at seeing him, she pulled him into a signature Hermione bone squeaking hug.
"Oh, Harry. Sorry, I didn't expect you to be here this way, I thought you would just appear in the kitchen or at the front door. OH, where are my manners? Hello, Ypres, and hello Peama. How are you today?"
Harry had to fight a grin at the dumbfounded look on the two elf faces at being so politely addressed.
The Majordomo recovered first, "We are well, young Mistress. Thank you for inquiring."
She excitedly led the trio through the kitchen, where both elves looked around in wondering curiosity at the modern appliances, to the parlour where her parents were standing in expectation of their arrival.
The first thing Harry noticed was how tan and fit all three Grangers looked. Apparently, their vacation had been relaxing for them. Hermione was dressed in a mid-calf, swirly pink-and-purple skirt and a white sleeveless blouse and the adults were dressed in what Madame Malkin's shopgirls would describe as muggle upscale casual.
Mr. Granger led the approach to greet their visitors greeting Harry first and shaking his hand. A hug from Mrs. Granger, and then everyone turned to the short, grey-skinned pair with Harry.
Harry suddenly realized that he had to do some introducing as the two were his responsibility because he had brought them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I hope Hermione had told you about my retainers that have maintained Potter Manor since my parents passed away. I believe they are magical people despite being labeled as magical creatures by the wizarding ministry."
The being spoken about duo looked at their Master in unfeigned amazement.
Harry placed a hand on each elf's shoulder and said, "Although you have seen him before, this is the House of Potter's Majordomo, Ypres. This lovely person next to me is Peama, chief housekeeper, cook, and baby Harry sitter."
Regardless of his trust level in Remus Lupin, the man had told a string of tales involving his parents and what their life had been like. Part of the tales involved newborn baby Harry.
Harry didn't know house elves could blush, but parts of Peama's cheeks turned pinkish.
He turned back to the trying-to-look composed Grangers. "I thought we could go a bit early? Um, you see IhaveanotherproblemIneedhelpwith." And it was Harry's turn to blush with embarrassment as he looked at the floor.
The adult Grangers were manfully suppressing grins of amusement. Hermione looked eager to be whisked to the manor to start work on another Harry Project.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I have hired what is known in the wizard world as a Facilitator. He was a friend of my parents, and part of his job is to watch over me. He is someone who can also function in our muggle world also. His name is Remus Lupin, and he will be answering any questions you might, er, will have, and, well, maybe now you will feel better that I'm not some weird kid who lives all by himself."
Harry managed to look both Granger adults in the eye as he spoke.
Mr. Granger gathered himself back together first. "Alright, Harry. How are we going to do this? Hermione has told us it is something like the transporter in Star Trek."
Harry looked thoughtfully confused.
"Like on the telly, Harry?" Hermione chirped up
"Dunno," he replied. "I wasn't allowed to watch the telly."
That confession stopped the Granger family cold.
To relieve the instant awkwardness, Harry jumped in with an explanation. "Hermione, Mrs. Granger, just put your hand on Peama's shoulder. Mr. Granger, if you would do the same with Ypres, we will go. You won't even realize we are gone before we get there."
Everyone did as requested, and suddenly they were all standing in the Potter Manor entryway in front of an expectant-looking Remus Lupin.
Harry, who suddenly found himself upright, had been kept from sprawling across the entryway floor by quick action by Ypres, who somehow surrounded him with magic that held him vertical.
"Ahh, Mr. Lupin, allow me . . . ." and proceeded to make all the introductions around the group, and finished with, "Would everyone like to step into the parlour for an early afternoon tea? That way, the tour can end at the basement, where we can stop and let Hermione give you a demonstration of some of the magic she has learned at Hogwarts, followed by dinner."
Hermione was so eager, she was almost bouncing in her chair with a huge smile on her face.
After the usual superb tea spread from Peama, host Harry informed everyone that the tour of the manor should take about an hour and a half.
With a smirk on his face, he allowed that estimate would change if they couldn't make Hermione leave the library.
"However," he followed up with a devilish grin, "as I said, she may actually might, might, pass up the library in favour of some real live spellcasting. Oh, what a thorny decision."
That earned him a blush and a fake shoulder whack, which he flinched from, by the young girl present.
Hermione paled markedly as she realized what she had just done.
Pretending nothing untold had happened, Harry looked at his majordomo, "Ypres, it would be a good idea to make the library the last place on the tour. I understand Mrs. Granger is as much a book fanatic as her daughter."
Ypres managed to keep his solemn demeanor. "I shall perform that difficult task you require to the best of my ability, Lord Potter."
Harry gave Ypres a slight squint-eyed look. Ypres stared blandly back.
"Well, at least he called me Lord Potter, not Lord Harald. That would have opened a whole new cage of Cornish Pixies."
The title had been noticed by all the Grangers, who seeing Harry look uncomfortable, refrained from commenting.
Remus broke what was becoming an uneasy silence by turning to the Grangers and saying, "Hector, Helen, shall we go? A turn to Ypres, "Lead on Majordomo," at which point the five turned and started following the house elf down the hall towards the grand ballroom.
Harry was surprised that a third tour of the manor did not leave him yawning in boredom. Apparently, Helen Granger was an art aficionado who was quite knowledgeable about many of the artists whose paintings lined many of the hallways and rooms. She was not sure but speculated several of the paintings were thought to be lost or missing in the regular world, and if authentic, could be quite valuable.
It was a bit startling for the adult Grangers to see some of the paintings slowly moving. As Remus explained, the wizarding world could create paintings that moved, and could actually converse with people as long as the topics were limited to what their worldview was at, or prior to, the time of the painting.
He said if you asked the right questions, you could get firsthand accounts of history, although the most famous events that people want to hear about, usually did not have a person there who became a wizard painting. Or events that took place before the origination of the magic needed to infuse the paint with memories of the subject being painted, which took place in Italy in the early thirteen hundreds just as the Renaissance was starting.
He also added that since the manor had not been inhabited by wizards or witches for over a decade, the magic that had to infuse the paint used in the paintings had not been replenished by the Potter's using magic in the manor. Therefore, the infused magic had faded away and the portraits had become dormant. With magic being performed in the manor once again they were slowly regaining their magic-induced consciousness.
Harry ended up promising that any Potter non-secret journals or diaries he found that could be read by non-family members, he would let Mrs. Granger borrow.
The two females were fascinated by the background and history inherent in the manor. The three males reacted differently.
Mr. Granger liked the furniture and stories. Remus was getting reacquainted with a place he had visited in the past. Harry was soaking in everything. He was enthralled that he now was learning about his family history, that he actually belonged to a family that was older than Hogwarts, and that the family had been well known before he became The-Boy-Who-Lived.
He wasn't sure if he should be excited or humbled by the dawning knowledge that things other than being known for his scar would be expected of him.
For the rest of the tour, he found himself fading into his mind with dozens of 'what if . . ' scenarios.
When the group got to the library, the men found a comfortable nook and talked quietly about no particular topics.
The two female Granger's swooped between the book catalog on the lectern and the shelves. Ypres had told Harry earlier that he had magically 'hidden' any texts liable to be 'dark or family only', and they were not in danger of being cursed by such books or scrolls.
The two had been raiding knowledge from the library for over half an hour when Harry, with admitted trepidation, called a halt to their 'seek and examine' explorations.
The glares, growls, and clutching of tomes he was prepared for. After all, he had been Hermione's friend for four years and was thankful she did not yet realize she could cast spells in the manor. He was mostly sure she wouldn't curse him, but . . . he had never gotten between Granger women and a fantastic, filled with wonders, new library before.
So, he hastily proceeded to remind them that she was supposed to show her parents some of what she had learned at Hogwarts. Her school of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
Harry had just waved his magic wand. An eager Hermione started towing her mother out of the library, headed somewhere. It actually took her a couple of minutes to realize she had no idea how to get to the basement.
Harry found that being twenty seconds behind an upset, impatient, and embarrassed Hermione had him subjected to a glare that promised either he fixed this or the Wrath of Hermione would descend upon him.
The glare didn't really bother him. She had glared at him before. What was making him nervous was the way her hand kept twitching toward the pocket he knew her wand was stashed in.
It did not help that everyone else found the situation hilarious and the three adults were fighting mightily to keep snickers and laughter from breaking past their lips.
As Harry grew close to She-Who-Heightened-Her-Glare and her lip-twitching mother, he slowed his gait down to a comfortable stroll, increasing the reactions to his approach from both females.
He eased up next to Hermione, crooked his left arm out, and said, "M'Lady, would you care to join me?"
Harry was wagering that the only thing keeping her from putting him in a Body Bind Hex like she had done to Neville a couple of months ago was the presence of her parents, that and the now pounded into her reflex that using magic out of school would get your wand snapped.
The change from 'ready to brawl' Hermione to a pre-teen with society skills occurred in about two seconds.
"Why, thank you, Milord," she cooed in a deliberately melodious voice as she looped her arm through his and stood tall and straight. "An escort would be truly welcome at the moment."
It was Harry's turn to blush as she completely reversed the scene he had been enjoying, albeit nervously, just a moment ago.
The instant reversal had caught the adults flat-footed also. The looks exchanged by her parents were eloquent in promising some heartfelt conversations later that evening. Lupin thought for a moment he had seen the reincarnation of Lily Potter. Many had seen her stubbornness and temper, but few had witnessed her ability to leave off both in a heartbeat.
The three adults followed the young pair towards the basement as Ypres left to go help prepare for dinner.
At the bottom of the steps, he turned right. The basement they entered was no longer a dark and gloomy place. Several windows had been 'magicked' into the space giving the illusion of real windows mimicking the weather outside. Many bright clusters of 'Forever Candles' dispelled any remaining gloom and shadows. The basement was surprisingly deep. Harry had figured the ceiling was fourteen feet high
The first room they entered was a spell practice room with a raised magical dueling platform off to the left. The back door led to the armoury and its associated weapons practice area.
After a quick peek at the 'pointy' weapons, they all ended back in the spell and dueling practice room. Harry ended the walk near several practice dummies off near a corner.
"Mr. Lupin, would you please call out the First-Year spells for us and Hermione will demonstrate them for her parents."
Harry blinked. He didn't know it was possible to draw a wand that quickly.
"Lumos". And Hermione's wand visibly lit up despite the bright lighting of the area.
"Difindo". And the piece of parchment Harry had thoughtfully provided for her was sliced in two. He had 'salted' the room with props, as Lupin had done for him a week ago.
"Incendio". A pile of conjured logs caught fire satisfactorily.
Wingardium Leviosa, Alohamora, Colloportus, and Reparo were demonstrated.
Harry also had her cast a few more advanced spells that he knew she knew.
Petrificus Totalus, Locomotor Mortis, (Leg Locker Curse)(which Harry volunteered to be the target for. He reckoned it would be more impressive that way rather than on a dummy), Flipendo, and Finite.
As the others watched, Lupin proceeded to teach a second-year disarming spell, Expelliarmus, to student Hermione as her parents watched. After fifteen minutes of coaching and attempts, with Harry again as the target, she succeeded in ripping his holly wand from his hand, although she did fumble the catch, having it clatter to the floor.
It was a broadly smiling, a bit tired, slightly sweaty, with more frizzle in her hair than usual Hermione who was hauled off by her mother to 'freshen up', while the men had a drink in the small Friends and Family parlour off the entryway near the kitchen. Hector was caught flatfooted by the quality of the whiskey those odd-looking grey retainers brought him
Within minutes of the women having rejoined the menfolk, Ypres announced dinner.
The Small Family Dining Room now had a circular table with five place settings. Hermione sat on Harry's left, Hector to Harry's right, with Lupin next to him, and Helen between Remus and her daughter.
The elves had produced a veritable feast. Rack of Lamb, with mixed mashed potatoes and parsnips, cauliflower cheese, mushy peas with butter-fried onions, and sliced carrots.
Some dark red wine has been provided to the adults with the meal. When asked about the wine the adults were effusively praising, Ypres said it came from the Potter winery in France.
The conversation was varied and light for most of the meal until during the sticky toffee pudding dessert, Harry asked the Grangers for a favor.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I hate to impose but I have another of those financial problems, except this time it is in our world, the muggle world. If I could impose on your time for tonight I would appreciate it. I only have a week before returning to Hogwarts to try and understand just what my mother left me."
"Also, if you would let her, Mr. Lupin has allowed me to invite Hermione into the classes he is tutoring me in for this week. And we can take her shopping for her school supplies Tuesday and, if she forgot anything, Thursday. That way you don't have to take off work to go to Diagon Alley during the week or fight the horrible crowd that will be shopping in the Alley this last weekend before school starts. I've been told it'll be worse than Harrods two days before Christmas."
Harry was so nervous, as he rushed through his query and explanation of why they should say yes, for the first time that day, he sounded like a twelve-year-old asking the adults for a big favour.
Everyone who glanced at Hermione saw her face alight with eagerness. Learn new magic? Practice spells? Of course, spending a week with Harry was a huge bonus not to be mentioned.
Her smile actually broadened as she followed that thought, "I will also get him to spill to me what is going on. These dreams are driving me crazy."
Lupin was the first to speak. "Hector, Helen, I'm sure you wonder how Hermione can cast magic when every muggleborn has beaten into them that casting spells away from school is grounds for having their wand snapped, their magic bound, their memories changed, and then being thrown out of the magical society never to remember it again."
He paused for a moment. "The answer is two-fold. First, I am a registered tutor with the Ministry. It will be assumed either I am the spell caster, or I am teaching a class. Second, the first reason really doesn't matter, as the wards around this manor will not allow the Ministry to learn that anyone is casting magic inside the house."
With a wolfish grin he continued. "Third, the magical detection net, with vast unfairness, is concentrated around muggleborn residences, not out here in the middle of a magical desert."
The other four looked shocked at that statement.
"It's true." He expanded on his declaration. "The Ministry, which is run by Purebloods, has rigged the system so they are never monitored. Any magic perceived from where they live is always performed by adults in their eyes."
"So, at least for a week, we can level the magical playing field," he finished with a smile at Hermione's parents.
The look on their daughter's face told them what she wanted the answer to be. After holding one of those conversations with their eyes that long-time married couples can have, Hector said, "We will have to talk about it."
Lupin dipped his head. "Fine. While you are doing that, why don't I give these two a short lesson in charms while you talk in the parlour."
Now that he had seen the dynamic between Harry and the friend he had talked about non-stop for a week, Lupin was willing to discretely help push the relationship as much as possible.
*/
A/N:
One: Harry, at this point, still doesn't know (bore, boar, boor) what he's supposed to be looking for. Bet the Grangers would have known.
Fluff alert for the next chapter. Again late, about three weeks.