I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters. I also do not own other media property.

Hello everyone, hope all are doing well.

Guess it's a week for notes. This is another one of those chapters I've been eager to share for a couple of reasons. I've seen a lot of mixed reactions to Saltina and in complete honesty, her name came about for the very specific joke that is mentioned in this chapter. That and I wanted a quirky OC, someone I'd imagine who'd work in the Department of Mysteries and was mysterious in a different way. That's it, no deeper meaning. Still, I really like her as a character so there's that.

The other reason is something that hasn't happened in a while and it amuses me.

Hope you all enjoy. Have a lovely day.

-0-0-0-

Harry Potter and the Stone's Heart

Chapter 13 – Revealing

Yaxley looked up, glaring bloody murder at Harry who walked into the holding and interrogation room. The criminal was bound with his hands chained to the table and his legs chained to the chair. The chains had runes etched into them, disrupting his magic, so he was bound in many different ways.

Harry took his time, slowly pulling out a chair and then decided not to sit in it. Instead he put a series of pictures on the table and then sat on a corner of the table, looking down at Yaxley with a slightly contemptuous expression. "Yaxley," he said at last. "It's been a long time." He slowly looked the man up and down. "You look good. Looks like you got some sun. Been hiding somewhere sunny it seems."

Yaxley growled. "You don't scare me, boy."

Harry laughed. "Good, because I'm not trying to."

"Then what are you doing? Gloating? Reveling in your victory?" Yaxley asked, slightly wrongfooted and confused.

"I don't really gloat, not even when it comes to winning a game," Harry said. "First, I wanted a chance to see you close, face-to-face again. See if I still remember you as I did." He smiled. "You're not as intimidating as you were before. Probably because you were better dressed before though. Which is weird. When we seized your family holdings and possessions after the war, we didn't find a lot of your clothing."

"You whelp! You had no right to do that!"

"Actually we did. New laws, don't you know. Anyone deemed traitor to the People of Wizarding Britain by supporting a corrupt and unofficial regime lost any rights they had," Harry said pleasantly.

"The Yaxleys have been a Pureblooded Family of note for centuries!" Yaxley yelled, pulling on his chains.

"They really have," Harry agreed with a nod. "I looked it up. They've been around for so long. How does it feel to be responsible for their downfall and excommunication? Knowing centuries of family tradition all gone because you sided with a noseless liar?"

"He killed you!" Yaxley snarled.

"And I got better," Harry said, holding his arms out and smiling blandly at Yaxley. "Or, more correctly, he failed to kill me after having several opportunities to."

Yaxley sat and stared at him. "What do you want?" he asked, trying to sound tough and failing. He shook his head, wanting to rub his eyes but was not able to.

"I'm going to ask a few questions, and you can choose to answer them or not," Harry said. "Your answers might change how you're treated. Might not."

Yaxley said nothing, still blinking oddly between glaring at Harry.

"Why did you come back? You obviously could have lived the rest of your days in relative freedom," Harry asked.

"It was my right to return to my homeland," Yaxley hissed. "After being forced out illegally."

"I mean, we didn't do that. You voluntarily left so you wouldn't get arrested," Harry replied. "After the latest attempt of you and your buddies trying for one last coup that ended miserably." He smiled at Yaxley's impotent fury. "So what's the real reason you came back?"

He hummed at Yaxley's silence. "Running out of money then? Is that why you started helping the smugglers to move things about?"

"I still have money this government knows nothing about," Yaxley blustered. "No, I did not return for something so crass."

"Then the weather? The food? I can sympathize. British food is plain but it's good solid food and you do miss it after a while," Harry said pleasantly.

"I returned to resume my rightful place in Society," Yaxley said with a sneer. "There is change coming, and I was to return to take back what is mine."

"Is that right?" Harry's eyes focused on Yaxley. "Change? Another coup? Hard to do that with just you and that bunch of mercenaries you brought because there's no one else willing to work with you without being paid to."

"You have no idea how many of us are still there, waiting," Yaxley said coldly. "Those that look down at this pathetic attempt at tolerance and inclusion by this government. Despicable! Where is their pride?! Where are the time honored traditions?! You call us corrupted? Ha! Not when the actual corruption is now! Mudbloods and their ilk in power, ruining our country and reputation!"

"Still a classist racist," Harry sighed with genuine disappointment. "Even all these years away and out in the world and you still have such a small narrow view of things." He shook his head. "So someone tricked you into returning so you'd use your money to help overthrow the government. What, third time's the charm or something like that?"

Harry put his hands on the table and looked down at Yaxley. "And there are plenty who probably think like you, sure. But as far as Death Eaters and the like? No, you're the last one. The last one of the most prominent and the last one to bring to justice." Harry turned thoughtful. "Or maybe your contact is one? Hard to believe you'll work for just anyone."

Yaxley's lip curled and said nothing.

"You could make this easier, you know," Harry said. "And I wasn't lying. You being more forthcoming and honest means you might get some leniency. Not a lot, mind. There's a lot who would love to see you suffer and pay for the chance to make it happen. But there are some ways to make things more tolerable."

"You're going to have to torture me for the information and you don't have the stones for it," Yaxley said smugly.

"Nah, actually, I don't have to do that at all," Harry replied evenly. "There's other ways to get information."

"How? You're no Legilimens," Yaxley said, turning guarded.

"But I am." He jumped, as far as the chains would allow him too, and he gaped as Saltina appeared before him in what he thought was the empty chair. He paled when he saw her ornate grey robes and her eyes that glowed.

He panicked, trying to look away. "You can't do this!" he screeched.

"Factually erroneous," Saltina said pleasantly. Her brow furrowed slightly and she pushed deeper into Yaxley's mind. "I've been doing this for a while now." She ignored his cries and flailing and finally her eyes stopped glowing and Yaxley slumped over, breathing heavily. She looked up at Harry and nodded.

"We'll let you rest a bit," Harry said and offered a hand to Saltina who took it. They walked to the door and Harry stopped and looked at Yaxley. "So here's a new thing we do here at the Ministry. There's a wall of donors, of people who do great acts of altruism for all sorts of people. There's even a spot for those that help Muggles out."

Emerald green eyes looked deep into watery blue ones. "I had it totaled. All your things, all your gold that the smugglers had, it's a good amount of money. In fact, it's near the top for donations to many groups of people, including Muggles. In fact, you are one of the top five in the history of the country to be so generous to Muggles by letting them have your things."

"Wait, what?" Yaxley gasped. "They had my money? My personal items?!"

"Marked with your family crest," Harry nodded. "So generous of you to donate your goods to Muggles. And Muggle criminals even! People who really needed it to better themselves. I'm going to ensure you get that credit and you go down in history as a benefactor to Muggles. Corban Yaxley, Muggle Contributor and Benefactor. Has a ring to it." He and Saltina walked out of the room and he closed the door behind him, cutting off Yaxley's anguished screams of protest.

Saltina looked at Harry with clear admiration. "Captain Potter, that was exceptionally cruel!"

"I said I didn't need to torture, not that I don't know how," Harry said with grim amusement. They watched through the one-way window at Yaxley howling and screaming silently in the examination room.

"That's going to bother him forever," Saltina giggled. "I'll ensure he doesn't forget it over our next sessions of Legilimency."

"What did you see?" Harry asked, turning his back to the examination room.

"His last bout of confusion was genuine. He knew he was selling some things, but he assumed it was not his personal things," Saltina said. "His contact is the same as Contact, mystery suspect that may or may not be known as Alatar Pallando."

"So they are connected," Harry said, frowning a little. "Everything's connected."

"In ways we weren't aware of, but are now," Saltina nodded.

"This changes a lot," Harry said, rubbing his face.

"It does. I will make his interrogations a priority." Her smile was more pointed and predatory. "And I will glean every scrap of information I can from him. No matter how inconsequential."

"You're taking this a bit personal," Harry observed mildly.

"I never liked him," Saltina said with more than a little emotion. "That and he was friends with the Betrayer and I am still very upset over that."

"Oh, Rookwood?" Harry asked, thinking for a moment.

Saltina nodded. "Researchers, normally, are encouraged to share information with one another, to better the pursuit of knowledge and learning. But that does not allow selling secrets to those that would abuse them for nefarious reasons."

"Makes sense to me." He sighed deeply. "Well, he's not going anywhere and his rights are also diminished due to his traitor status. So take your time." He looked at Saltina. "Director."

Saltina paused and looked at him directly. After a moment she smiled. "How long have you known?"

"For sure? Now," Harry said and smiled at her merry laugh. "I had my suspicions for a bit. You're really good at fitting in, looking like you belong and acting it despite a few differences. Not only that, you went into the Minister's office easily and you're either a Director or someone he's close to. You also said you can speak to the Director easily and you've been able to do a lot of the magical work with little worry about other duties. I also looked it up and the Director of the Department of Mysteries is also a Senior Unspeakable."

Saltina applauded warmly. "Very well done, Captain," she said with sincere praise. "Well observed and reasoned. You're a credit to your profession."

"You'd be surprised given how oblivious I used to be," he replied wryly.

"People change and can grow into their roles easily enough," Saltina shrugged. "You are right of course. I am the Director of the Department of Mysteries." She hesitated for a moment. "After the Second War, it was decided that we must be more proactive in how we interact with the rest of the Ministry and the Wizarding World. For too long we thought ourselves separate, apart from everything. Then we fell victim to our arrogance when we found the Betrayer and others in our ranks. Our knowledge, perverted. Our skills, corrupted and taken to make things worse instead of better. We swore to never allow that to happen again."

She shuddered lightly before composing herself. "So here and there, we work closely with the other branches and departments. When we were approached about the Slow-Go, it piqued my interest. As things became more interesting and complicated, I decided to attach myself to you more or less to sate my curiosity and to work on such fascinating things."

"I thought the name of the Department Director was Saul Croaker though," Harry said.

"Sort of a joke and tradition. The very first Director and founder of the department was indeed Saul Croaker. So all the directors since have assumed the mantle so to speak, or had similar initials."

"Sort of like the Dread Pirate Roberts," Harry mused.

"Who's that?" Saltina asked with interest.

"Oh it's from a book, I'll lend you a copy," Harry said.

"Sounds delightful. A question. Why care and why confirm my identity now?"

He shrugged. "There's been so many mysteries and investigations lately and the more I think I know of something, it turns out I know less. Even now we find out all the smuggling and the like are sort of related to Yaxley. It just felt good to be able to solve something."

"I can understand that," she said sympathetically. "A common complaint in the department."

"I won't tell anyone," Harry said.

"Thank you! I do enjoy the childish pleasure I get from tricking people over something so banal and inconsequential," Saltina smiled.

Harry grinned at that. "Well, I'll leave you to the other interrogations. Susan should be here soon to conduct the others and knows what you'll be doing."

"And I will compile my results as I can," she said with plain satisfaction.

"Thank you." Harry began to walk away but paused. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"As many as you like, you've given me so much to do and experience, I feel quite indebted to you," she smiled.

Harry smiled back. "If I asked you about Magical Treasures, what would that bring to your mind?"

Saltina hummed softly. "A great many things really. There are many things that could be considered Treasures. The Goblet of Fire, the Philosopher's Stone, if you believe in the Deathly Hallows. There're the Treasures of Britain, the shards of the Stone that held Excalibur." She looked at him with her pale eyes. "Bit of a broad topic."

"A bit, sorry. I was just thinking about something I remember from the other interrogations."

"Ah yes, I recall. I did think that they only cared about the basic form of treasure, gold. But if you say it like that, they could be searching for some other form. But then it also depends on what one considers to be a treasure. There's monetary value, and then there's sentimental value. What the brain deems treasurable, and what the heart does."

"I guess that's one way to think about value and sentiment," Harry mused.

"I know most think only of this for intelligence." She tapped her head. "But the heart has its own intelligence. Many a spell has an emotional component after all, something beyond simply knowing how to cast it. Your emotions and emotional state will impact a spell's impact too."

She wiggled her fingers and a ball of flame hovered over them. It drifted over her hand, changing color and hue and intensity. "Magic is much like us," she said, her eyes glowing lightly. "It thinks. It feels. It breaks. It heals. It thrives. It dies." She clenched her hand and the fireball disappeared but when she opened her fist once more, a tiny ember glowed in the palm of her hand. It moved slightly, beating to the tempo of an unheard song.

Harry watched with obvious interest and looked up at her. "Magic's amazing and we still don't know everything, do we?"

"Yes it is and no we do not," Saltina beamed.

"Thank you, for answering my question and giving me a lot to think about," Harry said.

"Thank you for the opportunity!"

-0-

This time the meeting was being held in Gawain's office in the Auror Corps Offices. Kingsley had come and spoken with the Aurors and Hit-Magicals that had taken part in the Battle of Diagon. The older Aurors had worked with Kingsley before and they treated him like a slightly out-of-touch comrade with plenty of good-natured ribbing. The newer Aurors had been pleased by his attention and there was a lot of laughter as he spoke with them. After some time visiting with them, they gathered in Gawain's office.

"It's good to see them in good spirits," Kingsley said with satisfaction.

"It was a well-earned victory," Gawain said proudly, before deflating slightly. "Honestly, the casualty list is a lot lighter than it could have been. We lost Leeds and Fellows. Hennick, Talbots, and Knight are going to need some time recovering but should be back up to full after they do. Green will need a prosthetic. And I know Franks lost three Hit-Magicals, twice that with differing injuries."

"What about civilians?" Percy asked nervously.

"Thankfully no fatalities," Harry said and everyone in the office let out a sigh of relief and wonder. "Lots of minor injuries, some major but no one died, thank God and Merlin."

"How did that happen?" Kingsley marveled. "Not that I'm complaining at all mind, it's just incredible in a good way."

"They came out at just the right time for us," Harry said. "I think what happened was that they realized they got made after one of my informant's people saw them at Burke's. They panicked and decided to come out, cause a lot of damage, then escape. They didn't account for my informant getting in touch with me, letting me dispatch the response teams and they managed to keep civilian casualties down by fighting back when they weren't expecting any resistance. I think the Mercs and Yaxley wanted to cause more damage and chaos and not necessarily kill anyone just yet. And we were then able to show up in force to fight back and they didn't have their fallback when my person blocked off Knockturn and they were caught out."

"That was a stroke of luck," Gawain nodded. "Authorizing a bonus for your person and let's make sure Knockturn gets a little attention for the rebuilding."

"Speaking of, how are we looking there?" Kingsley asked.

"The Department of Repairs and Reconstruction are out in Diagon already," Percy said. "Preliminary inspections are underway and the minor fixable things are already being done. Some of the major companies in Wizarding Britain are volunteering people and material to aid in fixing things. While the initial inspections showed wide-spread damage, it is mostly quantity rather than quality. It will be easier to repair."

"Good," Kingsley nodded.

"The Mercs suffered way more," Gawain said with grim satisfaction. "They came with thirty-eight combatants, twenty of them died in action. The rest were captured on site and while a few managed to get out of Diagon, all of them were captured by today. In fact, one managed to get to the coast to try and get across the channel but was caught by a team looking for him. And we managed to get Yaxley alive."

"Best news I've heard all day," Kingsley said, also satisfied. "Interrogations started this morning?"

Harry nodded. "Yes Sir. Lieutenant Bones and her team have been going through the rest of them with Senior Unspeakable Croatia aiding her."

"Initial analysis?" Kingsley asked.

"Yaxley came over to meet with his contact," Harry said, "who is now alpha suspect Alatar Pallando. They have been exchanging messages for a while now, close to half a year. Yaxley saw Pallando as a sympathetic ear of sorts, one who wanted the Purebloods to regain their name and be back in prominence."

"Pallando, not a name I recognize," Rita said, frowning. "How did he convince Yaxley that he was a fellow Pureblood?"

"Still not completely sure about that," Harry said. "But what helped convince Yaxley was Pallando showing how he made the Slow-Go and how it was impacting us. Not only that, he knew how to cast the Dark Mark. That, and how much money he was making helped convince him. The goal was to generate even more capital to fuel more illicit activities such as bribery, stockpiling, that sort of thing."

"Why did he come back? They could have gathered more things and made better plans?" Rita asked.

"Well originally, he was only supposed to come with the merc group to cause some trouble around Britain," Harry said. "Cause a little mayhem, do some damage, throw around some signs of unrest, then leave. Except they got made on the way over with Captain Sauveterre in France catching onto them and stopping them at the border. That made them nervous.

"Not only that, Yaxley was getting impatient to do something as well as being a little bothered by the fact that his investments weren't going as he liked. As in, he was contributing more money and not getting as much as he wanted. Then we hit the first group of smugglers, cutting into their revenue, and he came over to confront Pallando."

"Which I assume did not go well," Kingsley said dryly.

"More like it didn't really go at all," Harry said. "All of their communication was done remotely, not in person."

"Something smells here," Gawain said, frowning. "Yaxley isn't an idiot. Even with all the potential gain, all of this is not stable enough for him. He risked a lot and for next to nothing, even with someone blowing his ego up. How did he even trust Pallando?"

"Well, in this case, there's actually a rather mundane reason," Harry snorted, "if you take into account that Pallando knew the Dark Mark. Basically, he was hooked on Slow-Go."

"Really?" Percy asked, appalled while the others laughed.

Harry nodded. "Found traces of it in his system. He had been getting a supply of it and got addicted to it. Actually, that's what happened to Alexander King, the Muggle smuggling operator. He was given a weakened version and he was addicted to it as well."

"I've heard the stuff can mess with your thinking, I suppose idiocy is a long-term complication or side effect," Rita said scathingly.

"He might have been using a different version," Harry said. "We found some on him and when it was examined, it was Slow-Go, but of a different sort. He confessed that he got it special from Pallando and was running low so he came over in hopes to do what he wanted, get some money and things back, and then leave with enough of a supply."

"Well that explains a lot," Kingsley said with Gawain nodding. "At least we can say the smuggling cases are more or less done now. Except we don't have Pallando yet." He looked at Harry and frowned. "You don't agree?"

Harry hesitated, rubbing his neck. "Yes and no. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy we managed to put a stop to the smuggling and now that we know everything's related, it's good and bad. But I don't think this is a simple case of Pureblood bigots just being Pureblooded bigots. Yes they were planning on trying to take over the government again, but the attempts were way too shortsighted to attain the goals."

He pointed at the picture of Pallando. "And he just shows up, somehow convinces the last Death Eater to throw caution to the wind? Even with using the drug to mess with Yaxley, it doesn't make sense. Also Yaxley was furious when he found out that there were Muggle smugglers involved. Mostly because they were being paid and touched his things, but still."

"You think there is something else? Another goal?" Percy asked.

Harry nodded. "For some reason, I don't think Pallando is just another wannabe Death Eater. Or some kind of new Dark Lord. Something just doesn't make sense here. I don't think bringing down the Ministry and taking control of things was the true goal."

"So we're back to the first reagent then, trying to figure out the rest of the potion," Gawain muttered.

Kingsley let out a breath. "I agree with your assessment. Still, whatever they were planning has taken a grievous blow and we now have the time to try and figure out more." He turned to Rita. "How are things on your end?"

"Good," Rita said. "The populace is scared of course but are also very happy with how things ended. Seeing the Aurors and Hit-Magicals come down and forcibly put the enemies down was a good thing, especially at Diagon of all places. They're more confident in the Ministry. Especially since the architect of it all, Yaxley, was also very publicly and soundly beaten by Captain Potter. He makes for a convenient villain to tie everything to and blame."

"He deserves it," Harry said sourly.

"Should we tie the Slow-Go crisis to him?" Rita asked.

"Not yet," Kingsley said after some thought. "He's connected, but not responsible for it. I rather us get a better grasp of it and hopefully the one who made and distributed it before we make more comments about that. Luckily St. Mungo's has a way to treat it so we can continue on course with that. Right, let's adjourn for now. Good job everyone."

-0-

"You going to answer that?"

After the meeting, Harry had gone back to his own office to deal with the mounds of paperwork the latest event had generated. Kingsley had bought copious amounts of pizza for the Aurors and Hit Squads and everyone fell onto them with good appetite. Ron and Susan had brought a few into Harry's office for them to eat while they worked together.

Harry glared at his mirror that was shaking on his desk, playing a spritely melody insistently and incessantly. "I don't know if I can handle another emergency," he said and picked it up. He blinked when Luna's image swam into view and even by her standards, she looked even more dreamy than usual. "Luna? Are you okay?"

"Hi Harry!" Luna said sleepily. "I'm fine, but I wanted to call and tell you something important."

"Okay, go ahead." Harry sighed softly as Luna looked like she was drifting off. "Luna!"

"Hmm, yes?" Luna blinked a few times. "Oh, hi Harry!"

Susan looked at Ron who shrugged a little.

"You wanted to tell me something?" Harry asked patiently. "Something important?"

"Oh yes! Composition!" Luna said loudly.

"Composition?" Harry repeated, looking slightly confused. "What do you mean?"

"The Go-Slow," Luna said slowly. "The composition of it."

"Good Merlin, did she take some?" Susan whispered.

"I really hope not," Ron muttered.

"She said she wouldn't," Harry hissed at them. "What do you mean, Luna? What about the composition?"

"One of the potions is sleepy," she said, eyelids droopy once more. "Mixed funny, it doesn't hurt."

"She's not making any sense," Susan said worriedly. "Maybe she had some by accident?"

"Wait." Harry stared at her image. "It's not an anesthetic potion, it's a sleeping potion?"

"Yes that!" Luna said, nodding and smiling. "It mixed funny, not like for pain at all."

"Something in the potion made it seem like an anesthetic but it's not, it's actually a sleeping potion," Harry said. "I have to go tell Saltina and Padma. Thanks Luna!" He sighed when she saw her sitting there sleeping. "Kreacher!"

"Master Harry?" Kreacher appeared in the mirror and was giving Luna an odd look.

"Put her to bed please, thank you," Harry said and he put the mirror down. "This might change things."

"How?" Susan asked.

"I don't know, but it's better to know than not," Harry said and left the office.

-0-

"You look more awake," Harry said fondly.

Luna snorted and hugged him, leaning against him comfortably. "I don't really like sleeping potions," she said. "Taste funny and the dreams are usually not very tasty either."

Harry had finally gotten back to Grimmauld, done with most of his work but was forced to leave by Kingsley and Gawain. There was still much to do in the aftermath of the battle, but he also realized he needed some time away. On the way back, he bought loads of take away Chinese food and was happy to see his collected friends and family waiting for him.

Everyone there had been startled to hear about the Battle of Diagon. Luckily no one worked near or at the Alley and while news of the battle had spread swiftly after it started, Harry had called Andromeda right after to let her know what had happened. That managed to calm everyone down and they were grateful for how things ended, especially that Harry and Ron had managed to escape without serious harm.

Of course George had been there and he had joined in with the other Diagon residents in defending their homes and livelihoods. He had told the other Weasleys afterwards and the news had traveled out from them, easing the worries of their friends. Same with Hannah at the Cauldron.

There was an impromptu dinner party celebration at Grimmauld that night. Molly and Arthur had come over with Ron, Charlie, George and Angelina, Bill and Fleur and Victoire, and Ginny and Neville. They ate and talked and laughed, glad for each other's company and wellbeing.

"How did you figure out it was a sleeping potion?" Ron asked as they sat and ate.

"I was titrating a sample out and Hermione said one of the parts smelled familiar to her," Luna explained.

Hermione nodded. "I thought one did and it turns out that it smelled like a sleeping potion that I prescribe here and there for patients that need it."

"With that, I did more testing and found that it mixes funny with the opium poppy," Luna said. "Which made the sleeping potion seem more like an anesthetic potion, which opium poppy traditionally has qualities of. Which shows appearances are rather deceiving."

"But since that isn't used as much in our potions, it's less known and recognized," Harry said. "I told Saltina and she confirmed your findings, and was very happy to learn that. Same with Padma. Great work." He smiled and hugged Luna again.

"Why'd you sound so loopy in the mirror?" Ron asked. "Accidentally drink some?"

Luna sniffed at him. "No, I did not. What I did do was accidentally inhale too much of the fumes and then spilled some on my hand and it turns out to be potent while absorbed, not just ingested and smelled. I'm glad I was cogent enough to inform Harry before I fell asleep."

"More like we're glad Harry knows how you think," Ron teased.

"Me too!" Luna smiled. She was the first to stop laughing. "It really is fascinating how things can change based on the quantities of the mixture. I always knew from paint of course, but it applies to everything really."

"That's what I said. You need the right ratio of soy, sesame oil, and vinegar to make a tasty sauce," Ron said, mixing said sauce. "Too much of one thing throws it all off."

"Should add some chili oil," Hermione smiled.

"No thank you," Ron said, holding a protective hand over his sauce bowl.

"Uncle Harry? What's wrong?" Phoebe asked, looking up at Harry.

Harry had his bowl up in one hand, chopsticks in the other, and only a moment ago was shoveling noodles into his mouth but had stopped, face pinched in thought. He swallowed thickly and continued to look at nothing in particular.

"Harry?" Teddy waved a hand in front of Harry's face. "Should I go get someone?" he asked worriedly, his hair shrinking back.

"Ratio," Harry repeated. "Ingredients. Deceiving."

"Yes," Hermione said slowly. "That's what we were talking about."

"There were sopophorous beans," Harry said, thinking hard. "In all the ingredients. And wormwood. And..." His eyes widened in horror and he stared at Ron. "No portrait!"

"Traces of pain potion and sleeping potion!" Ron cried, catching on. The others looked on with shock as Harry and Ron jumped up from the table and began to run.

"Padma!" Harry shouted into his mirror as they ran. "Ron, go get Padma and meet me there, bring a whole med team!" He threw his mirror at Ron who caught it and continued to run out of the room, speaking urgently into the mirror.

"Harry?! What's wrong?!" Hermione shouted after him.

"There's a chance she's not dead!" Harry shouted back as he ran as fast as he could.

-0-0-0-

LordLiberty - Hope the future is treating you well. Glad I can provide comfort and entertainment and hope the year treats you well...as well.

Lady of the Snakes - I'm a big fan of Warhammer and play myself and it's been lovely being able to mix two fandoms like this in a semi-plausible way. Also, thanks for the song rec, that was great. JT Music have done some awesome raps and they did a Space Marine 2 one.

TheSphynx - The Last one. Inquisitor is a title for a profession in Warhammer 40k. They are the only ones that can 'request' the help of a Space Marine so I thought it was the best way to convey that here.

FraySing - It was so much fun to be able to mix the two passions like this. Glad you liked it. It is also a hammer.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Yaxley is very much a POS. I like to think they made some reforms since the second war and that was one of them. Make them more proactive and protective. Thanks for reading.

Arnie1701 - It's a possibility yes.

odonnellzoo99 - Brother He'Stan is a Space Marine from Warhammer 40k. Basically very large post-human warrior. They operate in chapters and the Salamanders is best known for their genuine care for humanity and people, so it felt fitting here. Other than that, not much really. Just big fighty dude. Glad you liked the calendar. It rained here so we actually didn't have fireworks surprisingly.

iamchaos98 - Spess Muhreens. Glad you enjoy and Happy New Year. Glad you are still around.

alix33 - Felix has his own form of loyalty.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Figured it would be a cool edition to a duel/fight and be somewhat plausible. Yes, 17 chapters. Thank you, Happy New Year to you too.

choquain - I do love her as a character. Same to you.

poka - Luna would get up to so much trouble with the Cloak, before falling asleep in it. I try to have character's histories try to explain their actions and growth, glad you like it. I made sure to say it was one of the older pewter models so magic affecting metal makes more sense than plastic. You'll learn more this chapter regarding your last part.