16 Chapter 15.5

His girls had never wavered in their support of him, though Susan seemed to be sitting on the fence about a future with him again. He didn't press the issue with her. The majority of the school was also on his side. It wasn't like they were sentencing innocents to the prison, after all.

The Daily Prophet had tried smearing Marauders Inc., but it had failed miserably, when the editor in chief soon vanished, only to be delivered to the DMLE with a recorded confession stating that he habitually took bribes to pander to the needs of the ministry. It wasn't illegal to write what they wanted, but purposefully inciting their readers and taking bribes were both illegal.

The man had been sentenced by the tribunal, but because the article he had written demanded the closure of the prison, it had been deemed necessary to place him in Azkaban for the duration of his sentence of five years imprisonment. His perception soon changed, but he wasn't in a position to tell anyone about it. His replacement was so scared of getting similar treatment, he refused to accept any articles not backed up by proof, or at least the ability to point at someone else. There was also a retraction printed very shortly after the man was delivered to the DMLE, stating that it had been the opinion of the previous editor and an unnamed ministry official.

Everyone knew it was Fudge or one of his cronies who had arranged it, but it wasn't mentioned. The Minister was now treading very lightly, because the citizens had started realising, after more accurate reports of who were in prison, and what for, were printed in the Daily Prophet, that the wolves of Marauders Inc. were doing a marvellous job of protecting not only them, but their families and loved ones, too.

The larger majority of the school were half- or muggle-born students, so their backing was squarely behind Harry and his people. It surprised him, when he realised more than half of the pureblood students were behind him as well. He had seriously started thinking that most purebloods were in some way or form, corrupt or evil. It restored a little hope in him that the magical world may actually be worth saving.

Hermione's studies had advanced during the holiday and Harry was often seen helping her with her final year's mundane education, and some of his study group had even joined in, having seen the things Harry had made with his knowledge, even though they were starting at a lower level.

The films also helped. People in the school were realising that muggles weren't all that different from them. They had lives and loved ones, struggles and triumphs. They worked for a living and spent time with friends, played games and fought for love. And the more they saw, the more a desire to have access to the things the muggles had, grew.

Freedom to live and do so in the open, was never something magicals had. They always had to hide, never really part of the bigger world. But nobody's world was quite as big as the one Harry seemed part of, carved out through effort and sheer force of will. All done with a snarky smile on his face, while he did his own thing and strove to give them access to a world they now knew they wanted to know better.

Harry wasn't even aware of the reverence the others had. Well, he knew there was respect, especially when people were finally able to start buying the Comms.

The day after sales opened, by owl order, a few owls descended to some of the students during breakfast, all baring packages with a familiar logo of a Wolf and a Grimm howling, separated by a lightning-bolt that seemed to connect the Moon and the Earth.

Harry watched as those students excitedly opened their packages and took out their very own Comms. On each there were words.

'Before using the Communications Platform, or Comm, say your full name after tapping it with your wand. Then wait for this message to disappear. For full instructions see enclosed manual.'

There were some who actually struggled with those instructions and Harry just shook his head. Magicals were used to things just working. The idea of registering and needing to do things in a specific order was apparently still above the capabilities of some. Fortunately, he didn't need to step in, as there were enough muggle-raised around to have at least some logic.

The moment a device was registered, the display turned black, before showing a couple of small images. The idea of icons was something Mister Granger had told them about. They had modelled the idea on some things that he could do on his computer.

An icon that looked like the Comm itself would lead to a list of calls that had been made recently, though that started empty. At the current time, the network was still open, so anyone could call anyone. You could block someone if you wanted, though, since Harry didn't want to receive calls from just anyone. There was another icon that looked like a little face for recent video calls as well.

Another icon that looked like an owl, led to the messaging function, which would show you the subjects or names of the people that had messaged you. Mister Granger had contributed the idea of addressing and group functions by adding a 'To:' line at the top, with a space for a subject for the group or message. Adding that had finally allowed the study group to stop using their old white Comm Boards, which, up until then, had been the only way to talk to the entire group at once. A little star appeared next to the subject to show that there was something new, since you had last checked, too.

Only people who Harry added would be able to access either his private library or the one he had recently gifted to Madam Pince. She had been sceptical at first, but after Harry had shown her how to use the registration wand he had made to add books, with a bit of magic and saying the name of the book, she had soon become a believer. The strict older woman had smiled at him even, for the first time he could remember, in either timeline.

There were separate icons for those on Harry's and his study group's Comms, and they were still supposed to be secret. The Hogwarts Library's 'Library Interface' tablets and the actual connecting device, which was a book, which would display the names of the books as they were added, were left with Madam Pince to secure and explain the use of to the students, after another demonstration. Madam Pince had even been given a private Library Interface, for her personal use.

The Hogwarts Library Index was still filling up, on a daily basis, and Harry had been called in once or twice, when it turned out there were books that had protections against being duplicated. He'd been able to bypass the protections after a bit of effort, since his spell didn't actually duplicate the books. Instead they read the linked books from wherever they were. Realising this, Madam Pince had asked if Harry could add a way for her to know when a book was written in or vandalised, but he didn't have something like that unfortunately. She'd still need to protect her books herself.

Of course, she wanted the restricted section protected, but added as well, to keep children from actually entering the section. He had needed to update her Library Index with a hidden section and link her personal Library Interface to it so she could see the books and/or give students access, where she could keep an eye on them and it. That had taken a few days as well.

By the time the school year ended, Harry had made so many changes to update the way the school functioned, not even the Purebloods had issues with him. The children of convicted offenders had been given the chance to go visit their parents in prison, and had seen that they were treated fairly. They even had access to a cinema, which people could visit for good behaviour.

There were a few cases, where both of a kid's parents were in prison, but Lupin Penitentiary was not segregated by sex, and parents could visit with their children in a designated location together. There was even a Comm station, where people could take calls, but not make them. Special permission was needed to make calls and all calls were monitored by making them video calls, so that the guards could hear both ends of a conversation.

The children that had no families left were handled by the ministry, so Harry and Marauder's Inc. had no say in what happened to them. They were still considering allowing those families to accept Unbreakable Vows to allow them to go home and serve out their sentences from there, with no outside contact, except for their children. The wording on such a vow would be very important, so it was still being discussed. The current thought was to set up a document, which would have all the conditions and then have them swear to follow the rules set out by the document. The Goblins were currently in charge of setting such a document up, because they had a certain eye for loopholes.

The school year ended with a surprise fireworks display in the Great Hall and Gryffindor house was docked enough points to move from second place, after the Ravenclaws, into third, after the Hufflepuffs. McGonagall had been upset enough to assign the Weasley twins to detention for the first week of the next semester. Harry had surprised everyone, by sitting by the teacher's table, saying that he was the flying instructor after all. Most people just smiled and shook their heads.

"How are you feeling Professor Snape?" Harry asked. "Any chance you feel an imminent death coming on?"

"I'm fine." Snape said in clipped tones.

"Oh, that's good." Harry said. "I'd hate to lose such a good defence teacher to the 'curse'." he mimed inverted commas.

"You slept through all my classes, Black. How would you even know?" Snape asked.

"Did any of your spells ever hit?" Harry countered.

Snape said nothing and continued with his meal, knowing the boy was just riling him up.

"It seems that the curse is finally broken, after that fraud, Lockhart, survived the year." Madam Pomfrey said.

"Technically, he didn't get away unscathed." McGonagall said with a satisfied smile. "The wolves arrested him shortly after leaving the castle, as I understand it."

"We tried to get him to tell us who he obliviated, but he seems to have obliviated himself, so that he could not be forced to out himself. He knew what he had done, but not to whom." Harry said.

"Bastard." Professor Sprout said. She had been a fan, until she was told. "I hope he gets what he deserves in that prison."

"All prisoners are afforded their basic human rights and protections." Harry said. "We don't make things personal."

"Being in prison and unable to sell more lies, will have to do." Professor Sprout grumbled.

"His sentence will be finished in another year." Harry said. "He didn't kill or physically hurt anyone as far as we know. Selling books isn't illegal either, even if the stories aren't his own."

"Maybe he'll write a book about his experience in prison and how that changed him, when he comes out?" Dumbledore suggested. "That is the point of prison, after all. To change people for the better?"

"It'll be the first book he writes based on actual experience, then." Harry said.

"What are your plans for this holiday, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, changing the subject.

"I'm spending a bit of time on the moon with Remus tomorrow." Harry said. "I have a couple of things to try."

"But tomorrow is the full moon." McGonagall said. "Are you that certain you have something that might work?"

"I have several things to try, and I'll need him to be in a position to transform so that I can try and counter it with what I've found." Harry said.

"What were you thinking?" Dumbledore asked.

"That's a secret." Harry said. "But not a trade secret… yet."

"Could I accompany you?" Dumbledore tried. "I would like to speak to Tom, and find out how he's doing."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Well, if he's regretting his actions…" Dumbledore trailed off, at Harry's dead-eyed stare.

"No." Harry said. "Regret doesn't fix the past. He doesn't get the opportunity to repent for what he did and wanted to do. Even if he decides to change his ways, and he means it, he'd still not be allowed from his prison. If he ever does show remorse, he'll ask me to destroy him, and even then I don't know if I'll do it. Not before I'm old and grey."

"So, you'll be his executioner?" Dumbledore asked with a raised eyebrow. He could understand not forgiving the monster, but being so vindictive didn't suit Harry's character.

"He's already dead." Harry said. "You know that, right? He's little more than a ghost at this point. He has no body to return to. If his items are destroyed, his soul goes on to whatever comes after death."

"I'm not arguing that." Dumbledore said. "I would just hope that you'd be spared having to do the deed yourself."

"His protections are set up in such a way that, even if I die, he will never be found." Harry said. "His only hope is that I don��t die, before finishing him off."

"Let us forget my checking up on him." Dumbledore said finally, holding his hand up in surrender. "I'd still like to accompany you. If you end up curing lycanthropy, it will be worth witnessing."

"I can likely already cure it." Harry said. "I'm just trying to control the transformation." He'd already considered the possibility. It would take time, but if he wanted, he could cure them all with the method they currently had, before the full moon, and, if he got them all, the curse shouldn't be able to re-assert itself.

"Harry plans on becoming a wolf himself one day." McGonagall said. "He's been forbidden, unless he can control the transformation."

"Merlin!" Pomona Sprout said. "Surely you are joking!"

"She's not, and neither am I." Harry said. "If we can control the transformation, it won't be a curse anymore."

"But, the stigma? And you'll be putting all your friends and family in danger if your solution ever fails." Sprout said.

"I'll just have to make sure it doesn't then." Harry said with a shrug.

"I don't like the idea myself, since Harry is the only one that can possibly remove the curse." Madam Pomfrey said. "But, if he can prove to me that it will never harm him or those closest to him, and has proven his solution works for a couple of years, I'll be more inclined to allow it."

"I do have reasons to succeed in this. Some of my other projects hinge on my completing this project." Harry said.

Dumbledore hadn't known about the boy's plan to willingly infect himself. Before that happens he'd have to talk some sense into the boy, but he'd try and arrange that he accompanies the boy anyway. "So, can you see your way to keeping a seat open for me?" he asked again. "I'll monitor the ship like I did last time." he offered.

"That's another thing." Harry said. "I still need to work on some kind of proper long distance monitoring solution. Moving at massive speeds in the void of space and only reacting after something hits the ship is not a good idea. I want to be able to avoid things in the first place."

"I could try and help you come up with something." Professor Flitwick said. "I do have a bit of experience with charms and magic, after all." he added with a smirk. He loved the experience in space. If he could add to protections for the boy, that would be a useful and productive way to spend his holiday.

Harry looked at the small man, then nodded. "I think I'd like that. I'm no charms master, after all."

"Don't sell yourself short, young man. I know of your true capabilities and you're no slouch." Flitwick said. "I still have a couple of years' experience on you, though."

"I could help?" Dumbledore offered. "I've been known to tinker at making items with special properties and abilities."

"Were they ever useful?" Harry asked.

"That depends on your perspective." Dumbledore allowed. "Sometimes they are only useful to let me know that something won't work."

"Like Thomas Edison." Harry allowed.

"Who?" Dumbledore asked.

"There's a story about the man who made the first light bulb." Harry explained. "Apparently he tried a hundred different designs before he found one that worked. When asked about his failures he said he doesn't consider them failures. He successfully found ways that it wouldn't work. Or something like that."

"Learning from your past endeavours." Dumbledore nodded. "This Edison must have been a wise man."

"In his own way, I suppose." Harry allowed, thinking of what he'd learned about Edison and Tesla. "What are your plans for the holiday, headmaster? Not planning any international events that I'll be forced to take part in, I hope?" he asked then.

"I'm sure I don't know what you are referring to." Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling at him.

"Oh, really?" Harry asked. "So I can just announce that the Tri-"

"Stop." Dumbledore said, lifting a hand. "Fine. There will be an event, but I assure you, I'll take every precaution I can to protect the students, including yourself."

"I hope you succeed, because if my name comes out of that goblet as some sort of fourth competitor, I'll be destroying it, to break its magic." Harry warned.

"You'd destroy a priceless artefact for the sake of a couple of events that you could likely win with the slightest effort?" Dumbledore asked, with a raided eyebrow.

"I dislike the idea of the school turning against me for something I didn't want in the first place." Harry said. "That should be self-explanatory."

"And you have no interest in competing fairly?" Dumbledore asked.

"If I were chosen fairly, I'd have to enter myself, wouldn't I?" Harry asked. "Since I feel I have an unfair advantage, I'd not likely do that."

"What unfair advantage?" Professors Burbage, the muggle studies teacher asked. "We know you're ahead, but you worked for that advantage." All the professors had an idea now, with Harry mentioning the Goblet choosing names.

"And everyone knows that." Dumbledore added with a slight smile. It would be what everyone believed, after all. He'd have to sit the professors all down and ask them not to speculate or speak of said speculations.

The conversation tapered off at that point, since Harry had done what he had come to do. Some professors suspected they knew, with the clues that were revealed. He had a feeling that he'd get pulled into the event in some way or form, but hoped not to have the school turn against him this time, so he hoped he could perform some other function, like add security, or a way to actually see the competitors after the first task.

The students soon left for the train and Harry had fun levitating his entire group up and flying them to take their usual seat before anyone else could reach the train. There was an impromptu meeting to check up on everyone's wandless magic, and Harry was happily surprised that they were all making decent progress. Simple first-year spells were already mastered by all, but it was slow going during the school year, since they had a lot of other work. That didn't mean that they didn't plan on practicing during the holiday in private.

Neville, strangely, was the most advanced out of those that had started practicing that year. Harry had thought Padma or one of the Slytherin girls would be in the lead, being the most intelligent behind Hermione, but it turned out he just had a knack for it, a natural affinity even. Perhaps confidence had a part in learning this?

Harry had kept his word and taught the Weasley twins how to practice the skill too, after promising to keep the trick to themselves, under threat of obliviation. They were struggling though, probably because they were busy with their OWL year.

Harry had even taught Luna how to practice and she was quickly catching up to Neville with her skill. During the trip, Neville excused himself, to go say goodbye to some friends and Harry just smirked, knowing Hannah and he had spent more time together this year, often during duelling club sessions, which had gone so well this time, with Flitwick there, that there was a waiting list already for the next year.

The farewells were slightly less emotional this year, since many students now owned Comms. Those that had them, simply told their friends that they'd be in contact soon and left. Harry suspected more students would have them, come September first, considering the ability to stay in contact with their families. Especially with the notice of updates that had been sent out to all the Comms on the network, including rentable features, such as subscriptions to newspapers, including both the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler. Payments were still made by owl, but now it was only once a month and slightly cheaper. The papers had needed to modify their articles to be read on the devices, but that was done easily, by having someone print the articles separately and placing them in a book, which functioned as the updating device, with dates separating the releases.

Harry hugged his girls goodbye and saw them all to their parents, who had conveniently gathered together, even Augusta Longbottom was there, chatting with one of the other parents and pointing at the Comm in her hand. It seemed she was discussing the recent addition of a mute function, which had been added so that you don't hear the sound of a new message while you were busy. It had become necessary, since the professors were confiscating the things for the interruptions in class.

Speaking of which, it seems that they had had the forethought to ban the devices during exams as well, knowing how useful such things would be for cheating. The kids that hadn't thought of it laughed at the few students that had worked it out and were relying on it for better grades. One had even gone so far as saying if the information was available on them at all times, it shouldn't be considered cheating, because they could simply call it up again if they ever needed it. There were a few students, as a result, who weren't looking forward to receiving their scores for that first exam.

When Harry arrived home, he greeted his family and spent the first night catching up. Bill was spending the day with his own family. They had been busy and Bill had ended up making all the devices. Fortunately he'd gotten quite proficient at making many of each particular part, spending a couple of days making hundreds of them and then he'd move on to the next part. By doing so, he'd been able to produce a few hundred a month, which Harry would then dutifully place his protections on over the weekends. As a result of performing the action hundreds of times every week, he'd gotten quite proficient himself, at adding said protections.

There was a bit of tension in the air, since the next day was the first night of the full moon and Harry would be spending the night on the moon with Remus, Sirius, Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, Bill and Dumbledore. Harry had originally only planned on taking Remus, Sirius and Bill, but having heard his conversation with Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall insisted.

Harry would still need to spend time putting the runes and spells he had worked out, to do what he wanted, on the cage Remus would be kept in for the beginning of the visit. The reason they were going to the Moon, was to keep Remus there for as long as possible, during the three day period, for testing purposes, if necessary.

The next morning, Harry started his work. He'd worked out everything in advance and he'd already constructed the steel cage on a prior visit home. So it was that three hours later, Harry went down to the living room, with the shrunken cage in a pocket. He saw the professors, his family and Bill gathered and drinking tea, waiting for him.

"Good morning, sleepy-head." Sirius mocked.

"Sod off Padfoot. You know I've been working since before you even got out of bed." Harry rebutted.

"Why the mood?" Bill asked, with a small smile.

"Nerves?" Madam Pomfrey asked, with a bit of concern. The boy was about to do something dangerous. If he was nervous, perhaps they should wait for the next full moon.

"Just a little." Harry said. "I'm not worried about Remus, but if I don't succeed now, I don't know where I would start next time. I've pored all of my research into this. Everything I could think of. If nothing on this cage keeps him from transforming, I don't think I'll be able to stop the transformations."

"Are you sure you want to do this today?" Remus asked, a little nervous himself. Harry didn't want him to drink wolfsbane potion, in case it interfered with his test.

"No better time, Remus." Harry said, with a sigh. Then he squared his shoulders. "Okay, let's do this."

"Right now?" Remus asked, suddenly worried. "Can't we wait an hour or something?"

"The moon waits for no man, Moony." Sirius said. "Let's get this over with, so that you never have to fear a stupid white ball again."

Harry led them through the vanishing room and to his ship. Once on-board, Harry took the cage out of a pocket and un-shrunk it. Remus sighed, but stepped into the cage meant to protect his family from him. Harry locked the cage and activated all its magical effects. For the purposes of the experiment, he needed to switch them off and on, so that he could test which of his theories worked and which didn't.

Bill walked to the Captain's seat and started lifting them up. The professors hadn't seen the controls at the captain's seat before, but Bill looked like he was in complete control.

They were soon in the garage, but the door was still open.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Bill asked Harry, who hadn't gone to sit down. Bill's control of the system was so smooth, Harry didn't even feel the movement.

"I am." Harry said. "You, Moony?"

"If this fails, we're coming right back, right?" Remus asked.

"That's the idea." Harry said. He looked at Bill, then, and nodded. Bill nodded back and closed the door with a control built for it. Nothing happened with Remus. "You're still okay?" Harry asked.

"I don't feel like anything is happening." Remus said.

Bill opened the garage again and they could see the surface of the moon, the Earth and the Sun, which made sense, considering the direction Harry had pointed the house. Harry watched Remus closely, for any sign of something wrong, but then nodded at Bill, who slowly took them out and landed them by the railing. Harry led the group out, levitating the cage in front of himself, so that he could continue to monitor Moony.

"Is this right, so far?" Dumbledore asked. He was worried too, even if he had quite a bit of faith in Harry's abilities.

"So far, so good." Harry confirmed.

"Do we need to wait for full moon or something?" Dumbledore asked.

"It's already full moon, Professor." Harry said. "The Earth revolves, which makes it look like the moon is rising and setting, while the moon only revolves around the Earth every 27.3 days. A werewolf on the moon, with only protection against the elements it would expose him to, would be a wolf for three full days."

Dumbledore hadn't known that. "So, your protections are already working?" he asked.

"It is possible that something else causes the wolf to transform, but one of my protections may have worked." Harry said. "We'll soon find out." He turned to Remus, "And congratulations, Moony. You're the first wolf on the moon, during the full-moon."

"Beats howling at it, doesn't it?" Sirius said with a quirked eyebrow and a smirk.

Remus didn't respond. He still wasn't comfortable. As they walked into the house and Harry placed the cage down, he said, "I don't like your being so far from the ship. If you need to escape me, it would be better to be close to it. Leave me here for the duration and then come back, or something."

"Oh, relax." Harry said. "Do you really think you could hurt me, even while transformed?"

"He has a point, Moony." Sirius said. "I doubt you'd be able to hurt anyone here."

"Harry has my full faith as well." Bill said. "If anyone besides me knows curses, it's him."

"Fine, but if I do somehow lose control and get out, apparate to the ship and leave me, okay?" Remus asked. "Promise me." he insisted, looking straight at Harry.

"Well, technically, you will likely start transforming as I test what is or isn't affecting you." Harry said. "Only if you don't change back for some reason, will I consider leaving, but then you're coming with us."

Remus looked at Sirius then, when Harry wouldn't promise to leave him. Sirius sighed, but nodded very slightly. He'd take Harry if needs be. "Thank you." he said.

"Okay, everyone get comfortable. This next part will take some time." Harry said. The guests all sat down and Sirius went to go make some tea.

"Can you tell us what you're doing?" Dumbledore said, as Harry focussed on the cage and started fiddling with the magics.

"If you need to know.��� Harry shrugged. "During the full moon a couple of things happen. There are superficial effects, physical ones and also, recently discovered, magnetic and electric, and possibly magical. During the normal rotation of the moon it affects the tides with its gravity, so we know it has a physical effect. During the full moon, the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the planet, basically pulling at it in two different directions.

"Gravity could be the issue, so there are runes on the cage to affect Remus's gravity, making him slightly heavier. Nothing he should notice, but enough to counter anything that might be affecting his physiology. If that's the cause, it would also be affected by being on the moon, so I doubt that's it. I still need to test. I'll be switching those off now." Harry said. He had been checking that everything was as it should be and, having confirmed that, he disabled the runes.

Remus looked around apprehensively, but nothing seemed to happen. "That didn't seem to do anything." he said out loud.

"That's one theory down." Harry said. "Another theory was the effect of actually seeing the moon or experiencing the light of the sun being reflected off the moon, while under the effect of the gravitational pull."

"But I used to transform without seeing the moon, as well." Remus said.

"And you're also experiencing the sun, right now." Harry said. "The planet's pull is also less here, so for that part of the test it would be best to be back home, but for now I have a couple of other tests to run. I'll be affecting the electricity and magnetic waves around you next. It has to do with something that happens during a full moon, where the moon is hidden behind the planet and in its magnetic protection."

"Magnetic protection?" Dumbledore asked. McGonagall and Pomfrey were quiet, watching closely for any need to act.

"The Earth has many forms of protection. One of them affects the moon during the full moon and allows the moon���s exosphere to generate both electricity and plasma, which was observed by Apollo astronauts. This effect along with radiation and light affects the Earth and the ionosphere of the Earth. Basically a small amount of energy moves between the Earth and the moon during a full moon.

"My protections has a couple of fields that protects from such things, no matter how small or insignificant, that could possibly affect the physiology of a werewolf. Removing these protections, along with the gravitational pull of the Earth, Sun and Moon, could potentially affect your lycanthropy, so I need to slowly affect them and nullify the fields. This will take me a while to do slowly, so that I can get a proper read on how much of an effect is necessary to protect properly from it, should it be the cause." Harry finished as he adjusted all his fields, one at a time, very slightly every time and looking for a reaction.

Nothing happened by the end of an hour and Harry sighed. He'd really have loved if that was the cause. "The fields protecting from the plasmatic exchange is all gone. Next, I have to focus on chemicals in the air. The moon has a very specific make-up with some prominent elements. They, in turn, affect the plasmatic exchange. I'll switch those protections off next and then start the process again with the plasmatic protections."

Harry's tests took him another while, but by the end of it, that too didn't affect the change. "Damnit!" Harry said. "That leaves only two things."

"What?" Remus asked.

"The moon has its own magical discharge, which flows along with the plasmatic exchange, or werewolves don't change on the moon." Harry said.

"That doesn't make sense." Bill said. "If it is magic, then it would be present on the moon and he should change."

"But not if it has something to do specifically with the effect of the moon, at night, with the other things and magic. If this last test fails, we'll have to do all of them on the Earth as well, with the full moon out." Harry said.

"Is that a problem?" Dumbledore asked, not understanding.

"If I could figure it out here, we'd be in control and could take him home, to enjoy the full moon for the first time in decades." Harry said. "We need a test environment that is under our control. The moon was perfect."

"Well, you still have your last test, right?" Remus said. "Maybe it will work?"

"If it works, we'll still need to test it on Earth, considering all the other factors I've just discounted, because I can't think nobody has tried it." Harry explained.

"What is it?" Dumbledore asked.

"A shielding spell that protects from low levels of magical interference." Harry said. "Basically it stops a person from absorbing environmental magic, like what all magicals do to recover spent magic."

"There's a spell to stop a person from recovering their magic?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"There wasn't." Harry conceded. "But it was so simple to make, I can't honestly believe that is stopping the transformation."

"Only one way to find out, Harry." Sirius said. He could very easily believe that that would be the case. Magicals aren't smart enough to think of something as simple as a spell like that, nor to make one that stops a person from recharging their power. Why would they want to?

Harry sighed, but nodded. "Okay, Remus. This one doesn't have a setting for lowering it slowly. I'll be cancelling the spell on the cage and adding it again quickly. In that short timeframe, you'll be exposed to the Moon's magical energy, if such a thing exists. If you start changing, we'll have to wait for the energy to dissipate, before you will change back. I honestly don't know how much energy would be affecting you, or how long."

Remus just nodded and braced himself. It had been more than two years since his last transformation. And he had no wolfsbane on him either. This could be unpleasant.

Harry looked around him and noted everyone was at the ready, before he quickly dispelled the shielding spell and then cast it again.

In that second, Remus felt something happen. He heard the wolf howl as it surged forward, trying to manifest. His bones started to ache in preparation for the change, but then the surge faded as quickly as it had come. The ache was still in his bones, but it dissipated as the power of the moons' apparent magic was spent on trying to start the change.

Harry had noted the panic on Remus's face, but then nothing seemed to happen. "What's going on, Remus? Are you okay?" he asked.

"It was happening." Remus said. "I could feel the wolf coming. My body started trying to change, but then it just stopped." He looked up at Harry with shock clearly written on his face. "You did it." he said in a whisper. "You can control the change."

There was silence for a couple of moments. Then Harry swore, "Fuck!"

"Language!" McGonagall objected, leaving her stupor. Had Harry actually done it? Why, then, was he upset?

"Why are you upset?" Madam Pomfrey asked, mirroring McGonagall's thought. "If you truly have a way of blocking the change, you've done what you set out to do."

"Because, if I want to be a wolf, that means I have to spend each full moon without the ability to recharge my magic." Harry said. "That's a distinct disadvantage."

"That's a small price!" Remus said, suddenly excited. "Most people would just sleep!"

"And what if someone casts a finite at you, while you sleep?" Harry asked. "You'd not be able to defend yourself and turn into a monster, waking up the next day, having done things you couldn't stop. I can't guarantee the safety of my family and friends, if I can't defend them when people attack, for fear they could dispel the only protection I have."

There was silence as people considered that. A simple dispelling charm could make you a monster worse than those who attacked.

"You could always curse yourself." Bill said, after some thought.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, looking at him.

"You said the shielding spell was simple, right? Easy to cast?" Bill asked. Harry nodded. "Then making a family curse from it, should be relatively easy, too. Curse yourself to not be able to recharge your magic during the full moon, and nobody could easily dispel it. It would be part of you, like the lycanthropy."

"Could it be that simple?" Remus asked. "Make a curse that defends from another curse?"

"Two wrongs don't make a right." Dumbledore said, still considering it. To specify a curse to work during a full moon specifically, would require a great amount of knowledge and… research. Harry knew more about the moon and its apparent energies than anyone!

"But two negatives can make a positive." Harry countered. The idea had potential. "We could even call it a family charm or blessing, considering the application. We'll have to test it… but I suppose it holds the potential to solve this problem." He nodded then and a small smile broke out on his face. "Good idea Bill. Remind me to give you a raise."

"I'm already the best paid curse-breaker in the country, Harry. You don't need to do that." Bill said, with a smirk. He still couldn't believe Harry had just done what he had.

"Can you teach others your spell?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"I'm sure you can understand why I don't want to do that, right?" Harry asked. "A shield is meant to protect. A spell like this could be cast on a sick patient and, without their magic recharging, it could kill them."

"We'll have to limit knowledge about the existence of such a spell then." Dumbledore said, agreeing with Harry's statement. There was a possibility that someone could abuse this knowledge.

"If people suspected its effect, and it really was simple to create, they'd be creating it themselves." Madam Pomfrey said with a nod. "Knowing this spell, though, could potentially save lives as well. Werewolves would no longer be a threat to people and they could potentially live normal lives."

"The wolves already live normal lives." Harry said. "Now we can just start working on relieving the inconvenience that accompanies the full moon."

"If you struggle to come up with a way to apply this as a curse, or charm, you could always spell their bikes and dorms?" Remus suggested.

"I don't know about that." Harry said. "The couriers already spend so much time on the bikes. I wouldn't want them collared to them during full moons. The dorms make more sense, but also has its downsides. The Veela, for example, also need access to magical regeneration, not to mention the other employees. It would be pointless as well, since the dorms currently work, because the carers are up during the day, while the wolves sleep. I'd not take that protection away from them."

"Has your business expanded?" Dumbledore asked.

"We're always expanding." Remus said. "As word spreads, more werewolves and disenfranchised muggleborn come out of the works. Almost all the Veela are looking for places to be useful, since they are treated fairly and with respect for the services they provide, while the wolves and other workers rest."

"Just how many people do you have working for you?" Dumbledore asked.

"Wouldn't you love to know?" Sirius asked with a smirk. Then he turned to Harry. "So, can you cast the shield on him and get him out of there?" he asked, pointing at the cage.

"I already did." Harry said. "The cage isn't even locked anymore."

Remus tried the door and instantly opened it. Then he picked Harry up in his arms and gave him the hug he so thoroughly deserved. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me!" he exclaimed.

"Hey!" Sirius objected. "James and I became Animagi to keep you company!"

"But you didn't enable me to start helping both myself and the rest of the werewolves of the world." Remus countered, still refusing to put Harry down as he hugged him. "With this, the pack will want to give you a bike of your own!"

"I've got that covered." Sirius said with a proud smile. He'd had some experience and he had made a flying bike of his own, in his time. He may have been in contact with a certain Weasley tinkerer about some of the features he'd put on his own magical means of conveyance, as well. If the prototypes worked out, the wolves of Marauders Inc. may one day soon take to the skies and be even more efficient.

Arthur had been more than willing to help, especially when he realised that he was being paid as a consultant already, and better than he earned at the ministry, too. He hadn't decided to leave his job, though, finding it quite useful to be in that position to keep certain people from moving against Marauders Inc. Like when the Floo Company started pushing for the Comm devices to be classified as spelled muggle artefacts, when people started calling them portable Floo devices.

They had not succeeded, but Marauders Inc. had assured the company that they didn't intend to start a personal transportation company as well. Marauders Inc. didn't want to piss anyone off, and tried to be as accommodating as possible. That was why they had approached the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler. Enriching their competition, or the people who might be swayed to bring political or economic pressure to bear, would only safeguard the magical branch of their business.

"Have you been making illegal muggle artefacts again?" Harry asked, with a knowing smile, as Remus finally put him down.

"It's not illegal if they don't catch you." Sirius said, ignoring the look the Professors and Bill were giving him. Then he turned and started walking out of the house.

"If it's illegal when they catch you, it's illegal when they don't." Remus called after him.

Sirius ignored him. "Hey Harry? Why don't we put down a lawn and a swimming pool or something?" he asked. "I'm sure the girls would enjoy drifting in the water and looking up at the stars, wouldn't they?"

Harry shrunk the cage, pocketing it, and walked after the man, asking, "You're not planning on being a pervert, are you?"

"Not in the slightest!" Sirius denied. "Well, at least not yet. They're at least five or six years too young for me to think of that way."

"Try two decades!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.

Harry chuckled at the obvious joke, as he looked around the hidden property, while he walked to the ship, followed by the rest of the people. The sun was fully on them, but Harry's protections protected from both radiation and flying objects, like meteorites, all while maintaining a comfortable temperature. "Maybe." he allowed. "But going to Hermione's house has become something of a tradition."

"When's that scheduled for?" McGonagall asked, with a look of interest. Harry suddenly realised that she was probably hoping to go shopping again. She had enjoyed the previous trip, after all. She probably wanted to make sure nothing inappropriate happened, too. They were reaching that age, after all. Harry had also noticed a couple of instances where a look and a blush occurred, when he made eye-contact.

"Why, professor McGonagall," Harry said, smirking at her as she walked past him by the door of the ship, "if I didn't know any better, I'd think you wanted to go visit that gown store I saw you looking at, while we were at the shopping centre last time."

"Gown store?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"It's a store for clothing for formal events and caters to people in need of everything from gowns to tuxedos." Harry said. "Professor McGonagall looked like she wanted to go in, but the girls were already making a bee-line for the exit." McGonagall didn't dignify the statement with a response. Instead she went to go take a seat. "Don't worry, we'll make a stop there this time. There's a ball coming up, remember?"

"You're planning on going?" Sirius asked.

���It's a ball." Harry said. "Do you think any of the ladies would forgive me if I didn't go?"

"But, it's Christmas!" Sirius said.

"We can still do Christmas lunch. We just have to be back for the ball." Harry said.

"Everyone ready?" Bill asked from the captain's seat, as he closed and sealed the hatch. There were nods all around and soon they were back home. The tests had taken quite a bit of time and it was past lunch-time already. Dobby had already prepared something under the direction of Kreacher, who had found he really like having the younger, more energetic elf around, once he got used to the idea.

The professors decided to stay until the moon was out, as Harry still needed to confirm that the spell worked on Earth. Shortly before the moon was set to rise, Remus's Comm rang.

"Remus Lupin here." Remus answered with his Comm to his ear. After a moment he said, "Oh, sorry Daniels. I forgot to tell you. Harry is using me for a test." There was silence again for a bit, then, "No, we tested it successfully already on the moon. Harry just wants to be certain it works here too." There was more silence, then Remus chuckled, "I'd suggest you keep it to yourself for now. If this last test is a success, let's let Harry be the one to announce it." … "I'm quite secure. Harry spelled the cage himself." … "Okay, Daniels. I'll call you when we're done, hopefully with some good news." Then he put the Comm away.

"Is Daniels your babysitter now?" Harry asked.

"It's his job." Remus said. "He's head of security for a reason. We don't want any accidents, after all. There's a list of people to keep track of. If anyone isn't where they are supposed to be, we call and make sure they are still coming, or safe."

"And the test was a success." Sirius said, looking out the window at the newly risen moon. "Congratulations Moony!" he cried then and pulled the man into a hug, as he approached to see the first full moon since he was bitten as a child, without transforming at least.

"Congratulations, Remus." Dumbledore said with a genuine smile. "And to you, Harry. This is a historic event!"

Madam Pomfrey ran a couple of tests, to ensure he wasn't in a strange mind-set or anything, and confirmed that he was himself.

McGonagall had a thoughtful look, though. "Do you suppose, without the influence of the moon, that he could become an Animagus now?" she asked.

"We'd have to get the charm on him first." Harry said. "What should we call it?"

"The anti-werewolf curse-curse?" Bill tried.

"Magic exclusion barrier charm?" Dumbledore said.

"The Black Blood Blessing." Sirius put in.

"Ooh!" Harry said. "I like it! But let's add Lupine in there, for the wolves. The Lupine Black Blood Blessing."

"Fine." Sirius sighed. "At lease the family name goes on this one. Probably the first family curse in history, intended to do actual good."

There was a celebration, of course, and everyone had a late night, discussing where to go from there. They discussed how to go about creating the magic, and different potential options were mentioned, but Harry wanted to do this his way, meaning he'd do it by trial and error. He had a whole grimoire filled with different family magics, some of which weren't even curses. One of the families even had a process by which to create new spells, which was more of a ritual-style magic.

Daniels had told the wolves that Harry was testing some things at a secret location, so that nobody would suspect they had found a solution. Harry intended to only release the information once he had the new family magic down and ready to apply. For now, things would carry on as normal.

The first week soon flew by and Harry was working on understanding how one ritual worked, while Hermione, who was visiting and studying the last part of her own high-school curriculum, sat nearby making notes, when his Comm rang. He really needed to add some way to see who was calling, since he only knew he had a call at this point, and if the person had been blocked. Only when you made a call, would it store the call in the history section with a name.

"Harry speaking." Harry said.

"Good day, Mister Black." came the familiar voice of Prime Minister, John.

"Mister Minister! Um, good day. How are you doing?" Harry asked, slightly shocked. Okay, his next project was making it so he knew who was calling. Hermione's own mouth was hanging open.

"I'm fine, and you?" John asked with a note of humour in his voice.

"I'm doing very well, thank you." Harry said, having regained his calm. "How can I help you, sir?"

"I'm simply calling to find out how your preparations are going." John said. "Have you had any success with the wolves?"

"Well, yes, actually." Harry said. "I found something that worked. I'm sorry to say that the solution was an entirely magical one. The information you got me did help with the hypothesis, though."

"That's excellent news! I'm glad I could contribute to your success." John said. "Her Majesty will be delighted to hear of your progress!"

"The Queen knows?" Harry asked. Somehow, he had thought the Queen would know about the magical world, but not about him personally.

"Of course!" John said. "I couldn't not mention you. You're pioneering things that will put Britain a cut above the rest."

"Not that anyone can find out about it, of course." Harry reminded the man.

"Of course." John said easily. "So, you're saying I'll be able to call in the wolves during the full moon, from now on?" he asked.

"I'm still working on a fool-proof plan for application." Harry said. "We can't have any accidents happen, after all."

"Yes, that makes sense." John allowed. "Tell me, do you know what time-frame we can expect?"

"I've already got a couple of leads that I'm following up." Harry said. "I should have the beginnings of a plan in place within the next week. Application could take a couple of months, though."

"That quick?" John asked. The last full moon was a week ago. The boy worked fast, it seemed.

"Well, I do have social obligations." Harry said, smiling at Hermione.

"Ah, I see. You've got plans for next week?" John asked.

"No, sir." Harry said. "I meant to say, I'm not spending all my time on the research. I'm seeing my friends every other day. We've been meeting at each other's houses and I'm apparently the car-service, travelling between Mumbai and around the UK. Arranging legal portkeys can become a little expensive and we don't want people to know where we always are, in case there are undesirables in the wrong departments."

"You fly to Mumbai in your spacecraft recreationally?" John asked, ignoring the legal portkey statement. "Isn't the fuel for such a thing expensive?"

"It can be," Harry lied, "but nothing is too good for my ladies and friends."

"Do you have a chaperone, or do you take these trips on your own?" John asked.

"For the sake of propriety and security, I always have one of the security wolves or one of my guardians with me. I don't really need it for protection, since the ship is capable of stealth." Harry admitted.

"Stealth?" John asked. "You can make things invisible?"

"Have you ever seen the film Predator, sir?" Harry asked. "What we do isn't really invisibility. It's more like the alien from that movie."

"I believe I did catch a bit of that film." John said. "So, it's more like a chameleon, then?" he asked.

"Something like that, sir." Harry agreed. "Just, when you're flying high enough, all anyone can see is the sky or more clouds, so it's near invisible enough."

"Still, a very useful ability." John said. "And the power requirements on such a thing?"

"I power those myself, sir." Harry said. "Only a magical can maintain such a spell."

"I see." John said. It was unfortunate, but it couldn't be helped. "Still, I'm glad you're taking precautions. We can't risk you being taken or attacked, after all."

"Your concern means a lot, sir." Harry said.

"Yes, well…" John trailed off. He didn't want to seem too eager, after all. "So, we can schedule a meeting for three weeks from now, then?"

"Of course, sir." Harry said. "Would this be about the proposal?" he asked.

"I did manage to shake loose a few people, who would be willing and capable of accompanying you to deliver certain packages." John said modestly. "We've yet to set up a proper way of commercially selling your services, though. Space travel is monitored globally, so people usually know when someone is capable of delivering packages. Stating different, even using shell companies, would make people ask some inconvenient questions."

"I understand." Harry said. "One would likely need to actually purchase space on a rocket and then sell the space to multiple companies, to make it at least look like we have the capability."

John was quiet for a moment, as he considered it. That was actually a good idea. "You came up with this?" he asked.

"One of my guardians considers himself a master prankster. He thinks of things like that because subterfuge is part of his skillset." Harry said. It wasn't really a lie. Sirius hadn't thought of it, since he knew nothing about such things. Harry had had the idea while he was considering how to do exactly as he had told John in their first meeting. He just didn't want the Prime Minister to think of him as a schemer, like this.

"That would be Sirius Black, I take it?" John asked.

"The one and only, sir." Harry confirmed.

"You know, his unlawful incarceration was the biggest selling point to getting approval for Lupin Penitentiary." John said. "The Queen did not like hearing about what was going on in the magical world. We needed to establish some oversight. For all intents and purposes, Marauders Inc. is the only influence we have on the magical community, besides the tribunal. Tell me, why was trial under Veritaserum against the law?"

"Magicals dislike being forced to admit that they think themselves above the law." Harry said. "Some pureblood families are the worst offenders, so they 'encourage' certain political figures to make and change laws as they see fit. The Minister of Magic isn't above accepting campaign contributions himself."

"Corruption at the highest level of your government!" John spat in disgust. "No offense, Mister Black, but your world keeps on disappointing me around every other turn."

"Me too, sir." Harry said. "There is a reason I had planned to leave it, as you'll recall."

"Yes, of course." John said. He really disliked what he had been hearing. Fortunately things seemed to be turning around. "Thank God for Marauders Inc. Without you all, I'd fear for the future of not just your world. Fortunately you're setting things right."

"We're trying, sir." Harry said.

"Trying and succeeding, by the sounds of it." John said. "Carry on then. Let me know if you need anything else form my side. I'm looking forward to being able to tell the Queen that you've cured Lycanthropy."

"Controlling the symptoms, is more accurate, sir." Harry said. "The wolves have distinct advantages that I'd rather not snuff out by curing the curse entirely."

"Right, of course. That makes sense." John agreed. "I'm not going to complain about more skilled protectors after all." There was silence for a moment and Harry heard another ring. "That's my line ringing. I'll speak to you soon, Mister Black." he greeted.

"Speak to you soon, sir." Harry greeted him back. Then the line went quiet.

"So the Prime Minister calls you for updates on your projects?" Hermione asked, from where she was sitting. "How long has that been going on?"

"Since Remus delivered a Comm to the Prime Minister, shortly after getting approval for Lupin Penitentiary." Harry said. "He was intrigued at the technology and asked after it."

"So he wants you to deliver something to space?" Hermione asked.

"Likely some satellites and possibly liquid O2 canisters for current satellites." Harry said. "Things that will keep them operational for longer."

"Am I supposed to know about this?" Hermione asked. "Isn't this some sort of state secret?"

"I've not been sworn to secrecy, if that's what you mean, but I do think it would be best to keep it to yourself." Harry said. "Britain doesn't have a space program, so we'll likely be doing things under the radar, as it were."

"Fine, but we're going swimming tomorrow." Hermione said, then. "Your house is too warm. This summer is killing me."

Harry easily agreed. The cooling charms did nothing for the humidity.

The next day, the friends were gathered at Hermione's house for a day by the pool. Harry had long since added some spells to protect from the sun, so they spent the entire day swimming and lazing about. Neville had even invited Hannah, for their first pool party of the year and she had gone shopping with them. She was dressed in a modest one-piece swimsuit, but it still caught Neville's attention.