chapter 56

After they spent time just talking at the edge of the lake, the three reviewed what they'd managed to so far accomplish.

"Alright," began Hermione. "The horcruxes. The diadem horcrux has been cleaned and is ready to hand back to the school, once this is done. We either need to get Sirius to get us the locket horcrux so we can put it to the same ritual... then get him to see if he can get the cup horcrux from the goblins from Lestrange's vault... or I go to the goblins and get it direct. Dumbledore still gets the ring. And Nagini is for later."

"I'll see if I can deal with Nagini at the graveyard in June," said Harry. "She's already the final horcrux, so I can deal with her now, rather than later when she'll be much harder to get. I also need to practice wandless summoning to summon my wand back to my hand. I don't want to be without my wand in the graveyard, again."

"We'll organise a second wand for you during the Christmas break," Daphne cut in. "One that you can keep hidden in the sleeve of your right arm and you can pop into your hand if you're bound."

"That's a good idea," said Harry. "Thank you, Daphne."

She merely nodded back.

After a nod of acceptance as well, Hermione continued, "The Hallows. Harry is now the rightful owner of the Elder Wand, even if Dumbledore has it back in his possession. We'll get the stone from the ring later, once Dumbledore has it. And Harry already has the cloak.

"Sirius. Daphne's father is organising a solicitor for us, and Harry now has Dumbledore actually starting to work at getting Sirius a trial. We can't do anything further on that until we speak with the solicitor.

"The press. Harry has already put the hard word to the staff about how he get's treated, without actually saying so, once his name comes out of the Goblet. A solicitor with defamation experience is also being organised by Daphne's father. As we've got almost two months until Halloween we've got plenty of time to deal with that issue.

"The basilisk. Daphne's father is also organising for that to be rendered down. From that we'll save enough hide to ensure the three of us, at least, have full body suits of armour."

"Good," Harry firmly said. "I'll be one Hell of a lot happier if I know both of you are protected from most curses and hexes."

"The latest issue is a new one; Harry's mail." Hermione turned to look at Harry directly and said, "Did Dumbledore ever tell you he had your mail in the castle?"

"No," Harry growled. "Clearly, he didn't think it important enough to tell me."

Daphne snorted in an unladylike fashion and said, "It's more likely he was worried that, if you knew about it and had read some of it, you wouldn't have gone ahead with your little suicide at the wand of V-Voldemort."

Harry smiled back and gently placed his hand on the blonde girl's leg. He gave it a gentle squeeze of assurance, and was pleased when she didn't flinch away. She was clearly beginning to trust him; and that he wouldn't take things too far. It was progress.

"What are we going to do about the prophecy orb?" Hermione asked. "We really don't want to leave it in the Dee-oh-Em."

Harry thought for a moment and replied, "I want to go and get it this Christmas but I don't know if we'll have time. If possible, I also want to replace it with a fake containing a false prophecy. As long as we keep the first two lines intact, we can 'fiddle' with the rest and make it seem like, if I can get hold of him, Riddle's toast; and there's nothing he can do about it."

Hermione giggled and said, "The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches... born to those who thrice defied him; born as the seventh month dies... And the dark lord shall mark him as his equal; but, he shall have power the dark lord knows not... and the one with the power will kick the dark tosser's arse into the next millennium, where he shall forevermore burn in the fires of Hell... The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord shall be born as the seventh month dies."

Harry roared with laughter while Daphne grinned back at Hermione. "Descriptive," she smiled. "But, not exactly prophecy material, is it?"

"I'll work on it," Hermione laughed. "If we're successful, it'll make Riddle panic."

"Yes, but we have no idea what he'll do as a result," said Daphne. "He may flee Britain completely. Or, he may decide he no longer wants to be the one who takes Harry out; and puts a bounty on his head."

Calming down, Harry said, "It's still better than him getting the full prophecy."

"It shall end where it all began, as the chosen one defeats his foe," Harry murmured after almost a minute of silence. "It's descriptive without giving anything away. It'll drive Riddle nuts trying to figure out what 'where it all began' means, so he can stay the Hell away from the place. And, once the Prophet starts calling me 'The Chosen One', it'll demonstrate to him the prophecy is real."

Hermione hesitated a moment before she said, "As I said, I'll work on it. But, I like the way you're thinking."

After sitting staring at the lake for a few minutes more, Harry said, "Ladies, I'm sorry that you missed your class on Ancient Runes. And, Herbology this afternoon, when it comes to that."

"Don't be silly, Harry," Hermione gently scolded him. "It's not as if we've not gone through this before. We've all already completed our sixth year of education. Daphne almost completed her Seventh Year. For us, it's all just revision."

"Hermione's right," said Daphne, supporting her bond-sister. "Anyway, we should think about heading back to the Headmaster's office. We'll be joining you when you go to look at your undelivered mail."

Harry nodded and the three stood before walking back to the castle.

As they approached the Headmaster's gargoyle, they arrived just in time to see the other Professors come down.

"Ah, Mister Potter, Miss Greengrass and Miss Granger; you're just in time," said Professor Flitwick, the first to spot them.

"If you don't have class now, Professor," said Harry. "Would you care to join us? I think I speak for the three of us when I say we believe we'll be in your House by the time we sit for dinner."

Surprised but clearly pleased, the diminutive Professor said, "I'd be delighted to. And, I must say, I'd be quite pleased to welcome you into the House of the eagles; if that's where you end up being sorted."

"We've decided to have a chat with the Hat, Professor," said Hermione. "Your House is the one into which we'll be requesting it sort us."

"Well, that pleases me, immensely," the Professor beamed, before his face dropped into one of sadness. "I have also investigated what you told the Headmaster about how Miss Lovegood is being treated by her Housemates. I assure you, it is currently being dealt with. You shall hear more of that at the evening meal. I also apologise I was not aware of it before now."

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