Hermione, Lavender, Susan, Luna and several others in the brain trust all worked over the notes of what they had learned analyzing the data and setting up some sort of plan to deal with them.
Several weeks had gone by before they called for a meeting with the adults. During that time Harry and Draco had begun to if not be friends at least less hostile. Ginny and Draco's friendship was still going well. The Slytherins did not seem to understand but Draco claimed to have them under control. On the day of the meeting Amelia Bones and Alastair Moody along with Minerva McGonnegal and
"So Mrs Potter what have you got for us?" Amelia asked once they had arrived.
"Ms Bones we think we have narrowed down the items that Professor Dumbledore had considered Riddle had used for these soul anchors. We believe that he made five items, accidentally put one in Harry and has his original soul making for a seven part soul. Hermione began.
"A seven part soul. No wonder he's more creature than man anymore." Alastair Moody growled.
"Yes so you have identified these items?" Amelia asked after shuddering briefly at the concepts being raised.
"Yes ma'am Professor Dumbledore had an extensive list of items that had potential so it was merely a matter of establishing the most likely items and researching their history and link to Riddle. We have a list of them and where at least one of them is probably located, if not two of them."
"Well that could be helpful. Keep us from looking all over the place for just anything." Moody clicked his tongue against his teeth in appreciation.
"Indeed sir, Since Riddle had a obsession with the founders he tried to acquire any artifacts that were associated with them. The locket that was recently destroyed belonged to Salazar Slytherin. That leaves items from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor." Luna said.
"However we can dismiss the Gryffindor artifacts as the only confirmed ones known about are the sorting hat and the sword of Gryffindor." Hermione picked up the dialogue nodding.
"The diadem of Ravenclaw went missing during the lifetime of her daughter. It has not been found yet, however there is an eyewitness that confirmed Riddle found it."
"Really now? Who was this?" Albus sat up asking.
"Helena Ravenclaw. Rowena's daughter and the house ghost of Ravenclaw house." Luna calmly stated.
"yes, I suppose she would know." Amelia agreed.
"The only other known artifact is a silver masterwork goblet engraved and gilted by goblins that belonged to Helga Hufflepuff." Hermione had pulled up a picture of the goblet.
"It was stolen around the same time as its owner's death. According to the records Dumbledore had."
Amelia frowned, "I think I remember that. I was a young solicitor, fresh out of school in the DMLE offices. Her house elf supposedly gave her hemlock instead of elderberry tea."
Hermione frowned so strongly Harry thought her eyebrows were going to merge briefly. "I know I read that in the report. She was probably imperiused or otherwise spelled to do so."
"Be that as it may. You believe the cup was taken by Riddle to be turned into one of those things?" Amelia focused on the important bit.
"Yes ma'am."
"So that leaves just one more item." Alastair grunted.
"Yes this ring." Hermione said bringing up a picture. It was an ugly man's ring with a small square stone of some black material with a strange symbol that seemed to be inherently formed within the stone.
"Riddle was known to wear it while a student in his sixth and seventh years. After he left school though he stopped wearing it. He claimed it was his family heirloom at the time when he was asked about it so it's odd he would stop wearing it." Hermione continued.
"That is curious. And you feel it most likely this ring is one?"
"Yes ma'am. We agree that these are the most likely items on the list Dumbledore had researched."
"And you have a high probability of where two of those items are?" Amelia was intensely.
"Yes ma'am. One, the diadem, is somewhere in the castle. The ring is probably at the ancestral home of the Gaunt family. Riddle's maternal family. Outside Little Hangleton."
"Well Minerva do you have any idea where a several hundred year old lost artifact of one of the founders might be hidden around here?" Amelia turned to the headmistress.
"No. Not right off hand unfortunately."
"Could there be any hidden or forgotten chambers or passages around here?" Dan asked.
"It is a thousand year old castle Mr Granger. It is entirely possible we have lost a great many things over that time." Minerva said archly.
"Well we'll have to look into that. On the other hand the location of the Gaunt home is in the notes Dumbledore had so we know exactly where that should be." Hermione said sliding a piece of paper across to Ms Bones.
"Good. We'll set up a team to go after that one. We also have some good news about the one in Potter's head. The Goblins have said they have a ritual that can get it out of there without harming him, or killing him." Moody declared.
Hermione and Ginny both smiled and looked excited while Harry got a look of great relief.
"Well that will be great. When can they do that?"
"The next full moon they said. It'll have the right tidal forces and some such stuff they said. So they can do the job then."
"Okay we'll make sure its scheduled." Minerva said making notes.
"Right. So now the big question is where is the cup?" Amelia considered.
"We are not certain. The last most probable person who had control over it was Riddle. And we have no idea where he could have taken it." Hermione confessed.
"Well I guess we'll have to save that one for last." Moody grumpily considered.
"Right. In the meantime we can search the castle, maybe as you have a relationship with many of the ghosts you could interview them. Speak with the house elf staff as well." Minerva suggested.
Hermione nodded and made some notes. "I think we can do that ma'am."
"Good. Now Alastair will take care of the Gaunt house. So unless you have anything else to tell us we should get started on this."
"How's dismantling the bad guys organization working out?" Daniel asked.
"It is going slowly but it is going. The people we have questioned have been very helpful. And fortunately since none of them have been very close friends with Minister Fudge we have not had any interference."
"So you think things among the kids will get more or less uptight?" Emma asked.
"I'm not certain. None of the major families have had anyone get arrested yet. Mostly minor and fringe functionaries but they are not feeling as confident that they will be protected so we will see. Just remain on guard and as my associate says maintain your constant vigilance."
Moody gave her a wry grin before chuckling, "Aye, that's the best option right now. Keeping yer eyes and ears open. You've already seen what some of them are willing to do. On that how's things with the Malfoy boy. He still sniffing around?"
Ginny huffed, "He does not sniff around. He is a perfect gentleman." She said crossing her arms with a frown.
"He has been behaving himself yes." Harry said. "So we've not had too much trouble from him."
"Mostly Dad doesn't like him because he calls me pretty." Ginny smirked.
"Most fathers are suspicious of the boys that come sniffing around their daughters." Moody chuckled while Dan nodded honestly.
"Well. He's not sniffing anything of mine." Ginny huffed crossing her arms.
"Good." Harry and Dan simultaneously said.
"Moving along." Minerva interrupted, "Unless there is anything else pertaining to the problem at hand we have a rather large castle that we will need to explore and Madam Bones has work to be done."
"Yes ma'am." The teens said as they gathered their notes.
"Thank you for the help, all of you. You've done excellent work." Madam Bones said as she took the papers that Hermione had given her.
Hermione and the others beamed with pride.
=====xxxx======xxxxx=======xx
They spent the next several days exploring the castle and discussing things with the various ghosts. They even went to the kitchen and spoke with Dobby.
"Yes Mister Harry sir. I knows of a room. A room that comes and goes. All elves does know that." Dobby sung in his high voice.
"So this room would be a good place to hide things?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Oh yes. It can give you anything you want. All has to do is walk three times in corridor thinking really hard what you need and room will give it to you." Dobby clapped his hands to be helping.
"So which corridor is it?" Hermione asked.
"Oh mistress it is seventh corridor across from ugly tapestry of crazy wizard teaching trolls to dance." Dobby politely spoke to Hermione.
"Oh thank you Dobby. That's a great help." Ginny said giving the elf a hug causing him to squee in delight at being appreciated.
=====xxxx=====xxx=====xx
Harry was chuckling as they walked back towards the seventh floor corridor. "You know I love Dobby. The little guy gets so much happiness from the slightest thing."
"Yeah. He does." Ginny said eating a cookie that the elves had practically begged her to take.
"Okay you two. I know he enjoys working but still we shouldn't take advantage of him, or the other elves." Hermione pointed out, although she did take a cookie from the basket.
"Is it really taking advantage of him if that's what makes him happy though?" Ginny asked.
"Well, no not exactly but we shouldn't expect him to do everything for us just because he can." Hermione frowned as she tried to figure out how to say what she wanted.
"I think your mom is trying to say that causing him more work than normal for him is not fair to him, even if he won't complain about it." Harry said munching on the cookie.
"Well yeah of course. But gramma and grampa was showing me a tele program and the muggles in it had servants who did stuff. So its like that."
"Yes well. Similar." Hermione finally admitted.
===xxxx=====xxx=====xx
Reaching the corridor with the tapestry they looked around. "Its just a section of blank wall." Hermione said frowning as she ran her fingers over the stones.
"Well let me see what I can turn up." Harry began to pace thinking very hard about a place to hide things.
On his third circuit a door shimmered into view on the wall causing Hermione to grunt in surprise. "Well I guess it really exists."
"We live in a magic castle mom." Ginny reminded her.
"Fine speaking of magic then, go back to the junction and call Professor McGonnegal and tell her we found the hiding place of the Diadem. We'll wait for her to come." She said that last looking at Harry who had already edged over and opened the door.
"Okay mom." Ginny said heading off to complete her task.
"Looks rather messy." Harry observed looking into the room.
Hermione walked over and looking in saw narrow cluttered pathways radiating from a small cleared area in front of the door. All kinds of things were stacked, tossed or a feeble attempt at organization along the way. Large pieces of furniture were covered by torn or stained clothes. It was difficult to tell how far the room seemed to extend away from the door as the shadows and debris limited the sight lines.
"Looks like its been being used since they built the castle." Hermione sighed.
"Well imagine what we could find. Could be something spectacular and historic and amazing."
She looked at him dryly. "I doubt fanged frisbees and rusty cauldrons qualify as any of those."
Looking where she was pointing Harry shrugged, "Okay so this is the recent bits."
"Well we can explore when we get more assistance." She patted him on the arm.
"Okay."
Ginny returned, "They're on their way. She asked you to make sure you remain outside the room until they get here. But that if you hadn't for me to wait outside."
"I think we're becoming predictable." Harry grinned.
"Maybe a little bit." Hermione sighed.
A few minutes later Professor McGonnegal came walking up wearing the sword of Gryffindor on her belt, Malachi Hobart, Dan, Neville and Luna came along soon as well.
"Yes Mr Potter. IS there something wrong with my attire?" Professor McGonnegal asked archly when she walked up as Harry was staring.
"No ma'am. Just wondering how discipline would change if you started walking around with the sword more often."
A small dry smile crossed McGonnegal's face, "I have considered that but fortunately things do seem to be improving."
"Yes ma'am."
"So now how do we handle this?" Dan pondered looking into the disorganization of the room. "Split up and search for clues?"
"A rather cartoonish suggestion but also appropriate. I have a feelings that a methodical search would take a long time." Malachi observed.
"Given this is a non-euclidean pocket dimension with the capacity to expand as needed that would be true." Luna declared off-handedly as she stepped into the room.
Dan began grinning as Hermione frowned at him, "What?"
"Dad, don't." She warned
"Sorry I can't help it. Its a TARDIS room!" He said he began to whistle the theme song.
Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbing Harry entered the room.
"Very well everyone pair off and try to be careful. If you find anything that looks like the object we are searching for do not touch it mark the location and find one of us." Professor McGonnegal stated.
Harry and Hermione went down one path, Luna and Neville another, Dan and Ginny took a different one and the two professors went on another path.
Soon they discovered that not only was sight limited in the room but sound was muffled after only a few yards. Things seemed to be moving through the piles of junk and the gray watery light was just bright enough to see their immediate surroundings but things further away became indistinct.
"Does it feel like we're not alone in here?" Harry asked holding his illuminated wand over his head.
"There might be a few things around here. I'm not sure." Hermione said picking up a robe with three sleeves and tossing it over with her wand.
Harry turned a fired a stupefy just past Hermione's head when she did that as something small and glittery had flown out. It flipped over and landed in a heap.
"Thanks. Looks like a Cornish pixie, sort of, maybe a mutant." She poked it.
"Great. What was that the great and powerful Lockhart said about them?" Harry teased.
"You know between you and dad I can see why many women decide to become spinsters." She teased back.
"Just be careful, you have to grow old to be a spinster." Harry observed.
"That is true."
Moving carefully they occasionally heard or saw the others. Dan had acquired a cricket bat at some point and was using it to poke at piles and occasionally smack Cornish pixies around. Among a few other things they uncovered.
As they moved through the room the paths narrowed and the piles grew taller. Pieces of furniture ranged from cabinets to desks to broken chairs of all kinds. Even a few sinks and chamber pots.
Hermione opened one cabinet only to scream and thrash as a skeleton fell out on her. Harry helping her quickly get free panted.
Dan and Ginny came running around a corner as did Neville and Luna. "Pumpkin you okay?"
"Yeah dad. I just got startled when that fell on me."
Picking up the skull which had a second face growing out of the side of it Luna nodded, "This would be rather startling."
"Was that a student?" Neville almost gagged as he counted three arms and more ribs than should have been. Some of the bones growing out of other bones.
"I have no idea. But that definitely looks unpleasant." Dan counted to three carefully swallowing his own bile.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Harry looked Hermione over carefully.
"Yes Harry I'm fine." She shakily said, "It didn't cut me or anything I just got startled."
"Okay. Lets just be a bit more careful."
"Did someone scream?" They heard Professor McGonnegal call out faintly.
"Over here." Dan called back.
Hobart and McGonnegal showed up a moment later.
"What happened?"
Explaining about the skeleton falling out of the cabinet Professor Hobart cast several detection spells on Hermione and sighed, "Well you seem to be okay. Just that poor soul had a very bad end."
"What happened to them?" Dan asked with a pale face.
"Some potions experiments do not end well. Its possible their friends became scared and shoved them in here or they managed to crawl here while suffering the changes. Either way it was most likely painful. One reason people need to be rather careful with their spells and potions." Hobart stated.
"Ouch. We haven't found that thing yet. Isn't there some kind of magical spell you can use?"
"We have tried Mr Granger. The item appears to be protected by magic as well." Hobart observed casually.
"Oh great."
"Is it possible then to just you know use the force or something to find it?"
"What are you suggesting Dad? Were witches and wizards not Jedi." Hermione grumped.
"No but space wizard or not you guys can sense stuff and get lucky. At the rate we're going now my grandkids will finish exploring the place."
"True. The size and dimensions of this area does seem to be rather excessive."
"More like recursive, I swear Luna and I passed the same set of portraits twice."
"It might be a collection of fractal environments." Luna offered.
"Okay if I understand what that is is it means the GREAT grandkids will find the blasted thing. Too bad we can't just toss a nuke in here and cook all this stuff down."
When Dan said that there was a thick and heavy groan from within the room.
"Dad, might want to not say stuff like that. I don't think the room liked that idea."
"Uh okay. How about helping us find this thing then. If you don't like the idea of a nuke going off." Dan shouted to the room in general.
The room seemed to shuffle and things moved and shifted. Walls of debris retreated and a path opened leading deeper into the room.
"See sometimes you just need to be direct." Dan said after a momentary pause to collect his wits. Even McGonnegal had placed her hand on the hilt of the sword.
"There is a reason why the school motto is never tickle a sleeping dragon MR Granger." Minerva heatedly pointed out.
"Yeah well I don't exactly plan on making it a habit." He said gripping the cricket bat as he began walking down the new pathway. The others following him.
They walked for a time and came into a small clearing with a large bust of a roman looking woman sitting on a large desk to the side. Perched on her head was a silver and sapphire tiara made to look like stylized wings sweeping back from a central oval shaped shield.
As they got near it Harry gripped his forehead over his scar wincing in pain. Ginny froze and shook her head crying while Luna seemingly as if in a trance began to walk forward.
"Pumpkin get Ginny out of here. Neville grab Luna." Dan called out as he took a position between Luna and the Diadem. "Hey there Luna. You with us?"
She smiled a very disturbing smile before she kicked Dan in the groin so hard he immediately groaned and dropped. Fortunately Neville had come up behind her making a move to grab her. Only she twisted out of the way, taking his arm and rolling she tossed him over her shoulder with a fluidic motion. Neville landed on the floor with an oof! The next thing he felt was a kick to the side of his head that caused the lights to go out. Hobart fired several stupefy at her as she cartwheeled out of the way winding up flipping off a pile of cabinets.
Minerva drew the sword and approached the bust rapidly trusting that the fracas between Luna and the others would be handled.
Dan had barely recovered enough to move but managed to grab Luna in a rugby tackle. Using his weight and size to push her to the floor. Only he neglected to take into account she could still bite which resulted in him receiving a rather bloody crescent mark on his forearm. Rolling them over Hobart finally managed to stupefy her as Minerva swung the sword on the bust cleaving the Diadem and removing the top portion of the stone head in one sweeping strike.
A large noxious cloud of thick acrid smoke billowed from the ruined pieces screaming and moaning dancing and darting about the room before finally dissipating in a burst of eldritch green light.
Dan groaned from the floor, "Okay you know this stuff never happened in the dental office."
"Are you injured?"
"I'm not sure. She packs a helluva wallop for someone so small." Dan said rolling Luna off of him onto the floor gently.
"Yes so it seems. Mr, Mrs, Miss Potter?"
"We're okay. Harry has a headache and Ginny had some memories resurface I think." Hermione answered for them as Harry was still trying to uncross his eyes from the stabbing pain.
"He wanted us to wear it. To put it on. That's how it would take you over and rebuild you as him." Ginny cried.
"Very well we need to get everyone to the Hospital Wing after this. Those of you who can help someone who cannot." She said lifting Neville with her wand.
======xxxxx======xxxxx======xxx
Emma was fussing over Dan and Ginny in turn while Madam Pomfrey examined Neville, Luna and Harry. Eventually Madam Pomfrey's examinations were completed and treatments given before she gave a report to Professor McGonnegal.
"Well Mr Granger has had a bit of bruising and a rather strong bite however he will recover. Mr Longbottom suffered a concussion and some intracranial bruising. Its been dealt with and he'll be asleep until morning. Miss Potter seems to be physically unharmed but had a few unpleasant memories surface. She will also be sleeping until morning."
"What of Miss Lovegood? She seemed to be the most affected by the item's compulsions." Hobart stated.
"We will have to wait until she wakes up. She is physically uninjured but I still gave her a dreamless sleep potion to make sure she calmed down before we speak with her."
"Very well. Let us know if there is any more trouble." Minerva sighed as she stepped out.
"Dan Granger mighty warrior, taken out by a twelve year old girl." Emma chortled in relief.
"Hey she was like under a magical compulsion trained by an ancient battle wizard it was like facing a dozen ninjas in there." He defended himself.
"She has a lot of untapped depths Mrs Granger." Hobart said.
"Yeah I just hope this doesn't give Neville second thoughts" Harry smirked from Ginny's bedside.
"Do you really think it would matter?" Hermione observed from the other side of the bed.
"No. But its the difference between going to the gallows resisting or accepting." Harry laughed.
====xxxxx======xxxx====xx
The next morning when the sunlight came crawling through the windows the temporary residents of the wing began to wake up. Neville sat up quickly looking around then relaxed back against his pillows. Ginny opened her eyes looking around to find Hermione in the chair beside her so she relaxed and smiled. Rolling over to hold her mother's hand as it laid on the bed beside her. Luna woke up looked around and sighed.
"Neville?" Luna said sitting up.
"Yes Luna?"
"I am very sorry for knocking you unconscious. I did not enjoy hurting you in that manner." She apologetically said.
"I know. Just realize that if there is ever a next time this sort of thing happens I'm not going to be very gentle at taking you down."
"That is probably a very wise idea. As for the results of this I will accept whatever choice you make for punishment." Luna demurred.
"I'll consider something appropriate." Neville sighed.
Ginny chuckled which woke Hermione up, "Good morning mom."
"OH. How are you feeling sweetie?" Hermione stroked Ginny's hair checking her over.
"I'm okay mommy. I just feel bad we had to break such a pretty crown."
"I know. But it was contaminated by the darkness so it had to be destroyed."
"It'll be nice when daddy destroys him."
"Yes it will." Hermione agreed.
Harry showed up as well as Dan and Emma talking and visiting, eating breakfast together. Healer Masterson showed up.
"Good morning, Poppy called me and said we had a bit of an adventure yesterday?"
"Yeah we found a piece of the dark lord and destroyed it but Luna tried to put it on and beat up Neville and Grampa." Ginny cheerfully declared.
"Ahh. Okay. Do you mind if I take a look in your mind Ginny? See if anything got broken or messed up?" Haler Masterson took a seat next to the bed and politely asked permission.
"I guess you can. I feel okay and didn't forget anyone or anything. I also didn't really remember anything else. Just how angry he was and that he put a compulsion to make people want to wear it." She glumly said.
"Sounds about accurate. But we're more worried about you not him. Okay?" The healer cheerfully said.
"Okay." She smiled sitting up so he could look in her eyes.
Casting his spell the two of them stared into each other's eyes for a minute before they broke apart blinking. Patting her on the shoulder Healer Masterson smiled, "Yep. You're doing fine Ginny. You've got quite the mind."
"Thank you, sir. I'm rather happy with it."
"And so you should be. Now I need to talk to Luna a few minutes about what happened to her and then your parents okay?"
"Okay no problem with me. Just be careful looking in Luna's mind."
"Oh why is that?" He said looking at Luna who was smiling at Ginny with her cheshire cat grin.
"Because grampa says inside her head has got to be like going down the rabbit hole." Ginny declared to Dan's great embarrassment.
"Not entirely incorrect." Luna agreed.
"I'll take that under advisement. Although I was just going to talk to you and not need to look inside."
"Thank you. It is already very busy inside here." Luna sighed.
======xxxx======xxxxx=====xxx
Taking the Potters into the office after chatting with Luna Healer Masterson shut the door.
"Is Ginny alright?" Hermione hadn't even let him sit down yet.
"Yes she is for the most part. Her mental landscape is becoming more firm with constructs and ideology and such. She has a few issues I want to discus with you though."
"What sort of issues?" Harry warily asked.
"Well every time she encounters one of these things it shakes up her mind. She is getting stronger and better able to recover from the encounter, just it does act like a earthquake does. A few things get shaken up, some stuff falls down but for the most part if its a small enough one not too much damage is done, unless you do it too often."
"So we should make sure she doesn't encounter any more of these things." Hermione declared.
"Well that would probably be for the best. Now about the specific results you've noticed she still calls you and Harry mommy and daddy. Among a few other more childish speech patterns?"
"Yes. We've wondered if she'll out grow that or not."
"She doesn't do it all the time though." Hermione amended Harry's comment.
Masterson frowned, "I can't tell you for certain. Its possible. Her ability to understand and comprehend things as well as remember them are unharmed, although her ability to express herself is being filtered filtered through a sort of safety valve. Regressing into a safe space where the adults that she trusts are able to help her and take care of her."
"Okay so as we keep helping her become self-sufficient she'll feel safer as herself?"
"Most likely. Just keep her out of any more encounters if you can."
"We are planning that. There is only one more after the one in Harry's head." Hermione explained.
"Which why isn't that affecting her?" Harry asked rubbing his forehead.
"Probably part of whatever it was that trapped it in your head in the first place." Masterson observed.
"Okay well that's good. Another few days and we'll be going to the goblins to get that out anyhow." Hermione declared with anticipation.
"Well good luck with that. Let me know if you need any help."
"We will."
====xxxxx=======xxxx======xxx
Amelia was in her office reviewing the report Minerva had sent her about the Diadem being destroyed. Moody came in and laid a small pouch on her desk.
"What's this?"
"A little gift from the Little Hanging trinkets shop." He grunted as she collapsed in a chair.
"Must have been a hard shopping trip." She said untying the strings and dumping some gold fragments and a cracked stone on her desk top.
"We lost one getting it. He had that building trapped six ways from Sunday. The kids would have been killed if they had tried for it."
"Alright. Give me the details and we'll get them an order and an honorable funeral."
"If there was enough left of the unlucky sodder." Moody rubbed his face. "He took a rotting curse to the face. Lasted thirty seconds at most."
"Oh. Family?"
"Brother, Father, Mother, sweet girlfriend. The usual things. His name was Jacob." Moody quietly gruffed.
"Very well. I'll contact the family with you. Tell them he died in service to the wizarding world and the usual."
"That just leaves the one in Potter's head and the cup where ever it is now?"
"If the notes and information are accurate."
"Then lets pray they are."
====xxxxx======xxxxx========xx
The Potters arrived with their escort Malachi Hobart and Auror Moody to Gringott's on the afternoon of the full moon.
Moving through the corridors deep into the bank in areas Harry had never been before they soon came to a chamber that had four armored and armed goblins, A brief discussion with Moody left him grumpy but resigned.
"Alright from here out Potter is in their hands' This is a sacred hall for them and their curse breakers. Only goblins and those they admit are allowed in."
Harry swallowed and gave Hermione and Ginny a tight hug. "I'll be right back." He joked.
"You better mister. Tomorrow night is bridge against mum and dad."
"I'll be there." He turned and walked through the curtained doorway.
Hermione watched him go worry etched in her eyes until she noticed Ginny looking at her. She put her arm around the girl and smiled bravely. "He'll be fine. He always is."
"I know mom. But are you going to be?"
=====xxxxx=====xxxx======xxx
Harry was led down through torchlit tunnels. Having to duck a few times as he entered areas that he had the feeling most humans did not come into.
His escorts stopped and handed him off to a set of robed Goblins that Harry tried smiling at. They glared at him, he thought, either that or they had a normal imposing countenance.
"You must remove all magical items and place them on the table." The tallest of the three growled pointing at a small low table on the side of the room.
Harry set his wand and pocket watch on the table. Then moved back to stand in front of the tall goblin, which came almost to his shoulders. They waved their hands in a complex pattern then nodded gruffly. "Follow"
He was taken into the next room where he was told to law down on a low platform. They took his glasses off and put them in his hands. Soon he had some sort of strange astringent fluid rubbed into his forehead, chanting began and he felt himself get very floaty and mellow as he smelled a light incense blown over his face.
===xxxx=====xxxx======xxx====xx
Hermione had brought a book and was sitting quietly trying to read it. She was not have a great deal of luck as she kept going over the same paragraph.
She had lost track of time before they finally saw Harry being led out by two goblins. He was staggering a bit and had a bandage wrapped around his head.
"He is well. He will be confused for a few hours let him sleep if he wishes, otherwise leave him be." The goblin said handing him off to Hermione who had raced over when he came out of the curtains.
"Harry! OH Harry how do you feel?"
"I feel fine Martha. Can we go home and bake cookies?" Harry woozily sang.
"Uh mom did they take too much out?"
"I hope not. He probably is just a bit disoriented from the anesthesia they used." She said sniffing him before wrinkling her nose.
"He does seem a bit aromatic." Ginny said wrinkling her nose too.
===xxxxx=====xxxxx======xxx
Harry woke up in bed alone. He reached for his glasses and looked around to make sure it was his bedroom. Looking at the clock he saw that it was 7. Unfortunately it could have been 7 in the morning or 7 in the evening. So getting dressed he made his way to their lounge yawning and trying to deal with a tongue that felt like a sheep had laid on it.
"Good morning." Hermione chirped bringing a tray of food and a jug of some fruit juice in.
"IS it still Thursday?" Harry grunted ignoring the desire to crawl back under the covers in the face of such unrestrained cheeriness.
"NO its Saturday. You uh kinda lost a day due to them pulling that out of you. How do you feel?"
He considered that for a minute as she poured him a glass of juice. "I think I am all here."
"Well healer Masterson looked in your head while you were out and didn't see any sign of him in there, or any major damage to your mind so that confirms it then."
"Did they get the ring?"
She nodded, "Yeah. So all we have to do is find the cup and its over."
"Good. I'll be very happy to end this and have a normal life, or at least as close to it as we can get."
"So will I." Hermione sighed.