Harry Potter and the Hall of Justice

Chapter 43 Eagle’s Nest


Harry took the two young witches from Fierkin’s Castle straight back to Falcon’s Lair and ushered them into Austin’s bedroom. The wizard was reading at his desk when they entered.

“Austin? Professor Dumbledore wanted to see if you can take time to talk to them,” Harry said, motioning towards the two frightened girls.

“What’s up, Harry?”

“Fierkin had them locked up inside his castle. They’ve been through a bad time,” Harry explained.

“Yeah, sure. Come in and sit,” Austin said, pointing to the table. “Tea!” he then called out.

A tea service appeared on the table with four large glasses filled with ice. Austin had come to appreciate the Merlin’s Special Brew Professor Dumbledore was having the house-elves prepare. It had remarkable recuperative powers. He wasn’t sure how it was made, but he had already become addicted to it.

The two girls, on the other hand, frowned at the glasses filled with ice. It was the first of March, after all, and snow was still piled up high on the ground in some places. Austin noticed their consternation.

“Don’t mind the ice. This is a special blend of tea, which is best served cold,” Austin said, lifting a pitcher and filling the four glasses. He looked up at Harry, who hadn’t taken a seat. “Harry, please, sit with us a while.”

“I can’t stay long, Austin. We’re still moving things around. I think Professor Dumbledore’s going to have a meeting in a little while,” Harry replied, pulling a chair out from the table.

“How did it go?”

“Couldn’t have turned out better. The Belgium raid went off without a hitch. We were done within about fifteen minutes or so. But we had some cleaning up to do. Then, over in Switzerland, Professor Snape and his team were able to put a quick end to Olsto Fierkin and his three Death Eaters. Or, I should say, they took care of Fierkin. Actually, the evil old wizard killed the Death Eaters himself. I’d have loved to have seen that,” Harry said with a large smile.

“So what happens now?” Austin asked.

“Well, the valuables were seized at the castle and moved to a secure location. Now, I guess, the Chief Justice will have the castle seized, and we’ll begin using it. Don’t know what for, though,” Harry said, reaching for a glass of tea.

The two young witches were gulping the tea in record time. Austin refilled their glasses and smiled. The shaman sensed they had been through quite an ordeal but were not nearly as troubled as Ginny had been. He was thankful for that.

“Is it a real castle?” Austin asked.

“Yeah. It’s the real thing, and it’s huge. It sits on a hill, and there’s a large lake about half way around it. It has an unbelievable view of the Swiss Alps, too. Really beautiful,” Harry said.

“Man . . . I’d really like to go see it.”

“Yeah, okay. Whenever you’re ready I’ll be glad to take you.”

Harry then thanked him for the tea and hurried out of the room. He didn’t want to miss Dumbledore’s meeting.

“How do you like this tea, huh?” Austin asked, looking back at the two girls.

“It’s great! I’ve never had it like this before. It has a different taste, too,” Tracy replied, smiling at the handsome young wizard.

Belinda couldn’t keep her eyes off of Austin. Even when he was talking to Harry, her eyes never strayed from his face.

“You two were locked up by Fierkin?”

They both nodded their heads. “We were kept in a large bedroom,” Tracy said. “It wasn’t a jail or anything, but we couldn’t leave.”

The two girls went on to tell him what had happened to them and how they ended up there in the first place. Tracy was the talkative one. Belinda did little but nod her head and smile.

He was shocked when Tracy said her aunt had sold her to the man.

“Why on earth did she do something like that?” Austin asked.

“My uncle owed Fierkin a considerable sum of money, and he died before he could pay him. My aunt never wanted me around and considered me a liability, after my uncle died. That’s why she made a deal with Fierkin to forgive the debt by taking me,” Tracy told him.

“And you Belinda?”

“They were killed by Fierkin and Maguire. My parents were working for the Ministry. After they were assigned to take up a project the Preston’s had worked on - - -,” she said, but stopped suddenly when she saw the expression on Austin’s face.

“Go ahead,” Austin said, realizing she had stopped because of him.

The small girl lowered her eyes, looking at her hands lying on the table. “Anyway, the Preston’s were a man and wife team who were working on non-magical means to combat the evil lords. They had been killed years before, but their project wasn’t finished. My mother and father were working on it when Fierkin and Maguire caught up with them,” she said.

“The Preston’s were my mother and father, Belinda,” Austin said.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” she said, tears instantly clouded her eyes. “I didn’t know!”

“It’s okay. And I’m sorry about your folks, too. Whatever they were working on must have scared the Death Eaters pretty bad,” Austin said.

“Yeah,” the girl replied, wiping at her face with her fingers.

“Was Fierkin a violent man? How did he treat you?” Austin asked, looking to one and then the other girl. He sensed they had experienced much but didn’t appear to be suffering physically.

“He was a real bastard at first. He would slap us and throw us around. But we didn’t give him any trouble and did what we were told. After he realized that, he stopped beating us,” Tracy said.

“He always came to the bedroom? He never took you to any other part of the castle?”

“No, only the bedroom. Sometimes he wanted both of us, but most times, he only had one of us please him. Whenever he came to the bedroom, we both had to undress quickly. He wasn’t a patient man,” Tracy told him.

“Well, that’s enough for now. I’m going to take you both down to see Drucila Priest. She’ll be the one to decide what’s to be done with you, along with Professor Dumbledore. Do either of you have family to return to?”

The two girls shook their heads. Austin stood up and motioned them back to his door. He then took them downstairs and found Drucila in the kitchen.

“These are the two girls from Fierkin’s Castle, Drucila. I’m going to talk with just one of them at a time. Is there a room where they can stay?”

“We have plenty, my boy. Let’s take them up to one of the rooms down from yours. They can share, can’t they?”

The two girls nodded their heads. They followed the old witch back up the stairway and just two doors down from Austin’s she opened a door. The bedroom was as large as Austin’s but had two beds. It had two chest of drawers and dressing tables, too. Both girls’ eyes lit up over how nice it was.

“You two can share this room. Don’t go breaking anything or I’ll have a piece of your hides. Is that all the personal things you have?” Drucila asked, pointing down at the pillowcases they held in their hands.

“Yes, mum,” said Tracy.

“Well, we’ll see what we can do about that, we will. What are you to do with them, Austin?” Drucila asked.

“I’m having Belinda stay with me first. They are both emotionally and physically in pretty good shape, considering. They’re no way in as bad of shape as Ginny was, thankfully,” he said.

“Yes, I see that myself, boy. Well, whatever you need. You there girl!” Drucila exclaimed, raising a bony finger and pointing at Tracy. “You come with me. Drop your pillowcase on the bed. I’ll have you help me in the kitchen until Austin sends for you.”

Drucila and Tracy left the room and headed back downstairs. Austin had Belinda drop her pillowcase on the other bed, and they returned to his room.

After they entered, Austin turned around and whispered a silencing and sealing charm on the room. He kicked off his boots and began undressing.

“Take your clothes off, Belinda,” he ordered nonchalantly.

The girl looked at him in shock. “What?”

“Take your clothes off,” he again ordered. “Everything.”

“What are you going to do?”

“You’ll be okay,” Austin said, pulling off his shirt and pants. Within a short time, he stood naked in front of the girl and walked over to the bed. He pulled back the blanket and sheets and got in.

Belinda slowly undressed; embarrassed and not knowing what he was going to do made her very apprehensive. After she was naked, she walked to the bed and got in next to him.

Austin watched the smallish girl, knowing she was shy but knowing, also, it wouldn’t last very long. Once he got his hands on her, she would settle down quickly.

Belinda could best be described as petite, as she was small and very delicately built. Her dark brown hair and eyes were striking against her light toned skin. At first glance, one would think her to be only a thirteen or fourteen year old girl. Her breasts were small and her nipples peaked. After looking into her face, however, one could easily see the maturity of a young nineteen or twenty year old.

“Come over here. I want to hold you,” Austin said.

Belinda slowly scooted up next to him. He reached out, pulled her small body into his, and held her close. She pushed her head into his chest and remained still, wondering what he was going to make her do. She couldn’t help but notice his excited state, after he undressed. She imagined him dragging her to the edge of the bed, pulling her around until her head hung off the side and using her mouth, as Fierkin had done so many times. Or he might have her mount him; the way the old wizard liked it.

As the thoughts were racing through her mind, she felt a strange comfort. It was warmth, a very settling feeling, which was overcoming her. She quickly fell into a blissful state and went fast to sleep.

Austin, too, went to sleep, holding her tightly. Before he lost consciousness, however, he sensed her peace. Her breathing had calmed, her muscles had totally relaxed and she was resting deeply.

For several hours, they slept, neither of them moved. Austin was the first to wake, and he lowered his head to kiss the young girl on her forehead. Belinda roused, and lifted her head.

“We went to sleep,” she said.

“Yeah. That was the idea. How do you feel?” Austin asked.

“Great. I’ve never slept that good in my life. What time is it?”

“It’s about time we made our way down to dinner. Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

Austin rolled the girl over on her back and kissed her on her lips. “You feel so good,” he admitted.

“You, too,” she said, blushing.

“We better take a shower,” he said. “How does that sound?”

He got out of bed and reached for her. Once her feet hit the floor, he slowly guided her into the bathroom. After the shower hit them, Belinda picked up a bar of soap and leaned into him. She slowly moved it over the young man’s muscular chest. Belinda couldn’t help but hug him to her. Never in her life had she wanted to be with a man like she wanted to be with him. She still couldn’t believe he hadn’t made her please him.

Austin soaped her up, turned her around and lowered a soapy hand to her crotch. Belinda moaned and became physically weak from the sensations she was feeling. Austin turned her around a number of times under the warm spray of the shower and turned the water off.

In a short time, they had dressed and made their way down to the dining room. All eyes turned their way when they entered. Belinda was radiant. She hadn’t felt like this in years, and she knew it showed.

Drucila waved them down to the end of the table. Those seated made room for them. The old witch couldn’t help but smile, too. Austin had apparently accomplished exactly what she thought he would.

“You look like a new person, Belinda,” the old witch said, giving Austin a wink.

“I feel great, thank you,” she replied.

“How is she going to be, Austin?” the old witch then asked.

“Belinda has a strong mind and is more emotionally stable than just about anyone I’ve ever been around. She’s going to be just fine,” Austin said, flashing the petite girl a large smile.

Belinda leaned over, put two small hands around his bicep and leaned into him with a smile. “Yeah, everything’s great.”

Tracy had a quizzical look upon her face. She wondered what had happened - - - what had Austin done? She had never seen Belinda act this way.

“Tonight, Tracy, I want you to stay with me,” he said, looking up into the girl’s eyes.

“Yeah, okay. What are you going to do?” Tracy asked, looking again at Belinda. Although she was happy for her young friend, she was somewhat troubled over how she was acting. Somehow, it didn’t seem right to her.

“Take away whatever pain you may or may not be aware of. It won’t take long,” he replied.

“Take away my pain? I’m not hurting,” she said.

“You’ve been more emotionally scared than has Belinda. I sensed that right away,” he told her.

“I don’t think I am. I’m fine, really I am,” Tracy said.

“Okay,” Austin replied, not wanting to try to explain anything to her, after all, it was hard enough for him to explain it to himself.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


After the evening meal, Professor Dumbledore returned to Falcon’s Lair to speak with Sirius, Remus and Harry. Minister Grime soon appeared, too.

“What are we to do with the castle, Professor?” asked Sirius.

“I’ve just returned from a meeting with Chief Justice Webster,” Dumbledore began to explain. “He’s asking for recommendations. If we don’t want to use it, we will need to change the documents the Swiss government has on its ownership before we can sell it. Of course, we’ll do that anyway, but there won’t be any rush. What do you think?”

Grime was the first to speak up. “Albus, why don’t we keep the damn place. We can use it to base our European operations out of. Hell, have Snape sell that damn place in Romania and move up to the Swiss Alps. Personally, I think it would be a lot better place to work out of. And it’s in a lot more stable region, too. They don’t have the political upheaval like the Balkans has always had.”

The old wizard nodded his head. He hadn’t thought of it that way before, but it made sense to him. “Sirius?”

“I agree with Bartholomew. It does make more sense to have Snape relocate, and it’s much more centrally located, too,” he replied.

The old professor turned to Remus and Harry. Both nodded their heads in agreement.

“What would the Chief Justice say?” Harry asked.

“He’s left it entirely up to us, you see. Of course, he would want us to make proper use of it. I will speak with Snape, then. I’ll pass your recommendations on to him. It actually should be his decision,” Dumbledore admitted.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *


That evening, Austin was at his desk reading when a knock came at his door. Tracy and Belinda were standing outside when he opened it.

“Come in,” he said, motioning them to the table. “I’m sorry. It was later than I thought. I should have come for you Tracy.”

“That’s okay. Belinda and I just came back from a walk outside. It’s so beautiful here, isn’t it,” Tracy said, sitting down at the table.

“Yeah. Did you make it over to the resort complex?”

“No. Maybe tomorrow,” she replied.

“I’ll leave you two alone, then. See you in the morning,” Belinda said, walking to the door and leaving.

“She told me what you two did. Are you going to do that with me, too,” Tracy asked.

“Yeah.”

“She said it felt really good, really peaceful,” Tracy said.

Austin nodded and smiled. “That’s the plan.”

“Should I take my clothes off now?” she asked, with a grin.

“Are you ready for bed?”

“If you are.”

“Okay, yeah, take them off then,” Austin said. He walked to the door and sealed it. When he turned, Tracy was almost already undressed.

He noticed she didn’t seen the slightest bit put off by it, either. She turned and smiled as she removed her bra and panties. Instead of climbing into the bed, she walked seductively over to Austin.

“You want me to help you out of yours?”

“Nah,” he said, bashfully. “I’ll do it.”

Austin walked over to his chest of drawers and stripped off his clothes. Tracy walked up to his side and reached out to stroke his back lightly with her hand.

“You’re such a handsome bloke, Austin. Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.

“Yeah, sort of,” he replied, thinking of Sandy O’Leary. As he turned around to face the girl, Tracy reached down and wrapped her fingers around him. He jumped with a start.

“What does sort of mean?” she asked, grinning and giggling.

“It means I’ve got a special friend. I hope she considers herself my girlfriend, but I’ve never talked to her about it,” Austin said, his level of arousal rising swiftly with Tracy’s skillful manipulations at his crotch.

“Maybe I can be your girlfriend, too,” she said, winking at him before leaning forward and kissing him on the mouth.

Austin raised a hand and stroked lightly at her cheek. Tracy was a very pretty girl of medium height, with blond hair and green eyes. Her skin was fair and she had the firm, tightness of youth. He led her to the bed and pushed her gently down to it.

He then dropped to his knees and pulled the girls open crotch to the edge of the bed. Under each of her legs, he placed his hands and lifted them high. Austin lowered his head to suck and lick at the tender flesh of her inner thighs.

Tracey moaned at the lustful feeling stirring deep within her. She reached for her ankles and pulled them, forcing Austin to extend himself farther over her. The young man sensed what she was doing and what she wanted. As he moved with her thighs, his chin moved into her cunt, pressing into the inflamed lips of her slit.

Austin lowered his mouth to her vestibule and licked at the enlarged lips, running his tongue lightly and teasingly up the crack. The girl gasped for air and yelped, as sensual electricity fired through her aroused body. He then teased her enlarged and very sensitive clit with his tongue, pausing every little bit to pinch and nibble at the hardened flesh with his lips.

No sooner than he ran his tongue inside her blood-heated cunt, Tracy began frantically begging him to fuck her. She wanted him desperately inside her.

Austin raised himself and walked up her side with his hands until his crotch moved into hers. The girl expertly lowered her hand to grasp Austin’s throbbing cock and pulled it to the sloppy lips of her cunt.

The rubbery head of his dick pushed into her warm wetness easily. Within seconds, Austin began humping the girl, feeling her hot cunt wrap itself around his stiff organ, sucking at his flesh.

Tracey yelped out at Austin’s bestial pumping, urging him to crash into her faster and harder. In a short while, both of them shuddered in climax. He pushed his spewing meat deep inside the girl and held it there, as his body shook in sexual ecstasy.

After their breathing calmed, Austin pulled the girl close to him. She relaxed in his arms and was soon fast asleep. Austin could sense her pain, but it was somehow different from Belinda’s. Tracy’s greatest suffering was from her own feeling of inadequacy and a fear of being rejected. She held much more remorse inside over having been sold to the evil lord by her own aunt. She was driven to prove herself, to always satisfy, and to never again give another person a chance to be rid of her as being useless or undesirable.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Professor Dumbledore met with Severus Snape the next morning at Eagle’s Nest. He told the man what had been suggested, moving his headquarters to the castle in Switzerland.

“I hadn’t anticipated such a move, Professor. However, I must agree. And selfishly, I must add, the castle is much more prestigious than this inadequate structure we inherited from Dracul. We’re somewhat limited on room here,” Snape said, hardly able to contain his excitement. The castle was beyond anything he had ever hoped to have control over. Next to Hogwarts itself, it was one of the most magnificent edifices he had ever physically been in.

The old headmaster nodded his head. “I must agree. It was Grime, after all, that brought it to our attention. He has made a number of excellent suggestions along the way. The Chief Justice and I leave it entirely in your hands, Severus,” the old wizard said with a smile, knowing fully well Snape’s mind was already well on it’s way into moving into the large castle.

“Minister Grime has once again proved his value, has he not?” Snape said with his typical devious grin. “What would you suggest we do with Eagle’s Nest?”

“The castle will be known as Eagle’s Nest from this point forward, Severus. You might choose, though, to leave your Coeus team here, to keep a close watch on the Balkans. I believe it’s time for you to train a new team. You’ve put much faith in Vlad, have you not?” Dumbledore asked.

Snape almost had to shake himself to bring his mind around to the moment. “I have. He’s a very astute and pragmatic young man. What are you suggesting?”

“If you believe him capable, he would continue to be your second in command, but let’s say we keep him here in Romania. You could then put together a new team to assist you in Switzerland. And our Athena members could assist you with the training. You might also think back to some of our past students from Hogwarts to complete the postings,” Dumbledore suggested but obviously wasn’t through, as he raised his hand. “Also, I have an old friend who is the headmaster at Martinsbruck in Switzerland. It’s a small school but has turned out some very exceptional students. He might suggest a couple of his past students to add a little local color to your group.”

“An excellent idea. With your permission then, I will get started on the transfer at once,” Snape said, nodding his head at his old headmaster. He was ecstatic.

“Outstanding, Severus. I’m sure you’ve made the right decision,” Dumbledore said, giving the wizard a large grin.

But Snape didn’t really know what decision he had made. Actually, the old wizard had already made the decision for him. “The crafty old bastard,” Snape thought to himself with a smile. “He knew fully well I’d jump at the chance to get my hands on that castle. What did I decide?”

“What will we now call our mission in Romania?” Snape asked.

“We will refer to it as the Eastern Front,” Dumbledore replied, smiling at the connotation. “After briefing Vlad, why don’t you join us at Falcon’s Lair. Then you and I will drop by and have a chat with the Chief Justice.”

Snape nodded his head courtly at the old wizard. He was anxious to set things in motion.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Severus Snape joined his counterparts at Falcon’s Lair for their evening meal. Afterwards, Professor Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Harry and Drucila took him into the library to firm up their plans.

“Vlad is very honored to be offered the position, Professor. He asked me to thank you for your consideration,” Snape relayed.

“His actions and abilities were more than enough to justify his promotion. He’s certainly the right choice for the position,” Dumbledore said, smiling at those seated at table that seconded his statement by voicing agreement.

“What help can we give you, Severus?” asked Sirius.

“I must first select a new team and will need your help training them. Professor Dumbledore is going to contact the headmaster at Martinsbruck for local talent. It would indeed be of benefit to have two or three from the region to help us along with the language and customs,” Snape replied.

“Yeah, having someone to speak the local language does make a great deal of sense,” Remus added.

Sirius turned to Professor Dumbledore. “Not to change the subject, Professor. But we’ve been wondering about Perkins. Has he shown up at the Ministry yet?”

“I haven’t spoken with Minister Bones. If and when he does, though, he’ll be held. It should be a simple matter getting the truth out of him,” the old wizard replied. “And I’m certain the Chief Justice will have no trouble finding the bastard adequate accommodations in Azkaban.”

“That’s too damn good for the likes of him, Albus,” Drucila Priest said.

“I agree with that,” added Sirius.

The old headmaster came to his feet. “Severus and I must be off. The Chief Justice is expecting an update. He still doesn’t know what’s been decided about the castle,” Dumbledore said.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Within thirty minutes, Professor Dumbledore, Chief Justice Webster, Severus Snape and Harry were seated at one of the tables on the third-floor patio at the Hall of Justice.

The old headmaster informed Webster about what had been earlier decided. The Chief Justice agreed, thinking it was a splendid idea. This greatly relieved Snape, for he knew once the man gave his blessing, it was a done deal.

After Dumbledore and Snape left for Hogwarts, Webster and Harry spoke on for some time.

“What do you think of Austin, Harry? How’s he getting on?” Webster asked.

“He’s really a great guy. I don’t even begin to understand how he does what he does, though. Somehow, he can sense obscure things the way we read a face or gesture. He just knows,” Harry said, hunching his shoulders and raising his eyebrows.

Webster nodded his head. “He’s so much like I used to be myself, Harry. But yet, he is so different.”

“He’s been doing a lot of studying. I really haven’t seen him much except during meals. But he seems happy enough, I guess,” Harry replied.

“Good! I hope he stays that way. Professor Dumbledore seems to think he’s going to be very important to have around. I’m not really sure what he has planned, though. Sometimes, he tells me things in a sort of vague way. Of course, most of that is my fault for not understanding enough about this magical world of yours,” Webster said with a laugh, thinking about some of the crazy things he had seen the last year and some months. He had no knowledge or experience to draw upon to explain them. All he could do was accept them.

“Professor Dumbledore does that a lot. He rarely lays all his cards on the tables, borrowing one of your figures of speech,” Harry said.

“Yeah, that’s as good a way to put it as any, Harry,” Webster replied with a grin.

After he left the Chief Justice, Harry found Hermione playing with little David on their bed when he entered the bedroom. Everyone had been saying how much he looked like his dad. Their remarks made Harry feel very proud. David’s eyes lit up when Harry flopped down on the bed beside him.

“Look, David,” Hermione said, laughingly. “A stranger has come calling.”

Harry couldn’t help but laugh at that himself. He had been spending a great deal of his time at Falcon’s Lair. Now that Fierkin had been dealt with, it was time for him to come back home.

Hermione leaned over and kissed the stranger on the cheek. Harry reached down and scooped his little son into his arms, kissing him on one of his warm, soft jowls.

“It’s good to be back, too. I’ve hated being away from you two so much,” Harry told her. “Where’s Deborah?”

“She’s making her nightly rounds. She’ll be back soon. Lily is in the nursery,” Hermione told him with a smile, knowing he was wanting to see his daughter, too.

Harry jumped off the bed, went into the nursery and lifted up the laughing little baby girl. He kissed her cheek and took her to the bed, laying her next to David. Harry couldn’t help but smile to himself over the two beautiful munchkins.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Upon their return to Hogwarts, Severus Snape excused himself and went to his old quarters. He had decided to spend the night and take his breakfast at the school the next morning. Professor Dumbledore had suggested he carefully review the school’s registry of past students for candidates to fill his new Coeus team.

Snape, though, had an ulterior motive. He desperately wanted to see Ginny Weasley. He had been told she was her old self again and was back at school. In one way, that pleased him greatly. Snape remembered the happy girl she once had been. But what would she now think of him? How would she react to his presence? Would she even remember their past lustful affair?

Ginny had been on his mind constantly. She wandered in and out of his mind every day. At night, she filled his dreams. No female had ever affected him in that way. Never did he believe he was even capable of love - - - the giving or receiving of it. He knew, though, he had become a slave to it. He had to see the girl.

On his way to his old quarters, which Professor Dumbledore had ordered to remain untouched until Severus was able to remove the rest of his belongings, he eagerly wanted to run up the stairway to Gryffindor and find her. He had visions of bursting into the common room, rushing up the stairway and wrapping his arms around his redheaded lover. This put him in a fitful state, as he hurriedly moved along.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk when Professor McGonagall came into his office. He motioned over to a chair and called out for a tea service. Walking toward his office door, he raised his wand, sealing it and putting a silencing charm around the room.

“I saw Severus hurrying along to his quarters,” McGonagall said.

“Yes. I’ve suggested he look over the school registry. He’ll be staffing his next team. And as we suspected, he jumped at the chance to take over Fierkin’s Castle in Switzerland. Grime put forth the suggestion exactly as planned,” Dumbledore said, taking his chair at his desk and peering at Minerva McGonagall through his glasses.

“We would have done the very same, Albus.”

“Yes,” Dumbledore replied, nodding his old head and grinning. “I dare say we would have.”

“And I imagine he was very anxious to stop by Hogwarts, too,” she said with a knowing smile.

“I’m sure he had to put that behind him, too. One way or the other, he was going to get around to it sooner or later. I’m sure Ginny Weasley has been very much on his mind.”

“And he on hers, Albus. I found her in his room a second time. She was sitting on his bed, holding one of his robes. Knowing their history, it was hard to scold her for being where you had ordered no one to enter. Upon finding her there the second time, I just turned and walked away. I couldn’t make her leave. If you would have seen her, I believe you would have done the same.”

“Right you are, Minerva. Right you are,” Dumbledore said, nodding his head. He brought his hand up to his white beard and slowly stroked it, as he had a habit of doing whenever lost in thought.

McGonagall noticed this and remained quiet until his eyes again focused on her. “And what of your other plans, Professor?” she asked, anxious to see if he had changed his mind.

Dumbledore lifted a hand to his desk and stared at his fingers, rubbing his thumb and index finger together in small circles. “I’m not at all certain if I should proceed yet, with the next phase, that is,” he said.

“Something has given you pause?”

“Yes. I’m no longer certain it is the right thing to do. On the day Harry first met Austin, the young man’s spirit guide told him some of what I was trying to do was best left for the next reality. When I spoke with the being, my intentions were to get around to that very subject, but the old numen left before I was able to broach it with him. I’m still thinking of going forward. The time is right to begin.”

“And Hermione and the Stran girl? Surely they would have something to say about it, Albus. No?” McGonagall asked, somewhat exasperated the old professor was obviously giving his plan thought.

“I’m not so sure that will be a problem. They are both very youthful and healthy witches. I will speak with Austin first, though. If he wishes to do it, then yes, I believe we will proceed. Now, how have things been at Hogwarts?” Dumbledore asked, wishing to change the subject. He knew Minerva McGonagall well. Once she displayed opposition to an idea, it was a hell of a task changing her mind. He did respect her arguments and, at times, she changed his mind. But he noticed her jaws were set just so. It wouldn’t do to speak of his plan any further this night.