This was generating some sniggers but Sirius was serious and showed it. "This second prophecy says he will return greater and more terrible. What if we transfigured a pile of hippogriff shit and used that? Voldemort would return as a greater pile of shit, and smell really terrible."
Bill tried to be the voice of reason here, amongst the sniggers that particular image had produced. "We really don't want to give him any more advantages than he already has. Squirrels are incredibly agile and lightning quick. While using shit might be really appealing, imagine if he took on any attributes of a hippogriff? A flying Voldemort with razor-sharp claws as well as a wand is not something we would want to face."
Seeing the sense behind that, Remus voiced aloud their problem. "I know Wormtail will panic if nothing comes out that grave when he summons it, so we need to replace those bones with something. The question we need to answer here is what?"
Sirius came back with another suggestion. "A dead pigeon, transfigured to look like bones. While Voldemort is busy puffing his chest out and boastfully bobbing his head, Harry can wring his neck"
Trying to ignore Sirius' latest suggestion, Bill gave them some guidelines to work within. "Whatever the decision, the material has to have been living and animal to see the ritual complete. Something like stone or metal will cause the ritual to fail. While a squirrel would probably work, a tree branch wouldn't. I think all insects should be avoided too, a six foot beetle is a scary enough thought before adding in Voldemort's power and intelligence."
"A dormouse." Sirius was sure he had picked a winner this time. "Think about it, Voldemort would spend most of his time sleeping!"
It was Amelia who then asked the obvious question. "Why take any chances? Let's vanish those bones and replace them with a different muggle? I'm assuming it's only because the muggle is his father that Voldemort would receive any benefit?"
Remus loved that idea. "This is a ritual where each part in turn gets multiplied by the next. Bone of the father, you will renew your son. With no power coming from the first part of the ritual, it should seriously affect the rest. We know Peter isn't a powerful wizard - assuming he's the servant. That would leave them needing to get their hands on a very powerful foe, and with only Peter there to accomplish that. If Voldemort makes it back to having a body, I think we want that body to be as weak as possible."
present
A knock at his door pulled Harry back to the present, and a concerned Hermione.
"What happened? You seemed far away. I thought for a second that you had gone after that horcrux without me…" A gentle kiss instantly settled his betrothed's nerves. Both were still getting used to their bond.
"Sorry, I was getting swamped by your emotions so tried concentrating on something else. It worked."
Emma popped her head in to see Hermione wrapped in Harry's arms. Her daughter had gone from elation to anxiety in such a short space of time, and then shot out of her room. Thankfully for Emma, Harry's room was right next door to Hermione's. Just by looking, it was easy for Emma to see her daughter was back on a much more even keel.
"Her father says you're good for Hermione, I can see what he means. I feel as if we got off on the wrong foot in that restaurant, and we haven't really had a moment alone to talk since. I was wondering if we could start over? I'm Emma Granger, Hermione's mother."
Taking Emma's now outstretched hand, Harry turned that hand over before bending and kissing the back of her knuckles. "I'm Lord Harry James Potter, your beautiful daughter's betrothed - and your host here in Italy - but you can call me Harry. We'll clear some time tonight after dinner when the four of us can sit down and chat about where we go from here, if that's ok with you and your husband?"
Seeing the mischievous twinkle in the boy's eyes, Emma was reminded of a much younger Daniel Granger. Dan never had this boy's confidence though, neither of them did. Seeing that very same sparkle in her daughter's eyes, Emma had to conclude Dan was right. She hardly knew Harry but could easily see these two being good for each other.
"I'll talk to Dan, he's waiting just down the corridor to help me with the stairs. Poppy's medicine is absolutely wonderful, but I still feel a bit shaky."
Offering Emma his arm, Harry had a Granger lady on each arm as they walked to where Dan was waiting. Tonight's family meeting was quickly agreed upon but, with messages of taking care of each other ringing in their ears, it was now time to leave.
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