The next Thursday, Riddle reread the almost week old copy of the Daily Prophet covering the Second Task he had managed to get his hands on and was still quite surprised at the Potter boy's way of dealing with the Task.
'A summoning charm?' he thought. 'Over what sort of range?'
As he sat there in his tiny body, he again tried to figure it out. 'It had to be at least a third of a mile and through water, at that. The boy clearly has plenty of power.'
Thinking things through he decided it was time to bring in his 'third in command', Malfoy. The man may be as slippery as an eel, but he could get the job done. MacNair was proving to be adequate, but could also fail. Lucius didn't when it was needed.
"Wormtail!" he shrilly bellowed.
When the dumpy and dirty little man came in, all obsequiousness as was proper, Riddle said, "Contact Lucius. Same security as when you contacted MacNair. I want him here at seven hours past noon in three night's time. Now, get me my potion. This body, yet again, needs nourishment."
"Yes, Master," Pettigrew was quick to bow, before hurriedly backing out of the room.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On the Friday after the Second Task, Harry was summoned up to the Headmistress's office for directly after lunch. She asked him to come alone and gave her word he would not be harmed in any way.
Harry did so, but also had Dobby follow him in secret and while hidden. If any active magics were employed against Harry, Dobby was to immediately get him out of there; no hesitation. While he trusted Marchbanks, he did not trust that she would be free of any magical compulsion.
Already told the password, which hadn't changed from 'Step aside, please', Harry barely broke stride from walking along the corridor to stepping onto the steps winding up to the Headmistress's door.
He paused only a few moments outside her door at the top of the stairs to make sure he was presentable before he knocked on the door.
Immediately, he heard, "Come!" And opened the door.
Without stepping within, he checked to see who else was in the room before entering himself. There was only Headmistress Lady Marchbanks and a gentleman wearing a dark blue hooded robe, who had just turned to face him. However, he couldn't make out the man's... if it was a man's... face.
Harry hadn't even realised he'd had his wand in his hand until he raised it and pointed it directly at the other, disguised, person.
The Headmistress said, "Lord Potter, there is no need for that."
"Lady Marchbanks," he said, ignoring the implied order. "What was it you first said to me when I was escorting you down to the Second Task?"
She smiled back and said, "You asked why I chose to walk instead of apparate or portkey. I told you it was because it was a beautiful day and I did not get many chances to walk outside, especially with one so charming as yourself."
Harry nodded, "And I called you a flatterer."
She chuckled.
"And why does this... person mask their appearance?" he demanded.
"He is an Unspeakable," replied Marchbanks. "What he wears, together with the masking charms, is normal for one such as he."
"Uh-huh," said Harry. "I've never met one."
"If you'll allow me to remove my hood," said the Unspeakable, "It may help to alleviate your concerns."
Harry gave a single nod back.
Carefully, so as not to cause Harry to 'cast first and ask questions later', the Unspeakable slowly doffed the hood. When he did, Harry saw it was a man with a short cut hairstyle, goatee, a facial structure that screamed he was of Italian descent, though he was actually of Israeli descent, and piercing light blue eyes.
Harry gave a slow nod and said, "Alll-right. Now, who are you?"
"Lord Potter, I am Saul Croaker. I'm the Director of the Department of Mysteries. We need to talk.
"But, first; do you mind if I draw my wand and make an oath?"
Harry slowly shook his head once, but didn't lower his wand.
Carefully and deliberately, Croaker drew his wand and gave oath. "I, the Unspeakable known generally as 'Croaker', do swear on my magics I mean no harm to Lord Harrison James Potter, his betrothed, his Concubine Bonded, any member of the Potter-Longbottom Alliance, his godfather, Lord Sirius Black or Remus Lupin. As I say, so I swear, so let it be written."
Then Harry saw the tell-tale flash of magic that showed the oath had been accepted by magic. Only then did he lower his wand, resheathing it a moment later.
"Sorry," he muttered, walking closer.
Croaker chuckled and replied, "Do not ever apologise for what you just did, Lord Potter. You did not accept at face value that Griselda, here, was who she purported herself to be and asked what were clearly security questions someone under a glamour or Polyjuice would not typically know the answers to.
"In your robes I'd probably do the same. I'm just more skilled enough at magic I do not need such."
Harry nodded back and looked to Marchbanks. "I take it I'm here because Mister Croaker wants a word?"
As Marchbanks grinned, but before she could respond, Croaker chuckled and said, "Not Mister Croaker... just Croaker. Saul is my first name, though; even though Dumbledore used to call me Algernon."
Harry frowned back and asked, "Why'd he do that?"
Croaker grinned, gave a small shrug and replied, "I may have intimated Algernon was my given name. Dumbledore had this very bad habit of addressing folks by their first name, but demanding he be addressed by his title or titles."
Harry gave a snort and said, "Yes. I figured out why, back in my first year. By addressing you by your first name, while demanding he be addressed by his titles, he was alluding to how much more important he was compared to you. It was one of his subtle tricks to show dominance over you."
Croaker chuckled and replied, "That's exactly why he did it, yes. It's also why I may have told him my first name was Algernon."
Marchbanks cut in and said, "Now that you two are done with the 'meet and greet', it's time for me to get out of your hair." Turning to Croaker, she said, "Saul, when you're done, please send me a messenger Patronus to let me know. I'll let you see yourself out."
Croaker gave her a nod and smile. "Of course, Gris."
As the old witch began to rise, Harry hurried forward to help her stand and make sure she was on her feet.
As soon was she was up and with her cane in hand, she gently tapped him on his cheek with the pads of her fingers and said, "So chivalrous; but I can see to things from here, Lord Potter. Thank you."
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/gokublack444🎉