Certain Dark Things || Book Five

vi. house-arrest

They Apparated into the open park, and Harriet's legs finally went out from under her.

"Mind yourself, Potter," growled Alastor Moody, his wooden leg thumping on the dry grass as he turned in place, surveying the barren estate. As far as Aurors available who were available to escort her home, Mad-Eye wasn't the worst choice. At least he was loyal and supported Dumbledore, so he wouldn't go running back to Gaunt with details about the area. However, Harriet still thought he was an arsehole.

Firm fingers gripped her under the arms, and Harriet startled. "Allons-y," Mr. Flamel muttered as he lifted her, and Harriet forced her wobbly legs to cooperate.

"Thanks."

The empty eyes of blank townhouses watched the motley group. Dawn lingered on the horizon behind the row, bathing the edges in dim lines of peach and gold. True daylight wouldn't break for several hours yet, but it made for a strange, ethereal time to arrive home after being released from prison. No one was awake, the heat had yet to set in. It felt as if the whole world slumbered, and breathing too loud would shatter the illusion.

"We need to get out of the open," Moody grunted, jerking himself into motion. Harriet thought it was more suspicious for him to rush, swinging his head from side to side like Dudley after pilfering the biscuit jar, but she kept that comment to herself. She did, however, hear a soft, exasperated sigh from Professor Dumbledore.

"Of course, Alastor." He offered his arm to Perenelle as they set off. Mr. Flamel rested his hand on Harriet's elbow, which proved useful when she stumbled on a rut hidden in the dying grass and almost landed on her arse. She clenched her jaw and forced her back straight.

Mad-Eye was the first one up the stoop, and he stopped at the door, rounding Harriet. She almost took a tumble, startled by the motion, and barely managed to keep her feet.

"Arm out, Potter."

Confused, Harriet did as he said. Moody pulled out his wand and held the point just below the top of her hands, not quite touching. He began to recite an incantation, twitching his wand in the specific, practiced motion of runes, an amorphous band of silver forming around her wrist. Then, the strangest thing happened; Mad-Eye suddenly looked skyward, both eyes, pointedly turning his attention away. Mr. Flamel's hand slid against Harriet's arm, pressing two fingers over her wrist. Doing so caused the ugly silver bangle to solidify larger than it should have.

Moody cleared his throat, and Flamel moved his hand. "Now," the Auror continued, all business. "That's the Aurory's monitoring Charm, set to alert the DMLE should it leave the wards of this house. Do you understand me, lass?"

"Yes," Harriet snapped, wishing he'd get out of the way.

Grunting, Mad-Eye lowered himself just enough to force Harriet to look at him. He smacked his solid, gnarled finger against the bangle. "This cannot leave. Do you understand?"

Ah. Harriet's gaze flickered toward her wrist, then to the side where Mr. Flamel stood just behind her. The Charm was meant to mold to her wrist, but now—. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Moody straightened, nodding his head toward Dumbledore and the Flamels. "I'll return to file confirmation of her drop off. One less thing for them idiots to fuss about."

"Thank you, Alastor."

He departed then, getting around Harriet by clapping her rather hard on the shoulder. She thought it might have been meant in a friendly manner—or, as friendly as the strange, paranoid bloke got. Whatever it was, Harriet ignored the departing Auror and reached to lay her hand on the door. The wards recognized her presence, and it gently creaked open.