It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 11

She nodded, but grasping his arm, she whispered back, "But it puts you and everything you do in perspective.  Everyone will finally understand and respect you for all you have and will do for Harry . . .  and for Lily."

He would have denied what she was saying, but there were tears in her eyes, which she quickly brushed away.  "Well, it's good to know I haven't lost my touch . . . Emma." He smiled slightly, as he offered her his handkerchief.

"Far be it from me to ruin your reputation . . ." Using the folded linen to blot her tears and starting to hand it back, she stopped.  "Oh, wait!  I already did that when I hugged you . . . Sorry."  She sat down and pulled her tote onto her lap, digging out the notepads and pens.

"You most certainly are not," replied Severus, pocketing the handkerchief. "I believe you will give Miss Granger a run for her money in that department," he replied, as he sat in a nearby armchair.

"Hermione?   Ruin your reputation?"

"No, I meant about not being sorry for your actions; you seem to know what you want and go after it; very Gryffindor of you."

"More my Aries tendencies, I think, but I'll take that as a compliment."  She gave him a nod.

 Just then, Remus walked in, hand and hand, with Tonks.  He smiled at Dan and introduced her to the four visitors.

"This is Dan . . Rupert . . Tom . .  and Emma."

"Wotcher!"

"Hey, Tonks." "Hello, Tonks."  "Nice to meet you."  "Can you really change your appearance at will?"

In answer, Tonks hair changed color and she sprouted elephant ears, then changed herself back to normal.

"That's just too cool!  Nat would be so jealous."  Dan shook his head.  When he noticed her quizzical look, he quickly explained, "She is the actress who plays you in the films, but most of her 'changes' were CGIs . . . we'll tell you about it later, just know it looks real enough in the film."

"Oh, right . . . okay, I'll remind you about explaining later."  Turning to Remus, she whispered, "Remind me to remind him."  Remus laughed and nodded.

 * * * *

"Professor Dumbledore, could I ask you to assist me with this, being as how it requires a bit of magic?"  Tom was setting the 'Time Stopper' Time Turner on the closed piano lid.

"Certainly, Tom.  What would you need, magically speaking?" Albus asked, looking closely at the glowing instrument.  "May I also ask what this particular devise does?"

"It will freeze time, so we will have as much as we need to get through the movies and formulate our plans.  It will cover everything inside #12 and it's wards.  It is activated by a modified 'Stasis Charm'.  Draco wrote the one he says works best in this note, sir."  Tom pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Dumbledore.

"Ah, I see.  Very useful and I think quite the thing to be helping us with making sure everything is covered in our plans."

"Kreacher!"  Sirius jumped up.  "We forgot all about him, what if he's at Malfoy Manor?"

"In the book he was found in the attic, 'hiding'.  Perhaps you should go look for him and have him bring his Master Regulus' locket with him . . . that's an order, Sirius!"  Dan yelled after him, as Harry's godfather went out the door, heading for the top of the house.

"That's right, Dung hasn't nicked it yet, has he?  Rupert smiled. "So that's three found, one destroyed and four to go; we're moving right along."