Chapter III

Harry kept to the basement for the next four hours of the morning, pouring over the new books. It wasn't enough to just read the pages on trinity charm, he had to understand the magic.

It was the most complex of magical topics and if that wasn't enough, it was written in the most arcane English that Harry had ever read in his life. Half of the words sounded more German than English and the other half were either French or Latin and Greek and the small portion of the real English words that Harry recognized didn't help him understand the pages any better.

He kept having to tap the words with his wands and mutter "verto", which swapped the unknown word to common English. He did that so often that Phineas suggested he get a Goblin to translate the whole book.

With all the difficulty that reading these books had in themselves, Harry was entitled to understand them. He read through "Souls And The Arcane Arts" By Morbius Vivandi. It was a summary of all the knowledge of soul magic up to his time. The most illuminating book and pretty straight forward. It did not go into any details or teach any spells, but it did describe the uses and the effects of many magical doings that involved souls and how souls can be used in other types of magic.

Vivandi mentioned trinity a few times but briefly and limited to "binding of souls". Harry was shocked to find out that a wizard can use his soul to enhance most common spells. Although Vivandi suggested that souls should not be treated so carelessly. He seemed to put so much emphasis on the power of a whole soul as opposed to a maimed one. Something that reminded Harry of what Dumbledore had told him many times.

After Vivandi's book, he picked up "The light that darkens" By Lucinda Aligeri. This was the most disturbing book since it described in much detail, how one would go about feeding on souls and how to become immortal and extremely powerful in the process. Harry was thankful that Lucinda seemed to be against feeding on children souls nonetheless.

He put down Aligeri's book after a hundred or so pages, he felt like he might vomit if he read another page. He picked up a heavy book called "Soul working: A Glossary" By Arman Aryani. This was the book that Harry was hoping to find. It simply explained the rituals and taught the spells. All of which required the hardest of wand movement patterns and utmost focus. Aryani had not bothered to write any tips or warnings, he merely taught the magic. This was a pro and a con at the same time. After an hour or so, he found it!

Entry: Trinity Charm

Primary Usage: Soul Binding

Requires: Three Adult Wizards

This one had many more pages of explanation. Apparently trinity charm was a compilation of magical doings, and not just one spell, but it was exactly what Harry was looking for, since through one of its uses, one could confirm the integrity of one's soul. It was very complex and had too many "ever-changing variables", but it seemed doable. Aryani had written a small tip at the end of the chapter for this one. "Include witches of good nature for better results, Do not include lovers and abject souls, nor witches who are still pure".

Harry had to read the note several times before understanding what it meant by "pure". At first, it confused him, how can one be good-natured but not pure? But then he remembered that these books are ancient and ancient people thought differently about things, even in the magical world.

Harry sighed and put the book aside. He rubbed his eyes. He had been reading for hours. "How does Hermione do this?" he thought to himself before leaning his head against the hard stone wall behind him, and going straight to sleep. He dreamt of witches who were tricking children into soul binding rituals. Old men who took the souls of their victims and kept them in glass orbs. Women who were examined for purity before being allowed to enroll in lessons, and many other disturbing images.

He woke up with the bored voice of Phineas. "Your friends who aren't here are calling for you!" Harry rubbed his eyes again and looked at the watch that Mrs. Weasley had given him for his 17th birthday.

It was almost time for him to go upstairs and help Ron and Hermione clean the second floor. They have been battling the house since they came back and it was a never ending job. Ron suggested that they hire a cleaner from the ad pages of the prophet, but Harry knew better than to let anyone other than friends into this house at all.

Harry yawned and got up, it was after all his house and he couldn't let his friends do all the work. He made to leave the basement, passing Phineas Nigellus's portrait, then stopped.

"Mr. Nigellus ?" Called Harry.

"Mister? Oh, have we found civilized manners already? I was getting used to threats of getting scorched!" Phineas replied sarcastically.

"Phineas it is then!" Said Harry with another yawn. "There was this bit about the purity of the witch in a trinity ritual..."

"What about it?"

"What does it actually mean?"

"You know perfectly well what it means!" Said Phineas coldly.

Harry hesitated.

"And you said, you need a girl, and you've got one!" Said Harry hastily, as if the sooner he got it out the sooner he would be rid of this thought.

"She will do!"

"How do you know?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.

Phineas rolled his eyes.

"As I heard Dumbledore talk about it on multiple occasions. I know that she eventually grew close to the Weasley boy. Dumbledore was absolutely sure that they would fall apart at some point but since I can hear him trot like a centaur upstairs and snore like a troll, I dare say they made it up! And I don't think they have been reading the mantra of Poliphus when they are alone together!" Phineas finished monotonously.

Harry stared at him. Dumbledore had discussed Hermione on multiple occasions in his office? And he was sure that Ron and her would break up?

"I thought you didn't remember names!" Harry said bitterly.

"I don't!"

"Why was Dumbledore sure that they would fall apart?"

"It was inevitable!"

"But why?" Harry insisted.

"You're missing the point! The point is that you have all that you need for a trinity ritual! Two wizards including yourself and a witch who is more that able to pull off the charm, if Dumbledore was right in praising her at least!" Finished Phineas with an eye roll.

"Yea he was!" Said Harry heatedly.

"Well then you have no problem, ask them to do it with you."

"You didn't answer my question!"

"I cannot answer that question. I don't know why Dumbledore believed or did most of the things that he did."

"Right!" Said Harry, happy to be rid of this awkward conversation and made to leave the room again.

"There is a potion!"

Harry paused at the door. "What potion?" He asked.

"For making sure if she is fit for the ritual." He continued when Harry didn't say anything. "It's easy to brew. Drop a single hair into the potion and if she's fit, it'll turn red, if not, purple. It was used before an ought of betrothal in ancient times."

"No, thanks, I don't even want to think about that anymore to be honest." He hesitated, but he had to know, the gamble could be devastating. "What if-" Harry begun but was interrupted.

"You will die!"

"Die!"

"Yes Potter die! I already told you that pure female souls are stronger in nature, but they have much less control over them, the females over their souls I mean, so her soul will probably be wonderfully amazed to look at your soul, she will try to learn or cherry-pick traits that she admires in you and in your friend and because she has no control over it, she'll get excited and do it to the point of killing you both and because no soul is meant to grow that much in a matter of minutes, she'll die too!"

Harry gaped at him. Unable to believe what he had just heard. "What about the part about not including lovers then?" Harry asked.

"She doesn't love you!" Said Phineas coldly.

"Right... Well, I don't love her! I mean I do! But like a sister..." Harry mumbled hastily.

"Precisely my point!" Yawned Phineas.

And without another word Harry left.

When he got upstairs, Ron and Hermione had already started with the corridors. There were many nasty things to deal with as they all had experienced before. Almost everything that was hung on the walls had the same permanent glue.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had done every single spell they could think of plus a handful of stuff from the books in the library but still couldn't remove or weaken that glue. "It's cursed I tell you, Its wicked" Ron had said.

After several hours of battling the house, they settled themselves in the living room besides the fire. Hermione made them all her special herbal tea that she had learned from Neville during his visit a few months ago. Neville unlike them went back to Hogwarts to finish his education, something that Hermione kept reminding them that they ought to do as well soon enough.

"Thanks, Hermione. I can never get enough of this." said Ron as he sipped his tea.

"Oh, it's no trouble, Ron."

"So, what news, Harry?" Asked Ron.

"News?" Replied Harry.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Nothing much, to be honest. Just the usual."

"Still hellbent on that nasty book, are you?" Said Hermione with a raised eyebrow, and put a strong emphasis on the word "Nasty" as if the book has done her a personal damage, which, in a way, it had.

"Don't get started, please." Harry said wearily.

"No, I'm not. Just making conversation." Hermione said, a little offended.

"Yeah, well, let's talk about something else."

"Did you hear about the attack on Quality Quidditch Supplies?" Said Ron.

"No, why?"

"Some death eaters believed that the owner was too happy when you know who died!"

"That's rubbish" Snapped Harry. "Why can't the ministry round them up after all this time?"

"Its just like the last time, they all have some excuses and there is no Barty Crouch this time" Said Hermione.

"Someone is taking his place dad reckons, his names some Sheraldov or something... Old guy, very tough too apparently"

"Serves them right if you ask me!" Said Harry.

There was a slight pause in which Ron and Hermione exchanged meaningful looks. Harry having gotten used to this, ignored it, until finally, Ron spoke.

"So have you checked the mail Harry?" Said Ron conversationally, but there was no mistaking the underlying tone of his voice.

"I stopped weeks ago."

"Ginny wrote!"

"Didn't get her owl!" Harry Said with a slight frown. This was precisely why he had given her an owl, during the summer.

"Yea mom sent it through flu, Ginny reckons you would have lost her letter." Harry raised his head and looked at Ron but didn't say anything. "Since you haven't replied to her last three letters!" Ron finished.

"I was thinking about surprising her at Hogsmeade."

"Hogsmeade was last week." Ron said coldly.

"Must've lost track of time!"

Hermione, meanwhile kept looking at them back and forth, observing a little too understandingly.

Hermione's eyes darted between them during exchange. Each sentence like a slow pluck of a string that led to a crescendo of tension, that made her heart sank.

"I told Kreacher to give you the letter when you're... In the basement." Said Ron.

"I just came up, he must've forgotten!"

"Write back to her!" Ron said calmly but imperatively.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed.

"It's okay, Hermione. What is it?" said Harry, shifting his gaze back to Ron.

"Are you gonna keep ignoring her? You're my best mate, but she's my sister! I have a duty to her!"

"I thought you were the one who didn't want us together in the first place, Ron!" said Harry, his voice cold and steady.

"No I just said you shouldn't grope her any chance you get after breaking up with her and that-

"-That was in poor taste even then!" Harry cut in sharply.

"-was for before, that was when-" Ron stopped short, blinking. "What?" he demanded indignantly.

"When I was gonna die and break her heart?" Harry finished for him, as if Ron hadn't spoken at all.

"Well...yeah...and no, it was to keep her safe!" Ron shot back."And what is this rubbish about poor taste?"

"Rubbish..." Harry muttered, the word sour on his tongue. Ron shifted uncomfortably.

"You are the last person who should lecture anyone about taste and speaking manners Harry! Remember Remus?" Ron snapped.

"Ron! That's enough!" Hermione said loudly, looking at both of them in turn. "We shouldn't fight! it's all in the past, what's the point?"

Ron's breath came rough and fast. Harry just sat there, watching the two of them, quietly wondering if stunning both might be the only way to restore peace.

"OK!" Said Harry finally "I see. Is she unsafe now?" Asked Harry, trying to sound casual, but his tone was cold as ice. "And in case you forgot, Remus went back to Tonks!" He finished flatly.

"Harry, stop! Ron, that's enough!" Hermione's voice trembled with strain. "It's none of our business what they do in their relationship!" She looked at Harry with pleading softness, then at Ron with a glare that dared him to open his mouth again.

"Yeah, it is! She's my sister! Listen, Harry..." Ron started.

"No, you listen, Ron!" Harry flared up. "Would you like her to keep living her life while looking back over her shoulders? Would you rather she's harassed 24/7 by dear old Voldy's supporters and those who want revenge? Is that what you want for your sister?"

Silence fell upon them. It was as though the very walls of the house were holding their breath. It was only then that Harry realized that he was standing, towering over them with his fist white around his wand handle, pointing aimlessly at the floor.

"Answer me!" Harry said firmly, pocketed his wand and sat down.

"No, and don't try to make it sound like you're sacrificing something!" Ron said bitterly.

"Ron, that's enough! Harry, you too, please! Both of you stop talking!" Hermione shouted frantically.

"Or what?" Ron snapped.

"Or I'll leave! You can fight without me in the middle of it!"

"What do you think about this, anyway? Do you think he's right?"

"I think we all ought to zip it until we are calm and drink our tea, okay?"

"Fine!" Said Ron.

"But I'm not finished!" Said Harry.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione sighed.

"No, Hermione, let us talk, and for once plainly and without pretense! What is it, Ron?" Harry asked.

"What is what?" Ron said.

"All of it! The muttering, the sideways looks, the goggling worrying eyes, the whispered conversations between you two, all of it!"

"I can't change my eyes!" Said Ron.

"Harry, it's not like that. We don't talk behind your back. We are your friends." She said softly.

"Wait a moment, Hermione. Fine, if that's what you want, I'll give it to you! You're not yourself! I thought it was normal at first, since the forest, the... Funeral, and everything in between. But then I realized that you've been like this since you came back from the forest!" Ron paused, looking around, as if he expected a good word to judo from a corner and present itself to him. "You're weird, too silent... We moved in here with you to make sure you're fine, to stay together after everything... And you act like we don't exist! Are we friends or not?"

The very air shimmered with unspoken words, hurt and disappointment. The three of them sat there, with the few words that were spoken, hanging between them like poisonous fog, scorching their lungs and making it hard to breathe.

"I'm sorry that living in my house is such an inconvenience to you!" Harry said, his voice low and gravelly. "You can leave if it bothers you, or if I bother you! I think I've earned a few quiet days after having literally died!"

"That's not what I meant!" Ron replied, his voice rising in frustration and anger. "And if you think we owe you something, If you think you'd better rot in here by yourself and that accursed elf, I'll pay the rent! At least you won't be a sad ghost in this house by yourself!" Ron yelled, turning a deep shade of red.

Harry paused, surveying them. The bitter truth leaving a bad taste in his mouth. "What did you mean?" He asked, his voice softer.

"I mean, why don't you talk to us?" Ron said. "We went through all that crap with you in case you forgot! We risked our lives, we got injured, we nearly died many times, and we lost people we loved! You're not the only one in this story who risked his life, Harry! Don't deny that at least! Hermione erased her parents memory for merlin's sake!"

Harry let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "I think, there is something wrong with me... I've been reading... I think my soul might be broken." He said the last part more to himself than to them.

"What?" Ron and Hermione said in unison, taken aback.

"Very touching, mate, but you're evading the topic." Ron said, trying to regain control of the conversation.

"The more I read, the more I'm made to think that my soul has changed!" Harry continued, ignoring Ron's comment. "I feel different, I think differently. I can't explain it, its like there is something between me and my old self... Here, read this." He waved his wand lazily, and letters ignited in the air, forming paragraphs from the book he had just read.

They gaped at it for a moment before starting to read. After a long few moments, Hermione was the first to speak. "You don't believe this!" She said incredulously.

"I don't know what I believe, Hermione." Harry replied. "This is just one paragraph that implies something like this, and there are much more that suggest-"

"Suggest what?" Ron interrupted, sounding softer than before.

"I don't know! Well, you can read, can't you?"

"Harry, your soul is fine! It's intact, I'm sure!" Hermione reassuringly.

"I need to make sure of it!" Harry said firmly.

"How do you make sure your soul is in one piece? Is there a magic for that?" Ron asked.

"Yes, there is something, but..." Harry hesitated.

"What is it?"

"Not the Trinity Charm!" Said Hermione her voice strained with shock.

"Yea, that's the one!" Said Harry, intrigued, and at the same time proud of her.

"Excuse me, what in the hell is a Trinity Charm?"

"A Trinity Charm, well, it's more of a ritual, is a bit of this really obscure and prohibited combo of soul magic workings that involves three people, who will connect to each other through their souls." Hermione explained, as if reciting her lessons at school.

"And what good is that?" Ron asked, still sounding confused.

"You triple your magic, for instance, and the way I understood it, some souls can go in and out of the other souls." Harry said.

"What do you mean go in and out of someone's soul?" Ron sounded revolted.

"Not some souls, Harry, female souls." Hermione said nervously, biting her lower lip.

"Yes, but there have been male wizards who accomplished this. However, according to the book, it's safer for a female to do it." He knew far too well that this ritual, needed a witch, but he had to let her get there on her own, or it would sound like a scheme.

"Hello?" Ron interrupted.

"Well, you can observe someone's soul and see it, feel it, touch it, and..."

"Make sure of its integrity!" Harry finished for her.

There was a pause before Hermione continued.

"Harry... You're not asking me to... I mean, if I could, I don't know how, And I am Muggle-born and not-" she hesitated.

"Go on..." Harry urged, with a playful smirk.

"Not exactly the feeling type!" Hermione finished, Ron snorted.

"You can feel just like any other girl, Hermione. You're just very rational." Ron said, grinning.

"That's a problem in these types of magic. I can't trust my feelings, and that's why I can never be a seer. Not that I want to anyway, but you see what I mean?" Hermione looked flattered nonetheless.

"If you want to help me, this is the way. But I can always find other people." Harry said.

"Like who?" Ron snapped.

"Many would pay for a soul bonding with the Chosen One, especially female ones." He said with a grin.

"Git!" Ron laughed.

"What?" Harry said to a disgusted looking Hermione.

"Don't talk like that! It doesn't suit you." Hermione scolded.

"I was joking, Hermione. And it's just soul binding, nothing more, and it's very temporary. Plus, I can wipe their memories afterward, which is something I'd rather not do."

"Too far, mate!"

"Think about it, will you?" Harry said to the both of them.

"Harry, souls are extremely complex to understand and to use in magic, not to mention illegal." Hermione said, shaking her head.

"How illegal, though?" Ron asked.

"Life in Azkaban."

Ron whistled, as Hermione continued. "As I was saying, souls have their own will, of sorts, and they have a memory and many other qualities that are very difficult to tame. You both remember the locket, don't you?"

"Yeah." Ron said darkly, and Harry nodded. They both had a hard time forgetting what that bit of Voldemort's soul had displayed to them to mess with their heads. Though Hermione didn't know the full extent of it to this day.

"But you are forgetting something! The soul that... Well, that was not inside his body and was maimed and was Voldemort's." Harry said.

"I need to study this, Harry. I can't agree to something that might, possibly kill all of us at once!" Hermione said firmly.

"There is a chance of death!?" Ron exclaimed.

"It says, the book I mean, if one's soul is dominant in nature, or envious, or corrupt, it can sort of consume the souls of the other participants in these types of magic!" Harry explained, his expression growing serious.

"Eat the souls?" Said a revolted Ron. "Like a dementor?"

"Hmm, I suppose, but you'll enjoy it!" Harry said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"What?" Ron and Hermione exclaimed in unison.

"The book says that there is a certain euphoria to be discovered in trinity magic, which includes an assortment of rituals and charms and spells, by the way, not just this one. It was something like 'The ecstasy of two or more souls binding in acceptance and in unison and understanding, is something that cannot be put to words'," Harry quoted. "But this is the light stuff... There are darker uses, which includes snuffing someone out through soul consumption or strain, and the book says there is a joy in that as we'll... Though I doubt the victim would like it much to be honest."

"You think?" Ron said sarcastically. "I'd rather not enjoy your soul, if it can be helped, mate. No offense."

Harry laughed

"I need your books Harry." Hermione said with the same tone of "I'm going to the library".

"They are not hidden Hermione they are all in the library in the basement just don't move things around too much, OK? I'll lose track of things."

Hermione muttered something like "boys!" and vanished out of the room.

Once they were alone, Harry thought he has to say something to Ron.

"Look I don't know what to do about Ginny. I... I want her, but I don't know if I should be so selfish, and I don't know if I can keep her safe."

"Wouldn't kill you to write to her or reply to her letters!"

"Right..." Harry paused "I wasn't talking about rent by the way. I'm glad that you guys are here with me. I would rot here if I was alone!" Mumbled Harry.

"I didn't mean the Remus part either!" Ron said to his hands.