The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 28: A New Mission

The morning sun hung low in the sky, spilling golden light over the sprawling Black estate, casting long, stretched-out shadows across the grounds. The crisp air of the French countryside carried the faint scent of lavender, mingling with the subtle fragrance of fresh-baked bread from the nearby village. Yet despite the idyllic scenery, there was a buzz of anticipation in the air as Sirius paced restlessly in the study. He’d summoned Remus earlier that morning, a summons that had piqued the older man’s curiosity. Sirius rarely called upon Remus for anything unless it was urgent.

Sirius had spent the past few days meticulously preparing for what he had described only as “an adventure.” His enthusiasm was contagious, but it only served to leave Remus with a mixture of both excitement and anxiety. With everything that had happened in the past few months—Peter’s capture, their rebuilding efforts, and even the strange pull of a life that still seemed to be unfolding before them—Remus had hoped for a quiet period. But it seemed like destiny had other plans.

The door creaked open, and Sirius entered, his expression impossibly bright despite the weight of whatever lay ahead. “Ready for our next move, Moony?”

Remus, sitting at the desk with a half-written letter in his hand, leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know. But with you, it’s never boring, is it?”

Sirius gave him a wide grin, stepping closer. “That’s the spirit. I think you’ll like this one.”

They had talked about the mission briefly, but now it seemed it was time to delve into the real details. Sirius waved a hand toward the large map of Europe spread out across the desk, detailing borders, cities, and hidden magical sites.

“We’ve been tracking a rogue wizard,” Sirius began, his tone turning serious. “His name is Severin Quinn. He’s been making waves in the magical underworld—stealing artifacts, causing trouble, and, worst of all, messing with dark magic.”

Remus raised an eyebrow. “More dark wizards, huh? This is starting to feel like old times.”

Sirius’s face remained unamused. “I wish that were the case. Quinn isn’t just any dark wizard. He’s been hunting for something—something powerful. And if he finds it...”

Remus didn’t need to hear the rest. The threat was clear. The last time they’d dealt with a dark wizard, it had been Voldemort himself. And the mere suggestion that this Quinn could be a threat on that scale made Remus’s blood run cold.

“Something powerful?” Remus asked, his voice quiet but sharp with concern. “What is it?”

Sirius hesitated, as though weighing how much to share. “A bloodstone. It’s a legendary artifact, tied to the ancient magical families. Supposedly, it can amplify a wizard’s powers to an unimaginable level. If Quinn gets his hands on it—”

Remus let out a breath, feeling the weight of the words settle in. The bloodstone was no myth. It had been whispered about in old magical texts—an object of incomprehensible power, said to have been lost for centuries. If someone like Quinn managed to unlock its secrets, it could change everything.

“I take it we can’t let him have it,” Remus said, the urgency in his voice unmistakable.

“Exactly,” Sirius replied, his face now hardening with resolve. “We’ve been tracking him for months, but he’s slippery. He knows how to stay off the radar, and we’ve only just caught a break. We’ve found a lead, a contact who knows Quinn’s movements. He’s hiding out in a small town near the French-Spanish border. If we can get there before he moves again, we might be able to stop him.”

Remus stood up, brushing off his robes. “What’s the plan?”

Sirius smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “That’s the best part. We’re not just going to walk up and knock on his door. We’re going in, quiet, swift, and precise. No one knows we’re coming.”

Harriett, who had been quietly listening in the corner, stepped forward. Her expression was thoughtful, but there was a spark of something more in her eyes, something akin to the fire that often burned in Sirius’s gaze when he set his mind to something.

“I’m coming with you,” Harriett said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Remus gave her a long look, trying to gauge her mood. It was no surprise that she wanted to be involved. Since learning about her heritage, Harriett had become more than just the daughter of Sirius—she had proven herself time and time again, not just in terms of magical talent but also in courage. Still, it would be dangerous. Remus couldn’t help but worry about her.

“You sure about this?” Remus asked softly.

Harriett met his gaze, her lips curling into a confident smile. “I’m not staying behind, Remus. You know I can handle myself.”

Sirius chuckled, slapping Remus on the back. “You heard the girl. She’s in. And frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The three of them set out together, leaving the estate and heading toward the rendezvous point, a quiet village in the hills. The carriage ride was long, the landscape changing from the soft countryside of France to the rugged terrain near the Pyrenees. The air grew thinner as they climbed, the atmosphere growing more tense as the mission loomed ever closer.

Along the way, Sirius and Remus discussed the logistics, finalizing the plan. They would meet their contact, Desmond Yates, an ex-Auror who had been tracking Quinn for some time. Yates was known for his ability to gather information from the most obscure places, and it was his expertise that had led them to this point.

When they arrived in the village, a dark-haired man with a brooding expression waited for them at the edge of the woods. His features were sharp, his eyes calculating, and his presence intimidating, but there was no mistaking the sense of quiet authority he exuded. This was Desmond Yates.

“You’ve arrived,” Yates said, his voice low and rasping. “We don’t have much time. Quinn is already on the move.”

Sirius nodded curtly. “Where is he?”

Yates glanced toward the distant hills, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his cloak. “He’s been hiding in an old farmhouse just outside of town. But he’s not going to stay there for long. I’ve been tracking him, but he knows I’m close. He’ll leave soon, likely heading toward an even more isolated location.”

Harriett stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. “Do we know what he’s after?”

“He’s after the bloodstone, of course,” Yates said, his expression hardening. “But I don’t think he realizes the full potential of what he’s dealing with. If he gains control over it…”

Sirius cut him off. “We know. That’s why we need to move quickly.”

Yates gave a curt nod. “Then we don’t have time to waste.”

The team set off immediately, weaving through narrow paths that led up the mountain toward the farmhouse. The further they went, the more tense the air seemed to grow. The ancient land felt almost alive, humming with secrets that had been buried for centuries. As they approached the farmhouse, they could sense the weight of the moment pressing in on them, each step drawing them closer to the confrontation that would decide the fate of the bloodstone—and possibly the future of the magical world itself.

"Stay close," Sirius murmured, his voice firm but steady. "We stick together. No heroics."

As they moved closer to the farmhouse, Remus couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a turning point. This mission was unlike any other. It was about stopping an unimaginable force before it could destroy everything they held dear. And with Harriett by his side, Remus knew that whatever happened next, they would face it together.