The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 29: Harriett's Resolve

The wind whipped through the trees as Harriett followed Sirius and Remus through the narrow, overgrown path. Her feet crunched softly against the dirt and leaves beneath her boots, but her mind was elsewhere, her thoughts a tangle of worry and anticipation. The farmhouse loomed ahead, barely visible through the mist that clung to the mountain air. Harriett had always been a part of the action, but this—this felt different.

The weight of the mission was heavy on her shoulders, pressing down with every step. There was something about the bloodstone, the way it had been described, that made her uneasy. If Peter Pettigrew’s betrayal had taught her anything, it was that the pursuit of power could corrupt, turn people into monsters. And this bloodstone, whatever it truly was, seemed like a key to unlocking a level of magic far beyond anything she had ever encountered.

She glanced at Sirius, who was leading the way with his usual mix of confidence and determination. His shoulders were set, his face a mask of controlled intensity. But beneath it, Harriett could see the same flicker of worry that danced in his eyes, the same concern that had haunted him ever since they’d learned about Quinn’s search for the artifact. Remus, walking just behind her, was quieter than usual, his expression pensive, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

"Harriett, you okay?" Remus’s voice broke through her thoughts.

She turned to him, offering a tight smile. "Yeah, just... thinking. This feels bigger than anything we’ve faced before, doesn’t it?"

Remus nodded, his gaze softening for a moment. "It does. But we’ve been through a lot, and I know you can handle this. You’ve proven that time and time again."

Harriett’s heart fluttered at the reassurance, but the unease in her chest remained. She wasn’t just following orders anymore. She wasn’t just Sirius’s adopted daughter or Remus’s friend. She was a part of something much bigger—something that involved not only her but the future of their world.

They neared the farmhouse, and the tension in the air was palpable. The building was shrouded in shadows, its windows dark and empty, as though it hadn’t been touched in years. Harriett’s senses prickled, her instincts telling her that they weren’t alone. There was something about the place that felt wrong, as though it had been waiting for them.

As they entered the clearing in front of the house, Harriett’s heart began to race. She could feel the faintest pull, the same sensation she had felt when she had first uncovered her wings. It was a familiar hum of magic, a call that seemed to beckon her closer. She glanced at Remus, who seemed to have sensed it too, and then at Sirius, who had a determined look on his face, focused on the task at hand.

But Harriett’s mind kept returning to the bloodstone. What if Quinn had already used it? What if the magic he sought had already begun to twist the very air around them? She shook her head, trying to clear the thought. They would handle it. They had to.

She fell back into step, her senses heightened, every sound around her seeming louder than it should be. The crunch of gravel beneath their feet, the rustling of branches, the faintest breath of wind through the trees—all of it felt amplified, as though the world was holding its breath.

Sirius came to a stop at the edge of the clearing, his eyes scanning the farmhouse. "Stay sharp. We don’t know what Quinn has in there, but I have a feeling he’s not alone."

Harriett tightened her grip on her wand, the familiar weight comforting in her palm. Her thoughts flickered back to her earlier musings. This was more than just stopping a dark wizard. This was about understanding her own power, her place in this world. It wasn’t just her family who had been affected by dark magic; it was the entire magical community. And if they didn’t stop Quinn, everything they had fought for—everything they had worked to rebuild—could be at risk.

She could feel it in her bones now. The bloodstone was calling to her, drawing her in, and she knew she had a part to play in stopping it.

"We go in fast, get the stone, and get out," Sirius murmured, breaking her reverie.

Harriett nodded. "Right behind you."

As they moved toward the farmhouse, Harriett’s gaze shifted, catching sight of something in the corner of her eye. A shadow, fleeting, vanishing behind the building. It was too quick for her to be sure, but it was enough to make her pulse quicken.

"Wait," she whispered, raising a hand. "I saw something."

Sirius and Remus paused, their eyes narrowing as they scanned the surroundings. Harriett’s heart pounded in her chest as she strained to see what had caught her attention, but the shadow had disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a sense of unease.

"We’re not alone," Remus said quietly, his voice low. "Stay alert."

Sirius shot him a sharp look, then nodded. "Right. Everyone, stay close. No matter what happens, we stay together."

They crept toward the farmhouse, the cold air hanging heavy around them. Harriett’s breath was shallow, her senses heightened as they neared the door. She could feel the magic now, stronger than ever, pulsating from within. It was almost as if the house itself was alive, vibrating with dark energy.

The door was slightly ajar, and Remus pushed it open cautiously, his wand raised, ready for anything. The room beyond was dim, filled with the faint scent of mildew and dust. The only sound was the distant creak of the floorboards beneath their feet.

And then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward.

It was Quinn.

Harriett’s grip on her wand tightened, her heart hammering in her chest. The man before them was unremarkable in appearance—average height, dark hair, a lean build—but there was something in his eyes, a glint of madness, that sent a chill down her spine. He had been searching for the bloodstone for so long, and now, standing before them, Harriett knew that he had found it. She could feel the pull of the artifact, a magnetic force that seemed to center around him.

"So, you’ve finally come," Quinn said, his voice cool, almost detached. "I’ve been expecting you."

Harriett swallowed, stepping forward. "You have the bloodstone."

Quinn’s lips twisted into a smile. "Indeed. And now, you’ll see why I’ve spent so long searching for it."

With a flick of his wand, the room seemed to darken, the air growing thick with magic. Harriett could feel the pressure on her chest, the weight of the bloodstone’s power pressing in from all directions. She glanced at Sirius and Remus, their eyes filled with the same realization—this was no ordinary mission. This was a fight for the future, one that would define their world.

And Harriett, no matter the cost, would not let Quinn win.