Getting It Done Right

Act One: Of Tutors, Tasks, and Discovering Masks

Chapter One: Letters

Harry shot up in bed, his breathing heavy. He looked around frantically, taking in his surroundings. Huh, it actually worked, he thought. I'm actually alive and back in Privet Drive! He allowed himself a chuckle. Never thought I'd see the day that I'd be happy to be back here.

He looked down to see four test tubes on his lap, a folded sheet of paper underneath them. Two of the test tubes had clear red liquid, one with clear electric blue liquid, and one with clear light green liquid. So I wasn't dreaming. Death's Door actually exists. He picked up the test tube with the blue liquid and stared at it for a full minute before setting it back down. Too much temptation. Maybe later. He slid the folded paper out from underneath the test tubes and unfolded it.

Dear Harry,

I received a notice from your Cloak that you've received your sixth DBTT flag which means you'll be filling out an agency disclosure form. With that established, I can give you this letter on behalf of myself and your father.

To be perfectly frank, I'm absolutely livid at your situation. You're only seventeen, Harry. At least, you're seventeen at this last time you visited the Agency. You shouldn't have to worry about dark wizards, obtuse prophecies and idiotic bigotry based on the so-called 'purity' of one's blood. You should be worrying about your grades, dating, and maybe finding out how to sneak into a pub and drink yourself stupid (your father was pretty bad for this during breaks in our Seventh Year. I'm actually glad you never picked up on that). Despite this, your father and I are proud of what you've accomplished and that you've continued to stand up against Voldemort and fight for what you believed in, even if it killed you.

Your father wanted me to tell you that you have true Gryffindor courage and resolve, and I'm inclined to agree. As proud as we are that you're doing your house credit, though, we both agree that you could stand to put a bit more effort into your schoolwork. I like to think that you inherited morethan just my eyes. Do your mother a favour: if you're able to, drop Divination and Muggle Studies and take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes instead. You won't need Divination since you technically already know what's in your future, and I doubt that Professor Burbage has updated her class curriculum since I was a student (it was horribly outdated when I went there). Arithmancy and Runes will open more doors for you down the road. I have faith that your father's stubbornness will help you catch up and even pass those courses.

As much of a Gryffindor as you are, I am aware that the Sorting Hat wanted to put you into Slytherin. Let me assure you that the same happened to me and Sirius. The Marauders were pranksters and jokers, and they could have not pulled off some of their pranks without a certain degree of cunning, resourcefulness, and subtlety. Your godfather and I, though Gryffindors, often let our Slytherin sides out to play. The Hat wanted to put you in Slytherin for a number of reasons; you should embrace that a little as well.

Before I go, I want to say my piece about the situation with your soulmates. Albus Dumbledore has been meddling in the affairs of House Potter for too long, and has toyed with your life ever since he listened to Trelawney's thrice-damned prophecy. Having watched over you all this time, though, I can see that Hermione is a bright and fiercely loyal young woman. The two of you have been friends for a long time, and together you've overcome obstacles that are the stuff of nightmares. Take care of her. I already know that she does her best to take care of you.

Where Daphne Greengrass is concerned, her parents and I worked closely together, and you two were playmates whenever I visited Greengrass Manor shortly before Dumbledore essentially put us into hiding. You two got along very well, and had Dumbledore not interfered in our family affairs, I'm sure that you and Daphne would have become great close friends, perhaps even ended up dating. Please do myself and yourself a favour: reignite the friendship between the Potters and the Greengrasses. Like Hermione, I know that she will do her best to take care of you if you do the same.

Do your homework, treat Hermione and Daphne right, and please do your best not to get killed.

With all my love,

Your Mother,

Lily Potter

P.S. - When you go to Gringotts, inform them that you never received the Evans key. They are a people of great intelligence, cunning, and honour, and they deserve much more respect than what Wizarding Britain gives them. Seek out Senior Accountant Ralspur.

Oh, and when you next speak to someone from the Agency, ask them about Magical Congruency.

Harry felt a tear slide down his cheek as he ran his thumb gently over his mother's name. "Thanks, Mum." He wiped away the tear and looked at Hedwig's perch. She should be due back soon, Harry thought. Might as well write McGonagall and Hermione before Uncle Vernon wakes up and Hedwig gets back. He set the four test tubes down at the foot of his bed, his gaze lingering a little longer at the tube with the fire-breather liquid. Once more, he shook his head of the temptation and quietly made for the rickety desk in the corner of his room.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I was curious as to what I would have to do to drop Divination and Muggle Studies as electives and instead take the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes classes. I feel that taking Divination and Muggle Studies was a hasty decision and an unproductive use of my time at Hogwarts. I'm sure that my mother would have pressed me to take the courses I am asking for now, as it would leave more doors open for me in terms of a career when I graduate.

I have considered asking Hermione to tutor me in either one or both of those subjects for the remainder of the summer but I don't want to overburden her even though I know she would be more than happy to tutor me in both. If you know of any other students that would be able to assist in tutoring me, I would very much appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Dear Hermione,

I hope this letter receives you well. Thank you for the birthday cake and the book.

I thought you'd want to know that I wrote to Professor McGonagall earlier today and asked her if I could drop Divination and Muggle Studies and take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes instead. It's probably too much to ask of you but I was wondering if you could tutor me in one of those subjects. I don't have the third year book for either of those classes and I can't think of a way to go to Diagon Alley to get a copy for myself at the moment.

I hope to hear from Professor McGonagall soon, and if you're able to, we can arrange some way to meet.

Sincerely,

Harry

The Dursleys went out for the day and left him with a list of chores to do before they returned. He managed to finish them with time to spare and indulged himself in a hot shower. He sighed in content to himself as he took his towel and dried the remaining moisture from his hair and dressed himself.

"I wonder what's taking Hedwig so long," he said to himself as he glanced at her perch. "I sent her off with those letters early this morning. She should be back by now."

"She'll be back the very second I leave, Harry."

Harry whirled around to see a robed figure fading into view, a thick braided rope around its hip with an hourglass hanging off the knot. Its hands were completely devoid of skin and flesh, and the bones of its left hand held a scythe. The hood revealed nothing but shadow.

"What the..."

The robed figure held up its right hand. "Easy, Harry, it's only me." It moved towards his bedroom door and leaned its scythe against it. It then turned towards Harry and moved its hands to its hood. As the figure pulled its hood back, skin seemed to appear on its hands.

"Victor!"

The Cloak rolled his eyes as his head faded into view. "What gave it away?" he drawled, "the robe, the hourglass or the scythe?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd be checking in on you during the afternoon of your return," Victor reminded him. "How are you feeling?"

"What do you mean? I feel fine."

Victor sighed and shook his head. "Look, this is just my preliminary visit. You have to remember that there aren't a lot of ADARF casefiles so I don't have a lot of information to work with." He reached into the right sleeve of his robe and pulled out a wand made from black wood, its expertly carved from bone and and shaped like a screaming gryphon, the wand jutting out from its open mouth. Runes were etched along the length of the wood and gave off muted pulses of either silver or blue light while runes etched into the handle gave muted pulses of red light.

"I was instructed to give you this," he stated. "With this, I was also instructed to teach you a spell."

"Is it the spell that Gus mentioned before I got sent back?"

Victor nodded. "Yes." The Cloak perked up, remembering something. "Oh, before we begin, you still have those two vials of red liquid, yes?"

Harry looked over his shoulder at his bed. He'd slipped the four vials and his mother's letter underneath his pillow after he'd sent off the letters to Hermione and Hogwarts that morning. "Yeah, I still have them."

"Have you mixed a few drops of your blood in them yet?" At that, Harry shook his head. "Remember, you'll have to do that before you give them to your soulmates."

"Gus never did say what they did or why I have to mix them with some of my blood," Harry said. "Do you have any idea why I have to do that?"

Victor shook his head again. "I only know the really basic stuff when it comes to the actual resurrection process. Gus would be better able to tell you about what those things do and anything else regarding the technical side of your resurrection. That's what Processors are for." He shrugged. "I'll have him come along with me next time; you can ask him then." He gestured to his open hand again, and this time Harry took the wand from him. "We're getting off track, though. You can't showthis wand off, except in front of your soulmates once they've taken the potion."

Harry closed his hand around the wand grip. Light immediately flared from the silver runes and began to pulse in tandem with his heartbeat. He saw that the runes on the handle that weren't covered by his hand flared to life and stayed lit.

"Perfect," Victor exclaimed with a smile. "This is now your wand. It's eleven and a half inches, ebony with a dragon bone grip, stiff, with a dual core of thestral hair and gryphon heartstring."

Harry stared at the wand in his hand. "Wow," he breathed, "this feels stronger than my regular wand."

"Well, that's because it is," Victor replied matter-of-factly. "I know that when it comes to wands, it's said that the wand chooses the wielder but seeing as your circumstances aren't exactly normal, neither is your wand. This was made specifically for you and will be in perfect tune with you, more so than your current wand." He pointed at the muted blue runes. "At some point in the near future, you need to give the wand a small bit of your blood. Just a small cut on your palm and holding the wand in that hand will suffice. At the point the blue runes will light up and the process will be complete. It'll also heal the cut you put on your palm to activate it.

"Now..." The Cloak strode over to his scythe and took it into his right hand. "About that spell..." As he strode to the center of the room, he slid his left hand into his right sleeve and pulled out a familiar shard of green crystal that pulsed with a sickly green glow. "Take a seat. You can only use this spell with the wand I gave you."

"By the way, what did you mean when you said that Hedwig would get back the second you leave?"

Victor grinned. "You've heard of Father Time, yes?" Harry nodded. "Well, the concepts of Father Time and the Grim Reaper to the living are both actually referring to Cloaks." He tapped the upper bulb of his hourglass. "Cloaks have the ability to stop time for about three hours.

"Now, come on. I have to teach you this spell and be back at the office."

Harry Potter,

As Deputy Headmistress and the head of your House, I have spoken with Professors Trelawney, Burbage, Vector and Babbling regarding your request to change your electives. Professor Trelawney and Headmaster Dumbledore were adamant that you continue to take Divination. I asked the headmaster why it is that you should remain in that class, yet he has not explained himself. For now I cannot drop you from the class. You may have to speak to him yourself.

Professors Vector and Babbling agreed to your request with the condition that you be tutored throughout the remainder of the summer and you be placed in the Third Year courses. Should your marks meet the professors' expectations come the end of term, your schedule will be revised so that you will be placed along with your fellow Fourth Years in the new year.

Your foresight and consideration where Miss Granger is concerned is most commendable. Professor Vector suggested you receive tutoring from Miss Granger while Professor Babbling has recommended you seek out Miss Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin in your year, for tutoring in Ancient Runes. Miss Greengrass received top marks, narrowly beating Miss Granger in last year's classes. Professor Babbling and I have sent her owls informing her of the situation and to expect an owl from you within the next few days. I have also sent an owl to Miss Granger to verify what subject she is to tutor you in and who will be tutoring you in your other course.

As Deputy Headmistress, the Head of your House, and as a person that has watched both you and your parents grow, I heartily approve and am proud of your decision to change courses. You have your work cut out for you this year, Mister Potter, but I feel that you can overcome the challenges that this year will throw at you. I wish you the best of luck. On the other sheet of parchment are the proper texts you will need as well as other recommended reading materials that may prove helpful in your tutoring and perhaps even future courses.

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Dear Harry,

I received both your owl and Professor McGonagall's. I'm so glad that you're dropping Divination and Muggle Studies and taking Arithmancy and Ancient Runes! Professor McGonagall told me what was going to happen regarding classes and tutoring, and once you're ready I can whip up a schedule for you for the rest of the summer if you like.

Daphne Greengrass is kind of a mystery to me. She has this detached air about her but she's nothing if not civil. We actually have a few of the same classes together and we've asked each other for a little bit of help when it came to schoolwork but neither of us have really talked, you know? Anyway, all I really know about her for sure is that she's known as the Ice Princess of Slytherin, she's very intelligent, and she's no fan of Malfoy (I remember her calling him a pompous arse once when she asked me for a bit of help with our Arithmancy homework. She said his name with the same amount of vitriol that Ron uses when he talks about Draco). Her best friend, Tracy Davis, a half-blood and also in Slytherin, also acts civilly towards me though is a touch less studious than Daphne.

I'd lend you my Arithmancy notes and textbook but I'm using them at the moment to review and prepare for this year. Why don't you send an owl to Flourish and Blotts and see if you can't order one for yourself? You should do the same for textbooks on Ancient Runes and Spellman's Syllabary. I'm sure Daphne is reviewing her notes for this year same as I am.

Let me know the first day you're available, and my parents and I can come pick you up. You can spend the day with us, we can get started on your work and I can set up a schedule for you like I promised earlier.

Sincerely,

Hermione

Miss Daphne Greengrass,

I'm sure you already know the reason for sending this owl. Professor McGonagall and Professor Babbling have recommended you as a tutor to catch me up to speed on Ancient Runes. I'd have asked Hermione to tutor me however she's already tutoring me in Arithmancy.

I'll be completely honest with you, I've asked Hermione about you (she's mentioned that she's in some classes with you), and she's told me you're nothing if not civil. She's also told me that there's no love lost between you and Malfoy. I'll admit that he's painted the rest of your House in a negative light for me, and I'm very much willing to look past that to see if we can work together.

I do not have the proper texts for Third and Fourth Year Ancient Runes but I will be sending an owl to Flourish and Blotts to purchase them. Professors McGonagall and Babbling have given me a list of required and recommended reading materials but if there is anything else you feel I require for tutoring on the subject, please let me know as soon as possible so I can acquire it. As well, let me know if there are any specific dates that are absolutely non-negotiable. I'm already inconveniencing you enough as it is, and I don't want to inconvenience you any further.

Thank you,

Harry Potter

Harry watched as Hedwig flew off once more, a pair of letters tied to her leg. As he sat at his desk, he looked down at his two wands and frowned in thought. He picked up his ebony wand in his left hand and his holly wand in his right.

Even in my left hand, I feel more in tune with it than my regular wand, and I haven't even used it yet! His frown deepened. I should have asked Victor if the Trace will still be on my wand even though I technically turned seventeen today...

Realization dawned on him and he got his quill and parchment out once more. He thought for a moment about whom to Gringotts he was going to write to. A name immediately came to mind, and he put quill to parchment.

Mister Griphook,

I apologise for taking up your time. I know that I received the key to my trust vault when I turned eleven but something has been nagging at me. I know I am still too young to gain access to the Potter family vaults but I feel that my mother, Lily Potter (born Lily Evans), would have had her own separate vault despite being married. Is there an Evans vault that I would have been granted access to? If so, I wish to gain access to it so I may see what my mother would have left for me that was separate from the Potter vaults.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to leave my current...place of residence, for lack of a better term, through normal or magical means. I wish to make an appointment with you concerning the matter of the Evans vault. Tomorrow would be ideal, preferably around lunch. I request that you enclose a portkey with your reply, along with a time for an appointment. Please take the necessary funds for the portkey from my trust vault.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

Harry Potter

Harry was sitting at the windowsill when Hedwig flew in. He gave her a sheepish smile as she cocked her head to one side and hooted in question.

"Sorry, girl, something came up that I completely forgot about. I need you to take one more letter, this time to Gringotts. Can you do that for me, please?"

Hedwig narrowed her eyes for a moment before nipping his finger affectionately and stuck her leg out. He tied the letter to her leg and stroked her head.

"Thanks, girl."

She hooted in reply before taking flight. Once she was out of sight, he refilled her tray of owl treats and began to get ready for bed. As he changed into his pyjamas, he looked at his new wand, the folded letter from his mother and the four vials of clear coloured liquid sitting atop his trunk. He shook his head in wonder and disbelief and crawled into bed.