News from Beauxbatons

Free-range hens were scattered around the yard, their sharp beaks pecking at the dirt again and again as earthworms and grasshoppers fled in every direction. Pigwidgeon had quietly slipped into the chicken coop to steal the bran from their feed trough. A Gnome crouched behind the grass, tiptoeing carefully to avoid the predators' hunt.

Harry crept closer, struck swiftly, and grabbed one of its legs. He twisted his wrist and shook it violently until it was dizzy, then followed up with a backward throw, hurling the poor Gnome straight out of sight.

Leaning beneath the eaves, Loren reminded him, "I won't make another trip to the Black family manor. Moody has already taken the other Unicorn Horn over there. Once he embeds it into the bottom of the fireplace chamber and injects a little Magic Power to activate it, the spatial connection will be stable... Do you understand how to use it?"

"Got it."

"Don't move it around after it's fixed in place."

"Okay."

"Check the Floo Powder in the Fire Dragon Gill Sac regularly. Refill it promptly when it runs out."

"Got it."

"Any other questions?"

"..."

Harry scratched his head and finally pulled his gaze away from searching for Gnomes everywhere. Unable to hold it in any longer, he asked, "The Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix prepared three sets of materials, but you succeeded with only one. The other two..."

"Of course the other two are my payment."

Loren answered without the slightest shame, then turned and dusted off his sleeves as he headed inside. The boys were tossing Gnomes around in the garden, Ginny was chatting with Hermione in a corner, and Mrs. Weasley was preparing lunch. The rich scent of stew filled the entire house.

Molly tapped a slender knife with her