“Now, stop interrupting,” John said, pointing a warning finger at him.
“If you keep quiet for five minutes, you’ll discover that most of your remaining questions are about to be answered.”
Harry pressed his lips together and nodded.
Satisfied, John continued.
“One of the reasons we’ve elevated your relationships with Hermione Jean and Daphne Anna from soulmate status to soul bonds is because of the protections such bonds provide. Protection from spells. Protection from potions. Protection from manipulation.”
He paused.
“The second reason is that it gives us permission to send them back with you.”
Harry’s eyes widened.
“Hermione and—Daphne?” he asked before he could stop himself.
“They’re dead too?”
John closed his eyes and slowly rubbed his forehead.
“Harry.”
“Sorry.”
“I literally just told you to stop interrupting.”
Harry shrank slightly in his chair.
With an annoyed sigh, John continued.
“Yes. Hermione Jean Granger is dead.”
The words hit Harry harder than he expected.
“When Ronald Bilius finally revived her and informed her that you had died, she immediately charged toward Tom Marvolo.”
Harry swallowed.
“She attacked him?”
“Like a woman possessed.”
A faint trace of admiration appeared on John’s face.
“Curses, hexes, jinxes—she threw everything she had.”
Harry felt a strange mixture of pride and sadness.
“She actually managed to wound him quite severely before he killed her.”
The pride vanished.
Silence filled the room.
“And Daphne?” Harry asked quietly.
John’s expression softened slightly.
“Daphne Anna’s circumstances are different.”
Harry waited.
“Her story belongs to her.”
John folded his hands.
“When she chooses to tell you—and how she chooses to tell you—is entirely her decision.”
Harry slowly nodded.
“Her own Grim Reaper is handling that conversation as we speak.”
The thought felt bizarre.
Yet after everything else he’d heard, it hardly seemed surprising anymore.
“Both of them will be returning with their memories intact.”
Harry blinked.
“Just like me?”
“Just like you.”
John nodded.
“They’ll also be bound by the same contract you’re about to sign.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“That’s another benefit of upgrading your relationships to soul bonds.”
He leaned back.
“And trust me—you are going to need the help.”
Harry frowned.
“Why?”
“Because even with future knowledge, you’re still one person.”
John pointed toward him.
“Hermione gives you intelligence, research skills, and an ability to approach problems from angles most people never consider.”
Then another finger rose.
“Daphne brings something equally valuable.”
Harry listened.
“Knowledge.”
A third finger.
“Pureblood traditions.”
Another.
“Wizarding law.”
Another.
“Politics.”
Another.
“Connections.”
John smiled.
“And access to people who can be extremely useful to all three of you.”
Harry couldn’t argue with that.
“Next.”
John flipped another page.
“All three of you will receive enhanced Occlumency shields.”
Harry immediately looked interested.
“Enhanced?”
“Daphne already possesses natural shields.”
John nodded.
“But compared to what we’re about to give her, they’re practically nonexistent.”
Harry frowned.
“What exactly are you giving us?”
“The kind of protection that makes legilimency attempts about as useful as repeatedly headbutting a brick wall.”
That sounded promising.
John continued.
“Third.”
His expression became serious.
“The soul fragment behind your scar is gone.”
Harry froze.
For a moment he simply stared.
Then he slowly asked,
“Gone?”
“Gone.”
The answer came without hesitation.
Harry felt a weight disappear from his shoulders.
Years of pain.
Years of headaches.
Years of that horrible connection.
All gone.
“You will lose the extra life it provided.”
John shrugged.
“But honestly, that seems like a worthwhile trade.”
Harry almost laughed.
“Definitely.”
The grin that threatened to appear on his face surprised him.
“No more pain whenever Riddle is nearby.”
John nodded.
“No more accidental mental connections.”
Another nod.
“And no need to use it to locate Horcruxes.”
Harry smiled.
“I already know where they are.”
“Exactly.”
For perhaps the first time since arriving in Judgement, Harry felt genuinely relieved.
“Thank you.”
John inclined his head.
“You’re welcome.”
Then his expression sharpened.
“Fourth.”
Harry immediately paid attention.
“The contract.”
“The one you’re about to sign.”
John tapped the folder.
“It includes a very strict non-disclosure clause.”
Harry frowned.
“A what?”
“A restriction on future knowledge.”
Understanding dawned.
“You mean I can’t tell people what happens?”
“Correct.”
John nodded.
“The information will be magically protected.”
Harry opened his mouth.
John raised a finger.
“Before you ask, yes, this protection includes Veritaserum.”
Another finger.
“The Imperius Curse.”
Another.
“Magical contracts.”
Another.
“Oaths.”
Another.
“Vows.”
Harry blinked.
“So nobody can force the information out of me.”
“Precisely.”
John smiled.
“Not even Albus Wulfric.”
Harry looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Especially not Albus Wulfric.”
Harry snorted.
John ignored him.
“Now.”
He closed the folder.
“Let’s discuss your objectives.”
The seriousness in his voice immediately returned.
“You cannot move against Ronald Bilius or Ginevra Molly immediately.”
Harry frowned.
“Why not?”
“Because timing matters.”
John pointed toward him.
“You need evidence.”
Harry reluctantly nodded.
“Your opportunity to sever ties with Ronald arrives no later than the Goblet incident.”
“The Tournament.”
“Exactly.”
John nodded.
“When your name emerges from the Goblet and he accuses you of entering yourself.”
Harry grimaced.
He remembered that.
Very clearly.
“As for Ginevra Molly.”
John shrugged.
“Treat her exactly as you’ve always claimed to.”
Harry blinked.
“Meaning?”
“‘Ron’s little sister.'”
The answer was immediate.
Harry almost smiled.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
John smirked.
“Just don’t allow her any opportunity to get close.”
A pause.
Then a mischievous look crossed his face.
“Although I suspect your friendship with both Weasleys may end considerably sooner.”
Harry narrowed his eyes.
“Why?”
John grinned.
“Because I expect Ronald and Ginevra will react very poorly when you kiss Daphne Anna in front of them.”
Harry nearly choked.
John looked entirely too pleased with himself.
“Moving on.”
The grin disappeared.
“You are not permitted to interfere with Bartemius Junior.”
Harry’s expression darkened immediately.
“Barty Crouch Junior.”
“Correct.”
John nodded.
“His role must play out exactly as intended.”
Harry didn’t like that.
“Why?”
“Because you must reach the graveyard.”
The answer was simple.
Harry clenched his jaw.
John noticed.
“I know.”
A rare note of sympathy entered his voice.
“I know how difficult that will be.”
Harry stared at the floor.
“But it has to happen.”
Silence.
Then John sighed.
“As the saying goes…”
Harry looked up.
“Suck it up.”
Harry groaned.
John ignored him.
“Once the Third Task concludes, however, expose him immediately.”
Harry nodded.
“Do not leave the Entrance Hall with him.”
“Understood.”
“Good.”
John continued.
“Third objective.”
Another page turned.
“The moment your name emerges from the Goblet, remain where you are and swear an oath.”
Harry frowned.
“What oath?”
“That you did not enter your name into the Goblet.”
John’s eyes narrowed.
“And that you neither requested nor instructed anyone else to do so on your behalf.”
Harry nodded.
That seemed straightforward.
“Do not claim ignorance.”
Harry blinked.
“Why?”
John gave him a look.
Fair point.
“Fourth.”
John continued.
“The following morning, after an early breakfast, go directly to Gringotts.”
“For emancipation.”
“Correct.”
John nodded.
“Use your Invisibility Cloak.”
Another instruction.
“Take one of the secret passages to Hogsmeade.”
Another.
“Then Floo to Diagon Alley.”
Harry mentally noted each step.
“Fifth.”
John tapped the desk.
“Find a lawyer.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“A lawyer?”
“For Sirius.”
The answer was immediate.
Harry sat upright.
“A trial.”
“A proper trial.”
John nodded.
“The man deserves one.”
Harry couldn’t argue with that.
“While you’re at it, retain that same lawyer for additional matters.”
“Such as?”
John smiled.
“Defamation.”
Harry’s eyes lit up.
“Rita Skeeter.”
“Among others.”
John nodded.
“Anyone who publicly slanders you, Hermione Jean, or Daphne Anna.”
That sounded surprisingly satisfying.
“Though,” John added, “Sunday morning may complicate your scheduling.”
Harry chuckled.
“Probably.”
“Ask your Potter account manager for recommendations.”
“Noted.”
“Or arrange one beforehand.”
“Also noted.”
Finally, John turned the page again.
“Sixth.”
Harry immediately sensed this one would be important.
“You need to establish the soul bonds.”
Harry nodded.
“With Daphne and Hermione.”
“Correct.”
John smiled.
“You may do so whenever you choose.”
A pause.
“Though I strongly recommend starting with Daphne.”
Harry frowned.
“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”
John looked at him as though the answer were obvious.
“Love’s First Kiss.”
Harry stared.
“What?”
“Love’s First Kiss.”
John repeated patiently.
“That’s how the bond begins.”
Harry blinked several times.
Then again.
Then a third time.
“Hermione’s kissed me before.”
“No.”
John immediately corrected him.
“She’s kissed your cheek.”
Harry opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
“That doesn’t count.”
John shook his head.
“The bond requires a genuine romantic kiss.”
Harry felt his face warming.
“Lips.”
John nodded.
Harry looked away.
“Lips.”
Another nod.
“And preferably not with mouths completely closed.”
Harry buried his face in his hands.
John looked entirely unhelpful.
“But why?” Harry groaned.
John sighed.
“Do you know what the Dementor’s Kiss is?”
Harry nodded cautiously.
“The extraction of a soul.”
“Exactly.”
John pointed at him.
“And how does a Dementor accomplish that?”
Harry blinked.
Then understanding slowly began to form.
“Mouth-to-mouth contact.”
“Correct.”
John smiled.
“The most direct pathway to the soul is through the mouth.”
Harry wasn’t sure whether he hated that explanation or found it fascinating.
“Just as a Dementor pulls a soul out…”
John spread his hands.
“A soul bond begins by allowing two souls to touch.”
The room grew quiet.
“That’s what Love’s First Kiss truly means.”
Harry slowly nodded.
“And that’s why people instinctively kiss when they fall in love?”
“Exactly.”
John smiled.
“Most people have no idea why.”
Another smile.
“But their souls remember.”
Harry sat back in his chair, absorbing everything.
For once, he had no interruption ready.
John looked genuinely relieved.
“Excellent.”
He closed the folder.
“Now we’re finally making progress.”