Harry Potter

The Good Life...

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:52:01 GMT

There is something memorable about the first time you meet someone.

I’ll always remember the first time I met Ron. He asked to sit with me in the carriage on the Hogwarts Express.

I’ll always remember Hermione barging in searching for Trevor and criticizing Ron’s spell work.

I’ll always remember Mrs. Weasley… err… I mean Mum bawling Fred, George, and Ron out for using the flying car to rescue me.

I’ll always remember the few words Dumbledore used during the first welcoming feast.

I’ll always remember Sirius asking me to come live with him.

I’ll always remember Ginny chasing the Hogwarts Express my first year.

All of these memories are special… but I don’t think any can compare to the first time I held Carisa Elena Potter on April 6th, 2004. My daughter…

Except maybe when Ginny and I brought Tina Renee Potter… our first daughter, home from the Phoenix House.

Of course Tina would claim that the day we brought Isabella Nichole Potter home from the Phoenix House would be tops… when she finally got a 24 hour a day playmate.

Certainly today, October 28th, 2006 will be among the most memorable. Today I’m holding my son Bryan Xavier Potter on the first day of his life.

Actually, I wasn’t sure I would be here today. I arrived through the front door only minutes before Ginny’s water broke.

You might wonder why I wasn’t already home. What would be so important that I nearly missed the birth of my one and only son?

You might think I was out battling some Dark Wizard or meeting with someone important from the Ministry.

You might think I was arranging a special Order Mission or training new recruits.

You’d be wrong. My days of battling the forces of Darkness on a daily basis and being someone important ended the day Lucius Malfoy died.

The day I decided that my family would come first.

Ginny was thrilled that I would no longer be charging headlong into danger. Although she was less thrilled about my plans to spend all my time home with her, Tina, and when she finally came, Carissa.

I think her exact words were, “I love you more than anything, Harry, but you need a job so I don’t end up hexing you.”

Thus began The Search.

For months I tried profession after profession. I did some substitute teaching at Hogwarts, but found it too repetitious.

I did a stint working with Fred and George at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, but quickly grew tired of the job hazards. Being an unwitting test subject gets old very quickly.

I even spent a month tending bar at The Three Broomsticks for Rosmerta.

In the end it was Tina who finally chose my new career. Oliver snagged me Puddlemere United vs. Chudley Cannons tickets for the entire extended family and both Ginny and I were thrilled to be taking Tina to her first Quidditch Match.

Tina had a blast. She ate candy and snacks and drank too much butterbeer. She ended up with a Chudley Cannons scarf from her Uncle Ron, Oliver made sure that the game quaffle ended up with her after he got the entire starting side for United to sign it.

The rest of the evening she zoomed around the cottage on the toy broomstick Ginny and I bought her for her first Christmas with us. Finally, Ginny coaxed her to sit down by regaling her with stories about me at Hogwarts, most especially when I played Quidditch for the Gryffindor House team.

Tina sat entranced as her mother told story after story until she could barely keep her eyes open. I gently scooped her up to put her to bed. As I tucked her in her eyes fluttered open briefly and she murmured, “Daddy fly next time?”

It was so obvious!

Play Quidditch professionally!

Other than spending time with my family, nothing had ever made me as happy as when I played Quidditch. Why couldn’t I do something I loved for a living?

The next morning I began training. Oliver managed to get hold of a couple of regulation snitches for me and I spent hours every day chasing them. By the time summer rolled around I was ready.

I tried out, in disguise, to keep the press away and to ensure I got on through merit and not just because I was Harry “Bloody” Potter – The-Chosen-One-Who-Lived-and-Killed-He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Called-By-His-Stupid-Anagram-Name!

I never flew better.

One week later Fred and George, acting as my agents, brought me the Montrose Magpies’s offer. After a bit of negotiation, mainly concerning the guarantee that Ginny and the girls could travel with me whenever I was going to be away from home overnight, the deal was struck.

That fall I debuted as the reserve seeker for the Montrose Magpies. By mid-season I stepped into the starting role when the starter was injured. I managed to catch the snitch in every match that year (granted I didn’t have to fly against Oliver and Puddlemere since we’d already lost to them.) We finished a respectable 4th in the league and I secured my place as the starter.

Since then Oliver and I have battled to a draw. I’ve caught the snitch both times but the first time it took me so long that we were already behind by 300 points. Today I was on a mission to get the match over quickly and made the catch when we were only down by 50 points. We both look forward to our next match.

Ron still laments that I don’t play for the Cannons. I’ll give him his due… he’s loyal… he roots against me every time we play.

Hermione was sceptical at first, but by the end of the first season she was fully supportive. She said I was happier than she could ever remember me being and that I needed to just do what made me and my family happy. She admitted that doing something you loved was more important than saving the world or House-Elf rights.

And my family? Well they couldn’t be happier. Practice gets me out of the house several days a week so Ginny doesn’t end up hexing me. Tina and Isabella think their Dad is the coolest in the world with the coolest job (it’s nice being admired for something I’m good at instead of being lucky, or unlucky when you consider it, that Voldemort chose me). The occasional trips to play on the continent or around the world have allowed us to see things and do things we’d never have considered.

My family… it’s still a little hard to believe that I have a family. As I hold little Bryan in my arms and gaze around my sitting room I couldn’t be more happy with the family I have. Gathered for the birth of the newest Potter/Weasley is the entire Weasley clan.

Mum is fussing in the kitchen with Dobby, trying to ensure there is enough food for everyone. Dad is trying to figure out the new muggle tool set I bought to use when I work on Sirius’ motorcycle.

Bill and Fleur, once again pregnant, are cuddled up on one of our fluffy sofas watching their twins chase their cousins and little brother around the house.

Fred and George, still the consummate bachelors are egging the children on and if I’m not mistaken making wagers on which one will knock something off an end table and break it.

Ron and Hermione are quietly arguing over who should say something to their son Christian for his accidentally turning Isabella’s hair blue. Quietly arguing… hmmm… who would have thought they’d have come so far.

Remus gives me a nod of approval as he curls his arm around Tonk’s shoulder. Ella and her little sister Violet are busy teasing Nevaeh, Polly and Castor with yarn their mum charmed to change colours.

Carissa is sitting on the lap of her “Uncle Hagrid”. For some reason, from the time she was born she’s taken a special shine to Hagrid. Unfortunately, that seems to extend to his fascination with anything with fangs and claws. Currently, she is listening intently as Hagrid tells her, for the hundredth time, about my first flight on the back of Buckbeak.

This is my family… I couldn’t ask for anything more!

“Carissa! Isabella! Tina!”

In less than five seconds there is a rumble of tiny feet and my three daughters are standing front and centre. “Girls, I want to introduce you to your baby brother, Bryan Xavier Potter.”

Carissa sticks her fist in her mouth and her eyes light up.

Tina jumps up and down, “Can I hold him?”

Isabella chimes in, “Can we take him back and get another girl?”

I smile at her and shake my head slowly, “I’m sorry munchkin, but he’s non-returnable.”

She frowns momentarily and begins toeing the rug, “Okay, I suppose we can keep him as long as I don’t have to share my room with him.”

That statement brings a round of laughter and I’m sure Fred and George exchange some coins.

“C’mon girls, your mum is upstairs in the bedroom and she wants to see all of us.” I lead the way and mention over my shoulder, “Tina help your sister up the stairs.” Tina leans down and scoops up Carissa and carries her up after me with Isabella trailing behind.

We approach the bedroom to meet Penny on her way out.

“How is she?”

Penny smiles brightly at me, “She’s doing lovely. Just make sure she takes it easy for a few days.”

The ache in my hand is a gentle reminder of just how tough a day my wife has had. Even though she went into labour in the early hours of the morning she insisted that I still play today. She just menacingly warned me to be back in time for our child to be born.

She didn’t know that after Carissa’s birth I already made arrangements to switch her wand with one of Fred and George’s trick wands.

Of course not having her wand didn’t keep her from nearly crushing my hand in a death grip.

I wouldn’t trade today for anything.

She’s sitting propped up in our bed. Her hair is still clinging to her face from the perspiration. She looks exhausted.

She’s never looked more beautiful.

She smiles softly at me. I gently hand her Bryan and she shifts him so that he can nurse. Tina helps Carissa up onto the bed and then she and Isabella scramble up after. I sit down next to my wife and Tina curls onto my lap.

This is what my entire life has been leading to.

Happy Birthday Firefly...

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:16:26 GMT

I was barely able to slip the Alarm Charm by Ginny last night before bed. I needed to ensure I arose well before her. Of course with the way her stomach revolts most mornings there is no predicting when she’ll arise. Thankfully, this is proving to be one of the mornings that her stomach is settled and she is able to sleep in late.

My second stroke of luck is that once I reminded Tina that it was Mumma’s birthday she was instantly alert, rather than her normal dazed self. She’s much like her Mumma in that respect, actually.

She cooperated fully as I dressed her in a special yellow summer dress and didn’t complain once as I fumbled to braid her hair into pigtails. She grinned at me like the cat that had the cream as we slipped by Ginny still asleep and down to the kitchen.

On my birthday Ginny and Tina prepared a special breakfast for me. I intend for us to do the same for Ginny. Unfortunately, given the state of Ginny’s morning sickness there is very little that she can keep down. I allow Tina to assist by stirring her Mumma’s cinnamon oatmeal as it heats on the stove. Meanwhile I’m using a Whipping Charm to stir the mashed potatoes that Ginny can’t get enough off lately.

The look on Tina’s face tells me exactly what she thinks of Mumma’s strange eating habits lately and I tend to agree, but as tempestuous her moods have been I’m willing to do any and everything to keep her happy.

I sigh and close my eyes as I think back to picking the two ladies up at The Phoenix House a couple of nights ago. Ginny was fit to be tied after watching the smoke, flames, and Dark Marks hovering over Hogsmeade and unfortunately her anxiety easily transferred to our daughter. They both alternated between smothering me with hugs and kisses and berating me for not coming home sooner and letting them know what was going on.

Finally, I won the peace by allowing them to split a gigantic tub of homemade chocolate ice cream. The night ended by being one of the few nights we allowed Tina to sleep in our bed. I smile when I remember waking up the next morning with both of my girls snuggled up to me. It was nice, but Ginny and I agree that it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence.

Ginny’s cereal and potatoes are finished and sitting in her place at the table with Warming Charms on them. I set up a Barrier Charm to keep the scents from the kitchen from travelling through the house and set to work making Tina’s favourite breakfast: a giant cheese omelette with a giant stack of pancakes. The Barrier Charm was a suggestion of Hermione’s after we found out that all it took was the smell of certain foods cooking to send Ginny to the loo.

I look longingly at Tina’s omelette but resign myself to sharing Ginny’s cinnamon oatmeal. I felt guilty about enjoying my food when she was stuck to such simple fare. While I don’t think she’s noticed it yet I’ve been limiting myself to whatever it is she can eat. I scrunch my nose when I think about the mashed potatoes though… I do draw the line at some points and mashed potatoes for breakfast is one of them.

The table is finally set and I stare longingly at the stairs, torn between my desire to scoop Ginny and bring her to breakfast and to just allow her to sleep as late as she wants on her birthday.

My choice is made when Tina stares at me with giant, serious eyes. “Mumma come eat now?”

Not certain as to what I’ll find and given how much Ginny being ill upsets Tina I divert her attention. “Tina… Angel… why don’t you and Nevaeh go and bring your Mumma’s gifts in from where we hid them in my study?” Tina giggles like tinkerbells and gives me a look of mischief. She’s not up to anything, but she loves to think that she’s sneaking something by her mum and I. She tromps off to the study with Nevaeh nipping at her heels.

I make use of her distraction and hurry up the stairs. When I find the bed empty I’m glad that I sent Tina off. I creep into the bathroom to find Ginny bowed over emptying the contents of her stomach. Her hair is plastered to the sides of her face and I can see tears streaming down. Ginny is someone who hates being sick more than most, so for her to be suffering morning, evening, and everything in between sickness seems almost like divine punishment.

Given how edgy she’s been since her last run in with Carrows I’ve learned to announce to her when I’m in a room. “Firefly, I’m here. I’m going to massage your back for you.”

She moans and I take that as acceptance. I kneel down beside her and begin rubbing her lower back. She groans, but doesn’t flinch. I run my hands gently up and down her back and finally after a few minutes she flushes the toilet and sags back into my lap. I pull her tightly to me, kiss the top of her head, and let her go limp against me.

I learned the hard way a couple of days to go that it is best for me to be silent during the time after she’s been ill. Nothing I said brought relief and my attempt to extend sympathy resulted in me first being sworn at in English, Egyptian, and Gobbedygook. She finally stopped with the sound of the air rushing from a bag then burst into tears and clung to me like her life depended upon it.

Groaning weakly, she turns her face into my shoulder as she says, "How do women do this?"

I kiss the top of her head again and gently flick my wand casting a Cleansing Charm on her. I follow it up with a mild Cooling Charm and then a Mint Charm. I gently peck her on the lips. “I don’t know luv, but I’m sure your Mum might, she did go through this six times.”

She scoots off of me with a sigh. I stand and pull her to her feet. I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “C’mon, our daughter is waiting for the birthday girl.”

She smiles weakly and leans her head against my chest. She’s a bit unsteady on her feet for a couple of steps, but we arrive in the kitchen with no problems.

We turn the corner and Nevaeh lets out a loud meow and Tina squeals out, “Happy Birfday Mumma!,” in between her giggles.

Ginny smiles brightly and scoops Tina up into her arms, “Thank you baby girl.” They rub noses and then Tina gives her mum a sloppy kiss.

She sets Tina down and scratches Nevaeh behind the ears. “Thank you too, Nevaeh.”

“Mumma, Mumma… look what Nevaeh and I made you.” Tina is holding out a giant yellow parchment that has been folded over like a card. The entire think is covered with red, blue, purple, and green handprints and cat prints. Inside it reads, “Happy Birthday Mumma! Love Tina and Nevaeh.”

Ginny’s bottom lip quivers and her eyes go all glassy. Finally, she crushes a Tina into a hug and sobs out, “Thank you baby girl, Mumma loves it.”

After a few moments Ginny composes herself. Tina backs away and grins widely. “Dadda and I made breakfast Mumma!”

Ginny flashes a look of horror momentarily until she sees the oatmeal and mashed potatoes. She breathes out a sigh of relief then leans down and gives Tina a sloppy kiss. “Thank you, baby girl.”

Breakfast runs smoothly and Ginny is able to keep both the oatmeal and the mashed potatoes down. With a few flicks of my wand I clear the table and set the dishes to cleaning.

Tina bounces up to Ginny, “Go get dressed Mumma, we are going swimming!”

"Swimming?" She looks between us and gets stuck on Tina's hopeful face. "Sounds lovely."

Tina squeals and dashes up the stairs to get her bag. Ginny rounds on me and gives me a critical look.

I shrug my shoulders and hold my hands up. “Sorry luv, I tried to convince her that you should get to pick what we do on your birthday, but she’s been going on and on about building a sandcastle on the beach ever since her uncles spent an afternoon regaling her about spending time at the shore when you guys were kids.”

Ginny frowns, “we never went to the beach when we were kids… “ she stomps her foot on the floor. “Fred and George… I’ll kill them.”

I step up and begin rubbing her shoulders. “Relax luv, I was able to locate a very private beach so we don’t have to worry about anyone leering at us.” I glace down at my watch, “but we need to finish getting ready, the Portkey is set to go in an hour.”

The shoulder massage diffuses her temper and she tilts her head back and purrs. “Okay Harry, I’ll go to the beach with you.”

The next hour was a blur of activity. Tina was ready in five minutes, although she managed to forget to get her bathing suit on, get her beach towel, and had her sandals on the wrong feet. I was already wearing my trunks and had a bag with my towel, a couple of beach chairs, and a picnic basket full of goodies from Mum waiting by the door, so I volunteered to get Tina ready again so that Ginny could focus on rapidly packing an overnight bag.

We now are standing in the entrance hall to the house holding to a length of rope that I had Dad get charmed as an International Portkey. Ginny and Tina are wearing their bathing suits under their matching yellow sundresses and both are now wearing their hair in matching ponytails. Tina’s hair is Weasley red today. Apparently Ella bragging about having her mummy and daddy charming her hair different colours has rubbed off and Tina refused to leave the nursery until I charmed her hair to match Mumma’s.

Ginny is giving me an incredulous look, “Harry? Where are we going? And why did you have me pack a couple of changes of clothes?”

As she speaks I’m distracted as she is fingering her bikini top under the dress (I made sure the one piece disappeared.) She catches my gaze and gives me a questioning look, “What? The bloody thing is smaller than when I bought it.”

I grin back at her, “or maybe you’re getting bigger?”

She glares at me, “just what are you implying Harry?”

Oh bugger, I’ve stepped in it now. “Um… er… well you see your… “ I glance down at Tina to see she’s paying us no mind, instead she is entertaining Nevaeh who isn’t exactly thrilled to be in her carrier. “Um… you see… you’ve gotten… bigger… up there.”

My voice is barely above a whisper and Ginny’s jaw drops and she suddenly begins feeling herself. Her eyes widen and she hisses, “Shite!”

“What Mumma?”

Ginny pales momentarily, “Nothing baby girl.”

I wink at her and she blushes as completely as I can ever remember.

Ginny huffs, “you still didn’t answer my question, where are we going?”

I scoop up my bag and Nevaeh’s carrier. “You are going to find out in ten seconds. Grab your things and grab the Portkey.” Ginny slings her bag over her shoulder and scoops Tina up.

We are both holding the rope when the familiar sensation of being pulled behind the navel starts.

The sight that greets us when we reach the end of the Portkey is breathtaking. It is considerably warmer where we are and the sun is just cresting the Eastern horizon.

We are standing on a white beach. Before us is blue ocean, behind us is a seaside cottage.

Tina immediately sets Nevaeh lose and the two of them begin racing up and down the beach.

Ginny starts to call for Tina to not wander off, but I stop her. “Don’t worry luv, Bill was here yesterday and set up a complete set of privacy wards and set up a barrier around the site that won’t let either Tina or Nevaeh outside.”

Tina begins dodging the surf and I can feel Ginny squeeze my hand tighter. “Don’t worry the barrier won’t let her go any deeper than one foot unless one of us is holding her.”

I pull Ginny into a hug and gently kiss her. “Happy Birthday Firefly, this weekend in Jamaica is my present to you.”

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Conflict and Disappointments...

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 19:13:54 GMT

I’m up early again this morning like I have been all week. I’ve not done much of anything with the Order, instead letting Moody, McGonagall, and Remus handle operations. Instead I’ve spent every day training Ginny and loving her and Tina to the fullest of my abilities.

I’m a bit concerned about Ginny. She hasn’t eaten breakfast all week. Additionally, when she does eat she has been picking at her food. I would reckon Tina has been eating more. As usual when I see her hurting it affects me. As a result my appetite has nearly vanished as well.

My concern doesn’t extend to her training. She is phenomenal. The Auror Division clearly lost out when she decided to be a Curse Breaker. She’s not quite up to my level, yet, but it is possible she could be my equal if we stay at it long enough.

Right now I’m getting Tina ready to floo to The Burrow. Molly has been more than gracious about watching her granddaughter for a couple of hours every morning. Ginny and I decided it would be best for Tina not to see Mummy and Daddy hexing one another.

As it stands now she has one pig tail and I’m fumbling with the other. For once she’s not squirming around like she has ants in her pants. She’s contentedly flipping through a storybook that Fred and George sent her as a gift. It is safe. Actually it is amazing. The book reads itself to her with moving pictures and sound effects. The Twins are talking about marketing the books and wanted to use Tina and Ella as a testing group. If it weren’t for the fact that Fred and George are being a bit more sensitive to Ginny since her second ordeal with Carrows I would be worried about the book exploding or something.

I just finish tying the ribbons off in her second tail when I hear the door to our loo fly open and hear Ginny cry out, “Harry!”

I rush towards the nursery to find her in tears on the floor of the loo. I scoop her up instantly as she blurts out, "Not pregnant."

My mind reels, Not pregnant? I gently pick her up. Her head lolls against me. I quickly carry her into the bedroom and sit down on the bed with her cradled in my lap.

"I... thought I was cause I have felt sick but- light again, like last month."

I kiss the top of her head. “It’s okay, it will happen luv.”

"But I really thought I-" her voice cuts off as Tina tromps into our room, her thumb in her mouth.

She looks at us with large eyes, “Mumma sick?”

"No, sweetie I'm..." she holds out her arms as she noisily bursts into tears again.

Tina comes into her arms and pats her on the back. "You okay, Mumma."

I’m really concerned now. Ginny’s never been this emotional. I continue to run my hand gently up and down her back while Tina continues to pat her. I feel sick in my stomach. Ginny is in excruciating pain and I can’t do a thing to help her.

"We need to get back to training," she whispers finally and stands. "Come on, Tina. You want to go play with grandmumma?”

I tense up. I don’t really think she’s in shape to train today. “Luv, I think maybe it would be better to have a family day today.”

Shaking her head, she walks out, holding Tina's hand to floo with her to her mother's.

Bloody Hell! You just don’t train when you’re an emotional wreck.

I follow wracking my brain trying to find a way out of this today.

Ginny’s control is not there today. Her hexes and curses have been all over the place. Granted the power behind them is considerable, a few shook my teeth when they hit my shield. At the same time I’m finding myself holding back, ignoring openings in her defence.

A Bludgeoning Curse slams into the ground in front of me stirring up a cloud of dust. I lazily shoot a Tripping Jinx back at her which she dodges easily.

I settle back into a defensive stance and await her next spell. She raises her wand then drops her hand to her side and her brows furrow.

“Fight back, dammit! Don’t go easy on me!”

She follows up by launching a Cutting Hex at my neck. I avoid it by dropping into a crouch. She follows up with a Reductor Curse. I roll to the side as the ground explodes.

“Damn you Harry! If you won’t fight then I’ll get Ron or Moody to teach me!”

I know she’s goading me into attacking her. I know she’s trying to prove a point, but I’m not sure if it is to me.

I mutter out, “Maybe you should just stay out of the action for a while.”

Her face pales for a moment then she turns nearly purple. “You arrogant arse! I have every right to be out there fighting! No one is going to stop me! Not you, not my family, and certainly not that bloody wanker Ryan Carrows! If you don’t have anything else to teach me then I’m going to hunt him down and kill him whether you like it or not!”

Something inside me snaps. For weeks my desire to protect her has warred with the desire to give her freedom to be who she is. I barely recognize my voice as I bite out. “So you think you’re ready do you? You think that you can handle going after Carrows? Getting through Malfoy and his followers to get to him?” I lift my wand and resume a duelling stance. “Defend yourself!”

She assumes her stance and mutters, “about time.”

Thus far in our training I’ve refrained from silent casting. If she wants to see just how ready she really is then I’ll show her.

Extundo!

My wand gives a violent kickback and suddenly all the debris between us is hurling at Ginny. Her eyes widen momentarily before she raises a shield to block. As her shield crackles with energy I take the moment to up the ante.

Illusio Corpora!

I vanish into thin air and a duplicate appears five metres to away.

Ginny whips her hair braid around wildly and flings several curses and hexes at my doppelganger. She gapes momentarily as the spells sail through my smiling form. Before she can think I strike.

Everbero! Attonare! Batture Arcus!

Ginny rolls to the side and conjures a shield. The Bludgeoning Curse misses, but the Stunning Spell and Arcing Bludgeoning Curse slam into her shield. The impact knocks her off-balance and I move in for the kill.

Perverto! Expelliarmus!

The Tripping Jinx causes her to stumble. The Disarming Hex catches her full force and knocks her to the ground as her wand sails through the air towards me. I snatch it out of the air cancelling the Displacement Charm.

She struggles to get to her feet, but I’m relentless.

Petrificus Totalus!

Her arms and legs snap rigid and she is lying helpless before me. I slowly approach and drop the wand to her chest. “I don’t think you’ll be going after anyone.” I wave my wand and release the Full-body Bind.

I watch her struggle to her feet, swaying slightly before she lunges at me, pushing both her hands into my chest and shoving me backwards with a loud yell. "Damn you, Harry!" I stumble once in shock before planting myself for the next assault. Instead she walks to a nearby tree and punches it. Swearing loudly, she turns back to me, cradling a bloody hand. "Fine! You're right, as always. I'll never go after him and instead I'll sit around, waiting for him to come and get me!"

I feel a momentary twinge of regret, but refuse to waver. She’ll be fine once we deal with Carrows. I watch and wait knowing she needs to make the next move.

"Fine!" She picks up a rock and hurls it into the field. Marching off, I hear her say, "I'm going to get my daughter and each lunch with my mother. I'll see you tonight."

I watch her storm back to the cottage and nearly fling the door off the hinges. She slams the door so hard that the glass in the windows vibrate. I know I’ve made her angry, but I couldn’t let things continue. She’s not ready to face Carrows and until she can control both her fear and anger she won’t be. She might stay angry for a long time, but I think eventually she’ll agree that I’m right in holding her back.

I sigh bitterly and gaze out towards the lake across which Hogwarts rests. I may have won this argument, but why does it feel like I lost?

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Things are Better?

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:36:57 GMT

Ever since the night of the full moon things have been different between Ginny and I. While not as bad as when the initial assault occurred, Ginny is skittish now. It was a few days before she was ready to allow her brothers to come by and visit again. She’s also started sleeping in a full set of pyjamas, instead of just one of my shirts and a pair of knickers. For my own part I feel like a letch. I want my wife in every way. I’m at constant war with myself. I want her so badly, but I also know that until she initiates things, until she is ready for me be with her again I can do nothing, but wait.

As a result of her distance and my difficulties with not wanting to just crush her to me, I’ve been spending most of my free time using one of the charity front groups I operate to organize and set up a refugee camp here in Hogsmeade. The random attacks, along with the focused attacks on the full moon, have displaced a large number of half-blood and muggle-born wizarding families. They are afraid to return to their isolated homes. After discussing things with Moody, Remus, and McGonagall, it was decided that a camp could be set up here. They would have protection in numbers and it would make it easier for the Order to look after them.

It is in this aspect that I find myself at the kitchen table mulling over the details to purchase food and medicines for the refugees. I also need to approach Ginny about her and Bill placing what wards they can around the camp. I know that area wards aren’t nearly as powerful as those that can be placed on structures, but anything she and Bill can do, would slow down any intruder’s attempt to harm them.

Earlier in the evening Ginny announced she and Tina would spend the evening painting. I look forward to receiving the latest masterpiece my angel will produce for me. The last three are currently hung in the entrance hall of the house.

I hear footsteps coming into the kitchen and turn to find Ginny watching me nervously. "I… I was wondering if you were coming up to bed soon. I just put Tina in her bed."

"You did?" I ask, surprised. "Why didn't I hear-"

"She fell asleep while we were painting," Ginny explains. "So I just carried her up."

Am I ready to go to bed? Not exactly… sleeping next to Ginny and not being able to touch her is torture, and I could work until I am exhausted. "Sure," I answer despite myself as I follow her up the stairs.

After we've reached our room, she turns to me nervously and I watch her twisting her hands together. "I'm-"

"What is it?" I ask, fearing that something has happened.

"I…" but she doesn't finish her sentence. Instead she grabs the hem of her t-shirt and pulls it off in one fluid movement.

She's not wearing a bra… Oh sweet Merlin!

I stand there frozen drinking in her form. Every fibre of my being is drawn to her.

She pulls a clasp to the skirt she is wearing and it puddles around her on the floor. She’s wearing nothing at all! She looks down at her feet and pulls her arms tight around her.

“Ginny?” My heart is thudding in my chest and I can feel my body react to her as I begin breaking out in a sweat. I lick my lips. “Ginny? What do you want?”

She looks up shyly and then back down at her feet. "I… want you."

I’m gaping like a fish. “Are you certain?”

She nods once, not looking up at me. "If... that is, if you want to."

I quickly shuck my shirt. I drop my trousers and pants and trip over them when they hang on my shoes. I look up from the floor to see Ginny gawking with a look of surprise on her face.

“Erm… right… can you help me luv?”

She bites at her lip and kneels to unlace my shoes. "So I take it that you don't mind?" she doesn't look at me while she asks.

I shudder as I watch her worry her lip. “Umm… no… I don’t mind at all.” I feel my face flush as I’m positive my voice is on octave higher than normal.

Ginny crawls over me until she's looking down into my face. She bends and kisses me gently. "I'm sorry that I've been so distant. Tonight I just feel... a bit different."

It’s the best kind of different. She pauses and starts rising. I begin to follow, but she plops right down on my lap. I groan and pull her to me relishing in the feel of her heated skin next to mine.

I tentatively caress her lips, before I begin working my way down her jaw line. She tilts her head to give me easier access and to flip her hair. My mouth settles in the tender area where her shoulder and neck meet and she lets out a satisfied moan at my nips. My continued ministrations send shudders and shocks through her. She writhes upon me causing the flame within to burn higher.

Oh Merlin, I’ve missed her. Suddenly everything else goes away. Lucius Malfoy, the war, Inferi that can cast spells, the death of friends and family, all of it fades away and I’m lost in the magic that is my wife.

We continue kissing and caressing and the passion between us rises like a flame. I can feel my magic swirling through me as if it too wants to burst out and embrace her. She clings tightly to me with her arms and legs as I awkwardly stand. I carry her over to the bed and she pulls me down on top of her whispering, “Make love to me, Harry?”

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The Never Ending Battle...

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 15:56:02 GMT

Ginny, Tina and I have just stepped out of the Barrister’s office my second stop of the day after visting the Oasis this morning. Paton McKinnion has been the Potter family Barrister for three generations starting with my grandfather. He was only too eager to allow Ginny and I to slip in early this morning and to revise my will and write one up for Ginny.

The end result is that our assets are to be equally split between all of our children, Tina for now, and any others that follow. Furthermore, Ginny’s mum and dad are named as guardians of our children and if they are unable to assume that role it falls to Ron and Hermione.

I think both Ginny and I are relieved to know that in the event of the worst, Tina will be well cared for. I glance down at my watch noting the time. We have a few hours before the funeral services for Hannah later. Since we’ve had her, we’ve yet to take Tina to her grand mum’s restaurant.

“Ginny luv, why don’t we go to Bewitched and have lunch today?”

She nods, looking care worn. "That sounds like a good idea."

With Tina on my hip and Ginny’s hand clasped in my own we stroll leisurely through the alley. I try to ignore the whispers that follow in our wake. Bloody Daily Prophet! I keep hearing the words, “tramp” and “traitor”. Whoever is trying to sully my name is succeeding..

After someone mentions a particularly colourful insult about Ginny at a volume above a whisper, I stop and grit my teeth.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a wonderful idea?”

She grits her teeth and glares at the person, her eyes hard until they back down, looking away first. "No one is going to stop me from doing what I want," she says before pulling at my hand. "Let's go."

I allow her to lead us the rest of the way. We enter Bewitched and are assaulted by the wonderful smells. Why aren’t we here more often? I glance through the window to see a small crowd gathering, great! The serving girl nearly drops the menus when she realizes who we are, but recovers quickly enough to lead us to one of the private booths in the back.

My foul mood at the crowds dissipates sometime during the delicious meal. Tina has a delightful time, especially at the comical sight of Dobby in his uniform. Ginny and I pretend to not notice when he slips Tina an extra helping of dessert. The little girl will probably nap up until the funeral after eating her own food and sampling at least a bite of everything on mine and her mother’s plate.

We square up the bill, leave a sizeable tip for Dobby and make our way out of the restaurant. The crowd seems to have increased and the flashing bulbs indicate that the press learned of our presence.

At least this time it seems that I have some supporters arguing with my detractors. The arguments become louder and more heated to the point that I can hear cursing and swearing above the questions being shouted at us from the reporters.

A reporter jostles into Ginny nearly knocking her over. Tina buries her head in my shoulder and I can hear her whimpering. Ginny regains her balance and when she turns to face the reporter her face is vivid red and she’s reaching for her wand. I gently catch her hand in mine and twine our fingers together.

“Let it go, luv, let’s just get Tina out of here.” Ginny’s eyes widen momentarily and she settles on scowling at everyone around us.

I pull Ginny along trying to move as quickly as possible, but it is slow going with the milling crowds. The yelling and cursing escalates until finally someone draws a wand. There is a flash of light and nervous laughter followed by the braying of a donkey. That is all it takes and suddenly there are flashes of spells everywhere.

I release Ginny’s hand and have my wand drawn in an instant.

Protego!!!!

Several hexes and jinxes splash harmlessly against my shield. Ginny’s wand is in her hand in the blink of an eye. Another splash of jinxes and she hisses savagely, “Formicoris!”

I watch amusedly as her target drops her wand and begins clawing and scratching at her skin as the sensation of being bitten by hundreds of fire ants overwhelms her.

I hold my Shield Charm in place and we try to continue forward. Unfortunately, some of the ruffians who started the riot are standing between us and the Apparition Point.

Tina lets out another whimper and distracts me momentarily. She’s shivering from fear.

Merlin, we’ve got to get her out of here!

The ruffians level their wands. I react instantly slashing my wand.

Deflectimenta!

This time when the spells strike the shield several are reflected back at their casters. Ginny steps forward to cast again when I nudge her, “Don’t, we are almost to the Apparition Point, just keep casting Shield Charms.”

She turns and I can see the rage burning in her eyes. I’ve seen it before in her Mum’s. The crowd unknowingly unleashed a mother bear, ready to defend her cubs. Her hair swings around wildly, having come loose from the ribbon she’d tied it up in for the day. She clinches her teeth and slashes her wand.

“Deflectimenta!”

Our two shields harmonize and reinforce one another, just in time to reflect several more spells in all directions. A fruit stand to our left explodes as three different hexes reflect off of our shield into it.

Tina shudders again. I’m about to try to say something soothing when I notice it. My breath! I can see the vapour of my breath! Ginny’s too! A chill runs through me and it seems the sun has faded. Then I realize there is more to the screaming I hear.

”Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!”

“Stand aside, you silly girl… stand aside, now… “

“Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead--- “

“Not Harry! Please… have mercy… have mercy… “

I lock eyes with Ginny to find her staring at me wide-eyed and shivering. “Dementors!” She nods and shudders.

Around us the crowd has begin screaming in terror. I spin around and scan the skies, searching for them. People are running in all directions fleeing from unseen terrors while others are just shaking uncontrollably where they stand. No wonder Tina is shaking!

“G-Ginny, I n-need you t-to c-cast your P-Patronus, b-but k-keep it here to p-protect us, t-to p-protect T-Tina.” Her eyes narrow and her shivers cease somewhat.

She furrows her brow in concentration then she slashes her wand through the motions.

“Expecto Patronum!!!!”

A silver lioness erupts out of the tip of her wand. It pads the ground softly back and forth, its tail flicking in agitation.

I can feel the warmth, the very essence of love radiating from it and I can still feel Tina against me.

Basking in the physical manifestation of what I’m sure is Ginny’s love for our family; I look around Diagon Alley again. The direction towards the Leaky Cauldron is darker. I stare intently at the darkness and realize the darkness is alive.

Dementors, dozens of them are drifting along. I see a few flashes of silvery vapour as victims desperately try to defend themselves. The way to the Apparition Point is clear. I could tug Ginny along and escape with my family. But what about the people?

I feel Ginny’s hand rest on my back. I glance down to see her face bathed in the silvery light of her Patronus. Behind her eyes I see determination and love. I see myself reflected within them. I make my choice.

I carefully pull to mind the memories of our wedding day…

The way Ginny looked in her dress…

Tina toddling down the aisle…

Ron’s nervous speech…

Hermione’s watery grin…

Remus looking on with pride…

Dad giving Ginny away…

Going home with Ginny later that night…

I can feel it, my magic, burning within me, begging to be released. My wand swirls in the proper motions.

“Expecto Patronum!!!!!!!!”

From the tip of my wand erupts the Hungarian Horntail, the same one I cast at Azkaban. This time it is even larger. I soars into the ranks of the Dementors and I can hear them screeching as they flee before it.

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

Numerous sounds of Apparition sound throughout the Alley as Hit Wizards and Aurors arrive. Suddenly the entire Alley is awash in silver light as rabbits, bears, dogs, birds, and other animals drive through. The Dementors are overwhelmed and flee rapidly.

The lingering chill evaporates, but Tina is still shivering. Ginny steps forward, pulls her from my arms and crushes to her chest whispering comfort into her ear. Ginny looks pale and clammy and I doubt I look any better, Tina, however, looks horrid, she needs relief.

“Dobby!”

POP!

Dobby is there beside us. “Harry Potter called Dobby?”

“Dobby, we need some chocolate, hurry!”

I wrap my arms around both Ginny and Tina as Dobby squeaks then pops away.

“Potter! I should have known you’d be in the middle of this. I think you and your so-called wife need to come to the Ministry to answer some questions. They say you two caused a riot and then brought the Dementors down upon innocents.”

I release Ginny and push her behind me. I’m gripping my wand so tightly I’m afraid I might snap it.

Standing before me, wands drawn, smirking are Dawlish, McLaggen, and Corner.

“No, I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere with you.”

Dawlish’s eyes light up, “Resisting arrest as well.” He shakes his had, but the smirk never leaves his face. “You don’t have an Auror badge or some senile Headmaster to protect you anymore Potter.”

A rumbling bass voice calls out, “That’s enough!”

Kingsley Shacklebolt is there along with Gawain Robards. Neither look happy, but I’m not sure if it is me or Dawlish they are angry with.

My question is answered a moment later when Robards barks out. “You three quit standing around and assist the others in transporting the wounded to St. Mungos.” Dawlish opens his mouth to protest, his wand pointing limply in my direction when he is cut off. “NOW!!!!!!”

All three shoot me hate-filled glares before stalking off.

Robards approaches and I lower my wand, but I’m still wound up tightly, not sure what to expect.

“Potter, you have my sincere apologies for that.” He glances over his shoulder to ensure the three are out of earshot. “Things are going to be changing at the Ministry shortly; when they do, I want to meet with you.”

I’m sure I must look comical with my mouth gaping open, but I never thought Robards cared one whit about me.

“Don’t act so surprised Potter, if it weren’t for Scrimgeour you would still be on active duty. As soon as the new Minister is appointed I promise you that you will be fully re-instated.” His expression falls a bit, “You do want to come back don’t you?”

I nod my head dumbly, too stunned to speak. He takes that as confirmation and smiles.

“Excellent, look for the announcement in the papers about the new Minister, afterward you’ll receive my owl.” He looks around the Alley and leans in closer, “By the way Potter, excellent job.”

With that he turns and walks off. I stare after him for a few minutes, before Ginny steps back around me. The colour is starting to return to her cheeks and she gives me a shaky smile. Tina reaches up for me a half-eaten piece of chocolate clutched in her hand.

“She wants you right now, luv.” I scoop Tina into my arms and she squeezes her arms around my neck tighter than she ever has.

Ginny buries her head into my other shoulder and I wrap my free arm around her. Lucius nearly hurt both Ginny and Tina today… my family. I can feel boiling anger deep inside and I know that Malfoy has now joined a select club. I know now that to protect my family and the wizarding world, I will kill him if it comes to that.

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Another Tragedy... another failure...

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 02:46:23 GMT

I should have been there!!!!

All I can do is sit propped up in bed and fume. Ginny is sitting across my legs pinning me with her head buried into my shirt sobbing. Just seconds ago she returned from answering a floo call, tears streaking down her face and pale as a ghost.

“There was an attack,” her words break with sobs, “Susan and Hannah were attacked.” She shakes violently and I reach up and pull her onto my lap. “Hannah is dead, Susan is in critical condition at St. Mungos.” She then completely lost control and buried her head into my shoulder.

I hold my wife, trying to comfort her, trying to decide what to do. Unfortunately, today my options are limited. Katie said it would be Friday before I would be fully recovered to be out and about. Until I’m fully able, I need to keep my return a secret.

Besides, were Ginny and I to show up at St. Mungos now too many questions would be raised. The media would swoop in like vultures and surely Susan’s injuries and Hannah’s death would be on the front page of The Daily Prophet and somehow I’d be responsible. Not that I’m not, just not in the way they’d make it out to be.

Instead, I need to focus on the here and now. I have my wife and we are grieving the loss of a friend together. That is enough for tonight. Tomorrow, we can plan how we are going to make sure the dragon-dung that did this will pay.

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Recovery...

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:16:38 GMT

I feel warm and safe and for the first time in a while my entire body doesn’t ache. I blink my eyes open and take in the blurry surroundings. I hear excited whispering to my right. I tilt my head in the direction of the noise and see the blurry image of Ginny in her dressing gown with Tina resting on her hip.

“Ginny?” I rasp out, “My glasses?”

Walking forward, Ginny places Tina onto the edge of the bed, before reaching onto the night stand and handing me my glasses. Everything comes into focus as I slide them over my face. Tina squirms until she’s right up in my face. Her thumb pops out of her mouth and she places a wet hand on my cheek, “Dada, home?”

Something inside me breaks and tears stream down my face. I pull my little angel against me and kiss the top of her head and rub my hand gently up and down her back. “Dada’s home sprite, I’m never going to leave you like that again if I can help it.”

I look over Tina’s head at Ginny to see her giving me a watery smile as tear tracks run down her face. I release one hand from Tina and reach out for her. She clasps her hand in mine. I shuffle over in the bed with Tina laying on my chest and pull Ginny down next to me. She rests her head on my shoulder.

This is perfect.

I’m laying here with the two loves of my life resting on my shoulders. I can’t help but grin as Tina scrunches her nose and makes faces at her mum, who returns the gesture by crossing her eyes. I’m content to just lay there running my hands up and down their backs, but unfortunately a calling of a different sort asserts itself. “Umm… luv, can you take her for a minute. I’ve got to you know, go to the loo… “

Ginny snags Tina and begins playing with her on the bed to allow me to escape. After relieving myself I take a look at my appearance in the mirror.

“You look like you were left our wet.” I scowl at the mirror, but I really can’t dispute its claim. My cheeks are hollow from living on raw potatoes for three days. Also the bruises to my face and torso haven’t completely gone away. I note that I have three parallel marks running along my left side from where the beast scratched me.

At that moment Ginny creeps in and wraps her arms around me from behind and presses her head against my back. I turn around and pull her tight to my chest.

"It's good to hear your heart," she tells me as she keeps her ear against my chest.

“It just feels good to be here… holding you… holding Tina.” I know that I’m going to have nightmares from this ordeal. Several times I really gave up hope over the last few days.

I feel her nod once before letting go as our little girls comes in and wiggles between us. "Up!" she commands and Ginny picks her up.

"You look better than you did last night," she assures me as she studies my reflection in the mirror.

“I feel a lot better. I swear last night I felt like I’d been trampled by Hagrid’s herd of Blast-Ended Skrewts.” It’s not that much of an exaggeration.

Ginny holds out her hand and I take it, "Let's get back in bed then."

I allow her to lead me back to bed. I find a potion on my nightstand and look questioningly to Ginny.

“Katie healed you up last night when we got you here. The potion is to fight the infection that set into your wounds. You have to take a dose once a day for the rest of the week.”

Oh, lovely…. Potions. Still it is better than the alternative. I pour myself a dosage, pinch my nose closed, and pour it down my throat. My eyes water and my stomach revolts and I nearly purge myself over the bed.

I crash down onto the edge of the bed gasping for air when Ginny is suddenly there. She hands me a tumbler of Pumpkin juice. “Here this will help.” I drink greedily and the rumbling in my stomach ceases. Moments later I can feel an itchy tingling along the marks on my side and in the centre of my left thigh where I was wounded by a goblin spear yesterday.

"Lie back," she orders me and helps guide me onto the bed as Tina scrambles up next to me.

"Dada ouchies," Tina says, pouting as she points to my bruises. "I kiss!" she pronounces as she kisses my cheek, "All better!" Tina tells me, just like we do when she hurts herself.

I parrot back, “all better,” and it’s true. Having her and Ginny here tending to me does make it all better.

Ginny laughs and scoots into bed with us, "I think Mum and Dad will be by later to see you."

It will be good to see them, despite the potential for further rib injuries. After that something else hits me like a ton of bricks… What would happen to Tina if something happens to both Ginny and me?

“Ginny, would your mum and dad take care of Tina if something… “ I clear my throat nervously, “if something happened to the both of us?”

"Of course they would but..." she runs a finger over Tina's cheek and she giggles. I'm very thankful she can't completely understand us. "We should select guardians though, maybe write a will."

“Agreed… I’ll contact a barrister so we can get things taken care of before the end of the week.” I lean down and kiss Tina’s head. “She doesn’t deserve to be left all alone again.”

"No, not that my parents or brothers would let that happen," she mumbles softly.

“That’s enough of the dreariness,” I announce, uncomfortable with the sombre mood that has set in. “I want to talk about happy things.”

"Happy things..." Ginny's voice trailed off like she was thinking of something but then shook her head. "I'm just happy to have you home again."

I get lost momentarily in her eyes and feel my heart pound in my chest, “How did you know to come for me? How did you know where to find me?”

Surprisingly her face blushes scarlet. "I just... followed my heart."

She pauses for a moment, "But I had to wait for Mum to leave. She was watching me like a hawk."

I smile a bit at that. Leave it to Mum to save us from ourselves. I sober a bit though when I consider what might have happened had Ginny came for me immediately. “Well, it probably was best that she held you up and allowed me to climb a few levels before you found me.”

"Dolly?" Tina sits up looking around her.

"In your room, sweetie," Ginny answers and Tina scrambles off and out of the room to her new big girl room to find her blue haired doll. "What happened down there, Harry?" Ginny probes after Tina is out of earshot.

“Let’s just say I confirmed a couple of rumours about the security at Gringotts.”

"Dragons?" her eyes are awed and just a bit jealous. "How did you get out?"

I gulp, “Well I was able to hide from the Horntail with a Disillusionment Charm. I might have walked straight out unmolested, but that thing Lucius summoned survived the fall, saw through the illusion, and attacked me.” I point down to the angry welts of scar tissue on my side, “that’s from scaly.”

Her eyes show her concern and her pain at what happened, "What happened after that?"

I grin at her, “An old friend came to my rescue.”

"Who?"

“I was certain I was done for, I’d hit the thing with everything I had, I was going to unleash a volley and try to escape into the tunnels when out of the smoke and haze Norbert ate it.”

"Norbert!?" She sits up, stunned. "As is Hagrid's dragon?"

“The one and the same,” I grin at her conspiratorially, “maybe we should help Hagrid get visitation rights.”

Ginny snorts and shakes her head, "I think that would make him happy."

“Well I for one am thrilled he was there,” I think back and realize that for him to help me like that is totally out of character for any dragon. “You don’t suppose he remembered me do you? I mean most dragons would have just cooked and ate me?”

"I don't know but I suppose anything is possible," she leans up to gently kiss my cheek and then lips.

I enjoy the feel of her lips caressing mine for a few minutes before she finally pulls back, “so what happened after that?”

I think back, “the next few days are a blur of running, fighting, killing, and hiding. “ I shudder, “The only thing that kept me going was thinking about you and Tina.” Tears start running down my face again, “I swear sometimes it felt like you were there in the tunnel with me, I could see you, hear you yelling at me for being so stupid to get myself lost like that.”

Sighing heavily, she cups me cheek. "I was angry that you'd taken such a stupid risk."

I close my eyes, “I know, that was another thing I got to do when I was hiding and resting. Think about my decision and the consequences.” I squeeze her tighter to me, needing her to warm the coldness that has settled on me as I remember, “I realized that I can’t just be a noble sacrificing prat anymore, that you and Tina are relying on me. I promise I’ll never do something like that again if I can find an alternative.”

"That's good enough," she assures me as she holds me tight. Tina's voice from the hall alerts us to the fact that she's coming back. She climbs back into bed with us before Ginny says, "We've already had lunch. Are you hungry?"

My stomach chooses this time to growl loudly. Tina giggles and pokes at me, “Do that again dada?”

“Sounds wonderful… just one request… “ Ginny arches her eyebrow at me, “anything except potatoes, I’d just as soon not eat anything like that for a few days.”

"Done," she tells me as she gets out of bed. "Stay there and I'll bring something up for you."

I watch her appreciatively as she glides out of the room. How can she make a common dressing gown looks so… appealing.

Tina tugs on my shoulder. She places a book of fairy tales Ginny and I bought for her while on our honeymoon in my hands. “Read Dada?” She then climbs securely onto my lap, plops her thumb in her mouth, and waits expectantly.

I carefully turn the page to the book-marked page, “Once Upon a time… “

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Cats and Mice

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 04:14:44 GMT

KRACK!!!!!!

I just manage to duck the Bludgeoning Spell from my pursuers. I’m not sure how long I’ve been trapped in the depths of Gringotts, but my life has quickly turned into a one of hunter or be hunted.

I find an alcove and quickly Disillusion myself again. And fight to quiet my gasping for breath as my lungs burn in need. This most recent running battle has gone on for what seems like forever. I’m pretty positive I’ve eliminated at least four of my pursuers, but I managed to pick up a least two more to replace them as I led them on a merry chase.

Sweat drips down my face and the gashes in my side from the creature sting as my entire body is covered in perspiration. My right arm is bare to the elbow. I never was very good at Conjuring cloth so I’m forced to cannibalise my clothing to try to keep the wound clean. If the itching and burning is any indication I’ve not been able to prevent an infection from forming. My only consolation is the Clotting Charm worked and stopped the bleeding. If only I had a blood replenishing potion…

The Goblins clomp along past me their hard soled boots beating out a rhythm. Apparently, they are confident they will run me to ground eventually as they make no effort at stealth or concealment.

I count to one thousand once the sound of their boots fade from my hearing. Confident that they aren’t aware they lost my trail. I creep out of my hiding place and choose another tunnel. Hopefully this one will lead me higher. Thus far I’m sure I’m about ten levels above the Dragon level. The air is fresher and the reek of sulphur non-existent now.

I continue on a straight line passing through several intersections until I finally reach the end of the tunnel and must choose left or right. Right appears to slope upward and I check my guess by allowing a conjured bearing to roll free. Each time I’ve had to make a choice I’ve chosen the path that leads higher, so far this seems to be a safe pattern.

I trudge on until I can barely lift my feet, stopping and choosing twice more to change tunnels at intersections. Thankfully, it seems the area of the caverns I’m in now is devoid of goblins.

I need to rest! I spot another alcove that looks promising. I slip into it and curl up in a corner, my back to the wall. With a flick of my wand I cast a Silencing Charm and follow it up with a simple illusion Ginny taught me a few years back during her training. To anyone looking into the alcove from the main tunnel all they’ll see a solid rock wall. Unless someone actually tries to touch the wall I should be hidden.

I consider trying to cast my Patronus again to communicate with Ginny. Unfortunately, the first and only attempt brought nearly a dozen goblins down upon my head. During the ensuing skirmish I disabled or killed half their number before I managed to shake them from my trail. Deciding that in my current state I’m in no condition to defend myself I put aside the Patronus for now.

A few more flicks of the wand and I have a tumbler of water and a raw potato. At least it is clean. I greedily suck the water down and conjure more. The potato is edible, but could do with a bit of salt. This finalizes it, I’m going to ask mum to teach me some better food conjurations.

Once my thirst is sated for the time being and at least the edge is taken off my hunger the true exhaustion sets in. My eyes are beginning to droop. Part of me is fearful of sleeping, but if I don’t get some rest the next encounter most likely will kill me.

Another flick of the wand and a silent alarm spell is set up to alert me if anything comes within fifty feet of me. Hopefully I won’t be caught asleep.

I curl onto my right side and pillow my head on the arm. I carefully tuck my glasses into my shirt pocket and being drifting off to sleep my wand in hand.

My mind begins drifting and I’m back in a more pleasant time when Ginny and I were together watching the sun go down in the garden at The Burrow. Merlin I just want to see her again!

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Down the Rabbit Hole...

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:08:14 GMT

Warm air blows by my face. My vision is spinning. Ginny’s horrified screams echo in my ears. My stomach lurches with the motion. I fan my arms and legs out and stabilize. The spinning stops. The fall doesn’t. I’m plummeting to my death. I watch fascinated as level after level of the Gringotts bank speed by.

The demon careens off of the occasional outcropping trying to stop its fall. Hissing screams of pain reverberate around me. It is slowing its fall. I can’t allow it to make it out. Even if I don’t survive it can’t. I aim carefully with my wand and feel carefully for the tendrils of magic that caressed me moments ago.

The magic envelops me, much like Ginny does when we are together. I can feel the power building, begging to be released. I slash my wand, Sancio Maximus! White light knifes down through the chasm slamming into the creature.

Blood begins streaming from the creature’s gaping wounds. If possible the hissing becomes even louder before it is silenced by slamming into the wall a final time with a sickening crunch.

A quick glance tells me I have little time to save myself. I point my wand straight down, Aresto Momentum! I pour every bit of concentration I have into the spell. Incrementally I feel my fall slowing.

I’m still moving too fast. At this speed I’ll most likely break both of my legs. Thinking quickly, I cast again.

Elicio Plumes!

The area explodes before me in multiple colours. The landing knocks the wind out of me and I bounce, once, twice, then pain shoots through my entire body as I slam into the stone.

I gasp desperately for air. Finally, I’m able to suck enough air into my lungs and my heart rate slows. I gingerly sit up and test each of my limbs. Nothing seems to be broken, although my entire body feels like a giant bruise.

Slowly I rise to a crouch and examine the cavern around me. It feels like a muggle sauna and the smell of sulphur is so thick you can taste it in the air. I look straight up briefly, awestruck. The cavern widens gradually, but continues as far as the eye can see.

I shift around to examine my surroundings. I chuckle as I see the plumage that saved my life. Hermione will love this! Of all the spells I could have used, I save my life by conjuring giant pile of feathers to land in.

I hear a terrible sucking sound, a roar, and the feathers erupt into flame.

Moenium Glacies!

A wall of ice springs up and the flames slam into it. The wall crackles and sizzles as extreme cold battles with scorching heat. I use the moment to scramble further away from the source. Finally the wall explodes and chunks of melting ice soar in all directions.

Quickly casting a Disillusionment Charm on myself I hunker down and watch. Out of the steam and smoke it pads softly as a cat. Its black scales gleam in the torchlight. Its claws sharp as razors flex and dig gouges into the stone. With each breath smoke puffs from its nostrils as the head lazily looms back and forth seeking me out.

My heart rate doubles, then triples, and my fists clinch tightly as I fight down the panic. I’m staring down a Hungarian Horntail! Bloody Hell, the rumours are true! I wait patiently as the dragon gives up the search and pads back the way it came.

I cast localized Silencing Charms on my feet and carefully creep further from the beast. To this day there are very few spells I know of the combat a dragon and as exhausted as I am, testing my mettle against a Horntail is sure suicide.

After some minutes I finally reach the wall. Judging by the gouges it appears that my friend gets bored at times. I wonder how the goblins keep him from flying out. I decide to follow along the wall in the hopes of finding a tunnel leading up and hopefully out of the cavern.

A hiss is all the warning I get. Protego! My shield raises just in time as the wall explodes beside me. Despite the Shield Charm I’m still thrown several meters to the ground. I roll with the impact into a ready crouch although my aching muscles and joints complain.

I hear the hiss again and roll to the side. The ground I was standing on explodes sending rock, dirt, and dust flying. A chill runs down my spine as the entire cavern shakes with multiple roars.

Bloody Hell, how many of them are there down here!

I’ve got to get out of here. One dragon is deadly… several… my mind just can’t process it. If Lucius had taken control of Gringotts and freed these dragons...

I’m running full tilt, my lungs burning. Out of the steam and smoke the demon lunges at me. I dodge to the side, but my side explodes in pain. I sail through the air and slam into the wall. I clutch at my side and my hand comes away covered in blood. It cut me!

I groan as I unsteadily rise to my feet. I can feel the warmth of my blood running down my side. I clutch my left arm tightly to my side to stem the flow. Maybe if I can get away, I can cast a Clotting Charm…

The steam and smoke clears again and the creature is stalking towards me. The wounds I inflicted earlier haven’t completely healed yet. One arm is bent at an awkward angle, but the claws on the other hand are stained with blood, my blood. The creature’s long tongue flicks to lick its hand, tasting me.

I’ve hit it with everything I have and nothing evens slows it’s progress for long. It appears Lucius is more powerful than we imagined if he’s able to control this thing. I rack my mind for any spell that might prove useful and come up empty. I hastily look to each side and see a tunnel to my right. Maybe if I can reach the tunnels I can loose it. I just need a distraction.

The demon hisses and a bolt of energy crashes into the wall between me and the tunnel. It knows what I’m thinking! I lift my wand unsteadily and find my inner calm. I need to launch a volley of spells and hope to be able to flee in the confusion.

At that moment something unexpected occurs. A large head snaps out of the steam and smoke and snatches the demon into its jaws. The hissing becomes desperate then there is a loud crack followed by a grinding crunch and it stops. I watch in morbid fascination as a Norwegian Ridgeback gulps the creature down.

Too late I realize my mistake as the dragon swallows and turns its gaze upon me. I stare into its yellow eyes and realize I’m staring into the face of my death.

Then to my surprise the dragon nods in the direction of the tunnel followed by a smoky belch. The creature begins rumbling with what I can best describe as a purr. I wearily walk to the tunnel to find the air from it cooler and that it slopes upward. I turn back one last time to lock eyes with my benefactor when recognition of the pattern of its scales on the head sinks in, “Norbert?”

The creature lets out a roar that shakes the cavern and another puff of smoke. Shaken and still in awe of the situation I turn and begin staggering away from the dragons. It is only when I meet the first intersection that I realise I have no clue how to find my way out.

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The Last Weasley is In...

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 04:10:34 GMT

This week has been frantic as I’ve struggled to make up for the lax effort I put into recruitment before Ginny and I were married. I can’t help but wonder if I had been more diligent that perhaps her brother would have survived. Still the Wizarding World in Britain is a chaotic place at this time. Who knows, maybe he would have survived and Lucius would have targeted Ron, or the twins, or Bill. I just know that I’m doing everything in my power to see to it that no one else in my family is taken from me.

Yesterday was spent travelling about London meeting with former DA members. By the time my day was finished Colin and Dennis Creevey had enthusiastically joined as was a grim-faced Ernie MacMillan. That leaves only a few more to speak to from the DA. I’m planning to approach Angelina Johnson first chance that she’s not training and then I’ll approach Lavender and Oliver once Lavender is feeling stronger. There are still others that might contribute, but we’ll see about those later.

As far as locating another headquarters, Hermione has found a couple of suitable locations, but things have stalled. A couple of the sights turned out to have some serious deficiencies to make them suitable as a Headquarters and a couple of other turned out to be tied up with multiple liens. Until then it appears The Order will operate out of Grimmauld, Hogwarts, and The Phoenix House. Not what I would have preferred, but you make due.

Speaking of The Phoenix House I’m trudging the pathway through the trees towards the orphanage now. According to the brief fire call Ginny received from Susan, Penny is now working full time. I had kicked around the idea of asking her to join before. She is the only Weasley not a member and has an impressive set of skills to bring to the group. With her living and working and one of our central locations it is best to have her in The Order.

I enter quietly through the rear entrance and am able to slip up the stairs avoiding the scrutiny of the children who are playing rather loudly in the sitting room. I knock gently on the door to the small suite Penny has been using and enter when she asks me to.

She blinks in surprise at my entrance. I suppose she was expecting Susan. She quickly recovers, “Good evening Harry, Andrew is down for a nap or I’d let you hold him.”

I shift nervously and slip into a chair sitting at the writing desk in the room. “Actually, Penny I came to speak with you.”

She shifts nervously in her chair and straightens the front of her robes. “Okay… by the way thank you for letting Andrew and I stay here and thank you for the job.”

I wave her off, “You don’t have to thank me, besides you are helping us out immensely by being here.”

I clear my throat, “Penny, there is a reason I came tonight and it has nothing to do with you working here.” She shifts again in her seat. “Penny I want to offer you a chance to fight against the people that did this to Percy.”

She leans forward attentively. “Penny I don’t know if Percy ever mentioned The Order of the Phoenix, but essentially it is a secret organization that’s existed for centuries to fight evil.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. Percy must have said something. “Look Penny, you have skills The Order needs. There are always members being injured while spying or fighting, but we don’t want those involved having to go to St. Mungos, it would raise too many questions.” She nods as she follows along. “Right now below the manor is a triage. It’s unplottable and there is a hidden entrance in Susan’s office and one in Justin’s cottage on the grounds. We have the supplies and facilities, but we don’t have many healers to call upon. Can you help us?”

She leans back in her chair for a moment and ponders my offer. “I accept if you promise that I won’t just be here playing nurse maid. I want to have a part in taking down the monster that did that to Percy.”

I gaze into the steely determination in her eyes. I can’t deny her the chance to seek justice for Percy. I nod, “Agreed, but remember first and foremost you are a Healer, you won’t do any of us or Andrew any good if you get yourself killed.”

A pained expression passed over her face. “That’s acceptable, so now what do I do?”

“Well first of all we need to ensure that you know how to communicate, so tell me can you cast a Patronous
Charm?...”

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Another Piece in Place...

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 01:13:17 GMT

I’m more comfortable this evening as I make the next call on the list of recruits for The Order. Yesterday I recruited Katie, Alicia, Justin, and Susan. Earlier today I met separately with Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein. This is becoming old hat.

The main reason is clasping my hand as we turn the corner into Knockturn Alley. Even though we are wearing dark hooded cloaks my wife shines to me. I give her hand a gentle squeeze and we make our way up to the 1st floor where we recruited Dean and Neville a couple of weeks ago.

I knock briskly on the door and it is quickly opened by Padma. Over the top of her head I can see her sister Parvati. Excellent! Ginny took the time today to floo call Padma at work and arrange for both sisters to meet us tonight.

Padma offers us tea, which we politely decline. Ginny and I settle on the sofa while the twins settle in a couple of chairs pulled from their kitchen table.

Before making my pitch for The Order, I take in their appearances. Both appear tired and stressed. I glance at Ginny and she is inspecting them shrewdly. I’ll have to ask her afterward what she’s picked up that I’ve missed.

I clear my throat before I begin, “I suppose you are wondering why I had Ginny arrange this meeting?”

The sisters glance briefly at one another and nod. Parvati appears she is about to say something, hesitates, and then continues listening attentively.

I give a small smile, “ I suppose you’ve both noticed the rise in violence recently.” I shake my head sadly, “in fact both of you have been caught in the thick of it in one way or another.”

Padma’s eyes are haunted as she nods, Parvati stares at her hands in her lap and her toe begins tapping nervously.

I glance again at Ginny and nod to her to take over.

"What Harry's trying to say," Ginny jumps in. "Is that we feel that we need your help in an organized resistance against the violence."

I nod in agreement. “Exactly, unfortunately the Ministry isn’t in any shape to help right now.”

Parvati continues to fidget with her hands in her lap and presses down on her knee to stop her foot from bouncing. Padma sits in stony silence. Ginny glances back towards me; she seems as baffled as I am at this point.

I sigh. Okay when in doubt proceed blindly forward. “Padma, bottom line is besides Hermione you are probably the most brilliant witch from our time at Hogwarts. As brilliant as Hermione is, she doesn’t know everything. Plus you have access to resources at the MacMilllan Foundation that she doesn’t.” I pause for effect. “Both of you probably are better prepared in Defence than most witches and wizards our age.”

Parvati looks incredulously at me.

“I’m currently on leave from work,” Padma states flatly. She scuffs her foot into the floor and continues, "I've been trying to figure somethings out lately... I just got back from a trip to India."

I plunge on, “We could really use your help on a problem. We are trying to figure out how Lucius Malfoy is producing Inferi that look and act alive and can cast spells.”

All colour drains from Padma’s face and she starts to tremble. Parvati reaches across and grasps her hand. “What is going on?” Parvati asks anxiously.

I lean forward now that I have their attention. “In January, Tonks and I were ambushed by Lucius Malfoy and a group of former Death Eaters while raiding Fenrir Greyback’s camp. Malfoy was as powerful as Voldemort.” Parvati shudders at the mention of his name. Ginny leans closer to me, I suppose she is remembering the hospital stay that resulted from the ambush.

“In April Malfoy led a force of Inferi, Dementors, and Death Eaters to crack open Azkaban.” I close my eyes remembering what that day personally cost me. “The Inferi could cast spells and the only way I was able to stop them was fire.”

Parvati is sits stiffly, hanging on every word and her knee jiggling. Padma’s eyes widen and I suspect she knows something that we don’t.

“Finally, a few weeks ago the Minister of Magic spontaneously turns into an Inferi during a press conference and begins attacking bystanders. The same Minister that instead of doing everything in his power to find out who’s been behind the attacks of the past few months was using Ministry Aurors to have Ginny and I followed. I’m pretty sure he was one of the living Inferi and something caused him to change.”

“Anubis!” Padma exclaims. I frown at her. She jumps to her feet, wrings her hands, and begins pacing. She rounds about suddenly, “The Tablet from Saqqara! The one we were working on! You remember don’t you?”

I nod as my heart is hammers in my chest. Could all of this be connected somehow?

“We figured a lot more of it out!” Padma is manic and her voice pitched higher than normal. “There was a recipe for a potion! A potion for Inferi, but it was incomplete. But what if someone was able to find the missing piece?” She stops her pacing. “Oh Merlin help us! They have found it. The Inferi you describe, they are exactly like those Anubis was supposed to have produced millennia ago.”

“Padma? What else can you find out for us? Is there a way to identify these Inferi? Is there some sort of weakness we can exploit?” This is the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.

She starts pacing again. “I don’t remember anything specific, but I suppose if I started researching the history about how he was overthrown there might be a clue there.” She appears unsure, still she’s provided more in five minutes that the entire Order has in two months.

“Okay then, whatever you need it will be provided.” I pause as I realize she hasn’t actually agreed to help. “That is assuming you are willing to join The Order.” I look over to her sister to see an undisguised look of admiration.

“I can help with research, but I don’t think I have any place on the battlefield.”

“Rubbish,” Ginny cuts in. “Both of you passed your Defence NEWT, which is something not many have done in the past ten years.” She quickly winks at me and I feel my face heat up. “Besides you’ve got one of the best Defence teachers to help you brush up.”

Parvati is shakes her head in denial, "I may have gotten good DA training, but I don't know if I can carry it out --"

“Harry and I saw you fight at The Phoenix House, you were brilliant!” Ginny interrupts.

I nod to agree. “You are already as advanced as some Magical Law Enforcement personnel. By the time we brush you up you’ll be equal to most opponents. Besides, we need more than just Fred, George, and Neville keeping an eye out in Diagon Alley for us.”

Parvati straightens in her chair, That got a reaction!

She bites her bottom lip for a moment. “Neville’s in the Order?” she asks quietly.

“Yeah, we recruited Dean and him before the wedding.”

I pause hoping she’ll respond, but she continues to sit in thoughtful silence while worrying her bottom lip and staring at her hands. I open my mouth to say more, but Ginny squeezes my hand to silence me.

Ginny looks to Padma, “Are you in, all the way?”

"I'm not sure what you mean by all the way, but I'll help in anyway I can."

“Great,” she turns to Parvati, “and you?”

She and Padma lock eyes for a moment and have one of those silent conversations Fred and George have that I find unnerving. She then turns back to us, “As long as Padma is in, I am as well.”

“Perfect! First order of business when joining the Order of the Phoenix is communication.” I smile widely at them. “How’s your Patronous Charms… “

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Gathering the Forces...

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 01:46:55 GMT

Today has been a long day. Percy’s death drilled something home to me. I can’t sit back anymore. I have to mobilise as many as I can for the coming fight.

Ginny is still a bit despondent over Percy, but is compensating by throwing herself fully into her role as Tina’s mum. I had hoped to let Molly watch Tina or even let her play over at The Phoenix House while Ginny and I recruited, but seeing the two of them curled up on the sofa in the living room after spending the morning finger painting I decided to leave them be. I left a short note explaining where I was going and what I was doing and Apparated to Diagon Alley.

I met briefly with Alicia Spinnet during a break from her shift at Flourish and Blotts. It didn’t take much convincing for her to sign on to join the Order. We spoke briefly about what our former team mates were doing nowadays and she mentioned that there isn’t current romantic entanglements in her life, which means I don’t have to worry about having to recruit a boyfriend.

After our meeting I was able to slip unnoticed into St. Mungos under the guise of an annual physical. Prior to this Madam Pomfrey always handled my annual physical, but with Katie Bell an active healer at St. Mungos there is someone I can trust and it doesn’t hurt she is was one of those we wanted to recruit to The Order.

My physical gave me a clean bill of health and declared me physically fit. The Order also has a set of eyes and ears at St. Mungos as well as another fully qualified healer to call upon in case of an emergency. Between Madam Pomfrey, Susan, and now Katie our secret triage I had built in a secret basement below The Phoenix House will be well staffed. Assuming the meeting I’m attending now goes well.

During the milling around and socializing after the funeral yesterday I mentioned to Susan I needed to speak to both her and Justin this evening. She gave me a puzzled look, but agreed and the time was set.

I slip into the back entrance of The Phoenix House. Given the knowledge that the Ministry was and may still be following me and that apparently Lucius Malfoy is gunning to kill me, I don’t want to draw any undue attention to the orphanage or the children.

I slip up to Susan’s office to find both her and Justin waiting. Justin is pacing restlessly pausing to look out her office window every few seconds, while Susan is signing off on some supply purchases.

Susan smiles warmly as I enter. Justin smiles warily and seats himself on the edge of Susan’s desk and begins fiddling with the hem of his robes awkwardly. His other hand is still bandaged from where he nearly lost it during the Battle at the Riddle House a couple of weeks ago.

I cast an Impeturbalble Charm on the door and window and settle into the chair across the desk from them. I close my eyes and run my hand through my hair to gather my thoughts. Finally, the nervous beating of my heart settles. With a deep breath I begin, “Have either of you ever heard of The Order of the Phoenix?”

Susan’s eyes flicker with recognition which doesn’t surprise me. Her Aunt most likely knew about The Order even if she wasn’t a member. Of course I don’t know that she wasn’t either.

I am surprised that Justin doesn’t look totally confused. Then again Scrimgeour knew it existed and probably knew who some of the members were. I would imagine that within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement very few wouldn’t have heard whispers about it at the least.

“I can tell that both of you know something about it. I’m going to tell you more.” I shift around in my chair. “The Order of the Phoenix is an organization that has been around for centuries in the Wizarding World.” Susan’s eyes widen a bit at that proclamation. Justin just listens in fascination.

“Essentially, the purpose of The Order indeed its entire reason for existing is to ensure that whenever there is the rise of an extremely powerful Dark Wizard or Witch that they will be resisted. In the last 100 years it has been instrumental in the overthrow of two Dark Wizards, Grindelwald and Voldemort twice.”

Before they can react I continue, “Look, Lucius Malfoy is the one orchestrating most of the chaos we’ve experienced the past few months.” Susan’s eyes widen, while Justin’s narrows and he clinches his teeth. “We don’t know the specifics of what he’s up to, but it looks like he’s following Voldemort’s old plan of conquering through fear and terror.”

Susan leans forward and reaches out and clasp Justin’s hand which has a visible coming effect upon him. I wonder if Ginny has that effect on me? I look again when the sparkle of the engagement ring captures my attention. I look back and forth between them. Good for them.

“Harry, why are you telling us all this?”

“Susan, historically there has almost always been at least one generation pass between the rise of Dark Wizards in our world. This time another has risen right on the heels of the previous. The truth of the matter is The Order wasn’t prepared for this and we are scrambling to organize to resist Lucius.”

Susan leans back, “So you’re saying The Order needs us, aren’t you?”

Justin blurts out, “Why would they needs us?”

I glance at Justin briefly before looking to Susan, “First of all we always are in need of Healers. Sometimes members are injured and we really don’t want a visit to St. Mungos drawing attention to what we’re up to.” I glance again at Justin, knowing he won’t like this. “We also need Healers that can handle themselves in a fight in the event that we end up in a battle like the one that finished Voldemort.”

Justin’s posture is rigid and it is obvious he doesn’t like the idea of Susan in danger anymore than I like Ginny being there. “I know how you feel Justin.” I look down at my clasped hands, “I don’t like Ginny being in danger either, but she has skills that The Order needs as well.”

“We need you too, Justin. You have training that very few wizards or witches ever receive. You know how to fight, you can also help teach others to defend themselves.” Justin’s involvement is key; he has experience that is critical to the Order and his not being involved compromises the effectiveness of both Susan and Ron on top of that.

Justin looks tense, but magically as Susan rubs her thumb over his hand he relaxes.

I take a deep breath, “Are you two in?”

They lock eyes, silently communicating, before turning and Justin announces, “We’re in.”

Relief floods through me. “Good, we are definitely better off with you than without you.”

“Now, to get things started I need to make sure you are up on how we communicate, so how is your Patronus… “

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Ginny Discovers Cinema

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 13:22:55 GMT

For some reason I imagined being married would be more of the same of what had been going on for the past few months that we lived together. The reality so far is so much more. Granted we are on our first ever real vacation alone together, but it’s not just that. It is the feeling that the two of use have a secret that just the two of us know about.

It seems our pattern of staying up late and sleeping in isn’t going to change yet. I will admit that I don’t know if I can go back to sleeping with clothing after this week, but I assume with Tina around the house it’s unavoidable, but then again she’s worth it.

I’ve been awake for a few minutes observing my lovely wife as she sleeps. The week at the Burrow was dreadful, we both had gotten so used to sleeping wrapped up in one another that neither got much rest. This week we’ve literally been tied together like pretzels. It is wonderful to wake up with her fiery hair draped across my chest and her body curled against me.

Finally, after some time she stirs slightly. She snuggles into my chest and groans, before finally lifting her head and opening her sleepy eyes. Merlin she’s absolutely adorable in the morning. “Good morning, luv.”

She yawns briefly before blushing slightly, “Good morning.” She lays her head back onto my chest and begins twirling her fingers around on my chest. “Remind me how we managed wait so long to get married?”

I run my hand up and down her bare back, lingering a bit longer on her bottom. “Nutters, we were both absolutely nutters.”

She lifts her head and smirks, “speak for yourself Potter, I would have married you the day I turned seventeen.” She proceeds to slip out of the bed, spins around to give me a show before scampering off to the loo, “sorry luv, nature calls.”

The sight of her produces an instant reaction causing me to groan, “You aren’t getting away with that Potter!” I slowly rise and follow. I slip into the loo to find the shower running. Revenge is sweet!

I creep over to the shower and pull back the curtain expecting to find her bathing. Instead I’m goosed from behind causing me to tumble into the shower. I look up to find Ginny in all her glory nearly tittering with glee. “If you wanted me in the shower, all you had to do is ask!”

She lets out a squeal as I quickly reach out and pull her into the shower with me my lips instantly capturing hers.

After a nice long shower where we eventually got clean we decide to try a matinee at the cinema. I’ve been a few times on my own or with Tonks who inherited a love of the cinema from her father. I can’t believe I’ve never thought to take Ginny.

After skimming the marquee we settle on a film that has been out for a bit, Finding Nemo. I can tell Ginny is sceptical, but her tune changes when we reach the concessions.

"What is this stuff?" she asks me as she points at the candy behind the counter.

I chuckle and reply, "it's Muggle candy."

"Really?" I watch her bite her lip, studying the selection. "Uhm…"

"What would you like, ma'am?" asks a skinny boy in a paper cap.

"I would like this one and this one," she points through the glass at the candy. I watch her order nearly every candy available.

The kid looks flabbergasted. I can't say that I blame him… she's so tiny that it's hard to believe she could eat that much. "Would you like popcorn or a soda with that?"

"Both," she grins cheekily up at me, her expression impish. "I'm hungry."

After paying the kid I find myself struggling under the weight of her refreshments while she is taking in all of the coming attraction posters in the lobby. She pauses in front of one for Pirates of the Carribean, “Oh, who is that?” She’s pointing at a young actor with dark hair and relatively clean looking.

I glance down to see who’s starring. “Uhm… it would be either Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, or maybe Geoffrey Rush. Why do you ask?”

"No reason." I watch her eyes linger for a second before turning back to me.

I give a non-committal grunt and glance at my watch. “C’mon luv, we need to get to our seats.”

When we enter the theatre, we find it mostly empty save a few mothers accompanied by small packs of children. “Pick a seat, just don’t go to close to the front unless you want a crick in your neck later.”

She looks at the screen and then climbs to the middle of the theatre, sitting down and looking around. "How come there aren't many adults?"

I look around again before responding, “Well animated movies like this usually are targeted towards children.”

"Oh!" Ginny gasps as the movie previews begin to flash upon the screen. "This is amazing!"

I chuckle at the range of emotions Ginny goes through during the show. She nearly cries at the beginning with the death of Nemo’s mother. She’s absolutely delighted with Dorey’s character. I think the highlight, however, is the treck with the sea turtles in the current. By the time we reach the end she’s as energetic as I can remember her and surrounded by a pile of empty candy packages.

"I loved it!" she exclaims as the lights come up. "We will have to see these films more often."

I smile at her enthusiasm. “Deal, maybe once a month when we get back, I’m sure Tina would love it as well.”

"That's true," she gathers up her rubbish and we rise to exit the theatre. "So what else do you have planned for us today?"

“I just thought we’d take the time to walk around and see the sights then maybe have dinner somewhere new.“ I take her hand and begin leading her back towards the lobby. As we exit we pass the kids that sold us the candy, he’s staring at Ginny with a bit of awe as he notes the empty wrappers we dump in the bin. I also can’t help note that his eyes linger a bit on Ginny. I suppose I should get jealous, but I don’t think I could resist staring at her either.

We exit the theatre hand in hand. We stride out into the early summer evening both lost in our thoughts. I have a momentary thought to return long enough to pick up Tina and then the three of us just disappear into the muggle world where we don’t have to worry about Lucius Malfoy or Inferious Ministers. I glance down at my angel and know that neither of us could live with ourselves if we abandoned our friends and family to their fate.

I lean down and kiss her on top of the head and wrap an arm around her shoulder pulling her close to me as we walk. “I love you.”

"I love you too," she says and leans into me as we walk.

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Lat Night Out...

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 02:56:10 GMT

The original plan had been to have an actual bachelor party for me last night. With the attacks on the full moon and the battle with Wormtail and Bellatrix over the weekend taking its toll I felt it was be best to cancel the event. If somehow word got out about the location… well I doubt Lucius would let an opportunity to attack me while I’d be so vulnerable pass by. So instead of a night of debauchery I’m doing what I probably would have preferred to begin with… going flying with Ron.

Ron and Hermione arrive at The Burrow only a few minutes late, which gives me enough time to drink down a stimulant potion. While the separate beds may do wonders for Molly’s peace of mind this week, it has played havoc upon my sleep. Between the strange bed, nightmares, and not having Ginny next to me, my nights have been spent tossing and turning. If Ginny is having similar problems she’s better at hiding it or I’m just not as perceptive in my exhaustion.

Hermione and Ginny immediately dismissed Ron and I like yesterday’s leftovers and disappeared in the sitting room. I glance over at Ron, “You ever worry when the two of them can just ignore us that easily?”

Ron smiles at me, “I figure it is just deserts for the two of us taking so long to get our heads our of our arses when we were younger. If we hadn’t been so clueless they wouldn’t have had the time to bond so well.”

He’s probably right about that, but I do hate reminders that I almost missed out on the best thing that ever happened to me. Shrugging my shoulders with no answer I follow him as he leads me out to the paddock. I have to smile at how Ron’s learned to become content for what he has in life. He could probably have replaced his Cleansweep several times over by now with a Nimbus or an older model Firebolt.

Of course I know how he feels, I could easily replace my broom with the newest top of the line broom any time. In fact, Nimbus, Cleansweep, and several other broom manufacturers have offered me endorsement deals on several occasions which included a free prototype of their latest brooms.

As I run my fingers over the lovingly polished handle of my Firebolt I can’t bear the thought of sidelining the first ever gift I received from Sirius. Whenever, I get to fly I can’t help but think that the old hound is watching me.

We make our way to the Paddock and immediately lift off. As I soar through the low hanging clouds I feel one of the few sensations that can compare to kissing Ginny. Fortunately, one of the modifications all of the Weasley siblings sprung for when setting up the privacy wards around The Burrow when it was rebuilt was ensuring that the Quidditch Paddock and the surrounding grounds were unobservable by the muggles in Ottery St. Catchpole. For anyone to watch us fly anywhere within the wards they’d have to be inside them and that would mean overcoming the muggle repelling charms. The muggles of Ottery St. Catchpole are aware the Weasleys live here, but for some reason none of them have ever felt the need to visit their neighbours, something I know pleases Molly greatly.

We spend perhaps an hour circling around doing stunts and just waxing nostalgic over the pick-up games we used to play in the summer. Finally, we both settle down to watch the sun set. A flick of my wand and my old broom servicing kit arrives. The old girl kept jerking a bit to the left while pulling out of dives. I settle down to trim some bristles while Ron helps himself to some broom polish.

After a few minutes of companionable silence Ron speaks, “So this it… you’re really going to marry my baby sister.”

I smile to myself. Mine and Ginny’s relationship has always been a source of mixed emotions to a certain degree to Ron. While I know that he couldn’t be happier that it is me that Ginny is with, I think part of him wishes Ginny wasn’t his little sister so he wouldn’t feel weird discussing love and romance with me. I have to admit that our choices in witches has meant that neither wants to hear about the other’s love life.

He continues on, “So… you nervous? Scared? You remember Bill don’t you? Or how about Remus?”

Poor Bill, got such a terrible case of the nerves the week before his wedding that at times he reminded me of Ginny that first summer I came to the Burrow. He kept blaming it on the after-effects of his wounds, at least until his dad pulled him aside a couple of days before the ceremony. None of us know what Arthur told him that day, but afterward Bill seemed much more himself. Well he at least quit dropping and breaking things.

Remus became violently ill the morning of his wedding to Tonks. It was horrible, the only time I had ever remembered seeing him that bad was right after a transformation. Of course Remus refused to believe it was nerves and went as far as to accuse Fred and George of slipping him a puking pustille. In the end, what finally calmed him down was me pulling him aside and asking him to tell me again about my parents wedding ceremony. During the telling the colour returned to his face and I think reflecting back on how happy they had been reminded him that he had a wonderful life ahead of him.

“Harry?”

Apparently, I’ve been too deep in thought, I’ve forgotten to answer, “Truthfully, Ron, I’m not nervous about the wedding. All the ceremony is doing is making official what Ginny and I have been for years. The only thing I’m worried about is… “ I trail off as I realize I was about to reveal to Ron that I’m nervous about having sex with his sister for the first time, or worse worried that on our wedding night we won’t be having sex.

Given the look of horror on Ron’s face I think he realizes what I almost said as well. He swallows, “How about Tina? You looking forward to finalizing the adoption?”

Thank Merlin something safe I can gush about! I’m sure the grin spread across my face makes me look like some village’s idiot, but I can’t help it, two things really make me deliriously happy, my coming nuptials, and my impending parenthood. I never thought I could love another female as much as I love Ginny, but while the love is different, I can honestly say that Tina has carved a special place in my heart.

“It’s pretty awesome to think about it Ron. As soon as we get back from our honeymoon we are taking her home and she’s going to be with us from then on.”

Ron gets a faraway look on his face for a moment, “Yeah, I know what you mean; sometimes I wish that ours could just get here already. I can’t wait to be able to teach him to play chess, fly, and play Quidditch.”

“I got a head start on that.” Ron gives me a look and I glance around even though I know we are alone. “Ginny doesn’t know it, but one afternoon when I didn’t have anything to do and she was busy working, I snuck over to The Phoenix House and took Tina flying with me on The Firebolt. She loved it! Susan nearly hexed me though when we finished.”

Ron laughs, “I don’t think you need to worry about Ginny, I wouldn’t be surprised if she beat you to taking Tina on a broom ride. She’s sneaky that way.”

“You’re probably right. I’ll tell her the next time I take Tina and see if she wants to come along.”

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The DA Reborn...

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 02:39:29 GMT

After the events of the weekend and Arthur sharing with us the meltdown of Rufus Scrimgeour today during a press conference Ginny and I decided on two things. First, was to accelerate our efforts at recruiting more Order members beyond Ron and Hermione, the second was more her decision; neither of are going anywhere alone.

The plans for tonight are to swing back and recruit those we know live in the Diagon Alley. Neville lives in his flat above Fernmyer’s and Dean and the Patil twins live in flats above Borgin and Burkes.

By unspoken agreement we decide to approach those in Knockturn Alley. Both of us would rather not be here late into the evening and Neville is one of our closest friends and we hoped to have an extended visit in case he wanted to talk about the events at the Riddle House. I can’t believe both Bellatrix and Wormtail are dead… even now.

We make our way up the side stairs to the flats above and turn down the first floor hallway. I’ll hand it to the twins, once you get past the fact that there is a seedy bar and a shop that specializes in selling dark artefacts on the ground floor the rest of the building seems quite homey.

There are two flats on this level. The largest belongs to the Patil twins, the other belongs to Dean. We continue to the two doors that are across from one another. I glance at Ginny and we knock.

I rap lightly on the door, hoping that Dean is home. To my surprise it isn’t Dean that answers, but Neville. His eyes have a calculating look to them that I recognize from many times watching myself in the mirror. He blinks at us confused for a moment before his expression clears. “Hullo Harry… Ginny.”

Ginny squeezes my hand tightly at the sight of Neville, before she speaks, “Neville, we were looking for Dean, is he home?”

Neville nods, then steps back to allow us to enter. The flat looks surprisingly clean considering Dean was kidnapped from here not too long ago.

Dean steps out of the kitchenette. He looks a bit unsteady on his feet. “Neville, who’s at the door?” When he sees the two of us his eyes widen momentarily as he pauses. “Er, hi, Harry and Ginny. What brings you by?”

Dean responds with a ghost of a smile, “Why don’t the two of you sit. Can I get you anything to drink? I think I have a couple of butterbeers.”

We both settle onto the couch that has seen better days. “That’s okay Dean, we just came from her mum’s and if we ate or drank anything else we’d likely explode,” I grin.

I note that Neville’s mouth twitches and he rubs his stomach, no doubt in memory of one of the stuffings he’s received at the hands of Molly. Dean settles into a chair opposite, while Neville is still leaning against the wall, his mind elsewhere.

I run my hand through my hair, take a deep breath and begin, “Well, guys we expected to catch the two of you separately, but since we’ve got you both now we’ll just move forward. Dean, how much do you know of a group called The Order of the Phoenix?”

Dean’s eyes show no recognition which I expected. As a muggle-born, unless he was already involved, it would be unlikely that he’d hear the whispers that have surrounded The Order since its inception.

There is a flicker in Neville’s eyes and they widen. He seems to redirect his thinking as he walks over and plops into a chair that groans under his weight and threatens to crack to pieces. “What’s this about Harry?”

“Both of you know know that there has been a upsurge of Dark Wizard activity and werewolf attacks over the past few months.”

Both nod in response. Dean still looks puzzled, while Neville leans forward a bit causing his chair to creak in protest.

“The Order is secret organization that has existed for centuries. Every time there has been a great evil that needs to be combated it has resurrected like a Phoenix to battle it.” I pause to let what I’ve said soak in and Ginny give my hand a gentle squeeze. “The last three times it was active was during the time of Grindelwald and during both wars with Voldemort.”

Dean’s eyes shine with a dawning realization while Neville’s expression remains fixed on his hands.

“Dean, working at the Ministry, you know that there has been something working, conspiring against the Ministry for months.” He nods and wrings his hands nervously. “That something is Lucius Malfoy.”

Neville’s eyes shoot up while Dean’s narrows. I plunge along, “I’ve battled him twice this year, once when he and his followers ambushed Tonks and me in January, and he led the attack on Azkaban.”

Neville blurts out, “But you ended up in the hospital in January… “

Dean counters, “They slaughtered all the guards at Azkaban, but none of the prisoners were accounted for… “

“Exactly,” I run my free hand through my hair again. “He’s powerful, deadly powerful, the last time I battled someone able to match me and exceed me blow for blow was Voldemort.” I inwardly cheer as neither flinches at the name. “He’s done something, something we can’t figure out, to increase his power. Also, somehow he’s able to produce Inferi that are life-like and can use magic. If I had to guess our late Minister was one of those Inferious until today.”

Dean’s eyes narrow, “Why are you telling us this Harry?”

I give him a half smile, “That’s the real rub of it isn’t it? The reason I’m telling both of you this is that The Order needs both of you.”

“Harry, I’m a little out of practice -“ Neville starts.

“Stuff it Neville,” Ginny cuts him off, “You may not be an Auror, but you can bloody well fight better than most I’ve seen.” A shadow passes over Neville’s eyes and he looks down at his hands. “Besides, it’s not just fighters we are looking for. We’ll be using the secret cellar Harry had placed under The Phoenix House as a triage which means we’ll need a steady supply of healing herbs and who better to help us with what we’ll need than a Herbologist?”

“You know I might not be here come September?” Neville asks quietly.

“Why?” Ginny asks.

“I’ve applied to the Thailand Institute for Floral, Fauna and Fungi for the next step in the Certification,” Neville admits. He flushes slightly. “I haven’t been accepted yet, but if I do get in, I’ll be moving in September.”

Dean’s mouth drops open and he stares at Neville, clearly surprised.

“That’s fantastic, Neville,” I congratulate. “But that doesn’t get you out of this. We can use eyes all over the place.”

Neville nods solemly. “Well, then, I’ll do what I can.”

I turn back to Dean and lean forward to get his attention. With one last glance at Neville he meets my eyes and says slowly, “So let me guess, you need me to try to pass information from within the unit to the Order.”

I nod.

“Listen, Harry, I want to help but –” Dean takes a deep breath and continues, “- I have to tell you that getting information out of the Unit without being noticed isn’t as easy as it sounds. I only have access to the Mind Evidence office and limited access to the other sub-units.”

“Right in one, but that’s not all,” I say as he sits back and rubs his forehead. “I’m not welcome in the Ministry,” Ginny guffaws, “although we know now why. But many of the type of people we need are Ministry personnel. They bring skills and training we need. Don’t compromise yourself, but if there is anyone within the Unit that you think could be persuaded to assist us, pass that along, either to me, or to Moody when you’re training at The Heath.”

Dean shakes his head and genuinely smiles while Neville looks confused. “I should have known you of all people would know about Moody’s operation there.” He pauses and then asks, “Who else is in the Order?”

“You realize that I can’t tell you that. At least not right away. Suffice it to say that you both probably know people that are members or will be invited like yourselves.” Dean and Neville both nod and I smile at them reassuringly. “Of course if anyone you send our way joins we’ll probably keep you in the loop.”

“So are you in?” I really hope he accepts. Dean is a friend if not a close mate and I really don’t relish having Ginny Obliviate him if he refuses.

Dean looks determined and says, “I walked away from our world the last time it was threatened. This time I’m going to fight for it. I’m in. I’ll see what I can do about working on arranging some other reliable sources from within the Unit.”

“Excellent. Now for communication purposes, how’s your Patronus… “

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Close Combat...

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 01:33:38 GMT

Molly was none too chuffed when the floo call came from Moody this morning. Apparently the Weasley matriarch has learned the value of her sons Extendable Ears. As soon as I finished my briefing she was upon me in an instant in the kitchen.

“Absolutely not!” Molly roars while brandishing a ladle like a sword. “You and Ginny just completed your Betrothal Ceremony and you are getting married in a week.” She punctuated each statement with a wave of the ladle, “You will not be out fighting werewolves and Death Eaters tonight!”

Despite every thing I’ve been through, being on the end of one of Molly Weasley’s tirades can send a chill up my spine whereas facing vampires, werewolves, Death Eaters, and even Voldemort couldn’t. She’s scarier than a Hungarian Horntail when she’s protecting her family.

Unexpectedly, Ginny bursts into the kitchen a look of pure fury on her face. “Mum, Harry and I aren’t children, we are full-fledged members of the Order of the Phoenix! We can and will do whatever it is that Moody asks of us!”

“Codswallop! Harry was made a member to make it easier for the Order to keep an eye on him.” She rounds on Ginny fully, “And you would never have been considered at all if I had my say. It was only because Harry refused to join without you that you got in.” Molly’s expression turns to one of horror as she realizes what she’s just revealed.

Ginny stands there her mouth gaping in pure astonishment. I’ve known Ginny twelve years and beyond her early problems speaking to me I’ve never seen her at a loss for words. I round on Molly, I may love her as the mother I’ve never had, but she’s stepped over the line this time.

Despite my anger I keep my voice even and low. “That was out of line and thoroughly untrue. She may have got in because I refused to join without her, but there isn’t anyone who belongs to the Order that brings a more impressive set of skills.”

Before Molly can say a word I press forward, “I know you are scared for us. I know that all you’ve ever wanted for us is a nice quiet love devoted to family.” I move around as a I speak to stand behind Ginny and wrap my arms around her. “The truth is, Ginny and I, we just aren’t destined for a quiet life, no matter how much we might want it.” I kiss the top of her head and she relaxes somewhat. “

In a much calmer tone Ginny picks up, “Harry’s right mum. I know that you’ll always see me as your baby girl, but I can’t sit on the sidelines while Lucius Malfoy is killing people. You and dad raised me to be so much more than that.”

Molly’s hands drop to her side and she hangs her head in rare contrition. “I’m sorry dears. I’m not sure what came over me. It’s just that with the wedding, finding out Percy is married and a father, and then this new war I’ve just been twisted to pieces.” She raises her head, “Ginny, Harry, please forgive an overprotective mum who is afraid to let her babies grow up at a time like this.”

The rest of the morning was spent in quiet conversation with Molly and later Arthur discussing anything but the coming night. This afternoon Ginny and I napped in order to stay fresh and sharp for tonight.

One hour before sunset we Apparated outside of Hogsmeade. While Moody is making use of pretty much everyone in the Order, apparently the grizzled old Auror does have a bit of sense for living life. Given the intelligence and patterns we’ve been able to observe with the attacks, Lucius seems to be aiming for soft, isolated targets. Places he can inflict the most damage with the least effort.

Ginny and I settle into Sirius’s old cave. We have a small fire for warmth a rock we’ve managed to transfigure into a settee, and a rudimentary map of Hogsmeade that works similarly to how the Marauder’s Map does for Hogwarts. Armed with a sack of sandwiches and a thermos of hot cocoa from Molly we resign ourselves to an uneventful evening.

Approximately two hours after we arrive the unthinkable happens. Blips pop up on the Map. Unlike the Marauder’s Map which can tell you exactly who is where, this one only indicates the presence of people with a magical signature, dark creatures, and one that is particularly useful, the presence of the Dark Mark.

All at once two Dark Marks appear near the Hogsmeade station. Surrounding them, is a large concentration of dark magic that the map can’t really identify, but hit has to be some of the advanced Inferi that Lucius has. Ginny sends her Patronous off to Moody to request back-up.

The mass begins moving towards The Three Broomsticks. Ginny and I lock eyes. We know what we have to do. Help could be minutes or hours away, if the innocent of Hogsmeade are going to survive we need to act.

I wrap her into my arms and quickly plunder her mouth. “We can do this Firefly, just stay near me to watch my back, and I’ll watch yours.”

We clasp hands and Apparate. We appear right in middle of High Street. We can hear bawdy singing going on within The Three Broomsticks punctuated by drunken laughter. They’ll be easy marks!

I nod the direction of the pub. Ginny scampers over and steps inside. Suddenly the festivities cease and I can hear Ginny’s clear voice ringing, warning of the impending danger. Just as she reappears through the door I see the first of the mass heading this way.

I take careful aim, DEFLAGRATIO!!!! A giant ball of flame scorches towards the group. Shields flare up all throughout the group.

KRACK THOOM!!!!!

Bodies fly in every direction. A split second later a second fireball slams into the midst.

KRACK THOOM!!!!

Once again bodies fly, this time there were no shields and the smell of burning flesh permeates the air. My pulse is racing and my heart thumping. Then she is there beside me her small hand clasped in mine.

I glance down to see her face set with raw determination. I give her hand a squeeze. Then the two of us are off.

The battle is brutal, but short. With over two-thirds of their Inferi incinerated in the first salvo the Death Eaters leading this expedition seem quite reluctant to carry on an attack. Ginny and I fight valiantly until the first members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement arrive.

As they move to engage the remnants of the attack force Ginny and I Disillusion ourselves and move back to our observation point.

The fight between the Hit Wizards and the few remaining attackers is over quickly. The leaders of the assault Apparate away, followed shortly by the disappearance of the few functioning Inferi.

We’ve won another skirmish, but once again no prisoners have been taken. No way to prove to the Ministry and the general public that we are at war.

As the adrenaline from the fight finally leaves me I find myself trembling. I look to Ginny to find her in much the same shape as me. I scoot over to her quickly and wrap her tightly in my arms. “You did wonderful Firefly. We did it.”

Now if we can just catch a break concerning proof about the Inferi.

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The Last Marauder...

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 05:20:06 GMT

Molly, Ginny, and I have just sat in the kitchen nervously sipping our tea ever since Arthur got the floo call. He wasn’t able to tell us much. Just that there was an incident at the Ministry. Since then we’ve awaited his return anxiously.

Ginny’s done all she can to keep me calm and finally by gently rubbing my back as we sit stopped me from my constant pacing. She knows, she understands! I’m not unhappy working for her and with her, but she know that I was born to be an Auror and that it is driving me absolutely barmy having to sit around like this every time Ron, Arthur, Tonks, Remus, or Kingsley gets a call.

Molly has alternated between trying to engage us in conversation about the last minute arrangements for the wedding plans and just fretting as she rewashes the same dishes over and over. Ginny whispered to me that she is like this anytime her dad was called into work. Merlin! I can’t imagine what it did to her when we disappeared for the Horcrux Hunt.

Suddenly, a chime near the clock sounds, alerting us that someone has passed through the wards surrounding the property. We all three move to the door. Molly ready to answer it, Ginny and I flanking her with our wands drawn.

I feel a moment of panic when Tonks voice follows the knock. They quickly exchange security question and Molly throws the door open to allow Remus and Tonks entry.

Tonks is striving to be her normal enthusiastic self, “Wotcher,” but the recently healed scrapes and cuts on both of them show it is a mere show.

Remus gives a subdued, “Good evening.” I watch him carefully and realize that the last time I saw him this careworn without having transformed the night before was the night Dumbledore died.

Merlin! Please don’t let something have happened to Ron or Arthur!

We lead them into the kitchen and Ginny and I resume our posture from before while Molly bustles about to fix them a cup of tea. Not being able to stand the tension I blurt out, “Remus – Tonks, what brings you by?”

Tonks clears her throat and begins, “I guess I’m here in an official capacity,” my heart clenches in my chest, she quickly pushes forward, “No, nothing is wrong with anyone in the family, there was an… incident tonight. I think we’d all best sit down.” She and Remus seat themselves across from us.

Molly clunks the teapot down on the table and shakily pours a cup of tea for them both.

Tonks takes a deep breath and begins, “I was working late tonight when I was informed of a hostage situation- Dean Thomas was forced by wandpoint into the Ministry tonight to retrieve Peter Pettigrew’s silver hand.” I feel Ginny’s hand squeeze my leg tightly at the mention of Dean and watch Remus rub his hand over his face and look away.

Tonks pauses as she glances at Remus before continuing, “And, um, long story short, we ended up at the Riddle house. Peter was there, and so was my Aunt Bellatrix- she was after Jessie, evidently. Remus and I split up. He and Justin dueled with Peter, quite viciously, from what I understand.” She glances back at Remus again who is staring with sorrowful eyes before looking directly back at me, “And Justin, he, um, killed him- Pettigrew that is. He’s gone.”

Wormtail… dead. A mixture of emotions feel me. One part is pity, that in the end he lived an entire wasted life and that in the end the closet thing he had to anyone to mourn him would be those whose lives he tried to destroy. I swallow and allow the other emotion to grow, vindication, “Good. . I should have let you and Sirius kill that dirty rat when you had him years ago."

Ginny reaches above the table and takes my hand in hers. “Are you okay Remus?”

Remus folds his hands and I see a haunted look on his features before he looks down at the table. “I was with him- at the end. We spoke briefly, and he asked me to ensure his body went to his mother. I couldn’t help it, I saw the boy I knew so many years ago, not the man he became. I don’t regret that it’s all over though.”

The boy he knew… that is the one thing I never understood about Peter. Why? I close my eyes and voice my question , “I just wish we knew why. What was so tempting that he could turn on those he supposedly loved?"

Remus shakes his head. “Power and greed consume weak people, Harry, and I’m sorry to say I didn’t do as much as I should have all those years ago to curb that hunger.”

He is not blaming himself for the decisions that monster made. I shake my head, "How would you have known? I've seen memories of the four of you. I would have never suspected him."

“No, but maybe the three of us helped push him over the edge. We ignored him and pushed him away-”

Ginny scowls and tightens her grip on my hand. "Bollocks, that's no excuse." She looks at me for a moment, "If that was an excuse I would have ended up snogging Malfoy or something because Harry, Ron, and Hermione never noticed I was around for so long." My stomach gives a lurch at that thought.

Tonks cuts in,“There’s more, we ended up in the basement of the house where we found Jessie and Mr. Ollivander as well, but I don’t know the status of him at this point. Neville Longbottom, the Patil girl, and Susan were there too. Bellatrix arrived to kill Jessie, but we duelled. Naturally, she said some horrible things- erm, about Sirius, and the Longbottoms. Neville and I traded a few hexes with her, and she was killed when a hex was deflected. She was crushed under a collapsed wall, and impaled by a torch that fell. I’m sorry if that’s too much information, or too blunt- I’m not sure either death has really registered yet.”

I release Ginny’s hand and grip the table tightly. The bitch is dead! Ginny reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair to help me keep my calm. “Couldn't have happened to a more deserving pair.” My only regret is I wasn’t the one that got to kill her.

Tonks nods. “I agree, but I don’t fancy telling my mother that I was a party in her sister’s death.”

“Oh dear, your mother is a sensible woman- she knows the truth. I didn’t spend much time alone with Sirius in conversation, but he always spoke so highly of Andromeda,” Molly offers, patting her hand.

Tonks takes a breath and continues, “Thankfully, for the most part, there were minimal injuries,” I sigh in relief at that. “The prisoners were in rough shape, and Justin suffered severe injuries- he- lost a limb. Everyone else just suffered minor wounds.”

Ginny gasps, clapping a hand to her mouth. Molly shakes her head, "Merlin, poor Justin, hasn't he suffered enough?"

I’ll make sure he has a job if he can’t recover.

“Moody took care of him. Pettigrew’s silver hand attached itself to Justin’s arm, after it was severed, and unfortunately, it attempted to poison him and Susan had to- er, remove the silver hand.” Tonks stares down a the table as she tells this part.

Molly falls into her seat at the table. "Um... will they be able to help him?"

She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I didn’t hear any updates after my examination.”

Suddenly Ginny stiffens I look to see a smirk stretch across her face and her eyes widen. “Tonks, is your hair charmed? Are you-”

Tonks blushes. “Yeah,” I say, looking over at Remus, who is smiling. “We’re expecting a baby in January.”

Ginny squeals in delight and I feel my face cracking in a wide grin. Good for them, they deserve it. Molly and Ginny begin firing questions at the pair in rapid fire.

Tonks laughs and fields their questions as quick as she can. I step up walk around the table and clasp Remus’s hand firmly. Then turn and wrap Tonks in a hug. “I'm so happy for the both of you. You'll make wonderful parents for the second time over."

Ginny pushes me aside to get her own hugs and whispers something in Tonks’s ear.

Molly then gives Remus a rib-cracking hug followed by a gentler one for Tonks. She grins at them, “If you two need anything dears, I'm just a floo call away."

Remus puts a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

Tonks begins tearing up and fans her face. “Thank you, really. Harry, Ginny, I know it’s early, but we wanted to officially ask you to be godparents for our baby. I know you’ve got so many exciting things going on in your lives, but- please say yes.”

Like we’d say no. I beam at her, glance at Ginny who is smiling just as brightly, “Of course we would."

“Thank you. It means a lot to us. I suppose we’d better let you get some sleep. I- we- just didn’t want you to hear the news about Pettigrew and Bellatrix from an Owl, or over the Wireless. I’m off to tell Mum now, and I want to take Ella home for the night anyhow-”

“And you should be resting,” Remus interrupts.

I fight back chuckling at Remus going all mother hen on Tonks. She wouldn’t admit it, but I think she actually enjoys him fussing over her.

“Right, so goodnight and I’m sorry we dropped in at such a late hour,” she says, heading for the door, stopping at the threshold.

Molly follows them, “Oh pish, it’s nothing dears. Again, congratulations on your happy news, and thank you for letting us know about the attack at the Riddle house. Be safe.”

“Thanks. Goodnight, Harry, Ginny, Molly,” Remus replies, as he takes his wife’s hand to lead her out.

Once they are gone Molly turns to Ginny and I. “Well, I believe that there isn’t any reason for us to lose anymore sleep tonight. You two, off to bed and I’ll be up once I’ve cleaned the tea set.”

We quickly go through our evening routine, although I’m wearing sleep shorts and an undershirt this week since the two of us will have virtually no privacy. We settle into Ginny’s old room. I tuck Ginny into her old bed with a kiss and then crawl into the camp bed Hermione used to use across the room. This is the part that I’ve been dreading about this whole arrangement. I’ve not slept without having some sort of physical contact with Ginny for months. I hope and pray my nightmares don’t return.

I glance at the door that Molly has put some ancient charm passed down through her family for generations. It works similar to the charm on the stairs to the girls’ dormitory at Hogwarts. If Ginny or I shut it while both of us are in the room an alarm sounds and the door begins slamming open and shut. Merlin I hope I don’t forget that one by accident.

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Coming Clean...

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:43:53 GMT

I’ve been dreading this moment for months. For five years Ginny and I have been one hundred percent open and honest with one another. One hundred percent that is, until a few months ago when I started keeping a secret from her.

It all began when I was suspended after Scrimgeour tried to pump me for information about the Order. Shortly after that I started noticing that every time I was out in public I had the feeling of being watched and followed. At the time Ginny was an emotional wreck. She was frightened of everything… including me at times. I just couldn’t put anything else on her.

Now as I’m walking up to our bedroom dread hits me. It’s time I told her. The longer I’ve carried the secret the worse I’ve felt, but it was only recently that she’s been together enough that I dare risk it. Still, we are getting married in just under two weeks. I can’t go into our marriage holding a secret.

I step into our bedroom to find Ginny dressed in a pair of my boxers and my old Quidditch jersey brushing out her hair. I stop and just watch her. Sometimes I love taking the brush and brushing her hair out for her, other times, like tonight I just take comfort I the familiarity.

After a few minutes her head turns as she begins working through the other side. She sees me in the mirror and beams a smile at me. “Evening, luv.”

It would be wonderful if I knew she’d be understanding. I know Ginny loves me. I also know that eventually she’ll come around and even if she doesn’t agree with me, she’ll understand why I did what I did and forgive me. Unfortunately, in the short term I’ll have to endure her wicked temper. I love Ginny, but she can be vicious and cruel when her temper gets the best of her. I hope I’m up to taking my medicine.

I clear my throat nervously and it nearly catches on the lump that has lodged itself there. I wipe my sweaty palms onto my trousers and then shove my hands in my pockets. “Luv, there is something I need to tell you.”

I watch her eyebrow raise in the mirror as she carefully sets the brush down and turns to face me. "I'm listening."

I begin pacing back and forth as I try to think of how I want to begin. Why is it so hard sometimes to tell those you love the most the truth?

Finally I stop in front of the fireplace. Instead of a normal fire that radiates heat we have a variation of the magical blue-bell flames that Hermione used to be so fond of burning. It provide a soft, wavery light, but no heat or smoke.

Finally I turn back to her. She hasn’t moved an inch although she is now frowning at me. She can recognize when I’m hem-hawing around and trying to avoid telling her something she probably doesn’t want to hear.

"You might as well say it and get it over with," she tells me softly.

I sigh bitterly and run a hand through my hair ruffling it even more than it naturally is. “Someone has been following me.”

"Following you!?" She is on her feet instantly and her posture is rigid and alert. "Have you seen them? Do you know who it is?"

I shake my head. “No, I’ve not seen them actually. I just know they are there.”

"How do you-" I watch a frown crease her brow. "Who is following you?"

I slouch into our chair. “I’m not positive who it is. I do have a couple of guesses.” She nods for me to continue. “One possibility is that Lucius has someone tailing me.” I hang my head as I consider the alternative. “The other is that Scrimgeour has the Ministry tracking me, trying to find out who my Order contacts are.”

"Can it be the Ministry?" she asks as she paces agitatedly. "I mean, you were trained to lose someone who is attempting to follow you. I know you were… I helped you practice for that exam."

I smile ruefully at the memories of our practice sessions. “Well, whoever it is they aren’t any better at Stealth and Tracking than I am. They’ve yet to track me to here or The Phoenix House. As for the Ministry, you know very well that Scrimgeour has never forgiven us and me personally for him not being able to claim responsibility for Voldemort’s defeat.”

She stops pacing and turns resolutely towards me. Here it comes… Her eyes are telling me that the timeline is starting to fall into place. "How long have you known you are being followed?"

I gulp and grip the arm rests of the chair tightly to steady myself. “Since I was suspended in March.”

"Since March!?" she bellows in a tone that would make her mother proud. "You have kept this from me for three months?!"

Maybe if I let her yell it out she’ll get over it and we can move on. That thought in mind I try to be as cooperative as possible. “Yes.”

Her mouth hardens and her eyes narrow. "How could you keep this from me?" she asks angrily.

I sigh bitterly. You know you couldn’t avoid this. I take a deep breath and try to answer in a calm and steady voice, “Ginny this began two weeks after that bastard Carrows took you… “

She freezes, her face turns instantly to a mask so that I can't tell what she's thinking, "Oh." I meet her eyes as she studies my face. "Why didn't you tell me later… like last month."

Why didn’t I tell her then? I strain back and think, duty at Azkaban, the assault by Lucius, the night of the full moon. All were part of the reason, but deep down I know that the biggest reason was I was afraid for her. Honesty, she needs your honesty, and then take your lumps. “I was afraid for you.”

"Afraid for me how? I'm not going to break, Harry," she says looking away and I can hear the hurt in her voice.

Bugger it all. I could deal with her being angry… but not hurt. I stand and walk until I’m inches away from her. “Ginny, you don’t know how hard this has been for me; to watch you falling to pieces; to wonder if you were ever going to be yourself again.” I start to reach for her and she stiffens slightly so I quickly retract my hands. “But then you started getting better. Each week a little bit more of you came back to me.” I run my hand through my hair again. “Merlin forgive me, but I too afraid to take a chance that telling you might cause a setback for you.”

"You have to trust me," she interjects unsteadily. "What if it is Malfoy and you had been taken?" Ginny spins and glares up at me, her small face flushed with her ire. "I wouldn't have known anything!"

Her statement rocks me back in my heels. What if something would have happened to me? Suddenly an image of Ginny crawling the walls of our house going out of her mind with worry flashes through my mind; just as suddenly though another one of her having a panic attack replaces it. Bloody hell! I look down at her feet; both images vying for supremacy in my psyche.

"Damn…" she mutters and walks off, heading for the nursery. I look up in surprise as she stalks out the door and around the corner, out of sight. I know she's gone to the rocking chair and hesitantly I follow to see her hugging a bear to her chest as she rocks. Her eyes are shut hard. "I should be able to handle this better."

At this point I’m confused. Anger I expected, yelling I expected, storming out of the room calling me every curse and swear word I’ve ever hear of and even a few I’ve never known existed I was ready for, but for her to completely walk away from a fight like that… I cross the distance between us until I stand just in front her, “Ginny?”

"I really want to hex you, you know," she tells me shakily and opens her big brown eyes. "I am so angry that you kept this from me."

I kneel down before her. “I knew you would be, but all I kept thinking of was seeing you have another one of those panic attacks.” I look away from her, “You don’t know how scary it is to see you that way.”

I hear her sigh heavily and feel her breath on my face, "That's why you haven't been cursed."

I look up to find her once again wearing a masked expression. I know that whatever I say next will tilt the scale one way or another. As earnestly as I can, “Ginny, I swear to you that I’ll never keep something like this from you again.” I hang my head back down, “I just never really thought of things the way you described them; I didn’t think about what you would go through if I had disappeared.”

"I have to know," she tells me firmly and I feel her hand gently lift my face. "What if someone is following me too and I haven't noticed? I could be in danger too without knowing and I'm starting to go out more on my own. What if I were out with Tina?" Her eyes are bright and focused on mine. "I know why you kept it from me but from here on out I have got to be informed."

I didn’t think I could have felt even worse about this than I did, but at the mention of her being followed and being attacked while with Tina… Images flash through my mind of the two of them being taken or killed. “Dammit!” I sweep up to my feet and begin pacing around the nursery. “Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!” All this time I’ve been worried about the possibility of a panic attack when in reality I left the two people who are most important to me in the world wide open to being attacked.

"Stop beating yourself up," Ginny says from behind me. Easier said than done. "Do you imagine this is how your dad felt when they heard the prophecy?"

Her statement brings me up short. How did my dad act when he learned that his son’s fate was laid out before him? He hid us in Godric’s Hollow. He put mum and me first! I turn to Ginny. “He put me and mum first,” I choke out.

She nods, "You were trying to think of me… so despite how angry I am about all of this, I do understand that you were doing what you thought was best." Ginny stands and walks towards me. "It was easier when I stayed inside all the time too."

I reach out and cup the side of her face. This time she doesn’t recoil from my touch. “That wasn’t you though.” I tickle the side of her face with my finger tips. “That was hard to see as well.”

"I know," she admits slowly. "I don't want to be that scared girl hiding at home anymore."

“You wouldn’t have stayed there forever. Your true nature would have won out in the end.”

She grins after a minute and shakes her head. "I hope you're right." She looks down at her watch. "We need to get to bed. We're picking Tina up early tomorrow."

My mood instantly lifts at the thought of spending time with Tina. Just as quickly it darkens though. “Moody wants us to be available the night of the full moon.”

"Doing what?" she asks as I trail her back into our room.

“He thinks that Lucius is going to make a repeat of what he did last month. He wants us to be ready to Apparate to the defence of anyone that is attacked.” Okay, granted he only asked for me, but I insisted that Ginny be with me.

"Good, we need to be prepared," she yawns and crawls into bed, still holding the bear that Tina sleeps with when she stays with us.

I quickly strip down to my boxers and crawl into bed behind her. I open my arms and wait for her to scoot into my embrace. Our legs entwine. One hand rests under my head allowing Ginny to use my arm as a pillow. She pulls the other arm around her waist and places it over her abdomen. Peacefully, we drift of to sleep.

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Hello Ministry, Goodbye Ministry...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:48:21 GMT

I am not particularly surprised this morning when I am awoken by an owl from the Ministry. A positive is that it allowed Ginny and I to avoid an awkward moment like we had the last time we ended up sleeping this way.

I try to stir Ginny enough to tell her where I am going and to give her a goodbye kiss, but I’m not sure she is awake enough to understand so I write a quick note explaining where I am going and charm it to hover in the doorway of our bedroom.

I Apparate to the Ministry Atrium. Fortunately, the Atrium is nearly empty at this hour. The last thing I need is to field questions from reporters. Especially, given the slant that The Daily Prophet took in their article yesterday. I do notice that it appears the Atrium is set up for a press conference. I suppose Scrimgeour needs to assure the Wizarding public that he is in total control of the situation.

As I pass the guard station I’m stunned when I’m forced to register my wand as any normal visitor would be. When I asked why I was told that it is a new policy for employees who have been posted to other Ministry locations when they are reassigned to the Ministry. It doesn’t sound right, but then Scrimgeour often changes policies and procedures on a whim.

When I arrive at Auror Headquarters the few Aurors on duty look at me quizzically. I suppose no one expected me to be back on duty today. I arrive at the cubicle that Tonks and I share to find files and reports spread over both desks.

Glancing through the files I realise they are old files from the Greyback case. Apparently, Tonks had been going through them again looking for leads and no one has bothered to tidy up since she’s been off-duty. I’m a bit appalled though since many of these files require special clearance granted by Gawain Robards himself to view and they’ve been left for anyone to pilfer through.

I busy myself by tidying things up and putting the files away in the filing cabinet Tonks and I share. I’m sure she’ll be put out that I’ve tidied up as it will take her at least four weeks to find everything again, but it is one of the minor ways I can get even for some of the pranks she’s pulled on me since we became partners last September.

While I’m cleaning our cubicle, the rest of the day watch wanders in. I glance at the old desk clock Tonks keeps on her side of the desk and realize that it is nearly time for the daily watch briefing. I step out of the cubicle and with a flick of my wand reseal our desks and filing cabinet using a particularly nasty hex Ginny learned during one of her brief visits to some tombs in Central America.

Right before I enter the briefing room I’m intercepted by Michael Corner and a recovered Cormac McLaggin. Corner is smiling gleefully as he passes his message to me. “Sorry Potter, we have orders to escort your debriefing.”

Out of the corner of my eye I see Ernie MacMillan approaching his hand fingering his wand tucked into a wrist sheath. I nod for him to look over his shoulder. Dawlish is watching him approach us with a scowl on his face. A flash of annoyance crosses Ernie’s face, but he turns away and finds a seat in the briefing room.

“C’mon Potter,” Cormac gives me a shove from behind starting me in the direction of the conference rooms used for debriefing. I shuffle along confused as to what is going on. Normally, debriefings are scheduled and an inter-department memo is sent to inform you when to arrive.

Finally, I’m escorted to one of the rooms and left to sit, and sit, and then sit some more. I glance down at my watch and realise I’ve been sitting there for nearly two hours when the door opens and Gawain Robards, Dawlish, McLaggin, and Corner enter.

I raise my eyebrows. This is highly irregular. Normal debriefings are conducted by the watch leader and one witness.

Robards picks up on my confusion. “I understand your confusion Mr. Potter. Therefore, I’m going to make this plain for you. You have one chance to tell us what really happened at Azkaban instead of this fanciful story about Inferi casting spells and being led by Lucius Malfoy.

So this is it then… they are bound and determined to refuse to face reality. I sit there glaring at them stonily.

After waiting for two minutes Robards speaks again, “Very well Potter, please turn in your badge and all official Ministry equipment. Your security clearance is cancelled as of now. You have one hour to clean out your desk.

With that he briskly turns about and leaves. McLaggin and Corner move to either side of me and pull me to my feet. Dawlish can barely contain the glee in his voice, “Well Potter I always knew you were an attention seeking show-off with little talent, but I never thought you would manage to get an entire garrison killed.”

My heart begins hammering in my chest as I see red. That bastard! Energy begins crackling off of me and both McLaggin and Corner step back and draw their wands just as Dawlish draws his.

So that is what their game is. As things stand now they have nothing on me and they know it. But, if they are able to provoke me into assaulting them I can be arrested and they can employ a full-fledged interrogation. I close my eyes and focus on Ginny. Soon I feel the tension melt away.

I open my eyes to find Dawlish as red-faced as Uncle Vernon ever was. He knows that I’m not going to fall into his trap. I step in his direction and point to the door. “May I?”

Still scowling he steps aside to allow me to leave. As I walk past he orders McLaggin and Corner to escort me to my desk and then to make sure I leave the building.

Well Ginny, it looks like I’m going to be working for you now.

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Comfort and Decisions About the Future

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 02:47:07 GMT

I’ll admit it was touch and go for a bit last night. Once the healers finally let Ginny in to see me after my confrontation with Lucius and his new type of Inferi I wasn’t sure if she was going to kiss me until I passed out from lack of air or if she was going to hex me into next week for having another close call.

She finally settled on loving on me, especially when I had to tell her that Carrows escaped during the battle. As a result she’s been more clingy today than I can ever remember. Throughout the day we’ve entertained guests including Neville and Parvati, her mum and dad, and all of her brothers and Hermione. Luna even popped in for a brief visit.

Ginny handled herself well during all of these visits. She even once again managed to hug Neville, this time without ending up shaking like a leaf. The only real indication I’ve had as to how much this has shaken her is the fact that she won’t let loose of me for more than five minutes at any time during the day.

I even teased her that she might end up showering with me. She blushed at that, but said nothing in response and I decided not to pursue it.

Finally, the day is over and we both decide to turn in early. I have to go to the Ministry for my official follow-up debriefing and Ginny, well she pretty much didn’t want to be alone tonight.

I’m lying in bed, wearing only my boxers awaiting her return from the loo. Inside my mind I replay over and over the battle. The same unanswered questions whirling around, How did Lucius, become so bloody powerful? Where did those Inferi come from that could use magic? I nearly choke out a sob at the thought of the nasty surprise Lucius sprang on me. I can’t believe anyone would stoop so low to turn my parents into Inferi to attack me with! Having to put them to the flame nearly killed me.

I can feel the tears running tracks down my face. I look up to find Ginny standing there with a look of concern. “Harry, are you okay luv?” She crawls into bed and wraps me into a hug, resting her head on my shoulder. Instinctively I pull her tighter to me.

I choke out, “There was something else that happened yesterday, something I didn’t tell anyone else about, but I need to tell someone, I need to tell you.”

She repositions herself so that she is straddling me and looking deeply in my eyes. She places her hands on each side of my face and with eyes burning with love and concern, “You know that you can tell me anything… right?”

I choke back another sob and nod my head. “Lucius did something else, something other than using his followers, and those Inferi. It was something specifically done to get to me.” I blink my eyes shut hard as the image of my parents burning flashes before my eyes.

Ginny leans forward and holds me tight, “It’s okay luv.” She kisses the top of my head and begins gently running her fingers through my hair in that way that never fails to soothe and relax me.

I finally stop her and pull her hands into mine. She rocks back so that she is sitting on my legs. She gives me a questioning look and I fight the urge just to bury my face into her bosom and weep. I swallow painfully before I continue, “Ginny, there were two normal Inferi that Lucius used; two that were used to hurt me specifically.”

She looks puzzled and I can see the wheels turning as she tries to figure out who he could have used that would have me this shaken.

“Oh Ginny, he used my parents!”

Her eyes go wide momentarily, before she gasps and swoops down to take me in her arms. "Oh Harry! I'm so… sorry!" She holds on tight, whispering soothing words into my ear as I finally let go and begin to cry.

After some time I’m finally cried out. The entire time she simply runs her fingers up and down my back and through my hair. She whispers how much she loves me over and over into my ears.

Finally, I pull away from her and stare into her face which is tear-streaked to match my own. I’m so blessed to have her!

She reaches out to me and cradles my face in her hands. She leans forward and gently kisses me. It is a soft kiss, a loving kiss, not one of fire and passion, but one of hurt and comfort. I snake my arms around her waist and pull her tighter to me.

This is much different than the times we’ve kissed in recent weeks, there is no sense of urgency, just a feeling of comfort, trust, and rightness in being together.

Ginny reluctantly breaks away and leans back onto my lap. She stares at me intently for a moment before she reaches down and pulls her shirt over her head and tosses it into the floor. My eyes widen momentarily before she leans back into me and pushes me onto my back kissing the whole way down.

I’m not sure how long we lay there, gently kissing and caressing. The only sounds the occasional moans or gasps of pleasure. Eventually, we are back where we were a couple of weeks ago. Both completely bare and inches from violating our promises to ourselves, to one another, and to her mother.

This time, there isn’t that sense of uncontrolled urgency. This time at least I know I can restrain myself. Finally, we reluctantly break the kiss and Ginny sprawls upon me her head resting on my chest. I hold her tightly to me, kiss the top of her head, and whisper, “Thank you for loving me.”

"I'll always love you," she assures quietly, her finger tracing a small pattern on my shoulder, where her hand is resting.

I make sure the covers are pulled comfortably over us. I hold her loosely, drawing comfort and strength from the two of us being together like this, with nothing between us. Even if we never consummate our marriage, this is nice, this could be enough. I whisper in her ear, “You are the single best thing that ever happened to me.”

I see her face redden as she shrugs, "I'm glad you think so."

I kiss her gently, “I know so,” and nibble on her lips. “I love every single thing about you. Including these freckles right here.” I begin slowly torturing the soft skin of her throat. She moans and clinches my shoulders almost painfully. That will leave a mark.

"I don't…" she lets out a breathless sigh, "know what… you like about them." I grin as I hear how difficult it is for her to speak. "But I'm glad you do."

My lips start trailing down her shoulder. “I think of them as a road map to follow.” She gasps in appreciation. “Places to see,” I work the tender area between her neck and shoulder and she clinches her entire body to me, “places to linger.”

"I really like this," she whispers and runs her hand along my cheek.

She then proceeds to show me just how much she likes it. Her lips scorch a fiery trail down my jaw line. She lingers over my ear momentarily and I shudder as jolts of electricity course through me. She then moves down my neck to my chest. Tingles remain as she leaves a trail of bites and marks.

A groan escapes me and I feel my control momentarily slip as my hands begin kneading her bare bum, pulling her tightly to me. She leans back momentarily her mouth hanging open in a silent scream before she leans back to capture my lips with her own.

I then trail my kisses across her face before proceeding to devour her ear. She stiffens and squirms as I slowly torture her with pleasure. Her fingernails begin digging into my shoulders again.

She lifts away from me, her silky hair forming a fiery curtain around us. We are panting and gasping as our eyes memorize every detail of each other. “I love your eyes… the way they see right into me. The way they allow me to see deep inside you.”

A small, mischievous smile plays across her lips, "What are my eyes saying right now?"

I lean up and nip at her lips. In between kisses I punctuate, “That you are totally, completely, and irrevocably, mine.”

"There wasn't ever any doubt; not since I was ten."

I run my hands up and down her back, luxuriating in the feel of her bare skin in my hands. “I just wish I hadn’t been such a prat and realized how wonderful you were then. Things would have been so much better for you if I had.”

"You can't change the past, Harry," she reminds her, her gaze sharpening. "And lingering on it won't help. I wouldn't change anything because then it would change what we have now, and what we have now is great. It's like saying, 'if you'd only not drank that drugged tea, Ginny' we might be somewhere else in our relationship." She closes her eyes briefly, then continues. "I may not have been attacked but I wouldn't have ever faced anything else that has hurt me."

My hands are still wandering, enjoying the journey, as I respond, “I know that, and I know you’re right.” I close my eyes briefly, “I just wish it didn’t take something like this for me to be giving as much back to you as you’ve always given me.”

"Well…" she bites her lip, worrying at it.

"Just say it, Gin," I command gently.

Her cheeks are tinged with the same shade as her hair. "Last week Ron complained a bit about Hermione and how she's… she's being, uhm…"

I have to say this carefully, "Emotional?"

"I was thinking mental but…"

I watch her struggle to form the words she wants to say, "you can tell me anything."

"I was sort of… wishing that it could be us… cause I think it's cute, how flustered Ron is over everything but how much he still loves her and how he's taking care of her." Once again her face is buried in my neck and this time I can feel the heat from her face on my bare skin.

I run my hands through her hair and over her bare bottom, “I would like that very much too.”

"Are you going to complain as much as Ron does?" I can hear the teasing tone in her voice.

I grin at her, “Depends, what would happen if I do?”

"I might cry," she informs me seriously… but her eyes ruin it, she trying not to laugh.

I look at her with total solemnity. “How about this… every time you get emotional I do this.”

I pull her to me and capture her lips with mind. I tug on her and soon we are pressing together so tightly that we can barely discern where one of us ends, and the other begins. We finally break apart staring intently into one another’s eyes. I wonder if mine are as dazed as hers.

I breathlessly whisper, “So do you think that would work?”

"I'm not sure… that will work all the time. There might be a baby belly in the way…"

I wriggle her around on me and waggle my eyebrows. “I’m sure we’ll find creative ways to work with that.”

She laughs softly and asks, "What if kissing won't work? I might be too mad at the time…"

I pull her a little more tightly to me and nip at her nose. “Then I might have to find something more persuasive.”

"Oh… that's underhanded," she sighs heavily, "even sneaky; resorting to chocolate." She makes a 'tisking' sound. "You pull no punches, that's for sure."

Well that wasn’t what I had in mind for more persuasive, but I’ll keep it in mind. I looks deeply into her eyes. “You know that no matter how emotional you get or how nutters you act that it won’t make a difference to me… right?”

She runs her finger along my cheek, "I know and that's part of why I love you so much." She lets out a small giggle, "But my brothers are going to take the mickey out of you for it."

“It’ll be okay, I’ll use my secret weapon if they become too insufferable.” I’m grinning now like the cat that got the cream.

She stares at me, obviously confused. "What's that?"

I might regret saying it, but as lightly as I can I answer, “I’ll just unleash my very pregnant, very emotional, and very beautiful wife upon them.”

Her eyes twinkle, "Oh now that's just cruel… but damn effective. I like your thinking, Mr. Potter." She kisses me quickly, "I could curse them and no one could say anything." I can see her mind racing turning as she mulls this over. "That would definitely work."

I smile back at her, “Just promise me one thing, luv.”

"What's that?"

“That this, I grasp her bare bum firmly for emphasis, “is how we make all our plans together in the future.”

Ginny chuckles and shakes her head, clearly amused. "You're too easy."

"Is that a yes?"

"We'll see," she intones softly before kissing me again.

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The Aftermath...

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:14:10 GMT

When I feel the Atrium floor beneath me, I collapse. A witch’s scream alerts security to my presence. I roll to my back to find myself staring up at six wands. I’m relieved when Ernie Macmillan elbows his way through. He calls out to everyone, “Back off, don’t you know who this is?”

Ernie leans down and offers me his hand. I grasp it and wince as I stand, my broken ribs grinding together. I cough up another mouthful of blood.

Ernie’s eyes raise, “Merlin Harry! What has happened to you?”

I grit my teeth through the pain and bite out. “Azkaban… busted wide open… Lucius Malfoy… Inferi using spells. Must alert the Ministry… might still be others… holding out.”

Much to Ernie’s credit he doesn’t panic. Instead, he motions for two of the Hit Wizards who had their wands trained on me earlier. “Featherston, Collins, get to Level 2 and raise the alarm!”

The two wizards scramble away shoving bystanders aside when necessary. Help is on the way, I can finally relax.

Ernie offers his shoulder to support me. “Come on Harry, let’s get you to the Medi-Witch and have you checked out.”

I nod gratefully. We’ve gone barely a dozen paces when my skin crawls at the sound of her voice. “Oh, Harry? Could you spare a few moments to answer some questions?” Rita Skeeter, bloody witch registered her animagus form with the Ministry after the war, then paid the sufficient bribes necessary to make sure that the file was sealed to all but those of highest clearance. Since then, the parasite has made a living of dogging mine, Ron, and Hermione’s steps. She even branched out occasionally to include others close to us, especially Ron’s family.

Before I can tell her to piss off, Ernie beats me to it. Bereft of any emotion or facial expression, whilst using a very low, very even cold monotone, he emphasised every word in his most upper crust accent that even I did not come across before now.

“Miss Skeeter, if you do not move out of our way now, I guarantee you that you will not be allowed to publish one word…ever!”

Rita is so gobsmacked, she automatically moves aside.

Once we are in the lift I lean heavily against the wall and croak out. “Thank you for handling her, had I said or done anything it would have been all over the front page of The Prophet tomorrow.”

The look of utter disgust on Ernie’s face is enough to let me know what he thinks of Rita Skeeter and The Prophet.

We reach Level 2 and once again Ernie supports me. On the way to the Medical Examination room we are intercepted by Dawlish. “How dare you abandon your post with some poppy-cock story about Inferi casting spells! I promise you Potter, you’ve finally done it this time. I’ll have your badge for this.”

It’s about this time he notes how tightly I’m clinching my wand. I bite out between gasps of pain. “If that is the case then there will be nothing keeping me from finally mopping the floor with your sorry arse once and for all.”

Dawlish’s mouth closes, opens, and closes again, before falling into a gape. Ernie seizes the moment to push him to the side to continue dragging me to get some medical attention.

Once we reach the door, I hold my hand out to Ernie. “Thank you, can I trouble you for one more favour before you go to join the response team?”

Ernie stands a little taller, “Of course, anything that is in my power to give.”

“Could you floo call Ginny and have her contact her family? Have them meet me at St. Mungos.” I cough up some more blood. “I’m sure that I’ll have to be sent there to have these ribs set and healed.”

“Right away, Harry,” He gives my hand another firm shake and moves down the corridor so quickly one would think he Apparated away.

I stagger into the examination room and collapse into the chair to await the Medi-Witch on duty. She rushes in, glances at the blood staining the front of my robes, flicks her wand once while studying a diagnostic stone in her other hand intently.

I raise an eye questioningly and grunt out, “St. Mungos?”

She gives me a small smile and nods, “Yes, St. Mungos.” She reaches to her desk and grabs a paperweight. She hands it to me and mutters, Activo. I feel the tugging behind my navel and I’m pulled away.

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Azkaban, Oh Azkaban

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:41:12 GMT

It’s with a heavy heart this morning I pack my knapsack with enough clothing for four days, toiletries, and enough chocolate to feed all the children at The Phoenix House for at least a couple of days. Maybe I should have asked the guys where they got that chocolate Lavender from that night and had one done of Ginny…

What makes it worse is that this past week has been one of the best Ginny and I have had since the assault. I’ve adapted well enough to the Azkaban environment that I’m not much more tired than I would normally be at work. She’s been as affectionate as she ever was before Carrows and in some ways, even more so. I also think the party last night was a breakthrough for her in many respects. She was able relax and have fun with our friends in a way that reminded me of the old Ginny. It did my heart well to see that.

It doesn’t hurt that she is as disappointed as I am about our four day separation. She made sure to show me how much she was going to miss me when we got home. I’m pretty sure my lips were bruised when we were done. I just hope being gone like this doesn’t end up causing another set back for her.

I sling my knapsack over my shoulder and head to the floo to find Ginny waiting for me with mournful eyes. Seeing the pain in her eyes is almost enough for me to floo the Ministry and tell them to stuff it all, but I know that she wouldn’t have it. Ginny could accept my quitting due to a lack of desire to do the job or the ministry corruption, but she would not accept me quitting just to keep her from being alone.

Wordlessly, I drop the knapsack to the floor and open my arms to her. She quickly folds herself within them. We cling to one another as a drowning man clings to a life preserver. Finally, we separate and I lean down to capture her sweet lips. This is not a kiss of passion, but one of sorrow, love, and promise. Both of us are trying to pour everything we feel for one another into this kiss.

Finally, we break apart and Ginny burrows her head into my chest. “I love you and I’m going to miss you.”

I kiss the top of her head, “No where near as much as I’m going to miss you. I should have found out from Oliver where they got that life sized chocolate Lavender from for his birthday… had one made of you.”

She looks up at me her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well at least I know what to get you for your birthday this year.”

I smile back, “Oh really, and what would that be?”

With total innocence she responds, “A chocolate Lavender… “

I sputter momentarily, “I don’t’ think so, there is only one woman I want, chocolate or otherwise and that’s you.” I punctuate my meaning by giving her bum a firm pat.

Unfortunately, the moment is shattered when the clock on the mantle piece chooses to chime out with an audible, “You’re going to be late!”

I close my eyes and sigh, “I really don’t want to go.”

She runs her hand down the side of my face causing shivers. “I know luv, I don’t want you to go either, but it is your job, for better or for worse, and they can’t leave you at Azkaban forever.” I open my eyes to see that she’s memorizing every detail of my face and I respond in kind, “and if they try, then you’ll just quit and come to work for me.’

I pull her into one last embrace and we part exchanging quick kisses. She lifts my knapsack and hands it to me. “Now be gone with you.”

Once again the weight settles over my heart and I respond wearily, “Okay luv, I’ll be back early Wednesday morning.”

I grab a handful of floo powder and fling it into the flames. I call out my destination and with a flash I’m tumbling towards Azkaban, paradise spot of the Wizarding World.

The entire day has been normal and rather routine at the prison. I spend 2 hours on rounds, 1 hour in the guardhouse on the shore, then 1 hour resting in the quarters they’ve built for the guards. During my rounds, I must admit I take a small pleasure in seeing those in here that deserve to be here.

In fact, there seems to be an entire wing that is dedicated to pure evil. The northernmost cell block houses all of the Death Eaters that were captured since the fall of Voldemort. It is this cell block that I’m patrolling now.

I’m delighted to see that Bellatrix is curled into the corner of her cell, eyes locked on some hidden terror that only she can see. Her hair is longer than it was before and it’s spread in a tangled mess. She is cadaverously thin. In the weeks I’ve been here I’ve noticed that she usually only eats one meal a day. She’s slowly wasting away here, couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.

Her neighbours include her husband Rodolphus and his brother Rabastian. Rodolphus is in much the same state as his wife, but Rabastian stalks his cell like a caged beast. Some of the long time guards claim that he occasionally has manic outbursts and they’ve been forced to stun him on occasion to calm him down.

I turn the corner and the next corridor is a ‘Who’s Who’ of Death Eaters that we faced at the Ministry the night Sirius died: Walden Macnair, Avery, Mulciber, Antonin Dolohov, Jugson. They all look much worse for their time in Azkaban and it pleases me to know that criminals in the Wizarding World, when they are caught, do pay for their crimes.

The ground shakes and I hear a dull explosion from the far end of the prison. A startling klaxon sounds, announcing that the prison is under attack. The prisoners all perk up at this. I retrace my steps and as I pass their cells. Bellatrix calls out to me in that sickening baby voice of hers, “Awww… is poor baby Potty afraid.” Suddenly her voice turns cold, “you should be, I’m going to kill you, but first I’m going to pick apart that bushy haired mudblood whore of yours and those red haired vermin!”

Perhaps it is this place, perhaps it is the anxiety of impending battle, perhaps it is the fact that this evil woman that has taken so much from me is threatening to take more, but something inside of me snaps. I roar, “YOU WON’T TOUCH HER!!!!!!” My wand is up quickly and a flash of red light slams into her, sending her sprawling unconscious to the far side of her cell.

My breath is coming out in gasps and my shoulders are heaving. It takes me a minute or so to calm myself. That is when I feel it. The cold feeling that pervades Azkaban is increasing. Then I hear it, in the back of my mind, my mother’s voice, begging for my life, the sounds of the battle at the Ministry, Dumbledore begging Snape for his life, the final battle. My eyes widen in shock… the Dementors have returned to Azkaban!

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Picking Up Ella

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 17:37:05 GMT

April 18, 2003 Picking up Ella

I would be lying if I didn’t worry when I promised Ginny we would do this last week that I would be too tired to enjoy the time with Ella. However, it turns out for once the Ministry is right. I have acclimated to the Dementor effect at Azkaban. It still drains me, I still need chocolate while at work and some serious cuddle time with Ginny when I get home to counter-act its affects fully, but I’m able to function at work now even if I worry how I’ll do this Saturday when I begin the first of my four days on, four days off.

Ginny and I prepared thoroughly for her visit. We made a point of shopping for some of Ella’s favourite snacks and cookies to bake. We readied several books, puzzles, and games as well. I smiled at the thought of how much Remus and Tonks will appreciate us spoiling Ella thoroughly for the couple of days we have her.

Oh well, I’m not the son of a Marauder for nothing and Ginny is definitely the true heir to her brother’s talents. I made one last pass through the flat to make sure all is ready with Nevaeh trailing at my heels. I was sure Ella would love Nevaeh.

I returned to the sitting room to find Ginny feeding Hedwig some owl treats. “Are we ready luv?”

Ginny smiled brightly at me. I have to wonder of the smile is due to us picking up Ella or the way we got ready when I arrived home which consisted of us sitting in our chair and engaging in some serious snogging for at least thirty minutes.

“What are you thinking about?” she teased. I suppose the dopey grin on my face gave it away.

I winked at her, “Just how nice of a welcome I had home. Sure we don’t have time for some more greeting?”

She smiled back and her cheeks flushed slightly, whether from embarrassment, not likely I hoped, or thinking of our time together, more likely I was certain. “If you are a good boy tonight, maybe I can arrange for a longer performance tomorrow.” She then stuck her tongue out at me.

Oh well, if she wants to tease all night I’m game, it’s been too long since she felt comfortable teasing me like that.

She glanced at the clock on the mantle. “C’mon Harry it’s time, let’s go.”

Ginny and I are possibly the only two people other than Tonks’ mum and dad that are allowed to Apparate into the Lupin home. Holding hands we concentrated and squeezed through the tube and arrived with a pop in their entrance hall.

We were greeted by Ella’s melodious laughter as she ran pell mell throughout the house chasing after Cassie and Polly. “C’mere kitties,” she squeaked.

Tonks was watching in consternation with Ella’s bag in hand calling after her. “Ella, leave the cats alone dear, they can’t come with you anyhow.”

Ella bound around the corner as slid to a stop. Her eyes widened and she let out a whoop. “Unca Harry, Aunt Ginny, you’re here!” She charged straight into my arms as I bent down to scoop her up. She laid a sloppy kiss on my face which I returned as she giggled.

She then squirmed in my arms, “Ginny!” She reached out to Ginny so I handed her over. The two of them exchanged hugs and kisses then Ella squirmed again. “Down, I want to show you my kitties Aunt Ginny!”

Ginny sat her down only to be tugged along after her. “Hurry, Ginny, hurry, we’ve got to catch them!”

I followed along chuckling at the look on Ginny’s face. Tonks watched the two with amusement. The kittens apparently were hiding under a large curio in the corner. Ella led Ginny there and knelt down to try to coax them out of their hiding place.

Tonks turned to see me enter and gave her typical greeting, “Wotcher Harry!”

I smiled back at her, but instead of responding walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug. “Hello Tonks, it’s good to see you.” I hate it that Ginny and I weren’t there for her when… All I can do is be there for her and Remus now.

Tonks backed away and I was delighted to note that the old fire was still in her eyes. She and Remus will survive this. “Is Remus around?”

Some of the sparkle left . “He’s not feeling well. He was a bit ill after his last transformation.” She appeared she was going to say more, but stops. “I’ll let him know you asked about him.”

We were interrupted by loud mews from the corner as Cassie and Polly scampered between Ella’s legs and bolted up the stairs. “Come back kitties, we have to go!”

“Ella, I told you, Cassie and Polly aren’t going with you. They hate travelling by floo.”

Ella huffed and her bottom lip popped out in a pout. How in Merlin’s name do they ever deny her anything?

Ginny saved the day, however, “Ella it’s okay, we can play with my kitten, Nevaeh at home.”

Ella’s expression instantly changed from that of a petulant pouting child to one of awe. With wide eyes she asked, “You have a kitty as well Aunt Ginny?”

Ginny bent down and scooped her up. “Yes and we also have Hedwig.”

I grinned at that thought. Hedwig and Ella have a love/hate relationship. Ella adores Hedwig, Hedwig does an excellent job of pretending she’s above the antics of the toddler, but I have caught Hedwig playing with Ella when she thinks Ginny and I aren’t watching.

Ella squeaked her excitement. “Aunt Ginny, I’m all ready, let’s go.”

Ginny laughed at her, “Don’t you want to say goodbye to your mum and dad first?”

Ella wiggled until Ginny puts her down. She shot off like a muggle rocket up the stairs to say goodbye to Remus.

Tonks chuckled at her, “She’s been so happy since Remus came home.”
His abandoning Ella and Tonks like he did is still a sore spot for me, so I chose not to comment.

Tonks handed me Ella’s bag. “I’ve packed her a night gown and a couple changes of clothing for the next couple of days.” She gave me a mock glare, “She always seems to end up dirty when you take her Harry.”

I swung the bag over my shoulder, “Believe me, she needs no help in getting dirty. She’s definitely the child of a Marauder, fully trained by Fred and George as well. I’m more concerned as to what colour my hair will be at work tomorrow.” The last time we watched Ella, I ended up sporting blonde eyebrows for the next few days at work.

Ginny stepped up beside me and clasps my hand, “I’ll see to it that Harry behaves and that he’s protected from Ella.” She smiled sweetly at me as she speaks.

I mock glared at her, “As I recall you spent that time with black eyebrows and a faint lightning bolt scar on your forehead. Good thing you were off from work for a few days.”

Ginny looked shocked at me, “Harry you aren’t supposed to tell anyone about that, it ruins my reputation as the perfect babysitter.”

Tonks interrupted us, “I wouldn’t worry about blonde or black anyhow.” She grinned cheekily, “She’s been more interested in pink, green, and purple as of late.”

We both gaped for a moment before Ella stomped down the stairs. She zoomed straight into Tonks’ arms and gave her mum a sloppy kiss. “Cassie and Polly are in bed with daddy!” Tonks put her down as she twisted. “Bye mummy, I love you.” She reached to me, “Up Unca Harry, Up!”

With Ella firmly in my grasp, I nodded at Tonks, “Ginny will bring her back home after they go to The Phoenix House Wednesday.”

Ginny gripped my arm more tightly and we both concentrated and were soon hurling through the void towards home.

The Next Morning...

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 11:42:13 GMT

I lay in bed in that hazy state of not quite wakefulness. The silky warmth covering most of me fills me with contentment. I gently begin running my hand up and down her bare back just luxuriating in being allowed to touch her. Anyone looking at me would probably think I’m addled with the dopey grin on my face, but I can’t remember being this happy, feeling this close to Ginny, in some time. My thoughts are interrupted as she begins to stir in her sleep.

She mumbles something, snuggles her head into my shoulder, and entwines our legs once again. My pulse begins to race and my breathing shallows. I could definitely get used to this. I bite my lip as I war with my instincts. Part of me wants to begin caressing her like I did last night, but she isn’t awake to give me her permission.

Once again I’m able to assert my self-control. As much as I would love to do more and wake Ginny up that way, I know that at this stage she has to be in total control of everything we do. Besides, I can think of much more horrid things than to lay here with her like this.

I lay content, watching as the sun steadily rises in the east. Finally, Ginny starts to stir. She begins to stretch like she always does, but then suddenly stops. “Ginny, luv? Are you okay?”

Very slowly her large, chocolate eyes move up to my face. "Uh... we don't have anything on."

I need to be careful here. I smile at her, “No luv, we don’t, I hope that isn’t a problem.”

"Maybe... maybe a small one," she says blushing as she hides her face in my chest.

I gently stroke her back. “Firefly, can you look at me? Please?”

"This is really embarrassing," she mumbles before finally looking up at me.

Her face is flushed completely red. I realize that what I say and do in the next few minutes can cause a major setback in Ginny’s recovery. “Luv, you didn’t do anything wrong… you know that, don’t you?”

"I threw myself at you!"

“How you figure that?” I reach up and tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Because I... I did!"

I gently rub the pad of my thumb on her cheek. “Did you do anything last night that you didn’t want to?”

"No... but..." she worries at her lip. "I shouldn't have done that."

I can tell this is eating at her terribly. “Why luv? We both enjoyed ourselves and when things started getting to far we stopped.” I smile at her gently, “To be honest I think I quite prefer waking up like this myself.”

"Oh... all right..." she lays her head down again and sighs heavily.

I resume gently running my hand up and down her back. “Are you positive, I don’t’ want you being uncomfortable with me in any way. As much I enjoyed last night and waking up like this I don’t want it if you don’t.”

She only shrugs, which I’m learning is her sign that she doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. Maybe we need to talk about what happened with Zelda. While that seems like a plan, I think I need to wait until this isn’t so fresh in Ginny’s mind to bring it up.

Several minutes later Ginny stirs again. “Harry, I need to use the loo.”

“Erm… umm… yeah, okay,” I’m confused as to what she’s getting at.

“Harry, I’m naked and I need to go to the loo.” She’s more insistent this time and then I understand. She doesn’t want me to see her.

“Oh… right… okay. I’ll close my eyes and you can wrap yourself in the comforter. Once you go in there I’ll grab something on and leave the room.”

I close my eyes and have to fight the urge to reach for her when she rolls away from me. I hear the shuffling of the comforter and despite temptation don’t open my eyes until I hear the door to the loo close.

While she’s gone I quickly grab a fresh pair of boxers and a t-shirt and pull them on. Knowing she won’t come out until I’m out of the bedroom I announce, “Luv, I’m going to start breakfast,” and leave our bedroom shutting the door behind me.

I fry some eggs and toast some bread. She comes out just as I’ve set the table. She’s dressed in one of my long shirts and a pair of pyjama bottoms. What strikes me is the look of dejection on her face as she plops down at the table.

I serve her an egg and a piece of toast I’ve spread with some of her mum’s blackberry jam. Serve myself and take the seat across from her. I start to take a bite, but realize she’s yet to look up at me and make eye contact.

I set down my fork and clear my throat, “Are you okay?” If I’ve somehow hurt her by letting things go as far as they did last night I’ll never forgive myself.

She uses her fork to push her egg around for a bit before answering barely above a whisper, “That was too close last night Harry.”

Suddenly my appetite is gone. What have I done? I blink a couple of times and take a deep breath, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

For the first time she locks eyes with me, “You didn’t start it.”

No I didn’t, but not because I didn’t want to… I stand up and move around the table and kneel before her. I hold my hands out and wait for her to take them. I begin slowly rubbing the backs of her hands. “What’s really bothering you about what happened? I know we were close, but we did stop in the end before something we couldn’t take back occurred.”

She scowls, “That’s just it Harry, I didn’t want to stop.”

I reel at the implications. “B-but what about your promise?”

"I want that too," she informs me, obviously torn.

Oi… now what do I do? I gently respond, “Luv, you realize that we are going to be married in about two months now, right? The time for all that will come soon enough.”

"I know..."

“So quit trying to push yourself so hard.” I wink at her, “after last night I’m utterly convinced that when the time comes it will happen.”

"But what if I have a set back?"

I gently reach up and touch her chin so that we are staring into one another’s eyes, “Then we’ll deal with it when it happens and go from there.”

She swallows hard, "I push you too much."

I blink at her, “Now how do you come to that conclusion?”

"Because I was... we were... it was... very, very close, last night."

I gently smile at her, “And I enjoyed every second of it.”

"But what if we'd... I could have..." she frowns and looks down at her feet.

I sigh and pull her hands tight against my chest. “If we would have lost control… then we would have lost control. We would have to deal with your mum’s disappointment, but Ginny,” I reach up and tilt her head so that I can look in her eyes, “I’ll never regret sharing my love with you in any way.”

She nods and puts her arms around my neck, pulling me too her. "I love you."

Surprised at the sudden turn of events, but afraid to question it, I gently pull her down into my lap. I breath in the heavy fragrance of her hair and kiss the top of her head, “And I love you too.”

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Cutting it Close...

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 21:48:26 GMT

Today has been a relief. I woke up this morning feeling more refreshed than I had all week and since I’ve been home with Ginny all day I’ve gotten stronger througout the day. Together we picked out curtains for the entire house. Okay, actually Ginny picked them out and I agreed to whatever she wanted. It is one of those days you never want to end, although we grudgingly give into the passage of time and are currently snuggled in bed together. Despite the hour we are still deep in discussion with the current topic being the itinerary of our honeymoon.

I pull Ginny tightly to me. “I hope that we always have days like this; especially when we go on the honeymoon.”

"Mmm... speaking of which, where should we go?" she asks, lazily trailing a finger up and down my chest.

Enjoying the closeness I speak out without really thinking about it, “Do we really have to go anywhere? I mean we’ll have a brand new house and all.”

"Well, I want to spend our first night at our house but after that I want to see something… I haven't been on a proper vacation in years." She laughs softly, "That and if we don't leave the house my brothers might find out and come around to torment us."

Well that could put a damper on things… it’s not like we are going to have enough to overcome in that department. The problem is I never thought much about travelling. Before Hogwarts going to the local store was about as much vacation as I ever got. Then when I was older I was too busy dealing with my destiny to worry about what I would do afterward. I kiss the top of her head, “Well luv, where would you like to go?”

"Ireland," she replies instantly. "I want to see some castles."

Hmmm… well it will be summer… “Sounds like a plan.” I comb my hand through her hair and then give her bum a small tap when I reach the end. “So is there anything you want to do other than see some old castles?”

"I don't know… I'm sure I could ask Hermione to find information on local festivals." She grins up at me impishly before leaning up to give me a kiss.

In between our pecks and kisses I manage to respond, “Are you sure you want Hermione having a part in planning our Honeymoon? We might end up in some boring lecture or something.”

"Hmm, well we can't have that, can we?" She murmurs against my lips before deepening our kisses.

Cottoning on to her mood, I loose myself in her. Our kisses deepen and my hands begin straying under the back of her shirt and running up and down her bare back, causing shudders.

She moans appreciatively into my mouth and rolls me onto my back and climbs on top. My hands unconsciously reach out and pull her to me eliciting a groan from both of us. She dives back in devouring my mouth as she repeatedly runs her fingers through my hair.

My hands continue wandering up and down her back. On each upstroke her shirt rises a little higher. Finally it slips all the way up to her neck and she pauses. My heart thuds in my chest as we lock eyes. She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth before spitting it out and reaching down tugs her shirt over her head.

Before I can say anything she presses herself against me and I forget everything but her. She releases my mouth and begins nibbling at my jaw line before breathing heavily in my ear sending a jolt through my entire body. She nips at the lobe before continuing down my neck causing me to groan in appreciation.

The next thing I know she is rolling us back to our sides, our lips never parting. Once on our side she reaches down grasps one of my hands and pulls it to her. “Touch me, Harry.”

I tenderly tease her with gentle caresses. I make mental notes of which places produce the most satisfied moans and make a point to revisit those areas often. I lurch into her as I feel her hand slip under my boxers to cup my bum. My eyes fly open and I grunt out her name, “Ginny?”

Giving me her most innocent look, she pouts, “Harry, don’t stop kissing me.”

Like a moth to the flame I lean in and begin my own assault on her throat. Tease me will you, I hope you know some good Concealing Charms.

She gasps several times over the next few minutes as the heat between us continues to build. We find ourselves entwined, gently nipping at one another and my hand continues to explore when suddenly she shocks me silly. “Harry, take off your boxers.” Her face flushes as she says the words, but the wide-eyed look on her face melts me.

We break apart and I tug my boxers off leaving them under the covers at the foot of the bed. We roll back together and pick up where we left off. She is pressed tightly to me and my hand is lazily trailing from the back of her neck down her spine. I nearly choke when I reach her bum to find that her knickers are gone.

I feel her lips curl into a smile next to mine before she sighs. She reaches around behind my head and pulls me back into the kiss. If I thought what happened a couple of weeks ago was amazing then I need a new word to describe this. Every nerve in my body is tingling with anticipation and warmth rushes through me making me feel almost tipsy.

She once again rolls us so that she is astride me. With every twist or squirm we inch closer and closer to crossing that final line. I feel like I’m on fire and Ginny is gasoline fanning the flame. I know I should stop her. The little voice inside my head is screaming at me to be the reasonable one. But with every kiss, every caress, and every moan the voice grows a little quieter.

Suddenly Ginny rolls off of me. For the first time since this started I feel exposed. I roll to my side to face Ginny but find her turned away from me curled up with her arms wrapped around her knees.

I wait a minute as I try to catch my breath before speaking, “Ginny, luv, are you okay?”

Ginny nods, her head, but remains silent.

I can’t hide the worry in my voice, “Luv, do you want me to leave the room so you can get dressed?”

"No..." she whispers, before taking a huge breath. "Just hold me."

I scoot over next to her and tentatively reach for her. She stiffly releases her knees and straightens out. I gently run my hand over her shoulder. “I’m here.”

She shudders before rolling over into my embrace and burying her head into my shoulder. I gently run my hand up and down her back, being careful to not let it stray to far.

"Sorry… we just needed to stop."

I kiss the top of her head, “I know.”

We lay like that until she finally drifts off to sleep. Inside I can’t help but feel content. I know she stopped us, but we needed to stop. I can’t help but feel that once we are married we will have a normal life together.

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