Intro: This was an oddball idea I had a while back- Harry is moved after the Ministry battle and receives an odd visitor. After he makes the deal, he decides its time to take the fight to Riddle. Non-6th/7th compliant, Gray!/Immortal!Harry, Harry/OC
Chapter 1: The Bargain
Harry's Flat
The alarm clock spell went off, giving Harry the sensation of someone gently shaking him. He slowly roused, stretching and surveying his five-room flat. After Sirius's death at the Ministry and Voldemort's subsequent attempted possession and mind-rape, Harry had sat Dumbledore down in his office and had told him flat-out that unless Dumbledore moved him out of the Dursley's house, he would set a magical sign pointing at the front door that said "Harry Potter Lives Here" and pass word to the Death Eaters, telling them exactly where he lived.
After a few moment's spluttering, as well as a heated argument that had left the old man speechless several times, Harry had somehow won and been moved into a small flat in Diagon Alley that was under a Fidelius Charm. Not wanting to share his parent's fate, Harry had demanded that he be the Secret-Keeper. Dumbledore had resisted at that, but Harry had refused to negotiate, and the older wizard had finally caved.
Hedwig had taken up residence in the flat as well, being given a perch next to the window that was permanently open, but well-concealed. The window had a temperature-control charm on it, so the flat always stayed at a comfortable temperature and humidity level, no matter the weather outside.
However, the "Leader of the Light" had managed some valuable concessions from Harry. A member of the Order, usually Remus or Moody, visited him once a day. The two wizards had been passing him copies of the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler, as well as occasionally staying for a few hours. When he stayed, Moody usually took the time to teach Harry a high-powered spell or two or engage him in a practice duel. These pitched battles usually left Harry bruised and battered, but less so each time. Remus usually regaled the boy with stories of his parent's and Sirius's antics. Harry kept researching a way to defeat Voldemort, training his body and mind while he spent his days in the flat. However, none of this changed one very simple fact that almost everyone had overlooked.
Harry was miserable. He felt responsible for Sirius's death, and even though Remus and Tonks had assured him several times that nobody held him at fault, he still felt terrible inside. Harry stepped into the bathroom and splashed water on his face.
Harry looked at his reflection in the mirror and frowned, staring into his own eyes. "Look at me. I'm in hiding, tired, alone, and miserable. I feel like tying a fucking anchor around my neck, jumping into the tub, and seeing just how long I can hold my breath. I'd sell my soul for a way to end this war."
There was a quiet crack from the main room of his flat, sounding as if someone had Apparated into the room. Harry drew his wand, ducking behind the bathroom door. He stared at the mirror, watching and waiting. "You can come out, Harry. I'm not going to hurt you," a male voice with an Irish accent said.
Harry shouted back, "You really expect me to believe that?"
"No, but if I wanted you dead, wouldn't I have just appeared directly in the bathroom of your flat and killed you? Especially since the flat is under a Fidelius Charm and you are the Secret-Keeper?"
That stopped Harry a moment. "Well, alright." He stepped into the main room of the flat and stopped short. Standing in the center of the room was a man wearing black jeans and a black leather jacket with metal studs on the shoulders. Under the jacket, the man was wearing a shirt that was a deep, fiery red. However, the most striking feature of the man had to be his hair. There were flames extending a full foot above the man's head. Harry stared a moment.
"Who in hell are you?" The man chuckled.
"I think you know who I am, Harry." Harry cocked his head, still staring at the flames.
"Do I?"
"Well, I'll tell you anyway. My name is Lucifer." Harry nodded with his mouth slightly agape. "Would it help if I brought the flames down?" Another nod, and the flames died down and coalesced into spiky red hair. "You might want to sit down." Harry dropped onto the couch, confused. "You're wondering why I'm here?"
"The thought had crossed my mind. Don't you have souls to be torturing?"
"Well, the thing is, that's why I'm here."
"Please don't tell me you want to open a branch Hell and my flat is in the way." The man laughed again.
"No, but I am here for a specific reason. I recall that you just offered to sell your soul in exchange for a way to defeat Tom Riddle."
"…I did?"
"Yes, you did. Now, I'm not compelling you to go through with it, but I may be able to persuade you to. Your godfather just died, I believe. You're being hunted by a wizard who has merged with one of my demons."
"Any demon in particular?" Lucifer looked sheepish.
"My son. Satan."
"Oh, great."
"Yeah. His grandfather Beelzebub and his brother Shaitan have a lot to answer for."
"I'll say. They let the son of the Devil loose on earth!"
"Calm down, kid."
"I know. I'm just joking. Look, before you start anything else, can I ask one question?"
"Sure."
"What happened to my godfather?"
"He's in Hell, actually. He died protecting you, which gave him an automatic entry into Heaven, but at the moment he's waiting for me in Hell."
"Why?"
"Well, him, me, and Sam Peckinpah have a whiskey-and-poker night every Tuesday. Now look. I can't accept your soul entirely. You've got somebody else's protection on you."
"You telling me I've got God's backing?"
"No, God doesn't exist. Anymore. He sacrificed himself to bind whoever the Devil is in Hell. What you see is sort of a projection of me. Anyway, I'm talking more of the Fates."
"The Greek Fates?"
"Sort of. Now, what you must know, is that the Greeks had it all wrong. The people they regarded so highly as gods were really just really powerful wizards. Some of them were even known here in Britain. For example, the person the Greeks regarded as Hades was really the man the British knew as Salazar Slytherin."
"What? You're joking!"
"No. Where do you think he went after he left the school? Rowena Ravenclaw went with him. She was the Greek's Athena. All their gods were really wizards and witches."
"Zeus?"
"Master of self-transfiguration. Quite the lech, too."
"Hera?"
"Think Greece's response to Molly Weasley."
"Wow. So, if the Fates aren't divine beings, what are they?"
"What do you think? They're businessmen."
"Businessmen?"
"Yes, businessmen. Extremely powerful, extremely wealthy businessmen. You ever heard of the Majestic-12? The Illuminati? New World Order? Those are the Fates backing you. Wizards, some of them 'purebloods', some 'half-bloods', some Muggle-born, all of them out of the public eye. All of them have powerful Muggle enterprises as well in some facet of society. They realize that they can't ignore either world and are extremely powerful in both. All of them believe that you winning is a much better result for them than Riddle winning."
"Any politicians?"
"What are you, kidding? Politicians, along with the press, hold the lowest kind of power- transient power. Presidents and Prime Ministers- they serve at the will of the people. Even dictators serve at the will of their armies and co-conspirators. No, they're wealthy businessmen."
Harry cocked his head, utterly confused. "So…how do these Fates compete with Voldemort?"
Lucifer cocked his head. "Y'know, you really shouldn't call him that. His name is Tom Riddle. When my son fused with him during a botched power-boosting ritual, they took the name Voldemort. The whole anagram bit was a lousy excuse."
"Okay, so how do these Fates compete with Satan's power?"
"Money. Cash is the one thing that is almost as strong if not stronger than demonic power."
"So that's how Vol…er, Riddle, was able to keep from dying when he tried to kill me? Satan kept him alive?"
"Yup. Demons can be destroyed, but not by a Killing Curse. What the Killing Curse does is separate the soul from the body, while also stopping the heart and halting all brain activity. Basically, it's like someone pulled the plug on the person. If demons are somehow 'killed' in the Earth sense, they just land back in Hell. But nobody's thought to use holy water on Riddle when he was in a non-corporeal form or to do an exorcism of some kind."
"Interesting. Now, why are you here?"
"I'm here to offer you a deal." At that, Harry stuck his wand in his waistband and began gently shooing Lucifer towards the door.
"No thanks, not interested, don't let the door hit you on the way out."
"Wait. Wait. I just said I couldn't accept your soul!"
"Then what do you want?"
"Essentially, I'm offering you a very one-sided agreement. In exchange for absolutely, positively destroying Riddle and all of his servants, along with all the creatures who serve him, the Fates have asked me to hold your soul…well, in escrow would be the easiest way to describe it."
"In escrow? What, is my soul a nice piece of land to be bidded on now?"
"Not really. You'd be immortal, in a sense. You die in some way- hit by a Killing Curse, or by some other means- you'd just regenerate somewhere else. Also, we'd be giving you a few interesting pieces of…shall we say, reading material."
"You're offering to give me satanic spells?"
"Did I say that?" Lucifer said with a wink.
"Maybe not, but you sure as hell meant it. So, I'd be immortal. What else?"
"You'd have the power to give anyone you choose the same benefit, as well as take it away. But you'd have to be absolutely willing, not under the Imperius Curse or any other compulsion."
"So I'd be able to give Ron and Hermione the same ability?"
"Yes. We don't expect you to do this all alone, y'know."
"Okay. Sounds alright so far. But where's the catch? What about after we destroy Riddle and all his servants?"
Lucifer shrugged. "You get your soul back. That's about the only catch. You and anyone else you gave the powers to would become mortal again, and you'd lose the ability to use the spells we gave you."
"There's got to be more to it than that."
"Well, the only other thing that could possibly be called a 'catch' is that you have to kill ALL of his servants, as well as Riddle himself. It might be a problem if you weren't willing to kill."
"After what that bitch Bellatrix did to my godfather, that won't be a problem."
"Good. Now what do you think?"
Harry mulled it over. "I think I'm in. Is there an out option?"
"Yes, but I doubt you'll want it. At any time, all you have to do is call me, and I'll drop by. Then you can say you want out, and we'll pull the powers and spells. However, this is a one-time offer. You pull out, you can't get back in."
Harry nodded. "I'm in. How do we seal the deal?"
Lucifer grinned. "What, you expect a blood contract or something?"
Harry shrugged. "Sort of. I haven't really done this before, so I don't know what to expect."
"Well, there is a bit of a ceremony, and you may or may not have a problem with it. You are, I believe, still a virgin?"
Harry blanched. "Yes, but I'm not into blokes, thanks."
Lucifer gave a quick, barklike laugh that reminded Harry of Sirius's laugh. "Well, you wouldn't be sleeping with me, but a friend of mine. Female, don't worry. But the only reason it might be a problem is if you were one of those 'abstinent until marriage' people."
"Well, I'm not. Why on earth would I shut myself off from more human contact after being repressed for years at the hands of those bastards?"
Lucifer nodded, a sudden grim expression on his face. "Well, you don't have to worry. Vernon is headed for a massive heart attack. Petunia will die at virtually the same time."
"How?"
"Well, he ends up losing everything at Grunnings. He happens to be in the middle of something with Petunia and when he has the heart attack, he falls and crushes her."
Harry winced. "Okay, I didn't need to know that, but it does seem like things balance out."
"Right. So, now for the more ceremonial part." He stepped forward, into the center of the room, and Harry felt a wind begin to blow around them. "Harry James Potter. You have been offered to have your immortal soul held in escrow until such a time as it is deemed that Tom Riddle and all of his servants have been well and truly destroyed. Will you accept this Faustian bargain?"
"I will."
The wind increased, sending loose papers flying around the room. "And will you fulfill the terms of this bargain and seal it in the required fashion?"
"I will."
The wind increased to an even greater level, lifting books from the shelves. "Then so mote it be!" A bolt of red light flew from Lucifer's eyes and struck Harry in his scar, sending him back a step. Harry felt slightly lightheaded, and wavered slightly, but recovered quickly. He looked around, not seeing Lucifer, but jumped when the demon's voice came from nowhere.
"The one who will seal the deal will be along shortly. Just go with it, don't worry about a thing. Remember, both me and the Fates will be watching you."
Harry waved his wand, cleaning up the room, contemplating what he had just done. He had made the deal with the devil-literally! And now, some strange woman was about to come and have sex with him to seal the deal. I wonder if I should freshen up…waving his wand over his body and muttering, Harry cast a few quick spells to clean the nighttime sweat off his body, freshen his breath, and generally make himself presentable. As soon as he finished, there was a knock at the door.
Harry opened the door to find a woman standing there. She was, in a word, absolutely beautiful. Well, two words, but Harry was too focused on the woman to notice. She was a brunette, about Harry's height, and had curves in all the right places. She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a red tank that bared her midriff, revealing a taught stomach and a small navel piercing. As he reluctantly returned his gaze to her eyes, he found she was looking him over with just as hungry a look in her eyes as he must have had.
Harry suddenly felt self-conscious- he was only wearing an old black t-shirt and a pair of worn-out boxers that had animated snitches flying across them. She finished her perusal and looked up, meeting his eyes. When she spoke, Harry could almost hear the arousal in her voice. "You'll be Harry, then?"
He shrugged. "Sure, I'll be Harry. Who will you be, then?" She giggled. It was a musical sound that Harry almost desperately wanted to hear more of. "My name is Eva. Luc sent me."
"Luc? Lucifer goes by Luc?"
"Well, the name does draw attention, doesn't it?" She looked around. "Now, are we going to do it out here in the hall, or should I come in?"
He grinned and stepped to one side. "Sorry, come on in." She stepped past him, giving his bum a squeeze on the way past. He shut the door and ran his fingers through his hair, suddenly nervous.
She giggled again, not turning around. "Nervous to be sleeping with an agent of the devil?"
He snorted. "A bit. Plus, its my first time."
She spun, her eyes wide. "You're a virgin?"
He nodded. "Yes. Is that a problem for you?"
"Just surprising. But since you're a virgin, you probably want a little instruction on how these things work, right? Because really, the textbooks don't really tell you much." Harry nodded, and she smiled. "I do enjoy teaching." Eva toed off her shoes and gently pushed Harry back onto the bed. She straddled his lap, looping her arms around his neck. "So, you ever kissed a girl before?"
He nodded. "One. It wasn't so great. She was crying at the time, so it was kind of awkward."
She smiled and leaned in closer. "Well, let's see if we can't broaden your horizons a bit, shall we?" Their lips met, and a shiver went down Harry's spine. Without breaking the kiss, Eva took his hands in hers and moved them from the bed to her sides before knotting her hands in his hair. When air became an issue, she broke the kiss, her lips puffy and her face flushed. "You're a great kisser, Harry."
He grinned. "Thanks. You're great yourself."
She giggled and ground her rear against his lap. "I know. I can feel just how much you want me." Harry blushed, and she smiled. "Don't be embarrassed. I think it'd be more of a problem if you weren't hard. Now do what I do." She slid her hands slowly up under his shirt, moving up his body. "Can you see where I'm going with this?" He nodded. "Then go for it."
He nodded, and slowly slid his hands up to her chest, receiving a small suprise. "No bra?"
She shook her head. "Makes me feel constricted. Now feel me up, damnit!" Her full lips parted slightly and a quiet moan escaped her lips as he did so.
What followed was an incredible experience. She was a passionate lover- wild, but gentle, demanding but encouraging.
As is common among first-timers, Harry was done within a few minutes, but while they waited for him to recharge, she showed him how exactly to please a woman, often with very vocal encouragement.
She brought him back to full arousal several times. When she finally couldn't coax another rise out of Harry, they cleaned up and slept for several hours.
Harry woke suddenly, realizing he was alone in the bed. He felt abandoned for a moment.
"You thought I'd left, didn't you." Harry's head snapped up, spotting Eva lounging on the couch, still completely naked.
"Actually, yes, I did."
"You were a damn good screw. No way I would possibly leave like that. In fact, if I didn't have my responsibility to Luc, I'd quick around and help you with your mission. But, I am an agent of the Devil, and I can't ignore that. But I'll tell you what. Since Luc owes me big for a few favors I did him a while back, I'll help you out as much as I can."
"How, Eva?"
"Intelligence on Riddle, maybe a weakness or two I or one of my contacts stumble across...you get the idea." Harry nodded, realizing how useful this woman could be.
She stood and stretched, and Harry once again looked her over, feeling the serpent stir again as his gaze traveled over the curve of her breasts and the length of her legs. She turned, spotting the rising tent in the sheets. "God, you're incorrigible." He nodded and grinned cheekily. "Ah, what the hell. One more quick blow won't hurt."
She knelt in front of him and took him into her mouth, sucking and bobbing rapidly. Within a few minutes of her obviously experienced ministrations, Harry was spurting into her mouth. She swallowed, cleaned him off with a few quick swipes of her tongue, and cleared her throat.
"Thanks, Eva."
She grinned. "My pleasure. Now, may I make a few suggestions on who to give that immortality to?"
"I yield the floor to the vixen wearing the sheet." She giggled again, and he leant forward, resting his head on her stomach, her belly piercing just under his nose.
"Well, there's Hermione and Ron, of course. But you wouldn't want to give it to too many people."
"Why not?"
"Well, you must remember that Luc's son is in there with Riddle. And while he can't bestow immortality, he does know who can. If you were to avoid letting Satan know that you have Luc on your side now, that would give you an advantage. Making everyone immortal would probably tip him off. Plus, if you give too many people the gift, the Death Eaters would probably start going after their friends and families. You can't give everyone immortality."
"I see. So, who else would you recommend?"
"Well, who else do you think will stand with you?"
"I'm not sure. Well, I know the Order will, or at least part of them- Remus, Tonks, possibly Moody. I wonder if there's anyone else..."
"Well, rattle off everyone who's in the Order and see if you think you'd trust them with that."
"Dumbledore- probably not, but he's practically immortal already. I wouldn't trust him not to expose it as a calculated sacrifice. McGonagall-probably, but I'm not sure. Snape-no. He's too tightly in Dumbledore's pocket. Remus-definitely. Tonks-probably, she has a soft spot for Remus. Moody-probably, not that he needs it with his paranoia, but I think he'd be able to put it to good use. Hagrid- definitely. I can definitely see Hagrid using it well. Fletcher-definitely not, he'd probably try to sell it. Kingsley- not sure about him. I've met him maybe twice and never really gotten a feel for him. Hestia Jones- also not sure. I'm not sure about some of the Weasleys, but you never know."
"Anyone else in the Order?"
"Not many significant members. Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Aberforth Dumbledore, Arabella Figg, and Emmeline Vance. I either wouldn't trust them or wouldn't see a use in making them immortal. It seems cold-hearted, but I can't afford to risk it." Harry said. "Sometimes it feels like we're so outnumbered...I understand why so many people are leaving the country."
"How about people outside the Order?"
"If anyone, those that were with me at the Ministry- Luna, Neville, and Ginny."
"I'm not sure about them, but if you feel you can trust them- go for it."
Harry shrugged. "I'm not sure if they'll stick with me after they find out I've made a deal with the devil. I'll probably have to explain to the full-blooded wizards what the devil is."
"Right. Look, if I could, I would stay here and help. But I do have a responsibility to Luc, you know."
Harry cocked his head. "And what if I could convince Luc to let you stay?"
Eva turned slowly, a confused look on her face. "You think you could do that?"
"Maybe. What if I could?"
"Well, I'd be happy to serve as an advisor, as well as a fighter."
"Do you have the powers that Luc gave me?"
"Yes. All agents of the devil do."
"Good. Now, if I could get you…I guess the best way to say it would be transferred…" He trailed off, looking embarrassed.
"Would I be willing to sleep with you again?" He nodded, trying to avoid looking desperate. "Harry, there's something I have to tell you. The ceremony of sealing a deal with the devil doesn't require that the agent achieve a climax, only the one entered in the bargain."
He lifted his head from her stomach. "So…you mean to say that after I finished the first time, you could have left and that was it?"
"Exactly. But something about you told me to stay, and I'm glad I did." She cradled his face in her palms. "Honestly, Harry, I would be glad to do this again. Get me released from Luc's service, at least temporarily, and I'd be perfectly willing to serve as your aide-de-camp, your confidant, your advisor, and your lover."
An Apparation crack sounded, and Harry dove off the bed, grabbing his wand from the nightstand and leveling it at the source of the sound, ignoring the fact that he was naked.
"You know, you really should put that away," Lucifer said, gesturing at Harry's crotch. Harry glanced down, and yanked the blanket off the bed, wrapping it around his waist. "Nice improvisation. Anyway, I've been listening in."
"Oh good. I was wondering about how to go about asking you."
Luc nodded. "Eva, you've been in my service for how long?"
Eva grinned cheekily at him. "Ah, Luc, you should know never to ask a woman her age!" The man did not look impressed, and her smile quickly faded. She bowed her head. "Over forty years, Milord."
"And you entered into my service voluntarily, did you not?" She nodded silently, her head still bowed. He gently lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. "Do not be afraid, my child. You have since served me with distinction, operating far better than any other agent in my service." He took a slow breath. "Which is why that if you so choose, I would have no problem with releasing you from my service. Permanently." A grin broke out on her face. "However, if you do leave my service, I must ask that you assist Harry with his mission." She nodded, and he smiled. "Good. Then, Eva, I hereby release you from your service as an agent of the Lord of Darkness!" A red flash went off, and there was a slight smell of sulfur. Luc turned to Harry. "Well, she's all yours. Good luck, my boy, and good hunting. Eva, you're always welcome at the Palace, even if you're just freelancing or visiting." The man stuck out his hand, and Harry shook it, feeling a strong heat coming from the man's body.
"Thanks, Luc." The Devil nodded, and disappeared with another crack. Harry turned, spotting a suitcase, presumably with Eva's belongings, sitting in the corner.
Harry turned back to Eva as she jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and hugging him tightly. "I can't believe you did that, Harry!"
"Neither can I. But we have work to do."
"We do?"
"Yes. First, we have to plan who we're going to tell and who we're going to give the immortality to."
Eva nodded. "Well, it's a good thing I'm good at organization, because from the looks of things you're absolutely pants at it."
"I am. So, I guess a list is in order?"
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Harry's Flat
1 week later
Harry put his pen down and flexed his hand, easing the cramps that were developing in his fingers. "I think we've got it now."
Eva looked up from her paper. "You sure? This is like the eighth draft, so let's be sure."
"I'm pretty sure. C'mere." She sat behind him, rubbing her breasts against his back and looking over his shoulder. Even though they were not having sex at that moment, Eva still preferred to remain naked, and Harry usually went shirtless, for the exact circumstances that were occurring now.
"I like the name. Simple, to the point, easy to remember. Let's see…"
The Team
-Harry Potter
-Eva Wright
-Hermione Granger
-Ronald Weasley
-Remus Lupin
-Tonks
-Alastor Moody
-Luna Lovegood
-Neville Longbottom
-Rubeus Hagrid
-Ginny Weasley
"Well, I can't agree with adding Ginny in here, but maybe it's just my territorial instincts kicking in. I know she fancies you, Harry."
"Well, I'll have to tell her that I'm yours for the foreseeable future."
"Aww. Well, if for no other reason, the Weasley family could only benefit from an immortal in the house. Be useful in a battle."
"True. So what do you say? Send Hedwig out, bring them all here, swear them to secrecy and get their answers?"
She grinned. "Make it so, Cap'n."
Harry wrote out a letter, taking his time. After some coaching from Eva, he had finally learned how to write decent letters, without making them into entire books. He ran down the list. Eva was already there with him, so he moved to the next entry.
Hermione,
I hope you're doing well this summer. Sorry I've been out of contact, but I've been moved from the Dursleys' house. I get the Prophet and the Quibbler every day from Moony or Moody, so I know (after a few grains of salt) what is going on in the Wizarding World. I haven't been able to persuade Moony to start passing me the Sun yet, but I'm trying. Also, I've had a rather interesting visitor. The result of that visit is one of the reason's I'm writing you. I hope you can come to Diagon Alley on the 16th of August and be at the Leaky Cauldron. Hopefully, Ron, Moony, Moody, Tonks, Luna, Neville, Hagrid, and Ginny will be there too. There's more- I've met someone, but I'll explain everything on the 16th. Please write me back telling me whether you can come or not. Don't bother trying to visit me- the flat is under the Fidelius.
Hope to see you soon,
-Harry
P.S. Hedwig will wait for a reply, but give her some bacon while she waits. Owls are people too, y'know.
Harry looked over the letter, and nodded, satisfied. Stuffing the letter in an envelope and charming it so only Hermione could open it (a spell he picked up from his research), he set it aside and grabbed a fresh sheet of paper.
Ron,
Sorry I've been out of contact, mate, but they moved me. I'm in Diagon Alley now, and I'm hoping you'll come on the 16th and be at the Leaky Cauldron. With any luck at all, Hermione, Moony, Tonks, Moody, Hagrid, Luna, Neville, and your little sister will be there too. However, I must ask that you leave everyone else behind. This is something that needs to stay close to the chest.
Hope to see you soon, mate.
-Harry
A quick check mark and spell later, Harry was reaching for a fresh sheet of paper.
Remus-
Harry stopped. "Why on earth do I need to write Remus OR Moody ? They'll be here every day!" He crumpled the paper and tossed it into the magical wastebasket, which cleaned all the ink off the paper, flattened it out, and fed it back into the desk. Getting another paper, Harry began again.
Tonks,
How you doing, Nymphadora? I'm doing well, myself….
A half hour later, Harry counted the addressed envelopes- only one left. He had deliberately left Ginny's for last.
Ginny-
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm doing fine, myself. I realize that you may think we have a future together, but I know it can't be, at least for the foreseeable future. Please, come to the Leaky Cauldron on the 16th with your brother, and among other things, we'll have a talk about that and I'll explain everything.
Hope to see you soon,
Harry
"Hm. That was easier than I expected." A few moments later, Hedwig was soaring out the window with a bundle of letters tied to her leg. She towards what Harry could only assume was Ottery St. Catchpole, wanting to make her biggest delivery first.
"How long do you figure for responses?"
"Well, I'd guess about an hour for Luna's and the Weasley's responses, maybe an hour after that for most of the rest- Neville, Tonks, Moody, and Remus should be relatively easy to find. Maybe twenty minutes after that for Hagrid to clear his schedule and write a response. I'd guess thirty seconds for Hermione's response."
"Right. And now we wait?"
"And now we wait."
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Hedwig fly back in through the window, a single letter tied to her leg. She was still carrying all the letters but the Weasley's.
"What happened, girl? You couldn't find Luna?" The owl gave an affronted snuffle. "Oh. She wasn't home. Well, thanks anyway, Hed." He gave her an owl treat, and after nipping at his finger affectionately, she was winging her way through the sky once again.
Harry ripped open the envelope, surprised to find three responses in the single envelope. "Hermione must be staying with the Weasleys…" He examined her letter first, setting aside the other two.
Harry,
You're in a lot of trouble, mister. I had hoped to hear from you before now, but I guess I can't control your writing tendencies. I'll definitely be at the Leaky Cauldron with Ron and Ginny on the 16th. I have to tell you- I've met someone too. We'll talk on the 16th. Until then, I do expect to hear from you again.
Hermione
Harry chuckled, handing the letter to Eva. She read through it quickly, laughing as she did. "I like this girl. Ron next?"
"Why not?"
Harry-
Good to hear from you, mate. Hermione's sore you haven't written before, but I understand…actually, I don't. I don't know what you're going through, but I hope I can help. See you on the 16th.
Ron
"Two down, one to go. So far, so good."
Harry,
I'm sorry to hear about you going off the market. However, I think it's only fair to tell you that while I did fancy you for a while, I know it wasn't meant to be. I'm not a total deranged fangirl, you know. While I'll always have a soft spot for you, that doesn't mean I can't respect whoever you're with (lucky girl). See you on the 16th.
-Ginny
"That went better than I expected, actually."
"What'd you expect?"
"A vaguely threatening letter demanding that I break up with whoever I was with and be with her."
"That would bring about a catfight of epic proportions."
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Hedwig soared back in, landing on the kitchen table and waiting patiently. Another bundle of letters was attached to her leg.
"Feel free to take a break, girl. No rush. Take a snooze and go whenever you're ready." She hooted appreciatively and hopped onto her perch, settling in for a rest as Harry opened the envelopes.
"We have Tonks and Hagrid in. They must have been at Hogwarts with Moody and Remus, because they say they'll come with Mad-Eye and Moony."
Eva checked the names off on the list she had made. "All that leaves is Neville and Luna."
"Good. Now, if we only knew where they were…"
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Harry's flat
Two days later
"Thanks, girl." Hedwig eyed the platter of bacon that was on the breakfast table and Harry pushed it towards her. "Go ahead. You've definitely earned it." She hooted and began to feed on the meat. "Neville and Luna must be together, they put their responses in the same envelope. Both are in."
"Then it's settled, then?"
"Yeah. Everyone's in. Now we just have to pass the time to the sixteenth."
Eva raised an eyebrow. "Like we'll have such a problem with that."
Harry grinned and reached over, smearing a bit of jam on Eva's nose. "I think I can come up with something to do."