Chapter 4. The Return
The next day passed in a blur for the pair, they ran around the Potter Estate in the morning, had long talks with Sirius and the portrait of James and Lily, went to Diagon Alley as they called the trip off the previous day, it was bustling with parents and children doing last minute shops. They had found a backpack that had an undetectable extension charm on it and stowed all their school gear in that so they would both have their hands free. They bought another one and loaded it full of emergency supplies and gear they might need if they got trapped in a location for an extended period of time, they then placed it inside the other.
The next day Harry and Ginny walked confidently hand in hand through the barrier of Platform 9 ¾ and made their way through, then around the outskirts of the bustling platform. They were still 10 minutes early but decided they could board now and get a compartment to themselves. As they proceeded around the platform toward the carriages, they passed the Weasley's, Harry adopted a dark look, and he felt Ginny's anger rising at the dirty look her Mother, Percy and Ron were giving her.
'Ignore them Gin, I love you and you are a Potter now.'
Ginny smiled at the thought. 'Thanks Harry, you always know what to say to make me Happy.'
They boarded the train and found a compartment near the back. Harry stowed their backpack above them, and sat. Ginny sat in his lap and kissed him gently. They deepened the kiss slightly before Ginny pulled away and said they'll continue that line of thought later. Ginny sat against the side of the compartment and watched the door, snuggled into Harry, while he was looking out the window. With all their training over the summer the two couldn't help but always think tactically, and watch carefully, keeping an eye out for threats.
As the train started left Kings Cross they relaxed slightly, then the compartment door clicked and slid open. Before the door started to open the two had their wands on the door. In the doorway stood a man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, a tattered robe, greying hair on the sides and scars across his face. Ginny noted, R. J. Lupin on the briefcase. 'It's the bloke Sirius and James spoke about Harry, Remus Lupin or Mooney. He looks tired'
"I'm sorry you two, I didn't mean to startle you, but you are very quick draws." Lupin said softly.
"Mooney, or Professor Lupin I should say, I'm James' son, this is Ginny." Harry said. 'Full moon must have been yesterday Gin, he looks like hell'
'Ahhh, I see now'
"Take a seat professor. Today must be a hard one for you to travel." Ginny said with a careful tone.
"Thank you. I'm assuming you must have been talking to a portrait of Lily and James then" Remus said a thoughtful on his face. As he shut the door and sat opposite.
"And Padfoot" Harry said with a smirk, and a gasp from Remus
"Harry you mustn't you have to know..." Remus started before he was cut off by Ginny raising a hand to him
"That he's innocent and that Wormtail is the real culprit." Ginny matter of factly
"Was I think you mean, and you must be mistaken… He died 12 years ago" Remus mused.
"Is, and didn't. He's on this very train in the hand of my Brother Ron Weasley. We need to capture him. We are currently getting Fudge in our pockets to allow us to free Sirius when we capture Pettigrew." Ginny finished.
"We should tell Dumbledore, hes..."
"As much of an enemy as Voldemort." Harry finished for him darkly causing Remus to flinch and audibly gulp. Remus looked into Harry's eyes after he said this and saw a brief flash of fury, as well as power, not just a little bit but boundless, endless amounts of power. Looking into Ginny's eyes he saw the same thing. Just like that Remus' opinion changed of Dumbledore, if these two incredibly powerful children could think so lowly of the supposed leader of the light. Then something serious must have gone wrong between them.
"I would like for you to explain that statement to me Harry, but I'm afraid I am in no state to pay too much attention at present." Remus said tiredly, yawning. "I can only surmise that this conversation would need my full attention. I know you understand my predicament." Harry nodded.
"If you need the Wolfsbane please come to us, we are more than capable. Besides, we don't trust Snape and hope he won't be around too long." Remus cocked an eye. "Later Mooney, get your rest" Remus nodded and laid back in the seat, shutting his eyes and falling asleep quickly, leaving Harry and Ginny as good as alone again.
Minutes later the door opened again revealing a flustered Hermione, and anxious Ron. Wands aimed at her she stood quietly. Harry didn't lower his as he looked at Ron who looked down to the floor. 'Shes clear Harry, she knows nothing of Ron's deception, although you should know she despises him, she's your friend not his.' Ginny reported through their bond, she had used Legilimency to check out where her loyalties lied.
Ginny then spoke aloud. "Ron, I'm not going to kill you for what you did to Harry." Ron looked toward Harry, he had been told to be careful and avoid angering Harry at all costs, but he really didn't care what his sister had to say "But that's not to say Harry wont, you kept us apart for nearly two years and almost got me killed. I don't want to see you around us except for in class."
"You can't kill me or tell me what to do, now shove off, I need to talk about something with Harry." Ron retorted arrogantly, which made Harry's fury swell, Ron always treated his sister like dirt, now he wasn't getting away with it anymore.
"She most certainly will not shove off you stupid prick." Harry said anger flashing in his eyes as he used Legilimency on him. "How about you take Dumbledore's advice and not piss me off, Leave, before I recant Ginny's offer of not killing you."
Ron looked fearful, how had Harry known, he wasn't in the room with him and Dumbledore when they had that discussion, he turned and stalked off.
"What's up Hermione?" Ginny asked with concern
"Just your stupid brother. Harry? Ginny? When did this happen? You two are together? What happened to you at the end of last year? You both just vanished. And I don't believe for a second what Ron says." She fired off rapidly.
Harry sighed and put his wand away and had his arms back around Ginny's waist holding her close. She rested her head back on his shoulder. "Hermione we want to tell you everything that happened, but we can't. You need to learn Occlumency. The art of protecting your mind. Snape and Dumbledore are both Legilimens, who can basically read your thoughts, and they both do it all the time. It's illegal but incredibly hard to prove." To prove his point he looked into her mind quickly and countered her next question. "Yes they may be in a position of authority, but they both have had an adverse effect on mine and Ginny's lives, Ginny and I are married by magic, that is all I can tell you for the moment."
The compartment became quiet after this and Harry appeared to have dozed off, Hermione knew it was stupid to be jealous of Ginny. The pair had been through so much, it was only right that the two would find each other. But they seemed so close, and somehow married and that was where her jealousy lay, she couldn't think about Harry like that. He was her best friend, a brother, and she had always liked Ginny but Ron and Harry tended to stay away from her. Now she knew why. Mentally shaking herself, she started chatting to Ginny about the year to come, chatting with excitement as Ginny seemed to know the material in the books, like herself.
After a while the pair had run out of things to talk about and Ginny had joined Harry, leaning into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes, while Hermione had absorbed herself in a book. Neville and the twins had came in quietly, Harry and Ginny had their wands ready but had relaxed enough to realize that no threat came. They sat crowded in the compartment talking quietly trying not to disturb the professor, the twins left again shortly after confirming Ginny had not indeed been in the Mind Healing ward of St. Mungo's.
About an hour later the train began to slow, the four in the compartment thought it odd. The train ride should have taken about 2 hours longer. The lights in the carriage went out and as the train stopped a cold washed over all of them. Ginny stood, recognizing the threat for what Sirius and the Flamels had said it to be from their experiences, Harry stood beside her. Both had one of their wands drawn, the other hand itching for the other. Ginny stood to the side of the compartment door, which had its curtains drawn for more privacy. She opened the door with a snap, she nodded to Harry and he jumped and rolled out into the corridor pointing his wand up in the opposite direction she had cleared. Ginny facing the other way, moving to cover his back.
They stood like that for a moment before Ginny saw it. One lone Dementor making its way up the corridor. They felt its effects wash over them, but were more protected in their battle robes. Waiting until it was a few meters from them, Harry turned side along Ginny. They realized they had observers now, not just Lupin, Hermione, and Neville, but others poking their heads out of their compartments to look on in fear.
'On three, fire Patronus'. I'll be thinking of you Gin. You are always my happy thought' that admission was enough for Ginny to cast the spell a hundred times over. Ginny's happiness, affected Harry too, and Harry knowing he made Ginny happy added to that, which in turn was sent back to Ginny, they barely felt the Dementor.
'One, Two, Three!' Harry said and they muttered the spell they had learned from the Flamels.
"Ignis Patronum" They murmured not wanting anyone to hear, this wasn't a spell that they could cast silently.
Two fire enveloped wolves leapt forward. Ginny's was black with green eyes, Harry's red with brown. They charged the Dementor and it shrieked an ungodly wail as the wolves bit into it, tearing it to shreds with their teeth, it too burst into flame and appeared to melt under the assault of the wolves who tackled it and had ripped it to shreds within seconds.
Harry and Ginny flicked their wands up and the wolves extinguished for a moment and then vanished. Murmuring erupted around the train.
Lupin was in shock, never having seen a Dementor destroyed, let alone seen the power that was required to cast a spell like that come so easily from someone. What shocked him most, was that this was a pair of third graders, who seemed wholly unaffected by the entire situation. Overcoming his shock he muttered something about seeing the driver before dismissing himself.
Hermione also looked utterly shocked. Neville was in awe.
Harry and Ginny sat back down like nothing had happened. "Well it's good to know that spell works Gin"
"WHAT!" Hermione shrieked causing the other three to wince. "YOU DIDNT KNOW IT WOULD WORK!" she continued
"Hermione, calm down." Ginny said. "It worked out fine." Then turning to Harry "I think we may have worried her a little love" she said laughing now.
Harry smiled at her and kissed her lightly on the cheek as she scooted onto his lap. Harry leaned in to kiss her softly again and leaned back with a contented sigh. Closing his eyes. Ginny leaned back onto his chest and shut hers.
Hermione was utterly stunned. Something big must have happened over the holidays she thought. Now spurred on by that image of pure power. "Wait," She said quietly. "Neither of you had any idea it would work at the time, you aren't even worn out from it and it must be a highly advanced spell, are you saying you performed a spell that must be well beyond NEWTS levels that easily?"
Harry didn't open his eyes, he just nodded in response. Hermione just sat there in shock, and wonder. What had the pair become? They said they would tell her when she learned Occlumency, and that is what she would do.
Some hours later, the four were in the Great Hall having just witnessed the first years being sorted and were awaiting the food. "Let the feast begin!" shouted a standing Dumbledore, as he sat, eyes twinkling in the direction of Harry and Ginny. Harry noticed this and grew suspicious. 'Gin don't do anything yet' Harry cast a revealing charm he had learned, looking for potions and poisons. His and Ginny's Goblets glowed blue, but only he could see. Harry turned his Goblet upside down and ignored the Pumpkin Juice. Ginny tipped hers upside down, and they both looked up at their Headmaster with dark looks. He paled slightly, the twinkling subsided. None of this was lost on Professor McGonagall, she watched the situation intently, as did Snape who merely looked angry as always.
After the feast had ended Dumbledore stood looking around the Hall, calling for silence. "To our new students, welcome. To our returning students, welcome back. Now that you are all full, I have a couple of announcements to make.
"Firstly, and most importantly, courtesy of the Ministry of Magic we are currently host to Dementors. These are the guards to the Azkaban prison and shall remain, until the capture of the wanted criminal, Sirius Black. They do not understand begging or pleading, and they do not give any quarter, so do not give them any reason to seek you out. Also a warning, the forbidden forest is exactly that, Forbidden. Some older students should also take note. There have been banned items added to the list outside of Mr. Filches office, you should check this list at your earliest convenience.
"I would like to welcome the newest member of staff taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Remus Lupin." Dumbledore stated gesturing to a now waving Remus. "We should all with him luck with his post." Snape looked livid, Harry noted, but he wouldn't have the opportunity to do anything untoward to Remus, Harry was going to make sure of that. He and Ginny had some planning to do with how to take care of the Potions Professor they had uncovered as a serial Rapist, along with Fudge, Malfoy and others.
"I would also like to announce that Professor Kettleburn has retired from his post of Care of Magical creatures, to spend time with his remaining limbs. In his place will be none other than Professor Rubeus Hagrid" another polite applause filled the Great Hall as it did with Remus.
"Now, it is time for you to retire to your Dormitories, good evening, Prefects! If you please." Dumbledore finished.
"We have to be careful, Gin" Harry said. Hermione just looked at him questioningly.
Professor McGonagall approached them before Hermione could launch into question. "Mr. and Mrs. Potter, if you could please come with me I wish to speak with you in my office." Harry and Ginny nodded, ignoring looks from all around them as they followed the Professor's lead. They had been receiving looks all evening as word had spread about their antics on the train and also the now very close relationship between them, many must have assumed they were dating.
Nicholas was waiting for them, as they entered Professor McGonagall's office. "Harry, Ginny, it is lovely to see you. I trust you haven't slacked off with your training." The pair shook their heads with evil smirks, Nicholas matched theirs. "Well we shall see next summer wont we, Perenelle and I shall train to get ahead. On to why I'm here. I do not believe we can have you stay in even the Gryffindor tower, Dumbledore will most certainly try something..."
"If indeed he already has not, Harry, Ginny I noticed you turn your Goblets over at dinner?" Minerva said questioningly.
"Something foreign coated the Goblets, I didn't check what it was. Some form of potion prepared by Snape to make our minds more susceptible, I would think." Said Harry with a studious look on his face.
"I am truly appalled you have to check your own food for evidence of tampering, I will have a word with him. If he does it again we will get the Ministry involved."
"Thank you Minerva," Nicholas said before continuing. "On to where you can sleep, I have done some research and Godric Gryffindor had his own personal quarters up near the Gryffindor tower, it requires the blood payment of an Heir for entry. Harry if you concede we will come with you to inspect this and ensure it is inhabitable and Dumbledore cannot gain entry."
"That sounds fantastic" Harry smiled, looking at Ginny who was excited at the thought of their own private quarters.
The four were standing where Nicholas had led them, it was an alcove just off to the side of the Gryffindor Tower entrance. Harry slit his hand with his wand and waved the bloodied hand through the Brazier. A door appeared and he entered after healing the wound.
Nicholas and Minerva stood in shock as Harry opened the wall to reveal there had indeed been a door there they couldn't see. They followed him inside. Nicholas waved his wand around muttering, before they all jumped at the sound of a voice foreign to them.
"Good Evening friends, welcome to my humble abode. I see an Heir of mine has entered. Splendid" A portrait of Godric Gryffindor said to them.
"Sir, I am Harry Potter, the last Heir in the line of Gryffindor, this is my wife via soul-bond Ginevra Potter, Nicholas Flamel, one of our mentors and Minerva McGonagall our head of house. It's wonderful to meet you."
"Lovely to meet all of you. Seeing the way Nicholas here was waving his wand about, you are worried about people entering against your will?" They all nodded to him. "No one can enter without the permission of the Heir, or his bond-mate."
This news from Godric relaxed them all. "Mr. Gryffindor, as head of house, I at the very least am required to enter in case of emergencies or if I am required to check up on them, we however wish the Headmaster to not gain access at all. Is this possible?" Minerva asked worriedly, still not convinced the Headmaster himself could be kept out.
"You will find, Minerva, that you are able to access the room now, also you can floo it by calling Godric's Study into any faculty floo, however only you can access it as only you can see it. As I said, no one Harry or Ginny here wishes not to gain entry shall not, and seeing as I wrote the school charter, I should inform you as long as the Head of House can access the students quarters, the needs of the Headmaster are met. The Headmaster does not and should not involve himself in the day-to-day lives of the students. That is the role the Head of House plays. You can actually oversee and overrule him on decisions involving particular students, or with the support of a majority of the faculty staff, you can override decisions affecting the student body too." Godric's portrait informed her in a serious tone.
"Very well, thank you for that Godric. I intend to use that power to its utmost potential. Albus has become unhealthily involved in the lives of these two" Professor McGonagall nodded at the two, now annoyed at the Headmaster. "Am I to assume, Ginny that you wish to be addressed formally as Mrs. Potter? I apologize for my slip up previously."
"To be honest Professor, we don't mind if it got out. It may cause us some issues at present, but in the long run people have no choice but to accept it." Ginny said thoughtfully. "Also if Dumbledore has any plans for us if we try to hide it, it will take the wind out of his sails. I think we need to be upfront. Harry and I are husband and wife, we are emancipated, and under no one's control."
"Very well Mr. and Mrs. Potter. I shall follow your wishes." The Professor Finished with a smirk. "My you two remind me so much of your parents, Harry." Then a thought occurred to the stern witch. "Godric, Harry, Ginny, do you mind at all if I occasionally floo into this room to seek council from yourself Godric? It would be good to have such an advisor as the founder of the school. Especially where Albus has been utterly devious of late."
"If Godric doesn't mind, Ginny and I have no issue with it." Harry replied for him and a nodding Ginny.
"Of course Minerva" Godric replied, "It sounds like Albus needs to be taken down a few pegs, I will help you to do so."
"Thank you. Well I should retire to my quarters, please don't stay up too late, your first day is one of the most trying." The Professor said before heading into the fireplace and floo-ing to her quarters.
"Harry, Ginny, I don't need to tell you to be careful. Dementors, Dumbledore and Sirius Black..." Nicholas said.
"Black is innocent, it's Pettigrew we need to be worried about" Ginny said darkly.
"Ahh so he is alive then. I trust Black is in safe keeping?" Harry and Ginny nodded in response. "Excellent, well regardless take care, be subtle, and be the best. You are very powerful, but do not let that go to your heads. Word has already spread of your incident on the train. Thankfully not many believe it, nevertheless pay no heed to rumors and treat every situation like warfare, you two are excellent, and damn near undefeatable when working together." He finished with a smile and hugged the pair of them before wishing them the best and leaving the room.
Harry and Ginny looked around the study, it could only be described as a large apartment. There was a large bedroom with a king-sized four poster, en-suite and walk in robe, in the main room was a fireplace below Godric's portrait on the left wall, on the back wall there was a large spanning bookshelf, with a large desk in front of it. In front of the fireplace in the middle of the room was a large red shaggy rug with a love-seat and couch. It was coloured in the house colours of Red and Gold. Off to the side of the main room next to the bedroom was a kitchen and large bathroom.
The pair left the quarters and went into the Gryffindor common room to talk to Hermione before bed. Hermione was on the couch in front of the Fireplace waiting for them with the Twins and Neville.
"Rumours are circulating about you dearest sister." Fred said loudly from across the room.
"Stop" Harry said forcefully. Others in the common room were whispering and watching expectantly but as Harry looked they all were quickly involved in their own activities. Then lowering his voice to a whisper he spoke in an angry tone. "I don't care what it is, never shout anything about us aloud, we don't know who is listening and who will report to who. If you really want to know about us, you need to learn Occlumency, then we will tell you ourselves and in private, until then, shut up." His unobstructed eyes glowing an angry green.
"Woah, easy there Harry. We just noticed that Professor McGonagall called Ginny Mrs. Potter, we thought she was teasing her" George said quietly.
Ginny spoke angrily next. "Well she wasn't so you'd better get used to it." Ginny was angry too, after 10 years of seclusion and training they found really didn't like people talking about them aloud. They enjoyed subtlety and anonymity, but now thrust back into the limelight at Hogwarts with children who knew nothing of combat, warfare or even quiet, annoyed them and they quickly found themselves on edge.
The twins nodded, looking at the pair in wonder, but resigning themselves to the fact that they would have to learn Occlumency in order to get any more from them. They found themselves slightly scared, Ginny and Harry were now intense people and almost sounded dangerous. They really wanted to know what had happened to their sister at the end of last year and over the summer.
Hermione stood after some light chatter, "Well I'm going to bed, you coming Ginny?" Hermione asked looking expectantly at Ginny who shook her head resulting in a shocked and then disapproving look on Hermione.
"Don't give me that look Hermione," Ginny said reprovingly shocking Hermione further. "We have our own quarters being married and all, and after our second year, I don't trust the Headmaster not to try anything, or did you not notice Harry and I didn't drink anything from our goblets tonight." Ginny finished in an annoyed tone. Hermione had indeed noticed, that the two had turned their goblets upside down. She nodded.
"I thought it was in some form of protest, what happened?"
"They were laced with a potion. I don't know what it was, but I wasn't taking any chances." Harry said to Hermione with an intense look in his eyes. The twins sat there listening and watching. Harry was serious. He then stood and Ginny followed, "We are heading off to our quarters now anyway. Goodnight, we will see you at breakfast, I will bring books on Occlumency for you if you wish" Harry said as Ginny took his hand, the other three nodded, and the pair left the common room, all eyes on them. No one had heard the exchange between Hermione and them.
Harry and Ginny awoke the next morning at 5.30, well rested and Shadow Stepped to Potter Manor. They trained all morning, Running around the estate, training with muggle weights and dueling some of the training dummies in weighted clothing to slow themselves down. They had set up a training room at Potter Manor and it was fully equipped with all the gear they could need to train, they had been given some training dummies from Nicholas to keep them in top form until the next summer.
At midday a thoroughly tired Harry and Ginny used their Robe's time-turning ability and re-appeared at midnight the night previous. They quickly showered and went to bed, sleeping until 7am. Getting dressed they Shadow Stepped back to Hogwarts and went down to breakfast. The pair got looks from all of the houses as they entered hand in hand, girls looking on with anger and jealousy, boys looking on in anger and confusion. This was not lost on Harry either, but he didn't see any of them fit to return glances.
'I love you, Gin, none of those jealous things could hold a candle to you, ever.'
'And those boys don't interest me in the slightest Harry, you are mine and all I ever have wanted'
Harry pulled her closer and slinked an arm around her waist. As they sat down Harry kissed her on the top of the head before taking his seat, this drew even more jealous looks as Ginny giggled, she knew he was doing that for her, but said nothing.
The twins sat down across from them expectantly, Neville sat next to Harry, Harry handed them all a shrunken book each and looked them in the eye. "Neville, I want you to learn this too, I consider you a good friend, even if we haven't had as much time getting to know one another as we would like"
"Thanks Harry, I noticed your bed was gone and you weren't in the dorm last night, Ron looked furious. Is it true about you two then?" Neville asked quietly and Harry nodded, then looked to the twins.
"See you two. Subtlety." Harry said and the twins nodded, rebuked.
"Harry, I looked it up last night, the age of consent for marriage is 14... "Hermione said, Harry had expected something along these lines from her, he cut her off.
"About that guys, we decided we can tell you this without any real damage." Harry started, looking at the twins. "Fred, George, how do you think your mother wasn't able to make Ginny come home over the summer?"
"You're too strong?..."
"Too quick?…"
"Too threatening?..."
"Too spunky..."
"Too well groomed?"
"No look at his hair"
"Those robes though, Forge?"
"Yes Gred, they're spiffing"
Harry raised his hand, hoping to draw attention away from the battle robes both he and Ginny had forgotten to change them into school robes. He reckoned the twins could go on for hours if he let them. "Hermione? Neville? Any ideas?" They both shook their heads. "Well if that's the case, then let me introduce you to someone very special to me. My soul-mate, married to me by soul-bond Mrs. Ginevra Potter." They all gaped at them.
"See, there is always another way Hermione, but this was unintentional" Ginny said smiling at the stunned witch. "Harry and I being Soul Bound, means we were always destined to be together. We don't know much else other than we are emancipated, and bound by Magic and Soul." Ginny finished, not wanting to tell them about their ability to speak through their minds to each other, sharing feelings, and not to mention their massively increased powers, mostly due to their training, but assisted by the soul-bond.
"Wow" Hermione said, Neville adopted a thoughtful look nodding, and then shrugged his shoulders looking nonplussed. The twins were amused.
"Congratulations are in order little sister!"
"We are so proud…"
"No wonder mother dearest was in a right tizzy"
"We think she's planning on getting a job"
"Now that her meal ticket has expired"
The group laughed, the thought still stung a little to Ginny, but the twins always seemed to make light of a sore situation.
Breakfast after that was an uneventful affair. Professor McGonagall handed their timetables out to them and asked to speak to Hermione in private. After a moment with the Professor she came back with a large grin on her face, the others figured if it was necessary she would tell them.
After Breakfast Harry and Ginny had ducked off in an alcove and had the Robes change too look like the school ones, ducking back out before anyone noticed they'd gone.
Harry, Ginny and Hermione had Arithmancy first. By the end of the lesson all the students were talking about was measuring their raw power levels. Harry and Ginny were worried.
'I wonder if, powering down ourselves like normal will work.' Ginny thought to Harry.
'Yeah, maybe if we exhaust our magical cores with some serious spell-work that morning, we can drain ourselves enough to lower our power further.' Harry thought as they made their way to Lupin's DADA class.
'Well we may as well try it.' Ginny thought before she spoke aloud. "So Lupin, he should be a massive improvement over Lockhart, eh love?"
"God yes, maybe he won't make us read about stories he stole from witches and wizards he Obliviated" Harry laughed, with Ginny giggling alongside him. Hermione who was right beside them a moment ago was now several strides behind them.
Thinking Hermione must have stopped to tie her shoe, they entered the classroom as a group. Ron was now glaring at Harry, who ignored him. Ginny was slightly annoyed with Ron's attitude.
"Wands out, books away class. Today we are going on a little field trip" Lupin said as he stood in the doorway motioning for the class to follow.
The class led by Professor Lupin made their way to the staff room where Snape sat, with a sneer on his face, looking at the class. As Professor Lupin came in and made to close the door behind him, Snape said, "Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this." He got to his feet and strode past the class, his black robes billowing behind him. At the doorway he turned on his heel and said, "Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear." Neville went scarlet. Harry glared at Snape. It was bad enough that he bullied Neville in his own classes, let alone doing it in front of other teachers. Professor Lupin had raised his eyebrows.
"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," he said, "and I am sure he will perform it admirably." Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. Snape's lip curled, but he left, shutting the door with a snap. "Now, then," said Professor Lupin, beckoning the class toward the end of the room, where there was nothing but an old wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes.
As Professor Lupin went to stand next to it, the wardrobe gave a sudden wobble, banging off the wall. "Nothing to worry about," said Professor Lupin calmly because a few people had jumped backward in alarm. "There's a Boggart in there." Most people seemed to feel that this was something to worry about.
Neville gave Professor Lupin a look of pure terror, and Seamus Finnigan eyed the now rattling doorknob apprehensively. "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," said Professor Lupin. "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks, I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice.
"So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?"
Hermione put up her hand. "It's a shape-shifter," she said. "It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," said Professor Lupin, and Hermione glowed. "So the Boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears. "This means," said Professor Lupin, choosing to ignore Neville's 'mall sputter of terror, "that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?"
Trying to answer a question with Hermione next to him, bobbing up and down on the balls of her feet with her hand in the air, was very off-putting, but Harry answered anyway. "Because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be."
"Precisely," said Professor Lupin, and Hermione put her hand down, looking a little disappointed. "It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused. Which should he become, a headless corpse or a flesh-eating slug? I once saw a Boggart make that very mistake - tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself into half a slug. Not remotely frightening.
"The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. "We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, please ... Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" said the class together.
"Good," said Professor Lupin. "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville." The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Neville, who walked forward as though he were heading for the gallows. "Right, Neville," said Professor Lupin. "First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?" Neville's lips moved, but no noise came out. "didn't catch that, Neville, sorry," said Professor Lupin cheerfully.
Neville looked around rather wildly, as though begging someone to help him, then said, in barely more than a whisper, "Professor Snape." Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned apologetically. Professor Lupin, however, looked thoughtful.
"Professor Snape... hmmm... Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"
"Er - yes," said Neville nervously. "But - I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."
"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Professor Lupin, now smiling. "I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"
Neville looked startled, but said, "Well... always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dress... green, normally... and sometimes a fox-fur scarf."
"And a handbag?" prompted Professor Lupin.
"A big red one," said Neville.
"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"
"Yes," said Neville uncertainty, plainly wondering what was coming next.
"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees You, it will assume the form of Professor Snape," said Lupin. "And You will raise your wand - thus - and cry 'Riddikulus' - and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag." There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently. "If Neville is successful, the Boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn," said Professor Lupin. "I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical..." The room went quiet.
Harry thought... 'What scared him most in the world? His first thought was Lord Voldemort - a Voldemort returned to full strength. But before he had even started to plan a possible counterattack on a Boggart-Voldemort, a horrible image came floating to the surface of his mind... He looked to the beautiful redhead beside him and shuddered. It was obvious to him now. A world without Ginny would be one he couldn't live in, that was easily what he feared most.
Ron was muttering to himself, "Take it's legs off…" Harry was sure he knew what that was about. Ron's greatest fear was spiders.
"Everyone ready?" said Professor Lupin. Harry felt a lurch of fear. He wasn't ready. How could you make your wife dying less frightening? But he didn't want to ask for more time; everyone else was nodding and rolling up their sleeves.
"Neville, we're going to back away," said Professor Lupin. "Let you have a clear field, all right? I'll call the next person forward... Everyone back, now, so Neville can get a clear shot -" They all retreated, backed against the walls, leaving Neville alone beside the wardrobe.
He looked pale and frightened, but he had pushed up the sleeves of his robes and was holding his wand ready. "On the count of three, Neville," said Professor Lupin, who was pointing his own wand at the handle of the wardrobe. "One two - three - now!" A jet of sparks shot from the end of Professor Lupin's wand and hit the doorknob.
The wardrobe burst open. Hook-nosed and menacing, Professor Snape stepped out, his eyes flashing at Neville. Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes. "R - r - Riddikulus! "squeaked Neville. There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag.
There was a roar of laughter; the Boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, "Parvati! Forward!"
Parvati walked forward, her face set. Snape rounded on her. There was another crack, and where he had stood was a bloodstained, bandaged mummy; it's sightless face was turned to Parvati and it began to walk toward her very slowly, dragging it's feet, it's stiff arms rising - "Riddikulus!" cried Parvati. A bandage unraveled at the mummy's feet; it became entangled, fell face forward, and it's head rolled off.
"Seamus!" roared Professor Lupin. Seamus darted past Parvati.
Crack!
Where the mummy had been was a woman with floor length black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face - a banshee. She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on Harry's head stand on end - 'Riddikulus!" shouted Seamus. The banshee made a rasping noise and clutched her throat; her voice was gone.
Crack!
The banshee turned into a rat, which chased it's tail in a circle, then – crack!- became a rattlesnake, which slithered and writhed before - crack! - becoming a single, bloody eyeball. 'It's confused!" shouted Lupin.
"We're getting there! Dean!" Dean hurried forward.
Crack!
The eyeball became a severed hand, which flipped over and began to creep along the floor like a crab. "Riddikulus!" yelled Dean. 'There was a snap, and the hand was trapped in a mousetrap.
"Excellent! Ron, you next!"
Ron leapt forward.
Crack!
Quite a few people screamed. A giant spider, six feet tall and covered in hair, was advancing on Ron, clicking it's pincers menacingly. For a moment, Harry thought Ron had frozen. Then - "Riddikulus!" bellowed Ron, and the spider's legs vanished; it rolled over and over; Lavender Brown squealed and ran out of it's way and it came to a halt at Ginny's feet. She raised her wand,
Crack!
In front of her was Harry, with who she to be a 16 year old Tom Riddle. Shock and fear took over Ginny. Boggart-Harry was then stabbed in the neck with a Basilisk Fang, bleeding profusely he dropped to his knees, pleading with Ginny to help him before he fell forward in a puddle of his blood. Riddle cackling maniacally.
Girls around the classroom screamed, as Ginny had tears down her face. Lupin stood there in shock as he watched Ginny.
Hermione gasped, sparks were crackling off of a now furious, tear stained Ginny as her wand tip was glowing golden, "Obliterate" she growled angrily as she released a thick golden magical beam, which was as thick as the cupboard itself.
The golden beam enveloped the Boggart and cupboard blowing through the wall behind it leaving a gaping hole as the beam vanished. There was nothing left of the Boggart. Lupin and his class stood there in shock, Ginny had just taken out the Boggart and a large portion of wall with it. They looked down and saw cracks had spider-webbed out from around her, reaching the walls.
"I… I think that will do for today class. No homework" Lupin said, still in shock. "Harry and Ginny, would you be so kind as to accompany to my office?" he finished, composing himself. Harry nodded, and reached out to Ginny and pulled her close and stroking her hair softly.
They made their way back to the Defense Against the Dark arts classroom in silence, following Lupin, who led them in and offered them both seats in front of his desk, before he made a floo call to Professor McGonagall, Harry sat and Ginny took his lap as her seat, not looking up but resting her head on his chest.
'You okay Gin?'
'Yeah… I… I just… I can't lose you Harry.'
'I know Gin, and you won't'
Ginny held him tighter at this thought, sniffling into his robes, not wanting to be parted from him, in any way. Harry encircled her with his arms, his sentiments matching hers. He was sending calming thoughts, and trying to focus on his love for her to help her recover.
"You two both continue to surprise me to no end." Lupin started, startling Harry slightly, who had not noticed him sit at his desk. "Killing a Dementor on the train, with what could only be described as a modified Patronus, and Obliterating a Boggart with nothing but a beam of magical energy, not to mention the room was severely damaged around you, that curious energy surrounding you. I can only surmise that that was the true extent of your power Ginny, Harry is yours the same?"
Harry shook his head, he then cast a privacy charm around the room, "Wizards vow." was all he said, Lupin nodded knowing that this must indeed be serious, once completed Harry then explained "That was a small portion, if Ginny released the true extent of her power, I would be the only one still alive from that room." leaving Lupin with his mouth hanging.
"How?" Lupin barely got out.
"Lots of sit-ups and plenty of Juice, sir" Harry said with a smirk
"Training? You train to become this powerful?" Harry nodded at this, causing Lupin to sit back in his chair, even more stunned. "What was that spell?"
"It is simply called Obliterate, it will destroy almost anything in its path, in the wrong hands that spell can do some serious damage." Harry concluded
"I shouldn't have done that, but I saw red when Harry died… and I just acted." Ginny said softly into Harry's shirt.
"If it's true, and that is just a sample of both your powers, you did no real damage allowing that little slip." Said a curious Lupin. "But you do need to be careful."
"Yeah, I understand, sir. I will do my best to not let it happen again."
They fell into normal conversation with the Professor, Harry knew they would eventually take him to Potter Manor to see Sirius and his Parents, but that would have to wait until he could know for sure, he needed to know Lupin was 100% trustworthy, even with the word from Sirius and his parents, he still wanted to be sure himself. If Lupin was an informant to Dumbledore, he could get them into some serious trouble. With the Wizards Vow in place, they could tell him some things but it could be broken.
Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were standing in the Battle-Zone that was their staff room. The floor was cracked like broken glass and portions of it were covered in soot and ash, the ceiling was scorched and they had a new window. "How did she acquire such power, is Harry just as strong?" Dumbledore mused aloud, having been in the Head of House's office at the time of the floo call, he had heard everything.
"That is neither here nor there Albus, and you shall refrain from following up on that with the students in question, that role is for the Head of their House, which just so happens to be me." McGonagall snapped at him. "And no, you may not be present, you have destroyed over a year of their lives, I shall not allow you to damage anymore."
Dumbledore was taken aback, Minerva seemed to be informing herself of the school charter, this was a worry he thought to himself, as he flicked his wand, repairing the damage done to the room in moments. He would find another way to re-enter Harry's life, it needed to happen. His thoughts remained on the now Ginevra Potter, but he failed to see how she could be a part of his plans. She would slow Harry down. He needed to separate them, for now time was his ally and he would use it willingly. He finished his thought, as he watched Minerva stride off to no doubt see her charges.
Harry and Ginny were seated with Professor Lupin, eating a light lunch, care of Milly, before their next class. Professor McGonagall knocked and entered the room slowly.
"Good Afternoon you three, Remus, is there any need to speak with these two further about what happened? It sounds straight forward to me" McGonagall asked. To which Remus shook his head. "Well then, Mrs. Potter, 10 points to Gryffindor for the impressive destruction of the staff room, I have no doubt would have been a marvelous show" She chuckled at this, Harry, Ginny and even Remus were in shock.
"Well, you two, if you are indeed finished your lunch then I believe you to be in my class next? If so we can walk down together." The two nodded and made to stand, looking back to a yet again stunned Remus Lupin.
"Wait… Mrs. Potter? You two are Married?" He asked incredulously. "I find myself again asking how?"
"Later Professor, I will explain everything soon." Harry said, bidding farewell to the teacher. During his conversation, Harry had sensed no deception from him, the man's trust toward Dumbledore was now fragile at best. He would take Remus to Potter Manor that weekend, and shatter that trust completely.
Harry and Ginny entered the Transfiguration classroom following their Head of House. Stares and muttering filled the room before they entered, now there was silence, and fear mingled with uncertainty. Harry and Ginny sat at the back of the room with Hermione and Neville. The double line of transfiguration class continued with sneaky looks at Harry and Ginny who were sitting close holding hands until the Professor asked a question.
"What is the matter with the lot of you?" She asked the class. And Neville spoke up.
"Professor Trelawny predicted the death of Harry today in divination, which kind of came true" Neville said thoughtfully. Shocked looks were found around the room.
"Yes well please do not take stock in anything the she says about a member of the student body dying. She makes that prediction every year, for a different student for effect." Professor McGonagall said. "Now who can tell me what the difference between an Animagus and a Human to Animal Transfiguration is."
Hermione's hand shot up, bouncing in her seat. Ginny also raised her hand more tentatively.
"Mrs. Potter?" McGonagall said with a smirk at Ginny. The class looked around gasping and muttering loudly in shock. "Silence all of you".
Ginny smirked, trust McGonagall to get the students minds off the topic of Harry's death and her destroying a Boggart, with the topic of their Marriage. She was also enjoying all the jealous looks around her. "Professor, the Animagus is a wandless transformation, where the Witch or Wizard can only take one animal transformation. They also keep control of their own mind and are not ruled by the instincts of the animal. The Human to Animal transfiguration differs from this with the Human being more susceptible to the Animal instinct and the animal can be changed depending on the will of the wand user." She finished, smirk still there.
"Excellent, 25 points to Gryffindor Mrs. Potter, that is completely correct and I cannot expand on that any further." The witch gushed at Ginny. "Are there any questions?"
An angry Parvati spoke up. "How the hell did you trick Harry into marrying you and why are we finding out just now?" The girl demanded, seeming to believe that she had a reason to know why.
"Detention Miss Patil, This evening at eight" McGonagall snapped. "That is not your business and you shall not approach them about it or you will receive detention for the month. That goes for all of you, do I make myself clear?"
The class nodded back.
Harry knew the point was moot. They school would ask Hermione, Neville and the twins who would keep the secret, however there was another they would ask who would relish in the attention and knew about the soul-bond, from being in the room with Nicholas when he told Dumbledore. Ronald Weasley.
At dinner this seemed to ring true, Ron was surrounded by people whom he had never said more than hello to who seemed enthralled in the conversation they were having, stealing glances at Harry and Ginny whenever they could.
'Don't worry yourself with him Gin, he's hardly a threat, and all this is just pathetic'
'I know Harry, I just can't wait till it all blows over.'
"So Potter," Drawled the voice of Draco Malfoy from behind him "You couldn't get more publicity, so you went and bought yourself a Weasley wife. We of course were going to buy her for a toy, but we didn't want the smell"
Harry turned and looked Draco in the eyes, using Legilimency, he read into his unprotected mind. Draco knew everything his father had done, both during the War and after, the sins of the Father had indeed passed to the son. That annoyed Harry far more than his words.
"Malfoy, your words are meaningless, you pure-blood fools being inbred like you are, makes you as weak as squibs. What really annoys me is that you follow your father, through his mistakes and will walk right into the same doom as him." Harry said quietly.
"You know nothing Potter" Malfoy spat, "You will meet the same end as your parents, as my father says, the Dark Lord will return and he will kill you all."
"I like how the only threat you fools have is that the Dark Wanker will kill us. Do your research Malfoy. He was the Son of an inbred squib and a Muggle. Barely considered a Half-Blood. His name was Tom Marvolo Riddle. I AM LORD VOLDEMORT is the anagram of his name. You pure-bloods are pathetic, weak and will be squashed like the bugs you are." Harry said quietly, Snape then made his way over.
"What could you possibly want with one of my house Potter?" Snape sneered at him. Seeing McGonagall walk up behind Snape, Harry decided to answer as he wanted.
"Well Sir, seeing as Mr. Malfoy here was the one to come and interrupt my dinner, I believe that question should be directed at him." Harry said showing appropriate respect, even through his raging fury at the Death Eater scum, enhanced by Tom's hatred of the man, and all Death Eaters.
"Why you insolent... Detention Potter, tonight. We will see how..." Snape was then cut off by an angry McGonagall
"Well then Severus, seeing as I heard this entire confrontation, we will take this up with the board of Governors. Mr. Potter here was correct and respectful toward you." McGonagall said with obvious disdain toward the man.
"Very well, I recant the detention." Snape said, before he was about to walk away he looked Harry in the eye, Harry felt a pressure in his head, at this he struck back, full forced. He made his way AROUND Snape's shields. The man being an accomplished Occlumens was shocked as he saw his life's memories flash before his eyes. Harry now knew everything.
"Thought so" Harry whispered to the man and smiled, but it was one of anger and power in his eyes. Snape paled, turned and walked away.
"Mr. Malfoy, I had better not see you in the vicinity of Mr. or Mrs. Potter again as I know the relationship between you is less than amicable." McGonagall said sternly
"You'll get yours Potter." Malfoy said before turning.
"And that will be a week's detention for threatening another student. If you do not leave now, it will become an in school suspension, we are no longer tolerating bullying, and the punishments are indeed harsh." McGonagall said with unchecked anger toward the boy who quickly left scowling. The Professor nodded to Harry and Ginny and then left. The pair enjoyed the rest of their meal in peace, ignoring the strange looks they were getting from all around.
The pair enjoyed another good sleep in each other's arms that night, followed by another mornings training followed by more sleep. They were well rested and feeling powerful the next morning when they found themselves in Potions under the mental onslaught of Snape who was breaking a sweat trying to break through the mental barriers of a smirking Harry and Ginny. He had been staring at the pair for half of the lesson. Only giving his usual vague instruction before beginning the lesson.
Harry and Ginny were taking turns looking up at him, taking on his Legilimency with their Occlumency. "POTTERS! DETENTION" he suddenly shouted. Storming out of the room into his office massaging his temples.
Harry walked into Snape's office, fearless and confident. "Potter get out!" Harry shut the door behind him, walked over to Snape calmly and grabbed him by the throat, he picked him up with one hand, and slammed him onto his own desk, using the power the Robes and enhancing his strength with his own magic.
"You better listen to me when I say this, scum. Attack me all you want. Attack my wife again, and I will tear you apart you Death Eater rapist fuck" Harry spat very quietly. "If you or your mini Death Eaters so much as lay a hand on her you will be splattered across the great hall."
Snape barely heard it, he had his wand in hand now. "CRUCIO!" Snape yelled. The curse hit Harry, he felt the pain and gritted his teeth, but he let his power bleed off around him, dissipating the pain. The room was now crackling, sparks arcing off his skin. Harry's eyes now glowed and Snape paled, he crushed the professor's throat, Snape dropped his wand and was using both hands to grasp at Harry's arm.
"Blink once if you understand me" Harry said silently and calmly. Snape stared at him, black fear filled eyes boring into green, a 13 year old boy was killing him with ease. The black eyes blinked once. "Good. You will not address us unless completely necessary, you will not punish us as you usually do. You will leave us and all Gryffindor's alone." Harry gave Snape's throat one last crush for good measure and let go, walking from the room. He heard Snape gasping for air as he left.
'No detention for us love.'
'So I heard' Ginny thought looking up at him with a smile. 'While not exactly subtle on the whole, I don't feel like dancing him. We need to get him in a way that it can in no way come back to us.'
'I think we should find out when his next meet with Malfoy is and organize a little accident.'
'Time-turning and being somewhere in public would give us a perfect alibi.'
'Alright then, we need to do some recon. We'll find out when they kidnap some more Muggle Girls, then we will drop it on all their heads.'
'Do you know where Malfoy Manor is?'
Harry thought on it for a moment, then understanding seemed to flow. 'From Riddles knowledge, yeah. He used it as a headquarters at one point.'
'Okay lets stake it out tonight, we can spend a few hours there every few nights to see if we can pick up on when he's going there. We can take care of the Malfoy's while we're at it.'
'It's a plan love' Harry thought to her, with a devious smirk on his face, matched by Ginny's.