A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Anyway, just wanted to tell everyone that this chapter is a little fluffy at the end, so please notice the rating. Tell me what you think. There's another chapter coming shortly, I promise!
To say Harry was having the time of his life might be a huge understatement. Harry couldn't remember a time when he had ever had fun without magic, but today was fantastic.
The card brothers, as Harry called the group, were able to teach Harry tons of moves so he wouldn't get hurt. "I'm serious, Feathers. You are a natural," Joker went on after Harry jumped across some of the building with them.
Harry laughed. "It's so much fun! And I know that my dad would be proud having a son who could jump over building without-… anything. It's awesome, the feeling!" He looked down at his hands and grimaced. "Except for the new blisters…"
Jack laughed. "Yeah, we all had that problem when we first started."
"So, what about your cousin, Aced? You think he will be as good?" Prince asked him.
Harry thought for a minute. "Well, I don't know. I mean, he just lost all his baby fat and started working out this year, but with practice, he could be good?"
"It's alright. Not everyone is cut out for being a street runner," Jack explained. "Our friend back in America, Chase, he used to video everything so we could post it and get reviews. You know… keep track of our best and most amazing skills."
"Yeah," Joker piped in, "that and saving our asses from being sued if anyone wanted to go running with us and claimed we pushed 'em."
Everyone laughed. "Yeah, he might like taping it all… I'll ask him later. He's really good on the computer and all that crap. Even took a course at school for something like that…" His phone buzzed. "Speaking of the devil…" he snickered. It was a text from Dudley: Hey, we're all done here, where are we meeting? "He wants to know where we're meeting?"
Prince pointed to the Subway across the street. Harry nodded and text Dudley back: The subway a few clocks over from where you dropped me off. The card brothers jumped to the fire escape the building over, something Harry had yet to do. "It's good Feathers, just concentrate on getting you hands to the bar first and fling your feet over like your jumping a fence."
Harry nodded. He sprinted to the edge of the building and flung himself forward to the escape. This is blooded CRAZY! His hands hit the bar and he quickly hopped and stopped himself from ramming into the wall by holding on tight. Adrenaline was rushing everywhere. This is an amazing feeling when someone isn't trying to kill you. He looked down at his hands. A blister had popped, but he made it across so it wasn't a a big deal. He slowly hopped off the escape and onto a closed dumpster following Prince.
Joker was scaling a wall holding onto a small ledge. He slowly made it to another bar where he walked down, then flipped when he was close enough to jump. Jack was running toward the wall full speed. Harry watched as he ran up the wall and did a back flip. They ran out to the street and crossed it heading to Subway.
Dudley had just parked his car and walked in after them. "How was it, Feathers?"
Harry turned and grinned. "Bloody amazing. You don't look too bad, the date went well then?"
Dudley smiled. "Yeah, I aced it. This girls a lot of fun, you would like to meet her." He turned back to the card brothers. "Hey fellas, enjoying yourselves?"
They all greeted Dudley and went to the counter to order. Harry decided to pay because they were new to England still. Well, that was his excuse anyway. "Yeah, I recently acquired a bit of money. Why not spread the wealth?" They all laughed, thanking him for lunch.
"So, Aced, what classes did you take in school this year?" Prince asked.
"Well, I finished math and science so I concentrated on History, latin, English, and video. Why do you ask?"
Jack took over. "Well, we noticed yesterday when we saw Feathers jumping around that you weren't jumping as much. He said that you would be good to go with practice, but we really need a camera man if your interested?"
Dudley thought about it. "Yeah, that would be a lot better." Everyone smiled in relief. "Besides, jumping around isn't really my thing. I got an A+ anyway, why not use my obvious skill?"
Harry laughed. "Yeah," he turned to the card brothers. "Should we go and buy some equipment? I brought a bunch of money with me, I wouldn't mind spending most of it."
Joker smiled. "Sick, we love shopping!" The others turned to him and gave him a look. "Well, I love shopping. Where can we find good stuff around here?"
They finished eating and went to the store. "Wow, that camcorder is amazing! HD, DVD disk, look at the zoom!" Joker was flipping.
Prince chuckled. "Well, might as well pick something out Aced."
Everyone looked around for a while. Harry persuaded the brothers to get some games for the house saying that he and Dudley hadn't really gotten too many. They ended up buying more controllers and even a few gaming seats that the boys said they would be able to fit in the car and take to the house. Dudley was able to distract everyone as Harry pulled a small stack of high priced bills out of his wallet and pay for everything.
They made one last stop on the way to the brothers' car to get candy and other crap that Dudley and Harry hadn't bought that week. Pizza bagels were apparently a huge thing in America and they ended up getting enough boxes to keep Hagrid full for a week.
They made it to the car and stocked it up. Harry and Dudley went to their own car and put the hood down. They waited for the card brothers and pulled out, blasting the speakers. It had been a very quick ride, and Harry remembered to say the names of everyone upon entering the driveway. The gates opened and Dudley and Harry waited anxiously for the card brothers to pull in behind them. Everything went smoothly and accordingly as everyone brought the things inside.
"Sweet place," said Prince as the boys took their shoes off. Harry walked them over to the living room.
"Woah…" Jack was looking at the stereo system, TV, and computer in the room. "You weren't lying when you said you wanted to spend some cash."
Dudley and Harry laughed, putting all of the food in the kitchen. "Want anything to drink?" Harry called as Dudley went back to help set up everything.
"Lemonade," Dudley called. Harry got a pitcher and a bunch of glasses and carried them over along with a bag of chips. They were going through the games and picked out a new war one. They played until it got dark and everyone decided they were hungry.
"PIZZA!" Joker chanted.
"BAGELS!" Jack screamed.
Harry noticed that Ruffy was jumping up and down outside so that he could watch them. Harry laughed and opened the window. Ruffy jumped into Harry's arms. He eagerly licked Harry's face and walked over to the group. "Yo, ill dog you got there. He nice?" Joker asked.
In response Ruffy jumped out of Harry's arms and pounced on Joker, wagging his tail. Joker laughed. "I guess so!"
Harry put the pizza bagels in the oven and set the timer. Then he checked his vibrating phone. It was Ginny: Hell just let loose. They know that you aren't at the Dursley's. Might want to send an owl… Harry sighed and turned to the group. "I have to go make a quick call, don't break anything while I'm out."
Harry ran upstairs. Quickly he scrawled messily on a piece of parchment.
Ron-
If anyone asks where I am, tell them I can't tell but I'm really safe now. I wasn't going to just sit around and wait for Death Eaters to find me there in the Dursley's.
I'm fine, really.
-Harry
"Hedwig?" The bird flew over. He tied the knot quickly. "Take this to Ron right away." She nodded. "Thanks, girl." Hedwig flew out the window, pumping her wings. Harry returned downstairs.
"Fresh out of the oven!" said Jack putting all the Pizza bagels on the plate. Harry suggested they watch a movie while they ate. Everyone agreed.
Three movies, four games of poker, eight boxes of Pizza Bagels, four bottles of soda, and three bags of chips and candy later, the card brothers decided it was time they got going.
"We had a great time tonight," Prince said as they started leaving.
"Yeah, we're happy to have you two part of the crew," Jack added.
"We have to work this week but each of us have off on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Those sound like good times to meet?" Joker asked them.
"I have a date same time and place as last time, but I'm good for Friday and Wednesday?" Dudley turned to Harry.
"Yeah, I'm pretty much good. Don't really have anything else going on. Text me on Wednesday for details though? You guys are welcome to come over anytime, just give one of us a heads up." Harry told them.
"Alright, thanks again, Feathers. 'Til next time." The boys got in the car and drove off. Harry waited until they were out of the drive to call out, "Pugnar, Dobby, Winky! It's okay to come back now!"
In no time the griffin and elves were in front of him. "How was your evenings, sir?" Winky asked.
"It was very good, actually. My hands are a bit sore, but nothing that can't heal." He smiled at them. "How was your day?"
Apparently the group had been quite busy. Dobby had captured a few different rare creatures that he thought Harry would like to keep and hid them in the cellar. Overall, Dobby had said that it was a very good day indeed.
Harry returned upstairs. Hedwig was waiting for him with a letter. Harry gave Hedwig an owl treat and read the letter.
Harry
What do you mean you left? Mum is going out of her bloody mind and Dumbledore has everyone trying to track you. He wants to know where you are. He thinks you were taken by a death eater or something. Just tell us where you are. It's not safe, you of all people should know that.
Stop being a git and go back to your Aunt's. Snape is bound to tell you-know-who soon.
Mum made me say that last part. I know your Aunts sucks, but, I don't know.
Stay safe, please?
Ron
Harry crumpled up the letter. Dumbledore would just bring me back to that house again. He didn't tell me about anything and Sirius died. I won't let that happen again. He took out his phone and texted Ginny. 'Hey, are you able to talk on the phone?'
Harry paced in his room, waiting for a reply. His phone started ringing and he picked it up. "Hey."
"Hi, Harry. Can we do this quickly, I had to sneak to Sirius' room. Said I was going to feed Buckbeack…"
"Oh. Well, I'll get straight to it then. do you know where they have been looking?"
"Well really, everywhere, they don't even know if it's you writing the letters."
"Alright, I'll stop by tomorrow…?"
"How? You could get hurt! EVERYONE is looking for you, Harry!"
"Gin, it will be alright, no problems. I got here fine, didn't I?" He heard her hesitate. "Want me to come by tonight to show you I can do it?"
"I'm just worried. You-know-who is bound to know your not home by now. They will be looking…"
"Alright, Gin. Just stay up 'til one, and tell your cards to try to sound proof your room."
There was a muffled voice. "Yeah Mum, be right there!" she called. "Be safe please, Harry?"
"I will. See you in a bit."
Harry hung up the phone and sent a quick note to Ron saying that he would arrive tomorrow at headquarters. He told Harry to drop it off and not wait for a reply.
Harry started thinking fast. Alright, I've waited all day to think about this. Now what? Dumbledore knows I'm gone. That means Snape is going to know soon, if he doesn't already. He probably does. That means Voldemort knows. He'll be looking for me now. They're bound to find out more soon. I need a plan. Dudley and I need a few plans…
He took out a clean journal from the box Dobby had told him about, bringing the box to his room. He opened up to the first page and titled it Plans. He started to make a list.
Hiding places.
Allies.
A Teacher.
Information.
Save People.
He and Dudley were safe for now, but that didn't mean much. Harry knew that they would need people who would help him throughout the war. He thought on the third one and figured he could get Dumbledore to teach him a few things over the school year if he really bugged him about it, but it might be too late by then. Remus and Moody might be able to teach him a few things, but that would be very limited and he wouldn't be able to see them too much… Information was a different story. Dumbledore liked to hide stuff like that, but he was sure that he would give him information on Voldemort during the year. After the prophecy was relieved, how could he keep any information from him? Then again, he probably wouldn't tell him anything about the order… Saving people was the most important thing and Harry figured that he could do that by getting some hiding places and allies. Ultimately he would end up saving people once he defeated Voldemort, but that would take a while to get up to Voldemort on the power scale…
He took out four journals and titled them on the first page of each one, using his new nick name, Feathers. The first was named Hiding Places, the second was Allies, the third was titled Information and the last was simply Ideas. He wouldn't need a book just for a teacher, that was just something that would need thinking about. He didn't have anything to write in the books yet, save for the ideas one, so he put the journals away.
He laid on his bed and thought. I could possibly use my extra properties and houses as hiding spots… maybe even a hotel that Bognok said I owned. The goblins treat me very nicely, I consider them friends. It might take some persuading, but we could possibly be future allies. Hermione and Ron were there no matter what, and probably Ginny as well. Maybe I can even get Hermione to help me with research. Ron would help, but he wouldn't really get much done. Maybe Hermione would even be able to help me learn about Ancient Runes. From what I've read and heard about them, a lot of powerful magic can be used in them. Everyone in the DA would certainly back me up during the war, save that tool who ratted us out. The card brothers might back him up in a street fight, but that wouldn't do much good in the wizarding world. Remus would certainly help him in every way possible, but only if it didn't go against Dumbledore. Maybe he would change his mind if he spent more time with me. He would teach me to defend myself if I asked, but it would be difficult for him to find the time to hangout and really be able to teach me full on. The centures might possibly be allies with me if I could figure out a way that the stars were aligned in my favor. As much as I hate saying it, the ministry is my enemy at this point, and they were the centures enemy as well. That old saying, an enemy of an enemy is a friend, that would be good to use to pursued them. Dobby is my ally, well I consider him one. And Winky. If they have friends, they might be possible allies in the future. But I don't want them to feel like they have to fight. I wish this weren't so difficult! Harry rolled over and screamed into his pillow. Life can be so frustrating. There has to be something that I can do to better my chances in the war… Pugnar. I could raise griffins! That would do me loads of good if anyone tried to attack me on my property. I remember what Pugnar looked like when he was only TEASING Dudley, let alone what he would look like to someone he thought was going to hurt me. I'll just ask Griphook or Bognok about it… I should see them tomorrow anyway.
Harry stood up and walked over to his closet, finding the boxes of lozenges that he had bought from the travel store. He opened up a box and found everything in order. Once he found the Latin lozenge, he opened up the wrapper and popped it in his mouth. It was a very interesting feeling, absorbing language on your tongue. Harry thought that he could actually feel his mouth learning the vocabulary. He did a quick look around his room and found that he could name a few of the objects in latin, and the ones he couldn't, he just had to wait a few seconds until he realized the word. It was like a book had just opened in his brain. Hermione is going to go crazy once I give her one of these. He smiled and decided it was a good idea to take a shower.
When he got out of the shower he put in his contacts and examined his body. There were a few scratches here and there, a black and blue on his back. It was nothing that wouldn't heal though, so he wasn't worried. He made sure his hair was at a nice, shortish length, not worrying about Ginny seeing his scar or not. He changed into a pair of shorts and a white shirt, then put on his favorite black baseball cap.
Harry wrote a note to Dudley saying to text him if he wasn't home in the morning. He walked outside and called for Pugnar. The griffin landed in front of him and walked over to Harry. "Hey boy, that was fast! Your getting stronger, aren't you?" The griffin held his head slightly higher. Harry laughed and started petting the glorious animal. "I'm going to go out for a while, think you can handle holding down the fort until I get back later?" Pugnar nodded. "Thanks, boy. I'll see you later. Why don't you go to bed? It's getting late…" Harry gave the griffin a hug and walked inside. "Dobby?" he called out.
Dobby was at his side in less than a minute. Ruffy wasn't far behind. He jumped into his arms and gave Harry a lick on the cheek. "Good boy. Alright Dobby, think you can do me a favor today?"
Dobby literally jumped up and down with excitement. "Of courses, Harry Potters, Sir!"
"Alright, I need you to apparate me into Ginny's room at Grimmauld Place, but as quietly as you can?" The elf nodded. "And then I'll call for you later and you will take me home?" he asked.
Dobby nodded again. "Anything fors Harry Potter!" Dobby latched on his arm and suddenly Harry felt the mind numbing apparation. He was in Ginny's room and felt Dobby let go of his arm and apparate home with a soft POP. He scanned the room but wasn't able to finish because he was tackled to the bed in a bone crushing hug from behind.
"You made it okay…" he heard a soft voice say into his shoulder. He gently loosened the grip so he could turn and give Ginny a hug.
"I told you I would…" he inhaled Ginny's hair deeply and found that it comforted him. Her grip around him hadn't relaxed so he started to gently run his hand through her hair. "I'm fine, honest."
Ginny looked up at him and took off his had, throwing it on the side of the bed so she could see him better. "You're not fine, Harry," she whispered.
Harry looked away. "I'm just stressed out is all." Ginny nodded and moved her head to rest on his chest. "Why don't you tell me about it, Harry?" she asked, listening to his heart beat.
He thought for a little while, playing with her hair. "Well," he started after a few minutes of listening to each other breathe, "I really don't know… you can't tell anyone. Not Ron, Hermione, and especially not your mum." Ginny rested her chin on his chest and looked into his eyes. She nodded. "Well, when we went to the Department of Mysteries," he stalled, his eyes watering. Ginny's hands crept behind Harry's shoulders and she started massaging him gently. He looked at her and gave a small smile then continued. "Well, Voldemort," he paused when Ginny shuddered. "He tried to possess me." Her hands stopped and she furrowed her eyebrows. "He wasn't successful though. He was trying to get me to remember all of the bad things in my life, turn me dark or something. He threw the memory of my parents at me, and it was sad, but it was loving. He didn't realize that I would feel love in seeing my parents protect me, give their lives for me. He wasn't prepared for the feeling. It happened so quickly and I just threw everything I had at him. All of the feelings of friendship over the years, the few feelings of love that I had and cherished. He couldn't take it though. He gave up his search of my brain. I'm sure it was a search… he thought I had something he wanted, but I didn't have it until later… he left my brain and we all left the ministry. Dumbledore kept me in his office and he… he showed me… I heard my prophecy." He shifted slightly to hold Ginny closer, not wanting to loss himself to his emotions. Ginny hugged him closer and he held her tightly. She was trying to sooth him as best as she could, massaging his neck gently and saying it would be alright. "But Ginny," he finally managed to get out. "I'm the one. The only one who can kill Voldemort. I have to kill him. There's… there's no one else…" Ginny had gone completely still as Harry struggled with his war of emotions. "Please, say something," he begged her.
"Harry," her voice was thick and wet. "You'll be able to do it." She pulled back to look deep into his moist eyes. "You can do it. You have help. You have love…"
Harry stopped her. "I won't have love for long. Once people find out, no one will want to be near me. I have to be killed. He is going after ME." His eyes had begun to tear and it was breaking Ginny's heart.
She wiped away his tears and told him with a croaky voice, "You will always have love, Harry… As long as I am around, it will always be there." Before either of them realized it, their lips were together.
Harry felt on fire suddenly. Passion and desire coursed threw him. He moved his lips and let his tongue slide across Ginny's lower lip, faintly remembering the sensation it had given himself. If you could call what he did with Cho and Glindy kissing, then this wasn't even on the same scale. Their tongues were tasting each other, comforting one another, all the while setting hormones loose with every stroke and every touch.
Soon Harry found himself on top of Ginny. One of her hands was in his short hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss. The other was on his lower back inside his shirt. He used his hand that was under her to trace her spine, the other was tangled in her hair. Both pulled Ginny closer and up against him. Ginny let out a deep moan that set Harry's monster loose. He had no idea what he was doing, but he let his instincts take over.
Ginny's hands were at the bottom of his shirt, pulling it over his head. They quickly removed the vile garment and threw it near his hat. Harry's mouth was at Ginny's jaw line, then her sensitive spot behind her ear. The feeling made Ginny loose herself to Harry. Her hips bucked without thought. Harry hissed as the sensation coursed through him again. Ginny used the opportunity to remove her own shirt and attack his neck. Suddenly the tables were turned and Ginny was straddling Harry, hands flying everywhere to remember each muscle, each twitch and the taste and feel of each other's skin.
Harry looked, dazed, at the sexy red head on top of him. Her red, lacy bra was turning him on almost as much as what Ginny's lips were doing. Almost, but not quite. Ginny's hips moved against him, massaging what desperately needed to be massaged. Harry hissed, then moaned, "Ginevra…" She looked down at him, eyes dark with desire. He stared for another second before flipping them over and crushing their swollen lips together. His lips moved to the hollow on her neck, making her hips buck and legs open. Encouraged, Harry lowered his lips further down to the middle of her chest. Licking and kissing the slight cleavage of Ginny, Harry was rewarded with the sight of Ginny's naked breasts. His left hand moved to cup one, while his mouth explored the other. Ginny's hand pulled his head gently onto her more, while the other lowered to his bum. As soon as she squeezed him he moaned and bucked against her. "Harry-" she moaned, now squeezing his bum with both hands.
He moved against her again and they both moaned slightly. Harry pulled Ginny's body against him, feeling her hard nipples against his bare chest. They eagerly brought their mouths together, moaning and breathing more and more shallowly until Harry was moving as fast as he could against her, his tongue sharply and passionately moving in time with his hips. Ginny's legs wrapped around him and her hands were scratching his back as he brought on an orgasm.
Feeling her body twitch in his hands and against him sent Harry over the edge. He pulled back and looked into her black eyes. She stared back into his dark black eyes and bit her lip concentrating on the stare. "Harry-"
"Ginevra-" they moaned and collapsed onto the bed breathing deeply and holding one another. Ginny got cold quickly, and pulled herself closer into Harry. He returned the favor and covered her as best as he could. "Gin?: he whispered once their breathing was under control.
"Hm..?" she answered, listening to his heart beat again.
"Did you… Did you mean what you said?"
"Harry, of course," she pulled up and gently kissed him. They stared at each other. "And I know you can do it. After what you've gone through, you can do anything. I'll help you, just don't feel alone in this, Harry." He nodded and kissed her gently. He noticed a very sticky problem and decided he had better get going.
Harry pulled away and watched Ginny yawn. "Gin, I think you should get some sleep." She nodded but clutched Harry tighter. He chuckled and picker her up, moving the blankets, then lowering the gorgeous (and still topless, he mentally added) red head down. She pulled his head down and kissed him again. "You know, Ginevra, when you blush," he looked into her eyes, watching her slowly fall asleep, exhausted, "you blush all over." He tucked the blanket around her, gathered the cards that were on patrol and put them away. He grabbed his things and called for Dobby who brought a VERY tired, and slightly messy, Harry home.
