BONDED

Chapter 8 Missing Pieces

Ginny sat alone on the edge of her bed. If anyone saw her, they'd surely think she had finally gone around the bend, but she couldn't help it. With her face mashed into Harry's pillow, she could just make out his scent. It was ridiculous, she knew. He had been gone for weeks. Angry with herself for not having thought to place a preserving spell over it when his smell was a lot stronger, Ginny practically suffocated herself with the force of her inhale.

Now, because she'd held it, smelt it, and slept with it every night, it carried more of her scent than Harry's. Suddenly she threw the pillow down in frustration. How dare he leave me! He knows I need him! Ginny shouted in her head as she began to pace the room, with tears suddenly welling in her eyes. The fury built steadily in her, until she wanted to punch something, throw something, or break something. As she rounded the foot of the bed, Ginny reared back and kicked Harry's heavy oak chest. She was instantly sorry that she did.

"FUCK!" she screamed, as the pain shot through her foot and up her leg, causing her to drop to the floor, holding her foot tenderly. "Stupid bloody trunk!" she shouted at it, as though it wasn't an inanimate object, then she flipped open the latch.

"I should toss out all of this shite!" Ginny screeched, as she began pulling out Harry's belongings and tossing them about the room. His Quidditch uniform landed in a messy heap, but not before Ginny unconsciously brought it past her nose. By the time she got down to things that could actually break if she threw them against the wall, Ginny had calmed a bit. She sniffed back tears as she picked up a box which she knew contained the Snitch from the last game Harry ever played at Hogwarts.

Moving that aside, Ginny picked up a box she'd only seen a few times. It held all the important papers Harry needed to keep safe. She opened it, and wasn't surprised to see the deed to Grimmauld Place, as well as the statement of finances Harry had inherited from Sirius.

Tucked under the papers was a photograph of her sleeping. It had to have been while they were still at Hogwarts because she looked younger, not by much, but there was a noticeable difference. Also, she recognized the room they were in as the Room of Requirement. It wasn't often that they'd go there to be alone. With Harry leaving school for weeks at a time to search for Horcruxes, he was gone more than he was there, so they had to make the most of the time they had.

The photo was crumpled terribly, and Ginny gathered that Harry must've carried it with him when he was out hunting. She watched herself sleeping so peacefully in that photo, and wondered how she could have found a place so safe when things were very uncertain.

Suddenly, a hand came into frame, and Ginny knew instantly that it was Harry's. It brushed a loc of hair away from her face, and then ran a loving finger down her cheekbone to brush against her lips. The photo Ginny smiled, and sighed in her sleep. This caused the real Ginny to give a watery smile, and sigh all the same. She realized why the photo Ginny managed to look so content even in a time of war and uncertainty. It was because, as long as she had Harry, she felt as though they could get through anything. Merlin, she needed him!

Ginny waited until Harry's hand appeared in the photo again, before bringing it to her lips to kiss it tenderly. Now that her mood had mellowed considerably, she felt the need to look at everything in the chest. Moving more legal documents out of the way, Ginny came across another picture. At first glance she thought it was a muggle photo because it didn't seem to be moving. However, as she brought it closer to her face, she saw the leaves on the trees rustle a bit. The picture was of a log cabin, deep in a thick patch of forest.

She had never seen this place before, and wondered why Harry had it. There were no people in it, just a cabin and trees. Ginny stared at the photo for a long while, wondering if someone would appear as Harry's hand had in the other photo. Nothing happened, so she turned it over, and found a note.

Harry,

This is Harpers Ferry, one of the better places I hid when I was on the run. Sometimes the silence was deafening, but overall, far more hospitable than my wretched mother's house. Should you ever need a moment away from it all, you may find it a good place for escape.

Sirius

Ginny's hand began to tremble as she read, and reread the little note from Harry's God-father. She stood quickly, wincing slightly under the pain in her foot, and then looked around for something to do. She had found Harry! She knew it in her very soul. No one knew of this place, hell she didn't even know about it. Ron! Ginny screamed in her head. I've got to tell Ron!

Quickly, she thought against that. One thing she was certain of, she'd be the only one capable of getting her husband back. Only now was she happy that her mum had insisted on keeping Ethan for the weekend.

A surge of adrenaline had her sprinting to the wardrobe. There, she pulled out a large leather satchel, and began stuffing it with warm clothes for Harry. Once she had a satisfactory amount of articles inside, she rushed to the door, but stopped suddenly. Harry's wand lay on the night-table, where he always kept it. The Chief had released it to her, after it had been tested and shown that the last spell it cast was, Nox. Apparently to put out the light before going to bed, Ginny assumed. It was simply further affirmation, that she really didn't need, that Harry was innocent.

"Accio," Ginny muttered, and the wand flew into her hand. She stuffed it into the satchel, and quickly made her way to the bathroom to gather some toiletries and linen. Rushing downstairs to the kitchen, Ginny dropped the satchel on the floor, went to the pantry and retrieved a basket. Her hands shook as she rushed from the pantry, and carelessly tossed the basket on the counter.

With a flick of her wand, food began to fly from every place in the kitchen. Carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery began to chop themselves expertly, and then flew into a round container inside the basket. Ginny flicked her wand again, and a large chunk of ham flew out of the cold pantry, diced itself, and then settled inside the container as well. Three fat links of bangers flew out of the cold pantry as well, and landed safely in the basket. She picked up a small loaf of bread, and tossed that in too.

Once the basket was filled with the bread, juice, a fry pan, a few dishes, and a small cauldron, Ginny sealed it tightly, and then made to set off on her mission. Stopping suddenly, she realized that she had to tell Ron where she was going.

"Accio photo!" she shouted, and a second later, the picture was floating toward her. Ginny raced to a drawer in the study and grabbed parchment, a quill and ink. The quiver of her hands made it difficult to write as quickly as she wanted. After rolling the photo inside the letter, she had a frightening thought as she rushed back to the kitchen. Ginny hadn't seen Hedwig all day! The owl had become quite depressed since Harry's absence, but her heart almost leaped through her chest when she saw Hedwig sitting on her perch in the kitchen.

"Hedwig!" Ginny rushed over to the rather bored looking owl. "I've found him! I'm going to get him!" Hedwig gave a hoot, and seemed to look interested now.

"Listen, Hedwig. You must do exactly as I say. If I'm not back in three hours, deliver this to my brother, Ron. Three hours exactly, Hedwig!" Ginny held the letter before Hedwig's beak as if to make sure the bird saw it and understood the importance of it. Hedwig gave a mighty hoot, and gently nipped at Ginny's finger. Quelling her trembling hands enough to function, she quickly tied the letter to Hedwig's leg, and gave her feathers a soft pat. "Three hours," Ginny said again softly, knowing that she would need that time to talk Harry into coming back with her.

With a quick tap of her wand, the basket and satchel shrunk, and Ginny placed them in her pocket. She made her way to the fireplace, but thought against it. There was a slim chance that Harry wasn't at this cabin, and Ginny didn't fancy getting hexed for Flooing in on some unsuspecting bloke. With that thought, she threw her cloak on and ran full speed to the gate. Just as she Apparated, Ginny felt something cool and bony grip her arm, but it was too late, she had already vanished.

00000

Ron quickly stumbled backward, as all the air seemed to flee from his lungs. The Hermione on her knees before him whipped her head around when she realized that Ron was staring at something over her shoulder. In an instant, she was on her feet, and both Hermiones had their wands drawn with deadly aim. The one by the door gave it a quick kick, and it closed with a snap. The one behind the desk moved around it, and the two began to circle each other as Ron fixed his trousers with trembling hands.

"Stop moving!" he shouted, pulling his wand as well, and they both halted instantly. But it was too late, the women had circled each other two or three times by now, and he had no idea which was which. He was certain that the one he had been with was the imposter, and it took mere seconds for Ron to run his eyes over each of them.

Same face, same flushed cheeks, same silver charm bracelet hanging from the same wrist, same ruby wedding ring, same black skirt, and the same mint green jumper. Well actually, there were subtle differences there. Like one had a lace trim around her scoop neckline, but Ron had not been paying that close attention to the jumper of the one he had been with. He maintained his position behind the desk as the two women stood in front of it, one to his left, and the other to his right. They both still looked fit to kill, with their wands held fiercely.

"Which one of you was in here with me?" Ron barked.

"It wasn't me!" They both said in unison.

"LIAR!" again, they screamed together.

This imposter was good.

"Start talking!" Ron shouted, knowing that the real Hermione would know what he wanted.

The one on his right spoke first. "Your middle name is Bilius—"

"Everyone knows that!" he wailed. Fuck it all if this wasn't his living, breathing nightmare. His wand was now aimed on the Hermione to his right.

"You are going to have to do a lot better than that if you don't want me to blast you into a million pieces!" he growled.

If he couldn't get a satisfactory answer he was going to bind them both and wait for the potion to wear off. Right-side Hermione's hand trembled a bit, but she took a breath, and rolled her eyes ever so slightly. To Ron, it looked like something Hermione would do, and he unconsciously began moving his wand toward the Hermione on his left.

"Your mother's maiden name is Prewett…your pet name for me is love bug—"

"Better…" he growled, "…you've got to do better than that!" Ron was on the verge of insanity.

"About three weeks ago, you found Harry Potter with a dead body!" she rambled off quickly, as if her life depended on it, and it very well may have. Ron wanted to sigh with relief. Only his Hermione would know that…unless…unless this Hermione was the one who had actually killed Caroline. FUCK! Ron swallowed thickly, and stared pointedly at the Hermione on his right, trying to see something that would absolutely confirm or deny her identity.

Her eyes were wide, as she looked between Ron and the left-side Hermione. Ron was breathing so hard it was making him lightheaded. But in a flash his wand was aimed on the Hermione to his left. Her jaw was clinched tight, and her hand was trembling terribly. Ron was going through a short list of hexes he wanted to have ready just in case he was going to have to duel with this person.

"You've got one chance to tell me something to keep me from hexing you…" he glared at her.

Her eyes flitted to Ron briefly, but she held the gaze of the Hermione on his right, then with a quiver to her voice, left-side Hermione said, "The last time you questioned my identity…I was pleasuring myself in front of you." The last words were barely out of her mouth when Ron swung his arm around and hit the Hermione on his right with a hex so hard, she flew into the wall, and was knocked out cold.

"FUCK!" Ron screamed, and crouched down, not sure if he was going to puke or pass out! Hermione slumped into a chair, and she looked positively green. A moment later, he stood and went to her.

"I'm so sorry!" he breathed, and made to grab her hand, but she moved it away quickly.

"Don't," she whispered, and Ron could hear the tears in her voice even though her face held a defiant expression. He swallowed, and it felt like broken glass had been trapped in his throat. She wouldn't look at him, or couldn't, he was unable to tell which. So he reluctantly stepped away from her, and aimed his wand at the imposter. Ropes shot out of the end, and bound her legs and wrists. Ron levitated her, and began to walk toward the door.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, sharply.

"I'm…I've got to take her or him, whoever this is down to an interrogation room," Ron looked at Hermione cautiously.

"Ron, you can't walk out here with me bound like that! Do you know how many questions that will raise?" she breathed, and really looked on the verge of being sick. Ron wondered if he should fetch her rubbish basket.

He nodded. "You're right. We'll…we'll just have to wait for the Polyjuice to wear off." Hermione sank back into the chair, very unlady-like, and buried her face in her hands. Ron removed the levitation charm, and let the imposter fall hard to the floor. He stood weakly for a moment, and then hesitantly stepped closer to his wife.

"I'm so sor—"

"Don't Ron, please, not now," Hermione whispered, as she kept her face hidden. Ron nodded sullenly. It was silent for an ungodly amount of time, and Ron was nearly going insane trying to keep his mind from thinking about what he had almost done with a woman that was not his wife. The fact that it may not even be a woman didn't slip passed him either. One crisis at a time, he sighed to himself.

Ten minutes ticked by like ten hours. Never before had the couple been this silent with each other. Known for having massive rows, their problems were always hashed out verbally, so Ron was beyond frightened at what this could mean for their marriage. Suddenly, Hermione spoke, and although it was a whisper, it seemed to pierce Ron's ears.

"What were you doing here?" she asked, and it wasn't accusatory, simply fact finding.

"I…" Ron cleared his throat, "…I came to see you home safely," he swallowed. Hermione made an indeterminable sound in her throat.

"She…he…whatever it is…" Ron sighed with disgust, "…was looking for something…" Hermione looked up suddenly.

"What?" she asked.

"When I came in, she was looking frantically for something. Said it was just work, but we can see now that, that was a lie. Do you know what she may have wanted?" Hermione stood quickly, and rushed over to her desk. She gave it a series of complicated taps with her wand, and a small panel slid open. She sighed with relief and reached inside, pulling out a round bottle that looked to be filled with black ashes.

"It's the final ingredient to the potion for Harry." She held it for a moment with weak trembling hands, before sitting it on her desk, and placing an Imperturbable charm on it. She then mumbled a few other things over it that Ron knew would curse a person severely should they try to take it. Once it was safely in her pocket, she moved back to her seat.

There was a slight grunt, and the couple jolted, aiming their wands instantly. The Polyjuiced Hermione, still unconscious, gave a twitch as her skin began to bubble. The creamy leg sticking out from under her black skirt began to grow in length. The creaminess gave way to smooth honey brown skin as the rest of her body, shuttered and transformed completely, leaving Ron speechless.

"Sophie Teagarden…" Hermione mumbled, and looked for the first time to really be on the verge of tears.

"The…the…American liaison?" Ron asked, not really needing an answer. What the hell did she have to do with all this? He gritted his teeth, and aimed his wand at her chest.

"Ennervate!" Ron shouted, and the captive's body gave a lurch. She moaned, and made to move her arms, but soon realized that she was bound. Her eyes flew open wide as she looked up at her captors with fear.

"Are you really Sophie Teagarden?" Ron barked, going into full Auror mode. She looked up at him with weepy eyes, and her lips quivered as if she wanted to speak, but then she simply burst into tears.

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered, with a roll of his eyes, then flicked his wand, and the sobbing woman was pulled to her feet.

"We're going down to the Magical Law Enforcement Department. You are not to speak or make eye contact with anyone we may encounter. Do you understand?" She nodded meekly, and then fixed watery eyes on Hermione.

"I'm…I'm…" she sputtered and then seemed to think better of speaking to her, maybe because Hermione was giving her a look so icy, Ron thought a hex would shoot from her eyes at any second.

He gave his wand a casual wave and Sophie Teagarden's body went rigid, then she rose off the floor two inches. He guided her with his wand through Hermione's office door, but before he left, he looked back and asked, "Are you going home now?" Hermione nodded, still looking as though she'd suddenly been Petrified.

"Please hurry, all right, and go straight there." She nodded again. Ron wanted to say more. He wanted to apologize again, on his knees, begging, pleading, groveling, but he simply said, "I'll be home as soon as I can."

As Ron and his prisoner rounded the corridor to the M.L.E.D, he groaned as Douglas appeared in the detainee area, which was where he was headed. Thinking quickly, Ron tapped Sophia on the back of her head with his wand, rendering her mute. She hadn't said a word the entire journey, but it would be just his luck if she came down with a sudden case of true confessions right in Douglas' face.

"Where are you headed?" Douglas barked, eyeing the attractive woman in Ron's custody lecherously.

"I'm going dancing, obviously," Ron bit out sarcastically, as he maneuvered Miss Teagarden around the portly Auror, and walked further down the corridor. He prayed Douglas would just move on and take his arse home, but things were just not going in Ron's favor at all tonight.

"Oi! You smug bastard…" Douglas had chased behind Ron, and grabbed his arm. "You mind your cheeky attitude or I'll make you mind it!"

Ron roughly snatched his arm away. "Unless you want another foot in your chest, I suggest you leave me to my prisoner," he turned back to the bound woman, gave her shoulder a gentle push, and she began to float down the corridor once more. He could almost hear Douglas' feeble brain scrabbling for another comeback.

When Ron was a few yards away, Douglas finally said, "You're no better than Potter, probably off to shag that bird. Prisoner my arse!" Ron snickered at the pathetic retort, but then it quickly died as the memory of how close he had actually come to shagging her played back vividly in his mind. Douglas began again, not seeming to know when to just let it go. "Guess that means, your wife will be all alone, just like Potter's, maybe I ought—"

Whatever Douglas thought he ought to do, it was never heard, for by the time he got the word, wife, out of his mouth, Ron had tore back down the corridor, and was on Douglas before the man's brain could even catch onto what his eyes were seeing.

Ron slammed him hard against the wall, and pressed his forearm across Douglas' thick neck. The fury was wild and running rampant through Ron at the moment, and there was nothing to be done about it. There would be no empty threats, no harsh promises, just this. Two men staring at each other as one tried with all his might to permanently silence the other. The thought of someone even looking at Hermione made Ron nearly insane, so the idea that this filthy maggot would go to her and…well…Ron wanted to…to… His body shuttered and pulled away suddenly, leaving Douglas gasping and holding his throat.

"You ever speak of my wife or my sister again, and it will be the last thing you do," Ron panted, as he tried to calm himself, taking a step back.

"I'll…I'll have your job for this…for certain!" Douglas wheezed, but he threw his threat as he was backing out of the corridor, with fear behind his eyes. "You'll be sacked for sure this time!" and then he turned and escaped in a hurry. Ron breathed deeply, so be it, he thought and turned back to his prisoner. Sophie Teagarden was looking at Ron with a mixture of heart gripping fear, and just a touch of longing. This only spurred on his anger.

As they made their way to one of the interrogation rooms, Ron stopped at the small check-in desk, manned only by a quill and ledger. He tapped the ledger with his wand and it sprang to life, flipping open to the first empty page.

"Ronald B. Weasley, I.D. number 332089, here to interrogate prisoner…" he gave the woman a nudge, "… state your full name."

Her chin quivered as she leaned forward a bit to speak directly over the ledger. "Sophie O'Donna Teagarden," she sniffed. Straight away, it scribbled down the information and then a voice boomed out of the ledger.

"Interrogation room two, available," and a door swung open behind Ron. Quickly he moved them inside, and sealed the door shut. With a flick of his wand, Sophie was forced to sit on one side of a long rectangular table, while Ron walked to the other side. Again he flicked his wand, and the binds came undone.

She quickly began to massage her wrist. Ron tapped a panel on the wall behind him, and a small cupboard door appeared. There, he retrieved a dark colored phial, and uncorked it with haste. He'd wasted too much time already, losing his temper with Douglas. For all he knew, the man was bringing reinforcements this very moment.

With another flick of his wand, Sophie's head snapped back and her mouth opened. Ron walked around to her side of the table, and placed three drops of odorless, flavorless, clear liquid down her throat. Her mouth closed, and her head drooped after Ron gave a final wave of his wand.

She wore a dazed look about her now, and Ron watched her carefully from the other side of the table. This went on for a few minutes until he was satisfied that the Veritaserum had taken effect. As it was, he had no time to wait any longer. He tapped the wall in a different spot, and another ledger and quill shot out, prepared to record everything that was said in the room.

"Is your name really Sophie Teagarden?" Ron barked.

"Yes," she whispered staring at a stain on the table.

"Are you really the American Liaison for Magical Cooperation?"

"Yes."

"Why were you Polyjuiced as Hermione Weasley?"

Teagarden swallowed, as a silent tear slid down her cheek. "I needed to know if she was working on something to help Potter." Ron's heart began to race.

"Why, what do you have to do with Harry Potter?" She opened her mouth a few times and seemed to be struggling to find the right words. Ron realized that the question was a bit too broad.

"Did you poison Harry Potter?" the few seconds it took for her to answer nearly caused Ron to pass out with anxiety.

"Yes…" Just as Ron was about to suck in a massive breath, she spoke again, "…once." Ron placed both hands on the table and leaned in.

"What do you mean, once? When?"

"I poisoned his soup," she said, hazily.

"Why?" Ron nearly screeched.

"Because it's what she wanted." Another tear fell from her eye.

"It's what who wanted?" he was leaning so far over the desk now that the rim of the table was digging into his thighs, but he scarcely noticed.

"Bella…" she murmured.

Icy fear jolted though Ron's nervous system, and he was sure he was about to suffer a complete mental break down. There was only one Bella that he knew, and she had not been seen or heard from since the final battle. It was rumored that she was dead and that's just where Ron wanted her. He willed his internal organs to cooperate with him, and managed to form the words, "Bella who?"

"Isabella…Isabella Lestrange." Sophie's mouth hung open slack, and so did Ron's. Isabella? Isabella? Who the hell is Isabella? Is Bellatrix going by a new name? He thought frantically. Ron quickly returned his focus to Sophie.

"Who is Isabella Lestrange…is she related to Bellatrix?" He gripped the table in eager anticipation of the answer.

"Yes…she's Bellatrix's daughter."

00000

The moment she landed at her destination, Ginny whirled around, wand out and ready to do damage, but there was no one there and nothing on her arm. She was certain she had felt someone's cool bony grip on her arm, but perhaps she was imagining it. How could they have disappeared so quickly? Even with an invisibility cloak, the hand would be visible if they stuck it outside the garment. All the same, Ginny lit the tip of her wand, and peered around her several times. No one.

Then she saw it, not twenty yards away, the same cabin from the photo, and she soon forgot about funny feelings on her arm. There was a tiny glow from a fire showing though one of the windows, and Ginny's heart swelled. The leaves crunched loudly at the first step she took, so she placed a silencing charm on her shoes and moved swiftly.

Her hands trembled as she reached the window. The view was obscured by the vast amount of dirt on the pane, but Ginny could distinctly see someone kneeling before the hearth of a dying fire. It was clear from the build that it was a man, but he had a large hooded jumper on and it was pulled completely over his head. Ginny didn't want to just burst in one some strange man, he could be dangerous, but it was getting colder by the second. Fortunately, a moment later, the man stuck his hands out in front of him, as if to warm them by the miniscule fire, and that's when she saw it. Harry's wedding band!

Ginny moved quickly to the front door and waved her wand. The lock clicked and she was inside the cabin, almost instantly. Harry whirled around with a fire poker in his hand, and Ginny splayed herself flat against the door.

"Harry! It's me!" she panted, and the poker instantly fell to the floor with a resounding clank. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, while Ginny willed herself not to cry. She had never seen her husband look so emaciated. She was certain that he had lost a stone at least, and though Harry had become quite fit, really didn't have it to spare. His face was haunted with dark circles under his eyes and his lips were pale. His posture screamed of fatigue, and what she could see of his hair, it was longer and matted with dirt. He had even grown a scruffy beard, and it made him look older and rather scary.

Ginny shivered with a combination of the sudden fear that ran through her, and the fact that there was hardly any difference in the temperature inside the cabin and the blustery weather outside. A loud gurgle resounded in the room, and Ginny knew it was Harry's stomach. He looked almost ashamed that he was surely half starved, and seemed to want to cover it, so he spoke.

"Wha—what are you doing here? How did you find me?" he rasped, with a quiver.

Ginny swallowed. "I'm here to bring you home…I found Sirius' photograph," she whispered softly, and prepared herself for the inevitable denial.

Harry shook his head. "Gin," he moaned, "I can't…I've done…ter—terrible things. The only reason I haven't turned myself in is because I don't want Ron to be punished as well, but as soon as I can figure out a way to turn myself in without hurting Ron, I will."

"Harry," Ginny took a step away from the door, causing her husband to instantly step back, keeping the distance between them just as it was. "You didn't ki—do anything to Caroline." Harry shook his head.

"It's true Harry, the last spell your wand performed was Nox, and Ron said you didn't vomit, so…so someone else did it, not you!" Ginny rambled so fast it nearly came out as one word. Harry looked dazed, but she could tell that he was trying to process it all. Just when he seemed to have a look of relief on his face, his eyes were haunted again.

"It's still dangerous. Until I find out who did this to me…to Caroline, I can't come back," he looked down sadly. Ginny, however, was now in a right state of anger.

"And just how do you plan to do that? Sitting here, starving and freezing to death! What have you done so far to find the person?" Ginny shouted, as she took another step forward. Harry seemed too shocked to notice that she was closer.

"I'll tell you what you've done…nothing! Ron's been wearing himself thin looking for you! Hermione has been working around the clock creating a potion to help you! And I've…I've… had to pretend that all is well, and that I still go to bed every night with my husband when I don't!" She'd taken three more steps by now, and was nearly face to face with him.

"Why are you yelling at—"

"Because you're stupid! You're a stupid, stupid man, Harry Potter! And…and you left me!" She sniffed angrily as a hot tear slid from her eye. "And it's bloody cold in here!" Her wand was out instantly, and aimed at the glowing embers. A second later it roared to life, causing Harry to shudder, and instantly turn toward it. He looked as though he wanted desperately to tip head first into it, as he sank to his knees, his pale hands stretching forward. It broke Ginny's heart. The depths to which Harry would go to keep them safe was sometimes astounding. Ginny waved her wand again, and the wind that whistled through the rickety weather beaten walls stopped.

"What did you do?" Harry asked, but kept his hands practically on the fire.

"I insulated the walls," she said, as she pulled him back by the hood. "You're too close." He rubbed his hands together, and then pulled his baggy sleeves over them.

"Where did you get that jumper…and the trousers?" Ginny asked, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the shrunken leather satchel. Giving it a tap with her wand, it was restored to its normal size.

"Nicked it," Harry mumbled, looking slightly ashamed.

"Here," she opened the satchel, "I've brought you some warm clothes." She reached out a trembling hand to touch him, and Harry recoiled.

"Don't," he said, scooting away from her a bit. "It'll just make it harder when you leave."

"No, it won't, because I'm not leaving without you!"

"Gin," Harry whinged, but was still unable to meet her eyes. Ginny came to a decision, she was going to have to take control of the situation if she was going to get him home. Initially, she was going to give Harry back his wand, and let him clean himself up, but now she thought better of it. Without his wand, if she must, she would bind him and drag him home, screaming if necessary.

Ginny went into her pocket once more, and pulled out the shrunken basket. After restoring it, she let it sit for a moment, but she didn't miss the fact that Harry was intently staring at it. Taking advantage of his distraction, Ginny touched Harry's sleeve and was surprised to find it damp.

"Harry, you're wet!" He jumped, slightly.

"Well…I went down to the lake and…and tried to get some water…but the ice was a bit thin in a spot and…I sort of fell though," he finished with a rather raspy cough. Ginny stared at him for a long time, wondering how he hadn't already caught his death in this weather. Looking around, she noticed a dirty bowl with some berries and what looked like small bones. She didn't know what they belonged to, a squirrel, maybe a rabbit, but she'd never ask. Unconsciously, her hand rose to stroke his hair, and was a little more than hurt when he shrugged her off of him.

"Fine!" she stood, and aimed her wand at him, ready to bind him, take him home, and give him a bath, for he smelt rather awful. In that moment, Harry looked up at her with big sad eyes and she knew that if she forced him home, he'd only leave again, and perhaps then she'd never find him. After all, nothing was stopping him from Apparating. So she realized that it was imperative that he go back with her of his own volition, and that, Ginny knew, was going to take some finesse.

Slowly she fixed her aim on the basket giving her wand a flick, the basket flew open and the cauldron hung itself over the center of the fire. Using a jabbing motion, Ginny sent the carrots, onions, potatoes, celery, and ham dancing into the cauldron. Next the fry pan flew out, and levitated beside the cauldron. The fat links leaped out of the basket, and landed in the pan. Ginny stepped close to the fireplace and stuck her wand in the cauldron. Waving it in a circular motion, a creamy broth began to pore out of the tip. When it had reached the desired amount, Ginny tapped her wand on the edge of the cauldron three times, and the flow of broth ceased.

Already the cabin was beginning to fill with a delicious aroma that seemed to be causing Harry's stomach to groan constantly. He looked almost on the verge of tears as he sat watching the bangers sizzle in the fry pan. Ginny waved her wand over the loaf of bread, and it was now piping hot as if fresh from the oven. That pulled Harry's attention away from the contents of the fry pan.

She sliced him off a hearty piece with her wand, and then handed it to him. Harry raised an eager hand to take it, but then seemed to realize that his hand was filthy. He wiped it along his jumper, not doing much good, and then quickly snatched it from her. Ginny watched, transfixed as Harry tore into the bread like a wild animal. It was gone in merely two bites. He sat trembling with his eyes closed as he chewed and swallowed the big wad with difficulty. Ginny took this opportunity to quickly point her wand at his face, and deftly removed his scraggly beard. Harry's eyes snapped open as he felt the magic swirl around him.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I just wanted to see you." Harry met her eyes for a fleeting moment, before looking down sadly.

Ginny leaned closer. "I knew my beautiful husband was under there somewhere," she said, and smiled delicately then ran a soft hand along his jaw. Harry flinched as if her touch actually pained him. He's not ready yet, Ginny thought, and tried not to be hurt by it. After all, it was classic Harry.

She reached into the basket, and got a small plate, then stabbed all three of the juicy bangers with a fork, and dropped them on the dish. Harry looked at them longingly when she sat the plate on the hearth in front of him instead of handing it to him.

"They are too hot now, let them cool." Harry nodded, but his stomach seemed to protest greatly as it took that moment to give a loud gurgle.

"Bugger," Ginny moaned. Always falling victim to her need to care for Harry, she waved her wand again, effectively cooling the links to room temperature. Harry had one in his dirty hands in a matter of seconds.

"Slow down, love, you'll choke," Ginny finally said, after Harry had eaten two of the three links without seeming to have chewed either. He nodded as he bit heartily into the last one. He was going to make himself sick if Ginny didn't get him to pace himself. She gave a quick look at the stew and found it simmering nicely.

Harry was finished all three bangers, and was now breathing deeply with his eyes closed, as if trying to hold onto the flavor of the food for as long as he could. Again, Ginny seized this opportunity, and touched his face again. He didn't shrug her off this time, but when his eyes opened, they were still as distant as they had been.

"Let me clean you up?" Ginny asked, although she wished she had simply demanded it. Even though Harry was not like Ron, and cowered under the bossy tone of his wife, Ginny could sometimes get him to yield to her will if she was stern enough. Harry fixed her with weary eyes.

"I'm not going back," he stated, flatly.

Ginny swallowed and nodded. "Fine," she whispered, "that doesn't mean you have to be filthy." She smiled, and tried to refrain from leaning into him, for she wanted to kiss him so badly. With trembling hands, Ginny reached into the satchel and retrieved the toiletries she'd gathered for Harry.

"Here, go get cleaned up while the stew is getting ready." Harry took the toiletries and simply sat there.

"There is no bathroom in here," he said.

"Oh, well that explains a lot," Ginny said wryly, and Harry actually chuckled. She was so thrilled by the tiny gesture that she sprang to her feet and marched over to the other side of the room. There, she grabbed a dirty cup that sat on the window ledge, then placed it on the floor in the corner, and transfigured it into a large basin. Quickly, she swirled her wand in a clockwise motion and the basin filled with very warm soapy water.

As she turned, the look in Harry's eyes made her stop in her tracks. It was filled with such longing that Ginny could hardly breathe. Suddenly, she felt as though she was that awestruck little girl again, stumbling at a mere glance from Harry Potter.

"Er…the…um…the bath is ready," she stuttered. Harry stood awkwardly, and made his way to her. They were silent for a moment, as Harry pulled the hood off his head, then mumbled a thank you, and moved around her.

Ginny went back to the hearth, but before she sat on the moth eaten rug again, she transfigured it into a large fluffy mat. Harry had his back to her as she sat comfortably on the new soft covering. She watched silently as he pulled the baggy jumper over his shoulders. The shirt underneath was recognizable to her, as were the pyjama bottoms. Soon Harry stood completely starkers. He looked ghostly against the faint beams of moonlight that bled through the dirty windows.

Definitely thinner than he was before he left, Harry was not as withered away as Ginny had thought. His muscles still held their tone, and had she not known what he looked like prior, Ginny would have still found his form quite satisfactory. Her eyes refused to move from him as he stepped into the basin and sat with his knees bent, for that was all he had room to do.

Harry moaned softly at the feel of the warm water, and closed his eyes. For a long moment he simply sat there, and the cabin was utterly silent. Slowly he began to wash himself as if he realized that he needed to be doing something. When he got to his hair, Harry dunked his head under the water, which was a difficult move in the tight basin, then grabbed the bottle of shampoo Ginny brought for him. He began to lather his hair with some difficulty, and Ginny could see that his fingers were getting tangled.

"Can…"she sat up on her knees a bit, "…can I help you?" Harry didn't open his eyes, but simply gave a small nod. Ginny was on her feet instantly, as he untangled his fingers from his hair. She began to massage his scalp, and didn't miss the sigh that escaped his lips. With her wand aimed over his head, Ginny poured out a stream of warm water, effectively rinsing all the suds from his hair.

"Harry, I think…well your hair is awfully matted. I don't know if I can untangle it. You really should have combed it before you washed it."

"Oh," he whispered. "Well, can you cut it?"

"Sure," Ginny said, hesitantly. "It'll be really short, though."

"I don't care. Shave it off, if you must." Ginny nodded, then tilted Harry's head to the side, and whispered a spell that made her wand vibrate slightly. She waved it from the back of Harry's head to the front and a large chunk of hair fell to the floor, leaving only half of an inch of thick black hair in its wake. Ginny, did this again up the middle of his head, and once more on the other side until finally, all of Harry's hair was only half an inch long. She rinsed it once more to get all the stray hairs out, and then stepped back to get a good look at her husband.

"I like it. I think—" Ginny started, but in that moment, Harry stood in all his naked glory. God, she had seen him naked countless times by now, but it had been nearly a month since the last time. From the day they were married, Harry and Ginny hadn't gone more than a day without making love. Three and a half weeks would surely be like becoming a virgin again.

It was obvious that Harry was affected by her blatant appreciation of his nakedness, as he quickly wrapped himself in the large towel Ginny brought for him, efficiently covering his burgeoning erection from her view. He turned his back to her and quickly dried off.

"Did…did you bring some water?" Harry asked, still facing the corner and tugging on his jeans. Ginny gave a slight jolt as his voice pulled her out of her brief fantasy of running her tongue down his back and over his delicious bum.

"Wha…oh, I brought juice," she rushed over to the basket.

"No, I wanted to brush my teeth."

"Oh!" Ginny dug through the satchel, and then moved back to him, quickly. "Here," she handed over his wand, and Harry looked at it as if he didn't quite know what to do with it. For the briefest of moments, he appeared strong, and whole, and happy to have his instrument for magic back in his hands again, but that soon gave way to fear.

"Perhaps you should keep this for now. I don't want to hurt you," he turned the wand handle back to Ginny, and she hesitantly took it. That's when she knew that he didn't truly believe her when she'd said he hadn't killed Caroline. Ginny knew it would be easier to simply take the wand then try and convince Harry that he was innocent without hard evidence.

"Here," Ginny began, and waved her wand, returning the basin back into a cup. She placed a strong cleaning spell on it and filled it with water. Leaving him in the corner to brush his teeth, Ginny returned to the stew, which was ready now, and ladled out a hearty serving. A moment later Harry was sitting beside her, greedily drinking down the bowl of stew.

"Careful Harry, you don't want to make yourself sick," Ginny said, pulling the bowl away from him to get him to slow down. Harry took a few calming breaths, and began to sip from the bowl in a more civilized manner.

"Wait until Ron finds out I've found you. He'll probably want to kiss you on the mouth, and then immediately punch you in the mouth!" Ginny chuckled, as happiness began to wash over her, but it was short lived.

"You can't, Gin. Ron mustn't know that I'm here, no one can," Harry placed the empty bowl on the hearth.

"I have to tell him! You don't know how hard this has been on him! He hardly eats, or sleeps, and he can barely concentrate on anything but finding you!" Harry swallowed, and she could see the guilt all over his face.

"Ron has been there for me, for all of us, Harry. He sleeps at the Cove more nights than he sleeps at his own place. He works a full day, and then spends practically all night searching for you. Maybe he gets three hours sleep, and that's a fretful sleep I'm sure. Hermione has been staying with me as well. I don't think the two of them have been in bed at the same time since you left. "

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, looking down sadly.

"I'm not telling you all this so you can feel guilty! I'm telling you this so you know how much we all love you. We're stronger together, we don't work well apart! You need us and we need you!" Ginny was shaking now as she tried in vain to convince him that his selflessness was doing more harm than good.

"I understand that, but all I know is, no one has died since I've been gone, have they?" He didn't wait for an answer. "And that is enough to keep me here." Harry finished softly, but defiantly nonetheless.

"So you'll stay here forever? You'll never come back?" Ginny was shouting now, and Harry leaned back a bit under her glare.

"I…I…" he stammered, causing Ginny to make a frustrated noise deep in her throat, and thump him hard on the shoulder.

"You make me want to kick your arse sometimes! I get so…so…ARGH!" she screeched, not really finding an adequate word to describe what she was feeling. She never got the chance to come up with one. In the next instant, Harry had pitched forward, and smashed his mouth to hers. Ginny was so shocked that it nearly took her a full minute to cotton on. By then, Harry was pushing his warm tongue into her mouth.

The kiss was almost violent as teeth clanked, tongues battled and lips bruised. Ginny was the first to pull away, only because she couldn't breathe. Harry's eyes burned into her with a need she hadn't seen since they were teenagers. Her hand trembled as she held it to her swollen lips, and then they were on each other again. This time it was tender, but the intensity had not decreased one bit.

Harry tipped his weight forward, forcing Ginny to lie back on the furry mat. His lips found her throat as he ran his tongue down and over her collarbone. Ginny moaned, bringing her hands over his newly buzzed hair, and down his bare back. Before she even realized it, her jumper was off and in a heap beside them.

Harry's hot mouth was leaving strawberry red marks everywhere it met her pale skin. He seemed starved with need, and Ginny recognized it, as it was the same need coursing through her as well. His mouth covered the thin material of her pink lace bra, and Ginny moaned loudly. Harry reached behind her in an attempt to unhook it, and Ginny never got the chance to tell him that the hook was in the front because he impatiently ripped it from her body.

She yelped, but was already moaning again as Harry grunted an apology with his mouth full of her breast. Carelessly, he tossed his glasses to the side, and they skidded to a halt on the hearth. Nearly worked into a frenzy by Harry's mouth and hands, Ginny was more than a little shocked that Harry was rapidly slowing his ministrations, until he had completely stopped.

"Wha—what is it?" Ginny panted, looked down at his head resting between her breasts.

"Nothing," he replied breathlessly, and pulled himself up on his knees. He ran his hands over her breasts, reverently and said, "I just want to take my time." Ginny smiled up at him. God, he's beautiful! She thought as her eyes slipped closed.

Harry's hands circled worshipfully across her torso, causing Ginny to sigh and moan with nearly every movement. He made his way down to the waistband of her jeans, and was gently tugging them off before Ginny realized that he had even opened them. They too, joined her jumper.

"I love these," Harry whispered, and she knew he was referring to her knickers. The pink lace garments were one of Harry's favorites, and perhaps Ginny had worn them, unconsciously knowing that Harry would see them tonight. She quivered as his hand ghosted across them.

He spread her legs wide as he moved closer to her. Still on his knees, Harry brought her right leg high up on his shoulder, giving her delicate ankle a kiss. His mouth moved lovingly over her calf and down her inner thigh, until he was splayed out flat on his stomach, his face mere inches from her center.

Harry ran his index finger along the front of her soaked knickers, and then seemed to need them off quickly as he forcefully tugged them down her hips and off her feet. There was something about having her knickers off, Ginny mused, that always made her course with heat. She could always maintain some semblance of self-control as long as her knickers were on, but the moment they were gone, she was as good as shagged, because there was no turning back.

She never understood the girls in her dorm that could let a guy get them completely starkers, and then change their mind. Ginny had never been that strong, and was grateful that only Harry had ever gotten that far with her. Perhaps it was only because of Harry that she felt that way. Maybe she wouldn't feel the same with her knickers off in front of some other man. She'd never know, though, because Harry was the only one for her.

All Ginny knew, was that once she was completely bare down there, the ache of emptiness was nearly unbearable, and it drove her insane not to be filled immediately. She looked down at Harry's buzzed head and smiled. He looked like a teenager again as he slowly kissed her thighs. He ran two fingers along her wet center causing her to moan, longingly. Without warning, he plunged those two fingers deep inside her, and ran his tongue across her wanting furnace.

"Yes! Oh God…Harry!" Ginny wailed, shaking with need. She glanced down, expecting to see Harry's eyes closed as they usually were when he tasted her, but he was staring intently at her. She smiled, and ran her hands over his head, only now missing his locks, as she had nothing to grip.

"Please…Harry…I…need…" Ginny panted, but she didn't need to actually tell him, for if it was one thing Harry knew, it was what his wife needed. With a fluid motion, Harry sat up on his knees again, and removed his fingers from deep within Ginny. He sucked those fingers into his mouth, and she quivered at the action. Harry moved swiftly and took off his jeans almost instantly.

Merlin, she missed his member. It was perfectly manufactured just for her, Ginny often thought. Not too thick, not too long, with a defined curve upward that insured her G-spot would be hit with every single thrust. The ache was back and Ginny was nearly going insane as Harry seemed quite content to stroke himself as he took in every nook and cranny of her body.

"Harry, please!" she screamed, as she threw her legs in the air and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him down on top of her.

"Oompf," Harry grunted, as he landed hard on her.

"Sorry," she murmured, as she attacked his neck with her mouth. "I need you, love." Ginny was already grinding against him, causing Harry to moan deep in his throat. He kissed her, trying to take back control of the situation, it appeared.

Once Ginny was a touch less frantic, Harry held himself above her, arms fully extended, and slowly pushed his swollen manhood deep inside her. Ginny's body quaked violently, and she knew she'd be having a massive orgasm with only a few strokes. Her eyes closed tightly as Harry's hips rolled slowly and Ginny tried not to come so quickly. He moved within her as if it was his first time, and she thought for sure he would be exploding soon as well.

Each stroke seemed calculated and reverent, and through her panting, Ginny realized that Harry was dead silent. This was not at all like Harry. He was a moaner, a grunter and often shouted out praises, especially when Ginny's breathing was deep and soulful. Suddenly, Ginny had a startling realization as her eyes snapped open to find her husband looking down at her, grafting every detail into his brain.

"Stop it!" Ginny whispered, with her hands on his chest. Harry's hips stopped moving instantly.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he panted.

"I know what you're doing. Stop it now!" Ginny demanded with a whimper. Harry opened his mouth, seemingly ready to deny whatever she was accusing him of, but Ginny cut him off.

"You're making love to me for the last time, and I want you to stop it now!" Her chin trembled as she fought to hold back tears.

"Gin," Harry moaned.

"Don't, Harry, please," a stubborn tear spilled from her eye, and Harry closed his eyes against the sight. Ginny rolled her hips under him causing Harry to whimper, and snap open his eyes again.

"Close your eyes," Ginny whispered, continuing to slowly thrust under him, and Harry began to meet her thrust with his own. He shook his head, and continued to watch her.

"Do it!" she ordered. "If you are not going to come back to me, then at least give me this!" Harry swallowed hard, but a few seconds later, his eyes slipped closed.

Ginny began to grind against him deeply. Harry's mouth dropped open as though he wanted to moan, but he would not allow himself to do so. It only took a few moments, however, for Harry to begin to make small noises deep in his throat, but Ginny needed him to fall to pieces completely. Her hands raked down his back and gripped his firm buttocks as they ground against each other passionately.

Harry's arms shook under the pressure of keeping himself perched above her, but he hadn't opened his eyes yet, and his moans were growing in volume. She raised her knees to cradle the sides of Harry's body, and that seemed to kill his will, as his arms gave way and he slumped over her. Now, with their bodies skin to skin, Harry's thrusts became more demanding, and he was grunting and moaning with every stroke.

Ginny finally let her eyes slip closed, knowing that Harry was now giving himself over to the sheer ecstasy of being inside her. His head lay cradled in the curve of her neck, and he stirred wisps of her hair with his heavy breathing.

"Oh…Ginny…ohh…I love…" he fairly exploded before he could finish that statement, and his teeth sunk into her shoulder. Ginny shuttered and clenched around him as another tear streamed down her face in the midst of her immense orgasm.

The dilapidated cabin was silent, with the exception of their breathing. Harry kissed the spot he had just bitten, with a whispered apology. Ginny ran her hands over his hair, causing him to pull his head back and look her in the eyes. They were silent for a long moment, simply staring at one another.

"Come back, Harry," she whispered. "We need you." Before he could give the protest she knew was coming, or say anything about Ron and Hermione, she clarified. "The baby and I need you."

Whatever Harry was going to say, died in his throat as he gaped at his wife in absolute horror. He stuttered and stammered and then seemed to lose all his ability to speak whatsoever.

"I'm sure," Ginny answered before he could ask. "I'm about a month along, but it's been confirmed. So you see, you have to come back. You can't abandon us. This child needs its father." Harry slowly separated their bodies, and was finally granted the use of his tongue.

"I would never abandon you, baby or not, Ginny," he said breathlessly, as he looked down on her in awe. "I left to keep you safe, and I'd do it a million times if it meant you would not be harmed again," he sniffed, and reached out a hesitant hand to touch her stomach. She held it in place and closed her eyes, at the sudden rush of emotion she felt. She had no plans to tell anyone about the baby until she could tell her husband, and she was ever so grateful that she gotten that chance.

"Are you happy?" she asked, as her heart began to race in anticipation of his answer. Harry brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

"Of course I'm happy…it's…it's just, the fear is outweighing it at the moment," Harry whispered, and she could see the truth in that statement as she was terribly afraid herself.

"What if—" Harry began, but Ginny sat up and placed two fingers on his lips.

"Let's not go through what if's right now, just lay with me for a while, and then we can talk." Harry nodded slowly, and then lowered his body back down to the fluffy mat and spooned behind her. Ginny thought for certain that she would never be able to sleep, but just like that photo of her, peace and contentment seemed to always be found in the arms of Harry Potter. Soon they had both slipped off into a far more peaceful sleep than either of them had been able to have in the last few weeks.

A couple of hours later, a shiver ran through Ginny, and she woke to find that the fire was dying out. Looking down, she saw Harry's hand protectively over her stomach, and smiled. Ginny sat up slowly to look for her wand, and the movement woke Harry.

"What is it?" he asked with a yawn, and distractedly rubbed her belly.

"Cold," she mumbled with a shiver. Harry sprang to his feet and got her jumper. Ginny smiled as she slipped it over her head, wondering if this was how he was going to be throughout the entire pregnancy. He stood, gazing down at her lovingly, as he pulled up his jeans. Harry zipped them, and then stopped just as he was about to button them.

"What's with you?" Ginny chuckled lightly, thinking he was deciding whether to keep them on or take them off, and have another go, but then she noticed the panic in his eyes.

"Harry, what it is?"

"I…I can't move."

26

A/N: Another cliffie! Well don't hate me but there is one more cliffie left...sorry! Thanks you all for the reviews...please leave more! LOL.

Karen