Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.

This Chapter is dedicated to Codyesh2 (because i said i would) and Comet Moon (because he?(just guessing since you sign Jim) got the pop culture reference even though i didn't ask about it)

Warning: Mild cursing in this chapter nothing too bad so i think i can stay at the T rating, if not just leave a review and i'll change to M.

Chapter 8: The Fight Part1

Ministry Employee Murdered in own Home!

Tragedy struck last night in Liverpool, as Ministry official Bartemius Crouch Sr. was brutally murdered in his home. Mr. Crouch was found this morning when his personal assistant went to his house after he failed to show up for work.

Upon arriving at the house, Samantha Weatherby found the front door destroyed and the Dark Mark floating ominously above the house. Aurors and Hit Wizards were immediately called to the scene. After the scene was declared safe, it was discovered that Mr. Crouch had secretly been hiding his son, Bartemius Crouch Jr.

Readers might remember that Mr. Crouch Jr. was sentenced to life in Azkaban, after being found guilty of attacking the Longbottom family, resulting in the permanent hospitalization of Alice and Frank Longbottom. Crouch Jr. was believed to have died in Azkaban several years ago.

New evidence found last night at the Crouch residence, has proven that Mr. Crouch Sr. and his late wife, Jennifer, aided their son in escaping Azkaban. Using polyjuice potion, they were able to switch Mrs. Crouch and Mr. Crouch Jr. It is believed that Mrs. Crouch died a short while later while still impersonating her son.

It is unknown as to how Mr. Crouch Jr. was able to procure a wand, but during questioning the family House elf, confirmed that Mr. Crouch Jr. killed his father, cast the dark mark over the house, and disappeared.

The Ministry urges all Wizards and Witches to stay away from Mr. Crouch Jr. if they see him, and contact the Ministry immediately. TheProphet will stay with this story and bring you more updates as they occur.

Break

The murder of Bartemius Crouch sparked a massive panic across wizarding Britain. Under advice from Dumbledore, the Potter family spent most of the summer at Hogwarts. Harry suffered the most from this, missing Ginny like a piece of himself. What made it even worse was that he couldn't go to the Founders room. Everywhere he went it seemed like Dumbledore was following him around. If it weren't for the aura sensing he had gained in the Chamber he might have never seen Dumbledore following him.

As it was, Harry's only communication with Ginny, until August, was letters. Then the miracle happened.

Break

Harry was in his bed in the soon to be third year Ravenclaw dorms. It was nearing eleven pm and he had just finished writing his newest letter to Ginny. He lay back in his bed staring longingly at the picture of them she had given him for Christmas so long ago. He of course had many more pictures of the two of them by now, but that first picture would always be his favorite.

That's when he heard it.

'Harry…' It sounded like someone had sighed longingly after saying his name. He immediately sat up in bed looking around for the source. There was no one in his room, or Ravenclaw tower for that matter. He was alone.

'I want to see you so badly…' There it was again. That voice, it was so familiar, but it couldn't be.

"Ginny?" As he had expected no one answered. After several seconds of silence he laid back down convinced he had just been hearing things.

'Stupid Daniel, why can't they hide somewhere I can visit!?' Harry sat up in bed again. He knew he'd heard something, but there was something off about it. It was almost like his ears hadn't registered the noise, just his brain. Confused he reviewed the memories again using occlumency.

As he'd suspected he hadn't actually heard anything, it was all in his head. That thought triggered another memory. Chapter four of the soul bond book suddenly appeared vividly in his mind. The words telepathic communication in particular catching his attention. Curious Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on the area of his brain he'd figured out was his connection to Ginny.

'Ginny? It's Harry, can you here me?' Harry waited for several minutes wondering if it had worked. Finally just as he was giving up hope, Ginny's voice floated through his mind.

'Harry? Is this really you?'

'Yes! This is so amazing! I think it's part of our bond.'

'I don't care what it is Harry, it lets me talk to you even when we're apart. That's all that matters to me.'

'I know! This is so much better than letters. I'd still rather be able to have you here in person.'

'I know Harry. It's been so hard here Ron keeps talking about Daniel, especially whenever I'm around. I think he's trying to brag about all the things they do.'

'I know what you mean. Daniel seems to finally want to talk to me. All he does though is ask questions about you. Says he wants to get to know his best mates little sister better.'

'Why would he want to get to know me?'

'I don't know maybe it's the only thing he can think of to talk about. I am the only one his age around and he doesn't have anything to play with. Although he has been disappearing for a few hours everyday. I think dad or Dumbledore are giving him private lessons.'

'That wouldn't surprise me. Those two always play favorites when it comes to Daniel.'

'Yea I know. Hey Gin, I think using this thing is draining me, I feel exhausted all of a sudden.'

'Yea me too, maybe we need to… before we can… I can't stay… Goodnight Harry.' Ginny's message began to falter and Harry missed parts of it. He realized that the exhaustion must be interfering with their ability to speak. Summoning all his remaining energy he concentrated as hard as he could on the bond.

'Goodnight Ginny.' As he finished sending the last message the world quickly faded to black and Harry passed out.

Break

By the time September 1st arrived Harry was waiting on the steps of the school. The carriages started arriving and Harry began pushing his way through the crowd in the direction he knew Ginny would be in. Finally just before Ginny came into sight a wave of shock and confusion pushed its way through the bond. The crowd seemed to part in front of Harry allowing him a view of the strangest sight he'd ever seen.

Ginny was standing next to Luna and Neville, she was awkwardly trying to return a hug Daniel was giving her. Next to her Luna was as always smiling dreamily, while Neville looked on in a mix of disgust and anger. Behind Ginny, Ron and Hermione were smiling broadly as they climbed out of one of the carriages. People around them were looking on curiously. Ginny for her part was looking over Daniel's shoulder at Harry.

'Help?' This seemed to snap Harry out of his daze and he strode forward purposefully.

"Excuse me Daniel," Daniel stepped back, but that was all Ginny needed. She pushed past Daniel and leapt into Harry's waiting arms.

"I missed you so much." Harry chuckled lightly into her hair, lavishing in the smell of flowers and cinnamon.

"You at least at had Luna, I was stuck here by myself." Harry pulled back from Ginny. A glance over her shoulder revealed Daniel looking on with a mix of anger and jealousy and Ron red faced and ready to punch Harry.

'You have any idea what all that is about?'

'None whatsoever.'

Harry and Ginny managed to disappear into the crowd before Ron caused a scene, and hand in hand made their way to the Ravenclaw table. A few seconds after they sat down Luna gracefully took the seat across from them.

"You two should consider yourselves lucky. There's a swarm of snicklefeathered thatchtakers around you two." Harry and Ginny smiled curiously at their friend before Ginny asked the obvious question.

"Luna, what's a snicklefeathered thatchtaker?"

"They're small serpent creatures that stretch between two people suffering from true love." Ginny and Harry shared a shocked look, while Luna returned to her food.

Break

"I know you two are lying!"

Harry wasn't sure what his twin brother was talking about. He was however, very angry that he had been pulled into a secret passage and slammed against a wall.

"Excuse me?" Daniel narrowed his eyes as his brother pushed him off.

"I said I know you and Ginny are lying about that soul bond stuff." Harry stepped back in surprise. Then his eyes narrowed and he stepped up right into Daniel's face again.

"Who told you?" Harry's voice was cold and the power started to radiate off him, making Daniel step back in a mix of fear and shock. Then stupidly he answered.

"D-Dad told me. He said I shouldn't try to get Ginny to go out with me. I know you two are lying though. Everyone knows Ginny had a crush on me first!" Harry began shaking his head and laughed harshly at Daniel.

"I can't believe you're doing all this because you're jealous that Ginny and I love each other!" Daniel's cocky smile faltered for a second before returning.

"I'll win her over. What's a loser like you have to offer her anyway." Harry didn't even bother answering, he knew something Daniel didn't. Without warning the tapestry Daniel had pulled Harry behind was ripped open.

Daniel had a second to meet the blazing brown eyes of Ginny before her fist collided with his jaw. The impact sent him stumbling backwards into the wall. That didn't stop Ginny however, without pausing she stepped forward until she was standing directly over him.

"How dare you?! I never thought you could get anymore arrogant or stupid, but obviously you have. You're worse than Malfoy." Daniel had recovered by now and was on his feet. At being compared to Malfoy he made a noise that was a mix between a snarl and a cough. He had a trickle of blood running down his chin.

"How dare you hit me? I'm the Boy-Who-Lived!" Ginny gave him a disgusted look.

"So? You're still a self centered arrogant prat!" This actually made Daniel smile.

"My mum used to say that to my dad. It just proves that you like me." Ginny narrowed her eyes and took a step forward towards Daniel.

"I will never go out with you Daniel Potter! I hate you!" Ginny moved to punch him again but this time he was ready. One of his hands grabbed her wrist while the other came up like he was going to slap her. Harry was a step quicker and just before Daniel's hand connected with Ginny, Harry grabbed his wrist.

"Don't you dare touch her." His voice was cold and barely above a whisper. Daniel tried to pull his wrist free but failed. The muscles Harry had developed over the past few months of sword fight, and regular work outs which Sal and Godric had forced him into, were noticeably paying off.

"Let me go now or I'm going to tell mum and the headmaster you two were fighting!"

"You'll have to get in line I need to talk to them myself first." Harry's fist came up and caught Daniel right below the chin. Daniel fell backwards into the wall, before he could recover though Harry knocked him out with a stunner.

"Harry, are you sure that was a good idea?" Ginny smirked at her.

"I don't know, but it sure as hell felt good." Ginny rolled her eyes at him, but failed to hide her smile.

"I have to go have a conversation with my dear father. You should probably go back to the dorms." Ginny raised her eyebrow at him.

"You know as well as I do that I'm not going to let you do this alone. So we should probably go find your dad." Harry sighed, but Ginny grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the hall towards his parents quarters, leaving Daniel unconscious in the secret passage.

Break

"How could you!?" Harry had just pushed through the door to his parents rooms. He'd walked right up to his father and started yelling in his face.

"What are you talking about?"

"You told Daniel about the bond! You promised you wouldn't tell him!" James blinked in surprise.

"How do you know?"

"Daniel just tried to attack me telling me he didn't believe us about the bond. He's convinced he can steal Ginny from me. The spoiled bastard actually tried to hit her."

"Watch your language young man, I will not allow you to talk about your brother like that!" Ginny by this point was standing a few feet behind Harry glaring at James.

"I don't care what you say! He isn't my brother, he's an arrogant self centered asshole!" This seemed to anger James even more.

"You should be grateful to have Daniel as your brother! He's the boy-who-lived!"

Lily was watching the argument in a mix of horror and shock. Over the last few months she had noticed that her son was both an intelligent person, and an outstanding individual. He was kind and compassionate always willing to help others. He'd also shown that he was amazingly intelligent and was almost as good with Runes as she was. Unfortunately she couldn't say the same for Daniel. He had also taken Ancient Runes, though on the first test he hadn't even made an attempt and then acted surprised that he had failed, horribly. She had started wondering if the rumors that James had played favorites were true.

"GRATEFUL! Why on earth would I be grateful to have that egotistic, self centered, arrogant prick as my brother? I'm not grateful! I'm ashamed! I avoid spending anytime with you because you're all embarrassing!"

"Why should we be proud of you? You've done absolutely nothing! There's nothing special about you! Daniel saved you from a life of fear and what did you ever do? You've done nothing but bask in the glory coming off of him! You're no son of mine!"

Harry took a step back. Through everything that had ever happened he'd always hoped that his parents loved him. Hearing this was like a punch in the stomach. The air rushed out of him as he took first one step, then stumbled backwards. Ginny was there to steady him though. Harry stared in horror at his father for a second then turned and before anyone could say a thing ran out of the room.

James stared smugly at where his son had been, not saying a word. Ginny glared at him walked forward until she was right in his face. Without a second thought she slapped him as hard as she could across the face. The hit left a red handprint across his cheek. After that Ginny turned and walked to the door. In the doorway she stopped and glanced back over her shoulder.

"I never thought I'd agree with Professor Snape on something. But, he was right about you Mr. Potter." Without another word Ginny rushed after Harry, leaving Lily and James alone.

"Lily I demand you take points from Ginny! She attacked me!" Lily looked at her husband with as much pity as she could personally muster.

"No James. If she hadn't done it already, I would've slapped you. I'm going to find my son, maybe you should think about what you said." Lily left James standing dumbstruck in their room.

Break

Lily found Harry and Ginny in an empty classroom. The only reason they hadn't gone straight to the Founders room was because they suspected someone would want to talk to them once Daniel was found and revived. Lily wasn't too shocked to find Harry sobbing onto Ginny's shoulder as she held him lovingly.

When she walked into the room Harry and Ginny both looked towards her. Harry refused to meet her eyes and his hand noticeably clutched Ginny's. Ginny unlike Harry, met Lily's eyes and glared at the woman. Lily was reminded of a mother tiger protecting her cubs. She took a step towards them but stopped when Ginny took a step forward placing Harry slightly behind her.

"What do you want?" Ginny's voice was blunt and laced with fury. Lily winced almost like she'd been hit.

"I wanted to check on Harry. James said horrible things and I wanted to make sure he was alright." For some reason this seemed to infuriate Ginny more and her face began to turn red from suppressed rage.

"Why would you care!? You've never cared before! Give me one reason why I should let you talk to Harry!" Lily opened her mouth preparing to argue with Ginny, then she paused. Thoughts of the past twelve years began replaying in her head.

Christmases where she couldn't remember Harry opening his presents. The weeks before where she couldn't remember buying presents for Harry. Trips to Diagon Alley where she was so busy taking care of all of Daniel's needs she never noticed that Harry had once again snuck off. Entirely missing the growing relationship between her oldest son and Ginny. After a few silent minutes Lily lowered her head and spoke in barely a whisper.

"You're right." Harry and Ginny looked at her slightly in shock before she continued. "I was a horrible mother. Harry was right to be ashamed of us. If I were you I wouldn't want me talking to him either. But please, let me prove that I want to change. Let me talk to my son and beg him for his forgiveness." Ginny narrowed her eyes looking the woman up and down. She glanced backwards at Harry who's eyes were filled with renewed hope.

"Fine you can talk to him, but, I swear to whatever god there is, if you hurt him I will make your life a living hell." Lily nodded and Ginny moved to the side allowing her access to Harry. She didn't leave the room and instead stood off to the side of the room watching them carefully.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I wasn't there for you like I should have been. I was so caught up in the attention and fame that everyone was giving Daniel I let myself perform an unforgivable crime. I forgot my oldest son, I don't know if you can ever forgive me, but I'm willing to try and make up for what I did." Harry stared in shock for a second, as his mother walked up and kneeled in front of him placing both hands on his shoulders.

"Mum," Tears still in his eyes Harry stepped forward placing his arms around her finally getting the one thing he'd wanted more than anything all this time. His mother returned the hug with as much love as she could.

Ginny on the other side of the room smiled happily and quietly left the room closing the door behind her and taking up guard outside of it. Inside of the room Harry held onto his mother for dear life, his mother for her part was trying to do everything she could to comfort her son.

"Harry, you're father is a complete moron. He was angry though and he didn't mean any of it. He'll come around eventually." Harry's eyes became hard and he took a step away from his mother.

"No! He doesn't care! He'll never take back his words, he'll be too stubborn. I know you've tried before mum, but he's never done anything! He's always spoiled Daniel and paid no attention to me whatsoever. Sirius is more my father than he ever will be!" Lily looked down in a mix of shame and horror at the amount of truth in his statements.

"Harry please I don-" Lily was interrupted as the door was thrown open. Professors Snape and Flitwick walked in with Ginny following closely behind trying to stop them.

"Excuse us Lily, the Headmaster requires Mr. Potter's presence. He apparently assaulted his brother." Snape said in a amazingly normal voice devoid of it's normal malice and hatred. Harry sighed, he'd been expecting this, and it would be his mothers first real test of her willingness to change.

"Ok professor you'll have to lead the way I don't know where his office is." Snape nodded and took the lead, behind him Harry and Ginny walked hand in hand followed closely by a tearful and worried Lily and at the rear a confused Flitwick.

A/N

Sorry for the long wait( at least for me) i had a pretty hectic weekend and i couldn't get the argument and reconciliation to sound right. I still don't like the way the argument between James and Harry but i couldn't figure out how to make it sound more natural. I think some of you might have wanted him to argue more with Lily, but the way i characterize him in my head and the way i tried to make Harry out in the story didn't call for it.

Thanks to all my reviewers and especially to all like twenty of you who pointed out the Snape-Sal mixup in the last chapter. The next chapter will be out soonish hopefully by tuesday night.

Next Chapter: The Fight Part 2