A/N: This Chapter is done a little differently. Let me know what you think. =)

Monday

18 May 1998

The Daily Prophet

Quidditch Returns to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It's been 16 days since the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and the heads of the British and Irish Quidditch League feel that it is time to bring Quidditch back.

"The war is over. Nothing says victory like starting up sports again. The games will begin immediately and the first one will be held on the 30th of this month. It will be Puddlemere United vs. Ballycastle Bats." - Ludovic Bagman; Head of the Department of Games and Sports.

It appears that not all the teams will be returning this season. Below is a list of the teams that have signed on to play this year.

Ballycastle Bats
Chudley Cannons
Falmouth Falcons
Holyhead Harpies
Kenmare Kestrels
Montrose Magpies
Puddlemere United
Tutshill Tornados
Wigtown Wanderers

The schedule for all of the games this year shall be given out some time with in the next few weeks...

Tuesday

19 May 1998

The Daily Prophet

Captured Death Eaters Await Trial

The long awaited list of captured and dead Death Eaters has finally been released by the Ministry of Magic.

Deceased:
Avery
Crabbe Jr.
Gibbon
Jugson
Lestrange, Bellatrix
Lestrange, Rabastan
Mulciber
Pettigrew, Peter
Snape, Severus
Macnair, Walden

Captured:
Carrow, Alecto
Carrow, Amycus
Crabbe Sr.
Dolohov, Antonin
Goyle Sr.
Goyle Jr.
Malfoy, Draco
Malfoy, Lucius
Nott
Rookwood, Augustuss
Selwyn
Umbridge, Dolores

Still At Large:
Greyback, Fenrir
Lestrange, Rodolphus
Rowle, Thorfinn
Travers
Yaxley

The five Death Eaters still at large are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Please do not try to apprehend them. For more information on the Five Most Wanted, please turn to page 3A.

"The trials will begin on the 1st of June. Due to the high profile of these trials and the privacy of the witnesses that will be called to the stand, we will not be releasing who is being tried until after all the verdicts have come in." - Kingsley Shacklebolt; Minister of Magic.

There is no doubt that on the 1st of June we will see Harry Potter there to testify...

Wednesday

19 May

9:35pm

"Harry! Quit tickling me." Ginny squealed from under her covers.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry said as innocently as possible. After a moment Ginny quit squirming and took a few deep breaths. Harry flipped her covers back and brushed her hair out of her face. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Hey that's not very nice."

Ginny crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "Neither is tickling me to death."

Harry laughed at her obvious annoyance and then kissed her forehead. Her expression didn't change. Harry smiled, kissed the tip of her nose, and then her left cheek.

"Yeah that's not going to work."

"I guess I'll just have to try harder." Harry kissed the corner of her mouth, the top of an eyelid, the soft skin right under her ear, along her jawline, and finally down her collarbone. Harry felt Ginny's hands run through his hair, and he knew he had her. He sat up with a smug smile on his face. "I think that worked."

"Yeah, whatever, you win. Can you go back to kissing me now?"

Harry laughed and happily obliged. Ginny's lips parted slightly, allowing Harry to trace his tongue along her bottom lip. Ginny tossed her covers aside enough to free one bare leg. She wrapped it around Harry and he brushed the tips of his fingers along her leg. Ginny parted Harry's lips with her tongue and she roughly ran her fingers through his hair. Harry growled at her. Ginny was tempting him. Almost daring him to take it further. Harry started to pull back which made Ginny cling on tighter. Harry let out a small laugh.

"You know that if we keep this up your mum will be at the door claiming that it's time for lights out." Harry whispered. Ginny grumbled and let go of him. He tucked her leg back under the covers and regained a respectable position on the bed. "That was the deal we made with her Gin. Keep the door slightly cracked, me above your covers, and do nothing more than an innocent kiss..."

"Yeah I know. If we follow those three rules we get to be 'alone' together until midnight. It's just so stupid. You, Ron, and Hermione are all of age. I will be in a few months and yet she is still giving us bed times."

"We are living under your parent's roof. What they say is law."

Ginny rolled her eyes and Harry bent forward giving her a kiss on the lips. Ginny smiled. "You know I don't recall mum mentioning anything about multiple 'innocent' kisses."

"You know, I think you're right." Harry pressed his lips against hers, broke away for a second, and then kissed her again.

The door flung open and Harry jumped back. Startled to find Mr. Weasley standing in the doorway. Harry gulped. He just knew that he was about to be in trouble.

"I'm sorry. We weren't doing anything..."

"Harry. Come quickly. Kingsley is calling by floo."

Harry jumped up and raced after Mr. Weasley to the fireplace. Harry was vaguely aware of Ginny following them, but knew that Kingsley would only call this late if something serious was going on. Harry knew that Kingsley was worried about a attack after yesterday's paper. He only hoped that it was nothing too serious. Harry skidded to a stop in front of the fireplace and flopped down on his knees in front of the coals and fire that made up Kingsley's face.

"Kingsley. What's happened? Did the remaining Death Eaters retaliate?"

"Yes Harry. It appears that they attacked the Creevey's house and a couple of muggle houses in that area. Thankfully the Creeveys' were not home, unfortunately the same can not be said for a few muggles. There were no deaths, but they were seriously injured."

Harry stared at Kingsley in disbelief. The Creeveys' only live a few streets over from Andromeda. Andromeda and Harry's month old godson, Teddy.

"Kingsley have you made any captures or are they still at large?"

"Proudfoot and Savage are searching the area. Dawlish and Williamson are at Azkaban."

"Have you notified the other magical people in that community about what happened?"

"Harry. They made the Dark Mark. People saw it for miles around. I personally went by Andromeda's and made sure that her and Teddy were okay."

Harry sat impatiently, it was taking everything in him not to apparate over to her house right now.

"She was a bit shaken up, and Teddy wouldn't stop crying, but neither of them were harmed."

"What can I do Kingsley? How can I help?"

"This is why I called. I need you to stay there. The burrow is still under the Fidelius Charm. We think that they may have attacked with the intention of drawing you out. They know that attacking the Creeveys' would upset you. They also know that you would worry about Andromeda and Teddy, possibly doing something rash and hopefully leaving you unprotected."

"Which is exactly why you should let me go to Andromeda. It'll be a trap. The Aurors can be waiting for the Death Eaters instead of trying to find them. They could be anywhere by now. Me going there is the only hope of bringing them out."

Harry heard Ginny stop breathing. He knew that this scared her, no matter how brave of a face she wore. Mr. Weasley stepped forward and put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"You know Kingsley. Harry has a point. When this attack hits tomorrow's papers there is going to be a wave of panic. You know, just as well as I do, that the Ministry needs to show the wizarding world that we aren't going to tolerate this kind of behavior any more. The war is over and there will be consequences for anyone who tries to retaliate."

Kingsley slowly started nodding his head. "This is going to go one of two ways Arthur. This is either going to go really good, or really bad."

"It can't get much worse. At least this way there is a chance of capturing who ever is responsible." stated Harry.

"Let me talk to Andromeda and make sure that this is okay. It's not just you we are using as bait. It is also her and Teddy."

"I don't want either of them to be in the way of harm."

"What you have proposed can only be accomplished if they believe that the three of you are in there. They have to hear Teddy's make noises, they have to hear you and Andromeda talking, they have to see you." Harry sighed. "If she agrees to this, we won't let anything happen to them."

"What about Harry?" Asked Ginny.

Kingsley noticed her for the first time. "Miss Weasley. We will protect Harry if he needs it, but I believe him quite capable of taking care of himself. Now Harry, meet me back here, ready to go, in fifteen minutes. If Andromeda agrees to this, you will want to pack several sets of clothing. I'm not sure how long you will need to be there. Consider this an intro to Auror missions. I highly doubt there will be another one that gives you the luxury of a kitchen and a bathroom."

Before Harry could ask another question, Kingsley was gone. Harry immediately ran up the five flights of stairs and burst into Ron's room. Hermione shrieked and Ron tumbled onto the floor. They were definitely doing more than "innocent kissing," but Harry didn't have time to be embarrassed or disgusted. He grabbed a rucksack and started throwing clothes into it. He wanted to pack as fast as possible so that he had time to say goodbye to Ginny.

"Oy! Harry! What in the bloody hell are you doing?"

"Harry, it's almost 10:00. Where are you going?"

Harry didn't bother turning around. "Some Death Eaters attacked the Creevey's house as well as a few muggle houses in the area. The Creevey's weren't home but a few of the muggles were injured. I'm going to go stay with Andromeda and Teddy for a few days until they catch who did this."

"Bloody hell."

"Harry, there is no reason for you to go there, it's dangerous. Why don't Andromeda and Teddy come here?"

"Because the Burrow is still protected. The only way they can get to Harry is by drawing him out of it's protection."

Harry froze at hearing Ginny's voice. It was as cold as ice. He glanced over at Hermione and Ron, but didn't dare look at Ginny. He knew her expression would physically cause him pain.

"Harry, no way. You'll be doing exactly what they want. You could be seriously hurt or even killed! You're not an Auror yet, let them handle this. I'm sure if they need your help, they will ask."

"Yeah mate. I'm sure they already have a plan to get these wankers."

Harry pulled his bag shut and swung it over his shoulder. Ginny let out a cold bark of laughter right as he turned around. "Oh they have a plan. Harry's plan. Guess who is Death Eater bait."

Harry saw Ron and Hermione's eyes grow wide in shock. "I'll see you two in a few days. Try not to worry about me, after training I'll be gone for Auror missions all the time."

Harry headed out the door before Ron and Hermione could say anything else. He paused just even with Ginny, careful to still not make eye contact. "I still have about eight minutes before I need to be waiting downstairs. I'll be in your room."

He faced front again and trotted down to Ginny's room. He set his bag by the door and sat down on her bed. He quieted his breathing and listened for her footsteps. There was silence. Harry propped his elbows on his knees and rested his face in his hands. Hoping that he would eventually hear Ginny's lithe step on the stairs. 108 agonizing seconds later, he heard her hit the first floor landing. The door creaked open with her entrance and she slowly crossed the room to stand in front of him. Harry looked up at her for the first time. She made eye contact for a brief moment before looking out her window. The defeat in her eyes made something inside of Harry clench and his stomach go into his throat. He grabbed either side of her night shirt and pulled her towards him. Ginny willing stepped forward and ran her fingers through his hair. Harry rested his forehead against her chest and Ginny leaned forward enough to give him a quick kiss on the head.

"You better come back to me."

Harry looked up and deep into her eyes. "I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."

Ginny gave him a small smile and then placed her lips upon his. It started out tender but grew into longing. Harry knew that this was going to be the only goodbye. Ginny would not be going downstairs with him. Harry returned the kiss and let her end it. When they finally pulled away, a few tears had escaped from her eyes and were trailing down her cheeks. Harry brushed them away with the back of his fingers.

"Will you hold me until you have to go downstairs?"

Harry nodded his head and pulled her onto his lap. He cradled her in his arms, absentmindedly stroking her hair. After what seemed like only a few seconds they both heard the distinct sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. Ginny squeezed him tighter for a splint second before she released him and moved herself beside him on the bed. Mr. Weasley opened the door a crack and then politely smiled at the two of them. "I wanted to make sure you were packed and ready to go. Kingsley should be calling back in a few minutes."

Harry nodded his head. "I'll be down in just a moment."

Mr. Weasley gave a sympathetic smile and shut the door. Harry turned his head to the side and looked at Ginny. Tears were welling up fast and she was biting her bottom lip to keep the from spilling over. She was also pointedly not looking at him. "Look at me Gin." She ignored him. Harry moved one hand out and stroked her cheek. "Look at me...please." Ginny caved and looked Harry in the eyes. Tears immediately started to fall. "I promise you, that I won't do anything stupid. I promise you, that I will think of you all the time. And I promise you, that I will come back. This isn't like before. It's only for a few days. And when I come back, we are going to have a whole day together. Just you and me. Okay?"

Ginny nodded her head slowly, tears now streaming down her face. "I miss you already."

Harry smiled and then gave her a few quick kisses on the lips. Harry grabbed his bag off the floor and headed out the door. He gave her one last look over his shoulder as he shut the door. She was face down on her pillow. Harry hoped that this goodbye would get easier over time. He couldn't go through this every time he left for an Auror mission.

Downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as well as Ron and Hermione were waiting by the fireplace. Harry smiled at them and gave them each a hug.

"Oh Harry dear, please do try to be careful."

"Yes Mum."

"This is your first mission with out us mate. How do you feel?"

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron's remark.

"Harry. Where is Ginny?" Hermione asked.

Harry took a deep breath. "She is in her room. We already said goodbye."

"Oh..."

"Umm...will you go keep her company, after I leave?"

Hermione nodded her head. "Of course."

The fireplace roared to life and all five of them crowded around it. Kingsley's face appeared and he wasted no time relaying the news. "So this is the plan Harry. Andromeda agrees that this is the best plan to catch the Death Eaters responsible. So in just a moment you are going to apparate outside of her house. We don't want you to floo over for two reasons. One, we want it known that you are staying there. And two, we don't want it known that her house is connected to the Burrow by the floo network. Andromeda will be expecting you, and when you arrive there, give your surroundings a once over and keep your senses on alert. As Mad-Eye would say, 'Constant Vigilance.' There is an Auror keeping watch from across the street just in case you are attacked. In a bit, I will floo call Andromeda's fireplace to make sure everything went smoothly. Be expecting me, and Harry...Good luck." And with that he was gone.

Harry turned to face his family. Their faces clearly showed their discomfort with Kingsley's plan. Harry was glad that Ginny wasn't down here to hear it. Harry smiled his most comforting smile and then disapparated.