Albus Dumbledore walked happily down the small country lane, enjoying the crisp January air. Evidently the Weasleys had updated their wards recently, as he had been unable to apparate any closer to their home. But considering how much time Harry spent at the Burrow, this could only be considered a good thing.

Of course, he sincerely hoped that one of the results of his visit tonight would be a drastic decrease in the amount of time that Harry spent at the Burrow in the future.

He strolled up and knocked cheerfully on the door. It only took moments before Molly Weasley was opening it.

"Albus! What a surprise!"

He looked at her carefully. Was it just his imagination, or did she not seem very happy to have him here? No, he must just be seeing things. "Good day, Molly. I wonder if I might trouble you and Arthur for a few minutes of your time?"

"Certainly, Albus." She stepped back from the door. "Do come in."

Albus followed her into the sitting room and took a seat as she bustled outside to call her husband away from his beloved shed. He waited patiently until the couple came in and sat on the couch opposite his chair.

"What can we do for you, Albus?" Arthur Weasley asked. Again, the greeting seemed a trifle forced.

"I wish to speak with you about a concern I have about your daughter Ginevra."

Molly Weasley gripped her husband's hand tightly. "Is something wrong with Ginny?"

"Not exactly, but I fear it is only a matter of time." He paused and noted that the couple in front of him seemed oddly guarded, and not nearly as upset as he expected them to be based on his statement. Molly Weasley was the type to fly of the handle at any hint of harm to one of her children, and yet here she sat relatively calmly. "As you are no doubt aware, Ginevra has become romantically involved with young Mr. Potter."

"I fail to see how Ginny and Harry's relationship should concern you." Albus blinked at the faint note of hostility in Arthur's tone. He grew cautious. He hadn't even presented his concerns and already they were defensive. This was not looking good.

"While I do think that Ginny and Harry are admirably suited to each other, it is dangerous for Harry to be involved romantically with anyone at this time." Molly and Arthur did not even blink. "Harry has a destiny which he must fulfill, and he cannot afford any distractions from that destiny at this time."

"I hardly see how providing the boy with something to fight for could be a bad thing, Albus." Arthur spoke calmly, but Albus could see that Molly was quickly losing her cool. He hurried on before the Weasley matriarch lost her temper.

"Harry needs to spend all his time training and preparing, not looking for broom cupboards."

"Harry has spoken to us about his training. He seems to be spending a good portion of his time preparing as it is." Arthur's voice was quiet. "If he were to spend any more time training than he already is, he would have no life worth speaking of." The man paused and eyed the Headmaster carefully. "Why are you putting so much pressure on a mere boy, Albus?"

Albus sighed heavily before continuing. He had hoped it wouldn't come to this. "I have no choice. There is a prophecy regarding Harry, stating that he is our only hope for finally defeating Voldemort." Albus was doubly shocked. Not only did his words fail to sway the couple, but neither of them flinched at the name. What was going on here? He decided to try another tactic. "In addition, it is extremely dangerous for anyone to be so closely tied to Harry. If Voldemort were to learn of Harry's feelings for your daughter, he would stop at nothing to lay his hands on her."

Eyes nearly wild with fury, Molly Weasley slowly rose to her feet. "Professor," she began, "I have always greatly respected you for what you have accomplished, but I will not stand for this. You have manipulated Harry his entire life. And now that he finally found some measure of happiness, you try to take it away. I will not allow you to interfere in their relationship. Harry is perfectly capable of taking care of Ginny. He has proven that to us on numerous occasions. The only reason you are even here now is because your attempts at separating them have failed. I will not stand back and let you destroy the happiness of my family."

Albus looked on in shock. "Molly," he placated, "I only want what is best for your family."

"That is a grand sentiment, only you no longer have the right to decide that. We will keep our own council about such things." She took a deep breath. "I think it is about time for you to leave, Headmaster."

Albus rose sadly. "I had hoped you would see reason. I only wish you don't come to regret your decision."

"We won't," Arthur spoke quietly as he rose to stand next to his wife. "And take care that you don't overstep your bounds in your zeal to accomplish your goals, Albus."

The warning was clear. He nodded his head before turning to leave. That did not go as planned. As Albus walked back down the lane, he tried to think what could have gone wrong. But the more he went over the conversation he just had the more he realized that the Weasleys were set against him before he even entered the house. Which could only mean one thing: Harry must have already spoken to them. With a resigned sigh he wondered how he needed to proceed. Harry seemed immovable in his intentions; there were really only two options left to him. He could try to speak with Ginny herself, or he could try to use his authority as Headmaster to prevent their being together. The latter would be extremely difficult given Harry's mysterious new guardian, but it might be his only option.

Wondering just how things had come to this, Albus disapparated back to Hogsmeade.

"Miss Weasley, the Headmaster wishes to see you in his office."

Ginny looked up in shock at Professor McGonagall. "When?"

"As soon as possible."

Ginny nodded numbly and turned back to finish her breakfast. Only she was no longer hungry. She hadn't expected Dumbledore to try and convince her directly; she expected him to try and convince her parents. She didn't notice when Harry's hand found hers.

It will be all right, Gin.

Ginny looked up at him. I know. She took a deep breath. How much do I tell him if he pushes the issue?

Try not to have to use our marriage. But seeing as how he already knows about my new guardian it wouldn't be too horrible if he learned you had a new one as well.

What if he tries something more drastic?

What do you mean?

Well, when he was arguing with you, you had a certain amount of leeway. It's not like he could expel you. But I doubt he would have a problem doing so to me.

Harry's jaw tightened and his eyes hardened. He had better not try. Closing his eyes to calm himself down, he thought for several seconds. Okay, here's what we do. If he tries to expel you, you are within your rights to demand that he present his case to your legal guardian. Harry withdrew his hand and discretely pulled out his wand. He tapped it several times against the Legion necklace around her neck and once against his own necklace before stowing his wand and returning his hand to hers. In that event, hold the pendant and say 'tribunus'. It will cause mine to go cold. I'll come for you then.

Ginny nodded. Why that name?

It's the title given to the commander of a Roman Legion. I thought it was appropriate to call me.

Ginny giggled at him. She reached up and planted a quick kiss on his lips before standing up. "I had better go see what he wants. I'll see you soon, love."

"It will be okay, Gin."

She gave his hand a quick squeeze before turning and leaving the hall. She used her walk to the Headmaster's office to check her Occlumency shields and cast the charm Harry had taught her that would nullify any attempt to cast a tracking charm on her. She made sure her new wand was concealed up her sleeve and with a final breath knocked on the door.

"Come in, Miss Weasley."

She opened the door and walked in to find the Headmaster seated not behind his desk but in a chair next to a small table that held a tea service. "Good morning, Headmaster. Professor McGonagall said you wished to speak with me?"

"Yes. Do have a seat." He waited for her as she sat rigidly in the chair across from him. "Would you care for some tea?"

She nodded her acceptance and took the proffered cup. Dumbledore didn't say a word as they took several sips. It took a great deal of restraint not to make a face at the tea. It was distinctly off, and Ginny recognized the love potion it contained. But she gave no indication that she noticed this.

Dumbledore waited for her to finish her tea before beginning. "I wished to speak to you, Miss Weasley, about Harry."

"Is something wrong with Harry?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I fear so. How much has Harry told you about his destiny?"

Ginny lifted one delicate eyebrow. "I know what he faces."

Dumbledore nodded as if he had been expecting that. "I fear that Harry is in grave danger. Due to some small misunderstandings, he has not allowed me to help him as he prepares for his destiny. I worry that, because of his unwillingness to cooperate, he is dooming himself to failure."

"Harry is training himself as hard as he possibly can, Headmaster."

"Are you sure, Miss Weasley? I have observed him carefully, and, while he undoubtedly does spend a great deal of time training, he also wastes precious time on other pursuits."

"Such as?"

"Quidditch, the DA, even yourself."

Ginny set her tea cup down and looked the Headmaster in the eye. "I disagree. Harry's Quidditch time is the only time he takes to relax, and that is necessary to keep him from driving himself too hard and too fast. The DA has not met since last year, and he has no intention to continue working with it. He does help a group of us in our Defense work, but this is a sacrifice he feels is well worth it if he can teach his fellow students to protect themselves from Voldemort and his followers." Ginny paused briefly. "As for his time with me, I suppose I may not be the most objective in this regard, but Harry's determination to win and train has only increased since we began seeing each other. I do not see how that is a bad thing."

"But do you not see how Harry's wasting time on romantic pursuits could be dooming him to his death?"

Ginny's eyes flashed. "No. You, yourself, told him that his greatest strength was love. If love is what will help him win in the end, you should have no objection to him cultivating love in his own life as much as possible."

Dumbledore's jaw clenched briefly before he began again. "But that is simply another objection, Miss Weasley. Harry is placing all of his love and hope on you. At fifteen, are you really prepared to be his only support? Youthful romances are notorious for not lasting. Can you imagine the devastating results should you find yourself no longer caring for Harry?"

Ginny clenched her fists in anger. "I am perfectly capable in supporting him as he needs. And despite what you may think, Headmaster, I love Harry and will stand at his side for the rest of my life." She angrily pushed the tea away from her. "Just because you were unable to sway Harry away from me with a love potion, what gave you the right to try the same on me? Did it not occur to you that Harry would insist on the same protection for me that made him immune to your efforts?"

Dumbledore was momentarily startled, but he quickly regained his composure. "Very well, Miss Weasley, if that is the way you feel, then I am truly sorry for the way I must act." He pulled a roll of parchment off the table in front of him and handed it to her. "Due to your inability to comply with requests made for the benefit of your fellow students, it is my sad duty to inform you that you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts." Ginny stiffened. "You are asked to vacate the premises immediately. Your belongings will be sent to you."

"With all due respect, Headmaster, I demand an explanation be delivered to my guardian."

"Very well, I shall accompany you to the Burrow to speak to your mother."

"That won't be necessary." She placed her hand over the pendant on her neck and whispered, "Tribunus." Looking back up at the confused Headmaster, she continued. "My guardian will be here momentarily."

Dumbledore stared at her carefully then looked up in shock at the sharp knock on the door. "Come in," he called, his eyes widening as he looked up at the door.

"Good morning, Headmaster."

"Harry," he greeted. "If you would excuse me for a moment, Miss Weasley and I were in the middle of a discussion."

"Forgive me for interrupting, sir, but I understand that my presence was requested."

"And why would that be, Harry?"

"I have come in my official capacity as Ginny's legal guardian."

In the coming years, Ginny would continually bemoan that she hadn't had a camera ready at that moment, for the look on Albus Dumbledore's face was truly hilarious.

"Her guardian?" He sputtered after several moments.

"Yes. You will find that I am now the legal guardian of record for both myself and Ginny."

"But… how? You are not even of age?"

"The reasons why are not relevant to our current discussion." Harry calmly walked over and took a seat in the chair next to Ginny. He reached for her hand before continuing. "As her guardian, how can I help you today?"

Dumbledore did not answer, so Ginny spoke up. "The Headmaster has just informed me that I am to be expelled for not agreeing to break up with you."

Dumbledore looked ill. "Now, Ginny, that is not the reason."

"Forgive me, Headmaster. You told me I was to be expelled for not complying with your requests made for the benefit of my fellow students. The only request you made was for me to distance myself from Harry. It is the only logical conclusion."

Harry turned steely eyes on the Headmaster. "Sir, if you insist on expelling Ginny on such spurious charges, then I must inform you that I will be leaving with her."

Dumbledore finally seemed to regain his composure. "This has gone on long enough, Harry. There is no conceivable way that you could be legally in control of yourself and Miss Weasley. If you insist on this route, then I insist on proof."

Harry nodded his acknowledgement. "Very well. If you would accompany us, Headmaster?" Harry, still holding Ginny's hand, walked determinedly to the fireplace and threw in a handful of floo powder. He called, "Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Contracts!" He pulled Ginny in with him and disappeared in green flames. He stepped into a familiar office and waited until Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace before walking towards the secretary. "Good morning. Is it possible to speak with Director Jarvis? I'm afraid it is rather urgent."

The startled secretary nodded mutely at seeing not only Harry Potter but Albus Dumbledore in front of her. "I'll just let him know you're here." She scurried through a door behind her, only to return a moment later. "If you'll come through here, he'll see you now."

Harry nodded his thanks and led Ginny through the door. She was looking around curiously, having not been with him the previous time he visited this office. The young couple and elderly man entered the plush office to find a wizened old man sitting behind a large desk.

"Mr. Potter!" He exclaimed happily. "It is such a pleasure to see you again, do please come in."

"Thank you, Director. With me are Ginevra Weasley and Professor Dumbledore." The man beamed at him and gestured for them all to sit down. "The last time we spoke I indicated that there might come a time where I would need you to verify something for me. I'm afraid I must impose on your time for that today."

"Certainly! Shall I tell the Headmaster everything?" Harry didn't miss the gleam in Dumbledore's eyes at this.

"That is not necessary. He merely requires confirmation that I am legal guardian of myself and Ginny."

The Director looked at Harry carefully for several silent seconds, then winked at him after coming to some sort of understanding. "I understand, lad." He turned to a thoroughly startled and befuddled Dumbledore. "It is as Mr. Potter says, Professor. As of this past June he has been granted majority rights and full legal control of himself as well as Ms. Weasley."

"Forgive my skepticism, Director Jarvis, but I fail to see a means whereby this may have been accomplished. At the time you speak of, Harry was only fifteen. As his legal magical guardian at that time I would have been aware of any change in his status."

Jarvis laughed merrily. "So it usually is, Headmaster. Unfortunately, I am contractually bound not to reveal more than Mr. Potter allows me to, and he has not given me permission to give you the details. Suffice it to say, Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley have fallen under the scope of an obscure law. It is rather old, but still in full effect."

"And you cannot tell me which law this is?"

"Ministry Decree 7."

Dumbledore's jaw dropped once more. That was one of the founding documents of the Ministry of Magic. Unfortunately, that particular decree contained so much it would be impossible for him to determine the truth behind the matter. Despite having no idea how this had happened, he was forced to acknowledge that his hands were completely tied. "Very well. I thank you for taking the time to meet with us."

"Certainly, Professor."

Dumbledore turned to the couple beside him. "Given this new information, the punishment we had discussed no longer applies, Miss Weasley."

Ginny smiled. "Thank you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore wearily walked out of the office and through the floo, followed closely by the young couple. After Harry and Ginny left, he slumped in his chair. He was forced to acknowledge the fact that Harry and Ginny were now completely beyond his control. He only hoped this did not spell the doom of the wizarding world. For many years now he had planned and prepared to guide Harry as prophecy dictated. Either he was wrong in assuming that role, or Harry was about to fall below even Tom Riddle.

For the first time in his long life, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore sincerely hoped he had been wrong. The alternative was unbearable.

January was a fairly quiet month, for which Harry was grateful. The Headmaster seemed to have finally accepted that he no longer had any control over Harry. Indeed, he seemed to be trying to make up for some of his past mistakes and had given Remus several suggestions on useful training for Harry, as well as passed along a handful of books that might help. Harry was thankful for this, but even more for the fact that the Headmaster seemed to be coming to terms with this third party role in Harry's training. And the man had provided several useful insights. Despite Harry's anger at him, it was impossible to deny the sheer knowledge and power that Dumbledore had at his command.

Harry was sitting at the dinner table quietly eating with Ginny late in the month when a giggling Hermione came in followed by a highly bemused Ron. Harry looked up at them curiously as they sat down across from him.

"What has you two so amused?" Ginny asked.

Hermione broke into a fresh round of giggles, but Ron answered. "We were in that fifth floor corridor that no one uses; you know, the one with the portrait of Myrithia the Psychotic?" Harry nodded his acknowledgement. It was a favorite destination when he and Ginny wanted to enjoy some time together. "Well, you'll never guess who we saw there engaged in some… private time."

Harry raised an eyebrow in question. "It must be someone unusual for you two to be acting like this. Were Snape and Trelawney going at it?"

Ron chuckled. "No, but you're close. It was Malfoy."

"While the idea of Malfoy snogging some poor female is definitely disturbing, I don't see why it caused this reaction." Ginny was looking at her brother curiously.

"Oh, you're right. If Malfoy had been snogging some poor female." Ron answered.

Harry's jaw dropped open in shock. Finally, he managed to sputter a reply. "Are you telling me… did you see… Malfoy was snogging a bloke?"

Ron nodded through his laughter. "Yep. It was that seventh year Ravenclaw bloke, the one who's always been open about preferring men."

"Carmichael," Hermione managed to control her giggling to answer. "His name is Eddie Carmichael."

Harry thought carefully for a few moments and then remembered who she was talking about. He looked up at the Ravenclaw table towards the boy in question who had just taken his seat. Then he broke out laughing. His amusement spilled over into Ginny, and it was several minutes before the pair of them calmed down enough to resume their conversation. Then Ginny looked up with a twinkle in her eyes.

"And what exactly where the two of you doing in that corridor?"

Harry broke into more laughter at Ron's wide-eyed look and Hermione's red face.

"Um… we were just… talking." Hermione was staring at the table instead of looking up at them.

"Sure you were, Hermione. It's about time, you two."

"Harry!"

"What? Are you honestly going to deny that something was happening?"

"No… that's not the point!"

"Look, it is your business what the two of you do. Just know that I am happy for you. It's about bloody time."

Hermione was still sputtering at him. Harry thought it hilarious that she didn't even correct his language.

Ever since that night in December when Ron had pointed out to him how he had been ignoring Ginny, Harry had spent considerable less time trying to integrate the knowledge he had absorbed from Godric's wand, but he still made an effort to spend some time each week doing so. It was the first Sunday in February when Harry learned something of such importance it might be considered the turning point in the war.

Of course, Harry was so disturbed he didn't really see it this way.

He was sitting cross-legged on the floor of the Room of Requirement, with his wand resting in front of him. It had occurred to him the night before that Godric might have some knowledge of what kind of ritual Voldemort might have used in his quest for immortality. After all, he must have done something that prevented his death when the Killing Curse rebounded on him on Halloween in 1981. Harry had been somewhat shocked to realize that this had never been brought up before. He would have thought that Dumbledore would have been concerned by this, as they would obviously need to counteract whatever measures Voldemort had taken before they could kill him. Of course, it was entirely possible that Dumbledore knew more than he had told Harry.

And so Harry dedicated Sunday morning to try to find out all he could. He had begun by thinking about methods to cheat death and block the unforgivable spells for several hours already, and nothing had come to mind. Harry's frustration was starting to grow with the lack of knowledge available to him. He was starting to think that Voldemort had used some obscure magic that no one knew about, or perhaps come up with something himself. If this was the case, there was very little chance that Harry would ever be able to learn of it, in which case he would be entering the fight blind. Harry did not like that feeling.

His disappointment mounting, Harry examined one last avenue. He pondered a way to block the migration of the soul in the event of death.

Harry Potter convulsed in pain and disgust and letting out a piercing cry. He collapsed on the floor and curled into a fetal position and let the agony take him.

Ginny Weasley was sitting in a chair in the Common Room, reading the assigned chapter in her Ancient Runes book while keeping an eye out for Harry. She knew what he was working on this morning, and she was concerned. But she knew he needed to do this and her presence would only distract him. He had been gone for some time, and she could feel his frustration mounting. She was just considering when it would be best to go comfort him when her entire body went rigid. Without a thought she dropped her book and practically flew out of the room. She ran through the corridors in a blind panic, desperate to get to Harry. Something had happened to cause him intense pain and distress, and she swore that she could hear him calling to her in her mind.

The Room must have sensed her distress, or it was responding to Harry's, for as soon as she was in sight of the corridor the door appeared and flew open. She didn't even slow as she raced in. There she found Harry curled on the floor, and she immediately dropped to her knees at his side and pulled him into her arms. At first, Harry didn't even acknowledge her presence, but slowly she was able to penetrate his shock and calm him down enough that he uncurled and pulled her into a tight embrace. He wasn't talking, but Ginny could hear a constant mantra in her head as he held her. Not my Ginny. Not my Ginny.

This only added to her panic.

When Harry showed no sign of calming down, Ginny pushed her hands under his shirt and sought skin to skin contact. This allowed her to project more of her own love through their bond. Remembering something her own mother had done when she would wake up from nightmares as a young girl, Ginny began singing a lilting song to try and calm him down. It took several more minutes, but eventually Harry came back to the present, though he never released his hold on her. Finally, Ginny looked up into his desperate eyes.

"What happened, love?"

Harry shuddered before starting to speak quietly. "You know what I was looking for."

"Yes, love."

"I didn't find anything about cheating death or blocking the Killing Curse or anything related to that. I tried every variation I could think of, but nothing."

Ginny nodded against his chest. "I could feel your frustration. I was just about to come and check on you when…" Her voice trailed off.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. What did you feel?"

"Pain. I just knew you were in horrible pain. I had to get to you. And I could have sworn I heard you calling me."

He looked down at her curiously, his eyes still dull. "I was calling for you at first. Do you think…"

"…Maybe we might be able to talk without the physical contact?"

He nodded.

"Maybe. Or it might just be because you were in so much pain. But we'll investigate that later. What did you learn?"

Harry shuddered before continuing. "I asked about ways to block the migration of the soul after death. After all, everything points to Voldemort dying when he tried to attack me all those years ago. Maybe he really did die, but something stopped his soul from moving on."

"I take it Godric knew a way."

"Yes, he had learned of one. But… it's horrible, Gin." She looked up at him with love in her eyes, patiently waiting for him to go on. "There is a ceremony that you can perform which will stop your soul from moving on should you die. It only works for up to a year, so it must be repeated every year. I'm not positive Voldemort is using it, but it seems to fit. And that would mean he has done this many times, and it is just so horrible." He cut off and pulled Ginny tightly up to him to crush his mouth onto hers. His kiss was desperate, and Ginny let him take whatever he needed from her. He was panting by the time he pulled back and began his tale again. "The wizard that Godric ran into who had done this had been using Muggleborn witches. It worked fairly well, but Godric was able to find a method around it, which makes me think that Voldemort, who undoubtedly knew about all previous uses, would use Pureblood witches." Harry shuddered. "Only there aren't many, and you…" he trailed off, looking at her wretchedly. "I can't lose you, Gin."

Ginny wound both hands into his hair and pulled him back down for a much softer kiss. You will never lose me, Harry. We will find a way around this, whatever it is.

When she released him, he buried his head in her neck and continued silently. The ritual uses the magic and soul of an unborn magical child to block the migration of your soul. It requires you to take a witch, pregnant with her first child, and… cut her open to tear the child out. You then make a potion from the blood of the fetus. It prevents your soul from moving on by sending the soul of the unborn child in your place. Because Voldemort is so evil, that would condemn the soul of an innocent child in his place, and I can only imagine the place waiting for his soul is miserable. The purer the blood of the fetus, the stronger the magic of the potion is. In addition, it would be stronger if the witch was a virgin upon conception.

Ginny held her husband and pondered this new information. It was disturbing, to say the least, but if it was true it at least gave them a place to look to find a way around it. She could tell that the possibility greatly upset Harry. He hated the loss of innocent life, and, if Voldemort had been using this ritual for years, then who knew how many innocent children he had doomed to hell in his place. Ginny vowed right then to try to find not only a way to get around Voldemort's protection, but hopefully free the children. She could also see why Harry was worrying about her. She would be the perfect candidate for such a ceremony—a pureblood witch whom Voldemort would not care about losing. Ginny realized that this knowledge would cause Harry to become even more protective of her.

Shaking her head, she tried to clear her thoughts. There was plenty of time for that later. They needed to determine if this was the ritual Voldemort had used, and only one person would know the answer to that question.

"Harry, we needed to talk to Dumbledore and Snape."

He sighed heavily before nodding. "I know. Despite my dislike of them both, only Snape can tell me what I need to know and only Dumbledore can make him. But I don't want to tell them of the ritual; with the right questions we should be able to tell if this is what we are up against without revealing anything else." He reluctantly allowed her up from the floor.

"Come on, there's no time like the present."

With a resigned sigh, Harry followed his wife, keeping a firm hold on her hand. He didn't even notice as they walked quietly through the castle, his mind was working furiously to find a way to protect her. Based on his knowledge of Voldemort, he knew that the wretch was most likely to use a virgin pureblood. One form of protection was simply to make sure Ginny no longer fit the qualification.

Only Harry could not bring himself to taint that experience. He and Ginny would be together when they were ready, not because of Voldemort. He cursed silently in his head. And he had been planning… but it didn't matter now. He wouldn't touch her until he knew she was safe. He would not act out of desperation instead of love.

With a jolt he realized they were already standing in front of the Headmaster's office door.

"Come in, Harry," the old man's voice called. Harry and Ginny entered, and found Dumbledore seated and working on some paperwork. "What can I help you with this morning?"

Dumbledore was shocked to see them there. He had not expected Harry to voluntarily talk to him again. But then he took a good look at the boy, and was startled to see the bleak look in his eyes.

"I need some information that only Professor Snape can provide. I doubt he would provide it to me willingly, so I am going to need your help."

Dumbledore hid his shock at this request well, but he immediately scrawled a note and handed it to Fawkes, who disappeared in a flash of flames. "He should be here shortly. May I ask what this is about?"

"I've come across some information; it might provide a clue as to what Voldemort has done to prevent his death. I will need confirmation if I am to go about combating it."

"May I ask where you came across this information?"

Harry shrugged, but did not answer. Dumbledore did not push. He had learned the hard way not to push Harry. The young couple and the old man waited silently for several minutes before Severus Snape entered, looking thoroughly annoyed.

"Ah, Severus, please come in."

"May I ask why this is so urgent, Headmaster? I was in the middle of something important." The man glared at Harry and Ginny, but they ignored him.

"I'm afraid that I do not know myself, Severus. However, I ask that you answer Mr. Potter's questions. He may have found significant information regarding Voldemort."

Snape turned and sneered at Harry. "Since when has Potter ever produced anything useful?"

"Severus! You will answer his questions."

Dumbledore's voice was firm, and Snape gave a curt nod.

"I came across a ritual I believe Voldemort is using. It would need to be repeated at least once a year, and would require a witch, probably pureblood, pregnant with her first child."

Snape looked lost in thought for several minutes, and then his already sallow face went white. His eyes shot to the Headmaster before returning to bore into Harry's. "Where did you come across this information, Potter?"

"That is not important. Have you ever seen any evidence that Voldemort might be performing such a ritual?"

Snape looked back at Dumbledore, locking eyes with him for several seconds, and then answered reluctantly. "Yes. Every year he instructs a Death Eater to kidnap a young pureblood witch. It is imperative that she be a virgin when taken. I was always under the impression that he was merely providing a reward for the Death Eater, as he instructed them to use the girl for their own pleasure. However, this past summer I heard him instruct Lucius to remember to insure that the girl conceived."

Dumbledore looked up at this. "Why did you not tell me of this before, Severus?"

"As I said, I thought it was merely a way to reward his followers. I assumed that he wanted to produce children from the encounter to bolster the ranks of pureblood wizards. I thought nothing of it. I never saw him do any more." Snape paused as if considering how much to say. "He knows that I have no interest in forcing myself on anyone, and so I was never given any more information."

Dumbledore turned back towards Harry and was shocked to see the young man shaking in his seat and Ginny trying to comfort him.

"Does this confirm what you thought, Harry?" The young man nodded silently. "Will you share any more with me?" Harry shook his head furiously. With a sigh, Dumbledore nodded. He had not expected Harry to share.

Dumbledore watched as Ginny quietly led Harry out of the office. Something had disturbed the boy greatly and he wanted to know what it was. He turned to his bewildered Potion's Master. "Severus, try and find a ritual involving these components. We must learn what Voldemort has done. Obviously, it is something that has greatly disturbed Harry, and we need to know why."

Snape nodded his acceptance and quietly left the office. He was starting to wonder why it seemed like Harry Potter knew more about the war than Albus Dumbledore.

Severus Snape sat in front of his fire, thinking carefully. He had, of course, known that relations between the Headmaster and Potter had been severely strained this year. When the Headmaster had had him prepare not only the usual love potion, but a much more potent form as well, Snape surmised that Dumbledore did not like Potter begin involved with Weasley. Indeed, he had witnessed more than one attempt to separate the two.

Severus had never bothered to question this before.

Now, he began to wonder. Why would Dumbledore even care whom the boy was involved with? In addition, Severus was aware of how much time Potter spent locked away in the Room of Requirement, presumably to train. He had wondered why Dumbledore was not helping the boy, but now he wondered if maybe Potter would not allow that. Based on their interactions tonight, it was not Dumbledore but Potter who seemed to hold all the cards and be in control of the situation. Severus had never seen a mere child refuse to tell Albus Dumbledore vital information and get away with it, and yet Dumbledore had not even pushed him tonight. He seemed resigned instead.

So what had caused this falling out between the two?

Severus knew that Potter would be the one to destroy the Dark Lord. He had always known, and that knowledge had tormented him. That the talentless son of James Potter would be the saviour of the wizarding world did not sit well with him. He had watched the boy carefully for years, and come to the conclusion that they were doomed. Potter did not have the strength to defeat Voldemort.

But this year something was different about the boy. He had been doing remarkably better in his classes, but it was more than that. He had a hidden power and determination that had not been there before. For the first time, Severus considered the possibility that Potter actually might win.

Severus had not had any hope for sixteen long years. But, now… now, things were different.

The boy obviously needed help, or he would never have willingly asked for information tonight. And he quite clearly refused to allow Dumbledore to provide that help. Perhaps he would accept it from another source.

Harry brooded for the next three days before Ginny got annoyed enough to do something about it. She knew what was bothering him, and she was fairly certain she had a way around it. Thus on Wednesday evening she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him to an unused classroom. After throwing up several privacy wards, she sat him down.

"All right, Harry. Let's talk about what is bothering you." He didn't answer. "Is it about the ritual?" Again, there was no answer, but there was a sharp spike in his anger and fear. "Okay, are you upset about the children?" He nodded his head slightly. "We will find a way to help them, Harry."

"How?"

"I don't know. But I refuse to leave them damned in his place. I've been thinking that we should explain some of it to Hermione and set her researching. If anyone can find something it will be her."

Harry finally met her eyes. "I like that idea."

"Good. Now let's talk about what has you really upset."

Harry threw his hands up in exasperation. "How are you not worried about this?" He cried. "You know very well that he would be overjoyed to use you in this ritual."

Ginny gazed back at him calmly. "Yes, I know."

"Then why aren't you upset?"

"Because I know a way around it."

Harry stood up angrily and paced in front of her. "I am not going to sleep with you because of this, Gin. I refuse to let him dictate something so personal."

She jumped down from her seat and intercepted his next pass. Her arms wound around his waist and she rested her head on his chest. "I know, love, and I love you all the more for it." She tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "Although I fully expect you to not wait much longer, Potter."

He grinned sheepishly down at her. "I know, Gin, and I thought the same thing until all of this." He sighed in frustration.

"Well, what if I was to tell you that there was another way to prevent it?"

He looked down at her sharply. "Another way?"

"Yes. And you've already done it."

He stared at her in confusion. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Did you or did you not cast a spell that would protect our love?" He nodded hesitantly; he did not see how that applied in this circumstance. "Well, let's play a game of what if. What if I was captured this summer, and they tried to use me for this ritual? Do you honestly think that if I lost my virginity to a Death Eater it wouldn't affect my ability to be with you?" His confusion did not abate, so she continued. "If that happened to me, even if they didn't kill me afterwards, I would probably be extremely hesitant to even touch you, let alone anything else." Harry nodded his acknowledgement. "Well, I went and looked up the spell we cast, and it says it prevents anything from harming the love between us. My being raped by a Death Eater would harm that love, as it would damage both of us emotionally and psychologically. Therefore, you have already protected me from it."

Harry stared down at her for several long minutes, lost in thought. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "You really believe that?"

"Yes."

He let out a shout of joy and picked her up, swinging her around the room happily. Her laughter filled the room. Then he suddenly stopped and, without even setting her down, kissed her fervently. He walked her backwards until she hit the wall, and her legs snaked up to wrap around his waist.

It was an hour later when two highly disheveled students made their way, smiling happily, back to Gryffindor tower.

Harry spent most of the night lost in his plans for the following Friday. He had left off his preparations from Valentine's Day with the knowledge of Voldemort's ritual, but now there was no longer anything standing in his way.

A/N: So I totally changed my mind about Snape in this story. He's not going to be evil, as I'm sure you figured out from this chapter. In fact, I think he'll help Harry and Ginny.

About the last bit with Dumbledore. While in my story he is a manipulative jerk, he is not evil. As my story is mostly written in Harry's perspective, it has seemed that way. I thought it was high time I showed him doing something good.