Chapter 11: Attack on London

When they arrived, Harry and Ginny had their wands out. This was a full out battle, as Death Eaters had attacked a public square in London, trying to kill Muggles. Harry started stunning people as Ginny fought beside him. They were clearing a wide swath out of the Death Eaters, with the two heirs of Gryffindor fighting and leading the way.

At the head of this battle was Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius's cousin, and a top lieutenant in Voldemort's Army. Harry saw Neville start his attack on her with Luna by his side. The woman quickly disarmed Neville and pointed her wand at him.

"Joining your parents, huh, Longbottom?"

The woman laughed and then yelled "CRUCIO!"

Neville's body started to convulse with pain. Harry and Ginny saw it at the same time, just after Harry had helped another Order member overcome a stunner. The two pointed their wands and yelled "STUPEFY!"

The two beams of red light hit Bellatrix, who was blasted into the air several feet. She landed with a sick thud on the side of a building and then hit the ground.

"Neville!" Ginny yelled, as Harry covered her from attacking Death Eaters.

Neville stirred, and Luna helped him up. Both were nursing cuts and bruises already. Harry had been hit with some minor hexes, quickly recovering. Ginny was safe, thanks to Harry keeping his shield up around her with his hand, using the wandless magic he and Ginny had perfected during the summer training.

"I'm ok," Neville said, shaking his head. "Let's go."

Harry nodded and dropped his shield as the Death Eaters started to Apparate away. He walked over to Bellatrix and picked up her wand.

"Neville, break her wand," Harry said, handing him the wand.

Neville looked at the Death Eater and spat on her body. He then broke the wand, throwing the pieces at her.

"Is she?"

"Yes, Neville," Remus said, surveying the body. "She's dead."

"How many people were hurt," Ginny asked, seeing bodies everywhere.

"A lot. We lost Dedalus Diggle. Killing curse. Bellatrix got him. How did she die?"

"Harry and I blasted her with a stunner at the same time," Ginny said. "When she was using the Cruciatus curse on Neville."

Harry bowed his head, but he remembered what he had to do.

"Come on Gin. Let's check on these people over here."

Soon, the Order members were joined by Ministry Aurors and other Ministry authorities. Scrimgeour himself arrived, and Harry avoided him at all costs. He went about his work trying to help the injured and capture injured Death Eaters.

They captured six Death Eaters, and four more were killed in the battle. Harry knew that he'd killed a bad woman, and was pleased with that. However, a few minutes after things were calming down, his scar was bursting with pain.

He cried out with the pain, and Ginny looked at him.

"He's upset," Harry said.

Ginny didn't need to ask who was upset.

"Of course," Ron said. "He lost a couple of his top Death Eaters, and we foiled the attack."

Harry nodded.

He looked at Remus, who waved his hand to him.

"Let's get back," Harry said.

An hour after leaving, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were back at Potter Manor.

The guests had gone, and the elves were cleaning up.

"Did everyone get home safely?"

"Yes Master Harry," Jinks said. "I took them home myself."

"Thank you for all your hard work, my friend," Harry said.

The elf nodded and then went out of the way. He had more work to do.

"So we got Bellatrix," Ginny said.

"But we lost Dedalus," Harry said. "It's not an even swap."

"No, it's not," Ron said. "But since we're in a war, we'll have to deal with losses we don't want. Just like in chess."

Harry nodded.

"I agree. I don't like to lose good people, and we should keep the losses on our hearts and use our love for them to move on. They'll want us to move on."

Ginny and Hermione nodded, both of the women wiping their eyes. The enormity of what they saw was just getting to them. Now, after having seen battle, this was the worst one they'd ever seen.

The Order had quickly overwhelmed the thirty or so Death Eaters, thanks to Harry and Ginny arriving with Hermione and Ron. They'd turned the tide of the battle toward the Order and the Death Eaters retreated after the loss of their commander.

"And Voldemort just lost his queen," Harry said.

Ron nodded.

"And he lost a few pawns too."

Harry nodded.

"Yup. It's up to us for checkmate."

Ron nodded.

"Speaking of checkmate, let's review where we are on the search for the Horcruxes."

Harry nodded, and they retreated to the study. But first, they had to relate the details of the battle to the portraits in the room, as they'd heard the commotion.

"How do you feel after you two killed Bellatrix," Godric asked, concerned.

"Though she was an evil witch," Harry said. "I don't feel like I should have killed her."

"Me neither," Ginny said. "It's so hard for me to deal with now."

Godric nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm glad to hear you say that you're remorseful," James said. "It's the sign that you have good left in you. It's when you don't feel remorse when you should worry."

Lily nodded her agreement.

"I totally agree, James. Harry, I know you've battled before and seen death. But this is the first person you've killed."

Harry nodded thoughtfully.

"At least in a battle like that," Ron said. "Remember Quirrell?"

"Right," Harry said. "But he was possessed by Voldy, and that's what killed him."

They spent the next few days recovering from the attack on London, and then preparing for the wedding. The day before the wedding, Harry and Ginny found themselves muttering incantations that were incomprehensible to them before this summer. Now, they knew exactly what they were doing and saying.

Minerva looked on with a hint of pride as the two students of hers were doing things that the vast majority of the adult wizards would have a hard time understanding. She sat back and watched, after telling them what was needed. All they needed was her permission to do so, else their magic wouldn't hold.

But with the founders on their side, it was very easy for them to set the spells, with each getting guidance from the three founders they were heirs to.

Off to the side, Remus was looking on with a lot of interest. It was much harder for him to understand why and how they now knew what they were doing. But then again, he knew Dumbledore had learned from somewhere, so he suspected they'd learned from him or had gotten guidance from him on where to learn this stuff.

But he was more amused than concerned. They'd learned a lot in the summer, and were the two best duelers he'd ever seen. Their spells, even the supposedly mild stunning spells, were powerful. He knew that when the both of them connected on one person, their spell had ended in the death of that person. He was pleased that they weren't enjoying the death they caused, but was even more pleased that they understood that it was just a part of the war they were in.

He knew they were the ones who had to finish it. He couldn't do it. Harry had to have a hand in defeating Voldemort, though he would have a lot of help along the way.

"Taking your duties seriously, Remus?"

"Yeah Tonks," Remus said. "Look at the two of them. It's amazing what they're doing."

"I know," Tonks said. "The only person I've ever known to speak that kind of language is Dumbledore. And they've learned it in the span of about two months."

Remus nodded his agreement.

"Yeah. Must be something due to Harry's inheritance."

"Must be," Tonks said, smiling. "But I'm not complaining. At least they're on our side."

Remus nodded as the two looked around, surveying their work.

"What are they looking for?"

"Harry can sense spells and see them for some reason," Remus said. "I can only guess that Ginny is learning to do the same, or she's using Harry's eyes to look for her."

"How?"

"He sends her the vision through their link," Remus whispered.

"Like this one," Tonks said, causing Remus to blush with the picture in his mind.

"Yes," Remus said. "And I bet they do this too."

"Who wouldn't? I mean, after all, they are old enough to do that, but too young to actually try it."

"Well, they would have if it wasn't for Ginny's brothers. They'd curse Harry if they knew what he thought. In fact, I think they take to preemptive cursing and jinxing."

"Just like older brothers to ruin everything," Tonks said. "After tomorrow, there's nothing her brothers can say."

"I know," Remus said. "But they'll still try to keep him in check. Just because of her age."

"Yeah," Tonks said. "And the only reason this is happening is so they can come to the full extent of their powers."

Remus nodded.

"Yeah. I'm surprised Molly and Arthur agreed."

"I knew the wedding was coming, even after I heard about the breakup," Tonks said. "But I didn't expect it to be this soon. How are they taking what happened to Bellatrix?"

"Much easier than I expected. But then again, she was a horrible woman that was attacking Neville with the Cruciatus Curse. I agree that she deserved the fate she got, though I hate that it was Harry and Ginny who did it."

Tonks nodded.

"At least they show remorse over that. I'm surprised, but I guess that's why the other side is evil. They don't show remorse and take glee in other people's pain."

Later that evening, as everyone was preparing for the big day, Harry slipped off to the Astronomy tower alone.

He sat down in the spot he'd seen Dumbledore die, and started to sob. He just had too much emotional turmoil these past few days, especially with the wedding coming, and then the battle in London. And now was a good as time as any to let it all out.

In the Gryffindor Common Room, Ginny looked around. She saw her brothers and Hermione, but no Harry.

"Where's Harry," Ginny asked.

Ginny was staying in the Head's Dorm, the one that Harry and Hermione would share this coming school year. Her parents were in there with her, along with Fleur and Bill. The dorm had four rooms, which surprised Ginny, but then again, she'd learned that there used to be one head from each of the houses, two girls and two guys. That explained it to her.

"Dunno," Ron said, as he looked up.

His arm was on Hermione's back as she read a book, trying to relax. It was a Muggle novel, one that Ginny had read before, thanks to Hermione.

"I saw him head out of the common room," Bill said. "He had his cloak with him, so he may be hard to find."

"I think I know where I can find him," Ginny said. "It hurts him to be back here right now."

"Why?"

"Ron, are you stupid?" Hermione asked, popping him in the back of the head.

"Oh, Right," Ron said, with a look of confusion on his face. "I thought he was over that."

"He was until we started coming back here to prepare for the wedding," Ginny said. "I'll go see if he's ok."

"I'll go with you," Ron said.

"You'll do no such thing," Ginny said.

Ron didn't move. Ginny had her wand out and pointed it at him.

"And don't you dare try to interrupt me. Again, I can make that Bat Bogey Hex look like a walk in the park if you piss me off."

Ron nodded as Ginny walked out the door.

"What's gotten into her," Ron asked Hermione.

"She's tired of you trying to follow her every time she gets a private moment with Harry," Hermione said. "Don't do it. She means it this time. And I think they need their time alone tonight."

"Why?"

"They just do, Ron," Hermione said. "You don't understand."

"I'll go follow them," George said.

"Why," Hermione said. "Don't you remember what happened the last time you used one of the ears?"

"I still don't know how she did that."

"Believe me, she can do worse," Hermione said. "Do you know that when she and Harry tried to stun Bellatrix at the same time, it killed her? They're powerful."

"Yeah," Bill said. "Don't try to cross them. I'll hex you myself if I see you leave out of this common room. They need some time."

"Why, Bill?"

"Trust me. They're nervous about the wedding, and then the war is still going on. And you know they have a major part to play in that. It's a lot for anyone to handle, much less a couple still in school."

Hermione nodded.

"I don't know how they're going to handle their relationship and everything else," Hermione said.

"They'll manage," Mrs. Weasley said. "I know they can. They're smarter and can handle more than most students your age."

Hermione nodded.

"Harry has always had something hanging over him," Hermione said.

In the tower, Ginny walked up.

"Harry?"

He looked up and didn't say a word. Ginny walked over and sat down beside him, placing her head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Everything," Harry said, wiping his eyes. "It's just too much for me to handle right now."

"I know," Ginny said, softly. "I know exactly how you feel. Come tomorrow evening, we'll be able to relieve some of that stress."

"How?"

Ginny smiled.

"Don't you think about what we can do without making Mum and Dad mad?"

"Right," Harry said. "I'm not thinking straight."

"Obviously. What is it? Is it just being out here again, or is it the wedding?"

"I think it's a combination," Harry said. "Come September 1st, Dumbledore won't be here."

"I know," Ginny said softly. "I don't want to think about that. And many students aren't going to return."

"Well, after the report in the Daily Prophet about the battle, and my role in it, I think some may change their minds since we're going to be in school."

"Maybe," Ginny said. "If people don't send their kids here, I think it'll be even more dangerous for them. I heard Professor McGonagall say that if no students return, then the wards surrounding the school will start to fail, and the magic contained in the building may become self destructive, rendering the school unsafe to use."

"Interesting," Harry said. "Maybe we should talk to the founders this evening?"

"Come," Ginny said. "Let's find the study. I'm sure Peeves will help us."

"Speaking of Peeves, I need to talk to him."

"About tomorrow?"

"Yes. I'm going to threaten him to make him behave during the wedding."

"Good," Ginny said.

As they walked to the Headmistress's office, Harry saw Peeves.

"Peeves."

"What are you doing here, Potter," Peeves asked.

"I've come to talk to you,' Harry said. "About tomorrow."

"A wedding I see? Inviting me to it?"

"I've got a job for you. Under one condition."

"What's that?"

"You don't try to disturb the wedding."

"What if I do?"

Harry brought out his wand and Peeves found himself pressed up against the wall, with an invisible hand holding him.

"Well, I might just have to do something about you being here."

Peeves looked astounded.

"How did you…"

"I'm the heir of Godric Gryffindor," Harry said. "He taught me a few tricks to use against the ghosts and poltergeists who try to mess with me or my friends."

"What do you want me to do," Peeves asked.

"Promise you won't mess up the wedding."

"I promise," Peeves said.

"Good. And one more thing, if we have any unexpected visitors after the wedding starts, I want you to knock over the nearest suit of armor to the Great Hall."

"Why?"

"As a warning," Harry said. "That way we can prepare."

"I see," Peeves said. "So if I see anyone not invited, I'm to push over a suit of armor?"

"Yes," Ginny said. "That's right. And if you ruin my wedding day, I will see to it that you are expelled."

"What can you do, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny smiled and she flicked her wand. Peeves felt a slap on his face.

"I can do what Harry can do," she said, with a smile. "You don't want me and Harry mad at you. After all, we did kill Bellatrix Lestrange with a stunner to the chest."

"You hit her at the same time, did you?"

Harry nodded.

"Right," Peeves said. "And if you hit me at the same time, then I know I'll be in trouble too."

Harry nodded.

"Right," he said. "Now scurry along before I decide to hit you again for good measure."

Peeves left immediately.

"Nice," Ginny said, chuckling. "He won't bother us again."

"Nope," Harry said, with a grin on his face. "Where did Grandfather say this study is?"

"Put your hand on the right of the gargoyle and speak your name."

"Right," Harry said.

He placed his hand on the wall and spoke.

"Harry James Potter, heir of Godric Gryffindor and Merlin, requests admittance to the Founder's Study."

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, heir of Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw, requests admittance to the Founder's Study."

After a moment, a door opened and they both entered.

"Welcome, my children," Godric said, smiling at them. "What brings you here on the night before your wedding?"

"Grandfather," Harry said. "We were just discussing how much work we have to do this school year."

"Yes, my child," the man said. "I understand. I have faith in you. Rowena and Helena will not be here until September 1st for you to talk to. It's just the way things have been planned."

"Yes Grandfather," Harry said.

"What pains you, my son?"

"I'm thinking about Professor Dumbledore."

The man nodded.

"Yes. His loss was a pain to everyone. But do not despair. He has lived his life as it should have been. He was over a hundred years old you know. And he was prepared for the next great adventure after death, as was I."

"Grandfather, with this war going on, I feel that I should be preparing as well."

Godric paused for a moment thoughtfully.

"Yes, you must be prepared to die. In fact, pull up a chair, and I will explain to you what Dumbledore asked me to tell you. I think that you should hear this now and be prepared for it."

Harry nodded.

They sat down in a chair, together, and then listened to Godric. When he was through, Ginny was in tears, and Harry was shocked.

"You mean…"

"Yes my son, you will have to be killed by Lord Voldemort before he can be defeated."

Ginny sobbed into Harry's chest, grabbing onto his shirt.

Harry nodded and held Ginny.

"But not until we're married," Harry said, softly. "You can back…"

"No, Harry James Potter. I will not back out!" Ginny shouted through her sobs. "We must take the time we have left together and enjoy it."

"That's good advice," Godric said. "Take the time you have left and enjoy it."

Harry nodded.

"I'm sorry, Gin, but I thought…"

"Thought that it would help me if we weren't married? No. Losing you at any point in my life, whether married or not, is not going to be easy for me."

Harry nodded.

"I know. I don't want to leave you in so much pain."

"My children, there is one more thing I must tell you."

"Yes Grandfather?"

"There is a chance that Voldemort is going to help you cling to life as long as he is alive."

"When he used my blood to rebuild his body?"

"Yes," Godric said. "I don't know if that will work, but given the circumstances of your mother's death, her protection will continue as long as he is alive. He used your blood, with her protection in it."

"So there is a chance we can make it," Ginny asked.

"Yes, my child. I hated to tell you this today, but I felt I must inform you what you were getting into. But I need both of you to prepare for Harry to die in the process. Ginny, you must be prepared to finish the quest to kill Voldemort. You can do that after Harry has ensured each horcrux is destroyed."

Harry nodded as Ginny looked up.

"So, if we must end our lives together, it will not be in vain?"

"Yes," Godric said. "But I beg you; do not tell your friends until the time comes for you to die, Harry. They will not understand. I am only telling Ginny because she must know what her marriage to you will entail. It is the very reason I suggested that you get married. I knew it may come down to this, and I didn't want young love to go wasted on fighting a war."

"But…"

"No buts about it, Harry," Ginny said. "If you must die, you must live on in the form of your children."

"But…"

"I know you think I'm too young, but I don't. I can bear children at this age, and I will gladly do so because I know you will live on in them, and in my heart. Part of me will die when you die, and we must prepare for this together."

Harry nodded his understanding.

"This is too much for me to handle," Harry said, starting to sob again.

"Go ahead, my children. Get this out tonight. You can't bottle this up. I think you should enjoy each day you get to stay together. Don't put off for tomorrow what you should do today."

"What if people are dying?"

"Harry, you must understand that your task will take some time. You cannot face Voldemort until the end, after you have destroyed each horcrux. And at that time, you must be accompanied by your friends to face Voldemort, even if you have to fight his followers all the way. It was said in my time that the founders would not rest until the heir of Gryffindor defeated the heir of Slytherin. I think the time has come for that to come true.

"Then Hogwarts can truly be reunited as it was meant to be."

Harry nodded.

"So, Grandfather, Ginny and I are the protectors of Hogwarts?"

"Yes," the man said. "You are protectors of Hogwarts. Alone, you will have access to the secrets of this school by coming in here and visiting us. You must do this alone, without your other two friends. I wish it could be otherwise, but you two should use us for council. Your friends will back you until the very end."

"Must I tell them before we go into the final battle?"

"Yes. I believe that you must tell them that you must die before Voldemort can truly be defeated."

Harry nodded sorrowfully. He wrapped his arms around Ginny, and didn't want to let her go.

The next morning, Harry was awake as the sun rose. He thought about what he'd learned, and what Ginny had said to him as they sat on the Astronomy tower to watch the sun rise. Ginny was now sleeping, entirely underneath the invisibility cloak.

"Harry?"

Harry looked over at Remus.

"Yeah?"

"Are you ok?"

"No," Harry said.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just…" Harry's eyes got a faraway look.

"It's not the wedding is it?"

He shook his head.

"Voldemort?"

Harry nodded.

"Why are you thinking about him all of a sudden?"

"We went to talk to Godric last night," Harry said.

"You and Ginny? Where is she?"

Harry moved the cloak so Remus could see her head against his shoulder. Remus nodded.

"What did he say?"

Harry shook his head.

"I'm not supposed to talk about it until the final battle."

"Something major?"

"You could say that," Ginny said, sitting up and yawning.

"Why do you think about this on your wedding day?"

"Because," Ginny said. "It's going to impact our lives together."

"In what way?"

"We've said too much, Gin. Now he won't quick bugging us until he finds out."

"Can we put him under the silence vow and then tell him?"

"No," Harry said. "This has to stay between us right now."

Remus sat down.

"You know, I've been thinking about what you have to do. It's a daunting task that no one should have to do, especially someone of your age."

Harry nodded.

"I know. If it wasn't for that bastard Snape telling Voldemort the prophecy, Mum and Dad could still be alive!"

Ginny looked at Harry. He'd been like this all night.

"Harry, give it a rest," Ginny said, snuggling up to him. "What time is it?"

"It's seven."

"Oh God," Ginny groaned. "Mom is having a fit right now. I'd better get down to her."

"Ok, darling," Harry said, watching Ginny leave. "I'll see you when your father walks you down to me."

Ginny smiled and disappeared into the door.

"So, what's this about?"

"I can't tell you," Harry said. "I wish I could, but everyone would just spend too much time thinking about it. It's bad enough that Ginny and I have to think about it."

"That bad?"

Harry nodded.

"Yes. But it made me realize that I was wrong to push Ginny away. I apologized to her again and again."

"What did she say?"

"She told me to forget it, but never do it again."

Remus nodded.

"Rightly so."

Harry buried his face in his hands and sighed again.

"Ginny doesn't have to do this, you know."

Remus nodded.

"I know. She accepted it. Are you worrying about hurting her again?"

Harry nodded.

"You shouldn't, Harry. She's a strong person. I don't know, but I think you dying would hurt her a lot, no matter if you married her now or not."

"She told me. But I have a feeling I'm going to hurt her in the final battle with Voldemort."

"You're afraid you won't survive?"

Harry nodded.

"That's interesting. I thought you had gotten over that."

"I never have. I just pushed it to the back of my mind, where it should be. And I don't want Ginny to get hurt either. That's bugging me too. If I die, then she may die as well. I know her. She'll be hell for Voldemort to deal with after he gets me."

"Is he going to defeat you? I don't think he will."

The look Harry gave Remus made Remus gasp.

"Wait," Remus asked. "Your scar. You speak Parseltongue though no one in your family does. Voldemort's last horcrux is you?"

Harry nodded and Remus gasped.

"So you found out last night?"

"It's a suspicion, but I think it's true after thinking it over. That's why we've been hiding from everyone."

"Oh," Remus said. "It's a terrible burden for you two to have. But it puts your time together into perspective. You have to think about that."

"I know. That's why I didn't push her when I told her she didn't have to go through this if she didn't want to."

"What did she say?"

"She used my full name and then…"

"Say no more. When a woman uses your full name, you're in trouble."

Harry nodded.

"But then, after we got through the initial shock, we started talking about our future together."

"Even with this over your head?"

"It's the best way to get over it, I think. For now. She said she wants to populate Hogwarts with about six or seven Potters in the next twenty years."

Remus chuckled.

"You know, your parents would have loved to see that happen."

"I know," Harry said. "Some reason, I feel that they've come down to comfort me in my pain. I felt it last night, and I can't forget a voice in the back of my head whispering about sacrificing myself because I love someone is the best way to die if you have to go early."

"I think so too. It'll hurt, but in the end, I think people will realize why you did it."

"On the eve of the final battle, I'll reveal the secret to everyone else," Harry said. "Not even Ron and Hermione can learn this. So I must ask that you will not reveal it to anyone."

"No vows?"

"Your word is all I need," Harry said. "I think I need time to be alone right now."

Remus nodded.

"I'll send someone for you when breakfast is ready."

"Thanks," Harry said. "Oh, one more thing?"

"Yes?"

"Well," Harry said. "I don't know how to say this, but thanks for being a surrogate father for me."

Remus smiled.

"James would have done it for my kids had our situations been reversed."

"And I want to ask one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Ginny and I, though her mom won't like it, want to try to have a kid before the final battle."

"That's your decision. And I think it's a proper one. With this hanging over your head, you need all the joy you can find in life. And having a child on the way is one of the greatest joys of being a husband. Your father told me that when he found out that Lily was pregnant with you. He couldn't stop talking about how he was going to train you to be a mini-Marauder and then let you become the best Quidditch player in the history of Hogwarts. I think you accomplished both of his goals on your own."

"I did, didn't I," Harry asked, smiling. "Except for playing pranks on people."

"You don't do that, much," Remus said. "But you should enjoy your final year. And when I take you back to my school days, I'm sure you and Ginny will learn to enjoy your relationship even more."

"I'm going to treasure every moment I get. And damn what anyone else says about what I'm doing. I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall that Ginny is going to stay with me in the Head dorm this year. I'm sure she'll agree."

"What about keeping the wedding secret?"

"I'd like to, but I can't spend nights without Ginny. She will never let me do that now that we've heard the next part of my task. And I can't let myself. I must be filled with love when I complete this task."

Remus nodded.

"Yes, you must. That's why Voldemort will make another mistake. You know what your mother did. I'll help you figure out how she did it so you can do it for all of us."

Harry nodded.

"I'd like that very much. And since Ginny is still underage, then she'll be protected for a while."

Remus nodded.

"You're right. She will. But think about what's going to happen in a few hours. You'll be a married man. That's going to change your life forever."

"I know," Harry said. "It's a good change. All I've known is hell on earth. And I'm angry that Voldemort caused everything I have suffered. I don't want to be that angry with him."

"You have a right to be angry. He's taken away your parents, given you a rough childhood, and has tried to kill you at least four different times."

Harry nodded.

"I guess I do have a right to be mighty pissed off at him."

"Yes you do. I'm angry because he took away my best friends, and he made your life a living hell. If you get through this, then I think you should enjoy life. You've done your part for society, even if others think you need to help them."

"I want to help people, but do they know the hell I've been through?"

"No one will fully comprehend this except for your closest friends. And now is the time you need them more than ever. I've noticed something when you're with Ginny. You're happy."

"I am happy. She's brought the most happiness into my life that I've ever known. It's like I'm in heaven right now just thinking about spending a life with a person who can always brighten my mood."

"And that's a good thing, Harry," Remus said. "Now think about what joy today is going to bring you. Don't worry about Voldemort. Not today. There will be time for that later. Enjoy this and the rest of your break. That's why we've given you a break from studying with some of the professors and others here. They know you have a hell of a year, with about two year's worth of school into one."

"At least when I go back to the Marauder days at Hogwarts that I'll have an easy time in the classes."

"Yes you will. I don't know if anyone has ever told you, I think you're a bright student. You just don't have the right people teaching you."

"You were a great teacher," Harry said. "And I've learned more this summer about potions, charms, and transfiguration than I thought possible."

"Why is that?"

"Maybe it's because I was happy because Ginny was in there with me. She made things go by much faster, and she gives me incentives to complete my homework."

"What are those?"

Harry smiled.

"How do you feel when Tonks kisses you?"

Remus smiled.

"That's a good incentive if you ask me," Remus said. "So if I know you and Ginny, this will be the best year of your life at Hogwarts."

"Best two years of my life," Harry said, laughing.

Remus smiled.

A few minutes later, Ron walked up.

"Come on man," Ron said. "Breakfast is ready, and Mum is going bonkers because you're not down there."