The last few days had been unusual for Ginny Potter. Harry had spent a lot of time locked up in his own thoughts, and at first she had been worried that he was still brooding about the ritual, but every time she asked him he merely smiled, kissed her, and told her he was thinking about something much more pleasant. Ginny shrugged and let him be, as she had her own plans to think about. She knew that Harry was taking her somewhere on Friday morning. He had startled her and half the occupants of the Great Hall when he had marched up to Dumbledore this morning at breakfast and informed the Headmaster that he and Ginny would be gone for the entire weekend. Ginny had burst out laughing at the expression of shock on the old man's face. She had been joined in her laughter by most of the Gryffindor table when Dumbledore merely nodded sadly and McGonagall subsequently burst out in an indignant screech. Ginny giggled again at the memory.

"What are you laughing at?" Ron asked, looking up from his food.

"Just remembering the expression on Dumbledore's face this morning."

Hermione let out a huff of frustration. "I do wish Harry would tell us what he's planning."

Ginny looked over at her bushy-haired friend. "Why would Harry tell you the plans he has made for us on Valentine's Day?"

"Well, it just seems a little odd that you are going to be gone the entire weekend."

Ginny smiled. "I'm quite looking forward to it." Indeed, she had grand hopes that Harry was going to allow their relationship to progress further this weekend. She had even snuck away with Dobby's help one night and gone shopping at a fabulous little store that sold lingerie. Her purchases were currently hidden at the bottom of one of her drawers.

Ron looked up sharply. "You two aren't going to do anything, are you?"

Ginny looked calmly at her brother. "I don't know what he has planned, and it really is none of your business anyways, Ron."

He grumbled at her. "I just don't want to think of my best mate and sister doing anything like that."

"Be glad that Harry doesn't share the same opinion about his best mate and his sister."

Ron looked at her in complete confusion. "Harry doesn't have a sister."

Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother's stupidity. "You know he thinks of Hermione as a sister. And does he get all upset at the thought of you two snogging?"

Ron shook his head, but Ginny distinctly heard the words he directed to his plate afterwards. "It's not snogging that I'm worried about." She chose to ignore them.

Harry sat down at her side shortly after and kissed her cheek. "Evening, love."

She smiled up at him. "What kept you?"

"Nothing important."

She rolled her eyes at him and let it go. He hadn't given her a straight answer all week. Ginny resumed eating her meal, and listening to Hermione talk about the Potions essay she was working on. She had discovered several years ago that by paying attention to Hermione as she talked about homework she could learn valuable information for her own classes. So Ginny was not expecting it when Harry's hand landed on her thigh under the table and a spike in mischievousness came from beside her. She squeaked in surprise and dropped her fork.

"Are you all right, Ginny?" Hermione asked.

Blushing faintly, Ginny nodded. When Hermione returned to her lecture, Ginny turned and shot Harry a glare. He smirked in response but didn't remove his hand. Instead, he moved it lazily up and down her leg, causing her breath to speed up slightly. Desperately needing him to stop before she launched herself at him, Ginny clamped her hand firmly atop of his to hold it in place. Harry merely smiled and continued eating.

"Potter."

Ginny froze at the voice and turned with Harry to see Snape standing behind them, his usual sneer in place. "Yes, sir?" Harry asked.

"You will accompany me to my office. Now."

"Sir?"

"No questions, Potter."

Harry shot a confused look at Ginny before shrugging and getting up.

"Weasley, you as well."

Ginny was startled to find Snape's sneer now directed at her. What had she done? Deciding that there was little harm in going with the man, as she didn't believe anyone could harm her with Harry there, she got up and took Harry's hand as he picked up both of their bags. They followed Snape out of the hall, earning curious glances from most of the students and smug looks of superiority from the Slytherin table. Snape led them in complete silence down to his office, and held the door for them, spelling it closed after they entered.

"Sit."

Amused at the man's terseness, Ginny sat down in the offered chair. Harry remained standing behind her.

"What did you wish to see us about, sir?" Harry asked, and Ginny could hear that he was barely forcing himself to remain polite.

Snape began pacing in front of his fire, his black cloak billowing behind him as he walked. Finally, he came to an abrupt halt and faced them. Ginny was shocked at the expression on his face. It looked almost… caring. It was a slightly disconcerting sight.

"You are aware of the prophecy that was given about you." He looked at Harry and waited for his nod before continuing. "I do not know the whole thing, only the first line as it was reported to the Dark Lord by one of his followers." He paused once more, and his eyes took on a haunted look. "I knew that the Dark Lord thought you were the Chosen One, and that he would go after you, and it was this that sent me to Dumbledore sixteen years ago. Your mother… I cared for your mother a great deal. She had been a friend of mine as a child, and even though we had not spoken in years, I still did not wish to see her harmed."

Ginny could feel Harry tense behind her, but he did not speak.

"I passed on as much information as I could, in an effort to protect her, and by extension you. I like to think that it was through my efforts that they were able to remain hidden for so long."

Snape stopped and met Harry's eyes. After several long minutes of silence, Harry spoke quietly. "Thank you, sir."

Snape gave a short nod before continuing. "After your parents were killed… I thought my life held no purpose any longer. I was lost, until Dumbledore found me and told me that he knew the complete prophecy and that he knew how to help you be able to defeat the Dark Lord when he inevitably returned." Snape paced several more times across the room, then turned and looked into the fire as he spoke. "When you arrived here, I was severely disappointed. In my eyes, you had none of your mother in you, and I saw no hope that you would become able to fulfill your destiny. Still, Dumbledore was confident and so I helped him. I did not understand the reason for the things he asked, but one does not question Albus Dumbledore."

"He had you brew the love potion, didn't he?" Harry asked quietly.

Snape looked up, startled. "Yes. I did not know you were aware of that."

"I am, and I have taken steps to counteract any further attempts."

Snape looked puzzled. "I am not aware of any such methods."

Ginny looked up and met Harry's loving gaze. "The Lover's Protection Spell," she whispered.

Snape drew in a sharp breath. "You got that to work?"

"Yes, we did."

Snape nodded slowly, looking at them curiously. Ginny was shocked at the difference it made when he wasn't sneering. His face almost looked pleasant.

"I was aware of many of his schemes to separate you two this year, and was quite frankly startled that none of them worked. I was also lost as to why he felt it necessary. And then there was the obvious falling out between you. Something must have happened for you to lose all trust in him, and I could not help noticing that it seemed to coincide with you finally becoming someone who had a chance to defeat the Dark Lord." Snape met Harry straight in the eye. "It has been a long time since I had any hope. I do not know what happened between you and the Headmaster, but I do know that you need help and refuse to accept his." Snape paused and drew in a ragged breath. "I offer mine instead."

Harry's hand tightened on Ginny's shoulder. She looked up at him in shock, never having expected to hear Severus Snape offer to help him. Harry was looking down at her, confusion in his eyes, and she could see he was torn. He hated the man before him. Snape had done everything he possibly could to make Harry's life miserable, and had been instrumental in Dumbledore's efforts to separate him. And yet, the truth was that Harry did need help, and Snape was admirably placed to give it. He could give information not only about Dumbledore, but about Voldemort as well. She had also been touched by Snape's confession about Harry's mother. Anyone who loved his mother could never truly hurt him.

Ginny placed her hand on top of his. I think you can trust him, love.

Harry's eyes looked at her desperately. With everything?

Ginny considered this for a moment and nodded slightly, but Harry did not look convinced.

"If I may," Snape interrupted his musings. "I am willing to offer proof." Harry looked up, curious. "You have by this point mastered the Legilimency spell, correct?" Harry nodded. "Cast it."

Harry was startled. Severus Snape was a man who he had never expected this from. Accepting that Snape seemed truly willing to do this, Harry drew his holly wand and whispered the spell. He was instantly sucked into Snape's mind and he could see the evidence of impressive shields that had been taken down for his entrance. He was drawn towards several memories of meetings with Dumbledore, where Snape was instructed to brew a series of increasingly potent love potions. He watched as Dumbledore discussed possible methods of expelling Ginny to keep her away from him. Seething and angry, Harry explored along another path that Snape presented to him. These images were even harder for him to deal with, as they showed Voldemort's search for his family. He watched as Snape passed as much information as he could along to Dumbledore in an effort to protect Lily and her family. And then he watched Snape's grief when he heard of Lily Potter's death. With one final push, Harry found himself in a series of much pleasanter memories. Lily and Petunia Evans were playing on a playground, as a young Snape watched carefully. Harry watched in surprise as his mother and Snape formed a friendship. He watched as they struggled to keep that friendship despite their lives going in opposite directions. Then, once more, he watched a scene that had haunted him for nearly a year. Only this time, he saw things differently. He saw the deterioration of that friendship that Snape had sought so hard to preserve. And then he saw as Snape was rebuffed again and again from restoring what was lost. Feeling oddly pitying of the man before him, Harry withdrew.

Harry closed his eyes briefly before nodding, then he looked back up and met Snape's gaze. "I think we'd both better sit down. This will take awhile."

Snape looked increasingly baffled, but took a seat as Harry sat down next to Ginny and took her hand. He looked down at the floor briefly before beginning.

"Last June, after Sirius was killed, Dumbledore took me to his office and told me what I thought was the full prophecy." Snape made a move to interrupt, but Ginny shook her head slightly at him and he subsided. "Finding out that I was the only hope of defeating Voldemort for good was not a pleasant thought. I knew that I was no one special, that I was nowhere near powerful enough to take down Voldemort, and Dumbledore's only advice was the love was my strongest weapon." Harry scoffed. "Love. That's not a weapon. And even worse, love was something I had no experience with. I had no memory of anyone really loving me, and the one person I was that close to had just died. It was then that Ginny found me."

"He wouldn't tell me what was really wrong, but I knew him well enough to offer some help anyways."

"Ginny offered me a way out of the prison I would be returning to any day, a prison Dumbledore had happily sent me to without a second thought."

Snape broke in. "But you did spend the summer at the Dursleys'."

Harry grinned. "Yes, mostly. However I had a means of escape and a means of getting the things I needed. I bonded a house elf." Snape nodded. "He was able to make sure I had enough food, to bring me information from Ginny, and to occasionally even take me places. Indeed, the first thing we did was visit Gringotts, and it was there I learned that Dumbledore had lied to me. The prophecy he told me was incomplete, but my mother had left a letter for me which gave the entire thing." Harry took a deep breath before reciting it. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…, and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…. And his power will be hidden from the world, none to know of it until the beginning of the end…. He will be lead to greatness by one whose love for him is old and strong… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… with his guide he will prevail, without he will fall lower than any before him have gone… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…."

Severus Snape sat in shock. He could see why Voldemort was so desperate to hear the prophecy, as it would give him the information needed to defeat Harry. Everything seemed to revolve around this guide, and looking at the couple in front of him, he had little doubt as to who it was. And yet why had Dumbledore not told Harry the whole thing? It seemed necessary, as Harry needed to know the danger before him. And then he realised what had happened. "He thought to make himself this guide."

"Yes. And so he tried to prevent anyone else from meeting the criteria it spoke of. He sent me to the Dursleys, where he knew I would be unloved. He never allowed me to spend too much time with the Weasleys. He basically allowed Sirius to die." Harry paused and looked at Ginny. "And he did everything in his power to keep me away from Ginny."

"But it didn't work."

"No, it didn't. But that is because something else more powerful than him interfered. There was another letter waiting for me in my vault, a letter from my father." Harry paused and drew out Godric's wand and ran his hand up and down it. "He knew what this power of mine would be, unlike Dumbledore."

Severus stared at the wand in the boy's hands. He would have to be a fool not to recognise the markings on it. "The Heir of Gryffindor shall prevail o'er the Heir of Slytherin, an' the world shall once more be at peace," he quoted softly. "The ancient prophecies are coming true."

Harry looked up sharply. "What ancient prophecies?"

"It has long been rumoured that there will be a great fight between the Heirs of Gryffindor and Slytherin. It is why the Dark Lord chose to go after you instead of Longbottom. There have been rumours for centuries that the Potters are descended from Gryffindor, but there has been no proof until now."

Ginny looked between Snape and the wand in concern. "Sir, do you know what this is?"

"Yes, I do."

"But the blood protection on it?"

Snape looked up, startled. "There was a blood curse on this wand?" Harry nodded. "Then we are truly at the beginning of the end."

"What do you mean?"

"The prophecy said that none would know until the beginning of the end, it follows that the blood protection would become a nonissue at that time."

Harry gulped, and looked down at the wand in his hand briefly; this was not a comforting thought. "There's more."

"More?"

"Yes. The wand… it had some measure of intelligence of its own. It taught me things, and took actions without my knowledge. And then, do you remember that day that the Sorting Hat asked for a chat?" Severus nodded. Dumbledore had been in a towering rage that he had not been able to listen in. "The Hat told me how to transfer that intelligence into myself." With a flick of his wand, Harry broke the glamour charm over his scar.

Severus gasped in shock. "The connection to Voldemort, it was replaced?"

"Yes. I have a little piece of Godric in my head now. It is this that told me of the ritual we were asking about."

Severus nodded. He had wondered where they had found that information. "You spoke of the Wand doing things without your knowledge, what did you mean?"

Harry's eyes met Ginny's, and she gave a brief nod. "Fidelis Amor Vinculum."

Severus Snape collapsed back into his chair in shock. That explained much. He eyed the two teens in front of him, amazed by what they had gone through and what they had accomplished. And in that moment, Severus Snape permanently switched allegiances.

"What can I do to help?"


Ginny woke up on the morning of Valentine's Day to find that her bed was covered in red rose petals. She giggled happily as she brought them up to her nose to smell their fragrance. Harry had told her the night before that they were leaving first thing that morning and to pack a small bag. He had told her not to pack anything fancy, but Ginny had grand hopes for this weekend, so there were several special things hidden at the bottom of her bag. And while these could definitely be considered part of Harry's present, she had also carefully wrapped a small box and placed it in her bag to give to him.

Smiling happily, she hopped out of bed and carefully pulled on a matching set of lacy underwear that her mother would be scandalised to know she owned. Then she threw on the rest of her clothes, grabbed her bag, and practically bounced down the stairs.

Harry was sitting waiting for her in the common room, and when he saw her his face broke out into a huge grin and he stood up. Ginny launched herself into his arms and met his lips with her own. Her small hands wound their way into his hair, holding him tightly to her. When he finally pulled back, he trailed his nose along her cheek and whispered, "Happy Valentine's Day, Gin."

Ginny hugged him tightly to her. "Happy Valentine's Day, love."

After several long minutes, Harry pulled back. "Are you ready?" Ginny nodded happily. "Then let's go."

He took her bag and slung it over his shoulder with his own, and then wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her along. He led her quickly through the halls and out onto the grounds. When they passed through the gates, Harry stopped and pulled her around to face him.

"I'm going to give you your first gift now, because it is going to get us where we need to go."

She looked at him curiously. "How many gifts did you get me?"

"Um… three."

She laughed. "Again? You spoil me too much, Harry Potter."

He smiled happily, "but you deserve it, Ginny Potter."

Harry pulled out a small box and handed it to her. It was tied with a simple ribbon, and inside, resting on a bed of velvet, was a simple bracelet. It was gold, and was basically a string of small rubies. She gasped at the sight. "It's beautiful."

Harry grinned happily, and took it out, helping her to put it on. "It's not just a bracelet. I took it in to a specialty shop and had it made into a permanent portkey. No matter where you are, it will bring you to our home when you say Home to Potter Place."

Ginny smiled up at him. "It's lovely, thank you."

Harry beamed, then wrapped his arms tightly around her and placed a finger on the bracelet on her wrist. "Take us home, love."

She hugged him tightly to her and activated the portkey. When she looked up she smiled at the sight of their home. Harry led her inside, and immediately brought her up to their bedroom. When they stepped through the doors she let out a surprised sigh of pleasure. The entire room had been redone. All the old furnishings were gone, replaced with more modern and comfortable looking things. The bed had a large red comforter on it, and Ginny smiled at the sight. He did love red. She peeked into the bathroom and saw that it, too, had been cleaned up and was redone with red and gold fixtures, though Harry had left the large bathtub. She had got the feeling the last time they had been here that Harry was rather attached to it and all that might one day take place there. She turned back around to find her husband waiting in their sitting room with a large smile on his face.

"It looks wonderful, Harry." He beamed at the praise.

"This is your second present. I had Dobby and Winky work on this room first because I wanted to be able to bring you here."

She grinned. "It is perfect, love."

"Would you like your last present now?" She nodded excitedly, and he reached behind him and pulled out a long, thin package.

She squealed and reached for it. Only one thing came in boxes that size. Inside was her very own Firebolt. Ginny grinned and launched herself at him and smothered his face in kisses. "Thank you!"

He laughed happily. "I'm glad you like it. I thought we might go flying today." She laughed excitedly and popped up, pulling him along behind her as she made quickly for the door.

Harry and Ginny spent the morning flying around their Quidditch Pitch and exploring the rest of the grounds. Ginny squealed with glee as she put her new broom through its paces while they played an intricate game of aerial tag. Harry took the time to teach her some of his more daring tricks, and he smiled happily as he watched his wife fly in her joy. Dobby came out and called them in for lunch at noon, and they raced each other back to the house, laughing all the way. The elves had prepared a large feast for them, and Harry and Ginny enjoyed their food while talking together contentedly. As the meal wound down, Ginny fingered the box in her pocket.

"Did you have plans for this weekend, Harry?"

He blushed slightly before answering. "I thought we might just stay here for a few days. It will be nice to be away from everything."

She smiled gently. She could feel nervousness and excitement coming from him and hoped that meant what she thought it did. "Yes, it will love." She pulled the box out of her pocket and placed it before him. "Happy Valentine's Day."

Harry grinned as he tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside, he found a masculine ring of gold that had small veins of ruby running around it.

"I wanted you to have a ring to mark you as mine, one that everyone can see."

He beamed at her. "It's wonderful. Thank you."

"Maybe you can have it made into a portkey like my bracelet."

Harry grinned. "That is a marvelous idea." He pulled her to him and sat her down on his lap before dipping his head and attacking her mouth. He kissed her intensely for several minutes before trailing his mouth down her long neck. After several long minutes, he pulled away and looked at her. "Dance with me?"

She smiled softly. "I would love to."

He stood up, pulling her with him, and drew her into his arms. He must have had Dobby ready, because as soon as they started dancing soft music began filling the room. He twirled her around the room and in his arms as the music changed again and again. The longer he danced with her, the closer he pulled her to him, until eventually she was plastered against his body and he leaned down and began kissing her with increasing desperation. His hands slid down until they found the edge of her shirt and slipped under the back to find purchase on her bare skin. Harry moaned against her before pulling back and looking at her with half-lidded eyes. "Gin," he groaned.

She wrapped her arms up and around his neck. "I love you, Harry."

He buried his head in her hair. "I love you so much, Gin." He took a deep shuddering breath before lifting up his head and looking into her eyes. "I want you, Gin."

She sucked in a harsh breath. "Then take me, love."

With twinkling eyes, he swept her up into his arms and made his way up to their room.

They did not leave their room again until it was time to return to school on Sunday evening.


It was late Sunday night when Harry and Ginny wandered into the Common Room, arms wrapped tightly around each other. Harry seemed to be unable to not be touching her, and Ginny seemed to be glowing with happiness. They walked in and found an out of the way armchair where they curled up together. Neither noticed that Ron and Hermione where sitting working on homework together when they walked in, so neither saw when they walked up and stood in front of them with raised eyebrows.

But when Harry started to nuzzle into Ginny's neck, Ron cleared his throat loudly. "Could you please not do that in front of me? Actually, I'd prefer you not do it at all."

Harry looked up at his best friends, amused. "You're not going to get that second one, mate."

He scowled. "Where have you two been?"

Harry looked calmly at his glaring friend. "Away."

Hermione huffed. "But where did you go? And how did you get permission? Dumbledore would never have allowed that normally."

Harry smirked. "He didn't have a choice, and we went home."

"You went to the Burrow?"

"No. We went to our home."

Ron spluttered angrily and his face became an alarming shade of red. "And what were you doing there?"

Ginny turned to level her brother with a cold stare. "What Harry and I do is none of your business, Ronald."

He glared at her. "It is too. I'm going to tell Mum what you two are up to."

Ginny laughed. "Go right ahead. They have already approved our relationship and all that it implies."

Ron stared at her with his mouth open in shock. After several silent moments, he snapped it shut and growled, "And what exactly is your relationship?"

"Harry and I are together, Ron, and we are going to be for the rest of our lives."

Ron spluttered before turning and stomping up the stairs angrily. Ginny sighed as she watched him go.

"You two really should tell him the truth," Hermione put in quietly.

Harry looked at her incredulously. "With how he handled that? I don't want him after my blood."

She huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. "He's going to be furious at you for keeping it from him."

Ginny sighed. "I know. But that's not the only reason I don't want to tell him. You know that Ron has difficulty keeping his mouth shut. Get him angry and he'll tell you anything."

Hermione couldn't argue with that, so she merely rolled her eyes and stalked off to return to her book, leaving Harry and Ginny to much more pleasant pursuits.


The days after Valentine's Day were interesting for Harry and Ginny. Ginny spent most of the time floating around blissfully happy with life, while Harry followed her around like a lost puppy, seeming unwilling to not be near her. He was constantly pulling her into abandoned rooms or closets, and Ginny would giggle at his enthusiasm before pushing him away gently.

It wasn't until Saturday night the two weeks later that the world interfered and reminded them that life could never be simple for Harry Potter.

The couple was sitting in the Common Room working on school work when the portrait hole opened and Severus Snape swept into the room, causing it to fall instantly silent as the Gryffindors stared at him. He looked around until he spotted Harry and Ginny, and headed straight for them.

"Potter! Weasley! Come with me!"

Bewildered, they followed along behind him. He didn't speak as they walked quickly through the corridors until he led them into an unused classroom. Turning, he threw up several privacy wards before speaking to them.

"Dumbledore does not want me to inform you of this, but there is a large scale attack planned tonight by the Dark Lord."

Harry's curious expression instantly went serious. "Where?"

Snape met his eyes. "The Dark Lord has recently discovered that the protection surrounding your relatives has expired—most probably because you no longer consider their house your home."

Harry drew in a sharp breath. "When?"

"I do not know. I was informed only a few minutes ago." Snape sighed briefly before continuing. "I have been tasked with making sure you stay in the castle and do not try to help. The Dark Lord is starting to believe the rumours that you are the one who took out Lucius. This is his retaliation."

Harry paced quickly once across the room before coming to a stop right in front of Severus. "I will have to incapacitate you."

"I know."

Harry nodded before raising his wand and whispering a spell. The Potions Professor collapsed to the floor in a boneless heap, and then Harry conjured ropes around him for good measure. Satisfied, he turned to the room and cast spell after spell, making it look like the scene of a fierce fight. It had to look like Snape had been overcome. Turning to his wife, Harry looked at her carefully. "Are you ready?"

She met his eyes. "Yes."

He nodded before calling, "Dobby!"

"Yes, Master and Mistress?"

"Please take us to Privet Drive."

The elf looked between them in confusion before shrugging his small shoulders and taking their hands in his. With a pop, Harry was once more in the bedroom that he had sworn never to return to. He closed his eyes briefly before setting his shoulders and turning to Dobby. "I am going to ask you take the Dursleys somewhere safe."

Dobby grumbled unhappily. "If Master wishes."

With a nod, Harry took Ginny's hand and proceeded out the door and down to the sitting room where the sounds of the television could be heard. He strode into the room where his aunt and uncle were sitting, his uncle holding a rather large glass of brandy. Their heads snapped around at the intrusion, and Vernon was instantly on his feet.

"You! What are you doing here, freak? You said we would never see you again!"

For the first time in his life, Harry Potter met his uncle's eye straight on and held his ground. "Voldemort is sending people to attack you tonight. Because I no longer live here, the protection that has kept you safe is no longer in effect." Harry gestured to the house elf by his side. "Dobby will take you anywhere you wish to go while Ginny and I remain here and fight."

Vernon was turning an alarming shade of purple. "You can't just march into our home and expect us to obey you, boy!"

Harry looked at him coolly. "If you do not leave now, you will be dead by the end of the night."

"You can't threaten me!"

Giving up on his uncle, Harry turned to Petunia who was sitting on the couch with a terrified expression. "Aunt Petunia, where would you like to go?"

She stared up at him, her eyes wide. "Would it be safe at Marge's?"

Harry considered this before nodding. "It should be." He turned to Dobby. "Please take them to the home of Marge Dursley."

The elf nodded before bounding forward. Petunia held her hand out willingly, though with an intense expression of dislike, but Dobby had to forcefully take Vernon's hand. Harry closed his eyes in frustration as the trio disappeared, Vernon screaming the entire time. When the room was cleared, he turned to Ginny.

"Should we wear glamours?"

She considered this. "Probably. Although Dumbledore can no longer stop us, it is best not to let Voldemort know for sure that it is us." She smirked. "And besides, this way I don't have to pretend to not be your wife."

He laughed and drew her small frame into his arms, kissing the top of her head. He held her there for several minutes before pulling back and leading her over to the couch. "We might as well relax for as long as we can. We might be here awhile."

As Harry and Ginny sat cuddled together in the sitting room, Albus Dumbledore apparated outside with his Order. As soon as Severus had told him of the pending attack, they had begun preparations. Despite the fact that Harry obviously intended to never return here, they could not let his relatives be harmed. They were his only family, and Albus was sure it would devastate him. Albus had Order members stationed all along the street, hidden in various houses, and he sent Remus Lupin in to evacuate the Dursleys. Petunia actually knew Remus, and there was a chance, though small, that she would listen to him. Remus had returned after a minute with a strange smile on his face and informed him that the Dursleys were not home. That was strange news, as Severus had mentioned that Voldemort had scouts telling him when the Dursleys were there so he could plan his attack. Albus shrugged it off, deciding he would worry about it later.

It was a long night of waiting, and it wasn't until just after 2 in the morning that the cracks of apparation could be heard up and down the street. Severus had been unable to tell him who would be leading the attack, and Albus' heart shuddered as he heard the familiar maniacal laughter. Voldemort must have sent Bellatrix so that she could play with Harry's only remaining family. In addition, there were twenty other masked Death Eaters scattered throughout the street.

Bellatrix appeared directly in front of number four, and walked slowly up the walkway, her laughter reverberating down the street. Knowing that no one was inside, Albus was waiting until the Death Eaters were occupied with the house before sending the signal to attack. She was five feet away from the door when it suddenly burst open and two figures stepped out.

Despite having never seen him before himself, Albus recognised the taller of the two figures. This was the boy who had interfered in two previous fights, turning the tide in both of them; the boy who Moody was convinced was Harry himself. By his side walked a girl with long blonde hair. The duo stood confident, wands at the ready as Bella looked between them in glee.

"Oh, goody," she cackled. "A rematch. And you've brought the girlfriend."

The boy smiled tightly. "Wife, actually. I'd introduce you, but I don't want her soiling her hand."

The girl by his side laughed quietly. "How considerate, love."

Albus looked back and forth between the two. Could this be Harry and Ginny? Even the possibility made him nervous. There was no way that they stood a chance against Bellatrix, and Molly Weasley would gleefully murder him if something happened to Ginevra. With a resigned sigh, Albus stepped out to engage Bellatrix himself. His first spell shot towards the deranged witch only to be blocked by a shield coming from an unusual direction. His eyes shot up in shock to meet the boy's.

"If you don't mind, Albus, we'll take care of this ourselves. Why don't you deal with the peons she brought with her?"

Albus stared in amazement as he was summarily dismissed. With a sigh, he realised that if this was indeed Harry than there was no way the boy would allow him to help. Resigned, he turned his wand to the black-cloaked figures staring avidly between Bellatrix and her adversaries. Bella waved her hand idly, and the fight broke out. Albus had not expected this many, and the Order was outnumbered two to one, but they were fighting well enough to prevent serious damage.

As the fight broke out in the street in front of them, Harry and Ginny calmly watched as Bellatrix turned back to them, a smirk on her once beautiful face. "Want to fight me yourselves, do you?"

Harry's grin grew feral. "We have unfinished business, Bella."

She nodded in agreement, before sneering, "I owe you for our last fight, boy." Without warning, she attacked.

Harry and Ginny dove to different sides, trying to flank her in a position that would allow them maximum advantage without being in danger from each other's spells. Their return spells were launched before they even landed. The next few minutes were filled with furious spellfire, as Harry and Ginny's intense training of the last few months began to pay off. Bella was holding her own, but she could gain no ground on the two fighters who worked together seamlessly. Their movements were so well coordinated she began to wonder if they were somehow communicating, despite being twenty feet away from each other. Growling in frustration, her spells started to become darker, and Harry and Ginny's shields could no longer block them. Resorting to dodging instead, the couple fought back furiously.

After yet another perfectly coordinated attack, she screamed in frustration. "How are you doing that?"

Harry just smirked at her. "Did you ever hear of the benefits of loving someone, Bella? Oh, that's right; you don't know how to love someone."

She growled, shooting yet another Killing Curse at Ginny who merely danced out of the way.

Harry yelled in anger before a strange look crossed his face. With a flick of his wand, he disappeared. Bellatrix looked around in confusion, unable to find the boy. She turned back to the girl and sneered, "looks like lover boy deserted you, girl. He must not care very much about you." Her voice turned mocking. "Perhaps you haven't yet learned how to satisfy him in bed."

Ginny, who had kept calm when Harry disappeared, looked back and coldly responded, "I doubt that's the case. He spent most of last night screaming my name." Ginny looked at the other woman. "Would you like for me to give you lessons on how to please your husband?"

Bellatrix roared in fury, her attention now wholly on the young witch in front of her. It was at this moment that Harry struck. The spell he had used was an advanced invisibility spell Godric had created. It had a distinct disadvantage, in that the second you used magic again it expired, but it had allowed Harry to sneak up on the maniacal witch in front of him. He waited until she was distracted from her search for him and walked confidently to her side. He wanted her to realise who had killed him, so his attack was not lethal. With a brief flashback to his first year and Hermione using the same spell on Neville, he cast a full body bind.

Bellatrix never even saw the spell coming, as Ginny had cast a stunner at her at the exact moment that Harry struck to distract her. The witch toppled to the ground, her eyes roaming wildly. Calmly, Harry got on his knees beside her. Holding out his hand, he clenched his fist around Gryffindor's sword as it materialised and held it out for the immobile witch in front of him to see.

"I'm going to kill you now, Bellatrix." Her eyes roamed madly looking for an escape before returning to glare at him. "But first, I have something to say." He held the sword up and poised it just above her heart, then leaned his head down slightly and hissed, "This is for killing my godfather, you bitch. May Sirius now rest in peace."

Bella's eyes widened in recognition an instant before he plunged the sword down, and Harry watched dispassionately as she struggled for her last few breaths.

Down the street, Albus Dumbledore was busily engaged fighting three Death Eaters at once, but he was trying to keep an eye on the action in front of the Dursleys' home. He was shocked when Bellatrix went down. There were few fighters in the world who could match her, even outnumbered as she was, and yet this couple took her down without even suffering any serious injuries. He would have to investigate the spell the boy used; it looked quite useful. Albus' eyes widened as the sword appeared. Minerva had informed him that the boy had claimed it, but it still surprised him to see it used. He had been hoping that the sword would claim Harry, thus revealing him to be Gryffindor's heir, and yet nothing had happened when Harry had fought the basilisk with it. The sword had remained in his office ever since. Right before the boy plunged the sword into the witch on the ground, he leaned down and spoke to her, but Albus was too far away to hear what was said. It only added to the mystery. This was the second of Voldemort's lieutenants that the boy gave a personal message to before he killed them.

Returning to his own fight, Albus didn't witness the couple's rather dramatic escapades as they worked their way through the remaining Death Eaters. Unlike the Order members, the young couple sought not to stun but to permanently incapacitate. The boy wielded the sword with deadly precision, and the girl was right behind him, guarding his back and fighting by his side. They worked flawlessly together in a way Albus had not seen since the last time that Nicolas and Perenelle fought together. The Flamels had been amazing to watch, but their ability to work together came from hundreds of years of cooperation and knowing each other so well they could anticipate exactly what the other was about to do. There was no way this couple was able to do that.

When the fight was over, nine of the original twenty had been killed by the couple, and three more had their wand arms permanently removed. Albus himself dispatched the last Death Eater and hurriedly turned around, hoping to catch the couple before they left. They walked back through the door of the Dursleys' home, and it shut behind them. He hurriedly made his way over, but when his hand touched the knob he was thrown back. Shocked, he pulled his wand to examine the door. When he had arrived this evening the wards around the home had been nonexistent. And yet now there was a powerful ward there, and even more unusual was the ward itself. When Albus had left Harry here over fifteen years ago, he had erected powerful blood wards that would keep anyone from nearing the home if they wished any of the family harm. The wards that now protected the house were more confined in area, but much more powerful. The only ones who could cross the threshold were those who held no ill will at all to any of the family. And they were blood wards.

Albus Dumbledore stepped back in shock. The only one who could have cast those wards was Harry himself, which meant Harry had been here tonight. As Severus had strict instructions from Voldemort to insure that didn't happen, Albus could only assume that Severus had been overcome by Harry in some way. Turning back to the dead witch at his feet, Albus for the first time began to truly entertain the thought that it was Harry who had killed her.

The thought did not bring him any comfort.


Harry and Ginny Potter appeared in the foyer of their new home. Their portkeys had been used multiple times in the last few weeks to bring them home during the middle of the night. The couple would wait until their roommates were asleep and then disappear for the night back home, having Dobby and Winky bring them back in the morning. They had quickly found that once they had been together it was difficult to not want to again. Such had been the case last night. Tonight, however, they appeared for a different reason.

Harry appeared and instantly made his way to the still dusty sitting room. He collapsed on the old couch and released a cloud of dust, but he didn't seem to care. His wand clattered to the floor and he buried his head in his hands. Ginny watched anxiously as his shoulders started to shake with sobs. She walked to him carefully and sat on the floor at his feet, resting her head against his knees to give him comfort. They sat this way for over an hour in silence.

Finally, Harry's sobs subsided. Without raising his head, he whispered, "I miss him, Gin."

"I know, love."

He sat for several more minutes in silence before speaking again. "Do you think he was watching? Do you think he knows that we got her?" He raised his head slightly to meet her gaze, his emerald eyes tortured.

"Yes, love, I think he was watching. I think he is always watching. And I'm sure he is proud of you for tonight, as well as for everything else."

He held his arms open in invitation, and she climbed carefully into his lap. Their arms wrapped tightly around each other and he buried his head in her hair. Quietly, he told her all his memories of Sirius. He shared the joy he had felt to finally find someone that was his. He shared the comfort it brought to know that someone was finally there to help him and look out for him. He shared the devastation when that was all lost. And, when he was done, she told him all of her own stories; how during the summer they had all spent at Grimmauld Place Sirius had teamed up with her to out prank the twins, how the two of them used to sit and talk about how much they both loved Harry. It was the first time that Harry had talked about Sirius without focusing entirely on his pain.

At about five in the morning, Harry quietly asked, "Will you come somewhere with me, Gin?"

She pulled back and gifted him with a look that said quite clearly of course.

Harry quickly taught her how to cast the same invisibility spell he had used earlier that night, explaining its limitations. Then he called, "Dobby!"

"Yes, Master Harry?"

"Can you take us to the Death Room of the Department of Mysteries please?"

Dobby nodded solemnly and held out his tiny hands.

The trio appeared in the large amphitheater like room. Silently, Harry and Ginny both flicked their wands and disappeared. Then, hands clasped, they walked down to the arch in the center of the room. Harry's hand began to tremble as he approached the raised dais.

You can do this, Love. Ginny said silently, squeezing his hand in her own.

He took a deep breath and they stepped up. Can you hear them, Gin? The voices?

The curtain before them stirred in an invisible wind. Yes, Harry.

Harry placed an invisible hand on the arch, and began to speak quietly. "We got her, Sirius. We got Bellatrix for you." He drew in a ragged breath before continuing. "I'm sorry it took me so long, but now you can rest in peace. I promise I'll get Voldemort, too, and I won't let anyone manipulate me again." He paused for a long time, then whispered, "Goodbye, Sirius."

Silently, the couple walked back up the steps to where Dobby waited in the shadows, and, cancelling their charms, they took his offered hands and disappeared.


A/N: Sorry for the wait. I was busy over Christmas. In answer to some questions I got, I don't write lemons, as you can see. I'm sorry if this upsets you. Feel free to imagine things for yourself. Also, for those who like my other stories, I am about finished with a new chapter for War Against Voldemort. I know it has been awhile.

I have started a new story, called Elemental Harry. It is another super Harry story, this time he and Ginny have elemental powers. Please head on over and check it out.