Chapter 11 – Like It's 1999

"Isn't that a Yank song?" asked Dean as they revised Caterwauling Charms.

"Hermione thought it would be a good theme. She's booked a band and everything," explained Ron.

"No-one will understand it though. Why would yeh party like it's 1999 if yeh lived in 1998? Besides, who listens to Muggle music?" asked Seamus.

"Who's the band?" asked Katie.

"Witch's Brew," answered Ron. "All witch band - they have a few songs you'd know: Cauldron of Love, You Charmed Me the Night I Met You, and Boomstick."

"Ooohhh..." exclaimed Angelina. "How did she swing that?"

"The only good thing to come out of Harry's articles in the Prophet," explained Ron. "She and Ginny were introduced to the guitarist, Hazel Nutt, at the Cauldron by Hannah. Hermione explained that Witch Weekly and the Prophet would be at the party to cover a huge surprise and the guitarist fell over herself offering the band for the party. Witch's Brew is actually playing for free...they just want to meet Harry and be there for the event."

"The publicity of playing for Harry Potter's coming of age party of course had nothing to do with it?" laughed Dean.

"Nothing, of course," agreed Ron, "And Ginny promised to introduce Hazel to Harry. Hermione said Hazel seemed to have a thing for Harry and Ginny might be enjoying showing off her boyfriend."

"What is the big surprise?" asked Katie.

"Now, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?" teased Ron. "Just make sure all of you are there. DA Members and dates are the only ones being invited to the after-party at Harry's flat. The after-party will be at Ten and the address will be given at the Burrow. Oh, and remember to be there at Noon with your broom if you're up for Quidditch."

Molly insisted Harry spend time with Andromeda and Ted while the others finished preparations for the party. She'd decided it'd be best if Andromeda came and left early so that Teddy wasn't caught up in the fanfare. Harry was embarrassed that he'd taken so long to meet his Godson for the first time, "I'd meant to come several times. So many things have happened."

"I'm just happy you are alive," Andromeda replied. "You don't know how alone I felt when first my husband and then my daughter and Remus were killed. It's one thing to be alone but alone with a young boy to take care of? And I don't know how I'd support him without your help. What you are doing is much too much by the way."

"It'd be much more if you let me. I'd be happy to help out any time with Teddy. I can watch him any time you like." Teddy tugged on Harry's finger and cooed when Harry spoke.

"Don't take this the wrong way but you are still a young man. I can handle him for now but I want you to enjoy being young while you still can. You only get one opportunity. But I promise there will be a time when he'll need you. Teddy will need a wizard in his life as he grows up and I can't think of a better bloke for him to emulate. If Teddy grows up to be half the wizard you are I will be a happy witch. If you can do that for him and guide him as he grows up then I promise I can do the rest on my own." She smiled, "but we are getting much too serious for a birthday party aren't we? Look at his eyes."

Harry gaped at the brilliant green eyes and the unruly black hair that Teddy was now showing off. "Don't get too impressed. He's learned mirroring other people gets him extra hugs and kisses...and treats."

Due to the story in the Prophet about the wand, the party was much larger than anticipated. A large tent and dance floor had been provided by the Ministry and the guests included many Ministry officials he'd never met. Despite their protests Harry quietly provided a sack full of Galleons for the Weasleys to prepare for the party. He'd settled on a public event at the Burrow followed by a private event at Grimmauld Place. The after-party created issues of its own. Mrs. Weasley made the Weasley children make many promises about the sleeping arrangements.

Those interested in Quidditch arrived at noon and the sky was soon filled with brooms. George rounded up a team of Charlie, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Susan and Oliver. Ron had picked up Harry, Gabrielle, Ginny, Dean, Bill and Seamus. The talk started before the match began, "Ron, I picked me up a world class Keeper in Ollie here. What has your team got?" Ginny's smile said it all, "Our Keeper has the all time Hogwarts record for 'Sick on Field.'"

Ron's response was more pointed, "You should have picked Harry instead of Ollie, George. Did Harry not happen to tell you that he bought himself a new Firebolt for his birthday to replace the one he lost last year?" The look on George's face was priceless. "No? I should also remind you that this Keeper won more titles..."

"...Only because you kept getting sick on the quaffle and none of the opposing Chasers wanted to touch it," quipped George.

"Can we play already," asked Harry. "I'd like to finish the match before my next birthday."

The match was sloppy. None of the flyers had seen a Quidditch pitch in months other than Oliver. Passes were missed, collisions occurred, and the bludger hit the Beaters as often as the bats. All the same, everyone had a brilliant time and each missed play resulted in guffaws across the pitch. The match ran long and guests began to arrive promptly at three o'clock. This caused no problems as many sat outside with drinks watching the action and would roar in laughter at each miss.

Lee Jordan arrived at the three hour mark and began commentary via a "Sonorous" Charm. At the three and a half hour mark the action became more interesting. Lee's voice rose, "Harry has caught sight of the snitch again - Charlie sees it as well - He's trying to block Harry - No, Harry has position and he is making a move - Harry had better hurry as it appears that Angelina is making a move with the quaffle - If she scores before Harry reaches the snitch the match will end in a draw - Harry has position - He's flying full on - George is eyeing the bludger - He has it and...oh! That was close - Harry is thrown off course. Charlie has position. George is chasing after the bludger for another shot - Angelina scores - She's making her way back - Does George see Angelina? What? Somehow Harry recovers and he and Charlie are again wrestling for position -They are mere feet from the snitch and...Oy! George and Angelina collide - They look to be tangled up on the ground. They are giggling! We have giggling on the field. Now blushing! Shall we see snogging? Shall we see? Oh no!" Lee made a run for it as George began to chase him down. Moment's later the crowd heard, "Ack! George...stop hitting me..Oy! That hurts! Stop Now you ruddy git! Oy! Oy! Ok, Ok, I'm sorry!"

No-one noticed that Charlie had caught the snitch. Everyone, including Harry, was enjoying the action as George had tackled Lee and was first pummelling him on the arm and then mock slapping him as he had him pinned down. Even Lee was alternating between laughs and cries for help. Angelina was sitting near her broom with her hand over her mouth giggling and blushing. It wasn't obvious with her darker complexion but she'd be three shades of red if she could be. Charlie was running around the pitch like a madman with the snitch held up in the air playing the fool shouting, "I caught the snitch! I caught the snitch!" as Harry laughed at him. When all settled down he walked over to Harry and gave him a hug and said quietly, "You'd have had it if you hadn't gotten distracted by George and Angelina. What happened to the competitive steak I hear so much about?"

"It's the hardest I've seen George laugh in months. I'd give up Quidditch to see him his old self," Harry pledged.

"Blasphemy!" called Bill from across the way, "but a sentiment I agree with fully. By the way, careful at the party tonight. Word is that my sister isn't the only one here that fancies you. I know a certain Veela that would gladly take her place if given the opportunity." As Harry's jaw dropped Bill made one last go to wind Harry up, "Of course, if you were to make the mistake of accepting her advances I'd have to flog you twice...once for my sister and once for my wife. Let's go get drinks!" Harry grinned and followed close behind.

Bill was correct about Gabrielle. She'd been happy to team up with Harry on the pitch and once the match was over she made it a point to be near Harry whenever she could. At fifteen,Gabrielle had entered a period as part Veela when she could not control her charms when around the objects of her affection. Anyone who cared to notice could see that she positively glowed when Harry was anywhere nearby and this made Ginny none the happier with either Veela. Harry could see that Ginny had reached her end when Gabrielle gave him a long hug in front of her and said in front of everyone, "'Arry sevved m' life wen Ay was a leetel girl. Ee weel alwayz bee may 'eero. Ee eez may grand knight." Gabrielle then kissed him on the cheek.

As Ginny pouted Harry whispered in her ear, "I may be her hero but you are the one I have eyes for."

Ginny hugged him tight, "You don't think she and Fleur are beautiful?"

"Of course they are beautiful," answered Harry, "but you have one thing that neither of them have."

"What's that?" she challenged.

"My heart."

The Burrow was swarming with people by four that afternoon. All of the remaining DA made it to the party except Lavender and Cho. Seamus had been the last to see Lavender, "She kicked me out her room when I dropped in. She doesn't want visitors. Even flowers din't help. I told her I din't care about all that rubbish about how she looked but she'd have nothing of it." He frowned, "She's not comin' back next term."

"You are?" asked Ron.

"Aye, or the Aurors won't have me back. I never thought they'd have me in the first place but Ewan has promised me he'd keep a spot for me if I jest give it my best and sit my NEWTS. He sez he ken see I'm not the books type but he can polish me int' a good Auror all the same if I promise to work at it. How 'bout you?"

"Hermione is. Ginny obviously is. I think I am. Harry I'm not so sure about. Harry's been quiet about what he wants to do since Voldemort. We talk about everything but that and my sister."

Dean mused, "I think most the Seventh Year DA is back. I'm back, Neville, Ernie, Cho, and the Patels are all back. Hannah's staying at the Cauldron and Lavender's out but most of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are returning."

"How about Slytherins?" asked Ron.

"I heard Draco is returning. Pansy and the girls are back even though many of their parents are in Azkaban. That git Zabini is coming as well. I heard his parents lost everything so he's having to sit NEWTS just to get a job," explained Dean.

"Draco's back?" asked Ron.

"I thought you knew. I'd heard that Shacklebolt and Harry visited the Manor a few weeks ago and convinced him. I figured he might of said something to you about it," answered Dean.

"No way!"

Seamus grinned, "Don't tell me Harry din't say nothing to you. Hey, is that Neville out on the dance floor with Hannah?"

There were several couples on the floor. Witch's Brew was playing a slow passionate love song and while most couples merely shifted to the left and the right, Neville was guiding Hannah around the floor with a grace unnatural to a man his size. The blokes watched as he took her around in what looked like a modified waltz. She followed and would occasionally spin when the music would permit. By now many eyes were on the couple and even Minerva, who'd slipped in quietly, cracked a smile when the couple and the music ended with a flourish.

"Wow," Seamus announced, "Neville is getting so lucky tonight. I'm definitely taking Harry with me instead of this Duffer next time I go trolling for birds." Seamus' last comment was met with a smack on the back of the head from Angelina. "Angie, din't see you there behind me."

As the party wore on and the sun began to set Neville continued to impress. He'd enjoyed dancing ever since the Yule Ball but had been out of practise since Sixth Year. Once Hannah had agreed to attend Harry's party, he had secretly taken lessons at every opportunity the two weeks that followed. He'd even bought a few books. He'd been disappointed when he found out Witch's Brew would be the band as their music wasn't very dance friendly but as the afternoon wore on the band was playing to the crowd and the crowd wanted to dance.

Hannah mused, "You are even better than advertised. I can barely keep up. Any chance you might give me private lessons in the future?"

"I'm still just learning," Neville answered as he spun her around, "but I couldn't have myself embarrassed after my mates made me out to be some kind of virtuoso."

"One way or another Harry in no way oversold you." Hannah pulled his head down to hers and placed her lips to Neville's ear, "You know, Seamus had a lot to say about you as well once everyone left. He said you 'were as good in the broom closet as on the dance floor.' Of course, I was shocked by such plain and candid talk," Hannah flirted. Hannah giggled as Neville's eyes went wide and he nearly tripped over his steps. It turned into a full on laugh as he began to lose his rhythm with the music, "No worries. Seamus likely has a secret fancy for you. Any chance when we leave for Harry's this evening you might give me a demonstration of your broom closet prowess? He did say you had the 'lips of a vagabond' and I am more than a little interested in knowing just how the 'lips of a vagabond' might feel."

She pulled him off the dance floor for a short break when she realised she'd completely ruined him for dancing. One might have watched from afar and took his flushed cheeks for exhaustion. No-one mistook the body language of the two as they sat and leaned close and spoke in each other's ear.

By then Ron and Hermione had joined Harry and Ginny on the dance floor and Ginny would giggle when Hermione would occasionally yelp. "Harry, we really ought to get Ron lessons for his next gift. We could go in together."

"That'd be the humane thing," admitted Harry as he nearly tripped himself avoiding Ginny's toes. "I think we could both use a lesson or four. Do you have your bag packed for the evening?"

"Since last week," purred Ginny. "My Mum isn't happy but Dad told her to trust me."

"Your Mum gave me a long talk. She asked me if your Dad should give me the talk," Harry frowned.

"My Dad? You are better off getting the talk from me. Ron got the talk from Dad before his Sixth Year and Lavender complained he didn't have a clue. She complained in the beginning that when he kissed her it was like sticking her head in a bowl of pudding." Harry made a face and she exploded in laughter, "Why do you think I called him 'Pudding' for most of my Fifth Year? She said he was a mess. If you ask me, Hermione should be thankful Lavender had him first. She'd never...Oy!...watch your foot."

"Sorry."

She changed the subject, "How long until they get on with the wand?"

"Not long yet. I think after that we'll wrap up the party and head to Grimmauld. Did you hand out the address to those coming?"

"Hermione and I did. Teddy was so precious by the way. I'm surprised you hadn't seen him before now. Did you speak long with Mrs. Tonks?"

Harry looked guilty, "Yes, I apologised for not visiting. She thanked me for setting up an account with Gringotts but insisted it was too much. It really bothers me that people won't let me help out. Your Mum and Dad get angry every time I deposit money in their vault. Even Ron makes faces when I pick up lunch."

"They appreciate it Harry but you have to understand how hard it is for them. Money is a big thing for people that don't have it. Even I get uncomfortable when you buy me gifts. I can't buy gifts nearly as nice so it makes me feel...obligated."

"Obligated?"

"Yes," Ginny frowned. "What do I have to offer you that can equal all of the nice things that you get me?"

"Are you insane?" Harry was now upset, "You, Andromeda, your Mum and Dad, your family..." he counted off each in his head, "have given me more than I could ever hope to return in gifts. As far as I'm concerned everything I have I'd happily share with all of you."

"But it's more complicated than that." Ginny didn't like where this was heading, "It's your Birthday. Why don't we talk about something more cheerful, like how you are going to snog me senseless later. Do I get a personal tour of your place?"

"If you'd like." Hermione yelped again from somewhere on the dance floor. "You want to be alone with me when I introduce you to Mrs. Black?"

Ginny swatted him playfully on the arm, "We can skip that room. I heard I will like your room but no-one will tell me why. Do I get to see that room?"

"Yes, but I promised your Mum I wouldn't sleep in there with you."

"Then we'll have to find another room to sleep in," teased Ginny. "Besides, why are you making promises to her? Which are you more scared of? Her or me?"

"Her."

Soon the Minister stepped up and gathered the crowd. "As you all know, we have something special planned tonight. I have been asked to serve as the Master of Ceremonies this evening as Harry blows out his candles. I've also been asked to say a few words and offer a toast and even offer a small roast of Harry as he 'Comes of Age.'" The crowd laughed at the slight to the Prophet and what all knew was an obvious error on their part.

"Harry should not be here by all accounts. He has fought Basilisks and Dementers and Polyjuiced Vagabonds. He's survived the Hall of Mysteries and the Astronomy Tower and even a trip into the Heart of a Death Eater infested Ministry. He's kept Horcuxes and Prophecies and the Philosopher's Stone out of the hands of our enemies. He faced the most dangerous wizard of our Age and four separate times he fought off the killing curse. I would not be exaggerating if I said that no man's soul held more tightly to its body than that of my good mate Harry."

With a whisk of his wand glasses of champagne appeared in the hands of each present, "I would like to offer a toast to a fine wizard and now a great man. Shacklebolt raised his glass, "To Harry, Cheers!"

"Cheers!" shouted the crowd and then drained their glasses. The moment the glasses emptied they disappeared.

"As you all know, Harry and I have a special surprise for you all. Assistance please?" Two assistants from the Ministry levitated a table out to the crowd. The table looked to be made of solid marble and looked more like an ancient altar. On the table lie two wands and the Sword of Gryffindor. As if it knew it's purpose, the sword glowed like a Veela on her wedding day.

"As many of you were recently made aware, Harry became the owner of the Elder Wand when he defeated Draco Malfoy in a duel earlier this year. This wand was owned by Dumbledore and Grindelwald and many great and terrible witches and wizards before them. Until today, it was held by the Centaurs because Harry was afraid, as Dumbledore was before him, of the allure of power that it fostered. With the recent article making public what the wand was, who owned it and how to secure its allegiance, Harry has agreed that it has finally come time to destroy it. There is no reason for Harry to be constantly looking over his shoulder wondering when the next power hungry wizard or witch will try to corner him into a duel."

While Shacklebolt spoke the assistants set up the table. They placed a small wooden board underneath the Elder Wand and picked up the second wand so that it wouldn't get in the way. They centred the wand on the table and then handed the sword to Harry as he stepped off the scaffolding and into the crowd. The crowd naturally stepped back from the table and gave him room. Shacklebolt gestured to the wand, "Any last words for the wand, Harry?"

Without hesitation Harry pulled the sword up above his head. With one swift motion he brought the sword down on the wand. The sword passed clear through the wand and board and a loud clang was heard when it struck the granite. The wand spewed out sparks and a flash was seen. Hundreds of what looked to be spirits swirled out of the wand and circled the crowd in a giant eddy. Harry and those in the crowd found it difficult to keep their feet but eventually the whispers of the ghosts and the wind died down and the candles around the tent died out.

Immediately Shacklebolt flicked his wand and with a flourish the candles were relit. The crowd cheered. The writers for Witch Weekly and the Prophet wrote frantically. Pictures had been taken by both papers and now more were taken as Harry held the sword uncertainly. Shacklebolt from the stage above continued, "We thought, given that we were already destroying wands, that we might witness the end to a wand that holds more immediate significance to all of us here. I give you all the wand of Voldemort!"

There was no great gasp. There were very few whispers. Many had already guessed that if a second wand was to be destroyed then it likely belonged to Voldemort. All the same, everyone stared at it with fascination as an assistant held it up to see. Hermione was surprised Voldemort's wand would be destroyed in public. She whispered to Molly, "Do you think it's a good idea they do this here? Have they checked it for any protections?"

Mrs. Weasley was on her toes trying to get a better look, "I'm sure it will be fine. He was able to destroy the Elder Wand with the sword. What kind of protections could Voldemort place on the wand that the Peverells wouldn't have placed on the Elder?" Hermione wasn't convinced but she kept her tongue.

Meanwhile, Harry raised the sword again. Ollivander could be heard recounting "...thirteen and one half inches long, made of yew, with a Phoenix feather at its core. Such a shame. That wand performed many great and terrible things..." As Harry brought the sword down the crowd held a collective breath. At contact the sword seemed to buckle. To have seen it would not have been enough to believe it because those that witnessed the event later recounted that the sword did not actually buckle. Their best description was that space and time around the wand was what actually buckled. It was as if everything around the wand simply bent.

Harry was thrown back into the crowd and hit the stage that the Minister was standing on. The sword had flown from his hands and stood in the ground like a tiny Easter Cross. Fortunately the sword had not ricocheted into the crowd. Harry, though, was injured. His back had hit hard on the scaffolding and he could do no more than kneel on an injured knee.

A giant plume of smoke rose out of the wand and as it reached the height of two men it took the form of a giant black cobra. The cobra's wings extended out and it swayed to the left and the right. It's coils surrounded the wand protectively. Each time Harry tried to move the cobra made as it would strike him. Finally the snake hissed out to him, "You dare attempt to destroy me?" The serpent continued to sway back and forth - hypnotising the crowd.

Instinctively Harry had pulled out his wand and he held it tight. He had understood the snake's speech. He had thought he was no longer able to speak to snakes with the removal of the Horcrux in his head. Harry made to speak but in English, "Yes. Your owner is dead. There are many that believe that you are cursed."

The serpent made to strike. The crowd watched, impotent, as the drama unfolded before them. Harry tried to jump for the sword but his knee buckled under the weight. He lie prone to the snake, now on both knees, as it lunged at the back of his neck. His wand, seemingly of it's own volition, rose up and met the snake with a flash of fire. The fire engulfed the snake and it shrieked in pain. The crowd now shook their heads and covered their ears as snake's shrill cries threatened to deafen them. The serpent swung back and forth as it tried to shake the fire off. It twisted itself off of the table and began to roll on the ground in an effort to put out the flames. The crowd scrambled from the table as the heat from the burning snake became unbearable.

Harry finally came to. His wand seemed to whisper to him, "The sword. Use it now..." Harry crawled to the sword and pulled it from the ground. He stood up with his weight on his good leg and he limped to the wand. He pulled the sword above his head and struck the wand again. This time the wand splintered and the Phoenix feather shown from inside. The feather quickly caught fire and the great serpent evaporated into black smoke before it was sucked from the ground into the flames. Moments later all that remained were the ashes from the Yew and a snapped Phoenix feather.

Harry looked around for some clue that what had happened was indeed real. The crowd stood dumbfounded. Harry gingerly balanced himself on the one leg and coughed out, "Could I please get some help?" to which Arthur and George ran over and carried him to a chair. As Harry had his knee looked at he could hear whispers in the crowd. In an attempt to break the tension he called out, "Please don't tell me that you lot are are still conspiring to get me to blow out candles. I've had enough fire for one night." When the crowd saw he was smiling he got several nervous laughs and it was generally understood that the party was over. Most of the guests thanked the Weasleys for an "unusual night" and either disapparated or took the Floo network home.

Once Harry had his injuries treated, he and his mates left for Grimmauld Place. For hours after the kids left, Shacklebolt sat at the Weasley table with Arthur and Bill and they discussed the events of the evening. Molly stood above them imperiously with arms crossed and occasionally she would pace the room. Arthur looked nervously up at her every few rounds expecting her to strike like the serpent had earlier in the evening. It wasn't long before his fears were realised, "Why is it, Kingsley, that each time that boy does something for you we eventually must put him back together again? Is it not enough that Dumbledore was bent on sacrificing the boy?"

The Minister sighed, "I'm sorry Molly. I thought the wand would act as the Horcruxes had. The sword dispatched them with no ill effects. I thought it would be the same with the wand."

Bill was deep in thought. Arthur was curious what about, "Son, what is on your mind?"

"I wonder why the Elder Wand gave Harry so much less trouble than Voldemort's. The Elder seemed to go with no fight at all but Voldemort's would have killed Harry if his own wand hadn't fought back..." Bill was still mulling it over in his head as his words dropped off.

Shacklebolt guessed aloud, "Maybe because Harry was the rightful owner of the Elder Wand? The Elder's primary defence was that it held so much potential that the owner would want to keep it. Anyone powerful enough to win it would naturally want more power. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to achieve the power it would take to out-duel the owner. Draco was extremely fortuitous in the condition Dumbledore was in when Draco overcame him. I'd wager that not one owner of that wand in five hundred years was as weak as Draco when they fought for it."

"Maybe, but Harry was the rightful owner of Voldemort's wand as well."

Arthur was now concerned, "What are you thinking boy?"

"Something doesn't add up. Either the Elder Wand should have given more of a fight or there is something more to Voldemort's wand. Are we sure that his wand was not a final Horcrux? Remember, Dumbledore said that Voldemort wanted to create seven Horcruxes. Harry was an accident. How do we not know that Harry was an accidental eighth Horcrux and the wand was not the seventh?"

Shacklebolt considered, "What you say could be true. But none of the Horcruxes gave that much of a fight. I think that Voldemort simply placed a very serious defence mechanism on the wand. Magic has evolved since the Elder Wand was fashioned."

"You might be right," admitted Bill, "But it still bothers me that the Elder Wand didn't put up more of a fight."

The party at Grimmauld Place was just winding down. Harry sat in the sitting room with Ginny's head tucked into his shoulder while Hermione sat next to Neville and Hannah. Luna stood watching Ron and Oliver as Ron pondered his next move. Finally the Queen looked up at Ron and begged, "Please dispatch this novice as quick as ye might. He hast not but a King and a Bishop and any further delay is but a waste." Oliver's King called out, "Have patience fair Queen! This poor boy may pull victory out of the clutches of defeat yet."

Ron laughed at the King, "Little chance. He can't get better than stalemate. And that would only be if I fell asleep and Harry was to finish. Check mate," announced Ron as he moved his triumphant Queen. She pulled out a sword and charged the King who bowed for his death.

Soon after Oliver said his goodbyes and it was just Luna and the three couples, "Well, this is a bit awkward. I should probably go too so the six of you may go to your rooms and..."

"What?" asked Hannah and Neville at once. You couldn't tell which said what as they fumbled around the response, "No...We aren't...Well, you know...No, we had a good time and all...But we should be going...I'll escort her to her flat...and then he can head back home...And I'll just..."

"Enough!" begged Harry. " You may both stay as my guests. I have a guest room down here and another on the second landing. There are extra clothes and pyjamas...though you will need Hermione to resize yours, Neville. I don't have any that fit a 6'2'' beast," Harry laughed.

Neville and Hannah shared a look and it was decided. Hermione made sure Luna was taken care of as well, "You can use my bed. Ron's bed is big enough for both of us and I can sleep in there with him so you'll have room."

"Of course," answered Luna, "I can sleep in your bed so that the two of you have an excuse to share a room. I don't mind." Hermione shrunk two inches shorter into the couch and Ron went red but the rest of the room had a good laugh. Luna smiled, "Sorry Hermione, there's not much illusion to the excuse if I bring it out in the open, is there?" Hermione could only shake her head and smile.

Soon everyone was happily in bed. Ginny loved Harry's room but Harry had promised Mrs. Weasley that Ginny wouldn't sleep there. He'd also promised her he would keep her "modesty" intact but was intelligent enough not to bring this up to Ginny. Even Mrs. Weasley had been intelligent enough to see through the promise that Harry would not have Ginny in his room, "Just please promise me you will be a gentleman. I know I'm asking a lot Harry but she is my one and only daughter. You know where the line is."

Harry had been beaten up pretty bad by the serpent so it didn't take much convincing Ginny to go easy on him. She didn't make it too easy though. She and Hermione had planned this to be a special occasion and both of the girls had even shopped for special evening wear. She'd worked a few Saturdays at George's to earn a few Galleons and this was her first big purchase. When Ginny stepped in the room in her outfit she had to remind Harry to close his mouth. It took a while before Harry could complete a sentence but the first was, "You are amazing."

After a few hours they'd worked each other up into a breathless mess but she couldn't help but ask, "So, do you wish you hadn't promised Mum to be 'gentleman?'" Harry lied there panting both extremely happy and extremely frustrated, "Yes...but wait...how did you know?"

Ginny had finally caught her breath, "Are you daft? I may be a witch but as good as I look even I would have ravished me tonight. If my knee felt like yours I'd cut it off at the joint in order to ravish me. Yet, you've snogged me senseless the whole night and haven't made one try for more. I've done everything I could to turn you into the letch you should be and you haven't caved once. I must admit I'm split between feeling furious that you would choose to honour a promise with Mum over my desires...and feeling impressed that you have withstood every devious delicious mind-blowing torture that I could conceive to convince you to change your mind. You do realise I don't plan on letting up until you give in. What have you to say for yourself?"

"Love hurts?"