Hogwarts did not feel the same to Ginny; it felt more like a prison. In the outside world she had a fiancé who loved her, and his adopted daughter her adored her, here, all she had was work.

Ginny sat in the Gryffindor common room staring into the fire, while Ron and Hermione made eyes at each other. She kept staring at her watch waiting for the one o'clock hour when Harry was due to apparate. She kept secretly hoping Ron and Hermione would either leave the common room for privacy or simply go to bed.

"Hey guys." Ginny began. "You know the DA common room is empty." Ginny prodded.

"Ginny!" Hermione gasped. "We're prefects." She said indignantly.

"All the better, if you get caught, you could say you heard a Gryffindor was out of the common room, and you went to investigate." Ginny suggested.

"Sis, Fred and George would be proud. That is the sneakiest thing I have ever heard. Thanks." Ron said happily.

"Ron, we can't." Hermione said.

"Why not, Ginny's idea is genius, we could use that excuse every day." Ron said, planting a suggestive kiss on Hermione. She softened.

"All right, but only for a little while," she conceded.

They thanked Ginny again, and left the common room. Ginny checked her watch again; it was ten minutes after one. "Oh no, Harry's not coming." She thought.

"I thought they'd never leave." Harry said from behind Ginny.

"Harry." She whispered. "I was starting to think you wouldn't come." She said hugging him tightly.

"I've been waiting for ten minutes. Do you know how hard it is to stay disapparated for so long?" He asked before planting a passionate kiss on her.

"Actually, no, you're probably the only one who does." Ginny said in a mock angry tone.

"Cindy misses you already." Harry announced.

"Oh God Harry, I've been missing her so bad." Ginny said with a tear in her eye. "Can you bring her by one of these nights?" She asked hopefully.

"Oh Yes Harry, bring her by." Hermione said mockingly.

They both turned around together, the shock on Ginny's face made Ron and Hermione laugh.

"Now Ginny, you don't really think I'm that dense, do you?" Ron asked with a smile on his face.

"Trying to lure us out of the common room, how obvious," Hermione said in an obvious tone.

"Ginny." Harry began, turning to face her. "You didn't really try to trick Hermione, did you? She's smarter than both of us put together." Harry said amused.

"I told them to use the DA common room for snogging. I even gave them an excuse in case they got caught." Ginny explained, now seeing the humor.

"I'm glad you're up, I've wanted to ask you something." Harry said to Ron and Hermione, as he walked up to the both of them, and embraced them; his brother and sister.

"What did you want to ask?" Hermione asked impatiently.

"Ron, Hermione, would you both do me the honor of being godparents to my daughter?" Harry asked formally.

"Really Harry? You want us as godparents?" Hermione asked through tears.

Ron walked up to Harry, and embraced him tightly. "It would be an honor, brother." Ron said through tears of his own.

"Well I think Ron and I are exhausted, we're going to bed. Right Ron," Hermione asked in no uncertain terms.

"Uh, yeah, that's right, we're exhausted." Ron agreed hugging Harry one last time, and turning towards the dormitories.

Hermione followed suit, but as she turned, she asked one final question. "When can we meet her?" Hermione asked.

"Finish the DA class on time Friday, and I'll bring her by." He said.

Hermione nodded and continued up to bed. Harry turned to Ginny.

"You told them." Harry said, not sounding angry.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"They didn't question me having a child." Harry explained.

"I'm sorry Harry, but I was dieing to tell someone, and Ron and Hermione are family." Ginny said nervously.

"I'm not angry, as you say, they're family." Harry said, kissing her deeply.

The week went by uneventfully for Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Harry met Ginny again on Wednesday, and wouldn't return until Friday. Ginny was impatient the entire day on Friday, she couldn't concentrate the entire time.

During the DA class, all Ron, Hermione and Ginny could talk about was seeing Cindy. Halfway through the class, Ron found a note in Harry's old desk. When he read the note, he laughed.

"Hey 'Mione, I guess Harry's still teaching the class." Ron said handing Hermione the note.

The note gave explicit instructions on advanced apparition. The instructions started with simple apparition, and progressed to mid-air and moving apparition. Hermione laughed out loud.

"Remind me to thank him." Ron said to her.

"I think you should dismiss the class early." Ginny said.

"You're right." Ron agreed.

Ron proceeded to dismiss the class, and inform them of up and coming training. They left talking excitedly.

"When do you expect Harry?" Hermione asked Ginny.

"He said he'd be here at four." Ginny answered distractedly.

"Well, he'll be here in twenty minutes." Ron said, trailing off as he looked at the door.

"Professor Dumbledore, what are you doing here?" Ron asked nervously.

"I received a note to be here at four, so I decided to come early." Dumbledore answered pleasantly.

"Who sent the note, sir?" Hermione asked.

"Harry did." Dumbledore said simply.

Charlie Weasley arrived shortly after Dumbledore, followed closely by McGonagall, both receiving the same note as Dumbledore.

Just before the clock struck four, Arthur and Molly came in.

"Mom, dad, don't tell me you received a note too?" Ron asked flabbergasted.

Arthur held up a piece of parchment. It was obvious Harry wanted is friends and family there. What totally threw Ron and the rest for a loop was when Snape arrived, just after the Weasley's.

"Ah Severus, I see you've received an invitation also." Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"Yes Headmaster and I don't appreciate letting a class leave early, so this better be important." Snape hissed.

"It is Professor." Harry announced upon arrival.

He placed Cindy on the floor, who immediately ran to Ginny.

"Mommy," she exclaimed, hugging Ginny tightly.

Arthur, Molly and Charlie stared open-mouthed. They couldn't believe what they just saw, and heard.

"Ginny? Who is that?" Charlie said, dumbfounded.

"This, this is Cindy, Harry's adopted daughter." Ginny answered distractedly, as she hugged and kissed Cindy.

Ginny picked her up, and purposely walked her over to Ron and Hermione. "Cindy, I'd like you to meet Ron and Hermione, they are going to be your godparents." Ginny told Cindy.

"What are godparents?" Cindy asked Ginny.

"Well, godparents help to look after you, and if something were to happen to your parents, then they help to raise you. It is a very important job." Ginny explained.

"Oh, so they are like a second set of parents." She surmised.

"Exactly," Ginny said happily.

"Can I hold you?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Ok." She said in her childish voice reaching out to Hermione.

"Molly." Harry said, hugging her. "I wanted to introduce you to my daughter." He said.

"When did you adopt a child?" Molly asked, with a mix of confusion, and elation at seeing Harry.

"The twenty seventh of December." Harry said simply, dragging Molly over to Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Cindy.

"Sweetheart, this is Molly, she's like my mother, so, she's like your grandmother." Harry told Cindy.

"You're my gamma?" Cindy asked Molly.

"I, I guess so." Molly said, still bewildered.

"Hurray, I have a gamma." She exclaimed, reaching out to hug Molly. Molly couldn't resist. She immediately began crying and kissing Cindy, over and over. Harry smiled.

"Professor Dumbledore." Harry approached the Headmaster, shaking his hand. "It's great to see you again, I've missed you." He said.

"Harry, I see you bring with you some surprise." Dumbledore said amusingly.

"I like to leave a lasting impression." Harry said smiling.

"You always like to be the center of attention. Now, is this why you disturbed me?" Snape hissed at Harry.

"Professor, do you really want to act like this in front of the Headmaster, and the Minister of Magic?" Harry asked, snidely.

"Just get to the point Potter." Snape barked.

"Very well, Ron, Charlie, can you two come over here a moment. I promise it won't be too long." Harry said in an amused tone.

They both pried themselves from Cindy and walked over to the other men.

"I've decided to actively pursue Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I'm sick and tired of waiting around while more innocent people are killed. But, I need your help." Harry said to them.

"What did you have in mind?" Dumbledore asked.

"I need you all to get me intelligence. I need to know the instant a Death Eater attack is occurring. I know you all have connections, and can help me." Harry explained.

"Why you, the ministry has Aurors who can handle them." Snape hissed.

"True and they're very capable, but, I want to scare Voldemort. I want him to think I looking for him at every turn, I want him to second-guess himself, and I want him to make a mistake. Harry said.

"Harry, I don't have any connections." Ron said, feeling useless.

"You don't? What about the two hundred elves you command?" Harry asked with a gleam in his eye.

"Oh yeah, I forgot." Ron said happily.

"And you Professor Snape, I need you to get Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle on my side. They probably have more valuable intelligence than anybody else." Harry said to Snape.

"And what if they're unwilling?" Snape asked.

"They'll be willing, they owe me their lives." Harry said matter-of-factly.

"What will you do if you meet up with Voldemort Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"I won't. If I'm right, he'll go into hiding. He's still not up to full power, if he was, he would have attacked the school already." Harry speculated.

"True enough, but why do you want him to go into hiding?" Dumbledore pressed.

"That will give us time to prepare the army." Harry clarified.

"What army?" Snape asked rudely.

"Dumbledore's Army," Ginny answered indignantly, as she walked over.

"Severus, the students and elves Harry and Ron have been training are to act as a front line against the Death Eaters. They have been teaching magic that is not ordinarily taught at Hogwarts. They are a formidable group of Aurors." Arthur said proudly.

"Aurors," Ron asked.

"Dark Aurors, actually, I'm officially naming everyone in the DA, Dark Aurors, as of today. They will be chartered as a secret law enforcement department within the office of the Minister, I'm calling it; the Department for Dark Magi Enforcement." Arthur announced.

"Excellent!" Ron exclaimed.

"And Harry, I'm naming you their Commander and Chief." Arthur continued.

"Thank you Minister, but before I accept, I have to become a fully qualified wizard. Professor," Harry said, turning to Dumbledore. "Is there any way I can take my NEWTS now, a year and a half early?" Harry asked the Headmaster.

"I don't see why not, especially if you have the support of the office of the Minister of Magic." Dumbledore said, motioning to Arthur.

"Absolutely, I'll take a page from Fudge's book, and make an official decree. Educational Decree Number 1; any student who by choice resolves to self educate, may take all required exams at a time of their choosing, enabling them to become fully qualified wizards." Arthur said in an official tone.

"Thank you sir, that fits Fred and George as well." Harry reminded Arthur.

"I know." He whispered back.

"When would you like to start?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"Monday morning too early," Harry asked back.

"No, that would be fine." Dumbledore answered.

"I'm saddened to have to leave this mutual admiration society, but I have important business to attend to." Snape announced sarcastically, as he turned to leave the DA classroom.

"Harry, I must admit I was a little concerned about you adopting a child. But now that I've met her, and heard why you did, I'm proud of you." Molly said, hugging Harry.

"Thank you Molly. That means a lot to me." Harry said.

"So, where is my granddaughter?" Arthur exclaimed, walking over to Cindy.

Arthur picked her up, and began making the child laugh.

"Harry, tell me about Cindy." Dumbledore asked.

"Well, on Christmas morning, I delivered some toys to a local muggle orphanage. There was a little girl who wouldn't come down to play with the others, when I enquired, it turned out that the other children refused to play with her because strange things kept happening around her. I investigated more, and it turns out she was doing magic. I couldn't leave her there to suffer like I did. So I used my fake identity, which is much older than I am, to adopt her. She already knows who I am, even though no one else in town knows. She had no last name, so I named her Potter. The locals think that was her original sir name, so they don't question it. Since she's been living with me, she has become quite the little witch." Harry explained.

"Then she can do magic?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh yes, wandless and elemental magic. She, like me, has no preconceived notions about magic, so she doesn't know you need a wand for magic." Harry answered.

"Incredible, in the magical world, we are our worst enemy. Can I meet her?" Dumbledore asked with a sparkle in his eye.

"Of course Professor," Harry answered, directing the Headmaster to Cindy and the others.

"Cindy, I'd like you to meet Professor Dumbledore, he's my teacher." Harry said proudly.

"Hello Professor Dumbly door." Cindy said, trying to pronounce his name.

"Call me Uncle Albus." Dumbledore said, picking her up.

"Ron, is it just me, or does Cindy remind you of someone?" Hermione asked Ron.

"Um, no?" Ron answered, slightly bewildered.

After another hour of pleasant conversation, Dumbledore conjured a large table, and food for them all to eat. It was a true family affair. During dinner, Dumbledore turned to Harry with his trademark sparkle in his eye.

"Harry, after you pass the NEWTS." Dumbledore began, showing no sign of doubt. "I was wondering if you would like to take on teaching permanently." Dumbledore asked.

"Only if you allow me to teach magic that is not on the curriculum." Harry answered honestly.

"Am I correct in assuming that you want to continue the DA, long after the original members are gone?" Dumbledore asked knowingly.

"Well sir, not the DA, the Department for Dark Magi Enforcement." Harry corrected.

"I stand corrected." Dumbledore began with a laugh. "I think we have a deal." Dumbledore finished.

When Cindy began nodding off, Harry announced it was time to leave. He picked up the sleepy child, bid his farewell to his friends, and apparated home.

"So, did Harry ever mention when and where the baptism is?" Ginny asked Ron and Hermione.

"I forgot to ask." Ron said, slapping his forehead.

"I was too busy playing with my goddaughter to ask." Hermione said

Ginny laughed at the two of them. "Don't worry, I remembered. It's on Holy Saturday, in a small muggle church in Scotland." Ginny said amused.

"Oh good, during Easter holiday," Hermione said following Ginny to the Gryffindor common room.

They all slept better that night knowing Harry would be back.

The NEWTS started early on Monday morning. The Great Hall was converted after breakfast that day. Harry left Cindy in the care of Dobby and Winky, knowing he couldn't take the tests and watch her at the same time. The first test was potions, Harry was not as nervous as he expected. He knew he had the two other lifetimes of information to refer back to, so he confidently walked into the Hall, and awaited his instructions.

The NEWTS were not unlike the OWLS, a written part, followed by a practical exercise. Three members of the Ministry were on hand to conduct the tests; Harry recognized them from the OWLS he took only the year before.

"Mr. Potter, today and tomorrow we will give you all the written examinations, and Wednesday and Thursday, the entire practical exercises," said a stern looking witch.

"Yes ma'am." Harry said simply.

They sat him down at the lone table, handed him the exam, and began the timer. Harry quickly perused the exam, and smiled to himself, he knew all of it. He grabbed his quill, and began writing as fast as he could.

The potions exam only took Harry an hour. When he turned the test in, the bearded wizard kept asking him if he was sure, Harry just smiled and told him he was, and was ready for the next test.

From potions they went to transfiguration, then to care of magical creatures, and the final exam for the morning, history of magic. Harry was amazed he knew as much as he did, it almost seemed like child's play. Harry had done the entire day's work before lunch. When he handed in his final exam, the two wizards, and witch began speaking in hushed tones.

"Mr. Potter, you have a choice of continuing the exams after lunch, or continuing them tomorrow. Which do you prefer?" The stern witch asked him.

"I would prefer to finish them today." Harry said confidently.

"Very well, meet us here after lunch." The bearded wizard added.

Harry walked out of the Great Hall, and proceeded to apparate to the DA common room, where he awaited the arrival of the DA members. This would be the first time he saw them all, since he left school in November. He was nervous.

The first to arrive was Neville Longbottom, Harry immediately noticed the confidence that emanated from him, and he was even flirting with a fourth year Ravenclaw, who was obviously flirting back. Harry smiled.

"All right there Neville." Harry said, startling the boy.

"Harry!" He exclaimed, rushing over, and giving Harry a hug. "Good to see you mate, good to see you." Neville added.

"You too, mate." Harry answered.

"Good to see you back, General." The Ravenclaw said, shaking Harry's hand.

"It's not, General any more, I have no rank." Harry said not sounding a bit remorseful.

Harry sat at the opposite end of the long dining table. He was used to sitting at the head, but knew this was Ron's place now.

"So it's Major Longbottom now, hey Neville?" Harry asked, noticing the rank insignia on his robe.

"Oh yeah, Ron gave me a promotion." Neville said proudly.

"It's well deserved." Harry said honestly.

The rest of the DA began to arrive. Since Harry was at the end closest to the door, and his back was turned, nobody noticed him until they all sat down to lunch. Ron was the first to notice him.

"So, how were the tests?" Ron asked across the table.

Everyone turned to see who he was speaking to. They all froze at the sight. Harry was back.

"Not bad, I still have some more written, and then the practical." Harry answered.

Everyone who hadn't seen him began talking all at once. It was comical; no one would relent long enough to allow someone else to ask a question. It took Ron's voice to get their attention.

"Quiet!" Ron bellowed. They responded immediately. "Give Harry a break; this is only his first day back." Ron told them calmly.

"Where's Cindy?" Ginny asked longingly.

"I couldn't bring her, she's home with Dobby and Winky." Harry answered apologetically.

"Who's Cindy?" Cho asked.

"It's not important." Hermione answered, leaving no doubt she wanted the topic dropped.

Lunch was a very pleasant affair nonetheless. People would continually ask him questions, and he would refuse to answer them, Harry was back.

After lunch, Harry managed to finish the remaining exams; Astronomy, Herbology, divination, and his favorite, Defense Against the Dark Arts, though he kept having to tell himself to use the textbook answers. The next day would be spent on practical exercises. He was thrilled. Perhaps he could finish them off in one day as well.

He decided not to meet the DA for dinner; he missed Cindy, and wanted to get home as soon as possible. Immediate after the final exam for the day, Harry thanked the Ministry members, and left the Hall, as soon as he was out of sight, he apparated home.

Cindy was playing in the foyer of their house; Cindyland, when Harry apparated home.

"Daddy," she bellowed, when she saw him. "Teach me some more." She said hugging her adopted father.

"Sure sweetheart, let me just change, and I'll come right down." He told her, putting her back on the floor.

The rest of the day was spent teaching Cindy more elemental magic. This was her favorite. She had become quite adept at wind and water magic, and was starting to move on to fire magic. Harry knew she would grow to be the most powerful witch in history, she believed everything her father said, and would find a way to accomplish it.

Harry was putting her to bed. She seemed exhausted, and he thought she was sleeping.

"Daddy," she asked.

"Yes baby." Harry answered.

"What other kind of magic can learn?" She asked expectantly.

"Well, let's see. There are spells, charms, jinxes and curses of all types. You could start learning some summoning and banishing charms, they're always fun. You could learn levitation, which was always my favorite. There's just so much, you won't ever be bored." Harry said surely.

"Can we do more magic everyday; I like it better than my toys." She said in her childish voice.

"I'll tell you what, tomorrow, and maybe Wednesday, I'll be out, but after that, we could start spending four hours every day on magic, how does that sound?" Harry asked.

"Ok." She said, starting to fall asleep.

"Good night sweetheart." Harry said.

"Good night daddy." She said dreamily.

The next day was Harry's Practical exercises. Up first was Potions again. It took Harry the full two hours to complete the exam, owing to the fact that it had to stew for seventy five minutes. Harry felt sure he had gotten it right.

Up next was Transfiguration. He was surprised when one of the proctors walked up to ask a question.

"Dumbledore informs us that you are an animagus, is this true?" The stern witch asked.

"Indeed?" Harry questioned.

She stepped closer so as to whisper in his ear. "I'm a member of the Order." She said conspiratorially.

"Ah." Was all Harry managed to say.

"He also says your registration has been listed as Top Ministry Security, is this also true?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am." Harry answered.

"I'm going to excuse the other two proctors who do not have the security level I have, and as the exam, I would like to see you turn into your animagus form.

"No problem." Harry said, still with no emotion.

The stern witch excused the other two proctors for the exam, much to their bewilderment. As soon as they were gone, she instructed Harry to begin. Harry immediately changed into his griffin form. She was impressed at the speed and perfection of which he did it, but Harry made no attempt at showing her his wings, but her obviously trained eye, noticed them immediately.

When Harry changed back, she ran right up to him. "Mr. Potter, I have never heard of a wizard who could become a magical creature, this is certainly a first. Full marks." She added smiling for the first time.

Harry finished care of magical creatures within an hour. History of magic had no practical, so Harry was free for the rest of the morning.

After lunch, he did Herbology, Divination, and finally Harry's favorite, Defense. At the time for the defense exam, Harry asked the proctors, if he would be allowed to have a spectator, they agreed.

Harry ran from the Great Hall, and apparated home, where he grabbed Cindy, and brought her back. The proctors were stunned at Harry's guest.

"Who is this, Mr. Potter?" The bearded wizard asked.

"Just a friend," Harry answered, not wanting them to know. He sat her next to the proctors, and took his place in the Hall.

"This exam may be given in one of three ways, NEWT level, advanced NEWT level, and Auror level. You may choose now." The stern witch instructed.

"Is there anything higher?" Harry asked confidently.

They all looked stunned. "No Mr. Potter, there is not. In the Auror level exam, everything that attacks you is real, their magic is full force, and there is no way of stopping them." She answered in a serious tone.

"That sounds like fun, let's do that." Harry said amusingly.

"Mr. Potter, you understand, we're talking about full wizards, dementors, vampires, and werewolves." She said nervously.

"That's fine, when can we start?" Harry asked expectantly.

The three proctors began to talk quietly, when they all agreed, they turned back to Harry. "If you're ready Mr. Potter, we'll begin now." The bearded wizard said.

"Bring them on." Harry said confidently.

And so it began, before Harry could even think, five dementors appeared out of the blue, Harry conjured a patronus, to keep them at bay. Next came a werewolf, Harry transfigured his wand into a silver knife, and banished it to the werewolf's heart. Next was the vampire, the proctors gasped needlessly when they realized Harry did not have his wand. Harry summoned the sword that the suit of armor on the stairs leading to Gryffindor tower held. The moment the sword arrived, Harry beheaded the vampire, it died instantly. Lastly there were the five wizards. Harry had no problem with them, he attacked relentlessly, they had no chance, and they were defeated before they could even cast a single spell. Harry summoned his wand, and banished the dementors, then turned to the proctors to await there comments.

"There are many questions that need answering about your performance. But, those are questions for another day. Full marks Mr. Potter." The third proctor said, speaking for the first time.

"The final exam for the day will be held at midnight in the Astronomy tower. Do not be late." The stern witch said, standing to leave.

Cindy ran up to her father. "Daddy, that was great!" Cindy said excitedly.

"Thank you sweetie," Harry said, happy his daughter enjoyed the show.

Harry escorted her around the halls of Hogwarts. He showed her the Gryffindor common room, his old dormitory, and then on to the DA classroom where he knew no one would be.

When they arrived, Harry took the time to show Cindy some simple summoning and banishing charms. They worked together until the end of the school day. Harry took her to the DA common room to wait for the members to arrive.

Hermione was the first to arrive, when she saw Cindy, she lost all self control, and rushed to hug her tightly.

"Harry! How's it going?" Hermione asked about the NEWTS.

"Oh fine, I brought Cindy here to see the Defense NEWT, she enjoyed it immensely." Harry said hugging Hermione.

Ginny walked in and immediately hugged and kissed Harry, followed by Cindy. When the rest of the DA members arrived, Harry took the time to explain about Cindy and what he'd been up to, but kept out all information relating to what he had planned.

When Cindy stated falling asleep, Harry took her home, then returned for his last NEWT exam, Astronomy.

Harry vividly remembered the Astronomy OWL, that was the night Umbridge tried to take Hagrid, and attacked McGonagall. At least nothing like that would happen tonight.

Harry was forced to take the full two hours; he was never good at Astronomy. When he did finally finish, he felt confident he passed, perhaps even did well.

When he was about to leave, he did notice Hagrid talking to someone by the edge of the forest, he decided to take a look. He apparated to just inside the forest, where he wouldn't be seen, standing next to Hagrid was the last person Harry expected to see, RJ.

The Princess RJ Vaganos, Harry's vampire lover from the other timeline, and she looked incredible; she wore a tight fitting black leather outfit, and carried her famous sword on her back. Harry debated whether or not to approach her. He knew he still had deep rooted feelings for her, and just being this close, was more than he could stand. "Ginny." He whispered to himself. "I'm engaged to Ginny." He thought.

Yes, he decided, nothing would make him cheat on the woman he loved; there was no harm in talking to RJ.

Harry watched and waited, as soon as RJ left Hagrid's side, and returned to the forest, Harry decided to approach her.

He waited until she was near a clearing, and made his move.

"It's very dangerous to be walking around the forest at night." Harry said, making RJ turn and draw her sword.

"You have nothing to fear from me." Harry added.

"I'm sure I don't, but maybe you have something to fear from me." RJ retorted, causing Harry to laugh.

"Is that a fact?" Harry asked.

In one quick motion, RJ ran up to him, and swung her sword at his neck.