25. Did He Want To Be Spanked?

The ramshackle house hadn't been easy to find. Firstly getting here had taken some time as he'd had to travel incognito, which meant he did a lot of walking in his canine animagus form. But once he got close, the house itself had been problematic to find. The road that ran next to the house had not been used in half a century and had become tough to follow thanks to nature's impedance. Still, Sirius Black had managed to find the Gaunt shack at last, and he was really disgusted by the sight of it.

The walls of the shack were overtaken by moss and ivy. The windows were so covered with dirt that even a good cleaning charm could not rid the glass of years of grime. Serpent bones were littered on the front step, and an extremely foreboding energy radiated from within.

Sirius stood before the door to this forgotten shack with his wand in his hand, and a grim determination within his heart. According to Dumbledore, one of the dark abominations rested somewhere within. With night falling, Sirius wondered if it would be best to wait until dawn to enter the shack. After some internal deliberation, Sirius realized that whatever waited for him inside wouldn't be improved by daylight.

"Alohomora." Sirius pointed his wand at the door. The rotted wood glowed and there was a distinctive metal click. Sirius tentatively pushed the door which practically disintegrated thanks to years of termite damage.

"Off to a ripping start." Sirius said to himself as he cautiously crossed the threshold. Waving his wand in several complex patterns, Sirius cast several detection spells. There was nothing, but Sirius knew that whatever Voldemort had left to protect his artifact likely wouldn't be found easily.

Sirius began to move around the tiny house with his wand held up for light. All of the furniture was decayed badly, and Sirius thought he saw the glow of eyes in several holes in the sofa. But he didn't see anything that pointed him to a Horcrux. However the crushing sense of wickedness told him that it was there somewhere.

Sirius began a much more thorough search next. Using his wand, he opened drawers and cabinets. Twice he got a start when he opened a cabinets and some poor forest creature which had made its home within jumped out at him. Sirius looked under the rotted sofa, and turned over all the musty smelling beds. He looked everywhere and found nothing.

"I should just burn it down and be done with it." Sirius thought to himself as he kicked over a chair on his way to the fireplace. He thought a bit more light would aid him in his search. That's when he found the loose floorboard.

It squeaked badly when he's stepped on it, but more than that, it had slid slightly under his foot. Not a lot, but enough to make him look down.

Sirius ignited a fire as he knelt to inspect the board closer. There were no nails holding it down, though Sirius could see the holes where nails had once been embedded. But more intriguing was the faint whisper he could now hear.

Slowly and carefully, Sirius reached down and pried the loose board up. He was prepared to launch himself backwards to avoid… well, whatever the Dark Lord had cooked up for anyone who came calling. But no hexes or curses erupted from the floor. Sirius almost wished something would happen as all this tension was really getting annoying.

Sirius peered into the hole in the floor now and found an impossible blackness within. A darkness so black that when Sirius dipped his lit wand tip into it, the darkness swallowed the light. Even more disconcerting was that the whispering Sirius that had been very faint a moment ago was now clear to him, and he really didn't like it at all.

"You failed them." It said. "They died because you were too afraid to keep their secret. You were afraid you'd be killed."

Sirius ignored the voice, knowing it was nothing but lies meant to break his spirit and make him question himself. He was not going to allow it to work. Instead he tried to get some kind of light in the hole so he could see, but realized how pointless it was going to be. Clearly it had to be enchanted to keep anyone from seeing into the dark, which left only one option.

"Bloody hell." Sirius sighed as he shook off his cloak and rolled up his sleeve before plunging his hand into the inky blackness.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Sirius shouted in pain, ripping his hand back. The hole turned out to be quite shallow and Sirius had basically punched stone with his bare hand.

"Very funny." He said irritably as he shook his hand and massaged away the throbbing pain. He looked around the house as if Voldemort himself was there laughing at him. A few moments later, Sirius attempted to explore the hole in the floor, much more tentatively this time.

The stone foundation was nearly smooth, and covered in dirt. Sirius felt around slowly, exploring every bit of the hole expecting something to bite his fingers at any moment. He lightly patted every inch of the hole until his pinky felt something that moved. He would have recoiled again except whatever he'd touched hadn't scurried away. It had felt cold, smooth and… metallic.

"Oh please…" Sirius silently pleaded as he grasped something small. The whispers grew in volume again, and Sirius began having trouble shutting them out.

Sirius raised his fist and opened it to find a very old gold ring with a stone as black as the darkness in the hole from which it had come. When Sirius looked at the hole again, he could now see the stone underneath. Removing the ring had removed the enchantment which made Sirius pause as he looked at the ring again.

"You can't protect him." The whisper said. "He will die and there is nothing you can do to save him. You failed your friends, and you will fail the boy."

Sirius shut his eyes tight and focused on pushing this voice out of his mind. He could feel a powerful wave of despair trying to overtake him, but Sirius refused to give in to it. He refused to let his own feelings of inadequacy rule over him. He would destroy this thing, and he would protect Harry with everything he had. Voldemort was not going to win, and in a few moments, the Dark Lord would be weaker.

Sirius set the ring on a small table that looked as if it would blow away with one good gust of wind. He went to his cloak and pulled out a small bag from an inside pocket and then pulled a long gleaming sword encrusted with rubies from the bag.

As soon as he had the sword in his hand, the voice became much louder and insistent, and it made Sirius pause to listen though everything within him told him it was nothing more than deception. Still, the voice was enchanting him.

"I know your heart!" It claimed. "You can have the power to bring them back. To save the child. You can undo every wrong you suffered. I can give you that power."

The whole time the voice spoke, repeating over and over how it could give Sirius the power to fix everything, the ring trembled as if it knew what fate awaited it. The longer Sirius hesitated, the more the voice sounded as if it were pleading for clemency.

Sirius had to shake his head to rid himself of the doubt that was beginning to seed within his mind.

"It knows." Sirius thought angrily as he approached the trembling ring. He was upset at himself for even allowing Voldemort's soul anchor to get to him. He raised the sword high over his head and the whispers suddenly became shouts. Sirius thought that he could see specters out of the corners of his eyes. Sirius knew that he had to finish it now, before he started to lose his sense.

With a mighty battle cry, Sirius drove the Sword of Gryffindor straight down right through the stone of the ring. There was a loud bang, and Sirius was thrown through a window as an almighty scream shook the house to its foundation. Sirius managed to sit up enough to see the shack crumble in upon itself as a hurricane like wind swirled all around him.

In a moment, it was all over, and Sirius was left staring at a pile of rubble that he was going to have to dig through to retrieve the ring, the sword, and his wand and belongings.

"Next time, I'll destroy it outside." He grumbled.

Far away from the broken down shack, in a room with a high vaulted ceiling, and a huge stone fireplace, Lord Voldemort grabbed his chest as he struggled against a sudden shortness of breath. For just a moment, it felt as if there was a vice on his lungs, squeezing the air from his body. His muscles felt fatigued and weak, and he struggled to stay upright. The Dark Lord feared for a moment as this was the second time in less than a month that he'd felt this… abnormality.

The first time, he'd thought that something had gone wrong. That the homunculus he'd created to inhabit was failing. But there was nothing amiss with the body. This had led the Dark Lord to consider other possibilities, nearly all of which he dismissed as being impossible given the steps he'd taken to protect himself. He had never reached a conclusion for what had happened.

This time was different from the last. It passed slower than he had remembered from the last time, and the feeling did not abate as it had before. It lingered. He was breathing easier now, but it still felt as though there was a band around his chest, and his muscles still felt weaker somehow.

Voldemort held up his long skeletal fingers, inspecting them critically. His mind worked furiously trying to discern what had happened and why. He had taken precautions to protect himself from any ailment that plagued normal wizards. He'd gone farther into the Dark Arts than any before him.

And that was when it occurred to him what might have happened and a fury began to build within him. It was impossible of course. No one alive knew of what he'd done. No one knew the steps he'd taken, and still lived.

"No." Voldemort hissed. In a swirl of black cloak the Dark Lord left his sanctuary and traveled to a cave hidden on the cliffs above the ocean. He'd known that the diary had been destroyed from Lucius Malfoy's incompetence. The diary had been meant for the Malfoy heir as a way for the Dark lord to return when he thought he might not be able to get the Philosopher's stone. Lucius had either ignored his command, or misunderstood his intentions. Either way Malfoy had paid for his idiocy. But enough of his protections remained that he need not worry.

The journey into the heart of the cave was quick, and Voldemort approached the basin with a strong sense of anticipation pounding in his chest. He knew that he had no reason to fear, yet a nagging voice of doubt kept insisting that things were not as they should be.

"It is there." He told himself. "It is there. No one knows of it."

With a wave of his bone white wand, the cursed potion evaporated and the long skeletal fingers took hold of the heavy locket. He knew right away that it was not the artifact he'd placed there so many years ago and the rage that had been building in him started to boil hotter within his heart.

With a flick of his thumb the locket opened and a crumpled piece of parchment fell into the basin. Voldemort tossed the fake locket aside angrily and reached for the parchment and unfolded it to read the message which left him ready to burn the world to ashes.

The cavern shook with the sound of his enraged scream as the Dark Lord blasted the pedestal to dust. Someone had discovered his secret. Someone had taken his locket and now, someone had destroyed it. It was the only explanation for the sudden ailment he'd felt. But this hadn't been the first time he'd felt this way. The Diary had been destroyed, and the locket… but had they been the only ones? He needed to know how many had been taken from him and by who, though the Dark lord felt he knew already.

"Dumbledore." Voldemort seethed. The old muggle loving fool was the only one who could possibly have figured it all out. He knew that Dumbledore knew about the Diary thanks to Lucius's blunder. Of course his enemy would have figured it out, and likely sought to discover the rest. And the Dark lord could not allow any more of his Horcruxes to be destroyed.

He had no choice. He had to gather the others and hide them again. He could not risk making anymore as his soul was quite fragile, and it would only take perhaps one or two more to undo all he'd done to protect himself. But he would not allow Dumbledore, or anyone else to destroy all he'd been building towards. Not Dumbledore, not some unusually lucky child. No one.

Lord Voldemort hurried back to the entrance to the cave where he apparated once again, this time appearing at the home of his grandfather where he saw the ruin of the shack. The Dark Lord felt the anger boil up inside of him again and he clenched his fists as he stared at the pile of wood and stone. He began repeating Dumbledore's name as if it were a swear word as he blasted at the rubble of the old shack. He could feel the residual magical ripple in the air that told him someone had left the shack only a moment or two before he had arrived. If he hadn't wasted time in the cave he might have been able to stop Dumbledore from completing his crusade.

It was then that he began to cultivate the idea. If the old fool wanted his horcruxes so badly, then the Dark Lord would set a trap that his enemy would be unable to avoid.

Voldemort smiled a cruel smile as he turned and disapparated with a thunderous crack. He had a funeral to plan.

Daphne awoke and smiled when she found Harry's arms still around her. Last night had been nothing short of amazing. She and Harry had made love for the first time. She still had no idea why she had suddenly wanted to consummate their relationship, and she didn't really want to try and figure it out now. Right now she just wanted to enjoy this feeling of bliss.

Daphne lay there staring at her right hand interlaced with his right hand while his left arm held her around the waist, holding her tightly against his body. Her thumb traced over his as she remembered the initial sting she felt when her maidenhood was broken, and the look of sheer horror on Harry's face as he'd realized he'd hurt her. She had had to wrap her legs around his waist to prevent him from trying to get away. She'd managed to keep him inside of her while she explained that it was supposed to happen and that she was alright, which gave her some time to get used to everything she was feeling. She thanked all the gods she'd ever heard of that her mother and Tracey had both explained things to her, or she might have never wanted to have sex again.

When Harry did finally calm down, and they started for real, it was better, though it didn't last very long at all. Harry had looked humiliated but Daphne soothed him as she hadn't really had any sort of expectations. Even listening to Tracey's exploits had made her aware that the first time was likely going to be less than stellar.

They had laid together talking about it for a bit afterwards and Daphne, despite her own embarrassment managed to assure Harry, and he had made her feel more comfortable as well.

The second time was a lot better. The young couple had moved a bit more and found some things that felt really good for both of them. And the third time... the third time had been amazing. Harry had managed to last much longer and this had allowed him to find the perfect way to move with Daphne, who had also figured out just how to position herself under Harry and this lead to Daphne's second orgasm ever, which was followed shortly by a third.

After that, the two had fallen into a deep exhausted sleep.

Daphne sighed again as she thought of that last time. Harry had seemed so determined to please her. The way he'd moved inside of her, exploring her to find that perfect spot that had made her back arch and her eyes roll into the back of her head. The way he'd kissed her neck and made her groan his name. Daphne shut her eyes and let out a long deep breath at the memory of all those sensations while wondering when Harry would awaken so they could try it all over again.

She smiled to herself as she thought, "Why should I wait for him to wake up on his own?"

Turning in his arms with a devilish smile on her face, she planted a few soft lingering kisses on his lips. She couldn't help but give a soft girlish giggle when he began to reciprocate as he woke.

"Good morning." She whispered.

"Morning." He grumbled, his eyes remaining closed. "What time is it?'

"It's still early." Daphne said softly, kissing his chin softly. "I don't think it's quite seven yet."

"Really?" Harry looked puzzled. "Then why are you awake?"

Daphne's response was to reach down between them and gently squeeze his hardening manhood. Harry's eyes popped open and Daphne stared back at him with a very wide suggestive grin. He lay there, unsure what he should do while Daphne continued to gently raked him with the soft pads of her fingertips.

Slowly he began to relax as he continued staring into her ocean blue eyes. She gave the softest of pouts as she leaned forward and captured his lips in a soft lingering kiss. Harry pulled her close, reveling in the sensation of her soft breasts pressed into his chest. Daphne rolled them both over so that he was on top of her and relinquished her hold on his manhood so she could wrap her arms around his waist.

Harry moved himself against Daphne, making her begin to breathe a bit heavier. She continued kissing on his neck his collar bone. Harry reciprocated her attention by kissing her and gently massaging her breasts, causing her to let out long soft moans.

"Now Harry." She whispered in his ear. "I want you now, please."

Daphne gasped as he entered her slowly. She gripped his arms as if he were a lifeline as she let the sensations wash over her. The way her nerve endings tingled when he was inside of her was exquisite. It was strange when she remembered how odd it felt the first time. Also, Harry now knew what spot made her groan and arch her back. Every time he pushed inside of her and hit that special spot, another wave of pleasure washed over her making her growl and paw at him like a wild animal, which on served to urge him on.

Daphne's breathing became more labored as she felt the now familiar tension that was building within her abdomen. It grew in strength each time Harry entered her. She opened her eyes and grabbed his face in her hands and pulled him towards her, kissing him quite deeply as the sensation in her abdomen hit critical mass.

It happened faster this time than it had the previous night. Her muscles locked up as her climax overtook her. Her gasps of pleasure disappeared into Harry's mouth as she refused to relinquish his lips. She could also feel Harry erupting within her at the same moment which somehow intensified her own peak.

As it passed, Harry broke the kiss as he sort of collapsed into Daphne, panting for breathe on her bare shoulder while Daphne gasped for air underneath him. She began kissing his shoulder until he turned so she could kiss him long slow and deeply. Eventually Harry rolled onto his side, but kept a hold of Daphne, pulling her onto her side as well. She squeaked a little when they moved and the two shared a soft laugh. Daphne sighed contentedly as she burrowed into his embrace.

"I don't want to go back to Hogwarts." She whispered. "Can we just stay here a few more days?"

"It'd be nice." Harry sighed. "But I shudder to think of Umbridge scouring the countryside for us."

"Aw, mood killer." Daphne recoiled. "You had to bring up that… toad now?"

"Sorry." Harry said sheepishly, tightening his embrace a bit as she pretended to want to escape from him, though it was a very half-hearted attempt.

"Let's just make it a rule that she never ever gets mentioned when we're naked." Daphne said and Harry gave a chuckle as he nodded.

"I think I get it now." Daphne said after a long silence. "I think I understand why other girls got all gushy and weird when they talked about boys they liked. They knew inherently what it was to be in love. They wanted this."

"To be in bed with me?" Harry asked.

"Don't be a prat!" Daphne said slapping his chest playfully. Harry laughed and kissed her. Daphne resisted at first, but only a bit.

"I mean how I'm feeling right now." Daphne said. "I didn't understand why girls got all weird about boys before. I mean, I knew about marriage and family and all of that, but I just thought it was stuff you did. I never understood love, you know? I knew I loved my family and they loved me, but that was always there. I just never understood falling in love. It just seemed silly to me. A girly daydream. I never got interested in boys the way Tracey did, or Pansy… or any girl really. I made my parents put my name into this Legacy thing because I had an agenda that never included love. But now, with you Harry. I get it now and I see now how stupid I was before. I've fallen in love with you and I get why girls are so crazy about it. It's so powerful, and I can't imagine a life without you in it anymore."

Harry just stared at her, listening to her confession and he felt his own heart grow within his chest. He held her tight as he kissed her deeply, caressing her cheek.

"I spent most of my life being hated." Harry said softly. "I didn't know any sort of kindness until I met Hagrid, Ron and Hermione. I know now that they love me and I love them, but that's because of you. You infuriated me and made me so angry when we first got together. But you also challenged me and made me see a larger picture. You helped me understand myself more, and you've given me another reason, the most important reason to fight. I love you Daphne."

"I love you." Daphne said, unable to hold back the joyous tears as she kissed him hard.

It took a while for Harry and Daphne to get ready to return to Hogwarts, especially as they kept getting quite physically affectionate with one another. It wasn't until Tracey and Neville knocked on their door that the two managed to get things together.

Daphne and Harry treated their friends to breakfast at the same little restaurant they had eaten at the day before. The foursome used the resort's floo to get back to Hogsmeade. During the walk back from the village, Tracey kept noting how Daphne and Harry interacted. The way they walked very close to each other, the looks, and the way Daphne was walking as if it stung her a bit. She knew something had changed, and after a few seconds reflection, it became quite clear to her what had happened.

"Oh my god, you two had sex!" Tracey all but shouted. "I can't believe it. I mean, I expected it to happen eventually, of course. And I guess I shouldn't be shocked that it happened. I mean what with the wedding and the really romantic cabins at the resort and all. But I thought for sure you two wouldn't do it until you were married! I can't believe this. I mean I'm happy for you and all, but I'm so…"

"Neville?" Daphne gave the boy a pleading look. Neville smirked as he kissed Tracey, silencing her tirade.

"Thank you." Daphne sighed. Tracey sighed contentedly for a second, staring at Neville before her brain reengaged as she looked ready to begin again. Daphne held up her hand quickly and stopped her best friend with a hard stare.

"We're not talking about this now." She said and Tracey deflated a bit.

"Did you still want to go hang out today Harry?" Neville asked, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Yeah." Harry smiled. "Daphne was planning on doing some wedding planning with Tracey and Astoria today, and it's just best if I get out of the way. We can drop our stuff off and then go watch the Ravenclaw Quidditch practice or something."

Neville nodded with a smile.

The foursome entered the castle at last and went to Professor McGonagall's office to check back in as they'd been instructed before heading for the Betrothal Hall.

"We'll be over in a few minutes." Tracey promised as Harry and Daphne entered their suite. Harry took their bag to the bedroom while Daphne went to the table and gathered her ever growing pile of wedding plans.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?" Daphne asked when Harry returned from the bedroom.

Harry replied with a shrug. "No idea."

"Well, it's a good thing you're doing for Neville." Daphne said as she sauntered up to Harry and slipped her arms around his neck. "I just wish you two were going out later so we could spend some more time alone together. You know… naked?"

Harry's face split into a very knowing grin as he bent down and kissed Daphne softly.

There was a knock on the door just then and Daphne heaved a disappointed sigh.

"That was really fast." She said, and Harry gave a soft chuckle.

"They probably just threw their bags down and came right back." Harry smirked as he went to the door.

"Where is she?" Astoria shouted as Harry opened the door, pushing past him.

"Hi Astoria, how are you?" Harry said blandly as Astoria sprinted across the suite to her sister.

"You are not going to believe this!" Astoria shouted. "The whole school is going nuts over it. I can't believe it myself, and I saw the whole thing! Well, not the whole thing, but I saw most of it at any rate."

"Tori!" Daphne shouted grabbing her rather hyperactive sister by the shoulders. "What are you talking about?"

"Draco Malfoy lost his magic!" Astoria said.

"WHAT?" Tracey shouted, scaring Harry who had no idea she and Neville had arrived as he'd still been holding the door open. She and Neville entered, transfixed by Daphne's younger sister who looked so excited to tell them all about the scandal that had shaken Hogwarts while they'd been gone.

"It happened yesterday afternoon just after lunch." Astoria began. "I was walking with Alex and we were heading towards the library to finish our Potions essay. We wanted to take the longest way possible because neither of us wanted to actually do our homework which is how we ended up passing by the Betrothal Hall and I glanced over and saw Draco talking to Millicent. There was already a few people gathering because they were shouting and he looked really sick. I didn't really know what they were talking about at first because he was accusing her of taking advantage of his situation. He was really angry with her, and kept saying she was going to suffer for it. Millicent just blew him off, and told him that she hadn't made him do anything he hadn't already done to someone else."

"What did she make him do?" Tracey asked, and Daphne also looked quite curious. Harry and Neville also expressed interest. Astoria only shrugged.

"She didn't say anything else about it except that she wasn't ever going to take those fertility potions, and that he should stop trying to put them in her food. She also told him that he should add some stamina potion to his next dose of lust draught and maybe he could get the job done."

"Wait, he was trying to use fertility potions on her?" Neville asked, looking perplexed.

"Why would he need those?' Harry wondered.

"To ensure Millie gets pregnant." Tracey replied looking a little confused as well though it was clearly for different reasons.

"He was trying not to lose his magic." Daphne offered. "All of his infidelity with Pansy left him pretty weakened, and I bet he thought if he conceived, he could save himself." Daphne explained. "I'd bet all the gold in Gringott's that his father gave them to him and threatened to cast him out if he didn't use them."

"That would make sense." Tracey nodded as if Daphne had just answered all the questions she had.

"But how did Draco lose his magic?" Daphne asked.

""I'm getting to that." Astoria snapped, getting annoyed with the interruptions. "About this time, Draco noticed that they were gathering a crowd, and tried to get Millicent to follow him to their suite. She asked him if he wanted lick her toes again, and Draco got really red. I think she liked seeing him humiliated, because she kept asking him things like that really loudly. Did he want to be spanked like a baby or taste her honey pot. I don't know what that last one meant but...'

"I do!" Tracey shouted, and then went quite red in the face when everyone looked at her. She cleared her throat, and motioned for Astoria to continue.

"Anyway..." Astoria said slowly looking at Tracey strangely. "Draco's getting more and more embarrassed, and apparently had enough because he pulled his wand and tried to silence her, but it didn't work right. She was quieter for like a minute, but then she cleared her throat and she was fine again. She laughed at him, and that infuriated him, because he tried to stun her. He hit her right in the chest, and it knocked her back a bit, but she fell on her butt, and was still awake. She looked like it had hurt a bit, but she got up and she took out her own wand and stunned him. She stomped on his hand and took his wand and then walked away. Goyle took him to the hospital wing."

"Sounds like he still has his magic, though it isn't very strong." Harry said with a shrug. He couldn't stop himself from pitying Malfoy. At the same time, Harry knew that Malfoy only had himself to blame for what was happening to him. He'd seen articles, and heard rumors about what had happened to others who'd not upheld their responsibilities in regards to the marriage law, but this was someone he knew, and somehow it made it more real.

"He was taken home last night." Astoria added.

"WHAT?" The other four asked in shock. Astoria smiled triumphantly.

"Yep." She nodded. "My friend Sheila was in the Hospital wing last night because she had a potion blow up in her face, and she told me this morning that she saw the Malfoys come to take him home. And I saw Millicent moving back into the fifth year girls dorm earlier. She wasn't talking to anyone so I don't know why she's back, but I think now that things have dissolved, she's not allowed to be in the Betrothal suites anymore."

"I think we should try and find out what happened!" Tracey said eagerly. "We've always been nice to her, and she might tell us what happened. Besides, the boys are going to run off and do whatever it is boys do when girls aren't around."

"I thought we had weddings to plan?" Daphne asked, looking torn.

"We can do it after." Tracey urged. "Come on, you know you want to know what she made him do."

Daphne looked to Harry for his opinion and he gave her a shrug, but she could see in his eyes that he was just as curious as everyone else. Daphne sighed and gave a single nod. Tracey clapped her hands together and turned to Neville and kissed him.

"Take your time." she said before opening the door and waiting for the Greengrass girls to join her. Astoria almost sprinted to the door while Daphne lingered near Harry. She was quite curious as to what had happened to Millicent, and she and Tracey had always gotten along with her well. And besides, it sounded to Daphne like Millicent could use a friend at the moment. Harry kissed her softly and told her to go and be a friend to Millie. Daphne smiled and hugged him tightly, whispering to him that she loved him. With one last kiss, the girls all left, leaving Harry and Neville alone.

"I hope she's alright." Neville said, still looking at the door his future wife had left through.

"They'll help her through this." Harry nodded.

"It isn't that." Neville said turning to look at Harry. "I mean, I'm sure the girls will help her and stuff, but... You don't really know the Malfoys Harry. Sure, You know Draco is a complete jack ass, and his father's rich and horrible, but Narcissa Malfoy..."

Neville shuddered a bit.

"I've overheard my Gran talk about her before, and she makes a Hungarian Horntail seem like a kneazle." Neville shuddered.

Harry didn't have a response to this, and felt a wave of concern for Millicent Bulstrode.

"So, what do you wanna do?" Neville asked, changing the subject.

"DOBBY?" Harry asked. With a pop, Dobby appeared in front of Harry with a proud smile.

"Master Harry called for Dobby?"

"Would it be possible to get a couple of sandwiches that we can take to the Quidditch Pitch?" Harry asked.

"Dobby would be happy to bring Master Harry and Mister Neville lunch at the Quidditch Pitch." Dobby said before disappearing with a pop. Harry smirked and headed for the door.

"Thank you Dobby." He grinned, and shook his head.

"I really like him." Neville smiled as he fell in step with Harry as the two boys headed outside. They walked through the castle together, speaking about nothing important as they walked. The passed a few of their classmates but didn't say more than a greeting.

When the got to the Pitch, Harry was happy to see the Gryffindor team preparing for practice. The team all waved to Harry and Neville who headed up into the stands for lunch.

"You really miss it, don't you?" Neville asked. Harry couldn't deny that he did, and Neville shook his head in pity.

"I've kept myself busy enough that I haven't thought much about it, but there's nothing better than being on a broom." Harry sighed.

"I think I understand." Neville nodded as he watched the Weasley twins kick off the ground and proceed to do a few laps around the pitch, laughing, and performing some rather childish stunts before getting into position with the rest of the team. "It's relaxing. It clears your head. I get the same feeling from working with my plants."

"Really?" Harry asked, looking surprised.

"Oh yeah." Neville smiled. "Usually I can go into the Greenhouses and focus on taking care of the plants and everything else just melts away you know? But lately, nothing seems to help. I've had a lot of trouble sleeping lately because I can't stop thinking about how my life has changed, and how much it's going to change. Harry… I'm two weeks away from being married. I'm fifteen, and I'm being expected to get married and be a father while still being in school."

Harry nodded and Dobby popped into being right in front of the two boys holding two plates with ham sandwiches and crisps. He set them on the benches in front of the boys and the presented two bottles of butterbeer.

"Thank you Dobby." Harry smiled. Dobby gave a bow and a smile before disappearing again. The boys each finished half a sandwich before Harry responded to Neville's worry.

"Sirius told me over the Christmas Holiday that it's normal for us to be nervous before our weddings. He said that it's going to be worse for us because it's happening so fast and that it's not following the natural order of how things should go. So, everything we're feeling is normal… but that doesn't make handling any of this any easier. Maybe if the Ministry had thought this all out better, we would have been given classes on how to handle this stuff, or more importantly, how we deal with things once we're married. I don't know the first thing about raising a baby."

"I don't know that any of us do." Neville sighed. "She'd kill me if she knew I told you this, but Tracey had a panic attack a week ago. She got really sick and threw up because we started talking about babies. I was so focused on trying to calm her down, that I couldn't think about it myself until she was asleep later that night. And then with all the wedding details and stuff, I'm going spare."

"I think I'd rather face a thousand nesting Horntails than what we've been going through this last year." Harry added.

"But I love her." Neville sighed, watching as Ron Weasley caught a Quaffle thrown by Alicia Spinnet. "I really, really love her."

"When did you know?' Harry asked, turning to look at Neville who began to smile, his cheeks turning pink a bit.

"I think it was during our first Potions lesson this year. Do you remember how she stood up to Snape in my defense?"

Harry nodded, remembering quite well the shock on the other Slytherins' faces when Tracey Davis had told off Snape for accusing Neville of cheating and her doing all of Neville's work for him. It had been one of the greatest things he'd ever witnessed.

"I think that's when I knew I was in love with her." Neville chuckled a little at the memory. "I've never really had anyone stand up for me like that before. Especially against Snape. From the moment we met she's constantly told me that I was good enough, and I was better than people thought I was, and that really, it didn't matter what anyone else thought, but what I thought of myself. She believes in me. It's hard not to love someone who so adamantly believes the best of you, even when you doubt it yourself."

Harry nodded, understanding what Neville was saying. It was why he cared for Ron and Hermione and Sirius, and so many others. They all told him that he could do anything, even face and defeat the darkest wizard ever known.

"What about you?" Neville asked. "When did you know you were in love with Daphne?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his wild hair.

"I don't think I can pin down the exact moment." Harry said. "Our relationship started pretty rocky, you know. We had a lot to work through, and it was tough. I didn't trust her, and she had this whole agenda. But, once we were able to get past that and be just Harry and Daphne, things got better. When she let down her guard and showed me the real Daphne, it made me want to be what I've really always wanted to be, which was me… just plain Harry. But like you and Tracey, in her own way, she's always believed in me. It's funny because before all of this, I don't think I ever would have given her a thought. But now, I just don't want to think about my life without her in it."

"Same here." Neville nodded. "I've been meaning to ask you, but it seemed like something was always coming up. But, would you be my best man?"

Harry began to chuckle and he shook his head. Neville gave him a rather puzzled expression as Harry reached over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Mate, you realize this is like the third time you've asked me right?"

"Really?" Neville looked surprised and then began to shake his head. "I tell you Harry, I've been so stressed, some days I'm amazed I remember to put clothes on before I leave in the morning. Everything is happening so fast, you know?"

Harry nodded and Neville sighed, and ran his hand through his hair before looking at Harry again. "So..."

Harry smiled and nodded. "Of course, but are you sure you want me? I mean..."

"You're my best friend Harry. Well, outside of Tracey, but yeah I really want you there by my side." Neville said earnestly as he cut across Harry. Harry continued to stare at Neville who was no beginning to squirm a bit.

"I never really was close to anyone in Gryffindor before now. But this year, you've been there for me." Neville explained, avoiding Harry's gaze.

"Well, shared experience and all." Harry shrugged. Neville snickered and nodded.

"I think it's helped me having you going through all of this as well." Harry admitted. "It was easier to talk to you because I've known you for the last four years."

"So, will you stand at my side when Tracey and I are married?" Neville asked, a hint of hopefulness in his voice. Harry smiled and nodded before clapping Neville on the shoulder.

"Nev, I'd be honored, but you have to return the favor for me." Harry said.

"You want me as your best man?" Neville looked confused. "I thought you'd want…"

"No, I have someone else in mind for my best man." Harry clarified, looking a little afraid that he might have hurt Neville's feelings, but the boy kept beaming at him as if he'd just been informed a plant would be named after him.

"Mr. Potter! There you are!" Professor McGonagall said from the bottom of the stand, next to the stairs that lead to the ground. "I have been looking for you everywhere. Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you right away."

"Sorry Nev." Harry said getting up. Neville shook his head.

"It's alright Harry, we can talk later. Besides, I really do need to finish my Potions essay." Neville said as he got to his feet as well.

The two boys walked with the Transfiguration teacher all the way back to the castle before Neville broke away to head back to his room to get his homework finished while Professor McGonagall and Harry continued on towards the Headmaster's office. Once they arrived, McGonagall gave the password, and motioned for Harry to go up the winding staircase.

Harry knocked on the door and was encouraged to enter. When he opened the door, Harry was overjoyed to see his godfather standing there, a bit disheveled, and a little tired looking.

"SIRIUS!" Harry exclaimed crossing the room to embrace his godfather who returned the gesture heartily. "What are you doing here?"

"I just finished a little favor for the headmaster." He said, waving to Dumbledore's desk where a blackened ring sat in the center. Harry eyed it for a moment before looking at the two men with questioning eyes.

"You godfather found and destroyed another of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes." Dumbledore explained. "We have now managed to destroy a total of four."

"Do we know how many there are?" Harry asked.

Sirius and Harry both sat down as Dumbledore shook his head.

"Unfortunately we do not. But I have finally managed to get in touch with someone who might be able to shed light on the matter. He has agreed to meet with me and I hope that soon we will know just how much further we need to go. However, given where we've discovered these the last two, I believe that there is a pattern emerging. This ring was found in the home of Lord Voldemort's grandfather, which isn't too far from the home of his father's home in Little Hangleton. I believe you are familiar with the graveyard there Harry.

Harry shuddered and Dumbledore' grimaced and nodded. "As I expected. According to information that Sirius found, another horcrux which we destroyed was originally found in a cave. I believe it is the place that Lord Voldemort first discovered his power as a child. Each Horcrux seems to have been hidden in a place that was significant to Lord Voldemort. It is for this reason that I have ordered our House Elves to search the castle. There is no one more acquainted with Hogwarts's secrets than our dear House elves, and I am certain they will find a Horcrux if one has indeed been hidden here."

"Couldn't they be hurt by it if they find it?" Sirius asked.

"It is difficult to say." Dumbledore frowned. "I believe that it depends on how Lord Voldemort viewed House Elves in terms of what sort of threat they posed to him. Though, given what we discovered in your brother's journal, I think Lord Voldemort believed them far beneath him. In any case, I have ordered them not to touch it, but to come and find me first. But that is enough of that for now. As you have been out of communication you are as yet unaware of a major change and I think it best if Harry were to be the one to inform you."

"What?" Sirius asked lamely as he turned to Harry who was beginning to beam.

"The Minister of Magic spoke to Dumbledore and I a few weeks ago and he finally admitted that he'd been wrong. He's trying to get the Ministry ready to fight Voldemort. He also realized another mistake he'd made and corrected it. You're free Sirius. You were pardoned, and reparations are going to be made." Harry said, barely keeping himself from jumping up and shouting.

"What?" Sirius asked again, no feeling extremely confused.

"It is true." Dumbledore smiled. "You need only go to the Ministry to fill out some minor paperwork. And to make sure that things go smoothly, I will accompany you tomorrow morning."

"I'm… I'm free?" Sirius gasped.

There was a long silence as the news sunk in and Sirius rose to his feet and let out a long howl of joy! Dumbledore threw his head back in laughter and Harry leapt up from his chair to celebrate with his godfather who was dancing about like a complete fool."

"I'm free!" Sirius pumped his fist. "I'm fucking free! I can leave that god forsaken house! Hell, I can burn it to the ground! I can see my godson get married!"

"More than that, you can be my best man!" Harry grinned. At this Sirius turned to Harry, a look of deepest pride shining in his eyes. "You stood by my father when he married my mother, and it would…"

"Say no more Harry." Sirius said, tears falling from his eyes as he reached out a hand, offering it to Harry. "It would be my greatest honor to stand by you as I did for James. Thank you."

Harry waved the hand away and hugged his godfather tightly. Sirius could barely contain his emotion and Dumbledore allowed the two a few moments before clearing his throat.

"Sirius, I should like it if you remained in the castle for the night, and it would honor me if you would join me and the other teachers at the head table for dinner this evening. Perhaps you'd like to sit next to our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Dumbledore grinned. "Maybe you could advise her on her curriculum?"

Sirius's grin grew quite large at this as he nodded his acceptance. Dumbledore rose to his feet and came around his desk, grasping Sirius hand in friendship.

"I should also like to give you something to think on, though no decision need be made as of yet. Given our appalling record of managing to keep a Defense teacher for longer than a year, I fear our current Defense teacher will not be joining us next year, for whatever reason, though I do believe it will be due to job severance."

"You want me to teach next year?" Sirius asked, looking stunned.

"I have had one Marauder teach and he was one of the finest Defense teachers this school has ever seen. I see no reason why another Marauder couldn't do as well as his comrade." Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling like stars.

Sirius smiled back and looked to Harry who was also grinning like a child at Christmas.

"As I said, no need to give an answer now. I think it would be best if I showed you to your quarters so you could get cleaned up, and then spend some time with your godson before dinner."

"I think I'd like that. Thank you professor." Sirius grinned, shaking Dumbledore's hand again.

"Thank you, Sirius." Dumbledore smiled in return before motioning for the door. "Now, allow me to show you to your room. Dinner will be served at six this evening, and I expect you to be a bit more prompt than when you were a student."

Sirius barked with laughter and Dumbledore chuckled lightly, while Harry just stared, smiling, though he was a bit confused on what the Headmaster had meant.