Essence of Revenge

by tgfoy

The battle was over. The victors woke into a new dawn, a new era had been born. They were free to live, free to find happiness, free to love. But a cloud drew across their world almost unnoticed, a darkness gathered strength. A new plot conceived. Vengeance approached. Harry must face a new battle, a war for his very being. A story of the 14 months after the battle of Hogwarts.

25. The Anchor

This story is based on characters and developed from some situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

---

Chapter 25.

The Anchor.

"Ginny, please calm down, my dear. Kingsley is doing what he can about it, so is Minerva. There is hell on at St Mungo's, they are as keen to discover who told her all that and breached the confidentiality all patients are entitled to expect as we are. Every member of staff there is being interviewed, this is being regarded as a serious breach of the Healers oaths, whoever has done this will lose their jobs at the very least. We will find Rita's sources, we will get to the bottom of this, no matter how long it takes, I promise." Arthur was desperately trying to calm his daughter down.

The moment that he had entered the room and seen the familiar newspaper cutting from the Daily Prophet in her hands, he knew there had been a security breach at the Ministry. He quickly sent a Patronus to Kingsley, even as he had approached his daughter, alerting the Minister to it.

It had been a few days since the article had appeared in the Daily Prophet, luckily they had been the only media source to run the story, the others ignored it completely or a few commenting about how desperate Rita had become as a journalist. That was all the attention it had raised though, at least for now. However in the Ministry it was known that the view promoted by Vengeance was gaining support amongst some sections of society, the article had fuelled discussion in some places, though the majority seemed to simply considerate it ridiculous. It may be known that the views were inaccurate, but the ministry would not intervene, as it once would have, to stifle discussion, unless it became violent, that was not the way of the new regime.

Ginny had received the clipping of the article, along with some hate mail, that had managed to somehow find its way through the Ministry mail filtering, to reach Grimmauld place. The magical signature of the sorter who had let it through was still on the envelope and contents, they would be questioned closely about the lapse which could have been much more dangerous than it was. Most of the post for those at Grimmauld Place had arrived via the ministry since the attack at the Quidditch pitch, only family and friends could usually send post direct to the house, though apart from Dudley, few of them did, preferring to visit instead. The security measure had been completely effective, until this had happened. Obviously some misguided person had believed Rita's article, they had decided to vent their anger at the couple and enclosed the clipping for good measure. The letter had arrived moments after Ron and Hermione had left the room, after their latest visit, to return to Hogwarts. Molly and Arthur had escorted the couple to the fireplace, to say good bye properly, so Ginny was alone with Harry when it arrived, she had opened everything from Hogwarts so she had begun on the post that arrived daily via the Ministry.

"You should have told me she had written it Dad, how dare she, what the hell does she know about anything." She raged at her father, her anger not waning "I'll kill that Skeeter woman, what the bloody hell does she know?"

"Just like your mother dear, she wants to make her suffer too. We didn't tell you because you have enough to worry about." He suppressed the temptation to smile in the face of his daughters distress, it was so close to his wife's reaction, he was again feeling immense pride in the two most important living women in his life. "The Prophet's editor was forced by the board of the paper to publish it, he has suspended Rita and has already prepared a counter article, but so far has been prevented from publishing it by that same body. We are doing what we can, but you have Harry to worry about. I am proud of you darling, you have stuck by him for nearly three months now, living through this hell with him, but please, let us worry about everything that goes on outside this room for you. You know how you feel when you aren't in the same room as him, you can't possibly go looking for her and we can't exactly invite her round for tea can we. I have sent a Patronus to Kingsley at his office to have the mail checker detained, so we can discover how this hate mail and clipping got through security. In the meantime, you concentrate on helping Harry come back to us, it's the best way for you to fight this at the moment. You are his anchor and he is making progress, less disturbed nights, more positive thoughts in the Pensieve, speaking of which, I think you should take a look at the memory showing right now Gin." He pointed behind her towards the bed his eyes twinkling with delight.

Harry's mind was in turmoil, his thoughts came randomly, he must preserve them in the Pensieve he knew, he wasn't sure how he did or where the bowl which was in front of him in what he had called his focus, had come from. It was a name he no longer needed now he could see the Pensieve was the source of the light, the place he had seen his memories. Where ever he was, was dark and almost featureless. The only light he could see was focused on the stone bowl, making the stone glow and it's contents shimmer more than usual in the surrounding pitch darkness which the light pierced, but did not spill into the area around the vessel. It had seemed a long time before he had even been able to see the bowl, first all had been nothing but, darkness and he had wondered how he had got here, if there was anything else except this. Then the light he had called his focus had formed, he had no idea how long it had taken, it did not feel that he had been here for long, but then it also felt like he had never been anywhere else, though he knew he had.

The light had formed in his vision and he had begun to see memories, as if reliving them. They appeared to be his own, so he had concluded that there must be something more than the existence he was living at the moment. His memories showed him a colourful world which was somewhere else and he had been there it seemed. If that really was the case and these were really memories, not just dreams, then he knew he needed to get back there. Not only did it look like a better place than this was, despite the horrors and fears he had seen, but he felt drawn to it, as if it were where he really belonged. He had no idea how or why, but he knew he belonged there, not here and he had to get back there, but no idea how to get there.

Eventually he had noticed glowing strings, floating like a bright strand of silvery hair dancing in a wind, travelling from himself to drop into the focus, before he relived another memory. He began to have doubts about getting back to this other place at first, he wondered if he really wanted to, it seemed such an unsafe place of dangerous three headed dogs, nasty people and gigantic snakes, amongst so many other life threatening situations he would much rather avoid. Soon he could see the threads were falling into a silvery pool, which formed his focus, which grew as more and more of the hair like strings fell in to it and the memory rose from the pool they formed.

He began to see that not all was as dark as it had seemed at first, he had friends there, though he didn't know why they didn't come for him, perhaps they couldn't, or didn't know where he was? Maybe it was simply that, they weren't that bothered about him after all. Gradually as his memories grew happier, he could see that the glistening pool was contained within stone, which eventually resolved into the bowl he could see now, isolated in the sea of darkness. The light of the basin did not reflect on to anything around it, if there was anything else around it at all, it simply burnt in the darkness, making it appear shrine like and isolated in space. He had begun to string his memories together, seeking answers, soon he believed perhaps his friends simply did not know how to find him, but he was still puzzled. Where was Ginny? Was she really dead as he believed her to be?

Sometimes he thought he heard her, someone woke him, he supposed it was in the mornings, but had no way to tell. They washed him, talked to him, he thought he knew who it was, especially when the shadow that was the persons head crossed in front of the glowing Pensieve, though he could not distinguish any features. From the profile and movement of the hair as well as the sound of the distant voice, he had guessed the figure was female, she was somehow familiar to him, but actual recognition still seemed to be a distant prospect, as she went in and out of his awareness, though he began to sense that her presence was constant.

The next memory that appeared was of when he was proposing to Ginny, he put the memory in the Pensieve and watched. He heard the distant voice of the mysterious figure, it sounded so familiar, it sounded like Ginny, but it couldn't be. It was a dream, it had to be, it couldn't be anything else, could it? He knew he missed her, but if she was alive where was she? Why was she not here with him? Or was she with him, somewhere in this darkness and he just couldn't find her?

There were people talking somewhere, he couldn't see them, though he could hear the indistinct voices. The voice of the dream Ginny sounded angry about something, the other voice, male, seemed to be trying to be calming, perhaps they were ghosts. He knew they had existed, he had seen them in his memories, of attending a school, sometimes teaching in it, perhaps that was what he could hear, two ghosts of people he had once known. Never mind them, he had to concentrate on the Pensieve.

Ginny turned to look where her father was pointing, she saw herself receiving her engagement ring from Harry, her anger drained instantly. "Oh Harry!" She sighed sadly suddenly feeling very weak, she burst into tears. "I miss you so much." She fell into her fathers arms.

Her Father held her, as the strain of the last few months flooded out of her at last. "It's ok Ginny, it's all going to be ok, I promise." He said gently, comforting her as he had when she had been a little girl, a daddy's girl.

For the first time since the attack, he believed the words he had spoken, for the first time he believed there was more than just unfounded hope, a belief that they all held because the alternative was too appalling to consider. As he saw the memory of an event he had not seen before unfold and his daughter wept in his arms as she had as a little girl, he knew that everything would work out in the end and Harry would return to them. The vision floating over the Pensieve showed him that despite it all, Harry, without a shadow of doubt, had shown he still had a reason to come back.

The portrait of Dumbledore, who had watched the whole thing since Ron and Hermione had arrived, silently, smiled knowingly, then left his frame, leaving the father to comfort his daughter while she released all her pent up emotion.

Erebus could sense the gradual changes occurring in this one, despair waning as it was consumed, but now faster than expected. Slowly the light was sparking into new life and despite fighting back hard, Erebus knew it was a losing battle as it always inevitably did. Time for Erebus was running out, what had promised so much had given, but a fraction of what had been expected, what was left to feed on, was fading though. This was as it often was, Erebus in control for a time, then slowly, as soon as control began to be regained by the victim, the healing started, still the feast here had been good while it lasted, even if it had not given for the years Erebus had expected.

Depending on the victim, Erebus time of control, or more usually of influence, may be short or long, it never lasted for ever, though this one had been expected to last until it's death, such had been the depth of its pain. Even so it had been a long time since Erebus had been able to isolate the victim to this extent, for this long, such was the depths of this ones burden. Certainly it had never had this time to feed on a Muggle and only rarely on a wizard, few had the amount of pain, suffered enough in life to allow it. Yet something deep within this one had fought back from almost the start, it was small, but now was growing, yet still so tiny it was unidentifiable, at least for now. Still it had not been defeated yet, there could still be a significant period to feed yet, all was not lost.

Erebus had the potential to be present in all humans, Magical and Muggle, it was a part of the nature of them. Its strength and power dependant on the emotional state of the individual it would, given the opportunity, create the conditions where it could control their mental health and even the descent into it's home, the darkness of the burdens of despair, stress and depression. These days it was present to a greater or lesser extent in most people, but that had been the same for centuries. The level of control it could obtain, was entirely dependent on the depths of the emotional pain that individual it resided within held. The harder the persons life, the more alone they felt, the lack of support they had enjoyed from others, the more bad experiences they had endured and the more control others had forced on them, all enabled a better hold for Erebus. Some would recover quickly, some more slowly and some not at all, this one had, had more than most to carry despite his youth.

That burden was lightened considerably in this one now, the speed it had happened had surprised Erebus, just as the suddenness that it had taken control in the end had done, but the light was not quite enough to really shake its hold. Erebus still had time, eventually this one would heal, the means to do so was within him, it only needed the right trigger for all to be returned to proper perspective, that was what the victims all sought and this one was no different. For this one though Erebus still doubted the trigger would be found soon, so its hold was simply shaken, not loosened and remained strong.

Yet Erebus had also sensed something strange, something not felt before in any other it had encountered before. With this one, a twin influence was close by, it had never left this one alone, they were linked, connected by an unbreakable adjoining. It was the anchor that had kept this one tethered to the rest of the world sufficiently well to speed its recovery, even though neither had been aware of it. It had enabled a crack of awareness to appear much earlier than it would have naturally, had there been no anchor intervening, which had been just enough to allow memories to be copied and stored elsewhere, aiding the return to hope. That crack was now growing, the copying of the memories of pain, of hardship, of cruelty suffered and endured had caused it, the other memories of happiness, friendship and Love had begun to widen that split, they now dominated, beating the darkness back, slowly, but surely. The process had allowed the confusion to be re ordered, placed back in the order they had occurred, gradually allowing a new perspective, new priorities and healing, enabling the memories of hope, of kindnesses received, loyalty and friendship given, to emerge and fuel the increasing recovery. It was that ever present anchor which had caused the shortening of Erebus control over this victim, it devoured the darkness Erebus caused, just as Erebus claimed its victims. The Anchor had known darkness, but was untouchable for now, the light was far too strong. It was a circle, Erebus knew that, Erebus itself destroyed its own control. Yet now Erebus felt fear, this one had that unknown something, it did not know what effect that combined with the anchor would have on itself the moment as this ever present duality found the key. All it did know was in that instant, Erebus control here would be over.

Ron and Hermione had returned to Hogwarts, just at the moment Ginny had read her post upstairs, they had caught her angry shout of. "That bloody Skeeter cow. When I get hold of the bitch I'll make her wish I had only acquainted her with my unfriendly bats." As they had stepped into the fire place to Floo back to the school.

Mrs. Weasley had waved them on, shooting a worried look to her husband, who had already turned and was quickly leaving the room to rush up the stairs to his daughter. "I think she has seen the article, go on, we shall deal with it. Go on, don't keep those students waiting longer than necessary, they deserve to hear the messages from Ginny at the same time as usual, or they will think something is wrong. They are waiting for you, go, we shall see to Ginny, if we need to we shall call you to give you an update, but don't worry, everything will be fine."

When they emerged in the Gryffindor head of house office fireplace, Hermione looked gravely at Ron.

"I think your mum is right, Ginny definitely knows about that article." She said cautiously.

Ron agreed. "In a way, I'm glad we are back here. She is going to want to commit murder, which might be fun to watch, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the line of fire, just in case her aim is slightly off. Come on lets go give the students our report, Mum was right about that as well, they will be waiting to hear how Harry and Ginny are, we shouldn't keep them waiting longer than necessary."

They made their way through the connecting door, into the familiar students common room. As usual, they found all the Gryffindor students assembled around the sofa's, waiting for them expectantly, all doing nothing more than chat while they waited for news of their head of house. Silence fell as Ron and Hermione entered, all eyes fell on them, hope evident in each. Hermione assured them they had passed on all the letters, then read the one from Ginny back to them all. They told them that Harry was much the same and that Madam Weasley was probably exploding with rage by now, explaining that she appeared to have received a copy of Rita's article just as they had left the house. This raised a smile amongst the students, they all knew, at least anecdotally, that Ginny's red hair served as a warning of her temper and had heard of her infamous Bat Bogey hex. Each of them had also imagined long and imaginative methods of vengeance they could play on Rita if she ever showed her face in their presence. They thanked Ron and Hermione for the news, then dispersed glumly to resume what ever they had been doing before they had gathered in the common room and the couple left to inform their colleagues of the news.

Mr. Weasley was talking to Kingsley via the Floo, after he had spoken to and comforted Ginny, he was urgently explaining the content of the brief message he had sent in the Patronus earlier more fully. "Some idiotic well wisher sent Ginny a copy of the article Kingsley, it was allowed through the mail room to reach her, she is after blood my friend, specifically Rita's. I have calmed her down though, besides, she wouldn't leave Harry, even if she could so we won't have that worry. That said it is worrying that it made it through the security that is supposed to protect them, we have the letter so we can discover who let it through."

"Oh bloody hell Arthur, I had hoped he would have recovered before she found out about that. I'll see what more I can do at this end. Thanks to your Patronus message we have detained a very puzzled mail sorter, the Unspeakables new test has already detected the imperious curse was used on her. She is being very co operative with us, willingly submitting to Veritaserum and Legilimancy questioning, we are examining the results, but it looks like someone forced her to do it, we just hope she has a memory of who that we can find. She is absolutely and genuinely horrified about it all, she is most concerned that she should write and apologise to you all. How's Harry, any change from this morning?" Kingsley asked.

"Actually yes, but only a little. His memories are now overall very positive, he goes day's without one that has any negative appearance at all and even then it's nowhere near as dark as before, but today he seems to be mostly on Memories of Ginny and him together, which is new. He has had the odd one go in the Pensieve of their relationship before, but not as many as this, so I suppose that's progress in the right direction."

"At least it's progress my friend, that's got to be good." Kingsley said thoughtfully. "Arthur, I think we might have to bring Rita in for questioning, especially since her article is linked to the attack on a ministry worker. Somehow try to wheedle the names of her sources out of her, if we can. I need to think of a good reason to bring her in though, or she will be claiming victimisation of course. If we ask her to divulge her sources directly she will claim confidentiality, but I think we have to do something. We might even get closer to an answer for Harry, our luck has to change soon."

"I hope it does soon too, Kingsley, I'll see you tomorrow in the office, don't forget we have that meeting with the other Minister at ten."

"All right Arthur, yes it's in my diary, nothing important though, thank goodness, just our routine meeting. I think he is beginning to enjoy it to be honest. By the way, I'm going out this evening, make sure you tell Ginny would you. I don't want her here telling me off for not resting again, have a good night."

Arthur chuckled. "I know what you mean, she is frighteningly like her mother that way, but it at least shows they care. Don't worry, I'll tell her for you my friend, have a good night."

They broke the connection and Arthur turned to his wife.

"I hope they get something out of Rita." Said Molly

"It's nothing more than a long shot I'm afraid Molly, Rita is good at holding things close to her chest and we have to tread carefully with her, that's going to take time. She is not going to betray her sources easily, especially if she thinks she can get more stories out of them. If she believes they are no longer useful to her, then she might tell us, but she will not make it easy and will want something in return, that's for sure." Arthur told her sadly. "Don't get your hopes up for a quick solution, I just don't think it will be that easy."

As usual, Ginny was sat up on the bed, watching Harry. She had not had chance to tell anyone yet, but this evening, for the first time since the attack, he was feeding himself, which she took as a very positive sign. Although his expression was still vacant and his actions automatic, she felt more optimistic than she had done for a very long time, though was cautious about getting her hopes up too high. Still, this was undoubtedly real progress and she was pleased, perhaps her dad had been right this afternoon, Harry seemed to be getting better.

It had been late as they ate, Ginny finished first and put her plate on the bedside table. Then she cuddled up to Harry, as he continued to eat, she laid her head on his shoulder. He finished his meal and she took his plate and placed it on top of her own on the bedside table. She felt him settle down in the bed ready to sleep and settled in next to him, gently sliding her arm over his chest. As was her custom, before she went to sleep, she told him the news of the day, but left out Rita's article, it still made her angry and she didn't know if he heard her or could sense her emotions so did not want to risk badly affecting Harry's recovery.

"George came to see you today." She told him. "He's invented another new firework, ready for the wedding, both shops are doing well, he is looking to expand production and the mail order side of things, maybe using that old warehouse behind the shop at Hogsmeade. The Ministry is still placing orders with them for some of the protective items they developed, some of the other European Ministries are showing interest as well, but the Americans, well, they are going crazy for the stuff, he's getting loads of orders from over there. Percy came after work on his way home, Audrey sends her best wishes, they are both busy at the ministry, but promise to come see us in a couple of days. I don't know how she is coping with him working every day at the moment, still that finishes soon. Oliver and his staff keep sending messages, Oliver is really worried, well they all are, we got three treacle tarts from them yesterday. They have almost completed the reforms and say the department is working far more efficiently now, all of them say they look forward to coming in to work now. They are still building on the basic ideas as experience shows them better ways of doing things, it's the same in our other departments as well. We hear from the other departments too of course, even Mysteries, all of them hope you will be back soon. Mysteries are trying to work out what has gone on with you, but there are so many other things they have to work on as well. We got a letter from Dudley, he wants to visit soon with Hestia, Arabella and Dedalus. They plan on hiring a car, or borrowing one or something, so that Dud can drive them down, now he has passed his test. I am going to write back to him tomorrow, let him know it's fine to come, I shall make the arrangements for them to be brought her. Dad has discovered a way to get the car off the street and into our workshop apparently, so that won't be a problem."

She smoothed the covers over him with one hand, pausing before continuing with the news of the day. "Andromeda and Teddy came to see you again earlier, Teddy is really missing you darling, he just sits patting your leg, watching you and making soothing noises. It's his birthday tomorrow, George got us that toy snitch for him to chase, do you remember, the one we nearly got him for Christmas to go with his broom, but we decided to wait for his birthday to get it." She paused again gathering her thoughts before adding. "Kingsley and Minerva called only three times each today and of course Kingsley came to see you. Minerva says she will try to come again soon, but is really busy, she is sorry she's only managed one visit so far, but I know we are never far from her thoughts. Hagrid says Buckbeak is still depressed and Grawp is spending loads of time with him, trying to cheer him up, apparently he has learnt to stand on his head in the effort, though Bucky wasn't impressed it seems. From what Minerva says, it is the talk of the school, it must be quite a sight. Winky is still here, I think mums right about her and Kreacher, they are good for each other. She really likes Kreacher, I think, I'll have to find out from Hermione if elves get married or anything. I think those two will want to follow whatever the tradition is with house elves eventually, the way they go on. Actually it is really nice to see, they are both looking after each other, but she is the one who has helped Kreacher get through it all so far."

Falling silent, she sighed, watching the Pensieve in its place on the bedside table next to him, as always she longed for him to respond, desperately willing him to return to her. She sat watching for several minutes, then spoke again. "Oh yes, before I forget, we are all on chocolate frog cards now, we got the letters to tell us that they are issuing a new D.A. Series, starting with the Order of Dumbledore members. They come out tomorrow and we have been promised a full set each. Don't worry, we checked what they will put on yours, it's all fine, they disregarded any of the press stories and we made sure they stuck to bare facts with no embellishments, they were actually really good about it. Ron is ecstatic about it of course, he can't wait to see them, he thinks it's better than being knighted, but that's my brother for you, I swear he will be signing them during class next week. He and Hermione were here to see us for their usual weekly visit today, they brought loads of letters from our students, as well as some from those in the other houses, we read them out to you earlier. They say our students are doing well still, but they miss us, they are still in the lead for the house cup, but it's very close again. Mum and Dad are still here, they are being fantastic, anyway I'm still here my love waiting for you, sleep well, I love you." She kissed him lightly on the fore head, as his eyes closed.

She rolled onto her back, settling into the bed next to him herself, but did not yet extinguish the light. She lay listening to his steady breathing as he fell asleep, she never went to sleep before him these days, not wanting to miss a moment with him if she could help it. Besides, she wanted to be with him when he returned this time, she would not forgive herself if he woke without her this time.

She could hear her dad snoring in the room across the landing, her parents had gone to bed while she had been talking to Harry. They knew she talked to him last thing and so wouldn't disturb her while she did. They had always been good at giving her privacy when she wanted it, she smiled remembering her childhood at the Burrow, the familiarity of hearing her father's snores each night, often falling asleep to the sound and dreaming of Harry, or at least the Harry of the stories she read each night before she got to know him. This was the first time since the battle that she had allowed herself to think of those days, enjoying the new world they were building, healing and being with Harry seemed more important, but more recently because she was concentrating on what had been seen in the Pensieve memories came to her at times as well. This evening though, she felt a comfort in allowing herself to wander memory lane, she let herself reminisce on her life with her family and the times since she had first seen the real Harry.

She recalled her nervous excitement at Kings Cross, when she had realised who it was her mum had helped onto the platform, then the next day receiving the letter from Percy, telling the family that Ron had befriended her hero, she had literally danced round the house when she heard that, realising that there was a strong likely hood that she would have the chance to get to know him. She smiled, remembering her shyness with the real Harry Potter, the first time he had stayed at her home. Her hopes during that, her first, year at Hogwarts, of actually befriending him, if she could ever relax around him that was. She didn't know how to approach him, before she realised he actually cared, when he rescued her in the chamber. His loyalty to her demonstrated clearly when he protected her, by not completely revealing her role in the years events, simply those pertinent to explaining the essential points necessary. She couldn't believe his kindness to her at the time, or the feelings it gave her inside herself. For the first time, she had realised the real Harry was far better than the fantasy one, the one she had built in her mind before she began to get to know him.

Those years that followed at Hogwarts did nothing to alter that belief, although she wondered if he would ever notice her more than as just Ron's sister. That summer had brought news that worried her, news that would spoil her hopes of getting close to him, could even cause his death. How she had feared for him when Sirius Black had escaped, she had over heard her father talking about how the convict had escaped specifically to target Harry. That was before they knew the truth about his godfather, of course. They had not known Harry was only in danger from the Dementors sent to protect the school and Ron's Rat which was really the Animagus Peter Petigrew. It was such a relief to her when the year had ended without harm to Harry, though she did not feel any closer to him.

She had feared for him again the following year as well, when he had been entered in the Triwizard Tournament, anyone with an ounce of common sense could tell he had not done it just by the expression on his face when his name had been announced. She had been terrified for him when he faced the dragon, dived into the lake then entered the maze during the events of the tournament, she had surprised herself with how disappointed she felt when he hadn't asked her to the Yule Ball. It was hard to admit that she had hardly been able to watch those events, but had strongly wanted to hold him, reassure him and never let him go after each trial was done. She had almost rushed to him, when he had returned from the maze with Cedric's body, she was so relieved it was not Harry who had died, then ashamed that she had felt that, instead of sadness over the death.

She had tried dating other boy's the following year, but it never felt quite right somehow, besides she had only done it to see if her feelings for Harry were really just for him, or if they were how any boy could affect her. She soon discovered that although she really tried and had some enjoyable dates, it just did not feel right to be with anyone else. Hermione had suggested that it might make Harry notice her more, at the time she had thought there was too much else going on for that to have worked. She had loved the D.A. Meetings, being close to him again and he did pay her some attention. Even though she had been trying not to be, she was never happier than when he was close to her, guiding her hand while practising wand movements or praising her when she mastered a spell. Then the fear and joy of joining him on the mission to the Ministry, she felt his despair at Sirius death, his pain when he had been possessed. After that Harry was so lost, so distant from everyone, she feared she would never reach him and she shared his loneliness, Sirius had been someone she had got to know and like during the summer and Christmas they had spent in the house that year, his death had hit her hard as well.

All through those years, she had continued to dream of being with him, feeling sure it would happen one day, though not sure how to make it happen. Instead of the childhood hero she had read about, she now saw the real Harry, the ordinary boy thrown into extraordinary situations, often as clueless as Ron, reliant on his friends, a reliable friend who put them before himself a lot of the time. To her the real Harry who she had got to know over those years, was so much better than the fantasy of the books that little girl that she had been had devoured, eager to read his supposed adventures.

Of course, it also took time for Harry to catch up with her thoughts and knowledge that they belonged together. He was a boy after all, so while he might be a fast seeker on the pitch, just like any male, he was not so quick to notice when a girl really liked him. Which was a disadvantage in her hopes, at least to begin with, not to mention that, as she had discovered over the years, he had so little experience of love of any kind at all, so did not know what to look for. Then there was her brother, Harry's best male friend, who it had to be said, was even worse at spotting the signs that a member of the opposite sex wanted to get close to him, so was absolutely no help at all. This al meant, of course, that Harry was not the perfect hero, but she did not want that anyway. This version of Harry, the real Harry was even better in her eyes, she had just needed to get him to notice her.

Then in her fifth year, his sixth, after a Quidditch match, her dreams had finally come true in a moment of celebration, some might say a moment of madness. He certainly noticed her, he had caught hold of her in his arms and kissed her, not as a friend, not a small peck, but hard, with passion, the kiss of a lover. Oh that incredible first kiss, it had been so amazing, the culmination of a long wait for her and the start of a new chapter in which they were suddenly a couple, just as she had wanted and she could not have been happier. He had noticed her after all, at least for the previous few months, perhaps the year, but typically he had held off, worried that her brothers, notably Ron might object strongly and he did not know how to deal with that. She chuckled, recalling Ron's face as his sister and best friend had kissed in front of the whole house, passionately, as if they had waited years for it, well she had of course.

It was a release like no other for both of them as it turned out, those weeks, those early summer days that they had spent in a carefree idyll, they were the happiest in her school life. They both had felt so right, so comfortable, so natural. They had probably been the only time Harry could forget that he had got the weight of the prophesy and everyone's expectations pressing on him, at least for a little while. Harry later told her it was the first time he had ever felt so complete and relaxed with anyone, she knew she had felt the same.

Then one night he had left the castle, along with Dumbledore. Before they had both gone, Harry had alerted the D.A. To be on their guard to protect the school. It had been a good warning, they had fought Death Eaters once again that night, although for most it was the first time, that was not true for her and a few others. The battle in the corridors of the school had been students against full grown Witches and Wizards, who had no compunction trying to kill any opposition they came across. She knew both Fred and George had been saddened that one of their own products had been used against the students that night.

Dumbledore had died that night, once he and Harry had returned to the school, from their mission, which had been an initial success, although later it was discovered that the object they had found was a substitute for the one they had hoped for. At the headmaster's funeral, she could sense Harry struggling with what he wanted and what he had to do, whether he liked it or not. She knew what he would choose, she hated it, but he wouldn't be the man she loved if he didn't do what she knew he needed to. It hurt so much that he would do it, she knew from his eyes as he said it, it hurt him just as much. She had finally got him and now he would be ripped away from her because of his duty, his sense of honour. She had to let him go, her own honour dictated that. She had known he would need to confront the darkness and what that meant for them. It was still so unfair and she resented both him and herself for being so honourable, yet loved that he had the courage to be who he was, no matter the cost, no matter how much it hurt him personally.

It was only later, when she saw him again, at the Burrow, when he had arrived there from his relatives house and after he had again escaped an attack by Voldemort himself, that her struggle with her feelings in the weeks following the funeral, settled fully. She finally realised that she had to wait for him, no matter what, she had no other choice, his absence left too much of a gap in her life, she could not lose him, she would not, could not, give up on him. Seeing him again, she had accepted the truth of his decision, she knew that she loved him with all she was and had, she had to let him know how she felt and that she would wait for him, give him a reason for him to come back and come back to her. She kissed him, on his birthday, a tender, yet toe curling kiss, hoping that it would give him that message, realising it would be there last until this was all over. He kissed her back, she knew then that he still really loved her as she loved him, confirming her decision. She had delivered her message, despite her brother's interruption and knew he had understood it.

That had been some comfort to her, when the three had left the moment the wedding was raided. It gave her the strength to defy the death eaters when they tortured her, on that day and later at the school. The memory of that kiss gave her the courage and strength, to fight back, but she had to wait, again, until he had defeated Riddle before they could renew their relationship.

Her certainty that he would be back for her had never wavered in those months, it kept her going through those dark days. It was thoughts of him that kept her motivated as they built the resistance to the regime in the school, she knew each student who joined them had their own reasons to fight and ways to motivate themselves. She knew what hers was and those weeks up until Christmas as the three of them organised disrupting the hold of the Death eaters she felt they were achieving much for the cause. Hearing his voice occasionally, she realised now, had spurred her on whilst she had been in the castle. The loss of Luna had hit them, but they had continued to gain support and win small victories on occasion, though they also had the room f requirement provide a safe place for those who needed it to hide.

She didn't return to the school after the Easter break, he had escaped Malfoy Manor from right under the noses of Bellatrix Lestrange and a number of inner circle death eaters. Ron had been with him, she was now a main target of Voldemort's regime, along with the rest of the family. She was now an Achilles heel to the family, if she had returned where the death eaters could control her, but it risked them gaining full control of the school. The resistance she, Neville and at one time before her capture, Luna had led quashed because she wasn't there. Thankfully, as she later discovered, that latter fear, was unfounded.

She stopped hearing his voice during those holidays and afterwards, but her feelings for him didn't fade. Then finally the message had come, the one she had been waiting for in those months of loneliness. He was at Hogwarts, they were going to fight, she had been the first out of the door of Aunt Muriel's house, closely followed by the twins. They had Apparated her to Hogsmeade, they had run along the hidden corridor from the Hogs Head and arrived in the room of requirement just as preparations for battle were beginning.

She hated that Harry had sided with her parents and didn't want her to fight, but could sense his love for her, his desperation not to lose her. That made her initially stay in the safety of the room of requirement. She felt that condition again, when he needed to empty the room, so it could transform and she had to go into the corridor. She also felt his wish that it was otherwise and she could fight with him. The chance came and determinedly she took it, as long as he lived, she needed to fight along with him, even if not actually by his side.

Then the lull in the battle came, Voldemort called off his minions and gave Harry an hour to give himself up, surrender to him, like that was going to happen she had thought. She went round the battle field, tending the wounded as best she could. She was offering comfort to a dying student, who had stayed when she should have left, when she felt him pass her, briefly, before a stretcher was brought and she stayed with the girl as they returned her to the castle, where she finally succumbed to her wounds in the Great Hall. It was there she felt it, like a blow to her heart, Harry was gone. She felt him no more, until after Riddle was dead. It was like a large chunk of her was missing, a large part of her had been ripped from her, she despaired for him. Then she had found her family, standing over Fred's body, no not both of them, it couldn't be true, her world fell apart completely in that moment.

Although she could no longer feel him, it was still shocking to see what they had thought was Harry's lifeless body, being carried by the captive, tearful Hagrid. Worse when it looked like his body had disappeared, after Neville beheaded the snake, she would not even have his body to bury it seemed. She had been sure she had seen his eyelids move, before Neville had acted and Voldemort had screeched his fury, but she had dismissed it as wishful thinking. She could not feel his presence, that convinced her that Harry really was dead. When he had appeared facing Voldemort in the Great Hall she was so surprised, so relieved, so bloody angry. How could he do that to her, then she realised, the feeling she had, had meant he shouldn't be there, still she couldn't feel him. Then Riddle was dead by his own hand, as he had tried to kill Harry and the spell rebounded. Then, it was as if a flood of water hit her, drenching her, filling her. She could feel Harry once more and felt his desire to be with her flooded into her from him.

She couldn't get near him, because of the crowd, but later that night she had told her mum she was going to sleep in the tower. It was there that she found him, asleep in his old bed, Ron snoring in the next bed to his, but although she cared about her brother, it was not him she wished to be with. She pulled a chair next to the bed that Harry was in and sat there, stroking his arm as he slept, watching over him as his gentle breathing reassured her he really was alive. She had needed to be with him, she had missed him so much, been through so much, she needed him at her side again and to be at his once more, especially now. He was the only one for her, she had known that all along really, he had done what was necessary to allow them freedom, freedom to be together. She perhaps should have been angry with him for leaving her, for feigning death and scaring her so much, but none of that mattered at that moment, it wasn't important, he was safe and that was all that mattered. She had thought she had lost him, completely, utterly with no chance of ever being with him again, at least in this life, but he was here and alive, the dejection gone, she was beyond relieved. Her need to be with him was overwhelming, she needed him, nothing else was important at that moment, not yet anyway.

She had sat with him, throughout those hours of daylight and throughout the following night, watching, protecting leaving him only to visit the bathroom attached to the dormitory. Kreacher brought her food, and stood with her for much of the time, he had also watched over her brother as he slept and disappeared to check on Hermione occasionally, but mainly it was Harry and her that concerned the Elf. Neville gave her a blanket when he came to her that night and still she waited for her love to awake, wanting to be there for him when he did. She wanted to be the first thing he saw, the first thing he was aware of once he woke.

Eventually Hermione, who had discovered her just before dawn, near the end of her almost twenty four hour vigil, had persuaded her to change out of her blood stained and filthy clothes. She had left his bedside for a few moments and of course, those were the very minutes when he awoke. She had not been there when he woke, but she had felt that he had, whilst she was showering the worst of the grime off her. Drying and Dressing quickly, making herself more presentable with urgency, it had still taken her too long for her liking. She had run towards the dormitory, but stopped in the common room. She knew he wasn't upstairs any more, obeying her instinct, she had instead made her way to the portrait and opened it. It was as the picture opened that she had seen him, not too far along the corridor. She froze, there he was, a few feet away, at last conscious and within her reach. He was stood amongst the other boy's from his year, gazing at the debris strewn across the floor, but she only had eyes for him.

As she saw him in that corridor the last shreds of any anger or frustration dissipated for the time being, he was back, she needed him now. She needed his support to get through all that lay ahead and she had to support him, be there, by his side. She stood, watching them for what seemed to her a very long time, but was in fact less than a couple of seconds before instinctively, she walked towards him. He hadn't looked back to her, not noticed her presence, did he even know that she was there? She had gently grasped his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, she felt his love flood into her. In that moment nothing could separate them, they were united again, she was with him at last and this time she wasn't going to let him go. In that moment a fresh link was formed between them, reviving and strengthening the old. A deep link was renewed, as if it had simply been hibernating for the past few months, frozen with their enforced separation. She felt it as he spoke, saying the words she had longed to hear. They could, at last begin a life together, this time her dream had come true and she would not let it go again.

Over the next days and weeks, she had felt the link between them growing stronger, as they shared their experiences, as they shared their lives and memories, committing to each other once more, the link strengthened. Even now and during the weeks since the attack, she realised that she had felt it grow in strength almost each moment. It was stronger now than it ever had been in the past, she hoped this was an indication of his return. She thought about the first night she and Harry had spent together, in the same bed, in this house, but in his Godfathers old room. Her excitement at finally being with him, the security of his presence, she had felt totally comfortable, being almost naked with him. Despite the newness of their renewed relationship, she felt it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be with him in this state, as her mother might have called it. He was the first to see her in this level of undress, apart from her parents and closest brothers when she had been in the bath as a toddler, but she had, had no reservations about it at all. The glow of feeling absolutely secure laid in his arms on that bed, the gentleness of his touch, the feel of their love. The links between them were being forged and she knew they would last a lifetime and beyond.

She thought of what they had done that night, what they had said to each other, it brought a smile to her face and a warming fire in her heart, the memory of it warmed her as if she had central heating. The memory was so strong, so joyful, it was a key point in their relationship when their love had seemed so strong, anchoring them together, it had been invinsible. Then as if a light had come on in her mind she remembered what she had told him, a statement that vastly increased that and she felt her heart leap.

Suddenly she sat up, an expression of sudden comprehension on her face. "Of course." She whispered as if the realisation was now the most obvious thing in the world.

Silently, swiftly she rose from the bed, careful not to disturb Harry's sleep. She moved around the bed, padding gently, bare foot and naked, but for her knickers, she quickly, eagerly reached her destination. The Pensieve was glowing on his bedside table, it's florescence betraying its contents to those who knew. Ginny stared at it for a moment, she knew this was the right thing to do, it had to be. She had her wand in her hand, she placed it to her temple and withdrew a silvery thread, as she had seen Harry do so many times during almost three long months. It dangled from her wand tip, glistening gently in the light, then she let the strand of memory hang briefly over the stone basin, above the pool of silver which were her loves memories. Should she do this? What if it made things worse? Could it possibly be this simple to bring him back to her? Was she certain this would do what she thought it would? No, she wasn't certain at all, but it was the best chance she had, the only real opportunity they both had, had for a long time. She was somehow, despite the last moment doubts, sure this was what she had to do, pausing for only a moment longer, she waited. Then slowly, almost reverently, she lowered the shining thread of her own memory into the Pensieve, watched the thread mix with the pool within and then as the image rose briefly then sank to merge with the memories placed there by Harry. Yes, it was the right thing to have done, a small doubt remained in her mind now. Once her memory had merged to become indistinguishable from the rest, in the silvery fluid swirling in the stone basin, she walked back round the bed, it was too late to do anything about it now, the die was cast. She looked around the room as she climbed under the covers, she saw Dumbledore was back in his frame, he smiled, winked and nodded then left the picture again. Smiling, she got back into bed and put an arm around Harry, sighing she settled under the sheets.

Reassuring herself that Dumbledore approved, if anyone knew whether this had a chance of working, he did, but he was just a painting now, would he really know any more? The doubts returned, she was no longer sure what to think, even though she knew it was too late now, it was done, rightly or wrongly she had done it. There was no turning back from it now, it would be difficult to separate her memory from the others, without removing them all, it simply had to be the right thing to do. She lay in the bed convincing herself it was the right thing, then having the doubts again, over and over again until eventually, through sheer exhaustion, she extinguished the light and fell asleep. Quite soon, she was dreaming of the day Harry would be back with her again and they could walk hand in hand once more, just as she had most nights in the last few months.

The twins had come to the room in the castle once again, their Aunt had told them how to find it and configure it to their needs before they had even entered the castle, or received the letters inviting them to do so for that matter. The twins were very pleased with themselves, after much thought, they had come up with what they considered a simple way to get their targets. They had contacted their Army's leader and instructed him to put a team together to implement the plan. He had argued, though not particularly strongly, but they had prevailed. He had not liked the location for the operation, or the plan itself, but from the twins observations this was the only chance of success and a reminder of their previous punishment of him soon ensured his obedience when their reasoning failed to sway him at first. The targets would be on their own and unobserved at the chosen location. The twins were certain that the plan was strong enough, but they had needed to commit nearly half their army to guarantee success. They were positive the ministry could not intervene and the attack would be so sudden that no call for help could be sent. Still a similar plan, implemented before the Army had been formed, had failed, but that had been before they were truly organised, as they now were and had only used a few clumsy, disorganised, desperate ill prepared men for the task. This time they had committed far more, better trained soldiers than they would have liked, but they had to ensure success, they simply could not fail. Time was running short and within day's of this operation, they were to attack the ministry itself setting their Aunt free at the same time.

It was late as they left the room and entered the corridor, confident enough that they could not be observed, to continue their conversation as they walked.

"Next weekend then my sister."

"Indeed my brother, a few short days, then the Ministry."

They disillusioned themselves at the end of the corridor and went down the stairs to their common room. They didn't notice the figure flitting from portrait to portrait tracking them using the slight, almost indistinguishable distortion in the air which the charm produced as well as following the sound of the disembodied voices. The two reached the common room and entered, the shadowy watching figure swiftly went back the way it had come.

The figure appeared in his frame in the headmistresses office, red faced and out of breath, the other portraits knew that was a show for their benefit, but fell silent regardless. They knew their colleague had been tracking one of the sets of twins in the castle. "We have them at last, two students disillusioned, not that that fooled me. They came out of the room of requirement and went directly to the Slytherin common room, sorry Phineas, but their conversation gave them away even as they walked the corridors. So arrogant that they obviously don't care, or know that their voices can be heard by others when they are disillusioned, or that the spell distorts the air around it, they are first years though. Either Arrogance or ignorance, either way they have betrayed themselves." The portrait told the others.

" Could you identify them independently of knowing which house they entered this evening?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, I saw them quite clearly, before they disillusioned, but I do not know their names, it is the twins of that house, of that I have no doubt."

"The Wolfe twins," Said Everard. "I heard the headmistress mentioning that they earn a significant number of points for Slytherin"

"Very well we must keep an eye on the Wolfe twins and inform Minerva in the morning." Phineas said.

Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you, Phineas. That is most gracious of you to concede."

"The evidence is there Albus, I will not condone such attacks on innocents even by members of my own house. I will help as much as I can, it is my duty and responsibility even without that."

"Even so, it is not easy for any of us when our own house is involved. Especially when it has been the target of unjust accusations in the past as Slytherin has. I think it is time we enlisted further help though." Dumbledore acknowledged.

"You mean the ghosts Albus." Phineas asked.

"Yes Phineas, would you be so kind as to summon the Bloody Baron and ask him to bring the others, their skills will be invaluable. We need more information now and they are in a good position to help us get it." Dumbledore requested.

Phineas nodded his agreement and left his frame. A few minutes later the schools ghosts arrived and were told of the plan. They quickly agreed to help monitor the twins movements and report back to the portraits, even Peeves was cooperative in the mission, though at least one portrait observed that whenever it was required the poltergeist would help as much as possible, at least until the temptation to pull a prank grew too much. They all agreed that Peeves would not be Peeves if that weren't the case though and admitted that if the Poltergeist did not play any at all, it would draw suspicion from others.

Ginny woke early the morning after she had placed her memory in the Pensieve, when she felt Harry sit up, she reached for her wand, quickly cleaned him and Kreacher appeared with their breakfast. The early morning sunlight was already shining through the windows, making the curtains begin to glow, they had, had their first completely undisturbed night in nearly three months. She sat up as he settled and summoned the bed tray to settle across his legs for the tray of food, for the second meal in a row he began to feed himself. She, ate her own meal, finishing before he did and went to the bathroom. Returning after a few minutes she saw him slowly taking the last mouth full of food and placing his cutlery on the tray. She levitated the tray to the coffee table, leaving the bed tray over his legs, then, apprehensively, she placed the Pensieve on it before climbing back into bed next to her Fiancé.

As he began to withdraw the first memory of the day, she cuddled up to him to watch and laid her head gently on his shoulder. "Morning my love, I hope you like my memory." She whispered to him, knowing she would get no response, but needing to reassure herself, the doubts of the night before building again as her nerves of anticipation grew.

Harry looked at the memories swirling in the silver pool looking for, he was not sure what, but he would know when he found it, in the meantime he just arranged them so they made sense. He drew a fresh one from his mind and placed it in the bowl. He felt movement next to him, the dream person was there again, he heard a whisper, but not what this person, who he had decided could not really exist, had said. Ignoring the ghost if that was indeed what it was, once he had found what he was looking for in these memories, he would try to identify what this constant presence was. Having dismissed the presence of the ghost, dream or whatever it was, he resumed his task, carefully sorting the thoughts, his childhood was in order as were the years at Hogwarts, but the rest remained confused, though he hoped they would not take long, the problem was as he viewed each it often stimulated a new one to add. He had only partly arranged those remaining memories, so he touched the surface with his wand and the first one rose above the bowl. He viewed it, then brought up the next and started sorting his memories into order in his own mind, from after he and his companions had raided Gringotts for the Horcrux.

Ginny continued to watch the memories, which now appeared in chronological order in the Pensieve, he was watching events after they had left Shell Cottage before the Battle. She saw them arrive in disguise at Gringotts and the events there unfold. She watched as they rode the dragon and arrived, very wet, at the lakeside, she saw what Harry had seen through Voldemort's eyes, then the trios arrival at Hogsmeade and entry to the school. Watching her own arrival was slightly odd, then for half an hour she observed the battle unfolding, from Harry's point of view. She saw him walk past her on his way into the forest, heard his thoughts as he gathered his strength to pass her and witnessed his use of the stone and conversation with his parents, Sirius and Remus. She wept as she saw Voldemort's cold attack, was awe struck by his conversation with Dumbledore in Kings Cross station and Harry's return to this world. Hearing his internal debate about letting Hagrid know if he was alive or not, he had decided against it, knowing his friend might give the secret away prematurely even if inadvertently.

She saw him steal glimpses of the scene on the steps of Hogwarts, he looked directly at Ginny on more than one such occasion, heard his heartbreak at being unable to reassure her. She saw through his eyes as he fought from under his cloak to get to Riddle, then was with him as he faced his destiny. The moment the deed was done, his first thought had been of her, but the crowd prevented him getting to her as they celebrated. She viewed all this and his actions before heading to bed, in his old Dormitory, where he fell asleep. She watched his actions after waking, until his memory of their meeting in the corridor played out and still his memories came.

Patiently she waited, whilst the events of the days following the battle played out before her. Their time at the burrow, the funerals, the Wizangamot and awards, their talk in Diagon Alley, then arriving at Grimmauld Place. Hermione remembering her parents then leaving for Australia, tidying the rooms, discovering the closet, Hermione's return, visiting Gringotts, meeting Dudley; her parents leaving for the Burrow. Finally, after over an hour watching memories since she had seen his victory, she saw herself almost naked, through his eyes, by the bed. At last, she was within moments of her own memory of their first night together, in Sirius old bedroom. She held her breath as she saw her memory, at last, begin to rise.

Hermione was stirring slowly into wakefulness next to Ron in their room, she opened her eyes and stretched, he was still snoring gently, well gently for Ron anyway. She smiled at him as he slept, he looked completely at peace, free of the stress she knew he felt at being in the classroom. The morning light gently fell into the room, matching her slow transition from sleep to wakefulness and casting a cheerfully warming feel to the room. Hermione looked at her watch, it was still early, too early for breakfast yet, no need to wake Ron, he wouldn't appreciate being woken this far ahead of breakfast. She picked up her book, opened it, and began to quietly read.

Ron suddenly sat up, his eyes wide open. "Bloody Hell!" He exclaimed.

Hermione nearly dropped her book in surprise, his action was so sudden. "Ron what's wrong?" Hermione exclaimed alarmed at his abrupt action.

He thought for a moment then settled back against the pillows."I don't know." He said then paused thoughtfully again, "I saw Ginny put something in Harry's Pensieve, he's found it." Ron turned to face her, excitement on his face. "Merlin, Hermione, he's found it, which means that is the first thing from outside he will see." He breathed as if awestruck at some great revelation.

"Ron love, Harry is in no condition to find anything." Hermione sighed sadly, rolled to face him and put a comforting arm round him. "You must have been dreaming darling and it woke you up. I know you miss him love, so do I, but it must have been just a dream, your Mum would have Flooed us by now, woken us up, if anything had changed with Harry overnight."

Ron's face fell as he considered what she said. "Yes you're right Herms. It must have been a dream, it was so vivid though, so real." He settled back in the bed and cuddled up to Hermione. "How would I know if Ginny had done something in London, when we are here? It's daft. Is it too early for breakfast?"

"Yes, my love I'm afraid it is." She smiled guessing what he had in mind.

He grinned and his hand started stoking her abdomen gently. "So if it's too early for that and we are wide awake, we have to fill the time somehow." He grinned cheekily.

She smiled, her guess had been right and she was all for it. "I suppose I could read my book." She teased.

"Oh I think we can come up with something far more interesting, if we think about it." Ron smiled picking up on her mood, intensifying his gentle strokes.

She gave in and returned his caresses "I guess we can, if we really try of course." She breathed before they began to kiss.

Harry came across something strange, something he had never come across before, a memory that he did not recognise, a memory that was not his. Where had it come from? How had it got into his Pensieve? His curiosity getting the better of his caution, he allowed the memory to rise so he could view this mysterious memory. He knew he shouldn't, it was not his, it may be private, but he somehow, instinctively, he knew he had to see it.

As the scene began he felt an odd feeling of familiarity, yet also disorientation, he was laid next to himself and feeling excited. This was the first time they had shared a bed, he was looking at a fresh scar on his own chest. He had just got used to this odd perspective, when he kissed the scar on his chest then heard himself speak in Ginny's voice.

"It's so unfair you have to carry the scars he gave you, but I am proud to be with the only man that can. Though Harry, I know it's not what you are used to, but please remember, you now have me to help carry the burden, you will never have to be on your own ever again."

Ginny watched her memory unfold in the Pensieve and heard her voice, she held her breath waiting for, what? She had no idea what to expect, but felt excited anticipation. A minute passed, two and nothing, the doubts she had not quite buried began grow. The seconds ticked by, it had been a daft idea, what had she been thinking, she might have done more damage adding her memory to his. After all he had done nothing since he had viewed the memory not even looked at any more, let alone added any, had she ruined the chances of him ever coming back? Sent him back into the depths of whatever he was in. He had been making progress, she should have been happy with that, more patient. More time passed, how stupid she had been to think simply adding a memory of hers would help him. Five minutes crawled by before she felt something change, she could feel something was happening. She didn't know how she knew, but she could feel it deep inside herself, something was going on. She looked at him, anticipating there would be an outward sign, but there was still nothing, there was nothing else except the feeling.

"Oh Merlin, Harry, please let it have been the right thing to do." She pleaded with herself desperately. "Please don't let me have sent you backwards, I would never forgive myself."

That morning, Minerva had listened to Dumbledore's explanation of what the portraits had discovered during the night, then immediately contacted Kingsley via the Floo. He had obviously just got up as she called. She grinned as he sat before her on his sofa, in front of the fireplace in his flat, dressed only in the pair of tartan underpants she had bought him as a joke for Christmas.

"Morning Minister, I'm sorry to call you before you are fully dressed, but I have news." She smiled and explained what had been discovered. "The portraits have discovered more information, they managed to follow the conspirators in the school and positively identify them last night. They have recruited the ghost's to help keep an eye on Tarquin and Delilah Wolfe, the first year twins in Slytherin, so they might find out more of what they plan to do next. They have already uncovered that there is a planned attack this weekend." She finished.

"The Wolfe twins, interesting that their name crops up again. I thought I recognised them from somewhere when I saw Harry's memory of them a while ago, but I still can't place where from. I can't help feeling it's important, I know that much at least. I initially thought it was just from having our meetings at the school, but I am not so sure it is just from there. At least we now know, that they are definitely the ones involved at the school. Thank the portraits and Ghosts, perhaps we should enlist the House elves too, they will be keen to help."

"Good idea, they have certainly been worried about all the students since the attack, I'll arrange for them to have an active role. In the meantime, all we can do here is wait and hope we can scupper the plan. Unless you can think of anything else?"

"No, I think we need to be careful, it is best not to let the twins know we are onto them, we need to know who or what the target is for this weekend. We also need to work out who is giving the twins their instructions. Right, I will restore the strength of the teams working on this again and see what we have on the Wolfe family again, from memory that's not much, but it might be worth another look." Kingsley said, "We'll talk again later I hope Minerva."

"Of course Kingsley." She smiled. "Oh by the way I like the pants on you much better than when I last saw them, in the packet."

"Worn in your honour my dear." He winked cheekily.

"Oh sir what are you suggesting." Minerva giggled and the Minister laughed as the connection ended.

---

Authors Notes:
This chapter marks a milestone in the re editing of this story, the word count is now past the count for the entire story as it was originally published on that other site, and there is much more to come, plus the sequel which I shall also be expanding and improving (Hopefully) once I have done this one.
As always my thanks to all who have reviewed/followed/favourited etc either this story or my profile page. I do reply to all reviews left.
Don't forget I have three other stories on this site, all short ones, if you have not read them I hope you will do.
Best wishes.
Tgfoy