Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.

Chapter Twenty-five: Alliances; Old and New

Remus Lupin's face was pinched and taut as he stared vacantly at the cooling cup of tea in his hand. He was quiet for so long that his wife began to worry for him.

"Remus?

"How long?" Remus returned in a vague monotone.

"I don't understand,.. how long what?" Dora returned worriedly, chancing a questioning look toward Hermione.

"How long ago was this prophecy made?" Remus turned troubled, wary eyes toward them.

"What does it matter?" Hermione interjected trying to save them further grief. She knew what Remus was driving at.

Remus slapped his palm down angrily on the kitchen table and snarled in a way that was reminiscent of his former lycanthropic tendencies.

"It matters to me!"

Nymphadora Lupin shared a despondent look with her friend.

"If my estimation is correct, then h-he knew before he turned us down for being Lillian's God-f-father." Dora answered in a hesitant whisper.

Remus nodded his understanding. His eyes lifted from his tea cup and bored into Hermione's.

"That's why he turned us down , Isn't it?" he asked ashamedly.

Hermione nodded. "I suppose it is. I don't really know for sure. Our relationship is ... precarious at best, just now. He doesn't confide in me as he once did. It's rather hard to explain really. He trusts me, I'm certain of it, but.."

"He's sparing you." Remus acknowledged. "He's keeping things from you to spare you,.. to spare your feelings. He's trying to protecting you from harm and hurt. That's what he was doing for us. It's what he always does, only I was to blind to see it." Remus finished regretfully.

"Remus, luv,.." Dora cooed reassuringly. "We didn't know, how could we?"

Remus snorted disdainfully. "How could we not? I used to count myself lucky that he trusted me and that I had his confidence. It was a matter of pride for me and I was proud, very proud to call Harry my friend,.. family even. Then Lily came along and I thought it was perfect, so perfect. Here was my chance to redeem myself in Lily, James and Sirius's memory. Here was our chance to not only give our daughter a name that she could be proud of, but also solidify Harry as a true member of this family. I couldn't wait to ask him to be Lily's Godfather. It was so right,. so perfect. I never, not in my wildest dreams would have expected he would turn us down." Remus's face fell.

Tears formed at the corner of his gentle eyes. It was heart breaking to see the depth of the despair he was sinking into.

"W-When he turned us down so flatly, I was shocked-Utterly shocked! I should have suspected then, but I was blinded by the outrageousness of his refusal. I confronted him, demanded an answer. He gave me one. I should have understood at the time. It makes such perfect sense now...He said he didn't want do a 'Sirius on Lily'."

Hermione's face paled at that.

"I thought I understood what that meant at the time." Remus continued to berate himself.

"I honestly thought I did. I just assumed that he meant the dangerousness of his job leant a degree of uncertainty to his being able to fulfill his responsibility as a Godfather. I never once, not for an instant, suspected that he already had another damn prophesy hanging over his head." Remus lamented.

"It's not your fault, Remus. Harry's never been very good at explaining himself. I suppose if anyone is to blame for his lack of communication skills it would be the Dursleys." Hermione attempted to alleviate some of the quilt they were both feeling.

Remus's expression grew hostile. "The Durleys!" he spat contemptuously. "They started the fire, but we did nothing to put it out." Remus scathed.

"How many times, Dora? How many times did we stand guard outside of Number Four Private Drive and listen despondently while that bastard, Dursley, beat Harry? How many times did we stand there and do nothing while they starved and abused him, eh?"

Remus began to breakdown into sobs as he choked out: "H-How many times did we sit there beneath his b-bedroom window and listen to him c-cry himself to sleep? How many times did I hear him cry out for his mother during the night,.. knowing that he was in the grips of yet another nightmare of the night she and James were murdered? How..m-many...?"

"Remus don't." Dora reached out with her free hand and gentled her husband's graying locks.

"D-Dora, I n-need to tell h-him.. I have to t-tell him that I-I'm s-sorry..." Remus tried to stutter out his need to make amends.

"I don't think he needs to hear it, Remus." Hermione interjected allying their fears. "Harry isn't holding any grudges that I know of…. For Merlin's sake! He even made Draco Malfoy an officer in the corp. yesterday?"

Her admonishment brought a surprised chuckle from the others.

"That was a bit of a shock." Dora added. "I don't know who was more stunned, Draco, or Commander Turner. What came after was even more surprising if you ask me?"

"What happened next? " Hermione asked intrigued.

"It was several minutes after Harry stormed out of the Hall, bare-chested and smoldering. People scattered as he stormed out of there. I was pretty shook up by what Harry said, but I have to admit he was dead on. My place was here, with my family. Being an auror was a means to being able to come home every night to what was most important in my life; Remus and Lily. I told Commander Turner that I was quitting the Corp. and returning to the Aurors. H-He was still staring at Harry's sword where it was impaled in the flagstone floor. When he heard me resign, he gave me this disgusted look and said it was fine as I was no bigger coward than the one that just left."

Hermione's inhaled in shock.

Dora nodded her head and continued. "That wasn't the most shocking thing though, it's what came next. Draco drew his sword and in a flash he had it at Turner's throat. He told Turner that as far as he was concerned the only coward in the room was Draco,himself, because if he wasn't a coward; he would kill Turner for having dared to call Harry Potter one. It was a long moment they stood there, just staring each other down, but finally Turner acquiesced and apologized to me."

By the time she'd finished, both Hermione and Remus were now staring in stunned disbelief.

Dora was right, what was more shocking, someone calling Harry Potter a coward, or Draco Malfoy defending Harry Potter's honor?

Seven o'clock the next morning, found Harry knocking at the door of Master Ergomen's smithy.

"Lord Knight? Come in, Come in." Erness Ergomen ushered Harry into his shop expectantly.

"As I said yesterday, it's just Harry, Master Ergomen. I'm not a knight any longer." Harry corrected honestly.

"I beg to differ, Lord Knight." A voice countered from the doorway of Ergomen's office.

Erness Ergomen bowed his head deferentially. "Lord Knight, it is my esteemed honor to introduce you to President Raynock, the director of Gringotts and the leader of the Goblin nation."

Harry dropped to one knee and intoned reverently. "It's an honor, Lord Raynock."

An appreciative grin split the goblin leader's toothy visage, one that he shared with Ergomen. Never in all his years as the goblin leader had any witch or wizard ever shown him the courtesy that was due someone his station. Here, in this humble smithy, was perhaps the finest that wizarding world had to offer, kneeling in reverence to one, who despite his high rank, was still considered beneath the notice of even the most lowly of wizards. Lord Raynock had never felt so honored or humbled in his entire life.

"Please rise, Lord Knight. Your presence alone honors us."

Harry rose gracefully and stammered out. "I'm afraid you misunderstood me earlier, sir? I'm no longer a knight of the magical realm. I resigned my position only recently, so perhaps you've not yet been informed?" Harry attempted to correct the goblins to avoid misrepresenting himself.

"I'm afraid you misunderstand, Master Potter. I have lived a long time, though not so long as that I have ever laid eyes upon a magical knight before. My grandfather passed down stories to me from his grandfather's grandfather, tales of the knights of old. Tales of men who's might defends the weak, whether they be men or creature, magic or muggle. Great stories they were to, of heroism and valor. I came here today to see if such stories held a vein of truth."

"I am just a man, sir. Not a knight, nor a hero for that matter." Harry returned modestly.

Raynock raised a bushy eyebrow skeptically. "I heard tell of a young wizard who slew a basilisk when he was only twelve years old?" Raynock prompted. "Is the basilisk hide you provided Erness the result of some other wizard's deed, sir?"

Harry grimaced uncomfortably. "No, but ,Ginny,.. I mean my best friend's sister was kidnapped and, well... I couldn't leave her there?" Harry struggled to explain.

Raynock grinned toothily. "Most would call that gallantry." he surmised.

"Did you not face many times and ultimately defeat the dark lord Voldemort and his minions?"

"I had a lot of help. Many people sacrificed their very lives to see an end to that cursed war." Harry deferred.

Raynock gave him an appraising look. "Many suffered tis true, some more than others. Some sacrificed more than others. Some claimed less modestly than others. I've yet to hear you claim any of the accolades for yourself, now or in years past. I would call that humility.

Not two years past, with mine own eyes did I see one man stand in the center of a quidditch pitch and face down a hoard of dragons, dark wizards and a wyvern of all things? My eyes are perchance not as sharp as they once were, but, it was still a sight that I have been honored to tell my grandchildren of. I envy the stories they will in turn tell their own grandchildren one day."

A pained expression ghosted across Harry's face as he attempted to put some perspective on the events of that ill fated World Cup.

"I was dying already. I-I had nothing to lose. There were so many people,.. I was just trying to buy them a bit of time to get away. Really,.. it's not like it appears on the surface." Harry tried to explain away.

"No." Raynock agreed grimly. "No, I think it goes far deeper than that; far deeper than the vaults of Gringotts themselves. Master Ergomen has brought to my attention you're having commissioned the forging of a large quantity of cold forged blades and the fashioning of a quantity of basilisk hide armor to accompany those blades. In the former you have authorized the expense for said forging be taken from your own vaults. In the latter you provided the material. Are these things for your own army, sir?"

Harry did little to mask his surprise at Raynock's assumption. After getting past his initial shock he realized the goblin was in truth, evaluating him. For what reason the goblin leader had, Harry didn't care, but he felt he could trust the goblin.

"Not for my army, no. They are for my replacements. If I fail in my duty,.. er, my task,.. it will fall to those that are now training in the use of those weapons to ensure the survival of the magical realm."

Raynock raised an eyebrow. "Would it not be prudent to wait till they are fully trained and have them at your side for such a dire task?"

Harry shrugged. "They are not yet ready, nor is there time to make them so. If nothing else, I hope to buy them the time they need to prepare themselves."

Raynock weighed his words carefully. He found them more solid than all the galleons in Gringotts.

"It has been many years since we goblins concerned ourselves in the affairs of wizard folk. Never before have we been so honored to do so. We know of the 'Dweller's Below' and the prophecy that pertains to they're return. We goblins make it our business to know of such things.".

Harry paled at this revelation.

Raynock continued unfettered: "I do not wish upon you the burden that has been placed upon your shoulders, Lord Knight Potter, but,.. I can think of no more capable shoulders to carry said burden. That said, I pledge you the full cooperation of the goblin nation. The cost of the forging you commissioned has been assumed by the goblin nation. The armor requested, fashioned gratefully at our own expense. The blade you requested for yourself provided with our sincerest gratitude." Raynock snapped his fingers and the Sword of Gryffindor hovered into view.

Harry's jaw worked soundlessly in consternation. He was about to protest Raynock's extreme generosity when the goblin leader commanded:

"Kneel before me, Harry Potter."

Harry kneeled before the goblin lord, not fully comprehending his intent, but trusting the goblin all the same.

"Magic folk are often fickle and fool. Too readily they throw away a gem, unknowingly thinking it a rock. Goblins take care to wipe away the grit and appreciate the full value of their find. You are one such gem, Harry Potter. Let us provide the adornment that will allow you to shine."

Raynock tapped the flat of Gryffindor's blade on Harry's shoulders, once-twice-thrice.

"As scion of the goblin nation and trustee of magical creatures, I bid you rise, Harry Potter and be recognized as Knight and Champion of the Magical Races. Your term of service is at your own discretion, be it a lifetime or a day. The goblin nation makes no requirement of you for we trust in your own unflagging sense of honor. To seal that trust, receive by my hand the Sword of Gryffindor, henceforth it shall be known for all time as; Potter's Providence."

Harry climbed shakily to his feet. Absently he accepted the proffered sword and watched in stunned disbelief as the bejeweled sword erupted in a dazzling display of light and sound. A silvery glow filled the room accompanied by the deafening roar of a dragon.

The hilt grew hot in Harry's fist and felt as if it were melting into his very flesh. The pain subsided as quickly as it came and eventually the silvery light dimmed and the shop grew strangely quiet once more.

Once the flashes before his eyes cleared , Harry stood transfixed upon the gleaming silver broad sword he know held ,that had taken the place of Godric's golden sword. Ancient runes of strength and protection flowed along the edge of his gleaming blade. An emerald the size of a galleon embedded the hilt on either side with a tiger eye phoenix emblazoned in the center of the emeralds.

Harry's eyes darted between Ergomen and Raynock. "T-Thank you.."

Raynock nodded. "No thanks are required, Lord Knight. "The blade has judged you worthy and chosen it's successor. All that's missing is your armor Lord Knight." Raynock pointed out.

"I'd rather the basilisk armor was saved for those to follow, they will have greater need of it than I." Harry refused.

"Tut,Tut." Raynock waved him off airily. "You represent the magical brethren of the world, Lord Knight. Such a distinction requires fitting raiment. Master Ergomen, if you please?"

Ergomen pulled back a tarp covering a nearby work table to reveal a gleaming silver breast plate and bracers. The breast plate was emblazoned with the bronze image of a fiery phoenix rising into the air. One of the arm bracers was emblazoned with the image of a young Harry Potter with sword in hand fending off a giant basilisk. The other bracer carried the image of a giant phoenix locked in mortal combat with a titanic ghostly snake.

Harry reached out a tentative hand and brushed his finger lightly across the gleaming steel.

"Beautiful." He breather reverently, eliciting a glowing smile from Ergomen.

"Cold forged steel, Lord Knight. My finest work" Ergomen assured him.

"Thank you" Harry whispered gratefully. He shifted his gaze toward Raynock., echoing his appreciation.

Raynock nodded his approval. "Do these aged eyes a favor if you will, Sir Harry?"

"Anything" Harry agreed without reservation.

"I bid you don thy armor so that I may tell my grandchildren of it. My grandfather's grandfather proclaimed a knight in armor is a sight to remember."

Harry blushingly nodded and proceeded to strip off his cloak and undershirt.

He reached for the breast plate but Ergomen interrupted him, asking with polite reverence. "By your leave, Lord Knight,… I should be honored?"

Harry nodded and allowed Ergomen to place the breast plate around his torso. The plate was hinged on one side and once around Harry's torso it snapped close and sealed itself seamlessly. The plate fit him like a second skin, magically molding itself to the contours of his well muscled physique.

"It has been charmed to be feather light, milord, but hard as diamond and impervious to the elements. Not only protective, but should provide comfortable wear in any weather."

Ergomen next snapped a bracer onto each of his forearms and then stepped back to sweep a critical eye over his appearance.

"Hmm, the armor should serve you well, but something's missing...?"

Erness Ergomen snapped his finger pretending to have a sudden revelation. "I know just the thing."

The Weapon smith stumped into his office and returned with a delicately wrapped package that he held out reverently to Harry. "Your signet milord, Knight."

With trembling hands Harry peeled back the wrappings to find a crimson cloak that felt as if it were spun with a fine steel mesh that was as light and flowing as silk. The cloak was emblazoned with the same fiery image of phoenix that adorned his breast plate.

"With your permission, Lord Knight?" Ergomen slipped the cloak from Harry's grasp and carefully latched it onto his breastplate, over Harry's shoulders as he explained:

"Your own family of elves and the elves of Hogwarts fashioned this cloak for you, Lord Knight. The material from whence it came is a rare and precious construct that was designed by the elves of old, but the process was lost and forgotten over the eons. What you now wear is the last such in existence. They call it "Iron Hide". It is a mesh of fine steel thread that is woven in a fashion that makes it nigh weightless, yet tis said it be so strong that it can turn aside sword edge or dragon talon with equal disregard. Many worked long into the night to fashion this for you, milord. They did so at their own insistence and with a full heart. They wish you to know that you are a friend to elfin kind. They place their faith in you as do we goblins. I pray this raiment sees you through the trials ahead. Fare you well, Sir Harry."

That said, Erness Ergomen bowed to Harry and returned to the bowels of his shop, leaving Harry alone with Raynock.

Harry turned stricken eyes on the Goblin leader. "I have no words that can adequately express my gratitude."

Raynock smiled toothily and returned. "You need none. As a director of Gringott's it's been brought to my attention the changes you've made in your accounts and in your will of late. You have made some very generous contributions to those in need. What intrigues me is that your generosity is not limited to wizarding folk alone. Since you were a mere child you have treated goblins, elves, centaurs, mermen, and all manner of other magical creature both kindly and respectfully. Such behavior is uncommon in wizard folk and appreciated more than you know. Couple this with the many deeds of heroism that so readily defines your young life and I see before me the product of all that magical world could one day aspire to. You are a rare wizard, Harry Potter. As rare and precious as the cloak you wear or the magical steel that now rests at your hip. We goblins know a priceless treasure when we see one and we intend to protect our interest."

Raynock extended his clawed hand in friendship and Harry gratefully accepted it.

"Come see me when it's over ,Lord Knight." Raynock directed in parting.

"I-I hope to." Harry returned uncertainly.

Raynock tightened his grip on Harry's hand as he reassured him.

"Prophecies are fickle things. Trust in the strength of your arms and the courage of your heart. Have faith in yourself for the magical races of Britain have faith in you."

Raynock released his hand and grasped Harry's arms with his clawed hands. Black eyes met green ones. "See it through, young Knight. See it through."

Harry stepped out of Ergomen's shop moments later. His heart was both emboldened, and heavier than it was before. He found himself both gladdened at the prospect of having made new friends amongst the goblins and saddened at his future prospects for being able to continue said friendships.

Absently he registered that, true to his word, Ergomen's plate did stave off the chill wind of late December. He felt as comfortable as if he were enjoying a warm spring day in t-shirt and jeans. Even his bare arms did not register the cool winter's air that had people running from shop to shop as they set about hurrying to complete the last of their Christmas shopping. A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth, he had finished his own Christmas shopping with ease this year. It was easy to shop when you knew exactly what people most needed and you had the means to acquire it.

Harry considered making a visit to his parent's gravesite, but decided to wait another day as Christmas Eve had traditionally been shared with his parents and he saw no reason to change that tradition now. Besides, he had many visits to make today and innumerable last minute details that required his attention. Oblivious to the stares his, no doubt daunting, appearance was drawing, he disappeared in a flash of lightning. Thunder echoed away in the distance.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was as beautifully decorated for the holidays as it had ever been. Huge Christmas trees covered with ornaments and fairy lights gave the hall a warm, prismatic glow. Boughs of garland wound up the banisters of the moving stairways.

A lone student here and there squeaked in surprise at his appearance within the school, but the majority of the school's population had obviously gone home for the holiday break.

Harry both felt sorry for and admired those few who had either elected or been forced to remain behind to spend Christmas at Hogwarts. It was a lonely thing to be separated from or have no family to share Christmas with, but his fondest memories of Christmas had been within these castle walls.

His boot heels echoed down the hallway's stone floor as he made his way purposely toward the Headmistress's office. It was not the office nor the headmistress to whom he planned this visit, however..

Harry stopped in front of the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Headmistress McGonagal's private office. He had but to wait the briefest of moments before the guardian sprang to life. For the first time in memory, the stone guarding neither asked for a password nor stood aside to allow his entry to the headmistress's office. The horned gargoyle stood stoically at attention, waiting silently.

"You know me?" Harry asked grimly. It was more of an assumption than a question.

Granite jaws grated as the gargoyle responded. "You are the heir. The scion of Gryffindor and Merlin, Knight of the Magical Brethren. I am yours to command."

"Do you know why I've come?" Harry enquired.

The guardian nodded."The dwellers below have awoken. On leathern wings and talon claws will they come forth. We have awaited their return in silent vigil. In their likeness the guardians were cast, but that is where our resemblance ends."

Harry nodded his appreciation. "In eight days time I shall attempt to staunch their flow. If I fail in my charge, then I leave it to the guardians to protect these castle walls and all who seek shelter within."

The stone gargoyle saluted with a stone fist across his chest. "It shall be as you say, Lord Knight, and gladly so. We shall protect this keep till we are naught but pebble and dust."

Harry nodded his appreciation and commanded before he turned to leave.

"Awaken the others."

The Burrow was its usual bustling hive of activity. Molly was in her element preparing a sumptuous feast for her family.

Ron and his brothers were out frantically searching for last minute gifts for their significant others,.. at least in Ron's case. It was apparently brought to his attention that neither a season pass nor yet another jersey with his name and number emblazoned on the back, were adequate gifts for one's fiancé.

Arthur Weasley was attending to some last minute details at the ministry before going on a much needed and well deserved two week leave over the holiday season. Unfortunately his departure was delayed as the Minister, madam Amelia Bones, approached him tentatively with a sealed envelope that she all but begged he'd deliver personally to one, Harry Potter. Her perch upon the Minister's office was precarious at best in view of the fiasco that ended in Harry resignation

That left only the youngest Weasley, Weasley by marriage and future Weasley bride, unaccounted for.

Ginny Weasley paced her room nervously in front of Fleur and Hermione. She had discretely asked her sister in-law and best friend up to her room without given them any clue as to the topic of her obvious anxiety.

Oddly, her mother had just given Ginny an unsettling, albeit knowing look and dismissed her two assistants from kitchen duty without a word of rebuttal.

Now that the two women she trusted most in the world were giving her their undivided attention, Ginny scarcely knew where to begin. Her thoughts were so scattered and her sleep was totally off, which did little to help her mood or her growing confusion.

"You do not look well, Ginny" Fleur broke the ice by stating the obvious.

Ginny stopped her nervous pacing and shot her sister in-law an incredulous sneer.

"No, really?" she asked sarcastically. "I hadn't really noticed the bags under my eyes. I guess the lack of sleep should have been my first clue, huh?"

Fleur ignored her irritated barb and instead opened the door for discussion. "Would it not be easier just to tell us what iz troubling you?"

"What's troubling me?" Ginny countered. "I wish I knew what was wrong. I think ,… that is, I'm afraid.. that.. I think I'm losing my mind." Ginny finished in a hesitant whisper.

"Oh, Ginny.." Hermione rebuked sympathetically. "You aren't losing your mind. Quite the contrary in fact." she added with a suspicious sense of fore knowledge.

Ginny's eyes snapped to her friend's accusingly. "What do you know?" she scathed part hopeful, part incriminatory.

Hermione tapped her index finger on her pursed lips in thoughtful contemplation.

"Hmm, why don't you first tell us what's been troubling you and when it first started?" she prompted tactfully.

Ginny shuddered slightly as she stammered out. "I-I've been having dreams. Dreams of me doing things that I don't remember doing, but they seem so real, so right, but, I don't know…?" She left off in a defeated tone, hugging her arms protectively around herself.

Hermione shared a knowing, even hopeful look with Fleur, who nodded in understanding and picked up the conversation.

"Are you alone in zees… dreams?" Fleur prodded gently.

"N-No." Ginny reluctantly returned. She kept her eyes on the floor trying vainly to fight the growing blush on her cheeks.

Fleur returned that same knowing look to her future sister in-law, Hermione.

"Ginny,.. Was Harry in these dreams you've been having?" Hermione asked gently.

"N-Not all of t-them." Ginny returned meekly, but strangely unashamedly.

Fleur and Hermione shared the look again, only now it was tinged with... Hope.

"Ginny,.. Did you ever consider zat zees are not just dreams, but memories? Zat zay are memories of your life before,.. with 'Arry?" Fleur continued delicately.

Ginny eyes snapped up. They held a glimmer of that same hard, blazing look that once defined Ginny Weasley in a moment of righteous indignation, or when she was most passionate about something or someone.

This was a mixture of all three.

"No,.. they can't be just memories,.. At least not all of them?" She disagreed almost frantically.

"Why do you think that, Ginny?" Hermione encouraged her to continue.

"B-Because one of the d-dreams was recent, well,.. Maybe not recent, but it happened a few months ago which was long after the time when you… when you.." Ginny broke of weeping softly.

"When we obliviated you?" Hermione finished regretfully.

Ginny nodded her head in agreement.

Fleur and Hermione shared another look.

"What happened a few months ago?"

Ginny turned away toward her bedroom window. Her eyes went out of focus as she echoed a vague description of her encounter:.

"I-I was going to bed and the next thing I knew- I was swimming in the pond. H-He was there, Harry,… on the island. We… We.." he voice broke off with a sniffle. Not of regret, but longing.

"You made love?" Fleur finished for her with a touch of hope in her voice.

Ginny looked at her sister in-law with a glazed expression that was part embarrassed and part resolution as she nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"You 'ave nothing to be embarrassed about." Fleur reassured her with a knowing smirk.

Ginny's eyes blazed fire. "I'm not embarrassed." she countered vehemently. "Besides, it was only a dream. That's all,.. just a dream." Ginny sounded as if she was trying to convince herself, more than she was the other witches in her room.

Fleur arched an eyebrow.

"Was this by any chance the night of Fleur's hen party?" Hermione entered the conversation with a calculating expression on her face.

Ginny's eyes went wide in alarm. "How did you know?"

"Wasn't zat the morning after zat you found 'Arry naked by ze pond?" Fleur's lilting voice chimed in.

Hermione shot Fleur a glare that the French women accepted with a smug expression of triumph as Hermione incredulously returned. "You already know it was."

"You don't think..?" You mean we actually..? A-All Night?" Ginny face went crimson in sudden realization.

"All Night? " Fleur echoed predatorily hoping to glean further information.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Fleur, but was struggling to keep a grin from blossoming across her own face.

"The logistics,.. er, really don't matter, now do they?"

"Oh contraire, I zink it quite interesting on ze whole." Fleur giggled her amusement.

Hermione started to giggle in spite of herself.

Ginny shot her two friends a scathing glare, but after a few minutes, she reluctantly snorted a laugh of her own.

"H-How did this happen?" Ginny sniggered.

"I think it safe to say that you, as well as ,Harry, were the victims.." Hermione began before Fleur cut her off.

"Not victims,.. Ze benefactors!"

"As I was saying," Hermione seized back control of the conversation. "You and Harry were the, er,.. on the receiving end of one of the twins newer and somewhat morally questionable invention's called 'the cauldron of desire'."

Ginny's eyes narrowed dangerously as she hissed. "I don't remember falling victim to any of the twins disasters?"

"Not, you, 'Arry." Fleur corrected.

Ginny arched an eyebrow.

"I'll explain." Hermione sighed in resignation.

Several minutes later…

"So you think this really happened?" Ginny asked her friend incredulously.

Hermione nodded.

"It,.. It wasn't just a dream?"

Hermione shook her head.

"And the twins were responsible?"

Hermione nodded, but added." Not entirely though."

"Explain" Ginny asked tonelessly, crossing her arms in waning patience.

"To the best of my understanding, the 'cauldron' is only a means to an end. The wizard or witch involved in its use has to have an extremely strong ,..er, attraction and likewise, the object of their desire has to be equally drawn to them in return to illicit this sort of an exaggerated reaction."

Ginny's face went crimson in realization..

"Ze Manufique!" Fleur crowed delightedly.

"I'll kill them." Ginny groused.

"Why kill the messenger..?" Hermione sniggered, adding her two knuts worth.

Ginny clapped her hands to her cheeks in mortification. "He's going to be here for dinner,.. What am I going to do?"

"Just be yourself." Hermione reassured her. "Just because you know it was real doesn't mean that Harry does. To him it was just a dream."

"Thank, Merlin." Ginny breathed a sigh of relief, before enlisting their support. " You won't t-tell him?"

"Of course not." Hermione agreed readily.

Fleur smiled and embraced Ginny, winking at Hermione without Ginny's having seen.

Hugs were exchanged all around and Hermione and Fleur returned to the kitchen to help Molly with dinner whilst Ginny grabbed a couple of hours of much needed rest.

Hermione looked sideways at her friend as they descended the stairs to the kitchen.

"You're going to tell him aren't you?" Hermione accused her with a somewhat hopeful tone of voice.

"Non,.. At least not directly." Fleur answered honestly. Her eyes sparkled mischievously and her Veela aura was all but glowing in anticipation.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas…" Hermione sang out as she nudged her friend good naturedly.

A lone figure stood in the falling snow as he had done so many times before. It always seemed to snow whenever he visited his parent's gravesite. Ironically, he wondered if snowed in the afterlife, considering that he would most likely have that answer first hand next Christmas.

Harry brushed a dusting of snow off of his parent's names and gently laid a single white rose before each of their headstones; as he had done so many times before.

Faintly, he registered the crunch of snow beneath the plodding feet of someone's approach thru the graveyard.

He sighed wearily. He'd let his empathic flow out into the surrounding area. They'd readily revealed who was approaching.

Current events told him why.

Harry stepped slightly to the side so that his parent's visitor would have unhindered access to their gravesite.

He watched stoically as the visitor placed a single red rose carefully next to each of the white roses that Harry had just placed upon James and Lily Potter's graves.

The figure retreated next to Harry and stood facing the Potter's graves as he greeted softly in reverence to their surroundings.

"Merry Christmas, Harry."

Harry cocked a skeptical look in the visitor's direction but returned politely,

"Merry Christmas, Remus."

"Harry,..I.." Remus began uncertainly, but Harry cut him off.

"Save it, Remus." He returned flatly and turned to leave, but Remus's hand shot out and grabbed his arm.

"Please, Harry,.. Let me finish?"

"Finish what, Remus?" Harry snarled wrenching his arm out of Remus's grasp.

"Finish telling me how you made a mistake? That you didn't understand? Better yet, why don't you do what everybody else always does and dump the blame back on me like that manipulative prick, Dumbledore, used to do with such practiced ease."

Remus paled slightly, but was firm in his resolve. "I'm not projecting blame, Harry, but if you would've at least come to us and explained things…?"

"Yeah, yeah,.. I know this song. Harry's keeping secrets. Harry's doing his nobility thing. Harry's messed up from his childhood and doesn't know any better. Let's not forget the ever popular reporter's view: 'Potter's motives are questionable at best, could he be the next Dark Lord, poised to victimize the magical world? Our reader's deserve an explanation'." Harry scoffed, making quotation marks in the air.

Remus just gave him his trademark 'long suffering expression'.

"Is this really where you want to have your meltdown?" Remus asked incredulously.

"Oh, very nice,.. Play the 'parent card'." Harry sneered. "Sirius used to love pulling that one too. Sorry, but that stopped working on me after he passed. I never thought you would stoop so low, but I guess 'birds of a feather', and all that."

Remus blanched at that. "I'm not saying you don't have a right to be angry, but at least hear me out? Give me a chance to apologize, to make amends?" Remus pleaded.

Harry's eyes softened slightly. "You're too late, Remus, but,.. If it makes you feel better I'm not holding any grudges over it. No worries here." Harry conceded.

"Very gracious, but do you really mean it, or is it a mute point because you don't expect it to have any future connotations?" Remus returned sagely, emphasizing his skepticism.

His reference was not lost on Harry. "So which one of them is spilling state secrets, Hermione, Dora, or both?" Harry intimated icily.

"Both" Remus acknowledged without the least bit of hesitation.

"Of course."

After several moments of uncomfortable silence, Remus was the first to break the ice.

"Do you want to die?"

"Sometimes." Harry answered truthfully.

Though stunned that his young friend was being so candid, Remus nodded. He didn't like the answer, but he accepted it at face value. The world had not been kind to Harry in most respects. A lesser man would have turned his wand on himself years ago.

"You can't believe this is what they'd want for you?" Remus nodded toward his parent's graves.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Of course not, but certainly you're not so naïve as to believe that we always get what we want? The one promise I held dear. The one sacred truth that I was counting on was the belief that I could have the life I always dreamed of, once Voldemort was dead and gone. We both know how well that turned out. I've been tantalizingly close a couple of times, only to have it yanked away before I could grasp the prize. This last time was the last time, Remus. I'm not going to kid myself anymore. I'm a warrior, a knight; a relic of another age. Duty is my only birthright. Sacrifice my calling. A few months ago I came to understand that death would be my only reprieve. I'm resolved to that now. I long for it, even."

"Bollicks!" Remus snarled in return.

Harry raised an amused eyebrow. "Such language, and on Christmas- no less." he admonished.

"You don't want to hear it, then don't spew such utter rubbish?" Remus quipped.

Harry shrugged indifferently. "Believe as you wish. I won't try to argue against your beliefs."

After another uncomfortable pause, this time Harry took up the conversation. "I'm having a party at my mansion this New Year's eve. Would you care to bring Dora and Lillian to the festivities." Harry invited with sincerity.

"I'm not interested in coming to your wake." Remus replied glibly.

"I don't want to die, Remus, but I don't want to keep living this way either. I made a resolution of sorts when I accepted the blade of Gryffindor as my own. I would see this thing thru, one way or another, but I should I win…. Then the public's expectations be damned. Future prophecies can kiss my arse! My parents can turn over in their graves,.. but,…I'M GONNA DO WHAT I WANT TO DO!" Harry's voice rose from a snarl to a shout.

This time Remus raised an amused eyebrow. "And what exactly is it that you want to do ?"

"Anything,… everything. As long as fighting for my life isn't involved." Harry aired emphatically.

"Pity, you're a rather gifted fighter." Remus feigned disappointment. "I accept your generous offer to welcome in celebration the New Year at your home." Remus added appreciatively.

"Excellent." Harry returned. "Be sure to bring little Lillian along. I look forward to the opportunity to finally make her acquaintance."

"It will be our pleasure. Any message for Dora?"

"Yes, actually. Tell her I look forward to dinning with her at the Burrow this evening."

"You're coming?" Remus asked in stunned surprise.

"I was invited." Harry answered incredulously.

"Yes, but,.. Well- alright!" Remus agreed with a hint of excitement entering his voice.

"Tonight then." Harry confirmed, shaking Remus's hand before departing.