AN: For those who were angry about the cliff hanger in the last chapter, I give you my apologies and warn you there is a bit of one in this chapter as well.

Thank you for all of the kind reviews and encouragement. We truly appreciate them.

Pandora1322 is moving this weekend so I'm filling in on the authors note. I hope ya'll enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!!

And so without further adieu, please and enjoy!! Luna4917.

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"Albus, welcome. Please, join us in the garden." Arthur met the wizard at the gate, holding it open for him as he welcomed him to the party. "Harry's in the house and should be out shortly. Would you like something to drink?"

Albus shook Arthur's hand and walked with him toward the refreshments table while waiting for Harry to come out.

Harry peaked out of the kitchen door and saw Albus talking with Draco and Blaise and didn't really want to go outside.

"Darling," Severus said as he ran his hand down Harry's back to cup his arse, "we really need to go out there, at least you do. Albus doesn't know I'm here."

"Well, I'm not going unless you come with me. There's no way I'm facing him without you."

"You don't need me you're strong enough to handle him all on your own." Severus pulled Harry into his arms and kissed him softly before pushing him out the door.

Harry stumbled out into the garden with a grunt and looked up to see a dozen pairs of eyes staring at him. "Uh, hi everyone."

"Happy birthday!" a chorus of voices called out.

Molly came and wrapped her arm around Harry's shoulders guiding him out to mingle with the guests.

Albus waited until everyone else had had their chance to chat Harry up a bit and then walked over to have his time. "Harry my boy, happy belated birthday." He handed Harry a small box and smiled. Trying to appear as the kindly Professor he'd always seemed to be, he placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and guided him away from the crowd.

"Harry, I was hoping to have a few minutes of your time to discuss a development with you. Why don't we go into the kitchen where it's quieter?"

"Thanks Albus," Harry began, holding up the box, "I wouldn't mind talking with you but I promised Molly and Arthur that I wouldn't disappear and that I would mingle with everyone. They've worked so hard on this so I don't want to disappoint them."

"Harry, I'm sure they won't mind if you and I have a little chat."

"Well, let me at least tell Molly where I'll be." Harry walked toward Molly and Arthur trying to figure out how to get them to come with him. He didn't need to worry about it.

"Harry, what's wrong? You look like you're going to be sick. And what is that you're squashing in your hand?"

Harry had forgotten the box Albus had given him until Arthur pointed out that he was crushing it. "Uh, Albus gave it to me and I forgot I was holding it. He wants me to go into the kitchen with him for a talk and I told him I needed to stay out here. He's insisting."

"Molly," Arthur called quietly, "I think it's time to get the food from the kitchen." He nodded to Harry, "Go ahead, we won't be far behind."

Molly turned and saw Harry walking into the house with Albus and immediately followed with Arthur in tow.

Severus had been watching the garden from the kitchen window and when he saw Albus and Harry walking toward the house, he slipped into the sitting room to wait and watch. He didn't want Albus to see him yet, he was waiting until just the right moment.

He heard Harry as they walked in the door and knew he wasn't happy about being there, "So, not to be rude, but what did you want? I really do need to get back out there."

"You haven't even opened my gift yet. Why don't you do that first?" Albus motioned to the box in Harry's hand and waited.

Harry sighed, resigning himself to the fact that he had to do this, and unwrapped the package to find a snitch. He took it out and looked at it. It looked just like any other snitch but there had to be a reason Albus would give it to him. "Uh, thanks."

Albus was taken aback by the reaction and realized that Harry must not recognize the snitch, "Harry, that snitch is the first one your father ever captured. I thought you might like to have it."

"Oh, thank you. That was really thoughtful. So, what did you want to talk about?"

Harry was determined to keep the conversation business only. He did think the gift was nice but it didn't mean as much to him as Albus was hoping.

"Harry, I have been thinking some about the situation you seem to be in and I believe I have a solution to it. It seems to me that what you really need at this point is a mentor. I believe that given your new, emerging talents, you have to have someone that you can turn to for guidance and teaching. I have had the appropriate paperwork drawn up and have it here for you to sign." Albus spread the document on the table and held a quill out to Harry.

Moll y and Arthur watched from just outside the door as Harry looked back and forth between the parchment and Albus, they didn't want to interrupt if Harry was doing okay on his own.

Arthur tapped Molly's shoulder point to Poppy who had just arrived in the garden along with another woman whom Molly and Arthur didn't recognize. Inside the house, Harry was explaining to Albus why this wouldn't work.

"Albus…wow…that's really nice of you but it isn't necessary. I have enough people helping me and watching out for me. It's really not needed."

Albus had no intention of taking no for an answer and pushed the quill into Harry's hand, "Harry, it really is necessary. There are many people who would use you for their own advantage. Having me as your magical guardian will dissuade people from thinking they can do that. It would be a wise move on your part to just go ahead and sign."

Severus was getting very upset with the condescending nature that Albus was using with Harry. He didn't want to reveal himself yet, but he may have to if this continued.

Molly stepped into the kitchen with Arthur and walked to Harry, standing on either side of him, "Albus, Harry doesn't need another guardian. He has Lucius, Sirius, Arthur, Poppy, Severus and me. He's a grown man and is doing just fine. The last thing he needs now is one more person trying to 'help' him."

Severus was silently cheering when he noticed a snowy white blur go by the window and knew it was about time to make his appearance.

Molly and Arthur stepped in front of Harry as Albus took a step toward him. Poppy and another woman walked in and, seeing the scene, knew they had gotten there at just the right time.

"Molly, Arthur, is everything okay?"

"Poppy, welcome. Everything is fine. We were just explaining to Albus that Harry doesn't need him as a magical guardian."

"Molly," Poppy said as she walked toward the group, "Harry already has a magical guardian. I am his magical guardian." Poppy saw Albus from the corner of her eye. He looked at her and then at Harry and took another step forward reaching for Harry's arm.

Severus stepped into the room and strode to Harry's side, "Albus, nice to see you."

Albus was shocked to see Severus there. "Severus, I thought you were still at the school."

"Oh no, I've been here since this morning helping to get everything ready."

"I see, well, isn't that nice of you. I'm sure Harry's glad you're here."

"Yes sir, I am. I want everyone here to hear what I have to say." He took time to look at each person as he spoke, "I don't need any more guardians, parents or surrogates. I have enough of each of those. Right now, what I would like is to have is some cake and time with my family and friends. So, how about we all go back into the garden and forget all of this."

Albus wasn't ready to concede, he didn't really believe that Poppy had beaten him to the guardianship and knew he would still have a chance with his fall back plan so he took the parchment from the table and followed Harry into the garden.

The group outside turned as everyone emerged from the house wondering what was going on. George looked at Fred and raised an eyebrow as he tipped his head toward Harry and Albus. Fred shrugged his shoulders and looked at Ron.

Ron was distracted by the woman who was walking with Poppy. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was and wanted to know who she was. He set his glass on the table, not seeing it fall off and land on the grass, and Hermione smiled knowing he was going to try and talk to this woman and that he would fail, miserably.

Poppy and the other woman walked to the front gate and Poppy opened it letting the other woman walk through. They said a few words and the woman apparated away.

Ron's face fell, disappointed he hadn't gotten to find out who the stunner was. Poppy turned and noticed Ron's face, "Don't worry dear, you'll see her again." She patted him on the cheek and went back to the party.

Albus was trying to single Harry out from the guests and get him alone. He wasn't having a lot of luck but was persistent. "Harry, we should really talk about this. I'm truly in a much better position to help you and keep you safe."

"Sir, I appreciate that you would think that, but Poppy is an Earth Witch like me and is the most likely person to be able to help me. Excuse me now please. I haven't had a chance to talk to some of the guests yet."

Albus watched as Harry walked away, dismissing him. He wasn't used to Harry, or anyone else, reacting to him like this. He was used to being the one in control and having everyone hanging on his every word.

He began to walk through the group, stopping to talk to people occasionally and doing his best to subtly follow Harry so he could look for another opening to make his case. He was determined to leave here with the boy's signature and the control he sought.

He stopped to talk to Ginny Weasley and was deep in whispered conversation when he heard, "DADS!" He looked up and watched as Harry ran to great the newly arriving Sirius and Lucius. The pair had just walked into the garden and were hugging Harry as though it had been years and not just a couple of weeks.

The trio were standing just inside the gates hugging when they were swallowed by the rest of the guests all clamoring for honeymoon details and welcoming them home. Albus and Ginny, noticeably not in the mix of bodies, watched the gathering as they spoke quietly enough to not be overheard.

Lucius saw Albus and Ginny and called a greeting to them as he broke free on the crowd and walked toward them, extending his hand as he reached Albus. Albus expected the hand and shook it, greeting Lucius and said, "Lucius welcome back. I'm surprised to see you two have returned already. Is everything okay?"

"Yes Albus, everything is fine. We just decided to come back because we missed our family."

Sirius walked up with Draco and Harry under each arm and said, "Albus, nice to see you. It was good of you to stop by for Harry's party. Ginny, it's good to see you again. How have you been?"

Ginny looked at the men surrounding her and replied, "Fine thanks. Excuse me." Lucius looked at Sirius and they both shrugged. If something was going on, they would know soon enough. Sirius got his mind back on the situation and said, "Albus, I understand you have offered to be Harry's magical guardian."

"Yes I have. I believe I'm in the best position to help and protect him at this point. As I told Harry, there are many out there who would use him and his new talents to their advantage. With me, they wouldn't dare try."

Lucius and Sirius both smiled at the statement and Lucius took the lead in answering. "Albus, while I see how you would think you are the most logical person to help in this situation, we disagree. We have consented to have Poppy as Harry's magical guardian and the papers have already been filed with the Ministry."

"Albus, thank you for wanting to help. It means a lot to us to know that he has so many people who care about him." Sirius said. "Harry will be well taken care of with so many defenders. No one will be able to get past all of us."

Albus knew his last play here had just been stopped. He had one more ace up his sleeve though and would wait to play that until he was back at school.

"Well, it seems you have everything well in hand then. I'll take my leave now and get back to school. We have a new staff member with us this year and some changes coming so I've got a lot of work to do." Turning to the children, he said, "I'll see you all soon."

Before Albus could leave, Poppy hollered and ran toward Harry as she pulled her wand. The gathered wizards all pulled their wands and turned to see what Poppy was seeing and saw a flash by the side of the house and threw their patronus' in front of Harry. Harry's stag rose from his wand, stronger than ever as he had been so happy, and ran to the front of the pack and stood straight and tall as he took the spell head on.

Harry stumbled backward slightly as the magic hit his shield but held fast to his wand. Noise erupted around him as voices started calling out orders to "Find them!" "Around the back!" "George take left; Fred right" and so on as wizards raced around the garden and house trying to find the person who dared throw a curse at Harry.

Harry, still holding his wand at the ready, didn't notice that he was standing alone until he heard, "Don't worry Harry. I'll help you." He looked up and saw the woman who had been with Poppy earlier was back and was in a defensive posture. She looked around the area and saw who she wanted, "Draco, come here now please." Draco heard her, above all the other noise and came running over taking position on the opposite side of Harry. He couldn't figure out how he had heard her call when she didn't yell, as she had spoken in a normal voice and Draco had been nowhere near them.

Draco grabbed Harry's arm and pushed him slight behind him, "No one gets past me."

Another jet of magic flew at them and Draco flicked his wand at the same time the woman did and a brilliant shield of energy surrounded the three of them as the magic bounced off.

Draco could feel the energy flowing through him and around him but didn't guess it was flowing from him. He had never produced anything of this magnitude before. He couldn't even produce a full patronus yet.

He saw his father pointing to the house and watched as Lucius, Severus and Arthur ran into the house as everyone else came around to the front and waited.

Minutes after entering the house, the men emerged, wands at their sides.

"The last jet came from inside but we couldn't find anyone inside. However was there is gone now."

"Arthur, are you sure?" Molly ran to him and wrapped her arms around his middle.

"Yes dear, they're gone."

Poppy walked over to Harry and Draco and told them it was safe now and they could drop the shield. Draco looked to the other side of Harry to ask about dropping the shield only to discover the woman was gone.

The shield fell as he lost his concentration on it and Poppy embraced the boys.

Lucius and Sirius arrived asking how the boys were. Draco looked shaken but Harry was smiling hugely, having enjoyed the action.

Draco yelled, "Who the hell was that woman and where the hell did she go?" Then he fainted, sinking to the ground in a heap as Blaise ran to his side.

Poppy bent down to check him over and realized he was unconscious. She summoned a stretcher and had Lucius and Sirius help her move him into the house.

"What's wrong with him?" Blaise kept asking.

"He'll be fine Blaise, he's drained his energy too much making that shield and it's going to take some time for him to recharge." Poppy turned to Molly and asked for permission to use one of their rooms to examine him before they moved him.

"Of course Poppy, use whatever you need."

While Lucius and Sirius helped Poppy, Molly and Arthur checked to make sure everyone else was accounted for and unharmed.

Arthur completed a head count and said, "We're missing 3 people."

Molly's head popped up from cleaning the scratch on Fred's head, "Who's missing?"

"Ginny, Albus and Severus."

Harry jumped up from his position in the injury queue on the couch and began to frantically look through the gathering to verify that Severus wasn't there.

Molly saw the panic starting to bloom and said, "I'm sure they're fine. They're probably looking for whoever did this."

George, not thinking before he spoke said, "Why would Ginny be helping?"

Hermione smacked him on the arm replying, "Ginny is quite good with defensive magic. "

Molly made her way over to Harry and quietly said, "Can you talk to Severus?"

Harry had forgotten about the telepathic connection in his panic and hugged Molly hard, "I'll try. I need quiet though."

"Go and use the bathroom off of the kitchen."

Harry walked into the small bathroom and said on the edge of the bathtub, slowing his breathing and clearing his mind, focusing on Severus. "Love can you hear me?"

He waited and got no answer. Feeling his panic begin to rise again, he tried harder this time, "SEVERUS? If you can hear me please talk to me." Tears filled his eyes as he heard his begging tone and his heart felt like it would leap out of his chest.

"I'm fine Harry…" Severus said. Harry noticed he sounded out of breath. "Ginny's not. We're on our way back from the back garden. I'll need Poppy."

Harry was up and racing out the door before the thought was complete. He burst into the kitchen at full speed, barreled through the assembly and hurled himself through the kitchen door and into the garden.

Seeing Harry's speedy departure, Molly ran after him yelling, "What's wrong Harry?"

Harry didn't take the time to answer, knowing everyone would follow. And follow they did.

A parade of ginger heads followed by Hermione went chasing after the pair, all demanding answers to where Harry was going and what was going on.

Harry rounded the house and stopped dead in his tracks, Molly following so close that she ran into his back. She grabbed his shoulder and demanded, "What is going on? Why did you go running…"

She stopped her question as she followed Harry's gaze. Severus was walking towards them with Ginny's limp body in his arms.

Molly screamed and began to fall backwards in a faint. Arthur reached her just in time to keep her from hitting the ground and asked Harry what happened. He hadn't had a chance to see Severus and his only daughter before he grabbed his wife.

The rest of the Weasleys arrived on the scene hearing Arthur's question and seeing Molly in his arms. Severus walked up and Hermione gasped, "Severus is she…?"

"No," Severus said, slightly out of breath. "I believe she was hit with a Stunner spell by the coward that attacked us." Severus was furious. First, someone had obvious tried to kill Harry; Second, they had ruined his birthday party; Third they had destroyed what should have been a very happy day for everyone. In his mind, only a coward would make an attack from a hiding place.

Molly began to come to and Arthur helped her up.

"My baby girl…is she…"

"Molly, she's only stunned. She'll recover." Arthur said as he moved them aside so Severus could pass with his burden.

Hermione ran ahead hollering for Poppy and to open the kitchen door for Severus to pass.

He layed the unconscious girl on the couch in the sitting room and collapsed in the chair beside it.

Harry was immediately at his side checking him for injuries and hugging him. "Are you really okay?"

"Harry," Severus said caressing his cheek, "I promise except for bump on my head, I'm fine."

"Bump!" Harry felt around his lovers head and knew he had found the spot when Severus hissed air in through his teeth.

"What happened?" he asked as tears openly streamed down his face. The stress of the day was finally catching up with him and he couldn't hold back the flow anymore.

Severus pulled Harry into his lap and held him close, letting him release his emotions.

Lucius and Sirius came into the room and surveyed the scene. Lucius walked over to the pair in the chair and asked quietly, "Severus is everyone okay?" Lucius squatted down so he was on eye level with Harry and place his hand lightly on the boy's leg, "Harry, are you okay? Were you hurt?"

Harry hitched in a couple of breaths and said, "I'm fine. Severus is hurt and Ginny's been stunned."

Sirius walked over to check on Ginny and asked Arthur, "Is she okay?"

Poppy answered loud enough for everyone to hear, "She will be fine. She has no other injuries, but the stunning spell was very strong and it's going to take a while. She needs to be in her bed and she needs quiet to heal." Arthur released Molly and picked his limp daughter and took her into her room. Molly followed, crying silently, and closed the door behind them.

Lucius took the moment of quiet to ask, "Has anyone seen Albus?"

Severus answered, "I believe he was in back with Ginny, I heard loud whispering and found Ginny just after she was hit with the spell. I don't know if Albus was hit, apparated or hit her with the spell thinking I was the attacker."

Sirius was pacing the kitchen floor and trying to piece everything together. There was one thing that kept giving him pause as he replayed the day in his mind. Who was the woman who was with Poppy and why wasn't she here now?

"Harry?" came a weak voice from the room at the top of the stairs.

Harry got up from Severus' lap and walked up the first flight of stairs to the room and slowly opened door. Draco was lying bundled in a down comforter on Bill's old bed and was a few shades paler that usual.

"Draco, are you alright?"

"Harry, where is she? Where is the woman who saved you?"

Harry was gob smacked. He had totally forgotten about the woman at this side. "I don't know. I have no idea who she was but I'll ask Poppy. I saw them together earlier."

"She saved us both, Harry." Draco drifted into sleep again and Harry left to find Poppy.

Poppy was surrounded by a sea of bodies in the kitchen when Harry came back down. Everyone was asking about the injured and their recoveries and Poppy was trying to answer the questions as they were thrown at her.

Harry broke the onslaught with one simply question, "Poppy, who in the hell was that woman and how did she know who Draco and I are?"