Severus had taken the news to Lucius, and hoped it may help. He had no idea if it would, and how quick Lucius may be able to use it. But it turns out there was already reasonable doubt about Ginny. She was on parole, and any concerns like this, were reason for her to be taken into custody. And with her brother speaking up against her, they could use vertiserum to question her. Severus knew the girl was obsessed, but he never thought she would stoop so low, as to attack a child's cat. He was even more grateful she would be away this time.
It would not be a full trial, as Ginny was already on parole as it was. Amelia would speak to her, and change her sentencing when done. Severus doubted anyone in the family would want to be there for her anyways. She had broken her promises one too many times.
Ginny glared when she saw him. "You. You can get out."
Severus smirked. "I'm not going anywhere without you."
Ginny smirked. "I am not coming near you."
An auror appeared. "Ginnevra Weasley you are to be taken into custody."
Ginny stared at him. "On what grounds are you arresting me?"
The man put her in magical binds. "You're not under arrest."
Severus reminded her. "You were on parole."
Ginny raged as she was led to the floo. "This is a farce."
Amelia was waiting when they arrived. "The vertiserum is ready."
Ginny blanched. "I have done nothing wrong."
Severus growled. "You think you can poison Teddy's cat and get away with it?"
Amelia motioned to the potion. "If you're innocent, this will prove it."
Ginny was forced to drink it. "This is a joke."
Amelia asked. "Did you have anything to do with the poisoning of the cat?"
Ginny admitted. "I wanted to make the brat pray for how he broke me and Harry up."
Severus growled. "You didn't need any help."
Amelia was calm. "Your parole is revoked. You will serve out your original sentence of six years, with two added for poisoning."
Ginny couldn't believe that they would do this to her. She couldn't be given eight years in prison for this, it was a joke. No one got eight years for poisoning a cat, and the fur ball didn't even die by the sounds of it. A year, maybe two at the most, not eight years. But she was reminded that the six years were for her earlier crimes. She had been informed, she should have got six years in prison for kidnapping Teddy, but Harry had spoken up in her defense. Some kidnappers got much longer sentences, as it was considered a serious felony, but she had not put Teddy in any danger. This time she was sentenced to not only a longer stay, but medium security, so she would have dementors at her door.
Amelia thought to send word to the family, as Ginny was being taken away. But Severus offered to inform them, as he had to meet Harry again. He knew Harry and the family would be shocked at how quickly it had been handled. But grateful that it was over.
Harry saw him first. "How did it go?"
Severus looked to Fleur. "Would you mind taking Teddy and Sev into the sitting room?"
Fleur reached for Teddy. "Come on, we'll go see your cousins."
Molly looked at the man. "Something happened."
Severus nodded. "She was questioned under vertiserum, and admitted to hurting the cat."
Arthur was pale. "She isn't getting a trial is she?"
Molly spoke up. "She has to."
Hermione shook her head. "She was on parole. That is how they'd have questioned her."
Severus agreed. "Her six year sentence that was commuted, was re-instated. And two years added for the poisoning."
Ron was shaken. "Eight years in prison."
Molly was actually calm. "Maybe it will help clean up her life."
Hermione kissed her husband. "It could have been Teddy, or Alby."
Ron returned the kiss. "I know."
Ron loved his sister, but he had been coming to his senses about her. He had been the one after all, to let them know Ginny had access to the gifts. He had always felt the need to protect her, more than any of the older brothers had. And the kidnapping he had thought was a mistake, she had not meant any harm to Teddy. But her testimony at her trial, had made him open his eyes a bit. He had not turned his back on her though, had been there when she was released, as she was his kid sister. But the poisoning was too much even for him, even if just a cat.
Harry wanted to keep his mind from it, and Severus reminded him about skating. Harry was worried about leaving the family at a time like this, but they assured him that he should go and have fun. Molly offered to keep Sev there, while they went.
Teddy didn't want to leave her. "She okay Daddy?"
Harry kissed her. "She is, and we'll come back for her."
Severus reminded him. "We promised to take you on a date this afternoon."
Teddy beamed. "Skating. You say skating."
Harry smiled. "And Sev wouldn't be able to skate."
Molly kissed the little boy. "She is in good hands till you get back."
Severus apparated them to a park near his home. "There is always a rink here. Lily and I skated here as a child."
Harry allowed his boots to be turned into skates. "I have never been before."
Teddy smiled. "Skate."
Severus took them towards the ice. "I am no expert either."
Harry smiled as Teddy was the first one to try. "He definitely has a marauder side."
Severus smirked. "I happen to think there is more nurture over nature at work here. I recall someone else who is a bit reckless."
Harry smirked. "I'm not that bad."
Severus kissed him. "You were in school."
Teddy landed on his bum. "Ouch."
Harry worried, but when helped up, Teddy was smiling. He definitely wasn't the only one who landed on their bum though. It was fun, even Harry and Severus enjoyed the skating. Severus hadn't done it since he was a kid, but he enjoyed it with Harry and Teddy. They had an elf collect Sev, and ended up at Spinner's end, walking there. Teddy got to see where Harry's mum had grown up, Harry had seen it once before. They had hot chocolate back at the house, and Harry watched as the two made a snowman later. The day had been a perfect distraction for him.
He let himself think of Ginny for one moment. "You won't destroy the happiness I finally have."
Ginny had been in prison for six weeks. Molly had gone to visit her, as those in medium security were not in solitary confinement. They were confined to cells, but they could have visitors. Ginny had refused to speak to her mother though, and Molly had been upset. Ginny wouldn't even accept a letter from her mother. Molly knew her daughter deserved to be there, but Ginny was still her child. Even Ron understood this time.
Valentine's day had come, and Severus had plans for Harry but also Teddy. He had told Harry he wished New Year's would have been more romantic, as Harry deserved more from him. He would this time, but he needed some help from Lucius, as he wasn't the most romantic.
Harry got his son ready. "Are you ready to go with Uncle Sev?"
Teddy nodded. "Yes Daddy. It fun daddy."
Harry watched him. "Why do I think you know where we are going?"
Teddy had a mischevious grin. "Uncle Toby tell me."
Harry should have known. "You could tell daddy."
Teddy shook his head. "No. Uncle Toby say secret."
Harry smirked. "You can tell Daddy, he doesn't have to know."
Severus came in. "You will know soon enough."
Teddy ran to him. "I didn't tell him Uncle Toby."
Severus scooped him up. "I knew I could trust you."
Harry turned to him. "I don't know if I like you teaching my son to keep secrets from me."
Severus kissed him. "It's like a gift, besides you'll like this one."
Teddy nodded. "Daddy like."
Harry laughed. "I guess I'll have to see."
Severus surprised him with a portkey. "Take hold of it."
Harry hadn't realized they were going away, and wondered where they were headed. It was anywhere on the island, they would have apparated or taken the bus as they usually did. They had never travelled anywhere since they began dating. Severus had spoken of going away in April, for a special trip with Teddy, when he turned three. Harry agreed, but after the day, so Teddy would be home for his birthday.
Harry was amazed when they arrived, though not quite certain where they were. Valentine's fell on a weekend that year, which allowed them to leave and Harry not to worry about work at all. He only worked during the week usually, and wasn't on call.
Harry looked around. "Where are we?"
Severus kissed him. "On the southern coast of Spain."
Harry was amazed. "This is beautiful."
Teddy clapped. "Sand castle."
Severus explained. "Teddy wanted somewhere warm enough to make them."
Harry shook his head. "We may have to move to the coast."
Severus pointed up at a hotel. "We will all stay there tonight. And Lucius is coming for Teddy tomorrow."
Harry whispered. "I wonder what you have in mind."
Teddy broke up the moment. "We play now."
Severus nodded. "I am sure we brought all the toys."
Harry watched as the toys were brought out. "I wondered what Kreacher was up to."
Severus motioned. "There is a picnic as well."
Harry joined them. "You two have made an art form out of this."
If one had told Severus that a year ago he'd have laughed, but he smiled now. It had almost been a year since Harry found him in the hospital. He had never thought they'd be friends, and now they were in love. Well neither had said the words exactly yet, but Severus could admit to it. They spent the afternoon with Teddy, first on the beach and then in town. They took a carriage ride, and enjoyed some of the city as well. But after an early dinner, Teddy spent the evening with Kreacher, while Severus took Harry off on a real date. It was Valentine's after all.
Harry apologized. "Not the traditional romance, with my son."
Severus kissed him. "I knew I was dating a dad."
Harry smiled. "I love the two of you together."
Severus surprised him. "I love you."
Harry was amazed. "Did you just say that?"
Severus pulled him in for a proper kiss. "I am in love with you."
Harry returned the long passionate kiss. "I am in love with you too."
Severus led him into the restaurant. "Now to get you to marry me."
Harry gawked. "There better be no ring in the champagne."
Severus smirked. "I'd not do something so muggle."
Harry didn't buy it. "You know I'm not ready."
Severus cut him off with a kiss. "I'll wait, but you will be my husband, and Teddy my son."
Harry shook his head. "You sound so confident."
Severus shrugged. "I don't hear you protesting."
Harry had fought the romance at first, but he had found how happy he was when he embraced it. He loved this man, and wanted a life with him. He wasn't ready for marriage, they had only dated for about four months, but Severus knew that. He was thinking of a summer proposal, and said it out loud. He reminded Harry, he was considering returning to teaching, and Christmas break would be a perfect time to wed. He just needed to convince Harry to move up to school. He knew Harry specialized in younger kids, but he still could do that in town.
Harry had a real gift, but he also had news for him. "I told Poppy I would take the job, I'll be the school healer in the fall."
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