Hello all. Fair warning of a slight lemon in the chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I received a very negative message from someone about this story saying how it's not believable at all and that I should just give it up and stop trying to be a writer. So I wish to make a statement as].

I do not write because I consider myself a writer, I do not write to try and be the best writer. I write because it's in my head and I wish to tell you about it.

As always R&R and i'll hope it's some more positive feedback this time. If you do not like my story, then don't read it.

R

Ch. 36 Travel

The group stayed up until well past midnight doing nothing more than enjoying each other's company. Ron sat in the lone armchair that Harry had purchased for his flat and was soon joined by Hermione who fell down in his lap heavily. Ginny fixed them all cups of tea and they sat talking until Ron yawned widely making all of them yawn as well.

'That was odd' he said once he had stopped to see all of them yawning too.

'It's contagious' Hermione said. 'Psychological studies prove that seeing a person yawn or even talking about it can cause a person to yawn.'

'I – d-d-d-don't know what you're talking about' Ron said through another yawn while the others chuckled. 'No really I didn't understand any of that.'

Harry and Ginny laughed at their friends and soon decided that sleep was calling them all. Harry, despite the belated protests, had purchased a bed for Ron and Hermione to use when they were here. Harry shrunk it and kept it on the shelf near the window looking out onto muggle London. Harry tapped it with his wand and it quickly expanded to fill the space that had been left by the sofa being shrunk.

Harry and Ginny walked to the bedroom and shut the door. Harry informed her that he was going to shower. His shoulders were still tense from his encounter with the giant. Nothing was causing him pain but had noticed tension in his shoulders ever since though this could have just as easily been attributed to the brewing situation with Carrow.

He turned the heat up enough that the steam had completely engulfed the mirror of the bathroom. He could feel the tightness melt away as the hot water beat down on him. He had been teased both at Hogwarts and at the Burrow by various members of the Weasley family for taking longer than normal showers. The truth was he would usually just stand under the hot water for several minutes before he actually bathed.

While relaxed and able to think straight, he put some thought into what was going on in his life. The subtle war with Carrow always seemed first on his mind but at the moment, the impending speech that he would surely be asked to give at Hogwarts was occupying his contemplations. He hated public speaking but recognized that sometimes there was nothing that could be done. This feeling extended to the quickly upcoming hearing with the Eddington twins as well.

Reluctantly, Harry shut the water off and stepped out of the shower. He dried off, dressed in his night clothes, and brushed his teeth. He stepped back into the bedroom, hung his towel and checked the safe under his bed for the first time in weeks. The resurrection stone was still there as well as the red velvet box that he'd gotten from Jigar's. He didn't know why he stored it in there. Obviously whatever was in it was safe if he'd been trying for months to open it with no success.

'What are you doing?' Ginny asked. Harry had thought she was already asleep.

'Just checking for the ring' he said softly. 'Makes me feel better seeing it once in a while. It's already been used as a weapon and I don't want it to happen again.'

Harry closed the safe, locked it with the Elder wand and lay down on the bed. Ginny placed a soft hand on his cheek and smiled at him.

'I can't tell you what this summer has meant to me' she said rubbing the freshly shaven cheek. 'It has been almost like a fantasy'

'Except for all the battles and injuries right?'

'Sadly no' she said with a chuckle. 'I figured that would be an eternal part of your life.'

'Sorry' he mumbled.

'Don't be. I admire that you want to make sure that dark wizards don't run amok. Like I said … fantasy.'

'Really?'

'Yes really' she said like his questioning response made no sense. 'Do you have any idea how many young witches our age…. And older probably, had or have fantasies about the famous Harry Potter, enemy to the Dark Arts, vanquisher of evil and casanova extraordinaire.'

'That sounds ridiculous' Harry snorted.

'I disagree' she said scooting closer under the covers of the bed. 'Sounds like a good life to me. I just wish you could do it with as little less hospital visits.'

'I am no casanova' Harry added a little defensively putting her hand on Ginny's waist. He'd had more to say but came up short when he realized that Ginny wasn't wearing her usual night clothes.

Ginny smiled even wider at the feel of his hand on her. 'I'm serious when I said this summer has been unbelievable. It's been… hard… getting past the battle and everything and every – everyone we lost. But if I learned one thing last year, it's that you have to take the things in life you want.'

She leaned closer and their lips locked and Ginny inhaled deeply letting out a slight grunt of pleasure. Harry wrapped his hands around her hips and pressed her against him. She deepened the kiss letting her tongue graze Harry's before it started dancing against Harry's. Harry's hand moved to her arse and squeezed firmly pulling her up even more.

'Harry' she whispered into his ear. 'There's something you need to know'

Harry pulled back from her neck where he had moved to, and looked in her eyes. Her eyes were pools of chocolate with a blazing fire in them that Harry had come to adore in her. Every time she gave him that look, he felt his heart burn with deep and intense emotion.

'What is it?'

She breathed in deeply opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. She took a few seconds and then opened it again. 'You know what I told myself we would do before I left for Hogwarts. At first, it was because I wanted to have that connection with you before I went off to school for months.'

'Ginny, I don't want – '

She put a finger over his lips and softly shushed him. 'I know you don't. So I decided that I wouldn't try to decide something like that so unilaterally. But the longer we've spent together, the more intense it has gotten. It took everything I had not to leap on you when we got here and if Hermione and my brother hadn't been here I may have.'

'What's so different now?' Harry asked running his hand up her side. The tight tank top she was wearing hugged her curves wonderfully and he couldn't help but try to innocently explore some of them.

'Two months ago, I wasn't sure if you were going to be able to let me in.' she said closing her eyes as his touch. 'I didn't know if you were going to be the man that would let me live a life with you, or the man that broke up with me when it got intense or dangerous.'

'I'm never leaving' he said warmly. 'You are my life now and God help whoever tries to come between us.'

'I know that now' she said smirking at his tenacity. She couldn't help but think how incredibly sexy it was when he didn't things like that. 'If something does try to come between us, we will either overcome it or defeat it together. But the only thing between us now is clothing.' She finished in a breathy whisper.

Ginned leaned into him again and heat flooded Harry completely as they lips met feverishly, Ginny's hands run under the hem of Harry's shirt and up to his chest. Their tongues danced together as Harry pulled Ginny against him erasing what little space there was left between them. Their lips broke and Harry immediately moved to Ginny's neck while she clawed at the hair on the back of his neck pulling him on top of her with her other hand.

Harry continued kissing her neck and shoulder pausing occasionally to lightly suck or bite the heated flesh there. Ginny opened her legs and wrapped them around his waist, using them to pull him as class as possible while she continued to pant with increasing shallowness. She felt his arousal press against her and she moaned audibly pulling his mouth back to hers.

The heat that surrounded them now felt sweltering and almost suffocating. He threw the covers off of them and leaned up to look at Ginny. He had been right about the top hugging closely to her. Red hair was spread around her head with a few errant stands laying across her forehead. The snuggly fitting tank top caused cleavage to show at the neck her shirt while her swollen nipples were already visible through it. Her bellybutton and hips were visible above the shorts she wore that did not leave much to the imagination.

'What' she said running her hands up his arms.

'You are so beautiful' he whispered looking back through the eyes that could make his very soul vibrate with happiness. She smiled crookedly and Harry felt a shudder course through him. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him back down to crush their already swollen lips together. Harry ran his hand up her side and over her breast squeezing it to make Ginny inhale deeply. He left his hand firmly kneading her breast while his kisses left her mouth and started making their way down her jaw. He reached her shoulder, which made chills run up and down her spine. She pulled the front of her shirt down exposing her to the cool air just in time for Harry to take the sensitive bit of flesh in his warm mouth.

He stayed there alternating between firm pulling and caressing her with his tongue for several moments before he started lowering his kisses again. Ginny squirmed in anticipation beneath him as he moved lower and lower.

'No' she whispered placing her hands on his shoulders and forcibly flipping him onto his back. 'I said "yet" last time and I meant it'

'Ginny you don't have to – '

'I know' she responded pressing her lips to his again and sliding her tongue back into his mouth effectively ending whatever chivalrous comment he was surely about to say. She grasped the hem of his shirt and yanked it upward. It slid up nearly half way but was impeded by his weight holding it down. She impatiently worked up upward until he was around his neck. She tried to yank it off but only caught on his neck and effectively choked him for a moment.

'Sorry' she said embarrassed.

'You're fine' he replied. Ginny put her hand on his chest and rubbing firmly against the muscles. She kissed him again then moved her mouth to his neck while she slowly slid her hand down his chest and over his shorts. When Harry arched his back slightly and moaned involuntarily, she quickly slid her hand under the waist of his shorts and boxers to wrap her hand around him firmly. She used her other hand to remove his remaining clothing revealing him fully to her.

She was not uneducated, especially with 6 brothers, so she knew what expect but seeing Harry like this felt so differently than she had imagined. She thought she would have felt scared, apprehensive, or maybe even a bit embarrassed but she only felt the burning desire that coursed through her. She slid her hand up and down his erection making him shake slightly and close his eyes.

'Bloody hell, Ginny that feels unbelievable'

Ginny reveled in the power that she literally held in her hands as she slowly but firmly continued. Harry, whether by choice or compulsion, freed his right hand and grasped her arse pulling her against him even more. She leaned her neck up and bit playfully on his ear making him growl with pleasure in the back of his throat.

She stole a glance down and felt herself mesmerized by what she was doing and by how she felt nothing but heat and desire flood her at the sight of him squirming with ecstasy under her touch. She had considered the next step for some time now. Between Hermione's uncomfortable conversation with her, and her eavesdropped conversation between Bill and Fleur the summer before her sixth year, that had awoken desires she didn't know she'd had, she still wasn't sure how to act next.

Throwing what little caution she still held on to, she shifted her bottom and placed several quick kisses on his neck and chest moving down to his stomach. Ginny felt him shudder and his breathing increase even more. She leaned down and placed her lips around the head of his arousal and sucked once firmly. Harry stopped breathing completely while she did and arched his back.

His hand searched around for something to grasp finding her back and sliding quickly up to her hair and where he pulled slightly. Ginny felt a warm pull deep inside when he did that only drove her further. She slid more of him into her mouth and Harry exhaled shakily like he had just immerged from a long dive underwater.

He tried to say something but either his words were gibberish or she was unable to hear him through a haze of sweat and hormones. She sucked once more and then slowly began to bob her head up and down. Harry's toes curled and his hand pulled even more on her hair making her moan as well. The feel of her mouth on him moaning made his back arch and he moaned much louder. She wrapped her fingers around the base of him and started moving it with her mouth feeling the pulse in his sex throbbing.

'Oh my god, Ginny. That feels so good. Too good. I – I'm not gonna last much longer if you don't stop.'

Ginny released him and sat up to see his face. He had a sheen a sweat on his chest and neck. Ginny felt herself twitch with longing at the sight of him so vulnerable and at her mercy. She engulfed him in her mouth once more moving earnestly up and down taking more and more of him in her mouth each time. She felt him get slightly harder and twitch once while his breathing increased in pace.

She stopped and looked at his face. His eyes were closed and his hands were grasping the mattress cover he was laying on. Harry breathed deeply for a few seconds before reaching towards her and pulled her up towards him. He lifted her shirt over her head without any hesitation and pulled her on top of him.

She sat back against him feeling him press between her legs. Her hips rocked against him without warning and she felt an uncontrollable need press through her. She wanted him tonight, now.

'I want you' she whispered into his ear. 'I want all of you'

Harry crushed his lips to hers again and flipped them over. The covers of the bed were twisted beyond all reckoning and the slide of their damp flesh against each other only heightened their passion. Harry ran a hand up her leg, to her thighs up to the lining of her shorts and pulled them down. They slid over her legs and down past her ankles. Harry kept her eyes on her the entire time. Ginny looked into his eyes to see his eyes explore her form that had neglected to put on underwear over th eactiby Pupils dilated in the darkness but still so bright emerald that Ginny felt herself momentarily mesmerized by them.

Ginny grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back to her and wrapped her legs around his waist. He hovered over her locking eye with her. His gaze told her he was unsure so she nodded slightly. He lowered himself to her. She felt to tip of him press against her and he paused before slowly sliding inside of her. She tensed heavily as the pressure increased exponentially inside her.

'I don't want to hurt you' he breathed nervously while trying not to move at all after he'd noticed her initial reaction.

'It's ok' she said not realizing her voice would sound that pained. 'Just give me a sec'

Slowly the pressure dissipated and she felt her body relax. She raised her hips ever so slightly pushing him into her a little more. She felt another twinge of pain but nowhere near what it had been. She moved again feeling him slide a little bit farther into her. His breathing got ragged and his arms where shaking from holding his weight up. Ginny relaxed her hips feeling him slide out of her but feeling an intense sensation emanate from deep inside her. She moaned softly and raked her fingers down his back to press on his arse.

She pulled him and felt an explosion of sensation as he slid inside her again. He began to slowly pump in and out of her making Ginny's mind fog over and her body vibrate with sensation. They found a steady rhythm with their movements and with seconds, or hours, Ginny felt the familiar building inside her as he continued to press into her going deeper each time. Ginny pressed her heels into his arse pushing him completely within her. She moaned long and low as the intensity of what she was feeling spur her onward.

Harry slowed his motions and eventually came to a stop making both of the squirm in anticipation at the sudden absence of sensation. Harry's arms were shaking and she understood why. Ginny pulled him back to her and rotated him onto his back. She lowered herself onto him and felt her entire body rock as he slid inside her. Harry ran his hands back to her hair and pulled slightly pulling her head back as well.

She slowly started rock back and forth on him feeling an entirely new sensation as he slid far farther than he'd been before. His powerful arousal seemed to press outward from the inside and with each movement she felt waves of pleasure race through her. This new angle brought with it a completely different experience. She sped up her movements feeling the familiar building from inside her return. Only this time, it built and built until she thought she would explode.

'Merlin almighty, Harry that feels so good.' She breathed running her own hands through her hair and leaning her head back as she rose and fell on him. One of Harry's hands ran up her stomach and started kneading her breast while the other went to grasp her arse and pressed her harder against him feeling the nodule between her legs grind against Harry. The building in her reached new heights and she sped up her movements. Her mouth opened of its own accord and panting escaped her with each rock of her hips. The pressure built even more and the panting turned into moans of ecstasy.

'Don't stop, Harry. Please!'

Her breathing increased again as the building in her abdomen peaked. Her eyes rolled back in her head, Harry's hands against her naked body pressed with more urgency while their rhythm increased. Ginny exploded with pleasure and her body shook violently as indescribable sensations of pleasure washed over her. Slowly the sensation waned and she grasped hold of Harry's hands to keep from falling over.

'That was bloody amazing' she panted. She looked at Harry who was smirking dumbly. Ginny stared at him for a moment as the realization of what she had experience flood her brain. A smile came to her lips but turned slightly downward when she realized that he hadn't felt the same cataclysmic sensation she had. Still holding on to his hands for balance, she slowly pushed herself onto him again feeling sharp remnants of her orgasm shoot through her.

'You don't have to' he said lowly. 'If it hurts then – '

'It does not hurt' she said with a maniacal smile. 'I want you to feel this way too.'

She picked up her rhythms feeling intense sensations shoot through her. Ginny took one of Harry's hands and placed it back on her breast while she brought the other one to her mouth to slide his finger inside her mouth.

'Oh – oh my – ' he stuttered. Ginny again reveling in the power she wielded, began to suck more fervently and rock more urgently.

'Ginny' he said softly. 'You – you need - '

'Hush' she breathed feeling another explosion starting to build.

'No you need to move'

'Stop' she insisted starting to move more rapidly.

'Ginny I – '

'Hush, Harry. It's ok'

Harry's eyes bulged, his mouth froze open, and his body tensed. He exhaled shakily as Ginny felt him spill inside her while he held his breath for several seconds. Ginny grinned widely not able to contain how oddly incredible it felt for him to be inside her for that …. release. After a few seconds, she put her hands on his chest and started to lean towards him. He shook convulsively and chuckled unexpectedly.

'Don't – don't move' he said between deep breaths.

'Why?' Ginny asked instantly a little self conscious.

'It feels … it's like… I don't know just don't move for a second.'

She obliged and stayed where she was for a moment. She had to admit to herself that she felt a perverse pleasure at still being straddle over him with him inside her while she watched the after effects of her handiwork. Reluctantly, she shifted her weight sideways to lie down beside him. He turned on his side and they stared at each other for a while just letting their hands softly caress each other.

'I love you' he whispered. 'I love you so much'

'I love you, too. More than anything' she responded. That thought reminded her of something that couldn't wait. 'Hold on, I'll be right back.'

She sat up and put her feet on the cold ground and grabbed her hand while heading for the bath room. Once she was there, she brought the lights up but refused to look at her own reflection afraid of what she might see. She looked down at herself seeing several small marks down her chest and stomach that Harry had left on her. She could get rid of them but decided not to.

A pleasant temporary reminder of the evening she told herself. She then cast the birth control charm that they had all been taught fifth year at Hogwarts which had been a most uncomfortable talk from Professor McGonagall. She doused the lights and quickly stepped back to the bed where warm bed sheets and Harry awaited her. His breathing had evened out significantly and he now wore a very pleasant smile on his face.

'That floor is cold' Ginny said shivering as she recovered herself with thick blankets.

'Then don't get out of bed' he said softly wrapping his hands around her still bare waist and pulling her closer. They stayed close for several minutes talking in hushed tones and gently caressing each other. Both of them felt incredible relaxation lay over them. Ginny had turned over, put her back up against him, and had started to doze off when Harry mumbled something unintelligible.

'Hmm?'

'I … I didn't mean to… to be… to still'

'Don't worry, Harry' she said snuggling closer to him. 'The curriculum at Hogwarts covers some extra subjects for girls than it does for boys. So does Mum' she added a little bitterly.

'Oh… ok. I just didn't know.' He said unsteadily. 'And I wasn't expecting to… you know'

Ginny felt herself blush slightly. 'Me either' she said with a smile. In the warmth of the bed, they fell into a blissful and dreamless sleep.

'Harry? Harry!'

'Huh?' Harry said coming out of his reverie. He was sitting in Courtroom One with Kingsley, Allen Bashir, The Eddington twins, their lawyer, and ten members of the Wizengamot none of whom Harry knew besides Blackburn, and Kiera Coyle. He had been somewhere else completely in his mind so he had missed whatever Kingsley had asked him. He sincerely hoped he wasn't blushing.

'I'm sorry, sir. I didn't sleep very well last night' he said with an internal grin.

'My sympathies' Eddington's lawyer cawed. Harry found it ironic that a man whose features strongly resembled a crow would have a voice to match it. 'Now would you please answer the question?'

'Could you restate it please?'

'Where does your knowledge of the Black family tree stem from?'

'May I ask why you wish to know this?' a member of the Wizengamot asked. '

'To prove that this individual's testimony regarding the house of Black can trusted as credible and truthful.'

'I'll allow it' Kingsley said with a grin. 'Any objections' he asked the room. No one spoke up.

'My knowledge stems from the last remaining member of the Black family. Sirius Orion Black'

'And my I ask why are you here and he is not?'

Harry felt a quick flash of anger surge through him. 'He died' Harry responded contemptuously.

'Ah yes, so he did. So were you privy to this information?'

'He was my Godfather' Harry said feeling his anger grow.

'Indeed' he said turning his back to Harry. 'Now, tell the Wizengamot about the house of Black. Who were it's members? How did they align themselves, politically that is?'

For nearly half an hour, the man questioned Harry about every possible detail of the Black family, most of which Harry knew. Though not all. For instance, the favorite dessert of Alphard was not something Harry knew.

'Now tell us the Family motto please'

'Toujours Pur. It means always pure.'

'That's on odd family motto. Seems a little dark to me' the Lawyer said looking at Harry.

'Unfortunately it is' Harry said coolly. He was trying to get a rise out of him and it was not going to work. 'The Black family had been known Pure-Blood leanings for several generations. Walburga was a public supporter of Riddle and his beliefs. Regulus, Sirius' brother, even became a Death Eater. But he eventually changed his sides and gave his life helping defeat Riddle.'

'What about Sirius? He was an escaped lunatic convict by the end of his life correct?'

Harry felt his blood boil while he stared into the eyes of the man. Harry was on the verge of making a scathing retort when Kingsley stepped in.

'Mr. Primley, I will remind you that Harry has been asked to be here on behalf of your clients. Firstly, he is the savior of our world. Secondly, he is an Auror and member of the Wizengamot so he will be treated with due respect. Lastly, Sirius was innocent and proven innocent by this court, he was my friend, and he was a great man. So you will keep your petty and childish attempts to anger the witness to yourself and stick to fact.'

Primley held up his hands in defeat though he showed no signs of remorse. 'Yes, Minister'

'Sirius was never aligned the same way as his parents. He ran away from home at 16 to live with my father, and was one of the first members of The Order of the Phoenix.'

'Indeed' he said irritatingly. 'What about the rest of the family though? How many others in the family followed Sirius' line of thinking?'

'Seven' Harry replied recalling the black marks on the wall of the parlor at Grimmauld Place.

'How many since the turn of the 20th century?'

'Two plus Regulus eventually' Harry replied seeing where this was starting to go.

'Two family members. That's hardly revolutionary.' Primley picked up a piece of parchment and read from it. 'So at one point, there were 12 people of this generation that called themselves Black and 10 of them had been wildly Anti-Muggle.'

'Upbringing doesn't make the choices of a person. Nature vs. Nurture is a theory, not hard evidence.'

'Please, Mr. Potter, let's stay away from theory and stick to fact' he said mockingly with a glance to the podium where Kingsley stood. After Primley set the parchment down on his table, he made a show of facing the Wizengamot. 'Fact: children are 87% more likely to adopt the beliefs of our parents than come up with a new way of thinking. Fact: We, as products of our parents, will defend our parents and their actions vehemently even if we know in our hearts that what our parents are doing is wrong. Some will go so far as to copy or emulate our parents when we still know that it's wrong to do so.'

'Minster, may I be allowed to interrupt for a moment.' Coyle said speaking up for the first time since her opening statements. 'I have an argument for the point Mr. Primley is making.'

Kingsley looked around the Wizengamot for objections which did not appear so he nodded and she stood from her seat.

'Mr. Primley, may I ask you to clarify your point or being a product of our upbringing?'

'Certainly' he said with an arrogant leer. Harry was starting to hate defense attorneys. 'We are a product of the ways we've been taught to think. We were taught first and foremost by our parents. That the sky is blue, lying is wrong, help those in need: these are things we are supposed to be taught by our parents. Ian and McLane Eddington were lead to believe in a reality that didn't exist by their make-shift parents, meaning they acted on truths that they didn't know where false.'

'Ok' Coyle said holding her chin between her fingers. 'You make a viable point. Mr. Potter, may I ask you a few questions about your childhood?'

'I hardly think that it is relevant.' Primley shot off at once. 'Mr. Potter is not the one in question here today'

'It has to do with the credibility of the stance that Mr. Primley is taking on importance of upbringing.' Coyle said.

'Continue' one of the Wizengamot said.

'Mr. Potter, could you tell me about your parents?'

'Uhh… I suppose so. What do you want to know?'

'Oh nothing specific, favorite food or color, preferred drink, pet peeves, this sort of thing.'

'Well I have no idea' Harry said a little agitated. 'I never knew them.'

'Oh yes of course' she replied clearly feigning that she had forgotten. 'So you were not raised by your parents. Who were you raised by?'

'My Aunt and Uncle'

'Magical?'

'No'

'So what were they like?'

'Depends on the day' Harry said shrugging. 'When I was a boy, accidental magic would come out of me unexpectedly like it does in most young witches and wizards and I would get severely punished and then locked in my cupboard'

'Cupboard?' Coyle said in a scandalized tone turning to the Wizengamot. Harry had to admire the effect she had on the group. All of them looked equally outraged except Kingsley who already knew that information.

'Yes, under the stairs. It's where I lived until I was eleven. After that, I was allowed into my cousin Dudley's spare bedroom.'

'Really? What kind of accidental magic did you perform?'

'I transported myself onto the cafeteria roof once when I was being chased by bully's'

'Impressive' she said with a smile. 'What did your Aunt and Uncle think?'

'Not impressed that's for sure. They locked me in my cupboard for a long time. Long enough that school had ended for the summer holiday.'

'Do you remember how many days it was?'

'No. It was dark in their most of the time and they withheld my meals. It had to have been at least two weeks.'

Harry heard several murmurs from Wizenamot members.

'What about your parents? Did you at least know about them?'

'My Uncle told me he was a drunk that had killed both himself and my Mum in a car crash.'

'That is awful! How did you find out the truth?'

'Hagrid told me on my eleventh birthday.'

'Isn't that something' Coyle said walking to stand beside Primley and look at the Wizengamot. 'Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, The Chosen One, Vanquisher of Voldemort, Hero of the magical world: brought up by despicable, lying, and abusive guardians. Sure he would be a different person had he been brought up by a magical family. But in the end it was his choices that shaped who he is not the abuse inflicted on him by an awful guardian.'

'In the end, it is our choices that we must answer for. So Ian and McLane Eddington believed in a story that wasn't true. That doesn't mean that their punishment for believing that story and acting viciously because of should be a slap on the wrist. Sure, they believed in something that turned out to be false but they still chose to act the way they did. No guardian was there to tell them that Pure-bloods were the rightful leaders of the Magical Community. And their actions led to the death of an Auror.'

Sometime later, Harry sat from his seat across the room and watched as the Wizengamot discussed the arguments that had been made behind a silencing charm preventing anyone from hearing them. Harry stole a glance at the two young men. Ian looked like the world had brought it's full weight to his shoulders and was trying to crush him. McLane defiantly held his head up like he was daring the Wizengamot to convict him. It looks like Bellatrix had gotten her way as far as he was concerned.

'We have reached our decision' Kingsley's voice came. 'After hearing the depositions of Mr. Potter and Head Auror Mr. Bashir, we have come to a conclusion regarding both of you separately. It is a fact that you were mislead and brainwashed early in life. While our choices do rule our actions as Mrs. Coyle states, the affects of several years of brainwashing at the hands of a sociopathic murderer are not ignorable.'

'Ian Eddingoton , due in part to you belief of an alternate reality coupled with evidence of true remorse submitted by Mr. Bashir as a part of you interrogation, you are hereby sentenced to 5 years in Azkaban Prison for association with Death Eaters and Assault on Ginevra and Molly Weasley. After you have served your sentence, you will be allowed citizenship in Britain and allowed to work for a living. You will not be allowed to leave the country without express permission from the Minister of Magic and Head of Magical Law Enforcement. You will be allowed a wand but subject to a complete catalogue of any and spells and\or enchantments you cast at any time.'

Two Auror come from the shadows, removed the shackles on Ian's arms and escorted him out of the courtroom. The young man looked utterly defeated and Harry knew from the expression on his face that he felt remorse for things he'd done. Kingsley waited until Ian was completely out of the room before reading the verdict on McLane.

'McLane Eddington due you to your beliefs and your complete lack of remorse for the actions you have commited, you are hereby sentenced to 15 years in Azkaban. When you are released you will subjected to an intense and extensive round of questions to determine if you will be ready to rejoin society, after and only after a representative from the Psychology department of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries deems you fit to re-integrate. You will not be allowed to leave the country without express permission from the Minister of Magic and Head of Magical Law Enforcement. You will be allowed a wand but subject to a complete catalogue of any and spells and\or enchantments you cast at any time.'

Harry watched as he too was escorted from the courtroom but the expression on McLane's face was nothing but haughty arrogance and contempt. Bellatrix had obviously had a lasting effect on him. Once he had left the courtroom, Kingsley sat down behind his pulpit and began quietly talking to Charles Blackburn. Harry was lead out of the courtroom and into the hallway.

He made his way around a few corners, passing several other courtrooms on the way. He was about to pass the Wizengamot Only door when it opened spilling out Kingsley in to the Hallway with him followed closely by Bashir.

'Ah Harry, there you are' Bashir said hearing Harry's footsteps. 'Thank you. You handled yourself well today in the courtroom. That will definitely be a part of your future as an Auror.'

'Thanks' Harry said insignificantly.

Bashir smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. 'Why don't you go home and we will see you first thing in the morning to talk about the trip to Hogwarts tomorrow.'

'What is there to discuss?'

'Oh not much. We are taking a small detachment of Aurors on the train with the students at Professor McGonagall's request. So since you will be going anyway, you can be there to here the briefing.'

Harry agreed, got the logistical details, and bade him a good day before leaving the Ministry. He toyed with the idea of going straight to the burrow. In the end, he decided to his flat first. It was sure to be empty as everyone had gone home that morning when he'd left for the ministry.

Meanwhile, Ginny and Hermione were sitting in Ginny's room back at the Burrow. Hermione had just returned from a lunch with her parents accompanied with a lengthy discussion about them turning her room back into a nursery. Her mother was due in two short months so they felt the time was ripe for change in their home. Hermione was never sure what to think about her Mother's pregnancy and Hermione's new sibling, but when she had seen the glow in her mother's face about the baby, she couldn't resist. Now with their daughter's help, they baby had a wonderful new nursery waiting for him or her.

'Then what?' Ginny asked while she carelessly folder clean laundry with her wand and then flew them to her trunk.

'They thanked me and asked when I would come back?' Hermione said in a forced manner.

'Is that all she said?' Ginny asked mid-fold of one of her blouses.

'No' she muttered. 'She asked how things were with Ron and I.'

'Oh ok. What did you tell her?' Ginny asked finishing the blouse and moving on.

'The truth' she stated simply. 'I've always been truthful with my parents?'

Ginny stopped again only this time she dropped what she had been holding. 'You told… the truth. Why in Merlin would you do that?'

'I don't understand?'

'Don't understand?! You told your Mum everything about you and Ron?' Ginny said while seriously doubting her best friend's judgment.

Well I didn't go into detail but yea. Why is that so weird?'

'It just is?' Ginny flabbergasted. 'I guess that's an only-child thing. Mum would go spare if we all told her all the things we've done.'

'Don't you think she knows at this point? I mean, you are probably the only one and that's only because Harry is too afraid of your brothers.'

Ginny blushed furiously as flashes of the previous evening flit across her mind. She had woken up on cloud nine and had been floating around most of the morning.

'Ginny? Why are you blushing?' Hermione observed. Ginny knew as she soon as Hermione had said something about her being the last one that she would soon find out. She was entirely too observant not to.

'Harry might want to go into hiding then.'

She gasped and smiled widely. 'You did not' she said aghast. 'Ginny we were in the flat with you.'

'I know' she said. 'Guess my silencing charms worked then'

'What if Ron had known? What if he'd caught you?!'

'With how I was feeling last night, I'd have probably hexed him and locked the door back'

Hermione giggled and blushed as well. 'How was it?'

Ginny stopped folding her favorite old blanket and paused for a moment. She couldn't find any word that would adequately describe what she had experienced. All she could remember for sure was the heat, sweat, and the feel of so much of their skin rubbing against each other. Although, if she was being honest with herself, she had been a bit sore this morning.

'It hurt at first' she said after a minute of silence.

'Yes it does. But what about after?'

'It … it certainly didn't hurt' she said after failing to describe once again.

'Well I hope not. Did … did you – '

'Yea' she said through a slight giggle. 'I thought my body was about to explode.'

Both girls sighed at the same time and then looked at each other and laughed. 'I thought Ron's eyes were going to pop out of his skull the first time I took my shirt off'

'That's not surprising' Ginny said nonchalantly. 'He was probably clueless.'

'Surprisingly no' Hermione said as her eyes glazed over. 'In fact, there's this thing he does with – '

'Woah, 'Mione. Not something I need to hear.'

'Oh right. Sorry.'

'That's ok' Ginny said turning her back to Hermione to start retrieving her underwear from its drawer. 'Not the first time.'

'There's something I do want to know' Hermione said. Ginny could tell whatever it was, was probably personal but she apparently wanted to know enough to ask anyway. 'What did he do when… when you – '

'Spit it out Hermione' Ginny said turning back to look at her while putting a handful of undergarments in her trunk.

'Did you use the birth control charm?' She blurted like it might burn her if she held that in too long.

'Well yea' Ginny replied. 'You don't think I was going to let him… ohhh'

'There we are' Hermione said relaxing. She had apparently been too embarrassed to voice that particular action aloud. Ginny understood fully as she probably would have felt the same way.

'He tried to make me stop before he did'

'I'm not surprised. They don't teach the boys about that charm. And muggles use a much less reliable method that I doubt he would have had with him.'

Hermione looked at her for a few moments while Ginny retrieved all of her good socks from a drawer. Hermione had that same expression she had when she hadn't completely understood something in class at Hogwarts. Ginny had personally witnessed her nearly walk into various stationary objects while deep in thought over something.

'How did it feel?' Hermione asked quizzically.

'Feel?' Ginny recalled. 'Weird but a good weird.' Hermione nodded still deep in thought. Ginny was sure she didn't want to hear those thoughts. 'So I guess you haven't let Ron – '

'No' She replied strongly. 'Magic can backfire or just not work sometimes. I won't take that chance.'

'Ok that makes sense' Ginny replied thoughtfully. 'But then… what do you do with it?'

'I'll put it on my stomach' She replied running a hand over her covered midriff with a very sensual look on her face and a smile that made Ginny a little uncomfortable.

'Calm yourself, Hermione. You turning the color of an apple.'

A knock came at the door and her mother's voice came through it.

'Come in, Mum, I couldn't understand you'

The door open and her mother's head popped through. 'Do you girls want some lunch?'

'Sure' Hermione said.

'Yea, Mum, we'll be down in a few.'

She shut the door and went back down the stairs. Hermione went back to her thoughtful mode and started playing with ends of her hair. Ginny loved Hermione but she couldn't stand when she thought of her brother like that while around her.

'Harry naked on a quidditch pitch' Ginny said strongly. Hermione blinked a few times and looked pointedly at her.

'Well played, Ginny'

'Mmm yes it was' Ginny said as her own mind wandered. Hermione hit her with a pillow.

'C'mon, Ginny.'

They went downstairs and sat down with Ginny's mother for a plate of her and her Mum's favorite lunch food: Sliced up French bread, cheese, and lunch meats after about ten minutes in the oven. After several minutes of light conversation and several sounds of delight of the lunch, Harry walked in the back door looking rather tired.

'Hello all' he said before he plopped down heavily at the table and lay his head down heavily on the table.

'Hi sunshine' Hermione said sarcastically. Harry groaned into the table soliciting a smile from Ginny. She ran her hand through his hair and he pushed back against it contentedly.

'How was the trial?'

'Mmmmmmm' he groaned without moving a muscle.

'Really? That much fun huh?' Ginny said taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

'It took forever' he said sitting up. 'Eddington's representative was so long winded it made Slughorn look introverted.'

'That's impressive' Hermione said.

'That's not the word I'd have used.'

'Wait representative?' Ginny said questioningly. 'Since when were Death Eaters allowed representation?'

'They are all allowed' Harry explained. 'But most of the ones caught don't have the fiscal means of acquiring representation. Except for, let's say, Lucius Malfoy. And even then, most of them don't want to waste the money because the evidence is so overwhelming.'

'That makes sense I suppose. What are you doing home' Ginny asked him hopefully.

'Kingsley sent me home. Said since I would be on a long detail tomorrow on the way to Hogwarts to take the rest of today off.'

'Well that's nice' Molly said as she set down a plate of lunch in front of him. He dug in enthusiastically.

'Harry did you read the prophet this morning?' Hermione asked him with a sidelong glance. He shook his head and continued to eat. She retrieved it from the other end of the table and passed it to him.

DELORES UMBRIDGE FOUND MURDERED IN HOME NEAR BRENTWOOD

The body of convicted criminal and bigot Delores Jane Umbridge was found in her home by muggles in the community. Authorities that were dispatched to the scene reported that lights were see inside the house by neighbors of Umbridge so they visited to greet their long lost neighbor as no one has seen or heard from her in almost 3 months. She was a known supporter of ex-Minister Cornelius Fudge and was part of the unethical intrusions made by Fudge into Hogwarts, even going so far as to appoint her to a previously non-existent position of High Inquisitor (and it only became existent with the educational decree that Fudge mysteriously had drafted and signed by the School Governors late one night). After she spent months threatening and firing good teachers from Hogwarts, all the while injuring long time Deputy Headmistress, now full Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, she returned to the ministry where she formed the Muggle Born Registration Committee. Under her tyranny, hundreds of innocent muggleborn witches and wizards were incarcerated. At the time of her discovery, her home shown no evidence that she had been living in it for quite some time and it is believed that she has been actively on the run though the details surrounding her escape and whether she was alone or not are still unknown. Due to ongoing investigations and trials, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt was unavailable for comment this morning but a full investigation is sure to be launched promptly.

For full listing of criminal charges, - pg. 5

Harry put the paper down in deep thought. Murdered? In her own home? Harry was impressed that the Prophet had made virtually none of their usual wild speculation that had so often been wrong or made up. Though Harry knew that Kingsley had sat down with Barnabus Cuffe , the editor, and told him that the Prophet's days would be numbered if it didn't turn from mindless gossip back to legitimate news reporting.

'Harry?'

'Mmm?' he replied back still deep in thought.

'What are you thinking about?' Ginny asked a little nervously though that didn't register with Harry.

'Just… contemplating the implications.'

'Well could you stop?' she said placing a hand on his arm. He shook his head and looked round to see the large pitcher of pumpkin juice was floating a foot of the table and no matter how many times Hermione put it back on the table, it was floating right back up again.

'Sorry!' he said hurriedly and grabbed the pitcher himself.

'That's ok' Hermione said smiling. 'I'm just glad you didn't spill it'

'So do you think this means anything?' Hermione continued putting her finger on the paper.

'Yes I do' He replied ominously. 'But I have no idea what.'

'Oh stop it you three' Molly scolded them from the sink. 'You three, and Ron as well, might as well be seeing Death Eaters in your dumplings. Evil is afoot, yes, but that doesn't mean you always have to be the one to route it out. Go do some teenager stuff. Go for a swim, play quidditch, roll in the dirt, go aggravate the chickens, do something other than bring down the mood of my kitchen.'

'Ma'am Yes ma'am.' Ginny said very militarily. She grabbed Harry and Hermione's hand and practically drug them from the kitchen.

'So you obviously had a plan' Hermione said as she squeezed closer to Harry so they could both fit the kitchen door and out into the yard.

'I figured we might go visit Ron and George at the shop and then go for an early afternoon swim before dinner and then maybe a nice relaxing dinner with the family before I cart off to Hogwarts tomorrow.'

'You're the boss, Gin.' Harry said smiling. 'I'd say point me in the right direction but…'

'There's no need' Hermione finished.

Soon they were at the shop watching as last minute pranksters stocked up for Hogwarts. Ron and George showed them a couple of the new products, which Ron was very proud of as he had helped design them, and then Harry bought a large care package to send to her at school so she could "carry on the Weasley tradition" as George had put it.

Ron left with orders from a crookedly smiling George to keep everything on a 4th year or below level, and they went back to the Burrow for their afternoon swim. Ginny had put the blue lightning bikini back on that she had bought in Diagon Alley earlier in the summer which effectively kept Harry occupied while they were swimming. So much in fact that at one point while they were swimming, he'd had to stay underwater for several minutes to avoid embarrassment. His memories of the previous night were incredibly clear.

That night, the Weasley's celebrated Ginny's departure for Hogwarts with a massive family dinner. Everyone, except Charlie who was back in Romania, came over to congratulate Ginny and wish her luck. By the end of the night, Harry was exhausted, had barely made it to the couch before falling over. Since Harry was no longer injured, he didn't feel right staying in her room with her under their roof. He essentially had to force Bill and Fleur to take Bill's room for the night.

The following morning, the usual last minute scramble and chaos to get to King's Cross never came. Since Ginny was the only one going for this year's term and she had always been packed beforehand, at 10:45, they all stepped into the yard and apparated directly to Platform 9 & 3\4. Harry noticed immediately that the train looked considerably longer than normal. A few cars had been added to the front and Harry could see in the distance, Bashir and Kingsley speaking outside them. He pointed this out to the Weasley's and they made their way down.

'Arthur!' Kingsley said happily and shaking his hand. 'I'm so glad you could make it.'

'Wouldn't miss it' he replied jovially.

'These first compartments are for guests should they want to ride the train today. Several Aurors will be riding as well.'

'No thank you' Molly replied kindly. 'We are meeting Andromeda in Hogsmeade a little later today. She wants to visit Aberforth for a little while and we are going to watch Teddy.'

'Ok. I'll send word to you when the festivities are getting close to starting.'

Arthur and Molly thanked them and apparated back home. 'I take it you five will all be riding the train?' Bashir asked them to which they all nodded.

'Speaking of which' George stated 'I see Lee' and he bolted away onto the first car. Harry followed him and also saw several weedy looking wizards all holding large cameras alongside some haughty looking witches each holding writing pads. Harry groaned not wanting to become involved in that in any way.

'I completely understand, Harry' Bashir said picking up on Harry's thoughts. 'Feel free to join the other Hogwarts students on the train. I daresay you'll have a few friends on board with you. Harry thanked him and they all traveled to the far end of the train were there was always a few empty cars left. Easier to see who was coming if you only had to look one way Harry reasoned.

They situated Ginny's things and then took seats while conversing about things they would miss about Hogwarts. A steady stream of younger students as well as adults would come to see him and his friends in their compartment offering congratulations and asking for autographs. After a mere half hour of this, Harry had had enough so he locked the door to their compartment and blurred the glass so no one could see through it.

Hours later, the four of them sat rifling through the snacks Harry had bought them, while talking about what might be different in the castle now. Harry knew from reports to Allen and Kingsley that the enchantments had been successfully replaced on the castle but he knew that changes would be made after the near destruction of the millennium old castle just a few months ago.

Ginny had already changed into her school robes when they finally felt the train begin to slow down into Hogsmeade station. They exited the train at the very back and immediately came face to… well stomach with Hagrid.

'Harry! I didn' expect ta see yah on the train. 'ello everybody! Good ter see yah!' He said patting them on the back rather forcefully. 'Oh … ahh Firs' years this way! Just leave yeh trunk, Yeh'll have it up in yer dormitory later.'

They made their way towards the carriages where he noticed several… dozens of students eyeing the Thestrals with nervous glances. He had imagined that more people would be able to see them now.

'They don't bite' Harry said to a group of sixth years he recognized as Hufflepuffs as he walked by them and gave their thestral a calm pat on the shoulder. They carriage made it's to the castle where Professor McGonagall stood greeting everyone as they came in.

She informed him that the school governors would be in attendance and that they would be asking him to speak tonight. Harry wasn't thrilled with the idea but knew it was coming nonetheless. He followed Ginny into the Great Hall and stood at its entrance for a few moments staring at the spot on the floor near the middle of the room. He was transfixed for a few moments until Ginny tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the Gryffindor table where the other Weasley's were already sitting.