George was at his wits end. He had been holding his sister for the best part of two hours and was still not really sure what had happened to her.

"Ginny?" Stroking gently over her hair he pulled away just enough to be able to see her face. "What has happened to you? You have never been so distraught in all the years you have been my sister."

She gazed at him. Her eyes were red, puffy and still tear filled. She looked like the personification of all the world's misery.

"George?"

"Yes, Ginny?"

"You have to swear never to tell anybody about this. Please!" Her voice was pleading with him.

"I'm not going to say anything to anybody, sis. But maybe you should tell me what is actually going on here. Why are you home? Why have you not told anybody about it? Why does Harry NOT know that you're here? I mean, I would have thought he of all people would be the one..."

A huge sob escaped his sister. He felt utterly helpless. What did happen to her?

"Oh, George! I can't tell Harry what I've nearly done! He would want to never see me again."

His gaze wandered over her robes. She looked like always, but there was something... He couldn't lay his finger on it, but he knew that something was off. Seriously off.

"Tell me, Ginny. You know, I won't tell anybody."

Despair was the only emotion left on her face. He gently stroked over her hair and then let his thumb run over her tear wet cheek. They had never been as close as she had been to Ron. Fred and George had been mainly in the company of each other. Their bond had put up a barrier to their other siblings, but right in this moment George felt as close to his sister as he had ever felt to his twin brother.

"You swear never to tell anybody?"

"I swear."

She snuggled against him, feeling his arms around her. Bringing a bit protection from the harsh world of reality that was waiting for her.

"I've loved Harry since that morning mum let me come to King's Cross to see Ron off for the first time. It was hard to see him day in day out at school for all those years. He was always so close, but I never seemed to be able to reach him. Hermione told me once to just be my self and not to try to get his attention. Once he would be comfy for me to be around it would be easier for him to notice me and he did."

They both smiled as they remembered the victory party in the Griffindor common room where Harry had just got hold of Ginny and kissed her. Shocking Ron and making Hermione smile.

"It was hard when he was away looking for the Horcruxes. I was afraid he might be caught any day."

She looked at her brother. Deep compassion was showing on his face. He felt the pain his sister felt. He knew what it meant to be separated from people closest to him.

"I'm really proud that he loves me and wants me to marry him, but the evening before I left for France..."

"Your mind was not really able to keep cool enough to think about any consequences that night might have."

Ginny nodded.

"The captain of the Harpies was genuinely happy for me, when I told her the other day, but she also told me, that I couldn't play any longer. It was simply too dangerous. I could train with them, surrounded by magical protection, but it wouldn't be the same. She has suggested that I go back to school and then come back next year. They'll hold my place for me."

"That's great, Ginny. So you'll get your N.E.W.T.s and still be going back to playing Quidditch next year."

"Yes. I really liked that idea as well. I have owled McGonagall and she asked me to come to Hogwarts the day after tomorrow for a chat."

There was a moments pause.

"You will have to tell Harry, sis."

She looked somewhat crestfallen. "I know."

"Just imagine him keeping something important like this from you."

She hid her face against his chest.

"You will tell him, Ginny!" There was a rather stern note in his voice.

In this very moment the young witch knew how her friend had been feeling. Hermione had been trying her best not to let Malfoy know that he was going to be a father. In the end she had to face up to him and confess. Wouldn't it be smarter, if she didn't make the same mistake her friend had tried to make and told the wizard she loved about it as soon as possible? She knew that it would be the smartest move.

"I'm just a bit scared he won't be able to cope with more morning sickness and an utterly upset Kreacher. When Hermione was staying at Grimmauld Place it was pretty hard going at times."

"He'll be just fine. Don't worry. He'll know that it is his son or daughter he is waiting for this time and not the child of another guy."

"I know, you're right, but I'm still scared."

"No need to be scared. He will be ecstatic about it. Might take him a while to realise what it means that he's going to become a dad, but he'll be loving you even more."

"I hope, you are right, George."

"I know that I'm right, sis."

He held her tight for another long while wondering what their parents would say once they found out that their youngest and only daughter was going to provide the next grandchild for them.

Azkaban was cold and even so there were now more human guards around to make sure the Dementors did their job, it didn't lessen the horrible happiness sucking feeling any none Dementor got though. None of the humans stayed more than a day before having the rest of the week off. There were plans to replace the Dementors altogether, but that would make Azkaban a lot less of a punishment.

Neville and Harry were standing behind their boss close to trembling. The older wizard on the other hand seemed totally unaffected by their surroundings. He gave all the required passwords and when they were to leave their wands behind he just looked at his two trainees in order for them to comply.

They were led to an underground room without any windows but damp walls. There was one table in the middle of the room that had been magically attached to the floor and two chairs either side of it.

The head of the Auror Office pointed Neville to take a seat behind the table. Harry was to stand in the corner to the left of his former house mate. He himself positioned his massive frame behind the door so that anybody entering couldn't see him before the door wasn't closed.

Moments two human guards were manhandling Rita Skeeter into the room. She didn't seem to affected by her surroundings. She was pushed none to gentle into the empty chair and then her jailers left. She turned round and was about to rise when she saw the the door was now hidden behind the biggest wizard she had seen in her entire life.

Was he a fully trained Auror? She wasn't sure. She recognised the head interrogator she had already had the questionable pleasure to have to speak to previously across from her. This guy was better than any of the fools that were on the Wizengamut in any case.

He was young. That could be a false impression though. Maybe he used some charm to appear a lot younger to lull his victims into a false sense of security. She nearly snorted. That wouldn't work with her. She knew all the tricks in the book. He wouldn't get her to say anything this time. She would keep quite.

She grinned at the young man opposite from her. There was no reaction on his part. He just looked at her. It wasn't even a proper stare. He really just looked. She frowned. Why would he look so... innocent? She couldn't imagine that he was doing that on purpose. Or was he? Nervousness was starting to creep in after all.

"Okay, okay! What do you want to know? I bet you are dying to find out why I was able to evade you guys for so long."

She glanced at Potter. He was just shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"I have the right friends in the right places." she smirked.

"Like Pansy Parkinson? I would have said that a teenager is not going very far as friend in the right place."

She swivelled on her chair. The mobile wall could talk. Impressive. Who was he? The back-up from the Heavy Department the Magical Law Enforcement lot probably had for situations like this? She turned back to face the silent one across the table.

"Pansy has turned out to be rather valuable." She grinned. "You lot have taken a lot longer than I would have thought you would to find me. What gave us away? Her obsession with the Malfoy boy? Or her hatred for his alleged girlfriend?"

No answer was forthcoming.

"She's not the sharpest tool in the box, but she had some really useful contacts. Who would have thought that there is a rather skilled potion brewer living in Knockturn Alley who can be bought literally for a couple of pints?"

She chuckled. Neville raised an eyebrow just a fraction.

"Knockturn Alley?"

Again it was the mobile wall that spoke. She turned around and looked at him. His hair was short and there was a hidden.. something about him. Had he made it into auror training and was now at his first ever real life interrogation? Was he allowed to speak for that reason while his boss was just silent?

"The hell hole called the Lingering Smell, two doors down from Borkin and Burkes, is his usual haunt."

"Has wonder boy a name?"

She didn't even turn any longer. If the freshman was going to ask the questions then fine.

"Julius Hanker."

There was a long silence in which the head interrogator was close to glaring at her. She squirmed a bit. His eyes were strangely penetrating. She cursed herself for having revealed so much already. She would really to be a lot more careful.

"Tell me about the poisoned chocolates for Miss Patil."

The soft voice startled the seasoned reporter. The voice was in tune with the look of young auror he was sporting. Astounding. Most times it was the details that were the give away, but not here. This guy was better than most she had met.

"Parvati was just too stupid to realise that it would have been in her interest to give me the informations I wanted."

A half smile came from the other side of the table.

"Okay, I gave her the chocolates, but it was Pansy that was using her after you lot had caught me. She is really obsessed with that boy. Merlin knows why. Who in their right mind would be wanting to be associated with that family?"

She saw Potter flinch. Strange, why would he of all people have any feelings about Pansy going after the... There was a big grin invading her face. Was he jealous? Oh, how wonderful! Potter of all people!

A hand slammed hard onto the table brought her back from her dreaming up the next headlines.

"Where is Pansy?"

The wall was really talkative today.

"She had to meet some friend from school. No idea whom, but it seemed important. Haven't seen her since."

Potter glanced at his boss. Strange, he didn't show any reaction whatsoever. Rita Skeeter had expected him to say something. Maybe even finish the interrogation. He didn't. There was a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She cringed. That wasn't a good sign!

"Okay, okay! She came back two days ago. Seemed really pissed off. Don't know why. Looked somewhat dishevelled as well. Must have been in a fight or something."

Silence.

"She changed and then muttered something about going to find the black bastard. No idea who that is though."

Neither were the three wizards in the room, but they would be solving this puzzled when they were back in the office.

"That was the last I saw of her."

"Where is your prey?" The wall snarled behind her. Prey? What was he talking about?

"My prey?"

"Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger."

"Oh, our beloved war heroes." She turned round sported a patronising smile. "Harry is obviously here with us. I would think your boss," she shot Neville a dark look, "will know where Ron is. As for the brain of the trio, I have no idea. I'd love to have an exclusive about what it is like to have a one night stand and then to have to carry the shame visible for all..."

Harry was at her sight before she even realised that he had moved. His hand was raised as if he was going to hit her, his face was red with anger.

Maybe he was swinging in all directions? Taking anything that offered itself? Fascinating!

The silent one was just looking at him with an expression of... approval? Hold on! She was about to be beaten by the-boy-that-lived and his boss was encouraging him?

"... not worth it..."

It had been barely audible, but Potter lowered his hand and retreated into his corner. Wow! This wizard would have to be one hell of a skilled mage, if he could control even the famous Harry Potter with a few mumbled words.

There was a knock on the door. Everybody in the room was turning. The wall moved and a guard appeared in the door frame.

"Time's up I'm afraid."

Rita Skeeter was hauled off her chair and unceremoniously dragged from the room.

All three wizards could be heard to sigh in relief.

"I didn't know, that she was so..." Shaw started.

"Despicable? Yeah, she is a natural in that department." Harry said dryly.

Neville was just looking at his hands, not saying anything.

A few minutes later they were escorted back to the gate and apparated back to the Ministry. Every one of them glad to be back in the world of joy and happiness.

Draco held Hermione tightly to his body. He didn't know, what to think, but he knew deep down in his heart that he would never again question her love for him. The proof of it had started to appear on the small of her back.

He had teased her for quite a while before telling her that it wasn't anything crawly that was moving on her skin. She had gasped when he had explained what he saw.

"You got your wish, Lea. There is actually a dragon moving on the your skin."

She gasped.

"It's a mix between a Welch Green and an Hungarian Horntail. It's really beautiful and it's tail is stretching... You might be able to see the tip of it on your right hip."

She twisted her body and could see the tail of the dragon Draco had been describing. It was slightly moving. With wide eyes she glanced at him.

"How is this possible? I mean, it's moving. How can that be?"

He just grinned.

"Have you forgotten that you are a witch?"

"Oh."

He pulled her back, encircling her waist with his arms. As her skin touched his he had the feeling of searing heat on his back. He yelped in pain and let go of her. She turned and saw him grimacing as he got up quickly and made his way to the bathroom.

"Draco!"

He stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly looking back at her he found her with her hands over her mouth. The pain was slowly subsiding.

"What?"

Hermione walked very deliberately over to him. When she was standing by his side they shared a long glance into each others eyes. Stepping behind him she gingerly trailed her fingers from his shoulders down his back. It was like cooling water being spread over his burning skin. He tilted his head back, moaning softly. Her fingers reached his tail bone and now it was his turn to feel something crawling over his skin.

"Is it a lioness as I hoped it would be?" He whispered.

"Yes. No... It's..."

He looked over his shoulder watching her staring at his back.

"What is it? Is a a lion or not?"

She looked at him.

"It's not just a lioness."

"No?"

"No." There was a long moment of hesitation."She has three cubs with her."

His eyes widened in shock. Three cubs!