Thank you for the favourite, follows and reviews!

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Ginny sat in a deckchair, looking out at the green countryside in front of her and sipping from a glass of butterbeer. It was a late August day, the sun was shining, and worries seemed a long way away.

Harry sat down in the chair next to her. Ginny shot a look sideways at him. "You're so lucky getting to grow up around all this."

"I guess I am,"Harry noted. "You don't really think about it when it's what you're used to."

"How did your parents get a place like this?"

"My father's from an old pureblood family,"Harry pointed out.

"So was mine,"Ginny replied with a wry smile.

"Yeah, I guess." Harry looked embarrassed.

"Don't look like that,"Ginny told him gently. "I don't mind talking about them now. Muggle London wasn't too bad a place to grow up. But I'm glad to be here with friends."

As if to prove the point, Hermione, Neville and Luna came over to join them. "Everything all right?" Neville asked awkwardly.

"You have a very nice house,"Luna said politely.

"Do your parents mind us all being here?"Hermione asked.

"Everything's all right, Neville,"Harry replied. "Thank you, Luna. No they don't, Hermione."

Neville waved his wand and three more chairs appeared. Hermione gave him a shocked look. "Neville, underage magic!" She paused and examined them. "That's awfully good though. How did you learn to do that?"

"All the extra lessons you gave me,"Neville replied with a smile.

The others took their seats. "It's nice to have friends for the summer,"Luna continued. "But we'll be back to Hogwarts soon."

"Maybe we'll have a quiet one this year,"Neville suggested. "No basilisks or Dementors. Or dead teachers."

"Maybe we will,"Harry echoed.

Ginny paused, thinking for a moment. "I'd forgotten for a moment that Lord Voldemort is still out there."

There was a silence for a moment. "Maybe he'll stay out there,"Harry suggested.

Harry's parents appeared. Lily was carrying a tray of glasses. "I feel like I'm being a poor host,"she commented.

Her husband James smiled at her. "You? Impossible."

"More butterbeers anyone?"

"Please,"Neville agreed quickly.

"If you wouldn't mind,"Hermione added.

Lily tapped two glasses with her wand and they filled up with liquid. "I'll have to go to the store to get more of this the way you and your friends are going through it, Harry,"she commented.

"So, Ginny, are you managing to relax?"James asked.

Ginny nodded. "It's like I don't have a care in the world,"she remarked wryly.

Voldemort looked over the row of masked figures in front of him. "Good. Good. I am glad you all came as summoned. Our ranks are small for now but I intend for some old friends to join us soon."

Bellatrix bowed. "We will all do as you ask, lord."

"Those of you who have remained in respectable circles" – Voldemort glanced over the party and saw several of them blanch or try to avoid his gaze – "will make the most of your situation. We must have those in power in our pockets…or else those in our pockets in power. We have the information about what is to happen at Hogwarts this year. That could prove most useful."

"And the Dementors?"asked Lucius. "Are they still under your control?"

Voldemort fixed him with a gaze. "Do I sense criticism, Lucius?"

Lucius lowered his head. "No, my lord."

"Good. You lost your son a year ago."

"I did."

"I lost something else at the same time."

"Was that criticism, lord?"

"Merely an observation. We could blame each other, Lucius. Or we could blame Ginny Weasley. I think the latter would be a lot more productive."