Agent Max Sullivan had just sat down at a table opposite the one the Weasley pair usually sat at and had taken a sip of Butterbeer when the pair walked into the bar. A quick glance at Aberforth told him these were the Weasley's in disguise. Aberforth approached the table and took their order, moments later he returned with two Butterbeers. Max opened an old copy of the Daily Prophet and perused its contents all the while listening to the hushed voices in the corner. 'We might have to cause a distraction to get down there to see if the portrait still opens to the passage, I could sneak outside and try the door we used during the war.' Ron whispered. 'I tried that its warded or charmed we cant risk being seen out in the open. 'Maybe we could break in when its closed stun the old man and get in that way.' Ron whispered again. 'This is our only chance the Shrieking shack tunnel to the Whomping Willow has been destroyed, this is the only way into Hogwarts for us anyway.' Ginny Whispered. True to their routine they left within an hour.
Max walked over to the bar and relayed to Aberforth what he overheard. 'That passageway has been sealed since the start of the war, it wasn't safe for it to remain open, incase the Death Eaters came through it' he explained. Max said goodbye to Aberforth and used the floo network to get back to Hogwarts. In the headmistresses office he recounted to Minerva and Kingsley what he had heard. 'So it seems they are certain that Harry is somewhere in the castle. Kingsley said. I will go and speak to Harry, Max I think you should accompany me I have an idea on how we can end this, but I first need to talk to Harry.' I will write to Severus and let him know that we will be there in the morning' Minerva spoke.
'Harry this is agent Max Sullivan he works for the Magical undercover agency that is attached to the Ministry' Kingsley made the introductions. He noticed that Harry seemed a little brighter, Minerva had explained to him about the setback he suffered. He also saw that Harry was clutching Severus' hand. Max told Harry what he had overheard in the Hogshead. 'Aberforth saved us the night we went to Hogsmeade and the alarms sounded. Behind the portrait of his sister was a secret tunnel that led to the Room of Requirement, but they wouldn't be able to get in there now the Room was destroyed in the fire.' Harry told the agent. Max told him that the tunnel was sealed just as the war began to stop Death Eaters from getting through.
'Harry I have had an idea about how we can stop this once and for all, they are getting desperate, but more so annoyed because their actions aren't receiving the attention they crave. Max has volunteered to let slip that you are in hiding, we also plan to let slip that we are able to use the Honeydukes tunnel to get you in and out of Hogwarts even that tunnel is also sealed. They will not pass up the opportunity to follow Max when he leaves the Hogshead, we will be waiting, there will be other agents in the pub with Max and Aurors standing guard in various places around the pub. You will be with me in the Alley. Once they are surrounded you can make yourself known. You will not be harmed these are highly trained agents and Aurors protecting you and me as well I will not let any harm come to you Harry.'
Harry looked at the Minister and then looked at Severus 'I will do it I don't want to hide away anymore they need to pay for they have done to me and for the lives they have taken. I want to honor Hermione and the Weasley's memories and I cant do that hiding.' He spoke with a fierceness no one had seen since the battle. 'You're a brave man Harry and I am proud to be protecting you Aberforth says they only come in every second day so as to not draw attention to themselves that gives you two days to think this through and make sure its what you want. No one is going to force you to do this its entirely up to you' Kingsley said. He told them he would be back in two days time to collect Harry and Severus. He smiled at Harry then he and the agent left.
'Its because of you Severus that I can even attempt to end this, its our connection that is making me stronger and giving me the will to fight.' Harry smiled as they walked around the gardens later that day, still hand in hand, neither one could bear to let go. 'Its your strength and courage Harry you are brave you never back down from something you believe in nor for those that you care for.' Severus gave his hand a squeeze. 'I have some protection potions that will deflect any curse or hex thrown at you although with your power and ability to perform wandless magic you can manage on your own, these will just protect you that bit more' he smiled at Harry.
'I found another tome that said the connecting of two souls is incredibly rare but only occurs between to powerful beings together they form the ultimate protection. So even if I didn't have wandless magic or potions our souls would protect us' Harry explained. 'It seems we are rare and unique' Severus smiled. They made dinner together and enjoyed each other's company, Severus showed Harry the room that had training wizard in it, and they worked together deflecting curses and hexes. Severus threw some hexes at Harry he deflected them with no problem at all. He fine tuned his wandless magic and hexed the training wizard once or twice sending it spinning it around the room when Harry stunned it.
On the morning of the second day Kingsley arrived and escorted Harry and Severus to the Hogshead. Minerva had sent the invisibility cloak with Kingsley. Harry had left it in her possession after war ended for safekeeping. They secured themselves in Aberforths private rooms and waited. Severus cast an enhanced hearing charm to they could hear everything that was said from their place at bottom of the stairs. When Max was in place and the other agents were seated, Kingsley ordered the Auror guards to position themselves around the outside of the pub. When Ginny and Ron walked in 10 minutes later Harry took Severus' hand and held on tight. He felt the familiar feeling run through him stronger then it had ever been, he knew he would be all right with his soul mate by his side.
Max was sipping his Firewhiskey when Aberforth approached the table appearing to collect the empty glasses there were three of them on the table to make it look like he had been drinking for a while. He had cast a spell to ensure no matter how much he drank he would not be drunk. 'Been a long hic week' Max slurred as Aberforth picked up the glass. 'Been protecting hic Harry Potter hic' he lowered his voice to a whisper so as not to be heard. He could out the corner of his eye that the pair had heard every word, they were trying to remain inconspicuous but it wasn't working. 'Shouldn't be telling you this hic him being the saviour and all' Max hiccoughed. 'Maybe you have had enough' Aberforth countered. 'Gotta sneak him outta hog hic warts through the hon hic duke hic passage so maybe this should be my hic last one' Max swayed slightly. ' I will bring you a cup of coffee might help sober you up a bit' said Aberforth walking towards the bar.
He started singing softly to himself but he could see the expressions on the Weasley faces, there was a rash of hurried whispers, they stood from the table and made their way to the door. Max walked down the stairs followed by Aberforth and the 2 other agents. Harry pulled off the cloak and went out the side door into the alley he didn't let go of Severus hand keeping a firm grip, needing the contact, but also the reassurance that he could do this. Kingsley watched from the shadow as he saw the pair head towards HoneyDukes he had Aurors inside, he was certain that this is where they would go.
Ron and Ginny walked quietly into Honeydukes hands on their wands, they made their way to the back of the shop and to a stair case that led down to the cellar that once housed the entry to the tunnel. Two Aurors stepped out from behind some shelving and pointed their wands at the pair. 'Wouldn't try that if I were you' Damon said. Ginny threw off a curse it rebounded and hit a shelf. She and Ron ran for the entrance, they had only just got outside when more Aurors wands pointed at them. 'You have nowhere to go, there are Aurors all around, place your wands on the ground' Kingsley ordered as he appeared from the alleyway. Ginny remained defiant while Ron whimpered beside her. 'Ginny put your wand down we can't get out of this' Ron pleaded. 'Shut up Ron I'm leaving till I get what I came for' she snarled.
'Listen to him Ginny' Harry stepped out from the shadow with Severus at his side. 'Harry' she beamed 'Call off the guards then we can go' she said. 'No Ginny I'm not calling off anyone, you need to put your wand down, there is no way out. The only place your going is to Azkaban'. He growled. Ginny stood firm her gaze fixed on Harry. 'Put your wand down please Ginny, we wont win this its not worth dying for.' Ron was sobbing. 'Harry wont let them kill us Ron he loves me.' Ron was sobbing louder now and Harry could see the irritation on Ginny's face. 'I don't have a say in whether they kill you or not Ginny they are highly trained Aurors and I don't love you I never have.' Harry's expression remained impassive. Ron continued to whimper and sob beside his sister.
'Oh for god sake Ron will you shut up I cant hear myself talk. He only sobbed harder. 'Avada Kedavra' a green flash of light hit Ron Square in the chest and he fell to the ground. 'Sorry about that Harry he really was making a ghastly racket, now where was I' she said as she turned to face Harry again. 'Of course you love me Harry I have risked a lot for you removed every obstacle so we could be happy and free we are soul mates Harry' she was eerily calm which unnerved Harry slightly.
He reached for Severus' hand and held on tight. 'I already have my soul mate Ginny and it certainly isn't you' in that fraction of a second he finally understood the connection the phenomenon that was he and Severus, a gold like Aura shimmered around them, he wasn't sure if anyone else had noticed this as their gazes never shifted. 'You cant be soul mates with dungeon bat Harry, he is a Death Eater' she screamed suddenly emerging from a trance. 'I can and I am' he snarked. 'After everything I have done for you' she raged raising her wand, before she had the chance to mutter one syllable Harry performed the body bind curse and Ginny fell to the ground screaming in anger. 'You can't do this Harry I love you' he stepped forward and leaned over the bound figure. 'You aren't capable of love' he turned and walked away. Ginny's screams a distant echo then silence, as she was rendered unconscious to be taken back to the Ministry.
A day later the Minister for Magic, Aurors, and undercover agents, Minerva, Harry and Severus all gathered in the Headmistresses office. Harry had been kept in the infirmary over night, Poppy insistent that he be observed for any signs of delayed shock. Knowing better then to argue the point he stayed put, despite everything that had gone on, he felt decidedly calm and in control for the first time in nearly 2 years, probably in his whole life if he really thought about it. Severus had not left Harry's side choosing to sleep in the bed next to his for the night. They spoke about the Golden Aura that had encompassed them during the stand off with Ginny, they concluded it was because they had become one, their souls were bonded, providing the ultimate protection. Harry was certain that Ginny had been about to curse Severus when she raised her wand, the aura and their connection would have prevented that had Harry not acted.
'We had to use Vertiserum in the end she blamed the whole thing on Ron, saying it was his idea to kidnap you to hide you in a bunker until you agreed to be with Ginny.' Kingsley explained. 'Ron was never that smart or skilled, he knew I could beat him in a fight any day, it would have been Ginny from the start, he was just her accomplice, someone to do the dirty work, whenever she came down into the bunker alone nothing was ever as bad as when they were together.' Harry remained impassive.
'Why did she kill Hermione and Bill and Fleur?' he asked quietly. 'Hermione overheard her talking to Ron about it; she followed Ginny outside saw where she was headed. Ginny got suspicious when Hermione pressed Ron for details, so she killed her and left her in the attic. When you escaped she was worried we would come looking and discover her body so she set it alight. Fleur discovered the trapdoor to the bunker, she was going to tell Bill, Ginny panicked followed them to shell cottage and killed them both, leaving them in the basement.' Kingsley wished he didn't have to tell Harry any of this, but knew it was better coming from him. 'Is Charlie still alive?' Harry asked tentatively. '
Yes he is safe in Romania they couldn't get to him because the reservation is so isolated and protected. He left for Romania straight after the funeral. I have told him about Ron and Ginny, he is coming over to make arrangements for Ron's burial.' Kingsley answered. 'And Ginny?' Harry questioned. 'Life in Azkaban' she showed no remorse Harry only annoyance that you hadn't come to see her at the Ministry. She will put in a high security cell; she is quite as mad as Bellatrix was probably more so.' Kingsley would never have thought was remotely possible.
'Its over Harry, she can't hurt you anymore. Time to have the life you deserve' he patted Harrys shoulder and left with agents and Aurors in toe. They spent some time in the castle after that feasting in the Great hall and wandering the castle hallways. He and Severus took a walk around the grounds sat at the edge of the Black Lake to Severus' surprise he thought Harry would never go near it again. They talked about what Harry would do now, he decided he didn't want to return to Hogwarts, he wanted time and space to live a little before making career and major life decisions. He was certain of one thing wherever he ended up he wanted his soul mate by his side.