Chapter 13 – Planning a Future

Harry listened with hidden amusement to the sly digs and barbs that Lucius aimed at Hermione. Apparently, when Harry and Neville had sent Hermione to give the spare clothes to Lucius and Narcissa a few days previously she had walked in on an intimate moment between husband and wife. Lucius did not hesitate to embarrass the muggle born witch at every opportunity. Hermione took the gibes with a face as bright as the Gryffindor banner and lips pursed tighter than McGonagall's.

Currently, they were walking down towards the Forbidden Forest to meet with the Centaurs. It was well after curfew; most of the castle was asleep seeing as it was after midnight. The best time to seek an audience with Centaurs given their penchant for stargazing. Harry was there with Neville, Luna and Lucius. Ron and Hermione insisted on joining and Harry didn't try to stop them. Dumbledore was there, as were the Heads of the Houses, Sirius and Remus with Snape and Hagrid bringing up the rear, the latter carrying his crossbow.

"Halt, wizards," came a low timbre from their right.

Harry and the other Champions, dressed in their battle gear stopped had their wands in hand. Harry tensed as he saw the Centaurs had surrounded them, weapons pointed directly at them.

"You are far from your territory," Bane's angry voice came ahead of them as he stepped forward his crossbow pointed at the Headmaster. "You have been warned before Dumbledore; you are forbidden from entering this land. It belongs to us!"

The Centaur stamped his hind legs angrily, reminding Harry of Dudley when he was throwing a tantrum.

"We came to parlay," Dumbledore said calmly, raising his lit wand and his free hand in what was meant to be a calming manner.

"We have nothing to discuss," Bane told him restlessly. "Walk away now!"

"We will not," Harry said firmly.

"You dare?!" Another angry voice called from Harry's right.

"I do," Harry said in an unyielding tone, stepping forward to meet the taller Centaur.

Bane snorted indignantly.

"You are no longer an innocent, wizard. You have reached majority and you will be treated as a man."

"You would dare threaten a Champion of Hogwarts?" Harry said in the same quiet tone. He knew the Centaurs were aware of the Champions.

For the first time, the Centaurs hesitated as they took in the battle gear Harry was wearing. Neville, Luna and Lucius stepped forward.

"It is true," Ronan said in wonder. "The Champions have truly returned. It was written in the stars."

There were mutterings from the other Centaurs.

"That is a lie. You are not the Champions!" Bane blustered.

Harry stared the angry Centaur down.

"You are pretenders. You have come here to take our land from us and will use it as you please," Bane continued angrily.

"This land was gifted to all creatures for purposes of sanctuary; it was for Centaurs, the Merpeople, Acromantulas, Unicorns–"

"Creatures!" Bane interrupted Harry, kicking his hindquarters again. "You call us creatures?!"

"You act like a beast and you get treated like a beast," Harry answered without apology, realising Dumbledore had stepped forward to intervene. This was not Dumbledore's business.

"It was the Centaurs' own request to be labelled as beasts," Luna added mildly, staring absently at the stars. "You didn't want to share Being status with Hags and Vampires."

Harry knew she would be ready with a wand if it was needed though.

"We were present when the Founders had agreed to a treaty with your ancestors; they needed a place to call home, requested and were granted seclusion," Lucius added, moving forward before they could dispute Luna's statement. "Your ancestors were given land on Hogwarts borders on the condition that you would fight alongside us when the time came."

"We do not fight alongside wizards," Bane huffed.

"They are right," came a firm voice behind them.

They turned to see Magorian, Harry recognised him as the Centaur who had been bound by Umbridge's Incarcerus spell.

"The school belongs to all of us," Neville said earnestly. "It's a haven for all those in need. Even your kind needed our help long ago, we are here to ask that you honour the promise made to us. We simply ask that you help us defend the school when we're under attack because I assure you an attack is coming."

Bane spat bitterly on the ground.

"Your kind has no respect for our land. You enter when you please, take our plants, hunt our food, fornicate at your will in the forest and leave without any respect. Do you recall the number of times you entered here with that witch?"

Harry, who expected Bane to be pointing at him and Luna, they had entered to the Forest on many occasions to – fornicate as the Centaurs called it, was pleasantly surprised when he followed the finger to the direction of Lucius. Interestingly, Lucius seemed to be blushing; Harry watched the colour rising in Lucius' cheekbones in fascination.

Lucius cleared his throat and said, "That's not important right now. This land belongs to all those under the protection of Hogwarts, students were well within their rights to enter the Forest, at their own risk."

Bane harrumphed.

Harry noticed that everyone was staring at the uncomfortable Lucius in amusement.

"War is coming. We expect you to honour your agreement. We are here as emissaries from the Founders; soon we will all be forced to fight and if you do not fight alongside us then we will have no choice to assume that you are fighting against us. In which case, the original agreement is null and void and you will no longer have a home on the Founder's land."

"Is that a threat, wizard?" Magorian asked curiously.

"That is a promise," Harry voiced firmly.

More than 2 hours later Harry and company exited the Forbidden Forest having coming out with a grudging agreement with the Centaurs, a warning to innocent creatures such as the Unicorns, a promise of violence from the Acromantulas who had a new leader after the passing of Aragog. Harry remembered with a shudder when Hagrid had invited him to the beasts' funeral. He'd gone to support his friend, after all, he'd done the same for when Dobby had passed away. They had already spoken to the Merpeople to defend themselves from the Lake if needed.

Although they did not live on the grounds of Hogwarts, the Champions had requested an audience with the Goblins also. Bill, as he already worked with Goblins, was their intermediary. He had been provided with evidence to show that they were who they said they were and what sort of assistance they required.

The night did not go exactly as planned as they all headed back towards the Castle, and Harry did not believe they needed everyone who had attended. Dumbledore and the Heads had been there as the official representatives of the school as they held positions of authority, and had been good to have alongside the Champions. Hagrid was a good guide and was well known in the Forest by most if not all creatures and so Harry had not minded. Hagrid had not even minded that Lucius was close as he had reluctantly forgiven the other wizard as he had taken Hagrid along with him when returning Cora the Swedish Short snout to the Welsh Dragon reserve. There Hagrid had spent an inordinate amount of time with his favourite creatures, with an invitation to return at any time. Hagrid had come back with many bruises and burns and holes in his clothes, but more importantly, he had returned with a smile on his face.

Although Harry did appreciate the moral support he did not think it was truly necessary for Ron, Hermione, Sirius and Remus to attend and certainly, he could have done without Snape. Snape had been there on Dumbledore's request and Harry reluctantly let the matter drop. And no matter how much he protested Ron and Hermione did not want Harry to go without them. And Sirius had declared he would be remiss in his duties as godfather if he let Harry wander alone at night. Conveniently forgetting that Harry would not be alone, and of course, though Harry did not have the same close relationship with Remus as he had since last year's fiasco, Remus would also not stay behind.

Harry was still mulling on this as they walked past the Great Lake when he felt a spell hit from behind which propelled towards the lake and he was forced to take an impromptu cold bath as he was dumped into the shallow part of the lake.

He let out a startled yelp as he was drenched- definitely uncool behaviour. He heard surprised yells from dry land and before he could get his bearings he found himself hoisted upside down by one ankle and was able to see his face reflected on the surface of the lake.

"What the hell?" he yelled and lifted his head to see an angry Lucius, who studiously ignored the wands drawn on him from Dumbledore, Sinistra, Sirius, Ron, Hermione and Snape.

"Lucius, do put Mr Potter down," McGonagall admonished, one of the few who had not reached for her wand.

Harry didn't have time to take a deep breath before he was dunked, still held by the ankle, face-first into the water and came up spluttering seconds later. Good thing he got rid of his glasses, otherwise, they would have been at the bottom of the lake by now.

"Lucius," Neville asked alarmed, "what are you doing?"

Lucius ignored them all.

"Tell me, Potter, why the Unicorns didn't come near my sister?"

Silence.

Harry stopped his flailing immediately.

Everyone froze as they blinked and realised the significance of a unicorn not approaching a young witch.

Wands were lowered.

Neville was the first to break the silence.

"You know, it's way past my bed time," he babbled nervously. He gave an unconvincing and completely exaggerated yawn. "I'm so tired. Night!"

And ran off towards the entrance at breakneck speed.

"Me too," Hermione squeaked with a blush and she too made good her escape, taking a protesting Ron with him.

Sirius looked torn between amusement and concern. The traitor.

Dumbledore cited paperwork he needed to complete, never mind that it was well after midnight and definitely not the time to do anything other than sleep. He ambled off towards the entrance humming away.

The Heads reluctantly tucked away their wands and left behind the Headmaster. Harry held back a protest.

"Well?" Lucius prompted.

Harry gulped. He took a deep breath and answered, "We fornicated."

This time he was prepared and managed to hold his breath before Lucius dunked him again. Distantly he heard a roar of anger.

He coughed as he was brought back up again.

"You defiled my sister, you cretin!" Lucius yelled.

In for a knut, in for a galleon, Harry thought.

"She thoroughly enjoyed it," Harry called back and was rewarded with another dunking.

He counted to 20 seconds before he was brought back to the surface.

"Lucius, bring Harry back," Luna said exasperatedly.

"No," Lucius told her obstinately, his attention on Harry. "Go to bed."

"It's no fun in bed without Harry there," Luna said in the same tone one would use to describe their favourite pudding.

Harry caught Lucius' furious look which was all the warning he got before Lucius flung him further out, over a deeper part of the lake, and cancelled the spell. Harry floated to the top immediately beginning to tread the water as he saw Lucius physically throw Luna over his shoulder as he stalked off towards the Castle, carrying her serene form. Harry swam back ashore, with Sirius and Lupin wading knee-deep to help him back out. Snape stood awkwardly in the background and Harry determinedly avoided looking in his direction as he dragged himself out of the lake.

"She thoroughly enjoyed it?" Sirius repeated, his tone somewhere between caustic and amused.

"What? She did," Harry protested. Starting to shiver he was about to pull out his wand to perform a drying charm but Remus beat him to it. Harry gave a nod of acknowledgment but didn't say anything otherwise.

"Good thing Ron doesn't know you had sex on his bed otherwise he may have helped Lucius instead raising his wand to defend you," Sirius said mildly, waving his wand to add a warming charm.

Harry felt the back of his neck itching from Snape's stares as the Potions Master fell awkwardly into step behind them.

Narcissa waddled out of their bedroom slowly, already fully dressed. Lucius had already risen out of bed, which was odd considering he had been out so late the night before. Narcissa frowned as she thought back; she must have slept more deeply than she thought. She didn't remember Lucius returning at all.

Venturing further towards the kitchen area, she saw Lucius was already seated at the dining table. He was still wearing his battle gear, as the Champions like to call it, and looking closely, Narcissa saw that Lucius had not come to bed at all last night. He was nursing a cup of coffee and Narcissa easily guessed that this wasn't his first.

"Lucius?" Narcissa asked in concern, laying a hand on his shoulder as she moved closer. "Did things not go to plan last night?"

Perhaps the centaurs' anger had too much. Would they not help at all? Just as Narcissa was about to voice the question there was a knock on the door.

Lucius concentrated for a moment. Narcissa knew he was consulting the wards.

"Enter!" he snapped.

The door opened slowly to reveal Severus, who stepped forward cautiously, closing the door behind him.

"Morning," Severus said watchfully, stepping forward.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes in bewilderment. What on earth was going on?

"How may I help you, Severus?" Lucius asked, not moving from his chair.

"I have come to give you a warning," Severus began.

"What warning is that?"

"Miss Lovegood's father has arrived," they were told.

"What in Merlin's name has happened?" Narcissa butted in. "Was Luna hurt? What about Harry and Neville? Did something happen last night?"

Lucius and Severus exchanged looks.

"Lucius," Narcissa demanded, knowing there was something she wouldn't be pleased with.

Lucius opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by another knock.

"Leave," Lucius snapped, glaring at the door.

Ignoring the command the door opened to reveal a defiant Harry.

"Where's Luna?"

Narcissa noticed that despite Harry asking the question his eyes had flitted behind them. Narcissa followed the gaze and noticed that the door to the second room was firmly closed. She was starting to get an inkling of the situation.

"Leave right now, Potter," Lucius snarled. He hadn't yet reached for his wand yet, nor had he moved from his seat.

"I'm not leaving without Luna," Harry said determinedly, moving closer. He looked away from Lucius briefly to acknowledge Narcissa, ignoring Severus completely.

Narcissa suppressed a sigh. Wizards!

"You are not coming anywhere near my sister," Lucius ground out, standing up to his full height, forcing Narcissa to let go of his shoulder and take a step back.

This was going to take a while, she knew. She stepped away and calmly her seat whilst the obstinate wizards around her took out their wands for measuring. She felt sorry for Luna being stuck in the middle. But then again, Luna wouldn't be the quiet type. She probably stoked the fire as well.

"She's not your sister in this life," Harry returned.

"She's my sister in every life," Lucius exclaimed.

"She's my wife in every life," Harry retorted.

Narcissa sent a sharp glance towards Lucius and Harry, as did Severus.

Lucius reared back.

"It was a soul bond, blessed by the Founders," Harry said more quietly. "You know the meaning a soul bond holds."

In a calmer tone, Lucius said, "You touched my underage sister. Inappropriately."

Lucius was a hypocrite. Sirius had not been wrong about Lucius having worked his way through so many witches during his time at Hogwarts. He'd been the Hogwarts broom. A lot of witches had ridden him and they came back for more. Narcissa could well understand. Lucius was a good lover, generous. Back in his school days, before Lucius had changed, he knew the value of a good reputation. Pleasing the witches he bedded, keeping them happy, meant that his reputation never suffered, and they were never unwilling. That had been important to Lucius at the time. She'd never had to worry about Lucius being faithful. Lucius had never been the kind of wizard to have more than one witch at a time. In fact, it was Lucius who had added the Fidelity clause in their marriage contract. Lucius, Narcissa knew, would never cheat on her, but it also gave him a ready excuse to not participate in certain… celebrations… that Voldemort held.

Narcissa pulled herself out of her thoughts back to the current situation in her kitchen.

"Tell me now, truthfully, do you think I would ever do anything to hurt Juno. If you do, Malachy, I'll leave now."

"No, you wouldn't," Lucius sighed, backing down. "You would try, I know that. But you couldn't leave her. Nor would she let you."

"Thank you," Harry smiled.

"I still don't like you touching her… inappropriately. You're not married in this life," he rallied.

Narcissa let out a delicate cough.

Lucius had no problems being 'inappropriate' with witches in his school days. She saw her husband tense and glance quickly in her direction and before anything further could be said there was another knock on the door.

"Enter," Lucius called with relief.

Xeno Lovegood poked his head around the door, looking puzzled, perhaps at the lack of wands being drawn and the lack of blood and bruises.

"I've been informed that my daughter is being held hostage in this room," Xeno with remarkable calm, stepping forward and looking around the room with interest.

Lucius and Narcissa didn't have much to do with Xenophilius Lovegood directly, though Lucius did keep an eye on him from a distance since Luna was a young girl. The Lovegoods were always known for the eccentric reputation. When Luna's mother, Pandora, had passed away Lucius had been distraught although the witch had meant nothing to him. Malachy and Juno had lost their own mother, Malachy had done his best to make sure his sister had been well looked after in every way. He'd taught her to fight and become the formidable witch she'd been become that made the Founders choose her as a champion. When Luna had lost her mother, Lucius was reminded of their lives as Malachy and Juno and how he was unable to go to her.

Lucius had secretly ordered hundreds of copies of the Quibbler magazine over the years to make sure that they had an income when the Lovegoods had been waning. He (and Narcissa) had even contributed several articles to the magazine, all anonymously of course. Narcissa had found it surprisingly fun. It had been a wonderful outlet. Narcissa kept a copy of every Quibbler issue since Pandora had passed away; 2 copies of every magazine she and Lucius had contributed an article to.

"No sign of nargles," Xeno said, and looked a little disappointed.

Narcissa bit back a smile.

No one said anything.

"Where have you hidden Luna?" Xeno asked, but looked at the closed door.

Lucius sighed and waved his wand. The door behind him opened and Luna skipped out. She looked better rested than Lucius.

"Good morning, Daddy," Luna beamed, reaching for her father.

"Luna, my love. Did you get a good night's sleep?"

They hugged with genuine affection.

"Not all night, Daddy. I did sleep well for a few hours. I was missing Harry too much," Luna said from the comfort of her father's arms. "It's not the same sleeping in the same bed as Harry. We usually sneak out of our dorms to spend the night together."

Xeno nodded.

"She's telling you she sneaks out to spend time with a boy and all you can do is nod?"

"Have you been practicing safe sex, Luna?" Xeno asked in the manner one would ask about his daughter's classes.

"Yes, Daddy," Luna nodded dutifully as Lucius sputtered.

Narcissa calmly took a sip of her morning tea, repressing another smile.

Severus stood awkwardly in the background, looking as if he was debating whether he should leave or stay. Harry studiously kept his back to Severus. Narcissa felt for Severus. The usually reticent wizard had opened up to her over the summer to his mixed feelings of one Harry Potter. He was desperate to make amends and confided to her that his recent attempt to apologise had been rejected.

Narcissa only knew of their acrimonious relationship over the past 6 years based on what Draco had gleefully repeated when he was home any time he complained about Harry, and how Severus was the only one who took the Boy Who Lived down a notch. She knew young Harry enough to know that whatever Severus had done was not going to be an easy fix. Feelings were complicated.

"For Merlin's sake, Black, leave!" Lucius railed.

Narcissa was brought out of her musings as she noticed the entrance of her cousin Sirius.

"I'm here to support my godson in the rescue of his girlfriend," Sirius said with a huge grin. "From her mean older brother from another life, go figure."

He stepped forward and handed a small box to Harry.

Harry didn't miss a beat as he took the box, opened it and knelt down in front of Luna.

"Luna, this ring has been in my family for generations. My dad gave it to my mum when he proposed and she wore it until the day she died as symbol for her love for my dad. It would be my honour if you wore it too. Will you marry me?"

Narcissa felt a lump in her chest and tried to blame the emotions on the hormones of pregnancy.

She glanced towards Severus who looked even more uncomfortable and then towards Sirius who was bizarrely watching Severus. Sirius looked a little sad and dare she say it, even remorseful. She filed away the questions to ask later.

Lucius looked apoplectic. Xeno was pleased. Luna looked ready to float with happiness.

"Yes, Harry," she practically squealed and impatiently stuck out her hand.

Harry didn't waste any time and slid the ring on her finger, stood up and in one smooth motion kissed his fiancé.

"You're my anchor, Luna," Harry said, bringing tears Narcissa's eye with his simple words.

"I forbid this. You're too young. You're still in school!" Lucius spluttered.

His words were drowned out by the cheers and clapping coming from the corridor, as well as shouts of "Well done, Harry!" and "Congratulations!" The door was left open.

Narcissa stood up and took pity on her husband.

"May we enter?" McGonagall called.

"NO!" Lucius roared just at the same time as Narcissa called for them to enter.

McGonagall walked in with Ron, Hermione and Neville, trailed behind with a cake carrying Ginny and Remus followed with balloons. Tonks made a wide grinned entrance and the Weasley family ambled in with huge smiles. They had certainly pulled this all together very quickly. Molly looked a little emotional and made a beeline for the happy couple and gave them both a kiss and hug before walking over to Narcissa who was still trying to placate an indignant Lucius.

"You couldn't have kept them apart forever," Narcissa soothed, stroking his arm gently.

"I wasn't planning on keeping them apart forever," Lucius said irritably. "Only for another 20 or 40 years or so."

"Now, now Lucius. Smile and congratulate the couple," Molly admonished.

Lucius pasted an insincere smile on his face and said, "Why do I end up hosting breakfast every morning?"

Narcissa laughed and pushed him towards Harry and Luna. The children, plus Sirius (who acted like a child) did pop in for breakfast with them most mornings. But always made sure it was before or after Draco was there.

Narcissa noticed that Severus had slipped out, but she didn't miss the look of regret on his face.

Lucius reluctantly gave his blessing and they had an impromptu celebration of their engagement. It was a good thing it was the weekend. She knew that Lucius wasn't as angry as he appeared. He knew that Harry and Luna belonged together. Harry was dear to Lucius and knew that he would protect Luna, at the cost of his own life. Lucius and Narcissa both knew that Luna was just as fiercely protective of Harry. Narcissa had seen over the summer whilst they'd all stayed at Sirius' house.

Speaking of the wizard, Sirius had moved away to get himself from breakfast that the house-elves laid out for them. Narcissa sidled up Sirius as he loaded his plate with scrambled eggs and said in an undertone, "What was that look you gave Severus when Harry was proposing to Luna?"

Much to her surprise, Sirius didn't try prevaricating.

He looked furtively over their shoulder to make sure they weren't being overheard.

"Harry told me Snape tried to apologise for treating him like crap since he came to Hogwarts. Harry refused to accept his apology and once he explained why I guess I understand. But a part of me feels really bad for Snape. Harry really can't bring himself to forgive Snape and I've been watching Snape and he really is trying."

Narcissa nodded as she listened and followed Sirius's steps as he added fried mushrooms to his plate.

"When Harry proposed he mentioned James and Lily and I couldn't help but think, if it hadn't been for me and James, Lily might have chosen Severus. Severus might have been Harry's father. But James and I ruined a future for them."

Narcissa had never seen Sirius look so regretful. She knew that there was no love lost between Sirius and Severus, and as much as she cared about Severus, she wondered if Sirius was wasting his regrets. Severus was always focused, to the point of being fixated and on one track about his situation. It wasn't always a good thing. When Severus had entered Hogwarts as a first-year, she had already been in her fourth, and he had quickly made a name for himself as someone who knew the most about Potions and hexes and curses, especially of the dark variety. Severus had been so determined to get ahead that he didn't care about anything else other than trying to be respected and feared. Lily had been the one person who could have kept him going down the path of the dark, but in his pride he had burned that bridge. He might have regretted calling Lily a mudblood and from Severus' explanations he had tried to apologise more than once but he'd still cared more about his ambitions than he had of a future with Lily as his friend. After Lily had passed his guilt had propelled him once more to fixate on protecting her son with single-mindedness – nothing else mattered.

Now, although Severus was focusing on having Harry forgive him and was going at it with more determination than he had with Lily; he'd learned at least what was more important to him. But Narcissa could categorically say from conversations with Severus, that he didn't give as much thought to other people and his regrets towards them as Sirius was expressing for Severus. She thought that day would never come. That was the moment she realised that Sirius had definitely grown up.

"Oh, Sirius," she sniffled and cursed her hormones.

Sirius put down his plate and embraced her.

"Why are you crying?"

"Severus would think you're pitying him and he wouldn't thank you for it," Narcissa told him. "His only focus is Harry and his forgiveness."

"And that's the mistake he's making. I admit my part in Harry getting hurt last year, and," he dropped his voice further, "and Dora and her baby, but I also realised that I didn't just need the forgiveness of Harry and Dora, but also the Weasleys and Luna, Andromeda and Ted and Moody because by hurting Harry and Dora I also hurt everyone else. I had to do a lot of grovelling and apologising before any of them forgave me. I know enough about Harry to realise he couldn't forgive me before I made my efforts with the others, especially Dora and her family. Severus needs to also recognise that."

Narcissa nodded and said, "I never realised that you have matured that much."

Sirius snorted, "Shut up!"

Narcissa shook her head as she was pushed away so that Sirius could pick up his plate. They finished their conversation just in time, as Neville walked over to grab an empty plate of his own.

Sensing an atmosphere, he asked in concern, "Everything okay?"

"Yes, it was just a reminisce of past mistakes," Sirius answered with a shrug. "Narcissa gets emotional quite easily these days."

Narcissa smacked Sirius on the arm for that.

"Watch the plate, witch!" Sirius complained.

Neville didn't look placated.

"Trust me, Neville, you don't want to get involved in this conversation," Sirius told him earnestly.

Neville nodded.

"All right," he shrugged. "But if you need any help you only have to ask."

Narcissa nodded emotionally again. Neville, to his credit, didn't cringe away from her tears like Draco did when Narcissa started to cry. She blamed her hormones once more.

Neville smiled and gave her a gentle hug.

"Oh, I'm a mess," she complained, using a napkin Neville handed to her, to delicately dab the tears at her eyes.

"Don't worry about that," Neville said softly, stepping closer. "It's been a long time since my mother wiped my tears, but that doesn't mean I can't wipe a mother's tears."

Narcissa lost it completely and threw herself into Neville's startled arms.

"Smooth," Sirius told him approvingly, picking up his sausage and biting into it.

Neville patted her back soothingly.

"Your mother … would be – proud … of you…" Narcissa managed to choke out.

She had been so emotional during her pregnancy and on top of her grief for when she thought she had lost Lucius.

Lucius had been able to handle her tears well enough, but whilst she had been alone with Draco over the summer, Draco had been protective but uncomfortable with her tears. Although he had stayed with at Black Manor, when she had become emotional he had found an excuse to leave. Harry had been so good with her too. Her respect for both boys kicked up a notch.

Molly came over to rescue Neville and lead Narcissa to a chair with a gentle smile. Neville, bless the darling, came over with a plateful of food for all three of them, floating in front of which he placed on the table. He took a seat and was soon joined by Lucius and Xeno.

Lucius had calmed down significantly and was even laughing along with Harry. As overprotective as he was of Luna, he also knew Harry would lay down his life for her and Lucius would do the same for Harry. He had loved Caspian like a son.

The mood quickly took a turn for the worse when Draco entered and immediately a hush fell over the room. Draco scowled at the previously happy faces. Narcissa saw Lucius' face also fall. She knew he hated that there was discord between both lives.

"What's happening here?"

"We're just celebrating Harry and Luna's engagement," Narcissa smiled, beckoning Draco to join at the table.

Draco stepped forward reluctantly.

Harry didn't waste time wrapping up.

There was an awkward silence before there was muttering and everyone nodded to Lucius and Narcissa and filed out.

Ron was the only who took his plate of food with him.

Molly whispered that she'd be back at lunch time to keep her company and followed everyone out.

Narcissa let out a sigh as she poured herself more pumpkin juice as Draco joined them at the table.

Lucius schooled his expression to something bordering pleasant and neutral. Draco had been in an off mood since the very first breakfast they had several weeks ago. He refused to talk about it so neither parent pushed.

Narcissa knew he resented the new developments. He'd been angry for so long.

Lucius exchanged glances with Narcissa who repressed a smile. Bizarrely, the atmosphere reminded her of the times when Draco would throw a tantrum because he was denied a toy or a new broom. The letter following Christmas from his third year had been unbearably repetitive with his complaints about Harry and his new Firebolt and demanded that he be bought one too. Both she and Lucius had refused stating that he and his team had been bought new Nimbus 2001s the previous year. Lucius had been reluctant to do even that, but Narcissa had convinced him.

"Which classes will you be starting first?" Narcissa filled in the silence.

Lucius, who had already eaten earlier with the others, sipped at his juice before he answered, "I'll have second years on the pitch first thing Monday morning. I'm planning on starting them on their brooms and work on their aiming on moving targets."

Draco was tense as he noticed that neither of his parents were eating breakfast and the debris of leftovers from everyone else.

"What are your plans this weekend, Draco?" Lucius asked.

Draco shrugged.

"I'm heading to back to the Manor to update the wards. If you have no plans, you should come with me. We can open up the Manor in time for Christmas once we restructure the wards for our full protection."

"Really? You want me to come with you? Just us?" Draco's face lost its petulant look.

"No, not just us. Sirius will be joining us," Lucius added.

Narcissa frowned.

"You didn't mention this earlier, Lucius," Narcissa said crisply.

"Sirius is the Head of Black, his assistance will useful when warding against other members of the Black family from entering our home."

Narcissa swore that the temperature dropped. Lucius really didn't like Bellatrix. If what she suspected was true, with Sirius' help Lucius would adjust the wards to make it painful for Bellatrix to even attempt to enter.

Good, she thought, as she placed her hand over belly protectively. Draco was happy at least, that it was mostly him and his father.

Ginny wondered why she was she torturing herself really. She walked off in the direction of the library, not really intending to study. Just wanting to get away from the celebrations. Harry was never going to be hers. That should have been obvious, but Ginny found it difficult to stop herself from hoping.

Harry had always been a dream of hers. She'd known, in a vague sort of way, when she was younger about heroes and Molly Weasley had always told Ginny about the young orphan hero. She'd told the story of Voldemort's defeat because it chased away the shadows of pain that entered her mother's eyes when she talked about the war. All the people she had lost, like her brothers. Ginny knew her mum turned a blind eye to Fred and George's antics more than half the time because they reminded her so much of her Ginny's uncles, Fabian and Gideon.

And Ginny loved those stories of You Know Who being defeated because it meant her mum was safe and that fear when she spoke about You Know Who and war was less. All because of Harry Potter. Somehow, Harry's story had grown even more in Ginny's mind. It had been unbelievable luck that Harry Potter was her brother's best friend. That he had come to stay at the Burrow. That they were in the same House at Hogwarts. The hat almost put her in Hufflepuff or Slytherin and Ginny had to fight hard to be in the same House as Harry, and the rest of her family. She couldn't not be a Gryffindor.

However, Ginny's dreams of being friends with Harry had come to nothing. She had already been under Tom's thrall before they left for Hogwarts and she'd spent the better part of the year petrifying her friends. Even Hermione, who'd been so kind to Ginny. Ron always pushed her away like she was a nuisance and Harry always let him. She knew Harry didn't do it on purpose though. He was shy. Even Ginny had recognised that at the time. Even though Harry had courage, he still didn't speak to many people and he didn't know Ginny really. Other than as Ron's sister. Ginny had tried to speak to Harry, to get to know him better, to be his friend. She hadn't been able to. Part of it was because of her crush on him. Part of it was because of Tom and his influence. By the time she realised what Tom had been doing it was too late. When Ginny had seen Harry with Tom's diary Ginny had panicked. She thought Harry would realise that it was her who had killed the roosters, who petrified everyone. That it was because of her that everyone thought he was the Heir of Slytherin who wanted to hurt everyone.

When she had woken up in the Chamber, Harry had been covered in blood, the diary had been destroyed and basilisk was dead. Tom was gone. Ginny had thought he would be angry. It was because of her that Hermione was in the Hospital Wing.

Harry wasn't angry though. In fact, he had assured her, comforted her. He didn't blame her at all. Her crush on Harry developed into something more. Her mum's stories had become reality. She'd realised then that Harry was actually a real hero. And unlike Lockhart, Harry didn't take credit for everything himself. He said it was Hermione who had figured out that it was a basilisk and about the pipes, and Fawkes, the Headmaster's phoenix who blinded the serpent. Harry had acted so modest.

Yet, Ginny still couldn't speak to him properly. She had walked away thinking Harry would never think of her as a friend. She had remained in the shadows yet again.

Then she had lost another opportunity to get closer to Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. She knew Harry wouldn't put his own name into the Goblet and had been so angry at Ron that he thought Harry would. Harry Potter was not a liar. She'd been so angry with herself when she realised she could have gone to the Yule Ball with Harry. If only she hadn't already said yes to Neville. Harry was the Boy-Who-Lived, a competitor of the Triwizard Tournament. Ginny had listened to enough gossip to know that lots of girls wanted to be Harry's date. Harry only had eyes for Cho, though. Cho, who had already committed to being Cedric's date.

When Ron suggested that Harry take Ginny to the Ball, Ginny had been so elated before coming down to earth with a thump. But she'd rallied quickly. She thought, even if Harry wasn't her date, she could still dance with him. Still had that chance to get close to him.

Harry didn't dance with anyone other than Parvati though, and then spent the rest of the dance staring at Cho. That broke Ginny's heart even more.

It was Hermione's idea that she move on from Harry. Hermione had been the one to tell her that Harry still liked Cho and that she should find someone else and that maybe Harry would realise that Ginny was growing up, show him that she was different and that other boys noticed even if he didn't.

Ginny thought maybe it almost worked. By the end of her fourth year, Harry had got over Cho and Ginny had found an excuse to dump Michael Corner and then used Dean's name to get Ron to back off and maybe make Harry jealous because Harry and Dean were dorm mates and Dean would show off Ginny as a great girlfriend. Except, Dean really did like her. Way more than she liked him. Harry hadn't noticed her at all. He'd had a couple of dates with Katie Bell and then, like a bludger out of nowhere he was suddenly going home for Christmas with Luna on his arm, like they'd been dating forever. Ginny found this unfair. Ginny had known him for so much longer. She loved Harry.

She felt like she'd been kicked in the teeth by a hippogriff when she'd revealed that they were old souls, reincarnated soulmates from the Founders time. It wasn't real. Sounded like something out of fiction. Even in the wizarding world, some things just weren't possible. This should have been one of them. It could only happen to Ginny. The boy she was in love with was someone who already had soulmate, bonded to Luna for all eternity. And she was stuck with Dean because she didn't want to break his heart. She knew she wasn't being fair to Dean, stringing him along.

Ginny wished she could turn off her feelings for Harry and turn them on for Dean. Because there was nothing wrong with Dean really. He just wasn't Harry.