Chapter 47: Thorn Rose Cottage


"I don't like this, I don't like this at all," Mrs Weasley was saying, as the Order meeting dispersed. Harry saw that Arthur and Remus were both trying to comfort her. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, and they both nodded, and the three of them left before anything more could be said.

It had been decided that Grimmauld Place would no longer be used as Headquarters. Rather belatedly (actually Harry thought it rather horrifyingly belated), someone had realized that Snape could still access the house if he wanted. "Could bring all his Death Eater cronies with him, too," as Ron had muttered earlier in the meeting. Harry didn't understand why this hadn't occurred to anyone before this. But thankfully, there had been no sign of the loathsome Potions Master or his "friends".

"Do you know anything about this cottage we're going to?" he asked his two friends, and they shook their heads.

"All I know is that it is a friend of the Order's and completely unplottable. Well, I suppose it would have to be, wouldn't it?" Hermione said, frowning.

"And all I know is Mum sure doesn't want us to go. But she's got no choice. Our old place certainly isn't completely unknown to the wankers," Ron said as they made their way upstairs to pack and let Ginny know.

"Ron!" Hermione said, sounding astonished. "Language!"

"What? They're complete and utter wankers, Hermione. The whole lot of them. Are you telling me you disagree?"

The two men stopped on the stair together and looked at her. Harry had to admit he wanted to hear her answer.

Hermione looked at them, her mouth opening and closing rapidly. Harry raised an eyebrow at her and glanced at Ron, who had the ghost of a smile on his face.

Hermione grimaced, and her shoulders slumped slightly. "Perhaps."

Ron looked incredulous at his girlfriend. "Perhaps? Come off it, Hermione, I want to hear you say it. You can say Voldemort without any issue! Now say they're complete and utter wankers."

Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing at the expression on Hermione's face. She looked hopelessly at the two of them for a moment and then scowled.

"Fine. You're right, they are complete…" she paused slightly, and Ron nodded his head encouragingly.

"And utter, don't forget utter," Ron said, sounding far too gleeful to Harry's hears.

Hermione pulled a face and then drew in a deep breath. "They are complete and utter wankers."

Ron gave out a loud whoop! of noise and winked at Harry as Hermione pushed past them both, shaking her head.

"My best friends are total nutters," Harry murmured under his breath. They ran into Brogan as they reached the hallway, and Harry suddenly felt entirely too self-conscious. And hot. He felt hot for some reason.

"All right, you three?" Brogan asked, smiling. He was doing much better now since he'd had time to rest. The cut on his back still needed to be bandaged, but changed less often. But Harry could see he looked less pale and weak and more like himself.

"You'd better head down and get filled in," Ron was saying, nodding at Brogan. "We're all moving out."

Brogan glanced at Harry, a question on his face, but Harry could only shrug and keep heading toward his room. He hadn't mentioned anything about the things Ginny had told him to Brogan. So the other man had absolutely no idea how awkward Harry felt being around him now. But he knew he had to try to act normal or there was one seriously uncomfortable conversation in his future, and Harry really didn't want that.

"I'll see you guys downstairs after Ginny and I get packed. Shouldn't take too long, half of my things are still at the school." Harry said, as way of goodbye and left the three of them behind. He knew Brogan was probably wondering what in the hell was wrong with him, but he couldn't help it.

He released a deep breath when he reached his room and knocked on the door slightly before opening it. Ginny looked up from the old Quidditch Weekly she'd found and smiled.

"How was the meeting?"

Harry sat down next to her. "We're moving. All of us. Apparently, someone remembered Snape can come and go as he pleases here. We don't want to take any chances."

Ginny frowned. "But he wouldn't…I mean, he'd have to know…" she paused and looked at him. " Sorry, I reckon I am still thinking of Snape as being on our side. I can't wrap my head around him leading a band of Death Eaters in here to kill us in our sleep. Are we going to the Burrow?"

Harry shook his head. "Someplace called Thorn Rose Cottage. Ever heard of it?"

"No. Who owns it? And wait, I'm going with you? I don't have to stay with my parents?"

Harry smiled. "I don't know who owns it, and your Mum isn't too happy about it, but since you're almost 17 now, she has amazingly relented. Remus and your father think it's for the best. Ron, Hermione, and Brogan are coming, too. Possibly Kath and maybe the twins. Remus is trying to sort everything out."

"We've heard from Kath?" Ginny asked

"Oh, yeah, I didn't tell you! She helped George get some of the younger students to safety, the night everything happened. Order members in Hogsmeade had some sort of alarm system in place if things went wonky. She, George, and Fred were in the secret passageways, getting kids out. Kath and Fred have been making sure everyone got home to their parents or families."

"Still no word on the few students left behind?"

Harry shook his head. "No, and I'm sure Voldemort has dealt with them or ordered something horrific to be done with them. Remus thinks he'll make an example out of them to get the Ministry to bow to his wishes."

Ginny shuddered at his words. "Merlin, help us. I still can't believe the Ministry hasn't fallen. Or maybe he's got his people already there, working behind the scenes to further the cause."

Harry sighed. "Remus hasn't told us too many details, but he says that for now, the Ministry is still acting independently of Voldemort. But people are scared. They never thought he would get the school. Kingsley Shacklebolt says the Aurors, the ones he trusts, are working around the clock. Everyone keeps reporting their loved ones as missing, even if they're just in the next room. It's driving everyone spare."

Ginny stood up and paced back and forth for a few minutes. "Wizarding kind, on the whole, are sort of a nonsensical lot. Half of us are nutters, and the other half is perfectly fine to sit on the sidelines and wait and see what happens after the dust has cleared. They don't support him, but…"

"They don't want to do anything to help," Harry finished for her, nodding. They stared at each other a moment, and Harry got up and went to her.

"At least we can be together," he said, touching her face.

"Small miracles." Ginny smiled. "How did you ever convince them to allow it?"

Harry frowned. "I didn't, actually. But I think Remus had a talk with your parents, and well, your Dad is being really supportive. I think Arthur understands better how it is when we're apart."

"Yes, I noticed you were calling him Arthur now," Ginny said, a faint smirk on her face.

Harry felt himself blush. "He asked me to. I like it, it feels…right. He is my future father-in-law, or is at this point, now sure how that works."

"He is in name, and will be once we perform the final bonding ceremony. But I know he has always cared for you, Harry." She reached up and pushed the fringe off his forehead, kissing him lightly.

"We should get packed. I left Ron and Hermione with Brogan and told them we'd meet them downstairs." Harry said, looking around absentmindedly. He really didn't have too many clothes left.

"How is Brogan?" Ginny asked after a moment, as she started pulling his socks and pants out from the side drawer. Harry grabbed out an old rucksack of his and started grabbing his shirts and jeans out of the wardrobe.

"Fine," he said, pretending to find packing to be the most fascinating thing in the world. He wasn't surprised a moment later when he heard Ginny huff in exasperation behind him. Nor was he surprised when his clothes magically flew from his hands to the bag, neatly folding themselves. He turned as she tucked her wand back into her jeans pocket.

"Want to try that again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"He looked fine," Harry grumbled, closing the bag with a hefty pull on the zipper.

"He's going to know something is wrong, Harry, if you keep avoiding him."

"Well, something is wrong! I don't know how to act around him!" Harry said, feeling exasperated. "Ever since you told me he…fancies me, I feel like I have to watch how I act. It's nerve-wracking, to be honest."

Ginny clucked her tongue at him. "How did you act when you knew I had a crush on you?"

Harry stopped, frowning to himself. "I didn't act any special way, I don't think. I just…was me. And you were just…you."

"So why is the situation with Brogan any different?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his waist and watching him. "You didn't let my little crush have any effect on you, so why is Brogan's feelings suddenly the end of the world?"

"It's not, it's just…well, he's a bloke," Harry said. He also knew as soon as it left his mouth how utterly stupid he sounded.

"And blokes can't have feelings?" Ginny asked, looking curiously at him.

"Well, no…of course we can, but…" Harry stopped and shook his head at her. "You're right. You're absolutely right. I don't know why I've been uncomfortable. Other than…you know," he said, shrugging.

"Do you fancy him back?" Ginny asked, giving him a speculative look.

Harry shook his head. "I just…I never thought of him like that, and you know it. It isn't the same as it was with you and me. I mean, I like Brogan, but…I don't like Brogan. At least I don't think I do." Harry frowned to himself. He'd never considered it, to be perfectly honest. Harry knew Brogan was attractive - he had eyes, didn't he? But it was just a thing. Like a pretty flower or a painting. It didn't mean he wanted to snog said flower or painting. Did it? Harry suddenly felt hot again. Maybe he was coming down with something.

Ginny sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "What would you do if Luna fancied me?"

Harry was startled out of his own reverie and looked down at her. "I'm sorry…but what?"

"If Luna fancied me and we…you know," Ginny nodded with her head.

"Is this some way you have of asking me to have a threesome with you and Luna? Because honestly, Gin, I gotta say, lousy timing."

Ginny snorted and laughed at him. "So it's okay if it is two girls, but not if it is two blokes?"

Harry chuckled. "You know I was joking. I don't fancy Luna. I mean, she's nice and all, but I don't think I've ever thought of her as someone who is sexy. But now I will try, so thanks for that."

"Sexual feelings aren't always so black and white, Harry," Ginny said, her gaze going far away for a moment. "I mean, I see girls that look pretty and fit to me all the time."

"Well, that's because girls are prettier than most blokes. You lot are far easier to stare at and imagine things with."

"I suppose," Ginny said, frowning. "I guess my point is sometimes you don't get to choose who you fancy, it just sort of…happens. Like sometimes it isn't how they look, or who they are, if they're male or female, but just what they are inside. Sometimes it hits you like an Incendio Charm. And then other times it's a slow, gradual thing…I mean look at us. I fancied you right from the start but it took you a while, didn't it?"

"I know," Harry said, resting his head on top of hers, thinking about it. He sighed. "All right, your point has been made. I will stop acting like a giant prat and just be myself."

Ginny smiled up at him. "Good. Brogan's pretty clever and can figure things out pretty quickly, though. He's probably already noticed. Just act like Harry, and you can't go wrong."

Harry smirked as they broke apart. He grabbed his bag and put it around his shoulders, taking one last look at his room, not knowing when he would see it again.

"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand. "Let's go get you all packed up as well. Although I reckon you mostly are still set from the bag you had at Hogwarts. But while you're finishing, you can tell me all about these women you fancy and want to shag, just to keep me entertained." Harry wiggled his eyebrows at her and leered.

Ginny laughed and shook her head at him. "No, that is definitely a conversation for when we're going to have some alone time. I don't want you to get too worked up before we travel."

Harry stopped and put his hand over his heart. "Oh, Gin, you know the way to every man's heart. The stories are that good, eh?"

Ginny blushed and then winked at him. "Maybe. Or maybe I was just making a point, you git."

They laughed, and Harry closed the door behind them.

o-o-o-o-o

Folkestone, near Dover, was a harbor town. Ginny watched the bright, blue-green flash of the water whipping past the window as their car sped down the long stretch of the M20 motorway. They'd left Grimmauld Place by floo, arrived at a safe-house in Swingate, and were now on their way towards Thorn Rose Cottage. Her Mum had cried when they'd left and hugged her especially close. Her father had been a bit more practical and merely kissed the top of her head. He'd shaken Harry's hand and hugged Ron and Hermione, telling them all to be safe.

They turned down one of the town's streets and started traveling northeast, away from the coastline. A short while later and there were more trees and more rolling hills. Ginny had hoped they could have stayed near the water, but she supposed that wasn't meant to be. Harry squeezed her hand, sitting next to her, and she smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. He was reading a Quidditch Supply catalog, of all things and looking at the different types of brooms. Her eyes strayed to Ron and Hermione – Ron was sitting with his head back against the cushion, seemingly asleep. Hermione was reading a rather large book that Ginny was sure was full of Very Important Things. Brogan, who had also joined them, was looking out his window as well, but he turned his head as he felt her gaze and smiled.

Brogan's eyes strayed to Harry, and Ginny saw him frown before he turned his attention back to the window. Ginny knew Brogan had likely cottoned on to Harry's rather palpable awkwardness around him. She hoped the two men would be able to move past it and remain friends. Hopefully, their earlier conversation about things would allow Harry to stop acting differently. As for herself and Brogan…well, they hadn't actually talked all that much either, but she knew it would just take time. Harry's fairly reasonable and surprisingly mature reaction to the whole thing had definitely helped her realize their situation could have been far worse. All in all, she was thankful that Brogan had been there for her.

Ginny noticed they had passed fewer and fewer homes, and soon they were just getting glimpses of Muggle life between the tall willow trees which lined the roadway. The car slowed and turned up a long, winding lane, and she sat forward with interest. Ginny noticed her car-mates were starting to stir as well, with Ron waking himself up with a slight snore and Hermione finally closing her book. Harry leaned in against her and tried to see their new living quarters (at least for the time being) for the first time.

"Oh! It's lovely," Hermione breathed as the cottage came into view. The car stopped, and their driver got out, a man named Devlin Mahoney, who was a trusted friend of Kingsley Shacklebolt. Tonks, who had also come with them as back-up, told them to wait until she made sure everything was okay. They watched her turn into a rather smart-looking young woman with long, black hair and get out of the car. The windows had been charmed to allow them to see out, but no one could see in as a safety precaution.

She and Devlin looked around and then approached Thorn Rose together. There was a trellis of white flowers surrounding the bright red door of the cottage, and making it appear homey and inviting. But Ginny had a feeling that it was bigger on the inside because right now, it seemed far too small for all of them. Green ivy wrapped around the mostly stone building, and it looked very quaint. As far as she could see, it had two high arched windows on its second floor and a smaller one near the door. Tonks stood by the door and did something with her wand and then nodded at the car. They all moved to get out, the loud slam of the car doors echoing in the silence of the countryside.

Brogan and Tonks had shrunk down their bags and luggage before they'd left. Devlin quickly removed them from the boot of the car. Tonks led them toward the door, and Ginny shivered as she crossed through the garden, noticing for the first time that there was a stone path leading to the door. Each stone was emblazoned with an image of a rose in full bloom. She was about to ask Tonks what magic they had just gone through when Hermione did it for her.

"What was that flare of magic?" The other girl asked, sounding slightly breathless.

"Just a little charm to make it so you could really see Thorn Rose as it truly is. You'll notice a lot more things about it now," Tonks said, indicating the area in front of them. Now there appeared to be a side area to the building, complete with table, chairs, and a hammock. And as Ginny had suspected, it was definitely bigger. There was a chimney and an extra floor now, with more of the green ivy weaving upwards. They followed Tonks into the cottage to find a large sitting room, that had more than enough comfy chairs and a charming fireplace to the right. The walls were covered with bookshelves, and she and Harry shared an amused glance as both Hermione and Brogan were immediately drawn to them.

"Right, as long as you are in the cottage and its surroundings, no one can see a thing. It looks like an empty barn to the Muggles. Wizarding folk might think something is here, but they won't worry too much about it. The Concealment Charm on the place is really well done, and unless you know what you're looking for, you won't find it," Tonks said, changing back into her regular self.

Ginny walked past her into the kitchen, enjoying the fresh burst of light it was filled with. The trimmings and moldings were done in canary yellow, and the walls were a pale, creamy white. It looked comfortable, and the open pantry was fully stocked. She could see what looked like a small vegetable garden out the back window. She turned to Tonks.

"Who's place is this?" she asked the other woman.

"A friend's," Tonks said, winking at her and then she turned to Devlin. "You'll want to show Brogan how to work the charms and whatnot." She patted Brogan on the shoulder. "As oldest one here, and former Professor, you get to be the gatekeeper. He has to bind them to you."

Brogan nodded and followed Devlin outside. Tonks looked at the rest of them, a puckish look on her heart-shaped face. She looked down the hallway and then looked at Ron and Hermione. "Right, I think you two should take the bedroom down here. It's the second door on the right. The loo is right next to it. Don't worry, Ron, there's only one bed. I can already see that mind of yours working things out."

Ron looked affronted for a moment and then smiled sheepishly. He and Hermione headed down the hallway eagerly. Tonks smiled after them. "Molly really didn't want to know the sleeping arrangements. Remus told her Ginny would be down here with Hermione, so you know what to say if she ever asks, right?"

Ginny and Harry both nodded their heads in agreement. Tonks indicated they should go upstairs. Ginny liked the feel of the smooth and sturdy wood beneath her hands and looked down. The banister for the stairs was inlaid with tiny carved roses, in various states of bloom. The work was delicate and elegant. She paused to marvel over it but looked up when she heard Harry's voice filled with excitement. Tonks laughed as Ginny moved quickly up the stairs.

Harry was standing in the first bedroom on the left-hand side, smiling widely. Ginny looked over his shoulder and could understand why. It was, quite simply, a gorgeous room. There was a vaulted ceiling and oak-wood floors, with a large bed against the wall. It was a canopy bed, complete with a gossamer type of covering. The colors in the room were dark browns and light auburn, and she could see that this was the room that housed the two large arch windows giving it an amazing light.

"Oh, we get this room, don't we?" Ginny asked Tonks as she entered it more fully.

"If you want. Mind you it is the biggest and does have its own bath, and Merlin knows the two of you need your space," Tonks said, laughing. "Feel free to make yourselves at home, but not too much at home, you two. We still have some things to go over."

Tonks turned and closed the door behind her, leaving them alone. Harry reached out for her, kissing her soundly before she could even speak.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes were a darker shade of green. "This is much better than I expected."

Ginny nodded wistfully. "I know. I hope everyone else gets to stay someplace just as nice."

"What's wrong," he asked after a moment, frowning at her lack of excitement.

Ginny sighed. "I don't know, it just feels so…comfortable. I thought being on the run would be a bit…more…rudimentary. More half-empty tins of lousy food, with Ron complaining instead of roaring fireplaces and soft beds to have sex in."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, I know your Dad still has that tent of his. Let's go bunk in that with everyone. That won't get old or frustrating any time soon, I'm sure."

"Point taken, Potter," Ginny said, finally laughing. "No, I reckon this will do." She walked over to the windows and looked out, seeing Brogan and Devlin standing at the edge of the property, doing some sort of spell. If she looked hard enough, she could just see the blue water of the ocean. She sighed as Harry came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"At least we're together in all of this misery," he said, chuckling. Ginny nodded, lost in thought. It almost seemed too good to be true, this cottage, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. But perhaps it was just her imagination going wild. She watched as Tonks called to Brogan and Devlin as the two men started heading back towards the building. Maybe it was because Thorn Rose wasn't a school or an abbey or anything official. Her parents would not be around, and as far as she knew, most of the adults in the Order would not be dropping by. They would be entirely on their own here, for the most part. Which was good, Ginny reckoned, but it was also a little frightening. She came back to herself as Harry tickled that part of the neck that always made her melt in his arms. She turned around and reached up to kiss him.

"You heard Tonks, let's not get carried away now, Harry."

"Spoilsport," Harry said, releasing her.

Ginny stuck out her tongue and pulled on his hand, leading him to the door. "Come on, let's see what sort of rules we're going to have to follow while we're here. I'm sure Hermione will have color-coordinated schedules for us to adhere to, at least."

"Okay, but only if you promise to use that tongue of yours for more interesting activities later," Harry said as he playfully tugged on her hair.

Ginny shook her head at him and headed down the stairs. She ran into Ron and Hermione at the bottom. They both looked more than slightly rumpled. Ginny smiled at them.

"Like your room?" she asked, enjoying the way Hermione's cheeks went pink.

"Like yours?" Ron countered back with, nodding at Harry as he came down the stairs behind her. "Let's set some ground rules right now – I don't want to know what goes on up there, and you don't get to take the mickey out us for what goes on down here, all right?"

Ginny glanced at Harry, and he shrugged at her. "Fine, Ron," she said, sticking her hand out for him to shake. "You have my word as a Gryffindor and…as your sister."

Ron shook his head. "And those two things will get me a fat load of nothing, but I appreciate the effort, Ginny." He shook her hand as Harry and Hermione both rolled their eyes at them.

"Wotcher, gang," Tonks said, coming in the front door. "I didn't think the four of you would come out of your rooms until I begged and pleaded. But, since you're all here," Tonks paused and nodded at Devlin, who smiled at them and then went back outside. Brogan looked expectantly at Tonks.

"Let's sit in the kitchen," Tonks said, leading the way. "Devlin get you all sorted, Brogan?"

"Yeah, I think so. A strange bit of magic that, who came up with it?"

"Aberforth. He said he and his brother discovered it in their youth. The charm works with your blood to bind Thorn Rose to you. Strictly temporary, of course, but if a single person tries to get on the property without your consent, you'll know it practically before they even try. It's a handy charm, really."

They all sat down at the table, and Tonks smiled at them. "All right, Remus wanted me to be extra stern and strict when I laid down the guidelines, but I am going with my gut here. You lot are all old enough to know what is proper behavior. No leaving the cottage to go into town or have a lark around in the woods. As long as you stay within the confines of the Concealment Charm, you can at least sit outside and get some sun. The floo will be accessible but from one other fireplace only – the location of which is currently unknown. Remus has scheduled weekly floo-calls so that he can touch base with you lot and make sure you're not running low on supplies or anything."

Tonks paused and then looked at Brogan. "Brogan here is considered the temporary owner of Thorn Rose, so what he says goes. But as I know he's an agreeable sort of bloke, you four are probably going to get away with murder. But you lot are going to have to work together to cook and clean and keep this place presentable while you're here. There are not going to be any house-elves or Mollys here to help you. Understood?" Tonks looked at all of them, but her eyes settled on Ron.

"Why does it feel as though you guys are all staring at me the most?" Ron asked, sounding insulted.

Ginny was about to say something scathing, but a nudge from Harry stopped her. She supposed she could let this opportunity to tease Ron go by. Just this once.

Tonks was shaking her head at Ron. "No offense meant, Ron. Any questions?"

"How long will we be here?" Hermione asked.

Tonks sighed. "Until we can get a safer Headquarters set up. Molly isn't going to stand for you guys to be on your own for too long, and Remus doesn't want Harry to be too far away, at any rate. We got lucky when Thorn Rose became available to us. And no, I'm not telling you who it belongs to." Tonk said, noticing Ginny had opened her mouth again. Ginny frowned and then closed her mouth.

"Kath McNamara might be joining you soon or she might be heading back to Ireland, sorry, Brogan," Tonks said, glancing at him.

Brogan gave a half-smile and shrugged. "She needs to do what is best for her. I know she worries about her Dad."

"Well, actually, now since Snape has turned traitor, she's trying to convince her father to join the fight and become our Potioneer," Tonks explained. Brogan nodded in understanding.

"What about the rest of my family?" Ginny asked.

"Fred and George are going to be based in London, and Bill is helping Remus."

"Mum must really be going spare," Ron said, shaking his head.

"Molly has some things of her own to do, as does your father. But I'll let Remus decide what he wants to tell you lot. He'll floo a few days from now after we get settled. Anything else?"

No one else had anything left to ask for the moment, and Tonks got up to go. She turned at the door and looked back at them. "Be safe, don't do anything stupid, and don't take too much advantage of this place," she said, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "We'll send word as soon as we have a better plan of action. We all need to regroup now. Figure out what Dumbledore and his brother actually expected us to do to win this war."

After Tonks left, they all sat at the table in the kitchen, staring at each other. Brogan cleared his throat.

"Well, I reckon we should make a schedule of sorts like she suggested. Who can cook?"

Ginny looked at Ron. "He can. And he's damn good at it, too."

Hermione, Harry, and Brogan all looked at her brother, who scowled at her. Ron shook his head. "Fine, I can do the cooking. But only if that means I don't have to do the washing up." He flicked his eyes at Ginny. Hermione noticed.

"No bargaining," Hermione said, shaking her head. "You're not going to stick Ginny and me with all the cleaning."

"I wasn't!" Ron said. "But if I am doing all the cooking—"

"I can cook a fair bit," Harry volunteered. "I mean, the Dursley's had me cooking for them since I could hold a spoon, really."

Ron and Hermione, who both looked as though they had been gearing up for a row, shut their mouths and looked guilty.

"I can help with the clothes and the cleaning, I reckon," Ginny said, looking at Brogan. "And I'm not a cook like Ron, but I can bake. Mum taught me a few simple things."

Brogan nodded. "I can help with the cleaning too, then. I mean, I can cook a bit the Muggle way, but nothing more advanced than soup or hot sandwiches."

"Well, we may not die of starvation, but we may die of boredom," Ron said, smirking.

"We should be practicing defensive spells, too" Harry said. "Tonks said no one could see us as long as we stayed within the confines of the Concealment Charm. Do you think that would work?"

Brogan looked thoughtful. "I think a better idea would be to use the upstairs area. I think Devlin mentioned the third floor had an empty room or two. We could use one of those. Hermione, want to head up with me and see if we can make it work?"

Hermione nodded and jumped up out of her chair. Ginny had to bite back a laugh at Ron's expression. She looked at her brother.

"Come on, Ron, I'll help with dinner tonight. Help you plan your oh-so-exciting menu and maybe bake some fresh dinner rolls to go with it."

"What can I do?" Harry asked.

Ron looked at him, his hands on his hips. "You can peel potatoes, Harry."

"Oh gee, thanks, Ron," Harry said, sounding put out.

"I'll let you use your wand, mate," Ron said, laughing. "No worries. I'm not a bossy chef. But I do want you to know that I will want them all to be peeled to perfection."

Ginny snorted and took Harry's hand. "Don't listen to him, he only gave you the potatoes to do because he never did get the hang of that spell. Mum tried and tried, but his potatoes always turned out lumpy and deformed."

"Shut it, you," Ron said amiably. "You know, sometimes I forget we grew up in the same house."

Ginny rolled her eyes as Harry laughed. "Oh, this is going to be great fun," she said, watching her brother take charge of the kitchen.

"That's not the word I would use," Harry muttered as he went to the pantry to find the potatoes.

Yes, Ginny could tell that this little foray of theirs into domesticity would be very interesting indeed.

o-o-o-o-o

Ginny finished the last of the dishes and dried her hands. Harry had kept her company for a bit, but Ron had lured him away, begging him for a quick game of chess. Their first foray into cooking for themselves had come off without a hitch, and though she would never tell him outright, Ron's cooking was delicious.

She paused at the door to the sitting room – Ron was now playing Hermione, and Harry and Brogan were sitting together on the settee, laughing about something. Ginny watched them for a moment, feeling a strange sensation twist through her. It was both pleasure and anxiety at the same time. Apparently, Harry hadn't needed a long time to get over his discomfort with their friend and she was glad. But for the first time, Ginny wondered if Harry realized how magnetic the two of them were together. She knew neither of them probably had a clue, which it made even more attractive. Ginny felt an odd sort of swooping motion in her stomach as she watched them. She shook her head to clear it and the motion caught Brogan's eye and he nodded at her to join them. He scooted over on the settee as Harry turned and reached out his hand to her, pulling her around so that she could sit down in between them. He kissed her cheek and smiled at her.

"Sorry, I left you. But if it makes you feel better, Ron kicked my arse."

"Fair and square, too, Harry," her brother called out from their corner. Harry rolled his eyes.

Ginny shook her head. "I don't even want to know."

"Better that way," Brogan chuckled. Ginny glanced at him and then back at Harry.

"So, what were you two talking about? You looked thick as thieves over here."

Harry shrugged. "Brogan was telling me about a detention he gave Malfoy for mouthing off in the hallways. It was pretty funny."

"Oh?" Ginny said, settling back and looking at Brogan. "Well, go on then, you know I love a good laugh."

Brogan appeared to blush slightly, but he smiled. "Well, Malfoy was bit a heated. He was yelling at some second year Muggleborns for being in his way, so I stopped him. He was then mouthy with me for calling him out. I told him that perhaps he needed to get a better appreciation for magic by not using it as he cleaned the boy's bathroom on the third floor."

Ginny snickered. "Oh, I bet he loved that."

"That's not the best part, though," Harry said, resting his chin on her shoulder, his eyes bright. He nodded at Brogan to continue.

"I uh, may have, um…charmed the toilets to be a bit…backed up. Just for the time he was serving his detention." Brogan winked at her, and Ginny grinned.

"You didn't. Was that exactly fair, as a former Professor, do you think?"

Brogan shrugged. "Perhaps not, but Malfoy was being really foul, Gin. I figured he need to get some first hand experience at it, as well."

"Did he report to you when he was done?" Ginny asked. Brogan nodded as he chuckled.

"I think it took him a few days to get the stench out of his just his hair and skin. I also may have made it so his robes were a bit…impervious to cleaning for a few days."

Harry snickered. "I absolutely love it. I would have given anything to see his face when the toilets started backing up!"

Ginny laughed, imagining it. Brogan started telling them another story about how he'd caught Crabbe and Goyle sneaking out after curfew to go to the kitchens and he'd made them help the house elves with their cleaning for the night. Ron and Hermione eventually joined them and they spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. She couldn't remember if she had ever seen Brogan so…sociable before. Not that he wasn't usually, but she always noticed he often held himself back from completely joining in. But tonight he was open and quite often, hilarious, and she found herself settling into Harry's arms, listening to their friend talk.

It was a feeling of contentment that settled over her as they went to bed that night and Harry was still laughing at Malfoy having to clean the toilets. She smirked as they got ready for bed. Ginny hoped that any remaining embarrassment between the three of them had finally disappeared.

o-o-o-o-o

"You assured me, Severus, that Harry Potter would be easy to find. Where have they gone?"

"I do not know My Lord, since performing what you asked of me, I am no longer privy to the inner workings of the Order."

Voldemort paused in his pacing and flicked his wand casually towards his spy. He smiled to himself; with Severus, he never had to use a silencing spell. The man took his punishment quite rightfully. No loud wailing would ever be heard from Severus. It was one of the reasons Voldemort still respected his Death Eater.

He flicked his wand again, and waited while Severus resumed a kneeling position. It took a few moments, and Voldemort allowed Nagini to slither beside him, in between his feet.

"Try again, Severus," he said softly.

"My Lord, I do not know where they have taken him. The old Headquarters have been abandoned. Your plans of taking over Hogwarts and scaring the blood-traitors have succeeded far too well, My Lord. They are running for cover in fear."

Voldemort smiled to himself. "Much better, Severus. You have been out of our company for far too long, and I will forgive your earlier transgression. I think I will leave Malfoy Manor and take up residence within the school. Hogwarts will be our new Headquarters. And we can begin our plans for re-educating the children. The Ministry will have no choice but to acquiesce to our demands, once I have entered Dumbledore's office and taken control."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Severus move and frowned. He turned toward the other man and approached slowly.

"What is it, Severus? Tell me. Now."

"My Lord, it is only…Minerva McGonagall was the school's rightful Headmaster after you dealt with Dumbledore, and I believe the school may prove…resistant to you."

Voldemort scoffed. "She was a mere woman and not equal in power to Dumbledore or to me, Severus. Or has working beside her instead of me softened your knowledge of that?" He used another spell on the other man and smiled as the Snape clutched at his throat for air.

Voldemort sat down in his chair, watching for a moment and then whispered to Nagini. "Bring me Bellatrix, Nagini, I have a mission for her."

The snake wrapped itself around him for the briefest moment and then slithered away, almost happily. Voldemort watched the man on the floor in front of him for a moment and then sighed. He stopped the curse once more and then waited. Once his spy was on his feet again, he dismissed him.

"Go, Severus, and prepare yourself. Perhaps acquaint yourself with a few of the newer comrades. I believe Weasley could teach you a few things that you might have forgotten about good manners." Voldemort let a smile fill his face as he saw Snape glance up at him.

"Yes, My Lord, as you wish," Snape murmured, walking stiffly away from him. Voldemort tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, deep in thought. Yes, staying at the school ahead of schedule was the best plan of action. Then the Ministry would have to deal with him. Or, he thought to himself, he would have to deal with them. The smile on his face was more genuine this time, and all the more frightening for it.

o-o-o-o-o