Chapter 51: Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
"Why isn't the Muggle-loving fool's office open yet, Severus?" Voldemort stared at his loyal servant, eyes narrowed.
Percy, who had entered the room last, stood in the back near the door. He was trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. They were in the side room off the Great Hall, decorated in Slytherin green and silver – banners and ribbons waving high. Percy had noticed that the Hall's ceiling, still charmed to look like the outside sky, appeared cloudy and dark. Although Percy knew that the day outside was actually quite pleasant. It seemed that even the ceiling-charm of Hogwarts wanted to be a bit of a rebel.
Ever since the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters had taken over the school, there had been nothing but issues. If Percy could allow himself to laugh – he would have, often and very loudly. Nothing was working for Voldemort the way the man wanted. The school was proving rather difficult to tame. The first problem had been that the staircases had disappeared. Completely. They had been stuck on the bottom floor of the castle and dungeons for at least a week before Voldemort had been able to get them to appear again. Then the house-elves had vanished as well, and most of the Death Eaters were left to fend for themselves in the castle's kitchens. Voldemort, however, had seemed unperturbed by the elves not cooking and cleaning for them as though he had expected it.
Peeves was still around, of course, causing minor troubles, but Percy had not seen any of the House ghosts. That aspect did trouble Voldemort, although he had not said why. And now, of course, the real issue – Dumbledore's office – the Headmaster's Office and official heart of the school was refusing to open. Percy knew Voldemort had tried everything to get the stone gargoyle to open up, including blasting it with the most powerful Bombarda Maxima spells Percy had ever seen. And yet, nothing. The gargoyle had reformed slowly and was now a charred, burned, and broken husk of what it once had been. But it kept its guard with solemn and dignified silence that Percy knew was driving Voldemort spare.
"I do not know, my Lord. With Dumbledore's death, and McGonagall's injury, the office should open for you to take full control. This school has no acting Headmaster. It should only be a question of you accepting it."
Percy heard Snape's voice dripping with solicitude and yet knew the other man was hiding something. He had a feeling that Voldemort was too far gone in his current anger to notice.
"But she is not dead, Severus. Perhaps that is why it refuses to open. You took too long to obtain her for me and now look at where that has brought us. I would have thought that the removal of Dumbledore's enchantments with the death of his kin would have made this school mine. And yet here I sit, outside looking in. What do you purpose I do about this, Severus? Who should I blame? Lucius? He is busy toiling at the Ministry, which brings me to another point – why has the Ministry chosen to remain steadfast against me? I was led to believe that our support there was strong and intrinsic to all day to day decisions. And yet, again, I, your Dark Lord, made to remain on the sidelines, waiting for his followers to deliver what he requires. When you rejoined our fold, I was confident in your abilities to aid me in my desires, and yet nothing has gone the way we have planned. What do you have to say for yourself?"
The other Death Eaters in the room appeared to flutter as though nervous, and Percy noticed one or two of them backing away from their Dark Lord, as though wary of his mood. For his part, Snape remained un-flustered.
"My Lord, nothing easy to gain has ever been worthwhile, surely? Just think of how much more satisfying it will be to crush those who would desecrate your will when we finally take their last defenses?"
Voldemort stared at Snape, and then a loud noise that could only be described as a ferocious hissing escaped his lips. Percy felt the mood in the room suddenly relax. Apparently, Snape had known the right thing to say.
"You were indeed placed in the perfect House, Severus. Lucius always had his doubt because of your blood, but there has never been a truer Slytherin than you. Well, after me, of course." Voldemort made a false-modest bow, and his followers tittered in appreciation.
"But still," Voldemort continued as the room came to complete silence again. "Still, the office. I must be able to claim this school as truly mine, Severus. Bring two of the children up from the dungeons, Yaxley. One for sport and one to bear witness."
"My Lord?" Snape asked smoothly. Percy again noticed that the other man was all perfect manners and gracious tones.
"I have decided we shall return one of the children to their parents so that the Ministry can see what is happening here. Perhaps then they will start to waver and see that my will should not be questioned."
"And the other child?" Snape asked. Voldemort gave what passed for a smile on his face. Percy felt his stomach churn in reaction.
"That child will be the first of many who will be given a choice – to either join us if their blood is pure or face the consequences of refusing. Or better yet, of being born Muggle."
Percy swore in his head and waited until Voldemort's attention had strayed someplace else so that he could make his way after Yaxley. There was not a lot he could do to help the child, but he would try. Percy didn't know how the castle knew things, but he hoped it was listening now and that it would also try to help.
o-o-o-o-o
Harry was having the most fantastic dream. He knew it was a dream because just a moment ago, he had been flying – no, correction, he and Ginny had been flying together. And it had been so happy and so free, just the two of them on their brooms, with Ginny's hair flashing in the bright daylight. And now he was on a beach, walking towards a house, barefoot and warm. So definitely a dream. Also, Ginny was next to him, looking gorgeous in a white dress, a broad smile upon her face as she laughed at him. She kissed him and then giggled, tugging on his hand. Harry turned to watch the water coming in with the waves and turned to tell her something, but she was gone. He frowned but kept walking towards the house. He heard a noise beside him and turned to find a red mare walking running toward him. He stopped, feeling utterly gobsmacked at the sight. The horse was large and proud, and it reminded him of something he'd seen before, but Harry couldn't remember where. The mare whinnied and shook her head at him, and her eyes seem to peer into his soul with an uncanny gaze.
Suddenly the mare transformed, and before him stood a beautiful woman – she had reddish blonde hair and bright, clear blue eyes like the sky on a summer's day. Harry felt as though the sun itself was smiling at him. He felt at peace and safe.
"Aye, hello, my green-eyed one. You are her laoch scéalaíochta indeed, and it is nice to meet you finally," the woman said, as she came closer to him.
Harry felt as though a thousand feathery touches had caressed him, and her voice made him think of doing things with Ginny. Sexy things. Harry knew his mouth was hanging open as she moved, but he couldn't help it – there was just something about her.
She had faint markings on her face that looked exotic to Harry. But her eyes… they were bewitching. She reacted as he thought it, her smile widening, and then she winked at him.
"Your Anam Cara reacts the same way, laoch. Oh, the two of you are quite the pair. But now I see that you share as well. I am glad you have embraced him, mo'laoch. His heart was so empty, and now it is full. So full of love. You have my…buíochas."
"What am I doing here?" Harry asked, looking around.
"I needed to speak to you. The time draws near to when you must fight the evil that has tried to keep itself in your world. I need you to remember that all is not lost. You will think everything has been taken from you, but you must understand that love never dies, mo'laoch. She and he will be in here with you, no matter what. All that you carry with you is all that you will need. You are powerful and you are strong."
Aine smiled that wide smile at him again, and Harry reached out to touch her hair, his hands slipping through it as though it were air. He realized in some part of his brain that it probably was, as this was still a dream. Aine laughed at him and walked behind him. Harry felt her breath on the back of his neck and shivered in response.
"Oh, I am real, mo'laoch. But you are spoken for in every way. Enjoy the time you have and remember. Be brave, mo'laoch. Your spirit will always guide you."
Harry opened up his eyes, a smile still on his face. He sighed and blinked, and realized Ginny was curled around him, half-naked. He remembered then that they had sort of just…fell asleep after their activities the night before. Next to her, Brogan was snoring slightly, his head under the red pillow of Ginny's hair, his arm around her middle.
"So that was Aine," Harry whispered, marveling.
Ginny murmured against him, and he kissed the top of her head. Brogan snored on, and Harry felt giddy for a moment. The dream had been so real – but it was as though everything in it had been turned up twenty notches: the colors, the feelings, the…sensations. Harry shivered pleasantly, remembering Aine's breath a upon his neck. Well, they had both told him her power was sexual. Now he honestly understood.
"And why are you so happy this morning?" Ginny asked, blinking up at him. Her fingers traced the smile that he hadn't realized was on his face. He captured her hand with his own and kissed her fingertips.
"I think Aine paid me a visit," Harry said thoughtfully. "I think I understand more now. When you're with her, she just makes you…feel connected to everything."
"What did you two talk about?" Ginny asked, glancing at Brogan, who was starting to stir beside her, moving out from under her hair. The other man lifted his head at the sound of her voice, yawning and running a hand through his hair. He blinked at them.
"Are we talking? Why are we talking? Is there coffee yet?"
Harry rolled his eyes and got out of bed, despite Ginny's protests. "I'll go see if there's coffee and let you two wake up properly. Tea, Gin?"
She nodded and stretched, settling back against the bed. Brogan just blinked at him again, looking confused as to why he was conscious.
Harry made his way downstairs, running into Ron, who was carrying a tray with a plate full of toast and jam towards his and Hermione's bedroom.
"You're up early," Harry said, nodding at him. Ron smiled sheepishly.
"I had a bit of a strange dream and got hungry. Hermione said I wasn't to come back to bed until I had enough for both of us." He lifted the plate.
Harry laughed. "Was the kettle still on? Ginny wants tea."
Ron nodded. "There's coffee too, although I don't think Brogan is up yet, his door is still closed."
Harry felt proud because his face did not blush. Or at least, he didn't feel it blush. "I'll check on him later," Harry said casually, and they parted ways in the hallway.
Harry looked and quickly found a second tray and put everyone's beverage of choice on it. Tea for Ginny, black-as-night coffee for Brogan, and pumpkin juice for himself. He quickly made toast and grabbed whichever jams Ron had left behind. Blackberry and apricot it was then.
When Harry made it back to the bedroom, he was happy to see no one had fallen asleep again. Neither of them was on the bed at all, but he could hear Ginny laughing about something in the loo. A moment later, and Harry smiled at them.
"I see Ginny has educated you on the ways of fresh breath in the morning, Brogan."
Ginny stuck her tongue out at him and grabbed her tea from the tray. She smiled as she tasted it. "Thanks, Harry. Just the way I like it. And actually, I was telling Brogan that I thought he should try growing a beard. It'll add to his mystique."
Brogan grabbed his coffee and breathed in the scent with his eyes closed, ignoring her. Harry shook his head and grabbed his pumpkin juice and a piece of the toast.
"So?" Ginny said after a moment, glancing at Brogan to make sure their third part was functioning mentally. Harry assumed he close to it as his cup appeared almost empty.
"Aine," Harry said and chewed thoughtfully.
"What did she tell you?" Brogan asked, sitting next to Ginny.
Harry frowned. "She said…" he paused. It was as though the dream had almost entirely left him. "Wow, it does fade after you wake up, doesn't it? That feeling she gives you of complete…"
"Comprehension?" Ginny asked, nodding her head. "Yeah. While you're there, with her, you understand everything, and you can't wait to talk about it, and then you wake up, and it's sort wrecked you in the head, almost."
"She's happy with me, I think." Harry paused and stared at Brogan for a moment. "She's happy for all of us. But she told me the time is coming for when I have to fight. And she told me that love never dies."
Ginny, Harry saw, went perfectly still. Brogan noticed as well, and Harry watched him slip his hand into hers. The looked shared a look and then looked back at Harry.
"What exactly did she say?" Brogan asked after a moment.
Harry frowned. "That all I carry with me is all I need. That you and Ginny will be with me, no matter what."
Ginny looked at him finally, her eyes somber. She leaned forward and kissed him, her mouth soft against his. Harry lost himself in the taste and feel of her. When she pulled away, she met his eyes. "Then she told you the truth."
"How about you and Brogan try me then and see if I can handle your truth?" Harry said quietly. Brogan stared down into his empty coffee cup and then looked at Ginny as though trying to telegraph his feelings. She eventually nodded and sat back against the bed again. She gestured to Harry.
"Come here, love," she said quietly, and Harry pushed the breakfast things out of the way until he was settled in between them.
"In order for Aine's full power to come back, one of us must leave, "Ginny started, her hand getting lost in Harry's hair. He felt Brogan's hand on his back, making lazy movements with his hand to comfort him.
"I know this," Harry said quietly. Ginny kissed the top of his head.
"What you don't know is that it can be any of us. Brogan is supposed to choose. That is his part to play. I have already extracted Brogan's word that it will be me. No matter what."
Harry sat up and looked at her, narrowing his eyes. She smiled sadly, and waited for him to explode, he supposed. When no explosion came, Ginny shook her head at him, marveling.
Harry was surprised at himself, to be honest. Before such a statement would have had him starting a row, but now… he looked at Brogan.
"And you agreed to this, didn't you?"
The other man looked uncomfortable for a moment and then nodded. "Aye. It was what she wanted. But…I think you two are missing the most important part of what Ginny just said. It can be any of us. I came to a decision some time ago at Hogwarts that I would send neither Ginny nor you anywhere, Harry."
Brogan paused and then took Ginny's hand. "I'm sorry, Gin. I can't…I can't break his heart like that. And Merlin knows, I can't break yours. You two belong together."
Ginny frowned at him. "You've decided to send yourself, haven't you?" Harry looked sharply at Brogan.
"What?"
Brogan looked at the two of them and then sighed. "You were right about that letter you found, Ginny. It was my goodbye letter. I think I have figured out a way to make it so that no one gets lost but me. And it's okay. No, it is. This is the only answer that makes sense!"
Ginny pulled her hand away from his and jumped off the bed, starting to pace. Harry glanced at Brogan, who was warily watching her. There were impressive waves of anger coming off of her that had Harry glad he was sitting down. Her hair even looked redder and brighter as though it had caught fire with her temper.
"You promised me," she finally said, leveling her look at Brogan. Harry was surprised the other man wasn't fighting off her Bat-Bogey Hex at this point.
"I made that promise when I only loved one of you, now…now I can't bear the thought of either of you being without the other. I just…can't." Brogan's voice had grown quiet, and he closed his eyes, resting his head on his hands. Harry looked at Ginny.
"I don't understand, why does anyone have to go away? Aine seems so loving…so…full of life. She doesn't seem the vengeful type."
Brogan snorted and then looked at Harry. "She has a temper, to be sure, mate. But then what woman doesn't?" He nodded at Ginny, who narrowed her eyes at him.
"Don't push it, Brogan," she said. Harry blinked as he saw she was holding her wand suddenly. He put up his hand.
"Can we try to not antagonize each other for at least a little while? At least until I understand this whole thing?"
Ginny sighed and then looked defeated, as though all her anger had left her. Brogan made a soft humming noise and reached for her. He kissed the side of her head.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you angry, and I'm sorry I broke my promise, but you have to know…I can't make any other kind of decision that breaks the two of you apart. Please, tell me you know this."
Ginny looked at Harry, her eyes searching his face. She turned to Brogan as he hugged her. The two of them stared at each other for a moment, and Harry wondered what they were feeling. He leaned forward and touched Ginny's hand and then Brogan's. Aine's power flared over them instantly, and all three of them gasped.
Harry pulled away first, which took a lot of his strength. He nodded at them. "Someone answer my question before we get carried away not-antagonizing each other. I don't want to get distracted."
Ginny smirked at him and then nodded at Brogan. The other man sat back, and they settled into position again.
"Aine gives Ginny a lot of power to protect you. She does it so that Voldemort can't touch you until you're ready, or at least, that is my guess. Dumbledore and I talked about it a bit, and he was unsure as to why Aine had done this. But Dumbledore never wanted to question it too much. He just wanted to use it. To keep you safe. Until it was time. Ginny, through Aine, has pretty much done this completely for him. The Copulatus Spell, you two coming to the Abbey to meet me…it was all planned. All from the start. I'm not sure if Dumbledore believed that adding me into the mix would eventually happen or not. I think he had a glimmer of what could be when I connected with Harry, and I could feel both of you together. But anything that made your connection stronger and Aine happy were bonuses in his eyes, I'm sure."
"The wizarding world has lost a lot of the ancient magics. People like Dumbledore and, unfortunately, Voldemort, still know of them, of course. Blood rituals, blood spells…these were the norm in Aine's day. And, so were sex rituals. And no, it wasn't a big orgy," Brogan said before Harry could ask. He smirked at Harry for a moment. "But like blood, sex is important. Love just makes it more powerful. But plain old sex makes it good, too. There's still an increase in power that occurs, and that's why people practiced them. Aine would have known all about them. But like I said, the old spells aren't even known about now."
Ginny snickered and then sobered. "That's why Dumbledore did the Copulatus Spell, isn't it? He didn't care if I loved Harry or if Harry loved me, he just wanted us to bond."
Brogan shrugged. "He never said that to me. I do believe he did have your best interests at heart, though." Brogan frowned. "I was never really able to get a read on Dumbledore's true emotions, only once or twice. But I know he loved you, Harry."
Harry sighed. "Yes, I'm sure he did, in his way. But his greater good was bigger than all of us. He only ever wanted Voldemort to be gone. I'm not sure he cared who got hurt along the way. Or who he used."
Harry had respected Dumbledore and had believed in him. Even when he was angry with him, he still believed the older man had done everything for the best. But Harry knew he was naïve to think Dumbledore had done everything out love for him. But still… he looked at the two people in front of him.
"Do any of these rituals Aine would have known about or practiced have to do with Empaths?"
Brogan frowned. "Some, I suppose. Empaths aren't very common, and outside of myself, I've only ever met one other person who could do what I do, and that was my Mum. She taught me as much as she could before she died, but she never mentioned sex spells to her 10-year-old son, needless to say."
Ginny stirred next to him. "What about your father, Brogan. I've never heard you mention him."
Brogan shook his head. "My father was never around and left her after I was born. He was a wizard who was born to travel, Mum said. Never in one place for very long. They were together only briefly, enough to conceive me, I reckon, and then he was off again. Leaving the two of us behind."
Brogan sounded bitter to Harry, but neither he nor Ginny pushed him, and silence entered into the room.
"I still don't understand why anyone has to go away," Harry said again. Ginny shook her head at him.
"She's explained it to me, but like you said, the understanding of the dream leaves you quite…quickly. But I think it has something to do with the expenditure of magic she's given me. A re-payment of sorts."
"But shouldn't getting rid of Voldemort be re-payment enough? I mean, imagine living in a world where he doesn't exist. People would still be hateful and mean and prejudiced, I reckon, but…he represents everything that is wrong with that way of thinking," Harry said, frowning. "Without him to gather them together and use his magic in twisted ways…I think…I think that would be a good thing for anyone."
"Do know you two anything about the three-fold law?" Brogan asked quietly. Harry shook his bead, but Ginny frowned thoughtfully.
"Isn't that something like…whatever you put out into the world, it comes back to you?" she asked.
Brogan nodded. "Muggles even know about it, although their interpretation of it is a bit dodgy. As the principle applies to actual magic, whatever force or power you put into something, it is returned to you three-fold. For instance, Transfiguration is great for this. Remember when you had to transfigure cups into animals when you were younger? Well, if you weren't concentrating, or if your magic was off, you ended up with a cup with four feet or…I don't know, a goblet with a tail. We've all done it. Not everyone can be aces at Transfiguration, of course, and some wizards never really get the hang of it. But then, not every wizard can do Charms as well or, even Potions. It all depends on which way you focus your magic. Truly powerful wizards can show prowess in all aspects of magic. Dumbledore was one such wizard, and I think Voldemort is, unfortunately, another."
"So, Harry is good at defensive spells because he's been defending himself his whole life?" Ginny asked, her face lighting up.
Brogan nodded. "Aye. Also, because of the way your…Mum died, Harry. She died protecting you. I think that part of her magic transferred to you in that way."
"So, we're all just good at one thing, then?"
Brogan shook his head. "No, it's not really like that. But you have to admit defending yourself comes easier to you than most. You're quick, and now with your wandless magic coming into its own, you're super quick. Think of Hermione – she's no slouch in defense anymore because we've been practicing a lot. But I know you've heard her say it doesn't come as naturally to her. Because her focus, or, if you will, her power, has been shifted to other things. She's fairly bright at Transfiguration and Charms. Actually, Hermione's pretty powerful in most regards. Because she sort of throws herself into whatever she's studying, and it comes back to her. Ginny's power now, with Aine, is all about protection. So what she puts into that comes back to her and helps refocus her magical ability. I also happen to think what makes Ginny's Bat Bogey Hex so powerful is her natural ability, and the way she focuses her anger into it."
"It was one of the first hexes I learned. Mostly because my brothers were always getting into my stuff, when I was a kid. I had no privacy! So I started practicing that hex because it was a funny way to get revenge," Ginny said, smiling slightly. "Especially when it came to Fred and George. Those two have no idea what personal space means to a little sister. The prats."
"Now, here's where it gets a bit…ahem, interesting," Brogan said, looking at them, a slight blush on his cheeks. "You two are…without a doubt, one of the closest couples I have ever met. Especially so because you are both still rather young, for wizards, at any rate. Dumbledore even remarked on it once or twice to me. The Copulatus Spell makes you feel the compulsion to be together a lot. But even without it…I think the two of you would still be…"
"A pair of randy buggers?" Ginny said, impishly, hugging Harry closer. Brogan nodded chuckling.
"It's more than just sex with you. It's…the love you feel and have for each other that comes back to you. And that only makes it grow stronger in response." Brogan's voice sounded wistful, and Harry reached out and touched him.
"But now we have you, too," Harry said. Brogan smiled gently.
"And I still don't know why, but I am not complaining or wanting out. To be next to you two… to get to feel all that you two feel…it brings me to my knees." He paused and then grinned. "Well, my metaphysical knees, at any rate."
"We could do the physical bringing to the knees later," Ginny said casually, and both men laughed at her.
"You help us with all that, you know," Harry said, studying the other man. "You understand what we need sometimes even before we've thought it. It's fantastic, Brogan. Don't sell yourself short."
Ginny nodded. "I'd almost be jealous of you, if I didn't already know how much Harry loves me. You bring that into such sharp focus, though, when you're with us. From the start, I never even worried about it, because you touch us and I just..know how he feels."
Brogan smirked at them. "Well, you know, sex with an Empath…can get sort of…provocative, or so I've read. My own experiences, infrequent as they may have been, led me to believe that was pure codswallop, but now, I reckon I sort of see what they meant. I think I was just waiting to have a real connection with someone special. I got two for the price of one."
Ginny squeezed Brogan's hand as he blushed at them, and Harry felt the other man's meaning quite clearly. Harry felt his heart fill with emotion.
Harry rested his head on Ginny's shoulder and sighed. "But what does all this mean, in the end? How am I supposed to use any of this to defeat Voldemort?"
"I have a feeling you'll just…know, when the time comes," Ginny said softly. She rubbed her nose against his.
"Well, according to Aine, it's coming soon," Harry said, and the three of them sobered at the thought.
The curled around each other. Brogan moved to sit on the other side of Ginny so that she was in the middle. Harry reached out and joined hands with him, squeezing it in comfort. The usual power flare settled over them, teasing them and almost whispering at them to do more, but they remained at rest, each lost in their thoughts and feelings.
o-o-o-o-o
They were in the sitting room with Ron and Hermione when the floo alarm sounded. Brogan got up from where he was reading, and Harry followed him to the fireplace. A moment later, they were looking at a distraught Remus Lupin.
"Harry, we have news. Voldemort has…made contact with the Ministry. You're not going to like it."
Harry swallowed roughly and felt a bad feeling hit him as his stomach lurched. He didn't notice Brogan moving closer to him so that their arms were touching, but he should have as a moment later he felt a great deal calmer. He glanced at the other man in thanks. Everyone else crowded around together on the other side of him.
"What's happened?" Harry asked.
"He's used one of the children as an example as to what is going to happen to Muggleborns under his rule. And then sent another child home so that we could all experience it via their memories, which the Ministry, of course, took. Kingsley says it is the…it's the worse sort of thing he has seen."
Beside him, he felt Ginny move closer and heard Hermione gasp softly. He heard a soft 'blimey' from Ron behind him.
"What are we going to do about it?" Harry asked.
"The Ministry is planning an offensive to take back the school or at least, get the rest of the children out of there."
"Then some of us should be there," Harry stated plainly. Ginny stirred beside him, but he didn't look at her.
"The Order thinks-" Remus began, but Harry interrupted him.
"Sod what the Order thinks! We have five able-bodied people here who are willing, and we've been working hard, Remus. We're ready to fight. I can't sit by and wait for you to tell us about more terrible things happening!"
"No, I know, Harry," Remus said, suddenly sounding exhausted. "We're arranging for you lot to come back. The new Headquarters is almost ready. I can't guarantee you'll be back by the time the Ministry decides to react, but we have our own plans to help them out. Start packing things up and be ready to leave within a day or two. Molly will be glad to see all of you again. Ron, Ginny…she's been worried about you. I'll floo back later tonight with more information."
The five of them sat in silence for a while until Harry angrily got up and moved away. He didn't meet any of their eyes as he took the stairs two at a time. He stormed into the training room and let the door slam behind him.
Using the spell Brogan had taught them, Harry was soon surrounded by half-a dozen different statues and started trying to pick them off one by one. No, Harry thought, he was obliterating them one by one. Again and again, they twirled around him, reforming as they fell, and Harry only knew the sound of the spells whizzing by him as he used his hand to blow the statues up. He was utterly moving on instinct. He was so deep in thought over defending himself and pulverizing the figures that he practically jumped when he heard Brogan's voice call an end to the spell.
Harry blinked at him and then swore. He didn't know how long he'd been at it, but judging by the way he was gulping down air, it'd been a while. Brogan came to stand next to him but didn't say anything, and Harry didn't look at him. When he finally felt his temper easing, he glanced at the man next to him.
"Did you win the short straw into being the first to come reason with me?" Harry asked, cringing at the anger still his voice. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, Brogan gave him a little smile and reached out for his hand. Harry shivered as the flare of emotion crested within him, and he knew Brogan was giving him as much serenity as he could.
"Actually, Ginny told me to come up here. She seems to think I calm you down when you need it the most."
Harry closed his eyes again and tried to breathe in more. When he finally felt settled, he looked at Brogan, who had his eyes closed as though in meditation. Harry smiled to himself, and before he knew what he was doing, he was kissing the other man. Brogan's eyes fluttered open in surprise, but he soon adjusted. When they finally broke apart, Harry was breathing heavily for an altogether different reason, and he smirked at Brogan.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"No, thank you," Brogan said back, sounding breathless. A small knock on the door caused them to break apart, and Harry grinned as Ginny stuck her head around it.
"I stopped hearing things explode, so I gathered it was alright to come in. Starting without me, as always, you two." She meant it playfully, and Harry held out his hand to her.
"No, Gin, just getting warmed up. Come here."
She joined them, and Harry buried his head in her hair, breathing in the deep, sweet smell of her. Her arms gripped him, and he fell into her embrace. When he felt his emotions coalesce into something steadier, he pulled back and nodded at them. They all sat down on the training room cushions, and Harry noticed Brogan looking around. When the other man caught him watching, he blushed.
"Sorry," Brogan said, nodding to the room. "Just, you know, memories."
Ginny snorted as she leaned against Harry. She turned her head and reached up to kiss him. Harry almost didn't let her pull away before she tsked at him and touched her hand to his heart.
"Are you okay?" she asked him, frowning.
"No, but I'm better," Harry said. He looked at Brogan. "Sorry for getting angry."
Brogan shook his head. "Nothing to be sorry about. Although I will say watching you attack those statues was quite the privilege. You were right when you told Remus that you're ready, Harry. You weren't even using your wand, do you know that?"
Harry started and then stared down at his hands. He hadn't realized. "I just wanted to pummel something."
"A natural need in times of stress," Brogan said wisely.
"What are Ron and Hermione doing?" he asked, feeling embarrassed about his outbreak suddenly.
"Arguing about who's going to do all the packing," Ginny said, snickering. "I think Ron was losing."
"Hermione will just do it all anyway after he's done," Harry said, shaking his head. "Why do they bother to fight about it?"
"It's their foreplay," Brogan said, chuckling. "Isn't that what you guys once tried to tell me?"
Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes. He was feeling a lot calmer. "I guess our time here is coming to an end."
The three of them looked at each other, no one saying what they were thinking. It would be hard to be back amongst people they had to hide things from, Harry knew.
"It'll be fine," Brogan said eventually, sounding as though he was forcing the cheerfulness into his voice. "I assume we'll all be much too busy fighting for our lives to shag, anyway."
"You're such a pessimist, Brogan," Ginny deadpanned, looking at the other man. "Don't you know that Harry and I always find a way to shag?"
Harry snorted because he knew she was joking. Finally, Brogan laughed, and it sounded genuine.
"You're right, what was I thinking?"
Ginny nodded her head. "Where's there a Weasley and a Potter, there's a way."
Harry laughed."Well, I know what I'm thinking, and it involves moving to a bed. Sorry, Brogan, but those memories about what happened on this floor were a one time deal." He stood up, pulling Ginny with him. He reached down and offered Brogan his other hand. With the three of them joined again, Harry felt a surge of confidence that everything would eventually be all right.
o-o-o-o
"Hmm, that was…nice," Ginny said as she stretched in between the two men in her bed. Brogan, looking slightly worn out and pink in the face, nodded his agreement. Harry grunted softly into her back, his arms wrapping around her.
"Nothing like a shag to get your priorities in order," Brogan said, sounding breathless. Ginny smiled and leaned over to kiss him. His hand worked its way into her hair. When Ginny eventually pulled away, his expression was a bit dazed.
"Just how randy are you?" he asked her, smirking.
"She's insatiable," Harry murmured. "Glad you're here, mate. Otherwise, I'd be dead before Voldemort could even touch me."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Funny, Harry." She turned back to Brogan. "I think it's Aine. She makes me want it."
"Hmm," Brogan said, as he pulled her back down to him. She moved so that she was lying across him. His hand started running down her back as they kissed. They both broke apart to look over at Harry. He was gazing at them happily.
"Don't mind me. Continue looking dead sexy, the both of you. I'll just regroup here and join you later."
They both shook their heads at him and then turned back to each other. Brogan's mouth moved forward and captured one of her nipples with his mouth as his hand traveled down her backside. A few moments later, Ginny felt his fingers start to slip inside her, and she shifted to give him better access. She moved her hands down his chest, kissing his neck and shoulders. She was still wet from shagging Harry, and Brogan had no problem getting her to reach that first peak again. She grunted and felt him semi-hard against her belly.
Brogan pulled his mouth away, and shyly looked at her. "Can I…" He rested his head against her, and suddenly she knew what he wanted.
Ginny looked at Harry, who was looking less sleepy now, but he still nodded at her to continue. Ginny sat up and motioned for Brogan to move down the bed so she could get into position. He blushed but did as she wanted, and lay flat on one of the pillows. She straddled him and then moved forward towards his head, holding herself up with one hand on the bedpost. Harry grabbed her other hand to keep her steady. Brogan's breathing was coming faster, and she could feel the delicious heat of it on the inside of her thigh.
With slow and deliberate movements, Ginny lowered herself onto his face and was rewarded with a fast flick of his tongue against her center. She started gently rotating her hip back and forth as his mouth teased her. Harry leaned over and turned her towards him so they could kiss. His hands grazed her breasts, and she shook her head at him as they pulled apart. He raised an eyebrow and winked at her as his mouth moved downwards.
Ginny closed her eyes and let her head fall back, moaning. Brogan's mouth and tongue were doing wonderful things to her body, and Harry's attention to her breasts was making the experience even more phenomenal. She wrapped her hand around Harry's head as Brogan gripped her with his hands, and she soon forgot everything but the feel of the enormous pleasure pulsing within her.
Ginny felt as though she were drifting into a wild current of gratification. She could feel how much they both loved her, and it felt powerful. Brogan slipped a finger into her backside, teasing her, and she felt her body careen fiercely toward release. Harry nipped at her, his teeth barely grazing against the rough peak of her breasts, and she was coming, a cry tearing out her mouth before she could stop herself. Brogan refused to let her rise off of him, continuing to work his mouth over her as she came. Ginny didn't think she had ever felt so wet in her entire life. Harry moved up and was kissing her soundly, growling at the back of his throat at her response. Finally, she felt as though she were nothing but a raw nerve, shivering with delight. There was some pain, but it was a right sort of pain that nonetheless reminded her she had to stop eventually.
Brogan finally released her, and she was unsurprised by the image of his arousal as she looked down at him. Even Harry was half-up again, moving against her. She leaned down and wiped a hand across Brogan's forehead, smiling.
"That was brilliant," she whispered, and she kissed him, tasting herself. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Ginny slipped on top of him and sighed as she felt him shift and slide into her body. She watched as Harry stood up and came around to their side of the bed, moving in behind her. She could feel him hard again against her back and turned to look at him. He kissed her shoulder and then looked down at Brogan, who grimaced as they both watched him.
"You two are going to be the fucking end of me," he muttered, and Ginny started rocking back and forth. He sucked in a deep breath as the friction traveled along his body, and he reached up with his hands, caressing her breasts. She felt Harry begin to stroke himself behind her.
"Touch me, Harry, back there." She half-moaned as Brogan thrust upwards, matching her rhythm. A moment later, and she felt the small pressure of Harry's fingers at her entrance.
"Oh," Ginny exclaimed, and then she laughed. It felt good, what he was doing. In fact, it felt more than good. She grunted and turned back to catch his eye. "More, Harry. Give me more."
Brogan groaned underneath her at her words, his face flushing in pleasure at watching them. Ginny brought her knees closer to his body so that it was tighter than before. Brogan swore, his eyes turning the darkest blue she had ever seen.
"Oh, fuck me," he whispered, and Ginny smiled down at him.
"That's what I'm doing," she whispered back, and he flashed a quick grin before he thrust into her again.
"This…is…so…bloody sexy," Harry panted at her back, and Ginny couldn't agree more. The three of them moved together, with Harry keeping a finger deep inside of her as he stroked himself one-handedly. Ginny started speeding up her actions on top of Brogan, knowing he was close. She knew he needed just a bit more encouragement.
"Oh, fuck, that feels good, Brogan," Ginny said, gazing down at him. "Let me feel it. Let me feel how much you want me."
With a determined air, Brogan pushed up off the bed, moving deeper into her, and Ginny shuddered, her climax quick, but impressive. She felt Harry pull away as she tightened around Brogan, and he was soon pumping up into her, a string of dirty words falling from his lips as he came. Ginny shook her head and continued moving until he touched her, his hand stilling her. She lowered her head to his and smiled, kissing his nose briefly on impulse. Ginny removed herself and turned around, going to Harry. She swatted his hand away and lowered her mouth over him. Harry put a hand on her head to hold her hair out of her face and let her finish him off. He had been very close, and Ginny was slightly disappointed to find that it only took a few deep passes before he was coming in her mouth, the taste of him hot on her tongue.
She pulled away, running a finger across her lips and watched as Harry sighed with release and collapsed against the bed. She looked back at Brogan, who had turned over onto his stomach, watching them. He reached out his hand to her, and she took it, feeling his contentment flow through her. He chuckled at her.
"Well, now you feel sated," he said drowsily. Harry snorted as he moved up the bed to lay next to Brogan. Ginny watched them, feeling so much love in her heart for both of them.
"You two make me feel so wanted and desired. I can't help it. I just want…all of it." Ginny said unapologetically. Both men smiled sleepily at her, and she touched them both. She leaned over Brogan and kissed his forehead. He made a 'hmm' noise at the back of his throat. Ginny then kissed Harry on the mouth, feeling his hand in her hair for a moment before it slipped back down. She rested her forehead against his.
"I love you," she said, closing her eyes. She told it to Harry, but shockingly realized she meant it for both of them. She reached for Brogan's hand to let him feel it, too. His blue eyes blinked back at hers for a moment, an indescribable emotion in them she couldn't read. Harry had already fallen asleep, a slight smile on his face. Ginny waited until she knew Brogan had drifted off too and sighed.
Getting up from the bed, she wandered into the loo and turned on the tap to the bathtub. She watched the water rising and then put in some of the bubble bath they'd used before. Ginny stared off into space for a while, not really seeing anything, but feeling everything. She felt strangely quiet inside herself. Ginny felt as though something deep inside of her had shifted into place, like a key unlocking a door. Just the barest of clicks, and she was suddenly wide open in so many ways. She felt powerful and peaceful at the same time, and she knew that without a doubt, she would do anything to protect the two men in the bedroom. To protect what they had.
Anything.
Her mind made up, Ginny closed her eyes and let her hands hang over the sides of the tub. The water felt good against her skin. She wondered briefly if a person could shag too much. She didn't feel sore, but she knew if they kept it up, she would eventually start to. Her brief interlude the previous week during her monthly cycle had been the only time she'd been inactive and even then she'd still done things. Ginny wondered if Hermione would know and planned to find a way to ask the other woman.
"Hey, want someone to clean your back?" Harry came into the loo and smiled at her. Ginny noted his complete lack of clothes and smirked.
"You've just lost all sense of propriety, haven't you, Harry?" she asked as he crouched down by the tub, putting his hand into the water.
He shrugged at her. "What's the point? We'll be back with everyone soon enough, and I'm confident clothes will pretty much be mandatory."
Ginny shook her head and then scooted over in the tub. "Come on, then."
Harry smiled and slid in behind her, hissing slightly as the hot water hit his skin. Ginny sat back against him and sighed. Harry slowly began running a flannel up and down her arms, using the bubbles as soap. He fanned her hair out in the water, and Ginny sighed contentedly.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, and Ginny nodded. She turned her head and looked at him. There had been a tone in his voice that she thought she recognized. "You're going to be noble and do something stupid like ask me not to join you when we go back, aren't you?"
Harry frowned and then lowered the flannel back into the water. He cupped her chin and then traced the line of her face with his hand. "I can't make you stay behind, Gin. I know you can handle yourself. Hell, you can probably protect all of us better than anyone else. Your Mum will try to stop you, but I won't. I promise."
Ginny leaned into his touch and met his eyes. "Blimey, Harry, a couple of good shags, and you're downright agreeable."
Harry smiled gently and moved forward to kiss her. Ginny sighed as they broke apart. She turned back around and felt his arms around her waist under the water. He rested his head on her shoulder.
"Do you think we'll succeed and get the rest of the students out, at least?" Ginny eventually asked. She felt Harry shrug.
"Depends on the plan, I reckon. Hogwarts might actually be the worse place for Voldemort. We can use the Map to our advantage. And between me, Ron, Hermione, and your brothers, we know all the secret ways inside. I'd say our odds are pretty high."
"What, like, 4-6 in our favor?" Ginny said, laughing. Harry tsked and started pouring some shampoo into his hands to wash her hair.
"More like fifty-fifty, at least. Give us some credit."
Ginny snorted and bent her head back so he could start lathering the liquid into her hair. With gentle and tender motions, Harry cleaned her hair and the rest of her. Ginny felt a tightness relax in her shoulders, and by the time he was done, she assumed she felt like what a cooked noodle must feel like. They got out of the tub, and he wrapped her up in a large fluffy towel, and they kissed by the sink. He rested his head on top of hers, holding her close.
They went back out in the bedroom, where Brogan was awake again as well and reading on the bed. He smiled at them.
"Good bath?"
Ginny nodded and stretched out on the bed. She noticed Harry was starting to get dressed and frowned.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm assuming you'll need food since you worked up quite the appetite."
Brogan snorted, and Ginny rolled her eyes at him. "No, let me go, Harry. You've done enough for me today."
Harry shook his head. "Just lie back and relax. Besides, I want to talk to Ron and Hermione for a moment."
He left them alone, and Ginny turned to Brogan. "What are you reading?" she asked as she settled in next to him.
"More Irish folk tales. It's the only book we have up here and I didn't want to go downstairs." Brogan turned his head towards her and breathed in deep. "You smell clean and floral."
"Courtesy of Harry's amazing shampooing abilities, no doubt," Ginny said, laughing.
"I'll have to take your word for it. I didn't want to bother you two in there," Brogan said, glancing at her.
Ginny frowned. "You wouldn't have. We were just talking. In hot water. With wet hair."
Brogan chuckled. "You two also need time alone to be together. You don't need me getting in the way."
"Brogan, you don't get in the way! I mean, before…I know we sort of…worried about that. You know, back when this first started. When I got so upset about you feeling everything we did. Oh, gods, that seems so long ago. But honestly, now it's…all right."
He smiled and grabbed her hand. "Thank you for saying that…I appreciate it. But I'm not self-sacrificing or anything. You two do need time just to be Harry and Ginny. I get that. I feel that."
"Look," Ginny said, turning to face him. He met her eyes, a warmth in them she was glad to see. "I don't know how it's going to be when we return to everyone else. But…we want you with us still. I just don't know how we're going to manage it."
"I know," he said quietly. "And like I said, it's fine. And even if we never get a chance to be all together again…I have more than enough memories, Gin."
"Brogan, we are not going to cast you aside, it isn't like that."
"And I didn't say it was. I know, Ginny, I know. I really do."
He rested his hand on hers, and she felt a flare of comfort from him. She squeezed back, hoping he understood her, truly.
"I feel like I should thank you," Brogan said quietly after a moment. Ginny smirked at him.
"For what? Being utterly shaggable?" She batted her eyes at him. He chuckled.
"Well, yes, you are that, but no, I meant for…accepting me. Here. With you and Harry. We both know one word from you would have shut everything down, Gin."
Ginny sighed and found herself tracing a pattern on his arm. She finally met his eyes. "I know. But…"
"You love him too much," Brogan said, his voice somber.
"It's true. I can't deny Harry anything. But, Brogan, I wouldn't be here with you and Harry if I didn't want to be. I am not here out of any sort of obligation or because it will make Harry happy. I'm here because I have feelings for you, too. I hope you know I didn't let you into our bed on a lark. I'm not wired to be with someone just because. You're here because we desired you. We care about you, too."
"I know that...knew that, but…I think I just needed to hear it from you. Out loud."
Ginny rested her head on his shoulder. "Sometimes I worry, actually, with how easily I let this happen or no, what I should say is how absolutely unashamed I feel about what the three of us do. I keep thinking I'm going to snap out of it, completely horrified at what I've done, and go hide myself away. But then the intensity of the feelings we get when we all touch kicks in, and I can't find myself caring too much. I just know I want you, and I want Harry, and I like that the two of you want me. Perhaps that last part a bit too much."
Ginny hid her face, feeling embarrassed at her own words. After a moment, she felt Brogan's arm around her.
"I know this doesn't mean much coming from me, one of the other part you're doing these things with, but I don't think any less of you. If anything, I admire you even more for being so open with your feelings and your body. You told me once that you and Harry weren't the sharing type, and you couldn't have been more wrong Gin. You two love with everything inside of you. And you do share a great deal. And I think you're wonderful. In so many ways."
"I wasn't trying to get compliments," she said, her voice sounding shaky to her ears. She looked down at the bed, feeling her face heat.
"I know, but I can't grant you absolution or anything," Brogan said, tilting her head towards his. "As I said, I'm here for you both. But know that I absolutely respect you and what you have with Harry. But I know what you mean. I reckon I never thought I would ever do some of the things we've done either, and yet I'm not about to stop doing them. Before this, I would have the said the chances of me even…snogging another man, let alone…doing more, was absolutely nil. Even my fantasies about you were…well, okay, those were a bit more involved, I reckon."
Brogan's face turned pink, and Ginny smiled. "Does it… did it match up?" she asked, suddenly curious.
He frowned and then understood her meaning. He chuckled. "It's like… well, you probably haven't seen the Muggle film the Wizard of Oz, have you?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. What's an Oz? And why does it need a wizard?"
Brogan laughed. "It's a made-up place. Anyway, it's an old movie from the early days of Muggle cinema. Way ahead of its time, technology-wise. The whole first part of the film is in black and white – no color- and then Dorothy ends up in another land, the land of Oz. And to illustrate why this land was so different from Dorothy's real world, this part of the film is entirely in bright, true to life color. It was such a marvel to Muggles at the time. One minute, boring black and white, and the next boom! bright, living color with everything looking and feeling as though it was unreal. That's how being with you and Harry feels to me. Like I spent my entire life walking around in black and white and you two were the house that fell on me and allowed me to see life - finally, real life. So no, my fantasies of you do not match up, Gin, because you are so much more than what my pathetic mind could ever come up with. You and Harry both."
Ginny felt touched but still confused. "Why are we a house that fell on you?"
Brogan blushed. "Sorry, that's part of the story. We'll watch it one day, and you'll understand."
Just then, Harry came back into the room, carrying a tray with food for them. Ginny heard her stomach rumble in response. Brogan chuckled at her, and they rearranged themselves on the bed as Harry set the tray down.
"What are we talking about?" Harry asked, handing Ginny her cup of tea. She smiled thankfully at him.
"Muggle movies and why Brogan thinks we're a house that fell on him," she said, after taking a long sip. Harry frowned at them.
"Er, sorry, but what?"
Brogan shook his head. "Never mind. I was just trying to reassure Ginny about something."
Harry raised his eyebrow as his attention came back to her. "Oh? What's that?"
Ginny felt herself blush again. "I reckon I was just … thinking out loud about things." She gestured with her hand to indicate the three of them, and Harry's face cleared in understanding.
"Oh. Have we come up with more rules?" he asked, his mouth twitching. Ginny chuckled and glanced at Brogan to see a similar amusement on his face.
"No. But sometimes I worry that there's something wrong with me because this-" she gestured again, "doesn't bother me."
Harry put his cup down and moved closer to her. He put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. "Nothing that brings this much pleasure could be bad, Ginny. No matter what anyone thinks. You taught me that. There is nothing wrong with you, and I'll fight anyone who says there is."
Ginny nodded, and they started eating again. Brogan and Harry started talking about getting ready to leave the cottage, and she only half-listened. She watched them laughing and interacting and felt her heart fill. She didn't know what the future would bring the three of them, but she had to trust that her soul, Harry's heart, and Brogan's mind would know what to do when the time came.
o-o-o-o-o-o
