Author's note: Not sure I'll get another chapter up this week because of the holiday here in the States (unless some of you want a helping of smut with your turkey, if you do, please, do let me know, hah) so enjoy Thursday if you celebrate and if you don't, we'll see you next week!

Chapter 55: Letters, Friends, and Fate


Mrs Weasley was a bit inconsolable after Percy left the flat. The rest of them tried their best to help her. Ron took over the cooking, and Ginny and Hermione started making sure everyone was cleaning up after themselves and doing the dishes. Which left Harry and Brogan the laundry to manage. Harry wondered briefly if he was to be forever cursed with washing clothes. Brogan's father did not have any house-elves, which made Hermione very happy, Harry knew, but there was some small part of him that thought that maybe just having one around would be helpful. But then he felt incredibly guilty for thinking of such a thing and pushed the idea from his head with determination.

He and Brogan were in the laundry area, getting everyone's clothes ready, and Harry sighed, sitting down on one of the stools. Brogan glanced at him.

"Tired of housework already? Better not let Ginny see you loafing about."

Harry smirked at him. "I'll just say I'm supervising you."

Brogan chuckled. "I think that should be the other way around, Harry."

Harry got up and started helping him. They worked in companionable silence for a while, and Harry realized Brogan was humming under his breath.

"You miss your music player, don't you?"

Brogan stopped, and two bright spots of color appeared on his cheeks. "Was I singing out loud?"

Harry laughed. "No, only humming, but it was er… nice. It made me realize it's probably still at the school."

"It is," Brogan sighed.

"Maybe your father has something…" Harry stopped himself and then felt sheepish. "Sorry, that was about to be a very insensitive thing to say."

Brogan had wanted nothing to do with anything his father could give them. The rest of the flat's inhabitants (mostly those under the age of 30), had taken to having movie nights. The more wizarding-types were absolutely fascinated with the entire thing, Harry had noticed. But Brogan never joined them, insisting he wanted to read in the room instead. But Harry knew it was because he didn't want his father to see him enjoying anything that was his. Harry could sort of understand it, but he was also worried that Brogan was not dealing with his father in a healthy way. But then again, what right did Harry have to tell the other man how to deal with his feelings?

"Oh, you have more right than most," Brogan said as though hearing Harry's thoughts. Harry blinked at him.

"Did you just read my mind? Because that's creepy. We're not even touching."

Brogan chuckled. "No, but your thought processes were detailed across you face very distinctly. You might as well say what you were going to say."

Harry sighed as they moved the first pile of clothes to the washer. "I'm just worried you're not dealing with things regarding him. You're hiding. I reckon I recognize the signs."

"I'm not a Gryffindor like most people I know," Brogan said and then stopped, shaking his head. "Actually, all of the people I know. But at any rate, you know I like to hide and wallow and then keep to myself while everyone forgets I'm even there."

Harry frowned. "I'm not making a joke, you know. And I know you like to keep things to yourself. You do that a lot, actually. And I respect that that is your way, Brogan, but…I'm just worried. It has to come out sometime. And I know from past experience it'll be when you don't want it to."

Brogan frowned as he added the soap to the washer and then tapped his wand on it. He met Harry's gaze. "I'm sorry. I'm not used to anyone honestly caring about me as much as you and Ginny apparently do. I've had people I've been friendly with, even close to, but not…look, after my Mum died, my younger self pretty much decided I was the only person I could count on. Being an Empath is…difficult. You are constantly bombarded with other people's feelings…their true feelings. It was especially hard when I was younger because I could instantly tell if someone was genuine or not. And you know what, Harry? Most of them weren't. So I learned to keep things inside. It was just…"

"Easier?" Harry asked in understanding again.

Brogan nodded. "Yeah. Especially after Mum died. Most people just pitied me. I could feel it. And no ten-year-old kid wants to feel pitied. So I stopped trying to be close to anyone. I know you remember how Kath made fun of me – always with my head in a book – but honestly, getting lost in a book was the only way I could just be…myself. I didn't have to worry about the characters being after me for something or judging me. And they never let me down, either."

"That's kind of sad, Brogan," Harry said truthfully.

Brogan looked melancholy for a moment as he watched the clothes moving in the water. "Yeah, you know what? It really sort of is. But I feel powerless to change myself now."

The two men were quiet – it wasn't an awkward silence, but Harry knew it was full of things neither of them were saying. He kicked his foot against one of the stools as he sat down, not sure what to say.

"This is why we need Ginny," Harry finally said. "She'd have made us laugh at something by now. I think you and I are too similar sometimes in the way we handle things."

Brogan sat down too and smiled sadly. "Perhaps. You were taught by those Muggles that raised you to never make a fuss or complain, and I somehow learned that some feelings are better left unexamined. Especially the bad ones and especially if they're my own."

The gentle sound of the washer filled the room, and Harry sighed, resting his head on his hands. He glanced at Brogan, frowning. He wanted to comfort him but didn't know how to do it with words.

"Merlin, who died?" Ginny's voice startled them both from the doorway, and they turned to find her coming into the room, floating three drinks in front of her. Coffee for Brogan, water for her, and pumpkin juice for Harry. She paused in front of them. "Clothes washing can't be that horrible, can it?"

Brogan took the coffee and gave her a half-grin. "We were having serious discussions between cycles."

Harry snorted as he took the pumpkin juice. "Yeah. Too serious."

"And here I thought you'd be having snogging sessions or something equally scandalous. Although the chances of someone catching you two would have been high. Good call, boys. Serious discussions are an infinitely better use of your time."

Harry laughed and heard Brogan do the same as Ginny sat in between them. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Ginny. Please never change."

She raised her eyebrow at him and then looked at Brogan. "Exactly how serious was this serious discussion? And why do I feel as though you're the one who needs cheering up?"

"I just look sadder than he does?"

"Too right," Harry said, smirking.

"Your father is looking for you," Ginny said to Brogan, reaching out to touch him. "I thought the coffee could fortify you."

Brogan frowned into his cup. "Should have thrown some scotch into it then."

Ginny tsked at him and gave Harry a significant look and cocked her head at the door. Harry used his wandless magic to shut it and cast a small Do-Not-Disturb-spell as well. He raised his eyebrow at her.

"We're going to do it in the laundry room?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "No, Harry. I just didn't want anyone to come barging in while we make him feel better."

"So, we're going to do me in the laundry room?" Brogan asked, a genuine smile twitching on his lips as he looked at her.

"Honestly, men," Ginny said, shaking her head. "Come here, Harry." She held out her hand, and he went to her, as she took ahold of Brogan's hand. The three of them sighed as they connected, and Ginny stretched up to kiss Brogan on the mouth. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist. Harry let go of Ginny's hand and stood behind her so that she was sandwiched between them. He wrapped his arms around both of them and closed his eyes, trying to convey the comfort he had wanted to give Brogan earlier.

Brogan sighed and pulled away from Ginny, and they both turned to look at Harry. Ginny shifted to the side, resting on one of the stools, and Brogan pulled Harry closer, his lips finding his mouth immediately. Harry felt his desire flare up as the other man kissed him and shifted his hips forward without realizing it. Brogan grunted as Harry rubbed against him.

"Well, I didn't really want to do it in the laundry room,"Ginny quipped, and Brogan pulled away first, chuckling. He rested his head on hers.

"You are the best thing to ever happen to me," he murmured, and he turned his head, his eyes finding Harry's. "Both of you are."

Harry cupped the other man's face and looked at Ginny, who nodded at him. Harry rested his head against hers so that the three of them were connected again.

"We care about you, too," Harry said simply.

"We do," Ginny agreed, kissing Brogan softly. "No one can change that, Brogan. You're in here, now." She touched her chest and then touched Harry's.

They stayed like that for a few minutes until Brogan finally sighed, pulling away first. "I reckon I should go see what Solace wants."

"Oh, sure," Harry said, wrapping his arms around Ginny. "Leave me with the rest of the washing."

"You have help," Brogan said, nodding at Ginny, who snorted.

"He does not. I'm just going to supervise," she said cleverly.

Harry and Brogan shared a glance and then broke into laughter. "Harry tried that," Brogan said, going to the door.

Harry smiled at Ginny. "It didn't really work for me."

"Yes, but you're not a woman," Ginny laughed. "I have ways of making you do what I want, Harry Potter, and we both know it."

Harry sighed good-naturedly because he knew it was true. He glanced at Brogan, who was shaking his head as he slipped out the door. Harry was glad Ginny had shown up when she did – the feelings he was getting from Brogan felt much more like him and less depressed. And he hoped Brogan's father didn't pick a fight with his son just because he could.

o-o-o-o-o

Brogan went to his father's room and knocked on the door. After a few moments, he heard a muffled 'come in' and turned the handle. His father was at his desk, the light making his salt and pepper hair look more salted than usual – indeed, in this light, Brogan noticed his father's hair was almost entirely grey and wondered if the other man realized it.

Solace gave him a brief nod as he continued writing on the parchment and indicated the chair in front of the desk. Brogan ignored him and went to the bookshelf to see what sort of books his father was currently reading. Expecting just the usual titles, Brogan was surprised to see a small collection of Muggle authors on his father's shelf. Apparently, Solace had found a love of fiction in his dotage. When Brogan turned back around, his father was no longer writing and was watching him.

"You wanted to see me?" Brogan asked, putting his hands in his pockets.

Solace sighed and nodded at the chair again. "Please, Brogan. Join me."

Brogan sighed after a moment, feeling unnecessarily stubborn for some reason. He finally sat down but did so begrudgingly. Solace raised his eyebrow at him and raised an empty glass.

"No, thanks," Brogan said. "Too early for me. But you go right ahead."

Solace merely shook his head and poured himself a small helping of scotch from the glass decanter. He eyed his son over the rim of the glass, and it took all of Brogan's willpower not to fidget under the older man's gaze.

"You haven't read the letters yet, I take it," Solace finally said, looking into his glass.

Brogan frowned. "There's hardly been time."

"Aye. Reckon so. You have been busy, haven't you, son?" his father asked, the ghost of a smirk on his face. Before Brogan could open his mouth to respond, Solace was talking again. "I mean, of course, the rescue of the students from Hogwarts."

Brogan suddenly felt warning bells going off inside of him and made his face remain neutral. "Of course. What else could you mean?"

The two men stared at each other, and Brogan wasn't all that surprised when he felt Solace trying to get into his head, but he was impressed. He grinned at his father.

"Legilimency, father? Really?"

"Occlumency, Brogan? Really?" His father shot back at him, a smile on his face. Brogan felt annoyed suddenly.

"I'm no longer a ten-year-old boy. I've picked up some tricks," he said, shrugging and looking away.

"I see that. Your mother always said you'd be a wizard to be reckoned with. I always thought it was wishful thinking on her part. I always assumed the Empath thing would have made it hard for you to concentrate on anything worthwhile."

Brogan did not let his father's words needle him – what would be the point? He merely looked back at the other man and kept his mind clear.

Solace finally sighed and rested his hand on the desk. "I wish that we could talk like real people, Brogan. I wish that you would trust me."

Brogan snorted before he could help himself. "Why should I ever trust you? You've been out of my life for years, you show up as some benevolent benefactor, housing us, treating us to all the fine things and then hand me letters that you swear are from my Mum, and they just happen to be about your supposed absence from my life. And you just tried to read my thoughts using a spell. I know you don't think a lot of me as a son, Solace, but do you honestly think I'm that naïve or stupid?"

"No, no son of mine could be that stupid, and I'm sure that's pure ego talking in that regard," Solace gave him a brief smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, which were oddly calculating as he looked at him. Brogan felt the need to fidget again, but remained still.

"I would have thought you'd have been interested in the letters," Solace continued, looking away finally. "If not for my sake, then for the sake of your Mum, but never mind. I did not ask to talk to you about this again. I wanted to tell you that Katharine McNamara and her father are coming to stay. They should be here tonight."

Brogan stared at his father, wondering how he was supposed to react. "Er, that's great. Kath and Torin will be much appreciated around here, I'm sure. Why did you decide to tell me this personally?"

"I thought you and Katharine were...close," Solace paused on the word, his eyes sparkling at Brogan's, full of speculation.

"We're friends, as we always have been."

"Like you and Ginny Weasley are friends? Or even, how you and Harry Potter…are friends?"

Brogan tried to ignore the funny feeling in his stomach and frowned at his father. "What are you implying, exactly?"

Solace stared at him for a moment and then looked away. "Nothing. But I did think you might want to…oh, I don't know. Prepare. Kath tells me she's missed you a great deal. I got the impression that she's been worried about you."

"There's nothing going on between me and Kath, Solace."

His father looked at him again, an inscrutable emotion on his face. His father nodded at him then.

"Aye. I know."

"Then…why?" Brogan felt nothing but confusion at the whole conversation.

Solace pinned him with a direct stare, and before he could stop it, Brogan knew his skin was heating in reaction. His father's voice was suddenly low. "I always know what goes on in my house, Brogan. Perhaps you forgot that or…perhaps you just didn't care."

Brogan swallowed roughly and stood up, even as his stomach dropped to his feet. But he also felt anger flare up inside of him. He shook his head at his father. "Leave it, Solace. You don't understand…and you don't know anything about me or anyone else." He turned and made his way to the door, his stomach clenching. He prayed that Solace was only being his usual, egotistical self and merely fishing for information, as always. Before he made it through the door, his father spoke again – his voice carrying.

"Just read the damn letters, Brogan. For your own bloody sake."

Brogan let the door close on his father's last words and swore. He concentrated on Harry and Ginny and realized the other two were still in the laundry room. He used his wand to send his Patronus to them. He had a feeling they needed to talk, or at the least, they could be with him to help calm him down. Maybe it was time he finally read his Mum's letters.

o-o-o-o-o

Solace –

Your letter finds us in Galway again. I felt like being closer to home. Brogan is moody and being very finicky, but I know he will grow out of it soon. I see so much of you in him at times like these, and yes, I know you have just laughed out loud to that.

I have been having those dreams again – dreams that take me places – or perhaps they are just dreams that take me to different times. I see you there quite often, and I see our grown-up son next to you, and you are both fighting with each other and with outside forces. These dreams always make me feel queer – as though I am skipping ahead through a book just to get to the end… which reminds me…

The prognosis is not good, dear Solace, and I am sorry. Please, no matter who contacts you, please do not come home to find me. Call it vanity, but I do not want you to see me sickly. Please remember me as you do now, if at all possible. I will not tell Brogan until he is a little older. The Healers have given me at least a year, maybe more, if I follow their rules. And I will, because I want to be here for our son. There is so much I need to teach him about who he is and what he will be expected to do.

I watch him, and he is so full of life, Solace. He has your spirit, but he has my gift. He will be the last in the family line, and then that old curse can be put to bed. Already, people are asking me about him – the last known descendant of Aine! I fear I cannot bring him back to this region until he is older. He doesn't understand why people want to talk to him or spend time with him. We will move on soon – I will let you know when we are there.

I know you did not understand when I asked you to let me travel with Brogan. I know you probably still don't understand. He will think you have left us – and I am sorry for that, truly, Solace. But it is better this way. I need Brogan to grow up with me. In the long run, it will serve him best.

Much love –

Adaria

Ginny frowned as she re-read the letter. Brogan's mother appeared to have loved his father, yet she still kept him at arm's length. There was a part of Ginny that did not understand that at all, she had to admit. If you knew you were sick and that the man you loved wanted to take care of you and your son, why would you continue to do everything by yourself?

She glanced up at Brogan, who was staring at the ceiling, one of the letters on his chest. Harry was still reading, frowning as he did so. Ginny stretched and lay down in between the two men, and propped the side of her head upon her hand. Brogan's eyes flicked to hers and then back up at the ceiling.

"How do you feel?" she asked, resting her other arm on his. He sighed as that flare of magic that always seemed to be present now tightened between them.

"Like utter shite," Brogan murmured. "These are definitely from my Mum – they sound like her…it's almost as though I can hear her voice in my head. And yet…it's almost as though they are letters from a person I have never met."

"Does it change how you feel about your father?"Ginny asked, linking her hand with his. He squeezed back and then turned on his side to face her.

"No? Yes? I don't know. So he stayed away because she asked him to. He honestly didn't try very hard to see me after she died, so what's the story there? I just feel confused."

Harry sighed and shifted behind Ginny, resting his head on her side, looking at Brogan too. "Do you know what your Mum meant by this curse she mentions?"

Ginny nodded, looking at her own letter. "Yeah, she mentions it in quite a few of them."

Brogan shrugged. "There have been any number of rumored curses against the O'Corra family through the years. One of them was that the power of being an Empath will die with me, or basically, I'm never going to have children, apparently. But she never really told me. Apparently, that was her thing. Not telling me a damn thing."

Ginny put her hand on his chest and moved as Harry put his hand over hers. "She was worried about how young you were. She didn't want to leave you alone, that much is clear, Brogan. No matter what else happens, her love for you is obvious in these letters. She felt as though she was protecting you."

"She loved your Dad, too," Harry said. "Although I don't understand why she didn't want him to be around you."

Brogan grunted in frustration and turned onto his back again. Harry nodded at her to do what she needed to do for their friend, and Ginny went to him, laying across his chest. His blue eyes met hers, and he looked very lost at that moment. She shifted until she was on top of him, looking down into his face. She brought both legs up until she was straddling him and lowered her head to his, her lips faintly touching his. A few moments of this and his arms were wrapping around her, pulling her closer. Ginny sighed and let him deepen the kiss, feeling his reaction rubbing against her body as she moved.

"We can't," Brogan finally breathed out, and he pulled away. "My father knows. Or thinks he does."

Ginny and Harry looked at each other and then looked at him. Brogan sighed reluctantly, and Ginny moved off of him.

"What do you mean he knows?" Harry asked as Ginny settled into his arms instead.

"He's been throwing around hints…or inferences, …and he tried to use Legilimency earlier to read my thoughts. No, he didn't succeed," Brogan said, raising his hand when Harry opened his mouth.

Ginny frowned. "Your father has given me the creeps since we got here, Brogan. No offense."

Brogan laughed, a hollow and sad sort of sound. "None taken, believe me. He creeps me out every time he looks at me."

"Why is he letting it happen if he has a problem with it?" Harry asked, sounding puzzled. Ginny thought that was a good question.

"I don't know. I am sure it benefits him somehow, that's the only thing that explains it," Brogan said. "I mean, I don't think he has a problem with it based on anything else…he's always been very open-minded, my father. But…oh God, I don't know."

"Well, that's just…great," Ginny said, sighing.

"There's more," Brogan said, looking at them. "He told me Kath and her father are coming to stay at the flat tonight."

"Oh!" Ginny exclaimed, then frowned. "Oh, dear. You're going to have to talk to her."

"Gee, you think?" Brogan asked, sarcastically. Before Ginny could give him a retort, he sighed as he touched her. "Sorry, Gin, I'm just…sorry."

"Maybe you don't have to," Harry interjected, and they both looked at him. His cheeks turned a bit pink. "I mean, you know, just…let her down easy if she brings up you and her. Or gives an inkling there's you and her or…I don't know. This complicates things, doesn't it?"

Ginny smirked and kissed Harry's cheek. "Always with the understatements, love."

"I'm going to tell her, well, not about all of this," Brogan gestured between them. "But that there is someone else."

"In a house full of mostly male Order members and you've been with us all this time? Yeah, that'll work," Ginny said, shaking her head. "She won't be suspicious at all."

"Well, then I'll just tell her I'm not interested…anymore. Or even if I was. Or, Merlin, this is nuts!" Brogan exclaimed, running his hand through his hair. Ginny reached out and touched him, as did Harry. They both seemed to calm him down after a moment.

"Just wait and see if she…you know, seems interested," Harry suggested. "Judging by your previous history, you'll just pick a fight and get distracted anyway."

Brogan finally laughed, even though it came out softly. He squeezed their arms. "Thank you for keeping me sane through this."

"Hey, what are threesomes for if not for moral support and amazing sex?" Ginny offered, smiling.

Brogan rolled his eyes at her and then gathered up his letters. "I don't know what to do about these. I mean, I get why he wanted me to read them, but…it hardly seems that important right now."

"Maybe he just really wants you two to have a relationship like he said. One that's not stuck in the wrongs of the past or whatever," Harry said.

Ginny turned to Harry. "Wrongs of the past? Oh, goodness, Harry. You've turned poetic, overnight!"

"Yeah, yeah," Harry grumbled, sticking his tongue out at her.

"It must be your influence, Brogan," Ginny said, laying down next to the other man again. He looked at her, smirking.

"I will gladly accept any blame for inspiring Harry to be more…poetic."

"Right here, you two. Sitting right here. And really, Gin, I am fairly sure I have proven in the past how romantic I can be."

"Yes, of course, Harry," Ginny said, pulling Harry down to her. She kissed him and wrapped her hand around his neck, letting her fingers get lost in his hair.

She felt Brogan shift and then felt him behind her, his arm snaking around her middle. She pulled away from Harry and looked at the other man. "I thought we shouldn't?"

Brogan sighed as he let his hand travel upwards, cupping one of her breasts. "I have never been able to follow the rules when it comes to something I really want, even my own." Ginny felt their combined desires push through her and thanked Merlin for small mercies. The idea of not being with them made her feel a bit sad if she were honest. Sometimes, she wasn't sure if it was Aine's power that she was addicted to or just the sincere desire they all had for each other. In the end, she reckoned it didn't matter.

"Hey, Gin," Harry said a bit later, nuzzling her neck from the front.

"Hmm?" she asked, her eyes fluttering open to look at him.

"Your birthday is soon."

"I know, Harry, seeing as it's mine."

"It's just… I don't think we'll have very many shopping opportunities, stuck here. I didn't get you anything ahead of time, sorry."

"It's okay, Harry," Ginny said, smiling. "The two of you give me more than enough love."

Brogan sighed happily behind her, and she felt him harden against her. Not to be outdone, Harry thrust his hips forward, and she felt dizzy with the feelings between the two of them.

"I didn't get you anything either," Brogan whispered, moving his mouth around her neck, causing a delicious feeling to break out across her skin.

"Um, it's okay, it's fine," Ginny said, her own voice sounding carnal even to her ears. "You two can show me appreciation in other…um…goodness, Harry… in other ways." Harry's hand had slipped under the rim of her jeans and into her knickers, already slipping between her folds. She saw the two men look at each other and smile, and she felt a thrill shoot through her as they both looked down at her.

"Goodness," Ginny breathed as they both started to show their appreciation. And it was very good, at that.

o-o-o-o-o

It was during the tail end of dinner that Kath and her father, Torin McNamara arrived. Harry noticed them first because he saw George Weasley suddenly sit up straighter and attempt to straighten his hair, which had grown a bit unruly since living in Hogsmeade.

Harry looked across the table at Brogan, who was talking to Tonks. As though hearing his name being said, Brogan glanced at Harry and then looked at the doorway, the smile leaving his face for a moment. Ginny had also noticed what was going on, and Harry felt her hand on his.

"Brogan!" Kath exclaimed, looking very happy to see him.

"Kath!"

It wasn't Brogan who had spoken, but George, and Harry saw Ron shake his head at his brother as Fred rolled his eyes. Kath's eyes flicked to George and then went back to Brogan, disappointment flitting across her face so fast that Harry wasn't sure he had seen it. Brogan stood up and moved around the table. They watched as he embraced his old friend and then hugged Torin as well.

Solace appeared behind them, watching the reunion with a wry smile on his face. He put his hands on Torin's shoulders.

"Aye, the Irish have landed. Come, Torin, have a bit of my whiskey to warm you."

"Ah, yes, I might have a wee dram to warm the cockles," Torin said as he greeted everyone. Mrs Weasley was pushing Kath towards the table and getting her a plate of food. Strangely enough, Mrs Weasley then made sure there was room for Kath right next to George. Harry saw Ginny smirk at her mother.

Brogan sat back down and glanced across the table at them, and Harry gave him a brief smile of encouragement. Kath started filling them in about their trip and how things were since leaving Hogsmeade. Harry noticed Kath look at Brogan a lot, but the other man never seemed to quite meet her eyes. Harry looked at Ginny, who nodded at him. He lowered his mouth down to her ear.

"Maybe we should tell her for him. He's going to foul it right up, isn't he?"

Ginny shushed him. "He is an Empath, Harry. Give him the benefit of the doubt."

Brogan made a face at them as though knowing what they'd said and turned back to listen to the ongoing dinner conversation. Harry sighed. It was going to be a long night.

o-o-o-o-o

Brogan knew Kath wanted to talk to him. After checking in with Harry and Ginny, who were attempting to play a game of Gobstones in the bedroom, he made his way to the floor above where her room was. Brogan reckoned he should thank his father for small mercies, and the fact that he hadn't put Kath in the room right next to his was a good thing.

He took a deep breath and sighed before knocking. Her voice called out a soft 'come in,' He steeled himself and told himself not to foul anything up. Yeah, right.

"Brogan!" Kath cried happily from the bed, her whole face lighting up. Brogan smiled despite his nerves because a smiling Kath was always a beautiful thing to see. His questionable relationship status with Harry and Ginny notwithstanding, he could still appreciate how pretty Kath was. He had always fancied her. Even when they were kids and fighting each other.

She patted the spot on the bed next to her. He gave a brief frown, choosing to pull the chair from the desk over instead. She raised an eyebrow at him and didn't say anything. He tried to give her the usual smile.

"Something was telling me you wanted to talk," he finally said, meeting her eyes.

"I did, er, I do, still." Kath paused and searched his eyes. "I've missed you. Ever since the school…the night of your brilliant party…you've been on my mind."

"You could have sent a letter," Brogan said, feeling nervous.

"Yeah, except that wasn't really an option once you went with that lot into hiding. How was it, by the way? Managing a house of unruly teenagers?"

He knew she was teasing him but frowned anyway. "They're actually all very grown-up, sometimes I think I feel as though they're older than me. But the months flew by, really. We all get on quite well. Quite well." Brogan knew he was repeating himself and couldn't seem to stop it.

Kath nodded at him. "Yes, you are very close to Ginny and Harry, of course. But it must have been lonely. They're both couples, and you were the odd man out."

"I didn't feel like that at all, to be honest," Brogan murmured.

"Oh, well, I'm glad then," Kath said, looking away. She glanced back at him quickly, though, her eyes studying him. "Are you…are you all right, Brogan? You seem different. I noticed it straight away in the kitchen. I thought it was because of your father being around, but…it's something else."

"Different?"

Kath nodded, her gaze intensifying. "You seem strangely less inhibited, and yet I know you well enough to know that you're not telling me something. It's an interesting dichotomy. I watched you tonight and… you haven't thought of me at all, have you? No, it's okay," Kath raised her hand when Brogan opened his mouth. "I can tell. I thought…I thought we were close there, at your party, but I went back to Hogsmeade that night, instead of staying, like I wanted. And…here were are, months later and, I can't believe I'm saying this, but you don't look at me like you used to."

"What does that mean?" Brogan asked, feeling his head start to spin. He was feeling too many emotions coming from her suddenly.

"Your eyes, they used to light up when I was around. When I came into the kitchen, it was George who called out my name, not you. And you haven't blushed once, even though I've been asking you very personal questions."

Brogan ran his hand through his hair, feeling unsettled. He saw Kath's eyes soften, a sad look of resignation traveling across her face.

"Ah-ha, so there is someone else."

Brogan swallowed roughly. "I don't understand. We've never been more than what we are, Kath."

"I know, and I don't mean to sound like a woman scorned, truly. But I always thought you and I would get it right one of these days. I'd eventually like you when you liked me, and we'd just get it right…it's silly, I reckon." She studied him for a moment, a somber look on her face. "You don't look at me as though you're interested in me, anymore, that's what it is. Maybe I'm just hyper-aware of it now, for some reason. But you've never treated me like a sister, but now I think…I think that's what I've sort of become."

Brogan felt self-conscious and tried to get his emotions into some sort of control. Kath gave him a sad smile and leaned forward, cradling his head in her hands. He saw her eyes dilate and knew she was going to kiss him. He almost let her, but at the last moment, he saw Harry's green eyes in his mind's eye, and remembered Ginny's flowery scent and gently pushed Kath away.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, praying she would understand without him having to explain it all. Brogan reached out and touched her hand and squeezed it, trying to use his ability to let her know he had wanted her too. She gave him a thankful look and then pulled away.

"It has something to do with Ginny Weasley being the Heir, doesn't it? And Harry's…he's part of it, I could tell by the way you two shared looks all night. You were sitting across the table from them and yet it felt as if you were there, with them. Like I said, you're different."

Brogan didn't say anything, and Kath sighed. "It's okay, I'm not going to go off in a jealous rage. We've never so much as snogged before, have we? I was a stupid git. I kept wanting you to make a move, thinking that when you did, then and only then, would it mean you truly wanted me. I should have cornered you when I came to Hogwarts and had my dirty way with you."

Brogan laughed out loud at the tone of her voice, and Kath gave him a wistful glance. "Oh, but you are a charming one, aren't you?" She reached out and tenderly cupped his face again, and Brogan sobered, feeling sad at what they had most definitely lost. He gripped her hand in his.

"You are my friend, Kath, as you always have been. We'll go months, years, without seeing each other and then we'll just run into each other, after all of this is said and done, and you'll tease me about being a grumpy sod, and I'll get after you about being a loud-mouthed git who should know better. You were one of my first friends, and I honestly do not want to lose that. Or lose you."

Kath smiled at him and then pulled away, sighing. "At least tell me you are happy, yeah?"

Brogan paused and looked directly into her eyes, wanting her to understand that nothing less than what had happened would have ever made him turn away from her. "I have never felt this much joy in my life, and that's the truth. Nor have I ever felt so much…love. They…I don't know if it's because of Aine or just because they're both bloody brilliant, but they care about me for some daft reason, Kath, and I care about them with everything I have. And you're right, maybe I am different now. I feel more in touch with my feelings than ever before and for an Empath that's…that's everything."

Kath's eyes watered, and she shook her head. "I have never known you to speak so openly about your feelings before you befriended them and moved to Scotland. I can be sad because I still feel as though I missed out on you, but I can't begrudge you any happiness, Brogan. It absolutely suits you."

Brogan moved to the bed and pulled her into his arms for a bone-crushing hug. She snorted into his shoulder after a moment and pulled her head away, smiling up at him. "You know, I think we've hugged and touched more times tonight than in our entire friendship put together. Maybe we were never romantic material. You were too shy, and I was too bloody stubborn."

"Hey, don't talk about my friend, like that," Brogan said, kissing the top of her head. "You're brilliant, Kath."

"But stubborn, though, aye?"

Brogan chuckled. "Aye."

"So go on, it's late. And I don't want to hear about the details. At least, not without any alcohol in my system. But maybe, someday, you could tell me who does what to whom and who just gets to watch. Actually, watching it might be fun, indeed."

Brogan did feel his skin heat at that, and Kath laughed as she pushed him away. "Ah-ha! I knew I could draw that blush out somehow. Nice to see you still have it."

"Yes, yes," Brogan said as he stood up. "Are you all right? With…everything?"

"If you're asking if I will be celibate for the rest of my days because I can't have you, that is not going to happen, so I think I'm fine in that regard. But, if you want to know that I will go to sleep tonight a little bit sadder than when I awoke this morning..then no, I'm not fine. But I'll get over you. You're not that irresistible, Brogan Caley. Send that thought right out of that big noggin of yours."

Brogan shook his head, and they chatted a bit more before he left, closing the door softly behind him. He released a breath he'd been holding and suddenly felt much better. No matter what happened to him in the future, he knew that his friendship with Kath was something that he would always treasure.

o-o-o-o-o

"Anyone else hungry?" Harry asked as he lay back against the headboard to the bed. Ginny and Brogan both looked up at him from their position near his lap and then at each other, smirking.

"Well, we've sort of both just had you," Ginny said, smiling as Brogan chuckled and sat up. "But yes, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit peckish."

Harry climbed out of the bed, grabbing his clothes. "Something sweet, then?" Ginny nodded, and Brogan held up his hand.

"Nothing for me, thanks. Er, well, maybe water?"

Harry nodded and quickly got dressed. Ginny watched as he grabbed his wand and stuck it in his back pocket. She shook her head. Harry could use his wandless magic for practically anything he might need in the flat but he still took his wand with him, regardless. Old habits.

Ginny propped the pillows behind her and took over Harry's spot. Brogan sat next to her, pulling the sheet up over them. Ginny let her hands get lost in his hair for a moment. She thought of how different things might be if not for Thorn Rose Cottage. Or if Brogan had not been there with them. Or if Harry - Ginny stopped herself and looked down at him.

"How did your talk with Kath go? You didn't really say, earlier."

Brogan glanced at her. "It went well, I think. She figured it out, about…well, the three of us. Kath has always been mad clever. Actually, she said she could tell something had changed because I seem different now. Which I'm going to have to take her word for, seeing as I'm me and can't tell if I am different or not. On the outside, that is. I know I feel different on the inside." He kissed her arm and rested his head against her shoulder.

"Can I ask a personal question?" Ginny asked after a little while, and Brogan chuckled.

"Um, bit late for that, isn't it?"

Ginny smiled and shook her head. "I meant a particular personal question."

"All right," Brogan said, lifting his head up to look at her.

"How old were you when you first, you know, had sex? And who was it with? And what was she like? Did she have red hair at least?"

Brogan blinked at her and then shook his head. "Why do you want to know?"

Ginny shrugged. "I'm curious, really. I mean, you and Kath seemed…well, I reckon I'm just surprised it was never her."

Brogan frowned. "Well, I think, if I had stayed near her and her father, it may well have eventually happened. Or, I don't know. She said something tonight that made me realize…see, I was always so shy around her, for some reason, and she's very stubborn. She got it into her head that I needed to be the one to make the first move, so I think we were just stuck in that holding pattern for too long. Friends, not quite friends, not quite anything else. Does that make sense?"

Ginny nodded. "I suppose. Your Mum dying while you were still so young probably added to that."

"It changed me, I know that. Maybe I stayed away from Kath because I knew I might have to…I don't know. Take a chance. But I wasn't ready to put my heart out there."

They were quiet for awhile, and Ginny linked her hands with his. She didn't want to push him and thought they were done talking when she heard him start to talk again, softer than before.

"Her name was Samantha and she was American. And I was Harry's age, there or about. Figured it was time. She was a family friend of the people I stayed with after Mum's death. I'd see her off and on whenever we were back from one of our trips. We were friendly, and we enjoyed talking about the same books. She was a Muggleborn. When I received Dylan's letter asking me to study at the Abbey, she er, wanted to give me something to remember her by. She was nice. Clever, even. Very kind. Sort of plain, I suppose, so no, not a redhead, but her feelings were genuine, and that's all that mattered to me. We didn't love each other, but I think we were both mutually fond of each other. She'd er, done it before and made sure I knew what went where and why. And how to use things like my mouth and my fingers and exploring the female body with both."

"Oh, so I have her to thank for your masterful technique?" Ginny teased to break the mood. Brogan eventually chuckled.

"I don't think my technique is really all that masterful, but thank you. Actually, I feel like I've grown better at some things, so practice makes perfect, aye?"

Ginny smiled at him and kissed him. "Not to mention all your book reading about it."

Brogan laughed. "Er, yeah. That. Well, also, having you and Harry in my head probably helped a great deal, too. You two were something else. I only learn from the best."

Ginny felt her skin heat. "It was terrible for you, wasn't it? At the school while we…oh, I'm so sorry, Brogan. Please know, I understand so much more now how it must have felt for you."

"It's fine. It's…it was what it was," Brogan said, a flash of amusement in his eyes. "In a weird way I'm glad it happened the way it did. I think it saved us a lot of embarrassment in our future…activities. I already felt like…well, like I'd been here before we'd even started."

Harry returned then with a tray of food and drinks and handed some biscuits and milk to Ginny as they settled on the bed again. Brogan drank his water gratefully. Harry looked at them as though sensing he'd missed something.

"What were you two just talking about?"

"I asked him about the first girl he'd slept with," Ginny said nonchalantly, as she took a bite of her biscuit. Harry shook his head at her. She decided to push on and glanced at Brogan again. "Any other notable conquests? I think I remember you saying there had been three total?"

"Gin!" Harry exclaimed, looking slightly scandalized but curious too, Ginny noted. "Brogan, if you don't want to tell us, you don't have to."

"It's fine, Harry," the other man said, smiling. "I reckon it's natural to be curious. But I don't think I should tell you the other one. Which, if you're adding things up, Miss Weasley, means you're number three, so feel honored. As you should."

Ginny giggled. "I do, actually. And why can't you tell us the second one?"

Brogan did look embarrassed at that and Ginny noticed he didn't meet either of their eyes for a moment.

"Merlin, we know her, don't we?" Ginny guessed, watching him. Harry looked at her sharply and then at Brogan in curiosity.

"Remember Adair and Elizabeth, the brother and sister pair from the Abbey? It was with her, Elizabeth. We, er, got pissed one night and one thing led to another… honestly, I barely remember it. I mean, okay, I remember it, but I don't think she did. Which is quite the blow to the ego. I think I was depressed for an age afterwards."

"Did you fancy her?" Harry asked, leaning forward.

"Not especially," Brogan admitted. He gave Ginny a look full of guilt. "I'm afraid it was a typical bloke move of being horribly lonely and any female body would do. Especially since I had just asked Sioda out the week before, not knowing any better back then, of course, and she'd told me to piss off. I was drowning my sorrows, quite literally and figuratively. I think Beth knew that and that's why she never mentioned it again. Either that or I was just a horrible shag and she took a memory potion to forget it. She was fairly close to Angus, come to mention it."

Ginny couldn't help it, she snorted at him. "Brogan, there is no way you could have been that bad. Maybe she was embarrassed, too. Maybe she fancied you more than she could tell you fancied her. Or maybe not. Us girls feel lonely and desperate too, sometimes, and maybe she just wanted to have sex with a fit bloke."

Brogan looked unconvinced, and Ginny met Harry's look and tilted her head. Harry nodded and smirked at her.

"Oh?" Harry asked, poking Brogan with his elbow to get his attention. "Do tell us about these desperate times of yours, Gin. And if it involves you getting personal with any of your dorm mates, please, refrain from using names, but tell us all the details. Were feathers involved? Skimpy nighties? Quidditch equipment of any sort?"

Ginny stuck her tongue out at him, but she was glad he had changed the subject as Brogan laughed at them. "We all know I have never been with anyone else other than the two people in this bed, and I'll quite happily like to keep it that way, thank you. I can't even imagine wanting anyone other than you two."

"Not even after I'm old and grey and horribly disfigured from my life long existence of strife and war?" Harry asked, snuggling against her. Brogan chuckled and took Harry's hand.

"What about me? Surely I'll be hunched-back and grotesque far sooner."

"Yeah, because your father is practically like that now and we all know how much you take after him," Ginny said, kissing the top of his head. "Troll blood run in the family somewhere is that it?"

"Hmm," Brogan said, ignoring her jibe. He looked grumpy at the thought of being like his father in any way.

"Hey," Harry said to Brogan as he settled into bed. "Don't go to bed miserable. Come snuggle and be thankful for the soft and lovely female body we've got between us. She has breasts, Brogan. Breasts."

"Very romantic, Harry," Ginny said dryly, but she kissed his head and turned so Brogan could spoon against her as she spooned Harry. They all sighed as their flare of connection opened and they could each feel what the other was feeling. Harry used his hand to dim their lights, and Ginny worked her hands around his waist, settling in around him.

"Thank you for indulging me and answering my nosy questions, Brogan," Ginny said to the darkened room and she felt him move closer to her, his hands slipping around her waist.

"Thank you for caring enough to ask," he said after a moment.

"I care too, I'm just not snoopy, like some," Harry grumbled, and Ginny tsked at him.

Ginny closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but it didn't come naturally, even after she knew both men had finally drifted off. She marveled at fate and life and the things that had needed to happen before she had reached this point in her journey. She was almost 17. Ginny couldn't help but wonder what was life was going to offer her next.

o-o-o-o-o