Author's Note:

Thanks to Sam for her help with my Romione scene.

Reviews and Comments: To darkhk: Glad you loved the fruit basket and yes, March is exciting I suppose? It was my birthday last week, but that's never exciting so meh. St Paddy's is in March though and THAT is always a cause for celebration! Anyone who gets rid of snakes is my number one LOL. To ANewRanger: Thank you! To DeadFish37: Crabbe is still around. He was forced to marry Olivia Rowle, who is three years older than him. We'll see Crabbe soon enough. To Nightwing2013: Greg does have more sense than half the Death Eaters, and funny you should mention it because a few chapters away Yaxley praises him for just that LOL. To alix33: Seamus being Neville's first snog is funny to me because of how it came about. To Libs614: Welcome back! Sorry you still find the Theo dealing with Finn stuff too hard to read, but happy to make you laugh over the fruit basket.

To speedsONEandONLY: I agree, Bill didn't rehearse it. It came from his heart and that's more important. Haha, no bananas in the fruit basket as it was from Harry, but we all know that if Theo had sent it, that's all it would be, with maybe some oranges strategically placed LOL. Neville and Hannah will mosey along and Neville will help her where she needs it. To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Greg and Pansy having potential is always nice to hear. To Wolf's scream: I think Greg is a bit more perceptive than given credit for. To scrappy8: Thank you. To Calamity Ganon: Thank you! Unfortunately, I will not be telling you will be dying in the war. Teddy will be in the story soon. To pix25: I do love history lessons LOL and thanks, I thought the fruit basket was a fun joke. To millie15128: Aww, thanks for saying waiting for me to post is torture, that's nice to hear. But definitely don't skip your class, the chapter will be waiting for you when you're done. To Krazyasibe: Thanks!

To MoD366: Always happy to provide such a good bout of laughter if it gives you energy to make it through a night shift. Thanks for saying a new chapter makes your day better. To dreaming thoughtless: I love how many people are now shipping Gransy? Pregsy? Goyson? Who knows what that ship name is, but yay! To JamesTKent: Thanks for thinking the Pansy/Goyle bit was bloody brilliant! I am surprisingly enjoying writing about them. To Nox Ortus: Nice to know that you were too invested despite wanting to stop reading a few times, thanks, I think. To WinkingSkeever: You're welcome! Happy to bring you on board with the Pansy/Goyle love.

To Seriously Sam: Of course Theo checks out Bill's butt LOL. Omg, you're right, that was probably one of the moments Fleur realized how good of a dad Bill is going to be! To Steelcode: Theo will find a way to heal his heart, I promise. It will just take time. To Chris: Always happy to provide a few good snickers with my "bloody fruit basket" LOL. My Pansy/Goyle melted your heart — thanks! To simonwassermann328: I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! Happy to know my story helps. To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Greg is so supportive I agree! To coloredwords: Harry is a bit thick LOL. To Dianne: Happy to see you understood what I meant about Finn being too perfect, the Prince Charming that was just too perfect. Nevannah are both insecure in their own way and I think that it will make them both stronger together. To tim2604: Yes, Ginny was very inspired LOL. And don't worry, Neville will learn more about Hannah's mum, just not yet.

To JeanetteRachaelT: I have no idea about the notifications LOL. To Saz J: Of course Bill took Theo's side, what else would we expect? I'm so glad that you support Pansy/Goyle! To sygt: More Weasley sibling moments will definitely happen. To onemoreb: Thanks for binging my story! I'm happy you don't think it's something that you can predict as I hope I have a few more surprises up my sleeve for everyone. And thank you for your kind words on the Goldstein party, I really appreciate that! To STARLEO: Thank you! And it's never too late to tell me you love my story! To shivani: Thank you! I'm so happy you're recommending it to others! To averyeve5: Um, thanks for leaving a review even though you stopped reading 43 chapters ago? I don't know what else to say to that. To tomduteweert: Thank you! I appreciate the feedback on Ginny's PTSD as I really have been trying to deal with that more. As to Snape, he is such an interesting character (I hate him) but I love watching him unfold into that grey area.

To Prewishjay13: It was kind of sweet of Harry, wasn't it? Thank you! To JonathanRL: Glad you found the Pansy bit wholesome and yes, I have made a clear distinction between Crabbe and Goyle as you will see. To briana_t: Yes, Harry finally figured it out LOL. To unlikely galaxy: Happy to hear (read) that the fruit basket made you laugh. Yes, Nevannah are adorable! To Leapyearbaby29: Thomas would be a very old man lol. To AQuickRead91: Michael Murray was completely made up by me as stated in the last chapter, though the events of his life were based on facts. To Hannah: I'm sorry you've caught up and have to wait, but thank you for reading! To Raindrops & Flowers: Thank you! And Remus has to be stern, even though he has done much, much more with Tonks LOL. To PadfootSimp: Thank you for saying my story has become your life. I hope that you've enjoyed it so far! To kyciona: Thank you! I love making Theo smile! To Jmcglynn522: Hannah's mother is interesting and we'll see more of her later on. So glad you loved the fruit basket! And Pansy and Goyle, they do have a hard time ahead. We will see more of them as well.

My posting schedule: Bi-weekly.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX:

Harry held Ginny's hand as they walked through the streets of the village of Hogsmeade. Next week would already be the end of March and they would all be going home to celebrate the Easter holiday. He was looking forward to it. If Theo's reaction to the fruit basket that morning had been any sign, it was that they were all looking for something to make them smile.

"Theo really did like that basket, right?" Harry asked, his eyes on Ginny. "I think it was the right decision to send him one."

"Theo loved that basket," Ginny told him. "He was telling everyone you sent it because you're in love with him."

Harry groaned. "I've made a terrible mistake."

Ginny laughed. "First, you let him cop a feel at the Halloween party and now you're sending him fruit baskets. Should I be worried?"

"No," Harry sputtered. "And I did not let him cop a feel!"

Her smile widened. "I'm just teasing. As much as Theo would love it, he would never actually make a move on you."

"And me?"

Ginny winked at him. "You, however, are completely suspect."

Harry shook his head. He had a feeling that this gift was going to be more trouble than it had been worth. "I might have let Bewitching Baskets talk me into their biggest size, that doesn't make me suspect. We both know that Theo deserved it."

Ginny snuck a look up at him. "Softie."

Harry grinned. "It made him smile."

"Yeah, it did," Ginny admitted. "He needed that. He's been getting better since his talk with Bill. He's remembering what he has to live for. He's realized that life without Finn is possible."

"I noticed that," Harry told her. "Though I suppose when I want a drink now, I'll have to find Seamus."

Ginny elbowed him and he grinned.

"Are you taking him back to the Burrow for the holiday?"

"Harry, have you even met my mum?"

He chuckled. She had a point. There was absolutely no way that Mrs Weasley would not let Theo come to the Burrow for Easter. "True, what was I thinking?"

"You weren't," she said with a smile. "I'm excited to see Aydin again in person and I know that you're excited to get home to little Mina and Leo. Aydin's going to be four months old in two weeks and Mina and Leo will be three months… it flew by, didn't it?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, it did. I want to see Zee too. Plus Papa and Grandmama are still living in Zee's old cottage so that will be nice. Mostly, I think it will be nice to just go home and not think about school and what's going on."

"You can say that again," Ginny agreed. "There's still been no word on Malfoy and Zabini?"

Harry shook his head. "Nothing since Andy last heard from them. Of course, the fear level is definitely rising for everyone."

Harry knew that was one of the biggest reasons why he wanted to go home for Easter. He wanted to see for himself that Zee was being cautious and staying safe. He hated waiting around, waiting for Voldemort to make the next move.

"Knut for your thoughts?"

Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked. "I'm afraid that they're not that interesting."

"Doubt that."

He sighed. "I was just thinking about Voldemort and just waiting for him to make a move. I have another lesson with Dumbledore on Tuesday and I just wish that I could be doing more."

Ginny stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "So do I. But everyone keeps telling us that we just have to wait."

"And I understand the why of that, but it's so frustrating. After learning that Bellatrix is… she's dangerous and so is everyone who follows him."

Ginny nodded. "You didn't do anything wrong, Harry."

"So everyone keeps telling me," Harry replied. "Using that curse on her… I know she deserved it, Gin. I know that if anyone deserves to die it's her, but using something like that… I still feel dirty."

Ginny squeezed his hand in hers. "And that's one of the many reasons why I love you, Harry Potter."

Harry tugged her into the alley behind The Hog's Head, bending his head to kiss her deeply. She stood on her toes, arms encircling his neck. Harry's hands rested flat on the small of her back as his mouth met hers. He took his time, teasing her lips with soft nips between deep kisses that left her breathless. When he finally came up for air, he rested his forehead against hers.

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?" she whispered, lowering herself back down and resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"Get me."

Ginny smiled against his shoulder. "You mean how do I always know when you're feeling guilty and self-pitying? I know you, Harry. You always take on more responsibility than you need to. You don't have to shoulder the world's burdens."

Harry buried his face in her hair. "I guess just knowing for sure that she's alive… that I didn't actually kill her… it's a relief and yet, I'm angry at the same time. She doesn't deserve to live."

"No, she doesn't," Ginny agreed. "But that's not our choice to make."

He nodded, still holding her close.

Ginny slipped her hands under his jacket and beneath his jumper, the cold of her hands on his warm skin made him jump and she chuckled. "Now, let's go get some food and we can check on Neville and Hannah."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "We're spying now?"

Ginny stood on her toes to peck him on the lips. "Not spying, merely making sure that the date is going well."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Neville can handle it. I don't want to make him even more nervous, you know how he gets."

"Okay, no Italian food then. Shopping it is!"

"We're going into that baby store, aren't we?"

Ginny grinned. "We need to get presents for your new siblings and my new niece! Come on, we'll find Theo. Shopping always cheers him up and afterwards you can buy me lunch at The Three Broomsticks."

Ginny took his hand and led him out of the alley. Shopping might always cheer Theo up, but it was definitely Ginny that always cheered Harry up. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Even if it involved shopping.

~ ASC ~

Ron walked alongside Hermione, her arm linked through his as they moved through the village of Hogsmeade. He could practically see her thoughts working overtime as he snuck a look over at her.

"What do I have to do to stop you from thinking so hard? Because I'm more than willing to snog you senseless right here in the middle of the street if that's what it takes."

Hermione's lips curved. "I'm not thinking that hard."

"You are," he insisted. "I can practically see little thought bubbles floating above your head. What's bugging you?"

"What do you think the fruit basket was for?" Hermione blurted out.

"Er, no idea," Ron said, his ears flushing.

"You know!" Hermione exclaimed, surprise in her voice. "Tell me!"

Ron cleared his throat. "It's more of an implication of what I think I know, but don't want to know, and definitely would prefer never to dare to articulate out loud. Because, honestly I don't want to know what I think I know."

"What?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing. "You lost me. What do you know but don't want to know?"

"You know," Ron muttered. "I know you know!" At her look, he groaned. "I'm not saying it!"

Hermione snickered, her eyes twinkling in suppressed mischief. "Ah, Theo's advice, then. I wondered about that."

"She's my sister, Hermione! If you finish that sentence with anything more, I may have to upchuck in response."

Hermione shook her head. "So, it's perfectly all right for you to snog me or to cop a feel, but for your sister to get touched is completely out of the question?"

"No," Ron said, defensively. "It's just that I don't want to know about it."

Hermione grinned. "Besides, Theo's advice involved Ginny doing the touching, not Harry."

"Hermione!" Ron bellowed.

"I know nothing," she said, snuggling herself into his side.

"I'd prefer to know nothing as well," Ron muttered.

Hermione smiled up at him. "I suppose that's fair."

Ron kissed the top of her head. "But I know that you weren't just contemplating the fruit basket. You had your serious face on."

"My serious face? And what exactly does that look like?"

"Something like this," Ron said, scrunching his face to look deeply pensive.

Hermione smacked him in the side making him laugh. "Git."

"Really, are you worried about the house elf legislation?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, that's going wonderfully."

Ron knew that was true. Ever since Hermione had attended the first meeting before Christmas, she corresponded weekly with Lou Bannerman concerning the progress. The new Department for the Reconstruction and Cooperation with Magical Creatures had made two new changes concerning house-elves. First had been to change the Office of House-Elf Relocation to the Office For House-Elf Welfare which was run by a witch and two house elves that had volunteered after speaking with Dobby, and second had been to create a new legislation called the House-Elf Rights Act which Hermione had helped write. It included a list of basic rights all house elves were entitled to. Dobby had helped her craft it along with a few other house elves and despite the push from a lot of the old elves, more than few were starting to come around.

The Act was even being used as a basis for future acts concerning other magical creatures. Hermione's little pet project had really taken route and the Ministry was slowly implementing her ideas. He knew how proud she was of that and she deserved every bit of it.

"So, what is it then?"

Hermione blew her hair out of her eyes, attempting to tuck the bushy bit beneath her hat. "I keep thinking about my parents."

Ron wrapped his arm around her. "Nothing has happened, right?"

"No, but… the Daily Prophet the other day said that families of Muggleborns are being targeted. Just last week two Muggles were killed for having a Muggleborn baby."

Ron kissed the top of her head. "Bill and Percy have both been checking in on them. Your parents are taking precautions. Bill put a charm on them so that they're notified if a witch or wizard they don't know comes within three hundred centimetres of them."

"Three hundred metres," Hermione corrected.

"Yeah that," Ron said. "You're still talking to them almost every night, right?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Ron…"

Ron pulled her closer, wrapping her up in his arms. "If it comes down to that, we'll deal with it. Together."

"No one else can know," she whispered against his chest.

Ron only held her closer. "Just us. I promise."

He rested his chin on the red toque she wore, his hands in her hair as he held her. He wished that there was something that he could say to ease her worry, but he was starting to see that there were no words. The war was getting closer to them and Ron worried that when it finally caught them, they would all be swept up in the landslide.

Ron bent his head to kiss her forehead. "Come on. I'll let you drag me around the bookshop for an hour and take your mind off things. I'll even help you pick out two books."

Hermione's lips curved. "Two hours?"

"One," Ron insisted. "Then I'll buy you a butterbeer."

Hermione stood on her toes and kissed him. "One and a half and I'll only buy three books?"

Ron sighed. "One hour and fifteen and I'll let you read one of them to me later tonight."

Hermione's eyes twinkled. "You read to me instead and you have yourself a deal."

"You're going to make me read Outlander again, aren't you?"

Hermione grinned. "What can I say? I clearly have a thing for tall, broad-shouldered redheads."

Then she was skipping off ahead of him, a soft smile on her lips and Ron couldn't help but hurry after her. He would follow this woman anywhere and he wasn't ashamed to admit it.

~ ASC ~

Harry stepped into Dumbledore's office the following Tuesday after dinner and found the headmaster writing at his desk. He waited for him to look up before he moved up the step towards his desk.

"Good evening, Sir."

"Good evening, Harry. Thank you for letting me finish. It seems that I have letters to answer two to three times a day from Wizengamot members concerned about something or other and at my age, an interrupted thought is sometimes quite difficult to find again."

"Has there been more news of Voldemort, Sir?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "Grumblings, more like it. Professor Draogmir is still considered missing and the Aurors are working with the Bulgarian Aurors to try to locate him safely. There has been an influx in missing persons specifically in Bristol, but no bodies have turned up. I heard the Vampire Capture Unit believes it to be a nest and is hunting the area for rogue vampires. Unfortunately, they haven't found anything."

Harry frowned. "A nest, Sir?"

"Yes, some of the more uncivilized vampires like to group together and to create a nest. They often keep Muggles trapped there as living food, drinking from them when they so desire and keeping them as prisoners," Dumbledore explained. "During the first war, there was an influx of missing persons in much the same way and evidence was found of these nests in a few places around England. They called them 'Living Blood Bags.' We were hoping that with the alliance with the Vampire Confederacy, this wouldn't happen again, but there are bad seeds among everyone I'm afraid."

Harry nodded. "Is that what the Wizengamot discusses, Professor? The bad seeds of the Vampire Confederacy?"

"Some of it," Dumbledore said. "The Wizengamot deals with all matters of concerns and right now that means a lot of discussion on the war. There's talk about the Defence Department and how the units are doing. Ministry officials are working with magical communities all over Britain to keep the peace and to ally ourselves as much as we can. If you remember, Harry, as part of the original bill we drafted for The Phoenix Initiative, there was a section on sub-governing bodies. This section outlined that as long as three members of each so-called sub-government sat on the Wizengamot as part of the Ministry, they would be able to continue to govern themselves as they see fit. The Ministry of Magic will only step in if a crime is committed outside of their own community. The Vampire Confederacy is aware of their rogue members as is the Wolf Packs and others and we're all working together to try to keep track of who they are and how we may find them and bring them to justice."

Harry did remember Sirius telling him that. The Phoenix Initiative had been written in four parts: Education, Wizengamot, Sub-Government, and War Council. It was because of the terms agreed to in Education and Sub-Government that made some of these magical creature communities make an alliance with the Ministry of Magic in the first place. It was because of those alliances that the War Council had been formed and the Department of Defence established to create defence units to prepare for war when necessary. It was one of the most important documents that the Ministry of Magic had drafted in over two hundred years.

"As you know, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is keeping busy with the increase in crime," Dumbledore continued. "Between the missing persons and the fear people build up over the little things and of course, the big issues, the Wizengamot is always discussing new things that we need to watch out for. Miranda Jameson is constantly working on conferences with different countries to speak about their own problems. France and Bulgaria have offered us support since the Triwizard Tournament and we've been comparing notes and searching for Death Eaters among the different countries. But the law that protects our basic rights and freedoms, also hinders us at times. We cannot barge into homes that we suspect to be holding Death Eaters without probable cause and as of late, there's no evidence to suggest that except among the Death Eaters who have hidden homes."

"Is hiding your home a crime?" Harry asked. "My home is hidden and warded."

"No," Dumbledore assured him. "It's a witch or wizard's right to ward and protect their home as they see fit. However, every witch or wizard must provide an address to the Ministry of Magic."

Harry frowned. "But then it wouldn't be hidden?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "Yes, and no. The Wizengamot Administration Services Office holds a special department that records all known properties by every witch and wizard, but only the solicitor or property manager of the family can give off the information in extreme cases in a similar fashion to a Secret Keeper, but not the same. They would themselves become part of the warding to seal it off."

"So, if someone found this solicitor or property manager, they could gain access to anyone's property or home?"

"Yes and no," Dumbledore repeated. "They would then know the exact location of said home, but depending on the level of warding or charms put in place, gaining access would be no easy feat. In terms of unusual circumstances where a Fidelius is used, the solicitor would then no longer be privy to that information as only the Secret Keeper would be the one able to share that information. The Ministry would be informed that a Secret Keeper was in use and that would be it; location and reasoning are not needed unless the Ministry thinks suspicious circumstances. Of course, there are people who go around these terms and conditions as unfortunately, not everyone follows the law."

Harry nodded. He had never known that before, but it made sense. It also explained how the Aurors knew where Malfoy Manor was and where the Malfoy Estate was in France. Knowing the address was completely different from being able to get through the warding without an invitation. It was part of the reason why Black Cottage had remained hidden — and Harry knew that it would stay that way because of the wards he and Sirius had placed upon it. Sirius had carefully crafted it as Fidelius within a Fidelius, hidden in plain sight, and Harry knew with absolute certainty that his home was safe from Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

"What about the other Ministries?" Harry asked. "Can they gain access to some of the overseas homes?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No. Like here, they need proof of a crime being committed by that person to gain access to their home and when they have gained warrants, they've found nothing to warrant suspicion or to make a case. The Malfoy Estate in France for example, only Isla Malfoy was present, and as her husband was suspect and not her, they were left with nothing. But, there has been talk of allying with the German Ministry due to a German alliance amongst the wolves. Things are coming along as we're all coming together, but those who have agreed to follow Voldemort are still increasing, especially with the pregnancies."

"Pregnancies?" Harry repeated.

"Yes. Unfortunately, Professor Snape has informed me that all of the newly married women over the winter holiday are now with child. New purebloods will be arriving with alarming speed between July and October. Most of them arriving within those last two months."

Harry didn't know what to say to that. He couldn't imagine having a child right now and he knew that some of those students had been younger than him… forced to marry and now forced to have children.

"What does that mean?"

"From the information that I've gathered, Voldemort merely wants to show that he is helping to increase the pureblood population; to make a point in proving that those who are not pure of blood aren't needed to better the community. This merely feeds on his own beliefs and thoughts and it helps those who already think that purebloods are better than everyone else, to be more inclined to follow a man helping this cause. As to the pregnant women, right now, as they are pregnant, they are of no concern of his. He merely wants them out of his sight to deliver the children safely. However, Professor Snape feels that once the children are born, some of the women may no longer be safe from their husbands, which I am inclined to believe."

"Isn't there a way that we can help them, Sir?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him. "I hope so, Harry, but as of right now, it's safer to leave them be. Professor Snape has promised to keep me updated on them. In fact, it seems that Pansy Parkinson, Mistress Goyle now, has asked him to come to her home in London."

"Professor, if you know where some of these former students are, why can't we go and bring them back?"

Dumbledore peered at him over his half-moon spectacles. "As much as I would like to, Harry, they are now married individuals, which means that the power essentially lies with them and in some cases for those who are under the age of sixteen, with their spouses. The older ones were old enough to make that decision themselves."

"But we both know that they didn't."

Dumbledore nodded, his eyes sad. "And yet we still must trust that they did until we hear otherwise. Unless someone asks for help, Harry, we can't risk attempting to save someone who does not wish to be saved."

Harry frowned. He understood the implications of that and he even kind of understood what Dumbledore was saying. Saving someone who didn't want to be saved could only cause everything else to fall apart especially if Dumbledore asked someone like Snape, who was spying on Voldemort, to try to do it. But it was hard because they all knew that there were plenty of former Hogwarts students who definitely did want to be saved.

"What does Pansy Parkinson want with Snape?"

"Professor Snape, Harry, and he doesn't know," Dumbledore said. "And until he does, we will have to wait and see. Now, I think that's enough chat for now. I would like to work on our lessons. Have you been practicing?"

Harry stood up, his wand in his hand. "I have, Sir. I've been staying behind in Defence Club to work with Uncle Remus on what you've shown me."

"Good," Dumbledore said. "Today, I think that we can work here in my office. Let's move down into the larger area."

Harry followed Dumbledore down into the bigger part where one walked in and stood across from him. "You don't want me to work on the water and lightning spells again today?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "I think that you have mastered those very well. No, today I wanted to address some of my more animated skills."

He flourished his wand towards the cabinet behind him and a handful of random objects floated out and landed on the ground. The headmaster pointed his wand again and each object grew to the size of a house elf. The first was a gold figurine of a medieval wizard holding a wand, then a silver figurine of phoenix mid-flight, a small statue of a unicorn being ridden by a fae, a gold figurine of a centaur shooting an arrow, and the last one was a small gold dragon with its wings outstretched and mouth open.

"What are those, Sir?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Gifts that I've received over the years. When I was in my twenties, I grew fond of figurines and trinkets. I've collected more than my fair share. Nothing more than trinkets I have too many of now. Today, we're going to learn how to use these little figurines as shields."

Harry nodded, his brow furrowed. "Instead of a regular shield?"

"No, along with your regular shield. One of the things we discussed was how you noticed I used the statues from the fountain to not only block you, but to defend you and myself from powerful spells, including the Avada Kedavra curse."

"Yes," Harry said, his eyes widening a little. "How did you deflect that one? I thought nothing could stop it."

"True," Dumbledore told him. "There is no spell that can stop the death curse. However, there are ways that one can deflect it or hinder its movement, but they are not guaranteed, nor are they recommended. Your mother's love stopped the killing curse from hurting you, but her life was the price. At the Ministry, I was able to use the statues as a shield and fling them up as the curse came at me, but the curse shattered the statue and if Voldemort had sent a second curse directly after the first, that second one would have moved past the shattered stone and hit me. His pause allowed me to use another statue as a deflection."

Harry kept his eyes on Dumbledore as he looked at the figurines. "But you did more than make them move, Sir. The one statue, every time I attempted to move past it, it deflected me as if it were alive and doing it's best to keep me in place."

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "And we'll work on that too. Remember, it's about using your surroundings as much as your knowledge. When you're fighting somewhere that you might not have common ground, using that environment as much as possible can only benefit you."

Harry watched as Dumbledore flourished his wand towards the statue of the dragon.

"Now, when it comes to animating inanimate objects, it's not about a simple levitation or summoning, it's about breathing life into them. This is something that you will learn from Professor Flitwick next year. Repeat after me, Harry: Piertotum Locomotor."

"Piertotum Locomotor," Harry said.

"Good," Dumbledore replied. "Now, this spell animates statues, figurines, or even suits of armour into doing one's bidding. The trick is ordering them to do so non-verbally so as not to let the enemy know one's plans. For example," he said as he flourished his wand over the enlarged dragon causing it to rise up into the air, "if I want this dragon to fly, I must first instruct it to do so."

Harry watched the dragon rise up near the ceiling, its wings spread wide and then suddenly the dragon dived and Harry was forced to roll to prevent being slammed into by the solid gold figurine. When he made to stand again, the dragon's wing clipped his shoulder. Then the wings grew large enough to engulf him and two huge gold wings suddenly locked him into place.

Harry struggled only a moment before he wiggled his wand and said, "Liquescimus!"

The gold wings drooped, melting as if over an open flame and he jumped through the liquid gold, landing on his feet just as Dumbledore sent the centaur towards him. Harry brandished his wand, deflecting the arrow that came his way; using his own shield to hold the centaur back. When the medieval wizard came up behind him, he cried, "Reducto!"

The wizard shattered into a thousand pieces just as the unicorn ran towards him. The unicorn rammed its horn into his side and he stumbled before his hand gripped the horn and with reflexes only Quidditch could bring, he swung himself onto the back of the statue and rode the unicorn towards Dumbledore. The tidal wave that knocked him back caused the unicorn to sink below the water. Harry was forced to claw his way to the surface.

"Fulguri!"

The flash of lightning that shot from Harry's wand lit up the entire office and cracked into the stone at Dumbledore's feet leaving a black mark on the stone.

"Fulguri!" Harry said again as a second bolt came down.

"Petrificus Totalus," Dumbledore said, calmly, freezing the lightning into place.

Harry's eyes widened as Dumbledore flourished his wand again and the petrified lightning exploded into tiny bolts that flew towards him like high speed knives. He threw himself to the ground, erecting a shield as the lightning bolts bounced off the top. He jumped back to his feet and the phoenix figurine soared over him, knocking his wand from his hand.

Dumbledore's eyes flashed triumphant.

Harry reached down and grabbed his second wand and in one quick move, stole his first wand back with a summoning charm and pointed both wands directly at the headmaster.

"Flore rosae!"

Thick stemmed red rose vines spurted out from the ground full of sharp thorns and began to intertwine around Dumbledore's feet. They swelled up in front of him like a cage, locking him in as they grew higher and higher.

"Diffindo!"

The rose thorns collapsed to the ground from the sharp severing charm.

Harry pointed his holly wand at the melted dragon on the ground. "Reparo!"

The melted dragon was still merging together as Harry said, "Piertotum Locomotor."

The dragon, still half-melted, but repairing mid air, rose up and swooped towards Dumbledore. The headmaster merely shot it to pieces and smiled.

"Excellent, Harry."

Harry pointed both wands forward. "Truce?"

Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Not yet."

The rug under Harry's feet was suddenly moving. He caught himself before he fell and pointed his wand at the rug only a moment before he hopped onto it. It only took a moment for him to find his balance as he surfed across the room, shooting spells at Dumbledore as he flew around him. The headmaster deflected each spell easily. Harry dove off the rug just as Dumbledore unravelled it and he landed, barrel rolling as he did before he found himself once more working to stay afloat in the tidal wave that engulfed him.

Harry rounded up the water, turning it into the eye of a hurricane just as Dumbledore shot lightning into the centre of it. Harry dove out of the way and then gasped when the water turned into a wall of fire, blocking him from the headmaster.

Dumbledore stood on the other side of the fire, his wand out. "And today, we're going to talk about the fire element."

Harry stood up, eyes on the flames. "You made an entire wall of fire."

"I did," Dumbledore said, extinguishing it with a wave of his wand. "But fire is not to be trifled with and even when one thinks that they have control over it, they don't. Fire has a mind of its own, but if one is smart enough, they can try to convince the fire to listen to them."

Harry nodded, brushing the wet hair away from his face. "How?"

"Aeterna flamma!"

Fire came out of the tip of Dumbledore's wand in a thin stream. He tapped his wand lightly with the tip of his index finger and the fire slipped into a straight lane before them.

"Murus," Dumbledore said.

Fire rose up from the line, standing straight as it fizzled and flamed emitting heat with every flicker.

"How do you get rid of the fire?" Dumbledore asked.

"With water?"

"Water is not always the answer," Dumbledore advised.

Harry contemplated for a moment, his eyes on the wall of flames between them. Then he raised his wand and said, "Tempestas pluviam!"

A dark cloud appeared on the ceiling and rain began to downpour as Harry said, "Ventus!"

Wind shuffled and Harry twirled his wand like a tornado, watching the wind and rain funnel around the fire, surrounding the wall and distinguishing the flames.

Dumbledore smiled. "Very good, Harry."

Harry tucked one wand back into his belt. "So, what's next?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "I think we'll try this again."

He repaired the figurines and enlarged them once more.

"Pick two and I'll use the other two and let's see what kind of trouble we can get up to."

Harry simply grinned.

He had a feeling that this lesson was going to be rather fun.

~ ASC ~

Snape made his way up the short drive of the Goyle House in Chalcot Crescent and knocked on the front door of the bright blue home. The house elf in the maid's uniform let him in and urged him to have a seat in the parlour. He glanced at his watch almost impatiently. He had things to do and being summoned here was definitely something that he hadn't been expecting. He took a seat and waited almost five minutes before Pansy came into the room.

"Professor, thank you for coming."

Snape merely raised an eyebrow. "To say that I was surprised to hear from you would be an understatement."

Pansy gestured to the tea and biscuits that the elf brought out. "Tea?"

He nodded, curtly, his eyes still on hers. But she made no move to give herself away. One thing about her that he'd always admired was how good she was at keeping things under wraps. He was tempted to pry into her mind, but he was rather intrigued as to why she had invited him over and resisted the temptation. Snape accepted the cup of tea and watched her make herself comfortable in the chair. She looked good, better than most of the others from what he'd seen. Pansy seemed to have come into herself here. Her belly was barely starting to show, but he noticed that she rested her hand over it a moment before she caught herself.

"I heard from Millie that she spoke with you."

Snape's eyebrow rose. "We did. Briefly."

Pansy put her teacup down. "I know that you had no choice but to make those potions. I understand that, but what we... none of us wanted to be married."

"You seem to be doing well enough for yourself for someone who didn't want it, this life of… luxury."

Pansy's eyes narrowed. "Greg has been... a pleasant surprise. When I told my father that I would marry him, he was relieved that I made my own choice; as if it really was a choice at all. But I chose Greg, rather than let my father choose someone for me, and we're the lucky ones, Professor. I understand that, now. I get that choosing Greg was a wise choice. The others haven't been as fortunate as to have their own home and to be left to their own devices."

"Your father has praised the Dark Lord on his decision to allow you to stay here. He claimed that it could be used as another base if needed and that it was one less mouth for the Dark Lord to worry about."

"Is that what they've become? A mouth to feed?" Pansy scoffed. "If he allowed them to move out into their own homes with their husbands, it wouldn't be a problem."

Snape kept his eyes on her as he carefully sipped his tea. "They have been moved. As you know, Rabastan and Ophelia moved into an old Lestrange home in Paris just two days ago."

Pansy frowned. "I heard that they might be moving, but what about the others?"

Snape tapped his fingers on his knee. "Alecto prefers to stay near the Dark Lord in Avery Castle and keeps a suite with her new husband. The younger ones are being given little suites to stay in. The Rowles have all moved into the Royal Crescent in Bath since Torin Rowle merged Numbers Twelve through Fifteen into one giant manor house back in the fifties. Woodrow moved his new wife into his Croatian Manor along with his mistress, your father is living in the Parkinson home. With the death of Narcissa Malfoy, Wiltshire Manor booted them all out."

Pansy nodded. "Do you think that Lord Wiltshire had something to do with that?"

Snape pursed his lips. "That I do not know. The Malfoy family has always been sneaky when it comes to old magic such as that so, it's possible. Mrs Goyle, it's about the safety of the new couples so that each woman is able to deliver a healthy pureblood child when it's time. Every marriage resulted in a pregnancy. The Dark Lord is very pleased with this news."

Pansy scoffed. "He's pleased? That we've all managed to breed ourselves like animals? What does he want with these children?"

Snape frowned. "Nothing. He wants you to have them and to raise them in the knowledge that they are purebloods. Nothing more. He wants to make more purebloods, to increase the power they have over the Muggleborns, and the ones who have tainted blood."

Pansy placed a hand over her stomach. "So, I can… I can just be a mum?"

Snape's eyes softened. "Have you been concerned that he would take your child?"

Pansy nodded, biting her bottom lip. "I haven't been able to sleep, Professor. I don't know what I thought he wanted with them, it was just… to make all of us get pregnant like that. It seemed like he had an ulterior plan."

"He's looking to the future, Mrs Goyle, nothing more. He needs future purebloods to further his cause and since most of his followers have spent the last decade or so in prison for his name, this was a way to help them get what they missed out on. He plays to his audience very well."

Pansy sipped her tea, still holding a hand over her small baby bump. "And what about those who don't have their own homes to go to? Does he really want the couples to live down in the dungeons of Avery Castle like prisoners until they give birth? It's barbaric! These are pureblood witches and they deserve to be treated like the goddesses they are!"

"They are also trusted followers of the Dark Lord."

"As we all are now that we've accepted the Mark," Pansy told him. "He wanted us to accept it and we have! We all support him in this war he's waging, why punish us?"

Snape's hooded eyes bored into hers. "It's for the best. Some of them are still children and are not useful in anything else. Those who are, are being used as needed and their wives kept safe until it's time to give birth. And they weren't given prison cells, Bellarosa and Cassia made them each a bedroom suite."

"If you want them to have healthy babies they need to be somewhere comfortable, where they can go outside and get fresh air and live a life! They can't just be locked down there in a bedroom suite?"

"Are you the spokeswoman for motherhood now? For teenage pregnancy?"

Pansy stared at him. "From the man who brewed the potion to knock me up, really?"

Snape drank more of his tea. "What are you asking me, Mrs Goyle? What is it that you think I can do?"

"I think that you can keep them safe."

Snape's eyes bored into hers. "They are safe. I assure you. The ones who were being mistreated have been ordered by the Dark Lord to be left alone for the safety of the children they carry. I assure you, getting pregnant has saved these young women from the abuse they've suffered. Their men have happily impregnated them and are now working on missions as assigned by the Dark Lord."

"That's another thing," Pansy began. "These missions. I don't know if sending Greg off with Vince and Marcus is a good idea."

Snape stared at her. "I advised against it myself. Marcus was insistent that he just needed the muscle and would be able to handle the operation just fine. Crabbe and Goyle are, as you know, definitely considered muscle. Belby's bulk is entirely fat."

"Greg thought it sounded confusing."

"Your husband is regularly confused by most things," Snape said, sharply. "Having him explain that the sky is up and the dirt down was a chore."

Pansy ignored this. "I thought it sounded confusing as well. I don't like him rushing out to do something that doesn't ensure his safety. What does Marcus Belby need muscle for? Does he need Greg as well as Vince?"

"Oh, have you found love then?" Snape mocked. "How sweet."

Pansy's eyes narrowed as she kept a hand over her stomach. "Did I want to marry Gregory Goyle and get pregnant at seventeen? No. But I did both because the Dark Lord asked me too. I wanted to be a mum some day, not yet in my life, but someday I did, and I love this child. I want what's best for my son, Professor. Don't mock that. And yes, I want my son's father to come home safely. And no, I don't trust Vince or Marcus to make sure that he does. There's a variety of reasons why I chose to marry Goyle over Crabbe, Professor, and one of the biggest ones is that Vince does not look out for anyone but himself!"

Snape pursed his lips. "They aren't going alone. Crouch and Lestrange are going with them."

"What is this mission?" Pansy demanded.

"Trust me when I say that the less you know the better."

Pansy nodded, not feeling much better about anything. "So, what you're telling me is that you can tell me nothing?"

Snape helped himself to another biscuit. "What I'm telling you is to stay here in your safe home and play house."

Pansy's eyes flashed in anger just as Greg appeared in the entrance way.

"Sir," he said, surprised. "I didn't realize that we had company."

Snape stood up. "I was just leaving. Good luck on your mission. Mrs Goyle," he said in farewell before his cloaks billowed out behind him.

Greg turned to look at her. "What was Professor Snape doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to him about you going off on this mission."

He looked up in surprise. "You know that I'm going to be gone about two weeks. You'll have the place to yourself. You can keep redecorating and doing what you need to do. It will be peaceful without me around. You'll love it."

Pansy frowned.

Did he really think that she hated him? Pansy had really come to enjoy his company over the last few months. Then he'd presented her with the old abandoned bank in Apricity Lane and she'd been so surprised by the gesture. He had been nothing but helpful when it came to the project. Pansy had been surprised to learn that he was quite good at manual labour and they'd been working together to try to whip the building back into shape. Greg did things the Muggle way when it came to building as his wand often failed him.

Pansy realized pretty early on that it wasn't that he couldn't do magic, it was that he didn't seem to think that he was good enough to learn it. She'd spent a large amount of time going over basic spells with him and watching his blue eyes light up when he figured something out. He wasn't as stupid as people claimed he was; as stupid as she had always thought he was. She felt guilty for overlooking that, for teasing him. He was actually incredibly sweet.

Greg spent his nights reading fiction books and she'd been shocked to discover that he wore glasses for reading. He liked adventure books, especially Dumas. During the day, unless he was summoned by the Dark Lord, he helped her with the bank and with the house. He was mostly quiet, he let her prattle on about this and that, often responding in grunts and nothing more. But whenever someone came over, another Death Eater, or someone whom he felt wasn't trustworthy, he made her feel safe. Whether it was a hand on her back or the way he stood in front of her in protection, he made her feel safe and protected. Gregory Goyle clearly adored her and she was starting to see that in more ways than ever.

But instead of telling him that she appreciated him, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Just be safe, okay? This baby needs his daddy."

Greg's eyes drifted down to the tiny baby bump. "I will."

He nodded at her and then he was gone and Pansy was left feeling more restless than before. Occasionally she would find herself looking down at the Dark Mark on her arm, wondering what it signified, what she had agreed to before she would push those thoughts aside, pull her sleeve down to cover the Mark, and keep herself busy redecorating the house.

Snape had told her that her only job right now was to give birth to a healthy pureblood baby. Now that she was pregnant, that gave her a freedom she'd never really had before. That meant that she had at least five and half more months until she had to worry about what would be asked of her next, so until then, she was going to make this place a home for her new family and she was going to plan for her shop.

She didn't care how long it took her, one day she would have her own ladies shop where she would sell lingerie, undergarments, and women's pyjamas and she would get her dream.

If there was one thing, Pansy Parkinson Goyle was good at it, it was getting what she wanted. No matter who she had to go through to get there.

~ ASC ~

Theo stepped into the Ministry on Friday afternoon and stopped at the new Fountain of Life in the atrium. The unveiling ceremony for it had never officially happened due to Dashwood's kidnapping and then her tragic death. Instead a small article in the Daily Prophet had merely shown the work and explained the dedication. Theo had to admit, it was incredibly beautiful.

A huge oak tree sat in the centre surrounded by a moat-style fountain. The detail in the tree was astounding as the names of the allies were carved into the wood: Witch, Wizard, Fae, Wolf, Vampire, Elf, Merpeople, Leprechaun, Goblin… It was breathtaking.

But it was the name written on the Wall of Heroes that really made his breath catch. On a golden plaque were the words: Prince Finley Alexander, November 30, 1978 —December 14, 1996. The addition had been upon the request of King Talisen. His eyes drifted to the name written on the other side of Finley, Sirius Orion Black, and he swallowed. How many more names would be added before this was all done.

He turned at the sound of his name, eyes on Neville. "They added his name."

"They said they would," Neville told him. "Princess Aisling insisted upon it. I don't think that you were paying much attention that day."

He nodded. "I'm working on that."

"I've noticed," Neville said. "For the record, I like this Theo better than drunk Theo."

Theo felt his lips curve. "I think I do, too. I've been sober for nine days. It feels... weird."

"Are you craving it?"

Theo shook his head. "No, I wasn't... I mean, I'm not addicted to it. I don't feel that kind of desire or urge to drink. I just was drinking for other reasons."

Neville nodded. "I know. Hey, are you excited for Apparition lessons to start next week?"

Theo shrugged. "I suppose. I mean, I'm already seventeen, but I've yet to go for my test."

"How come?" Neville asked.

"Haven't had any lessons," Theo said. "No, just been in school and well, Blaise and I were going to go together during the winter holiday, but then…"

Neville nodded. "Well, now you can join us in the formal lessons and take your test at the end."

"You have to wait, right?"

"Yeah," Neville said, scratching the back of his neck. "I won't be seventeen until July. Harry and I talked about going together since our birthdays are only a few days apart. I think we're the only ones who don't get to to take the test in June."

"Only a month later isn't too bad," Theo told him.

Neville shrugged. "Nah, it's fine. Come on, the council should be starting soon."

Theo followed him out of the atrium and into the lift to head to the Wizengamot. It was only a few minutes before they had both taken their seats. Dumbledore called the meeting into session and they did a quick overview of the last meeting before Minister Bones stood up.

"Losing Whitney was hard on all of us. As my Deputy Minister, I depended upon her for a lot and as you know I've been struggling the last few months to find someone I can work with. After much discussion and talk about who I should choose, I would like to welcome Rufus Scrimgeour, who has graciously agreed to be my Deputy Minister."

Applause broke out at this as Scrimgeour stood up.

"This will not in any way take away from my work as leader of the Terra Troops," Scrimgeour assured them. "I will be working more closely with some of the lieutenants and pushing them towards more leadership roles, but I am ready to take on this new challenge."

"What about the increase in werewolf attacks?" Griselda Marchbanks asked. "The numbers keep climbing. Not to mention the rumours of vampire nests emerging."

Scrimgeour nodded. "The DMLE is working with the capture units to find the culprits and bring them to justice along with help from the packs and the Vampire Confederacy."

"May I speak, Chief Warlock?" Echo Simpson spoke up from the back.

Dumbledore gestured her forward.

"As a leader of one of the packs, I will tell you that wolves who prey on children, who prey on innocent lives, they are not like us. We do not support that kind of behaviour. The children who were turned in the summer have all been adopted into loving homes within our communities, but the trauma they are dealing with, the horror of killing their own families... no one should have to suffer that kind of pain. We do not stand for rogue wolves and I can assure you that we are working with our own guards to lead small packs on the hunt to help bring these rogues to justice."

Marchbanks nodded. "I trust that they'll be found, I don't doubt that, CWM Simpson. It's the idea itself that worries me. People are starting to panic. The longer this continues, the more strange occurrences that are taking place, the more people will panic. It will only increase and that panic will spread. It's not just these little one-offs either. I heard someone in Diagon Alley the other day say that they thought Dementors were in Liverpool. Muggles have reported an increase in fog in Liverpool and the Department for the Reconstruction and Cooperation with Magical Creatures thinks they might be breeding. What are we doing about this?"

Bones stood up. "The panic is a side effect of keeping our community informed, CWM Marchbanks. We don't want to cause people to panic, but we also don't want them to live foolishly and not understand the risks that they may be taking. We are at war. I know it doesn't seem that way, but we are and until Voldemort makes his stand, we are living in this gorilla war style setting. We don't know where he will strike next or how he will strike, but we know that he will and we have to be ready for it. We want our communities to be ready for it. This means that in terms of vampire nests, werewolf attacks, and Dementors, we must only take it one case at a time. Our departments are working diligently to keep our communities safe."

Marchbanks nodded before she turned her eyes on Dumbledore. "Dumbledore, you said that He Who Must Not Be Named will try to take on the Ministry, what makes you so sure?"

"My dear, Griselda, we are the power and he knows it. As a man who craves power, for he is that, a man, he will make a move here. We might not know when, but he will, and we all need to be prepared for it."

When the Wizengamot was dismissed almost an hour later, Theo looked over at Bill and Percy to see what they thought of the session.

Percy was already shaking his head. "I don't know if anything useful is really being done."

"What do you consider useful, Perce? We're doing what we can. We have protection units on high risk individuals, we're making headway with alliances, brokering peace with people that we haven't before. When Bones spoke about the magic training that's been happening with the wolves, did you see how the alphas responded? Their children are learning how to use their own magic for the first time ever. That's pretty awesome. The Vampire Confederacy said the same; agreeing to terms and conditions when it comes to feeding, peace is finally happening. For the first time in our history we all have one common enemy as opposed to fighting amongst each other. Something is definitely being done."

Percy nodded. "It is. I can see that and that's incredible, Bill. It just doesn't seem to be enough."

Theo was going to comment on that when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned and looked up into the eyes of King Taliesan. His eyes, the same green as Finn's had been, were kind.

"Theo, may I have a word?"

"Yes, of course, your Majesty."

King Taliesan smiled and led Theo away from the crowd. "I wanted to check on you. Aisling has been telling me that you've looked rather awful as of late."

Theo nodded. "I miss him."

"Me too," King Taliesan said. "He had such a good heart. He was my son and I will grieve him every day. You made him very happy, Theo. You made him happier than I'd ever seen him. He was always so focused on his duties, on his lessons. Ciara was the only one who could make him drop things and when she came home from Hogwarts gushing all about this Theo, he immediately took an interest."

Theo smiled. "Ciara is an incredible girl. She's going to be a hell of a woman when she grows up."

"Yes," King Taliesan agreed. "Especially when she has you in her corner." He placed both of his hands on Theo's shoulders. "Finley loved you more than his own life. I know that he was taken with the intention of hurting you and they succeeded in that, but they forgot that he was loved by many. They will pay for what they did."

"I'm sorry," Theo blurted out, his eyes blurring.

King Taliesan nodded. "I am sorry, too. I am sorry for losing myself in my grief and not checking on you sooner. If you ever need anything, Theo, anything at all, you will always have friends in Tara."

With a final shoulder squeeze, King Taliesan left Theo standing there in the Wizengamot lost in thought.

Bill came to stand next to him. "You okay?"

"Yes," Theo whispered.

And for the first time, he knew that his words were true.

~ ASC ~

Neville snuck a glance over at Hannah. They were working on homework together and Neville was finding it hard to concentrate. He always had difficulty working on homework, but with Hannah, it made it harder. She was just so pretty and she smelt like honeysuckle and oddly enough apricots and brown sugar. He found himself staring at her, admiring the way she rested her cheek on her right hand, the way she twirled a piece of that golden blonde hair around her finger as she stared down at the textbook, absorbing the words.

"It's hard to focus when someone is staring at you," she said.

Neville's face flushed. "Sorry. It's... you're so pretty."

Hannah bit her bottom lip, a soft smile appearing.

Neville moved his chair closer. "And you smell good. Like honeysuckle and… apricots and brown sugar."

"Oh, that's embarrassing," Hannah said, looking down at her clothes. "I baked Mandy a little cake for her and Anthony tonight and I must still have frosting somewhere on me."

Neville leaned into her and nipped lightly at her neck. It had only been one week since their date in Hogsmeade, but he couldn't stop thinking about her. He had asked her to be his girlfriend after their date and she'd kissed him and whispered yes. This last week had been perfect. He'd walked her to class and they ate lunch together and did homework together. Tomorrow they would be going home for the Easter holiday and he realized that he was going to miss her.

"You smell great."

Hannah blushed. "Thanks."

"What was the cake for?"

"Oh, Mandy and Anthony are celebrating their anniversary and she wanted him to have a little cake."

"Anniversary?"

Hannah nodded. "Yes. They've been together for one year now officially and Mandy adores him. Technically, they went on their first date the week after Valentine's Day, but Anthony didn't ask her to officially be his girlfriend until the last week of March. Tonight is their anniversary and she wanted them to have a little cake to celebrate. I threw together a little apricot crumble cake with apricot syrup on top."

"That sounds amazing," Neville told her.

She shrugged. "It was simple. The house elves are happy to let me bake in the kitchen. It always made Kevin mad. He said that I was doing their job and wasting my time. I made him a birthday cake last year and he... never mind, he didn't much like it."

"Have I told you how much of an arse Kevin is?" Neville said, his eyes narrowing. "The fact that you can throw something together called an apricot crumble anything is incredible."

She shrugged again. "It's not hard. It's just not very useful. If I wasn't so stupid I could do something more worthwhile. I never apply myself."

Neville frowned and took her hand in his. "You are not stupid, Hannah."

"Kevin always said —"

"—Kevin is an arse," he repeated. "I don't want to hear you call yourself stupid again, okay?"

She nodded, those blue eyes on his. "Okay."

Neville pecked her lightly on the lips. "As to not doing anything worthwhile, did the cake make Mandy happy?"

"Yes," she said.

"What's more worthwhile than doing something to make someone else happy?"

Hannah stared at him. "But it... really?"

He nodded. "I bet you could commission desserts, bake for people and they would love it. For example, someone's birthday or anniversary. Maybe make fairy cakes to celebrate Gryffindor winning the match against Slytherin in two weeks."

She chuckled. "What if Slytherin wins?"

Neville grinned. "According to Harry, that's impossible since a lot of their team hasn't returned, but if you really wanted to make Slytherin fairy cakes too, I wouldn't complain. Especially if they taste anything like the ones you sent me at Christmas."

Hannah bit her bottom lip. "Do you really think that people would want them?"

Neville took her hand in his. "Make some for the after party and we'll see. If I'm wrong, I'll never bring it up again, promise."

Hannah stole a look at him under her lashes before she smiled. "Deal."

~ ASC ~

Percy finished recording all of the information that Jameson asked of him before he leaned back in his desk chair and ran his hands through his unruly hair. He desperately needed a haircut. He kept putting it off, mainly because his mum kept nagging him to do it which annoyed him, but also because he just didn't have the time. It was part of the reason why he found himself at work on a Saturday morning. Between work, the Wizengamot, and Audrey, he had no spare time.

And he most definitely wasn't looking to lose any time with Audrey.

Audrey Mayfair was everything that he hadn't realized he was missing. She was smart and sassy, gorgeous and sexy, not to mention that the sex itself was absolutely incredible. Percy liked that she let him take control, but he also really liked the way she took control. Despite Fred's outburst when he had first moved into his new flat, he had to admit, he did like being spanked. He liked it when she called him Mr Weasley. And he really liked it, when they spent nights lying in bed and just talking between their love making.

He was falling head over heels for her more and more every day and he didn't know how to stop it. He didn't know if he wanted to stop it. Last night, they'd lied in bed naked drinking red wine and eating crisps, talking about books and arguing about characters. She'd only conceded to him when he'd buried his face between her legs and then she'd quite happily agreed to his opinion.

The thing was, he still hadn't introduced her to his family.

Angelina had been making inquiries about double dating with her and George, but Percy kept putting her off. It wasn't that he didn't want his family to meet her because they would love her, there was no question about that. It was that he rather liked having her all to himself. He liked having someone who he didn't have to share with six other people. He liked having something that was just his.

An interdepartmental memo landed on his desk and interrupted him from his thoughts. He recognized his name on the front, wondering what someone wanted of Jameson now. Everything came through him first and most of the time, it was for things Jameson didn't have time for. He frowned at the bulkiness of it of the memo. It was never good when a memo turned into a full blown letter. Jameson was on an international Floo call with Germany and he didn't want to interrupt her unless it was absolutely necessary.

He opened the envelope carefully, unsure as to what it could be pertaining to. His eyes widened when a pair of red lace knickers fell on his desk. His cheeks flushed red as he grabbed them, stuffing them into the pocket of his robes before he glanced around the office to see if anyone had noticed. Everyone was too involved at their desks to notice that lace knickers had landed in his cubicle. He ducked his head over the memo, his face still beet red.

It's a bit drafty in my department today, but I've been thinking about you all morning. Have you been thinking about me?

His eyes widened slightly before he reached into his pocket to finger the red lace. Audrey. Merlin, sometimes she truly surprised him. Had she really taken off her knickers in the middle of the office and shoved them into an interdepartmental memo? He felt the tightening in his trousers at the mere thought as he grabbed a new piece of parchment and quickly wrote:

Misbehaviour at work results in discipline.

When he sent it off, he felt a rush of desire wash over him. Audrey had sent him her knickers! He suddenly felt rather scandalous. He reached into his pocket to finger the lace. They had made dinner plans tonight, he was supposed to be taking her to one of her favourite restaurants in London. A glance at the clock told him that it was only half past ten. He had ages until he would be able to see her.

He wondered how she was going to respond to his memo before he tried to turn his attention back to his work. Five minutes later, another memo arrived at his desk and when he opened it, only one word was written.

Verbal?

Percy smirked, holding his bottom lip between his teeth as he quickly wrote a response:

First offence is verbal. Second, means you must be punished.

It took less than five minutes for her to respond.

Is this considered a first or second offence? If it's only the first, what do I have to do to make it a second? I've unbuttoned the top two buttons on my blouse… shall I undo more?

Percy licked his lips, suddenly rock hard. He shifted slightly, glad the desk was there as his erection poked through his robes. This woman was going to be the death of him and he loved every second of it.

Two could play this game, he thought, grabbing his quill.

Do not undo buttons or I'll be forced to punish you.

The next memo was just as short.

Promise? What do you want to do to me, Mr Weasley?

The words sent desire straight through him and he had a sudden image of her with her mouth wrapped around him. He grabbed his quill, scribbling a response so quickly that the last word smeared.

I want you on your knees.

An hour passed and Audrey never responded to his last memo, making Percy feel a bit nervous. He liked their banter and Merlin knew that he loved their sex life, but he wondered if he'd taken it too far. Had he offended her in some way? Or worse, had it gone to someone else by mistake? He fretted over it as he attempted to keep his mind on work, working on the documents that his boss needed. At twelve, Jameson headed out to lunch and he started to wonder if it was possible for him to get fired for sending inappropriate work memos. He was pretty sure that the answer was yes.

He glanced at the clock, maybe he would see if she was free for lunch and then he could apologize for that last memo. There was a new deli that had opened just down the road and he thought that could be a nice place to go. He almost ran into Audrey on his way out of his department.

She hooked her arm through his, a soft smile on her face and led him through the throng of Ministry workers.

"I was thinking that we could go to that new deli place for a bite?" Percy suggested.

Audrey snuck a look at him over her shoulder. "Not today."

Percy frowned. He was about to ask her where she wanted to go when she tugged him into the staircase, ignoring the long line in front of the lifts, and down to level ten. They took a turn down one of the dark corridors and she tugged him into one of the toilets. Then she used her wand to lock the door behind them.

"Why are we in the women's toilets?"

Audrey moved to stand in front of him. "Because it's by the large courtrooms where no one ever goes on a Saturday."

Percy swallowed as Audrey took his hand and slid it under her skirt. He found her wet and naked and he gulped. "This has to be against the rules."

She nipped at his mouth. "What rules?"

Then she was undoing his trousers and kneeling before him. When her mouth wrapped around him, he grunted.

"This is my punishment for being naughty, isn't it, Mr Weasley? Are you going to make me suck your prick?"

"Suck it," he told her, his fingers threading her hair.

Her eyes met his. "Make me."

Percy made a growling sound in his throat before he tightened his grip on her hair and slipped his cock into her mouth. Audrey made a moaning sound and he groaned in response. His grip loosened and she eagerly played with him until he was on edge. Then she let him go, kissing his thighs.

"Touch me."

"No," he said. "You've been naughty. Naughty women don't get pleasured."

Audrey ran her tongue along his length. "Fuck me."

"No," Percy said again. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet, pinning her against the wall. Then he slid his hand under her skirt, finding her soaked. "Bloody hell, woman!"

"Percy," she moaned as his fingers worked her. "More."

He was so hard he thought that he was going to combust. He turned, lifting her with him to sit her on the bathroom counter before he spread her legs and in one motion was deep inside of her, making them both groan. He moved quickly, desperate for her, and it took only a few minutes for them both to fall over the edge. Percy let go only seconds before she did and they both moaned.

Audrey ran her hands through her hair as Percy buried his face on her shoulder. "I'm starved, but this was a much better lunch."

He kissed her shoulder. "You're going to be the death of me. This is how we're both getting fired."

She grinned. "Worried you'll get caught in a compromising position?" She fixed his crooked glasses. "I'll protect you."

"You can't just send me your knickers in the middle of the bloody day!"

"I can," she said. "I did. Are you going to give them back?"

"No," he growled. "Absolutely not."

Audrey smiled. "So, you do like it when I send you my knickers."

"Audrey..."

She grinned. "That's what I thought, Mr Weasley."

Percy sighed as she kissed his chin. "Miss Mayfair, you will be appropriately punished later today for this misbehaviour."

"Absolutely, Mr Weasley," she murmured against his neck. "I may have borrowed a pair of handcuffs from the office."

Percy grabbed a fistful of her hair and tugged her mouth back to his for a long, deep kiss that left both of them breathless. They stumbled out of the unused restroom like drunks, giggling and laughing. Audrey had just kissed him once more when he heard a familiar voice clearing their throat behind him. Percy rested his forehead against Audrey's before he slowly turned his head and grinned sheepishly at his father.

"Hi, Dad."

"Percy," Arthur said, his ears reddening. "This must be the lovely Audrey."

Audrey extended her hand. "Good afternoon, Mr Weasley. Audrey Mayfair, it's lovely to meet you."

"And you," Arthur said, shaking her hand. "I've wondered about the woman who has made my son smile constantly over the last few months."

"I've been keeping him to myself, I'm afraid," she said, smiling up at Percy.

"We've noticed that as well," Arthur said.

"How did you get roped into working on a Saturday?" Percy asked.

Arthur sighed. "I'm woefully behind in my paperwork. I came down here to log in some evidence in the Department of Files and Records. What are you two doing down here?"

"I was working on something for Mr Scrimgeour in courtroom ten. Percy came to steal me for lunch," Audrey said, smiling up at her boyfriend.

Arthur smiled. "There's a new deli that opened down the block. I had a corned beef sandwich on rye yesterday. It was almost as good as your mother's. Speaking of, Ginny and Ron are coming home for the holiday today, Percy. Charlie and Aydin are coming in tonight as well. Why don't you bring Audrey round for dinner tomorrow? We'd love to have you join us. Molly's quite the cook."

"I'd love that," Audrey admitted, smiling at Percy.

Percy nodded. "Yes, Dad. That sounds… great."

Arthur chuckled. "Good. We'll see you then."

When Arthur turned to head off, Audrey kissed Percy smartly on the lips before she hurried forward and linked her arm through Arthur's.

"Actually, Mr Weasley, we're going up to the same floor and I need to grab my bag. Perhaps I could accompany you back to work?"

Arthur's eyes crinkled. "I'd love that." He patted her arm gently before Audrey turned to smile back at Percy over her shoulder.

"I'll meet you in the atrium in a bit and we'll grab something from that deli, yes?"

Then the two of them marched off ahead.

Audrey smiled warmly at Arthur. "Percy tells me that you run the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. That must be terribly fascinating?"

"It has its moments," Arthur assured her as the two of them marched off leaving Percy staring after them.

Percy shoved his hands into his pockets, the feel of her knickers there making him smile, and he thought so much for careful planning. Audrey was about to be shoved into the lion's den.

He was surprised by how much he was suddenly looking forward to it.

End Author's Note:

If anyone needs a refresher, the Phoenix Initiative Bill can be found in chapter 190.

Here are the spells I used. The ones I invented myself I put (mine) in brackets.

Piertotum Locomotor = animates statues, figurines, or suits of armour into doing one's bidding. This is part of the charm McGonagall uses in the Battle of Hogwarts

Liquescimus = "melt," it melts things like the melting of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (mine)

Fulguri = "the flash," causes lightning to strike (mine)

Petrificus Totalus = to petrify a person or thing

Flore rosae = "roses bloom," causes rose vines with thick thorns to grow at alarming speed around the person or object the spell was cast at. (mine)

Aeterna flamma = "eternal flame," creating fire from nothing. (mine)

Murus = "wall," makes a wall out of whatever you'd like (mine)

Tempestas pluviam = "rainstorm," creates a rain cloud and a downpour. (mine)

Diffindo = severing charm

Reparo = repairing charm

Reducto = breaking charm

Ventus = wind charm

And yes, of course Hermione loves Outlander because of the tall, red-headed man!

Thank you for reading and please review!