In Essence: Undivided

by Velvethopefics

The sequel to 17, Clumsy & Shy. Harry begins his final year as he and Ginny embark on a new relationship filled with danger, mystery and plenty of Voldemort shenanigans to keep them hopping. New friends and new bonds are made, and some old friends are lost. Started pre-HBP and now, finally, after many years, it will indeed be finished.

68. Hurt

My apologies for the delay in updating this month. I've been getting very discouraged with writing my lately, but hopefully that's changed for the better now. Reviews and comments always help with that, you know, lol

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Chapter 68: Hurt

There was a cold, early morning mist breaking across the grounds at Hogwarts, and neither creature nor wizard (or witch, for that matter) was around. No one noticed the small tabby cat that walked parallel to the castle along the grounds. No one watched as the cat paused, sniffing the air, eyes narrowing as it gazed into the forest. After a few still moments, the cat was on its way again, a bit quicker in its steps.

If anyone had seen the tabby, they probably wouldn't have found it very remarkable except for the distinguished marks around its eyes – square shapes that could be a pair of feline glasses, if such a thing existed. This being the magical world, of course, it was entirely possible such a thing did exist. But the cat moved on unseen and completely unquestioned.

As the cat rounded the far corner, it placed its paws on one of the seemingly random bricks near the building's edge. After a few moments, a small passageway appeared, but only to the cat, and it was soon inside the warmth and relative safety of the castle. The corridor was animal sized, and the cat continued, slinking ever upwards until it reached the opening where it let out. Pausing to take stock of its surroundings for a moment, the cat then hurried across the castle floor and waited for the arriving staircase. It stayed huddled on the bottom step and then quickly sped up as the staircase deposited it on the seventh floor. Knowing that it was reasonably safe now, the cat moved a bit slower, taking its time.

When it reached the charred yet still ever vigilant Gargoyle, it made a slight hissing noise. After a moment, the staircase to the office started to move, and the cat dashed up the steps before it could fully open. It trotted the last few steps and entered the office door. It moved to the center of the room and then stopped, sitting patiently until the man at the desk finished writing on his piece of parchment.

When the man looked up, he grinned rather slyly at the cat and nodded his head towards the back of the office. The cat licked its paws with banality and then stretched. A moment later, Minerva McGonagall pursed her lips at Aberforth Dumbledore.

"You were right."

Aberforth stood up, and she followed him into the headmaster's residence, making herself at home in her favorite chair by the fire. These were her rooms, after all. Aberforth handed her a cup of tea and joined her.

"Was I now?"

"Oh, you know you were, stop it. The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

"He doesn't know yet, does he?"

Minerva shook her head. "They've been very discreet. Surprisingly so."

"Well, it also helps that you can move about now more freely now. Which means we should probably get in contact with our friends."

"Are you quite certain you're ready to give up this prize hiding place?" Minerva asked shrewdly, her lips in a tight line as her eyebrow rose.

Aberforth stared into the fire and then met her gaze. "Yes. It's about time, I think. But there are a few more things I want to do before we leave for good. Get that favorite elf of Potter's up here. We're going to have to go over some things."

Minerva nodded and then called for Dobby. A moment later, the tiny elf was standing in between them.

"Oh, Headmistress, you honor Dobby with a summons. What can Dobby help you with?"

"How are the elves, Dobby? Still enjoying the time off I told them to take?"

Dobby shook his head. "They are cleaning the chamber from top to bottom, Headmistress, even though Dobby has told them not to bother."

"We may have use for you and your fellow elves soon, Dobby," Aberforth said. "Are you ready to help the school? To help your headmistress and Harry Potter?"

Dobby nodded his head quickly, and his eyes grew wide. "Harry Potter is a great wizard, Second Dumbledore, sir. The First Dumbledore always told Dobby to keep an eye on him and protect him if possible. Dobby will do anything for Harry Potter, sir."

"Good," Aberforth said, sounding satisfied that the elf would be a good go-between for them. Minerva nodded at Dobby.

"Perhaps if you could bring us some food, Dobby, and then we can get started?"

"Of course, Headmistress!" And with that, the elf disappeared. Aberforth glanced at her.

"You know he's going to come back with trays and trays full."

Minerva shrugged. "I've been all over the countryside in human and cat form, Abe. I'm feeling hungry enough to eat it all."

Aberforth made a hrumpf sort of noise but didn't say anything else, and they both waited for the elf to return. Minerva hoped everything they had been trying to work for since Voldemort had taken over the school would go off without a hitch. And she hoped Harry Potter was ready for what was next.

o-o-o-o-o

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

Harry grinned at Ginny as she settled next to him on the bed. "What brought this on?"

"What? I can't say I love you randomly and for no reason?"

"Well, no, but it seemed…pointedly random," Harry said, grinning at her. Ginny shook her head and glanced at the book he'd been trying to read.

"You've been on the same page for a while. Not a good book?"

Harry closed the book in question and put it down as he wrapped his arm around her on the bed. "I'm not really in a reading sort of mood, I reckon."

Ginny nodded her head, sagely. "Worried about him, too, then?"

Harry merely sighed in answer, and they stayed quiet for a while. Brogan had been roped into a mission for the Order with Fred and George. Well, Harry knew "roped in" wasn't the right expression really, but they had needed someone who could do a fancy bit of Transfiguration while the twins did their bit, and that had meant Brogan. He didn't want to admit to Ginny that, yes, he was worried. Harry felt silly about it for some reason.

"They have a few hours yet," Ginny said softly, looking at him.

"I know. And I'm sure we'd sense something from him if he got into trouble. It's just maddening sort of waiting around, though."

"Well, at least George won't secretly take him out to get somewhere with Kath now."

Harry snorted. George and Kath had grown closer – he wasn't sure what their relationship status was, exactly, but he knew George no longer felt as though Brogan was in the way. Or, actually, Harry didn't know if Ginny's brother had even thought that, to begin with. He glanced down at her.

"Did George think Brogan was his competition?"

Ginny nodded. "I think so. I mean, not in a serious way. He likes Brogan well enough. But I think he originally thought their past friendship would get in his way. Anyway, Kath and George have grown closer, if you've noticed. I told him to stop acting like an immature prat. Reckon it finally kicked in that I might know a thing or two about relationships."

"So wise, my love," Harry said, kissing the top of her head.

Ginny turned in his arms and started kissing his neck. Harry sighed happily and pulled her closer. They soon went from a sitting position to a prone position, and Harry smiled up at her.

"You know we promised him we wouldn't do anything to break his concentration."

Ginny bit her lip. "I know. I was just thinking that. Blasted Aine and her bloody ancient power connecting us all, anyway. Can't I just shag someone without both of you knowing?"

Harry snorted with amusement. "Didn't realize it was that frustrating for you."

Ginny looked put out for a moment and then grinned at him. "It isn't. Usually. But you look quite fit to me, suddenly."

She moved against him, and Harry bit back a groan as she became a bit more…enthusiastic. They suddenly stopped as they both got a sense of amusement that wasn't theirs.

"I think that was Brogan's way of saying go ahead," Harry said, laughing.

"No, now he's ruined it," Ginny said, giggling. "But at least we know he's all right."

Harry held her close as they settled back on the bed and took a deep breath of her flowery hair, trying to calm his nerves. Yes, at least now they knew, and he felt his heart cheer at that fact. Ginny hummed quietly and then sat up. She looked down at him.

"Come on, let's do something proactive, or we'll just lay here worrying until he gets back. Let's see what Ron and Hermione are up to and ruin their day, too."

Harry let her pull him up off the bed. "Okay, but as long as it is anything other than chess. Ron keeps getting shirty with me when I win now."

"Well, thank Merlin, it isn't that often," Ginny said, grinning.

"Hah. You know I've been playing better since…" Harry paused. He was about to say since he'd 'died' and realized how bizarre that was. Ginny gave him a compassionate look.

"I'm not sure you can give Voldemort all the credit for any previous bad chess playing, Harry. But nice try, love."

Harry shook his head, and they headed out to find Ron and Hermione. He hoped whatever they ended up doing took his mind off of everything. He knew he'd be worried until Brogan and the twins were back safe and sound.

o-o-o-o-o

Brogan wondered why it seemed he was always outside, freezing his bollocks off when he didn't want to be. He was near the docks, Disillusioned, and keeping an eye out. For what, exactly, he wasn't sure. Fred and George were off doing what they had come here to do, namely, come between a delivery and its intended recipients. They had needed Brogan to do a transfiguration or two to get them to this point, and he had gladly stepped up to help in any way. Didn't mean he wouldn't rather be back at the flat, canoodling with Harry and Ginny right about now.

He smiled to himself as he realized that was exactly what they were doing currently, and he let them know he found their apparent reticence from doing anything to distract him hilarious. Brogan shook his head and concentrated on blocking them if they needed some privacy. It was harder to do that now than before, of course, but still, he would try. If not for their sake, then for his own.

Brogan suddenly got a feeling at the back of his neck that something wasn't quite right. He glanced around and made sure his wand was in his hand rather than stuck up his sleeve. He flattened himself against the wall of the building he was near and waited, sucking in a deep breath. A moment later, he was glad he had moved back – two very large, brutish looking men had come around the corner, looking as though they had stepped out of a low-grade, crime movie. They may have well have written the words "Menacing Blokes" on their foreheads and been done with it.

Brogan didn't think they were wizards; they appeared entirely too Muggle. But still, looks were deceiving. Brogan was just about to cast a Confundus Charm on them and get out of their way when one of them stopped, seemingly looking at exactly where Brogan was standing. He felt a chill down to his toes at the anger on the other man's face.

"Someone's here," he said, narrowing his eyes. Brogan made himself go completely still. "And someone's not playing fair."

The smaller one (and smaller was a loose term, Brogan decided) looked around, frowning. "Whatcha mean?"

"Magic."

The smaller man grunted and slipped his hand in his pocket, moving to the right. Before Brogan could react, the man threw something into the air, and it landed next to him with a small pop. Suddenly, the area was filled with a bright green and quite acidic smoke. Before Brogan could stop himself, he breathed some of it in and coughed out the foul taste of it. The taller man must have been waiting because he felt the other man's rough fingers close around his arm in an instant.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The taller man grinned, showcasing that he was missing at least three different teeth and breath terrible enough to knock out a horse. Brogan grimaced and knew whatever was in the smoke had also canceled his Disillusionment Spell. He twisted away and quickly cast a Knockback Jink, but nothing happened. He ducked out of the way as the man tried to reach for him, but Brogan really had no where to go. The taller man's grin only deepened when his next attempt made contact, and he shoved Brogan up against the wall of the building.

"Don't try none of your tricks, magic-man; we ain't as dumb as we look to your ways. Well, he may be, but I'm not, and I'm the one you should be afraid of." His hand tightened on Brogan's arm, and he held him in place (almost entirely off the ground, Brogan was dismayed to realize) with his other. "Lox, find out if there are any more of them. I'll just hold this one here."

The one called Lox shrugged and then went around the other side of the building. The one holding Brogan sneered at him, his eyes calculating.

"Aren't you a pretty one? You're lucky we've been told not to touch, or I might keep you for myself."

Brogan tried to keep his expression empty of any reaction. But a bit of his inner disgust must have shown because the other man gripped him harder and pushed him against the wall again, banging the back of Brogan's head into the brick. It was hard enough to make his vision blur and Brogan knew he'd have one hell of a bump back there if he ever got out of this situation.

"'Course, I could just lie and say I saw nothin' and do what I want wit' ya." The other man leered and leaned in closer, and Brogan tried not to breathe in through his nose for a moment.

"Munger! There's two back on the other side trying to make off with what we done come out here for! Knock that one out and come help me!"

Munger, which Brogan wasn't sure if that were the man's name or a personality description, growled in Lox's direction and then turned his attention back to Brogan. "You've got the luck of the Irish with ya today, pretty one. Enjoy your nap. Maybe I'll come back for a bit of sport, later."

Before Brogan could even try to get out from under the man's grasp, Munger brought his fist up once, and then again, and all Brogan knew was complete and utter agony as he got a hearty wallop of the man's meaty fist in his face. He was pretty sure his nose had just been broken. His head bounced off the brick wall again as Munger shoved him and then dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Brogan moaned as everything around him went black, and unconsciousness staked its claim on him.

o-o-o-o-o

Ginny reacted first, Harry would later recall, as he was busy laughing with Ron about the toenail growing spell he'd just cast on Hermione to humorous results. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Ginny double over as though in pain, and he turned to see what was wrong when he felt it too – as though all the air had gone out of his body with one giant push. He shook his head to clear it and met Ginny's gaze.

"Brogan's in trouble," she murmured, and he nodded as he instinctively reached for her. Surprisingly, their connection opened wide, and they both knew with dead certainty that their friend was in a world of pain.

"Bracelets. Now," Harry ordered intuitively, and Ginny frowned.

"Will it work with just the two of us?"

"Don't know, don't care, we're going to try it."

"Hey, what's going on?" Ron asked, looking between them as he flicked his wand at Hermione to cancel his spell. She huffed at them.

"Brogan's hurt, I think," Ginny explained as Harry raised his hand, calling the container he'd put the Ophidian Armilla in silently to him. He turned to the door just as the box came hurtling through it, and Hermione gasped as Harry grabbed it and had it opened before anyone could even blink. He slipped his bracelet on as Ginny took hers, and they both felt the odd sensation the bracelets always gave them. This time it seemed different, most likely because Brogan wasn't there. A strange sensation moved through him – as though something had just closed and then opened around him. It made him dizzy for a second. Something tugged at Harry's memory for a moment and then was gone as Ginny swayed next to him. Apparently, she'd felt it, too.

"He's unconscious," Ginny murmured, her eyes fluttering closed. Harry took his glasses off, slipped them in his side pocket, and tried to figure out if he could Apparate them wherever they needed to be.

Ginny opened her eyes and tugged on his hand. "Oh, no, you don't! Not without me."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Gin," Harry reassured her, holding her hand tightly. More intently than ever before, Harry felt his power sharpen in focus. In his mind's eye, he could suddenly see the various charms and protection spells around the flat as though someone had turned on a grid for him to study. Harry frowned as he noticed a particularly powerful one by the door that seemed to be tied to him. They would not be able to Apparate from inside the flat. He turned towards Hermione and Ron.

"Go tell Remus that Brogan and the twins are in trouble. Ginny and I are going, no argument. See if they can call Avery. I think we're going to need her."

"But what are you two doing?" Hermione asked, frowning. "How do you even know there is something wrong?"

"Trust us," Ginny said, her voice soft as she touched the other girl's hand. She looked at Harry. "Outside?"

Harry nodded, and they turned to go, but Hermione cried out for them to stop. "Wait! Harry, come here." Hermione stood in front of Harry and stared at him for a moment, and then tapped her wand on his forehead. Harry felt a weird tingle come over him and saw Ginny smirk at him for a moment, while Ron whistled.

"Now no one will know you're you, as a precaution. And as for you," Hermione turned to Ginny, and Harry watched as their friend did the same to her. Harry watched in amazement as Ginny's fiery red hair turned black, and she suddenly seemed taller and fuller in the face, which also was now clear of freckles. It was a subtle difference, really, but Ginny definitely didn't look like a Weasley anymore. Harry could only imagine what he looked like now.

"You're a blonde with a really huge conk," Ron said, smirking at him. Ginny was looking at her hair, running her fingers through it as though in shock.

"Let's go," Harry said, feeling antsy again. Ginny nodded, and they hurried out of the room and down the stairs, with Ron and Hermione right behind them.

Harry looked out the big window in the foyer that allowed them to see out and didn't see anyone walking by. He assumed there were Aurors around somewhere but didn't care. They could either help them or stay behind.

Ginny squeezed his hand, a worried look on her face. Harry nodded as they opened the door, and Harry sensed rather than saw the protection charm that Mad-Eye (or had it been Remus himself?) had set on the door. It had been cast especially for him. Pursing his lips in anger and promising to talk about that with Remus later, Harry disarmed it the best he could with his own magic and bounded down the stairs with Ginny. Harry somehow knew that there were two Aurors coming their way, and he threw up a shield around them. They may not look like themselves, but that didn't mean the Aurors wouldn't question them and try to stop them, if given the chance. Harry didn't trust them not to cast first and question later the two strangers now suddenly appearing in front of the flat. Ginny tugged on his waist and looked at him.

"Now," she insisted, and Harry nodded, feeling the urgency again. He focused solely on Brogan, thinking intently. The bracelet felt warm against his wrist, and then suddenly, he knew where they had to go.

"Hang on, Gin," he whispered, and he hooked her arm through his, and then they were gone, almost before anyone had even known they were there.

o-o-o-o-o

Much like Apparating with Brogan, Ginny did not like the feeling this time any better, but thankfully, she didn't empty her stomach upon arrival. Harry rubbed her back as she stood up and looked around, noting they must be near the water. She had a strange sort of buzzing noise in her head that was urging her to act quickly. Ginny wondered if Harry could feel something similar. She glanced at him as he looked around, his eyes narrowed. He looked a bit feral - his green eyes blazing with intensity. It was weird to see him with blonde hair, and she had to keep checking herself when she looked at him. Catching a glimpse of her new hair color out of the corner of her eye, she assumed they were both going to have to get used to it for the time being.

Harry nodded to a group of buildings that lay near the right of them, heading that way first. They heard the distant sounds of boats and other life nearby. But their part of the docks felt entirely deserted. They both had their wands out, and Ginny used her bracelet to add to the strong shield Harry had placed around them. They heard a low noise then – like a moan or a grumble, and Ginny saw a pair of feet sticking out from under a large pile of broken wooden pallets. She and Harry both hurried over, and Ginny could tell it was one of her brothers, seeing a flash of red hair near the top of the pile.

"I think it's George," Ginny muttered, and Harry helped her by using his wand to clear the debris off of the prone figure. Her brother stared up at them in confusion.

"It's Ginny," she said, trying to reassure him that he was safe. "We're incognito, brother. Where's Fred? Where's Brogan?"

George opened his mouth, and then his eyes rolled back, and he was out cold. "Damn it," Ginny said, looking over at Harry. "He could have at least stayed conscious for a little while."

"He looks like a train hit him," Harry said as he looked around. Ginny studied her brother. He had the start of a black eye and a bloodied lip. His arm was lying at a weird angle, and she didn't want to move him in case there was anything more that was broken.

"This wasn't done by magic," Ginny concluded, and Harry nodded in agreement.

"He looks like he got beat up and pretty badly. Come on, let's try to find Fred and Brogan. I'm going to send a Patronus to Remus."

Harry's stag appeared and proudly waited as Harry told Remus where they were and what was happening with a flick of his hand. Ginny started looking for more clues. She saw a clump of something pushed up against a nearby building's brick wall and headed over to it. She hurried her step when she saw that it was Fred.

If George looked like a train had hit him, then Fred looked like the train had not only hit him but backed up and ran over him again. Ginny couldn't help the whimper that came out of her mouth as she crouched down by his head. There were two black eyes and a large bruise on her brother's face. His shirt was torn, and somehow he'd lost a shoe, she noticed. She cradled his head in her hands and started saying his name.

"I'm afraid to try to wake them up with magic," Harry said, joining her. Ginny nodded in understanding. It wouldn't do to have one of their spells hurt them even more, especially if they had head injuries.

"Where the bloody hell is he?" Harry half-muttered, and Ginny knew he was even more worried about Brogan now.

"Let's look around the front of the building," she suggested, something pulling her in that direction. Just then, a slightly indistinct silver-white wolf appeared in front of Harry. It announced that they were minutes away, and that Harry and Ginny were to stay put.

"Well, to hell with that order," Ginny groused, and Harry nodded in full agreement.

"Come on," he said now, and they joined hands again without even thinking about it. They approached the front of the building cautiously, not knowing what to expect. Harry reached it first and paused, peeking around the corner surreptitiously.

"Fuck," Harry mumbled, his voice sounding strained, and Ginny felt alarm as they turned the corner to find Brogan knocked out against the side of the building. He was lying on his stomach, turned away from them, and she bit her lip as Harry dropped down to his knees, dragging her with him. They turned him over, and they both sucked in a deep breath.

"Oh my God," Ginny whispered and touched Brogan on the shoulder. There was a lot of blood, and she hoped it wasn't all his. His face was an utter mess. A bump on the side of his head had bled pretty freely, judging by the matting of the hair on that side of his face. There were huge, dirty boot prints on his chest and stomach area, and his skin was deathly pale. Harry swore and then gave her a helpless look.

"Let me try something," Ginny said and shifted them until Brogan was in between them and his head was in her lap. She slipped her hand into Harry's and concentrated on healing their friend. She had done it once before for Harry, and she used the link the bracelets gave them to borrow some of Harry's magic now.

"Whatever you're doing, I think it's working," Harry eventually said. Ginny opened her eyes and saw that Brogan's color was looking better. She tapped her fingers on his head where the bump was and frowned as something fought her. She closed her eyes again to concentrate. Ginny suddenly felt as though she were falling from a great distance, but she maintained her grip on Brogan, using her magic to call his. A flare of white light behind her eyelids made her gasp as she saw him in her mind's eye. He was small and curled in on himself, glowing red marks all around him. Instinctively, she used her magic to reach out to him, to try to heal him. She felt a familiar surge of something else move through her and was unsurprised to see Harry next to her in her mind. They both sent their magic toward Brogan and watched as it enveloped him in a golden flash of illumination. Ginny felt the warmth of the bracelet around her wrist.

Suddenly, she and Harry were both pushed away, as though by a large invisible hand. When she finally opened her eyes again, Ginny was surprised to find herself lying flat on the ground, with Lupin and Tonks looking down at her. Their mouths were moving, but Ginny realized she couldn't hear anything. She turned her head and saw Harry (who now looked like himself again) next to her, his eyes still closed and his brow furrowed. Ginny struggled to lift her head up and looked at Brogan. He was slowly starting to stir. Harry touched her, and she turned back to him, moving into his arms automatically. The sounds of the world suddenly came back with startling clarity as Harry embraced her.

"What in Merlin's pants were you two thinking?" Lupin was saying, sounding more than a little hacked off. Ginny heard Tonks try to hush him.

Harry spoke over her head, his voice low. "We needed to find him without delay. He was dying, Remus."

Ginny bit her lip and glanced up at Harry. She'd known Brogan was hurt and badly, but she hadn't sensed that at all. But perhaps, Harry was more sensitive in that way. He looked at her, his expression haunted and his green eyes full of worry.

"Are you okay?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, just…yeah." She shuddered as she realized how close they'd come to losing Brogan. Not to mention the members of her family. Anxiety seemed to spread through her like wildfire.

"Remus, my brothers, they-"

"The others are taking care of them," Remus assured her and she felt her heart calm somewhat.

"Again, what in the name of Merlin were you two thinking!" Remus began again, and Ginny saw Harry go very still as the lecture started once more. For her part, Ginny tuned the older man out, not exactly caring at this point.

Brogan made a small moan and they all turned now to look at him. He was trying to sit up, even though Tonks was keeping him down. The Auror flicked her wand over him a few times as though to assess the damage. Ginny saw the spells turn a rather harsh maroon color as various parts of the diagnostic spell lit up. Tonks swore and looked at Remus.

"Lecture at them later, Remus. Harry's right. He shouldn't even be conscious, by all accounts. Whatever they did, it bloody well saved his life."

o-o-o-o-o

It was determined later that Brogan had exactly four cracked ribs, a concussion, internal bleeding, a nasty looking black eye, a broken nose, and one hell of a headache from the two large bumps on the back of his head. He remembered being knocked against the building, which accounted for one of the bumps, and getting punched in the face, but not much else. George supplied that after he and Fred had taken out of one of the thugs (Brogan supplied the name Lox) they'd thought the bigger one had scarpered, only to find him kicking Brogan within an inch of his life while he lay unconscious.

Harry was beside himself with rage.

But he somehow kept it under wraps as the twins talked about what happened, and as Avery went over Brogan's injuries quickly, yet steadily with her wand. He even succeeded in keeping it to himself as Remus then lectured them about leaving the flat. Twice. It was only Ginny's hand wrapped around his that kept Harry from entirely losing his temper as Remus began again. Because a part of Harry knew that Remus had a point about running off half-cocked, but the older man needed to understand something as well. There were a few things that he was not going to stand for anymore.

"Take the alarm off the door," Harry said calmly after Remus had paused in his continuing tirade.

Remus frowned at him. "It's there for your protection, Harry. It's more than just an alarm to let us know if you've left…"

"Remove it, or I will."

Ginny glanced sharply at him – the sound of his voice brooked no argument, Harry supposed, but he didn't care. They would either treat him like an adult or Harry would be leaving the Order. It was that simple to him. The alarm he'd discovered on the door spoke volumes to Harry about how those older than him genuinely saw him, and he was done.

"If someone gets into the flat and tries to harm you or remove you, then it lets us know," Remus said, explaining, as though speaking to miscreant students. Clearly not realizing how serious Harry was or how deep his anger ran.

"Remove it. Or I will, Remus. Now."

It was as though a powerful wind swept through the room then, and Remus looked at him thoroughly, as though for the first time. Whatever he had been about to say seem to die on his lips, and his father's oldest friend blinked at him as though afraid. And it pained Harry deeply, but he was not about to let it go.

"Harry?" Ginny's voice was quiet, yet strong next to him, and Harry met her gaze. She was worried about him, but Harry could sense that was she was completely with him, whatever he decided to do. He squeezed her hand in response, and only then noticed they were still wearing their bracelets. Again, his memory pushed something at him, niggling at him, but he disregarded it. He wanted to deal with what was going on now.

Harry turned back to Remus. "You should have told me it was there. You should have spoken to me, like an equal. But no, you have treated me like a child, unable to make his own decisions. I would have suspected it and understood it from Mad-Eye, but you, Remus? I thought we were closer than that. I thought you knew me better than that. I see I was wrong. You don't know me at all. Now, if you are finished lecturing me like the errant schoolboy you still think I am, I have someone I care about in a world of pain, and I'd like to sit with him instead of listening to you."

Harry stood up, and Ginny moved with him. Harry turned his back on Remus and made for the door. Lupin's voice stopped him as they reached it.

"It was cast for your protection, Harry. Out of love."

"Remove it," Harry said one last time, and then he and Ginny left the room. Harry didn't realize he was practically racing down the hallway, dragging Ginny with him until he felt her tug on hand.

"Harry," Ginny said a moment later as they made their way to where they had put Brogan. "Calm yourself. He's awake, and no doubt he can feel how angry you are. Let it go. He doesn't need to see you like this in the state he's in."

Harry sighed and stopped, resting against the wall. He ran his hand through his hair and then down his face, slowly releasing some of his anger. She was right. He pulled Ginny into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"For what? Your absolute correct sense of self-righteous anger or for dragging me behind you?"

"For both. Sorry, sorry, Gin," Harry groaned in frustration and pulled her closer to him. She stretched up until she was resting her arms around his neck, and he buried his face in her hair. "Listening to the description of Brogan's injuries wound me up, and then to have Remus endlessly lecture me, again, after all of that, I just…couldn't deal with it anymore."

"You hurt Remus, just now, you know that, right?"

Harry looked into her brown eyes and felt her support course through him. A bit of his irritation finally started to fade. "You mean I scared him."

Ginny nodded as she touched his face. "That too. He was just worried about you, Harry. And I know, I know, it doesn't excuse him, and I think he really should have held off on the lecturing until you'd had a chance to calm down, but he does love you. And you love him. He's the closest thing to a father that you've had."

"Stop it," Harry said, sounding grumpy to his ears. But he knew she was right. But he also didn't want to talk about it. He grabbed her hand again. "Come on, let's see how Brogan's doing."

They made their way to the first bedroom on the first floor; ironically, the same room Brogan had insisted they put his father while he was recuperating. Fred and George were in slightly better condition, although George had a nasty concussion as well as a broken arm.

Ginny knocked on the door before they opened it, and they found Brogan laying back on the bed, his father sitting next to him. Solace looked at them as they entered, and to Harry, it looked as though the other man had aged ten-years overnight. Solace turned back to his son and squeezed his hand. He stood up and turned to face Harry and Ginny.

"I want to thank you for going after him. Avery tells me he's a fortunate man, indeed. He's lucky even to be conscious by all accounts. You have my deepest thanks, you two. Now, don't talk to him for too long; he needs his rest."

Solace gave them a small smile and left. Brogan was looking at them, his eyes wide. There was still the faint indication of the bruise he'd had around his eye. His nose looked better, though. Brogan held out his hand to them, and they immediately went to him, Harry on one side and Ginny on the other.

"You stupid sod," Ginny said softly, leaning over the other man and kissing his forehead. "Now why did you have to go and get broken for?"

Brogan gave her a crooked smile. "Sorry. Next time I'll get out of the way of the next lunkhead who tries to hit me. I only did it this time because I thought it might improve my boring face…having a broken nose adds character, or so they tell me."

Harry shook his head and snorted at Brogan, even as he took the other man's hand into his. "Your nose healed perfectly fine. So your face is still boring. And devastatingly fine, as always."

Ginny giggled, and Harry conjured a chair for her. Brogan looked down at their hands as she reached for him. They all sighed as the power flared through them. Brogan cleared his throat.

"So, um, I hear you two broke about half-a-dozen rules and defied all natural laws to help me. Thanks, I reckon."

Ginny smiled. "Not all the natural laws, only a few. It was mostly all Harry, though, Brogan. You should have seen him. Very, very, commanding."

Harry shook his head at her. "Shut it, you. And you're the one who helped with the healing." He turned his attention back to Brogan. "I would have done the same for anyone I care about. So don't go getting a big head or anything."

"I know, Harry. It's one of the things I love about you. About both of you. You fearless idiots."

No one said anything for a moment and Harry sensed that Brogan was trying to figure him out. Harry met his eyes.

"You're full of anger. And…frustration. What's going on?" Brogan said, squeezing his hand.

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry insisted, pushing aside his feelings.

Brogan winced suddenly as a flare of pain went through him, and Ginny and Harry both felt it too, gasping in response. Brogan pulled his hands away. "Maybe we shouldn't be so connected while I'm healing. Avery said the Skele-Grow would be pretty painful until everything is mended."

"Do you need anything?" Ginny asked, sounding concerned as they all stopped holding hands. "Water? Food? Can you even eat right now?"

"Aye, she's got me on potions galore, thanks to Kath having our supply well-stocked from when this one was out of it," Brogan said, nodding at Harry. "I should be back to normal in around 48 to 72 hours, hopefully."

"Why so long?" Harry asked, thinking not for the first time that he didn't know enough about magical medicine.

"Because one of the injuries hurt my liver," Brogan said, wincing again. "That's the part that's worrying Avery the most. She wants to heal the cracked ribs first and then tackle that. The bastard who kicked me did a good job of trying to turn me into mincemeat."

Brogan sighed and closed his eyes, only to open them again and look at Harry. "Don't even think about it, Harry."

Harry pursed his lips. "Are you saying you wouldn't want to go pummel someone who had hurt me? Or worse, Ginny?"

"Why is it worse if it's me?" Ginny asked, sounding indignant. Both men just looked at her. She rolled her eyes and threw her hands up, muttering something about 'men and their chauvinistic tendencies.'

"Don't worry, I'm not running out there to avenge you or something stupid," Harry said, looking at Brogan again. "I can't help it, though, if the idea of punishing the berk that did this pops into my head from time to time. But I promise not to do anything crazy. Well, crazier."

Brogan studied Harry and then sat back as though convinced. He then yawned so widely that Harry and Ginny shared a glance and nodded to each other. "Try to get some rest," Ginny said, touching Brogan's arm. She leaned over and kissed Brogan gently and gazed at him. "We'll need you in shag-shape fairly quickly, you know. Harry's insatiable."

The other man chuckled and let his hand get lost in her hair. Harry leaned forward and rested his head on the other side of Ginny's. "Quite so," he mumbled softly, closing his eyes. "I need both of you."

He let his lips brush over Brogan's temple, and then they made sure he was comfortable before they left. Brogan was already asleep before they could even open the door. Ginny shook her head at him, and they both entered the hallway. Harry let out a deep breath, not realizing how tense he'd been until it had started to ease.

"Come on," Ginny said, tugging on his hand. "Let's go release some tension. You definitely need it."

"Ergh, don't know if I am too much in the mood, Gin," Harry admitted, feeling both angry and tired and not sexy. But Ginny stopped and pushed him against the wall even as she pulled his head down to hers. A few moments later, and Harry smirked at her when they finally broke apart. "Okay, I stand corrected."

Ginny gave him a knowing look, and when they reached their bedroom, she used her wand to lock it. They quickly got undressed, and Ginny pushed him down on one of the beds, straddling him. She leaned over him and kissed him and then lowered herself onto his body without preamble. Harry groaned as their bodies joined and he watched her - her form was beautiful in the setting daylight of the room. She removed her hair from the tie she'd had it in, and he watched it fall around her shoulders, mesmerized.

Now that she had him where she wanted him, Ginny moved slowly, almost languidly. Harry moved his hands upwards, cupping her breasts until he'd teased each nipple into a hardened peak. She swiveled her hips back and forth and then leaned forward, causing Harry to push up into her to get more depth. She nodded and held him closer as Harry marveled at her – Ginny always wanted more of him as though she could never get enough. She always wanted everything he could give her and it was nothing short of amazing to Harry, every time.

Ginny sighed happily and let her hair blanket over the two of them. She gazed at him, her hand lovingly tracing over his face. Harry moved his hands to cup her arse, pulling her to his body as they began to both move in unison. It was a dance as old as time, what they did now, and Harry felt all of the day's emotions slowly start to leave him until he was just concentrating on the feel of Ginny's perfect body around his. Her eyes were dark and wide as she watched him, and he felt himself grin, capturing her lips in a blazing kiss. He turned them over before she could argue and shifted his hips even as he pushed her legs up. She smiled up at him and threw her arms up over her head in abandon, letting him take over. She watched him as he moved, pushing all the way in and then pulling all the way back out, their bodies slamming together. Harry lowered one of his hands and touched her, rubbing her, wanting to make her come at least once before he did.

Ginny bit her lip and brought her hands down to her breasts. Her warm brown eyes were still on his as though beckoning to him. Just the sight of her touching herself made his control finally break, and Harry roughly brought her body up to his.

He wanted her. All of her. All of whatever it was they were together.

She finally moaned, the delicious sound of it making his skin break with goose pimples even as his thrusts became more unsteady. He felt her body contract around his as she started to moan more frequently, and he knew she had come, her body flushing as it shook with the power of her release. Harry let go of the last of his control and was just ramming into her, his need to take her overcoming every other desire he had. Ginny was saying his name, calling for him, and he was lost into all that she offered him – all that she gave him. Harry felt himself let go finally – his body pouring itself into hers with almost violent thrusts. All his emotions of the day seemed to disappear into her, and it was a powerful release that sent him over that edge into pleasure.

Afterwards, Harry let himself fall on top of her, her body a soft place for his landing. He was still mindful enough not to crush her too much, and he sighed as he felt her arms wrap around him. His head rested on her collarbone, and his mind was pleasantly blank as he merely took in air. His heart and blood were still pumping erratically inside him.

"And that is why I love you, Harry Potter," Ginny finally said, her voice sounding hoarse. He suddenly remembered her moaning rather loudly. They'd forgotten their silencing spell and he hoped no one had been too close to their room. Although a part of Harry honestly didn't care what anyone else thought, anymore. He popped his head up and grinned at her as he straightened his glasses and rolled off to the side.

"Because I'm a really good shag? I'm shocked and appalled, Ginny. Also, pleased. Also, I had a good teacher. She's quite the legend, herself."

She snorted and then rolled onto her side, hooking her legs around his, and resting her hand on his chest. "No. Well, yes, you are that. Thank you for the compliment, too, but no, I meant because when we're together you look at me and touch me as though I'm the most precious thing in the world to you, Harry. It's exhilarating. I'm so happy with how you've allowed yourself to just let go, now. You honestly take my breath away."

"You are the most precious thing in the world to me," Harry said, shaking his head. "Thought that was a given by now, silly."

"Maybe a girl likes to be reminded now and then," Ginny whispered, nuzzling him.

They arranged themselves on the bed, and Harry used his hand to magically move the sheets and blankets around them.

"Should we talk about how we healed Brogan earlier?" Ginny finally asked, sounding drowsy.

Harry frowned. "No. I mean, we did what we had to do, what's the point? The bracelets helped. Full stop. That's all that's important."

"Hmm. Maybe I could ask Bill about it. Or you could look through your notes on them. We should make sure we're doing things right."

Harry only sighed and pulled her closer to him, not wanting to worry about anything right now. He'd just had a lovely release of most of his tension and didn't really feel like bringing it back with talking.

"Let's just sleep for a hundred years instead, yeah?" He eventually mumbled into her ear as he removed his glasses.

Ginny's body shook gently as though she were laughing. "There's an idea. Think Voldemort will wait that long?"

"Sod that bloody git."

"Oh, Harry," Ginny said softly even as he felt the gentle call of sleep start to pull him under. It had been a long and stressful day, and he would gladly accept the the sweet oblivion of unconsciousness to keep the world at bay for a little while longer.

o-o-o-o-o