Chapter 71: The New Headmaster

It was so early when Harry woke up on Saturday that their room was still dark. There was only the barest whisper of the oncoming dawn making its presence known from behind the dark curtains of the window. He blinked slowly and let his eyes get used to the darkness. Harry was used to the soft, constant glow of the library and had forgotten the flat was dark until someone used magic. He saw blurry shapes to the left and right of him and touched the back of Brogan's shoulder and Ginny's arm, causing both of them to sigh and move closer to him out of instinct.

Or, perhaps, Harry wondered, it was just as the book had said – the bracelets made them so in tune with each other and with him that he could most likely wake them without even a touch. But he didn't want them awake. At least, not yet. Closing his eyes again, he let loose a slow breath as he tried something. Nodding to himself after a moment, he got up and slipped out of bed, looking for his glasses and then his clothes. Harry looked at the bracelet on his wrist and then hid it under the long sleeves of his shirt. He used his wandless magic to create small balls of light so he could see where he was going. He glanced down at the bed, knowing that Ginny and Brogan would both stay asleep until he needed them.

He grabbed some paper and a quill from the desk and made his way downstairs to the kitchen, so he could have more light. It was empty this hour, although the stove made soft crackling noises as he used his wand to bring up the fire under the kettle. He yawned and waited for the water to boil, arranging the tea in the pot. Soon he had a lovely brew going, and he poured himself a cup of what turned out to be an extremely robust cup of tea. He winced as he swallowed and grabbed the sugar, tossing in an extra spoonful. Mrs Weasley would always make the type of tea he preferred, but this would do.

Harry sat down at the table and began to write, already knowing what he wanted to say. When he was nearly finished, he paused and thought of his clever friend upstairs. He sent off a Patronus a moment later, using the bracelet and barely whispering her name. Sometime later, when Hermione padded into the room, she looked surprised not only to see him awake but also herself. Harry hid his grin behind his teacup as she sat down next to him, yawning widely. Her hair was a bushy mess as she'd apparently not even bothered to tie it back.

"Did you need me, Harry?" His friend asked him now, frowning at him in confusion.

"I did, but get yourself some tea first."

She nodded and went to the kettle, and Harry finished what he'd been writing. Smiling to himself, he tightly rolled up the various pieces of paper and tapped them with his wand to make them stay that way. Hermione joined him, and Harry waited, watching her in silent amusement until he was sure she was indeed awake.

"It was the strangest thing," his friend said now, looking at him over the rim of her cup. "I had a dream you were calling my name and needed to talk to me."

Harry gave her an innocent look. "That's odd but lucky for me." He set the cylinder collection of papers in front of her. "I need you to help me with these."

Hermione put her cup down and picked up the collection of what he'd written, clearly curious. "Of course, Harry. But what on earth got you, and then me, up at the crack of dawn? What is all this?"

Harry gave her a small smile. "It's my will."

Hermione blinked at him and then down at the papers, apparently shocked. But her look soon turned to something else. It was almost suspicion. "I thought you were feeling confident about the mission?"

"I am," Harry said, and he meant it. "This is just a precaution, only."

Hermione nodded at the papers again, her expression perplexed. Harry sighed and patted her hand.

"I need you to witness them. I'm assuming you know a spell we're meant to do? Or, at least know what we need to do with stuff like this to make it legal and binding?"

"I do," Hermione admitted. "But you could have asked Brogan to help you with this, you know. Or Remus."

"I wanted you to do it," Harry said, watching her. "You and Ron are my oldest friends. And, well, Brogan is in the will, and I wrote quite a bit about him that I really don't want him to read until I'm no longer on this earth. For good, this time, not lost in some magical coma or whatever. It's full of the sort of stuff that blokes don't tend to say to each other."

"And Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, she's in there, too. You all are, actually. I've left the Weasleys most of my money and bequeathed 12 Grimmauld Place to Ginny, if she wants it, after the war. It can be hers and Brogan's if they want. But you get the books in the library," Harry paused, giving her another smile. "And there is at least three whole pages of a letter to Ginny in there, as well. Also very much full of the things us male types don't like to go on about."

Hermione shook her head at him. "Harry, you shouldn't…I mean, you're not going to die. At least, not again." She stopped and gave him a small smile. "I think you're going to win, you know. And not just because you deserve it, but because you're a brilliant wizard, and you're powerful, and you have the best heart of anyone I know."

"But what about Ron's heart?" Harry teased, and Hermione blushed but shushed him.

"You know what I mean. You have the heart of a true warrior. It's noble and true."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Hermione," Harry said, pretending to be amused. But he was touched at her words. "I appreciate it. And you're right, maybe this is all just…unnecessary, but I felt as though it…needed to be done. So, what do we do? Do we need someone to witness it like with Muggles, or do wizards do something else?"

Hermione removed her wand from her dressing gown and tapped it over the cylinder of papers. "I've just added my signature to it, and I think we need Remus to oversee it, too. And then we'll have to have Bill put it in your vault for safekeeping."

"But if I die, won't it be locked in there? I want to make sure there are no problems with it. Or any questions regarding who gets what."

"I'm assuming you named someone to be in charge of everything in it?"

"Ginny."

Hermione nodded. "Then, if you die, she gets access to your vault. Actually, as your fiancé, she would most likely get that anyway, but the will makes it more iron-clad. Wizarding law indicates a couple should be legally joined first, meaning all three bonding ceremonies, but Goblin law states that as long as the first bonding has been made and the rings have been given, then the chosen partner of the deceased gets access…."

As Hermione continued giving him a minor lecture on the workings of wizard and goblin legality, Harry let his mind wander. As long as there was nothing in the way of Ginny and Brogan getting what they needed to continue on without him, should anything happen, then he was happy. He had a feeling that Brogan would even be able to access his vault, thanks to the bracelets. Harry wondered what Hermione would say about that and hid a smirk.

All in all, he felt better after having written everything out. Harry knew then that he was ready. He tuned back into Hermione's lecture and nodded, drinking his tea. He tilted his head, closed his eyes briefly, and thought of the two people sleeping upstairs, canceling the charm he'd cast earlier. It was time for their day to begin.

o-o-o-o-o

"All right, now Dora will be on watch at the Hog's Head, and the minute any of you even get a whiff of something you don't think you can handle-"

Harry stopped listening to Remus go through their instructions for the tenth time and took the opportunity to study his friend's face. There were more lines now, in this instance, because Harry knew Remus was worried and a bit stressed. But he also knew that typically most of them were laugh lines, thanks to Tonks's presence in his life. He was glad he had grown closer to Remus this year – the older man was a link to his past — a link to the shared history of his parents and to Sirius. As Harry's thoughts then turned to his future, his eyes then slipped to Brogan, and he took the time to study his lover unabashed.

If someone had told him a year ago that he would be involved with another man, he probably would have laughed and then blushed profusely. But here he was, doing neither of those things, and it was okay. In fact, it was more than okay – it was natural to Harry, like breathing or eating. He found his eyes tracing over a particularly favorite spot of his on Brogan's neck, halfway between the other man's shoulder and the dark ends of his hair, and shivered momentarily, imagining putting his lips there. Falling for Brogan had opened up a part of himself that he might never have acknowledged or even known about, and Harry was not sure he would ever be able to express how grateful…how lucky he now felt. Brogan must have sensed his mood because his blue eyes flicked to his as though in question, but Harry merely shook his head and flashed a brief smile at him.

Ginny noticed their shared look and raised an eyebrow at them, but then her face smoothed as she started listening to Remus again. Harry sighed as he stared at the woman who had changed everything for him. Just by loving him. Where would he be without his Ginny? Probably half-dead, in pain, self-tortured, and terribly lonely. That is, if Voldemort hadn't gotten to him yet. With all her infinite patience and love, Ginny had unlocked so much of what he'd considered the deepest, darkest parts of his heart, and yet she still accepted him. Still loved him for it. Even when he had realized he fancied Brogan, she had never made him feel anything but acceptance and love. Harry loved her complete- body and soul, from the warm brown of her eyes to the fiery red depths of her hair. No one understood him like she did, and Harry wasn't sure she comprehended the power of that.

To be truly known in this world was a gift, and it was one that Ginny gave him daily. She never wavered from her support for him, and it was just one of the many, many things that Harry loved her for.

Harry realized with a start that everyone was looking expectantly at him, and he came back to the conversation at hand.

"Right," Harry said after a moment. "I think we're set."

Ginny's mouth twitched in amusement. "Really? You sure, Harry? About that last bit?"

Harry blinked at them. "Okay, what did I miss?"

Brogan chuckled. "Nothing. Just the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything else."

Harry frowned, but Remus laughed at Brogan as though it were a shared joke and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "They'll fill you in. I know I was droning on and on there, Harry. I'll let you three get your bearings in private before you leave."

Remus left the room as Harry looked at Brogan and Ginny. "Again, what did I miss?"

Ginny hugged him and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Nothing, just that Bill, as well as Fred and George, will be on standby to aid us should we need them."

"Oh."

"Your mind was a million miles away. Are you sure you're okay?" Ginny asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"I'm fine," Harry reassured her, pulling her closer to him. He rested his head on hers and breathed in her flowery scent. "Really."

He lifted his eyes to meet Brogan's eyes. "How are you?"

"As ready to meet a crazy evil wizard as I'll ever be," Brogan said dryly.

Ginny stepped back, and both men looked expectantly at her. She grinned fiercely. "I'm feeling ready to kick some arse, I must admit."

"We are not going out of our way to meet him," Harry insisted as he nodded at them. "If we can do this whole thing without alerting him to our presence, then I'll be quite happy."

Ginny merely snorted in reply. She was dressed much the same as she had been on their first mission to the school, and Harry took a minute to appreciate her in the tight-fitting black jeans. Ginny smirked and gave him a knowing look.

"Keep your head in the game, Potter, and not on my arse."

"You brought it up."

Brogan laughed. "And what about me? Can I concentrate on your arse?"

"Hilarious," Ginny deadpanned, looking between them. Her cheeks blushed a bit, and Harry knew she was pleased despite her tone. But underneath it all, he could feel their nervousness, despite their banter. Harry wanted them both to be on form, of course, but not full of nerves. He closed his eyes and soon heard them both sigh as his spell hit them.

Brogan looked at him with an expression of being impressed. "You just used a Calming Charm on us, didn't you?"

Harry merely grinned and held up his hand to show them the bracelet. "You caught me. I've been practicing."

"That's pretty skillful," Ginny admitted. "I didn't even realize you were attempting it."

"Hmm," Brogan said, turning aside to Ginny. His mouth twitched in amusement. "Worries me about what else he's been doing to us, though."

"Hey, I'm nice about it, at least," Harry interjected, feeling slightly defensive.

"Harry," Ginny chided, shaking her head. She fixed Brogan with the same sort of look. "Now is not time, you two."

A slight knock on the door had them sobering, and Hermione stuck her head in, a smile on her face.

"Sorry for interrupting, it's just, Harry, I have…well, the thing. It's taken care of. You just need to give it to Bill."

"Oh, thanks, Hermione," Harry said, rushing to the door. He took the small cylinder of papers that she'd thankfully shrunk down for him and slipped it into his pocket.

Hermione smiled at Brogan and Ginny. "Good luck, you three. I just know it'll go swimmingly." His friend's eyes suddenly filled with unshed tears, and she sniffed loudly as she slipped back out the door.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked, looking suspiciously at him.

"Nothing. She just did a favor for me. Uh, I'll meet you guys in the foyer in a few minutes. There's something I need to do."

"Harry," Ginny said again, her voice holding a warning tone. Harry sighed.

"Look, even though I have absolute confidence in us, I've made a will. Just in case. I don't want…I don't want to be unprepared."

"Very responsible of you," Brogan said, frowning at him. "But unprepared for what, exactly?"

"In case I die," Harry said simply. Ginny narrowed her eyes at him.

"What have you done?" she asked after a moment.

"Nothing earth-shattering, I assure you. Just…made it so that you guys have a few things to remember me by." Harry gave them a small smile, hoping they'd just let him do this without much fuss.

Brogan and Ginny exchanged looks and then turned back toward him, matching expressions of exasperation on their faces.

"He's already made up his mind," Brogan said softly, and Ginny sighed, nodding her head. She went to Harry, giving him a wary look.

"You've done something silly like left everything to us, haven't you?"

Harry swallowed roughly. "Why is that silly, exactly? It's not like I have anyone else."

"It's not, it's…oh, I don't know. You know what, Harry? It's fine, go on, do the noble thing you feel you must do. I don't want to argue. Especially since you're not going to die."

Harry grinned at her. "Wow, that calming spell made you downright agreeable, Gin. Maybe I'll use it all the time, now."

"Hah, you git. You'd better not."

Harry pulled her into his arms, kissed the top of her head, and then nodded at Brogan to move closer. He placed a gentle kiss on the other man's forehead. "See you two in a bit."

He left them and used the bracelet's power to help him figure out where Bill was in the flat. Smiling to himself, he made his way to the kitchen. Harry felt a deep sense of peace. Knowing that the people he loved and cared about were taken care of had a sobering yet relaxing effect on him. Whatever occurred this day, Harry finally felt ready for it.

o-o-o-o-o

Ginny wasn't sure which way she preferred traveling less – Portkey or Apparation. Both variations made her stomach heave. Give her a good floo trip or broom (or even a Thestral, remembering Harry's fifth-year adventure) any day.

But they arrived at the Hog's Head right on time, and Ginny only felt slightly queasy, so maybe she just needed to get used to them both. Even Harry looked a bit green in the face after the last part of their trip. Brogan, of course, looked unflappable. She envied his calm exterior sometimes, she had to admit.

"Wotcher, gang," Tonk's familiar greeting pulled Ginny back to the present to find their fellow Order member standing in front of them in her official Auror robes. Complete with matching maroon-colored hair.

"Hey, Tonks," Harry said.

"Good trip?" Tonks asked, her eyes lingering on Ginny's face. She knew she was probably looking pale or something else disagreeable.

"It was adequate," Ginny replied, not wanting the other woman to take the mickey out of her for feeling queasy. Tonks did smirk at her, but her eyes were kind. Ginny realized she was letting her nerves get a bit…stroppy. Perhaps Harry had had the right idea earlier with the calming spell. Brogan squeezed her shoulder as he passed her and she felt soothed somewhat.

"All right, who gets to be the carrier of the Peeper-Creeper?" Tonks held up the small case her brothers had shown them previously, and Harry nodded at Brogan.

"He gets the case, and Ginny gets the camera thing."

Ginny didn't even know why they had bothered to bring one of the devices. They were heading into a school overrun with Death Eaters. Of course, someone was going to be looking at them with malice. But, Harry had insisted for some reason.

Tonks handed the small, pin-like object to Ginny, who took it and attached it to the collar of her black shirt. Brogan opened up the case and had her turn left and right to test it.

"Seems to be working," he finally said, closing the case and slipping it into his trouser pocket. He gave Ginny a quick grin. "None of us mean you any harm, by the way."

Ginny smirked back at him. "Good to know."

"Right, well, the school has been quiet. Nothing was stirring the last time I went up there, so I am afraid I have nothing to report. There were one or two Death Eaters out near the front gate a few days ago, but nothing since," Tonk said to Harry, who frowned.

"Is that unusual? That they're not there now?"

Tonks shrugged. "There hasn't been a real pattern to their movements, so it seems fairly normal for them. There's a reason that my fellow Aurors aren't falling over themselves for this duty. It's a bit boring. They only leave the front gates when they need to Apparate. They've even stopped trying to terrorize Hogsmeade, even though that could be because there's hardly anyone left living here. Apparently, having Voldemort as a neighbor isn't what you'd think."

Harry nodded, starting to look tense. Brogan touched Ginny's arm, handing her the small package they'd packed before leaving. He took out the duplicate set of Harry's glasses and she removed Harry's cloak and draped it over her arm. They both slipped their bracelets on and sighed as their connection intensified.

The three of them had decided that instead of the fog pellets they'd trained with, Harry would use the bracelets to make two of them Disillusioned. The third person would, of course, use the cloak as an added level of security. Ginny, being the shortest of the trio, had won that privilege. She had a sinking feeling that even if she hadn't been the shortest, Harry would have made sure she wear the thing anyway. He would, of course, maintain his spell as long as he was able to without draining his abilities, just in case they needed the added power the bracelets gave him for later.

"Okay, you know what to do to alert us if you need help, right?" Tonks asked.

The three of them nodded – it was a silly question – of course, they knew. But Tonks looked relieved after she'd asked, and Ginny wondered if people asked questions like that more for their own peace of mind than anything else. Harry nodded at Ginny to put the cloak on. Both he and Brogan had their wands at the ready, so she did the same. She then watched as he closed his eyes in concentration as he and Brogan seemingly disappeared as well. Ginny could just make out a tiny ripple of air where they had been standing, and if she hadn't been watching, she might not have noticed at all. It was a pretty impressive spell work and her pride at what Harry could do now rolled through her. Sure the bracelets helped, but she was proud of the way he was able to focus now.

"Okay, on the count of three, the door to the bar is going to open, so be ready," Tonks said to the empty room.

"Wait." Harry's disembodied voice came from over Ginny's left shoulder. "Won't people see and hear the door flinging open?"

Tonks halted her wand and shrugged. "Actually, ol'Aberforth already had the door charmed to do that on its own while he tended bar. Anyone left in Hogsmeade is probably more inclined to think something is up if it doesn't slam open and closed every half-hour."

Their friend then made an awkward wand movement, and suddenly it was as though a heavy wind had pushed through the room, blowing the door wide open, banging it against the wall of the building. Ginny realized there was something oddly comforting about the sound of it in the quiet village. She went out first and knew Brogan and Harry were right behind her.

They heard a soft 'good luck' as the door to the bar slammed shut, and everything in Hogsmeade was still once more.

Luckily for them, the nice weather had held, and they didn't have to worry about leaving any footprints behind them in any snow still left on the ground. Ginny walked on, sensing that Harry was to her right, and Brogan was on her left. The bracelet felt warm around her wrist, but she hardly noticed it these days. It was still a bit weird to think of how the jewelry connected the three of them even closer. And also how they helped make Harry stronger by channeling all their individual strengths.

Ginny imagined that had Aine's magic not done her part by connecting the three of them in her way, then this little mission might be not be working as smoothly as it was because they would have had to learn how to deal with being able to sense each other so closely. They were now so thoroughly used to each other that it was almost second nature for all of them to feel like one. At the thought of Aine, something whispered along Ginny's skin, and she almost stopped walking. But it was gone before Ginny could identify the feeling, and she continued on after only a slight stumble.

They followed the main road out of Hogsmeade towards the castle, the trees and bushes becoming denser. One of them must have misstepped because a loud snap of a tree branch filled the air. Ginny paused momentarily, but nothing was moving around them, and she trilled out the short bird call she'd been working on to let the men know she was moving again.

It was quiet as they walked, with very few noises of animals or even any wind. It was disarming, in a way. It made Ginny feel as though she were out there all by herself. She felt reassurance from both of the men a moment later and smiled to herself. They were soon walking up the hill toward the front gates, which were no longer locked. Apparently, Death Eaters had assumed no one was going to march up to the front doors to "sneak in."

Ginny suddenly felt a strange sensation at the back of her neck, as though they were being watched. She paused and turned, silently warning the men to stop as well. She gazed behind her and didn't see anything, but the feeling persisted. She trilled out another bird call and a few moments later sensed Harry next to her.

"What is it?" he asked quietly, and she turned her head slightly to face him.

"I feel like someone is out there, looking at us, or…." Ginny kept her voice low. She knew she was invisible, so why should she feel as though someone was watching her? "Do you sense anything?"

She waited a beat, and then Harry spoke again as the air rippled next to her. "A bit, yeah, but I chalked it up to just being exposed out here in the middle. But now that you mention it…."

Ginny called Brogan to them and a moment later sensed him on the other side of Harry. "What's going on?" he murmured.

"I'm going to look behind me and use the Peeper to make sure we don't have anyone wishing us harm behind us," Ginny explained softly. She waited a moment to allow him time to get the case open. Once the air rippled, she turned slowly, looking back the way they had come.

"It's not lighting up," Brogan finally said. "But…now I sense something, too. Over there by that large cropping of rocks. It's a feeling of…immense curiosity."

After a moment, Harry murmured. "Well, let's investigate."

Ginny let Harry move in front of her and followed his lead as best she could. It was odd using their link instead of her eyes, but it worked somehow, for the most part. They slowly made their way towards the rocks, and Ginny frowned, the feeling from before intensifying. But it didn't feel as though it was tinged with hostility. Definitely more like curiosity, like Brogan had said.

Harry stopped. Ginny could see the effect in the air in front of her, so she slowed as well, making a slight noise so Brogan wouldn't walk into her from behind. She felt his body heat at her back a few moments later and was comforted.

Suddenly Ginny felt as though something had changed, and she realized it was Harry dropping his Disillusionment Spell. His wand was pointed at the rocks, a fierce look on his face.

"All right, show yourselves," he said now, his voice hard.

Ginny looked over his shoulder and didn't see anything except…something moved in the air, and she realized someone was employing their own tactics behind the rocks. She gripped her wand in her hand, bringing it up to match Harry's position.

There was a noise, and then suddenly, the bodies of the two people that Ginny had least expected appeared before them. Neville and Luna were both looking up at Harry from their crouched position. Neville looked relieved, and Luna seemed mildly disinterested, but her large blue eyes were blinking at Harry as though she'd somehow expected this.

"Luna? Neville?" Harry asked, sounding as bewildered as Ginny felt. "What are you two doing here?"

"We came to meet up with you, of course," Luna said, standing up. Her eyes looked over Ginny's shoulder. "Professor Caley, it's very nice to see you, too."

"Er, yeah," Brogan said. "Um, you can just call me Brogan, Luna. It's okay now."

Luna's eyes moved around the area, a slight frown on her face. "But where is Ginny? Surely you haven't left her behind based on some silly noble reason, have you, Harry?"

Ginny bit back a laugh and pulled the cloak off of her head, causing Neville to gasp and Luna's face to light up. "Hey, Luna. Neville. It's okay, Neville; it's an invisibility cloak." She pulled the remainder of the cloak off her so that the rest of her body appeared.

"That still doesn't explain why you're here," Harry interrupted, sounding displeased as he gazed at their friends.

"Er, well, Luna contacted me, and uh, we've been keeping in touch, you see, and she said she felt as though it was time to return to the school."

"And I really didn't have to convince him much," Luna said, smiling benignly at him. "You really are a credit to your house, Neville."

Neville's skin flushed pink at her words, but he didn't say anything. He looked at Harry. "We want to help. I've felt like a right pillock, sitting off on the sidelines. Whatever the Order has planned, I want to be there, too."

Harry looked touched, but he was still frowning. "How long have you two been sitting out here, exactly?"

"Oh, a few days. We've been sleeping in Aberforth's old house and then coming out here to watch the school," Luna said calmly, and Neville nodded his head with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, we almost got spotted by one or two Aurors in town, but Luna said we should look like townspeople so they'd leave us alone. It worked like a charm!"

"You've been coming out here every day and watching for Death Eaters?" Harry asked, sounding as amazed as Ginny felt.

"Yes, they're rather boring, really. But I don't think they're there any longer. I think they left a few days ago, actually," Luna said, sounding matter-of-fact. "But I knew Harry would eventually make his way here, so we waited for you."

Brogan, Harry, and Ginny all exchanged glances.

"Um, how did you know that, Luna?" Ginny asked what was on all their minds.

The other girl shrugged nonchalantly. "It made sense he would need to get back into the school again."

Ginny knew Harry wasn't going to touch that one now. He looked around, frowning, and then his eyes met hers. She nodded her head slightly.

"Are you sure they're really gone?" Harry asked again.

Neville nodded. "We haven't seen a soul; in fact, even the dementors are gone. That's why it's not freezing cold out here, by the way."

"But you haven't actually gone up to the school, though, right?" Brogan asked, glancing back at the castle.

Luna shook her head. "No. I knew we should wait. But now that you're here, we should go, don't you think? Oh, I don't think we need to be invisible anymore either."

Luna walked through them as though the matter was settled, heading back towards the gate. Ginny caught Harry's eye, and he looked as disconcerted as she felt. She shrugged. It was up to him what he wanted to do. Neville gave them a small smile and then made to go after Luna. Brogan looked expectantly at them.

"Well?" he finally asked, staring at Harry.

Harry shook his head. "We might as well see if she's right. I've learned to trust Luna's instincts, I reckon."

"You know, she'd say that it's not instincts but more her fantastic observational skills," Ginny said, not being able to keep the smile off of her face. Harry grunted at her.

"If the Death Eaters have left, do you think it means Aberforth and McGonagall are gone as well?" Brogan asked as they turned to join Neville and Luna.

"Probably," Harry admitted, sounding disappointed. "I wonder why Voldemort gave up the school? That's the part that worries me."

Ginny frowned as they made their way up the hill towards the main doors. Harry was right. Not knowing where Voldemort had run off to was a bit more troubling. But perhaps the answers were in the castle that now loomed ahead of them. Silently calling to them as though they were in a dream. Again, that feeling of something whispering in her ear persisted. Ginny felt a small shudder go through her – she had a feeling this day was going to end differently than she'd hoped.

o-o-o-o-o

The school was empty. And it felt odd to Harry. They were all on their guard, of course, but he had the feeling it was wasted energy – Voldemort and his followers had utterly left. And probably for good, judging by the destruction that they found in the Great Hall. He was sad to see that the entire right side of the Great Hall was in shambles. The tables that he'd eaten most of the best meals of his life at broken and demolished.

"I think they blew out a side of the castle," Brogan said, frowning. "I couldn't really tell from outside, but inside it feels…different. As though something is unbalanced."

"Gryffindor Tower, most likely," Luna said as she stared up at the plain and blank ceiling. "Voldemort doesn't like that house very much. And yes, now the castle feels a bit lost." She reached out and put her hand against the side of the wall, frowning.

Harry nodded at Neville. "Go check it out, Neville. Just send a Patronus if you get into any trouble."

"Shouldn't we stay together?" Ginny asked. "Or least, have a partner?"

Harry hesitated; she had a point. "Okay, Neville and Luna, go check out that side of the school. We'll head down towards the kitchens to see if we can find one of the reasons we came here today. We'll meet at Dumbledore's office in twenty minutes or so, okay?"

"Come on, Luna," Neville said, taking the blonde girl's hand and leading her away from the Great Hall.

Harry turned and looked at Ginny and Brogan after the other two had left. "Should I try calling him first?"

"Sure, save us a trip," Brogan said, shrugging.

"Dobby?" Harry called out, his voice echoing loudly. The castle being empty felt downright creepy to Harry. Even when he'd been out of his bed, in the dead of night getting up to mischief, the castle had always felt…alive. Full of creaks and groans, with the soft flickering of the many candles - the sound of the wind whistling through and even the persistent tap, tap, tap of water, if you were closer to the dungeons. But here, now, there wasn't a sound. It was as though someone had cast a gigantic silencing spell on the whole castle. It was entirely ominous. And like Luna had mentioned, it made Harry feel lost.

As though catching his mood, Ginny shuddered as she looked around. "I never noticed before, but Hogwarts is a bit menacing when there's not hundreds of students wandering about."

Brogan nodded his head next to her. "Well, there's that, and…there's just…an absence of sound in here. The candles aren't lit, and the sky in the Great Hall isn't bewitched. It's as though the school has truly been abandoned. I haven't even heard a single clank from one of the various suits of armor."

"Come on," Harry said, shaking himself. He realized that calling out for Dobby to show himself had not brought the results they'd wanted. "Let's head down to the kitchens."

They made their way through the door in the Entrance Hall, taking the stairs downward. They soon found themselves standing in front of the large painting of fruit. The hallway, which was usually brightly lit and inviting, now appeared dark and gloomy. Harry reached out and tickled the pear, and it eventually turned into the familiar green doorknob.

He glanced back at Brogan and Ginny. "Well, here goes," he murmured.

The kitchens were quite empty.

And yet, they were probably the tidiest and cleanest abandoned kitchens that Harry had ever seen. Even the pots hanging above the many stoves were sparkling.

"Well, looks as though they thoroughly cleaned it before they scarpered," Ginny said beside him, slipping her hand into his and giving it a squeeze.

"Huh," Brogan said, looking around. "This is weird. I've never heard of house-elves leaving en masse like this from a place they're bound."

"Back at the flat, Hermione just felt a burst of joy, no doubt," Harry muttered. He had felt that they would at least find one or two elves in the kitchen, of all places. It disturbed him that they hadn't.

"Let's go meet Neville and Luna," Ginny suggested. "Maybe we can get into the Headmaster's office now."

The three of them headed back upstairs. Harry noticed while most of the tapestries were still whole and intact, the paintings, as he'd noticed from the last time they'd broken into the school, were still empty. He wondered if Voldemort had made the occupants leave with a spell or if they'd left like the house-elves. Harry realized that was also another reason why the school felt so quiet – there was no soft murmuring of portraits talking amongst themselves.

"Oh, wow," Ginny muttered as they made their way down the hallway of Dumbledore's office. Harry looked up and saw what she meant – the gargoyle outside the office was a crumbling, blackened mess. It looked like a bomb had gone off on it. Twice. He heard Brogan give a low whistle as they reached it and took in the destruction more thoroughly.

The three of them looked at each other as Harry realized he didn't remember the password. For even partially blown away, the gargoyle still stood its guard with decaying efficiency.

"I don't suppose either of you knows the password, do you?" he asked and saw Ginny sadly shake her head. Brogan looked thoughtful.

"Try something you associate with McGonagall," he suggested.

Harry didn't think "tartan" or "disapproving look" were going to be the answer. Just then, they heard a noise from the other end of the hall and saw that it was Luna and Neville coming to meet them. The duo looked windswept and dirty.

"Blimey, they almost completely destroyed Gryffindor Tower!" Neville exclaimed as he reached them. "What was left standing was blown up or set on fire!"

"Specifically the seventh year boy's dorm," Luna added, sounding as though she had just announced it was nice out. "It's quite fortunate, Harry, that you and Neville weren't staying here at the time."

"Er, yeah, quite," Harry mumbled. He looked at the entrance to the Headmaster's office. "I don't suppose you or Neville remember what McGonagall's password was, do you?"

"You don't need one," Luna said, giving Harry a half-smile. "You just have to ask it."

"How do you figure that, Luna?" Ginny asked.

"The school protects itself when required but when a student is in need…."

"Help will always be given to those who ask for it," Harry finished, staring at Luna, who nodded happily at him.

"I think you just need to state your business and that you wish help the school and the Headmistress," Luna continued blithely, staring up at the charred remains of the entrance, running her hand across the area where the chest area of the gargoyle would have been.

Harry glanced at the other three and shrugged. It didn't hurt to try. Taking a deep breath, Harry stepped in front of the charred stone.

"I am Harry Potter, former student of Hogwarts, and I wish to access the Headmistress's office to help her and the school." Harry paused and then added as an afterthought (while only feeling slightly foolish). "Er, please. Thank you."

For a moment, he didn't think anything had happened and felt a sinking sort of sadness but then suddenly, there was a low rumbling sound, and the gargoyle, which usually jumped aside with grace and alacrity, slowly started to move.

"Brilliant, Harry," Brogan murmured beside him. "You sweet talker, you."

Harry turned and rolled his eyes at the other man, but he felt relief that the words had worked. Harry raised his wand and nodded at the others. "I don't know what we'll find, but let's be prepared, yeah?"

When the stone was finally done moving (after a loud screeching noise had made them all wince), Harry took the first step, expecting it to escalate up as it usually did. He stood there for almost a full minute before realizing the stairs were not moving. He frowned, feeling like a dolt, and started moving upwards on his own, making the short distance to the large, oak door that awaited them.

Ginny was behind him, and she sighed as she rubbed his arm reassuringly. "Perhaps we should knock?"

"I think the office knows when someone's out here," Harry replied but then shrugged to himself. Perhaps that had only been a unique ability of Dumbledore's. He raised his fist and knocked, the sound echoing around them. Nothing happened.

"Maybe nobody's home?" Brogan wondered, mouth twitching.

"Perhaps they are, but they don't expect anyone to be knocking," Neville offered, a nervous smile on his face.

Harry sighed, wondering why everyone felt comedic today. Perhaps finding a Hogwarts that was completely Voldemort-free had a way of releasing tension. Harry turned the doorknob, half-expecting it not to open, but it did. They were soon standing in the middle of the office. A very unoccupied office.

"Well, that was anti-climatic," Ginny said as they all looked around. Harry had to agree.

The office looked as much as it always did, although he realized it felt more like McGonagall this time and less like Dumbledore. He realized she had slowly been making the office her own over the months. There were family photographs where Dumbledore had kept most of his instruments and other paraphernalia. Instead of the perch for Fawkes, there was now a very hearty and flowering thistle plant. The purple blooms were very bright and vivid, much like how Fawkes had looked the last time Harry had seen him. There was also a large, blank portrait to the left of the chair behind the desk. Harry wondered how many portraits Dumbledore actually had to hide in or run off to. He was just about to mention it when he realized the others were looking around with their mouths hanging open, and he soon saw why.

The portraits had been empty throughout the castle, and Harry had not really given it much thought as to what that meant. But he could see why it was a good thing that the Head's office had been so secure. The portraits that lined the walls were absolutely packed to the brim of all the other various beings – simple wizards and witches, monks, as well as the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses and everyone else. Harry even thought he saw Sir Cadogan in the background of one of them, futilely waving his scabbard.

It appeared the portraits were speaking, but no sound could be heard. At least, not to Harry or the others. He saw Luna staring at the portrait closest to her, with something akin to wonder on her face. The witch at the forefront of the painting Luna was staring at had long, pitch-black hair and a bright blue robe emblazoned with silver adornments. They appeared vaguely eagle-like to Harry. On her head sat a diadem, or a tiara, of sorts, and the expression on her face was stern yet earnest.

"Luna?" Harry asked, coming to stand beside his friend. "Can you hear what she's saying?"

Luna blinked and then pulled her eyes away from the portrait. "I can't hear her, but that's Rowena Ravenclaw. I think she has something to tell us."

"Great," Harry said as he gazed at the woman again, unable to read her lips. This wasn't going very well. He looked at the others. "Any ideas?"

Brogan stepped forward and waved his wand in front of the portrait. "Finite Incantatem." He pursed his lips when nothing happened and caught Harry's eye. "Yeah, didn't think it would be that simple, but I'd feel stupid if I wasted time by not trying it. Hmm."

"Perhaps Professor McGonagall cast something before she left," Luna suggested. "If so, then as Headmistress, she is probably the only one who can undo it."

"Well, that's brilliant," Harry mumbled. He looked around the office. "All right then, let's see if we can find anything in here that indicates…where they went or if they were even here."

Everyone spread out and started looking around. Harry looked into the glass cabinet at his side, remembering that Dumbledore had kept his Pensieve in it once upon a time. He suddenly felt a pang of longing for his younger self and for all the times he'd taken things for granted. There were so many more questions he could have asked Dumbledore, so many more things he could have said. A few moments later, and he felt something soft and warm surround his hand and turned to find Ginny gently smiling at him.

"All right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Harry merely nodded, unable to speak over the lump that had suddenly appeared in his throat.

"Hey, here's something!" Neville called from the other side of the room. He was near a door that Harry had always assumed lead to the private rooms of the Headmaster. They quickly joined their friend.

"It just appeared near this small portrait of Godric Gryffindor," Neville said, handing over a folded piece of parchment. Harry could see why it had attracted Neville's attention – it was clearly in McGonagall's handwriting. The man in the portrait that sat next to the bookcase bowed to them, the bright red in his beard vaguely reminding him of an older Weasley family member.

As soon as Harry touched the paper, it glowed, and everyone stepped back as though expecting an explosion. Had it been different circumstances, Harry might have laughed. But then he felt a strange tingle along his arm, and a flare of magic seemed to touch him. He glanced at the others, who were looking at him in apprehension, but not as though they'd noticed anything untoward.

"Did anyone else feel that?"

Everyone shook their heads, and Brogan was biting his lip as though he wanted to say something but had thought better of it. Instead, he gave Harry an encouraging nod of his head. Ginny smiled supportively at him.

"Go on, Harry. I think she left it for you."

Taking a deep breath, Harry opened the parchment and saw that it was indeed a note from Professor McGonagall.

To Whomever Finds This Note-

I have enchanted this paper to only appear to a true Gryffindor or to any individual not wanting to cause harm to the school or its inhabitants. If you are in this office, then you have proven your right to be here.

I, Minerva Greer McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, grant the powers and permission of my station to the person who is now in possession of this letter. All rights given, of course, are temporary wherein such time a true headmaster can be decided by the Board of Directors. This is in accordance with section 1246B- of the Wizengamot Tribunal of 1734, which states that "In times of war or direct distress of the School, the acting Headmaster in charge of the grand and most prestigious of School of Learning shall grant their powers to a surrogate of their choosing."

You have been granted control over the school and its environs. All creatures and accruements are yours to do with as you see fit.

I hope to see you soon, Potter.

Yours –

M. McGonagall

Ps. Included are various spells and counter-spells that I believe you will need.

Harry stared at the letter, feeling strange inside. Brogan, who was closest to him, touched his shoulder gently.

"Well?"

Harry looked up and stared at his friends. "She, um, well, here." Harry thrust the letter at Brogan so he could read it for himself. He noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and saw that Dumbledore had returned to his painting. He was wearing the same outfit as at the library, and his eyes had a certain delighted twinkle in them.

He heard Ginny gasp behind him and knew she was reading the letter too. He then heard a muttered 'blimey' from Neville and a soft hum of appreciation from Luna.

Harry kept staring at the portrait of Dumbledore and walked over to it. He raised his wand and murmured the canceling spell at it and was unsurprised when a moment later the portrait could be heard.

"Harry, my boy! Welcome home."

o-o-o-o-o

After setting the other portraits to rights, Ginny watched as Harry paced back and forth in front of Dumbledore's portrait as they talked privately. She hid a smile behind her hand. Brogan caught her eye, and she smirked at him. They both had similar feelings at this new turn of events. Harry was, for all current intents and purposes, the Headmaster of Hogwarts. If someone had told her this morning as she got dressed that that was a thing that could happen, she would have laughed at them. As it was… oh, goodness help Harry if her brothers ever found out about this. They'd never let him live it down.

Luna wandered over to where she and Brogan were sitting and then gave Ginny a rather knowing smile.

"I see things have been sorted," the other girl said, looking between them. "Quite rightly too, I must say."

Ginny bit her lip and nodded at her friend. "You were right, Luna. Sorry, I didn't seem to be listening at the time."

"You probably weren't meant to then," Luna said, her smile deepening. "But it's good to see."

The other girl let her eyes fall on Brogan next, as though studying him, then abruptly wandered off again to the other side of the office. Brogan watched her and then shook his head. He glanced at Ginny.

"Do I even want to know?"

Ginny smiled. "She tried to tell me, after the attack on the school, that we'd be stronger together. The three of us. She told me that Harry and I should spend more time with you."

"You know, Luna is fairly observant," Brogan mused. "And that usually makes her very wise."

Ginny nodded. "It is hard to keep something secret around her. She must have noticed things before any of us were even ready to admit them. I'm glad she was right in this case."

Brogan slid his hand into hers and then gripped her fingers with his, linking them together briefly. She felt his easy warmth surround her and then felt comforted in that way he always had. She noticed then that it looked as though Harry and Dumbledore were finishing their discussion. She couldn't read the expression on Harry's face, and when she reached out through their link, his feelings felt…tumbled.

Harry waved his hand to cancel his privacy spell and then looked at all of them. He focused on Luna and Neville first.

"I want you two to go back to the Hog's Head and meet up with Tonks. Let her know we're all right and the school is empty. Have her get in touch with Remus and start alerting our members at the Ministry. That's where Voldemort will strike next. Tell them that Ginny, Brogan, and I have a few surprises in store for him for when he does. We'll try to get back to the flat soon."

Luna and Neville nodded, and after saying their goodbyes, soon left. Harry rested against the front of McGonagall's desk. He gazed around at the portraits in the room as though looking for someone. Ginny got up to join him, pulling Brogan with her.

"What did Dumbledore's portrait say?" she asked, as they settled on either side of him.

"That Voldemort is going to attack the Ministry most likely. He feels like he's failed here and wants to prove his strength by taking it over. He's the one who advised McGonagall to silence all the portraits and keep them here in the office so that Voldemort couldn't do anything to ruin them or find out anything from some of them. She also instructed the elves to go into hiding."

"What? Where?" Ginny asked, wondering where all the Hogwarts elves could hide.

Harry gave her an odd sort of smile. "You'll never guess."

Ginny frowned, thinking about it. She didn't feel like playing twenty questions, she had to admit. She opened her mouth to say so and noticed the way Harry was looking at her. Half-amused and half-worried, and then realized there was probably only one place in the school that Voldemort would never think to look.

"The Chamber?" Ginny asked incredulously as Harry slowly nodded.

"The chamber?" Brogan blankly asked. "As in the-"

He suddenly stopped himself and glanced at her.

Ginny felt odd inside as she considered it. She hadn't thought of the Chamber in a long time. Even though what had happened there was never that far from the back of her mind. Not really. She supposed things like that just stayed with a person.

"You okay, Gin?" Harry was asking her, clearly anticipating an adverse reaction.

"I'm fine," she said, brushing away his concern. She knew Brogan was also worried, even though he probably didn't even know why exactly, but he could probably sense her churning emotions. But another thing occurred to Ginny.

"Why are you concerned about…wait, we have to go down there, don't we?"

Harry slowly nodded his head. "But you don't have to if you don't want to. Under McGonagall's orders, the elves put extra magical protection around the entrance, just in case it occurred to Voldemort to try and access it. But it locked the elves in, and apparently, only the acting Headmaster can undo it."

"So I'll just sit here in the office while you two mess about with things down there? Not on your life, Harry," Ginny said, recognizing the stubborn determination in her voice. Brogan gave her a grin, while Harry smirked with affection.

"I just wanted to give you the-"

"I can do this," Ginny insisted, despite her nerves. "Besides, I don't fancy sitting about in this office with all these portraits staring at me. That's even creepier than the thought of seeing a dead basilisk carcass. Although, I suppose the elves have cleaned that up by now. I hope."

Harry nodded at her as though the issue was settled, and she was grateful for that. Harry started looking at the portraits again, his eyes searching for someone once more. Ginny was about to ask him if they could help find who he was trying to find, but Brogan interrupted her, pulling her aside. He gave her a thoughtful look.

"You never talk about…what happened. I understand why and you don't have to really go into it now. But I asked Harry about it once, and he told me it was something you'd have to bring up. If we're going down there, it might help if you tell me a small part so I can better sift through your emotions. Right now, you feel sort of all over the place. And I think you should try to get a better handle on them before we do anything."

Ginny nodded. She didn't feel like going into it just now, and she was glad he understood that. But she knew she owed Brogan some sort of answer. Especially since she knew her emotions could possibly get the better of her later, which meant he'd feel them too, anyway. She took a deep breath.

"I was taken in by a magical object when I really should have known better. And it used me. He used me. I…I did pretty awful things because of him. And the diary almost won, Brogan. It almost sucked out my soul, or so Dumbledore later told my parents. But Harry saved me. And then he slew the big bad dragon for me. Well, the basilisk, anyway. This was after I'd already admired him and had a crush on him for nearly a year. You can guess how 11-year old me fell in love with him even more after that. Even though I kept it buried down deep inside of me afterward so he wouldn't know."

"Mostly I feel foolish about the whole thing. I was such a stupid little girl. He called me that, you know. Tom. And while the intellectual part of me can see quite clearly how he used me and possessed me, another part of me feels deep shame that I allowed it to happen. I suppose it will never go away, that feeling. At least, it hasn't yet, and it's been years."

"There's fear to see the Chamber again in your feelings, but…." Brogan paused, looking thoughtful. "I can mostly just sense how ashamed you still feel about it. You still haven't completely forgiven yourself, you know."

Brogan placed his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "We'll both be there with you this time," Brogan said softly, kissing the top of her head. "And if it brings more of these feelings to the surface, we'll help you."

"I know, and I'm grateful for that. But I think I'll be okay." Ginny paused and then hugged him back. "Besides, I'm older and wiser and much more hard as nails now, anyway."

Brogan chuckled and shook his head at her. They both noticed Harry had finally stopped in front of one of the portraits. It was in the corner of the room and set off to the side. It sat slightly higher than the rest of the paintings, as though it held a special place. Within its confines sat a very austere and disagreeable-looking wizard. She watched as the portrait pretended not to look at Harry, staring off into the distance instead. There was something vaguely familiar about him, too, but Ginny couldn't place him. He appeared exceedingly clever in his green and silver hat and his dark, pointed beard. He also didn't look amused or grateful when Harry canceled the silencing spell on his portrait.

"Dumbledore's portrait suggested I talk to you," Harry said flatly.

"Can't imagine why Potter."

"He said to tell you to let him know it was starting. Whatever that means. He also said you had some information for us. Are you going to share?"

The portrait looked at Harry then, as though sizing him up. His black eyes eventually flicked over to Ginny and Brogan. For some reason, Ginny felt as though she had just been judged, found lacking, and then wholly disregarded. It was an unnerving feeling to get from a portrait. The wizard went back to looking at Harry as though trying to figure him out.

"You've grown up a bit, I'll grant you that," the portrait finally said, sounding bored. "Given to flights of fancy as he was, my great-great-grandson always thought you'd be a wizard to be reckoned with when you grew up. But then, he was always easily impressed and enamored with anything Potter. Yet another example of his poor judgment, I dare say. You might even say it's what got him-"

"Unless you want to find yourself stuck in a tiny, windowless room with nothing but dust bunnies to keep you company for the rest of your miserable days, you'll stop right there," Harry said in a low voice, glaring at the portrait.

The portrait didn't say anything further and merely glared back at Harry, the two of them stuck in some strange staring contest. Ginny thought they'd perhaps all be standing there for quite a while, with neither side giving in when she heard the familiar sound of Professor Dumbledore clearing his throat.

"Harry? If you would perhaps use your wand to levitate Phineas's portrait over to a more central location?"

Harry didn't look away from the painting or move for a moment. Ginny watched as Harry then shrugged and used his wand to remove the portrait from the wall. Ginny still wasn't sure who the portrait was - a former Slytherin Headmaster from its looks and someone also related to Sirius. They followed it back to the center of the room, and Harry sat Phineas down so that the portrait of Dumbledore could look at it. Brogan shifted next to her.

"It's a bit weird to think of two portraits carrying on a conversation, isn't it?"

"Especially these two," Ginny agreed.

Ginny watched as Dumbledore's portrait looked down at other painting. His face looked a bit severe as he studied the other wizard. When no one said anything, the portrait of Dumbledore sighed and removed his glasses to clean them on his robe, reminding Ginny of her father, of all people.

"May I remind you, Phineas, as a former Headmaster of this school that you are obligated-"

"I am obligated to help the current Head. This boy is not a headmaster, Dumbledore, and you know it."

Harry opened his mouth, probably to tell the rude wizard that he didn't want to be Headmaster, but Dumbledore smoothly continued on. "He is, Phineas, and you know it. Minerva explained it to all of us. You know she has enacted the writ of section 1246B-"

"Yes, yes. I still say it's hogwash, pure and simple. This boy is no more a Headmaster than that blasted Gamekeeper's unruly animal experiments are pets. Although, I will say the animals are probably better groomed. And have better manners."

"Enough," Harry said loudly, causing both portraits to look at him. Harry looked up at Dumbledore. "Sir, can't you just tell us what he knows, and I can just put the silencing spell on him again?"

"Typical Gryffindor," Phineas muttered, looking at his nails.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Harry asked the portrait, his voice sounding calm, although Ginny could tell her love was quickly losing his patience. "I could say the same to you, you know. Typical Slytherin, keeping all information to himself until it can get him something."

The portrait gave Harry a baleful look. "If he knew what I knew, then he would tell you, Potter. But as is usually your style, you have failed to think it through."

"You're not actually related to Severus Snape instead of Sirius, are you?" Harry asked, half-surprising Ginny when he didn't rise to the obvious bait.

"Severus wishes he had my pedigree," Phineas said with a snort. "Sirius may have had himself blown off the family tree, but Severus probably spent many sleepless nights trying to figure out a way to get himself blasted onto it."

Ginny suddenly realized why the wizard in the portrait looked so familiar; she had seen him hanging up at 12 Grimmauld Place. She could also vaguely remember Sirius talking about a family member who had been the least popular Headmaster in all of Hogwarts's history.

Harry looked at her and then Brogan and then back at the portrait. Sighing as though he knew he may as well get it over with, he lowered himself down so that he was even with the painting's line of sight.

"What do you know, Phineas Black?"

"That's Phineas Nigellus Black, Potter. And again, why should I tell you?"

Ginny bit back a sigh. She had a feeling this could go on for a while. Were all previous Headmaster's this annoying or just the Slytherin ones? Seeing the frustrated grimace on Harry's face, she knew she was going to have to step in. She moved to join him, matching his position, and gazed at the portrait until she had its attention.

"Please, Sir. I, Ginevra Weasley, daughter of Arthur Septimus Weasley, request for you to share your knowledge. If you have any information that will help Harry defeat Voldemort, it would greatly be appreciated." Ginny bowed her head in deference, keeping her eyes averted, just as her mother had taught her. It had been learned during a lesson in etiquette and wizard social niceties when she was twelve. Ginny had never given it much thought, always assuming she'd have no use for it (unlike Percy, who had taken to them like a fish to water). But she hoped that the display of the old manners would sway the persnickety wizard and help him get to the point before Harry stabbed the portrait with his wand.

"Are you asking as a family member, girl?" The portrait finally spoke, releasing Ginny from her reverent stance. She raised her head and looked at the portrait. The wizard's dark eyes were narrowed, as though suspicious, but otherwise, he still held a firm air of detachment from the proceedings.

"I…er, hm?" Of all the things she'd expected to be asked, that had definitely not been one of them.

The portrait rolled his eyes. "Your side of the family always was lax. I am your great-great-great-grandfather. My daughter Cedrella was your grandmother, girl. Yet another failure in the family."

Before Phineas could continue down another discussion of family issues, Ginny nodded her head. "Yes, I am asking as a family member."

The portrait closed his mouth and gave them what Ginny could only describe as a petulant glare. Finally, Phineas sighed a rather long-suffering sigh, and his eyes looked past Harry and Ginny to gaze at the portrait of Dumbledore behind them.

"Fine, I will behave as a messenger boy for you, Dumbledore. Against my better judgment, but I will tell him if I can. He has not been by in some time. But, I promise to make an attempt," Phineas paused and then looked at Harry and Ginny again. "Now, as for you two…you will need to go back to your godfather's house, Potter. There is something there that you will need before you approach this so-called Dark Lord. It's a locket. It is large, oval, and golden, with a snake on the front of it. It belonged, originally, to a wizard you might have heard of? Yes, Salazar Slytherin, himself. And as much as it pains me to give it up to you, Dumbledore assures me this needs to be done for the sake of all wizarding kind."

Phineas rolled his eyes again on the last part, as though saving lives was a triviality, but Ginny's mind was already racing. She and Harry shared a glance, and she knew he was wondering the same thing.

"Great. Thanks," said Harry, and Ginny knew he was struggling to sound polite. "Where is it in the house?"

"Must I do everything for you? It is in the room with the tapestry. Or it was before you lot decided to make the house your living quarters. Walburga may not have been a pleasant woman, but she did have a few points about letting the riff-raff of werewolves and blood-traitors and-"

Ginny smirked as Harry flicked his hand at the portrait, silencing it immediately. Harry looked at her and then Dumbledore's portrait.

"Sir?"

"I am sorry you had to deal with Phineas, Harry. But as the object in question is a Black possession, only a Black could tell you where it was. It's a rather strange charm put into motion by Orion Black on most of the family artifacts to keep it from falling into the wrong hands."

"But why do I need it before I go after Voldemort?"

"When you connect again with my brother, Aberforth will be able to tell you. Now, I suggest the three of you get going."

"So do we still need the…" Harry stopped and then looked at Ginny before turning back. "We still need the fang?"

The portrait nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid you do. Unless Aberforth knows of another way, I believe it is the only thing that we have nearby that will do it."

Harry nodded as though he understood and then looked around the room for a moment before his eyes found hers. Ginny felt her heart start to beat faster in response. Harry then looked past her shoulder to Brogan.

"You two still with me?"

Ginny squeezed his hand. "Of course."

Brogan joined them, touching them both. "Definitely."

Ginny looked down as they joined hands, the light glinting off their bracelets. She suddenly felt a warm, happy feeling pass through her and then marveled as it started to grow. She didn't know if it was Harry or Brogan causing the emotion. Both men both smiled at her as the feeling worked its way through them. Perhaps it was just the three of them together.

Ginny now felt a gentle breeze on her and tilted her head as she heard what she thought was the voice of Aine whispering in her ear. The voice was becoming more distinct and clearer as the feeling grew. She realized that had been what she'd been sensing since they'd arrived at the school. Ginny blinked at the men as they both heard it, too, since they were still all connected. She felt as Harry tightened his grip on her hand in response and then Brogan's.

Aine's power flowed through them- around them – within each of them – and it was summery and happy and all things light. It was the love they had for each other. And it felt righteous because Ginny suddenly understood.

The time to begin the fight had come.

o-o-o-o-o-o