Author's Note - Many thanks to Bumlewis & Breanie for giving this chapter the once over. :)

Crossroads – a meeting place, an intersection between two roads, a point where an important decision must be made; a locality where two realms touch, a place neither here, nor there, but betwixt and between.

"Life lessons are not journeys traveled in straight lines but are crossroads
formed years and miles apart." – Gina Greenlee

Chapter 1: Hold On

The one thing about grief, Harry thought, was that it had no time limit. No rhyme nor reason, either. Indeed, it seemed to thrive on showing up and popping in whenever it felt like it. But Ginny had been right – getting away to Ireland had been just what they'd needed to help them deal with their turbulence of emotions.

Because even though the Abbey was the place where they had first met Brogan, most of their memories of him did not revolve around the school. They did not see the phantom of him around every corner, which was the best thing for them. And the Abbey was isolated and private enough that they could spend their days researching, or sometimes, doing nothing at all, and no one was around to get after them. Most of the Weasleys had understood that Harry and Ginny needed time away. While the rest of them got on with their lives (they had just received word that Bill and Fleur were going to do the first bonding soon), he knew that he and Ginny were stuck in a holding pattern of sorts.

But they were doing the best they could.

They had each other, thankfully. And they were as strong as ever as a couple if he did say so himself. Being with Ginny, uninterrupted, with no authority figures or family members around was sublime. Harry loved the Weasleys, and he loved Hermione and Remus and Tonks and everyone else, of course, but he knew that spending his days with Ginny was pretty much all he could conceive of at this point. The Ministry, of course, still sent him owls. At first, it had been on an hourly basis. When the powers that be soon realized that the Savior of the Wizarding World had absolutely no fucks to give about joining in on their 'marketing' campaign of making them look good for doing nothing, the owls now only came weekly, if at that. Good riddance, as Ginny had said.

Harry didn't know what he would do if he were in Brogan's shoes, lost out there somewhere, in a strange place or a different time. Completely alone. Ginny was convinced Brogan was fine – somehow – through her connection with Aine still or some other inherent sense. She also said the bracelets would have let Harry know if their third part had died, and he tended to agree with her. He had thought such a thing himself. For his part, he was learning how to use the bracelets a bit more, in case they ever needed to use them to help find their lover. It was slow going, but the Abbey was well-stocked with old books, and Garret Spencer, now the head librarian, had done a fantastic job of organizing it after the attack last year.

The rebuild of the Abbey was going smoothly, and luckily their favorite part, their rooms in the Nuala wing, had remained undamaged. Sometimes, if he was particularly sad or just tired of reading, Harry would go and watch the magic-builders and sometimes help with the masonry work. He found that he liked it – he could unabashedly use his magic, it took reasonably steady bouts of concentration, and it helped him shut off his brain for a while. Whenever he worked on the Abbey, he always fell asleep quickly, and he usually didn't dream of blue eyes and dark hair and soothing voices singing him to sleep. He was also learning more about how Wizards designed things like homes and other buildings, and Harry tucked the knowledge away for an idea he'd had for him and Ginny when they eventually left Ireland.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Ginny smiled as she joined him in the library. They had their own research room, practically, and it was lovely – it reminded Harry of Dumbledore's library – with soft, lumpy couches instead of hard, cold tables (although there was one of those as well, they'd pushed it against the far wall). A magical fire lit the room with a lovely golden light that would only warm you if you needed it to. There was also a tea kettle and coffee pot so they wouldn't have to keep popping into the kitchens for refreshments. Of course, Garrett had made them promise not to drink or eat near the more esoteric of his collection.

"I was thinking of heading out to work with the builders, actually," Harry said, squeezing her hand. She looked windswept and full of life. She'd gone to Galway with Garrett for a quick trip to a few of his favorite bookshops. They'd been trying to find a series of out of print books supposedly written about Time-Portals and how to navigate them.

"Aw, leaving me with the heavy mental lifting, as always," Ginny said, winking at him.

"Any luck?" Harry asked.

Ginny's face fell. "No. One of the shops said they'd actually seen the books, had them in their hands! A complete set! But it was twenty years ago, and he had no idea where they were now. Probably in some doddering old wizard's collection, gathering dust."

"We'll find them if they're important enough," Harry said consolingly. Ginny had become focused on this particular set for a while now, and he already knew better than to suggest they stop looking. She rivaled only Hermione when it came to researching. He realized that she was a monster that he had created himself when he'd sent her to spend her days at the Abbey reading, just to keep her safe. Something she never mentioned, he knew, but she would get this look on her face if he complained about reading too much, and he'd soon learned to keep it to himself.

He wanted Brogan back in the worst way, but Harry felt useless reading about things, and they both knew it. He wasn't lazy – he just wasn't as good at it as she was. He preferred doing things. Ginny did too, but she had patience with the reading that Harry simply didn't possess.

"Harry, Ginny? Ah, there you are."

Mr Cosgrove stuck his head in through the open doorway and smiled kindly at them.

"Garret told me no luck," the older man continued as he joined them by the fire, choosing a red, cozy wingback chair.

Ginny sighed. "No. He found what he needed, but the Quinn books remain ever elusive."

"Well, I've contacted a friend in the States that might have what we've been looking for. I didn't want to get your hopes up, but she's been buying and collecting old Wizarding tomes for almost all of her life, and if anyone has a beat on where the Quinn books might be, it'd be Aibreann. I expect a letter from her any day now, pointing us in the right direction."

Harry saw Ginny visibly brighten at this news and smiled to himself. He really did find her swottishness adorable in a way he never had with Hermione. Thank Merlin, too, or Ron would have killed him ages ago.

"But this came for you in today's owl post. I believe it's from Minerva McGonagall."

Mr Cosgrove pulled a small, thin package out of his pocket. He tapped it with his wand, and it expanded until it was a regular-sized box. Harry frowned. He'd thought McGonagall had understood it when he'd told her that neither he nor Ginny would be returning to school at this time. He hoped this wasn't another attempt to persuade them to change their minds.

"There's a note," Ginny said, pulling a thin envelope off the side. Harry recognized McGonagall's handwriting. He nodded at her to read it out loud. He smiled as Ginny did her best to sound very much like their old Professor.

Dear Mr Potter and Miss Weasley –

I hesitated in sending this to you but decided, in the end, that you would want to look through it. It is everything from Mr Caley's rooms here at Hogwarts. Dobby was kind enough to go through his rooms for me, and I felt as though the two of you would appreciate having a bit of him to remember. It is primarily books – there are some that Madam Pince has requested that you bequeath to the school if you don't require them. There are also a few odds and ends and personal items that I thought you might like to keep.

I know I cannot persuade you to return to school for another year – you are both of age, of course, and it is your prerogative. But remember Mr Caley was an avid learner and student himself and would want you to not throw away your futures without fully thinking about it. There I have said my peace, and yes, Mr Potter you can roll your eyes. Please, keep in touch, from time to time. As a personal note, I know that this school will not be the same without a Weasley and a Potter in it. Our new Head Girl, Miss Granger, has been assisting me this summer, as you know, and she has made quite a few changes to the new Gryffindor Tower that I think you would enjoy.

Fondly –

Minerva McGonagall

Ps. Also included are a few items from Miss Weasley's former rooms, which Dobby assures me she must have while at the Abbey. I sent any clothing items of hers and Mr Caley's onto the Burrow for Molly to keep for you.

Harry and Ginny both looked at the box holding Brogan's things and shared a glance. Mr Cosgrove, who gave them a gentle smile. "I'll leave you two alone, shall I?"

They nodded at him, and he left, closing the door quietly behind him. Ginny reached out and took Harry's hand. "Do you want to go through this stuff later?"

All thoughts of going to help the workers build left his head. "No. Let's get it over with."

Professor McGonagall had been correct – it was almost all books. Ginny seemed pleased to find a few of them, and he noticed she set them aside for them to keep. She pulled out what had to be Brogan's music player, and he felt a sharp pang at that and tried to ignore it. She then pulled out a smaller container that was apparently her things, and Harry briefly wondered what Dobby had packed for her. He looked into the box and saw a picture frame and pulled that out next. Harry felt his heart clench a bit as he gazed at an old photo of Brogan and his Mum. He showed it to Ginny.

"Aw, he's so young in that. He looks happy, too."

Harry nodded and gazed at the photo – mother and son were standing on a cliffside near the sea – he could just make out the blue of the water behind them. They looked windswept, and their cheeks were pink, as though they'd taken a long walk. It was a Muggle photo, so they weren't moving, but Harry could already recognize a little bit of the Brogan they had come to know and love in the young boy's smile.

"Here's more," Ginny said, opening up what appeared to be a photo album. "Ah-hah, look at this; Kath must have taken it. I think that's her father in the background."

Another Muggle shot – it showed an older Brogan, definitely a brooding teenager here, curled up in an oversized comfy chair, a book practically shoved in his face. Ginny was right. He could just make out Mr McNamara in the background. Harry felt himself smile.

"It's funny that he kept this," Harry said, pulling the photo out of the book. He suddenly understood why as he read the note from Kath on the back. He showed it to Ginny, and she smirked.

"To remind you of what a berk you can be. Pull this out every now and then and remember how much I wanted you to come outside with me and get some damn sun."

"Seems he took her message to heart," Ginny said affectionately. Harry nodded and slipped the photo back into the book, experiencing a hollow sort of sensation in his gut.

"There are some letters here, some of those music-disc things and a few important-looking papers. I reckon we should make sure there's nothing significant," Ginny said, looking through the rest. Harry felt a hard lump form in his throat as he watched.

"Gin?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's buy a camera as soon as we can. It can be Muggle, I don't care. It's just…seeing these and realizing we don't have any photos of him as we knew him or even any of us together…it makes me sad. We should be preserving memories, don't you think?"

Ginny reached out and took his hand. "We can do that, Harry, if you want. We can also see if Mr Cosgrove has access to a Pensieve and remember him that way, too. I suppose since we have that ability in our world, I never thought about keeping photographs, really. Hmm." She paused and looked puzzled as she thought of it. Her expression softened as she returned her gaze to his. "Hey, let's go back to the room and relax a bit. I can put a smile back on that face of yours, you know."

Harry chuckled, despite his mood, but nodded. "All right. I'll let you."

Ginny snorted, and they stood up. She used her wand to shrink Brogan's things down again, and they left their reading room, hand in hand. Just as they were leaving the library, Garrett called to them.

"Your books got stuck with mine," Garrett said, smiling at Ginny and handing her a small yet admirable collection of more books. The two chatted like old friends as Harry waited.

Harry couldn't get used to the change in the shy librarian these days. Since the attack on the Abbey and taking charge of the library proper, he was a changed man. Still taciturn, of course, but Harry noticed that around Ginny and Mr Cosgrove, at least, the other man was different – more talkative and less mysterious. Garrett also seemed more confident and sure of himself. And when he smiled, Harry could admit to himself that he found the other man to be quite handsome. The first time he'd realized it, he'd felt odd – as he was used to only really thinking that about Brogan. It had made him realize a few truths about himself. He'd always sort of been attracted to a particular type of person, male or female, he reckoned. It had been quite the epiphany to himself if he were honest. But Harry wasn't going to feel embarrassed or ashamed over it.

He caught the title of one of the books Garrett handed her and raised his eyebrow at Ginny as they moved away.

"Old Irish baking recipes? Are you going to be fostering tea cakes and strange puddings with raisins on me now?"

Ginny shushed him as they left the library, waving goodbye to Garrett. "No. And shut up. You'd be lucky to eat my tea cake, and you know it."

"Oh, Gin, you know I love eating your tea cake," Harry said, lowering his voice. He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively. She snorted at him and then showed him the book.

"Kath told me this is basically her Mum's recipe for Barmbrack, and I thought I would practice making it."

"For when he comes back?" Harry asked. Ginny didn't meet his eyes at first, and he saw her blush. She finally met his gaze.

"Yeah. I reckon it's silly, but…."

"I think it's sweet, and I promise you he'd be touched if he knew."

"Well, let's hope I manage to perfect it before we get him back."

Harry leaned in and kissed her cheek, putting his arm around her. "You'll perfect it in no time."

o-o-o-o-o

"Hmm, that was nice," Ginny said, stretching next to him. Harry appreciated the view and smiled. She was unabashed in her nakedness, and he was definitely not complaining. He wholeheartedly supported the idea of bare breasts around him at all times. And he never got tired of seeing Ginny's.

"Yes, you did manage to put the smile back on my face," he said, lowering his head to her hair and taking in a deep breath. Ginny tsked at him and pushed him away slightly.

"And you put one back on mine," she said, flushing. Yes, both of their mouths had been rather busy.

"Fair's fair," Harry said, sighing happily. He put his hands behind his head and relaxed against the headboard. Ginny smirked at him as she turned and lay on her stomach, resting her head against his thigh.

"Sometimes I feel wrong that we're here, hiding from the world. But then that's usually about the time you get another letter from Minister Spunk, and then I feel okay about it."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Harry let his fingers comb through her hair. When she had first cut it, he had been utterly shocked, but now, he sort of liked the shorter style on her. It made her warm brown eyes stand out even more, and the freckles along her neck and shoulders intrigued him in a way that they hadn't since the first time he'd seen her naked. She sighed as he massaged her scalp and soon turned her face to him.

"Missing it?" Ginny asked as he let her hair fall through his fingers.

"No, not really. I just realized that I can now count all the freckles on your back with some efficiency."

Ginny chuckled. "Well, that was another check in the "reasons to grow my hair back out" column."

Harry scoffed, and she sat up, moving towards him. She was soon straddling him, and he sighed, kissing her. They caressed each other with tenderness and confidence. They knew each other so well. He moved his hand and murmured the cleansing and lubrication spells against her neck and soon put his fingers to work, cupping her arse with both hands. She grinned at him when she pulled back, and her lips were dark-red from their snogging. Harry felt his body react and grinned back at her as she started stroking him.

They had grown even more self-assured in their love-making, trying anything and everything. Doing whatever they fancied with each other. This time, however, they did not need a book to guide them. Before Brogan, Harry had considered them fairly adept and open about things, but after him…after him, it was as though they knew exactly what to do and what they wanted. He admitted he allowed his more dominant side to come out more often. In fact, Ginny frequently requested it. They had added new positions and new ways of pleasing each other without even really talking about it – they had both learned in their threesome to just let go and enjoy things, and he was ecstatic the feeling had continued between them. Not that he had ever expected that to change. There was only one area where they still hesitated, and he thought he understood why. Because, try as they might, there was still a ghost between them. But Harry also thought it was time that that changed.

Ginny moaned and threw her head back as he penetrated her slowly with his finger. He brought his other hand around to rub her clit and watched as she writhed up and down, enjoying his ministrations. Harry loved to watch her let go. He didn't even need to climax himself sometimes; just concentrating on her was enough. He suddenly wanted to taste her again and kissed her neck, working his mouth up to her ear.

"Lay back, love," he murmured. She blinked at him, a pleasured haze already in her eyes, and she nodded, doing as he asked. "On your stomach," Harry added, and Ginny smirked at him as she turned over. He gazed at his love's body and a fierce sort of fiery need swept through him.

Harry kissed Ginny's back and reverently made his way down her body until he reached the swell of her backside. Gods, he loved her bum, and he told her so out loud and very unapologetically, which caused her to giggle. He lowered his mouth, kissing and teasing her until she was writhing and panting on the bed, practically begging him to do what he wanted. Harry wanted to laugh because, in all honesty, Ginny never needed to beg him to do anything. As his tongue finally found its home, she sighed, her body relaxing into it. She raised herself off the bed slightly to give him more room, and as he kissed the most intimate part of her, he reached around and thumbed her clit, and it didn't take long after that. Ginny's body shook as he pleasured her and his name was a rough and loud prayer, exploding into the room.

As she came down from her high, she turned and looked at him, still laying half-underneath her, his face practically attached to her backside. She shook her head and then moved, turning over and holding out her arms to him. Harry eagerly went to her and sighed as his hardness rubbed against her enticingly soft curves.

"I love when you do that," she murmured, nuzzling her face against his neck.

"Yes, I can tell. Surprisingly, I quite like it myself."

"What do you need, love?" she asked, reaching down to stroke him again. Harry decided to ask for what he really wanted them to do. It was time, perhaps, for the ghost to be exorcised.

"Do you mind if…?" Harry let the question hang there and reached around to grip her bum, and she eventually nodded, an intense glint coming into her eye.

"I'd love it. We haven't don't it that way, not since…."

Harry nodded. No, not since Brogan. For the most part, he and Ginny had resumed their sex life as it had been before – just better and more varied. They had both found that although they were not disappointed in each other, they did physically miss him. And everything he had brought to their joining. Going from three to two was not difficult, especially as Harry knew that he and Ginny were very much in sync with their sexual needs, but it was different between them now, and it could not be helped. There was even a part of Harry that thought it might, eventually, be better between them than it had ever been before. They may have lost their innocence, but they had gained so much more. For his part, Harry tried not to shy away from asking for things that he really wanted or needed now. And Ginny went above and beyond to please him and give him what he wanted. He loved her all the more for it.

She stood up and took his hand, leading him out of the bedroom. She nodded at the sofa.

"I think it'll be fantastic like this."

She kissed him and pulled him forward. They stood there as though time had stopped, just getting lost in each other for a moment. He eventually cast the lubrication spell on himself and then on her again, even though he knew she was probably still wet from his mouth. She turned around and leaned over the arm, her backside rising delectably into the air as though calling his name. He moved until he was positioned behind her and touched her, opening her up. She squirmed a bit and looked at him over her shoulder, her need (and permission) clear. Harry slowly moved into her body and hissed as its tightness claimed him. He closed his eyes as both of their sensations and desires filtered through their link, and he shuddered. She had missed it, and he could feel how much she wanted him.

Ginny keened, calling his name. When Harry felt that he was all the way inside of her, he moved his hand to her sex, keeping one finger on her clit and using two to slip inside her. He knew how much she loved to feel as though she was filled in every way. Harry's heart was beating up a storm in his chest as he steadied his pace. She moaned, her voice low and dangerous. They were soon both on their way, and Harry's body tightened within her, and he felt his climax tear through him before he was ready. He grunted, disappointed in himself, but Ginny shook underneath him, rocking back against him, and he felt her convulse around his fingers a moment later, coming with a moan that sounded wild and guttural.

They remained where they were for a while until Harry finally felt the need to move because of his legs. He pulled out of her slowly, and she whimpered at the loss. He turned her over and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. He managed to get them both on the sofa before collapsing, and she chuckled as she rested in his arms.

"Very macho, Harry," she mumbled, kissing him. Harry smiled against her lips.

"Well, I was fairly done in. I'm amazed I didn't drop you on the floor."

Ginny sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed her head, and they relaxed until each of them was breathing steadily.

"That was…different," she said, her voice soft. "I'm sorry if…."

"Shh," Harry said, putting his finger against her lips. "I don't even want to hear the rest of that sentence. Did you fail to notice I came in two seconds practically? It felt amazing, Gin. We told ourselves we weren't going to…compare things. It's not fair to…our memories. Or to us now."

She nodded and was silent, her eyes gazing back at him in understanding. Harry knew there were parts of her that, for whatever reason, remained insecure about what they had just done, and he knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, she thought he wasn't satisfied with just her, but he was. And all he could do was to continue to tell her and show her how much until she believed him.

"I've been afraid to ask to do it that way," Ginny finally said, resting her hand on his chest.

"I know," Harry said because he did. It wasn't something that he craved as much as she thought, he was sure. But he couldn't lie and say he didn't enjoy it or miss…Harry stopped his own thoughts from going to where he'd just told hers not to go.

"It's not a less than or as good as question, Ginny," Harry finally said. "Physically, it may feel different sometimes, but it is not less pleasurable to me, and I hope it's not for you either."

"No, of course, not," she said, glancing up at him. "I loved when you used your hand to…well, it felt like it used to, I suppose, with Brogan. I don't need to always experience it like that, but…."

"You missed it." Harry finished for her. Ginny nodded, looking thoughtful.

"Mostly though, I just miss him. I mean, it doesn't…oh, I don't know what I mean. I love you, Harry. Never doubt that. Please."

Harry let his lips linger on her forehead, feeling as though his emotions were swirling inside of him. And perhaps the ghost had been chased out of the room by their actions. But only for a moment, and not forever.

"I know, love, I know."

o-o-o-o-o

The Well of Aine can restore many things, or so it has been believed. Health, energy, even magical powers have been known to bounce back three times as strong as before after time has been spent in the Well. Even the non-magical have spoken of the Well's natural powers of rejuvenation.

Ginny yawned and paused to take a drink of her tea. She made a few notes on her parchment and sighed. Well, wherever Brogan was, she was pretty sure the Well had healed his injuries. Not that she had needed the books to tell her that – she felt it. But still, it was nice to see it in black and white. Mostly it helped keep the last image she had of him covered in his own blood stay out of her dreams and nightmares.

Shivering, she put her quill down and got up, moving towards the window. Harry and the magic-builders were focusing on this part of the Abbey today, she knew, and she could just make out his dark head of hair off to the side of the building. Instead of using his wandless magic, which she knew made him uncomfortable in front of other people, he opted to use his wand to lift large blocks of stone for the carvers. He was also learning how to carve the stone as well. He'd shown her just the other day a part of the new Abbey wall where he'd tried his hand at it, and it hadn't been half-bad, actually. She was proud of Harry for throwing himself into something new instead of wallowing in grief.

Overall, she thought that she and Harry were doing fine.

But she knew they still felt the gap between them. It was different than when Charlie had died. She had cried for her brother and mourned his young life cut short. But with Brogan…the fact that he was alive and not dead, just stuck somewhere…it drove her crazy if she thought of it for too long. She had been so prepared to go in his stead – had been certain of it. And then, then everything had happened between them, and it was as though her repayment had no longer been required – hadn't Aine said so herself? Ginny felt it down in her bones that Brogan leaving them should have never happened. But she wasn't sure of the why or the how she knew this to be true, and she knew Harry didn't understand it either, any time she had tried to explain herself.

She also felt responsible in so many ways that it was hard to name them all, even to herself.

It was this thought that kept her up at night, sometimes, as Harry slept on, dealing with his own demons. She didn't think he realized he had taken to talking in his sleep when his dreams were particularly dark. Not only was he missing Brogan, but he was dealing with other guilt. Other than Brogan's name, she often heard Sirius's and even Dumbledore's, once or twice.

Ginny shook herself. She did not want to get bogged down in her dark thoughts, so she packed up her books to go back to their room. She stopped at the main desk to talk to Garret but he was nowhere around. She waited, but after a few moments, she gave up and headed back to their rooms. She met Mr Cosgrove on the way, and he handed her the post. She smiled when she recognized Hermione's tidy scrawl across one and then Bill's on another rather thick envelope. Her brother had promised to send her pictures of his first bonding with Fleur. Apparently, there had been an impromptu party thrown afterward by Fred and Ron, and the butterbeer and Firewhiskey had flown freely.

Ginny left the mail on the table near the sofa and debated opening it now or waiting for Harry. Deciding on the latter, she thought she might like a bath while she waited. She had, without a doubt, missed the Abbey's amazing tubs. Ginny quickly got undressed and grabbed her recently returned favorite dressing gown - sent to her by Dobby from her old room at the school. Ginny had been so pleased to see it in with her things. She frowned as she felt something move within the gown and saw a small book come falling out of the bottom, landing on the floor with a thud.

Ginny immediately recognized it as the book the Peabody Grange had left for her at Black Castle. It had to do with making pillows or something…she picked it up and felt her heart begin to beat faster as the cover changed to show the book's true title.

The Qualities of Waystone And Its Uses to Find That Which Has Been Lost.

o-o-o-o-o

"So, where was this book again?" Harry asked, flipping through it.

"Brogan and I got it at Black Castle when we went to talk to Grange. I'd completely forgot about it because, well, the whole thing with Bill coming back happened, and then the attack on the school. But when we found it, it was a book about pillow making, if you can believe it. I reckon that's why it slipped my mind."

"And now it's a book about Waystone," Harry said, sounding puzzled.

"He probably put a spell on it," Ginny said.

Harry smirked at her. "Well, yeah, but why exactly?"

"I don't know," Ginny said, frowning. "Except, well, Grange did seem to know a lot about what was going to happen originally."

"He was also barmy," Harry said matter-of-factly. She took the book from him and flipped it open to the page that had intrigued her the most.

"Let's not question it, Harry. I think this book will be able to really help us. Look, it has a step-by-step guide to what you need to do to prepare to call something, or someone, back to you."

Harry read over the list and made a face. "It says we need virgin blood. Where are we going to get that in this day and age? Reckon I could see if Snape could contribute some…."

"What? No, it doesn't!" Ginny cried out, snatching the book back from him.

"Gotcha," Harry said, smiling. Ginny sighed and stuck her tongue out at him. She appreciated his good mood, but why wasn't he taking this seriously?

Harry relented when he saw her face and held her hand. "I'm sorry, love, I don't mean to take the piss. I'm excited for you, er, us. When do we get started?"

Ginny checked the list. They would have to go shopping for some of the items, most likely because they needed to make a few potions. They would need to get some more personal effects of Brogan's as well. Well, he had his bracelet on him, supposedly, and they had theirs. That would probably be useful. She remembered what Aberforth had told Harry about keeping his on and understanding what being its master truly meant and wondered if she should do the same. Ginny also knew they could no longer do this by themselves.

"Harry, do you…well, do you reckon we should tell Hermione what we're up to, finally?"

Harry gazed at her, green eyes bright. "I thought you said before we left London that you didn't want pity from our friends?"

"Well, we're here, so we won't see the pitying looks, and honestly…she's so clever, Harry. I feel like I need her to help me piece all of this together. And, I think, if we swear her to secrecy, then she won't…she won't tell Ron if you ask her not to."

"First of all, you're clever too, you know. Hermione may be brilliant, but you are not a slouch in the thinking department. You're doing far better at this stuff than me. Second of all, I don't care if she tells Ron, he's my best mate. And yeah, they're both probably going to think we've lost the plot but despite what I said before…." Harry paused and rested his chin on his hand. "Brogan belonged to us, Gin. He was ours just like we were his, and I feel…I feel like…look, I'm not ashamed of anything, and I don't need to keep our previous relationship private. I honestly don't care who knows. But I just feel like we're the ones meant to get him back. Me and You. Together. And by ourselves."

Ginny nodded as she watched him absentmindedly twist his bracelet around his wrist. Like her feeling as though something had gone wrong to their story's end, this was Harry's cross to bear – he'd begun to feel as though the fewer people who knew about their attempt, the better. They had only told Mr Cosgrove at the Abbey since they'd figured they needed his help to use the school and its resources. The older man had been shocked at first, she thought, and yes, there had been that worried expression on his face as he'd regarded them. But in the end, Dylan had cared for Brogan too, and she knew he would support them.

"I think if we bring Hermione into it, then…she can do a few of the things that I haven't been able to convince myself to do yet," Ginny finally said, knowing it was the truth. Harry studied her and then winced.

"You mean Dumbledore's Library."

Ginny nodded. It had occurred to her that the Quinn books she'd been trying to get her hands on might actually be at the library, but she knew she was not ready for that trip now, if ever. And she definitely knew Harry wasn't if his nightmare the other night had been any indication. Their memories of Brogan were just far too close to the surface, apparently.

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I knew we'd probably have to go back and use it. I mean, I'd love to read more on these." He held up his hand, nodding at his bracelet. "But every time I think of…Gods, Gin, I can't face it."

Harry looked away as though embarrassed, his cheeks flushing. She took his hand, squeezing it to reassure him that her heart was right there with his. "I feel the same way, love. The three of us together at the library… we're all over that place, and the memories are fantastic. But to go now and to see the ghost of him everywhere? I will never be that strong."

Harry met her gaze and leaned forward to rest his head against hers. She could tell from the intake of his breath that he was struggling as much as she was. They sat that way for some time until he finally sat back, tenderness in his eyes.

"So, telling Hermione means you want her to go instead of us?"

Ginny nodded. "She'd love it, for one thing, and…."

"She's bloody brilliant at research," Harry finished for her, finally giving her a slight smile. "All right, but let's floo her and Ron. Let's do this in person. Uh, well, face to face. They deserve that much."

"I'll send an owl to her right now and see when they have a moment. They're busy moving, still. But I think she said that Ron got the floo set up right away."

Harry grabbed her hand before she left and pulled her down to him, briefly kissing her.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I know," she said, kissing him back. "I love you, too. And you're right, we will do this together. We owe him at least enough to try."

o-o-o-o-o

It turned out that Hermione and Ron were experiencing a lovely evening in, unpacking. Or pretending to, at any rate. Harry and Ginny soon looked out at them from the floo in Mr Cosgrove's office and laughed as Ron told them about Hermione's first attempt at making them dinner (they'd eventually ordered takeaway).

"Ron!" Hermione huffed. "Cooking is just like potions. I don't see how-"

"No, it's not, Hermione," Ron said. "I mean, yeah, you follow a recipe, but you can get creative with it too. That's what gives cooking its deliciousness. It's flavor. It's spark, if you will."

Ginny raised an eyebrow at her brother. "Mum give you the talk again?"

Ron made a face. "Yeah, and next time I'm gonna have her give it to this one." He nodded his head at his girlfriend, who rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, what did you two need to talk about? I'm fairly sure you didn't floo just to hear Ron make fun of me."

"No, that was just a bonus," Harry said dryly. Ginny stuck her elbow into Harry's side.

"We have something we want to discuss with you," she said, turning back to the other couple. "I am sure you've been wondering why Harry and I needed to return to Ireland."

"We figured you just wanted to be alone," Hermione said hurriedly. Ron cleared his throat and gave her a pointed look.

"I'm sure," Ginny said, shaking her head. "Anyway, Hermione, we're basically flooing to beg for your help. Well, mostly, I'm begging because I think it may be beyond my mental capacity."

"Blimey, it's definitely beyond mine and Harry's then," Ron said.

Harry chuckled. "Cheers, mate."

"Oh, shut it," Hermione said, nodding at them both. "If you two had only learned how to apply yourselves…." Hermione paused and then gave Ginny an apologetic look. "Sorry. Do go on, Ginny."

"Harry and I…have a research project, and we wanted to see if you would, perhaps…."

"We need you to go back to Dumbledore's Library for us," Harry said, interrupting her. Ginny pursed her lips at him.

"Oh!" Hermione said, looking surprised. Whatever she had been expecting to hear, that had not been it.

"What sort of research are you doing?" Ron asked rather shrewdly, Ginny thought.

"Harry needs to know more about his bracelets, and we need to know more about Waystone and…."

Ginny paused as she and Harry's exchanged a look through the floo. He tilted his head lightly as though to indicate she should just tell them.

"Oh, good heavens!" Hermione suddenly said as Ginny opened her mouth. "You're going to try to open another portal to bring Brogan back, aren't you?"

"Guessed it in one," Harry mumbled next to her. They both watched as Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, and Ginny prepared herself from the inevitable speech that was about to commence.

"We've been wondering when you two would finally tell us," Ron said. He turned towards Hermione. "Fred owes me a Galleon."

"What?" Ginny exclaimed.

"Oh, we've all been talking about it since you left for Ireland. We actually thought you would have tried it before this," Hermione said, shrugging.

Harry looked at her, apparently as surprised as she was. Ginny shook her head.

"We were worried that you lot would think we were bonkers, or you'd just feel bad for us for not being able to let go."

"Well," Hermione said, moving in closer to the floo. "We figured if we were in your shoes, we'd want him back too. And he didn't die, did he? He sort of got transported to another time and place. It doesn't really seem fair to us."

"Yeah, I mean, he saved us by closing the portal, and that's his reward? Bugger that," Ron said. "I'm here to help too, whatever you two need. I mean, she's better at the book stuff, but you know, I can do anything else you might need."

"I love you two," Harry said, sounding awed. Ginny nodded her head. She could scarcely believe it.

They soon hashed out the details and finally said goodnight. Ginny and Hermione arranged a time to talk in the morning about what she would need to study and what they had already covered. She and Harry walked back to their room, and Ginny felt more than a little dazed.

"You know, we should see if Mr Cosgrove can have the other room's fireplace hooked up to the floo now since the war is over. It'll be easier for you in the long run," Harry said as he let them into their rooms.

"It would at that," she said as she sat down on the sofa. Harry joined her, wrapping his arms around her. "That went better than I expected."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, those two always surprise me when I least expect it. I've learned to just go with it."

Ginny kissed him, and they sighed, both watching the fire slowly dying in the hearth. Ginny had a vague sense of hopefulness inside her regarding their efforts. They could do this, and she was more sure than ever, now. Wherever Brogan was, he just needed to hold on.

o-o-o-o-o

Note - I do plan on updating at least once a week, fyi. Serious plotty-mcplotty stuff takes off next chapter!