As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys. All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.

#

Sunday mornings at Hogwarts were usually relatively sedate, most students slept a little later than usual, and the entire castle seems to relax. Unfortunately, this was not a typical Sunday morning by any stretch of the imagination. Minerva entered her office and immediately went for the bottle of nineteen-sixty-eighty Glenglassaugh single malt whisky that she kept in her private chambers. She took the stopper off the bottle and placed the mouth of the bottle under her nose.

She inhaled deeply; the gentle notes of dark chocolate and fresh black peppercorns assaulted her senses. The stresses of the morning needed something special to soothe her mind.

Minerva took a glass from her drawer and conjured a single ice cube, before pouring herself a dram.

This was not the same whisky that she shared with Harry on the night he told her his secret, no this was a whisky that needed an event to bring it out. Being a highland lass, she knew her whisky well, and to her mind, this was one of the best.

She sent a Patronus message to Bill and Percy, telling them that there would be a family meeting in her office and that they were required to be here. No excuses would be acceptable.

She took her seat before she took a sip of her whisky. This was not a drink you rushed; it had taken twenty-six years for it to get to this point. From here you savoured the artistry of the craftsman that created it, the time-honoured process of distilling it, and the dedication of the men that made this one drink possible.

She took a sip and instantly whatever stress was bothering her, melted away like the last snows of winter. Minerva was as close to heaven at this point as she physically could be; this is why whisky is called the water of life.

Eventually, Minerva's pleasurable moment of solitude was interrupted by the Weasley family, except for Charlie.

'Minerva, this had better be important. Mr Crouch needs me today.' barked Percy as he walked through the door.

'Are you suggesting that the safety of your family is less important than making Barty Crouch a cup of tea? Get in and sit down and remember who you are speaking to, you blithering idiot.' commanded Minerva. Percy took a seat as far from Minerva as he could; the rest of the family took his admonishment as fair warning that something was very wrong.

'Earlier this week His Grace, The earl of Monmouth claimed a life debt owed to him by Ginevra Weasley. This was brought about by the actions of both Ronald and Ginevra, firstly due to his appalling language towards the young ladies in this school and his unwelcome behaviour towards Ms Granger, and secondly the verbal attacks on Ms Granger by Ginevra after being admonished by His Grace.' Explained Minerva

'Who is this Earl of Monmouth person and what does he have to do with Granger?' asked Percy

'His Grace, The Earl of Monmouth is none other than Harry James Potter, Head of the House of Potter.' replied Minerva.

'Potter, an Earl? I don't believe it. He's nothing more than a self-absorbed, attention seeker, with delusions of being more important than he is.' Scoffed Percy

'He also saved your sister from a shade of Voldemort, not to mention he also fought a sixty-foot Basilisk. You may recall that both Harry and Ronald received special awards for services to the school, perhaps you think that he made that up?' replied Arthur, his mild manner beginning to slip at his son's arrogance.

Minerva watched the family dynamic for a moment before she began.

'The wording of the oath that Harry gave was precise, and once William arrives, he will be able to explain the nature of this type of Magic to you. The wording he used was; "As Payment, You will for a period of no less than two hundred years bear no ill will in either thought, word or deed, towards Harry James Potter, Hermione Jean Granger, their heirs and successors. The punishment should you fail to fulfil this debt be that you, your heirs and successors will be stripped of your Magic and be judged accordingly"' Minerva let that information sink in before she carried on.

'What you saw in the great hall this morning and in the infirmary earlier was a direct result of the wording of this oath.' said Minerva.

'Ginny didn't say anything about Harry or Hermione this morning in the hall.' Said Fred

'No, she just sat there eating until Mum barged in then she got this smug look on her face. The next thing I know is that she's glowing' said George.

The realisation that what caused both incidents dawned on Arthur, Fred and George who in turn all looked at Molly.

'Mrs Weasley, do you want your daughter to die?' asked Minerva bluntly.

'What? Of course I don't, why would you ask such a thing?' demanded Molly.

'Are you sure? Because your daughter is lying in a hospital bed, barely clinging to life because of you.' snapped Minerva, causing every eye in the room to fix upon her.

'Ginevra has lost three-quarters of her magical essence today because of you. I warn you now Molly one more outburst or ill word against Mr Potter or Ms Granger and your daughter will die, her blood will be on your hands.' the stern housemistress was building up a head of steam.

'Since the beginning of this year, the actions of your youngest children has been appalling; this is a direct result of your smothering attitude. Tell me, did you ever seek out the aid of the mind healers of St Mungo's?' asked Minerva.

The silence from the Weasley matriarch was enough to set Minerva off.

'Arthur, how could you allow this?' she asked

'Why would we take her to a mind healer? I don't understand.' Arthur said with a perplexed look on his face.

'Lord Voldemort possessed Ginevra, almost to the point of losing her life. I know that the Headmaster told Molly about it, I was there when she was informed.' Explained Minerva

The deafening silence in office was only broken by the sound of Minerva's door being knocked. 'Enter' she called out.

'Sister McGonagall, I got here as fast as I could. What have I missed?' asked Bill as he sat down.

'William, what do you know about the magic behind life debts?' asked Minerva

'It is absolute, there is no ambiguity with a life debt.' said Bill

'Is there any correlation between the way the debt is created and the effect of it being claimed?' asked George

'Of course, there is. If someone almost loses their life in aid of another, then the likelihood is that if the debt was called in and the person broke the terms, then they would die. Why do you ask?'

Percy stood up and said 'It would appear that Potter has called in a life debt that Ginny owed him.'

'Ginny owed a life debt to Brother Harry? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this?' demanded Bill.

'You don't know the half of it, Bill.' Said, George

#

Alastor Moody hobbled into the infirmary, his magical eye scanning everything as he went. For a few moments, he focused on the prone figure of Ginny, studying her before focusing on the office door at the far end of the ward.

'Alastor, to what do I owe the pleasure, my old friend?' asked Albus

'I heard that Potter handed your arse to you this morning. I thought I would check it out for myself.' said the old Auror bluntly.

'Alas, Mr Potter did indeed catch me unprepared. Perhaps your moniker of "Constant Vigilance" has some merit, Now that you know the accuracy of the rumours perhaps we can cease this endless dance and get to the point?' said Albus.

'Very well, I am not happy about the protections that are being put around the school for this blasted tournament. I'm the defence professor as well as a retired master Auror, why wasn't I consulted?' he asked.

'That is almost word for word what I asked the committee that is dealing with the tournament. Unfortunately, it was deemed that your "over-zealous" nature would get in the way of a harmonious event and the building of future relations between the three schools. I advocated for you to be included of course, but I was overruled; evidently, your last disagreement with Barty still rankles with him.' explained Albus.

'Aye, well that's what he gets for being such a stuck up arse.' Said, Moody

'Be that as it may, Alastor. The fact remains that you insulted the memory of his son, a son that has paid his debt to society.' explained Albus.

'Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater Albus.' said Moody

'Director Bones has been contacted by a student that had concerns about the tournament; they requested that she step up certain protections.' Said, Albus

'Has there been a reason for the student to be concerned?' asked Moody

Albus looked at his old friend, and alarm bells began to ring; something was not as it seemed.

'Mainly the situations with Gilderoy Lockhart. Unfortunately, his teaching methods left a lot to be desired as well as the effect that he had on the female student population. At the same time, while nothing untoward has even been uncovered the doubt and suspicion remains.' explained the Headmaster.

'Well I can understand the need for additional measures, I take it her aunt has reassured young Ms Bones?' asked Moody '

'Indeed she has been, Alastor, indeed she has.'

#

'Wait, back up a moment. Ginny got possessed? When did this happen?' asked Bill

'The year before we came to see you in Egypt' said Molly

'That was two years ago mum, why the hell didn't you tell me?' demanded Bill

'I don't appreciate your tone, young man.' scolded Molly.

'I don't particularly care. You withheld important information from me; I could have helped. Who performed the exorcism? What did the mind healers say?' asked Bill

'What's an exorcism?' asked Ron

'It's when an evil spirit gets expelled from a possessed person. Who performed the one on Gin?'

'It was Mr Potter. He put himself in great danger to rescue your sister from the clutches of Lord Voldemort's shade, almost dying in the process.' said Minerva.

Bill blinked blankly at Minerva, the words she spoke had entered his ears, but his brain refused to process what he was hearing.

'Say that again?' he asked

'Harry Potter saved Ginny from Voldemort's Shade while almost dying in the process.' repeated Minerva.

'VOLDEMORT'S SHADE? How the fuck did that happen? How did he almost die?' asked Bill.

Fred and George said in unison 'That would have been the Basilisk.'

'A FUCKING BASILISK! WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED TO HIS DAMN SCHOOL SINCE I LEFT?' shouted Bill.

'William control yourself. While Mr Potter is part of the reason why I asked you to be here, there is more information that you need, and hopefully, you can contain your outbursts until you receive the full picture.' admonished Minerva.

Bill took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair; this was turning into a nightmare.

'Professor, please accept my apologies for my language and outburst. I will try to control myself.' offered Bill.

Minerva nodded her acceptance before she turned her sights back onto Molly.

'Molly, now that you have a better understanding of the nature of life debts, I ask you again; do you want your daughter to die?' asked Minerva

'Wait a minute, what else have I not been told?' asked Bill

'Yesterday your mum received a letter from Ginevra. In the letter she said that Harry and Hermione had gotten together and that Ginny couldn't talk about it and that she should speak to Ronald, who has been remarkably quiet so far.' said Arthur.

Bill rounded on Ron and asked 'What did you do?'

'Why do you assume that it's got something to do with me?' asked Ron

'Well it could be...' started Fred

'That you're a selfish...' continued George

'Spiteful...'

'Egotistical...'

'Self-centred...'

'Arrogant...'

'Lying little arsehole,' the twins finished in unison.

'FRED, GEORGE HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ABOUT YOUR BROTHER LIKE THAT, AFTER WHAT YOU BOTH DID TO HIM!' screeched Molly

'Oh you think that was bad?' said George,

'Imagine what we'll do if he steps out of line again?' said Fred.

'Guys, one of you needs to tell me what he did; otherwise, I can't help.' said Bill tiredly.

The twins shared a look. Fred raised an eyebrow which caused George to roll his eyes before saying,

'Harry collapsed in potions the other day, it was nothing serious, but he was out cold. So Hermione, Neville, and get this, Malfoy took him to the hospital wing. Won-Won here tried to attack Malfoy in front of Snape and got immobilised for his trouble. Later that night, our idiot brother was telling everyone who would listen that not only did he single-handily defend Harry from Snape and Malfoy but he also was asked out by Hermione.'

Bill turned to look at Ron, who had sufficient humility to look at least a little ashamed of his behaviour.

George carried on 'The next morning, Harry and Hermione have an altercation with Ginny in the common room because our little princess was verbally attacking Hermione. Neville saw the whole thing and told us that Harry warned Gin to back off. Then in the great hall, genius over there confronts Harry for supposedly kissing his girl by threatening to call in the life debt that Harry apparently owed Ron.'

Bill sat for a moment; his eyes closed, and his breathing controlled. Only Percy had ever seen his brother like this before. Bill wasn't angry; no this was beyond anger. Mount William was about to erupt.

'I HAD TO TAKE A DAY OFF WORK TO COME AND DEAL WITH THIS SHIT! WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING, RON? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE, WHAT YOU DID DO?' Bill turned to his mother 'AND YOU, EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU SAID THE NAME GINEVRA POTTER, YOU MADE HER BELIEVE THAT SHE STOOD A CHANCE. NOW SHE'S LIKELY GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF YOUR BULLSHIT. WHY THE FUCK DO YOU THINK ME AND CHARLIE LEFT HOME WHEN WE DID?' roared Bill.

'Don't you dare speak-'Molly started before Bill cut her off with a well-timed silencing spell.

'Let me be clear mother, one more word from you about Brother Harry or Sister Hermione, and you won't just have Gin's blood on your hands, you will have the blood of the entire family on your hands, and I mean every Weasley. As of this second, you can never speak or think about Harry Potter or Hermione Granger again.' said Bill

'Bill, why do you keep referring to Potter and Granger as Brother and Sister?' asked Percy

Bill looked towards Minerva for guidance, a simple nod from the deputy head gave him the permission he needed.

'Percy, what I am going to tell you goes no further than this room. If this news comes out before Hallowe'en, every person in this room, including me, will be executed under Goblin law. Before you complain, this is covered under every single treaty that the Wizarding world has with the Nation. Do you understand?' he asked.

'William, I work for one of the highest-ranking ministry officials. I highly doubt Creatures like the Goblins could demand that such a clause added into any of our treaties.' Scoffed Percy

'Really? And if I was to tell you that it was the ministry that demanded these clauses? What would you say then?' asked Bill.

Percy faltered, at a loss for words.

'Yesterday morning Harry Potter and Hermione Granger became Kin to the Goblin nation; this is an honour that has not been given to wizardkind since the days of Merlin. So as an employee of Gringotts, I am duty-bound to address them as Brother Harry and Sister Hermione. So any crossword about anyone who is Kin to the Nation is considered an insult to the Nation and they will react with extreme prejudice.' explained Bill.

'Professor, do you know the wording that Brother Harry used when he claimed the debt?' Bill asked his former Professor.

'He said that she was not to have any ill will towards them in either; Word, Thought or Deed. Is that significant?' she asked, knowing full well that it was.

'Oh, it is very significant. There are no loopholes or exit clauses; I assume that Harry gave a time scale?'

'Two hundred years, he also included their heirs and successors as part of the wording.' said Minerva.

'Wow, He really covered all the bases. Right first off Magic is all about intent, the stronger the intent, the greater the effect of the spell. This is first-year stuff. When Gin wrote to tell you Harry and Hermione got together, Magic interpreted that she intended you to act on her behalf and because she mentioned Ron the same thing applies to him.' said Bill.

Both Ron and Molly looked very pale; Bill continued 'As soon as one of you said, thought or did something bad towards Harry or Hermione, Magic would have given off a warning, either by a sound or some flash of light.'

'During an incident in the Great Hall and earlier in the infirmary, your sister began to glow before collapsing. The first time it happened, she was rushed to the hospital wing. The second incident saw Madam Pomfrey fight for half an hour to keep Ginny alive.' Explained Minerva.

Enraged, Bill got up from his chair and stormed out of the office. Arthur followed him in the hope that he might be able to calm him down. 'William, stop...WILLIAM' yelled Arthur

'Dad, you need to do something about her, and Ron. I meant every word I said in the; every member of the Weasley family will die if she does not wind her neck in.' said Bill

'What do you suggest? I have been trying for years to reign in her behaviour, but these last few years it has been almost unbearable. I can't control her, William.' admitted Arthur.

'Put both of them and Ginny too if she pulls through, under a Geas. Pull Ron and Ginny from the Hogwarts and ship them off somewhere else. Obliviate every memory of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger from the three of them. You have to do something, Dad, or there is going to be a reckoning. This type of Magic is ruthless, Ginny will die and depending on how bad it gets Mum and Ron could follow her.' said Bill.

'I'll put them under a Geas, but I need you to do the wording and perform the vow.' Said Arthur, resigned to his fate.

Bill visibly relaxed at hearing this. 'Ok, I'll do it.'

#

Poppy Pomfrey waited in her office until Moody had left her ward. His magical eye had always given her the creeps, and she simply could not bear to be in his presence. As soon as he left, she came out of the office to carry out her rounds, after a diagnostic scan on Ginny, she descended on Albus.

'Albus, I want you to take it easy for the next few days. No more altercations with Mr Potter, is that clear?' she demanded.

Albus said 'Certainly Poppy. I will, of course, bend to your will.'

'Could I ask you to perform a task for me?' asked the Headmaster.

'Normally I would carry this out on my own; given our altercation this morning, and your timely warning; I fear that what I have to divulge to Mr Potter would fall on deaf ears.'

'What would you have me tell Mr Potter?' she asked

'Could you tell him; Albus solemnly swears that he is up to no good, the map will explain everything' said Albus.

'It's a very cryptic message, but the next time I see him I will let him know' said Poppy

'I must ask if you could send him a Patronus message just now, this is of the utmost importance Poppy. Please?' begged Albus.

'If you insist, headmaster.' Poppy pulled out her wand and cast a Patronus and gave it the message before sending it off to Harry.

#

Harry and the Grangers were seated at the dining table in the Potter suite, the room service that he had earlier ordered was being happily consumed. The conversation had grown light and cheerful, all earlier admissions and revelations were put to the back of their minds.

'So Harry, have you given any thoughts about coming to a football match with me over the Christmas break?' asked Dan.

'I'd love to if it's not too much trouble.' Said, Harry

'Don't worry about it, how does Crystal Palace against Blackburn Rovers sound on the thirty-first of December? We can escape, and the girls can get themselves pampered for the annual Hospital Ball that we have to attend.'

Harry grinned like a Cheshire cat while nodding his approval.

Before he would make any further comment the silvery Hummingbird Patronus of Madam Pomfrey sped into the room and hovered before Harry.

'Mr Potter I have a message from the Headmaster for you "Albus solemnly swears that he is up to no good, the map will explain everything"'

Emma and Dan looked amazed at seeing the ethereal form of the hummingbird, while Hermione looked at Harry for some kind of explanation. Harry watched as the Patronus disappeared before looking at Hermione. They both said in unison 'The Marauders map.'

Harry call out 'Dobby!'

The excitable elf popped into the room and bounced excitedly at the prospect of helping Mr Harry Potter sir again. 'Yes Mister Harry Potter sir?' asked Dobby

'Would you mind going to Hogwarts and bringing me my school trunk without being seen?' asked Harry.

Dobby vanished and reappeared within a few seconds.

'Dobby you are fantastic, thank you so much, my friend.' Gushed Harry

Dobby beamed before vanishing to where ever it was he went.

Harry opened his trunk and pulled out the map.

He tapped the map with his wand and said 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.'

The map came to life and showed Hogwarts in all her glory. Both Harry and Hermione scanned the map for anything untoward, Dan and Emma looked over their shoulders.

'What are we supposed to be looking for?' asked Harry

Emma was amazed at all the tiny footprints moving all over the map; she said 'this is fascinating.'

For the best part of an hour, they watched the map with no success before Emma asked 'Who is Couch?'

'Who?' asked Hermione

Emma pointed to the name on the map that appeared to be pacing about in one room.

'That Crouch mum. Barty Crouch Junior' said Hermione before she asked Harry 'Who is he?'

'That's a damn good question because he's supposed to be dead.' said Harry

Harry berated himself. His thoughts raced, trying to remember what else he had forgotten.

He had worked to cover all the variables. The Goblins were poised to get the available Horcruxes. Albus was slowly getting marginalised, and Sirius would soon be free. The potential threat from Ginny and Ron had been nullified, Malfoy and Slytherin were no longer an issue.

Harry had managed to manoeuvre everything into place so that all the pieces would fall almost at once, and he would be free. Unfortunately, he had forgotten one key player in Barty Crouch Junior. Hermione was looking at him with a calculating air, something was happening in the background, and it was beginning to annoy her that Harry was so secretive. She decided that she would give him the benefit of the doubt, for now.

'What do we do?' asked Hermione

'The only thing we can do Mia, we have to tell Amelia and Minerva because according to the map Barty Crouch Junior is at Hogwarts. If memory serves, he was arrested for the attack on Nev's mum and dad.' said Harry.