Chapter 9: Love Swims Deep

Lily and James sat at the small breakfast table eating the food Bobetta had prepared for them in silence. Sirius and Remus had gone to check on Remus' cabin in central England. The cabin had belonged to Remus' father before he died. Lyall Lupin had used it for a hunting cabin in his younger days, but after Remus had been bitten by Fenrir Greyback, his father had used it as an out-of-the-way place for the full moon. Lily looked over at James as he slowly picked at his food.

"You're missing them already," Lily stated with a knowing grin.

"Yeah," James admitted sullenly.

"It's been two days, Jamie," Lily frowned. "Harry and Rose have been at school, before and after Christmas for longer than Sirius and Remus have been gone."

"I know," James sighed. "It's just…" he trailed off looking depressed.

"I get it," Lily took his hand across the table. "Since we got our memories back, you and they have been together almost constantly. But, James, they are coming back." She closed her eyes as she shook her head. "Merlin, help me, I agreed to let them live here."

"And you know I love you more for that," James interjected quickly. "They really are like my brothers."

"I know," Lily nodded. "I just wish my old friends were still around."

James sighed as a sad look crossed Lily's face. He realized just how lucky he was to have Sirius and Remus still alive and well. "I know, Lils. I'm sorry if having them around makes you think of Marlene, Dorcus, and Alice. I know it's twice as hard for you, because…"

"Yeah," Lily gulped slightly. James squeezed her hand.

"At least, you have that in common with Sirius," James pointed out. "You know how he felt about Marley."

"I know," Lily sniffed.

A tapping on the window drew their attention away from the depressing subject. Speckles flew in the window as Natty opened it for him. He landed in front of Lily, extending his leg.

"Hi, Speckles," Lily grinned as she gave him a piece of bacon before taking the letter. She glanced at the handwriting in confusion, not recognizing it.

"What?" James asked, seeing the confusion on her face.

Lily opened the letter to see who it was from before answering. "It's from Ron," her voice sounded even more confused.

"What's it say?" James asked. Lily frowned as she read the letter aloud.

Lily and James,

I know you probably thought it was Rose or Harry writing, but I needed to tell you about our discovery with the egg as soon as possible. The clue was somewhat cryptic, but basically, the Mer-people from the Black Lake are going to take a hostage for Harry to rescue for the second task. Ginny is scared to death that it will be her. I won't let that happen. I can't let that happen. Not after her first year. When I asked Rose about using her owl, I told her it should be me. Rose thinks it might be her. If anyone can make sure Ginny or Rose isn't the one in the Lake for the second task, it's you. Please. Do whatever you can to make sure it's not either of them. If it has to be someone close to Harry, make sure it's me.

Ron

"I'm going to kill that old man!" Lily growled as she stood.

"Lils! Stop," James caught her arm before she could storm off. "Think about this for a second." He looked away with a surprised look. "Did I just say that?"

Lily looked at James with an astonished look. "Yes, you did." Lily shook out of her stupor quickly, but her anger was still prevalent. "Fine, I won't kill Albus, yet. But we are going to pay him a visit after we talk to Arthur and Molly." Lily paused; her face took on a hard, dark look. "But Albus better pray to Merlin, that Ginny or Rose is not in that lake for the task!"

"Oh! Good morning, Lily dear," Molly smiled as Lily came out of the grate, followed a second later by James. "And good morning to you, too, James."

"Is Arthur still here?" Lily asked with a sour look on her face. Molly's smile faltered as she looked at the anger on Lily's face.

"He'll be down in a few minutes," Molly answered. She looked at Lily with a concerned face as she took in the Potters' grim expressions. "What's wrong?"

Before Lily or James could answer, Arthur came down the stairs.

"Ah! Good morning, James, Lily," Arthur smiled brightly at them. "To what do we owe a mid-week morning visit?"

"This," Lily frowned as she handed Ron's letter to Molly. Arthur was taken aback by the tone of her voice.

As Molly read the letter her face changed from concerned to a deep scowl. "He wouldn't dare!"

"Yes, he would," Lily ground out. Molly thrust the letter to Arthur as her brow lowered even more. "Remember, Albus was the one that took our memories and sent us to the Americas. So, yes, Molly, he would dare."

"From what I know of soul bonds," Arthur spoke as he looked up from the letter, "it would almost kill Harry to have Ginny separated from him for that long."

"That's what my research told me as well," Lily nodded. "But I don't like the thought of Rose or Ron down there any better!"

"I should say not!" Molly huffed. "But what can we do to stop this idiocy?"

"I don't know, yet," Lily frowned in thought. "But James and I are going to have words with the Headmaster! And he better have another plan in mind or he won't see the end of the year!"

"We thought you should know what's going on before we went to see Albus," James nodded as Lily glared out the window deep in thought. He knew that look very well. She was in deep thought, trying to come up with some kind of plan. James had a feeling he wasn't going to like anything that Lily might come up with.

"Thank you, James," Arthur nodded as he handed the letter back to him. "And I think Ron did the right thing by writing to you. Whatever you have in mind, the most important thing is not letting Ginny be the hostage. If it has to be one of the children, Ron would be the better choice. He has been with Harry on his…adventures since the beginning."

"Arthur, you're not serious?" Molly gasped.

"I am," Arthur confirmed. "Ron was with Harry when they fought that troll their first year. If it wasn't for that cave-in, Ron would have gone into the Chamber with Harry. You know this, Molly."

"But…" Molly gulped.

"Don't worry about it," Lily finally turned back to everyone, snatching the letter from James. "None of the children will be down there, or Hogwarts will be burying a Headmaster!"

Lily didn't wait for a reply as she stormed over to the fireplace.

"Lils, I don't like that look in your eyes," James groaned as he hurried after her. Lily didn't respond. She threw in a pinch of floo powder calling for the Head Office at Hogwarts.

Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk doing the endless paperwork that always seemed to pile up higher after the Holiday Break. Most of the piles were the mid-term teacher reports from the staff. Albus nodded absently as he read over Minerva McGonagall's report. He picked up his quill, signing the bottom before placing it into his "outbox" to go to the Ministry and the Board of Governors. He sighed heavily as he looked over the next report. It was from Severus Snape about his upper classes doing poorly. Severus never seemed satisfied with anyone. He thought about having a chat with the Potions Master about easing his standards a bit.

Albus was startled as his fireplace burst into green flames. He paled as his eyes looked upon the face of a very upset Lily Potter. He gulped quietly as James Potter came out of the floo next with a glare on his face. He was about to speak but stopped as the fire flashed green once again. Albus took a steadying breath as the Potters were followed by Arthur and Molly Weasley, both giving him deep scowls. This was not turning out to be a good day.

"We have a problem, old man!" Lily snarled as she tossed a letter onto Albus' desk.

Albus looked over the letter quickly. His eyes bulged slightly as he read over it. He knew this was not going to sit well with these parents. He braced himself for the coming storm as he looked up.

"You will not take any of the children or so help me…" Lily threatened openly.

"Lily…" Albus sighed. "My hands are tied. I must have a hostage for the second task. And it must be someone Harry would miss greatly to satisfy the requirements of the Tournament. There will be no real danger to the children."

Lily leaned over the desk to within inches of Dumbledore's face. "You will not use the children!"

"Then…" Albus gulped as he stared into her intensely burning green eyes. He swallowed again before he found his voice, albeit weakly. "Then, what would you suggest?"

"Take me!" Lily growled.

"What?" James yelled.

"Lily, no!" Molly hollered.

Arthur laid a calming hand on Molly's arm. He knew if they wouldn't allow Dumbledore to use Ginny, Rose, or even Ron, it was the only other way.

Lily waved her hand behind her to silence them. She slammed her hand back down on the desk in front of Dumbledore. He jumped slightly as he cringed under her gaze.

"You will use me, or you will be removed as Headmaster of this school," Lily told him in a quiet voice that scared the Headmaster more than if she was yelling at him in his face.

"A…Ag…Agreed," Albus stammered out with a weak nod of his head.

Lily spun around to face James. She pointed a finger at him. "I will not let any of the children do this!"

James knew by the tone of her voice, that there was no arguing with her. She had volunteered to take the place of one of their family, and nothing he said or did was going to change her mind. He gave her a nod before turning a glare on Dumbledore.

"If anything happens to her down there," James growled, "you had better start digging your grave, old man, because you will need it!"

"Understood," Dumbledore gulped again.

"Don't think for one bloody second that we have forgotten all the other bloody things you've done to our family," Lily spun to face Dumbledore again, spearing him with a glare that would cut through steel. "We will have that discussion later! And you had better have a good explanation for your actions or by Merlin and Morgana, you are a dead man!"

Lily spun toward the fireplace without another word or waiting for his reply to lead the others through the floo after they all cast one last glare at Dumbledore. Albus heaved a heavy breath as they left. He stood on shaky legs, walking unsteadily over to his cabinet on the other wall. His hands shook badly as he opened it to pull out a small bottle of Firewhiskey. His past actions - his past sins - may just be the death of him yet.

Harry and Ginny sat down at the Gryffindor table for lunch. They were both having a great day in their classes. In Charms, Harry had cast his spell, getting it correct on the first try. Hermione had looked at him with a jealous look, but Harry could only shrug. In Transfiguration, Ginny had astonished McGonagall and the rest of her class by changing her canary into a plate on the first attempt. Harry had scored forty points for Gryffindor in Herbology for figuring out what was wrong with one of the plants before even Neville. Ginny had scored perfect marks on an Arithmancy exam she had taken that day. They had greeted each other on the way to lunch with a kiss and told the other of the great day they were having.

"Oh, stop grinning, Ginny," grumbled Rose as she sat down next to her. "Just because I forgot to carry one number and you got an O, doesn't mean you can gloat the whole day."

"Maybe I'm grinning for another reason, Rose," Ginny chuckled.

"What would…" Rose paused as she looked at Ginny and Harry. Both of Harry's hands were above the table. Only one of Ginny's was visible. "Never mind," she groaned.

"Mhut?" Ron asked with his mouth full.

"Ronald, how many times must I tell you?" Hermione groused, swatting his arm. "Don't talk with your mouth full. It's disgusting!"

"And you don't want to know," Rose frowned at him. "Just our siblings doing couple things."

"Oh, come on!" Ron complained. "I'm eating here!"

"You asked," Rose pointed out.

"We are right here, ya know, sis," Harry frowned at her as he leaned over to look around Ginny. Rose only rolled her eyes in reply. Harry smirked before turning back to Ginny. "What's your next class?"

"Charms," Ginny answered. "You?"

"Divination," Harry frowned. "You about done?"

"Yeah," Ginny grinned.

"I'll walk you to class," Harry grinned as he stood quickly.

Rose giggled as Harry and Ginny left the Great Hall quickly. Hermione sighed as she rolled her eyes at them.

"Why are they in so much of a hurry to get to class?" Ron asked.

"For one thing, Ron, I doubt we want to know," Rose frowned at him.

"For another, they happen to be dating, and both of your parents approve of it," Hermione reminded him.

"But that doesn't…" Ron trailed off as Hermione and Rose gave him a pointed look. Realization finally struck him. "Oh," he mumbled weakly.

"I swear, Ron, you can be as thick as Crabbe and Goyle at times," Hermione shook her head.

"That's those two dunderheads that hang around Malfoy, right?" Rose asked.

"Yes," Hermione nodded.

"Har, har," Ron grumbled before shoveling more food into his mouth. Hermione and Rose giggled.

It hit Harry suddenly!

Harry was almost dozing off as Trelawny was droning on about tea leaves again. He thought he heard Ginny giggle in his ear. His eyes shot open as he looked around quickly. Harry shook his head slightly to clear it. 'I must have dreamed it,' he thought.

Harry felt Ginny's confusion through their bond. He wondered what that was about.

'What in Merlin?' Ginny's voice sounded in his head.

'Brilliant! I'm going nutters!' Harry frowned to himself. He felt Ginny's confusion grow. 'Wish I knew what that was about. Anything to drown out this old bat!'

'Could this be part of our bond?' Ginny's voice asked in his head. Harry felt Ginny concentrate on him for a moment. 'Harry? If you can hear me, where were we after lunch before class?'

'Gin?' Harry thought, trying his hardest not to look surprised. 'We went to the alcove on the fourth floor. The one with the secret passage shortcut to Flitwick's classroom.'

'Harry!' Ginny's voice sounded shocked. 'This has to be part of our bond. But just to be sure neither one of us is daydreaming this; meet me by the bust of the one-eyed witch on the sixth floor after class.'

'I'll be there,' Harry thought back. He looked at his watch. Two minutes until the bell. Harry tapped his foot impatiently as the seconds ticked passed. Ron looked at him strangely as Harry grabbed his bag with thirty seconds to wait.

When the bell rang, Harry hurried out of the classroom. He ran down the stairs as fast as he dared. As he rounded the last corner to the bust, Harry saw Ginny hurrying to meet him from the other end of the corridor.

"This is bonkers!" Ginny stated with wide eyes.

'Has to be the bond,' Harry thought, intentionally to know for sure.

"Of course, it's the bond…" Ginny trailed off slowly as she realized Harry hadn't spoken out loud. She smiled impishly. 'This could be interesting!'

"Yes, it could," Harry grinned. He pulled Ginny into a quick hug and kiss before they hurried to their next classes.

Harry awoke the morning of the second task to Dobby patting his shoulder. Harry rolled over to grab his glasses before smiling at the little elf.

"Good morning, Harry sir," Dobby beamed at him. "Dobby has youse water herb fors youse."

"Thanks, Dobby," Harry sat up. "Did mum understand when you told her about it?"

"Oh, yes, sir," Dobby nodded. Harry caught the concerned look on his face.

"What is it, Dobby?" Harry asked as he stood to get dressed.

"Dobby was told not to say, Harry sir," Dobby moaned. Dobby set a small jar with the slimy green weed on Harry's night table before disappearing.

Harry stared at where the elf had been for a few seconds before shrugging to himself. He dressed in the Tournament uniform that was left out for him, putting some sweatpants and a sweatshirt on over it. Harry noticed Ron starting to stir in his bed as he left the room. He reached out for Ginny in their bond, finding her awake. Harry had a stray thought cross his mind.

'Gin, is Rose with you?' Harry thought to her.

"Yes. We'll be down in a minute. Is Ron missing?'

'No, he's just waking up,' Harry answered. 'Wait! Check on Hermione.'

'Way ahead of you, love,' Ginny responded.

Harry reached the Common Room as he heard hurried footsteps coming down the girls' stairs and Ginny's fear spike.

"Hermione's missing," Ginny blurted as she and Rose reached the Common Room.

"What?" Ron hollered from the stairs. He grabbed his hair with a tug. "No. How could this go so wrong?"

"What are you on about?" Harry asked.

"I wrote your parents after we figured out the egg. I asked them to do something, 'cause I thought they'd take Ginny, and Rose thought it would be her," Ron moaned. "I told them to make sure it was me."

"We'll figure it out, Ron," Harry soothed him.

They made their way down to the Great Hall, speculating why Hermione was taken and not Ron. The only conclusion any of them could come up with was it had to be a female for Harry to save. As they entered the Great Hall, Harry spotted James, Sirius, and Remus sitting at the Gryffindor table. He glanced around but didn't see Lily anywhere.

"Hey, dad," Harry greeted James with a hug. "Where's mum?"

"Sit down a minute," James sighed after hugging Ginny and Rose.

Harry noticed the concern on Sirius and Remus' faces. He turned back to James, seeing the worry on his father's face. He exchanged a worried glance with Ginny and Rose. The teens sat slowly. Harry had a feeling of dread sink to the bottom of his stomach like an iron ball in water.

"To make sure they wouldn't take Ginny…" James breathed. He took a deep breath, looking down. "Your mum volunteered to be your hostage, Harry."

"She did what?" Harry shouted. He ignored the stares his yelling garnered as he stared at James in shock. Ginny grabbed his hand tightly. Rose sunk her nails into his arm with wide eyes.

"This is all my fault," Ron moaned as he pulled his hair again.

"Yes and no, Ron," Sirius patted his back. "Yes, because if you didn't write James and Lily, Harry would be a basket case right now. So, you did the right thing. But, no," he paused as he snarled, looking at the Head Table, "because he had a hand in planning this stupid thing."

Ron and the rest of the teens followed Sirius' gaze. Their eyes fell on a very pale-looking Dumbledore who was looking back at them.

"But…" Ron looked at Harry confused. "Why'd they take Hermione?"

"I'm not sure, Ron," James answered. "Unless she's someone else's hostage."

"Hermione went to the Yule Ball with Krum," Rose spoke thoughtfully.

"But Nev was still in bed when I came down," Harry frowned. "And, honestly, I don't care about the whys," his voice dropped to a dangerous level. "The old man just lost all of the little respect I had left for him."

"Too right, love," Ginny agreed, glaring at the Headmaster. Dumbledore gulped visibly as he continued to stare at them.

Fleur hurried over to the Gryffindor table as she came in the doors.

"Vhere iz Lily?" she asked as she hugged James.

"In the lake," James frowned. Fleur looked at him with wide eyes.

"Madame Maxime haz jus' tol' mee zhat zhey hove taken my sizzter," Fleur breathed.

"Dumbledore is pushing his luck," Remus growled with a look at the Headmaster. Dumbledore finally looked away, his face as white as his beard.

Harry sat seething in silence as he nibbled on some toast. Ginny did her best to keep him calm, but it was hard as her own anger was barely under control. Rose sat silently staring at her plate as James rubbed her back. Ron still looked miserable as Sirius and Remus tried to comfort him. When the Champions were called to start heading for the lake, Rose grabbed Harry's arm again.

"Whatever you do down there, brother, just get mum back for us," Rose pleaded with him.

"You can count on it, sis," Harry nodded as he hugged her. He hugged Ginny next. 'Keep an eye on Rose for me, love?'

'You don't even have to ask,' Ginny thought back. She kissed Harry quickly. "Good luck."

"Stick with Ginny, Rose," Harry told her with a nod. Rose gulped as she nodded. Ginny put her arm around Rose as Harry and the other Champions started out the door.

Ginny turned in the stands as she heard her name being called. She waved at Luna as the blonde Ravenclaw was being escorted over to Ginny, Rose, and Ron by Neville and the twins. James, Sirius, and Remus were just a short distance away from them by the railing. Sirius and Remus were trying to keep James calm as they stared at the water. As they arrived, Neville looked around confused.

"Where's Aunt Lily?" he asked Ginny quietly.

"She volunteered to be Harry's hostage," Ginny told him.

"What?" Neville hollered with wide-eyed fear.

"And Hermione is missing," Ron put in, still looking miserable.

"And they took Fleur's little sister," Rose sighed.

"Merlin…" Fred gulped.

"This is not good…" George shook his head.

"Cho was missing from her dorm as well," Luna nodded. She looked thoughtful for a second. "Cedric took her to the Yule Ball. Krum took Hermione. Why…?"

"It's my fault," Ron groaned again.

"Ron," James called. "Stop blaming yourself. Lily volunteered for this. Trust me, it's better than what could have happened." He looked at Ginny with a pointed look. "Neither your parents or Lily and I were going to let Ginny be down there."

"Relax," Ginny consoled. "Harry has this adorable 'saving people' thing," she pointed to herself. "Remember?"

"Very true," Remus nodded as he patted James on the shoulder. "Trust in Harry."

"She's right, Prongs," Sirius agreed. "Harry will get Lily back."

Harry looked at Fleur as she stretched. He could see the worry on her face as her eyes never left the water. Harry glanced at Krum. The Durmstrang Champion was warming up as well, but he didn't look worried. Either he didn't know it was Hermione down there as his hostage, or he didn't care. Harry turned to Cedric. He looked as worried as Fleur did.

'Luna just told us, they took Cho for Cedric,' Ginny thought to Harry.

'Makes sense,' Harry replied. 'How's dad and Rose?'

'Worried,' Ginny responded simply.

Harry didn't have time to respond as Dumbledore started the announcement of the rules and objective of the task. Harry reached into his pocket, pulling out the Gillyweed. He wished the old man would hurry up. He just wanted to get into the water to get his mother to safety. As Dumbledore began the countdown, Harry shoved the Gillyweed into his mouth.

The cannon sounded. Harry dove into the water quickly. He had practiced with some extra Gillyweed Dobby had brought to him over the last few weeks. He knew the feeling of the herb starting to work and the effects it had on his body. Harry sped through the water as gills sprouted on his neck and webbing grew on his hands and feet. He paid little mind to the forest of weeds as he shot through it.

Suddenly, Harry heard a muffled shriek behind him. He looked back to see Fleur being surrounded and drug down by a large group of grindylows. Harry pulled his wand, firing the first spell he could think of. A huge solid bubble shot at the grindylows. They scattered. Fleur looked to be unconscious as she floated in the water for a second before starting to sink. Harry sent a Banishing spell at her to send her back to the surface.

'Gin, Fleur's hurt. Let her know, I'll get her sister,' Harry sent to Ginny as he turned to continue toward the Mer-village he knew was somewhere in the middle of the lake.

'I will, love,' Ginny replied.

Harry refocused on the task as he shot through the water again. Harry saw a ridge ahead of him as he neared the center of the lake. He floated to a stop to cautiously look over it. The mer-village sat at the bottom of the ridge. The houses were all made of different colored coral. Some were tall, some were wide. Some even resembled the Burrow in their odd shape. Harry looked around quickly. He spotted four poles in the center of the village with four sleeping people tied to them by their ankles.

Lily floated motionless on the far left. Hermione was next to her with Cho beside her. Harry saw a young blonde girl on the far right that had to be Fleur's sister. She looked like a miniature version of Fleur. Harry's mind realized for the first time; she wasn't just Fleur's sister. That was his younger cousin on the end of that vine rope along with his mother and one of his best friends. His anger at Dumbledore boiled in his veins as he shot over the ridge.

Harry past many of the Mer-people as they floated on the sides of their streets. They didn't look anything like the old stories he had read about in his early years at Muggle school. They were scaly, like fish with shocks of hair that fanned out from their heads. Harry spun around as he heard a screech from behind him.

Krum had transformed half of his body into a shark. He swam past Harry, biting the vine rope that was holding Hermione. He circled back to grab her before swimming back the way he had come. Cedric topped the ridge with what looked like a giant bubble around his head. He gave Harry a thumbs up before cutting Cho free. Harry waited two seconds before firing a Cutting Curse that cut both Lily and Fleur's sister free. The Mer-people started to yell at him to stop, that he was only allowed to take one. Harry didn't listen. He just grabbed ahold of both of them as he shot back toward the shore.

Harry had an idea as he swam back over the ridge. He raised his wand using a pulling charm to make him speed faster toward the shore. It had taken him quite a while to get to the Mer-village, even with the help of the Gillyweed. As the charm pulled him toward the shore, he could tell he was going much faster. It felt like he was going through a waterfall on his broom.

As they broke the surface of the water by the shore, Lily and Fleur's sister gasped as they woke up.

"Hi, mum," Harry breathed as the Gillyweed wore off.

"That's my boy!" Lily smiled as she hugged him.

"'Arry?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Sorry, I don't know your name, cousin."

"Gabrielle," she answered as she hugged him and Lily. "Vhere ez Fleur?"

"She got stung by a bunch of grindylows," Harry answered.

"Gabrielle!" they heard Fleur yell as she ran toward them with Ginny, Rose, and James.

Ginny ran into Harry's open arms. Rose and James pulled them into a hug with Lily. It was seconds later that Fleur and Gabrielle joined the hug.

"Really?" groused Madam Pomfrey as she waited on the bank with her hands on her hips. They turned to see the deep scowl on the school matron's face. "Come along. I need to check you before you catch your death in this cold!"

After being cleared by Madam Pomfrey, Harry stood with the other Champions and Ginny as the scores were announced. Harry was in first place. He had managed to return first because of his idea to use the pulling charm. Ginny giggled as she hugged him. Harry felt happy for a few seconds, then something crossed his mind. Why was he in this thing in the first place? He remembered his thoughts from the night of his selection as a Champion. Ginny felt his mood shift, looking at him as the thought reached her. She looked at him with concern and worry. Harry sent a thought to Ginny to hurry after his parents to discuss the question with them in private, first, before alarming any of their friends or Rose.

After Harry was dismissed, he and Ginny hurriedly met James and Lily on the way back to the castle for lunch.

"Mum, dad, I think this whole thing is a trap for me," Harry hurried out quietly before Rose and their friends could catch up.

"I've been thinking that same thing," James nodded.

"But who is on the other end?" Lily asked with narrowed eyes as she looked at Dumbledore as he was leading the judges into the castle. "Voldemort or Dumbledore?"

"Even for all his faults, Dumbledore wouldn't set a trap for Harry, not like this, anyway," James shook his head. "But if it fit with his plans, he wouldn't stop it, either."

"I think it's time to start planning a little trap of our own," Lily nodded. "Let us know when the next Hogsmeade visit is, Harry. We will meet you there to figure this out."

"You got it, mum," Harry agreed.

"We should probably get our brain trust in on this then," Ginny mentioned as she looked over her shoulder at their friends and Rose hurrying their way.

"And we'll bring ours," James nodded.