"By the Pricking of my Thumbs"

Keith – you were disappointed Draco didn't go through with it?  You want Ginny in therapy for the rest of her life?!  Or are you secretly a Ginny/Draco shipper? (Sacrilege!)

Hey, Infinify – I'm British, and I drink coffee all the time – so do my friends!  It's not that I don't like tea, it's that (a) it's more trouble to make, and (b) somehow it only tastes really good in the afternoon!

"By the Pricking of my Thumbs" By Penpusher Chapter Twelve: Epilogue

"It was a two-pronged attack," Arthur summed up, leaning back in his chair. "And it all began when Harry and Ginny discovered their curious mind-bond during the Voldemort affair earlier this year.  We don't know exactly why this unexpected ability should generate such extreme measures from the Dark Side, but they obviously considered it to be important enough to merit a very well-planned offensive.  It has been said before, Harry, and I'll say it again just to thoroughly rub it in: you should have come to us for help when you first discovered this talent – both of you!"  Arthur glared fiercely at his daughter and her boyfriend, hoping to excite some embarrassment.  Ginny merely lowered her eyes, her pale face devoid of expression.  She looked tired and listless.  Harry compressed his full lips in a grim smile, gave her a sidelong glance and took a firmer grip on her hand before replying.

"You can be sure the consequences of my negligence have already been pounded into me with great force," he replied wryly, "And I have also promised never to let anything of this or any parallel nature go unreported, as far as I can answer for the foreseeable future."

"Ginny?"  Arthur's voice was gentle but inexorable.  She shook her head and dropped her eyes even further.  Harry transferred her hand into his lap and caught it between his palms.  He looked up.

"It's alright, Arthur," he affirmed, "You have my word – I will keep her safe."  Arthur took a long look at Harry and nodded slowly.  They were interrupted by a slightly pretentious cough.

"Yes, well, if this – bonding you share had been known to us at the Ministry from its first appearance, you wouldn't have had such an embarrassing failure on your so-called quest in Mexico."  Arthur smiled politely, but his eyes were like steel.

"Yes, Tantalus, thank you.  I believe this topic has been sufficiently covered.  May I continue with the summary?"  Tantalus Brown was a large man, slightly overweight with thinning brown hair and a manner at once arrogant and obsequious.  He nodded, smiling faintly, and gestured for Arthur to continue.

The gang had all been summoned to the Ministry for debriefing after the Mexican Affair, as it had rapidly become known.  Ginny and Harry had been reunited as soon as was practical after the arrest of Katia Valentin, but seemed to have done little since then but talk to others and sleep the sleep of the dead.  Sirius had been spending his nights under observation in the Ministry Infirmary, but otherwise seemed none the worse for his ordeal.  Ron had refused to co-operate with the debriefing without Hermione being party to the whole story, and was now sitting as close to her as their two chairs would permit, one hand resting lightly on her thigh.  Fred Weasley had returned from Iran bringing with him a subdued and shaken George, whose head was even now swathed in bandages.

"It seems I shall have some more scars to aid identification." was the sardonic comment on his experiences in an Iranian jail.  George had gone through preliminary questioning with a minimum of fuss, but he had yet to find the courage to relate the full horror of his experiences even to Fred.  His brother, despite the relief of procuring George's release, seemed to have suffered equally in the process.  Harry looked at them and sighed: this adventure was having far-reaching consequences that had been totally unforeseen.  Still, he squared his shoulders: the twins would be alright, as would Lee Jordan.  Harry stole a glance over to the far right of the group where Lee was sitting, either doodling aimlessly or working out the solution to some arcane puzzle in machine code. The damage to Lee had been minimal.  Ron had also come out of this debacle in a blaze of glory, coping admirably, dragging their butts out of danger several times in a very tricky situation.  Even Sirius seemed to be bouncing back, despite his unaccountable reticence over Katia.  Harry sighed and squeezed Ginny's hand, taking in her listless appearance, her general withdrawal.  When Ginny started hugging herself, as she had been doing all too frequently lately, Harry knew things were bad.  He shook himself and tried to pay attention to Arthur's summary.

"Not a very original scenario in either case." He was commenting, "Seduction is a well-recognised technique in espionage, both in the muggle and wizarding worlds, but it was the separation by distance which kept us from seeing the parallels earlier.  Harry's situation was inherently dangerous, which was precisely why Ron was detailed as backup, but the events with regard to Ginny could not have been predicted.  Octavia Tenaxis was apprehended early this morning and is now in Auror custody awaiting questioning, but I must say, Ginny, it's unlikely that we'll ever be able to prove anything against her."  Ginny's head snapped up and her eyes blazed.

"She set me up!" she whispered fiercely, "She was the one responsible for bringing – for bringing Hold That Thought into existence.  And you're just going to let her go?"  Arthur shrugged and spread his hands sympathetically.

"There's nothing to prove that she co-operated and everything to say that she did not." He explained, "She bears a great deal of evidence to prove that she has been under the Imperius Curse for long months at a time, and her willingness to take Veritaserum to unlock her memories, despite the discomfort this will undoubtedly bring is a very great point in her favour."  Ginny was shaking her head.

"But Draco – " she paused and swallowed, "I mean Malfoy spoke of her as though she were, well, a colleague, not a slave or a minion.  He even knew how badly she makes coffee, for Merlin's sake.  Look, Dad, I'm not making it up: she's one of them, I'd stake my life on it!"

"Young lady, through your own foolishness, you very nearly did!"  Tantalus Brown interrupted, swelling his chest and hooking his thumbs in the armholes of his expanding waistcoat.  "Octavia Tenaxis is a very well-respected figure in the entertainment world, has been for many years.  She's also a personal friend, and I can guarantee that she has never had any dealings with the Dark Side.  You are not the only one, Miss Weasley, who has suffered at their hands.  And Miss Tenaxis was merely being used, and very painfully too, to get to you – think about that before you condemn her!"  Ginny's eyes widened.

"Did I ask for this?" she whispered, "Was I responsible for a – a freak magical talent suddenly manifesting itself?  Is it really my fault that the security of the wizarding world was put at risk?  No, Mr. Head of Operations, Sir – if anything, your department should have been on to these people well before anything happened to Harry or to me.  Your negligence and incompetence put the most powerful and talented wizard of a generation in considerable danger.  And what did you do to help him?  Precisely nothing.  If it hadn't been for Mr. Brookes and Dad, Harry would be working for the Dark Side now, or buried up to his neck and further in quicksand …"

"That's enough, Ginny."  Arthur's voice was sympathetic but firm.  His bright eyes held Ginny's rebellious ones for a long moment until her head dropped in defeat.  She leaned against Harry with a dry sob.  Arthur turned to his superior.

"She's been through a great deal."  He explained, unnecessarily.  Brown nodded his head impatiently.

"Yes, yes," he replied, "I realise that young Malfoy pulled a very nasty trick on her which would have been, shall we say, tragic had he succeeded.  But it has to be said that the account of her escape is extremely patchy to say the least."

"I don't suppose reliving it is exactly pleasant, Sir." Fred protested mildly enough, although his eyes were like grey steel, "After all, we all of us knew Malfoy at Hogwarts – and the memories are scarcely joyful."  Brown tapped his quill on the desk, frowning.

"I hear what you are saying," he began, "But it occurs to me that you are all missing something pretty vital."  He paused and Ginny felt a prickle of fear creep its way up her spine.  Tantalus Brown, aware that the he had the attention of everyone in the room, rose from his chair and began to pace the floor.

"Draco Malfoy prepared this assault very carefully indeed." He began, stroking his receding chin with a blunt forefinger, "He took the trouble to build a totally new character, ensorcell a well-respected figure in the music world, insinuate himself into a group of people totally unknown to him, not to mention the difficulty involved in brewing the crucial potion in the first place.  And yet, when it came to the crunch, he did not follow it through.  Now, we have ample evidence from archives that Malfoy has been extremely well-trained in all the dark arts, including enchantments of love, lust, obsession, slavery, etc.  You name it, he's done it.  He has also had extensive instruction in all the, shall we say, physical skills of seduction."  Harry closed his eyes as a wave of nausea swept over him.  Ginny all but crushed his hand in the fevered agony of her grip.

"Now," continued Brown, "Either Miss Weasley has developed skills powerful enough to overcome this type of enchantment, which I seriously doubt, or, unbelievable as it may seem, Draco Malfoy harbours some kind of – weakness for her."  Ginny made a small, stifled sound, but beyond that was silent.

"And that, to me, Gentlemen, is very interesting indeed."  Brown scanned the assembled company with a calculating smile.  No one spoke.

"With respect, sir," Sirius spoke for the first time, "Would you be kind enough to explain the significance of this deduction?"  Brown favoured him with a raised eyebrow.

"Certainly, Black." He replied expansively, "It's perfectly straightforward: if Malfoy cherishes a tendresse for Miss Weasley, this could be of great advantage to us in any further dealings with him."  Arthur's eyes suddenly blazed, but he did not speak.  Fred cleared his throat.

"Are you suggesting, sir, that we set her up?  As a honey-trap?" he began mildly. 

"NO!"  Harry's arm snaked protectively around Ginny's shoulders and the look of resentment and disgust he directed towards Brown left no one in any doubt as to his opinion of that idea.

"I don't care what you do with me," he began in low, angry tones, "But you will do us all the service of leaving Ginny out of any little scheme you might have concerning Draco Malfoy, or the Dark Side in general."  He paused to take an unsteady breath and continued in a calmer voice.

"Ginny and I are neither of us Ministry employees and as such, we are not answerable to you or to anyone so wholly unconnected with any part of our lives.  And you can spare me the customary spiel about patriotism and loyalty to the government, and any other jingoistic claptrap you may choose to churn out whenever you can't get your own way by logic or persuasion.  I've had it – with you and with the whole of this charade you call a Department, and until you're replaced by somebody with an IQ greater than the average ape, I will have no further professional dealings with Operations."  The silence was so thick it was almost tangible.  Tantalus Brown began to stutter.  The phrases "young whippersnapper" and "never been spoken to before" were more or less the only comprehensible phrases, but the gist was clear enough.  Eventually, sensing that the mood of the meeting was not entirely in his favour, Brown gathered the shreds of his dignity and stooped to pick up his briefcase.

"This debriefing is now terminated at 1047 hours." He managed to bluster, for the benefit of the automated recording devices.  "If you will excuse me, Gentlemen – and, of course, Ladies – I have another meeting to attend before lunch."  He swept out of the room.  Fred moved promptly to shut the door.  He looked around at the row of strained expressions and suddenly his face broke into a wide grin of sheer mischief.  He descended upon Harry and enveloped him in a bear hug of gargantuan proportions.

"I'm so proud of you!" he exclaimed, thumping him hard on the back, "I never imagined we'd taught you so well, but you really exceeded our expectations today, didn't he, George!"  His twin, despite the bandaged head, managed to pump Harry's arm so hard he was in danger of strained muscles.  Harry, a look of total incomprehension on his face, submitted to their congratulations with obviously no idea of what he had done.

"Gently, boys, gently." admonished Arthur Weasley, recognising Harry's confusion.  He motioned them all to resume their seats.

"Well, now perhaps we can achieve something worthwhile." He began, smiling blandly.  Harry shook his head.

"Arthur," he began in puzzled tones, "Before we continue, could you tell me – well, what it is I'm supposed to have done?"  Fred and George burst into laughter, but contained their merriment at a frown from their father.  Arthur ran his hand through his thinning red hair.

"Harry my boy, you did nothing that I haven't wanted to do for years – and that is not for repetition outside these walls."  He glared round at the others before resuming.

"In fact, you may possibly have done us all a very great favour."  He smiled, "This sort of attack from the Famous Harry Potter cannot possibly go unremarked or unreported – can it, Fred?"  The twins both solemnly shook their heads.

"Couldn't exactly keep that quiet, could you?" said Fred to George.  George pursed his lips.

"Bound to be a leak somewhere with something that juicy." He agreed, "In all probability, Rita Skeeter, what do you reckon?"  The twins exchanged a glance and a nod.  Arthur cleared his throat and began again.

"Harry, as you know, Tantalus Brown is Head of Operations – a very sensitive post which is, between you and me, clearly beyond his talents.  He is a very effective administrator, but his limited abilities make him capable of precious little else.  He has reduced my own department to total chaos, and all the operatives in the field hate him with a vengeance.  There is talk that his lack of understanding of how things are on the ground has cost us the life of at least one highly trained Auror, but that again is merely speculation and must go no further."  He paused.

"Harry's opinions are held very highly in the wizarding world." He mused, "Perhaps as a result of this meeting there might be a change of personnel in the near future, who knows.  Certainly, the odds on Tantalus succeeding Cornelius to the post of Minister have suddenly lengthened.  To my very great relief."  Arthur rose from his chair and moved behind the desk, shuffling some papers before sitting down.

"Now," he said, "I will begin this final debriefing once again – properly this time.  I think we can cover most of it before lunch, but please make yourselves available this afternoon for individual interviews, should anything further emerge."  Arthur then embarked upon a searching and detailed account of the Mexican Affair, asking astute questions and making notes of anything he felt needed to be followed up.  The situation in Iran was one area which certainly needed some clarification.  George retold his story with a certain amount of bewilderment.

"I always wondered why they sent me and not Fred." He complained, "The source was Fred's contact, not mine.  He'd been the one to mug up on the religious and political pitfalls for foreigners in the country, not me.  I did my best, but really I was on a hiding to nothing, particularly when it turned out that our Source was actually working for the Dark Side and just waiting for me to make a mistake."  Arthur jotted down a few words.

"Lack of communication, George." He told him, matter-of-factly, "Fred had already tried to appraise Tantalus of his suspicions regarding Harry's quest and had been shown the door.  Tantalus then assumed that Fred was losing it – going into paranoia mode – so he sent you instead, assuming that the Source would not know the difference."

"As it happened, that circumstance triggered Lee into making the crucial connection," interrupted Fred, "So it's probably just as well."

"I also have a few leads on the whereabouts of our Source." George said unexpectedly, "I talked to a number of people in jail, and the results were quite surprising."  Arthur nodded.

"I'll want to see both of you about that after lunch." He replied, looking around the others, "Anyone else have anything more to add?  Lee?  Hermione?"  They all shook their heads.  "Then this meeting is now adjourned at," he looked at his watch, "1225 hours.  We will resume at 1400 hours."  The others slowly rose from the chairs to file out of the office.

"Oh, Ginny."  Arthur called his daughter just as she was about to precede Harry through the door.  She looked back enquiringly, but did not speak.

"Could I just have a brief word before you go to lunch?"  Harry made as if to follow her, but Arthur shook his head.

"I'll be very quick." He said reassuringly.  Harry frowned, moving unwillingly.

"I'll wait outside, Ginny.  Okay?"  She responded with a faint smile as Arthur motioned Harry out into the corridor, firmly closing the door. 

Ginny sat motionless, gazing at the floor as her father skirted the desk and sat down again.

"Ginny," he said very gently, "Are you going to be able to cope with this?"  It was a while before she answered, then slowly she stirred, easing tense muscles, rocking slightly as she mustered the strength to speak.

"I – don't know." She muttered.  Arthur reached out over the top of the desk to take her cold hand in his warm one.

"There are trained people who can help you with this, you know." He began, "You've had a terrible trauma and been badly used by someone you had trusted.  It's bound to hurt."  Ginny hunched further into her chair, hugging herself and rocking more perceptibly now.

"The band." She whispered, "The success we had, Marcus  - no, Draco and me.  Was that all just so much window dressing?  We had gigs, recording contacts, a chart hit.  That band was going all the way.  So what happens to me now?"  Arthur drew a deep breath.

"Ginny, your success was entirely due to your own hard work and talent." He told her firmly, "You didn't want to be part of a band in the first place because you've always worked as a solo artiste, yes?  Well, now you've had such intense media exposure, you can capitalise on that to further your solo career.  You haven't lost anything, Gin, quite the reverse."

"But – Octavia … ?"

"There are other agents.  We're finding you one as we speak!"  Ginny's eyes lifted at that and her movements became a little less frantic, then her face paled again.

"Marcus …"

"Never existed.  Ginny, I'm going to recommend that you visit the infirmary to be checked over."  Eyes dark with concern, Arthur quickly tapped a small messageglobe on his test with his wand and snapped crisply:

"Infirmary please."

Harry paced around the corridor, hunger roiling his stomach, wishing that Arthur would hurry up.  Suddenly, the door opened and Arthur poked his head round, gesturing for Harry to come in.  Looking round for Ginny, Harry directed a puzzled gaze at Arthur.

"Sit down, Harry." Arthur motioned towards a chair and Harry obeyed dumbly.  Arthur steepled his fingers, wondering how to put this.

"Harry, I have transferred Ginny to the infirmary for a once over – I understand she hasn't yet seen anyone medically trained."  Harry started.

"The infirmary?  Why, what's wrong with her?"

"I believe she is suffering from shock." Arthur told him bluntly. "I'm also not totally convinced that she escaped from Draco Malfoy's clutches without so much as a scratch, but I could be wrong about that."  The blood had drained from Harry's face.  He looked quite ill.

"Oh, Merlin!" he muttered, "What have I done?"

"Absolutely nothing that you need blame yourself for, Harry!"  Arthur's tone was crisp and authoritative.  "The last thing she needs at the moment is for you to wallow around in a haze of guilt and self-loathing.  She has had a shocking experience, it's very recent and the wounds are still open.  You seem to have weathered your experiences with Miss Valentin in a rather more robust fashion, although it has to be admitted that you were not alone during your ordeal: Ginny was."  Arthur paused to listen to his messageglobe, which had flashed with a private communication from the infirmary.  Harry seethed at only being able to hear one side of the conversation, but contented himself by demanding to know the latest as soon as Arthur had finished his conversation.

"It is as I suspected." He said heavily, "She is in shock.  They've given her a healing potion and done some charmwork which should help her, but the trauma will take time to heal fully.  The effect of the potion will make the event seem like it happened a little while ago – say a fortnight.  The edges of the horror will have been blunted.  But while this is a good thing, you must remember, Harry, that it didn't happen a fortnight ago, it happened two days ago, and she has to face up to it sometime."  By this time, Harry had regained some of his self-possession.  He nodded, jaw clenched with tension.

"When can I take her home?" he asked.  Arthur nodded approvingly.

"In a couple of hours." He replied, "She is sleeping at the moment.  She'll wake shortly and the medics will check her over again.  Go and have some lunch, Harry, then visit the infirmary to see how she's doing."  Harry paused in the act of rising from his seat.

"Uh, do you think they would mind if I had something sent down to her room?" he enquired, "I would prefer to stay with her while she sleeps."  Arthur looked at him.

"I don't see why not." He said, eventually.  Harry nodded and swiftly left the room in the direction of the infirmary.

**************************************************

Ron and Hermione were walking hand in hand down the long corridor towards the stairs.  Of all the major players in this drama, Ron seemed to have fared the best, having arrived home uninjured with his mind untampered with, to take up life with his beloved wife where they had left off several weeks ago.  To an outsider, it might have seemed that the couple were rather more light-hearted than the situation merited, but in truth their happiness at being reunited was seriously tempered by worry for their two dearest friends.  George Weasley was rapidly regaining his strength.  Even now, he and Fred were arguing fiercely about pizza toppings while Lee Jordan trailed behind them, lost in thought.  Someone fell into step beside him and Lee looked up to see Ellen smiling tentatively.

"Oh, hello." He nodded politely, stepping aside to make room for her to pass him.  She stayed put, matching his pace.

"So – how are things?" she asked.  He shrugged.

"So so." He replied, "At least we're all more or less in one piece."  She nodded.

"I heard you saved Sirius Black's life."  Lee winced.

"Where did you get that from?" She just smiled.  He nodded.

"Oh, Fred, of course."  Neither seemed to know quite what to say.  Ellen took a breath.

"Lee." She began, just as her companion opened his mouth to speak.  They both stopped walking.  Lee gestured awkwardly.

"Go ahead."  She shook her head.

"No, sorry, I interrupted you."

"Please."  He fixed wide, brown eyes on her face.

"Okay."  Ellen looked away, then with an effort met his eyes again.

"Lee, I'm really sorry I had to lie to you." She began, "Well, I didn't exactly lie, I just didn't tell you the whole story."

"Why don't you tell it now?"

"It – might take some time."  Lee nodded slowly, pursing his lips.

"Okay," he said, looking up, brown eyes meeting blue, "Tell it to me over lunch."  Ellen's heart gave a painful thud and an expression of pleasant surprise flashed across her face.

"You mean it?"  In answer, Lee held out his hand.  Ellen needed no further bidding.  A wave of relief and happiness washed over her as she slid her fingers into his and prepared to duck out of a side door before Fred and George could make fun of them.

*************************************************************

"It's bloody-well happened again, hasn't it?"  Oliver was swearing and banging saucepans in the kitchen when Fred and George finally got back from the Ministry.

"And a very good evening to you too, Oliver." responded Fred cheerfully, descending upon a cupboard to extract a number of wine glasses and critically inspecting the communal wine rack.  He shook his head in disgust.

"This will never do." He announced, "I'll just take a little trip to the local off-licence to stock up – we might have a few extra for dinner.  Make us a decent cup of coffee will you, Oliver?  The Ministry brew we've been drinking all day has dissolved my stomach lining."  Oliver turned and stared with his mouth open as Fred walked jauntily back into the hall.  He looked at George who shrugged innocently.

"I get back home after a grinding week in Munich," he began, "To find the place deserted, no clue whatsoever as to where you all are.  Eventually Hermione remembers that I'm coming home today and I might just be a teensy bit worried.  By this time, I'm tearing my hair out, making panic phone calls to the Ministry and frightening the daylights out of your mum, George."

"I doubt it, Oliver." soothed his companion, smiling, "Mum's had so much to put up with from all of us over the years, including Dad, that it would take a national disaster to frighten her.  She's a lot tougher than she looks."

"She needs to be!" replied Oliver feelingly, throwing onions into a casserole dish.  George obligingly waved his wand at the kettle and summoned the cafetiere and jar of ground coffee.  Oliver, deciding that it was easier to enchant the muggle can-opener than to design a charm to pierce steel, waved his wand at several tins of tomatoes and red kidney beans.

"Anyway, once Hermione has calmed me down, the gist of her explanation is that the residents of this house have, without any prior warning, been plunged into another hair-raisingly exciting adventure, and guess what?  Oliver missed it – again!"  Oliver was so annoyed that the wooden spoon he enchanted to stir the minced beef into the onions moved at twice the recommended speed and sprayed the kitchen with oil.  Wiping his splashed face, Oliver calmed down slightly.

"How many did Fred say were coming to supper?" he demanded in more subdued tones..  George shrugged.

"He didn't," was the response, "But I guess nine for certain – maybe ten, if Lee really did sneak off with who we think he snuck off with for lunch!"

"Ellen, I suppose." George laughed uproariously at Oliver's chagrined tone.

"Sore loser, Oliver." He told him, "Move quicker next time."

"In my dreams, Weasley." He responded, shaking chilli powder and cumin into the casserole, "In my dreams."

In the end, no one made any coffee because Fred arrived back from the off-licence, weighed down with a large collection of bottles at about the same time Harry descended from the West Wing.

"Hi." said Fred, depositing his box on the kitchen table, "How long have you been home?"  Harry looked at his watch.

"A couple of hours." He replied, "Ginny's still sleeping, but they assured me that she would be considerably more herself when she wakes later."  Fred took in Harry's dishevelled appearance and unshaven face and drew his own conclusions.  He selected a bottle from the box and held up a glass with an interrogative expression.  Harry shook his head.

"I guess I'll wait until Ginny wakes." He replied, "I only came down to make sure you knew we were here."  He turned on his heel to go back up the stairs.

"We'll see you guys later, okay?" 

"Okay Harry."  Fred let him go without comment but opened the wine anyway, pouring glasses for Oliver and George.

Upstairs, Harry entered his bedroom quietly and sat down in the chair he had drawn up near to his bed.  Ginny was still asleep, showing no signs of waking imminently.  Harry smoothed her hair away from her forehead, listing to her soft breathing, noting that her temperature was normal.  He sighed, admitting to himself that he had no reason to assume she was fevered: he just wanted to touch her to make sure she was here, alive, with him.

The horrified disbelief Harry had experienced when he fully understood the very real danger Ginny had been in had totally eclipsed his concerns regarding his own perilous situation.  His first reaction had been one of paranoia – he had been right all along.  Anyone he grew close to suffered or died.  He should leave her, go away, try to convince the Dark Side to leave her alone.  Hermione, in her usual logical fashion, put paid to that notion.  She had argued that it was too late for contingency measures: the Dark Side were already aware of how strong their relationship was, and what about the Mind-Bond?  The best thing Harry could do was to use his immense magical strength to protect Ginny, not leave her open and vulnerable to attack by going away from her.  They needed to explore the Bond, exploit it, work out what it meant and what it could do.  Harry had to face up to the fact that he wasn't alone any more – with all the consequences that entailed.  Harry's mouth quirked into a humourless smile and he sighed deeply.

It was his very vulnerability, through Ginny herself, which scared him witless, he realised.  Before this relationship had crept up on him, he had been self-sufficient, protected in his shell, proof against anything the Dark Side had to throw at him.  Now, surprised by a joy and a passion he had never imagined possible, he found himself at once stronger and more vulnerable. 

He raked a hand through his hair in exasperation.  He loved Ginny – God, yes, he loved her more than his own life, and he would gladly give it up to ensure her safety.  But he wasn't required to die for her, quite the opposite.  What was needed was a life adjustment, an acceptance of the duality of his existence, a lowering of barriers, defences.  To protect her, he had to let her in – not just once, but every day, every hour, every minute even.  No, it wasn't necessary for him to die for her: she needed him to live for her.

An alteration in Ginny's breathing pattern drew Harry back from his musings.  She stirred, making the small, sleepy noises that had become all too familiar to him in such a short time.  She opened her eyes, focussed on his face and smiled.

"Hi." she said, huskily.  He smiled and smoothed her hair back from her face.

"Hi yourself."  She caught the hand and kissed the palm, sending warm tingles up his arm to his backbone.

"I'm sorry …" she began, he reached out to place a finger on her lips.

"Shhh." he told her, "You've had a bad experience.  If I hadn't left you, it wouldn't have happened."  Her eyes widened.

"But Malfoy …"

"None of it was your fault, Ginny." To prevent any further argument, Harry leaned forward and kissed her full on the lips.  Too sleepy to protest, she relaxed into the kiss and wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.  With a muffled exclamation, he overbalanced and fell into the bed.  Reluctantly dragging his mouth away, he smiled down at her.

"I've missed you." he told her, sincerely.  She nodded.

"I've missed you too," she replied, "Especially this."  Lips once more captured by hers, Harry was tempted to go with the flow, but was halted by a Mayday from the logic centres of his brain warning him that Ginny was still not fully recovered.  Sighing wistfully, he started to pull away.  With nothing more than a raised eyebrow in protest, Ginny allowed him to move.

"Oliver's cooking." Harry said conversationally, as he walked round the bedroom collecting items of fresh clothing to replace his creased and dirty attire, "Do you want me to bring a tray?"  Ginny considered, then sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Mmm, so far so good." She muttered to herself, standing up and testing her balance.  Not bad.  She turned to look at Harry.

"I think I'll go for a quick shower to freshen up, then I'll come down with you.  Is that okay?"  She finished anxiously.  Harry looked surprised, then smiled.

"Yes, that's fine." He replied, "The medics said you could get up any time you felt like it.  The treatment doesn't have any side-effects to speak of."  Wrapping her bathrobe around her slender body, she smiled gently and padded away to her own bathroom.

"You've lost weight." said Harry, too quietly for her to hear.  He shook his head and turned to his own tasks.

************************************************************

By the time Harry and Ginny descended the stairs, Oliver's chilli con carne was emitting a delicious fragrance, driving everyone mad with hunger.  Ron and Hermione had already arrived and were laughing together with George over glasses of good red wine.  A murmur of approval met Ginny's entrance into the kitchen, and she coped admirably with their careful treatment of her until George tried to insist she sat down on the sofa.

"Oh, for goodness sake, George, I'm scarcely an invalid." She protested, "The medics have pronounced me fit in body, so if I want to stand up, I will!"  This prompted a good deal of relieved laughter, only diverted by the rather cautious and embarrassed arrival of Lee and Ellen, still hand in hand.

"Uh, Hi!" stammered Lee, trying to look as though he were somewhere else.

"Lee!" exclaimed Fred, advancing on his friend with a beaming smile.  Lee winced visibly, which only served to crank Fred's grin up a further notch.

"Lee, I couldn't be more delighted!" he began, handing the couple a glass each, "Wonderful to see you're finally abandoning your vow of celibacy!"

"Fred!" Lee hissed, kicking him discreetly in the shins and missing.

"Sorry, Lee?" Fred turned a mock-concerned look on him, "Did I miss something?"  Ellen turned to her friend and sometime professional colleague with a bright smile.

"Fred, you've been missing something since day one." she began, "Like a brain."  Fred's lips twitched.

"Is this the way you speak to your superior?"  Ellen's smile widened and she shook her head.

"My superior what?" she retorted, "I don't recall ever signing a contract with the Ministry, and you certainly aren't my superior in the world of finance – Merlin be praised for small mercies."

"What's that supposed to mean?"  She shrugged.

"Merely that if you were, my company'd be bankrupt inside a month."  Fred turned to the others then back to Lee.

"You can easily see why we never dated, can't you?"  Ellen burst into laughter and flung her arms around Fred.

"Idiot!" she told him, kissing his cheek lightly, "Now, let's get on with some serious socialising."  Pausing to take Lee's hand, she allowed him to draw her into the knot of people around the fireplace.

Harry was standing, his hand resting lightly on Ginny's shoulder.  Neither spoke, but they watched the others talking and laughing together and smiled at each other occasionally.  It really doesn't get any better than this Harry thought, feeling the warmth of Ginny's body under his hand, enjoying the banter and conversation between his closest friends.  Abruptly, the mood was interrupted by the roar of the doorknocker – evidently the caller did not know the password.  Fred darted into the hall, oblivious of the fact that he was merely a guest, and came back grinning from ear to ear with a very healthy and cheerful-looking Sirius!  Harry leaped to his feet and enveloped his Godfather in a bear hug.

"I thought you were going straight back to Mexico!" he said, happily.  Sirius shook his head and passed George a plastic bag which clinked pleasantly.

"I was originally," he admitted, "But I decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see your house and have dinner with all of you.  Fred and George extended the invitation – and I really didn't have to be asked twice.  Okay if I leave my broomstick in the hall cupboard?"  Harry just nodded, feeling that if he smiled much wider his face would split – who said it couldn't get any better?  It just had.

Oliver's chilli had been served, pronounced superb and promptly demolished, along with a mountain of fluffy white rice, a huge green salad and several baguettes.  Copious quantities of wine had been consumed, fruit and cheese were laid out on the table and Lee's collection of jazz CDs crammed into the stacker system and set on repeat.  The conversation had reached that quiet, leisurely stage when the soporific effects of good food, wine and company are just beginning to take their toll, although the occasional burst of laughter still broke through.  Hermione was looking out of the kitchen window into the garden.  From here it was just possible to make out an outline against the sky – the strange temple that had been the focus of their adventures over the summer.  She sighed: it seemed such a long time ago.  So much had happened in such a short space of time that she seemed barely to have come to terms with the changes in her own life.  Now it was October nearing November, and the leaves were falling red and gold from the beech trees in the garden of Harry's house, the nights were drawing in and it would soon be pleasant to have a wood fire in the kitchen grate.  She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up with a smile, knowing who it would be.  Ron slid his arms around her waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder.

"Thinking, 'Mione?" he asked casually.  She wrinkled her nose at him.

"Aren't I always?"  He chuckled, but did not reply, merely tightening his grip.  They were silent for a long while, then Ron gave a long sigh.

"You know," he began, "It really brings things home to you when people you love are in danger."  Hermione turned to face him.

"Were you really worried – out there in Mexico, I mean?"  He nodded gravely.

"It was sheer luck and a fair wind that we got out of that situation alive." He confided, "I've been doing a little digging.  Katia – or Lilith, whichever – is a pretty powerful adversary.  It was her overconfidence that did for her in the end, not any lack of power or ruthlessness.  I might never have seen the light of day again, and Harry could have been enslaved for good."  Hermoine shivered but did not interrupt.

"And Ginny." Ron raked a hand through his hair. "She was probably in more danger than we were, and no one knew.  She had nobody to advise or protect her.  I know about that enchantment, 'Mione, and it makes my blood boil that Draco Malfoy could even think about using it on her."

"Ron," she placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's over.  We're safe now and we'll cope with any aftermath.  And you're home with me once again – that's all that matters."  He pulled her against him and covered her lips with his own in a slow, tender kiss.

"Practical common sense." He said against her mouth, "One of the reasons I love you so very much."  She laughed and snuggled her head into his shoulder.

"And I love you too," she replied, breaking free and taking his hand, "As you very well know. Come on – let's get some cheese before it all disappears."

Fred, George, Sirius, Ginny and Harry were occupying the two sofas, with Lee and Ellen sharing one of the armchairs.  They were in the middle of a discussion about the future of the Ministry of Magic after Cornelius Fudge.  Sirius was absolutely delighted to hear of the showdown with Tantalus Brown.

"He blocked me on every angle." He complained, "I kept appealing for backup, he kept patronising me or ignoring me.  He had some kind of fixation about security and not alerting the Dark Side by too much activity.  I genuinely believe he's stupid rather than evil, but he certainly served Lucius Malfoy's purposes admirably, whichever he is."  He slapped his knees with the palms of his hands and rose to his feet.

"Sorry to break up the party, but I really have to make tracks." He said reluctantly, as though speaking of a taxi ride to Pimlico rather than a journey to the other side of the world.

"Are you Apparating or Porting?" asked Harry, also rising.

"Porting," replied Sirius, "But I have to take a broomstick ride to a station as I seem to have left my Key at home!" he smiled and said his farewells to the others, shaking hands and hugging the men and kissing Hermione and Ginny.  He held Ginny rather longer than the others and looked deeply into her eyes before bidding her farewell.  Harry accompanied him to the front door, fetching his broomstick from the hall cupboard.

"Well, Harry," Sirius said at last, "Don't forget to write, and do drop in if you happen to be doing any excavating or digging anywhere in Mexico."  Harry smiled and held up his hands in surrender.

"Oh, no!" he said, shaking his head vehemently, "I've had quite enough experience of Mexican forest to last me for some time yet, I can tell you!"  Sirius grinned then his face became serious.

"Harry," he began awkwardly, "You will – look after Ginny, won't you?  I mean, you won't give way to coercion from the Ministry to exploit her in any way, will you?"  Harry looked shocked.

"You think I would allow that?"  Sirius was shaking his head.

"No, Harry, I don't mean as an instrument to entrap Malfoy, although you may have to put up some resistance to that idea too.  No, I meant about this Mind-Bond."  He paused and stroked his unshaven chin thoughtfully. "You're going to come under a lot of pressure to develop this thing as a defensive, or even offensive, weapon – and soon.  Ginny's had a life-shattering experience.  She needs her confidence building again, slowly, bit by bit.  I've been talking to Arthur and Molly, and to the medics who took care of her.  She's damaged, Harry, and it will take time and patience to get her back to the Ginny we all know and love."  Harry stared into Sirius's face and nodded gravely.

"I'd guessed that much." He said quietly, "I should never have left her unprotected."  Sirius shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself, Harry, we were all at fault for failing to protect both of you.  If it hadn't been for Ron, the whole damn house of cards would have fallen on our heads."  The two men shared a moment of silence, then Harry asked a question that had been bothering him for a while.

"Sirius," he began, "About Lilith – or Katia as we knew her."  Sirius's head jerked up.

"What about her?"

"Well, you said you'd known her a long time." Harry continued, noticing the way his Godfather's eyes darkened in sadness, "I wondered, well, how."  Sirius sighed.

"It's a long story, Harry, with some pretty nasty bits in it – I'd really rather not go into it right now." He said with a grim smile, "She and I go way, way back, and it's not always comfortable to remember.  Frankly, in view of her past record, I'm surprised I've lived to tell the tale – but I digress.  I met her on a professional basis, but I've known her for much longer on a personal one.  I guess now I know what she is, the only resolution will be for us either to kill each other, or to die trying."  He was silent for a moment, staring into space, then abruptly he smiled.

"I'll tell you over a few beers sometime.  Hey, perhaps that'll persuade you to make a trip to Merida, huh?"  Harry smiled.

"Maybe, Sirius."  The two men shared a hug, slapping each others' backs, then Sirius picked up his broomstick and went out on to the drive.

"Cheers, Harry." he said, giving a final salute before kicking off from the ground.  It was a fine night, and Harry watched the starlit sky for a long time after Sirius had disappeared from view.

****************************************

Much later, someone else watched the sky, silent and still as the very air she breathed.  Ginny shivered in the night breeze as she stood on Harry's balcony, staring at the heavens, trying to find some sort of balance in their cold impersonal brightness.  She turned back into the bedroom and watched Harry sleeping, bathed in the light of the full moon.  He truly was beautiful: tumbling dark hair; sweeping black eyelashes; soft, sensuous mouth, now slack-jawed in sleep; smooth skin, dappled with moonlight; muscles rippling under the surface as he stirred and turned over.

Harry. she said silently.  He was dreaming, she could tell.  She wondered whether, given time, she would be able to join with him, even in sleep, and dream with him.  Restlessly, she looked back into the sky, wrapping her arms around her chest, hugging herself against the chill air and the future.

The evening had been warm, safe and full of laughter.  She had joined in as much as she could, but periods of abstraction would still intrude.  Harry tried hard not to notice, but it was an effort for him to keep her attention on any one thing for more than a moment.  She sighed: the medics had told her this would likely happen and that it would pass with time.  She and Harry had not been properly together since before Harry had departed for Mexico.  She winced at the memory of what had passed between them before he left, and firmly pushed the memories away into the back of her mind.  As soon as they were alone, the bedroom door closed behind them, Harry had taken her into his arms, his intentions clear.  Ginny had flinched, inevitably reliving Draco's assault on her, then she had fallen upon Harry, tearing at his clothes, trying to get inside his skin, almost devouring him with her intensity.  Harry had more than matched her passion, and she had known with bone-deep certainty that it would be over in moments for both of them.  But once all passion was spent, exhausted and consumed with worry and injury, Harry had slid effortlessly away from her into unconsciousness.  Having slept so many hours during the day, Ginny had been unable to follow him.

I feel disorientated. Her mind began analytically. I feel as though there's something I'm missing, something staring me in the face that I can't grasp.  I know it's an illusion – that what I'm feeling is reaction to trauma – but I can't put it aside.  I'm confused, afraid, I've lost all my self-assurance and all my professional confidence.  I feel as though I can't trust anybody any more – even Harry.  I feel as though I'm to blame for all that has happened, everything.  A single tear rolled slowly down her cheek unchecked.

Silently, she glided over to the dressing table and rummaged quietly in her handbag.  Finding what she was searching for, she returned to the balcony to examine the object in the light of the moon.  It was a single rosebud, still fresh and moist, even without water.  She suspected it to be under a Slo-time charm and wondered how much longer it would last.  This was the object she had found on her pillow when the Stun hex had worn off, the talisman Draco had left for her, as a peace offering.  Most unlike him, she thought, in either of his personae, to be sentimental, particularly over a woman who had destroyed a carefully-laid master plan.  She studied the flower once again, noting the beauty of its shape.  She shrugged: typical of Draco/Marcus to have coloured it totally black.

Looking back out into the night, she wondered what had happened to Draco.  Whether he had been punished for his failure to entrap her, or whether he had managed to talk his way out of it.  She wondered where he was now and who he was with, whether he thought about her at all, or whether he had dismissed her out of hand as soon as he ceased to be Marcus Torrence.  She wondered whether he too was watching the stars this clear, cold night and whether she would ever be free of the memories of that almost-time in his bed.  In pain and confusion, she let the recollections wash over her.  How she had known him for who and what he was – the boy she had loathed and despised at school, whose father had been responsible for much trouble and misery in her life, who along with his friends had teased and tormented her family until she had wanted to scream at him and hex him into the ground.  Okay, so he was all grown up and gorgeous, but still a dark wizard, still wholly evil.  And she hadn't cared.  What did it signify that she had been under an enchantment?  That didn't change her feelings or her memories.  Ginny's shoulders hunched reflexively and she cried, silently and in agony.

A while later, when the moon had sunk low over the horizon, Ginny had closed the balcony door and gone down to the kitchen to make a drink.  Hunched over the simmering kettle, hugging herself for warmth, she was startled to hear a low salutation.  She looked up to see Fred padding into the kitchen, barefoot, tousle-haired and yawning.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" she demanded.  He shrugged.

"Study sofa's really uncomfortable." He told her, "Lee wouldn't let me use the room adjoining Ellen's.  I don't think he trusts me."  The last statement was made in a very aggrieved tone.  Ginny gave a small chuckle.

"I daresay he has his reasons." She replied, sounding rather more like her old self.  Fred gave her a searching look.

"What about you?"  She shrugged.

"Oh, I slept too much during the day." She explained, rubbing her temples. "Tea or coffee?"  Fred just continued to look at her enquiringly.  She dropped her gaze.

"And the memories keep, well, jumping out at me."  Fred nodded and took the kettle out of her shaking hand.  Silently, he made a pot of tea, for once not using his wand, and poured out two steaming mugs.  Handing one to his sister, he gestured to the sofa.  Once there, he took a long pull at the mug and settled it on the coffee table.

"When I was training," he began, steepling his fingers, "I did a study into the effects of torture on victims – notably the Cruciatus curse, of course, but also cruder more physical methods.  Lamentably, there is a great deal of study material to be had in this world."  His mouth set in a grim line.

"There are many conclusions to be drawn from such a study," he continued, "But one fact stays with me more than all the others – torture is a no-win situation for the victim.  If he or she resists, the pain and suffering can be more than the human frame can bear, and madness inevitably results."  Ginny looked at him.

"Neville Longbottom's parents." She replied.  Fred nodded in assent.

"A case in point," He agreed, "But even if the victim capitulates and gives the torturer what he wants, he/she is psychologically damaged by the experience."  He noted she was giving him her full, wide-eyed attention.  He leaned forward.

"Ginny, Malfoy forced you to obey his will.  That in itself is a form of torture."  Fred held her eyes in a steady gaze while his words continued, gently and inexorably.

"You didn't go to his bed willingly, despite everything your mind is telling you to the contrary - he compelled you to submit to him.  You did nothing to lead him on – he went to a great deal of trouble to lead you on.  There is no way on this earth you could have known in advance either who he was or what he had planned for you.  Try to remember those things when the demons come and make it unbearable to remember."  He smiled tenderly at his young sister, his heart breaking at her vulnerability.  Ginny's eyes filled with tears.

"Fred," she croaked, "I keep reliving it.  I keep … Harry …"  Fred gathered her into his arms.

"I know you didn't tell us at exactly what point in the proceedings Malfoy decided he wasn't going through with it." He said as gently as he could.  She looked up at him with suddenly frightened eyes, shaking her head.

"Harry … I can't tell … he didn't …"  Fred stroked her hair.

"Hush." He told her, "I'm not asking you to tell me that, although it would help you eventually if you could tell Harry." he ignored her frantic negative to that idea. "All I'm saying is that not only did you do nothing of your own free will, you remained totally faithful to Harry in every way.  Please believe me when I tell you that, because it is nothing but the truth."  He paused to let that sink in, then began again.

"If, however, you find yourself wondering about Malfoy, picturing what it would have been like to make love with him – forgive me, Ginny, I need to say this to you – then please rest assured that this, too, is another well-recognised effect of torture.  The adulation of the torturer by the victim."  Ginny stared at her brother as though she had never seen him before in her life, then she took a deep shaky breath.

"You're telling me I didn't ask for it?"  He shook his head solemnly. "I wasn't responsible, even though I pursued him without backup?"  Fred took her hand in his.

"No one but you knew there was anything to worry about," he told her, choosing his words carefully, "And even if you had contacted the Ministry, Tantalus Brown would have dismissed you as a hysterical female crying for attention.  Ginny, you're strong enough to get over this.  In time, the memories will be less sharp, less immediate.  Believe me, you can get through it.  You're a Weasley – we're made of tough stuff."  Ginny chuckled weakly through her tears, then leaned her head on Fred's shoulder and closed her eyes.  Presently, her breathing slowed and he realised that she had fallen into a deep, natural sleep.  He remained still for a long moment, reluctant to risk disturbing her, but suddenly is eyes moved over to the kitchen door, detecting a movement there.  Squinting, he saw Harry hovering uncertainly on the threshold and shook his head gently.

"Let her sleep here." he whispered, "She'll be alright."  Harry nodded almost imperceptibly.

"She will be." His voice carried faintly over to the sofa, to where Ginny stirred and smiled in her sleep.

"We both will be."

FINIS

I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this one out.  Although I knew what I wanted to say, finding the time to say it has been impossible.  Never fear, I haven't finished with the gang yet.  There's enough left hanging here to get at least one more story out of them before I let them live happily ever after.  Cheers!