A/N: Hey all, sorry for taking so long. One, I've been a bit stuck on this chapter and two, my beta decided to use some time. J/k...her computer got a bit lazy over the holidays. Anyways, here's the chapter ten. I have to admit, it's a bit twisted, but you have to consider that it's a lot for someone who's been stuck on this chapter for days. Read and reviw. I hope it's something you'll like. If away and change my identity OMG runs back HBP coming out July 16th!!!!

Disclaimer: You and I both know that everything belong to J.K. Rowling so you can't give me or you the credit.

Chapter Ten

After what Harry told her, Ginny left him to himself for a while. The first snow of the season fell down and as days pass, the Christmas spirit was rounding the corner once again. Only a few days until Christmas and Ginny haven't finished her list yet. She still needed a gift for Ron and Hermione. And of course, Harry.

"I'm going to Diagon Alley," she announced.

Hermione poked her head through Ron's room. "Can we come?" she asked. Ginny could hear a groan from Ron. Hermione ignored that. "We didn't finish our Christmas list either."

Ginny smiled. "Sure."

Hermione came out of Ron's room, dragging him with her. "Mione," he grumbled, "We just went yesterday."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Men. No matter how you bribe them, they will not go shopping with you."

Ginny giggled. "Are you sure that's all men, or just Ron?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. But from what I can tell, Weasley men grumbled every time someone drags them to buy stuff."

"Yes, did you see Fred last week?" asked Ginny, as they went out the door. "Angelina nearly had to put him in chains just to get him to the stores."

"Hurry up, Ron!" Hermione called.

Ron dragged his feet into the yard. "Why do I have to get stuck with you two?" he asked miserably.

Hermione grabbed his arm. She winked at Ginny. "Watch your words, Ronald Weasley. You're going to be stuck with me for the rest of your life."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Bloody lucky of me, don't you think? So where are we going? Paris? Venice? Milan?"

Ginny looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Who do you think I am?"

Ron looked at her in confusion.

"We're going to London, Ron," said Hermione. Ron nodded. They Disapparated and met each other again in Diagon Alley.

Ginny turned to them. "Okay, I have to buy presents, so I'll meet you both here in…say two hours?"

Ron and Hermione nodded. "Sure."

"Now, kids, don't get lost," joked Ginny.

Hermione scowled at her.

Ginny quickly went off. She went into an art supply shop and searched around for something that would suit Hermione. She ended up getting Hermione a deluxe stationary. She went over to the Quidditch supplies shop and bought Ron a book on all the games that England played in. Now for the hard part - Harry's gift. Ginny stood in front of the café, thinking about what to get Harry.

Think, Ginny, what did Harry always wanted? Ginny's mind began listing all sort of things. A family, rid of Voldemort, happiness…why is he so complex? What present would he want? Ginny chewed her tongue as she thought through all the ideas. Ginny gave an annoyed sigh and walked along the shops. Her legs suddenly stopped in front of an antique shop. Her eyes shone with happiness as she spotted something that Harry might want to get.

Ginny waited patiently near Gringotts for Ron and Hermione. She hummed to herself and kept glancing down at the present she bought for Harry. Ron and Hermione came up the steps, each have a hot cup of coffee in their hands.

"Enjoy yourselves?" asked Ginny.

Ron rolled his eyes. "She dragged me into a bookstore for an hour! I don't know what she was reading. Then she dragged me to the robes shop."

Ginny raised an eyebrow at Ron's latte in his hand. "It looks as if you got something out of it."

Ron grinned. "The coffee was the only good thing."

Hermione sniffed. "Well, excuse me for being a horrible person to you." Ron tapped her on the face and brushed by her lips with his lightly.

Hermione flushed. "We're in public Ron."

"That never stopped you two before," said Ginny.

Ron looked at her. "Are you sure that's us and not you?" He asked hotly.

"Someone's in denial," said Ginny. "I got everything. So, do you want to go home now?"

"No, Ginny, we want to go to Milan," said Ron, sarcastically.

Ginny sighed. "What's with you and Milan? Be careful, Hermione, that might be your honeymoon city." Hermione and Ginny burst into laughter, leaving Ron annoyed.

Ron swirled his coffee cup around. "I wonder what Harry's doing for Christmas."

Hermione put her arm around his waist. "Do you think he wants to come for dinner?"

"I doubt it." Ron glanced at Ginny. "You went and bought him a present, right?"

Ginny jumped. "What makes you say that?"

Ron looked at her strangely. "From what I can tell, Gin, you know where he's been and you're hiding it out."

"I am not!" snapped Ginny, fiercely.

Ron shook his head. "Nope. You know you're a horrible liar when it comes to these things. What do you think Hermione?"

"If Ginny says she doesn't know, then I doubt she knows," said Hermione, calmly. "Leave her alone. Don't you have work this afternoon, Gin?"

Ginny glanced at her watch and nodded. "Yeah. I'm five minutes late, but whatever."

"Won't Vines be after your head?" asked Ron.

Ginny scowled. "What about you?"

"I have today off, for your information."

"Aren't you lucky," said Ginny dryly. "Well, then I guess I have to go. Now, kids, don't get into fights over stupid things like how are snowflakes formed."

Hermione and Ron scowled at Ginny, who waved cheerily and Disapparated.

"You're late, Weasley," said Tim as Ginny walked into her cubicle.

Ginny jumped. "Oh, sorry, Tim. I was just finishing my Christmas list."

"Did you put me on that list of yours?"

"Yes," said Ginny, nodding. "And here it is." She handed him a scroll.

Tim laughed. "Very good. Do you still have that blue folder I gave you?"

Ginny frowned. "The one with Harry's profile on it?" Tim nodded. Ginny hesitated, but she opened her drawer and handed it over to him. "Why do you need it?"

Tim didn't reply, but walked off. Ginny frowned after him.

"Hey, Ginny."

Ginny saw Neville's head popping into her cubicle. "Hey, Neville, what's up?"

Neville shrugged. "Well…nothing. Except…do you know what Luna would like for Christmas?"

"A ring?" suggested Ginny. "I wished I would've suggested that to Ron."

Neville smiled. "Thanks."

"Oh, Neville," called Ginny. Neville turned around. "Do you think you and Luna could join us for a Christmas dinner?"

Neville smiled. "I'll ask her, but we'll be delighted to come. Tell Ron to be ready for a game of chess."

"I will."

Neville walked to his own office area. Ginny rummaged through her desk. She took out a parchment and dipped her quill in the ink. As she placed her quill on the parchment, a drop of ink came down. She stared at the blot of ink.

"What am I going to write to him?" She asked herself. She used the quill to scratch her chin. "This is too hard. What will I say?"

"Why don't you say that you have work to do and you can't exchange more love letters to him because you're at work?" asked Tim.

Ginny jumped. "Tim! What are you-I mean…"

"No more love letters. Leave that boyfriend of yours to wait. All work must be finished before Christmas or you'll be working until Christmas Eve."

Ginny blinked. "What work?"

"Well…the work of completing your assignment. Don't you know about the Underground System?"

Ginny nodded.

The "Underground System" was a group of rebel against the Ministry. Where they had appeared from, nobody knew. Whether they a part of Voldemort's inner circle, no one knew either.

"You're giving me this assignment?" asked Ginny skeptically.

Tim nodded. "Of course. After what you accomplished with Voldemort, I feel that you're ready for this. And you won't have to write reports until we finish this assignment." He handed her a parchment and nodded. "And that parchment is to be read, not to be written on." He went back into his office.

Ginny picked up the parchment and read through it. "What?" She asked herself softly. She shook her head and stood up. "Bye, Neville," she called as she walked out. Neville waved and returned to his work.

After a whole day of walking around and doing nothing except looking around London, Ginny got bored. She returned back to the office and handed the parchment back to Tim.

"Finished, although I don't think they would show their faces around Christmastime."

Tim frowned. "Never underestimate them. Have a good holiday, Weasley."

"What do you mean?" asked Ginny.

Tim smiled. "You get the holidays off. It's only three days until Christmas."

"Thanks, Tim," said Ginny. "Oh…what did you want Harry's portfolio for?"

"Purposes," said Tim.

Ginny just nodded and left.

- -

"Morning, Ginny!" Hermione said happily as Ginny entered. The Weasley and friends were filing into the living room.

Ginny grinned. "Happy Christmas," she said, and sat down next to Ron. "Where's everyone else?"

"Bill went to Fleur's family and Charlie went to Faith's this year, remember?" He said through a mouthful of chocolate.

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Close your mouth, dear."

Fred shrugged. "So?"

George sighed. "Finally you came down. Now we can open our presents."

Mrs. Weasley scowled at him. Ron was the first one that began ripping through his presents. Everyone else did the same. Ginny had received a Gift Card from the twins for their shop, a book about Atlantis from Hermione and Ron (she didn't think Ron had any choice in this), a pack of candy from her parents, a bracelet from Bill and Fleur, and a small dragon pin from Charlie and Faith.

"Ginny, you have one more gift," said Hermione, picking up a perfectly wrapped parcel.

Ginny frowned. "Who would give me this?" She flipped it back and forth for a name. "There's no name."

Ron sighed. "What do you think, Hermione? Could it be another mad murderer?"

Hermione scowled. "Ron that was a long time ago," she said.

"But, still, it was funny."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Opened it, Ginny," said Hermione. Ginny carefully opened the parcel. There was a box inside.

"A box?" asked Ron.

"There's something in the box," said Hermione. "Gosh, Ron, be more bright."

Ginny opened the box and inside was a snowflake pendant made of silver and crystalline.

Ron whistled. "Who gave you that?"

Hermione frowned at him. "She did say no name, didn't she?"

"Oh yeah."

Ginny held up the pendant.

"It's beautiful, Ginny," said Angelina, admiring it.

Ginny nodded. "Yeah." She looked around the box for any note or anything else. Hermione gasped.

"Ginny, flip it to the back." Ginny flipped the pendant over and in tiny engravings were two words: Thank you.

"What's the point of a pendant with out a necklace?" asked Ron.

Ginny smiled to herself. "Good enough." She stood up. "Listen, I have a Christmas present to deliver." She went upstairs. No one in the family even came to consider questioning her. They were too busy eating the chocolate and examining their candy.

Ginny grabbed the parcel from her room and Disapparated. She landed in a wide field of snow. Ginny cursed silently to herself. She tried Disapparating again. This time, it brought her to the right place. She knocked on the door.

It wasn't Harry who opened the door, but Apollo who was flying by it. Miss Weasley, Happy Christmas.

"You too, Apollo," said Ginny. "Can I ask you a question?" Apollo nodded his head. "How do I understand what you're saying?"

They can understand me if they know me well enough. And if I let them.

Ginny nodded. She followed Apollo into the house. Apollo turned the corner and went down another hallway. Ginny followed curiously, until Apollo stopped at a door. If you're looking for him, he's in here.

"Thanks," said Ginny.

She opened the door slowly. Inside was a large circular well-lit room. She looked around and saw Harry walking around the edge of the circle, making a line around with circle with something he was holding. Ginny looked carefully and she saw that it was a sword. It was a very familiar sword too. It took Ginny some time to notice that it was Godric Gryffindor's sword, the same one that she saw in the Chamber. She stood there staring at him until his eyes suddenly met hers.

She jumped. "Happy Christmas, Harry," she said.

Harry walked over to her, dragging the sword behind him, making a long line on the floor. Ginny saw that his face was a bit red and there were several beads of sweat rolling down.

"Happy Christmas," said Harry calmly. "What are you doing here?"

Ginny fished in her pocket for the parcel. She handed to Harry.

"What is this?" He asked.

"A Christmas present, Harry, what did you think?" asked Ginny.

Harry stabbed the sword to the floor and opened the parcel. His eyes grew wide as he saw it. It was a crystalline figure of a stag, the same one that Remus had given him. He looked at Ginny.

"Th-thank you," he said, surprised.

Ginny smiled. "It's nothing. Thanks for giving me the snowflake."

Harry frowned. "What are you talking about? I didn't give you a snowflake. What snowflake?"

"The pendant," said Ginny. She fingered her necklace and pulled it out. "Here see?"

Harry looked at the little snowflake. Ginny saw his green eyes flickering violently.

"Apollo…" called Harry. "Can you come and see this?" Apollo swooped over. "Didn't we see this snowflake somewhere yesterday?"

It looks familiar. It's that same one that was said to be the symbol of Macabre, right?

"What?" asked Ginny. "You mean that this pendant isn't from you?"

Harry shook his head. "No."

Ginny stared at him, as if almost expecting him to laugh and said that he was joking. "You're serious?"

"Ginny, if I want to buy something like this for someone, I would buy it with a necklace. Let me see that."

Ginny took off the necklace and handed it to Harry. He stared at it carefully. He flipped to the back. "What does thank you mean?"

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know. I thought it was from you."

Suddenly the snowflake turned black. Apollo let out a cry and his color changed to scarlet red. Harry picked up his sword.

"Let's go," he said to her.

Ginny ran after him quickly. Harry flung the front door opened and Ginny saw five people standing in front of the door, four clad in black, one in white.

"Disapparate from here, now," Harry told her sharply.

"No," said Ginny, firmly. "I made one mistake once and I won't do it again."

Harry stared at her in frustration. He turned his attention back to the figures. "Who are you?" He asked. The only person wearing white stepped forward.

"You know who we are," he said in an icy tone.

Harry grimaced. "Really? Well, I should return something back to you." Harry threw the black snowflake at the man. The man raised his hand and caught it.

"His Highness really did a great job on this," he said, throwing the snowflake up and down. "Well…thank you Miss Weasley. I think our majesty have already told you that."

"What do you want?" asked Harry.

"His Highness would like a word with you, Mr. Potter," said the man.

"And who are you?"

The man laughed. "Very well on guard. I'm Atyn, his majesty's right hand."

"Well…then who is your majesty to begin with?"

"Macabre," answered Atyn.

Harry smirked. "One thing different from Voldemort. You're allowed to say his name."

Atyn didn't look too amused. "If you follow me, Mr. Potter, his royal highness is waiting. Miss Weasley, you're wanted as well."

"What does she has to do with this?" asked Harry quickly. "Macabre only has problems with me."

Atyn stared at Harry, half amused. "Miss Weasley has a very good contribution to this, so of course he would want to see her. Follow me. And don't try to use that sword on me Mr. Potter, I'm older than what I look like."

Harry glanced at Apollo. "Watch the place," he said. "Be careful."

The scarlet phoenix nodded. Harry followed the group carefully. He felt Ginny's hand brushing his. Harry frowned as the two people in front of them disappeared.

"It's just a portal," said Atyn.

Harry stared at him carefully and then kept on walking. Something pulled Harry through. He nearly fell over, but kept his balance. Ginny came out right after him, almost stumbling. She stared around. They were inside a dome made of crystal. The floor below them was made of shiny black marble. The five men came out and stood in front of them.

Atyn nodded. "Please wait."

Ginny shifted uneasily through the silence. All five of the men were standing still, as if they were guards. Their feet were apart, their hands behind their back. They were staring at Harry and Ginny as if they were examining their every move. Somehow, this setting made Ginny believe she was back in the Chamber again. Ginny jumped against Harry as a sound of bells were heard.

"Don't worry," whispered Harry, but he was staring at the five people instead of looking at Ginny. Ginny was wondering why he didn't divert his gaze.

A figure appeared. The five men turned around and bowed. "You highness," they said. Ginny looked carefully at the person that they were greeting. The man had snow-white hair and piercing green-blue eyes. He was clad in a dark blue cloak of very old fashion. He walked toward them. As he walked by, the five men separated to two on each side and Atyn walked behind him.

Ginny watched as his eyebrows furrowed together and then observed Harry carefully. Ginny looked at Harry. His eyes were set hard on the man. Ginny had an idea that the man was Macabre himself. The elderly man was about as tall as Harry himself, who was towering around six foot four. Ginny frowned. For a man who was suppose to be really old, there were barely wrinkles upon his face and his body structure showed that he was in good physical condition.

"Harry Potter," he said. He extended his hand. Harry didn't take it. "That's all right. I understand. You might know me already, Mr. Potter, from all the research you've been doing. Is it going well? I think this might help you with something that no one ever wrote in those books and whatnot."

"What do you want, Macabre?" asked Harry coldly.

The man smiled amused. "Don't call me Macabre, Harry, it just makes me sound so vicious. I prefer that you call me Mr. Naevairs or Alexander." He paused. "Actually, I prefer Alexander, since we're family and all-"

"What?" asked Harry quickly.

The amused smile on Naevairs's face broadened. "All those work and not a single book. I told you I can help you with something that those books and whatnot tell you. Who would've thought? Our family…reunited on Christmas."

"To me, you are talking in broken sentences," said Harry.

Naevairs turned to his guards. "It's very rude to leave people waiting on their feet. I have a very long story to tell." Two chairs appeared behind Ginny and Harry. "Sit." Ginny looked at Harry uneasily. She was surprised when she saw him sitting down. She sat down next to him.

"You have a question for me, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny jumped. She didn't know what he was talking about, until he reviewed her thoughts. "What?" She asked, although she knew what he was talking about.

"You were wonder why I chose you to be the person to lead me to Harry. Well…I figured that you're the only person Harry trusts besides the phoenix. So what better to do then use you? I deeply apologize for the fact that yes, I was using you. But I did say thank you. And I'm very sorry that the thing turned black. Worthless piece of thing, but as you may know, or now you will know, that my magic and Harry's magic don't exactly mixed. See that sword of his? If I touch that, I'll get myself hurt, not deadly, but still. And if he touches any of my magical creations, he gets hurt, and again, not deadly. Now that we get that all cleared up…what was I saying? Oh, yes…the whole family matter. Do you know about your mother's side of the family much Harry?"

"Except from the fact that she has a strange sister and is a Muggle born? No," replied Harry. "Why do you ask?"

"I say that you know nothing of your mother's side of the family."

"You think?" asked Harry satirically.

Naevairs walked around the room. "Your mother, Harry, was my granddaughter."

Harry sat there, dumbstruck. He stood up quickly. "What? Are you…you must be way over your head! My mother is Muggle born."

Naevairs tapped the wall. "That's what they think. You see…your grandfather…my own son was afraid of me. Strange too…do you know what makes me so frightening?" He tilted his head to one side as he asked the question. "I didn't know I was frightened."

"You sure proved that wrong by giving yourself the nickname, Macabre," said Ginny.

Naevairs laughed. "You got me there. But I just made that up to scare people, not to make people scared."

"You just contradicted yourself right there," said Harry.

"I don't know how you can call yourself a Potter. Going back to my story, my son thought that I was getting out of control. So he and his wife left the wizarding world. Changed their surname, so no one would know. Baffled me for quite a while too. I didn't figure it out until their first-born had her first birthday. I wasn't invited. They called her Petunia, but I call her Petty and that's how she came to be. Just another normal person, no magic. Nothing."

"She was suppose to have magic, wasn't she?" asked Harry.

"Yes and no. You can call her a Squib if you want to, but she never showed magic in the first place. There was no sense of magic in her. She grew up as a normal girl, with no sense of what blood she had in her. Now, when she was three however, came her sister, Lily. Your mother, Harry. Unlike Petty, Lily showed magical powers when she was but a month old. She kept showing powers and her parents were getting afraid. They thought that I might come and go after her if it kept going that way. They kept moving until when Lily was eleven; when she was accepted into Hogwarts. To my surprised, who but Albus Dumbledore was her headmaster."

"You killed his parents," said Harry firmly.

Naevairs chuckled. "Anyways…as you may know, no one knew I was still alive except my most trusted advisors and of course, my only living family members. But then, they hid it from their children. It wasn't until Lily's third year that I met her. She looked so much like myself and her father. Red hair, green eyes, and a spitfire. I think it was at Hogsmeade that I met her - during Christmastime too. Strange, eh? She was throwing snowballs at a few boys. One of them turned out to be her husband. She was outnumbered, so I helped her out.

"I remember her laughing as the boys ran away. She thanked me for helping her. She asked who I was and I told her I was her grandfather. She said her grandfather died years and years ago. Some story my son or his wife cooked up, but I have no idea on that. I told her that I wasn't dead and she was forbidden to tell anyone that. She asked me a few questions to reassure her. She was a very smart girl. She finally trusted me. It was her fifth year, I think, that I taught her the magic that she was suppose to learn, being a Naevairs and all."

He paused to examine Harry's face. "Don't worry. I taught her none of the magic that I learned myself. I only taught her the traditional magic that she was supposed to learn. When she graduated Hogwarts, she had learned everything she needed to know. Strange how things work. She married her enemy in school. After a month of their wedding, my son and his wife died. Riddle came and blasted them to bits. My son didn't even consider using his powers. Then Riddle came along and there goes my granddaughter." Naevairs sighed.

"Are you expecting me to believe everything you're saying?" asked Harry.

"You can answer that when I'm finished," said Naevairs firmly. "I advised her to bring her family here, but she wouldn't. She said that she had trust in the people that were helping her. I knew that it was true. She trusted them very much. I gave her an advice. I told her if anything happened, she could use her special magic to get herself out of there. She agreed. She and James chose their secret keeper. I have some connection in my mind that she told James about me and if something would to happen, I would be there to help. Well, Fidelius Charm was done and everything was in order. I couldn't find her anymore after that. Then days later, Atyn came and told me the news. Lily and James Potter were dead except their son, Harry Potter; the Boy-Who-Lived. The world was celebrating. I was mourning. The world was drinking for joy. I was drinking for pain. My only granddaughter – killed - by a mere idiot whose magical abilities could not compare to hers."

"If she trusted you so much and you knew how she felt, then why did you leave me with the muggles?" asked Harry questionably.

"Smart question. But you must know…the barrier around Petty's house is very strong. I can't get in there. I soon stopped trying and then began figuring out why you're alive and my granddaughter died. It took me quite a long time, but I soon found out. Not only because her magic was light and her love for her children was stronger than any magic in the world, she transferred all of her magic to you. Unfortunately, so did Riddle. That was the reason why you didn't show and magical abilities of the family in the first place, but showed Riddle's powers. You can speak Parseltongue, true? Slightly not something I had anticipated for an eleven year old, but still very good. And so that concludes my story."

Harry stared at Naevairs carefully. "I don't believe you."

"You don't?" asked Naevairs. "Well, then why don't you try this. Take the word Naevairs, take out 'air' and scramble the others around and you'll get Evans."

Harry scowled. "Okay. But…" He frowned. "Dumbledore said that it was against my parents' wishes to tell me about you. So how can you say my Mum actually trusts you?"

"Because Dumbledore still believes that Lily Evans Potter knows nothing of me except the myth that I was a cruel, horrible human being. Dumbledore, of course, knows that she was my granddaughter; he was one of the few who knows. Lily went with it and said that she wants you to know nothing to me. It's rather complicated."

"I can't accept this story to be true," said Harry. "It's against everything."

Naevairs sighed. "It's your decision not mine."

Harry frowned. "If you're such a good person to my Mum, then whey did you become Voldemort's ally."

Naevairs chuckled. "There's the mind of two powerful families put together, Miss Weasley, don't you think? Yes, about Riddle and our little bargain. I told him that if he can successfully kill of Harry Potter, I would teach him the Naevairs' magic and my own magic."

"You knew he wouldn't succeed. That's why you made that bargain," said Harry.

"So you can read my mind," said Naevairs. "True. I wanted to kill him off the moment I saw him. The moment he found me. He killed my granddaughter. But then I thought: why should I kill him off? It would be too easy for him. Why don't I just mess with his mind for a while and let the person that hates him more than me kill him off? It was such a good plan. I toyed with his mind a few times. Then he told me he was the one that put Harry Potter into Azkaban and his servant Wormtail was the one that came up with the idea. That triggered a memory - that name. Wormtail. Pettigrew. The one that led my granddaughter to her death. Did you have a fun time torturing him, Atyn?"

"Yes, sir," said Atyn.

"A year later, Harry, you broke free, more powerful than before. I don't know how that happened, and I rather refrain myself from asking. Then you killed Riddle. I thought it was too merciful, since he died a painless death. After killing Riddle, you disappeared from sight. I don't know where you went. I searched, but I got nowhere. Then I thought of Miss Weasley and we're here right now today talking about this. Should I start the story again to continue the cycle?"

"Once is enough," said Harry grimly. "I still don't believe anything you say."

"I don't expect you to be so easy to convince. You're stubborn. Now, that's one thing out of the way and another thing comes. I was wondering, Harry, if you would like to join my side."

"In doing what?" asked Harry coldly. "Murdering people?"

"Oh no. Just throwing off the Ministry and starting a new government…I rather have one that does not have a Minister that deals with bribery and the black market."

Harry grimaced. "You think it's easy?"

"I think it's terribly easy since most of the people in the community are disapproving of the work they're doing, don't you agree? Dumbledore has his Order, I have mine, and we all work against the Ministry."

"How do you know about…"

"I know."

"Well…I just think that you're both doing different things. Dumbledore's Order is working against Dark wizards like you, and you are working to overthrow the Ministry."

Naevairs laughed. "Who told you I was a dark wizard? I'm in between."

"Listen, I don't care what you say. I don't belong in any Order. I'm on my own," said Harry.

"Strange thing betrayal can do to your heart. Horrible. Are you sure?"

"Yes," said Harry.

Naevairs sighed. "Fine, fine. You can go now, I guess."

Harry stepped forward. "Wait. You haven't answered my question." Naevairs raised his eyebrows. Harry continued. "I asked you in a form of a statement."

"Did I kill Dumbledore's parents?"

"Yes."

"Appearance can be deceiving, Harry. Appearance can be deceiving. I will give you a question to consider. What do I have to gain in killing Albus' parents?"

"You wanted those who stand in your ways to be dead," replied Harry.

"No…you have to think that I was the King. What difference will it make if some Royal advisors stand in the way? Oh, did I mention that his parents were my Royal advisors? I didn't. Yes, they were. They were my father's Royal advisors as well. I don't think I want to kill them. One, it would put me less two advisors, which can damage the Wizarding World here. Two, it would put me less two teachers. So I have nothing to gain, but everything to lose if I kill his parents. So why would I? Consider that. And do you have any other questions?"

"This magic that you study and create," said Harry, slowly. "You kill people and then use their blood to create this form of ancient magic, right?"

Naevairs laughed. "Now where in the world did you get that from? Are you sure that's me and not some other lunatic like Riddle? I'm human, Harry, not a vampire. And…our family forbids us to use that type of forbidden magic. I uphold my position and my family honor. Your last question?"

Harry hesitated. "How…how did you stay alive?"

"Now…I won't give that answer away, will I? Time's up, Harry. You and Miss Weasley can go. If I call you again next time, I will give you a better welcome and better stories. It's almost the whole day, Miss Weasley. Your family is really worried. Harry, you have a Christmas dinner to go to, so don't be late."

"What?" asked Harry. "No…I don't think…"

"I can see lies perfectly. Just forgive and forget, Harry. That's what I did. They create the lies, I forgive and forget and now I'm here. Have a Happy Christmas, both of you." With that, he disappeared.

Ginny stood up. "He doesn't sound like a Macabre person."

"Like he said," said Harry, "Appearance can be deceiving."

Atyn came forward. "Have a nice holidays, Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter."

Harry and Ginny felt themselves being pulled back. Ginny landed on the ground while Harry stood next to her.

"It took the whole day?" She asked. "I could've sworn it was shorter than that. Where are we?" She looked around. "Oh…the Burrow." She glanced at Harry. "Do you want to come in for a Christmas dinner?"

"No," said Harry. "I rather not."

"Don't be such a sissy," said Ginny. Harry glared at her. Ginny smiled. "Don't worry. I promise it'll be like you're not even there. Promise."

"Wait," said Harry. He tapped his sword twice and it disappeared. Ginny watched as he pulled something out of his pocket. "Here." He handed her a box.

Ginny flipped it open and saw a necklace of silver. The pendant was a silver phoenix with a white stone eye.

"Thank-thank you," said Ginny. "Are you sure you're the one giving me this?"

"It has a necklace on it, doesn't it?"

Ginny nodded.

"Then it's my gift to you."

Ginny smiled. "Thank you, Harry. So…are you coming?"

Harry faltered a bit. "I don't think…"

"Oh, don't worry. As I said before…they won't even consider you're there." Before Harry could answer, he let Ginny pull himself into the Burrow. What his mind was thinking, he had no idea. But he had a good idea that the redhead he once loved was holding his hand. Should he rephrase that? Once loved or still? Ginny opened the door and the warmth from the inside escaped to the outside.

"Ginny's home!" cried a familiar voice loudly.

"Oh my goodness, I was so worried!" cried another voice, which was much more older.

Ginny smiled up at Harry. His face was a bit hard to decipher, but Ginny knew if this goes well, she'd have her Christmas wish.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed. I know that this might not be what you anticipated, but hey, a writer's got her ups and downs. Your comments, your opinions, my story. However, I love criticisms...they give me some sense. Thank you!! )