AN
thanks for all your wonderful reviews! I am overjoyed by all your support.

I'm going to make this explanation short. I'm going to Florida for one month (leaving Sunday) to work for a friend of my dad's. During that time, I will be unable to access the internet. On the bright side, I will be using my sister's laptop to type up several chapters while I'm gone, so expect some quick updates the minute I get back March 2nd. I hope you all leave lots of wonderful reviews for me to read when I get back!

On a more chapter related note, I hope you like this one too. I made some assumptions regarding Oxford Street, having never been there myself. Hope it's not a problem.

thanks once more to my wonderful co-writer (who does no actual writing but a lot of thinking) JC-S, and my stupendous beta, Yavinbase.

Disclaimer: see prologue

Chapter 2

Shopping, Escape, and Rescue

Harry ended up flying all the way back to Grimmauld place, wanting some time to process what he had just witnessed. It had certainly done nothing for his conscience to know that there were that many people who obviously loved Ginny and were worried about her. They had no reliable way of knowing whether or not she was actually alright, and he could not imagine what that would be like.

Then there was the encounter with Albus Dumbledore. Did he suspect something? He certainly gave off the impression of knowing considerably more than he let on.

His presence at Ginny's home was not something Harry had counted on. For the famed Headmaster of Hogwarts to take a personal interest in this kidnapping was a bad sign. It meant that Dumbledore was close to her family in some way, and probably would do everything in his power to ensure that she was returned safely to them.

They would have to tread carefully from now on. Having the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix looking for you was most definitely not something to laugh at. The wards and spells he and Sirius had cast were clever and powerful, yes, but not infallible.

Harry winced mentally. Sirius was not going to like this latest development. Escaping Dumbledore when Harry was younger was hard enough. Having to run all over the globe to escape him once more was not something they needed right now.

He arrived back at number 12, only to find the library window closed and locked tightly, something it only would have done if Ginny had approached it. He shook his head amusedly, knowing that she would undoubtedly try a much more thought-out escape attempt soon. She was scared and alone certainly, but she also seemed to be quite the fiery tempered person her hair suggested. A few locks and wards were hardly going to keep her anywhere.

Harry had purposely neglected to tell her what would happen if she approached any possible exit in the house, certain that she would try anyway, and firsthand experience was far more convincing than any warning, in this case.

He used his ability as a phoenix to "apparate" inside, and flew off down the hall, looking for her.

Evidently, she had gone exploring during his absence. He found her down in one of the spare bedrooms, poking through the closet. Rude, ordinarily, but since she was a kidnap victim in her captor's house, she probably didn't care if they thought she was rude.

He trilled from the foot of the ancient bed, and she jerked up, striking her head on the shelf she'd been peeking under. He laughed, which sounded rather strange as he was still a phoenix, and she glared at him.

Her glare dropped, however, when she spotted the letters tied to his leg, and she nearly tripped over herself in her eagerness to get to them. Fingers trembling in anticipation, it took her several minutes to get all of them untied, but she eventually managed it.

He decided to let her read them in private, and flew off to his room to transform. Remembering that she thought he'd been in the house the whole time he was actually gone, he changed into some muggle clothes and waited an hour or so before going to see if she was ready to go shopping.

He found her sprawled on the bed in her room, reading her letters (probably for the third or fourth time). The door was open, but he knocked politely on the doorframe anyway.

When she looked up at him expectantly, he asked, "So, um, you about ready to go?" Seeing her confused look, he added, "Shopping. We were going to get you some necessities; clothes, that sort of thing."

"Oh," she stared at him for a moment. "Okay."

She crawled off the bed and stood before him, and he waved his hand, transfiguring her patched and faded hand-me-down wizarding robes into a simple muggle t-shirt and jeans. Not a permanent solution, but enough to allow them to get out without attracting unnecessary attention from the muggles. A second wave of his hand changed her hair from red to brown, and darkened her skin just a little, so that she looked to have a slight tan.

"Sorry about that," he said, "But we don't want anyone to recognize you if they happen to be out in muggle London."

He knew as soon as he said it that it was not the right thing to say. She looked down at her feet sadly, and he inwardly cursed himself for his stupidity.

Not knowing what else to do, he said awkwardly, "Well, um, ok, follow me then."

They headed down the hall towards Sirius' room. He noticed that she kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, as though she wanted to say something, but was unsure of doing so.

"How do you do that?" she finally blurted out.

He stopped in surprise, turning to face her. "Do what?" he asked.

"Magic. Without a wand. How do you do it?"

"Oh, that." He thought about it for a moment. "It's a matter of will really. Wands aren't necessary, they're just easier. It takes a lot of focus and concentration to do magic without it. I can only do so because I've been training to do so since I was eight."

"Oh," she responded, amazed. "So do you not need a wand?"

He made a see-sawing motion with his hands. "Not really, but if I have to do magic for long periods of time, I get tired without one, so I always carry mine just in case."

"That's amazing," said Ginny. "Where'd you learn to do that?"

"You'd be surprised what you can find in an old book," he replied with a grin. "Now come on. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. We're having lunch in town so we need to get a move on."

They entered through the open doorway of Sirius' room, to find him scribbling furiously at his desk. He looked up when they came in and smiled broadly. "Eager to leave?" he asked. "Go right on ahead. Harry, I put the make-up in your room. You covered up your scar, and you have money right?" at Harry's nod he continued, "Right, have fun then. Be back by dinner."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Meaning you don't want to have to fend for yourself."

"Of course," replied Sirius, as though that should be obvious.

Harry passed a hand over his eyes in exasperation. "You know," he said pointedly to his godfather. "I'm supposed to be the immature teenager in our relationship. Not you."

"Hey, I resent that," Sirius replied indignantly, "I happen to be quite mature and responsible."

"Sure you are," said Harry absently, as he waved Ginny out of the room and followed her out.

"You cheeky little-" Sirius started, but whatever else Harry was they didn't hear, for he had shut the door before his godfather could finish.

He led Ginny down the stairs towards the front door, explaining what they would do as they went.

"You can buy pretty much whatever you want," he was saying, "Money is no object. It's the least we can do after kidnapping you."

A vague 'hmmm' was all the more reply he got, but he continued anyway, "I'm going to have to ask that you don't try to run off. Muggle London is a dangerous place for a witch without a wand, particularly one who doesn't know all that much about muggles in the first place."

"If you gave me my wand back that wouldn't be a problem," she said hopefully.

"Sorry," he said with a sad shake of his head, "No can do. You'd escape in no time. Hell, if you even cast one spell, the Ministry would be down on our heads."

"Exactly," she muttered. She suddenly came to a halt, causing him to walk several steps ahead before backtracking to her.

She was standing in front of the hall mirror, examining her brand new appearance. He came to stand behind her and said sadly, "I know, I know, it's a shame to change it. But don't worry, we'll change it back to red the moment we return."

She looked at him strangely, as though he had just told her the sky was green. "What are you talking about? My hair always looks horrible. Red hair is a curse."

Now it was his turn to look at her as though she was crazy. "I don't understand. I think it looks beautiful when it's red. Why would you think it was a curse?"

She blushed, and he couldn't help noticing that she looked rather cute when she did so. She said nothing more, and they continued out of the house in silence.

Once outside, she glanced around and asked, "So where are we going?"

"Oxford Street," he replied. If she recognized the name, she made no sign of it.

They were walking around the back of the house, and she suddenly asked, "How are we getting there?"

"Apparition."

Once out of sight of the street in front of the house, he turned around and gently grasped her hand. There was a small pop, and a gentle pushing sensation, as of a large mattress behind their backs, and they suddenly found themselves in a small alley in between two large buildings. They stepped out onto the busy sidewalk near the alley's entrance.

She looked around in something akin to awe at all the muggles and their various vehicles, stores, and clothes, while he watched her in amusement.

"This is Oxford Street?" she asked in amazement.

He chuckled brightly. "No, Oxford Street is far too busy to apparate anywhere near. We're several streets over."

"Busier than this?" she asked incredulously, staring at the crowd moving past them.

Following the direction of her gaze, he had to remind himself she wasn't used to muggles. He had grown up almost completely integrated into the muggle world (since they had to hide from the wizarding one), while she had spent her life flooing to Diagon Alley and shopping in the small village of Ottery St. Catchpole.

The street was busy, certainly, but not as busy as all that. Just wait until she got to see Oxford Street.

"Yes," he answered amusedly. Grasping her gently by the elbow, he guided her quickly and skillfully through the throngs of pedestrians.

It took them several minutes to reach Oxford Street, as the crowds became considerably thicker the farther they walked, and Harry had to keep a tight hold on Ginny's arm to keep them from getting separated.

Finally, they reached their destination, and Harry watched her gasp in awe and amazement. Throngs of pedestrians clogged the entire area, entering and exiting the dozens of shops that lined the street - with large signs declaring their names and sometimes their merchandise.

"Amazing, isn't it?" he muttered into her ear.

"Yeah," she breathed. "It sure is. Muggles are incredible."

He chuckled, and they headed off to find somewhere to have lunch before beginning their shopping spree.

They found a small cafe down a side street that made excellent sandwiches, and sat down to eat.

Once they were finished, he decided to try and make a conversation. "Hey," he said to grab her attention. She looked up expectantly, so he took a deep breath and continued, "Look, I know this is hard on you. Hell, I'm not exactly enjoying it either, but I want you to know that we're going to let you go as soon as we possibly can. I know you have no reason to trust me, but . . ." he trailed off, looking out the window a few tables away. He looked back at her. "I promise I'll get you home."

He stared straight into her beautiful, wide brown eyes, silently willing her to believe him, to trust him. She met his gaze for a moment, and then began to tremble and cast her eyes downward. He sighed sadly, and his head sank into his hands.

"Who are you?"

Her voice, confused and questioning, cut through his thoughts and dragged him back to the present. His head came out of his hands and he looked back up at her. Her gaze was fixed upon his face, her eyes looking as though they were trying to see right through him.

"I don't understand," he replied.

She waved her hand at him. "I don't understand you. You kidnap me, yet you act as though you don't want to. You say what I know is dangerous, yet I don't know who I'm not supposed to tell, or what harm could come from telling. Who are you, really? And what side are you on?"

"I am on no one's side." His voice was distant, emotionless. "I have my own agenda."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

"I should think not," he said disgustedly. "Serve the man who murdered my parents and-" He stopped himself, not wanting to think about that.

Fortunately, she didn't seem to notice his near-slip. She said confusedly, "But Black-"

"Was . . . Is innocent," he interrupted firmly. "He's no more a supporter of Voldemort than Dumbledore himself."

She flinched at his mention of the Dark Lord's name, and cried, "You said his name!"

He rolled his eyes exasperatedly. Wizards and their permanently ingrained fear of the man's name.

"Yes, I did. I've met him, and frankly I don't see why everyone's scared of his name. Not like he can hear you say it or anything."

She was openly gaping at him now. "You've met him?"

"Indeed," he replied dryly. "On more than one occasion, I might add. I believe you are familiar with the first?" She nodded weakly, and he went on, "Of course, we weren't so much meeting as dueling. He still hasn't managed to accomplish his goal of killing me, as you can see. Incompetent. Though, I suppose I haven't exactly managed to finish him off either."

She was still staring at him in amazement, and he sighed. "Come now, who did you think we didn't want to know I was alive? The last time I met him he thought he killed me. He's the one that can't know I'm still around."

"Why don't you go to Dumbledore?" she asked. "He can help you. The Order can help you. You don't have to hide from everyone."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you think they'd believe my story about Sirius?" He didn't even wait for her to speak, instead answering his own question, "No. Of course not. They'd treat me like some little child. Probably think I'd gotten Stockholm Syndrome or something."

"Gotten what?"

He waved his hand vaguely. "Muggle term. Stockholm Syndrome is supposedly something that occasionally happens to kidnap victims. They sympathize with their captors. Most likely, that's exactly what Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix will think happened to me."

"Oh."

He waved their waitress over and asked for the check. "Come on," he said to Ginny, after he'd paid. "Let's get going. We've got a lot to buy."

They spent the next few hours going from shop to shop, buying most anything that took her fancy.

Harry could tell that she'd never been able to just go into a store and buy things, so he made certain that at each place they visited, a saleslady followed her around and had her try on dozens of things.

The whole affair was rather boring for him overall. He spent most of his time in a chair near the dressing rooms of whichever store they were in, waiting for her to emerge in the next outfit. Of course, he rather enjoyed her modeling them for him - something that the salesladies at each and every place had her do.

Ginny was quite obviously shy about that whole part, and Harry made sure to tell her how wonderful she looked in this or that each time she emerged. He had hoped it'd put her at ease, but no such luck - She blushed brightly every time and refused to look him in the eye.

The fact that every saleslady seemed to assume that they were a couple didn't help her embarrassment in the slightest.

Eventually, they finished with their clothes shopping. It was starting to darken outside, and Harry knew they'd best be getting back, or Sirius would start worrying about him.

Pockets stuffed with discreetly shrunk shopping bags, they started walking back to their apparition point. They were nearly there when Harry collided with a man running at top speed in the other direction. Harry, losing his grip on Ginny's arm, was knocked flat, while the man just stumbled and kept on running.

Scrambling to his feet and dusting himself off, Harry yelled, "HEY! Watch it you-" He trailed off, glancing around him in concern. Where was Ginny?

He spotted her down the street, fully one hundred yards away and running flat out away from him. He swore violently and took off after her. He tried to fight his way through the crowd, but there were simply too many people. He soon had lost sight of her.

Damn it, that girl was smart. She waited until he started to relax his guard before trying anything. His little collision had provided the perfect opportunity and she took it.

The only problem was she was a witch stranded without money or wand in the middle of muggle London. He had to find her quickly, for both hers and his own sake. Unfortunately, with all the spells he and his godfather had placed on her when she first arrived, there wasn't a tracking spell on the planet that could locate her. Of course, that was one of the main problems with wizards - they tended to forget to think outside the box.

Harry was different, though. Having grown up mostly in the muggle world, he knew a little more about choosing the unorthodox approach. So, while she had been trying on her clothes, he had simply placed a locator spell on her shoes. Now he would know which general direction she was at all times. It would only last 12 hours, but that was long enough.

He hoped so, anyway.

He continued pushing his way through the crowd, and eventually it thinned out enough for him to move freely. He set out in the direction he could sense her presence, walking as quickly as possible without actually running.

The sky continued to darken. Eventually, the sun set, and the only light he had came from the streetlamps. He continued on doggedly, hoping against hope she was close by.

After what seemed like hours, he entered a more run-down area of the city. Most of the streetlamps were broken or burnt out, and there were a few dark figures lounging around, eyeing him calculatingly.

He heard a scream up ahead, and broke out into a run. Definitely a girl.

He found her down a filthy alley. She was backed up into a corner, five teenage guys surrounding her, leering at her.

Damn. He'd have to fight this one out. The training he'd undergone since the age of 5 kicked in. Muggles. He'd have to take them out without magic.

Without another thought, he ran forward and threw himself at the nearest one, taking him to the ground. It had exactly the desired effect. The one he'd tackled knocked his head on the pavement and fell unconscious, while the other four turned their attention from Ginny to Harry.

Harry stood up and faced the others, his hands clenched at his sides. "Leave. Her. ALONE," he hissed.

They laughed at him. Two brought out knives, and one of them taunted, "What you gonna do about it?"

Seeing that they weren't going to back down to just one man, Harry leapt at the nearest knife-wielder and grasped the hand with the weapon. He wrenched it powerfully in the wrong direction, making the kid drop his weapon and cry out in pain. Then he threw him straight into the other armed idiot - knocking them both to the pavement - and picked the knife off the ground.

In a typical show of stupidity, the other two rushed at him without thinking, and Harry threw the knife at the nearer one. It hit him in the shoulder, and he went down bleeding. The other one threw a punch at him, but Harry neatly side stepped it and drove his elbow into his stomach. He bent over, wheezing pitifully, and Harry slammed his elbow on the back of his head, sending him too, to the ground.

By this time, the two he had sent crashing into each other and the one he'd originally tackled were all once more on their feet, staring at him warily. The one with the knife finally rushed him, stabbing downwards towards Harry's chest.

Making an 'X' shape with his forearms, Harry caught his attacker's wrist and swung it around in a circle and behind the man's back, sending the weapon flying and holding him in a bent at the waist position. He swung his leg up and over the man's head and drove straight downwards with his heel. For the second time, he went to the ground, but this time he stayed that way.

The other two took one look at Harry and left running, their bleeding companion following as quickly as he was able.

Seeing that the two on the ground weren't likely to be getting up for a while, Harry rushed straight for where Ginny was sitting against a wall.

She was shaking like a leaf, and when he knelt by her side she flung herself into the arms of the only familiar face in that alley - his.

Originally having intended to reprimand her for running off into London with no knowledge of the muggle world whatsoever, he instead wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She was sobbing softly onto his shoulder, while he was rubbing her back soothingly and whispering comforting words into her ear.

Sweet Merlin, what had they said to her to get her this worked up?

After several minutes, her sobs died down to sniffles. He pulled back just slightly to peer at her face. "Running off like that," he said with a rueful smile, "You've certainly got guts. Come on, I'll take you back to the house."

She kept her head hung low as he gently raised her to her feet. A soft pop later, they were back in number 12's kitchen.

AN

there it is. PLEASE REVIEW! I want to know your thoughts.

I want to extend a very warm thank you to all my reviewers. If I have something specific to say to you, you'll find your name in the review responses below.

Kail Ceannai: Indeed it was, and he feels guilty for that, but: 1) no one's supposed to know he's an animagus. 2) he didn't think she'd trust him with her mail if she knew it was really him.

smidge: I won't give it up, I promise. At least, not voluntarily. It's just not in me to willingly leave my precious story.

loudnproud223: A little. I make mostly breakfast stuff (my pancakes need work), spaghetti, hamburgers, and......tuna fish sandwhiches. I am so gonna eat pizza for the rest of my life if I don't find myself a wife.

csferosha: We'll find out a little more about his past through flashbacks and some talking with Ginny, most likely. Not til a bit later though. Hope this new chapter answers some of your questions about Wandless Magic. The brother wand thing is for later.

gallandro: All will be revealed in time. Hope this chapter answers some of your questions (minusing the Legilimency and Occlumency parts, which will be for later)

Looony Moony: Wouldn't you hate the person who kidnapped your daughter/sister? Harry's too nice a guy for them to hate him forever though.