Chapter 7

A Potter Family Reunion

Once Ginny had calmed down from Harry's revaluation, he began speaking again. "Gin, you have a very adult decision to make. Either Albus or I can obliviate you, or you can hear the story with the professors. It's up to you."

"Mr. Potter I don't believe that Ms Weasely is old enough to make such decisions." Professor McGonagall began, but Harry cut her off.

"No Professor, Gin and I promised each other two things, no major decisions would be made without discussing them together, and we wouldn't hide things from each other either. I am not going to start breaking those promises simply because Gin doesn't know about them."

"That's because she hasn't made them yet Harry," Remus stated. "Your using circular logic, very well I might add. In the future you two made a promise to each other, you still remember it because you are from the future, and because you love Ginny you feel they still apply to you. Even though Ginny has no idea what you are talking about or the circumstances in which the promises were made."

"Stop talking about me like I am not here!" Ginny shouted. "I'll make my own decisions thank you. I think I would like to hear the short version of what Harry is going to say and then I 'll decide, whether to hear the rest or to be obliviated.

The others made to protest this, but Dumbledore raised his hand to stop them and nodded for Harry to proceed.

"Third year: Sirius is innocent Scabbers is Pettigrew. Fourth year: Triwizard tournament, DADA teacher is a death eater under polyjuice, Voldemort returns. Fifth year: Ministry tries to discredit myself and Albus, interferes in Hogwarts, you, myself and several others go to the Ministry to rescue Sirius. Its really a trap, Sirius gets killed rescuing us. I learn about the prophecy that says only Voldemort and I can kill each other. Sixth year: Malfoy and Snape conspire to kill Albus, I learn about the Horcruxes, Albus dies. Seventh year: Voldemort openly moves against the Ministry, attacks Hogwarts at least three times. Hagrid gets killed. Over the next 40 years Ron and Mione get married you and I get Married your family gets killed. McGonagall and Remus and Tonks get killed, you get killed, I finally defeat Voldemort. But before I could he does some ritual that causes the beginning of another Ice Age." taking a deep breath and sitting down across from a wide eyed Ginny, " I think that about covers the highlights."

"How old are you now?" Flickwick asked, " I mean before you came back."

"I had just turned 59 years old"

"How old was I when I died?"

Harry looked thoughtfully at Ginny, "34 you died 10 years before I defeated Tom."

A odd thoughtful look came over Ginny, "It wasn't Tom that killed me, was it? That's why you didn't kill him right after I died."

Looking confused, but still very serious, "no it wasn't Tom." Harry responded in a flat tone.

Ginny continued to ponder something before muttering that she didn't want to be obliviated, and that she wanted in. Harry stared at her a moment but she waved him off, " quit staring at me Harry, the others need to be filled in about what is going on more, you have to tell them the plan. I just need a little time to sort out what I have been told, I'll just listen to you guys talk. Harry, if I miss something you can fill me in later."

Not fully believing her but knowing better than to argue with her, Harry began to fill the others in on the plan to prove Sirius' innocence and let Pettigrew go back to Tom. He also told them more about the future and explained Remus' potions, by the end of the year, he would be in total control of the wolf. The potion was a mixture and wolfsbane, and the animagus potion, with a few added ingredients. Remus had only to add a few of his hairs before each dose to ensure it bonded with his particular form of lycanthropcy. As Harry was finishing up Ginny said something that caused several things to happen, firstly McGonagall dropped her tea cup, second Harry was staring at her with his mouth hanging open as were Remus and Sirius. Flickwick was still taking it all in, and missed what she said. When he noticed the stares of the others he turned to her with a curious expression on his face wondering what had happened. And Dumbledore, he just twinkled like a mad man and snickered to himself.

With a trance like expression on her face Ginny had said "I wonder if I ever told him I was pregnant again."After saying this she stared at the faces around the room, tears forming in her eyes. The last thing she said before blacking out was "I remember..."

Severus Snape was in a very very foul mood. The head master was no where to be found, and the same was true of Professors McGonagall, Flickwick, and Lupin. Not that he minded Lupin being gone, maybe that meant he would get a shot at DADA. But he put those thoughts out of his mind as he stalked down the hall letting his cloak billow behind him, frightening a few first year Ravenclaws.

Good, he thought the sooner they fear me the less trouble I'll have with them in class. Useless mudlbloods, and blood traitors all of them. If only that Potter brat hadn't gotten lucky, maybe I would be head master of this school by now. As he turned the corner he saw Draco Malfoy engaged in his favorite activity, incurring the wrath of Granger, Weasely, and. . . wait where is Potter?

Deciding to stop and observe to see if Potter would appear to save his friends, Snape waited until Weasely was about to hex Malfoy into oblivion before stepping forward. "20 points from Gryffendor, for threatening another student, Weasely," Snape practically spat the name Weasely out as if it was something foul in his mouth.

Ron looked about to say something in protest but Snape merely raised an eyebrow, "care to try for detention as well?" Snape growled.

"No sir," Ron said before he and Hermione turned and hurriedly their way to the Gryffendor common room. Once they were out of ear shot Snape turned on Malfoy with a vengeance.

"You sniveling idiot, have you no more brains in your head than that. Every time you piss those three off and make me step in to save your sorry carcass it makes them suspicions of us. Don't forget who they are, ever. That Granger girl is too clever for her own good. Give her enough clues and she will figure out what our true purpose is here." Snape straightened and turned from Malfoy leaving him to think, "try and remember, other than getting a fundamental education on the workings of magic your job here is to watch Potter and learn his weaknesses, you can't do that is he thinks you are already one of us. He will be too guarded around you. You need to lure them into a false sense of security so they slip up around you."

"And you try and remember, you slimy git, one word from me and your life won't be worth spit. All I have tell my father is that I discovered who warned the order of the attack on the Potters, and he will kill you himself. Even if the master ordered you to do so. You know he won't see it that way. They have been trying to figure out who the spy was for years." Draco spat venomously.

Snape turned on Draco so fast the boy nearly wet himself. As he found himself on the wrong end of Snape's wand. "Listen here boy, your empty threats may get you prestige and power with your peers but I am not one of them. I was serving the master while you were still but a gleam in your father's eye. I have stood before the dark lord, faced his fury, and lived to tell the tale. Can you say the same. I thought not, neither you nor your boorish father frighten me boy. When you have stared into the eyes of the dragon, few things can."

With that said and a flourish of cloak Snape was gone disappearing down one of the dark corridors. Malfoy pulled himself off the wall and swallowed the lump in his throat, he new that he had pushed Snape to far this time. It would be a while before the man would help him with the golden trio again. Best to lay low for a while. Then he remembered his schedule for tomorrow, Well after tomorrow, can't pass up the opportunity to embarrass that over grown dunder head, even pissed Snape will understand that one. Anything that makes the old goat look incompetent is a good thing. And he knows it.

Harry stood outside the Gryffendor common room racking his brain to try and figure out a way to explain to Ron that Ginny was in the hospital wing due to blacking out, and it wasn't his fault she wouldn't wake up. Deciding that he was only delaying the inevitable, Harry turned toward the portrait. It swung open, and he stepped inside.

"Oy Harry," Ron called as he saw who was stepping in. Then after watching behind Harry for a moment his eyes narrowed, "where's Ginny?" The menacing tone was unmistakable, fortunately only someone as observant as Hermione noticed Harry flinch.

"She's uhh..."

"Out with it Harry!" Ron practically yelled his temper rising.

Harry visibly flinched again, he had forgotten how protective Ron had been of Ginny after her first year. Harry drew in a breath and gave the news as fast as he could, "shesinthehospitalwingsheblackedoutandwontwakeup."

The puzzled look on Ron's face said that Harry would have to say it again, confusion replacing anger in his voice Ron asked "Come again, why is she in the Hospital Wing?"

Sighing, Harry resigned himself to fate and told Ron the news once more. Now noticing the death glares he was receiving from Fred, George, and Percy as well, "She is in the Hospital Wing, she blacked out while we were talking and won't wake up. Madame Pomfrey doesn't have a clue what's wrong with her. She suspects it is some kind of trance."

"Did you have anything to do with this?" Percy asked, giving Harry a piercing glare.

"I don't think so, we were just talking in the Entrance Hall and she kinda collapsed." Harry said nervously.

"Come on Perc,"

"Harry wouldn't Hurt Gin"

"He saved her last year remember"

"Yeah and he is practically family"George and Fred said, rising to follow Harry to the Hospital Wing. Ron and Percy followed.. Percy didn't stop sending daggers Harry's way the entire time they walked to the infirmary. Harry decided to wait outside with Hermione while the Weasely men went to check on their sister.

Hermione was eyeing Harry thoughtfully as they sat in the outer room of the Hospital wing. "Harry what is going on with you. Lately you have been acting strange, I mean. . ." she stopped and thought about the next sentence, "Its almost like you are a different person. Are you feeling alright?"

Well Harry get yourself out of this one. Harry thought to himself, why couldn't he have had friends that accepted things at face value. Sighing Harry simply shrugged. "I don't know what you mean Mione, I guess it has to do with the training Dumbledore had me go through over the summer. I learned a lot about studying and defense, and fighting the muggle way. Dumbledore had one of his friends teaching me stuff. It was amazing, wish you guys could have been there."

"That's another thing since when do you call me Mione?"

Bugger, how did she pick up on that, it got to be such a habit after we graduated I didn't think twice about it.

"And why have you started calling you know who Tom all of a sudden?"

"Err..." was all Harry got to say before the screech of a enraged banshee, (or so the rumor went for many months about the scream that emanated from the hospital wing that day went,) caused them both to jump three feet in the air. Harry paled to a ashen white color and rose quickly, running full speed through the doors of the infirmary, to words that seemed to burn his ears like fire.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER GET YOUR SORRY ARSE IN HERE THIS INSTANT!"

I wouldn't be surprised if they heard her in Hogsmead, Harry thought as he quickly approached the angry red head glaring at him from the hospital bed mid way down the wing.

When he stopped at the bed, where four curios males stood shocked to silence, Harry spoke quietly, "Yes Gin? You asked for me?"

"Don't you yes Gin me, you. . . you . . ."for a moment she seemed like she was simply going to curse him out of existence, but fortunately for Harry she noticed her brothers standing there , OUT! ALL FOUR OF YOU, OUT NOW!" she climbed out of the bed and moved toward them with the angriest expression on her face, any of them had ever seen.

Recognizing the infamous female Weasley no nonsense tone, the four males disappeared out of the infirmary with shocked expressions on there faces. On the way, Ron grabbed a protesting Hermione and pulled her to the safety of the hallway. As Fred and George scurried out, they commented on how like their mother she was already becoming.

She had her back to him still staring at the spot that her brothers had just vacated. Suddenly her shoulders shagged and a long breath was let out in a sigh as if in utter defeat.

"Gin?" Harry said softly.

"I remember Harry, everything. I remember it all. I want to see it again. Then we need to talk to Dumbledore, maybe he can explain this. I sure as bloody hell can't. But before we do, I need to see it again one more time, please." As she spoke, she slowly turned to face him as he approached. He nodded softly as his eyes moistened as he saw her tears. His strong arms encircled her and she rested her head on his chest, letting a small sob escape.

After a few moments she looked up to his eyes which also held tears. "Take me to our child's grave Harry, I want to see it again please."

Unable to speak Harry simply nodded and the two of then disappeared from the hospital wing. In the headmasters office a small alarm began to beep steadily getting louder as it was ignored, the aged headmaster rushed in and studied the instrument a moment before touching it with his wand stopping the beeping. He then rushed full speed from the room in search of the professors. He had to get the word out fast, so that the search could began. There was a serious problem, Harry Potter was no longer at Hogwarts.

Harry and Ginny appeared near a small cottage. In the front of the house were a few flowers and growing nearby were trees still young in their development. The house itself looked newly built compared to the ones nearby.

Godric's Hallow was a happy place save this small patch of earth. The two of them approached two odd stones, at least that is what the muggles saw. To them they were two head stones one said Lily the other James. They had dates of birth and death, a small inscription, and a angel on each. Ginny knelt where a third stone could possible rest and caressed the earth.

"It was here wasn't it?" she said her voice choked with emotion.

Harry nodded fighting back more tears, this was one memory he had buried and refused to dig up. He had managed to do what he that impossible, he had forgotten. Forgotten the pain, the sense of loss, the agony, the utter feeling of helplessness of watching a child die. Aurora Lily Potter. Aurora had been born within a year of the marriage. She was the second brightest light of Harry's life. Harry now remembered why losing Ron had effected Ginny so badly she had never recovered from the death of their daughter. It would have been one thing if there had been someone to blame, a death eater to hunt down and seek revenge upon. But not so this time, this time the culprit was simply sickness. They had tried everything, even visited other wizarding hospitals around the globe. But no one had understood what was wrong or, therefore, known how to fix it.

Harry began digging up the memories he had long since buried. Searching through them made him smile sadly and he looked down at the young girl seeing the woman he loved. She was kneeling on a patch of earth that some day would hold their first born child. Aurora had been a happy child. She always smiled and laughed with the doctors and healers that were constantly around her. She brought the glow of happiness to everyone she was around, you couldn't know Aurora and not smile at the thought of her. It seemed so unfair that such a bright spirit, a true beacon of light should fade out the way she had. The day Aurora had died she was at home. The healer had come out of her room and shook his head sadly, before saying they should be with her. It wouldn't be much longer. Ginny and Harry had walked slowly into the room and sat on the bed. Harry had taken his daughter's hand in his, her tiny fingers wrapped around his thumb as she smiled up at him. Ginny had lifted Aurora's head off the pillow and sat behind her, laying her daughter's head in her lap. She then began caressing her full head of brilliant red hair softly. They had stayed there a long time, talking and laughing about anything Aurora wanted. When Aurora said she was getting tired Ginny began singing her a lullaby. She soon drifted off to sleep, never again to wake up. Harry still remembered the words of the song. They had both created it the day Aurora was born. It was simple, but in it embodied everything they felt for her.

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as we're living

Our baby you'll be

They had buried her quietly the next day. When Harry had spoken his voice had cracked miserably, he still remembered the words he said over his daughter:

Though she will only now know peace, she knew happiness. She spread it to everyone she met. We will miss her joy, her laughter, and her smile. We will miss her. Ginny and I believe that Aurora would want us to keep going to not give up. She would not want us to continue the fight so that the children that follow her into this world will one day know peace. Before she fell asleep for the final time, she asked me to promise to make the world safe for kids everywhere. Aurora was never selfish, if she saw someone in need she would try to help them. A bright light has gone out in the world, and we are diminished by her absence.

Harry then slowly lowered himself down next to Ginny out of pure exhaustion from the memory. He placed an arm around her, she turned to him and began to sob uncontrollably. He didn't know how long they stayed there but he did notice that the sun was beginning to set. About then Ginny seemed to have cried herself out. Harry had cried as well, all the while the two of them had not spoken a word, simply held each other.

"Gin?"

"Yes?" Ginny responded weakly

"We should really be getting back, the others will worry."

Sighing, Ginny nodded, she turned and looked once more at the patch of earth. "Did you do as I asked when I..." her voice trailed off.

The noticeable pain on Harry's face had stopped her he barely managed to croak out the response, "right next to her," while nodding.

Ginny pulled Harry tight against her trying to let Harry feel the love she now felt for him flow into him and ease his pain. Harry in turn buried his head in her hair and held her tightly a moment.

"I am so sorry, I hurt you that way. I think I should tell you this, it may hurt you more to know it but I think you should, the day I was captured I was on my way back to you."

Harry nodded, "We theorized that Gin, I was just never sure till now."

She nodded the two of them stood, taking each others hand. They turned to the other stones.

Harry spoke, "Hello again Mum and Dad, I want you to meet Ginny Weasely, again. Someday I will marry here. I hope I make you proud with the way I do things this time. I will try my best, and please watch over Aurora until we can be reunited." saying this caused a lump to rise in Harry's throat, forcing it down he turned to Ginny,"ready?" she nodded, and the two of them disappeared.

They arrived amongst the chaos of a school seemingly gone mad. Two of its students had disappeared into thin air right under the watchful eyes of poor Madam Pomfrey, who was nearly epileptic with worry.

"Honestly Albus I have no idea how they did it. One minute they were here talking quietly, the next there was a bright flash of light and when I could see again they were gone." the old nurse related to the headmaster.

"It would seem your wayward patient, and my wayward student have returned Poppy," Dumbledore said looking past her at newly arrived Harry and Ginny.

"Great merciful heavens!"Poppy called out as she turned and saw the two of them.

"Harry it was. . ." Albus Dumbledore stopped mid sentence, his mouth closed so fast a slight clap of teeth was heard throughout the now silent room. The death glare Harry had sent him when Dumbledore began to scold was enough to make even the most stout at heart tremble, great merlin and I feared he may not have it in him to fight Tom again. That glare alone would be enough to send most wizards running for the hills. Fortunately he was not most wizards. But the glare was enough to shut him up, the message 'not now' was plain as if Harry had bothered to speak the words. Besides the two of them had obviously been talking about something very private, and very painful. They had been crying, and judging by the way they looked probably for the entire time they were gone.

"Go to bed Gin, you've had a terrible shock to your system I'll straighten things out the Albus and the others. You get some rest."

Young Ginny Weasely nodded slowly, hugged Harry tightly seemed as if she was about to give him a small kiss but thought better of it and moved to the bed she occupied before. She lay on the bed and curled into a small ball as Harry placed the blanket over her, "you'd better come back when you are done. You need some rest as well"

"Yes, and I will stay with you all night also"

Madam Pomfrey made to protest this but Dumbledore stopped her by touching her arm he lowered his eyes and shook his head yes at her meaning he approved Harry's wish to stay with her.

Hurumphing disapprovingly, she left the room, and headed to her office.

Harry finished tucking Ginny in and motioned for Dumbledore to follow him passing a mob of Weaslyes at the door. He spoke to the newly arrived Mrs Weasely catching her off guard with his maturity. He told her that Ginny was back, safe, and that she was in bed sleeping. The Weasley men went in to wait for her to awaken. Mrs Weasley opened her mouth to begin the dressing down Harry knew would come for taking her daughter somewhere without permission. Harry stopped her with a soft look.

"I am sorry Mrs Weasley but can we talk later, right now I need to have a discussion with the headmaster, immediately." Harry said softly. The concern in his voice was enough to deter her for now. But Harry knew an explanation would be nessacary very soon.

She looked down at the small boy before her not knowing what happened but knowing as only a mother could, that Harry would never purposely let anything truly harm Ginny. Molly nodded then joined her family in the hospital wing.

Harry and Dumbledore then made their way to the visitors quarters to join Remus and Sirius. Once inside Harry spoke, the conviction and emotion in his voice was startling even to the three adults there "Summon those not here, I am not repeating any of this again, neither will you." With that said, Harry slumped exhaustedly into the nearest chair to wait.