The Devils Triangle

by fresh pickled toad

A funny and sexy little tale about the two great loves of Ginny Weasley's life Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. They're both wonderful, both flawed. How did this happen? Who will she choose?

19. Chapter Eighteen: Valentines Day

Authors Note:

I hope this is worth the long wait.

Please read SLOWLY! It makes me so sad that it takes me months to write something which will be gobbled down in a matter of minutes. Enjoy!

The Devils Triangle

Chapter 18: Valentines Day

The final shudder pulsed through Pansy's body and although she managed to swallow a scream, a primal groan escaped her lips nonetheless. Exhausted, she collapsed onto Draco's bare chest.

"Merlin, Draco that was epic!" she sighed dreamily as she rolled off of him and sprawled nude on the bed next to him. They were skipping lunch to take advantage of a rare bit of privacy in the Slytherin boys' dormitory. "Why didn't we start doing this years ago?"

"Well, two reasons," Draco chuckled, as he rolled towards her. "First, you always said 'No'."

"What an idiot I was," she groaned.

"Quite. And second," he reached over and cupped her modest, but shapely breast in his hand, "you didn't have these until very recently." He began laving her nipple bringing it to attention under his ministrations. "I can't describe how delighted I was to learn that you're still growing, my friend," he mumbled as he moved his attention to her other breast.

"Pig!" she chuckled, as she slapped his head lightly.

"Just know what I like," he smirked up at her. He met her gaze and became solemn suddenly. "It didn't hurt this time?"

"Not a bit, it was lovely."

"Good." He continued kissing her, moving upwards to her neck and jaw and finally finding her lips for long and passionate kiss.

Everything with Pansy was perfect, and being with her brought Draco a peace he had never experienced before. Their relationship was uncomplicated, with no drama, she knew him intimately and accepted him as he was.

"Draco?"

"Mmmm?"

"I'm glad it was you," she whispered. "That you were my first."

Draco smiled at her, his eyes glowing. "It feels right, doesn't it? Us?" Pansy nodded.

"Draco, what are your plans for Valentines Day?" She rolled her eyes when Draco quirked an eyebrow at her and smirked. "I know! I know, I've always said it was an idiotic holiday! But, I thought maybe this year might be different."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I thought maybe a date, a real date. We've never really had one, not for years anyway."

"Ahhh, my lady wants some wooing, does she?"

"Draco!"

"I hate to tell you this Parkinson, but most girls require the wooing to come before letting a bloke have his way with her. You've gone about it a bit backwards here."

"Draco, don't tease!"

"Okay, Young Lady, I'll give you a Valentines Day you'll remember. Gladly. But… erm… first… are you ready for another go?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" she laughed as Draco pounced on her again.

Ah…that's better, Ginny thought as she once again stared at the Slytherin table while eating. She was pleased to see that Draco had followed her advice and spoken with Astrid. The small girl had obviously recovered from whatever was bothering her because she was currently hanging on Draco like a gnat, standing behind him with her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling on his clothes and stealing his food. She seemed to be trying to get him to go somewhere with her and Draco didn't seem at all displeased by her pestering; in fact he seemed to enjoy it and egged her on.

Ginny had seen them together quite often over the past week. In fact, Ginny realized, she hadn't seen Draco without Astrid for many days and they seemed much closer than they were before Christmas. Even when Draco was with Pansy, Astrid was there too…or so it seemed.

As she watched, Draco finally seemed to cave-in to whatever Astrid was demanding of him and he rose from his dinner and smirked at Pansy, who chuckled at him, rolled her eyes and then returned to her conversation with her friends. As soon as Draco stood Astrid unceremoniously threw herself onto his back, wrapped her legs around his waist and let out a mighty "Haw!" while digging her heels into his thighs, narrowly missing his sensitive bits. Draco, although at first he seemed a bit unnerved by the indecorous situation, but he quickly accepted his fate and made his way out of the Great Hall as rapidly as possible.

"Will ya look at that?" Ron grumbled to Harry, motioning to Draco carrying Astrid on his back.

"What?"

"Even I didn't think Malfoy was that pervy, but there's something not right about those two. Downright sick if you ask me."

"Does seem a bit strange," Harry pondered. "Ignoring each other one day and all over each other the next."

"Oh, will you two stop!" Ginny interrupted forcefully.

"Still defending him, eh Gin?" Ron cracked coldly. "You're ex-boyfriend's a paedo and that's all right by you."

"He is not! Shut-up Ron!" Ginny exploded. "You always want to believe the worst about him! Haven't you figured out yet that you're usually wrong? I swear if you didn't have Hermione sitting next to you'd drown in your soup bowl! Too stupid to live!"

"Watch it!" Ron burst out, quite stunned by Ginny's attack. Hermione's mouth also dropped slightly open.

"Hey!" Harry interrupted. "Drop it, both of you!"

"But he…" Ginny started.

"But she…" Ron started.

"Shush!" Harry cut them both off. "I'm not in the mood to referee you two tonight! Hermione, take him off somewhere and distract him, will ya?"

"Gladly," Hermione smirked at Harry, and then gazed briefly but knowingly at
Ron.

"Gotta go!" Ron quickly forgot about Ginny and followed Hermione, practically pushing her out of the Great Hall.

"Drown in his soup bowl? Bit harsh don't ya think, Gin?" Harry scolded, but couldn't hold back a chuckle.

"He deserved it," grumbled Ginny, shrugging away from Harry's hand caressing her arm.

"And you're not much better," she pouted.

"I know, and I'm not going to apologize for hating him. But can I make it up you? I have several ideas that might work."

"Hmm…" Ginny considered, finally warming up a bit. "I'm tempted by your offer, but I can't. I have plans tonight."

"Plans? With who?"

"With myself, and don't ask any more questions."

"Ohhhh," Harry said sneakily. "Does this have anything to do with a certain holiday that's coming soon?"

"Yes," she said slowly, "but… well… yes."

"'Nuff said, I won't pry. My present better be good though." Harry chuckled.

Ginny grinned at him guiltily. "Oh, your present will be good." But that has nothing to do with tonight! Ginny thought it best to escape from this whole situation. "I'll see you later Harry." She kissed him quickly and escaped.

There's a little known fact about Ginny Weasley: she can hold a grudge. Her brothers learned this lesson early and hard, but few others knew the truth. When Ginny decided retribution was necessary, she would get her revenge; it didn't matter how long it took and it didn't matter how fond she was of that person.

This little known fact of Ginny's was played out several hours later after dinner, deeply hidden within the kitchens of Hogwarts as she grumbled to herself.

"Goody-goody…you'll see who's not a goody-goody…bloody ferret…humph."

Now a rational and mature mind may step back here and wonder. 'Isn't she over that yet? It was almost a month ago.' And they may think our Ginny's behaviour a 'bit odd'. Yes, it is odd, isn't it? I wonder what it means? But we digress…back to our story!

The luscious smell of melted chocolate, handcrafted by magical Belgian monks, wafted through the air around her. As she crafted her greatest recipe for Grandmother Prewett's Famous Family Fudge, Ginny had to shoo away more than one house-elf intoxicated by the inescapably seductive scent. For Ginny couldn't share her treat with them… only she knew the effects of the other ingredients she was adding to the candy.

She knew her mother would be appalled by her using a beloved family recipe in this manner, and she felt the shadow of guilt sharply, but she ignored it.

It had taken her weeks to collect the ingredients necessary to exact her revenge. She couldn't go through Fred and George for all she needed without arousing their curiosity, but she found everything she needed in other ways.

Ginny carefully unwrapped the most important element of her potion, the ground tongue of the rare Tasmanian Neophema Chrysogaster stored in a silver box protected by a black velvet bag. This was the one element she had no choice but to approach her twin brothers for help in obtaining. She was very surprised they actually had some on hand because it was considered a Class A controlled element by the Ministry of Magic. Fred and George had endeavoured to coax out of her why she needed the powder, but she retaliated by insisting to learn how they had an illegal substance in their possession. After a long negotiation, consisting of dozen of owls flying back and forth, they arrived at the exact conclusion Ginny wanted: they would sell her the powder and they would defer their questioning to a later date.

She added the delicate powder to the slightly cooled fudge, and while she muttered the necessary incantation over the pot, another jolt of painful guilt bolted through Ginny's conscience, but again she ignored it. She was done.

She merely had to wait two days; this Saturday would be Valentine's Day, the day she would strike. Actually, planning and preparing her revenge against Draco had helped keep her mind off other matters, namely, the present she was planning to give to Harry on Saturday. It wasn't as though she was regretting her decision; quite the contrary, once the decision had been made she found it nearly impossible to not follow through immediately. But no, she managed to muster what little self-control she had and wait; they both deserved this to be a special moment.

However, she had to admit she had concerns. She found the news that she and Harry created energy which others could feel to be more than a little creepy. Would this energy grow once their relationship had been consummated? Would others be able to feel what they were feeling while they were doing it? Eeeew! But then no one seemed to have felt the aura during the infamous portkey incident at Grimmauld Place. This made Ginny wonder what it was that triggered the energy.

There had been another incident the previous Wednesday night which Ginny found curious. She and Harry had ensconced themselves in an abandoned corner of the dungeons to… well… you know… They had just reached a… erm… climactic moment in their proceedings when they heard the laughing voices of Ron and Pansy Parkinson on their rounds just outside the door. Harry's hand quickly covered Ginny mouth to stifle a groan and Ginny froze in panic… she couldn't get caught again! She was sure they would be discovered! Ron would relish taking points from Gryffindor for this. But the two Prefects continued on their rounds. Surely if Harry and Ginny ever created energy, it should have been felt then! And Ron was certainly familiar enough with their relationship to recognize the sensations emitted by that aura.

Ginny was grateful that she and Harry had eluded detection on that occasion, but Ginny was becoming very sceptical about Hermione's 'soul-mate' theory. They had been unable to recreate the energy during their training sessions with Professor Snape, although Professor Snape's office and demeanour didn't exactly facilitate lustful feelings.

Ginny s stomach clenched as she remembered that tomorrow was the day they would finally try to delve into Voldemort's mind. Professor Snape had made it clear to them he thought Harry would fail miserably, but the only way to prove he was correct and to end this sham of a theory was to make an attempt.

Hermione and Draco would be on hand to witness the attempt as well. Hermione wanted to be there in case any clues were divulged which she may find helpful to her research. Draco would be there because… well… actually Ginny didn't know why Draco would be there. He seemed to have some arrangement with Harry which neither of them would discuss. It bothered Ginny more than a little bit that Harry and Draco seemed to communicate far more closely than either one of them would admit.

The following evening was proving to be as fruitless and humiliating as every other practice session with Professor Snape. Only tonight they had the added benefit of failing in front of Draco and Hermione.

After nearly forty minutes, Harry had failed to establish a connection to Voldemort and Harry and Ginny had been unable to produce any sort of magic between them.

"I don't understand," Draco grumbled to Hermione impatiently. "Why are we here? Doesn't Saviour Boy have to be near the people he's trying to invade? How does he expect to get anywhere here?"

"Shhh," Hermione admonished. "Harry and Voldemort have a connection." Hermione studied Draco's doubtful expression. "Ever since he was a baby… something happened then… they're definitely connected."

"You mean Voldemort can get into his mind too?" Draco asked with a slight cringe.

"Not anymore, Harry's learned to control it."

"Well that's… inconvenient."

"Malfoy!" Harry yelled. "Now that you're up to speed, will you kindly SHUT-UP? I'm trying to concentrate!"

"But I still don't get it," Draco continued to whisper to Hermione. "Why can't they make that damn puff of smoke? Merlin knows they do it all over school!"

"Draco please!" Ginny pleaded this time. "This is difficult enough without a running commentary!"

"That's what I don't understand!" Draco spoke in a full voice, ignoring Harry's aggravated groan. "You're sitting there staring into each others' eyes like a couple of twits! That's not how it happens!"

"Draco!" Ginny groaned, and Harry was pleased to see that she was finally losing her patience with him. "We don't know how it happens. Don't you see? We can't feel it when it happens, so we don't have the first clue as to what triggers it. We've asked Hermione, but she can't help; she said she takes it as a cue to get away from us when she feels it and Ron won't even talk about it! We've been trying for weeks to recreate the energy, but nothing seems to work!"

"Oh," Draco shrugged, "well, you haven't asked me."

"What do mean? Have you been spying on us, you perv?" Harry exploded.

"Mr. Potter!" Professor Snape interceded. "Why don't you ask Mr. Malfoy if he has any information which may be useful?"

"Draco?" Ginny asked gently. "Can you help us?"

Draco pursed his lips and huffed.

"Please?" Ginny pleaded.

"It happens at normal times. It just seems to happen when you're being… well, you know how you get," Draco growled. "It's when you're being cosy."

"Cosy?" Harry and Ginny asked in unison.

"Yes, cosy; when you're laughing or helping each other. Remember, it happened when Potter helped you find your Patronus? Hell, the other day I felt it happen over dinner, when you passed him the Brussels sprouts!"

"I love Brussels sprouts," Harry brightened.

"You have no idea how nauseating it is! I don't see how your housemates can stand to be near you."

"You seem more tuned into it than most!" Harry hissed. "Why don't you try keeping your pointy nose out of our business in future?"

"Harry!" Ginny scolded. "He's trying to help!"

"Can we just calm down and try to remember why we're here?" Hermione asked calmly. "Why don't you try it again, this time instead of thinking about… well, whatever it is you're thinking about, try to concentrate on… well… what you like about each other."

"That sounds too easy," Harry mumbled sceptically.

"Let's just try it, Harry, it can't hurt." Ginny encouraged. "I have an idea! Imagine this…" Ginny leaned over and whispered into Harry's ear. Harry smirked and grinned, and then began to chuckle, while nodding his head.

"Okay, we'll try that," he chuckled.

Draco, it seemed, had provided the key to Harry and Ginny's magic. Almost as soon as they all settled back into their seats, a smoky ring of energy burst forth from between them. Draco settled back and watched the proceedings, a luxury he usually didn't allow for himself. Harry had been correct when he accused Draco of being more sensitive to their energy than most people. It wasn't that Draco tried to sense it, and actually he usually he tried to avoid the sensation completely. Nonetheless, he could feel it anyway and he tried to not think about what that fact implied. However, Draco's quickly developing intimacy with Pansy had done a lot to lessen the irritation of his predicament; in fact, today he found he could sit and watch quite impartially.

The silky ring of smoke burst around them and Harry leaned forwarded in his seat, with a look of intense and painful concentration on his face; he seemed to be in a trance, oblivious to the room around him. Ginny, however, was sitting next to him, benignly watching him and not seeming to be affected by the trance at all.

"It worked. It think it's working." Ginny whispered. "I can feel him using my energy, ever so slightly. Did any of you feel it?"

Draco, Hermione and Professor Snape nodded quietly, but no one could take their eyes off Harry. His face contorted as his concentration deepened; he was obviously in pain, and after he remained unmoving for several minutes Ginny began to worry. He'd never delved into anyone's mind for more than a few seconds.

"Should we try to break the trance?" she whispered.

"No," they all replied.

"Let him be Miss Weasley," Professor Snape replied. "I doubt we'll get a chance like this again."

"But he's in pain!" Ginny cried.

"Miss Weasley, leave him be!" Professor Snape warned.

Finally, Harry was violently released from his trance and he lurched forward out of his seat, hitting the floor with a loud thump.

"Harry! Are you alright?" Ginny threw herself on the floor with him, but Harry motioned her away as soon as his eyes could focus on her. He had turned a pale shade of greyish-green and his entire body began to convulse.

"Harry!" Ginny shrieked.

Harry barely reached a nearby cauldron before he retched into it for several minutes.

"See anything good, Potter?" drawled a cringing Draco.

"Draco! Shut it!" admonished Ginny as she handed Harry a cup of water.

Harry slowly regained his breath and gingerly returned to his chair, but it took him several more minutes to recover fully. When he finally looked up and around the room, all eyes were glued to him. Everyone looked simultaneously stunned, revolted and very curious. They were all waiting for Harry to speak, but Harry couldn't imagine the appropriate words for what he now knew.

"So much hate," was all he could eventually manage. "I've never felt so much hate."

"Harry, I know it's hard, but did you see anything?" Hermione couldn't suppress herself any longer.

Harry nodded.

"Were you able to read his thoughts at will? Do you know his plans?"

Harry shook his head.

"Nothing I can make sense of yet. It's not like I can read thoughts, it's more like I can sense emotions and I see images of … I don't know what of… maybe things he's done…maybe things he's planning to do."

"Tell us Harry, describe what you saw," Hermione asked gently.

"There's so much, Hermione! How can I break it down?"

"What were you looking for Harry? What were you concentrating on finding?"

"At first it was Ginny, I was concentrating on Ginny and what he wants with her."

"Was Ginny there?" Hermione probed further.

Harry nodded.

"He wants her, for the reasons we've imagined," Harry said softly.

"But why?" Ginny burst in, unable to stay silent any longer.

Harry's face cringed as he racked his mind trying to put his experience into words. "He needs a baby, but no… that's not it… he needs a body."

"Do you mean an heir?" Ginny asked.

"No." Harry shook his head. "He doesn't think of it like that, he thinks of it as a body. I don't understand."

"He needs a body!" Professor Snape suddenly joined the conversation from his desk in the corner.

"We've established that!" Draco snapped. "What does it mean?"

"Potter, recap the final day of the Tri-wizard Tournament for us, when the Dark Lord returned."

"Not my favourite memory," Harry grumbled. "What do you want to know?"

"I want to confirm how he returned to a physical state when Peter Pettigrew resurrected him."

"How?" Harry asked dumbly.

"Yes! Yes! How?" Snape snapped. "My understanding is that he materialized out of nothing, is that correct?"

"No, he had a bit of a body, horrible little thing."

"That doesn't matter," Professor Snape continued as though he were thinking aloud. "That would have been an Animus Scaphium, just a container to bind the soul to earth. They're very unstable and have very few elemental properties."

"Okay," Harry agreed blankly.

"How obvious," Snape grumbled to himself. "Why haven't we realized this before?"

"REALIZED WHAT?" Harry growled, from the end of his rope.

Snape smirked. "Really Potter, your analytical skills are pathetic. Miss Granger, what does the Dark Lord fear most?"

"Death," Hermione answered without a pause and a grin that indicated she was following Snape's thought process.

"Correct. Mr. Malfoy, once the Dark Lord regained a physical body, what is his greatest danger?"

"Death?" Draco answered only half understanding the flow of the conversation.

"Very good. Mr. Potter, what would be the Dark Lord's first priority once he obtained a new body?"

"To become immortal again?" Harry asked, in shock as though he didn't believe the words which were exiting his mouth. "But this all happened almost two years ago! Surely he's protected himself by now!"

"Miss Granger? You seem bursting to speak; do you have an answer as usual?" Snape remarked snidely, but the usual cruel edge in his tone was not apparent.

"Well," Hermione began slowly. "What if he was having difficulties making his new body immortal?"

"Why would he have problems if he's done it before?" Harry snapped, wishing someone would get to the point.

"No, what if it doesn't work that way, Harry?"

"Why would what work what way?"

"Think about it Harry, when we're in Transfiguration class and we turn a mouse into a goblet or whatever. What happens next?"

"Nothing."

"No, Harry. Eventually the charm wears off and the goblet turns back into a mouse. When the mouse is a goblet, it's in a very fragile state. If you want it to remain a goblet indefinitely, the charm would require periodic maintenance. It's just a law of nature that every element wants to return to its natural state."

"Are you saying he can't keep the body he's currently in?"

"I don't know. He can probably maintain himself in his current state indefinitely, but his body may never be as stable or as reliable as an organically grown body. What if his current body is unable to hold the powerful magic required to grant a soul immortality?"

"He would need a body," Harry said quietly, while feeling the bile rise in his throat again.

"Oh Gods!" Ginny cried. "But why a baby?"

"Soul transfer requires a blood bond, between the soul donor's body and the receiver's body." Professor Snape supplied quietly.

"So you agree with what Hermione said?" Harry asked incredulously. "You think that's what's happening? He wants to father Ginny's baby, and then what? Wait years and years until it grows up? That doesn't make sense, it would take too long. Even magically enhanced growing can't make a baby grow that fast." Even as Harry was attempting his argument, he knew the truth; everything he had seen and felt in Voldemort's mind supported Snape and Hermione's theory.

"Harry," Hermione began timidly. "I know it's an odd way to look at the problem, but this is a good thing."

"Good thing? What's good, Hermione?"

"We know he's not a patient man. If he needs a baby and he's willing to wait for it, then it shows us how desperate he is. If we're correct, and we don't know we are, but if we are, then he's not immortal and he won't be for a very long time."

The silence in the room was deafening, as everyone breathlessly pondered the possibilities before them.

"We need to know for sure that he's vulnerable," Harry finally said quietly. "I'm not going to spend the rest of my life chasing this lunatic. We need a plan, I want this to end."

"We all do, Harry," Ginny said. "Hermione, you must have some ideas, you've been researching Carina de Florette for months."

"I'm sorry," Hermione shook her head sadly, "it's just one dead end after another."

"We can worry about it later," Harry said, as though a heavy fog had descended over him. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough for today."

"Of course, Harry," Ginny agreed softly. "Do you think you think you could eat something?"

"No thanks, Gin. I just need some sleep. Let's go."

The group mumbled their good-nights to Professor Snape who was uncharacteristically speechless as they left.

Just as Draco broke away from the group to head toward the dungeons Harry stopped him, suddenly coming back to life as he remembered something.

"Malfoy!" Harry called.

Draco turned around and quirked an eyebrow questioningly.

"You were there too," Harry said cryptically.

"Pardon?"

"In Voldemort's head… you're on his mind too. He hates you almost as much as he hates me."

"Am I supposed to be honoured to be in such acclaimed company?" Draco said dryly. "Good-night."

"Malfoy! Why? Why does he hate you?" Harry insisted.

Draco shrugged. "Couldn't say, Potter." Draco started backing slowing towards the stairway. "But I'm touched you can't imagine why someone would hate me." Chuckling, Draco quickly turned and continued on his way.

Ginny stretched out comfortably in her bed, the early morning light peeking through her bed curtains. She wondered if she could afford to roll over and steal another half hour of sleep.

Suddenly she was wide awake. It was Saturday! Valentine's Day! A big day in so many ways! But first she had to get to breakfast and put her scheme into action. She dressed quickly and rushed to the Great Hall.

She knew from her rounds with Draco the previous evening that he was planning to eat his breakfast early and get started on his Valentine's Day plans with Pansy. He was not at all willing to share his plans with Ginny, nor was he willing to elaborate on the change in status of his and Astrid's relationship. Overall Ginny was disappointed with Draco, he wasn't being fun at all and this helped to soothe any guilty feelings she was having about what was about to befall him.

She approached the Slytherin table as casually as possible and stopped where Draco and Pansy seemed to be halfway through their breakfasts. There was a steady stream of students entering the Great Hall. Ginny looked back and saw Harry, Ron and Hermione taking their seats behind her.

"Morning Draco, Happy Valentine's Day." Ginny smiled sweetly and handed a small gold box to Draco. He looked up from his breakfast with surprise.

"Thanks Gin, you didn't have to do that. Sorry, I didn't get you anything."

"Oh, it's nothing, really. You're welcome."

"Open it Draco," Pansy elbowed him with curiosity. Ginny couldn't tell if it was jealous curiosity or curious curiosity.

"Okay." Draco lifted the lid from the box and the familiar smell of fine chocolate wafted over the dining table.

"It's fudge, from an old family recipe," Ginny offered, beginning to back away from the table slowly.

"Wow! That smells good!" Pansy said reaching for a piece of fudge, but Draco slapped her hand away.

"No! Mine! Maybe later, if you're very good!" Draco snapped.

Ginny turned away to hide her smirk; she was counting on Draco's inability to share to make her plan work.

"Morning Gin, why didn't you wait for us?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow as Ginny took her seat amongst her friends.

"Just had a few things to do first. Happy Valentine's Day, Harry." She leaned over and gave him a warm kiss which melted the tension in his forehead.

"Happy Valentine's Day to you," he said back. "I'll give your present to you later, okay?"

Ginny nodded. "You're getting yours later too."

"Gin, what'd you give Malfoy?" Ron asked tauntingly.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Not that it's your business Ron, but I gave him some fudge."

"Fudge? Where'd you get fudge?"

"I made it."

"What? Grandma Prewett's fudge? You made Grandma Prewett's fudge for the Ferret without making some for me?"

"Shows about where you rank, doesn't it Ron?" Ginny snapped.

"Don't start," Hermione interrupted. "Here Ginny, eat your breakfast," she said as she passed Ginny the platter of eggs and Harry dropped a few sausages on her plate.

"I would have liked some fudge too, Gin," Harry grumbled teasingly in her ear.

"What you're getting is better than candy, and besides, you wouldn't have liked this batch."

Ginny tucked into her breakfast while having a quiet conversation with Harry and keeping one eye on Draco.

Suddenly her stomach clenched as she saw Draco reach into the golden box and pop a piece of fudge into his mouth.

A look of relaxed ecstasy melted over Draco's face; this was to be expected as the normal reaction to Grandma Prewett's fudge. But then Draco slumped over onto the table unconscious. Pansy shook him in a panic and was able to revive him after several seconds. Draco sat up weakly and squinted at Pansy, but didn't seem to recognize her. He looked about the room expectantly until he found whom he was seeking. Draco rose from his seat unsteadily and took the most direct course towards his prey which was over the top of the Slytherin table and then he leapt onto the top of the Gryffindor table.

Hushed silence descended over the Great Hall as all eyes turned to Draco. He was on top of the Gryffindor dining table, walking down the centre. His gait was unsteady, but purposeful, like a drunken man who suddenly remembered a very important task. Gryffindors chided him and threw their breakfasts at him as he stepped over and sometimes into their plates. Ginny watched his progress with trepidation, the guilty conscience she'd been repressing for weeks was now pounding at her from within, for only she knew what would happen next.

Draco paused where Harry was sitting and, as Ginny knew he would, he then gestured to Harry and turned to acknowledge the silent and gaping crowd.

"MALFOY! What the bloody hell are you on about?" Harry yelled.

Draco looked down onto Harry lustfully, one could even say lovingly. Ginny groaned and buried her head in her hands as Draco began to speak, elocuting loudly and clearly.

Your eyes are green as a fresh pickled toad

So I sing you this very gay ode.

I'm as hard as a rock

And although we'll be mocked

Return my love or I swear I'll implode!

Suddenly, the spell released Draco with a loud snap, and he stumbled backwards slightly, breaking several more dishes, before regaining his balance. The realization of what had just transpired passed over his face in several stages. First he looked around, bewildered by his location atop the Gryffindor table. Second, he realized that he was the focus of the entire school, some students who were silently aghast and others who were barking with laughter. Finally, the full realization of what had just happened struck. He remembered everything and he blanched! He looked down on Harry's pale and shocked complexion, but Harry was not looking at Draco. Harry was glaring at Ginny!

Any disbelief that Ginny could be the one who did this to him disappeared when he saw her face. She had risen from the table and retreated several steps; her eyes were wide and bright, as they darted back and forth between Draco and Harry. Her face reflected so many emotions that it was impossible to read. However, one thing was perfectly clear to Draco: Ginny was the mastermind behind this horrifying prank and Draco turned his glare onto her as well.

It was in this moment that Ginny realized something important; the two boys she cared most about in the world were also the two scariest wizards of her age! And at that moment, the anger and hatred which they usually reserved for one another was focused sharply on her!

Ginny smiled meekly, desperately trying to think of anything to say. "It really didn't seem that harsh when I wrote it," she shrugged and cringed.

Draco moved for Ginny first, stepping from the table to the bench and then to the floor with a smooth gait, glaring down at her from inches away in a split-second.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I went too far," she squeaked timidly, but looked him in the eyes.

Draco continued to glare down at her, his face emotionless and still, except for the twitching of his tensed jaw muscles. She noticed his clenched fists nervously.

Then suddenly, he pushed past her roughly and exited the Great Hall without a word.

"Whoa," Ron whispered to Hermione. "I think my sister's the only person in the world who could pull a prank like that and live."

"It's not over yet," Hermione whispered back, as she nodded toward Ginny who had just been grabbed by Harry and was being dragged from the Great Hall.

Once outside the dining hall Harry pushed Ginny into the nearest corner.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS THAT, GIN?" Harry bellowed at her.

"Sorry, Harry!" she cringed.

"SORRY? YOU THINK 'SORRY' WILL FIX IT? WHAT DID I DO TO YOU TO DESERVE THAT?"

"NOTHING! And please don't yell at me, you have no idea how scary you are when you're angry."

"Fine," he said tersely. "I won't yell. Answer the question. Why did you do that me?" Ginny immediately regretted her request because she found Harry's controlled intense rage much scarier than his yelling.

"I didn't do it to you. Honestly. I did it to Draco, he…"

"You can't honestly tell me you thought I would be unaffected by that… that…"

"Okay, I know, it was bad. That'll teach me not to write limericks while angry."

"GINNY! THIS ISN'T A GOOD TIME TO JOKE!"

"I'm sorry, Harry! So sorry!" Tears welled up in Ginny's eyes; she hadn't meant to hurt Harry, but clearly she hadn't thought things through completely.

Harry felt himself melt a bit when he saw Ginny's tears, but he wouldn't let the sympathy overwhelm him; he gathered his righteous indignation around him like a cloak and moved away from her.

"Ginny, I think maybe we should just spend the day apart. We'll try talking this evening."

"NO! Please! Don't go away Harry. You've no idea how much I've been looking forward to this day," she pleaded desperately.

"It's ruined now, Gin." Harry shook his head and turned to leave.

"NO!" Ginny sobbed as she pulled Harry back towards her. But then she had an idea, and she brightened visibly. "Let me make up to you." Ginny met Harry's angry glare, her voice had softened measurably and she began to finger the buttons on the front of Harry's shirt. "I think you'll forgive me once I tell you about your Valentines present."

Harry looked at her doubtfully. "Keep talking."

Ginny stood on tip toes and whispered into Harry ear, and then she took a step backwards to watch his reaction.

Several reactions played vividly across Harry's face. After the initial surprise, a burst of glee registered, but it was quickly replaced by tension once he remembered he was livid with Ginny. She grinned as she watched the battle between Harry's anger and his desire to collect Ginny's gift played out before her.

"Hey mate," Ron burst in behind them as he left the great hall. "Ah, you haven't killed her yet, that's a good thing. Hogsmeade day! You two coming?"

Harry was shocked out of his reverie by Ron's interruption, but he didn't take his eyes off of Ginny.

"No thanks, Ron. We have other plans," Harry said icily.

Ron furrowed his brows. "Whatever, I don't want to be around if you guys are gonna fight all day." Ron grumbled as he and Hermione went on their way. "Try not to hurt each other."

"No promises," Ginny called, her eyes bright with excitement. "You forgive me?"

"No," Harry said curtly. "You do realize you're using sex as a weapon, right?"

"More like a tool, a very nice tool," she grinned up at him.

Harry couldn't suppress the slight grin from twitching at the corners of his mouth. But it was enough to make Ginny throw herself at him and cover his face with kisses.

"You do forgive me, I know it! Admit it!" she laughed.

Harry peeled her off of him and held her at arms length.

"Maybe I do forgive you a little, but only because I'm sure Malfoy will get enough revenge for both of us. And don't expect me to protect you when it happens!"

"Hmmm, he was pretty pissed, wasn't he?"

"I'd say so," Harry said dryly.

"Well, I'll think about that tomorrow. What do you have in mind for today?'

"Meet me in the Tree in an hour."

"The Tree? I thought you said it was a sanctuary, not a love shack." Ginny smiled naughtily at him.

"Well, things change. See you there. Don't be late." Harry ran off before she could say another word.

Ginny entered the Tree guardedly; considering it was nearing noon, it was very dark and she had only the light reflecting from her wand to guide her.

"Harry?" she called. "Harry? Are you here?"

Suddenly the room sprung alive with light, dozens of candles everywhere. Ginny smiled, "The old candle trick again?" she asked looking about warily, since she still couldn't see Harry. "You used that in the Prefect's bathroom. You couldn't think of anything original?"

A fire burst to life in the hearth, illuminating the area around it. There was a chess set and several other games arraigned on the floor before the fire.

"Chess?" Ginny giggled. "You want to be pummelled at chess? How romantic."

Suddenly Ginny noticed a basket nearby; she found it filled with food, all of her favourites.

"Oh, this is more like it Harry Potter!"

Suddenly Harry's arms were behind her, wrapping around her middle and pulling her into him.

"Ah, there you are!"

"Yes, I had to come out of hiding before you ate everything. That's for later, we just finished breakfast."

"That was over an hour ago. You've gone to a lot of trouble." Ginny sighed, relaxing into his arms and turning to face him. "You couldn't have done all this in an hour."

"No," Harry admitted. "This is what I had planned for Valentines Day. I thought we could spend the day alone together. Just us, talking, maybe a snog or two. That was before you came up with your much improved idea."

"Sounds promising. We can do both. We have all day." Ginny smiled at him, settled into a very comfortable chair, which happened to be big enough for two and gave him her best come-hither stare. Harry wasted no time in joining her there.

Ginny was more nervous than she would admit, even to herself, about the day's plans. However, Ginny's nervousness subsided as the hours passed quickly, they always did in Harry and Ginny's world. They never ran out of topics of conversation, and being quiet together was pure bliss.

"Harry?" Ginny asked awhile later, as they were still cuddled together in the chair. "Do you think real-life will ever be this peaceful for us?"

"What do you mean, Gin?"

"I guess I'm asking you how you see your future. What do you want your life to be like?"

Harry looked at Ginny blankly. "I…I don't know. I don't think about it. Gin, you know as well as I do that I may not have a future."

"Harry, don't say that. Don't even think it. Imagine that you're successful and Voldemort is gone forever. What would your life be like? What would you want to do?"

"You mean for a job?"

"Sure, that's a start."

"You know, Ron and I have always planned to be Aurors. Even if I succeed. there'll always be dark wizards."

"But is that what you want? It seems like something that's been thrust upon you, and you haven't been given a choice."

"Seems to be where I belong," he shrugged.

"But is it what you want Harry?"

"I don't know what you want to hear, Gin."

"Well, you know I'm with you Harry. You know I'll do whatever it takes to defeat Voldemort, right?"

"Yes."

"But after he's gone… I don't know… after he's gone everything will change, won't it?"

"I hope so, for the better."

"We'll be able to choose the life we want to lead."

"What do you want, Gin? What sort of life do you want?"

"I want peace and safety. I want to live a quiet life. I want to make a family. I know it sounds very…"

"It sounds lovely, Gin."

"Would you be happy with a life like that, Harry?"

"Gin, with you I'd be happy hanging upside down in a cave. But I don't know… like you said, danger seems to find me and it's not like I choose it. I don't know."

"Oh."

"You hungry?'

"Of course."

"Gin, what's wrong? You seem sad suddenly."

"Nothing, Harry. Let's eat. We're getting entirely too serious for what's supposed to be a romantic day."

"Gin, don't worry, everything will be alright. Let's never doubt that. Okay?"

Ginny nodded and when she smiled broadly, Harry couldn't help but smile back. The warmth of her smile and the trust in her eyes made Harry feel complete.

"Kiss me, Harry."

Harry complied happily, pulling Ginny into his embrace, kissing her softly and then leading her onto the soft blanket spread before the fire. The two lovers settled down to eat their picnic. A casual observer would note there were equal amounts of eating and kissing going on.

Soon the food was gone and the intensity of their passions grew. Harry found himself concentrating his attentions on Ginny's neck and earlobes, and he was rewarded with soft moans for his efforts.

Over the past weeks, Harry had studied Ginny's body as thoroughly as Hermione had learned her Ancient Runes lessons. When it came to Ginny, Harry was a very good student.

Harry suckled on a tender bit of skin on the pulse point of her neck. He knew he would probably leave his mark there and he was glad… he wanted the world to know that Ginny was his. Harry laved the red mark to soothe it and then blew on it lightly, sending cool chills down Ginny's spine and further igniting her fire within.

Ginny's hands moved to the buttons of her blouse, but Harry stopped her.

"Sshhh… slow down, let me do that. We're not in a hurry, Gin. Like you said, we have all day. For once we're not hiding; no one will find us here. This is our first time. I want to make it last." Harry had finished unbuttoning Ginny's blouse and began exploring her already well-mapped belly.

""Hmmm, Harry… you do realize the first time for a girl really sucks, don't you? Maybe we should just get this over with."

Harry stopped suddenly and looked into her concerned eyes; for the first time, in addition to lust, he thought he saw a bit of fear.

"Gin, we really don't have to do anything if you're not ready."

"No, I'm ready Harry; you have no idea how ready. I feel like I've been waiting for this day forever. But… would you do something for me?"

"Of course," he said, sitting up and pulling Ginny upright with him. "What?"

"When the time comes, make it quick and when I least expect it, okay?"

Harry furrowed his brow and smirked involuntarily. "I don't think, I'll have a problem with quick, believe me."

"Harry! That's not what I mean!"

"But, when you least expect it? I can't imagine how you won't be expecting it, Gin."

"You're laughing at me Harry," Ginny pouted.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to. I'll do my best. Come with me."

Harry stood up and pulled Ginny to her feet.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"We're going to the bed," he said hotly into her ear.

Harry guided Ginny toward the bed allowing his hands to slowly float over the curves of her waist and hips, his fingers making small circles as they travelled over her clothes he seemed to be extracting pleasure from each fibre that covered her. But soon nothing was between them and Ginny revelled in the feeling of Harry's smooth, Quidditch hardened body caressing her everywhere. Ginny remembered there was nothing to be nervous about with Harry and relaxed.

Harry was determined to prepare Ginny in everyway possible, before he followed through on what he had only done in the privacy of his imagination. He easily worked her body into a fever pitch, and took pride in finding new ways to bring her to a now familiar and welcome conclusion. This day was no different and through his thorough and constant care he rendered her into a desperate state until she begged him to finish it.

"Please, Harry. Please!"

"But it would ruin the surprise," he chuckled in her ear as his naughty fingers brought her as close to the edge as possible without going over.

"Oh Gods, you're dead Potter!" she groaned while her hips bucked against his hand. "This is revenge for this morning isn't it? You're going to torture me with my own lust."

"Not at all!" Harry laughed, and then suckled her nipple, in a way that never failed to make her wail his name. "I'm just giving you what you asked for, and what you deserve."

Harry mouth joined his fingers in their mission of driving Ginny mad with desire. Ginny's desperation grew exponentially by the second, and she had no other choice but to wrap thighs tightly around Harry's head and squeeze as her body convulsed around him.

"I swear, Potter!" she began breathlessly. "If you don't give me what I need… right now… you're going to die in this position."

Knowing that he might be destined to die at the hands of Voldemort, Harry thought this would be a far more pleasurable way to go. Nonetheless, given that under the circumstances he was unable to respond to her threat verbally, responded by letting his fingers plunder further and finished her off with one last powerful suck.

Harry was sure that any passersby of the Shrieking Shack would report that it was haunted once again when they heard the keening emanating from within.

Ginny's was at the height of this ecstatic torture when Harry took the opportunity to finish the job at hand. Her eyes popped open to see Harry's eyes inches away from her.

"Oh! Gods yes, Harry!" Ginny's body opened further, welcoming him and sending her even further over the edge.

"Surprise," Harry muttered with some effort, himself having difficulty controlling his own ecstasy, because Ginny's soft warmth ignited a joy within Harry he had never imagined.

Hours later, Harry lay on his side gazing at Ginny's dozing form, his hand gently caressing her hair and temple. Making love to Ginny had been brilliant, and he felt overwhelmed by the love and trust which she had placed in him.

The entire afternoon had been blissful; he revelled in the peace which he felt when he and Ginny were alone. They managed to create a universe for themselves and nothing else existed: there were no monsters trying to kill them, there were no worries at all. Harry wished they could escape together, somewhere far away where the reality they lived in didn't matter. But just as he made that wish he also knew he wouldn't accept it, even if it were granted; there was too much at stake to walk away.

Harry sat up to try to get an idea of the time of day and he noticed blood on the bed clothes and Ginny's thighs. Harry reached for his wand and quickly performed a cleansing charm to destroy the droplets of blood for which a madman would have been willing to kill. Harry smiled contentedly; Ginny was safe from one threat at least.

"Gin," he whispered softly while applying kisses to her ear and neck. "Gin, wake up it's getting late; if we're not back for dinner everyone will worry."

"Mmmm…too happy to leave," she groaned as she rolled toward Harry and wrapped her

leg around his hip. "Can't we just stay here forever, making love and ignoring the world?"

"I've had similar thoughts myself. But no, and I think you'd probably change your mind as soon as you realized we were out of food."

"Why, Harry Potter! Are you implying that I love food more than I do you?" Ginny laughed as she rolled over pushing Harry onto his back and straddling his hips.

"I think a pretty air-tight case could be made for that, yes." Harry retorted bucking his hips upwards in a way that was very pleasing to both of them. Ginny sighed and closed her eyes, grinding back on him. "Don't get too comfortable, Gin." Harry said with difficulty. "You know we have to go back."

"I know," Ginny sighed, while climbing off the bed and beginning to dress.

Harry followed her example and dressed himself slowly, never able to rip his eyes away from her. He felt a twinge of guilt when he noticed that she was moving gingerly as she tidied and collected their belongings.

"Are you alright, Gin? I know I hurt you, I'm sorry."

"You already apologized a dozen times Harry. It's not so bad, and it was very worth it. I'm fine, Harry. No worse than a rough Quidditch game." Ginny looked up from gathering the remains of their picnic and she noticed the concern in Harry's eyes. She quickly went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You were wonderful today Harry, I can't imagine anything better."

"I just wish it didn't hurt you," he whispered while kissing her gently.

"It won't next time. Come on and let's get out of here, I'm starving."

"What did I tell you? Stomach first, that's my Ginny."

As they walked back to school, Harry's arm around her shoulders and Ginny snuggled close, Harry thought it very odd he didn't see any other students on the path back to school; it was the time of day when he would expect to see a steady stream of students returning to the castle from their day in town.

Even walking through the castle corridors was odd, because there was no one in sight.

"HARRY! GINNY! Where have you been? We thought you'd been taken!" Hermione pounced on them the second they passed through the Gryffindor portrait door and wrapped them both in a choking hug.

The common room was filled to the brim with gaping, dishevelled, panicked looking students.

"Taken? What's going on here? What happened?" Harry gasped with stunned surprise.

"There was a Death Eater attack in Hogsmeade," Hermione supplied.

"Where's Ron?" Ginny burst out suddenly as she scanned the room, looking for her brother.

Hermione turned to her with a pained look. "He's in the hospital wing; they wouldn't let me near him. I've been going mad…"

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Both Harry and Ginny burst in unison.

But Hermione couldn't go on; she burst into tears and crumbled into Harry's arms.

"Shhh…it's all right, Hermione," he said gently, as he lead her to a nearby sofa, shooing away its current residents with a glare.

"Hermione, please tell us what happened. How bad is Ron? Was he conscious?" Ginny asked, trying to remain calm, but the panic was rising in her eyes. She sat on the floor at Hermione's feet and willed her the strength to go on.

"We…we were in Flourish and Blotts, Ron got bored and went outside. Just as I stepped into the street, I heard a loud explosion and saw flames devouring The Three Broomsticks… and Ron running towards it. I yelled at him to stop, but he ignored me and he went in. He was trying to find people to get them out, and he managed to pull out three people before Antonin Dolohov attacked him from behind."

"Oh gods!" Ginny cried.

"It was terrible!" Hermione sobbed. "He used the Cruciatus Curse on him! He wanted to kill Ron! I've never seen anything…" Hermione couldn't go on, she broke down into sobs.

"Come on, Hermione," Harry said rising and pulling Hermione up with him. "Let's go to the Hospital wing and see how Ron's doing."

"But they wouldn't let me in!"

"They'll let me in if they know what's good for them!" Ginny said. "Besides Neville and I have a potion Ron should take. Where is Neville? Maybe he's with Ron already?"

"I don't know where he is, I haven't seen him," Hermione sniffled as the three friends made their way thought the portrait hole.

The sight of Ron in his hospital bed was both horrifying and reassuring. He was covered with burns from head to toe and even both of his hands were wrapped in gauze, but he was awake and alert and very happy to see the three of them.

"Harry! Ginny! Are you alright?"

"We're fine, but I think we should be asking you that mate," Harry chuckled, clearly relieved.

"I look worse than I am. I don't understand why Madame Pomfrey has me wrapped up like a mummy! She healed my burns in two minutes!"

"Because new skin is very fragile Ron," Hermione supplied in the know-it-all tone that never failed to put a smile on Ron's face. "It needs to be protected for the first twenty-four hours."

"It's good to see you too, Hermione," Ron grinned, "come and give me a kiss."

Hermione complied, while Harry and Ginny tried to look away.

"But Ron, Hermione said she saw you get hit with the Cruciatus Curse," Ginny said.

"Yeah, I was," Ron said solemnly. "That was bad, way worse than the burns."

"But you're alright already. You should still be unconscious!"

Ron shook his head, "I'm fine now, and I think I have you to thank for that, Gin. Neville gave me some of that concoction that you two brewed up, vile stuff by the way, but it worked!"

"What was it like, Ron? What did you feel before and after you took the potion? We can never tell with Neville's parents how it's working!" Ginny asked excitedly.

"I don't remember getting hit with the curse, and my memory starts when I was already in my hospital bed with Madame Pomfrey and Neville spooning that stuff down my throat. Can't you add raspberry flavouring to it or something?"

"Ron! Go on!" Ginny encouraged.

"I remember I went from feeling nothing to having crippling pain shooting through my body, but I couldn't scream, I couldn't react to anything. I was trapped in the pain. That part was bad, but then the pain started to fade. It was as if the more of the potion they fed me the quicker the pain stopped."

Ginny was beside herself with joy! Not only was her brother going to be alright, but she had played an instrumental part in saving him! All of the hours she and Neville had poured into developing their potion had paid off ten-fold!

"Ron, I'm so happy you're alright and that I could help! But where's Neville? I need to talk to him about this," Ginny asked.

"He went to St. Mungo's ages ago to help with some of the victims of the attack who were worse off than me."

Ginny had forgotten that there were others! "I should be there too!" she cried.

"You'll do no such thing my dear," Madam Pomfrey interrupted, "Mr. Longbottom just flooed me. He's done all he can at the hospital and will return to school soon. I suggest you go back to your common room and wait for him. Mr. Weasley needs his rest. Now shoo, the lot of you!"

Ginny waited for Neville impatiently. She told Harry he should go to bed, but he insisted on waiting up with her; he sat with her quietly, stroking her hair and talking of mundane, silly things to help pass the time.

When Neville finally arrived he was fatigued and drawn.

"Neville! What happened? How are the other victims? Did our potion work on the more severe cases?"

"Slow down, Ginny!" Neville pleaded. He was exhausted and honestly too tired to answer a hundred questions, but Ginny's energy and enthusiasm buoyed him for a moment or two. Besides, he too was anxious to discuss his newfound discoveries with someone who would understand.

"How much do you know Gin?" he asked.

"I only know you saved Ron and there were others who were worse off at St. Mungo's."

"Yes, there were four others. All but one responded to the potion, but Pansy was too far gone to save."

"PANSY? Pansy Parkinson was attacked?"

"Yes, didn't you know?"

"No, I didn't know." Ginny said numbly. "She's… she's…"

"She's dead, Ginny. There was nothing I could do. She got the worst of the attack."

"Oh Gods, no!" Ginny cried. This day, which should have been romantic and carefree, had become a nightmare. Suddenly, it hit her. "Draco? Was he attacked too?"

"No, he wasn't at the Three Broomsticks during the attack, but he was at the hospital with Pansy until just before I left. He was out of his mind, and he keeps blaming himself for some reason. Apparently, Pansy was in The Three Broomsticks waiting for him. He thinks they targeted her to get to him." Neville's voice broke with emotion. "The Healers tried Gin, but they just couldn't bring her back."

"Oh no," she sobbed. "Poor Draco. Where is he now?"

"No idea. He left in a rage, but Professor Snape made sure he came back to school. Otherwise, Merlin only knows what he would have done. Gin, I've got to get some sleep. We'll talk in the morning." And with that, Neville made a speedy exit, before Ginny could think of more questions.

Ginny was panicked. She had to help Draco, she had to at least try. But she knew the idea wouldn't be well received by Harry or her brother.

"Harry, I have to help him," she said pleadingly.

Harry raised his resigned eyes to meet Ginny's. The thought of Ginny comforting Malfoy and of him touching her, sickened Harry. But this was who she was: when she saw pain she tried to fix it, and Harry knew this better than anyone.

"I know you do, Gin," Harry nodded.

"You know how it feels to have Voldemort target people you love! He shouldn't be alone right now."

"I'm not arguing with you, Gin," Harry sighed.

"No. You're not, are you?" she pondered. Harry shook his head. "I guess I was expecting the typical Ron reaction." Ginny launched herself at Harry, covering his resistant face with kisses. "Gods, I love you Harry Potter!"

"Let's not forget that, okay?" Harry said quietly as he released her.

"Never!" she said gazing at him adoringly.

"Do you know where he'd go?" Harry asked.

"I have an idea: he likes to hide on top of one of the abandoned turrets, but it's too cold to stay out there for too long, even with a warming charm. If he's not there I may need the Marauder's Map, okay?" she called as she ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

"Yeah, sure Gin," Harry said icily, once she was out of earshot. "Whatever I can do to send you back into the arms of Malfoy! Fucking idiot Potter! Why can't you put your foot down with her? Because she'll do what she wants to do anyway, and then be pissed off at me for trying to stop her," he argued with himself. "Spineless pussy! Can't even control your own woman! You should show her who's the boss! She's the boss!"

"Who are you talking to Harry?" Ginny asked as she descended the stairs wrapped in her warmest cloak and clutching her broom.

"No one," Harry answered sheepishly.

"I don't know when I'll be back; I'll stay as long as I have to. Don't worry about me." Ginny must have caught a glimpse of Harry's inner turmoil because before she raced through the portrait hole she said, "I love you, don't ever forget that."

It took Ginny several passes over Draco's turret before she spotted a form in the shadows, under an arch.

As she landed behind him, she thought she heard far off screaming silenced by a dull thud. Draco was sitting on the floor of the turret concentrating on the space in front of him.

"Draco?" she called quietly

Draco started and turned. He stared at Ginny momentarily as though he'd never seen her before and then he turned his back on her again.

Again, Ginny thought she heard far off screaming. "NO! MELORD, NO! I BEG YOU!" and then a thud silenced the scream. The thud seemed to be coming from where Draco was sitting, so Ginny moved around him to see what he was doing.

He had a large rock in his hand and a pile of white powder before him. It seemed as though he'd been crushing something with the rock.

"Go away Weasley! I don't need your brand of Gryffindor sympathy and understanding at the moment."

"I just came to see if you're alright."

"Clearly, I'm fine." Draco reached into his cloak and pulled out a small white object. Ginny couldn't make out what it was, so she moved closer.

"Draco, I know after this morning I'm not your favourite person, but I'd like to help."

Draco pondered for a moment, as though he couldn't recall the reason for her words and then he snorted. "Your asinine sense of humour isn't remotely at the forefront of my thought process right now, Weasley," he spat.

Draco placed the object he was holding on the ground before him and raised the rock. "SIR! NO! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!" Draco let the large stone crash down on the small begging knight. In an instant it was pulverized into powder.

"Draco! No! You're killing your chessmen! You love your chessmen!"

"I like the screaming," he said coldly. "I have to kill something," he said as he reached for another chessman and positioned him.

"No Draco! That's not who you are!"

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT WEASLEY?" he exploded. "You don't know who I am! You never did! You only know who you wanted me to be! You only know how you wanted to save me and reform me! You don't know who I am!"

"Draco, please…"

"The only person who knows me… the only person who doesn't think I'm a poor damaged soul… I killed her!" Draco pounded the trembling chessman with the rock before he even had a chance to scream for mercy and he kept pounding, long after it had been rendered into dust. Draco was crying now, uncontrollably "I killed her… I killed her, Ginny… I killed her…"

"No, no you didn't. I don't know what happened exactly, but I know you didn't kill Pansy. You loved her more than anything." Ginny sat on the ground with Draco and she wrested the rock away from him and wrapped her arms around him. He didn't have the energy to resist her and he allowed himself to melt into her embrace while he cried. Ginny was startled by how cold he was; he was trembling, and she quickly cast a warming charm.

She held Draco for a long time until finally he calmed down and his breathing returned to normal.

"Tell me what happened, Draco," she whispered, stroking his hair.

"She asked for a special day, I promised her a special day," Draco spoke slowly, without emotion as though he were speaking of people he didn't know. "She thought we were going to have lunch at The Three Broomsticks, but I was just planning to use the Floo there to take us to London for the day."

"Where were you? Why was she in the pub alone?" Ginny asked gently.

"I got a message this morning, from my Aunt Bella."

"Bellatrix Lestrange?" Ginny asked, and Draco nodded.

"She said she wanted to meet with me, and she had a message from the Dark Lord. She told me to bring as many security wizards as I needed to, that she just wanted to help. I didn't believe her, but she's my aunt… and I didn't think she'd hurt me."

"Draco…" Ginny said, disbelievingly.

"Yes, I know… you would have told me a different story," he sighed. "So, I met with her. I thought I could get some information out of her about Voldemort's plans to become immortal. We have to know, don't we?"

"Did you?"

"Not much. She told me the Dark Lord knows Potter was in his mind. She said he'll be unable to get in again. She said he was showing Harry what he wanted him to see. She told me the Dark Lord was growing impatient with me. That he intended to have my allegiance, no matter how he had to break me to get it. She said she didn't want to see me lose everything I care about. She told me my mother would be killed if I didn't…"

"Remember in Snape's office? Harry said Voldemort hated you as much as he hated Harry? You said you didn't know why, but you do know, don't you?"

Draco nodded. "I've been ignoring summons after summons. I've been cutting off his streams of revenue and supplies which used to come from the Malfoy estate."

"Draco, that's wonderful!"

"I haven't been doing it for the Order, Ginny. I've been doing for the good of the Malfoy estate. I thought I could become neutral, neither helping nor hindering either side. But I see now that I was naïve. Voldemort only sees those who obey him and those who don't."

"And it was a trap by your aunt?"

"Yes," Draco nodded. "I told her I had no intention of becoming Voldemort's minion, and she told me I would live to regret that decision. That's when I started hearing explosions and screams from town. They were attacking The Three Broomsticks! I had taken my security team with me, but I hadn't thought to leave any of them with Pansy." Draco's voice finally cracked as his thoughts returned to Pansy and he began to lose control of his emotions again.

"Sshh…it's not your fault, you couldn't have known… that's how he works, Draco."

"No, I killed her… as much as if I'd done the Cruciatus Curse myself."

"That's not true." Ginny longed to compare Draco's ordeal to Harry's feelings over the death of Sirius, but Ginny knew Draco would take no comfort from being compared to Harry Potter. She would have to find another way. It would be a long night.

"Draco, it's cold out here. Let's go in, I know a place where we can be warm and alone and comfortable."

"Where's that?"

"The Room of Requirement, remember you raided a DA meeting there last year? Can we go there?"

Draco nodded.

"Where's your broom?"

Draco pointed to the other end of the turret. He was drawn and weak and Ginny worried whether he could even ride a broom in his condition.

"Go get it," she whispered, nudging him in the direction of his broom.

When Draco's back was turned she quickly performed a Reparo charm on the broken chessmen and pocketed them. Draco would want them back when he was feeling better.

It was past three the following afternoon and there was still was no sign of Ginny. Against his own better judgment, Harry had watched the Marauders Map the previous evening. He had watched Ginny find Draco on the turret and watched them together for an hour at least. Then he had seen them fly off and disappear into the Room of Requirement. He couldn't see within the room, but he assumed they were still holed up in there.

Harry was walking to the Hospital wing to visit Ron, who wouldn't be released for at least another few days. Harry was hoping a chat with Ron would get his mind off the knot in his stomach.

"Hey mate!" Ron said cheerfully.

"I see Hermione was here," Harry smirked indicating the huge pile of Chocolate Frogs on the bedside table. Harry neglected to point out the other signs of Hermione's recent presence, those being Ron's lips were puffed to the size of a blowfish, he had a love bite on his neck, and… no… Harry didn't want to think about what he thought he saw under the blanket.

"Yeah…erm, she just left a few minutes ago… she was… erm, helping me unwrap the candy. I can't do much with these," he said waving his gauze covered hands.

"I'll just bet," Harry said dryly.

"Hey! Where's Gin? She hasn't been to see me at all today."

"No, I haven't seen her around either," Harry returned casually, hoping the subject might change.

"What do you mean you haven't seen her around?" Ron laughed. "You two are practically joined at the hip! Well… not literally… erm… you know what I mean."

Now it was Harry's turn to laugh at his friend's fumbling. "Unfortunately, we're not joined at the hip today, Ron. As you can see."

"Well where is she?"

Why can't Weasleys ever let a subject drop? thought Harry. "Last I saw she'd gone to spend some time with Malfoy."

"Oh, well I suppose that's alright. They are friends after all… and Malfoy must be busted up about Parkinson. Hermione told me about her," he said sadly. "She was a nice girl… got to know her a bit on rounds, I liked her a lot." Ron paused, in a rare moment of emotional self-reflection. "We have to kill that bastard, Harry." Ron finished quietly.

"I know, we will," Harry returned solemnly.

"Mr. Potter," Professor Snape sneered from the door of the hospital wing, "a word please?"

"He said 'please' to me," Harry grumbled under his breath to Ron.

"Hades must be chilly today," snickered Ron.

"Catch you later, mate… this'll probably take a while." Harry rolled his eyes and hopped off Ron's bed, exiting with Professor Snape.

"Mr. Potter, I realize this is a long shot, but do you happen to know where I could find Mr. Malfoy?"

"I have a few ideas. Why?"

"Potter, don't test my patience today! Go and find Draco, and then both of you are to report to Professor Dumbledore's office immediately."

"Why?" Harry repeated.

"Potter!"

"Professor Snape, if I can find him, Malfoy will be in no mood to take orders from me. That doesn't happen even when he's in the best of moods. I need to know why."

"There have been more attacks… he's needed." Professor Snape filled Harry in as best he could, and soon Harry was racing toward the Room of Requirements at full speed.

Once outside the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, Harry realized that Draco and Ginny would have required a private place where no one could find them. Harry's only hope of getting inside quickly was to make enough ruckus outside so as to attract their attention. Harry began pounding on the wall where he knew the door should be and screaming at the top of his lungs. He had to admit to himself that it was rather a relief to have a more than valid excuse to break up their little reunion.

"Did you hear that?" Draco mumbled sleepily.

After a long and painful night he'd finally gone to sleep on the sofa before the fire. The only thing helping to ward off his many nightmares was Ginny's hand gently stroking his hair while he slept with his head on her lap.

Ginny woke with a start. "It sounds like Harry. Let him in, Draco."

"I knew he couldn't resist rescuing you from my clutches for much longer," Draco grumbled as he mentally instructed the room to open for Harry.

The open door materialized from the solid castle stone and Harry stumbled through it before he realized what was happening.

Harry blinked several times at the dark room before him, and it took him several seconds to make out the two figures sitting on the sofa staring at him. Unbidden relief flooded Harry's mind as he surveyed the room and saw no signs of any behaviour he would find disturbing. Harry pushed the shame of his doubt out of his mind for the moment and tried to concentrate on his mission.

"Harry! Is everything alright?" Ginny asked.

"No, I'm sorry. I wouldn't have come if I didn't have to. Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore needs you right away."

"My mother?" he asked with a slight tone of panic in his voice, rising immediately.

"No. At least I don't think so. There've been more attacks. Several Muggle families have been killed and injured."

"So? I don't know any Muggles."

"It's Astrid… her parents have been killed. She's screaming for you."

Draco bounded out the door before Harry could finish his sentence.

"Gin, you alright?" Harry asked the stunned Ginny, once Draco was gone.

"I'm good, Harry," said rising and kissing him gently. "But it was a long night; I think I helped him but I don't know how much more Draco can take."

"Hopefully a he can take a bit more. Come on let's go catch-up with him.

Over an hour later, Astrid was still sobbing in Draco's arms as he muttered reassurances to her.

Professor Dumbledore was getting continual updates from Order members in the field and Harry and Ginny were helping him sift through the endless stream of Owls arriving. As far as they could tell, no other parents of Hogwarts students had been targeted.

"Ginny," Draco interrupted from his corner with Astrid.

"Yes, Draco?"

"This is no place for her," he said indicating Astrid, "would you and Potter take her to… the room, while I have a word with Professor Dumbledore? I want to make sure my mother is protected, among other things. I'll join you there shortly."

"Of course, Draco," she said moving to take Astrid from him, but she just clung to him tighter and wouldn't let go.

Draco mumbled something to her and finally she nodded.

"Why don't you take her, Potter? She can be handful."

Draco passed the sniffling Astrid from his arms into Harry's, but Astrid resisted the transfer and insisted on being put down.

"I can walk, I'm not a baby!" she glared menacingly at Harry.

"Lead on," Harry gestured through the door, smirking as Astrid stomped out of Professor Dumbledore's office.

He held his hand out to Ginny, she took it and they followed Astrid down the winding stairs. But at the bottom of the stairs Ginny paused.

"Harry, I'd like to visit Ron in the hospital wing. Can you bring Astrid to the Room of Requirements? I'll meet you and Draco there in a bit."

"Yeah, sure Gin. Ron'll be glad to see you."

Harry and Astrid continued on alone, Astrid leading the way until she realized she didn't know how to get to the Room of Requirement, so she slowed her pace to allow Harry to guide her.

As they walked along, Astrid's former bravado began to crumble and by the time they arrived at the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, she looked to be on the verge of sobbing once again. She watched him warily he paced back and forth. Since he had no idea about the specifics of what Astrid needed, he wished for a sanctuary and he was given a lovely room with a huge roaring fire and large windows looking out on a snowy afternoon. There was a soft and comfortable looking sofa and two equally cosy chairs. A chocolaty smell wafted through the room, and best Harry could tell the scent was coming from a teapot set-up on a small table in the corner.

But Astrid did not pause to notice any of these things; as soon as the door opened she threw herself onto the sofa and burst into a fresh batch of tears.

Harry looked at the helpless little girl tightly curled on the sofa. His heart broke at the agony he saw in her eyes. Harry understood what it meant to be alone, he remembered all too clearly how losing a loved one felt. He poured then both a cup of chocolate and gingerly sat on the sofa next to her.

"Hey. We've never really been introduced, I'm Harry," he said nudging her, trying to get her to take the drink.

"I know who you are, Potter. I'm not an idiot," she said testily, trying to look as indignant as she could through her puffy eyes. She sat up reluctantly, seduced by the smell of chocolate, and took the offered cup.

"I know you're not, but I know that anyone who can torture Malfoy as well as you is a friend of mine."

Astrid glared at him, but only managed to look more pathetic and miserable. "It's easier than it looks," she shrugged. "You know, he doesn't like you."

Harry let out a loud bark of a laugh. "I know… it's mutual."

Astrid shifted in her seat, sat up a bit, and seemed grateful to have something new to occupy her mind for a moment.

"But why?" she asked. "Because of the Weasel girl?"

Harry smiled. "Her name's Ginny and…"

"I know!" Astrid snapped.

"And no," Harry continued, "it started long before Ginny, when we were your age."

"Don't you think it's time you both got over it?" she asked while blowing her nose quite loudly.

"No, I don't," Harry said matter-of-factly. "I hope you don't mind my asking, but do you have family? Somewhere to go?"

"Family? I have an aunt and uncle, but they've never liked me. They think I'm difficult and weird. They don't believe in magic."

"I know what that's like. I was raised by people like that. So how do you know so much magic? When I started school I had no idea what to do. Everything was new to me."

"My mum had some friends who were magical: an elderly couple, and they taught me and gave me books. They made sure I was ready."

"I wish I had that."

"Keep practicing Potter, you may catch-up someday."

"Thanks," Harry laughed. This little girl was funny; even through her tears she could hurl insults with the best of them.

Harry looked at her carefully; he had never really noticed her before. Of course, he had always admired her work from afar. Particularly when Ginny and Draco were dating, she did everything she could to keep them apart. His personal favourite was when she hexed Draco with itching, oozing boils which were extremely contagious. It was brilliant! It kept Ginny away from Draco for almost a week.

He'd never noticed her eyes before now. He knew they were violet, but they were so much more than that. It was as if one could read her soul in her eyes, and she had a very old and wise soul.

"Could you stay with that wizarding couple?" Harry asked, not sure why he was so concerned about Astrid's fate, but he was.

"Oh no! They're far too old. Ancient. They like me more than my aunt and uncle, but they think I'm difficult too. Doesn't matter anyway," she added with a sniff.

"What do you mean?"

"Draco will take care of me," she answered with absolute conviction.

"You're kidding?" Harry gasped.

"No. Draco and I will be together."

"What? No Astrid, I don't think that will happen.

"Yes it will," she said with continued confidence.

"Astrid he's just a kid too. He can't take care of a little girl."

"I'm not that little!" she bristled. "We'll take care of each other."

Harry didn't quite know what to make of the situation. He knew Draco and Astrid were close, but this was bordering on sick. Surely Draco would have enough good sense to not accept Astrid's wishes.

"Where's Ginny?" Draco asked as he entered the room. Astrid immediately bounded out of the seat and threw herself into Draco's arms. Draco led them both back to a comfortable chair by the fire and let Astrid settle onto his lap. Suddenly she had disintegrated from tough warrior back into shuddering little girl.

"Gone to visit her brother in the hospital wing. She'll be along," Harry said.

"Potter, I can handle it from here. Besides, the Headmaster wants to see you again."

"Bugger! What now?"

"I think he wants to tell you that the Order has a new ally against Voldemort."

Astrid extracted her head from Draco's neck and looked him intently. "It's you isn't it?" she gasped and then threw her arms around him again. "I know it's you, I know you'll kill him for me."

"I'm not doing this just for you Monster, it's a lot bigger than that," Draco answered her, but his eyes were locked with Harry's. "And you're to keep it quiet Astrid, do you understand? Not a word of it around Slytherin house." Astrid nodded into Draco's neck as Draco continued to talk to a speechless Harry. "It's time I take a side; I couldn't live with myself otherwise."

"Ginny will be pleased, she worries about you," Harry said emotionlessly.

"We'll be together, right Draco? We'll take care of each other forever, right?" Astrid sniffled into his neck.

Harry couldn't help but smirk at Draco's reaction to her idea; it was clear this was the first he'd heard of it. But his face quickly calmed as the realization settled on him.

"You bet, Monster. It's you and me." And then Draco's focus shifted back to Harry. "Run along Potter, don't keep the Headmaster waiting. And Potter… tell Granger to find me. I may be able to help her unravel her Carina de Florette mystery."

A short while later, Ginny found Draco and Astrid in the same position they were in when Harry left, sitting together with Astrid weeping into Draco's into shoulder.

Ginny was livid. "Is it true? Are you insane?"

"Good evening, Weaslette. I see you met Perfect Potter in the corridor."

"Yes, and he told me to come and talk some sense into you!"

"This is unexpected, I thought you'd approve of me joining the side of goodness and righteousness."

"Not that! I'm thrilled about that! Harry said Astrid thinks you're going to take care of her and you seem willing to consider it!"

"Oh that. Well, yes that's correct. Right Monster?"

"Mmmhmm," Astrid mumbled.

"Draco! You can't just keep her; she's not a lost puppy!"

"I think I can. And I will."

"Draco, you don't understand. People talk… they're already talking about how close you two are! They say terrible things!"

"I don't care what people think!"

"Tell her Draco," sniffled Astrid, "she thinks you're a perv."

"Ginny knows better!" Draco scoffed, "Don't you?"

Ginny smiled at Draco and tried to convey complete confidence in him, but there must have been something amiss in her expression because Draco furrowed his brow and scowled at her.

"You're just as bad as your shallow minded friends after all, aren't you?" he spat. "I'm a Malfoy, so deep down I can only be evil! There's a part of you that still believes that, isn't there? Fine! Believe what you will!"

Ginny cringed at the harshness of Draco's tone, but she also struggled with the fact that there may have been some truth in his words. She couldn't meet Draco's eyes.

"Draco!" Astrid interrupted, "Don't be an arse! You know you care what she thinks! Tell her!"

"Somebody tell me!" Ginny snapped impatiently.

Draco squeezed Astrid tenderly, and moved her from his lap onto a chair by the fire. He then sat next to Ginny on the sofa. After what seemed like hours, he began to speak.

"It's not only my right to take custody of Astrid, it's my responsibility," he paused again while he gathered his thoughts. "Remember you told me that Astrid was behaving strangely after the New Year?"

"Yes, of course."

"I spoke to her, as you suggested and you were right, she was terrified of me. She cringed away when I tried to touch her."

"But why?"

"It took me quite a long time to get her to talk. I assured her I wouldn't hurt her and asked her to tell me what had happened and finally she told me. It seems that when Astrid went home for Christmas she was going on and on about some boy named Draco. Telling her parents ad nauseum about how brilliant and witty and deliciously evil he was, with the classic good looks of a…"

"I get the picture Draco," Ginny interrupted, "let's move on."

Ginny chuckled when she saw that Astrid was smirking even through her pain.

"Whatever. Naturally, when her parents discovered that the boy their eleven year old daughter fancied was seventeen they became a bit concerned and began asking questions. It didn't take them long to discover my last name was Malfoy and they knew they had to put an end to her infatuation."

"But they're Muggles, how would they know…"

"Let me finish, Gin. They sat Astrid down and told her a terrible story: a story that no one should have to hear, let alone live through." Draco's voice cracked and he paused to gather his thoughts. Ginny waited intently for him to continue. "They told her that twelve years before, her mother had been the victim of an attack. From the sound of it, it was a night of drunken Muggle baiting which turned to rape."

"Oh gods," Ginny gasped.

"They also told her that the man she knows and loves as her father is not her natural father."

"No…"

"Ginny, Astrid's my sister."

"No… it's impossible."

"That was my first reaction too."

"Your father… I mean… I know he's capable of doing terrible things, but that goes against everything he believes in…" Ginny began.

"Yes, he hates Muggles and believes the mixing of blood is an abomination. I don't know how many times I heard that word growing up. But apparently if one is drunk enough and the woman is attractive enough, then exceptions can be made."

"Draco, I… I don't know what to say..."

"You know the worst part Gin? All this happened so long ago. Voldemort was gone and no one really believed he would come back. My father wasn't following anyone's orders; there was no master plan involved. It was just for fun! My father raped, beat and left a woman for dead… for fun. I know he'd done some awful things in the past, and you've told me he's a monster. I have to believe it now. How could I have been so blind?"

"He's your father, you love him."

"Gin, one more thing, this is Astrid's secret. She'd prefer not to let the world know this news. I can't say I blame her."

"I won't tell anyone, I promise. I can't say I completely believe it anyway."

Draco chuckled. "Gin, look at her. How could we have not seen it? The way she looks, the way she behaves; she's a Malfoy through and through."

"Mmm, I admit she is annoying enough to be your sister," Ginny admitted, while yawning involuntarily.

"Gin, you should go. You've done enough and I know how grateful I am, but I'll be fine now, we both will. You need to rest, you have classes tomorrow."

Ginny nodded. "Okay, I'll go, but you need to rest too." Ginny ran her hand over Draco's hair and turned to leave.

Draco caught her hand as she pulled away and stopped her. "Thank you, Ginny." And then he pulled her into a long, affectionate hug.

When he released her, she said "You're welcome, Draco. Good night. Good night Astrid, you're in good hands."

As Ginny walked alone toward Gryffindor Tower, she began to feel the effects of her momentous weekend. Her head was throbbing from shedding too many tears; tears for Ron, for Pansy and Draco and tears for Astrid. Her body was numb from lack of sleep.

But now that it seemed as thought the war had started in earnest, would there be more days like this?

The only thing Ginny was sure of at that moment was that nothing would ever be same.

Authors Notes:

As always thanks to Jocjarmom for the beta, and her continued support through the long and busy summer. (And don't forget about her outtake on Checkmated)

Igive all credit for Ginny's prank limerick to the fair Jocjarmom! There have been several versions of the limerick and many interesting discussions regarding which one to use. Originally Jocjarmom had created this little ditty for me:

Your eyes are green as a fresh pickled toad

So I sing you this very gay ode

I wish you'd suck on my cock

Which is hard as a rock

And then you could swallow my load!

This one is my absolute favorite! And I strongly considered keeping it in the story, but in the end we felt it was a bit too harsh and mean spirited and that perhaps Harry and Draco would NEVER speak to Ginny again! And since they both must forgive her fairly quickly JJM toned it down and delivered this one:

Your eyes are green as a fresh pickled toad
And surprisingly I love you a load!
I've heard that toads love to snog…
Perhaps you'd like to see my log?
Harry, come on over to my humble abode!

I like this one also, but I felt it was a bit too cute and not offensive enough. I really needed Ginny to go too far in this incident. Our Ginny is a dear and we love her, but she's not perfect, and she is in over her head quite often.

So we finally came up with the limerick which was used. I hope you approve of our choice.

BTW, if anyone has a brilliant idea for Draco's revenge (not sure it will be covered in the story yet) send me an email.

I want to give an added word of thanks to EVERYONE who takes the time to email me and write reviews. I promise I read and cherish each one, (even the snarky ones).

I try to respond to emails that are sent to me personally, but lately there have been so many (everyone's worried about the lateness of this chapter), I haven't been able to respond to some of them.

I figured you'd want me to spend my scant free time writing a chapter rather than answering emails; I hope I was correct in that assumption.

This story has gotten as far as it has solely because of the loving support of my readers; my limited attention span would have pulled me away long ago without your support, nagging, and threats.

On a more serious note:

I want to thank all of you who have emailed me about the new story on HPFF. If any more of you stumble across it you don't need to tell me about it, I know. It has been reported to the mods there and we are working on it.