a/n- Sorry for the long wait, but here is chapter two. Hope it was worth the wait!

Chapter Two: Home Again

Smoke billowed from the steam engine of the Hogwarts Express on the bright and sunny day that was September 1st. Ron, Hermione, and Harry found themselves a compartment at the end of the train. Joe was also with them, sticking close by his mother's side. They were the only teachers who did not arrive early to school, but they were also the only students with children still attending school.

"So, Ginny left early this morning?" Hermione wondered.

"Yeah, the kids aren't arriving until the end of the week, but she's going to be really busy getting everything ready. Once the kids arrive she's going to start looking for a place in Hogsmade to stay. She won't have to be at the orphanage 24/7 and she wants someplace else where she can go for down time," Harry told her.

"Are you dating my sister again, Potter?" Ron asked with a slight edge in his voice.

"Yeah, I guess I am," Harry told him smiling to himself at the thought. He was dating Ginny Weasley. He felt like he was seventeen years old all over again.

"Well, just treat her right, got it?" Ron advised in a lighthearted tone. "Don't go doing anything stupid like trying to protect her again, because I may just have to hurt you this time."

"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said laughing. The three sat in silence for a few minutes while the other students found their way onto the train and into their compartments.

"Are you nervous Harry," Ron asked suddenly.

"No…not really," Harry replied though Ron and Hermione were still unconvinced.

Jack and Lily had been behind them coming through the barrier and they hoped they had made it on the train okay. The giant mass of people surrounding the train made keeping track of people difficult. The train gave a sudden jerk and began moving forward, slowly at first, then steadily picking up speed.

"It's funny really…all of us here together again. This is where we first met," Hermione stated looking around allowing the memories to flow through her mind.

"Yeah I know what you mean," said Ron.

"Do you remember how much we used to dread Malfoy's visit to our compartment each year," Hermione mused her smile changing.

"How could I forget," Harry said with disgust. "Looks like he turned out just like everyone thought he would."

"Yeah he sure did. Though I don't think anyone anticipated him to turn out quite as bad as he did," Ron said as Joe curled up and fell asleep next to Hermione.

"Didn't you say that Neville was teaching at Hogwarts now," Harry remembered them talking about this the day he first arrived at their house weeks ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago now that he looked back at all that had happened since then.

"Yep, Neville started teaching about two years after you left," Hermione said looking out the window at the landscape passing them by.

"Did he ever get married or have children," Harry wondered.

"Nope," Ron said, "Neville's married to Herology!"

The compartment door slide open and Jack and Lily walked in hand in hand with grim looks on their faces. The entered the compartment in silence and sat down next to their fathers and across from each other. "This is too weird," Lily said under her breath.

"What's weird," Harry asked.

"Everyone keeps looking at me like I'm going to disappear at any moment. Like I'm not real," she looked down and played with her hands in her lap.

"They look at me funny too," Harry said nudging her shoulder. She looked up at him and offered him a small smile.

"People will get used to things in time. It will get better," Hermione reassured her.

"Well it doesn't look like we're going to be at Hogwarts very much this year so I guess it doesn't really matter what people think," Jack said looking at his father and then Harry.

"What do you mean," Harry asked apprehensively.

Jack spoke for the both of them as Lily remained silent looking out the window at the fleeting landscape. "The ministry is asking us to be there at six in the morning everyday Monday though Friday. We're hoping they are going to let us be back at Hogwarts by dinner time, but I'm not holding my breath. Then Lily's got to be at St. Mungos every Saturday and Sunday morning until one in the afternoon. And somewhere in all our lack of free time we have to find time to keep up with our head duties and manage the Qudditch team."

"You're making me tired just thinking about it. But speaking of head duties I guess we better go check on the rest of the students. Make sure no one is making trouble," Lily stood up and adjusted her robes, "We'll probably see you when the train gets into Hogsmade. Bye Dad."

Jack and Lily spent the next hour walking up and down the corridor of the train looking in on all the compartments making sure all the students were behaving. They had a meeting with the school prefects to discuss the usual topics; hallway patrol, house points, proper conduct, etc.

Once they where done they walked back towards the back of the train and found a compartment that was empty, "Let's go in here till we get to school," Jack suggested.

"Sure," Lily said opening the door and taking a seat closest to the window. Jack came in behind her and closed the door. He drew the shades so no one could walk by and look in on them. He had the sneaking suspension that the student's behavior towards Lily was beginning to get to her.

"It isn't that bad is it," Jack asked hopefully.

"No, not that bad," Lily lied knowing exactly what he was talking about.

He sat down next to her and leaned his head against the top of his seat. He closed his eyes and pretended to rest, when really he was trying to see inside her head and find out what she was thinking. When he sensed her turn back toward the window he opened his eyes and looked over at her. She looked sad and tired against the early afternoon sunshine coming through the window glass. Yet she was still beautiful. But she would always be beautiful in his eyes.

He was beginning to worry about the nightmares and daytime attacks of pain she had been having. She was afraid to go to sleep at night because she didn't want to have a nightmare. He knew she hated for him to see her when she was like that, he just wished she would let him help. In the two nights since the attack she suffered at the ministry he woke up three times in the middle of the night to find her not in bed. He went downstairs and discovered she was sleeping on the sofa. He knew she didn't like him to see her when she was in pain, but it didn't stop him from wanting to be there.

Entering her mind he found she was thinking about a hundred different things all at once. But one thought caught his attention. He heard her mind make a comment about him. She thought, 'How can he sleep on a train that's thrashing about like this, I swear he can sleep through anything.'

"I am not sleeping Miss Potter," he said out loud opening his eyes just enough in time to see her reaction.

She turned around slowly with a wide smile on her face. "Have you been in my head again Weasley? I thought we had sworn never to do that without the other's permission. I most certainly didn't give you my permission to enter my thoughts, now did I?"

"Hey you've done it on numerous occasions without my permission. So I just see this as payback," he put an arm around her shoulders and protectively pulled her onto his chest. She nestled up next to him with her head under his chin.

"Like when," she asked accusingly.

"The night I first told you I had feelings for you. Or should I say the night you discovered I had feelings for you."

"Oh yeah…that…now I remember," she said sounding distinctly like she was nodding off.

"Yes, now you remember," he teased kissing the top of her forehead and rubbing her back gently hoping she would go off to sleep and finally get some rest. After a few minutes her breathing slowed and she didn't make any further movements. He then knew she was asleep and sighed in relief.

Their compartment door opened and Jack's friend Brad entered with his girlfriend Mea. Brad saw Lily asleep on Jack's shoulder and whispered, "We'll come back later and let her sleep."

"No it's okay. She'll sleep through anything when she's like this. She…um, hasn't been sleeping too well lately," Jack said at a regular tone of voice. He was right; Lily never even batted an eyelid.

"So, how is she?" Mea asked as she took a seat across from them next to Brad.

"She's been better," Jack admitted.

"How are you?" Brad asked putting an arm around his girlfriend as well.

"I'm fine…why wouldn't I be?" Jack asked sounding annoyed.

"It's just the last time I saw you…you were pretty upset. What with the funeral and all," Brad replied appearing to be sorry he had brought the subject up.

"I'll just be glad when we get Malfoy and make him pay for what he's done," Jack told his friends with determination in his voice.

"Just don't go doing anything stupid okay, Jack? You're not going to do Lily any good if you go and get yourself killed over Malfoy," Brad advised.

"I won't do anything rash," Jack promised. He would have gone on but he stopped when he felt Lily's body tense up. She slid off his chest and fell to the floor of the train and in a few seconds she was whimpering in pain.

"What should we do?" Brad asked in a panic as he and Mea got to their feet in shock.

Jack fell to his knees and tried to comfort her. "Brad, go and find her father. He's in the last compartment with my parents. Mea, go and keep the other kids away from here and put up a silencing charm if you can," he said desperately.

They left the compartment in a hurry to complete their tasks leaving Jack and Lily alone. He looked down at her fragile body and his heart broke to see her this way. She was curled up in a little ball once more. Her eyes were open and she was blinking back tears. When he touched her shoulder she only moaned louder in pain and said, "Please don't touch me…it hurts so much!"

Harry and Ron came in a few seconds later at a run. "What the hell happened?" Harry demanded.

"I don't know…she was fine one minute and the next she got all ridged and fell over like this, just like before. What are we going to do? The ministry doesn't want us taking her to the hospital, and I'm not sure they would be much help anyway," Jack said frantically.

Harry dropped to his knees on the other side of her and Ron went out to help Mea and Brad keep the other students from finding out what was going on. "Lily honey, tell us what we can do," Harry said comfortingly.

"Nothing…It'll pass," she whispered with her eyes now closed tight. She gripped her legs around her ankles and held them close to her chest.

Jack looked up and saw a tear run down Harry's face. He knew Harry had been under the Cruciatus Curse himself years ago, but it was most likely just as hard seeing someone else under it and more so when that person was his only daughter.

After several more minutes the pain showed signs of subsiding and for the first time Lily reached out and took Jack's hand. Harry and Jack looked at each other thankful that it was over and helped her sit up. She was so weak that once she was upright she collapsed against Jack's chest. She didn't cry or say anything; she just sat there in silence wrapped in Jack's arms.

Harry stood up and nodded to Jack. "You take care of her now, Jack." He then left the room in a bit of a trance, obviously shaken by what had just happened.

Once Harry left the room, Jack felt Lily's body begin to tremble and noticed she was crying. He held her tighter to his chest and rubbed her back, "You just go right ahead and cry, Lil. Never let anyone tell you you're weak for crying."

She continued to cry quietly for a few moments and then spoke up. "I just don't understand why I can't stop these things from happening. Why don't I see them coming. I feel like he's controlling my life now like he did when I was in that prison cell."

All he could do was hold her and try to make her feel safe. He knew nothing he ever said would make her feel any better about what was happening to her. They sat there in complete silence for several moments as the train jostled and bumped its way to Hogsmade village. No one else entered the room or knocked on the door to see if they were okay. Obviously Mea and Brad had prevented the other students from learning about what had happened.

The train pulled up to the station and came to an unsteady stop. The sounds of excited kids and loud moving luggage could be heard all around them, and still Lily made no attempted to stand up. They were still sitting on the floor, like they had been after Lily's attack had ended. She had her head resting on his chest with his chin still resting on top of it.

Jack looked down and brushed a strand of her hair out of her eyes. When she didn't move or respond to this gesture, he tried talking to her, "Lil, I think we're here. Do you want to wait until all the others get into carriages to leave? Can you walk?"

She sat up slowly and let out a deep breath. "No, we should get going now. Where is my Dad? Does he know what happened?"

"You don't remember him coming in here?"

"No…I don't remember anything about the attacks except for the pain," she said softly. He stood and offered her his hand to pull her to her feet. She smiled and took it gratefully. "What would I do without you Jack? You've helped me through so much, and all I seem to do is cause you pain and heartache," looking away from him he could see tears appear in the corner of her eyes again.

He placed a finger beneath her chin and forced her to look at him, "I never want to hear you say anything like that again. You are the best thing in my life. There is no where I would rather be than right here with you." He kissed her softly then pulled away to study her appearance. She was pale and sick looking slightly. Her eyes still had dark circles under them and her robes looked a size or two too big. She was almost as weak as she had been when they brought her back from Malfoy's manor. Yet her eyes still held that all too familiar glow.

She leaned her head against his chest and took another deep breath, "Okay, let's go."

He placed an arm around her to help her walk and took a step outside the compartment. Once outside the train they saw that most students had already left for Hogwarts. Harry and Jack's parents were the only ones waiting for them.

"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked nervously looking at Lily's exhausted expression.

"Everything's fine, Aunt Hermione," Lily said climbing into the carriage with Jack's help.

Before Jack could step up into the carriage Harry grabbed his arm gently. "How is she really," Harry asked intensely searching Jack's eyes for the truth.

Jack glanced back at Lily who had her head resting against the side of the carriage and her eyes closed. He whispered, "I'll come and talk to you later tonight Harry, okay?"

Harry nodded appreciatively and allowed him to get into the carriage with the others. Once they were all inside the carriage began to move unevenly and travel towards Hogwarts castle. Lily did not move for the first few minutes of the short journey. She shivered slightly and Jack took off his robes to put around her shoulders. She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder.

Sitting across from them Harry observed Jack and Lily's behavior closely. He watched as Jack wrapped an arm around his daughter and held her close, kissing to top of her head affectionately. He watched as Jack closed his eyes, looking completely worn out himself. These two had been through more than most couples do in a lifetime. Lily seemed to get her strength from Jack, and he seemed to always be close by when she needed him. Jack looked over at him and shook his head, sending a nonverbal communicative message that all was not well.

When the carriage arrived at the steps to Hogwarts allowing everyone to got out and they hurried up to join the others who were already inside. Once they entered the Great Hall, Hermione went to drop Joe off with Madam Jefter in the hospital wing and Harry and Ron went to join the other teachers at the staff table. Jack and Lily made their way to the head of the Gryffindor table. As luck would have it, they were so far behind the other carriages that the sorting had already ended. Gryffindor welcomed five new first years to their house, including Jack's little brother Brandon.

Once everyone settled down Professor McGonagall stood up and gave the official start of term notices and announcements. She wished everyone a pleasant term and the feast began. Everyone agreed that Professor McGonagall was a fantastic Headmistress, but she did not compare to the legend that was Albus Dumbledore.

Lily ate very little at dinner, and mostly tried to pretend to be cheerful and mingle with the students around them. Jack didn't eat very much of his dinner either, he just picked at his food and talked with the people he hadn't seen in three months. It was strange how a matter of months can change a person. Jack had been friends with some of the people around him for years, but now they seemed to belong to a totally different world. A world he had once belonged to, but now was shunned from returning to. All they seemed to be concerned with was who was dating whom and what Qudditch team and the best shot at the next cup. He loved Qudditch but not like he once did. Everything seemed to have lost its luster.

Professor McGonagall stood up once everyone was finishing up dinner, "I have a few more announcements that need to be made before I dismiss you all to your dormitories. I would like all of you to join me in welcoming Professor Harry Potter to our staff. He will be taking up the post of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher," she paused to allow the students to clap and cheer for a few seconds, and then she held her hand up to silence them. "I would also like to introduce our new Head Boy and Girl, Jack Weasley and Lily Potter." Again the Great Hall erupted in cheers as Jack and Lily stood turning red slightly.

"I will need to see Potter and Weasley after I dismiss everyone so that I may show you to your new living quarters. As for the rest of you, you may all head back to your dormitories. I ask the house prefects to remember to show your first years the most direct paths to your dormitories and make sure they know the password. You are dismissed."

Jack and Lily remained seated while all the other students stood up and left the Great Hall. "It's going to be weird not sleeping in Gryffindor Tower this year. I totally forgot about having our own dormitory," Lily mused.

"I know I can't help but feel isolated. We can go into the common room whenever we want though. We are still in Gryffindor even if we don't live there anymore." Jack admitted as they stood and walked toward the staff table. He saw Lily sway out of the corner of his eye and took her hand firmly to help steady her. "You really should have eaten more," he said as they approached the staff table preventing her from responding.

"You two may follow me. Professor Potter and Professor Weasley and Granger, you may come too if you like so you will know where the dormitory is as well," McGonagall said as she stood up and led the way out of the Great Hall through the back entrance.

They followed her to the library entrance where she took a turn down a hallway none of them had noticed before. "This hallway will open to all of you, but will be unseen to everyone else. If you want others to have access to it you will have to let me know so that I can have their names added," McGonagall explained. She continued down the hallway until she came to a set of double doors with lion heads as doorknobs.

"This is the entrance to your rooms. I have made a password for you, though you may change it to whatever you like. I recommend you change it at least once every month or so. The password is Gryffinfender," as she said this word the lock unlatched and the door opened slowly to reveal a large living room with shelves of books and a grand fireplace. In front of the fireplace were two overstuffed deep red armchairs and an L-shaped couch. On either side of the room were another set of double doors. On the door to the left read the words Lily Elizabeth Potter, and on the right hand side read Jack Jasper Weasley.

"I trust you will find all your belongings in your rooms. I have been informed of your schedules and so has the rest of the staff. I want you both to know I have complete faith that you will do your jobs to the best of your ability. I know this year is going to be tough, but I know it's nothing the two of you can't handle. You both are made of strong material," she smiled back at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as she spoke. "Oh and please inform me of when you will be holding the first Qudditch practice. I would like to see you all in action. I guess that's all I have to say to you. It is my understanding that you will not be working at the ministry for at least a week or so. It looks like some rest will do you both good." She walked over to Lily who had been staring at the crackling fire since they entered the room. Professor McGonagall took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye, "I speak for the staff as well as the students Miss Potter when I say it's good to have you back. We all missed you and are glad you are finally safe and back where you belong."

"Thank you Professor," she said halfheartedly.

Professor McGonagall turned around and left the room in silence. Lily stood up and walked toward her father, "I'm turning in early tonight. I'll see you tomorrow Dad. I love you," she gave him as big of a hug as she could manage and walked over to the door to her room. Jack motioned for Harry to wait here and followed her into the room.

Lily was already sitting on the bed by the time he walked in the room and shut the door behind him. The bedroom was spacious and decorated in Gryffindor colors. There was a queen size four poster bed, another armchair by the window, dresser and vanity, bookshelves again filled with books, and a large spacious desk and chair. The room had a private bathroom as well as its own closet.

After taking in the surroundings, Jack walked over to Lily and sat down on the edge of the bed. She was sitting up in bed with her back against the pillows. "Are you going to be okay here for a little while? I've got some things I need to take care of," he asked looking at her still beautiful face.

"I'll be fine. I think I'll sleep tonight, I'm so tired I could fall over," she said rubbing eyes.

"I know you are. I'll come back and check on you in a while," he said kissing her softly. He rose slowly and walked to the door. He glanced back before he left the room and saw she was already asleep. She hadn't ever bothered to remove her robes.

Jack closed the bedroom door behind him and turned to find only Harry in the room. His parents had obviously gone to bed already.

"Earlier you had said you wanted to talk to me," Harry reminded him.

Jack nodded his head, "Yeah, but not here," he glanced back at the door he had just come through. He didn't want Lily to wake up and overhear them talking. "Have you been to your quarters yet?"

"No."

"Why don't I walk you over there? I know where it is and we can talk on the way," Jack suggested.

"Sure, do you think she'll be okay here on her own," Harry asked glancing back at the bedroom door as well.

"She's safe here. Only certain people can come in here," Jack turned towards the door and opened it for Harry.

They walked down the hallway in silence. Jack was trying to decide what to tell Harry. He didn't want to worry him, but the situation was growing grimmer by the minute. He wasn't going to lie; he respected Harry too much to lie to him. When they left the library entranceway the hallway sealed itself and Jack led the way towards the staff's housing unit. The entrance to the staff's quarters was at the base of the long staircase that led to the divination class room. There was a knight statue that stood guard over the entranceway and kept the password. When they arrived at the statue Jack turned to Harry smiling sheepishly.

"I think I'd be correct in assuming that they changed the password since last year. Do you happen to know what the new one is?"

"Pixies," Harry said after thinking for a second, "McGonagall told me before she left. So what is it you wanted to talk to me about, Jack?"

"Well, it's obviously about Lily. You asked me how she was earlier and I couldn't have told you the truth with her right there. She will kill me if she finds out I've been talking to you about how bad things are getting," Jack ran his hands through his curly hair in frustration as they walked down the long hall with doors on either side of it bearing the name of the professor to which the room belonged to. Harry's room was the last on the right.

"I'm more worried about her now than I've ever been. She seems defeated, like she doesn't want to keep fighting. I came to you once and told you about something she wouldn't have wanted me to talk to you about. I'm glad I did because she's your daughter and you've got a right to know what's going on. That's why I'm telling you this now. I haven't even gone to my own parents about this," Jack said looking down. Harry opened the door and stepped aside to let him pass through.

The room looked exactly like his parents. It was small but cozy and welcoming at the same time. Harry glanced around for a second and then turned back to Jack. "I really appreciate you telling me the truth about all this."

"Yeah well the truth is I'm scared to death. I don't know what to do anymore. Believe me when I say this Harry…I have never seen Lily scared a day in her life until about a year ago. She is the bravest person I know. She used to hate to feel weak and in need of help," Jack looked Harry in the eye with sincerity. "I guess now she just feels ashamed."

"It's a Potter thing. She probably gets it from me and I get it from my father," Harry joked in a still serious tone.

"She won't admit it but I know she's terrified. I don't know how much more of this she can take," he stated sounding overwhelmed himself.

Harry walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, "You just need to be there for her when she needs you. You're good to her and she knows that. There's another thing about Potters that you've most likely already figured out. When we fall in love, we usually fall hard. She needs you more than she really knows and I think that also scares her a little bit. Also, if she really is a Potter she might try and push you away. I've been known for doing it in the past so I wouldn't be surprised if she were to try it. Whatever you do, don't let her do it. Thank you for telling me the truth and keep me informed. I think you'd better get back to her before she realizes were you're gone."

He nodded and gave Harry a sideways smile. "Thanks Harry."

"Hey, what are godfathers for?" Harry said clearly a lot more lightheartedly than he really felt.

"I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast," said Jack as he closed the door behind him and walked swiftly down the hallway and back through the entrance. When he passed his parents room he contemplated going in to say goodnight but glanced at his watch and figured they were already in bed.

Jack hardly noticed his surroundings as he walked through the halls back towards his room. His mind was on other things. Every corner of this castle held some kind of memory. He had grown up here and suddenly he remembered that he wouldn't be coming back next year. That thought was enough to rip at his heart slightly. Sure he would be able to come back and visit his parents every once in a while, but it would never be the same.

Finally arriving at his dorm he muttered the password and stepped inside. He was about to go in a check on Lily when he spotted her sitting on the couch by the fire. She was wearing flannel pants and a Gryffindor Qudditch t-shirt that everyone on the team had been given every year. She sat there and didn't even turn to face him when he entered the room.

He walked over to her and sat down, putting a strong arm around her to pulling her shivering body close to him. "Jesus Potter, you'll be the death of me! Why aren't you in bed?"

"Because you're not in bed with me," she said placing her head on his shoulder. The tip of her nose touched his neck and the coldness of it sent shivers through his own body.

"You're freezing," he observed as he swung her legs onto his lap and pulled her closer. He held her for a few moments in silence then spoke again. "Lily, are you okay. I mean really, I want to know the truth."

"No, I'm not okay. But I will be one day when all this is over," she replied simply.

He kissed the top of her head and slid a hand under her knees and placed a hand on her back. In one swift move he stood up with her in his arms and walked towards his room. She placed her arms around his neck and looked up at him through tired loving eyes. The door magically opened for him and he stepped inside. He put her on the ground and kissed her lips warmly yet innocently as he placed his hands on her hips and closed his eyes. When he pulled away he looked her right in the eye and said, "I need you to promise me something."

"What?" she asked placing her arms around his neck again and pulling her body against his.

"I need you to always be honest with me. If training gets too rough or your nightmares or attacks change in anyway I need you to tell me."

"I never meant to lie to you about anything," she said pulling away slightly and looking down. Her hands slipped to his chest and she looked uncomfortable. He knew this wasn't her favorite subject to discuss.

"I know, but you haven't exactly been truthful with me about the severity of all this. Now tell me…how long had you been having those attacks before you had one in front of me?"

"Since you found me in that cell," she confessed looking ashamed at herself.

Jack took a cleansing breath and looked way for a second though he never let go of her. "Lily, why would you keep that from me?"

"Do you think I like feeling weak and dependent Jack? Do you think I like living every minute of my life in fear that something else is going to happen? That was never the person I was before, but it's the person I've become. I'm scared every second I'm not with you. I'm afraid that something is going to happen and I'm never going to see you again," She pulled way from him and walked over to his bed to lean against the frame.

He took several steps towards her and stood so close that he nearly pinned her where she stood. "I know you don't like to feel that way. I know that more than anyone because I know you better than anyone. But it is not a sign of weakness. Most people would have given up and died in that cell but not you. You hung on and were there when I found you. Everything is going to be okay."

He reached up at tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear. Her eyes were glazing over with tears. She closed her eyes preventing tears from falling, and shook her head. "You don't know that everything is going to be okay. You can't predict the future, or at least our future."

He looked at her in partial amazement this time. She was never one to make negative comments like that before all this happened. She sensed his hesitation and looked away from him once more. After several moments of awkward silence she took a step towards the door as if to go back to her own room. Jack reached out and grabbed her shirt around the stomach and tried forcing her to look at him. She got the hint and raised her gaze to meet his.

"Oh yes, I can predict what's going to happen to us in the end," he said coming closer to her and wrapping his arms around her lower waist. She was stiff with emotion and did not move to embrace him in return. "We're going to get through this year, and have a kick ass time with all our friends. We're going to graduate at the top of our class. Then we're going to officially become aurors, and you'll officially be a healer. One day perhaps soon I'm going to ask you to marry me and if I'm lucky enough you're going to say yes. We've got our whole lives ahead of us Lil, and I'm going to try my hardest to keep you as safe as I can."

"Jack-" she started to say, but was silenced when he covered her mouth with his. He kissed her possessively and lifted her up placing her in a sitting position on the bed with him still standing on the floor. She tangled her hands in his hair and leaned her head back as he kissed his way down her neck moving her baggy shirt off her shoulder to do the same there as well.

He pulled back abruptly and stared down at her, "Hold on…I know you're tired. We should really get some sleep."

She nodded and fell back against the bed and she moved up towards the pillows. He removed his own cloths and put on his pajamas before getting into bed beside her. She looked like she was asleep already. He just lied there a few seconds not wanting to touch her and wake her up again. Then she turned over and rested her head on his chest. She draped her arm across his abdomen and snuggled closer. He rubbed her back and eased her back into a hopefully blissful sleep.

Sleep seemed to mock Harry as he lay in his bed that night staring up at the ceiling wide wake. No matter what he did, he just couldn't turn off his mind and close his eyes for more than thirty seconds. He had a million thoughts running through his mind. About what had happened today with Lily. About Malfoy and the ever present threat against Lily's life. About Ginny and what exactly they were doing. About teaching his first class tomorrow and making a complete fool of himself.

"Oh, forget it," he muttered as he rolled over from his stomach and sat up in bed with his head in his hands.

"Forget what?" A voice asked calmly and suddenly from the doorway.

Harry was so startled that he looked up and grabbed his wand at the same time, pointing it at an unsuspecting Ginny. "Jesus Gin, I could have hexed you! How did you get in here so quietly?"

She smiled at his reaction and walked over to his bed to sit down next to him. "You were too busy fuming over who knows what to even notice I had come in the room. You must have been one poor auror if you can't even sense someone coming into your bedroom and standing over you for about five minutes."

He looked over at her with a lopsided grin. "Well that's just cruel," he said before wrapping an arm around her waist, throwing her down on his bed, and tickling her relentlessly. Ginny squealed and tried for several unsuccessful seconds to fight back, but she finally gave up and looked up at him with tear filled eyes.

"Do you give up?" He asked as he held her arms down and gazed down at her.

"Never on you," she said seriously with a small smile.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said before he leaned down and kissed her gently. She returned his gesture with equal fever until he pulled back. "Gin, what are we doing exactly?"

"Don't tell me I need to explain the birds and the bees to you, Harry," she joked light heartedly.

He laughed at her but continued his serious questioning. "You know what I mean. Lily and I had a little talk before we left and she asked me what was going on between us. I didn't really know what to say."

"I thought we'd settled this," she sighed.

"Gin, I just want to make it clear what I'm in this for," he told her definitively.

"And just what are you in this for?" She wondered intently.

"I'm in this for forever," he answered without waver. Ginny gazed up at him with an unreadable expression. Harry waited for her response for several anxious seconds before her face lit up in a sly grin.

"Good to see we're on the same page here, Potter. Now do you think you can actually calm down enough to get some sleep?"

"You think I'll be able to sleep with you here? You think I want to sleep with you here?" He asked enthusiastically.

"I could just leave then," she said making a move to sit up until Harry kept her in place.

"I don't think so. I've got other things on my mind now besides sleep," he retorted as he silenced her from any further argument.

a/n- That's it! Tell me what you think, please!