Disclaimer: The usual.
A/N: things are going to pick up in a bit, but first a bit of fluff, as you may have guessed by the title...
Ice Cream Wishes and Whipped Topping Dreams
Harry and Lupin returned to a bustle of activity. Winky was a model of efficiency, transferring dinner things to the table smoothly, simply glowing with happiness. Harry went to the dining room, where some of his friends were munching on platters of starters.
Ron sidled up to Harry, keeping a watchful eye on Hermione. "Mate," he whispered fervently, his cheeks filled like a hamster. "Utter brilliance ….Winky…. Keep her."
Harry grinned. "Yeah, she seems happy, doesn't she."
Ron swallowed his appetizers, giving Harry a careful, considering look. "Things went okay then, yeah?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, we caught Rita Skeeter at the house, and the wards had come down at the cemetery, but no real excitement."
"So," Ron said casually. "Will you get the house hooked up on the Floo Network?"
"Hadn't really thought about it, honestly. No reason to spend much time there." He glanced at Ron's curious face and shrugged. "I'll take you guys sometime, but it's not very interesting."
Truthfully, he did want to return, but alone…. No, he decided, he wanted to take Ginny. She'd probably understand the empty, longing feelings he had. Actually, the more he thought about it, she'd probably find some way to eliminate those feelings altogether. His ears turned pink at the thought. Where was Ginny, anyway?
Luna wandered over. "No Snaggletoothed Sungliders then?" As he met her eyes, he realized they weren't unfocused and dreamy – and she wasn't really asking about invisible miniature dragons.
"No, I didn't see any, sorry." He winked at her and whispered, "I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"Glad it went well."
Neville caught his eye from across the room. Harry smiled and gave him a lazy salute.
Hermione's parents seemed to be enjoying their venture into their daughter's world. As they entered the dining room together, her dad was gleefully waving one of the twins' fake wands.
"He and Mr. Weasley could be brothers," Hermione said dryly, watching her father. "I caught Dad trying to take apart the toaster to see how it ran on magic this afternoon." She turned and watched Harry searchingly. "All right?" she asked finally.
"Yes, Rita Skeeter had the place bugged, but nothing else happened." His green eyes roamed restlessly over the room. He opened a butterbeer and sipped as he talked with her.
"Ginny will be down in a moment, she's finishing up in the library." Hermione said.
"Thanks," he said. "Maybe I'll go see if she needs any help." He quickly finished his drink and vanished the bottle.
Harry silently entered the library and watched in appreciation as Ginny stretched to replace a book on a high shelf. . She whirled at his soft hmm, catching sight of him near the doorway. With a squeal of delight, she leaped into his arms, knocking him back against a bookshelf.
He crushed her to him and inhaled her sweet scent as she clung to him.
"Rough day?" she asked softly, reaching up to brush his unruly hair away from his eyes.
"I've had worse, I suppose." He frowned, gazing into space. "The house was…weird…. It needs a lot of work, it's a mess. But it felt…I don't know, empty, yet…not."
"Like talking to a portrait?" Ginny guessed. "Like an imprint is there, but the real thing is gone?"
"Kind of like that, I suppose. I really don't remember it, you know? I felt like I should, somehow. I don't remember them, but I wish I did," he said. "Or maybe I don't. It would have made the Dursleys seem even worse, knowing what I was missing. Mostly it just felt like something I really, really wanted that I couldn't have. Something I had and…lost."
He curbed the urge to pull her closer. "The cemetery was nice," he continued. "Peaceful. I want to go back; maybe we can plant some flowers? Neville might have something."
Ginny stroked her fingers along his cheek and jawbone, drawing his eyes to her face. "That sounds nice, Harry. I'd love to help."
"So what did you learn in the library?" he asked, to keep himself from getting distracted by her lips.
"Oh, lots of stuff!" Ginny released him and grinned enthusiastically. "Hermy's parents are brilliant, they really had some excellent ideas. Hermione spent some time in the Pensieve. She wondered why Gaunt the Slytherin was bragging about having a Peverell crest ring, so we checked into that. Turns out the Peverell motto is 'Hinc Nihil Salus,' which means 'From here there is no salvation.' Not sure how that ties in. Oh, and Invisibility Cloaks don't work on snakes because they smell with their tongues or something. That's probably how the snake got Dad that time. And did you know Argus was a Greek monster with many eyes, a guardian to get rid of nuisances? No wonder Filch is so much fun."
Harry took her hand and led her to the room he'd come to think of as theirs. He stripped out of his too-warm clothing before choosing a sleeveless shirt and a pair of denim shorts. Ginny chatted animatedly the whole time, seemingly unaware of Harry wearing nothing but boxers. He dressed quickly, still listening to her excited chattering.
"Hermy's mum asked if we could transfigure a spare wand, or make a tiny wand, and do a switching spell to put it right inside your hand, to help people do wandless magic. Well, it wouldn't really be wandless then, but think, you'd never lose your wand again! Neville volunteered to test it. The twins'll want to be here to see that. Oh, Hermy's dad helped her write some letter to the Ministry for you to sign. It sounds all important and pompous, and probably won't do much good, but it'd be great if they'd take the advice."
Harry just stood, watching her. He'd only been half listening. She just looked so amazing with her skin flushed pink and eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh and dementors! Hermy's got this idea that I really don't understand, something about temperature and some Muggle thing called mollycues or something?"
"Molecules?"
"Yes! That sounds right. Something itty bitty. And how arsenic is poison to humans and rats, so something on some chart must be poisonous to dementors, if we could find what they're made of. Then we could make some kind of spray like doxycide. She thinks salt might be an important part too, it's supposed to get rid of evil spirits. And she wants to ask McGonagall about Bill teaching Defense this year, and he could be head of Gryffindor…mmpf…." Harry silenced her with his lips. His tongue slid lightly over her lower lip before grazing it with his teeth. Ginny's fingers laced through his hair. Harry's hands spanned her waist and slid up her back, pulling her body full length against his. The monster in his chest was very happy indeed as Ginny Imperturbed the door with mumbled incantations. Her wand clattered to the floor while his lips brushed her jaw and slid down her neck. He went along with the monster for several long, passionate minutes, until the voice in his head kicked in. With supreme effort, he forced his trembling hands to capture her roving fingers and moved his lips from the very sensitive area around her collarbone back up to her lips.
"Oh Merlin," she moaned. "Harry, if you tell me we have to stop again, I'm going to hex you."
"Gin," he sighed regretfully, "They're waiting for us downstairs. Don't you think they'd guess what we're doing up here this long? And, if Moody is here with that eye of his, he could tell them what we're doing up here."
"You realize I am very irritated and frustrated," Ginny pouted. "You'd better be planning on making this up to me at some point."Harry turned away from her and rubbed the back of his neck. "Gin, I'm sorry. I do want to be with you, more than anything," he said fervently. "I'm not a 'look before you leap' kind of bloke, so I really don't understand it." He smiled ruefully. "Oddly enough, my guilty conscience sounds a lot like my mum. And generally she's backed up by your mum, dad and brothers."
"Harry, my family loves you!"
"And I'd like to keep it that way!" he said. He waved his arm, indicating his room. "This just feels...wrong. Maybe it's this house, too many people always around."
"It's your house!" She rolled her eyes. "And the room is Imperturbed."
"This is the House of Black, and Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. This is not a fairytale palace of happiness and good memories," he contradicted her.
"It doesn't matter where, it only matters who."
"It matters to me," he said.
"I don't need perfection, you know," Ginny said softly as she scooped up her wand to open the door."Good thing," he chuckled, reaching for her hand..
Fingers interlaced, they left the room and walked down the stairs together.
"You know, it feels funny to own a house. I wasn't allowed to call anything mine for most of my life. I've never owned anything that didn't fit in a trunk before." His brow furrowed. "A house must be a lot of work and responsibility. Kind of a scary, grown-up sort of thing…. How am I going to take care of a house?"
"Dobby would love to move in."
"He's my spy at Hogwarts," Harry said.
"Winky?" she suggested.
Pop.
"Yes, Mistress?" The elf clapped her hand to her mouth. "Winky means Miss! Miss Ginny!"
Harry's fake cough sounded oddly like a snicker. Ginny sent him a suspicious glance before turning back to Winky.
"Hi Winky, is dinner ready?" she asked, smiling fondly at her.
"Oh yes, yes Master and Miss! Winky was just coming to find you! Master must be starving!"
"Brilliant! You're right, I'm starving, and it smells excellent! How was your day, Winky?" he asked as they entered the dining room.
"Winky's days are good, thank you Master!" Winky showed her teeth in a very elfin smile, ears aflutter.
"If Dobby isn't busy, perhaps he'd join us for supper."
"Oh, yes, Master!" Winky nodded excitedly and disappeared.
"Are you trying to play matchmaker for house-elves?" Tonks asked.
"Wotcher, Tonks. Nothing wrong with happy elves."
"Everyone should be so happy," Lupin commented sagely.
"So I hear you picked up dessert, Harry." Tonks smirked.
Harry made a face of mock disgust. "Yeah, hope you enjoy it. That's the last time I go shopping with quirky Uncle Moony. It was a very disturbing experience. I may be scarred for life."
"You were already scarred for life," Luna commented offhandedly.
Everyone gaped for a split second before joining Harry's howls of laughter.
"Hermione, Ginny was telling me about all the progress you made today," Harry commented over his ice cream sundae. "That's amazing, I'm glad you're on our side."
"Thanks," she flushed with pleasure at his praise. "I had a lot of help," she added modestly.
"Do we have any theories about the Hufflepuff cup?" he inquired hopefully.
"Well, not the location, but I went into the Pensieve to have a look at it," Hermione explained. "I think it was actually made from a Griffin claw. Griffin claws were sometimes used to make drinking cups. A griffin is sort of a cross between a lion and an eagle, you know, so it makes sense, house mascots and all. The legend says Godric and Rowena created the cup together as a gift for their dear friend Helga. Salazar became jealous and that's what seemed to start the massive rift that destroyed their friendship and drove Slytherin away."
Harry digested this for awhile. "So this cup is pretty important."
Hermione chewed her lower lip and frowned. "Well, I think there's more, that makes it even worse."
"How so?" Harry inquired.
"I'm still working out the details…. I need to do more studying," she demurred. "I'll keep you updated."
"What the-?" Ron sputtered, aghast. "Ginny, what is that on Harry's arm? Mum'll do her nut!"
Harry shifted his shoulder forward to peer down at the dragon he'd become rather fond of. "Why? What's he saying today? I thought you were going to quit teaching him swear words, Gin."
Harry glanced at Ginny and saw her gripping the tip of her tongue between her teeth, wand in hand and eyes gleaming.
He glanced down at his dragon, who had just turned his back on them, bent forward and pulled down scaly, dragon-hide "pants" to moon his audience, wiggling his bum tauntingly. On the dragon's tiny rump appeared a miniature pygmy puff.
"Oh my, he is a bit cheeky, isn't he?" Neville deadpanned.
The group wandered to the den. The Grangers had retired for the evening, and Tonks had supposedly gone to help Lupin put the ice cream things away.
"So what's the agenda for tomorrow?" Harry inquired of Hermione, trying not to think about where Tonks and Lupin were putting the whipped topping and chocolate sauce.
"Training and library," she answered. "I know Lupin wanted us to use some training time to rid the house of some more Dark objects this week, and we haven't. I suppose Winky will be doing the cleaning, now." She scowled at him. "So we can do training with Moody in the War Room again I suppose."
Harry nodded absently, thoughts elsewhere.
The Floo flared and expelled a pair of redheads bearing a large box. "Anyone for a film?"
Comfortably ensconced on large, squashy beanbag chairs, the teens watched a Muggle animated film called "Aladdin." Harry thought the cartoon characters were a little two-dimensional, but overall it was not bad, as far as films went.
George looked thoughtfully at Harry. "So…any chance of luring Snake-breath into a lamp?"
"Beats me," Harry shrugged. "Are genies real? The 'all-powerful' thing he'd go for, but I don't know what the laws are governing magic lamps."
"Genies are also called djin, from the Arabic jinni," Hermione recited.
"Ginny, eh? Hands off the magic lamp there, mister." Fred jabbed his wand teasingly at Harry.
Ginny rolled her eyes and huffed in exasperation.
"Hey, weren't Tonks and Lupin supposed to watch this with us?" Ron glanced around, seemingly perplexed that a pair of adults would choose to be alone together rather than watch a cartoon movie with a room full of teenagers.
"Maybe he's finally going to propose, so they can start raising little wolflings," Harry gazed speculatively up at the ceiling in the direction of Lupin's room.
"Harry!" Hermione nearly snorted butterbeer out her nose. "They wouldn't have a litter of cubs. Lycanthropy is not genetic."
"What if Tonks could morph into a wolf while Lupin was a werewolf?" George challenged.
"No," Hermione shook her head and gestured at Harry, "Harry's dad had an Animagus stag form, do you think Harry looks anything like Bambi?"
"Bambi?" Luna asked. "The back-up singer for Stubby Boardman?"
While the others blinked at each other in confusion, Harry asked a question that had puzzled him for awhile. "Why don't all the Death Eater pure-blood wizarding families have lots of kids? You'd think the pure-bloods would want to outnumber the half-bloods and blood traitors."
"Well, pregnancy is very draining, generally," Hermione answered. "Hormones tend to make women a bit, er, off-balanced at times. Many witches lose their powers for months during pregnancy, and especially after having a baby. Muggles call it PPD, or Post Partum Depression. I think that's what happened to Riddle's mother, Merope. She lost her powers and even her will to live by the end of her pregnancy. You saw what just regular depression did to Tonks for awhile. She couldn't morph and her Patronus changed. Imagine that on a much larger scale. Sort of like having an internal dementor."
Ginny nodded agreement. "Some people think having too many children weakens the children's magic also, which is how you get Squibs. Almost as if there isn't enough magic to pass on. That's why pure-bloods like the Malfoys don't risk having many children. Mum never had any problems with the boys, but after me she did. She said her magic was off for months. Maybe that's why they decided to stop."
"So that thing Grindelwald was doing--trying to create his own race of super wizards--that would never work, because the witches would all start producing Squibs? Why would Riddle attempt that?" he asked.
"The theory doesn't hold true for all witches," Hermione answered. "And Voldemort would be happy to use it as a form of torture, regardless of the outcome. Squibs most likely occur to families who have intermingled too often. The practice of cousins marrying cousins for too many generations doesn't enhance strengths, you see, it emphasizes weaknesses. So basically, mixing pure-blood 'traitors' with pure-blood Death Eaters would probably, unfortunately, work."
"Oh goodness, Luna," Ginny gasped. "I have to show you the charms to protect yourself."
"Harry, what do you know about Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth?" Hermione asked.
"Not much, why?"
"He may be important," Hermione said. "Has Dumbledore ever mentioned him to you?"
Harry's forehead furrowed in thought. "Moody has a photo of him in the Order, I think. I remember him saying the name, anyway, I don't really remember seeing him in the photo. And Dumbledore once told me there was some scandal with his brother doing illegal charms on goats, but he wasn't sure his brother could read. Sorry, that's all I remember."
"We need to find out more about him," she said, frustrated. "He could be the key to this whole thing."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Hermione huffed irritably. "I don't know. I need to find out some things yet. But obviously he is important, he's Dumbledore's brother. He probably knows something."
"Well, we know he's in the Order," Harry shrugged. "We can ask McGonagall."
"I'm going to Hogwarts." She whirled and headed for the cabinet.
"At this time of night?" Harry frowned. "You aren't going alone, then."
"Fine." She shrugged, rolling her eyes. "I'll drag Ron along. We can visit Crookshanks while we're there. Dobby is taking care of him for me. If someone stole his hair for tracking, he's safe there, and our location is protected."
"Brilliant," Harry grinned. "We won't wait up then."
She snorted. "Like you would have, anyway." She snagged Ron's arm on the way to the door.
Harry turned to the twins, intent on inquiring about obtaining a television and video player.
After the twins left, Harry dropped into a squashy chair, stifling a yawn. His eyes felt gritty, so he closed them for a moment.
He was startled awake when someone dropped into the chair with him.
"Sweet dreams?"
"Mmmhmm." He reached an arm around and snuggled her close, using her as a pillow. Served her right for waking him up. She giggled and shifted to get more comfortable.
"Ruddy brilliant of you to send Ron and Hermy off to Hogwarts," she whispered, tickling his ear. "Two less people in the house," she murmured suggestively, tracing lazy spirals in the hair at the nape of his neck very lightly with the tips of her fingers.
"Mmmhmm."
"Neville has gone to tend his plants, and Luna is off to her room as well," she continued.
"Mmmm."
"We're all alone." Her fingers had slipped further up his scalp, massaging.
"I'm all yours," he sighed. "Just don't wake me up."
"Don't think I haven't considered that."
He opened an eye slowly. "That's very disturbing." He pretended to make an effort at getting up, but collapsed again, effectively trapping her. "Just levitate me to bed, would you?" he implored.
"I can't reach my wand, or I would, sorry." She grinned. "Oh, but wait! I can reach yours." She giggled as she pretended to fumble about. He groaned and removed her hand.
"You are so bad," he said reproachfully.
"Oh, sorry," she said glibly. "Am I testing your resolve?"
He heaved himself to his feet, using her thigh for leverage. "You are incorrigible," he said primly.
"And you are impossible," she grinned impishly. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up to his room.
"I'm going to have a quick shower," he informed her as he picked up his bath things.
"All right, but if you're not out in ten minutes, I'll assume you've drowned and come in after you," she said warningly.
Twenty minutes later, Harry was nearly asleep when Ginny crawled up on the bed, spell-locking the door and dimming the lights with her wand.
She slid under the light blanket next to him, dousing the lights, and he turned to her, enfolding her petite frame into his lanky one.
"I suppose after the wedding Mum will be spending more time here, supervising. She'll probably make us sleep in our own beds," she said idly, trying to spark a reaction as she played with his fingers.
Harry sighed and mumbled, "If it's not one thing, it's your mother."
"You know," Tonks commented contentedly. "Whipped topping is good, but it's got nothing on chocolate."
"Mmm, yes, the chocolate syrup was quite nice," Remus' fingers traced the path his tongue had sought from neck to navel and the sensitive places between and beyond. Tonks shivered.
She had liberally decorated Remus with whipped syrup, driving him wild with the trails she'd taken with the sugary confection. Then she'd sneakily performed a chilling charm on the canister, and the tussle that ensued had been very messy, not to mention sticky. They'd cleaned up with a long, hot shower. Remus laundered the bedclothes with a tricky flick of his wand, and they slid between the cool sheets, sated and comfortable. Suddenly Tonks sat up straight.
"What is it?" Remus queried sleepily.
"We forgot the maraschinos!" she gasped.
He pulled her back down to his pillow, nestling her firmly against him. "Oh no, I didn't forget," he nuzzled her earlobe. "Those are for a midnight snack."
At Hogwarts, Hermione was becoming frustrated in her search for information about Dumbledore's brother. Headmistress McGonagall was not in residence that evening, and Ron was unwilling to spend any more time in the library. Even Crookshanks seemed tired of her studying, batting the pages to make her lose her place.
"Are you trying to help?" she crooned, stroking his furry cheek. Whimsically, she gave him the book. "Here, find me the right page." She pushed the book to the cat, and smiled playfully at Ron.
"Okay, let him look," Ron rolled his eyes heavenward. "But that is the last book for tonight. I don't think I can even make it back to Headquarters, I'm knackered." He yawned hugely.
Hermione frowned at Crookshanks' reading selection. "Well, that was a good try," she consoled. "Dionysus is interesting to read about, but I don't know if it's very helpful. Though I see he associated with satyrs, so you did find us a goat connection. Such a smart boy!" She ruffled his fur and read a bit further. "'Atypical deity, mysterious…realm is shadowy…followers flirt with madness, drunkenness and death…. He is the god who brings wine, but also an intoxication that merges the drinker with the deity. Legend says he is slain and is reborn, and could transform into a lion.'" She continued to stroke a loudly purring Crookshanks and her eyes took on a familiar, unfocused, thoughtful look Ron knew all too well. He groaned in dismay. "Please," he pleaded, imploring her with the puppy-dog eyes she couldn't resist.
"Dobby?" she called softly.
Pop.
"Yes miss?"
"Are the dormitories available to sleep in? We have training here early in the morning, so we may as well stay here, rather than disturb anyone back at Headquarters at this late hour." She had told her parents that she planned to stay in her dorm that night so she could be closer to the library and Crookshanks.
Her parents had been invaluable assisting with research, but they really cramped her style. Her dad in particular seemed to have a distinct knack for seeking her out, just when she and Ron thought they'd have a few moments alone together.
"No, miss, you do not have a dorm any longer," Dobby informed her. "The Head Boy and Girl rooms are for sir and miss now. Dobby will show yous!" He grinned happily. Tonight he was wearing a few of the hats she had knitted. She urged Ron to hurry and Crookshanks trotted regally at her heels.
She gasped when she saw her new room. "Oh Ron, come and see! This is lovely!" The room was cozy, dominated mostly by the large four-poster canopy bed. There was a large desk, perfect for studying, and a roomy wardrobe. The décor was Gryffindor red and gold, with enough fringes and tassels to make it tastefully feminine without being overly frilly. She inspected the heavy oak bookcases that lined one full wall, moaning reverently as she ran a hand across an empty shelf.
Ron suddenly poked his head through the doorway. "What in Merlin's name are you doing in here?" he asked. Seeing her stroking the shelves, he smirked. "Oh, that's alright then. I thought you were starting without me," he winked.
"Ronald!" she pointed an admonishing finger at him. "Mind your manners!" she scolded, but there was a teasing glint in her eyes. "And your mouth," she whispered huskily, as he swiftly crossed the room with his impossibly long legs, capturing her admonishing finger and bringing it to his lips. He turned her palm upward and placed soft kisses on it. Behind his back, he flicked his wand at the door, closing and Imperturbing it non-verbally. His lips found the pulse point at the inside of her wrist and the crook of her elbow before exploring his way up to her collarbone and neck. She shivered with anticipation as his hands, large and calloused but surprisingly gentle, slid under her shirt and traced a pattern up her back, deftly unhooking the closure he found there.
"Mmm," her eyes closed in delight at the sensations coursing through her as his nimble fingers caressed her expertly. He scooped her up effortlessly and deposited her on the bed. She giggled and rolled away from him, escaping off the opposite side of the bed. He growled and crawled across the bed towards her. She shrieked and ran around the foot of the bed, disappearing into the private bath. She emerged a few moments later, having changed into the short, filmy nightgown she had brought along, conveniently shrunken and tucked in her pocket. She had popped a tooth-flossing mint and waved her wand carefully over her abdomen with softly murmured incantations before opening the door, only to find that Ron wasn't on the bed any longer.
"Hermione, check this out!"
She pushed through a tapestry curtain and discovered a kitchenette, fully stocked. Ron was happily demolishing the contents of the cooling cabinet.
"Brill'nt!" His eyes widened, and he tried to smile appreciatively around a mouthful of crisps.
She raised an eyebrow when she realized he was admiring her attire rather than the food. She brushed past him slowly, prolonging the unnecessary and tantalizing contact. She tossed her hair over her shoulder provocatively as she tested the tapestry on the opposite wall.
"Oh! This connects to your room?" Ron's room looked almost identical to hers. She tapped his door with her wand, though she doubted it was necessary. Ron was leaning against the door frame, watching her investigate.
"So, which room?" he inquired with that little half smile Hermione found so adorable.
She pretended to seriously consider the question. "Well, you know, should anyone check, both beds will need to appear slept in…"
Crookshanks finished the snack Ron had given him in the miniature kitchen, washed his paws and face fastidiously and peeked his head inside the bedroom. His mistress appeared to be occupied for the awhile, so he wandered to the other room to find a soft place for a nap. As he closed his eyes and tucked his front paws under his chest, he hoped the pretty little Kneazle he'd recently met would come back for a visit again soon.
Somewhere, Voldemort was inundated with flashing images of a bare midriff, drizzled with whirls of chocolate sauce and topped with a bright, red cherry. He bellowed for Snape to bring headache potion and something for nausea.