Chapter Eighteen
Revelations Before Christmas
The trip on the Hogwarts Express was uneventful, or at least less eventful than the trip to Hogwarts was. A few jokes were made at the expense of Slytherins, but mainly everyone was talking about how happy they were to be returning home for the holidays. Harry and Serena were talking about what to buy for everyone, having decided early that they were going to shop for things in Diagon Alley. They were discussing proper presents for everyone, and they soon decided that they should put the joking aside for Christmas after thinking that an enlarged tarantula for Ron might be going to far.
"Harry, you can always just marry me, I know that'd be a great present!" Ginny said smiling wickedly, before winking and nodding slightly towards Ron.
"Ginny, you know whatever you ask for I'll give you." Harry said, smiling innocently.
"Well then, it's settled. You two shall be married on Christmas!" Serena said, laughing gleefully. "I suppose that means I'll have to move out of the trunk for your honeymoon!"
"What the hell! Who do you think is going to let you get away with that? Cause it certainly wont be me!" Ron yelled, furious at what was being discussed causing everyone in the compartment, Harry, Ginny, Serena, Neville, and Hermione, to start laughing hysterically at his reaction.
"Gotcha!" The three said to him between laughing fits, causing Ron to redden.
"You guys have got to stop doing that! One of these days you're gonna kill me!" Ron said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Well Ron, it was either this or having you open a box on Christmas with a tarantula!" Harry said, still laughing. "I thought this would be the better joke."
"Hmm, still, the tarantula would be good." Serena said, grinning while looking deep in thought. "Might want to check your presents before you open them Ron." Ron looked adequately horrified, causing them to laugh again.
Much of the train ride was much the same way. As often as they could they would pick on someone for a while. Soon Ron, Hermione and Neville were getting involved as well. Shortly after, Neville was taken away by Parvati Patil, causing Serena to start attacking herself.
"Gave that boy the best few hours of my life!" She said, pouting. "Look how he repays me! Running off with the first girl with a pretty face! humph!" Suddenly she jumped into Ron's lap, causing him to redden again from embarrassment. "C'mere lover boy. Lets have a kiss!"
"Serena! Will you stop! Don't make me hex you!" Hermione said, angry yet laughing all the same. Suddenly, she became seriously angry. "Get off my boyfriend!" Serena jumped up and landed on Harry this time, who merely smiled at Ginny and shook his head while she laughed.
"Great job, Serena. I'm getting married on Christmas and you're jumping on me in front of my fiancé!" Harry said, smiling slightly "Isn't the other woman supposed to be discreet about the relationship?"
"Yes, Harry, you are right. But as the fiancé already knows what happens when she is not in the trunk, there is no need to hide the relationship!" Serena said, smiling slyly at Ginny.
"Oh fine, I don't care! Just shag him already and get it over with!" Ginny said in mock frustration. "Might keep him from exploding during break, being as I can't shag him during that time!"
"Harry Potter, I'm gonna kill you!" Ron said, launching himself toward Harry, who moved Serena and him to the other side of the compartment in a way none had ever seen.
"Ron, you have to be quicker than that, as I will not just sit still." Harry said, laughing at Ron. "Oh, and I didn't shag Ginny, just so you know. More of continuing a joke that would drive you mad!"
"He's right you know, Ron. That's why Ginny let's me shag him instead." Serena said happily. "So she can keep her virtue and you can stay out of Azkaban!"
"Ginny! Tell me she's not serious!" Hermione said, stunned. This caused them to laugh at her.
"But, Mione," Ginny said sweetly and innocently, "Why would I lie to you? It works out rather well really." She said suddenly sounding diplomatic. "She shags Harry and Harry dates me. Harry, of course, is happy. He gets to love and cherish me, and shag a beautiful girl on a whim with no complaints. Serena is happy, cause she gets to shag the hottest guy in Hogwarts, without having to put up with any of the mushy stuff she hates. I'm happy, cause I get to date Harry, and he loves me. Also, I don't have to worry about his death or Ron's going to Azkaban. Ron's happy, cause his sister keeps her virtue, yet he gets to live vicariously through Harry. Even you, Mione, because you don't have to put up with a crazed Ron, or a boyfriend in Azkaban. See. Everyone's happy!"
Ron and Hermione looked shocked at this logical explanation of what was happening. However they also believed it completely. Harry, Serena and Ginny, looking from each other to Ron and Hermione suddenly began laughing uncontrollably again. Harry seemed to be the only one able of speech.
"You-she- and you- oh my god!" He said, still not able to make complete sentences.
"You- too easy- couldn't help it!" Ginny said briefly.
"Me- Harry- Ginny- happy!" Serena said, still fighting the laughter down. Harry had finally managed to control himself.
"Mione, I can't believe you would fall for that! Ron I believe, as he actually did seem happy about the arrangement, but you!" Harry said, suddenly laughing again. Hermione suddenly blushed, Ron was turning even more red than he was previously.
"I couldn't help it, she sounded so honest about it!" Hermione said over the laughter in the compartment.
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind you taking on that arrangement Harry. At least I wouldn't have to worry about killing you to protect my sister." Ron said, when he was suddenly attacked by a trunk gone mad.
"Ron! How dare you threaten him! I have half a mind to seduce him right here and now!" Ginny said angrily.
"Hmm, well Ron, I believe thanks are in order then!" Harry said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh damn, does this mean I can't shag Harry now?" Serena asked, smiling.
"Well if you want to shag him, I will not give you permission." Ginny said, laughing now. "So you would have to sneak around and be quiet about it!"
Harry leaned close to Serena ear whispering quickly, causing her to laugh. Then she looked at Ginny and her face was suddenly very serious.
"What did he say Serena?" Ginny asked, glaring at her.
"Nothing" Serena said quickly.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, her glare turning on him, causing Harry to swallow forcefully.
"Well," He began seriously, a devilish grin appearing on his face. "I said 'Its not hard to sneak around when we have to spend almost two weeks in completely separate locations, and with Moony for a godfather, we could just run off to the trunk any time we wished.' That's what I said!" He finished, suddenly laughing again, followed shortly by Serena. Ginny just looked shocked at both of them, seeming hurt. Harry, seeing this suddenly stopped laughing.
"Ginny!" Serena said, her laughter stopping as she saw her. "I can't believe you! He really said, and I quote, 'Just pretend I said something sneaky, laugh a little, then deny anything to Ginny as if we were going to start shagging.' You have got to stop acting like that, I told you before, I had a crush on Harry." she looked at her friend smiling. "Really, I'm over it now. Lasted about 20 minutes and then you were with him. Plenty more like him around Gin, plenty more."
"Sorry, you two." Ginny said quietly. "But you know that's still a bit sensitive for me Serena! You should have stopped it before he even said anything!"
"Sorry, Gin, it was my fault. I thought you had gotten over that now, knowing that you are the only person I plan to be shagging." Harry said smiling. "At least until we get to King's Cross. Which reminds me! We better get a move on then!" He said, moving Serena onto the bench, jumping up, grabbing Ginny's hand, and dragging her out of the compartment.
Serena started laughing, looking at Ron. Ron had turned red with anger, then seemed to think of what was about to happen and turned green. Hermione just sat beside Serena, still in shock. No one moved in the compartment except Serena who had fallen off the bench and was rolling on the floor laughing at them both.
Suddenly, they all jumped up, serious and ready for anything. They had heard Ginny and Harry shouting at someone, followed by more than a few people shouting back. Suddenly a number of high pitched screams rent the air and all three rushed out of the compartment. Harry and Ginny were running back to them, smiles on their faces. Looking at Serena they nodded. She ran in the direction they had just come from. She returned shortly laughing with Professor Dumbledore, who also seemed to be smiling.
"Harry, might I ask why it is that there are quite a number of people from Slytherin house who are hanging upside down, only partially clothed?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Of course you may sir!" Harry said, still laughing. "However I ask first for immunity after I tell you."
"Alright, Harry. Just this once you will not be punished." Dumbledore said, still smiling.
"Well sir, I wanted to give the Order some time to talk to the next generation of death eaters." Harry said still smiling. "So now you will have the proof of what they are, being as they have their marks exposed. It might also help with security in the castle, considering there is a spy there somewhere." Harry finished and began laughing again. "And to think, they were thick enough to think we went in there to shag and were just caught by surprise!"
"You mean, you planned all of that stuff!" Ron said.
"Ron, do you really think Ginny is jealous of Serena?" Harry asked, still smiling slightly. "When I was talking, Serena mouthed the words 'play along' to Ginny, because what I was whispering to her was that Nott was listening at the door. I saw his head pop up a few minutes after Parvatti took Neville off. When I took Ginny out of here, I played like I was serious, with my mouth close to her ear I whispered the plan."
"Really Ron, you are a bit dense at times." Ginny said, laughing. "After we went into that closet, we got ourselves into quite an awkward position, while still clothed mind you. They busted in and we acted shocked. Me and Harry started screaming about privacy, and Malfoy said 'Our master doesn't care about privacy, only that you two are brought to him!' and they aimed their wands at us. None of them noticed that one of our hands couldn't be seen, or they thought those hands were doing something they shouldn't.
"As soon as they aimed their wands, we started stunning them. That's when they started to scream. We stunned and bound them, then we banished enough clothes so that their dark marks could be seen." Ginny said, beaming up at Dumbledore. "Did we do a good job sir?"
"Indeed Miss Weasley, you and Mr. Potter did quite a job." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "Though I do not know whether we could interrogate them, as they are not of age. I will, however, contact the aurors to make sure this situation is dealt with in the best way possible."
"Thank you, sir." Harry said as Dumbledore began to see to the Slytherins.
"My Hero!" Serena said, jumping at Harry, laughing.
"Well quite a reception for someone who was just trying to have a go with his girlfriend!" Harry said laughing. Ginny pried Serena off Harry and hugged him herself.
"Well, you know, we could go get back into that awkward position again, Harry" She whispered to him. "Who knows, maybe this time we won't be interrupted. It doesn't even have to be perfectly innocent either!" Harry's eyes widened as she said this, causing him to look at her in shock.
"Re-really?" Harry said quietly. Ginny nodded, and began leading him in the other direction towards another closet. Even Serena stood shocked at this.
"Wow, that girl really is impressionable." She said thoughtfully. "I'm really a bad influence on her, aren't I Mione?" Hermione nodded dumbly, her mouth gaping. "I'm so proud of her!"
A few hours later, Serena began banging on the door to the closet. Harry and Ginny just ignored her at first being completely wrapped up in their activities. They figured Serena knew they were occupied and would leave them alone. They never thought that she would do such a thing.
"Alohamora!" Serena shouted. Both of them stood shocked staring at her. Both of them being almost completely naked, save their robes, grasping each other, pulling themselves closer to each other. They just stared at her, shocked. She began blushing furiously. "Sorry! I'll just leave you two alone to get dressed. We're at King's Cross." She said quietly, quickly closing the door.
"Oh...my...god." Harry said, still shocked.
"Um…I think we should get dressed very quickly." Ginny said. Harry nodded and released her quickly. They began pulling their clothes on just as quickly. Ginny quickly fixed her hair and they ran from the closet. They caught up to a smiling Serena.
"Well?" She asked them.
"Well what?" Harry said to her.
"Did you..." She started.
"Serena, never...ever...speak of this again!" Ginny said quietly.
"I won't speak of it, but did you?" Serena said again.
"Sort of.." Ginny said carefully.
"How do you sort of?" Serena asked curiously.
"Well, you kind of interrupted us." Harry said quietly, his face flushing.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean- but the train stopped- and you would have been in trouble- did I say I was sorry?" Serena said quickly.
"Never again Serena." Harry said, she nodded quickly. Suddenly she started laughing.
"You guys looked so scared!" She said.
"Serena!" Ginny said. "We said never again! You promised." Ginny suddenly turned red herself. Luckily they were quickly met by Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Hermione. Mrs. Weasley gave them all huge, crushing hugs as usual.
"So, Harry, did you enjoy the ride here?" Remus asked.
"Yeah. Great trip. Good time, good time." Harry said quickly turning even more red. Remus raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Serena quickly whispered in Remus' ear, and his eyes widened.
"Well, I suppose we should be going. Much to do before Christmas." Remus said as quickly as Harry. "Say goodbye to everyone," He looked sternly at Harry. "quickly." Harry nodded. He hugged Hermione, shook Ron's hand quickly, and barely had his arms around Ginny before they sprang apart quickly.
"Goodbye." Harry said softly.
"Goodbye." Ginny said, just as softly. Remus then grabbed Harry by his shirt collar and dragged him away.
"Goodbye everyone, see you at Christmas!" Remus said cheerfully. He loaded their things into his new car, and put Harry in the passenger seat quickly as Serena sat behind him.
"What did you say to him?" Harry asked.
"I told him what happened." Serena said sheepishly.
"Serena! You promised not to talk about that!" Harry said as Remus entered the car. All was silent as the trip went underway until Remus spoke.
"Harry, what were you thinking? Do you know the kind of trouble you two could have gotten into?" He said.
"But- I mean it wasn't- I mean- ugh!" Harry said, unable to communicate.
"Yes, Harry, I know those words." Remus said, slightly smiling. "James said much the same thing, when he was caught in the charms class with Lily. Sirius, though, taught us that line very well during all of his...adventures into sexual activity."
"Moony, you could be a bit more sympathetic." Harry said, laughing despite himself. "After all, it was Serena who decided to walk in and just stare! Its not like she didn't know what we were doing!"
"Hey don't blame me!" Serena yelled. "If you were a normal man you would have been done and dozing off when I knocked on the door! How was I supposed to know 3 hours wasn't long enough!"
"3 hours!" Harry said, shocked. "Are you serious? You can't be, not even close to serious with that. Ron would have started beating the door down."
"He thought of that really. Poor boy, stunned by his own girlfriend!" Serena said laughing. "So, Harry, giving her something to think about till Christmas huh?"
"Sod off, Serena." Harry said, sulking.
"Don't be like that! So help me, I'll get Remus to let me have my way with you!" Serena said happily.
"Serena!" Remus shouted. "Stop that. The boy is embarrassed. Not only did someone who is like his sister walk in on him, but she also used to be his godmother! That in itself is a crushing blow!"
"Exactly! Thank you Moony!" Harry said, sticking his tongue out at Serena. "It could've only been worse if Dumbledore himself had walked in."
"Ok, ok, lets change the subject then." Serena said, smiling again. "Remus, we have to go to Diagon Alley. We need more money, and we need to buy presents."
"More money! You two left with bags filled with more money than most kids your age ever see!" Remus said angrily. "Are you two trying to spend all the money in those vaults?"
"Actually, Moony, had you paid attention, you would have realized that we spent all but half of one bag, together, when we went on my birthday." Harry said honestly. "Then the vanishing clothes trick sort of caused us to have to spend more than half of that."
"Oh right! The brooms, trunks, and books. I forgot about those." Remus said. "Alright, we will do that tomorrow. But Harry, from now on, no more...great trips on the train. Can you do that?"
"Yes Remus." Harry said, resigned.
The next few days passed quickly for Harry. He took time off from studying, and training. He just enjoyed being a teenager. He tried to make Grimmauld Place more livable in his opinion, which worked rather well. It kept him busy for days until he came to Sirius' room and found himself unable to open the door. He knew that even though he had accepted that Sirius had died, letting those feelings out would still be too much.
A few days before Christmas, Harry awoke to shouting coming from the kitchen. This was a rare thing to happen as Serena was the only person with a temper. Looking at the clock he saw that it was one o'clock in the morning. He walked quietly to the steps and listened to what was happening.
"Albus, I didn't know it was going to be like this!"
"What did you expect? To not be a normal teenage girl?"
"I thought that I would not have to relive the age of 16 completely! You said I would still be me, but in the body of a teenager."
"Nymphadora, the body of a teenager goes through what you are going through. I cannot change that, no matter how powerful."
"I shouldn't have feelings like this! Not for him. That cannot be right, no matter what body I'm in."
"I cannot change who you care about, child."
"What you should think about is whether he actually feels the same way." That was Remus, speaking for the first time.
"How could he! He has someone he loves, even you know that!"
"Yes, Nymphadora, he loves her. However even I don't think it is as they think. I see many things, even the incident that caused you to feel this way. I cannot fathom what he feels, as only he knows this, but I do think he cares more for you than even he knows."
"Right, of course Albus. Its easy for you, you are over a hundred years old! I was fine with this until I became stuck at this age forever, and now I'm in worse shape than ever! Damn that boy! He made me so happy being Serena and now I'm stuck."
Harry heard this and knew she was cursing him. Anger fell upon him so quickly he couldn't describe it. He felt betrayed, being blamed for something he never forced her to do. He flew down the steps into the kitchen. Everyone stood shocked for a moment as Harry glared at Serena. Her mouth gaped as she realized he had heard the conversation she was having.
"Damn me! To hell with you, Tonks! I didn't ask you to do this, I was happy with you being both people to me! I was happy with Tonks and Serena, so don't blame me!" Harry yelled, his glare moving from her to Dumbledore. "And you! Just letting her blame me, like I forced this on her! If anyone is to blame it's you! I see no one bothers to stand beside me, so you can all just get the hell out of my house!"
With that Harry stalked out of the room tears in his eyes. Serena started crying as well. Dumbledore looked at Remus shocked at what was just said. Remus nodded at him carefully looking at Serena.
"Well, Serena it appears you have your answer." Remus said calmly.
"Yes he hates me, almost as much as that git Malfoy." She said weakly.
"No, Nymphadora, I believe he cares so much about what you think that he feels betrayed. You heard what he said, he feels you don't like this anymore and blame him." Dumbledore said slowly, not moving his eyes from her. "He has taken the blame for so much in his young life, the death of his parents, Sirius, and whatever the Dursley's decided. It is too much for anyone, much less a 16 year old boy who must also take great strides to rid the world of an evil that no one but he can defeat."
"What should I do Remus?" Serena asked, still weeping.
"You should go talk to him." Remus said smiling softly. "You are the only one here who he listens to completely. If you have a problem tell him that I wish to speak to him. He doesn't seem angry with me at the moment. Albus, I would recommend you leave for the moment. He does not seem at all happy with you, and that could cause a lot more problems than we can handle if he looses control."
Dumbledore nodded and disapparated while Serena walked from the kitchen and up the stairs. Remus then thought of what was happening, and a tear escaped his eye. Resting his head in his hands, he sighed. He never thought teenagers could be so difficult, but then neither of these two were ordinary teenagers. One was a boy who had to face odds that no one could imagine, and the other was an auror who gave up one life for another.
"You kids are going to be the death of me I swear." Remus said softly, smiling to himself.
Harry sat on his bed, fuming. He had not been this angry since he started practicing controlling his emotions. He couldn't believe his best friend was saying he was to blame for her not being an adult anymore. Suddenly he started thinking about Sirius, who would never have let things like this happen.
"Why did you have to leave Sirius? I don't know how to be responsible. I don't know anything, but you left me alone to find the answers for myself. Now I have no one to trust with things, no one who will listen to me and not think I'm just the boy who bloody lived. Even my best friend blames me for being what she is now. What am I supposed to do?" Harry said to himself not expecting an answer, just staring at the ceiling.
"I am amazed! A teenager who admits to not knowing. That is quite a feat, Mr. Potter." Phineas said from his painting.
"Great, glad I brightened up your day." Harry said in monotone.
"No boy, you did not. I am merely keeping a promise I made to your godfather." Phineas said. "I promised that should anything happen to him, I would try to help you if I could."
"Fine, tell me why I can't be normal? Why do I have to do things that grown wizards are afraid to?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Is anyone really normal child? I have never met a group of people who were all the same." Phineas said calmly. "Do you mean why do you have to be the one to kill Voldemort? The answer to that is unknown to me, but Albus might have the answers you seek."
"He only says it is because I have a power Voldemort doesn't know, which he only knows because of the prophecy." Harry said sadly. "Why did he have to pick me? Was I so evil that I must be punished to live a life that seems destined to end so soon?"
"That is what a child would think. Have you not thought the reverse could be true in your case? That perhaps you are so good that you are the opposite of Voldemort's evil. I'm sure you don't think that because you still think you are being punished." Phineas said, sounding irritated. "You have people who love you, Voldemort does not. You have a power unseen since Merlin himself at the height of his power, and you are not even close to reaching your peak yet. Albus spoke to me about what you can do. Voldemort cannot do such things. People now follow you, but out of love and respect. Voldemort does not have that. His people follow out of fear and hate, neither a strong enough emotion to risk their life to save him. All these are things you do not see as the gifts they are. You should realize that you are not punished like you think, but you are blessed for all the things you have."
"That's easy to say, but I had to watch Sirius die. I watched his cousin give up a life she had known all her life and become someone else because I made it seem good at the time. Now Tonks regrets it and blames me. Am I to blame for her Phineas?" Harry asked suddenly, not knowing why he was suddenly opening up to a painting.
"Nymphadora, or Serena as she has become, is not a fault of yours. She was never entirely happy as she is now. She hated what she was, even I could see that. You gave her a chance at something that she dreamed of for a long time. More than one thing really. She wished to be like Sirius, and now she is. She wished to be normal, and now she is. If you are to blame for anything boy, it is making her happy. I wished I could have seen Sirius die, to know if he did so honorably, as he lived his life. I believe he did. To mourn him is alright, but to blame yourself for his actions is foolish." Phineas said, his voice getting softer as he spoke of Sirius.
"Thanks, Phineas, you were a great help, but could you leave me alone now? I feel like I need to be by myself." Harry said softly, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I will leave you to mourn as you would. Should you need me all you need do is call to me from this portrait and I will return." Phineas said walking from the portrait.
Harry lay there on his bed, thinking about everything that was just said. He didn't know if he believed it all, but it made him feel better. It felt good to know that Sirius tried to find a way to look after him even after he was gone. As he lay there, tears streaming from his eyes as he thought of Sirius, a soft knock came from the hallway.
"Harry, please let me in. You don't understand what was said downstairs. Let me explain." Serena said softly. Harry waved his hand and the door opened.
"You are really getting good at that wandless magic, Harry." Serena said, smiling sadly as she closed the door and sat on his bed beside him.
"Why do you blame me?" Harry asked softly, afraid to look at her.
"Harry, I wasn't blaming you." Serena said. "You didn't hear the whole thing, and probably didn't understand it all."
"I understood. You hate me, because I made it seem fun to be a teenager again." Harry said sadly. "I heard it all. 'I shouldn't have feelings like this! Not for him.' I understand if you hate me. I'll leave Grimmauld Place in the morning. I'll go back to the Dursley's. I can handle them hating me. I can't handle you hating me though."
"Harry! Is that what you think?" Serena said, shocked. "No, Harry I don't hate you at all. I'm just not used to feeling like this. I didn't even have feelings like this when I was this age the first time. Don't ever think I hate you, Harry, because it is so far from true."
"Then what about these feelings you keep having?" Harry asked.
"That's not hate, Harry." Serena said. Harry grinned at her.
"Well then, who is it?" Harry asked as something came to his mind.
"Who is who?" Serena asked, clearly confused.
"For you to scream like that, either you hate someone or you fancy someone." Harry said, still grinning. "So who is it?"
"I can't tell you that Harry, you'll hate me." Serena said sadly.
"I've never hated you, no matter who you were." Harry said sincerely. "You can tell me, I promise not to mention a word to anyone."
"Promise?" Serena asked nervously.
"Of course, after all who would I tell?" Harry asked mischievously.
Serena suddenly appeared nervous at Harry's words. Harry put his arm around her and smiled, a true smile free of all arrogance and mischief. Serena nodded at him suddenly and opened her mouth as if to speak, then shut her mouth quickly. She looked at him again and saw that he had not moved away from her, then suddenly leaned forward as if to whisper in his ear, stopping short she leaned closer.
She kissed Harry square on the mouth.