Author's Note: OMG I have a lot to note! Erm… Let me start by saying that this whole story is just part of my fantasies and the whole wizarding world is owned by Miss Rowling!

AN #2: Franz is also an HP fan but not as rabid as Anne… When they entered the wizarding world, they created a ripple, so they ARE true characters inside the wizarding world… Ol Dumbles will explain it later… Anne also plays a pureblood but she's like the girl version of Sirius, Gryffindor from a snotty pureblood family…

Chapter 6

Anne walked towards a rickety house that seemed to just hold because of magic. She smiled as she walked towards it. Walking with her was Professor McGonagall, who was holding a rusty tin can. They traveled by portkey directly from Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall knocked at the door.

"Who's there?" a woman's voice and footsteps were heard.

"Molly, it's Minerva."

"What object did you threaten to transfigure Ron into during his first year in Hogwarts?"

"A pocketwatch."

The door was opened by a woman wearing an apron.

"Is there any problem, Minerva?"

"No, but I would ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"There are two exchange students coming to Hogwarts. This was already arranged even before…" McGonagall's voice cracked, "… This is Anne Faustino. Can I leave her here for the rest of the summer? She arrived yesterday and she might need company."

Anne murmured a hello at Mrs. Weasley.

"How old are you, dear?"

"I just turned sixteen, mam."

"Just call me Mrs. Weasley, dear. You're about my daughter's age."

"Ms. Faustino, I have to return to Hogwarts. This family are trustworthy people. Have fun."

Professor McGonagall left the Burrow and Anne heard a small pop outside.

"You can stay in my daughter's room. Come, I'll take you upstairs."

Anne dragged a trunk given to her by Professor Slughorn up to the third landing of the house."

Mrs. Weasley knocked at the door, "Ginny, open the door. We have a guest and she's bunking in with you."

The door opened, and a girl with long red hair opened it.

"Ginny, this is Anne. She's going to Hogwarts as an exchange student. She will probably be in your year."

Anne peeked behind Mrs. Weasley. "Hi…"

"Come in. Glad to have another girl in the house…" the red-haired girl smiled sadly.

Anne entered the room as Mrs. Weasley conjured another bed.

Anne sat down the bed as she placed the trunk beside it.

Mrs. Weasley left them inside the room.

"So, what school did you come from?"

"Uhm… a small wizarding school in California…"

"You're from America?"

"Technically no. I was born in Spain but I grew up in California."

"Oh…. So do you know what House you will be in?"

Anne nodded, "I was sorted when I arrived. I'm in Gryffindor."

"Cool! We're going to be roommates there."

"Glad to have met someone in my dormitory." Anne smiled at Ginny, "I heard a name a while ago. A 'Ron' fellow, the one who McGonagall threatened to turn into a pocketwatch? Who is he?"

"Oh, Ron? He's my brother, he's a year older than me. He's with his friends now, although Mum wasn't to keen to let him go with them…"

Anne nodded, pretending not to know anything about the Weasleys, "Is he your only brother?"

"No, I have six…"

"Six! Wow, it must have been fun to have brothers…"

"They're all insane… overprotective prats… except for Bill, the eldest among us, he's my favorite brother."

Anne smiled at her, "I grew up alone with my mother but we travel a lot. You're lucky to have a large family… The only downside is dating a guy, especially if your family knows the guy…"

Ginny looked at her, "Are you a Legilimens or something?"

"What? What did I say?" Anne looked at her.

"Well, let's just say I dated a guy who's close to our family…"

"And…"

"He broke up with me just before the school term ended, saying he wanted to protect me…" Ginny scoffed at her last statement.

"Okay… he's just concerned with your safety, that doesn't mean he has no feelings for you…"

"I know, but he must not shut me out… Harry always do that…" Ginny suddenly brought a hand to her mouth as she let slip of the person they were talking about.

Anne smiled serenely at her, "So the gossips were right…"

"Gossips? What gossips?" Ginny looked puzzled.

"Well, I have the ears for gossip, not that I help them circulate… More of like I have this strangest ability to receive the juiciest gossip about some people…"

"What exactly was the gossip?"

"The boy-who-lived has a girlfriend, a pureblood girlfriend… but they said it was such a pity that she was poor and a bloodtraitor…… Like I give a crap about purity of blood like they do… so I just dismissed the story as plain gossip… and now, you confirm the whole thing."

"So you don't care if I'm poor or a bloodtraitor or not?"

"Of course not. I mean, it's absolutely ridiculous to judge a person by his ancestry or his money. It's just not right…"

"Maybe that's why the hat put you in Gryffindor." Ginny smiled at her.

"So, what are you going to do with Harry now? He is going to come to the wedding, right?"

"I don't know how to get him back…" Ginny sighed as she lay on her bed.

"Knock him out of his senses, I tell you. Look absolutely pretty at the wedding . If that won't bring him to his senses, I don't know what will…"

"Good idea… but he might clam up and just sit in a corner."

"Approach him and talk to him. Try to understand that he is Voldiefart's primary target, he's afraid that if the old fart found out about you two, you will be in huge danger."

"Tell me again that you're not a Legilimens… That was exactly what he said!"

Anne got up, walked to the vanity and grabbed a brush, "I just put myself in his shoes, that's why I understand what you're going through." She brushed her hair, "Make yourself heard, for example, give him a gift on his birthday or even just write him a letter…"

"It's his birthday today!" Ginny ran to get a quill and parchment. She plopped down on her bed and started writing.

"Ginny, get down here to do some chores."

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you while you write that, okay?" Anne got up and walked to the door.

Ginny smiled and nodded at her.


Anne walked downstairs and walked straight to the kitchen.

"Ginny, get those dishes and set the table for lunch. Ron, Harry and Hermione are due to arrive today, and so are the twins and Charlie." Mrs. Weasley, whose back was turned, so she did not notice it was Anne who went downstairs.

Anne did not say a word and got the dishes, utensils and glasses out of a shelf, and carefully set them on the table. She also found table napkins that she folded artfully and placed on each plate.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Anne felt a wand pointed at her throat.

"Alastor! Put that wand down immediately! Minerva sent her here!" Mrs. Weasley almost dropped a plate filled with bread.

Anne turned around and saw a horribly-disfigured man with a revolving blue eye.

"My name is Anne Faustino and I'm an exchange student from America. The headmistress sent me here so I don't die of boredom inside Hogwarts all summer." Anne smirked at him and held out her hand. The man grabbed and shook her hand.

"Anne, I'm sorry, I thought you were Ginny."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley. I'd like to keep myself busy, and Ginny's just finishing something in her room."

Mrs. Weasley saw what Anne did to the table. "My dear, we don't have to be fanciful. After all, it's just lunch."

"But Mrs. Weasley, you seem to be so happy about the ones who are coming so I wanted the table to look more presentable."

"Thank you, dear."

There was a knock on the door.

"Mum, it's us! Open up!" Two voices said outside.

"What's the password?"

"U-no-poo!"

Mrs. Weasley opened the door. Outside stood two men who looked exactly like each other.

"Hiya Mum! How are things here?"

"I didn't expect you two."

"Mum, it's Harry's birthday and we wanted to make it extra special so we decided a special appearance of the Wonderful Weasley twins was in order…. Mad-eye! So good to see you!"

The twins hugged Alastor, like an eccentric looking sandwich.

Anne quickly added the plates, and Mrs. Weasley remembered to introduce her to the twins.

"Boys, this is Anne Faustino. She will be staying with us for the rest of the summer. She's an exchange student from America and she is in Ginny's year. Anne, these are my sons Fred and George…"

"Mum, I'm George! And he is Fred!" one of the twins pointed the other to Mrs. Weasley.

Anne laughed at them and murmured a hello.

Ginny ran downstairs, "Did I hear my favorite twin brothers?"

"Ginny! Our favorite sister! How are things?" the twins hugged her.

"So, you two already met her?"

"Yep. She did some weird folding on the table napkins and then, just look at our table…. It's good that she's here…"

Anne smiled at their banter. Then, there was a knock on the door.

"Mum, it's us. Open up! I'm so hungry!" a weary voice called out.

"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley quickly opened the door and embraced her son.

"Mum! You didn't ask for the password! What if we were Death Eaters?" a gangly red haired teenager returned his mother's hug awkwardly.

With him is a girl with curly brown hair and another boy with black hair and sparkling green eyes. They all looked they haven't had much sleep.

Ginny looked shocked but immediately ran to the black-haired boy and hugged him.

"Ginny…" the boy whispered as he hugged her back.

Ginny's eyes were already brimming with tears, "I will fight for you, you know… I will never give up…"

"But Gin, I must keep you safe…"

"No one is safe now, Harry. Look at our clock, even if you broke up with me, I'm still on mortal peril. What's the difference? It's better for you to be with me…"

Mrs. Weasley and the twins who didn't hear all of their conversation looked puzzled.

Anne decided to make her presence known, as she nudged Ginny who was still engulfed in Harry's arms.

Ginny let go and wiped her tears, "By the way, this is Anne. She's an exchange student from America, she's gonna be in my year…"

The curly-haired girl held out her hand, "I'm Hermione, this is Ron and Harry."

Anne took Hermione's hand, then Ron's, then Harry's, "Glad to meet you all... Hey, you're the smartest witch in your year… 11 Outstanding OWLs… my schoolmates were scandalized by it…"

Hermione who found a way to a chair, looked at her quizzically, "Scandalized? Why would they be scandalized? And how do you get gossip from another continent?"
"I'll just tell you later, and I need to speak to Harry about something…"

Harry also looked at her, he was looking like he was going to ask a question when Ginny grabbed his hand, "Later, Harry."

Mrs. Weasley found her way to Hermione and Harry, and both received bear hugs, "You look starving! Come on everyone, let's eat!"

Everybody settled down on the table. Anne chose to sit beside Hermione, and whispered to her, "You must convince Harry to go back to school. There's something you missed there…"

Hermione looked at her, "How did you know?"

"I was carefully instructed by McGonagall and a very special portrait…"Anne winked at her before getting food on her plate, leaving Hermione lost in her own thoughts.

Ron surprised everyone by eating more civil than usual, given the state of his hunger. It was very evident that he was a bit more gentlemanly on Hermione.

Harry just chuckled at this. He knew that this would eventually happen. His innermost prayers had been answered, prayers from his heart. Ginny Weasley gave him a second chance. She was his only source of comfort during these dark days. 'She's strong, we have a fighting chance in surviving this war.'


Chapter 7

Hermione deposited her things in Ginny's room after lunch, with Anne in tow.

"So, what's this about?'

"I didn't tell Ginny anything until you guys tell her everything. I know you three might not be going back, but you must go back."

"How did you know?" Hermione stopped unpacking her things.

"I want to talk with you three. Let's just wait for Harry. I think he's not done talking to Ginny."

They went downstairs and Harry & Ginny were talking to Mrs. Weasley hand in hand.

Anne smiled at Hermione as they walked towards them. Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry and Ginny, and wiped her tears with her apron. Both Harry and Ginny looked happy.

"Now, that's settled…" Anne murmured to Hermione, who smiled at her.

"Conference at Ron's room after dinner. Bring Ginny if you must." Anne whispered to Harry (who looked utterly bewildered), and quickly winked at her.

The night came and Harry was showered with gifts from Remus Lupin, the Weasleys and Hermione. Harry, being of age, was able to do magic and the firs thing he did was conjure a Patronus. Everyone clapped, and they started to demolish Harry's cake and Mrs. Weasley's scrumptious dinner.

Anne was the first to go upstairs with Hermione, discussing elf rights. Ron was dragged by Hermione, using an invisible rope. Harry and Ginny, who seemed to be glued by the hips and hands, followed after 15 minutes.

"Now, what is this meeting all about?" Harry asked as he entered the room.

"First off, Dumbledore sent for me to come last year. After his…. You know what I mean….. his portrait left me instructions on what to do…"

"I think I shouldn't be here…" Ginny got up to walk out of the room, "Harry and I talked about it and the less I know, the less danger I would be in… according to Harry…"

Anne resisted punching both Harry and Ginny.

"I think it's better for her to know the truth, Harry," a small voice from Anne's pocket spoke.

"Forgot about that…" Anne pulled out a small frame the size of a small wallet.

It was a small portrait of a long-bearded man with twinkling eyes behind half-moon spectacles.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

"I'm afraid so, Harry. Remember, death is just the next great adventure…" the portrait winked at them.

"I… I need a minute with Ginny…" Harry grabbed hold of Ginny's arm and they both went outside.


Chapter 8

"Ginny, first of all, I want you to be calm when I tell you everything. Please bear in mind that you might be in even more danger after you hear this." Harry told Ginny after they entered Ginny's room.

Ginny nodded at him and inhaled deeply.

"Dumbledore's lessons throughout last year were about Tom Riddle. Everything Dumbledore can find about his past. Tom did something to himself, something horrible. He made Horcruxes…"

"What are Horcruxes?"

"They're objects that are made vessels of his souls. He made six of them. The seventh part of his soul is in his body. The only way to destroy Voldemort is to destroy his Horcruxes."

"The diary is a Horcrux, am I right?"

Harry was surprised at Ginny's guess. "Yeah, we already destroyed it…"

"We? What we? You destroyed it, not me…" Ginny snorted.

"Yeah, we… The second one is the ring from the Gaunts, Voldemort's family form where he got his Slytherin ancestry. The third one is a locket. That was what Dumbledore and I went to before the attack happened. Here's the locket we got." Harry handed Ginny the locket, "It turned out to be fake. Someone with the initials R.A.B. already got it, and he said he would destroy it. That night at the cave where the locket was located, Dumbledore drank something that made him weak, and when we returned… You know what happened… After Bill and Fleur's wedding, the three of us will find the other Horcruxes and destroy them… I must destroy them and Voldemort, for that matter…" Harry sighed and sat on Ginny's bed.

"Why you?" Ginny was pale but her eyes were shining with fierce determination.

"The prophecy, the one that was smashed in the Department of Mysteries, it was about me and Voldemort. He 'marked' me as his equal when he gave me this scar. I must kill him before he kills me… He doesn't know that I already know about the Horcruxes because he's doing Occlumency against me, after he possessed me in the Ministry."

Ginny went to where Harry was sitting. She held his hand and lightly kissed him on the lips. Warmth spread all over Harry's body. Kissing Ginny was even more wonderful than conjuring a Patronus. He felt contented and complete. He now has someone to fight for, a life to live.

Anne was already nervous about what Harry might say to Ginny. The portrait was winking at her, like it was telling her that everything would go according to plan.

Harry and Ginny entered the room holding hands and both were smiling.

"Now, that's settled, we can go now to what I suggest you might do." The portrait said, as it was enlarged by Hermione into a life-size frame.

"What is it, Professor?"

"You continue your search for the Horcruxes, but you must go back to Hogwarts at the start of the term…"

"But, why Professor?"

"You might have missed something there… The castle is full of surprises, as you all know…"

Hermione paced the room, "I remembered something... the Chamber of Secrets!"

Anne looked at her, 'Now, she is smart…'

Hermione looked at Anne, "It's a chamber made by Salazar Slytherin where a basilisk is hidden. It escaped during our second year."

Anne nodded at her, "The chamber might house a few more secrets besides a basilisk…"

"That's what I was going at…"

The portrait chuckled with merriment, "I told you the castle is full of surprises… Students might be recruited as Death Eaters, that is what I gravely fear… You need to reform some particular Defense group… I reckon it has my name on it?"

"We must reform the DA!" Ron exclaimed.

Anne spoke suddenly, "But keep in mind that you must choose people that are trustworthy and are able to fight in case of another attack…"

Harry's mind was swimming with thoughts, "Erm… Ron? You are good at chess… We need to formulate fight tactics, just in case…"

"Ms. Faustino has an exceptional talent in healing charms… I suggest you include her as an emergency Healer…" the portrait spoke once more.

Harry looked at Anne, who nodded back.

"I have something to add in the group…" Anne suggested, "The order put a mole inside Hogwarts…"

"An animal? How can that be useful?" Ron asked.

Ginny hit him in the head, "You are so thick, Ron. She's referring to a spy."

Anne nodded, " The mole will investigate who might have been recruited, and will alert me soon. I will not say the name of the mole because the cover might blow right in our faces…. Just in case…"

"Now that is settled, I will visit my frame somewhere and chat with an old comrade…" the portrait left the frame. Hermione reduced it once again to a wallet-sized frame.

Anne handed the frame to Harry. "He wants you to have this."

"Thanks. I want you and Ginny to stay here when we go to Godric's Hollow."

Ginny looked at Harry, "What can we do to help when you're away?"

Harry handed her a small mirror, "Here, it's a two-way mirror given to me by Sirius. I have the other one. If you need something, just call out my name on the mirror. If I call, the mirror will become warm and vibrate. Just prepare some healing potions, just in case something happens."

Ginny nodded at him.

"I'm sleepy. Can we go to bed now?" Ron suddenly spoke.

Anne, Ginny and Hermione went to Ginny's room and headed for bed.

Anne woke up automatically at six o'clock. She changed and went down for breakfast.

She saw Mrs. Weasley cooking and volunteered to help.

"Oh dear, you might need a dress robe for the wedding."

"It's all arranged, Mrs. Weasley. My mum packed me a few dress robes before coming to Hogwarts. I might use them…"

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "What about your father?"

"He already passed away but my mother remarried."

"I heard your family's name before… Are you a pureblood?"

"If I have no Muggle ancestry? Yes, I might say I am… I don't really care for any of those… unlike my mother, but she is tolerant of half-bloods and muggleborns…"

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "You seem to be so enthusiastic about house chores…"

Anne laughed, "Because I never get to do them back home. House elves… I pity them but if I set them free, they might be devastated…"

Anne went up to wake Ginny and Hermione, and proceeded to Ron's room.

Ron was still sleeping soundly, but Harry was already awake.

"I don't mean to surprise you, Harry, but wands out immediately when you arrive at Godric's Hollow, and also don't forget to bring you invisibility cloak…"

Harry just looked at her, shocked.

"Dumbledore's reminders…"

Harry nodded.

Anne left their room, where she nearly collided with Hermione, "Couldn't wake Ron up. Maybe you could try…"

They went back to Ron's room.

Hermione pointed her wand at Ron.

"What are you going to do?" Anne asked.

"Water charm."

"Try 'Frioaguamenti'. It's more effective… COLD water charm…"Anne smirked at her.

"Frioaguamenti."

"Aaaaaa! Who the hell doused me with cold water?" Ron immediately sat up his bed and shook his head wet with water.

"Well, they couldn't wake you up, so I did, Wonwon…" Hermione said laughingly.

"Don't remind me of that bloody nickname…" Ron grumpily shoved Hermione and Anne outside.

"That was brilliant. Where did you learn that?"

"Theoretical spells, chapter 3. Your seventh year book in Charms…"
"You've read it already?"

Anne nodded, "I borrowed it from Flitwick when I was dead bored inside the castle… I'm really thankful it's Hogwarts, unlike Durmstrang… I also heard a Viktor Krum gossip, by the way." They went down in the kitchen.

"Don't mention it in front of Ron… He might go ballistic…"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Hermione laughed at her bitterly, "Not a chance…"

"He might be just afraid to say it, but he does act a bit gentlemanly in front of you…"

"That was after he and Lavender broke up… but he still hasn't said anything about his feelings…"

"It takes a while… Let his brain work out a bit more…"

"Why are you so knowledgable in this sort of stuff? Like you're older than us…"

"I have been hearing about problems like that all the time… See, gossip and advice-seeking magnet…"

Ginny also went downstairs, followed by Ron and Harry.

Mr. Weasley was already reading the morning paper.

"The wedding, as some of us may know, will be held in France. We will take a portkey to France tomorrow morning. We will bring our dress robes and we will help in the preparations as soon as we arrive. Now, kids, behave, ok?"

After breakfast, Ginny's room was in a flurry as she was searching for her missing earrings. Hermione was packing her things magically. Anne was helping Ginny find her missing things.

The day progressed as Anne helped Ginny and Hermione with make-up and what to do with a quandary that is Hermione's hair. Harry and Ron, on the other hand, were having ruthless chess battles.

"Now, everybody hold tight on the portkey." It was really bizarre to find several people clutching a worn-out paperback novel in the middle of a hill.

Charlie, the second of the Weasley brothers, was arriving directly from Romania, according to Ginny. Fred and George will also follow directly from London. It was more of a family affair, one that made Anne, Harry and Hermione out of place, but they tried their best to smile for this happy occasion.

"Three, two, one…"

The sensation of her navel being yanked in was the most uncomfortable feeling Anne felt. She vowed never to fascinate portkey travel again.

They all landed outside a large house in the middle of a vineyard.

"Bonjour, Monsiuer et Madame Weasley!"

A tall woman with flowing and glowing hair welcomed them. With her was obviously another Weasley, by the distinct red long hair he had, but his face was scarred.

"Bill!"

Ginny ran to him and engulfed him in a hug.

Bill laughed at her, and waved at Harry.

Anne and Hermione shyly huddled together.

"You know French?" Hermione asked.

"Mother insisted on making me learn our what she called 'native tongue' which is Spanish. Ugh… maybe I might learn a few French phrases here, aside from 'voulez vou chouche avec moi se soir'…" Anne snorted.

Hermione giggled at her. 'This is so awkward. I mean, we're not family but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley insisted we join them here… Unlike Harry, who seem to be in Bill's good side now…"

She looked at Harry's direction. Harry was having a light conversation with Bill, who laughed loudly.

Mrs. Weasley immediately went to the kitchen were she is met by Fleur's mother.

Ginny introduced Anne to Bill and Fleur, who both shook Anne's hand, as she murmured best wishes to them.

The day went by quickly as Hermione and Anne helped Ginny "redesign" her frilly robes.

Ron was happy to have new black dress robes for the occasion. Harry also has dress robes in dark forest green. He often wondered what Ginny would look like in the wedding.

The day of the wedding arrived. Anne was busy helping Ginny and Hermione get ready. She chose a simple dress robe made of a flowing peach material, curled the ends of her long black hair, and with a simple make-up that didn't look she had make-up at all.

Hermione and Anne sat on the guests' section of the aisle, considering the fact that they weren't part of the Weasley family. Harry was one of the groomsmen, in return of saving Gabrielle Delacour's life in the Triwizard tournament. His partner was Ginny.

Ginny looked absolutely beautiful in Harry's eyes. Even Fleur did not match what Ginny looked like. Her flowing red hair was in compliment to her pale gold robes. She looked every inch of a Gryffindor.

Ron was flabbergasted by Hermione's appearance. He commented that she looked even better than in the Yule Ball. When he finished the word "Yule Ball", he scowled, but then smiled when Hermione nudged him.

A teenage boy arrived at the reception and shook Mr. and Mrs. Delacour's hands.

"I'm sorry I am late, Monsiuer, Madame."

"It's okay, Francois. You are absolutely welcome here in our daughter's wedding."

Anne looked at the stranger and gasped. No one noticed this, so she was relieved.

The stranger looked at her and began to walk towards the table where Anne sat next to Hermione.

"Is this seat taken?" the stranger asked Anne when he pointed at the vacant seat next to her.

Anne shook her head, "You can seat here."

" My name is Franz Rosello. You are?"

"Anne Faustino… You seem to have a bit of an accent. Are you Italian?"

The stranger smiled and whispered, "By Flitwick, nonetheless…"

Anne also whispered, "What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Hogwarts!"

"Hey, part of my test. The Rosello family has ties in every European country. I must say Mr. Delacour is pleased to have me as a guest…" Franz winked at her.

Hermione, who noticed Anne was conversing with the stranger, "Anne, do you know him?"

"Franz Rosello, meet Hermione Granger. She's from Hogwarts."

"Granger? Aaa… my Slytherin acquaintances warn me of you…" Franz smiled wickedly.

Hermione scowled at him and quickly return to her conversation with Ginny.

"Must you do that?"

"It's part of the cover, moi cherie." Franz dangerously whispered into Anne's ear, "By the way, you look absolutely elegant tonight. Absolutely sexy…"

Harry and Ron approached them, feeling the tension between Hermione and the mysterious guest.

"Harry, Ron, this is Franz Rosello. Franz, these are my friends, Ron, Harry and that one over there is Ginny."

"Rosello, as in Rosello family of Italy?" Ron exclaimed.

Franz nodded at him arrogantly. Ron paled and quickly dragged Harry , Hermione, and Ginny away from Anne and Franz.

"Ron, what's wrong?"

"The Rosello family has a lot of dirt in their history."

Charlie approached them, "Did someone say Rosello?"

Harry pointed inconspicuously at Franz's direction.

"Nasty family. They are richer than the Blacks, and as worse too… They're renowned and feared all over Italy. I heard they died out, but if he's the only living Rosello, then he's on of the richest man in Europe…"

They watched him whisper something to Anne. Anne looked reviled and slapped him sharply. She got up and walked directly to Hermione's side.

"That jerk! Can you believe it! He asked me if I was a pureblood, then I said yes. He told me that I shouldn't waste my time with you guys. He asked me to go with him to an empty room and…. Ugh! That jerk! I better not see his face again!"

Ginny pulled her wand out, but Anne stopped her from going to where Franz was. "No, it's not worth it."

Franz made a few more "advances" on Anne that night at the reception.

They went back to the Burrow after the reception. All retired to bed, all except Harry.

Harry lay on his cot, thinking what to say to Mrs. Weasley. His knapsack was already ready. Ron snored loudly, as he snuck out of the room. He went directly to Ginny's room. He knocked quietly. Thinking nobody would open the door, he began to turn around.

"Hey, Harry… Can't sleep?" a small voice answered when the door opened.

"Ginny?"

"I also can't sleep. I was on a debate with myself if you're going to say goodbye to me or not…"

"I wanted to talk to you… It isn't really goodbye… We're gonna see each other two weeks later… I'm not going to miss out on your birthday, you know…" Harry grinned at her.

"So, what's bothering you?" Ginny led him downstairs to the couch.

"Your mother. How would she react if I tell her personally that her youngest son is going to a trip… It's not like we're going to a vacation…" Harry put his hands to his head. He lay on the couch.

Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry, "That actually is an idea. Just tell her you're going to your former home and you need Ron and Hermione with you."

"That's a way of putting it. Your mother might go ballistic if she knew what we're going to do. I thought about going back to Hogwarts. We need to protect the younger kids. They're practically defenseless. Anne's right. We might have missed something there."

Ginny kissed the top of his head and cuddled even closer. "I do hope we come out of this war in one piece."

"Of course, we will. I have something, someone to fight for, after all…"

"Who?"

"You. I want to be with you. I haven't felt this way about anyone like this before."

"Not even Cho?"

"Not even her… It was a disaster with her. I needed someone stronger, someone who can put me in line."

Ginny smiled at him, "Glad to be of service."

Harry grinned back.

Harry woke up when he felt the sunlight hit his face. They both fell asleep on the couch as they had spent all night talking about their future. He looked at the sleeping figure on his chest, and he smiled. He never felt contented and at peace his whole life.

"Wha time izzit?" the sleeping figure sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Harry just looked at her and smiled.

"Glad you two are both up. Wake the others, it's time for breakfast." Mrs. Weasley appeared on the dutch door of the kitchen.

Harry blushed while nodding while Ginny lay down on the space where Harry sat as he stood up to walk to the staircase. He held Ginny's hand and tugged it lightly.

"Come on…"

"Alright, alright…"

They both went to Ginny's room where Hermione slept. They found Hermione already folding her clothes for their impending trip.

"I'll wake Ron up. You two head downstairs."

Harry and Ginny both raised their brows at her. "Ok…"

They both went halfway downstairs.

"Wait, Harry." Ginny pulled out a flesh-colored string from her pocket, "Always ready…"

They both listened in to what might be Hermione and Ron's conversation.

"Wake up Ron." They heard a smack, rather like the sound of kissing a cheek, "Yeah, I'm up, if you could just give me more of that…" Then Harry and Ginny heard what seemed to be smooching. Ginny faked a gag, while Harry immediately dropped his string.

"Ugh, those are my two best friends we're hearing there…"

Ginny also tugged back her string, "How could they hide that from us?"

"Maybe we're just too thick to notice. Remember, they're not even bickering that much anymore, and Ron seems to be more…"

"Civilized, especially when eating? And gentlemanly?" Ginny finished his sentence.

"Yeah."

They heard a door open and immediately ran to the kitchen. They immediately sat beside each other.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"They're coming."

The kitchen door opened and revealed Hermione with her hand on Ron's arm.

"Morning Mum!"

"Good morning Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley looked at them and smiled. Her eyes suddenly became misty. She ran towards them and squeezed them into a bear hug.

Hermione also cried on Mrs. Weasley's shoulder.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Ginny smiled mischievously.

"We were never that dramatic…"

"That's because none of us cried, well, except for Romilda Vane…"

Harry looked at Ron, who miraculously was not bewildered by what was happening. He grinned at Ron, who looked at him and winked.

Ron and Hermione sat down across Harry and Ginny.

Anne also came down, she seemed to be unpredictable.

Mr. Weasley also arrived at the long kitchen table. "Charlie went back to Romania early this morning. I just received a very disturbing owl from him about checking the couch in the living room… I wondered what that was about…"

Mrs. Weasley smiled at the both blushing Harry and Ginny. Ron smiled at them. Anne's mood immediately lightened up.

After they had eaten, Harry got up seeming to say something. "Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, I need to tell you something."

Ginny squeezed his hand as a sign of support.

"Ron, Hermione and I are going somewhere."

Mrs. Weasley immediately dropped what she was holding.

"I… we… need to go back to Godric's Hollow…"

"You see, Mrs. Weasley, as Harry turned of age, he saw it was the right time to go back to where he once lived… with his parents…"

"Oh… oh… Very well, you three need to arrange things with the Order. Times are perilous…"

"Mum! We are of age…"

" I do not care if all of you are of age! You all are my children, Weasley or not!"

"Mrs. Weasley, you need to understand, I have to do it."

"No! It's too dangerous!"

Anne got up and went to Ron's room. She rummaged through Harry's things and found the small frame. She went downstairs to the kitchen, and handed Mrs. Weasley the frame.

"What's this?"

"Ah.. Molly, so nice to see you…" A long-bearded man appeared in the frame.

"Albus! It can't be!"

"I'm afraid so, Molly… Do not worry, everything is arranged. They are capable wizards. They need this journey. I believe they will continue Hogwarts unlike what was planned?"

Harry nodded, "We will go to Hogwarts, sir. Mrs. Weasley, we will be back in a week or two."

Mrs. Weasley sighed and looked at Mr. Weasley for support.

Mr. Weasley's ears reddened but he firmly replied, "They can go, Molly. As long as they are in constant contact with the Order…"

Ginny smiled at them and hugged Mr. Weasley.

"But not Ginny and Anne!'

"Mum, of course not! Harry and I talked about it. I'm not coming with them."

Mrs. Weasley sighed a breath of relief.

After breakfast, Ron and Harry went downstairs with knapsacks. Hermione met them at the foot of the stairs.

"Ready to go?"

Ron and Harry nodded. Ginny kissed Harry deeply. Anne hugged all three of them and whispered, "Be careful and wands out as soon as you arrive."

She winked at Hermione.

They left to walk to the main road. Ron stuck out his right hand.

A violently-purple bus emerged out of nowhere with a bang, and immediately stopped in front of them.

The door opened. Unlike before, there was no one who greeted them with a warm welcome. Only Ernie the driver was there. There were no passengers.

"Hop in. Ten Sickles each."

"What? I thought it was only three Sickles?" Ron was shocked.

"Hard times, my boy…"

They all climbed up and chose a seat.

"Where to?"

"Godric's Hollow."

"Hold tight…"

Bang!

With a sudden jolt, they were driving on a meadow. Trees jumped out of their way.

After a series of swerving through one meadow after another, the bus stopped. The door opened as Hermione and Ron got up and started walking towards it.

"Harry?" Hermione softly called out.

"Sorry, I just spaced out a bit." Harry slowly got up and also headed towards the open door.

They found themselves in the middle of a small road. A small signboard said "Godric's Hollow" was nailed to a small post.

Harry sighed as they walked on the small road.

"Where do you think would we go?"

Ron stopped and stared at an empty lot. "We don't need to go anywhere… It's there."

Harry looked at the direction where Ron pointed.

A house that seemed to have been bombed was right in front of them. Rubble was everywhere, including broken furniture.