Crossroads 14: Rejoined


Getting Brogan back happened surprisingly fast, Ginny reflected later. They'd expected some sort of pushback from Sean and his lot, but in the end, they'd found Brogan right away. Of course, he was unconscious and neither she nor Harry could wake him up. Even Hermione with her more knowledgeable reference of healing spells couldn't manage it. Thankfully, with Garrett and Hermione to help them, they got him back to the Abbey easily enough. While Harry informed Mr Cosgrove what had occurred, the Abbey matron was looking Brogan over. Ginny was now waiting outside the infirmary, feeling numb.

When she had awoken this morning, she'd been determined to put what happened between her and Brogan behind them. She told herself that would not feel shame for responding to someone she loved and their memories of each other. So she'd thrown herself into making breakfast and tried to put her best foot forward. Everything else after discovering that Brogan had left them felt as though it had happened in a blur. She should have known she'd eventually end up where she was – either sitting outside an infirmary awaiting word over a loved one or in the infirmary herself. Ginny realized that she and Harry were never going to have normal lives, and she laughed to herself about what a colossal understatement that was.

A noise at the end of the hall brought her out of her reverie, and she saw Harry returning. Sid was with him, looking a bit rumpled and very Muggle, right down to his purple trainers again. She assumed Harry had caught him unawares since it was Saturday and he probably hadn't been on duty. He looked even younger out of his Healer robes, she noticed. She hoped they hadn't disturbed him too much; it had been her idea to contact him.

"The Matron speak to you yet?" Harry asked as they reached her and she shook her head. Sid smiled at her in greeting and then tilted his head towards the infirmary as he pulled something out of his pocket. He tapped it with his wand and suddenly his official-looking healer robes were in his hands.

"Most people don't think I know what I'm doing when I'm dressed in Muggle clothes. They always think I'm far too young. And, of course, far too devilishly handsome and charming," Sid said as he slipped the robes on. "I'll find out how he's doing and be right back." He winked at them both and then it was as though a change came over him – he looked taller, more somber, and far more official. She knew they were seeing his Healer persona on full display.

Harry slumped into the chair next to her and sighed as he sat back, resting his head against the wall. Ginny put her arm around his shoulders to comfort him.

"What did Mr Cosgrove say?"

"He said he's going to contact a friend of his that works for the local Magical Law Enforcement they have in town, to see if they have anything on O'Brien. I suggested they check out that warehouse of his before they get rid of the cell. Although Hermione told me she thinks someone cleared it of any traces of anything."

"I would imagine even that is gone at this point," Ginny said. She couldn't imagine Sean O'Brien being that careless; he'd probably sent someone to clean up a bit more after they'd left. Ginny still couldn't believe they'd been able to rescue Brogan without any spells or charms to keep them from him. She reckoned O'Brien just hadn't cared enough. Or, perhaps, had been in too much of a hurry.

She and Harry sat in silence for a little bit; clearly, Sid was giving Brogan a short, but proper look-over. Ginny wondered if Hermione was still at the Abbey or if she'd gone. The other woman had probably snuck off to the library or something. It wasn't an uncharitable thought, Hermione had been anxious throughout the whole ordeal, and Ginny knew that books were the other woman's touchstone.

She was just about to ask after their friend when Sid reappeared, as promised, his face rather severe. Ginny got a sinking feeling in her stomach and knew they probably weren't going to like his prognosis.

"Were you able to wake him?" Harry asked, sounding hopeful. Ginny reflexively tightened her grip on his shoulder as though to fortify them both.

"He's still unconscious. I think it's magical in origin. From what the matron could determine, and I concur with her analysis, his head was under attack from some serious mind-magic. Not just Legilimency, but other spells. Spells designed to hurt the mind of whomever they were cast on. This O'Brien fellow, basically, well.…"

Sid paused, and gave Ginny a curious look, as though he was hesitant to say something. She nodded her head encouragingly at the healer.

"Sid, just tell us. I'm not an innocent, naïve girl, trust me. Don't let this youthful exterior fool you. Nor Harry's either for that matter. We've both been through a lot."

Sid gave her a brief smirk. "Of course not, Ginny, I didn't mean to imply that you were. It's just…it is hard hearing this about someone you care about. The only equivalent thing I can use to explain what's been done to Brogan is, well, basically it's as though his mind has been raped. O'Brien showed absolutely no patience or finesse with the spells he cast. While I can tell a fair bit by certain diagnostic charms, I won't truly know what the damage is until he wakes up. It could be nothing is wrong with him or…he could be completely…gone."

"What do you mean gone?" Harry asked, frowning. "More memories that are missing or…something else?"

Sid took a deep breath, looking very serious indeed. "What I mean by "gone" is that he could be a complete vegetable – a healthy body, but nothing left. Up here." Sid tapped his head and gave them an appraising look as his words sunk in. Ginny felt her heart clench in her chest and saw Harry's hand close into a fist. When neither of them said anything, Sid continued.

"But Brogan is young and he's strong, and believe it or not the fact that he was missing a good chunk of his memories before this may have actually protected him a bit."

"Why? How do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Well, remember I said I thought perhaps his block was emotional? If that is truly the case then that indicates his brain is already adept at protecting itself. If a similar thing happened while this O'Brien was rummaging around in there, then the damage might not be as severe. And when I say he was rummaging, I mean he was stampeding his way through Brogan's mind like a bull in a tea shop."

"Is there anything you can do? Or even something we can do? Is there a special potion or, I don't…we know a Potions Master and while he'll probably not want to help me, I'll force him to brew at wand point if I need to, or-"

Ginny squeezed Harry's shoulder and put her other hand over his. "Harry."

Sid gave her a small smile. "I want to wait and see if he comes out of it by himself before we start pouring potions down his throat. And don't worry about having to deal with Severus Snape, we have a couple of fairly decent Potion Masters at Mungo's, trust me. He is not the only Potions expert in England, no matter what he thinks."

"How did you-"

"Please, Snape's personality and lack of empathy is infamous. I want to give it 24 hours more of Brogan just resting, to see if his body heals itself. I want you two to sit with him, and talk to him or read to him. I am a big believer in the unconscious knowing when they're being tended to by loved ones while asleep."

Harry nodded and Ginny debated about telling Sid the truth of how Brogan might feel about them now. Deciding the healer deserved to know everything, she took a deep breath.

"Sid, we had an issue at Thorn Rose Cottage," Ginny said after Harry glanced at her. "We attempted to do what you said – share emotionally filled memories with him to jumpstart his mind into remembering things, and well, it didn't go too well. Long story short is that Brogan decided he was going to leave us for a while. I'm not sure if he'll want us to be there while he's…sleeping. He wasn't very happy with us before all of this."

"Plus, we're the reason this has happened to him," Harry said morosely. "He's going to hate us now. We pushed and pushed at him until he couldn't take it anymore, and now this."

Sid frowned at them. "Look, whatever transpired between the three of you needs to be shelved for right now. Brogan needs to know someone is looking after him and if you sit with him and hold his hand it might just be the thing that brings him back to us. The goal is to have him wake up on his own. Let's work on that and worry about the other stuff later, okay?"

Ginny nodded and after a moment, so did Harry, but she wondered if Sid was just being a bit too simplistic and optimistic. Admittedly, before the last 24-hours had occurred, she would have bet everything she had that their connection could heal and help Brogan. But now, Ginny didn't know if they had it in them – she felt so estranged from him and she knew Harry did as well. Harry had mentioned that he'd felt the old Brogan through the bracelet link, so perhaps, inadvertently Sean being in his head had made Brogan remember his feelings for them before passing out. Her heart broke when she realized that they might never know if he didn't wake up. Or worse, if Brogan did wake up but he wasn't able to…no, Ginny would not think about her lover being a mindless vegetable. It was too distressing to even think about.

"All right, I'm going to talk to the Matron for a bit more and arrange for you two to be allowed access to him at all times. I will come to get you before I leave. I suggest you two take a nap. You both look haggard and exhausted. And that's the official Healer in me talking, so you'd better listen. Do you two want a sleeping draught?"

Harry and Ginny both shook their heads and he sent them on their way. Harry grabbed her hand as they walked back to their rooms and looked miserable.

"Did Hermione leave?"

"Yeah. She wanted to tell Ron what's been happening. God, I'm gonna hear it from him later, no doubt. Do you think we should let Kath know? And Solace, obviously."

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, probably. But, let's give it the 24-hours that Sid wants. I don't want to worry them until we know for certain he's okay or…." Ginny let her voice run out, not wanting to say out loud what they both were thinking.

"Gin, do you…what if he's… why…" Harry's face crumpled and he swore. When he looked at her again his eyes were full of anguish but they were still dry. She pulled him to her and hugged him.

"Come on. Sid's right, let's get back to our rooms and rest. We've got a long night and day ahead of us, I think."

"You know, it's funny," Harry said when they reached their rooms. "This morning I was ready to leave Ireland behind us. To let Brogan sort himself out and move on with our lives. And now…why did Sean O'Brien do this, Gin? What did he want with him? Something tells me he wasn't just hurting him to get to us. It doesn't feel like that's what was going on." Harry frowned to himself as they entered the bedroom. Roisin mewled from her cat-bed and Ginny went to her, picking the kitten up and placing her in between them as they settled on the bed. After Harry had quickly used magic to put away the remainder of their packing from earlier, that is. Ginny couldn't believe the turn the day had taken. Had that really only been a few hours ago?

Roisin licked Ginny's hand and rubbed against her briefly before moving across the bed to Harry. Ginny smirked at the kitten, perhaps Roisin could tell Harry just needed her more at this time. He absentmindedly scratched the kitten behind the ears and sighed.

"I don't know, Harry," Ginny finally said. "I'd say let's ask Sean O'Brien himself, but I don't really want to do that. Besides being an all-around creep, he wiped our memories!"

"Yeah, that's what's so weird, Gin. Why do it if we were going to know he did it? I mean, Hermione even mentioned it. What was the point? My gut is telling me the bracelets protected us and maybe he didn't expect us to…I don't know…realize he'd done it?"

"I don't understand what he wants," Ginny said, frowning. "Was he a Voldemort follower? Does he hold you responsible for something? That doesn't seem to be it." Ginny paused, searching her feelings. "You're right, it doesn't feel personal, and yet he's done things specifically to hurt us, as well as try to find out about us. Well, me, anyway, that time in the shop, with his little mind games. And you're right about the bracelets - mine protected me that time. I'd only just remembered that!"

Harry and Ginny stared at each other as a few pieces of the puzzle seem to fall into place, although not enough of them to give them any insight. Apparently, the Armilla helped protect them from the type of magic Sean O'Brien was casting at them. Harry stared at his bracelet and then ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"What is going on?" Harry mused, sounding lost. "Maybe I should talk to Remus or Aberforth or…I don't even know."

Ginny picked up Roisin from Harry's lap and moved the kitten out of the way so that she could hold him. Harry rested his head on her shoulder.

"Let's just focus on the next 24–48 hours with Brogan. That's the important thing now. Sean O'Brien can't possibly get to us at the Abbey. We're safe here. Brogan is safe, love. We saved him." Ginny kissed him and he eventually responded, pulling her to him.

They eventually fell asleep, each worried and fretting in their own way. For the first time in a long time, Ginny dreamed of thunder again, except this time the creature in the distance of her nightmare had a face and it looked like Sean O'Brien.


Brogan didn't know where he was at first, feeling disoriented and confused. His head hurt as though someone had been using it at Quidditch practice as a Quaffle, repeatedly hitting it with their bat through the hoops. As he blinked his eyes open, he was struck by the fact that it was just after sunset as the wide, giant window next to his bed showed him a part of the Abbey that he knew was on the west side of the building. The sun was barely visible in the evening sky.

As his eyes got used to the light, he looked down at himself and tentatively did a mental review – legs, check, feet, check, arms, torso, check, check, and check. Yes, it looked as though all of him had made it. Now to try moving. With a sigh of relief, he realized he wasn't paralyzed, thank Merlin.

There were two chairs set up next to his bed, but they were empty. With a sudden, intense urge to see the two people he cared about the most in the world, Brogan immediately sat up. His head throbbed in response, of course, but he realized he could manage it, as long as he went slow. He didn't see his socks and shoes anywhere, nor did he see his wand. At least, he still had his shirt and trousers on, thank Merlin. He didn't fancy skulking through the halls of the Abbey with half his kit hanging out behind him. Or in front of him.

He paused to listen, and the infirmary appeared to currently be empty. He winced as his feet hit the cold tile of the floor and he gripped the bed suddenly as the world tilted on its axis. After a few rather long intense deep breaths, Brogan felt able to move again and slowly made his way towards the door.

He was halfway to the Nuala wing when he heard voices, so he stopped and ducked into an alcove, trying to make himself blend into the wall as much as he could. Luckily the voices faded after a bit and he realized they had turned off and headed towards the kitchens. Brogan assumed everyone was eating, which explained why the infirmary had been empty so that he could make his getaway.

When he reached their rooms he almost cursed like a sailor because he didn't have his key, but he remembered that Harry liked to keep his nearby and not on him. In fact, he'd created a fake brick in the wall next to the second door to hide his key in and Brogan reached for it now and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was dark in the sitting area as he entered; no one had started a fire yet. He spied Ginny's wand on the coffee table and borrowed it, lighting the wood. The soft red glow of the flames filled the room and he smiled, the anxiety in his chest leveling off. Brogan paused at the bedroom door, which was half-open and didn't hear anything. Assuming they were sleeping, he slowly crept in, compelled to see them with his own eyes.

Roisin meowed softly from her position at the edge of the bed as he entered, and he shushed the kitten, petting her behind the ears until she lowered her head back down. Brogan stared at Harry and Ginny as though he hadn't seen them in a lifetime, and indeed, it might just have been that long. Taking only a split second to make up his mind, he climbed onto the bed and then lay down in between them. Ginny stirred and then was still, her hand reaching out halfway towards him. He leaned close to her and took a deep breath, and smiled as her flowery scent teased him. He brushed his lips gently against her forehead.

Harry, of course, was sleeping like the dead, but snoring gently. His hair was sticking out in all directions and he'd made a fist with his hand in the sheets as though his dreams were too tense. Brogan smiled fondly at him and breathed in another deep breath and the scent that was uniquely Harry filled his senses. He reached out and ran his hand through Harry's hair and then turned to touch Ginny, resting his hand on her stomach. Feeling as though he was finally, completely home at last, Brogan closed his eyes. It was as though a huge weight had been removed from his very soul. The Ophidian Armilla connected and rejoined the three of them as they slumbered on and all was as it should be, once more.


There was a pounding noise in Harry's dream. He didn't understand why. He'd been dreaming about trying to get to the Owlery at Hogwarts (of all places). He needed to get a message to Sirius. But things kept getting in his way, from steps going missing to wrong turns, and it was very frustrating. And now, just when he was about to finally reach the top of the stairs, there was pounding. With a grunt and a start, Harry woke up, which was right when he became aware of too many things at once. Mostly because he realized someone was in bed with them. It took Harry a ridiculously long time to realize it was Brogan. It was as though his brain couldn't reconcile what he was seeing with what he knew was true – Brogan was in the infirmary, Brogan was possibly a mental vegetable and wouldn't know anything ever again, and finally, Brogan didn't even bloody remember them, why would he be in bed with them?

"Harry?" Ginny said groggily from her side of the bed. "Get that bloody door, would you?"

Brogan stirred next to her and released a happy little sigh. Harry watched as he turned towards Ginny, wrapping his arms around her middle. Harry blinked and wanted to slap himself, just to make sure he wasn't still dreaming.

He stumbled out of the bed and lurched himself across the floor to the doorway. Harry looked back at the bed again, shaking himself. He used his wandless magic to call his wand to him and made his way to the door. He wasn't answering it like a git, unprepared. Adopting a defensive stance, Harry opened it and then relaxed when he saw it was Sid. The healer looked frantic about something, and Harry had an idea about what. Right then, this definitely wasn't a dream.

Before he could even open his mouth, Harry hushed the healer and used his hand to propel them both outside of the room.

"He's here," Harry said, jerking his head back towards the room. "He, erm, climbed into bed with us."

Sid's eyes were wide and surprised, and at any other time, Harry might have been amused. Sid's mouth opened and closed like a fish and then he gave Harry a stern look.

"Some warning might have been nice. We've been searching the whole bloody place!" Sid turned and used his wand to fire off a message to whoever was helping him. Harry watched as a fox galloped down the hallway and then disappeared. Sid fixed him with a purposeful look.

"Can I see my patient?"

"I just found him, by the way," Harry said, opening the door to their room to allow the other man in. "Your banging woke me up. I didn't even know he was there!"

Sid stopped and gave Harry a sheepish look. "Sorry for snapping at you. I was just worried when we found his bed empty. But-"

Suddenly a short, high-pitched squeal drew their attention to the bedroom, and Harry realized that meant Ginny had suddenly realized that it wasn't his arms around her. He held his hand up to stop Sid from barging into the bedroom and quickly made his way to the half-open door. Harry poked his head around to a comical sight – Ginny was holding her pillow out in front of her like a shield while Brogan sleepily gazed at her, looking for all the world as if he hadn't a clue of the chaos he was causing. Harry felt his heart fill with real joy.

"I don't know, Gin, I don't think Brogan means you or that pillow any harm," Harry said now, coming into the room. They both turned to look at him, sleepy dismay on the face of one and shock on the other.

Harry cautiously looked at Brogan, hoping against hope not to be disappointed at what this meant. But he realized he already knew from the bracelet – Brogan was himself again. Memories and all. Or at least, enough of himself to know that the first place he'd wanted to be when he woke up had been their bed. Harry felt positively giddy.

A short rap at the door reminded him of Sid waiting on the other side, and he turned to let the healer in. He glanced at Brogan. "You didn't tell someone you were leaving. Is this going to be your new thing?"

Brogan sat up when Sid entered, looking contrite. Ginny stood and went to Harry, wrapping her arms around his waist. Harry was just happy they'd fallen asleep with their clothes on.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" she hissed, still staring at the bed.

Harry kissed the top of her head. "Because you were ordering me to get the bloody door when I found out."

Ginny made a face at him and they both watched as Sid cast a flurry of spells at the man in their bed. For his part, Brogan just seemed confused as to why the healer was making such a fuss. Brogan looked at Harry and Ginny.

"I'm fine-"

"Please, Mr Caley, I will be the judge of that, thank you. Now, shush."

Brogan closed his mouth with a snap, but he gazed at Harry and Ginny with recognition and a fire in his eyes that Harry hadn't seen since before he'd closed the portal. He tightened his grip on Ginny and she squeezed back, indicating she'd noticed it as well.

It was only a matter of minutes, Harry was sure, but it felt longer, but Sid was soon casting slower and finally, stopped, giving Brogan a very perplexed look.

"Well, as much as it pains to me say this…you were correct, Brogan. You are fine. 100% fine. Well, your magic levels are a bit off, so try not to do any heavy spells for the next few days but…how's your…." Sid stopped and looked between the three of them, as though just noticing the mood in the room. The healer delicately cleared his throat. "Ah, erm, your memories, Brogan? Are they…returned?"

Brogan met Harry's eyes and then Ginny's. He slowly nodded his head, his lips twitching in a familiar way that Harry hadn't realized how much he'd missed until now.

"The important ones are," Brogan said softly, his blue eyes full of emotion. He tore his eyes away from Harry and Ginny and looked at Sid. "Not everything is…fully there but…I know things that I didn't before. I know…people."

"Hmm," Sid said, frowning. He looked at Harry and Ginny and then back at Brogan. "Well, I suppose it's okay if you rest here in your old rooms. But I want to stress the resting part. Do not do anything physically taxing until I can really get you under my wand, is that clear? I'm going to do a whole check-up on you, complete with blood analysis and magic analysis. By all rights, you should be complaining about your head hurting, at the least."

Brogan frowned and touched his head briefly. "It hurt when I first woke up and came here, but, now it's…it's fading." Brogan gazed hungrily at Harry and Ginny again, and his look made Harry's stomach do flippity-flops in response.

"Yes, fading by the minute, I see," Sid said. He gave Harry and Ginny a stern look. "I meant what I said, he is to rest. That means, oh, well, bloody hell, it's not very British of me to come out and say this, but that means no sex, do I make myself clear?"

Brogan turned his head sharply towards the healer. "I said I'm fine."

"Hmm, oh, and you have experience with people waking up from magical comas then, do you?"

"Well, actually," Ginny began and then stopped, looking at Harry. Brogan understood what she meant, and the three of them started to chuckle, remembering their day at Dumbledore's library when Harry had awoken. They were soon laughing rather boisterously, and Harry felt bad for Sid. The healer was looking at them as though they'd all gone soft in the head.

He pointed at himself. "Brogan wasn't in a magical coma, but I was. Previously." Harry wiped at his eyes; God, it felt good to laugh like that again. He smiled widely at Brogan.

"I don't even want to know," Sid said, shaking his head. "I wasn't your healer then but I am his healer now, and I still say give it a few days. But I can't enforce anything, obviously. But look, you've all had a very emotional journey these last few weeks. Or do I need to remind you two of how despondent you were earlier today outside the infirmary?"

Harry and Ginny both sobered at the mention of how distraught they'd been, while Brogan also looked a bit chastened, as though remembering their discomfort yesterday. Sid gave them all a knowing look.

"Perhaps the three of you should just talk. I'll send some food around. And I'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning to check up on you. But I think I want to see you at Mungo's, no-" Sid paused as Brogan started to protest. "I don't mean before the weekend is over. But at least by Monday, Tuesday at the latest. Now, go," he said, nodding at Harry and Ginny. "Welcome him back. I'll just tell them to leave the food outside the door. With a lengthy warming charm."

"Make sure there's plenty of coffee," Ginny said, winking at Brogan.

The healer smirked and shook his head at them. They all listened until they heard the outer door close firmly, indicating that they were finally alone. A loud sort of silence filled the bedroom then, but instead of the awkwardness that had seemed to be their natural state lately, it was filled with anticipation. Harry appreciated the difference.

Brogan smiled shyly at them and then waved his hand. "Hi."

Harry glanced at Ginny, who nodded, and they both rushed to the bed at the same time. For the next few minutes, it was pure bliss – they were kissing each other and laughing and Ginny was hugging Brogan so tightly, that Harry eventually had to remind her to loosen her grip when Brogan started looking a little out of breath. They finally settled down, but Harry could not stop touching Brogan, moving his hands over him, as though that would make it more real in his head.

"Harry, I'm not going anywhere," Brogan said softly, and Harry realized they'd been watching him and he felt his face heat. Ginny rested her head on Brogan's shoulder, pulling his arm around her.

"He's just making sure you're for real," she said, smirking at Harry.

"I just…I can't believe it," Harry said, feeling entirely overwhelmed suddenly, but in a good way. Ginny kissed Brogan along the side of his neck and whispered something to him with a mischievous look in her eye. Brogan smiled at her and then fixed Harry with an intense look and shifted closer to him.

"I feel like I need to make things up to both of you, but mostly you," Brogan said gently, cupping Harry's face with his hand. Harry shook his head.

"No, you don't, you-" But Harry never got to tell him what he had to do because he was suddenly being kissed and rather heatedly at that, and Harry just gave up all pretense and enjoyed it. It was like tiny pinpricks of pleasure broke out across his body and he wrapped his arms around Brogan, holding him closer. When they finally broke apart, Brogan was laughing at him. Harry wondered why he also looked a little relieved. He reached out and touched the other man's face, brushing his thumb against his lips.

"Why do you look as though that snog just soothed your anxieties?"

Ginny shifted so that she could recline in between them and Harry put his arm around her. Brogan looked at them both, eyes full of something Harry couldn't place.

"I was so horrid to you, to both of you, when I couldn't remember. You two were just trying to help, and I fought you every step of the way. I am so sorry. Especially about not being able to understand about…well, me and you," Brogan said, resting his hand on Harry's arm.

"I didn't take it personally," Harry said. "Well, not much. I knew you were confused and you didn't know me. I was just sad I couldn't…well, I felt I was pushing you away, which is the last thing I wanted, Brogan. I'm sorry for anything I did that made you feel worse."

"Me too," Ginny said, resting her hand on Brogan's leg. "We both pushed at you and we knew it, we even talked about it, but it was like we couldn't stop ourselves. We missed you so much, and when we finally got you back…."

"I know," Brogan said. He looked at them and smiled. "Reckon Sid had a point about us needing to, um, not jump into things. At least, not right away. I'm not saying I won't want to, um, do that later. If, well, I mean, you two could, or I mean, you might not want me-"

"Daft sod," Ginny said, leaning over and kissing him. "What? You think we risk life and limb just for anyone over here?"

"Well, no," Brogan admitted. "But I also know you two have noble streaks as far as the sky is wide and if you were, well, thinking maybe that we shouldn't…or I don't know how you feel about it now, since we've been separated." Brogan ran a hand down his face and shook his head at them. "Maybe I should eat something and sleep a bit more. I do feel sort of shaky. It was so odd when I woke up in the infirmary. All I wanted was to get to you two and see you and touch you. It was like I was compelled to make sure you were all right."

Brogan pulled them both closer and hugged them and Harry felt his heart launch into his throat with emotion.

When they broke apart, Ginny touched Brogan's head. "How's your headache?"

"Almost gone, but it was pounding before. O'Brien did a number on me, didn't he? Do we know why he wanted me to be his mental punching bag?"

Harry and Ginny exchanged glances, and Harry knew they all needed something to eat to have this conversation. He got up and brought the lights up in the room. Roisin, who had jumped down when they'd bounded onto the bed earlier meowed from the floor and he figured she was probably hungry as well. He swooped down and picked her up and she quickly settled on his shoulder.

"Let's go out to the sitting area and get the food." Harry stopped at the wardrobe and tossed a pair of socks at Brogan. "Warm up your bloody feet, too, they're like ice."

"Ah, I've missed…er, what did we use to say?" Brogan twisted up his face as though trying to recall something. "Oh, yeah. Commander Potter. Yes, sir. Warm feet. On it."

Ginny laughed and threw a pillow at him, which Brogan volleyed back playfully. Harry shook his head and carried Roisin out with him. She meowed in his ear, which let him know that she was indeed hungry. He got her situated first and then fed Hedwig a few owl treats as she nipped at his fingers affectionately. She hooted when she was done and Harry lifted his arm for her to land on. He carried her out of the room and then opened a window near their doors, which allowed her to fly and hunt for the evening. When he came back, Ginny just was floating the tray of food over to the coffee table. Brogan looked around, a puzzled expression on his face.

"I don't suppose either of you has seen my wand or…damn. I bought a new bag in town and all my things were in it. Shite. O'Brien probably destroyed it. As well as my wand. Double shite." He sat down on the sofa with a soft thud, and Ginny went to him.

"If we have to go to St Mungo's on Monday, we'll go to Ollivander's afterward. Besides, Sid didn't want you to do any major spells, remember?" She rubbed his back consolingly.

"But I liked that wand," Brogan said, frowning. "It was great for transfiguration. But mostly I'm hacked off about the bag. It was cool. And expensive."

"We should all go on a shopping trip in London," Harry mused as he joined them. Ginny started pouring the tea for them and handed Brogan the coffee. "We all need new clothes, I think. My treat."

"Big spender," Ginny teased. Harry started looking at the food and saw a little bit of everything that he liked so he started filling his plate. With the stress of the day, he realized he hadn't eaten anything since Ginny's breakfast about sixteen hours ago. He briefly wondered what she'd done with the Barmbrack. As if reading his mind, Ginny stood up and looked around the room. She found the bags they'd dropped by the door when they'd returned and rummaged through hers for a few moments. She returned holding the loaf triumphantly in her hands. She offered it to Brogan.

"See what you missed by running out on us this morning? Freshly baked by me, you git."

Brogan took the bread from her, his mouth hanging open a bit. "You baked Barmbrack for me this morning?"

Ginny nodded as she sat down again, looking only slightly mollified by his reaction. Harry chuckled.

"Mate, she's been trying to perfect it all summer for you, trust me. I'm sure I've put on a full stone just from eating them all. Not to mention all the other Irish dishes she's learning."

"Wow," Brogan said, looking a bit stunned. "I mean, wow."

Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "You said that. Now try 'Oh, Ginny, you baking goddess, you'."

Brogan leaned over and hugged her, kissing her forehead, his eyes looking a bit watery. Harry shook his head.

"Figures. The damn bread is what finally gets to him."

"Oh, shut up," Brogan said, but not unkindly as he wiped at his eyes. "Just…thank you, Ginny. That's…well, that's really one of the nicest things anyone has probably ever done for me."

"Well, that's made the bar go higher for what we do in bed later," Harry said dryly. Ginny snorted at him.

Brogan rolled his eyes, but he blushed and Harry grinned in response. They began to eat in earnest, talking very little as they did so. After they'd all had seconds and fully appreciated the Abbey's wonderful cooks, they finally all sat back against the sofa, completely sated. Roisin had crawled up into Brogan's lap and gone to sleep and Harry thought it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. He then felt compelled to think of Quidditch or something more manly. Like drinking far too much Firewhiskey and belching. Or something.

Ginny was curled around Harry, telling Brogan about Bill and Fleur's engagement, which made Harry remember his promise at the beginning of the summer – take more pictures. He reached out and concentrated and his camera was soon in his hands. He clicked the button before either Ginny or Brogan could notice and they both turned to him. Ginny sighed.

"You'll get used to it, Brogan. He's always taking pictures when he thinks we're being 'natural'. You'll have loads of pictures of the back of your head for the photo album he's putting together, just like me."

"Shut it, you," Harry said to her and took another picture, this time just of Brogan. "When you…disappeared, I realized we didn't have any photos of you, so…I wanted to change that. Starting today."

"I think it's a noble pursuit, Harry, and I fully support us capturing more memories. Making them, too."

"I fully support us getting some more sleep," Ginny said yawning widely. "I think all the emotions and excitement of the day have got to me. I feel like I've been hit by twenty bludgers. In a row."

"But we haven't talked about anything," Harry protested.

"Sean O'Brien can sod off," Ginny said fiercely.

"Aye, that he can," Brogan said, frowning. He gazed at them. "He was…searching for something. In my head. He wanted to know…he wanted to know why my bracelet was now a part of me. It was making him crazed that he couldn't find the memory of it. I think…Aine!" Brogan suddenly sat up, back straight. "I forgot about Aine! She came to me while I was unconscious. She's the one who did it, but she didn't mean to, I think. Damn, I can't seem to remember what she told me."

Ginny and Harry exchanged looks and she reached out to touch Brogan. "It's okay, don't worry if you can't remember. We both know how it is with visions of Aine."

Brogan closed his eyes and moaned softly, touching his head. "But…she wanted me to tell you something, it was important. Bloody hell! This stupid brain of mine! I feel like my head should just be made out of Swiss cheese or something. Fuck."

Harry thought he seemed rather upset and after nodding at Ginny, they stood up together and pulled him with them into the bedroom. Ginny stood on her tiptoes and kissed Brogan until he relaxed again and Harry rested against them. Only when Brogan's breathing had leveled off, and they could both sense he was calmer, did they pull away.

"Sorry for the minor freak-out." He looked apologetic and then nodded at the bed. "Also, I don't think I have it in me to do much. Despite how eager I was earlier. I'm sorry."

"Then we won't do anything," Harry said. "Let's just get ready for bed and hold each other like we used to do."

They quickly got undressed, and Harry chose Brogan's old pajama bottoms as Ginny put her blue nightie on. He smirked as Brogan unabashedly stared at her and then stared at him, his Adam's apple bobbing roughly. Harry quickly used his wand to transfigure a pair of trousers into pajamas for him, as Ginny pulled the bed covers down. Once they were all more comfortable, Harry and Ginny settled around Brogan on either side, and he gave them a grateful look.

Harry dimmed all the lights, except one and curled on his side, loosely resting his hand on Brogan's hip and could just make out Ginny doing the same on the other side. Brogan sighed and made that soft humming noise that always did funny things to Harry's insides. Ginny leaned over and kissed Brogan and then kissed Harry, her flowery scent filling the space. Harry rested his head against hers briefly before she lay back down. He gently kissed Brogan's shoulder and then he too arranged himself on the bed.

It was quiet in the room, but Harry could happily hear his two favorite people settling and breathing next to him and for just a little while, he knew all was right with his world.

"Hey, Gin?" Brogan asked quietly, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"I love your hair. Sorry if I haven't said so before now. I really do like it shorter. It suits you."

Harry felt Ginny's amusement through the link and was unsurprised when she sat up and looked at them.

"Thank you, Brogan," she said, sounding highly entertained. She caught Harry's eye in the semi-darkness and smiled at him. Harry shook his head and then with a wave of his hand he lowered the final light, ready for sleep at last.


True to his word, Sid knocked on their door bright and early. But the joke was on the healer because they were (almost) all ready for him. Ginny was just finishing drying her hair when she heard his voice from the sitting room. Hoping breakfast had also arrived, Ginny did her final touches to her outfit and then joined the men. Harry handed her a cup of tea as she sat down. She noticed Brogan was holding a nice-looking leather bag, and going through it excitedly.

"It doesn't seem anything is missing but my wand," he said when he'd finished, now sounding forlorn. "Guess we're heading to Diagon Alley, after all."

"This the famous bag?" Ginny asked, reaching for it. Brogan nodded.

"Still, I'm glad they found it. It has various extending charms on it that I thought would come in handy. It's also impervious to all sorts of weather, and other things, like fire and water and even basic severing spells."

Ginny nodded. The bag was also very soft and pliable, and she knew it must have cost a pretty Galleon. "Who found it?"

"Mr Cosgrove brought it by while you were in the shower," Harry explained. "His friend in the MLE said they found it in the warehouse, but nothing else. As we figured they would."

Sid cleared his throat as he put his coffee down. "Before this conversation gets away from us, how was…last night? You two didn't ah, strain him too much, I hope?"

Harry and Ginny exchanged smirks, while Brogan turned a bit red. He shook his head at the healer.

"Nothing happened but eating and sleeping, Sid. We listened to you, believe it or not."

Sid gave him a knowing look. "Felt more knackered than you thought, eh?"

Brogan just took another drink of his coffee and didn't say anything. Ginny wondered briefly why Sid seemed so fascinated with their love lives. Some of her thoughts must have shown on her face because the healer explained himself.

"The reason I'm interested is that sex and Empaths are inherently linked. I was curious to see if his magic levels are back to normal and if they're not, if sex could have been the reason why." Sid paused and then appeared embarrassed. "I also don't have any boundaries about sex. Sorry. It's not normal, I've been told."

"But we don't use magic all that much when we, er, well, you know," Harry said, looking slightly confused.

"No, but I would assume you use and feel emotions during it, probably intense ones at that. What are Empaths famous for, after all?"

"I do experience a low-grade sort of magical…energy sometimes. Erm, well, I did before, um, all of this happened," Brogan said, looking red in the face.

"Is that why sometimes when he would touch us, we sort of just…felt it?" Ginny asked. She'd always wondered how Brogan could make them feel so incredible sometimes with just the smallest touch. It was as though he put all of his love for them into each caress and she had always thought it was quite addicting. Ginny now wondered if her face was red, as well, although she knew if it was it probably wasn't because of embarrassment. It suddenly felt hot in the sitting room. Harry raised his eyebrow at her as though catching a few of her feelings. Brogan looked nonplussed.

"I never really tried to do a spell to do that. I just think about how much I love you and I try to…share it." Brogan blinked at her and Harry, his face earnest. He looked at Sid. "Is that what you mean? Doing that affects my magic? Really? I mean, I've read that sex and Empaths can be a heady experience, but I never considered it affecting me magically."

Sid nodded. "Not by great leaps and bounds or anything. And quite frankly, there aren't enough Empaths around for us to study all the normal things, let alone the more private areas. But you're doing a sort of magic by touch, if you will. It doesn't have to be sexual, either, but I would hazard a guess that sex creates the biggest response."

As they mulled over Sid's words, they finished eating. Sid took Brogan into the study to check him over, while Harry and Ginny remained in the sitting room. Ginny moved closer to Harry and snuggled with him.

"Still think you're going to wake up and he's not going to be here?" she finally asked.

"A bit, yeah," Harry said, holding her hand and linking their fingers. "Should we still leave today?"

Ginny felt startled as she had forgotten they'd made plans to be in Hogsmeade by the evening. "Did you talk it over with Brogan yet?"

"No, haven't had a chance. Mr Cosgrove dropping off the bag sort of derailed our conversation. He also said his friend from the MLE noticed that The Broken Quill now has a closed indefinitely sign on its door, and no one has seen Sean O'Brien or that clerk of his anywhere in town. Not one single member of their little Taranis group has been seen either. Well, not the known ones, anyway. Not sure what he meant by that."

"So they did have a file on O'Brien?"

"No, not really. Just his involvement with this Taranis group of his, but since they've never done anything untoward or got into trouble, the file wasn't very thick."

"Maybe we should use our considerable pull with the Ministry and see if they know anything?" Ginny asked, trying to make him smile.

Harry grimaced and then realized she was kidding. "I reckon we could try. Or we could just head back to England and ignore all of it. Stick our heads in the proverbial sand."

Ginny snorted. "The path of least resistance is always best, I'm sure that's what they say."

Harry gave her an amused look. "See, that's why we're perfect for each other. We think the same and have the same radical notions."

Ginny shook her head, chuckling. "Oh, Harry. You'll do what you need to. You always have, and I dare say, you always will."

Sid and Brogan re-emerged from the study, and Ginny saw the healer sticking a few vials into his robe. He smiled at them.

"Well, he's still doing remarkably well. But I still want him to take it easy. I'll see you on Tuesday morning, Brogan. Gives me a little while to analyze your samples." He patted his robe pocket.

"So he gets a clean bill of health?" Harry asked nonchalantly. A bit too nonchalant, Ginny thought and she hid her smile underneath her hand.

Sid nodded. "Yes. But it is provisional. He needs to keep resting. No crazy acrobatics. That goes for the two of you, as well." He gave them a serious look.

"Why do we have to rest?" Ginny asked, confused.

Sid's face relaxed as he smirked. "You don't really, just figured if I ordered all of you to do it, one or two of you might manage. But I suppose that is, yet again, wishful thinking. Carry on." The healer mock-saluted them and then left. Brogan shook his head and joined them on the sofa, sitting next to Harry.

"He said my magic levels are still wonky," Brogan said, frowning.

"I'm not sure what that actually means," Harry said as he pointed a finger at himself. "Raised by Muggles."

"Basically, it's harder for him to do magic, if he's feeling tired or hungry or something like that. When you're in a wizarding family they explain this to you when you're doing your schooling at home. It happened to Fred and George once, when they got sick one year. All of their spells either fizzled out or went off all half-haphazard, which as you know for them, is odd," Ginny explained. "Even though they felt better, they were still having issues, weeks later. But it soon sorted itself out. Given what Brogan's been through, I think it will be the same for him."

Brogan nodded. "Aye. That's what Sid thinks. He said if they haven't leveled up by next week then I'll have to start a few potions."

"So, erm, bed rest all day then?" Harry asked. His face was utterly deadpan, and Ginny poked him with her finger.

"Harry."

"What? I'm concerned as a member of this recently reunited threesome that we all feel our best. And erm, get to bed. For um, rest and, um, possible other activities. Sometime in the near or not so near future. I'm not pushing."

Brogan snorted. "Subtle."

"What about Hogsmeade?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow. She couldn't see how they would be ready for moving if they lollygagged in bed all day. Not that she was against the concept, her thoughts from before returning.

Harry frowned. "Oh, yeah. That." He looked at Brogan. "We had made plans to move out of the Abbey today, after…er, well, after what happened at the cottage. I rented us a house, actually."

"Oh. I see," Brogan said, frowning.

"We can stay here as long as you want though," Harry reassured him, resting his hand on Brogan's knee. "All jokes aside, I just want you to do whatever it is you need to do to feel better and rested, and comfortable and anything else you need. But the rental has more than enough room for three."

Brogan nodded, and then, as Harry's words sunk in, a terrific smile filled his face, and Ginny felt it was as though the sun had come back out.

"Brogan, you have to know, everything we've planned or thought about has always included room for you," she said now, also reaching out to rest her hand on him. "You should see Harry's plans for the house he wants to build us. By the end, you'll have your own wing, practically."

Harry's face cheeks turned a bit pink. "Yeah, I er, never showed them to you when you first came back because I didn't think you'd care much for them, but-"

"I want to see them now," Brogan said softly, squeezing their hands.

"So we're leaving this evening?" Ginny asked as both men looked at each other. They eventually turned to her, both looking a bit distracted.

Harry glanced at Brogan, to see if that was what he wanted. Brogan nodded, smiling again. "I'm already packed from before. So yeah, nothing is keeping me here. If you guys want me to be with you, then I'll be with you. Of course, I want to be with you."

"Well, I reckon we finish up our packing and get on with it," Ginny said, standing up. She leaned down and kissed Harry and then Brogan. She'd missed that. "It's time we say goodbye to Ireland again."

"We're bringing it home with us, Gin," Harry said. "As it should be."

Ginny smirked at him and then pulled them both on their feet. If they thought she was going to do all the work while they made moon-eyes at each other, they had another think coming.


Sean O'Brien hated to fail at something. Even if he hadn't been half of what he was, he'd still hate it. But since he was a supernatural being with superpowers (sort of) and he'd had years and years of getting what he wanted when he wanted it, it was even more maddening. And it made him angry. Normally, he would put the anger out of his head, as it usually held no purpose. But this time he merely pushed it down a little bit and let it simmer. He knew it would serve him well when he needed it.

They'd pulled up stakes and left Maeve's Hollow for the time being. Michael had known exactly which members to take with them and which members to cut loose. Sean knew that at times like these, someone like Michael was invaluable to have around.

Their train moved east, as though chasing the sun, but all Sean could think of was his failure with Potter and Weasley, as well as with Caley. He'd figured it out after the fact that something had happened to Caley while in the other dimension to make the bracelet merge with him. Something deeply powerful and mystical. Sean hated to admit it, but it stumped him. He also hadn't calculated how much the Armilla would protect Potter and Weasley from him and his abilities. That was going to prove a point he'd need to work around eventually, he knew.

But for right now, Sean would regroup and go into hibernation mode. He would think about what he'd learned and what he would need to do the next time he came up against the trio. He would bide his time and go over the old rituals, to see if there was something that could help him. He could feel Esus and Toutatis ebbing further away from him, but he knew that, too, would change in time.

Sean was going to get those bracelets, and Taranis would return. It was just a question of when.

o-o-o-o-o

Author's Note: My original idea for this story was to show our lovely trio making their way in their new, Voldemort-free world. The Irish mythology sort of took over for a bit. And it will be back- Sean O'Brien is not out of the picture, but this next part will focus on all the growing pains, tribulations and other issues Harry, Ginny and now, thankfully, Brogan will face as a union and just as people starting their lives. Also, a bit more mystery that's closer to home may pop up. ;) You know me, I like to keep people on their toes. Thank you to all your wonderful support. I feel as though I am only writing for like, 7 people here, lol so it is very much appreciated.