Harry awoke in excruciating pain. He was staring up at a pitch black ceiling, with every inch of his body aching. He knew he was in a bed and his shirt was off. He was in a room that was so dark he couldn't see his own hand. He sat up painfully and then fell back down, trying not to let tears escape his eyes. It felt like daggers pinched his every muscle if he tried to move. He let out a cry of exasperation and breathed heavily. He agonizingly moved a hand over his chest, which was covered with bandages. His hands were bandaged as well.

The door suddenly opened, flooding the room with an eerie red light. The sudden invasion of light pierced Harry's eyes. He shielded his eyes. He uncovered them and tried to focus his eyes on the image that stood before him. As soon as his eyes adjusted he saw a person coming towards him. The image focused…it was a child. A boy. Nick. The boy came closer to Harry and bent over him. He looked about Victoria's age, with dark brown, overgrown hair. Steel grey eyes looked at him, with something that mimicked innocence. Harry was surprised to see this in him. He was expecting a monster of a child. His emotions had a hold of him still. This was the boy that had put Harry in so much pain. Harry's eyes narrowed at him as he pulled away from him. The boy put out a hand to Harry's neck and Harry slapped it away.

The boy spoke, "Please, my name is Nick….do not be afraid—you are hurt," he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Yeah well I bloody well know that!" Harry said sitting up abruptly and then shrinking back from the pain.

"I am sorry…it's just that you were in the room when I was trying to get through the mirror! I promise I didn't want to hurt you. While I tried to go through, the mirror cracked! This never happens, you must believe me! You must be a special person…..the force field through the mirror only cracks when it's face to face with powerful magic. That's why I brought you here. The pieces of glass are gone but…I'm afraid you're still in pain. I didn't want this to happen!"

Harry sat up now, clenching his teeth, "Yeah—I don't think so! I think you're trying to get at my niece and getting rid of me at the same time!" he spat fiercely.

"No! I would never hurt Victoria…she's my friend—it's just my master….he—"

"I don't care! I'm going home!" Harry cut him off and stood up. He gritted his teeth and searched for his wand, in the odd red light. Nick pulled it out and handed it to him.

"You should not be up—it's not good for you," he said quietly.

Harry snatched his wand and grabbed his robe from the stool next to him, "I think I know what's good for me thanks! And the next time you'll see me is from the cells of Azkaban!" he yelled, apparating out. Nick stared at the man leaving and felt sorry for him, because he did not know what was to come.

An insanely loud crack echoed throughout the Weasley mansion. Harry appeared in the living room and could barely stand up, he collapsed on a couch. Footsteps were heard running down the gigantic winding staircase. Ginny saw Harry lying on the couch and ran faster than her feet could carry her. She fell down beside him on the floor and put a hand to his clammy forehead. She was breathing in long gasps and her lip was trembling. She felt the bandages on his chest and his cut hands.

"Oh Harry, wake up darling. It's me…Ginny…oh god.." She wept, running her thumb over his cheek, wanting him to wake up. Harry's intense green eyes showed when he opened them slightly. He weakly reached for her hand.

"Ginny…" he whispered.

"Oh thank heavens…" Ginny said, tears streaming down her face. Harry slowly sat up and coughed slightly. He motioned for her to sit next to him. Ginny was crying now and sat down beside him. She stared into his eyes, searching his face.

"Are you okay, Harry? When you ran up to Victoria's room Hermione and I ran after you and when I went in….you weren't there!….and I heard you apparate just now and I ran….and look at you…you're…," she burst out in great sobs, "Why did you become an auror! You know what you put me through? I was scared out of my wits!… oh Harry…" she cried furiously and looked down in her lap. Harry lifted up her chin and locked his eyes with hers.

"It's alright love, I'm here, and I'm okay—honestly I feel alright…one or two days and I'll be fine. I know it must have been terrible for you. Hey…hey…I love you. You know I'd never leave you, right?" he said softly. Ginny smiled amidst a river of tears. She nodded and kissed him. She wrapped her arms gently around him as he twitched from the pain.

Ron and Hermione came from the garden outside, holding hands. They stopped when they saw Harry and Ginny and then hurried over. Ron's eyes widened familiarly.

"Bloody hell, Harry! When did you get here?" he asked, "and what happened to you?"

Harry smiled weakly. "I just got back now….where have you been mate?" he said. Hermione surfaced from behind.

"Me and Ginny ran after you and when we didn't find you…we got worried. Ron took me outside to get some fresh air. We were just coming to check on Ginny, what on earth happened to you, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at his bandages.

"I'm okay. It was actually worse at first, but now it just feels a bit sore. The healing must have been pretty strong…" Harry said, trailing off when he saw everyone's reaction. The look on everyone else's faces was as if to say "What healing?" but no one said anything. There was a long pause and then Harry finally answered the questions that they were all wondering.

"Right…you want to know what happened, so listen—there's something not completely clear here, and that's the question of Nick." Ron gave Harry a look and Harry continued, "and Hermione, we haven't been completely honest with you because we didn't want to upset you when you were pregnant. I think you should know everything though." Ron and Hermione sat opposite Harry and Ginny. Hermione started at Harry intently as he continued and launched into the whole ordeal, telling them exactly what Nick had told him.

Ron looked puzzled, "So…we need to find out…"

"…who Nick's master is," Harry finished for him.

They all sat there a while and were silently lost amidst their thoughts. Hermione stared at a red vase on the table next to her, leaning into Ron's shoulder. Ron was staring at the beige rug and Ginny and Harry closed their eyes for a moment and then looked around, not knowing what to say. Hermione's eyes traveled the length of the room and rested on Harry. She straightened herself up and went over to him. Ron's eyes followed her—clearly surprised by this sudden movement. Hermione knelt beside Harry and looked at him with fearful eyes. She quickly glanced at Ginny and then back to Harry, who was looking at her expressionlessly. Hermione looked down at the floor as she started to speak.

"Harry, I know that what you're doing is part of your job, but…" She began and looked up at him. Harry was surprised to see emotion welling in her eyes. She continued, "But...I can't—I won't let you go through this! Look what's happened to you! and Ginny, she's so worried…you've already done so much for us..." She paused, as if contemplating what to say.

Harry sat firm, poised, intent, "I'm not going anywhere Hermione. I won't," he said, shaking his head.

Hermione burst out, "Yes you are! I already lost my son, I'm not going to lose my best friend as well!" She shrieked, angry tears streaming down her face. All the while her gaze not shifting from Harry. Harry's expression softened as he reached for her hands.

"Hey...wasn't it you that told me to do whatever it takes to find Andrew? Now you want me to stop? Why the change of heart?" he asked gently.

"I…I...I didn't realize how dangerous it was. What I was getting you into—" She began.

Harry cut her off, "You didn't get me into this, I did—when I became an auror, and more importantly when I made the decision, twenty-three years ago, to be your friend."

Hermione looked moved by what Harry had said and she smiled, the first one Harry had seen in a long time.

Ron looked lost in thought, "Has it really been that long?" he asked.

Ginny nodded, "it has..." she replied, sighing.

"At least Trelawny got something right..." Ron muttered. His subtle joke made every one burst out in a giggle.

Hermione stopped laughing and said, "Alright Harry, just promise me something...be careful. Just be careful." Harry nodded.

He stood up, "I think I'm okay now, I can't feel much pain. I think the healing may have worked extremely well—the stuff that Nick did." Hermione winced at the mention of his name. Harry left to take a shower.

Ginny held Hermione's arm and smiled sweetly, "Come on honey, let's go fix something to eat...gosh it's seven-o-clock already." Hermione nodded and the both of them left towards the kitchen. Ron lied down on the couch and closed his eyes to rest a bit. It was interrupted shortly by a tug on his shirt. Ron opened his eyes to find Victoria there.

He sat up, "What's wrong honey? Is something the matter?" She nodded, and was hesitant to speak.

"What sweetie? Tell daddy," Ron coaxed her. He picked her up and put her on his lap, kissing her cheek.

"Is baby Andrew coming back daddy?" She asked, clearly concerned. Ron's jaw twitched. Children were so intuitive and deeply scarred by childhood experiences. He didn't want to lie to her, or to himself.

"Yeah...he will be back honey. Uncle Harry's going to bring him back. I don't know when, though, so you'll have to be patient," Ron answered delicately.

"but...uncle Harry's hurt. I saw him," she protested as her eyebrows knit.

Ron's did the same thing, "You saw us just now? Talking in here?" He asked, afraid of what she might have heard.

She shook her head, "No daddy, I saw him in the mirror, talking to Nick."

Ron's face drastically fell, as thoughts scrambled in his head. The mirror? but wasn't it broken? Come to think of it...no one had actually gone back into the room after they saw it...and Harry apparated in the living room. So...maybe. His mind remembered Victoria.

"Er, sweetie, why don't you go into the kitchen with mummy and aunt Ginny...where's Isabelle and James?"

"They're playing in our toy room...and Isabell said I can't play with them...but I'm glad you're my friend daddy," she said, smiling.

Ron's heart melted, "Yes...we are best friends forever. I'll talk to you a little later alright darling? Now go in the kitchen, and I'll be right back." Victoria walked away and as soon as she was out of sight Ron immediately started running towards the playroom which was upstairs. He flew up the staircase, to the right hallway and pushed open the first door on the right. Sure enough, Isabelle and James were laughing, playing wizard's chess. They looked up to see Ron, huffing.

James squinted, "Are you alright uncle Ron? You like you've got a nasty doxy wing stuck in your head," he snorted, as him and Isabelle both shrieked with laughter. Ron—clearly not understanding their odd joke—spoke in short words.

"Good—don't—leave here—until I come back—okay?" he told them, panting. They both nodded, now rolling on the floor with laughter. Ron left to Victoria's room, which was in the left hallway, the second door to the right. He pulled out his wand, and crept inside.

He was surprised to see someone standing there already. His mouth dropped open as he asked, "What are you doing here?"