(A/N: This starts the same day as that the previous chapter ended on; really maybe an hour or so later.)
Chapter 3
Harry had finished Lily's initial set of questions on all of the Horcruxes, so they were only talking generally and having a cup of tea while they stood at the windows in the back watching Arthur work with Ginny, who was now popping around the back garden at a slow but constant pace, not looking like she was struggling.
"You obviously like her," Lily said, turning to look at him.
Harry felt self-conscious and couldn't look at his step-mother, so he continued to watch Ginny. "We like each other. As I told her the other day, if we go back or stay here, I win either way because she's with me."
"So marriage one day?" Lily prompted matter-of-factly.
"We're not far enough along to be able to answer that," Harry said feeling warm and knowing it wasn't from the tea.
"Or at least not far enough long to acknowledge it," the mother teased him.
"Perhaps," Harry allowed. "Lily, can I ask a question?"
"Always."
"If Ginny and I wanted accept your offer and come live here, is that still available?" He was trying to ease into it.
"Of course," she answered without hesitation. "We'd love for you to come. Now that Ginny can Apparate, she can see her family whenever she wants to."
Harry paused and worked up his courage, thankful this wasn't his real mother as he didn't think he'd have been able to ask it otherwise. "Would we be able to room together?"
Lily choked a little, having been taking a drink. "Excuse me." She pounded her chest a couple of times. "I'm afraid you got the better of me. It also seems like you're taking after your step-father there with your timing."
Harry smiled and looked at her, taking in her thoughtful look that was fully directed at him. She was fairly pretty, he decided; she was definitely smart - although he wondered if she or Hermione was smarter. Lily was also still quite intimidating, but he stood his ground, back straight.
"You are almost eighteen, but she's not quite seventeen yet."
"She will be in about ten weeks," he added quickly in her pause.
"You're also not really anyone's child here, either of you, and yet you are as the test at the gates showed. I'll also bet Ginny would pass the same test at The Burrow." Lily sipped some more tea while Harry returned to watching Ginny. "If we say no I assume you'll stay where you are?"
"It is an option, probably the most likely option," he admitted.
"I anticipated some unique challenges with you, but I'll have to say you've surprised me with this. Although, perhaps I shouldn't be," she admitted. "What if we let you bring the tent here and camped out in the back garden? You'd be much safer but still have your independence. Although I do wonder what message that will send to our other two children when they arrive in less than a month."
He saw her shake her head and frown. He sipped his tea too, letting the conversation simmer on its own. He wasn't overly sure what they would do if they couldn't come here.
A crack from the front of the house sounded. Lily said, "I'll discuss it with James and give you an answer later, probably tomorrow. Let's go see what he's found."
"There you are," James said, finding them in the hallway as the two walked back to the parlor.
When they were in the parlor again, James dropped in to his seat and sighed. "We couldn't find the locket there. I managed to not mention the word Horcrux in Sirius's presence, but we're going to have to bring him into this very soon."
Harry nodded. "So either this Regulus never went after the locket, or else he died trying, probably the later."
"Probably," James agreed sourly. "I was really hoping this would have been simple to do."
"Don't worry, I have the basic information on them all now and we can look for the one in the school tomorrow." Lily looked at Harry. "Albus is also at Hogwarts, so I can confront him tomorrow for you. Even if he's not awake, I think I can wake him without killing him, although the window for talking to him will be limited."
"If you can get him to actually answer you," Harry groused.
Lily laughed lightly. "Do not forget I am a Potions Master. He will answer me."
Harry thought he understood what she'd planned, but he wasn't going to press for clarification. "I hope you get some good answers."
"I expect to," she said, looking pleased with herself.
"Well, since that didn't take as long as originally planned, how about some flying, Harry?" James said excitedly. "I'd like to see how good you really are."
"As long as you have a broom. I don't have my normal Firebolt," Harry said with disappointment.
"You had a Firebolt for Quidditch?" James looked really surprised. "They're really for long distance racing."
"It worked well for me," Harry answered with a shrug.
"Well, let's go see what we can find." James rose and pulled Harry along. Lily followed with a smile and watching.
— — —
Ginny returned from The Burrow, with Arthur right behind her. "Excellent, my dear. Not a single problem all morning other than a little confidence." He pulled her into a one armed hug before they started walking around the house to return to the back garden.
She snuck an arm around his waist to return it. "Thanks!" She looked at him for a moment as she dropped her arm and he dropped his. "I still think of you as Arthur, but if I slip and call you Dad, is it all right?"
The man smiled broadly. "I don't have any problem with it at all."
"Uh, have you given any thought to how to explain our presence here?" she asked.
"I have not, but I see Lily; let's go ask her because she may have." He led her towards the woman on the back porch.
When they were almost there, a whoop of delight caused the pair of Weasleys to look up. Harry zoomed by at the height of the house and waved. James followed, but looked to have to be working hard to stay near Harry.
Lily beckoned them to follow her as she walked off the back porch and went around to the side of the house. There was a large open door along with an old Triumph car in its stall. She pointed to the wall where a dozen brooms were hung. "Pick what you want if you want to go after them."
Ginny smiled with glee and grabbed a Nimbus 2000, as most of them were, and took off to find the pair. It wasn't hard to find them and not overly hard to catch up as Harry was curving a lot as well as going up and down. James was following and trying to tag her boyfriend, but he was having a hard time catching up.
She sped along, cutting a number of corners. It wasn't too long before she tagged James, surprising him, before she sped up to try to catch Harry. She suspected she'd do so only if she got lucky. She also noticed the grin on his face when he turned and saw her after him. Harry's flying became more erratic and he sped up more.
— — —
James landed near Lily and Arthur. He conjured a seat and dropped into it as he dropped the broom next to him on the ground. "I thought I was above average, but wow! That boy can fly."
"I'd have to agree," Arthur said as he and Lily walked up. "Ginny is quite good too I see. Remarkable."
"She seems to be quite the young lady," Lily commented with a look at her step-father. "Harry likes her a lot too, although perhaps smitten would be a better word."
Arthur chuckled. "Yes, I asked about him and I would say that Ginny is smitten with him as well."
"It sounds we'll be even more closely related then in the future," James quipped.
"Probably so," Lily agreed and frowned. "I was going to mention this to you this evening dear, but perhaps it's best with Arthur here now. Just before we came out, Harry asked me if they could come stay here with us, which I was very agreeable as they'd be safer."
"Yes," said each of the men and they each looked pleased too.
"That was until he asked if they would be allowed to room together." Lily watched each of them. James was more wide-eyed in shock, but Arthur looked to be almost choking. She slapped him on the back a few times and James jumped up out of his chair to help steady the older man.
"Thank you," Arthur said when he could talk again. "That surprised me and while technically she's not even my daughter, I do think of her that way more and more."
The two teens sped by again, but this time with Harry chasing Ginny; each had a look of determination.
"Yes," Lily said slowly. "I was shocked as well, at least at first. However, it makes sense when you think about it."
"Please explain," James told her, "as I can't see you letting Rose go live with a boy before she's finished Hogwarts. Nor Charles go live with a girl for that matter."
"You're right we'd be having words about that with our two," Lily agreed, "but Rose also hasn't been pulled into another dimension and her boyfriend is the only person she knows she can trust 100 percent. Also, a boyfriend who has protected her time and again."
James admitted defeat by looking away, searching for the teens.
Arthur sighed deeply. "I suppose that does make sense, although I'd still be very uncomfortable with that sleeping arrangement in my house."
"If it helps," Lily said, "while I'm only guessing, I'm reasonably sure they're not intimate yet. I also did not give him an answer. I did ask if letting them move the tent to our property would suffice, which would make it safer for them and allow us to pretend to not to know what's happening between them. However, I'm also afraid of what precedent that would set for our children."
"I can't guess at that," Arthur said, still sounding uncomfortable, "but on another topic, Ginny asked me if anyone in the Order who saw them was going to tell others, and what story we'd come up with to explain them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Albus's oath of secrecy on the project should protect them, shouldn't it?" He looked at the Potters.
"Yes it will," James said as he watched Harry pull out of a steep dive. "He is an amazing flyer."
"I agree on each," Lily said, also watching their step-son. She added, "My suggestion would be to say they're extended family from somewhere else and they came to live with us, but they'll have to change their first names, at least publically. Their real names are too well known."
"Cousins from Australia, maybe their parents died so they came here?" James asked, thinking out loud.
"I have a few uncles and great-uncles who've disappeared over time, so that's possible," Arthur agreed.
They heard laughing coming from the side of the house so they stopped their conversation and looked over. A moment later Harry and Ginny walked around the corner holding hands and laughing with each other, before they pulled apart and started to push each other a little.
The young couple stopped the horseplay on their own before they grabbed hands again. "Is it time for lunch? We're getting hungry," Harry called out.
"Yes, come in," Lily said and waved them over. "Arthur?"
"Thank you, Lily, but I need to go into work. I can eat at my desk," the man answered.
"Then come over for dinner and bring the boys," she insisted.
"Yes, and bring Bill," Ginny told him. "Harry's got a surprise for him."
"Ginny!" he growled. "I did not say that."
"Yes you did," his girlfriend insisted. "Besides, it could be a lot of fun from what you told me."
"Maybe," Harry replied, sounding like he was trying to placate her, but she didn't seem to mind.
"I'll see what I can do," Arthur said with amusement.
"We'll see you at the usual time," Lily said before Arthur Disapparated away. "Since I didn't have time to cook, I'm sure Milli has something good for us."
Inside, they meet one of the house-elves, Milli. She was responsible for the inside of the house. Blum, a male elf and Milli's mate, took care of the outside and assisted Milli when required. The lunch was good if simple.
After lunch, the two adults took the pair back to the parlor. James removed the temporary table and chairs so everyone could sit in a normal chair. Lily came last with a tea set for something to settle the meal.
When they were all comfortable, James said, "Arthur mentioned your question about explaining your presence here. First, don't worry about the Order telling anyone. This was one of the few projects we've done where Albus listened to some of us and made those involved take a secrecy oath about this project. So only those that you saw plus a few others even know about it and we can't tell. You can tell who you want, but we can't unless the person already has been sworn into the project.
"Second, our thought was to say that you're from another part of the family that lived somewhere else, like Australia. Perhaps your parents died recently and you've come to live with us. That will let you keep your last name and it explains why we've allowed you to join the family. However, you'll have to come up with new first names as Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, and Ron Weasley are too well known."
"That could work," Harry said as he looked at Ginny. "Although I don't know what I'd pick."
"Not my favorite idea but it is workable," Ginny answered. "I'll think about a name."
James took a deep breath and looked determined. "Lily mentioned your request to move here and the condition that you two room together."
Ginny's eye went wide as she looked between Harry and James. To the latter she asked, "Please tell me Arthur doesn't know yet."
James grinned. "I could say that but I'd be lying too."
The girl put her hands over her face and groaned. Harry could only put a hand on her back as if to rub some comfort in.
"Look," James told them, "we understand, or at least we do after some thought - even Arthur understands. You two are probably going to only trust each other for some time. Each of us, that includes Arthur, hope that one day you will truly see us as family; however, we also recognize that will take time.
"I'm inclined to allow you to do what you want based on your ages, but that would also present a problem for us with our other two children. I like Lily's idea of allowing you to move your tent here and then we can ignore what happens in the tent."
Ginny had just lower her hands, still very red in the face. The last statement caused her to hide her face again. Harry started rubbing her back again, doing his best to be objective about it.
"However, I think I have a solution." James looked pleased with himself and his wife raised an eyebrow at him. "We have them move the tent to an out of the way place on the property under our wards before we hide them so no one can see them but us. We have three weeks before the children come home. You can't ever walk there; you'd have to Apparate, which you each can do now. We can even contain sound there with some work, you just can't ever start a fire outside or anything like that which would draw attention to yourself. We can say you Apparated home and they're not allowed to visit it."
Lily nodded in admiration. "Well done dear, that could work. No need for the Fidelius, but an Unplottable Ward and some others would accomplish the goal admirably."
"That could work if we could also establish visiting hours, outside of emergencies of course," Harry added.
"Certainly, dear," Lily said. "We'll treat it like your home … until you have need of a real one."
Ginny was just coming back out, so to speak, only to hide again, although this time is was only her eyes that she covered. "I swear, I've never been this embarrassed before, not even by Fred and George."
James laughed as did Lily. "Welcome to the family, Ginny," the father told her with a grin.
"Perhaps it would be best to do that this afternoon?" Harry asked, not as embarrassed because, well, because they still weren't his parents in his mind. "We don't have to do all of the spells and wards you want, we can start with what I've done for now, like Notice-Me-Not and other repelling and masking charms."
"Yes, that would be a good start and I'll admit I'd feel better about it," Lily said with a smile. "As always if there was trouble, you could either Apparate away or else come to the house which has even better wards than the property as a whole does."
"Quite right," James agreed. "Let's take care of that, shall we? I think the northwest corner has an area that should work. Then if we still have time before dinner we can tell some family stories so you can know us better."
James rose and led them to the front porch. "Harry, take me. Once I know where I'm going, I'll come back and get Lily. I guess Ginny can come on her own for now."
A few minutes later all four were getting the tent ready to be moved. The hiding spells were also taken down.
Back at the Potters, James took them a ways from the house, but still within sight of it. The tent was pitched again before Harry added the spells he was used to and Lily added a couple more.
"That will hold you until we're ready to do the others in a few days," Lily told them and James agreed. "I think I need to take care of a few other tasks first as well as plan a good warding scheme. I'll get Sirius to help with that as it's something he is good at."
"Very true," James said and nodded. "Let's Apparate back to the house. I think we have time for a few stories before Lily starts dinner. She likes that and only lets Milli do it when she doesn't have time."
Back at the house, Harry broached one other topic. "James, I'd like for you to consider a business opportunity."
"Oh? What did you want to do?" James asked easily.
"Actually, it's not for me or Ginny," Harry answered. "I don't know if you've heard or not, but Fred and George have wanted to open a joke shop for some time. The twins we knew did it and they were brilliant. They also had a line of defense products that they sold only to customers they approved of. They were able to do that because I gave them 1000 Galleons to get started; they made me a partial and silent partner because of that. Since I don't have the money here, and I knew you were a Marauder - or I would expect you to be one here too - I thought you could give them the loan to get started. It will be worth it. I also asked them to create a proposal to show what they wanted to do so you'd know it was worthwhile."
James was smiling and looking at his wife for a moment. "I am aware of their desire, but I wasn't aware it was that serious, so seeing a proposal would be helpful. However, why do you think I'm a Marauder?"
Harry smiled back. "Because I think it would be a crime against the universe if you weren't one here too, Prongs." Which caused James to chuckle and Lily to cover her mouth in amusement. Harry dug into his Mokeskin bag and pulled out the old parchment and handed it over. "I'm sure you know the passphrase to this."
With a sheepish look as if he'd been caught, but not bothered by that at all, James took the old parchment and touched a finger to it while he said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good. Wow, I haven't seen this in years. Look, it's attached itself to this Hogwarts and is working." He pulled out his wand and touched it to the parchment and uttered a few phrases. He looked at Harry. "How did you get it and why haven't you keyed yourself into it?"
"What do you mean, key myself into it?" Harry asked, surprised.
"A drop of blood to show you're my son would open up a few more parts of its magic," James explained. "Besides allowing the new command to highlight the teachers and staff, the most important bit is it allows you to ask for a person and it will show you so you don't have to search for someone."
"Oh, that would be useful sometimes, but I honestly didn't use it all that much and probably won't now that I'm not there," Harry told him. "As for how I got it, Fred and George found it in Filch's office and worked out how to turn it on and off. They gave it to me in my third year because they thought I had need of it, which I suppose I did then. I don't know if this Fred and George have the one you made or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did."
"Mischief Managed." James handed the map back. "I've been thinking about what I might need to do for you. I'll certainly pay for you to finish your last year at Hogwarts. I've also considered handing you a small vault in Gringotts to hold you until you get a job. It's also not uncommon for the family patriarch to give family members small monthly stipends from the family business." He looked at his wife, who just looked back as if she didn't care which choice he made.
"I really appreciate what you've done for us already," Harry said. "I don't expect much, not really. If you could help me get a job and let us live in the tent for a bit here on your property until then, that'd be enough, really."
"Sorry, Harry, I'm not going to be that hands off," James told him. "I promise we will do our best not to smother you and let you be independent, or at least I will; your step-mother may have different plans though."
Lily gave him an eye-roll and get real look.
"You're family and we will look out for you and help you if you need help." James sighed. "Back to the question at hand. The three of us have done our best to keep a low profile after we finished Hogwarts. We have purposefully not told the twins we are the Marauders. Have you told them? It's not a huge problem if you have, but we'd prefer it if you didn't."
"Err, no. I only said I'd seen two of you; no names were mentioned. I didn't know Sirius was alive at the time or I'd have said three," answered Harry.
"That's good, I suppose," James commented. "Just for the record, Wormtail is dead. I'd rather not say how that happened, but he turned traitor and became a Death Eater, in both meanings."
"He was a Death Eater in our world too and was the one that betrayed us so you two were killed," Harry said softly. "He, uh, made a dark magic deal with You-Know-Who I suppose; it killed him in the end. When I left there, there were no Marauders still alive," he finished sadly.
"Harry, what I think I'll do is give you 10,000 Galleons. You can use it however you want, including helping Fred and George if that's your wish. You don't need to use it if you want to go to Hogwarts for your last year; I'll still pay for that as both Lily and I would like to see you finish school. Otherwise, you can live in the tent for as long as you wish, so that amount should go far even with giving the twins an investment. When you're ready to buy a small house, let me know and I'll help you get a good deal as I know people. How's that?"
"That's an amazing offer and seems too good to be true," Harry said with a smile and feeling something he had trouble identifying. "Thank you."
Lily said. "Also, when you figure out what you want to do for a job, please let us know. We can at least point out how to get started and who to talk to."
"Thank you for that too." Harry felt Ginny grab his hand and smile. He understood what she was thinking; this really was an amazing offer and a big help.
"Well, I need to start dinner if I'm going to make it. Let's head to the kitchen," Lily said as she rose. "Not counting James since I already know he can't, who can cook?"
"Actually, both of us can," Harry answered.
"I'm not surprised that Ginny was taught," Lily said. "While I didn't know Molly very well and I'm having to assume your mother was like the Molly I knew, I knew her well enough that I'd be surprised if a daughter of hers couldn't cook. How did you learn, Harry?"
"Aunt Petunia made me because she didn't like doing it. So she gave me cookbooks and gave me a few lessons because she and Vernon didn't like me to waste food nor did they like to eat things that were messed up," Harry explained.
"So you did that for a year or two before you went to Hogwarts?" the mother asked as they walked into a large and very capable looking kitchen that was spotless.
"Err…" Harry paused long enough everyone looked at him questioningly, even James who was grabbing a bar stool to sit on. "Since I was maybe six," he answered finally.
Lily turned to the cold cabinet and pulled out some wrapped products and set them on the counter harder than necessary. "It is good for her that she's in another world I can't get to." Her husband didn't look happy either.
"It is a useful skill to have," Harry said a little defensively.
"If she taught you to make biscuits at six," she said pointedly, "I'd be delighted. Full meals for a family at six years old is another matter."
Harry decided to keep quiet about the other things he'd been forced to do.
"The vegetables are over there," Lily pointed to some cabinets and dialing her temper back. "Pick out whatever you'd like. We do have to feed nine, so be sure to pull out enough."
Soon enough, pork chops were cooking as was everything else. Warm rolls were suddenly found in a basket, ready and waiting - courtesy of Milli, or so Harry assumed. Lily didn't make an issue out of it and sent it to the table.
A few minutes after six in the evening a knock was heard on the door, but James has started heading that way a few seconds sooner, probably alerted by the wards.
All of the Weasleys were sent to the dining room while Harry and Ginny were helping Lily carry the bowls and plates of food in. Hellos were exchanged.
Ginny did her best to not think about Arthur knowing a bit more about her private time with Harry than she wanted him to. However, Harry had also pointed out to her in a whisper that Arthur had already known they were sharing a tent, so was "rooming together" really new information? In the end Ginny put on a brave look and did her best not to think about it.
Harry listened to the chatter and answered a few simple questions from the other boys about how he'd spent his day, but nothing too serious was discussed at the table. He did notice that Ginny was contributing more and she also seemed to watching Bill; he had no idea why.
He did find out how Percy, Fred, and George knew about the secret project though. Bill was supposed to have been there, but had been too delayed to take part, like Sirius had been. The other three Weasley boys had been told to allow their input and planning, as well as to allow Arthur and Bill to discuss the project at home. While Albus had been a bit reluctant in allowing it, the Headmaster had eventually agreed to them knowing which had forced them to take the secrecy oath to also protect the project.
As dinner ended and they were just sitting around talking, Ginny asked, "Arthur, since James added us to his wards here today, do you plan to add us at The Burrow so we can come visit more easily?"
It was the first time this evening the man looked uncomfortable. "I'd like to, but there is one person who disagrees and I promised them I wouldn't unless it was unanimous."
Based on a previous comment by Arthur and the fact that Bill was studiously nibbling on the last of his roll while the other sons looked at each other and then finally at Bill, the one was easily identified - including by Ginny.
"So Bill," Ginny said casually, "what has you concerned and what can we do to remove your concern?"
It took a moment but Bill noticed everyone looking at him so he finally looked up at her. "I'm concerned that we don't know you well enough. I'm also concerned about how trustworthy you are considering what happened when you first came here."
Ginny glared at him. "I'm willing to take an oath to show my trust, but what does our arrival have to do with anything?"
"Dad said you disarmed them and then left with their wands," Bill pointed out. "That wasn't a friendly action."
Ginny stood suddenly and almost shouted, "Not a friendly action?!"
Based on her angry expression, Harry stood too but he wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Ginny, calm down." While he'd tried to be quiet, he was sure at least half of the group had heard him.
Meanwhile, Bill had pushed back from the table. He hadn't stood, but you could tell his hand was hovering near his wand.
His girlfriend struggled for a moment before she said angrily, "Harry, let me go."
"If I let go, do you promise not to pull your wand out here?" He knew better than to let go at the moment or Bill would definitely be dealing with bat boogies.
After struggling for a few more seconds she finally relaxed in his arms and just stood there. "Fine, I promise that."
Harry slowly let go, but stood beside her ready to grab her again. He finally noticed that Arthur had remained silent and was looking back and forth between Ginny and Bill. The brothers were too for that matter. While Arthur was neutral, the brothers didn't look happy with Bill.
"Bill," Ginny said in an overly controlled voice, "exactly what did the Order do to Harry and me? And explain how that was friendly."
The young man sighed. "Ginny, I know what you're trying to get me to say. We forced you here, but that was no reason to leave with everyone's wand. I understand disarming everyone, but it was the leaving part that makes me wonder about you. Also, I think my biggest doubt is your story. It sounds good, but did you really defeat You-Know-Who who's like 50 years older and more experienced? That seems very unlikely."
In the staring contest between the two, it was James who said, "If I may, I've been told that other than Mad-Eye, everyone else understood and didn't hold Harry's and Ginny's actions against them. Honestly, even Mad-Eye wasn't all that upset as Harry showed constant vigilance. His real gripe was being reduced to having only one wand instead of his usual three for a day. I fully understand their disagreement with us, and if you won't say it Bill, I will. We kidnapped them. We ripped them away from their family and friends."
Bill looked down, but he wouldn't say anything to agree or disagree.
Ginny smiled at him in a way the twins knew something was up, as it was one they routinely saw on each other. "How about we step out back for a friendly duel to show you we're the real deal, as they say? If you win, then I won't ask again and you can take however long you need to decide. However, if you lose then you agree Harry and I can be added to the wards so Harry and I can come visit the family whenever we want."
Bill looked at her and laughed. "Sure, I'll take that bet just to show you." He suddenly looked over. "Dad, James, that's assuming you agree."
"I have no objections," James said quickly, as if he were eager to watch it. Lily looked mildly interested as well.
Arthur took longer. "I believe this is foolish, but I will agree as long as no lethal spells are used and only because Lily is certified as a Healer."
Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and practically dragged him to the back door with the others following at a slower pace. In the back garden, she pulled him to one side of the back lawn and put her arms around him and stood on her tiptoes so she could speak into his ear.
"Harry, I want you to show the fool how wrong his is. You beat the madman a few days ago so I know you can do this. Bill is good but I know you're better, so show him. Wipe him across the floor three times and I promise you a snog session you'll never forget; I'll make it truly Patronus worthy, understand?"
"Ginny? I was only joking about doing this earlier this afternoon." He managed a strangled whisper as his brain tried to work through what she'd said.
"I'm serious, Harry. Beat him three times so there's no doubt who's better. If you do, pajamas will stay on, but I promise you'll find new limits. I'll even help you a little," she told him before she kissed him soundly. "Oh, you'll find he favors his right side and tends to move that way first."
As she left, Harry had to blink multiple times and shake his head to try and clear his thoughts to fight instead of thinking about the lithe redhead who was walking to join the watchers who were on the side in about the middle.
"I thought I was going to be fighting you," Bill said, his wand hanging by his side.
The tip of Ginny's wand peeked out between her body and arm, hidden from Bill. A ghostly and barely visible spell streaked the short distance and hit Bill in the face, causing him to start batting the bat shaped boogies the size of very large moths that was coming out of his nose and attacking him in an annoying way.
It didn't take too long, but Bill dispelled them. "That's a Phoenician spell. Where did you learn that?"
Ginny glared at him. "I had an older brother who trusted me. I'd fight you, but then I'm not the one you don't believe. So get ready … go!"
Harry's wand had been by his side pointing down. He flipped it up without moving his arm and cast a Stunning spell just as he Apparated. He arrived three steps to the right of and a little behind Bill about the time that his spell hit Bill's shield. Another quick and silent Stunner dropped his opponent. The spell Bill cast before his shield never mattered.
"Yes!" screamed Ginny. The twins and Percy looked to be in awe. Arthur looked shocked while James and Lily turned to each other and started whispering.
Harry picked up Bill's wand before he woke his opponent. Looking down at Bill, who was blinking rapidly and trying to take in what had happened, Harry said, "I believe that's one for me. To make it more sporting, let's also add the rule of no Apparating, Portkeys, brooms, trains, planes, or automobiles - agreed?"
"Err, yeah," Bill agreed as he stood up and took his wand back when Harry held it out.
Harry walked back to his spot as he thought up his next strategy, trying very hard not to think of Ginny's promise. With an idea in mind, he turned at his spot and waited with his wand at his side as Bill was. Bill also looked more determined than before, actually serious about his now - unlike the first time.
"Ready?" Ginny looked between the two. "Go!"
Harry cast a couple of quick spells at the spot in front of Bill, just before the man's feet, while he stepped to the right and then cast one more spell. Bill's spell was going to his left so it was ignored. Harry Disillusioned himself before he cast the spell on himself to fly and went quickly.
Meanwhile, Bill was dealing with a set of darts from transfigured grass. Most had hit his shield, but a few had gone under since most people didn't make their shield extend all the way to the ground. The darts were small so they were only annoying in his ankles. The real problem for him was the Blasting hex that had followed and spewed dirt up in the air, on both sides of his shield. He did his best to move to the right and back this time to get away. By the time he could see, and he'd cast a spell to try to keep Potter occupied, he couldn't find his opponent where he expected … or really anywhere at all.
Harry cast a Stunning spell just after he passed Bill, again catching him from behind. Stopping, he flew back to where Bill was and made himself visible when he landed, to the whooping and clapping of Ginny. He picked up Bill's wand from the man's hand before he woke him again.
"You're cheating, Potter; doing nothing but tricks!" Bill accused him as he lay on the ground.
"A trick is just something you didn't think of," Harry said casually. "Hmm, I wonder how many tricks Filius Flitwick knows?"
Harry looked over. "Lily, I think you should take a quick look at him." He handed Bill's wand to the healer and headed back to his spot. He couldn't help his blush when Ginny blew him a kiss.
He also couldn't help noticing that James was grinning at him and had trouble standing still, while the twins seems to need each other's help to stand considering the way they were holding onto each other and laughing (at least they were laughing quietly). Arthur and Percy were looking at him very thoughtfully, and he thought just maybe, with approval.
As Lily handed the man's wand back and walked back to stand next to her husband, her face a mask, Bill shouted, "One more, Potter, and in the traditional style."
"Is that how Death Eaters fight here?" Harry asked. "Where I come from, they use every dirty trick, every evil spell and hex they can."
"They do here too, but this isn't that style. Get ready!" Bill gripped his wand and held it in front of him this time.
Harry made himself ready as well and also held his wand in front of him. "Any time, Ginny." He listened for the one sound he needed, ready as if he had to fight the Dark Lord himself.
"Go!"
When Harry heard the "G" sound, he silently started casting four Piercing hexes at Bills legs as fast as he could. He'd picked that spell because it tended to defeat the standard shield spell, requiring a better shield. He also moved left and added a couple of Stunning spells, to mix it up, and a Blasting hex at about knee level, which he hoped didn't hit Bill as it could really hurt him.
Bill's first spell, probably a Stunner, went through where Harry had been originally; but spells stopped as Bill had to put up a shield. He also moved right a little, something he'd pay for as that was where the Blasting hex had been aimed.
Harry cast another Piercing spell as he stepped right twice, aiming a Stunner to where Bill was moving, another Piercing hex, then leading further to his left with two more Stunners. He was also trying to add more power into his spells to help overcome the second shield Bill had raised as he moved.
Seeing a stack of firewood behind Bill as Harry moved further right, he snuck a Summoning charm in before returning to Stunners. He was easily casting twice as fast as Bill, which kept the man on the defensive. Harry almost didn't care what spell he cast as long as it was quick and on target.
Bill had to dive to the ground as his shield failed yet again; he tried to get up during a lull in the spells. He made it to one knee before he was hit between the shoulder blades by a heavy and hard object, throwing him forward. Worse, his wand went flying further, landing a meter in front of him so his shield also dropped. Before he could get to his wand, he was jerked up into the air hanging upside down by one foot. He also found that cursing didn't help. Before he could do much else, an upside down face was in front of his and she was laughing at him.
"So Bill, what do you think now?" Ginny asked sweetly. "Do you have a different opinion on if Harry defeated You-Know-Who? You just lost to him three times in a row."
When he didn't say anything, Ginny added, "There's no point in continuing this match."
Bill was becoming very red in the face from hanging upside and he could see Harry holding the spell as he walked up to be beside the girl. To make it worse, Harry wasn't gloating, he was merely smiling and it wasn't even all that big, not making fun of him like the loud guffaws he could hear coming from the twins. Harry also looked like he could hold the spell a long time.
"Fine," Bill finally said grudgingly. "Harry has some skill and I can see the possibility that he could have won the fight. I still don't like what you did by taking wands and leaving, but I will acknowledge that you were in an unknown situation. I will also withdraw my objection to adding you to the wards as long as you agree to come help us if we call you."
"I will agree to help you defend The Burrow," Ginny said. "Beyond that, no automatic agreement. You can ask, but we reserve the right to say no. We just finished a war; we don't need another."
Ginny stepped closer and spoke softly enough the watchers had be very quiet to hear her. "The Potters have called themselves Harry's step-parents and I think I like that. I'm starting to think of Arthur as my step-dad. You can be my step-brother if you want. I know that I'll never be your real sister, but I'm the closest thing you'll ever find to her - if you want to get to know me. Family?"
"Yes, but please put me down. I think I'm about to get dizzy," Bill whined.
Harry slowly turned him around so his feet were down and then lowered him. Even with that care, Bill still stumbled such that Ginny had to grab him and steady him. When he didn't fall, she pulled him into a short hug.
When Ginny let him go slowly, Harry picked up Bill's wand and handed it him before holding out his hand. "No hard feelings?"
Bill put his wand away and then shook Harry's hand. "No. I'm not sure I want to admit it, but I probably deserved that." He looked at his step-sister, "Except for your Bat Boogie hex. That wasn't deserved."
"I would have done that in the dining room if Harry hadn't grabbed me so quickly," she told him. "Telling me we were unfriendly when we were forced here was a stupid thing to say."
"I'm glad we've worked this out," Arthur said as he walked up and clapped a hand on Bill's shoulder and the other on Ginny's shoulder. Looking at her he said, "Would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow evening? I can add you to the wards then."
She looked at Harry, who nodded, and said, "We'd love to. Do we need to bring anything?"
"No, just yourselves," Arthur answered. "Well, boys," he called out as he looked around, "time to go home I think. Thank you for dinner, Lily, James. It was as good as always."
"We're glad you came," Lily told him and James echoed her.
"Bill," Lily called, "I have something I'd like to talk to you about and get your opinion on. I'll contact you soon about that."
"Uh, sure," Bill agreed as his father turned him slightly and gave him a small push, as he was doing to the twins.
"Well done, Harry, I was impressed with your performance," Percy told him before he turned to leave.
The twins each gave him a thumbs up as they left.
"Don't worry about us, we'll walk around to the front porch and leave from there. Have a good evening!" Arthur waved and herded his boys around the house.
James and Lily walked over and James was grinning. He did wait until the Weasleys were around the corner before he said, "I was very impressed, Harry. I think I would have had a difficult time winning against you, although I will say that some of your tactics wouldn't work well against Death Eaters."
Harry nodded. "I know. Sometimes Anti-Apparation wards are up and when it's many against many, fighting Disillusioned can be a problem because someone from your side might hit you. But when you can surprise your enemy it's always good."
James clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you recognize those issues. You were very inspired though and I approve. In fact, I'll give you the Marauder stamp of approval. By the way, did Ginny give you some advice about how to fight Bill before you started?"
Harry looked at his girlfriend and they both smiled and blushed a little. "She did tell me he favored his right side, but I think I would have won even without knowing that." He put his arm around her shoulders.
The parents smiled at them and nodded. "I can tell that Defense was your best subject," Lily told him. "Is there anything else we can do for you? Otherwise, we'll let you go," she cleared her throat, "home."
Harry thought the joke was funny, even if it was a dry one. "Err, yeah. My dad and Sirius had these mirrors they used to talk to one another during detentions. Did you have those too?" he asked his step-dad.
Lily looked surprised; apparently, she hadn't known about them.
James chuckled. "Yes, we did, although I haven't thought about them in years. Why?"
"Can you make me a set please?" Harry asked. "I don't need names on them, or else make them generic like 'Mirror A' and 'Mirror B'."
"Identification is required, but it can be generic as you say." James thought for a moment. "I won't have time tomorrow, but I'll let Sirius know. He and Remus can make them as Sirius made them the first time. Hmm, they could be useful for other things. Thanks, Harry."
"I'd like to see those," Lily told him.
"I'll see if he can make another set then," James told her. "I have no idea where our first set went. Oh well, have a good evening you two. We won't be available for most of the day tomorrow because of work and other needs. Since you have evening plans, we probably won't see you until the day after tomorrow. Maybe join us for breakfast at eight?"
"Sure," Harry agreed.
"Oh, can I please borrow your Marauder's Map? We might need it tomorrow," James asked hopefully.
"Err, sure." Harry removed the Mokeskin bag he still wore around his neck from habit and fished it out. "Here it is."
"Thanks, I appreciate it and I promise I'll take good care of it. Have a good evening, you two," James told them. Lily also wished them a good night.
Since they weren't really leaving the grounds, Harry and Ginny each Apparated to the door of their tent and walked inside.
Ginny grabbed him and kissed him hard. "I'm going to the bathroom and changing into my pajamas. You can do the same after me and then come find me on the couch. I'm sure I can help you find a new Patronus memory and I bet you can help me find one too."
Harry went and changed while she was in the bathroom. When she came out, he went in and freshened up a bit, including brushing his teeth before he went to find her on the couch. She was very willing to show him her gratitude for what he'd done as they snogged and hands roamed. By the time he went to sleep, he knew he'd have no trouble doing the Patronus charm.
(A/N: Whew, we finally finished the day. I hope you enjoyed the bit of action.