A/N: In these last chapters we didn't really know what the date was. This chapter will help with that. It takes place about a week before Harry's birthday.

Chapter 35 – The Lake

It was the summer holidays. However, Harry was absolutely sure that the only resident of Grimmauld Place who was really resting was Hedwig. Besides the occasional letter to Hermione and Neville, she didn't have much to do.

Harry was still feeling bewildered. Since his encounter with Wormtail and Voldemort in the first week of June his life had turned around a lot.

Most of June was spent in a magical coma. Then he woke up and discovered he was turning into a completely different person. His bond with Ginny had unleashed so many consequences that it was hard to keep up.

It had been three weeks since he left Hogwarts and since then he, Sirius and Remus hadn't stopped working. First, they tackled the all the legal requirements so that his marriage to Ginny couldn't be challenged. After that, he fought the old Black home, which had done everything it could to kick its new residents out.

Doxys, bogarts and the house-elf were in the front-lines. Harry couldn't even walk through the hall without expecting a possible attack from the house pests. Until the moment, Sirius hadn't had much luck in finding a house which satisfied his requirements. Meanwhile, Harry was noticing that the man's mood deteriorated more each day they spent there.

Harry chose to address the subject the night Sirius and Remus had a meeting with Mr Weasley. Once again, they had dinner in a Muggle restaurant so they couldn't face Kreacher's terrible food.

'Sirius,' Harry began, 'now that we've taken care of the most urgent businesses, I think we need to think more about where we're going to live. As charming and Grimmauld Place it, I don't believe we can live here for much longer.'

'I know, pup.' Sirius agreed. 'But finding a good house is being harder than I had anticipated. I'm even thinking about buying a Muggle property despite all the paperwork and permits required to adapt such house to a wizarding family.'

'Why do we need to buy a house? As I understand, I inherited three properties from my parents. We could take a look at them to see if any is in condition to be inhabited.'

'I don't know, Harry. Taking care of you is my responsibility and I'm the one who should provide a house. Besides, I don't want you to touch your inheritance too early.'

'That argument doesn't make any sense. If the house belongs to me, I've got to right to live in there. Actually, I reckon I'd feel better living in a place that belonged to my family than building a new place.'

'You don't speak at all like an eleven years old boy, did you know? Sometimes it's kind of scary.' Sirius remarked.

'Soon he's going to be twelve, Padfoot. It's going to get worse.' Remus said playfully. 'But he's got a point. I think James would be thrilled if Harry could grow up where he did. It is an amazing place.'

'Do you mean my grandparents' home?'

'Yes, it was a beautiful property. Its magic is strong. Many of your ancestors worked to build that house. I'm sure it still is in perfect condition.'

'So, you've been there before?'

'Of course. When we were in Hogwarts we spent the holidays at your grandparents' home. Those were good times.'

'Could we go there tomorrow?'

'You're the boss, pup.'

Due to the terrible state of the Black home, Harry usually spent most of his days in the Burrow with Ginny, Ron and the twins. Seemingly, Percy wasn't sociable even when at home.

It didn't surprise anyone when at nine in the morning, Harry showed up in the Weasleys' fireplace. Ron, Percy and the twins were still in their pyjamas, eating their big piles of eggs and sausages. Mr Weasley was hiding behind the morning edition of The Prophet. Ron was the first one to notice Harry.

'Hiya, Harry! You're right on time. Mum wants to kills with so much food. Grab a plate and help us.'

'Ron, don't talk with your mouth full!' Mrs Weasley scolded him, while she entered in the kitchen. 'Good morning, dear!'

'Good morning, Mrs Weasley.'

Ginny came in wearing a light blue summer dress and her hair was braided. Unceremoniously she walked straight to Harry and hugged him. Harry let himself sink in the relief sensation Ginny's hugs brought him. Being away from her for some periods of time was still rough, even though they were sharing dreams most nights.

Every morning they repeated the same ritual and the reactions were always the same. Ron faced his plate with red hears, the twins stared at them in fun curiosity and Percy looked away with a disapproval semblance. Only Ginny's parents seemed getting used to it.

'You look very pretty!' Harry quietly told her.

'Thanks. I'm ready, we can go if you want…'

'Wait! Where are you going?' Ron asked.

'To Godric's Hollow.' Harry replied. 'Do you want to come?'

Before Ron could answer him, Mr Wealey cut in, 'I don't think so. It's very kind of you, Harry, but I'm sure there will be more opportunities later.'

Harry, who had made the invite only to be polite, appreciated his father-in-law's intervention. In the night before, he had asked Ginny to join him when they had spoked through the mirrors. Obviously she had told her parents where they were going and what they would do.

'I understand, sir. Thank you.'

'You're welcome, son. Could we have chat when you come back?'

Harry nodded. 'Of course, sir. We'll be back in the evening.'

'Excellent. We'll wait for you. You can go now. Sirius must be awaiting you.'

'See you later!'

Using the floo, Harry and Ginny went back to Grimmauld Place, where Sirius and Remus where waiting to apparate them to Godric's Hollow. The apparation's feeling was still a bad one, but Harry's was beginning to get used to.

When he managed to breathe again, Harry looked around. They weren't in the village he had been in the last time, instead they were in a dirt road surrounded by a dense forest.

The village could be seen from a distance and the road seemed to end in a huge lake, as big as Hogwarts' Great Lake. He didn't see a house anywhere.

'I had forgotten how amazing this place is.' Sirius too was looking around. 'I hope we don't have problems entering with Harry here.'

Ginny, who was standing next to Harry, suddenly shivered.

'Are you okay?' Harry asked, getting closer to her.

'Yes, it's just… a feeling. Can you feel it?'

Harry tried to focus on his senses. He could feel very powerful magic and something else… A feeling he had never felt before, it was hard to explain.

'It seems I've been here before.' It was the best explanation he managed.

'Well, maybe,' Remus said, 'I'm don't know if you were ever here as a baby…'

'It isn't that.' Ginny cut in. 'It feels like we lived here before.' She was mindfully staring at the lake.' It's there, isn't it?'

The building was still not visible to Harry's eyes, but he could feel its presence over that water. For a moment, he knew exactly how each stone which held the house was like. It was like a memory. A memory he could not have.

'It is.' He confirmed.

'How could they know?' Sirius whispered, observing the two children, who were staring at the lake as if they were hypnotized.

'I don't know.' Remus whispered back.

They watched in silence as Harry and Ginny held hands and walked into the lake. The house's magic was hiding the place. Sirius hoped the property would reveal itself to Harry, since Harry was the sole inheritor. However, he didn't know where to start from.

Harry stopped in the lake's shore and observed the crystal water. He had seen that place before, he was certain. Trusting his gut, he took a step forward, touching the water, standing in the water.

His feet didn't sink nor did they got wet. It was an illusion. Harry took another step forward and Ginny followed him. It was an odd sensation, walking over the water.

They kept going without fear a few more meters. As weird as if looked like, they knew what they were doing. Harry looked behind and saw the two fearful men watching them.

'It's just an illusion.' Harry told the scared men.

Once more, the feeling, which he didn't know its origin came to him. He knew what to do.

'My name is Harry James Potter.' He spoke to the lake. 'I am the Lord and owner of the castle by blood and righteousness. Open your gates to your Lord and his guests.'

A light began shining at Harry's feet and from there it spread in waves through the lake. The light touched superficies that weren't visible before and little by little stones began to be visible.

Harry's instincts were right. It wan't just a manor, it was a castle. It wasn't as huge as Hogwarts, but it was a castle!

At the moment they stood on a large stone bridge, which cut the lake for two hundred meters. At its end, large wooden gates stood flanked by light stone walls, revealing a huge building right in the middle of the lake. It was totally surrounded by water. The building was preserved and gardens looked immaculate.

Harry and Ginny resumed they walk until they reached the building with an anxious feeling in the pit of their stomachs. They didn't know what secrets the house was keeping nor did they know if they would ever known them. Yet, the feeling persisted, something connected them to that place.

But what was it?

A/N: The property described here (its appearance and architecture) was inspired by the Broughton Castle.

What's this feeling Harry and Ginny have? What do you think it is? I'd like to read your thoughts.

Next chapter's title: The Garden