Harry Potter, ex-auror, ex-man-who-conquered, ex-quidditch seeker, ex-boy-who-lived has just had
a fairly humiliating sequel to a party that went pretty well.
Harry waited for the cracks of apparation and took several deep breaths.
"Kreacher!" he yelled.
Kreacher appeared with a pop "Halfblood master calls Kreacher?"
"Kreacher, you put me in my bed last night"
"Yes master" said Kreacher.
"I was sleeping on the couch, Kreacher. Don't do that again." said Harry.
"How is master supposed to make heirs when his witches aren't in his bed" said Kreacher.
"What?"
"Master must make heirs" croaked Kreacher earnestly, nodding.
"I'm not making any bloody heirs" said Harry angrily.
Kreacher stared at Harry's face, then, unexpectedly, burst into tears and collapsed.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Kreacher?"
"The end of the house of Black" sobbed Kreacher.
"What?" asked Harry.
"Master won't make heirs. The house of Black will die with master" said Kreacher.
Harry squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Kreacher, we're going visiting" said Harry.
"Kreacher has been a good elf" said Kreacher "I've served the house of Black faithfully"
"You betrayed Sirius, Kreacher. Don't lie" said Harry, grabbing the elf by one shoulder and apparating off to the Tonks house.
"Where are we Master?" asked Kreacher, as they stood under the front portico of the medium sized house, no other houses very near by.
"The house of Andromeda Tonks" said Harry, and knocked on the door "It's Harry!" he said loudly.
The door opened and Harry started in "And Kreacher, be polite!" said Harry, and led Kreacher into a kitchen, where Andromeda Tonks, a middle-aged witch was waving her wand, multiple pots stirring themselves.
"Got hungry did you?" asked Andromeda idly. "You brought an elf.. is that Kreacher?"
"It is" said Harry, and pulled Kreacher over to a playpen, where Teddy lupin in shorts and a tiny shirt was sitting on his bottom. Teddy giggled and turned his hair black and messy.
"This, Kreacher, is Edward Remus Lupin, my godson, and Heir." said Harry.
Kreacher stared at the toddler, who changed his face to look like Harry's and put his arms up "awwy" he cried.
Harry picked up Teddy, and held him closely "Hi Teddy" said Harry tenderly.
"Young master will be head of black one day" said Kreacher.
"Kreacher, get a clean pillowcase" said Andromeda.
"Yes Miss Andromeda" said Kreacher… then stopped and turned to Andromeda "Miss Andromeda"
"Mistress Andromeda, Kreacher" said Andromeda imperiously.
"Yes Mistress" said Kreacher.
"Teddy is my grandson Kreacher. He is a black by blood" said Andromeda.
Kreacher ran over to Andromeda and grabbed her robe hems and broke into tears. "Oh Mistress, the house is saved"
"I was cast out" said Andromeda bitterly.
"Master?" asked Kreacher.
"Tell him I'm a daughter of the house of Black" said Andromeda quietly.
"Andromeda Tonks is a daughter of the house of Black, Kreacher. Her grandson, Teddy is a son of the house of Black." said Harry.
Andromeda nodded subtly. Kreacher burst into tears and rubbed his face on Andromeda's hems.
"Kreacher, don't soil my robes" said Andromeda.
"Sorry Mistress" said Kreacher, sitting on his heels and looking up adoringly at Andromeda.
"Now, Harry ,why did you bring Kreacher over?" asked Andromeda.
"Kreacher decided to play matchmaker last night" said Harry.
"He what?" said Andromeda, eyebrows forming a vee.
"Master had two pureblood witches in his bed, but was sleeping on the couch. I popped master to bed." said Kreacher.
"Two Witches" said Andromeda icily.
"I had a party with some friends, and we all got tipsy, I haven't got the floo, so I slept on the couch, the Greengrasses on my bed, Lilith on a spare bed in my bedroom, and Tracey and Blaise in the spare room" said Harry.
"Are you romantically involved with these sisters?" asked Andromeda.
"Er, no" said Harry, and wiped his face with his hand. "I was, um… deeply asleep"
"And..."
"Kreacher poured some kind of potion on me. The er, um… it made the sleeping witches a bit… friendly."
"Do we need to send wedding offerings?" asked Andromeda.
"Er.. no" said Harry. "I was sleeping in my clothes."
"Because you were very 'sleepy'" said Andromeda drily.
"I put Master in the bed to make more Blacks" said Kreacher. "Master doesn't like witches,, so Kreacher used the heir making potion." said Kreacher.
"I'm not Gay!" said Harry loudly, his face red.
"Harry, I know muggles are a bit funny about it, but if you don't like witches, why there's no real issue with that" said Andromeda. "The succession is safe with Teddy."
"I like witches. I like girls okay" said Harry.
Andromeda's eyes sparkled and her cheeks lifted "Quite..." said Andromeda.
"But no witches?" asked Kreacher.
"Kreacher what potion did you use?" asked Andromeda.
"The black family heir making potion." said Kreacher.
"Show me" said Andromeda.
Kreacher popped away and popped back a minute or so later with a black spellbook, that floated up to Andromeda, and opened, it's pages turning. Andromeda read a little. "Oh" she said "Well, even if you… um.. didn't like witches, you'd have made heirs with that."
"Nothing that bad happened" said Harry, blushing.
"Kreacher, Master likes witches, but is just shy. No more helping potions" said Andromeda.
"Yes Mistress" said Kreacher.
"I was asleep" said Harry, blushing. "I didn't wake up, not even a dream; which is just my luck. Months of nightmares, Kreacher potions up two pretty witches in my bed and I knew nothing."
Andromeda looked thoughtful at Harry's mention of nightmares.
"Look, apparently Tori was pretty badly affected by the potion and was.. humping my leg" said Harry. "The noise um… woke up Daphne, her sister. She stunned everyone, and levitated me back to the couch I'd been sleeping on"
"Sound like a sensible girl." said Andromeda "Shame you're so shy. Now, was there any exchange of fluids"
Harry went bright red.
"Harry, I'm healer, I'm asking these questions from a medical perspective" said Andromeda.
"As far as I know, no." said Harry, blushing.
"So, one witch humped your arm, while the other was unaffected.
"No" said Harry. "She woke up, and started throwing stunners"
"Poor girl." said Andromeda. "The other sister, does she know?"
"No" said Harry. "She's engaged."
"To my sisters spawn" said Andromeda grimly "Any chance of you dating her instead? Lucius's boy is a turd in a robe. Why you kept him out of Azkaban.."
"He saved my life twice in the war" said Harry "Narcissa saved mine once too, they both lied to Voldemort"
"My sister always had a relationship with the truth. And would change sides if it looked like they were losing"
"They got in far over their heads. Voldemort took their house over. Mister Malfoy… he thought he could suck up… but he failed a mission, and was tortured. Then Voldemort used Draco to punish Lucius" said Harry.
"My sister always had more ambition than brains" said Andromeda sourly.
Harry shrugged.
"How did you end up with pureblood witches in your house at a party? Not the sort of circles I thought you travelled in" asked Andromeda.
"We support the same quidditch team. We go to matches, watch, eat snack from the stalls"
Andromeda winced at this.
"Then we go to the pub with the rest of the supporters and talk over the match. It's fun." said Harry.
"Quidditch watching friends" said Andromeda.
"Yeah said Harry "Appleby Arrows" said Harry. "I used to supp.."
Andromeda held up one hand "I am a widow. One of the few consolations of being a widow is avoiding quidditch talk" said Andromeda.
"So… again, from a medical perspective? Any issues the next day"
"I um.. . was fine, Daphne was annoyed… Tori who slept thought it and made all the noise, she slept in and felt great"
"Well, a woman does generally feel better after a good time" said Andromeda.
Harry went beet red.
"Good grief." said Andromeda, "Were you raised by utter prudes?"
"Don't talk about it" said Harry, looking at the floor "I saw some...magazines at school" said Harry.
"Fools" said Andromeda "I'll find you an appropriate book. This should have been Sirius's job, the whole telling you about...things. And you know nothing" said Andromeda.
"Well… If had been awake, last night would have been the most… um… stuff I'd ever done" said Harry.
"So what happened today?" asked Andromeda.
"It came out that Lilith had, um heard things. Daphne woke up, mid hump, stunned me and Tori, and put me back downstairs"
"What a noble gesture" said Andromeda. "Well, I realised there might have been… trouble… a domestic."
Harry paled and started breathing fast and shallow.
"Harry, take slow, deep breaths. There is no threat. Nobody is going to get hurt" said Andromeda, and she cast a charm on Harry, that left blue streaks roiling around Harry.
"Harry, you're having a panic attack. I'm going to charm you… it will help" said Andromeda, and cast "et tamen corde micante meus". A a jet of pink light shot out of Andromeda's wand and Hit Harry. He slumped a bit and took a deep breath.
"Daphne gave me a potion Tori had" said Harry "It helped"
Andromeda swore suddenly "Bloody amateurs, have you drunk or eaten anything since?"
"No" said Harry, "it was fifteen minutes ago maybe?"
Andromeda grabbed a teaspoon from a nearby drawer and tapped it with her wand, turning it into a metallic probe. "Harry, open your mouth, I want to rub this probe around, we're going to work out what that potion was"
Harry complied and Andromeda took the probe and threw it into an empty saucepan, and conjured water into the pot. She set it on the stove.
"Harry, sit down on a stool" said Andromeda, as she grabbed herbs and actual potion ingredients and threw them into the pot.
"What are you doing"
"Making a diagnostic potion" said Andromeda.
"On a stove in a saucepan?"
"Ted taught me this. Caudron, saucepan, makes a little difference for a lot of potions." said Andromeda. After five minutes, the potion turned silvery
"That's what was in the vial" said Harry. "I think"
Andromeda sniffed the pot "Odd" she said, and took a spoonful and burnt it with a flame from the end of her wand, looking at the coloured sparks.
"And who had this potion?"
"Tori had it in her robe pocket. I got the impression Daphgne expected Tori to take it this morning.. but she felt fine"
"If Tori... Greengrass is taking this most mornings, she is most definately Not fine" said Andromeda. "People don't usually take an all-system restorative every day"
"All system? What's that"
"Very expensive, for starters"
"Tori... Greengrass" said Harry "Her sister is Daphne Greengrass" Harry swallowed. "They got their mum to come over and take a look at me after...my panic attack. Roxanne Greengrass"
"Roxanne Greengrass..." said Andromeda and sighed "I know Roxanne. She's... a Healer"
"Yeah, you both work at St Mungos" said Harry. "She said she'd find a potion for me" said Harry sounding cautionsly optimistic.
Andromeda sighed "Harry, I don't want your medical problems in the hands of Roxanne Greengrass. Shes... a..."
"Is she a death eater?" asked Harry angrily.
"If she sat on the fence any more, she'd have a picket up her arse" said Andromeda. "I'm just a healer, I'm not involved in politics" said Andromeda, in a poor impression of Roxannes voice. "Still, she married Cyrus and he's just as bad. Typical Raven-Snake couple. Smart and determined not to get disadvanteged."
"But not supporters of Voldemort?"
"Oh merlin no. Not supporters of anyone. 'In Slytherin you'll make real friends, these cunning folk will use any means to their ends'" recited Andromeda.
"The hat repeats songs.. I thought it made up new ones" said Harry.
"There are... about fifty according to some Ravenclaws I knew" said Andromeda. "It changes the words a little bit, and sings off key."
"Does it?" asked Harry.
"You can't tell? Oh merlin, you really were rasied by oiks" said Andromeda.
Andromeda turned to Kreacher "Go back to your masters home" she said.
Kreacher popped away.
"Well... I think I might check Teddy now" said Harry.
"I'm going to call Roxanne" said Andromeda.
Andromeda walked to the unlit fireplace, lit it with a jab, and threw in floo powder. After the fire flared green, she knelt, said very clearly "Greengrass Manor" and stuck her head in the fire.
Harry ignored the muffled noises from the fireplace and played with Teddy.
Some time later, Andromeda walked over to Harry. "I'll get you the potion you need. I will go see Roxanne first, we apparently need to have a talk"
"I didn't.." protested Harry.
"I asked questions.. and I apparently can go get answers."
...
Andromeda sat down in an armchair in a small parlour, Roxanne Greengrass sitting in another chair.
"Roxanne" said Andromeda icily.
"Andromeda" said Roxanne, politely.
"Why is your daughter taking an all-system restorative often?" asked Andromeda.
"We won't discuss that" said Roxanne "Unless you swear an oath"
"Well as your girls were in bed with my head of house.." said Andromeda.
Roxanne grimaced "That is a very bad elf."
"It belonged to my aunt, you're lucky your daughters weren't directly potioned. Kreacher wanted to safeguard the family sucession" said Andromeda.
"Oh, so Potters' a wizards' wizard then" asked Roxanne.
"No, just shy" said Andromeda. "And mortified, and rasied by prudes"
"One of my girls won't leave her room"
"Well, why is she taking all-system restorative?" asked Andromeda.
"An oath not to disclose this" said Roxanne.
"I'm surprised you're going to tell me at all" said Andromeda. "I swear not to disclose what Roxanne Greengrass discloses to me in this conversation"
Roxanne nodded "The Greengrasses... have a... blood malediction" said Roxanne.
"Inherited" asked Andromeda.
"It skips some daughters and sons. It shows up in the generations to come."
"Well, if that came out, neither would ever be wed, would they" said Andromeda.
"It's not of the blood. It's a blood curse. One of Cyrus's ancestors, ahem, wronged a witch with a betrothal. Her family cursed his, till the ends of days, to weaken and die." said Roxanne.
"One of the old, terrible families" said Andromeda. "An unbreakable curse ... I assume it's been a long time. Unbreakable curse. They must have sacrficied a lot to cast that."
"Many centuries ago, and the family that cast it were, old, terrible and extinct" said Roxanne "It's family traditon that it's not technically unbreakable. A... ahem tryst with the family would lift the curse."
"Your daughters are... cursed" said Andromeda "Practically unbreakable then"
"Astoria has needed gilgamesh's girding solution daily for years" said Roxanne. "She will probably not see forty. I'm going to bury my daughter" Roxannes eyes filled with tears.
"My sympathies. Wheras your other daughter" asked Andromeda kindly.
"Daphne is not affected. Her children..." said Roxanne.
"My aunts and grandmother woud have burnt your blood from your veins for letting them enter society" said Andromeda, then smiled.
"And they ended up... potioned and in bed with Harry Potter" said Roxanne.
"Harry Potter-Black" said Andromeda. "Harry assures me he was asleep. Daphne"
"Dapnhe has told me" said Roxanne.
"Daphne was woken by Tori's... noises and stopped the... two witches-one wizard dry humping." said Andromeda, smiling.
Roxanne pursed her lips "That also will never be discussed"
"I exepect my sister would be interested" said Andromeda.
"You wouldn't" said Roxanne.
"Harry has, apparently not cuckolded Lucius's spawn" said Andromeda. "She did not take this potion today."
"Daphne said that. Before she locked herself in her room" said Roxanne.
"I had one very willful daughter. Is Daphne a troublesome child?" asked Andromeda.
"Oh merlin no. She is her sisters keeper. In a kinder universe Daphne would train as a healer. She must take on the family business. Astoria... cannot be given it to run" said Roxanne and sobbed.
"Harry strongly implied Both your daughters were humping him" said Andromeda.
"Becuase your family elf potioned them all" said Roxanne
"Luckily for us, Harry was dead drunk" said Andromeda
"The boy is very ill" said Roxanne.
"Panic attacks. His childhood was a series of skirmishes with he-who-shall-not-be-named. He dropped out of school to fight the war. It was joining the Aurors that broke him. Following the hit-wizards around, he saw domestics, and killed burgulars."
"My daughters gave a report of Potters' disclosures" said Roxanne
"And they have him gilgamesh's girding solution. It stopped the panic attack. I don't think we want to do that often."
"I have an idea" said Roxanne, "Sperasses reactive reagent"
"Huh?" said Andromeda.
Roxanne threw a book from her side table at Andromeda, which opened and showed a page. "A calming draft that takes effect when he becomes agitated. What would the dose be?"
"One, then another after every time it takes effect." said Roxanne.
"As maintence?" asked Andromeda.
"As treatment. The muggles have a technique called professive densistisation. The patient is exposed to the stresful thing, slowly, and over time ceases to reacet to it." saod Roxanne.
"Progressive Desensitisation. It is a very slow process" said Andromeda. "But... with this potion"
"Sperasses reactive reagent" said Roxanne.
"Harry would get better instead of having attacks"
"Would he go back to being an auror" asked Roxanne.
"No. He's... He's happiest gardening and looking after my grandson. Teddy is the heir of black, and two. Like my deceased Daughter, Nyphadora, he also is a metamorphagus."
"My daughters did express some amusement at Harry Potter, gardener and child care worker."
"A kind, loving man who likes gardeing, and is apparently quite satisfacory, even asleep" said Andromeda
"You cannot speak of it" said Roxanne tightly.
"And I shall not" said Andromeda, smirking.
-==0==-
Days later.
St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Mishaps is often the scene of Healers rushing about, shouting staccato phrases in latin.
Roxanne Greengrass runs into a room, just on shift change in Green healers robes "Tonks! I must speak with you" she says loudly.
Andromeda Tonks looks up from a logbook. "Urgently?"
"Urgent and personal" said Roxanne, who's hair was out of place.
Andromeda nods and Roxanne shuts the door and casts "colloportus". The door glows and sucks into the wall.
"Well, that's certainly dramatic. Is one of your girls pregnant? Harry swears he had his pants on all night"
"My daughter has not needed a girding solution since.. that debacle." said Roxanne.
Andromeda shook her head "Is the girl confused?"
"Harry Potter. His family tree... do you know it?" asked Roxanne anxiously.
"Somewhat" admitted Andomeda. "Why?"
"Is he related to ... old extinct families?" asked Roxanne urgently.
"I am not my mother." said Andromeda. "Harry's mother was a muggelborn; but very powerful. His father was James Potter, son of Fleamont Potter, the founder of Sleekeezy's. His paternal grandmother was Euphemia Potter nee Terginn; the Terginns are Americans. Who were you expecting? Eveningshades? Nothing I know of that horrific."
"We're sure it's not the Eveningshades or Selwyns." said Roxanne. "Or Blacks, for that matter"
Andromeda pursed her lips. "Blood curses like that are not our style. Boiling your blood, chains of purest night..."
"Well, my daughter has not needed the damn potion since. She won't tell me if your nephew Draco..."
"Please, my shift ends soon, I don't want to think about that boy touching women" said Andromeda sarcastically.
"We will need to ask the boy. Does he know his own family?" sked Roxanne.
"He has secrets from the war. There are... rituals that could be used if we had to find out" said Andromeda.
Roxanne blinked "Those are... awfully bloody rituals."
"We never had this conversation." said Andromeda.
"I have a day off on thursday. One pm. My house, bring the boy" said Roxanne.
"I will be working, Harry will have to bring Teddy." said Anromeda.
"Is he house trained?" asked Roxanne.
"Harry cleans up anything Teddy does" said Andromeda.
-==0==-
Harry Potter fidgeted in the dress robes Andromeda insisted he wear. Teddy sat on Harry's hip, in a green dungaree. Harry threw some floo powder in Andromeda's fireplace, picked up Teddy's bag and stepped into the fire "Greengrass Manor" he called.
Harry stepped out awkwardly into a large sitting room, cream and purple striped couches, chairs, reddish wooden side tables and a miniatuire potted palm.
In a chair sat Roxanne Greengrass in tidy brown robes. "Harry Potter, and .. Teddy" she said.
"Edward Remus Lupin, heir of the house of Black" said Harry. Teddy made a pock noise with his lips.
Harry walked to the nearby couch and sat, pulling Teddy onto his lap. "Teddy, we're going to talk to Roxanne. Then we'll go home"
"Ba" said Teddy, changing his hair to match the couch upholustry
"Oh.. he just does that" said Roxanne in shock.
"And hides in bookshelves disguised as a row of books" said Harry, smiling "He's my sneaky boy"
"Sneaky" said Teddy.
"So, Andromeda says I should tell you something?" said Harry bluntly.
"Are you related to any old, extinct families" asked Roxanne.
Harry stiffened and swalloed "Um... maybe" said Harry "Why?"
"Sweat an oath not to receal what I tell you" asked Roxanne.
"I Harr.."
"Not a magically binding oath... just I ,an idiot, swear not to reveal the substance of ths conversation with Roxanne Greengrass to any person"
Harry rolled his eys "I Harry James Potter swear not to reveal the substance of this conversation with Roxanne Greengrass to any person"
"The Greengrasses were cursed by an old family. A long time ago. Centuries. It effects Tori... well it did. She seems to no longer be effected"
"Why does my family tree matter" asked Harry.
"There's a family story that the cure for the curse is ... to have relations with a member of the family that laid the curse" said Roxanne. "I only married into it." she said stiffly.
"I.. the First Potter married the last daughter of the Peverells" said Harry. "Ingotius Peverell's granddaughter Iolanthe is my ancestress"
"The Peverells." said Roxanne. "Would they have known any... very dark magic?"
"Everyone knows the story of the three brothers?" said Harry.
"A childrens tale" said Roxanne "And irrelevant."
"Ignotious is one of the three brothers" said Harry. "I am the last Peverell."
"Deathly Hallows... a story" said Roxanne.
Harry opened a side pocket of Teddy's bag and pulled out a silvery cloak, and pulled it over himself. He diappeared, except for one arm and his head outside the cloak. "This cloak was the bride-gift of Iolanthe Peverell. In the year twelve eighty. I have had occasion to use the other two family heirlooms. Harry smiled a very very cold smile. "Some might call those dark magics. My cousins, the children of the other brothers Peverell, have not always been... kind."
"Not kind?" asked Roxanne.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle was the bastard son of the last Gaunt, and they are the children of Antioch Peverell. Antioch's Stone is... rather powerful." said Harry, putting his cloak away.
"Who's Tom Riddle?" asked Roxanne.
"He called himself Lord Voldemort, till I killed him" said Harry. "Like I said, my Peverell cousins haven't been the nicest people."
Roxanne Greengrass went pale "You... were related"
"Sadly. The Gaunts did rather like marrying their own cousins ... and siblings." said Harry.
"So.. Peverell" said Roxanne, "Astoria has not had an attack of the curse since..."
"Since she humped my leg and arm" said Harry. 'So.. the question is? Does Daphe need to hump my leg, or did she get off too?' thought Harry.
"Is there any way of telling if Daphne, ahem, was cured?" asked Harry.
"Daphne is ahem... reticent"
"Can't say I'd blame her." said Harry "Daphne dear, when Potter's elf potioned you and put Potter in the bed, when you woke up to the sound of your sister grinding on Potters left hand, did you happen to... what is it girls do?"
"Experience pleasure" said Roxanne teresely.
"This is the strangest, most awkward conversation it is possible to have" said Harry.
"If you had not been unconcious, it would have been much worse" said Roxanne. "Who knows what would have happened"
"Well, at the time, I had no idea. I've read a book now, thanks to Aunt Andromeda. I'd assume your daughters would... have .. .um.. well. We'd be talking about children"
"We would not. There are potions, for before, or after" said Roxanne, "and considering the mutually nonconsensual nature... Are you sure you're not Gay?"
"I... I like watching quidditch with your daughters and some other friends. I.. I was in love with Ginny Weasley.. but... things got complicated"
"Complicated? The Weasleys are poor, you are well off and famous." said Roxanne. Harry winced.
"I.. I have panic attacks" said Harry. "Ginny features in the nightmares, and.. sets off the panic attacks, shes... blunt."
"Well, that puts rather a damper on your romance" said Roxanne. "My commiserations."
"Mabye this new potion will help" said Harry.
"Are you taking it?" asked Roxanne.
"Took it three days ago" said Harry.
Roxanne smiled and said "If you'd woken, and assulted my daughters, you would have woken in the middle of a domestic incident. Daphne would surely have hexed you, and I doubt Astoria would have..."
"Come quietly?" asked Harry deadpan.
"So they would have taken up wands against you and hexed you for your assault on their virtue. Why, I expect the hit-wizards would have been called. Obvosly, you'd have won a fight... Daphne and Asotoria would have been hexed though walls."
Harry blinked rapidly, and his breathing caught, his hands shook and Teddy cried.
"Don't... talk about those kids of things" choked out Harry, panting.
"Why, afraid you'll snap and hex your dear little redhead?" asked Roxanne. Harry's head swayed and he blinked, his eyes watering. Slowly, his shaking slowed.
"You taunted me" said Harry raspily.
"To see the potion work. It clearly works." said Roxanne. "You need to take it again, now it has worked."
"That was very unpleasant." rasped Harry.
"Yet, you live. Next time you are triggerd to a panic attack, the symptoms will be milder, the attack harder to set off. In time, you will be resisitant to the panicing" said Roxanne.
Harry sat, trying to take deep breaths.
"But I won't be cured" said Harry, nearly normally.
Roxanne conjured a glass and filled it with her wand, and floated it over to Harry. He sipped "That was a shitty thing to do."
"You are visibly less affected today." said Roxanne, "Bertrams' paper recommended this technique and it seems to work."
"If I'd lost my temper..." said Harry.
"You have your godson here. You wouldn't do anything too deadly. I think I can probably duck a curse or two"
"I... I am probably more dangerous than you realise." said Harry. "I was very popular with the hit-wizards I worked with. The morgue had trouble recognising one of my burgulars."
"Oh... well you didn't.. .and Astoria seems ahem... cured" said Roxanne.
"Well, good luck for Malfoy" said Harry drily.
"No. Astoria will have to break that off" said Roxanne. "I'm thinking about having Astoria study the family business"
"So Daphne can study healding?" asked Harry enthusiastically.
"You two talked, didn't you?" asked Roxanne.
"A bit" said Harry, with a twitch of the lips.
"Well, feel free to court Daphne" said Roxanne. "I'm looking forward to not burying one daughter, and who knows, maybe not burying my grandchildren."
"Are you trying to guilt me into ahem... relations with Daphne" asked Harry, red faced.
"No." said Roxanne. "But if she doesn't inherit the family business, a Healer can always do with a kind husband with good childcare skills."
"Or house elves" said Harry.
"Well, non-insane house elves" said Roxanne.
Harry sighed "Most of the ones I've met have a bit mad" said Harry.
"I know it's not the fashion these days" said Roxanne, "but could you punish your house elf."
"I'm thinking about giving him clothes" said Harry.
"That might kill an old one like that... is there anything he really dislikes?"
"Muggleborns?" said Harry.
"you know that... one with the disasterous hair. Tell your elf to go work for the muggleborn for a week or two" suggested Roxanne.
"Well that's complicated... but I'll bear it in mind."
"Oh.. are you and the brown hair an item also?"
"Oh god no, she's like my adopted sister. She... um.. wants to free the house elves" said Harry. "Or at leat stop people beating them."
"Well, you can tell her about what Kreacher got up to. Might help her love house elves so much more."
'Hey Hermione, Kreacher arranged for me to be in a potion fuelled three way rape. Aren't house elves great' thought Harry. 'Have to work on the words for that'.
-==0==-
Quidditch happened.
Things on sticks were consumed. Mild digestive regret ocurred.
The Arrows lost.
...
Cider is being consumed.
"So.. Harry, Tori's been grounded, intensive course in the family business" said Daphne. "She hasn't had a relapse since..."
"Since then" said Harry. "You mother said you might be allowed to..."
"I have to do remedial potions NEWTs." said Daphne. "But yeah... If I can get an E or an O... an internship at St Mungos."
"How long to healer?" said Harry, scooping up the leftover small crisps and swallowing them.
"Eight years" said Daphne. Harry choked. "Bloody hell" said Harry.
"Are you choking" asked Daphne.
Harry swilled some cider "Just.. longer than I thought."
"That's why you never see really young healers" said Tracey. "They're all worked to a frazzle and look old and lined."
Daphne left the pub and Harry kind-of left at the same time.
"About you know... " said Daphne.
"Yeah can we just pretend that didn't happen" said Harry
"It did" said Daphne.
There was a pause.
"You're carrying an arrow next game" said Daphne "I'll get your lazy ass to go past the clubroom."
"club room?" said Harry
"The shed" admitted Daphne.
"We're a small team but big in heart" said Harry.
"Oh please, don't get all griffindor, you sap"
-==0==-
The next day Harry apparated to the ministry and waited a very long time to fill in a form to get his fireplace connected to the floo network and the helpful clerk at the ministry said 3 to 5 weeks.
Two days later, someone knocked on his door very early in the morning.
Harry opened the door and there was a confused looking wizard in robes that were almost overalls.
"Is this Harry Potters House it's just I got a job?"
"Oh yeah I applied to have my fireplace connected to the flu" said Harry
"Oh well show me which one it is" said the wizard coming in the front door.
Fortunately Harry only had to show him in to the front hallway. "This fireplace" said Harry.
"That's quite convenient" said wizard, who spent ages messing about with Harrys fireplace with a funny shaped five sided steel rule, tape measures that measure for themselves, and a hammer and a tiny Chisel
"Oh you see I have to get the Runes lined up just so then we hook it back into the network " Harry's eyes glazed over. It just sounded complicated and involved Runes.
After another hour his fireplace flamed up green.
"Well if you just signed here on me clipboard I can go back to the office" said the wizard.
Once satisfied, he jumped into the green flames disappeared.
Harry got a black letter by Owl that afternoon.
Harry worried, opened and read it it was from Draco Malfoy and he wasn't very happy. Wow very very unhappy apparently bamed Harry for Astoria not being allowed to visit anymore ever again.
Harry felt that was perhaps a tiny bit judging of Draco but hoped the blonde ferret would let it drop, and let the whole thing blow over.
-==0==-
Unfortunately for Harry the next day a second black letter came from Draco Malfoy challenging Harry to a duel. Harry had bad experiences with duels with Draco Malfoy and wrote a letter to Draco's Mother Narcissa Malfoy instead.
-==0==-
"Harry I've heard this ridiculous rumour that you're dating both Greengrass sisters" said Hermione.
"Well I did have both Greengrass sister in my bed and Astoria came down for breakfst late and happy." said Harry. "Daphne was bit more reserved about it."
Hermione blinked and went red "Harry" she said softly "Please tell me this is a joke."
"Um, you know how strange things happen in my life?" said Harry.
Hermione nodded.
"Well... this is... pretty odd. Totally not my fault.. I didn't even intend to be in the bed with the Greengrass sisters. You see apparently Kreacher thought that because I had two pure blood witches sleeping in my bed, which by the way is because we all got a wee bit too drunk to apparrate home and I totally was not trying to well you know." Hermione looked at Harry and crossed her arm.
"Well you see it all starts with Quidditch" said Harry.
Hermione covered face with her hands and groaned "Quidditch why does it have to be Quidditch."
"So I started going the quidditch games you know cos it's kind of relaxing the watching and I was going the puddlemere games because you know puddleres my team and has been my team since well you know fifth year" said Harry.
"And then I went to this match Puddlemere versus Appleby and it was a fabulous game and then after Puddlemere, the teams the actual teams not supporters were like so friendly and I was just wishing that school quidditch had been like that and then. Puddlemere played Appleby at Appleby so I went to see that match too, cos I thought well this is going to be great sportsmanship and I went and it was really, Cos it was really low key cause Appleby's like this tiny little place and we only have like a tent but it was really good quidditch and then I went with all the fans to the pub afterwards and we'll drink cider and ate snacks and you know, talk Quidditch."
Hermione groaned "that sounds awful" she said, with a slight smile.
"Yeah Andromeda that doesn't like quidditch either" said Harry.
"Funny, so anyway I got in the habit of going to Appleby games and talking quidditch afterwards and you know having a few pints and dinner on Sundays and it was pretty good and then I thought well you know I could like invite my quidditch buddies round for supper and it turns out mostly girls from our year but you know not well people we really know cos you know they're from Appleby and stuff and Blaise was telling us about the wine."
Hermione said "Blaise Zabini you had Blaise Zabini around for supper?"
"Well yeah I had to cause he's Tracy's boyfriend and Tracy's hilarious fun so we were talking to them, Blaze was talking about the wine and then Kreacher just keep putting new wine bottles and then we had like five bottles for five of us and then everyone said they would floo home but I hadn't had the floo connected. So then I went well it's easy Kreacher ; put another bed in my bedroom put the single witches in there. Tracy and Blaze in the spare room and I slept on the couch transfigured into a Bed. But then Kreacher thought that because I wasn't there and then there were two pureblood withces in that bed I should be in the other bed and then for some reason Kreahcer thought I was gay."
Harry paused.
"Well it's worse than that put me into the middle of the bed with Astora and Daphne Greengrass and then covered me in love potion so that they'd be some Black heirs made."
"Oh my god Harry did anything" asked Hermione, looking horrified.
"Well no because apparently I was dead drunk, so I didn't wake up at all and that and nobody took their pants off so that was all good, except apparently Astoria woke Daphne up, because Astoria was humping my arm noisily and so Daphne stunned me and stunned Astoria and then levitated me back down to the couch and then went back to bed."
Harry looked thoughtful "Except reasons and then stuff I can't talk about and then there's an old family curse from my family and it looks like my Peverell relatives cursed the Greengrasses and Astoria is not cursed anymore so her parents are making Astoria learn the family business so that Daphne can go and be a healer becuase that's what she always wanted to do. Except that means that Astoria can't court Draco Malfoy anymore and so Draco Malfoy was really angry and keep sending me black letters and really wants a duel and stuff and I can't do any of that because I just can't I don't want to fight anyone any more Hermione I just don't."
"Harry how long have you known the Greengrasses" asked Hermione.
"Several months" said Harry "I mean that we know both know Greengrass was in potions with us for four years."
"I was arithmancey and runes with Daphne Greengrass for years too" said Hermione. "She's a bit shy."
"Well Astorias not as shy as Daphne" said Harry "Astoria came down to breakfast looking all the disheveled."
"That's disgusting" said Hermione.
"Did you miss the bit when I don't know anything and where I was unconscious and being used by two women as just a thing to hump against" said Harry.
"Two women" said Hermione strangely "two women."
"Well yeah Daphne was affected by the weird potion Kreacher used as well but nothing weird everyone kept their pants on. Well I mean it was weird, and it's terrible and I don't want to talk about it, but now things are weird with Daphne."
Harry blushed "and now apparently this old family curse in it's lifted on Astoria and we're not sure about Daphne"
Hermione frowned "Harry even for you that's verging on Luna Lovegood levels of strangeness."
-==0==-
Finally the day came for the next Appleby match.
Harry was sleeping when someone banged on his bedroom door.
"Wake up wake up time to go and get the arrows."
Harry grunted, found his glasses and staggered out of his bed and opened his bedroom door.
They're standing in front of it in warm coat and woolly hat was Daphne Greengrass.
"Well what was it Get up" she said.
Daphne retreated to the stairs "Got to get those arrows, move it."
Harry shut his door, threw some clothes on and headed for the stairs.
Harry could hear voices from the dining room
"No Kreacher, I do not need a packed lunch" said Daphne.
"But Mistress" said Kreacher
"What did you call me" said Daphne, suddenly hostile
"Mistress" said Kreacher "Mistress is Mistress."
"I am not your mistress" said Daphne "Harry, your elf has gone mad."
"Kreacher, Daphne, is just a friend. Even though your poured potion all over us."
"See" said Daphne
"Come on , I'll sidelong you to the shed" said Daphne.
Harry stepped up and grabbed onto her arm "Grab closer I'm not bloody Merlin" said Daphne.,
Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders "Use both arms" said Daphne "I tend to spin a bit."
Harry held onto Daphne with both arms, uncomfortably aware of her woolly hat just bedside his chin "If you headbutt me I will hex you" she said, and they disappeared into darkness with a crack. The pressure on Harry was worse than usual, reminding Harry of that awful first apparation, carrying Dumbledore back to Hogwarts. The light and release of pressure hit Harry with a bang, and he fell over, Daphne landing on him with a whumf that knocked the wind out of him. He could suddenly smell flowers, and a delicious musky scent. He looked around, letting Daphne go. She stood up "Only spun a bit at the end" she said. "You broke my fall."
Harry got up, the field was mown low and there were flowers anywhere. Daphne tapped the lock on the shed with her wand, and got Harry to get out three of the poles, while she got the Arrows.
"We tend to travel with them like this; less chance of breaking the arrows." she said.
"Where are we going?"
"Tutshill" she said "You ever been there?"
"No… you side alone me there, I'll come back and get the poles." said Harry.
"Eh. Give me a minute I don't like apparating too often. Makes me queasy" said Daphne.
"In the war we used to chain apparate five places one after the other. Harder to track that way" said Harry.
"And get splinched" said Daphne. "ew."
Harry took a deep breath before they apparated. Daphne looked a bit flushed at they appeared at Tutshill "You're heavy" she said.
"I'll apparate you back to the shed after the match" said Harry.
"I'll hold you to that" she said, with a laugh.
"Tori will be late. she's um… not getting to sleep till late." said Daphne.
"Oh no, Is she sick?"
"No, just a wanker" said Daphne.
Harry apparated back to Appleby, picked up the three poles and Apparated back.
"You were quick" said Daphne.
"Practice" said Harry.
…
Harry got crushed up to Astoria and Daphne as they waved the Appleby arrows about.
The both smelt nice and were warm, and not some old bloke he didn't know.
True to his word, Harry showed off and Apparated Daphne back to Appleby with two Arrows and Poles.
Astoria appeared with a crack. "You could have pulled me along too, prat" she said.
…
The pub was unexpanded today, too many muggles, and Harry was jammed into a snug with Fred and Charlie , Tracey and Daphne and Astoria on the other. Tracey apologised for missing the match, her Parents had needed help with lifting charms.
-==0==-
Harry went to Sunday lunch at the Burrow, careful to bring some more potion with him.
Hermione flooed though just after Harry, knocking Harry onto the floor.
Harry got up and sat on the couch, where he'd be safer.
Ron clomped down the stairs, saw Harry, smiled, then saw Hermione and got a goofy look on his face.
Ginny came in the back door with a bang "Hey Mum, how much longer to lunch" she yelled.
Mrs Weasley turned to look at Ginny, a wooden spoon in her hand "Long enough that you can wash up and put some clean clothes on young lady."
"Hey Gin" said Ron "Look who's on the couch."
Ginny turned and finally Harry saw her face. She looked at Harry "You finally turn up" she said, looking a bit cross.
"Well, I had to go see the healers. I'm on a potion for it" said Harry "Sorry."
"Don't say sorry you prat" said Ginny, "Stay!" she said, and dashed off up the stairs.
Hermione and Ron were standing, holding each other and kissing slowly. Harry sighed.
Mr Weasely was still nowhere to be seen. The fireplace flared green and George stepped out. Harry saw George's face, just before he closed himself off, and George looked utterly bereft. George stood up, took a deep breath and said loudly "I'm here mum, you can serve the food now."
Then George looked at Harry and tipped his head. Harry made a tilting gesture and George sat down on the couch, turned to see Harry.
"So, Harry, what've you been doing?" asked George, the faint hint of a smile on his face.
Harry sighed "I got some potions for the panic attacks" he said, swallowing. "Longterm stress… then the Auror training went awful. I'm better off out of it" said Harry.
"That's interesting" said George "Because the word in the Alley is that Harry Potter had both Greengrass sisters in his bed at the same time. You dirty dog."
Harry blushed.
"You really did" said George, his eyes lighting up "Well, Harry, my sisters' not going to like hearing about that."
"George, it was a terrible accident" said Harry.
George coughed "Yup, my pants just fell off honestly" said George.
"I was sleeping in another room, everyone from the Applebys club was sleeping over, and well, no floo, can't apparate home pissed."
"And you sleep walked" said George "Onto two witches."
Harry sighed "Kreacher popped a passed out drunk me, into the bed, then poured potion all over me."
George went red "Crikey" said George "What ever made him do that."
"He was scared the house of Black would go extinct" said Harry. "The next day I took him to meet Teddy and Andy. He's calmed down since."
"And you" said George, making humping motions with his hands.
"Passed out, and still had my clothes on" said Harry, glossing over how little the witches had on, an that Tori had… done things.
"Have you dumped my sister" said George, suddenly serious but not depressed.
"Course not" said Harry. "The girls, they're mates. We go watch quidditch, wave those silly arrows, dissect the match over a few pints of cider and that's all. Of, and never have the fish at Appleby."
"And you still like my little sister?" asked George.
"Course I do" said Harry, and Ginny chose that moment to float down the stairs in a summery dress.
George heard the floor squeak and turned his head "Gin, isn't that a bit cold considering it's late autumn?"
Ginny blushed a bit and gave Harry a stern look. Harry was distracted by the vee of the dress.
Ron and Hermione had moved over to another couch and were talking to each other and holding hands.
"Budge over George" said Ginny.
Ginny sat down right next to Harry and said "Well, explain yourself."
Harry explained about 'having gone to two healers' and been prescribed a potion, that was going to eventually cure Harry. Ginny looked a bit annoyed "Can't they just fix you up?" she said.
"Apparently no, I've had too much stress for too long" said Harry. "But… I'm okay now."
"And what are you doing" asked Ginny, so Harry explained about being Teddy's carer now, and cooking for Teddy and Andy, and breakfasts at home.
"Are you still at Sirius's old place" asked Ginny, snuggling closer.
"I uh… I left. It was too much like a prison cell. I totally understand what Sirius meant now. Hating that place. I'm going to sell it" Ginny looked at Harry, narrowing her eyelids over her light brown eyes. "I live in a new house, where mum and dad's house was, in Godrics Hollow" said Harry.
"New house?" asked Ginny.
Harry laughed "Well, that was funny really" and explained about the Aurors coming, and then hiring a builder and … eventually the house. "If your Dad and Bill hadn't come over, cupboard doors would still be falling off" said Harry.
"Well, I've got today off, you can show me after lunch" said Ginny, and yawned.
"You all right?" asked Harry.
"I'm fine" said Ginny. "I only get Sundays off, and training's all day, and I sleep in the dorms."
"Better you than me" said Harry.
George, perched on the far arm of the couch said "Harry's changed teams."
Ginny looked at Harry "You what?"
"Um… Appleby Arrows" said Harry.
"You used to support Puddlemere." said Ginny "Why would you switch to the Arrows; they're a bit.. hopeless"
"Better than Cannons" said George. Ginny snorted.
"Prithcard's been playing really well recently" said Harry.
"Not at Tutshill he didn't" said Ginny.
"Yeah, but nobody can be on a roll forever" said Harry. "And well, Appleby, it's a family atmosphere. Everyone knows the team personally, and they have fun."
Ginny looked at Harry "Quidditch is a serious business" she said. "Third rate teams like … the Cannons excepted."
"Well, you're a Harpy, they're a league leading team" said Harry.
"Development squad" said Ginny. "I'm not a starter yet."
"You will be" said Harry.
Ginny blinked "You really believe in me, don't you."
"Course I do" said Harry. "You've been quidditch obsessed the whole time I've known you."
"You have to come to my first starting game" said Ginny.
"And I'll um… will your mum come?"
"I'll get two tickets" said Ginny. "So, probably not."
"Well, then I can ,um, leave Teddy with your mum" said Harry.
"Where's his Gran?" asked Ginny.
"Back at work" said Harry "She's a healer at St Mungos. A bit more important than an ex-auror dropout doing gardening."
"But you're Harry Potter, the man who won" said Ginny.
"I'm just Harry" said Harry, feeling suddenly tiny in Ginny's gaze.
"But" said Ginny.
"I got lucky" said Harry. "I took stupid risks, and a lot of people died because of it." he said.
By the time lunch was over Ginny was nearly asleep in her pudding.
Mrs Weasley gave Harry a look "I'll get her up to bed" she said, and with a flick, lifted a half-asleep Ginny and took her upstairs.
"What's with that?" asked Harry.
"Well, they train the Development squad as hard as they can, so on their off day' Ginny's really got nothing left" said Ron.
"You're doing Auror training ,and you're not asleep in your trifle" said Harry.
"Well, yeah, but.. Ginny went out and did drills for four hours this morning too" said Ron.
"What? On a rest day?"
"She says she needs to train harder, she really wants a reserve slot, and that's the only way to a starting slot" said Ron. "So if she trains harder than everyone else… she can get it"
"Did she even notice I wasn't around for months?" asked Harry.
"Well… yeah, but… she's been like this for months anyway" said Ron. George looked conflicted.
"Harry, Pro Quidditch well it's not like the Arrows who only play weekends" said George. "Ginny trains hard, if she makes a starters slot… she'll only be a starter for five, ten years tops." said George.
"A lot of effort to be finished in ten years" said Harry.
"Well, injuries and um, getting older" said George.
"Ron'll be an Auror miles longer than that" said Harry.
The conversation swept off to Hermione complaining about the dangerousness of being an Auror, and Harry felt the glassy calm of the potion flooding through him.
"Harry dear, are you all right?" asked Mrs Weasley. Harry blinked. "Um.. just my potion kicking in" he said. "It's triggered by a stress reaction. Calms me right down" he said blandly, rummaging in his jacket for a vial.
"What are you doing, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Taking some more. Once it's worked, it's time to take some more." said Harry, swilling the liquid.
"So how long will you have to take these… potions" said Mrs Weasley awkwardly.
"Till I stop having reactions" said Harry. "It's miles better already."
Ron muttered "Yeah, he's not on the floor shaking."
Harry chatted with Mr Weasley, and they tried to sketch out an idea for a library.
Hermione perked up at the word library and came over to look at Harry's terrible sketch.
"You know, Harry, Bill and I could lend a hand, and I've still got my book on magical building construction" said Mr Weasley. "I used it to build the Burrow."
Harry raised the idea of having the local Muggle builder do it.
"He's my neighbour's cousins' son" said Harry. "He's local, and he did a good job on my garage."
"Why have you got a garage, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Somewhere to keep the motorbike I transfigured out of a branch" said Harry "And I keep firewood in there, it keeps the rain off. I might get a car someday."
This set Mr Weasley off and Harry listened to a long monologue on Cars, and how you could modify them to fix their obvious flaws, like not flying or turning invisible.
"I was um, thinking about getting an ordinary car, maybe a four wheel drive, for winter" said Harry. "I can apparate around and carry things, but with a car I could go to a muggle shop and buy things and drive home with them" said Harry. Harry didn't notice the frowns from the Weasleys at the word "buy".
…
Ginny came down a few hours later, looking a bit tousled. Harry was reminded of Astoria's entrance and blushed.
Ginny sat down against Harry and said "So, you going to show me your house this afternoon?"
-==0==-
Lunch on Sundays followed by "visits" to Harry's place made a change from Harry's old routine. He likes his new routine. Even if Ginny mostly falls asleep on the couch, drooling. Some snogging happens. Ginny rolled her eyes at the furniture and called Harry a poser when she first saw it. She was just joking around.
Months pass.
-==0==-
Spring comes and the weekend Quidditch matches for the lower tier teams.
Harry decides to go with Weasleys… and Ginny over Appleby vs Caerphilly.
Ginny's appreciative and starts snogging Harry enthusiastically on the couch in his sitting room. Harry's sliding his hands over Ginny's iron abs, when a sudden glassy calm comes over him and his head wobbles.
"Harry?" said Ginny "Are you all right?" She's flushed and her lips look so very kissable.
Harry blinks for a bit "Um… I think my potion just went off."
Ginny frowns "what?"
"Um… it's triggered by heart rate, I think" said Harry, trying to feel smiley.
Ginny giggles "Oh, did I get your heart racing, Harry Potter?"
Harry sighs "I feel a bit… glassy right now."
"Well, I suppose I can kiss you" said Ginny. Harry finds it weird… he's not feeling excited, and Ginny's kissing and biting his lips. Slowly, Ginny gives up "Well ,you're a bit cold today, Harry Potter" she says. Harry raises his hand "I have a medical note" he says.
"Well, you're still" Ginny pokes Harry "Lying there like a cold fish."
"Ow" says Harry. "Don't poke me."
"Next weekend you better not have taken that potion" said Ginny "I don't want you freezing up just when I'm about to jump on you."
'I'm quite adequate even unconscious' thought Harry.
-==0==-
Sunday morning and Harry floos over to the Weasleys, and takes Ron aside "Ron, we need to talk about Auror stuff."
"Oh, you thinking about coming back?" asks Ron guardedly.
"Um… well,. That calming potion. It triggers when my heart rate goes up" said Harry.
"So" said Ron. Hermione blushed and giggled. "Ron," said Hermione "Harry was snogging Ginny and got excited."
"And then I felt calm" said Harry "The ultimate mood killer."
"I dunno" said Ron. "I'm not sure I want you getting excited around my little sister."
Hermione whacked Ron on the arm. "Ron, Ginny and Harry have been back together for months and months. At least let them have a decent snog. Harry doesn't pour cold water on us when we snog?"
"Maybe I should" muttered Harry.
"Oy" said Ron.
"Okay" said Ron, and started talking about a bust Ron had gone on. Harry listened, picturing the raid, then as Ron started reciting "So one guy, he was using poison gas clouds, Frithen got him with a desculpo, ripped his guts out." Harry suddenly felt the icy calm descend. Harry raised his hand "you can stop now" he said calmly. Hermione looked a bit concerned "You didn't tell me it was that dangerous" she said accusingly.
"A perfectly normal everyday raid" said Ron. "Two of them in the cells, two in the morgue. About the usual" Hermione gave Ron a look that Harry identified as 'we will talk about this later'.
Harry also suspected Ron might be going without for a few days. The icy calm made even the thought of his two best friends shagging seem inconsequential.
After lunch Ron said to Ginny "We got that potion out of him."
Ginny smiled.
-==0==-
Ginny and Harry floo home to Harry's place and went into the sitting room, where Ginny sat down on the couch
"Probably" she said "time for a snog."
Harry sat down not feeling super calm, feeling actually a little nervous and they kissed it was really very nice for Harry and then they were Snogging and Harry's heart started to pound faster this was better than nice this was really really nice and fact Harry was starting to really resent that bloody potion this was great. Harry was discovering the shape of those abs of Ginnys when there was a loud crack in Harry's front hallway; the crack of apparation and then someone yelled out "Oy Potter where the fuck were you Harry?"
Daphne Greengrass walked into Harry's sitting room to find Harry with his hands up Ginny's blouse and Ginny has her hands all over Harry
"Oh you're shagging the she weasel. OK well I'll just come back later because you weren't at the fucking match to support the team, you know, our team you fucking casual!" Daphne storms back into the front hallway and disappeared with a crack.
Ginny turned to Harry "what was that about" she said, angrily.
"Well see" said Harry nervously "Daphne and Tori and Tracy and Lilith,
we go to the Appleby's matches and you know wave the arrows and stuff"
"I noticed all of those names were girls names" said Ginny darkly.
"Yeah but that's really just sort of an accident I mean you know Appleby's my team and you know I'm missed a couple of matches now, you know to be with you" said Harry.
Ginny said "And how come this friend of yours knows your house's apparation coordinates."
" Daphne and Tori and Tracy and Lily and Blaise, you know they came around for Supper one Sunday night" said Harry.
"You had those witches is around at this house for supper" said Ginny stonily.
"Then we all got drunk and had to sleep at all off it's kind of funny really" said Harry.
Ginny stood up looking rather irritated .
"Are you two-timing me with some Slytherin bitches" said Ginny.
"No" said Harry blushing. 'Ginny spotted a bit of a lie' thought Harry.
"Are you fucking out of your fucking mind" said Ginny.
"It wasn't my fault" said Harry and Ginny drew her wand and hit him in the face with the bat bogey hex
"That fucking hurt" said Harry, giant bats made of snot crawling out of his nose to attack him.
Ginny hit him in the arm was an overpowered Stinging Hex.
Harry acting on reflex pulled his wand and with a single wordless incantation banished Ginny into the wall. She hit the Stone wall with a loud crack and slipped down it.
Harry looked 'oh my' there was blood so much blood, her eyes they weren't moving.
Harry's chest started to get really, really tight he couldn't breathe he took a few staggering steps towards Ginny, and the room started to get dark from the edges, a few more steps and Darkness.