This chapter is super short. But life has been hectic, and while I have backlog written, it is not typed in the computer. Additionally, October is Infant Loss Month, to those of you who are the 1 in 4, my heart goes out to you, and my deepest condolences.

Thank you all for reading.

Chapter 23

Kreacher prepared several trays of food for the meeting with Arthur Weasley. Since they asked him to come alone it was decided to keep the group small. Sirius, Lucius, Harry and Hermione. Hermione strongly suspected Molly would be in tow, maybe even Ginny and the twins.

When Mr and Mrs Weasley emerged from the floo no one seemed too surprised. Hermione briefly wondered if she would remember to keep a civil tongue. She doubted it. It also decreased the chances of ending this calmly. Sirius welcomed the Weasleys, ignoring the face on of them was uninvited, and unwanted. Kreacher served the tea and food. Sirius smiled tightly once everyone had been served. "As indicated in my letter we wanted to discuss an important matter with you." he began.

"This has to do with the potions incident, doesn't it? That was a harmless prank." Molly snapped. "You are making too much of this. Arthur, we are leaving." She started to stand.

"Molly sit down. The twins were insistent we hear Sirius out."

"Thank you, Arthur. Now, as I was saying, this is important. We have evidence that the girls, more specifically Ginny and Essence, are the ones who administered the potions." Molly began to sputter. "Our concern is Miss Broadmoor intends to frame Ginny and the twins." Molly's mouth remained opened but speechless. "With your permission we would like to offer Ginny what the muggles call a plea bargain. If she agrees to tell us, and the aurors, the truth, we will forego any legal action against her. We can't promise that there won't be repercussions at school for lying to the headmaster, but no criminal charges."

"Absolutely not!" Molly insisted instantly.

"Now, Molly, don't be so hasty. Obviously they know something we don't."

"I don't like this. It was harmless fun."

"Was it?" asked Harry his voice dripping with venom, surprising Molly. "I didn't have fun. And I'm pretty sure my chances with the girl I do like have been ruined."

Arthur put his hand on his wife's shoulder. "We will let Ginny decide. We should go get her. This needs to be finished."

The group remained sitting while the Weasleys fetched their daughter. "Do you think Ginerva will agree?" Lucius asked.

"If she believes she's really in trouble." Harry replied. "If she thinks her mother can protect her, she won't." Hermione nodded in agreement.

Arthur lead a sulking Ginny into the room, followed by a pinch faced Molly. Hermione suspected they fought about it more at home, this time Molly losing completely. Ginny sat down between her parents, her arms across her chest. Sirius gave her a small reassuring smile. "Like we told your parents, received some information that you and Essence gave the boys the potions. If you tell us everything we will arrange for you to not be changed legally." Sirius paused, "I can't promise no school punishment, but nothing outside of that."

"Mum said I didn't have to say anything if I didn't want to." she whined. "I have nothing to say. You don't know anything."

"We know you used the twins' candies without their knowledge." Harry told her.

Doubt flickered in Ginny's eyes. She started at a point on the wall above everyone's heads. Her jaw tightened. "She's going to blame it all on you and frame the twins." Hermione said quietly.

Ginny glared at her. "You don't know everything, Hermione."

"I know girls like Essence Broadmoor never do things like this without an exit strategy. Every thing she's done, she did in a manner that doesn't automatically lead back to her. And as legal adults, the twins would get prison time. Unless someone tells her side of the story first."

"You could prevent that." Ginny argued nastily.

"How? No one is going to accept the story they didn't know, especially with their little sister involved. Circumstantial, yes, but still enough."

Ginny broke down sobbing into her hands. "I never meant for this to get so out of hand. I just wanted Harry to like me." she wailed.

"Just take a deep breath, Ginny. Tel us what happened." Sirius told her.

"All summer Harry seemed too busy for me. And when he did visit for his birthday, he left mad because Hermione wasn't invited. It was always Hermione. And I just knew she was telling Harry bad things about me."

Harry interrupted. "Why do you keep insisting that? We keep telling you she doesn't."

"Because that's what I would do." she said in a small voice. Arthur gave her a sad look. "Once school started, I tried to get Harry's attention. Eventually Essence noticed my frustration. I explained how Hermione kept blocking me, and she offered to help.

"Essence suggested that if Hermione had her own troubles it would distract her from Harry. It sounded reasonable, so I agreed.

"Theo started hanging around Essence, and that got to Hermione. But nothing changed. Harry still didn't seem interested. Then Essence offered me these candies she had. She never said where she got them. Suddenly, Harry wants to spend time with me. We snogged at the victory party. Everything seemed great until they scanned people for love potions." Ginny sighed. "I didn't know for sure that the candies had love potions, but I knew they had something." She looked at Harry. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry you did it, or sorry you got caught?" Ginny looked down, shame spreading on her face. Harry groaned, "I won't say this fixes everything, or that we can even be friends again, but thank you. Apology accepted."

Ginny wiped the tears away. "I think I understand."

"Finally." Harry muttered to Hermione.

"What happens now?" Arthur asked.

"Sirius and I will speak with the officials we know and explain the situation. Once we have them on board, Ginny will contact the aurors and confess anything." Lucius told them. "Narcissa suggested that waiting until after the holidays, no need to disrupt things any further." He paused, "It should go without saying, but I want to be clear, if you warn Essence about your coming confession, the deal is off."

Arthur nodded. "Thank you all. We need to get home and discuss these events further."

"Of course, please remind Fred and George about of our appointment. I'm very interested in their joke shop ideas." Molly stared, clearly shocked. "What I've seen from Harry and Draco was simply brilliant. They show great potential."

"I doubt they need reminding, but I will." Arthur shook hands around. Molly nodded to them. Ginny stared at the floor. Molly steered her towards the floo.

After the Weasleys left Harry cornered Hermione. "Do you think Tracey will be at any of the parties before New Years?"

"Why?"

"I want to explain everything and apologize in person. I mean, I know she knows, Draco told me. But I feel like I owe her something. We were on the verge of something, and my refusal to be cruel to Ginny ruined it."

"We haven't discussed any plans she may have."

"Will you ask her?"

At Harry's behest, Hermione contacted Tracey to ask if she would be at the Ministry Ball or the Pucey's. Instead of writing back, Tracey flooed over.

"So, why do you want to know?" Tracey asked slyly.

"Who said I wanted to know?" Tracey gave her a confused look. "Harry."

"Oh. I heard about the love potion thing." Tracey looked away.

"Yeah, he feels terrible. Actually, he kinds of assumes this destroyed any chance he had with you. Which makes him miserable, and pisses him off in turns. He's been lovely to be around I assure you."

"Is it wrong of me to feel happy about that?" She asked uncertainly.

"Yes and no. I felt the same way. Then Sirius told me about two girls who were potioned his sixth year. It doesn't end well. And none of it was their fault."

"Is that why you forgave Theo?"

"Really, there was nothing to forgive. And he's done a better job punishing himself then I could. He's a victim, too."

"Ugh. Does it always feel this annoying being noble?" Tracey asked.

Hermione shrugged. "It can be. But ask yourself what do you want more: to be indignant over hurt pride, or Harry?"

After a second, Tracey answered, "Harry."

"Then go get him. Don't worry about going big, just go. Theo and I have a date tonight. He's taking me ice skating. Then we might walk around the Granger's old neighborhood looking at Christmas decorations. Depends on how long we skate."

"Given how he feels about his aunt and uncle, I doubt Harry wants to revisit Little Whining."

"But Salisbury has a bunch of decorations, you could take a stroll around the village."

"That could work, baby steps before I wow him at New Years with my new dress."

"Oh really?" Hermione teased.

"Yes, really. I convinced my mum that your mum let you get something similar."

"Let? She picked it our and allowed no arguments. Then Dad and Sirius began the Great Jewelry War of 1995. Both of them forbid Theo from getting me anymore jewelry, so I have to pick between the ones they got me."

"Poor, pitiful Hermione showered with jewels as a form of affection."

Hermione threw a pillow at her head. "Just remember, revenge is a dish best served cold."

"So how are we getting revenge on Essence and Ginny?"

"At the moment, Ginny's punishment at home is punishment enough. I can't explain more, but trust me, when the twins are unhappy with you it isn't pretty. As for Essence, tonight I'm going to enjoy her dream date with the guy she wants."

Tracey smirked at her friend. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go claim me a Gryffindor."

"Have fun."