Author's Note:
I'm giving you a second update back to back even though I spent a few hours contemplating abandoning this story after the massive influx of negative reviews I just received. But instead, I have decided to double post for two reasons:
First off, the amount of reviews I received in less than 12 hours astounded me and despite the fact that almost half of them were very negative, downright rude, and made me think about quitting entirely, I want to make it clear that I do have a plan. I am almost always a minimum of ten chapters ahead of what I am currently posting. I don't write this week to week.
And secondly, for those of you claiming that you are done with this story and no longer plan to keep reading it, I am sorry to hear that and good luck in future endeavours. It's quite hurtful to see that after writing this story for well over a year, so many people can suddenly review to tell me anonymously that they've quit reading, that I don't know what I'm doing, and that they no longer have an interest in this story. I don't know why you feel the need to tell the author that when I don't even know who you are, but thank you for taking the time to boost my review count. I think you will be missing out on a lot of story (and maybe I'm being biased, but I think it will be pretty damn good)!
For those who are kind enough to keep reading it and to trust me — this one is for you. I love you!
Reviews and Comments: To Covley Hatake: You think Dean purposely interrupted them? Interesting, you will have to see! Thank you! To LifeonEarth: I know, poor Harry! Thank you! To coloredwords: I think Harry very much would have liked to punch Dean lol. But that's not really his style! I know, poor Theo. He doesn't deserve that, not that anyone does. Thanks for liking the path I'm taking with Harry's magic. Thank you! To Guest: It will definitely not be another 100 chapters before Hinny and considering I am well over a year before it happens in canon, you should be more patient. I'm sorry that you're quitting the story. That's your choice. Thank you. To geoslim21: I'm sorry you feel I have too many sex scenes in this story and that they have now become stale. I disagree, but honestly telling an author that you skip chunks of their story is kind of rude. That's like telling someone you watched the film they stared in, but skipped ahead to the end and missed out on the middle. If you don't want to read something because it doesn't interest you, that's fine, but it's hurtful to tell someone you love their story but are ignoring chunks of it. Thank you for your thoughts.
To Blaze1313: Harry definitely has bad luck. Harry and Ginny will be soon. Thank you! To Menna Taha: Yes, I like to answer my reviewers! I know, poor Harry was too slow. Thanks for being on the edge of your seat! What a compliment! Thank you! To Saz J: I know lol. Yes, it was touch and go with Zee! Theo is starting to set himself on a path that's for sure. Thank you! To White Squirrel: I'm sorry that you think the Mandy breakup was handled badly. I felt it was much better to have her breakup with him before they hurt each other. As to the Ginny/Dean subplot, make you should wait and see what I have planned before judging. I am a minimum of ten chapters ahead of this story almost all of the time, so I do have a plan. I'm sorry that you feel this story has become a soap opera. I disagree. Thank you for your thoughts. To plussizebarbie: I am sorry for killing you, I promise it's almost over! Thank you! To supersandman86: You knew Harry would miss his opportunity? Ginny is definitely going to be thinking about Harry's conversation with her, that's a promise. Yes, we will see more of Hermione and the house elves. Thank you! To OneDocToHealThemAll: I know I am a horrible tease lol. Yes, Dean does need to learn some manners! Thank you!
To Moony The Sheep: Thank you for liking the blood boil curse! I worked very hard on trying to create it and then describe it appropriately. I always appreciate being called a genius. Thanks for loving my Dobby bit too. Theo does need to figure out the Macmillan thing and he will, just not yet. You want Peter to find his way back into the light? We will have to see. Yes, Ginny said yes to another bloke in front of Harry, poor guy has rotten timing. Thanks for being excited about potential future gay scenes as well, I appreciate that after the negativity. Thank you! To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: I know, poor Harry. Thank you! To Guest: I know, the Theo storyline is still going for a bit, but it will be resolved. I promise. Thank you! To Guest: I'm sorry that you think this Hinny storyline is too predictable or worth it for you to stick around. I write first for myself and I have a plan and as I've said multiple times, I am many chapters ahead of what I post. I don't need to know that you've stopped reading when you can't even bother to leave a name. Thanks anyway. To Hailie: Patience, I promise, it's worth it. Thank you! To purplevictory: Yes, poor Harry! Thanks for assuring me that my red hair is not the sign of the devil lol. Please don't slam your forehead against anything lol and yes, I suppose I do specialize in cruelty. As I've said, I rather love the Evil Queen. You want Charlie and Theo to end up together? I have many plans for Theo, I can promise you that! Thank you! Thanks for the second review assuring me that my warnings were there from the beginning. Thank you!
To Cole79: I'm sorry you feel this story has reached full-on soap opera level. I disagree and I really wish people would trust me and give me the benefit of the doubt after reading this story for as long as you have been. Sorry you feel you need to stop reading this story because of one scene that hasn't been explained yet. Thank you for your thoughts. To SHolmes34: Thank you! To midnitewanderer: You think Dean should screw up the date royally in Hogsmeade? We'll see, thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Blue Luver5000: Thank you! To ZeeNooblet: Don't think I am literally killing you, LOL. Thank you! To smallwjl: I'm sorry you are finding this story so annoying. Thank you for your thoughts. To Guest: Again, I am already plotting Hinny a full year before they end up together in canon, please be patient. Thank you. To speedsONEandONLY: Bellatrix does not know about her vault, no. Unfortunately, Draco will not be doing that to Abraxas as that title will go to Lucius first. Castration with a rusty spoon and bat cumbogies is quite the image lol. Thank you! To aj613: Harry's timing is killing all of us. Please have faith in me. Thank you! To ladyinwaiting2005: You think Gryffindor should win and Harry should grab Ginny and snog her? Wait and see! Thank you! To Guest: Sorry to hear your impatience has run out. I can promise it will not take another 100 chapters to get to Hinny. It is already a full year before canon. Sorry you won't keep reading and miss all of the story I have planned. Thank you for your thoughts.
To x-shadow-x-kisses-x: What a phrase: "You got me horny then cut my dick off, and I'm a fucking girl." Thanks, I think? To AlexTheMischiefer: It won't be much longer, I promise! To Guest: Yes, I suppose it was a bit evil, but goodness to come, I promise. Thank you! To Leaf Ranger: I'm sorry you love this story but seem to hate everything about it at the same time. I don't even know how to respond that. Thanks for reading I guess? To nesciamema: You think Hermione should rat out Harry's intentions to Ginny? That would be sneaky. Thank you! To geekymom: Thank you! To Dianne: I know, it is so many interruptions, but I promise it's worth it. Thank you! To J Jamie Dupane: Thanks for wanting to be my loyal minion if I'm Satan LOL. Thank you so much for your long and thoughtful review. Thank you for appreciating Sirius and Lady G, and Zee's moment with the blood curse. I appreciate your thoughts on Voldemort's reactions to failure, I wanted to show these difficulties he's experiencing in trying to culminate his plans. I am trying to show the complexities of Peter because despite what he did, I don't think he is a bad person. Not completely. But he is a coward. Thank you for saying the view of Harry's growing power shows confidence in what's to come. I loved having Misha and Sorcha show up and Misha ultimately saving the day. I'm glad you enjoyed the scene with Dean and Seamus and seeing Dean not know what to do with his feelings. I know Dean swooping in on Ginny seemed mean and evil, but I do have a plan and I thank you for trusting me (you are one of the few it seems). Thank you for saying the Theo scene is under-valued. Thank you as always for such a beautiful and thoughtful review with both praise and criticism. Thank you!
To Guest: Sorry to hear you are sick of everything in this story. Thanks for reading up to this point. To Wolf's scream: Yes, Ginny understands that Harry needs her and is being there. Yes, the panther's reaction to Sirius is kind of a trump card for the healers lol. Harry has learned how to use a bit of leverage lol. Ron can be perceptive, sometimes, yes. Thank you! To alix33: Unfortunately, Bulstrode has survived, but Lady G definitely did some damage. Thank you for finding the James and Lily bit so moving. Thank you! To Matt9917: No, it's not wrong to want to knock their heads together. Thank you! To Account Deleted: Thank you very much! Knowing you've read this story more than once is the ultimate compliment! To RedheadLover: I know, but please trust me. Thank you! To Jmcglynn522: No, I didn't kill Zee, so that should give me some points, right? Thank you for support on the gay storyline and sticking up for me, I appreciate it. Thank you! To xXQueenofDragonsXx: Wanting to murder Dean is an acceptable reaction. Thank you! To Kate: Yes, three times and Dean still beat him. Wait and see, thank you!
My posting schedule: Once a week.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN:
The One Where the Glacier Finally Melts
When Theo left the pub, he was feeling pretty confident with the way of the meeting. Smith seemed like a standup bloke and he had explained things very clearly. Smith was going to file a formal motion to the Ministry's Magical Office of Law outlining why at sixteen, Lord Theodore Thaddeus Nott, was eligible to inherit his full worth and titles due to the fact that his father, Lord Thaddeus Cantankerous Nott, Marquess of Norfolk, was both a wanted criminal and a known Death Eater.
There was only one problem with doing so: It would instantly alert his father to his plans, which would then alert the Dark Lord.
But Theo was already thinking up ways to get out of that. If he could convince his father that he had taken over the titles and wealth in a way to take the heat off of the Nott Family, he might be able to pull it off. As much as he wanted freedom in this way, he knew that he was also digging himself a bigger hole; one that he was more afraid than he wanted to admit. As when all of this was said and done, just how the Dark Lord was going to react to it all terrified him.
He checked his watch and saw that he still had ten minutes to meet up with Blaise and Draco. He knew how nervous Blaise was today concerning the meeting with his mother and he didn't want his friend to be there alone. He moved quickly through the streets and through the throng of students, down into the homes and houses. The house on the end of the street with the black roof was the one that he was looking for, but he recognized his friends up ahead and made haste to catch up with them.
Blaise's face sagged in relief when he caught sight of him. "You made it!"
"I told you that I wouldn't be too long."
His gaze met Draco's before the three of them stepped into the home with Blaise in the lead. The woman who answered the door had clearly been Imperiused as she seemed to stare right through them. She pointed to the back and they looked uneasily at each other before moving to the back of the house.
Blaise stopped in front of them and Theo peeked around his friend's shoulder discreetly. Bellarosa Zabini, Baroness of Sardinia, sat in a Queen Anne chair, her legs crossed delicately as she balanced a cup of tea on her knee. As always, he found himself a little shocked at the sight of her. She was beyond beautiful.
Her skin was the colour of dusky golden brown caramel and her thick dark black hair hung in soft waves just past her shoulders. Her dark brown eyes shone out of her perfectly done up face and she wore a matching skirt and jacket in a vibrant purple over a white silk blouse unbuttoned just enough to show the lovely swell of perfect cleavage peeking over a lace tan bra. As usual, she had diamonds glistening at her ears and her neck, gold and jewels flashing on her wrists, and her hands were adorned in rings. She smiled sweetly at them.
"Boys, lovely, come sit!"
"Ciao, Mamma," Blaise said, moving to kiss her cheek.
Bellarosa smiled warmly. "Ciao. Theo, Draco, come kiss!"
Theo and Draco both kissed her cheeks in turn before taking seats in the chairs in the living room. Bellarosa poured them each cups of tea before she spoke.
"I didn't expect all three of you to come today, but I suppose that I should have."
Blaise sat his teacup on the table. "Yeah. So, a werewolf, eh?"
As if on cue, her eyes filled with tears. "It was so spaventoso! So much blood! But he could not be saved," she said sadly, a perfect single tear rolling down her cheek. "Era l'amore della mia vita. I will never find amore again!"
Theo rolled his eyes at Draco, whose lips twitched slightly in response.
"Mamma, cut the cazzate, we both know what happened to Jason was hardly an accident."
Bellarosa's eyes widened in horror. "How dare you imply that I hurt him, Blaise Antonio? Am I a werewolf? No!"
Blaise only crossed his arms in front of him. "What you are is a conniving puttana and we both know it."
Bellarosa's eyes darkened.
"Mamma, why did you come here? The entire British Ministry of Magic is looking for you. You were safer in Sicily."
Bellarosa tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I come to see my caro ragazzo and this is how mio figlio treats me."
"Mamma…"
Bellarosa let out a huff, taking a sip of her tea. "You have always been too much like me for your own good, Blaise Antonio." When he didn't respond, she tapped her fingers on her knee. "I've come here to do some work for Signore Oscuro. I will be careful."
"People are looking for you."
"They are, but I will not be found."
Blaise snorted. "The day will come, Mamma, when you won't be able to get away with everything just because of your looks."
Bellarosa smiled. "For Christmas, you will say that you are going home with your grandparents in Rome, but Benito will pick you up and bring you to Procida to stay at our home there. We will be having a very important visitor over the holidays."
Blaise swallowed. "Mamma, I have told you, I don't want any part in your Dark Lord."
"He is il nostro signore oscuro and you will show him the proper respect when you meet him. You will listen to what he has to say."
"And if I do not come home?"
Bellarosa's eyes narrowed slightly. "Blaise, il mio amore, do you not trust your own, mamma?" His look must not have satisfied her because her eyes darkened. "You will come home. You will meet our guest and treat him with respect. You will listen to what he has to say. And when he asks you a question, Blaise, you better think very hard about what you want your answer to be. Capisci?"
"Sì, Mamma," he said quietly.
She nodded at him before turning to Draco and Theo.
"Theodore, your father has been talking of you very much as of late. Signore Oscuro finds you very interessante and says he looks forward to meeting you again."
Theo swallowed, the ball of fear in the pit of his stomach surprising him. "I look forward to it, Signora Zabini."
"You too, Draco," she said with a smile. "Brax has been raving about his grandson and Signore Oscuro says he cannot wait to meet the newest Malfoy heir."
Draco's eyes met hers cooly. "I look forward to it, Signora Zabini."
Bellarosa nodded, examining her beautifully manicured hands, the red nails filed to a point. "Voi ragazzi would do well to remember that we are purosangue. We are the elite of the magical world and we will never stay as such if we do not fight for it."
The three of them only stared at her.
She crooked her finger at Blaise who stood up to kiss her cheeks again. "Ciao. Have a good term."
Theo and Draco kissed her cheeks in turn before they led Blaise out of the small house. None of them spoke a word until they had reached the village again. Draco erected a privacy charm around them in an alley before he spoke.
"Well, guess that makes it official then. The Dark Lord is interested in us, that's what she said."
Blaise growled in frustration. "That puttana is going to get all of us killed."
Draco only stared at him. "We all knew that it was coming, Blaise. Theo already met him."
"And I told you, it was awful," Theo said, shivering slightly at the memory. "I'm telling you, our Occlumency is not strong enough to keep him out. He didn't bother digging into my mind. He gave me a cursory examination and that was it."
"Maybe that's how we can keep him out," Draco said quietly.
Theo's gaze shot over to his friend. There wasn't a way to keep the Dark Lord away, hadn't they just established that? Their families were all involved and how were they supposed to avoid him when he was invited into their own homes over the holidays. They were all involved whether they wanted to be or not.
"Draco, Snape told me that we can refuse his offer, but he will kill us! Torture us! Or worse, go after the people we care about! We have no choice!" Theo exclaimed.
Draco shook his head. "I'm not saying refuse him, Theo. I'm saying — join him."
Theo paled. "Draco… do you know what he makes you do? To become one of his followers, you have to do something worthy. I asked for a puppy as a child and Father told me no because he would force me to kill it — after it loved me! Father told me that when he joined up, his first order of business was to kill a puppy who loved him! He had to torture this innocent puppy for over an hour after he had spent weeks taking care of it, before he was given a knife and told to slice it open! That's how he earned his tattoo! I'm not killing a fucking puppy!"
Blaise grabbed Theo's arm. "Theo, that's not what Draco's saying… is it?"
Draco let out a slow breath. "I don't want to kill anything or anyone either, Theo! Do you think that I want this? I'm just saying that we lay low. We grovel. We show him the respect and admiration that he expects of us and maybe he won't dig deep into our minds. Father told me that unless he thinks we are hiding something or unless he needs information, he doesn't just assault the minds of his followers. If we show him faith and loyalty, he will take it at face value. He doesn't care enough to look deeper."
Blaise stared at him for a long moment. "That means lie to everyone, Draco. Mamma knows that I'm not keen on him and so does your father. How are we supposed to pull that off?"
Draco nodded. "Yes, but my father told me that it's about survival. We have to keep each other safe no matter what. I need to protect my mother and if we run, who will protect her? My father is too much under my grandfather's control; he's not getting out and Mother won't leave him. Theo and I promised to keep an eye on her. No matter what happens, it's about keeping our loved ones safe, right?"
"Mamma said it, Draco, we are the elite of the magical world and we have to fight to keep it. That's what the Dark Lord ultimately wants. The purebloods to be in charge; to be in control."
Theo shook his head. "I don't believe that. Purebloods aren't the elite. In fact, I think we're part of the problem."
Draco scoffed. "We're superior, Theo, it's obvious. We've had superior blood for centuries. Do you really want some Muggleborn like Granger running the world?"
"I'd take Granger over the Dark Lord in a heartbeat," Theo shot back. "Blood doesn't always win out, Draco. Blood doesn't always mean family. Look at Potter, his mother was a Muggleborn and his magic was so strong that he shot Blaise into a wall with a disarming spell! Look at bloody Goyle, he comes from a long line of pureblood wizards and he can barely figure out which way to stand up his cauldron. Blood doesn't define us."
Blaise stared at him. "You've been hanging around with that blood traitor Weasley too much. Though we both know the rumours surrounding Goyle's bloodline being not as pure as they like to claim."
Theo glared at them. "We're all people, Blaise, that's all I'm saying. Look at little Ciara Casey! She's so sweet and she has this incredible power. But because her mum is a fae, she wouldn't even have been allowed to learn magic if it weren't for the changes in the Ministry this year!"
Blaise and Draco exchanged a look.
Theo only stared back at them, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "I'm tired of hiding! I'm tired of lying about who I am and what I believe. I don't even know what the hell I believe anymore! I was taught the same as you, that purebloods are the elite, are more superior but now… Ginny is the best person I know, yet her family has been deemed blood traitors simply because they don't believe in the superiority of purebloods? Creevey is intelligent and nice and yet I'm supposed to stop him from being a wizard because his parents are Muggles? Casey is sweet and kind. She's bright and learns quickly, but just because her mum is a fae, she's not supposed to be worthy to learn magic with us. It's mad! Doesn't it all seem completely mad?"
Draco sighed. "Theo, we're not saying change your beliefs or your way of thinking. Blaise and I have spent the last five years questioning what we were taught as well, you know that. We all bleed red, right?"
Those words calmed him a little as Theo nodded. He knew that he was on the verge of a full blown panic attack and Draco's words had calmed him to a great extent. "So, what's the plan then?"
"Survive," Draco said simply. "Father said that we can trust Potter and I think that he's right. Potter's a stalwart do-gooder to the extreme, but he's smarter than I give him credit for. Potter's godfather is certainly causing a ruckus in the Ministry as of late. We have to be careful obviously, only share what we think they can know, but we also need to stay alive."
Theo nodded. "We need to play roles."
Blaise's eyes moved to Theo. "Are you going to be able to do that once your father finds out that you're challenging him for his title and fortune?"
"I think so," Theo admitted. "I'm writing him tonight to tell him that I'm doing this. I'm going to tell him that by me taking on the title it will show the world that I'm innocent and that the Notts aren't all bad. If I'm shown to be against my father, I think that will look favourably on me for the Ministry."
Blaise grinned. "And could also have you available to do things for the Dark Lord that your father wouldn't be able to accomplish as a wanted criminal."
"Exactly," Theo said. "I think Father will be all right with it, even if the part about me helping the Dark Lord will be a lie."
Blaise whistled. "You hope."
Draco let out a slow breath, his eyes moving between the two of them. "We have just over a month to prepare. In the meantime, we need to build stronger walls in our minds and decide what we can and cannot let slip to the Dark Lord if necessary."
"What about taking the mark if he asks us?" Blaise asked, his eyes on Draco. "You're not sixteen until June, but Theo and I… Mamma made it sound like that might be happening? I don't want to do that, Draco. I don't want that disgusting tattoo marked on my body."
Draco shook his head. "I don't think that's going to be happening over Christmas. At least not yet, though I do imagine that he will be feeling you out. I think that we have time."
Theo swallowed. "We hope that we have time."
"Theo, surviving is what's important. Father made that clear. Mother has made that clear. I don't want to hurt anyone either and maybe if we do what I suggest and keep our heads down, show him our loyalty and support, he won't ask us to do those things. He'll still consider us too young and leave us alone. We have to do whatever it takes to survive."
Blaise nodded. "One step at a time, right?"
"One step at a time," Draco repeated.
Theo stared between the two of them. He knew that they were right. Their families were too involved for them to stand on the sidelines, but he also wasn't sure that jumping into the snake pit was a wise choice.
"One step at a time," he agreed.
But the ball of fear was still clenched in the pit of his stomach and he wasn't sure what to do about that fear. That was what worried him.
~ ASC ~
Hermione caught up with Ginny as she came through the portrait hole, taking her arm and urging her to follow her upstairs to her dorm. Once they were sitting comfortably on Hermione's bed, did she speak.
"So, how was the date with Dean?"
Ginny bit her lip and shrugged. "It was fun. He's sweet."
"And?"
"I don't know. He kissed me and that was nice, though he used a bit too much tongue for my taste, if I'm honest."
"Are you going out again?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. He didn't ask, but he gave the impression that he hopes to."
Hermione smiled. "Dean's a nice bloke."
"He is! He's tall and handsome. He's a really gifted artist, Hermione. He was sketching on a napkin while we chatted and he drew the whole room and everyone in it. It was incredible."
"You did say that his flirting was fun."
"It was," Ginny said. "It just… I had fun, I did, but something didn't feel right."
Hermione frowned, leaning back against the pillows propped up at the head of her bed. "What didn't feel right?"
Ginny tucked her hair behind her ear. "Something is going on with Harry, have you noticed?"
Hermione smiled. "I told you what that is and you said that I was mental."
"I never said the word mental. It's just… he keeps asking to talk to me, but then something happens and we get interrupted. Like last week after practice, he pulled me aside to talk and then Ron interrupted him and then you came with news of Zee being hurt. I talked to him after and he said something about me being good in practice, but I knew that wasn't it. He always talks to me, Hermione, Harry doesn't have trouble telling me things. I'm worried about him."
Hermione stared at her friend. "Has he approached you since then?"
"Yes," Ginny said. "We were interrupted by the bell as I was late for class and then interrupted by Dean, who asked me to Hogsmeade. After Dean asked me out, Harry just shut down and said that it wasn't important."
Hermione smiled. "He's a bit miffed that you went with Dean."
"But why?"
"Ginny, Harry is like my brother, I know him as well as you know yours and I told you, he fancies you. He likes you as more than a friend and I don't know for sure, but I think he was trying to ask you to go to Hogsmeade with him."
Ginny frowned. "But that's …" she trailed off, looking thoughtful.
Harry had been acting strangely, she did admit. When he hugged her it was like he didn't want to let go or he pushed her away, there was no in between. She had caught him staring at her on many different occasions. That morning when he had waited for her with fresh strawberries and a buttery croissant… she had noticed his eyes dipping to her breasts, but she had assumed it was because she wasn't fully dressed. Could he actually…?
She put a hand over her navel at the pull of desire that erupted there. Harry was off limits. She had put him there herself the moment that he had told her it would never happen. That's what the other boys were for more than anything if she was honest with herself. A welcome distraction from her dreams. Michael and then Ryan and the other boys she had snogged that summer, Dave for one, and Dan… and now Dean… none of them had meant anything to her, not really. She had never imagined the relationships flourishing into anything more than snogging. None of them appealed to her on another level the way that Harry did.
Hermione was grinning at her. "Ginny, you're one of the smartest girls I know. You can't not have noticed. He's fancied you for a while now. Why do you think Mandy broke up with him? She's a sweet girl, but she knew the reason he took that Bludger was because he was clearly and very visibly distracted by you."
"He wasn't," Ginny protested mildly. "He was just watching the Chasers."
Hermione smirked. "Ginny, I bet you a hundred Galleons that if you asked Harry who the other Chasers were who tried out with you, he wouldn't have a clue if they were boys or girls let alone be able to tell you what their names were."
Ginny flushed. "He… he fancies me?"
"You should see for yourself now that I've finally got you listening."
Ginny bit her lip and grinned. "And me dating Dean?"
"Is not something you want, is it?"
The desire curled in her gut as she held her hand there. The thought that her friend could be right was thrilling and exciting and terrifying all the same time. She didn't want to get her hopes up that it could be true, but she desperately wished that it was true at the same time and it scared her.
Harry was Harry and the thought of being in his arms, of kissing him made the desire curl tighter and she grinned wickedly at Hermione.
"I think that you're right, Hermione. It's not something that I want and I think that it's about time that I find out what Harry wants."
Hermione simply grinned right back.
~ ASC ~
Sirius kissed Zee goodnight before he left St Mungo's. He hated leaving her there every night, but after she had regained consciousness, she told him to go home when visiting hours were over. She hadn't exactly taken no for an answer when he tried to argue. She was feeling much better and her leg was healing nicely. Four more days of blood replenishing potions and healing draughts to make sure the curse was completely flushed from her system before they would even consider releasing her.
In the meantime, Tripp Forrester had been released from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and was undergoing treatment at St Mungo's himself, trying to recover the memories that had been removed from his brain. Sirius knew that could take hours to months depending on the witch or wizard who had performed the charm.
His thoughts were still on the Seer. He hadn't said anything about it to Zee. He had just held her hands, kissed her fingers, and listened as she told him about the baby griffin cubs she had taken care of and how it had distracted her for a few days. But now that he knew she was going to be all right, it was fresh in his mind again.
The only reason that he could think of for finding a Seer was because Voldemort believed this Melusine knew the prophecy about Harry. It wasn't a comforting thought, and he didn't know how much to believe about it. He had asked Dumbledore to come to Black Cottage that night as he wanted to discuss it with him.
He found the headmaster standing on the front stoop when he made his way up the drive, pleased to see that McGonagall was there as well.
"Sorry I'm late, Albus. Minnie, hi."
McGonagall immediately moved forward to engulf him in a warm hug. "Look at you! You must take care of yourself as well, Sirius," she said, kissing his cheek.
"I am, I swear. I just haven't shaved. I want to spend every second I can in hospital with her."
"How is Zahira?" Dumbledore asked.
"Healing. By Wednesday morning they are hoping to release her. She gets the last of her potions on Tuesday, we hope."
"I'm glad to hear it," Dumbledore told him as Sirius led them into the house and urged him to take a seat in the living room.
"Would you like a drink?"
"I wouldn't say no to a glass of sherry."
"Minnie?"
"Red wine please."
Sirius nodded and went into the kitchen to pour them each a glass of their desired drink before he passed the cup over and took a seat in the living room. "Any news on your end?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Nothing that we don't already know, I'm afraid. We know that Voldemort is plotting something and his followers are starting to move forward as the attack on Zee showed us, but other than that, I'm not sure."
"He wants to know the full prophecy."
"That doesn't surprise me. He has never heard it in its entirety and I imagine the fact that Harry has escaped him yet again is enough to make him wonder on it. Sirius, now that Voldemort has returned, we need to discuss what to do about the Horcrux residing inside of Harry. If Voldemort realizes the connection there, he can use him against us."
Sirius shook his head. "No, he can't. We destroyed it."
Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise. "You — what?"
"I kept it just between our family, Albus. But it's gone. It was surgically removed this summer and we destroyed it."
"How?" Dumbledore demanded, his features attempting to hide is astonishment. "How did you remove it safely?"
McGonagall reached out to grip Sirius' hand as he explained the procedure and how Harry had actually died on the table. He explained how he had healed while in a coma and ultimately come back more powerful than he was before.
"We think that the soul piece was hindering his power to a great extent. It was feeding off of him like a parasite and now that it's gone, it's an opportunity for him to grow into his powers and to his potential."
Dumbledore stared at him. "I'm amazed that it was removed so easily. I had thought…"
"I know what you thought," Sirius said, darkly. "And I told you that I would find another way. I wasn't going to let my son bloody-well sacrifice himself at Voldemort's hands."
"Sirius, it's not what I wanted by any means; it was just the only way that I could see it happening."
Sirius glared at him. "Well, I found another way. It's gone from him and that's all that matters. Right now, the deal is the prophecy and how Voldemort may or may not get a hold of it."
He quickly filled Dumbledore in on what Forrester had said about the Seer as well as the conversation he and Zee had had with Snape concerning the Hall of Prophecy. Dumbledore looked pensive as he listened. He sipped his sherry and Sirius could see the wheels turning in his head.
"There is a copy of the prophecy there. I recorded it myself and the Seer took it."
"Have you met the Seer?"
"No one has met the Seer," Dumbledore said. "The Seer is… almost like an illusion. Hidden behind a curtain where no one can truly see his or her identity."
"Are they human?"
"The Seer? I don't know. Like I said, it's a great mystery. You think that this half-Melusine person is the Seer?"
"Voldemort does," Sirius said. "Or thinks that they know something about the Seer anyway."
Dumbledore nodded. "True, the details aren't clear so it could be either or."
Sirius stared at him for a moment. "I've been thinking, is there a way to remove the prophecy from the Hall of Prophecy? I mean, they are stored in there as records, but it's not mandatory for it to be there, right?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, not mandatory. They study them and try to see how much of the prophecy comes to pass; where the truth lies and where the predictions come in."
"And if we already know what this prophecy means, then it wouldn't have to stay there?"
Dumbledore stared at him. "You want to destroy the copy of it."
Sirius nodded. "Think about it, Albus. If we destroy it, Voldemort wouldn't know what it contained and it might give us a leg up; a chance to be one step ahead of him."
"Removing it won't be easy," McGonagall said. "It's very well hidden deep within the Ministry."
"I'm sure Amelia would help us get access, Minnie."
"Amelia isn't the problem," Dumbledore said carefully. "The Department of Mysteries is just that, a mystery, and much of what they do in there is a secret to most of the wizarding world, Sirius. Gaining access for any reason is almost impossible without the proper authentication. Even the Minister of Magic has restricted access to parts of the research there."
Sirius sighed. "Well, what do you suggest?"
"Have you spoken to Podmore?"
Sirius shook his head. "No, Sturgis is barely a level one and he knows the same that we do. But it's been an idea that I've been tossing around."
Dumbledore nodded. "We could use the Order for it. Infiltrate the Department of Mysteries and have people keep watch on the Hall of Prophecy, make sure that no one is there who shouldn't be?"
"That's an idea," Sirius said in agreement. "Then we figure out where the prophecy is and how we may or may not obtain it safely."
"We'll call forth an Order meeting and discuss it. Maybe someone else will have a few ideas," Dumbledore suggested.
Sirius nodded. "Sounds good. Thank you, Albus."
Dumbledore's eyes met his over his half-moon spectacles. "You have done admirable work, Sirius, with the War Council especially. How's the training coming along?"
"Good," Sirius told him. "It's hard work, but I'm really enjoying it. The physical demands alone are exhausting and exhilarating. I think Rufus is a great leader and he's really whipping his team into shape."
"I've heard the same from the other units. Each one is slowly growing and more people have been signing up. It's going to be an incredible force."
"I just hope that when the time comes, it will be enough," Sirius told him.
Dumbledore nodded. "We have to hope it will be. We don't know what Voldemort's ultimate plans are, not yet, and until he is ready to make his move, we must just prepare and be ready for him."
Sirius agreed and that was the part that made him the most nervous.
~ ASC ~
Harry wasn't sure what was going on this week, but he felt like fate had dealt him a cruel joke of some kind. Ginny seemed to be looking even more amazing than usual and she was near him more often that not. He could smell her shampoo, her floral scent washing over him, and he was doing everything in his power to hide the tent that kept forming in his trousers when she was nearby, adjusting his robes accordingly. He'd even gone to Remus for help perfecting the right kind of glamour and disillusionment charm to hide his problem. Remus had kept his tongue in cheek the whole time as he demonstrated the one he used when necessary.
Harry's face had been red the entire time.
But it had all started on All Hallows Eve.
Ginny had sat next to him at lunch, leaning over him to steal the pita bread slice and his face had ben engulfed in her long fiery red hair. He had sniffed it before he could stop himself, his eyes on the lovely soft skin of her wrist, followed by the freckles on the back of her hand as she stole a piece of bacon from his plate. She tucked her long hair behind her ear and he found himself admiring the small roundness of her earlobe where a silver hoop dangled there. The top of her ear was also pierced with a silver hoop, he noticed and a third hoop next to the first one in her lobe. He wondered when she had gotten the piercing on the top of her ear, but then his thoughts had vanished when she'd spoken to him, her voice soft and whispering.
"Harry, can you pass me your cock?"
"My what?" he exclaimed, his eyes widening and his cock immediately jumping to attention in his trousers.
Ginny only smiled sweetly at him. "I said, can you pass me the guac. Are you okay?"
He swallowed, reaching for the bowl of fresh guacamole and passing it over to her. "Yes, f-f-fine."
Ginny scooped some of the guacamole onto her plate with some of the pita slices and tomato and he watched her dip it into the guacamole and eat happily. She smiled at him, her hand gently touching his thigh as she reached down to scratch her own leg and he jumped.
Ginny merely raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure that you're all right? You seem rather jumpy?"
"Fine," Harry told her, adjusting his robes as he stood up. "Er, I have to get to Muggle Studies."
He had hurried out of the Great Hall, his breathing heavy as he tried to think of anything to remove the raging boner that he was currently sporting.
The afternoon had passed fine, but at the Halloween feast, he had found himself sitting next to Ginny again. She spoke to him about her Charms class and laughed and giggled with Colin who was on the other side of her. Luna came to sit with them and Ginny was forced to shuffle closer to Harry, his arm moving around her waist naturally so that she didn't fall off the back of the bench. She turned to smile at him sweetly, thanking him and he nodded, his heart pounding in his chest.
Now she was even closer to him and he could count every freckle on her nose. He dropped his hands to the table, turning his attention to Neville who was smirking at him from across the table. Harry didn't like the knowing look that his friend was currently giving him. He needed to stop this. She was dating Dean now, he told himself. Dean, his roommate, and the bloke who had stolen his chance away.
The mantra he kept telling himself did nothing to soothe his ego and he found himself glaring opening at Dean most of the time. He knew that wasn't fair either. Dean was a nice bloke and hardly deserved his animosity, but the sight of him and the thought of him kissing Ginny, made the creature in his chest roar to life all over again.
By Friday, Harry was convinced that Ginny was doing it on purpose.
It seemed that no matter where he was, she was there; sitting close enough for him to touch her. He smelt her everywhere. He couldn't even close his eyes at night without imagining her touching him. He'd spent every night that week with his hands wrapped around his cock, pumping himself over and over, desperate for release with thoughts of Ginny on his mind.
He worked his team hard that practice. Tomorrow was their first Quidditch match of the season and it would be against Slytherin and he was determined to win. He watched Ginny use a towel to wipe beads of sweat from her forehead, tugging off the hoodie she had been practicing in, wearing only a red and gold Gryffindor sports bra underneath. His mouth immediately went dry as she headed into the change rooms with the rest of the team.
When he made it back to his dorm that night, he was hard and bitter. He must have had a look on his face too because Seamus raised an eyebrow at him.
"If looks could kill, I feel like we'd all be in big trouble, mate."
Harry frowned. "Sorry."
Seamus only stared at him. "You've been in a right mood all week. Anything that you'd like to share with the class?"
Harry only glared at him. "No."
Dean snorted. "Did practice go badly or something?"
"Nah, he's been in a foul mood since last week. I heard your mum was going to be fine, so that can't be it," Seamus said, his eyes on Harry.
Harry let out a slow breath. "No, she is doing great, thanks. She's home now and she and Uncle Sirius are hoping to come to the match tomorrow. Sorry, I just… I have a lot on my mind. I don't mean to be an arse."
Seamus nodded. He stared at Harry for a second longer before he spoke. "Accepted," he said as he turned to Dean. "So, did my ears deceive me or did I hear you ask out Monroe?"
Dean grinned broadly. "Your ears did not deceive you. We're going to hang out tomorrow before and hopefully after the game. She loves art, which is a bit of a bonus for me."
Harry turned to stare at him. "Wait… you asked out Natalie Monroe?"
Dean nodded, scratching his chin. "I did."
"I thought that you were dating Ginny?"
Dean chuckled. "I wish. Mate, how thick are you? We all know that you fancy her! I took a sucker's bet with Neville that if I interrupted you and asked out Ginny on a date, you'd punch me in the nose! Not only didn't you react — you just gave up! You never confronted me before the date or interrupted our date, nothing."
Harry stared at him, his mouth open wide. "So… you-you didn't want to date Ginny?"
Dean snorted. "She's gorgeous. If she wanted to date me, I'd throw you off your broom in a heartbeat, but she doesn't. We went to Hogsmeade together and we had a great time. But she told me that we were better off as friends, do you know why?"
Harry shook his head, trying to make sense of his friend's words. "No. I… she likes you. She told me that she was waiting for you to ask her out."
Seamus appeared next to him and smacked him in the face with a pillow. "She — likes — you, you thick git! Ask her out already!"
Harry stared at the two of them wide-eyed, the tightness in his chest suddenly feeling lighter. Ginny wasn't dating Dean, he thought. She wasn't dating anyone. He had a sudden urge to run to the girl's dormitory and tell her how he felt, but he knew that wasn't the right choice.
"Well, have fun tomorrow then."
Dean grinned. "I plan to. Tomorrow's the big game, Harry; great time for a bloke to have a conversation with his new star chaser. And if you don't grow a pair of balls, someone else is going to ask her out, and they won't be as nice as me."
He turned back to Seamus, chatting absently about his plans for Natalie the next day.
But Harry's mind was going into overdrive now.
He tossed his Quidditch training clothes in the hamper and put his broom away. If Ginny was single that meant he couldn't waste any time in asking her out. He couldn't let anyone interrupt them. Dean was right. He had to man up and just spit it out. He stripped down to his boxer briefs before he tugged on his plaid pyjama pants and crawled into bed, pulling the bed curtains closed around him.
Tomorrow, after the game, he thought. When they were celebrating their win in the common room, he would pull her aside and he would ask her.
Thoughts of kissing Ginny was the last thing on his mind and when he fell asleep he had a big smile on his face.
~ ASC ~
Sirius was annoyed that the hospital had insisted on keeping Zee an extra two days just to make sure that everything was all right now that she had stopped taking the blood replenishing potions. He just wanted to take her home and Friday morning when he was finally given the chance to do so, he carried her up the drive and through the front door.
"Sirius, I can walk. I'm hardly an invalid," she protested.
He ignored her and carried her into the living room. He kicked off his boots before he took a seat on the chesterfield, sitting her sideways on his lap and pushing a large throw pillow under her back. He tugged the blanket off of the back of the sofa and wrapped up her legs before he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
Lady Godiva stretched out on the floor in front of them. She had spent the entire week by her mistress' side and looked like she didn't plan on stopping.
Zee gently ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm fine. You can stop worrying now."
"No, I can't," he murmured. "You… they could have killed you, Zee, or worse, captured you and done Godric knows what to you!"
Zee kissed his hair. "But they didn't. I got away. I'm safe and I'm fine." She pulled his head back to look at him. "I'm fine. I'm with you."
Sirius leaned in and kissed her softly, gently, and then deeply, his hand on her cheek. When he pulled away she was smiling at him. "I love you."
Zee kissed him again. "I'm sorry that I made you worry."
He shook his head. "Forrester made me worry. The Imperius has been used since the Middle Ages and still no one has figured out how to be certain someone is being controlled."
"The eyes are —"
"— Not enough," Sirius interrupted darkly. "He was compromised, Zee! Forrester was bloody fucking compromised for Merlin knows how long! He was your bloody partner! You depended on him to have your back and he was fucking working for them!"
"Not by choice," Zee insisted, framing his face with her hands. "I know it doesn't make it better. I know it only makes it more scary that he was forced into serving them like that, but it's the facts. Getting angry over something that we cannot control is not going to change anything. I am fine. Papa recognized the curse that I was hit with and I'm going to be alright."
"But if Misha hadn't shown up —"
"— Sirius!"
He closed his mouth, his eyes tortured as he stared at her. "I thought that I was going to lose you. I thought that I was going to sit there and watch you die and I wouldn't be able to stop it."
Zee kissed him deeply. "You didn't. I'm right here. We're here together. I'm home and tomorrow we're going to go to Hogwarts together and watch our son play in his very first Quidditch match as team captain. We're not going to think anymore about this. We're just going to spend the day with each other. Okay?"
He nodded as she kissed him again. Her lips moving over his, over his jaw where his stubble had become the workings of a beard, down his neck and then back up to his lips.
"The beard is interesting," she said, making him chuckle.
"It's… I didn't have time to deal with it," he admitted, kissing her again, his arms tightening around her waist. "I needed to be with you."
Zee smiled against his chest. "You are with me. I missed being in your arms, Siri. I missed being held by you when we sleep."
"You're the one who cuddles," he insisted in annoyance. "Someone is sleeping on their own side of the bed when all of a sudden this spider monkey attacks."
Zee's eyes twinkled. "I know and that spider monkey is named Sirius Black."
"Lies," he said making her laugh. "I'm not the one who needs to be cuddled."
"You're right, it's all me. You cling like a spider monkey in the middle of the night, but it's for me, because I need it."
"Exactly," he said, his eyes brightening.
She smiled, gently stroking her fingers down his cheeks. "Take me upstairs, Sirius."
He kept his arms tightly around her, kissing her hard as he stood up. "You won't complain that you can walk by yourself?"
She shook her head. "Not today. Not if it's what you need right now."
Sirius stood up with her in his arms and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom where he gently lied her on their bed. He kissed her again before he lied next to her and opened his arms up to get her to snuggle into him.
"I'm not delicate," she murmured against his chest. "I won't break."
Sirius nodded. "I never said that you would. I'm not delicate either, baby, but without you… I will break."
Zee kissed him passionately, rolling on top of him as they kissed. His hands slid off of her hips to rest on her bottom and she framed his face as they kissed. Long, languid kisses that left both of them breathless. Sirius' hand kneaded her behind before he moved it down to where her leg was mostly healed. The burn scar went from the back of her left knee almost to her ankle, on a long jagged gash; it was rough under his fingertips. She turned to look at her leg.
"Is it hideous?"
Sirius shook his head. "Nothing about you could ever be hideous."
Zee kissed him again and he rolled to the side, dropping her next to him. "Maybe I wanted to be on top."
Sirius grinned. "No. You're still healing. We're going to sleep."
Zee pouted, her hand slipping down his chest to unzip his jeans and slipping her hand inside. "I don't think that you feel like sleeping."
Her fingers wrapped around him, squeezing and he groaned. "Sleep. You still need to rest. Rest and nothing too strenuous, healer's orders. He said at least another two weeks, preferably three. You're still to take protein potions and strength replenishers twice a day for the next fourteen days."
Zee's fingers were stroking him now, slowly dancing along his shaft, her hand slipping in deeper to flutter across his balls. "I am resting. See, I'm lying down and everything."
Sirius pressed his lips to the side of her head. "You're a temptress. I'm staying firm here," he insisted.
She held up her second hand before she added it to her other one and he groaned. "You're definitely getting firmer," she said, her eyes twinkling.
"Not what I meant," Sirius muttered, attempting to push her hands away.
Zee ignored him. "I am a temptress. I'm yours. I believe you said, 'your goddess.'"
He groaned as her hands worked him over. "Zee, fuck… stop. We can't. You have to rest."
She smiled seductively, her lips brushing his chin, his neck, kissing his chest through his shirt. "I do, you're right. I will be resting. My mouth and hands weren't injured, were they?"
She shimmied downwards and his hands went to her wild curls. "Zee…"
But then her mouth was on him and he thought that she was the devil incarnate and he didn't care; not one bit.
~ ASC ~
Theo hated every step he took as he made his way to meet Macmillan that Friday night. He had to put up with the prick for a little longer and he hated himself for it. He had received word from Smith that morning to tell him the paperwork was being drawn up and they just had to wait now, but that it would be in Theo's best interest to get some letters discussing his character to prove that he was mature enough to handle the responsibilities that would come with the Nott Estates and titles. He had already written to Narcissa, but he wasn't sure who else to ask. His first thought had been Snape, but he wasn't so sure.
His father had written him as well.
To Theo's surprise, the news of Theo attempting to claim the titles and estate actually pleased his father. The letter had been very interesting.
Theo,
This is an idea that I should have considered myself. With you as Marquess and in control of all of our assets, I will be a free man in terms of the Ministry of Magic dealings. It will ensure our wealth is accessible through you. You will be able to give me what I need and give the rest to the Dark Lord when he asks. It will be quite the honour.
It's rewarding to see you finally living up to the Nott Family name.
Thaddeus Nott
Theo had stared at the letter feeling pride radiating from his father and disgust for himself. The last thing that he wanted was to give the Dark Lord access to the Nott Estate. In fact part of the reason why he was doing this was to get the estate as well as himself away from the Dark Lord. Narcissa was a great person to talk to about it all, he knew that, but she was the wife of an earl, not the earl, and she couldn't understand his predicament. He wished that Lucius was around in a place where he could talk safely to him.
He waited in the place that the prefect had picked for him and when Macmillan ordered him to kneel, he did so. The prefect's hands pulled so tightly on his hair, that his eyes watered and when he finished, he shoved him back onto the floor. Theo wiped his mouth on his sleeve, feeling worse than the dirt on his boots. He waited until Ernie left before he slowly started to make his way back to Slytherin for a much needed shower.
The sight of Snape walking towards him stopped him in is tracks.
"Nott, come with me."
Theo raised his eyebrow in question, wondering what it was that Snape could want with him. To his surprise, Snape did not bring him to his office, but instead to the Potions classroom. He unlocked a drawer in his desk and passed him a letter.
"This was delivered to you via me as the recipient early this morning. I apologize for not giving it to you immediately."
Theo frowned and made to open it, but Snape shook his head.
"Open it in private. I hardly need to know the contents. And Theo, your walls are in shambles right now. Pull your emotions in and hold those walls up."
"Yes, Sir."
When he left Snape's office, he headed back to Slytherin to wash his face and mouth. He brushed his teeth five times before taking a long, hot shower that left him feeling no cleaner. He dressed in black silk pyjama bottoms and a grey tee shirt before he took a seat on his bed to examine the envelope that Snape had given to him. All it said was: Theo, Slytherin House. He opened the envelope and pulled out the letter in curiosity.
Dear Theo of Slytherin House,
You have welcomed Ciara into Slytherin House and into Hogwarts. She writes home often with stories about how you did this and how you said that. It warms my heart to think that someone is watching out for her. She said that you've helped her with her studies and most importantly, with bullies. I am in awe to learn that wizards with such a kind disposition still exist in this world.
Ciara looks up to you. Thank you for being her mentor, her saviour, and most of all her friend.
Sincerely,
Prince Finley Alexander of Tara
Court of the Fae
PS — If there is ever anything you might need, you need only to ask.
Theo stared at the letter in surprise. He knew that Ciara had mentioned that she was half-fae, but she had said nothing about being part of the royal family. Was she?
If there is ever anything you might need, you need only ask.
He had no idea what the fae could provide him, but he suddenly felt a little safer knowing that there was another option for him.
He pulled out his parchment pad and began a quick response back.
Dear Prince Finley Alexander of Tara,
I am humbled and honoured to hear from you. Ciara is a very sweet girl, who I was glad to befriend. She's part of my house and even though I am sixteen to her eleven, I would be glad to be her friend if she needs me. I do not know her connection to you, but it's nice to know that I did something right enough to be mentioned.
As to the favour you offered, thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I cannot accept it, as I would not know what to ask for from the Court of Tara.
Sincerely,
Lord Theodore Nott
Marquess of Norfolk
He hesitated on signing the letter as such and then left it, before adding
PS — If there is anything I can do for you or for Ciara, please ask. She's a sweet girl and I adore her. Being her friend is as much my pleasure as it is hers.
He sealed the letter magically, using the Nott ink blott to seal it. By the time he made it up to the Owlery, he was still questioning why the letter had come to him. He pinned it to his owl's leg and watched the bird fly off and thought sometimes there were good surprises in the world.
He just wished there were more of them.
~ ASC ~
Harry was nervous that morning. The first Quidditch game of the year always made him fairly nervous, but today he felt it in waves. This was the first game that he would be leading Gryffindor as the team captain. This was the first game with the new team. And he was lying to himself if he said that he wasn't nervous about attempting to talk to Ginny after the game. Whether they won or lost, he was determined to ask her out.
Seeing Ron ghostly pale and nervous eased his own discomfort a little. Hermione was trying to reassure him, insisting that he was a great Keeper and that he was going to do a wonderful job out there today, but Harry wasn't so sure. He could see the mood that Ron was slowing digging himself into and he knew that if he didn't pull his friend out of his funk, his nerves would get the best of him.
He ignored Hermione's insistence that his friend eat and instead pulled him down to the pitch early. The moment that they were in the change room, Harry grinned at his friend.
"You're going to do great out there, Ron. If I had any doubts about you as Keeper we wouldn't have chosen you for the team. We would have chosen that cocky SOB McLaggen. But we chose you."
"You just chose me because Weasleys have good Quidditch blood. That's what Angelina said."
Harry glared at him. "They do have good Quidditch blood, as has been shown, and you are a Weasley. Act like one."
Ron stared at him in surprise. "Act like one?"
"Be the best damn Keeper that you can be, Ron. Remember, the team chose you, don't let us down."
Ron shrugged his shoulders. "What if I'm not as good?"
Harry stared at him. He knew the big thing that his friend was constantly struggling with was being overshadowed by his brothers. Since he didn't have any siblings, he couldn't imagine what that was like.
"You know what I love about your family, Ron?"
"No," Ron said, looking slightly bewildered by the change in the conversation.
Harry smiled at him. "Your family is full of support for everything that you do. The fact that you made prefect this year made your mum cry. When you wrote home to say you were on the team, your parents wrote back to tell you that they would come to your first game."
"Well, Ginny —"
"— Yes, for Ginny too," Harry interrupted. "But for you, Ron. Do you think that they care if we win or not?"
"No," Ron said quickly.
Harry grinned. "They just want you to play your best. That's all that I want. I want you to do your best out there and to make sure that every goal you do let in is met in equal measure with those you don't because we are going to crush Slytherin out there today."
Ron grinned at him. "Well, crushing Slytherin is a definite plus."
Harry slapped his friend on the shoulder. "And look at it this way, you can't possibly do worse than McLaggen in tryouts, the bloke literally went the opposite way of the Quaffle — twice."
Ron snorted. "That's true. I thought that he was supposed to be good."
Harry shrugged. "Me too."
They looked up as the rest of the team made their way into the change room and Harry grinned at them.
"Team, it's our first match. We've been training hard. We have a new team with fresh blood and I just want to say that we can crush Slytherin today. I know it."
Fred and George cheered.
"So, let's just go out there and play our heart out. We'll show them why Gryffindors are the best at Quidditch."
Everyone grinned, whooping in joy as they began to get changed. It was going to be a great game and when it was over, he was going to ask Ginny out on a date.
Playing Slytherin suddenly seemed much easier, he thought.
~ ASC ~
When the game started, Harry saw the Snitch fly towards the Gryffindor goal posts before he focused on Malfoy. As much as he hated to admit it, Malfoy was a decent Seeker. The only times that he had ever lost the Snitch was to Harry, which to Harry's way of thinking, meant that he couldn't let his guard down, not for a second. Looking across the pitch at the players, he noticed that like the Gryffindor team, Slytherin had to replace two players.
Malfoy was still playing Seeker. Adrian Pucey, Graham Montague, and Cassius Warrington were still playing the Chasers and Miles Bletchley was still the Keeper. But Montague was team captain this year, claiming the title after Marcus Flint had finished school and it looked like he had replaced Derrick and Bole as Beaters with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry noted that they were the only Hogwarts team without any girls and he wondered if that was intentional on their part or if the girls in Slytherin were genuinely uninterested in playing.
He took a quick look at his team before he rose up high to take a better stock of the game before he made any decisions. Lee Jordan was commentating and he grinned as he listened, his eyes peeled for the Snitch.
"And Weasley passes the Quaffle to Bell who throws and it flies past Bletchley so gracefully, well done! Score by Bell! Ten points to Gryffindor! Slytherin has the Quaffle now as Warrington gains control, but Weasley is gaining on him. Merlin's balls look at that bird fly! Weasley soars under Warrington and swipes the Quaffle right from under him! Goyle smacks a Bludger towards Weasley, she dives and avoids it. Beater Weasley comes from behind Chaser Weasley and hits the Bludger so hard he knocks Goyle right off his broom! Warrington has the Quaffle again and he's barrelling down towards the pitch with Johnson and Weasley on his tail! It looks like Gryffindor's new Keeper is about to be tested. Let's see what he can do!"
Harry's gaze moved to Ron. He could see his stance, the worry in his gaze and he thought: Please Ron, come on, please. Warrington moved in and threw the Quaffle hard; Ron flipped, doing a three-sixty on his broom, taking the Quaffle right to the chest.
"YES!" Harry shouted, fist bumping the air.
"And Weasley stops it! Gryffindor in possession!"
Harry's eyes moved around the pitch when he saw the glint of blond from out of the corner of his eye. But Malfoy was searching just the same as he was. He circled the opposite way, flying over the stands and he smiled at the sight of Sirius and Zee and to his surprise, Misha and Sorcha sitting there with Remus and Tonks along with Bill and Mr and Mrs Weasley. He waved before a glint of red caught his eye. He turned in time to see Ginny accept the Quaffle from Angelina and score Gryffindor another ten points.
He kept moving carefully around the pitch, eyes peeled, doing his best not to look at Ginny as her long red hair flew behind her in a long ponytail. But then he saw it, the flicker of gold dancing by Ginny's ear and he flew towards her. He lowered his hands on the Firebolt, diving forward just as a Bludger came barreling in her direction in a well hit shot by a grinning Crabbe. He shifted to block it just as the Snitch disappeared and he swore.
Ginny glared at him as they both dived away from the Bludger. "That better not have been some protective move, Harry!"
He grinned at her. "Please, I know better."
He took off again, leaving her smirking at him as Angelina scored again. He listened with half an ear as Lee commentated and did a silent cheer when he heard that Gryffindor was in the lead seventy to fifty. Slytherin was catching up fast and when Pucey scored again, followed by Montague, Harry became more and more frantic to find the Snitch.
And then he saw it.
It was dancing right by Dumbledore, almost touching his tall hat in delight, directly under where Harry himself was flying. He put on a burst of speed and dove down. He saw Malfoy barreling in from his left, but he snatched the Snitch before he could move in, taking Dumbledore's hat along with it, and grinned widely.
"Sorry, Sir."
Dumbledore chuckled, accepting his hat back. "Nice catch, Harry."
Harry held his fist up high.
"Oh, I say! Potter has the Snitch! You know, Potter, I don't think Dumbledore's hat was part of the deal, but — Gryffindor wins, two-twenty to seventy! What a close game, people!"
Harry grinned, diving down towards his team, Snitch clutched tightly in his hand. His team had truly played spectacular! Ginny had been phenomenal. She had given Gryffindor thirty points just herself and it had been her first game. They had been tie with Slytherin and Harry was forced to admit that Slytherin's team seemed very well practiced this year. But Ron had done very well for himself. It had been one of the best games of Quidditch that Gryffindor had ever played as long as Harry had been on the team because he felt like each team had been evenly matched, which was a nice challenge for once, he thought.
Harry landed smoothly on the ground, running across the grass to greet his team. Everyone was laughing and cheering, high-fiving and hugging. He hugged Angelina and Katie and then Ginny turned to hug him, her eyes blazing. When she leaned in for a hug, without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that the entire school was watching; Harry kissed her.
And everything around him seemed to dim in comparison.
Her floral scent engulfed him, the fruity smell of her hair filling his nose as his lips moved over hers. Soft and slow for several long moments — or it might have been half an hour — or possibly several sunlit days until they finally broke apart, slowly. He didn't want to stop touching her, he thought as his hands still rested on the small of her back, the Snitch fluttering between his fingers as his eyes met her chocolate brown ones, nervously. Her brown eyes were full of surprise, curiosity, and dare he say it: Want.
"Are you going to snog the whole team like that, Harry?" she asked cheekily.
He kept his arms around her waist, his eyes only on her as he shook his head. "Definitely not."
Harry finally turned his head to look around at the rest of the team. George looked like he had been clubbed over the head and Fred was making kissing faces at them and he grinned back before his eyes sought Ron. His best mate was wearing an expression that said, 'about time.'
Harry slid his hands down Ginny's back and around her waist to take her hand in his. "Can we talk?"
Ginny nodded, a soft smile on her face. "Yes."
Harry grinned and then he tugged her up against him, making her grin in surprise before he kissed her again, softly and slowly, the taste of her making his body yearn for more.
Her eyes fluttered open when he pulled away and she smiled warmly, licking her lips. "Yes."
Harry couldn't stop smiling.
End Authors Notes:
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the little turn of phrase of sunlit days, that belongs to JKR, but it's one of my favourite moments so I tweaked it.
And yes, it finally happened!
(Italian) spaventoso = dreadful/terrible/awful
(Italian) Era l'amore della mia vita = He was the love of my life.
(Italian) Amore = love
(Italian) cazzate = bullshit
(Italian) puttana = bitch
(Italian) caro ragazzo = darling boy
(Italian) mio figlio = my son
(Italian) il nostro signore oscuro = our dark lord
(Italian) il mio amore = my love
(Italian) capisci = do you understand
(Italian) voi ragazzi = you boys
(Italian) purosangue = pureblooded
Thanks for reading and please review!