Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To ABlackRaven: Zee and Sirius' twins are almost bittersweet and Harry will make the best big brother — I completely agree! Harry and Ginny as lord and lady of the manor, yes, that is a nice image. Neville needed that moment and having Remus there to comfort him was just as important, as Neville is grieving the loss of Sirius too. To PurpleLotus: Thank you very much! I sometimes think that I go into too much detail, but sometimes I can't stop myself from going forward and explaining or researching to my heart's content. I'm glad that it makes the story better. Thank you for considering my work to be magnificent and for liking Zee enough to find the original series lacking without her. I love her very much! To wildstyle_101: Happy to help by not posting LOL. I hope your exam went well. I miss Sirius too. To crunchy_cheeseball: I hope you finished the chapter after Harry says, "I don't want to see it without you," but thank you. I'm glad you needed a moment of just smiling and I'm happy I provided that. To GryffindorHealer: Beautifully said, "will one who deserves, destroy the last?" We shall see.

To failuretoland: Thank you. I'm happy to have kept you entertained for weeks and I thought it was important for Neville to destroy a Horcrux. To PetaZedrok: You could have reviewed earlier chapters as well, I always enjoy hearing your thoughts, but thank you for saying it's one of your favourite fanfics ever! I really appreciate that! To Katiekat197: Love your hearts! To Steel: Hope you enjoy the bet, I had fun writing it. To .X: Yes, it was two weeks already — I can wait longer? I don't mind not posting. It will give me time to catch up with my writing ;) To speedsONEandONLY: Yes, Remus is the only one left, but he gets to see his friend's children grow up and be the one they all trust with their children. Well said and heartbreaking for him. To Pohnpei: Thank you! I try to balance the light and the dark as much as I can. To Wolf's scream: I think Hinny would be competitive when it comes to Quidditch and they would love it. To Josht1987: Thanks! Nice to hear from you! It's been a while! To JamesTKent: If the memories were almost too painful to read, I will take that as a compliment that I did them right.

To illjwamh: Of course, I had to show how they found the diadem, I just teased the wait of it. To Tiyaxoxo: I hope the race is a surprise! I had fun writing it. To midnitewanderer: Your reviews always make me smile! Heart pounding. Almost killed you. Thank you! I consider those high compliments! To Dianne: I think I have broken through my block, at least some of it. To aye-ayt: I can't make any promises with cliffhangers! To Moony The Sheep: Love your use of the word flabbergasted! And ah, Nagini and Voldemort, I am still working on the how of that. Thank you. It's so lovely to know that my story was missed. To wheezing-reader: Thank you. I am constantly blown away by the amount of people who read this and by those who claim they have read it multiple times (especially given the length of it). To chubbycherub: Your Remadora is a life goal — love it, thank you. I'm glad I've gotten you to not hate Ron and Ginny so much as I love writing both of them quite a lot. I miss Sirius, too. To Menna Taha: I think Ginny was afraid to hope for it and needed him to say it as reassurance, even though she didn't want to admit that's what she was doing. As to Romione, you know me, we're going to mosey along.

To ManyGrey: Thank you! I loved writing the Hinny smut and I can promise, more is to come! As to mentioning Sirius in a positive way, of course! Grief is a powerful thing and it comes and goes in waves and I think remembering the positive helps. The kiss between Neville and Luna was sweet and needed for them, but no, they will not end up together. To GuyReadingStories: Are you admitting to being the illusive and mysterious scrappy8? Thank you for claiming I "find the balance between these sad things and the happy ones," I really do try to balance the light, the dark, the fluff, the happy, the sad as much as I can. Thanks for your kind words on chapter 228 about normal teenager interactions as that's what I was going for. As to recommending other authors, of course! I am happy to share amazing work when I find it. To WinkingSkeever: Harry and Ginny will definitely be finding out the Horcrux is gone soon. To TheaTypes24: Wow! You've read ASC 10 times, you deserve a medal! Thank you! As to the flying contest, it is already written and I hope it's a nice surprise. As to killing off characters, it will be happening and no, I won't tell you who.

To Uberdonut: Ha, "worried about the evil, sadistic things I have planned" is a pretty fair assumption. Another 50 chapters of fluffy Hinny day to day life at Potter Manor? Sorry, not quite what I have in mind, but I can promise more Hinny fluff. To CranberryBandit: Was me mentioning that Harry feels a sense of freedom in America intentional? I'm not sure what you mean, I just meant because there were no Death Eaters around and he was free from Voldemort who is across the ocean. I'm happy to send chills down your spine — er, that sounded weird, but I think you understand me! To .wills15: I don't think there will be a camping trip, but we'll have to wait and see. Thank you for claiming ASC is your favourite fanfiction! To LoveisFred: Thanks. I'm really pleased with how many people have come to love Zee, she is near and dear to my heart!

My posting schedule: Once a week.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

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 TWO-HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE:

Zee was staring at herself in the mirror of the bedroom when Ginny came in that night. "You can really tell I'm pregnant now, can't you?"

Ginny smiled and moved to stand next to her. "Yes, yes you can."

Zee blew her hair out of her eyes. "I feel like my body is going through a crazy stage of puberty on a racing broom." At Ginny's raised eyebrow she sighed. "My breasts are still tender and sometimes sore like when it's my time of the month and they've gotten noticeably bigger - which is the last thing that I need. I'm not as tired as I was, but a nap definitely helps me get through the day. I'm always hungry and I feel like I'm bloated twenty-four seven."

Ginny grinned. "That sounds like your body is making itself ready for two healthy babies."

Zee nodded and moved to sit on the side of the bed. "Did I mention that I'm always hungry," she said again as she reached over to the nightstand where she had stored a tin of fresh cornbread and helped herself to a piece.

Ginny sat down next to her. "I don't know anything about pregnancy outside of what my mum has told me, but you should talk to her. She went through it six times and had twins. I'd consider her a reasonable expert."

Zee chuckled at that, leaning against the headboard. "That's a reasonable assumption. I did plan on talking to her. Other than family, I haven't told anyone about the babies. I asked Harry to keep it between us until I had told my grandparents and I still have to share the news with my grandparents and cousins in Scotland when we return home. But I would definitely love to pick Molly's brain a bit."

Ginny stretched out on the bed next to her. "Is it hard… not having anyone to share your thoughts or concerns with?"

"A little," Zee admitted. "The book I was reading was telling me that feeling randy is normal and that I should find my man and have my way with him to help with it and I realized that I can't do that. That I might never have sex again and… I fucking love sex."

Ginny snorted. "Zee!"

Zee only gave her an amused look. "I do and I'm not ashamed to say it - though you probably don't want to hear that from me," she added, looking sheepish. "I just know that with the babies coming… my life will be incredibly different and without Sirius… no one can ever compare to him."

Ginny frowned at that. "But I'm sure that he'd want you to find someone - some day, to be happy."

"Maybe," Zee said quietly. "But I don't know if I want that. He was the best man I ever met and I loved him more than I can put into words. He made me feel things and made me do things that I wouldn't change for the world. The sex was incredible and he was incredible and… everything about him was just so perfect for me, no one could ever compare. I won't say never of course, but finding someone even a fraction as wonderful as him… Sirius was my other half in every way. My… I know it sounds cheesy, but he was my soulmate."

"I get that," Ginny said, squeezing Zee's hand in hers. "Anything you need, I hope you know that I'm always here."

"You're perfect for him you know," she said quietly. "It's nice having someone in my corner to help me pull him from his moods, to watch his back, to take care of him. Sirius and I, we want… wanted him to be happy and you make him so happy, Ginny. I've been rooting for you since the Quidditch World Cup."

Ginny's mouth opened in surprise. "The Quidditch World Cup?

"It takes a strong bond with someone to break through a Veela haze, Ginny. You touched his arm and he was suddenly no longer entranced… it took him a few months to make that connection and then a few months longer to admit it to himself, but he did," Zee told her. "I think that he's been in love with you a lot longer than he knows."

Ginny smiled at those words. "I think that I've been in love with him a lot longer than he knows, too."

"We'll take care of him, together." Zee placed her hands over the baby bump. "It will give me some practice for when zvezdushka i bogonichka come out." At Ginny's look, she smiled. "Star and Goddess. It's my names for the babies."

"Harry said that you want to wait and be surprised?"

She nodded. "I do. In my dream, Sirius told me that we were having a Star and a Goddess and I don't want that to be ruined, I want to be surprised and to welcome whoever they might be to the world."

Ginny smiled at her. "My mum wanted to be surprised, too. And time after time her surprise was a boy so that by the time she came to me, she was legitimately shocked to find out that she'd been given a daughter."

Zee chuckled. "Well, when zvezdushka i bogonichka make their appearance, I will be surprised as well. Two girls, two boys, one of each… we'll see. I just want them to be healthy."

Ginny couldn't argue with that. "I look forward to meeting them."

Zee polished off the last bit of cornbread and rubbed her stomach. "Me too."

~ ASC ~

Remus checked his watch as he arrived in Fountains Abbey with ten minutes to spare. Harry, Ginny, and Zee were due to arrive back within the hour and he had wanted to be at Black Cottage to greet them, but word from Adrian had demanded his presence at a council meeting and he hadn't been able to refuse. He checked his watch again as he headed through the ruins and into the Cellarium. He smiled politely at Echo Simpson when he recognized her standing there.

"Romulus," she said with a nod in his direction. "Glad you could join us."

"Of course," Remus said. "Adrian mentioned that it was important for me to be here today."

"Well, we're hoping that's the case. Where's your mate?"

"She was needed at the Ministry," he said. "She's an Auror and with what's been happening, her caseload has been rising daily."

Echo only nodded. "I can imagine that's so. The new decisions that the Ministry have been making under Madam Bones are definitely favourable."

"You approve?"

Echo nodded again. "Very much so. Two wizards from the Department of Transportation have come out over the last few weeks to teach us to Apparate. It's more than I ever could have hoped for, being given the opportunity to learn a wizard's trick like that."

"Have you mastered it?"

She smiled. "Almost. We have three more weeks left of instruction and then we'll be able to take the test at the end of August. My pack volunteered to learn first and I think Adrian might be a little jealous."

"Only a little," Adrian admitted, coming up behind her. "Romulus, glad you could come. Where is the lovely Mrs Lupin?"

"At work," Remus told him. "What's this about?"

"You'll see," Adrian said with a smile, nodding towards the bear of a man marching towards them.

The man in question had a full head of shaggy dark hair with a scraggly beard that could match Hagrid's. His broad shoulders and his bulky frame made him look oddly terrifying as he marched towards them in full stride.

"Volk, we welcome you to the Council of Elders."

Volk only stared at them. "Who is this?"

"Romulus," Remus said, extending his hand. "We met once many years ago."

Volk sniffed the air. "You were bitten by Greyback."

"I was," Remus said warily.

Volk suddenly turned his back on him and looked at Echo. "You've harassed me enough, woman!"

Echo only lifted an eyebrow. "I've hardly harassed you, Volk. It just took you over a year to answer my summons."

Volk spit on the ground. "I want Greyback dead. I want to bathe in his blood and clean my teeth with his bones."

Adrian stared at him. "Well, I'd say that makes you more or less on our side. You know what he did to our daughter."

Volk's eyes darkened. "And you know what he's done to mine."

More wolves began to arrive as Volk looked around at them and Adrian nodded, calling the meeting to head.

"Thank you all for coming today. I called forth this meeting of the Council of Elders because another pack leader wishes to speak with us. I would like all of you to welcome Volk, who as you know, leads the wolf pack in Berlin along with wolves from all over Scotland, France, Sweden, and Denmark as well as the rest of Germany. Volk is the Alpha of the largest pack in all of Europe," Adrian declared, looking out among his fellow pack leaders.

"We heard Volk was following Greyback!" someone shouted from the back.

Adrian nodded. "He was, until Greyback did what he does best, and betrayed him."

Volk stepped forward, his eyes on the wolves. "My daughter Ivory, she chose Greyback to be her mate and when he planted his seed in her, he then had the audacity to claim that pup wasn't his. He moved onto Conan's daughter Cami, and has twisted that bitch around him, and Conan won't see reason."

"And Ivory?" Rune demanded.

"She lost the pup and has declared war on Greyback," Volk stated.

Adrian turned back to the wolves. "We've joined forces with the Ministry of Magic to ally ourselves with them, to become more accepted in the community. But like all communities, there are bad seeds who trickle through. If Conan is following Greyback, that means his pack is as well and therefore, they cannot be trusted."

"Some of them can," Summer declared.

Adrian nodded. "Conan's nephew, Ulrik has chosen Summer for his mate and joined Daimon's pack."

Volk frowned. "Conan doesn't like wolves who turn their backs on him."

Ulrik moved to stand in front of Summer. "I have no desire to shed blood the way he does. I am a wolf and I am a man, and as both, I choose love."

Volk only stared at him. "The wolf does not choose, the wolf is who you are. Are all of you going to tell me that your puppy trained? Does the Ministry hold onto your leashes now?"

"We're not leashed, Volk," Remus interrupted, his eyes flashing. "We're making choices to better ourselves."

Volk scoffed, turning to look at Remus in disgust. "Leashed and puppy trained just like Greyback claimed. The wolf wants blood. The wolf wants the thrill of the hunt; to feel the moon's light upon him. Do you not miss that? Howling at the moon and hearing your pack answer… the smell of fresh blood, knowing you have the power to make and destroy life with one leap." His eyes gleamed in hunger as he looked around them. "When's the last time any of you turned a human into a wolf?"

"We don't turn people without consent," Adrian declared darkly. "We don't hurt people, Volk."

Volk spit on the ground again. "At least Greyback promises us freedom to be ourselves. What does the Ministry promise you? Longer leashes?"

"Acceptance. Education for our children. The ability to use magic," Echo exclaimed. "The gifts that have been denied us because of who we are."

"What we are," Volk spat. "We're the creatures wizards fear. We can smell their blood just as strongly as their fear. The taste of it is like a nectar that we must treasure. Yet you're all voting to be housetrained?"

Rune stood up straighter. "None of us are housebroken, Volk! We know what the truth of the wolf is and the slaughter of the innocent is not part of that!"

Volk only licked his lips. "At least Fenrir isn't denying us our heritage."

"If you agree with Greyback then you've come to the wrong place," Remus declared darkly. "We're not following him and we're not interested in his puppet master Lord Voldemort."

Volk scoffed. "Fenrir may be the Dark Lord's pup, but I can promise you, he's not leashed."

"And neither are we," Adrian said. "But we choose to protect our families, our packs, and our way of life. We don't wish to be outcasts in our communities."

Volk looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead he stared around at them, his eyes gleaming dangerously. "When Greyback leads the packs forward, will you fight against him?"

"Yes," Echo declared.

"Yes," Rune and Daimon called out.

Volk turned to Adrian. "And you? Will you bring me the head of the wolf who murdered your daughter?"

"If fate declares it is me to end his life, then yes, I will."

He watched Adrian's face for a long moment before he nodded. "As long as you fight when the time comes, I will not protest your leashes. What is this Ministry offering? Why should I join you in this alliance?"

"Because it's good for all wolves," Remus interrupted. "Despite your claims that we're housebroken, that we're nothing more than pets of the Ministry, we're doing this for everyone. We're doing this so that our children can become part of the magical world, so that we can stop being outcasts. The Ministry is finally starting to take notice that magical creatures are not creatures to be feared. We can be dangerous, but most of us just want to live our lives; we don't want to be attacking people left and right or causing bloodshed and dissension in the ranks. By allying yourself with the Ministry, you're agreeing to take a stand against Voldemort. You're agreeing to help the Ministry in this fight and in return, the Ministry is helping us educate our children and allowing them to learn and to use the magics they were born with."

"My pack has been learning to Apparate," Echo said as Volk's eyes met hers. "Do you know how rare that is, Volk? We're learning to travel like witches and wizards do."

"Because you are witches and wizards," Remus said. "Just as much as you're wolves."

Volk didn't look convinced. "I want Greyback to suffer for what he's done. If you're against Greyback and his precious Dark Lord, then I am on your side. I will obey the rules of your Ministry in accordance with the Komitee der Magie, if they're in agreement to join forces. In return, I want Fenrir's head. But, I will not be housebroken."

Adrian shrugged. "I can't say that any of us here would be upset if Fenrir died, but if you follow the Ministry's rules while in England and your pack helps us, we would be grateful."

Echo nodded, her eyes on Daimon. "You've been quiet, Daimon, nothing to add."

"The work I've been doing with the Terra Troops has been insightful and unlike anything that I've worked on before. I look forward to learning more and to working closely with more witches and wizards. Bones was right, it is a slow process, but it is a process and like any process, it takes time. Inviting Volk and his pack to join us is another step towards that goal."

Rune stared at Volk. "You'll have to come to the next Wizengamot meeting and meet Madam Bones and we'll go from there."

"Do you have a repertoire with your Ministry?" Remus asked.

Volk's dark eyes met his. "Komitee der Magie has an agreement with my pack, yes, though not anything like what you're implying Britain's Ministry is giving you. Komitee der Magie fears us and knows better than to take a stand against us."

"We do not lead with fear," Damion said, his eyes on Volk. "And if you can't accept that, then you might as well turn around and walk out of here right now. My grandson had his first year at Hogwarts because of our alliance and he learned magic. I wouldn't change that for the world."

"And your wolf? Has he turned yet?" Volk demanded.

"He's too young," Daimon said. "Within the next two to three years he will turn and he will understand the sacrifices we made to give him the best of both worlds. The alliances and the decisions to make a more accepting community for all."

Adrian smiled. "Madam Bones is quite the Minister, Volk. Perhaps we can set up a meeting with someone from your Komitee to join forces."

Volk looked mildly intrigued by this, but still unconvinced. "And I can rip Fenrir's head from his body?"

Rune chuckled. "Like we said, no one here is going to stop you."

Volk nodded. "Let's talk plans then."

~ ASC ~

Harry, Ginny, and Zee stepped through the doors of Black Cottage just after twelve that afternoon with Lady Godiva leading the way. Zee immediately headed upstairs to unpack, leaving Harry and Ginny to say goodbye. Harry brought her trunk and her surfboard over to the fireplace and pulled her into his arms as they stood in the living room.

"Don't go."

Ginny smiled up at him. "Missing me already?"

"Yes," he admitted, kissing her forehead. "Not seeing you tomorrow might kill me."

Ginny laughed. "I think you'll survive it."

He pouted and she grinned, standing on her toes to kiss him. His hands automatically reached up to play with her hair and she sighed into him. They stood there kissing for at least five minutes before Ginny let go.

Harry made a dramatic sigh before he kissed the tip of her nose. "Okay, I'm good. I won't miss you now."

She smirked at him. "You won't, eh?"

"No, not at all," he teased.

Ginny nodded and reached down to push her trunk into the fireplace. "I won't miss you either. In fact, I might be tired of you by now."

Harry grinned as he moved to open the container of Floo powder for her. "I'm certainly tired of you."

Her eyes twinkled at him as she took a handful of Floo powder in her hand. "Just wait until I beat you in that race."

Then she vanished in green flames and he laughed.

There was no way that she was winning that race.

~ ASC ~

Ginny stepped into her own living room, still grinning. Her eyes widened in surprise to find Charlie sprawled out across the sofa, shirtless with a bowl of crisps sitting on his abs as he listened to the news on the wireless.

"There she is!" he declared, putting the bowl down before he jumped to his feet.

Ginny curled into him instantly. "Charlie! I didn't know that you were in town!"

"Yeah, you'll be seeing a lot more of me," he told her, explaining about the work he would be doing with the Wing Guards.

"That's amazing!" Ginny told him.

Charlie gestured towards her trunk and surfboard. "So, you spent some time in America with Harry?"

"It was incredible! We surfed and we rode horses and Papa showed me how to make a Patronus. It was an incredible summer."

"Papa?"

She blushed. "Harry's grandfather. Zee's parents and grandparents want me to call them Grandma and Grandpa and Papa and Grandmama. They were wonderful and welcoming."

"Do I have to have a word with Potter about treating my sister right?"

Ginny only raised an eyebrow. "Do I have to hex you?"

He grinned sheepishly. "I missed you, Jitterbug."

Ginny hugged him tightly again. "I've missed you, too. Where is everyone else?"

"Oi, tired of me already?"

She chuckled as she looked up at him. "No, you prat!"

Charlie kept his arm around her as he steered her towards the kitchen. "Mum went to the market so that she could make your favourite dishes for dinner tonight. Dad and Percy are at the Ministry. Ron is at the shop with Fred and George. And I assume Bill is at Gringotts pretending to work while he secretly snogs Fleur."

Ginny made a face.

"Spill it."

Ginny shrugged. "Don't you think she's too… posh for Bill?"

"No. She's bloody gorgeous is what she is. Leave it to Bill to get the best looking bird to find him."

"Looks aren't everything," Ginny replied.

"No, but they certainly help." When his sister failed to smile, he sighed. "Bill says that she's smart and she's clever. I had dinner with them the other day and she is clever and she's very nice. She is quite posh, I'll admit, and she sometimes comes across as a little stuck up, but most French people are, are they not?"

Ginny shrugged again. "She's not who I imagined for him."

"Ah, but who you imagine him with and who he falls in love with are not the same."

"You just think she's fit."

"So fit," he said with a grin. "The Veela aspect is a turn on as well, though Bill says it's also a little terrifying when she gets angry. She was a champion in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Ginny, that says a lot about who she is. You had to be pretty badass to get picked by the goblet."

Ginny couldn't really argue with that. "I'll be nice."

Charlie kissed her temple. "Good girl. Now, I'll be a nice brother and bring your trunk upstairs while you tell me more about America and I'll tell you about my new house."

"You bought a house? In Romania?"

He nodded. "I did. A few months ago now, but I'm still renovating as it's quite old. But you first. What's America like?"

Ginny smiled at him as she followed him up the stairs to her room. She was glad he was home and she was glad to be home herself.

~ ASC ~

Harry was flying in the garden when he saw Remus step out onto the patio. He immediately dove down, pulling off a rather sharp Wronski Feint that had Remus glaring at him.

"That will never not scare the life out of me."

Harry laughed and hugged his father tightly. "I have control."

Remus kissed the top of his son's head as he held him close. "I missed you, Little Prongs." He pulled back to take him in and smiled. "Nice tan, a happy smile… I think Georgia did you well."

"You just saw me four days ago."

Remus chuckled. "That's different."

Harry hugged him again. "I'm glad to be home."

"Ginny's gone?"

He nodded. "Yeah. She used the Floo to get back to the Burrow about thirty minutes ago."

"Where's Zee?"

"She was unpacking and contemplating a nap before her appointment. Naps have been a big part of her days as of late and the international portkey wore her out. She's supposed to see Healer Abby at quarter to two."

Remus nodded, his arm around his son. "Good, taking care of herself and those babies is first priority. I wanted to talk to you about something."

Harry's eyebrow rose as Remus led him into the gazebo and they sat down. "Everything okay?"

"Everything is more than okay," Remus told him, his eyes on his son. "I just came from a meeting of the Council of Elders, it seems that Volk has finally turned against Greyback and is looking to join forces with the English packs."

"That's great news, Uncle Moony!" Harry exclaimed. "That means Voldemort doesn't have a lot of wolves, right?"

"Yes, and no," Remus said carefully. "Conan's pack is still very supportive of him and that doesn't include all of the wolves who refuse to join a pack and support Greyback. But Volk is Alpha of the largest pack in all of Europe, so having him turn away from Voldemort is definitely great news. I left him with Adrian and Echo and they were discussing having a meeting with Bones and bringing in the German Ministry of Magic, in hopes of making an alliance that way."

"Wow," Harry said, surprised at that. "Do you think that we can really bring in more magical Ministries? Papa said that the Russian, Bulgarian, and French Ministries have supplied witches and wizards to help keep an eye on Death Eater activity in their own countries as well as work in tandem with our Aurors, but they haven't been any more involved than that."

"Well, it is our war and not theirs," Remus said carefully. "But having them ally themselves with us in any capacity works in our favour. It also allows our DMLE to have jurisdiction in any of the countries that we've allied ourselves with as long as they go through the proper channels. Not that it's been necessary yet, but we know that Voldemort has been hiding out in other countries before now."

Harry nodded. "That's still really great news, Uncle Rem."

Remus' eyes were on him before he spoke. "There's more." Harry gave him a questioning look and he sighed. "Andromeda received an invitation to Norfolk Manor to see Theo. It seems that Blaise Zabini is staying with him for the summer."

"That's not a surprise," Harry told him. "Theo, Blaise, and Draco are all close."

"It seems that Theo and Blaise have been made aware of the fact that Voldemort is staying at Wiltshire Manor."

Harry's eyes widened. "As in living there?"

Remus nodded. "It appears that way. Considering he's there, Theo hasn't been able to make contact with Draco and from what I understand, he hasn't been trying to do so - that's for his own safety as well as Blaise's. But the two of them invited Andromeda over to tell her this and to explain their suspicions. Apparently they think that Draco might have taken the Dark Mark."

"Wouldn't surprise me," Harry muttered.

"Well, it surprises me," Remus told him. "He's not the most pleasant person to be around, but I had hoped that with his peaceful alliance with you, he might have made a better choice considering he's seen where his father and grandfather have ended up."

"He's a git, Uncle Rem. He's full of himself and arrogant. I think that he's afraid of his grandfather and part of his arrogance is a show that he puts on." Harry dragged his fingers through his hair as he sighed. "But… he doesn't agree with Voldemort. I know that much."

Remus nodded. "I didn't think so either. Theo seems to think that he might have taken it to protect his parents, which I admit, would be a logical assumption. Either way, you'll have to be wary of him when school starts up. I don't know how much you can trust him."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't exactly have trusted him to begin with, Uncle Rem, but thanks for the heads up."

"It's something else to think about anyway," Remus said. "And something good happened yesterday as well." He tapped his fingers on the table until Harry only gave him a look.

"Well, come on then, don't hold back on the good news!"

Remus smiled. "It's… well… Nymphadora and I received an owl asking us to go to Hogwarts. It seems that Neville and Luna took it upon themselves to search for the diadem."

"Oh?" Harry asked, sitting up in his seat. "Did Neville think of something we missed?"

"They found it, Harry."

Harry's eyes widened. "What?"

"I took Neville to Number Twelve yesterday afternoon and he destroyed it."

"It's — gone?"

"It's gone," Remus said with a smile. "He used the Sword of Gryffindor and he destroyed it."

"So… it's just the snake?"

Remus nodded. "The snake is going to be incredibly difficult to hunt, Harry. We're not going to find her tomorrow and frankly, it could be eons until we do. You know that we can't go after her until Voldemort makes a move, until he brings the battle forward."

"We could hunt her."

"No," Remus said sharply. "The only way to hunt her is to hunt Voldemort himself, and since the entire Ministry hasn't been able to find him, I'm not counting on us doing so. He'll make his move, Harry, and when he does, we'll be ready for him."

"And we can kill him?"

"Or imprison him. Whatever we decide, we're another step closer to defeating him."

Harry shook his head. "No, he has to die, Uncle Rem. He has too many followers, too many people who are loyal to him… he could never be contained in a prison."

"Grindelwald has," Remus said softly. "He's been in Nurmengard for over fifty years and he had a cult following himself until Dumbledore defeated him."

"It's not the same," Harry told him. "Grindelwald isn't Voldemort."

"No, he's not," Remus answered. "It's another step in the right direction anyway and like I said, until Voldemort makes his move, we can't just go after him. It's going to be a waiting game now."

"Do you know why he left the Ministry in June?"

"Some theories, but nothing definite," he said. "Why don't you send word to Neville to have him come over and fill you in on the diadem? I'm going to send word out about an FUVP meeting tomorrow night and we'll talk plans. With only Nagini left, I think that we can officially say we've Fucked Up Voldemort's Plans and can move into Operation Kill the Sodding Bastard."

The names made Harry's mouth twitch as he looked at his father. "We don't know how we're going to do that."

"But we have some ideas," Remus said. "And Neville will have more for you. After all, he's been sworn into the Wizengamot and will have more news on the Defence Department. I'm going to make a cup of tea, you Floo call him."

Harry watched his father get up and head into the house and he shook his head in amazement. Neville had found and destroyed the diadem… but Nagini was still left. It was incredible news and more than he had been expecting upon arriving home. He stood up and followed Remus.

He needed to talk to Neville.

Forty minutes later, Neville, Remus, and Harry were sitting comfortably in the living room with tea. Remus had made sandwiches as well and Harry was eagerly eating as they waited for Zee to come downstairs. She'd just returned back from her appointment and had claimed that she needed to use the loo first only a moment before Neville had arrived.

"I'm still surprised myself," Neville admitted when he caught Harry staring at him.

Harry shook his head. "I'm not surprised you did it, Nev. I just can't believe it's… you fucking found it!"

Neville grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah, I did."

Zee came down the stairs, pulling her hair up into a messy bun. "Sorry for keeping you waiting." She kissed Remus' cheek as she took a seat next to Harry. "What's all this about now?"

Neville was staring at her stomach, his eyes wide and she chuckled.

"Yes, Neville, I'm pregnant with twins. My zvezdushka i bogonichka are in here," she said, rubbing her stomach.

Harry grinned at her. "How'd the appointment go?"

"Great," Zee said with a smile. "I have two healthy babies in here! Healer Abby says the fact that my stomach has expanded drastically within the last two and half weeks is nothing to be concerned with. Having two babies means I'll be fatter than ever and be getting fatter faster."

Harry chuckled. "You still look beautiful."

"Flatterer," Zee said, reaching for the tall glass of orange juice that Remus had poured for her. "I'm famished."

Remus immediately hopped up and returned a moment later with two more plates of sandwiches. "You're eating for three after all."

Zee patted the bump under her shirt with a smile. "They're now the size of two sweet potatoes and Healer Abbey says that they even have fingerprints now."

"That's kind of incredible that they can know that," Harry admitted. "It sounds like they're really people."

"They are," Zee said, rubbing her tummy before she helped herself to one of the sandwiches.

Neville shook his head in amazement. "Wow. Harry, you're going to be a big brother!"

He grinned. "I know, kind of surreal, right? Zee, listen — Neville and Luna found the diadem yesterday."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she ate a sandwich. "What?"

Remus nodded. "Nymphadora and I were quite surprised ourselves when we heard word that they'd discovered it. Neville, why don't you tell everyone?"

Neville let out a slow breath. "It was just… it was the riddle, Harry. It's been bothering me. We knew that it had to be in the Room of Requirement or the Come and Go Room, whatever one wants to call it. That much was obvious, right? But… it was just getting in there. After listening to you and Remus and Professor Dumbledore talk in the FUVP meeting — the way you outlined Voldemort's life and the potential timeline of when and where and how he made the Horcruxes — the riddle just made me more angry. I felt like we were so close and yet it was just out of our reach. So, in between working on my greenhouses and in between dealing with Cumbria and attending the Wizengamot, I studied it and well, it was Gran who figured it out."

At Harry's raised eyebrow, Neville explained how Augusta had thought the riddle meant something hidden or more importantly referenced hidden things, which made her think of this room in Hogwarts where she'd once hidden a diary. Neville told them how listening to her talk just clicked it all into place for him and how he'd immediately gone to get Luna. How Xenophilius Lovegood offered to bring them to Hogwarts and how they'd gotten inside through Hagrid's help and how the Room of Hidden Things had appeared to them.

"It's insane how much stuff is in there, Harry. It was full of centuries of old stuff, including this." He reached behind him and pulled out the velvet box from the bag he'd brought. "Luna and I decided to wait to show you when Harry was here, Remus, but Luna found this necklace and she thinks that it might be Slytherin's missing necklace."

He lifted the lid and Zee gasped. The emeralds glittered in the light against the white gold and diamonds. "Goodness!"

Remus stared at the necklace in amazement. "It definitely looks like it could be. We'll have to give it over to Professor Raffigan and see what she thinks. Mary is the expert on the founders."

"Wait on that," Zee interrupted. "If you found the necklace in the room with the diadem and word gets out that an heirloom of Salazar Slytherin was found, Voldemort might get suspicious."

"Excellent point," Remus said as he examined the necklace. "We'll put it in the vault with the destroyed Horcruxes for the time being."

Neville nodded. "Anyway, I found Gran's diary and my Remembrall from first year and basically Luna and I think that the room must collect things that students lose over the years. But the diadem was in there. It was just sitting on this bust of an ugly old warlock, like it was waiting for us to find it."

Harry stared at his friend as he explained how he picked it up and how the thing immediately brought a memory forward of the night his parents went insane. Harry reached out to touch Neville's arm and he gave him a smile in thanks before he continued with how Luna broke him out of his trance, and how they wrapped the diadem in an old Hufflepuff scarf they found before sending an owl to Remus. Remus brought them to Number Twelve and how he gave Neville the sword and how the diadem fought back, but the Horcrux was gone.

"It's just… wow," Harry said, unsure what to say.

Remus grinned at him. "Wow about sums it up. The important part is that it's gone and we know that we just have the snake left."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, just the snake and then… Voldemort."

Zee polished off a second sandwich. "The moment will come for that, in the meantime, we need to focus on making sure everyone is ready for him when he attacks a second time."

"The Wizengamot is doing a pretty good job of that," Neville admitted. "It seemed like they were really coming together over the whole defence issue in the last session."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Adrian filled me in and I agree. Zee, I wanted to tell you about Volk and the German Ministry's potential involvement. Neville, why don't you tell Harry about the defence issues and the Wizengamot sessions?"

"You two can catch up in the treehouse," Zee suggested, drinking her juice.

"Trying to be rid of us?"

Zee squeezed Harry's hand. "Never."

"I already told you about Volk anyway," Remus said with a smile.

Harry nodded and stood up as Neville followed suit.

Neville turned to smile at Zee. "Congratulations by the way. On the babies, that is."

"Thank you, Neville."

Harry bent to kiss her cheek, making her smile affectionately at him, before he led his friend out in the garden and towards the treehouse. Neville followed him up the stairs to the top of the pirate ship and Harry stretched out on his back, hands behind his head.

Neville made himself comfortable next to his friend before he spoke. "Are you upset?"

"Why would I be upset?"

Neville shrugged, sneaking a look over at him. "Because I found it and destroyed it without you."

Harry was quiet for a moment before he answered. "Not upset, no," he admitted.

It wasn't jealousy he felt. He didn't care at all that he wasn't the one to find and destroy the Horcrux; after all, it had been Sirius who had found the locket, and Sirius, Moody, Tonks, and Bill who had found the ring, so no — it was the uncertainty he felt surrounding it.

"What is it then?"

"I don't know," he said quietly. "It's knowing that there's just one left and that I can't go after it, that I can't… I don't like the idea of it being a waiting game. Waiting for him to attack, to cause more damage, to hurt more people… it's not a good plan."

"No, it's not," Neville agreed. "But what else can we do? Even if we dropped out of Hogwarts and went out looking for him and his followers and somehow managed to kill the snake — do you really think that we'd get away free from it? That we'd somehow be able to defeat him? Remus is right. It's up to Voldemort now. He has to bring the war to us and when he does, we'll be ready for him."

Harry nodded. "Papa had me duelling wandlessly in Georgia… in case I lose one of my wands."

"Wow," Neville said in amazement. "What's it feel like?"

"Tiring," Harry admitted. "But really cool. I'm going to take Professor Rhiannon's Wandless Magic course in September to help build up my magical core. Papa says that the wand helps us channel our magic and sometimes we rely on it too much and don't use the power of our own magical blood to its full potential."

"That makes sense to me," Neville said. "This is the kind of stuff that we can keep doing. Learning all that we can, building on our strengths and our weaknesses, and hopefully the Ministry will do the same."

Harry couldn't argue with that logic.

"The Ministry is doing pretty well," Neville continued. "Basically the theory is that Voldemort left when he realized you had, and the unspoken words are that he's afraid of Dumbledore, but Dumbledore says that it was something more."

"And what about the defence unit?"

"Well, the reason they didn't show up like they should have seems to be mainly a transportation issue and it's being worked out. The wolves are even learning to Apparate to help out. The last meeting even brought forth some of the Merpeople. Apparently, they've decided that listening to Zee was a smart move and are in negotiations with the Ministry to form an alliance. It's not a sure thing by any means, but they're willing to talk, which is a good sign. I did hear that they were waiting for Zee to return to work as well. It seems that she is one of the few agents the Merpeople are willing to work with on the negotiations. Right now they're dealing with Oliphant and he's good, but the Merpeople aren't convinced yet."

Harry nodded as he listened to Neville explain about the new fountain based on the tree of life and how Bones' ideas were branching from it. Neville told him how Theo had suggested getting the Squibs to learn swordplay and archery and Harry's mouth opened in surprise.

"Theo joined the Wizengamot?"

"Yeah," Neville said. "Bill and Percy convinced him to and it seems to have been a good idea. He's getting more comfortable there. We've only had three sessions so far, but they've been good."

When he finished explaining about the changes and the new Ministry plans for the four defence units, Harry sat up.

"What?" Neville asked him.

Harry shook his head. "Nothing, it's just… a lot. It sounds like they're on the right path."

"Thanks to Sirius," Neville said. "Sirius led the way for all of this, Harry. He's the one who started the ball rolling first with his fight against the Undesirable bill, and then his fight to save Remus, his support for change, and ultimately by standing in the middle of the government and showing your memory of the graveyard. It's because of him that so much has happened and is happening."

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, I know. He's… he was pretty incredible."

"In the last Wizengamot session, there was a breakdown as to what had transpired within the Department of Mysteries," Neville explained. "The Auror Department has finished its investigation concerning the attack and the break-in so the Wizengamot could discuss it more thoroughly and openly. I stood up and I told them what had happened, what I had seen. When I was finished and I explained how the Death Eaters had attacked and how Bellatrix Lestrange killed Sirius… we had a moment of silence for him and Madam Bones wants to posthumously give Sirius an Order of Merlin."

Harry's eyes shot up to look at his friend. "What?"

Neville nodded. "Second Class. She says that Sirius Black's role was more than just 'an achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary.' I didn't want to say anything in front of Zee, but you should tell her. Bones plans to send the purple ribbon award to you in honour of his service to the Ministry of Magic. His name will be up on the Memorial Wall in the Ministry atrium as well, the one that says: The Heroes who've Served Us."

Harry found his mouth was dry. "Wow. I… I don't know what to say."

"Bones wants to merge the wall into the new fountain to make it more visible. I think it's a great honour for Sirius and it might be something that his twins might want to have one day. It will help them know that all of the great stories you'll tell them will actually live up to the man."

Harry smirked a little, sneaking a look at his friend. "Great stories? Nev, the first thing I'm telling them is that the sight of one strand of white hair made that brave man scream like a little girl."

Neville laughed and clapped a hand to Harry's shoulder. "Bravest Gryffindor I knew."

Harry grinned back and nodded, oddly comforted by those words. "An Order of Merlin, just… wow. He would have loved that."

Neville nodded. "I think that's about everything you missed."

"More than I expected," Harry admitted. "I heard you went to Anthony Goldstein's party as well."

Neville rolled his eyes. "Ron asked me to go with him. It was… different."

"Ron said that it was very elaborate and extravagant."

"Did he tell you about the stripper?"

Harry's eyebrow rose. "No, but Ginny, Fred, and George were there when I was talking to him, so he was probably waiting."

Neville grinned. "Her name was Chardonnay."

Harry snorted. "Seriously?"

Neville leaned back on his arms and shook his head. "Total truth."

Harry chuckled as he made himself comfortable on his back again. "All right, Nev, I'm listening."

By the time Neville finished filling him in on the party and headed home later that afternoon Harry decided to go through his mail for the last month. There were a few statements concerning Somerset and information from Gringotts on his accounts and then he stumbled across his OWL results.

"I wondered when you'd get around to opening those," Remus said when Harry came into the living room with the letter.

Harry nodded and then slowly pulled out his test results.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Test Results

Potter, Harry James

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Ministry of Magic, Department of Education

Ancient Runes — Outstanding

Arithmancy — Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy — Acceptable

Charms — Outstanding

Defence Against the Dark Arts — Outstanding

Herbology — Exceeds Expectations

History of Magic — Exceeds Expectations

Muggle Studies — Outstanding

Potions — Outstanding

Transfiguration — Outstanding

Harry grinned as he stared down at the parchment. "All Os and Es, with one Acceptable in Astronomy."

Remus chuckled. "I think that we all know what Sirius would have said to that."

Harry grinned. "That I should have gotten an Outstanding because I literally grew up with a star."

Remus' lips curved. "Exactly."

Zee stood up and hugged Harry close. "We're so proud of you." She kissed his cheek. "What about your grade for International Magical Relations?"

"Just a final assignment for that one," Harry explained. "The course is still too new for an OWL to be offered."

Zee nodded. "I suppose that makes sense." She glanced up at the clock. "It's only five. Are we Diagon Alley bound?"

"Yeah. I want to visit the twins' shop as well and see Ron."

Remus nodded. "I'll take you. Zee could use some rest, I'm sure."

"Rest?"

Remus smiled at her. "International portkeys wear me out, so I can imagine you must be tired on top of the jet lag."

"I will rest when I'm ready to rest," Zee said, steely.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You said that you wanted to nap again."

Zee looked like she wanted to argue but she shook her head. "No, I am tired. Sorry for... I blame the spawns."

Remus chuckled. "I want to spend some time with my son."

Harry grinned at that.

Zee kissed his cheek again. "Okay, the crazy pregnant woman is going to have a nap. You boys have fun."

They watched her head upstairs and Harry shook his head. "You can't tell her to rest! She gets annoyed when I suggest that and claims that she's not an invalid."

Remus nodded. "I forgot that a woman's hormones go a bit crazy when they're pregnant. Your mum was an absolute mad woman. One minute she'd be eating chocolate covered mushrooms and the next she'd be crying and claiming that no one understands her. I can't tell you the number of times I found her crying for no apparent reason. Once she told me that she'd stepped on an ant and how now the little ant family had to grieve and how she was responsible. She wanted to hold an ant funeral… it was a whole thing."

Harry snorted. "You're kidding, right?"

Remus put his arm around his son's shoulders. "We should get you some pregnancy books to help you know what's going on."

Harry blanched. "No way!"

He laughed. "It would be good for you to know what's happening with Zee. To better understand what's going on and how you should react to it."

Harry snuck a look over at his father. "Did my mum really eat chocolate covered mushrooms?"

"Oh, Harry, pregnant women can sometimes eat truly disgusting things. We should prepare ourselves."

Harry still looked skeptical as they headed outside to Apparate. When they arrived in Diagon Alley, Remus nodded towards the letter in his hand. "What do we need this year?"

Harry opened his letter and looked down at his list. "The Standard Book of Spells Grade 6, Confronting the Faceless, Book of Potions, Potion Opuscule, Asiatic Anti-Venoms, A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Rune Translation, and Flesh-Eating Trees of the World."

"Have you decided what classes you're going to keep and which ones you're going to take this year?"

Harry snuck a look up at Remus. "I think I have, yeah."

Remus only raised an eyebrow.

"I want to take the classes to be an Auror."

Remus nodded. "I suspected as much."

"You don't think it's a bad idea, do you?"

"Nothing you could ever choose to do as a profession would be a bad idea to me, Harry. It's your future. If you want to be an Auror, I support you. If you want to be a dancer, well, I may laugh a bit since I've seen your dancing, but I'd still support you."

"Oh, ha ha," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

Remus put his arm around his son's shoulders. "I think that you'd be a marvellous Auror. And I think that it's a good decision to take the hard classes to put yourself out there. Even if you finish school and decide that's not what you want to do, you've left your options open to do just about anything."

Harry nodded. "I want to take the Wandless Magic course."

"I was going to insist on it. I think you should consider staying in the International Magical Relations course as well. It could be very beneficial to you."

"Do you think that I should pick a new language?"

Remus shrugged. "That's up to you. You know Latin and French already and you've picked up on the ancient Greek fairly well. You can always stick with it, increase your knowledge there rather than throw another subject at yourself, but the choice is yours."

He nodded. "Maybe I'll see what my options are."

"Good idea. And you'll keep History of Magic?" At Harry's eye roll, Remus grinned. "History is important, Harry."

"Yes, I'll keep History of Magic," Harry promised.

"Good," Remus said with a smile. "So, you'll be dropping Astronomy, Arthimancy, Ancient Runes, and Muggle Studies?"

"Yeah," he said, glancing down at his book list again. "That will bring me down from eleven courses to eight, much more manageable."

"Indeed," Remus said. "Harry, for the record, I think that you'd make a damn good Auror."

Harry grinned at his father. "Thanks, Uncle Moony."

Remus nodded and squeezed Harry's shoulder. "All right, let's be book bound to start."

Harry thought it sounded like a good plan.

~ ASC ~

Harry and Remus finished picking up his books followed by new robes, school supplies, and new potions ingredients. It took them two hours and Harry picked up some more owl treats for Hedwig along the way before they headed to where the incredible building of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes stood. Harry could see that they were pretty busy despite it being almost half past seven by the time they stepped inside. The bell rang when they opened the door, and Harry grinned at the sight of his best mate behind the counter.

Ron was cashing someone out, but he saw them and waved. It was only a moment before he managed to sneak over.

"Ron!" Harry exclaimed, grinning broadly at the sight of his friend.

Ron met him across the shop in a one-armed hug. "Hey! How was Georgia?"

"It was great! We all really needed it. How's working here been?"

"Brilliant actually," Ron admitted. "The twins pay me a nice wage and it's kept me fairly busy. It's nice to have some pocket money to spend. You doing your shopping for school?"

"Yeah. We're pretty much done. You do yours yet?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Mostly. I just need new pants as I've outgrown them again."

Remus smiled. "Considering you're about my height now, I'd say so."

Since Ron stood a full head taller than him, Harry had to agree. Remus had always been the Celtic Giant according to Sirius and Harry knew that other than Bill Weasley, who was the same height as Remus, Ron was next in line for the tallest person he knew. Except for Hagrid who, to be fair, was in his own category altogether.

"How late do you work until?" Harry asked.

"Eight," Ron said with a grimace. "But I'm off tomorrow. Maybe we can do something?"

"Yeah definitely. I'll see if Hermione wants to come too. She's back now, right?"

"A few days ago," Ron told him. "Hey, Remus, Fred, and George have the first prototype finished for VainMuch. You should step into the back and take a look at it."

"VainMuch?" Remus asked, his brow furrowing.

Harry grinned. "I told them the story about Mum claiming Dad and Uncle Siri were vain for carrying around mirrors since she didn't know they were communication devices and well, it kind of stuck."

Remus chuckled. "I forgot about that. I'll leave you boys to it then."

Harry watched his father sneak into the back room as Ron gave him a one minute sign to cash someone out at the register. He was back a moment later and Harry grinned at him.

"Why don't you come over tonight after your shift? I'll invite Nev, too, and we can have a bloke's night in the treehouse? I'm still kind of wired from the portkey and well, in Georgia time, it's only two thirty in the afternoon for me."

"That sounds brilliant," Ron admitted. "We can tell you about Chardonnay."

"Nev mentioned her."

Ron snorted, the tips of his ears turning bright red. "Can you believe that Goldstein hired a dancer like that? She took off all of her clothes, Harry!"

"I believe they call those strippers, Ron."

"I know what they're bloody called," he muttered.

Harry grinned. "Nev said that it was an interesting party and that you both had a good time."

"We did," Ron admitted. "Champagne and Firewhiskey, not a big fan of that bubbly, but it was nice. We played billiards and turns out I'm fairly good at it. I won twenty Galleons."

"And everyone was there?"

"Yeah, except of course for you and Hermione. Malfoy didn't show and neither did Crabbe, Goyle, or Bulstrode."

Harry frowned at that. "Well, we know what their fathers are up to."

Ron shrugged. "Doesn't mean they are."

"Like you believe that."

"Didn't say I did," Ron said slowly. "But also wasn't too upset that they weren't present. A bloke's night sounds brilliant though. I usually get out of here around eight thirty. Mum usually has dinner warming for me, but I'll pop by right after."

"Perfect," Harry told him. "Nine then?"

Ron nodded and turned to a customer who was speaking to him. Harry gave his attention back to the shop. It really was quite astounding how much the twins had put together. It was a bustling new enterprise and they were doing very well for themselves. His eyes fell on a corner display that seemed to have vomited pink everywhere. The sign above it claimed that it was the line of "WonderWitch Products." Harry's gaze fell on multiple bottles of makeup products, fragrances, and love potions before they landed on the small brightly coloured fluff balls in the corner in varying shades of purple and pink.

"Pygmy Puffs," a voice said from behind him. "Miniature Puffskeins that Fred and I bred. It kind of happened by accident, but they're cute as a button and everyone seems to fall in love with them."

"How was it an accident?" Harry asked.

George grinned. "Well, we were trying to extract Puffskein hair from some of the nest we found in Hogwarts, but while Fred was extracting the hair, we accidentally spilled a potion of a hair colour charm and floral perfume on the hair and there was this whole shrinking thing and anyway… we ended up breeding these guys."

"They're cute," Harry admitted. "WonderWitch Products?"

George smirked. "Hey, where you see mockery, we see profit. Witches will pay a pretty penny for a good perfume or for the right kind of makeup. We didn't set out to create these things, but we ended up having to create them to help ourselves deal with the mess we made while experimenting. The Ten-Second Pimple Vanisher is particularly well-crafted."

Harry grinned. "Everlasting Eyelashes?"

"We can't all have luscious lashes like you, Mr Potter." Harry flushed and George grinned. "And don't worry about the love potions, we were careful with them. They're strictly for the user to induce infatuation for up to twenty-four hours, but they can't do more than that and will only work if the person is attracted to the one who dosed them. And this one here gives one a lovely daydream of anything they desire, quite useful that one. It's for seventeen and above though." At Harry's raised brow, he grinned. "They can be quite… stimulating."

Harry looked up when Remus came out of the backroom with Fred. "Everything looks awesome, Fred."

"I agree," Remus told them. "And I think the mirrors are going to be a great hit themselves."

"When are you going to be selling them?" Harry asked.

"We're hoping within the next month or two. We just need to produce more of them first."

"Excellent," Harry told them. He shivered when he felt something tickle his hand and he looked down to see a tiny purple Pygmy Puff had crawled up his arm. He pet the puff quietly and smiled when he nuzzled into him. "I'll take this one."

Fred grinned. "Didn't figure you for a softie, Potter."

"For Ginny," Harry said. "I think she'd love this little guy."

George snorted. "Yeah, she'll go nuts for him. It's on us."

Harry shook his head. "No way. This is your place of business and I will be paying for him." When the twins refused, he merely sat his money on the counter. "Either way, it's staying there. See you tonight, Ron."

Then he followed Remus out of the shop, the purple Puff chilling on his shoulder.

"I assume that you want to drop that off at the Burrow before we head home?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, just a quick stop."

Remus smiled. "You can use the Floo at The Leaky Cauldron and then I'll meet you at home. Deal?"

"Deal."

He waved at Remus five minutes later as he disappeared in the fire at the pub. He then appeared in the familiar living room of the Burrow. It was oddly quiet, and when he poked his head in the kitchen, he didn't see anyone. No one was in the garden either so he made his way upstairs to Ginny's room. Her door was open, the bed made, her trunk at the end of it. He put the Pygmy Puff down on her bed, building a tiny wall around it with pillows. He found a piece of parchment on Ginny's dresser and scrawled a quick note, leaving it next to the mini fort he'd made.

When he came back downstairs, there was still no sign of anyone, though he could see brooms over the orchard, so he stepped back into the fire and disappeared. A moment later, he arrived in his own living room.

Remus was sitting on the sofa when he stepped out. "Did she love it?"

"She wasn't in the house," Harry told him. "But I know she will."

Remus grinned. "Well, why don't we get some dinner started. I want to hear more about these wandless magic lessons until Ron comes over."

Harry shrugged and levitated the books from the bag at his father's feet. "What, like this?"

"Show-off," Remus said, standing up. "Let's see what else you can do."

~ ASC ~

Draco moved through the hall, intending to sneak upstairs quietly and go to bed. If he didn't get away now, he knew that his aunt would bring him back down to the dungeon and make him watch her torture the Muggle they had down there - again. That poor woman had undergone more than anyone ever should.

And her blood was red.

He knew it because he'd watched it pour all over the floor. How could a person have so much blood inside of them? How could they lose so much blood and still be alive? He shuddered and moved to open the door to his bedroom suite when Snape beat him to it.

"Sir."

Snape only stared at him, his greasy hair falling into his eyes. "I want to talk."

Draco only nodded and led Snape into his suite, gesturing to the sofa. "About?"

Snape's expression gave nothing away as he cooly stared at him. "You need to think of a plan."

"I have a plan."

"You do not have a plan," Snape hissed. "You're sixteen and incapable of murder."

Draco glared at him, his anger seeping out. "Well, I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"

"Put your walls up," Snape hissed. "You've been letting your Occlumency slip."

"What does it matter?"

"Your life matters, Draco, and the choices you make from here on out are going to dictate how that life progresses."

He scoffed. "Dead or imprisoned? Yeah, I've got it all figured out."

Snape grabbed him by the arm, his fingers holding him so tightly that Draco could feel every imprint. "Don't be a fool! You have to play it safe, Draco. You have to hope that when this is all over you will overcome it!"

Draco ripped his arm out of Snape's grasp. "Piss off! You know nothing of what I want! Of what I can do!"

"I know that Theo and Blaise are like brothers to you and I know that if you betray them, you will never be able to live with yourself."

Draco swallowed. "I know what I'm doing!"

"No, you don't. Let me help you."

"I don't want your help!"

Snape stared at him. "Legilmens!"

Draco felt the shock of the attack so strongly that he fell to his knees as images rushed through his brain: Theo crying in the bathroom, Blaise telling him about his stepdad's death, his father begging him to save his mother… and then he stood. His walls came flying into place hard enough to make Snape stumble back.

"Stay out of my head!"

"If you kept your walls up, I wouldn't have broken in!"

Draco glared at him. "I don't need your help!"

Snape's dark eyes glinted for a moment. "The first test is going to be how well you follow instructions. It will probably be for a small animal or possibly a Muggle. He won't ask you to kill it, he'll have you perform the Cruciatus on the creature."

"Muggles are creatures now?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," Snape snapped. "Do it and perform it calmly. I find it helps to imagine the person on the end of my wand is the one I want to see there, whoever that may be to you. It will happen before you go back to school. Come and see me after the welcoming feast."

Draco let out a slow breath. "He wants me to find something for him first. Some treasure of some kind?"

"He'll give you more instructions when it's time," Snape told him. "And Draco, it's not shameful to ask for help. Some of us are already lost and don't wish for others to follow us."

Draco watched him leave the room and he leaned back against his bedroom door when he closed it. He knew that Snape meant well, but he'd been spending his weeks trying not to think about the tasks he had ahead of him. Watching his aunt torture Muggles had been a weekly occurrence since he'd taken the Mark. Not to mention listening to his grandfather's long-winded speeches on how the Dark Lord was going to take his army and take over the Ministry.

But first they needed Dumbledore gone, and that was up to Draco.

He placed a hand over his stomach, fighting the urge to vomit. It seemed he'd spent most of his days vomiting just to try to get through another day. He watched his parents watch him, worry and fear in their eyes, and he hated them for it. How could two people who claimed to love him allow this to happen? He knew his mother regretted the choice of not leaving with him and he knew that his father hated that he had taken the Mark, but neither of them had stood up for him. Neither of them had stopped it.

He closed his eyes, his hands clenching at his sides. When he went back to Hogwarts in September, he just had to follow the tasks asked of him. Crabbe and Goyle would be there to help and he would use them as a buffer for Theo and Blaise. After all, he could no longer be friends with either of them while they remained untouched.

He imagined holding his wand over Theo and a single tear escaped down his cheek.

Follow the tasks, he repeated like a mantra in his head. Follow the tasks.

He just hoped that after everything was over, that someone would strike him down in the end. How did one live with one's self after betraying everyone and everything they had ever known? Draco was pretty sure the answer was more terrifying than he wanted to hear.

And that worried him even more.

End Author's Notes:

Thanks to Ella for help with the Russian!

(Russian) zvezdushka i bogonichka = little/short star and goddess

(German) Komitee der Magie = Committee of Magic

Thank you for reading and please review!