Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To Nightwing2013: I wasn't planning on having Tonks sing Frozen songs, no, LOL. To WinkingSkeever: Thanks, I like the banter myself. To Apurva roy: We all needed some Remadora, it was time. To Dianne: Ha, your online classes interrupted your ASC reading? Thanks LOL. To Hinnylover: No, we won't be seeing Hermione's conference I'm afraid, it was just a meeting for the time being. To Bumlewis: Yes, Percy's finally taking the girl for a drink. I missed the insomniacs club too so it was fun to bring them in. I can't imagine Luna as anything other than matter of fact. To Seriously Sam: Pansy is the ultimate mean girl in my mind's eye. "I can feel your judgment" is something I personally say all the time lol. And yes, I know, I'm a monster for killing Sirius and I'm a monster for helping you be more of a soul-crushing monster in Brontide — can't win.

To Skuttdog: I don't think it was cruel. The meeting isn't important enough not to have full details, at least I didn't think so. Ha, sometimes I feel like there's too much swearing, but good to know! To Steelcode: Blaise is still working on his Patronus don't you worry. To Cj: Who will have sex first Romione or Hinny? You'll have to wait and see. To Guest: I can't imagine Ron as being anything other than supportive. He may needle her from time to time, but he is always there when she needs him. To alix33: I think Fee and Monty were parents to all of the Marauders much like the Weasleys. To Wolf's scream: Sadly, Harry did not respond with "as you wish" every time Ginny instructed him in something, though I did consider it LOL. To Zacnelson0628: Ginny doesn't take shit from nobody LOL. Crouch is seriously twisted in my mind and no, I feel bad for Lucius too LOL. To LegendDairy! So happy you caught up!

To .wills15: I am so sorry to hear about your father. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thank you so much for your kind words. To Anixara: I added in a few names from Hogwarts mystery since I played the game myself for a bit, but nothing crazy, mostly just names LOL. To Roxy_ricki: Thank you. To xXQueenofDragonsXx: Thank you! To Leapyearbaby29: Crouch is definitely a sick freak! Ginny and Harry are not ready yet for that. As to the Malfoys and Dumbledore, I have plans, my friends, I have plans. To Jmcglynn522: Interesting idea about Narcissa, we'll have to see.

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 FIFTY-ONE:

It was well after dinner that night before Harry managed to get Ginny alone. By the time Hermione finished telling them all about their afternoon at the Ministry and what had happened, it was almost ten. Hermione was still bouncing in excitement and Ron had simply beamed as she talked. It sounded like it had been quite the exciting day for her and he thought that she deserved to be excited.

Her house-elf legislation was being used as the starting point for new programs all over the department. They were trying to recruit other house elves as well and working on learning their thoughts on the service industry and why they felt the need to serve others. Hermione felt like it was finally coming together and a plan was forming into place and she was so excited to be a part of it.

By the time she finished telling them everything, she immediately demanded to see Harry's notes. She made a few comments about things before she meticulously began to copy them in her own hand, despite the fact that Harry had duplicated them for her with his wand. He knew better than to question her.

Harry pulled Ginny down into one of the study rooms and found a big chair by the fire. She settled on his lap and he kissed her.

"Now that I finally have you all to myself. Tell me what that was about this morning?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "What what was about?"

"Don't play coy with me, Miss Weasley," Harry said.

Her lips curved. "I don't know what you're implying."

Harry kissed her again. "Tell me." When she didn't answer, he dug his fingers into her ribs and she erupted into giggles. "Tell me."

"No!" she squealed, trying to stop him from tickling her.

She attacked him right back and soon they were both laughing madly and crying out for the other to stop. He kissed her forehead once they caught their breath.

"Will you tell me now?"

Ginny kissed him. "Promise you won't freak out?"

"Why would I freak out?"

"Because when it comes to Luna you get a tad protective."

Harry frowned. "No, I don't."

Ginny smiled. "You threatened everybody in her house if they didn't stop bullying her and taking her things when you were a second year."

"I don't recall that."

"One of the Slytherins called her loony and you tripped them."

"I don't remember that either," he said.

Ginny smirked. "It's adorable. Luna loves you for it and so do I, but she doesn't need you to fight her battles for her. When she danced with Justin, you told him that if he hurt her, he'd have to duel you."

"Okay, that was just to let him know to treat her right. Is she dating Finch-Fletchley?"

"No," Ginny said. "She's having sex with Neville."

Harry's mouth dropped open. He stared at her for a full minute, not even comprehending that his girlfriend had pushed his jaw closed.

"What? She's… and they're…?"

"They're not dating, Harry. They're just… getting experience from each other. They've decided that this is the last weekend that they're spending together and then they're going back to just being friends."

"Why?" Harry demanded. "I know Neville likes Hannah and all, but if he thinks he's too good for Luna he —"

"— Harry, what did I just say?"

He swallowed. "I mean, if they're happy with it then… okay, I guess?"

Ginny kissed him chastely. "Now be a good friend and shut up about it."

"I… I don't know what to say."

Ginny kissed him. "It's better that way. Now shut up and snog me."

He grinned when she tugged his face towards hers. "I can do that."

~ ASC ~

Neville was already sleeping when Harry got back to his dorm; he didn't see him most of that Saturday, either, as he was busy with Quidditch practice and happily snogging Ginny. The snogging had turned even more heated and he was finding himself incredibly satisfied after his girlfriend had sucked him off again. She had a very wicked mouth on her and he was fast becoming addicted to it. Especially the sounds that mouth made when he had his head between her legs. But when he kissed her goodnight and made his way up to his dorm that night, he found himself waiting for his friend to come up. It was almost midnight when he did and Neville snuck in quietly. Harry peeked his head out of his curtains and nodded at him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," Neville whispered.

"You didn't. Nev, can we talk a minute?"

"Sure."

Harry gestured for him to follow him into the bathroom where he put a silencing charm on the room and closed the door. "I don't want to wake the others."

Neville's eyebrow lifted. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I mean… look, so, uh, Ginny told me that you and Luna are er... doing, you know, stuff, and... I know that you'd never hurt her, not intentionally, it's just… you fancy Hannah. We all know that and you're the one who called me out about me dating Mandy when I fancied Ginny and I guess I just… I don't want to see Luna get hurt."

Neville stared at him. "I'm not dating Luna."

"No, you're just shagging her."

"It's not really any of your business, Harry."

"I didn't say it was," Harry said defensively. "It's just that Luna is… she's sweet and people don't see that."

"She's my friend, too," Neville said darkly. "I know exactly how sweet she is. And yes, we are shagging. Or we were shagging. Tonight was the last time. It was her idea. She said that it would help us get experience and build up our confidence and she was right. I do feel more confident and sure of myself; being with her like that… we are friends and it was grand. It made the experience that much sweeter."

Harry stared at him a moment, his jaw a little slack. "You're right, I'm sorry. It's none of my business."

Neville let out a slow sigh. "I wanted to tell you, but I just… it's Luna and it just happened. One minute we were dancing and the next minute she's telling me that we should have sex. It was… disconcerting."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like something Luna would do."

"Yeah, I pretty much just sputtered at her."

"So… how was it?"

Neville's cheeks flushed. "Brilliant. Really, really brilliant. You and Ginny haven't…?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I mean, we've done other things, but not…"

Neville grinned. "Well, when you do… it's brilliant. And for the record, Finch-Fletchley asked Luna out this afternoon and she said yes."

"What?"

"He's a nice bloke," Neville said. "I think that they'll have fun."

"He… I mean, I guess she can handle herself."

Neville smiled and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Maybe we'll just stick close by in Hogsmeade, keep an eye."

Harry's lips curved. "Nev, this is why we're friends."

He chuckled. "It was fun with Luna, I admit. And it was… I mean, shagging is definitely brilliant and so is the other stuff… but I don't love Luna in a romantic way."

"And Hannah?"

Neville sighed. "I mean, she's so pretty and I fancy her, I know that, but… I don't even know if we have anything in common. Kevin was pretty awful to her and well, I don't want to… if it happens, it happens. But she's had a rough go of it and I don't think now is the right time."

Harry nodded. "Did shagging Luna really make you feel more confident?"

His cheeks flushed before he nodded. "A bit, yeah, but I still don't know if I'm brave enough to ask a girl on a date."

"You asked Ginny to the Yule Ball."

"Yeah, but that was different. I knew that she was dating Michael then."

"Wait — you knew that she was dating Corner when you asked her to the ball?"

Neville gave him a lopsided grin. "You wouldn't be jealous two years later now, would you?"

Harry scowled. "I take it back, you're a rotten friend."

Neville chuckled. "Right back at you, Harry."

Harry made a rude hand gesture that made Neville laugh before he turned to head back into the dorm, looking over his shoulder. "And Neville? Come the new year, you should really ask Hannah out. You'll regret it if you don't."

Harry climbed into his fourposter, leaving Neville staring after him, a confused look on his face.

~ ASC ~

When Harry stepped out of the fireplace and into Lupin Cottage on Sunday evening, the first thing he saw was Tonks looking under the sofa.

"Lose something?"

She jumped, whacking her head on the coffee table. "Buggering fuck! Yes. Ow! Hi, Harry."

Harry laughed and reached down to help her to her feet. "What did you lose?"

"My badge," she admitted. "I tripped on the rug earlier and I kicked it and I think it went under here."

"Why was it on the floor to begin with?"

Tonks glared at him. "Don't ask unimportant questions. Get over here and help me!"

Harry helped her lift the couch and she grabbed her badge triumphantly.

"Ah-ha! Thanks."

"No problem. Is Uncle Rem already downstairs?"

"Not yet," Remus said, coming in from outside. "My potion arrived a bit late today."

"How late?" Harry asked.

Remus held up the vial. "As in just now." He drank it down quickly, wincing at the taste. "Ever since the Ministry's been brewing it, it never arrives on a set schedule," Remus admitted. "But it arrives."

"I keep telling you that I'd be more than happy to brew it for you. I'm an Auror, I have amazing potions skills," Tonks told him.

Remus turned to look at his wife. "I'd love to let you, but you have to get approval from the Ministry to do that now that I'm a registered wolf and a former convict."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "I'll take care of it. If they can't be bothered to send the potion on time, I'd rather brew it myself."

Harry agreed with her. "I think that sounds like a good plan."

"I'll talk to Kingsley tomorrow and see what I can do."

"I'm sure that it will take some doing, Nymphadora."

Tonks only made a sound of agreement and led the way into the kitchen with Harry and Remus following her. He caught sight of the snowman outside in the back garden and snorted in laughter.

Tonks grinned, putting her chin on his shoulder. "Aren't they grand? We built them on Friday night."

It was certainly entertaining was Harry's first thought. There was a snowman and a snow-woman. The snow-woman had huge breasts bigger than her head with very pert nipples; the snowman had a cock so big and thick that Harry was impressed that they had managed to get it to stay upright with the snow.

"If you can't build inappropriate snow people, what's the point?" she asked.

Harry laughed. "I suppose that's true. Wait — Friday? I thought that you were feeling under the weather?"

The back of Remus' neck flushed.

Tonks grinned. "I convinced him to skive off. We both needed it. A day of just rest and fun. You know how he gets before the moon. It was good for him."

Harry couldn't argue with that. He knew that his father sometimes needed the extra time to rest, to unwind, to get rid of the excess energy and he knew that Tonks was the best person to help him with that.

"I won't tell McGonagall," Harry said. "But next time I skive off class, I should get a free pass."

Remus' eyebrow rose. "And why would you be skiving off class?"

Tonks chuckled. "Can't win, Harry. Come on boys, let's get downstairs now."

"What are you going to do?"

"I am going to go watch girl movies with Zee. I'll be back before dawn."

Remus kissed her. "Have fun."

"You, too," she said, tugging him by his shirt to kiss him again. She winked at Harry. "Get into a little trouble."

When she disappeared into the fireplace, Remus gestured for him to come downstairs; Harry followed.

"So, let's talk about skiving off classes," Remus began.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Just saying if I were to do it, you would have to give me a free pass."

Remus poked him in the ribs. "No, I don't."

Harry grinned. He planned on teasing his father about this for the foreseeable future.

And it would definitely be worth it.

~ ASC ~

Lucius stepped into the dungeon cell, eyes on Dashwood. It had been six days since she'd first been taken from the Ministry of Magic and she looked terrible. She was dirty and covered in dried blood, her hair matted to the side of her face. She was completely naked now, her face resting against her arms as she hung from the hook by her bound hands. The tips of her toes were bloody and torn from where she dragged them across the stone in any attempt to touch the ground.

Lucius looked over at where Crouch and Bellatrix were standing. "Has she given you anything yet?"

"Yes," Bellatrix said gleefully. "Seems Bones plans to have a formal unveiling of her Fountain of Life next week. Reporters will be there and other important community members. Harry Potter himself has received an invite."

Lucius nodded. "That is interesting, but another attack on the Ministry just to get to the boy might not be wise."

"We won't be attacking the Ministry again just yet," Crouch said, moving over to Dashwood and kneading her breast. "She knows more about the Minister's plans for change and we want to know them. We want to know everything that Amelia Bones is doing to ruin our world." Crouch's hand slid down her breast and he cupped her bum; Dashwood let out a tiny sob, and Crouch smiled. "She's a screamer, Lucius. You should have seen her."

Bellatrix smiled. "Rudy and I shagged her."

"Raped her," Lucius corrected.

Bellatrix sneered at him. "She loved it."

Lucius rather doubted that. "Has she said anything about the giants?"

Crouch shook his head. "No. She says that the DRCMC is being revised, but we've heard rumours of Agent Hoffman being in the camps. That giant who was captured back in June, he's turned on us."

"The department is being revised?"

Bellatrix nodded, licking her lips as her eyes flashed in anger. "By that whore of my cousin's! She's been promoted to run the menagerie, isn't that pathetic? A place to heal magical creatures. What's the bloody point? Let them die out."

Crouch gave her a sympathetic look. "That's not all I've heard, Bella." At Lucius' look, Crouch sneered. "She's pregnant — with twins."

"Abominations!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "Her father is a filthy Mudblood and Sirius fornicated with her!"

"Yet she's pregnant and you're still not, dearie," Crouch said in a sing-song voice.

Bellatrix screamed and flicked her wand at Dashwood. Large painful boils erupted along her arms and she cried out.

Crouch made a tutting sound and pressed his wand into one of the boils, popping it so that blood gushed out. Dashwood groaned in pain. "Lovely."

"What else did Dashwood say?" Lucius demanded. The last thing that he wanted was to get drawn into their games.

"Seems the defence department is really getting big. It's working well and could be a huge asset once we gain access to the ministry," Crouch told him. "A ready made army just waiting for us to control."

"What makes you think they'd follow?"

Crouch smiled, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. "Because they would have no choice."

He waved his wand and the boils disappeared from Dashwood, making her slump in relief before she jerked under the torture curse. Crouch smiled gleefully as she twitched and screamed.

Lucius nodded at them and left them alone with their captive. He didn't want to watch the poor woman be tortured. The idea that the Dark Lord would control the very defence department that was being trained to fight against him was a rather horrifying thought and he wasn't sure if they could really do it. How would they take control of it? How would they force the witches and wizards to fight for them? It would take a lot of control and he wasn't sure if there were enough of them to hold the Imperius in place for that long.

He met his father on the stairs, interrupting his thoughts.

"I have something for you to send to Draco."

Lucius' eyebrow rose. "What's that?"

Abraxas pulled out a beautiful jagged dagger with a silver handle encrusted in rubies. "I found it in our French vault. It hasn't been used in centuries. Not since Cocidius Malfoy hunted the little beasts."

"The iron blade," Lucius said quietly.

Abraxas nodded, his eyes gleaming. "I spoke to the Dark Lord about it and he agrees that killing Theodore Nott would be a difficult task for Draco so he's agreed to alter the plan. He agrees that this will cause more pain in the end. Using this... Draco wouldn't even need it to be deep; he just has to get it into his bloodstream. You'll tell him what he must do and get the blade to him."

Lucius swallowed the bile in his throat and he nodded. "Me?"

Abraxas stared at him. "Zabini has proved himself to be quite the little spy. He assured Bellarosa that they will both be in Hogsmeade the third Saturday in December. Draco will have his opportunity then. He must not let this chance go."

Lucius nodded, accepting the dagger from his father. "I'll let him know."

"He needs to stab him with the blade, Lucius. The deeper the better, but a small cut will even suffice. He has to be willing to use the dagger, do you understand?"

"I understand."

Abraxas snorted and took the blade back from his son. "And you don't agree with me. I'll send it to Draco myself then. Severus can give it to him. Apparently if I want anything done correctly I need to do it myself. Nott has betrayed us and yet you still don't see him for the disgusting traitor that he is."

Lucius watched his father storm off down into the dungeons to check on Dashwood, the dagger in his hand, and his stomach clenched. He wasn't sure if this was better or worse. It meant that Theo would live, but would the cost of that life be worth it?

He didn't know the answer and if he was honest, he was afraid to think about it.

~ ASC ~

Seamus was lying on his stomach, his head resting on his arms, one eye partially closed. He felt like he'd run a marathon. When his eyes fell on the dark gleaming skin of his boyfriend, he grinned.

He kind of had.

Ever since the Halloween party, he and Dean had been shagging like bunnies. Neither of them could get enough of the other. Dean was positively insatiable and the thing was, Seamus loved it. They'd done it in broom cupboards, empty classrooms, and the art room. Dean had bent him over the railing of a side staircase in the astronomy tower, straddled him on a desk in a room full of storage, and his personal favourite, taking him against the wall in the shower.

His arse was so well used, it hurt… and yet he had no plans of letting his boyfriend stop. He had never imagined that he would let anyone do what he let Dean do. He had always wanted to be the one in control. When Will had asked him, he'd immediately shut the idea down. But Dean… Dean was different. Dean was… he would give Dean anything.

And then this morning, their roommates had slowly headed out to spend their Sundays doing homework or something or other, but Seamus had merely crawled into Dean's bed instead. The snogging had been slow and long and by the time they'd undressed each other, both were so randy, they were panting. But then Dean had used a lubrication charm and whispered he was ready.

Seamus hadn't hesitated. He used his tongue first and by the time he'd slid his cock into Dean, he felt like he was walking on air. He'd shagged him slowly, letting Dean get used to the feeling of having a cock inside of him, but it hadn't taken long before Dean was urging him on, telling him to take him harder and faster. Seamus used his hands to work Dean into a frenzy as he took him and they'd both come in a loud mess that left them breathless. Seamus had used his wand to clean them up before he'd spooned Dean, kissing his back.

It was a few hours later now and the sunlight was coming in through the big window on the right, lighting up the room. He opened the bed curtains by the window. Since Dean's bed was by the window, they often left the curtains open on one side when they were alone.

Seamus rolled onto his side, admiring Dean's lean, lanky form in the sunlight. He was all long limbs and long fingers. His eyes roamed over his heavy cock and he smiled, shifting himself to kiss Dean's balls. Dean made a soft purring sound, his arm covering his eyes and Seamus merely kissed lower. Then he was rolling him over to nip at his behind, kissing him there over and over until his tongue began to play. He used his tongue more aggressively as Dean woke, moaning beneath him. By the time Seamus returned to his balls, Dean was panting.

Seamus let him roll back over before he took his boyfriend into his mouth and pleasured him. Dean grunted his name as he finished, his fingers holding onto Seamus' hair tightly. When he finally let go, Seamus kissed his way up his boyfriend's chest and snuggled into his arms.

"I love you."

Dean kissed his forehead. "I love you, too."

Seamus kissed his shoulder. "When are you going to let me rest?"

Dean chuckled. "You just blew me, you prat. And it was you who shagged me senseless a few hours ago!"

Seamus grinned and kissed Dean's skin again. "Well, I have to keep you happy and satisfied."

"Trust me, that's not a problem," Dean said.

Seamus sighed in contentment as Dean's fingers stroked up and down his spine. Neither of them spoke for the longest time and Seamus pouted when Dean shifted him to get up.

"I just have to use the loo," Dean said, kissing his boyfriend softly.

Seamus watched him pull on pyjama bottoms in disappointment before he disappeared behind the bed curtains. Seamus found his own pyjama bottoms and tugged them on before he made himself comfortable in the small bed. When Dean came back a few minutes later, Seamus saw the sketchbook in his hands.

"Again? You really need to find someone more attractive to draw."

Dean kissed him. "Drawing you fascinates me."

Dean settled himself at the end of the bed, charcoal pencil in his hand as he began to work. Seamus just watched him in the sunlight. He loved the way he bit down on that big bottom lip, making it balloon out on the left side. His brow was furrowed in concentration, his dark brown eyes deep in thought. He always looked so focused, so sure of himself in those moments. The artist took over and Seamus found it fascinating.

Dean spent a lot of time drawing him, it seemed. When they studied together, he often saw Dean's sketchbook come out. He woke up to Dean drawing him some mornings and he questioned it constantly. What was it about him that fascinated Dean so much that he wanted to draw him?

He knew his boyfriend drew other people. He loved to watch Dean sketch out these incredible drawings when people were unaware. He'd gotten one the other night of Harry and Ginny talking in the common room; another of Ron and Hermione playing chess. He'd drawn Professor Lupin, sitting easily on his desk as he spoke to them in Defence Club. He had so much talent.

"Pull out your cock," Dean said, startling Seamus out of his daydream.

Seamus merely smiled. "And why would I do that?"

"So I get it perfect in the sketch," Dean said simply.

Seamus only continued to stare at him so Dean leaned forward and pulled his pyjama bottoms down just enough for his cock to spring free. He fondled him a moment before he pulled the pyjamas down to his knees and returned to his sketchbook. Seamus just kept watching him. He had always been comfortable in his nakedness, especially in front of Dean. He wasn't leanly muscled like Harry and Ron, but with all of his working out over the last four months, he had finally gotten rid of the little chubbiness in his stomach (mostly).

Dean was simply lanky, thin. He had surprisingly toned arms for his skinny torso, but Seamus always admired him. He liked Dean's body, loved his cock. Thinking about Dean's body only made his own cock harden and Dean smirked.

"Thinking of naughty things over there?"

"You're the one who has me exposed before you and are staring at it."

Dean chuckled as he continued to draw.

"Have you heard back yet?"

Dean's hand stopped for only a moment before he kept drawing. "From who?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Dean."

Dean didn't answer right away. He just kept sketching for almost a full minute. "I'm trying not to think about it."

"But we both know you are," Seamus said.

He knew Dean better than he knew himself. Dean was full of life and laughter, but he could also be quiet and withdrawn. He liked to draw, to lose himself in his art. And he liked to overthink things. It was one of his most annoying qualities. Seamus thought he overthought everything.

"I'm trying not to think about it," Dean repeated.

Seamus stared at him. "Yes, he should have sent you a confirmation, but you did give him a time, date, and place to meet you over the holiday. He reached out to you, Dean."

Dean shrugged again.

Seamus hopped up, leaning across the bed to take his boyfriend's sketchbook. "Talk to me."

The unshed tears in Dean's eyes surprised him. He settled himself into Dean's lap, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

"A letter arrived last night from him. Something came up and he has to leave London unexpectedly. He doesn't know how long he'll be gone. He left the letter on Mum's shop window again."

Seamus swore under his breath. "Foul git. Why didn't you tell me?"

Dean shrugged. "I didn't want you to worry."

Seamus kissed his cheek. "You know I'd worry anyway."

Dean buried his face in Seamus' shoulder. "I don't know why I'm upset. I've never even met him."

Seamus let his hands slide up and down his back in comfort. "You can still be upset. He's your father and he reached out to you."

"I feel stupid."

"You're not stupid," Seamus insisted, kissing his cheek. "Kellan Morgan is stupid. He's throwing away the opportunity to meet an incredible man and he's going to regret it."

Dean nodded, his arms still holding Seamus tightly.

Seamus kissed Dean's cheek again, hugging him close. He knew how much this hurt him. He didn't understand how a man could abandon his son and then reach out only to disappear again before even meeting him. It was cruel. It was heartless. If he ever met the man, he wasn't sure he would be able to control himself.

"Seam, can I still spend the first week of the holiday with you? I know that I said I couldn't because I was supposed to meet… him, but —"

"—You don't even have to ask," Seamus said. "Mam and Da love it when you come over. Just a warning though, Darcy and Katie will be there and Katie's bringing her fiancé, Jason. Everything will probably be about the wedding. They might ask you to draw them. We might have to hide."

Dean chuckled. "It sounds perfect." He framed Seamus' face in his hands and kissed him deeply, losing himself in the softness of his lips. "Then you'll come have dinner with me, Mum, Gramma River, and Auntie M on Christmas Eve?"

"I never turn down a Thomas family holiday, you know that. I love how your mum decorates your flat with homemade decorations and insists that we paint every piece of macaroni differently before we string it on the tree. I loved that time she made us string popcorn to cover the whole flat and not just the tree. Remember that year she covered your living room in sheets and we popped balloons full of paint all over everything? That was so cool!"

"I know, but this year it's different," Dean said.

Seamus slid his hands over Dean's chest, his eyes on his. "Why? We're still the same two blokes we were last year. This year we were just smart enough to admit we're in love with each other."

"Not just that," Dean admitted. "It's… there's so much going on. Auntie M is worried about the Ministry and the war, Mum says that she's driving her bonkers about getting more protection on the store. Auntie M has always been the more serious one and I know Mum can be a bit flighty sometimes and she doesn't see the bad in the world or in people. It's a good thing, but it sometimes gets her into trouble. I'm worried she's not taking the war seriously enough. I don't know, it just feels different."

Seamus kissed him, lingering over his lips for a long sweet kiss before he rested his cheek against Dean's. "The war seems more real this year, Dean. With Dashwood having gone missing, everyone is on edge. I get that. But we can't stop living our lives. I'm sorry for her family and the worry they must be feeling, but there's nothing that you and me can do about it."

Dean nodded. "I know you're right. I just… sometimes I feel like we should be doing more. Like today for example, we both have a lot of homework to do and yet you've somehow convinced me to spend the day in bed with you."

Seamus' lips curved. "Didn't take much convincing. You know how much I've wanted to ride your arse. Much better than homework."

"I have an essay to write for History of Magic that I haven't even started yet," Dean told him.

"And you don't have History of Magic until Wednesday afternoon."

"You're a bad influence," Dean muttered.

Seamus kissed Dean's throat. "Terrible, I know. Snog me."

Dean did as he was told. Seamus' arms linked behind Dean's neck as they kissed over and over. He loved Dean's lips. He loved the way they engulfed his, took them in and worshipped him with a simple kiss. And when that tongue came out, he felt like he could snog him for hours. He was more than just the man he loved. He was his best friend and he couldn't imagine spending his time with anyone else.

Dean kissed him once more before he titled his forehead against his. "I should warn you, Mum's already claimed a new project for you this year. It's absolutely outrageous."

"Doesn't Sunshine know that I'm the least artistic person on the planet yet?"

"Mum says everyone has an artistic talent, you just have to find where it shines from."

Seamus rolled his eyes. "I can't even draw stick figures."

Dean chuckled, nipping at his boyfriend's ear. "Mum already made a vase for you to work on. She says that it's almost as tall as you are and shaped like a giant penis. She says that she's waiting for you to come over and paint it."

Seamus laughed. "A giant penis?"

"Yeah. The balls are how it stands on the ground and according to mum, are the size of Quaffles. The head is where the hole is for the flowers or whatnot. Mum says it's the perfect vase for sunflowers and hollyhocks. Something tall and bold. She says you're going to love it. I haven't seen it yet, but she seems pretty excited about it. She wants you to paint it yourself. To express yourself through the colour design. You know how she is."

Seamus grinned. "I love your mum! Can you imagine the blokes' faces if I put a giant penis vase in our dorm and fill it with flowers?"

Dean snorted. "Might be worth it." He reached down to stroke Seamus' semi-hard cock. "It won't be as perfect as your real one."

Seamus smiled. "Can't all be as pretty as me."

"Seam?"

"Hmm?" he asked, sighing as Dean's nimble fingers worked him over.

"Thanks for making me talk."

Seamus' eyes met his. "I'm always here to listen, Dean."

Dean's lips met his for another long, searing kiss before he pulled back and smiled. "Can I finish drawing you now?"

Seamus groaned. "Bloody artist, can't even get a good snog in!"

But he shimmied back up the bed, positioning himself how he was, pyjama pants at his knees and he left a cocky smirk on his face as Dean reached for the sketchbook. He would model for this man as often as Dean wanted. He would give him anything he wanted. He just loved to make him happy. His hand reached down to stroke his erection as he kept his eyes on Dean's. Dean's eyes darkened, but he didn't stop him.

Seamus continued to stroke himself, using his thumb and forefinger to tease. Dean kept drawing, his eyes dark in desire and Seamus gripped himself more firmly. It wasn't long before he was pumping himself, his fist working his cock into a good rhythm. He heard the sketchbook hit the floor and he grunted when Dean's body covered his, his lips crushing into him and he smiled.

"Oh, did I distract you?"

Dean's lips moved to his neck, sucking the skin so hard, Seamus knew there would be a mark. He didn't care.

Then they were kissing and Seamus felt like the world was right once again.

~ ASC ~

Tonks had just finished changing out of her work clothes into comfy sweats and one of Remus's jumpers when there was a knock on the door. She rolled up the sleeves four times on each arm and quickly pulled on some of Remus' thick socks to bite back the chill of the end of November before she headed out to see who was there.

A glance at the clock told her that it was too early for her parents to have decided to stop by since her dad never left work before six. The sight of the bright red-orange hair on the porch had her smiling.

"Charlie!"

"Hey, love!" he said, hugging her tight. "Got a drink for a weary traveller?"

She laughed and invited him in. "How does whisky sound?"

"Bloody perfect," he admitted, taking off his boots to leave at the door before plopping himself down in the big armchair. "You alone?"

"Yes," Tonks called out from the kitchen. "Remus has defence club with the students on Thursdays." She came into the living room and handed him his drink before she sat on the sofa. "What are you up to?"

"Just tying up some loose ends with the Wing Guards and working with Ezra Pinkerman on the dragon stuff in the DRCMC. Zee is working hard to get an area made for them. She's amazing at her job."

"She really is," Tonks agreed. "She's a bit worried about what will happen when she has the babies, but Oliphant is great and has told her that it won't be a problem. I bet she still checks in during her maternity leave."

Charlie chuckled. "That's a sucker bet and I'm not falling for that. I feel like it's all coming together and we're more closely linking the reserves to the same practices and standards. Having our ministry on board with a place to heal dragons or keep them safe until they can safely be transported will be a huge help."

"Are you getting tired of jumping back and forth yet?"

"Yes," he admitted. "I miss my dragons and my house. I moved in over a month ago and I've barely spent two weeks there. But this is my last trip until Christmas so that will give me time to settle in and play with the new whelps. I told you Iris' whelps were born?"

"You did, proud papa. I saw the photos as well."

He grinned. "Raiden has been on my case to get my arse home too. He said that I keep leaving all the work for him."

"Sounds like you, always were a slacker."

Charlie made a rude hand gesture and she grinned.

"When do you leave?"

"Midnight," he said. "I had to get a late portkey or wait until tomorrow and I want to sleep in my own bed tonight. I was at the Burrow for lunch and promised Mum I'd be home for the holiday before I escaped. I figured hanging out with you was better company."

"Always," she said. "What else is new? Other than the travelling and the new whelps?"

He shrugged. "Not a whole lot. I was seeing this woman from the Ministry last time I was down. Gorgeous and so good in bed, but she was talking about coming out to stay with me in Romania so I put a stop to that."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "Typical. You keep Raiden around. How is this woman different?"

"When I told her I'd recently bought a house I could practically see her picking out curtains."

"Pft! Sexist."

Charlie shrugged. "Hey, not my fault it's usually the mad ones who put out. I end up with the mad ones, I tell you. And as to Raiden, he and I are mates, it's different."

"Mates who occasionally snog."

"No," Charlie corrected. "We don't snog. We sometimes suck each other off, there's a clear difference."

Tonks shook her head. "I see why your mother gets frustrated with you."

He grinned. "I like my life, Tonks. I like being alone, having sex with who I want, taking care of my dragons, spending time with my dragons, getting to travel and see the world. I'm not interested in settling down."

"There's a difference between settling down and keeping a lover around for more than a week or two."

Charlie shrugged, his eyes twinkling. "Is there? I don't see it."

She laughed. "As long as you're happy."

"I am," he told her. "If I wasn't I'd do something about it. I don't need a wife or a husband or a girlfriend or whatever. And you? You happy?"

Tonks smiled. "He makes me more happy than I can put into words. I love coming home to him or waiting for him to come home to me. The sex is amazing. And watching Zee... I want to have a family with him."

Charlie whistled. "I mean, you have lots of time, Tonks. We're only twenty-three. The way my mum talks, she thinks I'm going to die alone, but we have our whole lives ahead of us yet and here you are talking babies. You've only been married a year."

"I know," she said. "I don't mean right this very minute, I just… I want a family one day. And you're going to be twenty-four in two weeks, don't forget."

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, and I plan on having a nice pub crawl to celebrate once I get home. But you won't be twenty-four until May, there's no need to rush off and have a family. How does Remus feel about that? The having kids thing?"

She half laughed. "He needs more convincing. There's an extremely low chance of him passing his lycanthropy down to our child. The chances of them actually turning into a werewolf are nonexistent, even if they do exhibit some of the signs... but he's still scared. He just keeps telling me that we'll talk about it after the war and I'm okay with that. With everything that's going on right now… I can wait. Just some day… I think it's partially seeing Zee as well, gives me a bit of baby fever."

"She is getting quite big. I remember when Mum was pregnant with Fred and George, by the time she hit nine months Dad had to help her put on her shoes, put on her coat… every time she dropped something she'd call for me or Bill to help her. The last few weeks she kept crying over everything," Charlie told her. "But then the twins came, she was back to her usual self."

Tonks smiled. "That's good to hear. I mean, doing it alone has to be rough on her. Remus and I are making an effort to go over at least once a week just to help her with things, but she's very independent. Kreacher is hovering over her like crazy and it's driving her mad, but I'm glad the house elf is there. Mr and Mrs Zacarias are going to be moving into her cottage come January to help with the babies for a few months. I think that will be good for her."

"Even then though… Zee's what, thirty-one? Thirty-two?"

"Thirty-two," Tonks said.

"That's what I mean, she's older and well, more ready I guess?"

Tonks gave him an amused look. "I don't know if you can ever be ready for that no matter how old you are, Charlie."

"I suppose," he said, finishing off his whisky. "Hey, did I tell you that I ran into Tulip Karasu when I was in New Zealand?"

"No," Tonks exclaimed. "Merlin, I haven't seen her since we left school. What was she doing there?"

"Travelling. She's travelling the world and working from place to place as she goes doing odd jobs. She's been on the road since Hogwarts. She's been through all of Europe and most of Asia and planned on heading into the Pacific to hit up the islands next."

"Wow! Good for her!" Tonks said. "I couldn't imagine just travelling with no goals in mind… but I knew that I always wanted to be an Auror like you knew that you wanted to work with dragons. Tulip was always more of a free spirit."

"That she was," Charlie admitted. "A very free spirit in many interesting ways."

Tonks kicked him. "You slept with her, didn't you?"

"Don't give me that look! You know I always fancied her in school."

"And you shagged her in seventh year!"

"No," Charlie corrected. "I went down on her in seventh year, she wasn't ready for more. I shagged her in New Zealand."

Tonks laughed. "You're incorrigible!"

Charlie grinned. "You asked."

"No, I don't think I did."

He stood up to help himself to some more whisky and turned to lean against the door jamb. "Want to order in a shit ton of food from different places and play Monopoly like we used to?"

Tonks laughed and jumped to her feet. "Yes! Let me grab some takeaway menus!"

She hurried into the kitchen thinking that the thing she loved most about Charlie Weasley was that no matter how much time had passed, he always remained the same lovable and fun best mate that she'd known since she was eleven.

And she wouldn't change their friendship for the world.

~ ASC ~

Harry smiled at the sight of Zee's face in the mirror when he pulled it from his pocket that evening. He had just returned to the Gryffindor common room after dinner and was contemplating pulling out his homework or trying to con Ginny into taking a little break. "Hi, how are you feeling?"

"Still fat," she told him, making him laugh. "How's school?"

"Good," he said.

Zee's smile was bright in the mirror. "I'm glad to hear it. Listen, Harry, do you remember in the summer when you told me what Neville said, about the Order of Merlin?"

Harry sat up, holding the mirror tighter in his hand. "Is Uncle Sirius still getting it?"

"Yes," Zee answered. "I received a formal invitation from Minister Bones just this morning. There's going to be a small unveiling ceremony for the new Fountain of Life monument. Minister Bones plans to give a little speech about the fountain and is going to formally present the award to us there, but I told her that I don't want to attend."

"I don't either," he admitted.

Zee let out a breath of relief. "If you want to go and you want me to be there, we'll go together."

Harry shook his head. "No, I don't want to go either, Zee. I don't want to sit there and be presented an award that Uncle Sirius should have gotten when he was alive."

Zee nodded. "I agree. I told her the presentation should be about the Fountain of Life and not about Sirius and she agreed with me. She said that if we'd like to attend, she would be honoured, but she understands why we'd refuse. One of the stones behind the fountain is going to have his name on it, along with his birth and death and the Order of Merlin, Second Class listed. I told her that it's an incredible honour for him to be put on the Wall of Heroes. She gave me the award today, in the menagerie."

Harry stared at it as she held it up into the mirror. It was a round gold medal displaying the words Order of Merlin, Second Class. Beneath it in smaller script it said: Sirius Orion Black. The medal dangled from a thick purple ribbon that made Harry swallow.

"He'd have loved that. I bet he would have worn it everywhere."

Zee chuckled. "I think he would have, too. If it's all right with you, I think I'm going to encase it in a glass box and hang it on the wall of the nursery."

"That's perfect," Harry said. "I can't imagine a better spot for it."

Zee smiled. "Good. Well, I'll let you go as I'm feeling extra tired tonight. We'll talk in a few days, yeah?"

"Yeah. Goodnight, Zee."

When the mirror went blank in his hand, he was still smiling at it. It was only another week and then he would be going home for the holiday and he couldn't wait. He knew that it would be hard. His first Christmas without Sirius was bound to be harder than he imagined and with the full moon falling on Christmas, he knew that Remus would be having an even tougher time of things. But Zee was pregnant. The babies could come at any time and the happiness that brought him far outweighed how he felt about everything else.

It was those babies who were important and the closer they seemed to get to Zee's due date, the more anxious he was becoming to meet them.

He couldn't wait to be a big brother.

~ ASC ~

Ron knew that they were supposed to be patrolling. He did. But he could only watch the sway of that arse in that skirt for so long before he had to touch her. She'd protested at first — insisted that they had to patrol, to do their duty as prefects. Ron had agreed whole-heartedly.

But now he was standing between her legs as she sat on Professor Raffigan's desk in the History of Magic classroom, his lips meeting hers happily. Kissing Hermione was like jumping into the fire head on. She was all heat and he wanted to drown in it. In the just over a month since they'd officially started dating, he loved doing what he could to drown in her. Hermione was like a powder keg that he was more than willing to watch explode.

The sounds she made when he kissed her, the way she straddled him when they were alone, he knew when he finally got there, it would be worth it. She was giving when they snogged and more often than not, their snogging session would turn into something more with her hands wrapped around his cock. Not that he would ever complain. She had amazing hands and the way she gripped him and pumped him made him think that he would die a happy man. But he loved nothing more than getting his hands on that arse of hers.

He had never thought of himself as an arse-man or a tits-man, but the more he held Hermione's plump arse in his hands, the more he knew that he was an arse-man. He loved touching her arse, kneading it, squeezing it. He loved getting those hands under her skirt to hold that arse more firmly. He loved letting his long fingers slip between her legs, stroking her through her knickers, feeling her get wetter and wetter under his thumbs. She'd moan against him and then pull his hands away, her cheeks flushed in desire.

Ron wanted to do more than make her desire him. He wanted to watch her let go. He loved distracting her with his lips, watching the tension drain out of her when he kissed her. She needed those breaks just as much as he did. He relished in giving them to her. Now her robes were open and he'd managed to unbutton her cardigan, his big hands untucking her blouse from her skirt. Her lips continued to meet his and her hands roamed under his own shirt and jumper, sliding up his back.

His fingers moved through the buttons on her blouse quickly and then those tits were in his hands and he groaned. She was wearing some sexy lace bra in Gryffindor red and he licked his lips. His mouth moved down her neck to suck on her collarbone and she moaned.

"Ron… someone could see. We're supposed to be patrolling," she gasped as his tongue slid over her collarbone.

Ron let his lips whisper across the swells of her breasts. "Want me to stop?"

"Don't you dare!" she hissed, making him chuckle against her skin.

"Always so bossy," he said, pulling her tighter against him.

She made to protest this so he merely covered her lips with his. Hermione's hands slid up into his hair as she kissed him deeply. Ron continued to fondle her breasts as they snogged, his other hand sliding down and under her skirt to cup that bum again. Her knickers were soft, he noted. He wondered if they matched her bra and he unintentionally ground his hips against her.

Hermione let out a small whimper when he did so and he found himself nipping at her lips. She tasted so good and smelt so incredible. Her skin was soft and that firm arse was in his hands. Merlin, this was exactly what he'd been waiting for and finally, finally, she was his. He wanted to never stop touching her. He wanted her to touch him. He had dreams about those hands wrapped around him, pumping him like she had after the Halloween Party, like she had eight whole times since then. He wanted to come all over her in ways he had never before imagined.

Ron sucked on the skin of her neck, bending to kiss her breasts as he pushed her back onto the desk to give himself better access. He had both hands on her arse now, squeezing appreciatively under her skirt as he kissed her breasts. Hermione lifted one leg up to move around his waist, holding him in place and he groaned. His hands continued to knead her, one fingertip teasing the edge of those knickers and she gasped, squeezing her legs together as much as she could.

"Ron…"

He pulled his hands away, moving them up to fumble with her bra. It took him longer than he wanted to admit to open the little clasp, but when her tits sprang free he felt like Christmas had come early. He bent his head to capture a nipple and she moaned beneath him.

"Ron, we… we have to patrol," she whimpered.

Ron sucked a nipple into his mouth and her head fell back. He kissed her breasts tenderly, relishing in the taste and feel of them, sucking on her nipples until they were taut in the cool air of the classroom. Then he slid his hands back under her skirt to cup her arse, his lips on her stomach. He wanted to kiss every inch of her.

Hermione fell apart when he kissed her, when he touched her. He wanted to see her lose control completely, to scream his name in ecstasy as he made her come, but he knew she wasn't ready for that yet. She liked when he touched and kissed her and if he was lucky enough, she'd use her hands on him. Each time better than the last.

The sound of laughter in the hall had both of them freezing in place on the desk. Hermione scrambled to put her shirt and cardigan back on, pulling her robes closed quickly as she hopped off the desk. Ron grabbed her red bra and shoved it into his own robes just as the door to the classroom opened.

Professor Raffigan merely lifted an eyebrow at them. "Can I help you Miss Granger, Mr Weasley?"

Ron shook his head. "No, we were just patrolling. We thought we heard something in here, but it must have just been one of the ghosts."

Professor Raffigan nodded. "Well, then I would like my classroom back. I have some work to do."

"Yes, of course, Professor," Ron said, taking Hermione's arm and leading her out of the classroom.

They walked in silence for almost an entire floor before Hermione turned to look up at him.

"We could have been caught!"

"Mmm, maybe," he said, dipping his head to kiss her quickly.

His hands slid up to cup her unadorned breasts and she gasped. "My bra!"

Ron chuckled against her ear. "I have it."

Hermione let out a slow breath. "You're a bad influence on me."

"Me?" Ron asked in astonishment. "From the girl who once set a teacher on fire? From the girl who decided to brew an illegal potion in second year? From the girl who —"

"—Shush!"

He grinned and captured her lips in his again, his hands still boldly cupping her breasts. "Want to find a new snogging place?"

Hermione shook her head. "Ron, we really do have to patrol. We're prefects! We can't just go around snogging when we have a job to do."

Ron pouted. He knew that she was right, but he didn't have to like it. He dropped his hands from her breasts, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Okay, let's go finish our patrol."

"Can I have my bra back?"

Ron grinned. "Absolutely. After our patrol."

"Ron! I'm not going to walk around the school with no bra on," she demanded, crossing her arms under her breasts.

"You are," he said, his eyes twinkling. "If you want to patrol anyway."

"Accio —"

Ron crushed his lips to hers. "Hey, no cheating."

Hermione licked her lips as she looked up into his blue eyes. "Fine. But after we finish patrolling, you have to give it back."

Ron bent his head to nip at her lips. "Promise."

Ten minutes later, Ron had pinned up against the wall in an alcove on the eighth floor, her arse in his hands, his mouth sucking her nipples through her blouse enthusiastically.

Hermione forgot all about her bra and when they went up to their respective dormitories that night, Ron made no effort to return it to her.

~ ASC ~

Zee was getting anxious for Harry to come home on Sunday. She missed having him around. She missed having someone else around the house outside of Padfoot, Kreacher, and Lady Godiva. Molly stopped by once or twice a week to check in on her as did Remus and Tonks and she appreciated that, but it only further reminded her that she was living in this cottage essentially alone. It made her miss Sirius sometimes more than she could bear.

Now that December was here, the cold had shuffled in and she found herself looking forward to the holiday. She was itching to decorate, but she knew how much Harry enjoyed coming home and getting the chance to decorate for Christmas. It had been a tradition for Sirius to always wait for him and it was one that she didn't plan on stopping.

Remus had already promised that he would come by and help Harry pick out a tree as Zee knew that she wouldn't be in any condition to be trudging through the snow. The light caught the ring on her finger and she looked down at the beautiful cathedral star. Today was the thirteenth of December and she knew that even though they hadn't made it official, she couldn't help but think that in eighteen days she would have married Sirius Black. It made her heart ache in ways that she couldn't explain. She had wanted to start the new year with him as her husband and instead, she would be starting the new year, nine months pregnant and ready to burst.

It wasn't exactly what she had in mind.

A few people had commented on her ring, about whether it was appropriate for her to keep wearing it. She ignored them. This ring symbolized so much more for her than merely an engagement and she had no plans of taking it off in the near future, and not just because her fingers were too swollen from pregnancy to let her attempt it. When she looked down at the cathedral star, she saw Sirius' face, she heard his laugh, and she remembered his touch. It held good memories for her. It told her of those promises they both had made together and reminded her of the promises she would make to their twins. To their zvezdushka i bogonichka. They were who she needed to focus on, them and Harry, her family.

But she would admit that sometimes she looked down at the ring and was reminded of all she had lost as well. It was impossible not to think about it.

The clock chimed nine and she sighed, coming out of her stupor. It wasn't the time to dwell on the sadness. She had things to plan for the holiday. Misha and Sorcha would be coming down in the first week of January. She was sad that they would be missing Christmas, but since they were moving to England for the next six months, she wasn't going to oppose it. The thought of having her parents next door made her feel safe.

Her cousin Ian had stopped by twice this week to check up on her. Over the last three months, he had been sitting in on her appointments with Healer Abby, keeping himself up to date on her progress and she loved him for that. He was twenty-two and a breath of fresh air in his excitement. Now that he was officially a healer, one who specialized in delivering babies, she felt better having him come by to see how she was doing. He seemed pleased that her stomach had dropped and told her that meant the babies could be coming anytime between now and the next four weeks.

Zee really hoped it wasn't four more weeks.

She rubbed her stomach, feeling tired. She planned on working five more days and then she was done. She would officially be on maternity leave. Oliphant promised to keep her updated on any new changes within the menagerie and she knew that she would still be corresponding with some of the agents and the departments about the new changes. The house elf legislation for one had become her personal project and she didn't want to turn it over to anyone else. It meant so much to Hermione and it was a cause she believed in so she wanted to do it right.

The good news was that Dobby had talked to Darby, Rosa, and Basil about helping out. They had to discuss it with Harry first, who told them he thought it was a great idea. Only Basil actually seemed interested in assisting Dobby in this endeavour. Darby and Rosa were very stuck in their ways and immovable on the subject. Kreacher was still refusing in his own way. He was sneaky about it in ways that Zee appreciated. Kreacher didn't outright refuse her, but because he believed that he belonged to the blood of the Blacks, namely the unborn twins, anything Zee or Harry asked of him to do regarding the legislation — he would refuse. He refused because he had to get final orders from the most ancient and noble house of Black (the twins). It was infuriating and yet she understood Kreacher's reasoning completely. He was an old elf and one that as of late, she wasn't sure how she would be surviving without.

Kreacher was there whenever she needed him. The elf had become an absolute blessing from preparing meals for her, to helping her put on her shoes. She couldn't imagine how she would be surviving without him. The nursery was ready to go, she was ready to go and she was feeling even more than ready to just have these babies already.

The phone ringing startled her and she moved slowly to answer it.

"There's my girl!" Colt's voice boomed out of the receiver.

"Hi, Grandpa."

"How are you feeling?

"Same as yesterday," Zee told him with a smile. "How's Grandma?"

"Good, good! She's been visiting the restaurant again, trying to work a bit. She says staying home with me all day drives her crazy, can you imagine that?"

Zee chuckled into the receiver. "I can."

"Your papa and mama move back to England yet?"

"No, Grandpa. Papa has to work until the thirtieth of December. Then they will be heading down here sometime that week. And no, you and Grandma aren't coming."

The line was quiet before Colt cleared his throat. "Just because I can't do no magic what's it called, doesn't mean I can't protect myself."

"Grandpa… you and Grandma aren't young anymore. It's a long way to travel and there's a war happening here in the magical world. It's not safe for you."

He snorted. "Your grandmother is a powerful witch, you know?"

"I know," Zee said, feeling guilty again.

She did wish that they would come to England to spend Christmas with her, but with everything that was going on, she was worried about them travelling so far on their own.

"I'll talk to Harry when he comes home this week and we'll see, okay, Grandpa? It's a long way to travel."

"Wouldn't be if you didn't move clear across the ocean!"

She smiled. It was a running line with him even though she had spent half her life between Russia and Scotland and only summers in Georgia, yet her grandfather always accused her of living too far away. "I know."

Zee had considered asking Dobby to bring them over and she knew that the elf would, but she wanted to talk to Harry first, see how he was feeling about Christmas. It was the first one without Sirius and she knew that he would be feeling the pain like she would. He had mentioned having Ginny come stay the week while she was at work and she had agreed to it. She knew that having Ginny around made a huge difference to him and it would cheer him up.

She was a bit concerned about leaving them alone, but Remus would be around. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, because she did, it was just that she remembered what it was like to be their age. No, she would give them some time alone to prove that she trusted them. It was what Sirius would do.

Zee rubbed her stomach again before she moved into the living room. She would read for a bit. She wanted to finish the latest psychological thriller she was reading before the babies were born. She stretched out across the sofa, covering her legs in an afghan and smiling when Padfoot hopped up onto the couch to snuggle into her side, his face resting over her stomach.

"They fascinate you, don't they, boy?" she asked, scratching Padfoot behind the ears. "Pretty soon they're going to be out here with us. You'll take care of them, right?"

Padfoot barked in response before resting his head back over her stomach. She smiled at Lady Godiva when the panther made herself comfortable on the floor next to the couch.

"Don't be jealous, Lady G. These babies will be here soon and I'll need you and Padfoot to help stand guard."

Lady Godiva merely licked her paw, her amber eyes on Zee.

Zee looked out the window, watching the light snow fall and wondered if it was snowing in Scotland. Harry would be in Hogsmeade tomorrow, enjoying the village before he came home. She hoped that he found something fun to do, to remind him of the upcoming holiday. She wanted him to spend a perfect day in the village; a perfect day to do something fun like walk hand in hand in the snow with the person you loved.

She looked over at her panther, a small smile on her lips. "Yeah, we'll be just fine, Lady G. Everything is going to be just fine."

~ ASC ~

Draco turned at the sound of his name and managed a small smile for his ex girlfriend. December had swept in quickly and the last few weeks had seemed to fly by for him almost as if he'd blinked and they'd passed.

"Hi, O."

"Can we talk for a moment?"

He nodded and let her pull him aside and into an empty classroom. She had been on his mind a lot lately, especially since he'd put himself in the middle of Pansy and Goyle's conversation about pureblood marriages.

"Is this about the rumours? I heard that you're getting married?"

Ophelia closed her eyes. "Yes. I didn't get that much choice in the matter."

He nodded. He knew that as well. "You're not happy with who it is?" He wanted to ask if she was even happy about the marriage, but he knew that was probably a waste of time.

"He's handsome enough and he seems nice," she said, shrugging her shoulders as if she didn't really care. "He comes from a wealthy and old family. It's just that he's a lot older than me and... I wanted to finish school. I always wanted to be a healer, you know?"

"You're leaving then?"

Ophelia nodded. "Yes. I won't be coming back after the holiday. Mother has already started setting up our home."

"Who is it?"

"Rabastan Lestrange."

Draco didn't even blink. He'd figured that it was going to be one of the older Death Eaters and he knew that out of the choices, the younger Lestrange was probably one of the better ones. At least he was less insane than the others if that counted for anything. He stared at her a moment, trying to determine her thoughts and when he spoke, he chose his words carefully.

"You know... if you wanted out of this… he's wanted by the Aurors."

"I thought about it," Ophelia admitted. "But I'd lose everything if I turned him in, Draco. My parents would disown me and then where would I be?"

"Happy?" Draco guessed.

Ophelia smiled and leaned in to kiss his lips. "You'll always be special to me."

He watched her go, a frown on his face. She was taking her upcoming marriage remarkably well. He wasn't sure how to deal with that. Of course, that meant things were moving up with the attempt to make more pureblood children. The news of Ophelia not returning in January wasn't really news. He already knew that Pansy, Goyle, and Bulstrode were leaving the school as well. There were three seventh year Slytherins who were also rumoured to be leaving. After OWLs, education at Hogwarts was optional. Most careers didn't require NEWTs except for the elite jobs; though most chose to keep studying until seventh year as the trace was still on their wands until they turned seventeen.

Draco found Daphne in the common room whispering with Tracy as he made his way to his dormitory. Davis was a half-blood so she wasn't in question, but he was surprised that Daphne hadn't been shipped off as well. He figured her brother's recent marriage was enough to placate the Dark Lord for the time being.

He knew why he wasn't being chosen and the thought made his stomach shift uncomfortably. He patted his hand over the package in his robes, the one Snape had passed to him earlier that afternoon.

"Your grandfather says that you're to use it tomorrow. The time will be ripe."

When Draco didn't answer, Snape had gripped his chin between his fingers.

"If you do this, it will be the end for you. Do you understand that?"

"I don't have a choice."

Snape scoffed. "I'm telling you that you do. If you use this dagger, that's it… you'll lose everything and there will be no coming back from it, Draco."

Draco's eyes met his, cold and lifeless. "What do I have left to lose?"

That's what scared him the most. He was at that point that he didn't care. If he lost his parents, well it would be hard, but — he couldn't save them.

He couldn't save himself.

He couldn't save Theo.

He had run out of choices.

He crawled into his bed, pulling the curtains closed around him and carefully unwrapped the dagger, staring at it. It was nestled on a velvet handkerchief and the blade was jagged. Engraved on the blade were the words: Blood of the Impure. His hand shook slightly as he held it in his hand and he carefully tucked it away in his robes again.

Tomorrow. In Hogsmeade, he would use the dagger.

He would finally make a choice on what side he was really on.

He buried his face in his pillow and for the first time in months, he cried.

End Author's Notes:

(Russian) zvezdushka i bogonichka = star and goddess

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