Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To Guest: Yes, this story is on both fanfiction and Ao3. But I don't like wattpad and have had nothing but problems with the administrators of the site as someone posted my beginning series on there without my permission and they refuse to take it down. I don't respect the site at all because of that and want nothing to do with them. To Atea1793: It doesn't, it was setting up a time frame. Explained his great-grandfather (Henry) died in the war with Grindelwald and then in the first war with Voldemort, his two sons died, one at Voldemort's followers' hands (Charlus) and the other of dragon pox (Fleamont). To Wolf's scream: McGonagall is a wise woman. Haha, Tom and Harry Quidditch series would be funny, but no, he's not taking that route to settle their differences LOL.

To ValGrey02: Thank you! I know, everyone is antsy on Harry and Ginny. I do love writing them… To Nuno Neves: Thank you! I loved Harry's tattoo. And yes, poor Neville with his broken heart. Greg is in trouble and we should be worried about the marks on Ginny. To Ellieoryan7447: Thank you so much for taking the time to catch up! What an amazing review! Calling ASC a masterpiece just makes me grin like a fool. You are too kind! I am honoured to have a superfan in yourself and thank you so much! To Dianne: Yes, Dumbledore is suffering and his magic is drained, but he has lived longer than he did in canon, that's true. Poor Dragomir and yes, Althea is devastated. Ha! You're probably right, I bet there will be lots of those photos hanging in dorms at Hogwarts, I didn't even think of that — poor Harry LOL. Yes, Voldemort is basically high on power right now (I was kind of inspired by Willow going to Rack for power boosts in season six of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Belladonna is a bit crazy and when someone is so convinced that someone else is to blame, it's hard to change their minds. As to Pansy, she's not happy with the Death Eaters, but she's selfish. She just wants to do her own thing and be left alone. Greg just wants to keep Pansy safe. Thank you! To shivani: Thank you! And yes, Harry is definitely hot in my world! Fingers crossed for a lot of things I think haha!

To ITHersey: Thank you! I thought the tattoo was perfect for Harry as well. Will the potion see through Harry's disguise? I guess it depends on whether or not Harry goes near her. To AccioRxses: Thank you! I agree, Ron would definitely have been Head Boy over Harry. He definitely doesn't have the temperament or personality for it. I'm excited for Sam's fic so I hope you will read it! To AnonXimous: Wow, you finished ASC in 28 days, that is a hell of a ride! Thank you so much! Thanks for saying I have a sheer amount of control over the storyline because sometimes, I have no idea how lol. To Seriously Sam: Of course Voldemort assumes he can call him Dante lol. Thanks, I liked the term Rhetoric Healer. Training a toddler, it was one of my favourite sayings and writing them bickering is just fun!

To Slaidback: Thank you! Happy to help you cap off your weekend and have a good start to your week! Thanks for reading! To Shouldna: Thank you! It definitely is very sweet for Harry to have the tattoo of two of his dads and of his mum. To scrappy8: Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Fawkes definitely arrives precisely when he means to, well done! LOL. Snape is… working things out. To notthatchhavi: Thanks! I'm excited too! It's really Seriously Sam's story, I'm just along for the ride! Dumbledore did nothing except be there and she blamed him. Who taught Fred that… I'm betting Gideon or Fabian… Harry definitely stepped out of his comfort zone but he trusts Colin, which helped. Harry is more admitting he looks good, but we all know he looks dead sexy. There's nothing for Remus in Harry's tattoo because he did as a mention to those who died. I agree that much power is not good for everyone. Thanks for loving Ron, he deserves the love in my opinion.

To alix33: Ha, don't worry, I think Aydin will definitely learn from swear words! Thank you! I'm so pleased you were moved to tears by the tattoo! To wanderinon: Thanks for re-reading, that's lovely! And no, I can promise you I won't kill Ginny off. To Steelcode: Thank you! I do, its on my tumblr along with Zee's tattoo. Mrs Longbottom is definitely tough! To XxMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! We need some plot sometimes… To pix25: Thank you! To Chintan: Thank you! And yes, I agree, the articles did eat at Voldemort but he's definitely playing it cool. To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! I love how many people are surprised to be worried about Greg, it warms my heart! To GodMisha: Thank you! Interesting prediction. We shall see! I like confident Neville too! I like to think Sirius helped with that. To WinkingSkeever: Thank you!

To UrmixMoonstone: Thank you! A normal Ginny would definitely tease Harry about his photos. The Novaks weren't thinking of that, but we'll see more of them soon. Thank you and yes, we all want Hinny to be reunited! To wreneclipse: Thank you! To joss: Everyone is so worried about Goyle and I love it! Thank you and yes, the potion taking over Ginny is meant to be scary! To Arctoid33: Thank you! And yes, I know, waiting on Hinny is torture LOL. To Sloopyqueen4: Thank you! And yes, I know the idea of Ginny being marked physically by the emotion is hard to read and we're all waiting patiently for the antidote! To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you! To AQuickRead91: Need the bird to save someone? We'll see. To allison8090: Thank you! It's so lovely to hear such kind words! To briana_t: I'm happy McGonagall is doing so much better as well. And sadly no, I wish someone would draw Harry posing for those photos as well! And Yes, the tattoos are the years Padfoot, Prongs, and Lily lived. Thank you! To Mizfitz22: We have to think Kata was stupid, but remember she was a prisoner for a long time and coming back into the real world, she might not be thinking as clearly as she should have. We'll see more of her soon. Ginny will have a comment on the articles later on (not anytime soon). As to Dumbledore being killed out in the open… we'll see.

My posting schedule: Weekly.

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 EIGHTY-FOUR:

The One With the Return of a Phoenix

Theo Apparated into Apricity Lane that afternoon, using his cloak to cover the sword at his side. The light spring cloak he'd purchased in Italy was the perfect attire to keep his sword hidden and to keep him cool in the rather hot summer that England seemed to be having. He was still feeling a bit flushed, but he refused to go anywhere without the sword and preferred having the cloak to keep it concealed then to use a disillusionment charm.

He walked down the cobble streets, his eyes peeled at the lovely high end shops that surrounded it and he stood out front of the old abandoned bank. He had to admit, the work they'd done definitely showed. The two Roman columns on either side of a set of large ornate turquoise and gold doors made the building stand out. A lovely wooden sign dangled over between the columns in sleek papyrus script: Sophistication By Pansy. Two huge ceramic flower pots in the same turquoise and gold sat on either side of the doors filled to the brim with multicoloured pansies which he felt made a statement.

There was a banner proclaiming that today, the thirty-first of July, was their grand opening and that all were invited inside to check it out. Theo let out a slow breath before he stepped up the two concrete steps towards the door and into the old bank. Inside was more than he'd been expecting.

The large bank was all marble columns, arches, carved ceilings, and beautiful wooden moldings in dark mahogany. The walls were painted a bright gold with white trim. It looked almost as if he'd stepped into a fashion show in the middle of the salon in the Palace of Versailles, yet it was both elegant and warm at the same time. There were Victorian style loveseats and Queen Anne chairs with brightly jewelled throw pillows situated over a plush white area carpet rug in the middle of the room. Folding dividers sectioned off changing areas and beautifully large elegant three-sided mirrors were stationed around. The large marble desk that had once belonged to the tellers, was smoothed down and held a cash register along with an area that served tea, wine, and champagne.

And lingerie was everywhere.

Mannequins were strategically placed around the large room showcasing some of the beautiful sets of bras, knickers, nightgowns, robes, and lingerie outfits. Beautiful wooden tables and floating shelves were full of silk and lace in a variety of colours and sizes. Mannequins were charmed to pose as people moved around and the store was bustling. The famous model Dayla was posed on a small stage in the centre of the shop dressed in red silk, lace, and high heels as photographers snapped photos. He moved his sunglasses up to the top of his head as he spotted Daphne Greengrass beneath the counter and moved towards her.

"Daphne."

Daphne turned, a bright welcoming smile on her face before she frowned. Her long blonde hair was swept up into an elegant twist and she wore black slacks with a white silk blouse, strategically unbuttoned he noted, to showcase just a hint of the purple lace she wore beneath. "Theo."

"Well, if you welcome all of your customers with that winning smile, I can see how this place will be a success."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Wanted to see the place for myself," he said, looking around again. "I have to admit, Sophistication is definitely the word I'd use. The champagne is a nice touch."

"We want to make our shoppers comfortable," Daphne said. "We have tea, biscuits, giggle water, wine, and champagne for those who are interested in making an event of their shopping experience."

"And the mirrors?"

"One needs a full view from all angles to decide upon lingerie."

Theo nodded. "And where's the proprietor herself? Having Dayla here will definitely boost word of the place."

Daphne's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, Nott?"

"I'd like to speak to Parkinson," Theo said, leaning across the marble. "Now, scurry along and get your boss for me."

"Hey! No, you, not there! I said hang those up! Not fold them! You'll crease the silk!" Pansy barked from the corner on his left, one hand on her swollen belly and the other waving around a pair of red knickers.

Theo smirked. "Never mind. I see her."

Pansy sat in the middle of a sea of lingerie in the far corner of the shop and Theo's eyes fell to her large stomach. She looked like she was hiding a Quaffle under her shirt, but he had to admit, pregnancy suited her. Her narrow face had plumped a bit and her dark hair waved almost to her shoulders surrounding her ruby red lips. She wore the same attire as Daphne, her shirt also strategically unbuttoned to showcase black lace cupping her rather impressive cleavage. It seemed that pregnancy had boosted that quite a bit, he noted.

She snapped her fingers at the new hire, directing her where to put things in her usual snappish way. The employee blushed and quickly corrected her mistake with the knickers. Theo made to approach, but to his horror, a mannequin walked up to Pansy and cocked its head to the side.

"I wasn't talking to you, you brainless mannequin! I was talking to my brainless human!" Pansy sighed. "Go stand in the window and pose or something."

The mannequin walked off stiffly to the window, hand on a hip and head turned in an elegant pose. Theo grimaced when the mannequin passed him and thought that might be the creepiest thing he'd seen in a while. His eyes locked with Pansy's and she scowled at him.

"Business is booming," Theo said.

"What the hell are you doing here, Nott?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Theo said, standing over her. "I wanted to check the place out. Today is the grand opening, is it not?"

Pansy held her hand out to him. "Help me up. I sat down here and can't seem to stand again."

"Can't imagine why," Theo mocked, his eyes on her stomach. "I heard you let Goyle knock you up. How is Goyle these days?"

Pansy squeezed his hand as he tugged her to her feet before she moved to take a seat on the love seat nearby. Theo sat next to her and she only stared at him. "What are you doing here, Nott?"

Theo patted her hand. "What is it you said to me before you left Hogwarts… oh yes, we've never been friends and you may be a bitch, but you don't lie."

Pansy's eyes narrowed. "I have nothing left to say to you."

Theo squeezed her hand, tugging her closer to him. "I get it. You're being watched. I imagine Goyle is, too. But you have your lovely shop here, it's what you dreamed and from what I can tell, this grand opening of yours is doing quite well. It looks beautiful in here."

Pansy's breath hitched. "Looks can be deceiving."

"We both know that," Theo whispered. "Goyle's an idiot. He never was bright and he never had much to say, but he's always been loyal."

"I took the Mark."

Her voice had been so quiet, Theo almost thought he'd imagined it, but he nodded.

"I know, but that doesn't mean you want the strings that are attached to it."

Pansy's eyes bored into his. "What do you want, Theo?"

"Information," he said. "I will spend an exorbitant amount of money here once a week and you will tell me what's going on."

"I can't," she whispered.

"You will," he insisted. "We both know that all you want is for this place to succeed. I can help you with that and in return, you'll help me."

Pansy swallowed, tugging her hand free to cover her swollen belly protectively with both hands. "They'll kill me and my baby. Please, Theo, I can't."

Theo stood up, guilt swimming through him. He didn't want anything to happen to an innocent baby and despite how much he didn't particularly care for Pansy or Goyle, he didn't wish harm on them either.

"Think about it, Parkinson, that's all I ask."

"It's Goyle now," she said, her cheeks flushing.

Theo nodded. "Right. Just think about it. I think that we can help each other."

He turned to find Daphne scowling at him from across the room and he shot her a winning smile. He pointed at the lingerie hanging on his right.

"I'll take two of those, one in lavender and one in red," he said.

Daphne's eyes narrowed. "For yourself?"

"For a friend," Theo said.

Pansy stood up, her hands still over her stomach. "Do you know the measurements?"

"Absolutely."

Daphne summoned the items towards her. "There's a buy two get the third one half price deal."

Theo ran his fingers through his hair. "Fine. Give me another in the blue."

"Gift wrapped?"

Theo rolled his eyes. "Sure."

Pansy moved behind the desk, squeezing Daphne's wrist as she did so and when Theo left five minutes later with his hands full of bags he wondered just what it was that Pansy couldn't seem to tell him.

~ ASC ~

Ron headed back to the Burrow, a skip in his step, feeling gleeful at the thought that he'd finally passed his Apparition test. He'd just stepped through the back garden when Fred flagged him down.

"Ah, Ronnikins! All in tact? Not missing any eyebrows or any important limbs?"

"Piss off. I passed," Ron said.

Fred grinned. "Good. About time. Listen, George and I are closing early today to help out with the last minute stuff for the wedding tomorrow so we won't need you to come in this afternoon after all."

"Okay," Ron said. "But you still want me to open the day after the wedding?"

"Yes," Fred told him. "I plan on being way too hungover to make an early appearance at work." At Ron's look, he cleared his throat. "But only for the morning as promised. I know that you have to get to Borage in the afternoon."

"He said the blood needs to be added some time between one and four in the afternoon. Charlie promised to work on getting some of Ginny's blood that morning. I don't know how the hell we're going to do that. She wants nothing to do with this antidote."

Fred nodded. "I have an idea for that. I'll talk to Charlie about it. Anyway, I'm off. See you at the wedding tomorrow."

Ron watched his brother head off and moved into the house. He found his mum putzing in the kitchen and found out that Ginny and Aydin were playing in the garden as Charlie was planning on going off to see Bill. Arthur was at work and Molly was organizing the final plans for the wedding and cleaning up the breakfast dishes. Everything was set up outside of the chairs and tent which they would be putting into place in the morning.

"Well?"

"Passed," Ron said. "With flying colours."

"Oh, good!" Molly exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "If you remember, Charlie failed his first time too."

"He did?" Ron asked. "He's never said."

"Well, Apparating and forgetting one's clothes isn't something one wants to brag about," Molly said. "But he certainly was the talk of the Ministry when he appeared in the middle of the atrium completely starkers."

"Hey, I earned three dates out of that accident," Charlie said as he came down the stairs. "I consider it my finest achievement. I always did have a great arse."

"Pft," Ron said. "Mine's nicer."

"Keep dreaming, Ronnie," Charlie said, patting his brother's cheek. "I'm off to Bill's. You sure Aydin's okay here with you and Ginny?"

Molly tugged her son's face down to kiss his cheek. "Yes. Go and help your brother practice his vows. Percy said that he would stop by after work. The more Bill practices talking, the stronger his voice will get."

Charlie made a sound of agreement before he said goodbye and headed out back to kiss his daughter on his way.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked.

Molly wiped her hands on her apron. "She said that she needed some alone time and went out by the pond with a book. Is everything all right with her, dear? She doesn't seem herself. Much quieter than usual."

Ron nodded. "She's all right, Mum. She's just missing her parents."

"Well, them moving to Australia was definitely a surprise, but she can always use her mirror."

"And she has," Ron said. "But it's not the same, as you know."

"Yes, being so far away from your children is always so hard. Oh, Ron, I just want to say again how proud I am of you, Head Boy, seventeen… you've become such a lovely young man. I know how much you do for this family, for your sister. I couldn't be any prouder."

"Thanks, Mum," he said, his face flushing.

Molly shooed him off and he made his way towards the pond, stopping to greet a happy Aydin as Ginny made her giggle with the plush magical creatures that surrounded them on the blanket. Aydin was crawling around happily and laughing and it made Ron smile to see his sister laughing with her. That was a good sign.

But he couldn't help but feel apprehensive when he saw that Ginny had earned another dark vein on the left side of her neck.

He made his way over the hill and down towards the pond. Hermione was sitting under the large tree by the pond in the shade, a book open in her lap and as he approached he knew that she wasn't actually taking in a single word written there. He stretched out next to her, crossing his long legs at his ankles.

"Good book?"

"Yes," she said, turning to look at him. "I don't know… I've been on page five for thirty minutes. Did you pass?"

"Of course I did," Ron said, putting his arm around her. She snuggled into his side, putting the book on the grass next to her. "Mum's worried about how quiet you've been. She says that you're not yourself."

Hermione's fingers fisted in his tee shirt. "I'm sorry. I'll make more of an effort."

"Don't apologize," Ron told her. "I know that you miss your parents. I told her that and she made a point about how you can just talk to them on the mirror, but she understands it's not the same."

"And she doesn't know that I can't do that," she whispered. "I have Mum's mirror. They don't even know they have a daughter."

Ron let his fingers play with the ends of her hair. "You know that you can talk to me though, right? Even if it's just to tell me that you miss them?"

"I know," she said. "It's stupid. I just… they would be so proud that I made Head Girl."

"I'm proud of you. Even though to be fair, choosing anyone else over you would just be mental. Who would be better than Hermione Granger?"

Pink flushed her cheeks. "I could say the same about you as Head Boy."

Ron snorted. "Please. We both know that Goldstein or Neville or even Theo would be a better choice. Between what Nev and Theo do with the Wizengamot alone, they should have surpassed me."

"Neville didn't want it," Hermione told him. "And McGonagall knew that. Theo is not Head Boy material. He only just got his life back together after losing Finn and he doesn't need that stress. Tony doesn't do well under pressure and you saw him last year with that crying first year, he didn't even know what to do. You immediately knelt down and asked him what was wrong and helped calm him down… you're the clear choice, Ron."

"Well, Goldstein's always been a prat," Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Tony is not a prat. He's intelligent and kind."

"And stuck up," Ron added. "He's too full of himself. He's basically the nicer version of Malfoy."

Hermione laughed. "Well, yes, I can see that actually. But really, you must stop throwing so much animosity his way, he was extremely helpful with trying to help me find the ingredients to that potion. I've kept him updated on it and he's been lovely."

Ron scowled. "I wish you wouldn't write to him."

Hermione let her hand slip under his tee shirt, gliding over his flat stomach. "Jealous?"

"No," Ron said. "But he's not part of the group."

She slid her hand up higher, letting her thumb brush his nipple. "No, he's not. But he's a nice bloke whom we can still be friendly with."

Ron sighed when her thumb stroked his nipple again and he bent his head to kiss her. "I don't want to talk about Goldstein anymore."

He pulled Hermione into his lap, kissing her deeply. Her hands moved out from under his shirt to link around his neck as her mouth met his. It had been much too long since he'd managed to get any alone time with Hermione. Between wedding plans and the constant rotating door of people coming and going at the Burrow, sneaking a moment to snog his girlfriend had proven to be an absolute chore. They spent most nights together, but he just held her and they talked… about her parents, about what was coming, about Harry and Ginny… He would hold her until she finally fell asleep.

She pressed herself against him as they kissed, reminding him just how long it had been since he'd taken the time to have a proper snog with her. He slid his hands around to cup her bum. That firm, plump arse that he loved to squeeze.

Her lips moved along his jaw and up to his ear. "Are we alone out here?"

"Not alone enough," he admitted, kissing her throat. "But I know a place."

Hermione jumped to her feet and smiled when his large hand covered her small one as he led her along, down past the pond and back out to where the chicken coop was. He tugged her along the back and inside.

"In here?" she squeaked. "Ron, there's… chickens."

He chuckled. "It is where they live. Up the ladder."

Hermione followed him up the ladder at the back and into the loft where he led her to a second ladder that took them up onto the roof. There was a flat area hidden in the centre of the roof with a small table and two chairs. Hermione barely did more than a cursory look around before Ron was kissing her in the morning sun.

"What is this place?" she asked.

"Bill and Charlie used to sneak up here to drink. We've all come up here a time or two to get some fresh air and some peace and quiet. Charlie used to sneak his lovers up here, as did Fred. The wall of the barn hides us from anything down below."

He pointed his wand at the roof and a large padded blanket appeared, spreading itself over the ground. He took a seat, pulling her down into his lap.

"Is this alone enough for you?"

She smiled and kissed him, snuggling into his arms. Ron stretched out on the blanket, holding her close as he kissed her neck, taking his time with soft kisses that he knew were driving her crazy.

"Touch me," she whispered.

He kissed her neck, his hand slipping under her shirt as he inched it up. He tugged it over her head and off before he made quick work of her bra. She pushed his own shirt up and he shoved it off, smiling when her hands slid up his chest. Then those lips began to kiss his chest and he held his hand to her head as she peppered kisses along his torso and down to the waist of his jeans. She unzipped him and he moaned.

"Merlin, it's been so long since we…"

Hermione nodded, tugging his jeans down his thighs. "I want you inside of me, Ron."

Ron's cock hardened as he kicked his jeans off and pushed her back down onto the blanket to kiss her. His hands roamed over her naked breasts to her own trousers, carefully unbuttoning them and slipping them off before he slid his fingers over the green lace she wore. With each stroke, he felt her grow wetter and his lips curved.

"I want to use my mouth first," he said.

Hermione's brown eyes darkened. "Yes, please…"

Ron grinned, using his thumbs to tug her knickers down, tossing them behind him before he lowered his mouth to her centre. He kissed her slowly, using his finger a bit as his tongue explored her.

"Higher," she moaned.

He did as she demanded and when she made a mewling sound, he figured he'd definitely found the right spot. Merlin, it had been too long since he'd tasted her. Amidst everything that had happened, it had been weeks. They hadn't found a moment alone together since school had ended, since everything had gone down. She was clearly feeling it too as she grew wetter and wetter under his ministrations and when she stiffened and cried out, he licked more thoroughly as she fell apart under his mouth.

He kissed his way up her body, kissing her breasts, his fingers still playing her as he sucked on a nipple.

"I've missed you," he murmured.

Hermione moaned under him, her hair fanning out across the blanket beneath him as he slowly built her up again. "Ron… oh, Ron…"

Her hands pushed at his pants, shoving them down his hips and her hands brushed him, making him hiss.

"I'm not going to last long," he warned her.

Hermione shook her head, urging his hips towards her and when he slid into that delicious warmth, they both groaned. Gods, it felt good, he thought as he began to jut his hips. Being inside of Hermione was like coming home and he never wanted it to end. He lowered his head to suckle her nipple, trying to focus on getting her to come again as he willed himself not to go off in two seconds.

Hermione's fingers slid along his bum, one hand slipping down to stroke his balls and he grunted, sucking her nipple harder as he picked up speed.

"Mmm," Hermione moaned. "Ron… wait, stop."

His eyes were glazed and he was so close to coming, he almost didn't hear her, but he felt her hands pushing him away.

"Mione? Something wrong? Oof!"

He fell backwards, eyes widening when she straddled him.

"Absolutely nothing's wrong," Hermione said, a coy smile on her face. She placed one hand flat on his chest, using her other hand to slowly guide him back into her. Her eyes rolled as the head of him brushed her clit. "It's my turn to be in control."

Ron could only nod as he was sheathed in that warmth once again, eyes wide as he watched her ride him with the morning sun behind her and her breasts bouncing above him. He attempted to move his hips more, but Merlin, she didn't need his help. Her hand stayed flat on his chest as she took control and it took less than a minute for him to know he was about to lose it.

"Mione… fuck, I'm gonna…"

"Wait," she panted. "I'm so…" She took his hand and placed it between her legs and his thumb pressed against her clit. He rubbed twice and she moaned. "Yes, yes… oh, fuck, yes."

He attempted to smile, to tease her about swearing, but his orgasm overtook him and he cried out, gripping her hips in his hands as he came and felt her finish a moment later as she rode him. She panted his name as she snuggled into his chest, kissing over his heart.

"I love that you swear," he murmured when he caught his breath.

"Shut up," she said.

His lips curved. "You hate it and it's that much sexier."

She pinched his hip and he yelped.

"I like you on top, too."

Hermione lifted her head to look at him, biting her bottom lip. "You went deeper at that angle."

"It felt bloody brilliant," Ron assured her. "Plus, I got to watch your lovely tits bounce."

Hermione blushed.

Ron slid his hand down to grip her arse. "Perhaps next time I can take you from behind. You see, I rather love this arse of yours…"

Hermione squealed when he smacked it lightly. "We'll see."

Ron kissed her, lingering on her lips. "Do you feel better now?"

Hermione snuggled into his arms, a soft smile on her face. "A bit." She curled one of his chest hairs around her finger. "Thank you."

Ron kissed her forehead, his hand gently stroking her arm as she cuddled. "Oh, that was absolutely my pleasure."

She smiled. "You know what for."

Ron held her close, closing his eyes against the bright sun. "Yeah, I know what for. Come on, we have to get dressed before Mum comes looking for us or before my perfect arse gets burned to a crisp under these rays."

He passed Hermione her clothes as they began to dress and she frowned.

"Ron, did you take my knickers again?"

"No," he said, looking around for them. "Are you sure they're not with your trousers?"

"Yes!"

Ron finished zipping up his jeans, and picked up the blanket to look around for them. His eyes travelled over the dark weathered wood of the barn and over the edge as the sun hit something green below and he bit his lip. "Er, Mione?"

"What?" she asked, kneeling before him in only her bra.

Ron pointed to the grass below where two chickens were pecking at the green lace and Hermione's mouth dropped open.

"Ron!"

He laughed. "Well, I didn't mean to throw them off the roof."

She scowled as she pulled her trousers on. "You better get down there and get those before your mum finds them."

Ron was still laughing as he climbed down the ladder.

~ ASC ~

When the shop closed at the end of the day, Pansy's feet were killing her, but she thought that it was worth it. Sure a lot of people had wandered in just to wander in, but they had done a pretty great job on sales. She was feeling great about the shop, about her work, and having Daphne there was a lifesaver. Though the woman Daphne had hired to help left something to be desired. Her name was Blanche and she couldn't seem to follow simple instructions. Pansy was going to have to talk to her.

She let Daphne out, locking the door behind her before she turned to look around at her shop. Her shop. It was still an incredible thing to say, but it was all hers. Greg came out of the back, a box of bras in his arms.

"Here are the bras you wanted."

She gestured to where she wanted them and he placed the box next to the shelf. Pansy moved over and began to carefully space them out on the shelf before her. Greg put his hand on her wrist.

"I can do that. Rest for a bit."

She wanted to argue, but her feet were killing her. She took a seat on one of the love seats and watched him display the bras the way she liked them. She only corrected him twice, making her smile.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't here when you first opened," Greg told her as he worked.

"Corban told me that something had come up," she said.

He nodded.

"Is everything okay?"

"Fine," he assured her.

She watched him for a moment, his large hands carefully laying out the silk as she'd shown him to do.

"Theodore Nott came in today."

He made a grunting sound.

"He seems to think that I want to give him information."

Greg's shoulders tensed.

"I don't have information to give him and I told him that I'm not a snitch."

He made another small grunt.

"You don't have anything to say?"

Greg stared down at the bras, carefully putting the last one into place before he turned to look at her. "If he can do something to keep you and the baby safe, I think that you should consider it. After what I did to him, I'm surprised he'd even..."

"What did you do to him?" Pansy asked.

"He's gay."

"Yeah, that's been obvious for years," Pansy said, rolling her eyes.

Greg nodded. "My father was... he was going on one day about how Thaddeus Nott felt like his son was hiding something and how he didn't know if he could trust him and he told me that I had to find something out about him. I didn't... no, I knew exactly what I was doing, Pansy. I told my father that Theo was gay to get him off of my back and he... he went on about I must be so disgusted to have been sharing a dorm with a poofter and... I didn't deny it."

"Well, I imagine that it wasn't exactly a walk in the park."

"It's not like it made him different," Greg said, his brow furrowing. "He was the perfect dorm mate. He cleaned up after himself, was polite, and I... I just let my father say terrible things about him and I let my father tell his father that I felt the same."

Pansy stood up and took his hand in hers. "We've all done things that our fathers have forced us to do, Greg. Maintaining the pureblood lines are what's important. Theo was dating a freaking fae. He's… I don't care that he's gay, but he can at least date a wizard."

"Finn's dead, Pansy."

She nodded. "And I'm sorry for that. I know that fae meant a lot to him, but to come here and expect me to help him… we have enough on our plate, Greg."

He knew she was right about that. His new assignment from the morning was only part of it. He moved back to work on the next box of knickers, organizing them the way she liked as she continued to jabber on behind him.

"It's not that I have a problem with him being gay," she went on. "Being gay is fine, whatever, I just think he could at least date someone of the same species. But whatever, that's on him and losing Finn made him sad, which I totally get, but Daphne said he really took it hard. Now to come in here and to ask me for help? Like what does he think I can do? I'm seven months pregnant and a busy woman, I don't have time to add more things to my list. I have enough to do."

Greg made a sound of agreement.

"Of course, I think he might know something. I don't know what of course, but he had this look in his eye. Don't you find it strange that the Dark Lord has let so many of the pregnant women kind of disappear from his radar? I mean, I get it, we're unimportant until we give birth, he won't risk us losing his precious pureblood army, but you think he'd take better care of where we're going?"

"Sure," Greg said.

"Corban told me that Shanae is missing and that his wife mentioned something about Aeliana, Juliet, and Flora disappearing. It seems their husbands don't know where they went," Pansy told him. "The Dark Lord hasn't been keeping track, but they were the ones who hadn't taken the Dark Mark since the Dark Lord thought they didn't have anything worth contributing to his cause just yet. But now they're missing and seven months pregnant. Corban thinks their husbands should be more concerned but they've been so busy, they've barely noticed. Of course, they weren't living with their wives either so it's possible they don't even know or care that much. I just think it's interesting."

Greg finished folding the last of the knickers and put the empty box back in the store room as his wife continued on.

"And it makes me wonder if that's something that Theo would want to know or if he even knows where they are. Though why he would know at all, I have no idea. I think he's looking for something, but now he's all chummy with Potter and that tosser's just not someone I'd want to be chummy with, don't you think? I know we talked about it this morning, but those articles about him? Showing off how fit he is?"

"You think he's fit?"

Pansy rolled his eyes. "Of course he's fit! He always did keep in great shape for Quidditch and I can see why he would be attractive to some people, but I still think he's too full of himself. I don't know what Theo hoped to accomplish today. However, he did drop almost two hundred Galleons in the shop, so I will appreciate that sale."

Greg moved to sit next to her. "Two hundred Galleons?"

She nodded. "He bought three different lingerie sets. I have no idea who for, but he bought them."

Greg moved his hands down to cup her stomach, eyes widening when the baby gave a particular good jab. "Don't worry about Nott for a moment. There's something that I have to tell you."

Pansy held his hands over her stomach. "What is it?"

Greg swallowed, keeping his eyes on hers as he spoke. "You know that Croatian Auror whose wife went missing?"

Pansy nodded. "Yes. Daphne was telling me that she made it back to him. It's all anyone can talk about, how this woman made it back to the man she loves and how they're raising a child together that she was forced to conceive while she was imprisoned. He seems like more than a stand-up bloke. It's rather a romantic ending for such a sad story."

"I freed her."

Pansy stared at him for a full minute. "What?"

"I… when we were in Croatia, she just… Woodrow Selwyn spent all of his time raping her, Pansy. He passed her around like she was just some… she came up to my bedroom on his orders and offered to suck me off and I felt bad for her," he said, standing up to pace in front of her. "Pansy, she told me how she didn't understand why she was even fighting and how her husband had given up on her by now and how she had nothing left to live for… I saw the poster with her face on it and I knew that he hadn't. So, I waited until everyone had left except for Crabbe, who was on guard duty, and I snuck her out of Selwyn's home and reunited her with her husband. That's where the ten thousand Galleons came from."

Pansy rubbed a hand over her stomach, her eyes on him. "Did she?"

"What?"

"Did she suck you off?"

Greg's brow furrowed. "What? I just told you that's where the money came from and that's what you want to know?"

"You said that she came to your room and offered to suck you off. Did you let her?" Pansy repeated.

"No," Greg said. "Of course I didn't! Pansy, Woodrow was raping her left and right, I wasn't going to add to that!"

"And if she wasn't… I mean, if she hadn't been there against her will, but had just offered herself up to you, would you have taken her up on the offer?"

"Pansy, I just told you that I freed someone the Dark Lord was keeping imprisoned and this is what you're focusing on," Greg exclaimed. "He knows I freed her and he… he said that he pardoned me, but only because Yaxley convinced him to for some reason. I don't know… I'm lucky he didn't kill me straight off. But I don't regret it. She… she deserved to be with her husband and the man was clearly besotted with her."

She looked at him under her lashes. "I saw her picture and she was very beautiful, it makes sense. I get why Woodrow wanted to keep her and why you were drawn to her… I'm fat now and you're not attracted to me anymore."

"And I'm — what?" Greg asked in disbelief. He was trying to tell her about the danger that he'd put himself in, and inadvertently put her in, and she was focusing on parts he didn't understand.

"Well, you're not," Pansy said, her eyes blazing. "You lie next to me every night but you never touch me."

Greg simply stared at her, dumbfounded.

"I stopped wearing knickers to bed altogether and I've been choosing my absolute skimpiest nighties and yet all you do is hold me and go to sleep. Obviously you're not attracted to me anymore."

"I… what?"

Pansy pulled her hands away from him. "I get it, I'm pregnant and fat and hormonal and I've been nagging you left and right, but the least you could do is touch me a little bit." Her cheeks heated as she continued. "Sometimes… it's just lately I've been feeling rather randy… all the time really, and according to the books, it's part of the pregnancy and you never show… don't you want to touch me?"

Greg licked his lips, his mouth suddenly very dry. "I just thought… I mean, you're… we got married because we had to and then we had sex to get you pregnant and now you're pregnant and that was the goal and… I didn't think you wanted me like… that."

Pansy stared down at her hands. "Well, I mean, sex is good for one's health and my health means the baby will be healthy, right?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Right."

Pansy brushed her hair out of her eyes before she turned her gaze on him. "So, if someone like Kata offered herself to you right now, would you shag her?"

"No," he said. "I've only ever wanted you."

She took his hand and placed it back on her stomach before she slowly moved it down, keeping her eyes on his. He swallowed and unbuttoned her trousers before he let his hand slip under and into the lace knickers. His finger found her practically soaked and he trembled.

"Will you touch me, Greg? Please?"

The please did it. His finger began to stroke her and her head fell back. She tugged her jacket off, unbuttoning the blouse to reveal her full breasts in the black lace. The sight of them had his mouth watering and when she unhooked her bra, he bent his head to capture a peak.

"Mmmm," she moaned.

"Pansy?"

"Mmm…" she said, biting her bottom lip. "Add another finger, please."

"Can I…" he trailed off as her hips rose up to meet his hand. "I want to use my mouth."

Pansy's eyes met his. "You do?"

He removed his hand from her knickers, kneeling down before her. Her trousers slid down her legs, followed by her knickers and his big hands stroked up her thighs.

"Will you tell me what you like? I want to please you."

Pansy ran her fingers through this thick wavy hair. "I… yes…"

And when his tongue began to move inside of her, the guttural moan she made made his lips curve. Pansy wanted him to touch her and he thought that no matter what the Dark Lord threw at him next, he would at least die a very happy man.

~ ASC ~

Crouch was doing his best not to squeal. In fact, he had asked Rabastan to place a silencing charm on him just so he wouldn't, but Rabastan had refused. Crouch wanted to be angry, but he knew his friend rather enjoyed how excited Crouch became in situations like this. But watching Belladonna stand before Dumbledore and knowing that the man was about to die... it was more excitement than he had bargained for. He was positively bouncing in excitement, his tongue darting out across his bottom lip to lick the nervous beads of sweat that were there.

Alecto gave him a look of amusement. "Are you hard, Bart?"

He grinned at her, turning to show her the clear erection straining his trousers. "As a rock, dearie. She's going to make him suffer, Alecto, and I can't wait."

Alecto chuckled, running a hand over her pregnant stomach. "Between you and Bella, I don't know who gets turned on more by such violence."

"It's a tie," Bellatrix said, her arm linked through her husband's. "Like the good old days, right, darling?"

Rodolphous gave her a cool look. "Before you chopped off my cock? Funny, I can't remember them."

Crouch snickered.

Bellatrix only kissed her husband's knuckles. "You can use your mouth after. I think after this show I'm going to be very ready for that."

Alecto exchanged a look with Rabastan and they shook their heads. Crouch knew that Alecto, her brother Amycus, Rabastan, and a few of the others may have enjoyed the violence, but they certainly didn't submit to it the way Crouch did. He thought it was a shame. He bounced on the balls of his feet, rubbing a hand over his crotch to try to tame himself.

Goyle and Yaxley had returned from the new shop to see the show that evening and Crouch looked around the room at all of the faces. It seemed that the promise of an execution had people looking anxious, apprehensive, and nervous. He didn't understand those feelings. If anything, they should all be thrilled to be given the honour to stand here and watch Dumbledore die.

Crouch certainly was.

Dumbledore had been removed from his cell for the first time since he'd been taken. But the chains had still dragged behind him as Snape was given the honour of levitating the wizard towards his death. His chains had been removed and Voldemort grabbed him by his beard, forcibly dragging him across the stone hard enough to slam his nose down and break it. But Crouch had to give the old man credit, he didn't make a sound.

"Are you ready to say hello to death, Dumbledore?" Voldemort asked as Belladonna stood nearby.

She was bouncing on her feet, her wand in one hand, and Dumbledore's wand in the other. She kept glancing over at her sister, eyes wide in excitement, before she tapped Dumbledore's long wand against her thigh.

Dumbledore slowly rose up to his knees, blood dripping down from his broken nose, and his voice calm. "I'm not afraid to die, Tom. Death is but the next great adventure."

Voldemort sneered. "I shed that name long ago, Dumbledore, and you will beg to live once we get started. You won't be as brave as you think you will be when death comes to call. Accio."

The long wand flew into his hand and out of Belladonna's. He stroked his fingertips over the conjoined spheres of the smooth wood as if it were a long lost memory.

"Such a strange looking wand, isn't it? So… boring."

Belladonna smiled. "It looks almost like a bony finger, my Lord."

"A little," Voldemort agreed. "And now it no longer belongs to the once great, Albus Dumbledore."

Crouch frowned. "But your wand is so much more powerful, my Lord. Why would you want that one?"

Voldemort glared at Crouch. "Because my wand cannot duel successfully against Potter's, can it?"

Dumbledore's eyes were on the wand, his breathing heavy. "Power is more than… just in the beholder, Tom."

Voldemort ignored him, the Elder Wand in his hand. "Why don't we see? Crucio!"

Dumbledore screamed as his own wand was turned against him. The power that erupted from the wand seemed brighter, more vibrant, and the torture curse ripped through the old man in sharp shots. When the sound of a bone snapped in his arm, Voldemort's lips curved.

"Oh yes, I think this wand will do quite nicely. Donna, my lovely, go ahead."

Belladonna strutted forward, her wand in her hand. "I've been waiting for this moment, dreaming of it for sixteen years. I want you to die the way you once watched my daughter die."

"I am sorry… for your loss, my dear," Dumbledore panted. "There is… nothing more… awful than… the loss of one's… child."

"Shut up!" she shrieked. "She's dead because of you! Because you took her away from me!"

"I am… sorry you believe… that. I am truly sorry… that revenge has driven… you to this. Despite your… deception, you truly were… an excellent… teacher."

Belladonna glowered at him. Crouch couldn't hear the spell she uttered over Alecto's snort, but he certainly saw the result.

Dumbledore was unable to stop himself from emitting a choking sound. His body rose up from the ground as if he were being called up. His arms and legs dangled before him and an unforeseen force seemed to be pressing down on him. He gasped for breath and the sound of something cracking made her smile. She lowered him back down.

"That was the sound of your ribs being crushed. Did you feel it, Dumbledore? Did it feel like the earth was crushing you the way you let the earth kill my daughter?"

She waved her wand again and this time the stones rose up from the ground, smashing into Dumbledore's sides, crushing his chest and his stomach in slow purposeful squeezes before releasing and falling back into place on the floor.

Dumbledore gasped for breath. "I am… not afraid to-to die. I've lived… a… great… life."

Belladonna glared at him. "We'll see."

The unforeseen force hit him again, this time seeming to crush him harder. Crouch squealed in delight and when Dumbledore's limbs began to twitch as his lungs were being crushed, Crouch began to pant in excitement. He was so hard now, he thought for sure that he was going to make a mess right there in his trousers. Dumbledore's body twitched, convulsed in the air, and then suddenly there was a flash of gold. Music filled the room as the red and gold phoenix swooped down. Voldemort jumped up from his seat in his throne chair just as Dumbledore's fingers connected with the tail feathers and another flash of light caused both of them to disappear.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Belladonna screamed.

Bellarosa moved forward to comfort her sister and Crouch pouted.

"I didn't get to see the life disappear from his eyes."

Rabastan put his arm around his friend's shoulders. "You can come on your wife's tits later while I watch."

Crouch sighed, his eyes on where Belladonna was shrieking in rage.

"ENOUGH!" Voldemort exclaimed, his red eyes almost glowing. "Severus, find out where that phoenix took him! If he isn't dead already, he will be by sunrise. I can promise you that!"

Then he stormed out of the room, pushing his way past the Death Eaters by the door and Crouch looked over at Bellarosa and Belladonna. Belladonna was sobbing on her sister's shoulder and whatever Bellarosa was whispering to her didn't seem to be helping. Bellatrix moved over to speak to them and Rodolphous crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"You have to admit, Dumbledore's got style… on the verge of death and he still somehow manages to call his phoenix for help."

"Did he call the bird?" Rabastan asked. "I think we just ran out of time. The phoenix is connected to him and we forgot to account for the bird being reborn from the ashes."

Crouch shook his head. "I don't know, but I think it would be a miracle if Dumbledore survives the night. Belladonna certainly didn't go easy on him."

He wondered how the world was going to react to the news of Dumbledore's death. He imagined there would be panic and horror when they saw the state of his body. It was too bad the Dark Lord hadn't let him play a bit, cut off some limbs, maybe spend more time torturing him… he hadn't gotten the chance to really torture anyone since the Seer. He kept his eyes on Snape as he headed out to find out where Dumbledore may have gone and he sighed.

Waiting on news was always so boring. He rubbed a hand over his now flaccid penis through his trousers. He really didn't do well with disappointment.

~ ASC ~

Tonks watched Harry, Neville, and Ron head out of the Ministry, all three having passed their Apparition tests with flying colours. She was still amazed at the thought that Harry was officially an adult today. Sometimes she still remembered that scared little boy who the first time had laughed in her presence, the sound of it had been so loud and excited that he'd startled himself, his little hand covering his mouth in shock. She was proud of the man he'd become.

She shoved her hands into her pockets and gave a nod to the security wizard before she headed towards the lifts. Kane had a new assignment for them and she didn't want to be late.

Finding the body of Dante Dragomir spread out in the street in front of the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic wasn't how she wanted to start her day. After photographing the body and preserving what evidence they could find, Tonks and Higgins got to work on trying to find out where he'd come from. Finding his body wasn't a surprise, which only made it sadder.

She'd really been hoping they would have found him in time but unfortunately this meant that whatever information that Dragomir had, Voldemort now knew. Dante Dragomir had unfortunately outlived his usefulness. Tonks sent word to Durmstrang to let them know before she and Higgins took an international portkey to Greece to personally tell Thea.

The witch had crumpled at the news. Xander had knelt down next to her, holding his wife close as she sobbed as he thanked them for coming to tell them in person. Tonks felt horrible. She knew the healer considered her old professor more than just that. Zee had told her how Thea's kids considered him part of the family. It was a part of the job she really hated, watching people's lives fall apart when they learned someone they loved had been killed.

They spent a few hours conversing with the Greek authorities, going over Dragomir's case and his last known sightings before his abduction. By the time they returned to the Ministry of Magic, dusk had set in. Higgins finished writing up his notes before he bid her goodnight and Tonks did the same. She spent another twenty minutes updating her file before she told Kane she was going home for the night.

Tonks stood in the lift, yawning the whole way down. She wanted nothing more than a hot shower and her warm bed. A glance at her watch told her it was already half past nine. Another thirteen hour day, no wonder she was so exhausted. She walked out of the lift and stepped in front off the new fountain and tree of life just as a bright flash almost blinded her.

The flash from behind her had her wand in her hand in seconds. Someone screamed and when she turned, the golden red plumage of the large wing span lifted from the phoenix as Dumbledore collapsed in front of the new fountain and tree of life. Fawkes was crying over the wizard, large fat tears rolling down the bird's beak and landing on Dumbledore's skin. She watched in amazement as the cuts on his wrists and ankles began to heal.

"Albus!" she exclaimed, kneeling next to him. "Someone get a healer down here!" She sent her Patronus to Kingsley, taking the old man's hand in hers. "It's all right, Albus. Fawkes brought you to the Ministry. You're safe now."

His blue eyes blinked up at her and for the first time in her life she saw the frailness of the man before her. He looked like he'd aged a hundred years in his absence. His body was covered in bruises, dark circles under his eyes. His white hair hung down him in scraggly clumps, full of dirt and what she suspected was blood and bile. His long beard had thinned so much she could see his chin beneath. His thin hands gripped hers with surprising strength.

"Power… the power is merely a shadow, Mrs Lupin. A shadow that lurks within him… and a shadow… that when he unleashes it, will light… the world… afire."

"Albus… I don't understand," Tonks whispered. "Does Voldemort have a new power?"

Dumbledore's breath was ragged now. "The power won't last. He cannot hope to… contain it. What he took… from me… will never be… his."

Blood dripped from his lips as he coughed.

"What power did he take, Albus?"

"Mine," he gasped as his hands slid out of hers.

Tonks made a grab for them, but as her eyes took in his face, she knew that it was too late. Those piercing blue eyes were staring straight ahead blankly.

"Lupin! What's happened?" Kingsley exclaimed as Aurors came rushing into the atrium.

"Dumbledore's dead," she said, her voice shaking in shock.

"What's that?" Robards demanded.

Tonks stood up slowly, carefully placing his hands over his heart as she did. "Dumbledore's dead."

"Merlin's beard!"

"Dumbledore?" someone whispered.

"Dumbledore's dead!"

"It can't be!"

"That's his phoenix, isn't it?"

Tonks looked up as the whispers and gasps of shock began to spiral out around her. The phoenix song echoed throughout the atrium, making her heart swell at the sound of it. It was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard, full of hope. But when her eyes found Fawkes, she knew that the bird was giving its last song. Its tears had healed what he could, but the trauma of what he'd been through on top of his age had been too much and even the phoenix couldn't stop old age. The phoenix landed on Dumbledore's chest, his head resting over the wizard's heart and the red and gold wings covered him before catching fire. The fire burned hot and bright for only a moment and then there was nothing but an ash silhouette of a great phoenix over the wizard's heart.

And then pandemonium broke out.

People began to scream and cry in panic and grief. When Minister Bones arrived ten minutes later, people were openly sobbing and crying. She marched through the crowd with Scrimgeour behind her.

"Tell me it's not true," she demanded, sharply, her voice echoing in the atrium.

Kingsley stepped in front of her, his eyes sad. "I wish I could, Madame Minister, but Albus Dumbledore is dead."

Tonks turned to Atwell when she felt the woman grab her hand and she realized she had tears streaming down her cheeks. Dumbledore was dead.

And with that proclamation she knew that everything was about to change.