Author's Note:
I hope everyone checked out the first chapter of Legerdemain by Seriously Sam because it's awesome and I am so pumped for everyone to see what comes next! If you haven't — what are you doing? Go read!
Reviews and Comments: To ITHersey: Thank you! That was exactly what I was going for! I wanted to feel the chaos and the uncertainty so that we could get into the mindset of the characters. To ANewRanger: Happy to help you get a break from summer homework lol. And don't worry, Theo was safe! Thanks for saying that you enjoyed it more than usual, I am always worried when I write dramatic or action-packed chapters as they are very hard to do. And yup, death of Bones and Scrimgeour is definitely going to cause some trouble! To alix33: Theo definitely was a great witness! We'll have to wait and see about Arthur and Percy. To Atea1793: Thank you for your opinion.
To The Go1den Snitch: I hope that's a good wow. To tim2604: Thank you! I thought having the flames be purple would be more interesting. Theo did witness it and it was a lot for him to see, he's definitely in shock. I do think Remadora is the smuttiest couple in the story. The Cleansweep 8 was just fun. I wanted to show that Zee is happy and comfortable with herself. Theo and Kane, well, we shall see. To Seriously Sam: Morgan wasn't really making an excuse, but an explosion is a valid reason lol. Of course Zee worries about the animals! Did K know they were secretly freckles? Maybe… Remus was definitely totally worried! To shivani: Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you and unfortunately not everyone is going to be okay. To Mackie919: Thinking I can distract you from the Hinny split with explosions and mayhem… only a little lol. I look forward to you finding out about Arthur and Audrey as well.
To BrookGuitar: Well, I will try my best not to make you mad, but no promises. And hey, when we're on our periods, that crying is not entirely from the story (just saying I get emotional over info commercials). To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Theo is definitely considerate of the Weasleys, but also he just didn't want to be alone. Remus definitely took care of Tonks and I love writing Zee as protective over Harry. To jaccy3: Thank you! I hope I have a few more creative seventh year events. To WinkingSkeever: I will. To Spellotape707: Well, everyone should definitely hate Crouch, he's awful. Arthur and Audrey well… Theo and Auror Arsehole are entertaining. Theo loves the Weasleys. Happy Birthday! There will be more Hinny soon…ish.
To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: Thank you! I always love hearing I've kept you on the edge of your seat. Tonks and Theo were just doing what they could to survive and using Thicknesse as a suicide bomber was a fun twist I was looking forward to doing — especially because as we will see, he wasn't fully supporting of it. Molly is definitely a wreck, as is her kids. Lupin and Tonks shower sex is always refreshing lol. To GodMisha: Thank you! I really don't know. Sometimes I dream ASC and wish I could wake up and the chapter would be written lol. As to how do I imagine Charlie? I really love him as Gwilym Pugh, I think he fits my idea of him well. There are some photos on my tumblr. Heights of the Weasleys are also there. To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! Writing Kane is fun. Yes, poor Amelia. To JamesTKent: I love driving up your blood pressure? No, that's just a side benefit lol. Thank you for saying that's one of the scarier sequences I've written!
To Dianne: Thank you! Yes, seven in total and that's how I wanted it, the floors caving in around them and yes, a lot of lives were lost. The Wall and fountain were only damaged, not destroyed, as it was only the left side of the Ministry that was thoroughly damaged. I didn't really see it that way as a link to the trio destroying Gringotts, but it is interesting. You were screaming during the Theo-Kane scene because K almost smiled haha and yes, the cheek brush and aww you thought it had the same level of combusting power as the inferno… good to know! It is a bit hero-ish, but he is MIA. Thank you very much! To Nightwing2013: Of course Zee will still be sexual and I think having that moment for her was even more important. At the moment, there is no Minister of Magic. I did doubt that I would get to 300, but actually am up to chapter 307 which are done so… I have surpassed it lol. To Yusraa Ifthikar: I know, Sirius and Harry… we do miss their talks. Soon-ish for Hinny. To pix25: Thank you and yes he can use the card whenever he wants.
To Steelcode: Theo has an admirer, maybe lol. As to Audrey and Arthur, we'll see. To Wolf's scream: Those under the Imperius definitely have some things to answer for and the normal denizens, well, the chaos will make that difficult to weed out. To Jones man: Harry would definitely do everything he could to make her feel better. To Arctoid32: Thanks I think lol. If Percy dies you don't know what you'll do? Haha. To pottermum: Thank you! I love how many people are shipping Theo and Kane! Nothing has even happened between them lol. To Deltarunner66: Thank you! Harry and Ginny will see each other soon. To saucyswimmer: Thank you — I'm sure she will leave another negative review on this chapter because I responded the same. Apparently that makes me "too Canadian" but I prefer to be polite when I can. I love live reactions! Aww, I love that you're worried about Neville and Tonks and yes, Zee did not make a stop at the Ministry. Giving the purple fire a backstory was fun! K may have been trying to get some time with Theo… Yes, they are all part of the Weasley family, without question! Thanks and yes, I loved adding that they are not just for brooms!
To notthatchhavi: How did K know? Well, that will still be a secret for a while longer. Yup, potion vials created the explosion. Harry is growing a beard, or trying to. Thank you, I miss Sirius as well. To Sloopyqueen4: Thank you! I find it easier to describe things when you can look at the different angles and POVs. To Bumlewis: Were you really surprised I left you hanging? I love Theo and he is definitely brave, but still needed comfort! To ValGrey02: Nothing will happen to Baby Lupin, I can promise! We will find out about Arthur's fate soon. To Cristina: Thank you! You think Morgan is shady and if something happens to Arthur it will be too dark for Ginny to handle? Interesting. Thank you! I love Remadora and think writing them is very fun. I know, my Theo is not canon, but we don't know Theo in canon, not really, so who's to say I didn't get him perfect? Thank you very much! If I am ever brave enough to finish my original book and publish it, I promise to let people know. To ahlem stelena: No withdrawals, the new chapter is coming! Thanks for rereading, but please don't cry!
To AQuickRead91: Thank you! Always happy to see the head exploding emoji! Hope that means it was a good surprise! To AnaGPotter: Thank you so much! Action is difficult to write so I appreciate you saying that! To briana_t: Dean and his dad is a fun story to explore and yes, Hogwarts would have worked as well. They definitely needed to destress from the day. To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To skyreader_183: Me too, but yes, Arthur and Audrey are still unsure. What will Voldemort's next move be indeed? To okaycher: Thank you! I always appreciate being told I can balance chaos and worry well! To Gimrrin: Well, you weren't wrong… but we shall see. You see where I'm going with K? Haha, so many people are convinced! Thank you! To PurpleLotus: I love your hearts! But I do miss your thoughts! To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you and yes, Voldemort definitely needs more plans other than kill Harry lol. To HinnyForLife: No, your English is great! Thank you so much! I'm glad you caught up!
To valeaddictus: Thanks! Thane? Interesting… as to Arthur and Audrey… we will see! To Saz J: Gotta have some good steamy scenes to make up for the angst. Kane is interesting indeed and yes, I'm glad you're back! To dinosararus: Thank you! I look forward to hearing your thoughts every week!
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 NINETY-TWO:
The One Where Ginny Takes A Dip in the Pond
Bill and George took Theo back to Norfolk Manor when he woke a few hours later. They helped him pack his trunk for school and brought him back to the Burrow to stay the night. When they arrived, there was still no sign of Arthur. Fred sent word that Percy was doing all right, but was still under a sleeping potion to heal and had yet to wake up. He'd fractured some ribs and lost a kidney, but he would live.
None of them spoke about the other concern, all too afraid to speak.
Ron was on the mirror with Charlie, who was demanding answers, for most of the night, but they didn't have them. It had been fourteen hours since the first explosion had gone off inside of the Ministry and no one knew where Arthur Weasley was.
After much debate and arguments, Fleur finally convinced Bill to lie down in one of the bedrooms for the night. They all needed sleep, she insisted and everyone grudgingly agreed. Theo went up to Ginny's room where she'd set up the cot. Angelina had arrived a few hours earlier and she and George took the twins' old room. Ron and Hermione went up soon afterwards, but Ginny had snuck back down to the living room, wide-eyed and worried.
After everything that had happened that summer, the last thing she wanted was to not be here when her family needed her most. She was grateful that Fred and Molly were at the hospital with Percy, but she was also terrified for the unknown. The jumbled memories in her head about blaming her father for the diary and the Chamber of Secrets; the silent and cold treatment she'd given him all summer and now… he was missing.
She hugged one of the throw pillows to her chest, eyes on the clock on the wall. Everyone had been pointed at "mortal peril" for so long that it didn't worry her, but she needed to know something. Anything…
Had her father been in his office?
Was he still trapped inside the Ministry?
Was he hurt?
Was he alone?
Or worse…
Ginny swallowed, afraid to blink. What if he had died? What if the explosion had taken him out? Shacklebolt had been injured… trapped, the wireless had said, and Arthur's office was so close to the DMLE, just around the corner really…
She clutched the pillow harder and before she could change her mind, she pulled the mirror from her pocket and said the one name who always gave her the comfort she needed.
His messy hair appeared a moment later, a small smile on his lips. "Gin?"
"No one's heard from Dad," she whispered.
Harry frowned. "He was at work?"
Ginny nodded, her bottom lip trembling. "I'm sorry… I told you not to contact me and here I am… I just… I'm scared, Harry. What if he's trapped there? What if he's…"
"No," Harry said. "You can't think the worst. It was chaos there and Tonks said that the departments were going over employee lists, but not everyone was able to be evacuated right away. It doesn't mean that something bad happened to him."
She nodded again, brushing her hair back behind her ear.
Harry stared at her for a moment. "Do you… do you want me to come over?"
Ginny nodded again before she could stop herself. "Wait — no!"
Harry frowned. "Ginny…"
"No, I'm sorry," she said. "I can't ask you to do that! I can't ask for you to comfort me when I… I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have called you. I'm not ready."
His eyes were sad as he nodded. "Okay. But Gin? Whatever you need, I'm here, okay?"
Ginny nodded. "I… I'm sorry, I have to go."
When she closed the mirror to the sight of Harry's sad eyes, she wanted to scream. What was wrong with her? What kind of horrible person would call the one person she told she needed a break from? It was cruel. It was deranged. It was… Merlin, maybe the potion had messed her up more than she realized. Or maybe she really was just an awful person, stringing Harry along in a way that she didn't understand.
But the thought of him comforting her was comforting and safe and right now she didn't know if she deserved either of those things for how she'd been treating him. Instead, she buried her face into the pillow to muffle her scream. When a hand touched her shoulder she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Bill!"
Bill shrugged in apology before he budged her over on the sofa and pulled her into his arms. The fact that he didn't say anything but only held her was enough to finally make her lose it. She let the tears fall, clinging to the tee shirt he wore. She composed herself a minute later, but Bill kept his arms around her, his chin resting on the top of her head.
"I called Harry," she whispered against his chest.
Bill's hand stroked her hair. "Oh?"
"I'm a horrible person," Ginny whispered. "I told him that we needed to take a break that I… that I needed a break and here I am calling him in the middle of the night like a complete nutter and… Merlin… he must hate me!"
"No," Bill said, quietly. "He doesn't. You and Harry will fig-we it out."
Ginny pulled away from her brother, wiping a stray tear from her eye. "What if I don't go back to normal? What if I'm always just… off? What if I never trust anyone again?"
Bill used his thumb to wipe away her tears. "Call Na'eemah."
She nodded. "I wrote to her last night asking to talk. I just… I feel like after the diary all over again. I want to trust you and our brothers and Harry and Mum and Dad and… I do, but it's like part of me is… broken."
"You're not bw-bwoken. You're brave and strong and w-w-will get through th-th-this."
Ginny snuggled back into his arms. "You're the best brother a girl could ask for."
"That's wight, I'm the f-f-favowite."
Ginny smiled against his chest. "Absolutely. Today anyway." When he pinched her ribs, she laughed. "Bill… what if Daddy's…?"
He snuggled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "He's not."
The knock on the door had Ginny jumping from Bill's embrace and running towards it. She vaguely heard her brother swear behind her before his long legs allowed him to beat her to the door. Her eyes widened at the sight of Audrey standing there.
Her secretary robes were covered in ash and dirt, torn on one side. The white skirt and blue blouse she wore beneath were just as dirty. She had a cut down her right cheek and she looked ready to collapse.
"Audrey!" Ginny exclaimed, grabbing the witch's hand and pulling her inside.
"Is he here?" she asked, her eyes wide. "I just… I just left the Ministry and I… he wasn't at his flat and I… I—I—I didn't know where to go."
Bill half pushed Audrey into the armchair, hurrying into the kitchen to get her a glass of Firewhiskey. She accepted it with shaking hands.
"Is he here?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, he's at St Mungo's. He's all right. Mum and Fred are with him. Fred sent word."
Audrey let out a breath of relief. "I… I was trapped and… I thought that I was going to die there and when I finally was free, I just…"
Ginny moved into the armchair with her, wrapping her arms around the witch. "Can you tell us what happened?"
Audrey's hands trembled and Bill urged her to drink the whiskey. She took a long sip, the burn making her cheeks flush.
"I… I don't really know. I was sitting at my desk and going over the plan for the afternoon. I had Shacklebolt's itinerary outlined and was trying to make room for him to squeeze in a meeting with K's boss at three when suddenly the whole building shook. It was just… I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Ginny said, kindly. "Did you see a healer?"
Audrey nodded. "In the Ministry there were… I'm fine. Just some cuts and bruises."
Bill pushed the whiskey back into her hands. "Drink."
Audrey did and let out a slow breath. "I was trapped for hours against the wall. Rubble buried me in this… cage. I was with two Aurors and one of the suspects of a theft. We could hear people shouting and screaming, but we couldn't get out. The stone and marble were shaking and every time we made an effort to levitate the damage, the shaking was worse. It took a rescue team from the OFB to get us out safely because the wards were still in place to prevent us from Apparating and… nine hours later. It was starting to get so dark and… it was like I couldn't breathe. We were using bubble head charms, but the smoke was… was Percy trapped?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. He was in the Wizengamot and he was crushed by something. Fred said that they had to remove one of his kidneys, but he's going to be all right. He's in a healing sleep right now. Fred doesn't think that they'll keep him more than a few days."
Audrey nodded. "I… good."
The creak on the stairs had them turning and Fleur came into the living room in a white silk robe, tying it around her waist.
"Is zere news?"
"No," Ginny said. "Fleur, will you help me get Audrey upstairs?"
Fleur nodded and the two of them pulled Audrey to her feet, ignoring her protests about going home. Ginny led her into the bathroom, filling the shelf in the shower with fresh homemade soaps. Audrey was much taller than her, but she found a tee shirt that belonged to one of her brothers in her closet and a pair of cotton shorts. When she returned to the bathroom, Fleur had Audrey sitting on the side of the tub as she helped her undress to examine the cuts on her back and arms.
Audrey winced as Fleur used her wand to heal some of them.
"You will not scar," Fleur assured her.
Audrey nodded, eyes still wide in what Ginny assumed was shock. Once she was down to her undergarments, they urged her into the shower. When the curtain closed, neither Fleur nor Ginny made any attempt to leave. It was only a moment before the water turned on and Audrey's bra and knickers fell over the shower rod. Ginny moved to get fresh towels for her as Fleur picked up her dirty clothes and put them in the basket to be laundered.
When the shower turned off, Ginny slipped the big towel over the curtain and Audrey muffled a thanks. A moment later the curtain opened and Audrey stepped out wrapped in the blue fluffy towel.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Fleur urged her to sit, taking the time to brush her hair as Ginny opened the container of lotion.
"This is a new one. It smells like apricots and cinnamon. It's lovely."
Audrey thanked her as she began to rub it into her skin. Fleur finished brushing her hair as Ginny put the pjs she'd found next to her.
"We'll just be in the hall, okay?"
Audrey nodded. Ginny and Fleur slipped into the hall and Fleur leaned against the wall.
"Poor zing. She is in shock, oui? She was at ze Ministry?"
"Yes," Ginny said. "She was trapped and when she was rescued, she went to Percy's flat. I think him not being there and her not knowing where he was kind of sent her over the edge."
The door opened a moment later and Audrey came out in the oversized tee shirt and shorts.
"Thank you for… I should go home. I don't belong here."
"No, you shouldn't," Ginny insisted. "It's after midnight and you shouldn't be alone. Come on. You can stay in my room tonight."
"I don't want to impose," Audrey began.
"You're not," Ginny said. "Come on."
Audrey let Ginny lead her into the room down the hall. Ginny lit the lamp near her bed and gestured for Audrey to sit. Theo woke, blinking in the light.
"Ginny?"
"Shh, go back to sleep, Theo. Audrey's going to sleep in my bed tonight."
"But where will you sleep?" Audrey asked, eyes on Theo's cot on the other side of the room.
"Don't worry about me," Ginny assured her. "Get some rest."
Ginny knew that she was exhausted and still partially in shock because Audrey climbed into the bed without another word. Ginny turned the light out, eyes on where Theo had already settled back down to sleep before she went back into the hall. Fleur was still waiting there for her.
"And you? Where will you sleep tonight?"
"I can't," Ginny whispered. "Not until I know something about Dad."
Fleur nodded and linked her arm through Ginny's as they headed downstairs. Bill was making hot cocoa at the stove. The three of them sat at the kitchen table with mugs and Fleur told Ginny about some of the sites that they saw in Anguilla. She spoke about the beach and the warm weather, but Ginny found it hard to pay attention even if she appreciated the effort her sister-in-law was making in keeping her mind off of things.
Bill squeezed his wife's hand in his, bringing it to his lips.
No one commented when George and Angelina came down half an hour later. Ginny got up to make more cocoa this time as Angelina asked Fleur questions about their honeymoon. They talked a little about the painting and decorating George and Angelina were still doing at the house, keeping the conversation light. When Ron and Hermione came downstairs soon after, Ginny couldn't help but look up at the clock. Two AM and still no word.
Bill's mirror vibrated in the middle of the kitchen table and everyone's eyes went to it. Bill lifted it and croaked hello a moment before Fred's face appeared.
"Hey, are you all up?"
Bill nodded. "Yes. Has there b-been a ch-change on Percy?"
Fred shook his head. "Nah. He's doing fine. He's under a sleeping potion right now. But someone is coming in matching Dad's description."
"Dad's description?" George exclaimed, leaning over Bill's shoulder to see his twin. "What does that mean?"
"Just that," Fred said, softly. "More injured have arrived here. People they've pulled from the rubble, people who were trapped. Some of them are unconscious and there's this man who they think might be Dad. He matches the description and was found in the right area and next to Perkins."
"Dad's partner?" Ginny quipped.
Fred nodded. "Perkins is dead."
Ginny gasped and Ron grabbed her arm.
"Mum's sleeping next to Percy's bed, I don't want to wake her until I know for sure."
"I'm on my way," Bill's gruff voice said.
Fred gave his brother an appreciative look before disappearing from the mirror.
"I want to go, too," Ginny said, standing up.
"No," Bill said, sharply. "We don't even kn-know if it's Dad."
Ginny watched her brother head out to Apparate with a frown. She just wanted to know what was going on. She got up to make more hot chocolate as the five of them sat in silence around the table.
It was another thirty minutes before George's mirror vibrated.
"Fred?" he asked as everyone crowded around the mirror.
"It's Dad," Fred said. "And he's alive."
The relief that tore through Ginny had her gasping.
"He was buried," Fred continued. "And the healers are worried about something called crush syndrome as he was face down with stuff on top of him, but they seem hopeful."
"How hopeful?" George asked.
Fred's eyes were serious as he looked at them through the mirror. "Mum's cousin Lancelot is here and he said that if he makes it to dawn, it will be good news."
"If?" Ginny repeated, her eyes wide.
Fred nodded. "They're working on him now. I'll keep you posted."
~ ASC ~
Tonks rolled out of bed, darkness still creeping through the windows. She only blinked, tripping over the corner of the bed just as Remus' arms grabbed her.
"Thanks," she whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't," he assured her, dragging his hands over his face. "I've been up for a few hours."
Tonks gave him a look. "Are you worried about your first day?"
Remus gave her a sheepish look. "Yes. I know it makes no sense and after everything that happened yesterday, there are more important things, but I am worried."
Tonks leaned in and kissed him. "You're going to be the best Deputy Headmaster that Hogwarts has ever seen."
"Well, that's an exaggeration," he said, amused.
"You're right, McGonagall's kind of awesome. Okay, second best then."
His lips twitched. "Sure, Nymphadora."
Tonks kissed him again. "I have to go meet K."
Remus nodded and watched her hurry around the room to get dressed. When she clicked her badge into place, he pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. "I love you. Take extra care today."
Tonks turned to kiss him, framing his face in her hands. "I love you, too. Good luck, Deputy Headmaster Lupin."
Remus deepened the kiss. "Dora…"
Tonks' eyes darkened when she stood up. She didn't want to leave either. She wanted to be there to see him off for his first day of his new job. She wanted to relish in his moment with him. But she was needed at work and they both knew that. She glanced at the clock and decided that being a few minutes late would be worth it. She slowly knelt down before him and those whiskey eyes turned dark gold.
Tonks licked her lips slowly, her eyes on his before she lowered her head to kiss him. He was already hard, his morning erection standing at full attention from their kissing as she slid her tongue along him. His fingers clutched her short hair and she smiled, licking and nipping before she opened her mouth and took him inside.
She moved her knees closer to the bed, scooting inward, arching her head and took more of him down her throat. When her lips pressed against the base of him, he groaned in surprised pleasure. Oh yeah, she had finally mastered taking all of him in one go and she was damn proud of herself. Her hand fondled his sack, stroking and teasing with her nails as her mouth worked him, sliding over him like he was a delicious treat.
Remus was moaning above her and she slid a hand over his stomach, giving him a little shove as he fell back against the bed. She made an 'mmm' sound as she used her hand on his base while her mouth delighted in teasing him and when she felt him tense, she only sucked the head of him slower, savouring him. He came with a loud grunt, his hands clutching his own hair as Tonks tasted him, swallowing down every drop.
She licked her lips when he finished and stood up a few minutes later. She crawled onto the bed, straddling him and kissed him softly. "Good luck today, Deputy Headmaster Lupin."
His heart was still pounding, she could feel it in the necklace over her breast, and she tossed him a saucy smirk before she stood up and headed out, leaving him half-lying, half-sitting naked in their bed.
Tonks grabbed her wand, giving him one more wistful look before she hurried off to Apparate. She met Baxter and Higgins outside of the Ministry, taking the cup of coffee from Higgins gratefully and taking her first sip. She kept her eyes on where a lot of witches and wizards were still doing what they could to keep things under control.
"Baxter, where's Nat?"
"St Mungo's," he said. "They should be releasing her this afternoon. She's okay and extremely bitchy and pissed off."
"Sounds about right," Tonks muttered, relieved that her friend was okay enough to be bitchy and pissed off. "Did anyone let Sully know?"
"I did," Baxter told her. "He's worried, but I told him that she's fine and will see him soon. I said that due to the nature of the case, he can't visit her in the hospital. He seemed to buy it."
Tonks nodded. She couldn't imagine how worried and confused he must be, not understanding or knowing all of the details of his girlfriend's situation.
"Robards is there too. His leg was torn up pretty badly and the healers said he's going to need time to recover if he wants to be able to walk on it again," Baxter said. "And this prat left against healer advice."
"I'm fine," Higgins insisted. "I have salve. My back is fine."
Tonks remembered how the purple fire had burned through his robes and she frowned. "Rex, maybe you —"
"I'm not leaving," he said stubbornly. "I'm your partner and you need me. Not to mention if anyone should be laying low right now it should be the woman with a baby."
"Baby? You knocked up, Lupin?"
"Yes," Tonks said. "Now both of you shut up about it."
Tonks led the way inside and through the atrium. Some officers led the way to where the DMLE had set up a little office in the far side of the atrium and she spotted Kane straight away by his height and messy dark hair. His blue eyes locked on hers as they came forward.
"Good," he said, glancing at Baxter and Higgins. He performed a quick privacy bubble around their team as Savage and Proudfoot moved over. "I hope everyone managed a few hours of rest?"
When no one responded, he cleared his throat.
"As Lupin knows, I had word of the attack, but it unfortunately came much too late for us to stop it," Kane said. "This has clearly been planned for weeks, if not months. It was not one witch or wizard responsible, but many. Forensics has confirmed, it was Amethyst Inferno. No one has seen the likes of it in centuries so we're going to need to investigate how the ingredients were even discovered. As we know, those who set off the Amethyst Inferno were under the Imperius Curse and the ones who we managed to stop are now in interrogation waiting to be questioned. I want each of you to take a crack at all of them. You all have a unique way of treating suspects and I think that any little snippet you can jar from them will help us find out who did this."
"Do you have a count yet?" Baxter asked.
Kane nodded. "One hundred and fifty injured, seventy-five confirmed dead, and twenty-two are in critical condition. The coroner officially confirmed an hour ago that both Minister Bones and Deputy Minister Scrimgeour were killed in the Wizengamot. The details have been released to the press."
"Fuck!" Proudfoot exclaimed.
"My thoughts exactly," Kane said. "Magiarchitects and magibuilders are doing what they can to start repairing the damage to the Ministry. In the meantime, it's going to be at least two weeks before we can officially get back into the DMLE for work. My boss at the MIA has allowed us to move into one of the conference rooms in Londonderry. We'll set up there and get investigating from there. Shacklebolt will be at St Mungo's for a few more days, if not a week, but he will make a full recovery."
"How did you know?" Tonks asked.
Kane's blue eyes met hers. "I have someone on the inside. Someone whom I trust."
"And yet they told you of the impending attack with no time to warn you?" Tonks implored. "You could have been killed!"
"Nature of the job, Auror Lupin," he said in a way that told her the subject was closed. "Now, the OFB are allowing us into the department to grab what we need before they start rebuilding. We'll set up our new team in Londonderry until then."
Proudfoot crossed his arms in front of his chest. "And what about your spy? Have you heard from them after this attack?"
"Yes. Now, let's get back to work."
Tonks knew better than to ask questions. When an Auror had their own intel from a source they trusted it was better not to reveal it to anyone; to keep them safe because she knew how dangerous it was for them. But finding out exactly who had set off the Amethyst Inferno inside the Ministry of Magic was going to be one hell of a job.
They had a lot of work to do and interrogating the ones they'd stopped from setting off more of the Amethyst Inferno was only the beginning.
~ ASC ~
By seven that morning, Ginny was frying bacon and scrambling eggs in the kitchen. Fred had returned to the Burrow an hour before to tell them that their father was stable but critical. All of them had sat stone-faced as Fred explained how Arthur being buried under the rubble had both helped and hindered him. Once the OFB had pulled him out, it had forced his body to realize the pain and suffering he'd been in.
It seemed that once he'd been freed, it caused major shifts in how his blood was distributed and circulating, leading to shock. Some of his organs had been squeezed so tightly that now his own body was poisoning him in their attempt to shift back to their natural place. Fred had mentioned that the healers were doing what they could to replenish the lost blood and stop him from going into kidney and liver failure. He was stable now, but he needed to be kept for observation as they weren't convinced that he wouldn't relapse just yet.
"Another twenty-four hours," Fred said. "That's what the healers told us. By then they'll know if he's healing properly, for now… they have to keep an eye on him and stick close."
Bill had called with another update an hour later to tell them that Arthur had woken up and the healers considered it a positive sign.
"He's not out of the woo-woods," Bill said. "But it's a good sign."
Ginny had felt immediately relieved. Molly had sent Fred home to update everyone and to get some clothes for Arthur and Percy, but with Bill at the hospital, Fred had decided to stay for breakfast. Ginny watched him plop himself into a chair at the table and run his hands over his tired face.
"Need help?" he asked.
Ginny shook her head. "No, you sit and rest."
Fred nodded, yawning so hard his jaw cracked. "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"As much as you I reckon," she admitted.
"You can sleep on the train," Fred told her. "Mum already gave Bill and I the lecture about how you and Ron are going back to Hogwarts today, no exceptions. She says the moment Dad's able to have visitors, she'll arrange for you to be there."
Ginny frowned. "It's more of a hassle to send us off to school only to take us out again."
"Mum's a wreck, Gem; don't argue with her on this one."
The fact that Fred looked like he'd been up for days is the only reason she agreed. Ron came into the kitchen a moment later, freshly showered and dressed and took a seat next to Fred.
"What are we having?"
"If you want to eat, get over here and help," Ginny said.
Ron's lips twitched but he did as she asked and the two worked companionably. It was only a few minutes later before breakfast was served and Fleur, George, Angelina, Hermione, Audrey, and Theo had all joined them. Fred assured Audrey that Percy was all right and that they expected him to wake up by lunchtime. He promised to take her with him to the hospital and she gave him a grateful look.
"How was Dad?" George asked, his eyes on his twin.
"Healers said stable," Fred said. "He's a fighter, but he has a lot of recovery coming his way. Bill was staying with Percy while Mum sat with Dad."
Ron nodded. "Thanks for going with Mum, mate. She shouldn't have been alone and no way they would have let all of us in."
"Yeah," Fred said. "Just a hell of a way to end what started off as a great week."
George raised an eyebrow. "What was so great about this week?"
"Saw Fiadh again," he said with a smirk.
"Who's Fiadh?" Ron asked.
"Theo knows her. She's a sexy little hellion," Fred said.
Theo's eyebrow rose as he lifted his glass of orange juice to his lips. "Fiadh? I don't know anyone named… wait, Fiadh Alexander? As in Finn's sister?"
"That would be the one," Fred said, leaning back in his seat.
"They're shagging," George said as he spread raspberry jam on his toast.
"You're shagging a fae?" Ron asked, eyes wide in surprise.
Fred gave Ron a cool look. "Have you seen me? I'm a catch and of course I'm not going to settle for any ordinary old witch."
Angelina snorted. "Oh no, Godric forbid that."
"I'm just saying here that Theo here failed to mention how incredible sex with a fae is. Did you know that they have healing powers?"
"Did you get hurt during the shagging, Fred? You know, you have to use some finesse. Ange and I can draw you a diagram if you need some pointers," George offered.
Fred made a rude hand gesture.
Theo chuckled. "I think Fred means that they heal a wizard's stamina."
Audrey raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Oh yeah," Fred said with a grin. "One touch of her hand and I was going all night long. She's a hellion."
"So, are you two dating?" Ginny asked.
Fred shook his head. "Dating? We've had two nights of wild passion, Gem."
George snickered. "Wild passion, my arse."
"Um, you weren't there," Fred interrupted. "And it was bloody fantastic!"
"How did you even meet her?" Ginny asked.
"Unofficially on the causeway, otherwise at the training centre. She's one hell of a shot with a bow and arrow. She fell for my suave puns," Fred said, proudly.
Ginny rolled her eyes making Audrey smile. "He thinks he's rather funny, you know. We've all let it go on much too long."
"All right, that's it!" Fred exclaimed, standing up from the table as everyone stared at him in surprise. He moved around and lifted Ginny from her chair, ignoring her shouts of protest.
"Put me down, you buffoon!"
Fred ignored her and instead threw her over his shoulder and carried her out of the house, the rest of the breakfast party following, flabbergasted. He marched across the back garden and towards the pond.
Ginny shrieked. "Fred! No! Please! It's so nasty in there, please don't do it!"
Fred only grinned and dropped her butt first into the pond. She fell with a loud splash as Ron burst into laughter. Ginny's head broke the surface of the water and her eyes darkened as she glared at Fred.
"You're dead."
Fred's smile widened. "Happy to have you back, Gem."
Hermione hurried forward to help Ginny out of the water, shooting Ron a dirty look when he kept laughing.
Ginny scowled. "He hasn't done that since I was nine."
"He's thrown you in there before?" Hermione exclaimed in astonishment.
Ginny nodded, wringing her hair out with a grimace. "More times than I'd like to admit to."
Hermione's lips curved. "Ginny?"
"Yeah?"
"He's right though. We're really happy to have you back."
Ginny couldn't help but smile back at those words.
~ ASC ~
Harry hugged Zee, Mina, and Leo goodbye at King's Cross, kissing Zee's cheek and promising to check in with his mirror by the end of the week. After the Ministry attack yesterday, he knew that he wasn't the only one feeling on edge. Ron had let him know that morning that Arthur was at St Mungo's and was stable, though he would need some recovery time before he could come home. His injuries were considered serious, no longer critical, and the whole family had rejoiced at that.
Harry boarded the train, resisting the urge to look around for Ginny on the platform. After she had called him last night, scared, confused, and looking for comfort that he desperately wanted to give her, he hadn't been able to sleep. It meant something that she still wanted to reach out to him first, didn't it? It meant that she still knew how much he cared for her and that she cared for him. It had to mean something good. He uselessly pushed the thought out of his head and quickly found Neville sitting in a compartment, his legs resting across a bench.
"Hey, how's the leg?"
"Been better," Neville admitted. "Dean had to help me on the train, but I should be fully healed by tomorrow morning."
"You could have gotten to Hogwarts differently," Harry suggested.
"And miss my last train ride to school with you lot? Nah. I'll be fine."
Harry grinned and sat across from him. "So... want to talk about it?"
Neville shrugged as Dean came into the compartment with his trunk. "There was an explosion. I was trapped under some rubble. Theo helped me out. It's kind of a big blur to be honest."
"My Auntie M was still trapped inside until late last night. She's at St Mungo's, but they don't know if she's going to make it."
"Shit, Dean, I'm sorry," Harry said.
Dean shrugged and plopped himself next to Harry. "Mum's taken it pretty hard. I offered to stay, but she told me to get my arse to school."
Harry understood that. "I heard that Bones and Scrimgeour are both dead."
Neville's eyes widened. "No one's confirmed that officially, but they were in the Wizengamot with us when everything went down."
They looked up when the door opened and Hannah stood there, wringing her hands together nervously.
"Neville?"
"Hi," he said, his smile brightening. "Come here."
Hannah nodded hello to Harry and Dean before moving to greet Neville. "What's wrong with your leg? You said that you were all right."
"Minor injury," he assured her, tugging her onto the bench with him. "I was in the Wizengamot yesterday when everything exploded. Healers assured me I'll be as good as new by tomorrow morning. Promise."
Hannah kissed him, making Harry and Dean whistle.
Neville held up two fingers at them behind Hannah's hair.
Dean turned to look at Harry. "Any news on Ginny?"
Harry shook his head. "She still doesn't want to talk to me."
"She will," Dean assured him.
Seamus came into the compartment then, making himself comfortable on Dean's lap. "Hello, boys. Hannah."
Hannah smiled at Seamus before she kissed Neville once more. "I told Mandy that I'd find her, but if you need me to stay here, I can."
Neville shook his head. "Nah, the boys will take care of me."
Hannah nodded and danced her fingertip over his bottom lip before she stood up. "I'll be back in a bit."
Neville watched her go before he grinned at his friends. "She's perfect."
Harry grinned. "I'm glad that you two are back together."
"You broke up?" Seamus exclaimed in surprise. "When?"
"This summer. There was a misunderstanding and Goldstein had a party, Mandy invited me and we talked and it's all good. She even came to meet my gran and great-uncle Algie."
"How'd that go?"
"Good, I think," Neville said. "Gran only embarrassed me a little."
Seamus nodded before he turned and kissed Dean. "Hi."
Dean chuckled. "Took you long enough."
"I was being polite and giving pleasantries." He turned back to Harry and Neville. "I passed Lavender first. She was with Natalie and Sophie, crying. I heard her dad is still missing from the Ministry."
"Damn," Harry said. "I didn't know that he worked there."
"Me neither," Seamus admitted. "But he works in the Department of Magical Transportation and a huge hole opened up in the floor there. She didn't say much else. Natalie said that they were waiting for Padma and Parvati to arrive."
Harry nodded, glumly. He knew that he wasn't to blame for this, but it bothered him that so many people had died yesterday, that people were still missing just because Voldemort wanted to what, shake things up? It infuriated him.
The door slid open again and Ron and Hermione stood there, holding hands, Head badges pinned to their robes. Seamus whistled.
"And there's our Gryffindor royalty!"
"Piss off, Seamus," Ron said, his cheeks flushing.
"We just came to say hi," Hermione said, moving to kiss Harry's cheek and to hug him. "We have head duties to take care of first thing, but we'll try to visit."
"I'm fine," Harry assured her.
Ron cleared his throat. "Ginny's a few compartments over with Colin, Luna, and Theo."
Harry nodded. "Does she want me to—?"
"No," Ron said. "Sorry, mate."
Harry swallowed and turned to look out the window as the train finally began to move. For the first time that he could remember, he suddenly didn't want to go back to school.
~ ASC ~
Percy woke slowly, blinking at the blurred bright lights of the hospital. A warm hand was holding his and he could hear light snores coming from nearby. He blinked again, but nothing cleared until his glasses were lowered over his eyes. Audrey came into his view and he smiled.
"Hey," he said, his voice breaking.
"You scared me," she whispered.
He squeezed the hand she was holding and urged her to bend her head to kiss him. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
Audrey nodded, looking behind her at where Fred was sleeping in the chair in the corner. "I'm okay. Your family is… incredible."
Percy's fingers brushed her cheek. "Were you there?"
Tears welled up in her eyes and she dropped her head to his hip. "I was trapped for hours I… when I got out I went to your flat, and you weren't there, and I just… panicked."
Percy's hand brushed her hair. "I'm sorry."
"No!" she said, shaking her head. "I just didn't know what to do, Percy. I didn't know if you were alive or if you were looking for me and I… I just went to the Burrow… I shouldn't have gone and bothered them."
"You didn't bother anyone, you daft woman," Fred said from the chair, yawning hard enough that his jaw cracked.
Percy turned to look over at his brother. "Fred, thanks for being here."
"Not much choice," he said. "I was a little worried. They took out your kidney. I think I'll get a decent Galleon for it, too."
"Haha," Percy said, wincing when he attempted to move.
"No, they really did remove it," Fred said, quickly explaining to his brother his injuries.
Percy winced again when he shifted. "Explains why I'm sore."
"There's more pain potion," Audrey said quickly, reaching the bottle on the night table.
"No… not yet. I'm all right. How long have you been here?"
"I was here all night," Fred admitted. "I went home for breakfast and to shower this morning and as to your woman there, of course you should have come to the Burrow!"
Audrey's face flushed. "I just… I didn't want to impose…"
"You're mad enough to love this pompous prat? You're family. And family sticks together."
Audrey jumped up from her seat and threw her arms around him, surprising Fred. He hugged her back and grinned widely when she moved away.
"But for future reference, I'm the more attractive brother and I have the bigger cock."
"Piss off," Percy muttered.
Audrey's face broke out in a grin as she moved to sit next to Percy on the bed. "Sorry, Fred, I'm rather stuck on this man."
"Well, if he lets you spank him when he's naughty, I suppose it makes sense."
Percy rolled his eyes. "Audrey, I'm sorry. If I knew how to shut him up outside of a silencing charm, I'd do it."
She rested her head on Percy's shoulder, turning to kiss him. "I love you, Percy Weasley. Your mad, boisterious, annoying brother Fred and family included."
"Oi!" Fred exclaimed.
But Percy and Audrey ignored him, kissing softly.
Percy rested his forehead against hers. "I'm really okay. Why don't you go back to the Burrow with Fred? Stay there so that you're not alone. Or go stay with your parents? How much longer are they keeping me here?"
"Another two days at least," Fred said, sitting on the chair that Audrey had vacated for the bed.
"I'll go get the healer," Audrey said, leaving the brothers alone in the room.
Fred waited for her to disappear before he turned to his brother. "Dad's here too, Perce."
"What? Is he okay?" Percy asked, his face paling. "Was he in the explosion?"
"Healers are hopeful," Fred said. "But he's still unconscious. Healers have moved him out of critical to stable, but we're still waiting. He was crushed and Perkins is dead."
"Bloody hell," Percy exclaimed. "Mum?"
"She and Bill are with him. Mum was in here with you last night, but when Dad was brought in, I told her to go. Bill stayed with you last night while I went home to shower and change and I picked up Audrey. Ginny and Fleur took care of her last night."
Percy gave his brother a grateful look. "Thanks."
Fred nodded. "I'll go let Mum and Bill know that you're awake. I'm sure Audrey can take care of you while I'm gone. Oh and Perce?" When his brother's eyes met his, his lips curved. "I like her. Don't fuck it up, yeah?"
Percy smiled. "I won't. I know how special she is."
Fred squeezed his shoulder as the healer came in with Audrey. Percy's eyes met hers and he smiled. Yeah, he knew just how special she was.
~ ASC ~
The train ride went rather smoothly. Hannah checked on Neville three more times before agreeing to ride in the carriage up to the school with him. Talk was about the Ministry explosion for the most part and Harry learned of more classmates who had lost relatives in the Ministry. It made everything seem more real to see the grief surrounding him. By the time they arrived at the station, he found himself watching for a glimpse of her, something to remind him of something good.
He saw her getting off the train with Luna. Her long red hair was in a braid today and she was laughing at something Luna had said. An arm draped around his shoulders and Seamus' voice was by his ear.
"Stop staring, mate. Can't have you looking too much like a kicked puppy, it's bad for your image. Let's go."
Harry let Seamus drag him away, trying to ignore the pang in his heart as he left her. She had always been his best friend. The first person he went to about everything and now she was just out of his reach. She wasn't there... as a friend, as a girlfriend, as anything outside of someone he went to school with, and it hurt more than he could explain.
They made it to the great hall for the feast. People were already sitting and it wasn't long before the front doors opened to Hagrid leading in a row of tiny first years. The sight of Hagrid leading them up to the front with the sorting hat and stool made Harry grin. Remus had told him that he'd asked Hagrid if he would like to do the sorting and the man had been so honoured, he'd crushed Remus to him and cried. The sorting was such an old and important ceremony and it was usually the deputy headmaster who performed it, but Remus and McGonagall decided that if anyone should have that duty, it should be Hagrid.
"No way we were that short," Ron hissed from his left.
Harry grinned. It certainly did seem unbelievable. They sat for a moment and waited for the hat to burst into song, but to Harry's surprise, it didn't sing. Instead, it spoke.
"Be mindful of the house I send you, for it doesn't mean you're not, a friend to other houses and a friend to those who are not. Friendship is the key, understanding where we stand. Unite together as one, as we are the Hogwarts Clan and together we must stand."
Everyone stared at the hat in surprise to hear it was done already.
Hermione leaned across the table. "Has the hat ever only given a warning before? Hogwarts A History says that it's always sung about the founders."
"Hermione, we all know that if anyone had the answers here, it would be you," Ron said, making her roll her eyes.
But Harry was thinking about the hat's words. United Hogwarts clan. When he looked over at Seamus, he knew that his friend was thinking the same thing. They needed to get this defence unit up and running.
When the sorting was finished, McGonagall stood up from Dumbledore's chair, her chair now, her face grim.
"Welcome, to another year of Hogwarts. This year, as most of you know, there are some big changes. With the tragic death of our beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore, I have taken on the post of Headmistress."
Cheers erupted around the tables as people clapped. A few Slytherins were bold enough to boo and she merely raised an eyebrow at them and they silenced making Harry grin. No one was better for the job than McGonagall.
"My old post as deputy headmistress will now be passed on to our talented Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin."
More cheers and applause and when someone from Hufflepuff yelled. "No one better!" Harry saw his father blush. It was nice to see people being so supportive.
"This year will be a challenge for all of us with the new changes ahead and the darkness that is threatening our homes. As most of you know, we suffered a big blow yesterday when there was an attack on the Ministry of Magic. Death Eaters somehow infiltrated the Ministry and caused multiple explosions to be set off on various levels. One hundred and fifty were injured, seventy-five have been confirmed dead, and twenty-two are still in critical condition at St Mungo's. And unfortunately, some are still missing. The Ministry has confirmed that Minister Amelia Bones and Deputy Minister Rufus Scrimgeour were both killed in yesterday's attack. It is a very sad day for all of us," she said, her lips pursed.
"For those of you who lost relatives or friends in the Ministry explosion yesterday, I am terribly sorry for your loss. If anyone needs to talk or feels that they need some assistance dealing with their grief, please talk to your heads of house or any other professor who you feel comfortable with to do so. No one should be alone in these terrible times. I'd like to take a moment of silence for those who were killed."
Harry bowed his head, the eerie silence of the castle only reminding him that Voldemort was the reason that this had happened. It was because of him that people were suffering this loss and the anger tore through him. He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, wanting to hit something or someone. It wasn't fair that with only one word, Voldemort could order people to take out so many so quickly. What kind of maniac wanted to kill so many people? Why? If he wanted to rule over them and instil pureblood supremacy, what did this do? It hardly could endear him to the population.
McGonagall's voice broke him out of his haze and he tried to focus on her voice and not his anger.
"With the passing of Professor Dumbledore, I know that those who knew him are heartbroken. He was kidnapped and tortured by Lord Voldemort for many weeks before he was found by his phoenix," McGonagall said. "I know many of you wish to be given the chance to say goodbye. His brother has arranged his funeral to be pushed back to be this upcoming Saturday and he will be buried here on school grounds. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome. It will be at ten AM on the grounds and we will say goodbye to the hero and the wizard who did so much for not only this school, but for our world. He will be missed."
Harry closed his eyes and when Hermione's cheek rested against his shoulder, he gave her a grateful smile. The funeral was going to be hard to sit through.
"Now, onto school business," McGonagall continued. "This year, we have two new heads of house to introduce. As headmistress, I am sad to say that I must step down from Head of Gryffindor House, but I am most pleased to give the post to the former Gryffindor, Professor Lupin. Professor Snape has left Hogwarts indefinitely and Head of Slytherin as well as our new Potions master will be Professor Slughorn, who I am pleased to welcome back to Hogwarts. Now, let's all be merry and welcome our first years properly to their new homes. Tuck in."
The food appeared on the table and Harry found himself surprisingly hungry. He listened with half an ear to the conversations around him as he ate. When he found himself reaching for extra mashed just out of habit of Ginny sneaking bites from his plate, he frowned. Some things were going to take longer than he expected. He forced himself to eat the extra helping, not wanting anyone to see that he had taken it for his girlfriend out of habit.
When they made it up to their dorm that night (minus Ron who now had his own quarters as Head Boy) Harry sat on his bed. They'd helped Neville get up all of the stairs by levitating him (much to his dismay as he was only limping).
Seamus made himself comfortable on Dean's bed. "Can you believe it's our last year? We're sevenths! It's brilliant!"
Harry nodded. It was an odd sort of feeling. He looked over at his friends. "I want to plan this defence unit, Seamus. I want to have a plan in place by Friday."
"Harry, it's the first night," Dean began.
Neville shook his head. "No, I'm with Harry. We need a plan and we need to get it moving. These things are harder to put into place than you think."
Harry nodded. "I'll get a notice in every house by tomorrow asking for a meeting of sixth and seventh year defence club members. We'll meet in the duelling room and talk over the plan."
"And what is the plan?" Dean asked. "Do you have one already?"
"Loosely," Harry admitted. "We need to know who's on board first and then we're going to train."
Seamus groaned. "My body still hurts from your last Quidditch practice training session and I'm not even on the team!"
"But you looked so sexy out there," Dean assured him.
Seamus grinned. "Well, that's true. But really, what are you going to make them do, run laps?"
"Maybe," Harry admitted. "Definitely pushups, sit-ups, stretches, and the like. Duelling is only part of it and we need to be in top form with more than just our magic if we're going to be prepared to defend the school against any potential attacks."
Dean crawled into his bed, burying his face in Seamus' neck. "I hate that you're right."
Seamus' arms came around his boyfriend. "Me too, but I'm in. I'm all in."
"Good," Harry said.
"Now, I'm going to sleep," Dean said.
"No!" Seamus exclaimed, pushing his boyfriend away and sitting up. "Drinks! And a thrilling game of Would You Rather?"
"Without Ron?" Neville said, shaking his head. "It won't feel the same."
Seamus shrugged. "He went off and got himself fancy new digs, he loses out." He poured four glasses of whiskey from the bottle he grabbed from his trunk. "Tradition is tradition. Harry, you first."
"I'm really not in the mood, Seamus."
Seamus only glared at him. "Exactly why you have to play."
Harry sighed. "Fine. Just let me change first."
When he pulled off his shirt, Seamus' eyes widened.
"Holy Godric! You got a tattoo!"
Harry looked down at the ink on his side, a half smile on his lips. "Yeah, on my birthday."
"It's not a Hungarian Horntail," Neville said. "The girls will be so disappointed."
Harry smirked, remembering the rumours that had been going around. "Haha."
Seamus had come closer to investigate. "Seriously, mate, that's wicked!"
"Thanks," he said. "Dean designed it for me."
Dean grinned. "Your idea. It turned out brilliant, though. The tattooist is an artist."
"He said that it helped that he had such great work to go off of," Harry admitted.
He finished changing into his pyjama pants and pulled a tee shirt over his head as his friends did the same. Once they were all seated comfortably, Seamus clapped his hands together.
"All right, let's do this," Seamus said, stretching his legs out in his bed. "Neville, you're up first! Would you rather walk around with a woodie for six hours straight every day or get an excruciating period once a month?"
Neville rolled his eyes. "Really? That's your opening question?"
"Just wondering. My sister was going on as if she was dying last week and said a man could never understand the tribulations of a woman's monthly," Seamus said.
Neville looked thoughtful for a minute before he closed his eyes. "The woodie then, I guess."
Seamus grinned. "I think I'd choose the same. At least after six hours you could have a good wank and feel better. Nev, you're up!"
Neville leaned back in his bed. "Dean, would you rather snog McLaggen or Roper?"
Dean made a face of disgust. "Well… considering just what goes into Roper's mouth, I'd definitely rethink that one, but McLaggen is like… vile on so many levels. He's good looking, but… vile."
"And?" Seamus prompted.
Dean grimaced. "McLaggen."
Harry laughed. "That's unfortunate for you. Thank Merlin, he's gone this year."
"I'll cheers to that," Seamus said, raising his glass.
Dean drank before turning to his boyfriend. "Seam, would you rather never get oral sex again or only be able to give oral for the rest of your life?"
"That's just horrible," Seamus shuddered.
"Answer the question, Seam," Harry said, smirking.
"Get," he admitted, his eyes darkening. "Dean's too good for me to ever be able to give it up."
Dean leaned in and kissed him, long enough to make Neville throw a pillow at them.
Seamus grinned at his boyfriend before turning to Harry. "Same question, Harry."
Harry put his arms behind his head. "Give. As long as it was with Ginny, then definitely give."
Seamus whistled. "Good on you, mate."
Harry sat up, turning to Neville. "Nev, would you rather be an Auror or a politician?"
Neville grimaced. "Auror. Though both are terrifying concepts. Seamus, would you rather have a niece or a nephew?"
"Hmm… honestly I don't think I have a preference. I'm just excited to be an uncle, but knowing my sister… niece. Trust me, she'd do much better with a daughter. Dean, would you rather lose your ability to create art or have never had it at all?"
"Deep," Harry muttered.
Dean chewed on his bottom lip a moment, his hand gently stroking along Seamus' stomach where his boyfriend stretched out next to him. "Never had it. I think it would be less cruel to not know what I'm capable of then to have it and not be able to use it. Harry, would you rather go back in time twenty years or would you rather go into the future by twenty years?"
"Past," Harry said. "I don't want to know my future plus, it would be kind of neat to go back and see my parents at Hogwarts."
They all agreed with that.
"Would you rather be trapped in a frozen lake or inside a hot volcano?" Harry asked.
"Hot volcano," Seamus said. "I'm not afraid of the heat. Besides, I'm so sexy, I'd melt the lake."
Dean snorted and Seamus tugged him by his shirt until his lips were on his.
When they made no effort to stop, Neville used his wand to close the bed curtains and put a silencing charm over on that side of the room.
"Those two need boundaries."
Harry smiled. "It's nice to see them so happy."
Neville nodded. "And you… how are you doing with Ginny being here but not being with you?"
Harry shrugged. "I'm dealing."
Neville didn't look convinced. Instead he lifted his glass and made a toasting gesture. Harry picked up his own and they drank.
"So, giving is your thing, eh?"
Harry's face heated. "Going down on Ginny is like… paradise, Nev. I love everything about it from how she reacts to how it feels to how she tastes to… I don't know, mate, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Are you saying I'm wrong? Don't you like tasting Hannah like that?"
"First of all, Hannah hasn't let me do that yet. I've used my fingers which she definitely seemed to like, but I don't want to push her. Second, I enjoyed it, sure, but… I liked the sex part better."
"Well, as someone who hasn't had the sex part yet, I love using my tongue," he said. "On Ginny. I couldn't… I can't imagine doing that to anyone else."
Neville nodded. "She'll come around, mate. Just give her time."
Harry wanted to believe his friend but he remembered how she'd barely even looked over at him today and he felt his heart break all over again. "Yeah, I'm going to take a shower."
"All right," Neville said, watching his friend get up. "Use a silencing charm."
Harry made a rude hand gesture before he closed the bathroom door behind him, but he did use a charm and he locked it before he leaned back against the door and closed his eyes. Seeing Ginny today… seeing the way she ignored him, it had been much harder than he'd anticipated.
On some level, he had been convinced that once she'd seen him, all would be well. But it hadn't. Ginny hadn't even approached him or looked at him and it seemed to make it come out that much more clearer. Bon Jovi's lyrics were still in his head and he was drowning in the flood. Without her in his corner he didn't know if he could still be the fighter or if he just wanted to give up.
Harry moved to stand in front of the mirror, staring at himself for a moment. He hadn't shaved since before his birthday and the dark stubble was really starting to fill in. He had a pretty decent start to a beard going on and he wasn't sure if he should keep it or shave it off. It made him look older and he decided to keep it a while longer and see where it went. Instead he lifted his shirt, his eyes on the tattoo on his side, taking a moment to run his hand over his muscled abdomen and the trail of dark hair that started under his belly button.
He wanted to show Ginny his tattoo. He wanted to tell her about his summer. He wanted to see her, to talk to her, to hold her, to kiss her, to pleasure her.
He hadn't been lying to his friends, giving pleasure to Ginny was the best thing he had ever discovered and he wouldn't change that for the world. He put his thumbs in his pyjama bottoms, shifting them over his hips followed by his boxers. He looked at himself in the mirror as he reached down to fondle.
He stared at his cock in the reflection, watching the way he brushed his thumb over it, watching how he stroked himself. He remembered how Ginny had stood behind him, freckled arms around his waist as her hands took care of him in front of the mirror. The way she'd touched him, stroked him, teased him in ways that he couldn't even begin to do himself.
Harry closed his eyes, wrapping his hand around himself, trying to release the tension he felt he'd been carrying around all summer. He wished she was here. He imagined her sitting there on the counter top, legs spread wide as he knelt down before her and worshipped her. He wanted his tongue inside that warmth. He wanted to feel her come undone, to watch it, to feel it, and to know that he was the reason that she was relinquishing control.
He let himself go with a sigh. It wasn't the same. It just left him feeling empty inside. He stepped out of his pyjamas and turned the shower on ice cold.
He had a feeling it was going to be a really long year.
~ ASC ~
Theo said goodnight to Ginny before he turned to head towards the throng of Slytherins heading down to the dungeons. As much as he was looking forward to his final year, having another year with an entire dorm to himself already seemed lonely. Though he had to admit, it was nice to have privacy and to not have to deal with loud snores or midnight farts. Feeling a bit better, he had just turned towards the stairs when someone called his name. He looked around and saw Stephen Cornfoot waving at him.
He stopped and backtracked, meeting the sandy-haired Ravenclaw by the base of the staircase. "Hey, Stephen. Miss me?"
Cornfoot's lips curved. "Yes. Can you talk for a minute?"
Theo raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected the Ravenclaw to respond with a yes. He'd always enjoyed their secret snogs and naughty deeds as Stephen would tell him over and over how much he wasn't gay. He'd been fun. It seemed like ages ago now. He'd been a third year and only fourteen the first time he'd snogged him.
"Sure."
Cornfoot gestured to the hall away from the stairs to avoid the foot traffic and Theo followed. He watched the Ravenclaw put his hands in his robes and let out a slow breath.
"So, here's the thing," he began. "We snogged. A lot."
Theo chuckled. "We did more than snog, Stephen. I had your cock in my mouth."
Cornfoot blushed to the roots of his sandy blond hair. "I remember."
"But it was also over three years ago," Theo continued. "And then again last winter, but I admit, I was drunk a lot and that's a bit of a blur."
Cornfoot nodded. "I know, but… this summer a lot happened and the thing is, I didn't treat you very nicely."
"What?" Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide in surprise. "You snogged my brains out!"
Cornfoot grinned. "Yeah, I did that, but… I never got you off. I always just let you… do me."
Theo reached a hand around to scratch the back of his neck suddenly feeling a bit confused. "Okay…"
"The thing is," Cornfoot continued. "Is that I got drunk one day this summer and I… okay, I wasn't even really that drunk and I gave a blowie and I… liked it. So, there, you were right the whole time."
Theo's lips curved. "Are you waiting for an 'I told you so?' Because honestly, Cornfoot, the first time I snogged you was over three years ago and you protested while pulling me closer…"
"I know," he said. "And… bloody hell, Nott, will you just snog me again?"
Theo's eyes widened a moment before the taller man's hands grabbed him by the robes and stared at him. Theo leaned in and pressed his lips to his. It was a lovely kiss, the Ravenclaw snogged just as good as he remembered, but like everyone he'd kissed since Finn, it was just a kiss.
Cornfoot kissed him once more before he pulled back. "I'd like to take you out, Theo. On a date."
Theo knew his face exuded surprise because he actually felt shocked. No one had asked him out in so long that he almost forgot what it was like. "You — really?"
Cornfoot nodded. "I think that we still have a little heat between us, so, let's go on a date, snog, and…" He walked his fingers down Theo's arm. "And I'll suck you off."
Theo's cock twitched. Cornfoot's hazel eyes were full of desire and he found himself nodding. "How can a bloke refuse an offer like that?"
Cornfoot grinned. He leaned in and kissed him chastely. "Tomorrow? After dinner? I'll meet you in the side courtyard?"
"What happened to this date first?"
"Let me surprise you."
Theo watched the tall sandy-haired blond walk away, a small smile on his face. He turned to head down to the dungeons and was one of the last Slytherins to slip in through the portrait hole. He headed down the stairs to the door marked seventh years and let himself inside. His four-poster was in the middle of the room, a desk in the corner, and the far glass wall illuminated an eerie green glow from the Black Lake that comforted him.
He'd just sat on his bed when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
The door opened a moment later and he grinned at the sight of Ciara Casey.
"Ciara!
She hurried inside to hug him tightly and he smiled. Merlin, she'd grown up this summer. Her blonde hair was to her shoulders and worn loose. Her green eyes had makeup around them and when he pulled away to look at her, he'd noticed she was starting to get the body of a woman. He couldn't believe that she was going to be fourteen in a few months.
"Third year? You ready?"
Ciara's smile widened. "Completely! I can't believe it's your last year. What am I going to do without you next year, Uncle Theo?"
Calling him uncle pulled on his heartstrings. "Oh, write me a million letters; let me take you to lunch during Hogsmeade visits."
"I can go to Hogsmeade this year! Dad signed my slip."
"I know. I'm buying you your first butterbeer, little duck."
Ciara hugged him again.
"So… I have a date tomorrow, Ciara, and well…. I wanted to tell you because I don't want you to be uncomfortable if you see me with someone else and —"
"I won't," she interrupted. "Uncle Finn would have wanted you to be happy."
Theo nodded. He knew that. Finn had been the most selfless person he'd ever known. "I know. And Stephen, that's his name, he's nice and he makes me smile. I mean, I don't see it as being a great love affair or anything, but he's nice and… I could use that," he admitted, surprised to utter the words aloud.
Ciara smiled. "Good. Uncle Theo, can I ask you a question about boys?"
Theo frowned. "Boys are gross. Stay away from them."
"Haha," she said, rolling her eyes. "Really, are boys always so stupid?"
"Well, I think that I need more to be able to answer that fairly," Theo told her.
"On the train, Mila and I were changing into our robes and Julian came in when I was still buttoning my shirt, but I had a vest on and you'd think by his reaction that I was completely starkers. He practically told me off and he wouldn't stop staring at my chest. Mila told him to grow up because we have tits now and he stomped off, all cross."
Theo chuckled. "Oh little duck, boys are most definitely very stupid." He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.
Ciara blew her hair out of her eyes. "How do I make them not stupid?"
Theo thought that was a very wise question. "That's… look, give Julian a break, okay? His body's doing weird things too as he grows up."
Ciara looked thoughtful a moment before she nodded. "Okay. But only because I didn't see him this summer and I missed him. Goodnight!"
She hugged him again and skipped off, closing the door behind her. Theo shook his head in amusement and wondered how long it would take her to realize she fancied Julian Norton. Then he started to unpack, a small smile on his face.
~ ASC ~
Ron followed Hermione through their new portrait hole. It felt surreal to him that he was no longer going to be with the other seventh years. He'd been here once before, the Head dormitory, when Percy had held it. But every year it was reported to re-design itself based on the heads chosen. When they stepped inside the cozy living room, he grinned. It looked perfect.
There was a large fireplace against the far wall where two large sofas faced each other, along with one comfy armchair. A large coffee table sat in the middle, two bookshelves lined the walls on either side of the fireplace. On the opposite end was a small breakfast nook with a two seat island where they could make small meals or snacks and the whole suite had kept the Gryffindor colours and feel to it. Next to the nook was the door that said Head Boy: Ronald B Weasley. His nameplate on the door made him pause.
He still couldn't believe it.
Ron pushed the door open and stepped inside to find a large four poster bed, twice the size of the one he was used to. It even looked like for once his legs wouldn't hang over the edge of it without a spell. He frowned when Crookshanks ran past his legs and immediately made himself comfortable on his pillow. He ignored the cat and looked around the rest of the room to see that he had a desk under the window, a wardrobe, a book shelf and his trunk was against the wall by the desk. The door on his right led into the bathroom where a large clawfoot tub sat next to a big shower. Across from them was a large vanity with two sinks, two cupboards, and two mirrors. And he realized the door on the other side must lead to Hermione's room.
He pushed the door open slowly. Her room looked relatively the same as his, but unlike his room, a fluffy ginger cat hadn't made himself comfortable on her bed. Hermione was standing in front of the window, hugging herself as she looked out. Ron moved into her room, waited a moment for alarms to start going off and when nothing happened, he moved towards her, slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on the top of her bushy hair.
"They'd be so damn proud of you right now."
Hermione sighed. "It's stupid to be sad when I'm the one who did this, who sent them away."
"That doesn't mean that you can't miss them."
She turned in his arms. "Thank you."
He didn't speak, he just held her close until she finally moved away, looking up at him.
"You're in my room."
Ron grinned, wiggling his eyebrows "So I noticed. Your cat has taken over my bed."
Hermione chuckled. "He likes you."
"He can have my bed," he said, steering her towards hers.
"Oh, he can, can he?"
Ron nodded. "Yes. I don't plan on using it much tonight."
She laughed when the back of her knees hit the bed and she fell back onto it. Then when his long arms caged her in place as he crawled onto the bed after her, her breath hitched.
"Shall we put this bed to good use then?" he asked.
And when he covered her mouth with his, he thought that despite the looming darkness, there was still some good in the world. And Hermione Granger was definitely part of it.
~ ASC ~
Ginny made it up to her dorm, feeling sad. She'd noticed the way Harry had snuck glances at her, trying to be discreet, and she'd noticed how he'd added extra mashed to his plate the way he always did just for her. The simple gesture made her miss him even more.
Missing him was the hardest part about all of this. She did miss him. She missed his laugh and his smile; the way his eyes would light up at the sight of her. She missed the way he added extra food to his plate when it was her favourite just so she would get some. She missed the way he'd hold her or touch her in simple conversation, the way he'd kiss her cheek or her temple. It wasn't that she didn't miss him, because she did. A lot. It was just that she still felt unsure about herself and about everything and it made it all that much harder.
"Anyone else see the stubble Potter's sporting this term?" KJ Alcott asked as she stepped into the dorm. "It's bloody sexy."
"He's always sexy," Romilda Vane said. "He's certainly filling out that uniform even better this year."
"Sorry, Weasley, but your boyfriend's being ogled again," Freya Sloan said.
"He's not," she said before she caught herself.
"He's not what?" Imogen asked, pinning up a huge blow up of Harry posing shirtless from the summer articles.
"My boyfriend," she whispered, eyes on Harry's in the big photo. "We're… taking a break."
Romilda Vane's eyes widened to saucers as she hung her own photo of Harry. "You're taking a break? You've been together like two years!"
Not quite, Ginny thought. It would be two years this November, not that she was counting.
"Mmhm," she replied.
KJ and Freya exchanged looks. "So, who ditched who?"
Ginny tried to bite down her annoyance. She'd never been close to any of her roommates, but ever since she'd pranked Romilda three years ago, they'd all come to terms with each other in a somewhat friendly manner. But it didn't mean that she was going to provide them with all of the gory details of her and Harry's relationship.
"We're just taking some time apart. That's all. I'm going to go clean up."
She headed into the bathroom with her toiletries to wash her face, but it didn't stop her from hearing the gossip through the bathroom door.
"He totally ditched her!" Romilda exclaimed. "She's not even that pretty."
"Come off it! We all know you're jealous of Weasley's tits," KJ said.
"And he's still not going to go for you, Romy, not after you tried to get him with a love potion," Maisie Wendall declared.
"That was three years ago! People change! I've changed!" Romilda declared.
"Besides," KJ continued. "Everyone knows that he and Weasley were shagging like bunnies. I bet she got up the duff this summer. Nothing cools a relationship down like an unwanted baby. Remember how she took off and didn't even come on the train ride home? I called it last year."
"And how do you explain her not being pregnant now?" Romilda demanded.
"She obviously got rid of it," KJ said. "Everyone knows she's a big tart."
"I don't know, maybe she really did ditch him," Freya said, thoughtfully.
"No one ditches Harry Potter! He's the bloody Chosen One," Romilda exclaimed. "Look how sexy he is in these photos! His arms here, where his shirt is rolled up… the shirtless one is just so gorgeous! Not to mention the rumours I heard last year about him being more than well endowed. No one would ditch the Chosen One!"
"Exactly! Everyone knows You Know Who is out to get him, maybe she's too scared to be with him," KJ said.
"Potter would protect her," Romilda said. "He's a hero!"
Ginny splashed water on her face, surprised to find tears there as she listened to the gossip. Why couldn't people mind their own business? She and Harry were private.
When she went back to her dorm, she said goodnight and acted like she hadn't heard their gossip session before climbing into her bed and closing the curtains. She just wanted to visit her father, to see with her own eyes that he was all right before she attempted to make it through another school year.
She had a feeling it wasn't going to be quite that simple at all.
End Author's Notes:
Thanks to GryffindorHealer for help with my medical bit.
Thanks to Sam for helping me with Fred's lines.
Thanks for reading and please review!