A Second Chance

by Breanie

Part 2 Kismet Trilogy: What if Sirius didn't spend twelve years in prison but was given a trial after 4 years? Follow the story of Sirius Black as he learns what it means to be a father/brother/guardian & the story of Harry Potter, a young boy with a loving home who learns about the Marauders from the two men who should have raised him. Slow-burn Hinny. M for sex & violence.

301. The One With the Green Lace

Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To Hellpony: Thank you. I can't believe it myself. To briana_t: Thank you! I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate 300 and it just fit into the timeline perfectly. To AQuickRead91: Thank you! Yes, 47 pages of K and Theo… but where will it fit chronologically? That's the question. To CorbanD17: Thank you! Revisiting the memories is fun. To yes: Thank you for saying it's the best fanfic you've ever read. I can't say if it will be that far away. I don't think so, but who knows. To abhinav_india_15: Thank you! I love the idea of Lily asking Sirius to walk her down the aisle. Remus totally taught Harry how to swear, no question in my book LOL. We will see more of Snape and of Barty Crouch Jr soon. To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you. Ginny and Zee needed that scene in my opinion. To AnaGPotter: Thank you! I love the heartwarming flashback moments myself as well.

To Sam: Yes, I'm trying to kill you with happy Sirius memories. You write much worse! Zee would definitely comment on the swearing in the memory lol. She was making a point. Yup, Deanna Kane, points for noticing! To Fanfis01: Thank you! Sorry to make you tear up on the walk down memory lane. To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To edwards_zoe_32: Thank you! We did need a little break from the war stuff and I thought this was a way to do it! Wow, you've been reading since chapter 215, thank you very much! To BleedRedandGold: Thank you! McGonagall is definitely a grandma and she does have a close relationship with Harry as well. To Lovemelikeyoudo: Thank you very much! You're so sweet to say you're an adoring fan! To Steelcode: It was time for some happy memories. Ginny and Zee needed to talk. They both love and respect each other and they both needed to talk it out because they both love Harry so much. To PurpleLotus: Thank you so much! You are too kind!

To minerdude: Thank you! I thought it was a nice way to celebrate 300 chapters as well. To shivani: Thank you! It would give one deja vu if you just finished re-reading the early stuff. Thank you so much for re-reading! I think that's the coolest thing! To Dianne: Thanks for being around since chapter 199! Haha, writing more, breaking hearts, and breaking records — I love that! I wouldn't say I've broken any records though lol. Yes, I do have forty-seven pages of Theo and Sebastian smut, of course it won't all be at once when it's shared. Sirius is very missed. Thank you for your kind words! To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Sirius deserves a nice memory sometimes. Thank you so much for saying it's the best fanfic you've ever read! To Chiku11: You'll have to wait and see what happens with Harry's future. To Bluerain22: Thank you very much! And ha! I love that, idiotitis! To ThisIsMegz: I have missed your reviews, my friend! You were one of my original readers from the beginning and I am honoured you're still following this story! Thank you so much for re-reading! To the Mandalorian terminator: Thank you! It really is a milestone and I can't quite believe it myself. Zee is definitely going to be a great mother-in-law to Ginny one day!

To GodMisha: I try really hard not to miss any reviews! Thank you! To ITHersey: Thank you! Ginny and Zee definitely needed to talk and I think it was good for both of them. To alix33: No need to worry about Luna, she can handle herself. Thank you! James was definitely very romantic to Lily. To notthatchhavi: Thank you! It really is an accomplishment and I am proud of myself! It was definitely the best hand job of his young life haha. Harry is a growing teenager, food is no issue lol. Thank you for saying I've woven such a beautiful story! To Mutt N Feathers: We'll see more of the war soon. We'll see more of the connections (though to be fair, the connections were never once touched upon in the original story either). Tonks will not be experimented on, I can promise you that. To Pineapple-berry: Thank you very much! To Nightwing2013: It was a bit of a calm before the storm I suppose. Thanks! To anamigellar: Sorry/not sorry for the ugly crying. I'm a little honoured by that.

To ValGrey02: Thank you! We have to jab at Remus for swearing like a sailor! I'm happy I made you nostalgic for the early years! To lenalighthouse: Thank you! I love that I'm part of your Sunday ritual! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Yusraa Ifthikar: Thank you! It was a happy memory episode. To Slaidback: Thank you! I'm so honoured you consider an update a highlight in your week. To puttyman24: Thank you! Harry is a doting older brother. To yunkol76: Thank you! And don't worry, we'll see Theo again soon! To Laura: Thank you! Yes, the Weasley brothers know Ron is no longer a virgin LOL. To Guest: Thank you very much for devouring my story and for saying the depth of my characters is incredible! You're too kind! To ellyann13: Thank you! They were meant to trigger memories of the original read. I agree, Sirius did handle the nightmare beautifully. He was such a great dad.

To Ellieoryan7447: Thank you for saying the whole chapter warmed your heart! I suppose I will have to let you not worry about people every once in a while. I loved Harry claiming Sirius taught him how to be cool and Remus taught him how to swear (completely accurate in my opinion). Harry? Under-exaggerate? Nah — LOL. Yes, Ginny needed to hear how badly he was hurt from someone who witnessed it. It will not only help her relationship with Harry, but help her relationship with Zee. I loved writing Remus slapping Sirius! I have a memory of my grandmother slapping my grandfather when I was a kid because he was freaking out in the exact same way when my little cousin fell out of a tree. Sometimes we need to be brought back to reality and sometimes, that's the only way to do it! Playing pranks on Harry was a great solution to get him to open up a bit. I loved little Harry accidentally pranking Dumbledore and Dumbledore just going with the flow. Sirius was definitely dramatic over grey hair, no question in my book lol. Haha, Harry should definitely not ever sing to Ginny lol. Thank you so much for this incredible review! To WinkingSkeever: Soon.

To tim2604: Thank you! Yes, Harry might have melted a little when he saw Ginny carrying the twins. It was a powerful moment when Zee said "no, you don't," and they both needed it. Thank you so much! To pix25: Thank you! 300 did end up becoming a reflection of how far I've come and it amazes me sometimes. To Lainewitch: Thank you very much! To JamesTKent: Thank you! It was nice to look back and see how close they were. To Chris: Thank you very much for claiming my work is inspiring! To Wolf's scream: He deserves an uneventful Halloween every once in a while lol. And yes, Ginny knew she needed to be the one to come forward. Zee would respect her more for that. To gemini614: Thank you! It is such a nice way to remember the good times. Thank you! To Mizfitz22: I enjoy responding to your comments! Thank you so much! You have no idea how good it makes me feel to know that people are still so invested in this story. I am honoured that you mix up my story with canon — amazing! Thank you!

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!

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CHAPTER THREE-HUNDRED AND ONE:

The One With the Green Lace

Harry and Ginny returned to Hogwarts a little before dinner. After spending the afternoon watching memories and reminiscing about Sirius, Harry felt better and even comforted a little. It was hard to believe that they had just celebrated the second of Sirius' birthdays without him. He would have been thirty-eight this year.

They left the Floo in Remus' office, walking hand in hand and it was only when they rounded the corner towards the stairs that he realized Ginny was unnaturally quiet.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yes," Ginny said. "Zee and I talked and I feel better."

"Oh?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I needed to speak to her, woman to woman," Ginny explained. "I think that we both needed it actually."

"Why?" he asked, looking over at his girlfriend and wondering what it was that she'd needed to speak to Zee about.

Ginny let out a slow breath. "Because she was still angry with me for breaking your heart."

His eyes softened. "Ginny…"

"No, she was," Ginny insisted. "And I can't blame her. She didn't like to see her son hurting and knowing that I was the one to cause it made her blame me."

"No," Harry said. "She understood why you did what you did."

"Yes, she did," Ginny agreed. "But the mother in her still blamed me for hurting you. But I think we're good now."

Harry brought their joined hands to his lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Ginny said. "And she knows that which is why I know we're good. We worked everything out."

He tugged on her hand and a moment later he was walking her back against the stone wall, bending his head to kiss her. "Because you and me are very good now."

"Yes," she whispered. "Very good."

"Glad to hear it," he murmured as she tugged his lips back to hers.

His hands lost themselves in her hair, his leg between hers as their lips met. She tasted like wine and the chocolate biscuits that Zee had baked. Her flowery scent engulfed him as he explored her mouth with his own. Ginny's hands were on his back, one cupping the back of his neck and the other half brushing his arse.

Harry loved kissing her. Having her in his arms again was everything he'd ever needed. She made him feel safe and warm. He felt loved and treasured and most importantly, he felt like he was finally who he was supposed to be. It didn't make sense when he wasn't with Ginny. Even when he was happy he felt like something was missing, but with her, he felt whole and complete and happier than he could put into words.

Her lips met his over and over, her tongue teasing his until they were both breathless, but neither of them made any move to stop. Instead Harry stepped closer to her, one hand on her hip, the other wrapping around her breast as he deepened the kiss.

Ginny made a purring sound, pulling his bottom lip between her teeth. Harry moaned, quickening the pace of their kiss, their lips sliding against the other's in fast, greedy bites. He kissed the corners of her mouth before letting his lips move down her throat. She let her head fall back against the stone, sighing when his hand fisted in her hair, holding her head in place as he planted hot kisses down the column of her throat and nipped at her pulse. When his lips captured hers again, she kissed him back with renewed fervour.

Harry didn't know how long they stood there snogging, but at some point his girlfriend's mouth was sucking on his Adam's apple and he was pretty sure that she was going to leave one hell of a mark. Whenever she kissed him there, he became absolute putty in her hands and she knew it. He groaned as her mouth continued to tease his skin, moving lower to kiss his collarbone before he pulled her mouth back to his.

He was rock hard and trying not to grind himself against her. With his knee between her legs, he could feel that she was getting hotter by the moment herself. He kissed the tip of her nose before shifting over to drag his tongue over her ear and she trembled.

"I want to touch you," he whispered. "I want to feel you come for me, Ginny."

Her chocolate brown eyes were wide in desire, but she shook her head, pulling his mouth back to hers. The kiss intensified and when her hand came around to rub him through his jeans, he groaned.

"Ginny…"

His hips arched towards her hand of their own accord and she cupped him. It didn't matter that they were at the end of a dark and deserted hallway. It didn't matter that Harry had pressed her up against the wall so much that no one could see what naughty things they were getting up to. The point was that they were still very much in the open and when her hand squeezed, he swore under his breath.

"Stop that," he whispered. "Do you want me to embarrass myself right here in the hallway?"

She smirked, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe."

Harry dragged his mouth up the side of her throat. "Fuck… I want to touch you. Please, Gin, let me touch you."

Her breath hitched. "Harry…"

His hands cupped her breasts, tweaking the nipple through her clothing, but his hands never moved lower.

"I want my fingers inside of you," he whispered in her ear. "I want to get on my knees and worship you with my mouth."

His hand kneaded her breast, squeezing and fondling just the way she liked him to.

"I want your fingers in my hair, clutching desperately while I make you fall apart. I want to watch you fall apart for me, Ginny. I want to taste you as you do."

Her legs closed around his knee and he twirled his tongue around each earring in her right ear, teasing the lobe into his mouth.

"I love it when you touch me, Ginny. I love it when you give me attention, but it's your turn. Please, let it be your turn. I want that so much," he murmured against her ear. "Please, let me touch you."

Harry wasn't sure if his words were getting through, but he kept his hands on her breasts, not daring to move lower until she gave him the okay. He missed her. He missed pleasuring her and as much as he'd enjoyed the vast attention that she'd been giving his very needy cock as of late, he wanted it to be her turn. He wanted to be the one to please her. Not just because he felt like they needed to be even or that it was supposed to be her turn, but because nothing turned him on more than pleasing her.

His thumb brushed beneath the jumper she wore, stroking the skin at her hip while his other hand continued to fondle her breast. Ginny kissed him desperately, passionately, and he merely held on, wondering what was going through that mind of hers.

He didn't get an answer because the moment her tongue met his again, nearby footsteps, followed by a familiar voice, forced them to jump apart.

"Harry! Ginny!" Hermione scolded. "You're in the middle of the hall!"

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand in hers. "Oops."

Harry pulled their joined hands in front of his crotch, hoping to hide the obvious erection. He could hear Ginny trying not to laugh from next to him.

Hermione gave them another scolding look. "As Head Girl, I will have to take points. Five points from each of you."

"Ah, come on, Hermione," Harry said. "Not even a warning?"

"Considering where both of your hands just were, five points is lenient. Next time, find somewhere more private. And be thankful it was me and not Ron," she added.

Ginny smiled. "Ron would get over it. Are you saying that you and Ron don't snog in the hallway when you're supposed to be doing your rounds?"

Hermione's cheeks flushed. "We're professionals, Ginny. And besides, we have our own common room now."

Harry laughed as Hermione urged them to head down to dinner with her. "Be just behind you."

Hermione bit her lip, sharing an amused glance with Ginny that made Harry roll his eyes. "See you in a bit then."

Ginny was grinning at him. "Need a long moment, do you?"

"Minx," he muttered, making her laugh.

"If it helps, I'm just as… hot and bothered as you are."

"It does," he assured her. "However, when you're hot and bothered it doesn't obviously show itself for the world to see."

Ginny giggled. "Hmm… what could help?" She walked him back against the wall, placing her hand over his crotch. "Does this help?"

Her small hand stroked the denim and he groaned. "Ginny…"

Her eyes were twinkling in mischief only a moment before she tugged on his hand and dragged him down the hall into an empty classroom. She closed the door behind them, locking it with her wand and then backed him up against the door.

"Maybe this will help," she said, cupping him again.

"Fuck," Harry groaned, tossing his head back.

Then she was unzipping him and freeing him from the confines of his jeans. Her fingers wrapped around him tightly and he thought that he was going to combust on the spot.

"Ginny, please…"

"Please what?" she teased.

Before he could answer her, she fell to her knees and his hands clutched her hair at the same time that she took him in her mouth. Her thumb brushed the underside of his shaft again as she worked him over and Harry knew that he wasn't going to last long. Merlin, if she sucked him like that again he was going to finish in record time.

"Fuck, Ginny… fuck… I'm going to… mmmm, oh yeah, just like that…"

Her tongue was sliding along his length, twirling around the head as her thumb continued to stroke him in slow steady beats as her other hand pumped him and when that beautiful mouth wrapped around him again, he knew that he was done.

"Ginny-Ginny-Ginny-Ginny-Ginny-Ginny," he panted, but she made no motion to move away and he came quickly into that sweet mouth of hers.

She held him in her mouth, kissing and licking him until he'd finished and then she slowly slid her lips off with a long 'mmm' sound. She stood up, licking her lips, and Harry kissed her hard enough to bruise.

"I think you should be good to go down to dinner now, but you better put that away first… unless you want to cause a riot."

Harry flushed as he tucked himself back into his jeans and zipped up, taking her hand. "Ginny, wait."

She turned, her brown eyes on his.

Harry dragged a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry." When she raised a brow, he squeezed her hand. "I don't mean to pressure you or push you into doing something that you're not ready for. I… I'm sorry if I pushed."

Her eyes softened. "Harry, if I think you're being too pushy, I'll be the first to tell you, okay?"

"Okay."

Ginny linked her fingers through his, stepping close to him. "I want you to touch me, Harry. Very much. I just… I need a little more time. I don't know why. I can't explain it, but I just do."

He nodded, squeezing her hand. "Okay. Come on, let's go get some food. I'm suddenly famished."

She laughed as they headed out of the classroom and down towards the Great Hall. Harry kept her hand in his and knew that he would wait as long as she needed him to. But the moment she said yes, he was going to worship every inch of her and he couldn't bloody wait.

~ ASC ~

Snape kept his ear to the ground and his eyes wide open. The Dark Lord for the most part had been ignoring him since he and Belladonna had brewed the Amethyst Inferno and it made him a little worried for himself even though it was obvious that the Dark Lord had other things on his mind.

With Himmler and Norton in power at the Ministry, both strongly under the thrall of the Imperius Curse, it left a lot of leg work. Voldemort was constantly sending out Death Eaters in various degrees of disguises to deal with loose ends, to make sure Himmler and Norton were doing what was asked of them, and attempting to keep it under the radar as much as possible. Goyle was still tailing Himmler four days a week from eight AM to ten PM. He was to report every movement the man made directly to Linus Lestrange. Alecto had started guarding him the rest of the time and when she bitched about the lowly assignment, the Dark Lord had told her it was punishment for losing the child she'd carried. She'd stopped arguing after that.

Snape could deal with the antics involved between them when it came to keeping the Ministry officials in their pockets, he expected that. Half of the Minister's personal staff was under the Imperius Curse, others paid off in a way that should have alarmed Snape with how quickly they were willing to look the other way when money was involved. Politics had always been a shady game. But no, the part that he had the most issue with, was bringing Dolores Umbridge back into play.

Despite the woman's faults, Voldemort had reached out to her when they'd found her in Azkaban and much to Snape's dismay, had kept her hidden away somewhere safely. He spent hours discussing his thoughts with her, twisting her words, and feeding into her bigotry to get what he wanted. Umbridge lapped it up and despite her initial fear of the man, now worshipped the very ground that he walked on. Voldemort was using her knowledge of the government to try to bring forth his own laws as quickly as he could without alerting the public to his nefarious plans.

And the worst part was that it was bloody well working.

The blood registry had really taken a toll. People were lining up to register themselves and their families, willingly giving their names for protection. Once they had the names of those whom Voldemort considered unworthy, Death Eaters were dispatched to watch them for signs of weakness. Shops and stores were all taking down names of customers to make sure anyone who wasn't a pureblood or a half-blood was "kept safe" and the ones complying with this Ministry decision, were given monetary incentive. Snape was ashamed to say that so far, four Muggleborns had been killed through this "protection."

And it wasn't just Muggleborns. Voldemort believed that those who were anything less than half-blood needed to be dealt with. To Snape's surprise, this didn't necessarily mean death, though he knew that most of them would wish for it before too long.

On the Isle of Skye, Crouch was building himself a fortress and he was using these underlings as slave labour. Crouch claimed that it was going to be the manor that everyone wanted and he was building the most exorbitant throne room for Voldemort as well. The problem was, there was now in-fighting on who appreciated the Dark Lord the most.

Avery had made sure Voldemort's throne room in Avery Castle had everything the Dark Lord could want. The throne chair was goblin-made, encrusted with jewels and worth thousands of Galleons. Voldemort had been pleased when Avery had presented it to him.

But Crouch wanted to give the Dark Lord more.

Where Crouch had come up with the money, Snape wasn't sure. He knew that the Crouch family had money hidden away, but not as much as the wizard claimed. Crouch had gone on about getting diamonds for the Dark Lord to walk on. He wanted this room to be something everyone would be jealous of and no one was to set foot in it without the Dark Lord's permission.

Muggleborns, those with goblin blood or giant blood or captured wolves were all being forced to build this castle. Crouch had gleefully put them in enchanted chains as the wolves organized and assisted them in building the fortress. Belladonna had seduced a Magiarchitect into helping Crouch design it and every time he looked like he was falling out of her trance, she somehow dragged him back under. Snape didn't know if she was using an Unforgivable on him or not, but she controlled him fully in ways that he couldn't comprehend. All he knew was that she hadn't used a love potion of any kind and yet the man was eating out of the palm of her hand.

He found it unnerving in ways he couldn't explain.

The work on the castle had started at the beginning of October and within the last month, the fortress was fast being put together. Crouch wanted nothing but the best for the Dark Lord and was constantly telling him that he was building this perfect manor for him. The castle was designed to have a large dungeon, full of cells for prisoners. The main floor would have the entrance way leading directly to the throne room and a banquet hall. It was going to have three floors, three turrets, and seven bedroom suites per floor. Crouch had already christened it Dark Skye.

Using connections through the blackmarket, Crouch had ordered the most expensive marble and the most outrageous tiles that Snape had ever seen. He wanted his throne room tiled with these black and white flowered squares made from diamonds, mother of pearl, abalone shells, and black onyx. They were so expensive that it was obscene.

But the Dark Lord had hinted that he liked them, claimed they reminded him of Nagini's scales, and Crouch had immediately gone out of his way to acquire them for his lord and master.

Wolves were smuggling gold and jewels out of Fingal's Cave in waves and Snape wondered just how much the Dark Lord was allowing Crouch to use in terms of riches that he'd stolen from the giants. Death Eaters were spending lavishly, dressing the Dark Lord in silk robes and the best snake-skin boots. Just like the first time around, Voldemort was urging them to spend money on him to show their appreciation. While never officially saying the words aloud, it was an unspoken rule that the ones who spent the most on their master were given the most opportunities to do what they wished and were trusted with the most important tasks.

Snape wondered why Voldemort was allowing Crouch to build this fortress in his name, but he had too many other questions to concern himself with for the moment. One of them was answered when Linus Lestrange explained how they were going to shift the new bill into law by bypassing the Wizengamot.

"The Wizengamot will have it rebuffed," Snape interrupted. "Especially with Marchbanks at the helm, it will never be passed."

Linus Lestrange smiled. "It won't be publicized. It will be something that's done in the wings, a hidden clause within a clause. It will be passed before anyone even realizes it's been done."

Titus Avery Senior tapped his fingers on the table. "Most of it has been in there for centuries, since before the first Minister was chosen, and this will be no different."

Snape frowned. "Won't someone notice?"

"No," Avery said with a smirk. "They have their heads so far up their arses, they aren't going to focus on a little word change. Trust me, it will pass through without notice."

They spoke some more about the re-wording of the documents before Avery rolled up the parchment and tucked it under his arm.

"I will give this to Norton to file away. Himmler will be re-forming it within the next week or so and no one will be any the wiser."

Snape watched him walk away, wondering just how much damage this bill was going to truly do. Lestrange stood up, adjusting his robes as he stood.

"Well, I'm off to Paris. I want to see my new grandson."

"Of course," Snape said. "How is your daughter-in-law? Does she need more calming draught?"

Lestrange pursed his lips. "If you have more, I'll bring it over to her. The girl's anxious all the bloody time and it can't be good for little Roland. I've been making Crouch's bitch, Hestia, breastfeed my boy. Can't trust the anxiety levels in Ophelia right now."

"It's safe for her to breastfeed with the calming draught in her system," Snape assured him. "It won't harm the baby."

"It's my first strapping grandson. I won't risk it."

"I'll get the potion for you," Snape said, turning to leave.

He had been hoping that once the witches had given birth to their children, their husbands would leave them alone to their own devices, and they had. Rabastan and Bart had more or less stayed away once the babies had been born, but the last thing that Snape had expected was for Linus and Cassia Lestrange to become overprotective grandparents to their newest grandson, Roland. He wanted to help get the witches to Ted and Andromeda and this had put a strong damper on his plans.

He would have to think of something and soon because he wasn't sure how much longer Hestia and Millicent were going to hold out trapped in the Lestrange Manor in Paris. He was worried that too much longer would push the young Carrow girl over the edge and he wasn't sure if even Millicent would be able to pull her back in time.

~ ASC ~

Hermione was sitting on the floor, books spread around her and on the coffee table that she was working on. She already felt very behind even though she was weeks ahead on her scheduled schoolwork plan. Tomorrow was the first big Quidditch match of the year and she was determined to get this little bit of work done before the match so that she could enjoy watching her boyfriend play. She tucked her hair back in annoyance, grabbing a hair tie in an attempt to shove it back into a bun and muttered under her breath when said hair tie snapped, tangling her already bushy curls.

It took her five minutes to detangle the broken hair tie from her hair and when she flung it across the common room in frustration, Crookshanks immediately made a beeline for it. A glance at the clock told her that it was almost one, but she really wanted to finish this chapter on comparisons between the Agrippan and Chaldean Methods of numerology.

The sound of the door opening had her looking up at her boyfriend in surprise. His hair was tousled from sleep and his worn plaid pyjama bottoms were riding low on his hips, outlining the vague v-line that made her mad for him. He crossed his arms in front of his naked chest, blue eyes on hers.

"What happened to coming to bed two hours ago?"

"I was," she insisted. "But then I started reading about how Agrippa applied Arithmancy to the classical Latin alphabet which made me look up his process in more detail in his book on Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Once I started comparing his notes on elemental, celestial, and intellectual magic, I was in too deep to stop."

Ron raised an eyebrow in amusement. "See, to some of us, that would put us to sleep."

"Oh no," Hermione insisted. "It's much too interesting!"

"If you say so," Ron said, scratching his long nose. "But it's almost one now, come to bed."

"I just want to finish this chapter on —"

"—Tomorrow," Ron interrupted. "I know you won't sleep in since we have the match after breakfast so, the least you can do is get some shut eye tonight."

Hermione looked like she was going to protest again so he moved across the room to extend his hand to her. She took it, letting him pull her up to her feet.

"Crookshanks took my hair tie."

Ron looked over at the batty cat who was flinging the broken hair band around the room and dashing after it madly. "It's broken."

"I know," Hermione said. "And my hair was just getting out of control and in my eyes."

Ron put his hands in her hair, grabbing a fistful with each hand before he bent his head to brush his lips across hers. "I love this hair."

Hermione's eyes softened. "Ron, I really should finish that chapter."

"Absolutely. Tomorrow," he said, steering her towards his bedroom.

Hermione bit her lip, looking back at her books. "But really, what would a little longer —"

"—No," Ron said. "Bed. Now."

"You're not the boss of me," Hermione snapped.

"You need someone to be," Ron shot back.

Hermione glared at him before she pulled out of his arms. "Fine. But I'm sleeping in my own room. Alone!"

"Fine," Ron said. "But go to bed."

Hermione made a 'hmph' sound before she marched across the common room to the bedroom of the Head Girl and slammed the door behind her. She waited five minutes before she snuck back out into the common room, her eyes widening in annoyance when she found Ron sitting on the sofa, his hands behind his head and a knowing smirk on his wide mouth.

"I hate you," she mumbled.

His smile widened. "Nah, you don't. I've known you for seven years, Hermione. I know how bloody stubborn you are."

Hermione moved to rearrange some of the books that she had open everywhere. "I just want my paper to be good."

"It will be," Ron assured her. "But it will be even better when you don't stretch yourself so thin. You need to learn to take breaks."

She closed a few more books, stacking them together and spreading her work out. Ron's hands gripped her waist and she shrieked when he pulled her down into his lap.

"What did I say?"

Instead of answering him, she kissed him, surprising him. His hands slid up into her hair as his mouth met hers and the instant stirring it did inside of her made her move closer. Her mouth moved down his neck in quick succession and he groaned.

"Hermione…"

Hermione nipped at his mouth, her eyes on his. "What? I'm taking a break."

His lips curved. "I meant sleep."

Hermione slid her hands down his bare chest, slipping one hand under the waist of his pyjama bottoms to grip him. "Are you sure?"

His eyes darkened in desire as she began to fondle him. "That's playing dirty."

She gave him a triumphant smile, her hand working him under his sleep pants. "Is it? Want me to stop?"

Ron bit his lip to bite back a groan and when she pushed his pants right down to his knees, he tossed his head back. "Fuck…"

"Don't swear," she lectured as she slid over to the cushion next to him.

"I'll swear if I bloody-well want to," Ron insisted. "Especially when you have your hand on my — fucking hell!"

Hermione smirked as she teased her nails over the tip of him, soft enough to make him tremble. He was fully hard now and pulsing with need. She thought he was beautiful. She rubbed her thumb over the head of him in slow concentric circles, watching the way he trembled in amazement. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip as she watched her fingers tease him.

She hadn't told Ron, but Theo had presented her with this deep blue satin nightie for her birthday that she hadn't been brave enough to wear yet. It was so short if she moved, one could see everything and it cupped her breasts in a way that made them look incredible. After she'd gotten over the embarrassment of Theodore Nott buying her lingerie for her birthday, he had proceeded to ask her why she hadn't given Ron a blow job yet. She'd been offended at first and then embarrassed as Theo had proceeded to give her some tips on how to please a man. It wasn't that she didn't want him, it was more that the opportunity never seemed to come up.

Hermione stroked her hand over him again, gripping him in her hand. She loved the feel of him in her fist, loved watching his eyes darken to a deep navy when she touched him. Then before she could talk herself out of it again, she lowered her head and kissed him.

Ron jolted in surprise. Hermione kissed his shaft again before she turned her head to meet his gaze. His blue eyes were like a storm, dark and tumultuous and she licked her lips.

"I want to put it in my mouth."

If it was possible, Ron hardened even more in her hand. He nodded, his breath coming out in small pants.

Hermione turned her attention back to the hard shaft. Every time she told herself she was going to do this for him, she talked herself out of it. She didn't quite know why as she thought he was beautiful. She knew that Ginny had told her she rather liked it doing it for Harry and Merlin knew that Theo had volunteered some tips that she still hadn't been brave enough to try. But Ron was beautiful, long and hard, yet soft and she couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to have him in her mouth.

"Mione," he whispered, his fingers stroking her curls. "You don't have to."

"Do you not want me to?"

Ron's blue eyes darkened. "I definitely did not say that."

"Have you thought about it?" she asked, kissing the side of his length.

"Yes," he said.

"Have you imagined it?"

His blue eyes were dark in desire as they stared into hers. "Yes."

Hermione kept her gaze locked on his as she kissed the side of him again. "Good."

Then she slowly wrapped her mouth around the tip of him and no breath escaped his lips. He tasted like his skin, hot and soft. Feeling bold, she dragged her mouth lower, taking more of him into her mouth and when she gagged, she slowly slid her mouth back off of him.

Ron's hand fisted in her curls. "Oh, bloody hell, do that again."

Hermione lowered her head a second time, focusing just on the head now. She licked him, sucking on the tip, dragging her tongue across the underside of his shaft and Ron groaned.

"Move your hand," he murmured.

"What?" Hermione asked, her voice muffled from the cock still in her mouth.

"Move your… bloody hell! Move your hand up and down while you suck on… yeah, yeah, just like that. Oooh, fuck yeah, that feels fucking fantastic."

Hermione made a sound of agreement as she continued to just suck on the tip of him, moving more of him into her mouth when she could, but never managing more than half before she was forced to retreat. He was panting incoherently, his hand still clutching her curls tightly, neither pushing her forward nor pulling her away.

Ron made a strangled sound and she pulled her mouth off of him just in time. She used her hand as he came, groaning incoherently as he did. When he finished, his breath was short as he locked his blue eyes on hers.

"That was bloody brilliant," he said, pulling her close for a long kiss. "What… what made you do that?"

Hermione ran her nails along his chest, tickling the skin. "I've been wanting to and it just never seemed… you always touch me first."

His lips curved. "I like touching you. No, scratch that, I bloody love touching you."

"Well, it distracts me," she continued. "And usually by then we've already shagged and I think next time I'll do it and then you distract me again."

Ron grinned. "I rather love distracting you."

Her nails continued to glide over his chest in light tickles, her fingers curling around the soft ginger hairs. "But well, I want to please you, too."

"You always please me," Ron assured her. "Sucking my cock isn't something that's required to please me."

"Was it not… did I do it wrong?"

"No. It was bloody brilliant," Ron insisted. "I just meant, you don't have to do that if you don't want to."

Hermione nodded. "But you always use your mouth on me."

"It's not a competition, Mione," Ron said, softly.

"I know," she whispered, her hand slipping down to fondle him. "But it only seems fair."

"You use your hands fairly often," he said. "Which one of us decided it was a good idea to patrol the fifth floor and find the hidden alcove on the west side before unzipping the Head Boy's trousers and using her hand quite wonderfully?"

"I'm the Head Girl, Ron," Hermione said. "I would never skirt around my duties like that."

"And the time you got me off in the Heads office?"

"You're imagining things."

He smirked, his lips moving down her throat. "Great imagination I have."

"Very vivid," she assured him.

"Hermione?"

"Mmm?" she asked as his lips moved down to her collarbone.

Ron's rough hands slid under her cotton pyjama top, stroking a nipple. "Will you suck me off again?"

Her eyes met his, dark with desire, and she nodded. Then she lowered her head to him, kissing him gently. It wasn't long before he was growing under her ministrations. She could feel his gaze on her as she licked him and when she turned to look him in the eye, she wrapped her mouth around him and sucked.

Ron groaned, hips bucking automatically. Hermione placed a hand over his hard stomach, lips moving along him, teasing him. His hands fisted in her curls again and this time he guided her, slowly setting the pace as she suckled him in a way that she found incredibly arousing. She kissed his balls, her nails tickling the sensitive skin there and he panted her name. Then she kissed his tip before standing up.

Ron let go of her hair, eyes widening as she pulled her top over her head, giving him a full view of her bouncing breasts. Then she slid her pyjama bottoms down before locking her eyes on his as she slowly slid her knickers off. Then she straddled him on the sofa, kissing him deeply.

She slid her hand down his chest to grip him again and then she was guiding him into her, both of them groaning at the feeling of being connected. Ron's hands gripped her bum, squeezing tightly and when his hips rose to meet her, she let her head fall back in pleasure.

"Mmm," she moaned.

Ron leaned forward, capturing a nipple in his mouth. One hand left her arse to work her clit and she made a keening noise.

"Come for me, Mione," he murmured, twirling his tongue around her nipple. "Come for me."

It wasn't long before she was doing just that, clutching his shoulders desperately as she rode him and when he followed her over the edge moments later, she buried her face in his shoulder, panting.

"I love you," she whispered. "Never stop taking care of me, okay?"

Ron kissed her cheek, then her nose. "I promise."

They sat there, tangled together on the sofa. Ron's large hands moved up and down her back in a slow comforting motion before she finally stood up. She grabbed her pjs off the ground and moved to the bathroom. When she came out a few moments later, she found her boyfriend lying in his bed in his pyjama pants again, holding the blankets open for her. She hesitated in the doorway.

"Don't make me carry you over here," he taunted. "Because I will."

Her lips curved as she moved across the room to climb into bed with him, snuggling into his side and sighing when his arms came around her.

"Will you set the charm? I want to get an early start on my studies."

"No," Ron said, tucking her in. "It's Saturday morning. You'll get up when it's time for breakfast and not three hours before to study."

"But I think I should —"

His lips covered hers until she stopped protesting.

"Go to sleep, Mione. If you're good, I'll have you for first breakfast."

Hermione's face flushed. "Ron!"

He grinned and brushed his lips over hers. "Sleep."

He kissed the top of her head, sighing as she rested her cheek over his heart, the steady thump-thump soothing her. Crookshanks jumped up onto the bed. Hermione watched as he curled up on the end of the bed near Ron's feet and it was only moments before she finally drifted off, warm and safe in the arms of the man she loved.

~ ASC ~

The first match of the season was a short one. In fact, it was one of the shortest matches that Harry had ever played. The whole game lasted ten minutes. Hufflepuff had played well, but Harry had been watching his girlfriend score her second goal of the day when the Snitch had quite literally flown right into him. His hand had reached out automatically, locking around the small Golden Snitch in surprise.

"Already?" Ron exclaimed as everyone began cheering. "I was just warming up!"

Harry shrugged, grinning at his friend. "Complete accident, this one."

They shook hands with Hufflepuff and headed to the change rooms to change out of their kits. Demelza skipped ahead, walking backwards to grin at Harry.

"So, is that how you're going to play this year, Potter? Just let the Snitch fly to you like a lazy bugger?"

Harry's lips twitched. "Hey, not my fault if the Snitch knows whose hand it belongs with."

"Probably for the best," Demelza said. "We needed to give Weasley a warm-up game so that he can remember how to Keep."

"Fuck off, Robins," Ron said, shooting her a rude hand gesture that made her cackle.

Harry draped an arm across Ginny's shoulders. "You scored two goals in ten minutes though, excellent job."

"Thanks," Ginny said. "I agree with Ron though, I was just warming up myself."

"I really didn't mean to end the game so quickly," Harry said. "The Snitch flew right at me and it was pure reflex that I swiped it."

"Must have thought you needed a win," Ginny said, making him chuckle.

"Maybe so."

The team quickly changed, only some of them heading to the showers because of the quick game. Harry took a quick one himself, pulling on a tee shirt and jeans before reaching for his jumper and finding it missing. He frowned before he turned and found his girlfriend standing there in jeans and his jumper.

"I think that belongs to me," he teased, his eyes on the jumper.

Ginny fiddled with the hem of it. "This old thing?"

Harry crooked his finger at her and she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Get over here, Weasley."

Ginny only smirked. "I rather like it over here just fine, thanks."

Harry crooked his finger again and when she still didn't walk towards him, he took three quick steps and tugged her up against him. "You know for a Chaser you certainly don't come when instructed."

"That's right," she said, linking her arms around his neck. "Because I Chase. It's your job to Seek me, isn't it?"

"Cheeky," he said, kissing her. He slid his hands down to the hem of the jumper, pulling it up.

"Nuh-uh," Ginny said. "Mine."

"And what am I supposed to wear?" Harry asked.

She grinned. "I think you have enough clothes on, Mr Potter."

Harry laughed and then let his fingers race across her ribs. She yelped as he tickled her, pinning her to the wall and ignoring her struggles as she laughed uproariously. When she was finally too weak to protest, he pulled the jumper over her head, kissing her quickly.

"Success!"

Ginny panted, her eyes locked on the jumper. "That's cheating!"

Harry grabbed her own jumper from her cupboard and tossed it to her. "Nah, it was improv."

She grumbled as she pulled her own jumper over her head. "Fine, I'll wear my own."

He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. "Don't worry, when it goes missing later I'll know who's nicked it."

She nodded, but Harry noticed the twinkle was gone from her eye.

"Ginny, I'm just joking. You know I love it when you wear my clothes."

"I know," she said, forcing a smile onto her face.

Harry slowly put his arm through the hole, his brows furrowing at her soft tone. "You've nicked at least a dozen of my jumpers throughout the years. To be fair, most probably don't even fit me anymore."

"No, I don't have any."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "At least a dozen that I've seen you with and that's not even including all the ones you've taken from your brothers and your dad."

Ginny bit her bottom lip. "I had sixteen of yours actually, but I… I sort of… burned them."

Harry stilled, pulling back to look at her. "What?"

"I… I got home from school and I saw all of these jumpers in my trunk that I knew were yours. It was almost like I could smell you on them and it… set me off. They made me so angry and I…" Ginny trailed off, quickly wiping the back of her hand under her eye to catch a stray tear. "I threw a flaming candle on top of them. Fleur found them before I burned the house down and promised not to tell anyone. I kind of forgot about it until I went looking for one of your jumpers when I had a bad dream at the beginning of the term and it wasn't there."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so… I don't have any of them anymore and I… I don't know, Harry. I just like to wear them. They remind me of you and I haven't had one to wear when I… it's stupid. I'm being stupid."

"No… no," Harry said, pulling the jumper over his head and pressing it into her hands. "It looks better on you anyway."

Ginny smiled softly, hugging the fabric close to her chest. "Thank you."

He leaned in, kissing her tenderly on the forehead. "But you'll have to keep me warm on the walk from here to the castle. I'm delicate."

She laughed when his arms came around her, clutching the tee shirt at his back as she hugged him. "Promise."

Ginny pulled his jumper over her head, smiling at him when he helped her pull her hair out from under the collar and then they walked hand in hand back to the castle, their brooms over their shoulders. And Harry thought that he was going to make sure that his girlfriend had as many of his jumpers as she wanted.

~ ASC ~

Pansy had just finished feeding Grayson when Greg stepped into their bedroom. She noticed that he had dark circles under his eyes, but he walked across the room to kiss Grayson's head before pecking her lips. He took their son, cradling him against his large chest and rocking him gently as he took a seat in the chair.

"Long day?" she asked as she closed her nightgown.

Greg nodded, pressing his lips to the top of his son's head. "Yeah. How's the shop?"

"All right. Business is still doing well, but I have lost a lot of customers."

When Greg didn't speak, she cleared her throat.

"I don't agree with the price increase due to blood status."

"You're not the only one instigating it," Greg told her.

"I know," Pansy said. "Panacea Apothecary is doing it and so is a few of the restaurants. I know that I'm not the only one losing customers, but I'm a new business, Greg. I need loyal customers to come back if I'm going to keep afloat. I told Daphne to talk to Theo."

"Oh?"

"Atticus Macnair, Greg! He's seventy-eight years old and her father expects her to marry him! He's older than her own grandfather!"

Greg nodded.

"The Dark Lord wants Astoria married off as well. With Alecto losing her baby and the others seemingly having vanished, he wants more purebloods to be born. Your mother already mentioned that in the next few months he might insist those of us who have a child try again for another."

Greg made a sound to assure her that he was listening, his large hand gently stroking their son's back.

"I spoke to Millie today. First time I've heard from her in months. Ophelia's going mad and she's always trying to do everything she can to assure Rabastan that she's a loyal wife. Millie said he hurts her. Millie and Hestia are having a rough time of it and the fact that they both gave birth to daughters infuriated Crouch. He wants a son and he's willing to do everything possible to get one. He's already started raping Hestia again. Millie said that he hasn't touched her since she's had the baby, but he goes to Hestia almost every night. The poor girl is terrified. He's even been putting fertility potion in her food. Her daughter's barely a month old. I didn't even think it was possible to get someone pregnant again that quickly."

"Is she?"

"It's too soon to tell, but Crouch is obviously trying. Millie's worried that he's going to turn to her again soon. She does what she can to protect poor little Hestia, but she has to look out for herself, too, you know? Theo came by again today."

Greg only raised an eyebrow.

"Every Saturday, like clockwork. He was alone today. He bought two silk nightgowns and a silk bathrobe. I didn't say anything to him, but he chatted my ear off again about how he thinks he can help me. He did give me an interesting idea though."

"Oh?"

"He brought up an excellent point about how it's not only women who deserve lingerie. It got me thinking and I started sketching some ideas. Silk bathrobes to start, sleep pants and shirts, and of course, naughty knickers, boxers, boxer briefs, and maybe some g-strings and thongs. I got so into it, I even put together one pair just to see." She walked over to the bed and picked up the green lace boy shorts and held them up. "Will you try them on for me?"

Greg wrinkled his nose. "What? Those are for witches!"

"No, these are for wizards."

At her look, he sighed and stood up, gently placing Grayson in his cot before he snatched the knickers from her. A moment later he came out of the bathroom wearing the lace boy shorts, his light blue button down hanging past his waist.

"Greg, how am I supposed to find out if they work if you won't even wear them properly? Take off your shirt so I can see."

He flushed. "But then I'll just be standing here in this scrap of lace?"

"That's the point, love."

He stared at her a moment before he reluctantly took off his shirt. She let her eyes move down his muscled hairy chest and down to the Slytherin green lace boy shorts she'd made. They cupped his arse enticingly, the silk band at the top the only part of them that weren't see through against his muscled hairy thighs.

Greg held a hand over his crotch. "I feel exposed. Who would wear this?"

"Women everywhere for men."

"Er…"

"Exactly, double standard much?" Pansy smacked his hand away, bending down to inspect where the lace cupped his balls. "Is it roomy? Or do you feel squashed?"

Greg made a face.

"Greg, I need to know! If I'm going to start designing lingerie for men, I want to make sure that they fit properly. The point of my work is to look beautiful and sexy while still being comfortable," she explained.

"It could be a little looser, here," he admitted, pointing to where his balls were hanging.

Pansy used her wand, letting the fabric out a bit as she shifted and moved his balls to fit into the lace. When he started to grow hard, she raised an eyebrow. "I'm trying to work here!"

"Yeah, well, your work involves a lot of fondling," he mumbled.

She smirked and worked a few more minutes before standing back to examine him. "There! Turn around!"

Greg did a slow turn, the Slytherin green lace cupping his arse in all of the right places, and the lace at the front making his package look incredibly enticing. "I feel ridiculous."

"You look really sexy," she admitted. "I've never thought about men in lace, but damn. Are they comfortable?"

He shrugged. "I prefer my boxer briefs, but they're all right."

"Move around in them, sit down, get a feel."

Greg moved to sit on the bed and when he bent, the bottom of his arse was exposed. "Erm, they ride up a little."

Pansy cupped his behind, working the lace between her fingers as she did some more adjustments. "Bend over again."

When he did, they rode up again, but this time in a way that didn't take away from his comfort and merely gave one a lovely view of his firm arse. When he sat on the bed, the lace pushed his testicles up and she bit her lip.

"Yeah, that's pretty sexy, Greg."

He shrugged and stood up. "Can I take them off now?"

Pansy shook her head and made him turn again. When he did, she ran her hand over his arse and squeezed one of the muscled cheeks. "I think I like you in lace." Then she spanked him.

"I feel like I'm wearing women's clothes."

"You're not. It's designed to cup a man's balls and cock so it feels natural. Does it feel natural?"

Greg made a face.

"Greg, I need words," she insisted.

He sighed. "Honestly, it feels like I'm naked. Like, if I couldn't see myself wearing it, it would feel like I'm wearing nothing."

"Is that a good thing?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, reluctantly. "It feels so comfortable that I can't tell it's all lacy and shit."

Pansy squealed and stood on her toes to kiss him. "Good! I have this sketch for more of a brief style and then of course, I want to have some thongs and g-strings and a few crotchless varieties for those who are wanting to be a little more daring. You'll model them for me, won't you, darling?"

Greg closed his eyes. "Do I have a choice?"

"Yes," Pansy said. "I could always ask Vince to do it, but as you saw, it would require me to spend a lot of time fondling his cock and balls."

Greg narrowed his eyes. "Low blow."

She squealed again and tugged his face down to kiss him. "You can get dressed now, but leave those on. I want you to wear them the rest of the night to get a proper feel."

"If I ever see Theo again I'm going to break his bloody nose," he muttered.

Pansy grinned. "No, you'll thank him for giving your wife such a brilliant idea. Now go put your trousers back on and I'll have Mitzy bring dinner up for you."

She was whistling when her husband headed back into the bathroom and thought the more she planned for the future, the less she would worry about what was currently happening.

~ ASC ~

Harry headed inside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom as the students left, making his way to the front where Remus was writing something on the chalkboard. Remus turned and smiled at Harry.

"Hi, Harry."

"Hi, Uncle Remus," he said, moving to lean against his father's desk. "Are you busy?"

Remus raised an eyebrow. "You know I'm never too busy for you. What can I do for you?"

Harry dragged a hand through his hair, making it stick up everywhere. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

Remus looked intrigued as he nodded. They headed upstairs to his office before taking the side staircase down to his suite. When the door closed behind them, Harry looked around anxiously.

"Is Tonks here?"

"No," Remus said, his golden eyes on his son. "We're staying in Wrexham tonight. I told her that I would be home to make dinner. Is everything all right?"

Harry nodded, taking a seat in the armchair. "It's just…"

Remus sat on the sofa across from his son and folded his hands in his lap. "What is it, Harry?"

"I need your help."

Remus continued to stare at him thoughtfully. "Of course. How can I help?"

Harry let out a slow breath. "Um… so you know how Ginny and I are back together?"

"Yes," Remus said slowly.

"Well, we're taking things slow, but the thing is I think… erm, she won't let me… touch her… like before."

Remus frowned. "Okay. Harry, you have to respect that choice and let her decide when she's ready for that."

"I know," Harry said, quickly. "I will. I get it and her mind is mixing things and it's making her think of the diary and… it's a lot, but it got me thinking about…" Harry let out a slow breath as he trailed off.

"About what?" Remus asked, leaning forward and touching Harry's knee.

"The Chamber of Secrets," Harry said. "Voldemort he… well, the memory of Riddle, he… he raped her."

Remus' eyes flashed in understanding. "Have you two talked about that?"

"Yes," Harry said. "And she's been great and we've been great. It just got me thinking that if we actually… I mean, when we… I mean, not now obviously, but maybe…" He dragged a hand through his hair again.

"You're thinking about having sex," Remus finished, his eyes on his son's nervous stance.

Harry nodded. "I mean, she's not ready for it. Right now she doesn't even want me to touch her like that. We're moving slowly and we talked about it and I don't want to be ready until she is, you know?"

"I do," Remus said slowly.

"The thing is," Harry continued. "Is that… I mean, rooming with other blokes you tend to notice… things. And I'm not trying to be a prat or anything but I'm a bit… bigger…" the last word came out in a whispered murmur.

Remus nodded, his cheeks flushing. "Ah."

"It's just after everything she's been through and the whole thing in the Chamber and… when it comes time for me to put it… Uncle Rem, between what the paper's been printing and what people have been saying and…"

"Harry, it can't be easy to have the papers print rumours about the size of your… well, that's a private thing and no one should get to know that except whom you choose. Did Ginny say something about it?"

Harry shrugged. "Not directly, I mean the papers have been… well, awful, but we're getting used to it. No, it's… it's not just that."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Harry rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "Uncle Remus… have you ever had an… erection over something that you shouldn't have? Something that should have disgusted you?"

Remus' whiskey eyes met his. "Harry, what happened?"

"I… I've been having these dreams about the night Hogwarts was attacked and… I keep pushing them down, ignoring them because I've been so focused on Ginny and getting her better and then… it's just sometimes, the dream comes back and… I've been journalling again like you told me to, but…"

"Harry, did something happen that night?" Remus asked, his eyes darkening. "Something you left out before?"

Harry shrugged. "It's just that Bellatrix… touched me."

"Touched you how?" Remus demanded.

Harry rubbed a hand over the back of his neck again. "She… grabbed me while she was threatening me. She made some comment about how I was definitely a man now and… groped me. She said that Voldemort liked to watch so maybe she would ride me in front of him."

"Harry," Remus said, softly. "Why didn't you say anything? That was months ago!"

He shrugged. "Because it didn't matter. Ginny mattered."

"It does matter," Remus said. "No one has the right to touch you without your consent. You know that. McGonagall just stressed that weeks ago and students have been complying. We both know that was directed at you more than anyone."

"I know," he said, blushing. "It… it's stupid and it wasn't as important as Ginny."

"It is not stupid," Remus said. "It wasn't okay, Harry."

Harry swallowed. "I kind of forgot about it… mostly, but sometimes I have nightmares about that night and being tied in the hall with the vines and losing Ginny all over again and… I feel sick, Uncle Rem."

"Over Bellatrix and losing Ginny?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. And because when Bellatrix grabbed me…"

"You got an erection," Remus finished in understanding.

"Uncle Remus, I love Ginny. She's my person, you know? I don't want anyone else and if she ever found out that Bellatrix Lestrange gave me a hard on she'd… after everything she's been through! After everything we've been through and that horrible, psychotic, murderer made me hard and what does that even mean? Does that mean that I'm going to be horrible like them? Does it mean that I'm going to like violence? Does it mean I'll hurt her when we…"

"When you have sex?" Remus said when he trailed off.

He nodded, grateful that Remus understood his thoughts. "What if I hurt her? After the Chamber of Secrets and what she's experienced and… is there something wrong with me?"

"Absolutely not," Remus said, his eyes kind. "There is not a single thing wrong with you. You are a young man. Seventeen years old. Sometimes you can't control the urges your own body has. It has nothing to do with Bellatrix Lestrange. I promise you."

Harry swallowed. "How do you know? She fucking killed Uncle Sirius and when she touched me, I…"

"Harry, do you remember the conversation that we had after Peter's trial? We had a long chat about the things that Peter went through."

"A little," he said, frowning. "What does that have to do with this?"

"You said something very important that day. You said that you didn't know that a man could be raped."

"I don't understand," Harry said, staring at his father in confusion.

Remus tapped his fingers on his knee. "You wanted to know why Peter, who was clearly being tortured, had an erection. Do you remember what I said?"

Harry's eyes widened, but he shook his head.

"I reminded you about our puberty talk," Remus said. "I reminded you that a man's penis can sometimes react without you realizing it. I told you that if someone, anyone is to fondle or touch or play with your testicles in any way, you will get an erection from it. It's almost impossible for you not too at your age as the touching causes the blood to rush into it. It doesn't mean that it's consensual. It doesn't mean that you want it to happen. Do you remember that?"

Harry nodded. "Yes."

"Rape is not about sex, Harry. It's about the control and the violence of the sexual act. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, if you don't want something to happen and someone forces it upon you, that is rape even if your body is reacting in a way it shouldn't. Just because you got an erection when Bellatrix touched you, does not mean that you wanted her too. It does not mean that you enjoyed it. It does not mean that you're a violent being and it does not mean that when you and Ginny have sex, you will hurt her."

Harry stared at his father, relief coursing through him.

"Harry, you should have said something sooner. I know that you were worried about Ginny, but your well being matters too, you know. I wish you would have come to me after the magazine articles and told me about the harassment. It's not okay and what Bellatrix did was not was not okay. You know that, right?"

He nodded. "I know. And I mostly forgot about it." At Remus' look, he sighed. "I mean, I pretended to forget about it, but having other people try to… it was just easier to pretend it didn't happen."

"Maybe it is," Remus said. "But that's not a healthy way for you to deal with it."

Harry swallowed. "It's just that sometimes it comes back in my dreams and sometimes I even wake up hard and…"

"That's normal, Harry. Do you think about Bellatrix when you wank?"

"What? No!" Harry exclaimed, his eyes wide in horror. "I would never even… NO!"

Remus stared. "Which means it happens involuntarily. Harry, I know that you're a man now, but you're still young. You're still growing and your body is going to continue to get erections at inappropriate times and sometimes not even in sexual situations. It happens, okay? There's nothing to be ashamed about. It still happens to me and I'm thirty-seven."

Harry grinned. "Really?"

"Yes," Remus admitted. "The other day I had one in a staff meeting. And trust me, nothing about Hagrid attracts me sexually, but there we are."

Harry laughed. "You're having me on!"

Remus shrugged. "As I said, they happen at inappropriate times."

Harry felt a little lighter hearing those words. He rubbed his palms over his knees.

"Was there something else that you wanted to talk about?"

Harry let out a slow breath. There was something, but he wasn't sure how to say it.

Remus only waited patiently in that special way he had. He didn't say anything, he just sat there and waited.

Harry let out another slow breath. "It's about my… cock size."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Harry, it may get bigger, you know? Most men still see a change in it until they reach eighteen or nineteen."

"No," Harry said quickly. "I mean, I know that, no, it's… if Ginny and I… no, when Ginny and I… I don't want to hurt her, Uncle Remus. What if the papers are right and I am too big and I hurt her? What if it doesn't fit?"

Remus chuckled. "It will fit, Harry, I promise you."

Harry still looked worried. "How do you know? I don't want to hurt her, Uncle Moony. I want her to like it. And well, Tonks has eluded more than once that you're on the erm… bigger side."

Remus's cheeks flushed again. "I am. It's never something I've particularly boasted about, but I am. It has given me problems over the years. Some women were intimidated by it and wouldn't let me shag them, preferring to use their hands. But you just have to be cautious and pay attention to her needs as much as your own."

Harry bit his lip. "How?"

Remus leaned forward in his seat. "Any penis can hurt a woman if you don't take the time to make her ready for you. It doesn't matter how big or how small, she has to be ready."

Harry nodded. "I know that. I can do that. I rather like doing that."

Remus smiled. "Good."

"But, how do I know it won't hurt her? How will I know what she wants?"

"She might not know what she wants when it comes time for you to… enter her," he said slowly, his cheeks flushing. "But the thing is, you must go slow. It will be hard, especially for your first time to do this, but it must be slow, Harry. Enter her slowly, inch by inch, let her guide you. If you just push it all in at once, it will hurt her."

Harry swallowed. "How slow exactly?"

Remus gave him a sympathetic smile. "You'll know. You and Ginny have an amazing connection, Harry. When it's the right time for both of you, you'll know what to do."

He nodded. "Okay…"

Remus cleared his throat. "I know it doesn't sound like much, but tuning into her body and her needs is what will make it pleasurable for the both of you. Being well endowed can sometimes be a curse as much as a privilege as I'm sure you've learned when it comes to finding trousers that fit well, but the rest is about the two of you. Okay?"

"Okay," he repeated. "Thanks, Uncle Rem."

"Happy to help," he said. "This is the kind of moment I wish your dad was around and Sirius. They would have been so much better at this."

Harry grinned. "My dad maybe, but you're the one with the right equipment to help me deal with this, not Uncle Siri."

Remus chuckled. "And I can just imagine his face if he heard you say that."

Harry grinned. "Yeah, me too."

Remus cleared his throat. "Now, the other thing to remember is the —"

"—Contraception charm," Harry finished. "I know."

"Good," Remus said. "The other option is the potion. Either you or Ginny can brew and drink it; it saves you from having to remember."

Harry's brow furrowed. "How come you never told me there was a potion before?"

Remus' lips curved. "Because the charm makes you think twice about what being safe means before you do the act. Knowing Molly, she's probably had Ginny on it for a while already, but I'll get the recipe for the potion to you later and you can brew it for yourself. It has to be drunk once a month to be effective and it is the most effective if you time it to correlate with Ginny's monthlies."

Harry blushed. "Oh."

Remus stood up and moved to the cabinet to pull out a bottle of Firewhisky, pouring them each a glass and passing it to Harry. "Don't tell McGonagall that I'm giving you whisky."

"You're bad influence, Deputy Headmaster."

Remus snorted as he clinked glasses with his son. "After that conversation, we both need a drink."

Harry couldn't argue with that. He took a sip of his whisky.

"Harry, tell Ginny, okay?"

Harry's eyes met Remus' over his whisky. "Tell her about… you think I should?"

"Yes," Remus said. "You'll feel better if you tell her."

He nodded. He knew that his father was right about that. He always felt better after he talked to Ginny. "I will."

Remus clinked his glass with his. "Good. And Harry, welcome to the club."

"What club?" Harry asked, his brow furrowing.

Remus smirked. "The Big Cock Club. Your father and I were founding members."

Harry snorted. "Liar."

"No, really," Remus said. "We did it just to piss off Sirius. Told him he wasn't big enough to join. It really riled him up."

Harry grinned. "Of course it did. That's evil, Uncle Moony."

Remus chuckled. "We had our moments."

"So, what does that mean? Welcome to the club?"

Remus held his glass up. "It means, this is our first meeting. Now, let us never speak of it again."

"Hear, hear," Harry said, his cheeks flaming red as he and Remus both drank their whisky.

No matter how mortifying that had been, he felt much better having spoken to his father about it.

~ ASC ~

Harry read over the instructions for the potion four times, determined to get every ingredient right. He was brewing it in the tower room during his study break as according to Remus, it only took two hours to brew. He stirred it counter clockwise as instructed before he added the little bit of himself that he was supposed to. This was the bit he was a little embarrassed about. He'd gone up to his dorm after lunch to wank and saved a little of his release for the potion. Apparently it helped the potion be stronger.

"But like anything Harry, nothing is foolproof outside of abstinence," Remus warned. "The potion is effective, but like the charm, not perfect, and there's always a small chance of something still getting through."

He nodded, taking in Remus' words. He understood that, but he was going to make sure that the potion was ready anyway. He wanted to be ready for when Ginny was. He wasn't sure why he suddenly felt the need to be ready, he didn't know if Ginny was even close to wanting to go all the way, especially considering he still hadn't been able to pleasure her the way he wanted to since they'd gotten back together.

Harry added the last ingredient as the potion simmered. Ten more minutes and he'd be able to drink it. He looked up when the door opened and smiled at the sight of his beautiful girlfriend.

"Hey, I thought that you were going to have a nap?"

"I was," she said. "But Romy and KJ are in the dorm and I just couldn't settle so I figured I'd try this sofa instead." She rubbed a hand under her belly button. "Do you mind if I curl up in a ball and just die quietly?"

"No to the first part, yes to the second," he said, moving across the room to wrap her in his arms. "What can I do to help?"

"Nothing," she admitted. "I'm just feeling icky." She wrinkled her nose and sniffed the air. "What are you brewing?"

"A potion."

Ginny rolled her eyes as she came to examine the cauldron. "Wow, a potion! How insightful!"

"It's er… actually it's a contraception potion."

Ginny's eyes widened. "What?"

"I had a long talk with Uncle Remus the other day and he suggested it. I know you're not ready, Ginny. I know that and I'm not pressuring you to be ready. I just wanted us to be safe for when we are."

Her gaze softened. "So, you're brewing me the potion?"

"Well, its for me actually. Uncle Rem said that it works best if I time it with the first day of your monthlies and since you started this morning…"

"For you?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

Ginny shook her head before she moved to kiss him. "You're the most thoughtful man in the whole world."

Harry grinned sheepishly. "While I'm not sure what I did for that, but I will take the compliment."

"Usually wizards always leave it up to the witches to drink contraception potions."

Harry frowned. "Well, that's just stupid. It seems that when we decide to take that step it's both of us, is it not?"

Ginny smiled brightly at him and nodded.

The potion began to swirl in an array of colours telling Harry that it was done so he carefully scooped up vials of it. Remus had told him that he could brew one batch every six months and he planned to do just that. He poured the last of the potion into the last vial before waving his wand to clean the messy cauldron and putting away the ingredients. Then he'd popped the stopper on one of the vials and downed the potion. It went down like thick honey, even tasting sweet.

When he finished, Ginny kissed him, surprising him. He kissed her back, long and slow before snuggling on the big sofa with her.

"I love you, Harry."

"I love you, too," he said, kissing her temple. "I wanted to talk to you about next weekend."

She nodded and then winced. He placed a warming charm on her stomach and she gave him a grateful look before stretching out across the sofa, her head in his lap. Harry gently ran his fingers through her hair, pulling the throw down to cover her legs.

"I told you, we don't have to do anything for our anniversary."

"I know," he said. "But it was last week and I feel like I missed something important."

"You didn't," she told him. "I don't even know if it really qualifies as two years since we were apart for some of it," she said.

"I know, but I still want to take you to dinner in Hogsmeade next weekend."

"Okay, but no gifts." At his look, she pinched his hip. "No gifts."

"All right, no gifts," he said, bending to kiss her.

It was only a moment before she fell asleep, legs curled under her and he listened to her quiet breathing with a soft smile on his face. He would abide by her insistence on the no gifts part, he would just get her an extra Christmas present. She couldn't argue with him about that.

He summoned his Transfiguration textbook over and carefully opened it as Ginny slept. He unfortunately had some reading to do.

~ ASC ~

Voldemort felt like he was a god.

It was the only way he could explain the power surge that he'd gained from Dumbledore. To think that the old man had claimed such power and never used it to the potential he could have, had been a complete waste of a life. And the wand… Voldemort had never held a wand that seemed as powerful as this one. It seemed to know what he wanted before he instructed it. It felt like it was part of his arm in a way that his own wand never had. It amazed him.

He didn't know what it was about it that made it seem so incredible, but he knew that with this wand at his fingertips, he could do amazing things. He could perform magic unlike any other wizard and he knew that this would be the wand to finally kill Harry Potter.

The Chosen One, he almost spat. The papers had lapped at his name, printing something about the young man almost daily. The claims that he didn't care, that his girlfriend was more important than stopping Voldemort, the gossip rags that made him out to be a young prince in society made Voldemort sneer. Potter was nothing more than the biggest bane of his existence and the world would be a better place with him buried in an unmarked grave.

He didn't understand why the bloody man couldn't just die. The child had become a man and Voldemort's hatred was only fuelled by the fact that the press adored him. He was starting to wonder if Dumbledore had taught him more than a few tricks and he spent hours combing through the magic, trying to see if he could learn things from it that he didn't know. Other than the pulsing energy and the feel of unlimited power, he learned nothing else.

Every time something new was published about Potter, Voldemort crumpled the paper up into a ball and set it on fire. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as wishing it was Potter himself who he could watch burn, but the man's constant eyes staring at him in print was enough to make him furious. What did Potter have that he didn't? Why did people think this seventeen-year-old-man was going to be his downfall? It was preposterous!

Instead, he focused on his plan. He took advice from his inner council and he left the dirty work to his Death Eaters. The new powers gave him more energy than he'd felt in years and he found himself bending Crouch over two to three times a week just to get some relief. Now he sat in the throne chair, a hand on Crouch's head as the wizard sucked him off. He was only semi-hard, but Crouch didn't seem to mind, and only took his time with a little too much enthusiasm.

Voldemort looked up when the door opened and he gestured for Belladonna, Bellatrix, and Bellarosa to come forward.

"Ah, my three Bellas, what news do you have for me?"

"The magiarchitect has finished the final design," Belladonna said. "He would like your approval before we get into more construction."

Bellatrix licked her lips, her eyes on where Crouch was playing with Voldemort's cock. "May I, my Lord?"

Voldemort's red eyes met her gaze and he merely waved his hand in a 'if you must' gesture and she knelt down before him. Crouch's mouth moved to give her room and soon the sounds of sucking filled the room once more as they both vied for his attentions.

"What else? Bellarosa?" Voldemort snapped, waiting for news.

"There are rumours, my Lord," Bellarosa said. "Rumours that the MIA are moving in on our plans and rumours that Order members know where the missing children are."

Voldemort's long fingers tapped the arms of his chair. "Order members? Who?"

"We don't know, my Lord," Bellarosa said quickly. "But the babies have been registered with the Ministry which tells us that they are alive and the mothers must be with them."

He pursed his lips, ignoring Bellatrix who was staring at him in adoration as she sucked him. "We don't need them around as they are hardly going to be helpful with anything, but I won't have them thinking that they can leave without my permission."

"Another thing, my Lord," Bellarosa said. "The children who were born… some of their names appeared after you believed the mothers to be dead."

Voldemort's red eyes flashed. "Who?"

"Marion Lofthouse Belby for starters."

"Her brother?"

"Believed to be dead, my Lord."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "As was Marion."

He stood up abruptly, pushing Crouch and Bellatrix away and closing his robes.

"They've concealed the Mark?" he exclaimed.

Belladonna reached for his hand as he stepped down from the step where his throne chair sat. "How, my Lord? It's impossible to conceal something as powerful as the gift you bestowed upon us?"

"Ah, Belladonna, magic can be a fickle thing. I want a list of every witch and wizard who's Mark has gone dormant," Voldemort demanded. "Then we will find their bodies and string them up for the others to see proof of their death."

"What if they don't have bodies, my Lord?" Bellarosa asked.

Voldemort's red gaze stared through her. "Then they, like your son, will be tortured and killed for sport. Is your son alive and well somewhere, Bellarosa?"

"No, my Lord," Bellarosa said quickly.

Voldemort pursed his lips. "No one makes a fool out of me. Find them! Go!"

Bellarosa and Belladonna hurried off, but Bellatrix slid her hand under his robe, stroking him.

"Would you like me to stay, my Lord?"

Crouch pouted. "Dearie, I will be more than enough to finish this task. Go on, now."

Voldemort's wand shot both of them back, slamming against the wall at the other side of the room. "You both have tasks to do. Go, both of you!"

They nodded, hurrying to their feet and out the door. Voldemort moved back to his seat, closing his robes more securely. How had they concealed his Dark Mark? How had they tricked him? Nothing should have been able to penetrate that tattoo, it was part of him, a gift that he had shared with his followers. And yet… when he reached out to them, nothing was there. He had been convinced they had died.

Nagini slithered over the back of his chair, down over his shoulder and he absently pat her on the head.

"They think they've tricked me, Nagini, but no… when I find the one responsible for this treachery, I will string them up by their thumbs and let Bart skin them inch by inch. If you're a good girl, I'll let you have the scraps."

Nagini hissed in agreement. If everything went according to plan, come the new year there would be a new wizard leading Britain, and he had every intention of making sure everything was in place for when that happened.

---

End Author's Notes:

Thanks to Sam for helping me idea bounce. Thanks to Velvet for letting me use her contraception potion idea of the male adding some sperm to it (In Essence: Undivided). I just loved the idea of the man taking the potion.

Thanks for reading and please review.