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.

311. The One Where Kreacher Prepares the Clea

Author's Note:

Well, here's my last post of 2021. Next chapter will be up next week and back to my regularly scheduled posting of every weekend which means no chapter this weekend as we usher in 2022, but next weekend. Hope everyone who celebrates had a nice holiday. Hope you enjoy this chapter. And please review!

Reviews and Comments: To Sam: Ginny wasn't completely sloshed lol. Technically they didn't disobey Zee's rules as she just said they were to stay virgins lol… Hannah's mother is terrible, thank you for your help writing her. Yup, Kane just realized he's competing with a prince. A lot to take in. To notthatchhavi: Of course Harry is going to do his curled tongue thingy, how can he resist Ginny in his bed? Hannah will definitely be much happier without her mother, but it was still hard for her to do. Sirius is definitely naked and James almost. Zee is loving this find and she is definitely going to defend Sirius! Theo is dense lol. To jennyalexa.1995alex: Thank you! So glad you're enjoying it. We'll find out more about Snape soon. To alix33: Thank you! Yes, Hannah may have walked away, but it is going to be a rough go for her. It's not something you get over. Thank you! I really loved that Theobas scene myself! To Dianne: Thank you! Theo was definitely looking forward to seeing Sebastian, not that he would admit it to himself of course. Kane is very intelligent and I think he knew Theo needed to talk about Finn just as much as he wanted to know more about him. Competing with a fairy prince is a bit daunting. Yes, happy holidays… for now! To scrappy8: Thank you! And yes, way to go Hannah!

To sunlitdxys: I am honoured your prioritize reading ASC over sleep. Harry knows what he wants but I think telling Zee is the first time he really admitted the words out loud. Hannah definitely deserves better and Caroline doesn't realize that she's doing anything wrong. Yup, those conceited boys. They certainly didn't mind and here's Harry, all embarrassed about it lol. Ah, confusing Theo. It would be much too easy of Kane just came clean lol. To Wolf's scream: It took a lot but Hannah has realized she has a spine and we're so proud of her for finally standing up to herself. Molly definitely knew about it. Kane can easily play both sides in interrogations. To akshutalankar: Thank you! I don't think Lily would have hexed James and Sirius for the modelling, but I do think she would have eye rolled and made a snarky comment every time someone asked for an autograph.

To Bluerain22: Thank you! I did enjoy giving a hot beginning. Neville is so good to Hannah. Theo and Bas… slow but sure. To darkhk: Thank you! To puttyman24: Thank you! I love when I can make people laugh. It was very hard for Hannah to do but unfortunately I think she needed to get hurt to truly see her mother for the horrible person she is. To Nightwing2013: Thank you! You did call the Hannah fall out, it's true. How dare Caroline for almost everything that came out of her mouth really. You will find out why Sebastian hasn't asked out Theo soon enough. To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Harry and Ginny are getting closer together and growing more and more comfortable with each other. Caroline doesn't deserve Hannah at all and she is very toxic. Glad you found the magazine covers so entertaining lol. To Mackie919: Thank you! I did promise some Hinny smut. Harry is definitely embarrassed where as James and Sirius weren't, but Harry is more shy than they were. You will not have to wait 20 more chapters for Theo and Auror Arsehole to get together just 19.5 — Kidding, it's soon. Thank you!

To ellyann13: Harry is still a virgin, yes. Augusta would definitely enjoy taking Caroline down, but I think Hannah needed to do it herself. The waitress definitely thinks they are having dates, but Theo is oblivious. Kane is not a virgin. All will be explained. To Sloopyqueen4: Thank you! I have missed your reviews. I'm happy to keep you laughing while still finding the chapters both hot and sad. Yes, it will still be a while before ASC ends, never fear. To shivani: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my smut. Of course being sexy runs in the Potter family. Caroline should definitely make everyone angry. Kane is sooo easy to fantasize about. To Derpdude32: Thank you. Glad you're enjoying the story. To GodMisha: We'll see about catching up my Christmas chapters. Wow, thanks for reading for the 4th time. I am slowly taking the time to go in and add the titles to the chapters, but it's time-consuming. Love that I keep you laughing and sorry about your annoying exams but glad to hear you did so well!

To ManVsWild: I don't consider them small, I consider them average. I think my head canon is basically that purebloods and half-bloods are usually bigger than those who are Muggleborns. Seamus is on the smaller side, but he's still average, everyone else is just bigger than average. Thanks! To Slaidback: Thank you! Yes, the Hinny scenes are getting hotter. To MinervaMcGee: Thank you! Harry is going to need a break to recover from his break. I love James and Sirius being photographed as well, it just fits them. To JUST ME HERE: Thank you! I like to try to keep thing interesting and yes, we will learn about the Snape situation soon. To ValGrey02: It will be soon for Theo and Sebastian. I love having Tonks refer to him as her work husband. She considers him a good friend. We will see the calendar come up twice more. To tim2604: Ginny is a very lucky girl and Harry loves her. Tonks is starting to feel a bit better, though of course she is still sad. You think Sebastian will be the one to make a move over Theo? Hmm, we'll see.

To Guest: Thank you! I hope you had a good Christmas as well. To Srishti: Thank you to you in India. To saismritbalajiclass5: Thank you! I don't think he will be proposing soon, but they are heading that way. To ninaz08: Nah, no confrontation for Kane. They definitely trust Theo, but if things start to get serious with Sebastian, well, that's another story. Tonks is definitely going to show the calendar to her work husband aka give it to him for Christmas LOL. To WinkingSkeever: Thank you. To yunkol76: Thank you and oh god, REREADING my first ever fanfic? Why would you torture yourself like that? LOL. But thank you. To katelyn453: Thank you! I don't think its a strong tolerance so much as sloshed being different from blackout drunk. Sloshed and buzzed is that nice sloppy feeling where you are well aware that you are drunk, but not so drunk that you aren't aware of your surroundings. Thank you! I thought we deserved some much needed Hinny smut. I'm sure Hinny will find some alone time together. Bill is definitely a big brother to those who need him, even Theo. Thank you!

To shuweet: Thank you! It was nice to see Hannah finally stand up to her mum and yes, Theo with Sebastian. Aww, saying it's perfection, thank you! To neumann: Thank you! Hannah definitely deserves a standing ovation. To AnaGPotter: Thank you and you're welcome for the Christmas gift. Glad you enjoyed the hot smut, the entertaining magazines, and of course Theobas. Hannah is lucky she has Neville. To briana_t: Thank you! They are very in love and I love their wakeup scenes. Ha, my beta wouldn't approve of me double or triple posting and to be honest, neither would I. I'm not as ahead in my writing as I wish I was. To AQuickRead91: Aww, sorry to make you cry in public, but A Thousand Years is a great song. Sorry, Theobas will not happen before 2022, but soon. And nope, no weird family traditions outside of anxiety over dealing with my dad. Had a good holiday and hope others had the same. To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you! Yes, we were just saying this on tumblr, how Harry is more attractive than James simply because of his less ego and cockiness. Grief is hard and I think Theo needed that more than he realized. Yup, Theo was talking about his friends in the present tense, so thanks for saying that was a nice touch. Had to show that Sebastian was suspicious a little. Thank you.

To Fanfis01: Yes, Hannah is finally standing up for herself Thank you! To AmericanDesi: Yup, tabloids are always rubbish really. Theo will, don't you worry. Thank you. To Joyce Foesenek: Thank you. Theo has no idea at all that Sebastian is interested in him. Neville will definitely be there to comfort her. To Kane: First off, love the name! Second, thank you for saying you're enjoying the story so much. Not sure why you commented on 310 if you're only on 21, but I hope you continue to enjoy it. As to the geography — magic. To BadWolfKris: Thank you! And yes, of course Sirius posed, did we expect anything else? Theo definitely deserves a good man and lasting happiness and yes, Sebastian showed a softer side of himself.

To : Thank you very much! I thought it was important to show Theo's internal thoughts about Sebastian and see his confusion about it. He will definitely realize how obvious it was, but not yet. Thank you! I really like showing glimpses of Lily and James and showing what they went through in the war and before the war, showing how Harry is like both of his parents and not just like his father. Thank you very much for saying these updates are the highlight of your week! To Hellpony: Thank you! Have a happy holiday yourself! To Skidattles: I have seen them, but I only comment on reviews for the previous chapter before I post as they are the most recent. Thank you so much! I'm honoured that you think I have "an amazing skill at bringing the characters (canon and original) to life and the detail in world building, in story arcs, in character development is just phenomenal." I love replying to reviewers because I am so honoured people take the time to review my work. I have surpassed JKR's word count, but I never intended to that's for sure lol. I love that you have screenshots from some of your favourite parts — that's amazing! I would absolutely love to know what those are! Thank you so much for such an incredible review! Happy Holidays to you as well! To CorbanD17: 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 ELEVEN:

The One Where Kreacher Prepares the Cleaver

Hannah felt completely drained. She didn't know how long she sat there cradled in Neville's arms sobbing, but when she finally felt like she could catch her breath, her whole body hurt. Her eyes were puffy from crying and her nose drippy, her chest hurt from the sobs and she felt like she could sleep for a week. Neville didn't say anything. She wanted to apologize for soaking his shirt with tears and snot, but it seemed like too much energy to talk.

Neville only kissed her forehead and then guided her out of the living room and upstairs to the beautiful guest room that she had stayed in before. He urged her into the bed before he crawled in beside her and opened his arms. When his warm, strong arms were around her again, her face pressed against his chest, she felt a little better. She didn't even remember falling asleep.

The winter sun in her eyes woke her the next morning and she blinked, rolling away from the light. She was burrowed under the warm blankets, she noted, still in the same clothing she'd worn the night before. Her eyes were still a bit puffy and a bit sore from her crying jag. Neville was nowhere to be seen. Hannah rubbed her hands over her face just as the door opened. Her eyes widened at the sight of her boyfriend standing there with a breakfast tray.

"Oh, good, you're awake," he said, closing the door behind him. He carefully presented the breakfast tray over her bed. "I thought you might be hungry."

Hannah bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

Neville moved to sit next to her. "I can't imagine how hard that was for you to do, Hannah, but you did it. I'm so proud of you."

She swallowed, her eyes downcast. "I just walked out."

"It was what you needed to do," Neville told her. "I'd like to tell you that she'll come around and realize her error and change her ways, but I don't want to lie to you."

Hannah nodded. "She told me something horrible, Neville."

Neville reached for her hand.

"She tricked my father into marrying her! She got pregnant on purpose when he was engaged to another woman. Then when he tried to back out of marrying her, she said she used a love potion until they were married. What kind of person does that?"

Neville kissed her temple. "I'm sure your father loved you, Hannah. No matter what the circumstances of your birth were."

"Nana told me he did and she was his mother so… I can't believe she did that, Neville!"

"I'm so sorry that she told you that."

Hannah shook her head and let out a slow breath. She didn't want to think about it. "This looks lovely."

Neville smiled. "I thought you might be hungry. It's nothing fancy, just some toast and jam. I'm not very skilled in the kitchen and I didn't want to bother the house elf."

"Thank you," Hannah said.

Neville watched her for a moment. "I was hoping to do some decorating today, but if you're not up to it, we can do something else. Whatever you want. We can stay holed up in here eating ice cream or go for a walk or sleep all day. Whatever you need."

Hannah reached for his hand. "No. Decorating sounds lovely. I don't want to sit here and… I want to keep busy."

He nodded. "All right. I'm going to head outside and water my plants in the greenhouse and then I'll meet you downstairs."

"Oh, Neville! What your grandmother must think of me!" Hannah said, her eyes widening as she suddenly remembered how she had arrived last night.

"Gran thinks nothing, Hannah. She was happy to see you come back."

Hannah nodded when he pecked her lips.

"Come down when you're ready."

Hannah watched him head out, feeling a bit apprehensive to go down and face his family after her meltdown the evening before. But when she looked around the lovely room, a sense of calm washed over her. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt an odd sense of peace and security. This was where she was supposed to be.

She wondered how Neville would feel about spending the day in the kitchen baking. She suddenly desperately wanted to get to work and baking Christmas biscuits sounded like the best way to start.

~ ASC ~

Spending the last two days with Ginny was wonderful. Harry took her to Clevedon Court on the second day as planned along with the rest of the household who were interested in checking out all of the new changes. Dobby greeted them enthusiastically and beamed at the sight of having a house full of guests, even if for only the afternoon. Colt, Flo, Sorcha, Misha, Zee, Mina, and Leo had all joined in for the tour as Harry took them from room to room. He led them through the front gate, adding them to his home's list of visitors for the future and up to the large stone mansion.

Colt whistled. "Well, well. This is a step up, boyo. This is gonna be a real nice home for ya in the future."

Harry couldn't help but agree with that sentiment, smiling up at the modest stone manor and feeling a sense of pride that this place would one day be his home. He held Ginny's hand in his as they headed up the front stoop and were greeted by Dobby opening the front door as they stepped into the large front entrance hall with its shining hardwood floors and detailed Gothic architecture on the walls.

Harry led them through the arched doorway on the left and into the great hall. "This is the entertainment room, I guess," Harry said. "Uncle Sirius said my grandparents used to hold big events here like balls or functions for the Ministry. And these are my grandparents' portraits. Nan, Pop, I brought some guests for you."

Fleamont blinked around at the large influx of people. "Well, isn't this a lovely sight. And you would be?"

Harry did quick introductions as Fleamont and Euphemia smiled warmly.

"We're so pleased to meet you," Euphemia exclaimed. "So happy to see that our grandson has such loving people in his life."

"Well, ain't that the damnedest thing," Colt said. "Must say, that's the first time I've ever seen a portrait talk."

Fleamont chuckled. "Stay with us and we'll show you all sorts of things you haven't seen before."

They chatted for a few minutes before Harry urged them to continue with the tour of the house.

"Just past here is the family room or living room," Harry said after they said goodbye to Monty and Fee.

Sorcha looked up at the large rectangular stained glass window. "It's beautiful. It looks very comfortable and welcoming."

Harry smiled. He always felt like that when he came here, that it didn't seem too big but comfortable and homey. He was glad to see that his family agreed.

"Through here is the library," Harry said, his fingers still twined with Ginny's as he led the way. "The elves have been helping to make sure everything is kept nice. We've had people here to refinish the floors and fix up the paint. Zee and Ginny both gave me some advice on redecorating a bit. I changed some of the paint colours."

"It looks great," Ginny told him. "I'm glad you went with the blue in here."

"Me too," he agreed.

The more he looked around at the changes, the more he pleased he was. The house really did look more inviting and more like the place he wanted to spend his life in. Having Ginny here with him, made it seem even more so. She was his future and just thinking about it kept him unable to wipe off the happy smirk from his lips.

"This was my grandfather's study through here," Harry said, showing them the study off of the library and showing the secret staircase that led them up to the top of the tower where Monty had kept his potions room.

They went back out through the library and back to the front hall so that Harry could lead them to the dining room and the half bathroom at the back of the house for visitors. The kitchen was just on the other side of the dining room with its own small table for family dinners. Harry was most pleased with the kitchen renovations. He explained how there had been a small parlour or second living room between the dining room and the kitchen that Harry felt was kind of a waste of space so they had knocked out the wall and made it part of the kitchen. Now that the kitchen was finally full renovated, Harry had to admit to himself, it was a sight to behold.

Arched stone doorways, oak cabinets and cupboards, a large island in the centre for cooking and lots of room to move around and work. It was the perfect kitchen for anyone who loved to cook.

"Oh, Harry!" Flo exclaimed, immediately rushing around the kitchen. "Now, this is a place that we can make magic in!"

"Zee helped me design it," Harry admitted. "It was really old and Rosa said that it hadn't been updated since the early 1800s."

Ginny leaned back against the island, her eyes wide as she looked around. "It's gorgeous in here and so perfect for cooking. Everything you could ever need from space to easy movement is here."

"I agree," Harry said. "I was thinking, since it's all done. Maybe we can do our Christmas dinner here this year. We would have more room here than at Black Cottage and well, with Ted and Andy…"

Zee beamed. "Harry, that sounds wonderful! I think that we could definitely use the change in scenery and it will be wonderful for Remus and Tonks to come here as well."

"Dobby can get a tree!" Dobby exclaimed, his grin very toothy.

Harry couldn't stop the happiness from soaring at the thought of spending his first real Christmas here in Clevedon Court with his family. Ginny squeezed his hand and he smiled at her before leading everyone through the stoned archway at the back of the kitchen where a narrow staircase was leading below the house to a large wine cellar.

Colt whistled. "Now this is what I call a priority! I always wanted a wine cellar but Flo would never let me have more than my little hole in the basement."

"We don't drink enough wine to warrant a cellar, Colt," Flo said in exasperation as if she'd had this argument more times than she could count.

"Who cares? It's classy," he insisted.

Harry chuckled as they went back up through the kitchen and into the front entrance to go up the large staircase. He explained how the upstairs was mostly just bedrooms and told them the second floor had three large bedrooms each with their own private bath. Then there was the master bedroom suite and the renovated master bathroom. He told them how the third floor had been added to randomly over the years and was a bit of a mess. The east side of the third floor had two smaller bedrooms and one bathroom while the rest of the east side was mostly abandoned and used for storage. Each side had its own separate staircase from the second floor. There was another staircase on the third floor that narrowed into the other tower where Euphemia had built a small indoor greenhouse.

Instead of going up to look, Harry led them outside into the back garden and explained how he had turned the old guest house into the stables. Harry was delighted to see Ebony and Cloud Dancing inside their new paddocks.

"Harry, this stable looks wonderful," Colt said, immediately moving to greet the horses. "Want to ride?"

"I do," Ginny said, her eyes on Ebony. "If she'll still have me, that is. It's been over a year after all."

Ebony immediately nuzzled her face into Ginny's shoulder and Ginny giggled.

"Hi, girl. Do you remember me?"

Ebony neighed and Ginny beamed.

Colt climbed onto Cloud Dancing, taking Mina and Leo from Zee. Mina and Leo both looked panicked once astride the horse, but when Colt urged Cloud Dancing to move, Mina squealed in glee and Leo cried.

"Now, now, there ain't no crying atop of a horse, Leo," Colt said. "It will be all right, Grandpa's got ya."

Mina's small hand grabbed Leo's arm as if she was trying to comfort him and he seemed to calm down a bit as they headed out of the stables.

Harry watched them trot off on the horses as he led Zee, Flo, Sorcha, and Misha after them. He showed them the small tower full of gardening supplies, the second full of old brooms and Quidditch balls. He pointed to the little tower were Rosa and Darby lived and the second tower Harry had built for Dobby to make his own little home. He smiled at the mismatched curtains and brightly coloured baubles hanging in the window. It definitely looked like Dobby.

"And this is my favourite part," Harry said, pointing to the mini Quidditch pitch.

"Naturally," Misha said with a chuckle.

By the time they made it back, the horses were back in the warmth of the stables, Harry couldn't help but feel happy. Being here with his family and with Ginny only reminded him of how much he already considered this place to be a home. He wanted to make it a real home one day. With her.

When her eyes met his, he knew that she understood his thoughts perfectly. She followed him into the library when he gestured her to and wrapped her arms around him.

"I love it here," she said.

"Yeah?" he asked, his eyes on hers.

"Yes," she told him. "I love the stone walls of the house and that the floors are uneven. I like the memories it contains and the big family room and the big kitchen… Harry, it feels like a home."

"Our home?" he asked.

Ginny stood on her toes to kiss him. "Not yet, but it will be."

Harry brought his mouth back to hers and thought that he could create the world's strongest Patronus in his life right now.

~ ASC ~

Greg looked up at the movement near his cell. He'd been sitting in the Ministry holding cells under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for almost a week now. They questioned him every day, drilling him on every last thing that he could possibly remember and he really didn't know what else he could tell them.

When he was left alone to sit here, all he did was replay everything that had happened over the last year from the choices he'd made to the ones he'd tried not to make. Protecting Pansy had been the most important thing on his list, especially when he'd learned that their wedding wasn't going to be as simple as he'd thought it was.

He still remembered how horrified he'd been when Rabastan Lestrange had told him that they were going to force their brides to drink a mix of a fertility and lust potion so that they would be able to rape them without protest. He'd barely made it out of the room before he'd vomited in the hall. He had never had sex with anyone before. He was a virgin. He'd snogged exactly twice ever. His first kiss had been with Tracey Davis on a dare in fourth year. They'd snogged for the allotted five minutes required and he'd thought it had been nice. The second kiss had happened with Pansy towards the end of fourth year.

They'd both been a bit tipsy after a party Blaise had thrown in Slytherin for some reason he couldn't even remember. Blaise had always been throwing parties for random things like (it's Wednesday! Or Gryffindor Lost Points! Or It Didn't Rain!) All he remembered was Pansy tripping over his foot and landing in his lap. He'd been startled and grabbed her by reflex.

"Thanks, Goyle," she said. "Always so strong."

She'd attempted to stand, but had been rather shaky. Greg had immediately stood up to help her. Daphne had come over to give her some sobering potion and she'd thanked her friend before downing it in one go. Then she'd turned, thrown her arms around Greg's neck, and kissed him right on the mouth.

He'd been too stunned to move.

"Thank you," she said, patting his cheek.

Greg had only stared after her in shock. It hadn't taken him much longer to realize he fancied her. The real kiss had happened the next year. Blaise had thrown an end of the year party in the common room and Greg had found himself trying to escape the noise. He'd headed out to roam the dungeons to find some peace and quiet and found Pansy yelling at some seventh year who apparently had copped a feel. The wizard said something about her asking for it and Greg had stood between them without thinking.

"What did you just say to her?"

The seventh year stepped back. "Nothing. She's not worth it."

Greg's hands fisted at his sides. "Worthy of you, you're right. She's not. Get out of here."

The wizard had sulked off and Greg turned to her.

"Are you all right? Did he hurt you?"

Pansy stared. "Why did you do that?"

Greg shrugged.

Pansy stood on her toes and kissed him. "Thank you."

He hadn't been able to help himself.

The moment her lips had touched his, he'd wanted them again. He cupped the back of her neck and brought her mouth back to his. When she didn't protest, he'd deepened the kiss. Soon, she was pressed up against the wall, his hands on her hips as they snogged like mad. When her hand had slid into his trousers and gripped him, he'd been pretty sure he was going to combust on the spot. He'd barely finished coming all over her hand before she moved his hand over her breasts.

Greg had felt like the luckiest bloke in the world as he fondled her while she kissed him like mad. Greg wasn't sure how long they had stood there snogging, but the sound of Daphne calling her friend's name had torn them apart.

Pansy's lips were swollen as she looked at him, her eyes wide. She patted his cheek. "You're sweet."

Greg had watched her walk away, his cheeks heating as he realized the mess he'd made in his trousers. He'd shoved his robes closed and attempted to sneak off to his dorm without being noticed to clean up. He had never been brave enough to ask her what she meant by that. Pansy basically pretended like it hadn't happened and Greg didn't bother to correct her. After all, she was popular and gorgeous and he was… invisible. When his father had told him that he had to marry and that Crabbe's father was in talk with Parkinson's father over him marrying Pansy, Greg had seen red and demanded that he be the one to have her.

The moment he'd told her the news, her eyes had widened to saucers.

"Are you kidding me?"

"No," he said. "You have to choose someone. Would I be so bad? You said that I was sweet."

"When did I say…" she scoffed. "It was one snog last year! It doesn't mean that we're meant to be together."

"I didn't…" Greg sighed. "It was more than one snog."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "I'd been drinking and you were hard. A hand job doesn't mean anything!"

Greg bit his lip. "I just think that it would be best if we chose each other. At least we… I won't hurt you."

Pansy scowled. "Vince won't hurt me either even though he's a fucking ponce."

"Marry me. Please."

Pansy stared at him and when she spoke again, her voice came out higher and shriller then before. "Greg! You can't mean it!"

"Would it be so bad, Pansy?" Goyle asked tentatively as Draco came into the room. "We've snogged before anyway and well... it's down to me or Vince, and we both know that I'm the better choice."

Draco raised his eyebrow as he looked between them. "Do I want to know what's going on?"

"My father has ordered me to marry either Goyle or Crabbe over the holiday to, I quote, 'to help make pureblood babies.' Can you believe that?"

"If it comes down to me or Vince," Goyle said again. "At least my family has wealth."

"Are you seventeen, then?" Draco asked.

Pansy shook her head. "Not until February. I don't even know what to say!"

"Choose Goyle over Crabbe," Draco told her. "Trust me, Greg's right, he's the better choice. But what's with this pureblood baby thing?"

"The old families are starting to worry about the pureblood names dying out," Goyle told him. "The Dark Lord wants us to start reproducing. Pansy's father has already remarried."

"To a woman he doesn't even know! No, let me rephrase that — to a child!"

"She's twenty," Goyle said. "And they married on Saturday. Lord Parkinson is hoping that Beatrice Macnair, the new Lady Parkinson, will give him a son."

Draco stared at Goyle in amazement. "He married again?"

"It's not just him and us," Pansy exclaimed. "Millie's engaged. Millie, if you can believe it! And so is Ophelia."

Draco's head shot up at the name of his ex girlfriend. "To whom?"

Pansy shrugged. "She doesn't know yet. Her mother wrote to her this morning saying that she was claiming her marriage rights. If the Dark Lord has his way, we'll all be up the duff soon enough."

"Well, it's not like you care about your NEWTs," Draco said slowly. "You just want to open that ladies store."

"Yes, and if I don't do what Daddy says, he'll never give me my inheritance to do so!"

"If you marry me, I'll let you open as many stores as you want," Goyle declared. "You'll have full access to the Goyle vaults."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Piss off, Greg! Your family's fortune is hardly anything to brag about. You just want me to play with your cock."

"Well, yeah," he said honestly. "But also, I need to help the Goyle name move back to the top and with my dad being killed… Pansy, I'm the only Goyle left. Come on, Pans, we'd be a good match."

"Vince farts, a lot," Draco added. "Greg may be dumber than a post, but at least he practices good personal hygiene and he's richer than Crabbe."

"Piss off, Draco," Goyle growled.

Pansy sighed. "Draco, you and I —"

"Don't bother finishing that sentence, Pansy. We kissed once and it will never happen again."

"You think you're too good for me!"

"No, I know I'm too good for you, there's a vast difference!"

"And who are you going to marry then? Daphne?"

Goyle snorted. "The Dark Lord won't let Abraxas set up a marriage for Draco. He has other plans for him."

Pansy stared at both of them for a minute before she turned and stormed out of the dormitory.

But she'd come back a little while later and told him yes. He'd felt like the luckiest bloke in the world. When she told him that she was still a virgin, he'd admitted the same and she'd only nodded.

"Okay then. Let's do this."

But choosing to do it had been more than he'd expected. The last thing he wanted to do was rape her. He wanted to show her that he cared, that he wasn't a bad man. He'd sent her a letter, asking her to meet him the night before the wedding and told her he had a feeling that they were going to be watched to make sure their marriage was properly consummated. Rabastan had hinted as much and the thought of losing his virginity in front of others had made him pale.

So they'd done it the night before. Taking their time, trying to see what fit, and Pansy had thanked him afterwards, calling him sweet again. He'd immediately thrown out the lust potion so as not to give it to her the next night and thankfully were only checked on twice while they were enjoying their wedding night. Greg had even managed to make her orgasm by the fifth time they had sex and she'd arched under him, crying out in pleasure and he thought that he'd never felt happier in his entire life.

It made sense that it wouldn't last.

But once she'd become pregnant and once they'd gotten her shop up and running, it had all changed. She seemed to like him more and he'd fallen head over heels for her. When she'd told him she loved him after giving birth to Grayson, he'd known that something had to give.

His guard duty had only gotten more aggressive. Longer hours, more detailed reports. Bellatrix shot daggers at him whenever he saw her, but she never mentioned how he'd thrown her from the room after Grayson had been born and since nothing came of it, he had a feeling that she'd never actually told the Dark Lord what he'd done.

When Pansy invited him back to her bed, he'd taken his pleasure in her, whispering he loved her with every thrust as if some part of him had feared that they wouldn't be together for much longer. He'd spent the last three weeks making love to her almost every night and some mornings; twice in the shower. One afternoon he'd even convinced her to sneak off into one of the fitting rooms at Sophistication by Pansy and he'd bent her over and taken her hard and fast, watching as three floor length mirrors surrounded them. He remembered that she'd come harder than ever and told him she was going to demand a repeat of that when he got home that night.

He hadn't disappointed her. They'd done it in the same position over their bed and Pansy had screamed in ecstasy. Greg had felt like a god. Then that last morning, she'd been going on about some calendar that Daphne had sent her and then… if he had known that would be their last morning together he would have said something more. He would have told her how important she was to him and how much he loved her. But he hadn't and now here he was in a holding cell waiting to find out what was going to happen to his life.

The sight of the Auror robes made him stand, holding his arms out dutifully in front of him to wait to be handcuffed. The Auror sneered.

"So ready to talk I see."

Greg's head shot up at the familiar voice. "How did you —?"

But he wasn't able to say anything else because a spark of red and blue light shot out of the wizard's wand and hit him square in the chest.

"The Dark Lord doesn't take well to traitors, Goyle, especially ones who I vouched for."

"C-C-Corban," he gasped, his hand moving over his chest to try to stop the blood that seemed to be coming from everywhere.

"The only reason you're still alive is because of me," Yaxley hissed. "The Dark Lord doesn't take well to traitors and now it's my responsibility to clean up your mess." His fingers gripped the bars in front of him. "I had high hopes for you, Greg. I had hopes that you would keep your head down and do what needed to be done. I thought you had more brains than they gave you credit for, but you're just like the others. You thought with your cock first and your head later. I'll do my best to keep your son safe, but I can promise you, when they find your wife, her death won't be easy."

Greg attempted to get up, but pain shot through him, blood seeping through his hands. He opened his mouth to try to speak, but all that came out was a choked sound.

Yaxley shook his head, the hatred in his eyes nearly tangible. "You've fucked up, Greg. I wish you were going to live long enough to witness what I have planned for your wife. She'll be begging for death long before I'm done with her."

Greg's eyes widened and the last thing Greg saw before blackness overtook him was the one wizard he had trusted, sneering at his bleeding chest.

And then, there was nothing.

~ ASC ~

Harry was disappointed to see Ginny head home the next day, but waking her up with his mouth for the third day in a row had been everything he'd ever wanted. They spent their last day helping Zee wrap presents and watching movies snuggled on the sofa in between playing with the twins. Harry kissed her goodbye, feeling empty at the thought of her leaving him.

But Zee had plans for him.

With plans of doing Christmas day at Clevedon Court, they headed over there to decorate. They found a huge tree and put it up in the living room (Dobby insisted on an even bigger tree in the grand hall and Harry hadn't had the heart to turn him down). He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Dobby so excited and having Harry spend Christmas day at Clevedon Court seemed to be the cherry on top for the elf. They decorated both the family room and the grand hall and filled the kitchen with food for the feast that they were going to cook, loading the fruit and vegetable cellar with food.

Darby and Rosa had grown older in the last few months and when Harry commented on how slow they were moving, Dobby admitted that they stayed in their house more often than not. According to the elf, he didn't think either of them were going to live much longer. Harry had no idea how long house elves generally lived for, but he did know that Dobby was apparently thirty-three and Darby and Rosa were each around one hundred and seventy-five in comparison.

"House elves usually don't live longer than two hundred years," Zee said, when he asked her. "The average is about one-fifty. If they were around to serve your great-grandfather when he was a child, then I think they've had a very long and good life."

"What should I do?" Harry asked.

"Nothing, sweetie," Zee assured him. "Dobby's here and as he said, they were staying in their own little home. Once a house elf is too tired to work, you know it won't be much longer."

It really wasn't much longer. The elves died in their sleep two nights later.

Kreacher was in the kitchen of Black Cottage when Dobby had arrived to tell Harry that the elves had passed on. The elf was vigorously cleaning despite Zee telling him that she would get to it. Kreacher had ignored her and instead picked up Leo, holding the child in his arms and humming to him as he cleaned. Harry found it eerie how weirdly good Kreacher was with the twins. He seemed to have a spot for Leo even more than Mina, but only slightly.

"Dobby will call Basil and tell him the news, Harry Potter, Sir."

Kreacher shifted Leo to his hip and reached for the cleaver in the knife block. "Kreacher would be honoured to prepare the cleaver, Mistress."

Zee, who had been playing on the floor with Mina, looked over at Kreacher in confusion. "What?"

"The cleaver," Kreacher continued. "I think this will be sharp enough. It is the highest honour to chop off a house elf's head and hang it on the wall when they die. Kreacher would be honoured to do this task for his mistress."

"Um," Harry said, clearing his throat. "Er, Kreacher, we don't do that anymore."

"But it's tradition!" Kreacher exclaimed. "It would be a dishonour to the elves not to put their heads on the wall! Kreacher would never be so dishonourable!"

Dobby's eyes were wide in shock and he backed away from Kreacher.

"Kreacher, we're just going to give them a nice burial, all right?"

"But Kreacher wants to sever their heads! Kreacher wants to give them the highest honour!"

Zee stood up and carefully took Leo out of Kreacher's arms. "Let's put the cleaver down, Kreacher."

Kreacher put the cleaver back into the knife block and scowled. "Ruining the Black traditions. Nothing is sacred, oh no."

He disappeared with a loud crack and Harry looked over at Dobby helplessly. Dobby promised there would be a small funeral that would involve no severed heads and Harry was very relieved to hear that. Basil returned from the Bahamas to attend the small funeral they held and Harry personally buried them in the small cemetery next to Clevedon Court where he learned their relatives were. Basil cried throughout the ceremony and it was only then that Harry learned that Basil was the son of the two elves.

Harry offered Basil freedom if he wanted it, but the elf had stubbornly refused and claimed that he would serve the Potter family until his own death and was more than happy to continue to oversee all other Potter properties under Dobby's advisement. Harry thought that seemed like a good plan.

They had a small funeral for Darby and Rosa and Kreacher had even shown up to pay his respects, but every time Harry met the elf's gaze it was to see him scowling and muttering under his breath.

"Harry Potter disrespects family traditions."

Harry decided it was better not to comment on that.

When he finally headed to the Burrow to spend his three days there with Ginny and her family, he felt like it had been eons since he'd seen his girlfriend despite it only being five days. Ginny clearly felt the same because she ran into his arms when he came out of the fireplace and kissed him so passionately that he was forced to hold his bag in front of him when she finally let go.

"Ginny, why must you assault poor Harry like that?" Fred demanded. "He doesn't want your tongue in his mouth."

Harry smirked.

George snickered. "Actually, Fred, I think he rather enjoyed it."

Ron ignored them and gestured for Harry to follow him. "Ignore the prats. Come on, you can throw your bag in my room."

By the time they came back downstairs, Ginny was telling Harry to get his coat. Ten minutes later, it seemed that everyone was outside and ready for a snowball fight. Harry caught sight of Theo as he hurried towards them, surprised when Theo hugged him.

"Harry!"

"Hey, Theo," he said, hugging him back. "Good to see you."

"I want to be on your team," Theo said. "I've never been great shakes at throwing balls of any kind and I want to be on the winning team."

"You came to the right side," Ginny assured him.

Harry, Ginny, Theo, George, Angelina, and Charlie made a team against Ron, Bill, Percy, Audrey, Hermione, Fleur, and Fred. Percy kept muttering about how ridiculous it was for grown ups to be having a snowball fight until Audrey shoved a handful of snow right in his face.

Needless to say, it started off the war.

They ran around the back of the Burrow, screaming and tossing snow. Laughter ensued and when Harry tackled Hermione, making her squeal, he grinned and shoved snow right into her face.

"Ahhh!" Hermione screamed, covering her face.

"Oi!" Ron shouted.

Harry turned and caught a huge snowball right to the chest. He stumbled back and made to make a run for it, but Hermione surprised him. His friend grabbed his coat and with a wave of her wand, filled the inside with snow. Harry cried out in shock as she grinned.

"Got you."

At one point Bill had caused snowballs to fly around chasing them, pummelling them all in the back and Harry dove behind a snowbank to escape. He found Theo curled in a ball, eyes wide as he hid.

"Theo!"

Theo snuck a look between his gloved hands. "It seemed safer."

Harry chuckled and took Theo's hand. "Come with me."

Ten minutes later, Harry and Theo had created a monster snowball almost as big as Mr Weasley's shed. Harry wandlessly sent it rolling towards the opposite team as he heard Fred yell.

"Incoming!"

There were more shouts and shrieks of laughter as Harry high-fived Theo and then turned in time for his girlfriend to shove snow right into his face.

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed, snagging her around the waist. "You're supposed to be on my team."

Ginny's cheeks were flushed from the cold and her brown eyes were twinkling. "Oops."

Harry tugged her up against him, dropping his mouth to hers. Her lips were cold, but her breath was warm. She tasted a bit like mint chocolate and he deepened the kiss with a little moan just before a huge snowball broke over their heads.

Bill shrugged. "Should have been paying more attention, Potter."

They called it a draw thirty minutes later as they all trudged inside; tired, cold, and wet. Molly ordered them all upstairs into dry clothes and when Harry came back down, he smiled at the sight of Molly passing around hot cocoa.

"Thank you, Mrs Weasley."

"My pleasure, dear," she said.

Dinner was a loud and noisy affair and Harry loved it. He had always felt so at home with the Weasleys, ever since he'd been a child. He loved how they all talked over each other, laughing and joking. He noticed Theo looked like he fit right in as well, which made him smile.

"Are you staying here until after Christmas?" Harry asked.

Theo nodded. "Yeah, that's the plan. I'll head home the next day. Mr and Mrs Weasley were kind enough to allow me to stay until then."

"Not until then," Ginny corrected. "You can stay as long as you like."

Theo shrugged. "I want to visit some others too."

"How are they doing?" Harry asked, knowing that he meant Draco and Blaise.

"All right," Theo said. "But having all of those babies around definitely can't be easy, especially with Mr and Mrs Tonks having passed. I was sorry to hear about them."

"Me too," Harry said.

Molly and Arthur went up to bed around nine and Harry thanked Charlie when he passed him a glass of Firewhiskey as they all sat in the living room. Ginny was snuggled in his lap in one of the big armchairs as her brothers and their significant others were scattered around the room.

Charlie had already put Aydin to bed and now sat on the sofa next to Bill and Fleur. Ron and Hermione were sprawled out on the rug in front of the fireplace. Fred was sitting on the floor under the second armchair where George and Angelina were sharing the seat. The love seat was filled with Percy and Audrey. Theo was sitting in front of the coffee table, his glass of Firewhiskey between his hands.

"All right!" Fred said, clapping his hands together. "Now that mum and dad have gone to bed, George and I wanted to chat."

Bill raised an eyebrow. "Chat? What happened?"

"Nothing like that, Bill," Angelina said. "Just their usual troublemaking."

"Ange, I am shocked," Fred exclaimed, putting his hand over his chest. "As if George and I ever cause trouble!"

Angelina rolled her eyes.

George waved his wand and three quick flashes caused the walls to be full of life-sized blow-ups of Mr March, Mr July, and Mr October.

Theo grinned. "Damn, my arse looks even better from this angle. Those silk sleep pants I bought from Pansy just cup me in all the right angles."

Charlie chuckled. "That's what I like about you, Theo. My brothers have blown up a photo of you posing for a calendar and you focus on how great your arse looks."

Theo shrugged. "I'm proud of that photo. If I was embarrassed I wouldn't have consented to do it. But honestly, how great do I look in that?"

"Your eyelashes look too perfect in it," Angelina told him.

Theo fluttered his long lashes. "What can I say? I'm a catch."

Ron groaned. "Theo, don't encourage them! I just got that poster down!"

Fred shushed them. "Now, we've heard these calendars caused quite a stir at Hogwarts over the last few weeks. Ron went mad and mooned everyone —"

"—No!" Ron interrupted. "I did not go mad! I was proving a very important point and no one appreciated it."

"You didn't need to make such a public point," Hermione interrupted. "We all already know how you feel about your behind."

"It's not how I feel about it, Hermione," Ron insisted. "It's a fact and we both know you agree with me."

"Ron, for Merlin's sake, I'm tired of getting into arguments with you about your arse!"

"Well, I'd appreciate it if my girlfriend could show more support over my cause!"

"You have a great arse, okay?" Hermione exclaimed. "Now let it go!"

"I will not!" Ron exclaimed, his blue eyes wide. "Ginny, did you figure out who wrote that article yet because when I find them… who the fuck thinks Goldstein has a better arse than me? Someone pull out his photo and let's compare!"

"Shut up, Ron," Bill said. "Holy Godric, we all know that I have the best arse anyway. So shut it."

Charlie snorted. "Please. I once attended a sky-clad wedding and the bride and groom were both staring at my arse throughout the whole ceremony. It's clearly the best."

Theo wiggled his eyebrows. "If you all want to drop your trousers, I'd be more than happy to judge."

Ron shot him two fingers in response.

"Anyway," George said, rolling his eyes. "The calendars sold out at record speed and you made a hefty donation to the children's hospital, am I right?"

"What's your point, George?" Ginny asked, amused at the bickering between her brothers.

"The point is that this calendar is actually quite ingenious," Fred continued. "And George and I think it's something that we should pursue."

"I don't like the sound of that," Harry said, his fingers playing with the ends of Ginny's hair as she cuddled into his shoulder.

"Why?" Theo asked. "I like ideas! Let's hear an idea."

Fred snickered. "Oh, Theodore, you'll love it."

Harry looked apprehensive. He'd known the twins too long to think anything that involved a posed photo of himself shirtless and one of their ideas was bound to mean trouble with a capital T.

"As I said, your calendar photos raised quite the stir and while as wonderful as they undoubtably are, we think that we can do better," Fred said.

Harry groaned. "No."

Fred's smile widened. "You don't even know what I'm thinking."

"True," Harry admitted. "But I've known you and George long enough to be concerned."

Fred waved Harry off. "Think about it. Lee's in touch with Oliver already and we thought we'd make it fun. Posters of the Top Twenty-Five Wizards Under Twenty-Five."

"No," Harry repeated.

"What makes them top?" Theo asked. "I prefer to be a bottom myself."

Percy gave Theo a sharp look. "Sex has nothing to do with it, Theo!"

Theo winked at him and Percy scowled.

"We figured we'd go by the top five ranking system," George said.

Harry only shook his head. "I don't even want to know what that is."

Theo slapped his hands on his knees, his eyes twinkling. "Looks, arse, wealth, occupation, and relationship status. Come on, lover, you really need to read Witch Weekly more often."

"Why do I need to read Witch Weekly when I have you?"

Theo smiled. "Aw, I'm touched."

"If you two are done flirting," Fred said. "We have a list already started. Out of your Hogwarts class, it's Harry and Theo for obvious reasons and then we have Anthony Goldstein and Neville."

"Neville will hate that," Harry said.

"Fucking Goldstein!" Ron bellowed. "Why is he on your list and not me? My arse is spectacular!"

Fred ignored him. "Then looking onwards we have Wood, McLaggen, Andrew Graham, and of course Georgie and I."

"Oi!" Ron said. "How do you two rank and I don't?"

George rolled his eyes. "Despite your plans of becoming an Auror, you don't have the wealth that Fred and I do."

"Oi! I have money! Remember, Ginny and I both got Galleons six years ago."

"Yeah, yeah and your arse might be spectacular, Ronnikins, but your face scares everyone else away." Fred said.

"Piss off," Ron muttered.

Theo licked his lips. "Draco and Blaise deserve to be on there."

"Agreed," George said, "but with them being in hiding it drops their status especially because the world believes them to be dead."

Ginny's fingers twined with Harry's in her lap. "And you want to do posters?"

"Posters. Calendars. Agendas. Notebooks. Tee shirts. It's going go be a whole section for our Witch's Line," Fred said. "We're willing to give our wizards a percentage of what we sell of their face."

Theo tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. "I'll volunteer Colin to take the photos."

"We were already going to ask him. We figure the skimpier and sexier the better," George said. "Angelina suggests towels and nothing else. Small ones."

Harry's neck flushed. "No."

Theo's grin widened. "Come on, Harry, we all know you have a big cock. You can share."

George rolled his eyes. "That rumour has been beaten to death."

"Not a rumour when it's true," Theo said, winking. "Ginny's a lucky woman to get to play with that masterpiece."

Fred blanched. "I'm going to have nightmares."

Ginny gave her brothers an exasperated look. "We've been over this. What Harry and I do is our business, not yours."

"Harry, is our sister corrupting you? We already told you that the sanctity of the Weasley brotherhood meant you had to learn how to deal with Ginny," Fred demanded.

Harry smiled. "Ah, but I learned that long before any of you did."

"Oh really?" Ginny asked as Fred made a shocked sound.

"Yeah," Harry said, his eyes on hers. "I learned to let you handle me and go from there."

"Smooth move, Potter," Charlie muttered.

"And she handles him really well," Theo teased. "Especially for one with such a huge cock."

Harry's face flushed. "Haha. Okay, let's forgo the cock jokes."

Fleur smiled. "Oui, no need to keep teasing him. Us girls already saw ze drawing zat Ginny did."

Angelina laughed. "That we did, which is why I still vote on the teeny tiny little towel."

"No," Harry growled. "Absolutely not. I'm not posing for anything else."

"Well, wait a minute, Harry," Theo began. "Angelina is making a very interesting point. How tiny are we talking here? I mean it has to be tiny enough that it won't fully cover him so that everyone can bask in the glory that is his large cock."

"I hate you," Harry grumbled, his cheeks flaming red. "And I'm not ruddy posing in some tiny towel!"

"Why not?" Ginny asked. "Your dad did. Zee found all of these magazines from late 1977-1981. Not only did James Potter and Sirius Black pose for all sorts of articles in Witch Weekly, but so did Uncle Gideon and Uncle Fabian."

"Really?" Bill said, his eyebrow rising. "What for?"

"A charitable cause for the children's hospital," Ginny said. "But James and Sirius posed for others things because of their surnames. Sirius even posed completely starkers for Witch's Fantasy."

"It gave me nightmares," Harry said.

"And," Ginny continued. "There's even one of James Potter trying to keep a small towel up over his bits and he's not wearing anything else either."

Theo slapped his hands together. "A, I need to see these magazines as soon as possible and B, I suppose the towel can't be too tiny because unfortunately Harry won't fit behind it and as much as we'd all love to sneak a look, I doubt Harry wants the public seeing his big, beautiful cock. But if you want to pose just for me, I wouldn't mind, lover."

Harry's neck flushed. "Theo, can you please stop with the cock comments?"

"But lover…"

Harry rolled his eyes and Theo winked at him.

"Did I tell you that Harry and I spent a lovely romantic weekend together?" Theo said. "I took him on a candlelight dinner where we shared dessert and then we shared a midnight swim."

"Aww, how sweet," George teased. "Did you get a kiss goodnight, Theo?"

"Sorry, George," Harry said. "I don't kiss and tell."

Theo beamed at him as Fred got up to point at the huge posters of them from the calendars.

"Okay, let's get back to this idea. Honestly, George and I think it's going to be a gold mine!"

Bill stood up, holding his hand out to his wife. "It will be. But I don't think now is the time to do it. Wait until next year when they're out of school and have jobs lined up. It will be more successful and will warrant wider coverage. And by then, maybe you can even add in Malfoy and Zabini as Theo's right, they should both be on the list."

George gave his brother an interested look. "You're right. Not to mention it will take Fred and I a few months to figure it all out anyway. We need to find things that teenage girls will want to buy or use with their wizard of choice's sexy mug on it."

Fleur curled into Bill's side. "Bonne chance."

"But we need to get back to another aspect of this conversation," Charlie said, clearing his throat. "I don't think I'm comfortable with the fact that my baby sister has seen Potter's goods."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "If you're going to get all neanderthal, I'm going to hex you."

"No, Charlie makes a good point. You're much too young to be having sex, Ginny," Bill said.

"I'm going to be seventeen in less than eight months," Ginny said.

Percy folded his arms in front of him. "I think your wedding night is the perfect time for you to consider having sex."

Harry choked on his Firewhiskey.

Ginny glared at her brother. "Really? Didn't you just shag Audrey in a stairwell at the Ministry of Magic during your lunch break?"

Percy's face turned red.

"In a stairwell?" Charlie exclaimed, snickering. "Way to go, Perce!"

"Oh, so Percy gets congratulated, but I get shamed?" Ginny demanded. "How is that fair?"

Bill sighed. "No, that's not… Ginny, you're our baby sister."

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "I stopped being your baby sister many years ago. What Harry and I do is our private business, not yours. If I want to shag his brains out in the middle of the Quidditch pitch, I will."

Fred's eyebrows shot up. "Well, that's kinky. Ron, you and Hermione ever do something kinky like that?"

Ron made a rude hand gesture.

"As Ginny's best friend, I feel it's my duty to help keep her very informed on how to please her hung boy toy," Theo interrupted. "And considering the gifts Harry's sent me, I think she uses her mouth quite a lot and keeps her lover very satisfied."

"Theo!" Harry hissed, his cheeks reddening.

Charlie scowled. "I don't want to hear that."

"Me neither," Bill muttered.

"No," Ginny said. "You wanted to talk about it, so let's talk about it. Want me to tell you how much I enjoy sucking on my boyfriend's huge cock?"

A collection of disapproving groans filled the room.

"Or would you rather talk about how good he is with his tongue?"

Harry slumped down in his seat. "Fuck, Gin, in front of your brothers?" he muttered, shaking his head.

"Being good with your tongue is nothing to be ashamed about," Fleur said. "It means zat you are an excellent lover, Harry."

"He's more than excellent," Ginny declared as Harry turned his head into her shoulder to hide his embarrassment. "He does this curled tongue thing that I'm particularly fond of."

"Enough Ginny," Percy hissed. "There's no need to be crude."

"But you can get spanked by your girlfriend?" Ginny said. "Fred's having wild sex with a fae. It was funny when George and Angelina lost their virginities in the office of WWW and Charlie knocked up some woman on a conference and now has a kid. Ron's teased for no longer being a virgin and girls talk, boys. We all know Bill and Fleur weren't innocent before their wedding night, but oh no, not Ginny! Why is it you can all talk about sex like it's nothing, but the moment I talk about it, it's oh no, Ginny's our little sister, we can't."

"Because it's different," Charlie said. "You're a girl."

Ginny glowered. "And you all shag girls, do you not?"

"Sometimes," Charlie admitted.

"Blokes only," Theo said. "I like to be shagged, remember?"

Percy shot them an exasperated look. "We're not talking about this."

"Agreed," Ginny insisted. "What Harry and I do with our private time is private so all of you can just butt out. How many of you were virgins at sixteen?"

When they all exchanged guilty looks, Ginny merely snuggled herself more comfortably into Harry's lap.

George cleared his throat. "So, anyone catch the match earlier?"

Percy stood up. "Well, this has been enlightening, but I think Audrey and I are going to head home."

"It's only eleven!" Fred protested.

"Yes," Audrey said. "And Percy and I have to work in the morning."

"So do we," George said, standing up. "We'll see you lot on Christmas Eve."

"We'll be late," Angelina reminded them. "Someone better save us a few biscuits."

"Depends on how late," Ron teased. "We make no promises."

"Angie and I are going to her parents after we close up the shop. We'll be late," George said. "Goodnight."

It only took ten minutes for Percy, Audrey, Bill, Fleur, Fred, George, and Angelina to head out. Charlie said goodnight to them and headed up to bed himself as Theo stood up and yawned.

"I guess I could use some sleep as well. Goodnight."

"Goodnight,"

By the time everyone said goodbye and headed up to bed, it was close to midnight. Harry had just finished getting ready for bed when Ron turned to him.

"Er, so, I'm going to go to Hermione's room."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "Oh, really?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Look, I wasn't the one jumping down Ginny's throat down there. I know you… do things with her and… I'd rather not think about it, okay? You're basically my brother and she's my sister and… it's weird."

"And you messing around with Hermione isn't?" Harry asked.

Ron only shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll be back before dawn."

Harry watched him go, a smirk on his lips. He wasn't that surprised to know that Ron and Hermione were spending their nights together. He had a feeling they were only using one bedroom in the Head dormitory most of the nights as well. He waited two minutes before he figured he'd take a chance himself and made his way down the stairs. He knocked on Ginny's bedroom door and when she opened it, his lips curved.

"Hey," he said, letting his eyes travel down the oversized Gryffindor Quidditch tee shirt that was most definitely his and the black sleep pants she wore.

"Hi," she said, her brown eyes wide.

"Ron deserted me," he whispered.

Ginny grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into her room. Theo raised an eyebrow from where he sat on the cot.

"I love the two of you very much and as much as I love details, I don't actually want to watch you two do naughty things."

"Haha," Harry said as Ginny slid her hands under his shirt. "Theo, how do you feel about spending the night in my cot upstairs?"

"He'd be delighted," Ginny said, pulling Harry's tee shirt over his head.

Theo raised an eyebrow. "If Harry's getting naked, I might just stay to watch for a minute or two."

Harry merely pointed towards the door.

Theo sighed dramatically. "Fine. But this growing list of IOUs you owe me is going to earn a list of demands soon." Then he winked at them before he disappeared.

The moment the door closed behind them, Ginny slid her hands up Harry's chest. He smiled, lowering his head to kiss her as he walked her back towards her bed. When she sank onto it, it squeaked a little.

"I got it," Harry said near her ear, using his wand to keep the bed squeak-free before he put his wand on her night table.

Ginny pulled him down onto the bed with her, kissing him deeply and Harry nipped at her ear.

"I missed you," she whispered.

Harry's lips curved as he trailed a line of kisses down her jaw. "I missed you, too."

"I like sleeping in your arms," she said.

Harry's eyes darkened. "I like that, too."

He shifted so that he was lying next to her and she rolled on her side to look at him. Harry pulled her hips close to his and kissed the tip of her nose. Ginny carefully took his glasses off, putting them on the table behind her.

"What have you been doing since I left?"

"Getting ready for the holiday at Clevedon Court, mostly," he said. "You?"

"Same," Ginny said. "Mum and I did some baking, extra treacle for our guest."

"Knew there was a reason I loved you."

She smiled, trailing her finger along his jaw. "There was also a great deal of teasing in regards to Ron. The twins put a sticking charm on his Mr March calendar and tacked it to almost every wall in the house. It was getting a tad unnerving to use the toilet and see my brother posing in front of me. They papered the ceiling in his bedroom too and asked him to autograph them all."

Harry chuckled. "I bet he loved that."

"There was a lot of swearing and hissing at them," Ginny said in amusement. "They even blew up the one of him from behind, but only his arse, and made a tee shirt for him. But he rather liked that and vowed to wear it proudly which annoyed Fred."

"He would definitely wear that," Harry agreed. "Really, Fred and George should have known better on that front."

Ginny shrugged, tracing his face with her finger. "You would think, but the teasing finally stopped when Charlie made a comment about the calendars being a surprising business enterprise and how well we did for raising money for charity. Then Fred and George got one of those looks and well, I think we figured out what they thought about that."

"Ginny, there's no way that I'm posing starkers with some tiny towel just hovering over my bits," Harry said. "I love you, but no."

Ginny smiled, pressing a kiss to his throat. "Even if I want to see you in nothing but a teeny tiny little towel?"

"For you and you only? Anything. But no photos for the masses."

Ginny sucked on his neck sharp enough to make his cock twitch. "I might hold you to that, Potter."

Harry's lips curved when she pushed him onto his back and straddled him in the narrow bed. He slid his hands over her thighs and around to her arse, squeezing as she bent her head to kiss him. Harry's lips met hers softly at first, sighing into her when she deepened the kiss and his hands left her arse to slip under the shirt she wore. He pushed it up, bunching it under her neck so that he could fondle her breasts. His thumb brushed over a nipple and she pulled away, her eyes dark with desire.

Harry swallowed when she pulled the old shirt over her head and tossed it behind her. His hands slid back around to cup her arse in the cotton pyjama pants she wore as his mouth wrapped around a nipple eagerly. Ginny tossed her head back, pressing against him as she did and he groaned around her nipple.

"Shh," she reminded him.

Harry licked her nipple, stroking his tongue around it and under it, sucking it into his mouth at the same time that she pressed against him again. His cock was straining against his pyjamas and when Ginny merely rubbed against him, he let out a strangled breath.

"I fucking love it when we do this," he admitted.

Ginny's brown eyes were dark. "When I rub against you, like this."

She moved her hips in a slow circular motion and Harry swore his eyes rolled. "Fuck, yes."

He sat up, pulling her closer to him as he bent his head to suck on her breasts again. He carefully slid his hand between them, letting his fingers find her and she bit her bottom lip, grinding herself against him and his fingers.

Merlin, he was right. This was fucking incredible. Ginny didn't understand how she had suddenly become so addicted to this, but she didn't want to stop. She wanted to sit here, pressed up against her boyfriend in the most delicious places, and rub herself against him for all of eternity. He was so hard and hot beneath her and despite their pyjamas, she could feel him. His thumb brushed her clit, stroking it and a soft groan escaped her.

Harry's thumb worked her over as his tongue still vastly enjoyed her breasts. Ginny's hips were moving against him, pressing harder and moving faster and he was doing everything he possibly could to make her come first because Merlin knew he wasn't going to make it much longer.

Ginny's hands slid down his chest and when she pushed his pyjama bottoms down just enough for the top of his cock to escape through, he grunted. Then those beautiful fingers of hers were tracing his tip, tickling him, teasing him while she kneaded herself against him.

"Oh, fuck, Ginny," he murmured around her nipple. "That… mmmm."

She traced her fingertip over his tip, tickling just under it while each rub against him exposed more and more of his erection. Harry grunted and flipped her beneath him, making her squeal in surprise. He pushed his pyjama bottoms off completely and lowered himself down to her, pressing against her over the cotton. His erection began to grind against her more thoroughly as his fingers slid into her pyjama bottoms and knickers again.

Harry licked her nipple, gently nipping it with his teeth as he flicked her clit and her hands dove into his hair, clutching tightly. He increased his speed, rubbing against her faster and harder as he teased her. He felt her let go half a second before he did and he captured her lips in his as they came, rubbing against each other in ecstasy.

Ginny sighed against his lips when they caught their breath. "You certainly got naked fast."

He grinned and rolled onto his side. "You teasing out my cock inch by inch was too much for me to bear."

Ginny kissed him. "Yes, well, now you better clean me up. You made a mess."

Harry kissed her shoulder. "In a minute."

She swallowed as she watched him lick his fingers. "It does things to me when you do that."

"Oh?"

She saw his eyes twinkle and she pressed a kiss to his chest. "You know exactly what it does to me."

"No, I don't," he said. "You should tell me."

Ginny let out a shaky breath. "How about you kiss me instead?"

Harry was happy to oblige her and when they finally came up for air, he pressed a kiss to her nose before he reached around her for his wand. He cleaned them both up before he tugged the blankets up around them. Ginny couldn't explain how oddly erotic she found it that he was naked in her bed and she was still wearing her bottoms and her knickers. He made her the little spoon, pressing his lips against her shoulder. When she finally fell asleep with Harry wrapped around her, Ginny thought things were finally falling into place.

It was Theo who woke them in the early dawn hours, nudging Harry's shoulder. "Harry, it's morning.

Harry groaned against Ginny's shoulder. "Mmm?"

"Morning," Theo said. "Ron just returned. You better get upstairs."

Harry nodded his thanks as Theo climbed into his own cot. Harry carefully reached for his bottoms on the floor, slipping them on before he stood. Ginny was still sleeping all wrapped up and he didn't find his shirt anywhere so he voted to leave it behind. He kissed her forehead and grabbed his wand, glancing over at Theo who was already sleeping again before he carefully snuck out of Ginny's room.

He was happy to see he didn't run into anyone as he made it to the top of the stairs to Ron's room. Ron was sitting up in bed, his eyes on him.

"Why was Theo in your bed?"

"We did a room swap," Harry said, tossing his wand and glasses on the table next to his cot and climbing into it.

Ron frowned. "You slept in Ginny's bed?"

"And where did you spend the night again, Ron?" Harry asked, giving his friend a look.

Ron swallowed. "Er, right. Neither of us speak of it again?"

"Deal," Harry said, pulling his blankets up.

He fell back asleep to the familiar sounds of Ron snoring and wondered if he would be able to sneak into Ginny's bed again tonight.

~ ASC ~

While Harry was enjoying himself at the Burrow, Zee kept herself busy preparing for having Christmas dinner at Clevedon Court. She wrapped gifts for Mina, Leo, and Harry and mentally started to prepare herself for returning to work on the sixth of January. She was anxious to go back, but also feeling a bit apprehensive to not only be away from her babies for so long, but to be working in the Ministry where it seemed nothing but chaos was afoot.

Having Colt and Flo around was lovely. They seemed to enjoy staying in her old cottage and her grandmother had immediately taken a shine to settling themselves in. But Zee had to admit, the part she was enjoying the most was that her grandparents made a point to pop in every day, but they didn't hover. Having them nearby but not always around made a huge difference.

Misha and Sorcha were staying in the cottage with Colt and Flo for the time being, but they were also looking for their own place. Misha had already been working for the MIA since the first of December and Zee still couldn't believe that her father had given up his job in Russia to try something new just to be closer to her. At the same time, she had a feeling this desk job in the MIA was going to be something he vastly enjoyed. Misha always looked like he was enjoying himself when he'd been training Harry.

She'd just finished baking fresh apple tarts when the owl flew tapped on the window. She used her wand to get the window open and accepted the letter with a smile as the owl immediately flew to the water dish that Persephone and Hedwig used when they were around.

Zee wiped her hands on her apron, eyes on Mina and Leo who were playing with blocks on the kitchen floor while Padfoot slept under the table and Lady Godiva was in the living room before she opened the letter.

Dear Zee,

I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Ted and Andromeda Tonks. Sirius always spoke very fondly of his cousin Andy and claimed they were the only white sheep in his family. I hope you are doing okay and that you and Harry can comfort each other in this hard time.

Things here are wonderful. We're getting ready for Christmas and the kids are all very excited. Xander even took a full two weeks off of work to spend with us, which is nice, even if I have to work during part of that.

The news you sent me about Mina and Leo walking is lovely! Isn't it the most extraordinary thing to watch them learn how to walk? Your heart just soars as you watch them crawl and learn how to stand and take those tentative first steps… it's a beautiful moment.

Xander and I have sent gifts for their upcoming first birthday. You should be getting it on or around the twenty-eighth. I'm sorry that we won't be in England for their birthday, but we aren't comfortable coming to England with the constant changing atmosphere.

There are a lot of dark rumours floating around Greece right now. Rumours about England falling to a dark lord… I don't know how true they are, but I hope you and Harry are staying safe.

Much love,

Thea

PS — One of Dante's nieces finally went through his things and found a box of his research and old manuscripts. Some were published and some were not. I thought it might be something you and the others might want to take a look at. It should be arriving with the birthday gift.

Zee smiled at the woman's letter and placed it on the counter. The last person she ever would have expected to strike up a friendship with was Sirius' old flame, but she liked Althea. She was kind and the woman was always willing to offer some advice about kids that always came off as genuinely helpful and not that fake kind of advice that people gave when they thought they knew better than you. Writing to her every week or two was nice and helped her feel more aware of what was happening around the world. Not to mention how much she had genuinely enjoyed having another mum friend around.

Althea and her family were finally starting to move on after losing Dragomir and Zee had kept her up to date on the state of affairs here in England. Althea did the same and knowing that she was sending her information on the stuff Dragomir wrote made her excited and nervous.

No one had seen Voldemort in months. Rumours of his presence were still flittering through conversations and the fear was still rampant, but no one had seen him. The only thing they knew was that he'd done some sort of ritual that had entailed him to steal Dumbledore's magic in the summer. No one knew how or why.

And Dumbledore's warning had given them a lot to think about and a lot to fear, but then nothing had happened.

Zee had a terrible feeling that when they did learn what it meant, it wasn't going to be a good thing. She hoped whatever it was that Althea had found could help them get a step ahead. Every little bit counted.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!" Leo said, tugging on her jeans.

Zee picked him up and kissed his cheek. She wasn't going to dwell on the what-ifs. Right now, she wanted to focus on having a lovely Christmas. Harry would be spending Christmas Eve at the Burrow and be home later tonight after dinner and then tomorrow they would celebrate as a family in the Potter family home.

She kept Leo on her hip as she hummed Christmas carols, focusing on the biscuits that were cooling with a smile. It was going to be just perfect, she thought. It was exactly what they all needed: A nice, quiet holiday.

~ ASC ~

Arms wrapped around him from behind and the smell of her shampoo made him smile. He knew that he was running behind, but it was Christmas Eve and the shop had been incredibly busy.

"I know, I know," George said, turning to peck her lips. "I'm moving."

"Not nearly fast enough," she said. "We were supposed to be at my parents house thirty minutes ago. They're going to think we've ditched them."

"Well, to be fair, your parents' house is way more posh with better booze, but my mum has the better food."

Angelina laughed and pinched his behind. "True. All reasons why we don't want to be late so your brothers don't eat it all."

George scoffed. "Please. Mum makes enough to feed three armies."

"Also true," she said, pinching his behind again. "But the sooner we get there and back, the sooner we can get home and have Christmas sex."

George turned around, tugging her up against him. "And how is Christmas sex different from regular sex?"

Angelina's arms linked around his neck. "You did promise to tie a bow around your cock so that I could open you up."

"Ah, she remembers. Act surprised in the morning, won't you, Ange?"

"Promise," she said, her lips curving. "Now come on."

"It's still an hour until close," George said. "And it's too busy to leave Fred here alone."

"Fred said that he would be fine," Angelina insisted.

George hesitated. "Angie, I can't. It's Christmas Eve and it's a madhouse out there."

Angelina kissed him quickly. "Fine. But you owe me."

He started to apologize and then he saw her conjure a name tag and head out of the backroom to help a customer. Merlin, she really was amazing. George finished his task, boxing up the last minute purchases that were ordered and asked to be picked up late. He'd just levitated them out front and worked his way through the crowded store towards his twin when Fred waved him down.

"George! We need more pgymy puffs! And we're already sold out of Invisible Hats!"

George passed the packages to his brother and headed back into the store room for the puffs. He'd barely re-stocked the area before they were sold out again. When the last customer finally left, Fred hopped up onto the cash counter.

"I feel like I ran a marathon. How much did we pull in today?"

"A lot," George said, grinning.

Angelina hopped onto the counter next to Fred and kissed his cheek. "I am so proud of you, two! This shop is honestly amazing."

"Oi, kissing the wrong brother, Johnson!"

Angelina stuck her tongue out. "Jealous, love?"

"Angie, don't worry," Fred teased. "Once you've seen my cock, you'll know that you're with the inferior twin."

George made a rude hand gesture in response.

Fred laughed. "Get! Both of you! You're already late as it is."

"It's a disaster in here," George began.

Fred shook his head. "Go. I know Angelina's parents want to see you. It will take me thirty minutes tops to tidy up and I'll meet you at the Burrow later. Go, I'm fine!"

Angelina hopped off the counter to grab George's hand. "We'll make it up to you."

"You will as I shall hold it over your heads forever."

George snorted and grabbed his cloak. "Fine. We're gone. See you in a few hours then. Make sure Mum saves us some biscuits."

"Not Mum you have to worry about," Fred said.

"Tell Ginny if she eats them all, I will hex her."

"Ah, sibling love," Fred said.

George emptied the register. "Ange and I will drop this off at Gringotts on our way."

"Thanks."

Fred began to wave his wand around the shop, tidying up the messy shelves, facing the products, and reorganizing the shop. Angelina touched Fred's arm.

"Fred, come on. It's Christmas Eve. We can do this another day."

"Yeah, Fred, Angie's right. Let's go celebrate Christmas."

Fred sighed. "You're right. Come on. I'll go to Gringotts with you."

George held the door open for Angelina with a smile and took her hand in his as they headed outside. Fred made to lock the door behind them before George swore.

"Shit! I left the presents in the office."

Angelina kissed him. "I'll get them. Give me the keys. I'll meet you and Fred at the Gringotts."

"You sure?" George asked.

"Positive," she said.

Fred passed her the keys as she hurried back into the shop. "You got a good one there, Georgie."

"The best," George agreed as they stepped out into the cold. "Her parents are nice as well, though they aren't too keen on us living together and being unmarried."

"Scandalous," Fred teased. "You're deflowering their daughter!"

"To be fair, I did that before we moved in together."

Fred cackled, tightening the scarf around his neck as they headed into the street. "You did. Right here in our very own shop, too."

George was about to say something about Fred having done worse when the whole street lit up. The boom that followed half a second later had he and Fred falling to the ground. Someone screamed and he coughed on the snow that he'd inhaled when he fell.

"George!" Fred yelled, grabbing his leg. "George, it's the shop!"

George jumped to his feet, his eyes wide as he looked up at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, flames shooting out the top of the building and his heart jumped into his throat. "Angelina!"

Fred grabbed his arm. "I'll send for help. Stay here!"

Fred barely raised his wand to send for a Patronus before George was already running into the building.

"George! George!"

But George didn't listen.

The door to the shop had blown clean off and he coughed on the black smoke as he approached. He heard alarms ringing in the distance, telling him that the OFB was on its way, but he kept going. He was halfway inside before he even thought of performing a bubblehead charm to help him breathe.

"Ange!" he yelled, trying to blink through the smoke. "Ange!"

He ducked behind the cash counter as a beam fell down, knocking his head against something hot and hard. Hot, wet globs dripped down the side of his head, but he coughed and crawled out from behind the counter. He made it to the office, his eyes watering before he saw her. Glass had shattered from the window and she was bleeding all over, part of the desk on her leg.

"Ange!" he called out, reaching for her. He used his wand to shield them as he covered her body with his.

The flames rose and flickered around them as George attempted to lift Angelina into his arms. He made it halfway through the front of the shop before something cracked and they both fell through the floor into the workshop below.

"George!"

"Fred!" he attempted to call out, but ended up only coughing.

Something flashed in front of him as the flames seemed to rise and the last thing that George saw was his girlfriend's face before he saw nothing but rising flames through a thin golden mist.

---

End Author's Notes:

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