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.

329. The One With the Number Twenty-Six

Author's Note:

Over the last week, my Tumblr has been going crazy with people asking if they can write ASC fanfiction — this completely blows my mind! First of all, I didn't know that fanfiction of fanfiction was a thing. Secondly, I am completely honoured by this! Anyone who wants to do so definitely has my full permission as long as they a) Credit me and recommend ASC in an author's note of said fanfiction and b) Send a link to my Tumblr so I can share it for people to read. Thank you!

I am double posting The First Time Around this week, but not ASC! FTA chapters are just short and sweet so I wanted to double post, but sorry, ASC is long and I will only post once. Thanks in advance.

Reviews and Comments: To Nuno Neves: Yes, it was a lot for Theobas shippers! Angelina and George are such an underrated couple! I wanted to show good they are for each other, plus it was fun to have her propose when we already knew that George had a ring for her! Thank you! To Katie2001: Ha! I'm glad you laughed at Theobas' attempts at having sex for the first time. What can I say? They had some interruptions! However, they still managed to get each other off (though Bas was a bit delayed lol). Thank you! To Zarathos Morgenstern: Thank you! Ha, poor Theobas indeed! But they are a step closer. Auror Arsehole finally got off in the end lol. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed their mutual proposal! It was fun to bring Soraya in. Thank you! To Foxymca: Wow! First off, I am completely honoured that you love Theobas so much, but I am really sad at the same time if you have stopped liking Hinny! Theo and Sebastian are just so new, it's new and exciting and you get to see them falling in love. Hinny have been in love for ages, but they are still learning new things about each other and now are delving into the world of sex. They will have some super hot scenes coming up for sure! But I am happy people are loving Theobas so much! To scrappy8: Thank you! To darkhk: Indeed coitus interruptus LOL. Thank you!

To Chiku11: Hinny are totally a super randy couple and will definitely be doing it every chance they can! Angelina is lucky she has George who understands her so well, they are so good for each other. That fic where Nott is a rapist sounds awful! My Theo is a delight! Thank you! To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thank you! Yes, won't be a bit before it's revealed to the family, but I can promise George and Angelina will do so! Thank you for loving my Theo and thinking his reactions to Ginny's news along with his reactions with his interruptions with Sebastian are so in character. I love him. Thank you! To ascfan: Thank you! Theo was offended! Ginny didn't tell him for four whole days LOL. To Guest: Thanks for saying George and Angelina are adorable! No, George won't use the cane forever, he just has to find the right leg for him. You think Theobas is a gay version of Hinny? LOL. I can see that, but they are very different too. Thank you! To CherrySara: Thank you! Yes, Theo met Soraya and yes, I think she's super cool. I thought it was intense for Bas to take his time, to touch Theo everywhere and want him to look into his eyes. I'm glad that George being the greatest boyfriend of all time came as a surprise, but also, he said it himself lol, so I still think Harry wins the title. Thank you! As to your idea, no. Sorry, I don't write from the POV of animals. It's just not something I want to do at all. But I do think Oliver just wanted to be a shit and interrupt them lol. Thanks for making an account!

To Slaidback: LOL. Nice to know the joy of healthy relationships is worrisome because of my past lol. I do feel judged! Just kidding, but no promises on leaving the happy couples alone! Thank you! To Featherquills: Thank you! We all would like to see Crouch die, this is true! Harry and Voldemort will meet again, just not yet. I'm glad Theo's vibes are so good you feel them! Thanks for recommending my story and saying so many lovely things! Much appreciated! To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you for reading it! To alix33: Angelina will be okay. She's getting to do a job she loves and she has George. Thank you! To ellyann13: Slughorn loves Harry so I like to think that means he kind of gets away with stuff and Harry may use that to his advantage sometimes. Theo will definitely tease Harry. Thank you! Glad you enjoyed by Theobas times! To pix25: Thank you! I think she's fun! To wolfjinx15475: Yes, a lot of the out of context snippets were here. Thank you for saying the friendship between Ginny and Theo is golden! It was fun to make the chapter title be about George and Angelina. It is true, everyone loves Theo, even Oliver lol. Thank you!

To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you and I'm honoured that you read the chapter twice! Thank you very much! To puttyman24: Thank you! Soraya is fun! To LHNB: Harry will definitely talk to Remus soon about him and Ginny's new developments! He has something he wants to ask him LOL. Thanks for saying Sebastian Kane is your new favourite character! To Brianna: Sometimes I wish this story was completed too! LOL! But I am getting closer! Apparently people want to write fanfics of ASC so you might be in luck! We'll see! Thank you! To Shivani: Thanks for loving Theobas! Yes, some of the snippets were there and I love that so many of you have remembered them word for word! I did update my titles, you'll have to wait and see for the first tryout. Theo is so dramatic and it's what I love about him. He will definitely be teasing Harry. I'm glad the Theobas smut was so intense you're blushing (high compliments). Sledding is so fun! Thank you so much for loving Hinny's first time and the conversation it entailed afterwards. Draco is learning Dutch and yes, he and Astoria had a moment.

To EnigmaticEmperor: Thanks for saying their mutual proposal was so sweet! I agree! George is great at taking Angelina's mind off of things! LOL, five mentions of Hinny and sex in the first three paragraphs — well they are randy lol. Thanks for loving Soraya! And yes, we do want to feel sorry for Bas, but it was also very funny! Thank you! To StarryNights: (review from chapter 205 but I don't have any other way of answering your question) — Ginny calls Voldemort Tom because that's who he was to her in the diary. To shuweet: Thank you! To CorbanD17: Thank you! Ha, yes, Bas' dad is pretty awesome! We'll meet him eventually. LOL, you want a whole story arc of Bas growing up? Sorry, that's probably not going to happen, but we'll see more of them. Thanks for saying my Hinny and Theobas are so adorable! To 19HuffleClaws: Thank you! The "little Georgie" comment was all from SeriouslySam! Thanks! To katelyn453: Thank you! Magic Therapy? No, it was just Bas touching him. Tantric sex is what I was going for, the idea of just starting into each other's eyes, making it an emotional as well as a physical experience while Bas touched him all over and drove him to the edge of an orgasm before stopping to make it last longer and to be that much more intense. Just enough to drive him absolutely mad. Hinny are definitely addicted to sex! There's so many more scenes of them to come as they explore each other! Glad you found Theo and Bas getting interrupted so much so entertaining LOL! Thank you!

To BadWolfKris: Poor Bas indeed, so many interruptions LOL. Thank you! To kyciona: It was fun to torture Bas lol. Aww, thanks for saying Theo and Bas have become you're second favourite couple! To marauders_mowopapr: I'm sorry you've had such a bad week, but I'm happy my chapter helped! I'm glad you enjoyed Theo's reaction to Harry and Ginny and that you thought the Theobas content was fire, even with the cockblock. Molly is going to go crazy when she hears the news (still a few chapters away). Angelina was very surprised to find out that George already had a ring! He is great at helping her with her insecurities. Thank you! To Joyce Foesenek: Thank you! Theo and Bas do do nice things together. We will see Ginny's tryout soon! Thank you! To AnaGPotter: I'm glad the title being about George was a surprise! Soraya is funny and she will definitely get along well with Theo! Thank you! Dark times are coming, but also LOTS of fluff and smut! Thanks! To AQuickRead91: I like the word perineum more than taint. Thanks for finding it so hot! To Steelcode: Bas definitely was feeling the pain of blue balls lol. Yes, they do need to find a place to not be interrupted and yes, Theo will suggest Norfolk Manor, just not yet. Thank you!

To PurpleLotus: Thank you! To Grouchbear: My lemon scenes of Ron and Hermione are different from others? No. I write alone, that's me. I don't know why they sound different. Yes, Snape is still suffering. Hinny and Theobas are coming along. Thanks! To Bellmel: Thank you! I'm glad you think it starting with Hinny and ending with Theobas makes it glorious! Harry definitely rated it a 10/10 the first time, but he is determined to make it better. And yes, they will have so many more opportunities to practice and yup, adorable Harry is going to think it's better every time. Haha, glad you liked that line, she was just doing Harry. You're right, Bas just wanted to pleasure Theo for the sake of pleasuring him and yes, he did want his turn, but he didn't do that to Theo to get his turn, but poor man, he was left rather unsatisfied. Trust is a big word and Theo and Bas understand that. Haha, no, Bas doesn't mince his words and he is damn well enjoying himself lol. They do trust each other and they know they want more from this relationship, and ha, let them shag soon. I'll think about it! Thanks for that amazing review! You're attention to detail astounds me and I love it! Thank you very much!

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 TWENTY-NINE:

The One With Number Twenty-Six

Rossi was surprised by the feel of the Dark Mark heating up on his arm. He looked over at Bellarosa to see her standing and he stood up to follow her. Having taken the mark himself only a few weeks ago, this was the first time he'd been officially summoned, and he had to admit, he didn't like the feel of it.

It was like the tattoo was bubbling under his skin, making his arm tingle, and making it feel like he was being burned by a hot iron. He let Bellarosa take his hand and they Disapparated to the secret castle in Ireland that he still didn't know the exact location of. Once again, he took in what he could to try to send off more ideas to his bosses in the MIA, hoping that they could pinpoint a location. When they stepped into the throne room, Rossi felt the tension.

Voldemort was sitting on his throne, twirling his wand through his fingers, those cold red eyes staring ahead. A few more Death Eaters scrambled into the room before his cold voice echoed off of the high ceilings.

"I am displeased."

No one said a word, but Rossi swore he could feel a few of them tremble.

"I am displeased and disappointed with the lack of respect and the lack of work I have seen coming from all of you. We made a point in Hogsmeade. We made a point and I demanded of you to find me what I wanted, yet I am still waiting on answers."

"My Lord," Bellatrix began. "We have been trying to give them to you."

"Silence!" Voldemort declared, standing up. "None of you has the answers that I am looking for. None of you has even tried to help me with this problem!"

"My Lord," Linus Lestrange cut in. "Maybe we could help you more if you focused on something other than Potter."

Rossi held his breath.

The silence was deafening.

Lestrange seemed to realize what he said because he spoke quickly.

"I just meant that I think you could accomplish more if you stopped focusing everything around getting to Potter. He'll die. One of us will kill him and we can finally move on and take over the government like we planned."

Voldemort's wand pointed at Lestrange and he didn't even blink before he yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"

Cassia Lestrange screamed and Voldemort silenced her with a wave of his wand.

"I want answers," he continued, his voice cold and collected. "I want to know what's going on and why no one has not been able to bring me the only wizard left alive who can answer those questions. Crabbe!"

"Yes, my Lord," both Crabbe Senior and Junior responded.

"Young Crabbe," Voldemort said, his red eyes landing on the younger, bulkier version standing next to his father. Rossi couldn't help but think he looked like a mini version of the man he stood next to, down to the short hair and the thick nose and chin.

"Yes, my Lord," Crabbe Junior said.

Voldemort stared at him. "You will do this for me."

Crabbe swallowed. "Yes, my Lord. It… it would be my honour, my Lord."

"Good," Voldemort said. "Do not disappoint me, Vincent."

"I won't, my Lord."

"I know you won't. That's why I am sending Bellarosa with you. To ensure that you don't."

Bellarosa's head rose up. "It would be my honour, my Lord."

Voldemort's lips pursed. "Bring him to me and you will both be rewarded. I need answers and I will not be kept waiting any longer."

He waved his wand over Cassia, whose sobs once more filled the room, before he turned and gestured for Crouch to follow him. The two of them disappeared into the room behind the throne room.

Rabastan and Roldolphus knelt down next to their mother to comfort her, and she threw herself into their arms, still sobbing. Even after being here and working undercover to try to get to this point, Rossi still didn't understand it. He could see the charisma the man had, the ambition; he understood why people were interested in what he had to say, but to blindly follow someone who could kill you in an instant just to make a point… he didn't understand it. He didn't understand why the people in this room continued to support Lord Voldemort.

He looked over at his wife and watched her approach young Crabbe. The look on the teen's face when she approached him was like he'd been stupified and Rossi completely got it. Bellarosa was beyond beautiful.

Today she was wearing a short white dress, haltered, with a plunging neckline that left very little to the imagination. Her dark hair was pinned up off of her neck and the tall black heels she wore with it made her legs look fantastic.

"We will go to his shop right away, caro."

Crabbe nodded. "Okay, madame."

Bellarosa laughed. "I am far too young to be a madame, sí?"

"Sorry, miss," Crabbe corrected.

Bellarosa patted his cheek and Rossi hid his smirk as he noticed the young man was tenting his trousers now. Crabbe's eyes kept falling to Bellarosa's cleavage.

"We will make a great team," she purred. "You will pretend to be il mio ragazzo amante. We will enter the shop together."

Crabbe nodded eagerly. "Yes, miss."

She gave him another sweet smile. "Meet me back here in one hour. I must go prepare. Addio caro!"

Rossi took her hand when she turned back to him. "Must you make him come in his trousers, mia cuore? I half expected to see a wet spot forming any moment."

Bellarosa chuckled. "Don't be absurd, Emilio. I was only teasing him."

"And you know that you will be the centre of every fantasy he will have in the foreseeable future, mia tesoro."

She smiled. "Ah well, that is just to help a poor boy out, is it not?"

Rossi smiled back at her. "Sí."

She linked her arm with his. "Come. You must help me pick out the best lingerie for this mission. I want to make a statement."

"You always make a statement."

Bellarosa tapped his cheek lightly. "Sí, and that is why I am still alive."

Rossi's eyes darkened. She had a point about that.

"Who is it that you need?"

"Ollivander, of course," Bellarosa said as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Who else could answer the Signore Oscuro's questions on his use of Dumbledore's wand?"

Rossi nodded. "Of course."

Bellarosa tapped his cheek with her fingernails. "And this time, Emilio, mio amore. You will come with me."

"Of course," he repeated. "Anything you wish, mia tesoro."

Bellarosa smiled as they Disapparated together back to their London flat. "Molto bene. Then perhaps after we can talk about planning a little holiday? After all, we never really got a honeymoon, mio amore."

"We absolutely can," he assured her.

Bellarosa nodded and led him wordlessly into the bedroom to find something she deemed appropriate for this mission. Rossi glanced at his watch and wondered if he had time to drop word about the plans of heading to Diagon Alley. Either way, he wasn't sure what Ollivander's fate was going to be and he was worried that he wouldn't be able to protect the man from Voldemort's wrath if he didn't have the answers he sought.

~ ASC ~

February was coming to an end and Harry thought the month had easily become his favourite one of all time. Not only had he and Ginny finally had sex, but neither of them seemed to be able to keep their hands off of each other. Not that Harry was going to complain about that.

Since their day in Clevedon Court, it seemed all they did lately was go to class, fly until dark, and make love. It had definitely been the best two weeks of his life. His eyes found her now, snuggled into the pillow in his narrow bed wearing nothing but one of his old Quidditch shirts. He kissed her shoulder, letting his hand slide down over her thigh and under the shirt. Ginny made a small moan when his hand wrapped around her breast.

"Is it time for a run?" she murmured.

"Yes," he said, kissing her shoulder again.

Ginny rolled to face him. "Tomorrow's Saturday."

"I know."

"Harry… what if I don't make it?"

"What happened to the importance of being positive?" he teased, his hand still on her breast. Another hand slid under her shirt to cup the other one. "I know how amazing you are and I know you're going to do amazing out there."

He brushed his thumbs over her nipples.

"If you keep that up, we're not going to make it for the run."

He brushed his lips over hers. "Yes, we are. Get up."

Harry slapped her arse lightly and climbed out of bed. He wanted nothing more than to climb back in there with her and spend the morning making love over and over, but he knew how important this tryout was to her. He knew how much it meant to her, and he knew that he couldn't let anything stand in the way of her being fully prepared.

Ten minutes later, they were both in their workout attire and heading down to the pitch to start warming up. By the time the sun started to rise, they'd done a five kilometre run and were in the process of doing reps of sit-ups, chin-ups, and push-ups. Then they winded down with some long, slow stretches and headed to the change rooms to shower.

The moment the door closed behind them, Harry pinned Ginny back against the door. His hands rested on either side of her head and he let his eyes look her up and down in appreciation before he captured her mouth in his. Ginny's hands slid up his back, under the hoodie and tee-shirt he wore, and he lost himself in her lips.

Sometimes, just kissing her was the greatest thing in the world. He lingered, making each kiss last until she yanked his hoodie and shirt up in one motion and he was forced to stop to get it over his head. He fixed his glasses when they shifted and grinned when Ginny pulled her own hoodie over her head revealing the long-sleeved tee she was wearing. He lifted it, tossing it on the floor next to them before his hands began to pull up the sports bra. When her breasts bounced free, he bent his head to capture one of those perfect peaks, holding each breast in his hand.

Ginny's hand rested in his hair as he suckled her, dragging his tongue over every angle of her nipple before he moved to the other breast. Her hands slid down his naked back and when she began to shove his sweats down, he moaned around her nipple. He couldn't wait to be inside of her.

Ginny couldn't wait either.

Ever since she and Harry had finally gone all the way, she never wanted to stop touching him. Having him inside of her, watching him come undone, was one of the sexiest moments she'd ever witnessed. She'd thought watching him lose control when she had him in her mouth had been sexy, but watching him try to keep his cool when he was buried inside of her, was even better.

Her sweats were pushed down her hips, followed by her knickers, and she kicked them off as Harry lifted her. He carried her around the corner and into the bathing area, sitting her on the counter near the sink. She watched as he shoved his boxer briefs down and stepped out of them before he moved to stand between her legs. Ginny slipped her arms over his chest and over his shoulders.

"Shower?" he whispered, pressing his mouth to her neck.

"Here," she whispered back.

Harry's eyes fell on the mirrors that were behind Ginny and the ones at the sink behind him, giving him a full view of what they could be doing. His cock hardened even more. He pressed his lips against her throat and teased his fingers over her, delighted to find that she was already wet. Her eyes met his in the mirror and he suddenly had a vivid image of standing right here while she stood behind him, arms wrapped around his waist as she'd given him one of the most amazing hand jobs of his life. His fingers twirled inside of her, the pad of his thumb working her clit.

"Mmm," Ginny moaned, biting her bottom lip. "I want you."

He removed his fingers and carefully slid her to the edge of the counter. She spread her legs wider and he held her hips as he pushed himself into her. The sounds of their groans echoed in the room. Ginny's legs locked around his waist and the movement allowed him to slip deeper inside of her. He trembled and bent his head to suckle her breast as he moved his hips.

Ginny's head fell back.

Godric, this position was even better than standing in the shower had been. She could feel him stretching her, filling her. He was so deep inside of her she wanted to scream. She could hear her own pants, feel his heavy breathing as he sucked on her nipples. She wanted more.

"Faster," she moaned.

He complied, and the feel of him doing so, made her hips arch towards him. She arched off of the countertop, her nails dragging down his back, and his hand slid down between them to rub her clit. Merlin, she didn't need him to touch her. His cock was definitely doing enough on its own. His speed increased, her arse bouncing off the counter now with every thrust. Ginny squeezed his behind in her hands and he began to rub her clit faster.

"Harry," she groaned. "Oh, gods…"

His hand moved and suddenly his forearms were under her knees, hands resting on her hips as he held her legs up. Her own hands fell back to grip the edge of the counter as she rode him, desperate for more. When he picked up speed, the muscles in her calves stiffened and her toes curled. She felt like it hit her like a tidal wave. The scream of ecstasy tore from her throat and he grunted her name. His lips moved up to the pulse in her throat, sucking the skin there until she felt him stiffen and shudder.

"Ngl… ahh… Gin…" he groaned. "Ginny…"

She gripped the counter tighter and took everything he had. When he finally caught his breath, her own heart was pounding wildly in her chest. He carefully lowered her legs and kissed her lips.

"That was brilliant," Harry said, a huge sloppy grin on his face.

Ginny kissed him softly. "I think I'm a fan of the counter."

His grin widened. "Me, too."

Harry lifted her down, kissing her forehead.

"We better shower or we're going to miss breakfast."

Ginny smiled as they headed into the showers, her arms around his neck as they snogged under the hot water and thought missing breakfast might not be too bad.

They were late, but only by ten minutes. The snogging in the shower had turned to more quickly and he'd taken her against the shower wall until they'd both been moaning. Now, he was starving.

Harry loaded his plate with food and smiled as he watched Ginny do the same. He had Charms this morning and Ginny had Potions to attend, but then they both had Friday afternoons free. They planned on spending most of it down on the pitch. Ginny wanted to run more drills and practice more for her tryout tomorrow. She was supposed to be going to a pitch somewhere in Northern England.

The tryouts were a huge mystery and the press was always trying to figure out where the Premier Quidditch Tryouts were always taking place. All Harry knew, from what Lexie Longhorn had told him, was that she signed up, sent in her application, and received an address. Ginny was supposed to arrive thirty minutes early, meaning she was designated to be there for ten thirty the following morning.

When he got to Charms, Hermione leaned over to him. "Is she ready?"

Harry nodded. "Definitely. We're going to run more drills this afternoon, but then that's it. I told her she can't overdo it."

"Good advice," Hermione said. "You'll take Ron with you?"

"Yeah. She needs him to be Keeper."

Hermione nodded. "Has she told everyone else yet?"

Harry shook his head. "No. She wants to wait and see how the first tryout goes. She's so nervous about it. I think the less people that know for now, the better."

When Flitwick began the class, Harry thought about how the rest of the Weasleys would react to Ginny's news. He knew that all of them would be supportive. Even Mrs Weasley who understood her daughter loved Quidditch, even if she didn't fully understand it. He was excited for her and couldn't wait to hear about how she kicked arse out there.

~ ASC ~

Ginny was thinking about the same thing as she sat in Potions class next to Luna. She wanted to tell her family about her exciting news so badly, but every time she started to do so, she got nervous. The thought of telling them she was trying out and then for her to not make it… it made her more anxious than she could explain.

Luna's fingers intertwined with hers and she smiled gratefully at her friend. Luna always seemed to know when she needed that bit of comfort. Slughorn had assigned them an Amortentia potion to brew and then to brew the counter potion as well. One of things Ginny loved most about Potions class was that it always gave her time to catch up with Luna.

"You're going to be amazing tomorrow," Luna assured her. "I have zero doubts about your ability. As does Harry. He's so proud when he watches you fly."

Ginny bit her lip. She loved that about him. She loved how proud he was and how supportive he was over her dream. "I know. He's been incredible."

"And how have you been?" Luna asked, her lips curving. "You look rather satisfied this morning."

Ginny blushed. "I am."

"Muffliato," Luna murmured under the corner of her mouth. "Have you tried the downward dog position yet?"

"Luna!" Ginny hissed, her cheeks reddening.

Luna carefully measured out the ingredients into the teaspoon. "I think you and Harry would like it. It's my favourite position so far. I liked it quite a lot with Neville and Channing and I use it quite often. Just the other day we used it in the girls' bathroom on the second floor. It makes their cocks slide so deeply into you. You should really try it, especially since Harry is so well endowed."

Ginny bit her lip. "We did it on the counter this morning. It… it was incredible. It's like every time I think it can't get better, it does. The more we do it, the better we just seem to get at it and the more amazing it is."

"You're taking the potion?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes. I started again after Christmas and Harry's been taking it, too — which is good, because Godric knows we forget the charm ninety percent of the time."

Luna chuckled. "Well, it's hard to remember when you're having such a good time. I'm on the potion as well, but Channing always does the charm. He's very good about it."

Ginny stirred the potion, inhaling the smell of broomstick polish and Harry. "I feel like a new woman, Luna. Like… I'm experiencing new things and it's wonderful. It's kind of silly because Harry and I have done so much other stuff, but this just… feels different."

"It is different," Luna said. "It's even more intimate."

Ginny nodded. "So much more. It's like… it's like when he's inside of me, we're… one person. We're just joined and it feels so right and so natural and like that's how it's supposed to be, always."

Luna's eyes softened. "That sounds beautiful."

"Is it always like that?" Ginny asked. "Does it always feel like it's just perfect and like this is where you're supposed to be?"

Luna shook her head. "No. It doesn't. It's lovely, of course. I like sex. I enjoy it immensely and I enjoy it with Channing, but it's never felt like that for me."

Ginny frowned. "Oh."

Luna squeezed her hand. "It's right for you because you and Harry are meant to be, Ginny. Anyone can see that. You two are soulmates."

Ginny's lips curved. "There's no proof that soulmates exist."

"All the more reason to believe in them," Luna said, her eyes twinkling. "You believe in them. I know you do. That there's one person for everyone out there. One person who just completes you. You have that with Harry and him with you. You two could marry other people and be very happy, but what you're saying right now, what you feel when you two make love… you'll never find that with anyone who isn't your soulmate."

Ginny bit her lip. "I love him, Luna. I love him so much that it scares me sometimes. I love everything about him, even the bits that annoy me."

"What annoys you about him?" Luna asked.

Ginny chuckled. "Dozens of little things. I hate that when he finishes his schoolwork, he just assumes I'm done mine and tries to get me to stop working. I hate that he cracks his knuckles before he gets on his broom. Oh, it really annoys me when he eats a baked potato and just cuts it like a steak. Who does that?"

Luna smirked. "Those are the big annoyances, really?"

Ginny smiled. "Who am I kidding? He's adorable and I love everything about him. I love how sweet he is and how he looks out for everyone else, even if it's at his own expense — which is another flaw, by the way. Like he needs to care about his own life, but it's also what I know will make him an incredible Auror one day. I love how kind he is and how good he is with Mina and Leo. Sometimes, Luna, when I see him with them, I can actually feel my womb contract."

"I completely understand," Luna said. "The first time I saw Channing cradling a baby goat down by Hagrid's, I had never wanted to jump him more."

Ginny nodded. "Exactly. I love how much he loves his friends and his family. I love when he kisses me until I can't think or breathe or remember how to stand and now that we're… Godric, Luna, it's like…"

"Unexplainable."

"Exactly," Ginny repeated. "It's perpetual bliss. I love waking up beside him in the morning. I love showering with him and washing every inch of his magnificent body… Luna, he is seriously so fit. His arse is all tight and perfect and his abs are hard and his thighs are thick and toned and his arms are like… have you seen his biceps? They're beautiful! I love how he's strong and muscled and so fit and yet not like, too muscled, you know?"

"Yes," Luna agreed. "He is quite handsome. It helps that he has a huge cock to top it off."

"Luna!" Ginny hissed, her cheeks heating again. "That's not important."

"Well no, size doesn't really matter," Luna agreed. "It's about how they use it. Neville was much bigger than Channing, but sex with Channing is better than with Neville. Maybe it's because Neville and I only did it a few times and we were still new to it all, but Channing certainly knows what he's doing. It's about knowing what to do more than the size. But also, I think the size helps when the bloke can do both."

Ginny's face was tomato red as she added the final ingredient to her potion. "I don't know. Harry's the only one I've uh…. seen."

"Colin's is very nice. Average, but thick," Luna said.

"When did you… Luna!"

Luna shrugged. "What? I was curious and he was curious… I gave him a handjob and we snogged a bit. Decided we didn't suit. Much better off as friends, but his cock was still lovely. I bet Theo's is nice."

"I don't want to talk about Theo's cock," Ginny said, her brown eyes wide. "It's completely inappropriate."

"Only because neither of us have seen it," Luna said. "I bet it's nice though."

Ginny chewed her lip. "Yeah, I bet it is, too."

They both looked at each other and grinned. Slughorn approached their table to check on their progress and when he left, Luna leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"After your tryout tomorrow, you and Harry should do the downward dog to celebrate. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

Ginny chewed her lip again and decided not to respond to that. When class ended, Luna passed her a folded piece of parchment and told her that she'd see her later. Ginny headed up to her dorm to drop her books off and opened the parchment as she sat on her bed. There was a rather decent drawing of a man and woman. The woman was lying on her stomach, her knees slightly bent and hips raised with what looked like a pillow under her abs. The man was entering her from behind and above the drawing Luna had written: Shallow thrusts, trust me.

Ginny tucked the paper into her potions book, her cheeks heating. She changed into her Quidditch practice attire and her trainers before pulling her hair back into a long braid. She would focus on getting ready for tomorrow. Then she would think about her friend's words.

But as she headed down to the Great Hall for lunch, she was imagining what it would feel like to have Harry enter her from that angle and she clenched her thighs together. As always, Luna had given her a lot to think about.

~ ASC ~

Ginny didn't sleep well that night. Every time she managed to close her eyes, she'd wake up a little over an hour later, eyes on the clock. She turned to snuggle closer to Harry, trying to think about how the tryout was going to go and running through every possible scenario she could in her mind.

She was determined to do amazing and to show the coaches that she had what it took to be allowed a place in the summer training program. When she woke up for a third time, Harry rolled on top of her.

"You need to shut your mind off."

"I can't!" she whispered in the dark. "I'm so nervous, I want to throw up."

Harry pecked her lips. "It's normal to be nervous, but you're going to be brilliant because I've never not seen you fly brilliantly. You're ready for this."

Her fingers curled around his biceps. "What if I'm not? What if I'm rushing into it? What if they tell me that I don't have what it takes?"

"Worst case scenario, you don't make it," Harry said. "But if they don't ask you to come back for a second tryout, they are morons and I will no longer support a sport that has morons running their tryouts."

Ginny's lips curved. "You're sweet."

Harry pecked her lips again. "I believe in you, Ginny, and I know that you believe in yourself. This is just nerves, that's all. You're going to be amazing in the morning, but you'll do even better if you get some sleep."

She nodded as he snuggled her back into his arms. "Okay. Yeah, I can do that."

He kissed her temple and held her close, but she didn't close her eyes. She knew Harry was right. She knew that she was talented at flying. She was confident that she would kill it at her tryout tomorrow, but the part that made her nervous was the competition. There were going to be a lot of really talented witches and wizards trying out and most of them would be older than her. Sixteen was the minimum age required to apply. Older meant that they had more experience, maybe even had tried out before. She was coming in blind.

Harry's hand slid between her thighs, his fingers slipping into knickers and then into her. "I told you to stop thinking."

She bit her bottom lip. "I'm trying."

Harry kissed her temple. "Try harder."

Then he slid her up the bed and shimmied down under the sheets to add his tongue. It took her less than a minute to stop thinking. When her knickers were off completely, her hands clutched at the sheets desperately as his tongue and fingers worked in tandem to drive her to the brink. When she was on the edge of losing her mind, he slid up and lifted her legs up, holding her thighs at his hips as he thrust into her.

She came, biting her lip as she moaned his name desperately. He finished, panting in her ear and snuggled her close in his arms. She heard him grab his wand to do a freshening charm on them both before he wrapped her in the blankets.

"Sleep, Ginny."

Completely spent and sated, she snuggled against his chest, and she did.

She didn't wake until the alarm went off at half past five that morning. Harry handed her his shirt to put on as she climbed out of bed. Seamus, Dean, and Neville were all sleeping still as they each went off to change and met in the common room before heading down to the pitch. They did a slow morning warmup routine before running their five kilometres around the pitch. She stretched again as she watched Harry do chin-ups on his broom, licking her bottom lip as his shirt rose and showcased the v lines of his hips and a hint of his happy trail. She licked her lips.

"Let's go, Weasley," Harry said, pulling his chin up over his broom. "Get down and do twenty."

Ginny pulled on her arms, rolling her shoulders before she did. When they were done with their reps, they did a cool down of stretches, and Harry wrapped his arm over her shoulders.

"Come on. I think you need a nice massage and a hot shower before we get some breakfast in you. I want you to be at your best," he said, kissing her temple.

"I love you, Harry," Ginny said, standing on her toes to kiss him. "Thank you so much for all of this and for believing in me."

Harry framed her face with his hands as he kissed her, resting his forehead against hers. "Absolutely. I love you and I know that you are going to be completely brilliant."

She beamed at him as he led her to the changing rooms. Harry told her to strip down to just her sports bra and knickers before he urged her to lie on her stomach on the padded bench. An image of Luna's drawing had her thighs clenching and Harry's warm hands began to massage her shoulders.

"Oooh," she moaned. "Harry, that feels lovely."

"I want you to be completely relaxed," he said. "Massages are important for athletes."

Ginny only made a sound of agreement as warm oil covered those hands as they rubbed and kneaded her shoulders and down her back. Her sports bra came off as he worked his way down her lower back, her calves, her thighs, and back up. She could feel the tension leaving her body.

"You have amazing hands," she murmured. "How come you don't offer this service to me more often?"

He kissed her shoulder. "I will remedy that immediately."

She smiled as he continued to massage her until she felt completely fluid, like her body was a limp noodle. He squeezed her arse and slapped it lightly.

"Shower."

Ginny slowly climbed to her feet, stretching her arms up over her head. "Thank you. I feel amazing."

"Good. Now, go shower and change into what you're going to wear. I'm going to polish your broom."

Ginny's eyes softened and she pecked his lips. "You are the most perfect boyfriend in the history of the world."

"Good, I'll remind you of that," he teased.

She kissed him again and hurried off to shower. She brushed her long hair and pulled it back into a tight braid, wrapping it into a small bun at the base of her neck. She changed into her black form-fitting work-out trousers and put on her black sports bra with the word Gryffindor in red across her breasts. She'd decided to wear one of Harry's old hoodies for good luck. It was too small for him now, but it said Gryffindor Quidditch team on the front and was gold with red writing. She moisturized her face and cleaned her teeth before adding a bit of mascara to her face. Feeling a bit better, she let out a long breath and then made her way into the front to find Harry finishing the final polish of her broom.

He'd done more than polish it, she noticed. Harry had taken the time to trim the bristles, strengthening the strands. He'd washed it by hand and then polished every angle of it with the special broomstick polish that made it shine and gleam without causing the grip to disappear. She watched him flick off one last speck of dirt from the end as he examined it for blemishes.

"It looks brand new," Ginny said, leaning against the doorframe of the bathing area.

"As it should." Harry carefully placed it on the bench next to him. "You look amazing. Is that my old hoodie?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah. I thought it might bring me luck."

Harry smiled. "You don't need luck."

Ginny walked over to him, bending to capture his lips in hers. "No, what I need is to show my boyfriend exactly how much I love and adore him."

Harry grinned against her mouth. "Oh really?"

She nipped at his mouth. "Really."

Then she knelt before him and slid her fingers into the waistband of his sweats, making his breath hitch in surprise.

"Watching you do chin-ups," she admitted. "Watching that little tease you gave me of your stomach, of this happy trail…" she trailed off, lifting his shirt to trace her finger down the trail of hair, lower and lower until she pushed his sweats down to get a full view. "These v lines of your hips… sometimes, you quite honestly take my breath away."

Harry swallowed as she shoved his boxer briefs down, his hardening cock bouncing free. Ginny immediately placed both of her hands on his thighs and then wrapped her mouth around the tip of him. The sound he made caused her to smile around his cock.

Harry really had no idea how attractive he was and sometimes when Ginny looked at him, she wanted nothing more than to show him just how attractive he was. She wanted to show him how sexy he was, how fit, and how much she wanted him. How much she wanted to please him. She hummed around his cock, taking more of him into her mouth and his head fell back. His fingers gripped the bench on either side of him tightly and Ginny let him go to suck on his sac.

Ginny loved going down on him. Ever since they'd started making love, she hadn't had a chance. Not since that day in Clevedon. She'd used her hands to get him ready, but they'd been all about having sex and she hadn't had time to enjoy having him in her mouth.

And she did enjoy it.

She loved to drag her tongue across his sac, she loved sucking his balls into her mouth and feeling him tremble. She loved watching his balls rise as his cock grew and she loved taking that hard length deep down her throat.

It had certainly taken some getting used to.

She remembered how much her jaw would hurt, how hard it was to fit him into her mouth, but she'd learned techniques. Tips from Theo helped, but mostly, practicing helped. And Godric knew, she loved to practice. She dragged her tongue over the underside of him and he moaned. Her hand began to slide over him, twisting him in her palm as she sucked on his tip and when she started to hum, he swore.

She took her time, slowing and quickening the pace as she felt him start to fall apart. Ginny pushed her lips down his length, sucking quickly as she took him in her mouth. The feel of him sliding down her throat made him choke back a desperate groan. Ginny ignored her own urge to choke and instead held him there, rolling his balls between her thumb and forefinger. Harry panted incoherently and when she slowly began to slide her lips back, sucking as she went, he groaned her name.

Her hand went back to his length as she sucked just the tip, ticking his sac, and when he finally let go, he groaned her name amidst unintelligent noises that made her smile. She swallowed every drop and when he was done, she kissed her way up his chest to kiss his lips.

"I love you. Now, let's go get some breakfast."

Harry's breath was still ragged. "I never… I never made it to the shower."

Ginny licked her lips. "Hurry up then."

Harry scrambled to his feet and she grinned as she watched him go. Yeah, he really was the best boyfriend ever.

Fifteen minutes later, they were in the Great Hall, eating breakfast. Harry urged her to drink orange juice with her toast and kissed her cheek before they headed out to the Apparition point. He carried her broom over his shoulder.

"I wish that I could go with you," he admitted.

"Me too," she said, her stomach full of butterflies again. "But they were very strict about no one being there outside of me."

Harry nodded. "I know."

Ginny let out a slow breath before she took Harry's arm and let him Apparate them both to the address she'd been given. It seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. All she'd been given were coordinates that put her in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Northern England. She looked up at the little shack curiously.

"Does this look right?"

"Must be," Harry said. "Isn't that Mitchell Payne?"

Ginny bit her lip. "Oh, Godric. If Mitchell Payne is here, do you think that means Gwenog Jones is here, too?"

Harry kissed her, long enough for her to lose focus. He pecked her lips once more. "You got this. Mirror call me when it's done if you need help getting back to the castle."

Ginny hugged him once more. "I got this."

Harry grinned and pecked her lips one final time as he passed her her broomstick. "Lots of luck anyway."

When he Disapparated, she let out a slow breath and turned towards the area where Mitchell Payne was standing. He was dressed in Arrows' training gear and his long blond hair was pulled back in a low tail at his neck. She watched him disappear through the wall and let out another slow breath. She could do this.

Ginny marched towards the area, catching the eye of the short dark-haired witch standing there with a clipboard.

"Name and appointment time," she said, not even looking up at her.

"Ginny Weasley, half past ten."

The witch held her wand over the clipboard and a green checkmark struck through the air. "What do you fly?"

"A Nimbus 2001," Ginny said.

The witch nodded and another green checkmark struck through the air, forming a piece of parchment. The witch passed it to her.

"Walk straight through the wall and make a left. The man at the end will direct you accordingly after you present him with this."

Ginny thanked her and slowly walked through the wall. She came out in a long hallway lit with torches and she headed to the left, the bright sun shining at the end. The man at the end was short and stocky. He had a full head of brown curls and a big nose. He looked her over as she approached.

He took the parchment from her before he spoke. "Position?"

"Chaser," she said.

He nodded and another green checkmark hit the air before he passed her the parchment back. "Follow the sun. You'll be directed accordingly."

The butterflies in Ginny's stomach seemed to increase as she moved out of the tunnel. The bright winter sun was lit up over the huge pitch and her eyes widened at the dozens of people who were here to try out. Another man, this one tall and skinny with big glasses, ushered her over. He held his hand out for the parchment and he took it, tapping his wand over it.

A moment later, she received a number twenty-six badge to put on her back. He directed her to sit by the other participants with her broom. Ginny went to have a seat, taking in the people around her. Mitchell Payne was sitting in the stands on the other side along with not only Gwenog Jones but she recognized the Arrows' Benjamin London and Thomas Dawson, Sean Connolly and David Lynch who had both played for the Irish national team when she'd gone to the cup, and Arlo Ross from the Tutshell Tornadoes. A few coaches were around that she recognized as well and the mass group of people here to try out all looked much older than she did.

A witch stepped up into the middle of the pitch. Ginny recognized her immediately as the retired coach, Amy Hunt, who had coached the Holyhead Harpies for ten years.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today, you have been given the chance to try out for the Premier Quidditch Training Camp. This is a test of your stamina, your endurance, and your skill. This is a three part tryout. If you succeed today, you will be given information on the second tryout next month. If you do not, thank you for coming out and good luck next year."

Ginny swallowed, wiping her sweaty palms on her trousers.

"There are thirty-eight of you here today," Hunt continued. "Only ten of you will be considered for the next round. You have each been given a number, this is what you will be known as in today's rounds. When we call you by your number, you will be asked to join in the game. We have a few volunteers here today to help assist in the game. I'm sure most of you have recognized some of our more famous players. We will try out for Keepers first. Good luck."

Ginny let out a slow breath and watched as the Keeper tryouts began. Each number was called and the new player would join the fray, taking on the position that they were meant to fill. There were eight people here trying out for Keeper. Watching them fly made her more nervous, but also boosted her confidence a bit.

She was better than most of them.

When the Chaser tryouts began, Ginny was a bit worried to see that fifteen other people were here to try out for Chaser. She mounted her broom when her number was called and flew over to where Benjamin London was waving her down.

"Hi," he said, smiling brightly. "You'll be playing Chaser along with myself and Mitchell Payne. Are you ready, Number Twenty-Six?"

Ginny bit her lip. "I was born ready."

London grinned. "Excellent! Let's see what you can do."

Her twenty minutes in the air was exhilarating. Even if she didn't make it, she would never be able to get over the fact that she played Quidditch with Benjamin London and Mitchell Payne. The opposing team was Gwenog Jones and Lexie Longhorn with a tall skinny bloke wearing the Number Thirteen. Number Twenty-Two was Keeper for Gwenog's team and Ginny had to admit, he was good.

But she was better.

She scored four times before they switched him out with Number Sixteen. A Bludger shot straight towards her and she dodged it, diving down and doing a perfect loop-de-loop under Payne's broom, catching the Quaffle London sent towards her and scoring another goal. She pumped her fist in the air, grinning broadly and when Number Thirty-Six was called in to replace her, London winked at her and mouthed 'great job.'

Ginny had never felt so good.

She returned to her seat, accepting the water the witch brought her to continue watching. She was called back into action thirty minutes later to play for the opposing team. Lexie Longhorn sent the Quaffle towards her and she caught it, passing it to Gwenog Jones. Jones sent it back when a Bludger came her way and Ginny scored again, making them cheer. Number Twenty-Nine replaced her and she returned to her seat, her feet tapping anxiously as she watched them play.

Everyone was really good.

When the game was called, the players all flew down and Hunt called them all to attention.

"Lunch will be provided while we deliberate our decisions. Help yourselves."

Ginny moved to the buffet table to help herself to a sandwich and smiled at Benjamin London when he stood next to her in line.

"I'm Ben," he said with a bright smile. "And you have a hell of an arm."

Ginny's smile widened. "Thank you. Am I allowed to tell you my name?"

"I already told the coaches my thoughts on Number Twenty-Six, so I think you're safe."

"I'm Ginny," she said, extending her hand. "Ginny Weasley."

London took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "It's lovely to meet you."

"You as well," she said. "Thank you for letting me play with you today."

"Oh, I assure you, it was my pleasure," he said.

Mitchell Payne draped an arm over London's shoulders. "Is he flirting already? You know, this guy can't walk more than a metre towards a woman without flirting. It's a compulsion."

Ginny smiled. "He's been kind."

"Look at her, London. She's definitely got someone already."

London's lips twitched. "I was just being friendly."

"He's just jealous," Payne said. "See, I have a witch, and he's here, all single and alone. It's sad, really."

"Piss off!"

Payne grinned. "He loves me."

Ginny smiled at their obvious camaraderie and affection towards each other. They left her alone to talk to some of the other people who had tried out and she picked at her sandwich, too nervous to eat. When the five coaches came out of the room they had disappeared into, everyone started to shuffle nervously, but the chatter stopped. Ginny chewed on her bottom lip, fiddling with the strings of Harry's hoodie. It was Hunt who spoke up again.

"I would like to thank you all for coming out here today. This was a great group and I am very pleased to see so many talented witches and wizards. Unfortunately, we cannot use all of you. Only ten of you will proceed to the second round on the twenty-eighth of March. When I call forth your number, will you please step forward."

Ginny closed her eyes, holding her breath. The numbers were being called chronologically. When her number wasn't called, her heart sank; she forced herself to bite back the sudden urge to cry.

"The numbers I have just called all played very well, but not well enough. Thank you for trying out and have a nice day. If your number was not called, please step forward."

Ginny's eyes flew open. Her number hadn't been called. She stepped forward, not daring to look at the people around her. Hunt pursed her lips.

"Your numbers were all given compliments from our volunteers, from the coaches, and from us. You impressed all of us. We look forward to seeing you again in March for round two. Return your numbers at the desk and you will be given further information on the second round. Thank you and have a good day."

Ginny let out a tiny squeal before she caught herself and covered her mouth. She'd made it. She'd made it into the second round of finalists. She was in the top ten! She grabbed her broom, practically bouncing in excitement as she went to return her badge. She was given an envelope with another set of coordinates and she thanked the witch, hurrying out of the shack.

Gwenog Jones, Mitchell Payne, and Benjamin London were chatting outside of the shack. Jones spotted her and waved her over.

"Miss Weasley, that was some impressive flying out there," Jones declared.

Ginny beamed. "Thank you. It was fun."

"She's good," London said. "Hell of an arm."

"See how she scored that last one, flipping under your broom? Impressive."

"It was," Jones agreed. "I hope you're impressive enough to kick round two in the arse."

Ginny stuck her chin out. "I will be."

Jones smiled. "Good. How are you getting back to Hogwarts?"

"You're still at Hogwarts?" London exclaimed.

"I'm a sixth year."

His eyes widened. "Damn, that's even more impressive. How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Well, shit," he said. "I got my arse handed to me by a sixteen-year-old."

"Better up your game, mate," Payne teased.

Ginny smiled at Gwenog. "I was going to call my boyfriend to get me."

"Nonsense," Jones said. "Mitchell would be happy to Apparate you."

"I would," he said with a smile, holding out his arm. "I have a letter for Professor Slughorn as well and I'd appreciate it if you'd pass it to him. Gwenog is sending him some tickets."

"Of course," Ginny said as she clutched his arm and they Disapparated to the village of Hogsmeade.

Payne handed her the envelope. "Thanks and hey — great job out there today. I don't know if I'll make the second round, but good luck."

"Thank you."

She watched him Apparate away and she couldn't stop grinning. She held tightly to the letter for Slughorn along with her own envelope of coordinates and information regarding round two as she approached the gate. Filch let her in a moment later, checking her wand, and she hurried up the bridge to the castle.

She couldn't wait to tell Harry.

~ ASC ~

Blaise thought that his life was pretty good right about now. He was eighteen and living in a massive suite in Malfoy Manor designed to look like the Winter Palace in Russia with his own private bath and sitting room. His best mate was nearby if he wanted to chat and he was more than ready to write his NEWTs and finish up his studies. Not to mention that he had two incredibly beautiful women occupying his bed. Sometimes even at the same time.

Yeah, his life was pretty grand.

Aeliana was a year older than him and hadn't exactly been a budding virgin when her grandfather, Titus Avery Senior, had convinced her to marry Holden Ledbury. Ledbury was one a year younger than her, but two years lower at Hogwarts due to where their birthdays fell. Aeliana told Blaise that Holden was nice and that she'd been grateful to have married someone her own age. But she was also looking forward to divorcing him once she could finally come out of hiding.

In the meantime, she enjoyed spending her time in Blaise's bed and he had no complaints about that. She was quite the little vixen. She wanted to try out new positions weekly and had even asked him how he felt about using toys. He had to admit, ever since Emmeline and Mona Vance had adopted her daughter, she was living it up the way she wanted to.

They lounged around in his bed, drinking wine from Draco's cellar, and shagging. She'd wake him up by sitting on his face or teasing him with her mouth and Blaise was pretty sure he'd only improved his techniques with her. So when Daphne Greengrass showed up, he'd only mildly considered pursuing her. They'd always had a little fling on the side and it seemed strange to not immediately attempt to bring up that friends with benefits conversation. Aeliana hadn't exactly asked him for anything so when he flirted with Daphne, he hadn't felt guilty about it. Daphne had only been at the manor for three days before he'd charmed her back into his bed. Aeliana had found them together and instead of getting angry like he'd expected, she'd merely dropped her robe and asked if she could join in.

Blaise was a very happy man.

But despite the good wine and the amazing sex, he had to admit he was anxious to get out of here. As big as Wiltshire Manor was, there were a lot of people living there. It was cold and English winter had never really agreed with him. He needed the Italian sun and he wanted to spend his days by a warm pool, soaking up the rays. It made him homesick in ways that he hadn't felt since before he started Hogwarts.

Not to mention that since he'd come to Wiltshire, there seemed to be a constant influx of Order members who insisted they speak to him and Draco. At first it had been all about how they removed the Dark Marks and how they managed to get all the way to Sicily without being detected, but lately the questions had been geared more towards things their parents had been involved in.

When Auror Lupin showed up and asked to speak to him in the parlour, he only licked his bottom lip as he followed her. She was hugely pregnant and he wondered how it was that she was even still working. He thought that she looked like she was ready to pop right now.

Blaise sat across from her and crossed his legs. "What can I help you with today, Auror Lupin?"

"I appreciate you taking the time to see me, Mr Zabini," Lupin said. "A colleague and I have been spending a lot of time building a timeline on the lives of the Brambilla Sisters."

Blaise's eyebrow rose. "Well, that is interesting. I'd love to hear what you've found."

"I certainly think it is and I think that you will too. I want to talk about your mother and whether or not you'd consider her dangerous."

Blaise's lips curved. "They call her the Black Widow for a reason. I'd consider her fairly dangerous."

"And your aunt?"

Blaise bit his bottom lip. "What about her?"

"She taught at Hogwarts for three years and you never once thought to tell someone that she was using a false identity? Why is that?"

"Because my mother asked me not to," Blaise said.

"You didn't think that it was strange?"

"No," Blaise said, crossing his arms in front of him. "I don't get involved with my family's business, Auror Lupin. I was thirteen when my Zia Donna started working at Hogwarts. Mamma told me that she was going to be teaching a new class and that I was to call her Professor Carthaginian. She made me promise never to speak to her and I never took her class so, it wasn't an issue."

"Why did she make you promise not to speak to her?" Lupin asked. "You didn't find that strange?"

"Well, if you've been doing some research as you said, you already know the answer to that. Zia Donna isn't exactly… sane."

"Can you elaborate?"

"No."

"Mr Zabini," Lupin began. "If you know something and are refusing to tell me, you're of age now and can be charged with obstructing justice."

"Ah, but I'm in hiding," he said, his lips twitching. "Under the protection of the very Order that you work for. You can't charge me with shit and we both know it."

Lupin pursed her lips. "You'd make a good lawyer. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Blaise grinned. "A few times actually. It's what I want to do, if I can ever get my life back. Speaking of my life, if the Dark Lord is aware that Draco and I are alive now, does that mean that we have to keep up this silly charade that we've died? Because I would very much like to write my NEWTs and apply to the International Magical Lex Schola."

"Of course you do," Lupin said. "You can apply. No one here will stop you from doing so. It's just that come September if this war is still ongoing, it might not be wise for you to attend."

Blaise swore under his breath. "So, prepare for my future even though I may never get to live it? Excellent. Mi stai prendendo in giro?"

"I don't speak Italian."

"It's not important," Blaise said.

Lupin stared at him. "Mr Zabini, we understand that this is difficult. Your life being put on hold is not something any of us wants for you. The more we know about Voldemort and his plans, the closer we get to ending this."

"And now you're about to tell me that the more information I give you on my zia will help with that? Is that it?"

"It will," Lupin said.

Blaise sighed and leaned forward. "I don't know anything that can help you. My father was killed when I was young. I have no memories of him. I was basically raised by my grandparents."

"Zabini or Brambilla?"

"Zabini," Blaise said. "Giancarlo and Nicoletta Zabini. They had two sons, my father and Giovanni. My uncle died before I was born and my grandparents died before I started at Hogwarts."

"I'm sorry for your loss. May I ask how?"

Blaise licked his bottom lip. "My grandfather was killed in an accident on a boat in Venice and according to Mamma, my grandmother died of a broken heart six weeks later. I started at Hogwarts four months after they both passed."

Lupin nodded. "Why did they raise you? Where was your mother? Or your mother's parents?"

"Never met them," Blaise said. "Mamma always claims that her mother was an Arabian princess that my grandfather seduced. Whether that's true or not, I couldn't tell you."

"How did they die?"

"She just told me that they were killed when she was young," Blaise replied. "All I know is that they were named Enzo and Vittoria and they had one daughter, Belladonna, until my father brought my mother home. My grandmother wasn't able to have more children, I guess there were complications. Mamma is only two years younger. They were close growing up, especially because my grandmother didn't like my mother."

"I can imagine it would have been hard for her, to take in a child your father had with another woman. What happened to the princess?"

Blaise shrugged. "She died giving birth to my mother. All I know is that her name was Nasira."

"So, your aunt or sorry, your zia, was around a lot when you were a child?"

"Yes and no," Blaise admitted. "She'd drop by every few months with gifts for me and play the doting zia, but she didn't really care."

"And your father? How did he fit in?"

Blaise leaned back in his seat. "Look, I don't know these details. I only know snippets that my mother has shared with me over the years."

"Enlighten me," Lupin said, leaning back and placing her hands over her large stomach.

Blaise tapped his hands on his leg. "Well, Mamma told me that it was an arranged marriage and she married him on the day of her seventeenth birthday. As far as I know, my zia never had an arranged marriage so I don't know why my mother did. But I do know that my zia Donna wanted to marry Antonio Zabini and he chose my mother instead because he thought that she was more beautiful."

"And he told her that?"

"To my mother," Blaise said. "I don't know if he ever said it to Zia Donna's face."

"So, your mother married him when she was seventeen and your grandparents were still alive then?"

"Yes. They told her that she was going to marry him on her seventeenth birthday and her parents were killed three months after she married."

"They were killed?" Lupin asked.

Blaise nodded. "Yes. Mamma said that it was an accident. They were given wine as a gift and it was poisoned. No one ever knew where it came from."

"This was three months after your mother's seventeenth birthday?"

"Yes," Blaise said. "Why?"

"Just confirming. So, how long were Bellarosa and Antonio engaged for?"

"Almost a year," Blaise replied. "As I said, they wanted my mother to be seventeen and to have finished school. I did hear my Nonno say once that my zia tried to change my father's mind a lot during that year and he never faltered. He wanted Mamma. According to my Nonno, Zia Donna has always been jealous of Mamma, yet they've always seemed to get along. I don't know what happened, but the rumour is that when Mamma married my father, my zia married an old rich widower three days later. My mother's family wasn't wealthy and the Zabinis were definitely known for having gold. I heard my grandparents say more than once that the Brambilla sisters were nifflers. It's part of why I inherited my father's title as the Baron of Sardinia when he died and my mother was only allowed the title in name only until I came of age."

"And your father's death?"

"I was barely three. I was always told that it was an accident, but recently my mother admitted to me that he was killed by Death Eaters."

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "How did you find out?"

"Mamma told me. She told me that I'd reached an age where I had to make a decision whether to follow my own path or to follow the one that led me to the Dark Lord," Blaise explained.

"And why did you choose not to follow him?"

Blaise chewed his lip. "My mother is a half-blood and she could care less about pureblood ideology or these big changes going on in the world. The only thing my mother cares about is money, clothes, and status. I never understood why she was so loyal to that tattoo on arm. It never made sense to me. It always seemed out of character for her. She told me that day that it was my father who introduced her to the Dark Lord. He was interested in what he had to say about bringing about a new world. He and his brother, Giovanni, were fascinated by his ideas. My father introduced my zia and Mamma to the Dark Lord. Zia Donna immediately was charmed and joined. Mamma said that she was hopelessly in love with my father and would have done anything he asked of her, so she took the Dark Mark."

He let out a slow breath before he continued.

"I always thought maybe my mother was behind his death. The nickname Black Widow didn't make it easy to not suspect her. She told me that she made my father's death look like an accident so that no one would suspect that he was killed by Death Eaters like his brother had been before I was born. She said that my father had started to question the Dark Lord's motives when he became obsessed with finding the Potters. My father was one of the Death Eaters who was with him when he found them. They were ordered to wait outside of the house for him and when he fell, my father ran."

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Antonio Zabini was with Voldemort the night he fell in Godric's Hollow?"

Blaise nodded. "Along with Abraxas Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe Senior, and Titus Avery Senior. My father ran. He collected me and my mother and we went into hiding. They found us a year or so later and killed my father. They let my mother live because she says that she talked her way out of it."

"Did she?"

Blaise shrugged. "It's what she says, but she also was very careful about how she said it. I think she slept with them personally. Let them have their fun and promised she was loyal."

"When did she tell you all this?"

"A few months before my seventeenth birthday," Blaise admitted. "I think that she was trying to tell me to run. To not take the Dark Mark. She set up a portkey for Draco and I to leave Hogsmeade that day. I took it from her, but I didn't trust her enough to stay in the place she sent me. Draco and I ran."

Lupin licked the corner of her mouth. "Bellarosa Brambilla Zabini is quite a hard one to pin down. We know that she certainly looks guilty of a lot of crimes and her string of dead husbands over the past decade certainly don't help. She's married a sixth time to a man named Emilio Mantegna. He's a rich antiquities dealer who owns a vineyard in Tuscany."

"Sounds like her type," Blaise said.

"And what about your zia? Does she have a type?"

"I don't know her very well."

"Mr Zabini — Blaise, when she was at Hogwarts, did you really have no contact with her of any kind?"

Blaise stared at the Auror for a long moment. He watched in interest as her stomach seemed to shift, as if something was itching to get out only a moment before her vividly pink hair turned turquoise.

"Er…"

Lupin scrunched up her nose and turned her hair pink again. "The baby likes to play with my hair," she said. "Sorry, back to you?"

Blaise bit his lips. "I did talk to her at school."

"What about?"

"She asked me about my life and how I liked school. Then she approached me a few times and said that she was exploring the castle. She and my mother went to Durmstrang and she was interested in learning more about Hogwarts."

"Like what?"

"Like some of the hidden alcoves or ways into the school."

"And you told her?"

Blaise nodded. "Yeah, I did. I never… I didn't know that she was going to do that, Auror Lupin. She'd been teaching there for years and I don't know it just… I didn't know."

Lupin gave him a kind smile. "You're not in trouble here, Blaise. Belladonna Brambilla conned you just like she's been doing for almost two decades. It's part of what we've been studying is the way that she seems to con people into doing what she wants. Blaise, the reason I'm here today is to pick your brain about what you do know about your mother's ex-husbands and whether or not you think your mother is capable of having killed them all off."

Blaise snorted. Was his mother capable of murder? Most definitely. He'd seen her reaction to the last husband's death. Her fake crying as she explained how he'd been eaten by werewolves. She hadn't even cared. She may not have pulled her wand on him, but she still helped point him to his death. He was sure of that.

"Is she capable of it? Without question. But they were all accidents, Auror Lupin."

"And if I were to tell you that we think your zia is actually responsible for the deaths of all of them?"

Blaise swallowed. His aunt? He knew that she was a little more deranged, but he wasn't sure how she could be responsible for the death of his stepfathers.

"Oh, she's more than capable, but I don't see how she could have done it. She was barely around when I was a kid."

"You said that she was jealous of your mother?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Do you think that maybe your mother isn't even aware that her sister has been the one behind their deaths? That she truly believes them to be accidents?"

Blaise bit his lip. This was starting to sound a little mad, even for him.

"Let me get this straight, you think that my zia is killing Mamma's husbands and making them look like accidents as, what? Some sort of twisted revenge on her? For what?"

"Jealousy makes people do terrible things," Lupin said. "Your mother has everything that Belladonna has ever wanted. The man she wanted, by your own admission, chose your mother over her. He gave her a family in you. She attempted to have a family of her own with her second husband and lost her daughter and new husband just as quickly as she had them. Yet when Death Eaters found your family, your mother somehow convinced them to let you and her live. Again, your mother comes out on top by not losing the child your aunt lost. Then to make matters worse, your mother less than two years after your father's death, finds herself a rich comte to take care of her and you. It had to make her angry."

"She blamed Dumbledore for her daughter and husband dying, not my mother."

"So, you think that I've hit the Bludger in the wrong direction?" Lupin asked. "You don't think that it explains a few things?"

He was starting to think it really did. He watched as Lupin opened a folder in front of her.

"1987: Tristian Beauchamp is found dead in his office by a woman known only as Delta. She was assumed to be one of his lovers, but when Aurors went back to question her, they couldn't find anyone by that name. He was poisoned by a potion known as Lover's Kiss. It was ingested through the skin of his penis. 1989: Lord Stephen Barkley. Remember him? He wrote you into his will."

Blaise swallowed. "I liked him. He was… kind to me. He took me to Quidditch matches and showed me how to fly. When he died I… I told Mamma I hated her and that I didn't want to meet any more of her boyfriends."

Lupin nodded. "You thought she killed him?"

Blaise scoffed. "I was barely ten. All I knew was that she fucked him and he died."

"Yes, and no," Lupin said. "He had a heart attack during intercourse, which is what they ruled his death as. But they found traces of dark magic in his blood. We believe that someone poisoned him to help that heart attack along. Someone who might be gifted in brewing potions of that magnitude."

"My mother is terrible at potions," Blaise admitted. "She can't brew anything. She pays cosmetic witches a pretty sickle for everything she needs. She can't even brew a basic tonic."

"Interesting. That brings us to husband number four, David Sanders. She married him very quickly after losing Lord Barkley, but they were only married for six months."

"He fell off of his broom."

"Yes, he did," Lupin confirmed. "But Sanders was a very accomplished flier. He could have played professionally and the day he died he had no alcohol in his blood, no potions. There was no storm or bad weather and witnesses claim that when he fell, he made no attempt to right himself. He just let himself plummet to his death. Does that sound right to you?"

"What do you mean?" Blaise asked.

"I think someone stunned him," Lupin said. "I think he was stunned or confused by someone. In 1990, Belladonna Brambilla was married to a wealthy Englishman named Herman Frost and they lived only a few homes away from the Sanders' house. When Sanders fell from his broom, your mother claimed that she was shopping in Apricity Lane and her alibi checked out. We have no record of where Belladonna Frost was at that time."

"You think Zia Donna stunned him when Mamma was shopping?" Blaise asked incredulously. "Seriously?"

"How else do you explain him falling for no reason? That he made no effort to save himself?" When Blaise didn't answer her, she continued. "Then comes Lord Jason Stanford in 1995. He was wealthier than all of the other men combined. He was seventy-five and your mother thirty-two. It seems very unlikely that someone of his status and age would happen upon feral werewolves during a full moon. Don't you agree?"

"I don't know."

"Someone set him up to be there," Lupin said. "Of that I have no doubt, but my question is: Who? Now, she's married to this Mantegna. They eloped in the summer and are rumoured to be madly in love. He's five years older than her. He's approaching the point of their relationship where he should be worried about his life. Don't you think?"

"I don't know," Blaise admitted. "You're saying that my mother's not responsible for them. I don't know what to think."

"I want you to think about it," Lupin said. "Look back over what you know and tell me what you think happened to your stepfathers because I think that you do know who is responsible for their deaths — and if I'm right about this — the real Black Widow is Belladonna Brambilla. The woman who is responsible for murdering over twenty-five men."

"Twenty-five!" Blaise exclaimed. "That can't be right!"

"It is," Lupin said. "And to be honest, I think there's more that we haven't found yet."

She put her hand on the arm of the chair and slowly attempted to stand. Blaise jumped to his feet and offered his arm. Lupin smiled when she was standing.

"Thank you for that. Standing has become a real chore. I hope to hear from you about this, Blaise. If I'm not available, talk to Auror K or let any other Order member know that you would like to speak to an Auror. You could really help with this, Blaise."

"To put my mother in prison?"

Lupin's grey eyes met his. "To prove her innocence of the Black Widow nom de guerre. I wonder if she's worried about Mantegna's safety. It's something to think about. Good night, Mr Zabini."

Blaise walked her to the door and bid her goodbye, closing it behind him. He had to admit, she'd definitely given him a lot to think about. He made his way upstairs to his room in the Russian Palace Suite and he stretched out onto his back in the big bed. If Lupin was correct, his zia had murdered every one of his mother's husbands. It meant that his mother wasn't a killer in the sense of her husbands, but it didn't diminish any of her crimes as a Death Eater.

The thing was, he hadn't lied. His mother couldn't brew a potion if her life depended on it. She didn't have the patience or the skill. But his zia… she'd always been able to whip up a potion in a flash. He remembered her bringing his mother pain potions or sleeping potions to help with her grief after losing each of her husbands.

He looked up when Aeliana came in.

"Hi," Aeliana said, opening her robe to reveal her black lace bra and matching knickers. "You were with that Auror for a long time. I thought you might need a distraction."

He started to tell her that now wasn't the time before he stopped himself. No, he could use a distraction. He needed something to take his mind off of this. He undid his trousers, lifting himself up to tug them down.

"Sure, love. Come suck me off."

She pouted. "I was hoping for a little more of a joint effort…"

"Suck me off first," he insisted. "As you said, I need a distraction."

The blonde shrugged and climbed onto the bed, shrugging out of her robe. Blaise put his hand in her hair when she bent her head over him and thought he definitely needed a distraction because he sure as hell didn't want to think about who the real Black Widow was.

Nope, he didn't want to think about that at all.

---

End Author's Notes:

(Italian) caro/cara = dear

(Italian) il mio ragazzo amante = my lover boy

(Italian) sí = yes

(Italian) addio cara = goodbye, dear

(Italian) mia/mio cuore = my heart

(Italian) mia/mio tesoro = my darling

(Italian) mia/mio amore = my love

(Italian) molto bene = very good

(Italian) mi stai prendendo in giro = you are making a fool of me

(Latin) Lex Schola = law school

Thanks for reading and please review!