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.

355. The One With the Quinque Annos Consilium

Author's Note:

FINAL COUNTDOWN! 5 MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!

To Gigi87: Haven't heard from you in a while, hope all is well.

Reviews and Comments: To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Aw, sorry to make you cry! It was such a happy chapter! It was some much needed fluff and happiness for our characters. Thank you! To mike3308: I am also glad Hermione got her parents back. Thank you! To one-of-a-kind-copycat: You are very welcome. I needed to post early as well because I was busy this week. Thank you for enjoying the Hinny conversation about the Patronus, that was important to me. Thank you! To ThomasJAvery: Thank you! Ron's reaction to spiders is very much akin to my reaction to snakes. I would die in Australia lol. Thank you for loving the Patronus conversation between Harry and Ginny and them talking about Voldemort. It was important for both of them. Hermione's parents definitely need some time to catch up on everything. Thank you! To Zarathos Morgenstern: Thank you very much! To Marauder0716: Thank you very much! To alix33: Thank you! To scrappy8: Harry and Ginny did have a good talk, thank you! To Read and Fly: Thank you! I'm glad that despite you not liking Ron and Hermione as a couple, you enjoy my writing about them. The Grangers were angry (which is understandable) and it will take a lot of talking between them to get things sorted out. Harry and Ginny are very much in love and on a much deserved holiday. You will have to wait and see about the new story. Thank you!

To NixGrey: You're welcome! I'm glad my early post made your week better! Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: Thanks for liking my Australian Ministry of Magic, it was fun to create. Bellmel helped me as an Australian herself. The Aussie slang was fun to research and to get help with as well. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the Granger family reunite. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: We definitely needed the fluff and yes, especially after the dark chapter of The First Time Around lol. Thanks for loving my notes on penguins! Thank you! To Wolf's scream: I think Harry and Ginny are adjusting to post war fairly well. Ha, that would very funny! Thank you! To Emma Janet: It was fun to give such an exclusive Romione and Hinny chapter. I enjoyed giving Ron and Hermione a chance to explore Australia while they searched. It wouldn't have been realistic for her to find them on the first try because she didn't know where they were. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: I didn't know rellies was a word myself and I learned all sorts of interesting things while googling Australian slang and conferring with Bellmel lol. Yes, Mugs, short for Muggles and yes the COMA and the Straya Bus. I had fun with all of those. Ron is great at keeping Hermione calm and Hermione is great at keeping a cool head while Ron freaks out over the spiders lol. Romione and Hinny very much deserve this time off and together. No, as happy as the Grangers are to have seen their daughter again, there is a need for a lot of communication and rebuilding amongst them. Thank you for liking Harry and Ginny's Patronus conversation. I do think a mare is much more fitting for Ginny than a doe as well. Thank you!

To pix25: Thank you! To anonymous: Thank you very much! I'm so glad you've enjoyed reading this Hinny story over the last few weeks, I hope you enjoy the final five chapters as I wrap it up. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you for saying this chapter was so fucking beautiful and hot. It was fun to write about Ron and Hermione in Australia and yes, it was a mission to find the Grangers but it was also about Ron and Hermione having time together and getting a much needed holiday away from everything. Ha, yes, writing Ron being afraid of the spider was so much fun! The Grangers will take some time in truly forgiving their daughter for her choice, but they do love her. Harry and Ginny needed that time to truly talk about everything and to make sense of it all and come to terms with it. Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Steak and ratatouille are quite delicious, I very much recommend. Thank you! To harstonks: Yes, Hinny and Romione. Thank you! To Levs23: Yes, this chapter was mainly focused on Romione and Hinny, but it was much needed. We'll see more of Theobas in this chapter. Thank you! To Slaidback: Very interesting. Thanks for the lesson on NZ! I've been reading a lot of Jay Hogan books, a NZ author, and I'm learning all sorts of Kiwi things lol. Thank you! To ellyann13: Thank you and yes, five more to go! Thank you! To Sets: Thank you very much! Moving to the West coast in America? Good luck with the move. Thank you! To ascfan: Hermione's parents will need some time to really think about everything. Thank you!

To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you for liking the restoring of the Grangers' memory. I always felt it was an important thing to be discovered and to show how her parents reacted to it. Thanks for loving Hinny's talk. Thank you! To briana_t: Yes, they are finally back! The Grangers were rightfully pissed off, but they are back. Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To c_thru_the_looking_glass: Ron and Hermione and Hinny are horn-dogs lol. Thank you! To TatiRena: How can I not write Ron screaming like a child at the sight of a spider? LOL. Thank you! To PurpleLotus: Thank you! To Masonjar191: Ron's reaction to spiders is akin to my reaction to snakes. I'm glad they found Hermione's parents too! Thank you! To Fanfis01: Thank you! I really hope you enjoy how this story wraps up and where I take part three. Thank you for following me for over two years. Thank you! To SweetPhrogJezus: Ha, your brother is wise. Thank you! To reginaphalange: That's all right, I'm glad you're catching back up! Hinny is definitely getting the break they deserve! Thank you! To misadorag: Thank you very much for being obsessed with my Hinny! That definitely means I'm doing something right. Thank you!

To Lainewitch: Thanks for catching up! I can't believe it's almost over either. Thank you! To Artek: Wow, reading for two months and are now caught up, thank you! Not a single bad thing to say, well thank you! I'm honoured you plan to re-read it. To Mackie919: Things are starting to wrap up nicely. We will see more of Hermione with her parents and yes, lots of more Hinny to come. They are so in love and perfect for each other. Thank you! To Steelcode: Wow! That was some catch-up! It was so nice to hear from you again! Having a manor for a home would be kind of crazy and yes, I imagine I would get lost every day as well lol. You aren't wrong about "the baby's coming" being a joke that might backfire lol. Thanks for loving the double date! Yes, Remus was home, and yes, karma kind of bit Tonks in the butt there on the whole jokes about going into labour lol. But Teddy is here and he's beautiful! Things are getting intense. Ha, this is true, if you don't drink you do have all of the ammunition and dirt against those who do lol. I wish Sirius was still alive as well, but thank you for loving seeing him again. I'm glad you're on the edge of your seat. Ginny is definitely awesome! Not trying to kill you, promise! I'm glad your heart stopped for Zee though and for Dobby. It was sad to write. Sorry to make you cry, but I'm honoured it's hitting you in the feels. Thank you! Yes, Theo finally met the parents (kind of), but he is grieving about Ciara and Mila. As to being on edge again, haha, the evil trio are making plans. I have great tastes in drinks and I can't take credit for the names as I didn't invent them lol. I have drank them though. Thank you so much for taking the time to review all of the chapters you were behind on. I'm glad you enjoyed the final battle and are happy to see Hermione get her folks back. Thank you!

To Preethi Rao: Thank you! I was disappointed we didn't get to see Hermione get her parents back in Deathly Hallows either. Im so happy you thought it was perfect to see how Hermione went to find them. Nope, the three escapees are laying low for the time being; tending to their wounds and pouting. We'll catch up with them later on. Harry and Ginny were having such a peaceful day and enjoying themselves. I'm sorry it made you miss your own boyfriend. Thank you! To katelyn453: Thank you! To Saz J: Happy to seeing you catch up! Going from sweet and kinky to very sad and steamy followed by frustrating — thank you! To minxblades: Thank you! To TylerTheCreator: Thank you for taking the time to proclaim your sexuality. Thanks for the review boost in the process. To Guest885: As 99% of Canadians will attest to, no, we are not American and we do not want to be called as such. I am proud to be Canadian. It would be like the Scottish being called English — we're not the same. I'm sorry that you felt the addition of Canadian geese was a total flop and you felt it "highlights that you want to take Canada's name unnecessarily." I'm really not sure what you mean by that, but I am sorry you found it so disappointing. I had a lot of fun writing it. Thank you for reading and reviewing. To Jack: I'm sorry that you feel that panic attacks and PTSD are not important things that need to be addressed as it didn't happen in canon. I disagree and wanted to show why it should have been addressed. But no, I don't bash the characters, you are right, so thank you? I think.

To Bellmel: Yes, Constable Bell! To thank you for all of your help with my Australia-related stuff! I love that it gave you a dorky grin! It is very exciting to read about your hometown, so I get it! Yes, poor Hermione! She not only doesn't know which couple is her parents but has no idea how to approach them. Reinstating their memories is going to take longer than simply reversing the spell and they will have A LOT to take about. Thank you again for all of the amazing help you provided on creating the magical world of Australia. Harry and Ginny definitely have the better weather for their holiday lol and yes, they do get to have all of the fun lol. But I think Ron and Hermione had a pretty good time as well. It is good to see Harry and Ginny get the time they need to just talk about things, important things that need to be discussed between them. Thank you! To ravenclaw_rockchick: Thanks for catching up! Ron and Hermione definitely have a healthy sex life. I love them being willing to tell each other what they need. Sleep and food is the theme of the chapter. Something they all desperately need. Thank you. I do really think that Harry and Ginny needed to have that conversation about the Patronus and about everything. Yes, they are that comfortable with each other that they can go from such a serious conversation to swimming. Always happy to provide a good soundtrack. Thank you! To Spike's Number One Pet: You're welcome and 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 FIFTY-FIVE:

The One With the Quinque Annos Consilium

Sebastian woke to the feel of Theo's lips trailing over his shoulders and down his back. Ever since they'd finally admitted they were mad for each other, it seemed that all they'd been doing as of late was shagging in different areas around the manor in between planning for his parents' anniversary party. He smiled into his pillow, letting out a sleepy moan as Theo's lips continued on their journey. He could see the sun was seeping through the curtains, but he was quite content to stay here lying in his boyfriend's arms. It was his favourite thing about Sundays.

Theo's mouth moved lower, tracing down his spine before lingering over his lower back.

"I know you're awake," he teased.

Sebastian turned his head to smile at the messy head of hair. "Morning."

"Good morning," Theo said, tugging the sheet lower before pressing his lips to Sebastian's right butt cheek.

"Mmm, come here."

Theo kissed his arse again. "Nuh-uh."

He took his time, kissing him all over before his lips brushed over his balls and Sebastian trembled.

"Bas?"

"Mmm… yeah?"

His hand moved around to cup his butt cheek. "Do you… do you ever think you'd um… ever let me fuck you?"

Sebastian turned his head to meet Theo's eyes. "You want that?"

Theo kissed his arse again. "I love it when you're inside of me. I love it more than anything, but… I want to. I mean, only if you want to because I really love getting shagged by you and I'm not complaining about that. At all. I just thought maybe we could, you know, switch," he said, blushing pink. "But only if you want. I'm really okay if you don't want that."

Sebastian rolled over, pulling Theo into his arms and kissing his forehead. "I love you."

Theo smiled, resting his chin on Sebastian's shoulder. "I know. I love you, too. It's not… I want to make you feel as good as you make me feel."

"You do," he promised.

"But you don't want that," Theo finished. "It's okay, Bas."

"No," he said carefully, sliding his hands up Theo's spine. "It's not that it's… if I'm honest, I've only ever bottomed once and… I don't really know if it was for me."

"You didn't come that way," Theo said in understanding.

Sebastian hesitated before he nodded.

Theo kissed his lips. "That's okay. I really love it when you're inside of me."

Sebastian frowned, his hand moving into Theo's hair. "Yeah, but… I mean… are you upset?"

"No," Theo replied. "I'd be upset if you told me I couldn't blow you anymore —"

"—Yeah, totally never going to say that," Sebastian said, his lips curving.

"But this is all right, Bas. Really, it doesn't matter to me. You give me everything I need and I just want to make sure that I'm doing the same for you."

"More than," he whispered, kissing his cheek. "You give me everything, Theo." He captured his lips in his for a long kiss. "You are everything." He kissed his forehead. "Can I think about it?"

Theo kissed his way down Sebastian's chest. "Only if you want to. I'm quite content being a very needy bottom for you, Auror Arsehole."

But when Theo wrapped his mouth around his cock, Sebastian couldn't help but think maybe he did need to think about it. After all, just because his experience with Clark hadn't been good, didn't mean that it was all bad. Theo's mouth sucked on his balls and his eyes crossed.

Yeah, he was pretty sure anything he and Theo did was definitely not going to be bad. He had some thinking to do.

~ ASC ~

Ron and Hermione spent three days in Brisbane with the Grangers telling them everything. Hermione told them every step that she had taken to ensure their safety by altering their memories, changing their names, and making them forget they'd even had a daughter. She gave them the file that she had kept outlining the plans for the house and how she had hidden it, making it invisible and protected so that no one could find it until they returned home. She explained how she had sent them on a supposed two-year sabbatical and left their dentistry practice to be run by Dr Yîn and Dr Hajjar with the clearly expressed plan of them being incommunicado for their sabbatical.

"Why two years?" Greg asked, his hands wrapped around the tea cup as they sat around the kitchen table talking.

"To be safe," Hermione told him. "I didn't know how much longer the war would go on and I wanted to make sure that you didn't lose your work while it happened. I know you respect Nick and Kamaria so I thought leaving the practice in their hands was a good choice."

"It was," Jean admitted, grudgingly. "Even if the rest wasn't."

"Look," Ron began. "You have every right to be upset over this, but it was a hard choice for Hermione to make as well. The night she did it, she cried for hours. She spent the next two weeks crying herself to sleep. She knew that it was something that would hurt you, but she did it anyway because she believed it was the only way to keep you truly safe. You refused to move into a safe house and my brother informed us there were some Death Eaters lurking near your work. Hermione is a friend to Harry and as much as I love that tosser, anyone close to him had a bull's eye on their backs. Look what a crazy bitch did to your daughter!"

He held up her arm, lifting her sleeve as Hermione swallowed.

Greg's eyes widened as they took in the word. "Mudblood?"

"It's a really foul name for someone who is Muggleborn, a racial slur if you will," Ron continued. "She was taken hostage and tortured and still she fought tooth and nail at the final battle."

Jean's eyes softened. "Darling… I'm sorry."

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's okay. I know it's going to take a bit for you to trust me again. I will never use magic against you or Dad ever again without your permission. I'm sorry that I did it, even if I know that I made the right choice to keep you safe, it was still wrong."

"Is it really over?" Greg asked.

Ron nodded. "There are a few Death Eaters still running free, but Voldemort, he's gone. Harry took care of him."

"Harry," Jean whispered. "He's so young… you all are."

"Glad you think so," Ron said. "Because I feel about a hundred."

"Well, war has a way of leaving a mark on people," Greg said. "And now?"

"I'm starting at the Auror Academy," Ron said. "And Hermione will be starting work at the Ministry of Magic. She's got an internship that she wanted and deserves in a brand new department set to showcase her insane talents and genius."

Hermione blushed. "Ron is exaggerating. It's a new department within the Department for the Reconstruction and Cooperation With Magical Creatures. I will be working on the cooperation aspect, specifically with house elves and with the legislation that I wrote."

Jean beamed. "Oh, darling, we're so proud of you. That sounds like important work."

"It is," Ron said.

"And what's an Auror?" Greg asked.

"Like a police detective, Dad," Hermione explained.

"Ah, going to be a bobby, are you?"

"Er, sure," Ron said.

"An Auror," Hermione said, making Ron nod.

"Yeah, Harry and I both."

"Good," Jean said, folding her hands together. "Well, now that we have all of this somewhat cleared up… can we go home?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Really? You'll come back to England with us?"

Greg nodded. "It's our home, Jellybean. Australia's been amazing. Jean and I have spent our time sight-seeing and relaxing and basically being on holiday for a year. It's time to go back. Check in on the practice and well, get back to our real lives. You'll be home?"

"Yes," Hermione told him. "Ron and I are looking for a flat together, but it can wait if you want me to stay home for a bit. Right, Ron?"

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Of course."

Jean smiled. "No, of course you can keep looking for a place, but in the meantime, I want you home for dinner every night. We still have a lot to catch up on and talk about."

Hermione nodded as Greg stood up and pulled her into his arms, burying his nose in her bushy curls.

"I love you, Jellybean. You're my favourite person in the whole world and I never want to lose you again, okay?"

"Okay," she murmured into his shoulder, blinking back tears.

"Good," Greg said, kissing the top of her head. "So, let's get some plane tickets."

"Actually," Hermione began. "Ron doesn't have a passport so we'll have to use a portkey."

"He doesn't have a passport?" Jean asked, her brow furrowing. "How on earth did you get to Australia, dear?"

Ron grinned. "Magical papers are different apparently." He kissed Hermione's cheek. "I'll head back to the beach house and collect our things and then head to the COMA to get a portkey for the four of us. You stay here with your parents."

Hermione gave him a grateful look and he kissed her cheek again.

When he disappeared out the front door, Jean tucked her arm into her daughter's.

"That's a good man you've got there."

Hermione's eye met her mother's as she smiled, her heart swelling at hearing her mother speak the words. "The best. I love you, Mum."

Jean wrapped her in her arms and kissed her forehead. "I love you, too, dear. Very much."

Hermione melted into her mother's embrace, finally feeling like the war was really over.

~ ASC ~

Harry and Ginny spent four days surfing on the Atlantic Ocean. After a few mishaps, they both got the hang of being on their boards again, racing and riding the waves in delight for most of the day. They packed a picnic to bring to the beach for lunch and then would head back to the house for dinner where they would blare music and cook together.

They spent their evenings curled up in the sunroom or by the pool, snogging and talking about everything and anything. They talked about Arthur and what losing him meant. They talked about the friends they lost, about Misha, and about the deaths of those they didn't know. They talked and they cried and they comforted each other by sharing memories about those they lost. They talked about the fact that Crouch, Lestrange, and Brambilla had yet to be caught and they talked about the missing Resurrection Stone and what that could mean.

They talked about their plans for the rest of the summer, about spending time with Mina, Leo, and Teddy, and Ginny mentioned how she wanted to go to Romania and stay with Charlie for a few days.

"I've never seen his house except for pictures," Ginny said. "And it would be fun to see the Village of Blue Fire and where he works, plus I would get to spend more time with Aydin."

"You should go," he told her, kissing her forehead. "Before your birthday and all of the training starts."

Ginny smiled as she snuggled up to him. "I think I will."

They talked about the future and what it meant if Ginny signed a contract at the end of the summer. There was a strong possibility that she would be offered one as a reserve which meant that she would have to leave Hogwarts most weekends to be wherever the team needed her.

"Ron is hoping that you sign with the Cannons. I heard Lacrosse is retiring."

"I heard that too," Ginny admitted. "I'd be grateful to play on any team, but the Cannons are hopeless."

"Not if you were their Chaser," he teased.

She grinned and played with his hand. "You are biased."

"Nah, just confident in my witch's ability to kick arse and take names."

Ginny chuckled. "If I'm offered a contract, it means my seventh year will be even busier than planned."

"Yeah," he admitted. "And who knows what my hours are going to be like once I get through basic training. As an A1, I could be working at any time and probably weekends, too."

"We're definitely going to be using the mirrors a lot," she said.

"Definitely," Harry agreed. "And definitely for sex stuff." He laughed when she elbowed him. "Okay, fifty-fifty."

"Better," she said, chuckling. "It's going to be so weird not having you at school and being back in my own dorm."

"Yeah," he admitted. "You did rather get comfortable in my bed."

"Not that you'd ever let me leave," she teased.

He pulled her closer to him. "Nuh-uh."

Ginny smiled. "I'm on friendly terms with my roommates now, but I still wouldn't consider us friends. At least I'll have Luna and Colin to keep me sane."

"What about the Herald?"

"Yes," she answered. "I'm definitely going to keep writing as Compass. I find it fun and relaxing. I think giving it up would be a bad idea."

"I just don't want you to wear yourself too thin," he told her. "Plus you'll be Quidditch captain. I told McGonagall that you were my choice and she agreed."

"That one might depend on everything," she told him. "If I'm lucky enough to sign a contract, I might not be at the school enough to even play on the school team. Maybe I'll get through the camp and they'll put me on hold for a year. I don't know how it all works. I still can't even believe I'll be starting camp in August."

Harry kissed her forehead again. "You'll figure it out. If anyone can do it, you can, but you might crush Auntie Minnie's dreams when she hears about the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I can't believe that I didn't even get to play in my final match."

"Well, the battle kind of stopped everything."

"Yeah, but I still would have really liked to have won the Cup fair and square from Hufflepuff even though we totally would have won anyway. Their team sucked."

Ginny laughed. "They weren't that bad! They made it to the end."

"Only because the other teams sucked even more," Harry insisted. "Honestly, it's probably better we didn't play. It would have been an embarrassment to Quidditch everywhere. Now Auntie Minnie gets to keep the Cup in her office another year."

"Isn't she supposed to give it to Remus now, as he's head of Gryffindor?" Ginny asked.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Let's not tell her that just yet."

They talked about what kinds of things Harry and Ron would have to do in the Auror training and Harry told her about how Tonks was excited for him to work with her. They spoke about Clevedon Court and Harry told her how he was thinking about moving in after she returned to Hogwarts.

"I'll spend the summer with Zee and the twins and help out there, but then I'll move into the house in September. I can start to settle in and you know, make it a home for us. And I was thinking of maybe asking Ron and Hermione to move in with me."

Ginny leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I wondered how long it would take you to think of that."

"You think it's a good idea then?"

"I do," Ginny told him. "It will give them time to look for a place and the three of you a chance to hang out again. Plus it will allow them to stay together. I think with Hermione bringing her parents home and Mum at the Burrow… they'll appreciate having that space together and with you. It sounds perfect."

Harry nodded. He agreed with her, but was glad she felt the same as him. He missed spending time with his best friends and this would be the perfect way for them to do that. Ron had mirror called them the other day to let them know that he and Hermione were returning to England with the Grangers and Harry was pleased to hear that everything had gone well. Or as well as could be expected. Hermione and her parents still had a lot to talk about and to deal with.

"Not to mention that with Ron, Hermione, and I living together, it will be better for us with our crazy hours as A1s, and who even knows what Hermione's work schedule will be like," Harry continued. "It will be less disruptive to Mina and Leo with me not coming and going at all hours as well and I can still babysit whenever Zee needs me. I want to turn one of the rooms in the house into a nursery for Teddy and maybe another room for Mina and Leo so they can come stay with me sometimes."

"You're so sweet," Ginny said, kissing his cheek. "I love that idea. You should get Dean and Luna to help you. They can make it creative and fun."

Harry agreed that would be a good idea. They talked about how she was going to move in after she wrote her NEWTs and spoke more about how they would try to find time for each other while she was at school, making plans to talk on the mirror every night.

Then they would find their way upstairs and make love in the big bed, sometimes in the tub or shower, and fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms. Harry woke her every morning with his head between her legs and they would have lazy morning sex before going downstairs to make breakfast.

After a week in Barbados of nothing but surfing, sun, and sex, they both felt relaxed and happy. It was how they ended up going down to the magical village called Kaleidoscope Kove which was right along the beach near Bridgetown. It was a very unique place in the sense that all of the buildings did indeed look like a kaleidoscope in bright colours and geometric patterns that looked magical.

They walked hand in hand through bookstores and little boutiques. Harry bought her a pair of earrings in bright crystals and an emerald crystal hoop for the top of her ear. They ate ice cream and ate lunch at a beachside café and then saw the sign for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Harry vetoed taking lessons, since Zee had already taught him the charm, and together they went down to rent a small boat and to head out into the ocean. Harry performed the scuba diving charm on both of them, setting the timer on his watch, as they headed down into the ocean.

It was incredible.

They swam along admiring the fish and underwater world of beautiful flora. Ginny snapped photos of the brightly coloured fish and when a shark moved past them, she gripped his hand tightly in hers. When they broke the surface and returned to the boat, Ginny was still beaming and talking wildly about everything they'd seen. They took a break for lunch, taking a picnic on the boat and then went in the water again to explore some more.

On the return to shore, Harry saw jet-skis and they each rented one as he explained how he'd ridden them once in Greece. They each got on their own and when Ginny took off, splashing him with the water from her jet-ski, he laughed and raced after her.

They lay together on the sand after, legs entwined as they stared up at the clouds and told each other what they saw in them. They headed back to the house and made love on a towel by the pool, kissing and grinning at each other in soppy happiness.

When Ginny woke up on the ninth day, she was surprised to find herself in bed alone. She put on one of Harry's shirts and headed downstairs to find her boyfriend, surprised to find him in the kitchen cooking bacon and French toast.

"What's this?"

He spun around, his eyes wide. "I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed."

Ginny smiled, moving across the kitchen to kiss him. "That sounds incredibly sweet."

Harry slid his hands around her waist, slipping under his shirt to grip her arse. "Did I say you could nick this?"

"Want me to take it off?"

His slow smile made her grin.

"Too bad. I'm cold," she teased, moving to sit in the chair at the table. "And hungry. That smells amazing."

"Good," he said, turning back to the French toast. "I have a surprise for you today."

"A surprise better than French toast and bacon?"

"Maybe," he said, winking at her.

Harry felt like he had managed to surprise her after they'd eaten breakfast and had sex in the shower. They got dressed and headed outside and Harry tugged her over to the motorbike that was parked near the side of the house. Ginny's mouth opened in surprise.

"I had Basil bring it over this morning. It's Uncle Sirius' '68 BMW R50/2. He completely refurbished it and no one has taken it for a spin in a while and I realized that we haven't ridden the motorbike together since Georgia."

"No, we haven't," Ginny admitted, her eyes on the bike.

"I don't know how that's possible," Harry admitted. "But it seems like something's always come up when we're home for the summer, which granted is usually the only time I find my way to the bikes."

"Sirius let me ride with him a few times when I was over at your place, but that was before Hogwarts."

"Yeah," Harry said. "I thought we could explore the island."

Ginny beamed at him and accepted the helmet he passed her. "Let's go."

The feel of Ginny's arms behind him as the engine thrummed beneath them made him grin. It had definitely been a good choice. By the afternoon, Harry was teaching her how to drive it and laughing as she took off too soon, chasing the motorbike as she shrieked. An hour later, he was holding her around the waist as she drove, completely content.

They popped by some historic churches and took some photos of the beautiful architecture, walked through some markets, and even found a theatre where they sat in the dark and watched a double feature of Urban Legend and Armageddon. Ginny clung to him as the killer attacked in Urban Legend and then cried at the end of Armageddon, insisting that she was fine as she blubbered and stuffed popcorn into her mouth. Harry found it completely endearing.

They had dinner in a fancy restaurant in Kaleidoscope Kove called Mirror Riorrim where the tables were mirrors and everything was lit in coloured lights. Then they drove the motorbike back to the house and headed out to the pool.

Harry stretched his arms up over his head. "I need to get my suit."

"Says who?" Ginny said, pulling her dress over her head.

Harry's eyes widened as he watched her step out of her sandals, then her knickers. When her bra hit the stone, he swallowed and she winked at him before she dove into the pool.

"Come on in, Harry, it's lovely."

He undressed quickly and when he dove into the pool after her, she hurried forward to kiss him. They rubbed against each other as they kissed, Harry marvelling at the taste of the warm salt water on her skin. Ginny's lips moved down his neck, kissing his pulse.

"I want you in my mouth, Harry," she whispered by his ear and his cock practically jumped against her hip at her declaration.

He let her walk him back against the edge of the pool in the shallow end and when he hopped up onto the side, she slid her hands up his thighs and leaned her head forward to take him in her mouth. Harry groaned, his hands moving to hold her head in place as she licked and sucked him, playing with his balls as he panted and moaned above her.

"Fuck, Gin…"

Ginny slowly removed her mouth, licking his shaft, teasing the vein with the tip of her tongue and then licking the head of him. "Mmm."

When she started to suck on him again, he leaned back on his elbows, his eyes wide as he watched her take him patiently and slowly, working him in and out of her mouth like she'd been born to do it. He cupped her cheek and her brown eyes met his.

"I'm close."

Ginny let go, her lips moving down to suck on his balls and Harry spluttered incoherently. By the time her mouth wrapped around him again, he was done. He came with a cry, his hands in her hair as he watched her swallow him down and when he finished, she kissed his balls tenderly.

"I fucking love you," he mumbled.

Ginny climbed out of the pool and pulled him up to his feet. "I know. Come on, let's go inside and take a shower."

Harry followed her, leaving their clothes by the pool as he stared at her naked arse all the way up the stairs and by the time they'd stepped into the shower, he was hard again. He lowered his head to kiss her breasts, his fingers slipping between her legs and her head fell back.

"My turn."

Then he lowered himself to his knees and used his tongue.

It was definitely the best holiday he'd ever been on.

~ ASC ~

Bill leaned back in his seat as he watched Jericho Jones, the Minister of Magic, take the podium in the Wizengamot session that afternoon. Jones had been surprisingly absent for the last month and a half, only leaving word that he was busy with Minister duties during each session.

Bill couldn't exactly blame him. After the Battle of Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic had a hell of a job to take care of. Each department was busy doing it's own thing to try to deal with the aftermath of the battle from the the insanity that was arresting so many people accused of being Death Eaters to the massive amount of cleanup it required to track down the missing Death Eaters and break down cursed wards and manors that had been used by them.

He had been helping with that himself. Cursebreakers were being contracted out of Gringotts to help look at old manors and hideouts that had finally been broken with the death of Voldemort. More prisoners had been found, trials were being set, and Death Eaters were behind bars. Things were looking up.

Theo tapped his hands on the arms of the chair, his eyes on Jones and Bill wondered what Theo was thinking about all of this. He knew the young Marquess was spending his time working in his home and planning a big party for his boyfriend's parents, but he had a sharp mind. Bill enjoyed seeing him use it in the council.

Jones cleared his throat, his eyes on the Wizengamot. "Welcome, all of you. I know that many of you have been waiting for me to come forth and to speak to you and I apologize for the delay in that. As you know, there has been a lot to deal with since the Battle of Hogwarts took place on the second of May. With the death of Lord Voldemort, I am happy to say that things are starting to look up. The CBC has been working tirelessly to try to turn over the damage the dark wizard did to our world while we continue to rebuild the vision that Bones had of a better world. A world in which we can all live freely and coexist in a community built on mutual respect instead of class divisions."

His gaze roamed around the room before he continued.

"As you know, I have Merman blood. Standing before you today as your chosen Minister only goes to show how far we've come. The defence of our world, the way we all came together, the way each magical community reached out to assist us in our battle for freedom will not be forgotten. Our Wall of Heroes has added many more names to the stone and their sacrifice will not be forgotten, but it was because of that sacrifice that we have finally come together to become the Ministry that we should be. The Merpeople have signed a truce and as many of you know, we now have six representatives from the Merpeople sitting here in the Wizengamot today."

He gestured to where the three men and three women were sitting by the door next to three centaurs.

"Along with the centaurs, who have long been against us and have come together to help us build ourselves back up. This won't be an easy road, but the Crann Bethadh Cabinet is working tirelessly to have meetings with each magical community so that we can build and earn the mutual respect of each other. To those who are unaware, there's also a new department that has been formed by Lou Bannerman in the Department of the Reconstruction and Cooperation with Magical Creatures. It's called the Office of Communication and Cooperation and will be working to provide just that with each magical citizen community. I'm proud to bring this forth."

There was some applause and Jones waited before he continued.

"Deputy Minister Jameson and I have been working tirelessly to deal with the fallout from the Battle of Hogwarts. As you know, many of the people of Hogsmeade were displaced because of the battle. Many of the children that Voldemort had kidnapped were married off, becoming young parents themselves. We've been working to make sure the parents of those children are being punished for their crimes and to make sure these new young parents and children themselves are getting help with the healing and support that they need. We have a hopeful future ahead of us and part of that will be having a formal ceremony to support the end of this war that has been going on for longer than some of you have been alive. To finally say goodbye to Voldemort and the darkness that he brought to the world. On the seventh of September, we will honour all those who have fallen in the war. We will present an Order of Merlins to those who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts and to Harry Potter, the Man Who Defeated Voldemort. The man who we all owe a depth of gratitude to. It is because of Harry Potter, the Chosen One, that I can stand up here today and plan for a better future."

Jones swept his gaze across everyone once more.

"It's our responsibility, as British Magical Citizens, to do what's right by each other. I don't care if you're a Merman or a Wolf or a Veela or a Vampire or a Fae or a Centaur or a Wizard or a House Elf or a Goblin or a Giant or a Troll or a variety of everything in-between. I don't care if you're a man or a woman, pure of blood or come from a family of Muggles. I don't care if you can perform magic unlike anyone has ever seen before or struggle to turn a mouse into a matchbox. Each and every person is a citizen of Magical Britain and each and every person is entitled to rights and freedoms," Jones declared. "We are not going to be a country that takes from each other. We're going to be a country that works together for the common good and for the goodness of each other's hearts. This is why Deputy Minister Jameson and I have formed what we're calling the Quinque Annos Consilium otherwise said in plain English, our five year plan for the Ministry's future. What do I mean by a five-year plan? I mean, a plan to build our Ministry back up, to regroup our strength, and to expand our rights and freedoms to every British Magical Citizen. I can stand up here and claim that we all have rights and freedoms, but we all know that not everyone understands what those rights and freedoms are and that's because we, as witches and wizards, have spent centuries denying our magical friends those rights."

He cleared his throat, reaching to take a sip of water from the clear bottle at his left. "Let's look at the facts. The Giants have almost been wiped out and the war hasn't helped their cause. It is up to us to help preserve their culture and their community before they become extinct. With the Office of Communication and Cooperation, we can help rebuild the Giants' community and work with them to serve their needs as much as our own. House elves have been used as slaves for centuries. It's part of our world, of our culture. It's untoward. It's foul. What right do we have to enslave them to us? From now on, house elves will choose which houses and which jobs they wish to do. They will sign contracts like any other work force and will be paid a living wage. The Merpeople have been treated like rubbish from wizards who have stolen their gold to attempts to take over part of their lands. The oceans and lakes belong to all of us, but their communities belong to them. King Lir will help us coordinate a better understanding and Goldwin Oliphant has hired a Mermaid named Marina to work in the Menagerie as a magizoologist. The world is changing for the better and I hope that all of you can see the brightness ahead in our future. Miranda, if you will?"

Jones sat down and Jameson approached the podium, a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Jericho. As our Minister was saying, we're working to bring a lot of good back. It won't happen overnight and realistically will take a few years to implement all of our plans. This is why we've chosen five years to bring it all together. The help of the Wolf clans has allowed us to find places for children who have yet to learn magic. Hogwarts will officially be open this September to any British Magical Citizen who wishes to send their child to learn magic. It doesn't matter what creed or culture you come from. Your child will be cared for and taught to harness the power they possess," Jameson explained. "We realize that this does put a strain on the parents who haven't had the chance to learn the magic their children are which is why Henry Richardson, the Head of the Department of Education, is opening a program here in the Ministry for anyone over the age of seventeen to come and study to write their OWLs and their NEWTs."

Bill's eyes widened in surprise. This was one of the best ideas he'd ever heard. There were so many people who were his parents age or older who had been denied a chance to study at Hogwarts because of being a werewolf or a fae or for a multitude of other reasons. This was an amazing opportunity and he was pleased to be a part of it.

"We realize that this is a surprise, but I think that it's one of the better ideas we've come up with. The war has caused many of you to leave your education early. These divisions among us have left many of us unable to get the education that we deserve. This opportunity will be for anyone who is interested. There will be a cost and you will have to get your own wand, but Richardson is looking into potential scholarship programs as well for those who might need the extra financial help," Jameson said. "It also means that we will be looking for people to teach these classes. There will an announcement appearing in the Daily Prophet and everything will be run through the Department of Education."

Jameson took a moment to look around the room before she continued. "Next on the agenda is the Vampire Confederacy of England. As you know, the vampires who fought by our side in this war have their own community, much like the wolves, the Merpeople, the Centaurs, the Fae, and ourselves. However, the confederacy has asked to become an official part of the Ministry of Magic and Minister Jones and I could not be more pleased to welcome them into the fold. This includes the Veela Council and the Fae Council which will be run by Prince Tiernan and Princess Aiobheann of Tara. They will be added to Level Five of the Ministry of Magic which will now be called the Department of International Magical Cooperation and Domestic Magical Cooperation. These new departments will be formed by the first of September. We have magi architects working now on designing these new offices and adding them to our growing Ministry with pride. Minister, if you will?"

Jones stood up again as Jameson took her seat and he returned to the podium with a smile. "Now that we've filled you with our good news, I want to address the upcoming trials that we will be coordinating here at the Ministry of Magic." He paused, taking a moment to look around the room before he continued. "Lord Voldemort otherwise known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, wreaked havoc on our world for decades. Since the 1960s, people have been disappearing and performing dark magic in secret under the guidance and thrall of this dark wizard. When Voldemort vanished on that fateful night on All Hallows Eve of 1981, and the world celebrated the Boy Who Lived, the Ministry acted rashly. People were sent to Azkaban without fair trials. Others bought their freedom and some were punished for crimes they didn't even commit. We are not going to let that misplaced fear guide us once more. Lord Voldemort did not just commit crimes in Britain, but all over Europe. This means that every trial conducted will be done by Wizengamot members as well as the International Confederation of Wizards. We will not allow our bias to succumb us to punishments that are not deserved. Those that call themselves Death Eaters will be sentenced for their crimes whether to serve time here in the Azkaban Crypt or to serve time in Nurmengard as issued by the ICW is yet to be determined on an individual basis. Those who have yet to be caught, will be. We must have faith in our Department of Magical Law Enforcement and in those who follow the law. As to the trials themselves, any Wizengamot member who wishes to serve as a juror on the trials may sign up in the Office of Magical Law to do so; otherwise, names will be drawn, and you will be chosen to stand jury duty unless you have a legitimate reason as to why you cannot."

He cleared his throat, his hands on either side of the podium. "As to the sentencing itself, if the British Magical Citizen on trial belongs to the community of Wolves or of Fae or of Vampires or of Giants or of Goblins or of any other community, they are entitled to have representation from that community present. It will be fair. It will be just. And it will be done right. I want those who deserve to be punished for their crimes given a fair trial and those who have been wrongfully accused to be given the same. The Crann Bethadh Cabinet has been working tirelessly to make all of this happen and as each new department is formed and organized, I look forward to welcoming more members to our assembly to help us work together to make Magical Britain the place we all want to live. Chief Witch Marchbanks, if you will?"

Griselda Marchbanks stood up as Jones took his seat. She called the Wizengamot to a close and wished them all a good a day. Bill turned to his brother to see Percy taking copious notes.

"You have ink on your nose."

"What?"

Bill rolled his eyes. "I'm kidding. What are you note taking so decisively there, Perce? There's not going to be a test."

Percy scowled. "I'm aware of that, Bill. But there's a few things that were mentioned that I need to work on for my own department. With Jameson becoming Deputy Minister, my new boss wants a comprehensive list of what we need to handle directly. I have a lot of important responsibilities and don't have time to sit here and be mocked by some cursebreaker."

Bill snorted. "Never change, Perce. Theo!"

Theo turned when Bill called his name, waiting by the door for Bill to meet up with him. "Hi, Bill. That was intense, eh?"

"Very," Bill agreed. "How's Norfolk coming along?"

"Good," Theo told him. "The anniversary party has been keeping me busy. I want to finish going through all of my mother's stuff in storage as well. There's a lot that needs to be given away to a good home, you know?"

"You're a good man, Theo," Bill said. "Are you coming to the Burrow for dinner on Sunday?"

"I can't," Theo replied. "I'm… well, I'm actually having dinner with Sebastian's parents for the first time."

"Ah, that sounds vaguely terrifying," Bill told him with a grin. "I sweated through my shirt the first time I met the Delacours."

"Really?"

"Completely," Bill admitted. "You'll be fine. If you need help pulling anything apart or getting some stuff out of the house, send me an owl."

"Thanks, Bill."

Bill patted him on the back and said goodbye, making his way out of the Ministry to Apparate back to Diagon Alley. He had a mountain of paperwork waiting for him in his office at Gringotts, but the thought of the future plans of the Ministry kept his mind reeling.

He was glad to see things were finally falling into place.

~ ASC ~

Theo spent his afternoon finalizing the menu and the decorations for the Kanes' anniversary party in two weeks. He was working on checking off the guests who had RSVP'd to the event and taking his time to reach out to those who had yet to get back to them. He had been more than happy to pick up the task when Sebastian argued with Selene about it in the Floo a few weeks back. Sebastian had insisted that it wasn't his responsibility or his job, but Theo had rather been looking forward to it. It helped him stay busy and he found it fun to be planning a big event full of joy. It was a nice change of pace. He felt that this party was going to be incredibly grand and he was thoroughly pleased with everything they'd done. When he was finished, he was going to have the ballroom looking magical.

He wanted it to be perfect.

Especially because Theo was spending Sunday evening having dinner with Sebastian's parents to finally officially meet them. They had no idea that their anniversary party and vow renewal was going to be at Norfolk and Theo wanted them to like him before the big surprise. He was terrified and trying to pretend like he wasn't. He wasn't sure how well he was doing at hiding that. Sebastian merely seemed amused and insisted that if anyone should be worried, it should be him as his parents loved to embarrass him.

Theo didn't find that reassuring.

He made his way upstairs, taking a seat on the floor and opening the trunk he had started going through yesterday. He'd found an entire trunk full of his mother's old clothes and had spent two hours sorting through what was salvageable to donate and what needed to be tossed. The box of jewellery had come as a surprise and he lovingly put aside pieces he remembered her wearing or things he thought were worth keeping. An old perfume bottle brought her smell into the room and he found himself missing her more than ever.

It turned out that going through old stuff was oddly soothing and comforting. By the time he moved to her bed, talking aloud with Kiki about moving it into one of the bedrooms, he was feeling like he'd done quite a lot on the organizational front. With the help of his house elves, they transported the huge antique bed into one of the guest rooms on the second floor. He had decided to use his mother's old furniture in this room, keeping the guest room with an old Parisian flare, much like his mother's style. He figured it would be the perfect room for Sebastian's nieces to share when they stayed here for the party.

It was when he was moving the bed closer to the wall that he caught the slight lift in the headboard.

Theo stopped what he was doing, bending his head closer to the wood to run his finger over the raised edge. At closer inspection, his thumb pressed against a carved rosebud and a hidden door opened revealing a worn black velvet notebook. Theo pulled it out, blowing dust off of it, curiously. It was only a little bigger than his hand, the velvet soft and worn against his skin.

He knew he shouldn't open it. He knew that he should be cautious as nothing good ever came from opening a book you didn't know the origin of, but the faint whiff of his mother's perfume made him throw caution to the wind. A pressed lilac fell out of the book and the name Aster Ann Rosier Nott was written in cursive script across the top of the first page. He chewed his bottom lip, surprised to find his hands trembling.

Theo slowly slid down to the floor, the book open in his lap as he carefully turned the page.

29th July 1978

Today I married my husband.

I am sixteen years old and my husband is thirty-nine.

He is not a kind man.

He is not even a handsome man.

He has dark brown hair and sharp cheekbones, but his eyes are blue and cruel. His lips are always twisted into a sneer and he walks slightly hunched over. His hands are big and wide with chubby fingers and dirty fingernails.

But my father insisted that I must marry him, to carry on the pureblood line, and to do my duty as a Rosier. I cried while I walked down the aisle, silent tears that no one took note of.

Thaddeus Cantankerous Nott makes my skin crawl.

He is old enough to be my father, older even that Father is. His eyes are cruel and by the time we finished the reception, he was drunker than a fish. I lost my virginity with rough hands against a wall of a bedroom. He didn't even get my dress off. He grunted rather loudly as I cried out in pain and then he patted my cheek and told me I'd done well before passing out face first in the bed.

I thought love making was supposed to be kind, sweet. Not this pain. Not this rough handling. Not against a wall like a common whore.

How am I ever to let him touch me again? To bear him a child?

I don't know how I will survive this.

14th August 1978

Mother tells me that I complain too much. That a good wife keeps her mouth shut and lets her husband do what needs to be done. That I'm to lie there and think of England. But how am I do this when he comes to me drunk and mean? He slobbers over me and when I protest… he grows violent.

But I have no one to turn to. He is my husband and I must learn to respect him. No matter what the cost. I am his wife, he insists. I belong to him. I am his property. Father sold me to him to breed with.

I am worth nothing more than the womb a heir will fill.

I don't know how to survive this.

1st September 1978

Thaddeus has finally brought me to Fakenham and to the Nott family home called Norfolk. It is much grander than I anticipated and I am to be the lady of the manor one day. A marchioness. A Parisian seamstress was waiting for me, to outfit me in the right gowns and outfits acquired for my new position.

The house is old, but has a beautiful charm to it that surprises me. A lot of it is dark and outdated, but with a little work, I think it could be as beautiful as it once was. Kiki, Esmeralda, and Clove are the three house elves who work there. Three cousins. They have been kind to me.

Some of the house is full of dark objects and when I suggested moving them, I was met with protest. I am to live in this house and redecorate as I see fit, but within the parameters of Thaddeus and Cantankerous. I can only change what they allow me to change, but of course I have freedom to change what I wish.

Do you see the conundrum I face?

I have no real freedom here.

21st September 1978

Cantankerous has given me my own bedroom. It was kind of him and very feminine. He says I may change it as I wish as this is my personal bedroom; it once belonged to his wife, Céline, but since Thaddeus has married, he and Céline will mostly reside in the house in Cannes from now on. He says that a good wife doesn't need to share her bedroom with her husband, only her bed.

"You have good stock, Aster. You come from a strong family. I know you will carry on the Nott name with pride."

Then he pat me on the head like a child.

But the bedroom is refuge from Him. I have my own little sitting room and bath, even a small balcony overlooking the garden. I can decorate it as I like, but I must go to Him every night before bed. It is a price I am willing to pay to have my own space.

Cantankerous is far kinder than his son, but his views on the world, on purebloods, are very strong. Céline does whatever her husband says. She nods meekly and barely says more than two words. He's always patting her knee and calling her the perfect wife.

Is that to be me?

Am I to be nothing more than meek and obedient?

A trophy to be taken out and polished when needed only to be thrust back into a cupboard until then?

Céline tells me that I must trust Thaddeus and that it is my duty to stand by my husband no matter the mistakes he may make.

I didn't find her words reassuring.

Cantankerous and Thaddeus are always discussing the Dark Lord and the promises he makes to create a better world. I dream of a better world myself but I cannot in good conscience believe that Thaddeus and Cantankerous believe in the same better world that I see.

1st October 1978

Today is my seventeenth birthday.

As a gift, Thaddeus sent me seventeen dozen red roses and presented me with a diamond choker necklace so heavy it bruises my throat. When he clasped it around my neck, I felt like I was being collared. Or worse. Leashed.

He kissed my ear and then he ordered me to undress and get on the bed. When I hesitated, he slapped me.

I am his wife. It is my duty to do what he commands and if I do not, he is in his right to punish me.

The gleam in his eyes… I knew that he would enjoy the punishment and I refused to give that to him.

I did as he asked. I lied there and I thought of how other witches were celebrating their seventeenth birthday with parties and friends. Instead, I got grunting and rough hands pinching my breasts. When he finished, he rolled off of me and ordered me to get dressed. The Dark Lord was having a meeting at the home of Abraxas Malfoy in Wiltshire and we were invited to attend.

He ordered me to keep my new necklace on and to wear the dark green velvet gown with the plunging neckline. He wants to show me off, he says.

He left me alone to dress, ignoring my tears.

When we arrived at Wiltshire Manor, I met Narcissa Malfoy, the future lady of Wiltshire. She was very kind to me. I think she is the only one to truly see my struggles.

But we didn't meet under the best of circumstances.

She found me bleeding on the bathroom floor.

It turns out I did help make a Nott heir, but the baby was gone before I'd even realized I was pregnant. She helped clean me up and was kind to me. She might be a friend, an ally in all of this. But she doesn't understand. Her husband, he dotes on her. Never have I seen a man so in love with a woman.

We are not the same.

Thaddeus called me a foolish child when he discovered I had miscarried. He says that I lost the baby on purpose to punish him. He slapped me when we returned home and then he raped me again, his hands tight around my throat as he vowed to plant his seed again; to make it stick.

When he finished, he shoved me to the floor, into the roses and the thorns pricked me.

I will never consider red roses beautiful. Never again.

I don't know how I am to survive this life.

12th October 1978

Thelonius Nott returned to England today.

I didn't even know my husband had a brother. A bastard, he claims. Not worth anything at all.

Cantankerous had an affair many years ago with a Spanish witch named Reigna Rodríguez. Thaddeus spit the name out as if it was a filthy word. When he appeared at Norfolk, Céline immediately retired for the evening. Thelonius did not look surprised. It seems that Thelonius might be one of the mistakes Cantankerous made that Céline had warned me about.

Cantankerous did not look pleased to see him. They argued. It seems that Cantankerous had sent Thelonius with a portkey to Spain and ordered him not to return. I don't know anything more.

Thelonius is much younger than Thaddeus and just finished at Hogwarts in June. He's eighteen and looks very different from his father and brother though they all have the same dark hair and sharp cheekbones. Cantankerous sent him to travel, claiming there was no place for him here. Since he's returned, there's been nothing but yelling coming from the three of them. I don't know how long he'll stay nor what his plans are.

2nd November 1978

Thelonius has returned from Greece.

Cantankerous is in Cannes with Céline at the Nott Manor there and doesn't know his son has come back. I don't know how long it will take him to find out as Thaddeus has been gone most nights doing something for the Dark Lord.

Thelonius spent the afternoon showing me photos and telling me stories of his time there. It sounds like a wondrous place and it makes me wish so much to travel myself. He has promised to tell me more stories when he returns from Germany next month. I do not know what he does when he travels, but he goes wherever Cantankerous sends him, almost without complaint.

Thaddeus demanded that I not associate with him. He says that "the bastard" is filth and I shouldn't sully myself in his presence. He never calls Thelonius by name. Nor does Cantankerous.

29th November 1978

I didn't mean for it to happen.

If Thaddeus ever discovers it, he will beat me.

It happened in the garden. We were looking up at the stars, talking about the moon and we kissed. Thelonius. I kissed him.

Me!

A married woman!

A woman married to his older half-brother!

I should be ashamed and horrified but… I'm not…

The kiss was sweet and kind and… it was everything that I had ever hoped a kiss would be like. He tasted of oranges, not of bourbon. He cupped my cheek instead of squeezing his hand around my throat. His lips brushed over mine in a way that made my heart soar and not pound in terror.

But it can't ever happen again.

We both understand that. He's leaving to go to Egypt and won't return until after the New Year. It's better this way.

18th December 1978

I tried to kill myself last week.

Thaddeus claims that I have embarrassed him and the Nott family.

I spent four days at St Mungo's talking to healers, but no one understands.

My husband raped me. Not like he does most nights, no, but right in front of his Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. In the middle of the drawing room of Wiltshire Manor. He lifted my dress and bent me over the chair with all of them watching. I begged him to stop. I cried and tried to fight back.

But no one helped me.

They just laughed and told Thaddeus that he was lucky to have such a feisty and bonnie young wife. When he finished, he pulled my dress down, his hand wrapped around my throat and told me I could stand there, with his seed dripping down my thigh until the meeting was over.

When he finally let me go, Narcissa cleaned me up and held me while I cried. She's the only one who understands. Her father-in-law is just as disturbed as Thaddeus, but her husband would never do anything like this… Had she been there to witness it, I wonder if she would have tried to stop it if she could.

When Thaddeus took me home, he raped me again, this time in his bedroom. He told me that this time he would get me with child; that I would give him a son. He says I'm punishing him because I've miscarried twice.

Twice he's gotten me pregnant and both times I've lost the baby within the first six weeks. It's like the child knows the evil of the man who created it.

I used a letter opener from the study and slit my wrists that night. It was Kiki who found me. I told her to let me die, but she was stubborn.

And here I am.

Alive.

But what life is this?

I have nothing to live for.

1st January 1979

I've lost another child. We've been married five months and I've miscarried three times.

This time it was entirely his fault I miscarried.

I didn't know he was home. I went to the drawing room to get the book I had been reading earlier in the day. He was sitting on the chesterfield, a young blonde naked on her knees as she used her mouth on him. I gasped and when those eyes met mine, they were filled with rage. He ordered me to watch. When he finished, he stood up, buttoned his trousers and grabbed a fistful of my hair.

I tried to struggle, but he pulled and dragged me up the stairs by my hair.

It was my fault, he insisted. If I was a better wife, he wouldn't have to look for companionship elsewhere. I told him that I didn't care if he shagged half the women in England as long as he never touched me again.

Thaddeus threw me down the stairs.

Kiki took care of me. Her kind eyes and soft words, assuring me that it would be all right.

But she's wrong. I can't live like this.

Next time I'm going to jump from the top of the guard tower. I have a plan.

3rd January 1979

He stopped me.

I was in the guard tower. I stood at the top for must have been hours, looking down at the cobblestone and wondering how it would feel. Would it be quick? Would I suffer? I wanted it to be quick; to be fast. I was ready to jump when his arms came around me. His brown eyes were soft and yet full of rage as he shook me violently and demanded of me what I was doing.

I don't want to live, I told him. Thaddeus is a monster.

Then he cupped my cheeks in his hands and rested his forehead against mine.

Please, he whispered. Aster, don't give up.

Then he kissed me and I let him.

I don't know how long we stood up there, kissing again and again, but when he tugged me down into his lap and just held me close, I knew that I wasn't going to jump. Not today.

Thelonius told me that I can't let his brother take away my life.

But I don't have a life. Not really.

I let him lead me back to the house without complaint. But I'll make it back up there. I just have to bide my time.

8th January 1979

Thaddeus and Cantankerous have gone on a mission with the Dark Lord. I know better than to ask for details. They've been two days already and it's the first time in ages I've felt at peace.

Thelonius has a lot to do with that.

He makes me smile. He's always full of stories and has thousands of photos from the places he travels. He talks to me about books and even recites poetry. He is nothing like his brother. He tells me I'm beautiful and he makes me feel like I'm seen; that I'm not invisible or to be used and abused at will.

We've spent every day together since Thaddeus has left. We take tea and talk for hours, until the sun goes down and sometimes until the sun comes back up. He makes me feel safe.

We go up to the top of the guard tower together, sit against the rails and hold hands and we talk. I told him of my miscarriages and my fear for my life. I told him that I have nothing to live for.

He's kind. He kisses my hand and tells me that I have everything to live for.

You are beautiful, Aster. On the inside and on the out. You're kind, he says. You're sweet. You're intelligent. You have so much to offer this world. Please, don't let Thad take that light away from you. Don't let him beat you down.

I kissed him this time.

We kissed for hours, wrapped around each other on the floor of the tower, just kissing over and over. Thelonius makes me feel alive. He makes me yearn for things I can't explain. He makes me feel safe and loved and cared for.

I never want to stop kissing him even though I know it's wrong.

10th January 1979

Thelonius brought me a bouquet of lilacs today. Magenta ones. They're so bright and beautiful and I know that he must have had to search for them. They smell heavenly. He brushed my hair behind my ear and told me that I deserve bright colours.

We kissed again, longer this time.

I think this is passion. I think this is what I am supposed to feel and it scares me.

I am a married woman and I cannot allow myself to feel this. To do this.

But Thelonius' lips are like an addiction I am drawn to and don't want to live without.

12th January 1979

Thelonius made us a picnic today. He took me out into the gardens, spread a blanket on the snow and engulfed us in a bubble of warmth using a charm. We drank Prosecco and ate fresh fruit, talking about everything and anything. I told him all about my childhood and he told me about his.

His mother, Reigna, died in childbirth. His grandmother had taken him in, but had fallen ill a year later. Cantankerous had been his only living relative left so he'd moved to England. From what he says, Céline wasn't pleased. She'd already raised a child and wanted nothing to do with the bastard son of her unfaithful husband. So she'd pawned him off on the house elves.

Kiki, Esmerelda, and Clove had raised him. They made sure that he was tutored properly and ready for Hogwarts when it was time. The only time he ever saw his father, brother, and stepmother was during dinner. Cantankerous would quiz him on what he'd learned that day. Céline would barely look at him and Thaddeus would sneer.

Thaddeus was cruel to him. Thelonius explained how at first he'd looked up to his big brother, but Thaddeus had hated him on sight. Never called him by name and only called him The Bastard. He has no official standing in the Nott family or Norfolk and all it entails, it will never be his. Thaddeus will become the Marquess after Cantankerous and Thelonius has to find his own way.

He wants to be a healer and help people, but Cantankerous won't hear of it. He says Bastards have no business healing people. It's why he purchases portkeys. He sends Thelonius around the world to keep him out of his sight. Thelonius has to find work when he arrives in the country to pay for a portkey home.

Why do you come back? I asked him. Why don't you just stay somewhere else?

I want to, he admitted. But after I met you… I had to see you again.

I kissed him some more.

We were out there for hours as he told me stories about his time in Egypt and how he travelled to Dubai after and then onto Turkey. I wish I could travel as he does. I wish I could live a life of such adventure.

The only freedom I find is in the pages of a book, but even those romantic heroes can't make me forget the hell I am living in.

But Thelonius can.

I know it's wrong, but when he kisses me, I come alive. He's so gentle and so kind. He makes me laugh and he makes me smile, but most of all, he makes me feel safe. When he kisses me, I want to live.

He kissed my throat and he asked if he could kiss me other places. I was trembling, but I told him yes. I let him into my bed willingly. It was beautiful. I don't have another word to describe it. He kissed me everywhere. He was so gentle and so patient with me. When I took him inside, there was no pain, only pleasure. This is what sex is supposed to be. I know that now.

He told me he loved me and I cried as I told him the same.

He's the only light I've ever known.

16th January 1979

With my husband and father-in-law gone, Thelonius and I have spent our days in bed together, making love. We rarely leave the bedroom. Kiki brings us food and the soft smile on her face tells me that she approves, even if she knows it's wrong.

I can't get enough of him. I want to touch him all the time, even just to hold his hand, or run my fingers through his hair. The last three days have been the best of my life.

This is what life is supposed to be like.

1st February 1979

I'm pregnant.

Thaddeus hasn't been home in over three weeks, but even then, I know it's not his.

This child… this child was created out of love, not out of hate. This child is Thelonius' and if Thaddeus ever learns the truth, he will kill all of us.

No, this heir needs to be his.

3rd February 1979

I let him take me when He came home tonight. I went to him willingly, to lie with him, to make him think he got me with his child.

I took a hot shower for almost an hour, needing to get the stench of him off of me, but I did it. I spent the rest of the night in Thelonius' arms as he kissed my hair and told me that he would protect me.

We want to run away together, but how?

He has no money and all of mine has been tied up into Thaddeus' fortune. I belong to him and as a bastard, Cantankerous has made sure that Thelonius has nothing either.

He's not a real Nott, he says. Not in his father's eyes.

So we wait.

1st March 1979

Thaddeus is thrilled. He has insisted that I stay in bed until I know I won't miscarry. He says this will be the heir he's waited for.

The only good thing is that he leaves me alone.

Thelonius comes to me each night as we lie in bed and talk about our dreams. He wants to move to France or Italy or Greece or Spain. He says that we can get a boat and sail around the world together.

I want to, but bad things are happening here.

We both know that if we leave, his brother will find us and kill both of us. The Dark Lord and His Death Eaters are only growing more powerful, times are getting dangerous, and the Dark Lord's reach is far outside of England.

We have to protect the child we made together. No matter what the cost to either of us.

"Theo?"

Theo jumped at the sound of his name, looking up to see Sebastian standing in the doorway.

"Hey, you okay?" Sebastian asked, moving towards him and squatting down to cup his face. "You're crying."

Theo wiped at his eyes. He hadn't realized that tears had spilled down his cheeks. "I'm okay. You're home early."

"It's after six."

"What?" Theo asked in surprise. "Wow. I… I lost track of time."

Sebastian frowned, brushing a tear off of his lashes with his thumb. "Are you sure you're okay, baby?"

"I found my mum's diary."

Sebastian lifted an eyebrow.

"Bas…"

"What is it?"

Theo swallowed. "She had an affair. I…"

Sebastian took a seat on the floor next to him, pulling Theo into his lap. "Tell me."

Theo held the diary out as he explained what he had read and discovered. "It was hidden in her headboard in a secret compartment and…"

"She was in love," Sebastian said. "It sounds like Thelonius loved her just as much."

Theo wiped furiously at the tears that wouldn't stop. "He was my father, Sebastian. My uncle was my father, not Thaddeus."

"And he loved you. You have proof of that in the photos you have downstairs. He loved you."

"They wanted to run away together and… why didn't they? What stopped them? Was it because of the money? I would have given up all of this just to…"

Sebastian pulled him closer, cradling Theo's head against his shoulder. "It's okay, Theo. Let it out."

Theo didn't know why he was crying, not really, but he couldn't seem to stop. His fingers fisted in Sebastian's shirt as silent tears poured down his face like raindrops on a windowpane. He grieved for the mother he missed every day and the woman she had been. He grieved for the pain that she had suffered under Thaddeus Nott and her struggles and suicidal thoughts. He grieved for the father who had doted on him, pretending to be someone he wasn't. And he grieved for the parents that he'd never really known and the life that had been taken from him.

When he finished, Sebastian kissed his tears away.

"I'm okay," Theo murmured, burrowing into Sebastian's strong arms again. "She just suffered so much, Bas. She tried to kill herself. It was only my uncle, I mean, my father… he saved her. He loved her."

Sebastian ran his hands over his back soothingly. "He did."

Theo let out a slow breath. "I… I'm hungry."

He didn't wait to see if Sebastian followed him downstairs, but he knew the man followed him. When he stepped into the kitchen, the sight of the house elves reminded him that they'd known. He was still clutching the tiny black diary in his hand and he stopped dead in the doorway, his eyes on Kiki.

"You knew."

Sebastian's hand rested on his shoulder.

Kiki's eyes fell to the diary and her eyes widened. "Master Theo…"

"You knew," he repeated, his voice cold. "How could you not tell me?"

"The Marchioness ordered me not to," Kiki said.

Theo frowned. He knew the power of a vow by a house elf, but it still infuriated him. "All this time, Kiki, all this time, you knew I had a different father."

"The Marchioness ordered Kiki, Esmerelda, and Clove not to tell, Master Theo. I is swearing it, not unless you found her diary on your own," Kiki insisted. "Then I was to give you something."

"Give me something?" Theo whispered.

Kiki wiped her hands on her little white apron, one ear escaping from under her bonnet. "Did you read all of Mistress Aster's diary?"

"Not yet," Theo admitted.

"Esmerelda, serve dinner to the masters, I will get the chest."

Theo frowned again as he watched the elf hurry out of the room. "What chest?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I don't know, Theo."

Esmerelda placed two plates of steaming steak stir fry on the table with a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and two glasses. They sat down, but neither of them touched the food as Theo placed the diary on the table between them. Kiki came back a few moments later, carrying a small chest.

"Mistress Aster gave this to Kiki. She made Kiki promise never to show it to you unless you had read the whole diary. She said that you had to understand first."

"Why did she give it to you?" Theo asked.

Kiki's eyes were sad. "After Master Thelonius was killed, she was scared Master Thaddeus would find it. She didn't want him to destroy it just to spite her. She gave it to me the day after Thelonius was killed."

"Did Fath-Thaddeus kill him?"

Kiki nodded. "Yes, Master Theo."

"How?"

Kiki pointed to the diary. "All of your answers are in there. Read the diary first and then look in the chest."

Theo nodded as Sebastian squeezed his hand in his. They ate in almost silence as Theo contemplated everything he'd read. When they finished, Sebastian suggested they take the wine with them into the library. The two of them curled up on the sofa, the chest on the desk as Theo opened the diary, curled up into Sebastian's side.

"Do you want to be alone while you read this?" Sebastian asked.

"No," Theo whispered. "Stay, please."

Sebastian kissed the top of his head, taking his hand in his. "As long as you want."

He didn't say anything when Theo began to read the next entry aloud.

18th June 1979

I'm having a boy. Thaddeus is pleased. He claims that I am finally doing my proper duty as his wife and giving him the Nott heir he deserves: The future of Norfolk. I only smile and nod at him.

Cantankerous sent Thelonius away again and I haven't seen him in months, but he writes to me. Kiki makes sure that I get the letters without Thaddeus seeing them. He's in Spain right now, but hopes to be back in time before our son comes.

I've been working on the nursery. I wanted to put a piece of Thelonius in here so I'm making it travel based. A little bit of the world on every wall, a map of the world. I've hung photos from Thelonius' travels on the walls. Thaddeus only pursed his lips when he saw it, but claimed it was acceptable. He doesn't know the photos were taken by his half-brother.

He's left me alone ever since this baby has been growing inside of me. I only wish it would last.

17th July 1979

Céline was killed yesterday. I don't know how but I understand it had something to do with the Dark Lord and his war. Thaddeus decided to deal with it by inviting whores into our home where he's been having some form of orgy in the drawing room. I refuse to say anything or make point of it.

Cantankerous looks more lost. He might actually be grieving.

8th August 1979

Thelonius has returned.

He snuck into my bedroom after midnight, kissing me and then kissing my stomach. He talks to our baby, his eyes bright in joy at the thought of being a father.

Neither of us have discussed how it's going to work once the child arrives.

He held me all night and we made love in the early sunrise.

30th September 1979

Thaddeus had to leave to do some mission for the Dark Lord. Narcissa says if I need anything, to let her know. I'm due to deliver soon and I cannot wait to meet my son.

Thelonius had to leave again, but he returned late tonight, promising me he's staying in England for the birth of our son. I hope he can keep his promise because if Cantankerous finds out he's back, he's going to send him away again.

12th October, 1979

Theodore Thaddeus Nott. 3.4 kg and 53 cm long. He's perfect.

When the healer left, Thelonius held our son to his naked chest and he cried.

The three of us slept together that first night, Theodore pressed against his father's heart.

I've never been so happy.

30th October 1979

Thelonius was sent away again. Thaddeus finally returned to meet his son. He looked down at the boy feeding from my breast and said I'd done well. Then he told me to keep the brat quiet while he got some rest.

The entries became further and further apart as Theo read bits about his childhood. But it was the entry about his first word that surprised him.

19th December 1980

My little Theo Bear took one look at Thelonius today and said 'dada.' The look on Thelonius' face was pure joy. He scooped our son up into his arms and peppered his cheeks in kisses as he told him yes, Theo, I'm your dad.

Despite the fact that Cantankerous and Thaddeus keep sending Thelonius away, the times he is here, he dotes on Theo. He spends every moment with him when he's awake and holds him when he sleeps. We make love at night, talking about what we want and what our plans are. But the war keeps getting worse.

We can't leave.

Not yet.

I don't know if we ever will be able to.

20th January 1981

Thaddeus heard Theo call his brother 'dada.' To say his reaction was furious would be too generous.

Thelonius yelled right back at him. He said that if Thaddeus gave the child any time of day, maybe he would know that he was his father. But it was Thelonius who took the time.

Thaddeus broke his nose.

He made to move towards Theo, but I stood in front of him. I told him if he laid a hand on our child, I would make him wish he had never been born. I guess he believed me because he backed off.

They sent Thelonius away again the next day.

There was more talk of the war and letters from Thelonius, but it wasn't until 1982 that Thelonius made it back to England.

12th October 1982

Thelonius brought Theo a chocolate brown teddy bear and spent four hours playing with him. Our son fell asleep in his arms, content to be cuddled and coddled by the only man who ever gives him attention.

I can't believe our son is three today. He's perfect.

I want to leave, I told him. We can take Theo and go, just the two of us.

But Thelonius is right. If Cantankerous or Thaddeus catches up to us, we will all be dead. If we stay here, Theo will never want for anything. He will be the Nott heir and inherit Norfolk and everything it stands for.

We'll teach him to be kind, Aster.

He will be, I promised. Our Theo Bear will never be anything like Thaddeus or Cantankerous. I will make sure of it.

According to the diary, Thelonius spent a lot of time outside of England again and was only able to come home for snatches of time. Theo was surprised to learn that he and his mother were able to meet up with Thelonius in Spain for a week and he found the photos of them together tucked into the diary.

But it wasn't until 1984 that things were finally explained.

8th February 1984

Theo called him Papa.

We should have been smarter. We should have made Theo call him uncle and nothing else, but a boy knows his father.

Thaddeus heard it and he lost his mind. He claims I've poisoned our son's mind against him. He didn't make the connection that Theo isn't his.

But Cantankerous did.

The moment Thaddeus stormed out of the room, Cantankerous rounded on Thelonius and I. He turned purple when he put it together. He called me a whore and claimed that The Bastard had raped me; that Theo wasn't a true Nott. He had an apoplexy and collapsed right there.

Thaddeus blamed Thelonius and his rage was vicious.

12th February 1984

Thelonius is dead.

He did it to hurt me.

Not only did he kill him, oh no, he left his bloody and mangled body on the floor of Theo's nursery so that when we returned from our walk we would find him.

He's a horrible man.

I shielded Theo's eyes from seeing, but he knew something was wrong. He's been extra clingy and crying. He came down with a fever tonight and it worries me. I need to get him better and than I need to take him and run.

I can't stay here anymore.

Thaddeus is a monster.

I ordered Kiki never to tell Theo the truth, not unless he finds this diary. I want to tell him myself when he's old enough to understand, but I fear I won't live long enough to do so. Without Cantankerous to restrain him, I fear for my life.

Theo is calling for me…

Theo flipped the pages of the diary, but he knew that was the last entry. His mother's death had been recorded on the thirteenth of February, 1984.

"I'm so sorry, Theo," Sebastian said, squeezing his hand.

"They should have just run."

"They were afraid," Sebastian said. "Thaddeus Nott never found out you weren't his son?"

"Not officially," Theo whispered. "But I think part of him always wondered and my grandfather certainly figured it out."

Theo stood up, moving to the desk to carry the small chest over, carefully opening it. Dust coated the air and he coughed a moment before he pulled out a bundle of letters surrounded by dried lilacs.

"Letters…"

Sebastian turned the first one around, his eyebrow rising. "They're all addressed to you."

Theo swallowed, his hands trembling. Some of the writing was the same cursive as the diary, but the other one…

"Thelonius," he whispered. "They wrote me letters."

Sebastian kissed his temple. "I'll leave you to read them. I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Theo nodded, his eyes never leaving the yellowed parchment and when he opened the first one from his father, he knew that he'd finally found the answers he'd always looked for.

My dearest Theodore,

I cannot express how much I love you. How one little baby, only a day old, can have such a hold on my heart… you can never understand until you become a father yourself…

My love for your mother was forbidden and we should never have allowed ourselves to fall, but if we hadn't you never would have been born…

… Today you are a year old…

… Your first steps were the most magical thing I've ever witnessed…

… You called me 'dada' and my heart soared…

… I know that whoever you grow up to be will be a man I am proud of. You are the best of both your mother and I and you will never be evil like your uncle and grandfather. I know a good heart when I see it…

… Never give up. Always strive to do your best…

… Remember, no matter what, I love you, Theodore.

Theo tasted tears on his lips as he finished reading the last letter, written days before his father's death. His father… Thelonis Tristian Nott, not Thaddeus.

For the first time in his life, Theo was suddenly proud of his name. He was a Nott and his father had been a Nott, a bastard or not. He was son of Aster and Thelonius and he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. He left the chest in the library and hurried upstairs to the master bedroom to find Sebastian reading a novel in bed.

He jumped up onto the bed, making Sebastian laugh as he put his book down.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm great," Theo told him, pressing his lips to his. "My father loved me, Bas. My mother loved me and the monster whom I thought was my father… I'm not like him. He's my blood but not my blood."

Sebastian brushed his thumb over Theo's bottom lip. "You couldn't be a monster if you tried. You're the kindest man I've ever known. I'm glad you know the truth about your parents, but it doesn't change anything about who you are and the amazing man you've grown into. The incredible man I'm madly in love with."

"Madly, eh?" Theo teased, his lips quirking.

"Madly," Sebastian repeated.

"I love you," Theo said.

And when he pressed his lips to his again, he knew that Sebastian was right. Finding out Thelonius was his father and not Thaddeus didn't change him, but it did make him feel lighter in a way that he couldn't explain. His mother had found true love and despite the suffering that she had endured under his uncle's hands, she had love, and Theo knew that made all of the difference in the world.

---

End Author's Notes:

Theo finding out that Thaddeus wasn't his real father was one of those little loose ends I've been meaning to implement. Hope you enjoyed it as much I enjoyed writing it.

(Latin) Quinque Annos Consilium = five year plan

I am always listing the departments and offices in the Ministry of Magic in London, some are from JKR and many I've made myself. I will list them here.

Departments or offices created by me will be bolded.

Level 1 of the Ministry of Magic — Department for the Minister of Magic
— Office of the Minister for Magic
— Office of the Deputy Minister for Magic
— Office of the Advisor to the Minister for Magic
— Office of the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic
— Office of the Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic

Level 2 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE)
— Hit Wizards and Witches Office
— Improper Use of Magic Office
— Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
— Office for the Detection of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects
— Wizengamot Administrative Services
— Ministry of Magic Witch Watchers
— Department of Intoxicating Substances (DIS)
— Magic Jail (holding cells)
— Department of Auror Divisions which contains Dark Arts Unit (DAU)
— Magical Law Enforcement Patrol Unit
— Office of Auror Inquisitors Unit (crime scene investigators)
— Office of Equipment and Tactical Gear

Level 3 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
— Accidental Magic Reversal Squad
— Invisibility Task Force
— Muggle Liaison Office
— Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee
— Obliviator Headquarters
— Department of Magical Equipment Control

Level 4 of the Ministry of Magic — Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (changed to: Department for the Reconstruction and Cooperation With Magical Creatures, DRCMC)
— Beast Division
— Being Division
— Centaur Liaison Office
— Goblin Liaison Office
— Office for House-Elf Relocation (changed to: Office for House-Elf Welfare)
— Office of Misinformation
— Pest Advisory Board
— Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures
— Dragon Research and Restrain Bureau (DRRB)
— Ghoul Task Force
— Werewolf Capture Unit
— Werewolf Registry
— Werewolf Support Services
— Vampire Capture Unit
— Office of Communication and Cooperation
— Research Office of the Magical Menagerie (with staircase leading downstairs)

Level 5 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of International Magical Cooperation and Domestic Magical Cooperation
— Office of the International Confederation of Wizards, British Seats
— International Magical Office of Law
— Office of International Magical Trading Standards Body
— Office of the Vampire Confederacy
— Office of the Merpeople of the Waters
— Office of the Centaurs
— Office of the Court of Tara
— Office of the Veela Council
— Office of the Wolf Community

Level 6 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of Magical Transportation
— Apparition Test Centre
— Broom Regulatory Control
— Floo Network Authority
— Floo Regulation Panel
— Portkey Office

Level 7 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of Magical Games and Supports
— British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters
— Official Gobstones Club
— Ludicrous Patents Office
— Foreign Affairs and Sports Department including Office of Quidditch Public Relations Agents

Level 8 of the Ministry of Magic — The Atrium
— Lobby and Reception Area
— Fountain of Magical Brethren (changed to: Tree of Life Fountain)
— Magic is Might monument (changed to: Wall of Heroes)
— Ministry Munchies
— Security and welcome desk
— Lifts and stairs
— Magical Maintenance Office

Level 9 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of Mysteries
— Hall of Prophecy
— Death Chamber
— Brain Room
— Time Chamber
— Space Chamber
— Love Chamber

Level 10 of the Ministry of Magic — Department of the Wizengamot Council of Law
— Wizengamot Assembly Chamber
— Courtrooms 1-10
— Department of Files and Records
— Department of Education

Levels 11-13 of the Ministry of Magic — The Magical Menagerie
— Zee's office
— Oliphant's office
— Aquarium, reserve, and forest like the inside of Newt Scamander's case
— Veterinarian's Office of Magical Creatures

The Magical Intelligence Agency (MIA) in Londonderry was completely created by me. The MIA includes:
— Secret Intelligence Unit (SIU) which contains a secret-sub unit called the Knights of the Auror (KofAs)
— International Confederation of Wizards Auror Unit
— Auror Academy of England
— Office of Mind Healing and Evaluation

Thanks for reading and please review!