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.

357. The One With the Training

Author's Note:

FINAL COUNTDOWN! 3 MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!

Posting a day early because Christmas is fast approaching and it's going to be busy. To those who celebrate — Happy Holidays! Happy Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! And happy whatever other holiday people might celebrate that I might have missed and for the others — Happy end of December!

Reviews and Comments: To Levs23: Thank you! I absolutely loved having Theo stand up for Sebastian and tell Clark where to go! Thank you! To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Way to go Theo indeed! Clark is a very selfish and self centred man. I'm glad you enjoyed the photo cropping back up (we knew it would). Yes, the training is beginning and we'll see more of the fugitives and the start of their futures coming forward. Thank you! To LadyKitai: Thank you very much! I loved having Theo go all Lord Norfolk as you said. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thanks for loving my Hinny and my Theobas ships! Harry and Ginny's birthdays were definitely full of love and happiness and yes, being apart will be difficult or them. Thanks for loving my Theo and Bas and seeing Theo stand up for Sebastian. Of course Theo gave Ginny the photo he took. He was saving it lol. Thank you! To Marauder0716: Thank you for saying "And you, Sir, are a dickwad" is one of your favourite lines. I was quite proud of it. Thank you! To scrappy8: The guy was a jerk! Theo was awesome. Thank you! To mike3308: Ginny definitely gave Harry a great birthday and he did the same for her. Thank you! To Read and Fly: I know, it's hard to believe that Harry is a man now and it started when he was five years old. I love that you've become so invested in my world that you cried. Thank you!

To Nightwing2013: Basil definitely finds Kreacher's grumpiness fun! Nope, Oliver is Angelina's first client! Thanks for loving my teasing of Sebastian by his parents. Yeona is definitely a freaking sweetheart! Ginny will definitely only show her family. The press will never see that photo. Thank you! To ellyann13: Theo is good at throwing a punch without throwing a punch. He's a keeper. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Hinny very much deserved that time off. Mina and Leo are very adorable! Thanks for loving my peak Weasley twin humour lol. Sebastian's parents are great! They are kind and open and exactly what Theo needs. Theo was sooooo good at putting Clark in his place! Thanks for loving my "third person under red sheets" comment haha. Ron and Harry are bromance friendship goals! Thank you! To Slaidback: Thank you very much! To Emma Janet: Neville didn't write his NEWTs, he wrote the PLANTs. And while we don't find out their exact scores — they all passed. We will see more about the training camp in this chapter. Haha, all great names. Thank you! To Sets: Theo definitely whipped out his title like he was in a pissing contest. He's not going to let anyone hurt or insult his man. Thank you! To ThomasJAvery: Basil is a nice elf. Thanks for loving my Hinny. Theo is getting a little family with Sebastian's and it's so nice to see. Of course Oliver makes everything about Quidditch lol. Thank you! To alix33: Yes, Sebastian's ex was nauseating. Thank you! To Hanacide: I can't believe we're almost at the end either! Thanks for loving the Hinny and Theobas! To StarryNights: Oliver definitely thinks Harry and Ginny's future kids have to be Quidditch stars lol. You will have to wait and see! Thank you!

To A Huge Fan: You think I'm lulling you into a false sense of security? LOL. Things are looking up and getting better for everyone. Theo's sass was perfect! Harry will not be proposing anytime soon. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Theo would definitely like event planning, but he has other ambitions. Thank you! To pix25: Thank you! To Shivani: It's so nice to hear from you again! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the chapters you've missed! Hope your exams went well. Thank you! To HPuni101: Thanks for catching up! Happy Christmas to you as well! Thank you! To Hellpony: I am uploading! Thank you! Happy holidays to you as well! To PurpleLotus: Thank you! To Masonjar191: Me too! Thank you! To AQuickRead91: I'm glad Theo telling Clark off made you laugh so hard! They are growing up so fast! Thank you! To briana_t: We are so close to the end! Theo made sure everything was beautiful and as perfect as he could. Harry wanted the tribute to Teddy as much as to Sirius. It was definitely the twins who pointed out the third person in the picture lol. Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: I love having Oliver be excited about a hypothetical Potter-Weasley baby lol. Thanks for loving Theo being protective. Thank you! To harryHEARTginny: Thank you for being part of my world for the last two years. Hope I helped you find out where you left off. Thank you! To FighterPilot92: Thank you! To katelyn453: Ginny has arrived at training. Thank you! To TatiRena: This is the most accurate statement I have ever read: "Theo is a cinnamon bun who will murder you aristocratically if you are mean to his boyfriend." LMAO! Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you!

To ravenclaw_rockchick: I'm glad that the name of the chapter made you laugh so hard! You're welcome! And man! Sam is a lucky author to get some amazingly long reviews! I'm sure she really appreciates that (I know I would). I know, I can't believe we're done to final chapters myself ether. I hope people are going to enjoy the third story as I am excited to write it. Harry and Ginny are those weird people that like to workout lol. Kreacher will forever be grumpy! Yes, Mina and Leo are old enough that they are starting to get into some trouble lol. It's true, Harry is too pure, worried about his job after defeating the darkest wizard of the century lol. Bringing Oliver back was just fun. Thank you for loving how Theo and Bas met. I loved having Theo tell it to his parents. As to the 30th anniversary, I had so much fun researching all of the colours and flowers and gifts related to it. Thank you for appreciating the work I put into it. Yes, Theo speaks French. Theo has never really been around small children that much. Theo and Bas are safe and happy — promise. The treehouse is amazing and Harry still enjoys it. Ron likes to whinge when I can say. Sorry, Harry will not be getting a tattoo of Ron on his arse lol. Nah, they were just thinking Ron might be lonely at the Burrow. Sebastian definitely wanted to celebrate his birthday with a naked Theo, but he still appreciated the surprise party as well. Thank you for saying that even though Clark is a fictional character I invented and you still want to punch him in the face lol. He deserves it. Thank you so much!

To Bellmel: Yes, Theo met the Kanes and of course they love him! Theo feels how warm and loving they are and how well they treat him as well. It really shows Sebastian as well and how much his family means to him and how much it means to him that they like Theo. Haha, I'm so glad you loved the Clark moment — the dickwad indeed. Theo is so sweet and I love him telling him off. Yes, Harry and Ginny's birthdays! Angelina is going to be a great agent and I do think she loves it more than playing. It surprised her as well. Zee has more willpower and patience than you lol. Thank you! To tim2604: Nice to see you catch up in time! The holiday was perfect for Hinny. Thanks for saying the party at Norfolk sounded amazing — it definitely was! Yes, it was fun to bring back the Potter birthday cape. They did still play the Beatles birthday song, but without Remus and Sirius singing it, it's not quite the same. Theo definitely destroyed the guy and it was perfect! George's line about the real star of the photo — I was very proud of that lol. Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: Thanks for loving the party at Norfolk. Merry Christmas to you as well! 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-SEVEN:

The One With the Training

Fred was surprised by how easy it was for Fiadh to move in with him. It happened gradually. Neither of them really spoke about it as much as they should have, but when she moved the rest of her things into his flat over Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, it just made sense. As did them turning George's old bedroom into a nursery.

The fact that his girlfriend was pregnant was still somewhat of a shock to him. He loved waking up next to her, touching her large stomach and feeling the babies move. His babies. Their babies. It amazed him that the two of them had created life together. Sometimes he lay awake at night wondering what it was going to be like to be a father and his heart clenched in his chest.

He wished Arthur was around to help him deal with all of his irrational fears. Fiadh understood and when he found himself crying in the middle of the night, missing his father more than he could bear, she held him and soothed him in a way that he hadn't realized he needed.

The Alexander family had been nothing but welcoming to him, which did surprise Fred more than he wanted to admit. He had been a bit nervous at the idea of meeting his girlfriend's family officially for the first time and announcing that he'd knocked up their daughter. But Tiernan was oddly supportive which helped give him confidence upon meeting everyone. King Taliesan and Queen Caragh were very kind. Not to mention that it was rather fun to pick on Donal, who Fred claimed was secretly in love with him because of the way he saved him (Donal didn't agree).

Fred thought the palace in Tara was even more spectacular than Theo had let on. He let Fiadh take him on a private tour, amazed by the glass and the horticulture that seemed to just take over the palace. The greenery and landscaping was like being in the middle of the most breathtaking manor you could ever imagine in the centre of an enchanted forest. It took his breath away.

"How can you leave all of this to come live with me in my tiny cramped flat?" he demanded, kissing her forehead.

Fiadh smiled, putting his hands on her stomach. "Because home is where you are, Fred."

His heart raced at her words and he promised her to always provide that for her. But despite getting his flat ready, they were looking for a new place to live. As a princess, Fiadh was very wealthy and despite the loss that the shop had taken with the fire, Fred and George were still turning a profit, albeit a much smaller one due to damages. The shop in Diagon Alley was doing very well and Fred was proud of what they had accomplished so far.

But he knew that realistically the small flat was not the place for he and Fiadh to raise their twins.

The real estate witch who was helping them look didn't seem to find anything that he truly wanted. Fred loved living in Diagon Alley. He liked the hustle and bustle of the busy street and hearing the London traffic at night, but he also missed the countryside. He missed the quiet and the sounds of nature at night more than he wanted to admit. The nights he slept at the Burrow to be closer to his mother after the Battle of Hogwarts were the best nights of sleep he'd had in eons.

George and Angelina's place was great, but it was too downtown for his tastes. When he said as much to Fiadh, she'd kissed him until he couldn't breathe.

"I hate the city," she admitted. "I'll live anywhere with you, but the country would make me happiest."

Fred had never been so happy to have her agree with him.

It changed everything about what they were looking for and where they were looking. But it was a house all the way up north near the Scottish border that drew his attention the most. It was in a small village that the locals called Berwick-upon-tweed and they both fell in love with the house at first sight. It was a large two story cottage with five bedrooms, a huge two car garage on the left side that Fred immediately decided he was going to turn into his workroom and it contained tons of property. It was private and would allow them the privacy they needed from the Muggles while still being close enough to the village that they could walk.

Fred knew that he would be able to Floo to the shop every day. It was more than perfect, even if a bit further away from all of their family than they both would have liked. Fred brought Molly to see it first and when his mother's eyes filled, he knew that it was the right choice.

"You like it, Mum?"

"Oh, Fred… this is your place. I can feel it. It's so open and warm and goodness, five bedrooms! Does that mean you'll be giving me lots more grand-babies to spoil?"

Fred laughed. "Mum, let me deal with the first two before we make those kinds of promises!"

Molly kissed his cheek. "What do you think, Fiadh?"

Fiadh stood in the centre of the living room, her eyes bright. "I think it feels like it could be our home."

Fred moved to kiss her. "It's a bit pricier than we were looking for."

"I don't care," Fiadh told him. "We love it. I have the money to make up the difference, Fred."

He stared into her eyes before he kissed her again. "Okay. Let's make an offer."

They did and the real estate witch promised to get back to them as soon as she heard anything. Molly urged Fiadh to take a seat when they got back to the Burrow, then placed her hand over her stomach when she saw it moving.

"Oh my, they sure move around a lot, don't they?" Molly exclaimed, her eyes bright in excitement before she caught herself. "Oh goodness, I'm so sorry, dear! I always hated it when people touched my stomach without permission!"

Fiadh chuckled and placed her hand over Molly's, bringing it back. "I don't mind. You're going to be their grandmother after all."

"Have you chosen names yet?"

"No," Fred admitted. "We can't decide. Plus, we don't know what we're having yet."

Fiadh winked. "No, we do. Only you want to be surprised, Fred."

"I can't believe that you've told everyone what we're having, woman! You were supposed to keep it a secret!"

"No," Fiadh teased. "Only from you."

"He's worried that I might have cursed him and you're actually going to birth two troublemakers worse than him and his brother," Molly teased.

"Impossible. Georgie and I were perfect angels."

Molly scoffed. "Far from it, Frederick Gideon, far from it."

Fiadh smiled, rubbing her stomach. "My siblings and I weren't exactly angels ourselves. I imagine our children will be up to some mischief after all. Plus, my sister Niamh warned me that a half-fae baby gets up to their own mischief. My niece, Ciara, she was…" Fiadh trailed off, blinking back tears. "She was an angel."

Molly squeezed Fiadh's hand in hers. "I'm sure she was, dear. I can't imagine how hard that was for you and your family to lose her. How is your sister and husband doing?"

"Okay," Fiadh admitted. "They've grown closer, which my mother says is a good sign. The loss of a child can sometimes break a marriage apart but I'm so glad that Niamh and David have each other. Niamh had difficulties with the pregnancy and Ciara was their only child." She rubbed a hand over her stomach. "I think I want Niamh to be godmother to one of the babies. I think it would do her good."

Fred leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I agree. She'd love that."

They talked more about the babies and the plan for the house if they got it. Fred didn't want to jinx it, but he was pretty sure that they were going to get the house. It felt right and he knew that anything that felt that right had to be a sure thing. He said as much to George and Angelina when they showed up half an hour later.

George had originally come out to check out the house with him, before he'd even shown it to Fiadh. George knew how much his brother wanted it.

"How are the wedding plans coming along?" Fiadh asked.

Angelina's smile widened as she crossed her legs in her seat. "Pretty well. We're starting to get an idea of what we'd like. We're thinking maybe next fall."

"Oh, a fall wedding would be lovely!" Molly exclaimed. "I can't believe another one of my babies is going to get married! Fred, are you and Fiadh thinking about marriage?"

Fred snorted. "Subtle, Mum, real subtle. What's the rush? Just because Fiadh and I have buns in the oven doesn't mean we need to tie the knot. Look at Charlie!"

"Charlie is stubbornly single and not at all in a relationship," Molly insisted. "You two are making a family together."

"Does that mean I need to put a ring on it?"

Fiadh winked at him and he grinned back at her. The two of them had talked about it, of course, but neither of them was quite ready yet. They had too much on their plate with the babies coming and looking for a house. It was kind of an unspoken agreement between them that they were going to get married at some point. But neither of them were in a rush to push it just yet.

Bill and Fleur arrived a little while later with Gabrielle in tow. Gabrielle was eager to talk to Fiadh about the nursery and spoke in almost perfect English, her accent even better than Fleur's as she told Fiadh all about the shopping she and Fleur had been up to. Percy and Audrey came a bit later before Ron showed up with Harry in tow.

"Where's Hermione, dear?" Molly asked as Harry took a seat next to Bill on the sofa.

"She was spending the day with her mum," Ron told her. "She started at the Ministry last week and wants to spend as much time with her parents as she can. Her parents are fascinated by her work."

"Understood," Bill said, taking a sip of his beer. "How are the Grangers?"

"Good," Ron said. "Better than you'd expect if I'm honest. I'm pretty sure they know everything now. They are a little uneasy around magic and I can't say I blame them, but Greg is doing better than Jean at that. Despite the uneasiness, they trust her."

"You two still planning on moving in with Harry in a few weeks?" Bill asked.

Molly frowned. "You really don't have to move out, Ron. I'd be happy if you wanted to live here a bit longer."

"I know, Mum," Ron said, kissing her cheek. "But we both know that it's a good idea."

Molly looked around the house. "It's going to be quite empty in here, come September."

"Knowing you, you'll clean it from top to bottom and do a complete overhaul. Make us clean out all of our crap," Bill said.

Percy nodded. "There is a lot in here that can go. It might be therapeutic for you, Mum. If you need any help, I'd be happy to come and help you organize."

"Abort! Abort!" George exclaimed. "Don't let the organizational freak in, Mum!"

"Piss off," Percy muttered. "I'd be a great asset!"

"Arse is right," Fred said, high-fiving Ron.

Harry chuckled. "I think you'll be busier than you think, Molly. Tonks told me that you've volunteered to babysit Teddy when she goes back to work in September."

"I have," Molly said, beaming. "I can't wait to get my hands on that little angel! I'm going to have him two days a week and Remus will take him to Hogwarts the other days. It will be very exciting. Zee said she's putting the twins in nursery school this year?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. The one in Polperro she really liked. I think it's called Once Upon A Nursery Story? It's only been open three years, but it has good reviews. A couple run it out of their cottage right on the coast. They have a big garden with chickens, goats, and sheep. They have twenty kids ages one to three and there's ten people who work with them. Zee said that they are the perfect blend of friendly and professional."

"All the way in Cornwall?" Molly asked in surprise.

"Its only a little over an hour away," Harry said. "They're going to go four days a week and stay with Grandmama the other day. Grandmama wants to get back to writing full time. She's been working on a story about the Slytherins who were in hiding at Malfoy Manor during the war."

"Really?" Bill said. "How's that coming along?"

"Pretty good from what I understand," Harry told him. "She's been interviewing all of them directly. She wants to do a byline piece, giving each of them their own story. So far almost everyone has agreed to do it, though from what I understand, Malfoy hasn't been responding to her owls. I told her if she doesn't hear back from him by September, I'll get Theo to talk to him."

Bill nodded. "it would make a pretty great story. With everything that's been printed as of late with the trials of the Death Eaters and the arrests of people within the Ministry, seeing how some people triumphed over it all and survived the hardships… people need a good story."

Fred wiggled his eyebrows. "I don't know. I rather liked the one in Witch Weekly the other day with Potter on the cover."

Harry blushed.

Fred knew that Harry was a bit self conscious about the multitudes of articles that had been written about him since the final battle. The latest one had put him on the cover with a photo submitted by Colin Creevey and Fred had to admit, Harry looked good on it. Colin had somehow captured the exact moment when Harry called forth lightning from the sky, his wand in the air as lightning connected with it. The sky was tumultuous behind him, dark and grey, the dazzling streak of light a blinding flash making Harry's green eyes darken with power. The title read: Potter, God of Lightning and Chosen Hero.

The article had been another fluff piece talking about Potter's defeat of the Dark Lord back in May, his raw power, and his upcoming acceptance into the Auror Academy as well as his role as the Marquess of Somerset. There were half a dozen photos of him taken sporadically over the summer. One of him coming out of Gringotts, another of him talking to Neville outside of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, one of him standing in the Ministry after writing his NEWTs, and two old ones from the calendar they had published in Hogwarts. It was hardly the first article to talk about him and his prowess at defeating Voldemort as well as being a rich marquess with a promising future.

"I wish that they would stop claiming I'm an eligible bachelor," Harry said.

Ron grinned and nudged his friend. "You're a catch, Potter. Until you officially marry my sister, they're going to consider you on the market."

"Marry — are you and Ginny getting married?" Percy demanded, his eyes wide.

"No," Harry said. "I mean, yeah, I hope someday…"

Molly practically beamed at him.

Bill cleared his throat. "So, Fred, when will you and Fiadh hear about the house?"

"Hopefully by tonight," Fiadh answered. "Our real estate witch seemed pretty confident in our offer."

"And you really want to move all the way out to Berwick-upon-tweed?" Percy asked. "Wouldn't London make so much more sense for the two of you? Or at least another bustling city?"

"No," Fred said. "I like the country and so does Fiadh. We'll connect the Floo to the shop and Fiadh works out of the palace in Tara. She can travel from anywhere."

Percy wrinkled his nose, exchanging a look with Audrey. "I most certainly will not be moving back to the countryside. No one wants to wake up to the smell of cow shit every day."

Ron snickered. "No one wants to wake up next to you every day."

Percy gave him an annoyed look. "As annoying as ever, I see."

Audrey squeezed her boyfriend's knee. "We're city slickers at heart. I agree with Percy, I couldn't imagine living outside of a city."

Ron rolled his eyes dramatically at Harry and he grinned back at him in amusement. Talk turned back to George and Angelina's wedding plans. They were thinking end of September next year and Angelina wanted to do it outside. Bill suggested the Burrow and Molly immediately agreed, but George and Angelina were hesitant to make any decisions just yet. When the owl came for Fred and Fiadh a few hours later, the family held their breath.

Fred grinned as he opened the letter and read what was there. "If we want it, it's ours."

Everyone cheered as Bill left to buy some champagne to celebrate and Fred turned to look at his beautiful fae princess, his eyes wide in excitement.

"To us," he whispered, kissing her hand.

Fiadh cupped his cheek in her small hand and when Fred bent his head to kiss her stomach, he couldn't help but think he was incredibly excited for the next step in his future. He couldn't wait to make a home with the woman he loved and welcome his children into the world.

~ ASC ~

Harry felt nervous when he showed up to basic training with Ron by his side. Ginny had already spent a week at the Quidditch training camp and he'd spoken to her on the mirror the night before as she filled him in all about her first week. According to his girlfriend, it was definitely hard work.

They went for a run every morning before doing stretches and then were put on their brooms. Their mornings were full of drills and the afternoons were for practice games where she was constantly being shuffled between teams.

"Whenever I score it's both praised and criticized," Ginny told him. "It's like they want me to score, but they also don't want me to. It's all about teamwork and precision as well as showing off. It's a lot of work."

"Have you seen Gwenog Jones again?"

Ginny shook her head. "No. Only Amy Hunt and the two other coaches, Hogan and Dalton. It's just those of us who have tried out at various PQTC tryouts over the course of the year as well as a few players who were on the reserves last year. It's very intense."

"How's your roommate?"

Ginny shrugged. "Competitive, but she's nice. Sundays are the only time we have to relax and honestly I was so tired I slept until noon today."

He chuckled. "I bet."

"Are you and Ron nervous about tomorrow?"

"A little," Harry admitted. "All Tonks has told me is that boot camp is intense. Ron has been running with me on the beach every morning to prepare."

"And complaining?"

"Oh, every step of the way," Harry assured her.

When they'd said goodbye, he wished her luck and she did the same. Now it was the next morning and he was ready to step into his first day as an Auror recruit.

Harry and Ron walked side by side through the Ministry and made their way to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for orientation. There were only sixteen of them, four witches among them, and the man who stood at the front gave them all an intimidating stare.

Harry recognized him as Gawain Robards. He had thick dark hair peppered in grey and a well kept dark beard the same making Harry guess he was in his mid fifties. His long nose and dark eyes gave him a rather intimidating look, but it definitely helped that he stood about Harry's height and looked to be made of solid muscle.

"Good morning. I'm Auror Gawain Robards and I'll be your leader for basic training. Today will be about getting you acquainted and understanding the plan for the next few weeks. As you know, with the aftermath of the war, we have an immediate need for Aurors, which means we'll be accelerating the coursework a little bit. Basic has been dropped down to three weeks instead of four and you'll be tested weekly."

A short blonde witch who was stunningly beautiful raised her wand. "Where will basic training take place, Sir?"

"If you're patient and listen, you'll find out."

The witch looked put out, but she kept her eyes on Auror Robards as she waited for him to continue.

"Basic is all about seeing if you have what it takes to physically be an Auror," Robards continued. "If you're looking for a desk job, you've come to the wrong place. It will be up to you to keep up on assignments and there will be zero exceptions for late homework or half-arsed work. Not all of you will make it through the next three weeks," he declared, his eyes narrowing. "Aurors need to be ready to face everything and anything and if you're not here to give one hundred and ten percent, you might as well walk out right now."

No one moved and he nodded.

"Good. When I call your name, come collect your orientation packet. Andrews, Aphrodite."

The beautiful short blonde who had asked about where training was stepped forward. Harry rather thought her name suited her. She very much looked like the goddess that she was named after.

"Brett, Iris."

A tall, slim brunette with her hair in a high ponytail stepped forward.

"Cambridge, Justin."

A stocky wizard covered in freckles under his sandy blond hair.

"Casey, Kelly."

He was tall with a lot of muscle. He looked like he was in his mid twenties and Ron leaned towards Harry.

"Some of these people are a bit older, eh?"

"Papa told me that not everyone applies straight out of school and some people might be on their second or third attempts at getting in," Harry supplied, keeping his voice low.

"Graham, Andrew."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise when he recognized the Gryffindor who had been dating Katie Bell the last time he'd seen him.

"Jackowski, Jonathan James."

A tall, stocky man with light brown hair, long enough to pull back into a low ponytail at his neck, accepted the packet from Robards. His arms were covered in dark blue tattoos that looked like some kind of runic symbols.

"It's Jay," he said to Robards before accepting his orientation packet.

"Merrywright, Gertrude."

The woman had her hair cut boyishly short, spiked up tall and platinum blonde. Her lip was pierced and she was very physically fit. Harry was pretty sure she was made of solid muscle as she told Auror Robards to call her Trudy.

"Mukherjee, Brijesh."

He was tall and lean with jet black hair and he had full beard, just as dark.

"Potter, Harry."

Harry moved forward, trying not to blush as he felt everyone's eyes on him at the mentioning of his name. He accepted the file from Robards with a polite nod and hurried back to stand in between Ron and Andrew Graham.

"Rivers, Gary."

Rivers winked at him and Ron as he stepped forward to accept his orientation packet.

"Surrey, Winston III."

The tall, thin man who stood forward very much looked like a Winston Surrey III. He wore square glasses over his long nose, his blond hair cut business-like around his sharp face. Harry rather thought he reminded him of Percy.

"Thompson, Nox."

The man was taller than Ron, which Harry thought definitely said a lot. He had dark hair and gold eyes that seemed to shine. His dark hair was long and in tight cornrows, pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck.

"Weasley, Ronald."

Ron tapped his file against Harry's, a familiar grin on his face that put Harry at ease.

"Winchester, Raphael."

Winchester had blondish red hair with a dark tan on his skin, making it look almost golden. He asked Robards to call him Rafe before he moved out of the way.

"Zane, Skye."

A short woman hopped forward. Her hair was dyed a bright red and in long curls down her back.

"Zhao, Nick."

The last wizard stepped forward to accept his packet. He was well muscled, black hair and brown eyes.

Harry thought they all rather looked like an interesting bunch.

"Read over your files carefully," Robards instructed. "You'll each sit through an interview this afternoon with myself to discuss your future. In week two, we will begin psychological evaluations and from there you will be placed accordingly within the DMLE. There's always a possibility of a transfer between departments but the work you do here in the upcoming weeks will determine what department you will start off in as A1s. You will be living in the barracks in Rosslare in County Wexford for the first two weeks. All other tests will take place at the Magical Intelligence Agency in the Auror Academy of England in Londonderry. For those of you that don't know basic geography, they are both in Ireland. Your roommates will be assigned, no exceptions. You'll report down to the shore every morning for four AM and lights out will be no later than twenty-one hundred hours. Anyone caught not following these rules will be given one warning and then cut from the program. Any questions?"

When everyone remained silent, Robards continued.

"Every morning you will start with a five kilometre run before breakfast. Then you will be led through morning stretches followed by a timed obstacle and climbing course that will differ each day. Each course will be full of traps that will require you to physically get past them as well as show magical innovation in doing so. Apparating is not an acceptable solution and anyone who tries it will be automatically cut from the program."

Robards looked around the room as if daring anyone to challenge him before he continued.

"Afternoons will consist of hand-to-hand-combat training and after dinner you will have time to work on your studies. Saturdays and Sundays will also be given to study time. You will each be assigned a personal handler in your interview today who will be available for any questions or course related questions you might have. At the end of your three weeks, if you're still standing, you will be graded accordingly and unless you've achieved an Exceeds Expectations or higher, you will be cut from the program. As some of you know, being cut does not mean you cannot reapply. I recognize a few of you as returning trainees and I wish you luck this time around. When I call your name, you will be assigned your new bunkmate for the next two weeks."

Robards looked out at them a moment before he continued.

"Andrews and Zane. Brett and Merrywright. Cambridge and Zhao. Casey and Winchester. Graham and Weasley. Jackowski and Thompson. Mukherjee and Surrey. Potter and Rivers. Your room number is at the top of your orientation packet. After the two weeks are up, you will be reporting to Londonderry for your daily courses and assignments. This will include more physical tests, more hand-to-hand combat training, lectures on enforcing law and the history of magical law, interrogation techniques, and a crash course on stealth, observation, and disguise. Some of this will include trips to the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement. If you survive the first two weeks, you will be given a new orientation packet on the last day of the camp outlining your curriculum in Londonderry. Help yourself to tea and sandwiches while we set up interviews. Zane, you'll be first."

Skye Zane nodded, her smile bright as she followed Robards into the room behind them.

Ron frowned as he looked at Harry. "We're not roommates? That totally blows!"

Harry had to agree. "Yeah, but at least we both kind of know who we're rooming with already and it's only for two weeks."

"Yeah," Ron admitted. "Graham and Rivers are all right. Did you hear him? Four in the bloody morning, Harry! I take it back. He might be more mental than you."

Andrew Graham chuckled as he approached them. "I'm glad to know it's not just me who blanched when he said that. How's it going, Harry? Ron?"

"Good," Ron said, extending his hand out to him. "We didn't know you were interested in being an Auror."

Andrew nodded. "Yeah, it was always kind of in my head, but I put it off. Kind of took a gap year after leaving Hogwarts. I did some travelling and came back in March and thought I was ready to apply. After the Battle of Hogwarts, I felt like this might be my calling. It makes sense that the two of you are here."

"Yeah, we're looking forward to it," Harry said.

"Mostly," Ron added. "The four AM run is making me question everything."

Andrew laughed. "I can't say I blame you. You still dating Granger?"

"Yeah," Ron said, a smile on his face. "I am. You still with Bell?"

Andrew shook his head. "Nah. We broke up a few months back while I was travelling. The long distance bit was too hard on us. We're still friendly though. She's an amazing witch. What about you, Potter? Still with Weasley's sister?"

"Definitely," Harry said as Gary Rivers approached them. "Hi, Gary."

"Harry," he said with polite nod. "Guess we're going to be roommates."

"Guess so," Harry said.

He and Ron slowly moved around the room, chatting to the other recruits until Harry was called in to talk with Robards. He closed the door behind him and took a seat in the chair Robards gestured to.

"Potter," Robards said, his hands folded on the desk in front of him. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that defeating the darkest wizard of the century tends to boost you up in our books."

Harry nodded. "I appreciate that, Sir, but I would still like to be tested out of my own merit."

Robards looked pleased with his answer. "Misha Zacarias spoke highly of you. He's greatly missed among all of us. He was an incredible Auror and he was looking forward to working with you in the Academy. He was going to be my partner in this boot camp and I was looking forward to working more closely with him. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Sir."

Robards gave him a small smile before he continued. "I understand that you did a lot of one-on-one training with Zacarias over the last few years."

"Yes, Sir. He constantly sent me a handful of spells every few weeks to master and whenever I came home, he challenged me. I also worked with Auror Lupin, Auror Higgins, and Auror Shacklebolt more than once when they visited Hogwarts to test me outside of our Defence Club. Professor Lupin also kept me on a constant flux of different obstacle courses to test my limits every week."

Robards tucked his tongue in his cheek. "I won't say that didn't give you preferential treatment because we both know it did, but considering what you were preparing for… it was smart of them. You come with glowing recommendations from numerous sources and the fact that you defeated Voldemort single-handedly in an open field for the whole world to see makes you an asset I cannot risk losing. What are your aspirations as an Auror, Potter?"

"To be an Auror in the DMLE," Harry answered honestly. "I want to stop dark wizards, Sir. I want to make sure that no one like Voldemort ever gains power like that again."

"So, you would be interested in the Dark Arts Unit? They tend to deal with violent crimes, homicides, and anything associated with dark magic and violence. That's the department that Auror Lupin works in."

"Yes, Sir," Harry agreed.

Robards wrinkled his nose before he scratched it. "Good, good. As you know, we'll be testing your physical fitness as well as your stamina over the next few weeks. We want to make sure that you have what it takes to deal with whatever is going to be sent your way. Psychological evaluations will include some attacks on your mind and you will have to sign a waiver allowing a trained professional to use Legilimency on you. You will talk to a trained Mind Healer for evaluation and all results will be accumulated at the end of your training. If you pass all requirements, come the second week of October, you will be assigned to a department within the DMLE. Once assigned, you will still be obligated to continue course work until the end of April before you can take the test to move up to an A2. We do try to accommodate your wishes in the department of your choosing unless we feel that based on your test results, your wish is not in our best interest. Do you have any questions?"

"Just one," Harry said. "Ron and I work great together. I understand the need to provide us with different partners and I respect that, but when it comes to assignments, I'd appreciate being assigned with him in the future. We make a great team and personally I think that after the help he gave me in defeating Voldemort, to separate us would be a mistake on your part."

Robards looked amused before he masked it. "As trainees, you will both be assigned a partner of higher rank. Two trainees cannot be partners, Potter. But if you prove to work well together, A2s are often paired up together. I'll keep it under advisement as something to keep my eye on in the future. I'll be your personal handler. All questions and comments will go through me. We expect you to arrive at the barracks no later than eighteen hundred hours tonight. Welcome to the Auror Academy of England, Potter."

Harry watched him stamp his file and he couldn't help but grin. He was ready to begin.

~ ASC ~

Harry's first week of basic training was very intense. Even he had to admit that Robards and the other trainers were good at pushing their limits. The run was easy for him every morning, but the obstacle courses were constantly changing; from the running through mud, climbing over rocks and stone walls, climbing ropes and swinging over rope ladders, on top of dodging spells… he was exhausted at the end of every night.

They had to stay in the barracks in Ireland for the first two weeks and then the physical testing was over so they were allowed to return home. Rooming with Gary Rivers wasn't so bad since Harry did know him in a general way after seven years of classes together, but Harry was surprised to learn that Rivers, if possible, snored even louder than Ron. Or maybe Harry had just gotten used to Ron's snores and found Rivers' that much more obnoxious.

He managed to talk to Ginny twice a week on the mirror, but she was just as busy in her training camp and just as exhausted. Both times they spoke, they fell asleep with the mirrors open, listening to the sounds of each other sleeping near their ears.

When it came time for his psychological testing, he found himself a little nervous. To his surprise, he was paired with Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Kingsley," he said, his eyes widening. "I didn't expect you to be leading the testing."

Kingsley smiled warmly at him. "I made an exception for you, Potter. Are you ready for this?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know, Sir."

"Honest answer. You've had your mind attacked before, yes?"

"Yes," Harry told him. "I wasn't any good at keeping people out."

"Most people aren't," Kingsley said. "It's not your job to keep me out this time. I'm going to ask you a series of questions while I'm looking into your mind, if you will. I promise it won't hurt, though you might feel a light pushing on your brain and will most likely have a headache by the time we're through. All right?"

"All right," Harry said.

Kingsley gestured for him to take a seat before he pointed his wand. "Legilimens."

Harry felt the immediate pushing at his frontal lobe, but unlike when Snape attacked him, he wasn't hit with an onslaught of memories.

"Rules are meant to be obeyed without question. True or false."

"False."

"Explain."

"Some rules have to be broken depending on the circumstance."

"Have you ever taken a life?"

"Yes."

"Did you take pleasure in taking that life?"

"No."

"Will you kill again?"

"If necessary."

"When you think of children, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?"

"Innocence. Protection."

"What's the difference between black, white, and grey?

The questions continued. Kingsley asked him about obscure memories from his childhood, tested him on random spells, asked about his parents, and other random questions that had no meaning to Harry varying from what direction he would choose to take home to his favourite colour to what the sunset represented to him. When Kingsley lowered his wand, Harry's head throbbed in a dull ache and he blinked.

"That will be all, Potter."

Harry squinted at him through his glasses. "My results?"

"Will be given at the end of the week. Your appointment with the Mind Healer is scheduled for the thirty-first of August at thirteen hundred hours in Londonderry. His office information is on this card. You'll be sitting with Mind Healer Auden McCraight. He's one of the best."

Harry nodded and headed out, not sure how he felt about his results in there. He spoke to Tonks on the mirror about his test later that evening and she smiled at him.

"I know it seems kind of wonky, but it's to make sure that we're not letting in any psychopaths."

"How can you tell that I'm not a psychopath by asking what my favourite colour is?" Harry demanded.

"I don't know, what did you say?"

"Red."

Tonks gasped dramatically. "That's a sign. You'll be kicked out for sure now and send straight to Azkaban!"

"Piss off," Harry said, making her laugh.

"It doesn't have to make sense to you, Harry. It's an accumulation of all of your responses. There's no right or wrong answer here unless you're telling them you love to kill people. You've been through a lot in your eighteen years and all of that has to be taken into account with the responsibilities they would be bestowing upon you as an Auror," Tonks explained. "Which Mind Healer have you been assigned to?"

"McCraight," Harry replied. "Do you know him?"

"I do. Auden's one of the best," Tonks assured him. "I've had a few evaluations under his care. He's kind and he doesn't beat around the bush. I think talking to him will do you good."

Harry nodded in response and asked about Teddy. When Tonks held him up to the mirror, Harry grinned.

"Hi, Teddy. It's Uncle Harry."

Tonks smiled. "I love hearing you say that. It's so freaking adorable."

"It sounds weird," Harry admitted. "I mean, he's like another little brother, but he's my godson and I want him to call me Uncle like I did for Uncle Rem and Uncle Siri, but I don't know because Mina and Leo just call me Harry."

"He can call you whatever he chooses when he can talk, Harry. Personally, I'm going to try to get him to call you the Chosen One."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't you dare."

Tonks grinned. "Work hard and do your best, Harry. Don't worry about the results. Trust me, you're going to do great."

Harry appreciated her words and told her to give Remus a hug for him when he returned from Hogwarts where he was setting up for the new year. When Harry caught up with Ron, his best mate looked just as flummoxed.

"What kind of questions were those? I feel like my brain was hit by a Bludger."

"Tonks said that it doesn't have to make sense to us."

"Well good thing," Ron exclaimed. "Because I didn't understand a single point of it. Who the hell cares if I love the colour orange?"

Harry grinned as Ron moved with him to work on their homework, which was a basic rundown of their obstacle courses and reflections on how they feel they've improved each day.

"Me neither. Come on. We have assignments to finish."

Ron grumbled. "I thought homework ended with Hogwarts."

"Me too," Harry admitted. "I think the adults lied to us."

"Fuckers," Ron muttered, making Harry laugh.

He might not understand everything that he was being tested on, but he knew that it was important. He looked forward to seeing how everything panned out.

~ ASC ~

While Harry and Ron were dealing with Auror training at the Academy, Ginny was doing her best to fit into the training camp in Wales. Each day was full of drills and practices to the point that her whole body ached everywhere. She dreamed of a moment where Harry could massage her with his strong hands and take out the kinks.

Cady was a great roommate. Ginny bonded with her instantly. Cady was twenty-two and this was her third time coming through the training camp. She'd played in a few matches as a reserve player but had never been signed officially with a team. She was hoping this year was her year despite losing her agent at the start of the summer. She'd been shocked to discover that Ginny was barely seventeen.

"You're incredibly talented," she admitted.

"Thank you," Ginny told her. "I'm excited to be here."

Some of the other trainees weren't as nice, but everyone was so excited to be here and to be playing; it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement. Every third day, they sat down one-on-one with one of the coaches to discuss their progress. The long list of compliments and faults was almost enough to give them a complex, but Ginny appreciated the feedback. She felt like she learned more and more about herself and her skills, how to grow as a player and as an athlete, and she loved every second of it.

The training itself was different than she expected. It ran very much like a regular Quidditch practice in terms of practice games, but each position was pulled aside to focus more on one-on-one training and to help build up their skills and plays. Coach Jasper Dalton was the friendliest and he gave her the best feedback.

"It's not just about knowing you have the arm to score on the opposing team, Weasley. Lots of people have good arms and good aim. It's about understanding how that arm and aim is going to be affected by the weather, by your teammates, by the opposing team, and by you."

He worked her through a dozen different plays, throwing the Quaffle from various angles from overhead to underhand to zigging to the left and zagging to the right. If she missed, he blew the whistle and ordered her to do it again. She always left the pitch, sweaty and tired, but she never left disappointed.

Asher Hogan worked her to the bone and wanted her to work on the hoops.

"You've got skill, Weasley. You score more often than not, but if I was a Keeper, do you want to know the first thing I would do when I saw you coming? Block my left. You always go for the left and middle hoops. Tomorrow you're going right. Every time you score in a hoop that's not the right, you'll run a lap around my pitch. Clear?"

"Clear," Ginny agreed.

She'd gotten five laps, but she found herself learning how to become more focused and more accustomed to herself as a Chaser and the various tells she had that would make the other team know her plans.

Dalton helped her hold the Quaffle in a better position under her arm and Hogan praised her when two Bludgers flew straight at her and she beat them off with the Quaffle and managed to score a goal. Her move inspired a lecture from Hogan on how to use one's surroundings when necessary. He then decided the Chasers would practice passing the Quaffle back and forth while outflying eight Bludgers that were released onto the pitch with no Beaters to keep track of them.

It had definitely been incredibly intense.

One Chaser was knocked right off of his broom and fell ten feet to the ground. Ginny didn't get the chance to see what happened to him because no one paused. She had to assume the standby camp healers helped him. She just kept flying, trying to outfly the Bludgers while continuing to keep the Quaffle passing between her and her teammates.

Everything faded for Ginny except the Quaffle, her team, and her coach's instructions. Hogan's sharp tone was the loudest. "Don't let the Quaffle hit the ground!"

Miraculously they somehow managed to hold on. When one of her temporary teammates passed to Ginny, she managed to catch the ball with only the tips of her fingers. In the time it took her to position the Quaffle under her arm, one of the opponents had come in trying to steal. Ginny managed to turn her shoulder to avoid the ball from being swiped but nearly lost her balance. Her broom veered violently to the left from his harsh shove.

"Good hustle, Weasley!" Dalton called out as she righted herself.

By the second week, the intensity of the practice games was upped drastically when they showed up to the pitch to find a blanket of fresh snow and flurries falling from the sky.

"Quidditch is played in all conditions," Hogan explained. "You have to be prepared to play the game in all types of weather conditions. The game doesn't get cancelled for something like snow. Let's see what you can do."

The flakes thickened, visibility was lowered and when the Quaffle flew towards her from the left, the almost white-out conditions had her fumbling the pass and taking a hit directly to her face and breaking her nose. Tears welled up in her eyes as blood poured down her face, but she tucked the Quaffle under her arm and managed to score before she landed on the snowy ground, leaving blood drops in her wake.

The camp healer fixed her up in a minute and when she took back to the sky, Hogan was at her side.

"You have great senses, Weasley," he told her. "Your reflexes are incredible, but you have to feel for the ball. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean you shouldn't know where it's coming from at all times."

She learned to listen and despite the high winds of the blizzard, she took Hogan's words to heart and focused on the sounds of the game, straining her ears to hear the sound of the leather smacking between hands and when she landed two hours later, Hogan gave her a rare smile.

The next day was a torrential downpour.

"Rain or shine, it's a Chaser's job to get that Quaffle into the hoop as many times as possible!"

Ginny's hair was soaked to the back of her neck, tendrils from her droopy bun flying in the wind as she raced through the rain to meet the demands of the coaches. The Quaffle was slick from the rain and when she fumbled it, Dalton's whistle blew.

"Rain is not an excuse for fumbling a pass, Weasley!" he bellowed. "A great Chaser doesn't fumble, but endures. Hold onto the bloody ball and try again! Fumbles result in fouls and fumbles are how you lose the Quaffle. Great Chasers don't lose the Quaffle. Again!"

The winds picked up speed, taking her ponytail out of its plait and making her long hair slap around her face. She stopped to fix it and almost missed a pass from a teammate.

"Weasley! You don't stop to fix your bloody hair! You endure!" Dalton demanded.

Her face was red in embarrassment, but she kept playing, her long hair flying behind her and in her eyes and when she still caught every ball, she felt more confident.

They played in an enchanted heat drenched storm next. The humidity was scorching and her clothes stuck to her skin. The higher up they flew, the hotter the air was. But like with the rain, the slickness of the humidity made the Quaffle harder to hold.

Ginny didn't falter.

When another Chaser attempted to steal from her, she rolled her broom and passed the Quaffle underhanded before racing to the other side of the pitch to catch it again. She jumped off of her broom, hanging on by her ankles to catch a bad pass. She used both of her hands, her fingers interlocked to volley the Quaffle towards a fellow Chaser. And she dodged Bludgers, rolled under brooms, and scored over and over again.

But her attempts at doing a fake pass earned her a foul.

"If you call that a fake shot, try again. I've never seen such an obvious ploy, Weasley," Hogan bellowed.

By the third day, she was getting better, but Hogan was still hounding her.

"Fake outs are sometimes necessary," he told her, "but they aren't a wise tactic if you become known for them. You make it too obvious. You can't show your hand. You don't go left to go right to score the goal, Weasley. Scoring requires skill and precision and a fake shot requires the same talent to keep your opponents on their nose. Try again. I'm the opposing Chaser. I'm coming for the Quaffle. Trick me."

She failed over and over again, Hogan predicting her moves every time.

"It's all over your face, Weasley," he taunted from his broom. "I know what you're going to do before you do. Try again."

He stopped her. Every time the Quaffle ended up in his hands, she wanted to scream in frustration. But when it clicked, it clicked, and the smile he gave her a few hours later when she deked him was worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears he'd demanded of her.

"Now that was a bloody fake shot," Hogan exclaimed when the Quaffle sailed through the hoop in the opposite direction that Hogan went. "Precision and practice, Weasley. Again."

It was exhausting and exciting and she fell asleep each night with a smile on her face and better prepared than the day before.

When week three began, Amy Hunt opened up the morning breakfast with an announcement.

"As you all know, every year we look to recruit new players either for the reserves or for prime spots on professional teams. You have all been chosen because of your amazing skill, teamwork, and dedication to the sport of Quidditch. I'm sure that many of you have noticed the people in the stands watching you daily as you train. Some of you are already aware of who these people are, but for those who don't know, they are Quidditch Public Relations Agents from the Department of Magical Games and Sports. It is during the third week that we allow agents to speak with those who interest them," Hunt explained.

"Wow, agents," Cady whispered as Ginny nodded next to her, surprised to find her palms sweaty at the thought. "I hope someone else agrees to sign me."

Ginny knew that Cady was nervous about future agents approaching her because she had dropped her representation with someone named Quinton, but Cady was a great Chaser and Ginny was sure that someone would approach her.

"Agents work for you," Hunt continued. "Without an agent, you cannot be signed by a professional league team. It will be your agent who is your go-to. They will help you learn about job offers and help you boost your skill both on and off the field. Professional Quidditch isn't something that all of you will succeed at. But for those of you lucky enough to make the cut, choosing the right agent is your first start."

Ginny knew what Hunt was saying. There were twenty of them here today and not all of them would be signed by an agent. If they weren't signed, they could potentially return to the camp next summer, but without an agent, there would be no chance of playing with the Premier Quidditch Leagues of England and Ireland. It was definitely a daunting concept and as confident as Ginny felt, she also had that lick of fear that rose up in Tom's voice to remind her that she wasn't good enough.

But that fear was quickly pushed away when in one day she was taken aside by Coach Hogan to meet with Jackie Diamond, Harlow Monroe, and Jax Hunter.

They each gave her a spiel about her talent and their interest in helping her reach her dreams.

"What is your dream, Miss Weasley?" Hunter asked her, surprising Ginny with the question as he was the only agent kind enough to ask her for her thoughts.

"Ideally? I want to play for Gwenog Jones with the Harpies," Ginny admitted. "But honestly, I'd be willing to play for any team that's interested in giving me a chance."

Hunter smiled. "That's a good start. Here's my card. And for the record, Jones is one of my clients. I think we would work great together."

When he walked away, she couldn't stop herself from squealing in excitement. She mirror called Harry that night to tell him and his face broke out into a grin.

"Wow! The same agent as Gwenog Jones? That's a big deal, Gin!"

"I know," Ginny admitted. "And out of the three, he was the nicest. He's very charming and seemed actually interested in listening to what I want. Monroe kind of seemed like an arsehole. And I think my view of Diamond is a bit biased because of Angelina."

Harry nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. Speaking of Angelina, have you thought about her?"

More than she wanted to admit. Signing with her future sister-in-law seemed like the perfect opportunity. She knew that Angelina would do everything in her power to help her succeed, but she also knew that Angelina was new and that also meant it would be more of a challenge for Angelina to be heard over the other agents.

"I have. She hasn't approached me yet."

"She will," Harry assured her. "Ron told me this morning that George said something about her going to the camp this week. She signed Oliver Wood to her name."

Ginny's eyes widened. "She did! That's bloody fantastic!"

"It is," he agreed. "How's everything else?"

"Exhausting," Ginny admitted. "I miss you. I miss my own bed. I miss my family and friends. I love it and want to go home at the same time. I can't explain it."

"I get it," Harry told her. "I feel the same. The testing is just very intense and weird. But thankfully after the twenty-ninth, we no longer have to stay at the barracks in Ireland, everything else will be classes at the Academy in Londonderry."

"Is it in the MIA building?"

"Yeah," Harry told her. "Ron and I are going to have lunch with Sebastian on our first day on the thirty-first. You're last day is the twenty-ninth too, right?"

"It is," she told him. "Mum's planning a big dinner at the Burrow. Will you come?"

"Already invited," Harry told her. "Zee and everyone will be there as well. Zee and Molly have already coordinated apparently."

Ginny chuckled. "That could be dangerous."

"Agreed," Harry said. "You'll be able to see the house that Fred and Fiadh got as well. They don't have the keys yet, but they have pictures."

Ginny beamed at him. "I can't wait. Is Rivers still keeping you up at night?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Merlin, Gin, he sounds like a bloody dragon with a head cold! I thought Ron was bad."

She laughed. "I'm sure Ron will be happy to hear it. When are you all moving into Clevedon Court?"

"I think the first weekend in September," Harry said. "It will be our first two days off really since we started and it's not like we have a lot to move. Hermione will be a week or two after that. She's enjoying bonding with her parents and her new job at the Ministry is keeping her pretty busy. But I'm looking forward to all of us living together."

"I'm excited to go back to Hogwarts," Ginny told him. "I miss Luna and Colin something fierce. They should be returning to England in the next few days. I think Colin's last letter said the twenty-seventh."

They talked some more about their daily activities in their various boot camps before reluctantly saying goodnight. When Cady finished showering, she gave Ginny a small smile as she sat on her bed, using her towel to dry her hair.

"Harlow Monroe approached me today."

"Yeah? What did you think?"

"He seems like an arse," Cady admitted.

Ginny nodded. "I thought so, too."

"Jackie Diamond also spoke to me. She seems promising. I can't believe I actually have an agent interested in me this time around. The whole thing with Quinton was he signed me and then dropped me within a month with no explanation."

"Can they do that?"

Cady nodded. "Yeah. We're disposable, you know? They can change their minds at any time if we haven't signed with any teams."

"You're awesome," Ginny told her. "You have great instincts and any team would be lucky to have you. I know you're going to land on your feet."

Cady's eyes softened. "You, too. I think we're both going to be lucky, don't you?"

Ginny really wanted to hope so, so she only smiled and excused herself to shower. She had a lot to think about.

Her thoughts about choosing an agent opened up more questions when Hunter approached her again the next day just before Angelina. She sat on the bleachers next to her, stretching her arms out and promised she would think about his words before she smiled at Angelina.

"I'm glad you're here," Ginny admitted.

Angelina smiled, leaning back on the bench. "It feels weird to be here. There's a lot of promising players out here. How are you doing?"

"Good," Ginny replied. "Tired. But it's worth it. I feel like I've improved my skills just being here."

"You have," Angelina assured her. "I was watching you this morning and that last pass to Applegate was incredible. That's the kind of pass and teamwork that professional teams want."

"Jax Hunter said the same thing."

Angelina nodded. "He's smart and charming. He would be a great fit for you."

Ginny snuck a look at her under her lashes. "You think that I should sign with him?"

Angelina sighed and leaned forward on her elbows. "Ideally, I want you to sign with me and I know that you feel the same way. But honestly, I'm brand new at this, Ginny. I have exactly two clients, Oliver Wood and Dorian Eagle, who just signed with me yesterday. You know about my short-lived career and why I was forced to retire. You know about my rather tumultuous relationship with my agent. Jackie's great, but we didn't click as well as we should have. Hunter knows his stuff and he will work for what's best for you, but he will also try to steer you towards what he thinks is best which often is what's best for you in the long run."

Ginny nodded. "Those are all really valid points."

Angelina tapped her fingers on her thigh, her engagement ring sparkling in the light. "I know that you dream of playing with the Harpies and Hunter represents half of their team. However, you made an impression with Gwenog Jones, Ginny, and I will do my bloody best to get you that Chaser spot if you sign with me. The rumours are true, you know, the Harpies are not only looking for a reserve Chaser but Thalia Townsend is officially retiring. The announcement is supposed to be posted on the first."

Ginny's eyes widened. "Really? She's retiring?"

Angelina nodded. "She's pregnant with her second and she and her husband have decided to devote their time to their family. She doesn't want to play anymore which is a shame to Quidditch. But I also know that the Cannons are looking to get rid of Lacrosse, the Arrows are in need of two reserve Chasers, and my old team isn't impressed with my replacement. I've done my research."

Ginny chewed her bottom lip. "That's why I trust you, Ange. I like Hunter. He is charming and I do think that we would fit well together, but you already have my trust. I know you won't jerk me around and I know that no matter what you will be honest with me. I need someone who I can trust."

Angelina passed Ginny her crisp new business card. "I was hoping you'd say that, but take some time to think about it, okay? Owl me tomorrow and give me an answer. If you choose Hunter, there will be no hard feelings. I want you to do what's best for you, Ginny."

Ginny agreed to take some time to think it over.

She lied in her bed that night writing out a pros and cons list between Angelina and Hunter. In the end, Hunter had more pros than Angelina but Ginny knew in her gut that Hunter wasn't the one she needed. She sent an owl to Angelina first thing the next morning and signed her name as Angelina Johnson's third official client.

Ginny felt like she was walking on air and she couldn't wait to see what her future brought next.

~ ASC ~

Pansy used Greg to help her as much as she could when it came to getting Sophistication by Pansy back into business. It took them over a month to put the shop back into order and deal with the legalities that Voldemort and his Death Eaters had caused trouble with. Since the shop was in Pansy's name, it made everything a lot easier to navigate.

Greg helped her repaint some of the damaged areas, adding in fresh glass and cleaning up dust, but by mid July they were open for business again and Pansy couldn't be happier. To her delight, she even managed to get Blanche Whitecombe to return to work for her. She had boxes of new designs and lingerie to fill, having used the time at Wiltshire Manor to keep her supplies up, and Greg helped her turn one of the backrooms into a drawing board for her designs.

By August, the shop was back in business with a growing customer base and Pansy couldn't be happier. She waddled around, pleased when Daphne stopped by to help more and more as Greg took care of Grayson at their house.

Greg had taken into consideration what Pansy had said to him and after a lot of long late night talks, he agreed that he might have an interest in construction and architecture. To Pansy's delight, he'd purchased a few books on the subject and signed up for a course offered at the Ministry where he would be able to write his tradesman test, otherwise known as the TOOLBOX, the Total Overhaul Of Legal Building Or Excavation. His interest and delight in it made her smile and she was happy to see him putting his mind to use with something that he was genuinely interested and good at. He had a talent and she was so happy to see him put it to use.

As to Daphne, with the arrest of her father, the Greengrass sisters had turned out to be bankrupt. The family home was taken by Gringotts and Daphne and Astoria each had a tidy sum to their name and nothing more. However, neither of them could access it until they turned twenty-one. So, Daphne made plans to wed Atticus Macnair as planned. The wedding was small and took place in the second week of August. Despite the negative reactions her friend received from a lot of people, Pansy thought that she was making the right choice. The old man was looking for companionship. He was kind and rich and promised to take care of Daphne and her sister. And as Daphne had hinted at, he also wasn't looking for anything sexual outside of wanting to orally pleasure Daphne. Pansy thought it was a pretty good deal.

Astoria moved in with them and was given her own little flat within the large Macnair Manor in the south of England. She had written her OWLs through the Ministry and would be returning to Hogwarts in September to start her sixth year. Daphne spent her free time helping Pansy in the shop, helping design new lingerie and was one of her primary models for advertising.

Pansy felt like life was finally moving on.

She and Greg each sat down with Sorcha Zacarias, separately and together, who wanted to write their story. At first Pansy had been against the idea, but she rather liked it more and more when Sorcha told her about it. She wanted people to see how she had suffered and most of all, she wanted people to know that despite the mistakes Greg had made, he was a hero. Having her name in the spotlight, even if only for fifteen minutes, was everything she needed. Plus, it would help boost her store.

To Pansy's surprise, Theo had written to her as well, giving her ideas for more male lingerie. He was a fan of her silk sleep pants and she now had an entire male line that entailed not only pyjamas but boxers, boxer briefs, briefs, thongs, and even g-strings and jockstraps. She'd even designed some rather lovely robes that differed from cosy mornings by the fire to downright sexy. It was the male line, The Unwrapped Male, that was turning out to be one of her most popular lingerie lines.

It was why she was busy ringing up customers when she went into labour on the twenty-eighth of August. Blanche urged her into the back to sit down and with Daphne's help, she ended up at Carmenta's Clinic where she delivered a healthy baby boy only eight hours later. They named him Gabriel Gregory Goyle, who was a whopping four and a quarter kilograms and almost fifty-four centimetres long.

Greg, who was forced to bring Grayson to the clinic with him, took one look at their second son and held him close to his chest, tears in his eyes.

"He's perfect, Pansy. He's perfect."

Pansy smiled, feeling very good on the pain potions that the healers had given her. "Outside of him being a giant, I quite agree."

Greg's lips curved as he bent down to kiss her. "We're pretty good at this."

"We are," Pansy said. "But one set of Irish twins is enough for now, don't you think?"

He chuckled, but his eyes lit up at the possibility of them having another child in the future.

Pansy couldn't wait to go home to her boys and when she looked over to see Greg asleep in the chair next to her bed, one boy on each shoulder, she thought life was pretty close to perfect right about now.

~ ASC ~

Harry wasn't surprised to get his second orientation packet at the end of the two week training camp, but he thanked Robards all the same. The Auror hadn't been lying about the intensity of the program and in the first two weeks, one person had already been kicked out for not meeting the physical requirements — Winston Surrey III. Everyone else was moving on to start the next wave of testing and evaluations at the Auror Academy in Londonderry.

He and Ron left together as Harry told him that he'd meet him at the Burrow in an hour or so. He was anxious to go home. He wanted to see Zee and the twins. He wanted to see Teddy, Tonks, and Remus. And most of all, he wanted to see Ginny like an ache he couldn't explain.

Zee hugged him when he came into the house, a big smile on her face. "Hi, sweetie!"

"Hey," he said, kissing her cheek and holding her close. "Missed you."

Zee's eyes softened as she hugged him tightly. "We missed you, too. You look exhausted."

"I feel it," he admitted. "Tonks didn't lie when she said it was gruelling. But I made it through the first tests."

Zee kissed his cheek. "I knew you would. Go on, toss your things upstairs and have a shower before we go to the Burrow. Mina and Leo should be up from their nap by then."

Harry was pleased to do as she said. After a long pleasant shower (in which he might have taken things in hand), he greeted the twins with kisses and hugs before finding Remus, Tonks, and Teddy in the living room. Remus hugged him tightly and planted a kiss on the top of his head.

"I am so proud of you."

Harry couldn't help but blush under the praise.

Remus looked him over and whatever he saw made him smile before he hugged him again. "I don't know where the time went."

Harry chuckled into his father's shoulder before he made a beeline for Teddy, scooping the baby up into his arms. At almost five months, he smiled widely when he saw Harry, making tiny baby squeaks as Harry greeted him. The moment Harry picked him, his hair changed to match Harry's and his eyes turned the same emerald green.

"That's a good lad," Harry teased. "I'm much better looking than your dad."

Tonks laughed. "He's been doing that a lot lately. Changing to look like whoever is holding him. Molly thinks it's adorable when he adopts her red hair."

"Are you really going to bring him to Hogwarts, Uncle Rem?" Harry asked.

Remus nodded. "Absolutely. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have older students. He'll love it. I have a little playpen set up in the corner of my classroom and my office so he won't have to be in my arms all day."

Harry looked up when the fireplace lit up and his eyes widened in surprise to see McGonagall step out. As busy as his summer had been, it seemed that he'd missed her more than he'd seen her on her weekly Sunday dinner stops. After spending almost a week at St Mungo's, she'd healed well from the final battle, but was still using a cane occasionally when she didn't rest as much as she should. Mina and Leo made an immediate beeline for her and her eyes lit up behind her square glasses. Harry couldn't help but smile at her reaction.

"Oh, my babies are getting so big!" She kissed their cheeks happily before she even greeted everyone else in the room. "Sorry, priorities."

Harry laughed. "I can't fault you for choosing them first."

McGonagall took a seat on the carpet to play with her grand babies as Harry held Teddy in his arms and filled in his family on his first two weeks of Auror training. McGonagall asked questions about his training and Harry told her all about what he had to expect and talked about the other candidates.

McGonagall pursed her lips. "Winston Surrey III always was a funny student. Brilliant, but I can't see him making it in the Auror Academy. He'd do well as a banker if you asked me. He was three years ahead of you, Harry, a Ravenclaw."

Harry nodded. "Ron, Rivers, and I are the youngest recruits. Five of them are trying for their second time and Justin Cambridge is trying for his third. It's a bit unnerving to think they've made it through multiple attempts and still failed."

"It's not for everyone," Tonks said. "But you and Ron have great initiative, Harry. I think you'll both succeed. I for one am terribly excited to return to work on Monday and terrified at the same time. How can I leave that cute little face?"

Harry planted a kiss on the top of Teddy's head. "Because Molly and Uncle Rem will spoil him while you're gone."

"It's true," Remus admitted. "But I'm also really excited to be bringing him to work with me every day."

"Speaking of that," McGonagall said as Remus caught her gaze. "I'm afraid you really can't keep Teddy in your classroom when you're teaching the fifth years."

Remus frowned. "Why?"

"Because it's important that they have your full attention with their OWL year, Remus," McGonagall began, "and even more important that Teddy keep me company during my afternoon off."

Remus chuckled. "I'm sure that we can work something out, Minerva."

Harry passed McGonagall his godson as Zee took a seat next to him.

"We're having a small dinner tomorrow night, just us with Grandma and Grandpa and Mama. They want to hear all about the academy."

"Sounds great," Harry assured her.

It was an hour later by the time they got to the Burrow and Harry spent his time chatting with the Weasleys, filling in more comments about the academy and listening to Fred and Fiadh talk about the house they would be moving into within the next two weeks. But he kept his eyes on the Weasley clock on the wall and when Ginny's hand finally landed on home, he was on his feet and out the front door to greet her before anyone else could say anything.

Ginny ran to him when she saw him, laughing as she flung herself into his arms. Harry picked her right up off of the ground, spinning her in a circle as he kissed her again and again and again. He only stopped because something hit him in the back of the head.

"Ginny! Get your tongue out of Potter's mouth before he gets sick," George exclaimed. "Jeesh, you'd think the you two haven't seen each other in a year or something."

Ginny grinned up at him as he reluctantly lowered her to her feet and took her hand in his before he took her bag and broomstick to carry into the house. Ginny hugged everyone as she came in and answered the firing of questions about her time at the training camp, but it was when she announced that she officially signed with Angelina as her Quidditch agent that everyone truly celebrated.

"Oh, Ginny! Does that mean that you could play professionally?" Molly exclaimed.

Angelina smiled warmly. "If I have anything to do with it she most certainly will, Molly."

Molly frowned. "But won't that affect her schooling? What about your NEWTs, dear?"

"I'm going to write my NEWTs, Mum," Ginny promised. "Don't worry. That doesn't mean it will happen this year, but having an agent will ensure I have a chance of playing for a professional team in the future."

Molly looked relieved by this as Fred called up Charlie on his mirror to fill him in. Ginny took the mirror from her brother to tell Charlie herself, talking his ear off all about the training camp and then making faces at Aydin when she squealed.

Dinner was a loud affair as usual. Everyone spoke over each other as Fred and Fiadh talked about the babies coming soon, the new house, and who was going to help them move. George and Angelina spoke about wedding plans, the shop, and Angelina's three clients. Percy and Audrey spoke about life at the Ministry from the new changes that were taking place, to departmental issues, to the Wizengamot sessions. Bill chimed in with the Wizengamot changes and spoke about the upcoming changes under Jones and Jameson as all good things for the Ministry and for Britain. Fleur and Zee talked about Mina and Leo going to nursery school and about having babies while Ginny and Hermione spoke all about Quidditch camp and Hermione's new internship with Ron piping in occasionally, but Harry just sat back. He answered questions when spoken to, but otherwise he kept his eyes on Ginny.

When the night ended and everyone began to head home, Harry kissed Mina and Leo goodnight. Ron said that he was taking Hermione home and told Molly he was staying the night there. When Molly finally went up to bed a little while later, Harry pulled Ginny into his lap on the sofa to crush his lips to his.

Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, straddling him on the sofa. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," he whispered, kissing the crook of her neck. "So much. These two weeks have been hell."

Ginny's hands slid under his tee shirt, sliding up the muscles of his chest. "We're going to be separated a lot this year."

He shook his head. He was honestly trying not to think about it. The feel of her touch on his skin was the only thing that mattered right now. He captured her mouth in his again, the taste of her everything he needed as he slid his hands up her spine. Holding her close like this, feeling her in his arms. It was all he truly wanted.

Ginny seemed to be feeling the same way. They only stopped kissing long enough for Ginny to pull his shirt over his head and when her lips began to move over his shoulders, trailing down his biceps, he tugged hers up and over her head as well.

"Should we go up to your room?" he whispered against her lips.

She shook her head, her fingers dancing up his chest to his shoulders. "No. Mum won't come back down for the night."

Then her mouth was on his again and he really had no motivation to argue. Their hands moved between them, unbuckling belts and working zippers and when the last of their clothes were finally removed, Harry lowered Ginny beneath him on the sofa and kissed her neck, sucking on the skin and Ginny chuckled.

"Leaving marks?"

"Yes," he murmured, dragging his lips down her throat to her collarbone.

Teeth brushed her nipple and the sharp bite of pain before he sucked it into his mouth, had her hips rising to meet him.

"Harry…"

"I need you," he exhaled, his groin brushing hers. "What do you need from me?"

The fact that he would ask when he was so needy only made her love him further. She spread her legs and pulled him closer. "Just you. Now."

He slid into her and they both gasped. She was wet for him and so warm. She was home. Her hands moved over his back as he moved, moving deeper and harder and her hands clutched his shoulders, desperate to hold on. His hips moved faster and his breathing picked up as his fingers moved over, touching her the way she loved and she felt her body heat up.

"Mmm, Harry…"

He brought his forehead to hers before he shifted and pulled her down to the floor. She laughed as they pushed the coffee table out of the way and Harry sat up, lowering her over him. Ginny locked her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck as she took him back inside her. The new angle hit her in all of the right spots and her breath hitched as she rode him. Harry pressed his forehead to hers, his lips a breath away.

"Touch yourself for me."

She kept her eyes on him as she reached a hand down between them to do as he asked. His hands slid down to hold her bottom, clutching it in his hands as he moved. Ginny could feel her orgasm building and she rubbed herself faster, taking all of him in and out in a quick pace that made sweat drip between her breasts.

"Fuck…" he groaned. "I'm close, Gin. You have to come."

A hand came up to tweak her nipple, rubbing and pulling as his lips crashed into hers and when his hand moved between them to join hers, her heels dug into the floor at his arse. When her toes began to curl, she finally crashed. She moaned into his mouth as she came and Harry followed half a second later, his hips moving wildly as he chased his end.

They were both breathing heavy, still clinging together in the middle of the Burrow living room floor. Harry moved first, lifting her off of him and unwrapping her legs from around his waist. She almost whimpered when she moved off of him, but then gave a contented sigh when he snuggled her into his arms.

"We are so lucky your mum didn't come downstairs," he whispered.

Ginny snorted. The loud laugh echoing the quiet house as Harry clamped his hand over her mouth. Ginny grinned as she shoved him off.

"If she didn't hear you shagging my brains out, she's not going to wake up to me laughing," Ginny teased.

Harry brushed his thumb over her lips. "Can't be too careful. Are you sure she didn't hear us? You're quite loud when I make you come for me."

He uncertainly looked towards the door to the kitchen.

Ginny nodded, elbowing him lightly at his words. "I'm sure. Mum puts the wireless on now when she goes to sleep. She says the house is too quiet and she needs sound without Dad's snores to lull her to sleep. Plus, she totally knew you were still here and we've been separated for three weeks."

"Forever," he corrected, kissing a freckled shoulder. "I'm staying the night."

"Presumptuous, aren't we?"

His grin was quick as he leaned in and dragged his tongue over her earlobe. "Or you're coming back to the cottage with me."

Ginny turned her head to kiss him and when those green eyes met hers, she smiled. "Stay."

They kissed some more before they finally got up and dressed. Ginny held his hand as she led him through the kitchen and up the stairs to her room. She left him alone to cleanup and get ready for bed. He stripped down to his boxer briefs and stretched out on her bed, eyes on the Quidditch posters and photos of friends and family that adorned her walls. One day it was going to be her face on those posters, he thought.

His eyes were already closing when she came back wearing an old pair of his boxers and vest that said, Witches Do It Better. Harry got up to use the bathroom himself and when he returned she was snuggled under the blankets, the cool breeze from the open window coming in. Harry climbed into bed behind her, putting his glasses on the night table next to the bed and pulling her flush against him as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

"You wouldn't be tired already, would you?" he said, teasing his hard cock against her bottom.

Ginny turned her head to look at him. "I thought we were sleeping."

"We will," he told her, kissing her as his hand slid into the boxers to touch her. His fingers found her and she whimpered against him as he stroked and teased her. "Come sit on my face."

Ginny's eyes darkened. She shimmied out of the old boxers, letting them fall to the floor before she crawled over him and carefully lowered her knees on either side of his head. Harry's hands gripped her arse, squeezing as he pulled her lower.

"Don't tease me, Gin. Let me taste you."

She looked down into his green eyes and lifted her arms up to help balance herself as his tongue slid into her. The desire that flickered in his irises made her bite her bottom lip and before she could stop herself, her hips were moving to meet his eager and giving mouth.

Harry couldn't keep his eyes off of her. She was a vision. Her nipples pebbled the vest she still wore, tantalizing peaks meant to tease him as her breasts bounced. His fingers dug harder into her arse, into her thighs as he felt her corded muscles contract. He twirled his tongue, licking and stroking, losing his mind to her taste as he itched to reach down and touch himself. When he felt her clench around him, he kept licking until she finished and then he lifted her down his body and impaled her on his cock.

The way her brown eyes darkened almost black and the way her face contorted in ecstasy only made him groan. The sight of her riding him, watching her take his cock in and out was the most erotic thing he could imagine. He lifted his head to catch a nipple, sucking it through her vest and she held his head to her breast, urging him for more. He lost it, taking his pleasure in her and when he felt her fall with him, he moaned.

Afterwards, he held her close, her back flush against his front as he absently stroked her hair. They fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms, the cool night breeze whistling through the window.

Harry woke first, blinking at the sun that seeped in through the glass. He yawned and stretched his arms before turning to admire the view of his girlfriend. She was lying on her stomach, the sheet covering her from the waist down. Red hair was spread across the pillow and down her back and her vest had ridden up, revealing the swell of one plump breast. The sheet settled over her arse, reminding him that she was gloriously naked below the waist and his already eager morning wood lurched in excitement.

He glanced at the clock. It was just after seven. He could hear movement downstairs which told him Molly was already in the kitchen. His hand reached out to stroke her back, tugging the sheet down and she shivered, snuggling her face into the arms she was sleeping on. He took a moment to admire her perfect arse before he leaned over to kiss it. When he bit the right cheek just enough to make her flinch, she woke with a start.

"Did you just bite me?" she demanded, her eyes wide in surprise.

Harry gave her a cheeky grin. "Just marking my claim." He kissed where he'd bitten her and her lips curved.

"You should go," she whispered. "Zee's probably up with the twins and Mum will come up soon to drag me down to help her."

"It's still early," he whispered back, kissing her arse again. "Let me make you come first."

Before she could comment, he shimmied down the bed and spread her legs. Ginny looked at him over her shoulder, attempting to roll onto her back, but he held her in place.

"No. This angle works for me."

Then he slid his tongue into her and she let out a soft moan. He let his hand move over her arse, kneading it as he licked and sucked on her, driving his tongue in deeper and then over to her clit. Ginny's hands fisted in the pillow under her face.

"Oh, yes, Harry… yes…"

He licked her thoroughly and when he bent her hips and pulled her arse up into the air for better access, she only moaned. He slid his hand around to stroke her and the sound she made told him she was close. He reached down to give himself a good stroke and Ginny's bedroom door opened.

"Ginny, dear, would you — oh my gods!" Molly exclaimed.

They both sprang apart and Harry fell off of the bed in his attempt to right himself. Ginny yanked the blankets up over her body and it took Harry half a second to realize he was sprawled across his girlfriend's bedroom floor, rock hard and completely naked. He attempted to cover himself with his hands as Molly's eyes widened to saucers. She made a high pitched apologetic sound and slammed the door closed before they heard her hurrying down the stairs.

"Oh my god!" Ginny groaned. "I'm going to die of embarrassment."

"You!" Harry breathed. "Pretty sure your mum just got an eye full, Gin!"

Ginny buried her face in her pillow, her back and neck flushing in embarrassment. Harry moved up off of the floor to sit on the side of her bed, rubbing a hand over her spine.

"Guess I can't really sneak out now, eh?"

Ginny lifted her red face to meet his gaze. "No, but you should go."

"I need a minute or two."

Her gaze moved down to his very hard cock and she bit her lip. "Okay."

Then they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Harry leaned in to kiss her quickly before he stood up to find his clothes. "Do you think Molly will be upset?"

Ginny shook her head as she watched him get dressed. "No, I mean, she knows that we're… and I think she knew you stayed late but not over last night and well… Merlin, she's probably as embarrassed as we are."

"I doubt that," Harry said.

Ginny bit her lip again, her eyes twinkling. "You're not going to be able to look her in the eye any time soon are you?"

Harry's cheeks flushed as he zipped up his jeans and found his shirt. "Shush you." He leaned down to steal a kiss. "Come over later?"

"Yes," she promised, kissing him once more.

Harry pulled his shirt over his head and told her goodbye as he headed down the stairs of the Burrow. Molly was in the kitchen, frying up bacon and eggs, and when she saw him, her cheeks heated.

"Good morning, Harry."

"Morning," he said, hoping his voice didn't sound as strangled as he thought it did. "I'm um… I have to get home."

"All right," Molly said, nodding. "You're welcome to stay for breakfast."

"I know. Er, sorry about… um…"

Molly nodded. "Yes, well, if I'd known you'd stayed over, I would have knocked. I… I'm sorry."

"Next time I'll let you know when I'm staying over," he promised, still not meeting the matron's eyes.

Molly gave him a grateful look, her cheeks still red. Harry said goodbye and hurried over to the Floo, the back of his neck still burning.

Yup, he was pretty sure he was going to have a hard time looking Molly Weasley in the eye for the foreseeable future.

---

End Author's Notes:

TOOLBOX = Total Overhaul Of Legal Building Or Excavation (created by me)

Thanks for reading and please review!