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.

359. The One With the First Assignment

Author's Note:

FINAL COUNTDOWN! 1 MORE CHAPTER TO GO!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let's all hope that 2023 is going to be a much better year for all of us!

It's time for the FINAL 5 DAYS OF KISMET! Starting today, I will post one chapter every day until Thursday. ASC today, the next three days will be the final chapters of The First Time Around, and Thursday will be the final chapter of A Second Chance.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reviews and Comments: To Bellmel: Look at you with the first review! Who is "her?" You will have to wait to find out. Yes, poor Ginny, very embarrassed by the moment and then Molly talking about her. Oh my, yes, Oskar would definitely appreciate a charm like that if they had magic. Lane would definitely make it worth his while. Thank you for liking the scene with McCraight. Harry was nervous. He doesn't know him and he's never spoken to a professional in that kind of capacity. I wanted McCraight to be direct and kind and I felt it was important for Harry to know that he doesn't want to stop him from being an Auror, he just wants to help. Haha, justice for Simu Park, I'm glad you liked him so much lol. Zee was a lot braver, yes, but she was still sad and a little heartbroken that Harry's moving out. Kreacher definitely wants to take care of Harry in honour of Sirius! Thanks for loving Harry's sass! Hogwarts is very different indeed! Ginny sleeping in her own bed will be weird enough lol. Thank you very much! To briana_t: You think Ginny is the "her?" Interesting. Thank you! To AQuikRead91: Who is he stalking? I don't know. We'll have to wait to find out. Well, I know, but I'm not going to tell you… 😉 Thank you for thinking it was sweet for Harry to see Ginny off, he didn't want to not be there for her. Kreacher is definitely developing a soft spot as he ages lol. Thank you! To pads13: Yes, just one week lol. Thank you for taking the time to comment now, I really appreciate it. I'm honoured that you've been reading almost since the beginning. Thank you very much!

To corneliastreet_28: Thank you! I am trying my best to give closure and new beginnings to the characters we love. Harry and Ginny's relationship is stronger than ever (as it should be after everything they've endured). Zee has been an amazing mum to him so of course watching him move out breaks her heart a little. Thank you so much! To marauders_mowopapr: Just a little scary stuff lol. Thanks for thinking Harry did a good job with his speech. I think the Mind Healer will be good for Harry as well. Thank you! To GABRIELAGPGP1988: Thank you! To CorbanD17: You're scared for both Harry and Ginny. Interesting. Thank you! To DaniMalfoy: Thank you for saying you're absolutely "obsessed" with this story! You binged the whole thing over Christmas break? Wow! That's pretty impressive! I'm sorry to have made you cry over Sirius, Finn, and Arthur, but I'm glad I've also made you laugh hysterically (I love Ron's Merlin arse lol). Thanks for gasping over twists and turns and loving the steamy scenes. Thank you so much! To pottermum: Well, I do have to keep a bit of ominous coming along. You're worried for Harry and Ginny? Interesting. Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well! Thank you! To Riddle_0117: You will have to wait and see, but technically the prophecy was dealt with already. Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you!

To darkhk: I know! Thank you! To Marauder0716: I like that your afraid to speculate. Interesting lol. Thank you! To Zarathos Morgenstern: Don't kill Ginny? Noted. Thank you! To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: I cannot believe there's only two more chapters left either. I love that you wait for my updates like a Netflix show, thank you! To scrappy8: Yes, it is good Harry spoke to a Mind Healer. Those three scare me. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: Yes, lots of goodbyes and lots of new beginnings. Hogwarts will be very different indeed. Who is Barty stalking? Well, there are lots of options. No, I don't like anything about Cursed Child. Thank you. To Wolf's scream: I imagine Harry will be forever embarrassed if that's brought up in the future lol. Yes, Theo is very good at making Pansy do things for him. Thank you! To mike3308: Zee will definitely miss Harry and yes, it will be an adjustment for both of them. Yes, the desire for a resurrection of Voldemort is very daunting. Thank you! To Lilyx1202: Thank you! I do think Harry would be very uncomfortable about it and I like that he spoke to Zee about his nervousness and told Ginny how he's going to keep seeing him. Two big steps for him. Thank you! To LadyKitai: Thank you! That's a serious compliment to hear I make my Death Eaters terrifying (I do try). I'm glad you enjoyed Molly's reaction to walking in on Harry and Ginny. It was very authentic, I agree. I think seeing a Mind Healer will help Harry more than he realizes. Aww, thank you for being sad this story is almost over. Thank you!

To wiebenor: Money being put on Ginny, I dig that. We'll have to see, bud, we'll have to see. I love hearing the guesses on what people think will happen. Yes, we all hope it will fail massively. Thank you for saying that however it turns out, you've loved this book from day one. That means a lot to me. I will definitely finish part three, I don't believe in sharing stories I don't plan to finish. Thank you very much! To akshutalankar: Will Voldemort return for part 3? As to Hades' involvement… we will have to wait and see. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: I love Molly with her not-so-subtle euphemisms! I think it was the exact bit of embarrassment and laughter she needed. Can I really spoil you with too much Hinny smut? Not possible. I loved having Harry just know that Ginny is the one who helps him heal and just flat out say that to McCraight. He does know what he's doing and he is going to do everything he can to help Harry heal. A new adventure and a slightly old adventure will be coming in Third Time's the Charm (since it's a continuation of this story lol). Yes, I love the idea of Colin as Head Boy and it will be very different at Hogwarts without all of them there. Yes, Penny Haywood is from the Hogwarts game. Thank you for loving Nevannah and seeing how they are growing strong despite the terrible brainwashing Hannah had under her mother's toxic personality. Thank you very much! To Read and Fly: LOL, that is fair as Hades is a Greek god. We'll see more about that soon. You think Crouch is following Zee and not Ginny? Interesting. Remus is such a proud dad and I love seeing him as a happy dad. Thank you!

To MissKnowItAll: Nope, no lecture from Molly, but poor Ron is a bit traumatized lol. Thank you! Yes, Harry will be doing what he can to not get himself caught in this trap the Death Eaters are planning. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thanks for liking Molly telling her daughter Harry was not only well endowed but also gifted lol. It was a fun scene to write. Harry and Ginny are very randy for each other and I love showing them as being this loving and happy couple, even Harry running to say goodbye at the train station just because. Thank you for saying the conversation with McCraight was your favourite part of the chapter. I agree. Harry is deeply frustrated and he has a lot of anger that he's never really dealt with. I think talking to a Mind Healer will definitely help him in more ways than he knows. Thank you! To Charlotte: Aw, thanks for being late coming off your lunch break just to finish the chapter. I'm glad it was worth it! Thank you! It's fun to show what people are doing after the battle and how they're moving on. Thank you! To Just William: Tour. Typos happen. Dusk and I are only human. Thank you. To GreyGrass: Thank you for reading and enjoying my series. No, I don't have any plans of writing a pure smut series — I think this story has enough on it's own. Thank you for liking the smut so much though. If you go on my tumblr page all of the couple chapters are listed so you can go back and read the smut if you'd like. Thank you!

To Miriel: You immediately distrust all of the new professors? Noted. You're worried about Zee, Ginny, Hermione, and Tonks? Interesting. We'll see how it plays out. Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Thank you! As to how am I going to resolve it? I'm not going to tell you. You will have to read to find out. Thank you. To The Go1den Snitch: Two more chapters, but then it will continue in a third story. Thank you! To Sets: Thanks for explaining that. I have never used Reddit. You think the Terrible Trio is stalking Zee, Hermione, Ginny, or McGonagall? All very interesting choices. Thank you! To yunkol76: You're welcome for a wonderful chapter. Thanks for loving the Ginny and Molly in the kitchen scene. That's too funny! I'm sure it will become a running joke for poor Hinny lol. Thank you! To Slaidback: Thank you! To Hanacide: Thanks for saying the Ginny and Molly convo was everything. I am doing my best to wrap up the story, but there are a lot of loose ends I'm still working on. Thank you very much! To pix25: Thank you and you as well! Thank you! To ThomasJAvery: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the ceremony for the Order of Merlins. I wanted to include it, but keep it brief. It was fun to check in with Nevannah and Deamus again. Zee will always be lovable! I like knowing I'm keeping people on their toes as well. As to the prophecy, no, it already was resolved as I explained after the final battle. It was Zee. She "died" and Ron brought her back to life with CPR like Buffy "died" by drowning at the end of season one, ergo fulfilling the prophecy but also not because I'm sneaky like that. You think I might kill off Harry? Interesting. Thank you! To alix33: Ha, I accept the modification on behalf of Harry and Ginny. 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!

---

CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE:

The One With the First Assignment

September went by so fast that Harry could barely remember the days. Between the gruelling hours at the academy, the coursework, the training, the workouts, and his weekly sessions with McCraight, he could hardly believe it when the month was over.

He talked to Ginny as often as he could on the mirrors, but outside of the memorial ceremony the second week of school, they hadn't seen each other. Harry had been busy doing training sessions every weekend and when Hermione finally moved in last week, he and Ron had helped her cart up her boxes and boxes of books.

Ron grumbled the whole time. "Who has this many books?"

"Readers, Ron," Hermione said, dryly.

She had gushed over the room and thanked Harry for letting them move in and then the three of them had eaten chicken pot pie while talking about their new tasks.

"It's amazing!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes wide in excitement. "I mean, the department is new and everything is kind of chaotic and still trying to be organized, but it's so fun! I love going to work and I know that I'm just an intern, but Bannerman has already spoken to me more than once about the job that will be opening in the department come the first of January."

"Wow," Harry said. "That's awesome."

"It really is," Hermione gushed. "It's just… I'm really doing something important, Harry! We're changing things one step at a time and we're truly making the world a better place. It's amazing. There's only four of us in the department. A wizard named Aidan Cross, his fiancée, Julia Monroe, who was Natalie's aunt, and a wizard named Barnaby Lee. Aidan is the brains when it comes to magical creatures and cultural differences. He's an anthropologist. Julia and Barnaby are the magizoologists. Bannerman wants to bring me on in January as more than a paid intern as the four of us work so well together and by then the new department will be able to afford a fourth employee and not just a lowly intern."

Harry had to admit, it sounded pretty cool. Hermione explained how they spent their days tracking down magical creatures and beings and making sure that they were not only being treated appropriately but that house elves were registered with families, giving fair living wages, and that beings like werewolves and vampires were given the same.

"People can't discriminate or refuse to hire people because of these conditions. We're making contracts for werewolves so that on the three days of the moon, they are able to miss work without question. We want vampires to be able to work any job they choose without having to fear people's reactions to working alongside them," Hermione explained. "It's a whole new world!"

Ron chuckled. "If she keeps this up, she'll be Minister by thirty."

Hermione blushed. "Don't be ridiculous, Ron."

"I don't know," Harry said. "He has a point. If anyone could pull it off, you could."

Hermione shook her head. "The last thing I want is to be Minister of Magic. I'm not into the politics of it all. I just want to help."

"Percy would be Minister if he could," Ron said. "Can you imagine a more stuffy Minister leading us? I'd move."

Harry snorted.

Hermione scowled at her boyfriend and filled Harry in on how her parents were doing. Apparently they'd returned to their dental practice last week and were getting back into the swing of things. The house was back in order and they finally seemed to be at peace with everything.

"I told Dad that we would have them over for dinner one night."

"Sure," Harry said. "Whenever you want. It's your place, too."

It was. Harry loved having his friends there.

He and Ron went for a run every morning, running laps around the makeshift pitch on the grounds of Somerset before they mucked out the stalls and took the horses for a ride. It had taken Ron about a week to get comfortable enough with the horses. Ebony refused to let him ride her, but she did let Harry, so Harry urged Ron to ride Cloud Dancing who was much more agreeable. It took some time, but eventually Ron was on the horse and enjoying himself.

They went in to shower after working with the horses and Kreacher usually made them breakfast. The three of them ate together, discussing their day and then Hermione headed to London and Harry and Ron made their way to Londonderry.

"Only two more weeks of this and then we'll be joining Hermione at the Ministry," Ron told him.

Harry couldn't quite believe it himself. It seemed that as exhausting as Auror training was, it had also flown by at an alarming rate. They spent their mornings doing hand-to-hand training five days a week. The afternoons were full of lectures on the history of magical law, the enforcement of magical law, stealth training, interrogation tactics, observation lessons, and disguises. They brewed potions and were tested daily on their abilities.

Stealth training involved timed courses on getting into a locked building without being detected. There were red beams of light all over the room and one had to make it through without touching them to prove themselves. Any and all types of magic were permitted (outside of Apparating) and they had to make sure they didn't disrupt any of the beams of light which kept track of their stealth levels. It was harder than it looked and each course was different than the one before. Interrogation allowed them to watch and observe some of the Aurors as they did their jobs and then they were given a worksheet to follow off of and paired with their personal handler to work them through how to ask the right kinds of questions: How, when, where, what, and why.

Robards worked with him personally and he liked the man's technique. He found that Robards had a way of being very patient. He explained things thoroughly, but when Harry was given his first interrogation alongside Robards on a low life petty thief found stealing cauldrons in Diagon Alley, it was very different than he imagined.

"Bleeding 'ell! You're 'Arry Potter!"

"I am," Harry began, clearing his throat. "And you're Murray Hughes, the man accused of stealing cauldrons from Diagon Alley."

"Didn't steal 'em," Hughes declared. "Borrowed' em."

"Oh? So you were planning on returning them, then?"

"Sure. That's what borrowin' means, ya know? Bleeding 'ell, I can't believe I gots 'Arry Bloody Potter 'ere! Is this wha' th' Ministry is doing ter ya, havin' ya chase stolen cauldrons? Seems like you'd be better at bigger things, wouldn't it?"

Harry pushed his glasses up his nose. "I do have bigger things to worry about, but first, I have to deal with you."

Hughes swallowed. "Are ya going ter make lightning come from th' sky?"

Harry leaned back in his chair, not looking over at Robards who was sitting silently next to him. "I don't know, is that necessary, Hughes?"

Hughes paled. "Nuh-uh. I got those cauldrons all righ'. There's a bloke named Fleming who lives in Knockturn, he wanted' em but he's gotta a face too bleedin' scary to be seen in Diagon if ya know wha' I mean? He offered me five 'undred Galleons to bring' em twenty, all cast iron."

"Why?"

"I don't bloody know," Hughes said. "I don't ask no questions as long as I get paid."

"Where does this Fleming usually hang out?"

"On th' south side," Hughes said. "He's got a face like bloody bassist 'ound an' a big ol' wart on th' end of 'is nose an' a big ol' scar down 'is face tha' makes' em look scary."

When Harry stood up, Hughes spoke again.

"Er, Mr Potter, Sir. I wasn't meanin' no disrespect 'bout ya questionin' me. It's just, you're bleedin' 'Arry Potter!"

Harry picked up the folder from the file, his eyes meeting Hughes. "Actually, it's Auror Potter."

When the door to the interrogation room closed behind him, Robards' lips curved.

"Well done. There's bound to be a lot of that, people needling you because of your name and your fame. You handled yourself well in there. You remained calm. You didn't let him get to you and you got us a name of a buyer."

"Have you ever heard the name Fleming before?"

"Aye," Robards said. "Fletcher Fleming. He's trouble. How do you feel about taking on this case, Potter?"

"Me?" Harry exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"Yes," Robards told him. "I want you to go to the Department of Files and Records on level ten of the Ministry of Magic. You're going to pull up the file on Fletcher Fleming and tomorrow morning at nine AM sharp, you're going to bring me a black coffee and strawberry danish and tell me everything you've learned about him."

Harry grinned, his heart racing in excitement. "Absolutely, Sir."

Robards extended his hand out to shake Harry's. "You might still have a full week left of training, but I have no doubts, Harry. Welcome to the DMLE, Auror Potter. Fletcher Fleming is your first assignment. I look forward to seeing how you do on cracking the case."

Harry beamed at him. "My first assignment?"

Robards tapped his fingers on his hip. "Fleming might be small change, but he's dangerous. He has a lot of underground contacts. Don't underestimate him. He might not be a dark wizard per say, but the people he sells to and works for, are. Get to work, Auror Potter."

Harry watched him walk away, a huge grin on his face. His first assignment!

It was official. Harry James Potter was an Auror.

He couldn't wait until they gave him his badge.

~ ASC ~

Ginny was waiting for Harry to mirror call her while she worked on her Charms homework. She was stretched out in the Gryffindor common room, lying on her stomach in front of the fire as she worked, other students studying and chatting nearby.

"Um, excuse me," someone said and Ginny turned to find a short curly haired first year standing before her. "You're Ginny Weasley, right?"

"Yes," Ginny said, carefully.

The girl held out the small envelope in her hand. "Professor McGonagall asked me to give this to you."

Ginny accepted the note. When she read that she was expected in the headmistresses' office and that the password was Potter, she gathered her things to return to her dorm before she made her way over to the stone gargoyle at the end of the hallway. When she said the password, the gargoyle moved to let her move up the circular staircase. She knocked on the door at the top and McGonagall urged her to come inside.

"Hi, Professor," Ginny said, closing the door behind her. It was only when she turned that she realized Angelina was in the room with her. "Hi, Angelina."

"Hi, Ginny. How's Hogwarts?" Angelina asked.

"Weird," Ginny admitted. "It's very strange without everyone here, you know? How are you and George?"

"Oh, same old," Angelina said.

McGonagall gestured for Ginny to take a seat. "I'll leave the two of you to talk, shall I?"

When the door to her office closed behind her, Ginny bit her bottom lip. "I'm afraid to ask why you're here."

Angelina smiled. "Well, I have some good news. I have three offers."

Ginny's eyes widened to saucers. "What? Three? What?"

Angelina nodded, her dark eyes bright. "You made quite an impression from the tryouts to the training camp and as I told you a few weeks ago, there are a few teams looking for a Chaser. Not to mention the glowing recommendations you received from Coaches Hogan and Dalton. People are interested in seeing what you can do."

Ginny chewed her bottom lip, placing a hand over the hippogriffs taking flight in her stomach. "So, what does that mean, Ange? That people are interested?"

Angelina opened the folder in her lap. "It means just that. I have three offers to show you today."

Ginny's eyes widened. "Three!"

Angelina smiled. "Yes, three. Now, before I show them to you, I want you to understand that these are temporary and not final. They are an offer and nothing more. If there's something in here you like but something you're not comfortable with is part of it, we can bring that to the table with the teams. Do you understand?"

Ginny swallowed, trying to wet her parched throat. "Yes."

"All right. The first offer is from the Appleby Arrows. They are interested in signing you as a reserve Chaser for two years with a salary of three thousand Galleons per week, and an additional one thousand Galleons if you are put into a game for more than thirty minutes of flight time."

"Oh my goddess!" Ginny exclaimed, her hands going into her hair. "Oh my goddess! The Arrows!"

Angelina nodded, a smile on her face. "Yes. It's less money than if you were a starting Chaser and it's also a lot less than the average pro player makes, but for a rookie, it's a good offer."

Ginny's hands trembled. "What's the other one?"

"My old team, the Ballycastle Bats. Danton is not working out and they want you to replace him as their third starting Chaser."

"Oh my gods!" Ginny shrieked, jumping to her feet.

Angelina grinned. "I know. They're a great team there, Ginny, but they are lowballing you. Ballycastle is offering you thirty-five hundred Galleons per week which is only five hundred more than the Arrows are offering as a reserve."

Ginny felt like she was dreaming. She nodded mutely.

"And the final offer, Ginny, is from Holyhead."

Ginny screamed. She couldn't stop herself as the loud shout erupted from her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand, her brown eyes wide. "NO!"

"Yes," Angelina repeated, a huge smile on her face. "I approached them because I knew you were interesting and I heard about Townsend. The coach was interested. Apparently Jones has been talking you up as someone to potentially bring on board."

"Angelina!"

Angelina's eyes were dancing in excitement. "It's an offer, Ginny, but it's not as good as what Ballycastle is offering you. Holyhead wants you as a starting Chaser for a one-year-contract which would mean that when your contract is up, they have the potential to trade you or re-sign you on their discretion. They are also offering you substantially less monetary value than Ballycastle or the Arrows. Holyhead is offering you twenty-eight hundred Galleons per week with the potential for an additional thousand Galleon bonus if you score more than five times in one game."

"That's still a lot of money."

Angelina nodded. "Yes, it is. But Ballycastle and Appleby are offering you more money to sign with them and nothing about a trade clause. Holyhead is lowballing you because you're a rookie and looking for a team to start off with and they know it. Until you make a name for yourself, they aren't obligated to pay you more than minimum."

"Is that a bad thing that the Galleons are low?"

"It can be," she admitted. "But it also means that if you prove yourself in the first year, I can do a lot of legal hoodoo to get that bumped up."

Ginny nodded again, trying to keep track of everything Angelina was saying. "You know what I want."

"I do," Angelina said.

Ginny bit her lip again. "What do you think that I should do?"

Angelina tapped her fingers on the folder, crossing her legs in front of her. "Honestly, let's take Appleby out of the equation completely. You have two amazing teams here that are offering you a position as third starting Chaser. Being on the reserves for the Arrows shouldn't even be considered right now. Neither of the teams are close by. Ballycastle is in Ireland and Holyhead is in Wales. You will be obligated to be at their training facilities every single weekend without fail and multiple times a week for training and practices and you will have to be available for all matches. They are aware that you are still attending Hogwarts and are willing to work around your schooling."

"But?"

"But a one year contract is a big thing, Ginny."

"You don't like it."

"It's not that I don't like it, it's that with only one year to prove yourself, you need to give it your all. It's a lot of pressure to be putting upon yourself. Everyone who plays for Holyhead is great, but you need to be prepared for the pressure that comes with this."

Ginny couldn't argue with that logic.

Angelina smiled. "I want you to think about it. Talk it over with Harry and whoever else you need to. I need an answer in three days to take back to the table. The teams need final lineups by mid-October if they're going to be ready for the season."

Ginny hugged her and thanked her, accepting the folder from Angelina to read over. She promised to mirror call her if she had any questions about any of the contracts. Her brain was buzzing. She greeted McGonagall when she came back into her office and asked if she could use the Floo to talk to Harry.

McGonagall smiled. "Go on, Miss Weasley. You can Floo directly there. I expect to see you at breakfast."

Ginny thanked her and grabbed a pinch of Floo powder. A moment later she was stumbling into the living room of Clevedon Court. Harry was half asleep on the sofa, an open file on his chest, and he jolted at the sound.

"I'm awake," he murmured, rubbing his eyes and adjusting his glasses before his eyes locked on her. "Gin."

"Harry… Angelina came to see me with three offers," she gushed, not moving from where she'd landed in front of the fireplace.

"Offers?" Harry asked before his face lit up in understanding. "Holy shit! Do you mean, offers?"

Ginny nodded. "One of them is Holyhead."

"Holy shit!" Harry exclaimed again, jumping to his feet. He grabbed her hips and lifted her into his arms, locking her legs around his waist. "Ginny, this is bloody brilliant!"

Ginny put her arms around his neck, the file still in her hand as she told him everything that Angelina had told her. "Do you think that I should take it even though it's a lot less money?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. She makes a good point, but playing with the Harpies has always been your dream, Gin, and as you said, that's still a lot of money."

"I know." She bit her bottom lip. "I'd be mental to not sign with them, right? It's not like I'm getting this great amount of Galleons now and it's more than I ever imagined already and… I don't want to be greedy and I don't want to be seen as making a rash decision because they're my dream team and I've always wanted to play with Gwenog Jones, but how can I not? Am I being rash?"

"No," he assured her, pressing his lips to her forehead. "You're not, Gin. It's a good fucking offer even with the lowball salary and you'd be a fool to not seriously consider it. The Ginny Weasley I love is not a fool."

Ginny stared into his eyes for a long moment before she let her lips curve. "Harry… I'm going to play for Holyhead."

Harry let out a whoop and spun her in his arms. "Fuck, that's so sexy! I can't believe I'm going to be shagging a bloody Harpy."

She laughed and he pinned her against the wall of the living room, Ginny's legs locking around his waist. "Is that really why you want me to play professional Quidditch so badly? So that you can live out some fantasy?"

Harry pressed his body closer to hers and let his hands slide down over her breasts. "Being with you is every bloody fantasy comes true, Gin. The Harpy add-on is just a happy bonus."

Ginny's eyes darkened and she leaned in to cover his mouth with hers. He moaned. Ginny dropped the file to the ground as her hands started to shove his shirt over his head, suddenly ravenous for him.

It had been weeks since they'd seen each other. Harry was always so busy on the weekends with Auror training that they only seemed to find time on the mirrors to have a quick chat, both too tired for more. But now he was before her, hard and hot and firm and Ginny had every intention of showing him exactly how much she'd missed him.

When her tongue dragged over his nipple, he groaned. "Wait — Ron and Hermione could… upstairs.'

Ginny only kissed him again.

Harry didn't let go of her, grabbing the paperwork she'd dropped before he walked out of the living room and started to make his way up the stairs, their lips still locked together. When he finally kicked the bedroom closed behind them and dropped her down onto the bed, Ginny pulled her shirt off and unhooked her bra.

"Bloody hell," he mumbled as he unfastened his jeans.

"Faster," Ginny demanded. "I want you naked right now."

Harry tripped over his socks in his attempt to take off the last bit of his clothes just as her knickers hit him in the face. He crawled onto the bed after her and nipped her hip. Then he spread her legs and used his tongue. Ginny moaned. Her fingers clutched his hair, pulling hard enough to hurt, but it only spurred him on even more.

Merlin, he'd missed her. He only had a few days left of training and then he would have the bloody time to visit her on the weekends — he hoped. He wanted to do naughty things with her over the mirror and right now, he wanted her to come on his tongue more than he wanted to take his next breath.

When she gave him what he wanted, he kissed his way up her stomach, sucking on her tits happily. She moaned, her hands roaming over him, touching him everywhere and when he finally lined himself up with her, she locked her legs around his waist once more.

"Fuck me, Harry."

He did.

The two of them rolled across the big bed, both fighting for power and control, and when she ended up on top, her hands on her breasts as she rode his cock, he tossed his head back in ecstasy. He gripped her hips in one hand and used the other to rub her clit. She chewed her bottom lip as her fingers tweaked and pulled on her nipples and Harry kept touching her, determined to make her come again.

When she did, he flipped her back under him and finished with a loud roar. He collapsed on top of her, his vision blurring as he realized his glasses were missing.

"Mmm," Ginny purred, stretching under him. "Let's not go so long without doing that again."

"Deal," he agreed, kissing her lips. "My last day of training is on Friday. Then I have the weekend off before Ron and I will report to the DMLE in London for eight AM Monday morning."

Ginny let her nails trail down his spine as he moved off of her just enough to take the pressure off. She tangled her legs with his. "So this weekend, I can come sleep in this bed?"

His eyes darkened. "This bed is yours every fucking night, Ginny. You never have to ask."

Her lips curved. "Mmm, as soon as I can move, we should take a shower."

Harry kissed across her jaw. "Yes. A nice long shower with you spread out on the bench for me to feast on. It sounds perfect."

They kissed some more before Harry held her palm up to his, twining their fingers together as they talked more about her offers. By the time they made it into the shower, Harry gestured to get her on the bench, but to his surprise, Ginny pushed him down onto it.

"Nuh-uh, I think it's my turn for that."

He let his head fall back against the tile, hot water beating down on them from all angles, as she took him in her mouth. She took her time, teasing him with her hands and mouth and when he was absolutely desperate for her, she stood up, brushing her thumb over his bottom lip. Then she stood on the bench and draped her leg over his shoulder.

Harry groaned, his arms coming up to hold her in place so that he could lick her properly. His cock ached for her and when she came, he slid her down his body under the hot spray and slid into her. They both moaned, clinging to each other in the hot water. Harry was starting to get tired of sitting on the bench so he grabbed her and the wall for support as he stood up. He slipped out of her but only for a moment before he pinned her face first against the wall next to the jets and took her from behind. Ginny moaned and when his fingers worked her until she was gasping, he cried out her name as he came. The two of them slid down to the floor of the shower, their limbs too weak to hold them up.

Ginny gave him a cheeky grin. "That's one way to celebrate."

He laughed and kissed her shoulder.

They finished up their shower and then climbed naked into the bed, snuggled together under the blankets and looking out at the night sky through the wide balcony doors and the big windows.

"McGonagall said that I have to be back in time for breakfast," Ginny told him, stifling a yawn.

"No problem," he assured her. "I get up early to run with Ron. You can join us."

Ginny smiled as she snuggled into his chest and when she closed her eyes, all she could think about was her name on the back of a Holyhead jersey and Harry cheering her name.

~ ASC ~

The second week of October brought a lot of surprises.

Harry and Ron finished at the Academy and were officially presented with A1 badges. The bronze star-shaped badge with the Ministry of Magic emblem rising over the top of the star had a Roman numeral one imposed over the top of the emblem. In the centre of the badge were two crossed wands with a sword between them and around the circle were the three words that Aurors lived by: Honoris, Praesidium, Veritas. At the bottom were the carved Roman numerals of their badge numbers. Harry's thumb brushed over his in amazement: MMMMCMXXVII. When he looked over at Ron's, he couldn't help but smile when he saw his friend's was only one number off of his MMMMCMXXVIII.

They were to report to Kingsley Shacklebolt Monday morning at eight AM sharp for further instruction. Harry had done as Robards had asked and finished learning all about Fletcher Fleming. Robards had let him sit in on the interrogation of the thief and allowed him to write up part of the final report on his arrest and capture.

Harry was ecstatic. It felt like he was doing real detective work and he loved it. He couldn't wait to stop being a trainee and being at the bottom of the totem pole in the Auror Department as an A1.

Nothing sounded cooler in his mind.

Tonks hugged him when he and Ron arrived in the DMLE and introduced him around to her team of Aurors that she worked closely with: Natalie Atwell (who was Teddy's godmother), Rexford Higgins, Eric Baxter, Salvador Savage, and Maverick Proudfoot. The only other trainees to be sent with Harry and Ron to the Dark Arts Unit were Andrew Graham and Jay Jackowski. Rivers was assigned to the Aurors Inquisitors Unit (AIU) along with Zane and Cambridge. Winchester and Zhao went to the Hit Wizards and Witches Department. Thompson, Merrywright, and Andrews were assigned to the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol Unit. Mukerjee, Casey, and Brett were assigned to the Department of Intoxicating Substances (DIS).

Robards was in charge of the Dark Arts Unit and he assigned Harry to work with Rexford Higgins as his partner and superior while Ron was asked to work with Eric Baxter, much to Ron's delight. Apparently Ron and Baxter had met during the Battle of Hogwarts and had gotten on fairly well. Well enough in fact that Tonks told Harry that Baxter had requested Ron to be his A1. Jackowski was assigned to an Auror that Harry didn't know named Natasha Barnes and Graham was assigned to another named Aslan Young.

As A1s, Harry and Ron were required to show up in Auror uniform at all times. This included dark grey trousers with a gold pinstripe down the leg, knee high black leather boots with gold buttons, a crisp dress shirt in a soft plum-grey with silver buttons, black suspenders, and a matching dark grey waistcoat with large gold buttons down the front. The v from the waistcoat revealed the black belt with the gold belt buckle that held the Ministry of Magic crest. A purple and gold necktie finished off the uniform with a bright red overcoat trimmed in gold with a high collar, the folded cuffs bearing the Ministry emblem in gold stitching. A small gold name bar was sewn over the left breast pocket of his waistcoat with his surname in place. His Auror badge sat on the front right side of his belt, easily visible when he shifted his overcoat aside. A black wand holster was on his leg and the coat had magical pockets that contained handcuffs, notebooks, self-inking quills, and any other tools they deemed to take with them as well as a pair of black leather gloves.

They were working in the same shifts as their partners which were currently twelve hour, eight to eight shifts, Wednesday to Friday, and eight hours on Saturdays. According to Robards, once they became A2s, their schedules would go into the same rotation as everyone else's, which was bi-monthly swing shifts in which they would have to work a month of the opposite shift. The idea of being off Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday had its appeal and Harry was pleased with the change even if on top of their forty hour work week, they still had to work on their law enforcement courses. These courses and extra work went towards building up their experiences to become an A2, which they could test for as soon as April.

"It's all about your experience," Robards told them. "To become an A2 it depends on the number of hours you've accumulated, the number of cases you've worked on and solved, and that your coursework is complete. Some of you will be able to take the test in April and some won't. It will be up to your partners to tell you when it's time for you to take your next test. They are the ones who will help train you on the ground and help give you the work and experiences needed to become an A2."

Harry and Ron grinned at each other when they left with and were fitted for their kits. They had the Auror clothes by the second day on the job and when he clocked out for the day, Harry decided to head to Hogwarts to try to catch Ginny. He wanted to show her his badge and show her how happy he was now that he was officially an Auror in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Dark Arts Unit. Filch narrowed his eyes at him when he arrived through the front door, but let him inside.

Harry made his way to McGonagall's office first to let her know that he was here and her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Well, don't you make a handsome figure," she said, her eyes wide. "I knew that you would do it, Harry."

He kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Auntie Minnie." She gave him a stern look and he grinned. "Not my professor anymore. I can call you auntie as much as I want."

McGonagall smiled. "Yes, I suppose you can. Are you here to see Miss Weasley?"

"I was hoping," Harry admitted. "I wanted to show her my badge and… I just miss her."

McGonagall's eyes softened. "I know that being apart this year will be hard on both of you. I'll send for her to come up to my office. Curfew is at ten, Harry."

"Come on, Auntie Minnie," he whined. "Can't you extend it just a little for me?"

"If you're not out of this castle by eleven, I won't let you come back."

His grin was infectious as he reached down to pet Nyx when she walked by. "Deal."

He leaned back against her desk as McGonagall told him she had a meeting with the new Professor MacGregor in her old office. He wished her goodnight and crossed his arms in front of him.

Dumbledore's portrait gave him a proud smile. "You've done very well, Harry."

"Thank you, Sir."

Deciding that he didn't want to stand around in McGonagall's office, he made his way down the circular staircase and waited in the hall. He saw Luna first and whistled. She turned, her eyebrow rising as if to question who would whistle at her and then her eyes lit up.

"Harry!"

He grinned when she ran to hug him, holding her tight and kissing her cheek. "Hey, Luna! Merlin, I haven't seen you in ages! Ginny told me you spent the whole summer in Canada with Colin."

"I did. It was lovely. Harry, you look right dashing."

His cheeks heated. "Thanks, Luna. I'm an A1 now. Look, I even have a badge."

Luna's dreamy smile made pride rush through him. "No one deserves it more. Did Ron make it as well?"

"He did," Harry told her. "We've only just started yesterday, officially that is."

Luna stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Ginny is going to be very happy to see you. She's missed you terribly."

"I miss her, too," Harry admitted.

"I'll write to you," Luna told him. "So you won't miss me so much."

"Deal," he said, smiling.

Luna always had a way of cheering him up when he didn't even realize he needed cheering. He wished her goodnight as she headed off to Ravenclaw Tower and Harry leaned against the wall to wait for Ginny. He saw her walking with Colin a few minutes later.

"Thanks, Colin. I have to go to McGonagall's office now," he heard her say.

"Great. I'll meet you at breakfast and we'll discuss your plans with Compass and I'll show you my final portfolio for the photo book."

She waved him off and turned to head towards Harry. She stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of him, her eyes widening. Then she was running towards him. He caught her mid run and lifted her up into his arms to kiss her. When he put her back on her feet, her eyes dragged over him.

Harry knew that he looked good in his Auror kit. The long red tunic-like overcoat with the high collar all trimmed in gold was left open over his dark trousers and waistcoat, but the look in her eyes made his cock twitch in a way that made him positive he needed to get her somewhere alone — and fast.

Ginny was taking every inch of him in, her mouth practically watering.

She'd seen Aurors around before, hundreds of times. She'd watched their dark clothes and red robes disappear around them as they walked, but she was positive that no Auror had ever looked as sexy as her man currently standing before her. The trousers were form fitting without being tight, the black boots made his calves look amazing and her eyes were drawn to the large Ministry buckle at his waist and the obvious bulge growing beneath it. She took a step forward and slid her hands beneath his coat to sit on his hips.

"Harry, you look so incredible dressed like this."

His quick grin made her slide her hands lower to cup his arse. Since her hands were under his overcoat if anyone walked by they wouldn't be able to see what her hands were grabbing at.

Harry moved away from her just enough to open his coat and pointed to his badge. "I'm officially an A1, Gin."

Ginny's eyes widened. She lifted his badge off of his belt to hold it in her hands. It filled her palm as she traced the Roman numerals. "Four-nine-two-seven. What does that stand for?"

"It's my badge number. Ron is four-nine-two-eight."

Ginny cupped the badge in her hands and stood on her toes to kiss him. "I'm so proud of you. Look at this, it's gorgeous and it's all yours! And this uniform… please tell me you're sticking around a bit?"

He nipped at her lips. "Auntie Minnie said that I have to be out of the castle by eleven."

Ginny glanced at the watch on his wrist. "It's only half past eight."

"So it is," he teased.

Ginny grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the tower room. Once they were inside, she grabbed his tie and tugged him down towards her to kiss him. Harry moaned against her lips and reached between them to start to undo the buttons on his waistcoat. Ginny covered his hands with hers.

"Don't."

"What?" he asked, lust already clouding his brain.

Ginny took his hand and led him over to the sofa, pushing him down on top of it. "I want you in your kit, Harry."

His eyebrow rose as she knelt before him and reached up to unbuckle his trousers, unzipping him just enough to free him. He made a soft whimper that made her eyes darken.

Ginny's gaze trailed over him. His hair was messy from her hands, his glasses sliding down his nose. The red collar of his coat was high around his neck, his tie a little loose. She caught a sliver of pale skin between his waistcoat and the top of his opened trousers and his cock was standing tall and out. She licked her lips.

"Not to quote Theo, but Harry, this is wank bank material."

He laughed and then it turned into a groan when she lowered her head and took him in her mouth. Harry pushed her hair out of her face to get a better view of her sucking him off and when those brown eyes met his, glistening in unshed tears, he only urged her to take all of him down her throat.

"Fuck, I'm going to come," he warned her.

Ginny reluctantly removed her mouth and he shuddered, his cock so hard he thought he might explode if she touched him one more time. She climbed to her feet and slowly dropped her robe to the floor. Harry's eyes stared at her as she unbuttoned her blouse inch by inch. Then she reached down and slid her skirt off. Harry let his eyes travel down her unbuttoned blouse, to the white lace bra she wore and down to the matching white lace knickers, garter belt, and thigh high stockings. Merlin, he'd certainly missed seeing what she wore under her uniform. She looked amazing. Then she slowly shimmied her knickers down. Harry swallowed. He watched her slip her shirt down over her shoulders, intentionally leaving it at her elbows before she straddled him.

He reached between her legs to touch her but she slapped his hand away.

"I don't need any help," she whispered and then she took him inside of her.

He groaned. She was so wet and warm that he almost came on the spot.

"Bloody hell," he moaned. "I haven't even touched you…"

Ginny leaned forward as she began to ride him, tugging his earlobe into her mouth. "You look so bloody sexy, Harry, you didn't need to."

He reached up to play with her breasts, kneading and fondling them through her bra and she rode him faster, her fingers digging into his shoulders and her breasts bouncing. He bit his lip, trying to stem off his own orgasm until she came, but he couldn't hold on.

He groaned as he finished, burying his face in her breasts. She came with him, riding him desperately as he kissed her cleavage, his heart racing and his breathing ragged. Ginny took his mouth in hers and when she climbed off of him, he actually sighed as his cock rested against his thigh.

"So, you like my kit then?"

Ginny gave him a sassy smirk. "I really, really do. As soon as I catch my breath, I want to watch you take it off."

"All of it?" he asked.

Ginny's eyes dragged over him as she chewed on her bottom lip. "Leave the overcoat."

His eyes darkened and he thought that he was suddenly very much a fan of his new Auror kit. A very, very big fan indeed.

They had sex a second time, with Harry only in his red overcoat and boots. He'd bent her over the side of the sofa and taken her hard and fast and then he'd used his tongue until she finished. He reluctantly got dressed at ten to eleven and told her he was going to have to get the house elves to help him clean his new kit properly since they'd dirtied it and she smirked at him as he walked her back to Gryffindor Tower. They shared a long kiss in front of the portrait hole and Harry promised to call her on the mirror the next night.

"I can't," she whispered. "I'll be in Holyhead until I don't know when."

That was the other big October news — Ginny had officially signed with the Holyhead Harpies.

Angelina had somehow gotten her salary increased to three thousand eight hundred and seventy-five Galleons per week. She was set to report tomorrow night to the Holyhead Stadium in Wales to meet the team and to start training. The first Quidditch team of the season started November eleventh and Ginny's first game would be two weeks later. There were thirteen Quidditch teams in the league between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, which meant that until they made it to the playoffs, Ginny was obligated to play in eighty-two games. If Holyhead made it to the playoffs, it would be an additional seven games unless they lost after four.

Harry knew that this meant every free moment Ginny had was now going to involve her travelling to Wales. She had practice five days a week and all day on Saturdays. Sundays were her only official free day (when a match wasn't scheduled) and they'd already talked about how she was going to have to devote it to her studies if she wanted to write her NEWTs at the end of the school year.

He leaned in to kiss her once more. "Mirror-call me when you get back. I want to know everything."

She promised she would. Harry stole one more quick kiss and then reluctantly left her to head home. When he arrived at Somerset, he found Ron's red overcoat draped over the banister of the stairs and he rather thought that Hermione might have been a fan of Ron's kit just as much as Ginny had been.

And Harry certainly didn't have any complaints about her reaction, not one.

As October picked up and autumn began to breeze in, Harry spent more time with Mina, Leo, and Teddy when he had free time from the DMLE.

Sunday evenings he tried to do dinner with Zee, Mina, and Leo. They usually traded off, one week he went to Black Cottage and the next they came to Clevedon Court. Colt and Flo usually came over as well. Colt often stopped by just to ride Cloud Dancing and check on Ebony, having a drink with Harry and Ron as they told him about their day-to-day lives as A1s. Colt often shared his own war stories as a police officer and gave advice. Harry knew that Ron looked forward to those evenings almost as much as Harry did.

Harry was thankful that Colt made time to come and visit Cloud Dancing and Ebony as well. The horses deserved the extra attention. Sorcha came by to join them for Sunday dinners when she could as well, but she was deep into writing her articles on the Slytherins. The only person she had yet to reach was Malfoy and Harry had reached out to Theo to see if he could help. Theo must have done something because Sorcha told him that she had an interview with Malfoy next week. Her excitement was paramount and Harry was excited to read her final articles.

Hermione's parents had come over to Somerset for dinner and the five of them had talked all about being an Auror and the work they were studying while Hermione filled them in on her work in the Office of Communication and Cooperation. Molly came over for dinner twice as well, bringing food to fill their ice box. Despite Harry insisting he could cook, she only patted his cheek and told him that this was backup. Since it was phenomenal, he really wasn't going to complain.

But between life as an A1 and Ginny adjusting to her seventh year and life as a newly signed Harpy, finding time with her was almost impossible. They talked on the mirror as often as they could but often she was too tired and fell asleep while they talked or was asleep when he called. Holyhead had a strict closed practice rule, but he loved hearing all about how her days went when they could have time to talk.

Especially on the rare evenings when she was awake. When he opened his mirror that night, the sight of his girlfriend shirtless, playing with her nipples had his hand moving into his pyjama bottoms before he could blink.

"Fuck, Gin! You're lucky that I was already in our bedroom!"

She gave him a naughty smirk. "Show me."

Harry levitated the mirror over him so that she could see him with his hand down his pyjama bottoms. Ginny did the same, the mirror hovering over her as she played with her tits.

"I wish you were here right now," Ginny whispered. "I wish it was your fingers touching me like this."

"Me too," he told her, shoving his pyjama bottoms and boxer briefs right down to grip himself where she could see it. "I'm so hard for you right now."

Ginny's eyes darkened and her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip as her eyes were on his cock, watching how he fisted himself in hand with every stroke. "Oh, Merlin, you're so beautiful, Harry."

"You're beautiful. Touch yourself, Gin."

He watched her slowly lower her knickers before she spread her legs, stretching out on the long sofa of the tower room. She kept her eyes on his hand stroking his cock as she slid her hand down her flat stomach and down between her legs. Harry licked his lips as he watched her slip a finger in.

"Mmm," she murmured.

"Fuck," Harry groaned stroking himself faster. "I wish that was my finger. No, I wish it was my tongue. I'd drag my tongue up over you and suck that clit until you came. Rub it."

Ginny did as he instructed, her breathing getting more and more ragged as he watched her sink her fingers into her wetness, her fingers glistening. Harry reached down to fondle his balls, tugging on them as he watched her, imagining it was her hands touching him and he felt himself getting closer.

Merlin, he didn't want to come yet. He wanted to watch her longer.

But Ginny was close as well, he could tell by the way her fingers were moving faster and the way she was breathing. He kept his eyes on her breasts, watching as one hand fondled a nipple and the sounds she was making were driving him mad.

"Ginny…"

"Harry… oh, I'm close. I'm so close…"

He grunted and began to jerk himself faster and when she came, her head fell back, her mouth open in pure ecstasy. He finished all over his chest and stomach half a second later.

He had to admit, it sucked not seeing her, but watching her like this in the mirror… definitely worth it. Ginny pleasuring herself was one of the sexiest things he'd ever seen.

Her breathing was heavy as she looked up into the mirror at him. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too," he told her. "Tell me about practice."

He didn't move and made no effort to clean up the mess he made as he listened to Ginny tell him all about her new teammates on the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team. He couldn't stop grinning in awe of her. He was so damn proud of her for working so hard to get this opportunity he couldn't wait to watch her play in her first match next month.

Ginny told him all about her fellow Chasers: Wilda Griffiths who had just signed to play for the Harpies at the end of the last season and Verona Gold who was one of the best female Chasers in the league. She'd been playing professional Quidditch for ten years, eight of which had been with the Harpies. There were three reserve Chasers: Valmai Morgan, Diana Harkness, and Bethany Snow. The Beaters were Gwenog Jones, who was also the team captain, and Matilda Pan. The reserves were Willow Daniels and Tiana Edwards. The Keeper was Anastasia Smithwick and her reserve was Olivia George. The Seeker was Belinda Buckingham and her reserve was Yasmine Canton. Coach Mallory Miller ran a tight ship and Jones ran most of the practices as team captain.

"I even met Thalia Townsend," Ginny told him. "She came by to wish me luck and told me that Holyhead is an amazing team to play in and she thinks that I'll fit right in. She was lovely. Everyone on the team is so friendly and excited to welcome fresh blood, as Gold exclaimed."

She told him all about the practices and how Jones had them start off every practice with something called hot yoga. They sat inside the training room in the Holyhead Stadium, it was boiling hot as they were led through a stretching regiment.

"Merlin, it's like actual torture," Ginny whined. "But it feels so bloody good, too!"

After hot yoga, they did a run around the pitch, three kilometres, and only then did they get up onto their brooms.

"Miller is tough, but she's good," Ginny told him. "My first practice didn't go as well as I would have liked in the beginning, but by the end, I was really jibing with Gold and Griffiths."

"And what about Gryffindor?" Harry asked.

"Demelza," Ginny said. "She's the best fit. I promised to help her with tryouts so we're having them next Sunday to fill the team for our replacements."

"She'll be a great captain," Harry agreed. "But I still wish that it had been you for longer than a month."

Ginny shrugged, her eyes bright. "Me too, but… Harpies."

His eyes darkened. "So bloody sexy."

Ginny laughed, and talk turned to how everyone else was doing, including Fred and Fiadh.

The twins had been born on the sixteenth of October, 1998. Fraternal twin girls, whom they named Finley Artha Weasley, two point five kilograms and forty-nine centimetres long, and Felicity Ciara Weasley, two point two kilograms and forty-seven centimetres long. Molly cried when she held them and finally met King Taliesan and Queen Caragh when the babies were born.

Ginny had gotten to meet them the day they were born but now had to satisfy herself with photos and mirror calls to see the little ones, whom Fred had nicknamed Finn and Fe. They had decided to give them F names to keep up with the family name, Fred teased.

Fred and Fiadh had settled into their new home in Berwick-upon-tweed and even had the nursery all set up for the babies in time for them to arrive. Everyone was happy and healthy and life was good.

Harry said goodnight to his girlfriend reluctantly when she yawned hard enough to crack her jaw and then he made his way into the bathroom to shower, wishing she was here to snuggle up with.

While he showered, he thought about what Percy had told him and Ron at work today. They had lunch with Percy when they'd run into him in the lifts and he'd filled them in on the latest Wizengamot session. The Wizengamot was still putting together the final steps in bringing the world up to date with the changes they wanted to address. The Quinque Annos Consilium was put into place as of the twenty-first of September and the new regiments were working to build the Ministry into the inclusive government it was always meant to be. The Department of Education had finished finalizing its program for anyone over the age of seventeen who wanted to obtain a magical education and people could apply for classes to begin in January. Not to mention the big news, Aurors had finally found the Sovereign Chalice.

The Aurors Inquisitors Unit worked with the French Ministry who ransacked the Lestrange home in France and the Chalice had finally been discovered. After two weeks of making sure that it hadn't been tampered with, it was returned with ceremony to the Wizengamot. A new ceremony had taken place and all members of the council had touched the chalice to re-iterate their loyalty while new members added their blood and swore a vow once more. According to Percy, this was big news and Jones and Jameson were pleased to see it return to the Ministry. It was a sign of how well things were coming together and a sign of bringing in modernism with a hint of tradition.

As that's exactly what was happening, things were finally coming together, except for one big thing.

Barty Crouch Jr, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Belladonna Brambilla were still on the loose. There had been a few sightings, but nothing definite and they were definitely staying off the radar of the authorities. It made Harry nervous. He knew exactly how mad the three of them were and how dangerous. He knew that Ron was thinking the same thing.

But there was nothing they could do.

The three of them were in the wind and as of right now, not causing any noticeable trouble. It didn't make Harry feel any better. He wanted them behind bars and he wanted it now.

It was one of the things that he and Higgins spoke most often about and he felt reassured knowing that he wasn't the only one to be worried about them being on the loose.

If there was one thing Harry was determined to do with his role as an Auror, it was to get the dark wizards off of the streets and those three were Undesirable Number One on his list.

~ ASC ~

Fred couldn't believe that he was a father. In fact, he was still rather uncertain that he wasn't living in some strange fantasy world.

He had two daughters.

They were five days old and bloody perfect.

How could they not be when he had helped make them?

He couldn't explain what it felt like to suddenly be a dad either. Fiadh fed them and he burped them and when they went to sleep, he couldn't take his eyes off of them. They both had hair as dark as Fiadh's, but it had a reddish hue to it in the light that made Fred wonder if it would change. Their perfect little upturned noses, the soft cheeks, the heart-shaped lips. They looked nearly identical, but yet so different at the same time.

He was in love and he wanted the whole world to know it.

Finn and Fe. His daughters.

His world was perfect.

He and Fiadh had settled into their new home easily. They both loved the country. They loved the big house and despite the fact that they were still accumulating furniture to properly make it a home, it was a home.

He and Fiadh snuggled together on the old sofa they'd brought over from his flat or in their bed at night, eyes on the cots where their two angels sat. The house was constantly full of people it seemed. Between Molly and Caragh, the mums were always popping in for baby snuggles and Fred had been a little worried when he'd caught the two of them, heads together talking about making them quilts. Fred wasn't sure if he liked the idea of Molly and Caragh getting along so well.

Percy and Audrey popped by with gifts for the babies and when Fred placed Felicity into George's arms, his brother's eyes had filled up.

"Hold your goddaughter, Uncle Georgie."

"What? Really?"

Fred's lips curved. "Who else am I gonna ask? You and Ange. No question."

Angelina kissed Fred's cheek. "We're honoured. They're both beautiful, Fred."

"Thanks. What can I say? Fiadh and I do great work."

Angelina snorted as Fiadh told them that she'd asked Tiernan and Niamh to be godparents to Finley.

"It's lovely that you named her after your little brother," Angelina told her.

Fiadh nodded. "He's missed and this way, he can live on in his niece. My mother cried when we told her we chose to name her Finley in honour of Finn."

Bill and Fleur came by, each of them holding a twin with wide smiles on their faces. Fred knew that Bill and Fleur had spoken about having kids and were working on starting a family themselves. Ron and Hermione came by with Harry one afternoon, all of them holding the babies and smiling.

When they finally had the place to themselves, Fred stretched out on the bed next to his girlfriend, Felicity lying over his heart as Fiadh held Finley the same.

"It's not so bad, this parent thing," Fred whispered.

Fiadh chuckled and reached out to grip his hand. "I'm pretty sure it's going to get harder."

"Yeah," he whispered back. "Probably. But we still make perfect babies."

Fiadh kissed his fingers, her green eyes dancing in happiness. "I love you, Fred Weasley."

"I love you, too, Fiadh Alexander. I love Fe and I love Finn. Thank you for making this family with me."

Her eyes softened. "Thanks for making this family with me, too."

The two of them smiled at each other, each with a sleeping babe over their hearts, and Fred thought yeah, this parenting thing wasn't too bad.

~ ASC ~

Percy was very content with his life. He loved working in the Department of Magical Cooperation and he loved living with Audrey. Making a home with her had been one of the best decisions of his life. They were happy and the sex… well, it was still bloody amazing.

Losing Arthur had been hard on him, more than he admitted to his family. But Audrey was there at night when he woke upset or needed to talk. She understood that as close as he was with his father, he always wondered if his dad really knew how much he loved him.

Percy tried to keep up a strong face for his family. He helped his mum go through Arthur's things and clothes, getting rid of what they didn't need, organizing and cleansing as he called it. He kept one of his dad's old jumpers for himself.

He and Audrey were happy and with his brothers all seeming to take big steps in their relationships including marriage and children, he was starting to wonder if maybe Audrey expected the same from him. It wasn't that he didn't want to get married of course, because he did. Some day.

But then sometimes she walked into a room and his heart jumped into his throat.

It was why he'd asked Bill to go shopping with him after the Wizengamot session one afternoon. It was why he had found a ring that spoke to him in moments and it was why it was currently burning a hole in his pocket now.

She sat across from him, dressed in a gorgeous purple dress that clung to her body in all of the right places as the gown flowed to her ankles. They were seated in the fanciest restaurant in Luminescent Walk and he was pretty sure his nerves were going to make his tie strangle him.

He'd given the ring to the waiter and when the champagne arrived at their table, he saw it glistening in the flute and his palms began to sweat.

"What are we celebrating, Percy?" Audrey asked him when the champagne was placed on the table.

He reached across the tablecloth to hold her hand.

"I love you, Audrey Mayfair."

Audrey lifted an eyebrow as she took her hand in his. "I love you, too, Percy Weasley."

"You put up with my… annoyances. You love me despite my flaws and I think we make each other pretty happy."

"I think so, too," Audrey said, her lips curving.

He lifted his champagne flute and urged her to do the same. "To us."

"To us," she repeated, a wide smile on her face.

Percy watched her tilt the glass back to take a sip and he fell down to one knee in front of her. She gasped, fishing the ring out of her flute just as she noticed him kneeling before her.

"Percy?"

"Will you marry me, Audrey? Will you spend your life with me?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded. "Yes! Yes!"

Percy took the ring from her hand and carefully dried it off on the napkin before he slipped it onto her finger. It was a simple gold band and three round large diamonds situated like mistletoe berries. It was simple, but beautiful and when her eyes fell on it, he knew that he'd chosen well.

"Do you like it?"

Audrey pulled him to his feet and kissed him as the restaurant applauded. "It's perfect. This was just… you are perfect, Mr Weasley."

He arched an eyebrow and brushed his lips over hers. "Am I?"

Audrey looked down at her glistening engagement ring, a big smile on her face before she leaned closer to whisper into Percy's ear. "I'm going to let you do very naughty things to me tonight."

His eyes widened and his face flushed as his glasses slipped down his nose. Audrey's stunning smile did nothing to hide the desire and happiness in her eyes. When he asked for the cheque, he couldn't stop grinning.

He was ready to truly begin his life with her and he couldn't wait.

~ ASC ~

Theo was doing his best to keep himself busy now that he was finished school. He finished cleaning out Norfolk Manor including getting rid of the excess storage and giving away old clothes and trinkets (after deeming them dark magic free) to thrift shops and homeless shelters. By the time his nineteenth birthday came along, he was ready to start figuring out what he really wanted to do with his life.

In September, he had started seeing Na'eemah Hickey again. Talking with her weekly helped him deal with not only the aftermath of Macmillan, but dealing with the news he was still reeling from learning about in the summer, and everything he'd seen and been through in the war. He spoke about learning that he wasn't the son of Thaddeus Nott, the man who had abused him physically and emotionally; who scarred him more than he was willing to admit. He spoke to her about the guilt he felt for having Norfolk when he wasn't truly the Nott heir and Na'eemah helped him come to terms with those feelings. Talking to her helped, but it also was drudging up a lot of his old memories and making his nightmares seem to be more of a regular thing.

"It's normal," Na'eemah assured him. "You're being reminded of things in the past and the more we drudge them up, the more those nightmares will return, but I promise you, they will pass."

Theo knew that she was right, but it was still hard to wake up in the middle of the night with his heart pounding and bad thoughts in his mind. He lost track of the number of times that Sebastian woke to comfort him or found him sitting outside or in the kitchen or in the living room, trying to remove the memories from his mind with something to make him smile or a warm hug. Sebastian never asked and that somehow made it easier when he did want to talk.

Ever since they had run into his ex-boyfriend at the pub on Sebastian's birthday, the two of them had grown even closer. Theo could see the insecurities and the worries that Sebastian had about them had finally vanished. The trust they shared was stronger now and when Bas went away for work related things, they continued to use the mirrors and Theo found it only brought them closer.

Neither of them had addressed the fact that it was rare for Sebastian to even return to his own flat and when he did, Theo usually went with him. Oliver was living full time at the manor and Bas had commented more than once that his overly pampered cat was living the high life. Theo had bought him an elaborate cat bed made of silk pillows and Sebastian had laughed.

"You'll spoil him!"

"But look how happy he is!" Theo protested, reaching over to scratch the cat behind his ears.

Sebastian only smiled and kissed Theo's temple.

The two of them started going to Ireland almost every Sunday to have dinner with Spencer and Sadira and when Sebastian Floo-called his parents to tell them that he was being sent on a mission to Istanbul, Sadira had insisted Theo still come over for dinner on Sunday without Sebastian.

He had and he'd loved every minute of it.

Sadira wanted to know everything about the changes he'd done in Norfolk and Spencer asked him questions about the Wizengamot and about the Ministry changes. It was Spencer and Sadira who convinced him that keeping Norfolk was what was best. He was the only Nott left. There was no one waiting in the wings who secretly was going to inherit Norfolk. He was it. He'd worked hard to take it from Thaddeus and he was doing good with it.

"You are the Marquess of Norfolk, Theo," Spencer insisted. "Thaddeus claimed you as his son and heir. End of story. The rest is for you to know alone and everyone else can bugger off."

Theo talked to Franklin Smith about it as well and his lawyer agreed. Theo was Norfolk and that was that.

Spencer and Sadira showed Theo more photos of Sebastian as a child and talked his ear off about their baby boy while Sebastian was away and Theo had smiled the whole time.

But he'd been even more surprised when a few days later, Spencer had shown up at Norfolk.

"Bas isn't here, Spence," Theo told. "He's still in Istanbul."

"I know," Spencer said. "I came to see you. I was hoping you could help me with something. Sebastian really isn't that good at this, either. He gets it from me, but after seeing what you put together for the anniversary party, I thought you could help me. I need a gift."

He explained about how Sadira had been promoted to Head Healer at St Mungo's. She would be running the hospital and he wanted to do something to show her proud of he was. Theo hooked him up with a travel witch from Diagon Alley who got them organized on a trip to Italy for a week. They would be back just before she started her new job, giving her the relaxing break she deserved. When Theo suggested that Spencer stop by Sophistication by Pansy to get something for the both of them, Spencer had blushed to the roots of his hair. He'd taken him there himself and insisted that Pansy give him a discount as Theo helped with Sadira's size. Spencer told Pansy about their trip and Pansy soon had a handful of lingerie for Spencer to gift. He'd given both of them a grateful look and bought the lot of it.

Theo loved how they had kind of adopted him into the family and made him feel like he wasn't so alone when Sebastian was away for work. Theo visited with the Weasleys as well. He had dinner with Molly, popped into Clevedon Court to have dinner with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and even stopped by to visit Fred and Fiadh's twins. He'd been completely touched when Fiadh told him she'd named one of their daughters after Finn. He thought it all came full circle and it was the perfect name.

But the person he missed the most was Ginny.

Theo tried to catch her at least once a week on the mirror, but between her seventh year studies and being a newly signed Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies, she was hard to pin down. But he understood. Being out of school meant they all had adjustments to make.

He spoke to Draco a little more frequently. He had settled in France, on a winery he owned, where he was taking his time to learn how to make wine. He studied the vines and how to properly plant and cultivate them. He was playing with grapes and apples and whisky barrels and oak and more relaxed than Theo remembered seeing him in years. He even had a nice tan going on and his eyes were light, relaxed, and happy. Whatever Draco was hoping to get out of this, Theo thought it was working for him.

Blaise was studying to be an advocatus at the Lex Schola and was busy with his course load. He had a flat near the school, where he had a special Floo set up to bring him to his house in Sicily, but he often popped around Norfolk on the weekends and Theo loved every second of it. He loved having one of his best friends around and nearby to hang out with.

Especially when Blaise insisted they take a trip to Florence one weekend just to go shoe shopping.

Blaise had always been a complete shoe snob.

While Sebastian was away on a mission in Istanbul (which was starting to be almost three weeks now), Blaise made himself comfortable in Theo's guest room. They spent the evening drinking wine and hanging out and Theo thought it felt like old times as Blaise told him all about some witch he'd shagged and Theo gushed about how great Sebastian was.

When he said goodnight, Theo got into bed with a smile on his face and wondered how Blaise would feel about maybe going out to breakfast in the morning.

The nightmare took him by surprise.

He woke with his heart pounding and tears in his eyes as he tried to block out the memory of Thaddeus Nott. The cigarette burn on his arm stung as if it was fresh and Theo hurried into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face, pressing his fingers to the small scar as if it still hurt. When he eventually returned to the bedroom, Oliver was on the bed, blinking at him.

"I'm fine," he said as the cat only stared at him.

Theo stared back before he decided that going back to sleep wasn't appealing. A glance at the clock told him that it was just after three and he swore. Just like clockwork, he thought. Three in the morning and he was awoken by bad dreams. He pulled a tee shirt on over his sleep pants and then headed downstairs into the living room to find something to do. He'd just spotted one of Sebastian's smutty Quidditch novels when he heard Blaise come down the stairs.

"You didn't have to get up," he said, not turning around.

Blaise shrugged. "I was awake anyway."

Theo highly doubted that. He figured Oliver's meowing must have alerted him or worse, he'd shouted in his sleep or something. "Liar."

Blaise shrugged again and plopped down onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back of it. He pointed at the cushion next to him. "Sit."

Theo did and Blaise rolled his eyes.

"Next to me."

Theo shuffled over so that he was next to his friend and Blaise only lifted an eyebrow and pointed to his lap until Theo stretched out across the sofa, his head resting on Blaise's thigh.

"I'm okay, Blaise."

"I know," Blaise said, his fingers automatically moving down to stroke Theo's hair. "Thaddeus?"

"It was a stupid dream," Theo told him. "I don't need to talk about it. Talking to Na'eemah has helped enough."

"I'm sure you don't," Blaise agreed. "But it certainly makes it better knowing that the tosser was never actually your father."

"A little," Theo admitted.

He was quiet as Blaise's fingers brushed through his hair just like he used to do when he had a nightmare in their dorm. It soothed him.

"I miss you."

"I'm always around," Blaise told him.

"I know, but it's not the same. Not like before. Everyone's always busy all of the time and Bas is working and I'm just… here."

"It's called growing up, mate."

"Well, it sucks," Theo said.

Blaise chuckled. "I can agree to that. Working towards being a lawyer… it sounds brilliant and I know I'll be awesome at it because I'm awesome."

"And oh so humble," Theo teased.

Blaise lightly smacked his cheek. "Nothing from the peanut gallery."

Theo grinned.

"But, studying at the Lex Schola and sitting in on lectures… it's different from Hogwarts. I don't have classes every day and I can do a lot from home. But I miss Sicily and my house. I miss sex."

"You just told me that you had sex two weeks ago."

"Long time ago," Blaise said. "But it's also nice to be on my own. I have no responsibilities outside of myself and you know what, Theo, that's kind of a surreal feeling. I can see my friends when I want. Shag who I want. Go where I want. Do what I want."

Theo nodded. "I feel the same, but everyone knows what they want to do and I'm just hanging out here all the time."

"I thought you were thinking about the mind healer thing."

"I was. I am. I bought the textbooks I need and Na'eemah said she would help me attend a few lectures at the Dian Cecht Healing Academy. If I get all of the coursework done I can write my exams in June, but any classes don't start up until the new year. But, Bas is off to Istanbul for work and Ginny's at Hogwarts and a newly signed Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. Draco's in France making wine. Harry and Ron are working in the DMLE as Aurors. You're studying law. I don't know… I'm alone in this big house and having nightmares."

Blaise's fingers continued to brush his hair. "You're not alone, Theo. I'm always only a Floo-call away if you need me, even if it's in the middle of the bloody night."

Theo turned his head to look up into Blaise's face. "I love you, Blaise."

Blaise smiled. "I love you, too, brother."

"This is so sweet," Sebastian's voice said from the doorway. "I might cry."

Theo jumped up off of the sofa, his eyes wide in delight. "Bas!"

Sebastian laughed as Theo threw himself into his arms so hard that he stumbled back, wrapping Theo's legs around his waist to hold him in place before he kissed him smartly on the mouth. "Hi, baby. I didn't mean to interrupt your heart-to-heart with Blaise."

"You so aren't!" Theo exclaimed, snuggling into Sebastian's arms.

Blaise grinned at them from the sofa. "Well, it seems that I've been replaced. I'm going back to bed. Welcome back, Bas. He missed you."

He disappeared up the stairs when Sebastian said goodnight and then Sebastian took a seat on the sofa. He was still holding Theo in his lap, his legs still wrapped around his waist. He cupped his cheek in his hands.

"Nightmare?"

"It was nothing," Theo assured him.

Sebastian pressed his lips to his forehead. "I'm glad Blaise was here for you."

Theo snuggled into his arms. "I've missed you. I didn't expect you so late! It's almost half past four in the morning!"

"I grabbed a late portkey," Sebastian told him. "I wanted to be with you."

Theo's eyes softened. "I'm glad. Tell me everything! Did you get to sight-see? What was the food like? Did you do any shopping?"

Sebastian chuckled, holding Theo tightly in his lap. "I told you all about the food when we spoke last. No, I didn't get to do any shopping as I was working, remember?"

Theo pouted. "Boring."

He reached down to fiddle with Sebastian's MIA badge and his eyes drifted over to the pin that had fascinated him since the very first moment he'd seen it. Whenever he asked him about it, Sebastian claimed it was just an old pin he wore for luck.

"Can you tell me anything about Istanbul?"

"Not really," Sebastian said. "There was someone causing trouble and some kids went missing. That's all I can say."

"Did you find them?"

"Yes," Sebastian assured him. "MacGregor helped."

"Your Knight Commander?"

"What?"

Theo fiddled with the pin again. "That's what he is, isn't he? Your Knight Commander."

"Where did you hear that term?"

"Around," Theo said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"Are you a Knight of the Auror?"

Sebastian licked his bottom lip. "They don't exist, Theo."

"Uh-huh, but you are one, aren't you?"

Sebastian traced Theo's jaw with his finger. "I'm an Auror in the Magical Intelligence Agency's Secret Intelligence Unit."

"And a secret Knight of the Auror."

His lips curved. "Theo…"

"Sebastian, you can tell me," Theo insisted. "I won't tell anyone, I swear."

Sebastian continued to trace his jaw. "The Knights of the Auror are not an officially sanctioned group."

"Uh-huh, but you are one, aren't you? It's why you have this pin," Theo said, tracing his finger over the gold cloak with a dagger and a wand crossed, both with golden hilts. "You're a secret spy."

Sebastian pressed his lips to Theo's. "You're adorable, baby."

"Just nod if I'm right. I won't tell anyone."

He laughed. "If I was part of a secret organization I wouldn't be allowed to tell you now, would I?"

Theo kissed Sebastian's neck. "The lack of answer tells me everything, Auror Arsehole. You're a Knight of the Auror. That's so bloody peng."

Sebastian's fingers dug into his hair as he pulled his head back to kiss him. "I love you, Theodore Nott."

Theo smiled as he linked his arms around his boyfriend's neck. "Tonks was totally right. My boyfriend is a K of A. That's why Ian MacGregor is called the Knight Commander and that's why you have that brilliant pin and everything is so secret about your super secret missions. I figured it out. Didn't I?"

His thumb brushed over Theo's bottom lip. "If I could tell you, baby, I would."

Theo's smile lit up his face. "I'm totally right."

Instead of answering, Sebastian brushed his lips over his. "I cannot confirm nor deny if you are correct. However, if you guessed correctly, I technically never told you and therefore I cannot say that you were right because it would mean I did."

"Oh, Merlin! You are! That's so wicked! It makes you that much sexier! No wonder you have so many abs! It's like a job requirement, isn't it?"

"Having abs?" he chuckled.

Theo rolled his eyes. "Yes. Take off your shirt."

Sebastian laughed and did as he asked, smiling when Theo's fingers began to trace his abs in earnest. "I'm sorry that I've been incommunicado the last few days. Sometimes the missions get disorganized and I can't use the mirror."

"I know," Theo told him. "I get it. My Auror Arsehole is a Knight of the Auror and super important and busy. It's why you have eight abs."

Sebastian snorted. "You exaggerate."

"Nuh-uh, I'm going to count them."

"I missed you every minute I was gone," Sebastian said, his lips curving as Theo's fingers traced his abs.

"Good," Theo teased, moving his hands up to trace his nipples with his thumbs. "You can make it up to me after. I have some news that will make you smile first."

He arched an eyebrow.

"Ginny signed with the Holyhead Harpies."

Sebastian's eyes widened. "Fuck? Really? Wow! That's incredible!"

Theo nodded. "I know. Also, Harry and Ron officially got their Auror badges and I helped your dad buy sexy lingerie for his holiday with your mum next week."

He grimaced. "And now I'm going to throw up. Why would you tell me that last part?"

Theo laughed. "But I didn't get to the best part!"

"What's that?" Sebastian asked.

"I bought something for me, too."

"From Sophistication by Pansy?"

Theo nodded. "Want to go upstairs and see?"

Sebastian stood up, lifting Theo with him so quickly that he almost fell off of his lap. Theo laughed and wrapped his legs around his boyfriend's waist so that he would carry him up the stairs. Five minutes later, Theo stepped out of his closet wearing nothing but the black satin lace boy-shorts he'd bought, Sebastian's blue eyes darkened in desire.

"Nice, right?" Theo asked, turning to show Sebastian how the lace cupped his arse perfectly. "Lingerie isn't my thing, but wearing satin and lace boy-shorts or boxers, I really like that." He gave his butt a little shake. "I love how soft it feels against my balls."

Instead of answering, Sebastian made a growling sound in the back of his throat and he pushed Theo down onto the bed. Before he could speak, he put his mouth over the lace and sucked him.

Theo spluttered incoherently in response.

He might not have everything figured out, but what he did know was that Sebastian Kane was the best thing to ever happen to him. His secret Knight of the Auror, his Auror Arsehole.

And that was what really mattered.

End Author's Notes:

MMMMCMXXVII = 4927
MMMMCMXXVIII = 4928

Thank you for reading and please review!