The next morning Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Draco and Neville began bustling around the castle preparing to return to Hogwarts. Dumbledore set up port keys to take them to the Leaky Cauldron, and Harry arranged for his limousine to take them to platform 9 ¾.
The group arrived just in time for the departure of the Hogwarts Express. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Draco proceeded to the prefect's compartment, and Neville set off to find an available seat.
Neville considered himself lucky to find a compartment devoid of students, but, to his elation, his solitude did not last long.
"Hello Neville." Luna said in her singsong voice. "Alone today," she asked, sitting down dangerously close to Neville.
"Uh, yeah, Ron, Hermione and Ginny are in the prefect's compartment." Neville explained.
"You must miss Harry, he sat with you." She said sounding distracted.
"Oh, yeah, I miss him." Neville agreed.
"I miss him too, I like Harry." She said.
"Don't you mean, liked?" Neville asked.
"No, I still like him." Luna answered.
"I mean because he's dead." Neville said shortly, but Luna didn't pick up on it.
"He's not dead; the Quibbler says he's hiding. See?" Luna said, handing Neville a copy of her father's magazine.
The headline read; "Harry Potter, Biding His Time". Neville read the article completely. He was amazed how accurate the story actually was. It discussed their belief that he lured Voldemort there, that he expected Voldemort to try and kill him and that he was hiding out in a castle.
"Luna, where did your father get this information?" Neville asked, reverting to his Dark Auror instincts.
"Everybody knows Harry's alive." She answered simply.
Neville stared at the pretty girl sitting next to him. She, though appearing quite loony, was actually very intelligent, and well informed.
"Luna?" Neville asked.
"Yes." She responded.
"Do you, um, want to go to Hogsmeade sometime?" Neville asked nervously.
"I don't think they'll let us go to Hogsmeade this year." Luna speculated.
"But if they do?" Neville pressed.
"I always go to Hogsmeade if they let us." She said, not quite understanding what Neville was asking.
"No Luna, I mean, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?" Neville clarified.
"Oh, you like me; you want to be my boyfriend." She answered almost disinterestedly.
"Yes Luna, I do like you, and I want to be your boyfriend." Neville said impatiently.
"Ok." Luna finally answered.
"Great!" Neville exclaimed, feeling better about himself.
Ron, Hermione and Ginny came in a few minutes later. Hermione was reprimanding Ron for his failure to speak up during the prefect's meeting.
"But you're head boy now Ron, you're supposed to give speeches." Hermione was saying.
"Hey guys." Neville said, sounding guilty.
"Hey mate, something wrong?" Harry asked.
"No, nothing," Neville said a little too quickly.
"Neville is my boyfriend now." Luna declared.
"Oh, that's great." Hermione said, not sounding convincing.
Ron, on the other hand, who had heard Neville declare that he liked Luna, congratulated them both. So much so, that Hermione and Ginny gave him strange looks, but he ignored them.
When they all sat, Neville took the Quibbler from Luna, and held it up to the three newcomers.
"Look guys, apparently Harry's alive." Neville said with a knowing smile.
Hermione took the magazine from Neville, and began reading at lightning speed.
"This says Harry lured Voldemort to Hogwarts, and that he expected him to try and kill him. Oh, and it says Harry's hiding out in a castle." Hermione explained to Ron and Ginny.
"Blimey." Ron said, taking the magazine.
"Why wasn't I invited?" Luna asked, not looking up.
"To what," Hermione asked.
"To Harry and Ginny's wedding," Luna asked, making them all look at Neville, who shook his head feverishly.
"What makes you think Ginny married Harry?" Neville asked, almost defensively.
"She's wearing a ring." Luna said obviously.
Now all eyes turned to Ginny, who was blushing scarlet. She had forgotten to remove her wedding band.
"Oh, this isn't mine; it's my mother's old ring," Ginny lied.
Luna finally looked up from what she was reading. The look on her face told them all that they couldn't lie to her, she knew.
"If you say so," she said calmly, returning to her book.
"Hey mate, why don't you help me patrol?" Ron suggested, trying to get Neville alone.
"Uh, sure Ron, ok." Neville said, picking up on his stare.
As soon as they left, Luna looked up at Ginny.
"Don't they know?" She asked knowingly.
"Know what?" Ginny ask, knowing full well what.
"That you married Harry, you did tell your parents, didn't you?" Luna asked.
"Luna, I did not marry Harry, he's dead." Ginny said angrily.
"Oh, Hermione doesn't know either." Luna said looking back down at her book.
Ron and Neville found the quietist spot they could find.
"You didn't tell her, did you?" Ron asked quickly.
"No, I swear it." Neville said as convincingly as he could.
"Then how does she know?" Ron asked.
"I don't know, but you read that article, it was completely accurate." Neville pointed out.
"Yeah, spooky it was." Ron answered.
A group of second year Hufflepuffs stopped entirely too close for them to continue their conversation, so they went back to the compartment.
"Are you going to see Harry this year? Can I go with you?" Luna asked Neville.
Neville went to answer, but Ginny answered for him.
"Sure Luna, if any of us go see Harry, we'll take you." Ginny said, making Ron, Hermione and Neville look at her in shock, Ginny shrugged.
Luna went back to her book. Ginny motioned to Luna and smiled. They all realized she was just shutting Luna up.
The train pulled into Hogsmeade station earlier than usual; there was even a little daylight left. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna took a carriage for themselves, and headed to Hogwarts. This, for Ron, Hermione and Neville, would be their last time, so they savored the trip.
Luna broke off from the group, giving Neville a small kiss, Neville was so unprepared, that he turned bright red, and froze in place.
"Come on mate, you're making a fool of yourself." Ron said, dragging Neville to the Gryffindor table.
The other Gryffindors stared at the four friends, as they talked animatedly, and laughed. Ron kept wondering why their housemates kept staring, until Hermione spoke up.
"They're probably wondering why we're laughing when they think Harry's dead." Hermione explained.
"Oh." Ron said understanding.
"Are we supposed to mourn for the rest of our lives?" Ginny asked Hermione angrily, but quietly.
"I don't know, but they seem to think so." Hermione answered, motioning to a group of fourth years that were sneering at them.
Everyone quieted when the doors to the Great Hall opened. But instead of Professor McGonagall leading the first years in, it was Hagrid. Hagrid did not seem to be his typical jovial self; he seemed, to Hermione, to be distracted. He led them down to the front of the staff table, where the sorting hat waited atop its four-legged stool.
"Where's McGonagall?" Ron asked, thinking Hermione knew. But it wasn't Hermione who answered.
"Right behind you Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, making everyone within earshot turn. "I need to see you, Mr. Longbottom, Miss Weasley, and Miss Granger." She told him.
"Yes Professor." Ron said standing.
The four followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall, and up to her office. When they entered she instructed them to sit.
"As you know, Professor Dumbledore asked you four to instruct the staff in Mr. Potter's strange approach to magic. I have taken the liberty of making a rotation schedule so that you won't fall behind in your studies." McGonagall explained, handing them each a piece of parchment. "As you can see, I have you each teaching one night per week, Monday through Thursday, the weekends I leave you to your own devices." McGonagall added.
"Four hours per day Professor? Isn't that a bit much for the teachers?" Hermione asked, thinking they might feel the brunt of their fatigue.
"I suspect the teachers might think the opposite Miss Granger, they are quite looking forward to the training." McGonagall said with a smile.
Ron started to squirm in his seat.
"Don't worry Mr. Weasley; there'll be plenty of food when you get back." McGonagall said angrily.
"Professor, I know that the Headmaster gave permission for me to commute back and forth to school, but does that mean I can spend the entire weekend at home?" Ginny asked hopingly.
"I have discussed that with the Headmaster, Miss Weasley." Ginny cringed at her name. "He feels that perhaps every other weekend would be better, that way students will be less likely to suspect." Professor McGonagall answered.
"That's fair." Ginny said, considering the alternative.
"I notice Miss, I mean, Mrs. Potter, that you don't like to be addressed as Miss Weasley anymore, is that wise?" McGonagall asked.
"I've been giving that a lot of thought, no one has to know when I married Harry; they could just consider me a widow. I think its ok for people to know, is that all right?" Ginny asked back.
"I'll ask the Headmaster, if he approves, I shall inform the staff." McGonagall answered.
"Well Professor, I think my boyfriend is just about ready to run out the door, if there's nothing else, may we head on back to the Great Hall?" Hermione asked, staring daggers at Ron.
"Of course Miss Granger, we wouldn't want Mr. Weasley to harm anybody running back to the Great Hall." McGonagall said tersely. "Oh and Mr. Weasley," she added.
"Yes Professor." Ron said, turning around.
"Don't forget, as the highest ranking Dark Auror, you're teaching Advanced Defense." McGonagall said smiling.
Ron stood rooted in place. He had not considered that before, he would be teaching.
"Um, thank you?" Ron said, turning to leave.
The four made their way back to the Great Hall. When they arrived, dinner had yet been served, as a matter of fact; the first years were still standing by the staff table.
"What's going on?" Ron asked Dean Thomas as he sat.
"The sorting hat refuses to sort any of the first years. It sang a song about school unity, and said it refused to sort a single student until the evil that plagues us, is gone." Dean said, quoting the sorting hat.
"What are they going to do?" Ginny asked Hermione.
Hermione never had a chance to answer, Dumbledore spoke first.
"Students, in light of the sorting hat's new position, the teachers and I have come up with a solution, a fifth house. We will place the students into this new house, which we will call the Unsorted House, until the sorting hat decides to sort them properly. In the meantime, first years, take any available seat at any of the four tables, and we will begin eating." Dumbledore said, as the food magically appeared on the tables.
"No sorting, has this ever happened?" Neville asked Hermione, knowing she read Hogwarts a History.
"No, there has always been a sorting ceremony; I wonder why it refuses to sort anyone else?" Hermione said, not really asking anyone.
When the feast was over, and the plates magically cleaned themselves, Dumbledore stood.
"Now for some start of term announcements, first, the forest if forbidden to all students except Dark Aurors, please do not forget, second, Hogsmeade visits will NOT be cancelled this year, but for security reasons, there will be no forewarning, check the bulletin boards every Saturday in case a weekend is planned. Third, if you were not here last year, I'm sure you've heard of the loss of our champion, Harry Potter, his legacy, the Dark Aurors, are here for your protection, please treat them with the respect they deserve, and in an emergency, I am giving the Commander and Chief full authority. If any student is interested in learning from, or possibly applying for the Dark Aurors, Mrs. Virginia Potter will take your names." Dumbledore paused to let his words sink in.
Everyone started pointing at, and whispering about Ginny. Since she couldn't very well smile, since they all thought Harry was dead, she just placed her head on the table and waited.
"Happy now," Ron whispered in her ear.
"And lastly, thank you, and good night." Dumbledore said, turning to leave.
In the Gryffindor common room that night, Ginny was being mobbed by questions about the wedding, when was the wedding, what kind of dress she wore, who was there, the questions were non stop. She had to stop and think at times, to keep her story straight. She passed around pictures of the ceremony depicting her and Harry, or them with Ron and Hermione, one with them and her parents, and finally one with her and Dumbledore dancing. By night's end, she regretted her decision to be called Mrs. Potter.
When Ginny managed to fight off the mob, she made her way to Ron, Hermione and Neville who were sitting by the fire.
"Don't say it." She warned Ron.
"You carry pictures? Let me see them." Hermione asked.
Hermione looked at the pictures carefully, there was nothing to give away when or where they were taken.
"Do you approve?" She asked snidely.
"I had to check Ginny; you know what's at stake." Hermione said apologetically.
"Can I see that dress again?" Parvati asked, rushing over to them. Ginny handed her the picture of her and Harry. "Wow, it's so beautiful. Who designed it?" Parvati asked.
"I did." Ginny said proudly.
"You did? Can you design one for me?" Parvati asked excitedly.
"Sure, I'll se what I can do." Ginny told her.
"Thanks." Parvati said, handing the picture back, and walking over to Lavender Brown.
"When does the rotation start?" Neville asked Hermione.
"Tomorrow, you go first Neville." Hermione answered, looking at the schedule Professor McGonagall gave her.
"I better get some sleep then." Neville announced. "Good night everybody," he said heading for the stairs leading to the boy's dormitories.
"I'd better get to bed too." Ginny agreed, but she didn't head for the stairs, she headed for the portrait hole leading out.
As soon as Ginny was out the door and out of sight she apparated back to Potter Castle.
"You're home early." Harry greeted Ginny, kissing her deeply.
"Oh Harry, this is going to be so hard this year." Ginny said, hugging Harry tightly.
"What is?" Harry asked.
"Only seeing you part of the time," she answered sadly.
"At least we get to wake up together every morning." Harry pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess." Ginny said pausing to phrase her next sentence. "Harry, I think I've made a mistake. I told McGonagall that I wanted to be known as Mrs. Potter." Ginny said.
"So, you are Mrs. Potter." Harry agreed.
"But, now everybody keeps hounding me about when we were married, who was at the wedding, who made my dress. It's hard to keep the lie straight, now I'm afraid I might give you away." She said, sobbing slightly.
"Don't worry yourself over it; if you screw up, then you screw up. I love you Ginny, no matter if you screw up my plan or not, I'll always love you." Harry said comfortingly.
Ginny smiled, hugging Harry again. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, the Quibbler has an article that tells the whole truth about May." Ginny said urgently.
"I know I subscribe." Harry said smiling.
"But how do they know?" Ginny asked confused.
"Because I told them," Harry answered.
"You what," Ginny asked disbelievingly.
"I told them. I've been talking with Mr. Lovegood for months; he had agreed to help me with my plan." Harry explained.
"But how is telling everybody the truth going to help you with your plan?" Ginny asked, now totally confused.
"Because nobody believes the Quibbler, if a story about me being alive is reported there, then Voldemort, and his Death Eaters will believe I'm dead," Harry said smiling.
"Oh. But now Luna knows you're alive." Ginny pointed out.
"So what if she does, I trust Luna, more than most Dark Aurors, if she believes I'm alive, that's fine, if she wants to see me, that's fine, and most importantly, let her say what she wants, that will only further my cause." Harry explained.
Ginny smiled. "Because nobody believes Luna, now I get it." Ginny declared, taking Harry in a strong embrace. "You are a genius, Mr. Potter." She said kissing him.
"Of course I am I married you." Harry said, kissing back.
The next morning, after a long night of conversation and love making, Ginny dressed, spent breakfast with Cindy, and the Weasley's who were staying at her house, and apparated to Hogwarts. Winky had told Ginny the best place to apparate where she would definitely not be seen, a completely unused classroom two doors down from the Muggle Studies classroom.
"Everybody ready for a fun filled day of training," Harry asked pleasantly as he stood from the table.
"Not us, we have exploring to do." Fred said.
"An entire castle, as a matter of fact." George agreed, standing.
"Where do you think you're going?" Molly bellowed, entering the Dining Hall, after seeing her husband off.
"Exploring," Fred and George said together.
"Oh no you're not! You will be training with the rest. You still haven't passed your N.E.W.T.'s; you're working while you're here." Molly commanded.
"But mum, we want to explore, we can train later, Annie and Peggy have to catch up first." George argued.
"Besides, we're of age." Fred pointed out.
"You will NOT spend your time playing like children, while you're in this house you will work!" Molly exclaimed.
"Yes mum." Fred and George said together.
"Don't worry guys, you will enjoy yourselves." Harry added, turning towards the door.
Harry assembled the trainees, Cindy was the youngest, and Bill was the oldest. In between there was Annie, Peggy, Fred and George; Tonks and Cho would only be training after work.
Of all those assembled, the eldest girls; Annie and Peggy knew the least, and the youngest girl; Cindy, knew the most.
Harry instructed Bill, Fred and George first, he quickly showed them advanced apparition, and had them practice together. Harry then turned his attention to Annie and Peggy, they had purchased wands the day before, so Harry began with the basics first, Cindy just watched intently.
After several hours of intense training, Harry broke the class for lunch. They reassembled in the Dining Hall, and began talking about the training.
"That was wicked." George said, taking a sandwich from the platter.
"Outstanding." Fred agreed.
"I didn't know we could apparate like that, I actually chose my destination after I apparated." Bill was telling Molly.
"Soon you'll be able to apparate like Ginny, through anti-apparition barriers." Molly said to Bill.
"Isn't that dangerous, if wizards could do that, they could get into Gringotts, and rob any vault." Bill speculated.
"Then I recommend not teaching criminals." Harry said smiling.
"I understand, but the point is, we could." Bill argued.
"Yes Bill, we could. But I have ensured only those of the highest moral fiber be shown advanced apparition." Harry said confidently.
Bill took a sideways glance at his brothers Fred and George. Harry smiled.
"Mum, we learned how to levitate." Peggy said excitedly.
"That's wonderful dear." Molly praised.
"And how did you spend the morning?" Annie asked her mother.
"Oh, I was showing the house elves how to make my famous stew." Molly said pleasantly.
"Oh, the elves are going to love you." Fred said sarcastically.
After lunch, the entire group, except for Bill, went down to the beach, Harry decided all work and no play would cause a mutiny. Bill was to spend the afternoon going over Harry's assets.
Bill began going through the mounds of contracts and deeds Harry has stored in his vault in the castle. Bill noticed partnerships and sole proprieties that amounted to a huge fortune, but nothing could have prepared him for the Gryffindor fortune. Stashed inside four, two cubical meter trunks, were every type of precious jewel imaginable, Bill even saw crown jewels that he could not recognize. He began the insurmountable task of totaling Harry's assets.
By five o'clock that evening, Bill emerged from the vault with a parchment three meters long. He entered the library where he expected Harry to be.
"Harry, I've finished totaling up your assets." Bill said, still staring at the parchment.
"No Bill, you don't have to say hello." Ginny said angrily.
Bill looked up, at Ginny. "Oh, sorry sis, hello," Bill said distractedly.
"So how much are we worth?" Harry asked, emphasizing the "we" part.
"Your family is worth, just over one billion Galleons, using 80 percent of today's market value on precious stones." Bill announced. "Three quarters of the billion is from Gryffindor, one quarter from the Blacks." Bill added.
"Can you invest the money easily?" Harry asked.
"Oh yes, precious stones are quite easy to liquidate." Bill explained.
"No, I mean the Black assets, I want to hold on to the precious stones, they're equally useful in both wizard and muggle worlds." Harry clarified.
"Well, there are a lot of businesses in Knockturn Alley, those would be difficult, but the real estate should be quite easy." Bill answered.
"Good, get started tomorrow on liquidating the Black fortune, and reinvesting it. Keep a log of all profits made from those investments; I want you to take five percent of those profits for yourself every Christmas as a bonus, and the rest stockpile in Gringotts." Harry commanded.
"Really, you want me to have five percent of the profits I earn you; Gringotts would have never done that. Are you doing this for you, or for me?" Bill asked.
"You don't see the big picture, do you? You now have an incentive to increase profits, because it increases your yearly bonus, its just good business." Harry answered.
"I'll get started first thing." Bill said standing.
"Oh, one last thing, can you inquire as to what it would take to buy the Chudley Cannons?" Harry asked quickly.
"Why them, they're in last place." Bill asked.
"Because they're in last place, they should be the cheapest team to buy." Harry pointed out.
"Good point, I'll ask around." Bill said leaving.
Ginny waited for Bill to leave. "We're billionaires?" Ginny asked, knowing full well the answer.
"Apparently, I didn't think we were worth that much, but, at least we can start investing." Harry said smiling.
"That makes you the richest wizard in the world." Ginny pointed out.
"And it makes you the richest witch in the world." Harry pointed out to her.
"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" Ginny laughed.
"So, how was your first day back?" Harry asked Ginny during dinner.
"Dreadful, I had to take the O.W.L's that I missed last year. And I'll be taking them all week." Ginny answered.
"Yeah, but you'll do fine." Harry encouraged her.
"Bill, how did you do today?" Arthur asked pleasantly.
Bill looked at Harry who nodded. "Well, I found out your daughter and son in law are the richest witch and wizard on the planet." Bill answered matter-of-factly.
"Excuse me?" Fred asked.
"I estimated the Potter fortune at just over a billion Galleons. Bill announced. "And, it's a low estimation, based on 80 percent of the current market value of precious stones and not counting the gold in the Gringotts vault." Bill added.
"Who needs Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, when we could live here like kings." George piped in.
"You wanna bet?" Ginny asked, making them all laugh.
"So Harry, what are your plans when you defeat Voldemort?" Arthur asked, seriously believing Harry would defeat him.
"I'm not sure yet, I like my life here with Ginny and Cindy, but maybe we'll do some traveling, maybe start a business together, or even a foundation. Something we could share." Harry answered honestly.
"Maybe you'll consider politics?" Molly asked, trying to coax Harry.
"I'm not much the politician Molly, I'm too opinionated." Harry answered.
"We called it big mouthed." Ginny joked.
"How about you, Cho, any plans after the defeat of Voldemort," Bill asked.
"I was thinking of staying with the Dark Aurors, I like the job." Cho said sheepishly.
"That's wonderful dear; we need more witches in that Department." Molly said, reassuringly.
"How about you Molly, the children are grown, any plans on teaching?" Harry asked. "I think you'd make a great teacher." He added.
"You really think so, dear. I always liked teaching, but I wouldn't know what to teach." She said.
"How about Defense Against the Dark Arts, I could show you a few things." Harry pointed out.
"I don't know." Molly said, pondering the suggestion.
"I think it's a great idea." Arthur agreed. "You should teach. You've been working around the house for too long. Harry's right, the children are grown, and you'd make a fabulous teacher." Arthur continued.
"If you think it would be all right?" Molly said to Arthur.
"I really do Molly, I really do." Arthur said seriously.
"Then I'll do it, I'll talk to Dumbledore during the Christmas Holidays." Molly resolved.
"Excellent." Harry said.
"Um Harry, does that mean I'll have my mother as a teacher next year?" Ginny asked tentatively.
"Not if she teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts, remember, you're in Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts." Harry explained.
"But there will probably be no Advanced Defense next year; most of the higher ranking Dark Aurors are leaving this year." Ginny argued.
"Well then, maybe I'll teach it next year." Harry joked.
"And that would be better?" Ginny asked.
"Sure it would, you'd be sleeping with the teacher." George added.
Everyone laughed; even Bill found it amusing.
The rest of the week passed uneventfully, both school for Ginny, and the private instructions Harry was giving went smoothly. When Friday rolled around, Ginny could hardly bare her tests, the only thing she looked forward to was going home to Harry and Cindy.
Just after the last class, Ginny sought out Neville.
"Neville," she called out to him in the hallway.
"Oh, hi Ginny," Neville greeted her. "How were the O.W.L's?" Neville asked.
"A nightmare, I'm just so glad it's the weekend. Are you coming over this weekend?" She asked.
"Are you kidding? Miss out on Dobby and Winky's cooking, never." Neville said smiling.
"Where are you going Neville?" They heard a voice behind them.
"Oh, Luna, just an errand for Dumbledore," Neville lied.
"Are you going to see Harry?" She asked.
"Yes we are, would you like to come?" Ginny answered, making Neville stare.
"For dinner," she asked.
"For the whole weekend," Ginny clarified.
"Ok." Luna answered distractedly.
"Won't anybody miss you?" Neville asked concerned.
"No, they never notice me." She said, leaving.
"Meet us here in fifteen minutes." Ginny called after her.
"What are you doing? Harry's going to be livid." Neville said.
"I doubt it." Ginny said simply.
Ginny made her way quickly to Dumbledore's office, when she entered, the Headmaster greeted her in his typical pleasant manner.
"Mrs. Potter, have a seat." He beckoned. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, Harry has already agreed, so I was wondering, can Luna visit the castle from time to time?" She asked quickly.
"Are you sure Harry doesn't mind?" Dumbledore asked, with a knowing glance.
"Yes I'm sure. He thinks Luna telling everyone will only help his case, especially if she spouts out details." Ginny explained.
"Most ingenious, I must say." Dumbledore said laughing. "I guess there won't be a problem." He added.
"Can she come for the weekend?" Ginny added quickly.
"Ah, she's already been invited, I still don't see a problem, she has my permission." Dumbledore agreed.
"Thank you sir," Ginny said, leaving the office.
When the three were ready, half an hour later, Ginny and Neville took one of Luna's arms each, and apparated to the front of Potter Castle. They walked up to the door, and rather than just walking in, Ginny rang the bell.
"Ginny dear, why are you ringing the bell?" Molly asked, and then saw Luna. "Oh, I see, come in." She said warmly.
"Luna Lovegood, this is my mother, Molly Weasley." Ginny introduced her.
"Hello, pleased to meet you." She said in her singsong voice.
"Hello Luna." Molly said, looking strangely at Luna.
"Luna's my girlfriend." Neville declared.
"How lovely dear." She said smiling.
They all walked to the library where Harry was sitting behind his desk.
"Luna! Welcome to Potter Castle." Harry said, walking up to her and giving her a small kiss.
"Hello Harry." She said smiling.
"How's your dad?" Harry asked.
"Fine, thank you for asking," she answered, sitting down on one of the cushy arm chairs in the library.
"Luna wanted to spend the weekend, I didn't think you minded." Ginny said, hugging Harry.
"Certainly not, Luna is always welcome in my house." Harry said pleasantly.
"Harry, you really don't mind?" Neville whispered.
"No, of course not, I meant what I said, she's always welcome." Harry whispered back.
"Thank you Harry." Luna said, obviously overhearing the whisper.
They sat and talked for a while, until dinner was served. The house was full of people again, and Harry was thrilled. Luna, for the first time Harry had ever seen, seemed almost talkative.
As the main course was about to come out, the castle bell rang.
"Who could that be?" Molly asked, standing.
She walked over to the door, when she answered it; she almost fell back in surprise.
"Severus? What are you doing here?" Molly asked, stepping aside to let him in.
"The headmaster believes I should come here for training." Snape said in his usual tone.
"What kind of training?" Molly asked.
"There have been giants spotted around several wizarding communities in Europe; Dumbledore feels I should be trained to stop them. But as far as I know, one wizard can hardly handle one giant, let alone several." Snape said, obviously not believing Dumbledore.
"That's fine, have you eaten?" Molly asked pleasantly.
"I'm fine." Snape said impatiently.
"Nonsense, come to the dinner table there's plenty. We're having prime rib tonight." Molly offered.
"Where are we, a safe house?" Snape ignored Molly.
"The safest house," Arthur said, apparently looking for Molly.
"Minister," Snape greeted him.
"Severus." Arthur answered back, matching his tone perfectly.
"Whose castle is this?" Snape asked.
"Well, come to the dinner table, and you'll find out." Molly answered shortly.
When Snape entered the Dining Hall, the first person her saw was Neville.
"Mr. Longbottom, outside school grounds, I guess that's fifty points from Gryffindor, and a week's detention." Snape said icily.
"We have permission." Ginny interrupted.
"Ah, Miss Weasley, another fifty points from Gryffindor." Snape said smiling.
"It's Mrs. Potter, Professor." Ginny corrected him.
"That would require a Mr. Potter." Snape argued.
"Then you should turn around." Ginny snapped.
Snape turned to find himself nose to nose with Harry.
"How nice to see you again Severus," Harry said as icily as Snape.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, I see the news of your death has been overrated." Snape snapped.
"You know me Severus, always looking for publicity." Harry said sarcastically.
"Indeed." Snape agreed.
"Please, sit, have something to eat. Welcome to Potter Castle." Harry said warmly.
"The Headmaster has asked me to receive training against giants, you wouldn't by chance know who he wanted me to receive training from, do you?" Snape asked knowingly.
"Giants, that would probably be me. I may have a spell or two to help you out there. By the end of the weekend you should be able to master them." Harry said smiling.
"Ah Severus, you arrived before me, welcome." Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I presume you know everybody here." He added.
"As well as I'd like." Snape said coldly.
"Severus please, have you met Annie and Peggy Weasley?" Harry asked, pointing at the Weasley girls.
Snape turned to them; his eyes fell on Peggy. "Have we met before?" Snape asked.
"You look familiar." Peggy responded.
"What about that boating thing you did, didn't you say you met someone who fit his description." Annie whispered in her ear.
"That's it!" She exclaimed. "I took a boating class with your uncle, you were there." Peggy explained.
Suddenly Snape remembered Peggy vividly in her small bikini and long, flowing red hair. "Oh yes, I remember now, nice to see you again." Snape said, actually sounding pleased.
Harry remembered that in one of the other timelines, Snape and Peggy had met the same way, and eventually married.
"A toast, to friends and family," Harry said standing. They all did the same.
After Cindy was put to bed, Harry used the opportunity to help love blossom, he decided to take them all on an evening boat ride. He led them all down to his marina and boarded the newest addition to his navy, the "Lady Molly, a forty meter sailing vessel with four staterooms, and two crew cabins."
When Molly saw the name, she began to cry.
"That is so sweet Harry, you named her after me." She sobbed, hugging Harry in her motherly fashion.
"Care to take command." Harry offered to Snape. He almost smiled.
"Prepare to cast off Mr. Potter." He commanded.
Harry smiled. "Aye sir," he said, releasing all the lines.
The Lady Molly carried her crew and passengers around the Whitsunday islands with ease. Snape kept barking out orders, and Harry and Peggy followed them without question. Snape was obviously an experienced sailor, but what surprised Snape, was that Harry was also.
They dropped anchor two kilometers east of Long Island. Potter Castle was like a beacon in the night, shining light in all directions from its four turrets. The passengers and crew mustered on the deck, and began talking amongst themselves. Harry noticed immediately that Snape and Peggy were missing.
Ginny snuggled up to Harry, as they sat under the stars. Bill and Cho seemed particularly close and friendly; Luna and Neville were whispering quietly, even Molly and Arthur were sitting dangerously close.
"Sure beets training." Harry announced.
"It would if there were any available babes." Fred argued.
"Yeah, where's the single's club." George agreed.
"I'll show you tomorrow." Harry promised.
"But you'll only SHOW them." Ginny warned, everybody laughed.
"Of course, Ginny dear," Harry said in his best Arthur Weasley voice.
"Take me too, I need some fun." Tonks added.
"And me." Annie agreed.
"Not me, too long in the tooth." Dumbledore joked.
When the boat finally pulled into the marina, it was way passed one in the morning. Harry secured the boat, and they all made their way inside. Harry had Dobby show Luna an available room, Dumbledore went back to Hogwarts, and the rest all went to bed.
The next day was filled with training for Neville and Snape. Harry worked them hard, because he knew, at best; they would only come on weekends. By the time Saturday was over, Snape was able to use the Agriva Chocle spell, the choking spell for use against the giants, and Neville was able to use it once.
That evening, Harry escorted everyone to the yacht. He informed the twins, Annie, and Tonks that they would be dropped off at a local resort that had a great nightclub, and they would return by two in the morning. Harry ensured the club was all muggle, so none of them would be recognized.
Before reaching the island, they all gathered for dinner. Winky had prepared a small feast, and they ate happily on the yacht. By eight o'clock, the twins, Annie and Tonks had been dropped off, and the yacht was back at sea.
Harry, surprised them all, by taking them back to Long Island, and leading them to the beach. There were blankets and towels waiting for them when they arrived, and a large fire was burning in a makeshift pit.
They gathered around, Snape and Peggy went on their own private walk, while the others lay on the blankets.
"Do they look serious Arthur?" Molly asked nervously.
"I think they're just enjoying each others company." Arthur speculated.
"How can anyone enjoy Snape's company?" Ginny asked indignantly.
"Snape's not so bad, once you get used to him." Harry said.
"I'm sorry; did I just hear Harry Potter say that Snape's not bad?" Molly asked.
"He's not, it's just no one has ever taken the time to befriend him, not his schoolmates, not his workmates, not even his students. If you were treated as poorly, you'd be the same way." Harry explained.
"Oh, I know, I just didn't think you knew." Molly clarified.
"You're not worried about Peggy, are you mum?" Ginny asked.
"No dear, not really worried, just, concerned." Molly answered.
By the end of the night, or more accurately, by the morning, they all made their way to the castle. Cindy, who stayed behind under Dobby's care, was sound asleep in the library. Dobby, who must have spent the entire night chasing Cindy, was lying next to her. Harry laughed.
"Look Ginny, adventures in babysitting." Harry joked.
Sunday dawned bright and clear, Harry was already down in the training room when Neville and Snape arrived. He was no nonsense; he ran them through the Agriva Chocle spell until they were both on par then ran them through the killing spell, the Agriva Fiola spell. By the evening meal, both Snape and Neville would be able to handle themselves against any and all giants.
"How many times do you have to use the Chocle spell to disable a giant?" Snape asked Harry during dinner.
"One, actually one can disable many giants, but the Fiola spell is one giant at a time." Harry explained candidly.
"Excuse me Mr. Potter; did you say the Chocle spell can take out many giants?" Snape asked for clarification.
"Yeah, I've seen it disable ten giants at once, but I caution you, I was reluctant to teach it to anybody because I know wizards hate giants, and it would be entirely easy to wipe out the species if all wizards knew the spell. So if you don't mind, try to keep this one private." Harry said.
"That would indeed be wise Harry." Snape said respectfully.
Harry still couldn't get over Snape using his first name, it just wasn't natural.
"I must be leaving." Snape announced. "The Slytherins have probably destroyed their common room by now. He added standing.
"I'll walk you out." Peggy added.
Snape actually bid a farewell to all the people in the room, Harry had to stifle a laugh when he said goodbye to Luna, who just stared blankly at him.
"Nice guy." Peggy said, after she returned from walking Snape out.
"Yes he is." Harry agreed honestly.
"Sis, you're nuts, Snape is the most evil, single minded prat we have ever met." George declared.
"Totally nutters, Snape has ruined both our lives." Fred agreed.
"Well, I like him, he's sweet." Peggy said with conviction.
"Seriously like him?" Ginny asked. All eyes turned to Peggy.
"Um, yes," she answered blushing.
"I'm happy for you Peggy." Harry said standing and giving his sister in law a kiss on the cheek.
The rest of the evening was spent on Snape bashing by the twins, and Peggy and Harry defending him. Harry knew Peggy had strong feelings for Snape, so he made every attempt to compliment him throughout the meal.
"Thanks Harry." Peggy whispered to him as they were all going to bed.
"My pleasure, I'm just happy Severus is happy. He could use some happiness in his life, and nothing beats a Weasley girl." Harry said, making Peggy blush.
"Thanks again." She said, kissing him on the cheek.