Christmas approached with blinding speed. The Death Eaters had made several attempts at muggle targets, only to be foiled by one or more Dark Aurors. Both Ron and Hermione had by that point made the cover of Witch Weekly, as did Neville and the Unas clan leader Mktor. Voldemort had been seen on several occasions, giving Harry and the rest the idea that the plan was working.
On the 20th of December, Harry had cancelled all training for the holidays, so as to include Cindy's birthday on the 21st. Harry prepared an elaborate party that was to include all of the friends and family that knew he was alive.
Summer was in full swing in Australia, the sun was shining, the water was seasonably warm, and the castle was buzzing early on the 21st. Cindy thought she would be the first one down the stairs that morning, but was happy to see her father adding the finishing touches on the birthday decorations.
"Hi daddy," she yelled coming down the stairs.
"Happy birthday Cindy," Harry said, taking his daughter into a tight embrace.
"Can I open my presents now?" She asked expectantly.
"No, not until the party later," He said smiling.
"Oh, ok," she said disappointedly.
Ginny was the third one down the stairs that day, she was wearing a bikini with a long see-through shirt over it.
"Going to the beach Gin?" Harry asked.
"Of course, have you seen how beautiful it is today?" Ginny asked in an obvious tone.
"You know, everyone at Hogwarts is going to start wondering how you maintain that tan when it's winter in Europe." Harry said playfully.
"And they'd really wonder how it is that I have no tan line." Ginny added.
"I won't tell if you won't." Harry continued, making Ginny laugh.
"Are you coming Cindy?" Ginny asked her.
"Ok, I'll go get my bathing suit." Cindy said, running up the stairs.
Harry spent the remainder of the morning planning Cindy's birthday party and directing the residents of the castle to the beach for a swim. By lunch all but Harry, Dumbledore and Arthur had resolved to go to the beach.
Harry was discussing the recent events with Arthur and Albus, neither he nor they were particularly concerned with the recent attacks but all agreed Voldemort would soon attack himself, and the Dark Aurors wouldn't be able to stop him.
"If he attacks Albus, only Harry can face him and survive." Arthur said.
"Perhaps, but there are alternatives to fighting him," Albus explained.
"Like advance apparition." Harry added.
"Exactly, most of the Dark Aurors have been trained in advance apparition; they can simply remove those in danger and apparate away." Albus explained further.
"So when do you anticipate trapping Voldemort?" Arthur asked tentatively.
"The Vernal Equinox, his powers will be at full strength, and he'll fear nothing or nobody." Harry answered calmly.
"How and where to you plan to lure him?" Arthur asked.
I'll lure him by assembling every Ministry official and their families in one place, as to the where I still need permission." Harry answered somewhat vaguely.
"You mean Hogwarts." Albus added.
"Yes sir I do. The Quidditch pitch to be exact. I want to have enough seating put in to accommodate all the guests, and then I want to lure Riddle by announcing publicly that they'll all be there." Harry explained.
"Why Hogwarts," Arthur asked.
"If I'm not mistaken Harry, you need a location they cannot get to prior to the designated time." Albus surmised.
"Exactly, Hogwarts has too many wards on it to give them any opportunities prior to the actual event." Harry concurred.
"And what will this event be?" Arthur continued his barrage of questions.
"The Harry Potter Memorial," Harry said with a smile.
"Oh, I like it, if anything will draw Voldemort out, it's a Harry Potter memorial." Arthur said laughing.
"I was personally thinking of a bronze statue, what do you think Albus?" Harry asked jokingly.
"I'm not sure Harry, shouldn't it be gold?" Albus asked with a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face.
"Gold it is." Arthur declared. "We'll announce in March of the erection of the Harry Potter Memorial, a ten meter tall gold statute, in front of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Arthur said smiling. The others laughed out loud.
"And what is all this happiness I hear?" Ginny asked, entering the room.
"Just business Ginny, just business." Arthur answered.
"Well, enough business, there is a six year old girl who is in dire need of gifts waiting in the ball room." Ginny said, dragging Harry off his chair.
As Harry, Albus and Arthur were walking out of the library; Snape entered and walked up to Arthur.
"May I have a word Minister?" Snape asked as coldly as ever.
Harry, Ginny and Albus all continued on to Cindy's party while Arthur remained to talk to Snape.
Harry had again altered the ball room into a meadow, the trees were decorated in a combination of magical and muggle decorations, a better party location did not exist.
There were party games, food, cake, and most importantly, gifts. Cindy was being spoiled rotten by Harry; he made sure everyone had given her three gifts each. Sirius spent the most time playing with Cindy, Harry had the distinct impression that he was enjoying himself more than she was.
Just prior to the opening of gifts, Peggy walked up to Harry and whispered in his ear.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" She asked politely.
"Sure Peggy, where would you like to go?" He asked back in a whisper.
"The library," she said, and Harry followed her out.
When he walked back into the library, Arthur and Molly were talking to Snape.
"Hey, only one party at a time," Harry joked.
"Harry, I wanted to ask you a favor." Snape said.
"Of course Severus, anything," Harry responded.
"Peggy has agreed to be my wife." Snape blurted out.
"Congratulations," Harry exclaimed. "What ever you want is yours." Harry added.
"I, that is to say, we want you to marry us." Snape said suddenly.
"Me, how can I marry you?" Harry asked.
"You do own two motor yachts and a sailing yacht don't you?" Snape asked back.
Harry suddenly realized he was the master of all his vessels. "It would be an honor to preside over the ceremony." Harry declared.
Snape shook Harry's hand as did Arthur, Molly and Peggy each gave him a kiss on either cheek.
"We're going to announce it tonight, after Cindy goes to bed." Peggy said, as she took Snape's hand and left the library.
"They don't want to take the limelight away from Cindy." Molly clarified as she and Arthur walked passed.
By eight o'clock the party was winding down, Cindy had opened all but her father's gifts. She walked over to the small, neatly wrapped package sitting on the gift table.
"What is it daddy?" She asked as she surveyed the package.
"Just a little something I had made up." Harry said smiling.
When she opened the box that was wrapped in pink and blue paper, she saw a locket in the shape of a winged lion, she opened the locket to reveal a magical picture of Harry, Ginny and Cindy on the wedding day, and a muggle picture of Harry and Cindy in front of Potter Castle.
"So you'll always remember your family." Harry said smiling.
"Daddy I love it, it's beautiful." Cindy said, running to show Ginny.
Cindy was ushered to bed shortly thereafter. The house elves magically cleaned the ball room, and Harry had everyone retire to the library.
"That was a beautiful locket Harry, any special secrets?" Hermione asked.
"No, just a simple locket, no special features either magical or otherwise." Harry said.
Harry secretly had Dobby and Winky prepare his best champagne and enough glasses for all in anticipation of Snape's and Peggy's announcement.
"Everyone, may I have your attention." Arthur exclaimed, causing everyone to look at him. "I know you must have thought Molly and I were crazy when we allowed, recommended actually, that Harry and Ginny wed, but there is no greater feeling in the world than to escort your daughter down the aisle. It seems I may have that distinct honor once again." He paused for effect. "Severus has asked for Peggy's hand in marriage, Molly and I have given our blessing." He declared.
The room exploded with congratulations for the happy couple. None would have believed it, but Snape actually look happy.
Arthur waited for the room to quiet once again. "The happy day has been set for the 26th of December, Boxing Day. The ceremony will be held on the sailing yacht Lady Molly just along side of this island. Our black haired son will preside over the ceremony." Arthur waited for that to sink in.
"Harry's going to marry them?" Hermione blurted out.
"Yes. Harry agreed to marry them earlier today which is why it's being held on the Lady Molly. Now, Severus and Peggy have something they'd like to say." Arthur concluded, motioning to his middle daughter.
"Thank you all for your kind wishes. I would like to formally ask my sister Annie if she would do me the honor of being my maid of honor." She said aloud.
"I would love to." Annie cried as she hugged her sister tightly.
"Everyone knows I've always been a loner." Snape began. "The closest person I've ever had to a friend has always been Albus Dumbledore, so Albus would you do Peggy and me the honor of being my best man?" Snape asked.
"Severus, I have always known you to be an upstanding individual, and though I haven't done this in a good many years, it would be an honor to stand as your best man." Albus said.
"There you have it folks, the future Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape." Arthur said.
The room exploded with applause.
Christmas day was another beautiful day in the Whitsunday islands of Queensland Australia. The sky was free of even fair weather clouds, and birds could be heard as far as the mainland. Cindy was sitting on the floor of the library, tearing open all the gifts with her name on them. Harry sat there smiling, taking solace in the fact that if he couldn't have had the perfect Christmas when he was young, Cindy most certainly would.
No one else was stirring yet, Harry assumed either they chose to stay in bed, or they were just sleeping late on purpose, but either way he was happy to be alone with Cindy.
Ginny walked into the library carrying a cup of tea for herself and a cup of coffee for Harry.
"I see there's just no controlling this gift monger." Ginny said smiling.
"Yeah I might be spoiling her this time of year." Harry answered smiling.
"Happy Christmas Gin," Harry said, kissing Ginny deeply.
"Happy Christmas my love," she answered back.
Slowly but surely everyone started filing in, Arthur and Molly were among the first, they were upset to find out Cindy had started opening up her gifts. Once they all were present, Harry began handing out the gifts. Cindy, who was done with hers, began hovering over everybody else while they opened their presents.
Breakfast was served in the library so everyone could continue opening their presents. Harry secretly wished he had spent Christmases like this when he was young.
When the presents were all opened, and the wrappings lay on the floor, they all went back upstairs to dress for the day.
Harry noticed that Draco was purposely waiting for the room to empty, so Harry waited as well.
"Can I talk to you Harry?" Draco asked.
"Sure mate, what's up?" Harry asked back.
"You know I've had a thing for a muggle girl, right?" He asked.
"Yeah," Harry said.
"The night of Cindy's party I met with her again. I finally told her I was a wizard." Draco said.
"And," Harry pressed.
"And she's ok with it. She still wants to be with me." Draco added.
"That's great mate." Harry said, patting him on the back.
"I was wondering if I could bring her to the wedding tomorrow." Draco said.
"I have no objections. If you trust her, than I trust her." Harry said smiling.
"Thanks mate, I really appreciate it." Draco said, shaking Harry's hand.
"Is she staying the night, or are you bringing her home?" Harry asked.
"If you don't mind, I'd like her to stay through New Years." Draco answered.
"Sure, no problem with me, but won't her parents mind?" Harry questioned.
"She lives at the university, she's of age." Draco said.
"Bring her along." Harry said smiling.
"Thanks again." Draco said, turning to leave.
The remainder of the day was spent on preparing for Christmas dinner, and preparing for the wedding on Boxing Day.
During lunch Cho ran into the dining hall and whispered into Arthur's ear. Arthur stood, nodded to Harry and Albus, and walked out. Harry and Albus nodded to each other, and followed him out.
"What's happened Arthur?" Albus asked as they entered the library.
"Voldemort attacked the house of a Ministry member." Arthur said.
"Who's house?" Harry asked.
"Mine." Arthur answered honestly.
"The burrow, what happened?" Harry pressed.
"Apparently he found a way to bypass the wards I had on my home, but that's not all, he also destroyed the headquarters of the Order." Arthur added.
"Anything else," Albus asked.
"Witnesses say he was livid, no people in either house." Arthur said sounding jovial.
Harry could barely contain his laughter.
"How do you think he found those places?" Arthur asked.
"I have my suspicions." Albus said in his usual cryptic manor.
"You don't think it was Percy, do you?" Arthur asked.
"I do, but the question remains, did he inform Riddle by choice or under duress." Albus explained.
"I know Percy's ambitious, but I would never suspect him of betraying his family, besides, he didn't know where the headquarters were." Arthur added.
"Unless someone told him," Harry piped in.
"What are you thinking Harry?" Albus asked him.
"Molly. She was most distraught when Percy had the falling out with the family, she could have innocently told him where they were." Harry explained.
Arthur did not know what to think. Was Percy a traitor, or was he being tortured, either way it wasn't looking good.
"We need to find Percy." Arthur declared.
"I know where he is." Harry said softly.
"What did you say Harry?" Albus asked.
"I know where he is." Harry said, raising his voice.
"How would you know that?" Arthur asked.
"He's wearing a special ring, a tracking ring." Harry said.
"How do you know he still has it?" Albus asked.
"Because if it ever removed an alarm sounds in my war room," Harry answered.
"What war room Harry?" Albus pressed.
"I have a secret room in the castle that not even Ginny knows about, there I can track and monitor every one of my friends and family, as well as every Dark Auror." Harry explained.
"May we see this war room?" Arthur asked.
"Follow me gentlemen." Harry directed them to one of the farthest bookcases, waved his hand in front of it, and it opened.
Inside Arthur and Albus saw a huge map of Europe, displayed on it were hundreds of little green dots with labels showing who each one was, not unlike the Marauders Map. Harry pointed to London where a green dot labeled Percy was stationary. Harry touched the dot, and the map zoomed in to that location. They saw Percy was in a building on the east side of the city.
"He's unharmed." Harry declared.
"How do you know?" Arthur asked.
"Because if he were being harmed his dot would be yellow, if he were near Riddle then his dot would be blue." Harry explained.
"And if he were dead?" Arthur pressed.
"Then the dot would be red." Harry continued.
"So you think he's told them of his own free will." Arthur stated.
"No, they could have used Veritus serum. That would not show up on the map." Harry answered him.
"Someone has to go there." Albus added.
"And it can't be a family member." Harry agreed.
"Why not a family member," Arthur asked.
"Because Arthur, if he's chosen the wrong side, a family member might take matters into their own hands," Albus explained.
"I'll go, and I'll take Neville with me. He's the most advanced apparator we have." Harry said.
"Go now Harry, I need to know." Arthur pressed.
They emerged from the war room immediately thereafter. Harry instructed Dobby to bring Neville into the library, and he waited.
Neville was there within moments.
"Neville, we have a mission." Harry said.
"Command me Harry." Neville said without a hint of doubt.
Harry quickly explained the situation to Neville. The plan was to remain apparated until they could evaluate the situation.
When they apparated to where Percy was, they found they were in an abandoned dungeon, Percy was in one of the cells, shackled to the cold stone wall. Harry looked around and saw an empty bottle of Veritus serum on the floor.
Percy's eyes were unfocussed, his head was bobbing from one side to another, and it was obvious that the Death Eaters had given him the entire bottle.
While still apparated, Harry instructed Neville to take him to a secure level of Potter Castle and told him to have the house elves nurse him back to health. Harry was to remain to see who was responsible.
Harry made himself invisible and walked up to one of the upper levels where he saw a group of Death Eaters talking to Bellatrix Lestrange via the floo network.
"The Dark Lord has determined he has outlived his usefulness, kill Weasley." She commanded and vanished from the fireplace.
"It's about time too I was sick and tired of hearing that brat whine about everything." The larger Death Eater said to another one.
"I don't think you're going to kill anybody." A half visible Harry said.
"It's Potter's ghost!" The youngest Death Eater, whom Harry recognized as one of the students he used to play Quidditch against, exclaimed.
Harry just waved his hand and all the Death Eater began choking, a moment later they were all dead, Harry simply apparated home.
Harry went straight to the secure level of the castle; Neville, Dobby and Winky were standing around Percy's bed.
"What do you think Winky?" Harry asked.
"Too much potion, needs anti-potion." Winky explained.
"Do we have any?" Harry asked.
"Yes master, Rhimi is getting some now." Winky said.
"Is he still under Veritus serum?" Harry asked.
"Yes master Harry." Winky answered.
Harry turned to Percy. He began questioning him about his time as a spy. Apparently Percy had been supplying the Death Eaters with misinformation for months until they caught on to him two weeks before. They had him shackled in that dungeon feeding him only Veritus serum. Harry felt satisfaction in his decision to kill the Death Eaters.
Harry went back to the Christmas party, evidently Arthur had told them about the Burrow, and that Harry had gone to check on some things. When Harry walked in to the dining hall, he nodded again to Arthur and Albus, and walked to the library.
"What did you find out?" Arthur asked impatiently.
"As I suspected Veritus serum," Harry said.
"Is he all right?" Arthur pressed.
"He'll be fine by morning; they've been feeding him an endless supply of the potion." Harry explained.
Arthur got a hard look on his face. "I hope they won't be doing that to anybody else, ever." Arthur said coldly.
"Don't worry Arthur, I made sure of it." Harry assured him.
"Can I see him?" Arthur asked.
"Of course, Dobby will show you where he is. Dobby," Harry called.
"Yes master Harry?" Dobby asked.
"Please show the Minister where Percy is." Harry instructed him.
"Yes master Harry." Dobby said, leading Arthur out.
"Albus, can you please tell Molly." Arthur said as he was leaving.
"Of course Arthur," Albus responded.
Percy was moved to Arthur and Molly's room in the castle. Arthur wanted to ensure Percy would feel at home when he woke up. Arthur was joined by Molly, Bill, Charlie and the girls; they sat in the kitchen of the duplicate Burrow.
"Ok Winky, wake him up." Arthur commanded.
Percy began to stir.
"Percy dear, its mum," Molly said softly.
Percy opened his eyes and stared at his mother. A look of utmost terror moved across his face.
"Mum, dad, Voldemort; he knows about the Burrow!" Percy exclaimed while attempting to get up.
"It's all right dear." Molly soothed him.
"The family's in danger!" Percy screamed trying to get his parents attention.
"Son, no one is in danger, you're safe." Arthur said.
"But Voldemort knows of the Burrow, he could be here any minute." Percy pressed.
"No son, not here." Arthur said softly.
"Relax little brother, we're all fine." Bill said, walking into Percy's line of sight.
Percy sat up and looked around, though he was still disoriented, he noticed he was lying on the couch in the sitting room of his childhood home.
"I don't understand, I heard the Death Eaters say they were going to destroy the Burrow." Percy said, looking around.
"They did son." Arthur said quietly.
"But we're here." Percy said confused.
"This isn't the Burrow son, it's our safe house. It has been enchanted to look just like the Burrow, views and all." Arthur told Percy.
Percy looked around confused; he could not grasp how this place was not the Burrow. The smells, the books, everything was as he remembered it.
"If this isn't the Burrow, then where are we?" Percy asked his father.
"I can't answer that yet, but I can tell you we're not even in Britain, as a matter of fact, we're not even in Europe." Arthur answered, allowing Harry his anonymity.
"Am I allowed to leave?" Percy asked.
"Of course Percy, you're not a prisoner." Ginny answered. "And if you really feel the need to know, you're in my castle." Ginny continued.
"Your castle, you have a castle?" Percy asked even more confused.
"Yes Percy, and if you like, I'll take you on a tour." Ginny said smiling. "Dobby," she called out. Dobby appeared instantly. "Please bring the enchanted chair." Ginny told the elf, who bowed and popped back out.
"We enchanted a floating chair so you don't have to get up." Molly clarified.
Dobby returned moments later, and Arthur, Bill and Charlie helped Percy onto it. Ginny pushed him out the door of the room, and out onto the corridor. She continued wheeling him down to the main floor and into the dining hall where the rest, except for Harry, were congregating.
"Hello Percy," Dumbledore greeted him. The rest followed suit.
"This castle is huge; it has a room enchanted to look like the Burrow." Percy was telling Fred.
"We know Perce; we've been living here for a while." Fred answered.
"And Ginny owns it?" He asked for clarification.
"Yeah, you believe it?" George added smiling.
Percy caught sight of Snape, Percy almost turned white.
"Professor Snape, hello sir." Percy said nervously.
"Mr. Weasley, I hear you held your own with the Death Eaters, adequate work." Snape said.
"High praise indeed," Dumbledore said, making them all laugh.
"Well Peggy, looks like you'll have the whole family for your wedding." Ginny said happily.
"Wedding, what wedding, who are you marrying?" Percy asked.
"I'm marrying Severus." Peggy answered, giving Snape a quick hug.
"You're what?" Percy questioned again.
"Mr. Weasley, I think I find that insulting." Snape said in a cold, hard voice.
"I'm sorry Professor, but this is quite a shock." Percy clarified.
"Well if my marrying your older sister comes as a shock, then I guess hearing that your younger sister is already married must be even worse." Snape said with a hint of satisfaction.
"What did you say?" He asked.
"He said I'm married, and I am." Ginny said.
"To whom are you married?" Percy asked indignantly.
"Harry Potter." Fred answered for her.
"Harry Potter, but he's dead." Percy said angrily.
"Am I, Percy, well if that were true, than you're dead also. Before I left your prison, I heard the Death Eaters were going to kill you." Harry said, entering the room.
"Harry," Percy started and then turned to Arthur. "What is going on here?" He demanded.
Arthur and Molly spent the better part of Christmas night explaining everything that had been happening within the inner circle. By eleven o'clock that evening, Percy was up to speed, and they all gathered in the library to discuss all that Percy had seen and heard.
"I never saw anybody higher than Bellatrix Lestrange but I did hear some interesting things. Voldemort has been angry over the fact that almost all his Death Eater attacks have been spoiled. He was going to use the Burrow and the Order of the Phoenix headquarters destruction to prove to his followers that he was still powerful." Percy was explaining to the group.
"And now that no one was hurt, it makes it appear that the Dark Aurors are one step ahead of him again." Dumbledore added.
"Not to mention Percy's escape, his followers are going to think he's incompetent." Harry continued for Dumbledore.
"So the question remains what next?" Snape said what they were all thinking.
"Next Severus, we go after Riddle himself." Harry said calmly.
"He's very powerful Harry, he won't be easy to defeat." Percy explained.
"Perhaps, but I'll lure him out on the summer solstice." Harry said flatly, getting strange looks from Arthur and Albus.
"The solstice would definitely be an interesting time." Dumbledore said, trying to read Harry's expression.
"It certainly will Albus, what do you think Arthur?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I see its significance." Arthur answered.
Without saying a word, Harry managed to get across to Arthur and Albus his sudden concerns about Percy.
"But where would you set this trap?" Dumbledore asked.
"I was thinking the Ministry; he has no problem showing himself there." Harry said, showing no emotion.
"Yes, I agree Harry." Dumbledore said smiling.
"And you Arthur, do you agree?" Dumbledore asked, referring to Percy and not to the location.
"I'll need time to evaluate it; I'll give you a more definitive answer next month." Arthur gave a political response.
"We'll talk at another time, for now, we should retire for the evening, tomorrow's a big day." Dumbledore said, referring to the wedding.
"Indeed." Arthur agreed.
They all made their way to their respective bedrooms. Dumbledore gave Harry a knowing look before retiring. The next day will be a day of celebration.