Chapter 7

-0-

-0-

-0-

Back at Hogwarts...

Albus sat back in his high back chair. "Mr. Weasley, I am so very glad that you have finally come around."

"I should have said something sooner, but I was hurting too much. For the longest time, Hermione was the only woman for me. But like Harry once told me, that things never end up like we want them to. It shouldn't have taken me so long to see what was really happening around me. But it did. Just blame me being for being stubborn."

"You wouldn't be the son of Molly Prewett Weasley, if you weren't so stubborn, Ronald," Minerva stated, a small smirk evident on her face.

"What should we do then? Ginny is uncontrollable in her pursuit of Harry. I don't know what to do. She's down in the Archives day and night, searching. I've heard others speaking about her, and some have approached me directly."

"Ronald, maybe we should contact your Father. He is still the Head of the Weasley Family, and as the husband of the Regent of the Prewett Family, he would also be in control of finding marriage contracts --for both families."

"I had thought of that, but, I--I mean, my brothers and I--had been hoping we could bring her under control without upsetting Mum and Dad."

"I think it has gone beyond their control. Let's fire call your Father and explain the situation. I fear if we don't act soon, she will be on the next portkey to America looking for Harry."

Ron nodded, looking worried. Albus rose and approached the fireplace in the corner of his office.

At the Hotel...

As the convention dinner was breaking up, Harry made his way over towards Em and Oliver, shedding his suit jacket, to help in the clean up, "What do you need me to do?"

"Don't worry about it, Harry." Oliver began. "Everything is done. Why don't you take that friend of yours somewhere and have some fun."

"It's Superhero Night at Babylon." Emmett piped in, giving his most winning smile as he waggled his eyebrows. "That should be fun."

Harry closed his eyes and shuddered. "Eww. I'm not into the super hero scene." He mumbled, as he slipped his suit jacket back on.

"Indeed." Severus gave Harry an understanding look. "Let us go for a stroll, Harry. We can talk." He turned to the other men and inclined his head. "Good evening, gentlemen. Safe travel."

Taking Harry's elbow, he guided the younger man through the main lobby and out the front doors of the hotel. The cool evening air felt wonderful on Harry's heated cheeks.

Harry linked his arm with Severus' as they strolled past the chic storefronts, away from the Hotel. "Do you often think that things happen for reasons beyond our control? I mean, I was all set to spend my life with Draco and that was ripped away from me. Now he and Hermione are very happy and awaiting their first child.. or children. She won't tell me."

"One would think, after everything you have been through because of the Dar--Voldemort, in your brief life, you would not feel a need to ask that particular question." Severus replied smoothly, no reprisal evident in his tone.

"Once in awhile, going over one's life and realizing that it's a good life even though it's not what one had planned is a good thing. I'm happy doing what I'm doing. Even though, Albus, given his way, would have me teaching Defense, but its not the path I chose. Or had chosen before."

Severus looked at Harry and quirked an eyebrow. "You have evidently spent some time contemplating this. I do agree that one's life rarely becomes exactly as planned, but there are times when something good can grow anew from a painful or disappointing experience."

"I was always someone that the Wizarding World either placed on a pedestal to praise, or hated and scorned. I wasn't normal in either world, Wizard or Muggle. When I left, after the--Ginny fiasco, I didn't have a direction. I just went where I could and ended up here. And here, I found a freedom I never knew. I found my happiness. Here, I can be just me--Harry."

Severus reached over and patted the hand on his arm, as he turned to Harry. "I will admit my failings in falsely assuming you enjoyed the attention, the publicity, and the celebrity status, during your early years. I later learned how wrong I was. And seeing you here. Among these Yankee Muggles. I've had yet more time to truly observe you. And I am truly sorry for my misconceptions and the accompanying treatment. For you are one of the most humble, and caring individuals I have had the fortune to know. Will you forgive me, Harry?"

Harry stopped and turned towards Severus with a small smile on his face. "I forgave you a very long time ago, Severus."

Severus gave Harry a small nod. "Thank you, Harry. That means more to me than you know."

Harry leaned up and whispered, "Hold on, Severus. I'll take us to a nice friendly little place I know, to have a good cuppa."

Severus blinked and remained silent, a wary half-hearted glare on his face. The imp was up to something.

Harry smiled as he closed his eyes, his arm still linked to his companion's, though he gripped it a bit tighter. With a pop, they disappeared to reappear in a dark alley, the sounds of passing traffic and pedestrians close by. Severus looked around, subconsciously sizing up the safety of their surroundings.

"Don't worry, Severus. I've set wards on this alley. No one can see us or enter here. I placed them two years ago when someone tried to attack the mother of one of my friends. She owns the place now."

"Indeed. Very wise."

"You know me. I have a 'hero saving the day' thing. And Debbie reminds me too much of Molly Weasley, to not try to protect her.

"Molly Weasley?"

"Well, Molly with a sarcastic mouth and a wardrobe that reminds me a bit too much of Albus' robes."

Severus' eyebrows lifted, as he went a bit pale. "A frightening thought, indeed."

Harry snickered. He'd had the same reaction when he'd first met Debbie Novotny. She was not someone one would soon forget.

"Come on, Severus. You've faced other Deatheaters. Voldemort. Trelawney. Albus Dumbledore and his lemon sherbets. Randy teenagers... She doesn't bite. Much."

Hogwarts...

Arthur was sitting down for a nice cup of tea when the Floo flared green. Albus Dumbledore stepped out, brushed the soot from his clothes, "Arthur!"

"Albus! To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

"So sorry for not Owling ahead, but I have some things that need yours and Molly's immediate attention. Could you and your wife come to Hogwarts, so we may discuss this in my office, as it is a delicate matter?"

"Molly is just upstairs. I will get her and we will be along shortly."

Albus tipped his head, "Thank you Arthur. See you both shortly."

Arthur watched as the aged Headmaster stepped back through the Floo. He had a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Molly? Molly Love!"

A few minutes later, Arthur and Molly stepped into Albus' office to see comfortable chairs and a fresh tea tray waiting. Ron stepped from the back of the room with Minerva on his arm. "Ronald?"

"Dad! Mum!"

Arthur stared from one face to another. "Ronald, what--"

Albus gestured toward the chairs. "Arthur, Molly, please have a seat and some tea, and Ronald and I will explain."

"Mum. Dad... It's Ginny."

"My baby? What's wrong? Is she hurt?" Molly was becoming frantic.

"Molly, dear. Don't jump to conclusions. Give them a chance to explain everything first."

Ron took a deep breath. "Ginny is out of control, Mum. She's down in the archives at the Ministry searching for Marriage contracts between Harry and anyone in the Prewett or Weasley Family lines, that she can twist for herself! She's determined to still have him!"

"Ginny loves him. She only wants what's best. If Harry would just open his eyes!"

"Molly," Albus began. "Harry doesn't love Ginevra. He never has. Forcing him to marry someone he doesn't love..."

"Ginny has wanted nothing more than Harry all her life, Albus. She's told everyone it would be his parents all over again. It would be perfect."

"Molly, surely you don't believe it is right to force Harry to marry your daughter if he does not return her feelings!" Minerva looked shocked.

Ron frowned and looked at Albus. Something wasn't right. "Dad?"

Arthur was frowning as well. "Molly?"

Ron looked at his mother. "Ginny's obsession is just that. Its an obsession. An unhealthy one. And my brothers agree."

"But they would be so perfect. She told me last night that she's searching the Potter and Evans' lines now."

"Molly!" Arthur snapped. "You knew?! You're feeding this unacceptable behaviour of hers?!"

"Dad? I don't think..." The young red head pulled his wand and with a few wand movements. "A Compulsion Charm. Ginny was always good with them."

Molly shook her head and appeared to be a bit dazed. "Arthur? What happened? Where--" She looked around the room at the others.

"Who better to have on your side, championing your views than your Mother." Albus took off his glasses and cleaned them. "Sorry Molly. We'll begin again from the beginning. What do you remember?"

"I'm not sure..."

Arthur was feeling very angry and just wee bit unsettled. "I can't believe I didn't notice!"

"I remember a scroll arriving at Malfoy manor. After that, things are bit fuzzy. Like I was looking through a window and no one could see me or hear me."

It took about an hour to brief Molly on everything that had happened since that fateful day the marriage contract appeared. When they were finished, Minerva called a house elf to bring a fresh tea tray.

Molly was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "Poor Harry..."

"He's doing well where he has is now, Molly. But Ginevra's continued obsession and the far reaching consequences. She will ruin more lives if we don't stop her soon."

"As the head of the Weasley Family and Molly as the Regent of the Prewett lines, we should find someone appropriate for her to marry. I just never wanted to do that to someone in my family. But in this case, it will be an necessary and safe alternative for all concerned."

"I can help you Arthur. I have some contacts for someone with the magical strength to handle your daughter."

"Dad?" Ron began. "We need to move quickly. It's only a matter of time before she takes a Portkey to the States and begins searching for Harry."

"Ronald is right, Arthur. Molly, maybe you should continue to act accordingly until we can get things under control. She will suspect otherwise, and flee."

"Arthur?" Molly looked nervously at her husband.

"Albus is right, dear. We can't alert Ginny that we know what she is up to. It's best to do as he suggests." He turned to the Headmaster. "How soon do you think we will be able to--contain--her?"

"Dad, the rest of the family is ready to help."

"Well we know she hasn't found any contracts for Weasley's yet--or Prewett's, according to my contacts. If she had, then we would know by now. But to find one for Malfoy, she had to search back five hundred years."

"Maybe we can get Percy to close the Archives?" Ron asked.

"But then she would get restless," Minerva stated, and possibly suspicious.

"Hmmm... true. Perhaps, the order should come from a higher level."

"Madam Bones could keep her busy doing other things. Maybe a Ball? There's one coming up, I believe." Minerva refilled her cup. "I do know they haven't filled the entire committee yet."

Albus clapped his hands. "Splendid idea, Minerva! I shall Owl Minister Bones immediately. Help yourselves to more tea. Lemon drop anyone?"

Arthur sat back in his chair and pondered. How could things have gotten so out of hand? And he not notice? 'She's still my little girl, but she's not the same anymore', he thought to himself.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Debbie was smiling as she watched Harry chatting with his friend from overseas. Quite a dish, that one. But of course, he was gay. She snorted and shook her head. Of course... Couldn't one of her boys bring in a straight man --just once?

But where would be the fun in that. She looked up as the bell over the door jingled. Brian, Justin, Michael and Ted came strolling in, and piled into a booth near the windows. She hurried over, grabbing a few menus on the way.

"Hiya boys! What'll it be?"

"Pancakes, Mom." Michael responded, before Deb could pinch his cheek.

Deb scratched away on the order pad, "Scrambled and blueberry syrup." Michael nodded.

"Eggs and bacon. Over easy and crisp, with wheat toast." Ted smiled.

"Coffee." Brian mumbled, as he checked out the other diners.

She rolled her eyes. He was like a Tomcat in heat. "And what'll you have, Sunshine?"

Justin ignored Brian's wandering eye and leaned into the older man. "Coffee and some lemon bars, Deb."

"Your friends have entered, Harry. And ... Brian? Is staring."

Harry looked back over his shoulder and smirked, as he returned Justin's wave. "That's just Brian, being Brian."

"Well, I have better taste in my... men."

"Oh, he's not so bad, once you get used to him. Justin loved him and he loved Justin, though he'd deny it if confronted. No, he's just the typical gay man-whore. I believe he's slept with men in most of the states, and on several continents. He travels quite a bit."

Severus' eyes widen. "That's not very safe, Harry. That type of lifestyle can lead to diseases and death in the end."

"Brian always practices safe sex. He's dead set against 'barebacking'," Harry got quiet. "Debbie's brother, Michael's uncle, died of AIDS a couple of years ago. She's quite the mother hen and reminds us all the time to practice it. Even gives us boxes of condoms all the time. It can get embarrassing sometimes."

"She, evidently, means well and doesn't want to see any of you suffer." Severus glanced over Harry's shoulder to watch the woman chatting with her son and his friends. "You practice the spells you were taught, yes?"

"Of course, Severus. But I'm not one to sleep around or date someone I don't know. I like dancing and flirting, but that's as far as it goes--most of the time."

"May I ask a question?"

"Of course, but I can't promise you an answer." Harry grinned.

"Fair enough. Have you shared a bed with any of your friends? Barring Brian, of course."

Chuckling, "No. Not even Brian. He tried. But no. I won't come between him and Justin... and well he's a good friend.. but not what I want in a lover. And the others, they make great friends as well."

Severus tapped a long finger against his lips as he studied Harry. "And, what are you looking for in a lover?"

Harry leaned forward and smirked. "Oh, Severus...now that is a loaded question."

Tbc...