Chapter 8: Confrontation in Diagon Alley

When Harry and Ginny entered the next vault, they were again confronted with a series of questions and challenges posed by the portrait of Merlin. He wanted to make sure they were the worthy heirs they claimed to be.

"Well done my children," Merlin said. "You shall become a great wizard and a great witch."

He looked at each with a broad smile.

"I presume you have met your grandfather?"

"Yes sir," Harry said.

"Call me Merlin if you wish. I'm used to it. Your wands in the two holes please."

Harry and Ginny immediately complied, knowing that it would be for their benefit.

Ten minutes later, they walked out again, having vanished another set of books to the library, and then having gotten back more information on their new wands, which were even more powerful now that Merlin's wand core had been split between them.

"You two look like you're having a great time," Hermione said. "How was Merlin?"

"He's a great person," Harry said. "We'll introduce you when we get to the house."

Hermione and Ron nodded.

Soon, they were outside of the bank, and walked to meet Mrs. Weasley.

"What took so long?"

Harry smiled at Remus.

"We were examining the new treasures," Harry said. "But they're not what you think."

Remus paused and smiled.

"Not money, but knowledge?"

"Yes," Harry said. "And two new teachers."

"What will they teach," Ron asked.

"They will teach Ginny and I," Harry said. "And we will pass on the knowledge to you."

"What kind of knowledge?"

Harry smiled.

"We can't reveal it until we master it," Harry said. "But Ron, Mrs. Weasley, there's something Ginny and I should tell you."

"You're not pregnant, are you?"

"No," Ginny said, laughing. "It's what we learned. I'll wait until we have the whole family together."

"Let's get your robes and get out of here," Mrs. Weasley said.

As soon as they had their robes, Harry paid for his and Ginny's over the objections of Mrs. Weasley.

"Mrs. Weasley, I know you don't want this, but I feel that it's only right for me to help you with Ginny's things."

"Why," the woman asked.

"Mom," Ginny said. "Harry and I are destined to be married within the year."

"You're underage," Mrs. Weasley said.

"I know, mum," Ginny said. "But once I turn sixteen, with your permission, Harry and I can be wed. And I think we should do it too."

"But why?"

"You'll learn about it later," Harry said.

Soon, they were walking to a shop. When Harry and Ginny got separated from the others because they were looking in another shop, Harry saw ten people approach him. His hand went to his wand immediately.

"Who are you," Harry asked the man who seemed to be the leader.

"I'm Jermaine Jones," the man said. "We're aurors. Mr. Potter, I am supposed to inform you that you must come with us."

Harry looked to see Tonks and Kingsley behind the other aurors. He could sense those behind him.

"I'm afraid I won't go without a fight," Harry said. "Because I have done nothing wrong."

"That is for the Minister to decide, Mr. Potter. If you'll surrender your wand and come with us quietly. We have you surrounded."

Harry heard Ginny in his head.

Harry, you must do it. We can't take them on.

Gin, we must not be captured. Scrimgeour wants me to be his poster boy. I can't let that happen. We have to train and complete the task that we've been researching all summer.

I know, darling. But Kingsley and Tonks are here. We don't want to hurt them.

We must stun them all, my dear. We can't let any of them see us escape. I know just the place. And your brother and Hermione will soon follow when I summon them.

Right. On three?

On three.

Hermione and Ron saw Harry and Ginny surrounded by ten people. They wore ministry robes and Ron told Remus.

"They're aurors," Remus said. "Shit. Scrimgeour must have gotten upset with Harry."

"What will we do?"

"We can't take them on with Harry and Ginny in the middle," Hermione said.

"Wait," Ron said. "They're holding hands. And Harry is ready to twitch."

Hermione smiled.

"Of course. Ron, they'll be ok. I know where they're going. We'll join them soon enough."

"Ok," Ron said. "But ten aurors?"

"Ron," Hermione said. "Harry took down four of the best duelers and aurors in the Ministry remember?"

"Right," Ron said.

A moment later, the ten aurors were on the ground, stunned by Harry and Ginny, who Apparated as soon as they were clear.

"That's the way to do it!" Remus exclaimed. "Took down ten aurors."

"Did you feel those spells," Hermione asked, as people looked at the ten people who suddenly dropped to the ground, stunned.

"Yes," Professor McGonagall said. "I felt them. I've never felt spells that powerful before. But good for them. I just hope they're safe."

"They will be, Professor," Hermione said. "If I know Harry, he'll summon Ron and I soon."

The woman nodded.

"Just tell them to be wary of whom they talk to. The Minister will not be pleased."

"I'm sure they're fine," Mrs. Weasley said. "I can feel it. Ginny also gave me a message."

"How?"

"Easy," The woman said. "I have a link with her that we developed early on."

"What?" Ron asked. "Like a lover's link?"

"Yes. Like the one she and Harry have. But she doesn't know I know about it. I would appreciate it if you don't tell her."

Mrs. Weasley looked amused and then saw the aurors remain stunned. She walked over to Kingsley and Tonks first, bringing them around with her wand.

"What happened," Tonks asked. "Where are Harry and Ginny?"

"They're safe," Hermione said. "Tonks, I thought you knew what Harry could do?"

"I didn't know he was that bloody powerful."

Kingsley looked at the Weasleys and Remus.

"Wake the rest up and we'll pretend to be just getting around," Tonks said, quietly.

Remus and Hermione nodded, helping wake up the aurors. They were all grumpy.

"The minister is going to be upset," Kingsley said. "You two, where did they go?"

"I have no idea," Remus said.

"Why not? You're their friend."

"I know," Remus said. "But when they want to disappear, they disappear."

Kingsley and Tonks ignored Hermione and Ron as they touched their rings and disappeared, to the surprise of the aurors, some of whom had moved to grab them before they could disapparate.

"We have to report back," Mr. Jones said. "Minister Scrimgeour will most likely be going to Hogwarts to bring Harry in for questioning."

"Why," Minerva asked, stiffening. "He's done nothing wrong."

"He just assaulted ten aurors."

"But you threatened him," Mrs. Weasley said. "And he will defend himself."

"Right," Remus said. "If the Minister wants to talk to them, tell him to come through me or Minerva first. Else Harry will not take too kindly to him and may just stun him as well."

As the aurors left, Tonks was the last one. She walked to Remus.

"Tell Harry I'm impressed with his improvement. Keep up the good work."

Remus nodded with a slight smile, and then watched as his fiancé Apparated back to the Ministry. Remus had never felt so proud of Harry in his life. He'd seen Ginny and Harry holding hands, and they'd then moved in a blur, hitting all of the aurors with powerful stunning spells he'd felt.

That's when he knew they had a duo on their hands, one no one could mess with. He felt his ring go warm and looked at Mrs. Weasley. She nodded, and both touched the rings, feeling the familiar pull.

At Potter Manor, Harry and Ginny had arrived quickly. They were glad that it had worked. Harry had used his wand to open the gate, and then he set a new password that he would tell his friends. Then they went to the door.

Again, Harry used his wand to open the door.

When it opened, he stepped into the entry way to a magnificent house. Everything was sparkling clean, and looked like it was still inhabited to be this clean.

"Hello," Harry asked.

"Who's there," an elf asked, looking at Harry with a bemused look on his face.

"I am Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter," Harry said, taking the knowledge he'd gained from the letter. He figured that would be a good way to introduce him to a guardian of the house.

"Master Harry!" the elf said. "It's so good to see you, sir," the elf said, bowing graciously.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Sir, I am Jinks, head house elf to the noble Potter Family. Mistress Potter…."

Ginny looked with surprise at the elf.

"Master Harry has married finally? I see the bond," the elf said, with a huge grin. "Please, come in. Come in. Have a seat and I will get you something to drink."

Harry sat down in the chair and Ginny sat beside him. Soon, three house elves came running up. They each carried something for them.

After being given hot tea to drink, Harry looked at the house elves.

"Jinks, if I may ask, can you introduce me to the other elves? I hate to say that I was too young to remember."

"Yes Master Harry. This is Rimmy and this is Twinkie."

"Nice to meet you," Harry said, looking at each elf. "I see you have been keeping the house clean."

"Yes Master Harry," Rimmy said, in her high pitched voice. "We knew you were coming."

"You speak good English," Ginny said. "Can I ask who taught you?"

"Master James and Mistress Lily," Jinks said, bowing his head with the other two elves. "Now we have Master Harry and Mistress Ginny."

Harry nodded.

"Yes," Harry said. "But I am going to leave soon to return to Hogwarts for my final year of school."

"Yes, Master Harry. We shall protect your manor and keep it ready for you."

"Thank you very much," Harry said. "I don't want to impose, but are you free elves?"

Jinks spoke.

"No Master Harry. Mistress Lily offered to free us and pay us, but we happy with things as they are."

Ginny smiled.

"Me too. You do a great job," she said. "I don't think I could keep this place this clean with my wand."

The elves beamed at the complement.

"Master Harry, may I show you around?"

"Jinks, I am expecting friends to come soon. If you may prepare for them?"

"Yes Master Harry," the elf said. "Who are they?"

"Mr. Ronald Weasley, and Miss Hermione Granger," Harry said. "Mr. Weasley is Ginny's brother. They should be treated as family."

"Yes Master Harry. And what about Miss Ginny's parents and siblings?"

"They're family too," Harry said. "I will call them and introduce you to them."

"Jinks will welcome them, Master Harry."

"Thank you, Jinks," Harry said.

Harry then pulled out the bag Aberforth gave him and opened it. He pulled out the box and Ginny looked at it.

"What's with the bag?"

"It resizes items," Harry said. "And I think we can put a lot of stuff in there and carry it all like a Muggle Wallet."

"Nice," Ginny said. "I've seen those Muggle wallets."

Harry nodded as he tapped his wand to the box. It opened easily. He looked through the contents.

They were mainly charred from a fire, or, like a picture frame, broken. Harry took out a photo and tapped his wand to it, muttering the reparo, repairing the frame.

Ginny didn't say a word as Harry looked at the photograph.

"It looks like it could be one of their last photos," Harry said, looking at Ginny.

Ginny nodded as two more people appeared in the lobby, having been called.

Hermione and Ron looked around and were soon escorted to Harry by Jinks.

"Jinks," Harry said. "I hate to impose, but I have just invited two more guests. And I believe more will be coming for dinner this evening."

"I will get to work on it, Master Harry," the elf said. "Mistress Ginny."

The elf disappeared and Ron looked at Ginny.

"Mistress Ginny?"

"Apparently when Harry and I bonded, it means we're now married in a sense," Ginny said, with a smile.

Hermione smiled knowingly.

"I didn't think it was that!" Ron said. "How could you?"

"We didn't know it would happen," Harry said. "What did the aurors say?"

Hermione smiled.

"Well, they were upset when we left," Ron said. "Mum and Remus were there."

"Is Master Remus coming," Rimmy asked.

"Yes, Rimmy," Harry said.

"What about Master Sirius?"

"Sirius was killed just over a year ago," Harry said, sadly.

The elf bowed her head.

"Rimmy is so sorry, Master Harry."

"Me too, Rimmy," Harry said. "Thank you so much for bringing me this tea."

"You're welcome, Master Harry," the elf said, brightly. "Mistress Hermione, Master Ronald, what would you like to drink?"

"We'll have what they're having," Hermione said, looking at Harry.

"Yes Mistress."

Soon, the elf had poured the cups of tea and left.

"Harry…"

"No, Hermione," Harry said. "They're obviously happy. And mum offered to free them. I would have too, but they're happy with how things are."

Hermione nodded, uncomfortable.

"So, are Remus and Mum coming," Ginny asked Ron.

"Yes," Harry said. "I just called them."

They heard two more people enter, and the house elf escorted them to the sitting room.

"I haven't been in here forever, Harry," Remus said. "Where did you get that," he asked, looking at the photograph in the frame.

"Professor Dumbledore salvaged it from Godric's Hollow," Harry said, handing the photograph to Remus. "Is that one of the last…"

"Yes. It was taken the day before…."

Remus got a far away look in his eye and wiped away a tear.

Harry nodded and took the photograph back. He looked at Mrs. Weasley.

"What can we get for you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry asked.

"Harry, can we call the rest of my family here? This looks like a good place to have a dinner."

"Yes," Harry said. "And please call Professor McGonagall, Tonks, and Kingsley as well."

"Speaking of Tonks," Remus said, as he saw Harry rummage through the box. "She said that you two did a great job."

Harry smiled.

"There's something Ginny and I have to tell you," Harry said. "You'll learn why we were able to do what we did so fast."

"Who conjured the shield," Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I did," Ginny said. "Why?"

"I felt it," Remus said. "Harry, you did the attacking?"

"Yes."

"How did you plan it," Remus asked.

"Mum, do you know Harry and I have a Lover's Link?"

The woman nodded.

"Your father and I deduced it," she said. "So you used it to plan?"

Harry nodded.

"Smart," Remus said. "Tonks used hers to me…"

"Wait, you and Tonks," Hermione asked, as Remus blushed.

"Yes, Hermione," Remus said. "When she gets here, I'll let her explain it."

"Ok," Hermione said, smiling.

Harry had found something in the box. It was a charred jewelry box. He tapped it with his wand and it opened, with everything on the inside as good as new.

"Wow," Ginny said, looking at the jewelry.

Harry nodded and went through it.

When he came to a necklace, he read the pendant and then closed his eyes and sighed.

Ginny placed her hand on his, and he looked over at her, with something in his eyes. It wasn't tears, and it wasn't sadness.

"What's wrong, Harry?"

"Can't you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

"The magic on this," Harry said.

Ginny put her hand on it. When she did, a bright light flashed and shone around both Harry and Ginny.

When it was gone, Harry blinked his eyes and looked at Ginny. The necklace was on her neck, and a bracelet was on his hand.

"What the blood hell was that," Ron asked with his eyes wide.

Remus sighed.

"It was James and Lily's gifts to each other," Remus said. "Did you read the inscriptions?"

Harry nodded.

"To Lily, with all my love, James," Harry said.

"And the bracelet said to James with all my love, Lily," Ginny said.

Harry looked at the bracelet again.

"We'll, you were right," Harry said.

"What do you mean?"

Harry showed her the bracelet. She gasped. And then she looked at the pendant on the necklace, gasping again. Harry looked at Ginny, and they both knew it was true.

"Wow," she said. "Powerful. Does this mean…"

"What," Remus asked, surprised. "What did they say?"

"Well, replace James with Harry, and Lily with Ginny, you have it," Harry said.

Mrs. Weasley gasped.

"Remus, when did they give them to each other?"

"When they started to seriously date and just before they got engaged," Remus said, amused. "If they changed to your names, then I know."

"Know what?"

"Know that what Albus said to me in your third year is correct."

"What's that," Ginny asked.

"That Ginny and Harry were soul mates and had to unite to defeat Voldemort."

"Had to unite? In what way?"

"They've already done it," Remus said. "Harry, did Jinks ask you if you married Ginny?"

Harry nodded.

Remus looked at Mrs. Weasley, who started to tear up.

"What does that mean," Ron asked.

Hermione looked at Harry and Ginny, both of whom were surprised, but were pleased. She had tears in her eyes.

Before they knew it, she embraced both of them.

Ginny felt the necklace again.

"It's warm," she said. "Why?"

Remus looked at them and smiled.

"Well, it's just another link between you two. The only way they can come off is if you take the bracelet off of Harry and he takes the necklace off of you. In death, the two will reunite and be passed down to your oldest heir, for his or her special someone."

Ginny nodded her understanding.

"Mum, what will Dad say?"

Mrs. Weasley looked at Ginny.

"Remus? You said that Godric has a portrait here. Can we talk to him?"

"We have to be introduced by the heir," Remus said. "Else Godric will refuse to talk. And if what happened to Lily and James happens to Harry and Ginny, then they both are considered heir to Godric and Merlin."

Harry nodded at Remus.

"Whoa," Ron said. "My sister, heir to Merlin?"

Ginny smiled at Harry, who smiled back.

"Wait, you two know something else, don't you?"

"Yes, Ron," Harry said. "But Ginny and I must consult grandfather before we can discuss it with you."

"Who?"

"Gryffindor," Remus said. "James and Lily addressed him as such. And he asked Sirius and I to do the same."

"What about Peter?"

"He refused to talk to Peter for some reason," Remus said. "Now we know why."

Harry felt Ginny tense a moment.

"Harry, Fawkes. You remember was Grandfather said."

Harry nodded, and soon, he spoke.

"Jinks, where is my phoenix?"

"In Master Harry's and Mistress Ginny's study," Jinks said. "Come."

Soon, all of them were in the room, which was beautifully decorated, and had a lot of books along the walls, including, Harry noted, the books he'd inherited from Merlin and Gryffindor.

Harry saw the phoenix and spoke to the others.

"Don't say a word until Ginny and I are through," Harry warned. "We must do this so Fawkes grows up to be right."

"Fawkes is alive," Hermione said.

"Shh," Ginny said. "He's hatching."

As soon as the phoenix was hatched, Harry and Ginny touched a finger to the phoenix.

"We christen you Fawkes, champion of the innocent, loyal to those who believe in good, and defender of all that is good. We are your friends."

When Harry and Ginny were through, they didn't know why they'd said some of that. But it had just come to them when they held hands and touched the phoenix together.

Hedwig flew into the room and dropped down a package, which joined a number of others.

"I guess Hedwig knew we were staying here tonight," Harry said to Ginny, who nodded.

They watched as the phoenix made himself at home underneath the wings of Hedwig. Hedwig didn't mind at all, and she looked at Harry, with what Harry knew was the happiest he'd seen her in a while.

"Hedwig, meet Fawkes, our phoenix. Take good care of him until he's old enough."

Hedwig hooted softly and nipped at Harry's finger as he gently rubbed her.

Ginny smiled at Harry.

"Hermione, I think these are the books you wanted to look at. On that shelf is what Grandfather left, and on that shelf is what Merlin left."

Hermione nodded.

"But first, let me signal the others," Mrs. Weasley said. "Do you want to the whole Order here, Harry?"

"No," Harry said. "Just your family, Tonks, Kingsley, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, and concentrated.

"Ok. They've been invited to dinner, Harry. I'll tell Jinks."

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, looking around the study.

He saw photographs of himself and his parents along the wall. Then he saw sets of the same books he'd used before. He opened one. The beautiful handwriting made him smile.

"Mum had beautiful handwriting," Harry said, showing it to Ginny.

Ginny nodded.

"Harry?"

Harry turned to Godric's portrait.

"Yes Grandfather?"

"May I speak to Miss Weasley alone? I must tell her something important."

"Yes Grandfather," Harry said, looking at the portrait. "Ginny, we'll be outside in the sitting room."

"Ok, Harry."