Slytherin Table,10/6/1995, 08:37
Harry entered the great hall and took his usual seat, getting a quirked eyebrow from Daphne.
"Good morning," Harry said, feeling a bit confused at the look she was giving him.
"From what I've heard, you had a very busy night last night," Daphne smirked.
"Yes, it was rather eventful," Harry agreed as he noticed Ginny entering the hall before he turned to look at Daphne again.
"Ah, it seems your little girlfriend is about to make a statement," Daphne said, sounding amused as she looked towards the doors.
"What are you on about?" Harry asked as he followed her gaze to Ginny who was making a beeline for them.
He was a bit taken aback when Ginny took a seat beside him a few seconds later, getting the attention of nearly every person in the hall.
"I hope you don't mind me sitting with you?" Ginny asked, giving him an inquisitive look.
"No, you are more than welcome here, Ginny," Harry said as he composed himself.
"Good. After what you got up to last night, I figured that I would have to make my intentions more clear," Ginny smirked.
"Huh?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Luna told me about her deal with Flora at our last meeting," Ginny said as she fixed herself a cup of coffee.
"And you're not upset by this?" Daphne asked in surprise.
"No but I would like to see the memory," Ginny said matter-of-factly.
"Ah, now I see why you like her," Daphne snorted as she glanced over at the Gryffindor table.
"This isn't my doing," Harry protested.
"Sorry, I am just a bit... curious," Ginny said, her cheeks flushing a cute rosy pink.
"Oh, so you two haven't-"
"No, not that it's any of your concern," Harry said, giving Daphne a pointed look.
"I'm impressed," Daphne said, unbothered by his reaction.
"Thank you, your approval means everything to me," Harry drawled as he poured Ginny a cup of tea.
"It should. Have you heard anything about the Halloween ball?" Daphne asked, giving Harry an inquiring look.
"No, why do you ask?" Harry questioned.
"Because select students are allowed to attend," Daphne said, giving Ginny a meaningful look.
"Really?" Harry asked with interest.
"That is what my father intimated in his last letter," Daphne shrugged.
"My dad mentioned the ball in his last letter, all ministry employees are required to attend this year," Ginny said after fixing herself a plate with an omelette and sliced tomatoes.
"That's strange," Harry said looking thoughtful.
"That does sound a bit suspicious," Daphne agreed.
"Why is that suspicious?" Ginny asked in confusion.
"Because it has never been a requirement before, usually only the higher-ranking officials attend," Daphne answered.
"So you think something is up?" Ginny said looking questioningly at Harry.
"I would bet anything that something is up," Harry nodded.
"Careful Potter, she is from the other side," Daphne warned.
"I am not spying on Harry if that is what you're suggesting," Ginny said as she cut her eyes at Daphne.
"You do see my concern, your family is deep in Dumbledore's pocket," Daphne said looking unbothered by Ginny's reaction.
"I am my own person, Greengrass," Ginny said, her eyes narrowing as she met Daphne's cool gaze.
"Time will tell I suppose. We have to get to class," Daphne said looking almost amused by Ginny's reaction.
Harry stood as the bell rang over the hall and offered Ginny his hand.
"Don't mind Daphne, she's just trying to get under your skin," Harry said as he guided Ginny out of her seat.
"Such an awful thing to say," Daphne smirked as the three of them began walking towards the entrance hall.
"Slytherins love to play these little head games," Harry explained as he squeezed Ginny's hand.
"Figures, why couldn't you be a Hufflepuff," Ginny muttered.
"Yellow is not my color," Harry shrugged as he spotted a group of fourth-year Gryffs looking in their direction.
"Looks like the rest of your pride is waiting on you," Harry said noticing the group of fourth-year girls were eyeing him warily.
"I'll see you this evening," Ginny nodded before standing on her tiptoes and placing a kiss on his lips.
Harry watched her walk over to the group of girls before they left the hall walking towards the front doors.
"Ugh, I liked it better when you were chasing slags," Daphne snorted as they made their way to potions.
"I don't need to chase slags," Harry quipped.
"I've noticed," Daphne muttered shooting an annoyed look at Ginny's retreating back.
"Be nice," Harry chuckled as they began walking down the stairs.
"I don't trust her," Daphne said after a moment's silence.
"I don't trust Longbottom," Harry shot back.
"Fair point but I still want you to be cautious around her. You may think of your relationship as something out of a Shakespearian novel but please bear in mind that her parents are working to put yours in prison... or the grave. She would make a perfect spy for Dumbledore so try not to let her know too much until you're sure she can be trusted," " Daphne warned.
"I will keep that in mind," Harry assured her a bit taken aback by her statement.
"That's all I ask," Daphne nodded as they took their seats.
Harry had already considered what she was saying. Truthfully he had considered using her to gather information when he had saved her from Nott. He had quickly dismissed the idea as he found that he actually enjoyed her company the more time he spent with her.
Harry didn't know how he knew but he was certain that she would not share anything they talked about in their alone time. He got this sense about Ginny that he could trust her, that he could tell her anything and she would keep his secrets.
Now thanks to Daphne he was starting to question himself. Could he trust her? Would she report things he said back to her family or the order?
As Snape stalked into the classroom, Harry began to ponder how he could find out for sure and what he would do if it turned out he was wrong to trust her.
Potter Manor, Godric's Hollow, 10/6/1995, 13:48
"Well, James, what do you have for me?" Voldemort asked as his servant entered the ballroom that was set up as his throne room.
"I was able to get the diagram for the prison's wards, the schedule for guard rotations and I even managed to commandeer fifteen of the dementor medallions," James answered as he lifted the wooden box about held in his hands for his master to take.
Voldemort took the box, noting it was the size of a shoebox and weighty. Setting the box on his lap, Voldemort opened it with interest. The box contained two scrolls resting on top of a row of silver medallions sitting in indentions at the bottom of the box.
"You have done well, James" Voldemort praised as he lifted one of the medallions out of the box.
"I talked Fudge into giving me a walk-through of the DMLE, he is quite oblivious to what goes on around him, my lord," James smirked.
"Which is no doubt why you got him elected," Voldemort chuckled as he took the scrolls out of the box and shut the lid before hovering the box to rest on the floor to the right side of his throne.
"It is much easier to manipulate the unintelligent, my lord," James agreed.
"We shall make plans to attack on Halloween, I want you to hold things up for us at the ministry ball," Voldemort said as he looked through the first scroll.
"You will need to find a date for the ball, I would suggest the Clearwater girl," Voldemort continued.
"Yes my lord," James nodded, looking pleased with the arrangement.
"As you can guess, your wife will be leading the attack so give her whatever she needs to carry out the assignment," Voldemort instructed.
"Of course," James agreed.
"Good, you may leave but send Lily to see me," Voldemort said in dismissal.
James bowed his head respectfully before he swept from the room.
Voldemort was very impressed, his servant had accomplished much more than expected. The medallions alone would make the assault go much smoother as he wouldn't have to send people to wrangle the dementors.
James had been eyeing the Clearwater girl since she had taken her mark. Voldemort figured James deserved a reward after the torment his wife had put him through of late.
The Burrow, Devon, 10/8/1995, 21:39
Cedric arrived in the back garden looking very unkempt. The last few days had been unbelievably stressful but he had yet to bring the letter to Dumbledore's attention.
Deep in his gut, Cedric knew that the letter was for real. Something about the way Lily always looked at him made so much more sense now with this new information.
Cedric wanted to help the order but he had no intention of letting that sadistic bitch use kill him especially now that he knew his cover was blown. They were unlikely to disclose any credible information in front of him anyway so it seemed pointless to keep up the charade.
The main problem he had was that he had the dark mark branded on his forearm which meant that there was nowhere he could hide that Voldemort couldn't find him.
Cedric was pulled from his thoughts as Snape entered the garden looking a bit out of sorts himself.
"Excellent, now that we are all here, we can begin," Dumbledore said as soon as Snape had taken his seat.
"It's been a hell of a week," Sirius Black exclaimed and got nods of agreement from others seated around the long garden table.
"It has, Severus what have you learned about this ministry ball that Lord Potter has been arranging?" Dumbledore questioned.
"The dark lord is planning something for the night of the ball and I believe Lily is in charge of whatever it is," Severus answered.
"Mister Diggory, you work closely with Lady Potter, do you have any insight into her plans?" Albus asked.
"No, I am fairly certain that my cover has been blown," Cedric admitted causing others around the table to gasp in alarm.
"You're sure of this?" Albus asked looking troubled.
"Very, I received an anonymous letter telling me that my secret was compromised and that I should put together an exit as Lily plans on killing me," Cedric said as he pulled the letter from his pocket and offered it to the headmaster.
Albus unrolled the letter and read it before offering it to Minerva who read it a look of recognition crossing her face.
"I take it that you recognise the handwriting, Minerva?" Albus asked with interest.
"Oh yes, I am almost certain that Harry Potter wrote this," Minerva said as she handed the letter back to him.
"Why would he warn me?" Cedric asked in confusion.
"Potter does not get along with his mother. This was his way of acting out if I were to take a guess," Snape answered, looking almost amused.
"So what should I do?" Cedric asked not seeing anything amusing about the situation he was in.
"I will have to consider the matter, Cedric. The fact that you are branded with the dark mark complicates things a bit," Dumbledore said looking troubled.
"Great," Cedric muttered.
"We will find a way to keep you safe," Albus promised.
"Thanks," Cedric nodded still not feeling very reassured.
"Arthur, I believe you have something to report?" Albus said, smoothly changing the subject.
"I do. My father is currently in talks with James over a betrothal agreement between Harry Potter and Ginevra," Arthur Weasley spoke up looking very concerned.
"I can't say that this surprises me, Ginevra has been sitting at the Slytherin table with Mister Potter for the past few days," Albus admitted.
"I don't like this Albus," Molly exclaimed.
"I would not be too concerned, Molly. From my observations I believe Mister Potter is truly smitten with your daughter," Albus assured her.
"We could use this Albus, the girl could give us all sorts of information if she gets close enough to the Potter brat," Moody suggested.
"I would prefer not to put Ginevra in that kind of danger. If she were caught passing on information to the order, I shudder to think what would happen to her," Albus said after thinking on it for a moment.
"How did they find out about Diggory anyway?" Bill Weasley asked as he gave the headmaster an inquiring look.
"I have a few guesses but I have no way of knowing if I am correct or not," Albus confessed.
"It doesn't matter how they found out, Ginny will not be working for the order," Molly said flatly as she shot a venomous glare at Alastor.
"Severus, do you have any insight as to how Mister Diggory could have been found out?" Dumbledore asked before pAltor could argue his case further.
"Lily is a master at legilimency, it is possible that she simply pulled the information from his unprotected mind," Snape shrugged.
"I feared as much," Albus sighed.
"But I use occlumency whenever I am in Potter Manor," Cedric protested weakly.
"I imagine that your shields are weaker during your more... intimate interactions," Snape drawled giving Cedric a pointed look.
"Bloody hell!" Cedric exclaimed looking horrified at the implications.
"Serves you right for shagging the crazy bint," Peter Pettigrew snorted.
"It isn't like I had much choice in the matter, mate," Cedric retorted.
"Let's move on, has there been any word of the Lupin pack's movements, Elphias?" Dumbledore asked as he glanced over at his old housemate.
"They were sighted in Dijon three days ago," Elphias answered sounding troubled.
Cedric tuned out the conversation going on around him as he pondered his own predicament. If what the letter said was true, he had to hurry before Lily got bored with him and decided to kill him.
If Dumbledore didn't come up with something in the next week, Cedric decided to take his chances and just do a runner.
'Why did I let them talk me into being a spy?' Cedric wondered for perhaps the hundredth time as Elphias Doge continued to relay tge information he had on the eastern pack.
Room of Requirement, 10/11/1995, 20:23
Harry and Ginny were relaxing in the room after the meeting was concluded
"I received a letter from my dad, he said that I could go to the ministry ball," Harry said as he massaged her left foot with both of his hands.
"Oh," Ginny asked somewhat distractedly as she closed her eyes, enjoying his attention.
"Yes, would you care to accompany me?" Harry asked looking up to stare into her eyes.
"I don't have a dress or anything," Ginny said looking a bit embarrassed.
"I'll get you a dress and anything else you need," Harry said as he watched her expression closely, his fingers working on autopilot.
"O-okay, if I can get permission from my parents then I would love to go with you," Ginny answered her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Excellent," Harry smiled as he lifted her foot and placed a kiss on the tips of her toes making her gasp in surprise.
"So are you going to let me watch that memory?" Ginny asked, her cheeks getting even redder.
"I guess but why do you want to watch that?" Harry asked feeling genuinely curious.
"I want to see what it looks like," Ginny mumbled looking down at her lap.
"Sex?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ginny answered in a soft voice.
"Alright," Harry said as he closed his eyes in concentration.
When Harry opened his eyes he was pleased to see a pensieve had materialized on the coffee table.
"Do you know how a pensieve works?" Harry asked.
"No," Ginny admitted.
"It suspends a memory in a very intricate runic array and potion solution that acts like a form of reverse legilimency. When you make physical contact with the liquid in the basin it will pull your consciousness into the memory and make you think you are part of it," Harry explained.
"Okay," Ginny nodded.
"Your body will still be here though to you it will seem like the bowl has sucked you inside of it," Harry continued.
"I am telling you this so you understand that anything you do inside the pensieve, I will be able to see you do... out here," Harry said giving her a pointed look.
"Oh," Ginny said in understanding giving him a grateful nod.
"Alright, I will let you go in by yourself," Harry said as he drew his wand and thought about his encounter with Flora.
"You don't want to go with me?" Ginny asked.
"No," Harry said flatly as he touched the tip of his wand to the strand of memory from where it had collected on his temple.
With a gentle pull, Harry removed the memory watching as it clung to his wand almost resembling a long silvery hair.
Harry carefully lowered his wand to the liquid in the pensieve watching as the memory was sucked into the basin.
"So all I have to do is touch the liquid?" Ginny asked nervously as she knelt on the floor in front of the coffee table.
"Yes, just the tip of your finger will do," Harry nodded.
"Okay," Ginny said as she reached her hand out and touched her finger to the liquid.
As soon as her skin touched the liquid Ginny's eyes seemed to go blank before they rolled back in her head. Her body became rigidly straight and she closely resembled a mannequin kneeling on the floor in front of him.
Harry was a bit surprised that she had asked to see the memory as he had thought Ginny was a bit too straight-laced to watch something so... scandalous. Still, if she wanted to watch the memory he had no problem with letting her.
"Hello Harry," a dreamy voice called from the door to the room pulling Harry from his thoughts.
"Luna, what are you doing here?" Harry asked as she came to sit beside him on the couch.
"I was bored," Luna said as she watched Ginny curiously.
"Why are you only wearing your nightgown?" Harry asked as he eyed her legs appreciatively, absentmindedly running his fingertips over the exposed skin of her thigh.
"I thought you and Ginny were having a sleepover I was planning on joining you," Luna said as if it were obvious.
"We're not, she wanted to watch one of my memories," Harry chuckled as he continued to admire her attire.
Harry wondered how she had managed to make it all the way through the school dressed in a sheer blue Teddy.
"I wore my outer robes until I stepped in here," Luna answered as if reading his mind.
"Oh," Harry said feeling a bit relieved that she had the foresight to cover herself in the hallways.
"Which memory is she watching?" Luna asked with interest.
"The one from the other night with Flora," Harry shrugged.
"Are you taking requests because I would love to see the one with you and Hermione," Luna asked hopefully.
"Fine, when she is done I will let you watch it," Harry promised.
"Thank you," Luna beamed.
"Well you let me watch your memory, it's only fair," Harry said as Luna snuggled into his side.
"You know, I bet we could shag right here and Ginny would never even know," Luna suggested giving him a knowing look.
Harry was cut off from replying as Ginny gasped loudly her eyes going wide as galleons as she looked over her shoulder at Harry.
"Holy shit;" Ginny exclaimed her face flushing crimson.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked as he help Ginny to her feet.
"Yeah though I am surprised that Carrow girl can walk," Ginny muttered as she sat down on Harry's other side.
"It does take some getting used to Luna said giving Ginny a knowing look.
"Yeah, I saw, that," Ginny snorted.
"Now it's my turn," Luna said giving Harry a hopeful look.
"Right, just give me a second and I'll get the memory, Luna," Harry said as he pointed his wand at his temple and removed the memory she wished to see before depositing it in the pensieve.
With another movement of his wand, he removed the memory of Flora from the basin and pressed it to his temple so the memory flowed back into his head.
"It's ready when you are, Luna," Harry said and got a dreamy smile from the blonde in thanks.
Harry and Ginny watched as Luna knelt by the coffee table and touched the liquid in the basin. Just like with Ginny, Luna seemed to go into a trance-like state and her body went almost rigid making her look almost like a mannequin.
"What memory was that?" Ginny asked as she snuggled into Harry's side, her eyes glued to Luna's scantily clad body.
"She wanted to see my encounter with Hermione," Harry admitted as he leaned back into the couch.
"Was it like the one I saw?" Ginny asked as she rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him.
"Oh it was a lot worse, I was pretty rough with Granger," Harry admitted.
"Why did you mess around with her anyway?" Ginny asked.
"I wanted to relieve some tension and Granger is quite attractive," Harry shrugged.
"But she's a muggle-born, I believe you said they were inferior to purebloods or some such?" Ginny asked sounding perplexed.
"And she was servicing her betters," Harry smirked as he watched Luna's hand drifting down towards the hem of her nightgown.
"Oh bugger, I forgot to warn Luna about the pensieve," Harry muttered as her hand disappeared under the skirt of her nightgown.
"What do you... oh!" Ginny muttered as she glanced over at Luna her face colouring bright red when she saw what the blonde was doing.
"Come on, I'll escort you to your common room," Harry said as he made to get up.
"Wait... um... could you... could you do that thing you do with your magic?" Ginny asked nervously.
"I suppose I could" Harry said giving her a knowing smile.
"Will you?" Ginny pressed.
"Sure, go ahead and lay down," Harry said as he heard a soft gasp from Luna.
Harry waited for Ginny to lay back and rest her feet in his lap again before he took her left foot in his hands and channeled some of his magic into it.
Harry decided to try to be a bit gentler and used just enough magic to pleasure her without causing her to be overstimulated.
"Ooooooh god th-that feeeels amazing;" Ginny gasped as he began to move his hands over the sole of her foot.
"I thought I would try something new," Harry smirked as he pushed a little more magic up her legs.
"Ooooooooh god please don't stop," Ginny whined as her back arched off of the couch.
Harry held the intensity noticing her toes starting to curl in his hands as her breathing sped up. Ginny had her eyes closed and she was making sexy little moans as she neared her release.
"Ooooooh please don't stoooopp I am almoooooost theeeeeeere!" Ginny squealed as he pushed her over the edge and her body shook violently.
Harry stopped channelling his magic and watched as she slowly relaxed, a contented smile playing on her lips.
"I think I could get used to that," Ginny mumbled happily as she opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"I just can't wait until I can start courting you properly," Harry admitted.
"So you can have your way with me like you did Flora?" Ginny asked seeming almost amused.
"Well I certainly wouldn't mind but that isn't what I meant," Harry said as he flicked his wand causing her socks and trainers to appear back on her feet.
"Then why?" Ginny asked, her cheeks colouring at Harry's words.
"I'll tell you later, it's almost curfew," Harry smirked as Luna seemed to come back to herself.
"Whoa, poor Hermione," Luna muttered as she shakily got to her feet.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle as he pulled the memory from the pensieve and before holding the memory to his temple so it slipped back into his head.
"Come n Luna, it's almost curfew," Harry said as he flicked his wand causing her outer robes to appear on her.
"Fine, I need a hot shower after watching that," Luna said in a dreamy voice.
"Now I want to see that memory too," Ginny mumbled as Harry led them into the hallway.
"I may let you watch it one day," Harry said as he noticed the two disillusioned silhouettes following behind them further down the hallway.
"Did you hear that rumour about your brother and Draco Malfoy?" Harry asked as he looked over at Ginny and gave her a subtle wink.
"You mean the one where they were caught wanking each other off in the quidditch locker rooms?" Luna asked curiously.
"I heard it was Professor Snape they wanked off and they were doing it to try and avoid detention," Ginny admitted.
"Did it work?" Harry asked having to fight to keep a straight face.
"No, he stiffed them," Ginny chortled.
"Sounds about right," Harry grinned.
Harry thought he heard a muffled exclamation from behind him but he pretended he hadn't noticed.
They soon arrived in front of the Fat Lady's portrait. Harry leaned in and gave Ginny a chaste kiss on the lips.
"I'll see you at breakfast," Harry said as he glanced at his watch and saw that he had seven minutes to make it to the common room.
"Good night, Harry," Ginny smiled before she gave the portrait the password and disappeared into her common room.
"Come on Luna, we have to hurry," Harry said.
"Do you think those two are going to follow you and Ginny around forever?" Luna asked as they passed the two disillusioned fifth years.
"I hope not," Harry sniggered and could have sworn he heard Ron Weasley curse.
As Harry walked with Luna back to the Slytherin common room he couldn't help but think that this had been a very unusual evening.
Gryffindor Table, 10/12/1995, 09:26
"Bloody hell, she's sitting at the Slytherin table again!" Ron exclaimed as he watched his sister take a seat beside Potter.
"I know, the gossips have been going mad over this all week," Draco snorted.
"She is making a public claim," Neville said as if it were obvious.
"That's what I'm thinking as well," Draco agreed.
"Public claim?" Ron asked dumbly.
"She wants other girls to know Potter is hers so she is making a show of sitting beside him at mealtimes," Neville explained.
"Unbelievable," Hermione scowled as she took a seat beside Ron, her eyes glued to the Slytherin table.
"I wrote to Dad and he told me to stay out of it," Ron sighed.
"There isn't anything you can do anyway," Neville shrugged.
"Potter has stopped bothering us so much," Draco said reasonably.
"You think my sister had something to do with that?" Ron asked irritably.
"Yes, I am almost positive that is why Potter has left you two alone," Neville agreed much to Ron's annoyance.
"Bugger, I am going to murder that bastard," Ron seethed.
"You just said you were told to leave them be," Neville pointed out helpfully.
"I don't care, he's taking advantage of my sister," Ron exclaimed.
"We have no proof of that," Draco pointed out.
"This is Potter we're talking about, he has to be up to something," Ron said stubbornly.
"We have to get him away from your sister and Luna as well," Hermione agreed.
"Just let it go, Granger," Neville advised, giving Hermione a pointed look.
"I don't know what you mean," Hermione said stubbornly.
"I would rather Potter be with Hermione than my sister," Ron exclaimed.
"I don't think his mother would," Draco pointed out only to pale as a familiar pair of girls approached their table.
"Draco, we need a word," Lyra said ignoring the others seated around him.
"About what?" Draco asked warily.
"That ginger trollop sitting at our table," Lucy answered.
"What do you expect me to do about it?!" Daco demanded ignoring Ron's exclamation at the insult directed at his sister.
"Mother told us to inform you that you will continue your chores from this summer until you put an end to this insanity with the Weaslette and Potter," Lyra said a smirk playing on her lips.
"No," Draco muttered looking horrified.
"If that's how you want to play it but I imagine that Mother will punish you if you disobey her orders," Lyra said with a knowing smile.
"What do you want?" Draco sighed.
"Meet us in the library after dinner and you'll find out," Lucy said before the two girls left without another word.
"What the hell was that about?" Ron asked as he watched the LeStrange twins stalk back to the Slytherin table.
"My aunt is punishing me," Draco muttered.
"See, if we put a stop to this Ginny and Harry nonsense then everybody's life will be better," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"Oh brother," Neville said before he got up from his seat and made went to sit by Seamus and Dean.
"So do you have a plan or what?" Ron asked as he looked at Hermione hopefully.
"Maybe," Hermione said.
"I don't want to do anything that will get Ginny in trouble," Ron said warily.
"I don't either, I just want to get Ginny away from my Harry," Hermione assured him.
"Okay," Draco agreed as he glanced over at the Slytherin table and saw his cousins were watching him.
As Hermione laid out her plan, Draco couldn't help but wonder why everyone he knew was so invested in breaking up Potter and Ginny.