A/N: Yes, I am still alive. I'm so sorry this took so long. I don't want to give any excuses, but I will anyway. June and July are my busy months at work. August isn't nearly as bad. I promise not to make you wait two months for a chapter again. In fact, I've already started putting the next one together. Thanks for your reviews and your words of support and critique.
Chapter 6 The Morning After
Harry woke early the next morning. Gently prying his painfully tingling arm from under Ginny, he rose from the bed and quietly crept out of the bedroom and onto the landing before silently making his way to the shower.
Twenty minutes later, a clean and refreshed Harry Potter emerged from the now steamy loo. He conjured a white rose and left it on the pillow next to Ginny. Making his way down to the den where his trunk was located he gathered a clean change of clothes for the day. Harry changed quickly and left a note on the kitchen table informing the other occupants of number 12 that he would return by midday. Harry transfigured his features. His raven black hair grew until it touched just past his shoulder blades. He pulled all but his bangs back into a neat ponytail. His bangs hung freely over his forehead, surreptitiously concealing his infamous scar from view. His eyes changed from his usual green to a bright shock of unnatural icy blue. Pleased with his transformation, Harry apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"I'm looking for a fine jeweler in the area. Do you know of one?" he asked Tom, the proprietor of the pub.
Tom, who was busy wiping down the bar, looked up to the stranger with a furrowed brow. Harry threw down a few galleons.
"For your trouble," he smirked at the older man.
"There's a place just off of Diagon Alley, on Natuur Alley. A place called Becker's."
"Becker's, aye. Thanks, Tom."
"How did you…" the barkeep began, but before he could finish, the stranger was gone.
Harry made his way out the back and through the brick wall entry into Diagon Alley. He checked his pockets quickly to assess his current galleon count.
"Probably not enough for the things that I need," he muttered under his breath. "Guess I'll be going to Gringotts first."
Harry flipped his hood over his head. Diagon Alley wasn't overly busy yet, but he didn't want to take chances on his scar being noticed. With an almost unnatural speed, Harry made his way down the large street to the wizard bank. He sauntered up to the counter nonchalantly.
"May I help you, sir," the goblin said, drawing out the last word. A smirk grew on his face…Harry couldn't tell if the creature recognized him or not. He carefully placed his key on the counter.
"I need to make a withdrawal from my vault," he said quietly as his hand still rested on the key. When he withdrew his hand, there was a small stack of gold resting beside the vault key. "Your silence in this matter is much appreciated.
"Of course, Mr. Smith," the goblin said, his smirk growing even more. "Please, follow me."
The trip down to his vault was as wild as he remembered. When the cart came to a stop, Harry exited and handed his key to the goblin. Harry entered the vault and filled his moneybag with as many galleons as he thought he would need.
Harry and the goblin made their way back to the lobby quietly. He exited the bank to a much busier Diagon Alley. The sun was shinning bright in the morning sky, raining down its rays into the muggy street. Harry couldn't remember the last time it was this humid.
Checking his hood to make sure it was secure over his head, Harry made his way back down the street looking for Natuur Alley. He found it a few minutes later. Turning down the unfamiliar alley, he immediately saw a sign that read: "Becker's: Specializing in Fine Jewelry and Precious Stones since 1822."
Harry pushed the door open, causing the attached bell to jingle. As he began to peruse the different stones and rings beneath the glass, a man appeared from the back of the store. He looked to be in his mid sixties, tall with unusually large hands.
"Good morning," he said in a light, jovial voice that betrayed his physical image. "May I assist you in finding anything today?"
"I'm looking for an engagement ring as well as a pair of wedding bands," Harry responded.
"Ah, getting engaged? Well congratulations! Were you looking for anything in particular?"
"I'm honestly not sure. The woman I'm marrying is stunningly beautiful, and her rings should be nothing short of that."
"And exactly how much are you looking to spend on these rings?"
"However much is necessary," Harry said as he placed his full moneybag on the table.
The jeweler's eyes lit up instantly. "Well, my name is Jonah Becker. Pleased to meet you Mister eh…" said the old man as he extended his hand to the stranger.
"Mister going to spend a lot of money in your store," Harry replied as he took the proffered hand into his own.
"Very well, then. Let me direct you to this case over here," The man dragged Harry to a remote set of shelves in the corner of the store. "What do you think of this?" he reached under the glass and removed an overly ornate ring with diamonds clustered all about.
"No, too much," Harry shook his head, affirming his words. "I want it to be beautiful, that's way too garish."
"Well, do you see something more to your liking?" the jeweler asked, somewhat peeved at Harry's response to the ring.
Harry looked through the glass at the many different rings until he found the perfect one. The diamond was marquise cut, about two carats and set on a gold band. On either side of the diamond were smaller round-cut rubies.
"That's the one," Harry muttered softly.
Mr. Becker followed Harry's gaze to the ring in question. "Ah! Yes, that is a magnificent ring. It even has a wedding band to match."
Harry looked at the ring next to the one he noticed and saw that it complimented the engagement ring perfectly. "I'll take them both. I would also like a plain men's wedding band."
"Ah yes. Now all of our rings are charmed to automatically size themselves to the wearer. We can add other charms to the rings if you would like: protection charms, charms to make the ring impossible to remove, detection charms for if the ring is ever lost. These charms would cost extra, of course."
"That won't be necessary, I can enchant the ring with those charms myself."
"Good sir, I assure you that these charms are not easy to perform. Enchanting a jewel takes a significant amount of power. Jewel enchanters study for many years before they are able to perform such spells."
"I assure you, good sir," Harry began, "that enchanting the jewels in that ring will be my business and mine alone. Now, for the three rings, how much do I owe you?"
"The three of them together will be 623 Galleons, 14 Sickles, and 4 Knuts."
Harry gave the man an even 640 Galleons before taking the bag containing all three rings. He left the store and made his way back to Diagon Alley. Sauntering down the alley, he stopped at Madam Malkins and picked out an exquisite set of white silk dress robes for Ginny and black dress robes for himself.
"One more stop," Harry told himself. He made his way to a small store on the corner called "In the Nick of Time". Looking around, it took him a few minutes to find what he was looking for. Deciding that both he and Ginny should have one, Harry picked up two pocket watches that worked like the clock in the kitchen of the Burrow.
He paid the clerk for the two watches and immediately set both of them to display Ginny, Remus, Tonks, Lily, and himself. Satisfied with his purchases for the day, Harry apparated back to Gimmauld Place and into the raucous scene of Tonks chasing a giggling Lily. Before Harry could react, Lily launched herself into his arms.
"Help me, Uncle Harry!" she screamed as she clung to him for dear life. Tonks was right behind the child with bright yellow hair that stopped just past her shoulders. Her face was pink with exertion. It was obvious that the two were playing.
"Help you?" Harry asked the child playfully. "How about I tickle you instead?" As Harry said this, the hand not supporting the child's weight began tickling the toddler mercilessly at her side. "Good heavens, you must weigh twelve stone!" he exclaimed as he set the girl down her feet.
"I do not!" the young girl said indignantly, her fists resting at her waist as she glared daggers at her Uncle Harry.
"Well, maybe not twelve stone, but you are a bundle full," Harry placated.
Lily nodded in what seemed like satisfaction before turning on heel and running out of the kitchen and back upstairs to the den. Harry turned and addressed Tonks.
"Should you be running around in your condition?" he asked.
"Whatever do you mean, Harry?" Tonks asked in a playfully irritated voice.
"You know, with the baby and all," Harry clarified.
"I know what you meant, Harry. I'm just giving you a hard time. Its fine for now, I'm not really that far along…still the first trimester."
"Is Ginny up yet?"
"She stepped out for a few minutes. I think she said something about visiting with Hermione. She looked ragged, must've had a late night," Tonks alleged with a mischievous grin.
Harry's face felt warm with the flush he knew was showing. He quickly changed the subject. "What about Remus?"
"I know he had a late night," she snickered.
Harry just hung his head and laughed. "Is he awake yet? That's what I was wondering."
"Yeah, Sweetie. He's in the shower now."
Harry helped Tonks by keeping Lily occupied in the drawing room while the auror started preparing lunch for everyone. Remus appeared soon after.
"Harry?" he called.
"In here, Remus."
A clean Remus entered the drawing room and watched his daughter show Harry her blessed Poochie.
"Tonks said you asked for me."
"Lily, sweetie, why don't you and Poochie let Daddy and Uncle Harry talk for a moment," Harry said gently to his goddaughter. Lily stood and gently gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. She then repeated the process with Remus before leaving the drawing room. Making sure the child was out of hearing range, Harry began. "When do you want me to leave and begin the mission?"
"Whenever you are ready. Obviously you shouldn't dawdle for too long. Why?"
Harry reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, velvet box. He opened it and showed the ring to Remus. "I want to marry Ginny before I leave."
"Harry, you do know how difficult that is going to be."
"I know. I don't want anything grand, just a small ceremony: You, Tonks, Lily. Could Aberforth perform the ceremony? I know Albus would have been able to."
Lupin smiled. "I'll contact him and ask. You just make sure to give that ring to Ginny as soon as you see her."
"I'll definitely do that," Harry said as he left the drawing room. He went down to the den and gathered everything in his trunk. He floated the trunk back up the stairs and into Ginny's room. 'our room,' he thought.
Ginny lay in that peaceful point that is perfectly set between sleep and consciousness. Her mind drifted blissfully to the prior evening. Harry had spent the night with her. He had given himself to her and she herself to him. A genuine smile of happiness graced her lips as she rolled over to drape her arm across Harry's chest. It was when her hand connected with the soft cotton sheets covering the mattress instead of the firm muscles of her lover's chest that she opened her eyes with a start. Her eyes came to rest on the delicate flower that rested on Harry's pillow.
She picked it up slowly and brought it to her nose. She inhaled the scent as she closed her eyes, losing herself for a moment. She ran the velvet petals back and forth against her lips, reminding her of the gentle kisses Harry had rained down on those very same lips. She smiled even wider as she stood and placed the rose in a nearby vase.
She had a quick shower and hurried down to the kitchen for breakfast. Tonks was there, as was a sleepy Lily.
"Good morning," Ginny sang joyfully. "Where's Harry?" she asked in the same singsong voice.
Tonks turned and gave Ginny a playful, knowing gaze. "I'm surprised you didn't keep closer tabs on him last night," she smirked.
Ginny's face reddened. "Tonks," she said through gritted teeth while nodding her head to the thankfully clueless child sitting at the table.
"What? She's not even paying attention," Tonks laughed.
"Huh?" Lily looked up from doing something with Poochie.
"Nothing, Sweetheart," Tonks said.
"Okay, Mommy," Lily smiled. She stood and ran out of the kitchen, squeezing the poor stuffed hippogriff to her side the whole time.
"Hey, no running in the house," Tonks called after her.
"Sorry, Mommy."
"I just don't want to mention anything to corrupt her," Ginny laughed.
Tonks smiled at the younger girl. "You are such a good godmother. Anyway, Harry left a note; Said he had to go to Diagon Alley for a few things. He should be home around lunchtime."
Ginny's face fell from happiness to horror. "What if he gets caught? Why did he leave and go there?"
"Calm down, Ginny. Harry's not stupid, you can trust he is taking precautions to stay safe."
Ginny sighed. "I know, Tonks. It's just that I just now got him back…I don't want to risk losing him again. He asked me to marry him last night."
Tonks squealed. "Oh Ginny! That's wonderful."
Ginny just smiled and nodded. "He wants to do it before he leaves for his mission."
"In other words, today."
"Right." Ginny shook her head ruefully; "My family is going to kill me when they find out."
"Nobody said your family had to find out," Tonks responded to the girl's worry.
"What do you mean? How can I keep this from them?"
"Simple, don't tell them. Look, you and Harry are both living here already. You'll both just stay here. Well Harry will when he can. Anyway, when this whole thing is over and the rest of the Weasleys are kissing Harry's ass, then you can tell them. Until then, I don't think it's necessary."
"Thank you, Tonks," Ginny said as she hugged the older witch. "I was thinking earlier, and I think that I might need to talk to someone. I know Ron's at the ministry today, I think it is a perfect time for me to talk to Hermione."
"Why would you want to talk to her?" Tonks tone was one of resentment.
"Hermione is a very logical witch. Ron's story defies logic in many areas. I'm hoping to appeal to the logical side of Hermione."
Tonks snorted. "Good luck," she said.
Ginny grabbed a piece of toast and quickly ate it before disapparating away from Grimmauld Place. She appeared in the center of Diagon Alley just as a cloaked stranger entered a small timepiece store to Ginny's right. She turned toward the end of the high street that the Leaky Cauldron was located on. She made her way in that direction, but stopped quite a few meters short of the pub. She entered an apartment building on her left and made her way up the stairs to the third floor. She found the door marked "304" and knocked.
"Coming," she heard Hermione say from the other side of the door. The sound of locks sliding was followed by the door swinging open.
"Ginny?" Hermione asked. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"
Ginny gave a patient smile. "Hermione, we need to talk. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sure. Do you want to come in?" the bushy haired girl asked as she moved to make room for her husband's sister.
"Thanks," Ginny entered and Hermione closed the door behind her. She led the redhead into the den and sat on the couch, motioning her to take the seat next to her.
"So, what's up?" she asked.
"I don't know exactly how to say this, but I wanted to talk about four years ago."
Hermione's face gave a flash of grief before going back to her composed self. "What of it?" she asked distantly.
"What exactly happened? I wasn't there, so I don't know. You never talk about it. I only ever her Ron mention it."
Hermione studied her hands like they were the latest edition of "Hogwarts: A History." "What Ron said is the truth," she mumbled.
"Is it really? How do you know?"
"I was there, Ginny."
"But you were held under the Cruciatus…for a while. Were you really coherent enough to realize or remember what was going on?"
"I watched Harry use a sword to cut off Voldemort's head. The look in Harry's eyes was terrifying. It was like starring into the eyes of the Dark Lord himself." Tears began to form in her eyes as she spoke. "Then I watched as Harry drove the head onto a troll's spear and then jab the spear into the ground; still with those evil eyes.
"Then Ron showed up. He grabbed my arm and yelled at Harry. I…I don't remember what he said. I honestly don't know if I ever even heard what he said. He took me to the Burrow where he told his family and me about how Harry had held him under the Cruciatus. I didn't believe it at first, but I kept picturing those eyes; those red eyes on the face of my best friend. I didn't want to believe it, but I really had no choice."
"Do you still believe it? Don't answer yet. Look back on your friendship with Harry. Go all the way back to first year. I want you to replay everything. Anything you can remember about Harry and his relationship with you and with Ron and everyone else. Take your time."
There was a comfortable silence as Ginny watched her sister-in-law close her eyes and dwell on her past with her friend. She saw a few tears fall hesitantly down her face. A few moments passed, and the tears were flowing freely now. Hermione leaned forward and clung to Ginny for dear life. Sobs wracked the older girl's body as she seemed to be losing a fight for control. Ginny wrapped her arms around the woman in a comforting manner. After a few minutes of this, Hermione seemed to gain control of her crying.
"Look, I've gone and gotten you all wet," she sniffed as she lifted her head off Ginny's shoulder.
"Its okay, Hermione," Ginny said as she held the girl by her shoulders. "You realize now, don't you?"
Hermione dropped her head. "Yes," she said weakly. She looked back in Ginny's eyes with earnest concern. "How is Harry?"
"He's good. We…me, Tonks and Remus, just saw him yesterday for the first time since he left."
Hermione drew in a sharp breath. "He's been alone this whole time?" she asked. She dropped her head into her hands as a wave of guilt washed over her. "I'm surprised he lasted this long."
"He almost didn't," she gave Hermione a sober look. "If you ever get a chance to read his letters, you'll realize how close to suicide Harry truly was."
Hermione's face paled. "Luckily," Ginny continued, "Harry is much stronger than you give him credit for."
"Was Harry there last night?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Yes he was."
"He was the tall bloke with blonde hair, wasn't he?" comprehension dawning on the former Head Girl's face. "Oh God! He's the spy Remus mentioned!"
Now it was Ginny's turn to drop her head. A tear slowly ran down her cheek as she once again looked at her older friend. "Hermione, before the final battle, did you know…"
Hermione knew exactly what she was asking. "Yes, Ginny. I knew."
"How long?"
"It was around mid January of seventh year. I went down to the common room one night when I couldn't sleep. I thought it would be empty; maybe I could get some studying done. Harry was already there. He was sitting on the floor, gazing into the embers in the fireplace. I approached him tentatively…you remember how he was then." Ginny nodded and gave a short laugh. "Well I figured he'd had another vision from Voldemort, but I was wrong. Of course, he didn't want to talk about it at first. Eventually, however, I got the truth out of him. Apparently he spent many sleepless nights over you."
"What?" Ginny asked surprised.
"Yeah," Hermione continued. "He told me that he was afraid to dream of you. He didn't want Voldemort to find out about his feelings and then harm you to get to him. Anytime he would dream of you, he'd force himself awake and go down to the common room."
Both girls sat in companionable silence as their thoughts dwelt on their friend.
Hermione was the first to break the silence. "Do you know if he still feels the same way? Do you feel the same for him?"
"Last night, he asked me to marry him," she said solemnly.
Hermione put her hands up to her mouth. "And what did you tell him?"
Ginny's serious look gave way to a cheerful smile. "I told him yes, of course."
Hermione leaned in and gave Ginny a brief hug. "Congratulations! When?" she asked.
"Probably today," Ginny replied.
"So soon?"
"Well, Harry has to leave soon. He's got that mission for the Order. Plus, it's not like any of my family are going to even know about it, let alone witness the ceremony. Mother would have kittens if she found out."
Hermione gave a look of sympathy, but she quickly smiled. "I'll be there to witness the ceremony. Let me get ready, I'll be just a few minutes."
True to her word, Hermione was ready in just about ten minutes. "Okay, I'm ready," she said. She was wearing a blue sundress decorated with daisies. Hermione locked the door to the apartment, then the two apparated to the foyer of 12 Grimmauld Place.
"It might be best if I talk to Harry before he sees you. If not, he's likely to panic and flee," Ginny said. Hermione worried her lower lip and nodded.
Ginny made her way down to the kitchen where she found Remus and Tonks sitting at the dining table reading. "Hey, Ginny. I didn't hear you come in," Remus said.
"Hey," Ginny replied. "Have either of you seen Harry?"
"He went upstairs a few minutes ago to put Lily down for her nap," Tonks said over her book.
"Okay. Look, I brought someone home with me…" Ginny began before Harry's voice came through the door.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE??!!"
A/N: And the plot thickens. I know I promised action, and some is coming. However, this story is going to focus more on the mystery, espionage, and of course romance side of things.
As always, thanks to The Keymaker for his brilliance in deciphering through my butchery of the English language. You are a lifesaver, my friend. I am truly lucky to have you on board with this story.
Thanks to all of you who review. You keep me going through the tough times.
Cygnus Crux- I am a huge fan of your series. I hope this chapter helps to alleviate some of your concerns. I've taken everything you've written into account, but for the sake of mystery, I can't reveal all the answers at the same time.