Harry sat on the bed trying to figure out what to do. His friends and allies doubted his every move, Cassandra had just chewed him out, the weight of the Wizarding World rested on his shoulders not to mention the fact that he could die. He really wished he didn't run all those years ago. He wished he told Cassandra the whole truth. Cassandra looked on as her husband let her words sink in. She didn't mean to get angry, but it was not a comforting thing knowing your husband has been lying about everything in his life. She knew being angry at him, now, wouldn't change things. They were still being hunted, and they had a war to win.

"I really am sorry, Cassandra. I just couldn't tell you about all of this...I couldn't tell anyone. At the time, I thought it was for the best. Voldemort wanted me because I could stop him. I figured if I alone defeated him, no one would get hurt. I know now that it only made things worse."

"You're here now...we're here now. Don't look at me like that. We are a team whether you like it or not. Now, I hope me yelling at you woke your ass up, and you realize how we need to trust each other."

"I'm still worried about the future, but I know I have you and everyone else."

"Good." Cassandra bent down and kissed Harry. "I'm gonna go help the injured...don't know how since I don't have any magic...I guess I can keep people's spirits up. Do you need anything?"

"Yes, I always wondered about something."

"What is it?"

"When you were at that club where we first met, what made you walk up to my table?"

"You remember. That thug wanna-be kept annoying me and I saw you there by yourself." Cassandra thought it was the most random question Harry would ask at this time.

"I know that. I mean, there were other blokes there...why my table? Plus, you could've left as soon as they guy had left. Why stay?"

"Well, I thought you were cute. Plus, you were the only white guy at that club that didn't look like you were trying to be a white rapper, so I knew you were out of place. In a way, I felt out of place as well. I didn't even know if you were attracted to black women or if you were some redneck trying to hang with the 'bruthas' to score some weed. But, something in my gut told me you were a good guy and I was right. Why would you want to know that?"

"I don't know. I guess it was something I always wanted to know. It's only fair since I told you all my secrets. It was nagging at my brain, and I wanted to know before I...die."

"I really wish you could believe that you might actually win."

"I'm not playing chess here..."

"Okay, okay. You got me there. But, I want to believe you can defeat that...thing. For my sake. Again, I know what we're dealing with, and I know and have prepared for the worst. It's never easy thinking about the worst."

"I love you."

"I love you too. I should really try to help."

Harry watched his wife leave the tent not sure if that was one of the last times he would ever see her. He wished he had her faith. Voldermort is a powerful wizard and he barely even knew how strong the man had gotten in his absence. He didn't even want to think what would become of Cassandra if he died. She had lived with him for those years not knowing who he really was. He heard someone come into the tent and sighed in relief as he saw Ron.

"Is it alright if I come in here, mate?"

"Sure. I'm sorry for not telling you or Hermione. I didn't want you guys to be in any danger."

"I'm not happy about it, but I'm trying to understand. Cassandra seemed to cool off a bit."

"We were that loud, huh?"

"Not really. Fred and George were eavesdropping."

"Great."

"You two are fine, yeah?"

"Yes. I don't see how she does it. She's holding on or at least trying to all while trying to understand this world." Harry thought about Cassandra's warm smile. "I almost told her once."

"Told her what?"

"I almost told her who I really am..."

FLASHBACK

Harry sat across the table from Cassandra in some restaurant. It was less than a month before they were to be married and Harry have yet to tell her that he was a wizard. Guilt washed over him as he looked into Cassandra's eyes. He wanted to tell her, needed to tell her, and it would not be easy. Trying to convince a woman who didn't believe in a magic world would be impossible. She would automatically think he was mentally ill and try to call off the wedding. Harry was broken out of his pensive state by Cassandra's voice.

"Ugh, this dinner is what I needed. You can't believe the day I had. I couldn't even eat lunch because some dumb-ass broads made me lose my appetite. I was sitting at lunch enjoying my salmon when I suddenly hear this woman right behind me saying, and I quote, that she needed to get 'dicked-down' then her other friends were discussing their orgasms...in graphic detail. I mean, who says that at lunch? After that, I had to break up a fight at work. You think working at a magazine you would have mature, respectful people. Apparently, one woman accused another of cheating with her man. Ghetto-ass bitches..." Harry was too distracted to hear Cassandra because he had to figure out how he was going to tell her that his whole life was a lie and that he was not normal. He hoped she wouldn't feel betrayed...no, he knew Cassandra would feel betrayed and lost because the man she's about to marry is a fraud. "Harry? Are you listening?"

"Huh? Yeah...no. I'm sorry. I just got a little distracted."

"About what?"

"I have something to tell you..."

"About what?" Cassandra was getting nervous because the look in Harry's eyes.

"It's about us...well me. Cassandra, I have something to tell you...about me..."

"More wine, sir? Miss?" a waiter came over with their bottle to which they both shook their heads. Cassandra looked worried and Harry couldn't bare to see her hurt.

"What were you about to say?"

"I...the thing is...I...didn't send any invitations to England." Harry wanted to take the knife sitting on his plate and run it through his chest. He was disgusted at how much a coward he was. "I've hurt a lot of people when I left, and want to leave that in the past. With that said, our wedding is coming up and I'm starting to regret that I cut them out of my life. I know you said that I was welcome in your family...it's just, I really miss my friends, and I hate that they are not going to see me marry you."

"Harry...is that all? Honey, I know it hurts to not have the people you used to know in your life, but you have to deal. It was insensitive of me to ask to invite people from your past. Though, I know what this is really about."

"Cassandra, I..."

"You are anxious about joining my family. I know you said you're an orphan and being in a big family is a bit overwhelming, but I know you will love my family. Yes, I know they will have to get used to someone of a different color and nationality joining their family, but they need to get over it."

"Exactly what I was thinking." it pained Harry to lie.

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

"Good. To us and our future."

"To our future." they clanked glasses.

END FLASHBACK

"I felt like such a git for not telling her. I just couldn't..."

"It's alright mate. At least she knows, now. She will have to get used to it, but I think she's managing..." Ron and Harry suddenly, heard yelling and screaming. They both were startled when they heard someone coming into the tent. It was Hermione.

"We're being attacked!" Ron and Harry instantly got up and grabbed their wands.

Harry was the first one out the tent and saw with horror as people scattered about fighting Death Eaters. Full of adrenaline, Harry started to help out his friends and throwing curses and evading spells. Harry didn't see any sign of Voldemort. He also didn't know where Cassandra was. She wouldn't be too far since she was in the other tent. Hermione stood next to her husband defending with the others. Someone died near her feet, but she kept going. Harry had been able to disarm one Death Eater and threw another across the forest. Everything became a huge blur and he knew their would be casualties on both sides. It seemed like an eternity, but the Order along with Dumbledore's Army manged to overpower the Death Eaters. Harry saw the carnage and knew it had to end...it had to all end. All he had heard were the screams and cries of people grieving their friends, family, lovers, spouses. He searched for his mates and Cassandra with no luck. Suddenly, Harry heard in the distance Hermione's voice.

"Hermione! Ron!"

"Harry!" finally, they've spotted him. Harry looked around and saw no sight of Cassandra.

"Where's Cassandra?" Hermione had a look and Harry knew it was not a good sign. "Hermione, where the hell is my wife?! Tell me!"

"The Death Eaters and some Snatchers had taken her, Harry. We don't know where they are."