A/N: Sorry for the delay! Life has been throwing me severe curve balls since before the Holidays. I will say that this story is now completely finished. Its just waiting for my sister to proof read. Now on with the show!
Chapter 13:
The Dark Lord was in a rare funk. None of his minions could get him to respond. Not even with bad reports. And there were a lot of them. It seemed that every time one of them turned around another comrade was arrested and never heard from again.
In a rage, the Dark Lord tried to rescue the fallen Deatheaters from Azkaban. But none were found inside the prison. Malfoy, who was assumed to be a vegetable was no where to be found. St. Mungos had never received him and his wife refused to have him in her home. Through an unusual source he found out that the Ministry had found Lucius. He had been sent through the Veil along with nearly every Death Eater from the first war. The only one left was Bellatrix, who was more than a touch insane, even by his standards.
Young Malfoy entered the room. He waited patiently for his Lord to acknowledge his presence.
"What is it?"
"My Lord I brought someone who knows Potter inside and out."
"There is no one who fills that position. None of his friends would betray him."
"There is one, my Lord."
The Dark Lord perked up.
"Who?"
Another figure made itself known. A hand reached up and pushed the hood of the cloak down to reveal a head of red hair.
"I would." stated one Ron Weasley.
Susan woke up to the sounds of the surf hitting the beach. She reached over to Harry's spot, only to discover that her husband wasn't there. Looking around the room, she saw him sitting in a chair in front of the french doors that opened out onto the beach.
As quiet as she could, Susan got out of bed and wrapped the top sheet around her body. She padded over to where Harry was sitting and climbed onto his lap. She blushed as she realized the he was naked.
'Good thing that this is a private island. I'd hate to hex anyone for ogling him.' she thought.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
It took a moment for him to answer. "You could say that."
"About what?"
Instead of telling her the truth he gave her a cheeky grin and said, "How'd you like to take a swim?"
"Right now?" she asked in a breathless voice as Harry began to nibble at her neck.
"Right now."
"I need to get…"
"No clothes."
She gasped as his nibbles turned into kisses, with the occasional lick on a sensitive spot. "You mean…."
"Naked, as the day you were born, your Grace."
She turned bright red at the thought. Feeling her flushed skin, Harry began to chuckle. He lifted her off his lap and began to carry her towards the water. Her feeble protests went unheard.
The students of Hogwarts stared at their younger Defense teacher in awe and for some jealousy. Apparently, the young Professor had gone somewhere where the sun shined daily. He was tanned and 'glowing' if that was to be considered. Many speculated over the reason, but none were close to the truth. They soon had the reason thanks to the Daily Prophet.
'Harry Potter Weds!' read the headline of a special printing. Many read the accompanying article.
'Harry Potter wed Susan Bones, niece of Amelia Bones, our Minister for Magic, in a private ceremony at the Ministry two weeks ago.
When asked why such a happy occasion was kept silent, the Minister answered with this statement:
"Due to Voldemort's return and his unnatural fixation on the Duke of Gryffindor, it was felt that for safety reasons, the wedding would be just family. A more public reception will be held a later date."
Rumors have been flying around for months over the wedding of the century. Many a witch, while wishing the couple happiness, secretly wished that they were the bride.
We at the Prophet wish the Duke and Duchess of Gryffindor a happy and long marriage.'
Within minutes the Great hall was a buzz with whispering. The whispers got even louder when Susan joined her husband at the staff table. Seconds later the whispers were no longer whispers as Marble joined them with a very alert Lily in her arms. Those who hadn't known about the baby noted that she looked like her father. It was the fact that she was alive that had them talking amongst themselves. Most wondered where and who the mother was. Many silently believed that Granger was the so called mother. But that would be something that they would never know.
Up at the head table Harry had just taken Lily from Marble. Glancing up he saw all the stares that he was getting.
Susan leaned over and whispered, "You shouldn't be surprised. They've never seen her before. You just had to have her here tonight."
"I know but I missed her."
"I missed her too, but I think our reunion could have a waited a couple of hours."
Harry sighed in agreement but still wasn't too upset about it. It wasn't as if Voldemort didn't know about her already.
Lily though had other ideas. She didn't like all the attention and made that known in her own special way.
A blinding light flashed in the Great Hall. Temporarily blinded, the Student body's sight slowly returned. Most felt that some sort of prank had been pulled but were at a loss as to what. It was then that several of them realized that they were seated at another house table, wearing that houses colors. The worst was the Slytherins who had been placed at Gryffindor's table. Several tried to move or change their uniforms back only to find that they either stuck down more firmly to the bench or they lost a piece of clothing. Draco Malfoy, in a temper fit, succeeded in vanishing almost all of his clothes, with his arse, feet, and one hand stuck in place. The rest of Slytherin house quit trying after that.
Harry stared in wonder at the scene before him. He had no idea what had happened until he heard a giggle come from Lily. Her eyes twinkled and shined as she clapped in happiness.
"Did she just do what I think she did?" asked a worried but proud Susan.
"I think that our princess is channeling her grandfather and grand god-father right now."
A moan was heard from several of the staff members.
It was McGonagall that said what they all felt.
"I hope not Harry. Because if that's true, then I plan on retiring before she turns eleven."
Several others agreed with that and said so.
Harry simply shook his head and glanced down at the now sleeping angel in his arms. The smile on her face said it all.
Lord Voldemort was tired of waiting. His anger over the failure to get Potter, the Bones girl, who was now Potter's wife or the miserable brat that Potter had sired was beginning to make him crack. Silently he went over his plans, each more desperate than the previous one, trying to find something that would hurt his enemy. Something that would hurt the champion and Savior of the Wizarding world. Something he hadn't done before.
An idea formed. One that even he was reluctant to put into action but decided that this would definitely send the message that he wanted.
"Weasley!"
A door opened and the red headed traitor came into the room.
"Yes Master?"
"Your arm."
Ron quickly offered his marked arm. He didn't scream as others did whenever they were used as a messenger. His lord was rather pleased with this and handed him a vial of pain potion as a reward.
Soon the door opened again to reveal the insane Bellatrix.
"You called me, Master?"
"Yes Bella, I have a little mission for you. One that you can play with if you so desire."
Bella's eyes lit up in anticipation. She was practically humming in suspense.
"I want you to find an orphanage or children's home."
Bella went from hyper to regret, almost fear.
"Master?" she whispered, hoping against hope that what her master was asking of her was not what she heard.
"You heard me correctly, Bella. Find one and kill every one of them inside. I want them tortured Bella. I want those who find them to fear us. I want Potter to be disgusted by what he hears. Do you understand, Bella?"
"Yes Master", came the whispered reply.
"Then take whom you wish with you, but not Weasley or any werewolves. I want their bodies to be recognizable."
"As you command Master." The witch bowed and left the room. Tears fell silently down her cheeks as she went to do the one thing she vowed never to do. Kill an innocent child.
Shaking herself and wiping her tears away she set out to find those that were less offended by her orders than she was.