For Alan Rickman an amazing actor and the man who brought Severus Snape to life.
Act II
Chapter 1: The Weasley's
GRAND OPENING OF THE POTTER AND WEASLEY ORPHANAGE
By Parvarti Patil
Six months after being part of the greatest magical find this century, Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley were on hand today at the ribbon cutting ceremony of their joint venture, the Potter and Weasley Orphanage for Magical Children. Located on the eastern edge of Hogsmeade Village the newly constructed building was built using funds the two received for finding the location of Grindelwald's Vault.
Before the ribbon cutting I was able to get an exclusive interview with both Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley:
PP: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, I know you must both be extremely busy.
GW: Today is actually some of the least work we've had to do, an event planner is the poor soul being run into the ground we just go where we're told. (Ms. Weasley and Mr. Potter shared a knowing smirk before laughing at what I assume is a private joke.)
PP: Of course, but I'm sure you'll have to be somewhere soon, so let's get right to the questions. Whose idea was it for the orphanage?
HP: The original idea was mine and one I've been thinking about since I opened the Potter Home. I told Ginny about the idea during our uh… expedition to find the Vault and she's been behind the idea ever since.
PP: So it didn't take much convincing for you to put the majority of your reward money from finding the Vault into setting up the Orphanage?
GW: None at all, I was prepared to help almost as soon as Harry told me about it. I've never been one for material possessions and the reward for finding the vault plus my cut from Gringotts for the items within the Vault was more than I could ever need. Giving back to help children who have lost everything was the easiest decision I've ever made.
PP: I'm sure it was. It appears you already have about fifteen children ready to live here. How many children is the Orphanage prepared to support?
HP: There's actually eighteen children who will be moving in today, with another five set to arrive in the next week. As of right now the house is stocked and staffed to support fifty children but we're prepared to expand if necessary.
PP: The house is taking in all magical children regardless of origin-
HP: Of course. Blood purity is for outdated hatemongers who haven't realized their time is passed.
PP: I agree completely Mr. Potter, I was just wondering how you find magical children who are muggleborn?
GW: Headmistress McGonagall from Hogwarts and Minister Diggory have allowed us access to both the Hogwarts Student Registry and the Record for Magical Births. Using these we were able to check on every magical child in the UK under the age of seventeen.
PP: And you found this many children living in orphanages?
HP: The war left many families broken, while some of these children were found in muggle orphanages there were several pureblood and half-blood children who were left to family members unprepared to take care of them. Family is important but not everyone is ready to care for a child whether financially or emotionally. We offered some of these guardians and children the option to let the child come live here and they decided to accept our offer. These guardians are of course allowed to visit the child, I know better than anyone the importance of maintaining a connection to your parents and family.
PP: Of course. The Orphanage is not simply a home though, you will also be offering services for the children?
GW: The Orphanage will pay for the school supplies for any Hogwarts age student living here, along with a small allowance for those old enough to visit Hogsmeade. We've also hired a teacher who will provide lessons in basic subjects like math, writing, and history to younger children between ages five and eleven. There will also be trips several times a month to magical locations like Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and the Ministry of Magic, along with trips to non magical locations.
PP: It sounds like you've thought of everything, the Orphanage sounds like a wonderful place for these children. For future donors is there anywhere in particular they should send their donations?
HP: Anyone wishing to donate to either the Orphanage or the Potter Home can simply go to Gringotts and deposit any donation in the Lily Foundation vault.
PP: Wonderful, now for my final question. I have to ask, are the two of you together? Has Ms. Weasley roped herself the wizarding world's most eligible bachelor.
HP: Ms. Patil you know I don't answer questions about my personal life. For now I will say that both Ginny and I are good friends and excited to be working together on both the Orphanage and any other future projects we may encounter.
Despite Mr. Potter's attempt to avoid the question, more and more evidence has been seen in recent months to confirm the existence of a romantic relationship between Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley.
For further info on the...
Lord York glanced up at the large large photo of Harry and Ginny, surrounded by children, cutting a ribbon hung in front of the door to the new orphanage. With a sigh he placed the paper onto a pile of old newspapers beside the fireplace he used for kindling. The paper landed on top of a faded issue from months before that also had a picture of Harry and Ginny at the Potter Home sitting with Dennis Creevey and another patient laughing at something one of them had said.
"A magical orphanage," Lord York said thoughtfully. "It really is a good idea, one the Ministry should have funded long ago."
"There is no such thing as a goblin orphan," the goblin sat across from him said. "If a child's parents die then they still have the clan and a clan would never abandon a child."
"It was of course the old blood supremacists that prevented an official orphanage," York said. "Why should they concern themselves or their money with the well being of muggleborn children?" York sneered. "Idiots."
The goblin smiled showing off his many sharp teeth before leaning forward to slide a piece of paper across the table to Lord York. "As you requested the final and complete inventory of the Vault that was transferred to Gringotts, unfortunately there is no mention of a journal belonging to Merlin or of Excalibur," the goblin said.
"I believe the sword currently resides with Mr. Potter," Lord York said. "Both of their reports are rather vague on how exactly Mr. Malfoy died and I know their insistence that the sword was gone when they arrived is a lie. It would be so like Potter to have been the person to pull the sword from the stone."
"And the book?"
"I don't know," Lord York said worriedly. "Neither of them should have known to look for it, but for whatever reason one of them must have found it and not recorded its existence."
"Could the ICW have it?" the goblin questioned.
"My contact insists it is not on the ICW's inventory," he answered. "I'll have him check again and also make inquiries about whether Harry kept any items as trophies. Search the girls office see if you can find any information about the journal."
"And if we don't find it?"
Lord York sighed in frustration, "If we don't find it I will place a guard on the Library and begin looking into other options."
"You should just eliminate them, they are a threat."
"I tried that once, another attempt on their lives would be too suspicious," Lord York said, a small headache forming as he remembered the mess Malfoy had made for him. "Unless we have concrete proof they have the journal and are searching for the Library we will not engage them."
"If you insist," the goblin said as he rose from his seat, "I'll take my leave and hope you know what you're doing."
Lord York scowled as the goblin disappeared into the green flames. The two couldn't possibly know what it is they had stumbled upon in the Vault. It had taken him so long to follow the clues and piece it all together. There was no way for them to know.
Ginny sighed contently as Harry's muscular arm wrapped around her waist, his fingers tapping nervously on her hip. "You'll be fine," she soothed placing her hand over his and interlacing their fingers to stop his tapping.
"You only had to meet Sirius and you got to do that before we were actually dating," Harry grumbled as they walked slowly down the path from the apparition point to the front door of the Burrow.
"You met my parents and Bill during the war and Percy has been helping us with the Ministry to organize the orphanage," she said counting on her fingers. "That's almost half already."
"I met your brother and parents in passing, I don't think I ever said more than five words to them," Harry said, "and like I said it's different when you're being introduced as the boyfriend."
"You faced down Voldemort without blinking an eye and yet you're afraid of my family," she said teasingly.
"Well there was only one of Voldemort," he muttered as they drew closer to the house.
Ginny paused and turned to face him. "You'll be fine," she repeated before pulling him closer to kiss him gently, before he could try to deepen the kiss she stepped away from him. "Don't worry I'll protect you from my big bad older brothers," she said her hand already on the doorknob.
As the door swung open a wave of noise, previously hidden by a sound cancelling charm, rolled over them. The entryway was empty except for a pile of shoes and boots and half a dozen coats hung on the wall. From the sound of it everyone was in the kitchen, although the amount of talking and lack of dishes and silverware clinking together told Ginny her mother had not served dinner yet. With a happy smile she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him down the hall towards the source of all the noise. Turning the corner into the kitchen the noise level dropped considerably as everyone looked up at the new arrivals.
"Tante Ginny!" A strawberry blond girl shouted happily in a slightly french accent as she leapt from her chair and rushed toward Ginny.
"Tori!" Ginny shouted equally as happy scooping her niece up into her arms and placing a kiss on both her cheeks.
"Tante Ginny, maman and papa said I could not fly on my broom!" the girl said sadly earning a disapproving look from both her parents.
"Did they say why you couldn't fly on your broom?" Ginny asked glancing at the girl's parents.
"Dominique was playing with my dolly and would not let go! So I pushed her!" Tori cried in a tone that made it clear she thought her actions perfectly reasonable.
"That wasn't very nice," Ginny said. "Did you apologize to your sister?"
"No!" Tori cried clearly confused as to why she should apologize, "She took my dolly!"
"Pushing isn't very nice Tori," Ginny said trying to console the little girl. "Maybe you should say you're sorry to Dominique and your parents."
"But Tante Ginny!" Tori cried dramatically.
"No but's go say you're sorry and maybe later I'll take you out flying," Ginny said as she put the little girl down and gently pushed her towards her parents.
"Fine," Tori sighed and walked over to where her parents were sitting with her younger sister. "I am sorry Dominique," she said in a tone that clearly said she didn't mean it, but sometimes that was the best you could hope for with small children.
Ginny turned away from her brother's family and back to Harry who had been standing quietly watching the exchange, along with most of her family. They'd watched the exchange in amusement but her mother and father had risen to greet the newcomers. Her mother was looking between her and Harry with a large happy smile.
"Hi mum," Ginny said hugging her mother before moving to her father, "Daddy," she said kissing him on the cheek as he hugged her tightly before she stepped back and took Harry's hand pulling him forward. "This is my boyfriend Harry."
"It's a pleasure to see you again Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry said stepping forward to shake her father's hand before Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a bone crushing hug.
"None of that, I insist you call us Molly and Arthur," she said stepping back and holding Harry at arms length to inspect him. "Dinner will be ready shortly, please take a seat anywhere," she added gesturing to the table where there were in fact only two open seats remaining.
"Of course Molly," Harry said before holding out a bottle of wine he'd had tucked against his arm. "I brought this for dinner, although now I realize there might not be enough for everyone."
"It's perfectly fine, we have a few bottles of our own we can put out and some of us can't be drinking anyway," she answered with a knowing smile to the woman sitting beside Percy.
Mrs. Weasley took the bottle of wine and disappeared into the kitchen while her father returned to his spot at the head of the table. Ginny took Harry's hand and led him toward the two empty chairs between Bill and George and across from Ron and Hermione. Ginny wasn't surprised to see her friend as she and Ron had had an on again, off again relationship since their seventh year at Hogwarts. Hermione was a common fixture at the Weasley family dinners but no one ever knew if she was coming until she actually arrived. She briefly wondered how long her brother and friend could go on like this, but knew she would be a hypocrite for involving herself with her siblings relationships.
"Harry you've met Bill, this is his wife Fleur and their daughters Victoire and Dominique," Ginny said as they passed the family pausing to let Harry greet each member with a handshake and a smile. "You've met Hermione as well, the prat next to her is my brother Ron who she's dating for some reason I haven't been able to fathom yet."
"Oi!" Ron shouted indignantly as he rose to shake Harry's hand. Ginny noticed the slight wince from Harry as Ron most likely tried to crush his hand.
"Percy and Audrey you know from their help with the Orphanage," Ginny said indicating the other two who were seated primly near the head of the table, most likely so Percy could discuss Ministry matters with their father. "And finally this is George, don't eat anything he gives you and assume all items near him are charmed to do you harm in some way."
"Absolutely spiffing to meet you Harry," George said giving Harry a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't believe a word my sister says, you'll never find someone as trustworthy as me. All the pranks were Fred's idea I just wanted to study and do well but he dragged me down this path of evil," he said quietly and his siblings laughed good naturedly. Ginny had of course told Harry of her brother who died in the war so he knew not to ask about Fred.
"Of course, I myself was steered down this path of pranking and inappropriate jokes by my godfather Sirius," Harry said with a smile. "Keeps insisting I need to start a new generation of Marauders."
"That would've made our time at Hogwarts much more enjoyable," George mused a far away look in his eyes.
Ginny purposefully maneuvered Harry into sitting next to Bill keeping herself between him and George in an attempt to save him from any prank attempts. Her brothers looked on approvingly as he pulled her chair out for her before sitting himself and immediately getting drawn into a conversation with Ron about Quidditch. Ginny was ready to join the conversation as Ron began spouting wild fantasies about the Cannons beating the Harpies but was distracted by Hermione staring at her pointedly.
"Hello Hermione. How are you today?" Ginny asked.
"I'm fine, I was looking for you at work on Friday," Hermione said, the hint of disapproval in her tone stating that she thought Ginny had skipped work.
"It was my day off, I was at the Orphanage with Harry helping two of the new children to get settled," she answered a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Oh," Hermione said, deflating a bit, "I-I didn't realize. Well perhaps after dinner we can talk about the special project I was working on," Hermione said meaningfully. "I think I've finally had a breakthrough."
Ginny was momentarily lost as she wasn't aware Hermione had been working on a secret project, but Hermione glanced at Harry and Ginny caught on. "Oh right, of course after dinner we can find a quiet place to talk while my brothers interrogate Harry," she said, noting that Harry was deeply involved in a Quidditch debate with Ron and had entirely missed the odd conversation between her and Hermione. Judging by the curious looks he was now giving both of them George had not, but he was discreet enough not to voice his curiosity.
"So Harry I have to admit you've been quite the thorn in my side the last couple of years," Bill said a little loudly drawing Harry from his conversation with Ron. Ginny winced as her brother avoided all attempts at subtlety and instead charged towards a confrontation with Harry.
"Really sorry about that, guess I've just been really lucky with my own research," Harry answered smoothly.
"I'm not entirely sure luck was the only thing on your side. The goblins have been conducting a man hunt the last few years to keep you away from our digs," Bill stated any hint of his good nature gone, the rest of the table now watching their conversation.
"Well they clearly didn't do a good job," Harry retorted his patience clearly starting to wear thin. "Maybe the goblins just can't admit they've been outsmarted and move on."
"You're playing a dangerous game Potter," Bill said angrily. "Whoever your source is, is going to get caught one day and the goblins will not be forgiving. You're just lucky Ginny was in training during your first few steals or they'd have interrogated her by now!"
"I would never purposefully place Ginny in harm's way and I would never ask her to spy on Gringotts for me," Harry said quietly his voice hard as he glared at her brother.
"William Weasley!" her mother said as she entered the room carrying a roasted turkey. "You will not speak to a guest in our house with that tone of voice! I thought I'd have taught you better than that."
Bill looked as if he was getting ready to continue the argument but finally backed down under the combined glare of his mother, his wife, and his sister. "I apologize for my tone Harry."
"It's no problem, you were just worried about your sister," Harry replied amicably the anger he had a moment ago almost completely gone. "If she let me I'd be just as worried."
Bill narrowed his eyes as he tried to judge the sincerity behind Harry's words, but finally he nodded, glanced briefly at Ginny and turned to begin serving himself dinner. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief, she'd been momentarily worried this would degrade into another argument like the one they'd had just after she returned from the Vault.
6 months earlier
Ginny had expected to return to Gringotts and be showered with congratulations and other accolades by her co workers and maybe even a satisfied smile from one of the goblins. Instead her presence in the bank had brought with it an uncomfortable silence and awkward glances from her fellow Curse Breakers. The goblins themselves had regarded her with outright anger glaring at her as she crossed the main lobby of the bank to the employee only section.
She was almost at her office when a door next to her opened, "Ginny in here, now!" the serious voice of her brother echoed down the hall.
Stepping into his office she performed her normal ritual of studying the various artifacts scattered around the room but paused when she caught sight of the barely suppressed anger on her brothers face. Once again she was thrown off by his reaction as she had expected him of all people to be proud of her accomplishment.
"Sit," he ordered pointing at the chair opposite him. This of course earned him a raised eyebrow and challenging glare from his sister.
"Hello Ginny," she started in a sarcastic tone, "How are you? Congratulations on finding Grindelwald's Vault, I'm really proud of you."
Bill gave her a frustrated look before flicking his wand causing the door behind her to slam shut. "You have no idea what you've done do you?" he asked.
"I discovered Grindelwald's Vault recovering hundreds of artifacts thought lost forever?" Ginny answered cautiously beginning to think she was missing something.
"You worked with Harry Potter!" Bill shouted. "He's not a goblin sanctioned Curse Breaker! You must have suspected he was the treasure thief the goblins have been hunting," Bill was pacing furiously now his arms swinging wildly about. "Do you know how I found out you'd found the Vault?"
Ginny had remained silent as she thought it was a rhetorical question but as the silence stretched on she realized he was waiting for her to answer. "When the letter I sent arrived?" she cautiously offered.
"No!" Bill shouted slamming his fist onto his desk. "It was twenty minutes into the first interrogation the Goblins dragged me into! After they thoroughly questioned me on if I'd ever told you anything about the previous digs that Potter had beaten us too. Then they moved on to my own interactions with Potter during the war and if I'd been in contact with him since. I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when they then asked how you knew him and why you were working with him."
"Did they hurt you?" Ginny asked seriously, not sure what length the Goblins would go to.
"No!" Bill retorted quickly. "The goblins wouldn't hurt an employee without proof of thievery. Although looking back I think there might have been a mild truth potion in the tea they offered me."
"I-I'm sorry Bill, I didn't think they would react this way," Ginny said sincerely. "Harry knew about Merlin's Tomb and was following me when I was breaking into the Tomb," she paused unsure how much she should reveal. "He saved my life at least once in the Tomb, not to mention what happened in the Vault."
"Why did you let him follow you into the Tomb?" Bill asked and Ginny got the sinking suspicion that this was no longer a conversation between brother and sister but between a Senior Curse Breaker and his subordinate.
"I didn't know he was there. He had an invisibility cloak," she answered. "He only revealed himself when I, uh, activated a trap and got myself stuck."
"What trap?"
"It was a floor illusion, the activation rune was just outside the range of my detection charm so I fell into a pit and broke my wrist," Ginny answered, unconsciously rolling the wrist that had been broken. "Harry could have left me there and proceeded into the Tomb alone but instead he revealed himself and helped me out on the condition we split the contents of the Tomb."
"And in the Tomb?"
"There was nothing, except an old corpse with a diary on it," Ginny said impatiently. "This was all in the report I filed earlier."
"I know Gin, but I just need to be sure you didn't know Potter was there until you were already in the Tomb," Bill placated while glancing down at one of the papers on his desk, Ginny realized it was a copy of her report.
Ginny sighed but continued to answer all of Bill's questions for the next thirty minutes going over every minute detail of Ginny's discovery of the Vault. Bill seemed to focus on verifying if Harry and Ginny had seen Excalibur, but they had both agreed that the sword should remain hidden for now and that since Harry had pulled it from the Stone he would keep it. They'd fabricated a story about Harry conjuring a mirror in front of Ginny that reflected the Killing Curse back at Malfoy, even though it was a flimsy excuse.
"Just stick to your story and the goblins should let this go," Bill finally said, "at least you won't be seeing Potter anytime soon," he added glancing at Ginny as she looked away guiltily. "You won't be seeing him again, right?"
"Well-" Ginny started looking down at her hands.
"Oh no," Bill muttered sinking back into his chair as he put a hand over his eyes. "Please tell me it's for a press conference of some kind."
"He's going to join me when I visit my friend Dennis Creevey at the Potter Home," Ginny said defensively, "and then we're going out for dinner."
Bill took a deep calming breath before looking his sister straight in the eye. "As your brother I know it's futile to try and control your love life, I'll leave that to Ron," he said a hint of a smile teasing at his lips. "But as your direct superior at work I'm telling you that if you choose to date Harry Potter and the goblins find out you will most likely be fired. Is a boy worth your career?"
Ginny sat deeply in thought for several seconds a ghost of a smile occasionally flitting across her face. "No, but luckily I don't have to choose," she finally said.
"Oh?" Bill asked, wondering what she could be hinting at.
"Harry's boss and the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW showed up to investigate the Vault," she explained, "Harry's boss gave me a standing offer to join the ICW's Treasure Hunters when my contract with the goblins is up. If they choose to fire me I could just take him up on his offer sooner."
"Were you planning on taking this offer when your contract is up?" Bill asked genuinely curious.
"I don't know, it's an option if I don't like working for the goblins," she answered. "I'm more inclined now that I see how they treat those who provided them with the biggest find of the century."
Bill genuinely laughed, "I can imagine you haven't had a warm reception. Despite how the goblins and some of the other Curse Breakers are treating you the Head Curse Breaker, myself and the goblin chief are all very pleased with you."
"I have yet to see evidence of this but I'm sure it will be reflected in my paycheck," Ginny said.
"You'll be able to go out and buy yourself a hundred of the Firebolt 3's if you want," Bill answered in amusement.
"I have something else planned for it," she said before standing, "Is there anything else? I'd like to drop some things off at my office and I want to stop by Hermione's office."
"No you're excused, just don't take their attitudes too personally Gin."
"I won't," she called, already out the door.
Ginny smirked at the memory, the goblins had yet to fire her, in part because she and Harry were doing their best to keep their relationship away from the public eye and because someone at Gringotts was pleased enough with her work to shield her from any backlash. She still only had a few ideas who it was protecting her but Bill insisted that at least one or more people had tried to get her fired only to have the idea shot down. Unfortunately without being fired the contract she had signed with Gringotts kept her employed with them for another four years. She could pay a fee to break the contract but her own pride was keeping her from giving the goblins any money and she'd decided to just bear the scrutiny and finish out the contract. Although each day the idea of leaving Gringotts to travel the world with Harry was more and more appealing.
Turning to her boyfriend Ginny was only mildly surprised to instead find a confused looking seal sitting in his chair. "George," she growled turning on her brother.
George ignored her instead studying Harry with a faint smile. "Odd it should have turned him into badger," he said thoughtfully. "Ron did you put it in his potatoes?"
Ron was trying poorly to hold in his laughter but shook his head, "No I missed and it landed in his wine."
"Mixing with wine gets a seal instead of a badger," George repeated a devious grin on his face. "I never realized that the food or drink could affect the transformation."
"George!" Ginny said beginning to lose her patience as Seal-Harry sat calmly by her side. "Change him back, now!"
"Don't worry Gin-Gin it's on a timer he should be turning back any second," George said. "Although the timer may be thrown off by the altered transformation as well," he added thoughtfully.
Ginny was red in the face at this point and her wand appeared in her hand, "George Fabian Weasley! I swear to Merlin if you don't change him back this instant I-"
They never found out what Ginny would do because mid rant Seal-Harry planted his lips firmly on her cheek and blew a loud raspberry. For a second there was complete silence as everyone in the room froze in shock, Ginny herself had been mid rant but now her mouth hung open in shock, her wand still pointed menacingly at George. The silence was broken as Ron started laughing which then spurred the entire family to break down into hysterical laughter. The only one not laughing was Ginny who turned towards Harry with a look of shock on her face.
Seal-Harry stuck his tongue out at her before leaning forward to lick her cheek. Ginny finally snorted and then broke down into hysterical giggles as Seal-Harry let out a series of loud barks that Ginny took to be laughter. This was confirmed as Seal-Harry slowly transformed back into normal Harry who didn't stop laughing throughout the transformation.
"You're an idiot," Ginny said playfully, just loud enough for Harry to hear above the laughter of her family.
"It was a good prank, I'd hate to see dinner ruined by you castrating your brother," Harry joked.
"You never let me have any fun," Ginny pouted before the two dissolved into laughter once again. "Thank you for handling that so well," she added once they'd calmed down again.
"Oh we're going to get him back of course," Harry said seriously. "But first I'm going to buy most of his stock to use on Sirius," he added with a devious smile.
Once dinner had ended the majority of the family moved to the living room where Ginny was able to leave Harry with her father once she mentioned that he had grown up in a mixed muggle/magical home. While Harry tried to explain exactly how a microwave warmed food, something Ginny actually found interesting if she was truthful, she grabbed Hermione away from her brother and pulled her out on to the porch.
"So what is it you found?" Ginny asked once they were alone.
"Oh Ginny, Merlin's journal has been amazing!" Hermione said, not answering the question. "I only finished translating it the other night, work has been really busy with all the things from the Vault coming in," she explained. "Also I had to learn Welsh," she added as an afterthought.
"You learned Welsh in six months?" Ginny asked, only mildly surprised.
"Well it was more like four months, but I already had a basic grasp of Celtic and the two are very similar," Hermione answered. "But that's not important Ginny! It's what I found in the book that is important!"
"So what is it you found?" Ginny repeated, hoping Hermione would get to the point.
"Well the journal itself only details Merlin's life from about age twenty to age fifty but he most certainly led an interesting life!" Hermione began and Ginny could only sigh as she realized that Hermione may go on for a while. "He didn't talk a lot about spells in the journal, from the things he wrote I believe he may have created a Grimoire that contains his knowledge of magic. Did you know he attended Hogwarts!? He was a Slytherin of all things, I never even realized he was younger than the Founders, most muggle legends have him living several hundred years before the founding of Hogwarts."
"Hermione!" Ginny snapped her patience beginning to wear thin. "You said you found something."
"Right! Sorry," she said sheepishly. "Well near the end of the journal Merlin mentions a Great Betrayal and the Night of a Thousand Stars. The final entries in the journal are about him taking a journey from England to Egypt to find the Library of Alexandria," here she paused to pull out an aged piece of parchment from her pocket. "He even had a map to the library stored at the back of the journal. This is a map to the lost Library of Alexandria!"
Ginny looked at the map which showed a rather detailed map of northern Egypt, a spot on the coast clearly marked and a small paragraph written in Welsh next to the marked area. Most Curse Breakers had a general knowledge of Egypt's geography as Gringotts used the many tombs there to test trainees, so Ginny recognized the marked area as the modern city of Alexandria, unsurprising given the Library's name.
"I thought the Library was destroyed?" Ginny asked only having a vague knowledge of the Library itself.
"So did I," Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "According to Merlin only the muggle part of the Library was destroyed, the magical part was hidden from muggles to protect it from destruction. That writing on the map is supposedly how someone can gain entrance to the Library."
"Alright," Ginny said studying the map for a moment. "So what did the Library have to do with this Great Betrayal and Night of Stars?"
"Night of a Thousand Stars," Hermione corrected. "Merlin believed that the Library would have a solution to these two events."
"What were they?" Ginny asked, almost certain she had never heard of them before.
Hermione paused awkwardly looking down at her hands, "I, um, I don't actually know."
Ginny's eyebrows rose up nearly to her hairline and her mouth dropped open in shock as she studied her nervous looking friend. "Y-You don't know?" she finally asked, in the all the years she had known Hermione she had never not known the answer.
"I'm allowed to not know things sometimes," Hermione snapped, "And it's not like I haven't tried to find the answer. I checked all the history books at Gringotts and Flourish and Blotts but none of them mention these events. I was thinking of asking Headmistress McGonagall for permission to check the Hogwarts library."
"So you really have no idea?" Ginny asked, still caught off guard by this idea.
Hermione made a sound that Ginny could really only call a growl and began pacing the small porch. "I have an idea, but no actual confirmation," she started. "Every history book calls Morgan le Fay his greatest enemy, but in his journal he often refers to her as a close friend and even hints at a romantic relationship between them at one point. Perhaps this Great Betrayal was in fact Morgan turning against him and he's going to the Library to seek out a way to defeat her."
"Does he mention finding the Library?" Ginny asked.
"No, the last entry in the journal is the night before he leaves England," Hermione said pulling a small manuscript from her bag. "This is the fully translated journal, I think he started another journal on the journey or when he reached the Library. Hopefully when you go there you can find the next journal."
"When I do what?" Ginny asked in surprise.
"You are going to go find the Library aren't you?" Hermione asked in confusion. "The magical knowledge held within would be unfathomable."
"I suppose I could ask the Head Curse Breaker for special permission to go look for the Library," Ginny answered thoughtfully. "It might take some work to sell, the Goblins aren't usually interested in magical history or knowledge so much as the treasure and gold hidden in tombs."
"But Ginny if the legends are true there could be books, scrolls, and manuscripts dating back to the very invention of the written word itself!" Hermione practically shouted. "If you don't go I'll just have to go myself I suppose!"
"Hermione calm down," Ginny said placing her hands on her friend's shoulders. "I'll try to get an officially sanctioned expedition from Gringotts, but if they don't want to fund one then I'll take some time off and go there myself."
Hermione studied her carefully for a second and Ginny knew she was analyzing each word she'd said. "By yourself? You won't bring Harry?"
"Maybe, if Gringotts doesn't sponsor the expedition," Ginny said, "but I'm not even sure if Harry would be interested in a dig like this."
"Ginny," Hermione said letting her question hang in the air between them.
Ginny avoided Hermione's gaze hoping if she just remained silent her friend would let it drop, but when she looked back she found her still looking at her expectantly. "Fine!" she finally said throwing her hands up in the air and beginning to pace. "I wouldn't bring Harry because I don't want him to get the credit again!"
"Again?" Hermione asked in confusion. "Everyone knows that you and he both found the Vault. In fact he was quite insistent in most interviews if I remember correctly."
"No Hermione, everyone knows that Harry Potter found Grindelwald's Vault and I was along for the ride," Ginny said sitting down on the bench. "I've heard the other Curse Breakers whispering behind my back, all of them think that I was lucky and followed Harry to the Vault," she cringed slightly remembering the stories she had heard, "and those were the nice ones. Most stories involve me seducing Harry and tricking him into taking me to the Vault with him."
"They're just jealous Ginny," Hermione started to say.
"They're right!" Ginny practically shouted.
"What!?"
"They're right," Ginny repeated quietly. "The biggest contribution I made to finding the Vault was knowing you. Harry saved me three times, twice in Merlin's Tomb and once from Malfoy," she said. "He probably saved me from the Daedalus Charm as well, it would have taken me days to figure it out on my own."
"Ginny, I'm sure you-"
"No Hermione, I didn't do anything to help find the Vault," Ginny interrupted. "I can't even blame the other Curse Breakers for thinking those things. If you look at the evidence it's really the only logical conclusion."
"Then they clearly have no idea what type of person you are," Hermione said firmly. "I've been your friend for over a decade Ginny and there's no way you would ever sleep with someone just to advance your career. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot!"
"That still doesn't stop them from being right," Ginny said dejectedly.
"So go out there and prove them wrong," Hermione said firmly. "You are one of the strongest people I know, so go out there get another assignment and prove them wrong. I know you don't need Harry and you know you don't need Harry. So go and show them that you're just as capable of being a Curse Breaker as they are!"
"You know how cliched that sounds?" Ginny asked, a hint of amusement in her voice as the corners of her lips twitched.
"Shut up, I'm trying to make you feel better," Hermione answered playfully.
Ginny stood up and hugged Hermione tightly, "Thanks Hermione, I needed to let that out."
"Anytime Ginny," Hermione said returning the hug tightly. "Do you think maybe you should tell Harry about this?"
Ginny stepped back from the hug and sighed. "I don't know, what's he really going to do about it? I already feel bad that a small part of me blames him for it even though none of it was really his fault."
"Well maybe you should tell him anyway. If you keep it bottled up for too long it might come out when you don't want it too and cause more problems," Hermione said, a knowing look on her face.
Ginny chuckled quietly, "Well I guess if the queen of relationship arguments gives me some advice I should follow it."
Hermione blanched at the title and suddenly looked uncomfortable, "I actually read that one in a relationship counseling book, I thought it might help with mine and Ron's relationship."
"Hermione, I love you and I love Ron, whatever happens between you, you'll still be one of my best friends," Ginny said pulling Hermione into a tight hug again.
"Thank you Ginny," Hermione said as she stepped back from the hug and looked down at her watch. "We've been out here for quite a while, I'm surprised no one came looking for us."
"My dad probably distracted Harry by asking him to explain the internet or something," Ginny joked as the two re-entered the house only to run into Bill and his family.
"Ginny, Hermione there you are! We were just on our way to say goodbye," Bill said as he pulled his sister into a hug.
"You're leaving already?" she asked in surprise, returning the hug.
"Dom is already asleep and even though she's denying it Tori isn't far behind," Bill answered indicating his youngest daughter already asleep in her mother's arms and his other daughter whose eyes were half closed as she swayed slightly in her spot.
" 'Mnot tired," Tori slurred before yawning, "Tante Gin's gonna fly wif me."
"Maybe next time kiddo," Ginny said pulling her niece into a tight hug. "For now it's time for you to go home."
"Don' wanna," the girl said even as she laid her head down on Ginny's shoulder and shut her eyes.
Ginny chuckled quietly, picking up her niece and carefully handing her off to Bill. "Before we go, I wanted to tell you Gin, the Head Curse Breaker wants to see you tomorrow morning at nine. I think he finally has a new assignment for you," Bill whispered quietly as he rubbed his sleeping daughter's back.
"Alright, I wanted to speak to him anyway," Ginny answered giving both Fleur and Dom a kiss on the cheek as they moved towards the fireplace in the kitchen to Floo home. After the family had vanished into the green flames of the Floo, Ginny and Hermione continued onto the living room where the rest of the family was waiting.
Her mother and father were seated in their arm chairs quietly sipping tea. Percy stood next to their father discussing something that happened at the Ministry while his wife Audrey stood beside her mother letting the future grandmother place a gentle hand on her rounded belly. George was valiantly fighting a losing battle against Ron as his chess pieces were wiped out one by one. Hermione gave Ginny's arm a final squeeze before moving over to watch the brothers. Harry was standing a little apart from the family looking at the various pictures on the mantle.
"This one's my favorite," Ginny said quietly as she walked up beside Harry wrapping one of her arms through his and using the other to point out a family photo squished between Bill and Fleur's wedding portrait and Percy and Audrey's. "Dad had gotten tickets to the Quidditch World Cup the summer before my third year, top box and everything. Bill and Charlie even came home for it," she explained her fingers idly tracing the laughing outline of Fred as he and George tried to push one another out of the frame. "It was the last time we were all together."
Harry didn't say anything but simply squeezed her hand as they stood together silently watching her family smile and wave happily from the picture. After a moment Ginny shook herself to try and loosen the hold grief had on her and replaced the photo on the mantle.
"I was just looking at this interesting clock," Harry said in an effort to distract her. "As far as I can tell it doesn't tell time."
"No, each hand is supposed to show where all of us are," Ginny explained pointing to a hand with her own face on it, currently pointing at work. "Dad got it for mum for their tenth anniversary, before I was even born. The spells that make it work wore off a couple months ago, so now mum just keeps it for nostalgia really," she said before dropping her voice into a whisper, "We're all actually pooling our money and buying them a new one for their anniversary this year with the grandchildren on it and everything."
"I'm sure they'll love it," Harry whispered, glancing at the elder Weasley's as they watched their children proudly.
"I'm ready to go Harry," Ginny finally said after several minutes of quietly watching her brothers play chess. "Bill told me I have to see the Head Curse Breaker first thing in the morning."
"It's about time he gave you your next assignment, you're going to be amazing," Harry said immediately and without prompting, a proud smile on his face.
Ginny stared at him in surprise, not sure how he could say the exact right thing at the moment she needed him to. Saying nothing she simply wrapped one arm around his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss, blocking out the rest of the world entirely as she lost herself in his embrace.
"Oi!" George and Ron finally shouted after realizing what their little sister was doing. Ginny only just stopped herself from making a rude gesture at them in front of their mother, instead she just motioned to Hermione who happily slapped the back of their heads.
"Thanks Hermione," Ginny said stepping away from Harry as she led him towards her parents. "We're going to get going, I have to be up early for work."
"To separate apartments I hope," said Ron a little louder than necessary.
"It's none of your business but yes Ronald, Harry's going to take me home and then return to his own apartment," Ginny said, adding a silent 'eventually' in her own mind. "Goodnight mum, goodnight dad."
"Goodnight dear, you two make sure to come by again soon," her mother said hugging them both tightly. "It so nice to see my little girl in love," she whispered quietly in Ginny's ear giving her a wink as she stepped back.
"He's a good man Ginny," her father said as they hugged. "I'm happy that you're happy."
"Thanks dad," Ginny whispered before taking Harry's hand and leading him out the door waving goodbye to everyone else. "Take me home Harry," she said stepping into his embrace as they reached the edge of the wards. Harry smiled down at her and together they disappeared almost silently.
The next morning Ginny walked down the long marble hallway that led from the main lobby of Gringotts to the executive offices, including the Bank Manager and the Head Curse Breaker. She had only met the Head Curse Breaker a handful of times, he was an older regal gentleman but had a legend among Curse Breakers for never failing to break into a tomb or come back with treasure. Nearly every Curse Breaker in the world idolized the man and praise from him was considered more valuable than any other reward a Curse Breaker could earn. Once her debriefing about the discovery of the Vault had finished he'd given her a quick nod and a quiet, "Good job," before leaving the room she had been questioned in. According to Bill it was the most praise he'd given anyone in a decade.
In front of her two Curse Breakers walked out of a briefing room, one of them clutching a copy of the Daily Prophet. They caught sight of her as she moved to pass them and one of them immediately smirked and used the rolled up newspaper to poke his companion gaining his attention.
"Prophet finally caught Weasley and Potter on a date," he said loud enough that Ginny could clearly hear him. He was talking about the picture a reporter had finally gotten of them at dinner on Saturday, they'd been going to muggle restaurants to avoid the wizarding press but their luck had finally run out. "Bet she's trying to shag a wedding ring out of him, get her hands on his fortune."
"Excuse me!" Ginny shouted, rounding on the two men her wand already out. "What did you just say?"
The second man gulped audibly and took two hurried steps away from his companion, trying desperately to indicate he wasn't involved. The first man, who she now recognized as Blaise Zabini a Slytherin a year ahead of her at Hogwarts just glared at her his own wand in his hand.
"You heard me," he said. "I said you're a desperate gold digger, trying to shag your way up the social ladder."
"How dare you!" she shouted a dark yellow spell shooting from her wand.
Zabini conjured a shield, a cocky smile on his face which turned to horror as Ginny's spell blasted through his shield and hit him right in the face. For a moment nothing happened and Zabini started to smile before he sneezed and a bat shaped boogey flew from his nose and began to claw at his face. The first boogey was followed quickly by a second and then a third until he had a swarm of them swooping and diving at his face. Screaming he took off down the hall, almost running straight into a pair of goblin soldiers who laughed at him. Ginny turned her wand on the second man who held his hands up in surrender and then sprinted after Zabini.
"Idiots," Ginny growled before turning and stomping towards the Head Curse Breakers office.
Taking a deep calming breath she knocked on the large wooden door adorned with just a simple nameplate. From within the office an aristocratic voice called, "Enter," and the door opened on its own allowing her into the office.
"Ms. Weasley," the man behind the desk greeted, rising to shake her hand before indicating one of the chairs opposite him. "Always nice to find someone who can arrive to a meeting on time."
"Thank you sir," Ginny answered glancing nervously around the room. It was adorned with trophies and trinkets from a hundred expeditions, the largest a life sized portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw hanging on the wall behind the Head Curse Breaker.
"I asked you here today because we finally have new information leading to a new dig site and want you to lead the team assigned to it," he said pushing a folder across the desk towards her.
"Lead a team?" she asked, it was almost unheard of for someone as new as her to lead a team.
"Yes, the manager and I agree that you've proven your Curse Breaking abilities by cracking the Vault. Now we want to test your leadership abilities," he answered as Ginny flipped open the folder. "The site itself shouldn't be too challenging, it's a new set of chambers discovered in the Valley of the Kings. We know you have the skill to break into it easily Ms. Weasley, this is a test of your ability to lead a team and earn the respect of those under your command."
"Yes sir," Ginny answered flipping through the pages and skimming through each one.
"Do you have any questions?" he asked as he pulled a report in front of him and began to scan its contents.
"Not about the dig sir," Ginny answered quickly.
He looked up at her a single eyebrow raised in question, "Then what do you have a question about?"
"I was wondering if I might have a week or two after this dig to dedicate to a personal project," she said.
"You've had almost six months of light work Ms. Weasley, some Curse Breakers would be jealous of your current workload," he said, clearly trying to determine what she would be doing.
"A friend of mine has discovered a lead to the Library of Alexandria sir, I was hoping I could take my team to look for it once the dig was done. She provided a map and instructions on how to access the Library. We both believe it could provide a wealth of knowledge both historical and magical," she said quickly, so busy trying to convince the man, that she didn't notice his eyes widen slightly and his face pale.
"The Library of Alexandria," he said slowly, "I thought it was destroyed."
"So did I, but my friend is convinced the magical part of the Library still exists, hidden from the muggles," Ginny explained trying to sound as sincere as possible.
"And your friend?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Hermione Granger sir, she works in the research department."
"And where did she come by this information?" he asked.
Now Ginny looked slightly ashamed and glanced away from the Head Curse Breaker. "Well she found the information in Merlin's Journal, Harry and I found it in the Vault and gave it to her as thanks for helping us find the Vault. She'll be donating it to Hogwarts Library once she's finished translating it," Ginny admitted bracing herself against an angry retort.
"Ms. Granger had the journal," the Head Curse Breaker finally said. "We were wondering if Merlin had left behind any personal effects like a journal," he explained quickly at Ginny's questioning look. "So long as your findings are brought back to Gringotts for study before being given to various libraries I see no reason why you can't take your team to look for the Library," he finally said.
"Really!?" Ginny said, surprised she had gotten permission.
"It could be quite a find to put under your belt, along with the Vault it could make you the youngest Senior Curse Breaker in history," he said with a proud smile. "But you'll only have two weeks, if you haven't found it by then I'll expect you and your team back in England," he added sternly.
"Of course! Thank you so much sir!" Ginny said standing and shaking his hand.
"There's a portkey taking you to Egypt tomorrow morning at ten from the Gringotts lobby," he said. "Don't be late and good luck Ms. Weasley."
"I won't and thank you again!" Ginny said heading towards the door. "Enjoy the rest of your day Lord York!" she called as the door closed behind her.
This was originally drafted as a short filler chapter, and then it got a life of its own and became the longest chapter yet and one I'm rather fond of. It's my first real attempt at writing scenes featuring Harry but not from his point of view or following him.
Please let me know what you think of the story, I'm hoping to get the next chapter up before the end of the month it's a bit of a big chapter though so I want to be careful with it.