No I don't own Harry.

This isn't exactly a romantic chapter but Happy Valentine's Day anyway! ;) Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Forty-eight

Of Hushed Discussions

Taylor took a shaky breathe. She knew this was the hardest part of all. "I leave that decision up to you. You know now just how different I am, how broken, and probably unfixable."

His mind was still reeling, and he wasn't yet sure what he thought about all that he had learned, but his heart still pounded true, he loved this witch, and right or wrong he wanted to be with her.

"I need to know…" Greg's voice wobbled slightly and he paused to swallow and try to get control. "I need to know if you love…me." Even as he said it his heart rebelled. He didn't know what he would do if the beautiful, red haired, bespectacled witch on the bed said she didn't. His troubled heart didn't have long to wait at least.

No more than a whisper, Taylor's voice trembled. "As wrong, and as dangerous as I know it is. Even though I tried not to, my heart betrayed my mind, and I fell in love. Merlin forgive me but yes, I love you."

Greg's heart swelled. Suddenly everything that he had just heard didn't matter. The witch, that caused his heart to pound, loved him.

He was off the bed he'd been sitting on and kneeling beside hers in a heartbeat. Taking her hand in his he smiled as he looked into her uncertain hazel ones. "I love you Taylor. I have for some time now. Right now that is all that matters." With his other hand he put it on her face and leaned his head in, his lips gently brushing against the witch's.

Smack!

A pillow slammed into Greg's back knocking him away from Taylor. The Hufflepuff was on his feet instantly, his wand out glaring across at the furious looking Gryffindor wizard. A few seconds went by before with an angry slice the Head Boy vanished the silencing charm.

"What the Bloody Hell do you think you're doing?" Ron snarled, just managing to keep his voice down so the nurse wouldn't hear.

Taylor looked up at Ron as her face turned bright red. She had forgotten all about her two friends, focused as she had been on the Head Boy.

"None of your damn business, Weasley!" Greg growled.

"Yeah well, I'm making it my business!" Ron snarled aggressively.

"Ron! Enough!" Taylor snapped as she found her voice, even if her face was still very red. "Greg, just ignore the git!"

Ron dropped his glare to the red-haired witch. "You told that Hufflepuff without telling Harry!" he accused.

"It's my right to tell him if…" Taylor growled back as her temper started to rise.

Ron cut her off. "Not without first running it past Harry, it isn't!"

"He's not my boss!"

"No! He's… He's your best friend. I'd have thought that meant more to you!"

Taylor stared at the red-haired wizard for a long moment. His actions were somehow different… he was treating her different…

"I think what Ron is trying to say, is that we were just surprised," Hermione's voice was slow and sleepy as the sleeping potion worked on her.

Taylor looked at her friend as she ran a hand back through her short hair. "Greg, could you give me a few minutes please. I need to tell these two a few things before Hermione goes off to dreamless land." She hated to ask that of the Hufflepuff but she had to talk to her friends now.

Greg had watched the argument, keeping out of it with an effort. Giving a curt nod he stepped to the end of the bed and moved over by the screen, but he didn't go around it. He wasn't about to let his witch out of his sight.

Taylor couldn't help the quirk in her lips as she turned back to her friends and with a quick flick of her wand put up a silencing charm, her eyes narrowing on Weasley.

"What is your problem Ron? And if you say something about Greg, about to… I'll make sure you can't sit for a month!" Taylor growled.

"What were you thinking? Telling that Hufflepuff git everything? Wasn't it bad enough that he was here this morning? That he knows about… that!" Ron yelled knowing that he wouldn't be overheard, but gesturing at the Head Boy so that he would know it was all about him.

"That? So Harry told you about that! And that is all right, but if I want to tell someone it isn't!" Taylor snapped angrily.

Ron opened his mouth to yell back but with a flick of the bushy haired witch's wand she silenced him, and Taylor too.

"I'm too tired to yell, and too sleepy to wait." Hermione said as she struggled to keep her eyes open. "Ron, leave Taylor alone. She's going to tell Harry in the morning about telling Hunter. It was her decision. Taylor…" Hermione looked sleepily at her friend "tomorrow you and I are going to talk. I'm too sleepy right now, so you be good! No more Dark Magic!"

Taylor was up off her bed and hugged the other witch. A flick and the silencing spell on the witch and wizard was lifted.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I am always doing the wrong thing at the wrong time." Taylor whispered.

"It will be fine." Hermione said sleepily as her eyes closed.

"I'll be good. Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning 'Mione." Taylor hugged her friend once more before she sat up and got up to go back to her bed. Ron put his hand on her arm to stop her.

"I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt is all." Ron said sincerely as he looked Taylor in the eye.

Taylor's smile was tremulous, "I know. But I love him. It hurt not telling him."

Ron pulled his best friend's sister into a hug, trying to tell her without words that he was here for her.

Shocked, it was a second before she hugged him back. Hermione's sleepy voice ended their unusual impromptu hug.

"If you are done with my boyfriend's hand I'd like to hold it."

"Oh, yeah, here, sorry 'Mione." Ron said as he stepped around Taylor to sit and pick up Hermione's hand tenderly, placing a kiss on it as he leaned his head close and whispered, "Go to sleep. I'll be here. You're safe… I love you."

Hermione sighed softly, but Taylor could have sworn she heard, "I love you too." As she sat back down on her bed, her heart warmed by her friends' love for each other.

It was a few seconds before Taylor looked up and saw the Hufflepuff waiting patiently by the screen, his blue eyes regarding her softly, a half smile on his face.

Greg had watched warily at first not sure if Weasley was going to do something that he'd have to intervene or not but he had seen the mood change. Oh he hadn't been able to hear what was being said, it had been the postures. When Hermione had stepped in… The dynamic of these friends never ceased to amaze him. The more he got to know them the more like a family unit they were. Taylor's family.

When his red haired witch beckoned him, he conjured a chair and sat on it beside her.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Greg asked softly knowing that Weasley was able to hear him from the other side of the bed.

Taylor smiled a little as she searched his eyes, but all that she could see there was concern, and tenderness. Her heart seemed to swell.

"Yeah everything is good."

Greg quirked an eyebrow.

"I have to tell Harry in the morning, and not use anymore Dark Magic, but I think I can handle that." Taylor whispered with a quick grin.

The Hufflepuff just nodded his head. That didn't really surprise him.

They were silent for a while. Taylor had found the Head Boy's hand and held it. Now that she wasn't distracted, the dark was pressing in on her again.

The school clock chimed midnight and Madame Pomfrey came out to check on her patients. One of course was sleeping soundly. "Miss Porter, you need to go to sleep." The nurse admonished in a firm voice, as she checked the worrisome patient over.

"I will." Taylor replied.

Madame Pomfrey gave her a stern look before turning it on the Head Boy sitting in the chair beside her. "Be sure that you do."

It was a while after the nurse had returned to her office when the Hufflepuff leaned his head in close to the witch's ear and said softly. "You need to go to sleep. You have my hand, and my heart. I'm not going anywhere."

Taylor looked up into his blue eyes, thinking if she could stare into them all night the darkness wouldn't have any hold over her. "I know." Was all she said before, with an effort, she closed her eyes.

Greg watched as his witch's eyes closed. He felt the slight increase in pressure on his hand and gave a reassuring squeeze. It was a long time though before her breathing deepened and he knew she had finally fallen asleep.

Tonight though he had no problem staying awake, even without the soft snores of Weasley sprawled out in the other chair across the bed from him, as he thought about all that he had learned about the sleeping witch holding his hand.

The sun was lightening the eastern sky when the witch began to stir. The Head Boy still hadn't been able to reconcile his new found knowledge with what his heart felt. A lifetime of teaching was hard to ignore completely.

Taylor's eyes popped open to see the dim lamp on the wall and the windows starting to lighten, even if they were a little fuzzy. A soft snore made her turn her head and she could make out the form of Ron sitting beside her. She noted how uncomfortable he looked with his head tipped back and his mouth open. A squeeze on her hand caused her to look in the other direction. The wizard sitting there wasn't asleep and she could see the slight smile on his face.

"Hey," Whispered the Hufflepuff.

"Hey." Taylor whispered back.

"You slept better."

Taylor nodded. She had slept a lot better. Then she wrinkled her brow, "Were you awake all night?"

"What can I say. I like to watch you sleep." Greg said with a gentle smile.

Taylor rolled her eyes, but she took her glasses that he passed her and put them on.

"You look very sexy in the morning!" the Head Boy whispered right by her ear as he leaned in.

"Yeah I'm sure I do! Hair sticking up! Still half asleep. I look sexy alright!" Taylor snorted as she rolled her eyes again.

A creak from beside them, as the snoring stopped, warned them that Ron was waking up.

"I got to get going. I've got a few things I have to do before breakfast. I'll see you later." Greg could see the worry spring into the hazel eyes. "Hey, are you going to be alright if I go?"

Taylor nodded. The dark was receding, and Ron and Hermione would be awake shortly. Still it was a long time until lunch, and she knew that they still had a lot to talk over. "Yeah, I'll be okay."

Greg brought the witch's hand to his lips and kissed it. He'd have liked nothing better than to give his witch a proper kiss but he had no desire to do it in front of Weasley.

"Taylor, I promise I will be back. I love you." He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. There wasn't any fear in her eyes, just worry.

"I love you too. See you later."

Hermione woke up a short time later and after Ron talked to Harry quickly on the mirror, he left to go have a shower and have breakfast before class.

Taylor and Hermione talked the morning through, about what had happened the night before and what they had escaped. It wasn't an easy thing but they felt better for it.

At noon Harry, Ron and Ginny came in to see them for a moment to drop off some school work and say hello before they rushed off for something to eat.

Greg was just hurrying in as the three Gryffindors were leaving and after a quick greeting he rushed off again explaining that he'd been at Care of Magical Creatures out on the grounds and been needed after class to help, so he couldn't get away. He promised to drop by for last period as he had a study.

The two witches were able to get a couple of assignments done and were just discussing a new charm that they had to perform for their next charms class when Greg walked in. The Hufflepuff was only too happy to demonstrate the new charm, as he had just learned it earlier that day.

It wasn't until after supper, after Ron and Greg left for patrol, that Taylor was finally able to tell her brother about telling the Head Boy. There was a silencing charm in place so that they wouldn't be overheard when Taylor broached the subject, after an 'I'll tell him if you don't' look from Hermione.

"Harry, I need to tell you something." Harry turned so that he was facing his sister as he raised an eyebrow. Taylor took a deep breath. "Last night I told Greg that I can use Dark Magic." The fact that Ginny could hear didn't matter, she knew about everything that she had told Greg anyway, well maybe not the part about the snake but most of it.

Harry stared at his sister for a few seconds, noting that she was chewing on her lip nervously and her eyes were wary. He had figured that she would probably tell the Hufflepuff, especially after what the Head Boy had witnessed the previous night. "I see… so how did he take it?"

Taylor was a little surprised when she met her brother's eyes. "He took it fairly well actually." Hermione coughed, sounding suspiciously like "tell him". Taylor rolled her eyes as she sent a disgruntled look at the bushy haired witch. "Well, I showed him I could use Dark Magic, but it amounts to the same difference."

Harry was both annoyed and impressed. "I hope you didn't put some curse on him…"

"No! Dark Magic can be beautiful too! I just produced a butterfly and told him to use the revealing charm."

"I bet that sure shocked his socks off!" Ginny said with a grin.

"He was all the usual, shocked, angry, afraid…" Taylor gave a brief explanation of what had been said and what she told the Head Boy.

"You know that the fewer people who know about these things the better, but I suppose Hunter was going to find out sooner or later… just be careful Taylor. You know as well as I do what a burden knowledge can be at times." Harry said it casually enough but his eyes bore into his sister's, the intensity in the green eyes making the witch very aware what he was referring to.

The rest of the evening passed easily as the four friends worked on homework or just talked at times. Taylor was impressed with how well Harry had taken it. It was a big relief to Taylor to know that her brother was okay with Greg knowing.

Greg and Ron returned at the same time from patrol, after a brief debate it was decided that Harry and Greg would spend the night, much to the displeasure of both Gryffindor wizards.

The nights were getting better. The darkness wasn't able to produce the fear it once had with the two wizards there willing to offer their hands.

The next day was Saturday.

Ron was the one who mentioned that the Hufflepuffs had the quidditch pitch booked for a practice. With some persuading Taylor had talked the Head Boy into going.

Taylor would have loved to go too. Anything to get out of the hospital. She was getting extremely restless. She wasn't used to all this laying around. It was the fact that Hermione wasn't yet ready to leave the hospital that kept her there. She couldn't leave her friend. They had been through too much. Also the thought of returning to the dorm room, alone… she didn't think she could do that.

The Hufflepuff returned after lunch having showered and wearing a pair of faded jeans and an old sweat shirt. Taylor thought he looked really good, and couldn't wipe the grin from her lips all afternoon as they all worked on their homework.

It was Ginny and Greg who stayed that night. Ginny threatened to hex the two Gryffindor wizards if they gave her a hard time. Taylor had tried to talk the Hufflepuff into going too but he had refused. Though Taylor woke up when Pomfrey came to check on them and found the exhausted Head Boy tipped back in his chair sleeping. She conjured a blanket and floated it on top of him before seeing Ginny smiling at her from her other side. Taylor snuggled back down in her bed and was soon fast asleep, holding the sleeping Hufflepuff's hand.

Madame Pomfrey finally released the two witches late Sunday afternoon. Taylor was relieved to be getting out of the hospital, hoping that she wouldn't be going back, ever!

Taylor and Hermione returned to Gryffindor tower and their room to drop their schoolbooks off and have a shower before heading to the Great Hall for supper. The five Gryffindors met up with the Hufflepuff in the Entrance Hall and walked into the Great Hall together. The Hufflepuff joined them at the Gryffindor table.

The whole school took notice of the Head Girl returning from her stay in the hospital. Also it was noted that the Head Boy sat at the Gryffindor table, as news spread about his scarce whereabouts the past few days.

They were almost done eating when Professor Shacklebolt paused as he passed.

"Miss Porter, it is good to see you up and about again. I trust you are feeling better? As are you Miss Granger."

"Yes Professor. I'm good!" Taylor said with a grin.

"Yes sir." Hermione answered with a little less enthusiasm.

"Well I am glad to hear it. I am in need of your help with my research this evening, if you are feeling up to it Miss Porter." Shacklebolt's deep voice sounded pleased.

"Yes sir! No problem." Taylor grinned as she caught her brother's eye. He gave her an exasperated look.

"Mr. Potter I trust that you will be coming also." It wasn't a question. "I shall expect you both in forty-five minutes."

"Yes sir." Harry answered as the tall Professor continued on his way out of the Great Hall.

The Hufflepuff was curious. What kind of research did Taylor do, that it needed to start again a few hours after she was released from the hospital? He hadn't missed the look his witch had when she looked at Potter. She was eager to do whatever it was they were doing. He kept quiet, knowing he'd never get an answer in the crowded hall.

A short time later, when they had finished their supper, Taylor looked over at her brother. "So Potter you ready?"

It was Hermione though that asked in a worried voice. "Taylor are you sure you are up to… researching with Professor Shacklebolt?"

Taylor's grin just spread. After three days of laying around, she was more than ready to do something. Plus it had been way to long since she had practiced her dueling. "Oh yeah! Don't worry Hermione. I won't over do it!"

Hermione eyes widened as she saw the excitement dancing in her friend's eyes but it was Ginny who remarked dryly.

"No fear of that. Nothing ever happens during research."

Harry shot a warning look at his girlfriend as Taylor laughed. Deciding that maybe it would be better to get going before any more could be said in front of the Hufflepuff. Harry stood up as he said. "Come on Porter. Let's get going."

Taylor stood also, but so did the Head Boy.

"I'll walk you to Professor Shacklebolt's office." He put his hand on Taylor's back and guided her out of the Great Hall as Harry, glowering, followed.

Once safely outside the prying ears in the Great Hall, Taylor turned to Greg. "I can go with Harry. There is no need for you to escort me." She said it as gently as possible. She didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"I don't mind. I…" The Hufflepuff started but Harry cut him off.

"Well I mind." Harry growled as he glared at the Hufflepuff, who was far too nosy in Harry's opinion.

Taylor decided to intervene. "Potter!" She warned before she turned to the Head Boy. "Greg, this is… a thing I have to do with Harry. Professor Shacklebolt made us swear we wouldn't say anything to anyone. Please understand." While it was true Ron, Hermione and Ginny had figured out what the two did in their research sessions, they had been asked to keep it a secret.

The Head Boy's blue eyes hardened. "Alright Taylor. But I am on patrol tonight in that section… I'll make sure you get back to your Common Room safely."

"Like last time?" Harry demanded as Taylor pinned her brother with a glare.

"Potter stow it! Hunter, I'd love nothing better than for you to escort me back to Gryffindor tower afterwards!" Taylor wheeled and marched off, muttering about boys and pissing contests.

When Harry caught up to his sister she didn't even glance sideways at him. "You need to give him a break! Stop picking at him all the time! Sheesh, you'd think you two were trying to prove who's the best!"

Harry was silent for a little while before he replied. "Sorry, it's just that he rubs me the wrong way! It's my job to protect you!"

Taylor put her hand on her brother's arm to stop him. A quick silencing charm made sure she wasn't overheard. "You do protect me." Taylor saw the pain flash across her brother's face. "Harry what happened is not your fault. I don't blame you and neither does Hermione. Brother, you did the right thing. The only right thing. If you had been caught, it would have been ten times… no a hundred times worse." Taylor reached up and put her hand on her brother's face. "Because we would have lost our only hope. Harry I love you. I will always love you. You are my big brother. Something I am so proud of. But Greg… well look at him this way. Now you don't have to try to protect me all by yourself!"

Harry could see the shadow of the pain that she had endured, but nowhere was there any sign of blame and then there was love and fierce pride. "So what's Ron chopped liver?" Harry asked with a weak smile.

Taylor grinned, "Nah, I like to think of him as stink sap!"

Harry rolled his eyes. He'd have to tell his sister about telling Ron, but not right now as Moody and Lupin turned the corner and started towards them. Taylor caught sight of them too and stepped away vanishing the silencing spell.

"I thought you two were supposed to be on your way to Professor Shacklebolt?" Lupin asked.

Moody took the more direct approach. "Kissing Potter again are we Porter? I thought you had the Head Boy on your leash already?"

Taylor felt her face heat up but she snapped. "Not tonight. I was just giving Potter some pointers for Ginny. The Head Boy I plan on snogging silly later!"

Harry almost choked on his tongue as Lupin struggled to keep a straight face. Moody just grunted to get moving along.

Lupin had felt bad about interrupting what was obviously a private moment between brother and sister. Taylor's quick comeback was so reminiscent of something James would have said that he was surprised that Moody didn't put the dots together.

When they reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Shacklebolt was waiting for them. Moody had a few more questions for Taylor about the Death Eaters, but she wasn't able to tell him much. They did a quick review and then started off where they had left off, with Moody attacking and first Taylor defending and then Harry. Soon though, they moved on to teaching them how to fight together more effectively. These were advanced dueling techniques and usually only taught to top aurors. Before the night was out both siblings managed to stun the other numerous times.

Greg was out on patrol with a sixth year Hufflepuff prefect tonight. His patrol route took him by Professor Shacklebolt's office and after the second time the Head Boy was sure no one was in there, let alone doing some sort of research. Going on a hunch, Greg went off his patrol route a little to go by the Defense classroom. The flash of a spell through the frosted glass on the door caught his attention but before he could investigate a voice from behind the pair caused them to turn.

"That's just Shacklebolt teaching some kid remedial Defense. Don't worry about it." The auror said. Hunter recognized him right away as one of the aurors who had come into the Hospital Wing that night.

The Head Boy just nodded and after a brief report that everything was quiet, he continued on with the prefect beside him. The only tell-tale sign that the Head Boy showed that he knew it wasn't some remedial Defense lesson, was the hardness in his blue eyes.

A/N Well there, Taylor finally told Greg about her Dark Magic! It wasn't really a very romantic chapter, not for Valentine's Day but it was rather sweet in a few places. Taylor will have a Valentine's Day... thing(I couldn't resist!) but it won't be for a few more chapters yet. ;) I am a hopeless romantic! Maybe you can't tell by this story but it will sneak in here and there for those of you who like that sort of thing too! ;) I know Harry and Greg sort of don't get along... and well I thought Harry needed to feel the over-protective big brother... so that will come up from time to time... though usually in a rather humours form.. or so I think anyway!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to those who reviewed or PM'd me! Your thoughts and praise mean so much! AS well those who Added this story to their Alerts and Favorites! Thank you! Thank you to my wonderful beta, barbc! And thank you all for just reading! Hope you have a great Valentine's Day! My husband and I ALWAYS do something for Valentine's day even if it is just having a special supper and a rented movie! It's the little things in life that make it special! ;) Yeah and I cry at sappy movies too! LOL So here's hoping cupid's arrow finds you, and I'll try not to be such a sap next time! Until then, cytpotter.