*Lyrics from the song I Saw Her Standing There*

And we held each other tight

And before too long I fell in love with her

"How's Chloe doing, today is her first day isn't it?" Ron asked.

He had just stepped out from the fireplace, into the Ministry's lobby, following Harry. They were here earlier than others due to a meeting with the Minister and when Harry had left the house half an hour ago, to meet Ron for a cup of coffee, Chloe had been fast asleep.

"She's fine, just a little nervous" Harry said as they walked to the lifts "She couldn't sleep for the longest time last night because of her nerves"

"I don't get it; she aced her training and probably knows just as much as her teachers by now"

"I don't get it either, just like I never understood why Hermione always got so nervous before exams"

"That's true mate"

"Talking about Hermione, why did she have to come here earlier than we did?"

"She said she wanted to check on something" Ron began, but as the doors to the closest lift opened we were interrupted by a handful of people running out of the lift, clearly headed to the fireplaces in the atrium.

"Was that Chloe?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded; he could recognize that shade of blond anywhere. He barely saw her face as she ran past them, following the other four people.

"Looks like she's already having a busy day" Ron observed.

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry Harry, she will be fine. Coming?"

Harry turned to find Ron already inside the lift, holding the door open for him.

"Do you think she will come Friday night?" Ron asked, referring to dinner at the Burrow with his parents, George, Angelina and Hermione.

"She said she would"

"I hope she does, Hermione seems to really like her and my mother is excited to have someone around who loves cooking as well"

They stopped talking soon after, as they entered Kingsley's office. The meeting with the Minister lasted much longer than they had anticipated and by the time Harry headed to the lift with Ron and Hermione, it was almost lunch time.

"Do you guys want to grab lunch?" Hermione asked.

"That would be nice" Ron agreed and Harry nodded.

"I need to drop this at the office first" Harry said, referring to the files they had just gone over at the meeting "Landon will need them soon"

"We will wait for you in the atrium" Hermione said as he stepped out of the lift and headed to the Auror's office.

Harry handed the files to Landon and headed for his desk, to check for any memos Chloe might have sent. Instead, h found Chloe herself sitting in his chair, currently busy reorganizing his desk.

"I like that picture of us there, it looks better" He suggested and she jumped up.

"Harry, it's about time!"

"Have you been waiting for me for that long?"

"Not really, but now I only have forty-five minutes left to eat lunch"

"I'm having lunch with Ron and Hermione, would you like to join us?"

"Yes, I would" She said, getting up and kissing me on the cheek.

They left the office together and headed for the lift, hands intertwined.

"So, how's the first day going? Besides busy, that is"

"How did you know I've been busy?"

"You ran past Ron and I this morning"

"Oh, I didn't see you"

"I'm sure you didn't. What was that about?"

"Some guy thought it would be funny to enchant the bones of a dinosaur to make it come to live and roam around the Museum of Natural History. Needless to say, the cleaning staff was heard screaming three floors up and we had a lot of people to erase memories from"

"And how did it go?"

"I loved it… well, not that they were so scared, but… you know"

"I understand"

They soon spotted Ron and Hermione by one of the fire places and all left together for lunch.

"Harry, how nice to see you" Mrs. Weasley said giving him a big hug, as always, before hugging Chloe as well.

It was early Friday night and they had just arrived at the Burrow. After greeting everyone, Ron, George, Angelina and Harry decided to throw the quaffle around for a while. Hermione and Chloe came along to watch us and catch up. Right before the sun fully set, they all landed back down and everyone began to head back to the house.

"Hold on" Harry said to Chloe, reaching for her hand "You go on, we will be there soon" He added, to everyone else.

"What is it?" Chloe asked.

Harry had been thinking about this for a very long time, wondering when to bring it up and how to do so, but now he didn't know what say or even how to begin.

"Harry, is everything ok?"

"Yes, just… don't be mad, ok?"

"Okaaay" She agreed, eying him with curiosity.

"I want you to come flying with me" He blurted out.

Even in the faint light of the sun he could see the color leaving her as she stared back at him, mouth agape.

"Harry, you…. You know I can't!"

"I know you are afraid, but you used to love flying Chloe, you can't give up on it forever"

"I…"

"Just give it a chance. We can start slow; I'll fly you for only a little bit"

She bit her lower lip and looked up at the increasingly dark sky. Then she closed her eyes and didn't move for a few minutes. He was about to give up on the idea and take her back to the Burrow when she opened her eyes and nodded.

"Okay, but only for a little bit"

Harry grinned, glad she was going to give it chance. He quickly mounted the broom and she did as well, although less enthusiastically. Before they took off, she wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressed her forehead against his back, and closed her eyes.

"Ready?"

"Ready" She said, her voice barely audible.

Her stomach dropped when her feet left the ground and she held on tighter to Harry, sincerely hoping she wasn't hurting him. The wind was blowing in a comforting way and after a few seconds, they stopped ascending. She felt Harry turn around to check on her and slowly opened her eyes. He was looking at her, his face showing concern, but he was smiling. Behind him, the last rays of sun were quickly disappearing.

Chloe looked up at the stars, breathing in the fresh air. She had missed it, much more than she cared to admit. She began to smile, closing her eyes again. As soon she did, images of her mother's pale body flashed in her mind. Chloe saw her empty broom in the air, the look of panic in her father's eyes, felt the pain and fear of finding her all over again, and before she knew it, she was screaming at Harry to get them down. He flew down quickly, looking over his shoulder a couple of times. They had barely touched the ground when Chloe dropped from the broom and brought her knees up to her chest, burying her face on them. She felt Harry's arms wrapping around her and leaned into him.

"I'm sorry" he said "I shouldn't have pushed you like that, I'm so sorry Chloe"

"Don't" She said, placing a finger on his lips "You did the right thing Harry, I needed to face it someday…. It just… it isn't easy"

"And that's ok, it will take time"

"I know…. Thank you for doing this for me"

"I want you to be happy" He said, his forehead on hers "Whatever it takes, I'll be here for you"

"I love you Harry" She whispered, before she could stop herself.

She looked up, suddenly worried she had said the wrong thing but Harry leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.

"I love you too" He said, lips still pressed against hers.

After helping her up, Harry picked up his broom and they made their way back inside. Dinner was ready when they arrived and they helped Mrs. Weasley move all the food to the table before sitting down to eat. Chloe soon forgot why she had ever been nervous about coming, as Mrs. Weasley made her feel right at home and George kept them laughing almost non-stop. When all plates were cleared, Hermione and Chloe offered to help with the dishes while everyone else went back to the living room.

"Harry tells me you know how to make a very good ice cream" Molly said.

"Yes, mum taught me when I was younger. We used to prepare it together"

"Any chance you would make some with me someday, dear?"

"Of course, I can show you right now if you would like"

"That would be lovely dear, what all do we need?"

Chloe taught Mrs. Weasley how to make her mum's recipe, insisting it was fine for her to share the secret ingredient, and once done they served the ice cream to everyone and sat together to enjoy it. Her little break down earlier was a distant memory by the time she and Harry went back to his flat, where they spent a few hours lazily leaning into each other in his bed, talking about some of Harry's favorite memories at the Burrow. Right before he fell asleep, Harry whispered he loved her again and Chloe's heart beat spiked. She watched him, sleeping so peacefully next to her, and wondered how much longer until Draco had some information they could actually use to catch Neville's killer. The thought of lurking forces out there waiting to hurt the man next to her was physically painful and she made a mental note to stop by Draco's office and demand they get started with the protective spells. That night, she dreamed of her mum. And for the first time in a very long time, her mum looked very peaceful.

Chloe had always believed Sundays to be a day of rest, but this particular Sunday was anything but restful. After having come up with an excuse to leave Harry's house earlier in the morning, without him joining her at the Manor, she had hurried home to meet with Draco. They had agreed on meeting to practice the spell and decided on her Manor because it would be safer than his. When Draco arrived, taking the floo network straight to Chloe's room, they sat down on the chairs by the fireplace, identical exasperation of exasperation on their faces. They had pushed the chairs together so Draco could hold the book for them to read when he first arrived, and after two whole hours of reading the spell out loud together, without their wands, they were still making mistakes. Draco hadn't lied when he told Chloe it was a complicated spell, and it was looking like they would need far more practice before actually attempting to cast it.

"Mind if I use the loo?" he asked, getting up and heading towards it.

"Sure" She replied, rather unnecessarily seeing he was already headed there.

Taking the opportunity of his absence, she summoned one of the elves.

"Yes mistress" He said with a bow.

"Send me something to eat and some tea, please"

"Right away" he said, before disappearing with a pop.

Just a few seconds passed before a tray materialized in the ottoman. Even though it looked like Chloe was alone, there was still enough food for two people and she quickly transfigurated another mug for Draco, just as he joined her again.

"Finally" he said, sitting down and reaching for the tea.

While he poured them both some, Chloe placed the food on a plate for him and then on another for her and they exchanged his plate for her mug, before settling down comfortably.

"It's a shame we can't tell Potter about this, I would really like to see his reaction to my presence in your room … again"

"You were the one who said I couldn't tell Harry, remember?"

"And I stand by it, but you have to admit it would at least be entertaining"

"Perhaps… but can we focus on this stupid spell for right now?"

"Stupid?"

"Sorry, I'm just frustrated"

"Because this is the first time you struggle with something?" He teased.

"Don't push me Malfoy" She warned him.

"Fine"

They were silent for a few minutes as they ate and drank, and Draco poured them both more tea before they turned their attention back to the book and began practicing the spell again. Another three hours passed before they both recited the entire spell without making a mistake and Chloe almost squealed in delight.

"We did it!" She said, jumping from the chair and stretching, but Draco didn't seem to share in her excitement.

"Once, and after a lot of practice. We will have to practice more before we actually try it"

"Merlin Malfoy, did someone ever tell you how much of a bummer you are?"

"I'm being realistic Lewis, you should try it sometime"

"There is no need to be rude Malfoy" She grumbled, sitting down and crossing her arms.

"And there is no need for us to continue now, we are both tired and grouchy"

"Speak for yourself" She replied as he got up and stretched as well.

"Owl me with the next day and time we can meet, and let's not take too long to meet again" He requested, putting down his mug after one last sip and heading for the fireplace.

"Do you mind if I keep the book?" Chloe asked, walking with him.

He shook his head and handed her the book, before reaching for the floo powder.

"Do rest some, pushing yourself with this spell won't help" he suggested.

"I know"

"Good. I'll be waiting for your owl"

"Night Malfoy"

"Night" he said, and then he was gone.

Chloe sat the book down and headed for her bed, hoping to rest some. She woke up sometime later, stomach growling, and headed to the kitchen, wondering what to ask the elves to cook. She was very surprised to find her father at the kitchen table; he was supposed to be in Ireland still and she had no idea he would be coming back earlier.

"Hi dad. What are you doing here?"

"Having dinner with my daughter" he replied casually.

"I see that, but you weren't supposed to be back for another two days"

"The Irish Quidditch team was easier to negotiate with than we had anticipated, so I was able to come home sooner" He replied with joy.

"They have bought the new brooms then? That's brilliant!"

"Not only that, but two of their players have agreed to come to England for our unveiling party, next Saturday. They will fly the new Firebolt in front of everyone to demonstrate all its fantastic features"

"That is wicked! Please tell me I can come meet them and watch the trial run?"

"Of course, and you should bring Harry as well"

"You are going to be his new favorite person ever" She said, laughing.

"That's decided then. The trial run will be on Friday afternoon, at six. Owl him and make sure he can make it"

"You are so the best dad ever"

"Now now Chloe, I already agreed on letting you go" He said.

Chloe sent Harry an owl the moment they were finished with dinner and less than ten minutes later Harry stepped out of the living room's fireplace. He walked straight to Elliot and shook his hand for the longest time; all the while thanking him for the opportunity, even though Elliot said it was nothing, a number of times. Growing tired of their exchange, Chloe cleared her throat.

"Oh, hi Chloe" Harry said, finally letting go Elliot's hand and waiving at her.

"Hi Harry, nice of you to finally notice me" She joked.

"I had to thank your dad first" He answered, joining her on the couch.

"The first two times were enough" She picked at him and he blushed a little.

"Chloe, be nice to the boy" Elliot rebuked her, sitting down on the other couch "Now Harry, would you like me to tell you more about the Firebolt Ignis?"

As much as Chloe loved brooms, she soon tuned them out and began reading the book Draco had left with her. There were several other interesting, and far less complicated, spells on it and she was writing them down on a piece of parchment, for later. It was almost midnight by the time her father glanced at the clock and Chloe decided it was time for her to go to bed. Kissing both her dad and Harry on the cheek, she left them still talking about the new Firebolt. The next day, when Harry told Ron about Friday's events, Ron was incredibly jealous so Chloe wrote her father and got his permission to let Ron come as well. Chloe also invited Hermione, but unlike the three of them, she had no interest on what was going on. She did agree to attend the launching party on Saturday, with Ron. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Draco went to Chloe's for a couple of hours and they practiced more. By the second night, they were able to recite the entire spell eight different times without making a mistake, and both finally agreed they should attempt the real thing soon. As the Malfoys would be attending the Firebolt pre party, Draco suggested they should cast the spell at both of their Manors before going to the party. It would be tricky coming up with excuses not to attend the pre party and they would have a tight window of time to work on, but they were impatient to get it over with.

When Friday night arrived, Harry and Ron when to Chloe's Manor so they could head over to the Firebolt Broom Company building together. Chloe tried very hard not to laugh at their excitement; both looked like little kids on Christmas morning, although Harry was doing a better job at containing his excitement than Ron. Because the night's event was a simple trial run, they were not expected to be dressed up, so both boys had on jeans and shirts from the Irish national team while Chloe was wearing one of the many company shirts she had, choosing to wear a green hairband with three small clovers, one of the presents she had been given by the Irish team. They flooed to the company and arrived at six, promptly. The boys, who had been chatting animatedly the entire walk to the test area, froze as they walked in and came face to face with Aedan Murphy and Faolan Walsh, the two players from Ireland. Elliot quickly introduced everyone, including the other company workers and two other owners, whom Harry and Ron had seeing at Chloe's party. While the boys spoke with one of the men responsible for the new Firebolt design, Chloe carried on a conversation with Aedan and Faolan, who were both very nice. Harry and Ron eventually joined in and Ron finally asked for autographs, all the while glowing bright red. When it was time for the two players to fly the brooms, the boys and Chloe settled down next to her father to watch. It was a wonderful sight to see two extraordinary players pushing an even more extraordinary broom to its limits. Chloe was obviously very partial, but she had to admit the workers at Firebolt had really outdone themselves this time. Things were over far too soon, but before the boys and Chloe left, Elliot took them aside and handed each one of them a package. They didn't have to undo the wrapping to know what was inside, but Ron spoke up nonetheless.

"Mr. Lewis is this what I think it is?"

"If you think that is the new Firebolt Ignis, then yes" He said, smiling widely.

Chloe was very happy with her new broom, even though she would not be flying it but Harry and Ron were not related to her father and were not, therefore, used to being given brand new models. She had no idea her father had planned on giving them a broom and she hugged him extra tightly when she had the chance, which was only after Ron and Harry showered him with appreciation for what it felt like an eternity.

His most trusted man stood next to him, as they watched the younger man in front of them. The man looked nervous in his presence, as he rightly should, but he had just brought the Master valuable information and he was confident the man would see things through. He had assigned the man to a long-term mission, but his unique position was invaluable for other, faster, missions as well. And that was the sole reason the Master had summoned him here tonight.

It was time for someone else to die and the man in front of him would make sure that happened.