A/N: Thank you all for the great comments, suggestions and theories! Keep them coming - they sometimes inspire me to write something totally different than what I had planned ;)

tefe203: Maybe as a one shot after I finished this story. I don't know yet. There are quite a few things that would be great as a one shot but didn't have space in the story :)

mizzrazz92: That he is. He will be gone but since he is not really relevant to the story I just kept him out of the loop until now :P

Zoysite: Hahaha ;) Dein Kommentar ist mittlerweile immer das letzte, das ich beantworte, weils immer so lange wird ;) Aber diesmal ist es gar nicht so viel zum beantworten :) Deine Lieblinge bekommen auch wieder ein wenig Zweisamkeit in diesem Kapitel ;) Vielleicht kommen ein paar Details noch vor, aber es ist eher unwahrscheinlich. Möglicherweise gibt es dann noch eine Reihe an one shots, weil wir mittlerweile doch schon ein paar Ideen zusammen gesammelt haben... Mal sehen ;) Ich wünsch dir eine schöne Woche :)

Charm93: I liked that as well :D I don't know why but I can just imagine him doing it.

Thrushsong k'Varis: Thanks for pointing that out! Must have happened during one of the failed saves with the bad internet last time :P

geekymom: Could be. I actually would have to reread those chapters myself to tell you what I thought. But I think it is safe to say that Sev was rather upset because Harry was in such a bad shape :/

Dixie.f.9: Yep :) It's all unravelling right now... not much left...

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling - I just played a bit in her universe.

Thanks to miu-sama95 for prereading, betaing and helping with the storyline ;)

Chapter 48: Holiday Plans

Words: 3133

Parseltongue

There are voices somewhere above him. That's the first thing he noticed when he slowly made his return from the land of dreams. Why can't they keep it down? Slowly he gets more aware of his surroundings.

Usually he wakes with a start, going from deep sleep to awake and ready for anything in a matter of seconds. Not so today. He was too relaxed for that. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his body, the gently breeze ruffling his har and the sounds of nature all around him.

He hadn't felt this relaxed in ages. The only thing amiss was that weird moving weight on his chest. He just couldn't figure out what it was.

After a few more seconds of contemplating he still came to no conclusion whatsoever so he chanced peeking through his eyelids to find out what was going on.

When he opened his eyes a bit he was greeted by yellow snake eyes far too close to his face for comfort. With a very unmanly sound he automatically tried to get away but the heavy weight on his chest held him in place. While he was still struggling beneath the snake she began hissing in laughter at his reaction.

Harry didn't know when, but the two voices he had heard earlier had ceased their conversation and once one started speaking again he knew his parents were here.

"Nagini! Don't scare Harry like that!" Marvolo scolded his pet gently but both other parselmouths knew he was having a hard time not laughing at their antics.

"I wasn't scaring the hatchling! I just wanted some of his warmth. He is like one of my rocks in the sun, just softer."

"So, I'm a rock now?" Harry tried for appalled but the giggles escaping his mouth betrayed him.

"Of course not! You are just so toasty and comfy, I couldn't resist."

"Unbelievable.," Marvolo muttered at his children before he quietly told his husband what was going on.

Harry meanwhile got Nagini to move to his lap, so he could at least sit up with his legs crossed.

The snake was not happy about it, but she let him up only to wrap herself all around him right away. She wanted a cuddle. She missed cuddling with Marvolo at night, but Severus wouldn't let her into their bed during the night.

"Nagini!" Harry exclaimed when the snake was wrapped completely around his torso. She ignored him and only gave him a little squeeze before she wriggled her head into his T-Shirt.

Her tongue must have tickled him because he started giggling. Severus couldn't help but smile at hearing his son's giggle. It was such a beautiful sound and it reminded him a great deal of Lily's.

"How are you feeling after your nap, Snitch?"

"Good, Dad. My voice also seems better."

"I noticed. Still, you shouldn't overdo it."

"Sure. What were you talking about before?" The teen asked curiously. He thought he had heard something about a beach.

"We were brainstorming about our vacation."

"Vacation?" Now his interest was piqued.

"Yes. Didn't we promise you a vacation at the beach?" Harry's face-splitting grin was enough of an answer.

"We were thinking about where we should go." Marvolo told the teen. "There are quite a few possibilities."

"Where were you thinking of?" Harry asked excited.

"Well one idea was Brazil or South America because that's where Severus said he would go but it's quite far."

"Also, I can come clean on that little lie since Dumbledore won't come back to Hogwarts anymore. We thought about the southern European countries that have access to the Mediterranean as well."

Bot adults looked at Harry expectantly and after a few moments of deep thinking the boy looked up at them with a smile.

"I actually don't care at all where we'll go. As long as there's a beach and sunshine and my family, I'm happy."

"That's not really helping at all, son." Severus muttered exasperated which had Harry grinning before he remembered something.

"Sirius and Remus can come as well, right?"

"Where can we come, pup?" Speaking of the devil, Sirius and Remus plonked down on the grass next to their godson with a smile.

They had been on their way back to the house when they had head the voices of the others.

"On holiday! With us! I get to go to the beach for the first time and it's going to be awesome!" The teen explained excitedly.

"We were just discussing possible holiday destinations. Of course, you are welcome to join us." Marvolo explained calmly.

"That's very generous of you." Remus said. "But we wouldn't want to intrude on your family time."

"Bollocks! You are part of my family, Moony!" Harry exclaimed and leaned over to give his uncle a one-armed hug.

"Harry! Language!" Severus admonished but said boy just rolled his eyes.

"Well then! Which destinations did you have in mind?" Sirius asked while rubbing his hands in anticipation. Nothing better than a holiday at the beach.

This led to an animated discussion between the four adults while Harry observed them in awe. He was surprised to hear how far all of them had travelled and listened enraptured to all of their stories. He couldn't wait to travel the world. It sounded beautiful and awesome.

By the time they made their way inside for dinner, Harry had learned that all of the adults had travelled all over Europe in their youth. Marvolo had spent some time in Africa and also China while Severus had once had the pleasure of going to a Potion's conference in North America which had let to him exploring the Rocky Mountains.

Remus had been all over Europe and even made his way all the way to India while sadly Sirius had only been on European soil. His furthest destination had been Greece.

They still had not decided on one specific destination but at least they had narrowed it down to an area by the time they had their evening tea in the living room.

Harry was once again curled up on the couch between Marvolo and Severus, simply enjoying his family time when his thoughts were interrupted by a question.

"What do you think, Snitch?"

"Huh?" Was his eloquent answer.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Oh! Anything's fine with me. Really. I know nothing about that."

"I'm sure you know something, son. I'm pretty sure I had geography in primary school and we learned about the tiny countries." Severus tried to get Harry involved.

"Hmmm… Yeah, I remember some geography."

"Right. Tell me what you remember about the Côte d'Azur."

"Well, it's part in France and part in Italy, right?" The teen asked unsure and only once his Dad nodded did he continue, wracking his brain for long forgotten information.

"There is one of the tiny countries right at that border, but I can't remember which one. Just that it's rich and they have that famous car race. Isn't it quite hilly as well, although it's at the sea?"

"All correct, Snitch." Severus told him proudly.

"You are talking about the Dukedom of Monaco. They are famous for their yachts and rich celebrities and the Formula 1 race. It is quite steel and hilly along the Côte d'Azur because there is an offshoot of the Alps there." Marvolo lectured.

"So, we'll go there somewhere?"

"Yes. They have a lot to offer and there's something for each of us. We just have to decide in which town we want to stay." Remus confirmed. He was also looking forward to the holiday. He had never really travelled just for fun or relaxation.

"When will we leave?" Harry asked excitedly. He couldn't wait!

"Sadly, you will have to be patient, son." Marvolo said and at Harry's crestfallen look hurried to explain. "We all have to give our statements at the old coot's trial. That is set for the 21st. I don't think we can go before that."

"Oh."

"Pup. Look at me." Sirius kneeled in front of his godson and took his small hands in his own much larger ones.

"If we could, we would leave with you right away. Sadly, we need to give evidence, so Dumbledore can be punished accordingly. Amelia has not said it explicit because she knows that we know so I'll explain. When you are involved in an open investigation of the DMLE you are not allowed to travel. They need to know where we are at all times until the case is closed and we are not allowed to leave the country."

"Really? I had no idea." The teen said surprised. This information lightened his mood considerably.

"Really, Snitch." Severus said before his face became contemplating.

"What is it, love?" Marvolo asked when he saw that look on his husband's face.

"We would have to check with Amelia, but it might be a good idea to leave right after the trial. There will be reporters everywhere and a lot of attention on us."

"Yeah, vanishing for a bit after the trial sounds like a good idea." Sirius agreed.

He knew the press would be crazy with all Amelia will reveal during the trial.

They all sunk into their own thoughts after that. It was a comfortable silence and they all enjoyed the quiet time after all the action that had been going on the last few days.

It was nice to have a bit of a breather to think it all over.

It didn't take long at all until the weight on Severus side grew heavier. Harry had been cuddled up next to him and had now obviously fallen asleep. When he looked up at the clock on the mantlepiece he could understand why. It was after eleven at night.

"Marv." He said quietly to get his husband's attention.

Said man looked over with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Help me get him to bed?"

Marvolo smirked when he saw that Harry had managed to trap Severus beneath him in his sleep. The Potions Master could not even move his hands.

Quietly he got up from the sofa and bent down to gather the teen in his arms. His movement had drawn the other men's attention as well, but he just made his way out of the room.

"We'll put him to bed and then retire ourselves." Severus told them quietly. "The elves made up a room next to Sirius' for you, Remus. You are welcome to stay."

He quickly left after that. It would still take him quite some time to feel comfortable with the last marauders in his home.

Severus made his way to his son's room and stopped in the doorway to observe his husband. Marvolo could be so gentle when he wanted to and right now he was very carefully setting Harry down in his bed before he used his wand to spell the teen into his nightwear. Satisfied with his work he tucked the boy in and gave him a kiss on the forehead before he took a seat at the edge of the bed and just watched their child.

"He looks so young in his sleep." Marvolo commented quietly, startling Severus. He hadn't thought his husband had noticed him.

"He does, doesn't he? I believe it's his size. He looks tiny compared to his bed." He whispered and moved to kiss his son goodnight as well.

Only now did he notice that the other side of the bed was taken up by Nagini who slithered closer to the teen for his body heat.

"Hmmm…. Nice and toasty." She nearly purred, startling a chuckle out of Marvolo.

"Watch him and don't wake him up, Nagini."

"Of course! Hatchling needs sleep!" She said and sounded rather affronted at his suggestion but before he could say anything else she ducked under Harry's blanket and Marvolo could only make out her shape beneath it.

"Good night, love." He muttered before he was drawn to his feet by his husband.

"Let's go to bed, Marv." Severus whispered into his ear. "You talking in Parsel is making me all hot and bothered."

"Well, we can't have that."

"What will you do about it?"

Instead of answering Marvolo pulled his husband out of their son's room and into their own bedroom.

"I'm going to make love to you." He whispered in Parseltongue.

"Marv!" The Potions Master moaned.

Much, much later Marvolo would think that it was not so much making love but more needy, fast and hot sex. It had been wild, and their clothes were everywhere, some unsalvageable ripped, some in places he had no idea how they got there. They hadn't even managed to get to the bed for their first round.

It had been mind-blowing, was his last coherent thought before he joined his husband in the land of dreams.

It had been late when Amelia finally came home. They had spent all day in the headmaster's office and found quite a few incriminating pieces of evidence against Dumbledore and also a few others.

The biggest task was all the parchments they had to work through. It would take them at least another day if not two to get it all done. In the end Amelia had only wanted to get home and into a nice hot bath so she had asked Minerva for a raincheck and flooed home to her niece.

Susan was waiting for her and they enjoyed a quiet dinner where Susan amused her with her adventures of the day. She was so grateful that her niece was as compassionate and understanding as she was.

The girl had decided to get her summer homework out of the way while her aunty was this occupied with a case. That way they wouldn't have to worry about anything once Amelia had time.

"Where would you like to go on holiday, Sue?" Amelia asked. She had promised her niece two weeks anywhere she wanted to go as soon as Dumbledore's trial was over and done with.

She would need it as well and it was one of the few things that kept her going at the moment.

"I don't know yet, aunty. I'll have to think about it."

An hour later the head of the DMLE had retired to her room for a good, long soak. Sadly, she couldn't enjoy it with a glass of alcohol and a good book. Instead she had Harry's written statements about his time at school hovering in front of her and a quick quotes quill ready to scribble down any questions she might have.

The one part she refused to miss was the alcohol (since she knew Harry's tale was a heavy one) thus she had a strong Gin & Tonic next to the edge of the tub. With that sorted she sunk into the bubbles and got to work.

She was floating. It was dark everywhere. Or were her eyes just closed? She couldn't say. There was the murmur of voices, but she couldn't distinguish anything. A pressure somewhere. Someone is squeezing your hand, her mind supplied but she didn't know what that meant. Before she could do anything, she fell back into unconsciousness.

The next time she woke was a lot more dramatic. It was still dark everywhere. She shot up in bed with a scream on the tips of her lips from her nightmare.

Her whole body started shaking at the memory of the dream and she flinched when an arm pulled her against a chest. At first, she wanted to pull back but then the chest smelled familiar – comforting, safe – and before she knew it she was sobbing into it.

"Shhhh… It's alright. You are safe." A quiet voice murmured to sooth her.

By the time her tears had dried up her eye lids were heavy again and before she could even try to resist, she was asleep again.

When she opened her eyes again it was just breaking dawn. There was enough light for her to have a look around this alien room. She was not at home. That had been clear alone by the feeling of the sheets beneath her.

The room was rather white and empty. There was only her bed with a bedside table, a small table with two chairs in one corner, a sofa and a wingback chair next to her bed. Everything looked sterile and she suddenly realized she must be in the hospital.

Her head felt heavy. What had happened? Had she hurt herself playing quidditch with her brothers? She couldn't remember. But something wasn't quite right. Her head felt as if it was filled with cotton balls.

Here parents were both here. Mum was slumped in the wingback chair next to her bed while Dad was on the couch. It looked uncomfortable. He was too old to sleep on couches in her opinion – they both were.

It didn't look like it because he was calm and quiet, but her Dad was actually quite tall and sleeping like this would surely hurt his back.

Why were they both here? Even if she had hurt herself playing quidditch they would not both have stayed the night.

Before she could think much further on it the door to her room opened and a mediwitch followed by a healer entered the room.

When they saw she was awake they both smiled at her and came over to her side.

"Good morning, Miss Weasley. How are you feeling today?" The healer asked politely.

"Morning, I'm alright." She said warily. What was going on here? Her mind was so slow today. Really slow.

But the longer she looked at the healer the more she got the feeling of recognition.

Suddenly her thoughts cleared and it all slammed back into her mind. Her outburst at home, waking up in St. Mungo's, talking to the healers, her family visiting – everything.

She gasped.

"I see you remembered me."

"Yes." She said quietly.

Her gasp must have been louder than she thought because her mother started stirring next to her.

"Morning, baby-girl." She said with a small smile. It was the way she always woke her up and it was her undoing.

In a matter of seconds, she was sobbing into her hands and a moment later she found herself gathered in her mother's arms. Her sobs grew even louder, and she had no idea how to stop.

"What… is hap-… happening… to me?" She got out somewhere in between sobs.

"It's alright, baby-girl. Mummy's here. We'll get through this." Her mother murmured into her hair.

Ginny let herself relax against her mother and didn't even react when her father draped his arms around her from her other side a bit later.

What it was, she wasn't alone in this.

TBC

One Express Chapter coming right up! I actually only started writing this today - I just didn't have the time earlier.

Fun fact: If you translate tiny country literally from German to English you would get something like dwarf country or midget country ;)

Where do you want our favourite family to go on holiday? Where will Sue and Amelia go?

We are drawing closer and closer to the end, guys... I still can't believe that that one little idea led me to 48 crazy chapters.

First posted on: 24. June 2018

Next update planned: 08. July 2018