A/N: ... I sincerely hadn't planned to leave you all hanging for a month but that's what happened. It was busy and then I had a new longfic WIP I gaslit myself into thinking I could quickly whip up in a matter of days...Spoiler alert: I couldn't.

The comments last time also really helped shape this chapter. I had some plans but ... I definitely moved some things around for the events of this chapter. (You'll see - spoilers!)

You may reread the last scene of the last chapter because it continues right there, really it was an unfortunate spot to stop.

and of course, thank you Meg for the beta reading (megonagall410)

She looked at Harry and she immediately knew something was amiss. It could not be a coincidence that half the council went missing now.

She was about to walk out and see for herself when Ernest, Justin, Seamus and two other guards named Terry and Nigel walked in, dragging Alecto and Augustus along.

Ernest was breathing heavily and took a deep breath before he talked. "They were found coming from the dungeons. Antonin and Peter escaped but those three," he said, pushing against Augustus, "Freed Peter."

Ginny stepped forward, knowing she would have to rely on hand signs now. She pointed at Terry and Nigel and at the two council members. They nodded. She pointed at Justin, Ernest and Seamus and signed for them to follow her. She pointed each of them in a direction to check and she took off. He could not have escaped the castle yet.

She ran quickly, trying to find him. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the first two corridors but as she spotted the owlery, she sped up. He could send out messages without ever leaving the castle. She pulled open the door and found Peter just about to attach a letter to an owl's leg.

"Don't move or you die," she said, already taking her sword and dagger into her hands.

And he just smiled at her and then his eyes shifted to behind her. The hairs on her neck stood on end and she whipped around to find Antonin, holding an axe. He swung it and she ducked out of the way. Luckily Antonin had underestimated the force needed to swing his weapon. While he was slightly off-balance, Ginny stabbed him in the thigh with her dagger and he stumbled backwards. She used the hilt of her sword to deliver a blow to his head. His eyes turned up in his head and he fell to the floor as he went unconscious.

She whipped around just in time to see Peter let go of the white owl. She ran towards him quickly, planting her dagger in him without looking where and leapt onto the windowsill in one go. She jumped after the bird as it flew up into the air. She stretched out her arms as far as she could and grabbed hold of it. She pulled the poor owl into her arms as she plummeted to the ground. Concerned about harming the owl, she did nothing to break her fall and landed on the grass below the owlery flat on her back and the wind was knocked out of her. She remained still, trying to suck air into her lungs but she felt breathless. She stared up at the sky, unable to breathe.

A moment later Harry appeared above her and opened her visor, his eyes worried. "Are you okay?"

She tried to suck in air in the hopes of replying and assuring him she was fine but didn't manage. She nodded without a sound.

"Can you breathe, please?" Harry said, pulling her up as she still clutched the owl.

The change in position helped her body reset into working normally. She took a deep breath of air, and she could feel Harry relax now that he knew she was breathing. She looked down at the owl and pulled the letter off its leg and carefully set the owl down. It didn't move much and sat dazed beside her.

"Fuck," she muttered hoarsely, her body aching.

Harry took the letter and looked at it. His eyes widened as his eyes flitted over the paper. "Good thing you caught this," he said with a shake of his head.

"Sir?" Kingsley asked, coming out of the door of the owlery too. His eyes fell on Ginny, and he blinked rapidly, seeing the Princess under the Knight's helmet.

Ginny would have cared more about yet one more person finding out her identity, but she was too busy enjoying breathing again to cover up in time.

"Well, you've met the Princess," Harry told him firmly, a sign not to press on the matter.

Kingsley nodded.

"How's Peter?" Ginny asked now. "I didn't exactly see where I put my..." She trailed off.

Kingsley glanced inside and then back at them. "I am pretty sure he is dead."

She looked at Harry, but his face was unreadable. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to..."

He looked at her, a pained smile on his face. "It's fine, he deserved it."

She looked at the owl now. "I think I broke its wing. I'll take it to Hagrid in a bit," she said. She picked up the owl and walked into the Owlery again to check on Peter. Her dagger had entered right above his collarbone near his neck, and a large pool of blood had formed beneath him. Her dagger lay by his side. If he hadn't pulled it out, he may have still been alive but he would have likely bled out either way.

Alastor entered the owlery now too. The owls present ruffled their feather in annoyance at all the commotion. Several stubbornly tucked their heads back under their feathers.

"Great work, Gwyn," Alastor commented with a grunt.

She didn't reply and instead watched Harry's expression. His jaw was tense as he looked at Peter's body.

"Antonin's still alive, I'll have him brought to the hospital wing. And I'll make sure the guards take him too," Alastor said.

Ginny waited for Harry to speak, to say anything, give instructions. He met her eyes and suddenly she was worried he'd be upset with her for killing Peter, so she spoke first.

"I'll take the owl to Hagrid," she said. The poor bird was still not moving.

He nodded. "Please find Neville and your eldest brother on the way back." He turned to Kingsley. "Are Dedalus and Elphias still in my office?"

Kingsley nodded. "Yes."

"Tell them council is, evidently, cancelled but they may wish to stay to select new council members. At least one of you should be present for that," Harry said, choosing to focus on the most pressing problem at hand.

Ginny stepped back into Harry's office, Neville and her brother in tow. She closed the door and took off her helmet. She stood to the side and stretched her back for a moment. Everything felt sore.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, his eyes concerned.

She met his eyes and nodded. "Fine."

"What did you do?" Neville asked curiously.

"Jumped after an owl," she said with a grimace.

"I think she was convinced she could fly for a moment; I ran in just as she caught the owl... it was quite high and she fell straight down," Harry told them. "For an owl no less..."

"Well, I wasn't about to have bird murder on my conscience so close to my wedding," she muttered.

"As opposed to actual murder?" Neville added.

"Well, the owl didn't actually commit treason so..." Harry said, offering Ginny a soft smile.

She smiled back carefully.

He recomposed himself. "So we are out of three council members. Kingsley has offered to be representative of the remaining members to vote on the new ones. Between him and I, it is a fifty-fifty vote. Candidates are Lord and Ladies that have been assigned by Ignotia or have inherited the title."

"Remember what Dean said, about his father being unrightfully removed?" Ginny asked. Now it suddenly made sense why the council was formed that way. "If Peter was behind it..."

Realisation washed over Harry's face. "That makes sense. Dean should be considered for a position then." He turned to Neville. "Can you see if there is any mention of his father's removal? Find out if there was a legit reason?"

Bill stepped forward. "I believe we have sorted through most of the council documentation, we should be able to find that."

"What's his father's name?" Neville asked.

"Thomas," Harry said. "And I apologise for already pushing this on you on your first day."

Neville shrugged. "That is quite alright. I am glad to get up to speed and the council is an important part." He bowed and left to get the papers.

Harry turned to her. "You should go to the Hospital Wing."

"I am fine," she reassured him.

His eyes hardened. "You'd make me go too. You should be in top shape for the battle, just get checked."

She nodded and left but she didn't go to the Hospital Wing at all. Instead, she went back to Hagrid's office to check on the owl.

"How is she?" she asked as she stepped in.

"She'll be alright. She got one broken wing, but she will be back up in the air in no time," Hagrid told her as he put a bandage on the owl.

"Does she have a name?" she asked as she walked up to the owl and petted her softly.

"Hedwig," Harry's voice came behind her.

She turned around quickly, already grimacing in apology. "How did you know?"

His eyebrows raised. "Come on, now I'll just have to escort you there."

"I can't go like this," she said, pointing at her armour.

"Then get changed," Harry said softly.

Hagrid looked between the two. Ginny smiled at him and then followed Harry towards her room.

"I am sorry about Peter, I didn't mean to kill him. I... I was focused on getting that letter and preventing him from going anywhere," she said. "I didn't have time to look."

"Don't worry about that." He smiled sadly. "You did what you needed to do."

She nodded and disappeared into her room while Harry waited outside. She came back in her dress. "I think it's a little bruised but otherwise fine."

He shot her a look.

"Yes, I am still going," she reassured him.

When they arrived at the Hospital Wing, Harry rang the bell twice.

"Don't do it twice! I am not royalty! ... Oh." She looked at him. "I am."

He nodded at her. "And you're almost Queen so..."

The door opened and Greta appeared. They walked inside.

"The Princess fell on her back quite hard from a great height. Can you check her out?" Harry asked.

Greta nodded. "Of course, come over here Princess." She pointed at a bed.

Harry nodded. "Great, thank you." He turned to her. "I'll see you later." And he disappeared.

Ginny looked in surprise as he just left her there. She sighed, wondering if he was upset about Peter. His words hadn't been quite reassuring to her.

Greta stood in front of her. "How is the pain?"

Ginny focused on Greta. Speaking woman to woman, she hoped to get it over with quickly. "It is fine, just a little bruised really. King Henry was concerned but I've had much worse injuries."

"If you could loosen your dress a little, I will take a look," Greta said.

Ginny pulled on the string and loosened it. Greta's hands came on her back and pushed here and there.

"Well, nothing is broken, but it is quite bruised. What happened?" Greta asked.

Ginny stilled and looked around. "Where is Antonin?"

Greta pointed to the bed behind the corner. "Over there, he is still out cold. Knight Gwyn clearly knows where to hit."

Ginny smiled softly. "Looks like it. Too bad Peter didn't get the same treatment."

The Healer's face hardened. "He had it coming." She shook her head. "All those years... Many of us remembered the King when he was not an adult yet. A lot of of us remember the old King and Queen. To think Peter was behind so much cruelty to people he called family..."

"It's terrible," Ginny agreed. "It always struck me how loved the King is by the staff."

Greta looked at Ginny quietly, her head softly tilted as her observant eyes studied Ginny. "You are marrying him. I am sure you know what kind of person he is. We are always rooting for him."

"I hope I can win the hearts of the staff too," Ginny admitted.

The Healer smiled. "You already found out a traitor, effectively reducing the assassins... A Knight like Gwyn is essential but of course, it is much better if there are no assassins at all." She patted Ginny's shoulder. "You are all good to go. Listen to your body, if it hurts too much, don't do it. Come back in a week."

"Thank you, Greta." She reached behind her and retied her dress. She hopped off the bed and walked outside.

She didn't feel like going to find Harry now, still unsure how he was feeling so she sought out her brothers instead. She found Ron at a desk bent over food orders, checking them against the numbers Percy had provided.

"I thought you were going for the quiet Royal life?" Ron said, glancing at her.

She snorted. "Me? Quiet life?"

"Right." He chuckled. "What was I thinking..." His smile faltered. "I am sorry about Peter," he told her sincerely.

Ginny looked at him in surprise. He was the first one to express any regret. "Thank you. I ... I didn't mean to kill him, and I know Harry..." She sighed. "Even if he betrayed Harry, he was one of the last people who knew his parents as well as he did. I am not sure how he is holding up."

"Then what are you doing here?" Ron asked. "Check on him."

She shook her head abruptly. "I can't... Can I help you?"

Ron looked over his papers. "Actually... I need the kitchen's estimates for the wedding." He slid a paper towards her.

Ginny took it. "Thank you! You are a good brother." She stood back up and made her way to the kitchen.

She walked into the kitchen and made her way to Lucretia's usual spot. She was at the table, eating food herself. She stood up and bowed when she spotted Ginny.

"Please continue eating, Lucretia," Ginny said, not wanting to keep her from her food. Ginny sat down beside her. "I just need some numbers for the wedding, my brother—" She stopped when Lucretia looked at her rather alarmed.

"You know my name," she said. Ginny could see the questions run through Lucretia's head. "You walked into this kitchen like you have been here a hundred times before." Lucretia grabbed her hand, revealing the scar on her wrist. Her eyes landed on it with determination, as if it confirmed something she had already suspected. "And that scar..." She glanced at the cloak.

Ginny's heart jumped in her throat. If Lucretia shouted at her, the whole kitchen would hear. She looked at Lucretia, begging. "I can explain."

"You... You are..." Her eyes were wide in pure shock.

"I am sorry. When my parents were killed, they sent me to be a Knight and that's what I have been doing... I couldn't tell anyone," she spoke quickly. "I was just trying to stay alive."

That got Lucretia's attention. She seemed to find her tongue again. "All this time... you were a Princess?"

She nodded. "Yes. The King found out and..." She chuckled. "Well, now I am here, like this."

"Planning your wedding," Lucretia said. She shook her head. "The things I have told you as a Knight are not for a Princess' ears." She shook her head warily.

Ginny clasped Lucretia's hands in hers. "You are absolutely wonderful. You made me feel so welcome and you are so kind. I am glad I got to know you like that first."

Lucretia seemed unsure but then she moved and wrapped Ginny in a firm hug. Ginny wrapped her arms around her.

"Really, thank you for all you've done for me," Ginny said.

Lucretia patted her head before releasing her. "What do you need?"

"Oh." She looked down at the paper. "Estimates for the wedding, really."

"Then we need to talk about the wedding cake," Lucretia said.

Ginny perked up. "Well, some Knight told me you had some wonderful ideas. I would be glad to hear them."

Lucretia beamed at her. "Well, I was thinking of a five-tier cake," she started.

"Five-tiers? Wow. How big are we talking?" Ginny asked.

"Big." Lucretia said.

Ginny walked out of the kitchen with a light heart and a sheet full of numbers. She brought it back to Ron.

"The King is looking for you," Ron said.

She chewed her lip. "Did he say what about?"

Ron shook his head. "No, but he said to come to the stables."

She found Harry with both of their horses waiting. She walked up to him quietly as she fastened her cloak.

"I had some time to spare while they contact the council candidates. Please join me," he said.

She nodded. She gave Lightning a little pet and then got on her horse. They rode in silence for a while, down the lane behind the castle, both horses running happily. Then Harry took a right turn to the hidden spot.

Ginny got off Red and turned to Harry. Suddenly a thousand words were brimming to spill off her lips. "Please just tell me, are you angry at me? Or upset? Disappointed?"

Harry frowned. "I am relieved."

"What?" she asked in utter surprise.

Harry stepped to her and put his arms around her. "I had an impossible choice to make. He needed to be killed but I struggled to say it. Now he is dead, and I didn't have to make that call. Moreover, it was perfectly justified for killing him, considering what he was doing. How could I ever be angry at you for doing your job?"

Ginny leaned against him. "I know he was important to you, and you struggled to believe he was committing treason. I am sure that is still difficult for you."

Harry kissed her softly, his hand against her cheek. He leaned away and his eyes searched hers. "You have no clue... You are the only person keeping me upright right now." He kissed her forehead. "My beautiful Knight, always just in time and on the job. And you are the only one able to soothe me like you do."

"I love you," she spoke softly. "And I want you to be happy and alive and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen."

"That's what I like so much about you," he said. "You are dedicated to whatever you set your mind to."

She smiled and kissed him, her hands gliding down his body. She felt how he relaxed in her embrace. Their lips separated and she kissed his cheek, hugging him to her tightly. "I really thought you were upset with me. I didn't know what to do."

Harry shook his head. "You are going to be an amazing wife and an even better Queen. I am really glad you're in my corner." He took her hand and lead her closer to the water. It was now so cold it was nearly freezing over. "What did the Healer say?"

"That I need to listen to my body when it hurts," she replied.

Harry laughed. "Then she doesn't know you very well."

"Respectfully, my King, I think you are being rude." Her eyes twinkled. She lifted the shirt under his vest slightly, putting her cold fingertips against his skin.

He grunted quietly and shook his head. "Cold, my dear."

She beamed at him. "I am just preparing you for the battle. You better be ready to freeze your toes off."

"You seem far too happy about that. Determined to make me a toeless King," he said, sniffing dramatically.

She caressed his cheek. "Of course not." She pecked his lips. "And your dear wife will make sure you stay warm at night." She locked eyes with him.

His eyes darkened for a moment. "Can't wait."

She looked out over the water. "Lucretia knows about me too. She figured it out by herself." She eyed him.

"Doesn't seem like a secret you will be able to keep forever. But if you are Queen and they find out, it doesn't matter. You know that," he told her.

"I suppose I should be prepared for that. I should be able to keep that for at least three more weeks. After that we will see," she said. "As long as no one demands me to stop being a Knight."

He shook his head, and his hand ran through her hair. "They can't, it's part of who you are. And I won't let them."