A/N: We're at chapter 30? I would say how fast but I have been writing this for over 10 months so perhaps not. Suppose time flies when you're having fun.

I am really enjoying getting into the second part of this story and making those tiny hints into something tangible.

Thanks for the lovely comments!

Thank you Meg (megonagall410) for the beta reading

Harry woke up and found Ginny asleep half on his chest, her arm wrapped around him. He smiled at the sweet sight. He carefully moved his hand up her thigh, tickling the soft skin.

She woke up, stopping his hand in its path without opening her eyes. Her hand in turn travelled up his arm. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Her soft brown eyes caught the sun perfectly.

She smiled at him and his heart skipped a bit. He shifted closer to her and placed a kiss against the corner of her mouth. Her hand came to his waist.

He sighed happily. "I'm still getting used to waking up with you like this."

"You better," Ginny said, her leg now curling further around him to pull him against her. She kissed him softly as one of her hands moved to his trousers.

Noticing what she was doing, he pulled her closer. "Thought you'd still be too tired..." he muttered, his hand travelling under her shirt.

"Pain? Yes." She smiled. "Tired? Not really. Are you tired?"

He considered if honesty was the best option. "My muscles are... objecting a little bit if I am being honest."

She pulled her leg over him entirely, straddling him and moved her face closer to his. "Then I'll wake up your muscles gently."

She kissed him softly. Her lips moved against his sweetly and slowly. His hand landed in her hair. The other travelled under her shirt, pulling it up as he went to hold her waist. Her hips moved against him, teasing him, and he moaned into her mouth. She did it again.

"Gin," he complained against her lips.

Her hips rolled again.

"Don't play with your King," he tried but it only made her laugh.

"I'll play with you as much as I like," she responded, fully grinding down on him, her eyes watching his reaction carefully. He couldn't help the moan that escaped then.

He pulled at her shirt now with intention and relieved her of the garment.

Harry was a little lost in this castle, but luckily he had Ginny to guide him while telling him childhood memories. They made it to breakfast and were greeted by her brothers. Bill was already bent over some papers as he ate.

"Did you get checked by the healer yet?" Percy asked.

She paused and looked at him. "What for now?"

"Did you not get hurt?" he asked. "With the assassins."

She took up her goblet. "Of course I didn't, dear brother," Ginny replied.

"Ginny, you did this as a child too, you don't need to lie about getting hurt," Percy replied.

She took a sip of water and put her goblet down. "I was a child that liked to sneak about. I have nothing to hide now, not from you lot anyway. I didn't get hurt. Right, Harry?"

Harry looked up at her and blinked, processing what she had asked. "Right, no new injuries, anywhere."

Ginny chuckled while Percy turned red and sat back down in his seat.

She grinned at Harry. "I think they forget this is our honeymoon."

Ron pretended to barf into his bowl.

Charlie shoved him to make him stop. "Wait until you get married."

"Look who is talking," Ron muttered. He snorted. "Think we're still some way off of that."

Ginny shot Harry an amused look.

"What about Lady Hermione?" Charlie teased him in a sing-song voice.

Fred and George agreed loudly and then looked over at Ron.

Ron's face quickly flushed up to his ears. "Shut up!" He stood up. "I need to get ready so I can travel back to Nidus." He seemed to chew on his words for a moment. "I don't think she's the marrying kind." And then he trod off, face red.

"Aw, Ronald! You don't know that!" Ginny called after him. She turned to Harry. "Is she?"

Harry rubbed his cheek. "She's not eager for a marriage—She doesn't need it—But I think she would marry someone if she loved him."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me," Ginny said.

"I'll talk to her, see what she thinks," Harry thought out loud. "... and then we can relay the message to Ron."

A Lord walked into the room and Bill immediately shot up. "Louis!"

Louis bowed to him and then opened his arms. "So happy to see you where you belong again."

Ginny leaned over to Harry. "He housed Bill all these years, and helped set up the network of rebels. He's kind of like your Kingsley."

Bill wrapped Louis in a tight hug. "I am so glad you're here." He turned to his family. "You remember Lord Louis."

The older man looked over the table. "My, they've grown." He smiled warmly at them.

"And this is King Henry of Ignotia, my sister's husband," Bill said, pointing at Harry.

Louis bowed at him politely. "She was just a wee little kid the last time I saw her. Now if I must believe the reports... Did she really kill Bellatrix?"

Bill nodded. "She did."

Ginny stood up and walked to him. Louis launched a series of questions.

"My wife is just much cooler than I, isn't she?" Harry mumbled.

Fred snorted. "Yes. Jealous she's getting more attention than you?"

He shook his head. "I get bragging rights and I get to eat my food in peace. I am not complaining."

When Lord Louis had left Ginny went to fill a basket with food for Otis. She put in five Ignotian apples, raisins, cheese and a few more fruits he may have never eaten before. Along she put some dried meats and cookies. Though Bill would make sure they were fed from now on, she wanted to make sure he got his treat, because she had promised.

She found Otis playing with some wooden toys under the watchful eye of his mother.

"Queen Ginevra," Carla greeted her.

"Bringing him his treats as I promised," Ginny said lifting her basket. "Poor kid."

"Otis, come over here," Carla said firmly.

Otis immediately shot off the floor and walked up to his mother. He bowed to Ginny too.

"Do you want to see what I brought you?" Ginny asked, kneeling down beside the toddler.

The boy nodded eagerly and bent over to look into the basket.

"Don't eat all at once, you're going to get a tummy ache," she said softly. She showed him an apple. "These are really sweet."

"Can I taste it?" he asked softly.

"Of course! They're all yours." She handed the fruit to him. She watched as he bit into it.

His eyes widened. "Wow!"

She smiled. "I thought you would like that." She stood back up.

"You're too kind," Carla said. "Thank you for this. I don't know how Lord Lucius got hold of him..." She shook her head warily.

"There was a lot of commotion and Lucius took advantage of it. It isn't your fault and Otis doesn't know any better. Of course if you starve the children, that's how you bribe them." She sighed. "It's cruel."

Carla bowed her head.

"I'm sorry about your husband, it must be difficult," Ginny said carefully.

The woman eyes her son. "Otis is all I have left."

Ginny patted Carla's arm. "He'll be safe from now on."

Carla smiled. "Thank you."

Harry exited the council room. Staff were happily tearing down any decoration carrying Bellatrix's sigil. They were even putting back up some old Harpian banners they must've kept. Harry met eyes with Ginny, who was talking to Fleur. He nodded for her to follow him. She smiled and finished her conversation and then followed him back up to their room.

"How are negotiations going?" she asked. She took the tin with ointment off the night table.

Harry took it from her and sat down beside her. "Good. It's boring. We don't have much to disagree on." His finger swiped in the tin and then he started applying it to her throat carefully. The bruising was turning a dark purple, making it even more noticeable. "What have you been up to?"

"A lot of the rebels that were out of jobs have offered themselves as guard. I was hesitant at first but Fleur vouched for them so I will work out a schedule that involves them and then our guards can rest up more. It's up to Bill later to decide if he'll hire them or not," Ginny said. "This spot on the left really hurts."

Harry inspected it. "Looks it too." He took some more ointment and applied some more in that spot, trying his hardest to be as gentle as possible.

Ginny locked eyes with him. "Did you just walk me up here to make sure I am applying this on time?" she asked. "I was going to do it."

He smiled. "No." He finished rubbing it in and closed the tin again. "I just needed a moment. I missed you. I started being used to you being with me all the time."

"Can't exactly sneak into meetings as Gwyn anymore," she said.

"I know." He took her hand and squeezed it. "You can just join as Queen, you know. You're allowed to do that."

"Am I?" she asked with a frown.

"I am the only one who can tell you to go," Harry said. "I am not planning on that... Unless..."

She perked up. "What?"

"Well, if I were preparing a surprise for you or something along the lines.." He nodded to himself. "I may not want you to join."

She pretended to consider it. "I suppose that's acceptable."

He leaned in closer to her, faces almost touching. "We've got some time to spare before lunch. How about we act like an actual newlywed couple?"

Her hand came to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. "Now you reveal why you brought me here."

"I wouldn't dare," he said with a grin. He kissed her.

"Suppose we could. But don't mess up my hair," she said, pulling him onto the bed.

He groaned. "I like running my hands through it."

"I know, that's why I am warning you."

She reached behind her to undo her dress, but Harry's hands reached around her. She lifted her hands and undid the belt of her sword. Her lips searched his.

Ginny kissed him softly. She caressed his cheek and placed another kiss on it. Then she pulled away from him and stepped out of bed. He didn't want to move yet. She slowly got dressed and he simply watched.

"Do you mind?" she asked, cheeks slightly red under his gaze. She tightened her stays before knotting them.

He smiled, averting his gaze for a moment. "Not at all."

She shook her head in amusement. "Well, if the King doesn't mind..." She attached her dagger back to her thigh, making sure it was secure.

"I always thought..." Harry started; the thought barely formed in his head. "When I thought about marriage, I never expected this."

Ginny shot him a look that was both confused and amused. "What did you expect?" she asked as she continued getting dressed.

"I did want to marry for love," he said. "But I still thought it would be more complicated. Maybe a little uneasy?" He frowned, wondering if he was making sense. "You're perfect. Things are easy when I am with you."

Now dressed again, Ginny walked to him and sat on the side of the bed. "I think we just understand each other instinctively." Her eyes danced down his naked body. "And you need to get dressed."

He huffed and closed his eyes.

His eyes opened again abruptly when Ginny began forcefully dressing him. He watched puzzled as she pulled his underwear onto his feet and then pulled up.

"Question," she said as she reached his thighs. "Do you keep your..."

Harry's eyebrows raised as she chewed on the word.

"... dick in a particular position or does it not matter?" she ended, looking at him innocently.

Harry's head fell back as he laughed. "This is precisely the kind of thing I never imagined discussing with my wife." He pushed her hands away and pulled his underwear up himself.

"I think you have a boring imagination then," she answered. She took up his trousers.

He gestured, telling her she could continue if she wished. "I assure you, I don't."

"Oh?"

"Not when you're in there any way," he admitted.

She smiled cheekily and opened her mouth to reply when a tap on the window made them halt. She looked up. "Hedwig!"

Ginny abandoned her efforts to get him dressed and went to let the owl in. Harry pulled his trousers up properly and closed them, grabbing his shirt. She took the letter from Hedwig and eagerly opened it. "From Neville!"

"What did he write?" He pulled his shirt over his head.

" Amazing news, " she read. " We were all so relieved to hear. I hope you don't mind we have celebrated the victory in your absence. We'll host another party when you're back. We are saddened to hear about Alastor and Nigel, of course. The guards here have taken it upon themselves to visit his sister and pass on our condolences after Kingsley relayed the news. Hermione will be coming your way soon, perhaps she could meet with Ron in Nidus and they can travel together—I will coordinate with Ron directly as I understood he may already be there—and I am organising for food to continue being supplied well into spring. "

Harry read along over her shoulder while he finished buttoning his vest.

" Ginny, I'll need a full breakdown of the battle and your duel with Bellatrix when you get back. I've talked to Tassia about doing the coronation." She looked up at Harry. "Why?"

"The High Priest here was a huge Bellatrix supporter and cannot be trusted and she already knows Bill, it'll be nice," he explained.

She nodded, her gaze returning to the letter. " Tassia commented on the sprouts coming from your wreaths, said it is looking good for your marriage. We are all doing well here, and we send our regards. Your Advisor, Neville. "

"All good news, I'm glad," Harry said.

She looked at him. "And you're all dressed. Let's head to lunch."

The day passed slowly, Lord and Ladies arriving to swear their allegiance to Bill. Old allies that reappeared now it was safe to do so. A big funeral had to be organised to honour the fallen of the battle. Her brothers all easily took up roles where needed. Years of being out in the world doing various trades had prepared them to adapt easily. Ginny took up the security of the castle along with managing their own guards until Bill had time to assign a Head Guard of his own.

The following morning, Ginny sprinted for the entrance when she heard Regulus had arrived. She halted in the hall, spotting him come through the door, his five pages in tow. He met her eyes, wearing an expression of pride she had never seen. She walked up to him and wrapped him in a tight hug.

"It's really you," Colin said.

She looked over Regulus's shoulder. "Hi, Colin."

Regulus released her. "You really did it." He looked over her. "Injuries?"

She showed the bandages around her wrists. The bruises on her neck spoke for themselves. "She nearly got me, and I messed up where you said I would."

He beamed. "But you lived."

She nodded. She looked over the pages. The two older ones, Graham and Timothy were about to be Knights themselves. She had trained with them for a long time. Colin was seventeen and while he still remembered her before she started wearing the helmet, not as much as the older two. The twins, Lawson and Brenton were too young to remember ever seeing her face. Regulus turned to them.

"Run along and behave. Talk to the Guards and learn something perhaps," Regulus ordered them. He turned to her. "I want to hear every detail."

She nodded and walked to a room with him.

"How's your husband? Didn't get too battered?" Regulus asked.

"He's fine. A bruise here and there, a small cut. He fought well," Ginny told him. "Alastor prepared him well." She walked inside the room and let him through before closing the door.

"Poor Alastor, he was a good man," Regulus said as they both settled on a chair. "Then again he wouldn't have wanted to die in any other way."

She sighed. "It was unfair, it was cruel."

"What happened?" he asked then.

"We were retreating to reorganise. Everyone stopped fighting and then a small group of their best fighters broke off and went right for Harry and Alastor." She swallowed. "Of course Alastor took on most in the hopes of covering Harry. We immediately went to help but they were piling on him, he didn't stand a chance. No one would have."

Regulus breathed out. "That's shit. Suppose Bellatrix has always been foul."

"She tried ambushing us the day before too, Harry attempted to negotiate," she added.

He laughed darkly. "I admire his optimism."

"He wanted to give her a fair chance," she defended him. "It's the right thing to do."

Regulus's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Suppose so, politically. But she never would be so gracious."

"He knew that too."

"So Alastor was out, who took over?" he asked then.

She looked at him. "I was second in command. It was up to me. And I am now Head Guard too, it's what he wanted."

"Head Guard," Regulus repeated. "So you really will be putting your abilities to good use."

She nodded. "I can't sit idle as Queen, I always intended to remain active as a Knight. This connects both perfectly. I know the guards and I only need to coordinate with my husband and Neville. How hard can it be?"

"I am glad, it'll suit you," Regulus commented. "Now begin from the start."

And so she started, she talked about the first fight at the border, the negotiation with Bellatrix, the first moment of the battle. Regulus kept quiet for the most part, only asking for clarification occasionally.

When she got to the part about climbing the wall, he had a little more to say.

He shook his head in amusement. "Of course you climbed the wall. At least that came in useful. How long had it been since you climbed a wall before then?"

She felt her cheeks heat up. "About a week."

"You're joking? During your wedding?" Regulus let out. "Why would you climb the walls?"

"Went to see Harry." She looked down, just a little ashamed. "Bill was not amused when he caught me."

"You don't say," Regulus deadpanned. "I hope the King knows what he's getting into."

She grinned. "I think he does."

"Your marriage is going well?" Regulus asked.

"It's been less than a week," she answered. "But it's going great. Now that I am married and everyone knows I'm Gwyn, I don't have to watch myself anymore. It's nice."

Regulus studied her face with wonder. "Don't you feel pressured by royal life?"

"I've never felt freer." She bit her lip. "I know I've got duties as Queen, but most of them align with things I'd choose."

"Interesting."

"Reg, I never had an evil mother like you did. I've spent the majority of my life in hiding. It's nice to feel like I belong again, and to have a husband with me who cares and loves me." She knew he had always been at odds with royal life, but she couldn't agree. "I am finally able to make a difference."

Regulus nodded. "You're surrounded by people who love you."

"I'm sure your brother loves you too," she said.

He huffed. "Perhaps. But love never mattered to our family. Bloodline over love, power over anything." He shook his head. "It led us nowhere. At least Sirius is trying to make a change. If only the stupid git would get married and have a child. I could stop being heir to the throne."

"You can denounce it," she suggested.

"Yes, then it goes back up the family tree, the chances of the throne landing in good hands are terribly slim," Regulus said. "As much as I despise it, I won't do that." He eyed her carefully. "Continue, so you climbed up a wall...?"

"Yes, I took two guards down easily but the third... I was so eager to get to Bellatrix I got ahead of myself, like you said I would." She shook her head, still angry at herself. "And I almost paid the price." She pointed at her neck. "I threw my dagger at him."

Regulus hissed. "You don't lose weapons when you're up against an opponent like Bellatrix!"

"Thank you! No one seemed to understand my frustration." She shook her head. "I was without my dagger, and then I lost my sword when she attacked from above. I've never had an opponent like that. She was so much better than me, it scared me."

Regulus shook his head. "She's not better if you won. How did you manage to win when you were disarmed?"

"Fred and George had insisted on adding another hidden blade into the back of my armour." She bit her lip. "I thought it would get in the way for the most part. It ended up being my saving grace."

"She tried choking you?" he said, pointing at the bruises.

She nodded slowly. "I was disarmed. She was playing with me like a cat with a mouse." The moment still haunted her. "I knew I'd die then if I didn't do anything so I fought with all I had. She lost her sword too in the surprise of being stabbed... eventually, I managed to cut her throat and kicked her in the chest and she went over the wall."

Regulus looked at her, his expression unreadable.

"They immediately admitted defeat after that. Any sane commander would have done so earlier but Bellatrix would've fought until the last man." She breathed out, waiting for Regulus to talk.

"I am genuinely impressed," Regulus said now. "You took all I've taught and more and used it when it matters the most."

She looked away from him. "I messed up, and you told me."

"We all make mistakes. No one else could've done this," he said. "You were the deciding factor in the battle, the most important one of your life." He smiled at her. "I will never train someone like you again."

"You don't know that," she replied, trying to read Regulus's expression.

"Yes, I do. You were sent to me to be able to fight for Harpia. It wasn't always guaranteed but that was always the main goal," he spoke. "You know that."

She frowned, confused at his words. "No, you said it to motivate me." Her eyes watered. "My parents wouldn't— and Bill..." She trailed off.

"They were perfectly clear on that," Regulus said now.

"Then why not send my brothers, why me?"

He looked down to the floor, shaking his head slowly. "They died before I could ever ask, and Bill never said. I don't know how much they told him." His gaze shifted again, landing on her. "I knew you were important to the cause. I had to train you for that, and you succeeded." A glimmer of pride passed behind his eyes.

Yet Ginny just felt confused, she never knew it had been her parents' intention. She had so many questions she would never get to ask. "I don't understand."

"I don't know what they knew, but they were right, Ginny." Regulus looked at her compassionately.

"I was a child; how could they possibly have known..." she pondered out loud.

"I'm sorry, I really don't know. You were only meant to come train with me if they didn't make it... I think it was a last resort," Regulus said. He shifted his chair a little closer and his hand came against her cheek, which caused her to meet his eyes again. "Whatever they knew or not, you trained hard, and you were vital in defeating Bellatrix. You can wear that achievement with pride. I know I will."

She sighed. "Thank you. For everything."

He smiled and patted her cheek before his hand dropped again. "You were the biggest pain in the ass I ever had the honour to train."

"You and Regulus had a lot to discuss," Harry commented as they walked down the corridor together.

She nodded. "He wanted to know all the details about the battle. Talked about the past a little..."

Harry took her hand. "Are you alright?" he asked with a frown.

She pondered a moment, but she shrugged. "Regulus had a lot to say. He is very honest."

"Harshest critic?" he asked.

"Yeah." She smiled. She paused by the double doors. "Library."

She pushed open the doors and Harry followed her in. To her relief she found the library had barely been touched and most books were still there. Though the drawn curtains made that the whole thing was covered in a dark hue.

She walked around, pushing all the curtains open to reveal the tall arched windows, light bouncing off dust particles that flew around the room.

"Wow." Harry walked into the library, looking around. "This is gorgeous."

"Good for a winter picnic, huh?" she said, turning to him.

He nodded. "I want windows like that in our library, it really elevates the room." He kept looking around. "We could put them in during spring when the weather is warm enough."

She smiled. "You really want to keep that tradition, huh?"

He met her eyes and nodded. "I want to keep our traditions alive and this is a really nice one."

She caressed his cheek, and his arm circled her waist. "We can do that in the current library as it is."

Harry looked around. "Yes, but this is cosier and lovelier, and it lets in more light, don't you think?"

"I do like the arched windows," she agreed. "It would be nice."

He hummed in agreement. "That's decided then. We can start planning that once we're settled at home."

Ginny chuckled at his determination to start the renovation soon. "Good idea, dear." She sighed. While the library had distracted her for a moment, what Regulus had said kept swimming in her mind.

"Gin?" he asked.

"Regulus said... that they put me with him specifically to help get Harpia back." She shook her head. "I just don't understand why they thought so? I was the youngest kid, I was seven years old." Her brows knitted together. "It doesn't make any sense."

Harry nodded slowly. "That does seem odd."

"I didn't want to linger on it but quite frankly I am just confused. It's not like I can ask them." She looked at Harry for a reply.

"Would Bill know?" Harry asked her.

She shrugged. "That's what I've been thinking. If anyone does...but why hasn't he said anything?"

Harry's thumb caressed against her cheek. "You won't know unless you ask him."

She immediately pulled Harry along; she wanted answers now. She found her brother in the King's office, talking to Fleur and Percy. They looked up curiously when she entered.

"I want to speak to you privately," she said.

Bill nodded. "Now?"

Her eyes flitted to Percy and Fleur. "Preferably, if you have nothing urgent going on."

"Alright then," Bill said.

Percy and Fleur took their leave and she felt Harry pull back too but her grip tightened on his hand. "You're staying."

He only nodded.

Ginny took a seat across from her brother and Harry sat down beside her. She looked at him, determined to get answers. "Regulus said I was always meant to get Harpia back. What do you know?" She stared him down.

Bill looked at her for a moment. "You must understand that I was only eleven when you were born. There were only whispered conversations between mum and dad I overheard at first." He swallowed. "Then when things started going south, they talked to me about it more but I... never really grasped what it meant until very recently."

"Start talking," she demanded.

He nodded slowly, regret filling his features. She knew sending her off had been hard on him, but right now she just wanted answers.

"Bellatrix's attempts to take the throne started about a year before you were born. Our parents asked for a blessing from the gods and then... you happened." He pointed at her. "You were the first daughter in seven generations. Of course, you must have been a blessing. They thought you'd help them keep the throne when the time came." He nodded, more to himself than her. "That's why they let you run amok with Fred and George so much—they wanted you to grow up strong and free." His eyes flitted over her face, searching for a reaction. "They said you must have been a blessing from Gorphine. You were always a fiery one, because you were blessed with a passion for anything you set your mind to." Bill paused.

She stared at him. She was getting the answers she wanted and yet she didn't want to hear any of it. If she had known, perhaps things would have been easier.

"That's why you were betrothed, not because you were a girl. They thought it meant you could keep the alliance. They thought you'd make the difference..." A hand ran through his long hair. "They didn't have all the answers. They didn't know if you were a blessing or what it meant... so they told me worst come to worst, we all had to go into hiding." His eyes softened. "They were specific about what had to happen to you. Training as a Knight would help you grow up strong-willed as they intended. I never thought..." He closed his eyes for a moment. "When our parents died, I did as I was told. Even when I didn't understand it, and you certainly didn't. But then every time I saw you—" His eyes looked tearful when he opened them again.

She remained silent, listening intently.

"—You grew stronger, you got better. I knew you could thrive. I didn't think you'd be the one to help us reinstate Harpia." He shook his head. "Our faith shouldn't rest on my little sister's shoulders."

Her gaze slid down to the ground.

"Our parents loved you, not just because you were a blessing. Please know that. They loved you regardless. They simply had hope... for us."

She nodded softly. She understood it wasn't as black-and-white as it appeared at first glance. Harry looked over at her silently, but he hadn't said a word.

"Then you reappeared in the Ignotian castle, stronger than ever, ready to take back our kingdom... I finally understood."

"I was meant to win back our Kingdom, not keep it," she said bitterly.

"That's not true," Bill said with a quick shake of his head. "We don't know what you were meant to do. Gods don't give us paths; they simply give us the tools to succeed."

Ginny didn't feel like a lecture on religion. "Why didn't they tell me? Dad read to me that last night and he knew, I could tell he knew something was about to happen." She could feel anger rising but she did not want to give in to it.

"That's not pressure you should put on a seven-year-old." Bill sighed.

"As opposed to telling them they'll need to rule a country one day?" she shot back. It was a fair point to make when there were two Kings in the room with her. And she knew too, her firstborn would have the same burden.

"I am not saying it is easy, but that's not the same." Bill folded his hands together. "You and I had the hardest path. I knew why I did, but I always had a lot of qualms about following mum and dad's instructions. You were so small." His eyes watered again. "I just honoured their wishes. Now I can see you both strong and happy, I can look back and be glad I did. You've done alright."

"Why Gorphine?" she asked now.

Bill shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she was listening? We were never sure about it, and I always doubted if there was anything to it at all. But then you talked to her in the oracle, didn't you?"

"I did." She cocked her head. "Is that why... I can never do things halfway, can I? It's all or nothing."

"I think so. Passion for anything. I am sure it's both a blessing and a curse. Something you'll have to live with." He glanced over at her husband. "And Harry."

Harry spoke for the first time in minutes. "It's not a flaw." He reached out to her hand and squeezed it. "Your determination is one of those things I like about you."

She wished she could believe him, but she also knew that she wished she could be less like that. Sometimes her feelings seemed to overwhelm her. As much as she felt love or happiness, she felt the other emotions too. Anger could feel like it was going to swallow her whole. Now, perhaps, she knew why.

"I'm sorry I can't give you more answers," Bill said. "I know you've been put through a lot. I just don't know, and our parents were kept guessing too."

She stood up and nodded. "I know. Thank you for telling me." She walked around the desk and hugged her brother. She looked at his long hair. "Mum would have wanted you to cut your hair for the coronation. It's nearly as long as mine."

Bill shrugged. "I'll be on the throne, the hair she'll just have to accept."

She knew he'd never cut his hair. "Good choice, you'd look awful with short hair."

They exited Bill's office and Harry eyed her carefully. He wasn't sure what all this meant, or how Ginny was coping with it. They walked until they found an empty room and entered it. Ginny closed the door.

"That was a lot of information we didn't expect," he said.

Ginny nodded, fidgeting with her sleeve. "It makes no sense at all, yet it makes all the sense, doesn't it?" She met his eyes.

"Your determination, your passion has brought you where you are. I've seen you set your mind to something and then not stop until you get it done," he told her.

"It isn't always easy," she admitted. "I can't fight against it."

He closed the space between them in two steps. "It's part of who you are, blessing or not." He locked eyes with her.

"I'm glad you think so," she answered. Her eyes searched for something within his gaze.

He smirked the tiniest bit. "Personally, I always thought you were divine."

Her face broke out in a small smile. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not." He shook his head. His hands landed on her waist. "Think about it. Who is Gorphine married to?"

A sigh escaped her lips. "Xydite..." She looked at him warily. "You think because they get together, we do?"

He shook his head and shrugged. He didn't understand any of it, and he didn't have any answers to offer. "I can understand why a guy like Xydite would be drawn to such a passionate lady like Gorphine." He drew her in closer. "Maybe that's why the sex has been so good."

"Because I got the passion?" she said with raised eyebrows.

"Something like that," he told her.

She let out a small snort and leaned her head comfortably against his shoulder. "I think I'll go to the oracle again one of these days. Maybe I can talk to Gorphine again." She bit her lip. "I know it's not guaranteed but..." She shrugged.

"It's our best bet for answers."

She nodded, glancing up at him. "Yeah."

They escaped outside after that but remained safely within the castle walls, the field outside still bore too many memories of the battle. They wore their cloaks and took Lightning and Red out. Their horses followed them, keeping to themselves and playing around.

"Those look like lovely trees to climb," Harry noted as they walked past two lovely big oaks.

She looked at them too. "They are." Her eyes turned to the soil. "I hate what she's done with the grounds."

It looked sullen, it had no personality and now in winter, there were no leaves to liven up the depressing garden. It was all contained; straight lines and sharp edges. It didn't look like a garden, it didn't feel alive.

"The lack of animals is deeply concerning to me," Harry commented.

She let out a small chuckle. "Most countries don't have such a duty. Bellatrix didn't care unless they were useful to her."

They settled down on a bench. Harry glanced at their horses but they were simply walking along the paths. Ginny pulled her hair from under her cloak and as usual, it caught the light and emitted a warm hue. It didn't matter if it was overcast, or there was only candlelight, it would always catch his eye.

He reached out and touched it. "You and Bill seem to bond over your hair."

Ginny froze. Harry wondered what caused her reaction. She suddenly looked upset, her eyes darting to her own hair.

"I'm sorry," he said, unsure what it exactly was.

She shook her head. "It's not your fault."

He turned to her and looked at her. "What is...?"

"My hair... why I don't cut it. As much as I want to pretend it doesn't matter, it still does." She looked down at her hands, folded in her lap.

She didn't meet his eye. "Because you had to cut it?" he asked.

She reached out to his hand, and he took it easily, shifting closer to her. Their fingers slotted together. Hesitantly she looked back up at him. "I had to cut it because I needed to be able to pass as a boy. It's just the way it happened." A sigh escaped her lips, her eyes glazing over as she recalled it.

It seemed to pain her. He squeezed her hand and remained silent, allowing her to take the time she needed.

"The night my parents died, we had to escape. There was the plan, like Bill mentioned. All my brothers were ready to be shipped off with a change of clothes. Only the three oldest knew what they had to do... but for me... I had no idea of the plan. It was up to Bill to execute it."

He pressed a kiss against her temple in the hopes of comforting her. His thumb rubbed the back of the hand he was holding.

"He knew what had to be done. As soon as he heard our parents had been killed, he started putting the plan in motion. He cut my hair while Charlie held me down. I kicked and screamed and screamed... It wasn't fair to them—They were just trying to keep me safe. They had lost their parents too, it must have been difficult for them too but how was I supposed to understand? I was..."

"You were just a kid."

She nodded softly. "Yeah." Her brow furrowed further. "I walked out of there and I couldn't recognise myself in the mirror. I was in a foreign place in boy's clothes. One day I was a Princess, the next I was a page with no family." She swallowed hard and took a shaky breath. "I replayed that moment so often, trying to make sense of it. It broke me, and I think it broke Bill too. He was only 18. It's why Bill likes to keep his hair long." She wiped a tear away. "It's why I don't cut my hair."

It was silent for a moment. More tears dropped down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them away.

"As soon as I could no longer pass as a boy and I became a squire, I'd wear the helmet all the time and started to grow my hair out. Regulus said it was a bad idea but I think he understood what it meant to me." She looked back up at him. "I haven't cut my hair since."

"I think your long hair is gorgeous," he offered. He couldn't undo the hurt of the past, but he could tell her now.

"It's the only thing I could do to somewhat reclaim myself, feel like a girl again."

He wiped her tears for her.

"When you got me that dress for the masquerade ball, it was the first time I really felt like a woman."

He nodded and locked eyes with her. "Had I known what it meant to you..."

"You helped me in a way I couldn't have explained," she said, holding his hand more tightly. "I know you like my hair. That you do makes me feel more like me." Her eyes lit up. "You have embraced both sides of me without a second thought."

"You're you and I love every part of you," he said, leaning down to capture her lips.

She melted into him and he made sure to hold her tightly. He used his free hand to run it through her hair.

"I hope we can find you more answers," he said softly, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"Me too."