A/N: I can't believe this fic is done. I started posting it in 2022. I didn't know this was going to get as long as it did. The last fic I completed was 70K words and that felt like a stretch at the time. I'm sure you can actually see my writing change and improve throughout these chapters. Perhaps I will if I ever reread it.
I want to give the hugest thank you to my betareader Meg megonagall410 who betaread all but one (not the first chapter because I hadn't fount her yet) of the chapters. It was always so fast and diligent. You're an absolute star.
This was the first fic where I did this type of worldbuilding, which I do enjoy but also found out some limitations. But who knew I could get people to ship two horses? Lighted ftw forever.
Thank you to all of you have read until the end and an extra thanks to the commenters! You are amazing!
Now, on to the battle... I promise to keep you on the edge of your seat for at least a little bit... ;)
Ginny could see the army gathering by the border between Harpia and Secretera from far away. It was a massive group, with thousands of soldiers gathering. She rode up closer and made sure her men knew where to go and to start setting up camp. Then she dismounted and walked up to Bill.
He waved as soon as he saw her escape from the horde of arriving men. She walked up to him and hugged him tightly. The rest of her family caught up with her. Harry was carrying James.
"Come on, you can meet Victoire."
They followed him into the tent and were greeted by Fleur and baby Victoire.
"How are you, Fleur?" Ginny asked.
She smiled. "Splendid. I am just so glad the pregnancy is over—I did not enjoy that at all." She looked down at her baby. "She is the most precious."
Bill smiled proudly at them.
"It's good to know that more girls are born into this family," Ginny remarked.
Bill nodded as he looked back up. "So they are." He looked over at Fleur. "You'll be okay here?"
"Yes," Fleur said. "You focus on the battle, and I'll focus on the baby."
He bent down and kissed her quickly and they continued.
"I'll take James," Hermione said. "I'll see if I can find Dora and Teddy."
Ginny took James off Harry's arm and told them to continue. "I suppose you need the practice."
"Oh!" Hermione's eyes widened, and then she smiled. "Suppose I do."
"Congratulations, and here is the little Prince," she said, handing him off. "You behave, James. Be good." She kissed his cheek. "Mum loves you."
They exited the tent a good while later, having agreed on a strategy for tomorrow. Bill informed them where the missing Harpians went. Their bodies were strung up, lining the road towards the castle. He suspected there would be more all the way there.
It felt too much like an invitation, and it left Ginny feeling a bit uneasy, but the way ahead was clear. She escaped the tent together with Harry and went in search of James. They found him holding hands with Teddy, pointing out so many things. James' little head was going left and right.
Dora smiled in greeting. "Don't worry, he's having a lovely time. I'll watch him a little longer."
Ginny smiled gratefully at her and went to check out their tent which had been set up by now. She sat down on the bed for a minute and turned to Harry. He sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her.
She knew she did not explain what was running through her mind, what he needed to do in the worst-case scenario. He knew already, so she simply kissed him to show her love. He pulled her in closer, holding onto her desperately and she sunk into his embrace.
James was whining when Harry woke him up far too early, but they wanted to make good headway before the sun came up.
"I know," Harry soothed him. "We'll just get you changed and then we'll be on our way and you can sleep." He turned around to see Ginny was nearly done putting her armour on. "Your mum is the best Knight I've ever met," he told James. "And today she is going to fight a big battle. Are we going to cheer Mum on?"
James nodded quietly, eyeing his mum with worried eyes.
She walked up to James and kissed his forehead. "You need to stay close to Dad or Hermione today. It's very important."
He nodded again and smiled.
The army started moving slowly. It was a whole endeavour to get this big of a group moving. Everyone was vigilant as they crossed the border, but there was no army waiting. A few archers were hiding in the trees or up walls and shot at them, but it would not be nearly enough to stop them, and by the time the tail of their army came around, the archers had already been taken out.
They started setting up camp a little away from the castle by the time the sun came up. The army on the other side was preparing themselves too.
"I am starting to think perhaps he isn't luring us in with some surprise," Sirius told them. "Perhaps he is just as stupid as he is tall." He hopped off his horse, and opened his visor.
"I can't say I am overwhelmed by his threats," Ginny responded.
Sirius shook his head. "He is no Bellatrix, that's sure."
"Then it'll be easy to kill him," Ginny said. "I'll volunteer."
Sirius scoffed. "Not if I get there first."
"Alright," Bill said. "I guess we'll leave it up to fate, but I want to have a fair chance too."
Harry walked up to them. "I was really thinking it was time for James' first regicide." He made a stabbing motion with James' hand. "Takes after his mum."
Ginny turned around to him, shaking her head disapprovingly. "When he gets his first dagger, not before." She winked at Harry.
He watched as the army readied themselves. Bill kissed Fleur for a long time before he got onto his horse. Regulus told Mary he would have no trouble and walked off after a chaste kiss. Neville was in his armour too, but he wasn't joining the fighting yet, sparing his energy.
Harry turned around as he felt Ginny walk up to him. She took James from him and hugged him tightly with her eyes closed.
"I love you very much, my little prince. Don't test daddy's patience." Her eyes turned to Harry and her expression fell. "I love you. Try not to distract me." She tapped her head.
He nodded to indicate he understood.
She used her free hand to pull him closer. She kissed him, lingering for a bit and then stepped back.
"I love you," he said as he took James back and ignored the ache inside. The soulbond made this far too tough. "Come back quickly."
She caressed his cheek, nodded assuredly and then she walked off to mount Red. Lightning looked a bit upset, but then Thunder butted against his side and Lightning watched his son instead.
"We need to watch the kids," Harry told Lightning. "They'll be right back."
Sirius came by. "James would've never sat a battle out. He'd be unable to." He smiled at Harry. "But in most things you do take after your mum."
Before Harry had a chance to reply, Sirius waved and took off too. Hermione was talking to Fleur somewhere behind him. He could not join them and sit down. He didn't want to miss a moment.
He set James down and the boy clung onto his leg, looking out over the field too. Harry watched with a heavy heart as the first wave of the army took off, together with his wife and most other people he considered family.
It was true they had the numbers in their favour. Rodolphus had a better army than Bellatrix, but their army was much bigger too so it felt like things would be in their favour, and he knew Ginny and Regulus were among the best fighters on the continent.
It took a while before he could notice Ginny again in the crowd and it soothed him a little. She seemed energised and determined, as efficient as last time.
"Mama!"
"Yes, James, that's mu—Did you just say your first word?!" He picked James up. "Did you see Mama in the crowd?"
James nodded and pointed.
"Yes, that's Mum! Isn't she great?" Harry asked. "I can't wait to tell her your first word was 'mama'. Good job. Say 'mama'?"
James stared blankly at him.
"Fine," Harry sighed. "But you're going to say it again when Mum comes back." He turned his gaze back to the battlefield and watched.
"They're doing great," Neville remarked. "I'm optimistic."
Harry chuckled. "You just hope they're quick about it so you won't be up next."
"The shorter the battle, the better for everyone involved," Neville said.
"That's true," Harry agreed.
He watched for a long time, and eventually James got tired of looking so Hermione took him to play further into the tent. He continued watching, catching glimpses of Ginny and the other royals.
His eyes had been trained on her when he saw it. He immediately turned around, closing his mind to Ginny. "No no no." He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to forget that he had just seen her glow reappear.
"What's wrong?" Neville said, clutching his arms. "They're alright."
Harry's eyes popped open again and he shook his head, firmly trying to keep the connection to her shut. "She's pregnant."
"Then why would she be—OH!" Neville held him tighter. "The glow…?"
"I just saw it reappear, and I don't know if she's realised yet, but I'm worried if she hasn't then my thoughts will just distract her." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "What do I do?"
Neville glanced at the battlefield and back. "Do you want me to go pull her out?"
"It's too risky," Harry told him.
"I know, but I'd do it," Neville said. "I am sure as soon as she realises, she'll pull back. Give her some time."
He nodded and took a deep breath, slowly turning back around and hoping he had dreamed it, but instead it was like a beacon, and he could easily tell her apart from the crowd even when she was hardly in view. She showed no sign of turning back but she was really in the midst of the horde, so turning her back on the enemy would make her more of a target.
"Secretera is losing, they should pull back," Neville remarked.
Harry shook his head. "They really must have something up their sleeve." He sighed. "I'm going to change into my armour so I can take over from her."
Harry found out what the Secreterans had up their sleeve when he returned. A large dark dragon that looked like it could swallow a horse whole, soared up from behind the castle, flapping its great wings.
It gave a great roar as it flew over the castle and then swooped down into the horde below. It scooped up three people and two horses and injured a few more with its talons. It really put his fear about Ginny being pregnant into perspective. His stomach churned as the dragon dropped the men it had caught and bit into one of the horses, biting it in half. It was still swallowing it as it turned to fly over the battlefield again. No one was safe.
Suddenly Charlie appeared, on horse, racing towards the open spot between their army and their camp. He hopped off his horse and sent it away. Then he turned to the dragon. "Little Miss Agatha! We do not eat people!"
"What?!" Neville let out in confusion.
Charlie blew on his fingers and after the whistling sound, the dragon turned to him. She took off towards Charlie.
"Did he just offer himself up as bait?" Harry let out.
Neville shook his head. "Not sure."
The dragon landed right in front of Charlie, and then gently stuck her nose out. Charlie appeared to be talking to her.
"I'll be damned," Neville commented.
A few minutes more passed, people resumed fighting and the dragon sat still as Charlie petted her nose gently and continued to speak to her. Then flags went up on the castle.
"They want to negotiate," Neville mumbled after a moment when he had watched the person spell out the letters with the flags.
The armies began to disentangle themselves from each other. Harry watched eagerly for Ginny to make her return. She had her visor open as she rode up to them and he could tell that she knew by the look on her face.
She jumped off Red, and let her go to Lightning on her own. Ginny walked up to Harry and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry, there was no way I could safely get out," she told him. "I didn't expect this to happen now."
"I know." He kissed her cheek, refusing to let her go. "I'm just glad you made it back whole. I was so worried my thoughts were going to distract you."
"I noticed it immediately," Ginny said. "I just hoped you didn't."
"No, I definitely did." He took another breath. "I'll go in for the negotiation."
"Okay," she agreed, stepping out of his arms. She eyed his armour. "You were ready to take over from me, huh?"
He nodded. "I was, but then there was a dragon." He pointed at it, as if it wasn't obvious. Then his eyes widened. Both Hagrid, and James had made it to the dragon. The dragon was lying on the floor, her neck stretched out, and her big head resting by Charlie's foot.
"What?" Ginny turned her head. "Oh no."
"I got it," Harry said, and against his better judgement, he walked up to the dragon too.
Hagrid smiled like a kid on Christmas. "James likes her!"
Harry shook his head. "Yeah? You think?"
James was too close for comfort. He stood right in front of the dragon, and Harry supposed James would make a great light snack for her. Then he noticed the intrigued look in the dragon's eyes.
"I raised her in Orion," Charlie said. "I'm surprised to find her here, poor thing."
"Poor?" Harry asked. "She just chewed up a horse."
"It's not her fault!" Hagrid told him. "They probably starved her."
Harry looked down as James patted his knee. "Yes?"
James patted his belly and then pointed down the dragon. "Ow."
"Did they hurt the dragon on her belly, James?" Harry asked.
James nodded.
"Good lad," Charlie said, patting James' head. "Let me look."
Charlie walked past the dragon's head confidently, and it reassured Harry somewhat. Charlie bent over and inspected it. "I can't see very well. It'd be easier if she was on her side."
Before Harry could ask, James softly touched the dragon's nose between the two nostrils that were bigger than his small hand. He smiled at the dragon.
Obediently, and with a big thud, she dropped onto her side.
"Those bastards!" Charlie let out. "How dare they!"
Ginny's voice came through clearly in his mind. " Is he okay out there? "
" Splendid, " he remarked. " I think we should be glad all he received was a winged horse and not thi s."
" Don't give them ideas for the second one ."
Sirius waved from the tent, gesturing to come. Harry bent down to pick up James.
"Say goodbye to Agatha."
"Can't he stay a little longer?" Charlie asked hopefully.
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry but the dragon is not a pressing matter for now if she's not attacking. I can't leave him out here. Maybe in a bit, when we have a plan."
Charlie nodded. "Fine. Thank you, James, for your help."
"Come on, little guy." Harry carried him off.
James waved at the dragon from over his shoulder.
Harry walked into the tent, Ginny had just entered as well.
" Oh. Neville knows about the glow. I may have freaked out a little, " Harry informed Ginny.
She looked over at their friend and advisor. " That may be for the better. "
Sirius clapped his hands to get the attention of the gathered royals. "I suggest we don't give, unless he surrenders. He doesn't have the numbers and he knows it. With the dragon out, there is no way he'll win."
"I am not sure he'll do that," Remus replied. "He could have simply surrendered now."
"So?" Sirius said. "He was saving himself some pride. He needs to cave, there is no other way. Who is coming with us?"
"I'll represent Henrosia by myself," Harry told them.
Sirius nodded. "Then Remus and Bill… you don't really have an option."
The two kings nodded.
"Reg?"
Regulus shook his head. "I'll pass, thank you. I could use a drink."
Sirius sighed tiredly, but did not comment.
"We'll come too," Fred said.
George nodded. "A few more royals may motivate him."
"I'll go too then," Ron said.
Sirius nodded. "Good. I suppose we leave Charlie to, uhm, tend to the dragon? Move her out of the way perhaps?"
"Agatha is from your country," Harry said. "Charlie raised her there."
"Oh, so someone stole her and brought her here? Theft. We like that in a royal," Sirius remarked. His brow furrowed. "I think you may need to leave James with the dragon too."
"I'd love to find out what James makes her do when he has a temper tantrum," Ginny said, pointing at James, who was sitting innocently by her foot. "Once he didn't like his food and sent a horde of cats over the table. It was a mess."
"I thought it was funny," Ron said with a shrug.
Harry turned to Ron. "Sure, it is funny when it is cats ."
"Fair enough," Ron said.
Ginny rubbed her forehead. "If absolutely necessary, James and I can go up to the dragon, but I don't want to stress him out. He's just a boy."
"Alright," Bill agreed. "If he does surrender, we need Charlie."
"We'll get to it when we get to it," Remus said.
Ginny watched through Harry's mind as the group met right in front of the castle. A tent had been set up, food laid out and wine served. That was as civil as it was going to get.
James had found Teddy again, right behind her. The two were playing with blocks together. Teddy would build a tower, and James would knock it over under loud cheering from the older boy.
Rodolphus walked out of the castle gates and joined them. He was not wearing armour and he had no visible weapons on him, Ginny noted. He was not planning to join the fight himself.
"Such a big army is a bit overkill is it not?" Rodolphus said as a manner of greeting.
"I don't know, is it?" Bill retorted. "You gave us the impression you wanted a fight. We brought it."
Rodolphus let out a laugh that feigned friendliness. "Let us all relax and have a drink, and we can have a little chat after."
Rodolphus hesitantly took up the cup in front of him. All of them stepped forward and reached for a cup. It was only polite to drink. None of them drank until Rodolphus raised his cup and took two big gulps.
Fred raised his cup and drank from it, and then Harry followed. It was strangely quiet in the tent, Rodolphus' eyes innocently turning to the next royal to drink. The tension was palpable. Before anyone else could take a sip, Fred collapsed. He fell to the floor, the cup dropping from his hand and pouring over the grass below the table.
"The wine is poisoned!" one of their guards gasped.
Ginny's blood ran cold. Her head whipped around and before she could ask, Tonks had nodded, confirming she'd stay with James. Ginny ran to Red. Fred and Harry had both drank from the wine. They were both in danger. She found herself shouting orders and the army quickly came back to its feet. Neville was right beside her, mounting his horse August. The army formed a corridor up to the tent, barring them from oncoming soldiers from the other side.
Ron and George were dragging Fred along. Neville held his hand out and pulled Fred up, and Ron and George helped to get Fred slung over the back. Neville raced back to the tent with Fred. Ron and George followed on foot. Harry ran out too and she was relieved he was still standing. She held her hand out to him and he got on the back of Red, holding her tightly.
Sirius was shouting furiously but Rodolphus had already disappeared into his castle.
Ginny looked at him. "Lead the attack. Negotiations are over."
As soon as Sirius nodded, she raced back with Harry. Healers had already gathered to wait for him. Fred was laid out on a stretcher—he was barely conscious. Harry jumped off on his own accord and two Healers led him to a couch that had been freed up there.
"I feel fine," Harry insisted.
Fred had collapsed almost instantly after taking a sip, it clearly did not have the same effect on him.
Ginny dismounted and told Red to go to Lightning and Thunder. She tuned into Harry's body as she walked up to him but she could not detect any pain. The Healer examined him, but found nothing wrong with him, yet.
She sat down on the edge of the couch beside Harry and looked at Fred. The Healers were in deep discussion, taking turns in examining him. Two shook their heads as the other spoke but Ginny could not make out what anyone was saying. Her brothers waited to the side.
They were taking too long, no one was doing anything. Ginny's stomach churned when she realised why they weren't doing anything. There was no point.
One nodded gravely and then turned to Bill. "The poison is working too quickly; it's destroying tissue. There is nothing we can do for him."
Ginny took a shuddering breath in at the confirmation. Then she looked at Harry, knowing he was awaiting the same fate. She was suddenly very aware of Harry's heart beating, as if it was in her own chest.
Harry clasped her hand into his own, his piercing gaze on her. She was going to lose her brother and her husband today. She felt like she could not breathe.
Hermione ran to Ron and hugged him in comfort. Then she looked over at Harry too, eyes full of tears.
" You're going to take both our babies home. You'll be Queen, you'll be okay. You're strong, you can do it. " Harry's hand landed on her belly. " Please promise me. "
She could not tell him how much she did not want to do it, not without him. Still she nodded, because she had no other choice. James needed her to be strong, as would the second one. "I promise," she said out loud so she was sure he heard her. " I've got our babies, don't you worry about that ."
Hermione and Neville joined behind her.
"How do you feel?" Neville asked worriedly.
Harry shook his head. "I feel nothing… Fred got sick so quickly." His eyes flitted to hers.
"No," she said immediately when she caught his thoughts.
"It's the soulbond. You're sustaining me," he told her. "You have to sever it before it takes you out too. Quick and simple."
"No!" she said.
He nodded. "You have to. Get me James, I want to say goodbye."
She did not move, but Neville reappeared with James a moment later.
"Come here," Harry said, putting on a brave face for James. He wrapped his son in his arms. "I love you. You're going to be a wonderful boy, and you're going to be brave and good. Be a good big brother too, please." He ruffled James' hair. "I'll always be with you."
Ginny fought back her tears. Beside her Fred was stirring somewhat and she looked over. George and Charlie stood closest to him.
"Freddie. You'll be okay, just hold my hand," George said with tears running down his cheeks.
"You're a liar," Fred grunted. "You were always the dumbest of us two."
George smiled weakly. "I'll admit to that."
Fred's eyes turned to Charlie. "Win this one for me, won't you? Get your arse on that throne."
"You got it," Charlie said, clearly struggling to keep his voice level.
Fred nodded weakly. "I'll just rest my eyes for a bit."
"Okay," George said, grasping his hand. "I've got you."
Harry handed James to Ginny. She put him on her lap, his head pressed against her chest. She knew he would not truly grasp what was happening, but she needed James tucked into her, so she felt less like she would lose her grasp on him too.
"Ginny, you have to kill me before the poison takes you out too," Harry insisted. "He can't lose us both."
Her face screwed up in pain. "You can't ask that of me." Her voice broke. "Please."
Harry sat up and embraced her, James tucked between them. The soulbond felt stronger as she leaned her head against his, as if it knew something was happening. She could feel tears dropping down both of their cheeks.
" I love you ."
" I love you too ," she replied.
He let go of her and then his eyes turned to Neville. "You have to do it."
Neville immediately shook his head. "No."
Harry sighed. "It is an order."
"Neville, ignore what he said," Ginny told him adamantly.
Neville looked between them, a tormented look on his face. "I don't want to."
"You know it has to happen," Harry told him. "Ginny is right, I can't let her do it. That's torture. She'll forgive you but she wouldn't forgive herself." He swallowed hard. "You're a good swordsman, I know you can do it quickly. We can't wait for the poison to take effect, it may be too late for her too."
Ginny could tell Neville was starting to think about it. She shook her head and looked over to Fred.
Her brothers had just parted to let a Healer through again to check on him. As George moved to Fred's head, still clutching his hand, Fred's arm moved and Ginny caught a glimpse of something by his armpit.
"Wait!" she said. She kissed James on the head and put him down on the couch. She nearly crawled to Fred in her hurry. "There is a dart here." She pointed at the small dart, hiding there in a section without armour
The Healer bent down and carefully pulled the dart out. She put it onto a napkin.
Bill pushed past them to inspect the dart. He sniffed it. "It wasn't the wine," he said with a quivering voice.
The rest of the royals walked up, the army proceeding on their own behind them. Remus looked between them.
"Nethermorph venom," Bill hissed. "Lethal even in small doses."
The Healer nodded in agreement. "It could have been in there for a while before it took effect. It would be easy to miss during a battle. Check yourself for darts."
All of them checked their own bodies, but no one found any more. Ginny let herself drop. She sat down on the ground and looked at Harry. He was going to live. He was fine. The relief that washed over her felt like betrayal as she sat beside her dying brother.
The Healer checked Harry over once more. "You're in the clear, Sir."
He stood up from the couch and Sirius walked up to him. He clutched Harry's head between his hands and kissed his forehead.
"I'm glad you have reconsidered dying," Sirius told him.
Harry gratefully wrapped his arms around his godfather. Ginny got up off the floor and Ron pulled her closer to him.
The tent grew quiet, the roars of the army seemed miles away. She held out her hand to Harry and he walked up to her. He picked up James and handed him to her. She put James on her hip. Ron squeezed her side and then released her, leaning back into Hermione.
Harry tucked into her from behind. His head leaned on hers, and his hand came to her belly. She covered his hand with her own. Many thoughts ran through both their heads, trying to make sense of what just happened, while waiting for Fred to pass. It felt like torture and respite at the same time that it took so long.
James was still unusually quiet—it was like he knew now was not the time to be noisy. Ginny pressed another kiss into his unruly hair. She met eyes with Harry. His expression was pained. Any anger she still felt about him asking her to kill him melted away immediately. He thought he was going to die, and was trying to save her. She would have done it too.
She looked back at Fred, who had been laying quite still. George still sat by his head, hand in his. Fleur tucked Victoire closer to her, keeping close to Bill.
George glanced at his hand and swallowed. He looked up at the Healer as if to ask for confirmation.
The Healer knelt down and checked for a pulse. It was silent for a beat. Then she nodded. "He is gone."
Ginny closed her eyes for a moment and tried to steady her breathing. Then she looked at the castle.
"You promised Fred." George's voice was hoarse and strained. "Make it worth it. Make this worth it. I'll keep him company. You go on and kill the bastard." He looked at his siblings in turn.
Ginny turned to Harry. "Make him pay."
"I will." He kissed her softly. "I know you want to go in there. I'll do my very best."
As soon as they broke through the gate, Harry stormed into the castle with the rest of them. He told Lightning to go back to the camp where it was safe. He had two goals now, make sure King Rodolphus was killed and to get back to Ginny alive.
"I'll go up to the wall and get rid of those bloody darts!" Regulus said. "Casper, you're with me, big lad. How's Sir Kester?"
Sirius and Remus looked around the main hall.
"Well, it's been a while since I've been here," Sirius said. "Can't say it's a joy to be back."
"It will be," Harry assured him.
Harry found a few guards putting up a fight but together with his own guards, he made quick work of them. He saw two Secreteran guards standing rather nervously by a door.
"You can choose," he told them. "Go away and live or…"
The two trembling guards looked at them and quickly scampered.
"I didn't think they'd give up so quickly," Ernest commented. "Do they not have any honour for their work?" He walked forward and opened the door. "And not locked? Sir, if I start slacking off like this, just fire me."
Harry nodded. "Noted, Ernest."
They walked in. It looked like private chambers. The first room was empty. Harry ordered the guards to check the others. Then he looked at a rather large wooden chest. He walked to it and opened the heavy lid. He found narrow stairs going down into the cellars. He cursed. They could lead anywhere.
"Ernest, Finlay. With me."
He descended the stairs with the two guards behind them. It was dim and dark but he could see torches burning lower down. As soon as he had descended the stairs, he was listening for noises. There couldn't be too many people down here.
Suddenly he heard Charlie's voice. "Get back here, you bastard!"
Harry began running towards the noise. He heard footsteps running towards him. He held up his sword, ready to defend himself.
"You can die below the ground like the vermin you are!" Charlie shouted. "You called for negotiations, you sorry excuse for a King!"
A figure came from behind the corner and Harry came to a halt, coming face to face with the King of Secretera.
"Not so fast," Harry told him, aiming his sword at the royal.
King Rodolphus raised his sword, but then he eyed the guards behind Harry. He turned back around but Charlie appeared behind the corner too. It was silent for a moment as King Rodolphus stood paralysed between them.
"You killed innocents. You killed my brother. You tried to take over Harpia," Charlie said. "And for what?"
Rodolphus lept at him. It was his only chance at escape. Charlie was ready for him. Rodolphus tried to dodge his sword, but Harry knew a Harpian royal wouldn't dare to depend on one blade alone.
With his left hand, he stabbed the King in his gut, who collapsed against the wall in the narrow corridor. Charlie knocked the sword out of his hand. Harry ran forward, grabbed his own dagger and stabbed the King in the chest, leaving him unconscious.
"No!" Charlie told him. "Don't give him a quick death." Angry tears formed in his eyes.
Harry shook his head, and stepped over the dying Rodolphus. "You want this part to be over. Trust me. No cruelty you bring to him is going to fix it."
Harry found Charlie clutching him a moment later.
"Fred was supposed to be here with me."
Harry nodded. "I know, but this is not going to bring him back. Be quick and efficient, done with him. He does not deserve the time of day." He learned that from Ginny.
Charlie nodded and released him. They looked at the dying King. Harry nodded at his two guards and they moved in, picking up Rodolphus. Charlie guided them back out the way he had come in. The guards unceremoniously plopped down the King as they walked into the entrance.
Ron walked to him and looked at the King. "I'm going to tell the rest!"
Charlie looked down at Rodolphus, as if he was ready to stab him again at any sign of movement.
Harry looked up and saw a glimpse of unmistakably white hair of Lord Lucius. Harry's feet had carried him towards Lucius before he was aware of it. He ran up a flight of stairs, quickly catching up with the Lord.
The man swept around. He was holding a rapier, ready to use it.
"I'm sorry the dart missed you," Lucius said. "I told them to aim for you. Rather nifty poison, is it not?"
Harry shook his head. "You have tried to kill me twice before now and you failed both times."
"Poor Fred, though." He tutted. "He didn't need to die if it were up to me. Bill would have been nice." He took a step forward. "But I would've really liked to get my hands on your wife."
"You're naive if you think you could win against her," Harry told her. "Of course, you don't fight fair. It's a good thing she did not marry your son. Or was it Rodolphus' son?"
"You little—!" Lucius hissed.
"Not to worry, that boy was unmistakably yours, but I bet you both had Rodolphus fooled for a while. You and your wife. I know you don't serve a King, you only serve yourself. You bet wrong."
Lucius seemed to have had enough and he aimed his sword at Harry. He dodged it easily but then Lucius gained determination. Suddenly swords were slashing together, going back and forth between the two of them. Harry needed to be focused, even one moment of distraction could end badly. Lucius made quite the opponent.
He felt a sharp pain in his back and he whipped around to find Narcissa standing there. Ginny was very present in his mind at once, telling him what to do. He leapt out of the way sideways so he was not in between them. He held his sword more tightly with both his hands. He deflected an attack from Lucius. Narcissa was trying to fight him too, but it was clear she did not have any proper training. He kept his focus on Lucius and tried to keep moving backwards so he stayed out of Narcissa's way.
His sword moved quickly. He ignored the piercing pain in his back. Lucius' sharp face was contorted with hatred. Harry was panting. He could not keep this up for much longer. He was hoping one of their men would find them.
"Harry!"
That was Ginny's voice.
"Here!" he let out.
She had clearly ran into the castle just now. She climbed the stairs quickly. She took on Lucius, and Harry took on Narcissa.
"Narcissa, go," Lucius ordered her.
She shook her head. "No."
Harry paused just for a second to see if she changed her mind.
"Not without you," she said.
Ginny moved forward and her blade ran across Lucius' neck. Blood spilled out and he gasped. He grabbed his throat trying to stop the blood. He fell to his knees. His eyes turned to his wife.
Her sword clattered to the ground and she ran past them. She would not get far, but if she surrendered unarmed, she'd live. Ginny took Harry's hand and dragged him down the stairs back to the entrance.
"You're bleeding," she said.
"It's minor," he told her. "I'll be okay."
She nodded thoughtfully but kept walking outside. "We'll get you to a Healer. I don't want to take any risks."
Harry did not miss the pain in her voice. What previously happened shook both of them to their core, and Fred's loss was raw.
"Where is James?" Harry asked.
Ginny grimaced at him. "With Hagrid… and Agatha. I know Hagrid will keep him safe and no one is going to try and harm him with a dragon so close."
They walked outside and both Red and Lightning were waiting for them. They rode back to the camp together. Harry changed out of his armour, hissing lightly.
Ginny held a cloth to the wound to stop the bleeding and then they made it to the Healer's tent. He was put on a bed and a Healer began inspecting it.
"Thank you for coming to save me," he told her.
She caressed his cheek. "I'll always save you."
The wound was washed and wrapped, but it didn't touch anything vital. They walked back to the big tent together.
Dora stood up as they walked up to her. "George refused to let go of Fred. He didn't let go until Angelina stepped in."
Ginny looked over to George. "Who is Angelina?"
George sat there, staring ahead. Ginny had lost a brother, but George also lost a twin. They had been inseparable since birth.
"Apparently she was part of the rebellion group like Fleur," Dora continued. "They seem close."
Ginny nodded and walked up to George. She knelt down beside her. "Rodolphus is dead. The castle will be cleared out soon."
George wrapped her into a tight hug. "I don't know what I'm going to do without him."
"You're going to help Charlie be a good King. Keep him on his toes." She hugged him so tightly. "You're not alone. We're here."
George nodded and released her. "Is Rodolphus really dead?"
"Charlie and I made quick work of him," Harry said as he walked up to them. "I stabbed him in his heart."
"Good." He looked around. "Where's your little one?"
"Talking to a dragon," Ginny replied. She looked up to see that Hagrid was returning, James seated on his shoulder smiling widely. He was blissfully unaware of the events of the day. "He's on his way here."
George looked up, wiping a tear off his face. "You know those two are about to demand you take that dragon home with you, right?"
"I think I'll leave the dragon with Charlie," Ginny said.
Harry took James back from Hagrid.
"Careful," Ginny warned.
Harry looked at her. "I'm fine." He shook his head. "That's the second time your betrothed's family has tried to stab me. Wait, no. Third, at least."
George held his hands out, Harry put James in his lap.
"How are you, little Prince? Did you pet the dragon?" he asked James gently.
James nodded eagerly.
By the evening the castle was secure. Charlie was King now, but the loss of Fred weighed heavily on them. Harry carried a sleeping James up the stairs to one of the rooms.
Ginny made sure it was secure before they started changing out of their clothes. Harry laid down James in the middle of the bed. He sat down on the bed and Ginny crawled into his lap.
She began breathing deeply and then the first sob raked through her body. Harry held her closer to him. He held her, pressing kisses into her hair. James was still fast asleep beside them.
She looked up, her eyes red. "I am so glad I didn't have to lose you too. I was so scared…"
"I'm sorry," he said. He remembered how it felt, thinking he was holding his son for the last time. Thinking he was looking at her for the last time. "Lucius said…"
She closed her eyes and nodded. "I heard," she whispered. "Don't feel guilty over that. Other people's cruelty is not your fault."
He nodded. He caressed her hair. "As much as this was unfortunate timing, I have missed your glow. It's very soothing."
She smiled and looked down. "We're going to have another baby."
"We are." He wrapped her into his arms again. "And they'll be safe now. No more assassination attempts—or far far less."
"That's what we do it for," Ginny said. "We would've all laid down our lives if it meant there was a safer future." She breathed in slowly. "I know Fred would agree, but…"
He nodded. "It's not fair."
"It isn't," she agreed.
They lay down on the bed, James tucked between them. Her glow cast a warm light on all of them.
"Do you think he'll be a good big brother?" Harry asked.
Ginny smiled fondly without looking up from James. "The best. He'll teach them and annoy them, the way brothers should."
The table was laden with food, Charlie said at the head of the table as newly crowned King Charles of Septimera.
He stood up and the table fell silent. "I want to thank you all for being here, and for fighting by our side. Our win will make the continent safer, we will make sure of it. I never dreamed of regaining Septimera, even if our father would have loved to do so for our mum." He raised his glass. "Mum, and Dad, this is in your honour. We'll make things right here. Fred, we will miss you. Thank you for everything. Give Mum and Dad a great big hug from all of us." He looked around the table. "I am hopeful for a better, brighter future for all of us. To Septimera," he toasted.
"To Septimera!" they all shouted. "Long live the King!"
"I am most offended they did not ask me," Muriel complained loudly. "I am the most senior member of the family. I could have been next in line eighty years ago, but they always favoured Artogus. A real shame, I could've made quite the Queen." She slurped her wine.
"It's called the line of succession, you old bat," George muttered from across Ginny and Harry.
Ginny glanced at James. "Do you think he's old enough to know how to draw a moustache?"
George spat out his wine, letting out a surprised laugh. "We don't have Mabel, but perhaps Agatha can help him."
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be very subtle," Harry said. "Maybe we can ask Teddy."
Ginny shook her head. "We can't be a bad influence on other people's kids."
"Fine," he said.
"Ginevra, dear," Muriel called.
Ginny's eyes widened. "Yes?" she mustered.
"That dress is far too low-cut. You are a married woman!"
Ginny looked down at her own dress. She found it perfectly decent. "I wasn't able to have cleavage for so long because I was too busy trying to stay alive. I'll take it now."
Muriel gasped and then looked away to loudly complain about something else.
Harry looked over at her. " I think your cleavage is perfect, for the record. "
She met his eyes and grinned. She kissed his lips. " I'll give you a closer look later."
" Lovely ." He smiled fondly at her.
Angelina walked up to the table, and Ginny waved her over.
"We saved you a spot!" Ginny told her, pointing to the empty spot beside George.
George glanced at Angelina and nodded. He poured her a glass of wine, and she beamed at him.
"Thanks, George. Sorry, I'm late." She sat down in the chair. "How are you?" she asked softly to George.
Ginny turned her attention elsewhere, because it sounded like a private question. She nudged Harry and pointed at the Durstorm royals.
"Rumour has it that Viktor wants to negotiate, but King Eldor is not budging," Harry spoke.
Ginny smiled at him. "I told you he'd come around."
After dinner, Regulus walked up to her. She hugged him.
"I guess we should hang up the armour for a little bit now, huh?" he asked her.
She tilted her head. "I don't know about you, but for me at least until the second one is out." She patted her belly with a wink. "But not for too long. I am Head Guard after all."
Regulus nodded. "Indeed you are. So a second kid, huh?"
"Yes. As usual the timing was a bit off, but we'll go home and it'll be nice. I love being a mother to James, it can bring us more joy."
"I think you were my biggest challenge," he admitted. "But it was worth it." He looked at the table. "You were instrumental in bringing peace to this continent. You can be proud of that. I know I am."
"I couldn't have done it alone," Ginny said. "All of them…"
Regulus smiled, a little amused. "You relied on yourself for a very long time. Learning to lean on others is a strength too. You were a driving force, and very skilled with a blade, if I do say so myself."
She hugged him again. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"
He nodded. "Of course."
Several years later…
Ginny settled comfortably into Harry's arm. She threw a grape into the air and he caught it.
James and Al were flying their horses around over the pond and were going higher up. Ginny shook her head at them.
The younger foal stood by their parents. Lightning carefully followed the two bigger ones with his gaze as they flew through the air with the two Princes.
Lily was in a squatting position by the water. Her hand dug into the soil, and flowers sprouted all around it. She looked around proudly at her parents.
"Good job, baby!" Ginny congratulated the two-year-old.
Like James, Al and Lily had also received a gift from the gods. Al could sense people's emotions. It left him overwhelmed at times, but he had already learned to use people's moods to his advantage too. Lily had clearly received a gift from Gorphine and was able to instantly sprout plants from the ground as long as she had access to water and seeds.
Lily waddled back to them. Ginny picked up more seeds from the basket.
"Do you want to try sunflowers?" She held up one hand. "Or more daisies?"
There were daisies everywhere already, but Lily seemed rather fond of them. She hesitated for a moment but then pointed at the sunflower seeds. Ginny let the seeds slip into Lily's open hand. She took off again, excited to grow more flowers.
"She's so adorable," Harry sighed. "I want another one."
Ginny giggled and looked up at him. "Whenever you're ready, sweetheart."
"Honestly, I'm trying to find the time," he complained.
"We've got to make time—Al!" She sat up. "You know you can't go that high!"
Al did not listen. He was nearly at the top of the treeline.
"Alastor Regulus Prewet Rekion! If you are not down on the ground in an instant, you will not fly again for a month!"
She wasn't sure if it was his full name that made him come down, or if he had sensed her anger, but not much later the hooves of his horse touched the grass.
"James, you too!"
James complained loudly. "But Muuuuum." Yet he came down too.
" That's why we haven't ," Harry commented. "Who is hungry?"
The two boys were on the picnic blanket in seconds. Lily took a bit longer to come back to them. Harry picked her up and put her in his lap.
"We've got time, right?" Ginny asked him, her heart light.
Harry nodded, his eyes twinkling. "We have time."
"No! We don't have time!" James objected. "I am starving!"
Ginny smiled at Harry. He reached out and slipped their soulbond mark together for a moment. He squeezed and then his hand let go.
Ginny pulled the basket to her. "Pudding for anyone? Or cookies? Some cheese?"
"Me! Me! Me!" the children chanted in chorus.
A/N: For future stories, sneak peeks and more, come find me on tumblr at GinnyW-Potter
I did not manage to mention Lily's full royal name but here are all three:
Prince James Henry Arthur Xydus of Henrosia
Prince Alastor Regulus Prewet Rekion of Henrosia
Princess Lily Luna Ginevra Ghorphia of Henrosia