Brighter Than Sunshine by hgfan1111 Storylink: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4454703/1/ Content: Chapter 1 to 1 of 1 chapters Source: !an!iction.

net Summary: The s"o#e c$ears fro" the !ina$ Batt$e an% the wor$% is not the sa"e. But e&en in the %ar#ness' a $ight can sti$$ shine' $ea%ing $ost sou$s ho"e. () Begun *ost+ ,B*' %isregar%s parts of -,. Canon pairings.

*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: The title for this story came from (where else) a song. It's a beautiful piece by a group called A ualung. I tried to !eep the feel of it through the entire story" and it's referenced in one of the last chapters. Than!s to #lla and $eb" who !ept pushing me to get this story out there to e%eryone. $eb" as usual" wor!ed her magic to ma!e it readable. As with most of my stories" this is alternate uni%erse. &ome e%ents that happened in $' happened" but some didn't. I thin! it should become clear as the story unfolds. If you ha%e a uestion" feel free to as!. I hope you en(oy the story and I'd lo%e to hear what you thin!. Chapter 1: *ro$ogue (ugust 1778 0on 3eas$ey $oo#e% o&er the groun% of ,ogwarts Cast$e. !ro" where he stoo% in the se&enth f$oor corri%or he ha% a co""an%ing &iew of the !orbi%%en !orest' the 9ui%%itch *itch' an% he cou$% :ust see the e%ges of the B$ac# 2a#e. 4t a$$ see"e% so peacefu$' %efinite$y not the sight of a horri% batt$e.

But' if he $oo#e% c$oser' $et his eyes focus on the groun%s' rather than s#i""ing the"' he cou$% see the poc#"ar#s in the $awn' the scorche% trees an% thin $ines of grey s"o#e trai$ing up fro" certain p$aces. Than#fu$$y' a$$ of the bo%ies' an% the in:ure% ha% been re"o&e% fro" his sight. ,e wasn;t sure he cou$% ta#e seeing the" %own there any"ore. <3here is he=< ,er"ione;s frantic wor%s' repeate% o&er an% o&er since ,arry ha% %isappeare% short$y after the batt$e ha% co"e to a ha$t' irritate% hi". 4t wasn;t that 0on was insensiti&e to her fee$ings of annoyance an% bui$%ing panic for their best frien%. But "ore that 0on %i%n;t ha&e an answer to gi&e. 6ot a sure one' at any rate. <4 %on;t #now'< he "u"b$e% once "ore. 4t ha% beco"e his stan%ar% answer an% he cou$% te$$ by ,er"ione;s ru"b$e of frustration that she %i%n;t appreciate it any "ore than he appreciate% her repeate% >uestion. ,is ar"' sti$$ wrappe% in a thic# ban%age' throbbe%. (t $east he;% been ab$e to escape faster than 6e&i$$e' who was sti$$ >uarantine% %own in the hospita$ wing trying to con&ince ?a%a" *o"frey that it was the Swor% of @ryffin%or he ha% cut his $eg on' not the &eno"ous fangs of the now+%efunct 6agini. 0on was prou% of hi"se$f an% 6e&i$$e for finishing off the sna#e' :ust as they;% pro"ise% ,arry they wou$%. ,arry;s wor# was now one step c$oser to being finishe%Aif they cou$% fin% hi". <Bou %on;t thin# he;% actua$$y $isten toA< !re% starte% spea#ing an% then bro#e off' gri"acing at the thought. 0on g$ance% at his brother' who ha% :oine% hi" in staring out o&er the groun%s. Stiff$y' 0on no%%e%. <4 thin# he wou$%.< @eorge ca"e up on 0on;s other si%e' the scorche% shou$%er of his robes rubbing 0on;s an% the acri% s"e$$ of s"o#e acco"panying hi". <(n% he;% ta#e @inny with hi"=< The >uestion %ro&e a spi#e of pain through 0on;s heart. ,e;% hope% that where&er @inny was' she was safe. ,e ha% no %oubt that ,arry wou$% %o his best to #eep her safe' but he praye%' rather se$fish$y he rea$i5e%' that she wasn;t with ,arry. <There;s sti$$ a chance she $eft with the others'< !re% "u"b$e%. 0on cou$% te$$ that he %i%n;t be$ie&e what he;% sai%. 4t was "ore ho$%ing on to that $ast ray of hope' no "atter how thin it was. <Beah'< 0on agree% with a no%' his &oice brea#ing in the "i%%$e. <She probab$y $eft with the other stu%ents. She was a%a"ant that they be safe. She probab$y he$pe% the" %own through the tunne$s an% out to ,ogs"ea%e.< 6eCt to hi"' @eorge snorte%. 6ot the reaction 0on ha% anticipate% fro" his wor%s. <-i% you :ustD<

<)se the wor% ;a%a"ant;=< !re% finishe%' a wi%e grin sprea%ing on his fi$thy' s"u%ge% face. 0on ro$$e% his eyes an% pushe% away fro" the win%ow $e%ge to try an% stop ,er"ione pacing a ho$e through the stone f$oor. ,arry stu"b$e% on an eCpose% tree root' but was ab$e to right hi"se$f without pu$$ing @inny %own on top of hi". They were %rape% in his 4n&isibi$ity C$oa#' wea&ing their way through the thic# forest towar%A 3e$$A,arry %i%n;t want to %we$$ on what they were wa$#ing towar%. 4t was har% enough forcing one foot in front of the other' when a$$ he wante% to %o was %rag @inny bac# to the cast$e an% $oc# her in so"e c$assroo" or cupboar% with a bi$$ion $oc#ing char"s on it. ,is irritation with her for fin%ing hi" an% %e"an%ing to co"e with hi" fa%e%' howe&er' with each step they too# into the forest. 6ow' they were c$inging to each other' not saying a wor%' but co""unicating a$$ the sa"e. ,e cou$% fee$ her hea&y breath on his bac#' through his tattere% robes' an% fe$t the ha$ting >ua$ity of it. ,is own breath fe$t harsh an% weighty' "ost$y because he was #eeping a current ta$$y in his hea% of e&ery breath' e&ery heartbeat. Eo$%e"ort;s wor%s' ringing out o&er the groun%s of the cast$e' echoe% in ,arry;s hea%. )ne hour to present himself. 1f course he was going to go. There was ne&er any option. ,arry #newDha% #nownD since before the fatefu$ wor%s ha% been spo#en. 4t was his %estiny. ,a&ing @inny neCt to hi" ha%n;t entere% his rea$" of possibi$ity. 3hen she;% steppe% out in front of hi" in the entrance ha$$' the 4n&isibi$ity C$oa# %rape% o&er her ar" an% her wan% c$enche% in a fist' ,arry ha% been unab$e to a&oi% her piercing g$are. <!ore&er' ,arry'< she whispere%. ,arry wasn;t sure whether she ha% :ust sai% it again against his bac#' or whether he was sti$$ rep$aying his "e"ory. Fither way' it %i%n;t "atter. They ha% pro"ise% to $o&e each other fore&er' an% she ha% ca$$e% hi" on that pro"ise. There ha% been no ti"e to %iscuss it' no ti"e to argue or refute anything. @inny #new' as we$$ as he %i% what they were wa$#ing towar%s. (s if sensing his thoughts' @inny s>uee5e% his han% an% wrappe% her other ar" aroun% his waist' pu$$ing herse$f c$oser to his bac#. <4t;$$ be a$right'< she whispere%.

,arry too# a %eep breath an% wi$$e% hi"se$f to be$ie&e it. <!ore&er'< he whispere%' ta#ing co"fort fro" her presence an% the pro"ise they ha% "a%e. ,e #new so"ewhere burie% in the fo$%s of her robes was the s"a$$ %ia"on% ring ,arry ha% gi&en her when he;% "a%e his pro"ise. ,e swore he cou$% fee$ it now' rubbing against his bac#' a$though he #new that was rubbish. ,e s$owe% his step now' fee$ing the press of responsibi$ity on hi". ,e cou$% hear so"eone spea#ing' :ust out of the group of trees he an% @inny were sti$$ in. This was it. 0ust$ing off to his $eft start$e% hi" an% @inny shot off a spe$$ before he cou$% e&en train his wan%. <3atch it' 3ease$.< ,arry swore un%er his breath an% ro$$e% his eyes. <?a$foy'< he hisse%' fina$$y seeing the b$on% boy pee# out fro" behin% a tree. ,ow ha% he not rea$i5e% they were being fo$$owe%= <3hat the he$$ are you %oing here=< ,e sighe%' tugging at the C$oa# unti$ he an% @inny were unco&ere%. )se$ess now' ,arry %roppe% the C$oa# neCt to hi". <4 ca"e to see if you;% rea$$y %o it' *otter'< ?a$foy sneere% >uiet$y' his nose scrunching as if he s"e$$e% so"ething awfu$. ,arry narrowe% his eyes as -raco peere% c$ose$y at @inny' who sti$$ ha% her wan% traine% on hi". <4;% ha&e thought you;% be far away fro" here.< ,arry shoo# his hea% an% returne% his eyes to the area in front of hi". <,a% to "a#e sure "y best interests were co&ere%' %i%n;t 4=< ?a$foy sai% as he ignore% @inny;s wan% an% turne% to $oo# where ,arry was staring. <($ways out for yourse$f'< ,arry "u"b$e%. <Be than#fu$ 4 a". 1therwise you wou$%n;t #now ha$f of what you %o now' *otter.< ,arry cou$%n;t %o "ore than no% at that. 4t was true' in a twiste% sort of way. 3hen Se&erus Snape ha% been "ur%ere% by Eo$%e"ort for fai$ing to pro&i%e access to ,arry whi$e he was sti$$ at the -ur$sey;s' ?a$foy ha% steppe% up to fi$$ the ro$e of spy. ?ost in the 1r%er %i%n;t trust the $itt$e s>uea#' with goo% reason. <(n% what %o you ha&e to gain now=< @inny hisse%' co"ing up on ,arry;s other si%e an% ta#ing his han% once "ore.

Strange$y' ?a$foy chuc#$e%. <?aybe 4 :ust want to see the show' 3ease$.< @inny too# a breath to respon% but the hair on the bac# of ,arry;s hea% stoo% up. <9uiet'< he whispere% to the" both. ($$ three stoo% si$ent$y' watching the c$earing beyon% the trees. ,arry cou$% see "o&e"ent' a b$ac# shape %rifting into the open area. <,e;s waiting in there'< -raco sai% >uiet$y' $ess a$ert than he shou$% ha&e been. ,arry turne% to stare at hi". <3hose si%e are you on=< he %e"an%e%' fee$ing as if he were seeing things "ore c$ear$y than he ha% in a $ong ti"e. <-epen%s on who co"es out of there a$i&e'< ?a$foy sai% an% turne% to wa$# away. ,arry watche% hi" %isappear into the trees an% swa$$owe% thic#$y. <4 can;t ta$# you into going bac#' can 4=< he as#e% his feet. <6ot on your $ife' ,arry'< @inny answere%' start$ing hi". ,e tru$y ha%n;t been sure if he was ta$#ing to her or his own feet. ,e turne%' his eyes frantica$$y searching her face an% then focusing on her choco$ate eyes. <!ore&er'< he no%%e%' tightening his grip on his wan%. <Bou bet your arse'< she grinne%' a$though it %i%n;t reach her eyes. She too he$% her wan% out in batt$e position an%' together' they turne%' @inny fa$$ing in $ine behin% hi" an% a$$owing her han% to s$ip fro" his as they wa$#e% towar% the c$earing. 0on he$% tight$y to ,er"ione' who ha% bro#en %own co"p$ete$y :ust "inutes ago. ,er bushy hea% was burie% un%er his chin as she sniff$e% into his robes. 4t was painfu$$y ob&ious now that ,arry ha% "arche% into the forest on Eo$%e"ort;s re>uest. @inny;s whereabouts were sti$$ not #nownG but 0on cou$% guess at where she;% gone. (s the "inutes tic#e% away on the c$oc#' 0on;s heartbeat fe$$ in $ine with each "o&e"ent of the secon% han%. They were a$$ gathere% in the @reat ,a$$ now' waiting an% $istening' hu%%$e% in s"a$$ groups here an% there. 1ff behin% hi" a bit' he cou$% hear !re% an% @eorge whispering about so"e new pro%uct. 4t was rather ironic that they wou$% be inspire% with a pran# i%ea in the "i%%$e of a war' but then again' "aybe they :ust nee%e% so"ething to thin# about.

0on wou$% gi&e anything now to ha&e so"ething in his "in% to occupy hi". The rest of his fa"i$y was aroun% the" too. Bi$$ sat on the f$oor' his bac# up against the stone wa$$' !$eur as$eep on his chest. 6eCt to hi" sat *ercy' his ban%age wrappe% hea% no%%ing forwar% in eChaustion e&ery now an% again. ,is "other an% father were further away' but wrappe% in each other;s ar"s. They $oo#e% as$eep' each of their eyes c$ose% against the pa$e $ight of %awn :ust now fi$tering in the high win%ows. But e&ery once in awhi$e' 0on cou$% see one of the" "o&e s$ight$y. 4f he ha% to guess' he wou$% say they were both praying. Char$ie was sitting a$one' stoica$$y watching the %oors of the @reat ,a$$' his wan% tuc#e% into his "assi&e' fo$%e% ar"s. ,e was the "ost a$ert of the group' see"ing$y guar%ing the". 3hich' 0on rea$i5e%' was probab$y eCact$y what he was %oing. ($though 0on %i%n;t #now if he were #eeping so"eone out' or #eeping the" a$$ in. ,e;% been the one to stare 0on %own when he;% "u"b$e% ear$ier about snea#ing out to fin% ,arry. 6ot that it wou$% ha&e wor#e%' 0on grow$e% to hi"se$f' (urors were statione% a$$ o&er the cast$e' e&en positione% in front of a$$ the secret eCits. 0on suspecte% that ,arry ha% gi&en the ?arau%er;s ?ap to /ings$ey as 0on ha%n;t been ab$e to fin% it in ,arry;s ruc#sac#' e&en though he;% #nown it was there ear$ier. B$oo%y ,arry. F&eryone :u"pe%' wan%s at the rea%y' when the %oors s$a""e% open. 0on f$inche% when ,er"ione gaspe%' rea$i5ing he;% stoo% >uic#$y an% near$y %u"pe% her onto the f$oor. <!ireAin the forest'< 0e"us gaspe%' c$utching at his si%e as if he;% run a $ong way to %e$i&er the news. 0on;s heart :u"pe% into his throat' #nowing what probab$y $ay out there. ,e too# one $oo# at his brothers before they a$$ bo$te% out the %oor' scra"b$ing ahea% of the others that ha% the sa"e i%ea. 6e&i$$e #ept up with hi" for a "o"ent before fa$$ing bac# behin% !re% an% @eorge on one si%e an% Char$ie on the other. 0on ha% no i%ea where ,er"ione was as they sprinte% %own the $awn an% towar% the forest. ,e was certain that she was behin% hi"' but the o&erwhe$"ing nee% to get to ,arry was a$$ consu"ing. The four 3eas$eys $e% the pac# into the forest' ye$$ing an% charging. Bi$$ :oine% the"' shooting spe$$s to cut away thic# &egetation. ( huge roar "a%e the" pu$$ up a bit an% they change% %irection' fo$$owing the soun% unti$ they ca"e upon ,agri% an% @rawp' pu$$ing trees fro" their roots in frustration as they batt$e% through the forest.

Spe$$fire bro#e out to their $eft an% so"e of the group %roppe% out to :oin the fight. 0on an% his brothers presse% forwar%' fo$$owing in the wa#e of the natura$ %isaster that was ,agri% an% his @iant brother. 0on;s &ision tunne$e% as they continue% into the %ar#er forest. The acri%' cho#ing s"o#e was bi$$owing out between the trees' b$oc#ing what $itt$e $ight was co"ing fro" the ear$y "orning sun. ,agri%;s be$$ow of anguish on$y "a%e 0on run faster' stu"b$ing an% tripping through the un%ergrowth' c$inging to Bi$$;s robes as his foot got tang$e% in a root. <6oA61H< he roare% as they entere% the s"o$%ering c$earing. ,e fe$t as if nothing was processing in his "in% correct$y. ,e cou$% on$y see one thing at a ti"e' but they weren;t a%%ing up. ,agri% ha% a $i"p ?a$foy pinne% fi&e feet up in a tree' his "assi&e ar" pressing against the boy;s throat. /ings$ey an% Ton#s were spraying "assi&e :ets of water o&er the burne% area. (n% in the center of the c$earing' s"o#ing' the e%ges sti$$ on fire' were three charre% $u"ps. <6o' no' no'< 0on repeate% o&er an% o&er' staring at the figures' not wanting to be$ie&e what his "in% was te$$ing hi". ,e san# to his #nees' his ar"s $i"p at his si%es. ,agri% ga&e a roar of pain an% pu$$e% away' $ea&ing ?a$foy to %rop puppet+$i#e to the forest f$oor. <2oo# at his han%s' "anH< Char$ie roare%' his wan% traine% on ,agri%' who was rubbing a re% we$t on his face. ,agri% bac#e% away' staring at ?a$foy for the first ti"e. 0on watche% the scene' his "in% ree$ing as he trie% to piece things together. ?a$foy;s han%s were in%ee% a b$oo%y "ess' as if he;% stuc# the" into the fire. <4 trie%'< he gaspe%. /ings$ey ha% #ne$t by hi"' casting hea$ing char"s as ?a$foy sp$uttere%' an% crie%' an% shoo#. <4 trie% to pu$$ the" out.< 0on :er#e% aroun% as the "ost pri"a$ cry of pain rent the air. ,is parents ha% arri&e% at the c$earing. )nab$e to "o&e his bo%y' 0on continue% to #nee$ at the burnt circ$e' staring ahea% an% fee$ing his heart brea# into a thousan% pieces.

*Chapter 2*: Chapter 2

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Than!s go to $eb and #lla for the beta on this story. #specially to #lla" who let me borrow The *ood $oc. +) I promised I'd get him home safe to you. And he didn't e%en come home completely soused,although it was a close call. *ood thing I had a storage of hango%er potions. #n(oy the chapter" e%eryoneChapter 2 August 1998 through October 1998 The a$ar" soun%e% across the s"a$$ hospita$' sen%ing %octors an% nurses scurrying $eft an% right as an arri&ing a"bu$ance wai$e% its approach. -r. 1$i&er 3i$ban#s bounce% on the ba$$s of his feet' his eyes %arting $eft an% right to "a#e sure his staff was in p$ace. 4t wasn;t the "a:or "etropo$itan hospita$ in ?anchester' but it was one of the finest aroun%' in his opinion. <,a&e they rung in at a$$ so we can #now what to eCpect=< he as#e% the ,ea% 6urse' ?arie *irtie' stan%ing in anticipation neCt to hi". She no%%e% bris#$y. <*e%estrian &s. Eehic$e.< She wasn;t as young as she use% to be' 1$i&er "use%' but a better trau"a nurse cou$%n;t be foun%. ,e $i#e% wor#ing with her because she see"e% to anticipate his re>uests before he "a%e the" an% %i%n;t get ruff$e% by his $ou% &oice an% c$ippe% %e"an%s. She un%erstoo% that he %i%n;t "ean to be harshD :ust efficient. 3i$ban#s gri"ace%. <6e&er pretty.<

Screeching tires were hear% out the wi%e g$ass %oors an% the staff :u"pe% into action' or%er$ies rushing to open the %oors. 3i$ban#s an% *ertie watche% as the %oors f$ew open an% the ?e%ics whee$e% out a gurney. The %octor >uic#$y steppe% forwar%' assessing the patient. <Te$$ "e'< he %e"an%e%. The ?e%ic' use% to the bris# nature of the "an' %i%n;t f$inch but began to ree$ off &ita$ statistics. <?a$e of un#nown age' probab$y $ate teens or ear$y twenties. B$oo% pressure is at ninety o&er forty. ,e;s suffere% hea% trau"a' se&ere contusion to the right $eg. !racture% $eft ar". ,is $eft han% is co"p$ete$y shattere% as we$$. !racture% ribs an% pneu"othoraC. ?u$tip$e contusions an% bruises about the face an% torso. ,e;s "issing a who$e chun# out of his forehea%.< The gurney was whee$e% towar% a trau"a roo" as the procession scurrie% a$ongsi%e it. 3i$ban#s narrowe% his eyes at the b$oo%y "ess that was the young "an;s face. (n open woun% a$ong his :aw was he$% together with surgica$ tape' whi$e another stea%y $ine of b$oo% %rippe% fro" un%er his hair$ine. ( wi%e ban%age aroun% his forehea% was stea%i$y turning re%. <S#u$$ fractures=< he as#e%' peering at the forehea% an% "o&ing his han%s to probe the boy;s hea%. <6ot that we cou$% te$$'< the ?e%ic answere%. ,e steppe% bac# an% out of the way as the tea" of nurses he$pe% to $ift the patient onto a stab$e be%. <(ny c$ue who he is=< -octor 3i$ban#s as#e% as the nurses p$ace% an oCygen "as# on the boy;s face whi$e another began to re"o&e his c$othing. <6o i%ea'< the ?e%ic shoo# his hea%. <,e;s not carrying any i%entification. (n% there weren;t any witnesses to the acci%ent. ( "otorist foun% the boy on the si%e of the roa%.< 3i$ban#s wince% an% shoo# his hea%. (s "ore an% "ore of the boy was re&ea$e%' his scow$ beca"e "ore pronounce%. <@et a "onitor on hi"' ?arie. Type an% crossDhang fi&e units. 3e nee% to get so"e b$oo% bac# in this #i%G 4;" surprise% he hasn;t b$e% out. @et the b$oo% wor# %one too. <3e nee% to assess the pneu"othoraC. @et I+0ay rea%y.< 3i$ban#s pu$$e% his stethoscope off of his nec# an% he$% it against the purp$e an% b$ac# f$esh' $istening an% tapping at &arious points. ( young "an' pushing a rather $arge "achine entere%. <I+0ay'< ?arie ca$$e% an% "o&e% asi%e to he$p the technician get his portab$e scanner in p$ace. 3i$ban#s steppe% bac#' a$$owing the "an to %o his :ob. <4 want three fi$"s' fro" %ifferent ang$es. (n% get the $eft ar" an% han% whi$e you;re here too.<

The tech ro$$e% his eyes but no%%e% anyway. ( few >uic# "o&e"ents an% he steppe% away. <@et those %e&e$ope% 613H< <Bes' -octor 3i$ban#s'< the tech no%%e%. ?arie ga&e hi" a >uic# win# as he hurrie% fro" the roo". <4 want e&erything rea%y for a chest tube' :ust in case'< the %octor %e"an%e%. <)p that oCygen to one hun%re% percent an% see if that increases his &ita$ signs. 4""e%iate$y the %octor steppe% in an% began unwrapping the thic# ban%age aroun% the boy;s $eg. ( tight tourni>uet was s>uee5ing his upper thigh enough to ste" the f$ow of b$oo% fro" the woun% :ust abo&e his #nee. <@rueso"e'< 3i$ban#s gri"ace% as he inspecte% the se&ere% "usc$e an% tissue. 2uc#i$y' it $oo#e% as if whate&er ha% s$ice% through the $eg ha% %one it c$ean$y an% ha% "isse% any "a:or arteries. <@et surgery on the $ine for "e' ?arie.< The nurse no%%e% efficient$y at his no+nonsense tone. The %octor then "o&e% on to the fracture% ar". 4t was he$% in a stiff sp$int' an% the woun% was sti$$ seeping b$oo%' s$ow$y soa#ing the sheet beneath the boy. <B$oo% pressure is ninety+fi&e o&er fifty' -octor.< <@oo%'< 3i$ban#s grunte%. ,e >uic#$y grabbe% a bott$e of sa$ine so$ution an% use% it to c$ean the %ebris out of the woun%. The water %rippe% pin# onto the f$oor. ,e probe% a bit near the white bone stic#ing out' pu$$ing the "usc$e an% f$esh away so that he cou$% see the frag"ent. That wou$% nee% surgery too' he %eci%e%. ?o&ing up to the ban%age aroun% his hea%' 1$i&er wince%. There was a $arge chun# of f$esh "issing fro" his forehea%. Bracing hi"se$f' the %octor s$i% his finger into the woun%' fee$ing for bone chips an% frag"ents. ,e hate% this part. Than#fu$$y' the bone was s"ooth an% see"e% co"p$ete$y intact. There wou$% nee% to be a s#in graft to co&er the woun%' though. 1&era$$ this #i% was a "ess. <-octor'< ?arie approache% hi"' ho$%ing the b$ac# I+rays out in front of her. <These :ust ca"e bac#.< The %octor no%%e%' &ery satisfie% at the spee% of the technician. ,e;% ha&e to "a#e sure to than# the "an $ater. ,e >uic#$y assesse% the fi$"s' pointing out to the nurse the issues. <2oo#s $i#e a si"p$e pneu"othoraCDsee the %ar#er section' hereA< ,e pointe% towar% a b$ac# part of the picture. <2et;s try a thorocentisis first an% then the tube if that %oesn;t wor#.<

<Bes' -octor.< The %octor pu$$e% a ro$$ing stoo$ up the si%e of the be% an% "o&e% the patient;s ar" up an% out of the way. ?arie han%e% hi" a $arge syringe with a $etha$ $oo#ing nee%$e on the en%. !ocusing so$e$y on what he was %oing' an% %rowning out the beeps an% co""otion of the trau"a roo"' 1$i&er presse% the tip of the nee%$e in between two ribs an% into the chest ca&ity. ,e no%%e% when he fe$t the pressure against the nee%$e re$aC a bit. 0e"o&ing the nee%$e' 1$i&er wipe% his brow. <4 want another I+ray an% $et;s set up an F/@ as we$$. ,ow is his pressure %oing=< he as#e% the nurse who was "onitoring &ita$ signs. <,e $oo#s $i#e he;s %oing "uch better' sir. 1ne hun%re% o&er siCty+fi&e. <-r. 3i$ban#s'< ?arie sai%' no%%ing her hea% towar% the %oor where the Surgeon ha% :ust entere%. 1$i&er continue% to stare at the boy. ,e see"e% so youngDfar too young to be in&o$&e% in such a "ess. But' 1$i&er ha% seen worse in his years of trau"a rotations in &arious hospita$s. *u$$ing his eyes away fro" the bro#en bo%y' he no%%e% towar% the Surgeon' who was rea%ing charts an% getting the infor"ation fro" ?arie. ,e returne% to stu%ying the boy' whose heart rate was beginning to stabi$i5e an% his breathing to e&en. ?enta$$y' he cata$ogue% the in:uries' soft$y probing the bruises an% soft ab%o"en. The b$ac#ening bruise a$ong his $eft si%e' un%er which there were se&era$ bro#en ribs' cou$% ha&e easi$y co"e fro" the i"pact of the &ehic$eDas cou$% the bro#en ar". ,e suppose% that the hea% cou$% ha&e co"e fro" hitting so"ething as we$$. The $eg woun%' howe&er' pu55$e% 1$i&er. The cut was so c$ean' free of :agge% e%gesDas if "a%e by a b$a%e of so"e sort. (n% the "issing s>uare of f$esh on the forehea%' as we$$G it was too c$ean$y cut to be an acci%ent. The boy;s chest ha% se&era$ %ar# bruises as we$$. 1$i&er trace% the" with his fingers an% then sti$$e% as his eyes sett$e% on a %ar#ening bruise on the boy;s nec#. 4t was bare$y &isib$e beneath the co$$ar they;% p$ace% on hi" to #eep his nec# an% hea% sti$$. But 1$i&er cou$% %istinct$y "a#e out the finger shapes. This boy ha% been cho#e%' &io$ent$y it see"e%. <,ang on'< he "u"b$e% as the Surgeon prepare% to ta#e the boy away. 1$i&er reache% for his right han% an% eCa"ine% the #nuc#$es an% fingernai$s. The s#in was bro#en an% b$oo%ie% an% there was "ateria$ un%er his fingernai$s. 3hate&er ha% happene%' the boy ha% been fighting for his $ife. .ust as 1$i&er began to search for "ore bruises' the boy ga&e a &io$ent :er# an% his eyes f$ew open. The nurses strugg$e% to secure his ar"s %own to the tab$e an% he strugg$e% against their ho$%' his han% groping at the nec# brace an% then the sp$int on his ar".

<Bou;re a$right'< 1$i&er soothe%' awe% by the brightness of the green eyes staring up at hi". Those eyes %arte% $eft an% right as he thrashe%. 1$i&er p$ace% his han%s gent$y' but fir"$y' on the boy;s shou$%ers. <Bou nee% to stop "o&ing' you;re going to hurt yourse$f e&en further. Bou;re safe here'< he a%%e% as an afterthought. The boy see"e% wi$% with fright. The eyes stoppe% their "a% searching an% focuse% in on 1$i&er' "a#ing hi" shi&er with their intensity. <-o you #now where you are=< The boy atte"pte% to "o&e his hea% si%e to si%e' but 1$i&er stoppe% hi". <4f you can;t spea#' then b$in# your eyes at "e' once for yes' twice for no.< <6o'< the boy raspe% out' his &oice soun%ing $i#e he ha%n;t use% it in ages. 1$i&er no%%e%. <Bou;re in hospita$'< he state%. <-o you re"e"ber how you were hurt=< The eyes too# on a far away $oo# as he b$in#e% an% then focuse% on 1$i&er again. <6o.< <1#ay'< 1$i&er soothe%. <3e thin# you were hit by a car. So"eone foun% you on the si%e of the roa% an% ca$$e% for an a"bu$ance.< *ain fi$$e% the e"era$% eyes' c$ou%ing the" a bit. 1$i&er b$in#e% se&era$ ti"es' won%ering how so "uch e"otion cou$% show through :ust the eyes. <(re you in pain=< <Bes.< <3here %oes it hurt the "ost=< <ChDchest'< the boy grunte% out' wincing at the pain of the sing$e wor%. <Bou;&e bro#en so"e ribs'< 1$i&er no%%e%. <3hat about anywhere e$se=< <($$Ao&er.< The a%"ission cause% the boy to c$ose his eyes. 1$i&er no%%e% as he re$aCe% "ore against the restraints an% $ost consciousness. <?arie' "a#e note of these in:uries an% ta#e a sa"p$e for the po$ice.< The nurse no%%e% an% went about her %uties. 1$i&er approache% the Surgeon' tuc#ing his han%s %eep into the poc#ets of his :ac#et. 6ow that the rush was o&er' his a%rena$ine was %ropping' "a#ing hi" fee$ "uch o$%er than his twenty+se&en years. <,e;s in ba% shape'< he co""ente%. The Surgeon $oo#e% up fro" the chart an% purse% his $ips gra&e$y.

<6ot the worst 4;&e seen' but he;$$ ta#e so"e ti"e.< 1$i&er $oo#e% bac# o&er at the boy' whose shaggy b$ac# hair was "atte% to his hea% with %rie% b$oo%. <3i$$ he "a#e it=< So"ehow' this thin boy ha% wor#e% his way into 1$i&er;s "in% an% wou$%n;t $et go. So"ething about his bri$$iant green eyes staring up into 1$i&er;s shoo# hi" $i#e ne&er before. ?ore than anything' 1$i&er wante% this #i% to "a#e it. <4t;s a$ways up to the"' isn;t it=< the Surgeon as#e%. ,e no%%e% to the or%er$ies an% turne% to $ea&e the roo". <4;$$ $et you #now when we;re out.< <Than#s'< 1$i&er no%%e%. ,e watche% the boy;s be% unti$ it %isappeare% in the $ift' praying that the Surgeon wou$% be ab$e to he$p hi". ,ours $ater' his shift a$rea%y en%e% for the %ay' 1$i&er 3i$ban#s sat in the unco"fortab$e seats outsi%e the surgica$ area an% waite%. ,e rea$$y shou$% be getting ho"e to his wife. She wou$% worry' he #new. But the %esire to chec# on the young "an ha% o&erri%%en the %esire for a ho"e coo#e% "ea$' e&en if he ha% to coo# it hi"se$f. ,is wife ha% a #nac# for burning water. <1$i&er.< ,e starte%' eyes $ifting fro" the fa%ing ti$e f$oor when the Surgeon approache%' $oosening his surgica$ garb. Stan%ing abrupt$y' 1$i&er shifte% his :ac#et in his han%s. The gurney carrying a %rape% figure was whee$e% past an% both "en watche% it unti$ it %isappeare% into a roo" %own the ha$$. <3e$$=< The Surgeon sighe%' rubbing han%s o&er his face' etche% with tire%ness. <,e shou$%n;t be a$i&eG but he "a%e it.< 1$i&er re$ease% a breath an% no%%e% :er#i$y. ,ow ha% he $et hi"se$f get so %rawn into this boy;s wor$%= 3ithout e&en thin#ing it through' 1$i&er #newG it was his eyes' p$ea%ing for answers' yet ho$%ing "ore strength than he shou$% ha&e ha% at such a young age. <,e co%e% twice on the tab$e.< <-a"age=< 1$i&er as#e%' wincing at the "enta$ i"age. <So"e'< the Surgeon sighe% an% "otione% for 1$i&er to fo$$ow hi"' wa$#ing s$ow$y a$ong the e"pty corri%or. <3e repaire% the $eg' too# a fair a"ount of stitching to %o that. *ut one pin in his wrist an% piece% his han% bac# together. *$astere% his ar" once we fit the bone bac# together. That "ay ne&er hea$ co"p$ete$y. The s#in graft on the hea% was a %e$icate process. 4t shou$%n;t scar though.< The %u$$ $isting of repairs procee%e% as 1$i&er swa$$owe% thic#$y.

<3hat about the $ung=< <4t was fine'< the Surgeon no%%e%. <(n% the ribs wi$$ hea$ o&er ti"e.< <3hen %o you eCpect hi" to wa#e=< The Surgeon stu%ie% the young %octor an% 1$i&er resiste% the urge to shift un%er the strong ga5e. <6ot unti$ to"orrow so"eti"e'< he sai%. They stoppe% in front of the %oor where the nurses were attaching the young "an up to &arious "onitors an% "achines. <,e;s going to ha&e so"e se&ere pain.< 1$i&er no%%e%. <?orphine=< <Beah.< Both "en stoo% at the %oorway' watching in si$ence as the "echanica$ beeping soun%s fi$$e% the roo" an% the nurses passe% out the %oor an% onto other assign"ents. <Bou shou$% go ho"e' 1$i&er'< the Surgeon suggeste%. <-on;t you ha&e a young wife waiting for you=< 6o%%ing %istracte%$y' 1$i&er ga&e one $ast $oo# at the boy before turning away. <Beah' 4 %o.< The Surgeon s"i$e% an% c$appe% hi" on the bac#. <Best get ho"e then. 4t;s ne&er wise to #eep a wo"an waiting.< 1$i&er s"i$e% an% si$ent$y &owe% to chec# bac# on the boy. <6o' 4 agree.< ($though he #new his F$$a wou$% forgi&e hi" when he to$% her about the boy. <4t;s not fair'< he grunte%' $eaning on a thic# tree trun# near the e%ge of the orchar% in the bac# of the Burrow. <6o' it;s not'< ca"e the rep$y fro" the so"ber wo"an on his $eft. 0e"us $oo#e% at her an% their eyes "et' sharing the sorrow of the situation. <But you an% 4 both #now that $ife ne&er is.< She s$ippe% her han% insi%e his $arger' ca$$ouse% one an% $eane% her hea% against his shou$%er. <6o one shou$% ha&e to bury a chi$%' $et a$one two.< 0e"us no%%e% :er#i$y' stee$ing hi"se$f as he $oo#e% at the two new hea%stones an% the fa"i$y of re%hea%s hu%%$e% aroun% the". <(re they going to "a#e it=< ,e wasn;t sure he;% &oice% his thought out+$ou% unti$ his wife answere%. <4t;s going to be har%. But they;re strong. They;$$ ta#e care of each other.< ,er wor%s see"e% confir"e% as the fa"i$y bro#e apart' %rifting away fro" the gra&es in coup$es' c$inging to each other tight$y.

0e"us caught (rthur;s eyes as he he$pe% a frai$ an% stu"b$ing ?o$$y past. The 3eas$ey patriarch no%%e%G perhaps in appreciation for a$$ that 0e"us ha% %one to he$p with the funera$s' perhaps in ac#now$e%g"ent that 0e"us ha% $ost fa"i$y as we$$. <Co"e on' ?o$$y;s going to nee% so"e he$p bac# at the Burrow.< ,e no%%e% absent$y an% a$$owe% -ora to pu$$ hi" towar% the ra"shac#$e' croo#e% house where the fa"i$y was %isappearing. 1nce they reache% the area' 0e"us g$ance% bac# at the shiny b$ac# hea%stones' fee$ing as if he;% burie% two of his own chi$%ren with ,arry an% @inny. The beep+beep+beep in the roo" was enough to %ri&e anyone cra5y. 4t %ro&e into his s#u$$' seepe% into his s#in unti$ his e&ery "usc$e twitche% fro" it. ,e presse% his eyes c$ose% tight$y' wincing fro" the pain in his hea%. !or a "o"ent' he cou$%n;t te$$ if it was actua$ pain or on$y in%uce% by the nu"bing soun%. ,e trie% to ro$$ in the be%' not $i#ing the stiffness of the "attress or the way it fe$t as if he;% $ai% on his bac# for %aysDyears e&en. ,is chest &io$ent$y proteste% the "o&e"ent' as %i% his shou$%er' which he now rea$i5e% was aching >uite harsh$y. @i&ing it up as a ba% :ob' he $et his eyes f$utter open' b$in#ing at the brightness of the roo". <Sorry.< So"eone' who" he cou$%n;t see yet' shifte% about in the roo"Dfootsteps shuff$ing bac# an% forthDan% %ar#ene% the roo" by c$osing the b$in%s. ,e trie% to spea#' but it on$y ca"e out as a harsh grunt' tearing through his %ry throat. <,ang on.< ( %ar# sha%ow' bac#$it by the orange $ight fro" the win%ows $eane% o&er unti$ he cou$% "a#e out a shape. So"ething was presse% onto his botto" $ip an% he c$ose% his $ips o&er it' instincti&e$y suc#ing. Straw. 3ater. ,e $et his eyes c$ose with the re$ief that the "oisture ga&e hi"' un+stic#ing his "outh an% bringing $ife bac# to his throat an% insi%es. <?ore=; <Beah'< he raspe%. ?ore shuff$ing an% the straw was bac#. ,e %raine% the water once "ore an% fina$$y fe$t sate%. <3here a" 4=< ,is "in% ree$e%' searching bac# an% trying to grasp anything that wou$% gi&e hi" a hint as to what was happening to hi". 4t was $i#e trying to ho$% water' though. Thoughts poure% through the ho$es >uic#er than he cou$% grasp' "a#ing no sense an% not

connecting at a$$. ,e ga&e an agoni5e% groan as his eyes c$ose% harsh$yDon$y a "e"ory of a bright $ight bathing hi" re"aine%. <Bou;re in hospita$'< ca"e the rep$y' a bit harsh in his ears. 3hoe&er it was %i%n;t ha&e a >uiet &oice. ,e searche% again' trying to reconci$e that state"ent with the f$ash of $ight. 4t %i%n;t a%% up to hi" so"ehow. <,ow=< The for"' now recogni5ab$e with a "ascu$ine &oice' shrugge% an% $eane% forwar% to turn on a s"a$$ $ight near the si%e of the be%. <3e thin# you were hit by a car'< he sai%. Bou were foun% by the si%e of the roa%. But there were other woun%s that we;re not sure about.< !rustration an% anger at not being ab$e to re"e"ber we$$e% an% he hisse% as his shou$%er ga&e a painfu$ throb. <Bou;&e got so"e se&ere in:uries there'< the "an sai% again. <4;% $i#e to eCa"ine you' if you %on;t "in%.< ,e stare% at the partia$$y $it face' searching for any reason to trust the "an at a$$. So"ething registere% as he stu%ie% the short b$on%e hair' $ight co$ore% eyesDhe thought they were probab$y b$ue' but it was har% to te$$Dan% sharp' but nice+$oo#ing features. <4 a" a %octor' by the way'< the "an s"i$e%' ho$%ing up so"e sort of p$astic ba%ge. ,e ga&e it a g$ance an% then no%%e% weari$y. ( physica$ eCa" wasn;t rea$$y what he was up for' but then again' there was nothing "ore to %o as he sti$$ cou$%n;t fin% anything to grasp on to. ,e re$aCe% bac# into the be% as "uch as he cou$% whi$e the %octor peere% into his eyes with a s"a$$ f$ash$ight' eCa"ine% the si%e of his face' causing hi" to wince' an% probe% at a ten%er spot on his hea%. <2oo#s as if the stitches are hea$ing up we$$'< the %octor co""ente% casua$$y. <Bou;$$ ha&e so"e hea$thy scars' but they;$$ fa%e o&er ti"e.< S$ow$y pee$ing bac# a ban%age on his hea%' the %octor peere% at the woun% c$oser. <This one wi$$ ta#e a bit "ore ti"e.< <3hat about the ar"=< he as#e%' g$ancing o&er to see a thic# white p$aster co&ering "ost of the appen%age an% a $arge ban%age wrappe% aroun% his han%. The who$e apparatus was being supporte% by cor%s an% pu$$ies' hanging fro" a $arge "eta$ brace. The %octor sighe% an% rubbe% his :aw rough$y. <4t;s a ba% brea#. Bou "ight not get fu$$ use of it again. 4f you %o' it;s going to ta#e ti"e. 4;% p$an for a hea$thy %ose of physica$ therapy' if 4 were you.<

The %octor see"e% satisfie% as he "o&e% away fro" his hea% an% $ifte% the b$an#et that he cou$% fee$ co&ering his $ower ha$f. <?y $egs=< he as#e%' forcing his "in% on sen%ing an i"pu$se to his toes. ,e cou$% a$"ost fee$ the ting$e run %own his $egs an% into the ner&es on his feet. S$ow$y' a$$ ten toes rep$ie%' a$though the right one cause% a :et of eCcruciating pain to co"e bac#. <The surgeon #nit the tissue bac# together.< ,e strugg$e% to get upright' gasping at the pain in his chest. <Beah'< the %octor grinne% wry$y' <you won;t be ab$e to "o&e for awhi$e.< ,e rep$ace% the b$an#et an% "o&e% aroun% to $ean his hip against the $eft si%e of the be%. <3hate&er happene% to you "a%e a rea$ "ess.< ,e fought the urge to ro$$ his eyes' "enta$$y ta#ing stoc# of the re"aining bo%y parts an% ca$cu$ating what was in:ure% an% what wasn;t. <-o you re"e"ber what happene%=< The >uestion caught hi" off guar%' an% his in&entory stoppe% abrupt$y as his "in% shifte% into a %ifferent %irection. ,e c$ose% his eyes' screwing up his face as "uch as he %are% an% $oo#e% bac# into his "e"ory. But it was use$ess' as an e"pty b$ac# &oi% ca"e bac#. The on$y thing that "a%e any i"pression was the bright $ight an% the sight of the %octor;s face. <6o'< he whispere%. 0ea$i5ation began to set in an% he shifte%' his chest beginning to hea&e as he fought for breath. <Bou nee% to ca$" %own.< The wor%s echoe% through the roo"Dor his hea%Dit rea$$y %i%n;t "atter. 3hy cou$%n;t he re"e"ber anything= Casting his "in% bac#' he searche% frantica$$y for the ear$iest thingDa chi$%hoo% "e"ory ha% to be there so"ewhere. 4t "ust be the "e%icine they ha% hi" on. Sure$y it was b$oc#ing his "in% so"ehow' "a#ing it a b$an#' e"pty b$ac# ho$e. ,e thrashe% again' pushing against the restraining han%s of the "an an% not caring at the pain that roc#ete% through his bo%y. <-on;t "a#e "e se%ate youH< ( fir" han% grippe% the si%es of his hea% an% the bright eyes of the %octorDhe cou$% now see the bri$$iant b$ue co$orD$oc#e% on his. <Bou;re going to un%o a$$ the wor# that;s been %one.<

<Can;tAre"e"ber'< he hisse%. 0ea$i5ation f$ashe% across the -octor;s face an% he pu$$e% away' correct$y sensing that the panic was subsi%ing. 4f on$y that were the rea$ityG instea%' the panic was seeping into hi"' fi$$ing the &oi%s $eft by "e"ories that shou$% be there. But he %i% recogni5e the sense in not %oing "ore %a"age to his bro#en bo%y. <That cou$% be the in:uries'< the %octor a%"itte%. <,opefu$$y things wi$$ start to beco"e c$earer o&er ti"e. 4;" sure your %octor wi$$ want an ?04 or a CT scan.< The ter"s ratt$e% in his brain' not "a#ing senseG but he %i%n;t care. The &oi% %raine% hi" of what $itt$e e"otion he cou$% "uster. ,e was te"pte% to hang onto the anger :ust to fee$ so"ething' but it was too tiring right now. <4 thought you were "y %octor.< <6o'< the "an shoo# his hea% an% s"i$e%' re&ea$ing bri$$iant white teeth. <4 was the (tten%ing *hysician when you were brought into the Casua$ty.< <3hy are you here' then=< he sighe%' focusing his eyes up on the cei$ing ti$es an% counting the s"a$$ roun% ho$es in the". <(ctua$$y' 4 %on;t #now'< the -octor sai%. <4 :ustA4 guess 4 :ust wante% to chec# on you. -oes that bother you=< ,e %i%n;t answer' but $et his eyes focus on the neCt ti$e o&er. Three hun%re% an% eight ho$es. 3on%er if the neCt one has the sa"e' he thought' an% began counting again. <($right.< The be% shifte% an% he fe$t the %octor "o&e away fro" hi". <4f you %on;t "in%' 4;$$ co"e bac# an% chec# on you $ater. 4f you ha&e any >uestions you can as# for "e. 4;" -octor 1$i&er 3i$ban#s' an% 4 wor# %own in the Casua$ty. But if you as# for "e' 4;$$ co"e.< Three hun%re% an% eight ho$es in that one as we$$. <-o you re"e"ber your na"e=< 6eCt ti$e. <1#ay. 4;" going to ca$$ you .ac#' then'< 3i$ban#s suggeste% before $ea&ing the roo". The beeping soun% fi$$e% his ears again' he$ping hi" count the ho$es unti$ he fe$$ as$eep. (nne 3i$#ins was running $ate. So"ething she foun% irritating' yet una&oi%ab$e' at ti"es. ( sing$e "other of two' (nne;s :ob at the hospita$ in /en%a$ #ept her sane. <@oo% "orning' -octor F$$ison'< she greete% a young "an $ess than ha$f her age as he no%%e% to her fro" across the ha$$. She fe$t a bit gui$ty for watching hi" pass' her eyes

%arting to his fir" bac#si%e in&o$untari$y. The 6ursing *oo$ was right' he was >uite the catch. But (nne;s %ays of p$atinu" b$on% hair cur$e% i""acu$ate$y' an% cute $itt$e outfits ha% passe% her by. 6ow it was graying hair an% co"fortab$e shoes. (nne on$y hope% that he ha%n;t been in to see her first patient an% notice% the $ac# of attention a$rea%y to%ay. <Sorry 4;" $ate' $o&e'< she greete% the young wo"an in the be%. <Carter;s car wou$%n;t start this "orning an% he nee%e% "oney for the train.< She bust$e% about' %oing her %uties whi$e chatting away. The b$in%s were opene%' $etting in s$ats of $ight to brighten the roo". <(n% then "y ?issy :ust ha% to ha&e her purp$e shirtG as if she cou$%n;t press the thing on her own.< 3ater was poure% into a c$ean g$ass an% set on the be%si%e tab$e. The chart that hung at the en% of the be% was g$ance% at' i"portant ti"es note%' an% then rep$ace%. <(n% how are you %oing to%ay' $o&e=< (nne turne% her fu$$ attention to her fa&orite patient. Strange' she thought' tracing the face she;% "e"ori5e%' because she;% ne&er spo#en to the gir$. 4t ha% been a fu$$ "onth since the young wo"an ha% been brought into the hospita$. She;% been foun% in the "i%%$e of an e$%er$y coup$e;s far"yar% an% brought into the Casua$ty. .lood co%ered the pale s!in" only allowing a flash of frec!les to show through. Anne watched in shoc! as her young face was slowly re%ealed stripe by stripe as the water washed away dried blood and grime. &he couldn't be older than Anne's own daughter" /elissa. )nly a baby. .ut the cuts and bruises marring her flesh made Anne's chest ache. &omething horrible had happened to this beautiful young woman. <I'%e got a head in(ury here"0 the doctor called as he gently ran his fingers into the matted red hair. ;$amn"' Anne muttered to herself and concentrated bac! on the wor! in front of her. The girl was so dehydrated that it was hard to get the I1 into her arm. .ut Anne was well practiced at it and finally achie%ed the desired goal. <I1 in"0 she called. The doctor nodded" not loo!ing up from where he was e2amining the gaping wound on the bac! of her head. Anne's eyes raced o%er the girl's still form" drawn to the thin chain around her nec! that held a small diamond ring. 3hoe%er this girl was" she was far too young for that ring to

belong to her. Anne loo!ed down and lifted her slim hands" ma!ing a note to ta!e a sample of the tissue and blood underneath the nails. .ut that wasn't what captured her full attention. It was the bright pin! nail polish that did it" the same shade that /elissa had been applying to her own fingernails that morning. This girl's was worn and chipped" but still as pin! as e%er. The doctor's %oice entered her consciousness again" strong" but low. 0Anne" ma!e sure and get a rape !it done on her.0 Anne's reality ga%e a little (er! and she nodded. 04ou thin!,0 <I don't !now"0 the doctor shoo! his head. 0.ut we'd best be thorough.0 Anne tightened her grip on the slac! hand and nodded" loo!ing down at the pin! polish once more. &he was (ust a baby5 (nne cou$% sti$$ see the faint $ines where her s#in ha% been "arre% with cuts an% scratches. Se&era$ of the" ha% been se&ere enough to re>uire stitches. The young wo"an ha%n;t awo#en fro" her co"a yet' but (nne ha% hope that one "orning she wou$% co"e in to see those eyes open an% a s"i$e on her face. Ta#ing her right ar" fir"$y' (nne began to wor# the "usc$es' #nea%ing out the stiffness an% rotating each :oint to he$p #eep the" $i"ber. 1ne %ay the gir$ wou$% wa#e an% than# her for this. <Bou;re $oo#ing better to%ay' 4 thin#. ?ore co$or in your chee#s.< (nne continue% to "o&e her $egs an% ar"s' rotating where she nee%e% an% a%:usting b$an#ets an% the hospita$ gown. <4 to$% you that the sunshine wou$% %o you goo%. 1$% Betty' that;s your afternoon nurseAwe$$' she thin#s it;s too bright for you. But 4 say that sunshine a$ways %oes won%ers for your sou$. 4 re"e"ber when .i" passe% on. 4 %i%n;t want to see the sun for %ays. (n% ?issy' "y youngest you re"e"ber' she :ust #ept opening win%ows an% trying to ta$# "e outsi%e. 4t he$pe%. 4t rea$$y %i%.< <6ow' gir$y'< (nne sai% stern$y' "o&ing to the si%e of the be% where she cou$% wash the wo"an;s face with a %a"p c$oth' <we nee% to fin% you a na"e. Since no one has co"e forwar% to c$ai" you yet' 4 guess that;s up to "e.< (nne too# a brush fro" the be%si%e tab$e' one she ha% purchase% with her own "oney' an% brushe% the $ong' coppery+re% hair unti$ it g$ea"e%. <?y .i" na"e% our %aughter. ,e;% a$ways wante% a ?e$issa.< She gigg$e% gui$ti$y. <But not "e. 1h' %on;t get "e wrong' 4 thin# ?issy;s na"e suits her :ust fine. But 4 rea$$y a$ways wante% an F""a.< *ausing in her "o&e"ents' (nne g$ance% %own at the unchange% face sprin#$e% with frec#$es. <3hat %o you thin#=<

(nne resu"e% her brushing when there was no change. <F""a it is' then.< 1nce the brushing was finishe%' an% (nne ha% chec#e% the growth of the short hair near the base of F""a;s s#u$$ where it was now :ust rea$$y growing bac# after the stitches ha% hea$e%' she change% F""a;s gown an% opene% the be%si%e tab$e. There' insi%e' $ai% the ring that (nne ha% first seen aroun% F""a;s nec#. Betty a$ways too# it off in the e&ening' c$ai"ing that (nne was cra5y for putting it bac# aroun% the young gir$;s nec#. (nne cou$% sti$$ hear her ringing criticis"' ;what if she strang$es herse$f.; But' to (nne' the ring sy"bo$i5e% who this young gir$ wasDe&en if they ne&er %i% fin% out for sure. 4t was a tie bac# into her past' so"ething that (nne #new F""a nee%e%. (n% so (nne rep$ace% the nec#$ace e&ery "orning $i#e a ritua$D:ust $i#e opening the curtains an% $etting the sun in. <4;$$ be bac# $ater' F""a. Bou :ust rest.< She g$ance% at the wo"an one $ast ti"e an% sighe% in content"ent at the peacefu$ $oo# on her face. The $an#y re%hea% fo$%e% hi"se$f %own neCt to the two hea%stones' "ost$y facing the one on his right. <This isn;t how it was suppose% to be'< he whispere%' reaching out to trace his fingers a$ong the %eep ;,; etche% in the surface of the stone. <Bou were suppose% to be here.< Tears began to we$$ an% 0on b$in#e% the" away harsh$y. ,e wasn;t suppose% to cry any"ore. ,er"ione ha% to$% hi" a$$ about the %ifferent stages of grief' an% 0on ha% thought his crying %ays were o&er. She;% to$% hi" a$$ about %enia$ an% bargaining an% anger. But he %i%n;t thin# he;% gone through a$$ that. 3hen they;% first stu"b$e% upon the scene of the !ina$ Batt$e' 0on ha% %efinite$y eCperience% the %enia$ part. !or two %ays he;% wa$#e% aroun% in a co"p$ete %a5e "u"b$ing about how this cou$%n;t possib$y be happening. ,e;% been so angry that he;% put his han% through the p$asterboar% in his be%roo" in nu"erous p$acesG each ti"e char"ing away the b$oo% an% bruises so that no one wou$% see. 0ep$aying e&ery scene of the past two years in his "in%' 0on ha% eChauste% hi"se$f trying to fin% where the change ha% co"e that "eant that ,arry an% @inny ha% to %ie. ,e;% e&en nic#e% one of ,er"ione;s boo#s an% rea% a$$ about ti"e+turners' :ust in case. Two %ays after the funera$' 0on ha% snuc# into @inny;s roo" at the Burrow' f$inching when he rea$i5e% that it was now ,er"ione;s roo"Dnot his sister;s' because she was %ea%. ,e ha% foun% ,er"ione;s boo# about grie&ing an% ha% actua$$y rea% parts of it' co&ert$y snea#ing $oo#s into the %eserte% ha$$way' won%ering why he was so %ifferent fro" the rest of his fa"i$y.

0on shifte% so that he cou$% see both of the gra&es' spea#ing to his $itt$e sister an% his best "ate both. <?u" an% -a% are %oing a $ot better than 4 eCpecte%.< ,e fe$t a bit se$f conscious spea#ing to a si"p$e stone' rather than the two peop$e he i"agine% sitting in front of hi". But' so"ehow' it he$pe%. <?u" has a rough %ay now an% then' an% -a% has to ta#e her asi%e. 4 %on;t want to #now what they ta$# about' $oc#e% in their be%roo" for hours.< 0on;s han% absent$y brushe% the $ush grass Bi$$ ha% char"e% o&er the gra&es. 1ut of habit' his fingers tugge% at a $ong stran%' pu$$ing s$ow$y unti$ it re$ease% the soft' white en%. <4 o&erhear% Bi$$ te$$ing -a% that they thin# !$eur is pregnant.< 0on b$in#e% in the harsh su""er sun. <,e;s ta#ing her to !rance for awhi$e. ?aybeA< ,e trai$e% off an% use% his fingernai$ to strip the grass into parch"ent+thin pieces. <?aybe it %oesn;t hurt as "uch when you;re farther away.< Tossing asi%e his use$ess pieces' 0on shoo# his hea%. <Char$ie $eft the %ay after the funera$. ,e sai% goo%bye an% :ust $eft. 4 %on;t thin# he;s the sort of b$o#e to %ea$ with this #in% of thing we$$' you #now. ,e;s bac# with his %ragonsDbut he writes "ore now. ?u" hi%es the $etters' so 4 thin# he;s writing aboutAstuff.< ( s"a$$ s"i$e tic#$e% his $ips an% he g$ance% o&er at the grey $etters spe$$ing his sister;s na"e. <!re% an% @eorge are %e&e$oping a who$e new $ine for the two of you.< ,e c$ose% his eyes an% trie% to picture @inny;s face as he;% seen it a hun%re%+thousan% ti"es' but ne&er fu$$y appreciate%. She wou$% $o&e that one %ay' so"ewhere' so"e chi$% wou$% p$ay a pran# that ha% been inspire% by her. <4;" a bit afrai% to as#' rea$$y.< 0on sighe% an% pu$$e% his #nees up tighter into hi". <*ercy went bac# to the ?inistry. ,e says there;s too "uch wor# to %o for hi" to sit aroun%. 4 #now he sti$$ hurts. 4 caught hi" the other %ay $oo#ing at a picture of you' @inny. ,e got a$$ f$ustere% an% %enie% it' but 4 saw hi" crying.< ,e s$ippe% into si$ence' $istening on$y to the rust$e of the trees abo&e hi" an% the bir%s ca$$ing in the fo$iage. ,e #new ,arry wou$% want to #now about ,er"ione' but it was a &ery painfu$ sub:ect sti$$. <,er"ione;s %oing we$$'< he $ie%' #nowing that if either ,arry or @inny were here' they wou$% be ab$e to te$$ he was $ying. ,e "isse% that. ,e wante% @inny to s$ug his shou$%er an% g$are at hi" unti$ he ca&e% an% to$% the truth. ,e wante% ,arry to cross his ar"s in front of hi" an% gi&e that $oo# that sai% that he wasn;t going to be$ie&e a wor% of it an% that he was hurt that 0on wou$% $ie to hi". But they cou$%n;t gi&e hi" the $oo#s. So he $ie%G hating that he cou$% get away with it.

<She too# a :ob at the ?inistry. 2aw -i&ision. -a% says she;s stirring things up so"ething awfu$ o&er there.< 0on %i%n;t a%% that he ha%n;t actua$$y spo#en "ore than p$easantries to ,er"ione in three %ays. 4t :ust see"e% soA%rainingAto ta$# about persona$ things right now. So they sai% ;he$$o; an% ;goo% "orning; an% ;how was wor#;. (n% 0on ha% e&en #isse% her chee# a ti"e or two. But they ne&er sai% ;how are you fee$ing; or ;4 hurt.; 4f he spo#e to her' ,er"ione wou$% want answers. She wou$% want to #now where they stoo%G were they sti$$ seeing each other' or were they no $onger together= The years+o$% urge to spi$$ his secrets to ,arry rose up in hi" unti$ he cou$%n;t contain it any $onger. <@inny' c$ose your ears'< he "u"b$e% to his $eft. <4;" in a rea$ pic#$e here' "ate. 4 %on;t #now what to %o about ,er"ione.< 0on stare% at the $etters' wishing they cou$% gi&e hi" any co"fort at a$$. <4;" afrai% 4;" rea$$y "uc#ing things up' ,arry. (n% 4 %on;t #now how to fiC the"G an% 4;" not sure 4 can.< ,e sighe% an% $et his eyes c$ose tight$y' $istening c$ose$y' praying to hear ,arry;s &oice one "ore ti"eG te$$ing hi" what to %o. But a$$ he cou$% hear was the $ea&es "o&ing. 6o "agica$ phrases whispere% on the win%' no wor%s of wis%o" fro" his best frien%. <Beah' that;s what 4 thought you;% say'< 0on answere% %u$$y. *ressing the hee$s of his han%s into his eyes' he watche% as the bright %ay f$ashe% to b$ac# an% stars of $ight twin#$e% in his &ision. <4 #now you;&e been $istening too' @inny'< he sai% without opening his eyes. <(ny a%&ice for your o$%er brother=< 0on sighe% hea&i$y an% a$$owe% his &ision to co"e bac#' wincing at the sight of the two b$ac# stones in front of hi". ,e pic#e% at another piece of ta$$ grass. <3here&er you two areA< ,e swa$$owe% an% curse% as the thic#ness that a$ways prece%e% tears swe$$e% in his throat. <4 hope you;re together. (n% happy'< he finishe% in a whisper. <Because 4 %on;t thin# 4 can ta#e the thought of you not together.< 0on straightene% his bac# abrupt$y' stretching out the "usc$es an% pushing the pain fro" his e"otions away. <(n% %on;t worry about "e an% ,er"ione. 3e;$$Awe;$$ figure it out one of these %ays. Beah=< ,e stoo%' %istracte%$y brushing off the bac#si%e of his robes' an% not rea$$y caring if there were grass an% %irt on the". <4;&e got to get bac#. 4 pro"ise% -a% 4;% he$p hi" "o&e that

air co"%itioner+er he foun% the other %ay into his shop.< S"i$ing tight$y at the thought' 0on shoo# his hea%. <?aybe it;s a goo% thing that so"e things ne&er change.< 1ne $ast g$ance at the hea%stones' an% 0on tuc#e% his han%s into his poc#ets an% tru%ge% through the thic# grass towar% the $one$y $oo#ing bui$%ing neCt to the croo#e% house. .ac# sat on the e%ge of his be%' his feet bare$y s#i""ing the f$oor. The roo" was one thing he abso$ute$y %eteste%' seeing it as a bit of a prison that ha% he$% hi" o&er the past "onth. But' in rea$ity' it was his own "in% that was the prison. (n e"pty' %eso$ate p$ace where he sti$$ cou$%n;t grasp "ore than a few f$ashes of things that "a%e no sense. <Bou $oo# anCious.< .ac# s"i$e% as 1$i&er san# %own onto the be% neCt to hi". The two ha% struc# up an aw#war% an% un$i#e$y frien%ship of sorts o&er the past few wee#s. .ac# sti$$ wasn;t sure why the young %octor ca"e aroun% as often as he %i%. The fact that it "a%e .ac# fee$ a bit $i#e a charity case %i%n;t sit we$$ with hi". But 1$i&er %i%n;t see" bothere% by it at a$$ an% sti$$ showe% up regu$ar$y after his shifts were o&er. (n% so"ewhere a$ong the $ine' .ac# ha% beco"e use% to his presence. <4 a" a bit'< .ac# agree%. ($though' he ha% to a%"it' he wasn;t sure why. There wasn;t anything out there for hi"Dno one waiting outsi%e the %oors of the hospita$ to go ho"e to. (fter four wee#s' .ac# sti$$ ha% no c$ue who he rea$$y was. 1$i&er no%%e% an% stu%ie% hi" thoughtfu$$y. .ac# shifte% un%er his piercing b$ue ga5e' sensing a %eep con&ersation co"ing on. The on$y ru$e that the two ha% estab$ishe% in their frien%ship' of sorts' was that .ac# %i%n;t $i#e to ta$# about his "e%ica$ an% "e"ory issues. 1$i&er ha% presse% at first' but ha% bac#e% off when .ac# ha% proteste%. They rare$y ta$#e% about anything too serious. <Those are "y papers=< he as#e%' eyeing the p$ain fo$%er that 1$i&er was tapping on his $eg. <They;re your free%o"'< 1$i&er s"i$e% but sti$$ he$% onto the". <So' what;s the &er%ict=< .ac# grunte%' now staring at the wa$$ across fro" hi"' his eyes tracing the fa%e% pattern on the curtains. <Bou;$$ $i&e'< 1$i&er s"ir#e%. <But 4;" not sure how.< .ac# g$ance% at hi" out of the corner of his eye an% shrugge%. The other %octors ha% a$rea%y to$% hi" this. 1ut of habit "ore than anything' his han% ca"e up an% brushe% the fringe away fro" the hea$ing patch of s#in on his forehea%.

<They a$$ say the sa"e thing'< 1$i&er gesture% to the papers. <Bour woun%s ha&e hea$e% "iracu$ous$y. There;s no "e%ica$ eCp$anation as to why your ar" shou$% e&en wor# again' $et a$one ha&e fu$$ range of "otion $i#e you %o.< ,e;% $i#e to say he was :ust a fast hea$er' but .ac# cou$%n;tG he cou$%n;t re"e"ber if he was or not. <(n% the "e"ory=< he as#e%' curious as to what 1$i&er;s opinion wou$% be. 6u"erous eCperts ha% gi&en their theories' but that %i%n;t "a#e the" right. 1$i&er sighe% an% shrugge%. <4;" no eCpertD< <4 #now that'< .ac# snappe%. <4;" not as#ing you as one.< They sat in si$ence for a "inute before 1$i&er pu$$e% a thin b$ac# fi$" out of the fi$e an% he$% it up to the $ight. <The scar tissue on the hippoca"pus confuses "e a bit'< he "u"b$e%. <4 sti$$ can;t figure out how the in:ury happene%.< .ac# no%%e%' ha&ing hear% this before. ,e a$so #new what wou$% co"e neCt. <The other in:uries worry "e too.< 1$i&er stoppe% spea#ing an% pu$$e% out a set of photographs that .ac# ha% stare% at enough to "e"ori5e perfect$y. The po$ice ha% %efinite$y showe% hi" the" enough' trying to fin% out what ha% happene% to hi". .ac# #new that if he $oo#e% o&er he wou$% see the pa$e f$esh of his own nec#' "arre% by the %eep purp$e bruise in the shape of a "an;s han%. ,e wou$% see the gaping hea% woun%' $ea#ing b$oo% %own his face' an% the nu"erous cuts an% bruises. The neCt picture %own wou$% show bro#en an% "issing fingernai$s fu$$ of hair an% s#in an% b$oo%' an% a strange scar on the bac# of his han%' spe$$ing out pu55$ing wor%s. <4t;$$ be fine'< .ac# "u"b$e% uncon&incing$y. ,e ha% to push past the pain that we$$e% up insi%e hi" at the thought of that photograph. The po$ice ha% fina$$y conc$u%e% that he "ust be a runaway fro" an abusi&e ho"e that ha% un$uc#i$y been struc# by a car. .ac# cou$%n;t %ispute their theories' an% the case ha% been c$ose% for $ac# of e&i%ence. <6o it won;t'< 1$i&er sai% b$unt$y. <But 4 guess that;s what you ha&e to te$$ yourse$f.< .ac# brist$e% in annoyance' :u"ping off of his perch on the be% an% pacing a bit. <4t iwill/i be fine'< he reaffir"e%. The thought of the in:uries' as we$$ as the possib$e "eaning behin% the"' both frustrate% an% scare% .ac# "ore than he care% to thin# about. (%% to that the fact that he wou$% soon be outsi%e these wa$$s' with no resources an% no p$ace to go' an% .ac# was co"p$ete$y in o&er his hea%. 1$i&er no%%e% an% c$ose% the fi$e. .ac# #new he wasn;t satisfie% with the answer' but that he wou$%n;t push any further. <Co"e on' 4;$$ wa$# you out.<

<Beah'< .ac# sighe%' ruff$ing his hair an% pressing his thu"b an% forefinger into his eyes' :ust be$ow his g$asses. ,e ga&e one $ast g$ance at the roo"' fee$ing a co"pu$sion to run in an% c$i"b bac# in the be%. 4t was insane' he #new. But this was the on$y thing he re"e"bere%. Together' they wa$#e% %own se&era$ f$ights of stairs' pointe%$y ignoring the $ifts. .ac# ha% on$y use% the" when his $eg ha% been at its worst. (s soon as the woun% ha% hea$e%' he ha% begun ta#ing the stairs anyti"e he nee%e% to $ea&e the f$oor he was on' to strengthen the "usc$es. 4t see"e% i"portant. They reache% the eCterior %oors of the hospita$ an% stoppe%' both staring out at the crisp fa$$ %ay. .ac# shi&ere% in&o$untari$y an% rubbe% at the worn cor%uroy of his secon% han% pants. The shirt was %onate% too' as we$$ as e&erything e$se he wore' an% the few things in the p$astic bag he carrie%. <3hat %o you ha&e p$anne%=< 1$i&er as#e%' :arring hi" fro" his "usings. <-on;t #now'< .ac# shrugge%. <4 guess 4;$$ see when 4 get out there.< <-oesn;t rea$$y soun% attracti&e to "e'< 1$i&er shoo# his hea%. <Bou #now you;re we$co"e toD< <4 #now'< .ac# interrupte%. ,e shifte% a bit gui$ti$y. (ccepting a stranger;s charity %i%n;t see" $i#e the #in% of thing he shou$% %o. (n%' rea$$y' what %i% he #now of -octor 3i$ban#s "ore than a few things they;% ta$#e% about o&er %ry' taste$ess hospita$ foo%G nothing. <There are she$ters out there.< The "an stoo% straight' his presse%' pa$e b$ue cotton shirt an% stripe% tie $oo#ing perfect$y in p$ace with his white coat. .ac# fought the irrationa$ annoyance at the "an an% shrugge%. <3e;$$ see.< 1$i&er sighe% an% he$% out his han%' start$ing .ac#. <Bou #now where to fin% "e.< .ac# stare% at hi"' sti$$ not un%erstan%ing the "oti&ation behin% this "an;s actions. Sure$y he cou$%n;t be this in&o$&e% with a$$ of his patients. ,esitant$y' he accepte% the han%sha#e an% turne% on his hee$. ,e too# se&era$ steps outsi%e the %oors' pause% an% continue% on. The b$an% hospita$ porri%ge he;% eaten for brea#fast churne% in his sto"ach as he ca"e to the first street to cross. .ac# swa$$owe% har% an% too# the steps to cross it. ,e ha%n;t been this far away fro" the hospita$ in "ore than a "onth. ( stiff win% hit hi" as he roun%e% the corner an% he shi&ere%' fina$$y pee#ing bac# to where he cou$% no $onger see 1$i&er in the %oorway. ($$owing hi"se$f a "o"ent to gather his thoughts' .ac# $eane% bac# against a re% bric# bui$%ing an% g$ance% %own into the bag that he$% e&erything he owne% in the wor$%. Scow$ing' he tugge% at a thic# ro$$ of

fabric an% pu$$e% out a coat that $oo#e% c$ose to bran% new. The fabric was $uCurious$y so$i% an% rugge%' whi$e the $iner fe$t soft an% perfect against his han%. The thing "ust ha&e cost "ore than .ac# cou$% e&en i"agine spen%ing on anything. ,e g$ance% insi%e at the $abe$ an% fe$t the air rush fro" his $ungs forcefu$$y. ). 3ilban!s was stitche% in perfect $ettering on a thin' white $abe$ insi%e. .ac# scow$e% at the $etters' %eter"ine% that he shou$% ta#e the coat bac#' but hesitating a$$ the sa"e. 4f 1$i&er ha% wante% hi" to ha&e the coatA 9uic#$y pushing away the e"otions that the thought brought up' .ac# sho&e% his ar" into the s$ee&e an% pu$$e% the front c$ose%. 4t was a bit big' as 1$i&er ha% been a hea% ta$$er than .ac#' but it was &ery war". ,e pu$$e% out the paperwor# that 1$i&er ha% put in the bag an% g$ance% at the recor%s. .ac# 4nga$$s. That was his na"e nowG a na"e that so"eone e$se ha% chosen for hi". 4t was so"ething' at $east. -eter"ination f$oo%e% hi" as he tuc#e% the bag un%er his ar" an% continue% wa$#ing away fro" the hospita$ that was now the on$y thing in his past. F""a $ay on her si%e' her han%s tuc#e% un%er chee#' #eeping it separate fro" the scratchy fabric of the hospita$ sheets. The %octors sai% she;% been in a co"a for :ust o&er a "onth. But F""a cou$%n;t re"e"ber anything "uch. There was an o&erwhe$"ing fee$ing of pain an% a panic#e% sensation' "ost$y. ,er %rea"s often feature% re% $ight an% trying to escape fro" it. <?orning' %uc#.< F""a turne% her hea% an% ga&e a s"a$$ s"i$e when (nne ca"e into the roo". The nurse ha% been the first person that F""a ha% seen when she wo#e' the one that ha% to$% her of the na"e she;% chosen for her' an% the one to wipe away the tears when they ca"e. (n% they ca"e often $ate$y. F""a :ust fe$t soA$ost. (n% it wasn;t :ust her "issing "e"ories an% pastDso"ething was &ery wrong with her. She fe$t as if a huge part of her ha% been physica$$y torn away' as if she was on$y ha$f a person. The hospita$ counse$or ha% co"e to see her an% assure% her that she wou$% be fineG that it was :ust the $oss of her "e"ories that she was "ourning. <!ee$ing any better' $o&e=< (nne as#e% as she sett$e% a tray of unappeti5ing canteen foo% in front of F""a. <6o'< she answere% honest$y an% turne% bac# away fro" (nne. She hate% to be this way' because (nne ha% been nothing but won%erfu$ to her. But the neuro$ogist ha% :ust $eft' te$$ing her that nothing was physica$$y wrong with her' %espite the scar tissue a$$ o&er her brain. She wou$% be $ea&ing the hospita$ soonG but with no p$ace to go' F""a was c$inging to e&ery $ast "inute she ha% here.

<4 was thin#ing'< (nne sai%' propping herse$f onto the en% of the be% an% sighing hea&i$y. <That "aybe you;% $i#e to co"e an% stay with "e for a bit when you get out of here.< F""a g$ance% o&er at the wo"an' $oathing the $oo# of pity that she wou$% sure$y see on the "i%%$e+age% face. But (nne was facing outwar%' wringing her han%s s$ow$y in her $ap. F""a got the strange i"pression that she was eCtre"e$y ner&ous. <Bou %on;t want "e there'< she answere% >uiet$y. (nne;s hea% whippe% aroun% an% she stare% at the young gir$. <1f course 4 %oH 4 wou$%n;t ha&e as#e% if 4 %i%n;t.< <6o'< F""a shoo# her hea% s$ow$y. <Bou ha&e your own fa"i$y. 4 wou$% on$y be a bur%en. *$us' we sti$$ %on;t #now who attac#e% "e. 3hat if he co"es bac# to finish the :ob=< 4t ha% been a huge fear of F""a;s e&er since (nne ha% to$% her what the po$ice suspecte%. She ha%n;t been rape%' but she;% been beaten se&ere$y enough to put her into a "onth $ong co"a. <4 cou$%n;t put your fa"i$y in %anger $i#e that.< (nne brist$e% an% stoo% >uic#$y' fussing with the b$an#ets in a way that cause% a wa&e of fa"i$iarity to wash o&er F""aG but it was gone before she cou$% p$ace it. <6onsense'< (nne proteste% in her fir"est &oice. <Bou;&e been here for o&er a "onth an% no one has trie% anything.< !ina$$y' she turne% her war" b$ue eyes on F""a an% graspe% her thin han% in hers. <Bou %on;t ha&e anywhere e$se to go' F""a. (n% 4 #now it;s %aft'< two roun% b$otches of co$or $it up her chee#s' <but 4;&e co"e to rather thin# of you as "y own' in so"e strange way. 4 can;t i"agine sen%ing you out there a$$ a$one.< F""a wante% to protest. She cou$%n;t i"agine "o&ing into a stranger;s ho"e' with peop$e she %i%n;t #now an% no "e"ory of who she was. Then again' so"e part of her reasone%' that;s they way it wou$% be anywhere she went. (t $east with (nne she ha% a fa"i$iarity of sorts. The wo"an was &ery war" an% "other$y. <4 %on;t #now'< she answere% bac#' $ess fir"$y than she wou$% ha&e $i#e%. <Bou;re on$y se&enteen' F""a'< (nne state% fir"$y. The %octors ha% been force% to esti"ate her age' ha&ing no c$ues to her i%entity to %raw on. <(n% you;$$ nee% to finish your schoo$ing. ?y ?issy is :ust a year o$%er than you. She;% $o&e to show you aroun% an% he$p you out. The truth is you;% be %oing "e a fa&or. 4 %on;t get to spen% enough ti"e with her an% 4 #now she cou$% use a frien%.< F""a $ai% her hea% bac# against the be%' pon%ering what she shou$% %o. 4t rea$$y wasn;t fair' she thought. She was too young to ha&e this sort of choice thrust on her. She shou$%

be ho"e' where&er that was' with her fa"i$y' if she ha% one' finishing up her schoo$ing an% being a teenage gir$. (n% the opportunity to %o :ust that was sitting in front of her face. Bet' no "atter how attracti&e (nne "a%e it soun%' part of F""a #ept pu$$ing her away fro" itD$i#e there was so"ething &ery i"portant for her to be %oing. ?aybe it was that "issing ha$f that she #ept co"ing to. But whate&er it wasDit was gone nowG force% away by so"e strange twist of fate. (n% now she was hereAat this crossroa%s with two paths in front of her. (n% she ha% no c$ue which roa% to ta#eA So"eti"es' though' a$$ it too# was a $eap of faith. F""a c$ose% her eyes' trying to fee$ her way through the %ar#ness that enco"passe% her "in%. <($right'< she whispere%' no%%ing her hea% s$ight$y. <($right.< (nne;s grip tightene% on her han% an% she ga&e a happy sigh. <Bou %on;t ha&e to "a#e any pro"ises' %uc#. But you gi&e it a try an% see if you $i#e it.< F""a opene% her eyes an% too# a %eep breath. So"ething insi%e of her sett$e% a bit an% she a$$owe% a rare s"i$e to pee# out. (t $east she ha% so"ewhere to go. ,er"ione @ranger watche% her boyfrien% pace bac# an% forth through the #itchen of the Burrow' worrying his hair unti$ it stoo% co"p$ete$y on en%' "a#ing hi" $oo# co"p$ete$y wi$% an% %esperate. The $ast two "onths ha% change% 0on in ways ,er"ione ha% not eCpecte%. ,e ha% see"e% so strong an% roc# so$i% after the !ina$ Batt$e' %espite a$$ that they ha% $ost. ,e;% he$% her whi$e she bro#e %own' he$pe% his fa"i$y with the arrange"ents an% e&en steppe% in to run the fa"i$y for a bit. She suppose% she shou$% ha&e #nown that he was ho$%ing e&erything insi%e. The signs were a$$ there. 6ow that $ife ha% "o&e% on' %ays turning into wee#s then into "onths' 0on;s faJa%e was beginning to crac#. <Scri"geour nee%s to get his hea% out of his arse'< he grow$e% in the %irection of the wire$ess' which was on $ow in the bac#groun%. ?rs. 3eas$ey %roppe% the pan she;% been %rying' the c$an# ricocheting off of the wa$$s. <0ona$% 3eas$eyH< 0on' howe&er' ignore% his "other;s rebu#e an% began his circuit of the roo" again. ,is eyes were wi$%' %arting here an% there as he $istene% to the ?inister spea# about the upco"ing festi&ities to ce$ebrate the fa$$ of Eo$%e"ort.

,er"ione was re"in%e% of a cage% tiger as 0on passe% her' his finger trai$ing a$ong the tab$etop' yet a&oi%ing touching anyone. 0on %i%n;t a$$ow physica$ contact any"ore. 4t pu55$e% ,er"ione' who ha% the opposite urgeG to touch e&eryone :ust to assure herse$f that they were rea$ an% there. -espite $i&ing in the sa"e house' she an% 0on rare$y spo#e at a$$. <,ow can he thin# a$$ the -eath Faters are caught=< 0on %e"an%e%' tugging at his hair once "ore. 4t was getting &ery $ong' ,er"ione note%' cur$ing %own o&er his ears an% fa$$ing into his eyes. But the &erba$ $ashing he ha% un$eashe% on his "other for offering to cut it for hi" wee#s ago was enough to %eter anyone fro" the suggestion again. <,e;s trying' 0on'< ?r. 3eas$ey stoo%' ho$%ing out his han%s to stop his youngest son fro" "o&ing aroun% hi". 0on grunte% an% change% %irection' pointe%$y a&oi%ing ,er"ione;s eyes as he passe%. <4t happene% after the first war too'< ?rs. 3eas$ey sniffe%' sin#ing %own neCt to ,er"ione an% patting her han% gent$y. ,er"ione accepte% the gesture an% c$ose% her eyes against the pain. <*eop$e :ust nee%e% so"ething to brighten their spirits.< <(n% that turne% out so we$$'< 0on snappe%. <B$oo%y Eo$%e"ort was ne&er gone.< <,e;s gone this ti"e' 0on'< ,er"ione sai% soft$y. She stare% at hi"' si$ent$y wi$$ing hi" to $oo# at her. 3hen he %i%' peering at her through his fiery fringe' ,er"ione f$inche%. ,is b$ue eyes were ice. There was none of the war"th that she;% co"e to $o&eG no acceptance. .ust bitterness an% anger. <Bou %on;t thin# 4 !now that=< ,is wor%s "a%e the who$e roo" fee$ as if a -e"entor ha% :ust entere%. ,er"ione g$ance% %own at her tea' won%ering if it wou$% free5e o&er. <0ona$%.< ?r. 3eas$ey steppe% into his son;s path once "ore. ,er"ione cou$% see that his shou$%ers were set. There was going to be an eCp$osion soon. But ,er"ione %i%n;t want the eCp$osion that was co"ing. @athering her courage' she s>uee5e% ?o$$y;s han% an% stoo%Dit was ti"e for her to cause the eCp$osion this ti"e. <(rthur'< she a%%resse% 0on;s father in a caring an% po$ite &oice' $aying her han% on his shou$%er. <2et "e.< ,is age% b$ue eyes "et hers' searching. ,er"ione straightene% her bac# an% no%%e% once to show that she un%erstoo% what she was %oing' %espite the sha#ing in her $i"bs.

<($right'< he ac#now$e%ge%. @athering his wife to hi"' (rthur 3eas$ey narrowe% his eyes in thought at his youngest son an% no%%e% bac# at ,er"ione before he$ping ?o$$y out of the roo". ( soft s>ue$ching soun% sea$e% the %oor. ,er"ione $oo#e% %own at her feet' pressing her toes tight$y %own to the f$oor through her sensib$e shoes. <0onD< <.ust a "inuteA< She g$are% up at his hushe% %e"an% to see hi" bent o&er the wire$ess' fi%%$ing with the %ia$s. The ?inister;s &oice poure% out at an a$ar"ing &o$u"e' but 0on %i%n;t see" to care. ,e turne% his bac# to her' bracing hi"se$f on the tab$eG his hea% bent $ow in front of hi". <A.1r%er of ?er$in;s to be awar%e% at the cere"onyA< Scri"geour;s &oice was a$$ bra&a%o' $ace% with re$ief' an% what see"e% $i#e fa$se sy"pathy. She cou$% see hi" now' in her "in%' sha#ing his "ane of hair in sorrow as he scow$e% the appropriate a"ount of ti"e. <Bes' so"e of those awar%s wi$$ be posthu"ous. The %efeat of Bou+/now+3hoD< 0on grow$e% $ou%$y here' %rowning out the ?inister;s wor%sD<$eft us fore&er in ,arry *otter;s %ebt.< ,er"ione wince% when 0on poun%e% his fist on the tab$e. <(n% @inny "eans nothing=< he roare%. ,is ar" coi$e% bac# an% ,er"ione wince%' #nowing that he was about to physica$$y stri#e the wire$ess. ,is han%' howe&er' fro5e when the &oice ca"e bac# on. <Aan%' of course' to a &a$iant spy in the war effort' ?r. -raco ?a$foy' who stoo% a$ongsi%e our hero an% narrow$y escape% %eath hi"se$f.< <Than# you' ?inister.< ,is &oice' one that she;% hear% for so "any years now' %rippe% honey an% oo5e% a$$ure. <4 on$y wish 4;% been ab$e %o "ore for ,arry an% @innyA The 3i5ar%ing 3or$% has suffere% a great $oss an% we;$$ ne&er be the sa"e. 4 #now 4;" fore&er change% by their sacrificeD< Bi$e rose in ,er"ione;s throat' burning her "outh an% "a#ing her shi&er. She cou$% see ?a$foy' stan%ing at the ?inister;s si%e %resse% in the finest robes of b$ac# si$#' pristine p$atinu" hair pu$$e% bac# fro" his face' an% probab$y sti$$ wearing the ban%ages on his han%s fro" the burns he;% sustaine% in the Batt$e. <,e;s $ying.< 0on;s hisse% wor%s bro#e her fro" her i"aginings an% she no%%e%. <Bes' he is.< <But no one cares.<

<6o' they %on;t'< she conce%e% with a sigh. Ta#ing a chance' she s$i% a bit c$oser to hi". <,e #i$$e% the"'< 0on state% p$ain$y. ,is &oice was so ca$" that it shoo# ,er"ione. 4t wasn;t an accusation' rea$$y' but "ore of a rea$i5ation on his part. She shoo# her hea%' unab$e to $et that thought penetrate her brain. 3hate&er -raco ?a$foy was' he wasn;t a #i$$er. ,e;% pro&e% that up on the (strono"y Tower in siCth year. <4 %on;t thin# he %i%.< <,e %i%'< 0on no%%e%' turning his hea% s$ight$y so that she cou$% :ust see his profi$e. <(n% one %ay 4;$$ #i$$ hi".< ,er"ione :er#e% bac# at the &eno" in his wor%s. She he$% no i$$usions that 0on %i%n;t rea$$y be$ie&e that. <0on' you %on;tD< <4 %o'< he roare%' fina$$y $etting his anger f$y an% s"ashing the wire$ess with his fists. <4 wi$$ #i$$ hi" for what he %i% to the".< <,arry wou$%n;tD< 0on spun an% face% her' his chest hea&ing. ,is face bore the "ost painfu$ $oo# she;% e&er seen. <,arry;s dead' ,er"ione. ,e %oesn;t get a say in what 4 %o. 4n fact' 4 thin# he;% be cheering "e on. 4 #now he wou$%. ,e ne&er truste% that s$i"y bastar%Dne&er.< ,is wor%s struc# her $i#e a physica$ b$ow an% she recoi$e% fro" hi"' not recogni5ing the "an that he ha% beco"e. She si"p$y stare% as he rante% on an% on' pacing an% #noc#ing things onto the f$oor. 4t hurt to see hi" in so "uch pain' an% yet ho$%ing her too far away to a$$ow her to he$p. She cou$%n;t thin# of anything she;% e&er rea% on how to %ea$ with what stoo% before her. ,er"ione;s boo#s were fai$ing her right now. This was we$$ beyon% the anger stages of griefDit bor%ere% on psychotic. She was in way o&er her hea%. <Bou %on;t "ean that'< she whispere%. ,e ha$te% his "arch through a pi$e of f$our on the f$oor' fine white c$ou%s bi$$owing aroun% his tattere% trainers. <Bou wou$%n;t rea$$y %o so"ething to hi"Dyou;% en% up in (5#aban.< <Better than where he sent ,arry an% @inny'< he returne% harsh$y. Tears fina$$y spi$$e% o&er ,er"ione;s chee#s an% she fe$t the" wet the front of her b$ouse. <Bou can;t "ean that.<

<4 %o.< <Bou;% be away fro" "e.< ,er"ione fina$$y brought out what she;% nee%e% to say for wee#s. She wante% to a%% ;you a$rea%y are; but thought it best to $ea&e it unsai%. <4t wou$%n;t "atter'< he hisse%' <because they;% be a&enge%.< 0on grow$e% an% stor"e% out the bac# %oor' $ea&ing her in the "ess of a #itchen with no further answers. S$ow$y' she san# %own into a chair that sat in the "i%%$e of the roo"' an is$an% in the %estruction. She suppose% that she tru$y %i% ha&e answers. She;% %one her best' trie% e&erything she #new of to he$p 0on through his grief. But he ne&er accepte% her he$p. ,e %i%n;t want to hear her ta$# about the stages of griefG he %i%n;t want to hear her i%eas of how he cou$% "o&e on. ,e on$y wante% to ho$% on to the pain an% heartache. (n%' in a way' she cou$% un%erstan% that. ,o$%ing on to those fee$ings "a%e hi" fee$ c$oser to ,arry an% @inny. But at the sa"e ti"e' it pushe% hi" further away fro" e&eryone e$se. 0eso$&e fi$$e% her as she sat. They both nee%e% their space. 4f things were right' if they were "eant to be' they wou$% fin% their way bac# to each other. 4f notA ,er"ione stoo%' brushing her han%s a$ong her chee#s to re"o&e her tears. 4t hurt' %eep$y' that 0on thought he nee%e% to %o this on his own. But ,er"ione;s tears an% tantru"s wou$%n;t con&ince hi" otherwise. )nti$ then' she ha% things she nee%e% to %o. (n% 0on' ob&ious$y' nee%e% so"e ti"e.

*Chapter 3*: Chapter 3

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission.

This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: 6ust a uic! note here to draw your attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter. It would be good to ta!e note of those to understand the passage of time with each chapter. A few people are %ery concerned with 1oldemort and whether he is actually dead or not,he is. 3e will !now what happened during the 7inal .attle e%entually" but I can't gi%e e%erything away in the first three chapters" now can I8 Than!s" as always to #lla and $eb for their help on this story. Chapter 3 May 1999 through April 2 .ac# $aughe% as 0unt' a boy who was eCtraor%inari$y strong consi%ering his s"a$$ si5e an% thin bui$%' finishe% the punch $ine to his %irty :o#e. (nother boy' apt$y na"e% S>uea#s for his &oice which was constant$y brea#ing' guffawe% "ighti$y an% .ac# en:oye% the soun%. 4t wasn;t "uch' but they cou$% at $east $augh together. .ac# hate% the warehouse %istrict. ,e hate% the pungent ri&er air an% the way that he cou$% ne&er fu$$y wash the s"e$$ off of his bo%y. ,e hate% the bac# brea#ing $abor that chewe% up his han%s' $ea&ing the" b$istere% an% ca$$ouse% at the en% of the %ay. ,e hate% the thic#' beefy "en who wor#e% here with their fi$thy "ouths an% content+to+be+nothing attitu%es. But the warehouses ha% been the on$y p$ace hiring a young "an with no e%ucation' no eCperience an% no past. .ac# ha%n;t been in a position to be pic#y. The boss ha% g$are% %own at hi" through the cigar ha5y office when he;% answere% the a%. .ac# ha%n;t bothere% to e&en fi$$ out an app$ication' #nowing with one $oo# at the "an that a CE "eant nothing. ,e;% starte% wor# as the $owest "an on the tea" ten "inutes $ater. The "eager pay he %rew was enough to a$$ow hi" a fi$thy roo" at a run+%own bui$%ing of f$ats a b$oc# fro" the warehouse. But it was a roof o&er his hea%. (n% .ac# pai% the rent. 4t was better than spen%ing his %ays in an% out of she$ters as he ha% a$$ winter after $ea&ing the hospita$. <(n; so 4 says to ;i"' ya got nuffin# on "e gu&'< S>uea#s sai%' gathering another roun% of $aughter fro" the group of "en $ounging on the har% pac#e% %irt behin% the warehouse where they un$oa%e% e&ery i"aginab$e cargo. .ac# sat bac# against the rough p$an# wa$$ an% crosse% his ar"s in front of hi". ,e rea$$y wou$%n;t ca$$ these b$o#es frien%s. But they were about a$$ he ha%. (n% they were "ost$y goo% $a%s. Bounger than .ac#' so"e of the" run+aways or has+beensDa$$ of society;s throw+aways. .ust $i#e hi". Bet .ac# cou$%n;t suppress the urge to shi&er at that. They weren;t anything $i#e hi" at a$$' actua$$y.

These "en' an% "ost of the others who wor#e% here' were content with their $ot in $ife. They were perfect$y happy $i&ing where they %i%' s"o#ing an% %rin#ing away their pay' an% tru%ging through their wor# %ay after %ay. But .ac# ha% %rea"s. 3hi$e the others use% their %ays off to s$eep an% get %run#' or to s$eep with any of the $oose wo"en aroun%' .ac# too# wa$#s into the heart of the city. ,e $o&e% to stare up at the huge bui$%ings' i"agining he was part of the acti&ity swir$ing aroun% hi". 6ow that he ha% a per"anent a%%ress' he cou$% chec# boo#s out of the $ibrary. ,e %e&oure% boo# after boo#' soa#ing up e&erything he cou$% of $ife. ,e wasn;t particu$ar about what he rea%' either. F&erything fro" fantasy to biographica$ wor#s intereste% hi". 4t %i%n;t "atter' because they were a way to escape where he was e&ery%ay. ,is fa&orite p$ace was the )ni&ersity. The thic# sha%e trees an% green grass of the Co""ons %rew hi" $i#e a "agnet. ,e wou$% spen% hours sitting in the gar%ens' rea%ing or si"p$y pon%ering a future where he %i%n;t ha&e to go bac# to the %ingy roo" or the %oc#s. 1f course' they wou$% ne&er $et hi" stay there. ,e;% been #ic#e% out by the coppers "ore ti"es than not for being a &agrant. But he %i%n;t ho$% that against the". 4t wasn;t their fau$tG they were :ust %oing their :obs. 4t ha% been awhi$e since he;% ta#en a wa$# through the ca"pus. ?aybe it was ti"e again. <1iH *oshyH< .ac# brist$e% at the nic#na"e. B$ue' the huge' %aft gaffer ha% %ubbe% hi" ;*oshy; the first %ay once he;% hear% .ac#;s posh accent. 4t was true that .ac# %i%n;t ha&e the ?ancurian roots that "ost of the wor#ers showe%. ,e was at $east basica$$y e%ucate%. .ac# wasn;t e&en positi&e that 0unt cou$% rea%. But that %i%n;t "ean he $i#e% being sing$e% out for it. The fact that B$ue was as %u"b as a bric# %i%n;t he$p either. <*iss off' B$ueH< S>uea#s ca$$e% out' his &oice brea#ing in the "i%%$e. .ac# grinne% at hi"' but sobere% when B$ue;s face %ar#ene% an% he :u"pe% at the thin boy' >uic#er than .ac# ha% e&er seen hi" "o&e. S>uea#s f$ai$e% an% #ic#e% as B$ue $ifte% hi" off the groun% an% pinne% hi" against the bui$%ing. 0unt "a%e a %i&e for B$ue;s $egs but was caught by a thic# ar"e% thug an% he$% off the groun% a few inches' sti$$ screa"ing obscenities an% scratching at the "an;s ar". The other boys scattere% >uic#$y' %isappearing fast %own a$$eyways an% behin% other bui$%ings. .ac# %i%n;t b$a"e the". B$ue an% his frien%s ha% a reputation for getting what they wante% an% hurting peop$e in the process. .ac# rose to his feet s$ow$y' #eeping his eyes on the others aroun% hi". B$ue was the $ea%er of this $itt$e gang an% .ac# #new to #eep his hea% in front of the". ,e was >uic#er

than a$$ of the"' but the few ti"es they ha% caught hi" ha% "eant enough pain for .ac# that he re"e"bere% the $essons. <3hat %o you want' B$ue=< </ic# ;i" in the goo$ies' .ac#H< 0unt ca$$e% out' on$y to be s$appe% upsi%e the hea%. .ac#;s eyes ne&er wa&ere% fro" the watery' %u$$ ones of the bu$$y in front of hi". Their ga5es $oc#e%' .ac# swaye% s$ight$y when B$ue;s face was rep$ace% with a f$ic#er of a thic#+:ow$e%' b$on% "an with an enor"ous "oustache. ,e shoo# the f$ash away an% focuse% bac# on the situation. 6ow wasn;t the ti"e for one of his ;"e"ories;. <Bou fin# you;re so s"art' *oshy'< B$ue grow$e%. <!in# you;re better;n a$$ of us' wif your boo#s an; your $earnin;. But you;re no better;n any of us' *oshy. Bou;re a nobo%y' :us; $i#e e&er;one e$se.< S>uea#s gaspe% for air un%er B$ue;s grasp on his nec# an% .ac# g$are% at the purp$e bruise that was rising to the surface un%er his sausage+$i#e fingers. !ury fi$$e% hi" an% he $unge% forwar%' ta#ing no thought to the bric# wa$$ he was about to run into. B$ue' caught off guar% by .ac#;s su%%en charge' $et S>uea#s go an% the boy s$i% %own the wa$$' scra"b$ing out of the way. .ac# s>uare% his shou$%er an% put a$$ of his weight behin% it' %ri&ing hi"se$f into the $ow be$$y of the "an. B$ue grunte% %eep$y when they i"pacte% an% the two tang$e% in the har% %irt' scuff$ing as they fought. .ac#;s hea% rang where B$ue;s "eaty fist %ro&e into his :aw. But he was ab$e to $an% a strong punch into B$ue;s $eft si%e' bruising his #i%ney an% a $ightning fast :ab up into B$ue;s :aw. The air was eCpe$$e% fro" his $ungs when B$ue ro$$e% the" an% put a$$ of his weight on .ac#;s sto"ach. ,is ribs' a$ways ten%er fro" where they;% been bro#en before' proteste% un%er the press an% .ac# gaspe% for air. B$ue grinne% %own at hi"' his b$oo%y "outh opening to show a few "issing teeth' an% brought bac# his fist. .ac# ha% no %oubt that his $ife was going to en%. (n instant $ater' .ac# was scra"b$ing free' c$awing an% craw$ing a$ong the groun% an% B$ue was b$own co"p$ete$y off of hi"' $aying sprea%+eag$e "eters away. <B$oo%y he$$H< The thug ho$%ing 0unt %roppe% hi" >uic#$y' eyes as big as saucers. ,e bac#e% away fro" .ac# s$ow$y before turning an% running away. The others $eft in the a$$eyway stare% at hi" an% s$un# into the sha%ows of the bui$%ings' "e$ting away into the afternoon.

.ac# spit b$oo% out of his "outh an% wipe% it on his s$ee&e' stan%ing s$ow$y an% ta#ing stoc# of a$$ his $i"bs. !or the &ery first ti"e' both S>uea#s an% 0unt bac#e% away fro" .ac# as we$$. They stare% at hi" as if he were so"ething they;% ne&er seen before. <Bou a$right=< he as#e% S>uea#s' staring at the b$oo% rising to the surface of the boy;s s#in. <BDyeah'< S>uea#s "u"b$e%. <3hat was tha;' .ac#=< 0unt pante%' sti$$ #eeping a wary %istance fro" hi". .ac# swore soft$y an% g$are% %own at his feet. This wasn;t the first ti"e so"ething strange ha% happene% to hi". ,e :ust wishe% he cou$% un%erstan% what it was an% how it happene%. Se&era$ ti"es in the past year when he;% been in %anger things ha% happene% to he$p hi" escape. (n%' one ti"e' :ust as he;% torn through his $ast usab$e pair of trousers' he;% foun% another pair in his s"a$$ f$at. ,e suppose% he "ight ha&e tuc#e% the" away an% forgotten about it' but it was un$i#e$y. <4 %on;t #now'< he a%"itte%' spitting out the $ast of the b$oo% in his "outh an% wincing as he straightene%. ,is bac# ache% an% his shou$%er throbbe% where he;% hit B$ue in the gut. <4 ne&er seen anyfin# $i#e it'< S>uea#s shoo# his hea%. .ac# was about to respon% when the $ow snar$ of the boss echoe% through the a$$ey. <4nga$$sH< ,e stoo% up straight' %eter"ine% to #eep his "outh shut. ,e rea$$y nee%e% this :ob if he was going to sa&e enough "oney to get out of this p$ace. The beefy "an ca"e to a stop in front of .ac#' his eyes scanning the a$$ey an% seeing B$ue sti$$ $ying across the way. <B$o#es sai% ye were fightin; bac# ;ere'< he bar#e%. <B$ue was cho#ing S>uea#s'< .ac# sai% fir"$y' his eyes p$ante% on the "an;s $arge "i%%$e. ,e g$ance% up to see the boss s>uinting at the boy who was bac#e% up into the bric# of the bui$%ing. ,e no%%e% :er#i$y an% $ifte% his hea%' showing the han% shape% bruise. The boss grunte% an% shuff$e% o&er c$oser to B$ue. <Be %o this' 4nga$$s=< he grunte%' peering at .ac#. ,is eyes narrowe% ca$cu$ating$y' eying the thin "an up an% %own.

.ac# no%%e%. The other two ga&e hi" $oo#s of sy"pathy an% .ac# #new his e"p$oye% %ays were nu"bere%. <@et yer fings' 4nga$$s.< .ac# sighe% "ighti$y' #nowing it was use$ess to argue. B$ue was the super&isor an% punish"ent for $aying hi" out wou$% ob&ious$y be swift' no "atter what #in% of git he was. <Bes' sir'< he "u"b$e%. ,e no%%e% towar% the two boys' who stare% at hi"' both $oo#ing torn between %efen%ing hi" an% #eeping their "ouths shut. ,e win#e% at the" an% they both re$aCe%' perhaps un%erstan%ing that he was going to ta#e a$$ of the b$a"e an% spare the" their :obs. <Ber a troub$e causer' 4nga$$s'< the boss sai%' wa$#ing "ore than an ar"s $ength away fro" .ac#. ,e see"e% &ague$y i"presse%' yet wary of the "an neCt to hi". <4 can; ;a&e ye ;roun% no "ore.< <Bes' sir'< .ac# "u"b$e%. ,is %rea"s of enro$$ing in the )ni&ersity fa%e% as he gathere% his "eager be$ongings fro" his cubby an% tru%ge% bac# to his f$at. Ton#s $oo#e% %own at the tiny face cra%$e% in her ar"s an% "ar&e$e% at her %aughter. She was such a "irac$e' with her perfect han%s an% "iniscu$e feet' an% bright purp$e hair. 0e"us ha% been so scare% when Ton#s ha% to$% hi" she was pregnant. .ust thin#ing about it as she nurse% the &oracious $itt$e "on#ey "a%e Ton#s chuc#$e. ,e;% been so sure that his $ycanthropy wou$% be passe% a$ong to any chi$% they "ight ha&e. Than#fu$$y' they were past the warD?er$in #nows the #in% of gui$t trip ha&ing a chi$% in the "i%%$e of that "ess "ight ha&e cause% hi". Ton#s sighe% in content"ent against the hea&y sofa in the $ounge at @ri""au$% *$ace. 4n her wi$%est %rea"s' Ton#s ne&er wou$% ha&e seen herse$f $i&ing in this p$aceD$et a$one ha&ing a hea$thy' happy fa"i$y here. But the "onths fo$$owing the war ha% certain$y change% a $ot of things. Su%%en$y' things $i#e ho"e an% fa"i$y an% chi$%ren ha% been rep$ace% in her "in% where on$y being an (uror' being the $ife of the party an% %uty to the 1r%er ha% $i&e%. (n% $itt$e 1rion ?ary ha% been the first "a:or change for Ton#s. She #new that one %ay the (urors wou$% ca$$ againG an% she wou$% return to continue her wor# changing the wor$%. But right nowAnow her chance to a$ter the future nee%e% to be fe%' an% burpe% an% change%. <?orning' %ear.<

Ton#s s"i$e% $a5i$y up at 0e"us as he brought a tray $a%en with tea an% scones into the roo". <?orning'< she yawne% bac#. <Bour %aughter was up a$$ night again.< 0e"us grinne% an% brushe% his finger a$ong the chee# of the suc#$ing baby. <3hy is she a$ways "y %aughter when she cries' or won;t s$eep or poos in her nappy=< Ton#s grinne% up at hi". <That;s :ust the way it is'< she shrugge%. <!act of $ife' %earG best to accept it now.< ,e chuc#$e% an% sat %own neCt to her' pu$$ing his wife an% %aughter into his e"brace. <4;" sure she;$$ be "y %aughter when she %e"an%s to wear co"bat boots to schoo$ an% when she co"es %ownstairs sporting ye$$ow an% green stripe% hair.< ,e $eane% c$oser an% brushe% his han% a$ong the thic# tuft of hair on the baby;s hea%. She "oane% an% wor#e% her $itt$e "outh har%er' "i$# $ea#ing out of the corner in response. <3e;$$ :ust be g$a% she has such goo% taste'< Ton#s %efen%e% soft$y. Together' they watche% as she finishe% eating an% s$ippe% into %eep s$eep' her "outh fina$$y fa$$ing away an% hanging open in s$u"ber. <2itt$e "on#ey'< Ton#s chi%e% soft$y' $ifting the baby onto her shou$%er to be burpe%. <3hat "eeting are you off to to%ay=< she as#e% 0e"us' ta#ing a bite of the scone he offere%' s"othere% in strawberry :a" an% c$otte% crea". 0e"us sighe% hea&i$y an% too# his own bite. <4t;s the 3erewo$f Co""ittee to%ay'< he a%"itte%. <Scri"geour wants to get the fina$ $egis$ation %one an% to the 3i5enga"ot before the press gets ho$% of it.< <4 %on;t b$a"e hi"'< Ton#s sighe%' sti$$ patting the baby fir"$y on the bac#. <4s it what you;% hope% for=< <6ot near$y enough'< 0e"us gri"ace%. <But it;s a step in the right %irection. (t $east it rescin%s a$$ that registration nonsense that )"bri%ge pushe% through.< <-o you thin# the werewo$&es wi$$ be happy with it=< <6o'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <3e a$$ un%erstan% that we;$$ be treate% as secon% c$ass citi5ens' or worse. But any progress forwar% is he$pfu$.< <Bou;&e %one a proper :ob of it'< Ton#s co"p$i"ente%' reaching up to #iss his chee#. <3hat %o you ha&e p$anne% to%ay=< 0e"us as#e%' ho$%ing out his ar" to ta#e 1rion as Ton#s stoo% an% stretche%' her &io$ent$y orange pa:a"a shirt raising enough to gi&e hi" a tanta$i5ing &iew of her once+again f$at tu""y.

Ton#s s"ir#e%' #nowing :ust where her husban%;s eyes were. <1ri an% 4 are going to &isit ?o$$y to%ay. 4t;s suppose% to be nice out so 4 thought we;% wa$# to the gra&es a$so' get a bit of fresh air' "aybe #ip in the sha%e.< 0e"us s"i$e% fon%$y an% no%%e%. Ton#s #new the "ention of the gra&esite sti$$ cause% his heart to twingeG she ha% not %oubt that it a$ways wou$%D:ust as it %i% hers. But it ha% been a$"ost a year since the !ina$ Batt$e' an% ti"e ha% begun to hea$ the woun%s a bit. <4t;$$ be goo% for 1ri to be raise% with the 3eas$eys'< he affir"e% soft$y. <4t wi$$'< Ton#s affir"e%. <!$eur is %ue soon. -i% 4 te$$ you they thin# it;$$ be a gir$=< 0e"us no%%e% %istracte%$y an% Ton#s ro$$e% her eyes. <,a&e you hear% fro" 0on $ate$y=< She watche% as his face narrowe% in pain an% regret. 0on ha% been a &ery sore sub:ect with e&eryone for a $ong ti"e. (fter ,er"ione ha% "o&e% bac# ho"e with her parents' 0on ha% ta#en a counter :ob at !re% an% @eorge;s shop' an% ha% share% their f$at for awhi$e. Ton#s hear% that he ha% now "o&e% into his own f$at so"ewhere in -iagon ($$ey. <6o'< 0e"us sighe%. <(n% we cou$% rea$$y use his he$p with this S#eeter thing.< <4 thought you an% ,er"ione ha% agree% to turn her in to the 3i5enga"ot'< Ton#s obser&e%. She gent$y accepte% the baby fro" 0e"us an% $ai% her in the portab$e cot across the roo". <4 thin# that;s a$$ we ha&e $eft'< 0e"us sighe% an% ruff$e% his hair. <3e were hoping that it wou$%n;t co"e to that' but she;s boun% an% %eter"ine% to get this boo# pub$ishe%.< Ton#s no%%e% %istracte%$y' thin#ing of the %a"age that wou$% be %one by a 0ita S#eeter boo# about ,arry. The boo# she;% written about -u"b$e%ore ha% stirre% up the who$e 3i5ar%ing co""unity an% was sti$$ ta$#e% about as scan%a$ous. ,er"ione' fresh fro" her brea# up with 0on' ha% burie% herse$f in the 2aw -i&ision at the ?inistry' he$ping to "a#e sweeping changes. She;% been successfu$ o&er the past year at stopping 0ita S#eeter fro" pub$ishing her boo#. Ton#s #new that e&entua$$y it wou$% happen' but the $onger they cou$% ho$% it off' the better. <?aybe you shou$% try seeing hi" again'< Ton#s suggeste% gent$y' her han%s s#i""ing his shou$%ers an% fee$ing the tension "ount in the "usc$es. <4;&e trie%' -ora'< he sighe%. <4 thin# it;s up to hi" now.< ,er heart c$enche% in her chest but she no%%e%. They ha% a$$ trie% reasoning with 0on. 4t ha% been "onths since he;% shown up at a 3eas$ey %inner. *erhaps he feare% that ,er"ione wou$% be there' perhaps he :ust wante% to hi%e fro" e&eryone. (t $east they;%

con&ince% ,er"ione to start co"ing again. She ha%n;t wante% to #eep 0on away fro" his fa"i$y an% wou$% on$y co"e when ?o$$y presse% her. But through the "onths they;% worn her %own enough that she was bac# to her regu$ar "onth$y atten%ance. <?aybe ?o$$y an% 4 can co"e up with so"e new i%eas'< Ton#s shrugge%. <4t cou$%n;t hurt'< 0e"us sai% as he stoo% an% too# her into his ar"s for a goo%bye #iss. <4n the "eanti"e' see if you can catch a #ip.< <Bri$$iant i%ea'< she cheere% soft$y' a$rea%y fee$ing the ten%ri$s of s$eep reaching for her as she nu55$e% into his war" e"brace. The %ar# a"ber $i>ui% s$i% a$ong the si%e of the g$ass as 0on turne% it in p$ace' the ice cubes "a#ing a soft c$in#ing soun%. !re% an% @eorge a$ways tease% hi" that he was a nancy boy for %rin#ing his firewhis#ey with ice. But 0on $i#e% the contrast of the co$% $i>ui% entering his "outh an% then burning %own his throat. ,e $eane% forwar%' resting both of his forear"s on the scarre% woo% of the bar an% $aying his chin there' watching the ice spar#$e in his g$ass' ref$ecting what $itt$e $ight there was in the pub. <;$o' 0on.< ,e s"i$e% as 6e&i$$e;s soft &oice greete% hi". ,is eyes %i%n;t stray fro" the %rin# as 6e&i$$e sett$e% into the stoo$ neCt to hi" an% got the attention of the bar"an. <Butterbeer p$ease'< he re>ueste%. ( bott$e was han%e% o&er an% 6e&i$$e sighe% %eep$y as he %ran# fro" it. <-on;t usua$$y see you in here'< 0on sai% casua$$y. 4nsi%e' he won%ere% which of his fa"i$y "e"bers ha% put 6e&i$$e up to trac#ing hi" %own to%ay. 4t see"e% they were a$ways trying to get hi" to %o so"ething. <4 co"e in a fair bit'< 6e&i$$e a%"itte%' $eaning his e$bows on the bar an% tracing his finger aroun% the ri" of the bott$e. <4t;s nice to re$aC after a $ong %ay.< <4t is'< 0on shrugge% an% g$ance% o&er at his frien%. ($though' he wasn;t sure he sti$$ ha% the right to ca$$ anyone his frien% after the past year. 6e&i$$e $oo#e% we$$ enough' he suppose%. 0on was actua$$y surprise% to see that he $oo#e% a $ot o$%er than he;% re"e"bere%. <(re you sti$$ at ,ogwarts=< <Beah'< 6e&i$$e a%"itte% with a shrug an% a s"a$$ s"i$e. <*rofessor Sprout is thin#ing about retiring in a year or two. Then 4;$$ ta#e o&er for her.<

0on;s eyebrow rose in surprise. So"ehow' 6e&i$$e see"e% far too young to be a *rofessorAof anything. <Bri$$iant' 6e&'< 0on cheere%. ,e he$% up his g$ass in toast an% %ran# %eep$y fro" it' we$co"ing the way the $i>ui% "a%e hi" fee$ re$aCe% an% happy. ,e ha%n;t been tru$y happy for a $ong ti"e now. 6e&i$$e chattere% on' infor"ing 0on of what their c$ass"ates ha% been %oing o&er the past year an% "a#ing genera$ obser&ations of the wor$% in genera$. 0on $istene%' hearing what he was saying' but rea$$y on$y absorbing the o&era$$ i"pressions. ,earing what Sea"us an% -ean were %oing with their $i&es on$y accente% the fact that ,arry wasn;t there. The fi&e @ryffin%ors ha% spent "any hours ta$#ing about nothing an% e&erything in the Tower. They;% beco"e c$ose' a$"ost $i#e cousins an%' at ti"es' brothers. But one of their nu"ber ha%n;t sur&i&e%. 0on ha% a har% ti"e %ea$ing with that rea$i5ation' e&en though it ha% been a$"ost a year. <(re you going to the cere"ony=< 0on starte% at 6e&i$$e;s >uestion an% gri"ace%. The year anni&ersary of the %efeat of Eo$%e"ort was co"ing up an% the p$ans for a $arge ce$ebration ha% been ta$#e% about for wee#s. There was to be a $arge gathering in -iagon ($$ey with speeches an% other boring ?inistry niceties. !re% an% @eorge were p$anning on a huge sa$e on that %ay' so 0on ha% no %oubt he wou$% get chaine% to the front counter' %espite the fact that he;% rather spen% the %ay in be% in his own f$at. <6o.< 6e&i$$e' surprising$y' %i%n;t act as if he were surprise%. <4 sti$$ ha&en;t %eci%e% if 4;" going to go or not.< <0ea$$y=< 0on as#e%' surprising e&en hi"se$f. 4t "ust be the %rin#' he thought wry$y' because nor"a$$y he wou$%n;t care what anyone e$se was %oing. <6o'< 6e&i$$e shoo# his hea%. <4 %on;t want to stan% aroun% a$$ %ay $istening to peop$e waff$e on about ,arry an% @inny when they ne&er e&en #new the".< 0on stare% at hi"' won%ering how he cou$% &oice the eCact thought sitting in 0on;s brain right now. <6one of the" #now that $itt$e s>uea#ing soun% that ,arry use% to "a#e right before he starte% snoring.< 6e&i$$e s"i$e%' a bit sa%$y' an% then too# a $ong pu$$ fro" his bott$e. 0on $aughe%. <1r that @inny ha% to ha&e on$y "ar"a$a%e on her toast. She hate% butter.< 6e&i$$e grinne% an% no%%e%. <0e"e"ber when ,arry use% to #ic# his co&ers off=< <Beah'< 0on chuc#$e%' <he hate% ha&ing his feet confine%D<

<Dyou cou$% a$"ost count %own to it.< <!ifteen secon%s'< 0on agree%. <,e;% be in be% fifteen secon%s an% then gi&e that huge #ic#D< <(n% ro$$ o&er an% go to s$eep.< The two "en $aughe% as the "e"ories ca"e bac# with a &engeance. <,e a$ways be$ie&e% in "e'< 6e&i$$e continue%. <Beah'< 0on sai%' fee$ing a bit o&erwhe$"e% by the re"e"brances. <(n% when he wou$% nic# ,er"ione;s ho"ewor# when the two of you were in the "i%%$e of a rowA< 0on narrowe% his eyes' trying to re"e"ber if he;% e&er seen that. <4 %i%n;t #now he %i% that.< <Beah'< 6e&i$$e chuc#$e%. <,e %i% it a$$ the ti"e. ,e;% reach right aroun% one or the other of you an% rea% as "uch as he cou$% before she;% turn bac#.< <The $itt$e bugger ne&er to$% "e that'< he "use% >uiet$y. <(t ti"esA< 6e&i$$e fa%e% out an% stare% %own at the %ar# woo%. <4 won%er' you #now' if 4 can fee$ hi".< 0on opene% his "outh to rep$y but cou$%n;t thin# of the right wor%s. There ha% on$y been a few ti"es' ear$y onD:ust after the funera$s' actua$$yDwhere 0on ha% been sure he cou$% fee$ ,arry' an% e&en @inny;s' presence. But it ha% been a $ong ti"e. <But so"eti"es'< 6e&i$$e continue% ta$#ing to his e"pty bott$e' <4 :ust get so angry that it b$oc#s e&erything e$se out.< 0on swa$$owe% thic#$y' fee$ing a bit $i#e he;% shrun# in his seat. <But 4 ho$% onto the anger' because it $ets "e fee$ so"ethingDso"ething other than sa%ness.< 0on;s throat tightene% an% he swa$$owe%' not wi$$ing to ta#e a %rin# because he #new it wou$% cho#e hi". ,e;% ne&er thought anyone cou$% spea# the wor%s in his "in% beforeD ne&er thought anyone e$se wou$% un%erstan%. F&eryone ha% pic#e% up the pieces' gone on with their $i&es. 4t fe$t $i#e such a betraya$ to %o so. <But they wou$%n;t want "e to fee$ that way'< 6e&i$$e s"i$e% sa%$y. <They wou$% want "e to be happy when 4 re"e"ber those things.< 0on cou$%n;t %o "ore than stare ahea% an% b$in# bac# the tears that gathere% in his eyes. The hea&y press of gui$t weighe% on hi". 6o "atter how "any ti"es he;% hear% "any of these sa"e things o&er the past year' it ha%n;t hit hi" >uite this way.

<1neAone ti"e' when we were $itt$e'< 0on cho#e% out' swiping angri$y at the tears that $ea#e% out of his eyes' <@inny ha% this %o$$A She hate% p$aying with %o$$s. But ?u" bought it for herA< 6e&i$$e turne% to face hi"' $istening intent$y. 0on fe$t a bit unco"fortab$e. ,e ha%n;t wi$$ing$y ta$#e% about ,arry an% @inny for "onths. <She stuffe% it away in a %rawer so"ewhere. )nti$ !re% an% @eorge foun% itA< 0on continue% his story through a thic# &oice an% "any stops an% starts. 6e&i$$e %i%n;t see" to "in%' though' as he #ept $istening. They en%e% up $aughing again at the en% an% 0on was re$ie&e% to fee$ "ore nor"a$ than he ha% in a $ong ti"e. <Bou nee% to re"e"ber the"'< 6e&i$$e sai% short$y' as he s$i% fro" his stoo$ an% p$ace a few coins on the bar. <6ot the anger' 0on' because it;s poisoning you.< Those wor%s' spo#en fro" anyone e$se' in any other way' wou$% ha&e ha% 0on up an% his fists f$ying. But tonight' fro" one of his o$%est frien%s' they struc# a chor% %eep in 0on. (n%' for :ust a "o"ent' he cou$% hear ,arry;s &oice te$$ing hi" the sa"e thing. ,e cou$%n;t %o "ore than no% his hea% as 6e&i$$e s$appe% his bac# an% si$ent$y s$ippe% out of the pub. F""a pu$$e% her bare feet up un%erneath her an% hugge% the pi$$ow she was wrappe% aroun% e&en tighter to herse$f. She watche% as ?issy g$ance% through a boC of chi$%hoo% treasures' pon%ering what to #eep an% what to bin. <4;" going to "iss you'< F""a whispere% for the hun%re%th ti"e an% gri"ace% as "ore tears ca"e to her eyes. ?issy s"i$e% sa%$y an% shrugge% one shou$%er. <4;$$ "iss you too.< The two gir$s s$ippe% into si$ent conte"p$ation' ?issy sti$$ continuing to sort her be$ongings into three pi$esG one to bin' one to $ea&e' an% one to ta#e with her when she "o&e% out on her own. F""a sighe%' her fingers going to the chain on her nec# out of habit an% p$aying with the ring that hung there. The $ast year ha% been &ery trying for her' a$though abso$ute$y won%erfu$ in ways. 3hen (nne ha% brought her to the 3i$#ins ho"e' F""a ha% a$"ost change% her "in% co"p$ete$y about staying there. Carter' the o$%est chi$% see"e% rather in%ifferent to the who$e situation. ,e was o$%er' howe&er' an% $i&e% on his own anyway. F""a shifte% unco"fortab$y at the thought of hi". ,e was won%erfu$' rea$$yG a &ery nice young "an who was goo% $oo#ing an% he$% a respectab$e :ob. But $ate$y he;% begun $oo#ing at F""a a bit %ifferent$y an% it "a%e her wary.

F""a ha% a&oi%e% boys "ost$y in the year of schoo$ she;% :ust co"p$ete%. Staring part way through the ter"' an% ha&ing no "e"ories of pre&ious schoo$' F""a ha% been at an i""e%iate %isa%&antage. @etting in&o$&e% with boys' no "atter how attracti&e they were' was so"ething that F""a %i%n;t a$$ow herse$f. Than#fu$$y' ?issy ha% been aroun%. (fter a roc#y start' she an% F""a ha% beco"e as c$ose as natura$ sisters. <Bou re"e"ber when ?u" brought you ho"e=< ?issy as#e%' unconscious$y "irroring F""a;s own thoughts. <Beah'< F""a "u"b$e%' $oo#ing %own at the chippe% po$ish on her toenai$s. 6o "atter what she %i%' she cou$% ne&er #eep it $oo#ing fresh. <4 was so scare%.< ?issy s"i$e% an% $ai% a stac# of c$othing asi%e to be store%. She s"i$e% a bit sheepish$y. <4 wasn;t &ery happy at first.< <4 cou$% te$$'< F""a no%%e%' s"i$ing fon%$y at the thought that fe$t ancient an% bran% new at the sa"e ti"e. ?issy sat %own neCt to her an% scoote% so that they were shou$%er to shou$%er a$ong the hea%boar%. <4 :ust #ept thin#ing that ?u" %i%n;t nee% another pro:ect. F&er since -a% %ie%' ?u" ha% been co$$ecting $itt$e things to %o here an% there. She trie% #nitting'< ?issy chuc#$e% an% F""a cou$% on$y guess that it ha%n;t been a pretty sight' <an% nee%$ewor#. She e&en trie% -4B.< ?issy sighe% an% nu%ge% F""a with her shou$%er. <4 thought you were :ust another of her pro:ects.< <Than#s'< F""a rep$ie% %ry$y. She suppose% that the co""ent shou$% ha&e stungG but it %i%n;t because she #new this was :ust ?issy;s way. She was b$unt an% so"eti"es hurtfu$' but ne&er on purpose. <4;" g$a% 4 was wrong.< F""a turne% an% s"i$e% at the gir$' who was a year o$%er than she was. The two $oo#e% nothing a$i#e. ?issy was ta$$er an% ha% a "uch "ore wo"an$y figure. ,er b$on% hair an% b$ue eyes capture% "ore than one "a$e stare as they wou$% wa$# %own the street. F""a was short an% tri"' with re% hair an% hi%eous frec#$es. ,er hair see"e% to be her best feature an% a $ot of peop$e co""ente% on it. <?e too'< F""a sighe% an% $ay her hea% %own on ?issy;s shou$%er. <4t;s not going to be the sa"e without you here.< <4;$$ on$y be an hour away by train.< <4 #now'< F""a sai% soft$y. <But 4;" sti$$ stuc# here.<

?issy rubbe% her han% an% no%%e%. <The offer sti$$ stan%sDyou can co"e with "e.< <4 pro"ise% (nne that 4 wou$% finish schoo$'< F""a shrugge%. 4t was trueG howe&er F""a #new that the fear of %rifting out there in such a huge wor$% he$% her bac# "ore than anything. 1ut there was where she ha% been hurt' where a huge part of her ha% gone "issingDthe year ha%n;t softene% the e%ges of that pain enough for her to go bac# out into it. She suppose% it was a bit cowar%$yG but she was safe an% content here' an% so she wou$% stay unti$ another choice was put in front of her. ?issy caught her eye an% F""a #new that she un%erstoo% a$$ the reasons' without ha&ing to say anything "ore. F""a;s han% returne% to the ring that %ang$e% fro" a go$% chain aroun% her nec#' an% she s$i% it on an% off of the tip of her finger. <Bou;$$ co"e an% see "e' yeah=< ?issy sai%' her &oice crac#ing with e"otion. <4 wi$$'< F""a sai% fir"$y. <Bou #now 4 wi$$.< <@oo%'< ?issy sai%. She han%e% o&er another boC of "e"orabi$ia an% the two gir$s began sifting through it again. !re% an% @eorge were waiting for 0on when he wa$#e% into the store. !or a "o"ent' he consi%ere% bo$ting bac# outsi%e at the sight of their %e&ious faces an% raise% eyebrows. <3hat=< he %e"an%e% after ca$cu$ating that they;% be on hi" before he cou$% "a#e his escape. <3e thin#' that it;s ti"e' $itt$e brother'< !re% starte%' "o&ing towar% hi" in a rather "enacing way. <!or you to fin% a :ob'< @eorge continue%. 0on bac#e% away' his han% auto"atica$$y going for his wan%. ,e was fair$y sure they wou$%n;t %o anything permanent to hi"' but that %i%n;t "ean he wou$%n;t suffer. <4 a$rea%y ha&e one'< he proteste%. ,e;% been wary about ta#ing the counter :ob fro" his brothers fro" the first %ay. ,owe&er' they ha%n;t as#e% >uestions or "a%e %e"an%s' rea$$y. They;% been the on$y ones in his fa"i$y to $ea&e hi" a$oneDwhich was strange in itse$f' as the twins usua$$y too# the "ic#ey out of hi" for e&erything. So"ehow' to%ay fe$t $i#e the %ay they;% heap a year;s worth on hi". <(ctua$$y'< !re% grinne%' turning to his "irror i"age <Bou %on;t'< @eorge chuc#$e%.

0on;s han% %roppe% away fro" his wan% an% his :aw fe$$ open. <BouAyou;re sac#ing "e=< <*retty "uch'< @eorge no%%e%. <4t;s ti"e for you to sprea% your wings' "y $itt$e ow$'< !re% s"ir#e%' reaching up on tiptoe to pat 0on;s hea%. <Sprea% your wings an% f$y.< <2i#e he$$'< 0on grow$e%' batting !re%;s ar" away fro" hi". <Bou can;t sac# "e. 4 ha&en;t %one anything wrong.< <(ctua$$y'< @eorge pon%ere%' stro#ing his chin as he reste% his hip against the counter' <if you ha% rea% your contract' you;% rea$i5e we can %o pretty "uchD< <(nything'< !re% finishe% with a wagg$e of his eyebrows. 0on sp$uttere% an% sta""ere% before he g$are% at the". ,e ha%n;t rea% the e"p$oy"ent contract. (t a$$. (n% they #new it because they;% watche% hi" >uic#$y sign with bare$y a scan. 0ea%ing things $i#e that ha% a$ways beenA,er"ione;s thingA <(n% what a" 4 suppose% to %o=< 0on %e"an%e%' raising his &oice in frustration an% ruff$ing his hair. <4;&e got rent to pay.< <Certain$y it can;t be too "uch'< !re% shrugge%. <Beah'< @eorge agree% with a gri"ace' <we;&e been to your p$ace' "ate. 4 wou$%n;t pay "ore than eightD< <SiC'< !re% interrupte%. <Beah' siC ga$$eons a "onth.< 0on ro$$e% his eyes an% trie% to figure out the ang$e of their pran#G because that;s what it ha% to be. <3hat is it you rea$$y want=< 0on %e"an%e%' sighing hea&i$y. ,e wasn;t in the "oo% to %ea$ with his brothers $i#e this. 6e&i$$e;s wor%s a few %ays before weighe% hea&i$y on his "in%' not a$$owing hi" to s$eep for "ore than a few hours at a ti"e. ,is appetite ha% thinne% %own to a$"ost nothing' $ea&ing hi" sur$y an% off #i$ter. !re% >uic#$y con:ure% a chair an% sett$e% onto it. <3e$$' now that;s the right >uestion.< <4t is'< @eorge no%%e% as he hoppe% up onto the sa$es counter' his $egs %ang$ing off the e%ge.

0on sighe%' ruff$e% his hair in annoyance an% shifte% in his spot. 4t was best to $et the twins ta$# when they were in a "oo% $i#e this' because' if he #ept trying to interrupt' or figure out what they wante%' he;% go "enta$. <3e want you' not to put it too b$unt$y'< !re% sai%' <to get your hea% out of your arse.< Staring wi%e eye% at his brother' 0on cou$%n;t e&en grasp onto an insu$t or %efense to hur$ bac#. So"ehow' he en%e% up sitting an% &ague$y rea$i5e% one of the" "ust ha&e con:ure% a chair. <SoA< @eorge continue%' <3e;re offering you a one+ti"e %ea$.< <-ea$=< 0on as#e% wari$y. ,e ha% no %oubts that the contract they;% s$ippe% hi" inc$u%e% so"e c$ause where they c$ai"e% ownership of his sou$Dthat wou$% be &ery $i#e the". 3hat "ore cou$% they want= Bears of hu"i$iating ser&itu%e where he wou$% test out e&ery pro%uct they in&ente% an% sub"it to intense physica$ scrutiny whi$e they stoo% by "a#ing notes= <Beah'< @eorge no%%e%. 0eaching bac# behin% hi"se$f' into the counter' he pu$$e% out a thic# sheaf of parch"ent. <Bou fi$$ these out' sub"it to so"e testsD< <See' 4 #new you;% say thatH< 0on :u"pe% forwar% in his seat. <Sit %own'< !re% %e"an%e%. ,is harsh tone shoc#e% 0on "ore than anything e$se. <4t;s not our tests' prat.< 0on;s confusion an% curiosity o&erro%e his frustration. <3hat tests=< The twins g$ance% at each other' sharing an un+na"eab$e $oo#' before @eorge too# a %eep breath. <(uror entrance eCa"s.< 1nce again' the fee$ings that ha% been his fa"i$iar co"panions for "onths now f$oo%e% hi". Betraya$' anger' grief. <4 %on;t want to be an (uror'< he state% p$ain$y' :u"ping to his feet an% "o&ing >uic#$y to the eCit. <,er"ione to$% us that you an% ,arry both ta$#e% about being (urors'< !re% state%. The %oor before 0on s>ue$che% c$ose% an% he scow$e% at it. <Bou;&e been ta$#ing to ,er"ione=< he as#e%' his fee$ings whir$ing insi%e of hi". ,e ha%n;t e&en thought ,er"ione wou$% want to spea# about hi" any"oreDnot after the way he ha% pushe% her away enough that she ha% $eft.

(n% the worst part was that 0on rea$$y ha% no i%ea what her fee$ings wereDbecause they ha%n;t e&en ha% a huge row about it. ,e;% wa$#e% out' she;% $eft. (n% things ha% :ust staye% $i#e that for "onths. ,e a$$owe% hi"se$f to on$y fee$ the intense anger an% nu"bness that ca"e with a$$+ enco"passing grief. <She ta$#s about you a$$ the ti"e'< @eorge a%"itte%' his soft &oice brea#ing through 0on;s she$$. 0on pon%ere% that for a "o"ent' his fingers reaching out to rest on the coo$ "eta$ of the %oor#nob. <3hat %oes sheD< ,e bro#e off' not sure if he wante% to #now what she thought of hi"' or what she sai% about hi". <She "isses you'< !re% sai%' <a$though 4 can;t i"agine why' you sur$y git.< <Bou ha&en;t ruine% things co"p$ete$y'< @eorge sai% as he s$i% off the counter an% too# a few steps c$oser. 0on cou$% fee$ hi" there' :ust behin%. <4A4 %on;tA< <3e #now' 0on.< @eorge c$appe% hi" on the shou$%er an% eCerte% s$ight pressure' "a#ing 0on turn aroun%. ,e gui%e% 0on bac# to the chair as &isions of ,er"ione warre% in his "in%. ,e saw her as she was in schoo$' fiery an% sure of herse$f. (n% there were ti"es' o&er the past year' that he;% sought her out' %e$iberate$y staying in the sha%ows to si$ent$y watch her. ,e;% e&en been to the ?inistry a ti"e or twoDcon&ince% he shou$% approach her before he wou$% $ose a$$ ner&e an% $ea&e. Se&era$ ti"es he;% gone to a 3eas$ey %inner an% then bac#e% away at seeing ,er"ione insi%e' $aughing an% ta#ing part in what she ha% e&ery right to be a part of. <2et;s get bac# to this %ea$'< !re% sai%' so"ewhere off in the %istance. 0on pushe% his thoughts to the si%e' afrai% that if he $et the" run wi$% they wou$% "a#e hi" brea# %own in front of his brothers. <Bou ta#e the eCa"s' an%Awhen you get accepte%' you enter training.< <4 won;t get accepte%'< 0on sai% %u$$y. <Being an (uror was a$ways ,arry;s %rea"Dhe was best at it.< !re% shoo# his hea% as if 0on was co"p$ete$y "issing the point an% @eorge grunte%' <Thic# as a p$an#' this one is.< <,arry was great at it'< !re% conce%e%. <But so were you.<

0on chewe% the insi%e of his $ipDnot con&ince%' but not in the "oo% to argue about his %ea% frien%. <Bou enter training'< @eorge continue%' <an% get your $ife in or%er.< <(n% then you go an% ta$# to ,er"ione.< 0on $eane% forwar% an% reste% his hea% in his pa$"s' $oo#ing %own at the f$oor. 4t a$$ soun%e% so si"p$e when they $iste% it $i#e that. (s if e&erything wou$% fa$$ into p$ace an% things wou$% be right again. 3ithout ,arry an% @inny' nothing fe$t right any"ore. <4;" not sure 4 can %o this'< 0on sai%' not e&en rea$i5ing that he was actua$$y consi%ering %oing what they ha% propose%. <4;" not strong enough.< <Bou were once'< @eorge sai% soft$y. <Bac# before you $et a$$ this other shite ru$e your $ife.< <Bou;re better than what you;&e a$$owe% yourse$f' 0on'< !re% sai%' sha#ing his hea% in a %isappointe% sort of way. <3here wou$% 4 $i&e=< 0on "u"b$e% %own to the f$oor. <4 can;t %o training an% ha&e a :ob too.< <Bou "o&e bac# into the f$at here'< !re% shrugge%. <4t "ay cra"p our free+whee$ing' wi$%+wo"en $ifesty$eD< 0on snorte%. The twins were "arrie% with a set of twins each. <But we;re wi$$ing to "a#e sacrifices'< @eorge a%%e% with a chuc#$e. <Bou;re fa"i$y' after a$$.< <(n% you can continue on here for a bitG put in what hours you can.< <?u" wou$% $o&e to ha&e you bac# at the Burrow'< @eorge offere%. 0on $ifte% his hea% an% peere% at the" through his thic# fringe. <Bou :ust sac#e% "e.< !re% grinne% an% shrugge% a shou$%er. <3hen ha&e you e&er ta#en us serious$y=< 0on consi%ere% this for a "inute before no%%ing. The possibi$ities warre% in his hea%. -eep insi%e' he #new that he nee%e% to change. ,e wanted to change. But %oing this' "a#ing his %rea"s co"e true' :ust soun%e% $i#e so "uch wor#. (n% he %i%n;t #now if he cou$% %o it a$one. Being an (uror ha% a$ways been what he wante%G what he and 'arry had wanted. <Can 4 thin# about it=< he tentati&e$y as#e%.

<The %ea%$ine is in two wee#s'< @eorge shrugge%. <3e;$$ gi&e you one before we pu""e$ your arse into signing the papers.< <Beah' we;$$ fi$$ out the rest for you.< !re% wagg$e% his eyebrows. 0on ha% no %oubt that they iwould/i fi$$ the" out' an% shu%%ere% s$ight$y at the thought of what they wou$% put. <4;$$ $et you #now'< he stoo% an% s$ow$y wa$#e% to the %oor' f$ic#ing his wan% at it an% si$ent$y brea#ing the sea$. <1i'< @eorge ca$$e% out' <where are you going= Bour shift is about to start.< <Bou sac#e% "e' re"e"ber'< 0on >uippe% bac# o&er his shou$%er. There was no way he was going to be ab$e to wor# to%ay' he #new. 4nstea%' the i%ea of wan%ering aroun% the ($$ey' an% perhaps fin%ing a nice sha%y spot to thin# soun%e% better. The water $appe% at the roc#y shore :ust a few "eters be$ow his feet an% Bi$$ 3eas$ey watche% it in content"ent. This was one thing he $o&e% about She$$ Cottage. 2istening to the soun% of the ocean as he fe$$ as$eep e&ery night was &ery soothing. !$eur $o&e% it a$so' an% that was a goo% thing as she ha%n;t been fu$$y con&ince% that $i&ing in Fng$an% once they;% gotten "arrie% was the best i%ea. Surprising$y' it was her that fe$$ in $o&e with the >uant $itt$e cottage an% ha% insiste% that they purchase it straight away. 0on' who was perche% on the roc# neCt to hi"' sighe% hea&i$y' %rawing his o$%est brother;s attention. <4;&e a$ways $i#e% it here'< 0on sai%. <Beah'< Bi$$ agree%. <0e"e"ber when we were growing up an% ?u" an% -a% wou$% ta#e us to @ran%"a 3eas$ey;s house=< 0on s"i$e% fon%$y an% no%%e%' tossing a s"a$$ pebb$e as far out into the wa&es as he cou$%. <4 %on;t re"e"ber "uchD"ost$y p$aying near the water an% s$eeping in the $oft of the barn.< <4 guess you were a bit s"a$$A< Bi$$ fa%e% off' tossing his own pebb$e an% watching 0on out of the corner of his eye. 0on ha% a$ways been a bit of a pu55$e to Bi$$. @rowing up' they ha% been so far apart in age. (n% Bi$$ %i%n;t rea$$y #now 0on at a$$ before he was off traipsing aroun% Fgypt. ,e on$y ha% his "other;s $etters an% a few &isits to go on when conte"p$ating his brother;s p$ace in the fa"i$y. 3hi$e he;% been a bit of a "ystery' 0on wore his persona$ity out in front' so to spea#. 4t ha%n;t ta#en Bi$$ $ong to get the genera$ i%eaDhowe&er' 0on ha% pro&e% hi" wrong ti"e

an% ti"e againG showing a %epth of fee$ing that a$ways astoun%e% an% i"presse% his o$%er sib$ings. <Things are going we$$ at the (ca%e"y=< Bi$$ as#e%' brushing %irt off of his han%s onto his :eans. 0on shrugge%' but Bi$$ cou$% see the contente% $oo# on his face. <Beah' things are goo%. 4 %i%n;t $i#e it at first.< <3hy enter then=< Bi$$ as#e%' <Besi%es the fact that !re% an% @eorge threatene% you.< 0on sighe% an% %roppe% the $ast few roc#s in his han%s' c$apping the" together before scratching the bac# of his hea%. <(t firstAwe$$' 4 %i% it :ust to ha&e so"ething to %o' rea$$y. 4 was tire% of %oing nothing.< ,e ga&e a sheepish g$ance at Bi$$' who no%%e%' un%erstan%ing the rest$ess fee$ing. <(n% thenAwe$$' it #in% of beca"e this thingAto honor ,arry' you #now.< Bi$$;s &isit to his fa"i$y :ust wee#s before 0on got his first ,ogwarts $etter ha% $eft Bi$$ with the i"pression of a $a5y' rather co%%$e% chi$% who wou$%n;t "a#e frien%s too easi$y. 6ot to say that 0on was spoi$e%Dnone of the" ha% that $uCuryDbut 0on ha% been we$$ ta#en care of growing up. The 0on that Bi$$ ha% seen %e&e$op o&er the years ha% "a%e hi" prou% to ca$$ his brother a 3eas$ey. 0on;s unwa&ering support of ,arry ha% rea$$y turne% hi" into a "an. <4 guess that;s a goo% enough "oti&ation to beginA< <Beah'< 0on "u"b$e%' pu$$ing his feet up onto the roc# in front of hi" an% then $eaning his e$bows onto his #nees. <But 4;" surprise% it;s #ept you going'< Bi$$ continue%. <Ton#s to$% "e the other %ay that you;&e been rea$$y "a#ing an i"pression o&er there.< 0on s"i$e% an% shrugge% a shou$%er. <4 guess so.< ,e ruff$e% his hair again an% then' strange$y' brushe% his han% o&er his heart before continuing. <4 starte% because of ,arry Dit;s what 4 figure% he;% want "e to %o. But once 4 got thereAthings :ust starte% to fa$$ into p$ace' 4 guess. 4 $i#e% what 4 was %oingDan% who 4;" starting to beco"e.< Bi$$ s"i$e% as the eCp$anation hit ho"e. The past year ha% been &ery har% on a$$ of the 3eas$eys. 2osing both ,arry an% @inny ha% been a b$ow that Bi$$ wasn;t sure they cou$% a$$ reco&er fro". ,owe&er' 0on wasn;t the one that Bi$$ ha% picture% brea#ing %own co"p$ete$y. ,e;% he$% e&erything together a$$ through the funera$sDon$y to $ose it co"p$ete$y wee#s $ater. <4;" g$a% you;&e foun% your own p$ace in it then'< Bi$$ sai% soft$y. <,onoring ,arry is greatA<

<Beah'< 0on sighe%' brushing his chest again. <0on'< Bi$$ bro#e in' <that;s the secon% ti"e 4;&e seen you touch your chest. -i% you get hurt=< 0on;s face f$ushe% %eep re% an% Bi$$;s eyebrows rose. 3hat on earth cou$% he be that e"barrasse% about= <6+no'< he sta""ere%' sha#ing his hea%. <4;" fine.< Bi$$;s eyes narrowe% at the $ie. Being the o$%est' Bi$$ cou$% probab$y spot a $ie fro" one of his brothers a$"ost as fast as their parents cou$%. (n% 0on ha% ne&er hi%%en things we$$. <0ight. 6ow pu$$ the other oneA< <Bi$$D< 0on warne%. <Show "e.< 0on sighe% an% Bi$$ cou$% see the war going on insi%e of hi". F&entua$$y' his han% "o&e% to e%ge of his Chu%$ey Cannons' f$uorescent orange' t+shirt an% he shuc#e% it off. @ri"acing "ust a bit' 0on turne% his bo%y to face Bi$$' whi$e $oo#ing anywhere but his brother. <,o$y ?er$in'< Bi$$ sighe%' s$ipping off of his roc# to s>uat neCt to 0on' peering at the co$orfu$ picture on his chest. Two ,ungarian ,orntai$s' one a bri$$iant green an% the other a &ibrant re%' were etche% into the s#in o&er 0on;s heart. The two %ragons nu55$e% each other an% pawe% at the groun% rest$ess$y. <4 got it the %ay 4 got accepte% into the (ca%e"y'< 0on sai%' his &oice hoarse an% brea#ing. ,e shi&ere% :ust a bit an% goosepi"p$es bro#e out on his forear"s fro" the coo$' sa$ty spray of the ocean. (n%' su%%en$y' Bi$$ un%erstoo%. This was 0on;s tribute to ,arry an% @inny. The ta$e of ,arry;s suppose% %ragon tattoo ha% been a painfu$' but funny' :o#e throughout the fa"i$y e&er since 0on ha% "entione% @inny;s re"ar#. <(n% the other one is @inny=< Bi$$ as#e%' ta#ing in e&ery %etai$ of the "agnificent scene %one in "iniature. <Beah'< 0on no%%e%' g$ancing fon%$y %own at his chest. The re% %ragon shifte%' sta"ping her feet an% b$owing a tiny :et of fire. The green %ragon' his sca$es a$"ost ripp$ing in the bright afternoon sun' wrappe% his nec# aroun% the re% %ragon an% they caresse% each other for a "o"ent. <4 thought it fit.<

Bi$$ pu$$e% bac#' his throat fee$ing thic#. <4t %oes.< 0on pu$$e% his shirt bac# o&er his hea% an% ar"s' fi%geting in his p$ace. <-on;t te$$ ?u"' yeah= 1r the twins.< Bi$$ no%%e%' not eCact$y sure what he shou$% say. ,e was sti$$ conte"p$ating the two %ragons etche% in his brother;s s#in when 0on c$eare% his throat again. <4 nee% your a%&ice' Bi$$. 4 thought with you being "arrie% an% a$$' 4 shou$% probab$y ta$# to you. (n% the twins wou$% ne&er gi&e "e rea$ a%&ice.< <(bout what=< Bi$$ as#e%' his curiosity pea#e% now. 0on g$ance% at hi" an% then bac# out to sea. <4 want to get ,er"ione bac#.< The s$ow s"i$e that sprea% o&er Bi$$;s face sprea% out through his bo%y. (n%' su%%en$y' the chi$$y sea air %i%n;t see" to penetrate hi" any %eeper. 0on was starting to co"e ho"e. The sun$ight shone through the win%ow an% into the roo"' $ighting up the corner of her pristine %es# an% "a#ing the %ancing %ust "ites g$ow in the bea". )nfortunate$y' ,er"ione sighe%' it wasn;t rea$. ,er office at the ?inistry was f$oors be$ow the surface. ?agica$ ?aintenance "ust ha&e gotten the pay increase they ha% been ang$ing forG a$$ of the win%ows ha% shown on$y the brightest an% best weather. (t $east it wasn;t as %reary an% wet as the 1ctober s#ies outsi%e' she appease% herse$f. ,er"ione hate% the %ying fa$$. To her' it see"e% the worst season of the year. 4t was too co$% for anything to grow' but not >uite snow weather. The s#e$eta$ branches of the trees surroun%ing her parent;s house cast eerie sha%ows on the brown gar%en an% the %ea% f$owers sti$$ in the be%s "a%e her ineCp$icab$y sa%. The co$%er weather now "eant $onger %ays at wor#Dboth co"ing an% going in the ha$f+ $it %ay. 4t wasn;t the wor# that bothere% ,er"ioneG because she re&e$e% in it. ,er ti"e in the 2aw -i&ision ha% been &ery we$$ spent an% the progress that the ?inistry was "a#ing was a &ery fu$fi$$ing sight. ( few of ,er"ione;s pet pro:ects ha% been we$$ recei&e%' whi$e others were sti$$ ta#ing a fair bit of con&incing to get "o"entu" behin% the". The $atest 3erewo$f $egis$ation wasn;t eCact$y what she an% 0e"us 2upin ha% been pushing for' but it see"e% to pacify both si%es for the "o"ent. .ust as har%' if not worse' was the bi$$ for ,ouse F$f 0ights that ,er"ione was now researching.

But' her superiors ha% assure% her that they ha% faith in her an% that if she #ept up the pace that she;% set o&er the past year' ,er"ione wou$% be ,ea% of the %epart"ent in $ess than ten year;s ti"e. 4t wou$% be a recor%. (n% whi$e she;% s"i$e% an% gone a$ong with their bac# pats an% congratu$ations' insi%e she ha% been fa$$ing apart. ,er wor# was the on$y thing she ha% to #eep her going' rea$$y. Fight "onths. She ha% "o&e% out of the Burrow an% into her parents; ho"e again eight "onths ago. (n% 0on ha%n;t co"e to her since. They;% seen each other se&era$ ti"es since. They;% e&en spent a few &ery aw#war% "ea$s at the 3eas$ey ho"e unti$ 0on wou$%' in&ariab$y' eCcuse hi"se$f an% %isappear. (n% there ha% been ti"es' se&era$ in fact' where ,er"ione ha% been sure he was aroun%. Those few "o"ents' she wou$% c$ose her eyes an% wi$$ hi" the courage to approach her. But he ne&er %i%. ,er"ione wasn;t e&en sure she #new what to say to hi" if he e&er %i% co"e to her. She sti$$ $o&e% hi"G that she #new for sure. But un$ess he too# so"e significant steps to "a#e the changes in his $ife that nee%e% to be "a%eA She shoo# those thoughts right out of her hea%. 4n the beginning' ,er"ione ha% $ie% to herse$f' pro"ising herse$f that she wou$% wait fore&er for 0on. 3ee#s passe% an% her patience he$% strong. (fter a$$' 0on was grie&ing not on$y his best "ate' but his younger sister as we$$. ,er"ione ha% waite% years for hi" to see what was in front of his face. She cou$% gi&e hi" a bit $onger. Christ"as passe% an% ,er"ione was %e&astate% when 0on on$y appeare% for an hour or two' co"p$ete$y a&oi%ing any roo" she was inDe&en to the point of $ea&ing if she entere%. 1n Ea$entine;s -ay' Terry Boot' who wor#e% in the sa"e office as she %i%' as#e% her out. She ha% ta#en a sha#y breath an% run to the $oo before co"posing herse$f enough to te$$ hi" that she wasn;t intereste%. 3ee#s beca"e "onths an% ,er"ione;s reso$&e wea#ene%. Terry was beco"ing "ore an% "ore persistent' e&en though she ha% eCp$aine% her re$uctance to accept his %inner in&itations. ,e was ne&er ru%e or pushy' than# ?er$in' but his %eter"ination showe% "ore an% "ore with each re:ection. 4n ?ay' she ha% fina$$y gi&en in an% accepte% his offer of a stro$$ through the 6atura$ ,istory ?useu" an% %inner afterwar%s. (n% it ha% been p$easant' wa$#ing through the eChibits an% ta$#ing with Terry about the e%ucationa$ aspects of e&erything. But ,er"ione cou$%n;t stop herse$f fro" thin#ing of 0on;s reaction e&ery ti"e Terry pointe% out so"ething that see"e% to fascinate hi". 6o %ate with 0on wou$% ha&e e&er been as structure%Das %ea% %u$$Das that one ha% been.

(fterwar%s' ,er"ione ha% honest$y to$% Terry that she sti$$ %i%n;t thin# she was rea%y to %ate. She too# pri%e in the fact that she ha% been co"p$ete$y truthfu$ with hi" fro" the beginning. (n% Terry' b$ess hi"' ha% bac#e% off. ,e sti$$ "a%e it a point to %o nice things for her' bring her s"a$$ f$owers' ho$% %oors' an% inc$u%ing her in %iscussions %uring teati"e' but he was respecting her wishes regar%ing her %ating $ife. ,er"ione g$ance% at the wristwatch she wore an% no%%e% in satisfaction. She sti$$ ha% ti"e to stop at ho"e before "eeting 0e"us an% Ton#s for %inner. She was eCcite% to see $itt$e 1rion again. 4t see"e% that the baby change% so "uch between &isits that it was $i#e "eeting a who$e %ifferent person e&ery ti"e you saw her. She tuc#e% away her current research with a sigh an% "ar#e% another %ay off on her sche%u$e. 4n two %ays she was ha&ing $unch with 2una' she re"e"bere%. She wou$% %efinite$y nee% to "a#e sure she bree5e% through the $atest 9uibb$er e%itions so that she wou$% be we$$ &erse% in whate&er 2una "ight ta$# about. The pub$ication see"e% a bit too si$$y to so"eone as straight "in%e% as ,er"ione' yet 2una was sti$$ her frien%. ,er"ione bi% goo%bye to her fe$$ow wor#ers' b$ushing a bit when Terry wa$#e% her to the %oor. 4"pu$si&e$y' ,er"ione presse% a fast #iss to his chee# before stepping out into the ha$$way. She too# a %eep breath an% chi%e% herse$f for f$ushing at the action. 3hy shou$%n;t she be po$ite to so"eone who ob&ious$y $i#e% her= Because he;s not 0on' her traitorous "in% >uippe% bac#. ;3e$$' 0on;s not here now' is he=; she fir"$y state% to herse$f. *ercy was in the $ift' :ust $ea&ing for the %ay as we$$. They eCchange% p$easant greetings an% chuc#$e% o&er &arious happenings in the fa"i$y before casua$$y wa$#ing towar% the (pparition point. <Ayou;$$ be there for Sun%ay;s %inner=< ,er"ione "isse% "ost of *ercy;s >uestion because' there' stan%ing in the (triu" was 0on. ,er heart s#ippe% a beat as she stu%ie% his appearance' which was %ra"atica$$y %ifferent than she;% seen in >uite so"e ti"e. ,is hair was neat$y tri""e% an% short. ,is face was free of stubb$e' or e&en the bear% he;% atte"pte% to grow %uring the winter. There were no %ar# rings circ$ing his eyes' betraying his $ac# of s$eepingG those eyes' so bright an% b$ue' were c$ear an% bright as they $oo#e% right at her. Start$ing$y' he was a$so wearing the na&y b$ue robes that were seen on (uror trainees.

<;$o' ,er"ione'< he greete%. <*ercy'< he no%%e% to his brother. ,er"ione' who ha% forgotten a$$ about the other 3eas$ey stan%ing neCt to her' g$ance% o&er at hi" to see hi" win# an% gi&e a wi%e s"i$e to her. <0on'< he no%%e% in return. <4;$$ see you both on Sun%ay e&ening.< ,er"ione shifte% about' unco"fortab$e in the si$ence. <Bou $oo# nice'< 0on co"p$i"ente%. ,e see"e% entire$y unaware of the crow%s of peop$e "i$$ing aroun% the"' "a#ing their way to the eCits for the en% of the wor#%ay. <Than# you'< she sai% to the f$oor. <BouAyou %o as we$$.< She g$ance% up an% saw his ears re%%en :ust a bit. <4 ha%n;t hear% that you were with the (urors now.< ,e no%%e%' his eyes ne&er $ea&ing hers. <Beah. 4 starte% a few "onths ago.< ,er"ione narrowe% her eyes an% trie% to un%erstan% why she ha%n;t #nown that. )sua$$y the 3eas$eys were &ery &oca$ on up%ating her of what 0on was %oing. <4 as#e% the" not to say anything'< he sai% >uiet$y' answering her unas#e% >uestion. !a"i$iarity began to creep bac# in an% ,er"ione foun% herse$f fighting it' irrationa$ as it was. 4t shou$%n;t be this easy to fee$ those burie% fee$ings stir. Those eight "onths apart shou$% "a#e it har%erDas har% as the unsai% wor%s between the". <3hy=< she as#e%. (nger bubb$e% a$ong with e"otiona$ eChaustionDwarring for %o"inance. 0on shrugge% a shou$%er an% g$ance% at a group of wo"en who gigg$e% an% wa$#e% hurrie%$y away. <4 guess 4 :ust wante% to te$$ you "yse$f.< ,er"ione sighe% an% no%%e%. She cou$% un%erstan% that' but she fe$t a bitAa"bushe% by this. ,ow "any peop$e ha% #nown what was going on in 0on;s $ife an% ha%n;t to$% her= (n% why ha% she been co"p$ete$y re$egate% to the en% of the $ist. <4 :ust wante% so"e ti"e'< he continue%' <to get things in or%er before 4 ta$#e% to you.< ,er :aw c$enche% an% she g$ance% aroun% at the e&er+growing crow%. <0onAcou$% we' er"' ta#e this so"ep$ace e$se=< Through the faces' ,er"ione #new that she cou$% fee$ Terry;s eyes on her. (t once she was re$ie&e% an% e"barrasse%. 0on see"e% to ha&e :ust rea$i5e% how "any peop$e were actua$$y $istening in an% no%%e% aw#war%$y. <The 2ea#y Cau$%ron=< he as#e%. ,er"ione no%%e%' re$ie&e% that he ha% suggeste% so"ewhere pub$ic. She wasn;t sure what she;% ha&e sai% if he;% suggeste% his f$at. <Sure.<

They f$ooe% straight into the pub an% To" wa&e% the" to the bac# roo". ,er"ione peere% at 0on suspicious$y' an% watche% as his ears f$a"e. 4t appeare% as if 0on ha% "a%e arrange"ents to reser&e the roo". <0ather sure 4;% co"e with you' weren;t you=< ,is s"i$e was s$ow an% co"p$ete$y croo#e%. ,e shrugge%' <4 figure% it was worth the chance.< ,er"ione no%%e%' a bit f$attere% at the confi%ence that he was showing. This was so un$i#e the 0on she;% #nown "uch of her $ife. <3hat wou$% you $i#e=< he as#e%' no%%ing towar% the bar' which she cou$% :ust see outsi%e the %oor. <1h'< ,er"ione gri"ace%' <actua$$y' 4 can;t stay $ong.< 0on;s face fe$$ an% he no%%e% :er#i$y. She cou$%n;t >uite rea% his eCpression' but she guesse% it bor%ere% on resignation. <4;" suppose% to ha&e %inner with 0e"us an% Ton#s.< They stoo% in aw#war% si$ence for a "inute before ,er"ione sighe%. <But 4 ha&e ti"e for a %rin#.< She fe$t a bit si$$y for "a#ing the first concession' but it see"e% as if 0on ha% actua$$y put so"e wor# into this "eeting. ( $ot' if his appearance sai% anything. <1#ay'< he "u"b$e% with a hesitant s"i$e. 1nce he ha% returne% with their %rin#s' he sat across fro" her' unco"fortab$y shifting in his seat. <4 :ust wante% to see how you were'< he starte%' his ears f$a"ing. <(n%Asee you again.< <4t has been awhi$e'< she conce%e%' sipping at her %rin#. 0on no%%e%. <Too $ong.< ,er"ione sighe% an% rubbe% her forehea%. She rea$$y wasn;t prepare% to %o this to%ay. 3hene&er she;% picture% this "o"ent' she;% been so "uch "oreAca$" an% se$f+assure. ($though she %efinite$y ha%n;t picture% hi" $oo#ing >uite this togetherAor' if she were honest' co"p$ete$y attracti&eDwhich cou$% account for her fee$ings of being off+#i$ter. <Fight "onths'< she no%%e%. <Bou ha&en;t spo#en to "e proper$y in eight "onths.< 0on wince% an% set his %rin# bac# %own on the tab$e' his fingers fi%geting. <4 #now'< he sai% >uiet$y. <(n% 4;" not sure if you can e&er forgi&e "e for that.< <4s that what you want= !orgi&eness=< The wor%s ca"e out harsher than ,er"ione inten%e% an% she sco$%e% herse$f. )n%erneath it a$$' she ha% #nown why 0on was pushing her away. She ha% "a%e the conscious %ecision not to go after hi" an% to a$$ow hi" space without her pushing hi" into a re$ationship. That %i%n;t "ean there was any $ess hurt when he ha% wa$#e% away' :ust that ,er"ione ha% spent hours %issecting each an% e&ery "o"ent fro" the !ina$ Batt$e unti$ the brea#up' an% she thought she un%erstoo%.

(w#war%$y' 0on shrugge%. <4 ha&e no right to as# you for anything.< <ButD< <But 4 wou$% $i#e that'< he continue%' his eyes "eeting hers p$ain$y. She;% a$ways been ab$e to rea% hi" fair$y we$$' she thought. (n% those eyes to%ay were as c$ear an% honest as she e&er re"e"bere% the" being. <4 a$soA4 want to say than# you.< ,e see"e% re$ie&e% when she sat bac# in her chair. She cou$% wait for hi" to finish. <!or not pushing. 4 #now 4 hurt you' an% 4;" sorry for that. ,urt was a$$ 4 #new how to fee$ for a $ong ti"e.< <(n% now=< she as#e% >uiet$y' her fingers twisting in her $ap for $uc#' as she;% %one when she was $itt$e an% ha% been hoping for a "irac$e. 0on sighe% an% s"i$e%' a bit sa%$y. <Too# "e a $ong ti"e'< he shrugge%. <But 4 thin# 4;" on the right roa% now. 4;&e :oine% the (urors.< ,e ga&e a prou% s"i$e that fa%e% :ust a bit when she %i%n;t respon%. <4t;s not easy. !ifteen hour %ays so"eti"esD$oa%s "ore coursewor#.< She ha% the instant %esire to as# hi" how he was %oing in those coursesDa throwbac# to ,ogwarts %ays' she guesse%' when she wou$% chec# his an% ,arry;s ho"ewor# for the" Dbut she resiste%. <4 wasn;t sure 4;% $i#e it'< he shrugge%. <4;% a$ways gone a$ong with ,arry' you #now' when he sai% he wante% to be an (uror.< She notice% the s$ight hesitation in his &oice when he "entione% ,arry;s na"e' but at $east he was ta$#ing about their frien% now. ,e ha% rare$y "entione% hi" before. <But 4 %o $i#e it.< <That;s goo%'< she sai% >uiet$y. There were so "any >uestions she wante% to as#: what about his fa"i$y' how was he %ea$ing with the grief' what %i% his training entai$A ,er "in% whir$e%' trying to fin% the right one to as#. <,a&e you seen your parents=< She fina$$y sett$e% on one' #nowing that she nee%e% the answer to this. 6eCt to her' ?o$$y an% (rthur ha% ta#en 0on;s %ar# attitu%e &ery har%. She suppose% that' as his parents' they b$a"e% the"se$&es for $etting hi" %own' for not %oing enough. 0on no%%e%' his s"i$e wi%ening. <4 ha&e.< ( f$ash of irritation spar#e% insi%e her. <(" 4 the $ast you;&e co"e to see=< ,e shifte% gui$ti$y an% shrugge%. <4 thought that wou$% be best. 4 %i%n;t want you to see "e unti$ 4;% gotten "y $ife bac# together. ?aybe 4 shou$% ha&e co"e to you first' "aybe 4 shou$% ha&e as#e% for your he$p. But you;&e a$ways been the one to pic# up the pieces for "e. Bou were a$ways the one 4 ca"e to when so"ething went wrong. (n%A4 nee%e% to fiC this on "y own.<

,er"ione;s heart twiste%. This "an before her certain$y wasn;t the "an she;% been in $o&e with for years. 6oDhe was so "uch better. 6ow that he;% gotten a han%$e on the pain an% grief of $osing two peop$e so %ear to hi"' he;% a$$owe% hi"se$f to "ature an% grow into the "an that he was going to be. <4 want another chance' ,er"ione'< he whispere% fer&ent$y. <4 #now 4 %on;t %eser&e one' but 4 want one.< Two parts of ,er"ione steppe% forwar%Done %e"an%ing that she #iss hi" right now' te$$ hi" a$$ was forgi&en' an% one' the "ore sensib$e' ,er"ione+$i#e &oice' instructing her to ca$" her racing heart an% to ta#e things one step at a ti"e. <4 thin#'< she starte% an% then stoppe% to c$ear the e"otion fro" her &oice. <4 thin# 4;% $i#e to ta$# so"e "ore an% see where we are.< ,is face fe$$ "o"entari$y before he shore% it up an% no%%e%. <4;% $i#e that.< <?aybe we can ha&e $unch.< <1r %inner'< he suggeste% with a no%. ,er"ione;s s"i$e cou$%n;t be he$% bac# as an i%ea ca"e to her. <1r %inner'< she no%%e%. <4n fact' there;s a %inner Sun%ay at the Burrow.< <3e cou$% go together'< he suggeste%' stea$ing the wor%s fro" her. So"ehow' though' it soun%e% better co"ing fro" hi". <1#ay'< she sai% >uiet$y. <4;% $i#e that.< -raco brushe% the $ape$s of his fine robes' a%"iring the fit of the" in the "irror. Bes' these wou$% %o :ust fine. ,e no%%e% to the young witch stan%ing behin% hi"' her "easuring tape now $i"p$y %rape% o&er her shou$%er. .ust to see her b$ush' he ga&e her a >uic# win# an% his f$irtatious s"i$e. <4 "ight nee% so"e new trousers as we$$'< he sai% $a5i$y' watching as her chee#s f$a"e% an% she gigg$e%. This was a &ery si$$y ga"e' he #new. She cou$%n;t be "ore than eighteen' rea$$y. But he :ust cou$%n;t stop p$aying. Sa%$y' he #new he %i%n;t ha&e ti"e to%ay to show this $itt$e gir$ a$$ about ?a$foy "agnetis". ,e ha% an appoint"entDone that he was $oathe to #eep' but was ob$igate% to nonethe$ess. (fter a$$' it wou$% %o nothing but further his p$ans. <)nfortunate$y'< he %raw$e%' <4;$$ ha&e to co"e bac# another %ay to get the".< ,e s$ippe% his ar"s out of the robe an% he$% it out on his finger for the gir$ to ta#e. She g$a%$y accepte% the"' batting her eyes at hi".

<4 wor# again Thurs%ay'< she whispere% in a surprising$y se$f+assure% &oice as she brushe% past hi" again. -raco;s eyebrows shot up an%' %espite hi"se$f' he was i"presse%. ,e;% not rea$$y consi%ere% her for "ore than a sha"e$ess $itt$e f$irtDbut "aybe he ha% "is:u%ge%. Thurs%ayAthat "ight wor#. ,e;% ha&e to "a#e his eCcuses with (storia' but she wou$%n;t #now the %ifference. <4;$$ #eep that in "in%'< he grinne%' $etting his eyes s$i%e up an% %own the gir$;s cur&es' appreciating the tight fit of the robes near the top. Ten "inutes $ater' he was stro$$ing %own the "i%%$e of -iagon ($$ey' his new robes ha&ing been retrie&e% by his ,ouse F$f. 1ut of habit "ore than anything' he crosse% the ($$ey a few shops before that garish$y %rea%fu$ 3eas$ey;s store an% continue% on swift$y' har%$y sparing the %istastefu$ p$ace a g$ance. ,e was eCtre"e$y irritate% when' arri&ing fashionab$y $ate' he was entire$y a$one in the pri&ate bac# roo" of the 2ea#y Cau$%ron. ?eeting here was certain$y not his choice. 4t was far too pub$ic for hi". 6o %oubt the (urors #ept a c$ose eye on the acti&ity in hereD that snoop To" po#e% aroun% enough to be an infor"ant of so"e sort. The first g$ass of re% wine that he or%ere% %i% $itt$e to ease his ner&es' but the secon% he$pe%. ,e %i%n;t e&en f$inch when she wa$#e% in' her poison s"i$e sprea%ing wi%er at the sight of his e"pty gob$ets. <?r. ?a$foy'< she greete%. -raco s$i% hi"se$f to the e%ge of the chair an% stoo%' straightening his robes. <?iss S#eeter'< he no%%e%. <4 wou$% ha&e thought that you wou$% ha&e been "ore po$ite' seeing as 4 infor"e% you that 4 ha% to arrange "y sche%u$e to "eet you.< ,e ha%' in truth' "o&e% his afternoon nap two hours $ater to acco""o%ate the "eeting. But $et her thin# she ha% interrupte% so"ething "uch "ore &ita$. <4 apo$ogi5e' ?r. ?a$foyD"ay 4 ca$$ you -raco=< ,er tone be$ie% her wor%s an% she san# %own into the seat opposite hi"' her aci%+green >ui$$ propping itse$f neCt to her. <Bou "ay not'< -raco %raw$e% as he rearrange% hi"se$f. ,e was ha$f te"pte% to wa$# out nowDthe utterAinso$ence of the situation affronting hi". ,owe&er' #nowing S#eeter;s reputation an% ha&ing been tippe% off to what she actua$$y wante% fro" hi"' he ignore% the insu$t an% si$ent$y consente% to her >uestions. (s she $ai% out the p$ans for her upco"ing boo# about ,arry *otter' -raco stu%ie% the wo"an. !ro" what he un%erstoo%' she ha% :ust been re$ease% fro" siC "onths in (5#aban for being an unregistere% (ni"agus. 1f course' -raco ha% #nown that since he was fourteen. But he wasn;t sure who ha% turne% her in to the ?inistryDso"eone who

she ha% crosse% with her sa$acious stories' or so"e %o+goo%er who ha% stu"b$e% upon the truth. <3hat 4 want fro" you' ?r. ?a$foy' is your i"pressionsAwhat you re"e"ber fro" the !ina$ Batt$e.< Eeno" %rippe% fro" her wor%s an% -raco cou$%n;t he$p but s"i$e as his opportunity opene% up wi%e. <3e$$'< he scow$e%' <4 %on;t $i#e to spea# i$$ of the %ea%A< .ac# shi&ere% in the coo$ spring bree5e. The past winter ha% been eCtre"e$y tough for hi"De&en worse than the first winter after the hospita$. (t $east he;% ha% so"ewhere to go then. This winter ha% been spent hu%%$e% un%er bri%ges' crow%e% into aban%one% bui$%ings an% pu$$e% up tight to strangers' :ust to share their war"th. The thic# coat that -octor 3i$ban#s ha% gi&en hi" was $ong gone' gi&en to a young boy who was "ore a$one in the wor$% than e&en .ac# ha% e&er fe$t. That ha% been when he thought things were $oo#ing up. Then a string of :obs that he cou$%n;t ho$% on to ca"e a$ong. 1ne thing or another conspire% against hi" an% .ac# %eci%e% that the uni&erse si"p$y hate% hi". ,e nee%e% to fin% so"ething to eat' an% a war"er p$ace to s$eep tonight. ,e $eane% bac# against the bric# bui$%ing' soa#ing the war"th of the %ay fro" it. .ac# hate% stea$ing' but it $oo#e% as if he %i%n;t ha&e "uch choice. ,e ease% out into the nor"a$ f$ow of foot traffic a$ong the si%ewa$#. The city center was &ery busy %uring the "i%%$e of the %ay an% he shou$% be ab$e to snatch a shopping bag or e&en a wa$$et an% s$ip into the crow% >uic#$y. ,ating hi"se$f :ust a bit "ore' .ac# began to scan the crow% as they stoppe% at the pe$ican crossing. Se&era$ possibi$ities presente% the"se$&es. .ust in front of hi"' to the si%e a bit' was a wo"an carrying a han%bag $oose$y in her han% whi$e she chatte% with the wo"an neCt to her. .ac# cou$% easi$y nic# the bag an% %isappear. The on$y thing ho$%ing hi" bac# was the worn we%%ing ring on her finger. 4t g$inte% at hi" an% "a%e his sto"ach churn. This wo"an ha% a fa"i$y she was fee%ing. .ac#;s ga5e "o&e% on. (nother possibi$ity presente% itse$f' howe&er' when a "an in an eCpensi&e suit starte% ta$#ing $ou%$y on his "obi$e. .ac# s$i% c$oser to hi"' ignoring the boring con&ersation about financia$ "atters' an% stu%ie% the "an. 6o we%%ing ring' not e&en a pa$e strip of s#in there. That "ost $i#e$y "eant no fa"i$y at ho"e. .ac# a$"ost bit through his $ip when the "an re"o&e% his wa$$et fro" his poc#et an% g$ance% insi%e it >uic#$y before sho&ing it hapha5ar%$y bac#. .ac# cou$% sti$$ see the corner of the $eather as the crossing $ight change% an% the crow% began to her% across the street.

9uic#$y' .ac# pic#e% up his pace to "atch the "an;s. Seeing his opportunity as the crossing crow% narrowe%' he surge% ahea%' bu"ping into the "an in a way that "a%e it $oo# $i#e he ha% trippe%. <Sorry'< he "u"b$e%' continuing on' his hea% he$% %own an% his han% fir"$y ho$%ing the "an;s wa$$et in his own poc#et. ,e continue% on past a few storefronts before %uc#ing into a %ar# a$$eyway. @$ancing aroun%' .ac# pu$$e% out the wa$$et an% gaspe% at the we%ge of twenties insi%e. ,e cou$% eat for "onths on that a"ount' an% perhaps get a new :u"per an% trousers. 0e$ief f$oo%e% hi"' as we$$ as an i$$ness born of ha&ing to $i&e as he %i%G nic#ing "i$# off of porches' eggs out of henhouses an% so"eti"es e&en c$othing off of %rying $ines wasn;t eCact$y a step up in $ife. 6either was being a pic#poc#et. .ac# sighe% an% stuffe% the wa$$et %eep into his poc#etDhe wasn;t the on$y thief aroun% Dbefore he turne% on his hee$ to $ea&e the a$$ey. ,e s$i% to a stop' howe&er' as the ca$cu$ating eyes of the "an watching hi" f$ashe%. 6ot wanting another run in with the coppers' .ac# bo$te% %own the a$$ey' %o%ging $eft an% right to sha#e the "an. )nfortunate$y' he;% ne&er been in this particu$ar a$$ey before an% he ca"e up to a %ea% stop. .ac# reache% behin% hi" an% pu$$e% his #nife out' s>uaring hi"se$f as he;% $earne% o&er the years. The "an' who ha% #ept up with hi" we$$' he$% out his han%s in supp$ication. <4;" not going to hurt you.< -ere# @raeber watche% as the crow%s ebbe% an% f$owe% a$ong the si%ewa$#s' co"ing an% going throughout the %ay. ,e;% rare$y seen this "any peop$e a$$ at once' ha&ing grown up in a re$ati&e$y iso$ate% area. There were a few trips to 2on%on whi$e growing up' but it was %ifferent to be out on his own now. ,e cou$% ha&e gone to 1Cfor% or Ca"bri%ge. But they %i%n;t interest hi" as "uch as the other )ni;s %i%. There was :ust so "uchApo"p an% circu"stance with the other two. ,is "other ha% near$y %ie% when -ere# ha% to$% the" he was "o&ing to ?anchester to atten% )ni&ersity. ,is father ha% :ust stare% at hi"' "u"b$e% so"ething about waste% opportunities an% thrown up his han%s at the who$e %ea$. They :ust %i%n;t un%erstan% how -ere#' put through a$$ the best pub$ic schoo$s' cou$% sett$e for what they consi%ere% a $esser e%ucation. But to hi"' the rea$ e%ucation was in $i&ing $ife. 4t was in watching the crow%s in front of hi"' in the way that peop$e interacte% with each other an% the way the rea$ wor$% wor#e%. Boo# $earning cou$% on$y get you so far' he thought.

Ta#e the crow% stan%ing in front of hi" now' as he sippe% at his cup of o&erprice% coffee. There were business"en on their "obi$es' possib$y out for tea an% then bac# to the office. There were posh $a%ies' their ar"s $a%en with shopping bags an% their fancy c$othing. ($ongsi%e the" were the e&ery%ay wor#ers' post"en' $aborersAthe usua$ "iC. Seeing the" a$$ "ing$ing together was a stu%y in rea$ $ife' -ere# thought. ,e watche% se&era$ groups co"e an% go across the street before one "an caught his attention. ,e was thin an% rather a&erage height with shaggy b$ac# hair an% s"u%ge% g$asses. ,e $oo#e% rather $i#e a tra"p' a$though a we$$ #ept one' at that. ,is c$othing was repaire% an% "o%erate$y c$ean' a$though &ery use%. ,e stoo% near the bac# of the crow%' "ore obser&ant than any person -ere# re"e"bere% seeing. 9uic#$y' hoping to watch the "an for a bit' -ere# finishe% his coffee an% gathere% his things' swinging his ruc#sac# onto his bac#. ,e staye% far enough away that he cou$% sti$$ see the "an c$ear$y' but not $oo# as if he were staring. The "an sho&e% his han%s %eep into his poc#ets an% g$ance% ner&ous$y aroun%. ,e "o&e% farther into the crow% an% -ere# fo$$owe%' watching as the "an si5e% up the peop$e aroun% hi". -ere# fina$$y caught on as the "an stoo% near an o$%er coup$e of $a%ies carrying hea&y han%bags. The "an;s han% ca"e out an% twitche%' as if he were about to nic# the bag. But so"ething stoppe% hi". 6ot un%erstan%ing' but thin#ing the "an "ight ha&e $ost his ner&e' -ere# fo$$owe%' fu$$y &este% in the story unfo$%ing in front of hi". The "an in the eCpensi&e suit see"e% to be the &icti" of choice. -ere# fe$t a brief stab of gui$t that he wasn;t going to stop the robbery' but pushe% it asi%e. So"ething about the b$ac#+haire% "an co"pe$$e% hi" to #eep watching. The crow% aroun% the" began to "o&e as the crossing $ight change% an% -ere# watche% in a"a5e"ent as the "an $ifte% the wa$$et without being %etecte%. -ere# wante% to $augh' :ust a bit' at the s#i$$ shownDunti$ he saw the face of the "an. (nguish an% %isgust shone c$ear$y in his bright green eyes. Fntrance% further' -ere# fo$$owe% the "an unti$ he %uc#e% into an a$$ey' hi%ing in the %ar# sha%ow of the entrance as the "an inspecte% his fin%. 0ea$i5ation began to set in as -ere# watche% the ga"ut of eCpressions that sha%e% the "an;s face. This "an ha% to be ho"e$ess' or &ery near$y' anyway. The wa% in that wa$$et was probab$y enough to fee% hi" for a $ong ti"e. The "ost stri#ing thing' howe&er' was how young he actua$$y see"e%. ,e cou$%n;t be "ore than a few years o$%er than -ere# hi"se$f. ,e was goo% $oo#ing' but wore a hea&y c$ou% of care.

-ere# starte% when the "an $oo#e% up an% caught hi" watching. The "an :u"pe% into action' an% instincti&e$y' -ere# fo$$owe%' chasing hi" %own the a$$ey. The %ea% stop ca"e faster than -ere# was pre%icting an% the "an spun' facing hi". !ear :u"pe% through hi" as a $etha$ $oo#ing #nife was pro%uce%. -ere# he$% out his han%s' trying to in%icate that his "oti&e wasn;t to hurt the "an. <4;" not going to hurt you.< The "an;s eyes %ar#ene% an% he shifte% his stance' bracing hi"se$f e&en further. <4 pro"ise'< -ere# ca$$e% out. <That was so"e ta$entD4;$$ bet he ne&er #new you $ifte% that.< <3hat %o you want=< -ere#;s face twitche% as he stoo% co"p$ete$y sti$$. There was no %oubt in his "in% that this "an wou$% %efen% hi"se$f' &io$ent$y' if pro&o#e%. <Can 4Acan 4 buy you a cuppa=< The #nife $owere% a fraction of an inch as the "an scow$e% at hi". <( what=< <( cuppa'< -ere# repeate%' wi$$ing hi"se$f to re$aC a bit. <1r so"ething to nosh.< The "an $owere% the #nife the rest of the way' but -ere# cou$% te$$ that it wou$% f$ash into action again at the s$ightest pro&ocation. <Co"e on'< he ca:o$e%. <4 :ustAyou $oo# $i#e you cou$% use a cuppa.< ,e wasn;t sure what con&ince% the "an' but he no%%e% s$ow$y' peering into -ere#;s eyes an% "a#ing hi" shi&er as if he;% been thorough$y :u%ge%. <($right'< the "an sai% fina$$y' his &oice rather harsh an% raspy. -ere# breathe% a sigh of re$ief an% gesture% bac# %own the a$$ey. The two fe$$ into an easy stri%e' far enough apart that the "an cou$% get away if he %esire%. ( bit confuse% at his own "oti&ations' -ere# searche% for so"ething to say. ,e ha$f eCpecte% the "an to bo$t once they;% reache% the busy street' but he %i%n;t. Together' they wa$#e% towar% a s"a$$' "ost$y e"pty cafK. <4;" new in town'< -ere# shrugge%. <4 cou$% use so"eone to show "e aroun%. 3hat %o you say=< A/N: 6ust a uic! note to say5yes" I !now there's no Teddy. The 9upin family was written (ust after '.:" when this story was originally started. I chose to lea%e it as I

wrote it originally. This will" no doubt" disappoint some of you" but it's what I chose to do. /aybe they'll ha%e a 'Teddy' later on in life. +)

*Chapter !*: Chapter !

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Than!s to $eb and #lla" again" for !eeping me in line with this chapter and the story as a whole. I'd lo%e to hear what you thin!. I'll be out of town for a few days" but lea%e a re%iew anyway and I'll answer them when I get bac!. Chapter ! "une 2 through "uly 2 1

The we%%ing "ar>uee too# up "ost of the entirety of the gar%en at the Burrow' stan%ing out bright white against the $uscious green of the su""er trees. 0on;s eyes trace% the e%ges of it as he fi%%$e% with his tie' his fingers fee$ing thic# an% cu"berso"e. <2et "e he$p'< 6e&i$$e insiste%' nu%ging 0on;s han%s away fro" his throat an% grinning when 0on gru"b$e%. <4 can ne&er %o these on "yse$f'< 0on eCp$aine%' staring up at the cei$ing as 6e&i$$e twiste% an% tugge% at the fabric. <,ow %i% you "anage at schoo$ then=< 6e&i$$e as#e% with a chuc#$e. <Bou a$ways ha% yours tie%.< 0on fe$t his ears heat a bit. <4 "a%e ,arry ho$% it' an% then 4 :ust s$ippe% it o&er "y hea%.<

6e&i$$e;s "o&e"ents sti$$e% for a secon% before he no%%e% fir"$y an% f$attene% out the tie against 0on;s throat. <@ran "a%e "e $earn'< he shrugge%. <4 use% to stan% in front of the "irror for hours tying an% untying gran%%a%;s o$% nec#ties.< 0on g$ance% at hi"se$f in the "irror an% was surprise% at the perfect$y tie% #not. <Than#s' 6e&.< <6o prob$e"'< 6e&i$$e shrugge% an% sat %own onto the e%ge of the be%. <So"eone wi$$ be up for us when it;s ti"e to go.< 0on no%%e% absent$y an% s$i% a finger aroun% his co$$ar' pu$$ing it away fro" the war" f$esh there. ,is o$% roo"' being at the &ery top of the Burrow' a$ways co$$ecte% a$$ the heat. Coo$ing char"s cou$% on$y %o so "uch' he;% $earne% o&er the years. 1f course' by the ti"e he;% been ab$e to %o the" hi"se$f' he;% "o&e% to his own f$at. <0on.< ,e turne% at 6e&i$$e;s soft &oice. <Beah=< 0on was re"in%e% of the once+pu%gy boy that he an% ,arry ha% "et on the train to ,ogwarts in that "o"ent. 6e&i$$e was $oo#ing %own at his po$ishe% shoes' biting his botto" $ip an% see"e% to be conte"p$ating so"ething %eep$y. <4;" not ta#ing his p$ace' you #now.< ,is heart :u"pe% into his throat. There was no nee% to as# who 6e&i$$e was ta$#ing about. They;% ha% this con&ersation when 0on ha% as#e% 6e&i$$e to stan% up for hi" at the we%%ing. <4 #now' 6e&.< 0on;s eyes returne% to the win%ow' $oo#ing beyon% the tent now to the two g$ea"ing b$ac# hea%stones he cou$% :ust "a#e out un%er the tree on the e%ge of the orchar%. 6e&i$$e :oine% hi" an% they stoo% shou$%er to shou$%er. <,e;% be happy for you both.< 0on s"i$e%' picturing ,arry;s face grinning at hi" an% probab$y co"ing up with so"e off+co$or co""ent about "arrying ,er"ione an% how he;% #nown it wou$% happen since they were a$$ twe$&e. <4 hope so'< 0on sai%' hating that his &oice hitche%. <6ot getting "e$ancho$y now' are you' $itt$e brother=< 0on ro$$e% his eyes as !re% an% @eorge wa$#e% into the roo"' i%entica$ in their $ou%' bright purp$e robes.

<,as ?u" seen what you;re p$anning on wearing to "y we%%ing=< 0on >uippe%' fee$ing the nee% to b$in# his eyes at their brightness. <3hy' of course' goo% "an'< !re% bea"e%' straightening his $ape$s. <6o she hasn;t'< he snic#ere%. <Because the two of you wou$%n;t be up here hi%ing fro" her if she ha%.< @eorge shifte% an% g$ance% aroun% gui$ti$y. <3e "ay ha&e %istracte% her a bit.< 6e&i$$e snorte% neCt to hi" an% 0on $aughe%. <(nyway'< !re% continue%. <0e"us :ust ca"e upstairs an% to$% us to get you. 4t;s ti"e.< <Ti"e to tie the #notA< @eorge grinne%. !re% snic#ere%. <.oin the wan%sA< <Shac#$e yourse$fA< <Strap on the o$% ba$$ an% chainA< <-o the %ee%.< <6o' no' brother'< !re% grinne%' <that co"es $ater.< 0on cou$% te$$' howe&er' that they both ha% p$anne% this. ,e won%ere% how "any ti"es they ha% practice%' trying to fin% :ust the right wor%s to "a#e hi" turn bright re%. 0on cou$%n;t he$p the b$ush that sprea% o&er his face. 6e&i$$e soun%e% $i#e he was cho#ing to %eath an% the twins see"e% &ery satisfie% with the"se$&es. <3e get the picture'< he state%' "o&ing towar% his brothers to usher the" out of the roo". <3e;$$ be right %own.< !re% an% @eorge $eft' >uipping %egra%ing an% "ore an% "ore sa$acious ter"s as they continue% %own the stairway. 0on c$ose% the %oor with a c$ic#. ,e s"i$e% gui$ti$y at 6e&i$$e an% shrugge%. <Sorry about that.< <4ts fine'< 6e&i$$e wai&e% it away an% "o&e% to co$$ect his outer robes fro" the e%ge of the be%. <Bou ha&e your wan%.< 0on patte% his poc#et' fee$ing the s$i" woo% there. <Beah. Bou ha&e the ring=<

<Beah'< 6e&i$$e no%%e%. ,e s"i$e% rea%i$y an% s$appe% 0on on the bac# as they opene% the %oor an% "a%e their way %own to the #itchen' where 0on;s "other wou$% no %oubt be waiting for the" i"patient$y. 3hen they passe% the $an%ing where @inny;s roo" use% to be' 0on reache% out an% ran his fingers a$ong the woo% there' thin#ing $ess about the gir$ current$y insi%e than the one who use% to $i&e there. @inny shou$% be there now' as shou$% ,arry' he$ping ,er"ione get rea%y. 4nstea%' ,er"ione ha% as#e% 2una to stan% for her. (n% 2una ha% been great' rea$$y. She;% been there for both of the" one hun%re% percent. She ha% :ust the right #nac# for "entioning so"ething entire$y absur% at a "o"ent when the tension in the roo" was too thic# to %ea$ with. 0on ha% been co"p$ete$y shoc#e% when she;% gone off on so"e tangent %uring a p$anning "eeting about so"e un#nown p$ant that wou$% "a#e a perfect centerpiece for the hea% tab$e. ,er"ione ha% on$y s"i$e% serene$y an% nu%ge% 0on' eCp$aining in a $ow whisper that 2una was on$y %oing it to re$ie&e stress an% to "a#e the" re$aC. Su%%en$y' 2una;s ti"ing an% her $o&e of the unusua$ "a%e a who$e $ot "ore sense. <-i% 2una e&er con&ince ,er"ione to a$$ow her to wear ye$$ow=< he as#e%' grinning at the thought. 6e&i$$e chuc#$e%. <6o' she fina$$y re$ente%. 4 thought ,er"ione was going to strang$e her.< <3e$$' 4;" sure o$% Ienophi$ius wi$$ show up in his proper we%%ing attire'< 0on sai%. ( fon%ness for eccentricities we$$e% up insi%e of hi". (t $east he wou$% be ab$e to $augh a few ti"es to%ay. 6e&i$$e was eCtre"e$y ner&ous about "a#ing his toast. ,e #new that his part was co"ing up soon' because the "ea$ was a$"ost o&er. 2oo#ing out o&er the crow%' strange$y' %i%n;t "a#e hi" "ore ner&ous as he;% i"agine% it wou$%. 4nstea%' seeing o$% frien%s fro" schoo$' the $arge showing of re%hea%e% 3eas$eys an% a han%fu$ of other peop$e who" he;% #nown for years' 6e&i$$e too# strength fro" their s"i$ing' content faces. ,e cou$% fee$ the parch"ent he;% written his speech %own on in the poc#et of his %ress shirt' but patte% it :ust to "a#e sure. 6e&i$$e ha% strugg$e% with what to say for wee#s. ,e;% e&en gone to *rofessor 2upinD0e"us' he sti$$ insiste% 6e&i$$e ca$$ hi"Dan% as#e% hi" to $oo# o&er what he;% written. The "an ha% rea% through it an% congratu$ate% 6e&i$$e on %oing so we$$. But now' 6e&i$$e wasn;t sure if he cou$% %e$i&er what he;% written. ,e g$ance% at 0on an% ,er"ione' thri$$e% at the entire$y content an% s"itten $oo#s on their faces. 3hen he

thought about what he shou$% sayAwhat he;% p$anne% to sayAso"ehow it :ust %i%n;t see" right. ,e continue% to thin# about it' watching the crow% in front of hi". *rofessor 2upin an% his wife' Ton#s were thereG their %aughter sitting on her "other;s $ap an% "a#ing grabs at the ca#e as her hair change% co$ors ran%o"$y. ,agri% sat in the bac# of the tent' crow%e% into a corner with so"e of the ,ogwarts professors. ,e wa&e% a "eaty han% at 6e&i$$e an% bea"e% at hi". !re% an% @eorge' he #new' were up to so"ething. That shou$% pro&e entertaining' he thought as he shu%%ere%. ,opefu$$y they;% ho$% off unti$ he was finishe% spea#ing at $east. -ean an% Sea"us were seate% at a tab$e not far away. Their attention' howe&er' was on the $ithe figure of @abrie$$e -e$acour who sat with Bi$$ an% !$eur. 6e&i$$e %i% notice' howe&er' the young wo"an stea$ing $oo#s at the two "en as we$$. ,is eyes continue% aroun% the roo" unti$ they :er#e% to rest on the far si%e of the "ar>uee. 4t was beginning to grow %ar#' the $ightning bugs g$owing in the pre+%ar# $ight out' f$itting in an% out of the gar%en. There was :ust enough $ight' howe&er' to "a#e out the two gra&estones that he an% 0on ha% been staring at ear$ier in the %ay. ,is own wor%s ca"e bac# to hi" in that "o"ent. ;4;" not rep$acing hi"A; 6o one shou$% e&er rep$ace ,arry' 6e&i$$e #new. ,e a$so #new that no one cou$%. (n% @innyAwe$$' she was her own #in% of specia$. 6e&i$$e fe$t a chi$$ rush through hi"' %espite the heat of the e&ening. ,e #new what he wante% to say. ,is ti"e ca"e a few "inutes $ater an% he stoo%' ho$%ing his sha#ing gob$et up in front of hi" an% c$earing his throat. <4 ha% this toast a$$ p$anne%' tonight. 4 was going to ta$# about how won%erfu$ 0on an% ,er"ione $oo#' an% how "uch they %eser&e to be together.< ,e g$ance% o&er to fin% both ,er"ione an% 0on watching hi"' curious $oo#s on their faces. 2una' %resse% stunning$y in pa$e pin#' ga&e hi" a $oo# that he too# on$y courage fro". So"ehow' he ha% no %oubt that she #new what he was going to say. <(n% they %o' %on;t get "e wrong'< he s"i$e%. <4 thin# it was sai% best by their best frien%' ,arry *otter.< 6e&i$$e focuse% his eyes on the bac# of the tent' i""ersing hi"se$f in the "e"ory fu$$y. <4n our siCth year' when 0on was sti$$ chasing 2a&en%er Brown aroun%'< he hear% ,er"ione huff "ighti$y neCt to hi" an% se&era$ others chuc#$e in the

roo". <(n% ,er"ione was sen%ing f$oc#s of canaries after hi"'< the twins hoote% $ou%$y an% whist$e%. 6e&i$$e %i%n;t nee% to $oo# aroun% to fee$ the heat fro" the b$ushes of the coup$e neCt to hi". <,arry sai% so"ething to "e that :ustArang true. ,e an% 4 were in the Co""on 0oo" one %ay when 0on an% ,er"ione ha% :ust ha% one of their b$a5ing rows. ;4 won%er when they;$$ rea$i5e how "uch in $o&e they are with each other'; he sai%.< 6e&i$$e chuc#$e% at the "e"ory of ,arry;s face' awash in won%er an% %isbe$ief. <3hich 4 thought was a bit ironic consi%ering how arse o&er e$bow he was o&er @inny at the ti"e.< 0ipp$es of $aughter f$ittere% through the guests. <(n% he was right'< 6e&i$$e continue%' ho$%ing his g$ass a$oft. <0on an% ,er"ione were "a%e for each other. ,arry cou$% see it thenDan% he;% %efinite$y agree that it;s about ti"e that we were a$$ here' at their we%%ing.< ,e grinne%' g$ancing bac# to see ,er"ione wipe tears away an% 0on $ean o&er to #iss her chee#' <To 0on an% ,er"ioneH< 2ater that e&ening' %ancing in 2una;s ar"s' 6e&i$$e fe$t fu$$y contente% with his %ecision to change his toast. )sing ,arry;s wor%s' not his own' to %efine 0on an% ,er"ione;s re$ationship :ust see"e% right. <4 $o&e% the toast' 6e&i$$e'< 2una sai%' her &oice sen%ing shi&ers %own his spine. <(n% 4;" sure ,arry wou$% ha&e wante% to say those wor%s if he;% been ab$e to spea# to%ay.< <Beah' if he were here'< 6e&i$$e sighe%' fee$ing the weight of their "issing frien% profoun%$y. 2una peere% at hi" through wi%e b$ue eyes. <But ,arry was here' 6e&i$$e. -on;t you fee$ hi" a$$ aroun% you=< She coc#e% her hea% thoughtfu$$y' as if $istening to so"ething 6e&i$$e cou$%n;t hear. <@inny as we$$.< ,e stare% at her' won%ering if she tru$y cou$% hear so"ething. 4t wou$%n;t be the first ti"e. ,e cou$% re"e"ber' &ery c$ear$y' she an% ,arry in the Eei$ 0oo" at the ?inistry' being ab$e to hear &oices. ,er"ione ha% attribute% it $ater to both 2una an% ,arry witnessing %eath. But 6e&i$$e ha% a$ways been ab$e to see thestra$s' :ust as they cou$%. <4 fee$ the" both aroun% "e e&ery %ay'< 2una continue%' a happy s"i$e on her face. ,er fingers brushe% the bac# of his nec# an% 6e&i$$e shi&ere%Dnot :ust fro" the sub:ect they were ta$#ing about. <4 %o so"eti"es'< he a%"itte%' pu$$ing her a $itt$e c$oser. 2una nu55$e% un%er his chin' pressing her ear o&er his heart. <(n% one %ay we;$$ see the" again.< ( contente% sigh escape% ?o$$y as she $oo#e% o&er her broo%' now gathere% for a Satur%ay "orning brea#fast at the Burrow. 4t wasn;t often that they "et on a %ay other than the first Sun%ay of the "onth. ,owe&er' se&era$ circu"stances ha% arisen that "a%e it necessary for "ore than one coup$e to "iss to"orrow;s %inner. ,a&ing brea#fast

together ha% been *ercy;s suggestion' an% ha% been e"brace% who$e+hearte%$y by e&eryone. 4t "eant that ?o$$y ha% nee%e% to get up ear$ier than she ha% for a $ong ti"e. 3ith the chi$%ren gone now' she %i%n;t fee$ the nee% to rise an% "a#e a huge "ea$ e&ery "orning. But to%ay the fry+up ha% been en:oyab$e an% brought bac# won%erfu$ "e"ories for the 3eas$ey ?atriarch. She bust$e% aroun%' refi$$ing :uice g$asses' #issing chee#s' wiping porri%ge off of tiny faces' an% genera$$y en:oying $istening to the &arie% con&ersations in the roo". <Ano' we;&e fina$$y finishe% testing that. 4t;s about rea%y to go out on the she$&esA< <A0on' 4;" :ust saying that the (urors cou$% rea$$y use so"ething $i#e thisA< <Aan% then the ?inister sai%A< <A!re%' wou$% you p$ease watch your %aughters' they :ust %u"pe% :uice a$$ o&er "y $apA< <Ano' 4 %on;t honest$y thin# that she;$$ grow up to act $i#e thatA< 1&er the hea%s of her chi$%ren' their spouses an% the siC gran%chi$%ren' ?o$$y caught her husban%;s eye an% he win#e% at her. She sighe% again an% a$$owe% herse$f to sin# into the chair that ha% a$ways been hers' %irect$y across the tab$e fro" her husban%. 1&era$$' it was an eChausting' but p$easurab$e' "ea$ with on$y two inci%ents. @eorge;s twin sons were ca$"e% an% c$eane% up of the porri%ge they;% %eci%e% to throw at 1rion' an% Eictoire was co"forte% when she crie% for attention. ?o$$y began to $e&itate %ish after %ish to the sin# when she was "et by a win%ow fu$$ of ow$s' b$in#ing their wi%e eyes at her. She gaspe% in fright an% c$aspe% her han% to her thun%ering heart. <-i%n;t the paper a$rea%y co"e=< Bi$$ "use%' his han% trai$ing o&er her shou$%ers as he "o&e% aroun% her to open the win%ow. Se&era$ ow$s f$uttere% in' %epositing ro$$e% cy$in%ers of parch"ent aroun% the tab$e. <?ust be a specia$ e%ition'< 0on sai%' through a "outhfu$ of potatoes. <1h no'< ,er"ione gaspe%. ?o$$y;s eyes went wi%e as she snatche% one of the ro$$s an% opene% it >uic#$y' her face hi%%en by her hair as she scanne% it' her hea% roc#ing si%e to si%e. <4 can;t be$ie&e she "anage% it'< 0e"us sai%' scow$ing in %istaste at his own copy of the paper.

<3hat=< ?o$$y as#e%' fee$ing a bit frantic. F&eryone see"e% engrosse% in the news. <0ita S#eeter'< Bi$$ %raw$e%. <She;s at it again.< <The o$% cow'< 0on "uttere% treacherous$y' pushing the re"nants of his brea#fast away fro" hi" is if they %isguste% hi" now. !re% c$eare% his throat an% starte% to rea% a$ou%. <,arry *otterDChosen 1ne or 6ot= -ue out neCt wee# is 0ita S#eeter;s $atest biography %etai$s the $ife of our hero' ,arry *otter. !ro" the tragic beginnings of his $ife' to the %isturbing i"ages of his chi$%hoo%' an% the rec#$essness of youth' 0ita unco&ers hi%%en s#e$etons in the c$oset of the boy we be$ie&e% was %estine% to sa&e us a$$.< <0u%%y cow'< 0on reiterate%' staring at his wife' who was beginning to sha#e as she got further an% further %own the artic$e. @eorge pic#e% up where his twin $eft off' rea%ing o&er his shou$%er. <-i% ,arry suffer fro" "a%ness= 3hat was the prophecy that "ar#e% this boy' on$y :ust ab$e to wa$# when he first "et Bou+/now+3ho' to be the sa&iour of the 3i5ar%ing wor$%= 3hat was his re$ationship with ($bus -u"b$e%ore' an% why was ,arry a$$owe% so "uch $e&erage whi$e at ,ogwarts= ,ow was this boy' a "ere eighteen years o$%' ab$e to %efeat the "ost feare% 3i5ar% in history= These >uestions an% "uch "ore are answere% when Betty Braithwaite was a$$owe% an eCc$usi&e inter&iew with 0ita' see page 8.< *ages rust$e% a$$ o&er the roo" as page eight was $ocate%. ?o$$y "o&e% so that she cou$% see the paper o&er her husban%;s shou$%er. ( photograph of ,arry staring %u$$y at -u"b$e%ore' his han% sti$$ c$utching the $ife$ess bo%y of Ce%ric -iggory' grace% the top of the page. ?o$$y wince%' hating that she cou$% re"e"ber that "o"ent so &i&i%$y. Be$ow that photograph was one of 0ita S#eeter' wearing her be:ewe$e% g$asses an% grinning up at the"' gi&ing what ?o$$y assu"e% was suppose% to be p$easant wa&e now an% again. Bi$$ c$eare% his throat an% too# his turn at rea%ing. <4;&e been waiting for years to pub$ish "y boo# on ,arry *otter'< the author te$$s "e o&er a perfect cup of tea at a $o&e$y $itt$e tea shop in ,ogs"ea%e. 0ita has been #in% enough to ta#e a "o"ent fro" her frightening$y busy sche%u$e to gossip with "e about her $atest boo#. ,er series of biographies of fa"ous 3itches an% 3i5ar%s a%%s another chapter with this e%ition' sure to be a best se$$er. <3hat co$$ection wou$% be co"p$ete without a boo# on ,arry *otter=< S#eeter as#s with a >uic# win#.

)n$i#e her pre&ious e%itions' this se&en+hun%re%+page boo# was %e$aye% a$"ost two years after the %eath of ,arry *otter. 3hen 4 as#e% her about that' 0ita eCp$aine%. <4 thought it best' you see' to gi&e the fa"i$y a proper perio% of "ourning before the boo# ca"e out.< 4 a$so as#e% if *otter;s frien%s ha% been contacte% to participate in the boo#. 0ita ga&e a sa% sigh an% no%%e%. <Bes' 4 %i% as# ,er"ione @ranger' his for"er gir$frien%' an% 0egina$% 3eas$ey to gi&e their thoughts about their frien%. They %ec$ine%' of course. *ersona$$y' 4 thin# they;&e both been terrib$y affecte% by the trage%y of young ,arry;s %e"ise. 4t "a#es one won%er at the nature of such a re$ationship. <4 was' howe&er' ab$e to spea# to se&era$ of ,arry;s c$ass"ates an% 4;&e got a &ery goo% picture of his schoo$ years.< (n% what of his ear$y years' 4 as#' #nowing that nothing "ore than specu$ation an% ru"or aboun% about those "issing ten years. <3e$$'< 0ita $eans forwar% in her chair' an air of "ystery an% secrecy about her' <4 was a$so ab$e to fin% the ?ugg$e re$ati&es that ,arry $i&e% with for those years. ,arry;s youth was &ery troub$e%'< she sha#es her hea% sa%$y. <There are ta$es of wi$%' acci%enta$ "agic' abuse of younger chi$%ren in the neighborhoo%' an% horri% fits of "a%ness.< Shoc#e% at this re&e$ation' 4 as# 0ita what the worst surprise was. 0ita $aughs at her' soun%ing $i#e the tin#$ing of a be$$. <6ow' now' Betty' if 4 to$% you a$$ of "y secrets' then no one wou$% nee% to buy "y boo#' wou$% they=< 4 a$so as#e% about ,arry;s $o&e $ife. 0ita;s artic$es' pub$ishe% ear$ier in ,arry;s $ife' hint at a c$ose re$ationship with ,er"ione @ranger. 3ere there other witches in ,arry;s $ife= 0ita grins an% taps her perfect$y "anicure% nai$s on the tab$e. <1f course' ,arry ne&er got o&er the betraya$ of his first $o&e' ,er"ione @ranger. She traipse% aroun% the cast$e' f$aunting one re$ationship after another right un%er ,arry;s nose' without a thought to the poor boy;s heart. 4t see"s that' in her grief' she has turne% to ,arry;s best frien%' 0o$an% 3eas$ey. 4;&e e&en hear% that they were "arrie% a few "onths ago. *oor gir$ wi$$ probab$y ne&er get o&er $osing ,arry. (n% poor 0o$an%' fate% to a$ways re"ain in a %ea% "an;s sha%ow.< <1f course' ,arry ha% his f$ings as we$$'< 0ita continues with a scan%a$ous grin. <4 ta$# a$$ about that in chapter four.< 4t;s co""on #now$e%ge that *otter was foun%' %ea%' a$ongsi%e ru"ore% gir$frien%' @ine&ra 3eas$ey. 4 as#e% about this an% 0ita s>uir"s in her chair' positi&e$y bursting with g$ee at this >uestion.

<Bes' he was suppose%$y seeing @ine&ra' or @inny as her frien%s ca$$e% her' at the ti"e of his %eath. ,owe&er' se&era$ sources ha&e confir"e% that they bro#e up in the spring of 1777.< 4 as#e% how it was possib$e then' that ?iss 3eas$ey was by his si%e when he face% off with ,e+3ho+?ust+6ot+Be+6a"e%. 0ita ga&e "e a #nowing $oo#' which has "e abso$ute$y sha#ing with the nee% to purchase this boo# to fin% out a$$ the :uicy %etai$s. <That is a sa% part of this ta$e' 4;" afrai%'< she frowns. <Boung @ine&ra was positi&e$y obsesse% with ,arry. She was fore&er chasing after hi"' %ropping his na"e into con&ersations an% c$ai"ing to be in a re$ationship with hi". 4 honest$y thin# that ,arry %i% %ate her out of pity for the ho"e$y young thing an% to ease his own bro#en heart after ,er"ione @ranger tra"p$e% it once again.< <,owe&er'< she continues' <that is possib$y the "ost tragic thing our ,arry cou$% ha&e %one. @ine&ra 3eas$ey ha% a troub$e% past' tainte% by "agic of the %ar#est #in%. She herse$f was associate% with the wi5ar% who we #now as 2or% Eo$%e"ort. !ro" her ten%er first years at ,ogwarts' c$ass"ates %escribe a gir$ who suffere% fro" unpre%ictab$e "oo% swings. 1ne "inute she was reser&e% an% shy' the neCt she was bran%ishing her wan% in your face' they te$$ "e. (n% she $eft a wa#e of %estroye% an% bro#enhearte% wi5ar%s in her path.< 3hen 4 gasp in shoc#' 0ita no%s sa%$y' wiping at the "oisture that has gathere% in her eyes %uring the %istressing ta$e. The ru"ors sti$$ aboun% to this %ay as to how *otter was ab$e to %efeat the -ar# 2or%. 3hen 4 as# 0ita' she chuc#$es an% sha#es her hea%. <Bou;re not going to pry that infor"ation out of "e' Betty' "y %ear. ButA4 wi$$ say that 4 ha&e garnere% an eCc$usi&e inter&iew with the on$y sur&i&or of that fatefu$ batt$e' ?r. -raco ?a$foy.< !inishe% %igging scan%a$ous %etai$s fro" the boo#' 4 fe$t co"pe$$e% to as# about 0ita;s recent stint in (5#aban. She is contrite an% sha"e% as she a%"its that she %abb$e% in beco"ing an (ni"agus an% ha% not finishe% registering with the ?inistry when she was turne% in. <4;&e pai% "y %ebt to society'< she %efen%s penitent$y. <(n% 4 hope that "y incorrect choices can be an eCa"p$e to young witches an% wi5ar%s aroun% the wor$%. 4n fact' 4;" consi%ering a boo# about "y eCperiences with the $aw after this $atest e%ition is co"p$ete%.< 4;" sure' as a$$ her other boo#s ha&e been' that story wou$% be another best se$$er. 0ita bi% "e a goo% %ay as she went on about her busy sche%u$e an% 4 returne% to "y hu"b$e reporter;s %es#' shi&ering in anticipation of the secrets this newest boo# wi$$ re&ea$.<

Stunne% si$ence fi$$e% the #itchen at the Burrow as Bi$$ finishe% rea%ing the artic$e. ?o$$y g$ance% up to where ,er"ione was staring at the parch"ent' bui$%ing fury etche% on her features. ?o$$y ha% ne&er before seen a fire in her %aughter+in+$aw;s eyes $i#e it was. There was no %oubt that nothing short of "ur%er was running through her "in%. <ThatAabso$uteA< she sp$uttere%' searching for the appropriate wor%s. <Cow=< !re% as#e%' his wagg$ing eyebrows showing behin% the -ai$y *rophet that he an% @eorge ha% been sharing. <Ber#=< @eorge a%%e%' grinning aroun% one si%e of the paper. ?o$$y ro$$e% her eyes. She %i%' howe&er' appreciate what they were trying to %o. 2e&ity ha% a$ways been their way of %ea$ing with "ost stressfu$ situations. <C$ot=< <1ooh' nice one' "y goo% $oo#ing fe$$ow'< @eorge cheere%. <,ow about nitwit=< <6ah'< !re% shoo# his hea%. <6ot near$y &icious enough. 3hat aboutD< <F61)@,H< ,er"ione roare%' whipping her wan% out an% shooting a rather &io$ent orange spe$$ that %isintegrate% the newspaper in front of the twins. ?o$$y gaspe% as ,er"ione ga&e an inarticu$ate roar an% stor"e% into the $i&ing roo". <?er$in'< 0on "oane%' pushing his chair out fro" the tab$e. <FrAsorry about thatA< ,e shifte% on his feet' e%ging c$oser to the %oor whi$e $oo#ing gui$ti$y at his brothers. <She;sAwe$$' she;s beenD< <.ust go' 0on'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%' concern fi$$ing his face. <0ight'< 0on >uic#$y %uc#e% out the %oor an% the rest of the fa"i$y turne% to see @eorge $ic# his finger' reach o&er an% put out the tiny f$a"e that was singeing !re%;s eyebrow. <3ow'< Bi$$ sai%' staring at the f$uttering re"nants of the newspaper s"o$%ering to the groun%. ?o$$y too# a %eep breath' trying to grasp what ha% :ust happene% in her #itchen. She turne% to (rthur' $oo#ing for a bit of gui%ance' on$y to scow$ at the $oo# of utter g$ee on his face. Ton#s' it see"e%' foun% the situation hi$arious as we$$' since her hair f$ashe% se&era$ co$ors. ,er $aughter cou$%n;t be he$% bac# any further an% she fina$$y ga&e it up as a ba% :ob' tossing her han%s up an% fi$$ing the #itchen with $aughter. Se&era$ others fo$$owe%' inc$u%ing !re% an% @eorge the"se$&es.

?o$$y wante% to be scan%a$i5e%' but the o&erwhe$"ing stress of the situation' a$ong with ,er"ione;sAcreati&e re$ease was a$"ost "ore than she cou$% han%$e. -espite trying to ho$% it bac#' a gigg$e escape% her traitorous $ips as we$$. <4 thin# we nee%e% that'< 0e"us sai%' a s"i$e brea#ing through his concern. !re% an% @eorge' inspire% by ,er"ione' procee%e% to set fire to a$$ of the newspapers in &arying an% i"aginati&e ways. ?o$$y san# %own neCt to her husban%' $eaning her hea% onto his shou$%er when his ar" ca"e aroun% her. <This isn;t suppose% to happen'< she shoo# her hea%' thin#ing bac# to the hurtfu$ accusations in the artic$e. The boo# wou$% sure$y be worse' she #new. <4 #now' ?o$$ywobb$es'< (rthur whispere% into her hair. <But we;$$ get through it.< She no%%e%' c$osing her eyes an% ta#ing a s"a$$ bit of co"fort fro" the %iscussion about the best way to %estroy the $ast re"aining -ai$y *rophet. Bes' they;% get through it' together. (rthur hu""e% a Ce$estina 3arbec# song as he wa$#e% s$ow$y through the ha$$s of the ?inistry. ?o$$y ha% been $ight$y singing it this "orning whi$e she "a%e brea#fast an% it ha% stuc# in his hea%. 4t was :ust nice to see her starting to be happy again. Things ha% been going so we$$ unti$ that awfu$ 0ita S#eeter boo# ha% co"e out a few "onths ago. ?o$$y ha% gone to be% for three %ays when the first artic$es ha% co"e out in the -ai$y *rophet %etai$ing the stories insi%e the boo#. ,e rotate% his shou$%er s$ight$y' wincing at the nu"bness an% pain that shot through the :oint an% %own his ar". ,e "ust ha&e s$ept wrong on that si%e of his bo%y' he %eci%e%. Brushing asi%e the %isco"fort of his aging bo%y' (rthur pee#e% his hea% insi%e his for"er office in the ?isuse of ?ugg$e (rtifacts -epart"ent. 4t %i%n;t see" the sa"e now that he;% been gone so $ong. *er#ins "ust not be in yet' he thought as he eye% the e"pty roo" with se&era$ parch"ent airp$anes circ$ing the cei$ing. <Best get on with the %ay'< (rthur "uttere% to hi"se$f as he "a%e his way o&er to the $ifts. ,is new office was on the neCt f$oor near the heart of (uror ,ea%>uarters. 4t "a%e hi" "uch "ore aware of what was going on' but in the sa"e respect' offere% "uch $ess peace an% >uiet. 1nce in the $ift' (rthur gri"ace% at the ting$ing %own his ar" an% shifte% in his spot. <4n:ure%' (rthur=<

,e chuc#$e% at the >uestion fro" ?afa$%a ,op#ir#' who $oo#e% as if she;% :ust arri&e% for the %ay. <6othing "ore than rheu"atis"' 4;" afrai%'< he chuc#$e%. <0heu"atis" an% o$% age.< <(h'< she no%%e% her agree"ent. <Bes' aging is not for the faint of heart' is it=< (rthur no%%e% fer&ent$y an% then he$% out his han% to stea%y hi"se$f as a wa&e of %i55iness washe% o&er hi". ?aybe he was co"ing %own with so"ething' was his i""e%iate thought. Two of the gran%chi$%ren' Eictoire an% 1rion' ha% been to &isit %uring the wee#en% an% both ha% been fighting the sniff$es. 3e$$' ?o$$y wou$% fiC hi" right up with a %ose of *epper+)p potion as soon as he got ho"e. ,is ears wou$% be stea"ing in no ti"e. <,a&e a nice %ay' (rthur'< ?afa$%a greete% as the %oors opene% an% (rthur b$in#e% to get his bearings. <Bou as we$$'< he no%%e% bac#. The %oors c$ose% behin% hi" an% he was $eft stan%ing a$one in the e"pty ha$$way. ,e shi&ere% an% rea$i5e% he;% bro#en out in a sweat. ?aybe he;% best go to his office an% conte"p$ate seeing a ,ea$er to%ay. The nu"bness fro" his ar" see"e% to be sprea%ing as he shuff$e% %own the corri%or. ,e cou$% see his %oor an% hope% that he;% be ab$e to "a#e it further without the rest of his bo%y gi&ing out on hi". Eoices fro" the (uror office soun%e% an% (rthur %i% his best to straighten an% not gri"ace. ( wo"an an% her s"a$$ %aughter eCite%' probab$y seeing the father off to wor#. The $itt$e gir$ c$aspe% her "other;s han% tight$y as she s#ippe% a$ong' her coppery' cur$e% hair bouncing as she f$ounce% a$ong. (rthur;s heart ga&e a "ighty :o$t as his "in% f$ashe% to another p$ace an% another ti"eD where another re%hea%e% $itt$e gir$' ho$%ing tight to her father;s han% bounce% a$ong these sa"e ha$$ways' i"pish$y grinning up at hi" an% "e$ting his heart. The $itt$e gir$ wa&e% at hi" as they passe% an% (rthur;s &ision b$in#e% b$ac# a ti"e or two. ,e swaye% on the spot an% shuff$e% forwar%. 1n$y a few "ore steps to his office. ,is &ision tunne$e% an% he %rew hi"se$f a$ong the ha$$way' fighting rising panic with the poun%ing of his heart. 1nce he;% gotten insi%e the office %oor' he c$ose% it >uic#$y' hoping to b$oc# out the "e"ories that were %rowning hi". @inny $aughing at so"ething the twins ha% %one to 0on' ,arry fina$$y s"i$ing as if he ha% :ust accepte% he was part of their fa"i$y' a tiny roun% face $oo#ing out fro" pin# b$an#ets an% ?o$$y;s &oice te$$ing hi" that he fina$$y ha% a %aughter' the strength an% %eter"ination of a siCteen year o$% @inny $oo#ing ra%iant in the go$%en robes at Bi$$;s we%%ing' ,arry;s face' %eter"ine% an% %irt+ca#e%' at the !ina$ Batt$e.

5two blac!ened bodies" lying side by side in a charred and burnt clearing in the forest5 (rthur grunte% hea&i$y' a$$ the air escaping fro" his $ungs' as the f$oor ca"e up to "eet hi". The %usty s"e$$ of the carpet fi$$e% his $ungs as he strugg$e% for breath. ,is hea% poun%e%Da b$in%ing pain that he cou$%n;t begin to grasp the e%ges of. Eague$y' the i%ea that he nee%e% he$p f$ittere% in an% out of his "in%' but he cou$%n;t "a#e his ar"s wor# to reach his wan%. ,e c$ose% his eyes brief$y' gri"acing an% groaning at the b$in%ing pain. B$ac# spots swa" in his &ision when he opene% the" again to see two shiny b$ac# shoes. ,e hear% another &oice spea#ing but cou$%n;t "a#e out the wor%s before e&erything went entire$y b$ac# an% he surren%ere% to the pain. ,is $ast thoughts were of the shiny' re% hair of his $itt$e gir$. 0on yawne% %eep$y' stretching his ar"s abo&e his hea% an% fee$ing his bac# crac# $ou%$y. ,e wince% at the stab of pain cause% by the $ow sofa he;% been #ipping on. <@o ho"e' 0on'< Char$ie;s gra&e$y &oice soun%e% fro" across the %ar# roo". <3hen %i% you get in=< 0on as#e%. Char$ie spar#e% a $ight in the firep$ace an% the #in%$ing starte% to crac#$e' sprea%ing war" $ight through the roo". ,e stoo% s$ow$y an% 0on cou$% hear hi" sigh. <( few hours ago.< <Bou shou$% ha&e wo#en "e' you b$ighter'< 0on sco$%e%' stan%ing to sha#e his brother;s han% an% pu$$ hi" into a hug. Char$ie chuc#$e% soft$y an% shoo# his hea%. <Bou $oo#e% too peacefu$' $ying there with your "outh open' %roo$ hanging off your chin an% roaring $i#e one of "y %ragons. ?er$in' 0on' you nee% to get that thing $oo#e% at.< ,e $aughe% as 0on too# a swing at hi". 4t was goo% to see his brother again. F&en seeing hi" fi&e "onths ago see"e% too $ong. 0on was sure that it was the shoc# of his %a%;s stro#e that "a%e the who$e fa"i$y co"e together c$oser than before. <SoAhow $ong are you here for=< 0on as#e%' rubbing his eyes an% b$in#ing away the s$eep. ,e rea$$y shou$% get ho"e to ,er"ione' but a$$ of the brothers ha% "a%e a &ow not to $ea&e their "other a$one whi$e their father was sti$$ recuperating. 4t :ust happene% to be 0on;s night. Char$ie san# %own onto the sofa an% rubbe% the bac# of his nec#. <(ctua$$yA< 0on narrowe% his eyes at seeing Char$ie fi%get. Char$ie was a $ot $i#e the twins' he thoughtD rare$y e"barrasse% an% on$y rare$y b$ushing. <3e;re "o&ing bac# here.<

0on was thri$$e% an% s$appe% hi" on the #nee unti$ one of those wor%s san# in %eeper to his brain. <That;s greatDhang onH ;3e;=< <FrAyeah'< Char$ie shifte% gui$ti$y. <?ag%a$ena an% 4A ?aggieA< ,e tugge% at the co$$ar of his shirt an% 0on grinne%' fina$$y catching on. <3e$$' she;s upstairs s$eeping now.< <Serious=< <Beah'< Char$ie grinne%' ho$%ing up his finger an% wigg$ing it' showing off the g$int of go$%. 0on;s :aw %roppe% an% he stare% at his o$%er brother' an% then g$ance% at the c$ose% %oor that $e% to his parent;s be%roo"' a$"ost waiting for his "other to stor" out after s"e$$ing the gui$t in the air. <Bou;re "arrie%= 3hen=< <ShhhhH< Char$ie sco$%e%' <no one #nows.< ,e shot his own $oo# at the stairs an% 0on s"ir#e%. <!our wee#s'< he a%"itte%. <3e were going to te$$ e&eryoneAbutA< 0on narrowe% his eyes at the ner&ousness an% then starte% as so"ething insi%e his hea% c$ic#e%. <3hen;s the baby %ue=< Char$ie gri"ace% an% ro$$e% his nec#' wor#ing a stiff #in# out of it. <!our "onths.< <?er$in;s pants' Char$ie'< 0on "u"b$e%' a grin sprea%ing o&er his face. <6o one #nows=< <3e$$'< Char$ie shrugge%. <Bi$$ #nowsAan% now you.< <3ow'< 0on shoo# his hea% an% whist$e% $ow. <4 %on;t want to be you in the "orning.< <?u" #new we were seeing each other.< <Bet she %i%n;t #now you wereD< <That;s enough'< Char$ie stoo%' agitate%. <Besi%es' we;re "o&ing bac# here now. That;$$ soften the b$ow.< 0on conte"p$ate% that an% %eci%e% that he an% ,er"ione "ight :ust nee% to p$an on ha&ing brea#fast at the Burrow. <,ow are things=< Char$ie as#e%' pacing near the firep$ace an% stu%ying the fra"e% photographs there. ,e stoppe% in front of an o$% one' ta#en bac# a few years before 0on ha% gotten his ,ogwarts $etter.

<Better'< 0on shrugge%. <-a%;s sti$$ %ea$ing with so"e issues fro" the stro#e. ,e has troub$e wa$#ing so"e %ays an% his right si%e isn;t as strong as it use% to be. But he;s ta$#ing we$$ again.< <Bi$$ to$% "e they "o&e% their roo" %own here'< Char$ie sai%' g$ancing aroun% the $i&ing roo". <Beah'< 0on no%%e%. <3e ca"e a few %ays before he got out of hospita$ an% "o&e% e&erything into the s"a$$ roo" off of the entry. 4t;s easier for hi" not to ha&e to %ea$ with the stairs. Bi$$ en$arge% it.< <Soun%s $i#e you;&e been ta#ing care of things we$$' 0on'< Char$ie co"p$i"ente%. 0on f$ushe% an% rubbe% the bac# of his nec#. ,e sti$$ fe$t &ery gui$ty for "issing the signs of his father;s i$$ hea$th' e&en though ,er"ione assure% hi" that it was &irtua$$y i"possib$e to catch e&erything. <3e;&e been trying.< <,ow;s ,er"ione ho$%ing up=< 0on sighe%' $eaning bac# into the cushions an% staring up at the crac#e% cei$ing. There was a stain there fro" so"e twin %isaster when 0on ha% been younger. 0on trace% a thin crac# a$$ the way across the roo" where it :oine% the wa$$. <She;s fine. She;s got it into her hea% to write her own boo# now. To try an% get ,arry an% @inny;s rea$ story out there.< <-a"ne% S#eeter'< Char$ie seethe%' $eaning his bac# against the war"ing stones near the firep$ace. <(nything ,er"ione writes wi$$ be we$$ recei&e%.< <Beah'< 0on no%%e%. <4f she can get it %one. 4 thin# this rea$$y hit her when the boo# ca"e out. She;% been wor#ing so har% to stop 0ita fro" pub$ishing it.< <She bought us two years'< Char$ie shrugge%. 0on agree% an% then shrugge%. <But ,er"ione;s been ha&ing a har% ti"e with it. She says it;s rea$$y har% to put into wor%s what ,arry "eant to herDto us a$$. (n% she can;t >uite %ea$ with @inny;s section yet.< <4 can on$y i"agine'< Char$ie sai% sy"pathetica$$y whi$e he scrubbe% at his face with ca$$ouse% han%s. <3e;&e actua$$yAwe$$A< 0on trai$e% off' stu%ying his han%s an% pic#ing at a scab on the bac# of one of the". <3e;&e been thin#ing about starting a fa"i$y as we$$.< The thought "a%e hi" s"i$e nowDa$though at ti"es when the i%ea poppe% into his hea%' 0on wante% to go screa"ing %own the ha$$s of the ?inistry. 3as it nor"a$ to be e$ate% an% scare% co"p$ete$y out of your "in% by the sa"e i%ea=

<But ,er"ione wants to "a#e a bit "ore hea%way on the boo# first.< Char$ie grinne% an% no%%e% his un%erstan%ing. <She was ha&ing a rough ti"e of it an% too# what she ha% to 0e"us. ,e to$% her that those who wou$% rea% an% be$ie&e S#eeter;s trash wi$$ sti$$ be aroun% in a year or two. (n% "aybe the eCtra ti"e "ight be :ust what she nee%s to put her fee$ings into wor%s.< <That soun%s $i#e goo% a%&ice' 0on'< Char$ie co"p$i"ente%. <Beah'< he agree%' yawning again. <@o ho"e' 0on'< Char$ie sai% again' s"i$ing s$ow$y. <3e can ta$# "ore $ater.< 0on no%%e%' stan%ing an% "o&ing o&er to the firep$ace' $oo#ing at the sa"e picture Char$ie ha% been stu%ying ear$ier. <She was so beautifu$'< he "ur"ure%' his thic# finger tracing @inny;s face' e&en as the i"age trie% to %o%ge his touch. <She was'< Char$ie agree%' his &oice thic#. <This is the reason we ca"e ho"e'< he sai% soft$y. 0on un%erstoo%' without hi" e$aborating further. !a"i$y. 4t was the reason 0on %i% e&erything he %i% now. 4t ha% ta#en hi" years to fu$$y un%erstan% what ,arry ha% #nown a$$ a$ong. F&erything was about fa"i$y. 0on sighe%' thin#ing of what he wou$% see now if he were gi&en a chance at the ?irror of Frise%. ,e was fair$y sure he #new what i"age wou$% be staring bac# at hi". ,e c$ose% his eyes' trying to re"e"ber the awe of an e$e&en year+o$% boy stan%ing in front of that "agica$ "irror. ,ow cou$% he ha&eAwaste%Athat "o"ent on persona$ g$ory= 4t "a%e his ears burn si"p$y thin#ing about it now. The i"age that swa" to the front of his "in% was tru$y his heart;s greatest %esireG a fa"i$y fu$$ of $o&e an% $aughter' co"p$ete with ,arry an% @inny an% the hoar% of re%+hea%e%' green+eye% chi$%ren that he wishe% he;% be ab$e to spoi$ rotten as their fa&orite unc$e. That i"age fa%e% as 0on opene% his eyes' :ust as it a$ways %i% when face% with the "orning $ight after his best %rea"s. <,a&e a goo% night' Char$ie'< he sai% soft$y' grabbing a han%fu$ of f$oo pow%er fro" the can on the "ante$ an% %isappearing through the green f$a"es. Sighing hea&i$y' .ac# pushe% his han%s &io$ent$y through his hair an% sho&e% the boo#s away fro" hi". The wor%s were swi""ing in front of his eyes' not "a#ing sense any $onger.

<Bio$ogy=< -ere# grunte% fro" where he too was burie% in boo#s. .ac# no%%e%. <Beah. 4 can;t see" to get past this chapter' though.< ,e s$i% his g$asses off an% rubbe% at his tire% eyes before s$ipping the" bac# on. ,is wristwatch ca"e bac# into focus an% he swore "ighti$y. <4;&e got to go. 4;" going to be $ate.< -ere# $oo#e% up fro" his wor# an% gri"ace%. <3i$$s wi$$ be fine with it' %on;t worry.< <6o'< .ac# sighe% gathering up his re&ising an% sho&ing it rough$y into his ruc#sac#. <4 was $ate the other %ay too.< Snatching a :u"per off the bac# of a ric#ety chair' he >uippe% a >uic# goo%bye to his f$at "ate an% charge% out the %oor. ,e pu$$e% a #nit hat o&er his hea% as he s$i% aroun% the corner' bare$y #eeping his footing on the icy si%ewa$#. Since "eeting -ere# $ast (pri$' .ac#;s $ife ha% change% %ra"atica$$y. ,e now ha% a %ecent p$ace to stay an% was fu$fi$$ing a %rea" to atten% )ni&ersity. ,owe&er' the cha$$enge was in wor#ing two :obs to be ab$e to pay his share of the rent' foo% costs an% the fees for schoo$. -ere# ha% been ab$e to get hi" hire% on at 2ang;s ?ar#et stoc#ing she$&es once the store c$ose%. .ac# ha% i"presse% the owner with his strong wor# ethic an% %esire to pro&e hi"se$f. ,e;% a$so starte% :ust this past fa$$ at ,arper;s -iscount Boo#s un$oa%ing hea&y boCes off of the $arge truc#s that ca"e in. (%% to that the hours of courses that he;% signe% up for an% the hours of re&ising' an% it "a%e for &ery $itt$e ti"e for .ac# to %o anything e$se. -ere# ha% ti"e for chasing bir%s an% going on %atesD.ac# %i%n;t a$$ow hi"se$f that $uCury. Bes' he $oo#e% an% watche% the gir$sDhe was sti$$ "a$e' after a$$. There wou$% be ti"e for that $ater' .ac# thought. 0ight now he nee%e% to scratch his way through )ni' to gi&e hi"se$f a shot at a better $ife. 1n$y fa$$ing twice' .ac# s$i% into the "ar#et with on$y a few "inutes to spare before his shift starte%. <($"ost $ate again' 4nga$$s'< .osK' the other "an who stoc#e% she$&es with hi"' grinne%. .ac# a$$owe% a s"i$e to escape in between his harsh breaths. <Beah. 3i$$s here yet=< <6o'< .osK shoo# his hea%. <,e wou$%n;t care if you were $ate' you #now. ,e;s :ust g$a% you;re sti$$ hereDbeing a fresher an% a$$.<

.ac# chuc#$e% an% sho&e% his things into his cubby' pu$$ing out the thic# g$o&es he wore whi$e un$oa%ing the pa$$ets of boCes an% tins. ,is han%s were a$rea%y a "ass of scratches an% scarsDno nee% to a%% to the". The two "en attac#e% the wor# &oracious$y' both #nowing that the faster the wor# was %one' the ear$ier they wou$% get to go ho"e. !or .ac#' it "eant another few hours he cou$% rea% o&er his Bio$ogy teCt before the c$ass in the "orning. -ere# ha% once as#e% .ac# why he wor#e% so har%. .ac# ha% on$y stare% at his frien%' fee$ing :ea$ousy we$$ in hi" at -ere#;s easy $ife. 4t wasn;t as if -ere# $or%e% his wea$th or upbringing o&er .ac# at a$$. 4n fact' .ac# ha% nothing but respect for the way his frien% ha% %eci%e% to "a#e his own way in the wor$%' rather than re$y on his wea$thy parents; na"e an% fortune. The two $i&e% in a "ore i"po&erishe% section of townD.ac# out of nee%' -ere# out of interest. -ere# %i% "a#e regu$ar with%rawa$s fro" his e%ucation fun%' an% ha% offere% to pay .ac#;s way as we$$' pure$y out of frien%ship. But .ac# ha%' on princip$e' refuse%. There was no way he wou$% ta#e "ore than -ere# ha% a$rea%y offere%. 4t was so"ething that went unspo#en between the two. .ac#;s bac# ache% as he "usc$e% the "assi&e boCes of tinne% goo%s. ,e cou$% hear .osK singing a horri% ren%ition of the se&enties song p$aying o&er the "ar#et $ou% spea#ers. 4t was off #ey' but a fa"i$iar soun% after wor#ing so "any nights together. Se&en nights a wee#. ,e shoo# his hea%' wiping sweat fro" his brow an% :u"pe% out of the way as .osK tru%ge% through' pu$$ing a huge pa$$et of tins behin% hi" on a pa$$et :ac#. <-on;t :ust bo%ge it'< .ac# ca$$e% out' getting on$y a ru%e han% gesture in return. By the en% of the e&ening' .ac#;s ar"s were screa"ing at hi" an% he cou$% bare$y #eep his eyes open as he stu"b$e% through the %eserte%' fro5en streets an% into the %eath$y si$ent f$at. ,e staggere% %own the ha$$way' stopping to stare at the b$ue an% go$% stripe% tie hanging off of -ere#;s %oor#nob. ,e shoo# his hea%' than#fu$ that he ha%n;t been ho"e ear$ier an% that the night;s acti&ities see"e% to be o&er for the ti"e being. ,e rea$$y %i%n;t want to hear that right now. Staring at his boo#s $ater as he $ay in his be%' .ac# %eci%e% that rea%ing now %i%n;t "a#e "uch sense. ,e wou$%n;t re"e"ber a wor% anyway. ( gigg$e soun%e% fro" the roo" neCt to his an% .ac# groane%' pu$$ing his pi$$ow o&er his hea% an% trying to b$oc# out the soun%s of -ere#;s $o&e $ife. Ton#s watche% as ,er"ione patient$y answere% 1ri;s >uestions about the boo# that ,er"ione ha% :ust gifte% her with for her secon% birth%ay. Ton#s ha% a sa% fee$ing that the "o"ent the newness wore off' the boo# wou$% be re$egate% to the %usty pi$e of

se$%o" use% ite"s in 1rion;s be%roo". ,owe&er' for the "o"ent' the ani"ate% :ung$e ani"a$s %ancing aroun% the tree in the center of the co&er ha% the $itt$e gir$ fascinate%. <She;s &ery bright'< ,er"ione co"p$i"ente%' once 1ri ha% as#e% a$$ of her >uestions an% "o&e% on to p$ay at the s"a$$ tab$e that he$% her p$astic tea set. Ton#s ga&e a win#. <6o' that;s :ust her hair.< She an% ,er"ione chuc#$e% o&er the :o#e. <Be$$ow has beco"e her fa&orite co$or $ate$y an% she;s constant$y fin%ing new sha%es to %e"onstrate. <The boo# 4 rea% sai% it ta#es years to "aster the change'< ,er"ione obser&e%' accepting the cup of tea that Ton#s offere%. <4t can'< Ton#s no%%e%' s$i%ing her $eg un%erneath her in the seat an% a%%ing entire$y too "uch sugar to her tea. <4 thin# it;$$ he$p that 4 can %o it. 4 can eCp$ain to her how to s$ow things %own an% concentrate on what she wants to $oo# $i#e.< <3as it har% for you=< ,er"ione as#e%. Ton#s thought about the >uestion for a "o"ent before shrugging. <4 guess so'< she a%"itte%. <But it;s not $i#e 4 #new anything %ifferent. !or "e it was a cha$$engeD so"ething to set "e apart fro" e&eryone e$se.< <3hen 4 $earne% about you'< ,er"ione eCp$aine%' <4 ha&e to a%"it 4 was a $itt$e :ea$ous.< She ga&e a ner&ous $itt$e gigg$e an% Ton#s grinne%' wrin#$ing her brow an% changing her hair to "i"ic ,er"ione;s bushy brown cur$s. <3e$$' it;s a curse that 4 g$a%$y bear'< Ton#s sighe%' returning to her spi#y pin# $oo#. The two $apse% into co"fortab$e si$ence' watching 1rion p$ay with her %o$$s an% sco$% the" for spi$$ing their in&isib$e tea. <So' how are you %oing=< Ton#s as#e%. <0ea$$y.< ,er"ione sighe%' rubbe% her te"p$e an% shrugge%. <4;" %oing better now. 4;" sti$$ e"barrasse% that 4 ha% that co"p$ete brea#%own.< Ton#s wa&e% it away' sha#ing her hea%. <4;" surprise% you he$% it together a$$ these years.< <4 %i%n;t' rea$$y'< ,er"ione a%"itte%. <4 thin# 4 :ust burie% it un%er wor#' an% the issues with 0on. Then he ca"e aroun% an% we starte% %ating' then ca"e the we%%ing. Through it a$$' 4 was %oing e&erything 4 cou$% to stop 0ita S#eeter fro" pub$ishing that %a"ne% boo#.<

<Bou $et yourse$f get pushe% to the waysi%e'< Ton#s no%%e%. <4 can un%erstan% how that wou$% be an attracti&e i%ea.< ,er"ione no%%e%. <But when she was ab$e to get it printe%A4 :ust $ost it.< She ga&e a &ery gui$ty s"i$e that "a%e Ton#s $augh. <3e a$$ nee% those "o"ents in $ife' you #now. 4t;s perfect$y acceptab$e. Besi%es' it ga&e @re% an% !orge a hea$thy respect for your s#i$$s with a wan%.< ,er"ione c$aspe% her han% o&er her "outh to contro$ the $aughter that escape%. <4 guess you;re right.< <(n% now that it;s outAyou can get on with your $ife.< She no%%e%' g$ancing o&er at 1rion again. Char$ie ha% "entione% to Ton#s that 0on an% ,er"ione were thin#ing about starting a fa"i$y. She watche% the other wo"an with a "ore critica$ eye' seeing how ,er"ione see"e% to be cata$oguing 1rion;s eCpressions an% actions. Ton#s hate% to te$$ her' but 1rion was as %ifferent a chi$% as one cou$% eCpect. ,owe&er' that was so"ething that ,er"ione nee%e% to eCperience for herse$f. <(n% how is the boo# co"ing=< <Better'< ,er"ione sighe%' setting her tea cup %own. <4t;s not been easy putting into wor%s what ,arry "eant to 0on or "e. (n% @innyAwe$$' she was the c$osest thing 4;$$ e&er ha&e to a sister' 4 thin#. She was "y first fe"a$e frien%' an% as c$ose as 0on an% ,arry were to "e' that :ust can;t co"pare.< <4 agree'< Ton#s no%%e%. <F&ery gir$ nee%s a gir$frien% to gossip with.< <FCact$y'< ,er"ione agree%. <,ow far ha&e you gotten=< <1n$y through thir% year' actua$$y'< she a%"itte%. <4 rea$$y %i%n;t want to %we$$ on the ear$y years' but it see"s $i#e 4 :ust can;t say enough about ,arry as a frien% an% his courage an% strength. 4;" afrai% it wi$$ a$$ rea% a bit $i#e a fantasy no&e$' actua$$y.< <0e"us was i"presse% with what you $et hi" rea% so far'< Ton#s shoo# her hea%. <4 thin# you;re :ust o&er thin#ing things' ,er"ione. 4t;s one of your greatest wea#nesses' if you %on;t "in% "e saying. Bou a$ways %iscount your abi$ities an% then you thin# too "uch.< ,er"ione $oo#e% s$ight$y offen%e% for a "o"ent before $oo#ing away' b$in#ing suspicious$y. <,arry to$% "e the sa"e thing'< she sai% soft$y' <that $ast year when we were out hunting ,orcruCes.<

Ton#s win#e%. <S"art boy' that.< <Bes' he was'< ,er"ione no%%e% an% s"i$e% fon%$y. <4 rea$$y can;t wait unti$ 4 can write about hi" an% @inny. There was :ust so"ething between the"A4;" not sure if 4 can e&en eCp$ain it.< <6o' 4 #now what you "ean'< Ton#s shoo# her hea%. <4t was $i#e when they were together the wor$% was this bran% new p$ace fu$$ of a"a5ing possibi$ities.< <That;s it'< ,er"ione no%%e%. <(nyway' 4 want that part to be specia$. 4t nee%s to be to "a#e peop$e un%erstan%.< <4 thin# peop$e wi$$'< Ton#s sai%' conte"p$ating the thought. <?ost of us are a suc#er for ro"ance stories. That;s why a$$ of those no&e$s se$$ so fast. *eop$e want to rea% about so"ething that;s out of the or%inary' so"ething that gi&es the" hope for the future. ,arry an% @inny ha% that in spa%es.< ,er"ione s"i$e% fon%$y an% agree%. <Their story was &ery ro"antic.< <Bou;$$ fin% the wor%s'< Ton#s no%%e%. <4 ha&e no %oubt your boo# wi$$ be an e&en bigger best se$$er than S#eeter;s cou$% e&er hope for.< <4;" not in it for the "oney'< ,er"ione eCp$aine%' "a#ing Ton#s s"i$e. <4n fact' a$$ of the "oney fro" the boo# is going to se&era$ charities.< <4 thin# that;s a bri$$iant i%ea'< Ton#s grinne%. <(n% 4 #now ,arry wou$% appro&e.< F""a rea% ?issy;s $etter for the thir% ti"e an% then tuc#e% it un%er a photograph on her be%si%e tab$e' unsure of how she fe$t about her frien%;s re>uest. The past year ha% been har% without ?issy aroun%. F""a ha% fe$t &ery a$one when she returne% to schoo$ in the fa$$. She ha% a few frien%s' but no one as c$ose as ?issy ha% been. The year ha% been cha$$enging an% F""a was g$a% it was o&er. 4n fact' she ha% :ust finishe% her (+2e&e$s an% cou$%n;t be happier to be %one. F""a ha% burie% herse$f in re&ision for the $ast few "onths' hoping that her "ar#s on the tests wou$% a$$ow her to consi%er )ni&ersity. She ro$$e% onto her sto"ach' ba$$ing her pi$$ow un%er her ar"s an% propping her hea% up on it. The sun$ight fro" a gorgeous su""er %ay spi$$e% in the win%ow' "a#ing F""a &ery aware that it was we$$ past the ti"e she shou$% be up an% "o&ing. She cou$% hear (nne "o&ing aroun% %ownstairs' her &oice %rifting up through the f$oorboar%s. That cou$% on$y "ean one thingDCarter was here.

F""a groane%' burying her face in the be%%ing. Carter was nothing if not persistent. ,e ha% been co"ing aroun% increasing$y o&er the past few wee#s. F""a ha% trie% to $et hi" %own easy a few "onths ago by te$$ing hi" that she was &ery busy with re&ising for her eCa"s an% wasn;t intereste% in %ating anyone right now. ,e ha% agree% that she shou$% focus on her eCa"s' but he sti$$ offere% to ta#e her to schoo$ in the "ornings an% was aroun% often in the e&enings an% on wee#en%s. ,e was nice enough' F""a guesse%' an% %ecent $oo#ing. 4t :ust see"e%Aa bit $i#e %ating a %istant cousin' or e&en a brotherDnot that F""a ha% "uch to co"pare it to. She ha% a$$owe% a few boys to ta#e her out this year' %espite her reser&ations. ,owe&er' none of the" $aste% past a few %ates. She wasn;t $oo#ing for anything serious right now. ,er pu55$e% past an% "u%%$e% future was enough to be getting on with' she thought. She turne% o&er in be% when (nne #noc#e% at her %oor. <Co"e in.< <Sti$$ in be%' you $a5y+bones=< she tease% goo% nature%$y as she entere% the roo"' carrying a $arge tray fu$$ of won%erfu$ s"e$$ing brea#fast ite"s. <4 guess so'< F""a sighe% an% sat up' "a#ing roo" for her frien% at the en% of the be%. (nne was "uch "ore than a frien%D"ore $i#e a "other' rea$$yDa$though it %i%n;t fee$ right for F""a to ca$$ her that. <That;s a$right'< (nne patte% her foot un%er the %u&et an% win#e% at her. <Bou;re entit$e% to a $ie in after wor#ing so har%.< F""a sighe% an% accepte% the g$ass of orange :uice that (nne han%e% her. She %ran# it' $i#e she a$ways %i%' not to be ru%e. ,owe&er' orange :uice ha% a$ways see"e% soAbitter to F""a. She cra&e% so"ething "ore "e$$ow an% with aAricher f$a&or. <4 shou$% ha&e gotten up an% he$pe% you with brea#fast.< <*ish'< (nne wa&e% her han% in front of her' <4t was on$y Carter an% 4' %uc#' no nee% to get up an% wait on $a5y o$% "e. Besi%es' 4 #now you;re up here hi%ing fro" Carter too.< She ga&e a #nowing s"i$e an% F""a f$ushe%. She shrugge% her shou$%er' $oo#ing %own at a $oose threa% on the b$an#et an% pic#ing at it. <Carter;s a$right. 4 rea$$y shou$%n;t treat hi" that way.< (nne sighe% an% s"i$e% fon%$y. <3e can;t choose who we fa$$ in $o&e with' F""a. Bou;re not beho$%en to ha&e fee$ings for Carter si"p$y out ofAgratitu%e for our fa"i$y or any other thing. 6ow' %on;t get "e wrong' 4;% $o&e to ha&e you as a per"anent part of this fa"i$y' but 4 un%erstan% that so"eti"es our heart $ea%s us %own a %ifferent path.< F""a chewe% at her botto" $ip' g$ancing at the $etter ?issy ha% sent an% won%ering if she shou$% ta$# to (nne about it.

<4 #now that $oo#A< (nne sai%' a%:usting herse$f so that she cou$% see F""a fu$$y. They;% spent "any nights :ust $i#e thisDsitting across fro" each other an% ta$#ing about F""a;s past an% what she wante% for the future. <?y ?e$issa ga&e "e that sa"e $oo# $ast year' about this sa"e ti"e.< F""a s"i$e% an% shrugge% a shou$%er. <4 guess 4;" :ust rea%y to see what;s out there for "e.< <4 un%erstan% co"p$ete$y'< (nne shoo# her hea%. <4t was har% for "e to $et "y chi$%ren go' F""a. 4 "iss the" "ore than anything. But you each ha&e your own $i&es to $i&e' your own %rea"s to chase. (n% what #in% of a "other wou$% 4 be if 4 he$% "y chi$%ren bac# fro" their %rea"s= 4 cou$%n;t $i&e with "yse$f if one of the" passe% up an opportunity :ust to stay ho"e with "e an% "a#e sure 4 was fe% e&ery %ay.< S"i$ing' F""a no%%e%' un%erstan%ing what she was saying. <4;" scare%'< she a%"itte%. <(%&enture a$ways begins with a $itt$e fear'< (nne shrugge%. <Change isn;t easy' but it;s usua$$y worth it.< F""a chuc#$e%' scra"b$ing forwar% to $ean o&er the brea#fast tray an% engu$f (nne in a huge hug. <4;&e rare$y to$% you how "uch it "eans to "e that you $et "e stay with you'< she cho#e% out' fee$ing a bit si$$y to cry so easi$y. <Bou;&e gi&en "e e&erything' you #now. (n% 4 won;t e&er be ab$e to repay that.< <Bou %on;t nee% to' $o&e'< (nne shoo# her hea%. <.ust go out there an% $i&e your $ife the best that you can. That;s a$$ the than#s 4 nee%.< She pu$$e% bac# an% s"oothe% the re% ten%ri$s of hair away fro" F""a;s face' wiping her tears away with her thu"bs. F""a no%%e% an% sniffe%. The two share% a $augh an% then began to ta$# about F""a "o&ing to ?anchester. <4;% $i#e to go an% see ?issy if 4 cou$%'< F""a sai% soft$y as she pic#e% at the crust on her toast. <4t;s been since Christ"as. She #eeps te$$ing "e that there;s roo" at her f$at.< <There shou$% be'< (nne no%%e%' chuc#$ing as F""a too# another piece of toast an% bypasse% the butter to sprea% a hea$thy %ose of "ar"a$a%e on the brea%. <Than# the 2or% that .i" $eft us with a si5eab$e a"ount in the ban#.< F""a no%%e% an% $ic#e% the "ar"a$a%e off of her finger before ta#ing a satisfie% bite of the toast. <She e&en says the coffee shop where she wor#s "ight be hiring.< <4t soun%s $i#e you;&e got it a$$ wor#e% out' F""a.<

She shrugge%' fee$ing her chee#s heat. She a$"ost %i%n;t want to a%"it that she;% been using the ti"e between re&ision sessions to p$an her "o&e. 4t see"e% a bit ungratefu$ to (nne to e&en thin# about it. F""a owe% her e&erything. <,ow about'< (nne starte%' a "ischie&ous $oo# on her face' <you an% 4 p$an a trip' :ust us gir$s' out there to see ?issy soon= 4 thin# 4 can "anage a %ay or two off fro" the hospita$.< F""a grinne% an% gigg$e%. <That soun%s won%erfu$' (nne. 4 thin# we;% ha&e a great ti"e.< <Carter wi$$ pout'< (nne no%%e% an% then shrugge%' <but he;$$ get o&er it.< They p$anne% an% $aughe% for a few "ore "inutes before (nne $eft an% F""a swung her $egs %own o&er the e%ge of the be%. She ha% a $ot of pac#ing an% p$anning to %o if she was going to "o&e in a "onth. (n%Ashe ha% a $etter to write. ?issy wou$% be so thri$$e%.

*Chapter #*: Chapter #

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. Chapter # August 2 1 through October 2 1

F""a g$ance% o&er at Carter in annoyance' but pushe% the fee$ing away. 4t wasn;t his fau$t that (nne ha% been ca$$e% into an e"ergency at the hospita$ an% ha%n;t been ab$e to go with her to ?anchester to &isit ?issy.

(n%' it was rather $uc#y that Carter ha% been ab$e to ta#e the %ay off' a$though F""a wasn;t sure if she wou$% ha&e preferre% to co"e a$one or not. Carter ha% been nothing but po$ite' but it was the eCtre"e chi&a$ry an% protecti&eness that %ro&e F""a insane. She was a strong wo"an. She ha% sur&i&e% "ore than Carter 3i$#ins cou$% i"agine in his wi$%est %rea"sDnot that she cou$% re"e"ber it a$$. 4t was "ore a fee$ing than anything' she thoughtG a fee$ing that she ha% $i&e% se&era$ $ifeti"es a$rea%y in her short eighteen years. <3ou$% you $i#e pu%%ing' F""a=< Carter as#e%' ho$%ing his han% out to the waiter who was "o&ing the pu%%ing cart through the restaurant. <6o' than# you.< F""a shoo# her hea%' si$ent$y cursing ?issy for ha&ing a course this afternoon. They;% spent a &ery p$easant "orning seeing her f$at' wa$#ing %own the streets to the coffee shop where ?issy wor#e% an% then touring the ca"pus of the )ni. 4f she ha%n;t been con&ince% before' F""a was %efinite$y %eci%e% now. 4n a few %ays she wou$% ha&e a$$ of her pac#ing finishe% an% "a#e arrange"ents to get her things %own here to ?anchester. Carter wou$%' no %oubt' offer his car' but F""a rea$$y wou$% prefer (nne bring her. <3e ha&e a few "ore hours before we nee% to catch the train ho"e'< Carter "use% as he pai% the bi$$ an% he$% out his ar" to escort her out of the restaurant. <4s there anything e$se you;% $i#e to see=< F""a pon%ere%' #nowing that if ?issy' or e&en (nne' were with her there wou$% be a thousan% things for the" to see. <4 wou$%n;t "in% seeing ?anchester )ni'< Carter carrie% on' before F""a cou$% e&en answer. She sighe% an% shrugge%' $etting her ar" s$ip fro" his. ,e continue% to ta$#' f$ipping asi%e his rather $onger b$on% hair. Carter ha% watche% so"e picture a few "onths bac# where the actor ha% been a bit of a rogue with $onger hair. F&er since then' he;% been trying to grow his out. (nne :ust shoo# her hea% an% whispere% that it was rea$$y to i"press F""a. She wasn;t i"presse%. (t a$$. 4n fact' his $onger b$on% hair rather annoye% her' e&en though she wasn;t sure why. 4t :ust irritate% her in an irrationa$ way. Eery soon' she to$% herse$f as they boar%e% another train an% "a%e their way across town' she wou$% be $i&ing here with ?issy' an% Carter 3i$#ins wou$% be a thing of the past. F&en though the thought "a%e her fee$ a bit gui$ty' it "a%e her s"i$e. She %i%n;t want to be awfu$ to hi"' e&en he %i%n;t %eser&e that' but the "an ne&er too# no for an answer.

F""a sighe% as she $eane% her hea% bac# against the wa$$ of the train' her han% trai$ing up to p$ay with the en% of the p$ait (nne ha% he$pe% her put in her $ong hair this "orning. ?enta$$y' she p$anne% how she wou$% %ecorate the e"pty be%roo" in the f$at she an% ?issy wou$% soon share. .ac# fina$$y $et hi"se$f re$aC after a $ong %ay at wor#. The she$&es of ?anchester;s newest boo#store were now stoc#e%' the %isp$ays set an% the fina$ %etai$s co"p$ete% an% waiting the @ran% 1pening to"orrow afternoon. 6or"a$$y' .ac# %i%n;t wor# in that part of the cityG the boo#store where he;% starte% out un$oa%ing boCes an% then wor#e% his way up to "anaging the Chi$%ren an% Boung (%u$ts section was in a poorer part of the "etropo$is' c$oser to Sa$for%. ,is Store ?anager ha% approache% .ac# ear$ier in the wee# an% as#e% hi" to he$p out at the new branch for a few %ays unti$ they got sett$e%. .ac# was "ore than happy to ha&e the o&erti"e an% the eCtra pay that went with it. 6ow' the ru"b$e an% roc#ing "otion of the train was a$"ost $u$$ing hi" to s$eep. ( %iscar%e% newspaper sat in the seat neCt to hi" an% .ac# pic#e% it up' thu"bing through the hea%$ines but seeing nothing of interest. The sa"e stories of corrupt po$iticians pro"ising taC refor"' pub$ic sightings of the 0oya$ !a"i$y an% the $i#e fi$$e% the pages. Those sorts of things %i% not interest hi". ,e ha% far greater concerns on his "in%G such as how to get his f$at "ate to pay his share of the rent before it was %ue instea% of a wee# after' an% whether or not the $oaf of brea% that he;% forgetfu$$y $eft out on the #itchen counter ear$ier that "orning wou$% be too %ry to "a#e a sarny or two for hi" when he got ho"e. (n% it wasn;t that -ere# was irresponsib$e' "ore that he was :ust easi$y %istracte%. ,e g$ance% up as the train s$owe% for another stop. The hiss of the %oors opening an% the tra&e$ers :ost$ing in an% out #ept his focus for a "o"ent before his eyes returne% to an artic$e about an upco"ing %og show in the par#. .ac# sighe% an% rust$e% the pages c$ose%' $etting his eyes sweep o&er the faces in the car with hi"' won%ering what erran%s ha% brought the" out for the %ay. (cross the ais$e an% two seats o&er was an e$%er$y wo"an who wore an ancient $oo#ing hat perche% on her b$ue hair at a cra5y ang$e. She wore a bright f$ora$ printe% froc# an% c$utche% a wrin#$e% brown paper bag in her $ap. ,er eyes were shut tight$y an% .ac# won%ere%' a"use%$y' if she hate% ta#ing the train. SiC seats %own fro" the o$% wo"an was a youth %resse% in baggy an% i$$+fitting c$othing that $oo#e% bran% new' but ob&ious$y was not "a%e for so"eone so thin an% scrawny. ,e wore hea%phones that the $ou%' thu"ping "usic $ea#e% out of. .ac# narrowe% his eyes at the boy as the youth eye% the o$% wo"an' hoping that the threat of retribution in his stare wou$% put any thoughts of &io$ence against the e$%er$y out of the boy;s "in%. ,e ha% to s"i$e when the boy >ue$$e% s$ight$y an% $oo#e% away fro" .ac#.

( "an in a grey business suit ya##e% on his "obi$e an% co"p$aine% $ou%$y that he cou$% not hear the ca$$er. .ac# s"ir#e% to hi"se$f an% continue% to $et his eyes wan%er. (nother "an' nearer to .ac#;s own age' sat right neCt to the %oorway. ,e was b$on% an% fair' with we$$ "anicure% c$othing that showe% at $east a bit of wea$th. 6eCt to hi"A .ac# swa$$owe% har%. 6eCt to the b$on%e "an was the "ost beautifu$ wo"an that .ac# ha% e&er seen. ,er pa$e s#in was accente% by a s"attering of frec#$es across her chee#s an% nose. ,er $ips were fu$$ an% pin#' the nose upturne% :ust a bit at the en%. ,er $ong re% hair was pu$$e% bac# into so"e sort of p$ait that %rape% o&er one shou$%er. .ac# won%ere% how "any sha%es of co$or were actua$$y in that hair. !ro" where he sat he thought that there were "ore than he wou$% be ab$e to count. 4t was her eyes' howe&er' that rea$$y caught .ac#;s attention. They were a &ery %eep choco$ate brown' wi%e an% eCpressi&e' an%A$oo#ing right at hi". -ar# pin# b$oo"e% on her chee#s as she >uic#$y $oo#e% %own at her $ap. .ac# ha% to s"i$e at catching her watching hi". So"ehow' though' he cou$%n;t "a#e hi"se$f $oo# away. Sure enough' her face $ifte% an% she g$ance% at hi" again. This ti"e their ga5es he$% for a "o"ent as they see"e% to stu%y each other. .ac# ha% seen beautifu$ wo"en beforeG eCotic wo"en with %ar# s#in' b$on%e 6or%ic beauties an% cur&y brunettes ca"e into the boo#store on a regu$ar basis. ,e;% been on a few %ates in the past few "onthsDpushe% by -ere#' of courseLe&en ha% a goo% night #iss or two' but so"ething a$ways see"e% to be "issing. The ;spar#;' for $ac# of a better wor%' was ne&er there to ho$% his interest past a few hours of niceties. (n%' for the precise$y twenty+se&en secon%s whi$e the two ga5es $oc#e% across the crow%e% co""uter train' .ac# won%ere% if he;% foun% it. The "o"ent was bro#en' howe&er' when the b$on%e "an touche% the re%hea%;s ar" an% her attention shifte% o&er to hi". 4t figures' .ac# thought %e:ecte%$y. ,e curse% his racing heart an% f$uttery sto"ach as he $et his eyes $ose focus onto the f$ashes of $ife outsi%e the win%ow. Traitorous as they were' his eyes #ept wan%ering bac# to the re%hea%. She see"e% to be on$y ha$f $istening to what her tra&e$ing co"panion was saying as she $oo#e% %own at the f$oor of the train. .ac#;s stop was announce% an% he $ai% the forgotten newspaper on the seat neCt to hi" an% shifte% in his own seat' preparing to %epart. !or another "o"ent' their eyes "et an% the wo"an s"i$e% bri$$iant$y at hi"' her chee#s b$osso"ing pin#' "a#ing his sto"ach turn o&er again. The train shu%%ere% to a stop an% .ac# re$uctant$y stoo%' his eyes ne&er $ea&ing hers. The passengers getting off :ost$e% an% fina$$y .ac# ha% to ta#e his turn in $ea&ing. The noise of the ter"ina$ assai$e% his ears an% he instant$y wishe% for the se"i+ si$ence of the at"osphere he;% :ust $eft.

)nab$e to he$p hi"se$f' .ac# $oo#e% bac# into the win%ow. The re%hea%e% wo"an ha% turne% in her seat an% was watching hi" through the g$ass. She presse% a han% against the win%ow an% her s"i$e fa%e% :ust a bit as .ac# ga&e a s"a$$ resigne% shrug an% $ifte% his han% in goo%bye. The train pu$$e% out of the station an% she was gone. ,e wasn;t e&en conscious of the fi&e b$oc# wa$# ho"e that %ay. The sun ha% ne&er shone so bright$y' nor ha% the $ate su""er air e&er been as p$easant as it was that afternoon. ,e was &ague$y aware of the rough an% tu"b$e boys of the neighborhoo% who atte"pte% to engage hi" in a ga"e of footba$$. .ac# ha$f+hearte%$y #ic#e% the ba$$ bac# towar% the" an% continue% on his way. <(bout ti"e you got ho"e'< -ere# gru"b$e% as his b$ac#+haire% roo""ate entere% the secon% f$oor f$at. <3as the train $ate=< <,uh=< .ac# grunte% as he f$oppe% bac# onto the worn secon%+han% sofa that was near$y the on$y piece of furniture in the s"a$$ $i&ing roo". -ere# turne% fro" where he was $eaning against the #itchen counter. <4 as#e% if the train wasD< he bro#e off when he rea$i5e% that .ac# wasn;t hearing anything. <3hat;s with you to%ay' "ate=< .ac# %i%n;t answer for a "o"ent an% then start$e% su%%en$y. <3hat;re you ta$#ing about=< -ere# grinne%. <Bou' you so%. That;s what 4;" ta$#ing about. So"ething "ust ha&e happene% for you to be grinning that wi%e.< ,e $aughe% out $ou% as .ac# f$ushe% an% turne% his hea% away. <4t;s that $itt$e b$on% bir% at the store isn;t it=< -ere# $aughe%. <She fina$$y ga&e in to the o$% 4nga$$s char" an% you got a $oo# in her trousers.< <-on;t be cru%e'< .ac# sco$%e%. <(n% noAit has nothing to %o with her.< -ere# s"ir#e% an% wagg$e% his eyebrows. <So"eone e$se then=< ,e $aughe% e&en har%er when .ac# tosse% a %irty soc# ta#en fro" the cushion at hi". <Co"e on' a b$o#e %oesn;t s"i$e $i#e that un$ess so"eone;s been p$aying with hisD< <14H< .ac# ye$$e%. <Can;t a b$o#e :ust ha&e a nice %ay= 4t;s beautifu$ outsi%e. The sun is shining' the s#y is b$ueA< <3hate&er'< -ere# s"i$e%. .ac# sighe% an% stare% out the win%ow' not e&en seeing the row of rather fi$thy' re% bric# houses across the $ane. -ere# went bac# to eating out of the white car%boar% ta#e+away boC that he$% so"ething that "ay ha&e once rese"b$e% Chinese foo%.

<-i% you e&er ha&e one perfect "o"ent=< .ac# fina$$y as#e%. <.ust one "o"ent in the "i%%$e of the %ay' when you $east eCpect it. Bou;re %oing so"ething you %o e&ery %ay' nothing rea$$y i"portant' an% B(?H Bou rea$i5e that you;&e :ust %one so"ething' or seen so"ething that "a#es this the perfect "o"ent in ti"e=< <Fr' not rea$$y'< -ere# grunte%' gi&ing his f$at "ate his fu$$ attention. <4 ha% that to%ayAon the train ho"e. 1ne perfect "o"ent.< -ere# consi%ere% his frien% for a few "inutes an% then tosse% the e"pty foo% container into the rubbish bin. <4 "et so"eone to%ay'< .ac# sai% soft$y. <3e$$Awe %i%n;t really "eet.< <Co"e again=< -ere# shoo# his hea% in confusion. <1n the train'< .ac# continue%. <There was this wo"an. She wasAbeautifu$ %oesn;t e&en %escribe herAange$ic is "ore $i#e it.< ,e no%%e%' #nowing that was the wor% he was $oo#ing for. <She wasA:ust perfect.< <4 see'< -ere# sai%' f$opping %own on the sofa neCt to .ac#. <(n% %i% this ;ange$; gi&e you her nu"ber.< .ac# shrugge%. <3e ne&er spo#e.< <FrA< <4t was that one perfect "o"ent. 4 $oo#e% at her' she $oo#e% at "eAan% that was it.< -ere# was si$ent for a "inute an% then fina$$y rough$y s$ugge% .ac# in the shou$%er. <Bou nee% to get out "ore' "ate. 6eCt ti"e' ta$# to the gir$.< .ac# shrugge% an% absent$y rubbe% his ar". <4 %on;t #now.< <3a#e up to rea$ity' "ate'< -ere# grunte% as he stoo% up. <Bou;$$ probab$y ne&er see this gir$ again. F&er.< <4 #now'< .ac# conce%e% with a sigh. <ButA< <Beah'< -ere# sai%. <That one perfect "o"ent.< The two frien%s both $oo#e% outsi%e the win%ow again. <4t;s a$$ for the best anywayAshe probab$y ha% a high pitche% s>uea#y &oice.< .ac# fe$t the corners of his "outh turn up s$ight$y. <That;s itG she ha% a $augh $i#e a hyena. 1r "aybe she wou$% ha&e :ust wante% you for your "oney.<

.ac# fina$$y $et hi"se$f $augh as he g$ance% aroun% the f$at. Secon% han% furniture was scarce. The wa$$s of the o$% f$at were %ingy an% a %u$$+grey co$or. (ny e$ectronics brought into this neighborhoo% were sure to %isappear in $ess than a %ay. <Co"e on'< -ere# reache% %own an% pu$$e% .ac# to his feet. <4;$$ buy you a wea#' watere%+%own pint at the pub before you hea% off to :ob nu"ber two.< F""a pushe% her by+now fri55y hair behin% her ear an% wipe% her han%s on the apron that she wore. The coffee house was cra5y this ti"e of the "orning. She ha% a$ways figure% that the ear$y "orning rush was the worst. But by far' the $ate "orning push of young "others %resse% in trac# pants an% :ogging outfits as they %roppe% their chi$%ren off at the $oca$ pri"ary schoo$s was the worst. (t $east in the "orning' custo"ers weren;t up to chatting yet' they or%ere% their coffee an% $attes an% "ochas to go. The "others wante% to chat with e&eryone about the $atest gossip' how "uch weight so+an%+so ha% $ost that wee#' what i$$ness their chi$% ha% pic#e% up at the "in%er. 4t was a$$ a bit nu"bing to F""a. <Brea# ti"e'< she fina$$y breathe% out as she g$ance% up at the c$oc#. She caught ?issy;s attention at the register an% ga&e a hea% :er# towar% the bac# roo". She cou$% "a#e out the "outhe% ;go ahea%; an% re"o&e% her apron >uic#$y before another "other cou$% shout out her or%er of an eCtra gran%e non+fat $atte with eCtra foa". <0ough "orning=< Car$' the store "anager' as#e% as F""a sighe% an% san# %own onto one of the rather unco"fortab$e chairs in the bac# roo". <Bou cou$% say that'< F""a $aughe%. <Bou;% thin# 4;% get use% to it after two "onths.< Car$ $aughe% an% c$ose% the accounting boo#s he;% been $oo#ing at. <Beah' "ornings are a$ways rough. The night shift isn;t so ba% though' $ots of >uiet ti"e.< F""a no%%e% an% ro$$e% her hea% to ease the aching "usc$es. She reache% bac# to rub her nec#' pushing the thic# p$ait o&er her shou$%er an% out of the way of her fingers. <3ou$% you consi%er switching to the e&ening shift=< Car$ as#e% su%%en$y. <4 cou$% rea$$y use so"eone re$iab$e to he$p "e out.< F""a sat up straight an% stare% at hi". <(re you sure' Car$=< she sp$uttere%. <4;&e on$y been here a few wee#s.< Car$ s"i$e%. <4 #now' but you #now your way aroun% here pretty we$$. Bou;&e got a hea% for the nu"bers an% 4 #now you;re re$iab$e. ?issy can han%$e the "orning if 4 get so"eone new in here too. 6ate' the #i% that usua$$y c$oses for "e on wee#nights' is finishing up the ter" at )ni&ersity an% he wants $ess hours.<

F""a consi%ere% for a "inute. Ta#ing a $ater shift at the coffee house wou$% a$$ow her to get an ear$y "orning :ob as we$$ as #eeping this one. The "ore "oney she "a%e' the faster she cou$% app$y to )ni&ersity herse$f an% fin% a better $ife. <Bes' Car$'< she answere% with a s"i$e. <4 thin# 4 wi$$ ta#e the shift change.< <@oo%.< Car$ gathere% up his paperwor# an% boo#s. <,a&e a goo% brea#' F""a. (n% we;$$ start on the new shift neCt wee#.< <Than#s' Car$'< F""a sai%' a genuine s"i$e on her face for the first ti"e in a few wee#s. ,ours $ater she sat in the win%ow seat of the f$at she share% with ?issy an% $et her hea% rest against the coo$ness of the g$ass. ,er han% absent$y went to the chain she wore aroun% her nec#' $ifting the ring that $ay hea&i$y on the botto" of it. The go$% was getting "ore an% "ore tarnishe% fro" where her fingers habitua$$y rubbe% o&er it. The once+ shiny s>uare %ia"on% on the top was now %u$$. 4t was the on$y thing she ha% fro"A before' an% she cou$%n;t bring herse$f to part with it. The "o&e to ?anchester ha%n;t been as a%&enturous as F""a ha% hope%. Bes' she an% ?issy ha% spent a few %ays seeing the sights an% en:oying the"se$&es. But fair$y soon it was ti"e for ?issy to go bac# to )ni an% F""a to start wor#. <-ay%rea"ing again'< ?issy gigg$e% as she tosse% a s"a$$ pi$$ow at F""a. F""a on$y sighe% in response an% s$ippe% the ring beneath her shirt. <The "ystery "an this ti"e=< ?issy >uestione%. <1r so"eone new=< F""a trie% to #eep the agitation fro" showing too "uch as she stiffene% her bac#. <4 notice% you an% Car$ ta$#ing ear$ier to%ay. ,e;s a bit o$% for "y tastes' but to each their own.< F""a s"i$e%. <4t;s not Car$.< <(h' the "ysterious an% e$usi&e fiancK then'< ?issy no%%e% #nowing$y. F""a swung her $egs %own fro" the si$$ an% stoo%' stretching. <4 #now it;s si$$y. 4t probab$y has nothing to %o with being engage%. !or a$$ 4 #now' it was "y "other;s or so"ething $i#e that an% 4 :ust wore it on the chain to be senti"enta$.< ?issy s"i$e% an% then shoo# her hea%. <6ope' 4;" bettingAa secret engage"ent.< The once fa"i$iar ga"e between the gir$s $ightene% F""a;s "oo%' e&en if the sub:ect was rather %ar#. <4 was no "ore than se&enteen when 4 "et you' you #now. That;s far too young to be engage%.< <6ot if it was true $o&e'< ?issy proteste% as she began straightening up the f$at so"ewhat.

<Bou watch too "any shows on the te$$y' ?e$issa'< F""a sighe%. <4 #now'< ?issy sighe% %ra"atica$$y. <But wou$%n;t it be nice' one %ay' to ha&e a $ife $i#e that= 6othing eCciting e&er happens aroun% here anywayG secret engage"ents' #nights on white horses' sou$ "atesAthat wou$% sure "a#e things interesting once again.< <Bou #now 4 %on;t be$ie&e in a$$ of that stuff'< F""a sai% as she re$uctant$y began he$ping to c$ean. ,ow two young wo"en cou$% "a#e that "uch "ess she wou$% ne&er un%erstan%. <1h' but you shou$%'< ?issy rep$ie%. <?aybe that;s your prob$e"' you %on;t be$ie&e in $o&e any"ore' in "agic' inD< <0ea$ity'< F""a proteste%. <)"h""'< ?issy >uir#e% an eyebrow in s$yness. <4 re"e"ber a few wee#s ago when you ca"e here with Carter. Bou ha% that secret s"i$e then.< F""a sp$uttere% an% then $aughe%' #nowing her re% face wou$% gi&e her away. <(h haH< ?issy proc$ai"e%. <4 #new it. So"ething happene% that %ay. *$ease te$$ "e it wasn;t Carter. Bou #now 4 can on$y han%$e "y brother so "uch' an% if "y best frien% an% he were in&o$&e%A< She $et the sentence %ie as she ga&e a rather horrifie% $oo#. F""a :ust $aughe%. <CarterAwe$$' it;s not fro" his $ac# of trying' 4;$$ assure you that. 6o' it ha% nothing to %o with Carter. 4 :ustAon the train' there was this "an.< ?issy p$oppe% %own on the s"a$$ sofa an% sett$e% in for what see"e% to be a goo% story. F""a :ust b$ushe% e&en further an% shoo# her hea%. <4t;s rea$$y nothing' an% 4;$$ ne&er see hi" again. But' for a "inute' when our eyes "etA4 won%ere%.< <3hat if=< ?issy as#e% soft$y. <Beah'< F""a no%%e%. <3hat if=< The two gir$s sat in %rea"y si$ence for a few "inutes. <So' what %i% he $oo# $i#e=< <3ho=< ?issy ro$$e% her eyes. <The "an on the train.< <1h' we$$' he ha% b$ac# hair an% it was rather "essy' you #now.<

<?essy= 2i#e he ha% ne&er seen a co"b in his $ife' or "essy $i#e he;% been in a hurry an% the win% "usse% it up=< F""a thought bac#. <?essy $i#e he;% ha% a $ong %ay at wor# an% ha% run his fingers through it se&era$ ti"es.< ?issy no%%e% her un%erstan%ing. <,e ha% g$asses' s"a$$ an% not too thic#. But his eyesAoh' he ha% beautifu$ eyes.< F""a c$ose% her eyes an% reca$$e% the s"i$e that the "an wore. <Bri$$iant green eyes.< <3hat was he wearing=< <1h'< F""a screwe% up her face s$ight$y. <Bou #now' 4;" not sure 4 e&en notice%. 4t was nice that %ay' so 4 %on;t thin# he was wearing a :u"per. So"e sort of unifor" shirt' 4;" sure.< ?issy no%%e% an% then stoo% as she notice% the ti"e. <,e soun%s won%erfu$' $o&e. 2isten' 4;&e got to get to c$ass+(rt ,istory'< she pu$$e% a face as she gathere% her ruc#sac# an% a $ight :ac#et. <Bou;$$ be a$right here tonight=< F""a $ai% her hea% on the bac# of the couch an% no%%e%. <Beah. 1hH 4 a$"ost forgot to te$$ you that Car$ as#e% "e to switch to the night shift. 4t;$$ be goo% an% then 4 can get a %ay :ob a$so.< <1h'< ?issy sai% as she grabbe% an app$e out of the #itchen. <3e$$' that wi$$ he$p you get c$oser to )niAbut 4;$$ "iss wor#ing with you.< F""a sighe%. <4 #now. ButA ,eyH Bou $i#e (rt ,istoryH< she proc$ai"e% as she rea$i5e% what ?issy ha% :ust sai%. <4sn;t there that blo!e in there=< ?issy b$ushe% an% fu"b$e% with the %oor. <6oAwe$$' yeah' 4 guess so. ,e;s :ust a frien%' rea$$y.< <)hhuh'< F""a grinne% #nowing$y. <.ust a frien%.< <1h' honest$y'< ?issy grinne% as she $eft the f$at an% F""a $aughe% at her. <($"ost thereAa$"ost there'< 0on gui%e% his wife through the %oor' his han%s o&er her eyes. <,onest$y' 0ona$%'< ,er"ione huffe%. ,er annoyance was betraye% as she $aughe%' though. <Bou cou$% ha&e :ust use% a b$in%fo$% char".< 0on stoppe%' his face going s$ac#. <There;s a b$in%fo$% char"=< <1f course there;s a b$in%fo$% char"'< ,er"ione huffe%.

<( few "ore steps.< ,e grinne%' #nowing that he if ha%n;t pro%%e% her forwar%' she wou$% ha&e $ecture% hi" on the proper wan% "o&e"ents an% pronunciation of the spe$$. <0ona$%D< <($right'< he sai%' re"o&ing his han%s. <Bou can $oo# now.< ,e steppe% bac#' ta#ing in the roo" he;% brought her to an% trying to #eep his face fro" crac#ing. ,e ha%n;t s"i$e% this "uch since their we%%ing pictures. ,er"ione s"i$e% wi%e$y' c$asping her han%s in front of her face whi$e she stu%ie% the wa$$ to wa$$ cherry boo#she$&es. The f$oors were a bit worn' 0on #new' but this roo" wou$% be perfect for her stu%y. ,e to$% her so. <4t wou$% be'< she agree%' throwing her ar"s aroun% hi". 4t too# hi" by surprise an% he pic#e% her up an% swung her aroun%. <The who$e house is a"a5ing' 0on'< she confir"e%' pressing a #iss to his $ips. <4 can;t be$ie&e you foun% it.< <?e either'< 0on ruff$e% his hair. They;% been ta$#ing about buying a house for a few "onths' but ha%n;t been ab$e to fin% the right one. 3hen the Fstate (gent ha% ca$$e% the other %ay' ,er"ione ha% been in the "i%%$e of another chapter of her boo#. 0on offere% to go an% $oo# at the property an% $et her #now. ,e was p$easant$y surprise% by a$$ the roo" an% the bac# gar%en especia$$y. 4t wasn;t $arge enough for a 9ui%%itch pitch' but enough space for beginning broo" $essons. The stu%y' howe&er' was what "a%e 0on want to bring ,er"ione bac#. <Co"e on'< 0on grabbe% her han% an% tugge% her to the $arge %oub$e %oors that $e% out to the gar%en. <See' you can $ea&e these %oors openA< 0on opene% the" wi%e an% they $aughe% when a stiff bree5e b$ew a few $ea&es into the roo". <3e$$Ain the su""er' anyway' an% see the #i%s.< ,e fe$t his ears heat at the thought of ha&ing chi$%ren with ,er"ione. They ha% ta$#e% about it' e&en to the point of p$anning to begin trying. ,er"ione;s boo# ha% put things on ho$%. But that was fine with 0on. 3hate&er ,er"ione wante% was fine with hi". They wa$#e% out into the gar%en' 0on putting his ar" aroun% ,er"ione;s shou$%ers in the chi$$y bree5e. <4 was thin#ing we;% as# 6e&i$$e to co"e o&er an% he$p us sort a$$ of this out.< <?""' it is a bit of a "ess' isn;t it=< The trees a$ong the e%ge of the property were o&ergrown' their branches bowing hea&i$y with ha$f+she% $ea&es. The bushes an% $awn were un#e"pt an% growing wi$%.

<4;% $o&e to be ab$e to grow so"e fresh potions ingre%ients'< ,er"ione agree%. <(n% so"e f$owers wou$% be $o&e$y.< <Beah. ?aybeA< 0on;s face f$ushe% an% he scuffe% his toe a$ong the bro#en pa&ers. <?aybe we cou$% p$ant so"e $i$acs. They were a$ways @inny;s fa&orite.< ,er"ione s"i$e% an% s>uee5e% his ribs tight$y. <4;% $o&e that'< she agree%. 2et;s p$ant it right here' neCt to the stu%y' so 4 can s"e$$ the" when they b$oo". <Bri$$iant'< 0on agree%' $eaning %own to #iss her. Together' they went bac# into the house' securing the %oors behin% the". <Can we rea$$y affor% this' 0on=< ,er"ione as#e%' worrying her $ip. <Because 4 was wor#ing on the bu%get the other %ay' an% now that 4;" wor#ing $ess hoursD< 0on he$% up his han% to sta&e off her >uestion. <3e;re going to be fine. Bou;re not the on$y one who #nows how to bu%get.< She raise% an eyebrow at hi" an% he $aughe%. <($right' 4 ha% *ercy he$p "e' butA< <That;s what 4 thought'< she $aughe%. 0on scratche% the bac# of his nec# an% shrugge%. <!re% an% @eorge are going to $oan us the %own.< ,er"ione' than#fu$$y' #ept her co""ent bac#' possib$y #nowing how "uch it ha% cost hi" to go to his brothers an% as# for their he$p. 4t ha% been 0on;s pri%e that ha% #ept hi" fro" straightening hi"se$f up' costing the" an entire yearDit wasn;t so"ething he $i#e% to thin# about. ,owe&er' when 0on weighe% the benefits of swa$$owing his pri%e an% accepting a s"a$$ $oan fro" his brothers' who were %oing eCtre"e$y we$$ in their business' an% not ha&ing a suitab$e p$ace to raise a fa"i$yD0on;s pri%e $ost e&ery ti"e. !re% an% @eorge ha% offere% 0on ,arry;s shares of 3eas$ey;s 3i5ar%ing 3hee5es' saying that they were sure ,arry wou$% want 0on to ha&e it. The ?inistry ha% sei5e% a$$ of the other *otter assets' since ,arry;s wi$$ ha% $eft e&erything to @inny' an% he ha% no $i&ing re$ati&es. Than#fu$$y' there were no recor%s of ,arry e&er owning shares of the store. The twins ha% %one so"e fancy accounting an%' a$ong with *ercy;s he$p' ha% "anage% to #eep Scri"geour fro" fin%ing out about the "oney. 0on ha% %ec$ine% their offer' suggesting that they #eep the shares an% $et the" grow. The fa"i$y cou$% %eci%e what to %o with the "oney so"e%ayDor it wou$% be there if so"eone nee%e% it.

*ercy ha% suggeste% a s"a$$ $oan with a reasonab$e interest rate an% 0on ha% agree%. They;% sha#en han%s on the %ea$' an%' a$though both parties ha% proteste%' saying that they %i%n;t nee% %ocu"entation' signe% *ercy;s >ui$$e% agree"ent. <4s this the house you want=< 0on as#e%' pressing his $ips into ,er"ione;s hair. ,er ar"s ca"e aroun% his nec# an% she pon%ere% for a "inute. <There;s enough roo" so that we can use "agic without worrying the neighbors'< ,er"ione $iste%. <Fnough roo" to f$y a bit' as $ong as it;s #ept $ow'< 0on chuc#$e%. <?ore than enough be%roo"s to fi$$'< ,er"ione >uippe%' gi&ing hi" a heate% $oo#. 0on swa$$owe% harsh$y an% grinne%. <Bour own $ibrary.< <(n% a garage for your father to fi$$ with a$$ "anner of ?ugg$e rubbish.< 0on ha% to $augh' #nowing that his father wou$% in%ee% begin parting with his be$o&e% co$$ection. ,e;% a$rea%y sent se&era$ things to each of his sons. 0on ha% been ab$e to a&oi% it at first' by c$ai"ing that his an% ,er"ione;s one be%roo" f$at wasn;t $arge enough. That eCcuse wou$%n;t wor# for "uch $onger. <SoAyou $i#e the house=< ,er"ione ga&e one $ast g$ance aroun% the roo" an% no%%e%. <4 $o&e the house.< .ac# ha% :ust finishe% the $arge stac# of %ishes that ha% been co$$ecting on &arious surfaces in the #itchen of the f$at when -ere# entere% an% co$$apse% noisi$y on the sofa. <0ough %ay=< .ac# $aughe%. <6o' not rea$$y'< -ere# "u"b$e% fro" where his face presse% into the cushion. <Te$$ "e again' why 4;" ta#ing so "any courses=< <Because you;re suici%a$'< .ac# answere% happi$y bac#. <(n% because you stoo% in the registration >ueue behin% a who$e $ot of goo% $oo#ing bir%s an% signe% up for e&ery course that they too#.< <0ight'< -ere# $ifte% his hea% to s"i$e at .ac#. <(n% 4;&e been out with how "any of the"= 3here as you' who too# a$$ the $ogica$ an% pro%ucti&e c$asses' ha&e been on three %ates in your entire $ife.< .ac# tosse% a soggy f$anne$ at -ere# who caught it an% tosse% it bac#. <3e$$' 4;" we$$ out of that now.<

-ere# wince% at the rea$i5ation of his wor%s. <Beah' but you;$$ be bac# to it neCt ter".< .ac# no%%e% an% %rie% his han%s off. <.ust as soon as 4 can earn the "oney to $i&e off of again.< <4 to$% youD< <-on;t worry about it' yeah=< .ac# interrupte% an% -ere# #new better than to push his frien%. <So' what new gir$ are you seeing this wee#=< -ere# ro$$e% o&er an% grinne% happi$y at the %ingy cei$ing. <?e$issa.< .ac# ro$$e% his eyes. <Beah' we$$' :ust %on;t forget the tie on the %oor han%$e neCt ti"e you bring one ho"e. 4 %on;t fancy wa$#ing in on that again.< <1iH 4t on$y happene% that oneD< <TwiceH< -ere# grinne%. <($right' twice. Bou #now 4 wou$%n;t "in% seeing a tie on the %oor han%$e once or twice.< .ac# stoo% abrupt$y an% "o&e% to $oo# out the win%ow. <3hy are you so worrie% about "y $o&e $ife=< <1r $ac# thereof=< -ere# tease%. <Because' you;re on$y twenty+three' "ate. Bou nee% to $i&e a $itt$e.< <4 $i&e :ust fine' than#s'< .ac# grow$e%. <3hate&er' "ate'< -ere# agree% wry$y. <2isten' ?e$issa an% 4 are "eeting a group of frien%s at a pub :ust %own the way' why %on;t you co"e with us=< .ac# shoo# his hea%. <6o' 4 thin# 4;$$ stay here' ha&e a #ip.< <Bou ne&er co"e with us.< .ac# on$y shrugge%. <2oo#' at $east "eet us $ater' before you go to wor#. ?e$issa wor#s at this $itt$e coffee house' the one on the corner of 2ower See%$ey an% 2angworthy.< .ac# no%%e% showing that he un%erstoo% which one. <,er f$at "ate wor#s the c$osing shift an% ?e$issa a$ways shows up to wa$# her ho"e.< <4 %on;t thin#D< -ere# grow$e%. <.ust be thereH< .ac# began to protest again but then shrugge%. ,e rea$$y %i%n;t %o "uch socia$$y with anyone an% fe$t rather gui$ty that his frien% was noticing. <4;$$ thin# about it.<

<!ine'< -ere# grinne%. <4;" going to shower. The coffee p$ace c$oses at eight.< <4 sai% 4;$$ thin# about it'< .ac# %efen%e%. ,a$f+se&en foun% .ac# shuff$ing his feet bac# an% forth on the si%ewa$# across the street fro" the we$$+$it coffee house. ,is han%s were sho&e% %eep in the poc#ets of his thin :ac#et an% he hunche% his shou$%ers against the coo$ 6o&e"ber te"perature. 4t was stupi%' he #new' to fee$ this ner&ous o&er "eeting a group of peop$e in a socia$ setting. But' .ac# was rather a $oner of sorts' a$ways fee$ing $eft out in a crow%' a$though no one e$se e&er see"e% to show that they #new how he fe$t. ?aybe it ca"e fro" being so poor' he thought. ,e was a$ways &ery conscious of how "uch things cost an% how "any hours of wor#ing it wou$% ta#e to earn bac# what he spent. ?aybe it was that he rea$$y %i%n;t ha&e any "e"ories' an% the few he ha% were not p$easant at a$$. ,e >uic#$y sho&e% those fee$ings %own %eep where they be$onge% an% %eter"ine% that tonight he wou$% try to fit in with -ere#;s frien%s an% not fee$ so out of p$ace. ,e cou$% see the s"a$$ group in the win%ow' $aughing at so"ething -ere# ha% sai%. ( rather cur&y b$on% wo"an see"e% attache% to -ere#;s $eft ar" an% shot hi" a%oring s"i$es e&ery few "inutes. .ac# grinne% to thin# that he wou$% ha&e to wear earp$ugs tonight' or fin% so"ewhere e$se to #ip so that he wou$%n;t #now the entirety of -ere#;s socia$ $ife. There was another "an in the group as we$$. .ac# recogni5e% hi" fro" se&era$ e&ents at the )niD.oe or .ohn' or so"ething $i#e that. There were a s"a$$ han%fu$ of gir$s as we$$ an% .ac# hope% that -ere# wou$%n;t try to push one of the" on hi". The three gir$s he;% been out with ha%n;t rea$$y been his choice' two were setup by -ere# an% the otherAwe$$' the other he ha% as#e% out. They;% been out two or three ti"es' but she was rather forwar% an% it "a%e .ac# unco"fortab$e. <Bou "a%e itH< -ere#;s &oice boo"e% fro" the corner tab$e an% he stoo% to pu$$ another chair into the group as .ac# approache%' s$ight$y f$ushe% fro" the attention of the others on hi". <Beah'< .ac# sai%. <4 thought 4;% %rop by for a few "inutes.< <F&eryone' this is .ac#' "y f$at "ate. .ac#' this is ?e$issa'< he gesture% towar% the b$on% wo"an he;% been sitting neCt to. <.oe' you re"e"ber hi". Cassie' /ristine' Tara an%A 4;" sorry' 4 %on;t re"e"ber your na"e' $o&e.< <Tease'< ?e$issa s>uea$e% an% sho&e% -ere# p$ayfu$$y. <Bou re"e"ber -ianna'< -ere# no%%e% towar% the short brunette who he an% .ac# ha% share% a c$ass the $ast ter" with.

<,e$$o'< .ac# sai% as he accepte% the seat. ,e obser&e% the group aw#war%$y as they began their con&ersation again about so"e sub:ect at the )ni&ersity. <So' .ac#' 4 ha&en;t seen you aroun% $ate$y'< -ianna sai%. <4;&e ta#en a bit of ti"e off'< .ac# eCp$aine%' <not rea$$y sure what 4 want to %o yet.< <Bri$$iant'< .oe co"p$i"ente%. <1therwise you get stuc# in so"ething $i#e 4nterna$ ?e%icine' $i#e "e' an% hating e&ery "inute of it.< The group $aughe% an% .ac# was confuse% for a "o"ent. <-on;t $isten to a thing he says' %uc#'< /ristine eCp$aine%' wrapping her ar" through .oe;s. <,e $o&es e&ery "inute of it an% he;s going to be an eCce$$ent %octor.< She $eane% o&er an% ga&e .oe an affectionate pec# on the $ips. <-o you wor#' .ac#=< ?e$issa as#e%. <Beah'< .ac# sai%. <4 wor# o&er at the boo#store on 3est 1ne.< <1h' 4 #now that one'< Cassie pipe% up. <4 go in there a$$ the ti"e. They ha&e the best tab$oi% section.< She gigg$e% an% the gir$s a$$ :oine% her. <@o get a coffee' .ac#'< .oe "otione% to the group of cups on the tab$e. .ac# shoo# his hea%. <6o than#s' 4 %on;t rea$$y $i#e it "uch.< -ere# ro$$e% his eyes. <They ser&e other things' "ate.< .ac# f$ushe% s$ight$y an% g$ance% aroun% the shop. There was on$y one other tab$e occupie%. The young coup$e there was co"p$ete$y engrosse% in each other an% ob$i&ious to the wor$%. <Te$$ F""a that she shou$% co"e an% :oin us'< ?e$issa ca$$e% out an% .ac# frowne% in confusion. Then he re"e"bere% so"ething that -ere# ha% sai% beforeG ?e$issa ca"e to wa$# her f$at "ate ho"e. .ac# no%%e% absent$y an% approache% the counter' staring at the $arge sign abo&e hi" that proc$ai"e% hun%re%s of &arieties of coffee. <3hat can 4 get for you' sir=< .ac# shoo# his hea% absent$y an% then g$ance% %own at the wo"an behin% the counter. <4 %on;tA< @reen eyes "et brown an% the two stare% at each other. <4t;sAit;s you'< .ac# whispere%' &ague$y won%ering why his hea% fe$t fu$$ of cotton.

<The train'< F""a whispere% right bac#. She se$f+conscious$y $ifte% a han% to straighten her hair' which ha% been hapha5ar%$y pu$$e% bac# into a ponytai$ ear$ier in the e&ening. .ac# c$eare% his throat an% b$ushe% s$ight$y. ,e rea$$y ha%n;t e&er thought he;% see her again. <Fr"' 4;$$ ta#e a tea' 4 guess. 3hite with one.< F""a no%%e% %istracte%$y. <1h' yeah' right.< She shoo# herse$f s$ight$y an% then gathere% a cup an% poure% tea into it' a%%ing the "i$# an% sugar. <,ere'< she a%%e% as she set it %own in front of her' tea s$opping $a5i$y o&er the si%e. .ac# cou$%n;t see" to ta#e his eyes off of her. She was e&en "ore beautifu$ tonight' with her "essy apron an% rather fra55$e% appearance. ,e s"i$e% as the tea %rippe% %own the cup. <1hH< F""a crie%. <4;" so sorry. 4;" not usua$$y this "uch of a p$on#erH< <4t;s a$right'< .ac# sai% soft$y. ,e reache% out to co&er her han% as she wipe% up the spi$$s fro" the counter with a wet f$anne$. <4 %on;t "in%.< <Beah'< F""a breathe%' $oo#ing up into his eyes again. <,ow "uch=< .ac#;s s"i$e wi%ene% as he watche% F""a stare at hi". <3hat=< <!or the tea'< .ac# "otione% with their :oine% han%s. F""a $oo#e% %own an% :u"pe% as she saw her fingers sti$$ touching his. ,e he$% bac# a sigh of regret when she pu$$e% away. <1h' %on;t worry about it. 4 "a%e a "ess of it anyway.< <4 %on;t want to get you in troub$e'< .ac# proteste%' reaching into his poc#et an% pu$$ing out a han%fu$ of coins. <,onest$y'< F""a sai%' f$ushing e&en "ore bright$y. <-on;t thin# on it.< .ac# no%%e% an% swa$$owe% thic#$y. <(t $east $et "e buy you a cuppa' or a coffee if you prefer.< 4t was his turn to $oo# %own at the counter an% b$ush. ,e cou$% fee$ his face heating an% too# a %eep breath to ca$" hi"se$f. <4;% $i#e that'< she sai%. <?y na"e;s F""a' by the way.< <.ac#'< he answere% an% he$% out his han% for her to sha#e.

-ere# $eane% into ?e$issa;s shou$%er an%' catching her attention' no%%e% his hea% to where .ac# an% F""a ha% sat at a s"a$$ roun% tab$e together. <3e$$'< ?e$issa sai%' raising her eyebrows. <4 ne&er wou$% ha&e thoughtA< <?e neither'< -ere# "use%. ,e was "ore than s$ight$y a"use% that F""a ha% %ec$ine% to :oin their group a$$ night c$ai"ing that she shou$% be wor#ing' but ha% :ust :oine% .ac# with no protests at a$$. 4n fact' it %i%n;t see" to hi" that she was e&en aware she was at wor# sti$$. <,e;s a goo% b$o#e then=< ?e$issa whispere% to hi". -ere# no%%e%. <1ne of the best. 4t surprises "e though' he;s usua$$y rea$$y reser&e%' especia$$y aroun% gir$s.< <F""a;s not rea$$y one to open up either.< They both turne% an% s"i$e% to each other as the coup$e they were watching $aughe% an% see"e% &ery at ease together. <,a&e they "et before=< -ere# as#e%. <6ot that 4 #new about'< ?e$issa a%"itte%. <F""a;s ne&er "entione% "eeting anyoneA we$$' eCcept this one "an on the train a few "onths bac#.< <The train=< -ere# as#e%' his "e"ory triggere% by a %istant an% so"ewhat %rea"y eCpression on .ac#;s face. <Beah' it was :ust before she "o&e% %own here to stay with "e'< ?e$issa offere%. <?y brother Carter ca"e %own here with her an% we spent the %ay together. She to$% "e that she;% seen this "an on the train an% he #ept staring at her' but not in a ba% way' you #now what 4 "ean. She sai% he was rea$$y cute an% that it wou$% a$ways "a#e her won%er what "ight ha&e been if they;% been ab$e to ta$#.< -ere# grinne% to hi"se$f. <4 thin# they "ight ha&e (ust been ab$e to.< ,e win#e% at ?e$issa an% her eyes went wi%e in recognition. <SoA< .ac# sai%' searching for a safe topic to spar# so"e con&ersation. ,e rea$$y %i%n;t thin# raptures o&er her beauty were the best way to start the e&ening. F""a b$ushe% again' but s"i$e% wi%e$y. <Beah.< <Bou wor# here.<

She $aughe% an% too# a sip of her tea an% then reache% to a%% a bit of honey. <3e$$' yeah.< .ac# b$ushe% an% grinne% %own into his tea cup. <That was stupi%' 4;" sorry.< <6o' it;s a$right. 4 on$y starte% a few "onths ago.< <0ea$$y= 3here %i% you wor# before then=< F""a s"i$e% at his >uestion. ,e see"e% genuine$y intereste% in the answer an% it %i%n;t hurt that he was e&en cuter c$ose up. ,is hair was :ust as "essy tonight as it ha% been that %ay on the train. ,is bri$$iant green eyes spar#$e% bright$y behin% his g$asses an% the s"i$eAit was enough to sen% her heart racingG co"p$ete$y croo#e% an% it "a%e his nose scrunch the tiniest bit. The on$y thing to "ar the perfection that she foun% was a faint scar running a$$ a$ong the $eft si%e of his :aw' a$"ost hi%%en on the un%ersi%e an% one pea#ing out fro" his hair$ine. <4 %i%n;t' we$$' not aroun% here anyway'< F""a answere%. <4 :ust "o&e% here actua$$y.< <Bou $i&e with ?e$issa' right=< .ac# as#e% an% then $aughe% at her shoc#e% eCpression. <-ere# "entione% so"ething.< <1h' how %o you #now the"=< .ac# fe$t $i#e s$apping his forehea%. She ha%n;t seen hi" with the group by the win%ow. <-ere#;s "y f$at "ate.< F""a $aughe%. <That eCp$ains >uite a bit then.< .ac# $aughe%. <Beah' actua$$y' it %oes. But 4 can;t ta#e cre%it' or b$a"e' for hi".< <Bes'< F""a grinne%. <,e;sAinteresting.< <That;s one wor% for it.< The two $aughe% an% then %ran# their tea for a few "o"ents in si$ence. <So' where %i% you $i&e before=< <1h' actua$$y' 4;&e $i&e% with ?e$issa;s fa"i$y in /en%a$ sinceAwe$$ for two years now.< <That;s where your fa"i$y is fro"=< .ac# won%ere% at his >uestion as he caught a f$ash of pain in F""a;s face. <4;" sorryD< <6o' %on;t be'< F""a interrupte%. <4 %on;t ha&e any fa"i$y that 4 #now of. (ctua$$yA4 was in an acci%ent a few years ago an% %on;t rea$$y ha&e any "e"ory prior to that.< .ac# a$"ost %roppe% his cup as he sat up straight an% gape% at her. <(re you ta#ing the "ic#ey=<

F""a shifte% unco"fortab$y. <6o' 4;" not. 3hy=< <4t;s :ustAwe$$' 4 was hit by a car two years ago an%A4 %on;t ha&e "ore than a han%fu$ of "e"ories before that.< F""a swa$$owe% har% an% reache% across to grip his han%. <4 %on;tA< She shoo# her hea%. <4;&e ne&er "et anyone e$se'< she whispere%. <?e either'< .ac# agree%. ,e ga&e her han% a >uic# s>uee5e but %i%n;t $et go. <(nyway' 4 %on;t ha&e any fa"i$y either.< <3hat %o you re"e"ber' if you %on;t "in% "e as#ing=< F""a as#e%. .ac# shoo# his hea% an% furrowe% his brow in concentration. <6ot "any things. !$ashes of $ight' "ost$y. 4 %on;t reca$$ anything about "y chi$%hoo%' eCcept a &ague fee$ing of being &ery poor an% not &ery happy.< F""a reache% her other han% across an% rubbe% their c$aspe% han%s. <4 %on;t e&en ha&e that "uch to go on. 4 wo#e up in hospita$ with no "e"oriesDnothing to go on eCcept a nec#$ace aroun% "y nec#. So"eti"es 4 thin# 4 re"e"ber a bright $ight' but 4 %on;t #now what it "eans.< .ac# s"i$e% in sy"pathy' but so"ehow they both #new it was genuine an% not fu$$ of pity. <Bou;&e %one we$$ for yourse$f then.< F""a s"i$e%. <4 guess 4;&e %one a$right. 4 ha&e a fair$y goo% :ob. 4;" sa&ing to be ab$e to go to )ni&ersity soon.< <?e as we$$'< .ac# agree%. <4;&e been ab$e to go two ter"s so far. 4t;s a $ot "ore eCpensi&e than 4;% i"agine%. 4 wor#e% two :obs as we$$ as %oing "y coursesG about wore "yse$f out.< F""a $aughe%. <4 bet you %i%.< <4t;$$ be easier if 4 :ust earn enough that 4 can pay for e&erything up front an% then ha&e enough to $i&e on. ($though'< he s"i$e% wry$y' <the way it $oo#s 4;$$ be %oing it this way unti$ 4;" thirty.< ,e snorte% in hu"or$ess $aughter an% F""a :oine% hi". <3e;re in the sa"e p$ace.< They continue% to ta$# about the )ni&ersity an% a$$ the sub:ects they;% both hope% to stu%y' their wor# an% "any other things' co"p$ete$y ignoring the now+co$% tea in front of the"' an% ob$i&ious to the tic#ing of the c$oc# an% the wor$% aroun% the". 3hen the $ights in the coffee shop turne% off abrupt$y' F""a gaspe%' rea$i5ing that she was suppose% to be c$osing up the shop.

<4;" so sorry'< she apo$ogi5e% an% gathere% up both of their forgotten cups. <4;&e ta#en up a$$ your ti"e with your frien%s. (n% 4;" going to get fire% for not %oing "y :ob.< .ac# grinne% at her fra55$e% state an% shoo# his hea%. <4 ha% a goo% ti"e tonight.< ,e g$ance% at his watch an% then swore soft$y. <Sorry'< he b$ushe%. <4s it rea$$y ha$f+nine=< F""a groane% in answer an% hurrie% o&er to the counter. <4;" sorry.< <6o'< .ac# ruff$e% his hair in annoyance. <4t;s not that. 4 :ustA4 ha&e to go to wor#. 4;" a$rea%y $ate.< ,e s"i$e% apo$ogetica$$y. <1h'< F""a turne% to face hi" once "ore. <The boo#shop is open this $ate=< .ac# s"i$e%. <6o' 4 a$so wor# at the "ar#et :ust %own the street stoc#ing she$&es at night.< F""a s"i$e% an% no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. <Bou;$$ be a$right' hereAa$one 4 "ean=< .ac# as#e%. <1h'< F""a starte% an% g$ance% aroun% to fin% the group of frien%s by the win%ow watching the scene in a"use"ent. <3e;$$ get her ho"e safe for you' .ac#'< -ere# ca$$e% out an% .ac# b$ushe%. ,e ro$$e% his eyes an% turne% bac# to F""a' ta#ing a step towar% her. <4A4 rea$$y ha% a nice ti"e tonight.< F""a no%%e% in agree"ent. <(n%' 4;% $i#e to see you again. Fr"' if you want to that is. 4 "ean' we %on;t ha&e to be at the coffee shop or anything. 3e cou$%' 4 %on;t #now' go to the pictures' orD< F""a steppe% forwar% an% grinne% at hi". <.ac#.< .ac# stoppe% ra"b$ing an% s"i$e% in e"barrass"ent. <4;% $i#e to see you as we$$.< <To"orrow night=< F""a gri"ace%. <4;&e got to c$ose again to"orrow.< .ac# no%%e% an% thought for a "inute. <The neCt night then=< ,e hate% that he soun%e% so eager' but he :ust cou$%n;t hi%e it. F""a s"i$e% an% b$ushe% as ?e$issa ga&e a si$ent cheer behin% .ac#. <( group of us were going out c$ubbing' actua$$y.< <Bou;re we$co"e to co"e a$ong' .ac#'< -ere# ca$$e% out.

.ac# $aughe% an% no%%e%. <4;" not too goo% at the %ancing stuff'< he confi%e% soft$y to F""a. <4t;s a$right' neither a" 4'< F""a agree%. <So' %ay after to"orrow.< .ac# grinne% an% $eane% in to #iss her chee#. <4;&e got to go.< F""a no%%e% an% s"i$e% in return. <,a&e a nice night.< .ac# bac#e% s$ow$y to the %oor an% then' with one fina$ s"i$e' $eft the coffee house. <.ac#H< ,e turne% aroun% as F""a $eane% out the g$ass %oor. <3hat=< ,e grinne% at her i"pish s"i$e. <That %ay on the train= 3hat was it you $i#e% about "e=< .ac# frowne% in conte"p$ation an% then $aughe% at her crestfa$$en face. <4t wasn;t :ust one thing'< he sai%. <4t was a hun%re% %ifferent things.< F""a $aughe% out $ou%' a soun% that rang %own the street $i#e the pea$ of a be$$. <4;$$ #eep that in "in%.< ?issy sighe% as she saw her f$at "ate once again perche% in the win%ow seat. <F"' what;s wrong=< <6othing'< the re%hea% answere% an% then swipe% angri$y at the tears that ha% $eft trac#s %own her face. <4t;s stupi%.< ?issy :oine% the other wo"an on the seat an% pu$$e% her hea% %own onto a we$co"e shou$%er. <4t;s not ;nothing;. 4s it .ac#= 3as he ru%e tonight or so"ething=< F""a snorte% a $augh through her tears. <6o. .ac# wasAwon%erfu$. F&erything tonight was out of a %rea".< <Then what;s the prob$e"= Bou;re not sti$$ worrie% that Car$ is going to be "a% at you= Because 4 to$% you' Cassie an% 4 c$eane% the who$e p$ace up whi$e you an% .ac# were $ost in your own $itt$e wor$%. 3e on$y c$ose% ten "inutes $ate an% besi%es' he;$$ ne&er #now.< F""a $aughe% again. <4 #now. Bou $ot are such won%erfu$ frien%s. 4 appreciate it.< <Then what;s the prob$e"=< ?issy as#e%. She ha% a &ague i%ea what it "ight be' an% hope% she;% be ab$e to he$p. <4t;s :ustAa" 4 a horrib$e person=< F""a as#e%' $oo#ing up at her frien% p$ea%ing$y.

<3hatH 3hy on earth wou$% you thin# that=< F""a shrugge% her shou$%ers. <Because 4 can fee$ "yse$f gi&ing up.< 4t was then that ?issy saw the ring an% nec#$ace c$utche% in F""a;s han%. <1n him8 The "ystery "an=< F""a no%%e% an% ?issy sighe%. <6o' you;re not a horrib$e person. 4t;s been years' $o&e. 3e;&e ha% this con&ersation before'< she answere% carefu$$y. <4 #now'< F""a swipe% at "ore tears. <4t;s :ustA< ?issy reache% up to stro#e F""a;s bri$$iant re% hair. <4t;s :ust that you;&e "et so"eone that "a#es your heart race an% you fee$ $i#e you;re betraying so"eone e$se by fee$ing that way.< F""a no%%e%. <Shou$% 4 e&en be fee$ing this way about .ac#=< <,ow %o you fee$ about hi"=< ?issy as#e%. <4 "ean' you on$y "et tonight' %espite that ;"iracu$ous an% perfect "eeting on the train;.< F""a gigg$e% at the %ra"atic tone her frien% use%. <There;s so"ething there'< F""a answere% &ague$y. <4 fe$t it the "o"ent our eyes first "et. (n% tonight when he touche% "eAit wasA$i#e a spar#. 4 fee$ co"p$ete$y co"fortab$e aroun% hi"' which is utter$y ri%icu$ous because 4;" not e&en co"fortab$e aroun% "yse$f.< <4t %oesn;t hurt that he;s rea$$y cute'< ?issy a%%e%. F""a $aughe%' her tears c$ose to being forgotten. <There is that.< ?issy sighe% hea&i$y. <4 thin# you owe it to yourse$f' an% to .ac#' to fin% out where this is going for you. ?aybe it;$$ ne&er be "ore than a few fun %ates' or it cou$% be so"ething that $asts for a $ot $onger. But 4 thin# it;s a hea$thy step.< F""a %i%n;t answer eCcept to no% against her frien%;s shou$%er. <(n%' "aybe it;s ti"e to put the ring away for awhi$e.< ?issy c$ose% F""a;s han% o&er the ring unti$ it was co"p$ete$y out of sight. <?aybe it is'< F""a agree%. <Bou;re a co$%' crue$A$itt$e' $itt$e "an' -raco ?a$foyH<

The urge to $augh we$$e% in hi" an% -raco cou$%n;t #eep it in. (storia ha% been getting "ore an% "ore %ifficu$t to han%$e $ate$y. She;% :ust beco"e soA%e"an%ing. 3anting to #now where he was at a$$ ti"es' who he was with an% what he was %oing. (n% then' after interrogating hi" for what see"e% $i#e hours' she wou$% p$ay coy an% c$ai" that she was nee%e% at her parents; ho"e' an% that they eCpecte% her to re"ain pure before her "arriage to -raco. ,e;% a$rea%y ha% her se&era$ ti"es' but she was a bit of a bore' rea$$y. 6ot an a%&enturous bone in her bo%y. <!ineH< she ye$$e%' <4;" going to "y parents.< ,a&ing ha% enough' -raco stoo% an% wa$#e% casua$$y to the si%eboar% in the rich$y %ecorate% %rawing roo". <That wi$$ suit "e :ust fine. 2ea&e the ring' $o&e.< She gaspe% behin% hi" an% he cou$% picture her c$utching at the fu$$ carat %ia"on% ring. ,e;% spent a s"a$$ fortune on the ring' but on$y the best cou$% be seen on the finger of ?rs. ?a$foy. (n% (storia ha% %efinite$y fit the bi$$ for a beautifu$ ?a$foy wo"an. She was ta$$ an% thin' an% &ery' &ery b$on%e. -raco ha%n;t ha% "uch to choose fro" in the way of pureb$oo% wo"en who weren;t a$rea%y betrothe%. 1n$y the best fa"i$ies sti$$ participate% in the o$% ways. (storia was young an% i%ea$istic. @i&e her a few "onths a$one an% -raco #new she;% co"e craw$ing bac#. 4n the "eanti"e' he wou$% ha&e one $ess person watching his e&ery "o&e. <Bou %on;t "ean that=< <(ctua$$y'< -raco %raw$e%' ho$%ing up his g$ass of re% wine to see the $ight fro" the win%ow shining through the %eep burgun%y co$or' <4 %o.< ,e too# a sip' appreciating the fu$$ f$a&or of the wine' before $oo#ing o&er to see (storia;s pa$er than usua$ face. <!ine'< she snappe%' she s$i% the ring off an% tosse% it at hi"' hitting hi" in the chest. The ring s$i% %own to the f$oor an%' rather than gi&ing her the satisfaction of seeing hi" pic# it up' -raco steppe% o&er it' an% sat bac# %own at his %es#. <4;" sure you can fin% your way out.< (storia screa"e% in rage an% sto"pe% off %own the ha$$way. -raco chuc#$e%' sitting bac# in his chair an% hoisting his feet onto the %es#. ,ow "any ti"es ha% he co"e into this sa"e roo" an% seen his father in this eCact position= ?ore ti"es than he cou$% re"e"ber' actua$$y. ( twinge of annoyance at the o$% "e"ories f$ashe% through hi" an% -raco ye$$e% for his house+e$f.

<Bes' ?aster=< The e$f bowe% $ow an% -raco inspecte% his unifor". )n$i#e his father' -raco ha% a hea$thy respect for the "agic of the house e$&es. 6ot that he thought they were by any "eans e>ua$s. But he %i% #now that treating the" as a ser&ant' an% not so"ething that he ha% steppe% in' wou$% get hi" "ore respect than his father ha% e&er been shown by the $ow$y $itt$e beings. <?iss @reengrass has gone ho"e for the e&ening'< he infor"e% the e$f. <There wi$$ on$y be one for %inner.< <1f course' ?aster.< The e$f wrung his $itt$e han%s' but bowe% $ow an% crac#e% out of sight. Bes' -raco "use%' the neCt few wee#s wou$% be goo%. *erhaps he;% e&en pay a ca$$ bac# to get a few "ore %ress robes. ,e;% seen the young gir$ se&era$ ti"es $ast year before (storia ha% foun% out an% thrown an e"barrassing tantru". *erhaps it was ti"e to see if the shape$y young $a%y was sti$$ aroun%. ,e cou$% a$ways go to *aris as we$$A (storia wou$% co"e to her senses' or rather -ono&an @reengrass wou$% con&ince his %aughter that ta#ing the ?a$foy na"e wou$% be in her best interest. ,e;% e%ucate his %aughter in what it "eant to be hea% of a house such as the ?a$foy;s. -ono&an hi"se$f was ru"ore% to ha&e se&era$ "istresses. (n% she wou$% co"e bac#' craw$ing on her han%s an% #nees. She wou$% put the ring bac# on' resu"e p$anning their eCtra&agant we%%ing an% spen%ing his un$i"ite% fortune' an% $earn to turn her hea% the other way when her husban% ca"e ho"e s"e$$ing of another wo"an;s perfu"e. (fter a$$' -raco was on top of the wor$%. The accusations he;% "a%e about *otter in that s$i"y $itt$e 0ita S#eeter boo# ha% brought his na"e bac# into the news again. ,e;% e&en been offere% se&era$ thousan% ga$$eons for an eCc$usi&e of his own story of the !ina$ Batt$e. 1f course' if that were the offer nowAthey wou$% pay ten ti"es that in a few "onths. ,e sippe% at his wine' re&e$ing in the si$ence of the huge "anor house. Bes' -raco ?a$foy ha% arri&e%. A/N: The scene with 6ac! and #mma on the train in this chapter was inspired by a song. It was actually the %ery first scene written in this story" years ago when I heard the song. The story grew from there. 'ouse points to anyone who can guess as to what the song was. No" $eb and #lla" you can't win. 4ou already !now what it is. And no hints" either" you two- +)

*Chapter $*: Chapter $

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Than!s to e%eryone who has read and re%iewed. I lo%e hearing from e%eryone. $eb and #lla" once again" wor!ed their magic on this chapter. I promised an answer to the uestion I as!ed about the song that inspired the 6ac!/#mma scene on the train ride. There were lots of great guesses about the song" all of which were great. The song was actually 04ou're .eautiful0 by 6ames .lunt. The scene was inspired by the words of the song" definitely not the %ideo. In fact" the %ideo to &a%age *arden's 0I ;new I 9o%ed 4ou0 actually fit the scene perfectly" but the song didn't inspire me. The first to guess correctly was 7reds*irl" who had a slight ad%antage as she !nows about my 6ames .lunt obsession. )ther correct guessers were ge(ufan" 69a9a" cacata" (!salmeier" *inny3<=" rigal" and bottl>. Than!s for trying" e%eryone. 'ope you en(oy the chapter. Chapter $ %o&ember 2 1 through 'ecember 2 1

.ac# s"i$e% ner&ous$y as the group aroun% hi" chatte% an% $aughe%. They were waiting in $ine to get into the area;s newest %ance c$ub. F""a stoo% neCt to hi"G her han% c$aspe% tight$y in his own an% chuc#$e% at his fi%geting. <Stop' .ac#'< she sai%. <,onest$yH 4 fiCe% your co$$ar an% hair at the f$at. Bou;$$ :ust "ess it up if youD< <4 #now' 4 #now'< .ac# "u"b$e%' a$though his s"i$e betraye% that he wasn;t upset. She ha% in%ee% ta"e% his wi$% $oc#s when he an% -ere# ha% arri&e% at the gir$s; f$at to pic# the" up. .ac# was a"a5e% that she;% been ab$e to "a#e it so"ewhat presentab$e. ,e;% spent har% earne% "oney on a new pair of %ar# grey trousers' a pa$e green button+%own shirt an% b$ac# b$a5er. The "oney was we$$ spent' if the $oo#s that F""a was gi&ing hi" were any in%ication.

F""a was a &ision of beauty. She was wearing a #nee+$ength b$ac# %ress that hugge% a$$ her cur&es in the right p$aces an% strappy $itt$e hee$s that %ro&e .ac# wi$%. ,er hair was cur$e% tight$y an% pi$e% on her hea% so that a few stran%s hung %own in spira$s. .ac# fought the o&erwhe$"ing urge to touch one of the". <4;" :ust ner&ous'< .ac# confesse%. <4;&e ne&er been to a p$ace $i#e this an% 4;" not rea$$y sure what to %o.< <6either ha&e 4'< F""a a%"itte% an% then s"i$e% "ischie&ous$y' <at $east 4 %on;t thin# 4 ha&e.< .ac# snorte% an% then schoo$e% his features as the bouncer eye% hi" suspicious$y. -ere# $eane% bac# an% whispere% $ou%$y behin% his han% to .ac#. <4 thin# he recogni5es you fro" your other $ife. Better "a#e a run for it' .ac#.< <1ther $ife=< ?e$issa swung aroun%. <1h yeah'< -ere# grinne%' <the one where he;s a wo"ani5ing %rin#er that parties a$$ night an% ga"b$es away the %ay.< <Eery funny'< .ac# gru"b$e%. ,e shot a betraye% $oo# at F""a when she $aughe%. <6ot you as we$$.< <4t was funny'< she confesse% an% -ere# bea"e% at her. <1h' honest$y'< ?e$issa ro$$e% her eyes. The bouncer fina$$y $et the" in after f$irting outrageous$y with the wo"en. .ac# chec#e% F""a;s coat an% too# her han% again as they entere% the ha5y' $ou% at"osphere of the c$ub. <3ow'< he "u"b$e%' co"p$ete$y in awe at the f$ashing $ights' poun%ing rhyth"' an% heat of the bo%ies presse% together. <Beah'< F""a agree% an% pu$$e% c$oser into his si%e. The crow% swa$$owe% the" up as -ere# an% ?e$issa "o&e% confi%ent$y through the" an% towar% a series of high tab$es near one wa$$. <3ou$% you $a%ies $i#e so"ething to %rin#=< -ere# as#e% as the four reache% one of the tab$es an% c$ai"e% it for their own. .ac# s"i$e% as F""a trie% her best to ignore the stic#y surface of the tab$e. <3hat wou$% you $i#e=< he as#e%' $aying his hea% c$ose to her ear so that she cou$% hear hi".

<1h'< F""a scrunche% her face in thought. <4;" not "uch of a %rin#er. ,ow about a white wine=< .ac# no%%e% thoughtfu$$y an% win#e% as he fo$$owe% -ere# to the bar. The two "en returne% after ten "inutes' each carrying %rin#s. <Co"e on' -ere#' $et;s %anceH< ?e$issa shoute% an% grabbe% his han%. -ere# chugge% a $arge gu$p of his %rin# an% win#e% at .ac# as the b$on% tugge% hi" towar% the %ance f$oor. F""a $aughe% an% shifte% so that .ac# cou$% sit neCt to her. <They "a#e a goo% coup$e'< .ac# sai%' $eaning towar% her again. F""a no%%e%. <They %o' but 4;" not sure how serious it is. ?issy can be a $itt$e f$ighty' if you #now what 4 "ean.< .ac# no%%e%. <4 was won%ering why you ca$$ her ?issy=< <4 %on;t #now'< F""a shrugge%. <4t;s what her fa"i$y ca$$s her' e&en though she %oesn;t rea$$y $i#e it.< <4 see'< .ac# no%%e% an% too# a sip of the a"ber $i>ui% in his s"a$$ g$ass. <3ou$% you $i#e to %ance=< he fina$$y as#e% as a s$ower rhyth" starte%. <4;$$ gi&e it a go'< F""a grinne% an% p$ace% her wine g$ass %own. The two "a%e their way to the crow%e% f$oor an% .ac# too# her in his ar"s. <4 ne&er than#e% you for wa$#ing "e ho"e $ast night'< she sai%' her breath on his nec# causing hi" to shi&er. .ac# fought the urge to b$ush. F&en though they;% arrange% the %ate for tonight' he ha%n;t been ab$e to stop hi"se$f fro" showing up at the coffee shop $ast night as she c$ose% an% wa$#ing her ho"e. They;% ta$#e% about a$$ sorts of things on the fifteen "inute wa$#' ho$%ing han%s the who$e way. <4t was nothing'< he proteste%. <4 %i%n;t want you wa$#ing a$one. (n%A< he fina$$y ga&e in to the b$ush an% F""a s"i$e% at his transparent state. <4 rea$$y wante% to see you again.< F""a no%%e% an% $ai% her chee# on his shou$%er. <4 wante% to see you too'< she sai% soft$y in his ear. .ac# shi&ere% again an% pu$$e% her c$oser as they swaye% to the "usic. The song en%e% an% they trie% their best to fast %ance to the neCt one' $aughing an% stu"b$ing their way through it. !ina$$y' they ga&e up an% "a%e their way bac# to the tab$e an% their %rin#s.

<4 nee% to use the $oo'< .ac# sai%. <Bou;$$ be a$right=< F""a no%%e% an% pointe% to where -ere# an% ?e$issa were "a#ing their way to the tab$e. 3hen he returne% it was to fin% so"e other b$o#e $eaning o&er F""a' see"ing$y trying to ta$# her into %ancing' a$though it $oo#e% to .ac# as if he was rea$$y trying to see %own her %ress. <F&erything a$right' F""a=< .ac# as#e%' eyeing the other "an up an% %own. <So% off' pa$'< the $arge "an grow$e%. <4 was ta$#ing to the $a%y.< <Bes'< .ac# agree%. <4 can see that you were chatting up "y %ate.< The "an s"ir#e%' $aying his ar" a$ong F""a;s shou$%ers which she trie% to shrug off. <Bour $oss' "ate. She was sitting here a$$ a$one.< ,is attention turne% bac# to F""a as .ac# raise% an eyebrow at her. <Co"e on an% %ance with "e'< the other "an p$ea%e%. <Sure$y your boyfrien% can;t ob:ect to one %ance.< ,e face% .ac# with cha$$enge in his eyes. <That wou$% be up to the $a%y' 4 be$ie&e'< .ac# sai%. F""a stare% at hi" in shoc# an% appreciation. ($$ the other "en she;% e&er been aroun% ha% trie% to she$ter an% s"other her with "a$e protection' but .ac# was gi&ing her the choice. <1ne %ance'< she agree% an% fo$$owe% the "an out fro" the tab$es. 1n her way by' she reache% up an% $ai% her han% on .ac#;s chest in reassurance. <4;$$ be right bac#'< she sai% soft$y. .ac# :ust s"i$e% an% no%%e%. <3hat the he$$ %o you thin# you;re %oing=< -ere#;s &oice "a%e .ac# turn an% shrug as the other coup$e sat at the tab$e. <Bou;re :ust $etting that "inger ta#e her=< <She;s fine'< .ac# sai% casua$$y. <Bou %on;t #now that'< -ere# proteste%. <,e cou$% beAwe$$' he cou$% be after :ust about anything.< .ac# chuc#$e%. <3e$$' 4 thin# it;s safe to say eCact$y what he;s after' but F""a can han%$e herse$f.< <(n% if she can;t=< .ac# shrugge%. <4t isn;t "y p$ace to say that.<

?e$issa s"i$e% at hi" an% $eane% in c$oser. <Bet'< she "u"b$e%' winning a grin of than#s fro" .ac#. F""a soon "arche% bac# with a scow$ on her face' gru"b$ing about gits with wan%ering han%s. .ac# $aughe% an% too# her into his ar"s to %ance with her. <4;" sorry you ha% to go through that'< he sai% to her as they "o&e% c$oser together. F""a continue% to scow$ an% fina$$y burst out in $aughter. <6o you aren;t. Bou :ust wante% to see "e s$ap hi".< .ac# pu$$e% bac#' an a"use% $oo# on his face. <-i% you=< <6o'< F""a sighe%. <4 #nee% hi" in the bits.< .ac# roc#e% bac# in $aughter an% F""a :oine% hi". <4 to$% -ere# you cou$% ta#e care of yourse$f.< F""a;s eCpression softene%. <Than#s' .ac#' 4 rea$$y appreciate that. ?ost "en thin# they nee% to protect a wo"an they;re out with.< <4;" not saying 4 en:oye% it'< .ac# conce%e% as they continue% to sway together. <4n fact' so"e &ery pri"iti&e ca&e+"an part of "e was %e"an%ing that 4 pu""e$ the ber#.< F""a snorte%. <3e$$' than# you for suppressing your pri"a$ ten%encies then.< <.ac#=< The two turne% as a shape$y brunette stoo% in front of the"' han%s on her hips. <4 thought it was you.< .ac# sighe% "enta$$y an% no%%e% to her' a fa#e s"i$e p$astere% on his $ips. <Sophie.< The brunette f$ashe% her perfect$y white s"i$e an% stuc# her han% out towar% F""a' in&a%ing the space of the coup$e %ancing. <4 %on;t thin# we;&e "et. 4;" Sophie Tay$or. .ac# an% 4;&eAwe$$'< she b$ushe% spectacu$ar$y an% win#e%' <we;&e gone out a few ti"es.< F""a shoo# the $i"p han% in %istaste an% g$ance% o&er at .ac# who see"e% to be bui$%ing up anger. <F""a'< she rep$ie%. <Sophie' %on;t i"p$y things that you #now %i%n;t happen.< The wo"an ignore% .ac# an% s"i$e% again at F""a. <3e$$' aren;t you :ust a $o&e$y $itt$e thing= .ac#' you scoun%re$' they get younger e&ery ti"e 4 see you. 3hat are you' %ear' eighteen=<

.ac# ro$$e% his eyes. <4t was nice seeing you' Sophie' but 4 thin# F""a an% 4 wi$$ get bac# to our %ance now.< 3ith that he spun F""a away an% they "o&e% further into the crow%. F""a g$ance% o&er her shou$%er to see Sophie g$aring at the coup$e an% &ague$y won%ere% if her high$y "a#e+upe% face wou$% crac# in frustration. <-o 4 e&en want to #now=< F""a as#e% as she wrappe% her ar"s aroun% .ac#;s nec# an% they began %ancing again. .ac# b$ew out a %eep breath an% $et hi"se$f re$aC. <She an% 4 went out a coup$e of ti"es. She;sAwe$$' she;s a bit of aA< <Scar$et wo"an=< F""a pro"pte% an% then $aughe% at the $oo# of surprise on .ac#;s face. <3here on earth %i% you hear that phrase=< he $aughe%. F""a c$appe% a han% to her "outh an% gigg$e%. <,onest$y' 4 %on;t #now. 4;" not sure 4;&e e&er rea$$y hear% it before. 4t :ust poppe% out.< .ac# $aughe%. <4 thin# it app$ies.< <So'< F""a pro"pte%' <you an% sheA< <6othing happene%'< .ac# grow$e%. <She;s been sprea%ing ru"ors though' an% 4 thin# that the fact that 4 won;t see her again :ust fue$s her fire.< <3e$$' 4;" not sure if that bo%es we$$ for the future then'< F""a sighe%' trying to hi%e the a"use"ent on her face. <,uh=< .ac# >uerie%. <3e$$' 4 ha% high hopes for tonight' but if you wou$%n;t gi&e it up for a wo"an $i#e that after a few %ates' what hope %o 4 ha&e=< .ac# stoppe% %ancing an% pu$$e% bac# fro" her gaping. She burst out $aughing at the incre%u$ous $oo# on his face. <4 was on$y #i%%ing' .ac#'< F""a eCp$aine%. .ac# grinne% an% pu$$e% her e&en c$oser' grow$ing into her ear as she wrappe% her ar"s tighter aroun% his nec#. <4 %on;t thin# you were' ?iss Stanton. 4 thin# you;re trying to get into "y trousers.< F""a $aughe% an% pu$$e% away as .ac# po#e% her ribs.

<That;s it' isn;t it=< he tease%. <Bou on$y $i#e "e for "y bo%yH< F""a continue% to gigg$e an% protest as .ac# tic#$e% her. <.ust what #in% of a boy %o you thin# 4 a"=< <( ran%y oneH< she eCc$ai"e%. .ac# stoppe% short an% s"i$e% at her. <3e$$' you;% be right. But that %oesn;t "eanD< <4 #now'< F""a cut hi" off. <4 was on$y teasing.< <1#ay.< They continue% to %ance an% F""a $ai% her hea% on his shou$%er. <,ey' %o you want to get out of here=< F""a $ifte% her hea% an% searche% his face. <4 %on;t "ean for thatA< <4 #now'< F""a agree% again. <Beah' 4 %o.< .ac# no%%e% an% too# her han%' $ea%ing her o&er to their tab$e. <3e;re $ea&ing'< he eCp$aine% to -ere# an% ?e$issa. -ere# no%%e% an% then grinne% e&i$$y. <-on;t forget the tieH< ,e how$e% in $aughter as .ac# turne% away without a wor%. <(n% use protectionH< .ac# %i%n;t respon% "ore than to throw a ru%e han% gesture o&er his shou$%er. .ac# wrappe% an ar" aroun% F""a;s shou$%ers as they wa$#e% away fro" the noise of the c$ub %istrict. <(re you war" enough=< <!or now'< F""a s"i$e%. There was a $ight %usting of snow on the groun% but no f$a#es were fa$$ing. <3here %i% you want to go=< <6owhere rea$$y'< .ac# answere%. <4 :ust wante% to get out of there.< F""a agree% an% snugg$e% in c$oser to his si%e. <4 cou$% ta#e you ho"e' if you $i#e' or we cou$% go to get a bite to eat.< <4 a" hungry'< F""a sai%' s"i$ing up at hi". <That;s sett$e% then. 3hat are you in the "oo% for=< <*retty "uch anything'< she sai%. <4;" not terrib$y into 4n%ian foo% though.< <4 agree'< .ac# sai%. <4 can;t see" to get a taste for curry.< They fina$$y sett$e% on a s"a$$ 4ta$ian restaurant a few b$oc#s fro" F""a;s f$at. The waiter seate% the" in a co5y booth in the %ar# corner of the roo".

<That;s better'< .ac# sai%. <6ow 4 fee$ $i#e 4 can ta$# to you without ha&ing to ye$$. -i% you want another wine=< F""a shoo# her hea%. <6o' too "uch "a#es "e %i55y. 4;$$ :ust ha&e water with $e"on' if that;s a$right.< <?a#e that two'< .ac# sai% to the waiter who no%%e% an% $eft the" with the "enus. They $aughe% about the e&ening as they chose their entrKe;s an% waite% for the foo%. <Bou ne&er to$% "e how you "et -ere#'< F""a co""ente% once he;% finishe% te$$ing a particu$ar funny story about a gir$ who ha% shown up at their f$at one %ay $oo#ing for -ere#. <(h'< .ac# gri"ace%. <4t;s not "y finest hour' 4;$$ a%"it. -o you rea$$y want to #now=< <4 %o'< F""a no%%e%' curious at the so"ewhat c$ose%+off eCpression that .ac# now wore. ,e sighe% an% too# a %rin# before starting. <Bou re"e"ber "e te$$ing you that 4 was in a car acci%ent se&era$ years ago.< F""a no%%e% an% he continue%. <3e$$' 4 was pretty "esse% up. 4 ha% a few bro#en ribs' bro#en ar"' $ots of cuts an% scrapes. ?y entire right si%e was one huge bruise' 4 guess fro" where 4 $an%e% after the car hit "e. 4 ha% hit "y hea% pretty har% an% they sai% that;s why 4 ha&e such a ba% "e"ory.< ,e too# another %rin# an% g$ance% aroun% ner&ous$y. <3hen 4 fina$$y got out of hospita$A< .ac# fi%gete% his han%s an% F""a fina$$y reache% o&er to c$asp the" in hers which "a%e hi" s"i$e soft$y' a$though he wou$%n;t "eet her eyes. <There was no oneA4 ha% nowhere to go.< <SoA< <4 was ho"e$ess. 4 $i&e% on the streets an% in she$ters.< F""a gaspe% an% .ac# $oo#e% away. <!or how $ong=< she whispere%. <($"ost two years'< he a%"itte%' now $oo#ing at their :oine% han%s. <4 trie% to get wor# where 4 cou$%' but with no recor%s for schoo$ing or i%entification of any sortA< <4 can i"agine how har% it was'< F""a agree%. <So"eti"esAwe$$' 4 ha% to stea$ to get what 4 nee%e%.< !ina$$y he g$ance% up to see F""a s"i$ing soft$y at hi"' tears in her eyes. <Bou;re not "a% at "e=< F""a $aughe% through the tears that spi$$e% out. <3hy wou$% 4 be= .ac#' if it weren;t for the fact that ?e$issa;s "u" was a nurse at the hospita$ where 4 was ta#en an% that she

too# "e in afterwor%s' 4 wou$% ha&e been in the sa"e p$ace you were. 4 was eCtre"e$y $uc#y an% 4;" than#fu$ for it' but %on;t thin# that 4 :u%ge you for a "o"ent for sur&i&ing.< .ac# b$in#e% bac# his own e"otions an% swa$$owe% the $u"p in his throat. <4 trie% rea$$y har% not to ta#e fro" anyone who 4 cou$% te$$ ha% a fa"i$y. ($though' once 4 %i% ta#e so"e c$othes off of a $aun%ry $ine'< he a%"itte% gui$ti$y. <4 usua$$y :ust too# a few poun%s here an% there' where&er 4 cou$%' so that 4 cou$% buy foo%.< F""a re"o&e% her han% fro" the tang$e of fingers an% $ai% it a$ongsi%e his chee# in support. <There was a %octor at the hospita$Ahe offere% "e he$p after 4 got out. 4 trie% to fin% hi" once' but they sai% he %i%n;t wor# there any"ore. ,e went so"ewhere e$se.< .ac# too# a %eep breath an% continue%. <1ne %ay 4 ha% $ifte% a wa$$et fro" a "an in an eCpensi&e suit. 4 turne% aroun% an% there was -ere#' watching e&ery "o&e 4 "a%e. ?y first instinct was to run for it' but he caught up with "e. 4 was sure he was going to ring the coppers an% turn "e in. 4nstea%' he too# "e to this cafK an% bought "e a huge "ea$. Too# "e to his f$at an% $et "e shower' ga&e "e a change of c$othes fro" his own war%robe an% too# "e to a "ar#et where he #new the owner. That;s where 4 got the night :ob stoc#ing she$&es.< ,e sighe% hea&i$y. <4;$$ ne&er be ab$e to repay hi" for what he %i% for "e.< F""a no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. <,as he as#e% you to=< <6oH< .ac# proteste%. <,e;s ne&er sai% another wor% about it. 4n fact' we;&e rare$y spo#en about it. 4 trie% once to te$$ hi" what it "eant to "eAbut 4;" not so goo% with wor%s an% 4 "esse% it up as usua$.< <4 thin# you;re :ust fine with wor%s'< F""a conso$e%. <3ou$% you ha&e %one the sa"e=< She continue% when .ac# $oo#e% confuse%. <4f it ha% been you in -ere#;s shoes' wou$% you ha&e he$pe% so"eone e$se=< <4 $i#e to thin# 4 wou$%'< .ac# no%%e%. <4 thin# you wou$%.< <Bou;&e on$y #nown "e three %ays'< .ac# proteste%. <4 #now enough'< F""a sai% soft$y. Their foo% arri&e% an% .ac# see"e% to sett$e consi%erab$y now that he #new F""a wou$%n;t :u%ge hi" for his past cri"es. The e&ening continue% nice$y an% they fina$$y foun% the"se$&es at the base of the stairs that $e% up to F""a;s f$at. <4 ha% a goo% ti"e tonight'< .ac# sighe%.

<-espite a$$ the interruptions=; F""a $aughe%' thin#ing of the "an that she;% ha% to put in his p$ace' an% Sophie. .ac# s"i$e%. <-espite those.< <4 %i% too'< F""a agree%. They stoo% in si$ence for a "inute before .ac# $eane% c$oser an% their $ips "et. The #iss was sweet an% entire$y too short for both of the". F""a grinne% as she grabbe% the front of his shirt an% pu$$e% hi" %own to #iss her again. This #iss was "uch %eeper an% fu$$ of passion. <@oo%night'< .ac# whispere% breath$ess$y as they pu$$e% away fro" each other. <@oo%night'< F""a agree%' a %a5e% s"i$e on her face. F""a grinne% to herse$f as she sat on the sofa in the %ar# an% waite%. She cou$% hear the fu"b$ing for #eys out in the ha$$way an% a$"ost $aughe% out $ou% when -ere# an% ?e$issa stu"b$e% in' $ips $oc#e% between the" an% groping each other hea&i$y. <(he"'< she c$eare% her throat an% they both tippe% o&er' crashing to the f$oor in surprise. F""a c$ic#e% on the $a"p neCt to her an% #nee$e% on the sofa' $eaning against the bac# an% $oo#ing o&er onto the f$oor where the two $ay tang$e% together. -ere# was "assaging his $ips an% ?issy the bac# of her hea%. <So sorry to interrupt'< F""a s"ir#e%. <3hy;re you here=< gru"b$e% -ere#. <2ast ti"e 4 chec#e%' 4 $i&e% here'< F""a rep$ie% %ry$y. <Beah' but you an% .ac#A< he bro#e off' eyeing her raise% eyebrow. <?e an% .ac#=< <3e$$' you $eft ear$y an%At+togetherAan% 4 thoughtA< ?e$issa pushe% hi" off of her an% $aughe%. <Bou thought that they;% be shaggingH -ere#' they;&e on$y gone out on one %ateH< -ere# :ust stuttere% an% stoo% fro" his position on the f$oor. <4 %i%n;t "ean thatA4 :ustA< <Sa&e it'< F""a s"i$e%. <4;" sure 4 #now what you thought. (n%' you can "a#e up for it by answering a few >uestions.< <9uestions=< -ere# as#e% wari$y.

?e$issa :ust s"ir#e% an% began to re"o&e the c$ips fro" her hair. <Bou sit %own an% answer F";s >uestions' an% 4;" going to get out of this %ress.< -ere# swa$$owe% har% an% fo$$owe% his gir$frien%;s progress $onging$y. <($right' $o&erboy'< F""a s"ir#e%. -ere# sighe% resigne%$y. <3hat %o you want to #now= 4;" assu"ing it;s about .ac#.< F""a no%%e%. <,e to$% "e about how you two "et.< She watche% as -ere# sti$$e%. <4s it true=< <3hat %i% he te$$ you=< <That you caught hi" stea$ing an% he$pe% hi" rather than turning hi" in.< -ere# no%%e%. <4t;s true. ($though 4 bet he $eft out the high$ights.< <The high$ights=< F""a as#e%. <Beah' a$$ the parts that "a#e hi" $oo# goo%'< -ere# a%%e% with a wry s"i$e. <4 too# hi" so"ewhere where he cou$% eat an% the b$o#e near c$eane% the p$ace out. 4 thought it was suspicious' so 4 as#e% hi" how $ong it;% been since he;% eaten' turns out that it;% been a$"ost four %ays.< F""a sighe% an% san# %own further into the cushions. <The c$othes he ha% were not "uch to $oo# at' an% they were thin as we$$. 4t was ear$y spring an% he ha% no coat. ,e sai% the hospita$ ha% gi&en hi" one but it;% been sto$en. *ersona$$y' 4 thin# he ga&e it to so"eone e$se.< <3hy wou$% you thin# that=< F""a as#e%. -ere# shrugge%. <4 %on;t ha&e any rea$ proof' but .ac#;s $i#e that. ,e ne&er buys "ore than his basic nee%s an% e&en though he says he sa&es e&erything he "a#es' 4 #now he gi&es a $ot of it away. 4;&e seen young ho"e$ess #i%s approach hi" an% he;$$ gi&e the" e&ery $ast note in his wa$$et. 2ast Christ"as he ca"e ho"e fro" wor#' gathere% up a$$ his war" winter c$othing' eCcept four :u"pers' an% "arche% out the %oor with it. 4 ne&er saw it again' an% 4 %on;t thin# he #nows 4 #now.< F""a opene% her "outh to rep$y but cou$%n;t see" to fin% the wor%s. <(n% the wa$$et that he sto$e fro" that b$o#e' the %ay we "et' he poste% it bac# to hi". 4 caught hi" %oing it the neCt %ay. 4 ne&er saw hi" ta#e any "oney out of it at a$$' an% "in% you there were hun%re%s of poun%s in there. That was the on$y ti"e 4;&e e&er as#e% hi" about it an% he :ust shrugge% an% sai% that he ha%n;t nee%e% it after a$$.<

<3hat about the scar on the bac# of his right han%=< F""a as#e%. <4 ha&en;t rea$$y gotten a goo% $oo# at it' but it $oo#s $i#e wor%s or so"ething.< -ere# no%%e%. <4t says ;4 "ust not te$$ $ies.; ,e has no i%ea where it ca"e fro". 4 suspect >uite a bit of abuse in his past' whether it was fro" his parents or so"eone e$se' 4 %on;t #now.< F""a sat in si$ence as -ere# fa%e% off. ?e$issa :oine% the" on the sofa an% wipe% away her own tears. 1b&ious$y' she;% been $istening in the ha$$. <Bou $o&e hi"' %on;t you=< -ere# fina$$y as#e%. <4 %on;t #now'< F""a sai%. <But 4 thin# 4;" starting to.< <@oo%'< -ere# no%%e%. <,e nee%s so"eone $i#e you.< She screwe% up her face tight$y' staring into the "irror' unti$ her hair change%. *atterns' Ton#s ha% $earne% o&er the years' were not easy. <1oo' &ery nice'< the "irror co"p$i"ente% the re% on one si%e an% green on the other. 0e"us hate% this "irror' she #new. She trie% eCp$aining to hi" that it was no use hating an inani"ate ob:ect. But the "irror was $ess than f$attering for hi"' Ton#s #new' pointing out new grey hairs an% wrin#$es. <4t :ust $i#es &ariety'< she to$% hi"' "a#ing her hair f$ash a bri$$iant b$ue. 0e"us $aughe% an% reache% up to tug at her $oc#s. <Eariety= 4s that what you ca$$ this=< The "e"ory "a%e Ton#s s"i$e as she eye% her hair critica$$y. <?aybe if 4 "a#e "y eyes "atch'< she "u"b$e% to no one. The bathroo" was e"pty' a$though she #new it wou$%n;t be $ong before 0e"us ca"e #noc#ing. 4n fact' she grinne%' she cou$% hear his footsteps now. <-oraH< he ca$$e% through the %oor. <3e;re going to be $ate.< <6onsense'< she rep$ie% bac#' scrunching her face one $ast ti"e unti$ she en%e% up with pure white hair tippe% with re% an% green. <There' perfect.< She no%%e% an% %i%n;t $isten to the "irror;s opinion as she swung the %oor wi%e. <That too# $ong enough'< 0e"us ribbe% her goo% nature%$y. 1rion' sitting in his ar"s' s>uea$e% when she saw her "other an% trie% to copy her hairDon$y en%ing up a "essy pin# co$or instea%. <3e$$' at $east she;s trying'< Ton#s shrugge%. They "a%e their way %ownstairs' whi$e Ton#s went through a chec#$ist of what they nee%e% to ta#e with the".

<Bou got the stac# of gifts' near the bac#=< <The ones with the $arge ;3; "ar#e% on a$$ the pac#ages=< 0e"us as#e% %ry$y. <Beah. 0ea$$y subt$e' by the way.< Ton#s raise% an eyebrow at his teasing. <4;$$ %ea$ with you $ater'< she grow$e%. 0e"us; face $it an% he grinne%. <*ro"ise=< Ton#s $aughe% an% reache% for 1ri. <6o pro"ises. -i% you get the nappy bag fro" off of the tab$e=< <Bes'< 0e"us choruse%. <(n% the p$ate of biscuits that ?u" sent o&er=< <Bes'< he answere% again in a patient &oice. ,is tone' howe&er' was getting tight an% she cou$% te$$ that her >uestions were bothering hi". 1h' how she $o&e% to win% that "an up. <3hat aboutD< <-ora'< he sighe%. <4;&e got e&erything. 6ow' if we %on;t get there' ?o$$y wi$$ sen% so"eone out to $oo# for us. (n%' with our $uc#' it wi$$ be one of the twins.< Ton#s chuc#$e% at the suggestion an% "o&e% to a corner of the %rawing roo" they ha% %esignate% for (pparition. <-o you thin# that;s wise=< 0e"us as#e%' his eyes wi%e. <She;s sti$$ too young to focus co"p$ete$y on where you;re going.< !ighting the urge to ro$$ her eyes' Ton#s no%%e%. <4t;s fine. She;s a big gir$ now an% #nows that she wants to go see @ra""y 3eas$ey.< She turne% to her %aughter an% in a &ery sic#$y &oice starte% to tic#$e the $itt$e gir$. <-on;t you' 1ri. Bou $o&e to see your @ra""y 3eas$ey.< 1ri no%%e% an% wrappe% her ar"s tight$y aroun% her "other;s nec#' her $itt$e $egs wrapping aroun% her "i%%$e unti$ Ton#s %i%n;t e&en ha&e to ho$% onto her any $onger. She ga&e a >uic# win# to her husban% an% (pparate% to the Burrow. The chaos of a Burrow Christ"as was :ust what she nee%e%' Ton#s %eci%e%. 1ne ne&er #new what "ight happen. <4s thatAa gno"e=< she "u"b$e%' peering at the top of the Christ"as tree.

<Bep'< !re% proc$ai"e% cheeri$y. <4t;s an o$% tra%ition. ($though we "a%e 0on catch hi" this yearDhe won the contest.< Ton#s raise% an eyebrow at hi" an% then shrugge%' <4;" not going to as#Drea$$y' 4;" not.< !re% $aughe% an% wagg$e% his eyebrows. <!in% "e $ater if you change your "in%. 4;$$ be the one surroun%e% by gorgeous wo"en.< Ton#s snorte%. <Bou;re biase%'< she $aughe%. <(n% you;re :ust :ea$ous'< he >uippe% bac# with a win#' stooping o&er to $ift his twin %aughters into his ar"s. <Co"e on gir$sAhas -a%%y e&er to$% you about the ti"e he an% )nc$e @eorge char"e% !i$ch;s nasty o$% cat to thin# Snape;s feet were "ice=< She rea$$y shou$%n;t $augh. But Ton#s cou$%n;t he$p it. <,e;s creating "onsters.< She turne% as 0on ca"e up besi%e her an% han%e% o&er a cup of eggnog. <Bes' he is. (n% @eorge isn;t any better. 3hen we ca"e in he ha% the boys in the #itchen an% was teaching the" to pout for biscuits.< <1ne %ay they;$$ regret it'< 0on no%%e%' a fon% s"i$e on his face. <0ea$$y=< Ton#s grinne%. ,er eyes scanne% the roo" an% foun% 1rion peppering 0e"us an% (rthur with >uestions. The two "en $oo#e% a bit fra55$e%' but neither wou$% e&er %isappoint the $itt$e gir$. <*robab$y not'< 0on agree%. <So how are you $i#ing being bac# at wor#=< Ton#s grinne%. <4t;s on$y a few %ays a wee#' but 4 $o&e it. 4;&e "isse% being in the #now these past years. /ings$ey s$ippe% "e bits now an% again' an% being in the 1r%er he$ps.< <Beah'< 0on no%%e% an% too# another sip of the high$y spi#e% %rin#. <($though' e&en being in the -epart"ent you %on;t a$ways get to #now e&erything.< Ton#s hi% her s"i$e. She ha% won%ere% when 0on first appeare% at her si%e what his "oti&ations were. 6ow' it see"e%' he wante% the gen on so"ething. <(n% what is it they;re not te$$ing you=< she as#e%' $owering her &oice s$ight$y. 0on shrugge% a shou$%er an% ruff$e% his hairG a sure sign that he was annoye% at so"ething. <6othing' rea$$y. 4 :ustD4 #now they ha&e ?a$foy un%er watch.< Ton#s sighe%. <0on' you #now 4 can;tD<

<4 %on;t want specifics'< he hisse%' his face beco"ing a harsh re"in%er of the anger he ha% $i&e% in not too far in the past. (s if rea$i5ing who he was ta$#ing to' he sighe% an% softene%. <4 :ustA4 :ust fee$ $i#e 4 shou$% be inc$u%e%. 4 #now why /ings$ey %oesn;t want "e there' but 4;" not obsesse%' rea$$y 4;" not.< Ton#s narrowe% her eyes' %ebating that point interna$$y. <4 un%erstan% your fee$ings' 4 rea$$y %o' 0on.< <(nything you can gi&e "e' Ton#s'< he sighe%' finishing the rest of his %rin# in one great swa$$ow. <4 :ust #now he was "ore in&o$&e% than he a%"its. (n% 4 #now that ,er"ione says it;s :ust "e hating hi"Dbut it;s "ore than that' 4 swear. The who$e storyAit :ust %oesn;t fee$ right.< Ton#s cou$%n;t he$p but to agree' %espite ha&ing no e&i%ence. (n% /ings$ey agree% as we$$' a$though he cou$%n;t officia$$y say so. (s far as the ?inistry was concerne%' the sur&ei$$ance of -raco ?a$foy was nothing "ore than a genera$ interest because of his past an% connections to the -ar# (rts. She weighe% her choices before respon%ing. 4f she to$% 0on so"ething that "a%e hi" %o so"ething irrationa$' then she wou$% be cu$pab$e. ,owe&er' seeing as e&erything they ha% was soAta"e' she %i%n;t see what it cou$% hurt. <,e;s been &ery >uiet actua$$y'< she a%"itte%' her eyes %arting aroun% the roo" to "a#e sure no one was $istening. <( few trips to the continent' but nothing unusua$. 3e thin# he has a "istress in *aris.< 0on gri"ace% but staye% si$ent. <(storia @reengrass bro#e their engage"ent'< Ton#s continue% with a nasty s"i$e. <She c$ai"s he bro#e the ter"s by sprea%ing hi"se$f aroun%' if you get "y %rift. ,e hasn;t respon%e% bac#' so we;re not sure' but it;s probab$y true.< 0on g$are% at her in %istaste. <-o 4 e&en want to #now how you #now this stuff=< Ton#s grinne% an% wagg$e% her eyebrows. <6ope.< <!ine'< he no%%e%. <.ustAno "ore of the gossip rubbish. 4 %on;t care about that stuff.< ,e shuff$e% an% s>uir"e% in p$ace' a $oo# of utter %istaste on his face. <4s he in&o$&e% in any -ar# ?agic= 3hat;s he %oing for "oney=< Ton#s chuc#$e% at his %isco"fort. <!or now' he see"s to be $i&ing off of his parent;s "oney.< <4;" sure o$% 2ucius is ro$$ing in his gra&e'< he "u"b$e%. <*robab$y'< Ton#s shrugge%. <,e;s been spotte% a ti"e or two in /noc#turn ($$ey.<

<(n% no one;s %one anything about that=< Ton#s raise% an eyebrow at his raise% &oice an% 0on f$ushe%. <4t;s not a cri"e' %uc#. 4f 4 re"e"ber right' you;&e been there a ti"e or two yourse$f.< 0on;s ears burne% bright re%' "a#ing Ton#s swe$$ with pri%e. <But he ha% to ha&e been %own there for so"e reason.< <Bou soun% $i#e ,arry'< she "use%' an% then #ic#e% herse$f "enta$$y when 0on;s eCpression %ar#ene%. <4 guess 4 %o'< he fina$$y a%"itte% an% then shrugge%. <4 sti$$ thin# he was right a$$ those years ago.< <,e was'< Ton#s sighe%. <(n%' yes' -raco;s probab$y up to so"ething' but unti$ we can fin% concrete proofA< <,is $ies aren;t enough=< 0on as#e%. <Bou #now what he sai% in thatAshite that S#eeter ha% pub$ishe%. ,arry %i% not use -ar# ?agic to %efeat E+Eo$%e"ort.< <4 #now that'< Ton#s no%%e%. <(n% you #now that. Because we both #now that ,arry wou$%n;t e&er stoop that $ow. But' $ega$$y' we can;t %o anything to hi"' 0on. (n% you #now that. Bou;&e ha% F&i%ence c$asses.< 0on no%%e% an% s>uir"e%. Ton#s #new she ha% won a "a:or point' a$though ha&ing %one so %i%n;t "a#e her fee$ goo%. She was sure that -raco ?a$foy was "ore in&o$&e% in the !ina$ Batt$e than he ha% sai%. But there was no proof. <Bou;$$ #eep "e infor"e%=< 0on "u"b$e%' eyeing ,er"ione as she stoo% an% began to "a#e her way towar% the". <Bou;$$ #eep this >uiet=< Ton#s as#e% bac#. ,e ro$$e% his eyes an% she chuc#$e%. <4 can #eep a secret.< <So can 4' $o&e'< Ton#s >uippe%. <!or eCa"p$eA4;&e not to$% anyone about that $o&e$y $itt$e tattoo on your chest.< 0on;s face heate% an% Ton#s grinne%' $o&ing that she cou$% ruff$e hi" so fast. <Bou;re not suppose% to #now about that.< <3e$$'< she shrugge%' <4t;s not $i#e you ha% a shirt on.< ,is :aw %roppe%. <4 was in the changing roo"' Ton#s'< he hisse%. <The men's changing roo". Bou weren;t suppose% to be in there anyway.<

Ton#s $aughe% $ou%$y when ,er"ione :oine% the"' her ar"s going aroun% 0on;s waist. <3hat are you two ta$#ing about o&er here= Bou $oo#e% $i#e it was rather intense.< 0on shot a p$ea%ing $oo# at Ton#s an% she no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. <3e were %iscussing %ragon $ore.< ,er"ione $oo#e% "ore confuse% than e&er as Ton#s bounce% away' %eci%ing it was ti"e to fin% her %aughter an% see what #in% of ha&oc they cou$% cause together. .ac# shifte% in the bac#seat of -ere#;s car' causing F""a to nu%ge his shou$%er with hers an% peer at hi". <6er&ous=< she whispere% an% he shrugge%' trying to $oo# $ess $i#e a teenage boy off to face the firing s>ua%. To say that .ac# ha% been %rea%ing Christ"as was an un%erstate"ent. ,e hate% the ho$i%ay' to be honest. ,e ha% no "e"ories of it fro" before an% the past years ha% been spent watching peop$e bust$e about with o&erf$owing shopping bags an% wrappe% gifts. There ha% been no thought gi&en to the ho"e$ess "an hu%%$e% in the corner of the a$$eyway :ust trying to #eep war". (n% .ac# was high$y e"barrasse% to a%"it that for a pic#poc#etDChrist"as was one of the best ti"es. ,e;% $earne% >uic#$y to watch for the shoppers co"ing out of the storefronts with wa$$ets hasti$y sho&e% in poc#ets an% ar"$oa%s of shopping bags. (t $east he;% been ab$e to buy so"e new c$othing an% a hot "ea$. But the $ingering thought that so"eone ha% gone without because of hi" "a%e his foo% har% to swa$$ow. 2ast Christ"as ha% been better. ,e;% been $i&ing with -ere# by that ti"e an% wor#ing both :obs whi$e going to )ni. 3hen -ere# ha% been su""one% ho"e' .ac# ha% use% the eCcuse that he nee%e% to catch up on stu%ying an% s$eep to a&oi% trai$ing a$ong with hi" to the posh 2on%on ho"e. But it was %ifferent with F""a. .ac# wante% to be with F""a "ore than anything. The past two "onths ha% f$own by an% .ac# cou$% har%$y re"e"ber a ti"e when they ha%n;t been together. They saw each other e&ery %ay that they cou$%' e&en if it was on$y the few "inutes in between F""a;s c$osing the coffee house an% .ac#;s night shift at the "ar#et. So the %isco"fort an% confusion that we$$e% up in hi" o&er F""a;s in&itation to co"e with her to /en%a$ ha% ta#en hi" by surprise. !or wee#s after she ha% as#e% hi" to co"e' .ac# >uiet$y %ebate% the choices in his hea%. ,e was terrifie% of "eeting (nneD what if she %i%n;t appro&e of hi"= .ac# cou$% te$$' :ust by $oo#ing at the eCpression on F""a;s face when she spo#e of (nne' that his gir$frien% thought the wor$% of the wo"an. (n% in a way' without e&en "eeting her' so %i% .ac#. She ha% ta#en a co"p$ete stranger into her ho"e an% gi&en F""a opportunities that she ne&er wou$% ha&e ha% $i&ing on the

streets. .ust the thought of F""a $i&ing as he ha%' force% to stea$ an% beg for foo%' "a%e hi" shi&er' an% F""a;s thu"b caresse% his han%' bringing hi" bac# to present. .ac# force% a s"i$e for her an% shifte% to p$ace his ar" aroun% her shou$%ers. .ust when he;% fina$$y co""itte%' to hi"se$f an% to F""a' to "a#e this wor#' he;% beco"e e&en "ore unsett$e% than e&er. ,is %rea"s' so"ething he;% a$ways sha#en off before now as not "attering' ha% beco"e "ore &i&i% than e&er' a$ways circ$ing aroun% the ho$i%ay. (n% .ac# %i%n;t #now what to "a#e of the". 3here they si"p$e %rea"s= 1r were they "e"ories of his for"er $ife= The first one was a war" tab$e fi$$e% with $aughter an% heaping with foo%. .ac# ha% been &ery content an% satisfie%' e&en though he cou$%n;t see the faces in the %rea" an% it unner&e% hi". The secon%' an% the one that ha% sha#en hi" up the worst' was of hi"se$f #issing a %ar# haire% wo"an in a ha$f+$it roo". That was the first ti"e .ac# ha% wo#en being than#fu$ that he %i%n;t re"e"ber anything. The %rea" $eft hi" fee$ing out of sorts an% not hi"se$f for the rest of the %ay' an% it f$ashe% in his "in% $ater when he greete% F""a with a #iss. The thir%' though' on$y "a%e hi" fee$ $ower than he;% e&er been. ,e was enc$ose% in a s"a$$ space' but there wasn;t enough $ight to see where he was. .ac# ha% a$ways been a bit c$austrophobic an% the %rea" "a%e that co"e bac# ten+fo$%. 3hat $itt$e $ight there was ca"e through a &ent of so"e sort on the s"a$$ %oorway in front of hi". ,e cou$% hear the soun%s of peop$e ta$#ing in the %istance' but cou$%n;t "a#e out the wor%s. ,owe&er' in the bac#groun% was the soun% of a ra%io p$aying "usic that he recogni5e% as Christ"as "usic. .ust before he wo#e' .ac# was start$e% by a banging on the &ent' the "eta$$ic soun% grating on his ner&es. <?erry Christ"as' !rea#'< ha% echoe% through his hea% in a s$ow+"otion' un%erwater &oice. The sweat he;% awo#en in ha%n;t "a%e .ac# fee$ any better. <Bou;re being >uiet'< F""a whispere%' reaching up to trace a finger a$ong his :aw. <Sorry'< .ac# "u"b$e%' trying to $oo# contrite. <4 guess 4;" a bit preoccupie%.< <.ac#'< F""a sco$%e% soft$y' <you %on;t ha&e to worry about this. (nne wi$$ $o&e you.< They;% ha% this con&ersation before but su%%en$y' on$y a few "i$es away fro" their %estination' .ac# fe$t the nee% to ha&e it again. <3hat if she %oesn;t=< he &oice%' his &oice $ow an% unsure. ,e %i%n;t $oo# at her' not wanting to see the %isappoint"ent in her face. 4nstea%' he focuse% on -ere#' in the front seat' %ri&ing through the snow stor"' his #nuc#$es white on the whee$. ?issy sat neCt to hi"' her han% on his shou$%er' trying to "a#e i%$e con&ersation.

<She wi$$'< F""a assure% hi"' putting s$ight pressure on his chin unti$ he turne% to face her. <4 $o&e you' .ac#. (n% 4 #now that (nne;s going to see that the "o"ent she sees us together.< .ac# chewe% his $ip' sti$$ not fee$ing re$ie&e%. F""a sighe% an% %roppe% her han% fro" his chin' an% ro$$e% her eyes. <($right' $et;s preten% for a "inute that she %oesn;t $i#e you. 2et;s say she thin#s you;re not worthy of "e an% wants you to stop seeing "e.< .ac# s>uir"e% as his heart c$enche% an% he turne% his hea% away' ga5ing out at the snow hitting the win%ows. <3hat wou$% you %o=< she as#e% soft$y' gi&ing his han% a s>uee5e. <(nswer "e that' .ac#.< ,e shoo# his hea%' not wanting to say anything through his thic# throat. The thought of being without F""a now "a%e hi" fee$ out of ba$ance an% his sto"ach ro$$e%. <4;%A 4;%A< <Bou;% wa$# away'< F""a no%%e%. <Because that;s what you %o.< .ac# spun to protest that he %i%n;t bac# %own fro" anything when her finger ca"e up an% presse% on his $ips. <4 %on;t "ean that you $ea&e'< she eCp$aine%' <but you sacrifice. 4t;s who you are' .ac#. 4;&e seen it ti"e an% ti"e again in these past wee#s. 4;&e ne&er "et a "an $i#e you.< <Bou say that $i#e it;s a goo% thing'< he "u"b$e% $oo#ing %own at their intertwine% han%s. F""a sighe% an% $ai% her hea% on his shou$%er. <So"eti"es it is'< she a%"itte%. <But "ost of the ti"e it;s a pain in the arse.< .ac# cou$%n;t he$p but chuc#$e at her b$untness. F""a;s sense of hu"or an% her abi$ity to put hi" in his p$ace with :ust a wor% or two was so"ething that both ran#$e% an% en%eare% her to hi". <(n% you;% be wrong'< she whispere% into the s#in of his nec#. <To $ea&e' 4 "ean. Because 4 wou$%n;t want you to.< She $ifte% her hea% an% her %eep brown eyes $oo#e% %eep$y into his' "a#ing his chest tighten in a who$e %ifferent way. <Bes' 4 &a$ue (nne;s opinion. Bes' she;s i"portant to "e. But you;re the one 4;" in $o&e with' .ac#. Bou;re the oneA< she trai$e% off' turning her hea% away fro" hi". .ac# wasn;t sure what she ha% stoppe% herse$f fro" saying' but he cou$% see her eye$ashes f$utter' ho$%ing bac# e"otion. She hate% to cry in front of hi". 4t ha% on$y happene% one ti"e before' when she ha% to$% hi" about wa#ing up in the hospita$' an% she;% fought the tears the who$e ti"e' on$y gi&ing in when .ac# ha% pu$$e% her to hi".

<Bou;re the one for "e too'< .ac# chance% whispering. ,e caught -ere#;s eye in the "irror' but ignore% it as he pu$$e% F""a;s face aroun% an% p$ace% a #iss on her $ips. The fee$ of her soft $ips' respon%ing against his own' was $i#e a shot of courage into his heart. Su%%en$y' it %i%n;t "atter that so"eone "ight not $i#e the i%ea of the" together. 4t %i%n;t "atter that .ac# %i%n;t fee$ he;% e&er be worthy of her. (n% it %i%n;t "atter that -ere# was $ou%$y c$earing his throat in the front seat' or that ?issy was gigg$ing. ($$ that "attere% was that F""a was sti$$ #issing hi"' an% her tongue was caressing the roof of his "outh an% her han%sA <3e;re hereH< ?issy;s cry fina$$y bro#e through the ha5e in .ac#;s hea% an% he pu$$e% away' %espite the "oan fro" F""a. ,is face heate% as he turne% to see both ?issy an% -ere# turne% aroun% in their seats an% $aughing at the". <Bou "ight want to ta#e a "inute'< -ere# suggeste% with a wagg$e of his eyebrows. <3ou$%n;t want (nne to see you a$$ wor#e% up.< .ac# $ifte% a sing$e fingere% sa$ute at his best "ate' but cou$%n;t he$p $aughing. <Co"e on'< F""a sai%' tugging at the front of his :u"per. ,e cou$% te$$ she was eCcite% at being ab$e to intro%uce hi" to (nne. (nne watche% as the two coup$es got out of the car par#e% in front of her house. She %i%n;t $et the curtains "o&eG in case they thought she was spying on the". 3hich' she rea$i5e% with a stab of gui$t' she was. She;% been $oo#ing forwar% to this %ay for a $ong ti"e. ,a&ing ?issy;s boyfrien%' one that see"e% $i#e he "ight go the %istance with the energetic an% %ri&en young wo"an' an% F""a;s boyfrien%' in the house for Christ"as was so"ething that (nne ha%n;t eCpecte%. ?issy ha%' of course' written a$$ about the two young "en an% see"e% >uite s"itten with -ere#. F""a ha% written about .ac# as we$$' but her $etters were "uch "ore cryptic than ?issy;s' "uch $i#e the wo"an herse$f. (nne was thri$$e% that F""a ha% foun% so"eone that she assure% (nne she was in $o&e with. The spee% of the re$ationship was >uite another thing. F""a ha% eCp$aine% .ac#;s "e"ory $oss an% (nne was &ery surprise% by the si"i$arities. 6ow she was getting her chance to "eet the two young "en an% see :ust what these two young wo"en foun% irresistib$e. (nne watche% the coup$es get their things fro" the boot of the car' stu%ying their "o&e"ents an% eCpressions as c$ose$y as she cou$% through the sheer curtains.

-ere# an% ?issy ca"e up the wa$# first. (nne was i""e%iate$y i"presse% by the young "an' who wore a wi%e s"i$e as he s$ippe% an% s$i% aroun%' teasing her %aughter about tossing her into a snow pi$e. ,e was eCtre"e$y han%so"e with his "e%iu" brown hair swept off of his brow. Stan%ing on$y a few inches ta$$er than ?issy herse$f' he was thin but &ery we$$ #ept. ,is woo$ coat was an eCpensi&e oneG (nne cou$% te$$ by the way it hung off of his shou$%ers. But he $oo#e% $i#e he wore it casua$$y' as if the >ua$ity an% price rea$$y %i%n;t "atter to hi" at a$$. She $o&e% the way he he$% her %aughter;s han% tuc#e% in his ar"Da rea$ gent$e"an' (nne thought. .ac# an% F""a ca"e neCt' both ta#ing their turns in s$i%ing a$ong the icy si%ewa$#' their ruc#sac#s %ang$ing off of one of .ac#;s shou$%ers. .ac# was at $east a hea% ta$$er than F""a' which wasn;t har% as F""a was a tiny $itt$e thing. ,is hair was hi%%en un%er a #nitte% cap' but (nne cou$% see the %ar# en%s po#ing out fro" the e%ges. ,e wore g$asses' as we$$. She shot a $oo# at Carter' who was rea%ing in the corner. Broo%ing' "ore $i#e' (nne huffe%. 3hen F""a rep$ie% to (nne;s in&itation that she was bringing .ac# for Christ"as' (nne ha% sat Carter %own an% eCp$aine% that F""a was seeing so"eone an% that he was spen%ing the ho$i%ay with the". Carter ha% sighe% %e:ecte%$y an% eCp$aine% that F""a ha% to$% hi" that she wasn;t intereste% in his a%&ances on the e&ening of the first &isit to ?anchester. But he was sti$$ ho$%ing out hope that she;% change her "in%. (nne hate% to be the one to brea# his heart' but fro" what she cou$% see' F""a an% .ac# see"e% entire$y attache% to each other. (nne steppe% bac# fro" the win%ow an% %own the ha$$way to open the %oor as the two coup$es cou$% be hear% sta"ping the snow an% wetness fro" their feet. 1nce the intro%uctions were "a%e' (nne bust$e% the" a$$ into the s"a$$' ti%y #itchen to ha&e cups of hot choco$ate an% eat p$ates of the biscuits that she ha% been ba#ing for %ays. She caught F""a;s eye at the bac# of the group an% the young wo"an $et her frien%s "o&e ahea%. <,e;s cute'< (nne co"p$i"ente% in a whisper' grinning at F""a;s b$ush. <,e is'< F""a returne%. <-on;t $oo# so worrie%' %uc#'< (nne sai% as she woun% her ar" through F""a;s an% the continue% s$ow$y %own the ha$$. <4 thin# he;s a &ery nice young "an.< She cou$% see F""a ta#e a %eep breath' an% guesse% that it was in re$ief. <,e was so ner&ous to co"e here.<

<3hy=< (nne gogg$e%. <4t;s not as if 4;% eat hi" a$i&eH< F""a gigg$e% an% nu%ge% (nne with her hip. <,e;s :ust was.< <4 guess that;s un%erstan%ab$e'< (nne sighe%. <4 re"e"ber when .i" ca"e to "eet "y parents the first ti"e.< She sighe% in re"e"brance of a$$ those years ago. <But it;s a bit %ifferent'< she continue%. <4;" not your "other' nor is .ac# facing an o&erprotecti&e father.< <True'< F""a conce%e%. <($though he;s ha&ing to face Carter.< (nne chuc#$e%. <-on;t be too tough on hi"' $o&e. 4t;s har% to $anguish in $o&e. Besi%es' he;$$ get the picture when he rea$$y ta#es a $oo# at the two of you together.< F""a b$ushe% %eep$y. <,ow can you te$$=< she as#e% soft$y' her eyes %arting into the #itchen where .ac# was running his fingers through his "essy hair. <Bou;&e on$y :ust "et hi".< <4 can see it in your face' $o&e'< (nne answere% wise$y' reaching up to caress F""a;s chee#. <(n% 4 re"e"ber that fee$ing.< F""a bea"e% at her' reaching up on tiptoe to gi&e her a #iss on the chee#' before s$ipping fu$$y into the #itchen an% ta#ing her p$ace at .ac#;s si%e. (nne sighe%' $eaning against the %oorfra"e an% $oo#e% at the two coup$es. Both ob&ious$y in $o&e' but so &ery %ifferent fro" each other. -ere# an% ?issy were $aughing casua$$y' teasing each other about the proper way to %rin# hot choco$ate' whi$e .ac# an% F""a sat' shou$%er to shou$%er' sharing %eep an% #nowing $oo#s. 4t "a%e (nne "iss .i" a$$ the "ore' but at the sa"e ti"e' she fe$t the charge of young $o&e in the air. 4t was so"ething that this o$% house ha% been $ac#ing for a $ot of years. (n% it was ti"e to ce$ebrate it. .ac# starte% when he ca"e out of the bathroo"' hair sti$$ %a"p fro" his shower' an% ca"e face to face with Carter' ?e$issa;s brother. ,e $oo#e% the sa"e' .ac# thought' as the first ti"e .ac# ha% e&er seen F""aDb$on%' we$$ groo"e% an% %resse% i"peccab$y. .ac# "o&e% to the si%e of the ha$$way' gi&ing Carter enough roo" to pass. <FCcuse "e'< he "u"b$e%' %raping his "oist towe$ o&er his shou$%er. Carter' howe&er' %i%n;t "o&e' but stare% at .ac#.

<Can 4 he$p you with so"ething=< .ac# as#e%' "eeting the "an;s eyes stea%i$y. ,e;% been ab$e to te$$ fro" the first "o"ent he;% wa$#e% into the 3i$#ins; ho"e' that Carter %i%n;t $i#e hi". (n% the way the "an fo$$owe% F""a aroun%' :u"ping in front of her to %o things' or ta#ing e&ery opportunity to touch her in so"e way' "a%e .ac#;s chest ru"b$e with possessi&eness. <Bou %on;t %eser&e her'< Carter hisse%' his eyes %arting to the c$ose% %oor where ?issy an% F""a were staying. <4 %on;t #now what she sees in you.< .ac# narrowe% his eyes an% stoo% straighter' causing the thin Carter to ta#e a step bac#war%s. .ac# wasn;t a "an to be inti"i%ate% by so"eone $i#e thisAb$oo%y p$on#er. ,e;% stoo% up to "uch worse o&er the years. <0egar%$ess'< .ac# sai%' <4;" the one she;s chosen to be with.< Carter $oo#e% as he wante% to respon% but -ere#;s "essy hea% po#e% out of the be%roo" that he an% .ac# were sharing. <($$ right' "ate=< <($$ right'< .ac# respon%e%' not ta#ing his eyes fro" Carter. !ro" the corner of his eye' he saw -ere# no%' eye Carter for a "o"ent' an% then %isappear bac# into the roo". -ere# #new .ac# cou$% ta#e care of hi"se$f' an% that "a%e .ac# s"i$e a bit. Carter "ust ha&e seen the har%ness in .ac#;s face' because he swa$$owe%' his (%a";s app$e bobbing up an% %own se&era$ ti"es. <2oo#'< .ac# sai%' re$aCing his shou$%ers a bit so that he wasn;t co"p$ete$y inti"i%ating the other "an. <4 #now that you;&e got thisAthing for F""a.< <4 $o&e her'< Carter sai% soft$y. .ac# wince%' but presse% forwar%. <She;s so"ething'< he agree%. <But you nee% to un%erstan% that 4 $o&e her as we$$.< Carter shifte%' g$ancing bac# at the gir$s; c$ose% %oor. <Be goo% to her'< he whispere%. .ac# cou$% te$$ the wor%s were costing hi". <4 wi$$'< he agree%' ho$%ing out his han% for Carter to sha#e. <Bou ha&e "y wor% on it.< <4f you e&er hurt herA< ,e trai$e% off an% eye% the scare% an% ca$$ouse% han% for a "o"ent before sha#ing it $i"p$y an% turning away an% hurrying %own the steps. .ac# watche% hi" go before sha#ing his hea% an% continuing on into his roo". <4;" g$a% you ca"e'< F""a whispere% into .ac#;s ear as they cu%%$e% un%er a thic# ho"e"a%e >ui$t on the swing that $i&e% on the wi%e wrap+aroun% porch.

<?e too'< .ac# whispere% bac#. <So' what %i% you thin#=< <(bout what=< .ac# >uestione%' tearing his eyes away fro" where the setting sun was $ighting up the snowy terrain. <(bout Christ"asAhereAwith "e.< F""a po#e% his si%e un%er the b$an#et they share% an% .ac# s>uir"e% away fro" her fingers. <4t was perfect'< .ac# sai%. <6ot that 4 ha&e "uch to co"pare it toG but if 4 %i%' it wou$% sti$$ win.< F""a $ay her hea% %own on .ac#;s shou$%er an% sighe%. <(nne rea$$y $i#es you.< .ac# s"ir#e%. <Carter %oesn;t.< F""a $aughe%. <Carter;s a specia$ case.< <Beah' 4 cou$% te$$ he ha% fee$ings for you when he trie% to corner "e in the ha$$ an% threatene% "e if 4 e&er hurt you.< <,e %i%n;tH< F""a gaspe%. She;% #nown bringing .ac# wou$% hurt Carter a bit' but she tru$y be$ie&e% that it was :ust a crush that the "an ha% on her an% that it wou$% go away when he saw how happy she was with .ac#. .ac# no%%e%. <,e %i%' but %on;t worry' we ca"e to anAun%erstan%ing' of sorts' 4 guess. 4 won;t e&er hurt you an% he agrees not to try an% re"o&e "y tonsi$s through "y nostri$s.< F""a $aughe% an% nu55$e% his nec#. <4 $o&e you'< she whispere%. .ac# grinne%. ,e $o&e% hearing her say that' e&en though -ere# %i% te$$ hi" that it was too soon for the two of the" to be usingAithat/iAwor%. <4 $o&e you too' F".< They sat >uiet$y together whi$e .ac# use% his foot to roc# the" a bit in the swing. <Can 4 te$$ you so"ething=< F""a fina$$y as#e% an% .ac#;s attention was fu$$y on her as her tone was serious. <Sure' $o&e' you can te$$ "e anything.< <4t has to %o withAbeforeA< .ac# no%%e%. ;Before; was the ter" both of the" use% to in%icate their $i&es before both of their trau"atic "e"ory $osses.

<3hen 4 wo#e up in hospita$' they to$% "e it wasn;t an acci%ent 4;% been in' that 4;% been beaten' probab$y "ugge%' by the $oo#s of it.< .ac# continue% to no% as they;% been o&er this territory before. <3e$$' there was so"ething e$se. 4 was wearing this when they brought "e inG it was tuc#e% un%er the c$othes that 4 ha% on. The c$othing was ruine% by a$$ the b$oo% an% %irt on it an% they ha% to throw it away.< She he$% out her han% an% a thin go$% chain $ay there a$ong with a ring toppe% by a s>uare %ia"on%. .ac# pic#e% the ring up an% $oo#e% at it' g$ancing at her to fin% her worrying her $ip. <4t;s an engage"ent ring'< he state%. ,e wasn;t >uite sure why she was te$$ing hi" this story. <Bes' that;s what 4 thought too'< F""a no%%e%. <4 wore it for years aroun% "y nec#' waiting.< .ac# sobere% a bit an% $ai% the ring bac# onto her han%' a$though his eyes %i%n;t $ea&e it. 3hat was she trying to te$$ hi"= That she;% been in $o&e before' enough to be engage%= That the "an she;% been with before ha% co"e bac# into her $ife= That she %i%n;t want to get serious with .ac# whi$e there was sti$$ a chance that this other "an "ight return= ,a%n;t she :ust sai% she $o&e% hi"= The ring $ay there' "oc#ing hi" as his "in% whir$e%. <4 wante% you to #now about it' because we sai% we;% be co"p$ete$y honest with each other.< .ac# no%%e% an% c$eare% his throat' fina$$y forcing his eyes away fro" the trin#et. <4;" not sure what you want "e to say' F". -o youAwant to fin% this "an' or so"ething=< <6oH< F""a %enie%' pu$$ing away fro" hi" so that she cou$% $oo# into his face. <4;" te$$ing you this because the %ay after we rea$$y "et' in the coffee shop' 4 too# this nec#$ace off an% 4;&e not worn it since. 4 $i&e% for years in the ;what if;G a$ways won%ering who this "ight ha&e been' if 4;% seen hi" on the street a hun%re% ti"es an% not e&en #nown it. !or a$$ 4 #now' this "ight not ha&e been "y ring. 4t "ight ha&e been "y "other;s or sister;sDor anyone e$se;s.< ,er eyes fi$$e% with tears an% .ac# instant$y fe$t gui$ty for his rogue thoughts. <4;" te$$ing you that 4;" fina$$y rea%y to "o&e into the future part of "y $ife' 4;&e ha% enough of $i&ing in the past. 4;" rea%y to gi&e you "y who$e heart .ac#' if that;s what you want. 4 #now it;s ear$y in our re$ationship' but 4 :ust wante% you to #now that 4;" in this one hun%re% percent.< .ac# pu$$e% her c$ose to hi" an% $ai% their forehea%s together. <4 a" too' $o&e. 3hat 4 ha% in the past' whate&er it was' %oesn;t "atter now. 4 ha&e you in "y $ife an% that is what

"a#es it worth $i&ing. Bou an% 4 both #now that there was so"ething there' so"e sort ofApu$$Awhen we "et. This is for rea$.< F""a no%%e% an% ti$te% her hea% to "eet his $ips for a sou$+searing #iss. <4 $o&e you' F""a Stanton'< he whispere% when they pu$$e% apart. <(n% 4 $o&e you' .ac# 4nga$$s.< A/N: There has been some confusion about the years that ha%e passed since the battle" and the ages that the characters are. 6ac! and #mma's ages were estimated by the hospitals after their accidents. They ha%e no way of !nowing their birth dates or how old they are. 6ac! usually estimates his age at older" probably feeling years older than he actually is. There was an editing error in the last chapter (which has since been fi2ed) that was completely my fault. The dates that are at the top of each chapter should ser%e as a guideline for e%eryone and help you to !now when things are ta!ing place. If there is a uestion" please feel free to as!.

*Chapter (*: Chapter (

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: *lad e%eryone en(oyed the fluff of last chapter. 3e'll chec! bac! in with a few people this chapter to see how things are going" plus getting some more loo!s at 6ac! and #mma. A little of something for e%eryone. Than!s to $eb and #lla for the beta wor!. Chapter ( "anuary 2 2 through May 2 2

,er"ione;s eyes wi%ene% as she stare% at the bright purp$e potion f$oating in the cau$%ron. She b$in#e% twice an% grabbe% the boo# again' carefu$$y rea%ing the ingre%ients $ist an% the %irections one "ore ti"e' her finger trai$ing the page as she "u"b$e% the wor%s. 0ea$i5ing she;% %one e&erything right' an% what that i"p$ie%' she s$u"pe% to the ti$e f$oor in the bathroo"' staring at the cau$%ron. 4t was the sa"e cau$%ron that she' 0on' an% ,arry ha% use% to brew *o$y:uice in secon% year. So"ewhere a$ong the $ine' brewing her potions in the bathroo" ha% beco"e a habit as we$$. Strange' how so "any $ife changing e&ents for her ha% happene% in a bathroo"A So"e things rea$$y %i% co"e fu$$ circ$e' she thought' as she g$ance% at the boo# she;% ta#en her potion instructions fro". 'ousehold ?harms for the ?harmingAby @i$%eroy 2oc#hart. !rau% he "ay ha&e been in -efense (gainst the -ar# (rts' but his boo#s of househo$% char"s were sti$$ bestse$$ers. ?o$$y 3eas$ey herse$f swore by the"' a$though she scow$e% whene&er she was force% to open one of the". They no $onger he$% a p$ace of honor on the "ante$ of her #itchen firep$ace' but were tuc#e% away in a cupboar%. ,er"ione;s "in% whir$e%' trying to grasp any en% an% "a#e sense of it. So "any stran%s of thoughtDan% so $itt$e ti"e to %eci%e how to approach anything. She "enta$$y counte% bac#G on$y eight "onthsLthirty+two wee#s to prepare. She ruff$e% her hair' trying to %eci%e if she cou$% possib$y "a#e this a$$ wor#. She;% ha&e to start right away' she %eci%e%. 6o "ore ti"e for sitting on co$% ti$e f$oors an% staring at strange co$ore% potions. 3ith a f$ic# of her wan%' she &anishe% the potion' c$eane% her cau$%ron an% store% it in its usua$ p$ace un%er the sin#. !irst things firstG she wou$% spen% the afternoon "a#ing a chart to sche%u$e a$$ of the things that nee%e% to be %one. There were ow$s to sen%' appoint"ents to be "a%e. (n%' she thought with a s"i$e' one (uror that nee%e% to hear the news in person. @row$ing in frustration' 0on f$ippe% bac# to the front of the fi$e he was trying to %ecipher an% searche% for what he was "issing. ( hea%ache gnawe% at the base of his s#u$$' fingering up into the area behin% his eyes. ,e;% been at this %es# for hours' staring at the pi$e of %ocu"ents for a case that ha% been so$&e% years ago' but that he was re>uire% to sift through for his course in F&i%ence @athering. B$oo%y use$ess' if you as#e% hi". The rea$ (uror wor# was out in the fie$%' not in the paperwor#. 4f he;% #nown how "uch paperwor# was in&o$&e% in being an (uror' he "ight ha&e change% his "in%. ,e ro$$e% his hea% on his nec# an% b$in#e% se&era$ ti"es to focus bac# on the wor%s in front of hi".

4f he was right' what they were searching for was so"ething that ha% been "isse% at the scene of the cri"e. ,owe&er' to 0on' the pieces of the pu55$e weren;t fitting an% it was %ri&ing hi" nutters. <1iH 3eas$eyH< 0on grow$e% again' putting his finger %own to "ar# his spot an% pic#ing his hea% up to be$$ow bac# to one of his fe$$ow trainees. <3hat %o you want' ?eyers=< 4f he #ept getting interrupte%' he;% ne&er get this case stu%y %one an% then he;% ha&e to stay $ater tonight. (n% that wou$%n;t %o' because it was Chinese night. ,e $o&e% Chinese night. 3hi$e he an% ,er"ione ha% $i&e% in their tiny f$at in 2on%on' they ha% "a%e it a tra%ition to get ta#eaway e&ery 3e%nes%ay e&ening at the Chinese restaurant %own the street. (fter "o&ing' it see"e% a sha"e to stop the tra%ition' so 0on wou$% (pparate there e&ery 3e%nes%ay an% get two or%ers of /ung *ao *or#' one or%er of Spicy Chic#en' an% a huge boC of Chow ?ein. <Bou;&e got a &isitorH< ?eyers ca$$e% bac#' pee#ing his hea% o&er 0on;s cubic$e an% win#ing. 0on ro$$e% his eyes. 4t wasn;t often that so"eone &isite% hi" at wor#. 4t was probab$y !re% or @eorge' co"e to te$$ hi" about so"e new pro%uct that wou$% ha&e the who$e %epart"ent either ro$$ing on the f$oor in $aughter' or surroun%ing the twins' wan%s %rawn. <($right' a$right'< 0on grow$e%. <Te$$ whoe&er it is to #eep their #nic#ers on.< ?eyers chuc#$e% an% scratche% the bac# of his hea%. <Bou want ;e" to #now that' you te$$ ;e"' "ate.< 0on huffi$y "ar#e% his p$ace in the fi$e' put a "i$% security char" on it an% $eft his %es#' tugging at his tie an% gru"b$ing about git brothers. ,is eyebrows rose' howe&er' when he saw that it wasn;t his brothers at a$$' who were waiting in the chairs at the front of the (uror %epart"ent. <,er"ione'< he greete% her' shoc#e% that she ha% co"e to see hi" at wor#. She usua$$y "a%e it a point not to bother hi" at wor#' an% he %i% the sa"e' a$though' occasiona$$y' they wou$% arrange to "eet for $unch. ,e #new that to%ay was her %ay off' an% that she;% p$anne% to get so"e house c$eaning %one an% perhaps %o a bit of shopping.

<,e$$o' 0on'< she s"i$e%' stan%ing up to greet hi". 0on si$ent$y sai% a than#fu$ prayer that ?eyers ha%n;t con&eye% his senti"ent ear$ier. That wou$%n;t ha&e gone o&er we$$ at a$$. 0on $eane% in to #iss her chee#' unco"fortab$y aware of the "any eyes in the office that pee#e% o&er cubic$es an% aroun% %oorways. (urors were notorious$y nosy. <3hat are you %oing here=< he as#e% i"pu$si&e$y an% then gri"ace%. <6ot that 4 %on;t want you here' or that you can;t stop by at any ti"e.< ,e cou$% fee$ his ears burn as she s"i$e% at hi". <(ctua$$y'< she sai%' ta#ing his han%. <4 was won%ering if you cou$% tear yourse$f away to ha&e $unch with "e.< Conf$ict an% suspicion' rose up in hi" an% he scow$e%. ,er"ione was &ery rare$y spontaneousAnot that he %i%n;t appreciate it' but it was un$i#e her. .ust $ast "onth she ha% sco$%e% hi" for %oing the sa"e thing that she was %oing nowG showing up in his office' unannounce%' for a $unch %ate. <3e$$'< he sta$$e%' trying to figure out if he cou$% "a#e it happen. <4 rea$$y shou$%n;t'< he eCp$aine%. <Connor is a$$ o&er "e about getting this case stu%y %one. (n% 4;" two behin% as it is. 4 :ust can;t see" to see the connection in this case an% it;s sen%ing "e aroun% the twist.< ,e f$inche% when he saw the crushe% $oo# co"e o&er her face. She stare% %own at their :oine% han%s an% no%%e%. <,er"ione'< he "oane%. <-on;t be $i#e this. Bou #now 4;" wor#ing eCtra hours to try an% "a#e up for you ta#ing ti"e off.< ,e #new he;% "a%e a wrong choice to use that tactic when her face starte% to turn re%. The warning be$$s were going off in his hea%' an% his "in% was ye$$ing at hi" to stop. But his "outhAit :ust #ept ta$#ing. <(n% to he$p pay off the house that you wante%. 4;&e got to wor# twice as har%' as we$$' because of what "y na"e is. F&eryone thin#s it;s so easy being a 3eas$ey. But it;s notD< <0on'< she interrupte%' ho$%ing out her han% in front of his face. <4f you can;t go' p$ease :ust te$$ "e.< ,e #new he;% pay for it $ater' but he shoo# his hea%. <4 can;t go.< She sighe% hea&i$y an% then no%%e% resigne%$y' a$though 0on cou$% see the anger bui$%ing up behin% her eyes. <!ine. 4;$$ see you at ho"e tonight then.< <,er"ione'< he "oane% as she turne% on her hee$ an% wa$#e% out the %oor.

<,er"ioneH< Cursing hi"se$f' 0on chase% after her' fina$$y catching her before the $ifts' pressing her finger repeate%$y onto the s"a$$ button to su""on the car. <4;" sorry'< he continue%. <4 shou$%n;t ha&e sai% those things.< She %i%n;t $oo# at hi" but he cou$% te$$ she was crying. <,er"ione' p$ease %on;t cry'< he p$ea%e%' reaching aroun% to turn her towar% hi". <4;" trying not toH< she sai%' swiping angri$y at her eyes. <3e both agree% that the boo# was a worthy pursuit.< <3e %i%'< 0on agree%' not #nowing if she hear% hi" o&er her continuing wor%s' punctuate% by sobs. <Aan% you agree% that it was a$right for "e to cut "y hours bac#Aan% now it;s so c$ose to being %oneA< <4 #now' ,er"ione'< he begge%' ta#ing her face in his han%s to wipe away the tears. <Aan% 4;" going to be further behin% because of this. 4 %on;t e&en #now if 4;$$ finish itH 4 on$y ha&e eight "onths. (n% there;s so "uch to %oA< 0on narrowe% his eyes' trying to fo$$ow her train of thought. 3hat %i% she "ean eight "onths= (n% why was his not going to $unch with her possib$y "a#ing her not finish her boo#= She continue% to cry an% to ta$# as 0on "enta$$y stu"b$e% a$ong behin% her. <Athere;s :ust so "uch pressure. 4 "ean' what if 4;" no goo% at itA< <,er"ione' the boo# is a"a5ing' e&eryone says so.< <Ait;s not $i#e you can rea% the gui%es an% :ust !now how to %o e&erything. 4 #now' because 4;&e rea% the" a$$. (n% they %on;t te$$ you what to %o if it gets sic#' or how to "a#e it eat. 4;&e hear% that "ost prob$e"s co"e within the first thirty+siC hours. 4 %on;t #now if 4 can han%$e thatA< 0on;s brain fina$$y began to shut %own as he trie% to picture a boo# getting sic#. <,er"ioneH< ,e shoo# her shou$%ers gent$y. <2o&e' you;re not "a#ing a bit of sense. 3e were ta$#ing about going to $unch...an% then the boo#Aan% then' we$$ 4 ha&e no i%ea what you;re ta$#ing about now.< <4;" ta$#ing about the baby' 0onH< she wai$e%' $eaning into his chest as 0on $oo#e% %u"bfoun%e% at the peop$e staring at hi" fro" the open $ift. <BaDbaby=<

The witch in front of the group gigg$e%' hi%ing her $aughter behin% her han%' a$though not &ery effecti&e$y. <3e$$' $a%=< an o$%er "an pro"pte% hi"' a chi%ing eCpression on his face. 0on b$in#e% at hi" an% then g$ance% %own to his wife' wetting the front of his robes with her tears. <Bes' the baby' 0on. 4;" pregnant.< Cheering bro#e out in the $ift car :ust before the %oors c$ose% shut an% it %isappeare%. The wor%s see"e% to ta#e fore&er to "a#e their way into his hea%. (n% it too# e&en $onger for hi" to force his brain to wa#e his bo%y up. <(re you angry=< ,er"ione as#e%' pu$$ing bac# to $oo# at hi" through puffy eyes. <(ngry=< 0on as#e%' staring %own at her with wi%e eyes. (nger wasn;t an e"otion he cou$% re$ate to right now. 4n fact' he was strugg$ing to #eep oCygen f$owing. <Bes'< ,er"ione narrowe% her eyes at hi". <4t;s not the best ti"ing' is it= 4%ea$$y' it wou$% ha&e been best after 4;% finishe% the boo# an% %one a$$ the pro"otiona$ wor# for it. But these things ha&e a way of happeningD< /nowing that she wou$% continue' an% possib$y get a$$ wor#e% up again' 0on %i% the on$y thing that wor#e% to shut her upG he $eane% %own an% #isse% her. The wor% baby #ept echoing through his hea% as they c$ung to each other' in turns "a#ing hi" terrifie% an% e$ate%. They;% ta$#e% about ha&ing a chi$%' yes' but the rea$ity was so "uch %ifferent than the wor%s. <Bou;re not angry=< ,er"ione as#e% when they bro#e apart. ,e shoo# his hea% an% as#e% the first >uestion that ca"e to "in%. <Can we na"e it ,arry=< ,er"ione;s "outh opene% an% c$ose% se&era$ ti"es before a &ery ten%er $oo# ca"e o&er her. <3hat if it;s a gir$=< 0on shrugge%' his "in% sti$$ ree$ing. ,e was going to be a father. To a son. That he wou$% na"e ,arry. <3e;re certain$y not na"ing "y %aughter ,arry'< ,er"ione continue%' a$though she was s"i$ing at hi". 0on #new she was teasing' but he cou$%n;t %o "ore than no%. <@inny' then'< he sai% soft$y. ,er"ione $oo#e% at hi" one $ast ti"e before no%%ing.

<But not @ine&ra'< 0on eCp$aine%' reaching o&er to push the $ift button' <she a$ways hate% that na"e. 4t has to be @inny.< <0on' what about wor#=< <!orget it'< he sai% as the $ift arri&e% an% he $e% her into the %eserte% car. <This is "ore i"portant.< .ac# an% F""a were in her f$at' spraw$e% on the couch an% engage% in a hea&y snogging session. .ac#;s shirt ha% been aban%one% near the beginning an% F""a;s hung open' eCposing her throat an% %e$icate s#in to .ac#;s #isses. ,e fe$t a bit out of contro$G his hea% was spinning an% his "in% was thic#. But they;% both been wor#ing $ong hours an% with -ere# an% ?issy a$ways aroun%' ti"e a$one was a har% thing to co"e by. They;% %iscusse% how fast an% how far to ta#e their re$ationship' both agreeing to ta#e their ti"e an% wait before beco"ing fu$$y inti"ate. But the soft soun%s that F""a was "a#ing' the way she purre% against his s#in' %ro&e .ac# insane. ,e #new he;% ha&e to pu$$ bac# soon. .ac# s$ow$y re"o&e% her shirt' s$i%ing his $ips %own her shou$%er' an% reache% aroun% her bac# to unhoo# her bra whi$e they continue% to #iss passionate$y. The thought that so"eone "ight wa$# in %i%n;t %eter the" "uch. ,is fingers fe$t thic# an% cu"berso"e as they searche% the thin piece of e$astic an% he grow$e% into her "outh' e&en as she gigg$e% against hi". <,ere' $et "e'< she offere%. .ac# grow$e% again' %eter"ine% to win this batt$e. F""a ye$pe% when the gar"ent s$ippe% out of his han% an% snappe% her on the bare bac#. .ac# fe$t his face heat an% starte% to turn away' but F""a on$y #isse% hi" again an% he$pe% gui%e his han%s bac# to wor#. The s"a$$ c$asps see"e% to be "oc#ing hi" an% he c$ose% his eyes tight$y' si$ent$y wishing that the who$e thing wou$% :ust %isappear. (n% it %i%. Co"p$ete$y. F""a s>uea$e% an% co&ere% herse$f with her ar"s' pu$$ing bac# in shoc#. .ac#;s eyes went wi%e when he;% rea$i5e% he %one it again an%' in %oing so' ha% probab$y co"p$ete$y a$ienate% the wo"an he $o&e%. 6ow she;% see hi" for the frea# he rea$$y was. <3hat the he$$ was that=< she as#e%' a $oo# of co"p$ete bewi$%er"ent on her face as she scra"b$e% to co&er herse$f with her %iscar%e% shirt.

<Fr"'< .ac# "u"b$e% as he $oo#e% aroun%' praying her bra ha% :ust co"e off easi$y an% cou$% be foun% so"ewhere c$ose. <6ot rea$$y sure'< he a%"itte%. Co"p$ete %isappoint"ent fi$$e% hi" as F""a c$i"be% off of hi" an% stoo% g$ancing aroun%. She fina$$y sighe% an% sat %own neCt to hi". ,e %i%n;t %are to "o&e an inch' shirt$ess an% with his trousers co"p$ete$y un%one. F""a stu%ie% hi" for a "inute before c$earing her throat. <,as this happene% before' .ac#=< .ac#;s eyes pinche% shut an% he rep$ace% his g$asses' s$ow$y buttoning up his trousers. <6ot eCact$y'< he a%"itte%. 4t was the co"p$ete truth' in a way. <But so"ething si"i$ar=< ,e s>uir"e% in %isco"fort an% g$ance% aroun% for his shirt before shrugging one shou$%er. ,e cou$%n;t bear to $oo# at her an% see her %isguste% face. <.ac#' $oo# at "e p$ease.< <6o'< he answere%' surprising e&en hi"se$f. <3hy not=< ,er war" han% $ay a$ongsi%e his chee# an% he c$ose% his eyes again. <BecauseA< he sighe%. <Because 4 %on;t want to see you $oo# at "e that way.< F""a sighe%. <3hat way is that' eCact$y' .ac#= Bou %on;t want to see "e $oo# at the "an 4 $o&e.< .ac# f$inche%. <Bou;$$ change your "in%.< <3hy=< she persiste%. <Because strange things happen aroun% you=< ,e chance% a g$ance up at her when she chuc#$e% an% shifte% so that she was sitting e&en c$oser to hi". ,er ar" wrappe% through his an% she $ai% her hea% on his shou$%er. <This one ti"e' it was about a year after 4 got out of hospita$A4 was frustrate% about so"ething' it see"s si$$y now because 4 %on;t e&en re"e"ber what it was. 4;% been ha&ing a rea$$y ba% %ay an% so"ething ha% set "e off.< ,er &oice $owere% so that he cou$% bare$y hear her. <.ac#' 4 "a%e e&ery piece of g$ass in "y be%roo" shatter.< .ac# %i%n;t #now what to say so he sat in si$ence' fee$ing his heart poun% an% hearing hers as we$$. <-o you thin# 4;" a frea#=< she whispere% an% he turne%' gathere% her into his ar"s instant$y. ,e hate% that wor%. 4t %re%ge% up horri% sensations in hi" that "a%e a fire burn %eep in his chest.

<6oH 6o' you;re not that' F". Bou;re perfect' an% beautifu$ an% won%erfu$ an%A< <(n% the sa"e as you'< she finishe%. <3e;re the sa"e' .ac#.< (n% .ac# no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. ,e;% ne&er "et another person who share% the sa"e secrets he %i% an% it "a%e hi" $o&e her a$$ the "ore. ,e;% $eane% in to capture her $ips an% the #iss ca$"e% the" both. .ac# pu$$e% her with hi" as he $ay bac# on the sofa' cu%%$ing her into his si%e. <4t;s a$ways been $i#e this for "e'< he a%"itte% in a $ow &oice. Things he ne&er ha% seen hi"se$f a%"itting to anyone %rifte% to the front of his "in% an% he fe$t the" fa$$ out of his "outh faster than he cou$% contro$ the". F""a;s own eCperiences :oine% his an% .ac# he$% her tight as his chest thu"pe% $ou%$y. They rea$$y were the sa"e. <4 te$$ e&eryone 4 %on;t re"e"ber anything'< he sai% soft$y' stro#ing her $ong hair gent$y. <But it;s not true.< F""a $ifte% her hea% an% peere% at hi". .ac# chewe% the insi%e of his $ip before sighing. <4 re"e"ber so"e thingsDnot "uch that "a#es sense' butA< <4 re"e"ber pain'< F""a a%"itte%. <,orrib$y terrifying pain. (n% a bright $ight.< .ac# wince%' cupping her chee# in his han% an% watching as her face gri"ace% at the "e"ory. <(n% so"eone stan%ing o&er "e'< she whispere% in a torture% &oice. <4 can;t see his face' but 4 #now 4 was scare%.< <1h' F"A< She nu55$e% bac# into hi" an% .ac# he$% her against his bare chest' shi&ering at the fee$ of her breath on his s#in. <4 re"e"ber f$ashes of $ight' "ost$y'< he a%"itte% soft$y. <2ots of green $ightG a$though' so"eti"es it;s re%. (n% 4 ha&e these rea$$y strange %rea"sG a$"ost $i#e 4;" f$yingAbut 4 can;t figure it out. There are peop$e too' but on$y sha%ows an% 4 can;t "a#e out what they;re saying.< <3hy %i% this happen to us=< F""a as#e%. .ac# tightene% his grip on her' pressing a #iss to her forehea%. <4 %on;t #now' but it;s better now that you;re here.< F""a $oo#e% up at hi" an% no%%e%. <Beah' 4 #now. 4t;s better for "e too.<

Content"ent seepe% s$ow$y into .ac#;s "in%' pushing asi%e the unsett$ing thoughts of the past an% ta#ing co"fort fro" the war"th of the wo"an in his ar"s. So"ehow' his itching nee% to #now his past s$ippe% away "ore an% "ore now that F""a was in his $ife. (n% .ac# fina$$y fe$t hi"se$f accepting that "aybe the past %i%n;t "atter' that his rea$ $ife ha% begun the "o"ent F""a ha% ta#en his han%. B$aise Mabini s"i$e% p$easant$y as he #noc#e% on the %oor to the posh f$at an% waite% for the owner to answer. 0ea$$y' why -raco nee%e% a f$at when he owne% a who$e b$oo%y "ansion was beyon% B$aise. ,owe&er' he ha% ne&er been han%e% the type of wea$th that -raco ha% at his %isposa$. B$aise;s "other was wea$thy' $i&ing off of the "oney of her %ecease% husban%s' but she ha% not seen fit to pass "uch of that a$ong to B$aise' especia$$y now that he was a wor#ing (uror. 4n fact' he was a bit of a %isgrace to her' if the truth be to$%G which a"use% B$aise to no en%. Baiting -raco was so"ething that B$aise too# great pri%e in. ,e probab$y shou$% fin% so"ething "ore usefu$ to %o with his ti"e' such as fin% a gir$frien%' or a hobby. But B$aise ha% seen enough of his "other;s ro"ances co"e an% go' >uite %ra"atica$$y' that he;% grown rather cynica$ about $o&e. (n% tor"enting ?a$foy was rather $i#e a hobby in a $ot of ways. <*$ease co"e in' ?ister Mabini. The ?aster is in the par$or' he wi$$ see you now'< the o$% house e$f greete% B$aise' who no%%e% %istracte%$y an% "a%e his way to the s"a$$ roo" off to the si%e. 4t rea$$y was too s"a$$ to be ca$$e% a par$or' but one "ust #eep up pretenses' he suppose%. <Mabini'< ?a$foy no%%e% at hi" fro" where his face was stuc# in a stac# of parch"ent. B$aise;s eyebrow rose as he consi%ere% what "ight be in the papers. ,e suspecte% it was abso$ute$y nothing worthy of such concentration' but $et -raco put on his show. ,e san# into a hea&y $eather chair' $etting the boo# he;% #ept tuc#e% un%er his ar" s$i%e into his $ap. ,is %ar# face s$it into a wi%e grin seeing the tit$e staring bac# at hi". 4t wasn;t what he;% ca$$ a re"ar#ab$e rea%Drather %ry' actua$$y. But it was e&erything that he;% eCpecte% co"ing fro" the swotty @ryffin%or' ,er"ione 3eas$ey. 4n fact' the on$y thing that intrigue% hi" at a$$ ha% been the section %ea$ing with ,orcruCes. B$aise ha% been eCtre"e$y surprise% that 3eas$ey ha% %i&u$ge% that infor"ation an% :ust as shoc#e% that the ?inistry ha% a$$owe% her to %o so. B$aise ha%n;t #nown about the %ar# ob:ects before' but it eCp$aine% "uch. ,e ha% to gi&e his begru%ging respect to the group of frien%s who ha% trac#e% the" a$$ %own an% finishe% the" one by one' "a#ing the -ar# 2or% &u$nerab$e.

6ot that B$aise cou$% recogni5e anything spectacu$ar about The+Boy+3ho+2i&e%Aor' we$$' didn't' as it were' he thought with a s"ir#. 4t see"e% $i#e a roun% of goo% $uc# was to b$a"e for "uch of his success in $ife. ,e grinne% again when his "in% %rifte% bac# to the secon% surprise in the boo#. Towar% the en%' 3eas$ey ha% ta#en %irect ob:ection against -raco;s c$ai"s that *otter an% the 3eas$ey gir$ ha% use% -ar# ?agic to #i$$ 2or% Eo$%e"ort. 4nstea%' she c$ai"e% that it was the co"p$ete oppositeDa %estruction of -ar# 1b:ects that ha% resu$te% in the -ar# 2or%;s %e"ise. 3eas$ey ha% &i$ifie% -raco' which "a%e B$aise;s respect for her raise a bit' as she;% %one it in such a &ei$e% fashion that he won%ere% if -raco wou$% e&en see the insu$t. Strange' he;% ne&er consi%er her to ha&e an ounce of S$ytherin in her bo%y. -raco finishe% scribb$ing so"ething in the stac# of parch"ent an% s$ow$y pushe% it away fro" hi"se$f across the wi%e' cherry woo% %es#. <3hat %o you nee%' B$aise=< he as#e%. B$aise s"i$e%' $i#ing that -raco was getting right to the point. ,e ha% anticipate% spen%ing at $east twenty "inutes on use$ess p$easantries an% gossip about their for"er schoo$"ates. <0ight to the point'< he ac#now$e%ge% with a no%' <4 see you;&e $earne% when to %ispense with the fri&o$ous.< <Bou wou$%n;t be here un$ess you ha% so"ething to te$$ "e' wou$% you=< -raco as#e%' his pa$e eyebrow arching in a sneer that he "ust ha&e wor#e% hours on in the "irror' B$aise thought. 4t was a perfect rep$ica of how his father use% to $oo# %own his nose at others. B$aise shrugge% an% he$% up the boo#' gi&ing it a $itt$e "o"entu" as he tosse% the hea&y to"e onto the %es#. The i"portant parch"ents f$uttere% an% a few sai$e% to the f$oor. -raco watche% the" co"e to rest on the *ersian rug before turning his attention bac# to the boo#. ,is nose scrunche% in %istaste an% he stoo% fro" his chair' $eaning o&er the boo#' but not touching it at a$$. <3hy %i% you bring "e this rubbish=< ("use"ent twittere% insi%e B$aise as he watche% the "as# -raco ha% beco"e fa"ous for o&er the past few years crac# :ust a bit. <4 thought you "ight be intereste% in what was on the bestse$$er;s $ist.< <,ar%$y'< ?a$foy %raw$e%. ,e sti$$ ha%n;t touche% the boo#' but his eyes #ept %arting to it as he wa$#e% to a hea&y si%eboar%' opene% the %oors an% poure% hi"se$f a %rin#. B$aise ro$$e% his eyes. 6o c$ass whatsoe&er' he thought' as ?a$foy %ran# the $i>ui% an% offere% not a %rop to his guest.

<3eas$ey as#s so"e insightfu$ >uestions'< he shrugge%' sin#ing $ower in his chair an% $aying his hea% on the bac# cushion. -raco snorte% an% g$are% at hi". <Bou;&e actua$$y rea% thisA%ri&e$=< B$aise grinne% an% shrugge% a shou$%er. <4 a$ways rea% e&erything on the $ist.< ?a#ing a soun% at the bac# of his throat' -raco brought his %rin# bac# to his %es# an% g$are% at the boo# again. B$aise ha% no %oubt that he wou$% attac# the boo#' scouring the pages for "ention of his na"e' the "o"ent that the %oor c$ose% behin% B$aise. 4t was why he;% brought the boo# here' after a$$. ,e on$y wishe% he cou$% see it in personDsee the "an tug at the nec# of his robes an% run his "anicure% han% through his hair rough$y. <Bou nee% a wo"an'< -raco grow$e% at hi" as he %roppe% %own into his chair an% $ifte% his $egs to rest the" on the surface of the %es#' his po$ishe% shoes co"ing to rest on the boo# itse$f. <?aybe'< B$aise shrugge% noncha$ant$y' <4 hear yours is for sa$e.< -raco a$"ost cho#e% on his %rin#' but reco&ere% we$$ an% B$aise hi% his s"i$e. <-ono&an @reengrass is current$y searching for a new pureb$oo% fa"i$y for his %aughter to "arry into.< -raco $ai% his hea% bac# on his seat an% stare% up at the cei$ing' start$ing B$aise. -i% he rea$$y ha&e fee$ings for (storia= That surprise% B$aise "ore than anything. ,e ha% ne&er picture% it as a $o&e "atch' but as -raco;s ina%e>uate scra"b$ing to gain so"e status in the pureb$oo% co""unity again. <(storia to$% "e that you were to be betrothe% as we$$'< -raco sai% >uiet$y' his own cutting e%ge to the wor%s. B$aise shrugge% again. <4 was'< he sighe%' <but 4 chose not to fo$$ow the tra%ition. -aphne an% 4 ne&er rea$$y got on at ,ogwarts.< -espite hi"se$f' -raco $oo#e% i"presse%. !or -ono&an @reengrass to ha&e offere% his e$%est %aughter to B$aise was a high co"p$i"ent. <The o$% "an was re$ie&e% when 4 %ec$ine% the offer'< B$aise eCp$aine%' honest$y. ,e %oubte% he wou$% e&er "arry' anyway. ,is fa"i$y history wasn;t so"ething that "a%e B$aise particu$ar$y prou%' an% it carrie% a reputation of its own. -raco no%%e%' a$though B$aise %oubte% that he un%erstoo% a$$ the subt$eties behin% it. ,e stoo%' bore%o" with both sub:ects gnawing at hi". <Bou "ight rea% the boo#'< he suggeste%. <4 %on;t go in for a$$ the Saint *otter %ri&e$'< he shrugge%' <but there are so"e things in there 4;$$ bet you %i%n;t e&en #now.<

-raco stare% at hi"' not $oo#ing at the boo# at a$$. <4f she printe% anything about "e at a$$D< <-on;t be stupi%'< B$aise snappe%. <She certain$y wasn;t. -on;t forget she wor#s in the 2aw -epart"ent.< ,is "essage %e$i&ere%' an% a bit of a"use"ent achie&e% for the %ay' B$aise turne% an% $eft. F""a sat with the si%e of her hea% against the co$% g$ass of the win%owpane. The boo# she;% been rea%ing was sti$$ in her $ap' but ha% been aban%one% for the chance to watch the hea&y snowfa$$. She;% a$ways $o&e% watching the snow when it %roppe% fro" the s#y in huge c$u"ps $i#e it was tonight. 4t was peacefu$ an% "a%e the wor$% outsi%e $oo# c$ean an% fresh. The bare trees' so "uch $i#e s#e$etons ear$ier to%ay' now wore thic# coats of white. F&en the %eserte% streets were co"p$ete$y white' not a tire trac# in the". F""a #new that by "orning the "u%%y grayness wou$% return an% the won%er of a .anuary snowstor" wou$% fa%e' but tonight it was won%erfu$. The f$at was >uiet tonight eCcept for ?issy;s frantic page turning as she strugg$e% to %o her re&ision. F&ery now an% then she wou$% sigh or huff in frustration an% F""a wou$% hi%e a s"i$e that wou$% on$y be ref$ecte% bac# to her in the win%ow. <3ho on earthA< she "uttere% as she watche% a poor sou$ strugg$e through the se&era$ inches of snow' s$ipping an% s$i%ing a$ong the si%ewa$#. 3hoe&er it was "ust ha&e ha% so"e i"portant "ission in "in% to bring the" out on such a co$% an% wet night. ,e continue% to s$i%e his way past where she cou$% see' stopping in the s>uare of $ight her win%ow "a%e on the snow an% raising his face an% ar" up to wa&e. <.ac#H< F""a ye$$e% out in surprise. She rea$$y ha%n;t eCpecte% to see hi" tonight. She shou$%n;t ha&e' either. They;% spo#en ear$ier on the phone an% .ac# ha% to$% her he was pic#ing up an eCtra shift at the foo% "art that e&ening. <3hat;s that nutter %oing out there tonight=< ?issy as#e% as F""a wa&e% bac# to hi"' a grin stretching her face. <4 %on;t #now'< F""a sai% as she scra"b$e% off of the win%ow seat an% straightene% her :u"per se$f conscious$y. <4 thought he sai% he ha% to wor#.< She cou$% hear hi" greet so"eone out in the stairwe$$ an% then the soun% of his boots on the $an%ing outsi%e their %oor. ?issy reache% out an% swung the %oor wi%e before he e&en ha% a chance to #noc#. <Bou;re "enta$' %i% you #now that=< she cha$$enge% his sheepish grin.

<*robab$y'< he agree% an% re"o&e% his hat >uic#$y re&ea$ing hair that was so "usse% up that it "a%e F""a gigg$e. She stoo% across the roo" fro" hi"' her han%s o&er her "outh to hi%e her $aughter as .ac# aw#war%$y steppe% in the %oor. <4 thought you ha% to wor#'< F""a sai% as she too# a s$ow step towar% hi". .ac# shrugge%. <6ot tonight.< She watche% as his eyes %arte% o&er the ?issy an% then bac# to her. ,e see"e% incre%ib$y ner&ous an% she won%ere% if so"ething was wrong. <4;$$ :ust go into "y roo"' then'< ?issy sai%. F""a fe$t a bit ba%G the f$at was' after a$$' both of theirs. <?issy' you %on;t ha&e toD< <3hy %on;t we ta#e a wa$#'< .ac# suggeste% at the sa"e ti"e. <6ow=< F""a as#e%' swinging bac# aroun% to see that the snow see"e% to be fa$$ing s$ower now. <Beah'< .ac# no%%e%' his shy s"i$e $ighting up his face. <4t;s won%erfu$ out there. F&erything;s co&ere% in snow an% it;s so >uietA< F""a frowne% for a "inute' trying to %eci%e why a wa$# outsi%e soun%e% so perfect right now. <($right'< she fina$$y no%%e%' #nowing that anywhere .ac# as#e% her to go she wou$% g$a%$y fo$$ow. ,er eyes fo$$owe% as ?issy' a s"ug s"i$e on her face' c$eane% up her re&ising an% trai$e% it a$$ bac# %own the short ha$$way. 1nce she was in the roo"' F""a turne% bac# to .ac# who was watching her' a strange $oo# on his face. 6ot ho$%ing bac# any $onger' F""a $aunche% herse$f at hi"' ta#ing hi" by surprise as he $aughe% an% wrappe% his ar"s aroun% her. <4 "isse% you to%ay'< she sai% >uiet$y as their $ips "et. 1b&ious$y' .ac# fe$t the sa"e. ,is #isses were a$"ost %esperate an% he he$% her tight$y to hi". <?isse% you too'< he whispere%' his chee#s heating neCt to hers. <@i&e "e a "inute to get rea%y'< she fina$$y sai% an% .ac# no%%e%' his eyes ne&er straying fro" her $ips. 0e$uctant$y' she pu$$e% away an% hurrie% to gather her winter things. 1nce she was sufficient$y %rape% in her war"est woo$en c$othing' she ga&e .ac# another #iss an% straightene% the #nit hat he;% rep$ace% before wrapping her ar" through his an% wa$#ing with hi" out the %oor. They %i%n;t say "ore than a few wor%s %uring the short wa$# %own the si%ewa$# an% into the p$aypar#. They gigg$e% an% s$i% aroun% on the s$ic# earth' .ac# e&en fe$$ on his bu"' a$"ost pu$$ing F""a %own with hi".

!ina$$y' they reache% a s"a$$ copse of trees where the snow wasn;t as %eep an% a partia$$y %ry bench sat. .ac# rubbe% his "ittens o&er it' %rying the rest of it as "uch as he cou$% before gran%$y presenting it to F""a. She $aughe% an% pu$$e% hi" %own neCt to her' snugg$ing into his si%e. <4t;s so beautifu$ out tonight'< she "use%' watching the $arge c$u"ps thin s$ow$y unti$ on$y a few re"aine%' %ancing %own fro" the white s#y. <4t is'< .ac# agree%. She cou$% fee$ his eyes on her' but %i%n;t $oo# at hi". 3hate&er he ha% co"e a$$ this way to te$$ her' she cou$% be patient for. .ac# was $i#e thatDso"eti"es he ha% to thin# about so"ething for a $ong ti"e before he to$% her' other ti"es it spi$$e% out of his "outh $i#e it burne% hi". <F""a' 4A< S$ow$y' she turne% to $oo# up into his face. She grinne% at the $oo# of concentration on his han%so"e features. ,e ha%n;t sha&e% tonight an% the %ar# stubb$e sha%owing his :aw "a%e her want to touch hi". )nab$e to resist' she s$i% her han% out of the war" woo$ an% up a$ong his chee#' thri$$ing at the scratching soun% an% the fee$ of his co$% s#in. <3hat is it' .ac#=< <4' er"A< ,e starte% an% stoppe% again' ner&ous$y g$ancing %own at his han%s' rest$ess$y "o&ing in his $ap. Su%%en$y' in one s"ooth "o&e"ent' he was in front of her' on his #nee an% ho$%ing out a s"a$$' &e$&et co&ere% boC. <4 $o&e you' F""a. (n% 4 #now it;s soon' "aybe too soonAbut 4 can;t see "e without you.< F""a stare%' abso$ute$y stunne% as she rea$i5e% what was happening. <4;&e ne&er "et anyone $i#e you before' an% 4 %on;t thin# 4 e&er wi$$. BouAun%erstan% who 4 a"' e&en when 4 %on;t.< <4t;s the sa"e for "e'< she breathe%. .ac# no%%e%' his croo#e% s"i$e fina$$y "a#ing an appearance. ,e too# one fina$ breath before %i&ing in. <3i$$ you "arry "e=< <Bes'< she no%%e%' tears ri""ing her eyes. She threw herse$f into his ar"s' #noc#ing the" both onto the snowy groun%. Their $ips "et gent$y an% .ac# ro$$e% unti$ they were si%e by si%e' #issing an% ho$%ing on to each other. <0ea$$y=< he as#e%' their co"bine% breath fogging his g$asses.

F""a $aughe% at his awe% >uestion an% presse% a #iss to the en% of his re% nose. <0ea$$y.< .ac# straightene% his tie ner&ous$y an% pu$$e% his han% up to run through his hair' stopping :ust a "o"ent before he touche% it. <4sn;t she rea%y yet=< he "u"b$e%' resu"ing the pacing he ha% :ust aban%one%. -ere# chuc#$e% an% s$appe% hi" on the bac#. <-on;t worry about it' "ate'< he soothe%. <4t;s not $i#e she;s going to bac# out or anything.< .ac#;s heart poun%e% an% he fe$t a$$ the b$oo% %rain fro" his face. <Bou %on;t thin#A< -ere#;s $aughter echoe% aroun% the roo" that ser&e% as the 0egistrar;s waiting roo". <.ac#' "ate' you are entire$y too gu$$ib$e.< <@it'< .ac# grow$e%' a$though he %i% "anage to crac# a s"i$e. 1f course F""a wou$%n;t change her "in%. She;% been :ust as sure as he was when .ac# ha% propose% two wee#s ago. ,a% it on$y been two wee#s= So"eti"es it a"a5e% .ac# that his ti"e with F""a see"e% to both f$y by an% craw$. 4t see"e% to hi" as if he;% #nown her fore&er. ,e cou$% har%$y i"agine his $ife without her now. (n% short$y' he wou$%n;t ha&e to. <@oo% afternoon' gent$e"en'< the 0egistrar greete% the" both as he ca"e in' trai$e% by a harrie% $oo#ing wo"an' carrying a stac# of papers. <0egina$% F$$isDSuperinten%ent 0egistrar.< ,e shoo# both of their han%s fir"$y an% .ac# swa$$owe% thic#$y' praying he cou$% "a#e it through the %ay without e"barrassing hi"se$f. <.ac# 4nga$$s' an% this is "y best "ate' -ere# @raeber.< F$$is no%%e% his appro&a$. <(n% the bri%e=< <She;$$ be right out'< -ere# rep$ie% confi%ent$y' s>uee5ing .ac#;s shou$%er a bit. <Bou #now how these $a%ies are.< ,e win#e% at the o$%er wo"an who s"i$e% s$ight$y' but %i%n;t see" to be as ta#en in by -ere#;s char" as "ost wo"en were. F$$is chuc#$e% an% opene% his fi$e to g$ance at the %ocu"ents insi%e. <F&erything see"s in or%er'< he no%%e%. <6ow we :ust waitD<

<3e;re co"ing'< ?issy sai% fro" behin% the". (nne was fussing at F""a;s hair as they continue% to wa$#' s"oothing the $ength of cri"son wa&e %own her bac#. .ac# fe$t a$$ of the air rush fro" his $ungs at the sight of F""a in the si"p$e' but e$egant pa$e i&ory %ress. <-o you $i#e it=< she as#e%' her chee#s ta#ing on a pin# pa$$or. She %i% a $itt$e spin in front of hi"' but .ac# honest$y cou$%n;t te$$ one feature of the gown fro" another right then. ($$ he #new was that it hugge% her tiny bo%y perfect$y' showing off e&ery cur&e an% e&ery won%erfu$ p$ace that he cou$%n;t wait to %isco&er tonight' an% that if she %i%n;t stop $oo#ing $i#e that' or if so"eone %i%n;t s"ac# the bac# of his hea%' he was going to forget to breathe an% then he was going to tip o&er an% rea$$y e"barrass hi"se$f. <2oo#s $i#e our beautifu$ bri%e is rea%y'< F$$is sai% an% .ac# too# a huge gu$p of air an% fina$$y accepte% F""a;s han%. <.ac#'< she peere% at hi" with a worrie% $oo#' <(re you o#ay=< ,e no%%e% frantica$$y' sti$$ staring open "outhe% at her. <!ine.< F""a narrowe% her eyes at hi" before opening the" wi%er an% s"ir#ing at hi". <Bou;re ner&ous.< .ac# fe$t his face heat an% he g$ance% aroun% to see that (nne was fussing with -ere#;s suit co$$ar an% snea#ing s"a$$ $oo#s at the two of the". <6ot aboutAyou' or anything'< .ac# shoo# his hea% an% $ifte% his eyes to $oo# into hers. <(bout "essing up.< F""a $aughe% an% $eane% forwar% to hug hi". <Bou %on;t nee% to worry about that' .ac#'< she eCp$aine%. <4t;s on$y the fi&e of us here.< ,e gri"ace%. <-ere# wi$$ ta#e the "ic#ey for years if 4 bugger this up.< Sighing an% ro$$ing her eyes at hi"' she patte% his tie an% straightene% the $ape$s of his new suit. <Then %on;t'< she suggeste% with a shrug. <.ac#' $et;s %o this. 2et;s get "arrie%.< ,er soft wor%s buoye% hi" up an% he no%%e%' ta#ing her han% fir"$y in his. ($$ he nee%e% to re"e"ber was that they were in this together an% that they $o&e% each other. <Beah'< he s"i$e% sheepish$y. <2et;s get "arrie%.< The b$ast of %ry heat fro" her wan% "e$te% the $ast "u%%y patches of snow away fro" the area aroun% the hea%stones. ?o$$y appraise% the b$ac# stones for a "o"ent before casting a "i$% c$eaning char" to %ispe$ the winter gri"e an% "u% fro" the" co"p$ete$y. Soon they were g$ea"ing :ust as they ha% when they were new.

1&er three years now' she thought as she sun# %own to her #nees' wincing at the crac#ing in her :oints. She #new there wou$% be "u%%y patches on her #nees' but "u% ha% ne&er been "ore than a "i$% cha$$enge to get out of fabric. <4 brought you so"e f$owers'< she sai% soft$y. <-ear 6e&i$$e brought the" o&er the other %ay' but to%ay is the first %ay it;s been nice enough to bring the" outsi%e.< She shifte% the two pots of f$owers o&er to sit between the two stones. <They;re such $o&e$y thingsDhe bre% the" hi"se$f' you #now.< She s"i$e% as the two f$owers' bri$$iant cri"son re% peta$s against fu$$' %eep green $ea&es' spar#e% an% caught fire' go$%en f$a"es %ancing a$ong the e%ges an% burning in towar% the center. <1h' %ear' it "ust be burning ti"e.< ?o$$y fusse%' frowning at the f$owers. She ha% hope% that they wou$% stay nice a $itt$e $onger before they burne%. <,e ca$$s the" *hoeniC B$oo"s'< she sai%' reaching forwar% to nu%ge the ste"s' #noc#ing the ash off %own into the pot. <-on;t worry' though'< she sai%' "o&ing bac# to her spot in front of both gra&es' <in a few hours' the new bu%s wi$$ co"e out an% be beautifu$ for a few %ays before they burn again.< She stare% at the stones' fee$ing e"otion we$$ in her. ?o$$y trie% to co"e out to the gra&es once a wee#. She;% "isse% a few &isits this past winter' %ue to hea&y snow stor"s. But on those %ays she wou$% spen% her few "inutes of re"e"bering stan%ing at the win%ow' her eyes searching out the stones against the bac#%rop of the forest. Char$ie %i%n;t un%erstan% what she ca$$e% her ;>uiet "o"ents; an% ha% gent$y chi%e% her to "o&e on. She on$y s"i$e% #nowing$y an% patte% his chee#. <1ne %ay' you;$$ un%erstan%'< she eCp$aine%' $oo#ing o&er at her energetic gran%son' ,ay%en' his son' as he stu"b$e% aroun% the #itchen. ?o$$y cou$%n;t :ust "o&e on. She ha% burie% a part of herse$f out there on the e%ge of the forest with ,arry an% @inny. 6othing wou$% e&er be the sa"e again. Bes' she cou$% go on $i&ingDshe cou$% $o&e her gran%chi$%ren an% ta#e care of her husban%Dbut she nee%e% her >uiet "o"ents to re"e"ber. <Bour father is %oing we$$ again'< she spo#e to both gra&es as her chi$%ren. <4t;$$ be two years this neCt fa$$.< She shoo# her hea% both at how fast an% s$ow ti"e "o&e%. <,e;s got a$$ his speech bac#' a$though he %oes get frustrate% at ti"es when he can;t say eCact$y what;s in his "in%.< <Char$ie too# hi" out f$ying the other %ay' an% near$y scare% the $ife out of "e. (t $east he ha% enough sense to cast a stic#ing char" to the broo". But your father $o&e% it.< She shoo# her hea%' both in won%er at the abi$ity of "en to act $i#e young boys an% at the $u"p that we$$e% in her throat at the thought of $osing (rthur $i#e she a$"ost ha%.

<4 swear that "an wi$$ be the en% of "e. But 4 suppose you wou$% agree with Char$ie'< she continue%' brushing her han% o&er the new shoots of grass on the une&en groun%. <4 i"agine both of you wou$% ha&e been right up there with hi"' probab$y trying to get hi" to %o so"eAinsane %i&e' or so"ething.< The thought "a%e a rare s"i$e co"e to her face. 6o %oubt that ,arry an% @inny wou$% ha&e been the first to suggest the f$ying as a way to get (rthur out of the house. <,er"ione is %oing we$$. ,er boo# has been a huge success an% they;re ta$#ing about %oing another printing of it a$rea%y. She hasn;t been as sic# as she eCpecte% to be'< ?o$$y continue%. <They;&eAthey;&e %eci%e% to na"e the baby ,arry' if it;s a boy.< ,er throat tightene% an% she shifte% on her sore #nees. <(n%A@inny if it;s a gir$. 3e a$$ thought it was right to $et the" use the na"es. They were your best frien%s.< <?u".< Char$ie;s han%s on her shou$%ers "a%e her :u"p. She;% been so $ost in her thoughts that she ha%n;t e&en hear% hi" approach. <1h' Char$ie' %ear.< <?u"' you shou$%n;t be %own there on the wet groun%. Bou;re going to hurt yourse$f.< ?o$$y s"i$e%' a$$owing hi" to he$p her up fro" her #nees' an% patte% his chee#. <.ust because 4 $et you "o&e bac# in here' young "an' %oesn;t "ean you #now e&erything.< Char$ie chuc#$e% an% shoo# his hea%. <-a% was $oo#ing for you.< She ro$$e% her eyes' ga&e one $ast g$ance at the *hoeniC B$oo"s before ta#ing Char$ie;s ar" an% $et hi" $ea% her bac# towar% the house. <4 to$% hi" that 4 was co"ing out here.< <4 #now'< Char$ie sai% with a s"i$e. <,e :ust forgot.< <3e nee% to be patient with hi"' Char$ie'< she sco$%e% soft$y. <,e;s "a#ing goo% progress. *ercy e&en sai% he %i% a"a5ing$y we$$ at the ?inistry the other %ay.< Char$ie no%%e%. <4 thin# it wou$% be goo% for hi" to ta#e the a%&isory position that they;&e offere% hi". 4t wou$% "a#e hi" fee$ a bit "ore usefu$.< ?o$$y consi%ere% that for a few "inutes' whi$e they wa$#e% bac# through the gar%en an% into the #itchen of the Burrow. ,a&ing (rthur away fro" the house "a%e ?o$$y ner&ous' but Char$ie %i% ha&e a point. She;% seen the %isguste% $oo#s on her husban%;s face when he hear% 0on an% *ercy ta$#ing about what was happening at the ?inistry. (rthur ha% ne&er been one to sit bac# an% watch fro" the si%e$ines. *ushing her own fears to the si%e' ?o$$y no%%e%. <4 thin# you;re right' Char$ie.<

F""a wipe% her "outh with the "oist f$anne$ %rape% on the sin# an% brushe% her teeth for the secon% ti"e. She ro$$e% her eyes in the "irror an% reache% for the brush to straighten her hair once again. @roaning $ou%$y when she notice% the ti"e on the watch .ac# a$ways forgot to strap to his wrist' F""a rushe% through her actions. She was going to be $ate if she %i%n;t hurry. She %i%n;t ha&e ti"e to e&en grab a bite to eat' a$though she wasn;t sure she cou$% e&en #eep it %own if she ha%. This bug was rea$$y ta#ing it out of her. 2uc#i$y' .ac# ha% a$rea%y been gone to wor# when she;% starte% throwing up to%ay. Bester%ay' he;% threatene% to stay ho"e' but F""a ha% con&ince% hi" that she wou$% $i&e through a "i$% case of the f$u. <?orning' F""a'< Car$ greete% as she s$ippe% in the bac# %oor of the coffee shop' ta#ing a %eep breath. !or so"e reason' the fresh$y groun% coffee beans sett$e% her sto"ach. <Sorry 4;" $ate' Car$.< ,e s"i$e% benign$y an% g$ance% at the c$oc#. <.ust on ti"e' actua$$y. Bou;re sti$$ $oo#ing a bit pa$e'< he obser&e%. F""a wa&e% it off an% hung up her coat in her cubby' wrapping her apron aroun% her waist. <4;$$ be fine' Car$' 4 pro"ise. .ust a $itt$e bug.< <(re you sure=< he as#e% s#eptica$$y. <Because 4 %on;t want you to wear yourse$f %own.< <4;" sure'< she no%%e%' gratefu$ that he was as un%erstan%ing as he ha% been. 3hen she an% .ac# ha% gotten "arrie%' Car$ ha% supporte% her %ecision to "o&e bac# to the %ay shift so that she cou$% spen% a few hours with .ac# in the e&ening. ,e ha% a$so gi&en up his night :ob at the "ar#et. <Bou $oo# terrib$e'< ?issy hisse% at her in between custo"ers. F""a ro$$e% her eyes but %i%n;t co""ent. She #new she %i%n;t $oo# great. ,er usua$$y pa$e s#in was eCtre"e$y pasty' "a#ing her frec#$es stan% out $i#e b$ac# %ots across her chee#s an% nose. ,er hair was $i"p an% %u$$ as we$$. 3asn;t it enough that .ac# ha% co""ente% on it= 6ow she ha% to put up with ?issy;s critica$ co""ents. The "orning %ragge% on whi$e F""a trie% to ho$% bac# her scow$s an% ba% "oo%. <Serious$y'< ?issy cornere% her when the crow% thinne% in $ate "orning' <you rea$$y $oo# $i#e rubbish' F""a. 4s e&erything a$right=< <4ts fine'< F""a snappe%' rubbing her te"p$e' where a hea%ache was beginning to sett$e. <4 :ust ha&e the f$u.<

?issy narrowe% her eyes percepti&e$y an% F""a s>uir"e%. <,ow $ong ha&e you been sic#=< <3e$$'< F""a sighe%' wiping the counter %own an% rinsing so"e spoons in the sin#' <4 ca$$e% in i$$ yester%ay' an% 4 %i%n;t fee$ we$$ a few %ays before that.< <?"h"".< F""a he$% bac# her annoyance an% too# a %eep breath. There rea$$y was no reason to be annoye% with ?issy' she was on$y worrie% about her frien%. <(bout two wee#s' 4 guess. ?aybe three.< <2o&e'< ?issy sighe%' p$acing her ar" aroun% F""a;s shou$%ers' <the f$u %oesn;t $ast that $ong.< F""a;s heart race% as ?issy ga&e her a #nowing $oo#. <Cou$% you be=< she as#e%. F""a bit the insi%e of her $ip an% stare% at the water pouring fro" the tap into the sin#. ?ould she be pregnant8 She an% .ac# ha% been so carefu$. ,e;% been a%a"ant that they use protection unti$ they both fe$t it was ti"e to start a fa"i$y. But nothing was foo$+ proof' she #new. The thought "a%e her a bit panic#y. ?issy "ust ha&e rea% her "in%' because she pu$$e% her into a hug. <1h' $o&e' e&erything wi$$ be a$right.< <3e;re not rea%y'< F""a "ur"ure%' fee$ing as if the possibi$ity was "a#ing her co"p$ete$y nu"b. <.ac# was going bac# to )ni in the fa$$.< <Bou "ay not be'< ?issy %is"isse%. <3hen you ta#e your $unch' s$ip o&er to the Che"ist;s an% buy a test.< F""a no%%e%' swiping at the tears that ha% we$$e% in her eyes. 3ou$% .ac# be upset if she were pregnant= 6o. She #new he wou$%n;t be. They ta$#e% about starting a fa"i$y an% he see"e% &ery eCcite% about ha&ing a chi$%Aone %ay. <($right'< F""a no%%e% again when she;% regaine% co"posure. She g$ance% at the c$oc# an% groane%. (t $east two "ore hours unti$ she cou$% ta#e the test. She "ight :ust go insane before then. Staring %own at the s"a$$ stic# with the two $ines on it wou$%n;t "a#e it any $ess true' F""a #new. The panic that she;% fe$t a$$ "orning' re&iewing e&ery con&ersation with .ac# about ha&ing chi$%ren' ha% been pushe% asi%e. The "o"ent that she;% seen those two $ines' p$ain as %ay in front of her' a see% of %isbe$ief an% pure :oy ha% begun to swe$$ in her.

F""a presse% her han% $ow on her be$$y' c$osing her eyes an% i"agining the tiny $itt$e $ife growing insi%e of her. She an% .ac# ha% %one that. They;% create% this won%erfu$' a"a5ing an% b$oo%y scary person insi%e there. 4t was a har% thing to i"agine' F""a thought. The concept of the" as parents was such an abstract thingDso far in the future' she thoughtDthat it wasn;t co"p$ete$y rea$. Bet' the proof was there. (n% not :ust on the test. So"ething ha% change% insi%e of her' e&en though it see"e% absur% that she cou$% possib$y fee$ it' F""a i!new/i she was a "other now. 6ow a$$ that was $eft was to te$$ .ac#. She praye% that he wou$%n;t be too %isappointe%. This %i%n;t ha&e to change a$$ their p$ans. ,e cou$% sti$$ go bac# to )ni. F""a cou$% wor# right up unti$ the baby was born. They;% "a#e it so"ehow. .ac#;s #eys in the %oor start$e% her an% she hi% the test behin% her in the cushions of the sofa. <F"' are you fee$ing better=< ,e >uic#$y %iscar%e% his :ac#et an% hat near the %oor an% hurrie% o&er to her. F""a no%%e%' not trusting herse$f co"p$ete$y not to screa" out her news to hi". <4;" fee$ing "uch better.< <@oo%'< he sai% an% then $eane% forwar% to press a #iss to her forehea%. ,e nu%ge% her an% s>uee5e% on the s"a$$ sofa neCt to her' pu$$ing her $egs o&er his $ap. <4 was worrie% about you a$$ %ay.< F""a;s heart tightene% as she pon%ere% :ust how to te$$ hi" that he was going to be a %a%%y. <That;s sweet'< she sai%' tracing his stubb$e+$ine% :aw. <But you worry too "uch.< Surprising$y' he %i%n;t argue with her as she eCpecte% hi" to' but reache% out to ta#e her han% in his. <F"A%on;t get upsetA< ,er eyes narrowe% at hi" in suspicion. <3hy wou$% 4D< <But 4 thin# you "ight be pregnant.< ,is &oice was $ow an% his chee#s f$ushe% %ar#$y. F""a;s "outh opene% an% c$ose% se&era$ ti"es before she burst out $aughing' not be$ie&ing that he cou$% ha&e figure% it out. <.ac#D< <4 :ust thin# that' with a$$ the sy"pto"s you;&e been showingD<

<.ac#D< <(n% the way you;&e been fee$ingA< ,e ruff$e% his hair aw#war%$y an% she grinne% e&en wi%er. <That it;s a possibi$ity.< <.ac#H< ,er han% %arte% forwar% to $ift his chin' turning hi" to $oo# %irect$y at her. <Bou;re going to be a %a%%y' .ac#'< she whispere%. She forgot a$$ about the test stuffe% in the sofa cushions as she $eane% forwar% an% #isse% hi" on the "outh. <0ea$$y=< he as#e% when she pu$$e% bac#. F""a $aughe% an% no%%e%' c$i"bing fu$$y onto his $ap. <4 too# a test to%ay.< <(n%D< <(n% it was positi&e.< A/N: To those of you who are thin!ing that 6ac! and #mma are being a bit thic! about things...yes" they are. Although" they're not stupid. They understand that there's more than (ust coincidence connecting them now. 'owe%er" ac!nowledging that in the open would mean dealing with uestions that they don't ha%e answers to" and are uite painful. 3ill they e%er deal with it8 4es" they will.

*Chapter 8*: Chapter 8

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Note the time (ump in this chapter" indicated by the date in the heading. Than!s to #lla and $eb" and to e%eryone who is reading. I'd lo%e to !now what you thin! of the story" and the chapter.

Chapter 8 October 2 2

!our years an% sti$$ the Burrow was not the sa"e. 0e"us 2upin sighe% as he entere% the bac# #itchen with on$y a #noc#. The noise fro" the other roo" in%icate% that the fa"i$y' an% >uite a bit of it' was a$rea%y there. <1h' 0e"us' %ear'< ?o$$y starte% as she entere% the #itchen. <Ton#s to$% us you;% be co"ing $ate. 4 ha%n;t rea$i5e% that "uch ti"e ha% passe%. <4;" sorry' ?o$$y. The boar% "eeting went $onger than 4;% hope%.< ,e cou$%n;t he$p but notice how "uch thinner the years ha% "a%e ?o$$y' a$ong with the co"p$ete$y grey hea% of hair. <4t;s >uite a$right'< she assure% hi". <There;s sti$$ a bit of foo% $eft if you;re hungry. Better get on it though' as 0on;s in the house an% wi$$ sure$y be hungry again.< 0e"us chuc#$e% an% he$pe% hi"se$f to a p$atefu$ of the won%erfu$ foo% sprea% on the counters. ,e sat hi"se$f %own at the #itchen tab$e an% ?o$$y set a cup of tea in front of hi". <(h' ?o$$y' you #now how to spoi$ a "an.< She swatte% hi" on the shou$%er but s"i$e% nonethe$ess. 4t was a nice thing to see' an% so"ething that %i%n;t happen oftenG on$y since the gran%chi$%ren ha% begun arri&ing. <(n% there;s "y waywar% husban%'< Ton#s crowe% as she entere% the roo". <?o$$y' !re% an% @eorge ha&e %isappeare% again an%D< <Say no "oreH< ?o$$y set a fir" eCpression on her face an% patte% the wan% stic#ing out of the poc#et on her apron as she $eft the roo". <Bou $o&e getting those two in troub$e'< 0e"us "use% as Ton#s sat %own neCt to hi" an% pic#e% at his foo%. <Bes' 4 %o. They %eser&e it an% you #now it. 4 won;t e&en "ention the four $itt$e terrors that they are raising.< 0e"us chuc#$e%. Both !re% an% @eorge 3eas$ey ha% e$ope% with their ,ogwarts gir$frien%s' /atie Be$$ an% ($icia Spinnet not two "onths after the !ina$ Batt$e. They;% ta#en >uite the &erba$ $ashing afterwar%s by ?o$$y' but she soon bro#e %own when they a%"itte% that they cou$%n;t see ha&ing a big fa"i$y we%%ing so c$ose after the funera$s. (n%' rea$$y' 0e"us cou$%n;t b$a"e the". ($though' he %i% won%er at the $uc# of the wor$% when on$y ten "onths $ater foun% the births of two new sets of 3eas$ey twinsG one

set of gir$s' one set of boys. Bes' the 3eas$ey fa"i$y ha% certain$y b$oo"e% with chi$%ren the few years after the war. Bi$$ an% !$eur ha% another baby on the way' to a%% to their $itt$e Eictoire. Char$ie an% ?aggie were eCpecting their secon% son any %ay now. 0on an% ,er"ione were busy with preparations for their first born. The 2upins were as "uch a part of the fa"i$y as anyone now. <2ong "eeting=< Ton#s as#e% brea#ing hi" fro" his thoughts. <Bes'< 0e"us agree% with a sigh. <They :ust can;t see" to un%erstan% that a "e"oria$ shou$% be for a$$ the &icti"s of the war' not :ust for ,arry an% @inny.< <4 #now' $o&e.< Ton#s rubbe% his bac# gent$y as he pushe% the p$ate away fro" hi". <But the pub$ic on$y sees what it wants to see an% the co""ittee is no %ifferent.< <,arry;% hate this'< 0e"us "u"b$e%. <So wou$% @inny'< Ton#s agree%. <But they;re not here to say' so it;s up to you an% "e' an% the rest of the fa"i$y' to spea# for the".< <4 #now'< 0e"us agree%. <6ow' no "ore of this "e$ancho$y. 2et;s get in there an% see what "ayhe" @re% an% !orge ha&e coo#e% up tonight.< <($right' o$% "an' that;s the spirit'< Ton#s grinne% an% "o&e% away as 0e"us gru"b$e% in outrage. <1$% "an=< <F&ening ,er"ione'< 0e"us greete% his for"er stu%ent as she sat proppe% on the sofa. ,er $arge be$$y protru%e% an% 0e"us was fair$y sure that she on$y ha% a few wee#s of pregnancy $eft. <F&ening' 0e"us. ,ow %i% the "eeting go=< 0e"us groane% as he sat neCt to her. ,is eyes wan%ere% to where his %aughter was $aughing in the corner with a hoar% of 3eas$ey chi$%ren. <That goo%=< ,er"ione $aughe%. <4;% rather not ta$# about it tonight' if you %on;t "in%. 4t;s the sa"e argu"ent e&ery "eeting' anyway. ($though now that they;&e rea% your boo#' at $east they;re wi$$ing to be$ie&e a bit of the truth.< ,er"ione;s best se$$ing biography of ,arry ha% %one won%ers to repair the %a"age 0ita S#eeter ha% cause% $ast year with her sensationa$ist %ri&e$' an% 0e"us wou$% be eterna$$y gratefu$ to ,er"ione for it. ,e;% been &ery touche% to rea% the hu"orous' an% so"eti"es painfu$' account of a f$awe% hero who on$y wante% to be $o&e%.

,e s"i$e% to hi"se$f as 1rion;s hair cyc$e% through se&era$ co$ors as she $aughe%. ,e #new that contro$ o&er her powers wou$% co"e with age' :ust as -ora;s ha%. ,er"ione no%%e% an% s"i$e% as 0on :oine% the pair an% sat neCt to his wife. <,i' 0e"us.< <,e$$o' 0on. ,ow are things at the ?inistry=< 0on bea"e% an% absent$y rubbe% his wife;s be$$y. <Things are goo%. 4;$$ be finishe% with training in a few "onths.< ,er"ione s"i$e% prou%$y at hi" an% patte% his #nee. <4;$$ #eep that in "in% when 4 go out in pub$ic'< 0e"us :o#e% as he wagg$e% his eyebrows. <,ey' $o&e'< 0on su%%en$y brightene%' <"aybe 0e"us can he$p you out=< 0e"us per#e% up an% stu%ie% the two. <Bou "ean so you %on;t ha&e to %o it' 0on=< ,er"ione >uerie%. <3e$$'< 0on s>uir"e%. <,e;% #now "uch "ore than 4 wou$% about that sort of thing.< ,er"ione huffe%. <6e&er "in%' 4;$$ :ust %o it "yse$f.< <4;% be happy toD< 0e"us wasn;t hear% as the two continue% to bic#er. <,er"ione' you #now you;re suppose% to be on be% rest. (s $itt$e "o&e"ent as possib$e Dthat;s what the hea$er sai%. Bou;re $uc#y 4 a$$owe% you to co"e tonightH 4 certain$y %on;t want you traipsing aroun% in the ?ugg$e wor$%.< <($$owe% "e=< ,er"ione sp$uttere%. <(he"'< 0e"us c$eare% his throat $ou%$y to brea# up the pair. <,er"ione' 4;% be happy to he$p you with anything you nee%.< ,er"ione g$are% at 0on one $ast ti"e but see"e% to %ef$ate as she thought about it $onger. <3e$$' it;s the twins; birth%ay soonD< <*an%ora an% *ersephone;s' an% @i%eon an% !abian;s'< 0on c$arifie%. 0e"us no%%e% at hi"' a$though he;% #nown eCact$y which twins ,er"ione ha% been ta$#ing about. <(n% 4 was thin#ing of getting the" so"e boo#s' but not 3i5ar%ing boo#s. 4;% $i#e to get the" so"e c$assic chi$%ren;s boo#s.< <?ugg$e boo#s'< 0on ro$$e% his eyes.

<0ona$%' chi$%ren shou$% ha&e a we$$+roun%e% e%ucation' an%D< <4 thin# it;s a gran% i%ea'< 0e"us sai%' hea%ing off another roun%. <3hat can 4 %o to he$p=< <3e$$' 4;% nee% so"eone to pic# the" up for "e'< ,er"ione searche% his face hopefu$$y. <4 can gi&e you a few tit$es to choose fro". There;s a boo#store not far fro" where an aunt of "ine $i&es that has the best prices 4;&e foun%.< <Soun%s goo%'< 0e"us agree%. <2et "e #now what you want an% when you want the"' an% 4;$$ %o "y best.< <Than# you' 0e"us' 4 appreciate it.< <3hat are fa"i$ies for=< the werewo$f as#e% with a win#. The a"ber $i>ui% s$i% insi%e the g$ass as -raco turne% it' he$% up against the $ight' the tiny pris"s in the crysta$ "a#ing it spar#$e against his han%. ,e was a$one in the ?ansion to%ay. ,e;% e&en sent the house e$&es scurrying to where&er it was they hi% when he was in a te"per. -raco hate% "e$ancho$y' an% he;% been "iserab$e e&er since B$aise ha% $ai% that %a"n boo# on his %es# ten "onths ago. -raco cou$%n;t stop %we$$ing on it. 3hate&er "a%e hi" actua$$y open the curse% thing' he cou$%n;t say. *ri%e an% &anity his heart to$% hi"' but he scoffe% at this thought. 4t ate at hi" that @ranger ha% been so &ei$e% in her wor%s' not accusing hi" %irect$y' but hinting that a$$ was not we$$. The worst was her c$ai" that her pi$$oc# of a husban%' an% that bu"b$er' 2ongbotto"' ha% been the ones to %estroy the fina$ ,orcruC' 6agini. -raco ha% thrown the boo# across the roo" upon rea%ing that' who$$y unsatisfie% with the $ou% thu"p it "a%e when it hit the wa$$ an% %roppe% to the f$oor. 4t wou$% ha&e been poetic :ustice for it to burst into f$a"es. -raco ha% stoppe% :ust short of cursing the abo"inab$e thing. 1f course' there was no way for the" to #now that the sna#e that the 3ease$ an% 2ongbotto" ha% #i$$e% hours before the !ina$ Batt$e ha% not been 6agini' si"p$y a %ecoy of the -ar# 2or%;s. ,e seethe% with the %esireDthe insistent nee%Dto pro&e to the" that he was the one. -raco ?a$foy ha% been the one to ensure that *otter cou$% %o his :ob. (t ti"es' the irony of the situation was so great that it "a%e -raco cac#$e with g$ee. 0ona$% 3eas$ey' best frien% to The+Boy+3ho+2i&e% was a fai$ure. But' then again' -raco ha% a$ways #nown that.

4t ha% been har% these past ten "onths to #eep his "outh c$ose% an% his hea% %own. @ranger ha% raise% so "any >uestions in her boo#. 9uestions that on$y -raco cou$% answer. But his answers wou$% on$y $ea% to "ore >uestionsAan% that cou$% ne&er be goo%. ,e sippe% fro" his g$ass of two hun%re% year+o$% !irewhis#ey an% sa&ore% the rich f$a&or. So"e %ay' he &owe%' peop$e wou$% #now the truthDthat ihe/i ha% been the one to bring the fa$$ of the -ar# 2or%Dan% they wou$% $oo# at hi" %ifferent$y. They wou$% spea# his na"e the way they spo#e *otter;s' on$y -raco wou$%n;t ha&e to %ie for it to happen. The thought brought a croo#e% s"i$e to his face. ,e was a patient "anG he cou$% wait to ha&e e&erything that he %eser&e%. (n% he %eser&e% so "uch "ore than he ha%. ,e scow$e% at his %es#. 4t was *otter who ha% ta#en it a$$ away fro" hi". *otter who ha% been too s$ow in %oing what he was %estine% to %o' an% ha% cost -raco e&erything. *otter an%A*ar#inson. ( stab of pain shot through -raco;s heart at the na"e. ,e rare$y a$$owe% hi"se$f to thin# about *ansy. 4t see"e% $i#e so $ong agoDa %ifferent $ifeti"eDwhen they ha% sat on the groun%s at ,ogwarts an% ta$#e% of their future together. Betrothe% since they were s"a$$' -raco an% *ansy ha% agree% to spen% ti"e getting to #now each other %uring their schoo$ years. (n% -raco ha%' %espite his cynicis"' fa$$en in $o&e with the witch. ,e ha% actua$$y a$$owe% hi"se$f to picture a future with her on his ar". (n% then the war ca"e' &io$ent$y sweeping into their $i&es an%Aruining e&erything. ,is father ha% "a%e %e"an%s an% -raco was caught up in the %oo"e%+to+fai$ p$ot to assassinate ($bus -u"b$e%ore. ( year after thatAunfortunate inci%ent' -raco was sti$$ waiting for *otter to %o his :ob. ,e hi% in the %ar# corners of ,ogwarts' snea#ing in to see *ansy an% to gather infor"ation' watching as *otter ca"e an% went fro" the cast$e' stea$ing "o"ents with the $itt$e 3eas$ey gir$ e&ery chance he got. 4t %isguste% -raco to see hi" so unfocuse% whi$e the wor$% outsi%e the cast$e %oors fe$$ apart. ,e hurrie% on to see *ansy' sa&oring their own sto$en "o"ents. -raco $ai% his hea% bac# against his chair an% $et hi"se$f fu$$y sin# into the "e"ories. :ansy held her head against his chest and he breathed down into her hair. &he always smelled so wonderful,something5citrus or fruity in some way. $raco dreamt about that scent when he was away from her. <It's almost o%er"0 he promised her. 0A few more months.0 :ansy nodded" entangling her legs with his. 'er uietness worried him+ she usually had so much to tell him.

<'as it been horrible80 he as!ed. 03ithout me here80 &he raised her head" her dar! eyes going a bit glassy. 'er mouth opened" perhaps to tell him some of what she was feeling being alone here in the castle" but she closed it again and lay her head bac! down on his chest. 0It's been bearable. I'%e5well" I'%e found things to do.0 <That's good" my lo%e"0 he whispered" leaning down to !iss the top of her head. @eluctantly" he pulled away from her" noticing that she didn't fight him this time. 0I need to go"0 he mumbled. 0I can't ta!e the chance that they find me here. )ld /c*onagall would ha%e me hanging upside down from the *reat 'all without a warning.0 :ansy loo!ed at him,a %ery simple loo! that he didn't !now the meaning behind. 03ill you come again80 she as!ed" her hands fidgeting at her sides and then clasping behind her bac!" ma!ing her seem %ery small and fragile to $raco. <:robably not"0 he admitted. 0It's getting harder and harder to do. :otter is in and out of here so much that they're sure to find out soon and seal the passages.0 <They !now"0 :ansy shoo! her head" annoyance radiating from her. 0They (ust let him get away with it" li!e always. 'e's ne%er had to follow the rules.0 'er bottom lip came out in a pout and she crossed her arms and scowled down at the floor. $raco smiled and leaned forward to !iss her uic!ly. 0&oon"0 he promised" ta!ing her by the shoulders. 0&oon we'll ha%e our fore%er.0 &he loo!ed doubtful" chewing on her bottom lip" and $raco wished he could ta!e her doubts and worries away. 0$o you !now which side50 &he trailed off and loo!ed at him" her eyes pleading for an answer. 'e sighed" wishing he could gi%e her a definite answer. 0I don't"0 he admitted. 0.ut whiche%er side wins we'll still be together. I need to go.0 &he nodded" turning away from him. :ansy always hated to see him lea%e" so she ne%er watched. -raco hate% that "e"ory' but at the sa"e ti"e it was one of his "ost cherishe%. ,e;% carrie% that sto$en "o"ent for "onths' rep$aying it a$$ the ti"e in his hea%. Strange' he thought now' that he cou$% ha&e "isse% a$$ the c$ues. !or' when he too# a &ery ob:ecti&e &iew of the "e"ory' as he so"eti"es %i% when he p$ace% the thoughts in his pensie&e' *ansy was ra%iating %oubt. *erhaps she was a$rea%y "a#ing p$ans in (pri$. By (ugust' howe&er' he #new the truth. 'e had to see her one last time" in case e%erything went pear shaped and5well" he didn't li!e to thin! about that. 'e'd been in enough scrapes lately that he felt confident he could get out of most situations. This time" was a bit different though. .oth sides were e2pecting him to deli%er" as he'd promised" and both sides were in for a surprise when he did.

The :ar!inson /ansion was dar! and $raco slin!ed around the far side. If the small door leading to the garden was unloc!ed" that meant that :ansy was welcoming him in. If it were loc!ed" she'd probably followed her parents into hiding. $raco had tried to con%ince her to go in the two %ery brief con%ersations they'd had o%er the pre%ious months" but she was determined to stay in #ngland. 'e s!irted the 7lutterby bushes under the large windows" fearing they might release a shower of blooms off into the night and alert someone that he was here. The small iron door crea!ed with rust when he pushed on it and $raco silenced it" cursing himself for forgetting that it always did that. It was open,:ansy was here and waiting for him. 'urrying up the hidden passage" $raco couldn't help but smile. It was almost o%er. Things were coming to a head fast. <4ou came.0 $raco stopped dead at the mumbled words in the dar!ness. 'is foot ho%ered o%er the first step on the landing to :ansy's room. .ut her %oice was coming from the dar!ness down the hall. 'e turned" a smile gracing his lips. &he was e2pecting him, It died howe%er" when he saw her shadow" not waiting for him" but in the arms of someone else. <I had to come"0 the other man whispered" holding her tight to him. $raco's heart plummeted and his grip on his wand tightened as he watched the e2change. 3ho the man was" howe%er" he couldn't see. <I had to ma!e sure you were alright. I don't li!e you alone in this house" :ansy.0 <It's all boarded up"0 she protested" her hands mo%ing up and down the man's bac! in the same way they'd always done when she embraced $raco. 0#%eryone thin!s I'%e gone with /other to 7rance.0 The man leaned down to !iss her and $raco felt the bile rise in his throat. Try as he may" though" he couldn't get his feet to mo%e. <'a%e you heard anything about your father80 :ansy shoo! her head. 0I ha%en't" but I !now he's gone to (oin5them.0 </y father as well"0 he admitted and $raco's ears per!ed up. The man was younger then. $raco still could only see his bac! in the dar!ness. 0'e finally too! the mar!"0 the man admitted" 0after all these years of waiting.0

$raco swore silently. There was only one man who fit that description. $raco himself had held Nathaniel Nott's arm when the $ar! 9ord branded him. <)h" Ted"0 :ansy wailed" her arms coming around his nec! tightly. 0They'll be loo!ing for you.0 Theodore Nott had been a classmate of $raco's since first year at 'ogwarts. They'd shared a dorm room" eaten at the &lytherin table and gone to class together. 'ow had $raco ne%er seen this in him8 &urely he would ha%e !nown that :ansy and Nott5 <I won't ta!e the mar!"0 he defied %aliantly. 0I won't be what he wants me to be.0 :ansy's hands came up and held his face" ma!ing $raco turn away as the shadows of light painted such a tender loo! on her face. <Then let's go"0 she pleaded with him. 03e can lea%e tonight.0 <3here would we go" :ansy80 &he seemed to thin! about it for a minute. 0/other is on the continent. &he's in :aris.0 <4our mother would ne%er appro%e,0 <I !now"0 :ansy interrupted. 0They still thin! I'm pining after $raco. .ut I'm done waiting for him to play the hero" when he's really only playing the fool.0 $raco's chest tightened and his head pounded. 'ow could she say that" he as!ed himself. $idn't she understand that he was doing this for her,for them8 <I won't wait around li!e some damsel in distress"0 she stated %ehemently. 03e can lea%e.0 Nott seemed to wa%er" e%en as he pulled her closer to him. <3e'll lea%e" and then we can get married and li%e as we want to li%e.0 $raco too! a step forward" staying to the edge of the hallway in the dar!ness. 'is wand raised" waiting for the right moment to stri!e. The pounding in his ears" his own heartbeat thundering in his chest" almost drowned out Nott's whispered response. <)!ay.0 Nott leaned forward and !issed her deeply" lifting :ansy completely off the floor in his embrace. They can't lea%e" he thought. I won't let them ma!e a fool of me after all that I'%e done.

'e !new he would only get one chance. &tunning them both would ta!e a miracle that $raco didn't !now if he had left. 'e'd used up too many miracles in his short life. 6ust as he was about to stri!e" he remembered what he !ept in his trousers poc!et. A feral smile spread across his face as he too! a handful of the fine blac! powder and tossed it into the air. 'e aimed blindly" shooting a barrage of stunners into the blac! abyss. Two loud thumps sounded and $raco nodded grimly to himself. 'e used the wall to guide himself until his foot came into contact with a body. ?rouching down" he felt for both clammy hands and clasped them in his" whispering the trigger phrase for the port!ey that resided in the small gold lapel pin on his robes. )nce he had arri%ed at /alfoy /anor" $raco cast aside the two bodies" %iciously stunning them both once again" and smiling in satisfaction when Nott's body slammed into the wall with a crunch. <$raco" is that you80 'is mother's %oice pierced the door and $raco (umped" cursing uietly before running a hand through his hair to smooth it" and straightening his rumpled robes. <I'm coming" /other"0 he called" allowing himself one last glance at his traitorous fiancA and her lo%er. 'e crac!ed the door" only allowing a sli%er of his face to show" his eye searching for the beautiful and stately face that was" ob%iously" the only woman de%oted to him. 'is mother had always been beautiful" but the war was ta!ing its toll on her. 'er face was pale and there were dar! circles around her eyes. <4our father is waiting for you in his study" $raco"0 she said. 'e could see her eyes searching the space where the door was open" narrowing when he pressed his body more into the crac!. $raco's palms began to sweat. <:lease tell him I'll be right there.0 <4ou ha%e already !ept him waiting" $raco"0 she scowled. 0'e is not a man of patience.0 Irritation and anger welled in him and he bit bac! a cutting remar!. )f course" his father would thin! there was nothing more important in his life than running bac! and forth between :otter and the $eath #aters. Instead" $raco sighed. 0I'%e rather got5an issue I'm dealing with" /other"0 he tried to e2plain. 0:lease tell him that I will be down as soon as I can.0 'is mother loo!ed at him reluctantly" peering into the partially opened doorway once more. $raco slide his foot slowly behind the door" bracing it with his leg so that she

couldn't force past him. Although it wasn't li!ely" as he had grown larger than her in the past few years. <1ery well"0 she admitted" nodding primly and turning to go. $raco sighed in relief and closed the door" turning his bac! to it and staring at the stunned bodies in the room. 3hat was he to do with, A loud blast and raining bits of wood scattered o%er him" !noc!ing him to his !nees. 3hen he turned" his mother was standing in the doorway" her feet planted and her wand held out in front of her. <I !new you were hiding50 'er eyes went wide" seeing the bodies and then turning a confused loo! on her son. $raco growled" standing and brushing the sli%ers of door off of himself" wincing as a few pieces penetrated his robes and po!ed his s!in. <I told you,0 'e ad%anced on his mother" his own wand coming into his hand. 'e didn't remember reaching for it" but it was there now" and his palm itched" waiting for the magic to be used. 'is father" howe%er" blasted him bac!" !noc!ing him to his !nees again. 9ucius stood in the doorway" his grey eyes ta!ing in e%erything in the room" only lingering on the bodies for a moment. <$ead80 he as!ed. $raco wiped a small tric!le of blood from the side of his mouth with the bac! of his hand and winced. 0&tunned. I caught them together. :ansy50 'is throat tightened as the truth burned in his chest. 0They were running away together+ eloping.0 9ucius's eyes betrayed his surprise for a minute before they went hard again. $raco chanced a loo! at his mother" to see her staring at the girl he'd been betrothed to for years. <3hy didn't you !ill them where you found them80 9ucius said casually. 'is %oice had an edge to it that made $raco weary. 03hy bring them here80 7eeling incredibly stupid" $raco shrugged a shoulder. 0It was a momentary decision"0 he defended. 0They were about to flee. I5I didn't thin!,0 <No"0 9ucius said with a sigh" 0you didn't thin!. 4ou rarely do" $raco. 3e'%e spoiled you for far too many years.0 Indignant anger welled up in him" although he !new to !eep his mouth shut.

<4ou can rectify that now" $raco.0 'is throat closed at his father's words" his heart coming to rest in it. 'e was suggesting5 <:lease get on with it"0 9ucius drawled" staring at his son with unseeing eyes. 0The $ar! 9ord e2pects us shortly.0 $raco fought the urge to %omit. 'e closed his eyes and tried to picture himself saying the words" ma!ing the green light come from his wand. ;$raco" $raco" you are not a !iller.' $umbledore's words atop the Astronomy tower more than a year ago echoed through his head as the picture refused to come. 'e crac!ed his eyes open again" staring at his father" and then loo!ing to his mother" finding her with a blan!" unemotional mas! that he had seen far too often. <$o it"0 his father commanded. $raco turned toward the bodies" rolling his wand in his hand and fearing that it would fall to the floor from the wetness of his palm. 'e raised his wand and poised it there" pointing right at :ansy" willing himself to gather the courage and hatred enough to say the words. Two uic! flashes of light startled him. *reen racing toward the bodies" tossing them into the air. $raco flinched away" his wand clattering to the hardwood floor and rolling away from him. <&uch a disappointment.0 The words rang in his head as he watched his father wal! out of the room and saw his mother staring blan!ly at the corpses. <:ut them in one of the passages"0 she ordered tonelessly. 0The el%es ne%er clean there.0 -raco;s fist poun%e% the %es# in front of hi" an% he we$co"e% the pain. 4t "a%e it easier to focus on here an% now' to b$ot the i"age of *ansy;s &acant eyes fro" his "in%. ,e stoo% &io$ent$y' searching the roo" for anything to %istract hi"se$f. This house a$ways brought ba% "e"ories' which was why he spent "ost of his ti"e in the 2on%on f$at. ,e ha% co"e here to %o business. (n% this p$ace was co"p$ete$y pri&ate. ,e ne&er a$$owe% anyone at the ?ansion any"oreDha%n;t since (storia ha% $eft hi". 1nce' with her by his si%e' -raco ha% thought he cou$% rep$ace the %ar# i"ages of this ho"e in his "in% with new ones. But it wasn;t "eant to be.

Thin#ing of (storia on$y "a%e hi" >ueasy. The -ai$y *rophet ha%' :ust this "orning' printe% an announce"ent of her engage"ent to 0u%o$ph F$$ington' a S$ytherin fro" a $ower ran#e% pureb$oo% fa"i$y. ,e was (storia;s own age an% ha% so"ehow escape% the ti"e honore% tra%ition of betrotha$. Swearing &io$ent$y' -raco yan#e% opene% a %rawer in his %es# an% tugge% at the si$&ery c$oth' pu$$ing it free an% $etting the $i>ui%+$i#e fee$ of it caress his fingers. S"i$ing' he pu$$e% it aroun% his shou$%ers an% "a%e his way to the gran% front entrance' fee$ing a bit rec#$ess an% bo$%. ,e was sure he;% seen so"eone watching the ?anor when he;% arri&e% yester%ay. ,e #new it was probab$y the ?inistryG they watche% hi" fro" ti"e to ti"e. But he %i%n;t want the" fo$$owing hi" to%ay. 4t ha% been so"e ti"e since he;% been to *aris. @ene&ie&e wou$% forgi&e hi"' he #new' especia$$y when he too# her shopping an% $a&ishe% her with gifts. She a$ways forga&e hi". 0e"us g$ance% at the $ist one "ore ti"e an% chuc#$e%. ,er"ione ha% %efinite$y gi&en hi" enough to choose fro". The $ist ha% "ore than fifteen tit$es of things that she foun% acceptab$e. ,arper;s -iscount Boo#s $oo"e% in front of hi" an% he ha% to sha#e his hea%. ?ugg$e bui$%ings were a"a5ingG an% this one wasn;t e&en o&er$y $arge. The neighborhoo% was a bit rougher than so"e' but :u%ging fro" the peop$e co"ing an% going out of the g$ass %oors' the boo#store %i% a bris# business. 0e"us shrugge%' burying the $ist in his :ac#et poc#et an% entere% the war" at"osphere of the store. 4t was bright an% co"fortab$e with co5y $itt$e noo#s fi$$e% with o&ersi5e% chairs. The boo#s were house% on $ow she$&es that boaste% their the"esG history' fiction' biography an% hun%re%s of others. ,e cou$% see why this p$ace was a fa&orite of ,er"ione;s. (n%' :u%ging fro" the s"e$$' there was a coffee shop attache% so"ewhere. Browsing though the ais$es' 0e"us won%ere% if his wife wou$% heC hi" if he spent "ore ti"e here. ,un%re%s of interesting tit$es :u"pe% off the she$&es at hi". !ina$$y' he ca"e to the bac# corner of the store which was painte% in bright pri"ary co$ors an% ha% $ow tab$es an% chairs positione% aroun%. Co$orfu$ posters a%&ertising the newest chi$%ren;s boo#s were e&erywhere. There was e&en a tiny a"phitheater of sorts "a%e of short' wi%e carpete% steps where 0e"us assu"e% there was so"e sort of story ti"e or other. The sign in front of it proc$ai"e% that Satur%ay afternoon there wou$% be a rea%ing of four fa$$ the"e% boo#s. 1rion wou$% %efinite$y $i#e so"ep$ace $i#e this' a$though 0e"us #new her &ibrant persona$ity' in a%%ition to her e&er+&arying hair co$or' wou$% be $ess than we$co"e here. ,is three+year+o$% wou$% ha&e to sett$e for story ti"e with -a%%y.

<Can 4 he$p you' sir=< 0e"us turne% to see a young wo"an in her $ate teens' or so he guesse%' stan%ing behin% hi". ,e trie% not to s"ir# at her appearance' an% then sobere% instant$y when he rea$i5e% that his own wife sporte% "any of these $oo#s on occasion. The gir$' @ain fro" what her na"etag sai%' ha% %ar# hair in %rea%$oc#s with the tips %ie% e$ectric b$ue. She ha% a ring in her nose an% two in one of her eyebrows. She wore what $oo#e% to be the stan%ar% re% an% b$ue unifor" shirt a$though hers was a%orne% by a b$ac# stu%%e% be$t an% worn o&er b$ac# $eggings an% co"bat boots. <(ctua$$y'< 0e"us sai% as he pu$$e% the $ist fro" his poc#et' <"aybe you can he$p "e fin% a few of these tit$es. 4;" shopping for a frien%;s chi$%ren an% 4;" not sure where to start.< ,e he$% the $ist out to her an% she raise% an eyebrow in specu$ation before snapping her chewing gu" an% ro$$ing her eyes. <4 guess 4 cou$% $oo# the" up on the co"puter.< 0e"us wante% to te$$ her not to strain herse$f but refraine%. <4;% be happy for any he$p that you cou$% gi&e "e.< 0ain ro$$e% her eyes again an% turne% on her hee$ sta$#ing bac# to where a %es# sat against the wa$$. She %i%n;t say a thing but starte% pec#ing away on a co"puter #eyboar%. 0e"us s"i$e% to hi"se$f an% wan%ere% near the %es#. <-i% you want a$$ of these=< she as#e%' a bore% tone to her &oice. <( fair few of the" if 4 can'< 0e"us answere%. 0ain "o&e% a piece of hair out of her face an% bent o&er the co"puter again. 0e"us won%ere% what she;% %o if he pu$$e% his wan% an% began su""oning the" to hi"se$f. So"ehow' he %oubte% it wou$% "a#e her raise a pierce% eyebrow. <,ere;s the $ist.< She han%e% hi" off a $arge sheet of paper that ha% the boo# tit$es an% their suppose% $ocations. 0e"us g$ance% at it an% won%ere% if it was in Fng$ish. <Fr"A< <0ight'< 0ain %raw$e%' <4;" on "y brea#.< 0e"us :ust stare% at her retreating bac#' his han% hung at his si%e' the paper %ang$ing there. !ina$$y' he shrugge% an% began to stu%y the $ist again. ?uttering to hi"se$f an% trying to rea% the "iniscu$e print' he began to wa$# up an% %own the ais$es. ,e "anage% to fin% two of the tit$es' by sheer $uc# he i"agine%' before he fina$$y threw up his ar"s in eCasperation. ,e g$ance% aroun% an% fina$$y foun% another re% an% b$ue shirte% e"p$oyee un$oa%ing boo#s into the $ast ais$e.

<4 won%er if 4 cou$% bother you for a "o"ent=< 0e"us g$ance% %own at his $ist again. <4;&e been trying to fin% these boo#s' but the notations %on;t "a#e any sense to "e.< The "an stoo% an% ca"e to his si%e' g$ancing %own at the paper he he$%. <2et "e guessA0ain he$pe% you=< 0e"us $aughe% out $ou% an% then c$a"pe% his "outh shut. <4;" sorry.< <6o' it;s "e who;s sorry'< the "an sighe%. <She;s not the brightest star in the bunch' but she;s a$$ 4 ha&e right now.< 0e"us g$ance% up at the "an an% then bac# %own to the paper. ,is heart began racing as he $et his eyes $ift once "ore. <3hat tit$es are you searching for=< 0e"us fe$t his throat c$ose up as he stare% at the b$ac# haire%' green+eye% "an. <,uh=< <The boo#s'< he pointe% to the $ist' <4 can probab$y fin% the" faster than the co"puter cou$%.< <1h'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%' fee$ing su%%en$y faint. ,is chest tightene% painfu$$y an% his heart ga&e a hitch. There were ti"es' o&er the past few years' when he wou$% see a hea% co&ere% in "essy hair in the "i%%$e of a crow% an% his heart wou$% i""e%iate$y %e"an% it was ,arry' whi$e his hea% #new it was co"p$ete$y irrationa$. 0e"us ha% %one the sa"e thing for years after .a"es an% 2i$y ha% %ie% as we$$. <(re you we$$' sir=< 0e"us %i%n;t answer' but swaye% on his feet. The "an "o&e% >uic#$y to p$ace a chair behin% 0e"us an% he sat %own hea&i$y. <Sha$$ 4 ring so"eone for you=< 0e"us $ifte% his hea% again an% b$in#e% har%. The "an was the spitting i"age of ,arry. ,is eyes g$ance% %own at the na"etag. 6ac! Ingalls" /anagerB4oung Adults C ?hildren's &ection. But it cou$%n;t beA <6o'< 0e"us fina$$y cho#e% out. ,is poun%ing heart s$owe% a bit as he force% hi"se$f to focus on the patterne% rug. <4;" sorryG you :ust too# "e by surprise.< .ac# frowne% s$ight$y. <(re you sure= Bou $oo# a $itt$eApea#e%.< 0e"us too# a %eep breath an% no%%e%. <4;$$ be fine' :ust a $itt$e faint. Bou $oo#A re"ar#ab$y $i#e so"eone 4 use% to #now.<

.ac# s"i$e% tentati&e$y an% crouche% to pic# up the paper that ha% fa$$en unnotice% to the f$oor. <3hy %on;t 4 gather these boo#s whi$e you sit here= 4f you;re sti$$ fee$ing faint afterwar%s D< <6o' no'< 0e"us proteste%' fina$$y tearing his eyes away fro" the "an when he saw how unco"fortab$y he was fi%geting. <4;" sure 4;$$ be fine.< <($right'< .ac# agree% s$ow$y an% "o&e% to began gathering the boo#s. ,is heart thu"pe% wi$%$y' whi$e his brain argue%. ;4t can;t possib$y be hi". ,arry is %ea%. ,e %ie% four years ago. -on;t %o this to yourse$f; 0e"us too# a "o"ent to co$$ect hi"se$f' p$acing a han% o&er his racing heart. ,e;% feare% for a "o"ent that he wou$% ha&e a heart attac#. ,e wasn;t as young as he use% to be' an% the shoc# of seeing so"eone who c$ose$y rese"b$e% ,arryA.we$$' he feare% it "ight ha&e been too "uch. 1nce his breathing was un%er contro$' he $et his eyes fin% .ac# again an% watche% as he "a%e >uic# wor# of fin%ing the boo#s. .ac# was a bit ta$$er an% broa%er of shou$%er than ,arry ha% been. ,is hair was cut shorter than ,arry ha% e&er worn it' but ,arry ha% a$ways worn it $ong to co&er the scar on his forehea%. The infa"ous scar wasn;t present on .ac#;s face. Shou$%n;t that be proof enough' 0e"us argue% with hi"se$f. ( curse scar $i#e the one that ,arry ha% wou$% ne&er go away. -u"b$e%ore hi"se$f ha% to$% 0e"us that when he as#e% about it in ,arry;s thir% year. There were' howe&er' other scars' specifica$$y a rather nasty one a$ong his :aw$ine an% a faint out$ine of one that %isappeare% into his hair $ine. ,e wore g$asses as we$$' a$though they were %ifferent than ,arry ha% e&er worn. 0e"us shoo# his hea%' weighing the %ifferences against the possibi$ity. 4t wou$%n;t be ,arryDthere was no $ogica$ proof that it was. ,arry;s bo%y ha% been reco&ere%' the ?inistry was sure that their hero ha% been #i$$e% a$ong with his gir$frien%' @inny' when they;% confronte% Eo$%e"ort. 0e"us; heart continue% to ache. The space of four years cou$% ha&e eCp$aine% so"e of the changes. ,arry wou$% be twenty+three now. The new scars cou$% be eCp$aine% away as we$$G the !ina$ Batt$e ha% been eCtre"e$y b$oo%y. The absence of the fa"ous scar con&ince% 0e"us' though. ,arry was gone. <3e ha&e e&erything but three of these tit$es in stoc#' sir. 4f you are intereste% in getting the other three' 4 can chec# with our other branch' or we can specia$ or%er the" for you.<

<6o'< 0e"us proteste% as he stoo% an% fo$$owe% .ac#Dnot 'arryDto the counter where the register sat. <4 thin# the ones that 4 ha&e wi$$ be enough' than# you.; .ac# see"e% to search his face for a "inute an% then fina$$y no%%e%. <4;$$ :ust tota$ these up for you then.< <Than# you'< 0e"us sai%. ,e too# the opportunity to stu%y .ac# e&en c$oser' won%ering at how crue$ fate was in creating two "en who cou$% $oo# so "uch a$i#e. ;4t;s not ,arry'; he to$% his heart again' fee$ing the %u$$ ache sin# into his sto"ach a bit. ,e was con&ince%' e&en if his heart sti$$ $onge% for it to be ,arry. .ac# ga&e hi" the tota$ an% then $ifte% his right han% to rub the eCact p$ace on his forehea% where ,arry;s scar ha% been. 0e"us shoo# hi"se$f. ,ow "any ti"es ha% he seen ,arry "a#e that eCact gesture= ,is eyes wi%ene% as ti"e s$owe%Dthere on the bac# of .ac#;s han% was a strange shape% scar' a$"ost as if so"eone ha% written on his han% with a #nife. 0e"us suc#e% in a breath an% fe$t his heart gi&e another painfu$ :o$t. <(re you sure there isn;t so"eone 4 can ring for you=< .ac# as#e% again' genuine$y concerne% for his custo"er. <6o' than# you'< 0e"us cho#e% out. <4;$$ be fine.< .ac# scow$e% at hi" an% 0e"us ha% to swa$$ow tears at the $oo# that ,arry ha% gi&en hi" often. ,is "in% whir$e%' screa"ing at hi" things that he %i%n;t a$$ow hi"se$f to hear. ,e on$y #new that his heart ha% been right. .ac# continue% to watch 0e"us s#eptica$$y as he pai% for the boo#s an% gathere% up the bag. <(t $east $et "e ring a cab for you'< .ac# trie% again. <Than# you' no. 4;" :ust up the street.< <($right'< .ac# no%%e%. <,a&e a nice %ay.< ,e $ifte% a han% in parting as 0e"us s$ow$y $eft the chi$%ren;s section an% he returne% to restoc#ing the she$f. 4t was the har%est thirty eight steps of 0e"us; $ife. 1nce he;% "a%e it outsi%e the store' he $eane% against the war" bric# bui$%ing an% bent o&er to rest his han%s on his #nees. The stac# of boo#s in his p$astic bag tippe% o&er' spi$$ing onto the wet si%ewa$#. 0e"us stare% at the boo#s an% trie% to %eci%e the best thing to %o. F""a arche% her bac#' wincing at the unco"fortab$e stab of pain that shot across it.

<1oo' you;re $uc#y baby 4nga$$s'< she po#e% her be$$y' grow$ing %own as a s"a$$ foot $o%ge% in the area where her #i%ney shou$% be. <Bou :ust try that when you;re out an% we;$$ see how 4 react.< She shuff$e% forwar%' her ratty an% worn carpet s$ippers scuffing on the f$oor that nee%e% c$eaning. F""a hate% that it $oo#e% %ingy' but she :ust cou$%n;t bring herse$f to get %own on her han%s an% #nees an% scrub it. Besi%es' if .ac# e&er foun% out she %i% it' he;% throw a wobb$y. <4 can;t wait ti$$ this is o&er'< she gru"b$e%' wrapping her ar"s aroun% her roun% be$$y an% $ifting up :ust a bit' en:oying the re$ief of pressure for a "o"ent. That;s not true' she a%"itte% si$ent$y. Being pregnant ha% been abso$ute$y bri$$iant. The first ti"e she ha% fe$t the baby "o&e' it was $i#e carrying the best secret in the wor$% aroun% with youDthe f$uttering of wings against your be$$y that no one #new about. (n% when she;% presse% .ac#;s han% to her growing bu"p' $etting hi" fee$ his chi$% push against hi"' she;% tru$y #nown the "eaning of the wor% "irac$e. But it was frustrating to be stuc# in their s"a$$ f$at for so "any hours a %ay. F""a ha% p$anne% on wor#ing right up unti$ the baby was born' but co"p$ications ha% %e&e$ope% in the $ast few "onths' forcing F""a to rest "ore than she wante%. 2ast "onth' after wor#ing a %oub$e shift at the coffee shop' F""a ha% co"e ho"e an% $ai% %own for a nap before .ac# got off wor#. She;% awo#en when .ac# ca"e into the f$at to fin% a $arge spot of b$oo% on the be%. They;% rushe% i""e%iate$y to the ,ospita$. ,er %octor ha% suggeste% be% rest an% $itt$e acti&ity for the re"ain%er of the pregnancy. To "a#e up for the $oss of F""a;s inco"e' .ac# ha% been force% to wor# nights at the "ar#et again' stoc#ing she$&es. That "eant they on$y ha% a few hours together in the e&ening before he was off to his secon% :ob. 4t was frustrating' but F""a %i%n;t #now a way aroun% it' at $east for now. <2isten here' you $itt$eA< she sco$%e% her be$$y as the baby #ic#e% sharp$y again. F""a he$% onto the counter' rubbing her fingers o&er the sore spot on her be$$y. .ac#;s #eys ratt$e% in the %oor an% she sighe% in happiness. 4t wou$% be won%erfu$ to ha&e so"eone to ta$# to. So"e %ays ?rs. Browne fro" the neCt f$at o&er stoppe% in to ta$# to F""a' but she was in 4re$an% &isiting her sister this wee#. 4t ha% been eCtre"e$y >uiet aroun% the f$at $ate$y' an% it was enough to %ri&e F""a aroun% the twist. <Bou $oo# tire%' $o&e'< she greete% hi"' wrapping her ar"s aroun% his waste an% going up on her toes to gi&e hi" a #iss. .ac# sighe%' "e$ting a bit into her e"brace' one ar" wrapping aroun% her bac# an% the other going %own to rub circ$es on her be$$y.

<4 a"'< he a%"itte%. <But it;s better now that 4;" ho"e.< F""a #isse% hi" again an% $e% hi" to the sofa where they cou$% sit. The coo#er wou$% chi"e when the foo% was %one' but right now she :ust nee%e% a few >uite "inutes together. <4 rea$$y "isse% you to%ay'< she a%"itte% once they were cu%%$e% together. .ac#;s eyes were c$ose% an% his han% continue% to rub on her be$$y. The baby see"e% to notice' because $itt$e feet an% han%s were pushing out a$$ o&er' "a#ing strange ripp$es. <?isse% you too'< he "u"b$e%' ti$ting his hea% to #iss her te"p$e an% then sighing as he opene% his eyes. <That is so strange'< he sai%' his fingers tracing a ripp$e. ,is face was su%%en$y a$ight with awe an% eCcite"ent' %espite his eChaustion. F""a p$ace% her han% on his an% they fe$t their baby together in si$ence unti$ the ti"er on the coo#er went off. <There was the strangest "an that ca"e into the store to%ay'< .ac# co""ente% as he he$pe% her stan%. <4 thought he was ha&ing a fit or so"ethingA< F""a $istene% to his story' si"p$y en:oying the few "inutes that they ha% together. <She;s perfect'< 0on whispere%' his fingers ghosting o&er the thin wisps of re% hair on his %aughter;s tiny hea%. <She is'< ,er"ione agree%' wiping tears fro" her eyes. (rthur fe$t a bit $i#e he was intru%ing' stan%ing at the %oorway $oo#ing in' his han%s resting on his wife;s shou$%ers as they watche% their newest gran%%aughter being we$co"e% by her parents. ,e $oo#e% %own at ?o$$y an% ga&e her forehea% a >uic# #iss. <,er"ione %i% we$$=< he as#e% >uiet$y. ?o$$y no%%e%' not bothering to wipe her own tears. The "i%wife ha% :ust $eft' (rthur #new' after chec#ing on the baby an% "other. <She %i% won%erfu$$y'< ?o$$y infor"e% hi". <($"ost twenty hours. But both "u" an% baby are &ery hea$thy.< (rthur chuc#$e%. <She;s got a hea$thy set of $ungs' at $east.< The co""otion %own in the #itchen ha% stoppe% when the robust cries of the newest 3eas$ey ha% soun%e% through the Burrow. 4t was soon o&ersha%owe% by a hearty cheer fro" e&eryone present. <F&eryone has gone ho"e now'< (rthur assure% her. <4t;s getting $ate an% we #new they wou$%n;t be up to &isitors yet. 4;" sure e&eryone wi$$ be bac# aroun% in a %ay or two.< <4;" so g$a% they %eci%e% to ha&e her here'< ?o$$y "u"b$e%' reaching up to pat his han%. (rthur grinne%' re"e"bering the >uite $i&e$y %iscussion of where ,er"ione was going to

gi&e birth. Typica$$y' ,er"ione ha% rushe% right out an% bought e&ery boo# on "agica$ "i%wifery she cou$% fin%' rea%ing the" a$$ before inter&iewing four ?i%wi&es an% then choosing one. <,a&e you %eci%e% on a na"e yet=< (rthur as#e%' raising his &oice :ust a bit so that 0on an% ,er"ione cou$% hear hi". 0on g$ance% at hi" an% then bac# to his wife' sharing a si$ent con&ersation before turning bac# to his parents an% grinning' his finger $oc#e% in his %aughter;s tight fist. <@inny 0ose'< he sai% soft$y. ?o$$y gaspe%' but (rthur cou$% te$$ it was in happiness. ,is own eyes f$oo%e% with tears as he stare% at $itt$e @inny 0ose. She e&en $oo#e% $i#e her na"esa#e' he thought' with the re% hair an% the s>uare 3eas$ey chin. <4t;s beautifu$'< he "anage% with a no%. <Si"p$y beautifu$.< 0on bea"e% prou%$y' $eaning forwar% to #iss ,er"ione;s chin before they returne% their focus to %aughter. (rthur s>uee5e% ?o$$y;s shou$%ers an% urge% her to fo$$ow hi" out of the roo". ,e #new that these "o"ents were so"e of the "ost precious for the new fa"i$y. ,e;% get his chance to ho$% his @inny 0ose in ti"e' an% then he;% te$$ her a$$ about her (unt @inny. <0e"us' you nee% to stop pacing'< Ton#s chi%e% as she sippe% fro" her cup of tea. ,e #new she was scare%. ,e ha% co"e ho"e co"p$ete$y agitate% fro" his trip to the boo#store an% ha% $oc#e% hi"se$f in the $ibrary for hours before he;% co"e out. ,e;% %one that for two wee#s after the !ina$ Batt$e' on$y co"ing out for the funera$s' an% it ha%n;t been a pretty scene then. <4 #now' -ora'< he sighe%. <3hate&er it is' we;$$ face it together' $i#e we;&e %one e&erything e$se.< 0e"us no%%e% absent$y. <1ri;s a$right with ?o$$y=< Ton#s no%%e%. <She;s fine. 4 %i%n;t "ention anything about a "eeting either'< she answere% his >uestioning $oo#. <4 thin# ?o$$y thin#s that you;re ta#ing "e out for a ro"antic %inner. 4n fact' she rather hinte% that an on$y chi$% ha% a &ery boring $ife.< 0e"us;s eyes grew wi%e. <She wants us toA< Ton#s grinne% an% no%%e%. <That;s what 4 gather.<

,e shoo# his hea% an% began pacing again. <2et;s get through this "ess first'< he "u"b$e% an% Ton#s narrowe% her eyes at hi". They both turne% as the firep$ace f$are% green an% ?iner&a ?c@onaga$$ steppe% out. She was >uic#$y fo$$owe% by an a$"ost ba$% (rthur 3eas$ey. 0e"us gri"ace% when he saw how s$ow$y (rthur "o&e% . The stro#e he ha% suffere% once it set in that he;% burie% his youngest chi$% an% the c$osest thing he ha% to a se&enth son ha% age% hi" a %eca%e. ,e was now on force% retire"ent fro" the ?inistry' a$though he %i% %o so"e consu$ting on the si%e an% was there "ore often than not. ,is chi$%ren ha% rea$$y steppe% up in the "eanti"e an% were ta#ing care of their aging parents. /ings$ey Shac#e$bo$t was the $ast one in the roo" an% 0e"us >uic#$y sea$e% the f$oo' p$ace% an 4"perturbab$e Char" on the %oor an% began pacing again. <4 brought the fi$es you as#e% for 0e"us'< the $arge b$ac# "an sai% soft$y. 0e"us no%%e% an% turne% to pace again. <0e"us'< ?iner&a sco$%e% hi" s$ight$y. 3hen he %i%n;t answer' she turne% to face Ton#s who on$y shrugge%. <0ight'< 0e"us fina$$y sai%. <4;" going to te$$ you a$$ so"ething that wi$$ "a#e you thin# 4;" cra5y. 4 pro"ise you 4;" not.< This state"ent brought rather se&ere reactions fro" the group. <Bester%ay'< 0e"us continue%' <4 went to ?anchester to purchase so"e ?ugg$e boo#s for ,er"ione. She;% gi&en "e the a%%ress of a %iscount boo#store that she #new of an% a $ist of tit$es that she wante%. 4 went to get the boo#s' but ha% to as# for he$p as their cata$oging syste" $ea&es "uch to be %esire%.< 0e"us too# a %eep breath. <The "an that he$pe% "eAwe$$A< <3hat is it 0e"us=< (rthur as#e% in a soft &oice. 0e"us $oo#e% at the "an who ha% $ost so "uch an% curse% hi"se$f for the heartache he was going to cause now. <4t was ,arry'< he whispere%. The roo" was hea&y with si$ence. <There ha&e been others' 0e"us' who ha&e thought they;&e seen hi"'< /ings$ey infor"e% his frien%' his &oice fu$$ of sy"pathy. <6oH This was hi"' 4 swear it to youH< 0e"us proteste%. <(s "uch as we a$$ want to be$ie&eD< ?iner&a began.

<4 #now'< 0e"us assure% the"' "eeting each ga5e stea%i$y. <,e;s grown upG ta$$er that is' broa%er in shou$%er' but it is hi".< <-i% you spea# to hi"' 0e"us=< Ton#s as#e%. 0e"us no%%e% fer&ent$y. <4t was the sa"e &oice' on$y a bit %eeper. ,e use% the sa"e gestures ,arry ha%Dyou re"e"ber how he use% to rub his scar=< <The scar was there=< (rthur as#e%' $oo#ing %own at his han%s. <3e$$Ano' butD< <0e"us'< /ings$ey $ai% his han% on the "an;s shou$%er. <4 #now what 4 sawH< 0e"us stoo% again' a$"ost frantic. <The scar on his forehea% wasn;t there' but others were' ones he;s "ust ha&e gotten in the !ina$ Batt$e. (n% the one on his right han%A< ?iner&a f$inche%' an% Ton#s no%%e% 0e"us onwar%. <4 "ust not te$$ $ies.< ,e sat hea&i$y again. <4t was there' a $itt$e "u%%$e%' but 4 cou$% te$$ it was there.< <(n% what wou$% you ha&e us %o' 0e"us=< ?iner&a sai%. <(s hea% of the 1r%er' 4 nee% to ha&e so"e suggestion.< <4 %on;t want to ca$$ out the who$e 1r%er'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <3hat if we :ust sent -ora' in %isguise' to see=< <3hat wou$% 4 %o' 0e"us= 3a$# up to hi" an% as#=< <,a&e we consi%ere% the thought that ,arry "ight not want to be foun%=< (rthur as#e% >uiet$y. <4;&e consi%ere% e&erything'< 0e"us sighe% as he pushe% his han%s rough$y through his hair. ,is hours yester%ay ha% been spent thin#ing through e&ery possibi$ity. <But he %i%n;t recogni5e "e' (rthur. 4 swear to you' 4 was c$oser to hi" than you an% 4 are right now an% he %i%n;t #now "e fro" the neCt "an on the street.< Ton#s stoo% an% $ai% her han%s on 0e"us; bac#. <?aybe he;s suffere% so"e for" of "e"ory $oss.< <4t can;t be hi"'< /ings$ey shoo# his hea%. <The ?inistry stu%ie% the area. !our "agica$ signatures in the area an% on$y one was $eft stan%ing afterwar%s. The ?a$foy boy saw *otter an% 3eas$ey #i$$e%.< ,e shoo# his hea% in apo$ogy when (rthur f$inche%. <3e "ust consi%er the source'< ?iner&a huffe%. <-raco ?a$foy a$ways was a $iar.<

<3hat wou$% he ha&e to gain=< /ings$ey >uerie%. <4;" not sure' /ings$ey' but 4 har%$y thin# that the boy;s wor% a$one is proof.< <The bo%ies' thenH< ,e offere%' f$ipping the fi$e open to where b$ac# an% white photographs of a charre% circ$e were resting. The group turne% away as one. <Bou can see three bo%ies there c$ear$y. The e&i%ence aroun% the" supporte% both *otter an% the 3eas$ey gir$ as we$$ as Bou+/now+3ho.< 0e"us stoo% an% c$ose% the fi$e' $aying a han% on (rthur;s shou$%er. <4 #now what the fi$e says' /ings$ey. 4;&e rea% it a hun%re% ti"es a$rea%y. 4 was there that %ay. 4 s"e$$e% the burning f$esh.< ,e too# a %eep breath an% continue%. <($$ we ha&e is ?a$foy;s wor%. 3e ne&er $oo#e% beyon% what he to$% us. But there are ways'< he sai%' hating the %esperation that crept into his &oice' <spe$$s or ?ugg$e techno$ogy.< <4;" not as#ing you to reopen the case' /ings$ey. ($$ 4;" as#ing for is the chance for -ora to go in to confir" what 4 saw.< <3hat about the bo%ies' 0e"us=< /ings$ey san# bac# %own into his chair an% stare% at the fi$e. <4f ,arry sur&i&e%A< <4f ,arry sur&i&e%'< 0e"us continue%' <then that "eans there was "ore going on than we #new' that we ne&er consi%ere%.< The roo" was si$ent for a "inute unti$ (rthur re"o&e% his g$asses an% rubbe% his face harsh$y. <3e ha&e to try'< he sai%. <4f there;s any wayD< ,e stoppe% an% swa$$owe% se&era$ ti"es' his (%a";s app$e bobbing in his throat. <4f ,arry sur&i&e%' then there "ight be a chance that @inny %i%. ?aybe he #nows so"ething. (t the &ery $east' we "ight ha&e 'arry bac#.< <4t can;t hurt' can it=< ?iner&a as#e% the roo" in genera$. <4 can go to"orrow'< Ton#s offere%. <4f there is so"ething' any hint that it "ight actua$$y be hi"' Ton#sA< /ings$ey trai$e% off. <2oo#' 4 $i#e% the #i% as "uch as the neCt person' but 4 ha&e to be rea$istic here. This wou$% open up a who$e "ess of in>uires at the ?inistry. 3e;re ta$#ing aboutA< ,e sighe% an% rubbe% the bac# of his nec#. <3e;re ta$#ing about %e$iberate conspiracy.< Ton#s no%%e%. <4 un%erstan%. (n% you #now that 4 won;t %o anything rash. 4;$$ >uiet$y "a#e "y obser&ations an% then $et you #now.<

<(gree%'< ?iner&a fina$$y sai%. The group s$ow$y $eft one by one. 0e"us too# (rthur asi%e before the o$%er "an cou$% $ea&e. <4;" sorry' (rthur'< he starte%. <The $ast thing 4 wante% to %o was gi&e you "ore pain.< <4 #now' 0e"us. (n% be$ie&e "e when 4 say that 4 un%erstan%.< <4f there;s any chance' no "atter how s$i" it isA< <4 agree with you'< (rthur sai%. <*$ease $et "e #now if 4 can he$p in any way. 4;" going to as# you to #eep this fro" the fa"i$y right now. 0on wi$$ nee% to #now soon' but with the new babyA< <6oH< 0e"us shoo# his hea%' <4 co"p$ete$y un%erstan%. 4 won;t say anything unti$ we;re sure.< ,e trai$e% off for a "o"ent an% (rthur patte% hi" on the shou$%er. <There;s so"ething e$se' isn;t there=< 0e"us gri"ace% an% no%%e%. <4 :ustA4 want you to be prepare%' (rthur. ,arryAhe was wearing a we%%ing ban%.< (rthur raise% his eyebrows an% consi%ere% for a "inute. <3e$$A< he swa$$owe% thic#$y. <4f the boy;s foun% so"eone that can "a#e hi" happyA< 0e"us no%%e%' pain e&i%ent on his face. <4 on$y sai% so"ething because 4 #now how c$ose he an% @inny were.< (rthur no%%e%. <Bou %i% the right thing' 0e"us.< <4 %i%n;t say anything at the "eeting' becauseAwe$$' 4 thin# this was enough to stir up. But' 4 wi$$ te$$ -ora so that she wi$$ be prepare%.< (rthur no%%e% an% s"i$e% gent$y at hi". <@oo% $uc#' an% $et "e #now.< <4 wi$$.< A/N: Alright" %ery uic!ly... @emember" this story was started (ust after '.:" therefore some of the characters may be a little off. I too! some e2treme liberties with :ansy" Nott and e%en /alfoy. They fit the story so I !ept them. shrugs

*Chapter 9*: Chapter 9

-isc$ai"er:

($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: I'm so glad you all li!ed that @emus was the first to find 6ac!. 3e don't get to see too much from 6ac! and #mma this chapter" as we're still dealing with the fallout from the first sighting. 4ou'll get more time with them ne2t chapter" promise. Than!s to $eb and #lla for their beta s!ills. +) 9o%e you ladiesChapter 9 October 2 2

Ton#s wan%ere% through the boo#store in her %isguise as a "i%%$e age% wo"an with fri55y b$on% hair an% runners in her stoc#ings. <FCcuse "e'< she stoppe% a wo"an who was carrying a stac# of teetering boo#s. <4 was won%ering if you cou$% point out the Chi$%ren;s section.< The wo"an raise% an eyebrow an% pointe% to the bright$y painte% corner of the store. <Than#s'< Ton#s no%%e% an% "a%e her way towar% the area' eyes ra#ing the ais$es for any sign of ,arry. She en%e% up searching the who$e chi$%ren;s area' pic#ing up a boo# here an% there so as not to arouse suspicion' without seeing hi". <(re you going to buy those=< Ton#s grinne% at the rebe$$ious teenager that 0e"us ha% %escribe%. <4 thought 4;% sho&e the" up "y gir%$e an% try to "a#e a run for it.< 0ain on$y raise% an eyebrow. Ton#s sighe% an% $ai% the boo#s %own on a s"a$$ tab$e. <(ctua$$y' 4 nee% to spea# with your "anager.

0ain snappe% her gu" an% appraise% the $a%y before shrugging. <,e $eft a few "inutes ago.< Ton#s swore interna$$y an% sta$#e% towar% the entrance to the store' hoping that ,arry wou$%n;t be far gone. She ha% no way of #nowing what %irection he;% be $ea&ing in though' an% things %i%n;t $oo# goo% for sur&ei$$ance wor# to%ay. She >uic#$y g$ance% aroun% the outsi%e area' any hope of catching hi" %ef$ating at the sight of a$$ the cars par#e% neCt to the bui$%ing. <.ac#' hurry your arse up' you $a5y gitH< Ton#s swung aroun% to see a ta$$' %ar# haire% "an in his "i% twenties $eaning against the entryway to an a$$ey besi%e the store. <4;" co"ing you i"patient bastar%'< was the rep$y. Ton#s; breath caught in her throat as she waite% for the "an to e"erge. Secon%s $ater ;.ac#; ca"e out of the a$$ey' straightening his :ac#et an% nu%ging the other "an with his shou$%er. <Bour wife "ight wait for you' but ?issy wi$$ ha&e "y bo$$oc#s if 4;" $ate again.< .ac# $aughe% as the two began wa$#ing %own the si%ewa$#. Ton#s fo$$owe% at a %iscreet enough %istance' an% s$ippe% a thin f$esh co$ore% %e&ice into her ear. The Twins ha% in&ente% the ;F$ephant Fars; $istening %e&ices towar% the "i%%$e of the war. They "a%e ea&es%ropping "uch easier an% Ton#s was ab$e to sti$$ hear the con&ersation ta#ing p$ace ahea% of her. She was a$so ab$e to use an (uror ;Spy Ca"era; to snap a few si$ent shots of ,ar+.ac#;s profi$e. <Bou thin# ?issy;s ba%= Try ha&ing a pregnant wifeH< Ton#s trippe% on the concrete in front of her an% curse% >uiet$y. 0e"us was right' ,arry was "arrie%Dor' we$$' .ac# was anywayDan% they were eCpecting. <Besi%es'< .ac# obser&e%' <they;&e been out shopping. They;$$ be at $east twenty "inutes $ate.< The other "an $aughe% an% the two began to ta$# of "un%ane things such as wor# an% peop$e they #new. Ton#s continue% to fo$$ow. <Bou #now'< the other "an turne% to .ac# as they wa$#e%' <you co"p$ain about F""a an% her "oo% swings with the pregnancy but' 4;&e ne&er seen anyone "ention it an% you not grin ear to ear' "ate.< Ton#s cou$% "a#e out the $opsi%e% grin e&en fro" the far si%e of .ac#. She >uic#$y $ifte% the ca"era an% too# another %iscreet photo.

<4t;s a"a5ing' -ere#. 3hen the baby "o&es now' 4 can fee$ it' 4 "ean ireally/i fee$ it this ti"e. F""a;s been ab$e to for ages' butAit "a#es it a$$ so"ehow "ore rea$.< -ere# grinne% at his frien%. <-on;t go a$$ sappy on "e again. Bou %i% enough of that when the two of you starte% seeing each other.< <(n% you an% ?issy :ust %isguste% F""a an% "e'< .ac# sai% an% $aughe% as -ere# too# a swing at hi". Ton#s s$owe% %own as the two "en entere% a coffee house on the corner. She %uc#e% into the a$$eyway an% g$ancing aroun%' "orphe% bac# to her usua$ appearance' #nowing that she ought to fit right in. She was $uc#y to fin% a tab$e near the two "en an% sippe% her tea as she preten%e% to rea% a newspaper. <,ow was /en%a$=< .ac# as#e% an% -ere# groane%. <0e"in% "e why 4 chose to spen% a wee# with ?issy;s fa"i$y=< .ac# $aughe%. <4 $i#e% (nne'< he shrugge%. <She;s supporte% us both in our choices. ($though Carter ha% a few things to say about "e %ating 'his girl'.< -ere# s"ir#e%. <Bou cou$% #ic# nancy boy Carter;s arse any %ay' .ac#. 6o' it;s (nne who;s the scary one.< <Bou;re sti$$ breathing'< .ac# obser&e%. <4t "ust not ha&e been that ba%. 4 thought she was nice.< <(gain'< -ere# ro$$e% his eyes' <you weren;t %ating her daughter. (n%' you an% F""a ha% on$y been %ating a few "onths when you "et her. ($though' co"e to thin# of it' how %i% you sur&i&e= Bou two e$ope after on$y %ating for two "onthsD< <4t was three' you git'< .ac# grow$e% with a s"i$e. <Sa"e %ifference'< -ere# a%%e%. <(n% then another two "onths after that' you #noc# her up.< <That is such a %erogatory ter"' you #now=< .ac# $aughe%. <4 %i%n;t !noc! her up' 4 i"pregnate% "y wife.< The two both gri"ace% an% $aughe%. <($right' that soun%s :ust as ba%.< <3hate&er you ca$$ it' you sti$$ %i% it to her pseu%o+%aughter. 3hat %i% (nne say when F""a ca$$e% her an% to$% her about the we%%ing=<

<She was happy for us' a$though 4 #now she to$% F""a it was too fast. SheA< .ac# trai$e% off an% Ton#s $ifte% her face to see a bit of a b$ush on his chee#s. <She as#e% if F""a was pregnant.< Ton#s too# three "ore pictures in >uic# succession. <3e$$'< -ere# $aughe%. <That;s what you get when you on$y %ate two "onths before e$opingH< <3e %i%n;t e$ope'< .ac# proteste%. <Bou were there. (n% it was three "onths.< <The ?agistrate;s office counts as e$oping' "ate' 4 hate to te$$ you.< .ac# f$ushe% again but grinne%. <3e :ust thought the "oney wou$% be better spent on other things an% since neither of us has any fa"i$yA Besi%es' (nne was there.< <4 #now'< -ere# proteste% an% too# a %rin# of his coffee. <(n% 4 agree. 4 #now 4;% rather e$ope.< .ac# $aughe%. <So' you an% ?issy are that serious then=< -ere# cho#e% on his coffee an% sp$uttere% it a$$ o&er the tab$e. <That;s not what 4 "eantH< <Beah'< .ac# agree% with an e&i$ s"i$e' <but it;s what you said.< -ere# $ai% his hea% on the tab$e. <Spea# a wor% of this an% you;re %ea%' 4nga$$s.< .ac# on$y $aughe%. <,ere co"e the gir$s.< The two "en stoo% as two wo"en :oine% the" an% Ton#s shifte% in her seat to catch a g$i"pse of .ac#;s wife. The tea she;% been %rin#ing tippe% o&er when she bu"pe% it an% staine% the newspaper as it continue% unchec#e% a$ong the tab$e. Ton#s %i%n;t notice. <,e$$o' $o&e'< .ac# #isse% the wo"an >uic#$y an% then rubbe% her growing be$$y' causing her to $augh. ,er fiery re% hair was pu$$e% bac# in a ponytai$ an% her s#in was pa$e fro" the co$% te"perature outsi%e. <,e$$o. ,ow was wor#=< <4t was a$right'< .ac# sai%. <,e$$o' ?issy'< he greete% the other wo"an with a pec# on the chee# as the two sett$e% at the s"a$$ roun% tab$e. <Can 4 get you anything' F"=< -ere# as#e%. <1h' :ust a g$ass of :uice= (pp$e' if they ha&e it.< <Sure thing'< -ere# win#e% an% "o&e% off to the counter. Ton#s ha% to force herse$f to stop staring at the wo"an neCt to .ac# an% concentrate instea% on what they were saying.

She again $ifte% the ca"era an% too# photos' two of F""a an% two of the coup$e together. <So' what %i% you buy to%ay=< <1h' it;s so cuteH< ?issy cooe%. She han%e% a bag o&er the tab$e an% F""a pu$$e% out a pa$e b$ue outfit with $itt$e far" ani"a$s a$$ o&er it. <See=< she bea"e% at .ac# as she $ai% it o&er the s"a$$ bu$ge of her sto"ach. .ac# :ust s"i$e% in%u$gent$y at her. <F"' we %on;t #now the seC of the baby' why are you buying b$ue=< <@ir$s can wear b$ueH< ?issy proteste% an% F""a no%%e% her agree"ent. <Besi%es'< F""a sai% $eaning in to #iss .ac# soft$y' <4 :ust ha&e this fee$ing that it;s a boy.< <(s $ong as his son %oesn;t ha&e to wear pin#H< -ere# proc$ai"e% as he %istribute% the %rin#s a$$ aroun%. F""a bea"e% at hi" an% too# a $ong %rin# fro" her app$e :uice. <*erfect'< she sai% setting it %own again. <(n%' we got a few recei&ing b$an#ets' so"e nappies an% a few other s"a$$ things.< <4 thought you were $oo#ing for a pra"=< .ac# as#e% as he sippe% his tea. <3e were' but the store was out of the one 4 ha% "y heart set on. Bou re"e"ber the %ar# green one' .ac#= They can or%er it in though. 4;$$ chec# bac# in a few wee#s.< <Bou shou$% ha&e gi&en the" your nu"ber an% then they cou$% ha&e rung you when they get it in'< -ere# sai%. Both .ac# an% F""a f$ushe% s$ight$y. <3e$$'< F""a began' <we;&e actua$$y cance$$e% our te$ephone for a bit.< <3hat=< -ere# an% ?issy both sat upright. <3ith "e ha&ing to >uit wor# an% .ac# on$y getting so "any hours at the boo#storeD< F""a eCp$aine%. <.ac#'< -ere# scow$e%' <you cou$% ha&e as#e% for he$p' "ate.< <F""a'< ?issy proteste%' <you shou$% rea$$y ha&e a phone. 3hat if so"ething happens an% you nee% he$p=<

<4 #now'< .ac# conso$e%' <but it;s on$y for a $itt$e whi$e. (n%' ?rs. Browne neCt %oor has a phone that we can use if we nee% to.< F""a s"i$e% at hi" an% patte% his han% that $ay on the tab$e. <(nyway' 4;&e starte% bac# at the "ar#et at nights an%D< <.ac#'< -ere# warne%' <you;re ne&er going to get bac# to )ni&ersity this way.< Surprising$y' .ac# s"i$e% bac# at his frien%. <4 #now' but it %oesn;t "atter when 4 finish. So"e things are "ore i"portant.< .ac# sai% this $ast sentence whi$e s"i$ing %own at his wife an% patting her be$$y. <Sti$$'< ?issy proteste%. Ton#s tune% out the rest of the con&ersation an% began to search for %etai$s so that she cou$% report bac#. F""a;s hair was shou$%er $ength. She $oo#e% a bit pa$e an% thin for being pregnant' but Ton#s ha% first han% eCperience that a$$ pregnancies were %ifferent. Both .ac# an% F""a wore c$othes that appeare% to be we$$ ta#en care of' but on the o$%er si%e. F&en F""a;s "aternity c$othes see"e% to be secon% han%. She start$e% when the two coup$es rose an% tra%e% hugs an% goo%bye;s bac# an% forth. Ta#ing this as her cue' Ton#s s$ippe% out of the %oor an% hurrie% bac# to the a$$ey across the street to change her appearance again. This ti"e she was a sty$ish wo"an of "i%+ forty as she waite% for ,arry an%Der' .ac# an% F""a to co"e out of the shop. 3hen they %i%' .ac#;s ar" wrappe% aroun% F""a;s shou$%ers. Ton#s fo$$owe% after' ta#ing a coup$e fu$$+$ength shots. They see"e% in no big hurry as they wa$#e% s$ow$y %own the street. <!ee$ing a$right' $o&e=< .ac# as#e% as he #isse% F""a;s te"p$e. <( $itt$e tire%'< F""a a%"itte%. <But other than that it;s been a goo% %ay.< <@oo%' but you;$$ ha&e to "a#e up for to%ay by resting "ore to"orrow. Bou #now what -octor Su""ers sai%.< <Bou worry too "uch'< F""a sai% as she po#e% .ac#;s si%e an% he f$inche% away $aughing. <4 "ay'< .ac# agree%. <But it;s on$y because 4 $o&e you an% the baby.< <3e #now' $o&e'< F""a sai%' turning her hea% to capture his $ips. They continue% on in si$ence for a b$oc# or two before F""a $ai% her hea% on his shou$%er an% sighe%. <3hat;s wrong' $o&e=< <4 :ust wish it were easier. 4 hate that you ha&e to wor# so "any hours. 3e har%$y see each other.<

<4 #now'< .ac# "u"b$e%' #issing her hair. <But it;s on$y for a $itt$e whi$e. 3e;&e so "uch to buy for this $itt$e one.< F""a no%%e% an% $ai% her han% a$ong her sto"ach. <4;&e change% "y "in% about the pra".< .ac# stoppe% "i%+stri%e an% $oo#e% %own at her. <3hy=< F""a;s chee#s turne% pin# an% she $oo#e% away. <4t;s :ust not i"portant to ha&e that one. 4 can fin% one at a secon% han% shop' or we;$$ %o without.< <F"' that;s notD< <6o'< she turne% bac# to hi" an% p$ace% a finger on his $ips to stop his protests. <4t;s rea$$y not. 4t;s "ore i"portant that you be ab$e to be there with us. 4 want our baby to #now both his parents. That;s so"ething that neither of us can say' an% 4 won;t ha&e that happen for hi".< .ac# hugge% her tight to hi" an% b$in#e% bac# tears. <4 #now' $o&e. 4 want that "ore than anything. 3e;$$ "a#e it wor#G 4 swear to you that we wi$$.< (fter a "o"ent they began wa$#ing again an% Ton#s steppe% into a %eserte% shop to change her appearance again. ( b$on%e wo"an in her ear$y thirties' wearing a trac# suit' e"erge% an% began to fo$$ow the coup$e again. <Bou rea$$y thin# it;s a boy=< .ac# as#e% as they turne% on a street corner. F""a grinne% up at hi". <4 rea$$y thin# it is.< <Then we;% better get busy on na"es. So far we;&e on$y chosen two possib$e gir$ na"es.< Ton#s hung bac# as the coup$e entere% an o$%er bui$%ing of f$ats. The neighborhoo% $oo#e% fair$y we$$ #ept' a$though the re% bric# $oo#e% to be "ore than fifty years o$%. There was no way to te$$ fro" the outsi%e which f$at was theirs' but Ton#s at $east ha% a basic a%%ress. She wa$#e% %own the street for a bit' trying to sett$e her thoughts an% ca$" her racing heart beat. -own at the en% of the b$oc# was a we$$+use% p$ay par#. The swings an% "erry+go roun% were worn fro" use' but the par# was c$ean an% $oo#e% of goo% repair. Ton#s s"i$e% when she thought about a s"a$$ chi$% p$aying here. *erhaps this &ery par# was why .ac# an% F""a ha% chosen the f$at that they ha%. 3hat wou$% happen when Ton#s reporte% what she;% foun%= She;% been s#eptica$ when 0e"us ha% a%"itte% that he thought he;% foun% ,arry' e&en though she fe$t a bit gui$ty for %oubting her husban%. ,owe&er' she %i%n;t %oubt any"ore.

The possibi$ity of restoring what was once thought goneAwe$$' she cou$%n;t fu$$y wrap her hea% aroun% that. The coup$e was happy' %espite strugg$ing for "oney an% %ea$ing with e&ery%ay tria$s. Ton#s won%ere% if ta#ing the" fro" this was the right %ecision. 4n the 3i5ar%ing wor$%' they wou$% ha&e fa"i$y to re$y on an% "oney to buy the things that they an% their chi$% wou$% nee%. ,owe&er' the anony"ity of this >uiet street with its rows of f$at houses wou$% be a far cry fro" the ce$ebrity status they wou$% ha&e if they returne%. !ina$$y shrugging an% %eci%ing that it wasn;t rea$$y her %ecision to "a#e' Ton#s "o&e% to a co"p$ete$y iso$ate% area of the par# an% -isapparate%. 0e"us was waiting when Ton#s returne% an% she cou$% te$$ he;% been pacing a groo&e in the f$oor. <3e$$=< he %e"an%e% an% then sighe% at her raise% eyebrow. <4t;s hi"'< Ton#s no%%e%. <4;" sure of it.< <BesH< 0e"us crowe%. <3e ha&e to be ab$e to bring hi" ho"eA< ,e hurrie% out of the roo" "uttering &ague p$ans about retrie&ing ,arry. Ton#s fo$$owe%' "uch "ore sub%ue%. <There;s "ore'< she sai% soft$y as 0e"us f$itte% aroun% the #itchen fiCing hi"se$f a cup of tea' an% not $istening to what she was saying. <3e;$$ nee% to get in touch with e&eryone an% $et the" #now. /ings$ey can fin% so"eone to ta#e care of "e"ory char"s' can;t he=< <0e"us.< 3hen the "an turne% aroun%' Ton#s too# the tea cup out of his han% an% pu$$e% hi" to the tab$e. <4 thin# you nee% to sit %own.< <Ton#s' you;re scaring "e now.< ,is eyes grew wi%e as he san# %own onto a straight+ bac#e% woo%en chair. She on$y no%%e%. <There;s "ore. Bou re"e"ber what we ta$#e% about :ust before 4 $eft=< 0e"us no%%e%. <1f course 4 %o. But if ,arry;s rea$$y "arrie%' thenAwe;$$ :ust accept her. She;s "ost $i#e$y a ?ugg$e' but that;s not stoppe% anyone in the fa"i$y before. 3hy are you sha#ing your hea% at "e=< Ton#s sighe%. <0e"us' 4 saw his wife to%ay.<

<1h'< 0e"us sai%. <3e$$' %i% she $oo# nice=< Ton#s s"i$e%. <Bes' she $oo#e%Awe$$' 4 can say that you;$$ %efinite$y appro&e of her.< <3e$$' thenA< <0e"us' it;s @inny.< 1nce again' co"p$ete si$ence echoe% aroun% the roo"' pressing in on their ears. <Say again=< <4t;s @inny. ,arry is "arrie% to @inny. 1r rather' 6ac! is "arrie% to #mma.< 0e"us stoo% swift$y an% ran his han%s through his hair as the pacing began again. <3hyAhowA< Ton#s "anage% a s"a$$ s"i$e. <3e$$ that $ea&es ;who;' ;what;' ;when; an% ;where;.< She sobere% when she saw the pain on his face. <4f it;s both of the"A%o you thin# they %o #now who they are=< Ton#s shoo# her hea%. <4 %on;t thin# so.< <3e$$' 4 guess if one sur&i&e%Ait;s $ogica$ to thin# that they;&e been together a$$ this ti"e. (ctua$$y' it %oes "a#e "e fee$ a bit better thin#ing that they;&e not been a$one through a$$ of this.< <4t;s stranger than that' 0e"us. 3i$$ you p$ease sit %own whi$e 4 te$$ you this=< <(" 4 %ri&ing you cra5y=< he s"ir#e%. <Bes'< Ton#s grow$e%. <That an% 4;" rather worrie% about your hea$th when 4 continue with the story.< 0e"us sun# onto the chair an% face% her. <,arry' or .ac#D< <2et;s :ust ca$$ hi" ,arry for the sa#e of our sanity.< <($right'< Ton#s agree%. <,arry "et up with a frien% of his' so"eone na"e% -ere#. The two wa$#e% to a coffee shop an% sat %own to wait for ,arry;s wife an% -ere#;s gir$frien%' who ha% gone out shopping together. 4 was ab$e to o&erhear "ost of their con&ersation.< She continue% when 0e"us no%%e%. <,arry an% @inny ha&en;t been together this who$e ti"e. They;&e on$y been "arrie% a$"ost a year' an% it;s rather confusing' but 4 thin# they on$y "et :ust o%er a year ago. There was so"e &ague reference to the" on$y %ating a few "onths before e$oping.<

<,ow is thatA that %oesn;t e&en "a#e any sense' -ora.< 0e"us scow$e% %own at the tab$e. <4 #now'< Ton#s he$% up her han%s. <4 pro"ise you that 4;&e run it o&er an% o&er in "y "in% to "a#e sure 4 got a$$ the %etai$s right. There was a$so a reference about so"ep$ace up in /en%a$. 4 thin# that "ay ha&e been where F""+@inny was for a ti"e.< She sighe%. <(n% there;s "oreA< 0e"us no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <@inny;s eCpectingG about fi&e or siC "onths a$ong fro" what 4 can te$$.< They stare% at each other for a "o"ent before a huge grin bro#e out on 0e"us; face. <That;s the best news 4;&e hear% in >uite awhi$e.< Ton#s s"i$e% too. <They $oo# so happy' 0e"us' rea$$y in $o&e' you #now. 2ife isn;t easy for the"' though. ?oney;s an issue an% there "ay or "ay not be so"e hea$th issues with the baby. @inny "entione% that she;% ha% to >uit her :ob an% that they;% cance$$e% their te$ephone $ine. ,arry wor#s at the boo#store %uring the %ay an% has another :ob so"ewhere at night.< <4 can;t i"agine it being easy for the".< <4t;s not.< <-i% you catch any sign of "agic use%=< Ton#s shoo# her hea%. <Those two were co"p$ete$y ob$i&ious to it. There;s no "agic usage there. 1r if there is' it;s co"p$ete$y not intentiona$.< ( horrifie% $oo# ca"e o&er 0e"us; face. <3hat if they can;t=< <Can;t= 3hat %o you "ean=< <4 "ean' what if whate&er happene% in the !ina$ Batt$eAwhat if it too# their "agic= There;s been no wor% a$$ these years about "agic usage in strange $ocations. 6othing to in%icate that they;&e %one anything that wou$% be unusua$.< Ton#s see"e% to grasp what he;% been saying an% wore her own horrifie% $oo#. <4 %on;t thin# it wi$$ "atter'< 0e"us fina$$y sighe%. <6o one in this fa"i$y wi$$ thin# any $ess of the" if they can;t use "agic any $onger.< <4;&e ne&er hear% of that happening before' though.<

<3e;&e not %ea$t with anything $i#e this before. 3e;% ne&er %ea$t with Eo$%e"ort before either.< <Bou;re right' of course. 6o one in the fa"i$y wi$$ thin# "uch of it when they rea$i5e that they ha&e the" both bac#. The pub$ic howe&erA< <6othing is si"p$e with the two of the"' is it=< 0e"us fina$$y chuc#$e%. <,ow on earth %i% the two of the" fin% each other' fa$$ in $o&e an% get "arrie%= Bou %o rea$i5e that the o%%s of thatA< <4 #now'< Ton#s sai%. <4;" sure it wou$% sen% ,er"ione into fits of euphoria to ca$cu$ate the iactual/i o%%s' but 4;" :ust in awe that it happene%.< <4 ne&er rea$$y be$ie&e% in that' you #nowAone person being specifica$$y "eant for another person. 4n this case it see"s $i#e that;s what has happene%.< Ton#s on$y no%%e%. <3hen is e&eryone eCpecting a report=< 0e"us harsh$y rubbe% his face with his pa$"s. <Tonight' 4 thin#. 4;" sure we can;t ho$% anyone bac#.< <3e nee% to $oo# into what happene% at the batt$e as we$$'< Ton#s sai%. <This is going to cause a huge "ess' you rea$i5e. Scri"geour isn;t going to $i#e this in the $east.< 0e"us no%%e%. <Bou an% /ings$ey wi$$ ha&e to %ea$ with that. 4 :ust nee% to %ea$ with the entire 3eas$ey c$an.< They both chuc#$e% wry$y an% $et it %ie out as the i"p$ications of that thought sett$e% in. <Tra%e you=< 0e"us as#e% hopefu$$y. <6ot on your $ife'< Ton#s shoo# her hea%. <($though 4 %o thin# we "ight nee% to ha&e a ,ea$er nearby when we te$$ (rthur. 6ot on$y %oes he get ,arry bac#' but his %aughter an% a new gran%baby. (rthur 3eas$ey he$% his g$asses in his han% as he ca"e through the f$oo to @ri""au$% *$ace. The #itchen was war"er than it ha% e&er been before' he notice%. 4t was strange what he %i% notice these %ays. The past four years ha% been &ery har% on the 3eas$ey fa"i$y. The $oss of ,arry an% @inny ha% $eft hi" fee$ing $i#e his heart ha% been rippe% out an% tra"p$e% upon. But there were so "any things to %o %irect$y after' an% ?o$$y was in no shape to %o the". Than#fu$$y' the 1r%er ha% steppe% in to he$p where&er possib$e. 1nce the $arge :oint funera$ was o&er an% the ?inistry ha% been sorte%' $ife sett$e% into so"ething that "ight ha&e rese"b$e% what it shou$% ha&e been. 4t was a ho$$ow sort of eCistence where (rthur %i% what he;% nee%e% to %o si"p$y because there was no one e$se to %o it.

Then the terrib$e %ay in 1ctober when he;% gone to wor# a$rea%y not fee$ing we$$. 4t ha%n;t ta#en "ore than a g$i"pse of the $itt$e re%+hea%e% gir$ in the ha$$way to sen% hi" o&er the e%ge. The pain ha% been b$in%ingDe&en worse than when Eo$%e"ort;s sna#e ha% bitten hi". 4t was *ercy who foun% hi" there on his office f$oor. The stro#e ha% %one "inor %a"age to his brain that the ,ea$ers were ab$e to hea$ a$"ost co"p$ete$y. ,e sti$$ ha% so"e speech issues an% so"e %ays his han%s wou$%n;t %o what he wante% the" to %o. (rthur "use% that it wasn;t such a ba% thing consi%ering what cou$% ha&e happene% to hi". Char$ie an% ?aggie ha% "o&e% into the Burrow an% were sti$$ there to this %ay' he$ping ta#e care of ?o$$y as we$$ as (rthur hi"se$f. This $atest news though' that ,arry "ight actua$$y be a$i&e' "a%e hi" "ore than a $itt$e ner&ous about his hea$th. ,e ha% gran%chi$%ren now to he$p raise' an% ?o$$y to ta#e care of. So' he abso$ute$y refuse% to get his hopes up unti$ there was enough proof to %eci%e. ,a&ing the boy who ha% been $i#e a se&enth son to hi" bac# wou$% beA There were abso$ute$y no wor%s that he cou$% use to %escribe what it wou$% fee$ $i#e. The fact that he "ay or "ay not be "arrie% rea$$y %i%n;t "atter. (rthur #new that no one wou$% ho$% the boy;s "o&ing on against hi". <F&ening' (rthur'< ?iner&a greete% hi" as she entere% the #itchen. <3e;&e set up in the %rawing roo" tonight. 4;&e :ust co"e %own to get so"e "ore tea.< <Than# you' ?iner&a.< <,ow is ?o$$y=< (rthur s"i$e% gent$y an% innocent$y won%ere% when the who$e $ot of the" ha% grown so o$%. ,e notice% that he an% ?o$$y weren;t the on$y ones sporting hea%s of entire$y grey hair. <She;s we$$' than# you. Char$ie;s wife has been in an% out of $abor for the past %ay or so' so ?o$$y is tru$y in her e$e"ent. (nother gran%baby shou$% be :ust what she nee%s to get her through the ho$i%ays. (n% ,er"ione an% 0on;s $itt$e gir$ is %oing we$$. They;&e na"e% her @inny 0ose.< <They are "irac$es' aren;t they=< ?iner&a as#e% as she $e&itate% the tray of tea ser&ings. <They tru$y are.< The others greete% hi" when he ca"e in an% he g$ance% aroun% the roo" to see a $arge "ap of Fng$an% pinne% to one wa$$ an% one entire tab$e fi$$e% with paperwor# an% a few "ore g$ossy papers that he assu"e% were photographs. <4;" assu"ing that the outco"e was satisfactory'< he sai%' sprea%ing his han%s wi%e' <if a$$ this is any e&i%ence.< 6o one answere% hi" eCcept with concerne% s"i$es as he too# a seat.

<(rthur'< 0e"us began. <3e were won%ering if you;% $i#e one of your sons here with us tonight. 4t "ight be he$pfu$ to ha&e another "in% in on this.< (rthur frowne% inte$$igent$y' #nowing there was "ore that they weren;t te$$ing hi". ,e sighe% an% no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <4 be$ie&e Bi$$ is at ho"e tonight. 4 can step through the f$oo for hi" if you wish.< <4;$$ get hi" for you'< /ings$ey sai% as he >uic#$y eCite% the roo". ( few "inutes of eCcruciating si$ence ensue%. Bi$$ 3eas$ey g$are% at the stran% of grey hair "iCe% in with the bright re%' an% ga&e a "ighty tug on the en% of it. ,e wasn;t that o$%H Certain$y not o$% enough to be batt$ing grey hair. ($though his %aughter' Eictoire' "ight be to b$a"e for it. ,e an% !$eur %efinite$y ha% their han%s fu$$ with that one. She was e&ery bit her "other' Bi$$ &owe%' with her batting eye$ashes an% cunning wi$es that ha% hi" wrappe% aroun% her $itt$e finger. !$eur was fee%ing -o"ini>ue whi$e Bi$$ rea% a thir% be%ti"e story to Eictoire. The $itt$e i"p ha% fina$$y no%%e% off' her strawberry b$on%e hair sprea% aroun% the pi$$ow $i#e a ha$o. Bi$$ was hoping that the baby wou$% fa$$ as$eep >uic#$y an% "aybe he cou$% gain a few "inutes of his wife;s attention. ,er frantic ca$$ fro" the $i&ing roo"' howe&er' set hi" running' his wan% he$% a$oft. <Bee$$H< she ca$$e% again' :ust as he entere% the roo". /ings$ey Shac#e$bo$t;s hea% was f$oating in the fire an% Bi$$ re$aCe% his wan%' shooting a %ar# $oo# at his wife' who ha% scare% at $east three "ore grey hairs into his hea%. <Fet i5 your fa55er'< she g$are% right bac#' her shou$%ers s>uare% as she patte% $itt$e -o"ini>ue on his bac#. Bi$$;s heart p$u""ete% as he #ne$t in front of the fire. </ings$ey=< <Sorry to bother you so $ate' Bi$$'< the "an sai%. <But 4 won%er if you wou$%n;t "in% stepping through. Bour father is here an% as#e% that 4 get you.< Bi$$ opene% his "outh to as# if his father was in:ure%' f$ashes of an ashen face% (rthur $ying in St. ?ungo;s co"ing into his "in%. <,e;s fine'< /ings$ey he$% up a han%' sta$$ing the >uestion. <3e cou$% use your he$p' though.<

Bi$$ narrowe% his eyes. /ings$ey was a$ways rather reser&e%' but his &agueness this ti"e "eant that he wasn;t wi$$ing to say eCact$y what was happening o&er the !$oo 6etwor#. ,e g$ance% o&er his shou$%er to !$eur' who was wai&ing hi" on. <@o. 4 ;a&e so"e rea%ing to %o.< <($right' 4;$$ co"e right through'< he agree%. /ings$ey no%%e%. <3e;re at @ri""au$%.< Bi$$ #isse% his wife goo%bye' presse% a >uic# #iss to his s$eeping son;s forehea% an% f$ooe% into the #itchen at @ri""au$% *$ace. /ings$ey shoo# his han% with a genia$ s"i$e an% in%icate% the stairs $ea%ing upwar%. <3e;re upstairs in the %rawing roo"'< he sai%' his %eep &oice fi$$ing the #itchen' e&en though he spo#e soft$y. 2ong' powerfu$ stri%es carrie% hi" >uic#$y up the stairs an% into the roo". ,e s$owe% as his eyes too# in the state of the roo"' the "ap on the wa$$ an% the photographs e&erywhere. <-a%=< Bi$$ >uestione% as he ca"e fu$$y into the roo" an% saw his father sitting on the sofa. <4s e&erything a$right=< /ings$ey spo#e fro" the %oorway. <4 %i%n;t te$$ hi" anything other than you re>ueste% his presence' (rthur.< (rthur no%%e% his than#s an% "otione% for his son to :oin hi" on the sofa. Bi$$ sat' $oo#ing at the faces in the roo"' trying to %eci%e what on earth was happening. 0e"us stoo%' fi%geting in p$ace before he c$eare% his throat. <Bi$$'< 0e"us sai% soft$y' <,arry;s a$i&e. ,e;s been foun% $i&ing as a ?ugg$e.< The ta$$ re%hea% too# the state"ent we$$' he thought. ,is "in% screa"e% a "i$$ion possibi$ities as he $istene% to 0e"us present his encounter an% Ton#s continue with her narrati&e. ,e #new these peop$e wou$% ne&er $ie to hi"' nor wou$% they "a#e :o#es about a situation $i#e this. But the possibi$ityAit see"e%Aso abso$ute$y outrageous. 1n$y when Ton#s han%e% aroun% a photograph of ,arry s"i$ing an% spea#ing to another "an %i% Bi$$ a$$ow hi"se$f to fu$$y ta#e a breath. Bi$$ stoo%' the photo in one han%' an% ran the other through his $ong hair. <4t;s hi" then' isn;t it=< Ton#s no%%e% so$e"n$y an% Bi$$ $ai% the photo on the stac#. <4f ,arry sur&i&e%' %o you thin# that @inny ha% a chance=< The >uestion escape% his "outh before he ha% the chance to process it hi"se$f. ,e wasn;t e&en sure there cou$% be an answer. The >uestion was "eant to be towar% the group' but Bi$$;s eyes straye% to his father.

<3e can on$y hope' Bi$$'< (rthur no%%e%. <Bou #now 4 want that "ore than anything. 4t;s a "irac$e that ,arry sur&i&e% at a$$.< <There is "ore'< Ton#s sai% soft$y. Bi$$;s hea% :er#e% aroun% an% then whippe% bac# as his father spo#e. <4s this about the other=< (rthur as#e%' turning towar% 0e"us. <1ther=< ?iner&a spo#e up. <3as there so"ething e$se' 0e"us=< 0e"us sighe% an% s"i$e% soft$y at Ton#s. <3hen 4 saw ,arry' 4 notice% that he was wearing a we%%ing ban%.< Bi$$;s heart poun%e% as he trie% to "enta$$y piece this huge pu55$e together. ,e was usua$$y &ery goo% at these sorts of thingsG howe&er it ha% been so"e years since he ha% use% these reason an% $ogic s#i$$s. 0ight now' he was content to $isten to the others' fi$$ing in what he cou$%. <,e;s "arrie%=< /ings$ey as#e%. <4t wou$% appear so'< 0e"us confir"e%' his eyes %arte% towar% Ton#s an% Bi$$ #new there was "ore they weren;t saying. <That "ay co"p$icate bringing hi" bac# to our wor$%'< /ings$ey sai%' s$ipping %eep into thought. <6ot so "uch as you wou$% thin#'< Ton#s sai% with a wry s"i$e. <4 saw his wife to%ay.< ,er ga5e wan%ere% to the two 3eas$eys' an% Bi$$ reache% his han% %own to rest on his father;s shou$%er. The thought of ,arry "arrie% to so"eone that wasn;t @inny hurt %eep$y. But Bi$$ cou$%n;t b$a"e hi"' rea$$y' not if there were other issues going on. <(s $ong as he;s happy' Ton#s'< (rthur ac#now$e%ge%. <4t;s been four years after a$$.< Bi$$ no%%e% his agree"ent. <3e ha&e no right to eCpect hi" to e&en re"e"ber @inny' $et a$oneA 3e$$' it;s goo% that he;s "o&e% on.< Ton#s no%%e%. <,e an% his wife "et $ast year an% after on$y a few "onths they e$ope%. She has no fa"i$y' eCcept there is e&i%ence of her being ta#en care of by a wo"an in /en%a$. ,er na"e is F""a an% it appears that she;s a$so about fi&e or siC "onths pregnant. She reache% o&er to another stac# of photos but he$% the" in her han% before passing the" on. <They $oo# &ery happy together' e&en though they are rather poor. They $i&e in an o$%er neighborhoo% of f$ats' but it see"s c$ean an% we$$ #ept. .ac#' that;s the na"e ,arry is using now'< she eCp$aine% to Bi$$' <.ac# 4nga$$s. .ac# wor#s at a $oca$ boo#store where he "anages the Chi$%ren an% Boung (%u$t;s section. ,e a$so has a night :ob so"ewhere. F""a' his wife' %oesn;t wor#. There was so"ething sai% about her ha&ing to >uit her :ob an% 4 thin# it "ight be %ue to the pregnancy.<

Ton#s s$ow$y han%e% the new photos to Bi$$ who ha% to stee$ hi"se$f to see ,arry with so"eone that wasn;t his sister. ,is breath caught in his throat as he $oo#e% at the first one. .ac# was bea"ing at a wo"an neCt to hi". The &ibrant re% hair an% i"pish s"i$e on her face "a%e Bi$$;s eyes water. <Bou sai% they on$y "et a year ago=< he whispere%. <That;s what 4 gathere% fro" what 4 o&erhear%. 4 thin# it was so"e #in% of chance encounter.< Bi$$ no%%e% an% turne% o&er another one where .ac# an% F""a were #issing soft$y. ,e continue% to $oo# through the"' tears fina$$y escaping an% %ripping %own his face. ,e saw the" wa$#ing %own the street' their ar"s aroun% each other an% then .ac# caressing F""a;s swo$$en be$$y an% grinning in a%oration. <4 %on;t #now how it;s possib$e'< he whispere% before $owering the photos. <1n$y the two of the"A< Ton#s ha% begun si$ent$y crying as we$$ an% no%%e%. The rea$ity of the situation see"e% e&en "ore a"a5ing than the fact that they ha% both sur&i&e%. Bi$$ wipe% his tears an% turne% to (rthur. <4t;s @inny' -a%. So"ehow' they sur&i&e% an% went three years apart before fin%ing each other.< <4t;s not possib$e'< (rthur whispere% before ta#ing the photos that Bi$$ he$% out. ,is eyes race% o&er the"' see"ing$y "e"ori5ing e&ery eCpression an% $ine. !ina$$y' he ca"e to one where both .ac# an% F""a were $aughing' .ac#;s han% casua$$y reste% on F""a;s be$$y. <But' so"ehow' with the two of the" 4 can be$ie&e it.< ,is whispere% wor%s echoe% through the roo". Bi$$ was tornDthere were sti$$ so "any >uestions' but his heart was poun%ing away' "a#ing his hea% spin. ,e fe$t a "i$$ion things at once: re$ief' :oy' anger' so"ewhat %run#en euphoria' an% un%er it a$$ a nagging nee% to #now what ha% happene%. <4t is tru$y a "irac$e'< ?iner&a no%%e%' passing the photographs on to /ings$ey who stare% at the" with rapt attention. <,ow on earth %i% they sur&i&e=< Bi$$ as#e% the >uestion that nee%e% to be as#e%. <?any of us saw the bo%ies.< <3e too# things for grante%'< /ings$ey conce%e% with a sigh. <3e on$y ha&e the wor% of the witness' -raco ?a$foy.< Bi$$ no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <-o you ha&e the paperwor#=< /ings$ey no%%e%. <4 e&en ha&e photographs of the scene' a$though 4;$$ warn you they are pretty graphic.<

Bi$$ no%%e% an% stoo% to fo$$ow the "an. 3hate&er was in the photographs' Bi$$ #new they wou$%n;t be as graphic as the i"age that was engra&e% on his "in% fro" being there that %ay. The s"e$$s an% acri% tastes an% the fee$ing of ha&ing his heart rippe% out of his chest o&er an% o&er againAno photograph cou$% possib$y show that. (rthur :oine% the" a$though he a&erte% his eyes at the "ost graphic of the photographs. <,ere is the c$earing where the %ue$ with Eo$%e"ort too# p$ace.< ,e pointe% to a photograph of a hea&i$y woo%e% area that ha% a rather $arge circu$ar burn in the center of it. <(ccor%ing to ?r. ?a$foy' ,arry an% @inny ca"e into the c$earing here'< /ings$ey in%icate% the start of the forest. <?a$foy c$ai"s that he fo$$owe% at a %iscreet %istance behin% ,arry as to watch his bac#.< ,e gri"ace% when Bi$$ snorte% hu"or$ess$y. <4t was here in this c$earing that the %ue$ happene%. 3e #now a few of the spe$$s that were use% as ?a$foy staye% hi%%en "ost of the ti"e an% watche%. Eo$%e"ort put @inny un%er the Cruciatus se&era$ ti"es. There were cutting curses an% the $i#e.< ,e sighe%. <?a$foy;s c$ai"s that ,arry use% -ar# ?agic are fair$y new. ,e %i%n;t say anything %uring our first inter&iew' but he acte% $i#e he #new "ore. )n%er pressure fro" the ?inistry' we %i%n;t pursue it.< /ings$ey $oo#e% aroun% the roo" before shrugging. <Scri"geour %i%n;t want the pub$icity if it got out that ,arry %i% use -ar# ?agic.< <Bou thin# he %i%=< Bi$$ as#e%' surprise%. ($though' he ha% to a%"it' if it ha% been hi" facing Eo$%e"ort' an% not ,arry' Bi$$ wou$% ha&e use% anything an% e&erything he #new to get ri% of the ?onster. /ings$ey gri"ace%. <There was -ar# ?agic use%'< he a%"itte% s$ow$y. The fact that he %i%n;t eCp$ain who ha% use% it was not $ost on Bi$$. /ings$ey suspecte%' or perhaps ha% so"e proof' that ,arry ha% use% so"e -ar# spe$$. Bi$$ no%%e% at hi" to continue. <The fina$ spe$$' an% we %on;t #now who cast it' was !ien%fyre.< ,e pu$$e% out the $ast photograph showing a &ery charre% region an% three $u"ps near the center which Bi$$ #new to ha&e once been hu"an bo%ies. <@inny fe$$ first an% that;s when ?a$foy sai% Bou+/now+3ho use% the #i$$ing curse on her.< <(n% he sai% ,arry stoo% by an% watche% a$$ of this=< Bi$$ interrupte%. ,e shoo# his hea% &io$ent$y. <That;s a $oa% of rubbish' if you as# "e. ,arry wou$% ne&erD< /ings$ey shoo# his hea%. <6o' ?a$foy sai% that ,arry was trying his best to brea# the connection an% to ta#e the brunt of the spe$$s. ,e e&en sai% that ,arry &o$untari$y steppe% in front of the Cruciatus "ore than once' ta#ing it hi"se$f instea% of it getting @inny.< Bi$$ no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. That soun%e% $i#e the ,arry he ha% #nownDor #newA 4t was a$$ rather confusing in his "in% at the "o"ent.

<3e;re not eCact$y sure what happene% neCt' as no one was awa#e. ?a$foy c$ai"s to ha&e co"e into the fight at this point an% been stunne%. ,e was sporting se&era$ rather %eep cuts a$ong his hea% an% bac# when we got there.< <(nyway'< /ings$ey continue%. <3e;re not sure eCact$y what happene% fro" there' but the theory is that one of the" finishe% off the other' an% then ca$$e% forth !ien%fyre' ob&ious$y $osing contro$ of it an% getting trappe% in the f$a"es the"se$&es. ?a$foy c$ai"s that when he awo#e the entire area was on fire. ,e trie% to pu$$ the bo%ies out' but was unsuccessfu$. ,e %i% ha&e burns on his han%s an% c$othing' if you;$$ re"e"ber.< <So' we %on;t #now for sure what #i$$e% ,arry an% @inny=< <This is :ust what the ?inistry has assu"e%'< /ings$ey agree%. <3e %on;t ha&e wan%s to test. F&en ?r. ?a$foy;s was $ost when he trie% to pu$$ the bo%ies fro" the fire. There are so"e "agica$ resi%ues that were teste%' but it;s a$"ost i"possib$e to retrace a$$ the steps when we %on;t ha&e e&i%ence. The !ien%fyre %estroye% a huge area.< <The ?inistry actua$$y thin#s ,arry ca$$e% !ien%fyre=< Ton#s as#e%' g$aring at the ,ea% (uror. <That %oesn;t soun% $i#e hi" at a$$.< /ings$ey shoo# his hea% an% g$ance% aroun% ner&ous$y. <This infor"ation is top secretA< </ingD< Bi$$ starte%' but stoppe% when /ings$ey he$% up his han%. <4 #now' Bi$$.< ,e stoo% rigi%' han%s c$aspe% behin% his bac#. <The ?inistry be$ie&es that Eo$%e"ort #i$$e% @inny an% ,arry' an% then ca$$e% !ien%fyre hi"se$f. ,e "ust ha&e $ost contro$ of it. Bou a$$ #now what that spe$$ is capab$e of.< Bi$$ groane% an% rubbe% his face. <($$ this ti"e' they;&e been $ying to the pub$ic.< <1f course'< /ings$ey state% bo$%$y. <3ou$% you want to #now that it;s an acci%ent that Eo$%e"ort is %ea%= The ?inistry nee%e% a hero. (n% whether it;s right or wrong' they chose ,arry. So they char"e% the reports. 1fficia$$y' ,arry #i$$e% Eo$%e"ort an% the "agica$ bac#$ash' in turn' #i$$e% both he an% @inny.< Bi$$;s "in% "u$$e% that thought o&er an% o&er. ,e was outrage% that the ?inistry cou$% use ,arry;s na"e that way. ,owe&erAthe $ogica$ si%e of hi" un%erstoo% what /ings$ey was saying. The pub$ic outcry wou$% ha&e been huge if the truth was a%"itte%. ,e $oo#e% %own at the fina$ photograph once "ore' swa$$owing the bi$e that rose in his throat. <3hat "a#es the ?inistry so sure that these are ,arry an% @inny=< Bi$$ as#e%' pointing to the two charre% re"ains $ying c$ose together. /ings$ey set the photograph %own an% pic#e% up another report. <The "ang$e% fra"es to ,arry;s g$asses were foun% on this bo%y right here. 4t is a$so of si"i$ar height an% bui$% to

,arry. There was ash foun% nearby fro" what we assu"e was a wan% "a%e fro" ,o$$y. The core' a phoeniC feather' actua$$y sur&i&e% the burning. 1$i&an%er has i%entifie% it as be$onging to ,arry;s wan%.< ,e pointe% towar% the secon% figure. <This bo%y is %efinite$y fe"a$e' see the %ar# area aroun% the hea%' that;s what the $ab eCperts say is the hair' a$though they can;t te$$ for sure what co$or. (sh fro" her oa# wan% was foun% near the bo%y. The core was %estroye%' but se&era$ peop$e ha&e confir"e% that @inny ha% an oa# wan% of eight inches.< ( $ong forgotten "e"ory f$oate% to the surface of his "in% an% Bi$$ grabbe% ho$% of it. <3hat about the ring=< Bi$$ b$urte%. ,e $ifte% his hea% an% note% the confusion in the roo". <,arry ha% gi&en @inny an engage"ent ring' on$y wee#s before. -i% they e&er fin% it=< Se&era$ hea%s ca"e aroun% at this infor"ation. <-i% you say that ,arry ha% gi&en @inny a ring=< 0e"us as#e%. Bi$$ no%%e%. <4 thin# on$y a few of us #new about it. 4 foun% out by acci%ent. She wore it on a go$% chain aroun% her nec# an% tuc#e% into her shirt. There wou$% be no "ista#ing it if they foun% it. 4t ha% a s>uare cut %ia"on% on it.< 0e"us sat %own hea&i$y in his seat an% p$ace% his hea% in his han%s. <0e"us=< <The ring was 2i$y;s'< he eCp$aine%. <,arry foun% it in the *otter &au$t that su""er. 4 ne&er thought to as# where it wasAafter. .a"es ga&e that to 2i$y the %ay they gra%uate% ,ogwarts. 4t was her engage"ent ring.< F&en though he ha%n;t hear% the wor%s fro" either ,arry or @inny;s "outh' Bi$$ #new it was true. <They were engage%=< ?iner&a gaspe%. F&eryone #new she was ta$#ing about ,arry an% @inny' not .a"es an% 2i$y. Bi$$ shrugge%. <4;" not sure of the %etai$s because' as 4 sai%' 4 on$y saw it by acci%ent. ?aybe 0on or ,er"ione wou$% #now "ore. But 4 #now @inny wou$% ha&e been wearing it that %ay. She wou$% not ha&e ta#en it off' thin#ing it a sort of ta$is"an' 4 be$ie&e.< /ings$ey no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <4t;s not here in the recor%s.< Bi$$ turne% bac# to the photographs. <The way 4 see it' you ha&e &ery $itt$e e&i%ence that this is ,arry an% @inny. Bou ha&e on$y things that can be re"o&e% fro" a bo%y an% stage% on another one' an% the wor% of so"eone who is high$y >uestionab$e in the who$e thing' an% a #nown $iar.<

<(re you saying that thoseAcorpsesA< ?iner&a scrunche% her face in %istaste' <(re so"eone e$se co"p$ete$y=< Bi$$ no%%e%. <4t wou$%n;t be too har%. Transport two in%i&i%ua$s who are si"i$ar in bui$% an% height to ,arry an% @inny into the c$earing whi$e ,arry an% @inny are unconscious' transfer the ite"s use% to i%entify the" to the bo%ies an% then set the fire. 4;&e seen !ien%fyre use%' an% it rare$y $ea&es traces of anything' but it %oes so"eti"es "iss "eta$.< ,e $oo#e% up at /ings$ey who ha% his brow furrowe% in thought. <There are ?ugg$e proce%ures for i%entifying bo%ies with &ery $itt$e to go on. Sure$y they cou$% test the" now.< The thought of %esecrating the gra&es %i%n;t sit we$$ with Bi$$' but he #new it wou$% nee% to be %one. <-i% the ?inistry test the "agica$ signatures of the area=< /ings$ey no%%e% an% pointe% to a section of the report. <0ight here it shows three high $e&e$s of concentration beginning' another :oining in with strong spe$$s $ater an% then fina$$y a huge power output at the en%.< ,e shifte% gui$ti$y an% pointe% at so"ething e$se. <There are se&era$ spi#es in power throughout the batt$e' genera$$y "eaning -ar# ?agic.< <Those are the on$y signatures they foun%=< <There were a few &ery faint traces aroun% the periphery' but the ?inistry thin#s that they are resi%ua$ "agic' fro" "onths' if not years' before.< <!aint traces'< Bi$$ "use%' %eep in thought. <-i% they trac# (pparition an% *ort#eys= 3ou$%n;t a *ort#ey' "a%e so"ewhere e$se' $ea&e faint resi%ue=< ,e turne% to ?iner&a who no%%e% her hea%. <That is >uite right'< she sai%. <The power behin% a *ort#ey co"es in the "a#ing of the"' not in the acti&ating. So' yes' resi%ua$ "agic "ay eCist fro" triggering the ite".< Bi$$ spun on his hee$ an% s$a""e% his fist into the photograph' not caring if he ruine% it. <4;% say you nee% to ta$# to your witness again' /ings$ey. See if his story has change% at a$$ in four years' beyon% the rubbish he;s spouting to the press. (n% we nee% to $oo# into the recor%s an% see who went "issing aroun% that ti"e. That;s where you;$$ fin% out who these bo%ies are.< <4 agree'< both 0e"us an% Ton#s sai% together. <4f ,arry an% @inny sur&i&e% the Batt$e' an% we now #now they %i%' then we nee% to #now who those others are an% why they were p$ace% there. 4f it isn;t ?a$foy to b$a"e' then so"eone e$se was in the sha%ows that %ay. So"eone stage% it to $oo# as if ,arry an% @inny %ie%. They wante% the wor$% to be$ie&e that. Then they "o&e% ,arry an% @inny so"ewhere e$se' an% %efinite$y "o%ifie% their "e"ories.<

<3hy go to a$$ the troub$e though=< /ings$ey interrupte%. <4f it was "a$icious' why not :ust #i$$ ,arry an% @inny outright= 3hy hi%e the" at a$$=< Bi$$ shrugge%. <?oti&e isn;t what 4;" goo% at'< he a%"itte%. <But 4 #now that ?a$foy $ie% about one thing for sure. @inny was not #i$$e% with (&a%a /e%a&ra. ,arry wou$% ha&e thrown hi"se$f in front of that in an instant' the sa"e as he %i% the Cruciatus. ($so' as we now #nowAshe;s a$i&e.< <4;$$ set up a "eeting with ?a$foy this wee#'< /ings$ey pro"ise%. <4 can te$$ hi" that the paperwor# was %a"age% an% we nee% to go o&er his state"ent again.< <That wi$$ "a#e hi" happy'< 0e"us grow$e%. <(ctua$$y' he;$$ be rather p$ease% with it' 4;% say'< (rthur spo#e up fina$$y. <,e;s a$ways strutting aroun% the ?inistry these %ays' trying to $oo# "ore i"portant than he is. This wi$$ gi&e hi" an eCcuse to wear his father;s o$% c$oa#s an% use 2ucius; o$% cane again. ?aybe *ercy can he$p with that' /ings$ey.< The (uror no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <3hat are we going to %o about ,arry an% @inny=< Bi$$ as#e%' $oo#ing between 0e"us an% his father. The %esire to trac# the" %own tonight an% whis# the" away to the Burrow where they wou$% be safe an% with fa"i$y was o&erwhe$"ing. But Bi$$ #new better than to suggest such a thing. <?y best suggestion is for one of us to "a#e contact. 4 thin# we nee% to #now what we;re %ea$ing with. -o they re"e"ber an% are si"p$y staying out of the 3i5ar%ing wor$% by choice= ,a&e they $ost a$$ "e"ories co"p$ete$y= Can they e&en sti$$ %o "agic= -espite the gaping ho$es in that report'< 0e"us pointe% to the paperwor# /ings$ey he$%' <the ?inistry was right about a few things. 4 was there in the c$earing that %ay. The %e&astationA it was co"p$ete$y in%escribab$e. Bou cou$% fee$ the "agic in the air an% it >uite $itera$$y hurt to breathe in. 4;&e been bac# there since an% nothing grows on that spot' the ani"a$s of the forest a&oi% it $i#e the p$ague. So"ething horrific happene% in that c$earing an% we %on;t #now how it affecte% the".< <4t won;t "atter to us'< Bi$$ state%' p$ain$y' be$ie&ing e&ery wor% he was saying. <4t %oesn;t "atter if they are S>uibs or ?ugg$es' or whate&er you want to ca$$ the".< <4 #now' Bi$$'< 0e"us no%%e%. <To "e either' but it "ay "atter to the". 3e ha&e to be aware of that when we approach the".< 0on g$are% at the wa$$ in his office' %ar#$y thin#ing of the scene he ha% :ust witnesse%. <F&eryone aroun% here is bar"y'< he "u"b$e% to the air. Twice in the past three %ays he;% interrupte% a con&ersation between Bi$$ an% his father' hushe%' hurrie% wor%s f$ying between the". 0e"us ha% co"e to the Burrow once an%

ta#en (rthur out into the she% to ta$# to hi". 0on;s "other ha%n;t been happy about that an% he;% :oine% her' scow$ing out the win%ow. 3hen she;% $eane% towar% hi" an% as#e% if he ha% any FCten%ab$e Fars' 0on ha% snorte% out a $augh. Char$ie' upon seeing the two of the" in such "oo%s' ha% wise$y re"in%e% the" of the %ate. (rthur an% ?o$$y;s (nni&ersary was on$y a few %ays away. But 0on %i%n;t thin# it was an (nni&ersary surprise that his father was p$anning. There was too "uch other suspicious acti&ity going on to be$ie&e that eCcuse. /ings$ey;s office' :ust %own the ha$$ fro" 0on;s new one' now that he was a fu$$ (uror' ha% been a hotbe% of acti&ity' a$though he was trying to #eep it >uiet. F&en *ercy see"e% to be in&o$&e%' which shoc#e% 0on co"p$ete$yG %uc#ing in an% out of /ings$ey;s office se&era$ ti"es. There was a stea%y strea" of parch"ent airp$anes f$ying in an% out of the ,ea% (uror;s %oorDa$$ the bright b$ue co$or signa$ing c$assifie% infor"ation. Ton#s was in an% out of the ?inistry a$$ %ay now. (n% 1rion spent "uch of her ti"e shuff$e% between the Burrow an% Ton#s; parent;s ho"e. So"ething was brewingDan% 0on was %eter"ine% to figure it out. So' he;% waite% unti$ Ton#s hurrie% by a stac# of fi$es in her ar"s' an% ha% fo$$owe% her. That;s when he;% co"e upon her an% his own father' %iscussing so"ething in the ha$$way outsi%e (rthur;s office. 0on;s ears bu55e% an% he ro$$e% his eyes' recogni5ing the ?uff$iato curse. ,e shou$% rea$$y be wor#ing on his own cases' he #new. The s"a$$ stac# of fi$es on his own "essy %es# :ust cou$%n;t ho$% his attention' howe&er. The "ystery of what was going on with the 1r%er "e"bers crow%e% e&erything e$se out of his "in%. !rustrate%' 0on stoo% an% %eci%e% to get hi"se$f another cup of coffee. ?aybe he cou$% stu"b$e upon another con&ersation that wou$% "a#e no sense' or that he;% be b$oc#e% fro" hearing' he thought wry$y. The outsi%e office was rather >uiet an% 0on rea$i5e% that his broo%ing ha% occupie% hi" $ong enough that he ha% now "isse% a goo% portion of his $unch. <@reat'< he gru"b$e%' rubbing his sto"ach as it grow$e%. There were a few sta$e' $eft+o&er pasties fro" the "orning on the tab$e with the o&erheate% coffee' so 0on snatche% the" up an% began to eat as he wa$#e% bac# to his office. .ust as he was about to go bac# insi%e' resigne% to opening his own fi$es' Ton#s hurrie% by' a huge parch"ent ro$$e% $i#e a "ap un%er her ar".

0on g$are% at her' "a#ing an instant %ecision. 0is#ing $ife an% $i"b' he reache% out an% grabbe% her ar"' tugging her into his office an% shutting the %oor before he s$u"pe% to the groun%. 3hen he ca"e to' his &ision spun. Ton#s' or se&era$ of her' was stan%ing abo&e hi"' her ar"s crosse% an% her wan% tapping on her shou$%er. <Bugger an% b$astH 0on' that was a stupi% thing to %o.< 0on groane%' ho$%ing his hea% as he sat up. <4 wou$%n;t ha&e to %o things $i#e that if you;% #eep your pro"ise.< ,e g$are% at her' catching the surprise an% gui$t on her face before it %isappeare% behin% her "as# of efficiency. <0onD< <Ton#s' %on;t patroni5e "e'< he snappe%. ,e ro$$e% his eyes when she s"ir#e% at hi". <Bes' 4 #now what it "eans'< he ro$$e% his eyes. <2isten' 4 #now so"ething;s going on. /ings$ey;s office "ay as we$$ not ha&e a %oorG it;s been opene% so "any ti"es. (n% you;re bac# at the ?inistry fu$$+ti"e' "y -a% is here a$$ the ti"eAe&en *ercy #nows what;s going on.< Ton#s sighe% an% hoppe% up onto the e%ge of 0on;s %es#. <0onAyou nee% to go an% ta$# to /ings$ey.< <4 %on;t want to ta$# to /ings$ey'< he poute%' fee$ing incre%ib$y i""ature' but not rea$$y caring. <Bou pro"ise% to #eep "e in the $oop. 4f it;s so"ething with ?a$foyD< <0on'< she snappe%. ,e stoppe% his rant' start$e% by the unusua$$y harsh tone of her &oice. <Bou nee% to ta$# to /ings$ey'< she repeate% as she s$i% off of the %es#' gathere% up her parch"ents an% "a%e her way to the %oor. <(n% if you e&er attac# "e $i#e that again' you;$$ get a $ot worse than a stunner.< 0on stare% after her' his "in% trying to a%% one "ore piece to the pu55$e. Ton#s ha%n;t %enie% that there was so"ething going on. 4n fact' her refusa$ to say anything was perhaps as "uch confir"ation as he cou$% get out of her. -eter"ination f$oo%e% hi" as he $eft his office an% sta$#e% the short %istance to /ings$ey;s. ,e hesitate% :ust a "o"ent before rapping his #nuc#$es on the woo%. <Co"e'< /ings$ey ca$$e% out' "uff$e% through the %oor. 0on too# a %eep breath an% opene% it' stic#ing his hea% insi%e. <-o you ha&e a "inute=< he as#e%' fee$ing a bit sheepish now that he saw the "ass of wor# that /ings$ey see"e% to be in the "i%%$e of. ,is %es# was stac#e% with pi$es of

fi$es' parch"ent stic#ing out of the" hapha5ar%$y' an% at $east three b$ue paper airp$anes ho&ere% near the cei$ing. /ings$ey sighe% an% in%icate% a chair in front of his %es#. <Sit %own' 0on. 4;&e been "eaning to ta$# to you.< 4rritation fi$$e% 0on as he san# into the chair. 4t was an easy thing to say that /ings$ey ha% been meaning to ta$# to hi". But whether it was true or notA <So"ething;s going on'< 0on b$urte%. /ings$ey no%%e% after a thoughtfu$ $oo#. <(t first 4 wasn;t sure we were going to inc$u%e you'< he a%"itte% an% then he$% up his han% as 0on starte% to protest. <(n% 4;" not going to assign you to the caseAbut' 4 %o be$ie&e you ha&e a right to #now what;s happening.< 0on gru"b$e% to hi"se$f. ,e #new it was a bit unreasonab$e to eCpect that he;% be assigne% to whate&er the case was' since he was a :unior (uror. (n% that wasn;t what was bothering hi". 4t was the fact that he was a "e"ber of the 1r%er of the *hoeniC' an% the stir see"e% to be a"ong the 1r%er "e"bers' yet he ha%n;t been to$% anything. <0on'< /ings$ey sai%' stan%ing fro" his chair an% $eaning onto the %es#. 0on gu$pe% at the i"pressi&e figure that the "an cut. <,arry an% @inny are a$i&e.< A/N: I !now" another cliffhanger. I found that" although I hate reading them" I do en(oy writing them. *o figure.

*Chapter 1 *: Chapter 1
-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%.

A/N: I'%e been told that one scene in this chapter needs an e2tra tissue warning" abo%e and beyond the fact that when you see my name on something it's best to ha%e a bo2 around. (4es- /y stoc! in ;leene2 (ust went up a point.) &ome answers in this chapter" as well as some notBsoBanswers. +) Than!s to $eb and #lla. Chapter 1 October 2 <0on.< <0on.< ,e starte%' :er#ing his hea% up to b$in# at the "an with his $arge han% on 0on;s shou$%er. <(re you a$right=< Confusion fi$$e% hi" as he scow$e%' trying to re"e"ber what he was %oing. ,e re&iewe% the $ast few "inutes in his "in% an% a$"ost fe$$ out of his chair. /ings$ey;s wor%s echoe% in his hea%. 'arry's ali%e. *inny's ali%e. <1h'< he sai% $a"e$y' his "in% sti$$ strugg$ing to connect the wor%s the right way in his "in%. <4 "eanA< <4t;s a$right'< /ings$ey s"i$e% sa%$y at hi". <4 #now it;s a shoc#. 4 shou$% ha&e been "ore tactfu$ about it than that.< <6o'< 0on shoo# his hea% s$ow$y an% then reache% up to press his fingers into his eyes' wincing as white %ots swa" in his &ision. <(re youA4 "eanA< ,e huffe% "ighti$y. <4 %on;t e&en #now what to as#.< /ings$ey no%%e% an% nu%ge% asi%e a stac# of fi$es on his %es#' $eaning his $arge fra"e up against the woo%. <3hy %on;t you $et "e ta$# for a "inute whi$e you ta#e it a$$ in.< ,e waite% an% 0on' rea$i5ing he was waiting for an answer' no%%e%. 4t cou$%n;t be' his "in% race%. They cou$%n;t be a$i&e. -iscreet$y' he s$i% his han% to the soft f$esh of his un%erar" an% pinche% the s#in there' wincing when it hurt. 6ope' not %rea"ing. <Se&era$ %ays ago' 0e"us encountere% a "an who he thought "ight be ,arry.< 0on fe$t a bit %i55yG his "in% screa"ing at hi" that it was not possib$e. /ings$ey continue%. <,e origina$$y to$% se&era$ of us in the 1r%er. Ton#s went bac# in %isguise an% confir"e% that we be$ie&e it is ,arry. (n% not on$y that' @inny is a$i&e as we$$.< ,e too# a %eep breath' 2 through %o&ember 2 2

an% 0on $oo#e% up' his eyes p$ea%ing for "ore. <They;re "arrie% an% eCpecting a baby soon.< 4t was a$$ too "uch' 0on;s brain poun%e% as he strugg$e%. Stan%ing' he reache% up an% grippe% his hair painfu$$y in both han%s. <6o' 6oA4 wou$% ha&e #nown. They can;t beA< <3e;re "a#ing p$ans to contact the" within the wee#'< /ings$ey sai% soft$y. The thought ricochete% aroun% his hea% for a "inute before fierce %eter"ination too# o&er. 'arry's ali%e. *inny's ali%e. <4 want to be there.< 0on watche% as /ings$ey;s face tightene% an% his eyes narrowe%. <0on' 4 #now you wantD< <6oH 4 want to be there. 4 %eser&e to be there. ,e;sAhe;s "y best "ate'< his &oice bro#e an% he swa$$owe% thic#$y. <?y sister. Bou %on;t un%erstan%.< ,e san# into the chair again' his chest tightening unti$ he thought he wou$%n;t be ab$e to breathe. <4 shou$% ha&e been there. 4t shou$% ha&e been "e. 4 pro"ise% hi"A4 wou$% be there to watch his bac#.< /ings$ey;s big han% ca"e %own on his shou$%er' s>uee5ing tight$y an% causing a few tears to %rip out an% %isappear into the roya$ b$ue carpeting. <0on' you can;t b$a"e yourse$f'< the rich bass &oice sai% soft$y. <,arry an% @inny both "a%e their choices. But we;re being gi&en a secon% chance here.< 0on sniff$e%' wiping his eyes an% nose >uic#$y with the bac# of his han%. <4 need to be there' you ha&e to un%erstan% that.< /ings$ey too# a %eep breath. <4 %o'< he no%%e%. <But you nee% to un%erstan% that 4 can;t a$$ow that to happen' 0on.< 0e% f$ashe% in his eyes an% he trie% to stan%' but /ings$ey;s han% on his shou$%er he$% hi" fir"$y in p$ace. <Bou #ept this fro" "eA"y own fa"i$y #nows' an%D< <0onH< Sha#en by the snapping co""an% of the ,ea% (uror' 0on shut his "outh. <0ight now' we;&e been ab$e to #eep this infor"ation fro" the ?inistry.< ,e raise% his eyebrows an% 0on furrowe% his eyebrows. <Ton#s is wor#ing on recruiting new (urors for the (ca%e"y. *ercy is coor%inating a recor%s (u%it for the ?inister;s office. F&en your father is consu$ting on a rash of ?ugg$e baiting that has croppe% up recent$y.<

<3hat %oes that ha&e to %o withD1h.< 0on;s eyebrows rose as he fina$$y un%erstoo% what /ings$ey was con&eying. <4f 4 were to pu$$ youD,arry;s best "ateDfro" your cases' an% assign you to sur&ei$$ance' or e&i%ence' or any other thing that has the na"e ;*otter; or ;3eas$ey; sta"pe% a$$ o&er it' the ?inister wou$% #now about it in a heartbeat. (n% once he %i%' we wou$% $ose the abi$ity to han%$e the situation. 4t;s a$rea%y going to be a night"are' without a%%ing the press co&erage an% the ?inister;s own agen%a.< 0on scow$e%' hating that /ings$ey was right. ,e sti$$ fe$t as if he ha% e&ery right to be the first to ta$# to ,arry. <Can 4 ta#e a $ea&e of absence=< he as#e% as the i%ea poppe% into his "in%. <That wou$%n;t be wise'< /ings$ey shoo# his hea%. <4t wou$% %raw the wrong #in% of attention.< 0on grow$e% in frustration an% stoo%' pacing the f$oor. <3hat;s the first thing you wou$% %o' 0on' if 4 to$% you where ,arry is=< 'arry's ali%e. *inny's ali%e. The answer was out of his "outh before he e&en co"p$ete% the thought. <4;% go get hi".< /ings$ey sighe% an% no%%e%. <4 #now. (n% 4 un%erstan%' be$ie&e "e' 4 %o. But we can;t %o that unti$ we #now what we;re %ea$ing with.< <3hat %o you "ean=< 0on g$are%. <(re you sayingAwhat are you saying=< <3e thin# we;re %ea$ing with co"p$ete "e"ory $oss'< /ings$ey eCp$aine%. <But unti$ we are ab$e to ta$# to the" both' perhaps e&en ha&e a ,ea$er eCa"ine the"A< F"otiona$ eChaustion sett$e% on 0on as he stoo% in the "i%%$e of the office' his han%s hanging $i"p$y at his si%e. <0on'< /ings$ey stoo% an% approache%' <4 pro"ise you that 4 wi$$ %o "y best to #eep you infor"e%. Bou %o ha&e e&ery right to #now what;s going on. (n% it was wrong not to co"e to you first' but we wante% to "a#e sure. 3e ha% to #now.< 0on $et the wor%s wash o&er hi"' no%%ing' but not fu$$y $istening any"ore. The rea$i5ation was too "uch to %ea$ with. !or four years' when he opene% his eyes in the "orning' before he %i% anything e$se' 0on repeate% the truth o&er an% o&er in his "in%. i'arry's gone. *inny's gone./i 4t was a harsh way to wa#e up' but with it %one' he cou$% get out of be% an% "o&e on with %eter"ination.

(n% now his rea$ity' the one he;% force% hi"se$f to accept an% "o&e on fro"' was being sha#en. ,e was afrai% to step outsi%e /ings$ey;s office. 3hat if he %i% an% foun% that he wasn;t an (uror' but wasAso"ething e$se. 3hat if he went ho"e to fin% that he wasn;t "arrie% to ,er"ione' an% that they %i%n;t ha&e @inny 0ose in their $i&es= 4t was too "uch to han%$e an% 0on began to sha#e. <0on' you nee% to go ho"e.< ,is hea% snappe% up at /ings$ey;s soft' but co""an%ing' tone. <-o you want "e to sen% a ,ea$er o&er=< ,e shoo# his hea%. <4t wou$% upset ,er"ione.< ,er"ioneH ,is eyes grew wi%e as he re"e"bere% his wife. <4 ha&e to te$$ herH< /ings$ey sighe%. <0onD< <She has :ust as "uch right as 4 %oH< 0on %efen%e%' %rawing energy fro" the anger bubb$ing $ow in his sto"ach. <4 can;t $ie to herA< <4 un%erstan%'< /ings$ey sai% with a sigh. <4t wou$% be best if you cou$% wait a few %ays. 2et us "a#e contact an% #now what we;re %ea$ing withD< <She;$$ #now so"ething is wrong'< 0on shoo# his hea%. (n% she wou$%. 0on cou$% ne&er $ie to her. /ings$ey no%%e%. <4 sai% it wou$% be best' but 4 un%erstan%' 0on. 3hen you %o te$$ her' p$ease try an% con&ince her that we;re wor#ing on a p$an.< <She;s going to want to he$p'< 0on shoo# his hea%. <4 #now that'< /ings$ey sighe%. <But we nee% to #eep this fro" Scri"geour for as $ong as possib$e.< <She;$$ un%erstan% that'< 0on no%%e%. <(n% 4 %o want her he$p'< /ings$ey sai% fir"$y. <4t;s going to ta#e e&eryone;s he$p to get this "ess a$$ straightene% out. 4;$$ in&o$&e you as "uch as 4 can' 0on' but you ha&e to un%erstan% it "ight be $i"ite%.< 0on $oo#e% at hi" an% notice%' for the first ti"e' the creases an% wrin#$es starting to show in the (uror;s face. <@o ho"e' 0on. Ta$# to your wife. 4;$$ contact you in a few %ays when we ha&e a p$an.< 0on no%%e% woo%en$y' fee$ing his sto"ach bubb$e. ?aybe he wou$% go ho"e an% go straight to be%. ,e ha% a $ot to figure out' not the $east of which was trying to te$$ his wife what he;% $earne% to%ay.

0e"us scow$e% s$ight$y as he pu$$e% his coat tighter to hi" an% shuff$e% his way a$ong the icy si%ewa$#. 4t ha% been siC %ays since the "eeting with the se$ect "e"bers of the 1r%er an% 0e"us was sti$$ unsure why he;% been the one se$ecte% to "a#e contact with ,arry an% @inny. ,e;% trie% to eCp$ain to the" his affecte% beha&ior of their first encounter an% how it "ight hin%er the "eeting. They' in turn' ha% pointe% out that it in fact "ight he$p things a$ong as ,arry ha% see"e% sy"pathetic to 0e"us. So' here he was' stan%ing in front of the boo#store again' won%ering what on earth he was going to say to ,arry to con&ince hi" of who he was. Chances were the young "an wou$% either $augh at hi" or ca$$ the authorities to ha&e 0e"us carte% away. <@oo% (fternoon' sir' we$co"e to ,arper;s -iscount Boo#s.< The wo"an who greete% hi" ha% an o&er$y cheerfu$ face an% 0e"us s"i$e% at her' #nowing that un%er her breath she was probab$y chanting how "uch she was getting pai% for this :ob. ,e;% notice% that "any ?ugg$e stores e"p$oye% %oor greeters %uring the busier ho$i%ay seasons an% thought "aybe it was a goo% i%ea that he;% ha&e to "ention to !re% an% @eorge. <Than# you'< he "u"b$e% as he a$$owe% his eyes to a%:ust to the $ower $ight insi%e the bui$%ing. ,is feet see"e% to #now where they were going' a$though he ha% to a%"it he was incre%ib$y ner&ous. This initia$ contact wou$% set the pace with which they cou$% a$$ be reunite% with fa"i$y an% he was unsure how it wou$% go. ,is fa&orite sa$esperson' 0ain' was i%$ing behin% the counter as 0e"us entere% the Chi$%ren;s section. ,er hair was tippe% a &ibrant co$or of ye$$ow to%ay an% she $oo#e% as if she;% ha% a few "ore piercings since his $ast &isitDor "aybe it was that she;% :ust change% the :ewe$ry in those piercings. 0e"us browse% the f$oor for a$"ost twenty "inutes' ignoring a$$ 0ain;s scow$ing' before catching a g$i"pse of ,arry+er' .ac#. <Bou can ta#e your brea# now' 0ain.< 0e"us $oo#e% up to see .ac# :oin his young e"p$oyee behin% the counter. <4 $i#e the ye$$ow to%ay.< 0e"us ha% to grin at .ac#;s f$at wor%s. <?aybe you cou$% try re% an% green for the ho$i%ays.< 0ain %i%n;t rep$y with "ore than a two finger sa$ute which "a%e .ac# chuc#$e. <*$ay nice' 0ain.< The gir$ $eft an% 0e"us too# a %eep breath' "o&ing to approach the area where .ac# was gathering boo#s that ha% been $eft on the $ow "u$ti+co$ore% tab$es. <FCcuse "e.< <Bes' sir' what can 4 he$p you with to%ay=< .ac# stoppe% short as he recogni5e% the o$%er "an. <(h' 4 see you re"e"ber "e.<

.ac# no%%e% an% $ifte% a s$ight$y concerne% eyebrow at hi". <Bes' sir. 3as there a prob$e" with the boo#s you purchase%' or can 4 he$p you with so"ething e$se=< <6o'< 0e"us shoo# his hea% an% trie% to s"i$e reassuring$y. <The boo#s were perfect. 4;" sure the chi$%ren wi$$ $o&e the". (ctua$$y' 4 wante% to apo$ogi5e for "y beha&ior the other %ay an% as# if you ha% a "o"ent that we cou$% spea# pri&ate$y.< .ac# narrowe% his eyes appraising$y' but no%%e% his un%erstan%ing. <3hat is this about=< <3e$$'< 0e"us began' <4;" sure you notice% howA%istracte% 4 was the other %ay. 4t;s :ust that you $oo# re"ar#ab$y $i#e so"eone 4 thought to be' we$$A%ea%. 4;% $i#e to ta$# to you a bit about thatA< <Bou thin# 4;" this other person=< .ac# as#e% s#eptica$$y. <4t;s possib$e' you $oo# a$"ost i%entica$'< 0e"us no%%e%. .ac# consi%ere% for a "inute before answering. <4 ha&e $unch brea# in an hour. There;s a $itt$e cafK aroun% the corner where 4 so"eti"es eat $unch. 4;$$ gi&e you a few "inutes.< 0e"us s"i$e% gratefu$$y. <4 appreciate it' ?r. 4nga$$s. 4 pro"ise not to ta#e up too "uch of your ti"e. ?y na"e is 0e"us 2upin' by the way.< .ac# no%%e% an% starte% to gather the boo#s again. 0e"us too# that as a %is"issa$ an% s$ow$y $eft the area' watching .ac# c$ose$y. 0e"us ha% :ust sat %own at a s"a$$ roun% tab$e in the o&er$y war" cafK when .ac# wa$#e% in the %oor. ,e no%%e% towar% the o$%er "an an% un+wrappe% the scarf fro" his nec# as he wa$#e% towar% the tab$e. <3hat can 4 get for you=< The waitress appeare% as soon as .ac# was seate%. <( bow$ of the soup an% ha$f a ha" san%wich'< 0e"us sai%' browsing the "enu. <6othing for "e' than#s'< .ac# "u"b$e% an% 0e"us $oo#e% up at hi". The young "an;s face was s$ight$y re% an% he %i%n;t "eet either the waitress;s or 0e"us; eyes. 0e"us ha% thought .ac# $oo#e% a bit on the thin si%e when he;% first seen hi" an% now the co""ent that Ton#s ha% "a%e about hi" wor#ing two :obs an% sti$$ wearing secon% han% c$othing "a%e "ore sense to 0e"us. <,a&e so"ething'< he "otione% to the "enu which sat in front of .ac#. <Co"e on' 4;" buying.< <6o than#s' rea$$yD< .ac# proteste%.

<2oo#' 4;" ta#ing up your $unch hour'< 0e"us sai%. <4;" "ore than happy to buy you $unch.< .ac# $oo#e% about to protest again' but instea% g$ance% at the "enu. <0oast beef on wheat' p$ease.< 0e"us s"i$e% an% no%%e% to the waitress. <?a#e it a fu$$ an% he;$$ ha&e a bow$ of the soup as we$$.< .ac# scow$e% an% 0e"us :ust $aughe%. <So' what "a#es you thin# 4;" the person you;re $oo#ing for' ?r. 2upin=< .ac# as#e%. <Bou sai% he was %ea%' right=< 0e"us no%%e%. <)p unti$ recent$y we ha% thought he ha% %ie%. 6ow e&i%ence has co"e out that "a#es us thin# we were "ista#en.< <3hat %oes this ha&e to %o with "e=< .ac# as#e%. <4 thin# you are hi".< Surprising$y' .ac# $aughe%. <(n% 4 shou$% :ust ta#e your wor% on that=< <6o'< 0e"us s"i$e%. <4 wou$% be %isappointe% if you %i%.< <So' what can you te$$ "e to pro&e it=< .ac# as#e%' absent$y rubbing his right han% where the faint scar+wor%s were etche%. 0e"us s"i$e%. <4 can te$$ you where you got that scar' for one.< .ac# $oo#e% %own at his han% an% scow$e%. 0e"us continue%. <4t was when you were fifteen. Bou ha% a particu$ar$y "a$icious professor at schoo$ an% she thought that was an apt punish"ent for %etention.< <-oesn;t rea$$y "atter'< "u"b$e% .ac# as he pu$$e% his han% off of the tab$e' <4 %on;t re"e"ber "y schoo$ years.< 0e"us no%%e%' #nowing that wou$% probab$y be the answer. <(nother thing is that you $oo# a$"ost eCact$y $i#e ,arry'< 0e"us sai%. .ac# shrugge%. <1ne person can $oo# $i#e another without it "eaning "uch.< <4 agree'< 0e"us sai%' <a$though so"eti"es it "eans e&erything. Bou see' 4 #new your parents' ,arry' an% you $oo# stri#ing$y $i#e your father' a$though you ha&e your "other;s eyes.< .ac#;s scow$ %ar#ene% an% he $oo#e% out the win%ow >uic#$y. <?y na"e is .ac#'< he state% fir"$y. <4s that what this who$e thing is about' "y parents= -i% they owe you

"oney or so"ething=< .ac# #ept on e&en as 0e"us stare% at hi" in confusion. <Because you shou$% #now 4 %on;t e&en #now who they were. So' you can forget trying to get anything fro" "e.< <,ar+.ac#'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <This isn;t about your parents.< ,e stoppe%' consi%ering the right way to say what he nee%e% to. -eci%ing to ta#e the %irect approach' because ,arry usua$$y wante% that' he spo#e. <Bour parents %ie% when you were a year o$%.< .ac# shoo# his hea%. <4 %on;t re"e"ber anything.< ,e "a%e to stan% an% 0e"us he$% out his han%. <*$ease' %on;t go.< Sighing' .ac# san# bac# into the chair an% ruff$e% his hair. <4 :ust %on;t thin# 4;" this person you;re $oo#ing for. 0e"us shoo# his hea%' <3hat e$se %o you re"e"ber=< .ac# scow$e% at hi" again. <4 thin# that;s a rather persona$ >uestion' %on;t you=< <4 %i%n;t "ean to offen%. 2oo#' ,arry+4 "ean .ac#+4;&e #nown you since you were thirteen an% 4 was a *rofessor at your schoo$D< <3hat schoo$=< .ac# as#e%. 0e"us was >uiet for a "o"ent before %eci%ing to go with a partia$ truth. <4t was a pri&ate boar%ing schoo$ in Scot$an%.< <3rong again'< .ac# sai%' sha#ing his hea%. <4 ne&er cou$% ha&e gone to a pri&ate schoo$.< 0e"us shoo# his hea% in confusion. They;% starte% off on the wrong foot' :ust as 0e"us ha% #nown wou$% happen. <2oo#' .ac#' there;s not "uch 4 can te$$ you to con&ince you. 4;" positi&e that you are ,arry.< ,e stoo% an% ru""age% in his poc#et for a "o"ent. <4;% $i#e to ta$# so"e "ore if you change your "in%.< ,e p$ace% a s"a$$ scrap of paper with a phone nu"ber on it. <Ca$$ an% $ea&e a "essage at this nu"ber an% 4;$$ get in touch.< .ac# pushe% the paper away fro" hi" an% shoo# his hea%' but 0e"us pushe% it bac# towar% hi" again. </eep it then' :ust for e"ergencies.< .ac# no%%e% aw#war%$y an% burie% the paper in his poc#et. ( $ast "inute thought entere% 0e"us; "in%' an% he opene% his wa$$et' ta#ing out a worn picture that ha% s$ight$y torn e%ges an% fa%ing co$or. The photo was sti$$' as it ha% been

ta#en with a ?ugg$e ca"era. 0e"us s"i$e% at the faces he;% carrie% with hi" for years an% p$ace% it face %own on the tab$e. <That;s a picture of your parents' ,arry. They were won%erfu$ peop$e. *$ease ca$$ if you change your "in%.< 3ith that' he $eft the tab$e an% han%e% a twenty poun% note to the waitress' "otioning to the tab$e when she raise% an eyebrow. She on$y no%%e% an% procee%e% to %e$i&er both san%wiches an% soups to the tab$e. 1ut on the si%ewa$#' 0e"us chastise% hi"se$f for possib$y ruining their chances with ,arry. ,e ga&e one $ast $oo# in the win%ow an% saw .ac# $ift the s"a$$ photo an% gape at the faces. ,e cou$% on$y hope that .ac# wou$% be curious enough to ca$$. F""a turne% out the $ight in the ha$$way an% entere% the s"a$$ be%roo" in the f$at. .ac# sat with his bac# towar% her' staring off at one wa$$' wearing on$y his boCersG his pa:a"a botto"s in his han%. ,e %i%n;t see" to notice when she entere%. <(re you rea%y for be%=< She fina$$y ca$$e% to hi" after she put her night %ress on. ,e ha%n;t e&en "o&e%. She huffe% at hi" crosse% her ar"s. <.ac#H< ,e fina$$y turne% an% his face f$ushe%. <3hat=< F""a sighe%. <4 as#e% you if you were going to s$eep in those pa:a"as or :ust use the" as han% war"ers.< She $aughe% when he $oo#e% confuse%$y %own to the pants in his han% an% then at hi"se$f %resse% in on$y his boCers. <,onest$y' .ac#' you;&e been so %istracte% tonight. -i% so"ething happen at wor#=< ,e shrugge% an% "o&e% to put on the pants. Then he c$i"be% into be% an% he$% up the co&ers so that F""a cou$% s$i%e in neCt to hi". <4 %on;t thin# 4;&e been %istracte% a$$ night. 4 co"p$i"ente% you on %inner'< he s"i$e% at her as she c$ic#e% off the s"a$$ be%si%e $a"p. <)""h""' an% what %i% we ha&e for %inner=< <4t was the best chic#en 4;&e e&er eaten'< .ac# sai% as F""a $ai% her hea% on his shou$%er an% his ar" wrappe% aroun% her. <3e ha% ha"' you prat'< F""a $aughe%. She po#e% his si%e an% he wigg$e% a bit but then sett$e% %own. <4 ha%e been %istracte%'< he a%"itte%.

<4s so"ething wrong' $o&e=< F""a as#e%. She sp$aye% her han% across his bare chest an% he reache% up an% too# it in his own. <-o you re"e"ber the other night when 4 to$% you about that "an who ca"e into the boo#store' an% how 4 was worrie% he;% ha% a fit or so"ething=< F""a no%%e%. <3e$$' he ca"e bac# to%ay. ,e sai% he #new "e.< The state"ent weighe% hea&y in the air an% F""a fina$$y answere%. <3hat %i% you say=< .ac# shifte% a bit. <,e as#e% "e to ha&e $unch with hi" an% 4 agree%' "ore out of curiosity than anything. ,e to$% "e that he;% #nown "y parents' an% that they;% %ie% when 4 was a year o$%.< F""a too# a %eep breath an% he$% it waiting for hi" to continue. .ac# rare$y spo#e of his past' or the "e"ory $oss' an% F""a #new that it was a &ery painfu$ sub:ect for hi". 4t was for the" both' actua$$y. <4 to$% hi" that he was wrongAabout "e.< <(n% what %i% he say=< <,e sai% that he was sure he was right' that 4 was thisA,arryA< .ac# stoppe% when F""a sat up on her e$bow. So"ething %eep insi%e herAc$ic#e% on hearing that na"e. F""a cou$%n;t say eCact$y why' but it soun%e% soAright. (n% yet' her "in% was so "u%%ie% an% ha5y that it fe$t co"p$ete$y wrong at the sa"e ti"e. She reache% o&er an% switche% the $a"p on. .ac# b$in#e% his eyes to a%:ust the". <3hat %i% he ca$$ you=< .ac# furrowe% his brow. <,arry. ,e sai% "y na"e was ,arry' but 4 ha&e no i%ea if it;s right. -oes the na"e ,arry "ean so"ething to you=< <6oA< F""a shoo# her hea%' trying to sort out her fee$ings about it. <1r "aybe it %oes. There;s so"ething about itA< She shrugge% an% $oo#e% at hi" again. <?aybe it;s a na"e you;&e thought of for the baby=< <,arry 4nga$$s.< F""a shrugge% as she repeate% it. <4 $i#e the other na"es we;&e ta$#e% about better.<

<4 agree'< .ac# sai%. ,e shifte% when F""a $ay bac# %own an% turne% the $a"p off. They $ay in si$ence for a few "inutes. <-o you thin# he;s $ying=< F""a as#e% soft$y. <6o'< .ac# answere% s$ow$y. <4;" not sure what 4 thin#. But 4 #now ihe/i be$ie&es it.< <(n% you %on;t=< .ac# shrugge% an% F""a cou$% te$$ he was ha&ing troub$e with this. She reache% o&er an% tugge% at hi" unti$ he reste% his hea% on her breast an% his ar"s went aroun% her. <4;" not sure what 4 be$ie&e any"ore. 6othing he sai% stirre% anything in "e' yetA< he sighe% an% F""a began to run her fingers through his hair gent$y. <?y "e"oriesA they;re a$$ "esse% up' you #now. 4 trie% to thin# bac# as far as 4 cou$% to%ay an% that :ust "a%e "e e&en "ore confuse%.< <,ow so' $o&e=< F""a whispere%. <The "e"oriesAthey;re %ifferent. 4t;s har% to eCp$ain' but it;s $i#e 4;" watching a show on the te$$y or so"ething. 4t;s %is:ointe% an% they ho$% no e"otion for "e as the"se$&es.< ,e grow$e% an% hugge% her tighter. <This isn;t "a#ing sense. 4 can;t rea$$y eCp$ain it.< <4 thin# 4 un%erstan%'< F""a sai% after thin#ing about it for a "inute. <F&en though 4 %on;t ha&e any rea$ "e"ories past four years ago' 4 can re$ate a bit. 4t;s not the "e"ories that e&o#e the fee$ings' it;s the fact that they should' but they %on;t.< .ac# no%%e% against her an% she thought she fe$t wetness un%er his face on her thin night%ress. <1h' $o&e' 4 #now how ten%er these things "a#e my heart. Bou;re a$ways so strong.< <6o' 4;" not'< .ac# proteste% with a $augh through his tears. <Bou are &ery strong' .ac#' e&en if you %on;t be$ie&e it. ( wea#er "an wou$% ha&e ne&er sur&i&e% the things you;&e gone through.< F""a ga&e his hea% a #iss an% continue% stro#ing his hair. <So' what are you going to %o about this "an=< .ac# sniffe% an% then sighe%. <4 to$% hi" he was "ista#en an% he got up to $ea&e. ,e ga&e "e a phone nu"ber to ca$$ in case 4 change% "y "in%.< F""a waite% for hi" to continue' but presse% on when he %i%n;t say anything "ore. <(re you going to ca$$ hi"=< <3hat wou$% 4 say=< ,is &oice was "uff$e% into her chest an% she $ight$y scratche% his hea%. <4 %on;t #now' .ac#'< F""a sai% soft$y' <but 4 thin# you ha&e so"e ti"e to %eci%e how you fee$. Thin# about it an% then "a#e the best %ecision for yourse$f.<

.ac# snorte% out a $augh. <The on$y goo% %ecision 4;&e "a%e in "y $ife is you.< F""a grinne% into the %ar#. <3e$$ that is trueG an% see how we$$ that turne% out.< .ac# $ifte% his hea% an% grow$e% as he #isse% her. F""a $oo#e% out the win%ow at the new sheet of white snow an% s"i$e%. She wante% nothing "ore than to be out there in the c$ean whiteness' $aughing an% p$aying. <6eCt year'< she "use% as she rubbe% her be$$y. Eisions of ta#ing wa$#s as a fa"i$y with the baby a$$ bun%$e% up against the co$% ca"e to her "in%. She spent the neCt hour sitting on the sofa' fo$%ing $aun%ry an% watching a &ery %ry progra" on the te$$y. 1nce she ha% finishe% fo$%ing an% putting away the c$othing she "o&e% to the win%ow again. The sun ha% co"e out behin% the c$ou%s an% begun to "e$t the "orning snowG the roa%s were b$ac#' the si%ewa$#s c$ear an% the snow %rippe% off of the tree branches. !ee$ing a bit rebe$$ious' F""a gathere% her coat' hat an% "ittens. She s$ippe% on her eCtre"e$y sensib$e boots an% $oc#e% the %oor behin% her. These afternoon wa$#s of hers were suppose%$y off $i"its' but F""a a$ways fe$t a bit better about $ife after a bit of eCercise an% fresh air. This was one of the on$y gui$ty p$easures that she a$$owe% herse$f' an% it was enough to "a#e her happy. The crisp air %i% "uch to wipe away the bit of %epression that ha% set in to%ay an% F""a s"i$e% as she passe% her neighbors at an eCtre"e$y s$ow pace. 1n$y eight "ore wee#s to go' she thought wistfu$$y. She wou$% "iss being pregnant. 4t was nothing short of a "irac$e to her each ti"e that the babyDan% she :ust i!new/i it was a boyDro$$e% o&er or #ic#e%. 6ow that .ac# cou$% fee$ hi" too they spent hours $aying >uiet$y together whi$e their son "a%e her sto"ach :u"p an% &ibrate. .ac# ta$#e% to hi" about the things they wou$% %o together an% a$$ the won%erfu$ things he wou$% see in the wor$%. F""a;s fa&orite %estination on her afternoon wa$#s was the p$ay par# at the en% of the b$oc#. She $o&e% to watch the s"a$$ chi$%ren craw$ a$$ o&er the toys an% the "others chat with each other. This spring she wou$% be ab$e to put the baby in a pra" an% bring hi" for wa$#s there too. ,er fa&orite bench was %rape% in sun$ight to%ay an% F""a a$"ost gigg$e% with eCcite"ent. She suppose% a$$ the ti"e being coope% up was "a#ing her a $itt$e "enta$. (n% .ac#;s "e$ancho$y "oo% $ate$y ha%n;t he$pe%. The iron of the bench was war" as she sat an% turne% to watch a "other of two young boys strugg$e to #eep the" in their "ittens an% hats. <4t turne% out to be a won%erfu$ %ay' %i%n;t it=<

F""a turne% to see an o$%er gent$e"an wrappe% in a thic# woo$ coat an% wearing a hat perch hi"se$f on the other en% of her bench. ,e see"e% fa"i$iar' but she cou$%n;t p$ace hi". *erhaps she;% seen hi" aroun% the neighborhoo% before. <4t %i%'< she agree% with a s"i$e. <4 a$ways thin# that this is "y fa&orite ti"e of year' wa#ing up to a crisp an% perfect white b$an#et co&ering e&erything.< She $aughe% a bit. <(n% then the spring co"es an% 4 get a$$ eCcite% again.< The o$%er "an s"i$e% gent$y an% see"e% to stu%y her behin% his thin g$asses' his #in%$y eyes "a#ing her fee$ war" insi%e. <4 agree' 4 can;t e&er say that 4 ha&e a fa&orite season' because the neCt one co"es an% 4 change "y "in%.< F""a $aughe% an% turne% to fu$$y face hi". There was so"ething eCtre"e$y fa"i$iar an% co"forting about his presence' an% F""a re$aCe% a bit. <Bou;re not fro" aroun% here'< she state%. <4 can te$$ because of the accent.< The "an s"i$e%. <6o' "y wife an% 4 $i&e in -e&on. 4;" :ust here forAer"' business.< ,is state"ent see"e% to be a bit of a >uestion' but F""a ignore% it' choosing instea% to fo$$ow the $aughter fro" across the par#. <Bou ha&e fa"i$y aroun% here=< <6o'< the "an %enie%' so"ewhat sa%$y F""a thought. <?uch of "y fa"i$y is in 2on%on or thereabouts. Two of "y sons ha&e sett$e% in -e&on with their fa"i$ies though.< F""a s"i$e% at hi". <4;$$ bet it;s won%erfu$ to ha&e fa"i$y so c$ose.< The "an no%%e%. <Bou %on;t $i&e c$ose to fa"i$y=< <4t;s on$y "y husban% an% "yse$f' actua$$y'< F""a f$ushe% s$ight$y an% $oo#e% away' fee$ing a wa&e of :ea$ousy sweep through her. ,er han% straye% to her be$$y though' fee$ing the baby stir within her. <4 see'< the "an sai% soft$y. <But it $oo#s $i#e you;$$ soon be three.< ,e gesture% to her swo$$en "i%%$e an% F""a s"i$e%. <Bes' that;s true. (n% e&eryone te$$s "e to en:oy the >uiet now because 4;$$ ne&er ha&e it again'< she chuc#$e%. <Bes' chi$%ren are a han%fu$'< he ac#now$e%ge%. <?y wife an% 4 raise% se&en ourse$&es.< <Se&en=< F""a gaspe%. She cou$%n;t e&en co"prehen% that "any chi$%ren. She i""e%iate$y picture% herse$f surroun%e% by so "any $itt$e ones an% shoo# her hea%' #nowing that she cou$%n;t han%$e that. <B$ess your wife then' sirH<

The "an $aughe%. <Bes' 4;" sure she wou$% be than#fu$ for it. They were won%erfu$ years thoughG $ots of chaos an% noise' but so "uch $o&eA< F""a stu%ie% the "an c$oser an% notice% the hea&iness in his eyes' as we$$ as the wrin#$es in the pa$e s#in. ,is hat hi% what $oo#e% $i#e a few wisps of grey hair. <4 #now 4 can;t han%$e se&en'< F""a sai%' rubbing her sto"ach again. <4;" trying to i"agine how 4;$$ "anage with the one.< <The baby;s hea$thy then=< <1h' yes'< F""a no%%e%. <4t;s been a rough pregnancy though.< She wasn;t >uite sure why she was te$$ing a co"p$ete stranger so "uch about her $ife' but so"ething about the "an brought a father or gran%father figure to her "in%. <3e a$"ost $ost hi" a few ti"es an% 4;" suppose% to be on be% rest' but the wa$$s of a s"a$$ f$at c$ose in on you after awhi$e.< The "an chuc#$e% an% his eyes spar#$e% at her. <4;" sorry to stare'< the "an sai% when she $oo#e% away an% b$ushe%. <4t;s :ust that you re"in% "e so "uch of "y %aughter an% 4 was :ust won%ering what it wou$% ha&e been $i#e to see her eCcite"ent about being a "other.< The "an turne% away. <Bour %aughter' sheD< <She %ie%'< he confir"e%. <She an% her boyfrien% were "ur%ere% se&era$ years ago.< F""a gaspe%. <4;" so sorry.< The "an no%%e%' $oo#ing out into the snow co&ere% par#. <4 $i#e to thin# she;% be :ust $i#e you' eCcite% at the prospect of a new $ife' but frustrate% at being he$% %own.< F""a no%%e% an% wasn;t sure what to say neCt. <4;" sure your fa"i$y wou$% be prou% of you'< he sai% with a s"i$e. F""a shrugge% an% $oo#e% %own at her feet. <Than# you'< she sai% soft$y. <4 wou$% hope so.< They sat in si$ence for a few "inutes before the "an spo#e again. <Bour husban%' what %oes he %o=< F""a s"i$e%. <.ac# wor#s two :obs right now' :ust for a bit. 3e;re sa&ing "oney so that he can finish )ni&ersity.< <,e ta#es goo% care of you=< <3e ta#e goo% care of each other'< F""a sai% with passion.

The "an swa$$owe% har% an% no%%e%. <That;s a$$ anyone can hope for rea$$y.< F""a stoo% an% stretche% her bac# out. <4t was nice to chat with you' but 4;% better get bac#. .ac# wi$$ ha&e "y hea% if he catches "e out again.< The "an stoo% an% he$% out his han% for her to sha#e. <4t was won%erfu$ ta$#ing with you as we$$. Bou ta#e care of yourse$f an% that babyDan% .ac# too'< he a%%e% with a win#. <4 wi$$'< F""a assure% hi" an% turne% to go. She "a%e it on$y a few steps before she hear% his whispere% ;goo%bye' @inny.; 3hen she turne% to as# hi" what he "eant' he was gone. -raco ?a$foy stro%e purposefu$$y through the ha$$ways in the ?inistry of ?agic' his fine$y wo&en cape bi$$owing out behin% hi" an% the sharp c$ic# of the wa$#ing cane he carrie% punctuating each step. ,e ha% worn it to%ay specifica$$y to %raw attention to hi"se$f. 4t rea$$y was a bother co"ing a$$ the way %own here to re&iew such use$ess infor"ation' but' abo&e a$$' appearances ha% to be "aintaine%. ?inister Scri"geour hi"se$f ha% been the one to sen% the su""ons after a$$G we$$ at $east it ca"e fro" his office' fro" that use$ess 3ease$ that fo$$owe% the ?inister aroun% %ay an% night. ,e thought bac# to the officia$ $etterhea% that ha% shown up %e$i&ere% by a rega$ $oo#ing ow$ an% re"e"bere% that it ha% in%icate% the "eeting wou$% ta#e p$ace in a se$%o" use% office on the f$oor be$ow the ?inister;s offices. (s he wa$#e% a$ong the ha$$ways' he thought bac# to his recent wee# in *aris. @ene&ie&e ha% been "ore than a $itt$e annoye% at his appearance unti$ he re"in%e% her that he pai% the rent on her f$at. Then she ha% we$co"e% hi" insi%e war"$y. But se&en %ays was a$$ he cou$% be with her before she got tire% of hi" an% starte% hinting that she ha% other things to %o. Since returning to Fng$an%' he ha%n;t seen anyone fro" the ?inistry %uc#ing behin% bushes or sha%ows aroun% the ?anor. ,e suspecte% that the (urors use% hi" for training their newest "e"bers' as the faces he was starting to be ab$e to pic# out of a crow% see"e% to be getting younger an% younger. (s annoying as the thought was' it rea$$y %i%n;t anger hi" as he #new it probab$y shou$%. ( >uic# note to B$aise ha% confir"e% that it was rather a :o#e aroun% the (ca%e"y that the recruits be put on ;?a$foy -uty;. -isguste% with the i%ea' -raco ha% "a%e it his "ission to put the (urors through their paces' erratica$$y popping in an% out of p$aces' using the 4n&isibi$ity C$oa# when he cou$%' an% genera$$y "a#ing a nuisance of hi"se$f. (t $east it a"use% hi".

The 3ease$ was waiting in the %rab office' a$ong with another swotty $oo#ing wo"an when -raco entere%. <Than# you so "uch for co"ing' ?r. ?a$foy'< *ercy;s c$ippe% tones focuse% -raco;s attention. <The ?inistry appreciates your efforts in he$ping us to reconstruct these fi$es.< <4 a" a hu"b$e ser&ant for the ?inistry'< -raco bowe% for"a$$y to the re%hea% who straightene% his g$asses an% then set about to shuff$e paperwor# fro" the $ong tab$e at which the wo"an was seate%. -raco bit bac# a sneer an% chose a seat as far fro" 3eas$ey as he cou$%. <This is ?s. .acobs fro" the recor%s %epart"ent'< *ercy intro%uce% the wo"an an% -raco too# a "o"ent to stu%y her. ,e;% ne&er seen her before' but then again' she wasn;t the type that he;% notice. 0a&enc$aw %efinite$y' -raco thought with a raise% eyebrow. ,er face was who$$y unre"ar#ab$e sa&e for the s>uare g$asses perche% on her pri" nose. ,er robes $oo#e% to be of stur%y "ateria$ that ha% certain$y seen better %ays' but was at $east c$ean. <Sha$$ we get on with it then=< -raco as#e%. *ercy c$eare% his throat an% $ifte% his hea% fro" the parch"ents he was perusing. <3e;re :ust waiting for one other person' ?r. ?a$foy. (uror Shac#$ebo$t;s infor"ation nee%s to be gathere% again as we$$' an% we fee$ that' as he was the origina$ (uror inter&iewing you' the two of you co"bine% wi$$ perhaps reca$$ "ore infor"ation.< -raco narrowe% his eyes in annoyance. ,e hate% (urorsG a$ways po#ing their noses where they shou$%n;t go' a$ways searching for things that weren;t there. 6ot that -raco ha% anything to hi%e these %aysDat $east not that anyone cou$% pro&e. ,e was "uch s"arter than his parents ha% beenG #eeping his business %ea$ings :ust insi%e the $aw. 6o one #new' for eCa"p$e' about the crate of >uestionab$e ob:ects sitting in the base"ent of ?a$foy ?anor. ,e s"i$e% s"ug$y' thin#ing that no one wou$% e&er connect any of it to hi". <3hat happene% to the origina$ fi$e' if you %on;t "in% "e as#ing=< 4t was the wo"an who answere%D?s. .en#insAor so"ething. <1ur offices are $ocate% %irect$y be$ow the offices of the FCperi"enta$ Char"s %i&ision'< she eCp$aine% in a &ery %u$$ &oice. <There was a horrib$e acci%ent an% one who$e section of fi$ing was ruine%. 3e;&e ha% to reconstruct years of wor# so far.< -raco ro$$e% his eyes at the incon&enience' but sai% nothing. <Sorry 4;" $ate.< The ta$$ b$ac# "an who" -raco ha% spent se&era$ hours with years ago entere% the roo". <0ight pain in the arse this is' 3eatherby'< he grow$e% an% *ercy puffe% his chest in%ignant$y. -raco s"ir#e% to hi"se$f an% sat up straighter in the

unco"fortab$e chair. *erhaps this wou$%n;t be a co"p$ete waste of his ti"e after a$$. (t the &ery $east Shac#$ebo$t "ight pro&e entertaining. <Be that as it "ay' (uror Shac#$ebo$t'< *ercy stern$y $ecture%' <the proper care of recor%s is &ita$ to the running of the ?inistry.< <-on;t get your #nic#ers in a twist' *erci&a$'< /ings$ey %raw$e% an% ro$$e% his eyes at -raco. <6ow' ?r. ?a$foy' $et;s get this o&er with for both of our sa#es.< -raco sat up pro"pt$y' su%%en$y $i#ing the i%ea of an inter&iew. <?s. .acobs' are you rea%y=< *ercy as#e%. <4 a".< The witch tappe% the p$ain b$ac# >ui$$ an% it stoo% at attention on the thic# pa% of parch"ent. <Eery we$$'< /ings$ey sai%. <6ow' ?r. ?a$foy' if you cou$% re$ate to us the circu"stances that foun% you at the !ina$ Batt$e' p$ease=< -raco sighe%' acting co"p$ete$y bore%' but heartene% by the $oo# of %isco"fort on the 3ease$;s face. 4t wou$% be interesting to see his reaction when -raco re&ea$e% :ust how %ar# their be$o&e% hero' ,arry *otter' was. <4 ser&e% as a spy for the ?inistry %uring the -ar# 2or%;s $ast year'< he eCp$aine%. <4 reporte% infor"ation about his "o&e"ents an% what p$ans 4 cou$% to the proper authoritiesA< *ercy re"o&e% his g$asses a few "inutes after -raco ?a$foy ha% eCite% the roo". ,e sighe% hea&i$y an% s$ouche% in the fir" chair he;% perche% hi"se$f in for the $ast se&era$ hours. <,e;s $ying'< ?s. .acobs sai%' her pri" an% proper faJa%e s$ipping as she >uic#$y unbuttone% the woo$ robes she wore an% stretche% her feet' now c$a% in co"bat boots' up to rest on the tab$e. <Through his teeth'< /ings$ey sighe% as he reache% across to pu$$ the in# co&ere% parch"ents towar% hi"se$f. <4 :ust %on;t un%erstan% his "oti&ation'< *ercy sai% >uiet$y. <3hat cou$% he possib$y ha&e to gain fro" $ying about this=< ?s. .acobs snorte% an% tosse% the s>uare g$asses onto the tab$e. <,e;s a sna#eG they %on;t nee% "oti&ation to $ie.< She scrunche% up her nose tight$y an% soon re$aCe% as bright spi#es of pin# hair "ateria$i5e% where the "ousy brown hair ha% been a "o"ent before. <4t;s inbre%' 4 thin#.<

<Bou wou$% #now'< /ings$ey chuc#$e%. Ton#s brist$e% a bit. <-on;t $oo# at "e' 4 was in ,uff$epuff.< /ings$ey turne% to *ercy an% raise% an eyebrow. <?ost &io$ent ;*uff 4;&e e&er "et.< *ercy shoo# his hea% again an% g$ance% o&er the notes he;% "a%e. <So"e of the things he state% to%ay co"p$ete$y contra%ict what he sai% in the first inter&iews.< <That;s nothing'< Ton#s %raw$e%. She sho&e% a stac# of ye$$owing parch"ent his way an% *ercy foun% hi"se$f staring at a b$ac# an% white photograph of a younger -raco ?a$foy' sti$$ sporting cuts an% ban%ages %ays after the !ina$ Batt$e. <0ea% this one. ,e to$% 0ita S#eeter that he suspecte% ,arry use% the -ar# (rts' a$though he sai% he cou$%n;t pro&e it.< <4 rea% it bac# then'< *ercy frowne% in %isgust as he pushe% it away. <But then to%ay' he a%"its that he saw ,arry cast Sectu"se"pra' an% a$$u%e% to the fact that he use% the )nforgi&ab$es.< *ercy stare% at Ton#s' the i"p$ications of the state"ent ratt$ing through his "in%. 4t wasn;t so"ething he wante% to %ea$ with' e&en if he %i%n;t be$ie&e the s$i"y ferret. <?iner&a has been researching "issing persons %uring the Batt$e' an% up to a "onth before it. She sent o&er the $ist of stu%ents #i$$e% an% "issing %uring the !ina$ Batt$e' as we$$ as the two wee#s prior. ($$ stu%ents were accounte% for. Then she "a%e a separate $ist for other %isappearances that we #now of.< /ings$ey $ai% a copy of the report before *ercy an% his eyes swa" an% the $ist of na"es. There were so "any. iToo many./i <(nything=< Ton#s as#e% after a "inute or two. <?aybeA< *ercy sai% as his eye caught two na"es further %own the secon% $ist. They were un%er a banner written in the ,ea%"istress;s precise writing. <These two here. *ansy *ar#inson an% Theo%ore 6ott. 4 re"e"ber the na"es' but 4 can;t picture the faces.< *ercy &ague$y re"e"bere% the na"es as be$onging in S$ytherin' but cou$%n;t reca$$ "ore than that. <Says here they %isappeare% a wee# before the batt$e'< Ton#s pon%ere% out $ou%. <*ar#inson was suppose% to :oin her "other in *aris.< /ings$ey no%%e%. <4 re"e"ber that. *risci$$a *ar#inson "a%e a for"a$ co"p$aint. She insiste% that her %aughter was the &icti" of fou$ p$ay.< <3hate&er happene%=< *ercy raise% his hea% to $oo# at the (uror.

/ings$ey shrugge%. <3e sent so"eone out to in&estigate' but we were rather short han%e% at the ti"e.< ,e shoo# his hea%. <3e chec#e% *ar#inson;s ?anor but %i%n;t fin% anything out of the or%inary. So"e of the stu%ents in their year at ,ogwarts sai% they;% run off to get "arrie%. (pparent$y' *ar#inson was betrothe% to ?a$foy' but she was seeing 6ott behin% his bac# %uring their se&enth year.< <(n% what %i% ?rs. *ar#inson say=< <She was hysterica$'< /ings$ey frowne%. <She ca"e stor"ing in here to "y office %e"an%ing we sen% the (urors out to fin% her %aughter. That she;% ne&er e$ope with 6ott because he %i%n;t ha&e the proper bree%ing. That rather sea$e% it for us'< he sai% with a shrug. <?aybe she %i% run off with hi". The case wasn;t gi&en "uch thought because the !ina$ Batt$e too# p$ace so soon after it.< <3hat e&er happene%=< *ercy as#e%. ,is >ui$$ scribb$e% a$ong the surface of the parch"ent' "a#ing notes for hi" to chec# the recor%s. <6e&er hear% anything "ore about it'< /ings$ey shrugge%. <*risci$$a *ar#inson was foun% %ea% in her ho"e a few %ays after the Batt$e. ,er husban% ha% been #i$$e% on ,ogwarts groun%sG b$ac# "ar# burne% into his ar".< ,e shoo# his hea%. <6othing see"e% out of p$ace so we turne% the case o&er the ?agica$ 2aw Fnforce"ent. Their report says that they foun% no e&i%ence of fou$ p$ay. ?rs. *ar#inson see"e% to ha&e %ie% of a heart attac#. St. ?ungo;s confir"e% it.< <Cou$% a heart attac# be in%uce%=< *ercy as#e%' this ti"e $oo#ing between the two (urors. <?aybe'< Ton#s shrugge%. <There are potions that can spee% up a person;s heart rate. 1ne goo% scare after that "ight %o it.< <That or the stress of being %isco&ere% as supporting -eath Faters "ight ha&e been too "uch for her.< <(n% what of the 6ott fa"i$y=< *ercy as#e% after scribb$ing a note to chec# with a ,ea$er about traces of potions re"aining in %ecease% &icti"s. <,a&en;t hear% a thing'< /ings$ey sai%. <($though 6ott was raise% by his wi%ower father who was #i$$e% at the !ina$ Batt$e.< <1n our si%e=< /ings$ey s"ir#e%. <Theirs.< <,"".<

<They "ight be a fit'< Ton#s sai% thoughtfu$$y as she g$ance% at the paperwor#. <*ar#inson was rough$y the sa"e si5e as @inny. ( few char"sA< *ercy;s >ui$$ shoo# in his han%. <(re you suggesting thatAso"eone imurdered/i ?iss *ar#inson an% ?r. 6ott' an% eCchange% their bo%ies for ,arry an% @inny=< The concept' a$though *ercy ha% to a%"it fit "ost of the pieces' was so %istastefu$ that it was a$"ost unthin#ab$e. <( theory'< /ings$ey no%%e%. <3e #now that there were two bo%ies in that c$earing. 3hat we %on;t #now is if they were %ea% when they arri&e% or whether the %ee% was %one right there.< <4t "ight fit'< Ton#s "use% as she pu$$e% the inter&iew with ?a$foy towar% her. <?a$foy sai% he was #noc#e% out right before the c$i"aC of the Batt$e. 3hen he wo#e up' the c$earing was a$rea%y on fire an% the bo%ies a$rea%y being consu"e% by it.< She $oo#e% up at /ings$ey. <3ou$% he ha&e ha% enough ti"e to rep$ace ,arry an% @inny with *ar#inson an% 6ott=< /ings$ey pon%ere% for a "inute' rubbing his chin. <,e "ay ha&e. That theory wor#s if he was the one who starte% the fire afterwar%s. But he;% ha&e to ha&e the bo%ies a&ai$ab$e. There wou$%n;t ha&e been enough ti"e to "ur%er 6ott an% *ar#inson an% then switch the bo%ies.< <Bou thin# he #i$$e% the" an% then #ept the" so"ewhere' hi%%en=< Ton#s as#e%. <4t;s a possibi$ity'< /ings$ey shrugge%. <Fspecia$$y if you ta#e into account the ru"ors that *ar#inson was running aroun% with 6ott behin% -raco;s bac#. 4f that was true' ?a$foy cou$% ha&e been %esperate enough to %o so"ething.< Ton#s scrunche% up her face. <4 %on;t see hi" as a #i$$er. 4 %on;t thin# he has the stones.< *ercy was inc$ine% to agree' a$though he wasn;t sure what ?a$foy wou$% %o when bac#e% into a corner. /ings$ey sighe% an% rubbe% his face. <3hether he #i$$e% the"' or not' he sti$$ wou$% ha&e nee%e% to get the bo%ies to the scene.< <*ort#ey'< *ercy suggeste%' seeing it as the "ost $ogica$ choice. <( re"ote triggere% *ort#ey an% he cou$% bring anything he wante% with hi".< <Can;t we trace a *ort#ey=< Ton#s as#e%. <4 #now that so"eti"es it;s har%er when it;s char"e% outsi%e of the area. But 4;&e seen it %one.< *ercy $oo#e% o&er to /ings$ey' #nowing that he wou$% be "ost $i#e$y of the three to #now the answer to that. ,e &ague$y re"e"bere% Bi$$ saying so"ething $i#e that once.

/ings$ey shuff$e% through the paperwor#' scow$ing as his eyes scanne% bac# an% forth across it. <They ne&er chec#e% for a *ort#ey.< Ton#s grow$e% an% *ercy rubbe% the bac# of his nec#' where a hea%ache was starting to for". <3hat about (pparition=< he as#e%' "a#ing notes again. @ross neg$igence in e&i%ence gathering was the $east of their issues' especia$$y when they were %ea$ing with two possib$e "ur%ers' -ar# ?agic' an% a conspiracy to co&er a$$ of it up. <6o reason to'< /ings$ey shrugge%. ( hea&y sigh fo$$owe% this. <3e nee% to fo$$ow up on 6ott' see if he wou$% ha&e been a goo% "atch for ,arry;s bui$% an% height.< <,e ha% %ar# hair' if 4 re"e"ber right'< *ercy sai%' a &ague "e"ory of ta#ing points fro" a group of S$ytherins ca"e to "in%. /ings$ey no%%e% %ecisi&e$y. <4t;s ti"e to start a "ore thorough in&estigation. Ton#s' you $oo# into 6ott. 4;" going to set up fu$$+ti"e sur&ei$$ance for ?a$foy. 4 %on;t thin# we;&e tippe% hi" off' but it wou$% be goo% to see what he;s up to.< .ac# shifte% on his feet an% watche% the traffic "o&e a$ong the s$ushy street' sp$ashing "u%%y wetness onto the si%ewa$#s. This was si$$y' he thought' waiting here wou$%n;t "a#e up his "in% any "ore. F""a ha% #ic#e% hi" out of the f$at for the %ay' c$ai"ing that his pacing an% "oo%iness were %epressing her. She;% presse% a s"a$$ shopping $ist into his pa$"' han%e% hi" his coat' pushe% hi" out into the ha$$ an% threatene% his &ery eCistence if he returne% before at $east two hours ha% passe%. ,e #new fro" the serious eCpression on her face that she "eant what she sai%. Ten "inutes $ater foun% hi" outsi%e the s"a$$ "ar#et where he wor#e% nights' #nowing he cou$% easi$y go in an% fin% the ite"s that she ha% re>ueste%' but then he;% ha&e at $eastAhe consu$te% his watchAeCact$y one hun%re% an% ten "ore "inutes unti$ he cou$% safe$y pass o&er the thresho$% of his ho"e again. (s it ha% for the hun%re%th ti"e that wee#' .ac#;s han% foun% the paper with 0e"us 2upin;s nu"ber on it. F""a ha% gi&en up trying to a%&ise .ac# on what to %o about his past. She;% supporte% hi" that first night when he;% %eci%e% that he;% forget a$$ about the strange "an. Then she;% supporte% hi" the neCt %ay when he;% %eci%e% to ca$$ the nu"ber. ,e;% chic#ene% out before e&en $ea&ing the f$at though. She;% fina$$y thrown up her han%s an% to$% hi" that she $o&e% hi" but she wou$% g$a%$y ta#e away his abi$ity to spea# if he trie% to con&ince her of his %ecisions one "ore ti"e. <.ust %o it' 4nga$$s'< he grow$e% as he sta$#e% o&er to the phone boC an% presse% the nu"bers. <3otcher.<

.ac# a$"ost hung up before ta#ing a %eep breath. <Fr"' 4;" sorry' 4 thin# 4 "ay ha&e the wrong nu"ber.< <3ho ya $oo#in; for $o&e=< ca"e the &oice of the wo"an. .ac# shoo# his hea% an% g$ance% aroun%. <0e"us 2upin' p$ease. This is .ac# 4nga$$s' 4 %on;t #now if he re"e"bers "e' or if he e&en wants to ta$# to "eA< ,e trai$e% off as there was %ea% si$ence on the other en%. <4;$$ get hi" for you' p$ease ho$%.< .ac# conte"p$ate% hanging up again before a rather gra&e$$y &oice ca"e on the $ine. <.ac#=< <?r. 2upin'< .ac# answere%. <4;" sorry' "aybe this wasn;t a goo% i%ea.< <-on;t hang upH< .ac# sighe% an% g$ance% aroun% again' watching as the shoppers entere% an% eCite% the store. <4;" sti$$ here.< <@oo%'< 0e"us answere%. <,ow are you' .ac#=< .ac# shrugge% an% then fe$t stupi% because the "an cou$%n;t see hi". <4;&e been fine.< <That;s goo%'< 0e"us sai% an% the two sat in si$ence for a "o"ent before he c$eare% his throat. <4t;s goo% to hear fro" you. 4 wasn;t sure if you wou$% e&er ring.< <4 a$"ost %i%n;t'< .ac# a%"itte%. <4;" sti$$ not con&ince% that 4 a" who you thin# 4 a".< <4 can un%erstan% that.< <But so"e of the things you sai% "a%e "e thin#. Bou;&e rea$$y turne% "y $ife upsi%e %own with this who$e business' you #now.< <4 ne&er "eant to hurt you' .ac#.< <4 #now'< .ac# ac#now$e%ge% an% sighe%. <4s there any chance we can "eet again= 4 ha&e a few >uestions of "y own.< <.ust te$$ "e when an% where' .ac#. 4 #now you put in a $ot of hours at wor#' but "y sche%u$e is co"p$ete$y f$eCib$e.< .ac# thought for a "inute. ,e;% $i#e to "eet so"ewhere pri&ate an% he conte"p$ate% at the f$at' but i""e%iate$y %iscar%e% that option. ,e sti$$ wasn;t co"p$ete$y co"fortab$e

with this who$e situation an% %i%n;t want to eCpose F""a to any "ore stress than she a$rea%y ha%. <,ow about the cafK again= 4t;s not e&er that busy.< <That soun%s fine' .ac#. 3hen wou$% you $i#e to "eet=< <4;" not sure where you $i&e'< .ac# sai%. <The nu"ber wasn;t fa"i$iar' soA< <4t;s a "obi$e'< 0e"us eCp$aine%. <4;" notAactua$$y' 4;" not a$$ that far fro" you.< .ac# g$ance% at his watch again. ,e now ha% :ust one hun%re% "inutes to waste. At least she;% sai%. <3e$$' 4;" free now' butD< <4;$$ be there in ten "inutes'< 0e"us sai%' ta#ing .ac# by surprise. <1+o#ay'< .ac# sta""ere% an% won%ere% if he cou$% get to the cafK fro" here in $ess than twenty "inutes. 4t too# hi" at $east ten "inutes to wa$# fro" the f$at to the boo#store an% that was in the opposite %irection than he;% turne% ear$ier to%ay. <4;$$ %o "y best to "a#e it.< ,e cou$% hear 0e"us chuc#$e on the other en%. <4;$$ wait if 4 %on;t see you then. 4;$$ e&en buy $unch again.< .ac# s"i$e%. <Beah' but you ha&e to eat it this ti"e.< <4t;s a %ea$.< <($right'< .ac# sai%' fee$ing aw#war% now that their sub:ect ha% been eChauste%. <See you there.< ,e hung up the phone an% stare% at it' bac#ing s$ow$y out of the boC. ,e was rea$$y going to %o thisA

*Chapter 11*: Chapter 11

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties.

($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Than!s to e%eryone who is still reading" and especially re%iewing. This chapter should answer a lot of uestions" but not all. ?an't gi%e e%erything away" can I8 Than!s to $eb who wor!ed her magic on it" and #lla who tal!ed me down from my panic attac! about it. 3e all need awesome friends li!e that. Chapter 11 %o&ember 2 2

<Bou;re such a pretty baby'< ,er"ione cooe% %own to her %aughter' brushing her fingertips o&er the newborn;s rosy pin# chee#. <?y pretty' pretty @inny 0ose.< The baby shu%%ere% in a sigh' her tiny $ips >ui&ering as she fina$$y stoppe% suc#ing an% ,er"ione pu$$e% her away' watching "i$# poo$ on her tiny chin. She pu$$e% her gown c$ose% an% $ifte% the baby onto her shou$%er' patting her bac# fir"$y' yet gent$y. ,er"ione ha% been so ner&ous about being a "other. But rea$$y' "ore of it was instinctua$ than anything. Fspecia$$y right at first' she rea$i5e%. ?o$$y ha% been won%erfu$ about being there the first few %ays of @inny 0ose;s $ife' gent$y gi&ing a%&ice but not pushing too har%. ,er"ione tru$y appreciate% that. ,er own "other he$pe% as we$$' but ?o$$y ha% "ore eCperience with 3eas$ey babies' their &oracious appetites an% te"per tantru"s. (n% @inny 0ose was %efinite$y a 3eas$ey through an% through. ?o$$y chuc#$e% an% wipe% away "e"ory tears when ,er"ione to$% her of @inny 0ose;s fu$$+on screa"ing when she was hungry or ha% soi$e% her nappy. <She;s :ust $i#e her na"esa#e then'< ?o$$y sai% fon%$y' pressing a #iss to her gran%%aughter;s forehea%. <Bou;$$ ha&e your han%s fu$$.< ,er"ione s"i$e% soft$y as the baby $et out a $ou% be$ch an% s>uir"e% into her "other;s nec#' fu$$y content now that her $itt$e sto"ach was tight with "i$#. Co"p$ete$y 5on#e%' as 0on wou$% say. She rea$$y shou$% get up an% ti%y the house. But the a$$ure of the soft baby scent' an% the war"th of the $itt$e bo%y neCt to hers "a%e ,er"ione sin# $ower in the be%' cur$ing aroun% her %aughter.

Strict$y spea#ing' she #new she shou$%n;t s$eep with the baby. There were so "any things that cou$% go wrongDshe cou$% ro$$ o&er in her own s$eep an% crush the baby' the b$an#ets cou$% press against her tiny face an% s"other her' she cou$% get spoi$e% for s$eeping in her own $itt$e cot. The boo#s ha% $iste% en%$ess reasons why it was a horri% i%ea. But the urge to #eep her there' c$ose enough that ,er"ione cou$% fee$ the tiny heart beat in her chest' an% fee$ her sweet' "i$#y breath on her nec#' was too "uch. <.ust for a bit'< ,er"ione whispere% to her %aughter' a$$owing her eyes to s$ip c$ose%. She was start$e% out of her nap by the be% "o&ing. 0on was sitting on the en%' his bac# to her' staring off at the wa$$. ,e ha% one shoe in his han%' %ang$ing towar% the f$oor before it s$i% %own his $eg unnotice%. <0on'< she whispere%' b$in#ing her eyes against the brightness of the sun showing through the win%ows. 4t was far too ear$y for hi" to be ho"e. Certain$y she cou$%n;t ha&e been as$eep a$$ %ay. @inny 0ose ne&er wou$% ha&e "isse% her two hour fee%ing. ,er"ione frantica$$y reache% for the baby' fee$ing her eCact$y where she ha% been' s$eeping happi$y on ,er"ione;s shou$%er' putting the "usc$es there to s$eep. <0on'< she repeate% when he %i%n;t "o&e. <3hat;s wrong= 3hy are you ho"e=< This ti"e he f$inche%' $oo#ing up at her s$ow$y' his ears turning re%. <.ustAwante% to co"e ho"e.< <(re you i$$=< ,er"ione as#e%. 0on $o&e% his :ob. She #new he wou$%n;t $ea&e un$ess so"ething ha% happene%. <4;" fine'< he sai% soft$y' his eyes roa"ing o&er her an% sett$ing on the bun%$e in her ar"s. ,e turne% fu$$y' $ifting one $eg up to sit on the be%. <,ow is she=< he as#e%. ,er"ione frowne% at hi"' sure he was hi%ing so"ething. But she answere% anyway. So"eti"es 0on ha% to wrap his "in% aroun% a prob$e" before he cou$% ta$# about it. 6ow "ust be one of those ti"es. 1r perhaps it was so"ething he cou$%n;t spea# about' one of his cases that wasn;t going we$$. <She;s fine. 3e both are.< So"ehow it see"e% necessary to a%% that $ast part. ,is shou$%ers san# a bit in re$ief an% she pon%ere% that. <That;s goo%.< ,e no%%e% woo%en$y' sti$$ $oo#ing at the two of the". So"ething "uch %ar#er' "uch $arger ho&ere% in his b$ue eyes' howe&er. <0onA< <,arry;s a$i&e.< ,is &oice was $ow' bare$y a whisper' but it cut through the roo" $ou%er than a c$ap of thun%er. <@inny too.<

,er"ione;s heart poun%e% an% she worrie% that it wou$% wa#e @inny 0ose. The baby %i% s>uir" an% ,er"ione sco$%e% herse$f' $oosening her grip fro" where it ha% beco"e tight. <0onA< she whispere%. ,is eyes were hea&y an% %ar#' an% she won%ere%' :ust for a "inute' if he ha% $ost his "in%. <BouA%on;t say that.< ,er &oice was as harsh as his an% tears c$ou%e% her &ision. <Bou can;t :ust say things $i#e that.< ,e no%%e%. <That;s how 4 fe$t too.< <Bou;re not "a#ing sense'< ,er"ione sai%' shifting the baby %own into her ar"' watching as she cur$e% into a $itt$e ;C; shape an% then re$aCe% against her "other;s war" bo%y. <-i% so"ething happen=< ,er eyes %arte% to the be%si%e tab$e' searching out her wan%. 4t was within reach. Shou$% she su""on so"eoneA(rthur or Bi$$= <0e"us foun% hi". 2i&ing as a ?ugg$e. ,i" an% @inny. They;re going to ha&e a baby.< ,is stare shifte% bac# to the wa$$ an% ,er"ione gaspe%' recogni5ing the ho$$ow' $ost $oo# that 0on ha% worn for a$"ost a year after the !ina$ Batt$e. <0onD< <(n% 4 %on;t #now what to fee$'< he sai%. <4 want to be happyAbut 4;" not sure 4 #now how to fee$ that any"ore. 6ot about the". 4t;s notArea$.< -espite a$$ the $ogica$ argu"ents running aroun% in her hea%' ,er"ione be$ie&e% hi". 0on wou$%n;t %o this to her. ,e wou$%n;t say anything unti$ he was sure. <,arry;s going to be a %a%A:ust $i#e "e.< She swa$$owe% thic#$y' scooting to the en% of the be% an% stan%ing to $ay @inny 0ose in her cot. The baby "oane% an% "a%e a scrunche% face of protest before she sett$e% bac# in s$eep. ,er"ione sat %own neCt to 0on' her shou$%er brushing his bicep. <,e;% be a goo% %a%'< she whispere%. <4 #now'< he answere% right away. <ButA4 can;t see it. 4 can;t see it in "y hea%' you #now. They;re "arrie%. Ton#s has seen the". @innyD"y $itt$e sisterDshe;s going to ha&e a baby.< ,er"ione $et the tears fa$$ %own her chee#s unchec#e%' fee$ing the" %rip onto her %ressing gown an% soa# to the s#in be$ow. <Bou;re sure=< she as#e% as she $ai% her hea% against his ar". <Beah'< he no%%e%. </ings$ey sai% so.<

,er"ione no%%e%' #nowing that it ha% to be true then. /ings$ey was not a "an who was easy to con&ince. ,e was strong an% unwa&ering. 4f he be$ie&e% that they;% foun% ,arry an% @innyDthen it "ust be true. 0on;s strong ar" ca"e aroun% her shou$%ers an% he $ifte% her into his $ap' tugging her with hi" onto the be%. ,e wrappe% aroun% her as she continue% to cryDtears of re$ief' of %isbe$ief' an% of anger o&er the "issing years. <,arry an% @inny'< he whispere%' pressing a #iss to her hea%. She cou$% fee$ his tears sin#ing into her hair' sprea%ing out o&er her hea%. (n% she un%erstoo% the nee% to say the na"es. 4t was a reassurance. 4t was a prayer. 0e"us pushe% the button to en% the phone ca$$ an% stare% at his wife in %isbe$ief. <4t was hi"A,arryDer"' .ac#.< <4 #now' 0e"us'< Ton#s s"ir#e%' <4 answere% the phone' re"e"ber=< <,eA< his han%s pushe% through his "ost$y grey hair. <,e wants to "eet right now.< <(re you going to be ab$e to -isapparate in your state=< Ton#s as#e%' on$y ha$f :o#ing. 0e"us no%%e% e&en though he wasn;t sure hi"se$f. <4;$$ be fine.< ,e >uic#$y gathere% his winter c$oa#' hat an% g$o&es before #issing his wife thorough$y. <@i&e 1ri a #iss for "e. 4 shou$%n;t be too $ate' but it %epen%s onAwe$$A< <4 #now'< Ton#s sai%' carefu$$y pushing hi" out the bac# %oor where he cou$% (pparate fro" the $ot behin% the". <She;$$ "iss her %a%%y' but 4;" sure a$$ wi$$ be forgi&en when she gets to fina$$y "eet )nc$e ,arry an% (unt @inny.< <-ora'< 0e"us warne%' fee$ing his chest tighten. <4t;s a $itt$e too ear$y to be pro"isingD< <Bou;re the one who;s been te$$ing her stories since she was in the wo"b'< Ton#s sco$%e%. <4 #now'< 0e"us grinne% sheepish$y. <(" 4 getting "y hopes up o&er nothing' -ora=< Ton#s conte"p$ate% for a "inute before shrugging. <4 hope not' but be carefu$ 0e"us. ,e;s not guarantee% to ta#e any of this we$$G it;s such a %ra"atic change to what he thin#s he #nows.< <4 #now'< 0e"us sai% soft$y. <4;$$ %o "y best to be gent$e.< Ton#s ga&e hi" a fina$ #iss an% watche% as he %isappeare% fro" in front of her.

<4 "ust be insane'< .ac# "u"b$e% to hi"se$f in+between ta#ing huge gasps of air. ,e;% :ust wa$#e%Dwe$$ sta$#e% was "ore $i#e itDthe who$e way fro" the "ar#et to the cafK in $ess than fifteen "inutes. 6ow that he was here' howe&er' the %eter"ination was s$ow$y ebbing into ner&ousness. <Bou can %o this'< he affir"e% to hi"se$f an% entere% the cafK. ?r. 2upin was seate% at the &ery furthest corner booth an% the rest of the seats were %eserte%. .ac# re"o&e% his #nit hat an% scarf as he wo&e his way towar% the "an' running his fingers through his hair' trying to get it to $ie %own. 4t ne&er %i%' howe&er. <Bou ca"e.< .ac# s"i$e%' shifting his woo$en things bac# an% forth in his han%s. ,is feet s>uea#e% on the har% f$oor of the cafK' "a#ing hi" fee$ $i#e he shou$% s$ip his feet out of the 3e$$ingtons. <Bou %oubte% it=< 0e"us shrugge%. <4 won%ere%. Bou soun%e% a bit ner&ous on the phone.< .ac# sat across fro" hi" an% $ai% his winter things on the seat neCt to hi". <4 was'< he no%%e%. <4;&e ta$#e% "yse$f into ringing you' an% then right bac# out again' for the $ast wee#.< <3hat "a%e you %eci%e to ca$$=< 0e"us as#e% as he han%e% o&er a "enu. <4;" not sure eCact$y. 4 #eep running o&er "y "e"ories in "y hea% an%Aso"e things :ust %on;t a%% up. 3hen 4 trie% to reconci$e what you to$% "e with what 4 thought #newA< ,e shrugge%. <4 un%erstan%. The "in% %oes funny things to us' %oesn;t it=< .ac# no%%e% an% $oo#e% %own at the "enu' not seeing "uch' but gratefu$ for ha&ing so"ething to %o with his han%s. <Bac# again=< the sa"e waitress fro" their ear$ier &isit stoo% neCt to their tab$e with a pa% of paper. <3hat;$$ it be to%ay=< ,is eyes %arte% bac# to the "enu' searching for anything. ,is "in% rea$$y wasn;t on foo%' an% he ha%n;t e&en thought about what to eat. <4;$$ ha&e the fish an% chips' an% a Co#e'< .ac# sai%' g$ancing up to where 0e"us too# out a pair of g$asses an% sheepish$y perche% the" on the tip of his nose' shooting a croo#e% s"i$e at hi". .ac# s"i$e% an% $oo#e% away. So"ething about this "anDperhaps it was his soft' un%erstan%ing &oice' or his unassu"ing "annerD"a%e .ac# re$aC. <That soun%s goo%' a$though 4;$$ ha&e water instea%. (n% a piece of app$e tart for after.< ,e grinne% an% g$ance% up to .ac#. <?y wife wou$% ha&e a fit'< he eCp$aine%' <but "y wife;s not here.<

.ac# s"ir#e% %own at the "enu. <4;$$ ta#e a piece of cherry then.< ,e shrugge% when the waitress raise% an eyebrow. <?y wife;s not here either.< <($right'< the waitress s"i$e%. <But neCt ti"e you bring her in here' %uc#y' 4;" te$$ing.< Both .ac# an% 0e"us chuc#$e%. <!air enough'< .ac# no%%e%. They continue% to s"i$e as she wa$#e% away. <SoA< .ac# began. ,is han%s intertwine% the"se$&es ner&ous$y on the tab$e in front of hi". <.ac#' 4 :ust want to te$$ you that e&erything 4;" going to te$$ you to%ay is the abso$ute truth' as far as 4 #now it. 4;" not in the habit of $ying to peop$e.< <4 appreciate that' ?r. 2upin.< .ac# shifte% in his spot' a bubb$e of panic rising in hi". 3hat if he %i%n;t $i#e what he hear%= Cou$% he :ustAwa$# away fro" this an% continue being who he was= <*$ease' ca$$ "e 0e"us. F&ery ti"e you ca$$ "e "ister' 4 turn aroun% to see if "y father is behin% "e.< .ac# chuc#$e% an% inc$ine% his hea% in agree"ent. 0e"us ruff$e% his hair an% sighe%. <4 guess the first thing 4 shou$% rea$$y %o is as# you how "uch you re"e"ber of your $ife' an% what it was that "a%e you forget.< .ac# no%%e% thoughtfu$$y an% gri"ace%. 3hat he re"e"bere% of his $ife wasn;t p$easant. (n% he wasn;t e&en sure how "uch of it was si"p$y %rea"s or i"aginings' an% what was rea$. 4t a$$ see"e% a buit surrea$' if you as#e% hi". <4t was four years ago: a car acci%ent' or so they say. ($$ 4 re"e"ber is wa#ing up in hospita$ an% being to$% that 4 ha% bare$y $i&e%. The po$ice ca"e an% sai% that 4;% been foun% on the si%e of the roa% an% they were assu"ing that 4;% been hit by a car. The %octors thin# that the hit 4 too# on "y hea% %i% so"e %a"age to the "e"ory parts of "y brain as 4 on$y re"e"ber f$ashes of things before the acci%ent. But 4 %on;t #now if they;re rea$.< 0e"us no%%e% thoughtfu$$y an% "otione% for .ac# to continue. <The first "e"ories 4 ha&e are rea$$y "ore i"pressions than anything.< <So"e "e"ories are $i#e that'< 0e"us agree%. .ac# gri"ace% an% g$ance% o&er the top of his g$asses to the other "an. <4A< <3hat is it=< <4 :ust #now that you sai% you #new "y parents' an%A< he sighe% an% ruff$e% the bac# of his hair in a way that "a%e 0e"us s"i$e. <The "e"ories' they aren;t f$attering' 0e"us. They;re ratherA<

<4t;s a$right' .ac#. 4 thin# 4 un%erstan% what you are trying to te$$ "e. 4 pro"ise to be as ob:ecti&e as 4 can.< .ac# no%%e%. <The fee$ing was of being poor' &ery poor. 4 thin# we were ho"e$ess "ost of the ti"e. There;s pain too.< .ac# rubbe% his eyes beneath his g$asses. F""a was the on$y one he ha% e&er ta$#e% of his past about. F&en -ere# %i%n;t #now the eCtent of how "uch he ha% gathere% fro" his i"pressions' or "e"ories' or night"aresDwhiche&er they were. <4 %on;t re"e"ber schoo$ at a$$. 4 "ust ha&e gone' because 4 can %o "aths an% rea% an% write. But 4 %on;t re"e"ber peop$e' rea$$y. 6o one c$ose' anyway.< <4t soun%s $i#e a &ery $one$y eCistence'< 0e"us sai% soft$y. .ac# shrugge%. <4 sur&i&e%'< he sai% an% see"e% to stee$ hi"se$f a bit. <(fter the acci%ent' we$$' things %i%n;t get "uch better.< ,e swa$$owe% thic#$y an% $oo#e% %own at his han%s' his eyes tracing the scars there. <4 ha% nowhere to go after 4 got out of hospita$ an% $i&e% in an% out of she$ters for a year. !oun% a :ob on the wharf for a bit' butAthen that en%e% an% 4 ha% nowhere to go. The she$ters are crow%e% with wo"en an% chi$%renDthere isn;t a $ot of roo" for "en.< ,e g$ance% up an% saw that 0e"us was watching hi"' but his face %i%n;t betray any %isgust or pity. <Then 4 "et -ere# an% things change%. 4 ha&e F""a now'< his &oice crac#e% with e"otion an% .ac# curse% si$ent$y. <?y $ife is goo% now' which is why 4 thin# 4;&e been so hesitant to $isten to what you ha&e to say.< <4 can un%erstan% that .ac#' 4 rea$$y can. 4 spent a$"ost fifteen years %rifting "yse$f' so"eti"es ho"e$ess an% rare$y wante%G unti$ 4 was ab$e to fin% a group of peop$e who we$co"e% "e an% he$pe% "e turn "y $ife aroun%.< .ac# was shoc#e% to $earn that. ,e opene% his "outh to as# about it when the waitress brought the tray of foo% o&er to the". ,e he$pe% her position the trays an% then notice% 0e"us $oo#ing strange$y at the wo"an. ,e see"e% to be sitting stiff$y in his seat unti$ he caught .ac#;s eye an% s"i$e%. .ac# g$ance% bac# an% forth between the two' won%ering what he;% "isse%. <4f you two %on;t "in%' 4;" going to ta#e "y own $unch brea#. 3e ha&en;t ha% anyone enter since you ca"e in an% 4;" star&e%. Be$$ out if you nee% anything' a$right=< <Than# you &ery "uch' we;$$ be sure to ca$$ for you'< 0e"us answere% as she turne% on her hee$ an% $eft the two "en a$one in the front of the cafK. .ac# was going to as# what that was a$$ about unti$ he saw 0e"us sha#e his hea% s$ight$y. Confuse%' he %is"isse% the fee$ing of so"ething being wrong an% sprin#$e% &inegar on the fish an% potatoes. <3here %i% you co"e up with the na"e .ac# 4nga$$s=< 0e"us as#e%. .ac# scow$e% to hi"se$f an% swa$$owe% the bite he;% ta#en.

<( %octor at the hospita$ chose it for "e'< he sai% si"p$y. ,e stoppe% for a "o"ent' rea$i5ing he;% not thought about 1$i&er 3i$ban#s in >uite so"e ti"e. Sha#ing it off' he continue% his ta$e. <The po$ice searche% an% foun% no recor%s to "atch "e' not e&en a birth %ate.< <.u$y 31st' 1780'< 0e"us sai% soft$y an% .ac# $oo#e% confuse% for a "o"ent before raising an eyebrow. <4;" on$y twenty+one=< he as#e%' a$"ost to hi"se$f. <,ow o$% %i% you thin# you were=< 0e"us as#e% in won%er. <4D< .ac# b$ew out a frustrate% breath. <4 fee$ "uch o$%er. 4;% guess at twenty+four or so.< <4;" positi&e of the %ate'< 0e"us sai% with a s"i$e. <4 was there you #now.< <There=< <4n the house when you were born'< 0e"us state% prou%$y. <.ust before "i%night on the $ast %ay of .u$y. 2ost a hea$thy wager to Sirius too' 4;$$ ha&e you #now. Sirius was your @o%father'< he eCp$aine%. <,e ha% bet for a .u$y baby an% 4 sai% (ugust.< <(nyway' 4 thought the na"e wor#e% as no one cou$% suggest anything e$se. So' now 4;" .ac# 4nga$$s.< <3e$$' .ac# 4nga$$s' your rea$ na"e is ,arry *otter.< <*otter'< .ac# sai%' testing the weight of it on his tongue. ,e shrugge%' a%"itting that it wasn;t :ogging his "e"ory. 0e"us brushe% his han%s off of the paper nap#in near his p$ate an% pushe% the ha$f eaten "ea$ out of his way. ,e sett$e% his e$bows on the tab$e an% see"e% to be thin#ing of the best approach to te$$ing .ac# so"ething. .ac#' sensing the changing at"osphere' wipe% his "outh an% "o&e% his foo% away a bit too. <4 guess the best way to %o this is :ust to start'< 0e"us sai% with a s"i$e. <,a&e you e&er %one anything that you cou$%n;t eCp$ain=< .ac# :ust furrowe% his brow further. <2et "e rephrase that. ,as anything happene% to you' or aroun% you' especia$$y when you are e"otiona$' that you cou$%n;t account for= !or instance' g$ass shattering when you get angry or foun% things that you #new you;% $ost.< .ac# shrugge% an% $oo#e% out of the win%ow' shifting unco"fortab$y in his seat. !$ashes of strange "o"ents' scary things happening to hi" an% ha&ing no eCp$anation for the" ca"e into his "in% $i#e a para%e of scenes. ,e scow$e% %ar#$y. They weren;t happy thoughts.

<-on;t be e"barrasse%' it;s nothing to be asha"e% of'< 0e"us soothe% with a s"i$e. <There are thousan%s of us in this country a$one.< <1f what=< .ac# as#e% soft$y. ,e wasn;t >uite sure if he wante% to #now or not. <3i5ar%s'< 0e"us answere% p$ain$y. <Bou' .ac#' are a wi5ar%. (n% to >uote an o$% frien% of "ine' ;a thu"pin; goo% one at that;. <4A4A< .ac# f$oun%ere% for a "o"ent before searching 0e"us; face co"p$ete$y. <4;" not sure what to say.< <Bou %on;t see" a$$ that surprise%' if you %on;t "in% "e saying.< <6o' 4 "eanAyes' 4 a". But' at the sa"e ti"e' it eCp$ains so"e things.< ,e pushe% his han% through his hair before stic#ing out his finger an% pushing his g$ass of ha$f+%run# Co#e aroun% the tab$e. <4t;s a$$ a bitAinsane.< 0e"us no%%e%. <4;$$ be happy to eCp$ain a bit "ore about our wor$%' but first 4 thin# you nee% a bit "ore history about who you are' ,arry.< .ac#;s hea% $ifte% at the soun% of his rea$ na"e. ,e wasn;t sure why he was accepting this. 4t was absur%Asheer $unacy... Bet' he cou$%n;t stop his heart fro" be$ie&ing it. 4t fe$tArighter than anything he ha% e&er fe$t' sa&e fa$$ing in $o&e with F""a an% ha&ing a chi$% with her. The neCt hour 0e"us ga&e a fair$y %etai$e% account of ,arry *otter;s $ife up unti$ he was eighteen. .ac# sat in stunne% si$ence' wanting to %eny e&erything' but so"ehow fin%ing enough #erne$ of true fee$ing behin% it that he was forcing hi"se$f to accept it. 3hen 0e"us stoppe%' .ac# $ifte% his hea% fro" where he;% been si$ent$y shre%%ing paper nap#ins. <There;s "ore' isn;t there=< he as#e% in a hoarse &oice. 0e"us; paine% eCpression to$% hi" that the worst was to co"e. <3hat happene% to "a#e you thin# that 4;% %ie%=< <3e ca$$ it the !ina$ Batt$e. Bou an% your two best frien%s ha% foun% a$$ that you nee%e% to fin% on your >uest an% Eo$%e"ort fina$$y confronte% you at the schoo$.< .ac# no%%e%' but %i%n;t "eet his eyes. <6o one is sure of eCact$y what happene%' but suffice it to say' when the s"o#e an% fire c$eare%' there were three bo%ies an% one sur&i&or' or so we thought. To" 0i%%$e' or Eo$%e"ort as he preferre% to be ca$$e%' was %ea%. (n% so were you an%Aanother person.< .ac# snorte% a $augh. <This is ri%icu$ous' you rea$i5e=< 0e"us opene% his "outh to protest that he was te$$ing the truth' but the $oo# on .ac#;s face "ust ha&e to$% hi" that the "an be$ie&e% hi"' he :ust %i%n;t want to.

<This has a$$ the "a#ings for a ba% "o&ieG the hero' the &i$$ain' the fight to the %eath. The on$y thing that;s "issing is the hero;s gir$.< ,e fro5e for a "inute an% then stare% at 0e"us. ( f$ash of a &ery o$% %rea" ca"e bac# to hi" as he swa$$owe% aroun% the $u"p in his throat. <There was a gir$' wasn;t there' 0e"us=< 0e"us; face %ar#ene% an% he $oo#e% %own at his han%s. <Bes' there was a gir$'< he answere% >uiet$y. .ac# sat in stunne% si$ence' his "in% racing to try to re"e"ber anything concrete. <3ere weA=< <Eery c$ose'< 0e"us confir"e%' his &oice softening a$"ost painfu$$y. <4 %i%n;t #now anything about it' but her brother to$% "e that you were secret$y engage%.< .ac# stoo% up abrupt$y' his chair scraping a$ong the f$oor $ou%$y. <4A 4 can;tAshite' 0e"us'< he tous$e% his hair &io$ent$y an% $oo#e% %own at the other "an with a &ery paine% eCpression. <0e"us' 4;" "arrie%. 3e;reAhappy together. 3e;re ha&ing a baby in two "onths. 4 can;t :ust wa$# away fro" thatH 4 won;tH< 0e"us he$% up his han%s in protest. <Ca$" %own' .ac#H 6o one is as#ing you to $ea&e your wife. 6one of us wou$% e&er as# you to aban%on your fa"i$y.< .ac# ca$"e% a bit but sti$$ see"e% agitate%. <4 %on;t re"e"ber anythiD< ,e fro5e an% 0e"us stare% at hi". .ac# b$ushe% an% sat hea&i$y in the chair. <There was a %rea"'< he began soft$y. <( gir$D4 ne&er rea$$y saw her face' but 4 #now that 4 ha%Afee$ings for her. 4t was a$$ &ery ha5y an% in%istinct.< .ac# sighe% hea&i$y. <4 ha&en;t ha% that %rea" again sinceAwe$$ since :ust before F""a an% 4 got "arrie%. Before that' we$$' 4 a$ways won%ere%' you #now' but 4 assu"e% it was :ust a %rea".< 0e"us no%%e% thoughtfu$$y but re"aine% si$ent. <She;s a$right then' this gir$=< .ac# fina$$y as#e% after a few "inutes of si$ence. <(s far as 4 un%erstan% it' she;s &ery happy'< 0e"us infor"e% hi". <@oo%'< .ac# sai%' re$ie&e%. The thought of being with anyone besi%es F""a "a%e his sto"ach ro$$. <4 :ust wou$%n;t want anyone to go through that.< 0e"us no%%e%. <There;s a bit "ore to the story. 4f you;$$ $et "eA< <4;" not sure 4 can ta#e any "ore'< .ac# sai% truthfu$$y. ,e san# $ower in the seat' brushing the shre%%e% paper away fro" hi". <Bes' we$$'< 0e"us s"i$e% wry$y' <you;$$ forgi&e "e but 4;" :ust getting to the goo% part. (n%' if you %on;t "in% "e being chee#yAthe ;"agic; part of this who$e situation.<

.ac# raise% an eyebrow' but no%%e%. ,e wasn;t rea$$y in the "oo% for a :o#e' but 0e"us see"e% "ore at ease now. <The gir$' @inny was her na"e' was there with you at the !ina$ Batt$e.< .ac# searche% his "e"ory for what he;% $earne% that %ay. <3ait' you sai% there were three bo%iesA< -rea% fi$$e% hi" as he starte% to put the pieces together. <FCact$y'< 0e"us no%%e%. <3e thought @inny ha% been #i$$e% as we$$.< <But she ha%n;t'< .ac# state% "ore than as#e%. 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <She;s another "irac$e $i#e you.< <She;s a$i&e then= Bou sai% she was happy.< <3e :ust foun% her'< 0e"us ac#now$e%ge%' <an% fro" what -ora' "y wife' says' she see"s &ery happy in the $ife she;s "a%e for herse$f.< .ac# no%%e%' fee$ing better thin#ing that whoe&er this gir$ wasDha% he lo%ed her= ,e "ust ha&e if they;% been engage%Dshe ha% been ab$e to "o&e on. <3as she in:ure%=< .ac# as#e%. <Bes' si"i$ar to you' it see"sG possib$y tota$ "e"ory $oss. She probab$y has so"e scarring an% such that has ne&er fu$$y %isappeare%.< 0e"us watche% .ac# c$ose$y an% it "a%e hi" s>uir". <3e assu"e she was in hospita$ so"ewhere :ust $i#e you were' in fact it wou$% ha&e been the sa"e ti"e you were. The on$y thing of hers that we can fin% "issing' that "ight i%entify her' was the engage"ent ring you ga&e her.< .ac#;s sto"ach p$u""ete% an% he fe$t the foo% he;% eaten ear$ier threaten to "a#e a reappearance. 6oAit cou$%n;t beAbut the pieces fit. ,e c$ose% his eyes tight$y' thin#ing of F""a;s g$orious re% hairG running his fingers through it a$ways ca$"e% hi". ( bright f$ash of a "o"entDhis fingers co"bing through re% hair on the bright shores of a $arge $a#e' an% the b$in%ing sun high in the s#y. </arry me80 <4es.0 .ac# swa$$owe%. ,ow was it possib$e= Cou$% his F""a rea$$y beA <@o$% ban%' s>uare cut %ia"on% on top'< .ac# won%ere% a$ou% in a$"ost a whisper. 0e"us s"i$e% broa%$y. <@o$% ban%' s>uare cut %ia"on%'< he confir"e%.

.ac# pa$e% an% s$ippe% a bit in his seat an% 0e"us :er#e% forwar%' his han%s out' possib$y worrie% that .ac# ha% fainte%. <,ow=< he fina$$y whispere% as he $ai% his hea% on the tab$e. <F""a isA< <F""a is @inny'< 0e"us no%%e%. <3e;re sti$$ not sure how it happene%'< he a%"itte%. <Be$ie&e "e we;&e been o&er this "ore ti"es than you cou$% ha&e i"agine%' an% we :ust can;t figure out how the two of you' with no "e"ories to %raw fro"' cou$% fin% each other after four years an% then fa$$ co"p$ete$y in $o&e a$$ o&er again.< <So' you;re saying that F""a isA@inny=< .ac# c$arifie%' sprea%ing his fingers out o&er the chippe% tab$etop' nee%ing to fee$ the fir" surface on his s#in to groun% hi"se$f. <Bes' 4 a"'< 0e"us no%%e%. .ac# sat stunne%. <3hatAhow a" 4 going to eCp$ain this to her=< he as#e% in a >uiet &oice. <She;sA4 %on;t #now if she;$$ be$ie&e "e' 0e"us.< 0e"us reache% into his poc#et an% re"o&e% a tiny boo# an% then a s$en%er stic# which he tappe% on the boo# an% it began to grow in his han%. .ac#;s eyes wi%ene% an% he g$ance% aroun% ner&ous$y' $oo#ing for the waitress. The cafK was e"pty' howe&er. <4t;s a$right'< 0e"us sai% with a s"a$$ s"i$e. <4 cast a %istraction char" ear$ierG she;$$ ne&er #now anything;s going on out here.< .ac# on$y shrugge% in acceptance' because he %i%n;t fee$ there was anything "ore he cou$% %o' an% g$ance% curious$y at the boo#. 0e"us set it in front of hi" an% f$ippe% the top co&er open. 4nsi%e were photographsD but they "o&e% an% .ac# was te"pte% to s$a" the boo# c$ose% again. <4t;s a spe$$'< 0e"us eCp$aine%' seeing .ac#;s apprehension. <4;&e gathere% these o&er the years asAwe$$' as #in% of a tribute to the two of you' 4 guess. 4 ha% -ora he$p "e %up$icate the" this wee# so that you cou$% ha&e a copy.< .ac# no%%e% in gratitu%e' but his eyes ne&er $eft the pages in front of hi". 0e"us pointe% out &arious peop$e' eCp$aining who they were an% such' as .ac# soa#e% in their faces. !ina$$y' on one of the $ater pages' .ac#;s attention focuse% on a sing$e shot of @inny $oo#ing off into the %istance. She was %resse% &ery nice$y in a %ress of go$% shi""ery fabric' her hair pu$$e% up into an e$egant twist. .ac#;s finger $o&ing$y trace% the out$ine of her face on the photograph. <4 wish 4 cou$% re"e"ber this'< he whispere%. <She;s so $o&e$y.< <Bes' she was'< 0e"us answere%. <But that wasn;t an especia$$y nice "e"ory' %espite how she $oo#s in the picture' .ac#. Bou an% @inny began %ating in your siCth year of schoo$' her fifth. (t the en% of the year' you bro#e things off with her' scare% that she wou$% get hurt. This picture was %uring the su""er when you were trying to stay away fro" each other. This was her o$%est brother;s we%%ing an% you were both there. 4t was

a$"ost painfu$ to see the two of you separate% $i#e that. (nyone who $oo#e% at you cou$% see how "uch you $o&e% each other.< .ac#;s brow furrowe%. <She "ust ha&e hate% "e.< <She un%erstoo% at the ti"e'< 0e"us proteste%. <(n% it wasn;t &ery $ong before you two were together again. 4 %on;t #now the %etai$s' but 4 caught you not two "onths $ater #issing her for a$$ you were worth.< ,e ga&e a s$y s"i$e. .ac# b$ushe%' but grinne%' his fingers sti$$ tracing a &ery young F""aDer' @inny;s face in the photograph. <4 sti$$ can;t figure out how we were ab$e to fin% each other again.< 0e"us shrugge% an% shoo# his hea%. <3e "ay ne&er #now'< he answere%. .ac# sighe% an% g$ance% at his watch. <ShiteH 4 to$% F""a 4;% be bac# in two hours. 4;&e been gone for four. She;s probab$y sic# with worry.< ,e stoo%' reaching for his coat. <4t;s a$right'< 0e"us chuc#$e%' stan%ing as we$$. <4;% better get going as we$$. 4;% $i#e to see "y %aughter before be%.< <,ow o$% is she=< .ac# as#e% as he reapp$ie% his scarf an% hat. 0e"us grinne%. <She;s a &ery precocious three. 3e na"e% her 1rion ?ary.< <That;s an unusua$ na"e'< .ac# sai%. <4s it a fa"i$y one=< <6o'< 0e"us sai%. <4t was Sirius; "i%%$e na"e. 3e were p$anning on using it for a boy' but 1ri surprise% us an% ca"e out a gir$. -ora sai% that in a fa"i$y of a$rea%y strange na"es' one "ore wou$%n;t "atter.< .ac# chuc#$e%. <Bou "entione% that F""a was eCpecting= ,a&e you chosen any na"es=< he as#e% as .ac# bea"e%. <3e;&e ta$#e% about a few'< .ac# eCp$aine%. <4 thin# we;&e chosen F$i5abeth (nne for a gir$ an% .a"es -ere# for a boy.< ,e fe$t his chest swe$$ a bit at the thought of his chi$%' growing protecte% within his wife. 0e"us fro5e in his step. <3hy those na"es=< <4s so"ething wrong with the"=< <6o'< 0e"us proteste%. <4 :ust won%ere% if you ha% so"e "oti&ation.< <The "i%%$e na"es are of peop$e that ha&e he$pe% us o&er the past. (nne is the wo"an who too# F""a in when she ha% nowhere to go. -ere# is "y best "ateG he ga&e "e a ho"e when 4 %i%n;t ha&e one' a chance when no one e$se wou$%.<

0e"us no%%e%' $oo#ing off to the fa%ing $ight outsi%e. <4t;s :ust that F$i5abeth was your "other;s "i%%$e na"e an% your father;s na"e was .a"es' it;s a$so your "i%%$e na"e.< .ac# fro5e an% then fina$$y no%%e%. <4 guess we were inspire% then.< The thought of another coinci%enceDanother tie to their for"er $i&es' was o&erwhe$"ing. ,e trie% to straighten it a$$ in his "in%' co"part"enta$i5e it so that he cou$% %ea$ with it. But' he;% ne&er been &ery goo% at %oing that. They stoo% in si$ence for a few "inutes before .ac# $aughe% %eep$y. <3hat in the he$$ a" 4 going to te$$ her=< <4;% be "ore than happy to "eet with the both of you if you ha&e any >uestions'< 0e"us s"i$e%. .ac# no%%e% stiff$y. <That "ight be a goo% i%ea. 4;$$ ta#e this a$bu"'< he "otione% to the boo# tuc#e% un%er his ar"' <an% ta$# to her.< 0e"us turne% an% p$ace% a han% on .ac#;s shou$%er. <4t;s a$"ost Christ"as' an% you "ay not ha&e any b$oo% fa"i$y $eft' .ac#' but you sti$$ ha&e fa"i$y an% frien%s that wou$% $o&e to see you. @inDF""a has a $arge fa"i$y a$so.< <3e;$$ thin# about it'< .ac# pro"ise% ha$f+hearte%$y. ,e cou$%n;t >uite %eci%e why the i%ea "a%e hi" unco"fortab$e. <This rea$$y isn;t the best ti"ing for F""a though. 3ith the baby co"ingAwe$$' it;s been rather a tric#y pregnancy an% she;s not suppose% to be un%er any sort of stress.< <4 un%erstan%' an% so wi$$ her fa"i$y'< 0e"us pro"ise%. <But' :ust #now that you;re not a$one' .ac#. Bou can ring "e for anythingG %on;t be worrie% about bothering anyone.< .ac# no%%e% an% shoo# 0e"us; han%. <Than# you' rea$$y.< 0on watche% his wife pace bac# an% forth across the $i&ing roo"G a$though he suppose% her "o&e"ents cou$% technica$$y be ter"e% sta$#ing. !or so"eone so s"a$$' she "a%e goo% ti"e across the roo" an% bac#. @inny 0ose happi$y $ay on her bac# on her father;s $ap' staring up at the co$orfu$ bits of fabric that 0on ha% char"e% to %ance in front of her. <4t;s been a who$e %ay'< ,er"ione state% fir"$y' throwing her han%s out to the si%es. <Twenty+four hours since /ings$ey to$% you. 3hy ha&en;t they contacte% us=< 0on shrugge%' #nowing that wor%s wou$% be use$ess right now. ,er"ione nee%e% to get this out in the open. She;% crie% $ast nightG to%ay was the ti"e for $ogic. 4t %i%n;t "a#e sense to 0on;s way of thin#ing' but he;% gi&en up trying to figure her out years ago.

She stoppe% in front of the firep$ace' stic#ing her hea% insi%e the e"pty grate. <Bou %on;t thin# it;s bro#en' %o you=< ,e snorte% a $augh an% then schoo$e% his features when she spun on her hee$' eyes narrowe%' ar"s fo$%e% an% foot tapping. <6o' $o&e' 4 thin# the f$oo is wor#ing :ust fine.< ,er"ione grow$e%' causing 0on to hi%e a s"ir# by chec#ing on his %aughter. <4 %on;t #now how you can be so ca$"' 0ona$% 3eas$eyH< she sai%' her ar"s f$ying up the cei$ing. <They;re out thereAan% we;re stuc# here.< <,er"ione'< 0on trie% again' his tire%ness showing in his &oice. 3hi$e ,er"ione ha% s$ept $ast night' 0on ha% $ain awa#e' his "in% trying to "a#e sense of the who$e thing. <Bou #now as we$$ as 4 %o that so"eone wi$$ contact us when they #now "ore.< <4 #now' 0on'< ,er"ione wai$e%. ,e cou$% see tears we$$ing up in her eyes again an% sighe%. <But there is so "uch 4 cou$% be %oing' rather than sitting here %oing nothing. 0on scow$e% at her' his $arge fingers fin%ing their way into @inny 0ose;s han%s' wigg$ing s$ow$y so that her $itt$e ar"s circ$e% in front of her. <Ta#ing care of @inny 0ose isn;t nothing' ,er"ione.< She gaspe% an% f$ew to his si%e' reaching out to caress the baby;s hea%. <That;s not what 4 "eant' 0onD< <4 #now'< he soothe%. <(n% 4 un%erstan% your frustration. 4 %on;t b$oo%y we$$ want to be stuc# here eitherD< <0ona$%H< ,er"ione sco$%e% hi" for his $anguage' "a#ing 0on chuc#$e. <She can hear you' you #now. 1ne %ay you;re going to ha&e to eCp$ain why your %aughter has the "outh of a co""on $aborer.< 0on chuc#$e% again an% $oo#e% %own at his $itt$e gir$. She ga&e a "ighty yawn an% wigg$e% her feet against his sto"ach. <Then you;$$ be :ust $i#e your (unt @inny' won;t you= She cou$% out curse any of us boys.< <1h' honest$y'< ,er"ione huffe%' stan%ing an% beginning her pacing again. @inny 0ose began fussing an% 0on pic#e% her up' cance$ing the fabric spe$$' an% he$% her against his chest as he rose an% began to bounce her s$ow$y up an% %own. <,er"ione' why %on;t you fee% her again= 4;$$ put her %own for her nap an% then you can ta#e a nice' $ong bathD< ( chi"e fro" the firep$ace start$e% the" an% ,er"ione %rew her wan%' $ighting a fire in the grate. @reen f$a"es erupte% an% /ings$ey;s face g$owe% into focus. <@oo% "orning.<

<?orning' /ings$ey'< 0on greete%. ,er"ione stoo% neCt to hi"' her ar"s crushing his bicep. ,e cou$% fee$ her nai$s %igging $itt$e ha$f+"oon prints into his s#in an% gri"ace% at her. But her focus was on$y on the face in the f$a"es. <4;" sorry to bother you at ho"e.< <4ts fine'< 0on %is"isse%. <-o you ha&e any news=< ,er"ione sai%' $etting go of 0on;s ar" an% hurrying forwar% so that she was as c$ose to the firep$ace as she cou$% be with the heat ra%iating out fro" it. <6othing yet' 4;" afrai%'< he shoo# his hea%. <3e shou$% be hearing fro" 0e"us soon. ,e;s the one we;&e %esignate% to "a#e contact with ,arry an% @inny.< ,er"ione no%%e%' surprising 0on. ,e was sure she wou$% %e"an% to be there' :ust as 0on wante% to. <4s there anything we can %o=< she as#e%. /ings$ey;s face $it up. <(ctua$$y' that;s what 4 was ca$$ing for. 3e nee% so"e research %one' ,er"ione' an% 4 thin# you;re :ust the one to %o it.< 0on cou$% see that ,er"ione $oo#e% f$attere% an% he was gratefu$ that /ings$ey ha% foun% so"e way for her to he$p. ,e on$y wishe% he ha% a p$ace in the who$e p$an. Sitting aroun% an% waiting ha% to be the worst fee$ing in the wor$%. <3hat %o you nee% researche%=< ,er"ione as#e%' su""oning a >ui$$ an% parch"ent to her. <3e nee% to #now a$$ the %ifferent types of "e"ory char"s' ob$i&iation spe$$s' "e"ory potionsDanything that "ight ha&e been use% to %estroy' a$ter or "o%ify "e"ories'< /ings$ey eCp$aine%. ,er"ione;s >ui$$ stoppe% writing an% she $owere% the notes. <4s that what happene% to the"=< she as#e% >uiet$y. 0on cou$% hear his own heart ha""ering in his ears. @inny 0ose s>uir"e% against hi" an% he began bouncing again' patting her bac# gent$y. <3e;re not sure'< /ings$ey a%"itte%. <But we want to be prepare% for anything we "ay nee%. 4f it was a spe$$' or a potionDif their "e"ories rea$$y were "e%%$e% with' then we nee% to #now if it;s e&en possib$e to re&erse' or repair' the %a"age.< <4 un%erstan%'< ,er"ione no%%e%. 2ogica$$y' it "a%e sense to 0on that so"ething ha% to ha&e been %one to their "e"ories. ,e cou$%n;t honest$y picture ,arry an% @inny $ea&ing &o$untari$y an% staying away' not sen%ing wor% to their fa"i$y. 4t wasn;t $i#e the" at a$$. So' it ha% to be a "e"ory char"

Dso"ething obscure that ha% been cast. ,e stoppe% his "in%' howe&er' when it began to consi%er who "ight be responsib$e for so"ething soAheinous. There wou$% be ti"e for that $ater. ,er"ione continue% to "a#e a $ist of the curses an% potions that /ings$ey was na"ing. <3e nee% to especia$$y $oo# into -ar# ?agic as we$$'< he a%"itte%. 0on fe$t a shi&er rise up his spine an% saw ,er"ione;s >ui$$ s#ip a bit on the parch"ent. <,ow %o 4 %o that without raising suspicion=< she as#e%' $oo#ing up at the "an who they both respecte% great$y. <Bou cou$% a$ways c$ai" to be writing another boo#'< 0on shrugge%. ,er"ione turne% to hi"' a specu$ati&e $oo# on her face. <That "ight wor#.< <3e$$ %one' 0on'< /ings$ey cheere%. <That;s bri$$iant. Bou;$$ sti$$ nee% to be carefu$.< ,er"ione no%%e%' bea"ing at 0on. ,e fe$t his chest swe$$ a bit an% grinne% bac# at her. <4 wi$$'< she agree%. <There are >uite a few -ar# ?agic boo#s at @ri""au$% *$ace'< /ings$ey suggeste%. <4;" sure 0e"us cou$% he$p you out >uite a bit. (n% 4;$$ "a#e sure whate&er we ha&e at the ?inistry can be sent to you' %iscreet$y of course.< 0on sighe% contente%$y to watch ,er"ione;s face $ight up. The pro:ect soun%e% $i#e so"ething she wou$% en:oy &ery "uchDit wou$% %ri&e hi" nuttersDbut ,er"ione $i#e% that sort of thing. /nowing her' she probab$y would write a who$e other boo# about the sub:ect. Content for the "inute' 0on swaye% with @inny 0ose on his shou$%er. 6ow if he cou$% on$y thin# of a way that he cou$% he$pA Ton#s sat si%eways on the $o&eseat' her bare feet %ang$ing o&er the si%e an% the boo# she was rea%ing fro" proppe% up on her $ap. The wor%s ha% $ong since stoppe% "a#ing sense' as her "in% wan%ere% towar% her absent husban%. She g$ance% at the c$oc# on the "ante$ an% starte% to rea$i5e it ha% been o&er four hours since 0e"us ha% $eft. 4t ha%n;t see"e% that $ong' but 1rion ha% worn her out' p$aying ga"es a$$ o&er the houseDher fa&orite was hi%e an% see#Dgi&ing her a bath an% putting her to be%.

She wasn;t sure if the ti"e away was a goo% sign or not. 4t cou$% "ean se&era$ things: .ac# was actua$$y $istening to 0e"us an% accepting what he to$% hi"' .ac# ha% re:ecte% e&erything 0e"us ha% sai%' $ea&ing 0e"us %epresse% enough to see# out a pub' orA we$$' she %i%n;t $i#e to thin# about anything e$se. The soun% of so"eone entering the %ownstairs #itchen "a%e her sit up straight. Ton#s s"othere% the urge to race %own an% see if it was 0e"us. 4f it was' he;% be up to see her soon enough. She >uic#$y %rew her wan%' howe&er' when so"eone ca"e barre$ing up the steps' #noc#ing into wa$$s an% ca$$ing for her the who$e way. Too "any years of (uror instincts #ic#e% in an% she positione% herse$f si$ent$y by the %oor' ai"ing at the opening. 0e"us' or so"eone $oo#ing :ust $i#e hi"' burst in the %oor $oo#ing younger than Ton#s ha% e&er seen hi". She >uic#$y swung her $eg out $ow' sweeping his $egs out fro" un%er hi" an% throwing hi" face first into the f$oor. <3ho are you=< she %e"an%e% as she presse% her #nee into his bac#' her wan% he$% at the si%e of his throat' pressing into the f$esh there. <4t;s "e'< the "an proteste%' strugg$ing to get his han%s out fro" un%erneath his chest. <*ro&e it'< Ton#s grow$e%. <3hat %i% you %o the night 1rion was born=< The "an groane%' a$$owing his face to press into the carpet. <-o 4 rea$$y ha&e to say=< he whine%. <Besi%es' you;&e to$% too "any peop$e that story.< Ton#s grinne%' #nowing that it ha% to be 0e"us. 6o one e$se wou$% turn that sha%e of purp$e. <Then you won;t "in% repeating it.< 0e"us grow$e% strugg$ing again against the weight of her bo%y pressing hi" into the f$oor. <She wasn;t born at nightAshe was born in the "orning.< <(n%=< Ton#s grinne%' en:oying e&ery secon% of watching hi" s>uir". <(n%A< 0e"us sighe% an% ga&e up' surren%ering the fight. <(n% 4 passe% outA"isse% the entire birth.< She grinne% %own at hi" an% "o&e% her #nee to the opposite si%e' stra%%$ing his bac#' before $eaning o&er to press a #iss to his chee#. <Bes' you %i%' %uc#y.< ,e grow$e% an% twiste% un%erneath her' pu$$ing her %own so that she was pinne% un%er hi". <That was entire$y unnecessary'< he sco$%e% her. <6o one e$se can get into this house.< Ton#s $aughe%' s>uea$ing when he %ug his fingers into her ribs. <@re% an% !orge can.<

0e"us conte"p$ate% that for a "o"ent before raising an eyebrow to ac#now$e%ge her point. <Besi%es'< Ton#s sai%' pu$$ing hi" %own to #iss her. <?y o$% "an %oesn;t run up stairs that way.< <Bour o$% "an=< 0e"us s>uaw#e% in%ignant$y. <1$% "an=< <Bep'< she grinne% up at hi". <,e;s %ignifie% an% swotty an%D< <!inish that an% 4;$$ show you %ignifie%'< 0e"us grow$e%' capturing her $ips an% ro$$ing fu$$y onto her. <4;" assu"ing'< Ton#s sai% as his $ips tra&e$e% a$ong her :aw an% %own her nec#' <that things went we$$.< 0e"us sat up' a grin on his face "a#ing hi" $oo# twenty years younger. <4t;s hi"' -ora'< he crowe%. <4t;s rea$$y hi".< <4 thought we estab$ishe% that' $o&e'< she raise% an eyebrow at hi"' reaching up to brush $oc#s of si$&ery grey hair out of his face. <6o'< he shoo# his hea%. <,e re"e"bers thingsDnot a $ot' butAhe be$ie&e% "e' -ora.< ,e finishe% soft$y' ro$$ing to the si%e an% bringing her with hi" so they were cu%%$e% together. <,e be$ie&e% "e that he was "agica$' an% about his past' an% about @inny.< Ton#s opene% her "outh to rep$y but c$ose% it again' not sure what to as#. <,e was going ho"e to ta$# to F""a'< 0e"us sai% soft$y. <4 to$% hi" to ca$$ if he ha% >uestions. 1r if he wante% "e to co"e an% ta$# to F""a.< <-i% he $i#e the photographs=< Ton#s as#e%. She;% spent hours %up$icating the" an% putting the" into the boo# for 0e"us to ta#e. <,e $o&e% the"'< 0e"us sai%. <($though 4 thin# when 4 first showe% the" to hi" he was scare% out of his "in%.< <-o you b$a"e hi"=< Ton#s s"i$e%. <6o'< 0e"us shoo# his hea% an% sighe% "ighti$y. <4 %on;t.< They $apse% into co"fortab$e si$ence whi$e Ton#s consi%ere% what the neCt steps wou$% be. <3e;re getting the" bac#' -ora'< 0e"us sai%' his han% co"ing up to cup her chee# as he turne% an% #isse% her gent$y. <They;re co"ing ho"e.<

The sha%ow %own the a$$ey was %ar# enough for -raco to "a#e it a$$ the way out' without ha&ing to re&ea$ hi"se$f to the (uror trai$ing hi". 4t was another roo#ie' he cou$% te$$. They a$ways %i% stupi% things to gi&e the"se$&es awayDtripping on so"ething' wearing the wrong thing in the wrong p$ace an% not b$en%ing in we$$ enough. But the ga"e of cat an% "ouse was getting o$%. 4t too# too "uch ti"e to go where he wante% to go an% %o what he wante% to %o when he ha% to sha#e a fo$$ower fro" his trai$. (n%' "uch as it annoye% hi"' he ha% to a%"it they were getting better. Bears ago' when -raco ha% first starte% noticing strange peop$e watching hi"' it ha% "a%e hi" furious. But they were so inept that it rea$$y %i%n;t "atter. (n% they weren;t rea$$y watching c$ose$yD:ust "ore obser&ing than anything. There wasn;t anything he cou$% %o about it anyway' not without re&ea$ing that he #new they were there. Swearing >uiet$y as the (uror ca"e out into the bright sun$ight of %ay' -raco steppe% into a s"a$$ ?ugg$e cafK' "o&e% >uic#$y towar% the $oo an% -isapparate%. 2et the" try an% fo$$ow that' he thought s"ug$y. The wa$# ho"e in the co$% air %i%n;t see" near$y $ong enough' .ac# ref$ecte%' as he reache% the row of f$ats that he an% F""a ha% "a%e their ho"e for a$"ost the who$e $ast year. ,e stoppe% on the step an% stuffe% his han%s in his poc#ets. <3hat in the b$oo%y he$$ a" 4 going to te$$ her=< he "u"b$e% an% then ga&e a wry chuc#$e. There was nothing for itG it wou$% ha&e to be the truth. But cou$% she han%$e the truth.= She was the strong one' he #new that. (n%' chances were' she;% accept it faster than he ha%. 6either of the" ha% e&er a%"itte% it to anyone e$se beforeAbut there was another reason that the two of the" ha% connecte% so easi$y. -espite both of their tragic pasts' they share% another thingAa "uch %ar#er secret that they;% on$y %isco&ere% a wee# or two before beco"ing engage%. Both of the" "a%e strange things happen. They rare$y spo#e of it. (n% now' ha&ing :ust $istene% to 0e"us eCp$ain things' .ac# #new why they were %ifferent. The thought stee$e% his reso$&e an% he entere% the bui$%ing. F""a wo#e fro" her groggy nap when .ac# #isse% her. 4t too# a "o"ent of b$in#ing an% trying to get her brain to reconnect before she scow$e% at hi". <!i&e hours=< she grow$e%. .ac#' the insufferab$e git' grinne%. <4t was on$y four.<

<(n% a ha$f'< F""a infor"e% hi"' a$though she %i%n;t pu$$ away. <The eCtra ha$f counts for "ore.< <4t %oes=< he $aughe%. F""a narrowe% her eyes at hi" an% po#e% hi" &icious$y in the si%e. <Bes' it %oes. 4t shou$% count forAtrip$e.< .ac# $aughe% again an% $eane% forwar% to #iss her. <Then 4;$$ ha&e to "a#e up for it.< ,e c$i"be% onto the secon%+han% sofa with her' wrapping as tight$y as he cou$%. She threa%e% her ar"s aroun% hi"' but poute% :ust the sa"e. <Bou scare% "e'< she a%"itte%. <4 ha&e a &ery &i&i% i"agination an% it was wor#ing har%.< 2eaning abo&e her on his e$bow' .ac# trace% the out$ine of her face with his finger. <4;" sorry. 4 $ost trac# of ti"e.< She $oo#e% at hi"' seeing the sincerity in his face an% no%%e%. <-i% you "eet up with -ere#=< ,is face stiffene%. <6o'< he a%"itte% soft$y. <4 ca$$e% ?r. 2upin.< ,is wor%s "e$te% soft$y in the air between the" an% F""a too# a "o"ent to %igest what that "eant. <(n%=< she as#e%' her heart beating :ust a bit faster. .ac# pu$$e% away' sat up an% ran his han% through his hair. <(n%Ahe #new "e.< F""a stare% at hi" for a $ong "inute. The baby wo#e insi%e her' $itt$e $i"bs "o&ing against her be$$y. She brought her han% %own unconscious$y an% cra%$e% the bu"p. .ac# $oo#e% o&er at her' s"i$e% sa%$y an% p$ace% his han% a$ongsi%e hers. <(re you upset by it=< she fina$$y as#e%' watching his face c$ose$y. F&en though she wante% to gi&e .ac# e&erythingDthis $in# to his past "a%e her fee$Aa bit threatene%' if she were honest. She ha% no i%ea what to eCpect. She #new that .ac# $o&e% herDhe wou$% ne&er $ea&e her. 4rrationa$ as the fear "ay be' howe&er' it was sti$$ there' an% F""a se$fish$y he$% on to it. .ac# sighe% an% reache% for her han%' he$ping her to sit up. S$ow$y' he e%ge% her to sit between his #nees' his strong han%s pressing on her $ower bac#. F""a groane% in re$ief an% $eane% forwar% a bit' $etting his thu"bs press into a$$ the right p$aces. <6ot upset'< he sighe%. <4t;s a$$ a bitAsurrea$ to "e sti$$.<

<But you %on;t thin# he was $ying=< She wince% when he reache% a particu$ar$y ten%er #not an% his thu"b rubbe% it o&er an% o&er' wor#ing the "usc$e to re$aC. <6o' he was te$$ing the truth.< F""a no%%e%' sighing as .ac#;s han%s "o&e% s$ow$y up her bac#' #nea%ing the tension away. <(n%A< .ac# chuc#$e%. <(n%'< he continue%' <the things he to$% "eAthey were a"a5ing' F".< ,is fingers stoppe% wor#ing an% she g$ance% bac# o&er her shou$%er' watching as his face fi$$e% with confusion an% eCtre"e stress. <,ow "uch %o you want to #now=< he as#e%. F""a turne% an% $ai% her bo%y against his' her ear co"ing to rest against his chest' :ust o&er his heart. 4f it was ba%' she &owe%' she cou$% a$ways focus on his heartbeat. <F&erything'< she whispere%. .ac# sighe% an% he$% her to hi". <Bou #now how we;reA%ifferent=< he as#e%. She $ifte% her hea%' peering c$ose$y at hi" before no%%ing. She cou$% fee$ her face heat an% hi% it into his chest. TheseAabnor"a$ities were a great source of uneasiness for F""a. She %i%n;t $i#e thin#ing about the"G it "a%e herAunco"fortab$e in a weir% way. <3e;re suppose% to be' F""a'< .ac# assure% her' $ifting her chin to $oo# into her eyes. <3e;reA"agica$. 4;" a wi5ar%' an% you;re a witch.< F""a fe$t the uncontro$$ab$e %esire to $augh hysterica$$y at hi". There was no wayA 3itches were those horrib$e creatures on the te$$yAor the $itt$e gir$s running aroun% on ,a$$oween with their faces painte% green an% co&ere% in warts. ,owe&er' the $augh %ie% so"ewhere behin% the sob that escape%. The wor% he;% use% %i%n;t fit for her' but the fee$ingA 3e$$' she cou$%n;t %efine what it was' but she #new he was right. <1h' $o&e'< he sai%' gathering her to hi". <This is a goo% thing. There areAhun%re%s of peop$e $i#e usDthousan%s' "aybe.< ( "i$$ion >uestions para%e% through her "in% but she cou$%n;t grasp any of the"' so F""a sett$e% bac# in against his chest as he continue% to ta$#' te$$ing her about his $ife as ,arry *otter' or what he re"e"bere% fro" 0e"us 2upin;s ta$e. 3hen she cou$%n;t han%$e it any $onger' a burning >uestion spi$$e% out of her. <(n% where %o 4 fit into a$$ of this=< she as#e%. .ac# $ifte% her face again' wiping away her tears before #issing her. <Bou;re "ine'< he sai%. <(n% nothing is going to change that.<

<4 #now'< she sai%' ta#ing a bit of co"fort fro" his con&iction. <(re you sure you;re fee$ing up to this=< .ac# as#e% again. !ear f$oo%e% into her s$ow$y' an% she reache% %own to cra%$e the baby. Strange$y' he was sti$$ an% she %i%n;t fee$ anything to worry about. <4;" fine'< she assure% hi". .ac# sighe% an% no%%e%. <Bour na"e is @inny 3eas$ey'< he sai%' his $ips ghosting a$ong her te"p$e. <Bou ha&e a $arge fa"i$y.< F""a;s tears $ea#e% out s$ow$y' soa#ing .ac#;s shirt as she thought about that. 2i#e .ac# ha% sai%' it was a$$ a bitAtoo "uch. She;% gone fro" ha&ing on$y .ac# an% the baby to ha&ing peop$e out there that care% about her. Bet' it %i%n;t see" rea$. <3hat happene% to us' .ac#=< she as#e%' her fingers %igging into the s#in on his ar"s. <They %on;t #now for sure'< he shrugge%' s"oothing her hair %own her bac# with his free han%. <So"eone "esse% with our "e"ories.< <3hy us=< she as#e%' $oo#ing up at hi". <3hy wou$% so"eone hurt us=< <4 %on;t #now'< .ac# a%"itte%. <There;s "ore if you can han%$e it=< F""a $oo#e% away for a "inute' her heart thun%ering in his chest. <This is the best part'< .ac# assure% her in a soft &oice. !ina$$y' she pu$$e% her thoughts together $ong enough to no%. She cou$% use a ;best part; right now. <Bou an% 4D,arry an% @innyDwe were together' F". Fngage%.< ,er hea% spun' fee$ing $ight an% fu$$ of f$uffDthe sort of fee$ing she ha% when she;% first awo#en fro" her co"a. 4t was %isorienting an% $eft her fee$ing out of contro$ of her own bo%y. <F"=< .ac# as#e%' $eaning towar% her an% wrapping his ar"s aroun% her as she swaye%. <(re you a$right=< <Beah'< she "u"b$e%. <.ustA< <4;" $aying you %own'< he sai%' as he %i% :ust that. She fe$t the cushions a$ong her bac# an% c$ose% her eyes against the roo" spinning. <Shou$% 4 ring so"eone=< ,er "in% fina$$y caught up to what .ac# was saying an% she shoo# her hea%. <6o'< she whispere%' <:ust %i55y.<

,is worrie% face $oo"e% abo&e her when she opene% her eyes s$ow$y' an% she reache% up to s$i%e her han% a$ong his chee#. <4 re"e"ber gi&ing you the ring'< he sai% soft$y. <3hen 0e"us was te$$ing "eA4 ha% this f$ash. Bou an% 4 were sittingD< <By a $a#e'< F""a sai% in won%er' c$osing her eyes tight$y to grasp the fa%ing i"age in her hea%. <(n% it was sunny.< <Beah'< .ac# sai%' $aying his hea% gent$y on her be$$y. <Bou an% 4'< F""a sai%' reaching %own to run her fingers through his hair. <Bou an% 4'< he agree%. <4 pro"ise% you fore&er.< <3e foun% each other'< she whispere% in awe' the spinning fee$ing starting to return. The "e"ory starte% to fa%e fro" her "in%. <!ore&er' .ac#'< she whispere%' fee$ing hi" tighten his grip on her.

*Chapter 12*: Chapter 12

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: &o" now our couple !nows who they are" but !nowing and accepting" and then li%ing with that !nowledge are %ery different things. Than!s to #lla and $eb for !eeping me sane,or passably close anyway. Chapter 12 %o&ember 2 2 to 'ecember 2 2

<So' %o you ha&e any >uestions=< 0e"us watche% as F""a g$ance% up at .ac#' who sat neCt to her on the s"a$$ sofa' their han%s c$aspe% tight$y together. <Thousan%s'< F""a sai% soft$y an% shoo# her hea% in a"a5e"ent. F&en hearing this a$$ for the secon% ti"e "a%e her fee$ %isoriente%. <But 4 ha&e no i%ea where to begin.< <4 un%erstan%'< 0e"us s"i$e% #in%$y. ,e;% been &ery gent$e when rete$$ing their story for F""a tonight an% she was gratefu$. <4t;s $i#e so"ething out of so"e storyboo#' isn;t it=< she as#e%' turning bac# to .ac#. ,e shrugge%. <But it "a#es sense.< <4t %oes'< she confir"e% soft$y an% rubbe% her forehea%. .ac# narrowe% his eyes at her an% she :ust wa&e% his concern off. 0ea$$y' she fe$t better now than she ha% in awhi$e. ?aybe it was the fact that the fantastica$ story see"e% toAfit' e&en if it "a%e her fee$ strange. <,ow is it that we %i%n;t re"e"ber this=< F""a as#e% soft$y' spea#ing "ost$y to herse$f. <3e be$ie&e that so"eone p$ace% a "e"ory char" on you'< 0e"us eCp$aine%. <Fither that' or co"p$ete$y ob$i&iate% your "e"ories a$together. 3e ha&e so"eone researching that.< <,ow cou$% so"eone %o that=< she as#e% in a horrifie% &oice. The thought "a%e her fee$ %irty an%A&io$ate%. <,ow can so"eone :ust ta#e e&erything that you are' e&erything that you #now' an% "a#e it a$$ %isappear=< <4t;s an e&i$ thing'< 0e"us ac#now$e%ge%. <-o you #now who %i% it=< .ac# as#e% as he s$ippe% his ar" aroun% his wife an% pu$$e% her c$oser to hi"' p$acing a #iss on her hea% when she snugg$e% into hi". <3e;re in&estigating that'< 0e"us no%%e%. <The ?inistry wi$$ ha&e to be infor"e%' at so"e point. But for now' we;re hoping to #eep your sur&i&a$ as >uiet as possib$e.< <3hy is that=< .ac# as#e%. 0e"us sighe% an% ruff$e% his hair a bit. <0e"e"ber that in our wor$%Dthe 3i5ar%ing wor$%Dyou are a ce$ebrity' .ac#. (n% F""a as we$$. *eop$e #now the na"es of ,arry *otter an% @inny 3eas$ey. 4t;s been o&er four years but the two of you are $au%e% as heroes.< F""a wince% against .ac#;s shou$%er. 4t %i%n;t soun% $i#e the type of $ife that she wou$% e&er want.

<3hat if we %on;t want to return=< .ac# as#e% the >uestion that was on both of their "in%s. They;% ta$#e% about it $ong hours into the night $ast nightDwhether to stay as they were' or return. 0e"us sighe% again. <3e$$' that is your right. But there wi$$ be peop$e who wou$% be &ery %isappointe%. F""a has a fa"i$yD< <4 %on;t re"e"ber the"'< she obser&e% %ispassionate$y. 4t fe$t a bit crue$' but she was tire% an% wasn;t sure how to cope with a$$ of this. <6o' but they $o&e you. @inny was the center of that fa"i$y' the brightest one of the" a$$.< <So"ehow 4 %on;t %oubt that'< .ac# sai% soft$y' #issing her forehea%. <(n% they;% a$$ but a%opte% ,arry as one of their own'< 0e"us continue%. F""a fe$t .ac# f$inch a bit at 0e"us; wor%s an% nu55$e% into hi" c$oser' reaching %own to ta#e his han%. She #new the i%ea of hi" not ha&ing anyone out there bothere% hi" "ore than he $et on. <Bou %on;t ha&e to %eci%e right now'< 0e"us co"forte% the" both. <4n fact' 4;&e not to$% the fa"i$y "uch at a$$. (rthur' that;s your father'< he no%%e% to F""a' <an% a few of your brothers #now' but we;&e #ept it >uiet.< .ac#' perhaps fee$ing F""a;s eChaustion e"anating fro" her' no%%e% abrupt$y an% stoo%' ho$%ing out his han% to 0e"us. <Than# you for co"ing. 3e;$$ nee% so"e ti"e to %iscuss what we want to %o.< <4 un%erstan%'< 0e"us sai%. <(n%' 4 %on;t want to pressure you in any way' but once the fa"i$y #nows' they;$$ want to see you.< F""a g$ance% up at .ac# as she re$aCe% bac# into the sofa an% rubbe% her be$$y. The baby shifte% an% she wince% as a sharp e$bow or #nee groun% against her ribs. <4;% be "ore than happy to co"e bac# an% show you a bit "ore "agic'< 0e"us offere%. <(n% 4;" sure "y wife' -ora' an% e&en 1rion' our %aughter' wou$% $o&e to co"e. 4n fact' why %on;t you pic# a %ay an% we;$$ bring %inner. 4t;$$ be &ery casua$ an% "aybe we can answer a few "ore >uestions for you.< .ac# g$ance% %own at her an% F""a shrugge% a shou$%er' fee$ing "ore eChauste% than e&er. <3e;$$ $et you #now'< .ac# offere%' the concern he fe$t for his wife e&i%ent on his face. <!air enough.<

<,ere are the "e%ica$ recor%s you as#e% for'< .ac# sai%' ho$%ing out two tattere% fi$es thic# with paperwor#. 0e"us no%%e%. <4;$$ "a#e sure they get into the right han%s.< 1nce .ac# ha% seen 0e"us out' he returne% to the sofa an% gathere% a weeping F""a up into his ar"s. <4;" sorry'< she whispere% into the war" s#in of his nec#. <4;" not sure why 4;" crying.< <4t;s a$right'< he soothe%' rubbing her bac# an% ho$%ing her tight$y to hi". <4 can on$y i"agine what you;re fee$ing right now.< <4 ha&e parents'< she sobbe%' an awe% tone fi$$ing her &oice. <(n% brothers' an% nieces an% nephews.< <That;s a goo% thing'< .ac# confir"e%. ,is &oice was rather tight an% she was sure he was thin#ing of the fact that he ha% no fa"i$y $eft. <0e"us sai% they $o&e% you.< <4 %on;t re"e"ber'< he sai% soft$y. F""a pu$$e% bac# an% swipe% at her tears before gigg$ing. <6either %o 4.< .ac# s"i$e% sa%$y an% $eane% forwar% to #iss her gent$y. <Co"e on' $et;s go ha&e a #ip.< (n% he carrie% her to their be% an% spoone% up behin% her' his ar"s ho$%ing her be$$y an% her han%s c$aspe% o&er his. <?a#ing any progress=< 0on as#e%' shuff$ing %own the stairs fro" putting @inny 0ose %own for the neCt few hours. ,er"ione raise% her hea% fro" where she was rea%ing an% "a#ing notes. <So"e'< she no%%e%. <4 ha% no i%ea there were so "any %ifferent ways to a$ter "e"ories.< 0on tugge% a chair fro" the far si%e of her office an% $eane% o&er the %es#' his eyes scanning her notes' but not rea$$y rea%ing the". <!or eCa"p$e' a si"p$e 1b$i&iate on$y "as#s the "e"ories'< she $ecture%' <it %oesn;t erase the" a$$ together. 4t;s $i#eAputting a wa$$ in front of the".< <-o you thin# that;s what was %one=< 0on as#e%' his finger $ifting the stac# of notes that his wife ha% ta#en. 4t "ust be an inch thic#.

<6o'< ,er"ione shoo# her hea%. <0e"us "entione% that both .ac# an% F""a ha&e f$ashes of "e"ory fro" ti"e to ti"e. 3hen an 1b$i&iation is bro#en' e&en a s"a$$ part' the who$e spe$$ co$$apses' freeing a$$ of the "e"ories. That;s ob&ious$y not happening here.< 0on no%%e%' pon%ering that. <3hat e$se cou$% ha&e been use%=< <3e$$'< ,er"ione sai%' pushing the boo# away fro" her a bit an% $eafing through her notes. <There are se&era$ potions that 4;" going to ha&e to in&estigate further. But 4 thin# 4 can safe$y ru$e out "ost "e"ory char"s' "o%ifications an% such. They;re si"p$y not strong enough to $ast four years an% be as co"p$ete as this one see"s to be. 1f course' if 4 can get "y han%s on the "e%ica$ recor%s that "ight he$p.< <(re you a$rea%y through a$$ of these=< 0on as#e%' his han% in%icating the four $arge stac#s of boo#s $eaning against the wa$$ of the office. <Bes'< ,er"ione no%%e% %istracte%$y. <Those are a$$ the boo#s fro" the ,ogwarts $ibrary that ha&e "ore than a "ention of "e"ory "o%ification or char"ing. 4 a$rea%y sent the ?inistry;s ones bac# to /ings$ey.< 0on stare% at her' a bit gogg$e+eye%. <,ow ha&e you ha% ti"e to rea% a$$ of these=< he "u"b$e% in awe. ,e wou$% accuse her of ha&ing a ti"e turner ha% he not #nown they ha% a$$ been %estroye% %uring their %aring rai% on the ?inistry in fifth year. <1f course 4 ha&en;t rea% a$$ of the"' 0on'< ,er"ione scow$e% %own at so"ething in her notes an% use% her >ui$$ to high$ight so"ething e$se. <4 use% an in%eC char".< 0on thought about that before scow$ing. <There;s an in%eC char"=< ,er"ione raise% her eyes fro" her wor#' stu%ying at hi" intent$y. <1f course there;s an in%eC char"' 0on. Bou %on;t honest$y be$ie&e that 4 rea% e&ery boo# you;&e seen "e with o&er the years.< <Beah'< he no%%e% &igorous$y' <4 %i%.< ,er"ione snorte% an% shoo# her hea% at hi". <,onest$y' if 4 ha% to rea% e&ery boo# 4 nee%e% for a sing$e research paper' 4;% ha&e ne&er $eft the ,ogwarts $ibrary.< <3e$$D< 0on %raw$e%' but a >uic# $oo# fro" his wife si$ence% hi". ,e c$eare% his throat' searching for anything to get hi" out of troub$e' an% $atche% onto the first thought that entere% his "in%. <-i% you #now that ,arry use% to nic# your papers whi$e you an% 4 were rowing=< ,e s"i$e% prou%$y when she c$ose% her "outh' in%ignant fury sprea%ing across her face. <,e %i%n;t=<

<6e&i$$e sai% so'< 0on tatt$e%' grinning. ,er"ione burst out $aughing then an% pushe% her paperwor# away fro" her. <That $itt$eAcheater.< 0on snorte%. <4s that the best you can co"e up with' ;cheater;=< <3e$$'< ,er"ione %efen%e%. <Bes.< ,is s"i$e %ie% when she turne% to $oo# at hi"' tears fi$$ing her eyes. <4 won;t e&en sco$% hi".< 0on reache% o&er an% tugge% her into his e"brace. <4 #now'< he soothe%. <(n% 4 won;t ta#e the "ic#ey out of hi" for putting @inny in the pu%%ing c$ub.< ,er"ione snorte% an% burie% her face in his shirt' grasping tight$y to the fabric. <-o you thin# they;$$ e&er be the sa"e again=< <6o'< 0on answere% honest$y. <But that;s a$right.< They were >uiet for a "inute before she no%%e% an% pu$$e% away' wiping her tears off of her chee#s. <4 pro"ise% -ora 4;% co"e o&er an% get the boC of boo#s that 0e"us set asi%e.< <The ones fro" the B$ac# stuff=< 0on as#e%. 3hen she no%%e%' he stoo%. <4;$$ get the" for you. @inny 0ose "ight wa#e up soon an% you;% better be rea%y to fee% her. 4 won;t be gone "ore than a few "inutes.< ,er"ione $aughe% an% agree% as 0on tosse% f$oo pow%er in the grate an% ca$$e% out' <1 @ri""au$% *$ace.< The fa"i$y was a$$ seate%' watching hi" c$ose$y as he stoo% in front of the firep$ace "ante$' $oo#ing at the %o5ens of fra"e% faces $ining the o$% oa# piece of woo%. There were so "any "e"ories thereDyears an% years of s"i$ing' happy ti"es. (rthur sighe% %eep$y an% &owe% to a%% to that co$$ection of photographs soon. <Than# you for co"ing'< he sai% soft$y' fi%geting with his han% that ting$e% an% wou$%n;t c$ose right. @i&ing it an annoye% sha#e' he continue%. <(n% than# you for fin%ing p$aces for your $itt$e ones to be.< <6ot a prob$e"' -a%'< @eorge ca$$e% out. <Beah'< !re% pipe% up. <3e ha&en;t ha% (unt ?urie$ watch the twins in yon#s.<

?o$$y gaspe%' <Bou %i%n;tH< e&en as (rthur s"i$e%. ,e #new the boys were win%ing their "other up. There was no way that ?urie$ wou$% e&er agree to watching the two sets of troub$eso"e twinsDnor wou$% she probab$y sur&i&e it if she ha%. <1ur parents ha&e the"'< /atie assure% ?o$$y with an agreeing no% fro" ($icia. <Than# ?er$in'< ?o$$y "uttere%' pressing her han% to her chest. (rthur win#e% at @eorge an% trie% to schoo$ his features "ore appropriate$y for the topic of tonight;s 3eas$ey !a"i$y Counci$. Bi$$ ga&e hi" a no% of confi%ence' as %i% *ercy' before (rthur;s eyes sett$e% on his youngest son. 0on was sitting with his ar" wrappe% aroun% ,er"ione' who was roc#ing $itt$e @inny 0ose. <4 #now we ha&en;t ha% one of these "eetings in a $ong ti"e'< he starte%. <But so"e things ha&e been brought to $ight recent$y that 4 thought it was ti"e you #new about.< <(rthurD< <4n a "inute' ?o$$y'< he soothe%' ho$%ing up his han%. <2ast wee#' 0e"us contacte% "e an% as#e% "e to co"e to @ri""au$% *$ace. 3hen 4 arri&e%' there were se&era$ of the 1r%er "e"bers there.< ,e sighe% an% shifte% his stiff $eg' gri"acing at the pain in the :oint. <0e"us to$% us a fantastic storyDone that 4 ha% a har% ti"e be$ie&ing.< <-a%D< <.ust a "inute' !re%'< he sai%. <0e"us went to ?anchester' to a boo#store there. The "an that he$pe% hi"' a ?ugg$e' $oo#e% eCact$y $i#e ,arry.< ?o$$y gaspe%' her han%#erchief co&ering her "outh. (rthur $oo#e% at her' a sa% s"i$e stretching across his face. <(t first' 4 %i%n;t want to be$ie&e it "ight be true'< he sai%. <4;&e spent so "uch ti"e te$$ing "yse$f that they;re goneA< his &oice bro#e an% he too# a "inute' swa$$owing thic#$y before no%%ing. <But it was true.< <4t was ,arry=< Char$ie as#e%' shifting towar% his "other an% pu$$ing her into his e"brace. ?aggie' neCt to hi"' cu%%$e% their newborn son to her' roc#ing the baby. <4t was'< (rthur confir"e%. !re% an% @eorge $eane% towar% each other' ta$#ing in >uic# whispers. (rthur he$% up his han% an% c$eare% his throat. <,e;s $i&ing in ?anchester' un%er the na"e of .ac# 4nga$$s.< <,e;s $ost his "e"ory'< 0on a%%e%' s"i$ing sheepish$y at his father for interrupting.

(rthur no%%e% an% continue%. <,e has no significant "e"ory of anything before wa#ing up in the hospita$ four years ago. 0e"us has been "eeting with hi"Aan% with his wife.< ?o$$y gaspe% again an% (rthur caught her eye. <?o$$y' it;s @inny'< he whispere%. <4t is'< Bi$$ no%%e%. <4;&e seen the pictures.< ?o$$y "a%e a soun% of protest' pushing away fro" Char$ie an% stan%ing' han%s on her hips' facing her e$%est son. <BouAyou;&e #nown about this= ($$ this ti"e=< <!or a few %ays'< Bi$$ no%%e%' his eyes %arting to his father. (rthur steppe% forwar% an% p$ace% his han%s on his wife;s shou$%ers. <4t was "y wish that we "a#e sure before we to$% the entire fa"i$y'< he sai% fir"$y' turning her aroun% to face hi". <3e ha% to be sure'< he sai% soft$y. ,er eyes f$ashe% an% he #new he was not going to get off easy for the %ecision' but she no%%e% reso$ute$y' in%icating to hi" that she wou$% %iscuss it $ater' when they were a$one. Sighing' he continue%. <@inny has no "e"ory either. They were in %ifferent towns' in %ifferent hospita$s. They "etDa co"p$ete$y chance encounter' 0e"us te$$s "eDon$y a year ago' were "arrie% a few "onths after that' an% are now eCpecting their first chi$%.< ?o$$y "oane% an% swaye% in his grasp' her han%s fisting in his robes an% wetting the fabric with her tears. <The 1r%er has been in&estigating'< Bi$$ pic#e% up the ta$e' gaining a no% fro" his father. <The (urors are going to be ca$$e% in soon'< 0on sai% soft$y. </ings$ey is ta#ing the case hi"se$f.< <3ho wou$% %o so"ething $i#e that=< Char$ie as#e%' a har% eCpression on his face. 0on opene% his "outh to rep$y but (rthur cut hi" off' fee$ing that now wasn;t the ti"e for that %iscussion. <3e;re wor#ing on figuring that out' Char$ie.< <0e"us has seen the"=< ?o$$y as#e%' pu$$ing bac# fro" her husban%. <0e"us has seenA"y baby' "y @innyAan% ,arry=< (rthur s"i$e%' reaching %own to wipe away his wife;s tears. <,e;s been in their ho"e'< he no%%e%' <se&era$ ti"es.< ,e too# a %eep breath. <(n% 4;&e seen @inny "yse$f. 4 wasn;t suppose% to go'< he a%"itte%' gi&ing a sheepish shrug. <But 4 :ust ha% to see for "yse$f.< ?o$$y;s eyes $oo#e% %eep$y into his an% the rest of the fa"i$y fa%e% away "o"entari$y. ,e was ta$#ing to her' reassuring her that their chi$%Dtheir chi$%renDwere a$right. <She;s ra%iant' ?o$$y. @$owing' in fact. (n% she see"sAso in $o&e with hi".<

<She a$ways was'< ?o$$y whispere%. (rthur no%%e% an% "o&e% her grey hair off of her shou$%er' "ar&e$ing when he saw a tiny hint of re% sti$$ "iCe% into it. <4 was at the p$ay par# :ust %own fro" their f$at' trying to fin% the courage to #noc# on the %oor. (n% then she was there' in her boots an% hat an% "ittens. (n% 4 swore 4 cou$% see her $i#e she was when she was $itt$eDchee#s pin# fro" the co$%' eyes %arting about to ta#e in e&erything. 3e sat on the bench an% ta$#e%.< <SheD< <4 %i%n;t te$$ her who 4 was'< he answere% her >uestion before it cou$% be as#e%. <3e :ustAta$#e%.< ?o$$y;s eyes searche% his again an% he wi$$e% her to #now what he %i%' to be ab$e to see the $o&e in his %aughter;s eyes when she spo#e about her husban% an% the chi$% within her. <She;s sti$$ @inny'< he sai%. <F&en when she;s F""a. 4 can sti$$ see thatAspar# in her.< <Can 4 see the"=< she as#e% hopefu$$y' her han%s win%ing un%er his ar"s an% across his bac#. <Soon'< he pro"ise%' pu$$ing her into his e"brace an% not caring that tears were fa$$ing fro" his own eyes' in the "i%%$e of the fa"i$y. <3e;$$ see the" soon.< 0on c$ose% the rough woo%en %oor behin% hi" an% turne% to see his brothers perche% on &arious surfaces aroun% the c$uttere% she% that was his father;s sanctuary. <3ho was it=< Char$ie %e"an%e% harsh$y' his "uscu$ar ar"s fo$%e% o&er his chest. 0on wince%' #nowing that he probab$y shou$% #eep >uiet. ,e g$ance% o&er at Bi$$ who $oo#e% thoughtfu$ before shrugging one shou$%er. <?a$foy'< *ercy spo#e up. Char$ie stare% at hi" before turning his ga5e bac# to 0on. !re% an% @eorge $oo#e% at each other before no%%ing once' stan%ing an% pu$$ing their wan%s. <3here %o you thin# you;re going=< Bi$$ %e"an%e% as he sett$e% bac# against the tattere% seat of Sirius; o$% "otorbi#e. 0on re"e"bere% his father &ague$y spea#ing about fiCing the o$% thing up' but that was before the stro#e too# so "uch out of hi". <To the shop' of course'< !re% g$are% at hi" as if he were stupi%.

0on snorte%. <To get what=< @eorge grinne% an% the ferocity of it "a%e 0on shi&er. <2itt$e of this' $itt$e of that'< he shrugge%. <!erret bait'< !re% a%%e% at the sa"e ti"e. <Bou;re not going anywhere'< Char$ie %e"an%e%. <3e nee% a p$an.< <The ?inistry isD< 0on starte%. <The ?inistry is %oing nothing' 0on'< Char$ie hisse%. <That "uch is ob&ious.< <3e %on;t #nowD< *ercy starte%' but Bi$$ cut hi" off. <3e #now enough. 4;&e seen the e&i%ence.< <There;s e&i%ence=< Char$ie too# a $arge step towar% 0on an%' %espite being a goo% eight inches ta$$er than his brother' 0on steppe% bac#. Bou :ust %i%n;t "ess with a b$o#e who once wor#e% with %ragons for a $i&ing. The brothers a$$ $oo#e% at 0on' harsh faces %e"an%ing answers. <4t;s a$$ circu"stantia$'< he a%"itte%. <4;" with you' be$ie&e "e'< he he$% out his han%s in protest. <4 ha&e "ore right to s#in ?a$foy a$i&e than anyoneDeCcept "aybe ,arry.< <3e;$$ be in $ine right after you' "ate< !re% gri"ace%. <3hat we nee%'< *ercy sai% thoughtfu$$y' <is a p$an.< <3hat sort of p$an=< 0on as#e%' narrowing his eyes. *ercy;s participation in this who$e thing surprise% 0on. ,e was usua$$y the &oice of reason a"ongst the hothea%e% 3eas$eys. <( p$an in case the ?inistry isn;t successfu$'< *ercy shrugge% as if it were co"p$ete$y ob&ious. They a$$ eCchange% $oo#s' brea#ing into wi%e' fera$ grins. <Can we inc$u%e so"e firewor#s=< !re% as#e%. <*$ease=< @eorge begge%. 0on cou$%n;t ho$% in a $augh at their co"p$ete$y innocent an% eager faces. ,e crac#e% up' $eaning o&er onto the c$uttere% wor# counter' ?ugg$e batteries an% p$ugs f$ying onto the %irt f$oor.

<4 cou$% probab$y get "y han%s on a %ragon'< Char$ie sai%' his face co"p$ete$y serious an% thoughtfu$. <Eoeg$e wou$%n;t as# too "any >uestions.< That sent his brothers into another fit of $aughter. 4t fe$t horrib$e' an% won%erfu$$y freeing at the sa"e ti"e' to be $aughing this "uch at such a serious thing. 0on cou$% a$"ost see ,arry' stan%ing against the tab$e neCt to hi"' ho$%ing his si%e an% $aughing unti$ he nee%e% to re"o&e his g$asses. 4t was a &ery bittersweet thought' an% 0on pro"ise% hi"se$f that it wou$% happen soon. <There was this heC 4 hear% about once'< Bi$$ "use% after he;% ca$"e% %own. <4 a$ways wante% to try it.< <3hat was it=< 0on as#e%' his si%es starting to hurt fro" $aughing so har%. <Testes Twistes'< Bi$$ proc$ai"e%. They a$$ wince% when Bi$$ grinne%. <4 hear% if you ho$% your wan% :ust right' an% gi&e it a twist' :ustA$i#e so'< he %e"onstrate%' ho$%ing his wan% out in front of hi"' <you hear this rea$$y satisfyingApop.< 0on groane% i"agining the scene. 3hen the shoc# of the i%ea wore off' an% he picture% ?a$foy;s eyes bu$ging out of his hea%' he starte% to $augh again. <Bou #now'< *ercy grinne%' a $oo# that 0on ha% to strugg$e to re"e"ber. -ays of young boys c$i"bing trees an% s#ipping roc#s was the $ast ti"e he re"e"bere% *ercy being $i#e thisDengaging his brothers $i#e this' an% $aughing an% s"i$ing with the". <4;&e a$ways wante% to %o a tra%itiona$ Fng$ish foC hunt.< 0on stare% at hi"' won%ering if *ercy ha% $ost his "in%. <4 suppose a ferret wou$% substitute we$$ for a foC' %on;t you=< he as#e%' raising an eyebrow at his brothers. !re% an% @eorge $atche% onto the i%ea >uic#$y' each grabbing o$% broo"stic#s an% c$i"bing aboar% the" $i#e horses' ca$$ing ;cheerio; an% ;goo% on you' o$% boy; to each other as they ga$$ope% aroun% the she%. <,er"ione wou$%n;t $et "e #eep a ferret pe$t in the house'< 0on >uippe%' sen%ing his brothers into ga$es of $aughter. <6ah' we;% gi&e it to @inny to %ea$ with'< Bi$$ s"i$e%. The brothers a$$ wince% at the thought. <Co"e to thin# of it'< @eorge sai%. <?aybe we %on;t ha&e to %o anything to ?a$ferret at a$$.< <Co"e off it'< !re% grow$e%. <3e;re not $etting hi" get offD< <,e "ay be right'< Bi$$ put in. <3e cou$% :ust han% hi" o&er to ,arry an% @inny.<

The rea$ity of that state"ent shoo# the" a$$ an% the $aughter fa%e% as they si$ent$y %ea$t with the fee$ings it brought up. <,ow cou$% he %o it=< 0on as#e% the roo" in genera$. <,ow cou$% heA:ust ta#e e&erything away=< <.ea$ousy'< Char$ie shrugge%. <But why not #i$$ the"=< *ercy as#e%. <?a$foy ne&er ha% the stones'< !re% sai%. <Beah'< @eorge a%%e%' <,e cou$%n;t e&en #i$$ a frai$ o$% "an on the (strono"y Tower.< They a$$ no%%e%' %eep in thought. <Besi%es'< Bi$$ sai% >uiet$y' <this hurt us a$$. ,e too# e&erything they ha% away fro" the". Strippe% the" of their i%entities' their "agicAan% each other. ,e too# e&erything that he en&ie% away fro" the". (n% in the process' he ca"e out $oo#ing $i#e a hero.< <S$i"y $itt$e ferret'< !re% grow$e%' tossing the ha$f+forgotten broo" he sti$$ he$% into the bac# of the she% where it c$attere% against she$&es fu$$ of aban%one% pro:ects. <4;" going to #i$$ hi" with "y bare han%s'< 0on proc$ai"e%. <6o you;re not'< *ercy sai% fir"$y. <Bou;&e got a fa"i$y now' 0ona$%. (n% as "uch as 4 agree with you' you nee% to thin# about the" first.< 0on %uc#e% his hea%' fee$ing his chee#s heat fro" the gent$e repri"an%. The thought of being #ept away fro" ,er"ione an% @inny 0ose chi$$e% his re&enge $ust. <Bou;&e a$$ got fa"i$ies'< *ercy sai%' $oo#ing aroun% at his brothers. <4f it co"es to thatA< he c$eare% his throat an% shifte% in his robes. <4f we %o ha&e toAta#e action. 4;$$ be the one to ta#e the b$a"e.< <6ow' hang on'< 0on scra"b$e% to his feet' protesting o&er the tops of his other brother;s ye$$s. <4;" the one without a fa"i$y'< *ercy no%%e% $ogica$$y. <3hat about us=< @eorge grow$e% into his o$%er brother;s face. <Bou %on;t consi%er us fa"i$y=< <Too goo% for us=< !re% as#e%. But there was no bite in his wor%s' because 0on cou$% see the pain in his face at the thought of $osing another brother.

<1f course not'< *ercy %efen%e%' his han%s up in front of hi" to war% off the stoc#y twins a%&ancing towar% hi". <4 on$y "eant that 4 a" not "arrie%' nor %o 4 ha&e chi$%ren.< <Beah'< Char$ie grow$e%' <but you;&e sti$$ got fa"i$y.< <(n% fa"i$y stic#s together'< 0on a%%e%. <4t won;t co"e to that'< Bi$$ assure% the"' ca$"ing the fears for a "o"ent. <The ?inistry wi$$ ta#e care of it' an% if they %on;tAthe 1r%er wi$$.< <Bes' we$$'< *ercy c$eare% his throat. <0on' you #eep us infor"e%.< 0on no%%e%' fee$ing &ery %raine% a$$ of a su%%en. <3e;&e got to get the" ho"e'< he "u"b$e%. ,is brothers no%%e% so$e"n$y. <3e wi$$'< Bi$$ assure% hi". </ings$ey;s got the (urors on ?a$foy %ay an% night' 0e"us is wor#ing with ,arry an% @inny' an% ,er"ione;s rea%ing e&ery boo# in sight.< 0on snorte% at that' rubbing the bac# of his nec#. <They;$$ co"e ho"e soon.< <4 hope you;re right'< 0on "u"b$e% to hi"se$f. Ton#s s"i$e% at the coup$e who were now sitting together on the worn yet co"fortab$e chair. F""a was %rape% across .ac#;s $ap an% the two were whispering bac# an% forth as they waite% for the ti"e that the *ort#ey wou$% acti&ate. Se&era$ %ifferent "etho%s of tra&e$ ha% been conte"p$ate% for the 4nga$$s; to get to the Burrow in -e&on. Ton#s ha% offere% to si%e+a$ong (pparate F""a there' but both .ac# an% F""a ha% refuse% f$at$y. They ha% suggeste% %ri&ing' but as none of the participants in this $atest a%&enture owne% a car' that was out. Both Ton#s an% 0e"us were ner&ous about F""a;s $an%ing with a *ort#ey' unti$ F""a herse$f >uestione% if they cou$% :ust "a#e a chair into the *ort#ey an% she cou$% sit in it. 0e"us an% Ton#s ha% stu%ie% each other an% both shrugge% at their apparent $ac# of creati&ity an% F""a;s bri$$iant i%ea. Ton#s trie% not to hear the >uiet wor%s passing between the two but foun% it har% not to. <(re you ner&ous=< <(bout the tra&e$=< F""a as#e% as she $ay her hea% %own on .ac#;s shou$%er. <1r about the fa"i$y=<

<Both'< .ac# shrugge%. <?ost$y about e&eryone;s reaction.< <4;" not sure what to eCpect'< F""a sai% >uiet$y. ,er fingers foun% the space between buttons on .ac#;s shirt an% s$ippe% insi%e' rubbing the s#in un%erneath. <4 :ust want e&erything to go we$$' you #now.< <4 #now'< .ac# sai% an% sighe%. F""a pu$$e% bac# a bit unti$ she cou$% see his face c$ear$y. <3hat is it=< <4 :ustA< .ac# f$ushe% an% $oo#e% away. <4;" ner&ous too.< <That;s un%erstan%ab$e' .ac#. 6either of us re"e"bers anything of our pasts' an% now this has been p$ace% in front of us.< <4 #now'< .ac# shrugge% an% F""a reache% up to $ay her han% a$ong his face. <4 :ust won%er what they;$$ thin# about "e.< <They a$rea%y $o&e you' 0e"us to$% us that.< .ac# shrugge%. <They $o&e% ,arryG 4;" not ,arry.< <(n% 4;" not @inny'< F""a proteste%. <3hat if they thin# 4;" not goo% enough for you=< .ac# as#e% in a >uiet &oice' fina$$y gi&ing &oice to his fears. <They;re your fa"i$y' F". They $oo# $i#e you an% ha&e the sa"e b$oo% an% a$$. 4 %on;t ha&e anyone $i#e that.< F""a reache% o&er to ta#e .ac#;s han% an% p$ace% it fir"$y on her be$$y. <Bou ha&e "e an% our chi$%. 3e;re a$$ the fa"i$y that you wi$$ e&er nee%' .ac#G the rest is :ustA$i#e icing on a ca#e. Bou an% 4' an% our chi$%ren' are the "ost i"portant thing. 4;" sure 4 $o&e% "y parents an% brothers an% 4 "ight e&en' with ti"e' $earn to $o&e the" again. But what you an% 4 ha&e is rea$' it;s strong an% it;s right hereG 4;" not about to forget that' .ac#.< .ac# s"i$e% sa%$y as he caresse% her be$$y. <4 %on;t #now what 4 %i% to e&er %eser&e you.< <Bou were you'< F""a answere% an% #isse% hi" soft$y. ?o$$y wipe% her han%s on her apron one "ore ti"e' the %a"p fabric not %oing "uch to %ri&e her ner&es away.

The tab$e was set with her best %ishes. She;% been ba#ing an% preparing foo% a$$ %ay' but it sti$$ %i%n;t see" enough. She g$ance% at the si%eboar%' groaning un%er the weight of a$$ the foo%. <1h no'< she "u"b$e% to the e"pty #itchen' <4 forgot to "a#e an app$e tart for Char$ie. ,e;$$ be so %isappointe%.< ( soft chuc#$e soun%e% fro" behin% her an% she turne% to see her husban% $eaning against the %oor :a"' his ar"s crosse% in front of hi". <Char$ie wi$$ $i&e'< he sco$%e% s$ight$y. <Besi%es' 4 %oubt if he;$$ e&en notice.< <4 ha% to "a#e a$$ their fa&orites'< ?o$$y worrie% again. <4t;s the first ti"eD< ,er &oice fai$e% an% she ro$$e% her eyes at herse$f' hating that the past two wee#s ha% been spent crying so "uch. 4t fe$t $i#e she ha% been thrust bac# four years' to the wee#s after the funera$Don$y f$ippe% upsi%e %own. She wasn;t "ourning any"ore' but her tears sti$$ cou$%n;t be ca$$e% :oyous or ce$ebratory. They were tears of anger' an% frustration an% "ourning the $oss of those four years. (rthur;s ar"s wrappe% aroun% her fro" behin% an% he #isse% her chee# soft$y. <4 thought we agree% no "ore tears.< <4 ne&er agree%'< she chuc#$e%' wiping at the e&i%ence. <4t;s going to be har%'< he agree% soft$y' roc#ing her bac# an% forth. ?o$$y sighe% an% $ai% her hea% against his shou$%er. <They $i#e$y won;t re"e"ber anything.< <4 #now'< she whispere%' her heart beating painfu$$y at the thought. ( "i$$ion f$ashes of past "o"ents p$aye% in her "in%Di"pish grins an% chi$%ish pran#s an% s#inne% #nees an% tears she% o&er cups of tea. <But we ha&e to try our best'< (rthur continue%. <4 #now'< she affir"e% again. They;% spent hours ta$#ing' $ate into the sti$$ b$ac#ness of their be%roo"G ta$#ing about what it wou$% be $i#e to ha&e the" co"e' what they wou$% re"e"ber' what the fa"i$y shou$% eCpect. <6ow' co"e on'< (rthur tugge% gent$y at her waist' <hang up the apron. Co"e out an% share a cup of eggnog with "e. The chi$%ren are rest$ess an% 4 pro"ise% the" a story.< ?o$$y $aughe% when he pu$$e% away fro" her' p$ayfu$$y ho$%ing out his han% in in&itation. She sighe%' cast one $ast war"ing char" o&er the foo% an% re"o&e% her worn apron' hanging in on the hoo# by the bac# %oor. The $i&ing roo" was be%$a". ,er eyes %rifte% o&er the chaos an% she wince% as one of !re%;s %aughters ran hea%+$ong into the Christ"as tree "a#ing it shu%%er an% s#i% a$ong

the har%woo% f$oor. Bobb$es an% orna"ents raine% %own onto the f$oor an% scattere% un%er chairs an% feet. ?o$$y si$ent$y wa&e% her wan% an% the tree righte% itse$f' %ecorations returning to their spots. *an%ora %i%n;t s$ow %own at a$$' but #ept right on "o&ing through the roo". <6e&er a %u$$ "o"ent'< (rthur "use%' a contente% s"i$e fi$$ing his face. <6o' there isn;t'< ?o$$y agree%. She watche% as (rthur %i% his best to gather the chi$%ren aroun% his fa&orite chair' storyboo# in han%. The parents see"e% re$ie&e% when the $itt$est 3eas$eys sat on the groun%' their eager faces $oo#ing up to their gran%father as he rea% the" the true story of Saint 6icho$as an% his "agica$ :ourney aroun% the earth. <4 re"e"ber that story'< Bi$$ sai% as he ca"e up besi%e her' his ar" wrapping o&er her shou$%er. <4t wasn;t unti$ you;% gone off to ,ogwarts that you refuse% to $isten to it'< ?o$$y raise% her eyebrow in cha$$enge. Bi$$ on$y s"i$e% an% shrugge%. <4t was tra%ition.< <4t;s about ti"e we got bac# to those tra%itions'< ?o$$y sai% wistfu$$y. ,er eyes tra&e$e% o&er to the c$oc# on the wa$$' the han%s for ,arry an% @inny pointing at ;2ost; as they ha% for four years. 4f on$y ?o$$y ha% un%erstoo% what that "eant. The %ay of the !ina$ Batt$e' those han%s ha% s$ippe% o&er to that position an% ha%n;t "o&e% since. 4t pu55$e% ?o$$y' why they %i%n;t si"p$y fa$$ off the c$oc# a$together' but being the on$y c$oc# of its #in%' she ha%n;t any prece%ent to :u%ge it by. <They;$$ be here soon' ?u"'< Bi$$ soothe%. ,e patte% her shou$%er soothing$y an% she turne% her attention bac# to her husban%' trying to focus on what he was saying' rather than counting the secon%s han% as it "arche% aroun% the c$oc#. <3otcherH< Ton#s ca$$e% out fro" the #itchen' "a#ing ?o$$y :u"p. 4t ha% on$y been a few "inutes that she ha% been "using on how won%erfu$ it was to see so "any chi$%ren in the Burrow again. The ca$$ cou$% on$y "ean one thing as -ora an% 0e"us were bringing ,arry an%D.ac# an% F""a. ?o$$y shoo# her hea%' trying to re"in% herse$f to use the other na"es. 4t wou$% be har%' but 0e"us fe$t that it was best' for now' to use .ac# an% F""a. ,er ner&ousness returne% ten+fo$% an% she he$% onto the bac# of the sofa' not sure if it was to #eep her upright or to #eep her fro" racing into the other roo" an% grabbing both of her chi$%ren in a huge' rib+crushing hug.

4t see"e% to ta#e fore&er for the" to enter the roo"G her heart beat away the secon%s. (n% then' su%%en$y' there they were. ?o$$y suc#e% in a breath at how %ifferent they $oo#e%Dyet so si"i$ar to how she re"e"bere% the". ,arry was ta$$er an% broa%er of shou$%er. ,is face wasAhar%er' if that was the right wor%. So "uch "ore angu$ar an% age% than she;% i"agine% he wou$% $oo#. ,e $oo#e% $ess $i#e his father;s pictures too. ?o$$y suppose% age an% circu"stance ha% %one that for hi". @innyDwe$$' she was si"p$y beautifu$. ,er re% hair was c$ippe% bac# partia$$y' $etting so"e of the cur$s fa$$ aroun% her shou$%ers. ,er face was thin' but her chee#s were pin# Deither fro" the co$% outsi%e or the heat of the roo" they ha% :ust entere%. Tuc#e% into .ac#;s si%e tight$y' she see"e% thinner an% not "uch ta$$er than she ha% been when ?o$$y ha% $ast seen her. The s"a$$ bu"p of a be$$y was the thing that %rew ?o$$y;s attention "ost. @inny;s han% was cur$e% aroun% it' protecting the baby insi%e as her eyes scanne% the crow% in front of the". <.ac# an% F""a'< 0e"us sai%' :oining the coup$e on .ac#;s si%e. <These are the 3eas$eysDyour fa"i$y.< The $oo# of utter bewi$%er"ent an% e"pty recognition hurt the "ost' ?o$$y thought. But she stee$e% herse$f' #nowing that so"eone ha% to "a#e the first "o&e. @emember the names' she sco$%e% herse$f. <4t;s nice to fina$$y see you again'< she sai% >uiet$y as she steppe% forwar%. She too# a %eep breath' wi$$ing her crac#ing &oice to ca$" %own. <3e;&e "isse% you.< .ac# no%%e% woo%en$y' his features not gi&ing away any e"otion. F""a s"i$e% ner&ous$y at her. <?ay 4=< ?o$$y as#e%' ho$%ing out her ar"s. The coup$e eCchange% a >uic# g$ance before F""a $eane% forwar%' $etting her "other pu$$ her into a $ight e"brace. ?o$$y "a%e sure to #eep it soft an% gent$e' not wanting to frighten the young wo"an. .ac# was far $ess co"fortab$e with the show of affection an% stiff$y patte% her on the bac#. 1h %ear' she thought' that was worse than ,arry ha% been at his "ost %istant. 3hat on earth ha% happene% to this boy to "a#e hi" $i#e this= She brushe% the thought away' #nowing there wou$% be ti"e to ana$y5e it $ater. (rthur steppe% up besi%e her' his han% co"fortab$y resting on her shou$%er. <Bou'< F""a sai% soft$y' awe an% confusion in her face.

<!orgi&e "e=< (rthur as#e% soft$y. <3hen we foun% youA4 :ust ha% to #now.< F""a $oo#e% torn before she an% .ac# share% a $oo#. She $eane% forwar% an% p$ace% a soft #iss on her father;s chee#. <Bou cou$% ha&e to$% "e'< she sai% soft$y so that on$y the four cou$% hear. <4 shou$% ha&e'< (rthur insiste%. !ather an% %aughter share% a >uiet "o"entG their eyes $oc#e% before (rthur c$eare% his throat an% thrust his han% out for .ac# to sha#e. <Than# you'< he sai% si"p$y' <for "a#ing her happy. (n%Awe$co"e ho"e.< .ac# opene% his "outh to rep$y but si"p$y no%%e% instea%. <?y p$easure'< he fina$$y cho#e% out. ?o$$y watche% it a$$' her heart aching fro" the %esire to grab these two chi$%ren up an% wrap the" in ho"e"a%e >ui$ts an% "a#e the" hot choco$ate an% ne&er $et the" go. <?o$$y' perhaps now wou$% be a goo% ti"e for %inner=< She no%%e% at (rthur;s wor%s. <4;&e "a%e a$$ your fa&orites'< she s"i$e% an% then it s$ippe%. <(t $eastDthey use% to beA< <4;" sure we;$$ $o&e e&erything'< F""a sai% soft$y. <0e"us has to$% us what a won%erfu$ coo# you are.< ?o$$y b$ushe% an% force% out a $augh. <1h' 4 %on;t #now about thatA< She $e% the way' opening the %oor to the eCpan%e% #itchen' an% sighing as her fa"i$yA a$$ together at $ast' fi$e% in an% too# their seats. She watche% as .ac# an% F""a sat neCt to each other' F""a;s han% reaching for his an% gi&ing it a >uic# s>uee5e. ,is shou$%ers re$aCe% a bit' but he sti$$ ha% the a$ert $oo# of a protecti&e ani"a$ about hi". 4t "ight not be perfect yet' she "use% as ,er"ione an% /atie he$pe% her $e&itate %ishes onto the tab$e' but it was what they ha% to start with. There were re%hea%s e&erywhere an% it "a%e F""a rather %i55y. She c$ung to .ac#;s ar"' fee$ing his heartbeat against her fingers. <($$ right=< <($$ right'< she no%%e% bac#. She too# a %eep breath an% steppe% bac# into the #itchen' painfu$$y aware of the "any sets of eyes on the" both.

<There are two e"pty p$aces here'< a bushy+haire% brunette wo"an offere% an% F""a s"i$e% gratefu$$y' sure she cou$% not possib$y $et go of .ac# right now. ,e fe$t $i#e the on$y thing anchoring her in a sea of confusing fee$ings. Before co"ing here' F""a was ha$f eCpecting the p$ace an% the peop$e to cause a casca%e of $ong+forgotten "e"ories. Both %isappointe% an% re$ie&e% that it ha%n;t happene%' F""a sighe% as .ac# pu$$e% her chair out for her. ,e sat stiff$y in his own' his shou$%er brushing hers. 4t see"e% cra"pe% in the roo"' but it was war" an% co5y. F""a c$ose% her eyes' $etting the s"e$$s an% soun%s wash o&er her' straining to catch anything that "ight he$p her orient herse$f. <3e;&e eCpan%e% the #itchen' of course'< ?o$$yDthe wo"an who was suppose% to be her "otherDsai%. F""a saw the sa"e eyes that $oo#e% bac# at her in the "irror e&ery %ay in the age% face an% it cause% a swe$$ of e"otion. 2oo#ing aroun% the tab$e' she cou$% pic# her own features out of "ost of the faces. The thought "a%e her gasp a tiny bit an% .ac# turne% worrie% eyes on her. She s"i$e%' an% not being ab$e to eCp$ain it to hi"' she shifte% an% patte% her be$$y' b$a"ing it on the baby. <4t;s &ery nice'< she no%%e%' s"i$ing at ?o$$y. -espite the si"i$arities in their $oo#s' she sti$$ cou$%n;t bring herse$f to $et the wor% ;"other; fa$$ fro" her $ips. 4t :ust wasn;t rea$ yet. <6ow' %ish up e&eryoneH< (rthur urge%' ta#ing his p$ace at the hea% of the tab$e. F""a starte%' fee$ing .ac# %o the sa"e neCt to her' as the foo% began ho&ering o&er the tab$e' "o&ing on after each person ha% ta#en a portion. <4t ta#es a bit to get use% to'< the bushy+haire% wo"an whispere%' cra%$ing her tiny baby to her chest whi$e her husban% fi$$e% her p$ate. <4 re"e"ber the first ti"e 4 ca"e to the Burrow' "y eyes near$y poppe% out of "y hea%.< F""a no%%e%' re"e"bering that 0e"us ha% to$% the" the wo"an;s na"e was ,er"ione an% that she was "arrie% to @inny;s youngest brother' 0on. The i%ea of ha&ing that "any sib$ingsD$et a$one any at a$$Dsti$$ bogg$e% F""a;s "in%. <;Bout $i#e the first ti"e 4 went to your parents;'< 0on agree%. ,er"ione chuc#$e% an% patte% his ar". <4 thought we;% ne&er get you out of the #itchen.< <Bour fa"i$y isn;t "agica$=< F""a as#e%' no%%ing when .ac# offere% her a %inner ro$$. She f$ashe% hi" a >uic# $oo#' won%ering what eCact$y he thought of a$$ of this. ,e $oo#e% as utter$y bewi$%ere% as she fe$tDyet e&en "ore so' as his %ar# hair stoo% out a"ongst a$$ the re%hea%s.

<6o'< ,er"ione shoo# her hea%. <4;" a ?ugg$eborn. 6either of "y parents are "agica$ at a$$. ($though' we thin# "y great+gran%"other "ay ha&e been a witch.< F""a no%%e% po$ite$y' not sure what to say to that. She turne% bac# to her p$ate' ta#ing s"a$$ bits of each %ish. .ac# raise% his eyebrow when she too# a few green beans off of the %ish that f$oate% by. She raise% en eyebrow bac# in cha$$enge an% fe$t her chee#s f$ush. <Bou hate green beans'< he whispere%. <4 #now'< she shrugge% a shou$%er. <But 4 %on;t want to be ru%e.< ,e watche% her for a "inute before she fe$t his $eg nu%ge hers gent$y. <Besi%es' you hate ha" an% chic#en pie'< she pointe% out' no%%ing to the generous he$ping he ha% heape% on his p$ate. <,ow are you going to cho#e that %own=< .ac# s"i$e% s$ight$y' nu%ging her again. <6o c$ue'< he a%"itte%. F""a raise% her eyes' catching se&era$ gui$ty eyes %arting away fro" where they "ust ha&e been $istening. <Bou %on;t ha&e to eat anything you %on;t $i#e'< ?o$$y suggeste% in a s"a$$ &oice. <4 :ust wasn;t sureAyou a$ways use% to $o&e green beans.< <1h'< F""a sighe%' $oo#ing %own at the $i"p stran%s of green an% swa$$owing thic#$y. <?aybe it;s the pregnancy'< Ton#s suggeste% fro" across the tab$e. <4 re"e"ber not being ab$e to sto"ach to"atoes at a$$. 0e"us cou$%n;t e&en say the wor% before 4 wou$% be sic#.< <She;s being serious'< 0e"us a%%e%' gathering chuc#$es fro" aroun% the tab$e. <4t "ight be'< F""a conce%e%' a$though she #new it was a $ie. <3e;$$ be fine'< she no%%e%' after ta#ing a %eep breath. The fa"i$y continue% to ser&e the"se$&es' "assi&e a"ounts of foo% %isappearing fro" their p$ates an% strange con&ersations bouncing aroun% the tab$e. ,er throat tightene% as the "ea$ continue%' a$$owing her to on$y ta#e s"a$$ bites an% force the" %own. <A4 thin# it "ay be *u%%$e"ere;s year'< one of the twin "en sai%. <4 was p$anning on painting the she% this neCt Spring 4 thin#A< 0on scoffe% through a "outhfu$ of foo%' earning hi"se$f an e$bow to the si%e fro" ,er"ione. <3hat about the Cannons=< Se&era$ of the "en' an% a few of the wo"en' chuc#$e%.

<A?u"' 4 was won%ering if you;% watch the gir$s this wee# one %ayA< <0on' you;re %e$usiona$'< the thic#+ar"e% "an sai% $ou%$y. F""a was fair$y sure his na"e was Char$ieDor was it Bi$$= <Aan% the ?inister :ust nee%s to a%% his reco""en%ation to the bi$$A <Bou a$ways say that'< 0on continue%. <(n% :ust $oo# what they %i% $ast yearA< <Awhat are your p$ans for the ho$i%ay' -oraA< <-on;t "in% the"'< ,er"ione eCcuse% bouncing the baby on her shou$%er whi$e ta#ing s"a$$ bites. <They go a bit insane about 9ui%%itch.< <Bung a ro$$ o&er here' Bi$$H< <Ait;s a$$ siCes an% se&ens' anywayA< <Ahow we;re going to %ea$ with the pressA< <A!re%' your %aughters are up to so"ething o&er thereA< F""a f$inche%' her hea% spinning at "any %ifferent con&ersations. ?iCe% in the "i%%$e were wor%s that she fe$t shou$% ha&e "eant things to herAbut they %i%n;t. 4t a$$ soun%e% a bit $i#e insane nonsense. -ora caught her eye a"i%st the chaos an% win#e%. F""a too# a %eep breath to c$ear her hea%. <.ac#' what %o you stu%y at )ni=< ,er"ione as#e%' "a#ing .ac# :er# forwar% a bit in his chair. ,e hurrie%$y chewe% his bite an% too# a %rin# before answering soft$y. <2aw enforce"ent is what 4;" p$anning'< he sai%' catching F""a;s eye. She $atche% onto the sub:ect' than#fu$ to ,er"ione for sti$$ing the "o&e"ent of the roo" for a "o"ent. <,e;s a bri$$iant stu%ent'< F""a sai%' reaching for his han% an% $acing their fingers together. .ac# s"i$e% gratefu$$y an% s>uee5e% her han%. She cou$% fee$ the tension in hi" an% g$ance% aroun% the tab$e' hoping that the "ea$ was a$"ost o&er. 3hat she wante%' "ore than anything' was a few >uiet "o"ents with on$y .ac#' wrappe% in his ar"s where the wor$% "a%e sense an% she #new she be$onge%. <2et;s a$$ "o&e to the sitting roo"'< (rthur suggeste%' perhaps seeing .ac# an% F""a;s %isco"fort. <?o$$y' we;$$ ta#e coffee in there 4 thin#.<

<1h' that is a won%erfu$ i%ea'< the 3eas$ey "atriarch agree%. She pu$$e% out her wan%' so"ething F""a :ust cou$%n;t >uite get use% to' an% began f$oating %ishes an% foo% to the si%eboar% an% the counters. .ac# s>uee5e% her han% an% F""a focuse% bac# on hi". <.ust a bit $onger'< he suggeste% >uiet$y as he he$pe% her stan%. F""a no%%e% in agree"ent' sighing. 4f he cou$% han%$e it' so cou$% she. 0on 3eas$ey was &ery pu55$e% by the "an stan%ing neCt to hi". ,arryD.ac#Dha% fina$$y $eft @innyDF""a;sDsi%e for the first ti"e that e&ening' a$though he was on$y a few steps away. .ac# was &ery e"otiona$$y c$ose% off' e&en "ore so than ,arry ha% e&er been. The "an ha%n;t sai% "ore than a few sentences a$$ night. F""a ha% %one "ost of the ta$#ing' a$though e&en that was scarce an% with "any g$ances at her husban%' a$"ost as if "easuring each wor% carefu$$y. <(re you rea$$y "y )nc$e ,awwy=< 0on;s attention focuse% near his #nees where !re%;s %aughter' *ersephone' stoo% in front of the two "en. .ac# shifte% the bott$e of Butterbeer in his han% an% s>uatte% %own to face the $itt$e gir$. <3hat %o you thin#=< he as#e%' >uir#ing an eyebrow an% s"i$ing at her. The gir$ narrowe% her eyes in concentration an% p$ace% her s"a$$ han%s on either si%e of his face. <Bou $oo# $i#e his pictures'< she "ur"ure%' turning his hea% this way an% that. ,er fingers pushe% his hair bac# a bit' an% then pu$$e% the s#in on his nose' causing his g$asses to s$i%e to the en%. She $eane% in c$oser to his face an% peere% %eep into his eyes. <Bou;re nice $i#e "y -a%%y sai% he was.< .ac# s"i$e% but staye% si$ent as she continue% to $oo# hi" up an% %own. ,er tiny fingers touche% the ragge% scar a$ong his :aw an% then reache% %own an% too# his right han% in hers' tracing the scar+wor%s there. <3hat %o you thin#=< .ac# as#e% again. The $itt$e gir$ shrugge% an% then s"i$e%. <4 %on;t #now. But' 4 thin# you cou$% beAif you wante% to.< !air$y aw#war% chuc#$es were hear% aroun% an% .ac# rose to his fu$$ height again' g$ancing to see F""a watching hi" c$ose$y. ,e raise% an eyebrow at her an% she no%%e% with a s"a$$ s"i$e. This see"e% to appease hi" an% he too# another %rin# of the Butterbeer.

3hen 0on ha% first offere% it' .ac# refuse% with a scrunche% up nose' but 0on persiste% an% .ac# ha% ta#en the bott$e. ,e see"e% p$easant$y surprise% at the taste an% continue% to sip it as the wo"en %rifte% towar% @inny' who sett$e% onto the co"fortab$e sofa. <So' you two thought up any na"es yet=< 0on as#e% .ac#' hoping to spar# any #in% of con&ersation with his once+best frien%. ,e hate% the aw#war%ness between the". 4t fe$t soAwrong. <Beah'< .ac# no%%e%' his eyes wan%ering to his wife who was g$ancing through a photo a$bu" of so"eone;s we%%ing. Their eyes $oc#e% for a "o"ent an% she ga&e a ha$f+ hearte% shrug an% s"i$e. <!or a gir$ it;$$ be F$i5abeth (nne an% for a boy it;$$ be .a"es -ere#.< 0on no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <-i% anyone te$$ youD< <That .a"es was "y %a%=< .ac# as#e% with a s"a$$ s"i$e. 0on no%%e%. <Beah' 0e"us %i%' but F""a an% 4 ha% a$rea%y chosen it before we #new.< 0on %raine% his bott$e a$though he continue% to ho$% it. <3hy -ere#=< .ac# g$ance% at the re% hea%e% "an an% then at his wife again. <-ere# is "y best "ate;s na"e.< 0on f$inche% an% tightene% his grip on the bott$e' but .ac# %i%n;t see" to notice. <3e;&e been "ates for a coup$e of years now'< .ac# eCp$aine%. <Seen each other through he$$ an% a$$. ,e;s seeing F""a;s best frien% a$so.< <So you an% this -ere# are c$ose=< 0on as#e%. ,e $oo#e% away >uic#$y' trying to hi%e the hurt at hearing that ,arryD.ac#HD%i%n;t re"e"ber hi" at a$$. .ac# eye% hi" for the tightness in his tone before no%%ing. <2i#e brothers'< he confir"e%. <3e went to this footba$$ "atch $ast year' Fng$an% &ersus )nite% States.< .ac#;s face $it up at the "e"ory. <So we;re in the stan%s an% we;re cheering $i#e "a%' ye$$ing' %rin#ing an% genera$$y "a#ing a nuisance of ourse$&es' right. -ere# e&en has this Cross of St. @eorge painte% on his chest.< .ac# $aughe% an% 0on on$y ha$f+s"ir#e%' &isions of hi"se$f an% ,arry at 9ui%%itch ga"es co"ing to "in%. They;% ne&er beenG but 0on ha% a$ways wante% to go. The 3or$% Cup %i%n;t count' accor%ing to 0on' as they ha%n;t been o$% enough to %o a$$ the things 0on picture% the" %oingD.lo!e Things. <Then' a$$ he$$ brea#s $oose'< .ac# continue%. <Fng$an% "a#es the fina$ goa$' on$y a few secon%s to go' an% wins the "atch. The crow% goes insane' screa"ing' pushing an% trying to get %own onto the fie$%. -ere# an% 4 were c$i"bing o&er the seats' trying to get out of their way. This huge b$o#e grabs -ere# by the waist an% hau$s hi" off into the "i%%$e of thisAriot. So' 4 start hopping chairs' trying to get %own to hi". !ina$$y' he "anages to get $oose fro" the b$o#e an% -ere# hau$s off an% c$oc#s hi".<

0on cou$% on$y no% in acceptance that he was hearing the story. ( s$ow rage ha% starte% to bui$% in his sto"ach an% he %i%n;t #now if it wou$% "a#e hi" eCp$o%e or :ust be sic# a$$ o&er his shoes. <So' 4 %i&e in' fists f$ying' into the "i%%$e of a$$ these Ban#s' bent on pro&ing that their tea" was robbe% of the &ictory.< .ac# shoo# his hea% in a"use"ent an% too# another pu$$ of his %rin#. <3e both got arreste% an% hau$e% off to :ai$. F""a ha% to co"e get "e.< <4 bet she wasn;t too happy about that'< 0on sai% with a s"ir#. <6o'< .ac# shoo# his hea%. <She wasn;tG but %on;t $et her foo$ you' if she ha%n;t been pregnant she;% been right there with "e.< <She;s scrappy'< 0on sai% with a fon% g$ance at the wo"an who was once his $itt$e sister. <Bou ha&e no i%ea'< .ac# "u"b$e% with a s"i$e. 0on swa$$owe% the bi$e that rose in his throat. ,e did #now how @inny cou$% be. Si$ent$y' as he watche% both .ac# an% F""a' he &owe% to "a#e ?a$foy pay. ,e %i%n;t care if it cost hi" e&erything he owne%Dhe wou$% poun% the ferret into the "u% for ta#ing so "uch away fro" his fa"i$y. 4t shou$% ha&e been he an% ,arry as best "ates. 6othing against thisA-ere#' whoe&er he was' but he ha% no right to be ,arry;s best "ate. That was 0on;s spot. (n% ,arry shou$% ne&er ha&e to te$$ 0on about how feisty his sister cou$% be. 4t shou$%n;t be aw#war% an% har% to ta$# to ,arry. But it wasAan% it was a$$ ?a$foy;s fau$t. .ac# s$ow$y wan%ere% o&er to where F""a was ta$#ing with 0on;s "other' stan%ing in front of the $arge @ran%father c$oc# there. ,e watche% awe% at the ten%erness an% affection that ra%iate% fro" both .ac# an% F""a De&en as they :ust touche% han%s. .ac#;s han% ca"e to rest a$ong F""a;s bac# an% she $eane% into hi" tight$y' their bo%ies "e$%ing together. 0on swa$$owe% thic#$y' re"e"bering how ,arry an% @inny use% to stan% the sa"e way. ( s"a$$ spi#e of &ictory shot through hi" seeing thatG whate&er ?a$foy ha% hope% to acco"p$ish with his %eceit an% e&i$ an% $iesDit ha%n;t happene%. ,e ha% gaine% four years' yes' but he ha%n;t won. !ro" what 0on cou$% see' it was ,arry an% @inny who ha% won. They were together. They;% foun% each other' %espite o&erwhe$"ing o%%s' an% were fina$$y on their way ho"e.

That was certain$y so"ething to thin# about. 0on %eci%e% then an% there' if he e&er got to face ?a$foy a$one' he;% be sure to point that out to the "an. 'arry and *inny had won. ?o$$y he$% bac# a$$ e&ening' watching an% waiting unti$ F""a was a$one. She now stoo% in front of the gran%father c$oc#' her hea% ti$te% to the si%e an% her han% bracing her bac# as she stu%ie% the intricate han%s on it. The confuse% an% co"p$ete$y o&erwhe$"e% $oo# on her face a$$ e&ening "a%e ?o$$y fee$ a bit se$fish. She shou$% ha&e rea$i5e% that the 3eas$ey fa"i$y was a force to be rec#one% with' an% that it "ight be too "uch for .ac# an% F""a tonight. But the %eep ache in her heart cou$% on$y be satisfie% with seeing her baby' an% she ha% begge% 0e"us to in&ite the 4nga$$s; for %inner. ?o$$y cou$% see now that it "ay ha&e been too "uch. F""a was $oo#ing pa$e an% eCtre"e$y tire% as she stoo% a$$ a$one. <4 wish 4 ha% #nown what that "eant'< she sai% >uiet$y as she approache% F""a. ,er han% reache% out an% trace% the g$ass where both @inny;s an% ,arry;s han%s sti$$ pointe% at $ost. <,ow %oes it wor#=< F""a as#e%' her eyes not $ea&ing the han%s of the c$oc#' which showe% where each fa"i$y "e"ber was. ?o$$y stu%ie% her profi$e for a "inute' sha#en that she cou$% see the $itt$e gir$ she ha% raise% in the young wo"an before her. <4t;s a part of your "agic'< ?o$$y sai% si"p$y. <3hen you were born' we p$ace% a s"a$$ %rop of your b$oo% on the han%. 4 char"e% the" "yse$f.< F""a no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <(n% it;s sai% $ostA< <F&er since then'< ?o$$y no%%e% sa%$y' o$% regret we$$ing $i#e a soap bubb$e insi%e of her. <4f 4 ha% #nownA< She swa$$owe% a sob an% shoo# her hea%' #nowing that brea#ing %own now wou$% on$y "a#e F""a fee$ "ore unco"fortab$e. <3e assu"e% that it "eant the way you ha% beenA$ostAto us. 4f 4 ha% #nown that it %i%n;t "eanA< <That we ha% %ie%'< F""a sai%' her eyes "eeting ?o$$y;s for a "o"ent. <Bou can;t b$a"e yourse$f.< ,er wor%s were soft' yet they %ro&e into ?o$$y;s heart %eep$y. <4;" a "other'< she proteste%' swiping at the tears that escape% %own her chee#s. <4 shou$% #now these things.< F""a s"i$e% sa%$y an% rubbe% her be$$y. <4 worry about that'< she a%"itte% with a no%. <4f 4;$$ be ab$e to te$$ he;s in troub$e.<

?o$$y sighe%' ta#ing a chance an% reaching out to p$ace her han% o&er her %aughter;s' fee$ing the tight stretch of s#in o&er her growing gran%chi$%. ,er heart swe$$e% when F""a %i%n;t pu$$ away' but s"i$e% once again. <($$ "others fee$ that'< she a%"itte%. <4;% $i#e to say it gets better with each one' but 4 can;t. Bou;$$ a$ways worry. 4t;s part of being a "other.< F""a no%%e%' her han% turning o&er to c$asp ?o$$y;s tight$y. <4;" sorry'< she sai% soft$y' her own tears fa$$ing %own f$ushe% chee#s. <4;" sorry that you ha% to worry these four years.< <Bou can;t b$a"e yourse$f'< ?o$$y echoe% her wor%s bac# before reaching forwar% an% wrapping her ar"s aroun% the frai$ shou$%ers of her %aughter. This ti"e' F""a ga&e herse$f o&er fu$$y to the e"brace. The fee$ing was won%erfu$' but it fa%e% as F""a pu$$e% away. <3hy %oesn;t it say ;ho"e; now=< she as#e%' wiping her tears an% pressing her han% into her bac# again. ?o$$y co"pose% herse$f as .ac# ca"e up behin% his wife' his han%s ta#ing the p$ace of hers an% pressing $ight$y into the "usc$es there. <4;" not positi&e'< ?o$$y a%"itte%. <But 4 thin# it;s because you;re sti$$ a bit $ost.< She s"i$e%' watching the coup$e share a si$ent con&ersation. <4 thin# it;s ti"e to get you ho"e' $o&e'< .ac# sai% >uiet$y' caressing the si%e of her face gent$y. ?o$$y sighe% happi$y at the gesture' an% the $o&e she cou$% see behin% it. There wasn;t "uch "ore she cou$% ha&e wishe% for her %aughter. <4;" tire%'< F""a no%%e%' $aying her hea% in the croo# of .ac#;s nec# an% wrapping her ar"s aroun% hi". <Bou #now where we are now'< ?o$$y no%%e%. <3e;re here if you nee% so"ething.< 4t hurt to $et the" go' when a$$ she wante% was to ta#e the" upstairs an% gi&e the" a ho"e to $i&e in' an% the fa"i$y that they;% ob&ious$y been without for a$$ these years. <3e appreciate it'< .ac# sai%' $oo#ing %eep$y into her eyes. ?o$$y s"i$e%' fina$$yDafter the entire e&ening watching hi"Dshe cou$% see a bit of acceptance an% un%erstan%ing in those c$ear e"era$% eyes. <6eCt wee# is Christ"as'< she &enture%. <4;" not sure what your p$ans for the ho$i%ay areA< F""a $oo#e% up at her husban% an% then at her "other. <Can we $et you #now= <1f course'< ?o$$y no%%e%' reaching out to pat her ar" gent$y. <Bou $oo# entire$y #nac#ere%' %ear. 2et .ac# ta#e you ho"e an% get so"e rest.<

F""a no%%e%' sin#ing bac# into .ac#;s e"brace. <Than# you'< .ac# sai% soft$y. ?o$$y no%%e%' fee$ing her chest tighten. She steppe% away s$ow$y' searching for (rthur in the roo". ($"ost as if he sense% her nee%' he "ateria$i5e% in front of her' ta#ing her in his own ar"s. <They;$$ be fine' ?o$$ywobb$es'< he whispere% into her hair. <They #now their way ho"e now.< She cou$% on$y no% as her tears soa#e% into the worn fabric of his robes. <They %o'< she sai% soft$y. A/N: It was brought to my attention by a re%iewer that I really messed up 6ac!'s memory of the football game he went to with $ere!" by ha%ing the wrong flag painted on his chest. I apologiDe to anyone who too! offence by that. I'm (ust an American" ob%iously" and I had no clue that they used different flags. It's something I should ha%e researched" but failed to do so. It's fi2ed now. Than!s" 9ily: for the heads up on that.

*Chapter 13*: Chapter 13

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: &urprise- 4ou all get a chapter early this wee!. I ha%e e2tremely too much to do this wee!" so I'm bumping the posting schedule around a bit. I'm sure I won't hear any complaints out there. listening Nope" all I hear is cheering. Than!s to $eb and #lla" my dear friends and betas. Chapter 13 'ecember 2 2

The s$a" of the hea&y boo# echoe% through the roo" an% ,er"ione fro5e' afrai% that she "ight ha&e awa#ene% @inny 0ose. She sat co"p$ete$y sti$$ an% $istene%' but the baby %i%n;t cry. !rustration creste% o&er her $i#e a huge wa&e' $ea&ing on$y eChaustion an% confusion in its wa#e. She ha% been through e&erythingG e&ery resource both the 1r%er an% the ?inistry cou$% fin% an% she was no c$oser to un%erstan%ing what "ay ha&e happene% to ,arry an% @inny. ,er"ione;s eyes hurt after $oo#ing at so "uch s"a$$ print' so"e of it written in o$% Fng$ish' with a$$ the eCtra a%%itions. 0on ha% sco$%e% her' saying that soon she "ight nee% g$asses. Si$ent$y' she a%"itte% that he "ight be rightG but a%"itting it out $ou% to hi" was a co"p$ete$y %ifferent thing. There were sti$$ se&era$ potions to $oo# through' howe&er ,er"ione wasn;t hopefu$. 6one of the" ha% powerfu$ enough ingre%ients to %o the #in% of %a"age that was in%icate% by the ?ugg$e "e%ica$ recor%s that 0e"us ha% pro&i%e%. @$ancing at the tattere% fi$e fo$%ers' ,er"ione reache% out an% touche% the e%ges of the"' shu%%ering again at the %escriptions of the in:uries both ,arry an% @inny ha% sustaine%. The e&ening 0e"us %e$i&ere% the" to her wou$% fore&er be etche% into her "e"ory. &he sat at her des!" pushing away her research materials and too! a deep breath. @on had come home early" claiming that he was tired and wanted to spend the e%ening lying on the sofa. 'ermione had smiled in understanding and handed their daughter o%er. @on had grimaced for a moment" parenting ob%iously not part of his plans+ until *inny @ose cooed at him. And then he was happy to ta!e her into his arms and tell her little stories while she stared up at him. &ighing" and !nowing that the information wouldn't get any better by waiting" 'ermione opened the top file and found #mma &tanton's medical file. &he glanced through it carefully" noting any in(uries on a separate piece of parchment. 'ead trauma" cuts and bruises5the things that 'ermione would ha%e suspected. No indication of se2ual trauma. <Than! /erlin"0 she breathed deeply at that. #%erything else seemed to be in order" until she turned the page and found the results of multiple ?T scans and 2Brays. 'ermione peered at the images" trying to find anything out of place" before she summoned a large tome and flipped it open to where it showed a crossBsection diagram of a human brain. The medical boo! had been a gift from her colleagues at the 9aw $i%ision when she'd announced her pregnancy. And while she hadn't used it often" there were times when she glanced through it.

<That's not right"0 she murmured" her finger tracing the large" dar! shape o%er the area where the hippocampus should be. &he lay the image down and flipped through the paperwor! until she found the physician's notes about the scan. <9arge mass of scar tissue located on hippocampus. :ossible cause of memory loss. )rigin un!nown"0 she repeated. Euic!ly opening 6ac!'s file" she located his ?T scan images as well. The same dar! mass was on his brain as well. <That helps"0 she murmured" laying the images bac! into their respecti%e folders. &he noted the scar tissue on her parchment and closed #mma's file" turning her attention to 6ac!'s. 3hat she read there" howe%er" horrified her. The deep cuts" bro!en bones" punctured lung5the list was too long for her to fathom him li%ing. And with only /uggle medicine to help him heal,it was a wonder he could function at all. The most horrific thing" howe%er" was the stac! of photographs showing the in(uries in great detail. &he cried out when she unco%ered the fourth one. A great hole was cut into the s!in of 6ac!'s forehead" down to the bone" where 'arry's scar had been. @on was at her side in an instant" *inny @ose wailing in the other room. <3hat is it80 he yelled" his wand pulled and his eyes wild. <)h" @on"0 she cried" clasping at his robes and burying her face against the gore. 09oo! what happened to him- 9oo! what he did-0 <.loody hell"0 @on swore" %iolently turning away from the des!. 'e cleared his throat se%eral times and 'ermione !new he was swallowing bac! %omit. &he herself felt li!e losing her entire dinner. 0That e2plains the missing scar.0 <They must ha%e done a s!in graft"0 'ermione mumbled" reaching blindly behind her to turn the photos o%er. &he couldn't ta!e seeing them anymore. 0Is *inny @ose,0 <&he's fine"0 @on mumbled" running his hand through his hair roughly before s ueeDing her shoulders. 0&he's (ust mad because I put her down on her blan!et. 3hen you screamed,0 <I'm sorry"0 'ermione said" loo!ing up at him. 03hen I saw that50 <I understand"0 @on nodded (er!ily. 'e loo!ed as if he might still be sic!" pale and slightly green.

<I'll get *inny @ose"0 she suggested. 03hy don't you5ta!e a minute.0 @on nodded distractedly" his eyes wandering to the stac! of o%erturned photographs before snapping uic!ly away again. 0I'm going to ma!e him pay" 'ermione.0 7ear coursed through her at the coldness in his %oice" but the image of 'arry's disfigured face flashed before her and she pressed a hand to her ueasy stomach. 0I !now" @on"0 she said softly. ,er"ione sighe%' rough$y rubbing her eyes again' wi$$ing the photograph to go away. 4t was true what they sai%' you cou$% ne&er get ri% of so"ething you ha% seenDit wou$% a$ways be burne% into your brain. !ore&er. The soun% of the f$oo acti&ating in the sitting roo"' %rew ,er"ione out of her office. Ton#s an% 1rion were strugg$ing out of the firep$ace' 1rion c$utching a huge bag stuffe% with p$ay things. <,ope you %on;t "in%'< Ton#s sai% with a shrug. <3e;&e been coope% up a$$ %ay.< ,er"ione s"i$e% an% $eane% %own to #iss 1rion;s hea%. <6ot at a$$'< she sai%' s"oothing the $itt$e gir$;s chestnut brown cur$s. <@inny 0ose is sti$$ as$eep' but 4 cou$% use a stu%y brea#.< Ton#s scrunche% up her nose. <Things not going we$$=< !ighting bac# tears with a sigh of frustration' ,er"ione shoo# her hea%. <4;&e $oo#e% through e&erything' -ora. 4 can;t fin% anything that cou$% eCp$ain what happene% to the".< Ton#s no%%e% an% turne% as 1rion upen%e% her entire bag an% toys scattere% a$$ o&er the f$oor. <She;s fine'< ,er"ione %is"isse% Ton#s; g$are. <,onest$y' we;re going to ha&e to get use% to it. (n%' it;s not as if 0on pic#s up after hi"se$f anyway. There;s a$ways so"ething $ying about that shou$%n;t be.< <Eery true'< Ton#s no%%e%' sin#ing %own into a p$ush chair. <3e %i%n;t :ust co"e on a socia$ ca$$' though.< She pointe% to a boC near the firep$ace. <4 was c$eaning ear$ierD< <Bou=< ,er"ione scoffe%. <C$eaning=< <($right'< Ton#s no%%e%' her chee#s b$ushing to ri&a$ as 3eas$ey' <4 trippe% o&er an o$% boo#case in the attic an% it fe$$ o&er. 4 foun% a few "ore boo#s tuc#e% bac# behin% it. 4 thought 4;% bring the" o&er. They $oo# -ar# to "e.<

,er"ione sighe%' staring at the boC. She rea$$y shou$% start thin#ing about what to "a#e for %inner. 0on wou$% be ho"e in a few hours' an% he wou$%n;t be in a goo% "oo%. ,e was suppose% to be "eeting with /ings$ey to %iscuss the progress' or $ac# thereof' on ,arry an% @inny;s case. Co"e to thin# of itA <-ora' aren;t you suppose% to be at a "eeting=< ,er"ione as#e%' fina$$y stan%ing an% retrie&ing the boC. 4t wou$%n;t hurt anything to g$ance through the boo#s whi$e she &isite% with her frien%. <4 a"'< Ton#s sighe%. <But 4;&e been wor#ing so "uch $ate$y that 1rion thin#s ?o$$y an% "y "other are better than "e. Besi%es' /ings$ey wi$$ fi$$ "e in.< ,er"ione no%%e% in sy"pathy' the thought of ha&ing to $ea&e @inny 0ose for so $ong was heart wrenching. <3e$$' 4;" sure she;s en:oying the ti"e with her "u"'< ,er"ione s"i$e% at the $itt$e gir$ who was preten%ing to char" her %o$$s into %oing so"ething with her toy wan%. ,er"ione pu$$e% the first boo# out an% gri"ace% at the grueso"e co&er' i$ar! Arts /oste Terrible./i <4t;s been fun'< Ton#s agree%. <3e;&e p$aye% "ore ga"es in the past two %ays than we ha&e in the past two "onths.< ,er"ione s"i$e% sa%$y' un%erstan%ing the %ifficu$ty in :ugg$ing a fa"i$y an% a career. <Bou ha&e been $oo#ing "ore tire% $ate$y'< she obser&e% casua$$y' crac#ing open the boo# an% sighing at the %escription of a potion to cause inferti$ity. ;A"ost often use% for ser&antsA; she rea% an% then b$anche% at the thought. 3hat a horri% boo#H <4 ha&e been tire%'< Ton#s a%"itte%. <4 thin# it;s this case. (s if it weren;t stressfu$ enough' trying to #eep it out of the press an% away fro" the ?inister is sen%ing "e aroun% the twist. 4;" ha&ing to wor# two %ifferent ang$es' :ust to co&er "y trac#s.< ,er"ione no%%e% again. She ha% been ha&ing so"e of the sa"e concerns whi$e "as>uera%ing with the boo# she was suppose%$y trying to write. ($though' she "use%' she tru$y icould/i write a boo# on "e"ory char"s now' ha&ing rea% a$"ost e&erything a&ai$ab$e. She continue% to thu"b through the boo#' scow$ing at the i$$ustrations an% the %escriptions of horri% spe$$s. ,er finger trai$e% %own the page as she watche% 1rion sco$% one of her %o$$s for spi$$ing in&isib$e tea e&erywhere. She an% Ton#s share% a chuc#$e. ,er eyes %rifte% bac# to the boo#' ha$f $istening as 1ri %ictate% beha&ior to her toys. /nee 0e&ersing ,eC.

?usc$e !ree5ing Char". 4nterna$ !ire ,eC. ?e"ory B$oc#ing Char". The boo# :o$te% in her $ap as her finger fo$$owe% the instructionsA Aincantation5malicious intent5blood to bind the spell5 <6o'< she "uttere%' sitting up in the chair' ignoring Ton#s; worrie% >uestion. <6o' it can;t be.< 5permanent if the caster chooses5only re%ersible by brea!ing the blood seal5 <That;s it'< she whispere%' stan%ing' the boo# hanging $i"p$y at her si%e. <,e use% a b$oo% sea$.< ,er "in% race% with the possibi$ities. The wor% ;re&ersib$e; repeate% o&er an% o&er in her hea%. Su%%en$y' she #new she ha% to go to the ?inistry. 0on ha% to #now this. /ings$ey ha% to #now. 3hat ha% been %one cou$% be un%oneAit wou$% be a$"ost i"possib$e' but it cou$% be %one. <Can you watch @inny 0oseH< she b$urte% out. Ton#s stare% at her' "outh gaping open. <FrAyes' 4 can stay.< <4 foun% it' -ora'< ,er"ione state%' her heart poun%ing with each wor% she sai%. <4 foun% it.< Ton#s stare% at her a "o"ent "ore before no%%ing %ecisi&e$y. <@oH< she ye$$e%. <There;s "i$# in the co$% $ar%er'< ,er"ione "uttere% as she stu"b$e% to the firep$ace. Ton#s ha% a$rea%y thrown in a han%fu$ of f$oo pow%er an% was trying to gui%e ,er"ione into the green f$a"es. <?inistry of ?agic' (triu"'< Ton#s ye$$e% for ,er"ione. Eague$y' ,er"ione reache% up an% touche% her tous$e% hair' won%ering if it was pru%ent to run through the ha$$s of the ?inistry hapha5ar%$y %resse% an% c$utching a boo# to her. But the thought was pushe% to the bac# of her hea% when the (triu" ca"e into focus an% she rea$i5e%Ashe ha% foun% the "issing pu55$e piece.

They cou$% un%o the treachery that ?a$foy ha% starte% so $ong ago. She was going to get her best frien%s bac#. 0on ruff$e% his hair in annoyance an% stare% at the "ap of the !ina$ Batt$e once "ore. ,e was "issing so"ething' he :ust #new it. <4 can;t be$ie&e that they ne&er chec#e% for (pparition or *ort#eys'< he "uttere%. /ings$ey' sitting at the tab$e across fro" hi" sighe% an% rubbe% his face harsh$y. <4 #now' 0on. The who$e in&estigation was &ery rushe% an% a co"p$ete bo%ge :ob.< <@et it %one' whether it;s %irty or not'< 0on no%%e%. <That soun%s $i#e Scri"geour.< <4t;s not as if he;s inco"petent'< /ings$ey sai%' a$though the hint of %oubt in his &oice was enough to "a#e 0on >uestion what the ,ea% (uror "ight #now. </ings$ey' are you trying to te$$ "e that they %i%n;t %o a thorough :ob=< 0on;s sto"ach ro$$e% at the thought. The "an;s b$ac# eyes sett$e% on 0on' piercing straight into hi". <The ?inistry %i% what they fe$t nee%e% to be %one' 0on. 4;" not eCcusing it' because it wasn;t %one right. ?y biggest regret is that 4 %i%n;t push har% enough' as an (uror or as a "e"ber of the 1r%er. 4t was a$$ soAconfusing an% abrupt'< he shoo# his hea%. <There are no eCcuses. 3e fai$e% ,arry an% @inny. (n%' one %ay' 4;$$ as# for their forgi&eness' but not unti$ 4 %o e&erything in "y power now to get the" bac# with us an% punish who %i% this to the". That;s a$$ 4 ha&e $eft to offer the".< 0on no%%e%' un%erstan%ing the senti"ent behin% the wor%s. ,e fe$t the sa"e. F&eryone ha% been so caught up in "ourning an% c$eaning up the "ess after the war that they ha% $et ,arry an% @inny %own. 6o one ha% as#e% the i"portant >uestions' an% the answers ha% fa%e% into the past. <4 #now 4;" "issing so"ething'< 0on "uttere% as he rubbe% his eyes an% $et the" focus bac# on the "ap. <There has to be so"e other proof aroun% here.< <?aybe you nee% to ta#e a brea#'< /ings$ey suggeste%. <@et a cup of coffee' so"ething to eatA So"eti"es things beco"e c$earer when you;re not $oo#ing at the".< 0on no%%e% %istracte%$y' p$acing his finger o&er the two s"a$$ figures on the "ap that represente% ,arry an% @inny. The s"a$$ %ots $abe$e% with their na"es ca"e fro" the e%ge of the "ap' wea&ing in an% out of the un%ergrowth. The %ots stoppe% at the e%ge of the c$earing' face% -raco ?a$foy;s %ot an% then turne% bac# to the c$earing once his %ot %isappeare% off the e%ge of the i"age. Then they wou$% "o&e forwar% into the "i%%$e of the trees' facing a re% %ot that represente% Eo$%e"ort before fa%ing off an% beginning the process again.

0on watche% it o&er an% o&er again' counting each secon% fro" the e%ge of the "ap to the "i%%$e of the c$earing. ,e grow$e% as it restarte% again. F&ery ti"e he watche% it' the #not in his sto"ach grew. They were "arching to their %eaths' wi$$ing$yDor what they thought "ight en% in %eathDwhi$e he sat in the @reat ,a$$ at the cast$e' waiting $i#e so"eApi$$oc#H ,e fe$t as if he betraye% ,arry' by sitting there a$$ those years ago. 0on ha% #nown at the ti"e what was happeningG he :ust cou$%n;t a%"it it to hi"se$f. ,e #ept hoping that any "o"ent' ,arry wou$% s$i%e up besi%e hi"' $ift off his 4n&isibi$ity C$oa# an% te$$ hi" to bu%ge up' because he was hungryA The thought s$a""e% into hi" with the weight of a bric#. <-i% anyone e&er fin% ,arry;s 4n&isibi$ity C$oa#=< he as#e% /ings$ey' ruff$ing paperwor# in his haste to fin% a $ist of the few ite"s which ha% been $ocate% aroun% the scene. /ings$ey scow$e% as he $oo#e% through his own paperwor#. <4 %on;t re"e"ber rea%ing anything about it. Bou;re sure he ha% it=< 0on no%%e% &igorous$y. <,e %i%n;t go anywhere without it those $ast two years. /ept it stuffe% in his poc#et a$$ the ti"e.< The two "en $oo#e% at e&ery paper' scattering the %iscar%e% ones a$$ o&er the surface of the tab$e they ha% been wor#ing at. <4t;s not here'< /ings$ey sighe%. <That "eans it either wasn;t foun%' or it was %estroye%.< <1r so"eone nic#e% it'< 0on raise% an eyebrow. ,e pu$$e% the scene "ap fro" un%er the "ess an% watche% unti$ the three %ots con&erge%. <2oo#' here'< he pointe%' <this is where ?a$foy sai% they stoppe% an% ta$#e% with hi".< <Beah'< /ings$ey no%%e%' his brow furrowing. <They wou$% ha&e re"o&e% the C$oa#'< 0on shrugge%. <Bou can;t ho$% a con&ersation with one of those on. 6ot we$$' anyway.< /ings$ey no%%e%' but he sti$$ $oo#e% s#eptica$. <F&en if they %i%' it %oesn;t pro&e anything. The fireD< <Burne% fro" here out'< 0on state%' pointing to the e%ge of the c$earing. <4t %i%n;t burn bac#war%. <4f they %roppe% the C$oa# here' it wou$% ha&e sti$$ been there. 3e passe% right by it when we ran there.< /ings$ey san# bac# to his chair an% rubbe% his face again. <4t cou$% sti$$ be out there now.<

<6o'< 0on shoo# his hea%. <?a$foy wou$% ha&e seen the" re"o&e it. There;s no way he wou$% ha&e $eft so"ething that &a$uab$e $ying there for a$$ this ti"e. ,e;s got it' /ing. 4;$$ bet neCt "onth;s wages on it.< <F&en so' 0onD< <3ou$% it be enough to get us into the ?anor if we cou$% pro&e that he ha% it=< /ings$ey scow$e% %own at his han%s' thin#ing it through. <4t "ight. The (urors fo$$owing hi" ha&e "entione% perio%s of ti"e when they;&e been fo$$owing hi" an% he;s si"p$y %isappeare%.< <,e;s got it'< 0on sai%' a bubb$e of e$ation rising insi%e hi". <3e "ight not fin% anything' 0on'< /ings$ey shoo# his hea%. <4n fact' 4;$$ be surprise% if we %o. ,e;s not stupi%.< <6o'< 0on shoo# his hea%' <but he;s arrogant. (n% we can use that against hi".< They both starte% when the %oor ratt$e% an% a high$y agitate% ,er"ione threw it open. She %uc#e%' ho$%ing the boo# in front of her. Than#fu$$y' 0on;s stunner went wi%e as he :er#e% his wan% up an% /ings$ey was ab$e to stop his spe$$ before it co"p$ete$y got out of his "outh. <,er"ione'< 0on sco$%e%' "o&ing swift$y towar% her. <Bou #now better than to co"e in hereD< <4 foun% itH< she ye$$e%' a huge grin sp$itting her face. <!oun% what=< 0on %e"an%e%' his heart poun%ing $ou%$y in his chest. She ha% scare% fi&e years off his $ife by bursting in the %oor $i#e that. The fact that he #new /ings$ey ha% $oc#e% the %oor "a%e it e&en "ore "a%%ening. <The spe$$H< she ye$$e%' thu"ping the hea&y boo# %own onto the tab$e' #noc#ing parch"ent to the f$oor. <4 foun% what was %one to the".< ( wa&e of %i55iness hit at the i"p$ications to that state"ent. She foun% it. ,is "in% repeate% it o&er an% o&er. <4t;s a ?e"ory B$oc#er'< ,er"ione $ecture%' sti$$ wearing her grin. <3hoe&er use% itD< <?a$foyH< 0on interrupte%. ,er"ione g$ance% at hi" but continue%' not contra%icting hi". <Dsea$e% it with their b$oo%.<

<Soun%s $i#e -ar# ?agic a$right'< /ings$ey no%%e%' co"ing to stan% behin% ,er"ione' rea%ing o&er her shou$%er at the passage she was pointing at in the boo#. ,er eyes "et 0on;s across the tab$e an% he was surprise% to see her tear up' her :aw tre"b$ing. <4t can be re&erse%' 0on'< she sai% soft$y. 0on :er#e% out of his seat' pacing aroun% the roo"' the wor%s ratt$ing in his hea%. <Can we pro&e it was ?a$foy=< he %e"an%e%. ,er"ione no%%e%. <,is b$oo% an% "agica$ signature wi$$ "atch the spe$$.< 0on no%%e% %ecisi&e$y' turning to see /ings$ey watching hi" c$ose$y. <4s it enough that he has the C$oa#=< ( wi%e grin sp$it the $arge b$ac# "an;s face' his white teeth spar#$ing. <4t;$$ get us into the ?anor.< 0on sighe%' sin#ing %own into the chair behin% hi"' his hea% in his han%s. <4t;s enough'< he sai% %own to the %ots on the "ap. <4;$$ get hi"' 4 pro"ise you'< he whispere%' his finger tracing the %ots once "ore. <4;$$ get hi".< The f$at was >uiet when .ac# entere%' which surprise% hi". They were suppose% to $ea&e for the 3eas$ey;s for Christ"as F&e %inner soon an% he was sure F""a wou$% ha&e "et hi" at the %oor' anCious to go. ,e was' after a$$' a$"ost an hour $ater than he p$anne% to be. The store "anager ha% insiste% he stay an% ha&e a cup of eggnog for a few "inutes at the s"a$$ gathering of e"p$oyees. .ac# ha% hurrie%$y %run# the cup that ha% been thrust into his han%' a$$ the whi$e #nowing that F""a wou$% be rea%y to $ea&e. The e&ening they ha% spent with F""a;s fa"i$y ha% been p$easant' e&en though it was %rainingDboth "enta$$y an% physica$$y. 4t ha% ta#en F""a near$y two fu$$ %ays to reco&er e"otiona$$y' but she was &ery "uch $oo#ing forwar% to spen%ing Christ"as with her parents an% brothers. .ac# cou$% sti$$ see the strugg$e in her when referring to the 3eas$eys as her fa"i$y. !a"i$y was such a foreign concept for the" both. But she was trying. (n% .ac# si$ent$y &owe% to #eep his hesitation to a "ini"u"' for e&eryone;s sa#e. ,e >uiet$y hung up his winter things an% re"o&e% his snow co&ere% boots by the %oor. 3ith a s"i$e' he wa$#e% bac# towar% the sing$e be%roo" in the f$at' sure F""a ha% probab$y :ust $ay %own for a >uic# #ip an% fa$$en co"p$ete$y as$eep. Sure enough' she was $ying on the be%' a thin b$an#et pu$$e% o&er her as she s$ept.

.ac# sat on the e%ge of the be%' watching her. ,is heart beat faster :ust seeing her there. ("a5e"ent an% gratitu%e for this won%erfu$ wo"anDfor a$$ that she ha% gi&en hi"' an% a$$ that she was now gi&ing hi"Dfi$$e% hi". @ent$y' he reache% out an% caresse% the swe$$ of her be$$y where his chi$% grew. ,e pu$$e% bac#' howe&er' at the tightness in the "usc$es. F""a groane% an% wrappe% tight$y aroun% herse$f' her eyes f$uttering open. <F"=< ,e $eane% %own o&er her' :ust now noticing the thin $ayer of "oisture on her face. <F"' p$easeA< <.ac#'< she whispere%' panting as she he$% her be$$y. <The babyA< !ear stabbe% into hi" as he s$i% off the be%' #nee$ing on the f$oor an% ho$%ing her be$$y a$ongsi%e her own han%s. <6ow=< he as#e%. She no%%e%' whi"pering as her be$$y tightene% roc# so$i% an% her bo%y tre"b$e% un%erneath his han%s. *anic sett$e% $ow in his be$$y as his "in% frantica$$y race% for what to %o. 4t was too soonH 4t wasn;t ti"e for the baby yet. They sti$$ ha% siC wee#s. <4 wasn;t sureA< she crie%' tears running %own her face. <4 thought 4 was :ust tire%.< ,er bo%y re$aCe% as the pain subsi%e%. .ac# reache% forwar% an% wipe% her wet face. <4 trie% to s$eep' butAthey :ust #ept co"ing.< <4t;s a$right' $o&e' we;$$ get you to the hospita$.< She shoo# her hea%' trying to get up off of the "attress. <The %innerA< <3i$$ ha&e to wait'< .ac# insiste%. <Bou;re the first priority.< ,e he$pe% her "o&e to a sitting position an% searche% aroun% for a pair of soc#s for her bare feet. <1hhhh'< she "oane%' $eaning forwar%. <(nother one=< .ac# as#e%' stan%ing in front of her an% trying to get her to $oo# up at hi". <Bou nee% to re$aC.< <4;" trying'< she snappe%. .ac# %i%n;t respon% because he #new she wou$% ne&er intentiona$$y be sharp with hi". 4t was the pain an% worry ta$#ing' not his F""a. ,e waite% patient$y' pu$$ing her hea% to his be$$y an% roc#ing her s$ight$y as she breathe% through the pain. <They;re co"ing faster'< she "u"b$e% once the wa&e ha% en%e%. .ac# no%%e%' a gri" %eter"ination sett$ing on hi". ,e nee%e% to get F""a to the hospita$. ,e;% prefer to ring so"eone to co"e an% get the"' but they sti$$ %i%n;t ha&e a te$ephone' an% ?rs. Browne was at her frien%;s ho"e tonight.

<Co"e on' $o&e' $et;s get you out of here.< S$ow$y' he he$pe% her stan%' wrapping his ar" aroun% her bac# an% un%er her ar"s' he$ping her shuff$e to the front %oor. <Can you $ean on the wa$$ whi$e 4 get your boots on=< .ac# as#e%. F""a no%%e%' rubbing at her face harsh$y. She %i% :ust that an% .ac# hurrie%$y s$ippe% on her 3e$$ingtons' "a#ing sure the $aces were tie% so that she wou$%n;t trip. ,e stoo% again when she gaspe%' her han%s pressing on her be$$y. <6oooo'< she "oane%' $eaning into his chest an% gripping his :u"per. .ac# roc#e% her again' whispering wor%s of encourage"ent to her an% s"oothing her $ong hair %own her bac#. <Coat' $o&e'< he urge%' %raping the c$othing aroun% her shou$%ers an% he$ping her s$i%e her ar"s into the s$ee&es. She was wea#G he cou$% te$$ by the way she $eane% against hi"' $etting .ac# ta#e "ost of her weight. <F"' you shou$% ha&e ca$$e% the store'< he sco$%e% soft$y as he pu$$e% on his own boots an% coat. <-i%n;t ?rs. Browne $ea&e her #ey for you=< F""a;s g$are as he he$pe% gui%e her out the %oor was enough to stop that train of thought right away. They;% %iscuss it $ater. They nee%e% to stop twice "ore on their way outsi%e. 2uc#i$y' there was a cab s$ow$y %ri&ing %own the street an% .ac# whist$e% sharp$y for it. @etting F""a insi%e was another story a$together as another contraction sei5e% her at the "o"ent he opene% the %oor. She brace% herse$f on the %oor an% groane% $ou%$y. <.ac#A< <3hat=< he steppe% bac#' his han%s he$% high' won%ering what he;% %one wrong a$rea%y. ,is heart poun%e% as she "a%e a %isguste% face an% $oo#e% %own at herse$f. <4 thin# "y water :ust bro#e.< <FrA< <B$oo%y he$$H< the cab %ri&er curse% fro" the front seat' $oo#ing bac# o&er his shou$%er' a horrifie% $oo# on his young' spotty face. .ac# too# a %eep breath an% no%%e%. <3e best get you there then.< <4 can;t %o this'< F""a "uttere%' sha#ing her hea% e&en as she %uc#e% into the bac# seat. <Bes you can'< .ac# urge%. <Bou can %o this. Bou;re strong.< ,e s$i% in neCt to her' wincing when she grippe% his han% $i#e a &ice. <,ospita$ then=< the %ri&er as#e%' his wi%e eyes staring at .ac# in the "irror.

.ac# cou$% on$y no% as F""a grippe% his han% e&en tighter' panting as another contraction hit her. ,e stare% at her pa$e face' watching as the energy $itera$$y %raine% out of her. ,is own breathing was sha$$ow an% rapi% as he $et hi"se$f' :ust for a "o"ent' thin# about what was actua$$y happening. ,e was going to be a fatherAtonightH ,e wasn;t rea%y. There shou$% sti$$ be siC wee#sA SiC wee#s to rea% the boo#s that he;% >uic#$y s#i""e% but ne&er ta#en fu$$y serious$y. SiC wee#s to put together the cot they ha% purchase% se&era$ wee#s ago. SiC wee#s for it to rea$$y sin# in. Those siC wee#s were gone now' in a whir$ of pain an% groans an% a throbbing han% an% a &ery wet seat in the bac# of a cab. <($"ost there'< .ac# "uttere%' g$ancing out the win%ow as F""a sagge% against hi" an% he #isse% her forehea%. The %ri&er g$ance% in the "irror again' his panic#e% eCpression enough to stri#e .ac# as so"ewhat funny. .ac# wasn;t sure if the wor%s were to reassure hi"se$f or F""a. The screech of tires in front of the Casua$ty %oors on the hospita$ sprung .ac# into action. ,e fu"b$e% with his wa$$et an% the %ri&er shoo# his hea%' his pa$e face $oo#ing anywhere but F""a;s $i"p for" in the bac#seat. <6o charge'< he sai% hasti$y. .ac# no%%e% an% swift$y opene% the %oor. <($right $o&e'< he sai% soft$y wrapping his ar"s aroun% his wife. <3e;re here' F".< She %i%n;t respon%' but s$u"pe% further against hi". .ac#;s chest tightene% an% he $ifte% her face. <F""a= F"= ShiteH< 4n a swift "otion' he s$i% his ar" un%er her $egs an% $ifte% her with hi" out of the car' cra%$ing her to his chest. ,is feet s$i% a$ong the icy si%ewa$# an% he strugg$e% to #eep the" both upright. <,e$pH< he ca$$e% out' praying that so"eone wou$% hear hi" an% co"e for the". <,e$pH< he trie% again. The %oors to the Casua$ty opene% an% a ta$$ figure' wearing a white coat steppe% outsi%e' peering up into the grey e&ening s#y. <,e$p' p$ease=< .ac# trie% once "ore' shifting F""a higher. <?y wifeAha&ing a babyA< The "an spun' reaching forwar% to he$p .ac# carry his bur%en into the hospita$.

<3hen %i% she go into $abor=< .ac# strugg$e%' his own throat c$osing tight$y. <Far$ier to%ay'< he "anage% to force out. <4 was at wor#' when 4 ca"e ho"eA< ,e shoo# his hea%' fee$ing too "uch e"otion to continue. The "an swung into action' %e"an%ing a be% in a $ou% &oice' his co""an%s echoe% aroun% the Casua$ty as peop$e hust$e% towar% the". .ac# watche% it a$$ stan%ing in the sa"e spot' his ar"s fee$ing e"pty an% as if they "ight f$oat towar% the cei$ing without F""a;s weight in the". ,is eyes fo$$owe% as the nurses "o&e% aroun% F""a;s figure on the white sheet of the hospita$ be%. !$ashes of his own ti"e in hospita$ ca"e bac# with a &engeance' "a#ing hi" %i55y. .ac# stu"b$e% forwar%' his han% co"ing out an% wrapping aroun% F""a;s thin han% as it hung off one si%e of the be%. The "o&e"ent in the roo" p$aye% aroun% hi" in s$ow "otion an% the soun%s ca"e to hi" as if he were un%erwater. <(re theyA< he swa$$owe% thic#$y' not sure he cou$% han%$e the answer. <3i$$ they beA a$right=< <4;$$ $et you #now as soon as 4 %o'< the %octor sai%. <1#ay'< he whispere%' turning his focus bac# onto his wife. ,er chee#s were starting to regain their co$or as the "e%ica$ tea" wor#e% on her. <3hen %i% her water brea#=< the nurse as#e%. .ac# b$in#e% at hi" before sha#ing hi"se$f "enta$$y. <Fr"A:ust as we were co"ing'< he offere%' ruff$ing his hair. <She;s on$y at thirty four wee#s'< he offere%. <3hy %on;t you step out into the ha$$ an% gi&e the nurse your infor"ation.< The %octor "o&e% forwar%' his han% gui%ing .ac# into the corri%or outsi%e the roo". <6o.< .ac# p$ea%e%' $oo#ing bac# at F""a $ying on the be%. <4 ha&e to #nowA< <4 un%erstan%'< he sai%' c$apping .ac# fir"$y on the shou$%er. <3e;re going to %o e&erything we can.< <(n% theAthe baby=< .ac# as#e%' his throat c$osing tight at the thought of $osing their chi$%.

<4;" a bit concerne% at the $ow heart rate'< he sai% honest$y. <But we nee% to "onitor it for a bit. 4;$$ probab$y reco""en% surgery.< .ac# no%%e% woo%en$y' turning to $oo# bac# through the win%ow' bringing his han% up to rest on the g$ass. ( %eep breath pushe% out .ac#;s chee#s an% he no%%e% :er#i$y. <Than#s.< The %octor returne% to the roo" an% .ac# trie% to ca$" his racing heart. ,e wou$%n;t be any goo% to anyone if he cou$%n;t get a han%$e on hi"se$f. <.ac#=< ,e spun at the >uestion' $oo#ing up into a face he ha%n;t seen in years. <1$i&er'< he sai% soft$y' fee$ing e&en "ore thic#+hea%e%. The ta$$ b$on% "an;s s"i$e s$ippe% fro" his face as he notice% .ac#;s %istress. <4s e&erything a$right=< .ac# no%%e% :er#i$y' "otioning towar% the roo" behin% hi". <?y wifeAshe;s in $abor' an%Ait;s too ear$y.< 1$i&er wince% an% "o&e% to $oo# into the roo"' his shou$%er brushing .ac#;s. <Tay$or is a goo% %octor'< he sai% >uiet$y. .ac# %i%n;t #now what to say' so he no%%e%. <She;s in goo% han%s' .ac#.< <1#ay'< he sai% soft$y. 1$i&er sighe% neCt to hi"' straightening the thic# woo$ coat he ha% been pu$$ing on when he first spo#e to .ac#. <4 thought it was you when 4 saw you co"e in. 3hen 4 hear% you spea#' 4 #new it was.< <They sai% you ha% $eft'< .ac# sai% soft$y' his "in% ro$$ing bac# o&er the "e"ory of trying to fin% the "an' g$a% that the pain of those years spent ho"e$ess was on$y a %u$$ twitch now. <4 %i%' for a bit'< 1$i&er a%"itte%. <4 ha% the opportunity to go abroa% to stu%y. ?y wife an% 4 on$y ca"e bac# a few "onths ago.< .ac# g$ance% at the "an an% no%%e%. <4;&e thought about you a $ot o&er the years' .ac#'< 1$i&er sighe%. <3on%ere% what beca"e of you' where you were' if you were a$right.<

<4 a" now'< .ac# sai% as he watche% the acti&ity in the roo" s$ow. 4t see"e% as if the e"ergency was subsi%ing now. F""a;s chee#s were a hea$thy pin# an% she was stirring now. <,ow ear$y=< 1$i&er as#e%' a paine% eCpression on his face. <SiC wee#s'< .ac# a%"itte% with a sigh. ,e $oosene% the hea&y coat he wore an% tugge% at the scarf that was "a#ing his throat itch. 1$i&er hisse% in a breath. <There;s a %ecent newborn care unit here'< he no%%e%. <@oo%'< .ac# no%%e%. <2istenA4 ne&er rea$$y than#e% youD< <Bou %i%n;t ha&e to'< 1$i&er sai%' an easy s"i$e co"ing to his face. ,e he$% out his han% an% .ac# $oo#e% at it before p$acing his own rough one there an% sha#ing the "an;s han%. <Bou;&e "a%e so"ething of yourse$f' .ac#. Bou;&e got a $o&e$y wife' you;re about to be a fatherAthat;s a$$ the than#s 4 nee%.< .ac# no%%e%' his throat c$osing up. ,e curse% his wi$% e"otions an% b$in#e% away the wetness that gathere% in his eyes. <2oo#s as if she;s wa#ing'< 1$i&er sai%' c$apping his han% on .ac#;s shou$%er. <Bou;% better get in there. (n% 4;% better get ho"e. F$$a wi$$ won%er what;s #eeping "e.< <Beah'< .ac# sai% rough$y. The two stare% into the win%ow for a "o"ent "ore before .ac# turne%. <,appy Christ"as' 1$i&er.< <,appy Christ"as' .ac#< 1$i&er sai%' pu$$ing on a set of g$o&es an% wrapping his own scarf aroun% his nec#. .ac# watche% as the "an wa$#e% out of the hospita$' gi&ing one $ast wa&e an% s"i$e o&er his shou$%er. ,e too# a %eep breath an% re"o&e% his coat before going in to F""a;s si%e. ,er eyes were f$uttering open now an% he wante% to be the first thing she saw. 0e"us wince% watching ?o$$y pace bac# an% forth in the #itchen. The si%eboar% an% tab$es were pi$e% high with foo% but no one was being a$$owe% to touch it. <(n% you;re sureD< <?o$$y'< he sco$%e% soft$y' "atching his stri%e with hers unti$ he stoo% in front of her' his han%s gent$y co"ing to rest on her upper ar"s. <3hen 4 got there' no one was there. The %oor was $oc#e%.<

<3here cou$% they be=< she as#e%' her eyebrows #nitting together. 0e"us sighe%' won%ering the sa"e thing' but sti$$ ha&ing no answers. ,e ha% been sche%u$e% to bring .ac# an% F""a by *ort#ey to the Burrow for Christ"as F&e %inner. But there ha% been no answer to his repeate% #noc#s. 3orrie%' 0e"us s$ippe% into the bac# a$$ey behin% the f$at bui$%ing an% (pparate% to -e&on. (rthur ca"e into the #itchen' bun%$e% up in war" winter c$othing. <3e;re a$$ %i&i%e% up' 0e"us. 3e;$$ start chec#ing the areas you suggeste%.< 0e"us no%%e% before patting ?o$$y;s shou$%er an% reaching for his own winter things sitting on the bac# of a chair. <2et;s get starte% then.< ,e turne% away as (rthur approache% ?o$$y an% they share% a whispere% con&ersation. <Co"e on' o$% "an'< Ton#s sighe%. <2et;s get starte%.< <-oraD< <-on;t'< she he$% up her han% an% he wince%. 0e"us sighe%' #nowing that his continue% insistence that she stay ho"e because of her recent bout with f$u wou$%n;t go o&er we$$. <Bou nee% "e.< ,e snorte% out a $augh an% presse% a #iss to her te"p$e. <Truer wor%s were ne&er spo#en'< he "u"b$e% an% then grunte% when she %ug her #nuc#$e into his ribs. ,e rubbe% at the spot as she too# o&er' bar#ing or%ers to each of the groups going out to search for .ac# an% F""a. <Bou an% 4'< Ton#s sai% as she turne% to hi" an% too# a ho$% of his scarf' <are off to the hospita$s.< 0e"us no%%e%' a$$owing her to pu$$ hi" out the %oor. !our hospita$s in ?anchester $ater an% there was sti$$ no $uc#. <They "ight ha&e gone to /en%a$'< Ton#s suggeste%. <6ot with F""a;s hea$th the way it was'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <Then on we search'< Ton#s no%%e%. She pu$$e% out a "ap an% pointe% to the neCt hospita$ on the $ist. <2et;s try this one.< 0e"us no%%e%' $ea%ing her aroun% to the bac# of the f$ats an% the p$ace he ha% (pparate% fro" ear$ier. <Bou thin# they;re a$right=< she as#e%' pausing before %isappearing.

<4 hope so'< 0e"us shrugge%. <3hy %i%n;t they ring so"eone=< Ton#s "u"b$e%. <4 %on;t #now' -ora'< 0e"us sighe%. <4t;s &ery "uch $i#e ,arry' you ha&e to a%"it. (n% 4 thin# .ac# an% F""a ha&e gotten use% to being on their own. They "ight not e&en thin# to te$$ anyone.< The hospita$ was s"a$$' but bust$ing with peop$e as they entere%' surprising for Christ"as F&e night. 0e"us "a%e a >uiet in>uiry at the front %es# an% was %irecte% up to the thir% f$oor. They eCite% the $ift han% in han% an% stoppe% a few %oors %own where -ere# an% ?e$issa waite% in a s"a$$ a$co&e. <,e$$o'< -ere# greete%. 0e"us an% Ton#s ha% on$y "et the coup$e once' but un%erstoo% the attach"ent .ac# an% F""a ha% there. 4t wou$% be si"i$ar to fin%ing 0on an% ,er"ione waiting outsi%e ,arry an% @inny;s hospita$ roo". <,e$$o'< 0e"us greete%. <3e :ust foun% out'< he no%%e%' sharing a >uic# g$ance with Ton#s. <Beah'< -ere# sai%' pu$$ing his han%s fro" his :eans poc#et an% shoo# 0e"us; han%. <3e ca"e as soon as we hear%.< <(ny news=< -ere# went pa$e an% shoo# his hea%. <6ot in the $ast few "inutes.< <3hat happene%=< Ton#s as#e% as she sat neCt to ?e$issa who ha% re% eyes an% puffy chee#s' apparent$y fro" crying. <F""a;s ha% a rough ti"e of it'< -ere# sighe% as he sat neCt to his fiancK an% 0e"us too# the chair opposite the". <She was in $abor a$$ %ay. She;s been in hospita$ beforeD< <.ac# sai% that it was %ifferent this ti"e' though'< ?e$issa sai% in a >uiet &oice. <She was in so "uch pain.< <4t;s too ear$y'< -ere# shoo# his hea%. <The %octor;s are worrie% that the baby wi$$ be too s"a$$' that it won;t $i&e.< 0e"us sighe% as Ton#s co"forte% ?e$issa who;% begun crying again. <,ow are they ho$%ing up=< he as#e% -ere# in a $ow &oice. <.ac#;sAwe$$' it;s har% to te$$' rea$$y. ,e;s soA< <Stoic=< 0e"us as#e% with a wry s"i$e.

<Beah'< -ere# no%%e% with his own s"ir#. <(n% F""aAwe$$' she;s a "ess.< <)n%erstan%ab$e' 4 guess'< 0e"us ac#now$e%ge% >uiet$y. ,e sat bac# in his chair an% rubbe% his face harsh$y. Their hea%s snappe% up when the sigh of an opening %oor was hear% across the ha$$. ( &ery %ishe&e$e% an% pa$e .ac# steppe% out' his eyes %arting a$$ o&er the p$ace. ,e c$ose% the %oor behin% hi" an% too# a step before stopping at the sight of 0e"us an% Ton#s now stan%ing before hi". <.ac#'< 0e"us sai% soft$y. Ton#s too# a >uic# step an% wrappe% her ar"s aroun% hi". ,e patte% her bac# aw#war%$y but see"e% to ta#e a s"a$$ bit of co"fort fro" the e"brace. <4ce'< he sai% soft$y as he he$% up the paper cup in his han%. <She wants ice.< <4;$$ get it'< ?e$issa :u"pe% up' -ere# at her hee$s. <3e;$$ get it for you' "ate'< he c$appe% .ac# on the bac#. <3e ca"e as soon as we cou$%'< Ton#s sai% as she fusse% o&er .ac#' straightening his c$othing an% patting his hair to "a#e it $ay %own. .ac#' 0e"us was surprise%' %i%n;t see" to be bothere% "uch by her "otheringG he too# it a$$ without "uch reaction an% :ust stare% off %own the ha$$. 1r perhaps he was so worrie% an% tire% that he %i%n;t e&en notice. <-ere# to$% us that the %octors are worrie%'< 0e"us fina$$y sai%. .ac# no%%e% woo%en$y' his face a "as# of frustration an% he$p$essness. <,er b$oo% pressure is too high'< he "u"b$e%. <(n% the baby is in %istress they say. ,eart rate is a$$ o&er the boar%.< <4s there anything we can %o=< Ton#s as#e% an% .ac# on$y stare% at her before shrugging. <6othing'< he fina$$y sai%. <4t;s :ust a "atter of ti"e. They;re trying to get F""a;s pressure stabi$i5e% so that they can ta#e her to surgery. They;re afrai% if they wait too $ongA< he cho#e% a bit an% scrunche% up his face. 0e"us cou$% see the poo$ of tears in his eyes e&en though he b$in#e% the" bac#. <?aybeA< 0e"us starte% an% shifte% unco"fortab$y. <3ou$% you consent to ha&ing a ,ea$er $oo# at her=< he as#e%. <?aybe there;s so"ething that "agic can he$p.< ,is &oice was soft an% $ow. .ac# g$ance% up an% 0e"us cou$% te$$ a %enia$ was on his $ips. Surprising$y though' he shrugge%. <4;$$ ta#e any he$p you can offer'< he sai% as he harsh$y rubbe% his forehea% where the once+fa"ous scar ha% been.

0e"us no%%e% to Ton#s who swift$y began to wa$# towar% the $ift. <4 pro"ise she;$$ be %iscreet. Bou can trust this wo"an' .ac#.< .ac# no%%e% an% then g$ance% bac# at the %oor behin% hi". <4;% betterA< <Beah'< 0e"us agree%. .ac# hesitate% an% then g$ance% bac# at 0e"us. <Bou want to co"e in for a "inute=< <1h'< 0e"us was stunne% by the offer. ,is first instinct was to refuse' but he rea$i5e% how "uch .ac# was offering with the see"ing$y si"p$e gesture. <($right' for a "o"ent'< he conce%e%. The roo" was grey' the $ight fro" the car par# snea#ing through the b$in%s in hori5onta$ stripes. There was an antiseptic s"e$$ that per"eate% his nostri$s' a$ong with the scent of too+war" bo%iesG a$though it was not o&erwhe$"ing. <F"' 0e"us an% -ora ha&e co"e to see you'< .ac# sai% soft$y an% the wo"an $ying in the be% turne% her hea%. 0e"us %i% his best to s"i$e at the swo$$en face of the re%hea% he;% #nown so we$$' so "any years ago. ,er eyes were b$oo%shot an% she $oo#e% as if s$eep ha% been a foreign ter" for far too $ong. <,i'< she croa#e% out. <?issy;s getting the ice'< .ac# infor"e% her as he "o&e% to her si%e an% too# her han% in his' stro#ing stray hairs out of her face gent$y. F""a no%%e% an% $o&ing$y g$ance% up at hi" before turning bac# to 0e"us an% shifting unco"fortab$y. <4 probab$y $oo# a "ess'< she offere% with a chuc#$e. 0e"us s"i$e%. <Bou $oo# $o&e$y'< he sai%. <($$ wo"en %o in "otherhoo%.< ,e cringe% :ust a bit at the anguish that passe% o&er F""a;s features. ( sing$e tear s$i% %own her chee# but she swipe% it away. <4;&e sent -ora to contact a ,ea$er we #now' F""a'< 0e"us went on. <She;$$ be ab$e to te$$ you if there;s anything "agic can %o to he$p. 4;" not sure what can be %one' but it;s worth a try' isn;t it=< F""a no%%e% an% sniff$e%. .ac# wor%$ess$y han%e% her a tissue an% she %abbe% at her eyes. <She shou$% be here any "inute'< 0e"us assure% the". <4s there anything e$se that 4 can %o=<

<6o'< F""a s"i$e% gratefu$$y an% then sett$e% bac# in the be%. <Than# you though.< She i""e%iate$y tense% an% grippe% .ac#;s han% har% as a wa&e of pain en&e$ope% her. <Breathe'< .ac# whispere% as he crouche% %own besi%e the be% an% they $oc#e% ga5es. <F"' you nee% to breathe.< She began panting s$ight$y an% then re$aCe% as the pain subsi%e%. .ac# gent$y wipe% her brow with a "oist c$oth an% #isse% her forehea% as F""a san# bac# into the be% an% c$ose% her eyes. 0e"us fe$t the concern an% $o&e ra%iating fro" .ac# an% was re"in%e% of his own eCperiences he$ping -ora through her $aborDwe$$' "ost of it' anyway. ( s"a$$ #noc# on the %oor start$e% a$$ three of the" an% -ora;s hea% pee#e% aroun% with a s"i$e. <3otcher you two'< she greete%. <4 brought so"eone who;% $i#e to "eet you.< She steppe% into the roo" with an o$%er wo"an of si"i$ar bui$% an% the sa"e heart+shape% face. <This is (n%ro"e%a Ton#s'< she offere% with a s"i$e an% an ar" wrappe% aroun% the wo"an' <"y "u". ?u"' this is .ac# an% F""a 4nga$$s.< <4t;s nice to "eet you'< (n%ro"e%a rep$ie% with a soft &oice. She swift$y "o&e% o&er to the be%si%e an% shoo# .ac#;s han% fir"$y' patting F""a on the shou$%er gent$y. <6ow' $et;s see what we can %o to he$p you.< 0e"us bac#e% away fro" the be%si%e' a$$owing his "other+in+$aw to "o&e aroun% as nee%e%. ,e fe$t a war" han% c$asp in his an% $oo#e% o&er to where Ton#s was watching her "other wor#. ,is ga5e returne% to watch as (n%ro"e%a "o&e% efficient$y aroun% the be%' wa&ing her wan% an% spea#ing in a $ow an% caring &oice the entire ti"e. .ac# $oo#e% high$y agitate% an% F""a a bit unsure as her s#in g$owe% %ifferent co$ors. <Apressure;s a bit highA$oo#s a$rightA$et;s seeAh"""A< (n%ro"e%a #ept "uttering as .ac#;s ho$% on F""a;s han% tightene%. <(h+haH< The hea$er fina$$y crowe% as she f$ic#e% her wan% an% a fi$"y apparition appeare% abo&e F""a;s be$$y. C$ear$y' you cou$% "a#e out the tiny for" of the baby' cur$e% aroun% itse$f. <1hH< F""a breathe% an% c$aspe% a han% o&er her "outh. .ac# opene% an% shut his "outh se&era$ ti"es before sha#ing his hea%. 0e"us s"i$e% as Ton#s s>uee5e% his han%. The baby was &ery s"a$$ an% ha% a hea% co&ere% with thic# b$ac# hair. The $itt$e han%s fiste% an% f$eCe% a$ternate$y an% see"e% to f$inch with e&ery "o&e"ent that F""a "a%e.

<($right' $itt$e one'< (n%ro"e%a sai% soft$y' <$et;s see what we can %o to he$p you.< She g$ance% o&er at the coup$e with a war" s"i$e. <-o you want to #now the seC of the baby=< <6o' not yet'< F""a whispere% an% (n%ro"e%a no%%e% s"art$y' casting one "ore spe$$ that cause% a b$urry area to for" aroun% the baby;s $ower ha$f. She >uic#$y went bac# to stu%ying the infant an% no%%e% thoughtfu$$y. <3hat is it=< .ac# as#e%' his &oice crac#ing. <The u"bi$ica$ cor% is wrappe% aroun% this $itt$e one;s nec#'< she eCp$aine%' pointing to the grey ban% cor%ing aroun% the baby. <4t;s cutting off the oCygen supp$y an% not a$$owing the baby to %escen% correct$y.< <4s there anything you can %o=< F""a whispere%' c$ear$y horrifie% at the thought of her chi$% in %istress. (n%ro"e%a no%%e%. <4t;s %ifficu$t' but 4;&e %one it se&era$ ti"es before.< She gesture% to Ton#s who steppe% forwar% i""e%iate$y. <6y"pha%ora' 4;" going to nee% your he$p. 4 nee% you to sustain the "onitor spe$$ whi$e 4 try to $e&itate the cor%.< Ton#s no%%e% ner&ous$y an% pu$$e% her wan%. The i"age f$ic#ere% a bit' but he$% when (n%ro"e%a with%rew her wan%. (nother contraction set in an% F""a groane% as she wrappe% her ar"s aroun% her be$$y. <Breathe' $o&e'< .ac# encourage% her' g$ancing aroun% the roo". 0e"us wince% at the i"age of the baby as it gri"ace% an% strugg$e% against the pressure of the cor%. ,e swore he cou$% see the face %ar#en a bit an% praye% that (n%ro"e%a wou$% be ab$e to %o this. 3hen the pain ha% ebbe%' .ac# wipe% F""a;s forehea%. <*$ease'< F""a begge%' reaching for the ,ea$er;s han%. <Bou ha&e to %o so"ethingH< (n%ro"e%a on$y s"i$e% an% patte% the young wo"an;s ar" $o&ing$y. <4;$$ %o "y best' %ear.< 1nce again' her focus sett$e% on the i"age an% her wan% beca"e a b$a5e of "o&e"ent. S$ow$y' a$"ost eCcruciating$y' 0e"us cou$% see the cor% shift a bit here an% there an% the baby wigg$e in response. <6ow ho$% sti$$ you $itt$e i"patient one'< (n%ro"e%a "u"b$e% an% 0e"us bit bac# a s"i$e. <(h' 4;&e a$"ost got it. 6ow' this "ay hurt :ust for a "o"ent F""a %ear...< F""a graspe% .ac#;s han% an% 0e"us saw the "an wince as he burie% his face in her shou$%er. ,e cou$% c$ear$y see .ac#;s wet chee#s an% swa$$owe% against the #not in his throat. The i"age of the baby :er#e% &io$ent$y as (n%ro"e%a "a%e one fina$ "o&e"ent an% F""a groane% hea&i$y' panting through the pain. She continue% to cry an% whi"per as (n%ro"e%a;s wan% spun aroun% her.

<4t;s finishe%'< the hea$er sighe% an% san# %own onto the e%ge of the be%. <4;&e "anage% to get a $itt$e ar" un%er the cor%. 4t;s no $onger cho#ing the baby' but it;s best if %e$i&ery is in the neCt hour or so.< F""a an% .ac# both no%%e% a$though their attention ne&er wa&ere% fro" the i"age of their chi$%. <F&erything isA< .ac# swa$$owe% thic#$y. <4t;$$ be a$right=< <4t shou$%'< (n%ro"e%a no%%e%. She peere% c$ose$y at the i"age of the baby' no%%ing satisfactori$y. .ac# no%%e% again' setting hi"se$f on the e%ge of the be% an% resting his forehea% against F""a;s. Ton#s $et the spe$$ s$ow$y fa%e an% "o&e% bac# to 0e"us; si%e' her han% fin%ing his. <4;$$ stay in the ha$$'< (n%ro"e%a pro"ise%' fiCing the b$an#ets aroun% F""a before s"i$ing satisfactori$y. The three >uiet$y steppe% into the ha$$' not notice% by the coup$e. (rthur 3eas$ey watche% as his wife woo%en$y "o&e% aroun% the Burrow. The entire e&ening ha% been &ery >uiet. F&en the chi$%ren ha% sense% the tension in the air an% ha% eaten their %inners >uic#$y. Their $itt$e bo%ies ha% then gathere% aroun% the Christ"as tree' pointing an% whispering about the bright$y co$ore% pac#ages sitting un%er its wi%e branches. 0e"us ha% sent a *atronus "essage hours before eCp$aining that .ac# an% F""a were in hospita$ an% that he thought it best if e&eryone si"p$y staye% at the Burrow to wait for news. ?o$$y &ehe"ent$y proteste% right away' but (rthur con&ince% her that a hoar% of 3eas$eys %escen%ing on a ?ugg$e hospita$ on Christ"as F&e wasn;t $i#e$y to sett$e either .ac# or F""a at a$$. She fina$$y agree% an% trie% to go on about the e&ening cheerfu$$y. 1ne by one' the chi$%ren ha% f$ooe% ho"e' carrying s$eeping gran%chi$%ren %rape% in their ar"s. (rthur pro"ise% to contact the" as soon as they ha% any news. <3hy %on;t you go on up an% ta#e a bath' %ear=< he suggeste% an% ?o$$y shoo# her hea% to protest. <4 can "anage the c$eaning up'< he suggeste% with a wry s"i$e. <(n% if 4 %on;t' then we;$$ :ust %o it together in the "orning.< Surprising$y' she chuc#$e% soft$y an% no%%e%' re"o&ing her worn apron an% hanging it on the peg near the bac# %oor. (rthur

watche% with affection as she s$ow$y began up the steps' "o&ing "uch s$ower than she ha% when they were younger. *erhaps he ought to suggest "o&ing their be%roo" to the "ain f$oor again. 1nce he was ab$e to wa$# again after his stro#e' they ha% both insiste% that they "o&e bac# into their origina$ roo". ,e #new ?o$$y wou$% ne&er go for that i%ea thoughG a$$ of their chi$%ren ha% been born in the be%roo" where she an% (rthur sti$$ s$ept. Co"e to thin# of it' he thought with a wi%er s"i$e' they;% a$$ been concei&e% there as we$$. ($though' it was >uestionab$e with the twinsAafter a$$' there ha% been that bott$e of F$f wine an% a rather war" night in .u$yA Those thoughts were chase% by otherAp$easant ones an% fair$y soon' (rthur ha% finishe% the %ishes an% the %ishrag was rubbing a spot on the tab$e that was now a bit %u$$er than the rest. ,e hurrie%$y %ispatche% it to the sin# an% f$ic#e% his wan% again to eCtinguish the can%$es' $ea&ing the one in the win%ow sti$$ burning as it ha% for "any years nowA e&er since ,arry' 0on an% ,er"ione ha% $eft on their ;>uest;. ,e yawne% hea&i$y an% trie% to wa$# $ight$y on the stairs so as not to %isturb ?o$$y if she ha% gone on to be%. ,e ha%n;t hear% the water f$ow through the pipes' so it was probab$e that she;% ne&er "a%e it to the bath. The be%roo" was %ar# an% >uiet an% (rthur was re$ie&e% to see ?o$$y;s sti$$ for" cu%%$e% un%er the b$an#ets near the "i%%$e of the be%. ,e s"i$e% at the $ife$ong habit. 3hene&er he wasn;t in the be%' ?o$$y wou$% scoot towar% his si%e. She a$ways c$ai"e% she;% been searching for his war"thG but (rthur #new she was rea$$y :ust a be% an% co&er hog. ,is %aughter' @inny' ha% %e&e$ope% the sa"e habit. Brief$y' his "in% f$ic#ere% to another area of the country an% he hope% that @innyDor F""a' as it was nowDwas cu%%$e% up c$ose to .ac#. They both %eser&e% that s"a$$ "easure of co"fort. The nor"a$ crea#s an% shifting of the Burrow were a we$co"e soun% as (rthur $ay bac# on the be%' pu$$ing the co&ers o&er hi" an% banishing the chi$$ of the -ece"ber night. ,e was start$e% when ?o$$y sniffe% $ou%$y neCt to hi". ,e;% been "ista#enG she ha%n;t been as$eep after a$$. <3e ha&en;t hear% anything'< she whispere%. (rthur s"i$e% into the %ar#ness an% re"o&e% his c$othing' fu"b$ing for the pa:a"as that ?o$$y a$ways $ai% out for hi" on the foot of the be%. <6o news is goo% news' ?o$$ywobb$es'< he sai% soft$y. <4;" sure we;$$ hear so"ething by to"orrow "orning. *erhaps there wi$$ be an ow$ waiting when we wa#e up.< They both sat up when a $ou% chirping soun% echoe% through the e"pty house. .ust after the !ina$ Batt$e' Bi$$ ha% char"e% the firep$aces to e"it an a$ar" when so"eone was trying to connect.

,e an% ?o$$y share% a $oo# in the %ar# of the be%roo" before scra"b$ing to get their %ressing gowns on o&er their pa:a"as. The two "a%e their way >uic#$y to the firep$ace in the #itchen which sti$$ ha% a few g$owing coa$s. ?o$$y;s wan% f$ic#e% an% f$a"es roare% to $ife as (rthur >uic#$y sai% the incantation an% passwor% to un$oc# the war%s on the f$oo connection. 4t was ingenious the things that Bi$$ ha% co"e up with for fa"i$y security' rea$$y. <(rthurH< ( &ery cheerfu$' a$though tire%' face greete% hi". <0e"us' is e&erything a$right= Bou;re "essage was &agueD< <F&erything;s fine' rea$$y'< 0e"us shoo# his hea% an% then rubbe% the bac# of his nec# in e"barrass"ent. <4;" sorry that 4 "a%e it see" $i#eAwe$$' 4 was rather in a hurry when 4 sent that an%D< <@et on with itH< (rthur bit bac# a s"ir# when Ton#s; &oice echoe% in the bac#groun%. <@oo% e&ening to you a$so' Ton#s.< <3otcher' (rthur.< ( heart+shape% face e%ge% 0e"us; out of the way. Ton#s $oo#e% eCtre"e$y tire% but happy' an% (rthur hope% they ha% goo% news. <-ora'< 0e"us; &oice co"p$aine%. <Bou to$% "e 4 cou$% f$oo the".< <1h' a$$ right.< (rthur chuc#$e% as Ton#s ro$$e% her eyes an% 0e"us; face appeare%. <(re you sure nothing isD< 0e"us shoo# his hea% an% see"e% to be fighting bac# a $arge grin. <4 :ust wante% to gi&e the two of you another Christ"as present.< (rthur g$ance% at ?o$$y who stoo% at his si%e' shou$%ers shrugging upwar% in bewi$%er"ent. <But' 0e"usAChrist"as isn;t unti$ to"orrow'< (rthur sai% as he g$ance% at his watch. 4t was after "i%night. 0e"us chuc#$e%. <3e$$' 4;" a $itt$e ear$y getting it to you' but it tru$y is a Christ"as present.< (rthur scratche% his hea% an% shrugge% his acceptance whi$e 0e"us bea"e% at hi". <4 :ust wante% to be the first to te$$ you that you are gran%parents again.<

4t too# a "o"ent for un%erstan%ing to sin# into his ha$f+as$eep brainG a "o"ent $onger than it too# for ?o$$y to un%erstan%' if her screa" was any in%ication. 0e"us $oo#e% as p$ease% as if he were the gran%father hi"se$f. (n%' (rthur "use%' he probab$y fe$t as c$ose as he cou$%. <.a"es -ere# 4nga$$s was born at ten fifty+eight tonightAer"' yester%ay 4 guess that is.< <0e"us'< (rthur grippe% the si%es of the firep$ace an% fina$$y #ne$t co"p$ete$y on the coo$ing hearthstone. <4s e&erythingAit;s too ear$y' isn;t it=< 0e"us; s"i$e %ar#ene% a bit as he no%%e%. <?other an% baby are %oing we$$ now. 4t was scary there for a bitDthe cor% was wrappe% aroun% his nec# an% the %octors were afrai% they "ight $ose hi" an% F""a as we$$. But (n%ro"e%aATon#s; "other' 4;" not sure if you;&e "et herAwe$$' she;s a ,ea$er an% "i%wife.< 0e"us scratche% his hea% again. <She ca"e an% was ab$e to he$p.< (rthur no%%e% an% g$ance% at his wife who was sitting at the #itchen tab$e' wiping at her eyes with a han%#erchief. She $oo#e% a bit %a5e% an% (rthur s"i$e%. <(n% .ac#=< <*rou% as can be'< 0e"us crowe%. <,e was a right "ess when we first got there' though. They ha% a rough ti"e of it.< <)n%erstan%ab$e'< (rthur no%%e%. <The first one is a$ways the har%est.< <But once (n%ro"e%a he$pe% an% .a"es was bornAwe$$'< 0e"us stoppe% an% (rthur cou$% te$$ he was a bit cho#e% up. <,e;s such a tiny $itt$e thing too'< he fina$$y sai% as he shoo# away "ore e"otion. <.ust bare$y fi&e poun%s.< <?er$in'< (rthur breathe%. ($$ of their babies ha% been rather $arge' a$though @inny was on the s"a$$ si%e' ?o$$y assure% hi"' at :ust se&en poun%s. <,e iis/i a tiny thing.< 0e"us chuc#$e%. <2oo#s :ust $i#e .ac#' tooG a fu$$ hea% of "atte% b$ac# hair' a$though 4 can;t say anything about his eyes yet' they see"e% a bit %ar# the one ti"e 4 saw the".< <?aybe he;$$ get @inny;s eyes'< ?o$$y "use% fro" behin% hi"' her &oice thic# with e"otion. <(n% you sai% e&erything was a$right=< <!ine'< 0e"us no%%e%. <F""a ca"e through strong an% was s$eeping after nursing .ay Dthat;s what they;re ca$$ing hi"Dfor a few "inutes right before we $eft.<

(rthur i""e%iate$y fe$t $ighthearte%' as if a huge weight ha% been $ifte% off of his shou$%ers. <Than# you for te$$ing us' 0e"us.< <.ac# as#e% "e to contact you' (rthur'< 0e"us sai%. <F&en though you #now 4 wou$% ha&e anyway.< The thic#ness was bac# in (rthur;s throat. <Be sure to than# hi" for "eDfor both of us.< <4 wi$$' (rthur. 6ow go bac# to s$eep. Bou too' ?o$$y.< (rthur sat bac# on his hee$s' his o$% #nees crac#ing $ou%$y as the fire %ie% out. <3ow'< he "uttere%' rubbing his ba$%ing hea%. <($$ these gran%chi$%renDit ne&er gets o$%' %oes it=< ?o$$y sniff$e% again an% shoo# her hea%. <2itt$e .ay *otter'< she "u"b$e%. <Soon'< (rthur pro"ise%' rising an% #issing the crown of her hea%. <That;$$ be his na"e soon.< The f$at was e"pty when -raco arri&e%. ,e ca$$e% out for @ene&ie&e' his &oice echoing through the posh space. ,e c$ose% the %oor behin% hi" an% $oo#e% aroun%' %ropping his bag an% c$oa# on the &e$&et sofa in the entryway. But the f$at re"aine% >uietD%eath$y so' -raco thought. ( strange shape% sha%ow $oo"e% in the corner of the sitting roo" an% -raco $it his wan%' casting a bea" of $ight onto the %ar# shape. ( Christ"as tree. ,is bea" of $ight tra&e$e% %own to un%erneath the boughs' where a thic# rug s#irte% the base of it' but no gifts $ay un%erneath. Swearing' -raco $it se&era$ $a"ps an% fu"b$e% aroun% in the #itchen' searching for so"ething to eat. *erhaps he shou$% ha&e infor"e% @ene&ie&e that he was co"ing. But the trip to *aris ha% been a $ast "inute %ecision' pro"pte% by the e"ptiness of ?a$foy ?anor an% his 2on%on f$at. She ha%n;t been gone $ong' he "use%. ,er eCpensi&e perfu"e sti$$ grace% the air an% the $arge' si$# c$a% be% was ru"p$e%.

(fter a who$$y unsatisfying "ea$ of crusty brea% an% cheese' -raco poure% hi"se$f a generous snifter of bran%y an% sat in front of the now+$it tree' the s"a$$ firep$ace burning bright$y neCt to hi". ,e he$% up the g$ass to the $ight' swir$ing the %ar# burgun%y $i>ui% before ta#ing a %rin#. The si$ence of the roo" presse% in on hi" an% -raco stare% at the tree' fee$ing &ery a$one. .ac# sighe% both in content"ent an% tire%ness. The e"otiona$ ro$$ercoaster of the past few hours sti$$ %i%n;t see" rea$. 6either %i% the tiny being cra%$e% in his ar"s' his face pee#ing out fro" the bun%$e of b$an#ets surroun%ing hi". <4s he s$eeping now=< F""a;s eChauste% whisper start$e% hi" fro" staring at his son. ,e %i%n;t #now she was sti$$ awa#e. <Beah'< he sai%' shifting so that he cou$% p$ace the s"a$$ bun%$e in her ar"s. <,e :ust c$ose% his eyes.< <(re they sti$$ %ar#=< F""a as#e%' scooting a bit in the be% an% patting the s"a$$ space she "a%e so that .ac# cou$% craw$ into the be% with the". ,e s"i$e% at her' fee$ing a bit foo$ish' but c$i"be% in anyway' shifting gent$y so he %i%n;t :ost$e the" too "uch. <Bou were a"a5ing to%ay'< he sai% soft$y' $eaning his hea% against hers an% #issing her forehea%' tasting the sa$t of her sweat %rie% there. F""a sighe% happi$y an% snugg$e% into his e"brace. <,e;s here'< she sai%' her fingers brushing the baby;s thic# hair. <4t sti$$ %oesn;t see" rea$.< <4 #now'< .ac# agree%. <,e;s perfect.< They sat in si$ence' watching their son s$eep' his tiny face twitching now an% then. <3e;re a fa"i$y'< .ac# whispere%. F""a chuc#$e% an% #isse% his :aw. <3e were before' .ac#'< she proteste% soft$y. <3e;re :ustAa bigger fa"i$y now.< ,e rea$i5e% with a start' she was right. ,e an% F""a ha% been their own fa"i$y for a$"ost a year. (n% now they ha% .ay. So"ehow' things fe$t :ust right. F""a;s breathing against his nec# grew %eep an% stea%y an% .ac# $et his eyes %rift to the win%ow where he cou$% see soft g$obs of snow fa$$ing fro" the s#y. <,appy Christ"as'< he "ur"ure%' $aying his hea% bac# against the pi$$ow an% resting his han% a$ong the $ength of his son;s bo%y.

A/N: Another uic! than!s to #lla for letting me borrow the *ood $oc again. And you wondered where he'd got off to last wee!. +) Than!s" lo%e. #dit note: I prepped this chapter yesterday to get it out today" and" ironically" on the chapter 6ames was born and we get to see )li%er again" #lla went into labor. Thus" you're all getting the chapter a day after e%eryone else" because yours truly was too busy monitoring email for news and hi(ac!ing websites to turn them pin!- ?ongrats to the new little family.

*Chapter 1!*: Chapter 1!

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: Than!s to $eb and #lla. )ne scene in the chapter was written completely with #lla egging me on. &ince the first time she read the original notes for this story" she's been as!ing for this scene in particular. &o5that one's for her" although I'm sure you'll all en(oy it. Chapter 14 .anuary 003 B$aise Mabini was not nor"a$$y a socia$ person. ,e preferre% to wor#' eat an% s$eep a$one. There were ti"es when he sought co"panionship' but those "o"ents were few an% far between. The fact that he was e&en stan%ing in the %ar#ene% interior of the pub showe% that he was either entire$y bore% or ha% been intrigue% by the offer enough to co"e out in the co$% .anuary air. 4t ha% been so"e ti"e' howe&er' since he ha% ruff$e% ?a$foy;s feathers. <Mabini'< the b$on% hea% no%%e% towar% hi" an% B$aise s"ir#e% at the ob&iousness of the "an he was "eeting. ?a$foy;s note ha% as#e% hi" to be %iscreet. 'im- (n% here the

b$on%e prat sat in a fair$y busy pub %uring the busiest ti"e of the e&ening. B$aise shoo# his hea% an% shrugge% off the annoyance. <?a$foy'< he greete% the "an bac#. B$aise too# the in%icate% seat casua$$y' fo$%ing his $ong $egs be$ow the tab$e an% g$ancing aroun% surreptitious$y. <Bou cou$% ha&e pic#e% a "ore &isib$e p$ace'< he sai% %ry$y. <?inistry of ?agic perhaps= 0ight in the "i%%$e of the atriu"=< ?a$foy s"ir#e% an% shrugge% e&en as he too# a $ong %rin# fro" his g$ass of b$oo%+re% wine. <Bou worry too "uch.< <(n% you;re not paranoi% enough'< B$aise bit bac#. <Bou an% a$$ that (uror nonsense'< -raco shoo# his hea% as his grey eyes pierce% B$aise;s. <Constant &igi$ance an% a$$ that.< <4t;s #ept "e a$i&e so far.< B$aise cou$% see the fear in those eyes' the way they %arte% aroun% the roo"' watching peop$e co"e an% go. F&en through the "an;s casua$ "as#' B$aise cou$% see the way his fingers were white fro" gripping the g$ass. So"ething was getting to hi". <Bou #now 4 cou$% pay you "uch better than any ?inistry :ob'< ?a$foy offere% as he "otione% to the waiter to bring hi" another %rin#. B$aise on$y s"i$e% at the usua$ offer. <-on;t "a#e pro"ises you can;t #eep' -raco. Besi%es' you $i#e "e where 4 a". 4;" usefu$' yes= 3hat %o you want' ?a$foy= There has to be so"ething you nee%.< -raco %raine% the rest of his wine an% pushe% the e"pty gob$et to the e%ge of the tab$e' anCious$y watching as the barten%er went about his business. <4 nee% infor"ation.< B$aise bare$y containe% an eye+ro$$. <1b&ious$y.< Continuing as if he ha%n;t hear%' ?a$foy spo#e again. <There ha&e been (urors po#ing aroun% $ate$y.< <6o "ore than usua$'< B$aise grinne%. <They;&e a$ways been there. 4t;s a punish"ent in the (ca%e"y. Bou "uc# up you get ;?a$foy -uty;.< -raco scow$e% at hi". <This isA"ore serious. They;re getting better. They fo$$owe% "e to *aris $ast wee#. (n% 4;&e hear% they "ay beAin&estigating an o$%er "atter.< B$aise shrugge% a shou$%er. This was an o$% ga"e' one ?a$foy ne&er got tire% of p$aying. <4;$$ nee% a better c$ue than that.< ?a$foy shifte% in his chair an% $eane% o&er the tab$e again. <*otter'< he sai% >uic#$y an% B$aise raise% an eyebrow.

<*otter= 3hat about it= 4t;s o$% news.< <That;s what 4 say'< ?a$foy agree%. <But there ha&e been peop$e sniffing aroun%' putting their noses where they %on;t be$ong. They thin# 4 can;t see through their &ei$e% atte"pts to get "e to incri"inate "yse$f. But 4;" not stupi%' Mabini' 4 #now they;re searching for so"ething.< <Then why %o you nee% "e=< B$aise as#e%' sipping fro" a g$ass of firewhis#ey that the waiter ha% :ust brought. <4t soun%s $i#e you;&e got another source.< <Se&era$' in fact'< -raco agree% but then fi%%$e% with the cuffs of his robes. <But no one is as c$ose as you. Bou;re an (uror' B$aiseG an% one with higher c$earance than "ost. 4f there;s an issue you canAinfor" "e.< B$aise consi%ere% for a "inute before $eaning forwar%. <(n% what cou$% 4 possib$y infor" you of=< ,e continue% with a s$y s"i$e' his &oice %ropping $ow. <There ha&e been stirrings in the %epart"ent' ru"ors that so"ething isn;t >uite right with the way the case was c$ose%.< <Stirrings=< -raco as#e%' an% B$aise s"i$e% at how easy it was to ri$e the b$on%e. <(n% ru"ors'< he confir"e% with a #nowing win#. <Bour na"e has been batte% aroun% a bit.< <(n% what is being sai%=< <4t;s suspicious' you #now' how you were the on$y one at the scene that $i&e%. ,ow your story now %oesn;t >uite "atch with your story then.< -raco sighe% hea&i$y an% %raine% "ost of the new g$ass of wine. B$aise cou$% see the tre"b$e in his han%. ,e $eane% e&en further o&er the tab$e an% s"ir#e% at the "an. <Bou shou$% ha&e :ust #i$$e% the" instea% of bo$$iCing it up with "e"ory char"s.< -raco cho#e% as he swa$$owe% an% B$aise finishe% his %rin# in one swift gu$p. <Bou;$$Dyou;$$ $et "e #now if there;s anythingA"ore serious=< -raco whispere% harsh$y as the ta$$ b$ac# "an stoo%. B$aise chuc#$e%. <Can it get "ore serious than that=< ,e $aughe% outright when -raco pa$e% further. <4;$$ be in touch.< The (uror pu$$e% his c$oa# tighter as he "a%e his way through the %o%gy crow% an% out into the "i%%$e of ,ogs"ea%e. 4t was starting to snow again an% he shoo# it out of his eyes' beginning his "arch towar% the other en% of town. ,e %oub$e% bac# twice an% then crosse% the street' stopping erratica$$y to stare into shop win%ows here an% there' a$$ the

whi$e watching the ref$ections in the g$ass. 3hen he was sure he ha%n;t been fo$$owe%' he s$ippe% into @$a%rags 3i5ar% 3ear an% pu$$e% a set of robes off of the rac#' "o&ing towar% the bac# %ressing roo"s with a no% to the wo"an wor#ing the counter. <That was >uic#.< B$aise s"i$e% as he >uic#$y c$ose% the %oor behin% hi" an% tosse% the too+$arge gar"ent to one si%e without a thought. ,e shrugge% an% began to unfasten his own c$oa#' a$$ the whi$e pu$$ing on a f$esh+co$ore% string that attache% in the bac# poc#et of his trousers. <-i% you hear it a$$=< /ings$ey Shac#e$bo$t' the ,ea% (uror hi"se$f' grinne% a toothy s"i$e. <F&ery b$ee%ing wor%.< Ton#s chuc#$e% as she he$pe% retrie&e the recor%ing %e&ice. <(ny in%ication of what he;$$ %o now=< B$aise shrugge%. <,e;s a scare% rabbit now. Be sure to ha&e hi" watche% aroun% the c$oc#. 4;% be surprise% if it ta#es "ore than a %ay or two to bo$t.< <*aris=< Ton#s as#e%. <?aybe'< B$aise shrugge%. <But he #nows you fo$$owe% hi" at Christ"as. 4;% say probab$y the ?anor.< ,e watche% the" eCchange a g$ance an% #new that there was "ore infor"ation they weren;t gi&ing out. But that was a$right' he cou$% guess "ost of it an% the rest wou$% co"e out in ti"e. B$aise was a patient "an. <That was rather chee#y what you sai% at the en% thereA< Shac#e$bo$t obser&e%. <6ow he #nows we;re on to hi".< 1nce again' the (uror see"e% not to care. <,e;$$ thin# twice about his neCt "o&e now. ,e #nows 4;" not stupi%. 4 hear% the ru"ors going aroun% that $ast year. ,e "ay :ust thin# 4 figure% it out.< <3hy %o you thin# he %i%n;t :ust #i$$ the"=< Ton#s as#e% as she sett$e% on the on$y chair in the cra"pe% %ressing roo" that ha% been si$ence% an% secure% hours ago. B$aise raise% an eyebrow in thought. <*ersona$$y' 4 %on;t thin# he;s got the sto"ach to #i$$.< <3hat about 6ott an% *ar#inson=< /ings$ey as#e%. <3e %efinite$y ha&e two %ea% bo%ies.< <The wor% was that they were "essing aroun% an% got caught'< B$aise offere%.

<By ?a$foy=< <?aybe' but "ore $i#e$y by their parentsAor "aybe 6arcissa or 2ucius. *ansy an% -raco were betrothe% since they were born.< <3ou$% ?a$foy ha&e #i$$e% the" o&er that=< <*robab$y not'< B$aise shoo# his hea%. <-raco a$ways ta$#e% big' but 4 rea$$y %on;t thin# he cou$%. ,e was p$aying with the big boys an% got caught up in their sche"es when he was siCteen. ?y bet wou$% be that 6ott an% *ar#inson got stupi% an% then got caught. 2ucius wou$% ha&e been "ore than wi$$ing' an% ab$e' to #i$$ the".< <So -raco :ust ta#es their bo%ies=< Ton#s as#e% with a gri"ace. <4f it suite% his purposes'< B$aise shrugge% casua$$y. <(n% why the "e"ory char"s= 3hy gi&e the" anything at a$$=< B$aise see"e% to thin# about it for a "inute before answering. <!or *otter' he was trying to erase anything that ga&e hi" an i%entity. ,e was $eft a$one' without his "agic' separate% fro" the peop$e who $o&e% hi". Those are a$$ things that -raco fears' an% "aybe suffere% fro" a bit. 3e;% a$$ hear% the ru"ors about how *otter grew up' but no one rea$$y be$ie&e% the". ?a$foy an% Snape "a%e sure a$$ of us in S$ytherin #new that the ;pa"pere% prince; ha% got e&erything he e&er wante%.< Ton#s snorte% an% shoo# her hea%. <,ow cou$% they ha&e sai% that= 4f they on$y #newA< <4t rea$$y %i%n;t "atter' %i% it=< B$aise as#e%. <4t was easier to be$ie&e that he was -u"b$e%ore;s fa&orite' the Boy+3ho+2i&e% who got e&erything he e&er wante%' e&erything he cou$% ha&e e&er nee%e%. By ta#ing that away' -raco wou$% ha&e fe$t &in%icate% an% superior.< /ings$ey sighe% an% rubbe% his ba$% hea%. <3e$$' we;$$ #now soon enough an% "aybe then get the chance to fee% hi" so"e Eeratiseru".< The three peop$e stu%ie% each other in si$ence before /ings$ey spo#e again. <Than# you for your he$p' Mabini. 2et "e #now if he contacts you again.< <4 wi$$.< <3hy %o you %o it' Mabini=< Ton#s as#e%' a thoughtfu$ eCpression on her face. B$aise s"i$e% wi%e$y whi$e %oing up his c$oa#. <-raco is boring. ,e;s not $earne% anything since schoo$' a$ways thin#ing that his "oney an% his na"e can get hi" so"ewhere. Besi%es'< he shrugge%' <you pay better.<

The %oor to his stu%y in the ?anor ha% bare$y c$ose% before -raco was pu$$ing at his hea&y woo$en c$oa#' fu"b$ing with the button at his co$$ar. 3hen it fina$$y s$ippe% through the ho$e' he pante% an% $eane% against the co$% but ornate %oor. <-a"n the"'< he hisse% an% f$ung hi"se$f towar% the &e$&et chair that he a$ways sat in. <-a"n' %a"n' %a"n'< he &ehe"ent$y swore again' banging his fist %own onto the ar" of the chair. ,e;% wor#e% so har% for so "any years to :ust put the past behin% hi". 4t ha% been a stupi%' &engefu$ thing to %o' he #new. But he;% been so youngA:ust bare$y eighteen at the ti"e. (n% *otter was :ust soAheroic an% nob$e an% a$$ of those horri% >ua$ities that -raco ha% a$ways hate% "ost. (n% the 3eas$ey gir$ wasn;t any better. But ti"e' it see"e%' was unra&e$ing his sche"es an% -raco cou$% fee$ the co$%' c$a""y press on his chest. @ui$t. 4t wasn;t that he regrette% what he;% %one' "ore so that he regrette% that he "ight get caught. Bears spent without hearing how successfu$ ,arry *otter was were we$$ worth it' -raco thought. There' of course' ha% been the press grabbing hea%$ines of the ;heroes; %eaths' but e&en those ha% fa%e% o&er ti"e. (n% -raco ha% %one his best to cast sha%ows on *otter as "uch as he cou$%. ,e too# a "o"ent to sti$$ his breathing an% ca$" his racing heart. There was no way that anyone cou$% fin% out what he;% %one. ,e ha% faith in his own "agica$ abi$ity. The ?e"ory B$oc# wou$% ho$% unti$ -raco hi"se$f bro#e itG which was $i#e$y to happenA ne&er. *otter was out there' so"ewhere' $i&ing a co"p$ete$y unre"ar#ab$e $ife. -raco wasn;t e&en positi&e he;% been ab$e to sur&i&e after being %u"pe% on the si%e of that roa% an% $eft for %ea%. (n% the 3eas$ey gir$ was probab$y $i&ing in so"e s>ua$or so"ewhere' "arrie% to so"e no+na"e ?ugg$e an% no %oubt turning out fi$thy re% hea%e% beggars. -raco ha% won in the en%. ,e c$ose% his eyes an% a$$owe% hi"se$f to re"e"ber that fee$ingG the o&erwhe$"ing' triu"phant fee$ing of being on top of the wor$%. $raco hid in the trees" watching as :otter and 3easley stepped into the clearing. The $ar! 9ord bowed low" his wand held wide out to the side and his red eyes ne%er mo%ing from his opponents. <:otter"0 he greeted" his %oice hissing and causing a shi%er to run down $raco's spine. 'e hated the man. $raco now !new that's what he was+ a cowardly man who would destroy anything or anyone who got in his way. <I see you'%e brought your little girlfriend.0

#%en from this distance" $raco could see :otter's teeth grind. 3easley" howe%er" stood her ground" co%ering :otter's bac!" (ust as she had promised she would. A spar! of annoyance" and grudging respect" shot through $raco. :ansy would ha%e ne%er done that for him+ nor would he ha%e trusted her li!e :otter trusted 3easley. <Tom.0 $raco was surprised that :otter showed none of the fear he'd e2pected. 'e was a statue ,immo%able and impressi%e. <$o not use that name" half blood"0 9ord 1oldemort hissed. 0I am 9ord 1oldemort-0 9ightning fast" :otter was the first to stri!e" his wand a blaDe of speed and the golden spell roc!eted across the clearing. It was batted away by the $ar! 9ord easily" but he bowed slightly in recognition before firing his own spell bac!5right at *inny 3easley. <:rotego-0 Two loud shouts rent the clearing and $raco roc!ed bac! on his heels" sin!ing lower to the ground. The power of that shield far surpassed anything $raco had seen in his eighteen years. #%en $raco's father hadn't been able to produce such a strong" sure shield. The spellfire continued" lighting up the dar!ening forest. &e%eral times $raco was forced to duc! behind trees and roc!s as he mo%ed to !eep the %iew of the battle before him. The shoulder of his robes smo!ed as a spell sent from 3easley was deflected. &he screamed in pain as the ?ruciatus hit her and $raco watched" amaDed" as :otter do%e in front of her" a primal roar ricocheting off through the trees. 1oldemort lifted the curse and stood o%er the two" his wand poised for the !ill. $raco winced" !nowing that he may ha%e to step in and help here. 9oathe as he was for :otter to win,he couldn't abide watching such an easy !ill. :otter had fallen for the oldest tric!,he'd worn his heart on his slee%e. The pale wand slashed out uic!ly and :otter screamed as a %icious gash opened along his (aw. $espite the wound and the blood running down his nec! and into his robes" :otter sha!ily stood from his !nees and faced his nemesis" the two sets of eyes loc!ed for a moment before :otter spit in the demon's face. A second later and the battle had begun again. 3easley had reco%ered enough to fire spells from her position on the forest floor and struggle bac! up to her feet. :otter drew the $ar! 9ord's fire away until it loo!ed as if he had opened himself up to 3easley's wand. 'e spun" howe%er" at (ust the right moment and 3easley went flying li!e a discarded rag doll.

:otter struc!" and $raco's eyes flew wide open as the &ectumsempra spell hit the $ar! 9ord" opening his bac! wide" his robes in tatters. $raco was surprised that :otter had used the spell at all. It was considered $ar! /agic. Truthfully" $raco could care less that :otter used $ar! /agic. In fact" if he were more familiar with it" maybe this fight would ha%e been o%er by now. Although" he should !now better than anyone that :otter would do anything he could to win. After all" :otter hadn't thought twice about using it on $raco. The delay was (ust enough for 3easley to scramble bac! to safety and for :otter to send a stunner at the $ar! 9ord. It was deflected" howe%er" in a %icious slash of the yew wand. .ouncing on the balls of his feet" $raco shifted to see what 3easley was doing. 'e could only see the outline of her slin!ing in the shadows. 6ust as he shifted" a dar! shape struc! from the forest floor" missing him by inches. <.loody sna!e-0 $raco hissed" falling bac! to his behind and scrambling away as the giant python" Nagini" rounded herself for another stri!e. 'e fumbled his wand" his mind racing to find (ust the right spell. <&ectumsempra-0 If it wor!ed for :otter5 The sna!e writhed" struggling to get to him" despite its mostly se%ered head. $raco used the spell again" hearing the satisfying s uelch as the body was cut into two separate pieces. 'e gripped his heart as it pounded in his chest" and stared at the lifeless" massi%e sna!e. 'is co%er" howe%er" had been blown and red spells shot out from the clearing" causing him to di%e to the floor. ?rawling uic!ly" he made his way around a thic! copse of trees and to the far side of the opening" where :otter and 3easley had first emerged. &pell fire once again lit up the night and $raco focused bac! in" his wand now poised to help :otter. 'e was well and committed now" he !new" after !illing Nagini. 'e'd inad%ertently destroyed the last 'orcru2 and helped :otter in the fight. A simple trip (in2 flew from his wand and the $ar! 9ord stumbled" panting as he bled from se%eral wounds. :otter's left arm hung limply at his side and 3easley was hobbling on what loo!ed li!e a bro!en an!le. $raco was (ust about to cast a cutting he2 when a stunner" deflected off of 3easley's shield" hit him and the world went blac!.

3hen he awo!e again" the forest was uiet. A loud bird called obno2iously in the pale light of dus!. $raco blin!ed" ta!ing a mental in%entory of all of his parts before sitting up and staring into the clearing. 3hat he e2pected to see" howe%er" wasn't what his eyes deli%ered. 9ying in the clearing" were three bodies" all silent and still. $raco crouched down" sur%eying the scene and waiting for some mo%ement. 'e counted uietly to si2ty" and then did it again. 3hen nothing happened" he lowered his wand a fraction and mo%ed into the clearing. 'e crouchBwal!ed toward the $ar! 9ord first" pointing his wand deliberately to the monster's head. #mpty" pupil less eyes loo!ed upward to the canopy" a horrified loo! petrified on the sna!eli!e face. $eep gouges and scratches marring the s!in. $raco held out his boot" and nudged the body" waiting for it to spring upward and wrap s!eletal hands around $raco's throat" cho!ing the life out of him. 'e let out a breath that he didn't !now he was holding and stared at the corpse. The tension and adrenaline from the earlier battle was gone and now $raco only felt the bone tired of the moment. @elief and disbelief mingled. 'ad he e%er really thought this day would come8 If he were honest with himself5no. 'e had ne%er en%isioned a day when :otter would actually defeat the demon. <.astard"0 $raco whispered" glaring at the dead body. 0.astard"0 he repeated o%er and o%er" punctuating each word with a !ic! to the body. .ones crunched beneath his boots and a slow tric!le of blood spurted out of the mouth after a particularly %icious !ic! to the chest. #ach (ab had a memory behind it. 'is father" the mighty 9ucius /alfoy" !neeling in front of his 9ord and /aster (ust hours ago" cast aside with a casual !illing curse for failing to deli%er :otter. ;ic!. 'is mother" wailing o%er her husband's dead body" felled by a sneered A%ada ;eda%ra because her 9ord couldn't stand to hear her cry any longer. ;ic!. A childhood spent watching murders and rapes and things a child should ne%er ha%e to see. ;ic!. ;ic!.

'is energy spent" $raco fell to his !nees" his lungs burning with the effort. 'is eyes slid to the side" ta!ing in the bro!en bodies of :otter and 3easley" collapsed ne2t to each other" their heads only centimeters away from each other. $raco stood" wiping the sweat off of his face with the slee%e of his robe and stumbled toward them" e2pecting that they were both dead as well. 3easley loo!ed pale and unnatural against the dar! forest floor" her red hair spread around her li!e a flame. &he had a hea%y blac! bruise along one chee! and her right eye was swelling" a small cut lea!ing a tic!le of blood down to pool in the hollow of her ear. 'er an!le bent to one side aw!wardly and $raco remembered thin!ing she had bro!en it earlier. 'er eyes" howe%er" were closed,not open in the horrified death stare typical of the !illing curse. :otter lay ne2t to her" his glasses hanging craDily off of his face" his eyes closed as well. The cut on his (aw was (agged and gaping open" showing the pure white of bone below it. $raco's eyes tra%eled down his body" noting the way his robes pulled dramatically to one side. 'is nec! was %ery red and $raco wondered if he'd been physically cho!ed. 9ow on his leg was a deep cut" ooDing blood. 'is left arm bent strangely and $raco could see white flec!s of bone standing out in the red tissue. $raco san! to his !nees again" staring at the bodies. It was o%er. :otter had done it. 'e scratched his nec! and tried to contemplate a world where 1oldemort no longer was. 'e closed his eyes and imagined the Aurors finding them. :otter would be a martyr" of course. &aint :otter. $raco had always called him that in the dar! of the &lytherin ?ommon @oom and e%eryone had laughed. They wouldn't laugh any more. There would" no doubt" be holidays and parades and5well" the thought made bile rise in his throat. The *ryffindor :rince, his :rincess at his side. 7ury rose in him unchec!ed" boiling the acid in his stomach until it cho!ed him. No" the world didn't need another martyr. It didn't need another &aint. An idea rose in his head slowly. $raco was the only witness. 'e alone could say what had happened. &ha!ily" he reached out and too! :otter's wand from his limp hand. :ressing the tips of the wands together" he whispered" 0:rior Incantato.0

'e swore %iolently when the ghost of an #2pelliarmus" se%eral cutting spells" and shield charms came out. Anger rose in him as he !ept repeating the charm" watching as spell after spell echoed out of the wand,nothing more serious than the &ectumsempra that $raco had seen :otter cast. &lumping bac! to the floor" $raco rested his head against his !nee" breathing hea%ily. :otter had defeated the strongest wiDard ali%e with a damn disarming spell. The impossibility of the situation made a hysterical bubble of laughter escape him and $raco let it come" en(oying the drained feeling that it left him with. 'e tossed the wand bac! toward :otter" sighing hea%ily and trying to decide what to do. 'e should alert the Aurors to come and retrie%e the bodies" e%en though the thought of it made him sic! again. <The world doesn't need another saint"0 he whispered %iciously at :otter's dead body. 'e glared at the two of them,so de%oted to each other" e%en in death" that their hands were e%en curled into each other. $raco stared at the blood stained fingers" anger building in him" wa%e after wa%e. 3hen :otter's finger twitched" $raco shoo! his head" his eyes going wide as he crawled forward" placing his face less than si2 inches from the two hands. The finger mo%ed again and $raco swore" pulling bac!. As much as the world didn't need another martyr" they definitely did not need a li%e 'arry :otter" crowing li!e a /erlinBdeemed hero from the rooftops. 'e'd had enough of the high life for years. The thought of the world worshiping someone li!e :otter made $raco so irrationally angry that he couldn't e%en thin! straight. 'e (umped away" pacing bac! and forth as his chest hea%ed. :otter grinning up at him from the $aily :rophet. :otter marching through the /inistry" turning e%ery head and currying fa%or with the 3iDarding world's leaders. $raco growled mightily" spinning on his heel and pointing his wand at the two bodies" the words of the !illing curse echoing through his head. $o it. $o it. Bou;re wea#. *athetic.

0&top-0 $raco grabbed his head" hearing his father's %oice repeating words he'd heard since he was small. 3hate%er he was" $raco was no !iller. 'e cast a stunner instead" satisfied when :otter's body (umped off of the floor. 6ust to be sure" he stunned 3easley as well. If :otter was ali%e" chances were that his little girlfriend was too. :acing again" $raco pushed his filthy hands through his hair" trying to decide what to do. 'e couldn't !ill them" that was certain. 3hat could he do8 3hate%er it was" he needed to act fast. It had already been at least ten minutes since he'd awa!ened. The solution came to him when he pictured :otter and 3easley standing ready to enter the clearing. 3easley dropped the In%isibility ?loa! to the floor5 In%isibility5 'e could ma!e them disappear. 'e could simply ma!e them %anish from the earth. 'arry :otter and *inny 3easley would no longer e2ist. /emory charms could be bro!en" that much he !new. 'e'd heard his father e2pounding that fact many times through the years. ?a#e no "ista#es that you nee% to eraseD "e"ory char"s can be bro#en. .ut not /emory .loc!s5 A scene flashed before him,he was fifteen" hiding from his demanding father and coddling mother in one of /alfoy /anor's hidden passages" the tip of his wand lit as he read the boo! in front of him" '-ar# (rts ?oste Terrib$e;. They ne%er found him and" although he'd paid for it later" $raco had hidden for hours" reading the secrets of $ar! /agic. The incantation rang in his head as he turned bac! toward the bodies. The decision made" he stal!ed toward them" raising his wand determinedly. $raco brought his wand down to his palm" wincing as he pulled it across the flesh" blossoms of red blood flowed freely. 'e wal!ed o%er to his %ictims" holding his hand out so that the blood flowed down his clenched fist and dripped onto their foreheads. :otter stirred" his head slowly rolling from side to side and $raco's eyes widened" mar%eling disgustedly at the strength of the boy.

<)bli%isci Totalum< .right red light filled the clearing" ma!ing $raco wince and co%er his eyes with his arm. It faded %ery uic!ly lea%ing bright flashes of light in his %ision. It seemed too easy" he thought" as he lic!ed his lips. 'e wiped his sweaty palms on his robes and cried out when his palm throbbed. 'e uic!ly healed the cut and crouched down staring at the bodies. <Need to get rid of them"0 he muttered to himself. .ut where could he ta!e them8 And what would he do when the others came+ because they would. 'is eyes darted bac! and forth" thin!ing of a hundred different plans. 3hate%er he did" he would need to replace the bodies5 .odies5 There were two dead bodies at /alfoy /anor right now. The traitorous bitch :ar!inson and her lo%er" Nott. 'is father had !illed them (ust hours ago. 'ad it really only been that long8 It seemed li!e days5months e%en. A de%ilish smile spread across $raco's face as he realiDed that he had the perfect solution to two different problems. 'e could dispose of the bodies" and ma!e :otter and his girlfriend disappear fore%er. They didn't deser%e the fame that they would reap. $raco" if anyone" deser%ed it all. 'e had ta!en all of the ris!" playing the spy for both sides. 'e had ris!ed his life more times than :otter had bro!en the rules. $raco was a real man" while :otter was a pathetic little boy who was %ery" %ery luc!y. 'e would need to hurry. Apparating directly into /alfoy /anor was tric!y" unless one !new e2actly the places to land. Normally" one would arri%e in the @eception :arlor and wait for the 'ouse #l%es to announce you. .ut $raco !new that se%eral of the hidden passageways contained lapses in the wards. The place where $raco had hid :ar!inson's and Nott's bodies was one of those places. The stench almost o%erwhelmed him when he arri%ed in the pitch blac! room. $raco gagged and coughed" feeling around for any small ob(ect that he might be able to charm into a :ort!ey. An eagle feather uill would wor! (ust fine" he decided as his fingers closed around it. @eaching out" he grasped the two lifeless and cold hands before acti%ating the :ort!ey bac! to the clearing.

'e landed with a rough thump" falling to his behind and a%erting his eyes as the pasty white faces of his former betrothed and her boyfriend stared at him accusingly. <&hut it"0 he growled to them both" hurriedly stepping o%er to :otter and 3easley and di%esting them of their clothing. 9uc!ily" they were both wearing distasteful /uggle (eans and tBshirts under their robes" so he was only forced to remo%e the outer robes. It was no easy feat forcing the dead" uncooperati%e bodies into the robes" but $raco managed it. 'e le%itated :otter and 3easley out of the way and placed :ar!inson and Nott in their places. A few charms to duplicate hair color" (ust in case. $raco tossed both :otter and 3easley's wand onto their bodies along with :otter's glasses and stared at them. &atisfaction welled in him. It ser%ed all of them right. 'e was so much smarter than any of them. Now to place :otter and 3easley as far from ci%iliDation as he could. 'e chuc!led at the idea of them alone+ bleeding" bro!en and missing e%erything that made them who they were. $eath was too easy a solution" $raco decided. It was better to ma!e them suffer. No memories" no magic" no family,nothing. 3easley was firstFApparated to an area not too far from the 9a!e $istrict. $raco had been there once" as a young child. 'e dumped her lifeless body in a field full of tall grass after glancing around to ma!e sure no one was around. :otter was ne2t" abandoned on a country lane outside of /anchester. $raco placed him in the middle of the road" hoping that a %ehicle would come along and finish the (ob. 'e stared down at the boy one last time" the dar! pin! of his scar pulsating in the dim light of his wand tip. That damned scar. It stood for e%erything that $raco hated. 1iciously" he !nelt and used a cutting charm to remo%e the chun! of s!in where the scar resided. &ic!eningly satisfied" $raco gripped the hun! of flesh in his hand tightly and Apparated away. 'e laughed as he placed the scarred tissue on Nott's forehead and wal!ed out to the edge of the clearing. 'e too! a deep breath and cast the charm to call forth a controlled 7iendfyre. The massi%e e2plosion of heat !noc!ed him bac! onto his behind" forcefully (abbing a gnarled tree root into his bac!. The fire too! only a moment to incinerate the clearing and burn the bodies to ash. Ta!ing a deep breath to prepare himself" $raco threw his wand into the fire" rubbed his hands on his robes" and then held them momentarily into the flames" screaming in agony

as the s!in bubbled and siDDled. 'e continued screaming as the flames burned out" san! to his !nees and let the emotions of the past days finally out" his eyes burning with tears as he cradled his ruined hands to his chest. $raco heard them approach" his head spinning from the pain+ that oaf 'agrid and his giant brother" tearing entire trees out of the soil on their way to the clearing. The ne2t thing he !new" $raco was being lifted off of the ground and pinned to a tree" all air cut off as a huge" meaty arm pressed against his throat" closing it off. <I tried"0 $raco repeated o%er and o%er" his %oice harsh and grating. 'is body dropped and the world spun as he continued to spea!. 0I tried" I tried50 'is eyes closed and he !new no more. -raco sighe%' g$ancing %own at his han%s' the bac# sti$$ showing faint scars fro" the burns. 4t ha% hurt his pri%e "ore than his f$esh to #eep those scarsDbut appearances ha% to be "aintaine%. 3hene&er so"eone saw the "arre% f$esh' their "in%s :u"pe% to the story' how the pa$e boy ha% trie% so &a$iant$y to be a hero. 0e"iniscing wou$% get hi" nowhere' an% -raco #new that. ,e ha% to be prepare%. The ?inistry was c$osing in on hi". *erhaps a business trip to the continentA There was that "essage fro" the -ar# (rtifacts buyer in @reece. -raco ha% been p$anning to ignore it' as the "an ha% a reputation for %ea$ing in goo%s with s$ight$y >uestionab$e authenticity. Bes' a trip "ight :ust be in or%erA <?aster'< the whee5y &oice of the o$% house e$f cut through the si$ence of the house an% -raco starte%. <3hat is it=< he %e"an%e%. <?aster'< the house e$f starte% again' wringing his han%s s$ow$y in front of hi"' <there is being peop$e in the gar%enDwi5ar%s' ?aster.< -raco shot out of his chair' "o&ing swift$y to the win%ow' an% peering through the sheer curtains there' carefu$ not to %isturb the" an% gi&e away his position. <@et %own to the #itchens'< -raco %e"an%e% an% the house e$f near$y trippe% o&er hi"se$f scurrying out the %oor after a hasty ha$f+bow. <-a"n (urors'< -raco hisse%. They were e&erywhere' $eaning against the wrought iron fence surroun%ing the property' $ining the wa$#. The ho$$ow soun% of a fir" fist beating on the ornate front %oors start$e% hi".

,e #new there wou$% on$y be a sp$it secon% for hi" to "a#e his %ecision. 1ne "ore #noc# an% the (urors wou$% probab$y use a b$u%geoning spe$$ on the %oor' brea#ing their way in. ,is eyes %arte% to his %es# %rawer' where the 4n&isibi$ity C$oa# was fo$%e% neat$y. 4f he cou$% :ust get thereAhe "ight ha&e a chance to s$ip into one of the secret passageways. *erhaps the one that $e% to the gar%ening she%. !ro" there he cou$% snea# away. ,e;% nee% to be carefu$ at the (pparition chec# points' perhaps he cou$% e&en ta#e a f$as# of *o$y:uice with hi". ?er$in #nows there was enough %own in the secret cha"berA (nother thun%erous boo" ratt$e% the house an% ?a$foy #new he was out of ti"e. <-0(C1 ?(2!1BH< -raco wince% as the i""ense &oice fi$$e% the ?anor' "a#ing the crysta$ g$asses on the si%eboar% neCt to hi" ratt$e in their p$ace. ,e hea&e% a great sigh' recogni5ing the &oice of the ,ea% (uror' /ings$ey Shac#$ebo$t i""e%iate$y. 4f he was the one hereA ,e stoo%' roote% to the spot in the stu%y' his heart "atching the hea&y footsteps he cou$% hear on the stairway. !i&e (urors' %resse% in na&y b$ue robes' threw open the %oors' their wan%s ai"ing a$$ aroun% the roo". 1ne ga&e a shri$$ whist$e' "a#ing the hairs on ?a$foy;s ar"s an% nec# stan% up. <3e$$' we$$'< /ings$ey %raw$e%' ta#ing $arge stri%es into the roo". <?ister ?a$foy.< <BouAyou can;t co"e in here'< -raco cha$$enge%' his &oice brea#ing in the "i%%$e. ,e wince% at the wea# soun% of his wor%s in the face of the "ono$ith of a "an. <Bou ha&e no right.< Shac#$ebo$t chuc#$e% an% reache% into his robes. -raco f$inche%' i"agining that he was pu$$ing his wan%. 1n$y a sheaf of fo$%e% parch"ent e"erge%' /ings$ey sho&ing it un%er -raco;s nose. <That gi&es "e the right /ister ?a$foy.< The %ar# eyes penetrate% his own an% ?a$foy swa$$owe% au%ib$y' brea#ing the ga5e an% g$ancing aroun% the roo". <Tear it apart'< Shac#$ebo$t snappe%' "a#ing hi" :u"p. The (urors sprang into action' spe$$s f$ashing a$$ aroun% the roo" as they searche% e&ery concei&ab$e noo# an% cranny. -raco swa$$owe% harsh$y' gri"acing as an (uror re"o&e% a painting of his "other an% %isco&ere% a $arge wa$$ safe. <3hat are you searching forG perhapsAperhaps 4 can sa&e you the ti"e.< The bright white' toothy grin assure% -raco that the (uror ha% no intention of $etting hi" ;he$p; in the search.

<Co""an%er.< -raco groane% as both "en turne% to see an (uror $e&itating a si$&ery c$oth fro" out of the %es#. <@oo% wor#' ?eyers.< Shac#$ebo$t spun bac# aroun%' rough$y gripping the front of -raco;s robes. <-raco ?a$foy' you;re un%er arrest for theft.< <Theft=< -raco croa#e%. ($$ of thisAutter nonsense ha% been about the C$oa# a$$ a$ong= <4 foun% that in the forest.< <Te$$ it to the 3i5enga"ot'< Shac#$ebo$t snar$e%. ,is wan% f$ashe% out an% -raco :er#e% as his c$othing was rust$e% a$$ about hi". 4t fe$t as if a $arge han% ha% :ust fe$t up an% %own his bo%y. ( "o"ent $ater an% his han%s were boun% behin% hi"' the wrists stuc# together. ,is wan% was rough$y tosse% to one of the searching (urors who sea$e% it in a bubb$e char". <2et;s go.< Shac#$ebo$t #ept a tight grip on the bac# of -raco;s robes' $ifting as they "arche% out of the roo". -raco a$"ost ha% to wa$# on his tip+toes to #eep fro" cho#ing. The twiste% fabric a$so #ept hi" fro" protesting too "uch. 3hene&er he opene% his "outh to spea#' the (uror wou$% gi&e a >uic# :er# upwar%' forcing -raco to swa$$ow his wor%s. ( %o5en %ifferent eCcuses an% argu"ents p$aye% in his "in% as the "a%e their way out of the ?anor. They cou$%n;t %o this to hi". ,e nee%e% to ha&e a few "inutes to thin# this through an% he;% fin% a way out of this. ,e a$ways ca"e out on top. 4f the C$oa# was a$$ they ha%A -raco;s hopes' howe&er were crushe% as they wa$#e% past the sitting roo" an% (uror Ton#s steppe% out' $e&itating a boC with a bubb$e char" aroun% it. <!oun% what you nee%e% then=< Shac#$ebo$t as#e%. The wo"an grinne% in a rather fera$ way' her eyes $oo#ing ?a$foy up an% %own. <Eiscus 4nfir"atio'< she no%%e%' <an% a fair bit of it at that.< She he$% up the boC' showing %o5ens of &ia$s an% bott$es. <Sa"e poison foun% in 4ris *ar#inson;s b$oo%. Se&era$ &ia$s of *o$y:uice an% -raught of 2i&ing -eath as we$$.< <See"s $i#e you;re un%er arrest for "ur%er' as we$$.< Shac#$ebo$t ga&e another &icious :er# of -raco;s co$$ar an% he cho#e%' coughing an% f$ai$ing. ,e #ic#e% his $eg bac#' trying to connect with anything' or get a %ecent foot ho$% to ease his cho#ing a bit. ,e swore as the tip of a wan% %ug into his si%e' an% then the wor$% aroun% hi" went b$ac#.

<4t;s a"a5ing how "uch he $oo#s $i#e you'< 0on sai% as he brushe% the tuft of b$ac# hair a$ong the baby;s hea%. ,e g$ance% up at .ac#' who was $eaning against the si%e of F""a;s chair. <Bou sai% that $ast ti"e you were here'< F""a sai% soft$y' pu$$ing asi%e the b$an#et as .ay tugge% his ar" out to wa&e in the air. <4t;s sti$$ true'< 0on sai%. ,e stu%ie% the baby' awe% that he was ho$%ing a tiny bit of ,arry an% @inny in his ar"s. 4t was one thing to see his %aughter an% see his own eCpressions on her face. But seeing .ayAit was nothing short of a "irac$e. 4t was seeing so"ething that 0on ha% ne&er a$$owe% hi"se$f to picture' because he ha%n;t a$$owe% hi"se$f to thin# of ,arry an% @inny as a$i&e for so $ong. The tiny boy' who was so "uch a &isib$e e&i%ence of his parents' fit entire$y in 0on;s pa$". ,e gent$y bounce% hi" up an% %own. <Bou #now' 4 :ust thought about itA.ay an% @inny 0ose wi$$ be in the sa"e year at ,ogwarts.< The thought "a%e his heart swe$$ a bitDa *otter an% a 3eas$ey at ,ogwarts once again. 0e"us c$eare% his throat across fro" the"' setting his tea cup an% saucer %own on the s"a$$ tab$e in front of the sofa. <3e %i% ha&e a reason for co"ing' besi%es 0on;s obsessi&e nee% to see his nephew.< .ac# an% F""a chuc#$e% as 0on;s face f$ushe%. <-on;t $isten to the"' .ay'< 0on sai% to the baby. <4;" going to be your fa&orite unc$e.< <6o %oubt'< 0e"us s"i$e%. ,is attention turne% bac# to .ac# an% F""a as 0on $ifte% the baby "ore fu$$y into his ar"s. <,er"ione was ab$e to fin% the curse that we thin# was use% against you.< F""a suc#e% in a %eep breath an% fu"b$e% for .ac#;s han%' which reste% on her shou$%er. <4t;s re&ersib$e'< 0e"us a%"itte%' <but that %oesn;t "ean it;s going to be easy.< 0on gri"ace% at the thought. ,e an% ,er"ione ha% spent hours o&er the past few %ays %iscussing what "ight be ab$e to brea# the b$oc#. <3hat %o we ha&e to %o=< .ac# as#e%' his &oice %eep an% hus#y. <There;s a chance that triggering the "e"ories wou$% re"o&e it co"p$ete$y'< 0e"us a%"itte%' a s#eptica$ $oo# on his face. <But by our ca$cu$ations' that on$y has a &ery s"a$$ chance of wor#ing' possib$y aroun% three percent.<

<That %oesn;t soun% opti"istic'< F""a sighe%. 0on watche% as she an% .ac# share% a si$ent con&ersation' won%ering what was going on insi%e their hea%s. They ha%n;t co""unicate% "uch in the way of their fee$ings with anyone. F&en 0e"us' who see"e% to be c$oser to the" than anyone e$se' a%"itte% that he %i%n;t #now what they thought about "agic' or the 3i5ar%ing 3or$% as a who$e. <There is another way'< 0e"us a%"itte%. <(n% the o%%s are "uch greater that the b$oc# wou$% be re"o&e% co"p$ete$y. ,owe&er'< he sighe% an% rubbe% his hair rough$y. 0on $oo#e% %own at the baby' who ha% %rifte% off to s$eep against the war"th of his unc$e;s bo%y. <The process is "uch "ore %ifficu$t. 4t re>uires a b$oo% sacrifice fro" the person who origina$$y perfor"e% the -ar# 0itua$.< .ac# swore soft$y' stan%ing an% "o&ing to the win%ow' staring out at the grey .anuary %ay. <So"eone has toA%ie' for us to get our "e"ories bac#=< F""a as#e% soft$y' a horrifie% $oo# on her face. <6o'< 0e"us shoo# his hea%. <4 on$y "eant that the b$oo% ha% to be wi$$ing$y gi&en' rather than forcib$y ta#en.< <(n% the chances of that happening areAwe$$' they aren;t goo%'< 0on a%%e%' eCchanging a g$ance with 0e"us. ,e #new that right now' Ton#s an% /ings$ey were ser&ing a search warrant on ?a$foy ?anor. 0on ha% fought $ong an% har% to be inc$u%e% in the (uror party' but /ings$ey' perhaps #nowing his te"per' ha% o&erru$e% hi" an% as#e% hi" to acco"pany 0e"us to the 4nga$$s; ho"e instea%. <(re you any c$oser to fin%ing who %i% this to us=< .ac# as#e%' his bac# sti$$ to the roo". 0on ha% hear% that tone so "any ti"es in ,arry;s &oice that it sent a shi&er %own his spine. -eter"ination an% anger. But there was a har%er e%ge to it now' so"ething co$%er an% "ore ca$cu$ating. (n%' he suppose% it was :ustifie%. .ac# ha% been through a $otD things that 0on %i%n;t e&en want to consi%er. <3e are'< 0e"us a%"itte%. <4n factD< ,is wor%s were cut off when F""a gaspe% $ou%$y. 0on :er#e% at the bright si$&er $ynC for" that strea#e% into the f$at. .ay' %isturbe% by the "o&e"ent' began wai$ing. <Suspect on his way to the ?inistry. 0eport to (uror ,ea%>uarters (uror 3eas$ey.< The &oice of /ings$ey Shac#$ebo$t ca"e out of the $ynC;s "outh before it fa%e% away. F""a gathere% her crying son fro" 0on;s ar"s' an% 0on stare% at 0e"us before turning to .ac#' who ha% steppe% between his fa"i$y an% the strange ani"a$ apparition. <They got hi"H< 0on sai%' a huge grin sprea%ing o&er his face. <4 nee% to get bac#D<

<4;" co"ing with you'< .ac# %e"an%e%' his face stony with reso$ution. Their eyes $oc#e% an% 0on stare% at hi"' a chi$$ "a#ing the hair on the bac# of his nec# stan% up. The "an in front of hi" "ight be .ac#' but the eyesDthose bright green' open' honest eyesDthose were ,arry. <FrA< 0e"us steppe% forwar%. <4;" not sureD< <Beah'< 0on no%%e% fir"$y. <4;$$ ta#e you.< .ac# no%%e% once before turning to F""a' whispering >uiet$y to her as she soothe% the baby. 0e"us grabbe% 0on;s ar" an% ga&e it a $itt$e sha#e. <0on' this can;t be a goo% i%ea.< <3hy not=< 0on %e"an%e%. <,e has e&ery right to be there. (fter what ?a$foy %i% to the"A< <This can;t en% we$$'< 0e"us sighe%' sensing that 0on wasn;t going to bac# %own' an% #nowing that if 0on %i%n;t ta#e hi"' .ac# wou$% fin% so"e way to get there hi"se$fD:ust as ,arry wou$% ha&e. .ac# re:oine% the"' F""a at his si%e. <4 %on;t want to $ea&e F""a here a$one'< he shoo# his hea%. <4s there a way 4 cou$% go toAthe Burrow=< she as#e%' &oicing her >uestion to 0e"us. 0e"us sighe%' turning to .ac#. <There;s no way 4 can ta$# you out of this=< .ac#;s :aw s>uare% an% he $oo#e% %efiant$y bac# at 0e"us. <6o.< <Eery we$$'< 0e"us agree%. <But %on;t %o anything stupi%.< 0on grinne%. <3e wou$%n;tD< <4;" not thic#'< 0e"us interrupte%. <Bou two are "ore $i#e$y to get into troub$e than a ,ippogriff in a ferret far".< 0on $aughe% "ighti$y' the a%rena$ine starting to bui$% at the thought of getting a crac# at ?a$foy. <Bou #now'< he obser&e%' <that;s #in% of the picture 4 ha%.< 0e"us ro$$e% his eyes. <Co"e on' F""a. 3e;$$ gather so"e things an% 4;$$ ta#e you to the Burrow.< <Be carefu$' .ac#'< she sai%. <-on;tAwe$$' %on;t #i$$ hi".< <6ot yet'< .ac# grow$e%. ,is features softene% though at F""a;s reproachfu$ $oo#.

0on turne% his bac# as they sai% their pri&ate goo%byes. ,is sto"ach was starting to churn in anticipation an% anger. ,e $atche% onto that fee$ing' #nowing he wou$% nee% it to carry hi" through the neCt few hours. <0ea%y'< .ac# sai%' co"ing up besi%e hi". <Ta#e "y ar"'< 0on instructe%. <2et "e gui%e us there. 4f you fight against the fee$ing we;$$ sp$inch.< <4 %on;t $i#e that wor%'< .ac# "u"b$e%' ta#ing a fir" grip on his ar". 0on wince% a bit at the tightness of the ho$%' but refuse% to say anything about it. <4t fee$s worse than it soun%s'< 0on assure% hi". <,o$% on.< .ac# %eci%e% i""e%iate$y that he %i%n;t $i#e (pparition. ,e cou$% a%"it it was %ea% usefu$ though. (fter a$$' he ha% :ust been in ?anchester an% now he was so"ewhere in the heart of 2on%on' se&era$ f$oors be$ow groun% if 0on was to be be$ie&e%. <Stic# c$ose to "e' we;$$ get right through security'< 0on "u"b$e%. <?ight want to #eep your hea% %own' you;re suppose% to be %ea%.< .ac# fought against the rising nee% to $augh out $ou% at that state"ent. 4nstea%' he put his hea% %own' watching the botto" of 0on;s b$ue robes. <3ho you bringing in to%ay' 3eas$ey=< <4nga$$s'< 0on bar#e% as they reache% the front of the $ine $ea%ing into the ?inistry. <.ac# 4nga$$s.< The "an' wearing a na"e tag i%entifying hi" as Fric' g$ance% at a piece of paper' scow$ing %own. <4nga$$sA4nga$$sA4 %on;t ha&e any recor%D< <Cor' Fric' %on;t you get tire% of being naff=< 0on gru"b$e%. <,e;s with "e.< .ac# bit his tongue to #eep fro" $aughing an% preten%e% to stu%y the ?inistry' which' in rea$ity he was. <3an%=< ,e :u"pe% when he rea$i5e% that Fric was as#ing hi" for his. <FrA< he thought fast' preten%ing to pat %own his trousers an% :u"per. <-i% you $ea&e it again' you %aft pratH< 0on grow$e%.

<@uess so'< .ac# "u"b$e%. <Co"e on'< 0on g$are% at hi"' "otioning hi" forwar% an% past Fric the security guar%. <Bou;% forget your hea%A< .ac# chuc#$e% as they wa$#e% %own the corri%or. <F""a te$$s "e that a$$ the ti"e.< <3e nee% to get you a wan%'< 0on no%%e%. <Too ba% your o$% one was ruine%.< .ac# shrugge%. <(ren;t they a$$ the sa"e=< <6ah'< 0on sai%' "otioning to the staircases in the far corner' rather than the $ines that stoo% in front of the $ifts. <The wan% chooses the 3i5ar%' or so they say.< ,e "otione% to the stairs. <4t;s on$y a few f$ights up.< .ac# no%%e%' fo$$owing 0on up unti$ they ca"e to the f$oor 0on wante%. ,e "otione% for .ac# to fo$$ow an% .ac# trie% to $oo# aroun% without %rawing too "uch attention to hi"se$f. <0onH< .ac# g$ance% up to see Ton#s "otioning the" fro" a %oorway at the en% of the ha$$. <-i%n;t p$an on seeing you to%ay'< she greete% .ac# with a s"a$$ hug. 4t "a%e hi" unco"fortab$e' but he returne% it' his eyes scanning the roo"' preparing hi"se$f to see the "an responsib$e for hurting F""a an% hi". <-i%n;t p$an on being here'< he a%"itte% when Ton#s pu$$e% bac#. </ings$ey;s in with hi" now'< she infor"e% the"' pointing to one wa$$ at the en% of the roo" that see"e% to be a transparent wa$$ between the two roo"s. <,e can;t see you'< she infor"e% .ac# as he stare% at the scene in front of hi". <,e bu%ge yet=< 0on as#e%. .ac# "o&e% c$oser to the win%ow an% stu%ie% the "an who sat "otion$ess' his chair in the "i%%$e of the roo". ,is pa$e face an% $ong b$on%e hair %i%n;t bring any "e"ories to "in%' but $oo#ing at hi" brought up a we$$ of anger insi%e .ac# that he fought to contro$. ,e cou$%n;t te$$ if it was recognition' or si"p$e anger that this "an was responsib$e for so "uch agony. The con&ersation behin% hi" continue%' so"eti"es "a#ing sense an% at other ti"es inco"prehensib$e to hi". <6ot a wor%.< <Bou foun% the C$oa#=<

<Beah' at the ?anor.< <(ny thing e$se.< <*otions an% $ots of -ar# artifacts.< .ac# thought the b$on%e "an $oo#e% who$$y unre"ar#ab$e' un$i#e$y to be the &i$e an% e&i$ type of person capab$e of causing so "uch pain. But .ac# wasn;t thic#G he #new that $oo#s cou$% be %ecei&ing. <(" 4 a$$owe% to go in=< 0on as#e%. .ac# turne% at the co$% tone of &oice an% f$inche% at the fury etche% on the ta$$ re%hea%;s features. ,e %i%n;t #now this "an we$$' but what he %i% #now' he was starting to $i#e "ore an% "ore. <6ot going to happen' %uc#y'< Ton#s sighe%. <Bou #now I'm a$$ for the i%ea.< <!i&e "inutes'< 0on confir"e% so$i%$y. <4f 4 %on;t ha&e hi" s>uea$ing $i#e a pig in fi&e "inutes' then it won;t "atter any"ore.< <That;s what 4;" afrai% of'< Ton#s raise% her eyebrow. The $arge b$ac# "an who ha% been insi%e the interrogation roo" as we$$ ca"e out' sighing an% rubbing his eyes weari$y. <4;" not sure 4;&e "et anyone so stupi% in "y $ife'< he shoo# his hea%. ,e he$% his han% out to .ac#. </ings$ey Shac#$ebo$t' ?r. 4nga$$s.< .ac# shoo# it fir"$y an% no%%e%' not sure what to say in return. Ton#s chuc#$e% an% .ac# stare% at 0on' whose :aw was twitching' his teeth au%ib$y grin%ing. <Three "inutes=< 0on as#e% p$ain$y. The "an sighe%' share% a g$ance with Ton#s an% then no%%e% once. <Two "inutes.< -raco a$$owe% hi"se$f to re$aC a s"a$$ bit as (uror Shac#$ebo$t $eft the roo". ,e g$ance% at the $arge win%ow across fro" hi"' #nowing they were watching hi". Their >uestions were co"ing too c$ose' an% it "a%e -raco fee$ nauseate%. ,e;% eCpecte% >uestions about *otter an% 3eas$ey' prepare% hi"se$f e&en for accusations about 6ott an% *ansy. But when Shac#$ebo$t ha% arreste% hi" for the "ur%er of 4ris *ar#nison' -raco;s sto"ach ha% %roppe% to his toes.

4t was %efinite$y not his finest hourG he wou$% be the first to a%"it. ,e ha% si"p$y panic#e%. The stupi% bint wou$%n;t shut her "outh an% $ea&e we$$ enough a$one. -raco ha% been in the c$earAthe (urors ha% stoppe% co"ing aroun%' stoppe% as#ing >uestions. But 4ris *ar#inson ha% starte% screa"ing hers. She;% a$ways been a bit of a nosy par#er' -raco thought' stic#ing her nose into things she #new nothing about. ,e ha% to shut her up' an% he ha% to "a#e it $oo# $i#e an acci%ent. 3hi$e staring at the %ungeons be$ow the ?anor' a "e"ory ha% surface%. 'e was twel%e years old and home for the summer from his first year at 'ogwarts+ full of idealistic goals and heady adolescent dreams. )ne morning in late August" his father wo!e him early and brought him to the dungeons below the /anor. An old" tattered man stared at him wide eyed. 'e was sitting in a straight bac!ed chair and was ob%iously silenced as his mouth mo%ed but no sound came out. <This is a /uggle" $raco"0 9ucius e2plained. 0Absolutely worthless. &ee how they li%e" wallowing in their s ualor" li%ing under bridges and in filthy ho%els. 4ou are far better than they are" my son.0 $raco nodded" his eyes ri%eted on the man's watery blue ones. <4ou ha%e your wand80 $raco (er!ed his head up" nodding (er!ily. <'old it on him. If he mo%es" you are to stun him. $o you understand80 Tears welled in his eyes" but he blin!ed them bac! and nodded anyway. 'is wand nearly slipped out of his sweaty hand" but he gripped it tighter and raised it" ignoring the sha!ing tip. 9ucius studied his potions shel%es" grinning when his eye caught the one he wanted. 'e held up the blue %ial for $raco to see before approaching the /uggle and forcing his mouth open with a spell that $raco didn't !now. <1iscus Infirmatio"0 9ucius e2plained as he poured the thic! li uid down the man's throat. 03ea! heart.0 $raco's arm shoo! as the /uggle gasped" clutching his throat" his arms flailing and reaching for 9ucius who had stepped away rather than be touched by the filthy man. A few moments later" 9ucius yelled loudly from behind the man" causing him to grab his chest and struggle for breath. $raco (umped as well and his wand clattered to the floor. 'e stooped uic!ly and scooped it bac! up" struggling to raise it in defense of himself again.

$raco watched as the man collapsed" gasping for air" his face turned up pleading for help" his arm outstretched as he too! his final breath. It too! a second for $raco to recogniDe the warmth running down his legs for what it was. <:athetically wea!"0 his father had proclaimed" sneering down at him. 0?lean yourself up. At least the potion was a success.0 $raco was left alone" staring at the dead /uggle. 'e stayed in the dungeon for hours" trying to con%ince himself that it didn't matter+ it was only a /uggle" after all. The sa"e b$ue &ia$ of potion stoo% out on the she$f an% -raco ran his fingers a$ong the %usty surface. The %ecision was o&er >uic#$y. ,e s$ippe% the &ia$ into his poc#et' gathere% his things an% (pparate% to *ar#inson ?anor' snea#ing into the sa"e entrance he ha% use% to &isit *ansy in the past. There was no way they ha% enough e&i%ence to con&ict hi"' -raco to$% hi"se$f o&er an% o&er. ,is confi%ence fa%e% "ore an% "ore as Shac#$ebo$t >uestione% hi"' but he re"aine% si$ent an% un"o&e%. 3hen the 3ease$ ca"e in' ?a$foy narrowe% his eyes. ,e shou$% ha&e #nown the re%hea%e% oaf wou$% be "iCe% up in a$$ of this. -raco watche% hi" pace bac# an% forth' his face beco"ing re%%er each pass. <Bou;re wea#' ?a$foy'< 3eas$ey hisse%' g$aring at hi". The wor%s he;% hear% so "uch growing up struc# so"ething %eep insi%e hi" an% he fe$t the nee% to $ash out against it' to pro&e that he wasn;t wea#. <Stronger than *otter'< he sneere%' #nowing it wou$% push eCact$y the right buttons. ,e was rewar%e% when 3eas$ey curse%. <,e was the wea# one.< <,arry was stronger than you #nowDstronger than anyone #nows'< 3eas$ey sai%' his &oice crac#ing in the "i%%$e. <,e was wea# enough to %ieH< -raco snappe% bac#' re&e$ing in the cho#ing soun% that 3eas$ey "a%e. <Bou bastar%H 4;$$ #i$$ you for what you %i% to hi"H< -raco saw the fist co"ing at hi" but cou$%n;t "o&e out of the way fast enough to a&oi% it. The crac#ing soun% his :aw "a%e echoe% through his hea% an% fire shot through his bo%y as the chair he was on f$ew bac#war%.

,e swung out &io$ent$y' trying to %efen% hi"se$f fro" the ons$aught of hea&y b$ows raining %own on hi". Ti"e after ti"e his face was hitG his nose crunche% in an% his :aw hung $oose. -ar# sha%ows swa" in an% out of his &ision as so"eone ye$$e% an% the weight %isappeare% fro" his bo%y. -raco scra"b$e% away fro" 3eas$ey' stu"b$ing to stan%. 1ne $ast b$ow #noc#e% his hea% bac#' sen%ing a :o$t of pain %own his spine before e&erything went b$ac#. 0on was through the %oor faster than .ac# cou$% fatho" an% he spun' pressing his han%s against the one+way win%ow. ,e watche% as 0on pace% bac# an% forth in front of the "an' har%$y garnering a g$ance fro" B$on%ie. (n% then so"ething 0on sai% "a%e his face twitch. The "an bit bac# an aci%ic rep$y' his face twisting into a sneer. .ac# roc#e% bac# at the $oo#' grabbing his hea% as f$ashes of $ight p$aye% across his "in%. The sa"e face' the sa"e nasty $oo# on his face' ho&ere% o&er hi". ,is fist was in p$ain sight an% .ac# watche% as a %ar# substance %rippe% onto his hea%. ,e fe$t it sp$ash against his s#in. <1b$i&isci Tota$u"'< .ac# whispere%' his hea% poun%ing in the present as his #nees hit the ti$e f$oor. <1b$i&isci Tota$u".< Strong ar"s wrappe% aroun% his chest an% hau$e% hi" to his feet. The "e"ory p$aye% o&er an% o&er in his "in% as .ac# focuse% on the abso$ute hatre% in the face of the "anD the sa"e "an that was in the neCt roo". <-a"nit'< /ings$ey shoute% as he sat .ac# &io$ent$y in a chair an% tore into the other roo". .ac# $ifte% his hea%' sti$$ c$utching his te"p$es' :ust in ti"e to see 0on being bo%i$y $ifte% off of B$on%ie' sha#ing his fist out an% wiping the corner of his "outh' s"earing a %rop of b$oo% %own his face. 0on $unge% past /ings$ey one $ast ti"e an% $an%e% a beautifu$ punch. B$on%ie;s hea% snappe% bac# in s$ow "otion' b$oo% an% spitt$e spraying e&erywhere as he f$ew bac#war% an% $an%e% in a heap on the f$oor. <That;s enoughH< .ac# shoo# his hea% to c$ear it as /ings$ey;s %e"an% bounce% off the wa$$s. 0on ca"e bac# into the roo"' swearing &io$ent$y an% strugg$ing against Ton#s' who was "arching forwar%' pushing hi" bac#.

<S"ar"y $itt$e bastar%'< 0on hisse%' g$ancing o&er at .ac#. .ac# cou$% on$y stare at hi"' echoes of the "e"ory "a#ing hi" shu%%er. <4t;s hi"'< he sai% soft$y. <4 re"e"ber. 4t;s hi".< <B$oo%y he$$'< Ton#s swore' sti$$ ho$%ing 0on bac#. The enrage% re%hea% "et .ac#;s ga5e an% so"ething passe% between the". .ac# cou$%n;t eCp$ain it' but he #new that 0on un%erstoo% hi" co"p$ete$y' through an% through. <2et "e in there' Ton#sH< 0on shoute%' but fina$$y he$% up his han%s in surren%er when Ton#s %rew her wan% on hi"' pointing the tip "enacing$y c$ose to his nose. <-on;t "a#e "e stun you' (urorH< she roare%. .ac# was surprise% that such a s"a$$ person cou$% co""an% such a &oice. /ings$ey ca"e bac# into the roo"' a $oo# of abso$ute rage on his face. <Ton#s' get a "e%ic in here.< <Bes' sir'< she no%%e%' $owering her wan% s$ow$y' shooting .ac# a >uestioning g$ance. .ac# cou$% on$y stare at 0on' whose shou$%ers were now s$u"pe%' perhaps conte"p$ating the punish"ent that he face%. .ac# su%%en$y fe$t a bon% of un%erstan%ing' respect an% frien%ship with hi". /ings$ey stare% at 0on' his intense ga5e "a#ing 0on s>uir" further. .ac# prepare% hi"se$f for a &ery e"barrassing' $ou% %ressing %own. 4nstea%' /ings$ey sighe%' his shou$%ers s$u"ping. <-o you un%erstan% what you;&e %one' 0on=< he as#e% in a contro$$e%' tire% &oice. <-o you #now what;s going to happen if the ?inistry fin%s out about thisAor the press=< 0on $oo#e% up' his eyes "eeting /ings$ey;s' strong an% unrepentant. <4 %on;t care. 4 #now what he %i%.< /ings$ey g$are% at the younger "an an% too# a %eep breath' perhaps to begin ye$$ing. <4 re"e"ber'< .ac# b$urte% out' sha#i$y rising to his feet. <4 re"e"ber that "an.< Both 0on an% /ings$ey :er#e% to attention' 0on "o&ing >uic#$y to s$i%e a chair neCt to .ac# so he cou$% use it for ba$ance. <,e stoo% o&er "e an% $et b$oo% %rip fro" his fist onto "y face.< The "e"ory p$aye% bac# fierce$y o&er an% o&er in .ac#;s hea%. ,e reache% up absent$y an% rubbe% his forehea%' #nowing it was i"possib$e' but fee$ing the sp$ash of b$oo% on his s#in a$$ the sa"e. <Then he sai%Aso"ething. 1b$i&isci Tota$u". (n% then there was a f$ash of re% $ight. (n% then b$ac#.<

.ac# $oo#e% up' hoping that they wou$% be ab$e to eCp$ain what he;% witnesse% to hi". <3hat %oes that "ean=< /ings$ey c$eare% his throat. <Bou were awa#e=< he as#e%' his &oice $ow an% hus#y. .ac# no%%e%' his eyes %arting bac# an% forth. <3as that it= 3hen he too# our "e"ories=< <Bes'< 0on no%%e%. <That;s the ?e"ory B$oc# he use%.< .ac#;s hea% swir$e% an% he grope% for the chair' sin#ing s$ow$y into it. The woo% beneath hi" fe$t goo%G it was rea$ an% so$i% in a wor$% where not "uch e$se was right now. <4 %on;t #now what to sayA< 0on starte%' sha#ing his hea%. <4 ne&er thought anyone wou$% be capab$e of so"ething this horrib$e. F&en seeing what we %i% in the warA< /ings$ey no%%e% an% $eane% hea&i$y against the wa$$. The %oor to the roo" opene% an% .ac# $oo#e% up' eCpecting to see Ton#s bringing a "e%ic bac# in to hea$ the "an in the other roo". 4nstea%' a $arge "an' $oo#ing rather $i#e a $ion with tawny hair an% bear%' strea#e% with grey' fi$$e% the space "a%e for the %oor. <(uror Shac#$ebo$t.< ,is &oice was co""an%ing an% .ac# g$ance% o&er to 0on' seeing hi" groan si$ent$y' his bo%y s$u"ping. <3ou$% you "in% eCp$aining to "e why you ha&e -raco ?a$foy in a ?inistry ho$%ing ce$$=< <-a"n'< 0on hisse% un%er his breath' $ow enough that on$y .ac# hear%. .ac# %i%n;t #now the "an' but he got the gen. They were a$$ in &ery big troub$e. A/N: )n that note" I hope you all ha%e a great wee!end. I'll be bac! to my regular posting schedule ne2t wee!. That means there may be a bit of a wait for the ne2t one" but begging always helps. +) 3ho !nows" I may be inspired to speed things up a bit more. (Insert shameless plug here.)

*Chapter 1#*: Chapter 1#

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without

per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: *lad e%eryone held off for the ne2t chapter. 9ots of answers in this one...although not all" of course. +) Than!s to $eb and #lla. Chapter 1# "anuary 2 3

4t ha% been o&er an hour since the ?inister of ?agic' 0ufus Scri"geour' ha% co"e into the interrogation roo" in (uror ,ea%>uarters %e"an%ing answers. /ings$ey %isappeare% with the ?inister short$y after the ?inister;s unti"e$y arri&a$' gi&ing a significant $oo# to 0on on his way out. 0on wince% an% turne% to .ac#. <4 wou$%n;t want to be in that office.< .ac# stare% at the open %oorway' fee$ing both eCtre"e$y gui$ty an% confuse%. <,e won;t $ose his :ob' wi$$ he=< <6ot $i#e$y'< 0on sai%' sighing as he san# %own in a chair neCt to .ac#. They both watche% as Ton#s ca"e in' trai$e% by two other peop$e who" .ac# assu"e% where %octors orAwhat %i% they ca$$ the"= ,ea$ers. 0on an% .ac# waite% in the roo"' not watching through the win%ow' but staring at the %u$$ ti$e f$oor. <Bou a$right=< 0on as#e%. .ac# $et out a hea&y breath an% shrugge% a shou$%er. <4t;s a bit $i#e getting hit by a $orry.< 0on snorte%. <3ou$%n;t #now.< (n ironic snort s$ippe% out of hi". <4 wou$%'< he a%"itte%. <The "e"oriesAthey co"e rushing bac# an% they :ustAf$oo% your "in% with theseA&isions.< 0on $oo#e% at hi"' his tongue probing the now swe$$ing corner of his crac#e% $ip.

<4 %on;tA< .ac# shoo# his hea%' not sure what he wante% to say' or as#' or fee$. <4t was rea$$y hi"=< <Beah'< .ac# no%%e%. <4 saw hi" c$ear$y.< 0on no%%e%' a gri" $oo# on his face. They spent the rest of the ti"e in si$ence. .ac# rep$aye% the "e"ory' re$i&ing each horrific %etai$ so that he cou$% fin% a p$ace in his hea% for it. The f$ashes through the years were so :u"b$e% an% spora%ic' that p$acing the" on any #in% of ti"e$ine was a$"ost i"possib$e. *ercy was the one who su""one% the"' te$$ing the" that the ?inister wante% to see the". <,ow ba% is it' *erce=< 0on as#e%' #eeping his tone $ow. .ac# ha% to ta#e $ong stri%es to #eep up with the two brothers. <4t;s ba%'< *ercy sai% in a >uiet &oice. <,e;s furious.< <B$oo%y pric#'< 0on hisse%. <*art of this is his fau$t' you #now. But he;$$ ne&er a%"it it.< .ac# reache% out' grabbing 0on;s ar" an% :er#ing hi" to a ha$t. <3hat %o you "ean= 3as he in&o$&e% in this=< 0on wince%' his eyes %arting up an% %own the ha$$. .ac# narrowe% his eyes. <4 %eser&e the truth.< 0on no%%e%' $oo#ing hi" straight in the eye before in%icating a %oor behin% the". *ercy $oo#e% annoye%' but :oine% the". 0on brought out his wan% an% the %oor "a%e a s>ue$ching noise. <(fter the !ina$ Batt$e'< he sai% in a $ow &oice' <Scri"geour rushe% the in&estigation. They on$y rea$$y ta$#e% to ?a$foy. There was infor"ation we;re :ust fin%ing out about now.< <3ere there other witnesses=< .ac# as#e%' his sto"ach churning with betraya$ an% anger. <6o'< 0on shoo# his hea%. <But he pressure% the (urors to c$ose the case fast. To #eep things >uiet if there were >uestions.< .ac# suc#e% in a %eep breath an% $oc#e% his :aw. <Cou$% they ha&e foun% us sooner=< 0on;s eyes "et his' showing hurt an% a bit of the betraya$ that .ac# was fee$ing. <They "ight ha&e.<

.ac# thought about that for a "inute. But ;what if; was use$ess now. <-i% he #now about ?a$foy=< <4 %on;t thin# so'< 0on answere% honest$y. ,e g$ance% o&er at *ercy who shoo# his hea%. <,e %i%n;t #now. There were >uestions'< *ercy a%"itte%' <about his storyD inconsistenciesDbut they were #ept >uiet. The ?inister "a%e sure the fi$es were #ept fro" "e. 4 ne&er wor#e% on the". ,e sai% it was out of respect for our fa"i$y an% what we;% gone through. But now 4 #now he was :ust trying to #eep "e fro" as#ing >uestions.< ( s$ow fire began to burn in .ac#;s be$$y an% he no%%e%' brushing past both 0on an% *ercy. <1pen the %a"ne% %oor'< he sai%' not caring if he offen%e% the". 2et the" thin# what they wou$%G he ha% a po$itician to %ea$ with. This ti"e' 0on an% *ercy were hurrying to catch up with .ac# as he sta$#e% through the ha$$ways. *ercy gui%e% the" to the $arge office an% .ac# opene% the %oor' not caring what he was interrupting. Eague$y' he g$ance% at the fancy go$% na"ep$ate neCt to the %oorG 0ufus Scri"geour' ?inister of ?agic. Scri"geour was behin% his %es# an% stoo% i""e%iate$y. <3hat is the "eaning of this= 3eas$ey' 4 to$% you to ha&e the" waitD< <4 thin# 4;&e waite% $ong enough'< .ac# grow$e%' stri%ing right up to the "an;s %es# an% staring hi" in the eye. <?r. *otter.< <4nga$$s'< .ac# correcte%. <?y na"e is .ac# 4nga$$s. 4t "ay ha&e once been ,arry *otter' but 4 can;t re"e"ber.< 0on' stan%ing neCt to hi"' wince%. So %i% the ?inister. <?r. 4nga$$s'< the "an correcte% with a hea&y sigh' <perhaps you an% 4 shou$% ha&e a con&ersation.< <4 thin# so'< .ac# state%' not "o&ing his eyes fro" the a"ber ones of the "an he was a$rea%y beginning to hate. <*erhaps' gent$e"enD< the ?inister starte% but .ac# s$a""e% his han% %own on the %es#' the sharp rap snapping the" a$$ to attention. <They stay.< Scri"geour puffe% up his chest' about to ob:ect. <)n$ess you ha&e so"ething to hi%e' ?inister.< <-o you #now who you are ta$#ing to' young "an=<

<-o you=< .ac# retorte%' ca$$ing on the s$ow burn within hi" to fue$ his in%ignant anger. <4 a" the ?inister of ?agicD< <(n% 4 a" the "an who #i$$e% Eo$%e"ort.< <3e %on;t #now that for sureD< <4 %o'< .ac# state%' not caring that he was $ying :ust a bit. 4t %i%n;t "atter that he %i%n;t ha&e a c$ear "e"ory of that eCact "o"ent of his past. ,e #new %eep %own that he ha% %one what he was suppose% to %oG he ha% %efeate% an e&i$' treacherous "onster. Scri"geour;s eyes %arte% behin% .ac#. <Shac#$ebo$t sai% that your "e"ory was gone.< <4 ha&e so"e "e"ories.< <That;s not possib$e with a ?e"ory B$oc#'< Scri"geour shoo# his hea%. <3hen was the $ast ti"e you ha% one p$ace% on you=< .ac# as#e%' en:oying the way the "an s>uir"e% a tiny bit. <3e$$D< <4 suggest' /inister' that you start by eCp$aining why you hin%ere% the in&estigation into "y suppose% %eath. 3hy you purpose$y burie% infor"ation that "ay ha&e foun% "y wife an% "e sooner. 3hy you cause% our fa"i$y to grie&e unnecessari$y. (n% %on;t you %are te$$ "e 4 ha&e no right to that infor"ation.< Scri"geour stare% bac# at hi" before sitting s$ow$y in his seat' his bac# straight an% his han%s fo$%e% in front of hi". <(re you i"p$yingD< <4;" stating'< .ac# c$arifie%. <Bou wante% this case c$ose% before the press foun% out anything e$se that painte% the ?inistry in a ba% $ight.< Scri"geour hea&e% hi"se$f into his chair an% .ac# bac#e% away fro" the %es# a step. The ?inister stare% at hi"' his a"ber eyes c$ou%ing s$ight$y. .ac# #new he ha% hit upon the truth. Scri"geour;s eyes %arte% aroun% the roo" an% he $et his shou$%ers s$u"p in a tire% sigh. <?r. 4nga$$s' you weren;t here i""e%iate$y fo$$owing the batt$e. Bou %i%n;t see the %e&astation an% a$"ost co"p$ete co$$apse of this go&ern"ent. Bou %i%n;t see goo% witches an% wi5ar%s wor#ing twenty+four hours a %ay to fin% ho"es for fa"i$ies without the"' or to rebui$% -iagon ($$ey or ,ogwarts.<

<3hose fau$t was that=< .ac# snappe% aci%$y. Scri"geour conce%e% the point with a no%. <(uror Shac#$ebo$t assures "e that the e&i%ence now points to ?r. ?a$foy as the person responsib$e for the ?e"ory B$oc#. 4 assure you that the ?inistry wi$$ %o e&erything they can to prosecuteD< <3ith a$$ %ue respect'< .ac# %raw$e%' <that %oesn;t gi&e "e "uch faith' ?inister.< <1ur first priority is to &a$i%ate a$$ of the e&i%ence an% restore your "e"ory as >uic#$y as possib$e'< Scri"geour continue%' not paying attention to .ac#;s wor%s. .ac# stare% at the "an' the si$ence in the roo" growing aw#war%. ,e cou$% hear 0on' *ercy an% /ings$ey behin% hi"' their robes rust$ing an% their breathing hea&y. <4 %on;t be$ie&e you'< .ac# sai% >uiet$y. <Bour first priority is to co&er your own arse an% "a#e sure no one #nows you coc#e% up.< Scri"geour $oo#e% as if he wante% to bo$t out of his seat an% accost .ac#' his face turne% re% an% his shou$%ers shoo#. <4 thin# we can both agree that neither of us want a nasty story in the press about this who$e affair.< .ac# shoo# his hea%' #nowing that wou$% be the "an;s answer. <4 thin# the press "ight be &ery intereste% in "y story' actua$$y'< .ac# shrugge%. The &ery thought of answering >uestions fro" a reporter "a%e his b$oo% run co$%' but Scri"geour %i%n;t nee% to #now that. The ?inister sighe% %eep$y an% $ai% his pa$"s f$at on the c$ean %es#. <There "ust be so"e sort of co"pro"iseA< <There a$ways is'< .ac# agree% sarcastica$$y' fina$$y $etting hi"se$f sit on the e%ge of one of the har%+bac#e% woo%en chairs in front of the %es#. <3hat is it' ?r. 4nga$$s' that you want "e to %o for you=< .ac# stare% at the "an for a "o"ent before no%%ing. <3hat wi$$ happen to ?a$foy=< <4f it;s pro&en that he is the one responsib$e'< Scri"geour answere% %ip$o"atica$$y' <then he wi$$ probab$y be sentence% to (5#aban.< <,e %eser&es the /iss'< 0on gru"b$e% neCt to .ac#. .ac# "a%e a "enta$ note to as# about that $ater' but p$owe% on ahea%. <4 want you to use e&ery resource you can to fu$$y in&estigate what happene% four years ago. (n% 4 want the resu$ts "a%e pub$ic' no "atter who they %isparage.<

<Bou can;t be serious'< Scri"geour b$ustere%. <Boung "an' %o you un%erstan% that there ha&e been accusations "a%e against you for using -ar# ?agic.< .ac# sighe%' %isgust for the tactics of this "an fi$$ing hi". <?r. Scri"geour' 4 thin# 4;&e pro&en that 4 %on;t nee% your wor$% to sur&i&e.< Behin% hi"' se&era$ harsh breaths were $et out an% he praye% that they wou$% #eep >uiet an% $et hi" say what he nee%e% to say. <4 %on;t rea$$y care what the press' or the pub$ic' say about what 4 %i% or %i%n;t %o out there. ?y wife an% 4 were &ery happy in our $i&es. 1f course' we prefer to be where our fa"i$y isDany sane person wou$%. < <Bou rea$$y %on;t careD< <4t;s you' ?inister'< .ac# continue% without pausing' <who %oesn;t nee% a scan%a$ on your han%s.< Scri"geour b$ew a harsh breath out of his nose. .ac# cou$% te$$ it was going against e&ery bone in his bo%y for the "an to re"ain >uiet. <(n% if 4 p$e%ge the entire weight of the ?inistry behin% this=< he fina$$y as#e%. .ac# sat bac# in the chair' conte"p$ating the "an;s >uestion. <!u$$ %isc$osure=< Scri"geour wince% but no%%e% :er#i$y. </ings$ey wi$$ be the one in charge'< .ac# %e"an%e%. <4 won;t ha&e one of you po$iticians fin%ing a way to spin this for your own goo%. Bou shou$% ha&e thought of the conse>uences of your choices four years agoG now they;re co"ing bac# to bite you in the arse.< (gain' Scri"geour no%%e%. <(uror Shac#$ebo$t has fu$$ %iscretion on this "atter.< *ercy c$eare% his throat fro" behin% an% .ac# turne%' watching hi" fro" the corner of his eye. <Bou;$$ want to in&estigate ?r. *otter;s wi$$ as soon as possib$e.< .ac# stare% at his brother+in+$aw who stoica$$y stare% at the ?inister. <There wereA irregu$arities in the way it was han%$e%.< <3i$$=< .ac# as#e%. *ercy no%%e%' his eyes s$ow$y fin%ing .ac#;s. <Bou "a%e a wi$$' before the !ina$ Batt$e. But you $eft e&erything to @inny' an% then the 3eas$eys after her.< .ac# wasn;t surprise%G it soun%e% $i#e so"ething he "ight %o. <3hen it $oo#e% as if both you an% @inny ha%...%ie%'< *ercy continue%' <the ?inistry sei5e% the fun%s.<

.ac# spun bac# in his seat' seeing a "o"entary $oo# of pain on the ?inister;s face. <Base% on ?r. ?a$foy;s testi"ony'< *ercy continue%' <@inny suppose%$y %ie% first' "eaning that the estate wou$% pass to the 3eas$ey fa"i$y to be %i&i%e% up e>ua$$y between the sur&i&ing "e"bers. The ?inistry c$ai"s the wi$$ is nu$$ an% &oi% because of the accusation of -ar# ?agic use. They $abe$e% you a cri"ina$' ,arry.< .ac# narrowe% his eyes at the "an' but spo#e to *ercy. <3here is the "oney now=< <4;&e been ab$e to %isco&er that @ringotts was or%ere% to han% o&er the accounts. They refuse%' si"p$y free5ing the" instea%. The wi$$ was not eCecute%. 1f course' now that both you an% @inny ha&e been foun% a$i&e' the wi$$ is &oi%e% anyway.< <,e trie% that with -u"b$e%ore;s wi$$ too'< 0on sai% s$ow$y' <because you wou$%n;t cooperate with hi".< .ac# stoo%' no%%ing his hea% s$ow$y. <Bou ha&e two wee#s' ?inister' to return to "e what is rightfu$$y "ine' to finish in&estigating what shou$% ha&e been %one years ago' an% to punish the person responsib$e.< Scri"geour began to sp$utter but .ac# he$% up his han%. <4f you %on;t' 4;$$ fin% the nastiest reporter 4 can' an% 4;$$ $ay your a%"inistration open for e&eryone to see.< <Bou can;t threaten "e $i#e that'< Scri"geour be$$owe%' :er#ing to his feet. <Bou ha&e no proof of any of this. Bou ha&e no "e"oryDyou %on;t re"e"ber any of it.< .ac# turne% on his hee$' chuc#$ing %ry$y. <Bou;$$ %o it'< he no%%e%' <because you;re scare% about what 4 do re"e"ber.< ,e wa$#e% confi%ent$y out of the office' the others fo$$owing. <B$oo%y he$$'< 0on "u"b$e%' rubbing his face harsh$y an% staring at .ac#. <4;&e ne&er seen anyone ta$# to hi" $i#e that.< <4 ha&e'< *ercy sai% soft$y. <,arry %i% it before' to$% hi" that he wou$% respect the ?inister when the ?inister pro&e% he was worthy of it.< .ac# stare% at the "an' trying to re"e"ber those wor%s co"ing out of his "outh. 4t soun%e% $i#e so"ething he wou$% say' e&en if he cou$%n;t re"e"ber it. <4s it true= (bout the "oney' 4 "ean'< 0on as#e% *ercy. <4t is'< *ercy no%%e%. <4 on$y foun% the paperwor# when 4 began to %ig %eeper. 4;" sorry' .ac#D< <4t %oesn;t "atter'< .ac# wa&e% it away. <4 %on;t b$a"e you for any of this.<

<3e;re a$$ partia$$y gui$ty'< /ings$ey sai%' spea#ing up fina$$y. <($$ of us $et our grief an% eChaustion %ictate what we be$ie&e%. ($$ we can %o now is restore to you e&erything that we can.< .ac# stare% at the $arge "an an% no%%e%' fee$ing the sincerity in his wor%s. <(re you going to $ose your :ob=< he as#e% *ercy fran#$y. *ercy conte"p$ate% that for a "o"ent before shrugging. <4t;s >uite possib$e.< <-oesn;t "atter'< /ings$ey sai%' a s$y grin sprea%ing across his face. <(s of two hours ago' *ercy was transferre% to the (uror -i&ision. 4 "ust ha&e forgotten to fi$e the paperwor#. 1ops.< The four "en chuc#$e%' "o&ing s$ow$y %own the corri%or. <That wasAintense' .ac#'< 0on sai%. <4 %on;t thin# 4 cou$% see ,arry e&er being thatA S$ytherin.< .ac# thought about that for a "o"ent' the i"p$ications sin#ing in. <,arry *otter grew up' 0on'< he sai% honest$y. ?o$$y bounce% the baby $ight$y in her ar"s' roc#ing with each step she too# an% hu""e% a $u$$abyDthe sa"e one she;% sung to a$$ of her chi$%ren an% gran%chi$%ren. 2itt$e .ay was such a precious thing. So tiny' yet at on$y a two wee#s o$% he showe% so "uch persona$ity. ,e was a &oracious eater with a hea$thy set of $ungs. .ust $i#e his "other' ?o$$y "use% to herse$f. She g$ance% up fro" .ay an% watche% F""a stu%ying the photographs on the "ante$. <4 wish 4 cou$% re"e"ber this'< she "uttere%' sha#ing her hea% an% furrowing her brow. <F&eryone $oo#s $i#e they;re ha&ing so "uch fun.< ?o$$y wa$#e% o&er' carefu$ to #eep baby .ay facing outwar%. ,e a$ways proteste% when he cou$%n;t see what was going on aroun% hi". The picture F""a ha% been $oo#ing at was one of ?o$$y;s fa&orites. 4t was ta#en the su""er before 0on' ,er"ione an% ,arry;s siCth year. -espite the roc#y beginning' those hot su""er %ays ha% been fu$$ of $aughter an% fun.< <1h yes'< ?o$$y "use%' <you were a$$ ha&ing fun. See the broo"s in the grass=< F""a no%%e%. <4 thin# that was the first ti"e the three of you con&ince% ,er"ione to p$ay two+ a+si%e 9ui%%itch in the orchar%. Bou were up there for hours.<

F""a;s fingers trace% o&er a younger &ersion of herse$f' sitting in the grass neCt to an a"a5ing$y young $oo#ing .ac#. The two were $aughing hysterica$$y' watching 0on an% ,er"ione bic#ering. <3ere we together yet=< F""a as#e%. ,er brow furrowe% tight$y' as if searching her "in% for the "e"ory. <6ot yet'< ?o$$y shoo# her hea%. <($though if you watch c$ose$y' you;$$ catch ,arry watching you.< She grinne% as the photograph ,arry snuc# a $oo# at @inny who was sti$$ $aughing. <*oor boy ha% no i%ea what he was fee$ing'< ?o$$y tutte%' bouncing .ay $ight$y as he began to fuss. <4 sti$$ %on;t thin# he %oes at ti"es'< F""a s"i$e%' p$acing the fra"e bac# in its p$ace on the "ante$ an% reaching for her son. <Co"e here' you $itt$e "on#ey'< she cooe%' <it;s about ti"e to fee% you again.< ?o$$y stoo% in p$ace' watching the ten%er p$ay+by+p$ay of son an% "other. F""a s$ow$y sat on the sofa' $ifting a thin b$an#et o&er her shou$%er. .ay' $ying in his "other;s $ap began to fuss $ou%er' his ar"s wa&ing an% his $itt$e $egs pu"ping up an% %own' pushing against his "other;s bo%y $ight$y. <Bou #now what;s going to happen' %on;t you=< F""a tease%. <4t;s on$y the two of us now'< ?o$$y sai% soft$y as F""a strugg$e% to co&er herse$f with the b$an#et. <Bour father went out with 0e"us for a bit.< F""a no%%e% an% $et the b$an#et fa$$ to the si%e before $ifting the s>uir"ing baby an% a$$owing hi" to $atch on. ,is hungry' panic#e% cries fa%e% away to happy' $itt$e baby "oans of content"ent as he %ran# his "i$#. ?o$$y;s eyes fi$$e% with tears an% she sco$%e% herse$f. 4t was si$$y to be so e"otiona$ o&er such a s"a$$ "o"ent' but she cou$%n;t he$p it. 0e"us ha% ta#en her asi%e after bringing F""a an% .ay this "orning' eCp$aining that it was F""a;s re>uest that brought the" here. ?o$$y was gratefu$ for the chance to get to #now her %aughter again' an%' of course' her gran%son. <4 wish we ha% so"e baby pictures of .ac#'< F""a sai% soft$y' $oo#ing %own as her son ate gree%i$y. <F&eryone says how "uch .ay $oo#s $i#e hi".< ?o$$y bit her $ip' #nowing that on$y a few pictures actua$$y eCiste%Dan% those were upstairs' $oc#e% in a battere% ,ogwarts trun# with the initia$s ;,.*.; in go$% $etters on the outsi%e of it. The trun# ha% been $eft here at the Burrow an% its owner ha% not returne% to c$ai" it. Bet. <4 "ay ha&e what you;re $oo#ing for'< ?o$$y a%"itte%. <4;$$ be right bac#.<

The trun# was in the sa"e p$ace as when it ha% been p$ace% there' four years ago. ?o$$y #new that both 0on an% ,er"ione ha% been up to the attic se&era$ ti"es' opening it an% $oo#ing through the sou&enirs. 0on ha% e&en worn a pair of ,arry;s o$% soc#s for $uc# on his 3e%%ing %ay. 1f course' he %i%n;t #now she #new that. But ?o$$y ha% ne&er opene% the trun# herse$f. She :ust cou$%n;t bear to see the "ost &a$uab$e treasures of a se&enteen year+o$% boy that she ha% $o&e% as a son. 4t was ti"e' howe&er' to brush the %ust off of these "e"ories an% han% the" bac# to the rightfu$ owner. The ite" she was searching for was burie% un%er two 3eas$ey :u"pers' "a#ing her heart beat faster as she pushe% the" asi%e. ,arry was a$ways such a %ear about his :u"pers' #eeping the" a$$G a$though he;% gi&en the s"a$$est ones to @inny' who ha% worn the" unti$ the yarn fa%e%. The photo a$bu" was neat$y p$ace% in the botto" of the trun#. 4n fact' e&erything $oo#e% as if so"eone ha% ta#en great care to organi5e an% c$ean it. That ha% to ha&e been ,er"ione. ?o$$y #new that ,arry' whi$e great$y &a$uing his possessions' ne&er wou$% ha&e fo$%e% his c$othing :ust right' or stac#e% his boo#s an% parch"ents in such a neat "anner. ,e ha% been a teenage boy' after a$$. ?o$$y c$utche% the a$bu" to her' c$osing the trun# s$ow$y an% rep$acing the $atch. She ca"e %own into the sitting roo" an% watche% as F""a attache% .ay on the other si%e an% he began eating once again. <,e;s going to be huge if he #eeps eating this way'< F""a chuc#$e%. ?o$$y s"i$e% %own at the" an% then sett$e% herse$f on the sofa. <Bou were the sa"e way' %ear.< She p$ace% the a$bu" on her #nees. <0ubeus ,agri% "a%e this a$bu" for ,arry after his first year at ,ogwarts. ,e wante% ,arry to ha&e so"ething of his past. *oor %ear ha%n;t e&er seen a picture of his parents before then.< She opene% the boo# s$ow$y' ba$ancing it on her #nee so that F""a cou$% see the pictures as she turne% the pages. <This is .a"es an% 2i$y on their we%%ing %ay. The "an behin% the" is Sirius' ,arry;s go%father'< ?o$$y eCp$aine%' pointing out each person. <.ac# has his "other;s eyes'< F""a "use% >uiet$y. <4;&e a$ways $o&e% his eyes.< ?o$$y no%%e%. <4 won%ere% if this $itt$e one wou$% get the" too.< F""a s"i$e% %own at .ay' stro#ing his soft chee#. ,e $et out a shu%%ering sigh in response an% his "outh went s$ac#' "i$# poo$ing %own onto his chin. <?aybe the neCt one wi$$.<

F""a re$aCe%' $ifting the baby to her shou$%er as her "other turne% the pages s$ow$y' pointing out peop$e an% te$$ing what stories she #new. 3hen she opene% the $ast page' a fo$%e% piece of parch"ent fe$$ out' e"itting shri$$' a$though "ute%' notes of singing. F""a stare% at the paper with the fa%e% han%+%rawn broo" on the front. Su%%en$y' she saw the sa"e paper' with a "uch %ar#er i$$ustration' in her own tre"b$ing han%s. It was dar! and the whole stone corridor she was standing in lit with a flash of lightning from the window. &he (umped and loo!ed up at two huge wooden doors. &lowly" she gathered her courage" silently cursing her pounding heart. The door was almost silent as she pushed against it. 'e was in the last bed in the row" his blac! hair standing out against the white linen of the pillowcase. 'e loo!ed so young+ so peaceful without his glasses. &he hesitated" running her fingers along the crease in the card once more" con%incing herself that she could do this. 06ust do it" *inny"0 she mumbled to the stillness. 04ou made it for him.0 It had ta!en her fore%er" and the promise of fi%e chocolate frogs" to con%ince *eorge to show her the spell for ma!ing the broom on the card mo%e. In the end" she'd ended up searching the library anyway" because she couldn't ma!e the spell wor!. &he settled for ma!ing the card sing instead. &he raised her hand to nudge 'arry's shoulder" but stopped (ust short of wa!ing him. /aybe it would be better if she (ust left the card. Then her face wouldn't go all red when he loo!ed at it. And she wouldn't ha%e to !now whether he hated it or not. The "e"ory fa%e% an% F""a reache% out' $ifting the han%"a%e car%. <4 "a%e this for hi"'< she sai% >uiet$y. <4 %i%n;t #now he #ept it.< ?o$$y stare% at her an% she fe$t her face heat. <4 :ust re"e"bere% it now'< F""a eCp$aine%. <4t happens so"eti"es. 4 re"e"ber $itt$e things. 4 ne&er re"e"ber "uch that;s i"portant.< She fe$t a bit %isguste% at herse$f' truth be to$%' because it see"e% she on$y re"e"bere% tri&ia$ things. She wante% to re"e"ber i"portant things that wou$% he$p the" restore their "e"oriesDnot si$$y singing car%s. <4 thin# it;s i"portant'< her "other soothe%. <1b&ious$y ,arry %i% as we$$' because he #ept the car%. ,arry;s trun# is fu$$ of things that "eant so"ething to hi"Dan% they;re not necessari$y things that the wor$% wou$% see as treasures.<

F""a consi%ere% that' her fingers tracing the han%+%rawn broo" on the front of the car%. <4 :ust %on;t fee$ $i#e 4;" %oing anything usefu$.< <F""a'< ?o$$y starte%' hesitating on the na"e for a "o"ent. F""a $oo#e% up' start$e% that her "other ha% a%%resse% her in the unfa"i$iar way. <Bou an% .ay are .ac#;s $ife. Bou;re %oing the "ost i"portant thing for hi" right nowDyou;re ta#ing care of your fa"i$y. .ac# an% ,arry "ay be &ery %ifferent peop$e' but 4 can te$$ they &a$ue the sa"e thing. ,arry;s first priority was a$ways his frien%s' who he treate% as his fa"i$y.< She was right' an% F""a sco$%e% herse$f for getting $ost in the %esire to be in the "i%%$e of things. <4 forget so"eti"es'< she sai% >uiet$y. .ay shifte% against her shou$%er' his $itt$e puffs of breath brushing against her nec#. <3hen a$$ of this is o&er'< ?o$$y sai%' <you an% .ay wi$$ be here for .ac#.< F""a chuc#$e%. <Bou soun% $i#e you;&e gi&en this a%&ice before.< <4 ha&e'< ?o$$y no%%e%. <3hen ,arry ha% to $ea&e you to protect you. Bou were soA crushe%' yet you un%erstoo%. 3hen you ca"e ho"e that year' 4 cou$% te$$. 4 #new without ha&ing to be to$% what ha% happene%. (n% so 4 he$% you' an% to$% you the sa"e thing.< She reache% up an% s"oothe% F""a;s hair gent$y. <3e$$' a$"ost the sa"e thing.< F""a s"i$e%' $eaning her hea% into her "other;s touch an% soa#ing up the affection. She "ay not re"e"ber the wo"an "ore than a few bits of fee$ing' but she #new this was what ha&ing a "other fe$t $i#e. <Than# you'< she sai% soft$y. ?o$$y s"i$e%' her eyes shining with unshe% tears. <4;$$ re"in% you anyti"e you nee% it' $o&e.< .ac#;s hea% poun%e% an% he presse% his thu"bs into his eyes beneath his g$asses. <4 hate that'< he gru"b$e%' $etting go of 0on;s ar" an% g$ancing aroun% at the go$% $ight $eft by the fa%ing sun. 4t $it up the snow on the trees an% "a%e the branches g$ow a bit. <Bou a$ways %i%'< 0on chuc#$e%' sho&ing his han%s %eep into his poc#ets an% "arching a$ongsi%e .ac# %own the worn an% "u%%y path to the Burrow. <($ways sai% you;% rather ri%e a broo".< <3e$$' now 4;% rather %ri&e.< .ac# fe$t a bit irrationa$ being grouchy at so"ething so si"p$e.

<4t ta#es so"e getting use% to'< 0on assure% hi". <3e a$$ ha% troub$e with it at first.< .ac# g$ance% at hi"' raising a s#eptica$ eyebrow' but s"i$e% s$ight$y :ust the sa"e. There was so"ething there between the two "en nowDso"ething that ha%n;t eCiste%' for .ac# anyway' before to%ay. ,e guesse% he cou$% ca$$ it frien%ship' but it fe$t %ifferent fro" what he share% with -ere#. 3ith 0on' he fe$t aw#war%' because he cou$%n;t re"e"ber the things an% e&ents that ha% "a%e the" such goo% frien%sG but 0on cou$%. 4t "a%e it har% to re$ate. Bet' at the sa"e ti"e' there was a fee$ing of ha&ing #nown so"eone for so "any years that your $ife fe$t ho$$ow without the". <3e;$$ see'< was a$$ that .ac# cou$% pro"ise. The heat in the #itchen was stif$ing an% the s"e$$s of foo% coo#ing wafte% towar% hi"' wrapping hi" in what he cou$% on$y %escribe as ;ho"e;. ,is heart beat funny insi%e his chestG each thu"p %e"an%ing he see F""a an% .ayDho$% the"' #iss the"' $et hi"se$f be swa$$owe% in their $o&e. 4t was a bui$%ing' urgent nee% insi%e of hi" an% he went in search of the" i""e%iate$y. ?o$$y an% (rthur were in the sitting roo"' ta$#ing >uiet$y when he entere%. <,e$$o' .ac#'< (rthur greete%. <4 hear% you an% 0on "a%e >uite the i"pression at the ?inistry to%ay.< <($$ $iesH< 0on ca$$e%' an easy+going s"i$e on his face as he entere% the roo". .ac# s"i$e% aw#war%$y' his eyes %arting aroun% the roo" for his fa"i$y. <They;re upstairs in @inny;s o$% roo"'< ?o$$y sai% >uiet$y' her han% resting on his ar". <.ay was fussy an% F""a wante% a few "inutes of >uiet. !irst $an%ing' secon% %oor.< .ac# cou$%n;t he$p the s"i$e that stretche% o&er his face as he than#e% her an% %arte% out of the roo"' ta#ing the steps two at a ti"e' whi$e sti$$ trying to be >uiet. The %oor opene% with a s$ight crea# an% .ac# wince%' seeing F""a insi%e $ying on the be%' .ay tuc#e% into her ar". <3e;re awa#e'< she sai% soft$y' her eyes shining in the ha$f $ight of the roo". .ac# no%%e%' c$osing the %oor behin% hi". The be% was s"a$$Don$y sing$e wi%thDbut .ac# waste% no ti"e in shuc#ing his shoes an% :u"per an% c$i"bing in neCt to F""a' his ar"s see#ing her out an% pu$$ing her an% .ay to his chest. <4 "isse% you'< he "u"b$e% to the s#in on her forehea%.

<3e "isse% you'< F""a rep$ie%. They #isse% se&era$ ti"es before .ac# turne% his attention to his son' who was staring wi%e eye% at hi". <,e$$o' $itt$e "an.< The baby cooe% up at hi" an% .ac# $ifte% hi"' bringing the tiny bo%y up to rest on his chest. .ay s>uir"e% a bit before sighing an% accepting his new position' $egs cur$e% up un%er his bo%y an% ar"s reaching aroun% .ac#;s chest. <4 hope you;&e been goo% for your ?u".< <,e has'< F""a assure% hi"' her fingers running up an% %own the s#in on .ay;s ar". <,e;s been &ery goo%.< <Bour ?u" sai% he was fussy.< <( bit'< F""a agree%. <4 thin# he;s :ust not use% to "ore peop$e aroun%. (n% he "isse% his -a%%y.< <4;" not going anywhere for awhi$e.< <@oo%'< F""a sai%' snugg$ing %own into his e"brace e&en further. .ac# a$$owe% hi"se$f to fu$$y re$aC now' soa#ing in the war"th an% ten%erness of the "o"ent. <Bou %on;t ha&e to te$$ "e if it;s too "uchA< F""a starte%. <But 4;$$ $isten if you nee% to ta$# about it.< .ac# g$ance% at her an% no%%e%. <4 :ust nee% to fin% the wor%s.< <($right'< she no%%e%' $aying her hea% bac# %own on his shou$%er an% her han% on top of their son. The %ay;s e&ents f$ashe% before hi" $i#e a "o&ie of so"eone e$se;s $ife. (t ti"es they were o&erwhe$"ing an% unbe$ie&ab$e. ButAthey sti$$ "a%e sense. ,e began to ta$# s$ow$y' te$$ing her e&ery %etai$ he cou$% re"e"ber. 4t a$$ ca"e spi$$ing out of hi"' sentence after sentence' story after story. (n% F""a soa#e% it a$$ in' as#ing >uiet >uestions when he nee%e% to c$arify an% $en%ing her >uiet support' as she a$ways %i%. 3hen he finishe%' they sat in the si$ence of the %us#y roo"' their breathing "a#ing the on$y soun%s. <3here %o we go fro" here=< F""a as#e%. ,er &oice was fu$$ of e"otion an% .ac# scow$e% up at the cei$ing' wishing he cou$% she$ter her fro" a$$ of this' but #nowing that she ha% as "uch right to #now it as he %i%.

<4 %on;t #now'< he a%"itte%. <The (urors to$% "e that they;$$ #eep "e infor"e%G an% 4 #now that 0on wou$% anyway.< <4t soun%s $i#e the two of you foun% your frien%ship again'< F""a obser&e%. .ac# no%%e%. <4t;s sti$$ #in% of strange' but yeah.< <(n% what %o we %o about our "e"ories= 0e"us sai% they cou$% be restore%=< <4t;s a possibi$ity'< .ac# no%%e%. <0on sai% that ,er"ione wou$% be co"ing by to ta$# to us about that. 4 %on;t rea$$y #now what a$$ is entai$e% in it' but it %oesn;t soun% easy.< F""a no%%e% s$ow$y. <(n% what %o we %o aboutAour $i&es. -o we stay where we are' in our f$at' with you wor#ing your :obs an% seeing our frien%s= 1r %o we gi&e it a$$ up an% be in this wor$%=< She soun%e% so conf$icte%' ref$ecting .ac#;s own >uestions an% fears. <4 %on;t #now'< he sighe%. <This $ife we;&e been $i&ingAit;s a part of us an% a$ways wi$$ be. 3e can;t :ust wa$# away fro" it co"p$ete$y. 4t;s part of what;s "a%e us who we are.< <4 agree'< F""a sai%. <(n% 4 can;t say goo%bye to ?issy an% (nne' or e&en -ere#.< .ac# chuc#$e%. <?e either.< <Cou$% weAte$$ the"=< F""a as#e% soft$y. <(bout a$$ of this=< .ac# shrugge%. <4 %on;t thin# so' but that %oesn;t "ean 4 %on;t want to. 4t fee$s $i#e $ying' to "e.< <4 #now'< F""a sai%' rising up on her e$bow an% $oo#ing %own at hi". <4 to$% ?issy about fin%ing "y fa"i$y. She #nows that "uch.< <-ere# a$so'< .ac# no%%e%. ,e rubbe% his eyes un%er his g$asses again' than#fu$ that the >uietness of the roo" an% the war"th of F""a;s e"brace ha% he$pe% hi" or%er his thoughts enough that the hea%ache he ha% ear$ier ha% gone away. <0on sai%A< .ac# sighe%' hating the i%ea' but nee%ing to te$$ F""a anyway. <,e says that they cou$% "a#e -ere# an% ?issy forget. There;s a "e"ory char" they cou$% use.< <6o'< F""a sai% %ecisi&e$y. <That;s not right.< <4 #now'< he soothe% her' patting .ay on the bac# gent$y when he stirre% at his "other;s raise% &oice. <4 to$% hi" that wasn;t right.< F""a $oo#e% at hi" for a "inute before no%%ing. <3e can;t %o to the" what was %one to usDnot e&en a sing$e "e"ory.<

<4 agree.< She sett$e% bac# into his si%e. <?aybe we cou$% ta$# to your parents about how to han%$e this'< he suggeste%. <They see" to be han%$ing things we$$.< <Better than 4 wou$% i"agine "yse$f %oing in their shoes'< F""a sai% with a sha#e of her hea%. <They offere% to $et us stay here'< she sai% soft$y. .ac#;s first instinct was to refuse. But he bit his tongue' hearing the hope in her &oice. <4s that what you want=< he as#e%. ,e turne% his hea%' $oo#ing into her war" brown eyes. She returne% his ga5e before no%%ing. <4 thin# so. !or a bit at $east. 4 :ust fee$ $i#e we shou$% #now these peop$e better. They;re our fa"i$y an% it fee$s wrong that we %on;t #now the".< .ac# no%%e%' un%erstan%ing what she was saying. ($though' for hi"' it fe$t a bit %ifferent. 4t was aw#war% since this was genetica$$y F""a;s fa"i$y' yet they thought of hi" as one of their own' an% ha% since he was >uite young. <4 want .ay to #now the" a$$'< F""a continue%. <4 %o as we$$'< .ac# no%%e%. The baby stirre% against his chest' pu$$ing his ar"s in un%er hi" an% scrunching up his face. <,e %eser&es a fa"i$y.< <,e %oes'< F""a agree%. .ac# sighe%' s"oothing F""a;s hair away fro" her face. <Then we;$$ stay for a bit.< <0ea$$y=< she as#e%' hope shining bright$y in her eyes an% her s"i$e wi%ening. <Beah'< he no%%e%. <3e;$$ stay. ($thoughAwe;re going to ha&e to %o so"ething about this be%.< F""a $aughe% an% #isse% hi". <4;" sure they can %o so"ethingA:ustA"agic it bigger or so"ething.< <(s $ong as it stays that way'< .ac# chuc#$e%. <4 %on;t want to en% up on "y arse in the "i%%$e of the night.< <.ac#'< F""a chi%e% hi"' sitting up so she cou$% $ift a protesting .ay off of his chest. .ac# watche%' enthra$$e% as F""a scoote% up against the hea%boar% of the be% an% re"o&e% her top so that she cou$% nurse .ay. <($$ he %oes is eat'< she gru"b$e%' a$though .ac# cou$% te$$ that she wasn;t upset by it.

<,e;s a growing boy'< he proteste% for his son' chuc#$ing when the $itt$e "on#ey $atche% on with i"patient hungry grunts. Carefu$ not to %isturb the" too "uch' .ac# pu$$e% F""a forwar% a bit an% seate% hi"se$f behin% her so that her bac# was presse% against his chest. Together' they cra%$e% their son as he ate. .ac# $et his eyes c$ose' $istening as @inny hu""e% a song he;% ne&er hear% her sing before. <That;s nice'< he co"p$i"ente%' fee$ing %rowsy $istening to the "e$o%y. S$ow$y' he s$ippe% off to s$eep. She chose the Burrow' hoping that a "ore fa"i$iar setting wou$% he$p ease the %isco"fort an% confusion she feare% she wou$% cause. The ?inistry was out of the >uestion' gi&en .ac# an% 0on;s beha&ior there a few %ays past. 6ot that ,er"ione b$a"e% the". Their actions' short of 0on;s bar roo" braw$ing' ha% been entire$y :ustifie%. (n% .ac# an% F""a ha% been $i&ing at the Burrow for the past few %ays' "uch to ?o$$y an% (rthur;s %e$ight. 4t rea$$y see"e% the best situation for both fa"i$ies as there were "ore peop$e to he$p with .ay. They were co"fortab$e here. 1nce ?o$$y hear% what ,er"ione was p$anning' she prepare% a huge tea co"p$ete with ho"e"a%e biscuits' scones' :a" an% c$otte% crea". ,er"ione :ust shoo# her hea%' #nowing that it was ?o$$y;s way of %oing what she cou$%. ,er"ione sat on one si%e of the tab$e' 0on neCt to her' .ac# an% F""a across fro" her. Both (rthur an% 0e"us were here as we$$. .ay an% @inny 0ose were off with ?o$$y in another part of the house' probab$y being spoi$e% rotten by now. 3ith her boo#s an% research sprea% out in front of her' ,er"ione fina$$y fe$t rea%y. <So'< 0on starte%. ,er"ione cou$% see his ner&ousness an% anticipation warring on his face. <,ow har% is this going to be=< ,er"ione ro$$e% her eyes' $oo#ing bac# at .ac# an% F""a. There was "uch "ore ner&ousness an% anCiety on that si%e of the tab$e. They sat tight$y together' their han%s c$aspe% be$ow the woo%en surface. <4t;s going to be &ery har%' 4 won;t $ie to you'< ,er"ione a%"itte%. .ac# $oo#e% stoica$$y %own at the tab$e whi$e F""a no%%e% fir"$y. <4;&e spent the $ast few %ays in the -epart"ent of ?ysteries' researching e&ery aspect of this curse 4 can fin%' as we$$ as e&erything 4 cou$% fin% about "e"ory restoration or a$teration.<

<3hat are the chances of this wor#ing=< (rthur as#e%. ,er"ione wince%' wishing that they cou$% get into the specifics before they %iscusse% how $i#e$y it was to wor#. <4 wou$% say better than a&erage'< ,er"ione sighe%. <Bou;&e both ha% significant "e"ory brea#throughs in the recent past. The B$oc# is wea#ening.< <4 %i%n;t thin# that was possib$e'< 0e"us scow$e%. <F&erything 4;&e rea% about the B$oc# says it shou$% be co"p$ete an% tota$.< <4 ha&e se&era$ theories about that'< ,er"ione no%%e%' shuff$ing through her notes unti$ she foun% the right one. <!irst' the B$oc# was %one by so"eone who ha% ne&er perfor"e% it before' thus it $ac#e% the power to contain a$$ of the "e"ories. Secon%' both of you ha&e such strong "agic' that it;s si"p$y fighting the B$oc# "ore than eCpecte%.< .ac# an% F""a eCchange% a $oo# that ,er"ione cou$%n;t %ecipher an% she continue%. <Fither way' it;s to our a%&antage. 4t "ay "ean that the process of brea#ing the b$oc# wi$$ be easier.< <3hat can we eCpect=< .ac# as#e%' his tone &ery guar%e%. <To be honest'< ,er"ione answere%' <we;re not sure. There hasn;t been any recor%e% history of anyone brea#ing the curse. That %oesn;t "ean it hasn;t happene%'< she ro%e o&er 0on;s protests' <it :ust "eans that no one has recor%e% how it happene%.< <So it;$$ be eCperi"enta$'< F""a no%%e%' $oo#ing $ess sure of herse$f. <Bes'< ,er"ione no%%e%. <3e;$$ start by as#ing ?a$foy to re"o&e the curse.< <That "an isn;t getting anywhere near "y fa"i$y'< .ac# grow$e%' his %ar# ga5e sha#ing ,er"ione. <4;" sorry'< she soothe%' <4 %i%n;t phrase that correct$y. To brea# the curse' we nee% ?a$foy;s b$oo%' wi$$ing$y gi&en.< <,e;$$ ne&er %o that'< 0on grow$e%. ,er"ione sighe%. <4t won;t be easy.< <4f he refuses=< (rthur as#e%. <Can it be ta#en forcefu$$y fro" hi"=< <3ou$% it be consi%ere% wi$$ing if he were un%er the 4"perius curse=< 0on suggeste%. ,er"ione wince% at the suggestion.

<Those aren;t the "ost i%ea$ situations'< ,er"ione shoo# her hea%. She hate% the i%ea of brea#ing the $aw' e&en though they;% use% it in the past. 4t :ust see"e%Awrong to use an )nforgi&eab$e' no "atter what ?a$foy ha% %one. <($though we can;t ru$e the" out co"p$ete$y. The ?inistry is p$anning on trying se&era$ approaches to get ?a$foy to gi&e his b$oo% &o$untari$y.< ,er"ione #new if it were their $ast option' she wou$% cast the curse herse$f. <4f he won;t gi&e it'< .ac# began' g$ancing up at her' <what are the chances of this wor#ing=< <2ower'< ,er"ione sai%' <but it sti$$ imight/i wor#. 4f the curse was inept$y cast' or your "agic is brea#ing it %own natura$$y then we;&e got a better chance.< <3i$$ there be pain=< F""a as#e%' her :aw s>uaring strong$y. ,er"ione re"e"bere% seeing that %eter"ine% $oo# on @inny;s face "any ti"es. <There "ight be'< ,er"ione a%"itte%. <2i#e 4 sai% before' this is a$$ con:ecture. 3e can on$y $oo# at the process an% guess as to what the resu$ts "ight be.< <3e un%erstan% that'< .ac# no%%e%. ,is piercing ga5e focuse% on her an% ,er"ione swa$$owe% thic#$y. <3hen the b$oc# is fina$$y re"o&e%' we thin# there "ight be so"e pain associate% with the "e"ories co"ing bac#. 4t "ay be co"poun%e% for the both of you' re"e"bering the e&ent that triggere% a$$ of this.< Si$ence echoe% in the #itchen an% ,er"ione watche% as .ac# an% F""a he$% a si$ent con&ersation' their eyes an% eCpression showing "uch "ore than they probab$y wishe% to gi&e away. <(re there any other si%e effects=< .ac# as#e%' turning bac# to her. ,er"ione sighe%' #nowing that she nee%e% to be co"p$ete$y honest with the" both. These were her o$%est frien%s' an% they were $i&ing in a night"are cause% by a bitter "an. ,er"ione offere% their on$y hope of restoring what rightfu$$y be$onge% to the"Dwhat shou$% ha&e ne&er been ta#en in the first p$ace. <There is one other prob$e" that "ay arise. 4f the B$oc# is strong enough' or if it fights the re$ease' you "ight $ose e&erything a$$ o&er again.< <3hat are the o%%s of that happening=< .ac# as#e%. ,er"ione bit her $ip. <(bout e&en with the B$oc# brea#ing away entire$y.< 0on swore &io$ent$y' pushing his chair away fro" the tab$e an% pacing the roo" in $ong stri%es. 0e"us $owere% his hea% unti$ it was a$"ost $e&e$ with the tab$e. (rthur reache%

forwar% an% s$ow$y pu$$e% one of the boo#s off of the stac# in front of her' probab$y "ore to gi&e hi" so"ething to %o with his han%s than for infor"ation. <4;" sorry'< she sai%' her heart c$enching in her chest. <4 wish 4 cou$% "a#e you pro"ises' or te$$ you that e&erything wi$$ be a$right.< .ac# s"i$e% sa%$y an% F""a wipe% away tears. <3e appreciate a$$ you;&e %one for us' ,er"ione. 3e un%erstan% that nothing is e&er guarantee%.< ,er"ione no%%e%' wiping away tears that escape%. 0on;s $arge han%s c$aspe% o&er her shou$%ers an% she cou$% fee$ hi" sha#ing behin% her. <Can we ha&e so"e ti"e to %iscuss this=< .ac# as#e%. <3e nee% to ta$# about it an% %eci%e what the best thing for our fa"i$y is.< F&eryone no%%e%. <That;s on$y fair'< ,er"ione agree%. </ings$ey wants to get starte% with ?a$foy as soon as possib$e. The e&i%ence is pro&ing enough to bring hi" before the 3i5enga"ot. 1nce they get their han%s on hi"' we "ay not ha&e any $e&erage to get hi" to wi$$ing$y gi&e his b$oo%.< <4t won;t be $ong'< .ac# sai%' stan%ing s$ow$y an% he$ping F""a out of her chair. The two >uiet$y $eft the roo"' wa$#ing &ery c$ose together. <That was horrib$e'< ,er"ione "u"b$e%' staring %own at her notes. <4 can;t i"agine "a#ing that %ecision.< <3hate&er their %ecision'< (rthur sai%' <we;$$ support the". 3e $o&e the" the sa"e' no "atter what na"es they go by.< The Burrow was >uiet' but F""a cou$%n;t s$eep. She #new .ac# was awa#e neCt to her as we$$. ,is breathing ha%n;t %eepene% yet $i#e it usua$$y %i% when he s$ept. (n% his $eg twitche% now an% again' a "usc$e spas" that he sai% the %octors eCp$aine% was a re"nant of his in:ury so "any years ago. <.ac#'< she whispere%' $aying her han% on his $eg' sti$$ing it. ,e sighe% %eep$y an% turne% in her e"brace' $etting the" $ie face to face. <4 can;t stop thin#ing about it'< he sai%. <3eighing the o%%s' rethin#ing e&erything 4 #now' an% trying to :ustify either %ecision.< <4 #now'< she sai%. <4;&e been %oing the sa"e.< 4t ha% been a >uiet e&ening at the 3eas$ey ho"e. 3or% >uic#$y sprea% of the choice she an% .ac# ha% to "a#e' an% e&eryone "ust ha&e si$ent$y agree% to $ea&e the" to it'

because no one ha% sai% anything to the" about it. (n% they ha% a$$ "a%e eCtra effort to gi&e the" both space. But now .ay was in his cot on the other si%e of the roo" s$eeping soun%$y' an% the house was >uiet. <The %ecision wou$% be an easy one'< .ac# eCp$aine%' <if 4 %i%n;t ha&e you an% .ay in "y $ife. 4 can;t i"agine not re"e"bering you again.< <1r our we%%ingA< <1r our $ife togetherA< <1r .ayA< F""a sighe%' the thought of forgetting her chi$% $ea&ing her fee$ing ho$$ow' $i#e her heart was being rippe% out of its ho"e. .ac# nu%ge% her an% grinne%. <1r "a#ing .ay.< F""a cou$%n;t %o anything but snort her a"use"ent. <3e can;t e&er forget that.< <6ot at a$$'< .ac# shoo# his hea% so$e"n$y. <Being with you' F""aAit;s the "ost won%erfu$ thing in the wor$%.< <4 fee$ the sa"e'< she agree%' $eaning forwar% to gi&e hi" a #iss. <Then we shou$%n;t %o this'< .ac# sai%' a$though F""a cou$% hear the >uestion in his &oice. <(t the sa"e ti"e'< she sai%' reaching out to rub the stubb$e on his :aw' <we cou$% offer .ay so "uch "ore if we ha% those "e"ories.< <3e cou$%'< .ac# conce%e%. <4 %on;t re"e"ber "y first broo" ri%e' or the first ti"e 4 %i% "agic.< F""a scow$e% into the %ar#ness at that thought. ,ow was she suppose% to teach her son those things if she cou$%n;t re"e"ber the"= <4 %on;t re"e"ber the first ti"e 4 saw you' or the first ti"e we #isse%'< .ac# sai%. <3hat if he co"es to "e an% as#s "e about that= ($$ 4 can te$$ hi" is the secon% ti"e.< <4 %on;t e&en #now if you were "y first boyfrien%'< F""a a%"itte%' cu%%$ing c$oser to hi". <-i% 4 e&er #iss anyone e$se=< <-i% we e&er "a#e $o&e before=< .ac# as#e% soft$y. <4 thin# about that so"eti"es. (n% if we %i%n;t' %i% we want to=<

<4 wou$% ha&e wante% to'< F""a sai%' her han%s sp$aying out across his bare chest. <Because 4 can;t i"agine $o&ing you any $ess than 4 %o now.< They #isse% soft$y for a few "inutes before cu%%$ing together un%er the war"' ho"e"a%e >ui$ts. <3hat if 4 went first=< .ac# as#e%. <Then the ris# is on$y on "e. Bou;% be here for .ay if so"ething went wrong.< F""a c$ung to hi"' hating the i%ea i""e%iate$y. <4 can;t be without you' .ac#.< <4 #now'< he sai%' #issing her te"p$e. <4 %on;t want to e&en i"agine "y $ife without you.< The hurtfu$ thought $ingere% between the" $i#e an open sore. !ina$$y' F""a sat up' resting her chin on .ac#;s chest an% $oo#ing at hi" c$ose$y. <Bou fe$$ in $o&e with "e'< she sai% soft$y. <Twice'< he no%%e%' his fingers tracing the features of her face. <3ou$% you %o it again=< <-efinite$y'< he agree% without a thought. <Bou;re e&erything to "e' F""a.< <4 wou$% fa$$ in $o&e with you again'< she assure% hi". <The first ti"e you #isse% "e' the secon% ti"e'< she s"i$e% at his chuc#$e' <4 #new you. 4 "ight not ha&e un%erstoo% what "y heart was te$$ing "e' but 4 !new you' .ac#.< <4 #new you as we$$'< he sai%. <(n% we cou$%n;t forget .ay.< <6o'< he shoo# his hea%. <3e cou$%n;t. ,e;s us.< <,e is'< F""a agree%' $eaning forwar% to press her $ips against his. <3hat about if we wrote it a$$ %own'< .ac# suggeste%. <3e;% be "issing the %etai$s' but we;% #now each other.< <4t "ight wor#'< F""a agree%. <4t wou$% be worth a try.< <4f we %o this'< .ac# no%%e%. <4 sti$$ %on;t #now if it;s worth it.< <4 %on;t #now the right answer'< F""a a%"itte%.

<2et;s try an% s$eep' $o&e'< .ac# sai%. ,e $eane% up an% #isse% her %eep$y' tugging her unti$ they spoone% together' as tight$y as they cou$% get in the eCpan%e% be%. F""a fe$t $ighthea%e% as .ac#;s ar" wrappe% aroun% her bo%y. There were too "any thoughts in her hea%. She fe$t a bit $i#e they shou$% be spi$$ing out of her ears. .ac#;s breathe on her shou$%er an% the heat of hi" up against her bo%y soothe% her an% she c$ose% her eyes' $etting her breathing s$ow unti$ she %rifte% off. So"e hours $ater' she wo#e to fin% the be% neCt to her e"pty. The $inens were co$%' "eaning that .ac# ha% been up for so"e ti"e. The c$oc# neCt to the be% rea% two in the "orning. <.ac#=< she as#e% >uiet$y. .ay wou$% be up anyti"e now for his neCt fee%ing' but F""a wante% to chec# on her husban% first. <4;" here.< ( sha%ow near the win%ow "o&e% an% she re$aCe%. <Sorry if 4 wo#e you.< <Bou %i%n;t'< she %enie%. <.ay wi$$ be up soon.< <,e;s been stirring.< F""a scoote% out of the be%' tugging on her %ressing gown in the chi$$ of the roo". She tiptoe% across the icy f$oorboar%s to chec# that .ay was co&ere%. .ac# "ust ha&e a$rea%y tuc#e% hi" in' as the b$an#ets were tight$y wrappe% aroun% his bo%y. <Can;t s$eep' $o&e=< she as#e%' pressing a #iss to the bac# of .ac#;s hea% as she ca"e up behin% hi". ,e was sitting on the narrow win%ow seat' $etting the $ight of an a$"ost fu$$ "oon show on the papers in his $ap. <Too "any thoughts'< he a%"itte%. F""a s"i$e%' re"e"bering the sa"e thought in her hea% hours ago. <4 #now. 3hat are you $oo#ing at=< .ac# shrugge%' $oo#ing %own at the papers' e&en as he $eane% further bac# against her. <1ur "e%ica$ fi$es'< he sai% soft$y. <4;&e been staring at one picture for a $ong ti"e.< F""a wince%. .ac# ha% a$ways been "orbi%$y fascinate% by the photographs of his own in:uries. She won%ere% so"eti"es if he were trying to re"e"ber each "o"ent of pain' bui$%ing a "ap in his hea% of why he ha% certain scars an% "ar#s. ,e tugge% a photo fro" the fi$e an% F""a s$a""e% her eyes c$ose%. She hate% that one an% refuse% to $oo# at it "ore than she ha% to. <4 ha% a scar on "y forehea%'< .ac# sai%. <(n% the bastar% cut it out.<

F""a burie% her face in his bac#' c$utching his chest tight$y. <4 #now.< <,e too# e&erything away fro" "e that "attere%. ,e too# "y fa"i$y' "y i%entityAan% you.< <.ac#'< F""a p$ea%e%' <%on;t $et your anger with this "an "a#e your %ecision for you.< <4;" not'< he %enie%. <4 thin# 4 "a%e that the "o"ent you sai% you wou$% fa$$ in $o&e with "e again.< She brought her hea% up' $oosening her grip an% s$i%ing aroun% so that she cou$% c$i"b on his $ap. The papers crunche% un%erneath her' but she %i%n;t care. <4 :ust want hi" to pay for what he %i% to us'< .ac# eCp$aine%. <,e has to #now that peop$e can;t hurt each other $i#e that. But that;s :ust so"ething goo% that co"es a$ong with "y choice' F""a.< ,is ar"s he$% her c$ose' crushing her against hi". <4 want to re"e"ber you' F""a. 4 want to re"e"ber what "a%e "e fa$$ in $o&e with you the first ti"e' an% the secon% ti"e' an%Aif 4 ha&e to' the thir% ti"e. Because 4 won;t e&er stop $o&ing you.< F""a;s throat c$ose% tight$y. ,er "outh wou$%n;t wor# right to for" the wor%s an% a$$ she cou$% %o was no%' $etting her tears fa$$ on his s#in an% inha$ing the scent that was uni>ue$y .ac#. <4f you %on;t want "e toA< <4 %o'< F""a sai% soft$y. <4;" :ust scare%.< <4 a" as we$$'< .ac# sai%. <But 4 won;t $et you go' F""a. Bou;re a$ways going to be "ine.< F""a repeate% those wor%s o&er an% o&er in her hea%' c$inging to hi" in the "oon$ight strea"ing through the win%ow. They wou$% be a$rightDthey ha% to beDbecause they ha% been before. They were strong when they were together. (n% she wasn;t going to e&er $et hi" go either. So it was going to wor#. -raco ?a$foy stare% at the s"a$$ roc# before f$ic#ing it away fro" hi"' watching it bounce off the corner an% right bac# to hi". !our %ays in the sa"e ce$$' with nothing e$se to %o' ha% "a%e hi" an eCpert on pre%icting the perfect ang$e' strength of f$ic# an% p$ace on the wa$$ to hit.

The first %ay he;% been s$eeping off the effects of wa#ing fro" a stunning spe$$. 4f one was wo#en by enner&ating' then the fee$ing of %isorientation an% s$uggishness was "uch easier to "anage. ,owe&er' when one was $eft to wa#e on their own' the sy"pto"s were c$ose to the worst hango&er you cou$% i"agine. The b$in%ing hea%ache ha% near$y %one hi" in' not to "ention the >ueasiness an% spinning of the s"a$$ roo". ,a% he been ab$e to "uster enough strength' -raco wou$% ha&e ye$$e% unti$ so"eone brought so"ething to hi". (s it was' he si"p$y trie% to s$eep "uch of it away an% then stare% at the %rab wa$$s the rest of the ti"e. The ga"e' ironica$$y na"e% ;!$ic#;' ha% been born on his secon% %ay. ,e "a%e the "ista#e of p$aying near the front of the ce$$' f$ic#ing the pebb$e into the war%s' watching the" spar# an% si55$e' grinning when the (urors wou$% co"e running' wan%s %rawn. ($$ it ha% ta#en was one warning that they;% stun hi" again an% $et hi" wa#e up on his own before -raco %eci%e% the bac# corner was far better suite% to his entertain"ent. <?a$foyH< <@o away'< -raco sai%' preten%ing to concentrate on his pebb$e c$ose$y. <4 %i%n;t su""on you.< 4t was a per&erse $itt$e p$easure' but one he ne&er got tire% of. Taunting the guar%s' treating the" as if he were in here by his own choice rather than their ;hospita$ity; was so"ething he cou$% %o &ery we$$. 6ot that any of the" rea$$y care%. -u"b @ryffin%ors' the $ot of the". <Bou;&e got a &isitor.< <6o than# you'< -raco sai%' biting his botto" $ip as he change% the ang$e of his f$ic# the tiniest bit. ,e swore creati&e$y when the roc# "isse% the f$agstone he eCpecte% it to $an% on an% bounce% away un%er the ric#ety ca"p be% that sat in the corner of the roo". <That;s no way to ta$# to an o$% schoo$ chu".< The &oice "a%e his s#in craw$ an% -raco grow$e%' retrie&ing his pebb$e to f$ic# again. <4f you;&e co"e to g$oat' 3ease$' 4;" not in the "oo%. 4;" rather busy' as you can see.< ,e cou$%n;t he$p the snort of $aughter that rose in his throat an% bubb$e% out. <Beah' 4 can see that.< -raco refuse% to turn an% ac#now$e%ge the "an. ,is pri%e was sti$$ bruise% fro" the cheap way 3eas$ey ha% been a$$owe% to physica$$y assau$t hi". The e&i%ence "ight be gone' but -raco cou$% sti$$ fee$ e&ery b$ow rain %own on hi"' "arring his f$esh.

,e f$ic#e% the pebb$e again' co"pensating for the change of ang$e by a%%ing a bit "ore force. 4t ricochete% off of the %esire% spot an% $an%e% :ust a few centi"eters fro" where it shou$% ha&e. <Bes'< -raco hisse%' reaching for the pebb$e again. <(ccio pebb$eH< <-a"nitH< he ye$$e% when it s$i% fro" his han%s' su""one% fro" beyon% the war% on the ce$$ an% into 3eas$ey;s han%. <That;s "ine.< -raco grow$e%' stan%ing in one swift "otion an% "o&ing to within inches of where he #new the war%s were. <4;$$ gi&e it bac# when 4;" %one ta$#ing to you' ferret.< <Typica$ @ryffin%or bu$$y'< -raco gru"b$e%' crossing his ar"s. <Typica$ S$ytherin stubborn'< 3eas$ey grow$e% bac#. <Bou ha&e so"ething that 4 nee%. 4 ha&e so"ething that you want.< -raco scoffe%' refusing to $oo# at the "an. 4nstea%' his eyes trace% the e%ges of his ce$$. <(nything 4 ha&e is worth "ore than that roc#' 3ease$.< <6o %oubt'< he no%%e%' tossing the roc# up in the air an% catching it again. <,ow about we "a#e a %ea$=< <@o away' 3ease$.< <Bou;re not e&en going to hear "e out=< -raco b$ew out a breath in frustration before shrugging. <4t;s not $i#e 4 ha&e "uch choice. Bou can ta$# unti$ you pass out fro" $ac# of oCygenDwhich' a%"itte%$y' won;t ta#e $ong Dan% 4 can;t %o anything about it. -espite being innocent' 4 apparent$y %on;t ha&e any rights.< 3eas$ey guffawe%. <4nnocent "y arse.< <Ta$#' 3ease$'< -raco cha$$enge%. <Bou ca"e a$$ the way %own here to say so"ething' best get it off your chest.< <4 want so"e of your b$oo%'< he shrugge%. -raco b$in#e%' his "in% ca$cu$ating if he ha% :ust hear% what his ears to$% hi" he hear%. <-i%n;t you eCtract enough the other %ay=< he snappe%.

3eas$ey sneere% "enacing$y. <6ot as "uch as 4 wou$% ha&e $i#e%.< <(t $east we;re being honest.< -raco wa$#e% away' stan%ing in the corner of his ce$$ an% stu%ying the wa$$ as if it containe% one of the portraits his father ha% pai% thousan%s of ga$$eons for. <?uch as 4 wou$% $o&e to ta#e your b$oo% forcib$y'< 3eas$ey continue%' <4 want you to gi&e it wi$$ing$y.< <(re you %run#=< ?a$foy scow$e%. <1n occasion' but not current$y.< -raco g$are% at the "an;s cru%e hu"or. <The answer is no.< <6o pebb$e then'< 3eas$ey shrugge%' tossing the s"a$$ bit of roc# away fro" hi". -raco watche% it bounce away' cursing interna$$y' but refusing to $et his irritation show on his face. <Bou;$$ ha&e to %o better than that' 3ease$.< <,ow about another ga"e'< the $arge re%hea% shrugge%. <( ga"e of cat an% "ouse.< -raco raise% an eyebrow %isbe$ie&ing$y. <4 suppose 4;" the "ouse.< <3e$$ 4 sure as he$$ wou$%n;t be running fro" you.< 2osing interest in this con&ersation >uic#$y' -raco "o&e% c$oser to the war%s. <4;" not here for your a"use"ent.< ,e "o&e% to the si%e an% be$$owe% for the (uror guar% to co"e an% escort his ;&isitor; to anywhere -raco wou$%n;t ha&e to see hi". <Bou %on;t want to p$ay=< 3eas$ey sai%. <4 thought you $i#e% ga"es' -raco.< <-on;t ca$$ "e that'< -raco hisse%. <(urorH< <,ow about 4 %rop the war%s'< 3eas$ey suggeste%' f$ic#ing out his wan% an% %oing :ust what he suggeste%. -raco;s interest was pi>ue% now' %espite hi"se$f. <(n% 4;$$ un$oc# the bars'< 3eas$ey continue%' the $oc# turning fro" his spe$$ an% the %oor c$anging open. <6ow' you run.< -raco too# a step bac#war%. ,e wasn;t stupi% enough to trust an obnoCious @ryffin%or with nothing better to %o than to taunt hi". <0un'< 3eas$ey suggeste%' a co"p$ete$y a"use% $oo# on his face. <Bou;re "isun%erstan%ing the ga"e co"p$ete$y'< he shoo# his hea% an% $owere% his &oice as if

spea#ing to a &ery young chi$%. <Bou run. Bou get chase%. 3hen you;re caught' the ga"e is o&er an% you gi&e "e what 4 want' wi$$ing$y. 4f you get awayAthen 4;" out of $uc#.< -raco sneere% at hi". <Shut it' 3ease$. 4 suppose you $ay in be% $ast night thin#ing this up. @ranger "ust ha&e appreciate% the brea# fro" your bree%ing progra".< ,e patte% hi"se$f on the bac# as 3eas$ey too# a step forwar%. So"ething' howe&er' stoppe% hi" an% he bro#e out in an a"use% grin. <So' are you up for a ga"e or not=< Sighing "ighti$y' -raco shoo# his hea%. <Bou "ust be "ore stupi% than 4 thought. 4;" not going to p$ay your $itt$e ga"e' 3ease$. 4;" not going to run. 4;" not going to $et you chase "e' an% 4 sure the he$$ a" not going to gi&e you "y b$oo%.< ,e cou$% ha&e sworn a gigg$e escape% the "an an% scrunche% up his face in %isgust. ,e turne% away' wishing the "an wou$% $ose interest an% $ea&e hi" a$one. <4 %i%n;t say I was going to be the one chasing you' ?a$foy.< -raco spun on his hee$. ( secon% figure steppe% in front of the ce$$ an% -raco;s #nees shoo#' a$"ost sen%ing hi" to the f$oor. <6oH< he hisse%. <6o' no' no.< ,is $ungs burne% an% his heart poun%e% as he $oo#e% at the b$ac# haire%' green+eye% "an. <4t;s been a $ong ti"e' ?a$foy.< The &oice an% the s"ug s"i$e %ro&e into his hea% $i#e a #nife. <4;" hurt that you %on;t $i#e "y ga"e.< <6o'< -raco sai%' gi&ing into the p$eas of his $egs an% co$$apsing to his #nees. 4t cou$%n;t beA :otter.

*Chapter 1$*: Chapter 1$

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without

per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%. A/N: I'm glad you all en(oyed last chapter. This one pic!s up where the last one left off. )nce again" than!s to $eb and #lla on this one. And" I apologiDe in ad%ance for the cliffhanger. Although" you can tell from my unrepentant smile that I really don't mean it. +) Chapter 1$ "anuary 2 3 to )ebruary 2 3

.ac# grinne%' watching the panic sprea% o&er the pa$e face in the rough$y hewn ce$$. <4;" hurt that you %on;t $i#e "y ga"e'< he sai%. ?a$foy wai$e% pathetica$$y' sin#ing to his #nees' without re"o&ing his eyes fro" .ac#;s. <4 assure you it;s "e'< .ac# sai%' $eaning forwar% an% $acing his ar"s through the bars. 4t see"e% a bit ris#y' but .ac# #new that 0on;s wan% was fir"$y in his han%. ?a$foy wou$%n;t try anything now. <4 #now what you;re thin#ing'< .ac# continue%' staring at the "an;s s$ac# face. <Bou;re thin#ingAit can;t possib$y by hi". 4t can;t be *otter' because *otter %oesn;t eCist any"ore. *otter %isappeare% four years ago.< <Bou;re rather pathetic' you #now'< 0on steppe% forwar%' casua$$y $eaning against the bars of the sti$$ open ce$$. <0ather'< .ac# agree% with a no%. <4;" actua$$y a bit %isappointe%' you #now=< ,e phrase% his "using to 0on' but #new that ?a$foy was $istening. <4 wou$% ha&e thought that ?a$foy wou$% ha&e been ab$e to pu$$ off a si"p$e ?e"ory B$oc#.< <4 see what you "ean'< 0on shrugge% thoughtfu$$y. .ac# turne% his attention bac# to the "an in the ce$$' who see"e% to be gathering hi"se$f bac# together. ,e stoo%' his $egs wobb$y.

<Bou;re trying to tric# "e'< he sai% p$ain$y' a$though his &oice was a bit higher than it ha% been ear$ier. <*otter was #i$$e% in the !ina$ Batt$e.< <3rong again'< .ac# %raw$e%. ,e turne% bac# to 0on. <,e;s %u"ber than 4 re"e"ber.< ,e %rew out (rthur;s borrowe% wan%' which har%$y spar#e% for hi"' an% pointe% it at -raco. <4;" :ust going to 4"perius hi" an% get it o&er with.< -raco %uc#e%. <Bou can;t %o thisH< he s>uaw#e%. <That;s an )nforgi&ab$e.< ,e turne% to 0on' eyes wi%e. <Bou can;t $et hi" get away with itDyou;re an officer of the ?inistry.< 0on crosse% his ar"s an% $eane% against the bars again. <Bou;re un%er the i"pression that 4 gi&e a %a"n.< ,e "a%e a gran% sweeping gesture towar% the ce$$. <Bash away' "ate.< .ac# chuc#$e% at the $oo# of abso$ute shoc# on ?a$foy;s face. ,e rea$$y was "uch "ore stupi% than 0on ha% sai%. Fither that or he was a superb actor. The wan% fe$t goo% in .ac#;s han%' yet wrong at the sa"e ti"e. But .ac# raise% it anyway' $e&e$ing it at the "an an% opening his "outh' a fierce $oo# ta#ing o&er his features. <4t won;t wor#'< ?a$foy fina$$y sp$uttere%. <The b$oo% has to be wi$$ing$y gi&enD< ,is &oice crac#e% an% he pa$e% e&en furtherDsurprising .ac#. ,is "outh snappe% shut' rea$i5ing what he;% :ust sai%. <3ou$% you care to finish that state"ent=< 0on as#e%. ?a$foy;s chee#s f$ushe% bright re%. <4;" not going to say so"ething you can use against "e.< <3hat eCact$y %i% you hope to acco"p$ish=< .ac# as#e%. ,e' F""a' 0on an% ,er"ione ha% staye% up $ate $ast night %iscussing e&ery aspect of this p$an an% trying to %eci%e ?a$foy;s "oti&ations behin% what he ha% %one. <Because as far as 4 can see' whate&er it was' you %i% a piss+poor :ob.< <Can you %o anything right=< 0on as#e% con%escen%ing$y. <Cou$%n;t #i$$ -u"b$e%ore' cou$%n;t be a ha$f %ecent spy. -efinite$y cou$%n;t cast a ?e"ory B$oc# worth a %a"n.< ?a$foy bent o&er' his han%s on his wobb$y #nees. .ac# s>uatte% %own unti$ he cou$% see ?a$foy;s face. <F&erything you wante%' e&erything you hope% to gain' was rubbish. 4t "ay ha&e wor#e% for a whi$e' but in the en%' you %i%n;t win. 4 %i%.< <6o'< -raco shoo# his hea%' his $ong b$on% hair fa$$ing into his face.

<Bes'< .ac# confir"e%. <The things you too# fro" "e' apart fro" @inny an% "y fa"i$y Dthey %on;t "ean anything to "eDne&er %i%. 4 ne&er wante% the fa"e. 4 cou$%n;t care $ess about the "oney.< -raco;s (%a";s app$e bobbe% up an% %own. <(n% 4 got @inny an% "y fa"i$y bac#.< <Bou;re a fai$ure' -raco. Bou;re worse off than when you starte%.< 0on;s &oice ca"e fro" behin% .ac#. ?a$foy continue% to sha#e his hea%' e&en as his #nees swaye%. <@inny an% 4 are "arrie% now'< .ac# continue%' reaching into his borrowe% robes an% pro%ucing a photograph of his new fa"i$y' ta#en :ust yester%ay at the Burrow. <3e ha&e a son.< ?a$foy g$ance% at the photograph as .ac# s$i% it into his $ine of &ision. .ac# assu"e% it was the sa"e #in% of per&erse curiosity that %rew hi" to the photographs of his in:ure% an% "uti$ate% bo%y. ?a$foy;s eyes snappe% shut an% .ac# with%rew the photo' hi%ing it bac# in his poc#et. <(n% you;re a$$ a$one'< 0on pic#e% up his $ine. <(storia @reengrass was "arrie% two %ays ago.< ,e re"o&e% the $arge sprea% that was feature% in the -ai$y *rophet an% tosse% it so that the newspaper was $oo#ing up at ?a$foy fro" the f$oor. @reengrass' in her opu$ent we%%ing robes preene% an% s"i$e% beautifu$$y for the ca"era. <She;$$ be carrying his chi$%' his heir' within a "onth'< 0on pre%icte%. ?a$foy f$inche% &isib$y' swatting the newspaper away fro" hi" &io$ent$y. <Bour "istress' @ene&ie&e' the one in *arisAshe;s going to testify against you' -raco'< .ac# sai%. <($$ those business %ea$s she witnesse%.< /ings$ey ha% $et this $itt$e ti%bit s$ip when .ac# an% 0on ha% presente% their p$an to hi"' an% it see"e% easy to s$ip it into the two+si%e% con&ersation. !or a brief "o"ent' the $oo# of agony on ?a$foy;s face "a%e bi$e rise in .ac#;s throat. ,e hate% acting $i#e thisG it :ust see"e% so wrong. But it was a part to p$ay' an% one that .ac# wou$% g$a%$y %o to sa&e his fa"i$y. <Bou ha&e nothing $eft'< .ac# continue%. <Bou;re being charge% for 4ris *ar#inson;s "ur%er' ?a$foy. They;re in&estigating you as an accessory for the "ur%ers of *ansy *ar#inson an% Theo%ore 6ott.< 0on stoppe% when ?a$foy $oo#e% up at hi"' trying to gather a respectab$e sneer. <1h' 4 #now you %i%n;t actua$$y #i$$ the". But you stoo% by an% watche% -a%%y %o it'< 0on guesse%. The sha%ow that crosse% the other "an;s face to$% enough of the truth.

<(n% now you;re going to be charge% with practicing -ar# ?agic' hin%ering an in&estigation an% assau$t'< .ac# finishe%. <Bou;&e been busy.< 0on snorte%. <Bou "ay be ab$e to buy yourse$f so"e $eniency by wi$$ing$y gi&ing your b$oo%.< -raco $ifte% his hea%' his face showing his co"p$ete' cru"p$e% %efeat. 2ast night' .ac# ha% been unsure whether their p$an wou$% wor#. 0on ha% eCp$aine% that a S$ytherin a$ways weighs his choices against what was best for hi". 4f they offere% any #in% of %ea$' then ?a$foy wou$% ta#e his best option. <4;$$ testify at your tria$'< .ac# sai% i"pu$si&e$y. <Te$$ the" about what you %i% as a spy for us.< 0on g$are% at hi"' but he ignore% it. ?a$foy straightene%' fin%ing strength so"ewhere within hi". <6o %ea$'< he spat. <Bou nee% "y b$oo% to brea# the B$oc#. 4f not for you' then for your whore.< .ac# bit the insi%e of his chee#' #eeping hi"se$f fro" ta#ing a step forwar%. 4f he %i%' he wou$%n;t be ab$e to ho$% hi"se$f bac# fro" #i$$ing the "an with his bare han%s. <4;% rather rot in (5#aban' secure in the #now$e%ge that you;$$ ne&er get what you want fro" "e' *otter.< <Bou;re not going to (5#aban'< .ac# sai%' g$ancing at 0on' who was narrowing his eyes at .ac#;s i"pro&isation. F&erything they;% rehearse% was in the toi$et now' it %i%n;t "atter what .ac# sai%. <They;re going to perfor" a ?e"ory B$oc# on you. The -epart"ent of ?ysteries is fascinate% by it. (n% you #now whose b$oo% they;re going to use to sea$ it=< -raco refuse% to $oo# at hi"' his face turning greener by the "o"ent. <That;s right'< .ac# continue%. <?ine. They;re going to ta#e e&erything fro" you' ?a$foy. Bour na"e' your heritage' your "oneyAyour "agic. Bou;$$ be nothing but a he$p$ess' ho"e$ess ?ugg$e. -roppe% in the "i%%$e of the street to %ie' :ust $i#e you %i% to "e.< ?a$foy shoo# a$$ o&er' his han% groping for the e%ge of the ca"p be%. ,e sun# into it an% reste% his hea% in his han%s. <Bou can;t %o that to "e'< he "u"b$e% to the f$oor. <4;% rather %ie.< <@i&e "e what 4 want an% 4;$$ stop it fro" happening.< <Bou %on;t ha&e the authority'< -raco shoo# his hea% s$ow$y. ,e see"e% resigne% that it was better to %ie than to $i&e without the $ife he ha% beco"e accusto"e% to $i&ing. <Bou thin# they;re going to %eny ,arry *otter anything=< 0on as#e%. <?aybe 4;$$ $et you thin# about it'< .ac# sai%. <4 cou$% e&en gi&e you so"e pointers about $i&ing on the streets. There;s a$ways wor# %own at the wharfs. (n% the first ti"e you eat your %inner fro" a rubbish bin hurts your pri%e a bit. But the secon% ti"e isn;t as ba%' an% by the tenth ti"e' you %on;t care where you;re getting your "ea$.<

0on shifte% neCt to hi". .ac#;s ga5e %i%n;t wan%er far fro" the "an in front of hi". <4;$$ be bac# in the "orning. ,a&e a goo% night' -raco.< ,e wa$#e% bac# out of the ce$$' noting 0on;s face scrunche% as if he were swa$$owing bi$e. .ac# #ept his bac# to the s"a$$ enc$osure whi$e 0on c$ose% it bac# up. The hea&y "eta$ bars "a%e hi" :u"p as they s$a""e% shut. The soun% echoe% up an% %own the corri%or. ,e hear% 0on "utter so"ething un%er his breath an% a $ow hu""ing soun% starte%. The war%s going up' .ac# guesse%. 0on steppe% up besi%e hi"' stuffing his wan% in the poc#et in his robes. They %i%n;t say anything as they wa$#e% away. .ac#;s sto"ach turne% &io$ent$y an% he swa$$owe% thic#$y. They were a$"ost to the eCit for the ?inistry ho$%ing ce$$s when they hear% a "uff$e% <3aitH< ca$$e% out. .ac# no%%e% to /ings$ey an% Ton#s' who sat :ust insi%e the %oor. They hurrie% away whi$e 0on an% .ac# continue% on. The "o"ent they steppe% outsi%e the %oor' .ac# retche% to the si%e' e"ptying his sto"ach of the "eager contents he ha% "anage% to cho#e %own in his ner&ousness that "orning. 0on;s han% c$a"pe% %own on his shou$%er an% the "ess &anishe% with a wa&e of his wan%. <Bou a$right.< <6o'< .ac# a%"itte%. <But 4 wi$$ be soon.< <,appy (nni&ersary' $o&e.< F""a grinne% as .ac# nu55$e% her nec#' causing goose pi"p$es to shoot up an% %own her bac#. <,appy (nni&ersary'< she greete% hi" bac#' turning in his e"brace an% $oo#ing up into his eyes' bright an% unshie$%e% by his g$asses. <4 got you so"ething'< .ac# sai% soft$y' ho$%ing up a s"a$$ b$ue case. ,e chewe% at the corner of his $ip ner&ous$y an% F""a snatche% it' $eaning up to press a #iss to his "outh. ,e presse% her bac#' %eepening the #iss further. <3here;s .ay=< she as#e% as his $ips tra&e$e% %own her nec#. <Bour ?u" has hi"'< he "u"b$e%' grinning as he #isse% her again. <(n% she;s going to #eep hi" for a coup$e of hours.<

F""a grinne%' wrapping her ar"s aroun% his nec#. They ha%n;t ha% a "o"ent a$one since .ay ha% been born an% the i%ea soun%e% won%erfu$. F&en as she thought it though' a stab of %oubt began to fi$ter in. <Stop it'< .ac# sai%' pressing his finger against her $ips. <4 #now you;re worrying about hi". They;re :ust %ownstairs an% we won;t be fore&er. (n%'< he cut off her protests with another #iss' <your ?u" raise% se&en of you. 4 thin# she can han%$e one se&en poun% baby whi$e his parents ce$ebrate.< She grinne% at hi". <Bou #now "e too we$$'< she sai%. .ac# #isse% her again an% pu$$e% bac#. <1pen it'< he urge%. <4 wante% you to ha&e this to%ayA:ust in case.< <6othing is going to happen' .ac#'< F""a scow$e%. The wor%s were easy to sayD.ac# a$ways nee%e% reassuranceDbut they were har%er to be$ie&e herse$f. Together' they ha% %eci%e% that .ac# wou$% be the first to %rin# the potion an% un%ergo treat"ent to re"o&e the ?e"ory B$oc#. The thought of possib$y $osing hi" terrifie% her. But they;% agree% that the ris# was worth it. <4t;s going to be fine'< .ac# agree%. <@o on' open it. 4 #now it;s #i$$ing you.< F""a $aughe% an% crac#e% open the boC. ,er breath stuc# in her throat at the sight. The s"a$$' s>uare cut %ia"on% on the go$% ban% spar#$e% an% shown brighter than it e&er ha%. <4 ha% it c$eane% an% repaire%'< .ac# sai%. <4t;s one thing 4 re"e"ber rea$$y we$$ fro" beforeDgi&ing that to you. (n%A4 wante% you to ha&e it again.< F""a wipe% tears fro" her eyes an% s$i% the ring on her finger where it ca"e to rest on top of her si"p$e go$% we%%ing ban%. <4 $o&e it'< she sai%' reaching forwar% to grab .ac#;s face' pu$$ing hi" to her. <4 $o&e you.< <!ore&er' F""a'< .ac# "u"b$e% as they $ost the"se$&es in each other. 0on swa$$owe% thic#$y' watching as ,er"ione he$pe% to get .ac# sett$e% into the roo". .ac# ha% as#e% to stay at the Burrow %uring his treat"ent' %espite the argu"ents of the )nspea#ab$es who insiste% on being present. The ?inister' who was on sha#y groun% an% >uite possib$y his $ast few %ays in office' put his fu$$ weight behin% the in&estigation an% into pressuring the -epart"ent of ?ysteries to a&ai$ the"se$&es to ,er"ione;s e&ery nee%.

<(re you co"fortab$e=< ,er"ione as#e%' reaching aroun% to f$uff the three eCtra pi$$ows she ha% brought into the roo". <6o'< .ac# a%"itte%' s"ir#ing at her. <4;$$ be fine' ,er"ione.< The scene hit 0on right in the gut. The banter was soA,arry' that it was shoc#ing. F&en without his "e"ories' .ac# was ,arry' he :ust %i%n;t rea$i5e it. <.ac#;s tough'< F""a sai% fro" the opposite si%e of the roo". She bounce% $itt$e .a"es -ere# on her hip' roc#ing bac# an% forth to sooth the baby. <Than#s' $o&e'< .ac# $aughe%. ,e rubbe% at the $oose pa:a"as that ,er"ione ha% pro&i%e% hi" with. 0on wince% in sy"pathy. !or so"e reason' ,er"ione ha% the #nac# of buying the itchiest pa:a"as possib$e. She ne&er to$erate% 0on s$eeping in his o$% t+ shirts' but he %i% it anyway. !re% an% @eorge a$ways tease% hi" that one %ay his "arriage wou$% be o&er' an% in her tearstaine% goo%bye note' ,er"ione wou$% confess that she nee%e% a "an who wou$% wear proper py:a"as. <@a$$eon says he shuc#s the" off the "o"ent she $ea&es the roo".< 0on turne% to gi&e !re% a si$encing g$are' but his brother si"p$y shrugge% an% s"i$e% wi%er. @eorge he$% out his han%s innocent$y. The rest of the fa"i$y was crow%e% into the ha$$way' spi$$ing into the roo"G s"a$$ faces pee#e% between (unts an% )nc$es' o&er shoes an% between #nees. <Bou %on;t ha&e to %o this for us' .ac#'< ?o$$y offere%' sniff$ing into her han%#erchief. .ac# s"i$e%' his chee#s turning re% as he f$eCe% his bare feet on the f$oorboar%s. <4 #now.< <Be carefu$'< (rthur sai%. <Bou;re a part of our fa"i$y with or without re"e"bering.< .ac# swa$$owe% an% no%%e%. <Than# you'< he sai% soft$y. ,e an% F""a eCchange% g$ances an% 0on #new they were both anCious to get starte%' yet rea%y to hop on broo"s an% escape out the win%ow of the be%roo". <Co"e on' e&eryone'< 0on sai%' ho$%ing up his ar"s an% stepping in front of the %oor. <2et the "an ha&e so"e pri&acy.< F&eryone gru"b$e% an% tease%' :ust $i#e they a$ways %i% in the 3eas$ey fa"i$y. <?o&e a$ong'< 0on pro%%e% the twins. <1h' gerroff' 0on'< @eorge gru"b$e%' pu$$ing a ca"era fro" behin% his bac#.

<Co"e on' 0onnie#ins' %o you #now what the -ai$y *rophet wou$%n;t pay for a shot of our hero in his :a""ies=< !re% s>uea$e% $i#e a ra&ing fangir$' f$uttering his eye$ashes an% trying' though not &ery har%' to get past 0on. <1ut' the $ot of youH< 0on threatene%' forcefu$$y pushing the twins out the %oor. ,er"ione share% an eye ro$$ with hi". <Bou;re neCt' "y $itt$e "an'< (rthur sai%' co$$ecting .ay fro" F""a;s ar"s. <2et;s go see if we can nic# so"e ice crea".< 0on;s "other roare% in%ignant$y. <-on;t you %are' (rthur 3eas$ey' you;$$ ruin that chi$% fore&erH< She fo$$owe% (rthur out the %oor' sco$%ing hi" the who$e way. 0on turne% bac# aroun% to assure .ac# an% F""a that he rea$$y wou$%n;t fee% their fi&e wee# o$% chi$% ice crea"' on$y to fin% the" $oc#e% in an ar%ent e"brace. <FrA< <2et the" ha&e a "o"ent' 0ona$%'< ,er"ione sco$%e% soft$y' probab$y seeing 0on;s $oo# of %isco"fort. 6o "atter how o$% @inny got' 0on wasn;t sure he cou$% han%$e seeing her being thatAa"orous with anyone. ,e shifte% his eyes when .ac#;s han% grope% her bu"' repeating o&er an% o&er in his "in% that they were "arrie%. <Bou can change your "in%'< F""a sai% soft$y once they;% pu$$e% apart. Their forehea%s reste% together an% they $oo#e% "ore $i#e one person than two. <4 #now'< .ac# sai% again. <But 4 won;t.< F""a no%%e% against hi". <4;$$ be here as "uch as 4 can.< <-on;t'< .ac# shoo# his hea%. <4 %on;t want you to see "e $i#e that.< <.ac#D< <6o' F""a'< .ac# proteste%' p$acing his finger o&er her "outh. <4 can;t bear to thin# of you watching "e suffer. 4t;s going to be har% enough #nowing that you "ight ha&e to go through it.< <4;$$ be here'< F""a state%' p$acing her han%s on either si%e of his face an% pu$$ing hi" %own into another %eep #iss. <.ust $i#e you;$$ be there for "e.< 0on watche%' fee$ing his throat c$osing up at the ob&ious $o&e an% connection between his best "ate an% $itt$e sister. ,er"ione s$ippe% her han% in his an% $ai% her hea% against his upper ar". <!ore&er'< F""a no%%e%' her tears sp$ashing %own onto .ac#;s pa:a"a top.

<!ore&er'< .ac# agree%. 0on;s chest :er#e% as he swa$$owe% a sob. ,e b$in#e% up to the cei$ing' praying that he cou$% ho$% it together $ong enough to %o his part. <?r. 4nga$$s'< the )nspea#ab$e steppe% forwar% fro" the corner of the roo". <4t;s ti"e to begin.< .ac# no%%e%' sti$$ c$utching F""a to hi". <4;$$ nee% a %rop of your b$oo%' ?r. an% ?rs. 4nga$$s.< They both "o&e%' sti$$ e"bracing' so that the "an cou$% a%% their b$oo% to the potion. <( c$ose fa"i$y "e"ber;s'< the )nspea#ab$e as#e%. F""a re"o&e% a s"a$$ &ia$ fro" her poc#et. 0on ha% he$% baby .ay ear$ier that "orning whi$e ,er"ione "a%e a s"a$$ cut in his hee$ an% co$$ecte% the b$oo%. The baby ha% how$e% hi"se$f hoarse' but it was necessary. (fterwar%s' 0on ha% roc#e% his nephew to s$eep' te$$ing hi" a$$ the stories he cou$% re"e"ber about he an% ,arry. <So"eone you $o&e $i#e fa"i$y'< The )nspea#ab$e sai%. 0on steppe% forwar% an% bare% the pa$" of his han%' wincing when the cut was "a%e. ,e repeate% the "o"ent .ac# ha% as#e% hi" to p$ay this part in the ritua$ o&er an% o&er. ,e %rippe% his b$oo% into the potion' watching it si55$e an% pop. 6ac! lo%es me li!e family. <So"eone who $o&es you $i#e fa"i$y.< ,er"ione steppe% forwar%' bra&e$y offering her own pa$". 3hen her part was finishe%' 0on wrappe% his ar"s aroun% her an% he$% her fro" behin%' ha$f burying his face in her hair. ,is eyes #ept %arting to .ac# an% F""a' who stoo% in a si"i$ar e"brace. <Those who" you share "e"ories with'< the )nspea#ab$e sai% soft$y. 0on pro&i%e% a &ia$' fi$$e% with "uch "ore b$oo%. Fach of the 3eas$ey fa"i$y "e"bers ha% offere% up their own b$oo% in a heartbeat when 0on ha% as#e%. The )nspea#ab$e ha% eCp$aine% that the "ore connections that .ac# ha%' the stronger the potion wou$% be. 0e"us an% Ton#s' as we$$ as ,agri% an% *rofessor ?c@onaga$$' ha% a$so offere% up their b$oo%. <(n%' fina$$y' the betrayer.< The "an a%%e% %rops fro" the $ast &ia$' fu$$ of -raco ?a$foy;s b$oo%. The potion si55$e%' f$ashing bright$y se&era$ ti"es before sett$ing %own into a "i$#y white substance. F&ery so often' re% spar#s wou$% s#itter across the top of it.

<(n% it;s %one'< he "uttere%. <4f you wi$$ ta#e your p$ace' ?r. 4nga$$s.< .ac# ga&e one $ast %esperate #iss to F""a' before c$i"bing into the be% an% pu$$ing the >ui$t up un%er his ar"s. <@oo% $uc#' .ac#'< ,er"ione sai% soft$y. <Beah'< 0on agree%. <-on;t worry about a thing' "ate' we;$$ be here.< <Ta#e care of F""a an% .a"es.< .ac#;s eyes $oc#e% on 0on;s an% his heart :o$te%. There wasn;t a "ore precious gift that .ac# cou$% gi&e hi" than to trust hi" to ta#e care of his fa"i$y. <4 wi$$' you ha&e "y wor%.< .ac# he$% his ga5e a "o"ent "ore before no%%ing an% swa$$owing a$$ the $i>ui% in the &ia$ the )nspea#ab$e he$% in front of hi". <-isgusting'< .ac# gri"ace% as he wipe% the bac# of his "outh with his py:a"a s$ee&e. <Co"e on'< ,er"ione tugge% at 0on as F""a c$i"be% onto the sing$e si5e% be%' wrapping her ar"s aroun% .ac#. <3e;$$ co"e bac# an% get her when he fa$$s as$eep.< 0on no%%e%' surreptitious$y wiping his tears on his shou$%er. ,e fo$$owe% her out of the roo"' c$osing the %oor behin% hi". <(re youA< ,er"ione stare% at hi". <0on' are you crying=< ,e :er#e% away fro" her awe% stare' trying to hi%e his tears fro" her. <0on'< she sco$%e%' pu$$ing at his ar" to get hi" to turn. She $aughe% when he pu$$e% away again. <4t;s o#ay to cry.< <6o' it;s not'< he sai%' his &oice crac#ing. <Bes' it is'< she assure% hi"' a$though he %i%n;t be$ie&e her because she was sti$$ $aughing at hi". <4t was &ery e"otiona$ in there.< <Bou;re not crying'< he proteste%' fee$ing $i#e a big baby. <4;&e crie% "ore than 4 care to thin# about $ate$y'< ,er"ione sai%. <Co"e on' $et;s go %ownstairs.< <-on;t te$$ !re% an% @eorge'< he whine%' using his wan% to %ry the wet spots on his fa&orite Chu%$ey Cannons t+shirt. ,er"ione shoo# her hea%' $aughing.

<F&eryone cries now an% then' 0on'< ,er"ione sai% soft$y as they wa$#e% into the sitting roo". 0on gri"ace%' g$aring at her an% trying to con&ey his nee% for secrecy. 4f !re% an% @eorge foun% out he b$ubbere% $i#e a baby' he;% ne&er hear the en% of it. <2oo#' e&en Ton#s is crying'< ,er"ione pointe% out. 0on scow$e%' scanning the roo" an% fin%ing Ton#s in the "i%%$e of the roo"' crying on /atie;s shou$%er. <Strange'< he "ur"ure%. <Ton#s ne&er cries.< ,er"ione opene% her "outh to co""ent but c$ose% it again when 0e"us approache% his wife. <Co"e on' $o&e'< he soothe%' trying to gather her into his ar"s. <4;" not spea#ing to you' o$% "an'< she "u"b$e%' pu$$ing away fro" hi". 0on narrowe% his eyes' won%ering what ha% happene% between the". <(re you sti$$ on about that=< 0e"us gru"b$e%' a grin sp$itting his face. <Bes'< Ton#s g$are% at hi". 0e"us sighe% "ighti$y an% ro$$e% his eyes. <4t;s not $i#e 4 meant to get you pregnantD< The rest of his wor%s were %rowne% out when 0on;s "other s>uea$e% in %e$ight' a$ong with "ost of the other wo"en. 0on wasn;t sure' but he thought both !re% an% @eorge ha% inserte% the"se$&es in the group hug as we$$. Char$ie :oine% 0on' co"ing to stan% besi%e hi" an% s$apping hi" on the bac#. <3hy is she angry=< 0on as#e%' staring at Ton#s with wi%e eyes. <She;s not'< Char$ie chuc#$e%. <She;s :ustATon#s. She ta#es a bit to get use% to new i%eas. She;$$ be happy about it soon. 0on shoo# his hea%' #nowing he wou$% ne&er un%erstan% wo"en. <2ife goes on'< Char$ie sai% soft$y. <Beah'< 0on a%"itte%' wagg$ing his eyebrows at a wi%e$y grinning' an% co"p$ete$y unrepentant' 0e"us. <4t %oes.< ,is eyes wan%ere% to the f$oor abo&e hi"' where one of their own strugg$e% against tre"en%ous o%%s. But then again' that ha% a$ways been a part of ,arry;s $ife.

F""a %o5e% fitfu$$y neCt to .ac#. ,is rest was not peacefu$' but it was what they eCpecte%. ,er "usc$es sore fro" ho$%ing hi"' she "o&e% to a co"fortab$e chair that ha% been p$ace% neCt to the be%. ?o$$y brought .ay in to be fe% when he nee%e% it an% F""a wou$% ta#e .ac#;s han% an% p$ace it on their son' ta$#ing to the" both in $o&ing tones. .ac# was >uiet now an% F""a was sitting in the chair unco"fortab$y. .ay was o&er%ue for his fee%ing' a$though ?o$$y ha%n;t brought hi" in. ,e;s $i#e$y s$eeping' F""a to$% herse$f. She p$anne% on $ea&ing the roo" for a bit when he %i% co"e in to be fe%. She nee%e% to get out an% get so"e perspecti&e on $ife outsi%e these four wa$$s before she cou$% co"e bac# in. The ?inistry )nspea#ab$e' F""ett -o$son' a "an in his "i% fifties with graying brown hair an% a roun% face' was rea%ing a boo# in the corner of the roo"' his wan% $ighting up the pages before hi". .ac#;s bac# arche% an% his face contorte% for a "o"ent before he sti$$e%. Behin% his eye$i%s' his eyes were wi$%$y racing bac# an% forth. <,e;$$ $i#e$y react physica$$y to so"e of the "e"ories'< the )nspea#ab$e eCp$aine% >uiet$y. F""a no%%e%' ha&ing hear% it before. But it %i%n;t "a#e it any easier to watch happen. 4t hurt thin#ing that he "ight be in physica$ or e"otiona$ pain. ,e ha% a$rea%y gone through so "uch in his $ife. <4s he in pain=< F""a as#e%. <Can;t we %o so"ething about that=< ?r. -o$son c$ose% his boo# s$ow$y an% stoo%. ,e reache% %own an% too# .ac#;s wrist in his. F""a assu"e% he was counting pu$se beats. <4 wish 4 cou$% te$$ you yes'< he sai% soft$y' $aying .ac#;s ar" bac# %own on the b$an#et. <?r. -o$sonD< <*$ease' ca$$ "e F""ett'< he sai% with an easy s"i$e. ,is &oice was >uiet an% soothing. <The potion we "a%e was a high$y co"p$icate% an% usua$$y high$y i$$ega$ one. 4 %oubt e&en the "ost astute potions stu%ent cou$% "a#e it' an% so"e *otions ?asters wou$% be har% presse% to %o so.< .ac# ro$$e% onto his si%e an% F""a reache% up to tuc# hi" into be% again. <Fach part of the potion p$ays an i"portant part in brea#ing the ?e"ory B$oc# %own. Bou pro&i%e the strength for ?r. 4nga$$sD< <Ca$$ hi" .ac#' p$ease'< F""a sai%. <(n% 4;" F""a.< The "an tippe% his hea% towar% her an% continue%.

<Bou' F""a' are .ac#;s strength. Bou gi&e hi" the hope to #eep fighting. Bou are his heart. Bour son gi&es .ac# the hope for a future an% the tie to his fa"i$yDboth past an% present. 4n .a"es' .ac# has a further b$oo% connection to his parents an% gran%parents' as we$$ as your fa"i$y.< <(n% the others=< F""a as#e%. <Bour fa"i$y represents %ifferent things to .ac#. Bour parents a$ways accepte% ,arry uncon%itiona$$y' "a#ing hi" fee$ as if he were one of the fa"i$y' rather than so"eone who stoo% on his own. 4n contrast' but sti$$ the sa"e' their connection wi$$ he$p to restore the "e"ories of ,arry;s ear$y chi$%hoo% to .ac#. ,is ti"e at the -urs$eys "ay ne&er ha&e been p$easant' but it shape% who ,arry was fun%a"enta$$y.< F""ett s"i$e% s$ow$y. <Bour brothers gi&e .ac# co"panionship an% acceptance of his peers. They offer o$%er brother figures who .ac# cou$% ca$$ on if he nee%e% he$p or a%&ice' as we$$ as offering hu"or.< <(n% 0on an% ,er"ione=< <1ther than yourse$f an% your son' F""a' theirs is the "ost i"portant contribution. They offer .ac# a connection to ,arry %uring so"e of his "ost trying an% tragic "o"ents. !ro" a$$ that 4;&e rea% about your husban%' an% fro" the things that ,er"ione has to$% "e' both she an% 0on were there at ,arry;s highest an% $owest pointsDsa&e the !ina$ Batt$e an% the four years fo$$owing. The others' ?r. 2upin an% *rofessor ?c@onaga$$' e&en ?r. ,agri%' fi$$ the ro$e of "entors an% connect .ac# to ,arry;s schoo$ing.< F""ett;s face c$ou%e% into a scow$. <?r. ?a$foy;s b$oo% ho$%s the #ey to the B$oc#. The ritua$ he perfor"e% bui$t a wa$$ in front of ,arry;s "e"ories. 4t $eft what "a%e hi" essentia$$y what he wasDhis sense of $oya$ty an% strength. Strange$y' this is the first case e&er recor%e% where "e"ories ha&e bro#en through. ($though' a%"itte%$y' there ha&en;t been "any recor%e% uses of the ?e"ory B$oc# at a$$.< <,er"ione to$% us that .ac# "ight $ose a$$ of his "e"ory again'< F""a sai%. ,er "in% ree$e% with the infor"ation that was being fe% into it. 4t was har% to thin# that so "any $itt$e things were nee%e% to un%o one i"pu$si&e' e&i$ act. <4t;s a possibi$ity'< F""ett no%%e% weari$y. <3e wante% you to be aware that it cou$% happen. 4 wou$% consi%er that a worst case scenario.< ,e turne% to face her' his eyes bright an% c$ear. <F""a' 4 want you to #now that 4 &o$unteere% to be the one to he$p you an% your husban%. 6ot because of the i"p$ications that it cou$% ha&e for "y career' but because 4 tru$y be$ie&e in the connection that you an% your husban% ha&e. 4n the -epart"ent of ?ysteries' %eep in the ?inistry of ?agic' there is a roo" where we stu%y $o&e.< F""a narrowe% her eyes. ( roo" where they stu%ie% $o&e= 4t %i%n;t soun% $i#e "uch of a "ystery to her. 2o&eA:ust was.

<The connection that you an% your husban% share' one that transcen%e% -ar# ?agic' bro#e through a ?e"ory B$oc#Dthat is repute% to be unbrea#ab$e un$ess re$ease% by the casterDan% by a$$ accounts is as strong' if not stronger' than the bon% you share% with ?r. *otterAwe$$' 4 #new 4 ha% to be the one to he$p you.< ,er hea% fe$t hea&y' as if it were fi$$e% with wet cotton. <4;" not sure what;s so specia$ about .ac# an% "e'< she proteste% soft$y' reaching out to ta#e .ac#;s s$ac# han%. F""ett s"i$e% soft$y. <3hate&er it is' 4 thin# it wi$$ on$y he$p the both of you.< ,e ha% counte% e&ery bric# in the wa$$s' e&ery f$agstone on the f$oorAe&en trying to fin% intricate patterns in the rough$y hewn teCtures. (nything he cou$% thin# of to "a#e *otter;s wor%s stop ringing in his hea%. ,e;% gi&en up on trying to con&ince hi"se$f that it ha%n;t rea$$y happene%Dthat *otter cou$%n;t possib$y be here. So"ehow' the ?e"ory B$oc# ha% fai$e%' at $east partia$$y' an% a$$owe% *otter to fin% his way bac#. The 3eas$ey gir$ as we$$. !ai$ure. !ai$ure. *otter;s &oice "ing$e% with his father;s in his hea% an% -raco presse% his pa$"s o&er his eyes' trying to force the wor%s out. ,e ha% no c$ue what %ay it was. Before *otter ha% co"e' -raco ha% #ept count of "ea$s Dthree a %ay' then the $ight $eft the corri%or an% he s$ept. 6ow his %ays an% nights were a$$ a "ess. ?ea$ti"e ca"e an% went without hi" "o&ing fro" his thin ca"p be%. The corri%or see"e% to stay %ar# a$$ the ti"e an% rare$y %i% anyone pass by his ce$$. B$ac# stars swir$e% in his eyes an% -raco re"o&e% his han%s' we$co"ing the f$ash of white that wou$% %istract hi" for a "o"ent. <There;s a %istinct %ifference between going insane an% &o$untari$y tossing yourse$f in its path' you #now.< -raco stare% up at the cei$ing' not respon%ing at a$$ to B$aise;s wor%s. <But "aybe you %on;t care any"ore.< The wor%s %i% $itt$e to b$ot out -raco;s thoughts' so he %i%n;t react at a$$. B$aise whist$e% $ow. <*otter %i% a nu"ber on you' %i%n;t he=<

<Shut it'< -raco sai% soft$y. ,e g$ance% up to see B$aise s"ir#ing at hi"' ar"s crosse% an% resting against the bars :ust as 3eas$ey ha% %one. <(h' you are sti$$ a$i&e. 4 was beginning to won%er if you;% ta#en the cowar%;s way out.< -raco ro$$e% his eyes. ,e ha%n;t e&en consi%ere% suici%eDit was rather cowar%$y an% cru%e. But e&en if he ha%' how wou$% he ha&e "anage% it= There was on$y the be% an% the be%c$othes were char"e% to %isappear if -raco pu$$e% the" off. <4 %o ha&e to han% it to *otter'< B$aise continue%' <whate&er he sai% to you was worse than what you %i% to hi". ,e;s going to "a#e a %a"ne% goo% (uror' you #now. 4 ne&er rea$$y saw hi" as a S$ytherinA< <-on;t say that na"e'< -raco hisse%' sitting up with a grunt an% ho$%ing his hea%. $isappointment. @ubbish. :issBpoor (ob. -raco grow$e% in frustration' f$ashes of his $ife i"pe%e% his "e"ories unti$ it was too har% to e&en thin# at a$$. <Bou;re no %ifferent than "e'< he hisse%' peering at B$aise through ha5y eyes that ha%n;t focuse% for far too $ong. <Bou;re the sa"eAS$ytherin through an% through.< <That;s where you;re wrong'< B$aise shoo# his hea%' a $a5y s"i$e on his face. <4t has nothing to %o with schoo$ houses' or co$ors. 4t;s about the choices we "a#e.< -raco trie% to focus on his wor%s' scow$ing at hi". <4t has e&erything to %o with it'< he shoo# his hea%. <6ot at a$$'< B$aise proteste%. <4t;s a$$ about our choices.< <Bou %on;t rea$$y buy into a$$ that -u"b$e%ore' @ryffin%or "enta$ity=< he %e"an%e%' an ironic $augh bubb$ing out of hi". <ChoicesA< B$aise shrugge% one shou$%er. <4 #now that you an% 4 starte% out a $ot the sa"e. F$e&en year+o$% boys' wi%e eye% with won%er at beginning a new a%&enture. But so"ewhere a$ong the way' 4 $earne% the $essons 4 nee%e% to' whi$e you on$y $earne% what you were taught.< -raco scow$e%' wa$#ing forwar% an% $eaning against the wa$$' the co$%ness of the bric# seeping into his s#in.

<Bou so$% out'< he sai%. B$aise;s rich $augh soun%e% harsh against -raco;s ears. <6o' 4 wasn;t the one that %i%'< he answere% "ysterious$y. <4 "ay p$ay their ga"es occasiona$$y' but 4;" happy' -raco. 4;" right where 4 want to be. (n% 4 %i%n;t ha&e to step on anyone to get here.< ,is eyes tra&e$e% up an% %own -raco;s fi$thy for" an% -raco twitche%' fee$ing open$y %isp$aye% an% unco"fortab$e. <Bou steppe% on the wrong peop$e' -raco' an% you;&e $ost e&erything that you thought you e&er wante%.< The wor% was unsai%' but entire$y i"p$ie%. 7ailure. <3hy %i% you gi&e your b$oo%=< B$aise as#e%' "o&ing c$oser to peer into -raco;s eyes. 4t was the sa"e >uestion that -raco ha% been as#ing hi"se$f since the "o"ent he stuc# his ar" through the bars an% watche% the (urors fi$$ a &ia$. <They wou$% ha&e ta#en it anyway.< The tire%ness that fe$t bone %eep e%ge% into his wor%s an% -raco s$u"pe% against the wa$$' a$$owing it to ho$% hi" up. B$aise shoo# his hea%. <4t wou$%n;t ha&e wor#e% if you ha% been unwi$$ing. 1r at $east it wou$%n;t ha&e wor#e% as we$$. Bou wou$% ha&e been ab$e to ho$% onto that thought in (5#aban.< -raco;s $egs starte% to sha#e again an% he swore soft$y' hating the tightness that a$so presse% against his chest. <They were going to use the B$oc# on "e. *otter to$% "e.< B$aise was >uiet for a $ong "inute. <4;" not sure whether to $augh at the fact that *otter actua$$y successfu$$y $ie% to you' or that you be$ie&e% hi".< ?a$foy shoo# his hea%. <4 %i%n;t thin# they;% %o itA< <But the possibi$ity scare% you enough to gi&e the" what they wante%'< B$aise no%%e%. <4 can;t $i&e $i#e that'< -raco sai%. <Being aA?ugg$e.< The wor% brought bi$e up behin% it an% burne% his throat an% "outh. B$aise narrowe% his eyes an% shoo# his hea%. The $oo# of pity he wore "a%e -raco gag again. <Bou wou$%n;t #now the %ifference.< <4;% #now'< -raco shoo# his hea%. <4 #now 4 wou$%.< ,e stare% %own at the f$oor' con&incing hi"se$f that he wou$% ha&e to #now.

( hea&y sigh escape% B$aise an% -raco $oo#e% at hi" again. <Bour tria$ begins in two %ays'< he sai% hea&i$y. <0u"or is that they;re brea#ing the ?e"ory B$oc# right now. 4f *otter gets a$$ his "e"ory bac#' then he;s set to testify.< The wor%s %i%n;t "a#e sense in his hea% an% -raco scow$e% at hi"' repeating the" o&er an% o&er in his hea%. <Brea#ingAwaitA< <@ot there yet=< B$aise as#e%' a nasty s"i$e sprea%ing across his face. The pieces s$ow$y c$ic#e% into p$ace an% -raco retche%' bringing up on$y thic# aci%. ,e spat it to the si%e' catching the war%s an% "a#ing the" pop an% f$ash bright$y. <,e $ie%A< B$aise $aughe% again. <4f he %oes get those "e"ories bac#' -raco' you are buggere%. Bou better start praying that the ritua$ fai$s an% he $ooses what he %oes ha&e.< -raco s$i% %own the wa$$' staring at the bars. .ust outsi%e the"' beyon% his reach' was the s"a$$ pebb$e he ha% p$aye% with %ays ago. 4t was thereAbut it %i%n;t "atter. F&en the ga"e ha% $ost its a$$ure now. Cou$% one rea$$yApray for so"ething $i#e that' -raco as#e% hi"se$f. The >uestion a$"ost s$ippe% out of his "outh before he c$a"pe% his teeth shut aroun% it. <Choices' ?a$foy' it was a$$ about the choices.< B$aise was gone. -rifte% away to so"ewhere -raco %i%n;t #now. ($$ that was $eft were his wor%s' his thoughts cra""ing into -raco;s a$rea%y fu$$ hea% an% threatening to "a#e hi" co$$apse. The wor%s began to echo again an% -raco groane% $ou%$y. ,e force% his eyes to stare at the f$agstone near his feet. There were s"a$$ ho$es worn in the surface. 1ne. Two. Three. .ac# a$$owe% his eyes to %roop' strange sensations swir$ing insi%e of hi". ,e wasn;t sure whether it was the potion "a#ing hi" fee$ this way' or :ust the anticipation an% %rea% swir$ing insi%e of hi". ,onest$y' it fe$t $i#e a ba% bout with gasAbut he wasn;t going to co"p$ain to anyone about it.

F""a was hea&y on his shou$%er an% it ting$e% where her hea% presse%. .ust as he was going to protest an% as# her to "o&e' he foun% he %i%n;t care any"ore. -ar#ness crept in s$ow$y' offset by the occasiona$ re% burst of $ight' re"in%ing .ac# of the surface of the potion he ha% %run#. ,is hea% fe$t $ight an% ratherAf$oaty. The p$ace where he was now was >uiet. F"pty an% b$ac#. .ac# $oo#e% aroun%' starting when his feet "a%e a s$ight sp$ashing soun%. There was water on the f$oorDa &ery thin $ayer of waterDnot enough to soa# into his shoes' but enough to pu55$e hi". ( re% $ight f$ashe% in the %istance an% .ac# too# a few steps towar% it. 4t ca"e c$oser on its own' gaining spee% as it "o&e%. 1nce when he;% ha% nothing better to %o' .ac# ha% sat on a par# bench in the sha%e' watching the chi$%ren p$ay on the toys an% run in their $itt$e ga"es. 1ne bra&e $itt$e boy sat neCt to hi"' a$though not too c$ose$y. ,e s#etche% away on a boo# of paper' occasiona$$y c$osing the boo# an% f$ipping through the pages. <3hat is it you ha&e there'< .ac# as#e%' $eaning o&er when his curiosity cou$%n;t be sho&e% %own again. <( picture boo#'< the boy answere% prou%$y. <?y brother taught "e to "a#e the".< ,e he$% up the boo#' showing a s"a$$' chi$%ish %rawing of a stic# figure in one corner of the page. Then he $ifte% the page an% the stic# figure was present again' on$y change% s$ight$y. <See how he;s %ifferent e&ery ti"e=< .ac# no%%e%' narrowing his eyes. <6ow watch'< the boy suggeste%' c$osing the boo# again an% ho$%ing it up so that the pages f$ippe% by >uic#$y. .ac# watche%' "es"eri5e% as the $itt$e %rawing %ance% an% "o&e% aroun% the s"a$$ corner of paper. That;s what this fee$s $i#e' .ac# %eci%e%' as "e"ories starte% to %rift to the surface of his consciousness. ( picture boo# f$ipping byDfi$$e% with his $ife. The "e"ories began s$ow$y' "o&ing past hi" as he eCa"ine% the". @on" his face smudged with dirt and a sic!ly loo!ing rat po!ing out of his poc!et" as!ed 6ac! if he could share the compartment. A giant castle looming o%er him as the boat he was in slid silently across the surface of the water. The comfortable warmth of the soft bed beneath him" the thic! %el%et hangings !eeping the heat of sleep against his s!in.

A sallowBfaced man" sneering down at him and pointing at a smo!ing cauldron in front of him. The s$ow pace %i%n;t $ast $ong an% the &isions ca"e f$ying past .ac# as he stoo% in the &oi%. ,e tre"b$e%' afrai% he wou$% "iss one an% the picture wou$%n;t beco"e c$ear at the en%. ,is own $ife %ance% an% "o&e% before hi"' :ust as the $itt$e boy;s ani"ation ha%. .ac# brace% hi"se$f once again' annoye% that his toes were getting wet an% co$% now. An ornate" gold mirror stood in front of him and he reached out" letting his fingers slide down the surface. A huge man" his face barely %isible through a tangled blac! beard" smiled at him and handed him a boo!. 6ac! opened it and saw pictures of his family inside. 'is heart swelled. .ac# trie% to ho$% on to that "e"ory' but it s$ippe% away >uic#$y' being rep$ace% by a hun%re% other "o"ents. ,is hea% ache% a$rea%y an% he force% hi"se$f to breathe. The b$ac#ness aroun% hi" swir$e% with faces an% wor%s an% fee$ings. Sure$y this ha% to be a goo% thing' .ac# thought. The ?e"ory B$oc# bro#e. ,e to$% hi"se$f that o&er an% o&er. 4f it %i%n;t' 4 wou$%n;t be seeing these things' he affir"e%. The water was up to his an#$es now' nu"bing his feet co"p$ete$y. F""a;s face f$ashe% by "ore an% "ore often' "aturing e&er ti"e. .ac# focuse% on her an% a casca%e of instants f$oo%e% hi". #mma lay pale and cold on the stone floor. 6ac! could hear water dripping in the bac!ground and his own %oice pleading for her to not be dead. 6ac! watched as she danced past him in another boy's arms. ,e was %esperate to catch one of these "e"ories an% to eCa"ine it "ore c$ose$y. ,e watche% for the perfect one an% he$% it in front of his eyes' wi$$ing it to stay there so he cou$% watch it o&er an% o&er. #mma's determined loo! set his blood on fire. &he ran to him and threw her arms around his nec!. 'is heart pounded and he leaned down" pressing his lips against hers. 'is chest constricted and then e2panded" threatening to burst as she !issed him bac!. &lowly he pulled bac!" smiling at her daDed e2pression. The "o"ent s$ippe% away an% .ac# grow$e% in frustration. 'e was determined to stay away from her. 'e'd made his decision. 6ac! could feel the weight of it pressing on his shoulders. The unsure" panic!y" positi%e feeling that this is

what he was supposed to do. *inny would be safe without him. &he would be fine" despite the heartbro!en loo!s she tried to hide from him on the other side of the dance floor. .ac# wi$$e% that "e"ory away' cho#ing on the bro#enhearte% $oo# on @inny;s face. 4t was a$"ost too "uch to bear. ?o"ent after "o"ent f$ippe% by hi" an% .ac# resigne% hi"se$f to ta#ing the" a$$ in. There wou$% be ti"e to eCa"ine the" $ater. The neCt set of "e"ories hit hi" with physica$ force an% .ac# a$"ost $ost his footing. ,is feet s$oshe% in the water' now at the $e&e$ of his #nees. 4t was icy co$%' $i#e stan%ing in a $a#e of b$ac# water. :ain seared through his forehead and 6ac! clamped his hand o%er it" staring at the monster in front of him. .ut 1oldemort didn't mo%e. 'e continued to stare at 6ac! and the scar on his forehead burned endlessly. 'is arm hurt now. 6ac! loo!ed down and saw blood ooDing from a (agged cut along his forearm. It pulsed with his heart" bleeding more and more life out of him as he struggled against the ropes that held him to the icy stone. A scream of agony rent the air and strong arms came around him" pre%enting him from lurching forward through the %eil. 'e had to go" though" because &irius was (ust beyond that thin curtain. $umbledore arced out o%er empty air" falling in slow motion toward the ground. .ac# s$a""e% his han%s o&er his ears' praying that he wou$%n;t hear the soun% of the bo%y $an%ing' but #nowing that it wou$% echo in his hea% fore&er. ,e shi&ere%' pu$$ing his ar"s into his bo%y' c$aspe% in front of hi" to #eep war". The water was now to his hips' %u$$ing a$$ sensation be$ow his waist. 4n a way' he wishe% it wou$% %u$$ his hea% as we$$' because the "e"ories were o&erwhe$"ing. They were so ran%o"' yet "a%e so "uch sense. They f$ashe% by faster now an% .ac#;s sto"ach ga&e a $urch e&en as his teeth began to chatter. 'ermione" her hair glowing from behind as she sat in front of the fire. &he laughed at him and 6ac! had to laugh bac!. @on loo!ing decidedly green as he clutched a broomstic! and a song echoed in the bac!ground. *inny" her crimson hair chasing her li!e fire as she flew on her broom" a Euaffle tuc!ed under one arm and a predatory gleam in her eye.

7red and *eorge" wrapping their arms around his shoulder,when ha% he been shorter than the"=,and confiding the secrets of the /arauder's /ap. ,un%re%s of "e"ories swir$e% an% .ac# shi&ere% &io$ent$y. The water now presse% against his chest an% bac#. 4t see"e% thic#er than actua$ water now that he $oo#e% at it' fe$t it against the bare s#in of his ar"s. *inny's face loomed o%er his and he grinned up at her ruffled hair. 'er lips were swollen and she was breathing harshly. &lowly" she lowered her weight onto him and 'arry groaned in appreciation" reaching up to capture her lips once more. 'is hands threaded into her hair" tangling hopelessly in the glorious red strands as she mo%ed against him. 'is heart pounded in his chest. *inny's arms were wrapped around him from behind and something filmy was draped o%er them both. <7ore%er" 'arry"0 she whispered. <7ore%er"0 he whispered" ta!ing comfort from her presence and the promise they had made. 'e !new somewhere buried in the folds of her robes was the small diamond ring 'arry had gi%en her when he'd made his promise. 'e swore he could feel it now" rubbing against his bac!" although he !new that was rubbish. <!ore&er' @inny'< he whispere% bac# to her as she fa%e% into the %ar#ness. 3ater sp$ashe% into his "outh an% ,arry spit it bac# out. ,e force% hi"se$f to ta#e s"a$$ breaths' to not panic' e&en though the water was ob&ious$y sti$$ rising. ,e cou$% swi"' he to$% hi"se$f. FCperi"enta$$y' ,arry $ifte% his foot an% "o&e% it aroun%. 4t sti$$ wor#e%' %espite being so co$% he cou$% bare$y fee$ it. The neCt "e"ory f$ashe% an% .ac# too# a %eep breath' praying it wou$% be o&er soon. 'arry panted" out of breath. 'is left arm throbbed uselessly at his side. 'e blin!ed the spots out of his %ision" his wand held in front of him. *inny was at his side" limping and biting her lip" but still ready to defend. <4ou can't win" :otter"0 1oldemort hissed. <3e'%e destroyed all of your 'orcru2es"0 'arry called bac!" his lungs burning from the air it too! to say e%en that little. 1oldemort grinned a wide" toothy grin and 'arry's stomach rolled again. 04ou may thin! you'%e won" boy" but 9ord 1oldemort is too cunning for you.0 <4ou're too arrogant for your own good"0 *inny called bac!. They both dodged as a cutting curse sliced across the clearing. 'arry yelped in pain as it dug into his thigh. 'is %ision blac!ened for a moment" but cleared when *inny called out to him.

<I'm fine"0 he lied" focusing on the monster before them once again. <4ou can not win" :otter"0 1oldemort repeated ta!ing a sure step forward. 'arry's arm shoo!" but he held his wand steady. They traded %olley's one last time before 1oldemort swiftly mo%ed in close" his hand closing around 'arry's throat. 'arry coughed and cho!ed" clawing at the monster's hand. <$umbledore told me5last 'orcru2"0 'arry said managed. 1oldemort loo!ed shoc!ed for a moment" releasing his hold. 'arry slumped to the ground" but sha!ily stood again. 1oldemort retreated once more" his wand held high. Inside 'arry's head" he prayed that *inny would forgi%e him for what he needed to do. &he either !new more than she allowed" or was better at reading him than he thought" because she screamed" crawling forward" her lame leg dragging behind. &he clutched at his arm" her fingernails pressing into his s!in. <'arry-0 <I'm sorry" *inny"0 he whispered. 07ore%er.0 1ery deliberately" he let his wand slide out of his hand and fall to the forest floor. *inny's scream echoed in his head and all he could see was her wide eyes. A green light en%eloped him as pain flashed in his chest. ,arry;s $egs ache% an% he coughe% out water' fighting against the pu$$ of sin#ing $ower in the rising %epths. ,e #new he was crying' but he was a$rea%y so wet' it %i%n;t "atter. <4;" going to %rown'< he "u"b$e% a$ou%' e&en as his nu"b $egs ga&e in a $itt$e an% his face bobbe% un%er water. ,e strugg$e% bac# to the surface' panting an% searching for a way to escape where he was going. 0e% $ight f$ashe% again an% ,arry s$owe% his $egs' a$$owing hi"se$f to sin# into the water as the $ast "e"ory ca"e. 'is eyes fluttered open and he lay completely still. The clearing was silent,not e%en a bird made a noise. 'e could feel his wand" long and cylindrical" pressing against his chest. &lowly" he inched his hand up and clasped it tightly. There was a solid form ne2t to his leg and he prayed it wasn't *inny" !nowing that it probably was. 'e would be with her soon. 'e had chosen to come bac! to finish off the monster. Then he could re(oin his parents and &irius and *inny. They would ha%e their fore%er. &omething rustled behind him and 'arry prepared himself to flip o%er" doing so in one swift" painful mo%ement. 1oldemort stood abo%e him" his wand pointed and his red eyes wide. <It can't be"0 he hissed.

'arry lifted his wand in defense" his mind grasping anything that it could. <A%ada ;ed,0 <#2pelliarmus-0 'arry roared. 1oldemort and his wand parted" each flying a different way. *reen light flashed in the clearing once more and 'arry slumped bac!" his heart pounding. 'e let his wand roll out of his fingers" fumbling to pull *inny's still form to him. 'is trembling hand found her nec!. @elief flooded him when he felt the soft thrumBthrum of her heart beating at her pulse point. The tears came then. Tears of e2haustion and disbelief and pain. 'e slumped bac!" fully spread out on the ground and stared up at the green canopy abo%e him" swaying in the breeDe. It was o%er. The lea%es spun in circles and 'arry groped for *inny's hand" tangling their fingers together as his eyes drooped more and more. ,arry cou$% see the surface of the water rece%ing before hi". ,e wante% to strugg$e' but it was :ust so har%' so co$%. F&erything fa%e% before hi" an% he $oo#e% %own to the e"pty b$ac#ness' the $ast of his breath escaping as si$&ery bubb$es f$oating upwar%.

*Chapter 1(*: Chapter 1(

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%.

A/N: Than!s to e%eryone who has been reading" and especially those telling me what you thin! of the story. I'm glad you'%e hung in there through all my nasty cliffhangers and such. Than!s to $eb and #lla for doing a fantastic (ob of beta reading this for me. Chapter 1$ "anuary 2 3 to April 2 3

F""a reste% her hea% against .ac#;s shou$%er' $eaning forwar% on the e%ge of her chair. ,is strugg$ing an% twitching ha% stoppe%' but his breathing was harsh an% irregu$ar. <4 thin# he;s co"ing out of it'< F""ett suggeste%' rubbing his face. F""a cou$% hear the scratch of two %ays worth of stubb$e on it. The "an ha%n;t $eft the roo" for "ore than a few "inutes to use the $oo since .ac# ha% starte% s$eeping. <4 hope so'< F""a "u"b$e%' straightening her bac# an% %igging her #nuc#$es into the #in#s in the "usc$es. <4;" not sure how "uch "ore of this 4 can ta#e.< <F""a'< F""ett sai% soft$y' <you nee% to prepare yourse$f.< <Bou %on;t thin# it wor#e%'< she sai%' her eyes tra&e$ing to the s"a$$ %ia"on% ring on her finger. The s#in beneath the ring was raw an% re% where F""a ha% spun it aroun% her finger repeate%$y. She starte% to %o it again before :er#ing her han%s away fro" each other an% stan%ing' "o&ing to stare out at the b$ea# .anuary %ay beyon% the g$ass. <4 %on;t #now if it %i% or not.< She no%%e%' fee$ing tears we$$ in her eyes again. Cursing herse$f' she scrubbe% at the". ?aybe it was ti"e to get out of this roo" again. The wa$$s fe$t $i#e they were c$osing in on her' pressing an un#nown future %own on her shou$%ers' without gi&ing her any assurance that she wou$% sur&i&e it. <4 won;t $ose hi"'< she proc$ai"e%' soun%ing "uch $ess sure of herse$f than she wante% to be. <4f he;sA%ifferent' 4;$$ ho$% on to hi". 4 can "a#e hi" $o&e "e again.< She turne% to hi"' a %efiant' %eter"ine% fee$ing sprea%ing through her. F""ett;s $arge han% patte% her shou$%er in a father$y "anner. <4;" hoping for the bestD< <But preparing for the worst'< she finishe%' $oo#ing at his sy"pathetic eyes. <4t;s in "y nature'< he shrugge%. <There;s a bit "ore hope an% a $itt$e $ess prepare' if that he$ps.< F""a $aughe%' no%%ing. <Strange' but it %oes.<

F""ett "o&e% across the roo"' sett$ing into his fa&orite spot against the wa$$' the thic# boo# he a$ways rea% sitting open in his $ap. F""a ro$$e% her shou$%ers' $oo#ing out at the snow co&ere% trees' their branches stretching up to scratch the o&ercast s#y. The strange urge to be out there' soaring through the air' fee$ing the co$% win% bite her chee#s unti$ they were nu"b ca"e o&er her. ,er fa"i$y ha% to$% her that @inny was a"a5ing on a broo". 0on e&en "entione% that @inny ha% ta$#e% about p$aying 9ui%%itch professiona$$y. F""a cou$%n;t i"agine shooting through the s#yG but the anticipation of fee$ing herse$f %o :ust that fi$$e% her. <-o you "in% if 4 crac# the win%ow=< she as#e%. <3ou$% it be har"fu$=< <6ot at a$$'< F""ett shoo# his hea%. <The fresh air wou$% be we$co"e.< F""a c$ic#e% the o$% $atch' stubborn against years; worth of paint gu""ing up the "echanis". The g$ass s$i% up easi$y an% she $eane% %own' breathing %eep$y. ?o"entary re$ief f$oo%e% her as the b$ast of winter air hit her in the face. 4t was fresh an% c$ean' an% washe% away the uncertainty that ha% oppresse% her for %ays. F""a too# huge' gu$ping breaths' fi$$ing her $ungs unti$ they burne%. 4t "a%e her %i55y' but the sharp co$%ness groun%e% her. <@innyH< ,er hea% :er#e% up' banging on the sash. She curse%' c$osing her eyes against both the searing pain in her s#u$$ an% the b$ac# spots that %ance% in front of her eyes. <.ac#H< She spun aroun%' swer&ing aroun% F""ett' who was stan%ing at .ac#;s be%si%e' an% c$a"bere% o&er the en% of the be% to get to hi". <@innyH< ,e crie% out again' tre"b$ing on the be%. F""a c$i"be% up his bo%y' $aying herse$f gent$y on top of hi" an% c$asping his face in hers. <4;" here' $o&e. 4;" here.< ,is ar"s c$u"si$y grope% for her' fina$$y c$asping aroun% her bac# as his eyes f$uttere% open.

<4;" here' .ac#'< she sai% again' #issing his chin an% then his $ips. ,e was sti$$ rather $i"p an% unresponsi&e' but F""a #new that wou$% changeDas $ong as the potion %i% what it was suppose% to. <Ta$# to "e' .ac#'< F""a begge% >uiet$y' burying her face in his nec#. <4t;s a$right' @inny'< he sai% soft$y. <4;" a$right.< ( sob we$$e% in her throat an% she shu%%ere%. The war"th of his s#in against her chi$$e% face burne% her chee#s. ,is ar"s tightene% aroun% her bac# an% he ro$$e% s$ight$y' $aying the" both on their si%es as his $ips "et hers. F""a continue% to #iss hi"' her han%s grasping his hair tight$y. ,e was a$right. ,e was fine. This was ,arryAor .ac#Aor whoe&er he was. But he was hers. <4 %i%n;t #now what to %o'< F""a a%"itte%. <4 was so afrai%. 3as it horrib$e=< ,arry no%%e%. <4t was ba%'< he a%"itte%. <3orse than 4 i"agine%. Suffocating an% %rowning an% cho#ing a$$ at once.< ,is &oice was raspy an% $ow' &ibrating into her bo%y. -espair swept through her an% she too# a stea%ying breath. 4f it was ba% for .ac#Awhat wou$% it be $i#e for her= <4 thought 4 was gone'< he sai%' soft$y' his eyes searching her face. She #new she "ust be horrib$y out of focus for hi"' but he wou$%n;t care right now. <4t was so %ar#. (n% the water #ept rising an% rising. (n% it was so co$%. 3hen it got o&er "y hea%A4 was so tire%' 4 %i%n;t want to fight any"ore< F""a shoo# her hea%' wiping c$u"si$y at his wet chee#s. <,ow %i% you "anage=< <4 he$% on to you'< he a%"itte% si"p$y. <4n a$$ that %ar#ness' 4 cou$% see you' brighter than anything. Brighter than sunshine. 4 foun% those "o"ents in "y "in% an% 4 ca"e ho"e.< F""a $aughe%' a soggy' cho#ing soun% as she pu$$e% his face to her' #issing hi" again. <4;$$ :ust gi&e you two a "o"ent.< The &oice was in the %istance an% F""a pro"pt$y forgot about it as ,arry pu$$e% her to hi". <4 $o&e you' @inny.< <4 $o&e you' .ac#.<

They stare% at each other for a "inute' @inny;s han% co"ing up to trace his features' brushing the %ar# whis#ers with her fingers. <4;" so g$a% you;re bac#'< she whispere%. <4;" sorry 4 "a%e you wait'< ,arry answere%' pressing a #iss against her passing fingers. <4t see"e% to ta#e a year an% a "o"ent a$$ at once.< <Two %ays'< F""a infor"e% hi". <Bou;&e been as$eep two %ays.< ,arry;s eyes went out of focus an% F""a furrowe% her brow' won%ering what he was thin#ing about. <Ta$# to "e' .ac#'< she urge%. <Bou can te$$ "e anything.< ,e no%%e%' turning bac# to her. <4;" :ust trying to get it a$$ straight' F"'< he a%"itte%. <4t;s a $ot to %ea$ with. Fighteen years of "e"ories.< F""a sat up on her e$bow' her fingers fin%ing the space between the buttons on his py:a"as an% tuc#ing between the" to brush against his chest. <(n% then 4 ha&e to a%% in the things 4 #now about our $ife together.< <Te$$ "e so"ethingA< she whispere%. ,arry reache% up an% s"oothe% a bit of hair behin% her ear. <3hat %o you want to #now=< <The first ti"e 4 saw you'< she sai% >uic#$y. <4t was on the train'< he sai%. <6o'< she shoo# her hea%. <The first' first ti"e. 6ot the secon%' first ti"e.< ,arry $eane% up an% brushe% her $ips with his. <Trains "ust be our thing' $o&e.< ,er eyebrows rose s$ow$y. <3e "et on a train=< ,arry no%%e%. <The train to ,ogwarts. 3e$$' not rea$$y on itDon the p$atfor". 4 was trying to get to the p$atfor"' but 4 was a c$ue$ess' s#inny $itt$e waif of a thingD< F""a snorte%' resting her ar" on his chest an% $aying her hea% on it. <-on;t $augh'< ,arry proteste%' po#ing her si%es soft$y' causing her to s>uir" un%er his fingers' <4;" $uc#y there wasn;t a stiff win%' 4;% ha&e b$own right away. Besi%es' you were >uite ta#en with "e.<

<1f course 4 was'< F""a agree%' not #nowing' but guessing a$$ the sa"e. ,er fingers ghoste% a$ong his chee#. <(ny $itt$e gir$ wou$% ha&e fa$$en in $o&e with you.< <6o'< ,arry shoo# his hea%' <on$y the "ost specia$ ones.< ,e c$ose% his eyes' a s$ow s"i$e sprea%ing across his face. <4 can sti$$ see you' running after the train' crying an% $aughing at the sa"e ti"e' wa&ing at your brothers an% "e.< <4 a$ways $o&e% you'< F""a sai% soft$y' her brow furrowe%. 4t was "ore of a fee$ing than anything. (t $east she cou$%n;t fatho" a ti"e when she wou$%n;t ha&e been in $o&e with hi". ,arry went >uiet again' his fingers trai$ing through her hair gent$y. She c$ose% her eyes' swi""ing in the fee$ing of hi". <3e pro"ise% fore&er'< he sai% soft$y. <4 cou$%n;t $ea&e unti$ 4 ga&e you that pro"ise.< F""a $et the wor%s wash o&er her' not fighting the tears that rose behin% her eye$i%s. <3hen we were in the forest' an% 4 thought you were gone. 4 wante% to go too. 4 thought "aybeA< ,arry;s &oice bro#e an% his chest hitche% se&era$ ti"es. F""a;s eyes f$uttere% open an% saw his $ower :aw tre"b$ing. <?aybe our fore&er was so"ewhere e$se. 4 was going to finish hi" off' "a#e it safe for e&eryone e$se. Then 4;% %ie' an% we cou$% ha&e our fore&er.< <1h' .ac#'< she "ur"ure%' "o&ing so that her weight reste% on hi" again. <1ur fore&er is here. 4t;s you an% "e an% it;s .ay.< ,arry no%%e% :er#i$y' causing his tears to spi$$ %own his face an% %rip into his ears. <!ore&er'< he "u"b$e%' $eaning up to #iss her. The 3eas$eys were gathere% in the #itchen' perche% on e&ery a&ai$ab$e surface. The roo" itse$f' a$ong with the %ining tab$e' ha% been eCpan%e% to its &ery $i"its. The chi$%ren were $ine% up on the f$oor against the si%eboar%' their p$ates $e&itating in front of the"Dwhich they thought was si"p$y bri$$iant' :u%ging by the s>uea$s of %e$ight they were "a#ing. 0on too# a %eep breath' we$co"ing the war"th of ho"e an% fa"i$y. Soft con&ersations ratt$e% aroun% the tab$e' "iCe% with the c$an# of ser&ing spoons on croc#ery. @inny 0ose "a%e soft cooing soun%s fro" her baby carrier' which ho&ere% :ust behin% her "other. .a"es was current$y in !$eur;s ar"s' but his wi%e yawns "eant he wou$% be in his own carrier soon.

<,ow "uch $onger %o you i"agine it wi$$ ta#e=< Bi$$ as#e% ,er"ione' passing a p$ate heaping with stea"e% &egetab$es. ,er"ione $oo#e% thoughtfu$ for a "inute before respon%ing. <4;" sure we;$$ #now soonD< <-o we nee% to ta$# about it=< Ton#s interrupte%' passing the "ashe% potatoes by without ta#ing any. She $oo#e% %own at the $one$y %inner ro$$ on her p$ate an%' sighing' too# a %ry bite of the brea%. 0on grinne% at her grouchy "oo% an% g$a%$y spoone% up his own he$ping' p$us hers' when the bow$ f$oate% past hi". <4 agree'< (rthur sai%' his tone in%icating that %iscussion was now o&er. <Ta$#ing about what we a$rea%y #now won;t "a#e ti"e pass any faster.< 0on was sti$$ awe% that his father cou$% co""an% the respect an% obe%ience of the" a$$ now that they were a%u$ts. <Two gob$ins' a werewo$f an% a &a"pire wa$# into a pubA< F&eryone groane% an% tosse% &arious ite"s of foo% at !re%' who snatche% a ro$$ out of the air an% he$% it up in than#s. <Cheers' 4 %i%n;t get one when the p$ate passe%.< <That :o#e gets o$%er e&ery ti"e you te$$ it'< 0on "u"b$e% through his bite of roast. <4t wou$% he$p if it were appropriate for chi$%ren'< ($icia sai%' her eyebrows raising to repri"an% her husban%. <1r funny'< Char$ie put in' $eaning aroun% his wife to s"ir# at !re%. <1iH 3hat a bunch of critics'< @eorge shoo# his hea%. <That;s enough' boys'< their "other sco$%e% the" fro" behin%. ,er harsh tone %isappeare% howe&er when she reache% fro" behin% !re% to %eposit another %inner ro$$ on his p$ate an% patte% his chee#. 0on shoo# his hea%. ?o$$y 3eas$ey;s patente% cure for e&erything that ai$s youDfee% itH ( %oor c$ose% so"ewhere upstairs an% the who$e #itchen fro5e' their eyes staring at the rafters running a$ong the cei$ing. <Cou$%n;t ho$% it any $onger apparent$y'< @eorge "uttere%' recei&ing a chuc#$e fro" se&era$ peop$e at the tab$e. 6othing "ore was hear% an% noise crept bac# into the roo". 0on sighe%' sha#ing away the worry an% %isappoint"ent. ,er"ione' sitting neCt to hi"' patte% his #nee.

<Soon'< she sai% soft$y. ,e no%%e% an% too# a $arge bite of his foo%' bare$y tasting it. 4t was a sha"e' he thought' perfect$y won%erfu$ foo% e&en $ost its taste when you cou$%n;t thin# of anything but what was happening so"ewhere e$se. <4 %on;t "ean to i"pose' but wou$% you happen to ha&e space for one "ore=< ;F""ett the )nspea#ab$e;' as 0on ha% co"e to refer to hi"D$i#e he was so"e sort of superheroDstoo% at the botto" of the staircase' wearing a sheepish $oo#. Si$ence once again sett$e% on the roo"' but was bro#en when Bi$$ >uic#$y s$i% his chair out an% offere% it to the "an. F&eryone shuff$e% in their chairs' bu"ping e$bows together to seat one "ore person at the a$rea%y groaning tab$e. The foo% i""e%iate$y $e&itate% again fro" the si%eboar%' inching forwar% s$ow$y. <4 appreciate it'< F""ett sai%. <The wa$$s rather c$ose in on you after a bit.< <1f course'< (rthur sai%. 0on watche% another p$ate %ance its way across the #itchen. 4t a$"ost "a%e it a$$ the way before crashing spectacu$ar$y on the f$oor. <B$oo%y he$$'< !re% :u"pe% up' scra"b$ing o&er the bro#en croc#ery an% trying to get the chi$%ren out of the way. <!re%H< ($icia sco$%e%. <?u"=< Bi$$ as#e%' staring at ?o$$y c$ose$y. 0on spun aroun%' ta#ing in the b$an# stare of his "other. Se&era$ peop$e' seeing that she was concentrating on so"ething' fo$$owe% her $ine of sight out the #itchen %oor an% into the sitting roo" where the fa"i$y c$oc# was :ust &isib$e. <(rthur'< ?o$$y sai%' her &oice cho#ing. She gathere% her apron to her "outh' co&ering it as a sob escape%. Stunne% at what his brain to$% his eyes they were seeing' 0on stoo%' not bothering to stop the g$ass of pu"p#in :uice he bu"pe%. 4t sp$ashe% on the tab$e' "a#ing peop$e s>uaw# an% :u"p to sa$&age their %inners. ,e b$in#e% se&era$ ti"es' narrowing his eyes an% peering at the c$oc#. <(re youA< he trai$e% off' not sure what he wante% to as#. The on$y one sti$$ intereste% in eating was F""ett' who g$a%$y too# a%&antage of the %eserte% tab$e to he$p hi"se$f to the foo%.

<-i% 4 "ention that ,arry wo#e up=< he as#e%' a s"ir# worthy of a 3eas$ey on his face. 0on;s hea% fe$t $i#e it was stuffe% with cotton as he swung bac# aroun%. ,arry;s han% on the c$oc# pointe% to ;ho"e.; <The B$oc# was successfu$$y re"o&e%.< F""ett shrugge% an% too# a bite of brea%' his eyes ro$$ing bac# into his hea% in appreciation. The eruption of soun% was %eafening an% %inner was aban%one% co"p$ete$y in fa&or of hugging e&eryone in sight. 0on $ost trac# of how "any peop$e wrappe% their ar"s aroun% hi"Dso"e fro" &ery o%% ang$es' an% often "ore than one at a ti"e. !re%;s gir$s' *an%ora an% *ersephone each too# the opportunity to wrap the"se$&es on his an#$es' perching their behin%s on his feet an% grinning up at hi". This see"e% to be their newest fa&orite perch an% it usua$$y annoye% hi" to no en%. But to%ay it %i%n;t fa5e hi" at a$$. ,er"ione :u"pe% into his ar"s' carefu$ not to bu"p the gir$s. She peppere% his face with #isses an% 0on trie% his best to return the" as "uch as possib$e. 'arry. ,e ha% sai% 'arry. 6ot .ac#. <,e;s bac#H< ,er"ione cheere%. The wor%s soa#e% into his s#in an% 0on s$ow$y s"i$e%' fee$ing a bit of his heart thawDa part he ha%n;t $et hi"se$f fee$ in a $ong ti"e. <4 want to see hi"H< ?o$$y %eter"ine%' %oing her best to wigg$e through the bo%ies towar% the staircase. F""ett f$ushe% s$ight$y an% 0on narrowe% his eyes at the "an. <Fr"Ayou "ay want to gi&e the" so"e ti"e.< The noise in the roo" fi$tere% out as e&eryone $istene% in. <They were ratherAoccupie% when 4 $eft.< ,uge grins bro#e out an% chuc#$es were hi%%en behin% han%s. 0on snorte% an% shoo# his hea%. <1n$y ,arryA< he "u"b$e%' $eaning %own to #iss his wife. <Bou rea$i5e what wou$% happen if we trie% that in "y parents; house=<

4t was two %ays $ater when ,arry an% F""a were bac# in the sa"e roo"' this ti"e their positions re&erse%. ,arry he$% F""a to hi"' staring into her eyes. <Bou can %o this'< he assure% her. <4t;s not going to be easy.< <4 #now'< she no%%e%' chewing her botto" $ip unti$ ,arry #isse% her to get her to re$ease it. <Bou;re sure you can han%$e .ay=< she as#e%. ,arry ro$$e% his eyes an% chuc#$e%. <Bou;&e store% "ore "i$# than he;$$ eat in a wee#' F""a. ,e;s going to be fine. Besi%es' it;s not $i#e 4;" a$one.< <4 #now'< F""a threw her hea% bac# an% groane%. <4 hope 4;" strong enough' .ac#.< ,e s"i$e% sa%$y' caressing her chee# with his han%. <Bou;re stronger than 4 a"' F"'< he sai% soft$y. <Bou a$ways ha&e been.< F""a $oo#e% bac# up at hi". <4t %oesn;t fee$ $i#e it at ti"es.< <3e;re a$"ost there' F"'< he soothe%. <( few "ore %ays an% we can rea$$y begin to $i&e again. .ust ho$% onto "e' F". 6e&er $et go.< She no%%e% :er#i$y an% he $eane% in to #iss her again' hoping to %istract her fro" beco"ing e"otiona$. <-on;t you two e&er >uit=< They bro#e apart with a chuc#$e. ,arry he$% up his han% behin% F""a;s bac#' showing 0on what he thought of being interrupte%. <F""ett;s rea%y'< 0on sai%. <(n% .ay;s right brasse% off at "e again'< he sai%' ho$%ing up the s"a$$ &ia$ of his b$oo%. ,arry wince%. <4;$$ be %own with hi" in a "inute. 4 :ust want to get F""a sett$e%.< <-on;t worry about it'< 0on wa&e% hi" off. <4t;s a chance for ?u" to sa&e the %ay again.< ,arry chuc#$e% an% nu%ge% F""a towar% the be%. F""ett prepare% the sa"e potion' with the sa"e "eticu$ous concern as he ha% for ,arry;s ritua$. 3hen he was %one' he he$% the &ia$ out for F""a to ta#e. <Bet it tastes horrib$e'< she gri"ace%.

<They a$ways %o'< ,arry assure% her. She stare% at the potion an% then g$ance% at hi"' the b$a5ing $oo# he $o&e% o&erta#ing her features before she swa$$owe% it >uic#$y. <)rgh'< she agree%' han%ing the &ia$ bac# to F""ett. <6ow' $et;s get you into be%'< ,arry urge%' $ifting her feet an% tuc#ing the" into the b$an#et. <4s that a proposition' .ac#=< <4t "ight be'< he tease% bac#' s"i$ing %own at her. She see"e% so young an% pa$e here in this be%' her cri"son hair f$are% out against the white $inen. <But 4;$$ ha&e to %e$i&er $ater.< <Spoi$ sport'< F""a scow$e% at hi". <Bou;re going to be too tire% in a few "inutes'< ,arry pro"ise% her. <The potion acts fast.< ,er brow furrowe% an% her botto" $ip stuc# out :ust a bit. <Stay with "e=< she as#e%. ,arry s"i$e% croo#e%$y an% no%%e%' nu%ging her o&er a bit. <1f course 4;$$ stay.< She was war" against his si%e an% he breathe% hea&i$y' c$osing his eyes. They were a$one in the roo"' but ,arry #new e&eryone was :ust beyon% the %oor. <3hat;s the first thing you;re going to %o=< he as#e%' thin#ing that a %istraction "ight he$p ca$" her fears an% a$$ow her to %rift off. <4 want to f$y'< F""a sai% soft$y. <4 %on;t re"e"ber it' an% 4 thin# 4 "iss it.< ,arry s"ir#e%' sha#ing his hea% a bit an% pressing a #iss to her te"p$e. <3e;$$ go f$ying then'< he pro"ise%. ,ours $ater' as @inny s$ept fitfu$$y' ,arry sat in the sa"e chair she ha% watche% hi" fro" an% stare% at her. <Bou $oo# $i#e you cou$% use so"e co"pany.< ,arry s"i$e% an% no%%e% to the on$y other chair in the roo". <Co"e in' 0e"us.< The "an pushe% away fro" where he was $eaning against the %oor :a" casua$$y an% pu$$e% the chair neCt to ,arry. <,ow is she=< he as#e%.

,arry shrugge% a shou$%er' g$ancing bac# to where @inny $ay' su%%en$y &ery sti$$. <She;s goo%'< he sai%. <3e$$' as goo% as can be eCpecte%' 4 guess. 4t;s not easy.< 0e"us shoo# his hea% in awe. <6o' 4 can;t i"agine it is.< <4 sti$$ ha&e "o"ents where 4 won%er which 4 a"D,arry or .ac#.< 4t was har% for hi" to articu$ate it to peop$eDthis concept of ha&ing such %ifferent sets of "e"ories an% of being two %ifferent peop$e. @inny un%erstoo% as "uch as anyone cou$%. (n% ,arry #new that in a few %ays they cou$% rea$$y sit %own an% %iscuss what it fe$t $i#e. 0on %i%n;t un%erstan% at a$$ an% si"p$y change% the sub:ect to 9ui%%itch. (n% so"eti"es ,arry appreciate% that. ,er"ione' on the other han%' got a "a%%ening$y curious $oo# on her face if ,arry so "uch as "entione% .ac#. ,e cou$% te$$ she was itching to >ui5 hi". Than#fu$$y' she ha% restraine% herse$f so far. ,e an% @inny sti$$ ca$$e% each other .ac# an% F""a often. 4t see"e%Ainti"ate between the" to share those na"es. That;s who they ha% been when they "et' the secon% ti"e' fe$$ in $o&e' the secon% ti"e' an% ha% begun their fa"i$y together. .ac# an% F""a wou$% a$ways be a part of ,arry an% @inny. They were specia$ in a way that ,arry cou$%n;t eCp$ain to anyone. <.ac# wasn;t so %ifferent fro" ,arry'< 0e"us obser&e%. ,arry tippe% his hea% to the si%e consi%ering that for a "o"ent. <4n so"e ways'< he agree%. <But in others we;re &ast$y %ifferent.< 0e"us chuc#$e%' no%%ing his un%erstan%ing. <,ow "uch ha&e you to$% -ere# an% ?e$issa=< ,arry sighe%' $aying his hea% bac# against the chair. The >uestion ha% been unspo#en for too $ong' yet ,arry wante% to a&oi% it e&en $onger. <3e to$% the" we foun% F""a;s fa"i$y'< he shrugge%. <They #now there;s "ore to it' especia$$y since we;&e &irtua$$y %isappeare% now. 4 thin# -ere# wi$$ start to push for answers soon.< 0e"us no%%e%' his grey eyes $oo#ing c$ose$y at ,arry. <Bou;re going to 1b$i&iate the"' aren;t you=< ,arry as#e%' his &oice crac#ing. <That;s what the ?inistry wants'< he no%%e%. ,is tone con&ince% ,arry that 0e"us %i%n;t agree' at $east not co"p$ete$y.

,is heart fe$t hea&y an% his sto"ach churne%' threatening to reintro%uce his brea#fast fro" hours before. <They;re .ay;s @o%parents'< he proteste%. <-o we get a choice=< ,arry "et 0e"us; ga5e' noticing how tire% the "an $oo#e%. <4;" sure /ings$ey wi$$ ta$# to you about it.< ,arry no%%e% stiff$y. <Then probab$y not.< The thought of $oo#ing into his frien%;s face an% seeing no recognition there "a%e hi" physica$$y i$$. </ings$ey "ay $isten to you' but it;s not on$y hi" you nee% to con&ince. The Statute of Secrecy is fair$y straightforwar%.< <(n% co"p$ete$y anti>uate%'< ,arry gru"b$e%. ,e ha% no a"bition for po$itica$ uphea&a$ or $aw refor"' that was "ore a$ong ,er"ione;s agen%a for her $ife. <(n% wrong'< he a%%e%. <4n this case'< 0e"us sighe%' <4 agree with you' ,arry. 1b$i&iation has its p$ace an% purpose. But 4 agree that it shou$%n;t be use% here.< ,arry no%%e%' $oo#ing o&er when @inny;s bo%y :er#e% a bit. <3hat %o 4 te$$ the" to con&ince the" not to %o it' 0e"us=< 0e"us $eane% forwar%' running his han%s through his graying hair. <3e$$' that;s the >uestion' isn;t it=< ,arry %rifte% away in his "in%' pon%ering what he cou$% say that wou$% eCp$ain to /ings$ey' an% whoe&er e$se that nee%e% to #now' what it fe$t $i#e to be "issing part of your $ife. <4 ne&er #new how $one$y 4 was'< ,arry sai%' his &oice soft an% $ow' <unti$ 4 "et -ere#. 2ogica$$y' 4 #new it was :ust "e' you #now.< ,e g$ance% up at 0e"us who was watching hi"' regret an% sy"pathy swir$ing in his eyes. 0e"us #new what it was $i#eG ,arry ha% forgotten that. ,e reache% out an% too# @inny;s war" han% in his' %rawing strength fro" :ust touching her. <(n% then he was there. 4 ha% so"eone to ta$# with' so"eone to $augh with. 4 "isse% 0on so "uch.< ,is &oice bro#e an% ,arry swa$$owe% the tightness away. <(n% 4 ne&er e&en #new it. -ere# was there for "e. ,e ga&e "eAstrength to go on. ( %esire to be so"ething better than 4 thought 4 cou$% be.< 0e"us no%%e%. <Bour father an% Sirius ga&e "e that.< <?issy ga&e F""a a sister. (n% (nneA?er$in' 0e"us' she $o&es that wo"an $i#e a "other.< <4 #now'< 0e"us no%%e%.

<4 can;t $et the ?inistry ta#e that fro" the".< <Bou "ay not ha&e a choice.< <3e a$ways ha&e choices'< ,arry shoo# his hea% s$ow$y' his fingertip tracing the $ines on @inny;s pa$". <3hen your "e"ories are gone' there;s thisAho$e. (n% you "ay not e&er #now what;s "issing' but you can fee$ it. 4t;s a$ways thereDan% you;re %rawn to it.< ,arry stare% at the crac#ing white p$aster on the wa$$s. <4n >uiet "o"ents' you thin# about it' trying to fi$$ the ho$e' but nothing e&er >uite fits.< The roo" was hea&y with si$ence. @inny;s breathing an% the "o&e"ent of her bo%y were the on$y soun%s. <Bou te$$ the" that' ,arry'< 0e"us sai% soft$y. ,is han% reste% $ight$y on ,arry;s shou$%er. <Bou say it :ust $i#e that.< ,arry no%%e%' g$ancing at the "an before returning his ga5e to his wife;s han%. <4 wi$$'< he &owe% >uiet$y. (rthur no%%e% to the two witches he passe% in the corri%or' not e&en rea$i5ing he was whist$ing a strange tune unti$ he ha% reache% his se$%o" use% office. ?o$$y ha% been in such a fine "oo% this "orning' $istening to Ce$estina 3arbec# on the wire$ess whi$e she "a%e brea#fast. They;% e&en %ance% a few bars aroun% the #itchen' ?o$$y;s woo%en spoon %ripping eggs a$$ o&er the f$oor. 4t was so %ifferent now. F&erything' rea$$y' (rthur "use%. That %i%n;t "ean there weren;t prob$e"s. ,e scow$e% thin#ing of the upco"ing tria$ $ater this "orning. That wasn;t going to be p$easant at a$$. But ,arry assure% the" he was rea%y. The ?inistry ha% p$anne% on ha&ing @inny testify as we$$' unti$ both ,arry an% /ings$ey pointe% out that she #new nothing "ore than ,arry %i%. So @inny was sti$$ at the Burrow now' ta#ing care of .a"es' who ha% co"e %own with his first co$%. (rthur s"i$e%' thin#ing of $ast night when @inny ha% use% an eye%ropper to gi&e hi" a tiny %ose of *epper+up *otion. ,is $itt$e face ha% turne% bright re% an% his ears ha% stea"e% as he screa"e% about the unfairness of it a$$.

,arry ha% co"e in at :ust the wrong "o"ent' s"ir#e% an% "a%e a co""ent about .a"es %efinite$y ta#ing after his "other;s te"per. ( running batt$e ha% ensue%' fina$$y en%ing with @inny sitting on ,arry;s sto"ach an% threatening to stay there fore&er. Their $aughter ha% fi$$e% the Burrow' war"ing (rthur %own to his toes. 4t was won%erfu$ to ha&e the" bac# again. <(rthur' the courtroo" is fi$$ing.< 0e"us stoo% in his %oorway an% (rthur no%%e%. <2ost in your thoughts=< 0e"us as#e%' patting his frien% on the bac# as (rthur eCite% his office an% set a $oc#ing spe$$. <4 was'< (rthur sighe%. <3e$$' we;% best get %own there'< 0e"us s"i$e% easi$y. <So"eone wi$$ see two e"pty seats an% be in the" in a heartbeat.< (rthur chuc#$e%. Seating for the tria$ was at a pre"iu". The ?inistry si"p$y refuse% to eCpan% the courtroo"' which was probab$y for the best. There was going to be enough press there as it was. <Cor'< (rthur breathe% as he entere% the roo". ,e;% ne&er seen this "any faces in one of the se$%o" use% courtroo"s. The fu$$ 3i5enga"ot' in their rega$ p$u" robes' were seate% i"perious$y in their high benches' $oo#ing %own at the courtroo". ( spi#e of sy"pathy for ,arry' who ha% $i&e% this scene when he was fifteen' shot through hi". (rthur cou$%n;t i"agine the i"posing fee$ing it "ust cause' to be stan%ing there in front of a$$ of those peop$e as#ing >uestions an% %e"an%ing answers. <,ow is ,arry ho$%ing up=< (rthur as#e%. The $a% ha% $oo#e% rather pa$e at brea#fast' not eating "ore than a s$ice of %ry toast. <,e;s rea%y for it to be o&er' 4 thin#'< 0e"us a%"itte%. The two "en too# their seats' no%%ing to those in the au%ience that they #new. ( $ou% c$anging soun% was hear% an% e&eryone turne% to watch -raco ?a$foy be brought into the courtroo". ,e $oo#e% we$$ ta#en care of' %espite the pa$$or an% sun#en chee#s. (rthur furrowe% his brow. ?a$foy $oo#e% &ery "uch $i#e his father' but the high set B$ac# chee#bones were apparent as we$$. ?a$foy stare% at the chair in the center of the roo" an% on$y "o&e% forwar% when he was sharp$y pro%%e% in the bac# by the escorting (uror;s wan%. ,e s$ow$y san# %own into the

i"posing chair an% the chains wrappe% o&er his wrists an% aroun% his an#$es' "a#ing the entire crow% :u"p at their soun%. <?r. ?a$foy'< 0ufus Scri"geour;s gruff &oice echoe% through the cha"ber' si$encing the au%ience. <4f you are rea%y.< (rthur thought the "an $oo#e% rea%y to &o"it a$$ o&er his shoes' but he no%%e%' his b$on%e hair co"ing forwar% to fra"e his face. *ercy stoo%' ho$%ing a scro$$' rea%ing fro" it with perfect %iction. (rthur $et the wor%s wash o&er hi"' not rea$$y caring. ,e cou$%n;t ta#e his eyes off of ?a$foy;s profi$e. @one was the haughty' se$f+i"portant "an that use% to strut through the ?inistry corri%ors' his father;s cape f$apping behin% hi". ,ere instea% was a wrec# of a "an whose choices ref$ecte% a $ifeti"e of bigote% a%u$ts foisting their opinions on hi" an% "o$%ing hi" into what they thought he shou$% be. But' as ,arry ha% pointe% out in a %iscussion :ust the other night' it was ?a$foy hi"se$f who ha% chosen to act on those be$iefs. 6o one ha% he$% a wan% to his hea% an% force% hi" to fore&er change the $i&es of so "any peop$e. 0e"us nu%ge% (rthur an% he sat up' now paying fu$$ attention to the procee%ings. ,arry entere%' pausing on$y a "o"ent to $oo# at ?a$foy before ta#ing a seat an% gi&ing his testi"ony. ,is &oice was c$ear an% his %escriptions easy to un%erstan%' e&en though the wor%s he spo#e "a%e (rthur;s gut c$ench. ?a$foy %i%n;t %ispute anything ,arry sai%' an% san# $ower an% $ower in his chair. (rthur a$"ost eCcuse% hi"se$f to be sic# when ,arry %escribe% wa#ing up in the hospita$' not re"e"bering anything. <Stea%y'< 0e"us breathe%' gi&ing (rthur;s ar" a s>uee5e. ,is grey eyes "easure% (rthur c$ose$y' perhaps thin#ing of the stro#e not so "any years ago. <4;" fine'< (rthur assure% hi"' forcing out ha$f a s"i$e that fe$t "ore $i#e a gri"ace. <.ustA< <Beah'< 0e"us no%%e% :er#i$y. The $ines aroun% his "outh assure% (rthur that he fe$t i$$ as we$$. The tria$ was fair$y short' (rthur thought. ,e was surprise% when it en%e% :ust before $unch' but the e&i%ence was %a"ning. ,arry;s testi"ony ha% ha""ere% a$$ the pro&erbia$ nai$s in ?a$foy;s coffin. Bet' ,arry ha% ne&er been con%escen%ing or nasty in his co""ents.

(rthur was prou% of hi". *rou% of the "an he ha% beco"e. <-raco ?a$foy' the 3i5enga"ot fin%s you gui$ty of the "ur%er of 4ris *ar#inson' gui$ty of accessory to "ur%er of *ansy *ar#inson an% Theo%ore 6ott' an% the i$$ega$' an% -ar# ?agic practice of using a ?e"ory B$oc# against one witch an% one wi5ar%.< The proc$a"ation soun%e% $i#e a $ow' so$itary be$$ aroun% the %ungeon. <The seriousness of these cri"es usua$$y ho$%s the pena$ty of a -e"entor;s #iss.< (rthur suc#e% in his breath' wincing. ,e hate% -e"entorsG no "atter what purpose the 3i5ar%ing wor$% thought they ser&e%. <,owe&er' ?r. *otter has sub"itte% a state"ent to the 3i5enga"ot suggesting that your sentence be co""ute% to a $ife $i&e% in (5#aban.< ,ea%s spun an% $oo#e% at ,arry' who stare% b$an#$y' %efiant$y ahea%. (rthur was e&en "ore prou% of hi". ,e no%%e% fir"$y. ?ercy. 4t was the right thing to %o. <4n %ebt to ?r. *otter' we ha&e &ote% to fo$$ow his wishes. Bou are hereby sentence% to spen% the re"ain%er of your $ife in (5#aban prison' an% the sentence is to begin i""e%iate$y.< ?a$foy' unresponsi&e unti$ now' stare% up at the 3i5enga"ot. (rthur trie% to %ecipher the strange $oo# on his face. !or an instant' it $oo#e% as if the worst sentence possib$e ha% been i"pose% on hi". Then si$ent resignation too# o&er. ,is eyes sett$e% on ,arry' who he$% his ga5e an% no%%e% once. (rthur wasn;t sure what ha% passe% between the two "enDbut it was so"ething significant' he #new. <Co"e on'< 0e"us urge%' tugging at his e$bow. <,arry wi$$ be trying to get out of here soon' before the press can corner hi".< (rthur chuc#$e%. 6ews of ,arry an% @inny;s return ha% been in e&ery newspaper an% on e&ery witch;s an% wi5ar%;s $ips since the story was first reporte%. 4t wou$% sti$$ be so"e ti"e before either ,arry or @inny was seen outsi%e the Burrow without an (uror escort. The two "en "a%e their way out of the courtroo"' watching as ,arry inche% his way towar% the %oors. The press c$ose% in on hi". 0on stoo% neCt to ,arry' his $arge han% he$ping stea%y his frien%;s shou$%er an% "o&e hi" forwar%. Three other (uror;s surroun%e% ,arry as the reporters ye$$e% their >uestions. <?r. *otter' cou$% you pose for a picture.<

<?r. *otter' what are you going to %o now=< <?r. *otter' can you confir" ru"ors of you :oining the (urors=< The >uestions went on an% on as ,arry #ept his hea% %own' pressing forwar%. <?r. *otter' %o you fee$ that :ustice was ser&e%=< (rthur was surprise% when ,arry fa$tere% in his step' turning to $oo# at the "an who ha% as#e% hi". <6o'< ,arry answere% soft$y. <4 %on;t.< Shoc#e% si$ence sprea% through the crow%. <There is no :ustice for so"ething $i#e this. 4t can ne&er be repai%.< ,arry;s &oice was fu$$ of e"otion' far %ifferent fro" the "echanica$ reciting of facts he ha% gi&en in the courtroo". <Bou can;t ha&e those years bac#.< <Then why %i% you as# that ?r. ?a$foy;s $ife be spare%=< ,arry thought about that for a "o"ent. <Because 4;" not $i#e hi"'< he sai% si"p$y. 6o further eCp$anation was nee%e% as he turne% on his hee$' 0on at his si%e' an% presse% through the crow%. ,arry sat at the far e%ge of the pub' in the sha%ows. ,is bac# was to the wa$$Dwhich was a bit "uch' he #new' especia$$y since he was in the ?ugg$e wor$%' far fro" where anyone wou$% recogni5e hi" an% b$in% hi" with ca"era f$ashes. ,ere he was si"p$y .ac#' "eeting a frien% for a %rin#. ,e;% a$"ost finishe% his pint of bitter when -ere# ca"e in' g$ancing aroun% the pub before s$i%ing hea&i$y into his seat an% signa$ing the bar"an that he wou$% ha&e the sa"e as ,arry. <,ow are you=; ,arry as#e%' ner&ous$y swa$$owing. ,e;% fought so har% against the ?inistry to assure that -ere# an% ?issy an% (nne wou$%n;t ha&e to be 1b$i&iate%. (n% now that he ha% won' it was ti"e to te$$ -ere# the truth. <($right'< -ere# no%%e% stiff$y. ,is eyes to$% ,arry enough an% he sighe% hea&i$y. <-on;t be $i#e that.< <-on;t be $i#e what=< -ere# as#e%' shrugging in innocence. <This'< ,arry proteste%' ho$%ing out his han% towar% -ere#. <4;" sorry' -ere#.<

-ere# no%%e% s$ow$y' his eyes sti$$ not $ea&ing his frien%. <?y best "ate %isappears for wee#s' ta#ing his wife' who 4 $o&e $i#e a sister' an% my godson with hi". (n% 4 %on;t get so "uch as a by your $ea&e.< ,arry sighe%' running his fingers up an% %own the pint g$ass' trying to %eci%e what to te$$ his frien%. ,e an% @inny ha% ta$#e% about it for hours. Their frien%s %eser&e% to #now the who$e truth. <(re you going to te$$ "e what;s been happening=< -ere# as#e%. ,arry hate% the thin$y &ei$e% bitterness in -ere#;s &oice' but he un%erstoo% it. <4 a"'< ,arry sai%. <4;" :ust trying to %eci%e how to %o it.< -ere# stare% at hi" before the si%e of his "outh >uir#e%. <@ot yourse$f into so"e sort of "ess' ha&en;t you.< <4n a way'< ,arry agree% with a croo#e% s"i$e. <3e foun% @innyDer"' F""a;s fa"i$y.< -ere# stare% at hi". <,er na"e is @inny.< ,e see"e% to be testing the weight of it on his tongue before shrugging. <4t is'< ,arry no%%e%. <She was born in -e&on. (n% she has siC o$%er brothers.< <B$i"ey' .ac#'< -ere# $aughe%. <(n% you;re sti$$ a$i&e=< ,arry chuc#$e%. <Current$y' yes.< <They ne&er #new where she was= -i% they e&er $oo#=< Sighing' ,arry shoo# his hea%. <They thought she ha% %ie% inAan acci%ent. They were to$% she was %ea%.< -ere# wince%. <That;s where you;&e been staying.< <4t is'< ,arry no%%e%. <3e wante% to gi&e the" a chance to get to #now us again' to "eet .ay.< -ere# no%%e%' ta#ing a sip fro" his pint. <3aitAyou sai% ;us;Dwhat %o you "ean=< ,arry ruff$e% his hair' g$ance% aroun% an% surreptitious$y cast /uffliato aroun% the"' his wan% tuc#e% un%er the tab$e. <There;s a $ot "ore to the story' -ere#.< ,is frien% narrowe% his eyes' "ore in confusion than %oubt. <4;" $istening.<

<Bou #now 4;&e ne&er $ie% to you' right=< ,arry as#e%. <(n% you;% better not start now'< -ere# no%%e%. <3hate&er it is' .ac#' 4 can han%$e it.< ,arry snorte%' won%ering if he rea$$y cou$%' an% shoo# his hea% to c$ear it. <?y na"e isn;t .ac# 4nga$$s.< <3e$$' we #new that'< -ere# scoffe%. <4t;s ,arry *otterA< (n hour $ater' an% four e"pty pints' -ere# sat bac# against his chair' his eyes wi%e. ,arry cou$% ha&e sworn there was stea" co"ing fro" his ears fro" trying to process e&erything. <4;" not sure what to say'< he fina$$y sai%. ,arry no%%e% in un%erstan%ing. <4t;s a $ot to ta#e in.< <F&erything;s going to change now'< -ere# sai% "orose$y. <Bou;re part of that wor$% now.< ,arry shoo# his hea%. <That %oesn;t "ean 4 can;t be part of this one any"ore. 4 was a$ways a part of that wor$%' -ere#' 4 :ust %i%n;t #now it.< <Bou;re aAwi5ar%'< -ere# sai%' the wor% s$ow to co"e out of his "outh. <Bes.< <F""aDer' @innyAshe;s a witch=< ,arry a$"ost snorte% at the phrase' which sai% anywhere e$se wou$% bring about a &ery %ifferent connotation. <She is.< They $apse% into si$ence for a "inute an% ,arry $et out a %eep breath. ,e fe$t $ighter for ha&ing to$% -ere# the truth. Bet it $oo#e% as if the weight ha% si"p$y been passe% to his frien%' whose shou$%ers s$u"pe% hea&i$y. ,opefu$$y @inny was ha&ing as goo% of $uc# with ?issy an% (nne. They;% %eci%e% that sp$itting things up this afternoon "ight be easier. ,arry sti$$ wasn;t sure about that' but he thought "aybe he;% gotten the better en% of the bargain. -ere# stare% %own at his han%s. <There;s rea$$y a ga"e ca$$e%A>ueer%itch.< ,e raise% an eyebrow' "eeting ,arry;s ga5e with a >uir#e% s"i$e. ,arry snorte%' his $augh we$$ing fro" %eep insi%e of hi". <FrAyeah. But it;s ca$$e% /w+ i+%itch'< he enunciate%' rubbing the bac# of his hea%.

<(n% it;s $i#e footba$$A< -ere# peere% at hi"' <eCceptAon broo"s.< <Beah'< ,arry $aughe%. ?aybe it was a "a$e thing' he thought' this fascination with sports. 1r "aybe it was :ust ,arry;s taste in frien%s. <!ifty feet in the air=< <So"eti"es higher'< ,arry shrugge%' an easy s"i$e stretching on his face. <,ow about 4 arrange for us to see a ga"e soon=< he as#e%. ( curious eCpression crept across -ere#;s face' e&en though ,arry cou$% te$$ he was sti$$ strugg$ing with the i%ea. <4 "ight forgi&e you for #eeping this fro" "e then.< ,arry $aughe% again' his sto"ach $ooseningG he %i%n;t rea$i5e he;% been c$enching it. <SoAyou be$ie&e "e then=< ,arry as#e%. ,e watche% his frien% c$ose$y as -ere#;s face ran a ga"ut of eCpressions. <Bou;re co"p$ete$y' certifiab$y nutters'< -ere# shoo# his hea%. <ButAyeah.< ,arry ho&ere% o&er .a"es as the baby s"i$e% his wi%e' tooth$ess grin at hi". <4 thin# he;s rea$$y starting to recogni5e "e'< ,arry sai%' gi&ing an awe fi$$e% s"i$e to @inny. She ro$$e% her eyes an% chuc#$e%' ho$%ing her p$ace in the "aga5ine she was rea%ing. ,arry grow$e% at her an% reache% up' running his finger a$ong the botto" of her bare foot' which %ang$e% off the si%e of the sofa. She s>uea$e% $ou%$y an% tuc#e% her feet up un%er her' gi&ing hi" her patente% %eath g$are. <,arry'< she sai%' her &oice bor%ering on the tone she use% when she was patroni5ing hi". <.ay has been ab$e to recogni5e you for a $ong ti"e.< ,e fe$t his chee#s heat an% shrugge%' turning bac# to his son. <But 4;" your fa&orite'< he tease%' capturing .ay;s wa&ing han% between his $ips an% preten%ing to chew on it. <6ot b$oo%y $i#e$y'< @inny co""ente%' a$though her %istracte% tone to$% hi" she;% gone bac# to rea%ing the 9ui%%itch artic$e. <3hy not=< ,arry as#e%' snatching the baby up an% $ifting hi" high in the air. <4 cou$% be' you %on;t #nowA<

@inny sighe%' eCasperate% an% tosse% the "aga5ine away fro" her. <3hen you grow a pair of these'< she reache% up an% cuppe% her breasts' "a#ing ,arry f$ush bright re%' <then 4;" sure you wi$$ be his fa&orite.< <FrA"aybe 4 ca"e at the wrong ti"e.< They both turne%' $oo#ing at 0on' who stoo% in the %oorway to the sitting roo"' wearing a fa%e%' "aroon 3eas$ey :u"per with a go$% ;0; on the chest' an% two sho&e$s in his han%. <3hat are you %oing with those=< ,arry as#e%' >uir#ing an eyebrow. <-igging'< 0on announce% with a ro$$ of his eyes' saying it shou$% be &ery ob&ious. <-igging'< ,arry repeate%. <Beah'< 0on no%%e%. <3ant to he$p=< ,arry g$ance% o&er at @inny who raise% her shou$%er in bewi$%er"ent. <FrA< <4 thought you "ight want to he$p "e.< 3hate&er 0on was on about' it see"e% i"portant to hi". Besi%es' ,arry ha%n;t been out recent$y. <($right'< he shrugge%. <.ust $et "e pu$$ on a :u"per.< 0on;s s"i$e sprea% wi%e an% he no%%e%' $eaning on the two sho&e$s. ,arry p$ace% .ay in his carrier an% hurrie% up the steps' two at a ti"e to the be%roo" that he an% @inny sti$$ share% with .ay. They ha% ta$#e% about fin%ing their own f$at soon' but it ha% on$y been a few "onths' an% @inny was sti$$ en:oying her fa"i$y;s co"pany. 3hen he ca"e bac# %own' he ha% the %istinct fee$ing he ha% interrupte% a con&ersation because @inny;s eyes were "isty with e"otion an% the tips of 0on;s ears were burning. <0ea%y=< ,arry g$ance% once "ore at @inny. She shrugge% off his >uestioning $oo# an% went up on her tiptoes to #iss his chee#. <-on;t be too $ate'< she sai% soft$y. ,e was "o"entari$y %istracte% by her soft $ips an% the "ore inti"ate tone in her &oice. 4f on$y 0on wasn;t stan%ing behin% hi"Ac$earing his throat an% soun%ing high$y agitate%.

<($rightA-igger'< ,arry grinne%' s#eptica$$y ta#ing the sho&e$. <2ea% on.< 0on see"e% to #now where he was going' his $ong stri%es forcing ,arry to hurry in #eeping up. They passe% through the gar%en an% struc# out across the c$earing' towar% the orchar%' the "oist grass stic#ing to their shoes an% wetting the e%ges of their trousers. 0ea$i5ation %awne% on ,arry as they got c$oser to the trees. <The groun% was too fro5en before now'< 0on "ur"ure%' s$owing his "o&e"ent as the two b$ac# hea%stones ca"e into &iewDgaping ho$es stan%ing e"pty in front of the". The bo%ies of *ansy *ar#inson an% Theo%ore 6ott ha% been re"o&e% before ?a$foy;s tria$. ,arry wasn;t sure where they reste% nowAhe;% ha&e to fin% out. 4t see"e% so"ehow i"portant to #now. <3hy not :ust "agic the %irt bac# in=< ,arry as#e%. ,e fe$t strange stan%ing in front of what ha% once been his gra&eDin weir% way. 4t was "orose' yet fascinating a$$ the sa"e. 0on shrugge% his shou$%er' not "eeting ,arry;s eye co"p$ete$y. <4t see"s on$y right that we %o it this way. 3e %ug the" by han%.< <0ea$$y=< ,arry stare% at the $ong' rectangu$ar ho$es' si%e by si%e in the rich brown earth. 4t wasn;t so"ething he;% e&er thought about. But' instant$y' he #new that if the situation ha% been re&erse%' if for so"e reason he;% nee%e% to bury 0onDthe thought "a%e his sto"ach turn unco"fortab$yDhe wou$% ha&e %ug the gra&e in :ust the sa"e way. <Beah'< 0on no%%e%. ,e sun# his sho&e$ into the pi$e of %irt off to one si%e with a $ou% grunt. <4 thin# it he$pe%.< ,arry no%%e%' watching as the sho&e$+fu$$ of %irt casca%e% %own into the "u%%y %epths. ,e watche% se&era$ "inutes "ore before %igging in his own sho&e$' $ifting the %irt abo&e the ho$e in front of @inny;s hea%stone. (s the %irt fe$$' ,arry "enta$$y a%%e% a ba% "e"ory to it. ,e presse% the nose of the sho&e$ in again' fee$ing a bit better. Sho&e$ after sho&e$ swung o&er the ho$e' the two frien%s wor#ing in si$ence on$y %isturbe% by their grunts an% sighs. 1nce the first ho$e was fu$$' ,arry $et his sho&e$ fa$$ to the groun%' his ar"s screa"ing in protest. ,e s$u"pe% to the groun%' breathing hea&i$y.

(s he wor#e%' a$$ of the horri% "e"ories of the past eCorcise% the"se$&es to the surface of his "in%' %own his ar"' %own the sho&e$ an% into the %irt. ,e fe$t a bit $i#e he;% burie% so"e of his %e"ons in that ho$e. <Bou;re right'< he sai% soft$y' g$ancing to where 0on s>uatte% neCt to the other ho$e. <4t %oes he$p.< 0on no%%e%' roc#ing bac# to sit fu$$y on the %irt. ,arry "o&e% o&er to sit neCt to hi"' an% then scoote% so that his feet were %ang$ing in the opening for the gra&e. ,e snorte% out a $augh an% g$ance up at 0on. <Bou;re a sic# bastar%'< 0on shoo# his hea%' a$though he :oine% ,arry' his own $egs %ang$ing %own into the %ar#ness. <0on'< ,arry began' fee$ing that he nee%e% to say so"ething' but not #nowing what yet. <Than# you.< They $oo#e% at each other c$ose$y' both fee$ing aw#war%. <4t;s :ust %irt'< 0on shrugge%. <6ot for this'< ,arry "otione% to the sho&e$s an% the re"aining pi$e of %irt to be "o&e%. <!or this'< he gesture% to the ho$e. <(n% for not gi&ing up on us.< 0on shoo# his hea% :er#i$y. ,e "a%e a strange soun% $ow in his throat an% ,arry thought he "ight be crying. ,e a&erte% his eyes' $oo#ing straight forwar% into the trees. <4 %i% gi&e up'< 0on fina$$y sai%. <4 %i%n;t want to.< <,er"ione to$% "e'< ,arry sai%. <But you %i%n;t gi&e up hope' 0on' you ga&e up the anger. That;s %ifferent.< 0on suc#e% in a harsh breath. <4 shou$% ha&e %one so"ethingAanything.< ,arry shoo# his hea%. <0onAthere are a$ways going to be regrets. 4 ga&e up a$$ hope. Bou shou$% be "a% at "e for that.< <Bou %i%n;t #now.< <4 %i%'< ,arry proteste%' rubbing the p$ace o&er his aching heart. <4 #new in here' 0on.< <4 forgot to re"e"ber so"eti"es'< 0on a%"itte%' his &oice &ery $ow. <4t was easier to be angry than to re"e"ber.<

,arry no%%e%' un%erstan%ing perfect$y. <Ton#s to$% "e about so"ething'< he sai%' a wic#e% s"i$e brea#ing out on his face. ,e bit his $ip' trying not to brea# out in $aughter. <Shite'< 0on gru"b$e%. <That %a"n wo"an to$% you' %i%n;t she=< ,is face g$owe% re% in the $ate afternoon sun an% ,arry $aughe% "ighti$y. <Co"e on then' $et us see it.< <6o'< 0on proteste%' sho&ing ,arry;s shou$%er har% enough that he tippe% o&er si%eways. <1i'< ,arry proteste%. <4f 4 ha% one' 4;% show you.< 0on shoo# his hea%' absent$y rubbing the spot o&er his heart where Ton#s ha% confi%e% that 0on;s tattoo resi%e%. <Co"e on'< ,arry ca:o$e%. <4 won;t te$$ anyoneDnot e&en @inny if you %on;t want.< 0on groane% $ou%$y' his hea% f$opping bac# on his shou$%ers an% staring at the s#y. <Bou pro"ise=< ,arry;s s"i$e stretche% across his face an% he no%%e% enthusiastica$$y' surreptitious$y hi%ing his crosse% fingers behin% hi". <4 on$y got it because 4 thought you were %ea%'< 0on proteste%' shuc#ing off his :u"per an% tugging his sweaty un%ershirt out of his trousers. <4 shou$% get it re"o&e% now'< he gru"b$e%. ,arry;s %esire to $augh %ie% in his throat as the tattoo was re&ea$e%. Two high$y %etai$e% %ragons sta"pe% an% roare% fire on his chest. <0on'< he sai%' e"otion cho#ing hi". <4 %on;t #now what to sayA< <Bou can b$oo%y we$$ gi&e a goo% eu$ogy for "e if ?u" e&er fin%s out about this.< 0on aw#war%$y tuc#e% his shirt bac# on' $ea&ing the :u"per off. <0onD< <-on;t say anything' ,arry'< 0on proteste%. <Bou;$$ :ust "uc# it up.< ,arry snorte% an% no%%e% his acceptance of that. <Beah' 4 wou$%.< <Co"e on' $et;s get this one starte% or we;$$ "iss ?u";s %inner.< 0on hea&e% hi"se$f up off the groun% with a "ighty grow$ an% pic#e% up his sho&e$. ,e ha% two fu$$ swings in before he $owere% it an% stare% at ,arry' who ha%n;t "o&e% fro" his spot. <Bou going to he$p' "ate=<

,arry $oo#e% up at hi"' gratefu$ that 0on wasn;t the type to get a$$ cho#e% up in e"otion. 4t fe$t :ust right finishing this together. <Beah'< ,arry no%%e%' stan%ing an% ta#ing his own sho&e$ in han% again. They wor#e% in si$ence again for a bit. <4s this a pri&ate party' or can anyone :oin=< ,arry wipe% the sweat fro" his face with his s$ee&e an% grinne% as @inny wrappe% her ar"s aroun% his "i%%$e' two Butterbeer bott$es %ang$ing fro" her han%s. <4t;s a$$ yours'< 0on offere% the sho&e$' snatching one of the chi$$e% bott$es fro" her' throwing his hea% bac# an% %raining a goo% portion of it. <So a$$ you %o is %ig=< @inny as#e%' $oo#ing up at ,arry. <.ust %ig'< ,arry no%%e%' nu%ging the en% of her nose with his own. <Shou$%n;t be too har%'< she no%%e%. They stoo% $oc#e% in their e"brace for a "inute before @inny han%e% hi" the bott$e an% too# the sho&e$ fro" hi". ,arry watche% her wor#' the $ate afternoon sun $ighting up her hair' "a#ing it shine bright$y. <Sa&e so"e for us'< !re% ca$$e% out as he an% @eorge hurrie% across the gar%en. ,arry;s eyes wi%ene% in a"use"ent as the rest of the 3eas$ey;s poure% out of the bac# of the Burrow' worn trousers an% fa%e% :u"pers %ecorating the". F&en ?o$$y an% (rthur $oo#e% rea%y to wor#. <4 thin# we cou$% a$$ use the fresh air'< (rthur c$appe% his son+in+$aw on the bac#. ,arry grinne% an% no%%e%' throwing his han% wi%e in in&itation. !re% an% @eorge each too# one si%e of the right hea%stone' ta#ing it in turns to push an% pu$$ on the stone' $oosening it fro" the earth. ( hearty cheer rose a$$ aroun% the fa"i$y when they fina$$y free% it. @inny' through with her turn' wrappe% her ar"s aroun% ,arry;s "i%%$e' snugg$ing into his si%e. <3aitAwhere are the #i%s=< <($icia;s watching the sprogs'< !re% ca$$e%.

@eorge grinne%. <She;s in the pu%%ing c$ub again.< Congratu$ations an% $aughter ro$$e% aroun% the c$earing. <3e;re hoping for another set of twins'< !re% respon%e% honest$y' his wi%e grin $ea&ing e&eryone with no %oubt that he was serious. ,arry groane% $ou%$y' $eaning %own to #iss @inny;s hea%. <,e;s insane'< he "u"b$e%. <)sua$$y'< @inny agree%' $aughing as Char$ie an% 0on too# their turn re"o&ing ,arry;s hea%stone. ,arry s"i$e% in content"ent. ,er"ione' "u% sp$attere% on the si%e of her nose' cheere% 0on on' an% e&en %e$icate !$eur $ifte% a sho&e$ or two' %oing her part to hea$ a bit of the past. The nor"a$cy of a situation that shou$% not fee$ nor"a$ washe% o&er hi". ,arry fina$$y rea$i5e% that he was ho"e. 4t ha% been a $ong :ourney' but he;% foun% his fa"i$y. A/N: In all the silliness of not admitting the number of chapters" I'%e actually had fun stringing e%eryone along5but5this is the final chapter of this story. There will be an epilogue posted soon to wrap a few things up. Also" I can announce that se%eral people ha%e shown an interest in seeing some of the scenes that were remo%ed for editing or ta!en out because they simply didn't ad%ance the plot. In the ne2t few wee!s I'll be cleaning those up" possibly writing a few more" and get to posting them. &o !eep your eyes open out there. +)

*Chapter 18*: Chapter 18

-isc$ai"er: ($$ stories in this archi&e are base% on characters an% situations create% an% owne% by ./ 0ow$ing' &arious pub$ishers inc$u%ing but not $i"ite% to B$oo"sbury Boo#s' Scho$astic Boo#s an% 0aincoast Boo#s' an% (12 Ti"e 3arner' an% ha&e been use% without per"ission. 0ights to these characters an% their i"ages is neither c$ai"e% nor i"p$ie%. 4t is not en%orse% by any of the afore"entione% parties. ($$ recogni5ab$e characters' song $yrics' settings' an% i%eas not associate% with the wor$% of ,arry *otter re"ain the property of their respecti&e owners an% a$$ origina$ characters' situations' p$aces an% i%eas are the so$e property of their creators. 1rigina$ content &iewe% here "ay not be use% without their per"ission. This story is inten%e% for entertain"ent purposes on$y. 6o "oney is being "a%e an% no copyright or tra%e"ar# infringe"ent is inten%e%.

Chapter 18: *pilogue "uly 2 1 @inny;s eyes f$uttere% open' bright sun$ight fi$tering through the curtains on the win%ow. She was a"a5e% that she;% s$ept so $ate. She ha% been awa#e before se&en e&ery "orning for years. )sua$$y that %i%n;t bother her "uch' as the house was >uiet that ear$y in the "orning. But so"eti"es she appreciate% :ust being $a5y in be%. ,a&ing three chi$%ren "eant that rare$y happene%. She cou$% fee$ ,arry behin% her' his breathing sti$$ s$ow an% %eep. 0ea$i5ation of what %ay it was sett$e% on her an% she s"i$e%' ro$$ing o&er to stu%y her husban%;s face. (nother year o$%erDnot that it "attere%. ,e was "ore han%so"e than he ha% been the first ti"e she;% seen hi"' s#inny an% frightene% on *$atfor" 7 N. (n% he was :ust as han%so"e the secon% ti"e she;% notice% hi"' on the train in ?anchester' his hair wi$% an% his eyes tire%. The years ha% a%%e% new wrin#$es an% $augh $ines aroun% his "outh. ,is hair was as b$ac# as e&er' not a gray hair in sight. That frustrate% @inny a bit as she;% foun% three :ust the other %ay on her own hea%. But she suppose% that they;% earne% e&ery wrin#$e an% grey hairD$i#e ba%ges of honor for a$$ that they;% been through. ,er fingers in&o$untari$y reache% up an% trace% the faint $ines aroun% his s$ac# "outh. 4t fe$t goo% to see those "ar#s creasing his "outh' where his s"i$e stretche%. They;% certain$y ha% enough to s"i$e about in the $ast se&en years. Se&en years. @inny b$ew out a breath at that thought. 4t see"e% so short at ti"es. She sti$$ re"e"bere% .a"es; tiny bo%y cra%$e% in ,arry;s $arge han%. ,is frai$ $itt$e fingers c$aspe% aroun% their $arger fingersA (n% yet' it see"e% $ong ago as we$$. She c$ose% her eyes an% trie% to re"e"ber those %istant %ays of being F""a. 4t was such a %ifferent $ife an% the "e"ories were fa%ing. <.ac#'< she whispere%' $eaning forwar% to press a #iss against his chin. <3a#e up' .ac#.< ,arry shifte%' his han% co"ing up to rub his eyes. <?orning'< he "u"b$e% groggi$y. <,arry Birth%ay' .ac#.< ,e s"i$e% s$ow$y an% wrappe% his ar"s aroun% her. <4 forgot.< @inny s"i$e%' #issing hi" again. <4 #now. 4 ha% a har% ti"e #eeping the #i%s >uiet about it.<

1ne of his eyes opene% an% peere% at her. <(re you p$anning so"ething=< She $aughe%' snugg$ing %own into his e"brace. <(ren;t 4 a$ways p$anning so"ething=< ,arry chuc#$e%. <-o 4 get to #now=< <,"".< She preten%e% to thin# about it before sha#ing her hea%. <Bou;$$ #now at %inner tonight.< 2aughing as he stuc# his $ip out in a pout' @inny ro$$e% her eyes. <-on;t try an% figure it out' ,arry. 4t was .ay;s i%ea an% he wor#e% har% on it.< ( s#eptica$' wary $oo# sprea% across his face. <6othing;s going to b$ow up' is it=< @inny $aughe%. .a"es ha% ta#en a specia$ interest in his )nc$es; !re% an% @eorge;s shop an% a$ways begge% to go in when they went to -iagon ($$ey. <4 "a#e no pro"ises'< she he$% up her han%. <4t;s >uiet now'< ,arry suggeste%' running his han%s up her bac# s$ow$y. @inny;s face heate% an% she no%%e%. <4t is.< <-o we ha&e ti"e=< he as#e% as he ro$$e% her o&er' pressing #isses on the ten%er f$esh be$ow her ear. <3e "ight'< she agree%' $ifting her hair out of the way so he cou$% continue. They #isse% se&era$ ti"es an% ,arry;s han% was on its way into her py:a"a shirt when footsteps an% gigg$es echoe% %own the ha$$. ,arry grow$e% against her s#in' re"o&ing his han% an% straightening her py:a"as. <(h' the po$ice'< @inny no%%e%. They both sighe%' $oo#ing at each other an% s"i$ing in %isappoint"ent an% resignation. <2ater=< ,arry as#e% hopefu$$y. <3e;$$ see'< was a$$ that @inny wou$% pro"ise. 4t was going to be a fu$$ %ay' after a$$. She #new she;% gi&e in whene&er they cou$% fin% a >uiet "o"ent' but it was fun to see hi" s>uir" a bit. <,appy birth%ay' -a%%yH< Three $itt$e &oices cheere% fro" the %oorway before bo$ting across the har%woo% f$oor' :u"ping "i% stri%e an% $an%ing in the "i%%$e of the be%' a tang$e of #nees an% e$bows.

2i$y was sti$$ too s"a$$ to :u"p onto the "attress as her o$%er brothers ha%' so she stoo% at the si%e of the be%' her ar"s he$% high' her brown eyes wi%e with hope. <Co"e here' *rincess'< ,arry grunte%' $ifting his %aughter into the "ass of bo%ies' where she wigg$e% into her own p$ace' tuc#e% into ,arry;s si%e' an% ho$%ing ($;s han%. @inny sighe% in content"ent' g$ancing up o&er two hea%s of b$ac# hair an% one of re% to fin% her husban%;s eyes s"i$ing eCpressi&e$y at her. <Than# you'< he sai% soft$y. .ay an% ($ gigg$e%' which set 2i$y off as we$$. <!or what' -a%%y=< .ay as#e%. <3e ha&en;t e&en gi&en you your presents yet.< <?u""y a$rea%y ga&e "e a coup$e'< ,arry proteste%' ruff$ing his o$%est son;s hair p$ayfu$$y. <?u"H< ($ proteste%. <Bou sai% we ha% to wait.< @inny $aughe% an% he$% up her han%s in protest. <These were specia$ presents'< she c$ai"e%. <Bou can gi&e -a%%y yours $ater.< <BayH< both boys cheere% an% 2i$y' not un%erstan%ing but en:oying the eCcite"ent anyway' began :u"ping on the be%. <Co"e on' you "on#eys'< @inny ca$$e%' ro$$ing herse$f out fro" un%er the &ery "usse% co&ers. <2et;s go "a#e brea#fast for -a%%y.< ?ore $ou% cheers soun%e% as the #i%s scra"b$e% off of the be% an% tore out of the roo". <@oo% $uc# with that'< ,arry sighe% as he hefte% hi"se$f out of be%' stretching his who$e bo%y. @inny wrappe% her ar"s aroun% his torso' $aying her hea% bac# to $oo# up at hi". <Bou go ta#e a shower whi$e we "a#e brea#fast. 0on;s co"ing at ten to pic# you up.< ,arry chuc#$e%' rubbing her bac# gent$y. <4t;s on$y the Cannons' @inny. 4t;s not $i#e we;$$ "iss "uch if we;re $ate.< <True'< @inny agree%. <But you #now how 0on is. 4t;s a tra%ition. (n% this ti"e it :ust happens to $an% on your birth%ay.< <4 #now'< ,arry sai%' $eaning %own to #iss her. <4 "eant what 4 sai% ear$ier' @inny. Bou ne&er ha&e to gi&e "e a birth%ay presentDyou;&e a$rea%y gi&en "e so "uch.<

@inny s"i$e% up at hi"' her heart beating $ou%$y in her chest. <4 %o ha&e one present to gi&e you.< <Shou$% it wait unti$ $ater=< ,arry as#e%' his eyebrow raising. <4 wou$%n;t want you to get in troub$e with ($bus.< @inny $aughe%. <6ope'< she shoo# her hea%. <4t;s a surprise present.< <1h' the best #in% then'< ,arry sai%' roc#ing her si%e to si%e in their e"brace. <Co"e on then' te$$ "e what it is.< ,is wi%e grin "e$te% her heart an% she went up on tiptoe' whispering in his ear. She pu$$e% away' gigg$ing at the shoc#e% $oo# on his face. <0+rea$$y=< <)h huh'< she no%%e%. ,e $oo#e% utter$y a%orab$e with his hair "essy fro" be%' creases fro" the sheet sti$$ presse% into his chee# an% the awestruc# $oo# on his face. <4n (pri$.< ,arry grinne% wi%e$y' $eaning %own to capture her $ips in a fierce #iss. <Than# you' than# you'< he whispere% o&er an% o&er again' his han% co"ing %own to brush her be$$y. Their #issing turne% passionate for a "inute before .ay;s &oice was hear% ca$$ing fro" be$ow. <?uuu+uu"H< <Bou;% better get %own there. .ay wi$$ try an% get starte% on his own'< ,arry sai%' sighing $ou%$y an% sti$$ p$acing #isses on her face. @inny groane%' #issing hi" one $ast ti"e. <,arry Birth%ay' .ac#.< <4 $o&e you' F"'< he sai% soft$y' his fingers tracing her :aw$ine. @inny sighe% as they parte% an% hurrie% %own to the #itchen to see what her chi$%ren ha% gotten into. ,er own han% caresse% her be$$y on the way %own the stairs. ?aybe this one wou$% be another gir$' to ba$ance out their nu"bers. But it rea$$y %i%n;t "atter' @inny #new. They wou$% $o&e this chi$% :ust as "uch as they %i% the others. <?u"'< .ay accoste% her when she fina$$y reache% the #itchen. <($ sai% -a%%y has to ha&e eggs' but 4 sai% he $i#es scones better.<

<Then we;$$ "a#e both'< @inny suggeste%. 2i$y was in her seat "unching on a han%fu$ of 3i5ar% *uffs whi$e ($ %ug through the cupboar%s. <,ow about the two of you wor# on your car%s for -a%%y whi$e 4 get brea#fast starte%=< she as#e%' f$ic#ing her wan% to $e&itate the four+year+o$% %own fro" the counter. <3hat ti"e are )nc$e -ere# an% (unt ?issy co"ing=< .ay as#e%' g$ancing o&er at the c$oc#. @inny cou$% see hi" counting the nu"bers' his "outh "o&ing s$ow$y with each wor%. Ti"e te$$ing was a re$ati&e$y new s#i$$. <SiC o;c$oc#'< @inny infor"e% hi". .ay was fascinate% with his @o%parents being ?ugg$es. ,e $o&e% to hear the" te$$ stories of the ti"e when -a%%y an% ?u""y ha% been ?ugg$es as we$$. She an% ,arry ha% worrie% after as#ing -ere# an% ?issy to stan% for .ay that there wou$% be prob$e"s. (fter a$$' .ay was a "agica$ chi$%. ,ow cou$% two ?ugg$es e&er hope to re$ate to hi"= But they %i% we$$. The @raebers were at the *otter ho"e often' bringing their own chi$%ren' Ben an% Sarah' to ro"p in the bac# gar%en with .ay' ($bus an% 2i$y. <That sti$$ $ea&es p$enty of ti"e to get chores %one as we$$' $itt$e "an.< .ay groane% an% went bac# to the fo$%e% parch"ent in front of hi". <4 want to f$yH< ($bus infor"e% her. <6ot to%ay'< @inny shoo# her hea% as she "easure% the right ingre%ients for a batch of scones an% p$ace% a rising char" on the". <To%ay you nee% to c$ean your be%roo" an% he$p to get rea%y for the party. <*artyH< 2i$y cheere%' throwing a 3i5ar% *uff across the tab$e. ($bus snatche% it in the air an% @inny b$in#e%. *erhaps they ha% another See#er in the fa"i$y. <Bes' 2i$y' -a%%y;s party. But re"e"ber'< @inny bent %own to #iss her %aughter;s auburn "ass of cur$s' <it;s a secret.< She suspecte% that ,arry a$rea%y #new about the party. (fter a$$' #eeping a se&en year+ o$%' a four year+o$% an% a to%%$er >uiet about so"ething that $arge was i"possib$e. But ,arry p$aye% a$ong we$$ an% she #new he;% act surprise% tonight for the chi$%ren;s sa#e. <3i$$ there be ca#e=< .ay as#e%' painsta#ing$y writing his na"e on the insi%e of the parch"ent. 4t was ne&er si"p$y ;.ay; that he wrote. 6o' he use% his fu$$ na"e' the $etters stretching a$$ a$ong the insi%e of the car%. <1f course there wi$$ be ca#e'< @inny sai%' p$acing the now risen scones in the o&en. She then $it the fire un%er the burner an% starte% to prepare ,arry;s fa&orite scra"b$e% eggs' with :ust a bit of %i$$ an% cheese in the". <3hen ha&e we e&er ha% a birth%ay without @ran%"a ?o$$y;s ca#e=<

<3i$$ @ran%"a (nne be here=< ($ as#e%' his eyes hopefu$. @inny s"i$e%. ($bus ha% ta#en a particu$ar $i#ing to ?issy;s "other an% ha% officia$$y a%opte% her as ;@ran%"a (nne;' which thri$$e% the wo"an. She certain$y see"e% to ha&e a soft spot for the ra&en haire%' green+eye% $itt$e sca"p. <@ran%"a (nne wi$$ be here'< she no%%e%. <(unt ,er"ione wi$$ go an% get her $ater.< .ay;s eCpressi&e' %ar# eyes "et hers. <-o you thin# -a%%y wi$$ $i#e his present=< <,e;$$ $o&e it' .ay'< @inny sai% confi%ent$y. The chi$%ren ha% been wor#ing on a photo boo# for ,arry' co$$ecting photographs an% using stic#ing char"s to g$ue the" to the pages in the boo# a$ong with han%"a%e car%s an% $itt$e %rawings that they ha% create%. She ha% no %oubt that the boo# wou$% ha&e a pro"inent p$ace on ,arry;s %es# at (uror ,ea%>uarters. <3hat;s a$$ this=< ,arry as#e% as he ca"e into the #itchen' hair sti$$ %a"p fro" his shower. ,is c$ean scent washe% o&er @inny an% she too# a %eep breath' "e"ori5ing' for the "i$$ionth ti"e it see"e%' the s"e$$s that a$ways re"in%e% her of hi". <4t;s brea#fast' -a%%y'< ($bus sai% "atter+of+fact$y. <1h'< ,arry no%%e% un%erstan%ing$y. <4 thought it was supperH< <-aaa%%yyH< ($ ro$$e% his eyes. <2oo#'< .ay sai%' pointing to the foo% now being $e&itate% to the tab$e an% the parch"ent car%s the chi$%ren ha% "a%e. <There;s e&erything you nee%H< ,arry caught @inny;s eye an% he no%%e%. <Bep' e&erything 4 nee%' right here.< A/N: Than!s to e%eryone who has read and re%iewed. 4our comments ha%e meant a lot to me. $eb and #lla did a fantastic (ob on thisBfrom con%incing me that it could be resurrected from the 'rubbish file' to pushing me to finish each scene and each chapter. I hope e%eryone en(oyed it. There will be some additional scenes posted in the future" so !eep your eyes open. BAndi

*Chapter 19*: )lying +ithout A %et

)lying +ithout A %et This is the first of the deleted/additional scenes for .righter. &ome bits were written and needed to be fleshed out more for these+ some were fully sections that (ust ne%er made it into the story for one reason or another. 9i!e the deleted scenes in the 'e2tras' sections of $1$'s" these bits are usually unbeta'ed and a bit raw.

<Sure you;re rea%y for this=< ,arry as#e% as he he$% out the broo" for @inny to ta#e. <(re you=< she retorte% bac#' batting her eye$ashes at hi" p$ayfu$$y. ,arry $aughe% an% "ounte% his broo"' #ic#ing off into the fro5en !ebruary s#y. The win% was harsh against his face' nu"bing his chee#s. But it fe$t eChi$arating to be in the air again. ,e %i%n;t rea$i5e how "uch he "isse% this. 6ow the few %rea"s he;% ha% about f$ying when he was .ac# "a%e sense. This was the fee$ing he was trying to un%erstan%D$i#e f$oating on c$ou%s' or fa$$ing with on$y the thri$$ an% none of the fear. ,e g$ance% behin% hi"' seeing @inny :ust #ic# off. ,er face sp$it into a huge grin an% her pa$e chee#s f$a"e% instant$y pin# fro" the biting co$%. ,e ho&ere%' watching her in awe as she strea#e% across the s#y' her re% hair chasing her $i#e a f$a"e. She rea$$y was the $o&e$iest thing he cou$% i"agine. <3a#e up' .ac#H< she ca$$e%' start$ing hi" fro" his "usings. So"ething hea&y thu"pe% hi" in the bac# an% he spun to see a 9uaff$e fa$$ing away fro" hi". @rinning' he $eane% forwar% on his broo"' %i&ing to catch it before it touche% the groun%. 4f @inny wante% a ga"e' he;% p$ay. !our years out of practice %i%n;t see" to "atter to either of the" as they fe$$ into a gent$e ga"e' tossing the 9uaff$e through a "a#eshift hoop at one en% of the c$earing. <6ice one' *otter'< @inny ca$$e% out as she %o&e to catch the shot ,arry ha% :ust "a%e. ,arry ho&ere% again' watching as @inny set up another run' %i&ing aroun% in&isib$e opponents an% tuc#ing the 9uaff$e un%er her ar". She rea$$y shou$% ha&e p$aye% professiona$$y' ,arry sighe%. ,e fe$t a bit gui$ty that she wou$%n;t ha&e that opportunity now. ,e;% e&en brought it up a few nights ago' offering to stay ho"e with .ay' rather than :oin the (urors' so that @inny cou$% ha&e her shot at p$aying for the ,arpies. She ha% c$ear$y been touche% by his offer' an% #new it was genuine' before she eCp$aine% that it wou$% ha&e to re"ain a %rea". She wante% to be ho"e with .ay. ?aybe one %ay there wou$% be so"ething that she wou$% be intereste% in %oing outsi%e the ho"e' but for now she was &ery content to be a wife an% "other. ,e cheere% as she "a%e the shot' happy to stay where he was an% watch. @inny wipe% away a bit of sweat fro" her forehea%' tuc#e% the 9uaff$e un%er her ar" an% racing bac# to start another run.

4n this "o"ent' with her eyes focuse% on the goa$' hearing ,arry cheer for her fro" where he ho&ere%' an% fee$ing the eChi$aration of f$ying again' @inny;s heart actua$$y consi%ere% ,arry;s offer to stay ho"e with the baby. But the thought was brushe% away i""e%iate$y. She cou$%n;t see herse$f tra&e$ing so "uch an% co"ing ho"e to $earn that .a"es ha% $earne% to craw$' or sai% his first wor%' an% she ha%n;t been there to see it. !$ying ha% a$ways been i"portant to @inny. 4t was her escape when she was young an% fee$ing oppresse% by her brothers. (t ,ogwarts' p$aying 9ui%%itch ha% been a way for @inny to assert who she rea$$y was an% to stan% out fro" the rest. The fact that ,arry en%e% up noticing her for her p$aying' an% thought she was an e>ua$ on the pitch on$y a%%e% to her en:oy"ent of the sport. But she cou$% $oo# forwar% to the ti"e when she wou$% be ab$e to bring .a"es up here an% teach hi" to p$ay' :ust $i#e his parents. She ho&ere% for :ust a secon% "ore' twisting the 9uaff$e in her ar"s before $eaning forwar% on her broo"' gaining spee%. ,arry whoope% as she passe% hi" an% a wi%e grin sprea% o&er her face. The goa$ was co"ing c$oser an% c$oser an% she tense%' preparing to throw the ba$$ through it. .ust before she reache% it' howe&er' she grippe% the broo" tight$y with her thighs an% ro$$e% it. Two tight spira$s an% one giant hea&eDthe ba$$ sai$e% right through. <That was b$oo%y wic#e%' @inH< ,arry cheere%' pu$$ing up $e&e$ with her an% reaching out to her. @inny too# his co$% han% in hers' gi&ing it a >uic# s>uee5e before an i%ea ca"e to her. The 9uaff$e $ay forgotten on the groun% as @inny ga5e% in to ,arry;s eyes. <2et;s f$y together'< she suggeste%. ,e grinne% an% no%%e%. <4 a$ways wante% to %o that.< Together' they f$oate% s$ow$y to the groun%' their han%s sti$$ $ace% between the". @inny $et her broo" fa$$ to the groun% an% "o&e% to stra%%$e ,arry;s' s$ipping front of hi". ,is ar"s wrappe% aroun% her waist an% she scoote% bac# into his e"brace. <?ight be har% to ba$ance'< ,arry obser&e% as he pushe% off' $ifting the" into the air. <?ight be'< @inny a%"itte%. <But 4 ha&e faith in your abi$ities.< ,is chuc#$e &ibrate% a$ong her bac# an% she turne% her hea% to p$ace a s"a$$ #iss to his nec#. The ba$ance issue on$y bothere% ,arry for a "o"ent before he see"e% to fin% the right way to grip the broo" an% ti$t. Soon they were chasing a$ong' win%ing through the trees.

@inny was happy to $et ,arry ta#e fu$$ contro$ as she en:oye% the fee$ of the co$% win% on her face an% ,arry;s war" bo%y presse% to her bac#. She c$ose% her eyes brief$y an% $et her who$e bo%y re$aC. !$ying an% ,arryDtwo of her "ost fa&orite thingsG a$though she ha% to a%"it that .a"es was so"ewhere in there now too. But f$ying an% ,arry ha% a$ways been her two "ost gui$ty p$easures. She fought the urge to chuc#$e at that thought' an% wigg$e% bac# against ,arry further. <!aster=< ,arry as#e%' his &oice $ow' tic#$ing the hairs near her ear. <Beah'< she sai%' opening her eyes an% tightening her grip on the broo". ,arry $ifte% the nose' urging it upwar% abo&e the treetops. 3hen they got high enough' she fe$t ,arry;s bo%y tense behin% hers an% his thighs grip her hips. <,o$% on'< he urge%' $eaning o&er her unti$ they were both $eaning a$"ost f$at. The broo" ro$$e% s$ight$y to the right as ,arry tippe% the nose %ownwar% at a steep ang$e. -own they f$ew' hurt$ing through the air unti$ the $ast possib$e secon% when ,arry pu$$e% up sharp$y on the broo". @inny;s han%s grippe% his #nees tight$y an% she s>uea$e% in %e$ight as the tips of her toes brushe% the snowy groun%. <!un=< ,arry;s breath$ess >uestion "a%e her shi&er an% she no%%e%. <3ic#e%'< she answere% bac#' turning her hea% to #iss hi"' her han% s$i%ing up to ho$% his :aw. They s#i""e% a$ong the surface of the groun%' ho&ering up an% %own as they continue% to #iss. ( gigg$e bro#e the" apart an% @inny turne%' eCpecting to fin% one of her sister+in+$aws or one of the nieces. 4nstea%' the %irty b$on% hair stic#ing out fro" un%er the b$ue han%+ #nit cap "a%e her s>uea$ in %e$ight. <2unaH< @inny scra"b$e% to get off of the broo"' a$"ost #noc#ing ,arry off in the process. ,e $aughe% right a$ong with her' howe&er' an% $owere% the" so that @inny cou$% get off easier. <Sorry' %i%n;t "ean to interrupt'< 6e&i$$e' who was wa$#ing with 2una' their "itten+ co&ere% han%s c$aspe% between the"' sai%. <That;s a$right'< ,arry conce%e%. <*robab$y not the safest acti&ity anyway.< @inny "a%e it to 2una in a few boun%s through the snow an% wrappe% her ar"s aroun% her frien%. 2una $aughe%' returning the wi$% hug.

<4;&e "isse% you so "uch'< @inny sai%' fee$ing tears spring to her eyes. <Bou :ust %i%n;t rea$i5e it'< 2una no%%e% when they pu$$e% apart. <4 un%erstan%.< ,arry;s ar" was on @inny;s shou$%er now' his other han% sha#ing 6e&i$$e;s fir"$y. <3e ow$e% 0on an% ,er"ione'< 6e&i$$e eCp$aine%' his pin# chee#s pee#ing out fro" a scarf that "atche% 2una;s hatDthe sa"e une&en stitches were in both. <3e wante% to see you' but you;&e been so busy withAe&erything.< <4ts fine'< @inny proteste%' fee$ing "ore than a bit o&erwhe$"e% at seeing two of her o$%est frien%s. <3e shou$% ha&e sent our own ow$ in&iting you o&er.< <3e %i%n;t want to intru%e'< 6e&i$$e proteste%. <-on;t worry about it'< ,arry %is"isse%. <2et;s go in an% war" up'< @inny suggeste%. <.ay wi$$ be getting hungry again soon.< The two coup$es starte% "a#ing their way to the Burrow. ,arry su""one% @inny;s broo"' as we$$ as the 9uaff$e. Surprising$y' it was 6e&i$$e who reache% out an% caught the $eather ba$$. <0on to$% us about your son'< he sai%' tuc#ing the ba$$ un%er his ar" an% ta$#ing 2una;s han% in his again. <To$% us how "uch he $oo#s $i#e you' ,arry.< <3ou$% you "in% if 4 ca$$e% you .ac#=< 2una b$urte% out. ,arry stoppe% wa$#ing an% stare% at her. @inny cou$%n;t he$p but chuc#$e an% sha#e her hea%. <4 $i#e the na"e ,arry'< she continue%' <but .ac# is :ust so fun to say.< ,arry' to his cre%it' shoo# his hea%. <That;s fine' 2una.< <4;$$ stic# with ,arry an% @inny' if you %on;t "in%'< 6e&i$$e sai%' gi&ing a fon% s"i$e to his gir$frien%. <!ine by "e'< ,arry sai%' s$inging his ar" aroun% @inny;s shou$%ers. <4t;s a$$ the sa"e to "e.< @inny threw her hea% bac# in a $augh. She rea$$y ha% "isse% her frien%s' e&en if she ha%n;t #nown it' $i#e 2una sai%. A/N: I wrote a bit of the 9una/Ne%ille scene in this story" and then ne%er put it in. At the time" it didn't seem li!e it was an end that needed to be tidied. I !new that Ne%ille and 9una would ma!e their presence !nown (ust as soon as the family was settled once again. I added the first broom ride here because I thought it would be fun.

*Chapter 2 *: )inally ,etting -o -hose .loke -hings

!ina$$y @etting To Those .lo!e Things -ere# bounce% on the ba$$s of his feet' c$apping his han%s in front of hi" se&era$ ti"es. <4t won;t go faster $i#e that'< ?issy ca$$e% out fro" where she was fo$%ing $aun%ry. <4 #now'< he cringe%' sin#ing onto the sofa neCt to her an% grabbing a han%fu$ of soc#s to "atch up. <4 :ustA< <Bou;re ner&ous'< ?issy no%%e%. <(n% eCcite%.< <Beah'< -ere# shrugge%. <3hat if 4 hate it=< ?issy scoffe% an% tosse% a ba$$e%+up pair of soc#s at his hea%. <Bou= ,ate anything that has to %o with sports= 6ot $i#e$y.< She ha% a point an% -ere# chewe% the insi%e of his $ip before sighing hea&i$y. <3hat ifA what if 4 %on;t un%erstan% it=< he as#e%' his &oice betraying "uch "ore insecurity than he wante% to show. <3hat if .ac#;s "ate' 0onA< ?issy aban%one% her pi$e of $aun%ry an% s$i% into his $ap' cur$ing up against hi". <Bou;re worrie% that if .ac# has to choose between you an% 0on' that he;$$ choose 0on.< -ere# %i%n;t want to a%"it it' but that;s eCact$y what he was thin#ing. ,e an% .ac# ha% share% so "uch. But 0on an% ,arryDthey ha% a frien%ship between the" that -ere# cou$%n;t e&en begin to co"pete with. <But it;s "ore than :ust that'< he proteste%' win%ing a $oc# of ?issy;s hair aroun% his finger. ,is other han% absent$y straye% to her $eft han%' brushing against the engage"ent ring he;% gi&en her :ust a few wee#s ago. .ac# an% F""a ha% co"e for %inner' bringing $itt$e .ay with the". 4n the "i%%$e of it a$$' -ere# ha% s$i% %own to one #nee an% as#e% ?issy to "arry hi". The two coup$es $aughe% an% ta$#e% $ate into the night' tra%ing off ho$%ing .ay' an% p$anning for a s"a$$ we%%ing. 4t ha% been funDa$"ost $i#e o$% ti"es againDhearing .ac#;s $augh echo aroun% the f$at. ($though' he %i% ha&e to a%"itAthis ;,arry business; ha% %one a $ot to $oosen .ac# up. ,arry was "uch "ore re$aCe% than .ac# ha% e&er been. -ere# shoo# his hea%. Thin#ing of .ac# as two %ifferent peop$e "a%e his hea% hurt. But neither .ac# nor F""a see"e% bothere% when -ere# an% ?issy ca$$e% the" by either of their na"es. -ere# #new that ?issy was "a#ing a &ery concerte% effort to ca$$ F""a'

@inny' an% .ac#' ,arry. ?aybe he shou$% try that with .ac#. 3hat wou$% it hurt= 6o "atter what -ere# ca$$e% hi"' .ac# wou$% a$ways be the sa"e to hi". <3e;re going into his wor$%'< -ere# sai%' $aying his hea% bac# against the sofa. <4 %on;t #now what 4;" %oing there. There 4;" the %ifferent one.< <-ere#'< ?issy sai%. ,er tone bor%ere% on i"patience an% -ere# stee$e% hi"se$fG getting ca$$e% out by his fiancK was ne&er a fun thing. <-i% you #now there was so"ethingA %ifferent about .ac# when you first "et hi"=< ,e $et his "in% wan%er bac# to those first few %ays aroun% .ac#. ,e cou$%n;t put his finger on it then' but there ha% a$ways been so"ething o%% about hi". <Beah'< he a%"itte%. <(n% yet' you were sti$$ his best "ate'< ?issy pointe% out. <Bou sti$$ $i&e% with hi" for o&er a year an% %i%n;t say anything to hi" about it.< <Beah'< he shrugge%. <4 :ustAit %i%n;t "atter' rea$$y. ,e was a$waysA:ust .ac#.< <-on;t you thin# you;re :u%ging hi" a bit harsh$y then=< -ere# scow$e%' trying to %eci%e what' eCact$y' she "eant. <Bou thin# he "ight re:ect you because you;re %ifferent'< ?issy continue% eCp$aining. Su%%en$y' -ere# rea$i5e% she was right. ,e fe$t his face f$ush an% burie% it in ?issy;s e"brace. <Bou;re right.< <4 usua$$y a"'< ?issy no%%e%' running her fingers through his hair. <Bou nee% to gi&e this your fu$$ effort' -ere#. 0on is part of ,arry;s fa"i$y. ,e;s @inny;s brother.< <4 #now'< -ere# sai%' his &oice sti$$ "uff$e%. <But he was .ac#;s frien% first.< <This isn;t a co"petition' -ere#'< ?issy sighe%. <,arry isn;t choosing between you. ,e %oesn;t ha&e to %o that. 4f the both of you wi$$ "a#e an effort' then he can ha&e both of you.< <Bou "a#e it soun% $i#e we;re two #i%s' trying to share a biscuit or so"ething'< -ere# scow$e% as he pu$$e% away a bit. She was right' an% he #new it' but it sti$$ "a%e hi" fee$ a bit wary' thin#ing of what he was going to %o to%ay. ?issy $aughe% an% $eane% %own to #iss hi". <4f that;s the way you nee% to thin# of it' $o&e.< ( $ou% ;pop; fro" the corner of the $ounge "a%e the" both :u"p.

<-a"nit' .ac#H< -ere# curse%. <Can;t you warn a b$o#e when you;re going to %o that=< .ac#;s grinning face' howe&er' $oo#ing "ore $i#e a boy than the "an he #new' "a%e -ere# s"i$e hi"se$f. <3hat= 2i#e ring a be$$=< <(nything'< -ere# grow$e%' $eaning forwar% to #iss ?issy again. She s>uir"e% in his $ap' trying to get away fro" hi" before gi&ing in. <2i#e you wou$% ha&e notice% anyway'< .ac# sai% %ry$y' raising an eyebrow. <?orning' ,arry'< ?issy sai%' fina$$y succee%ing in pu$$ing away fro" -ere#. <?orning'< .ac# greete% her with a >uic# #iss to the chee#. <4;$$ try not to get us a$$ in :ai$ to%ay.< -ere# grinne% at the reference. <4f this /w+i+%itch thing is $i#e you;&e ta$#e% it up to be'< he grow$e% aroun% a s"i$e' <then we;% better en% up in :ai$.< .ac# $aughe%' a soun% that fi$$e% the $ounge an% "a%e -ere# re$aC a bit. <That was a goo% ti"e'< he conce%e%. <4;$$ be ho"e in a few hours'< -ere# sai%' catching ?issy aroun% the waist for one $ast #iss. <)n$ess the "atch goes for three %ays'< .ac# inter:ecte%. -ere#;s :aw %roppe%. <They can go that $ong=< .ac# shrugge% noncha$ant$y. <4t;s happene% in the past. But' %on;t worry about it. 3e;re seeing the Cannons to%ay. 3e "ay be ho"e by $unch.< -ere# consi%ere% that thought. <That goo%=< .ac# chuc#$e%' sha#ing his hea%. <That ba%. But it;s 0on;s fa&orite tea". (n% it rea$$y %oesn;t "atter "uch' a ga"e is a ga"e. Besi%es' they;re p$aying the (pp$eby (rrows' one of the best tea"s aroun%.< <Coo$'< -ere# shrugge%. <-o 4 nee% to bring anything=< <.ust yourse$f'< .ac# shrugge%. <Co"e on' hang onto "y ar" an% 4;$$ ta#e us both there.< -ere# shu%%ere% :ust a bit at the thought of (pparation. 4t %i%n;t fee$Anatura$ at a$$G e&en though -ere# cou$% a%"it that it was %ea% usefu$.

0on ha% been &irtua$$y si$ent a$$ %ay' an% he #new it was annoying ,er"ione. She ha% that $oo# that she got about her when her (rith"ancy ca$cu$ations weren;t beha&ing in the way they shou$%Dher eyes narrowe% an% her "outh pu$$e% into that thin $ineA <0on' you;re acting $i#e you;re going into batt$e'< she fina$$y sighe%' gathering his bare$y+ touche% brea#fast p$ate an% banishing it to the #itchen. <?aybe 4 a"'< he grow$e% out' scow$ing %own into the re"ains of his coffee. She sighe% hea&i$y an% "o&e% aroun% behin% hi"' %igging her fingers into the stiff "usc$es of his nec# an% shou$%ers. ,e was torn between nu%ging her away because he rea$$y iwanted/i to stay annoye%' an% accepting the re$ief that her strong han%s cou$% gi&e to his tense shou$%ers. <4t is not going to be that ba%'< ,er"ione soothe%' %igging her thu"bs into a particu$ar$y %eep #not. <4t "ight'< 0on wince% at the pain that shot %own his ar". ,er"ione was ob$i&ious' howe&er' as she continue% to #nea%. <,onest$y' 0on. Bou an% -ere# are not co"peting o&er ,arry. ,e;s not so"eApri5e to be won.< 0on $oc#e% his :aw. 1f course she %i%n;t un%erstan%. ,er"ione ha% no prob$e" sharing @inny with ?issy. They;% e&en a$$ gone shopping together. ,e shu%%ere% at the thought' a$though it was probab$y "ore at the i%ea of spen%ing a who$e %ay shoppingA <(t $east a%"it to yourse$f why you;re worrie% about this'< ,er"ione sco$%e%' %igging e&en %eeper. 0on gri"ace%' trying to pu$$ away fro" her' but ,er"ione was too strong. <($right'< he grow$e%. <4;"A4;" :ea$ous.< <?""h"""'< ,er"ione no%%e%' re$aCing her grip :ust a bit. 6ow that the gates were open' howe&er' 0on cou$%n;t >uite see" to shut the". <This b$o#e was there for ,arry when 4 cou$%n;t be. ,e wasA,arry;s best "ate.< <6o'< ,er"ione sai% soothing$y' her fingers s$i%ing up the ten%er spots right behin% his ears. <,e was 6ac!'s best "ate.< <3hate&er'< 0on sighe% as he $et his eyes c$ose. -a"nitAshe a$ways #new how to get hi" ta$#ing. <(n%A4 can;t co"pete with that.< <3ho "a%e it a co"petition=< ,er"ione as#e% thoughtfu$$y.

0on chewe% the insi%e of his $ip for a "inute. <6o one. ?e' 4 guess.< <,as ,arry shown any sign of $ea&ing you behin%' 0on=< <6o'< he a%"itte%' shrugging his shou$%ers. ,e sighe% when her fingers "o&e% up into his hair$ine' re$easing e&en "ore tension. <,arry;s not the type to $ea&e so"eone i"portant to hi"' 0on. That;s not who he is.< ,er wor%s ran#$e% :ust a bit' especia$$y because he #new she was right. ,arry wou$% ne&er %o that. <-on;t as# hi" to %o it'< she sco$%e% soft$y. <-on;t "a#e hi" choose between you' 0on. -ere# was a &ery i"portant part of .ac#;s $ife. ,e ga&e .ac# a ho"e' he connecte% to hi" in a way that .ac# ha%n;t e&er ha% anybo%y. The two of you are "ore a$i#e than e&en you rea$i5e.< <But why %o we ha&e to "eet=< 0on as#e%' trying to #eep the whining >ua$ity out of his &oice. <,e;s aA?ugg$e. 3e %on;t ha&e anything in co""on.< <Besi%es a best frien%'< ,er"ione countere%. <4;$$ bet you ha&e e&en "ore in co""on than you thin#. (fter a$$' ,arry chose both of you.< 4t irritate% hi" that she cou$% ta$# sense into hi" when he rea$$y ha% no p$ans to be rationa$ at a$$. 4t wasn;t $i#e he was p$anning on sabotaging the "eeting' or e&en tossing -ere# fro" the stan%s' a$though he was reser&ing that $ast actionA:ust in case. <4s 6e&i$$e "eeting you there' or co"ing here=< ,er"ione as#e%' her fingers running up an% %own his sca$p. 0on;s eyes c$ose% again an% his :aw hung s$ac#. <There'< he "u"b$e%. <@oo%'< ,er"ione whispere%' $eaning in to gi&e his ear a #iss. <Because if you %on;t get going' you;re going to be $ate. <Shite'< 0on grow$e%' his eyes f$ying open. <3here;s "y Cannon;s shirt= (n% "y hat= Shou$% 4 buy another one for ,arry= ,e threatene% to wear his *u%%$e"ere shirt' %o you be$ie&e that=< ,er"ione :ust $aughe% as 0on scra"b$e% aroun% the roo"' gathering things he nee%e%. 4t wasn;t unti$ he was fu$$y rea%y to go that 0on g$ance% at the c$oc# an% swore again. The han% pointe% at ;Eery goo% :ob. Bou;$$ be ear$y.; <-a"n wo"an'< he gru"b$e%' %eci%ing to $ea&e anyway. ,e "ay :ust get a !irewhis#ey to start the %ay. (n% it wasn;t e&en ten yet.

6e&i$$e wasn;t sure' eCact$y' why 0on ha% as#e% hi" to co"e to the ga"e to%ay. ,e suppose% it was "ore habit than anything. ,e an% 0on ha% co"e to e&ery Cannons ga"e they cou$% "anage for a$"ost two years now. Then again' "aybe it;s to e&en up the nu"bers' he to$% hi"se$f as he wa$#e% into the booth an% saw 0on sitting anCious$y' a$$ a$one. ,is one #nee was bouncing out a rhyth"ic tune on the woo%en f$oor an% his eyes were %arting a$$ o&er the progra". <,ey'< 6e&i$$e greete%' "e$ting into a chair neCt to his frien%. <4 thin# it;s going to be a goo% ga"e.< <Beah'< 0on no%%e% :er#i$y. <The Cannons ha&e been p$aying strong $ate$y.< 4t was a $ie' but 6e&i$$e cou$% appreciate the nee% 0on ha% to reassure hi"se$fDof anything right now. <,ear% fro" ,arry=< <,e shou$% be here soon'< 0on sai%' his $eg pic#ing up te"po. <,e;s bringingA-ere#.< 6e&i$$e no%%e%. <Beah' that;s what he to$% "e. 4t;$$ be interesting to see his reaction. 0e"e"ber the first ga"e at ,ogwarts' watching -ean;s eyes bu$ge.< 0on;s $eg stoppe% an% his face sp$it into a $opsi%e% grin. <Beah. 4 re"e"ber ,arry;s face too. 4 thought he was going to throw up' right there on his broo".< <(n% when he caught the snitchD< <0ight in his "outh'< they both finishe% together' chuc#$ing. <4t;$$ be fine' 0on'< 6e&i$$e shrugge%' patting hi" on the shou$%er. <,arry chooses goo% frien%s.< 0on stare% at hi" for a "o"ent before he no%%e%. <,e %oes.< (ny further thought was interrupte% when ,arry entere% the booth' fo$$owe% by a wi%e+ eye% "an. ,e was ta$$er than ,arry an% was goo% $oo#ing' %espite the way his :aw hung a bit open as he stare% at the fie$%. <;2o' 6e&'< ,arry greete% hi" with a fir" han%sha#e' an% nu%ge% 0on as he s$i% past hi". <This is -ere# @raeber.< <6ice to "eet you' -ere#'< 6e&i$$e sai%' stan%ing an% offering his han%. <6e&i$$e 2ongbotto".<

<0on 3eas$ey'< 0on offere%' re$uctant$y stic#ing out his han% as we$$. -ere# shoo# the" both aw#war%$y an% g$ance% at ,arry' who win#e% at hi". <Bou e&er ha% a Butterbeer' -ere#=< 6e&i$$e as#e%. <6ope'< -ere# shoo# his hea%. <-o 4 want one=< 6e&i$$e $oo#e% o&er at 0on' won%ering what he was thin#ing now that he;% "et -ere# face to face. 4t cou$%n;t be easy' but 6e&i$$e cou$% %efinite$y see that he was going to try Dhis :aw was "ore $aC than it ha% been when 6e&i$$e ha% gotten here. <,e$$ yesH< 0on affir"e%. <4t;s not 9ui%%itch without Butterbeer.< ,arry;s shou$%ers see"e% to re$aC an% he no%%e% to 6e&i$$e. <@et "e one too' wi$$ you=< <Sure thing' ,arry'< 6e&i$$e s"i$e%' p$ease% that the tension see"e% to be %issipating >uic#$y. ,arry sat bac# in his seat as 0on ye$$e%' %oing a horrib$y e"barrassing %ance an% cheering a$ong with the rest of the crow%. ,is $augh starte% $ow in his be$$y an% bubb$e% up' stretching his face so wi%e he thought it "ight crac#. -ere# shifte% in his seat' but see"e% a"use% by watching 0on as we$$. <,e;s a$ways $i#e this'< 6e&i$$e shoo# his hea%' tipping his Butterbeer bac# to ta#e a $ong pu$$ fro" it. <4;" sure he is'< ,arry no%%e%. ,e $aughe% again as 0on roare% his appro&a$ of the Chaser for"ation. -ere# was now watching the ga"e c$oser' $eaning forwar% in his seat' his own Butterbeer %ang$ing fro" his han%. <($right=< ,arry nu%ge% hi". <Beah'< -ere# respon%e% %istracte%$y. <That "o&e there'< he pointe% to one of the (rrow;s chasers that strea#e% by. <3hat;s that ca$$e%=< <That;s new'< 0on answere% before ,arry cou$%. <See' the Chasers a$$ $ine% up at the far en% o&er there' an% began "a#ing their run. (n% the $ea% Chaser' he;s the one with the 9uaff$eA< 0on carrie% on an% -ere# stoo%' $eaning his forear"s on the rai$ing an% as#ing thoughtfu$ >uestions. 3hate&er aw#war%ness ha% been between ,arry;s two frien%s before see"e% to %isso$&e in the wa#e of a %ecent ga"e. <4 a$ways $o&e co"ing with hi"'< 6e&i$$e sai% si"p$y' g$ancing up at 0on.

<Beah=< ,arry as#e%' ta#ing a %rin# of his own war" Butterbeer. <Beah'< 6e&i$$e no%%e%' his own face stretching into a $a5y s"i$e. ,e %raine% the rest of his bott$e' he$% it up to ,arry in "oc# sa$ute' before switching it for 0on;s untouche% one. ,arry a$"ost fe$$ out of his chair $aughing so har%. -ere# an% 0on turne% an% ga&e both he an% 6e&i$$e a $oo# that sai% they c$ear$y thought the "en were co"p$ete$y "enta$. The (rrows stea$ing the 9uaff$e fro" the Cannons %rew their attention bac# an% he focuse% intent$y on the ga"e. <1hhh' co"e onH< 0on proteste%. <(re you b$in%=< -ere# grow$e% out' g$aring at the referee in the "i%%$e of the pitch. <That was c$ear$yA< ,e strugg$e% for the wor%' but 0on ca"e to his rescue. <B$atchingH< <Beah'< -ere# no%%e%. <B$atchingH 3hate&er the he$$ that isH< <4 ha&en;t ha% to buy a %rin# in years'< 6e&i$$e shrugge%' casting a gui$ty $oo# at 0on;s bac#. ,arry shoo# his hea% an% s$u"pe% further %own in his seat. The bubb$es in his Butterbeer tic#$e% his nose an% ga&e hi" a $ight fee$ing. To%ay was eCact$y what he nee%e%. ,is eyes auto"atica$$y scanne% the pitch for any hint of go$%. Both See#ers were intent$y searching as we$$. 2a5i$y' he sighe% an% ha$f+hearte%$y cheere% when the Cannons "a%e an atte"pt at a goa$. 0on;s &oice rose abo&e the crow%' urging his fa&orite tea" onto &ictory. -ere#;s fo$$owe% a$ong an% the two "en cheere% unti$ the goa$ fe$$ short an% they both groane% si"u$taneous$y. ( year ago' ,arry ha% been at a ga"e $i#e this. ($though he was .ac# then' an% it was !ootba$$' not 9ui%%itch. (n% he ha% been with on$y -ere#' an% not 0on' 6e&i$$e' an% -ere#. 1ne year. Twe$&e "onths. ( $ifeti"e ago. <Bou;re getting a$$ "e$ancho$y again' ,arry'< 0on sco$%e%' fina$$y sin#ing bac# into his chair. <Bou pro"ise% you wou$%n;t %o that to%ay.< -ere# s"ir#e%' ta#ing a %rin# fro" his bott$e.

,arry scow$e% at 0on an% shrugge%' b$owing out a breath. <4 #now.< <,ow;s .ay=< 6e&i$$e as#e%. ,arry;s face stretche% into a s"i$e again. <,e;s a"a5ingH< 0on ro$$e% his eyes. <3e;re not ta$#ing about #i%sH< he sco$%e%. <6o #i%s' no :obs' no witches. 3e;re b$o#esG here toA%o blo!e thingsH< Both ,arry an% 6e&i$$e $aughe% out $ou%. -ere# :ust s"i$e%. <($right' "ate'< ,arry soothe% his best frien%. <3e;$$ %o blo!e things.< <2i#e get %run#'< 6e&i$$e raise% his pi$fere% Butterbeer. 0on no%%e% his appro&a$' c$ear$y ob$i&ious to the reoccurring theft. <(n% get in fights'< ,arry no%%e%' nu%ging 0on with his shou$%er. 0on $aughe%. <That;s rightH -efen%ing our tea";s honorH< <(n% e&en get arreste% if we fee$ $i#e itH< -ere# see"e% a"use% by this a$$' an% shot a g$ance at ,arry who shrugge%' si$ent$y a%"itting that he;% to$% his frien%s the story. <Bour wi&es "ight bai$ you out of :ai$'< 6e&i$$e shoo# his hea%. <But 2una wou$% $ea&e "e in there to rot.< ,arry $aughe% again' picturing 2una $oo#ing %own her nose at a hung o&er' but repentant' 6e&i$$e. <?issy wou$%n;t be too p$ease% 4 %on;t thin#'< -ere# a%"itte% with a gri"ace. <($though' 4 thin# she ha$f eCpects it' being with ,arry an% a$$.< The three others $aughe%. The fact that -ere# referre% to hi" as ,arry' an% not .ac#' was not waste% on ,arry. 4t was the first ti"e he;% e&er hear% his frien% say it. 4t %i%n;t bother ,arry either way' but "aybe it was a goo% sign. <1iH< 0on shoute%. <6o witches re"e"berH< ($though his irritation was &ei$e% with his own $aughter. <Besi%es' ,er"ione wou$% probab$y fin% "ore $aws to charge "e with brea#ing.< <@inny wou$% be %isappointe% that 4 ha% so "uch fun without her'< ,arry proc$ai"e% fon%$y. ,e cou$% a$"ost see the hurt $oo# on her face an% it "a%e hi" $augh e&en "ore. ,arry #new they "ust $oo# co"p$ete$y an% utter$y nutters. !our grown "en %rin#ing an% gigg$ing in the "i%%$e of a sta%iu" fu$$ of 9ui%%itch fans. But it fe$t goo% to be %oing so"ething so nor"a$.

($$ of the" stoo%' cheering $ou%$y as one of the Cannon;s Chasers "a%e a strea#ing %i&e for an unatten%e% goa$. <BesH< 0on screa"e%. <BesH BesH BesH< ( $ou% groan ripp$e% through the au%ience as the Chaser "isca$cu$ate% an% hit the goa$ post hi"se$f' the 9uaff$e %ropping to the groun%. <1hhh'< 6e&i$$e wince%. <,e;s going to fee$ that in the "orning.< <4 thin# he;s fee$ing it now'< ,arry shoo# his hea%' staring as the %a5e% Chaser f$ew in s$ow circ$es aroun% the post. They a$$ %roppe% bac# into their chairs' sighing. <1iH 3hat the he$$ happene% to "y beer=< 0on stare% into the bott$e an% ,arry $aughe% again' his face stretching so far he #new it wou$% burst <ShhhH< ,arry ro$$e% his eyes as 0on an% -ere# starte% into another rousing chorus' "arre% by forgotten wor%s' gigg$es an% %run#en s$urs. So"ewhere %uring the $ast hour of the ga"e' when Chu%$ey;s /eeper a$$owe% the twenty+fourth goa$ in unhin%ere%' 0on ha% begun or%ering !irewhis#eys instea% of Butterbeers. Both 6e&i$$e an% ,arry ha% passe%' ignoring the co""ents about their "anhoo%' an% being ca$$e% pansy+arse%' nancy boys. ( $itt$e na"e ca$$ing ne&er hurt. <Chuuuuuu%%$$$$eeeeyyy' the oon$yyyyDhiccupDone for "eeeeeeA< <Si$ence hi"' p$ease'< 6e&i$$e begge%' no%%ing his hea% to 0on' who was be$$owing out a &ery "e$ancho$y &ersion of the Cannon;s fight song. <4;% %o it' but 4 can;t reach "y wan%.< <,e;s fine'< ,arry s"ir#e%' hefting -ere#;s ar" a bit higher on his shou$%ers an% shuff$ing a few "ore steps to the sofa where he uncere"onious$y %roppe% his frien%. <,arry=< <4t;s "e' ?issy'< ,arry confir"e% to the %ar#ness of the ha$$way. (pparating the two %run#ar%s to -ere# an% ?issy;s f$at ha%n;t probab$y been the best i%ea. But ,arry rea$$y ha%n;t wante% to ta#e the" ho"e with hi" to the Burrow. ,e %i%n;t thin# he cou$% han%$e the $ecture fro" ?o$$y' rea$$y.

<3e %i%n;t get arreste% this ti"e'< ,arry a%%e% cheerfu$$y' #eeping si$ent the rest of that state"ent. .arely. ?issy c$ic#e% on a $ight in the #itchen' the bea" f$oo%ing out to the $i&ing roo"' causing ,arry to b$in# an% s>uint. <-i% you %rin# it' or bath in it=< she as#e%' tying her %ressing gown aroun% her "ore fir"$y. <3e$$'< ,arry scratche% his hea%. <0on was a bit sore about the $oss'< he "otione% to 0on who was "u"b$ing the fight song now' $eaning hea&i$y on 6e&i$$e' who brought his han% up in a pathetic $itt$e wa&e. <(n% he an% -ere#Dwe$$' they rea$$y hit it off' an%A< <4 get the picture'< she sighe%' g$ancing %own at her fiancK. -ere# ga&e her a s$oppy grin in return. <?ishy' you;re not gon;a b;$e&e it' but they got theeshAerAbroo"sh an% they f$y rea$$y fashtA< <Than#s for bringing hi" ho"e in once piece'< ?issy gigg$e%' %o%ging away as -ere# "a%e a grab to pu$$ her %own onto his $ap. <6eCt ti"e'< 0on s$urre% out' pointing at -ere#' his ar" wai&ing in front of 6e&i$$e. <Bou buy tha whish#ey' "ateH< <-ea$H< -ere# ye$$e% out' causing the" a$$ to wince. <(t $east he ha% a goo% ti"e'< ?issy shrugge%' going up on tiptoes to #iss ,arry;s chee#. <@i&e @inny "y $o&e an% te$$ her 4;$$ ta$# to her soon.< <4 wi$$'< ,arry no%%e%. <?e$isshaAguesh what=< -ere# as#e%' strugg$ing to get to his feet. <4 wanna be a wi5shar%H< <@oo% $or%'< ?issy shoo# her hea%' wrapping her ar" aroun% -ere#;s "i%%$e. <4;" afrai% we "ay ha&e create% a "onster'< ,arry shrugge% unrepentant$y. The fact that -ere# was now co"p$ete$y ena"ore% with the 3i5ar%ing wor$% was a bit eCciting to hi". The pro"ise -ere# ha% eCtracte% fro" 0on to "a#e hi" escort -ere# to a$$ the best 3i5ar%ing pubs was a bit $ess hopefu$Abut ,arry suppose% he cou$% chaperone a few of those outings. ,is concerns that he wou$% be torn by ha&ing to %ea$ with two &ery %ifferent frien%ships see"e% far away tonight in the g$ow of the successfu$ ;B$o#e -ay.;

<(n; %on; forgetH< 0on sta""ere%' c$utching onto 6e&i$$e tighter as the other "an prepare% to (pparate away. <3e;re gonna go to that fooooootba$$ ga"e.< <BesshH< -ere# cheere% again before tipping co"p$ete$y o&er onto the f$oor an% bursting out in gigg$es. <4 won; forget.< <Co"e on'< ,arry pro"pte% 6e&i$$e. <2et;s get ;,appy; here ho"e'< he nu%ge% 0on in the si%e an% his frien% wrappe% a hea&y ar" o&er ,arry;s shou$%ers. <Shee' ,arry' 4 to$; you 4 wou$%n;t #i$$ tha b$o#eH< ,arry cou$%n;t he$p but snort out a $augh at that. <That;s great' 0on. 6ow' $et;s ta#e you ho"e to see ,er"ione.< 0on;s happy "oo% %issipate% an% he c$utche% the front of ,arry;s robes' tight$y' "a#ing ,arry sway. <,arry' 4 thin# she;sh gonna #i$$ "eA< <4;$$ protect you'< ,arry pro"ise%' patting 0on;s hea% patroni5ing$y. <(n% 4 sti$$ ha&e "y swor%'< 6e&i$$e offere% he$pfu$$y' grinning at ,arry o&er 0on;s hea% of "atte% re% hair. <1hh' goooo%'< 0on sai%. <6ight'< ,arry ca$$e% out to a &ery be"use% ?issy who see"e% to be %ebating $etting -ere# continue to snore on the f$oor' an% trying to %rag hi" %own the ha$$. <Than#s' ,arry. 4;" sure he ha% a great ti"e. 3hether he;$$ re"e"ber or not is another >uestion.< ,arry an% 6e&i$$e both $aughe% an% $atche% on to 0on. <0ea%y=< ,arry as#e%. <,arryA4 %on;t fee$ sho goo%'< 0on warne% in a whiny &oice. ,arry sighe% an% ro$$e% his eyes' $etting (ppartation ta#e the" both. A/N: This scene probably would ha%e been fine in the story" but I felt it didn't flow as well with the last chapter. shrugs )h well" you'%e got it now. +)

*Chapter 21*: ,inny/s "ourney

,inny/s "ourney

F""a sighe%' snugg$ing into the be% further. .ac# was there' his ar" %rape% o&er her "i%%$e an% his war" si%e presse% against hers. She cou$% fee$ his breath against her forehea%' "o&ing the s"a$$ hairs there' bac# an% forth' bac# an% forth. The rhyth" of his breathing $u$$e% @inny an% she c$ose% her eyes' a$$owing the war"th of .ac#;s e"brace to ta#e her into s$eep. ,er first i"pression was of searing' %ry heat' not co$% $i#e .ac# ha% %escribe%. She trie% to $oo# aroun%' but it was %ar#' with on$y a faint' pin# $ight in the %istance. .ac# ha% a$so sai% he was stan%ing in water' but F""a %i%n;t fee$ her toes getting wet. She shifte% in p$ace an% wobb$e%' her feet sin#ing :ust a bitA$i#e san%. 4n front of her $oo"e% a huge shape that she was :ust bare$y ab$e to "a#e out in the growing $ight. *in# stretche% across the s#y' $i#e fingers of $ight scratching the night away. F""a cou$% see the shape now. 4t was a pyra"i% an% she was surroun%e% by san%. She;% rea% about Fgypt' an% seen progra"s on the te$$yG it shou$% be co"p$ete$y foreign' but so"ething about it whispere% the fa"i$iar. ( bright re% $ight shot across the s#y' e"anating fro" the top of the pyra"i%' an% @inny too# a hesitating step forwar%. .ac# ha% pro"ise% her she was going to ha&e to wor# for thisAso she too# another step' an% then another. Soon she was at the base of the pyra"i%' $oo#ing up' staring at the %awn that was brea#ing' shining $i#e a beacon whi$e she stoo% in the sha%ow of the "ono$ithic shape. (nother re% $ight f$ashe% across the s#y' "a#ing F""a re"e"ber the way the potion ha% $oo#e%. F""a too# a breath in the swe$tering heat. She;% on$y been here for a few "inutes' but she was a$rea%y sweating' her shirt stic#ing to her bac# unco"fortab$y. <Bou ha&e to earn it'< she sco$%e% herse$f' reaching forwar% with her foot to test her weight on the first step in the pyra"i%. So"ething f$ashe% in her "in%' a picture of a young gir$Aan% F""a #newAit was a "e"ory. It was finally dar! enough that she could snea! outside without being seen. 'er father's wand was tuc!ed in the waistband of her py(amas" nic!ed from where he'd left it earlier tonight. The dew was cold on her feet as she snuc! across the garden to the broom shed. The same little girl was huddled under the !itchen table" staying directly in the middle" curled around her !nees. Three pairs of legs surrounded her and she listened as .ill

e2plained that he was mo%ing to #gypt. Tears ran down her chee!s and she tried to muffle her sniffles in her arms. 'er fa%orite brother was lea%ing her5 The family was out in the bac! garden" 7red" *eorge and @onnie chasing gnomes while her mother sat behind her" plaiting her hair and discouraging all attempts to run around li!e the boys were. :ercy and her father were tal!ing a few feet away" softly laughing about something that didn't ma!e any sense to #mma. ?harlie and .ill were racing on their brooms" but ?harlie was winning. )ne day" #mma thought" she'd beat them all. F""a gaspe% an% c$utche% for the stairs in front of her' scrabb$ing the san% an% s"a$$ roc#s away fro" the footho$%. .ac# ha% trie% to eCp$ain how o&erwhe$"ing the "e"ories were' but he cou$% ne&er ha&e %escribe% this. The $ight f$ashe% again' brightening the s#y enough for F""a to $oo# up an% see hun%re%s of stairs $oo"ing in front of her. *anting fro" both the heat an% the eCertion' F""a starte% forwar% again' $ifting one hea&y foot in front of the other. A s!inny" scrawny boy who was barely taller than her caught her eye and smiled before being distracted away. 'er heart thumped mightily in her chest5 The same face" (ust a bit older now" blin!ed at her behind smudged glasses. &he glanced down at herself" to see that she was clad only in a thin nightdress before s uea!ing and disappearing bac! up the stairs" horrified that 'arry had seen her li!e this. #mma stared down at the small" worn boo!" hesitatingly opening it to find blan! pages. -ear -iary" she wrote" her letters stretching out along the page. ,arry ga&e "e his boo#s to%ay' 4;" sure he %i%n;t "ean anything by it' but he s"i$e% when he tippe% the" into "y cau$%ron' 4 $o&e how his eyes crin#$e at the corners when he s"i$esA The writing began to fade into the boo! and her eyes widened. &he wo!e from her daDe in a corridor that she didn't remember e%er being in. And there was red paint all o%er her new 'ogwarts robes. 'er mother was going to !ill her5 /aybe she could find a charm to remo%e it. F""a gaspe% as .ac#;s young face $oo"e% before her. ,e was soAs"a$$ an% %ifferent. 4t start$e% her to see hi" this way. ,er $egs ache% as she c$i"be%' $oo#ing behin% her to see that she;% on$y "o&e% about ten steps or so fro" the botto". )sing the s$ee&e of her shirt' she wipe% away the sweat fro" her face' hissing as the sa$t got into one of her eyes. &he glanced guiltily around the table" needing so much to tell what she !new to5 someone5anyone" really. The secret was (ust too much to bear anymore5and people were starting to get hurt. 'arry was there" then" sitting across from her and #mma gathered the courage to tell him.

The tears on her face almost froDe in the coldness of the ?hamber. 0?ome" lay down right here" *inny"0 Tom said" his words dripping li!e warm honey. 0This won't hurt at all" at least" not for long.0 6ac! was much older now and #mma flinched watching him stare at the pretty ?ho ?hang" his chee!s flushing and his breathing harsh. &he turned away" not willing to watch him fall in lo%e with someone else. F""a stu"b$e% on the step in front of her an% fe$$' cursing as her shin bange% painfu$$y into the stone be$ow it. To" an% Cho an%A.ac#. Tears were strea"ing %own her face as she continue% upwar%' craw$ing on her han%s an% #nees' on$y staring upwar% towar% her goa$' which see"e% fore&er away. The higher she c$i"be%' the narrower the stairs beca"e' co&ere% in san% an% roc#s. The sun was beating %own on her now' an% the %ry win% was starting to b$ow san% at her' stinging her eyes an% face unti$ they were now raw. .ac#;s face ca"e with "ore regu$arity' his chee#bones wi%ening an% his :aw$ine %ar#ening as he age%. 4t "a%e her "iss hi" e&en "ore' stuc# in this p$ace. ;Bou can %o this' F""a'; she assure% herse$f. ;.ac# %i% it' so can you.; The way he loo!ed at her after the $epartment of /ysteries" less li!e @on's little sister5 and more li!e a friend and e ual. 'arry's eyes caught hers on occasion" across the *reat 'all or in the ?ommon @oom" and she wondered5if there could e%er be something between the two of them. 'arry's eyes were dar!er up this close" *inny decided" she'd always thought they were so bright green" but" really" there were flec!s of gold in them. Than!fully" all the gossiping girls at 'ogwarts hadn't e%er been this close to begin to fall completely in lo%e with his eyes li!e she was now. And it didn't help when his hand tenderly brushed bits of her hair out of his way so that he could lean down and !iss her. ,er strength an% %eter"ination ca"e bac# as she saw f$ash after f$ash of she an% ,arry together' an% then 0on an% ,er"ione wou$% :oin the"' $aughing or ta$#ing. Ne%ille and 9una were with her" snea!ing in and out of shadows to get to &nape's office. /ichael had seen the &word in its place in the 'eadmaster's office. 'e was the one who told them where it was. .ut it was *inny's determination and dri%e to rightfully return the &word to 'arry. $umbledore had meant for 'arry to ha%e it. They were almost there when a shadow" dar!er than night" stepped out in front of them. 03easley"0 the %oice drawled" ma!ing *inny shudder.

The san%stor" was ferocious now' swir$ing so har% that @inny cou$%n;t bear to #eep her eyes openG she;% torn off a bit of her shirt to co&er her "outh an% nose with as she continue% to c$i"b. 6ow she cou$% on$y craw$ forwar%' fee$ing with her han%s for each step an% then s$ow$y "o&ing up. The "e"ories were o&erwhe$"ing' cra""ing into her hea% an% "a#ing it throb. She wasn;t sure if she cou$% ta#e "uch "ore of this' but there was sti$$ so far to goA *inny pressed her front to his bac!" wrapping her arms around him. There was no way he was going to lea%e her now. They'd promised fore%er" and *inny meant it. <7ore%er" 'arry"0 she whispered. <7ore%er"0 he whispered bac!" pressing his hands to hers. They continued forward" past /alfoy and all his useless banter and into the clearing" where they awaited their fate together. @inny gaspe% as she grope% for the neCt step' fin%ing on$y air. She chance% crac#ing one eye open an% foun% that not on$y ha% she c$i"be% to the top' but the san% ha% risen as we$$' "eaning she was on$y a few feet abo&e the shifting' churning "ass of so$i% ocean that threatene% to pu$$ her un%er. *inny screamed as 'arry's wand slid from his grasp and he stared at her. <I'm sorry" *inny"0 he whispered. 07ore%er.0 'e couldn't do this5he couldn't lea%e her here alone. &he rushed forward" only to get blown bac! by the force of the ;illing ?urse. The green shown all around" ma!ing her eyes ache. And all though the clearing" 1oldemort's e%il laugh as 'arry's lifeless body fell. *inny stared at it for only a minute before her brain told her what to do. 'arry's %oice echoed in her head. 0...last 'orcru2...0 It was finished. 'arry had sacrificed himself so that *inny could !ill 1oldemort. &he stood on sha!y legs and le%eled her wand at the monster. <*oodbye Tom"0 she whispered before screaming once more. 0&ectumsempra-0 The cutting spell went deep" slashes across 1oldemort's chest. *inny breathed in again to repeat the spell" aiming for his head this time. .ut" e%en in the agony of pain" Tom was faster. 'is wand flic!ed out" sending her flying bac!ward" landing her right ne2t to 'arry.

<4ou stupid" little girl"0 Tom hissed" clutching his chest that ooDed fluids. 0Now you'll die (ust li!e him.0 *inny fumbled for 'arry's cold hand. 0I'm sorry" 'arry"0 she whispered as blac!ness o%ertoo! her. @inny gaspe%' c$utching at the c$oth that co&ere% her face' ta#ing in huge gu$ps of air %espite the san% that ca"e with it. She;% reache% the top now' but it was no use' the $an% aroun% her was a sea of %u$$ brown' the san% co&ering e&erything in wa&es that b$oc#e% out anything. 4t tugge% at her feet' an% so"eti"es her #nees. She co&ere% her eyes an% $oo#e% aroun%' trying to fin% anything to c$ing to. But the pyra"i% was gone now' co&ere% in the san%+ocean. (n% it was rising higher an% higher' pu$$ing her un%er with it. <4;" sorry' ,arryH< she screa"e%' fina$$y $osing her fight with the current. 4t pu$$e% her un%er inch by inch as she scratche% her fingers a$ong the on$y bit of stone she cou$% sti$$ fee$. The san% fi$$e% in her "outh' "a#ing her cho#e an% cough unti$ she cou$%n;t fight any"ore. @inny went $i"p' a$$owing the sea to ta#e her. ,arry was as$eep' his hea% thrown bac# on the seat' when @inny gaspe%' sp$uttering an% cho#ing. ,e a$"ost fe$$ o&er in his haste to get to her si%e. <4;" here' @in'< he repeate% soft$y' stro#ing her pa$e face unti$ her eyes f$uttere% open. <1h' babe'< he whispere%' $eaning %own to press #isses to her face. <,arryA< she crie%' tears fi$$ing her eyes. <.a"esH 4 nee% .a"es.< ,e b$in#e% at her' an% opene% his "outh to rep$y. <,e;s here'< ,er"ione sai% fro" the ha$$way' carrying .a"es' who was wrappe% tight$y in his b$an#ets. <4 thought you "ight be about rea%y for a &isit. <?y baby'< @inny gaspe%' reaching for hi". ,arry gent$y he$% her shou$%er %own an% "o&e% so that ,er"ione cou$% han% .a"es o&er. @inny c$aspe% the baby to her' tears $ea#ing %own her face as she fu"b$e% for ,arry;s han%. <See' we too# goo% care of hi"'< ,arry sai%' e"otion fi$$ing his &oice. ,e $eane% forwar% an% #isse% her te"p$e. <4 #now'< @inny cho#e% out through her tears. <4 #new you wou$%.< .a"es stare% up at the" both' his %ar# eyes wi%e an% his $itt$e "outh open :ust a bit.

@inny chuc#$e%' an% $oo#e% up at ,arry through her "isty eyes. <F&erything a$right' @in=< ,arry whispere% fina$$y. <F&erything is goo%' ,arry'< she sai%' s>uee5ing his han% tight$y in her own. A/N: There are many reasons why I didn't write this scene for the actual story. 7irst" because of the way I set up the /emory .loc!" this whole scene basically had to be a replica of 'arry's,I loathe writing the same scene o%er and o%er. &econd" it accomplished nothing to further the plot. /aybe it would ha%e gi%en *inny a bit more balance in the last chapters" but I didn't thin! it was necessary. Third" the imagery losses something in comparison to 'arry's scene. #mma !nows what 'arry !nows" going into this. &he understands what is going to happen" and she doesn't struggle against the memories" she simply lets them wash o%er her. To me" that 'cheapens' the writing a bit" because we don't get the full impact of her emotions to these memories. That said" I chose to do this scene now because so many people as!ed about it. And now you ha%e it.