Frayed Ends by hgfan1111 Storylink: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5387822/1/ Content: Chapter 1 to 15 of 15 chapters Source: FanFiction.net Summary: Harry and inny!

each str"gg#ing thro"gh their #i$es in the %"gg#e wor#d! st"&b#e "pon the &ost powerf"# &agic of a## and rea#i'e that the wor#d they($e been trying to hide fro& a## a#ong &ay )"st offer &ore hea#ing than they ha$e fo"nd on their own. *+

*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1: Lost And Insecure, Lying On T

Chapter 1: Lost And InsecureLying On The loor ,t was fr"strating! fee#ing #i-e yo"r #ife was going nowhere.stagnant and sti## whi#e the wor#d passed yo" by. ,t fe#t #i-e if she stood on a street corner #ong eno"gh! the entire earth wo"#d re$o#$e in front of her! too fast for her to insert herse#f into it! and too s#ow to rea##y &a-e her thin- that she stood a chance of &a-ing a difference in it anyway. /on said she0d ta-en herse#f o"t of the ga&e of #ife! as we## as 1"idditch. Her&ione said that she )"st needed so&e ti&e to find herse#f. 2on-s see&ed to be on the $erge of "nderstanding so&e days! and then she0d swing co&p#ete#y the opposite way the ne3t day. ,t was hard to -eep "p with the witch! honest#y. Her &other! we## inny didn0t #i-e to thin- of what her &other said! beca"se it "s"a##y ended in her ca##ing inny se#fish and "nreasonab#e. *#tho"gh! that had been right after inny decided to &o$e away! she0d ca#&ed down considerab#y since then. *nd &aybe that0s what she was being.se#fish. %aybe they were a## right in so&e way. Her other brothers had been s"spicio"s#y si#ent abo"t &ost of what had happened o$er the past two years. 2hey a## had their opinions! yes! b"t they -ept the& &ost#y to the&se#$es. 2wo years. ,t didn0t see& that #ong and yet it see&ed fore$er since inny had had a p#an abo"t her #ife. *nd then in the b#in- of an eye! in the crac- of a bat and one b#inding i&pact! e$erything she0d drea&ed abo"t was gone! #ea$ing her with so&e se&b#ance of #ife that she0d &anaged to scrape "p for herse#f. 4he was tired of peop#e #oo-ing at her with pity! of ta#-ing abo"t what &ight ha$e been! whispering abo"t the r"&ors in the papers abo"t dr"gs and who -new what e#se! and so

she0d #eft! &ost#y. 4he sti## $ent"red bac- into that wor#d occasiona##y! &ost#y for fa&i#y e$ents! or the infre5"ent trip thro"gh 6iagon *##ey with Her&ione or 2on-s. 7"t o"t here in the %"gg#e wor#d was better so&eti&es! beca"se no one rea##y -new who she was. 8o one o"t here #oo-ed at her as a once9pro&ising person who co"#d! and sho"#d! rea##y do so &"ch &ore with their #ife. :"t here she was )"st inny ;estin! another yo"ng wo&an fending for herse#f in the wor#d. inny watched the traffic ebb and f#ow a#ong the street that ran in front of the p"b. ,t was strange that the road itse#f re&inded her of her #ife.a &etaphor! Her&ione wo"#d say. ,t was b"st#ing and b"sy one &in"te! and then co&p#ete#y deso#ate another. *#tho"gh the #ife cyc#e of the road see&ed to rotate &"ch faster than inny0s wor#d right now. ,n thirty &in"tes! the road &ay go thro"gh fo"r or fi$e f"## series of these phases. 7"t inny )"st sat. 4he sho"#dn0t co&p#ain! rea##y! she s"pposed. 2hings were<o-ay in her #ife right now. 4he had a )ob and she act"a##y en)oyed it. =eop#e9watching had a#ways been a habit of hers! e$en &ore so now that she spent so &"ch ti&e a#one. 4he had a decent f#at! and two f#at &ates who definite#y -ept things interesting> their rather wi#d #ifesty#es shoc-ed and awed inny at ti&es! whi#e &ost#y -eeping her a&"sed. 2he front door of the s&a## f#at a#&ost needed one of those rotating door things that #et peop#e in and o"t at their con$enience. ,t wasn0t the idea# sit"ation for inny! ha$ing to -eep e$erything that was a part of her #ife pri$ate! or hidden away at 2on-s0 or Her&ione0s. Her&ione c"rrent#y had inny0s ow#! *$ery! at her f#at. /ea##y! he was &ore Her&ione0s ow# than not any&ore. He rare#y e$en ca&e to see inny and when she did &a-e an appearance at Her&ione0s! he wo"#d get h"ffy with her and t"rn his bac-! r"ff#ing his grey feathers in annoyance. 2here was c"rrent#y no boyfriend.that had ended abo"t two seconds after the Hea#ers had anno"nced that inny wasn0t going to ha$e a career in 1"idditch. 4eth =hi##ips had been at the height of his 1"idditch career when the accident had happened. He certain#y didn0t want a gir#friend who wasn0t i&&ersed in that wor#d as &"ch as he was. 2hen again! &aybe it was that inny wasn0t i&&ersed co&p#ete#y in him that was the stic-ing point. 2hey0d ne$er had the idea# re#ationship! tr"thf"##y. ,t was con$enience &ore than affection that -ept the& together for si3 who#e &onths. ;ho needed &en right now anyway? @Ao"0$e got that #oo- again!@ *#annah! one of inny0s f#at &ates who a#so wor-ed at the p"b with her! #eaned her chin on inny0s sho"#der and stared o"t the sa&e window inny was. @2he one that says yo"0re thin-ing entire#y too &"ch.@ inny forced a #a"gh and n"dged her sho"#der free. *#annah was nice! b"t she was one of those peop#e who were $ery c#ingy! a#ways hanging off of so&eone! to"ching so&eone0s

ar& when she spo-e to the&. ,t was rather off9p"tting to inny! anyway. 7#o-es see&ed to #o$e it.then again! perhaps they a##owed it si&p#y beca"se of the pac-age it ca&e in. @Ao" -now &e!@ inny &"ttered! thin-ing that it was the f"rthest thing fro& the tr"th. 8either of her f#at &ates -new her at a##! honest#y. ,n their presence! she was si&p#y who she needed to be to &a-e it o"t here in this wor#d: a s#ight#y odd yo"ng wo&an with &ysterio"s friends and an e$en &ore &ysterio"s past. 4he was #i-e a p"''#e to the two gir#s and they rare#y tired of po-ing and prodding her for answers. @, thin- yo" need a night o"t!@ *#annah sighed dra&atica##y! throwing her hands wide in the a#&ost e&pty seating area of the p"b. @Ao" need to get pissed and go ho&e with so&eone yo" don0t -now.and possib#y ne$er e$en as- his na&eB@ inny forced herse#f not to be sic- a## o$er the co"nter. ,t so"nded #i-e e3act#y the thing she wanted to a$oid! act"a##y. 4he wasn0t opposed to drin-ing.not at a##! in fact.b"t inny was a#ways caref"# when she did drin-. 2he few ti&es she0d been rea##y pissed stood o"t eno"gh in her &ind that she didn0t want to repeat the&. *s for see-ing o"t a one night stand! the who#e idea &ade her sto&ach ro## "nco&fortab#y. 4he wasn0t that type of gir#! at a##. E$en thro"gh the s&a## handf"# of &en she0d dated.both d"ring Hogwarts and after.she0d ne$er fo"nd anyone she fe#t co&fortab#e eno"gh with to a##ow the& that c#ose. 4eth had been after her since they first started seeing each other to #et that g"ard down! b"t she ne$er had! and after awhi#e he stopped as-ing. 4he had the fee#ing he had p#enty of witches wi##ing to #et hi& see what was in their -nic-ers. @8o than-s!@ inny gri&aced. @Ao" -now , don0t go in for a## that type of st"ff.@ *#annah sighed and hopped "p on the #ow co"nter! swinging her #egs bac- and forth. @, -now. , )"st wish yo"0d #et &e set yo" "p with this one.@ @8ope!@ inny shoo- her head fir&#y. @,0& not interested.@ @How do yo" -now "n#ess yo".@ @, -now!@ inny ass"red her with a ch"c-#e. @, )"st<,0& )"st not ready to date anyone yet.@ @*re yo" sti## pining o$er that one<what was his na&e?@ inny #a"ghed and shoo- her head. @8ot at a##. He was so arrogant he needed to date hi&se#f.@ @, thin- ,0$e &et hi&!@ *#annah )o-ed! @"n#ess he has abo"t a h"ndred twin brothers.@

inny s&ir-ed and n"dged her friend off the co"nter as an e#der#y co"p#e ca&e into the p"b. 2he o#d wo&an was sco#ding her white haired h"sband. @Ao"0re a dirty o#d &an! *#bert ;iggins!@ she hissed! swiping her hand at his sho"#der. @Ao" were og#ing a gir# who is yo"ng eno"gh to be yo"r great9grandda"ghter.@ @;as not!@ *#bert gr"&b#ed! sh"ff#ing in and ta-ing his hat off. @;hat do yo" want to eat! o#d wo&an?@ @4a&e thing , a#ways order! yo" dirty o#d &an. ;hat a& , going to do with yo"?@ *#bert grinned and #eaned forward to -iss his wife before win-ing at her. @4pend another si3ty years with &e?@ @Ha$en0t , s"ffered eno"gh?@ the wo&an said! the sting fro& her words now gone. inny bit her #ip as she watched *#bert #ead his wife to a seat and tried to ignore *#annah0s snorted #a"gh fro& where she0d d"c-ed behind the bar. How wonderf"# wo"#d it be to find so&eone she co"#d sti## chide when they were eighty? 4he forced the #one#iness away and foc"sed on ta-ing *#bert0s order when he sh"ff#ed "p to the bar. @,0## bring that o"t when it0s finished!@ she s&i#ed. *#bert win-ed at her before t"rning and she co"#dn0t he#p b"t gigg#e at hi&. %aybe he rea##y was a dirty o#d &an. Harry tossed the #ast bo3 into the pi#e of f#attened cardboard and #oo-ed aro"nd the ho"se. ,t was s&a## and identica# to those on each side of the row! b"t it was a## his. He0d been e3cited to fina##y ha$e a p#ace of his own that didn0t ha$e to be hidden away after so &any years of #i$ing "nder a Fide#i"s Char&. 4iri"s wo"#d ha$e preferred Harry sti## be "nder the char&! b"t Harry was tired of r"nning and hiding. He0d been doing that a## his #ife> he didn0t need to do it any #onger. @Ho&e sweet ho&e!@ he &"ttered! g#ancing aro"nd! p#eased that e$erything had a p#ace! e$en if it was a bit sparse in here. ,t0s not #i-e he owned a #ot of f"rnit"re or things to hang on the wa##s. * few fra&ed photographs rested on the hea$y firep#ace &ante#! and a few &ore persona# possessions were scattered aro"nd! &a-ing it fee# a bit &ore #i-e ho&e. Hedwig hooted fro& her perch near the one window.

@,t does s"it "s!@ Harry responded! f#opping bac- in the second hand chair he0d ta-en fro& 4iri"s0 ho"se and resting his feet on the coffee tab#e. @6on0t worry! gir#! we0## fi## in the b#an-s a bit as we go. 8o r"sh to fi## a## the spaces right now.@ Hedwig r"ff#ed her feathers and f#apped o$er to Harry0s sho"#der! #ight#y nipping his ear and then arranging bits of his hair with her bea-. ,t was a fa&i#iar gest"re that &ade Harry s&i#e. Hedwig had been his best friend for a $ery #ong ti&e. He wasn0t s"re what he0d do if she e$er got too o#d to be aro"nd any&ore. @4iri"s pro&ised he0d co&e o$er in a co"p#e days!@ Harry contin"ed! stro-ing the soft white feathers on Hedwig0s chest. @He pro&ised he wo"#dn0t ho$er! howe$er!@ he added with a ch"c-#e. @7"t , thin- he0## probab#y go aro"nd the twist "p there in that ho"se a## by hi&se#f.@ * sting of #one#iness crept in and Harry a##owed it to wash o$er hi&. He0d been a#one a #ong ti&e. E$en with 4iri"s there<we##! it wasn0t #i-e ha$ing friends he co"#d ca## "p and do so&ething with. He0d ne$er had anyone #i-e that. He and 4iri"s were fa&i#y! b"t it was different. @Ao" -now what he to#d &e?@ Harry as-ed Hedwig indignant#y. @He act"a##y to#d &e ,0d been cra&ping his dating sty#e for the #ast twenty years.@ He #et o"t a #a"gh that echoed thro"gh the rather e&pty ho"se! bo"ncing off the &agno#ia wa##s and #ending $ery #itt#e #ight and h"&or to the e$ening. Hedwig finished arranging his hair and n"''#ed hi& before f#apping away. @ ood idea!@ he nodded. @Ao" ha$e a good night! Hedwig. 4#eep tight.@ He stared at his fa&i#iar as she preened her feathers and then t"c-ed her head "nder her wing! sett#ing down on her perch for the night. @%aybe , sho"#d try and find so&ething to eat!@ Harry &"ttered before ro##ing his eyes at hi&se#f. @Cisten to &e! ta#-ing to &yse#f.@ He hea$ed hi&se#f o"t of the chair and r"bbed beneath his g#asses. His eyes st"ng a bit fro& the g#a&o"r char&s he wore a#&ost constant#y. He re&o$ed his wand and re#eased the char&s! fee#ing his face stretch s#ight#y and beco&e #ess f"##. His eyes twitched and he b#in-ed the& before r"bbing the& once &ore. 8ow they were their rea# a#&ond shape! and green! rather than the &"ddy ha'e# he wore when trying to -eep secret who he was. 2he fridge was rather bare! other than a s#ight#y 5"estionab#e &eat pie that 4iri"s had hasti#y sho$ed into Harry0s hands before #ea$ing this afternoon. @*t #east &a-e the ho"se +np#ottab#e if yo" won0t a##ow &e to p"t it "nder a char&!@ his godfather had gr"&b#ed! &a-ing Harry s&ir-. He0d gi$en in! e$ent"a##y and the ho"se was now s#ight#y hidden! b"t not co&p#ete#y. 2here were no %"gg#e9/epe##ing char&s! beca"se that wo"#d defeat the p"rpose of ordering pi''a! Harry insisted.

,t was )"st o$er fi$e years since the end of the war.if no one had fo"nd hi& yet! no one was going to now. 4iri"s was )"st a good worrier. @ "ess this wi## ha$e to do!@ Harry shr"gged! se#ecting a container of #eft9o$ers and toothe who#e thing o"t of the fridge! war&ing it with a char& and ta-ing the entire thing into the #i$ing roo& with hi&! a#ong with a for-. He perched in front of the te##y and f#ipped thro"gh a few channe#s before watching so&ething with #a"ghter. He0d &issed the p"nch #ine of whate$er )o-e they0d to#d! b"t hearing the $oices he#ped hi& fee# )"st a bit better abo"t being a#one. He awo-e se$era# ho"rs #ater to eerie shadows dancing on the b#"e9#it wa##s. His nec&ade a #o"d popping so"nd when he #ifted it and he r"bbed at the -not of &"sc#es and swore soft#y. @4t"pid!@ he gr"&b#ed! @fa##ing as#eep here.@ He &ashed his finger on the b"tton that t"rned the te##y off and the #ight faded fro& the roo&! p#"nging hi& into dar-ness. His eyes ad)"sted s#ow#y and he stared into the b#acof night! wrapping the si#ence aro"nd hi&se#f #i-e a b#an-et that offered no co&fort. 2he #one#iness hadn0t rea##y been an iss"e for so&e ti&e. 4iri"s was a#ways aro"nd before and Harry had a#ways had &ore than eno"gh on his &ind to ta-e away the tho"ghts. ;hen he was #itt#e he0d often wished for friends! #i-e nor&a# #itt#e boys! b"t 4iri"s had a#ways pro&ised the day wo"#d co&e when he0d be ab#e to be nor&a#. He snorted a bit at the idea of hi&se#f being 0nor&a#0 and the so"nd was swa##owed by the e&pty ho"se. He was twenty9two years o#d! for %er#in0s sa-e! being a#one sho"#dn0t be #i-e this. *#one was o-ay. He0d been a#one before! and e$en tho"gh he #onged for friends! for peop#e to share his #ife with! it was o-ay if they weren0t here. @%aybe one day!@ he &"&b#ed! st"&b#ing thro"gh the dar- to his new bedroo& and craw#ing beneath the b#an-et. A/N: Hello everyone. *waves* It's good to be back for a real, longer story. o, !lla tells me that it's high time I sto" letting her do all the wind#$" for this story and %$st "ost the first cha"ter. & he started the chanting and rhythmic dancing again. And yo$ all know how m$ch I can't handle the chanting and dancing.' o, witho$t f$rther ado, I give yo$...(rayed !nds. As !lla has informed a b$nch of yo$, it's ins"ired by another story of mine that s"arked a new "lot b$nny while I was re#reading the other day. )his one is less detailed and distinctly less angsty, b$t f$n all the same.

)he ins"iration and cha"ter titles come from song lyrics by )he (ray. Ama*ing gro$". +o check them o$t if yo$ haven't already.

*Chapter !*: Chapter !: "etter To #o $ithout

Chapter !: "etter To #o $ithout @, wondered when we were going to see yo" again.@ inny tried not to ro## her eyes when 2on-s0 words &et her. 4o&eti&es these #itt#e shopping trips got to be tedio"s. @ ood to see yo" too!@ she rep#ied! g#aring at her friend. @,0& we##! than-s. 2he )ob is going good! f#at &ates are sti## n"tters! b"t other than that<@ @Dnoc- it off!@ 2on-s #a"ghed! @it0s &e yo"0re ta#-ing to. Ao" &ay be ab#e to foo# so&e peop#e! b"t a few of "s ha$e yo" fig"red o"t.@ inny fe#t her face heat as she s#id into the booth at the Cea-y Ca"#dron and g#anced aro"nd ner$o"s#y. 4e$era# pairs of eyes #anded on her! stares f"## of c"riosity and pity. :h #oo-! there0s the ;eas#ey gir#! yo" re&e&ber her. =ro&ising career "nti# she went cra'y. 4he co"#d read it on their faces. @4ett#e down!@ 2on-s chided &i#d#y. @Ao" don0t care what they thin-.@ @, don0t!@ inny #ied! gri&acing and p"shing a breath o"t of her chee-s. @;here0s Her&ione?@ @Cate! s"rprising#y!@ 2on-s shr"gged. 4he pic-ed "p a #one#y chip off her p#ate and toyed with it before ta-ing a s&a## bite. @, hear they0$e been r"nning her ragged in the Caw 6i$ision.@ @4he0s good at it! tho"gh.@ inny fo"nd a crease in the tab#e and ran the edge of her fingernai# a#ong it. @How is e$eryone e#se? %"& sends her wee-#y #etters! b"t<@ @Ao" ha$en0t been ho&e in a few wee-s!@ 2on-s nodded -nowing#y. @2here was ta#- #ast wee- at the ;eas#ey dinner abo"t going o"t and dragging yo" bac-! yo" -now.@ inny sighed and #aid her head bac- a#ong the booth. @, )"st<, )"st need so&e ti&e.@ @2wo years hasn0t been eno"gh?@ @6on0t!@ inny warned. @,0&<,0& happy right now.@

@Ciar!@ 2on-s chided with a s&ir-. @, -now that #oo-. ,0$e worn it eno"gh when /e&"s was trying to p"sh &e away. Ao" can pretend a## yo" want! b"t that doesn0t &ean happiness wi## appear fro& nowhere.@ @How is /e&"s?@ inny as-ed! sitting "p straighter. /e&"s had a#ways he#d a specia# p#ace in inny0s heart. He was there for her in her second year! when she0d )"st co&e o"t of that &ess with the diary and had needed so&eone to ta#- to. 2hey0d ta#-ed for #ong ho"rs abo"t dar-ness and how &"ch it can affect yo" if yo" #et it. @8ice s"b)ect change!@ 2on-s grinned. @He0s good. 4ti## as st"bborn as e$er.@ inny0s eyes f#ashed o$er 2on-s0 hand! noticing the sti## e&pty ring finger. /e&"s was sti## hesitant to f"rther their re#ationship and &a-e things officia# beca"se of his< condition. ,t was one of the things inny did hate abo"t the &an> she didn0t "nderstand it at a##! especia##y after he0d been so ada&ant abo"t her trying to &o$e on after the Cha&ber. @:ne of these days ,0## si&p#y )"st get preggers and then he0## ha$e to &arry &e!@ 2on-s s&ir-ed. @6oraB@ inny hissed! #oo-ing aro"nd the p"b. @6on0t say things #i-e that.@ @;hat?@ 2on-s shr"gged innocent#y. @,t &ight wor-.@ @*nd what if it p"shes hi& o$er the edge and he #ea$es?@ @,0& an *"ror! #o$e!@ 2on-s ro##ed her eyes! @,0d si&p#y trac- hi& down and ha"# hi& bac-.@ inny co"#dn0t he#p the b"bb#e of #a"ghter that we##ed o"t of her at the no nonsense state&ent. * pict"re for&ed in her head and it was a $ery be#ie$ab#e one of 2on-s doing )"st that. @Hi! e$eryone!@ Her&ione sighed as she s#ipped into the booth ne3t to inny. @4orry ,0& #ate. , got ca"ght "p at wor-.@ 4he threw her ar&s aro"nd inny0s sho"#ders and s5"ee'ed her tight#y. @,0$e &issed yo".@ @%issed yo" too!@ inny rep#ied! her ear#ier irritation &e#ting away as they began to chat abo"t wor- and the fa&i#y. 7eing away was harder than inny e3pected it wo"#d be. 2hen again! it was easier as we##. *fter she0d been in)"red! inny had spent #ong &onths dea#ing with the #oss of her drea&s. *## of her brothers! as we## as her parents and friends! had tried to offer s"ggestions abo"t what she sho"#d do with her #ife! b"t none of the& fe#t #i-e they fit right. :r &aybe it was inny who was wrong.

4he0d ne$er considered anything b"t p#aying professiona# 1"idditch when she #eft schoo#. 4he was da&n good at it and had drea&ed of it since she was a #itt#e gir#! stea#ing her brothers0 broo&s at night and p#aying ga&es by the #ight of the &oon. ;hen that drea& died! the rest of her sort of shri$e#ed "p #i-e an *byssinian shri$e# fig. /etreating fro& the press and the prying eyes of e$eryone who had watched her dra&atic fa## fro& the top he#ped! inny hid in the 7"rrow. 7"t in the end it was not eno"gh that inny fe#t #i-e she was f"##y hea#ing fro& any of it. Cea$ing see&ed to he#p. @ "ess who , ran into the other day?@ 2on-s grinned. ;hen she wore that #oo- there was on#y one person she co"#d be ta#-ing abo"t. @=#ease te## &e yo" #eft hi& a#one!@ inny groaned. 4he too- a #ong swa##ow of her b"tterbeer! sa$oring the rich taste that &e#ted on her tong"e. 4he &issed the taste when she was o"t there in the %"gg#e wor#d. @;hy wo"#d , do that?@ 2on-s #a"ghed! sha-ing her head as if inny had co&p#ete#y #ost her &ind. @%aybe it wo"#d be best if.@ @,t was on#y a &i#d itching he3! Her&ione!@ 2on-s dis&issed! @don0t get yo"r -nic-ers in a twist. *nd =hi##ips is a pric-. He treated inny #i-e r"bbish! and yo" both -now it. , happen to -now he cheated on yo" with at #east three gir#s.@ @, -new abo"t the&!@ inny sighed. @, )"st didn0t care any&ore.@ @2hen why were yo" with hi& so #ong?@ Her&ione t"rned. @2here are so &any better &en o"t there! inny. %en who wo"#d #o$e and cherish yo".@ @;here?@ inny de&anded. @7eca"se , ha$en0t fo"nd one yet.@ Her&ione sighed and her sho"#ders s#"&ped. @, wish , co"#d te## yo" e3act#y where to #oo-! b"t , can0t.@ @;e can0t a## &eet o"r so"# &ates at age e#e$en! Her&ione!@ inny s&i#ed sad#y. * ho##ow area in her heart ga$e a $io#ent stab. 4he0d a#ways been too spoi#ed when growing "p! hearing a## abo"t her parents0 #o$e story and how they0d &et at Hogwarts. 2he si##y #itt#e e#e$en year9o#d gir# that she was had e3pected to step off the train and fa## into the ar&s of a handso&e! o#der boy who& she0d fa## in #o$e with. ,nstead! she #anded herse#f in the &idd#e of a h"ge &ess where st"dents had been in)"red and 6"&b#edore had been forced to co&e and resc"e her fro& her own st"pidity. inny0s idea#s on #o$e had ta-en a $io#ent twist that year! )ading her for a $ery #ong ti&e.

@:ne day yo"0## &eet so&eone!@ Her&ione ass"red her with a pat on her hand. @Eno"gh of this!@ inny shoo- her head. @, ha$e a #ate shift tonight! #et0s decide what we0re going to do and get on with it.@ 2he wo&en #a"ghed and paid their bi##! spi##ing o"t into the a##ey. *fter an ob#igatory stop at eorge0s shop! where she was h"gged and sco#ded and $ery near#y -idnapped by her o$er9eager brother! they &ade their &onth#y $isit to F#o"rish and 7#otts for Her&ione. 2on-s b"ried herse#f in the 6efense section! as "s"a#! whi#e inny prow#ed the ais#es! not rea##y #oo-ing at anything "n#ess it ca"ght her eye. Her&ione was near the History section.her #atest obsession. 4he was deter&ined to wor- her way aro"nd the store! thoro"gh#y e3ha"sting each section before &o$ing on to the ne3t one. @,t0s a wonder yo" ha$e spare &oney for rent!@ inny co&&ented with a #a"gh when she wa#-ed by and fo"nd Her&ione #e$itating a #arge stac- of boo-s ne3t to her. @,0& not going to b"y the& all!@ Her&ione dis&issed. @, )"st don0t -now which one , want &ost! so ,0& &a-ing a priority stac-.@ @Cogica#!@ inny co&p#i&ented with a s&ir-. 4he snatched one off the top of Her&ione0s stac- and b#in-ed at the tit#e. @2he %ysterio"s Harry =otter!@ she read! scr"nching her nose in distaste. @*re yo" honest#y considering this r"bbish? Ao" do -now who wrote it.that 4-eeter bitch.@ :nce "pon a ti&e! inny wo"#d ha$e de$o"red any boo- with the na&e Harry =otter in the tit#e. 7"t she0d been yo"ng and naE$e! and had drea&s of fa##ing in #o$e with a &ysterio"s and handso&e &an who wo"#d sweep her off her feet. 2he na&e Harry =otter had st"c- in her &ind fro& her bedti&e stories and she0d harbored a si##y #itt#e gir# cr"sh on the boy for years before fina##y deciding it was ne$er &eant to be. Her&ione nodded her head to the side. @, -now! b"t<yo" can0t te## &e yo" aren0t c"rio"s. , &ean! the &an is a $irt"a# ghost. He disappears for years and years and then &ysterio"s#y t"rns "p to defeat Fo#de&ort! on#y to $anish once &ore. Ao" -now that so&e peop#e say that he0s not e$en a rea# person! b"t so&e spirit fro& another rea#& sent to.@ @4pare &e the detai#s of whate$er the =rophet is printing!@ inny sighed! tossing the boobac- onto the spot. @He0s not a ghost! or a spirit<he0s )"st a b#o-e! trying to -eep his sanity o"t there in a wor#d where no one is a##owed any pri$acy at a##. , can0t b#a&e hi& for hiding away fro& e$erything. ,&agine what his #ife wo"#d ha$e been #i-e if he0d been here> a#ways ha$ing to dea# with peop#e in his b"siness! wanting to -now how he

s"r$i$ed that -i##ing c"rse! de&anding that he dea# with Fo#de&ort.that0s no #ife to #i$e.@ @He0s an artist with his char& wor-! that0s for s"re!@ Her&ione said! pic-ing "p the booand th"&bing thro"gh it. 2he pages were s"spicio"s#y $oid of photographs! and the ones that were there were horrib#y s&"dged so that a face was bare#y recogni'ab#e. @2his :bf"scation char& is )"st bri##iant.@ @4ort of &a-es &e wish ,0d had one when the press were a## o$er &e!@ inny &"sed. @:h! inny<@ @,t0s o-ay.@ 4he p"shed away the &e#ancho#y &o&ent. @4o! te## &e what /on0s been "p to.@ Her&ione0s face #it "p bright#y and she bo"nced on the ba##s of her feet. @He0s been pro&otedB He0s now a f"## *"ror instead of a trainee.@ inny s&i#ed! both for her brother and his gir#friend. 4he0d -nown abo"t the pro&otion! act"a##y! beca"se her &other0s #etters were a#ways f"## of news on the fa&i#y! as we## as 5"estions abo"t when she was co&ing ho&e and what she was doing! b"t it was good to see Her&ione0s e3cite&ent abo"t it. @;hen is he going to &a-e an honest wo&an of yo"?@ Her&ione0s ra$ing abo"t /on0s )ob bro-e off and she sp#"ttered! her face t"rning bright red. @ innyB@ @:iB Coo- what , fo"ndB@ 2on-s0 raised $oice o$er the entire boo-store &ade the& both t"rn. 4he &"st ha$e gotten bored in the 6efense section! howe$er! beca"se she was standing in the ;i'arding /o&ance section! ho#ding a boo- with &o$ing diagra&s o"t for e$eryone to see. inny snorted and do"b#ed o$er in #a"ghter whi#e Her&ione0s eyes b"#ged. @;e spend entire#y too &"ch ti&e with that wo&an!@ she gr"&b#ed! pretending she co"#dn0t hear 2on-s ca##ing o"t the na&e of whate$er position she fo"nd so interesting. @, thin- this &ay be so&e of yo"r finest wor- yet! C"b.@ 4iri"s ran his hand "p and down the fine wood of the broo& shaft! appreciating each s"bt#e dip and groo$e in the grain. @2han-s!@ Harry said! trying not to #et his chee-s heat too &"ch. 4iri"s0 appro$a# had a#ways &eant the wor#d to hi&. @6id yo" "se a shaping char& or.@

@Car$ed it by hand!@ Harry shoo- his head. @,t see&s #i-e cheating any other way.@ 4iri"s #a"ghed and shoo- his head! ba#ancing the weight of the broo& perfect#y on his hand. @Fee#s #i-e it wi## ride perfect.@ @,t0s not perfect!@ Harry dis&issed. @2he shaft is right! b"t , ha$en0t got the acc"rate tai# config"ration yet. 2his one ti#ts s#ight#y to the #eft.@ @;e##! , &eant perfect for so&eone who is #opsided then.@ 4iri"s bar-ed o"t a #a"gh and Harry ro##ed his eyes before snatching the broo& bac- and setting it ne3t to his Firebo#t 3 in the ta## grass. 2he s-y was a bri##iant! bright b#"e today. ,t wo"#d be hot #ater! b"t this ear#y in the &orning was perfect for f#ying.the bite of an ear#y a"t"&n in the air. 2hey0d )"st gotten down fro& p#aying a 5"ic- ga&e of chase.a f"##9on ga&e wasn0t possib#e with on#y two of the&. @4o! how goes the #i$ing a#one?@ 4iri"s n"dged Harry0s sho"#der and then #ay bac- in the grass! t"c-ing his hands behind his head and crossing his #ong #egs o"t in front of hi&. @4a&e as yo"! ,0d i&agine!@ Harry shr"gged. @,t0s pretty 5"iet in the p#ace! b"t ,0& &anaging. Ha$en0t b"rned the -itchen down yet.@ 4iri"s ga$e a so"r #oo- and Harry had to #a"gh. He hated it when Harry bro"ght "p that incident. @, did not b"rn it down.@ @Ao" set it on fire.@ @;hich , p"t o"t i&&ediate#y!@ 4iri"s pointed o"t h"ffi#y. @;hate$er. F#a&es and s&o-e e5"a#s fire.@ @*nyway!@ 4iri"s gr"&b#ed! ignoring the way his &o"th 5"ir-ed "p on the side in a&"se&ent. @,0& g#ad yo"0re fig"ring it o"t. , ne$er had to worry abo"t #i$ing on &y own beca"se yo"r father! or /e&"s! or e$en =eter were a#ways aro"nd so&ewhere.@ Harry nodded! ha$ing heard the stories a &i##ion ti&es. He stared o"t o$er the bright grass of the fie#d and wondered what his #ife wo"#d be #i-e if he were nor&a#.if he0d been a##owed to attend Hogwarts and been a##owed to ha$e friends. He &ight ha$e e$en had a gir#friend. He0d been o"t on a few dates! b"t there was a#ways an e3tre&e aw-wardness abo"t the& that Harry ne$er fe#t the need to contin"e seeing the gir#s. 2hey weren0t anyone specia# either! )"st<)"st gir#s he0d &et after the war! whi#e he was pretending to be so&eone e#se.

He was sti## pretending to be so&eone e#se now! b"t he hadn0t tried dating again. 8ot for a whi#e. 7"t &aybe he sho"#d start #oo-ing for so&eone.e$en )"st so&eone to pass the ti&e with! so&eone to ta-e to a fi#& or ha$e dinner with. %"gg#e gir#s see&ed<#ess co&p#icated than witches so&ehow. 2hen again! Harry had $irt"a##y no e3perience with witches anyway. 7"t there was a#ways the possibi#ity that a witch &ight as- too &any of the right 5"estions and start p"tting things together. Harry $a#"ed his pri$acy. @<and then this one ti&e.@ @,0$e heard this one!@ Harry s&ir-ed. 4iri"s sp#"ttered. @Ao"<yo" can0t ha$e! , ha$en0t to#d yo".@ @Ao"0$e to#d &e a## of the&!@ Harry protested. @, -now e$ery story that0s archi$ed in yo"r head.@ 4iri"s opened his &o"th to protest! b"t then it snapped c#osed. @Ao" probab#y do!@ he conceded. @ i$e &e a few &onths for the boredo& to set in and then ,0## in$ite yo" o$er to rete## the&.@ 2he co&&ent was &eant &ore as a )o-e! b"t 4iri"s see&ed to sense the rea# fee#ing behind it and sat "p. @*re yo" s"re that yo"0re a#right! C"b?@ Harry shr"gged a sho"#der and t"gged at the grass! p"##ing a handf"# and #etting it sift thro"gh his fingers. @4"re! why wo"#dn0t , be?@ @Cots of reasons!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @:ther than &e! yo" don0t rea##y see anyone any&ore. E$en /e&"s co&&ented the other day that he hasn0t seen yo" in &onths.@ Harry scow#ed. @He0s the one who stopped co&ing aro"nd.@ @, -now!@ 4iri"s sighed. @/e&"s is<he0s diffic"#t at ti&es! Harry. Hi& and his 0f"rry #itt#e prob#e&.0 He0s c#osed hi&se#f off a#&ost co&p#ete#y fro& e$eryone o$er the past few years. , -now he0s sti## in contact with the :rder! and , s"spect he &ight ha$e been seeing so&eone! act"a##y. 7"t he ref"ses to ta#- abo"t it at a##. @2he things he was forced to do d"ring the war<@ 4iri"s trai#ed off and Harry swa##owed thro"gh a dry throat. He co"#d on#y i&agine the horrors that /e&"s saw whi#e infi#trating the werewo#f co$ens. He0d bare#y s"r$i$ed the Fina# 7att#e! narrow#y escaping Fenrir reybac- and being forced to -i## the &onster with his bare hands. @, wish , co"#d do so&ething for hi&!@ Harry shr"gged. @7"t , ha$e no idea<@

@8one of "s do!@ 4iri"s shoo- his head. @E$en *#b"s tried before his death! Harry. , wish yo" co"#d ha$e &et /e&"s when he was yo"nger.when Ga&es was aro"nd to he#p ta-e the edge off. He##! , wish yo" co"#d ha$e &et "s a## then.@ Harry shifted "nco&fortab#y. @, need to get bac-.@ His &"&b#ed co&&ent see&ed to &e#t into the air between the& as 4iri"s stared! his &ind #ost in the past. ;hi#e he0d been a wonderf"# father fig"re to Harry! 4iri"s had his own de&ons that he0d a##ow to ta-e o$er fro& ti&e to ti&e. *dd to that the iso#ation that they0d #i$ed in for so #ong! and the stress of constant#y training to he#p f"#fi## Harry0s destiny and it was #itt#e s"rprise to Harry that 4iri"s was #i-e he was. 2hey were a## da&aged fro& what they0d been thro"gh. Horrib#y da&aged. @6o yo" ha$e &oney for food and st"ff?@ 4iri"s as-ed! start#ing Harry as he gathered "p the broo&s and 1"aff#e. @,0& good!@ Harry nodded. @,0## go get so&e things in the ne3t few days! b"t<, ha$e eno"gh.@ @Cet &e -now if yo" don0t want to go into Condon and<,0## thin- of so&ething. %aybe , can send /e&"s. He0d probab#y #i-e an errand. He #o$es it when , send hi& for things.@ Harry snorted! re&e&bering the co"nt#ess arg"&ents o$er the years abo"t /e&"s being sent on errands a## o$er the p#ace. :ne ti&e 4iri"s had e$en contacted hi& in the &idd#e of the night! re5"esting a s"ndae fro& Fortesc"e0s. /e&"s had e3p#ained )"st where he co"#d sho$e his s"ndae and ended the con$ersation on the &irrors that they "sed for co&&"nication. G"st before Harry 6isapparated! 4iri"s spo-e "p. @6o &e a fa$or! C"b?@ @Aeah?@ Harry0s eyebrows rose. 4iri"s rare#y as-ed &"ch of hi&. @2ry and<we##! try and find a gir#friend! or at #east go on a date! or find a friend. Ao"< yo" need so&eone e#se in yo"r #ife. 7eing a#one a## the ti&e wi## )"st get yo" where , a& .st"c- in an o#d ho"se a#one! staring at the wa##s and fee#ing the& c#ose in on yo". :r! if that0s too &"ch! )"st go o"t and get #aid.@ Harry snorted! dis&issing the tho"ght in his &ind co&p#ete#y. 7eing that inti&ate with so&eone wasn0t in the cards for hi& right now. 8ot that he didn0t cra$e it! beca"se he did .his body re&inded hi& e$ery sing#e &orning that he was twenty9two years9o#d and sti## a $irgin. 7"t the co&&it&ent and connection he0d ha$e to share with a wo&an before he fe#t co&fortab#e doing that was so&ething that Harry didn0t -now if he co"#d find right now. 2here was )"st no one<

@;e0## see!@ he shr"gged. @Ao" -now! =adfoot! that0s good ad$ice the other way a#so.@ 4iri"s #a"ghed again! the so"nd echoing o$er the fie#d. @, )"st &ight thin- abo"t it.@

*Chapter %*: Chapter %: &appiness Is 'ust Outside (y

Chapter %: &appiness Is 'ust Outside (y $indo) Harry stared into the ice bo3 and tried to decide if there was concei$ab#y eno"gh inside to scrape together so&ething that &ight rese&b#e s"pper. i$ing it "p as a bad )ob! he c#osed the door and wandered bac- into the #i$ing roo&! staring at Hedwig0s e&pty perch. He0d #et her o"t to go h"nting )"st a few ho"rs before. 4he0d #i-e#y be gone &ost of the night. @Fine! ,0## go o"t!@ he &"&b#ed to no one! snatching his )ac-et off the hoo- near the door and chec-ing the &irror to &a-e s"re his g#a&o"r char&s were in p#ace. He br"shed his hand thro"gh his hair! -nowing it wo"#dn0t &atter anyway> the wind was b#owing o"tside and his hair was a#ways a &ess anyway. 6own the b#oc- and to the so"th was a s&a## p"b that Harry had passed often! b"t had ne$er gone inside. ,t see&ed bright#y #it and fair#y c#ean! e$en if it #oo-ed fair#y deserted when he stepped inside! escaping the stiff! co#d wind. @Hiya!@ the b#onde wo&an behind the bar greeted hi&! s&i#ing wide#y. @Co!@ Harry nodded! ta-ing a seat at the far end! away fro& the on#y other person there. an e#der#y &an who was reading a newspaper and pic-ing absent#y at a dish of so&ething. @;hat can , get for yo"?@ 2he b#onde was there! right in front of hi&! #eaning her breasts on the bar. Harry0s eyes went wide as she s#id a &en" so that he was forced to #oo- right at the&. @Er<, don0t -now!@ he ad&itted. @ i$e &e a &in"te to #oo-.@ 4he #oo-ed as if she0d possib#y stay there a## night! so Harry raised the &en"! b#oc-ing her fro& his sight co&p#ete#y. ,t wasn0t that he didn0t find her attracti$e! b"t<when wo&en were so b#atant abo"t their interest it t"rned hi& off! honest#y. @*#annah.@

*nother fe&a#e $oice ca##ed o"t and the b#onde sighed #o"d#y before disappearing thro"gh the door that pres"&ab#y #ed to the -itchen. Harry was gratef"# for the reprie$e! b"t he didn0t #oo- "p! )"st in case the ne3t wo&an was e$en worse. @4orry abo"t that. 4he can be a #itt#e<we##<@ Harry #owered the &en" and s&i#ed at the wo&an re$ea#ed. 4he was &"ch better to #ooat than the b#onde> a face free fro& ca-ed9on &a-e"p! her red hair p"##ed bac-! and her shirt co$ering e$erything necessary. 4he was #o$e#y! act"a##y! with a gen"ine s&i#e. @40o-ay!@ he shr"gged. @Ha$e yo" had a chance to decide?@ she &otioned to the &en". @=ersona##y! ,0d a$oid the fish! if yo" want so&ething decent.@ Harry ch"c-#ed at her conspiratoria# tone and &o$ed his finger away fro& the #istings with fish. @;hat0s good then?@ @Here?@ the redhead as-ed with a ch"c-#e. @8ot &"ch. ;e do an a#right &eat pie! b"t ,0$e had better.@ Harry #a"ghed a#o"d and fo#ded the &en"! s#iding it bac- across the worn wood to her. @,0## gi$e it a go!@ he nodded. @:oo! bra$ery in a &an!@ she nodded! @, #i-e that.@ He fe#t his face heat as she wa#-ed away and his eyes strayed to her bac-side before he tore the& away. 4he was f#irting! b"t in a &"ch &ore attracti$e way than wo&en "s"a##y f#irted with hi&. 4he was f"nny and nice! and it was refreshing. @8ow! what can , get yo" to drin-? Cager? *#e?@ @How abo"t a Co-e?@ he as-ed. 2he wo&an see&ed to ponder that for a &in"te! ti#ting her head to the side. @,nteresting choice.@ @;hat?@ he as-ed with a #a"gh. @;e##! it0s sort of this ga&e , p#ay! , g"ess!@ she e3p#ained. @;hen so&eone co&es in! , try to g"ess what they0re going to order to drin-. , had yo" pegged as an a#e.@ Harry ch"c-#ed and shr"gged. @8or&a##y yo"0d be right. 7"t tonight0s a Co-e night.@ @ ood eno"gh!@ she nodded! handing hi& his drin-. @2hat food wi## be "p soon.@

;itho"t another word she t"rned and went down to the far end of the bar! stri-ing "p a con$ersation with regory.Harry o$erheard her say his na&e.who so"nded #i-e a reg"#ar fro& the way they were ta#-ing. Harry sipped at his drin- and watched her s"rreptitio"s#y! trying not to #oo- #i-e he was watching. 4he was petite and not as c"r$y as so&e wo&en.#i-e the b#onde who -ept pee-ing at hi& fro& the -itchen door.b"t she was $ery attracti$e. He ca"ght her eye once and was s"rprised when her chee-s f#"shed pin- and she sta&&ered o"t her response to regory0s 5"estion. His sto&ach f#ipped o$er "nco&fortab#y and Harry wondered if he0d be ab#e to eat at a## with her standing right there. He0d ne$er act"a##y fe#t this way abo"t a wo&an before> e$en the few wo&en he0d dated hadn0t &ade hi& fee# as if he had de$e#oped an instant cr"sh on the&. 7eca"se that0s probab#y a## it was! he to#d hi&se#f! )"st a #itt#e cr"sh on a pretty wo&an. @Here yo" go! #o$e!@ she said! start#ing hi& fro& his conte&p#ation as she s#id a stea&ing &eat pie "nder his nose. 4he #eaned c#oser and #owered her $oice. @2here0s a tric- to this eating a#one b"siness! yo" -now.@ Harry peered at her! n"dging his g#asses "p higher onto his nose. @Aeah?@ * s&i#e stretched her face. @:f co"rse. 2a-e regory o$er there!@ she nodded to the grey haired &an at the end of the bar. @He0s here e$ery night at this sa&e ti&e! a#ways a#one. He0s disco$ered the tric- of it.@ @*nd what wo"#d that be?@ @%a-ing it see& as if it0s yo"r choice!@ she shr"gged! bo"ncing a bit on the ba##s of her feet as her hand pic-ed at a towe# she had in her grip. @,f yo" act #i-e yo" want to be a#one! then peop#e #ea$e yo" a#one.@ Harry co"#dn0t he#p hi&se#f. He s&i#ed. @;hat if yo" don0t want to be a#one?@ His 5"estion ca"ght her off g"ard and she ch"c-#ed. @;e##! that0s a who#e different sort of prob#e&. Ao"0## ha$e to co&e bac- on Fridays! that0s the night , gi$e o"t free ad$ice on #ife. , nor&a##y charge for infor&ation #i-e that! b"t tonight0s was free of charge.@ 4he win-ed and Harry #a"ghed. @%y na&e is inny! by the way! if yo" need anything.@ Her hand e3tended o$er the bar and Harry too- it in his! noticing the ca##"ses there. @Harry.@ @8ice to &eet yo".@

inny co"#d fee# Harry0s eyes on her and it "nner$ed her! &a-ing e$erything she did fee# thic- and c#"&sy. regory b#in-ed at her with s"spicion when she had a hard ti&e adding his bi##.the e3act sa&e bi## he0d been getting e$ery night when he ca&e in! beca"se he a#ways ordered the sa&e thing. *nd then his eyes had traced her secreti$e #oo-s across the roo& and he0d s&i#ed -nowing#y! gi$ing her a #itt#e pat. @, -now the tota#! dear!@ he said! handing o$er e3act change. @;ant &e to hang aro"nd? 7e a chaperone?@ 4he #a"ghed and ro##ed her eyes! forcing herse#f to ta-e a deep breath. @,0& s"re , can &anage! reg. 2han-s.@ @ ood #"c- then!@ he whispered! s#iding s#ow#y off his stoo#! t"c-ing his newspaper "nder his ar& and sh"ff#ing o"t of the door with a sa#"te to the a#&ost9e&pty roo&. 8ow that it was )"st she and Harry a#one in the roo&! inny #et o"t a sh"ddering breath. *#annah wo"#d #oo- in and ga'e #onging#y at the &an pic-ing at his pie! b"t she sc"rried o"t when inny wo"#d gi$e her a dar- #oo-. /ea##y! inny was sa$ing her )ob! *#annah had been repri&anded twice for trying to chat "p c"sto&ers. 2he si#ence was a#&ost deafening and inny0s &ind raced! trying to thin- "p so&ething to say. Harry was nearing the end of his dinner.we##! he was done pic-ing at it! anyway .and she a#&ost didn0t want hi& to #ea$e. 8ot since she was yo"ng had she fe#t the attraction to a &an #i-e this. 7ac- then it had been a boy in the year ahead of her! %ichae# Corner! who had &ade her sto&ach f#"tter and her heart race. 2hey0d dated for a few &onths before his attit"de betrayed hi& to be nothing &ore than a nor&a#! arrogant boy. 6ating 6ean 2ho&as had been si&i#ar! b"t he was a friend of her brothers and th"s! &ore fa&i#iar in a war&! friend#y way. 4eth0s attention had been f#attering at first! b"t inny0s interest in anything rea# with hi& died o"t the first ti&e he stepped in front of her at a 1"idditch 7an5"et so that she didn0t b#oc- his photo opport"nity. Harry was<we##! he was a &ystery. @2his is the first ti&e yo"0$e been in here!@ she &"sed! wa#-ing behind hi& and straightening a few of the chairs and tab#es. @, rare#y forget a face.@ @,t is!@ Harry said! t"rning in his seat and watching her with intense eyes. inny fe#t her face heat! b"t she forced her eyes to stay on tas-! and not to drin- hi& in. Honest#y! she

was starting to act )"st #i-e *#annah.og#ing any &an who was "nder si3ty and wa#-ed in the door. @, )"st &o$ed to the area recent#y.@ @2hat0s nice!@ inny co&p#i&ented. @;here did yo" co&e fro&?@ @Er<north!@ he answered a bit cryptica##y. inny he#d "p her hands and #a"ghed. @=oint ta-en. %ind yo"r own b"siness! yo" cra'y p"b9#ady.@ @8ot at a##!@ Harry dis&issed with a #a"gh. @, )"st<, don0t "s"a##y #i-e to ta#- abo"t &yse#f.@ inny nodded! "nderstanding that co&p#ete#y. 2a-ing a chance! she p"##ed o"t the seat ne3t to hi& and eased onto it. @,0& the sa&e way! "s"a##y!@ she nodded! s&i#ing sheepish#y. He was definite#y good #oo-ing: b#ac- hair that #oo-ed soft and was &"ssed fro& the wind o"tside! eyes that were a #ight ha'e# co#or! hidden behind thin g#asses. His nose was straight and his #ips thin. :$era##! he was ta## and wiry! and inny f#"shed! her &ind )"&ping to what he &ight #oo- #i-e witho"t a shirt on. Her eyes darted to his finger! noticing no &ar- there for a ring> so he &ost #i-e#y wasn0t &arried. @Ha$e yo" wor-ed here #ong?@ Harry as-ed! drin-ing the #ast of his drin-. @*bo"t a year and a ha#f!@ inny nodded. @7efore that<we##! , was an ath#ete! act"a##y.@ @/ea##y?@ he sat "p ta##er! peering tho"ghtf"##y at her. inny fe#t her chee-s heat and prayed he didn0t as- what sport she0d p#ayed. 4he sho"#d ha$e )"st -ept her &o"th sh"t. @Aeah! b"t<, was in)"red two years ago and< ;e##! it )"st wasn0t &eant to be.@ @,0& sorry!@ he said soft#y. His tone wasn0t f"##y of pity at a##! so"nding &ore< sy&pathetic! rea##y. @,! er! , -now what it0s #i-e to ha$e to gi$e "p on drea&s. ,t0s hard to find the desire to go on at ti&es. *nd yo" )"st fee# so<#ost.@ @E3act#y!@ she nodded. Her heart raced in her chest and she fo"ght the "rge to reach o"t and to"ch his hand. @*nd no one rea##y "nderstands "n#ess they0$e been thro"gh that. had their #ife ripped apart and stood there! wondering where the ne3t breath was going to co&e fro&.@ @Aeah!@ he agreed soft#y. 2here was an intense &o&ent where their eyes &et and inny fe#t #i-e she co"#d get #ost in his ga'e. 4he fina##y forced her eyes away! #oo-ing down to her hands that twisted in her #ap.

@, sho"#d<get bac-!@ she said fina##y! gest"ring to the e&pty bar. ,t fe#t a#&ost #i-e a betraya# to #ea$e tho"gh! beca"se she hadn0t e$er &et anyone who see&ed to "nderstand how she fe#t abo"t not being ab#e to p#ay any&ore. 2his &an was a stranger! and yet he see&ed so fa&i#iar. @:h! yeah!@ he nodded aw-ward#y! his ga'e hea$y as she #eft the chair and &o$ed bac- to the other side of the bar. @6id yo"<en)oy the food at #east?@ He tried to nod and #oo- positi$e! he rea##y did. 7"t the s#ight hesitation to#d inny a## she needed to -now. @, warned yo" it wasn0t great.@ 4he #a"ghed when he ti#ted his head to the side in agree&ent. @8ow yo"0## probab#y ne$er co&e bac-.@ 4he too- a chance and win-ed at hi&! p#eased when his face f#"shed. @,0d co&e bac- anyway!@ he said soft#y! p"##ing &oney fro& his wa##et. inny tota#ed "p his bi## and too- the &oney! gi$ing hi& change! a## the whi#e trying to ta-e her ti&e! de#aying his depart"re. ,n the end! she was s"re she said so&ething co&p#ete#y si##y and gir#y to hi& when he #eft! beca"se he wa#-ed o"t with a si&p#e 0than- yo" and goodnight.0 @4o &"ch for that!@ she &"ttered! staring aro"nd the dar-ening p"b. @Chasing the& away #i-e ferrets before a hippogriff. ;ay to go! in.@ 2he door opened and she forced a s&i#e on her face. 2he fa#seness of it &e#ted away when Harry was standing there again! #oo-ing horrib#y dishe$e#ed! his chee-s bright pin-. @6o yo"<want to get a c"p of coffee one day? :r<see a fi#& or so&ething?@ ,t #oo-ed as if it cost hi& 5"ite a bit to as- her and inny nodded 5"ic-#y! her &ind trying to grasp any of the wi#d tho"ghts f#ying aro"nd in her head. @Aeah! , rea##y do.@ Harry0s s&i#e was a#&ost b#inding and his chest hea$ed in re#ief. @ ood. ,! er&<,0##<@ @2o&orrow night?@ she as-ed i&p"#si$e#y. 4he a#&ost corrected herse#f! beca"se she was s"pposed to wor-. %aybe if she begged! *#annah wo"#d co$er her shift. @=erfect!@ he nodded. @:h! er<sho"#d , &eet yo" here! or<@ ;ith a sha-ing hand! inny wrote o"t her address on a beer &at and ca&e aro"nd to hand it to hi&.

@2o&orrow then. How abo"t<se$en?@ @4e$en o0c#oc-!@ she agreed. 8ow that he0d act"a##y as-ed! and she0d answered! there was a ner$o"s energy to the air. @:-ay then!@ he nodded! his hand groping behind hi& for the door hand#e. ,t opened "ne3pected#y and Harry co##ided with another &an! who he#ped hi& right hi&se#f. inny gigg#ed and watched hi& disappear! pin- chee-s and a##! aro"nd the corner of the b"i#ding. @, tho"ght yo" weren0t ready to date!@ *#annah acc"sed! co&ing "p beside inny and watching o"t the window. @,<didn0t thin- , was!@ inny shr"gged. 8ow that the who#e thing was o$er! she co"#dn0t 5"ite wrap her &ind aro"nd it. 4o&ehow it fe#t #i-e ho"rs had passed! or possib#y it was on#y seconds. ;hate$er it was! inny had the fee#ing that her #ife had )"st changed. @He0s definite#y c"te!@ *#annah sighed. @*nd he see&ed co&p#ete#y in to yo".@ @6o &e a fa$or and ta-e &y shift to&orrow?@ @Ao"0## owe &e twice!@ *#annah sang o"t! sc"rrying away to ta-e the order fro& the two &en now seated at the bar. @6ea#!@ inny nodded! -nowing she0d gi$e )"st abo"t anything to ha$e to&orrow night off. Harry0s heart po"nded so #o"d#y in his chest that he tho"ght it &ight )"st c#i&b right "p his throat and sp#at on the sidewa#- in front of hi&! -i##ing hi& in the process. @, can0t be#ie$e , act"a##y as-ed her o"t!@ he &"&b#ed to the dar- grey s-y. 2he incred"#ity of the &o&ent &ade hi& #a"gh o"t #o"d and se$era# peop#e on the street corner stared at hi& before s#ow#y &o$ing away. 2he ho"se! e$en tho"gh it was dar- and 5"iet when he got ho&e! so&ehow fe#t a bit nicer. Harry #it a fire in the grate and sat staring into it! rep#aying e$ery word said tonight! #a"ghing a#o"d se$era# ti&es at inny0s chee-iness. ;hen Hedwig tapped her bea- on the window! Harry started and then r"shed to #et his friend in o"t of the co#d. 4he g#ided "p to his ar&! n"''#ing against his ar& and chest before preening her feathers. Harry too- her bac- with hi& to the sofa and sat! br"shing the bac- of his forefinger down her front whi#e she &ade soft #itt#e noises of content&ent.

@, &et so&eone tonight! Hedwig!@ Harry said soft#y. He fe#t a bit si##y ta#-ing abo"t inny to his fa&i#iar! b"t<so&ehow he fe#t that he needed Hedwig0s appro$a#. 4he was his o#dest friend. @Her na&e is inny. *nd she0s a %"gg#e! b"t< 7"t there0s so&ething abo"t her!@ he contin"ed. Hedwig0s #arge a&ber eyes watched hi& witho"t b#in-ing. @;e0re going o"t to&orrow night. ,<, act"a##y as-ed her o"t! Hedwig.@ * s"dden wa$e of ner$o"sness washed o$er hi& and Harry too- in a sh"ddering breath. ,n tr"th! he was horrib#e at this dating thing. E$ery date he0d e$er been on was aw-ward and Harry had spent the &a)ority of the ti&e wishing the ti&e wo"#d pass faster so that he co"#d si&p#y get ho&e. He didn0t want that with inny. He wanted to go o"t and en)oy hi&se#f! and ha$e inny en)oy herse#f. 2his wasn0t si&p#y abo"t physica# attraction> he0d definite#y fe#t a connection in those few &in"tes they0d spo-en. ;hat it was! he co"#dn0t 5"ite say! b"t there was so&ething abo"t the wo&an that &ade hi& fee# co&fortab#e. 4he see&ed #i-e she &ight e$en "nderstand a bit abo"t what he0d been thro"gh! witho"t e$en -nowing who he was. @2his one is different! Hedwig!@ he nodded. @6on0t s"ppose yo" co"#d gi$e &e any pointers?@ 2he ow# ga$e a #ow hoot and Harry sighed. @Aeah! didn0t thin- so.@ 2he idea to ta#- to 4iri"s f#ashed into his &ind! b"t Harry dis&issed it. /ea##y! a#tho"gh 4iri"s c#ai&ed to ha$e dated a #ot in schoo#! he was in the sa&e boat that Harry was. 2hey0d foc"sed on one goa# for so #ong! ignoring the fact that they were act"a##y #i$ing! breathing &a#es that it was aw-ward to thin- of their needs now. 4iri"s wo"#dn0t be ab#e to he#p hi& on this. Harry was )"st going to ha$e to re#a3 and be hi&se#f.it had wor-ed tonight and inny see&ed eager eno"gh to ta#- to hi& in the p"b. @;e0## gi$e it a go! then!@ he &"&b#ed! &ore to hi&se#f than Hedwig. 4he n"''#ed his ar& once &ore and c"ffed his head with her wing as she a#ighted to her perch for the night. @Ao" do rea#i'e that if , e$er bring her here! ,0## ha$e to re#egate yo" to another roo&?@ Harry as-ed. Hedwig r"ff#ed her feathers and ga$e hi& a rather annoyed #oo-. @;e0## dea# with that #ater! , g"ess!@ Harry sighed! t"rning bac- to the fire. 2here was a b"bb#e of e3cite&ent and ner$o"sness that sat in his be##y that began to grow as the c#oc-

on the &ante# tic-ed #o"d#y. Each &o$e&ent of the hand p"##ed his date c#oser and c#oser to rea#ity. *nd Harry co"#dn0t wait.

*Chapter **: Chapter *: &old +our "reath ,ntil It-s O

Chapter *: &old +our "reath ,ntil It-s O.er ,t was three &in"tes after se$en when Harry -noc-ed on the door that had the bright p"rp#e paint and the r"sting &eta# n"&ber eighteen beside it. Honest#y! he0d arri$ed at the f#at a#&ost fifteen &in"tes before se$en! "nab#e to he#p his e3cite&ent! b"t then had forced hi&se#f to wa#- aro"nd the b#oc-! both to ca#& down and to see& a #itt#e #ess an3io"s. inny wo"#d probab#y s#a& the door in his face if he didn0t stop acting #i-e a sta#-er. 7"t he )"st co"#dn0t see& to he#p it. 2he idea of going o"t with inny! and act"a##y ha$ing it t"rn o"t we##! was rather cons"&ing. He0d on#y &anaged a few ho"rs of s#eep #ast night before wa-ing "p ear#y! his &ind p#aying thro"gh a tho"sand different scenarios. He0d forced hi&se#f to wor- on the tai# a#ign&ent of his #atest broo& and! than-f"##y! had &anaged to #ose hi&se#f in the char&ing se5"ence for #ong eno"gh that the day passed 5"ic-#y. He sti## had no idea where to ta-e inny or what they &ight do. 7"t e$en if they si&p#y fo"nd a coffee ho"se and spent an ho"r or two ta#-ing! it was fine with Harry. ,t didn0t ha$e to be so&ething fancy.in fact it was probab#y better that it wasn0t. His hand hesitated! ho$ering o$er the door! before he forced his -n"c-#es down. inny sw"ng the door wide! start#ing hi&! before she was o"t! a#&ost -noc-ing hi& o$er on the door &at. @4orry! b"t &y other f#at &ate is ho&e! and yo" don0t want to dea# with that. Cet0s )"st< r"n.@ Harry co"#dn0t he#p b"t #a"gh as inny s#id her ar& thro"gh his and t"gged! dragging hi& a#ong behind her! down the street and aro"nd the corner. 4he was gigg#ing and p"##ing hi&! whi#e Harry he#d bac-! p"rpose#y &a-ing her wor-. His sto&ach f#ipped! rea#i'ing her hand was in his! their fingers #aced together perfect#y. ;hen did that happen? @,s she a &ass &"rderer! or so&ething?@ he )o-ed.

@Ao" ne$er -now!@ inny shoo- her head once they s#owed down. 4he -ept her hand in his and it fe#t co&fortab#e there. @Ch#oe is<odd! is the on#y word , can thin- of. 4he doesn0t 5"ite -now who she is yet! so it0s #i-e she -eeps trying on a## these different persona#ities to see which one wi## fit. 2his &onth it0s goth.so we0re st"c- #oo-ing at b#ac- nai# po#ish! eye#iner that #oo-s #i-e so&eone hit her and a $ery "nhea#thy attit"de on #ife.@ Harry #a"ghed. @, g"ess that -eeps things interesting! doesn0t it?@ inny #a"ghed and they contin"ed wa#-ing ai&#ess#y a#ong the sidewa#-. @, g"ess that0s what yo" ca## it. ,0& ne$er co&p#ete#y s"re what wi## be waiting for &e when , wa#- o"t of &y bedroo&. ,0$e #earned to be f"##y dressed before , do co&e o"t! tho"gh. :ne ti&e there was an entire cric-et tea& passed o"t on $ario"s s"rfaces of the f#at. 2hat was *#annah0s crowning &o&ent! , be#ie$e@ @:h! er<@ Harry gri&aced! i&agining the scene. @E3act#y!@ inny #a"ghed. @*#annah doesn0t ha$e a #ot of bo"ndaries! as yo" saw #ast night.@ 2hey were 5"iet for a &o&ent! wa#-ing in the chi##y a"t"&n e$ening. @2han-s for co&ing o"t with &e!@ Harry said s"dden#y. @,<, was rea##y ner$o"s abo"t as-ing yo" o"t.@ inny s&i#ed and his heart th"&ped #o"d eno"gh he was s"re she co"#d hear it. @, wanted yo" to as- &e!@ she ad&itted. @, ha$e to ad&it! ,0& rea##y ner$o"s now too.@ @/ea##y?@ inny as-ed! spinning and wa#-ing bac-wards s#ow#y! watching hi&. @;hy? 6id yo" thin- ,0d -noc- yo" bac-?@ Harry shr"gged! fee#ing his chee-s heat. @8o! , don0t -now. , )"st<don0t ha$e a #ot of e3perience in this! , g"ess.@ @,n dating?@ inny as-ed! #oo-ing s"rprised. @Ao" so"nd s"rprised!@ he pointed o"t. @8o.yes! , )"st<yo"0re $ery attracti$e! Harry. , )"st ass"&ed<@ 4he trai#ed off and t"rned bac- aro"nd! standing ne3t to hi& on the corner of the street! waiting for their t"rn to cross. @, didn0t &ean to offend.@ @8ot at a##!@ Harry shoo- his head. @,0$e gone o"t a few ti&es with gir#s! b"t<, grew "p sort of iso#ated and there wasn0t &"ch ti&e for dating. ;hat abo"t yo"?@

@,0$e dated!@ inny nodded. @* few b#o-es! b"t nothing serio"s! rea##y.@ @6id yo" grow "p aro"nd here?@ 4he shoo- her head and he too- a &in"te to appreciate how nice she #oo-ed tonight! dressed in )eans and a )"&per! with a si&p#e )ac-et p"##ed o$er it. Her bea"tif"# hair was p"##ed bac- into a ponytai#! #ea$ing her face pa#e and c#ear. @,n 6e$on!@ she shoo- her head. @, went to a boarding schoo# "nti# , was se$enteen! then , &o$ed to ;a#es. *nd then e$ent"a##y here.@ Her face c#o"ded for a &in"te and then she shoo- the shadow away. @;hat abo"t yo"?@ @ rew "p in 4cot#and!@ he ad&itted. ,t was the tr"th.and not so&ething he0d to#d anyone before. 2he ho"se had a#ways been hidden by a Fide#i"s Char& when he was yo"nger. @, had pri$ate t"tors! b"t , sort of wish ,0d been ab#e to go away to schoo#. , thin- , &issed o"t on a #ot.@ @, wo"#dn0t trade it for anything!@ she shoo- her head. @7"t it0s not for e$eryone! , -now.@ Harry nodded. He0d been disappointed when he co"#dn0t go to Hogwarts! especia##y after hearing a## of 4iri"s0 stories growing "p! b"t 6"&b#edore and 4iri"s tho"ght it was too &"ch of a ris- to enro## hi&. 4o he0d si&p#y #earned fro& 4iri"s! /e&"s and 6"&b#edore. @;here are we going?@ inny as-ed! as if )"st now rea#i'ing that they0d wa#-ed a## the way into the heart of the city. @:h! er<@ Harry scratched his head and #oo-ed aro"nd. @, hadn0t rea##y p#anned on anything specifica##y.@ @6o yo" &ind if we )"st find so&e p#ace to sit and ta#-?@ inny as-ed! #oo-ing "p at hi& thro"gh her #ashes. @, )"st<, thin- ,0d #i-e that.@ @%e too!@ he agreed i&&ediate#y. @Ha$e yo" eaten?@ @, did!@ she nodded. @2here0s a #itt#e ice crea& p#ace )"st down the way!@ Harry s"ggested. @:r &aybe it0s too co#d.@ @,0d #o$e that!@ inny grinned. @, ha$e a secret obsession for choco#ate ice crea&.@ Harry ch"c-#ed. @8ot so secret any&ore.@

2hey both ordered the cones of ice crea&! inny0s choco#ate and Harry0s strawberry! and wa#-ed hand in hand to a s&a## p#ay par- where they perched on a bench! watching the d"c-s swi& in the s&a## pond. inny watched! o"t of the corner of her eye as Harry ate his ice crea&. @;atch that one there!@ she pointed o"t one partic"#ar brighter d"c- who was herding the others bac- and forth thro"gh the grass! snapping at the stragg#ers. @He0s 5"ite bossy! isn0t he?@ Harry s&ir-ed. @He re&inds &e of &y %"&! act"a##y!@ inny #a"ghed. @;e##<yo" -now what , &ean. 2here are se$en of "s and she was a#ways s5"aw-ing #i-e that at "s! p"shing "s aro"nd and getting "s off to schoo#! off to where$er we needed to go.@ @;ow. 4e$en. ,0& the on#y one in &y fa&i#y.@ @*n on#y chi#d?@ inny as-ed! #ic-ing a drip of choco#ate off her finger. @Aeah!@ Harry shifted a bit and inny wondered if she0d offended hi&. @%y %"& and 6ad died when , was #itt#e. , #i$ed with &y godfather.@ @,0& sorry! Harry!@ inny said! her hand ho$ering ne3t to his ar& before she #et it descend and rest. 4he tho"ght she fe#t hi& shi$er )"st a bit! b"t didn0t re&o$e it. @,t0s o-ay. ,t was a #ong ti&e ago!@ he shr"gged. @;atch hi& now!@ he nodded at the d"cwho was r"bbing his nec- on the head of a d"## brown one. @He0s co"rting her!@ inny s&i#ed! g#ancing at Harry who #oo-ed sort of horrified! sort of intrig"ed. ;hen the &a#e c#i&bed on top of the fe&a#e! inny co"#dn0t ho#d in a snort. @+rgh!@ Harry gri&aced. 7"t a &in"te #ater he bro-e into #a"ghter. @;ow! ice crea& and a show.@ inny #a"ghed and too- a bite o"t of the botto& of her cone! s"c-ing the &e#ted choco#ate ice crea& o"t of the ho#e. @;e##! it0s not a first date ,0## e$er forget! that0s for s"re.@ Harry #a"ghed. @2his has been &y best date.not )"st the best first one.@ 4he co"#dn0t say )"st why that p#eased her so &"ch! )"st that it did. @,0& g#ad. ,0& ha$ing a great ti&e! act"a##y.@ *nd it was tr"e.this was her best date as we##! e$en with a## the #a$ish things that 4eth had insisted on doing together. 7eing with Harry was co&fortab#e and re#a3ing. @2hat0s good!@ he nodded. @, was worried! act"a##y. , )"st<, wanted this to go we##.@

@;e##! it is!@ she nodded! eating the #ast of her ice crea& and #ic-ing the stic-iness off her fingers. @2e## &e &ore abo"t yo"r fa&i#y?@ he as-ed. @, &ean! not if! yo" -now! it bothers yo" or so&ething.@ @8ot at a##!@ she shoo- her head! staring "p at the dar- grey s-y. * few stars were )"st starting to b#in- into sight and inny was s"re she co"#d identify the& if she tried! b"t she rea##y didn0t want to right now. @Cet0s see. ;e##! ,0& the yo"ngest of the se$en.@ Harry nodded and she co"#d see he rea##y was interested. rowing "p as he had! with no sib#ings! no rea##y c#ose friends! &"st ha$e been $ery #one#y. inny co"#dn0t e$en begin to i&agine how it &"st ha$e been. @*nd the rest are boys!@ she added with a wagg#e of her eyebrows. @;ow<and yo" s"r$i$edB@ @:f co"rse , did!@ inny #a"ghed! &o$ing s#ight#y c#oser to hi&. ,t wasn0t rea##y co#d o"t! b"t the war&th fro& his ar& and side &ade her fee# &ore co&fortab#e. @, can o"t c"rse! o"t r"n! o"t p"nch any of the&.@ Harry #a"ghed! a f"##! throaty so"nd that &ade inny pro"d she co"#d bring it o"t of hi&. @;hy doesn0t that s"rprise &e?@ 4he ga$e a pro"d s&i#e. @2hey tried to be o$erprotecti$e and a##! b"t , can ta-e care of &yse#f.@ 4he went on to e3p#ain a bit abo"t each of her brothers.censoring what she needed. ,t &ade the stories &"ch d"##er! inny tho"ght! b"t Harry sti## see&ed transfi3ed on what she was saying. @6id they s"pport yo" wanting to beco&e an ath#ete?@ inny tho"ght abo"t that for a &in"te. @, thin- &y %"& wo"#d ha$e #i-ed &e to do so&ething different! b"t yeah! for the &ost part they were s"pporti$e. ;hat abo"t yo"r godfather?@ she as-ed. @6oes he s"pport what yo" do? ;ait<, don0t e$en -now what yo" doB@ Harry s&i#ed and she swore his chee-s heated. His hands fidgeted in his #ap. @, do wood wor-ing! act"a##y. ,0& thin-ing abo"t opening &y own shop one day.@ @2hat0s a&a'ing!@ inny said! b#in-ing. @Ci-e f"rnit"re and st"ff?@ @8othing too big yet!@ he nodded! @&ost#y beca"se , didn0t ha$e a #ot of ti&e or roo& for it growing "p. 7"t , )"st &o$ed o"t on &y own so<@ @*nd yo"r godfather! he0s s"pporti$e?@

@Aeah! he0s a#ways been there! yo" -now. Ci-e yo"r %"&! ,0& s"re he wo"#d ha$e #i-ed to see &e do so&ething rea##y a&a'ing with &y #ife! b"t<he -nows this &a-es &e happy.@ @Ao"0## ha$e to show &e so&ething yo"0$e &ade one day!@ she insisted. @,0$e a#ways been a bit )ea#o"s of anyone who can do so&ething #i-e that with their hands. , dated this one b#o-e who "sed to draw the &ost a&a'ing pict"res. He was rea##y good.@ @7"t not good eno"gh to -eep yo"!@ Harry pointed o"t with a s&a## s&ir-. inny #a"ghed. @2hat0s tr"e. , #o$ed 6ean0s art &ore than , #o$ed hi&! ,0& afraid to say.@ @:ne day ,0## show yo" so&ething!@ he nodded. His fingers f"&b#ed with hers and twined the& together. @,0d #i-e that.@ @, sho"#d probab#y get yo" ho&e!@ Harry said re#"ctant#y. @,t0s getting #ate.@ @%aybe!@ she said! perfect#y content to stay right here. @7"t , don0t want to go yet.@ @* few &ore &in"tes! then!@ he nodded! staring "p into the s-y. @*rct"r"s!@ he &"&b#ed! pointing "pward. @,t0s not "s"a##y this $isib#e.@ inny b#in-ed at hi&. @Ao" -now yo"r stars?@ @Aeah!@ he nodded and then #oo-ed away s#ight#y! as if e&barrassed. @%y godfather had this thing abo"t the&. ,t was sort of a pro)ect with hi&. *nd<so&eti&es it he#ped &e to get away! yo" -now! #ying "p and staring into the s-y and i&agining &yse#f f#ying "p there! thro"gh the c#o"ds and space! a## the way "p to the stars.@ @,t so"nds wonderf"#!@ inny agreed. 2he "rge to get bac- onto her broo& again.one she hadn0t ind"#ged in a#&ost a f"## year.was great. =erhaps she &ight stea# a free afternoon this wee- and *pparate to the 7"rrow! )"st to go f#ying. * brief f#ash of regret that she co"#dn0t ta-e Harry "p with her sh"ddered thro"gh her. 7"t he0d thin- she was insane if she to#d hi& there was a way to f#y! perhaps not "p to the stars #i-e he0d drea&ed! b"t c#ose. He was a %"gg#e after a##! and co&p#ete#y b#ind to the &agic that e3isted a## aro"nd hi&. @F#ying #i-e that wo"#d be<a&a'ing!@ she agreed! staring bac- "p at the stars. @%y fa$orite has a#ways been 4iri"s! b"t yo" can0t a#ways see it "nti# winter.@ He nodded. @* fa$orite of &ine too.@

@6id yo" e$er thin- that the peop#e we #ose &ight be "p there! watching "s fro& the stars?@ inny as-ed i&p"#si$e#y! tho"ghts of Fred dancing thro"gh her head. ,t was hi& who had to#d her that when she was #itt#e. Harry s&i#ed and shoo- his head. @8ot rea##y. 7"t , do be#ie$e they don0t e$er #ea$e "s. 2hey stay with "s when we re&e&ber the&.@ @, g"ess yo"0re right!@ she nodded. @:ne of &y o#der brothers died a few years bac-. , g"ess ,0& a#ways #oo-ing for so&ething to signa# to &e that he0s sti## here! watching o$er &e.@ @,0& sorry!@ Harry said soft#y. @, "nderstand what that0s #i-e. 8ot )"st &y parents.,0$e #ost friends too! peop#e , tho"ght were too strong! too a#i$e to e$er die.@ @E3act#y!@ she agreed. @He was<he was #arger than #ife! rea##y. ,f there was anyone , ne$er worried abo"t! it was hi&.@ 4he b#in-ed away the b"rning in the bac- of her eyes! not wi##ing to cry in front of Harry. @*nd there are ti&es! e$en now! years #ater! when ,0## hear so&ething f"nny! so&e )o-e! and thin- 0oh! , can0t wait to te## hi& that0 and then , re&e&ber that , can0t.@ His hand tightened on hers and he nodded. @, do that too. *nd e$ery decision , &a-e! , thin- abo"t what &y parents wo"#d say.wo"#d they appro$e of what ,0& doing now! who ,0$e beco&e. 7"t then there are ti&es that , ha$e to get past that! beca"se ,0## go insane if , thin- abo"t it a## the ti&e.@ @%o$ing on!@ she nodded. @,t0s a#ways hard! b"t we ha$e to do it.@ @,n the end! , thin- it &a-es "s stronger peop#e. ;e appreciate #ife )"st a bit &ore! , thin-. , -now , do. ,0$e #earned not to ta-e things for granted.we##! , hope , ha$e anyway.@ inny #aid her head on his sho"#der! fee#ing co&p#ete#y war& and co&fortab#e right now! with her hand t"c-ed into his. @,0& g#ad yo" ca&e into the p"b #ast night.@ He ch"c-#ed soft#y. @,0& g#ad , forgot to go to the grocers as we##.@ @%aybe one day , can &a-e yo" a rea# dinner.&y %"& is an a&a'ing coo- and! despite &yse#f! , see&ed to ha$e pic-ed a few things "p fro& her.@ He s&i#ed! his #ips twisting in an incredib#y attracti$e! co&p#ete#y #opsided way that &ade her heart po"nd in her throat. @,0d #i-e that! , thin-!@ he nodded. @ inny<, rea##y #i-e yo". ,<,0d #i-e to see yo" again.@ /ather than answering hi&! inny #eaned in! pa"sing )"st before her #ips to"ched his. ,f he &o$ed forward! -issing her! then she0d -now.

His tong"e darted o"t! &oistening his #ips before he c#osed the distance between the&! gent#y br"shing his #ips a#ong hers. 4he sighed in content&ent when he "sed a bit &ore force! -issing her strong#y eno"gh that her head sp"n s#ight#y. 2hey bro-e apart after a #ong &in"te and s&i#ed at each other. @,0d #i-e to see yo" again!@ she agreed. @,0d #i-e to -iss yo" again!@ he co"ntered! his hand s#iding a#ong her )aw! the fingertips b"rying in the s&a## hairs at the base of her nec-. ,t tic-#ed and sent a shi$er down her bac- before she nodded! gi$ing hi& the per&ission he so"ght. 2he second -iss was fiery! &a-ing her who#e body ting#e in desire and e3cite&ent. ;hoe$er he0d -issed before.if he had.had ta"ght hi& we##. :r perhaps it was si&p#y nat"ra# ta#ent. inny co"#dn0t re&e&ber any other -isses inciting this &"ch fire inside her before. Her fingers wrapped into the #ape#s of his )ac-et and she co"#d fee# the rapid! )er-y &o$e&ents of his chest as he s"c-ed in breath thro"gh his nose! "nwi##ing to brea- their #ips apart. @, sho"#d get yo" ho&e!@ he said fina##y! p"##ing away and sha-ing his head a bit. inny b#in-ed at hi& a &o&ent! c#earing her head fro& e$erything that she0d beg"n to fee#! -nowing he was right. 2hey0d on#y )"st &et! for %er#in0s sa-e! and here she was thin-ing she wanted nothing &ore than to ha$e hi& to"ch her inti&ate#y. 4he rea##y wasn0t that type of gir#> the other &en in her #ife hadn0t &ade it $ery far before inny had insisted they stop. 7"t she0d a#so not fe#t this type of connection with any of the&. @;hen can , see yo" again?@ she as-ed! a##owing hi& to p"## her to her feet. Harry wo"nd their fingers together and t"gged her c#oser. @4oon!@ he agreed. @, don0t want to wait too #ong.@ @, wor- to&orrow in the e$ening!@ she sighed! r"bbing her face. 4he hadn0t noticed how tired she act"a##y was sitting on the bench with Harry! b"t it was we## after &idnight now. *nd yet it fe#t as if they0d on#y spent &in"tes there! not ho"rs. @;hat ti&e do yo" get off?@ he as-ed. @, ha$e an appoint&ent in the &orning , ha$e to -eep.@ He so"nded a#&ost sad that they0d be apart and inny0s heart f#"ttered once &ore. @, get done at nine.@ @,0## be there to wa#- yo" ho&e then!@ Harry said! his answer s"re. @,0d #i-e that!@ she nodded.

2hey wa#-ed in si#ence the rest of the way to inny0s door! and then they stood there! #oo-ing at each other for a #ong ti&e. Harry #eaned in c#ose and inny s"rrendered to his -isses once &ore! thri##ed when her bac- pressed against the so#id door. 4he0d certain#y ne$er been -issed #i-e this before.#i-e she was the air and Harry was drin-ing her in! s"staining his $ery #ife beca"se she was here. His hands c"pped her face gent#y! his th"&bs caressing her chee-s as if she &ight breain two if he he#d )"st a bit tighter. * shi$er of p#eas"re ran down her bac- and inny p"##ed away! -nowing they needed to brea- off right now! before one of the& s"ggested anything &ore! and the other agreed. @ ood night! Harry!@ she &"&b#ed! pressing her #ips to the s&ooth s-in of his chee-. @8ight!@ he agreed! #oo-ing torn as he p"##ed away. @,0## wait "nti# yo" get in.not that , don0t thin- yo" can defend yo"rse#f! , )"st<@ @,t0s o-ay!@ she s&i#ed. 2he door-nob twisted "nder her hand and she forced herse#f to step inside. Her eyes &et his as the door c#osed and she he#d his ga'e "nti# the wood b#oc-ed hi& o"t co&p#ete#y. 2he f#at was we## #it! b"t si#ent as inny stared "nseeing#y at it! her &ind racing with a## that had happened tonight. /ea##y! they0d on#y ta#-ed and eaten ice crea&! b"t it fe#t #i-e she0d -nown hi& for years. 2a#-ing with Harry was co&fortab#e! not aw-ward at a##. 4he fe#t g"i#ty for not being ab#e to te## hi& who and what she rea##y was! b"t that was swept fro& her &ind when she re&e&bered the way he0d -issed her! he#d her hand! and spo-en to her. 2his! abo$e a## e#se! was rea#. *nd it &ade her fee# &ore a#i$e than she0d fe#t in a $ery! $ery #ong ti&e.

*Chapter /*: Chapter /: 0uiet "ut I-m Sure There Is S

Chapter /: 0uiet "ut I-m Sure There Is Something &ere 2he drea& that night.or perhaps it was the ne3t &orning.was br"ta#. 2he $ision his &ind had created for hi& had been de#icio"s.one of the best he co"#d re&e&ber. Cast night with inny has been beyond any e3pectations he0d e$er had. ,t was s"rrea# a#&ost how co&fortab#e he fe#t aro"nd her! #i-e he didn0t ha$e to &eas"re e$ery sing#e word before he said it! or worry how she was going to react. He rea##y needed to get "p and &o$ing for the day. He had a &eeting with his acco"nt &anager at ringotts and then needed to go and see abo"t renting a p#ace )"st o"tside of town where he co"#d wor- on his broo&s witho"t being worried abo"t wood sha$ings e$erywhere. 8ow that he tho"ght abo"t it! tho"gh! he &ight ha$e to &a-e so&ething e#se

o"t of wood.so&ething i&pressi$e.to be ab#e to show inny. 4he was going to get s"spicio"s if he showed her his hand car$ed broo&s. ,t was the on#y thing rea##y that was a pain when dating a %"gg#e wo&an! he decided. 4o &"ch of his #ife wo"#d ha$e to be -ept secret."n#ess so&ething act"a##y ca&e of it and they ended "p together. Harry -new he co"#dn0t #ie to her if they were serio"s. 4tat"te of secrecy be da&ned> he )"st co"#dn0t. His &orning passed in a b#"r and before he -new it! he was standing in a wareho"se that was now rented in his na&e.we##! not co&p#ete#y! he s"pposed. 2he na&e on the #ease was Harry Ga&ison! b"t for a## intents and p"rposes! that was hi&. ,t was the na&e he "sed whi#e #i$ing o"t here a&ong the %"gg#es. He certain#y didn0t want it -nown that Harry =otter was o"t and abo"t! #i$ing his #ife. 2he ;i'arding p"b#ic tho"ght that Harry =otter had disappeared bac- into his rec#"si$e and secreti$e #ifesty#e! and that was )"st fine with Harry. He didn0t need press fo##owing hi& e$erywhere! ho"nding hi& with 5"estions abo"t e$erything and nothing. ,t was better this way. 4iri"s arri$ed in the #ate &orning! *pparating in to the wareho"se a#ong with the shr"n-en bo3es that he#d a#&ost a## of Harry0s broo&9&a-ing s"pp#ies. He wandered aro"nd for a bit! whist#ing #ow and nodding his head in appro$a#. @2his p#ace is great!@ he fina##y said! he#ping Harry start to #ay his things o"t on two #ong tab#es. @, was act"a##y thin-ing of getting so&e other wood wor-ing too#s!@ Harry shr"gged! testing the idea o"t on his tong"e as he watched 4iri"s for his reaction. @, tho"ght &aybe , co"#d try &y hand at a few other things.not )"st broo&s. 4o&e %"gg#e so&e day &ight )"st co&e in here and wonder why ,0& spending so &"ch ti&e on &a-ing si&p#e broo&s.@ 4iri"s ch"c-#ed. @* co$er.not a bad idea! C"b. , thin- yo" &ight e$en be ab#e to &a-e a tidy #itt#e profit on the side. *#tho"gh once yo" get the broo&s into the &ar-et! that0## be what yo" rea##y wor- on.@ @Aeah!@ he shr"gged! @b"t right now they0re one of a -ind. , don0t thin- , want to get into &ass prod"ction anyti&e soon. ,t0## be a to"gh se##! b"t , was thin-ing &ore a#ong the #ines of c"sto& broo&s for 1"idditch p#ayers and s"ch.@ 4iri"s sat on the end of one of the tab#es! his #egs swinging bac- and forth as he nodded. @* great idea. ,t &ay be harder to i&p#e&ent! since co&panies #i-e 8i&b"s "s"a##y gi$e the p#ayers their broo&s free of charge. ,t0s great p"b#icity for the&.@ @,t won0t be easy at first!@ Harry nodded. @7"t i&agine how a c"sto& broo&! &ade specifica##y for the rider! wo"#d increase their perfor&ance. /ight now a## broo&s are standard! not ad)"sted to the height and weight of a p#ayer! #et a#one the position they

p#ay. Firebo#t &a-es the best broo&s for 4ee-ers! b"t the char&ing se5"encing see&s off to &e so&ehow.@ 2hey contin"ed to ta#- abo"t Harry0s p#ans "nti# it was past dinner ti&e. 4iri"s offered to b"y a pi''a and they ate it straight fro& the bo3! sti## &a-ing p#ans for the broo& shop. 7efore he -new it! it was past se$en and Harry start#ed! #oo-ing down at his watch. @, need to get going!@ he said! gathering "p his things and discarding the e&pty pi''a bo3. @Ao" ha$e a date?@ 4iri"s as-ed! his eyes wide. @Er<no! no!@ Harry #ied. He fe#t g"i#ty b"t he rea##y didn0t want to say anything abo"t inny 5"ite yet. He -new 4iri"s wo"#dn0t care that she was %"gg#e! not at a##! act"a##y. 7"t it was &ore that he -new 4iri"s wo"#d want to -now a## abo"t her! and probab#y &eet her. /ight now! Harry fe#t #i-e this who#e thing was sti## so brand new that he wanted to -eep it to hi&se#f. For now. @G"st &eeting so&eone for a pint.@ @*h! b#o-e thing!@ 4iri"s nodded -nowing#y. @, &iss doing that! yo" -now. %aybe ,0## ha$e to try and get /e&"s to &eet &e. ,0& g#ad yo"0re &a-ing friends Harry. ,t &a-es &e sad to thin- yo"0re o"t here a## a#one.@ For a brief &o&ent! Harry retho"ght his desire to -eep his secrets. He wasn0t "sed to #ying to 4iri"s! or not te##ing hi& e$erything. %aybe soon! he decided. @,0## ta#- to yo" soon!@ Harry said! #oc-ing the door and *pparating to his ho"se once 4iri"s had wa$ed his goodbye. 2he #ast wee- had been abso#"te#y perfect! in inny0s opinion. 4he and Harry had spent e$ery e$ening together and e$en &et se$era# ti&es in the &idd#e of the day! when they weren0t both wor-ing. 2hey ne$er did anything spectac"#ar! a#tho"gh Harry had ta-en her to a nice resta"rant )"st #ast night. 7"t that was a#right! beca"se si&p#y spending ti&e together was a&a'ing. *nd the -issing was )"st<&ind b#owing. Cast night inny had fo"nd herse#f pressed to the wa## ne3t to her door! one of Harry0s hands b"ried in her hair! the other c#"tching at her waist. 2hey0d both been aro"sed and it had ta-en e$erything both of the& had to p"## apart and #ea$e each other! b"t they had! whispering their goodbyes before Harry wa#-ed away! #ea$ing inny sad that he was going. 2hey were &eeting again tonight> Harry was going to bring her to his ho"se so that they co"#d &a-e dinner together. * s&a## part of her wondered if it wo"#d go beyond )"st -issing tonight. * thri## ran thro"gh her at the tho"ght! b"t it a#so &ade her sto&ach f#ip in ner$o"sness.

@G"st don0t thin- abo"t it!@ she sco#ded! s#inging her broo& o$er her sho"#der and wa#-ing toward the ho"se to #et her &other -now she was here. 2he desire to f#y had been growing a## wee-! b"t she hadn0t sto#en any ti&e for herse#f before now. 7"t it see&ed the perfect thing to do right now! whi#e the ho"rs before she &et Harry again stretched o"t. @Hi %"&!@ she greeted! s&i#ing at her &other! who was -neading a #arge &o"nd of darbrown do"gh. @How are yo"?@ @ innyB@ Her &other s&i#ed wide#y! her hands sti## &o$ing in the stiff do"gh! wor-ing it with practiced &o$e&ents. @;hat a s"rpriseB 6o yo" ha$e the day off?@ inny ca&e in! #eaning her broo& in the corner! and &o$ed o$er to gi$e her &other ha#f a h"g fro& behind! wrapping one ar& aro"nd her &other0s sho"#ders and pressing a s&a## -iss to her chee-. @, do. , tho"ght &aybe ,0d spend a #itt#e ti&e f#ying again. ,t0s been awhi#e and<we##! ,0$e )"st been thin-ing abo"t it #ate#y.@ 4he tried not to b#"sh when her &other b#in-ed at her. @2hat0s<we##! inny! that so"nds wonderf"#. , wasn0t s"re yo"0d e$er want to f#y again! tr"thf"##y.@ @, do!@ she nodded. @, sti## #o$e it! , )"st< , thin- , )"st needed so&e ti&e to find &yse#f again. 2o find a way to be happy.@ @*re yo"?@ her &other as-ed! $oice harsh and #ow. @*re yo" happy &y inny9gir#?@ @,0& getting there!@ she shr"gged! p#aying with the end of her hair where it #ay o$er her sho"#der. ,t see&ed strange to ad&it! beca"se she rea##y hadn0t tho"ght abo"t it! b"t she was happy. For the first ti&e in a #ong ti&e! she hadn0t spent a day this wee- fee#ing &e#ancho#y or depressed abo"t where her #ife wasn't going. Her &other0s hands stopped wor-ing and she stared at inny! eyes growing bright with tears. @,0& so g#ad! inny. ;e0$e a## been so worried abo"t yo".@ @, -now!@ inny sighed. @*nd ,0& sorry for worrying e$eryone. , )"st<, thin- , )"st #ost me in a## of the &ess.&a-ing the tea&! the ga&es! the p"b#icity! and then 4eth< ,t was a## too &"ch! and when the accident happened<, was ready to 5"it!@ she ad&itted in a s&a## $oice. ,t was the first ti&e she0d said it a#o"d to anyone. @, hated it.@ @, -new yo" were "nhappy then!@ her &other said! "sing her wand to re&o$e the re&nants of f#o"r and do"gh fro& her hands and di$iding it into #oa$es! setting the& in the war&th of the s"n strea&ing in the -itchen window to rise. @, )"st didn0t -now what it was e3act#y! or how to he#p.@ @Ao" he#ped &e!@ inny pro&ised her! ta-ing her hand as her &other sat ne3t to her. @Ao" rea##y did. Ao" too- care of &e after the accident.ga$e &e a p#ace to stay and -ept the press away. %ost i&portant#y! yo" #et &e ha$e the ti&e and space to dea# with it. 2he boys<@

@2hey don0t "nderstand so&eti&es!@ her &other nodded. @2hey don0t re&e&ber str"gg#ing to find who they were. ,t0s easier for &en! , thin-. 8ot a#ways! b"t &ost of the ti&e. 2hey0re not so torn "p by peop#e0s e3pectations of the&! or their own e3pectations.@ @%aybe they )"st hide it better than we do!@ inny shr"gged! s&i#ing s#ight#y. @, g"ess we0## ne$er -now!@ her &other shr"gged and patted her hand gent#y. @8ow! yo" go off and ha$e a good f#y. ,0## &a-e "s a #itt#e #"nch so that when yo" stop bac- in! we can ha$e a rea# chat. *nd yo" can te## &e abo"t the boy yo"0re seeing.@ inny0s )aw dropped and she stared at her &other. @How<what<?@ @* &other -nows! inny dear.@ 2he -nowing #oo- on her &other0s face was too &"ch and inny )"st sighed! gathered "p her broo& and wa#-ed o"t to the fie#d! pondering how on earth her &other co"#d ha$e -nown anything abo"t Harry. ;as she rea##y that transparent? /on ;eas#ey was happy with his #ife. He had a good )ob that cha##enged hi& and &ade hi& stronger than he0d e$er i&agined he co"#d be! a wonderf"# gir#friend who& he #o$ed &ore than #ife itse#f! and an a&a'ing fa&i#y. 2hings co"#dn0t be &"ch better. 2he ;i'arding ;or#d was now &"ch &ore stab#e than in years past> reb"i#ding after the war had been a cha##enge that had! fran-#y! see&ed a#&ost ins"r&o"ntab#e. 7"t they0d scraped by! the wor#d #i&ping on and s#ow#y starting to reco$er. 2hings were $ery! $ery good right now. He did worry abo"t inny fro& ti&e to ti&e! off in her own wor#d! doing whate$er it was that she did. Her&ione said it was 0finding herse#f0 e$en if /on didn0t -now 5"ite what that &eant. ;hy did she need to find herse#f? 4he was right there. 4he was inny ;eas#ey! yo"ngest ;eas#ey! a&a'ing 1"idditch p#ayer.at #east before the accident. and the &ost fiery gir# he0d e$er -nown. 2o /on it see&ed fair#y si&p#e. He0d been thin-ing &ore and &ore abo"t her #ate#y. 6a&n 6ean. ,t was a## his fa"#t. He was fore$er as-ing abo"t her when the friends got together to share a pint and re&e&ber their years at schoo#. 8e$i##e said he tho"ght 6ean &ight sti## ha$e a thing for inny! e$en tho"gh it had been years since they0d gone o"t. 2he idea &ade /on a bit "nco&fortab#e. He re&e&bered a## too we## the few ti&es he0d ca"ght the& snogging bac- at Hogwarts. ;hy co"#dn0t inny )"st find so&eone decent? 8ot #i-e that =hi##ips b#o-e. 2hat had been a wrong &atch right fro& the beginning! e$en if inny didn0t see& #i-e she co"#d see it. Her&ione and 2on-s see&ed to thin- it wo"#d happen one day! b"t /on )"st wasn0t s"re. E$en bac- in schoo# inny had a#ways see&ed #i-e she was searching for so&ething that )"st wasn0t there. ,t was a hard fee#ing to e3p#ain! b"t /on co"#d see the shadow of it in her eyes in 5"iet &o&ents> the rest#essness and fr"stration.

1"idditch had ta-en the #oo- away for a whi#e! "nti# the accident. /on didn0t e$en recogni'e inny a few wee-s after being hit in the side of the face with a 7#"dger. 2he swe##ing and br"ising was gone! b"t there had been a shattered! fragi#e #oo- abo"t her that was co&p#ete#y o"t of p#ace. 2he #oss of her periphera# $ision on one side &eant she wasn0t e#igib#e for p#ay at a professiona# #e$e# any #onger and no hea#ing spe##s or potions see&ed to he#p. ,n one brief! terrifying &o&ent a## her drea&s had e$aporated. *nd then inny herse#f had disappeared after &onths of ratt#ing aro"nd the 7"rrow and hiding fro& e$eryone. :$er the #ast year! the ha"nted #oo- had started to fade fro& her face! b"t he sti## ca"ght re&nants of it fro& ti&e to ti&e when she wo"#d act"a##y co&e to a dinner at the 7"rrow. He hadn0t been to the 7"rrow in what fe#t #i-e ages. 2r"thf"##y! it had on#y been two wee-s. Cast 4"nday Her&ione0s parents had in$ited the& o$er for dinner! so they0d &issed the reg"#ar ;eas#ey feast that too- p#ace. 6eciding that he0d )"st pop o$er d"ring his #"nch brea-! rather than grabbing so&ething at the %inistry canteen! /on s&i#ed. Aes! it was a good idea. He0d get to catch "p with what was going on in the fa&i#y and &a-e s"re his &other wasn0t angry abo"t their &issing the dinner! e$en tho"gh he -new she wasn0t. =#"s! there was the added bon"s that %o##y ;eas#ey was the best coo- on the p#anet. 2he a"t"&n co#ors were )"st starting to decorate the trees aro"nd the 7"rrow and /on too- a deep breath of the fresh! crisp air and #et it fi## his #"ngs. 2he bright orange p"&p-ins in his &other0s $egetab#e garden drew his eyes and he was re&inded of do'ens of har$ests! pic-ing their fa$orite p"&p-in to decorate for Ha##oween. He and inny had the -nac- of a#ways choosing the sa&e one when they were #itt#e. /on wo"#d screa& and inny wo"#d cry.gaining the s"pport of her o#der brothers! who wo"#d then press"re /on to gi$e in and )"st #et her ha$e the p"&p-in. 7y that ti&e! a## the good ones were gone and he a#ways ended "p with the #opsided! sp#otchy ones. He s&i#ed! spying the perfect one a&ong the dar- green #ea$es. 2his year he was going to win the race.possib#y beca"se inny didn0t -now he was sti## p#aying the ga&e. He sn"c- into the bac- garden and &ade his way thro"gh the $ines. ="##ing his wand! he &o$ed to car$e his na&e sha##ow#y on the orange f#esh! on#y to find inny0s scraw#ed there a#ready. 4wearing! he g#anced aro"nd. 2he writing was fresh! so she had to ha$e been here within the past few ho"rs. * b#"r of &otion drew his attention across the fie#d. 4he was at the pitch<f#ying. ;itho"t rea#i'ing he was e$en &o$ing! /on gra$itated toward her! staring with wide eyes at how fast she was going. 2here was a 1"aff#e t"c-ed "nder one of her ar&s as she strea-ed toward the &a-eshift goa# at one end! not rea#i'ing she had an a"dience at a##. ;ith a precision he hadn0t witnessed in far too #ong! inny shifted the ba## and tossed it thro"gh the hoop before swooping #ow and catching it again before it hit the f#oor.

4he was a&a'ing.far better than any of her brothers on their broo&s. E$en Char#ie! who had a#&ost p#ayed professiona##y! co"#dn0t beat her e#egance and grace in f#ight. ;atching inny was #i-e ha$ing the &ost )oyf"# &"sic fi## yo"r so"# and spi## o$er! fi##ing a## the other s"rfaces aro"nd. 2he s&i#e on her face when she t"rned and saw hi& was f"## and gen"ine. *nd it had been far too #ong since he0d seen it. 4o&ething was definite#y different with his sister. @8ice shot!@ he co&p#i&ented! t"c-ing his hands in his poc-ets and watching as she did a #ong #oop! setting "p another r"n. 4he #oo-ed )"st as practiced! )"st as deter&ined as she had years ago! when she0d been p#aying for the Harpies. @2han-s!@ she ca##ed o"t after &a-ing another gracef"# shot thro"gh the goa#. @, tho"ght ,0d be r"sty! b"t , g"ess it0s so&ething yo" don0t e$er forget.@ 4he ho$ered near hi&! a#&ost re#"ctant to get off her broo&! before s#ow#y descending and gi$ing the wood a #o$ing caress. @,t0s been a #ong ti&e.@ @,t has!@ he agreed. @;hat0s "p with yo"?@ he de&anded. @Ao"0re a##<happy.@ 4he #a"ghed and n"dged hi& in the sho"#der as she passed. @;hy does e$eryone asthat? Can0t , )"st be happy?@ /on stared at her! trying to p"t the pieces together in his &ind. @;e##! yeah! b"t<yo"0re "s"a##y not.@ He fe## into #ine with her and they wa#-ed 5"iet#y bac- toward the 7"rrow. @, don0t #i-e that person , was! /on!@ she ad&itted when they reached the o#d broo& shed. ,t was e$en &ore fi##ed with cobwebs now and inny ga$e a #onging g#ance toward her broo& before storing it away. He s"pposed she co"#dn0t ta-e it with her! to her %"gg#e f#at! and her #ife in the %"gg#e wor#d. @*nd , don0t want to be that person any&ore.@ He s#"ng an ar& o$er her sho"#der! p"##ing her c#ose and p#acing a s#oppy -iss on her forehead. @;e##! whate$er it is yo"0re doing! )"st<-eep doing it! a#right?@ Her chee-s f#"shed for so&e reason and she wo"#dn0t &eet his eyes! b"t she nodded. @, p#an to.@ @7y the way!@ he gr"&b#ed! @yo" cheated with the p"&p-in. Ao"r na&e is car$ed a## o$er the best one.@ @6id not!@ she #a"ghed! po-ing his ribs. @2here are no r"#es! therefore , co"#dn0t ha$e cheated. 7esides! yo" wo"#d ha$e on#y disco$ered that if yo$ were going to cheatB@ @4ee? Ao" ad&itted that yo" cheatB@ He #a"ghed and #ifted her onto his sho"#der! gi$ing her behind a #o"d s#ap and carrying her toward the ho"se. @;e0## see what %"& says abo"t this.@

@4he0## chose &e!@ inny ca##ed o"t! wrapping her ar&s aro"nd his bac- and digging her fingers into his sides! where he was &ost tic-#ish. @4he a#ways chooses &e.@ @2hat0s bac- when yo" were c"te and innocent.@ @,0& sti## c"te and innocent!@ she cha##enged bac- and they b"rst thro"gh the door! #a"ghing and wrest#ing! )"st #i-e o#d ti&es.

*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1: Say The $ord And I $ill "e +o

Chapter 1: Say The $ord And I $ill "e +ours Harry fe#t a bit #i-e a pinba## in one of those arcade &achines! bo"ncing a## o$er the p#ace! fro& one thing to another and not e$er ab#e to sit sti##. He co"#dn0t e$en say he was ner$o"s.terrified was &ore #i-e it. inny was co&ing to his ho"se! tonightB *nd if a## went we##< ;e##! he wasn0t "lanning on it! b"t he was ho"ing for it. %aybe it was too fast! too soon. :r &aybe it was )"st right! Harry didn0t -now. 7"t it fe#t right to want to ta-e the ne3t step with inny. *nd she see&ed )"st as eager as he did. 4ho"#d he p#an on ta#-ing abo"t it with her? 6id peop#e )"st<do that? 0Hi inny! co&e on in!0 he p#ayed o"t the con$ersation in his head. 0Cet &e ta-e yo"r coat. ;o"#d yo" &ind terrib#y if yo" )"st stayed the night? 7eca"se , rea##y #i-e yo"! and ,0& not 5"ite s"re if , #o$e yo"! b"t it &ight be that fee#ing. , do -now , rea##y want to s#eep with yo". ,0& tired of being a $irgin and ,0$e chosen yo" to be &y first! if yo"0## ha$e &e. *nd ,0& pretty s"re that , want yo" to be &y #ast too! and e$ery one in between! b"t it &ight be too ear#y for that )"st yet.0 Aeah! he decided as he banged his head p"rpose#y on the -itchen door fra&e! he was co&p#ete#y insane. He wandered into the #i$ing roo&! chec-ing )"st one &ore ti&e that he0d re&o$ed e$erything in here that &ight point to hi& being who he was. Fra&ed photographs of his parents and 4iri"s were rep#aced with store bo"ght! generic watery scenes in cheap wooden fra&es. Hedwig and he had a disc"ssion this afternoon abo"t her spending the night at 4iri"s0. 2he ow# was rather p"t o"t and ref"sed to #ea$e for so&e ti&e! near#y sending Harry into a panic. 7"t she0d e$ent"a##y #istened to his p#eas and disappeared into the di&&ing 4epte&ber e$ening. Her perch was hidden in one of the bac- bedroo&s now! and Harry

wo"#d ret"rn it to its rightf"# spot so&eti&e to&orrow! or #ater tonight if inny wasn0t interested in staying. His heart raced at the tho"ght of ha$ing to ta#- to her abo"t it! beca"se he rea##y sho"#d. He wished he were s"a$e eno"gh to )"st s"ggest! in the &idd#e of one of their incredib#e -issing sessions! that he ta-e her bac- and show her the bedroo&. 7"t e$en the tho"ght of being that coo# and co##ected at that precise &o&ent &ade Harry snort in #a"ghter. 4he co"#d say no! b"t Harry was pretty s"re she wo"#dn0t #a"gh in his face.that wasn0t #i-e inny at a##. He &ay ha$e on#y -nown her for se$en days! b"t in a way it fe#t as if those days had been years. He0d ta#-ed with her abo"t things that he hadn0t e$en spo-en to 4iri"s abo"t.how #one#y he0d gotten growing "p! how hard it was not ha$ing a &e&ory of his parents! his hopes and drea&s for the f"t"re. *nd inny had done the sa&e. Each of the& was bro-en! in a way> Harry fro& the war and a## the things he0d gone thro"gh! inny fro& her sports in)"ry and a## that she had to end"re after it. 2hey were both! in a way! hiding fro& the wor#d. Harry was hiding who he rea##y was! and inny was trying to escape a past f"## of press and peop#e ne$er #etting her ha$e a &in"te to herse#f. ,t was rather ironic that they0d co&e together! b"t wonderf"# as we##. 7oth of the& co"#d "nderstand the other so we##. Harry fe#t a g"i#ty stab at a## that he wasn0t te##ing her! b"t he forcef"##y br"shed it away fro& his &ind. 4oon. He0d te## her soon. *nd it wo"#dn0t &atter to inny> so&ehow he fe#t the tr"th of that state&ent deep within hi&. 4he wo"#d "nderstand. Her -noc- at his door start#ed hi& fro& his tho"ghts and he )"&ped to #et her in! grinning at her wa$e thro"gh the s&a## side window ne3t to the door. His heart f#ipped o$er when she ca&e in! carrying eno"gh groceries for a &onth. Her ar&s went aro"nd hi& a"to&atica##y and she -issed hi&! their #ips see-ing each other o"t as if it had been years since they0d seen each other! rather than ho"rs. @, &issed yo" today!@ she whispered. Harry0s who#e body shi$ered in )oy and he co"#dn0t fight the fee#ing that he0d been born the &o&ent she first spo-e to hi&.he hadn0t rea##y #i$ed "nti# she0d wandered into his #ife! changing it fore$er. @Hi!@ he greeted! grinning and fee#ing beyond giddy at seeing her! at act"a##y ha$ing her here in his ho&e. @Co&e in. Cet &e ta-e so&e of those.@ He wrest#ed the p#astic shopping bags fro& one of her hands! #a"ghing as she )o-ing#y pretended to tip to the other side. @;hat do yo" ha$e in here?@ he scoffed! hoisting the hea$y bags. @2hat0s &y &agic bag of tric-s! %r. Ga&ison!@ she #a"ghed! win-ing at hi&. @,t0s a s"rprise.@

Harry0s )aw dropped and he stared at her as she inspected the #i$ing roo&! wandering right to the &idd#e of it and t"rning aro"nd in a circ#e. ,agic bag of- 4he co"#dn0t< 8o! she was )"st teasing hi&. @,t0s a nice ho"se!@ she nodded fina##y. @/oo&y! b"t not too big.@ @Co&e on!@ Harry "rged! p#acing his hand on the s&a## of her bac-. @,0## show yo" the -itchen! and then gi$e yo" the to"r.@ Fifteen &in"tes #ater! Harry was seated on top of his co"nter! watching inny0s efficient hands as she c"t chic-en and bacon! washed and sorted the $egetab#es and began heating the o$en. @Ao" see&<rea##y happy today!@ he said! noticing the way her chee-s #oo-ed f#"shed and hea#thy. @, got bac- o"t on the fie#d today!@ she ad&itted with a shr"g. @=#ayed for )"st a bit.@ @2hat0s great! inny. How was it?@ @Chop these carrots for &e?@ she as-ed! handing hi& a bag of the&. @,t was<e3citing. , &ean! , -now ,0## ne$er p#ay co&petiti$e#y again! b"t it fe#t good )"st to get o"t there once &ore. 2o fee# the wind in &y hair and re&e&ber why , #o$ed p#aying.@ Harry0s heart swe##ed in pride at her and he tried to foc"s on -eeping his -nife straight! &a-ing c#ean e$en c"ts to the $egetab#es. Her enth"sias& and high spirits he#ped to ta-e away so&e of his worry for tonight! and he was re&inded! once again! why he was with this yo"ng wo&an. inny see&ed to be #ife itse#f.$ibrant and energetic! #o$e of #ife! deter&ination and passion a## ro##ed into a tiny wisp of a thing. *nd she was co&p#ete#y wrapping Harry aro"nd her heart. 4he spo-e abo"t footba## #i-e he fe#t abo"t f#ying. 4iri"s had often to#d Harry he was the best f#yer 4iri"s had e$er seen.and that he &ight ha$e had a chance at p#aying 1"idditch professiona##y had his destiny not ta-en hi& in another direction. @Ao"0re bea"tif"#! do yo" -now that?@ Harry as-ed and inny0s hand stopped its &otion. 4he b#in-ed "p at hi&! her chee-s t"rning a bri##iant pin-. @, )"st wanted yo" to -now that!@ he shr"gged! fee#ing foo#ish. 7"t then her #ips were on his! their food preparation co&p#ete#y forgotten for the &in"te. ;hen she p"##ed bac-! she opened her &o"th to say so&ething! b"t it see&ed to &e#t away fro& her. 4he s&i#ed instead. @Ao"0re pretty a&a'ing! did yo" -now that.@ Harry #a"ghed and -issed her once &ore. @;e sho"#d probab#y get this started! or we0## be eating at &idnight.@

4he p"##ed away rather re#"ctant#y and began to finish what she was wor-ing on. Harry finished the carrots and i&&ediate#y started chopping the #ea-s "nder inny0s watchf"# eye. @;hat did yo" get "p to a## day?@ she as-ed. 2hey stood side by side and their ar&s r"bbed whi#e they wor-ed. Harry co"#dn0t he#p b"t fee# this was the way it was s"pposed to be.standing together! wor-ing to &a-e a &ea# for each other! and ta#-ing abo"t their day. 2his fe#t right. @8ot &"ch!@ he #ied. @4pent &ost of &y ti&e at the shop! wor-ing on a few pro)ects.@ He0d act"a##y beg"n &a-ing a few pieces of f"rnit"re so that he0d ha$e so&ething to show her. ,t was #ess tedio"s than &a-ing broo&s! b"t the res"#ts were far &ore satisfying for )"st one day0s efforts. He0d e$en fo"nd a car$ed wooden hair c#ip in a cata#og he0d bo"ght at the 6,A store that he was going to start wor-ing on to&orrow! )"st for inny. @*nd , had a few things to get done aro"nd here.@ @6irty #a"ndry to st"ff "nder the bed and a##!@ she grinned! nodding. Harry n"dged her ar& and they #a"ghed together. @,t0s in the wardrobe! ,0## ha$e yo" -now!@ Harry )o-ed. @,f , st"ffed it a## "nder the bed! ,0d ne$er ha$e anything to wear. 2his way! when , go to find so&ething to wear! a## the dirties fa## o"t at &y feet and ,0& forced to c#ean the&.@ @,0& on to yo"r ga&e now! Harry!@ she warned. 2hey ate dinner seated c#ose together on the sofa! ba#ancing their p#ates in their #aps as they f#ipped thro"gh shows on the te##y. @,t a&a'es &e that peop#e can spend a## day in front of so&ething #i-e this!@ inny &"sed. 2he progra& was entertaining! b"t co&p#ete#y &ind#ess as we##. ;hen she said that to Harry he s&i#ed. @, thin- &ind#ess is rather the point.@ He gathered "p their dishes and set the& on the s&a## tab#e before s#iding his ar& aro"nd her. @,0& so g#ad we didn0t grow "p with one of these!@ inny said! c#ic-ing the te##y off. @%y brothers wo"#d ha$e wasted away in front of it.@ @Ao" didn0t ha$e one?@ Harry see&ed start#ed. @;e didn0t either.@ @8ope!@ inny shoo- her head. Her heart was racing at how c#ose he was right now! how war& and wonderf"# he s&e##ed. @;e were a#ways too b"sy for things #i-e this.why sit inside a## day when there are woods to e3p#ore! trees to c#i&b! ponds to swi& in! and sports to p#ay.@

@, agree!@ he said! -issing her forehead soft#y. inny #aid her head on his sho"#der and re$e#ed in the fee#ing of si&p#y being here with hi&. 2onight was wonderf"#.)"st #i-e e$ery other &in"te spent with Harry was. *## afternoon she0d been pondering the changes to her #ife.both her &other and i/on/i had noticed )"st how happy she was. *nd it was a## down to this &an sitting right ne3t to her! #etting his fingers trai# thro"gh her hair. Harry a##owed her to si&p#y be who she was. E$en tho"gh she was hiding so&e pretty big secrets fro& hi&! inny fe#t as if Harry -new &ore abo"t her than anyone e#se e$er co"#d. 4he was going to ha$e to te## hi& soon! she -new! beca"se she had the distinct fee#ing that she was fa##ing in #o$e with hi&. Co&p#ete#y! arse9o$er9e#bow in #o$e with hi&. His fingers br"shing on the soft part of her nec-! )"st be#ow her ear! &ade her who#e body fee# #i-e it was charged! s-in ting#ing and a#i$e. @, #o$e yo"r hair!@ he &"&b#ed! pressing his nose against the side of her head. @,t s&e##s so wonderf"#<#i-e f#owers.@ @,t0s the sha&poo!@ she &"sed. Her fingers traced "p his ar&! r"bbing the short! darhairs there and #etting the& tic-#e her pa#&. ,n the ne3t breath! they were -issing> passionate! o"t of contro# -isses that in$o#$ed caresses and to"ches that &ade inny0s who#e body ache for &ore. 2he #i$ing roo& was &ost#y dar-> on#y the #ow #ight fro& the dying fire casting ta## shadows. Harry0s hands he#d her hips and #ifted her into his #ap. @2his o-ay?@ he as-ed between -isses. inny nodded. @%ore than o-ay.@ *nd it was. 6espite ha$ing on#y -nown each other for a wee-! inny -new Harry was different. 4he0d ne$er fe#t this way abo"t anyone before. ,t didn0t fee# r"shed at a##! not when e$ery to"ch of his fingers! e$ery s&i#e that he showed! e$ery word o"t of his &o"th &ade her fee# &ore and &ore a#i$e than e$er before. 2he tension between the& began to grow! s-y9roc-eting when Harry0s hand br"shed the s-in of her bac-! )"st "nder the edge of her shirt. He0d to"ched her before! b"t this night see&ed to bring the weight of the wor#d with the war&th of his fingers on her s-in. @4tay tonight?@ he as-ed! -issing where her co##arbone pee-ed o"t fro& beneath the shirt she was wearing. He didn0t #oo- at her! )"st wrapped his ar&s aro"nd her tight#y! #etting her fee# what she was doing to hi&! hinting at what he was as-ing for. @, want to &a-e #o$e to yo"!@ he &"&b#ed into the s-in of her nec- and then p"##ed bac-. His s&"dged g#asses were croo-ed and his eyes were bright beneath the&.

,n the space of a second inny weighed what he was as-ing! what he was offering. ;as it too &"ch! too soon? ;as she ready to be with hi& #i-e that? @,0## stay!@ she said in the ne3t breath. 2he weight of the decision was s#o"ghed off when she -issed hi& again! &ore "rgent#y than before. Her shirt disappeared so&ewhere a#ong the #ine! as did his. @,0$e ne$er<e$er before!@ she &"&b#ed! her fingers e3p#oring the s&oothness of his chest! tracing the #ines there. @%e either!@ he ad&itted. His chest shifted "nder her to"ch and he #eaned forward! -issing her &o"th! and then tracing down with his #ips! a#ong her nec-! down to her chest. @Can we ta-e this to the bedroo&?@ she as-ed! bare#y finding her $oice. Harry see&ed to sha-e hi&se#f for a &o&ent before he -issed her soft#y and nodded. @6o yo"<need anything? , ha$e<protection.@ ,t too- inny a &o&ent to rea#i'e what he was as-ing! b"t she shoo- her head. @, ha$e what , need. , )"st need a &in"te in the bathroo&.@ @:-ay!@ he agreed. 4he was so&ewhat g#ad to fee# that he was tre&b#ing )"st as &"ch as she was. @2here0s one off the bedroo&.@ 4he nodded! re&e&bering that fro& his to"r. 4he 5"ic-#y darted ahead! gathering her bag fro& the -itchen and c#osing herse#f into the bathroo&. inny eyed herse#f critica##y in the &irror. @Ao"0re ready for this!@ she to#d the ref#ection! i&&ense#y g#ad that this &irror wo"#d not ta#- bac- to her. 4he0d ne$er been fond of that feat"re on &agica# &irrors. 2he one at the 7"rrow had been the bane of her e3istence for 5"ite a few years growing "p! b"t rare#y co&&ented any&ore. * brief &o&ent passed and she wondered what this &irror wo"#d say if it co$ld spea-. ;o"#d it te## her she was r"shing into this? ;o"#d it te## her that this was the right thing to do! beca"se she #o$ed Harry! and she was pretty s"re he #o$ed her in ret"rn? 4ha-ing her head at her foo#ishness! inny sp#ashed water on her face and re&o$ed the rest of her c#othing! tre&b#ing as she p"##ed the thin white cotton nightgown fro& her bag. Her wand fo##owed and she 5"ic-#y &"ttered a contracepti$e char&! -nowing it wo"#d be good for "p to twenty9fo"r ho"rs. 4he0d researched it this &orning! )"st in case. Her be##y ting#ed in anticipation and she #istened as Harry &ade s&a## so"nds in the other roo&. @2his isn0t a &ista-e!@ she to#d herse#f fir&#y! fee#ing it down deep inside her. 4he 5"ic-#y br"shed o"t her hair and t"c-ed a## of her things away in her bag! n"dging it behind the

door. Crac-ing the bathroo& door open! inny stepped o"t into the #ow9#it bedroo&. Cong shadows were on the wa## fro& the s&a## firep#ace that g#owed and crac-#ed. @Hi!@ Harry stood ner$o"s#y ne3t to the bed! wearing on#y a pair of pa)a&a pants. His hair was r"ff#ed horrib#y! and his g#asses were sitting on the tab#e ne3t to what she decided &"st be his side of the bed. 2he co$ers were p"##ed bac-! re$ea#ing c#ean! crisp sheets. @Hi!@ she answered bac-! forcing her feet to cross the co#d f#oor boards. @Ao" #oo-<wow!@ he &"&b#ed. He &et her part way thro"gh the roo& and wrapped her in his ar&s. @;e don0t ha$e to! yo" -now!@ he &"r&"red! ho#ding his forehead to hers. @, won0t press"re yo".@ @, -now!@ she nodded. Her hands s&oothed "p his ar&s! resting on his sho"#ders. @Ao" ne$er wo"#d. , want this )"st as &"ch as yo" do! Harry.@ @ ood.@ 2he word was bare#y o"t of his &o"th before his #ips pressed against hers! soft and s&ooth. 2hey &o$ed toward the bed a#&ost "nconscio"s#y! and inny gigg#ed when Harry tried to #ift her onto the &attress witho"t brea-ing the -iss. @8ot $ery s"a$e! ,0& sorry!@ he #a"ghed soft#y when they b"&ped noses and foreheads. @,t0s o-ay!@ she answered! p"##ing hi& to -nee# on the bed with her. @, don0t want so&eone s&ooth and debonair. , )"st want yo"! Harry.@ ,t was a co#d night! the first of the season and 4iri"s #it a #arge fire in the stone firep#ace! we#co&ing the war&th and #ight that ca&e fro& the f#a&es. 2he ho"se was entire#y too 5"iet tonight. ,t had been wee-s since Harry &o$ed o"t! b"t tonight 4iri"s fe#t the years of being a#one weigh hea$y on hi&. He pic-ed "p a fra&ed photograph off the &ante# and too- it bac- to his fa$orite chair with hi&! staring at it as he sipped his g#ass of :gden0s. @,t0s nights #i-e this that , &iss both of yo" &ore than e$er!@ he &"&b#ed to the portrait of Ci#y and Ga&es. ,t had been on his &ante# fore$er! it see&ed. Harry had a#ways #i-ed #oo-ing at it when he was yo"ng. He0d -ept a copy of it ne3t to his bed for years as we##. 4iri"s had seen it on his &ante# the day he0d he#ped Harry get the #ast of his things into the ho"se. 2he co"p#e s&i#ing at each other inside the fra&e were so yo"ng.)"st bare#y eighteen when the photograph had been ta-en. 4iri"s -new it was on#y a few &onths after this that they0d been &arried and starting their #ife.

@He0s a good boy! Ga&es!@ 4iri"s e3p#ained to his best friend. @*#tho"gh he0s not &"ch of a boy any&ore. rown "p too da&n fast! that0s for s"re. , wish ,0d been ab#e to gi$e hi& &ore than , did. 7"t he was safe.)"st #i-e , pro&ised yo".@ 2he i&age of the ho"se at odric0s Ho##ow! fa##ing in on itse#f! a ho#e gaping in the side of it! f#ashed thro"gh his &ind and he swore. He co"#d sti## see it! as if the who#e thing had happened yesterday. *nd *#b"s0 words! "rging 4iri"s to ta-e Harry and go into hiding.they were #i-e a death to## and a be## ringing freedo& at the sa&e ti&e. *fter p"##ing Harry fro& the r"bb#e! 6"&b#edore had tried to con$ince 4iri"s to #et hi& hide Harry away with Ci#y0s sister! beca"se of the b#ood &agic! sea#ed on Harry by Ci#y0s death. 2hey0d arg"ed #ate into the night! safe#y hidden away at Hogwarts whi#e Harry wai#ed for his dead parents. Fina##y! *#b"s had gi$en in to 4iri"s p#eas to -eep Harry! rather than sending hi& to 4"rrey. =et"nia0s co"#d a#ways be a #ast resort if they needed a safe p#ace to hide Harry away. @,t was the right thing to do!@ 4iri"s affir&ed once &ore to Ga&es and Ci#y0s pict"res. 2heir s&i#es and #o$ing #oo-s see&ed! to hi&! to be in agree&ent. Harry had grown "p #o$ed! -nowing the stories of his parents and who he was. He &ight ha$e str"gg#ed with #one#iness and "nderstanding his destiny.so&e things not e$en Harry co"#d hide fro& 4iri"s.b"t he0d a#ways had so&eone he co"#d tr"st! so&eone he -new #o$ed hi&. @E$en if , bodged it fro& ti&e to ti&e.@ 2here were too &any f#ashes of Harry being in)"red! being in pain! or s"ffering at the hand of that &ass9&"rderer! and 4iri"s drowned the tho"ghts in his drin-. @, o"ght to chec- on hi&! yo" -now!@ he &"ttered to the photograph. His eyes strayed o$er toward the white ow# s#eeping on the perch in the corner of the roo&. Hedwig had shown "p #ate this afternoon! carrying no note. 4he0d )"st g#ided past hi&! c"ffing hi& in the head far too fir&#y for it to be affectionate! and t"rned her bac- on hi&. @8o idea what he0s "p to! or why she0s here.@ 2he "rge to *pparate to Harry0s ho"se was great! b"t he dis&issed it. He0d a#ready had se$era# drin-s tonight and didn0t fancy ha$ing to send for so&eone fro& the %inistry to retrie$e whate$er bits of hi& were spread o$er the co"ntryside. @,n the &orning!@ he nodded. @,0## chec- on hi& in the &orning.@

*Chapter 2*: Chapter 2: Come Close And Then 3.en Clos

Chapter 2: Come Close And Then 3.en Closer Harry wo-e fro& a f"## night0s s#eep! his eyes f#"ttering at the #ight that was co&ing thro"gh the windows. 2he drawn c"rtains fi#tered it! &a-ing it a red9orange rather than bright ye##ow. His ar&s a"to&atica##y tightened aro"nd his pi##ow and he arched his hips! pressing his &orning hardness against< ;ait a &in"te. His eyes f#ew opened wide when his bare body enco"ntered another bare body. ,t wasn0t a pi##ow he was wrapped aro"nd! b"t inny. Her red hair cascaded aro"nd her head! tang#ed aro"nd his hand and hers! where their fingers twined together. 8ot for the first ti&e! she sto#e his breath away. *nd it wasn0t )"st physica#.a#tho"gh Harry did thin- she was the &ost bea"tif"# thing he0d e$er seen. 7"t the connection between the& had been co&p#ete#y affir&ed #ast night when they0d &ade #o$e for the first ti&e. Each &o$e&ent of their bodies was etched into his &ind. *nd e$en tho"gh it hadn0t been perfect.far fro& it! act"a##y.Harry tho"ght they0d both done we##. inny had pointed o"t that neither of the& co"#d be e3perts the first ti&e they tried so&ething! and Harry agreed. His s&i#e grew when he tho"ght abo"t practicing with her again. @=ractice &a-es perfect!@ he &"&b#ed to hi&se#f. inny &"r&"red so&ething in her s#eep and Harry -issed her sho"#der. Her eyes f#"ttered open and b#in-ed at hi& a &o&ent before she s&i#ed #a'i#y and ro##ed to pi##ow her head on his chest. @%orning!@ she said! yawning. @ ood &orning.@ His ar&s c#osed aro"nd her and he fe#t co&p#ete again! she#tered in this &o&ent. @6id yo" s#eep we##?@ @, did!@ she &"r&"red. @7etter than , e3pected. ,0$e ne$er shared a bed before! so , e3pected to -eep wa-ing "p.@ 2he tho"ght too- Harry by s"rprise! &ost#y beca"se! now that she &entioned it! he sho"#d ha$e e3pected the sa&e. 2ho"ghts of ha$ing inny in his bed hadn0t e$er prope##ed hi& beyond the 0ha$ing se30 part of it. His &ind had a#ways stopped right there when i&agining it. 7"t wa-ing "p with her here was a#&ost as good.possib#y better "nti# they practiced &ore. @;hat ti&e do yo" need to wor-?@ he as-ed! s&oothing her #ong hair away fro& her face.

@*t e#e$en!@ she &"&b#ed! g#aring o$er at the c#oc- ne3t to the bed that proc#ai&ed it past nine. @6a&n!@ Harry &"ttered! -issing her forehead. @, was hoping we co"#d spend a## day right here.@ inny #a"ghed and #ay her head down. @*s wonderf"# as it so"nds<the wor#d &o$es on.@ He was 5"iet! pondering that tho"ght! his fingers dancing across the si#-y s-in of her sho"#der. @,t doesn0t see& right that it doesn0t stop for "s! yo" -now.@ @, -now!@ she agreed. @,t fe#t #i-e it stopped #ast night.@ @,t wasn0t that good!@ he protested. @*t #east not for yo".@ @Harry!@ she sat "p! bringing the sheet with her and co$ering &ost of her bare body. @, to#d yo" #ast night.@ @, re&e&ber!@ he said! sti##ing her ta#-ing with a -iss. @,0& off at se$en!@ she ga$e a one9sho"#dered shr"g and Harry0s heart th"&ped in his chest. @, co"#d<co&e bac- tonight.@ @2here0s p#enty of food #eft!@ he )"stified. @;e co"#d heat it "p again.@ @4o"nds #i-e a date!@ she said! #eaning forward and -issing hi&. @;e ha$e the oddest dates!@ he #a"ghed. @7"t , won0t protest.@ @6on0t!@ she #a"ghed! -issing hi& se$era# &ore ti&es before getting "p! ta-ing the sheet with her. @,0& going to shower.@ @, thin- , can &anage so&ething for brea-fast!@ Harry nodded! watching her go and #"sting after the pa#e swath of s-in he co"#d see a#ong her #eg and hip. @+n#ess yo" want &e to )oin yo".@ @%aybe to&orrow &orning!@ she said with a s&i#e. @, wor- the #ate shift.@ Harry stared at the door #ong after it was c#osed! re#i$ing #ast night and then scra&b#ing to get dressed when the pipes groaned. ,f he sat here i&agining her in the shower! brea-fast wo"#d ne$er get &ade! and he0d be in there with her! &a-ing her #ate for wor-. He "sed his wand to speed "p the coo-ing and )"st &anaged to t"c- it into a drawer as inny ca&e o"t! br"shing his co&b thro"gh her #ong! wet hair. @7acon b"tty!@ he offered! setting the top piece of bread onto the &eat.

@=erfect!@ inny grinned! ta-ing the p#ate fro& hi& and -issing his chee- before tearing into the sandwich. Harry watched! a&"sed at her appetite. @%y &other wo"#d be horrified! yo" -now!@ she said fina##y! #ic-ing grease off her fingers. @;hy! e3act#y! is that?@ Harry as-ed. He po"red her a c"p of tea and watched as she stirred &i#- in. @7eca"se yo" stayed #ast night?@ =erhaps it was paranoia! b"t he wanted to -now what she fe#t abo"t what they0d done #ast night. @:h!@ she #oo-ed s"rprised and then grinned! @we##! probab#y for that too! b"t<, &eant beca"se , didn0t c#ean "p #ast night after &a-ing dinner. ;e e$en #eft o"r dishes in the #i$ing roo&.@ Harry ch"c-#ed and #oo-ed aro"nd the roo& at the &ess. He co"#d easi#y right it after she was gone with a bit of &agic. @,0## ta-e care of it.@ @, -now yo" can!@ she dis&issed. @7"t , fee# bad.@ @6on0t!@ he shoo- his head. @,t0s &y ho"se.@ @Aeah! b"t<@ Her protest died when he g#ared )o-ing#y at her. @Fine.@ @ inny! yo"0re free to co&e and &a-e a &ess at &y ho"se anyti&e!@ he said soft#y! reaching o"t and br"shing a bit of hair away fro& her chee-. @*nyti&e.@ @7e caref"#! Harry!@ she warned! &o$ing into his ar&s. @, &ight )"st ta-e yo" "p on that offer.@ He -issed her then! sa$oring the way she tasted of bacon and tea! and the hint of &int fro& her toothpaste. @4e$en tonight?@ he as-ed! fee#ing as if the ho"rs apart &ight )"st &a-e her disappear fro& the wor#d. 2his who#e #ast wee- had fe#t #i-e a s"rrea# drea& that Harry &ight )"st wa-e fro& one day. *nd it wo"#d -i## hi& if she wasn0t rea##y here. @4e$en!@ she agreed. 4he #oo-ed )"st as torn abo"t ha$ing to #ea$e as he fe#t and it he#ped! strange#y. inny0s hopef"##y 5"iet entrance into the f#at wasn0t so 5"iet. 7oth *#annah and Ch#oe were there! cheering her in. inny gri&aced! -nowing she wasn0t going to get o"t of sharing at #east a few of the detai#s beca"se they were )"st here! #i-e o$er9eager p"ppies. 2e##ing the& that nothing had happened wo"#d be a #ie.one they0d s&e## a day away and ca## her on.

@Ao"0$e officia##y co&p#eted yo"r first wa#- of sha&e!@ *#annah h"gged her tight#y! s5"ee'ing her aro"nd the nec-. @,f , wasn0t so )ea#o"s! ,0d be thri##ed for yo".@ @,t was not a wa#- of sha&e!@ inny sco#ded. @,0& not asha&ed at a##.@ @2e## "s a## abo"t it!@ Ch#oe said! eager#y bo"ncing on the end of the worn! second9hand sofa. Her enth"sias& was co&p#ete#y betrayed by the a## b#ac- o"tfit she was wearing! hea$i#y #ined b#ac- eyes! pa#e white s-in and b#ood9red #ips. inny gri&aced. @, don0t thin-.@ @4he0s not a detai# person! Ch#o! re&e&ber?@ @7"t<yo" s#ept with hi&! didn0t yo"?@ inny sighed! -nowing she wasn0t going to get o"t of this witho"t sharing )"st a bit. 2hese two were #i-e terriers once they got a ho#d of so&ething. @;e had se3!@ she nodded! s5"ee'ing past *#annah. @*nd?@ *#annah de&anded. @*nd<,0& not saying anything &ore!@ inny shr"gged! s&i#ing s&"g#y. @,t0s between the two of "s! not the fo$r of "s.@ @%"st ha$e been good!@ Ch#oe sighed! pic-ing at her b#ac- fingernai#s. inny went to her roo& and stared at the dishe$e#ed bed and c#othing strewn abo"t. 2he entire p#ace see&ed<different today. %aybe she was )"st seeing it thro"gh rose co#ored g#asses after spending the night with Harry. %aybe it was )"st her add#ed brain that co"#dn0t stop thin-ing abo"t Harry. 4he 5"ic-#y tidied the roo& and changed into c#ean c#othes to get ready for her shift at the p"b. How she was going to &anage to foc"s today was a &ystery. @Ao"r sister ca##ed twice #ast night and showed "p here first thing this &orning!@ *#annah d"c-ed her head into inny0s roo& witho"t -noc-ing and inny $ery near#y c"rsed her! b"t &anaged to -eep her wand hidden behind her #eg. @4ister?@ inny b#in-ed at the b#onde! trying to fo##ow what she0d )"st said. @Aeah! yo"r sister. G"st a bit ta##er than yo"! red spi-y hair. Ch#oe was ad&iring her piercings. 4he doesn0t #oo- a thing #i-e yo"! other than the hair! if yo" as- &e! b"t.@ 4pi-y hair and piercings. 2on-s. @:h! yeah! &y sister!@ inny nodded. @4he! er<she was here?@

*#annah s&i#ed! a rather predatory #oo- co&ing into her ga'e. @, to#d her yo" were o"t! didn0t want to say where. 7"t<then she started as-ing 5"estions and<@ @*nd yo" spi##ed yo"r g"ts!@ inny nodded -nowing#y. Honest#y! it wo"#dn0t ha$e ta-en &"ch! and 2on-s co"#d &a-e a &"te person ta#- a#o"d when she got 5"estioning the&! e$en witho"t &agic to he#p her. @4orry!@ *#annah s&i#ed! not #oo-ing the #east repentant. @, didn0t gi$e his na&e. probab#y beca"se , on#y -now hi& as 0that p"b b#o-e0! b"t she got the idea that yo" were ha$ing a s#eep o$er.@ @ reat!@ inny gri&aced. @2hat &eans she0## be dropping by again today.@ @4he see&ed worried abo"t yo"!@ *#annah shr"gged. @7"t , to#d her yo" were fine. rea##y good! act"a##y. *nd , thin- she "nderstood! beca"se she #a"ghed abo"t it.@ @=erfect!@ inny nodded. @,0$e got a shift at wor-. ,0& s"re she0## arri$e in the &idd#e of it a## to e&barrass &e.@ @%a-es &e te&pted to co&e in on &y day off!@ *#annah teased. @Honest#y! yo"0## be fine. 4he0## see right thro"gh yo"! she0## tease yo"! and then! e$ent"a##y.#i-e when yo"0re ninety.she0## #et yo" forget abo"t it. 2hat0s how sisters are.@ inny gri&aced! thin-ing that &ight be how Her&ione was! b"t 2on-s wasn0t going to #et it go that easi#y. @2a#- to yo" #ater!@ she sighed. E$en the prospect of ha$ing to e3p#ain herse#f to 2on-s co"#dn0t stea# away a## of inny0s good &ood. ;a-ing "p with Harry this &orning had on#y affir&ed that she &ade the right choice by staying #ast night. ,t hadn0t been aw-ward or strange to be there at a##! e$en tho"gh she0d worried yesterday that it &ight be. 2he who#e way to wor- a## inny co"#d thin- abo"t was being with Harry again tonight. ,t was going to be a #ong day. 4iri"s0 head was po"nding when he wo-e s#"&ped in the sa&e chair he0d been sitting in #ast night. He swore #o"d#y! start#ing Hedwig! who ga$e hi& a sco#ding hoot! r"ff#ing her feathers in his direction. @6on0t ye## at &e!@ he gr"&b#ed! ho#ding his head. He didn0t re&e&ber finishing off the who#e body of :gden0s #ast night! b"t his body to#d hi& he had. Honest#y! he was getting o#d if he co"#dn0t e$en ho#d his #i5"or any&ore. @He##o the ho"seB@

4iri"s swore again when /e&"s0 boo&ing $oice bo"nced off the wa##s and shattered his head! sending the po"nding sensation a## the way down to his toes. @8ot so #o"d!@ he begged when /e&"s0 shadow dar-ened the doorway. @Had yo"rse#f a party #ast night! , see!@ /e&"s s&ir-ed. 4iri"s co"#dn0t see hi& fro& where he was foc"sed on the f#oorboards! b"t he knew that was the #oo- /e&"s was wearing> he0d seen it eno"gh o$er the years. @Ao" sho"#d ha$e co&e!@ 4iri"s sco#ded soft#y. @, wo"#d ha$e! if ,0d been in$ited.@ Hedwig hooted again and /e&"s0 shoes &o$ed across the f#oor toward her. @,s Harry here?@ @8ope!@ 4iri"s shoo- his head and winced. @G"st the bird.@ @, swear she )"st g#ared at yo"! &ate!@ /e&"s #a"ghed. @Ao" better watch yo"rse#f or she0## pec- yo"r head again.@ @, &eant to get "p ear#y this &orning and chec- on the C"b!@ 4iri"s said! "sing *"g&enti to fi## his e&pty g#ass with water and ta-ing a #ong drin-. 2he water was refreshing and c#eared away so&e of his dry &o"th! b"t did nothing to ease the painf"# headache. @Ear#y?@ /e&"s gr"nted. @=adfoot! it0s near#y one in the afternoon.@ 4iri"s swore and s"&&oned a hango$er potion fro& the -itchen. He gri&aced at the taste as he swa##owed it and near#y fe## o$er when he tried to stand. @How &"ch did yo" drin- #ast night! 4iri"s?@ /e&"s de&anded! hoisting his friend off the chair. @8ot that &"ch! b"t , s#ept in the r"ddy chair. %y body is too o#d for this! %oony.@ @Ao" forget that yo"0re not eighteen any&ore.@ @Eighteen was a good year!@ 4iri"s s&i#ed. His #egs fe#t s"rer as the potion f#owed thro"gh hi&. His body was sti## protesting his choice of bed #ast night! and probab#y wo"#d for so&e ti&e to co&e! b"t at #east he co"#d stand on his own. @,t was!@ /e&"s nodded. @,f yo" want! , co"#d go and chec- on Harry for yo".@ 4iri"s wai$ed hi& off. @,0## be fine. He0s probab#y at the shop by now anyway.@

@How is that going for hi&?@ /e&"s as-ed. 4iri"s too- a &o&ent to st"dy hi& critica##y and decided that both of the& were far too o#d. ;hat had happened to the pac- of yo"ng #ads roa&ing aro"nd 4cot#and! p#aying pran-s and ha$ing f"n? @He0s doing we##! he te##s &e!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @He0s gone bac- to being secreti$e again! tho"gh.@ @Ao" don0t thin- he0s dea#ing with a## of that sti##! do yo"?@ /e&"s as-ed! r"bbing his face harsh#y. @8o &ore than any of "s are! rea##y!@ 4iri"s dis&issed. @, co"#d as- the sa&e thing of yo"! &y friend! yo" -now. Ao" don0t te## &e anything any&ore.@ /e&"s gri&aced. @2here0s not &"ch to te##! rea##y.@ @4top patroni'ing &e! %oony. ,0& o#d eno"gh to p"t the pieces together. Ao"0re "p to so&ething.ha$e been for a #ong ti&e. ,0$e -ept si#ent abo"t it beca"se , was trying to act #i-e an ad"#t! #etting yo" ta-e whate$er ti&e yo" tho"ght yo" needed to te## &e abo"t it. 7"t ,0& too o#d and tired to wait aro"nd fore$er. 4pi##B@ /e&"s was 5"iet for a #ong &in"te and 4iri"s stood! prepared to wa#- o"t. He0d p"t "p with this for far too #ong. @,0& seeing so&eone!@ /e&"s fina##y said. @Ha$e been for awhi#e.@ @*nd?@ 4iri"s de&anded. @Ao" don0t so"nd s"rprised!@ /e&"s said! b#in-ing "p at hi&. @Ao"0re not as good at -eeping things as secret as yo" thin- yo" are. , was )"st waiting for the officia# anno"nce&ent.@ @8ot s"re there wi## be one!@ /e&"s shr"gged. @4he wants a co&&it&ent and ,0& )"st not s"re.@ @6o "s a## a fa$or and get o$er yo"rse#f a#ready! /e&"s!@ 4iri"s de&anded. @Ao"0re one to ta#-!@ /e&"s shot bac-! @ho#ed "p here in this ho"se! ne$er doing anything. Ao" -now! , &ight ha$e to#d yo" if yo" didn0t pretend yo" sti## needed to be here! hidden away fro& the wor#d and not rea##y #i$ing.@ 2here was a #ong si#ence "nti# both of the& started #a"ghing. @, g"ess we0re both &ore than a bit ridic"#o"s!@ 4iri"s conceded. @Ao" -now her! act"a##y!@ /e&"s shr"gged. @8y&phadora 2on-s.@

@2on-s?@ 4iri"s b#in-ed wi#d#y. @%oony she0s.@ @Far too yo"ng to be sadd#ed with an o#d &an #i-e &e! , -now!@ /e&"s sighed! #aying his head a#ong the bac- of the sofa. @2hat0s not what , was going to say!@ 4iri"s shoo- his head. @, &eant she0s an *"ror. 4he0## -ic- yo"r arse if yo" don0t co&&it. *ge is )"st a n"&ber! &ate. ,f yo"0re serio"s abo"t her.and since yo"0$e been with her for this #ong! , thin- yo"0d better be.then yo"0d better get it straight in yo"r head.@ /e&"s sp#"ttered for se$era# seconds b"t stopped when 4iri"s ga$e hi& 0the #oo-0. @,0& not s"re &arriage and -ids are the -ind of thing , can do! 4iri"s. 2here are &y<specia# circ"&stances! and then yo" add in the age difference.@ @;hich so"nds #i-e yo"0re the on#y one bothered by it!@ 4iri"s p"t in. @Ao"0re &eant to be on my side! yo" -now!@ /e&"s gr"&b#ed. He trai#ed off and 4iri"s #et the s"b)ect drop for now. %oony wasn0t one to con$ince by arg"ing &ore. He needed to ha$e the tr"th sho$ed in his face and then #eft to thin- abo"t it. He0d co&e bac- for &ore when he was ready! and 4iri"s wo"#d be &ore than wi##ing to dish it o"t. @;hat0s wrong with Harry?@ @8othing!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @He0s ine3p#icab#y happy.@ @Er! =adfoot! ,0& pretty s"re that0s a good thing.@ @6id yo" &iss the 0ine3p#icab#y0 part?@ 4iri"s scoffed. @, don0t ha$e the s#ightest idea what he0s "p to #ate#y. 2he past wee- he0s been co&p#ete#y si#ent.no notes! no ca##s! nothing. *nd he0s a#ways in a h"rry! off to so&ewhere when , show "p.@ @He0s twenty9two years o#d! 4iri"s!@ /e&"s protested. @2hat0s how yo"ng peop#e are at that age.@ @, don0t re&e&ber that year!@ 4iri"s gr"&b#ed. @, was a#ready a s"rrogate parent at twenty9two! raising a chi#d whi#e trying to hide fro& shadows.@ /e&"s sighed and r"bbed his face. @ i$e hi& so&e ti&e! =adfoot. He0s )"st gained his first taste of freedo& and he so"nds #i-e he0s en)oying it. =#"s! he0s got the b"siness he0s trying to start. :r<&aybe he0s fo"nd hi&se#f a gir#.@ 2he #ast addition to that #ist &ade 4iri"s a#&ost cho-e on his breath. Cogica##y! he -new it wo"#d happen one day! b"t Harry didn0t rea##y date. He0d gone o"t a few ti&es when 4iri"s p"shed hi& into it! b"t nothing serio"s. *nd e$en tho"gh 4iri"s had to#d Harry to find so&eone )"st the other wee-! he hadn0t ass"&ed Harry wo"#d act"a##y do it.

@Ao" don0t thin-<@ @, ha$e no idea!@ /e&"s shr"gged. @He and , were ne$er as c#ose as the two of yo" were. 7"t! in that sa&e $ein! , thin- that yo" need to tr"st hi& a bit &ore! 4iri"s. He0## te## yo" what0s going on when he0s ready to.@ @Ci-e yo" did?@ 4iri"s s&ir-ed. @8o!@ /e&"s sighed. @Harry0s better abo"t that than , a&. *#ways has been.@ @;e0## see!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @%aybe ,0## )"st -eep popping o$er at odd ti&es.@ /e&"s #a"ghed. @Ao"0re #iab#e to get yo"rse#f he3ed that way! yo" -now. :r see so&ething yo" don0t want to see.@ @%aybe!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @7"t at #east ,0d -now what he0s "p to.@ @G"st gi$e hi& ti&e!@ /e&"s ca"tioned. @He0s a good -id! 4iri"s. Ao" did a good )ob of raising hi&.far better than , wo"#d ha$e done. Ao" were the right choice.@ @,0& sti## not s"re abo"t that.@ @Ao" )"st wait!@ /e&"s ca"tioned. @Ga&es and Ci#y wi## te## yo" the&se#$es one day.@ @,f , -eep "p nights #i-e #ast night it0## be sooner rather than #ater!@ 4iri"s gr"&b#ed. @2his o#d dog is too tired for things #i-e that.@

*Chapter 4*: Chapter 4: (ay5e +ou $ant &er, (ay5e +ou

Chapter 4: (ay5e +ou $ant &er, (ay5e +ou 6eed &er Harry ro##ed o$er! his hand reaching for inny in the war& bed. He0d gotten so "sed to ha$ing her there that on the few nights that she didn0t stay o$er! Harry had a hard ti&e s#eeping. ,t had on#y been a &onth since they started s#eeping together! fi$e wee-s since they0d started seeing each other. *t ti&es it fe#t #i-e there wasn0t a ti&e when inny hadn0t been there! and then others when it had been on#y seconds. Harry didn0t e$en thinthat one #ifeti&e wo"#d be eno"gh to spend with her. *s they #ay together! cocooned in the war&th of Harry0s bed! he conte&p#ated! once again! as-ing her to &arry hi&.or to &o$e in here at the $ery #east. ,t &ay ha$e been a whir#wind ro&ance! b"t he had no do"bt he was in #o$e with her. He hadn0t to#d her that yet.&aybe it was ti&e now.

His hand traced her sho"#der! fo##owing the #ine that her thin tan-9top &ade a#ong her s-in. inny ro##ed toward hi& in her s#eep and he &ar$e#ed at how bea"tif"# she was! at how #"c-y he0d been to wa#- into that p"b fi$e wee-s ago. He needed to te## her his secret soon.secrets! rea##y! b"t he was s"re that the first wo"#d be bigger than the second. 4he had no idea who Harry =otter was! so his s"pposed destiny sho"#dn0t &atter &ore than 0by the way! ,0& a wi'ard.0 @ in!@ he whispered! #etting his fingers s#ide a#ong her )aw #ine. @;a-e "p! in. , need to te## yo" so&ething.@ 4he stirred! b"t they0d been "p #ate #ast night! watching a show on the te##y and then bare#y &a-ing it to the bed before their c#othing had co&e f#ying off.a#tho"gh not in the &agica# sense. @0& s#eepin0! Harry!@ she &"&b#ed! patting his chee- #o$ing#y before b"rying her face into the pi##ow. Harry ch"c-#ed and s#id his hands down to her waist! finding the war& s-in there that he -new was especia##y tic-#ish. 4he s5"ir&ed away fro& hi&! s#apping at his hands! b"t she was #a"ghing now too. @Co&e on! wa-e "p!@ he "rged! pressing his #ips to her nec- and b#owing on the s-in there. inny s5"ea#ed and tried to get away! b"t e$ent"a##y she sti##ed in his ar&s! #eaning "p to -iss hi&. @Ao" r"ined a perfect#y good drea&! yo" -now!@ she gr"&b#ed. @, need to te## yo" so&ething!@ Harry said! s&oothing her &"ssed hair away fro& her face. @4ho"#d ha$e a c"p of tea first?@ inny as-ed. @,s it that type of thing?@ He ch"c-#ed and considered. @, thin- yo" can hand#e it now.@ @:-ay!@ she nodded and pretended to prepare herse#f! wigging "nderneath his body and &a-ing it near#y i&possib#e for hi& to concentrate. ;hen she was fina##y sett#ed! #oo-ing e3pectant#y "p to hi&! he s&i#ed. @,0& in #o$e with yo"!@ he said soft#y. @Co&p#ete#y in #o$e.@ 4he s&i#ed wide#y and wrapped her ar&s aro"nd hi&. @,0$e been waiting for yo" to say that! yo" prat. ,0$e #o$ed yo" since the &o&ent , first saw yo"! , thin-.@ Harry #a"ghed at her earnestness and dipped his head to -iss her. @Co$e at first sight?@

@;e##! &aybe not that #ong!@ she shr"gged! -issing hi& bac- )"st as enth"siastica##y. @7"t a#&ost.@ @Ao" &a-e &y #ife<incredib#e.@ @Ao"0re not so bad yo"rse#f! Harry!@ she n"''#ed her nose against hers. He a#&ost as-ed her to &arry hi& right there! b"t decided that she &ight appreciate so&ething a bit &ore ro&antic than hi& with his r"&p#ed bed head and &orning breath. @Cet0s get dressed!@ he "rged. @2here is so&ething e#se , want to ta#- to yo" abo"t. ;e can do it whi#e we &a-e brea-fast.@ 4he ga$e hi& a wary #oo- and -issed hi&. @Can0t we )"st stay in here a bit #onger?@ Harry #a"ghed and #et hi&se#f be carried away in her enth"sias&. 4he did "s"a##y ha$e great ideas. 2he #atest one appeared to in$o#$e considerab#y #ess c#othing and Harry was in the &idd#e of re&o$ing her pa)a&a botto&s and tossing the& in the sa&e direction her tan- top had gone when inny gasped. @Harry<there0s so&eone hereB@ she hissed! str"gg#ing to p"## the sheet o$er the&. 4he s5"ea#ed #o"d#y when the bedroo& door sw"ng open. @ et yo"r #a'y arse o"t of bed! Har. :hB ,0& sorryB@ Harry swore and dropped to the &attress ne3t to inny as the door c#osed #o"d#y. 4iri"s. =erfect ti&ing as "s"a#. @%y godfather!@ Harry sighed! r"bbing his face harsh#y. @6o yo" thin- he saw<@ He heard the terror in inny0s $oice and too- a deep breath to c#ear his head before p"##ing the sheet bac- "p o$er her and -issing her forehead. @, don0t thin- , can do the fa&i#y thing right now! Harry.@ 4he t"rned panic-ed eyes on hi& and he nodded )er-i#y. *s &"ch as he wanted 4iri"s to &eet the wo&an he was in #o$e with! this wasn0t the idea# sit"ation. @,0## ta-e care of it. Ao" go get in the shower.@ 4he ga$e one #arge sigh and a g#ance toward the door before r"nning on her tiptoes! the sheet dragging behind her. Harry too- another &in"te to try and ca#& his body before he p"##ed his g#asses on. 8ot bothering to p"t on a shirt.what difference did it &a-e now?.Harry wa#-ed o"t of the

bedroo&. He co"#d hear 4iri"s r"&&aging aro"nd in the -itchen! probab#y &a-ing tea! and wa#-ed in that direction. @Er<hi!@ he said! stepping onto the co#d f#oorboards. 4iri"s at #east had the decency to f#"sh before his face sp#it into a h"ge grin. @, wondered what yo"0d been "p to.@ @6on0t!@ Harry shoo- his head. @6on0t tease abo"t it! o-ay? 4he0s<horrified.@ @, didn0t see &"ch!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @2han-f"##y. 2hat0s not e3act#y the side of yo" , wanted to see when , ca&e here today.@ 2he -ett#e whist#ed #o"d#y and 4iri"s #e$itated it toward the tab#e. Harry )"&ped forward and grabbed the hand#e. @4iri"sB@ he hissed! g#ancing bac- o$er his sho"#der. @4he0s %"gg#eB@ he said "nder his breath. @,<, ha$en0t to#d her yet.@ @How #ong has this been going on?@ 4iri"s said! nodding his "nderstanding. @Fi$e wee-s!@ Harry shr"gged. He fe#t #i-e a fi$e year9o#d! getting ca"ght with his hand in the coo-ie )ar! b"t shoo- it away. He was a grown &an! in his own ho&e! with the wo&an he #o$ed. 4iri"s be da&nedB 4iri"s whist#ed #ow. @,t0s serio"s?@ Harry stared at hi&! waiting for the p"nch #ine to the decades0 o#d )o-e! b"t it didn0t co&e. @Aeah!@ he nodded. @,0& in #o$e with her.@ 4iri"s groped for the chair behind hi& and san- into it. @Er<#o$e?@ @Aeah!@ Harry r"ff#ed his hair and ch"c-#ed soft#y. @Ao" #oo- st"nned. 4o&eti&es , fee# that way too.@ @Ci-e , got r"n o$er by a herd of hippogriffs!@ 4iri"s nodded. @;hy ha$en0t yo" said anything! C"b?@ He #oo-ed h"rt and Harry fe#t a wa$e of g"i#t. @, don0t -now!@ he shr"gged. @%aybe , fig"red yo"0d ta-e the &ic-ey! or<or te## &e that ,0& too yo"ng! or we ha$en0t been together #ong eno"gh to -now that it0s #o$e.@ 4iri"s nodded tho"ghtf"##y. @Ao"0re probab#y right.@ @, didn0t -eep it fro& yo" to p"nish yo" for anything! or to be secreti$e!@ Harry denied. @, )"st<it was a## new for so #ong! and then things )"st started to b"i#d<@ @,t0s o-ay!@ 4iri"s shr"gged. @G"st a shoc-! , g"ess. Can ,<&eet her?@

Harry s&i#ed. @=robab#y not the best idea right now!@ he shoo- his head. @4he0s &ortified! act"a##y. 2hin-s yo" saw<we##! e$erything.@ @G"st the red hair!@ 4iri"s shoo- his head with a s&ir-. @6a&n yo" =otters and yo"r redheads.@ Harry #a"ghed and #istened for the so"nd of the water in the pipes. 2he shower was sti## r"nning and he had no do"bt inny was h"dd#ed in there! waiting for hi& to co&e in and proc#ai& the coast c#ear. @;e0## set so&ething "p soon!@ he pro&ised. 4iri"s nodded and stood! r"bbing his hands on his )eans. @,0## )"st<go then! , g"ess. Harry<yo" are happy! aren0t yo"?@ he as-ed as they wa#-ed to the front door. @%ore than ,0$e e$er been!@ Harry s&i#ed. 4iri"s stared at hi& for a #ong &in"te before he threw his ar&s aro"nd Harry0s sho"#ders and h"gged hi& "nti# Harry wasn0t s"re he0d be ab#e to ta-e a f"## breath in. @7y the way!@ he &"&b#ed when he fina##y re#eased Harry! @yo" &ight want to get so&e br"ise paste there! C"b. Ao"0$e got a few<&ar-s.@ He s&ir-ed and disappeared fro& the front step. Harry swore and reached "p to to"ch the sensiti$e spots on his nec-. 7"t he co"#dn0t be irritated with inny for the #o$e bites! not after re&e&bering what he0d done to earn the&. %aybe she0d sti## be in the shower and he co"#d repay the fa$or. 2he wee-s see&ed to pass in a b#"r.happiness swir#ing with the high of spending ti&e together.and before inny -new it! Ha##oween was "pon the&. 2he ;eas#eys had ne$er been &"ch for ce#ebrating the ho#iday with anything e#aborate! rea##y! b"t as the grandchi#dren started to arri$e! her &other0s p#ans for a fa&i#y ce#ebration were anno"nced. * feast #i-e they0d a#ways had at Hogwarts. @*nd be s"re to bring yo"r #ad!@ her &other win-ed. @Ao"0## ha$e p#enty of ti&e to prepare hi& for the shoc- of a f"## ;eas#ey ho"se and warn hi& away fro& eorge.@ inny co"#dn0t deny that ha$ing Harry with her wo"#d co&p#ete a &etaphorica# circ#e in her &ind.the two things she #o$ed &ore than anything fina##y )oined.b"t she hadn0t to#d hi& that she was a witch yet. ,t )"st ne$er see&ed to be the right ti&e to b#"rt it o"t.

7"t when she0d as-ed Harry to co&e with her! he0d gotten this<look on his face. @, can0t in!@ he protested. @%y godfather and ,<we ha$e this tradition on Ha##oween.@ @2hat0s fine!@ she ass"red hi&! both re#ie$ed and saddened. @, do want to &eet yo"r fa&i#y!@ he nodded. @, )"st<, can0t &iss this. ,0$e been b#owing hi& off a #ot #ate#y and<@ @Harry! , do "nderstand. *nd we ha$e been a bit<occ"pied #ate#y. o and ha$e a good ti&e. ,0## see yo" the day after.@ 7"t now that she was here! or at #east o"t in the fie#d behind the 7"rrow! she fe#t his absence -een#y. 2he co#d night wind b#ew against her and she gathered her c#oa- against the biting chi## that it bro"ght. ,t &ade her who#e body ache "nco&fortab#y! when she was a#ready n"rsing a bit of a co#d. 8o do"bt her &other wo"#d fi## her f"## of =epper"p =otion if she so &"ch as &entioned the word 0co#d0. %aybe that wo"#d be a good thing! tho"gh. 2he windows of the 7"rrow were #it "p bright#y and she co"#d see the party we## "nder way when she stepped onto the porch. ;a#-ing in was #i-e hitting a wa$e of heat and so"nd! and inny winced against it. @He##o! inny9gir#B@ her father greeted her with a -iss on the chee- and #oo-ed behind her! possib#y e3pecting Harry. @;here0s yo"r yo"ng &an?@ @He had a fa&i#y ob#igation tonight!@ she e3p#ained! @so&e sort of traditiona# thing that they do e$ery year.@ @*hh! that0s too bad!@ her father said! s&i#ing and patting her chee- soft#y. @, was #oo-ing forward to &eeting the &an who p"t this s&i#e on &y not9so9#itt#e gir#0s face.@ inny fe#t her chee-s heat and nodded. @,0## bring hi& o$er soon.&aybe when not e$eryone is here.@ @ ood idea!@ he ch"c-#ed. He he#ped her re&o$e her c#oa- and h"ng it by the bac- door. @ o and say he##o to yo"r &other.@ inny did as he s"ggested! wea$ing her way thro"gh the crowd! which see&ed to inc#"de a#&ost as &any peop#e witho"t red hair as ;eas#eys. *## of /on0s friends were there. 4ea&"s! 6ean and 8e$i##e! a#ong with &any of the other ryffidors they0d a## grown "p with o$er the years. C"na danced by on the ar& of /o#f 4ca&ander.so&eone she0d written to inny abo"t &eeting. @He##o e$eryoneB@ inny greeted the roo& in genera#! recei$ing &ore h"gs than she co"#d re&e&ber getting in a #ong ti&e. 7y the ti&e she &ade it to her &other! her who#e body was aching.

@Ao" #oo- a bit pea-ed! dear!@ her &other said! ho#ding her hand to inny0s forehead. @Ha$e yo" been wearing yo"r scarf and hat?@ inny co"#dn0t he#p b"t #a"gh at that. @,0& serio"s! yo"ng #ady. Ao" #ose forty percent.@ @, -now!@ inny interr"pted. @%aybe a bit of =epper"p.@ @Ha$e a whis-y instead!@ /on interr"pted! handing her a g#ass fi##ed with the a&ber #i5"id. @6oes the sa&e thing as =epper"p.@ @,t does not! /ona#d ;eas#ey!@ her &other gr"&b#ed. 4he was gearing "p to arg"e when Fictoire wrapped her ar&s aro"nd her grand&other0s #egs! distracting her. @Co&e on!@ /on said! g"iding inny toward a rather #o"d corner of the roo&. @Cet0s get yo" away before yo" ha$e to hear abo"t e$eryone0s aches and i##nesses.@ 4ea&"s and 6ean were arg"ing o$er the r"#es of so&e sort of drin-ing ga&e whi#e eorge th"&bed thro"gh a boo-! 5"oting r"#es o$er the top of e$eryone. @;here0s the b#o-e?@ /on as-ed. inny downed her drin- when e$eryone #oo-ed her way. @Co"#dn0t &a-e it!@ she shr"gged. @He had a fa&i#y thing a#ready.@ @2e## &e why yo" insist on dating a %"gg#e! when ,0& right here! #o$e?@ 4ea&"s teased! opening his ar&s wide. @7eca"se ,0$e seen what yo" ha$e to offer! Finnegan!@ she 5"ipped bac-! #etting her eyes roa& "p and down his body. @, prefer the %"gg#e.@ E$eryone in the gro"p groaned #o"d#y and 4ea&"s po"red her another drin-! #a"ghing. inny he#d it in her hand! not rea##y wanting to get pissed tonight. 4he0d a#ready had &ore than she p#anned on ha$ing. =erhaps if she si&p#y he#d it in her hand! peop#e wo"#d stop trying to get her to drin- &ore. @Ao" thin- the st"ff fro& &y shop wo"#d wor- on a %"gg#e?@ eorge as-ed tho"ghtf"##y. @;e probab#y owe this b#o-e a ta#-ing to! at #east.@ @Aeah!@ /on gr"&b#ed. @He needs to hear the speech.@ @Cea$e her a#one!@ Her&ione threaded her ar& thro"gh inny0s and t"gged her away fro& the b#o-es! o$er to a corner where 2on-s and *nge#ina were ta#-ing 5"iet#y! 2on-s0 hand on *ngie0s ro"nd be##y. @2han- yo"!@ inny breathed. @, don0t want to ha$e to defend Harry0s honor to the&.@

Her&ione #a"ghed. @,nstead yo"0## be forced to defend hi& to 2on-s.@ inny pretended to try and t"g her bac- toward /on and his friends instead! b"t Her&ione )"st #a"ghed #o"der and p"##ed her o$er. @2here yo" are!@ 2on-s said! gi$ing inny a one9ar&ed h"g. @*ppears yo"0re )"st as sing#e as , a& tonight.@ @;here is /e&"s?@ inny as-ed! going onto her toes and #oo-ing aro"nd the roo&. @4o&ewhere!@ 2on-s said dar-#y! swigging what re&ained of her drin-. @*nd he thin-s I get &oody at that ti&e of the &onth.@ inny s&ir-ed and re&e&bered that Ha##oween did fa## on the f"## &oon tonight. @,0& sorry!@ she said! s#iding her hand into her friend0s! gi$ing it a 5"ic- s5"ee'e. 7"t 2on-s wa$ed her hand in front of her face dis&issi$e#y and inny and Her&ione e3changed a g#ance. @How &"ch ha$e yo" had tonight?@ @Eno"gh not to care!@ 2on-s s&ir-ed. @%o##y0s a#ready said she0s staying here tonight!@ *nge#ina greeted inny with a 5"ich"g before she wandered o$er to he#p Freddie "se a training wand to car$e his p"&p-in. @;ho needs &en anyway?@ 2on-s cheered! earning a few ch"c-#es fro& the gro"ps aro"nd the&. @;e##!@ Her&ione sighed! g#ancing o$er at /on. @2hey are rather<@ @ inny needs &en!@ 2on-s gigg#ed. @:r )"st one! anyway.@ inny fe#t her face heat and didn0t -now whether if sh"shing 2on-s wo"#d draw &ore attention than her inebriated ranting. @Aep! she needs her &an!@ 2on-s #a"ghed. @6id yo" -now that , a#&ost did a trac-ing char& on yo" that night?@ 4he #eaned c#ose to inny. @,&agine &y s"rprise if , had fo"nd yo" off shagging so&e rando& %"gg#eB@ @*#right! that0s it!@ inny gr"&b#ed! grabbing her friend by the ar& and dragging her fro& the roo&. Her&ione fo##owed! r"shing "p the stairs after inny and 2on-s! who was tripping "p! being dragged by her ar&. @Ao" need to sober "p.@ @;hy? 7eca"se , spi##ed yo"r secret to the fa&i#y?@ 2on-s gigg#ed. @Hey! at #east he0s not r"nning aro"nd! not te##ing peop#e yo"0re together. He0s not! is he?@ she peered c#ose#y at inny.so c#ose that inny had to bac- "p. @, wonder if shagging a %"gg#e is better than

a ;i'ard.@ * ro"nd of #a"ghter fro& the botto& of the stairs ass"red inny that they0d been fo##owed. @,0## bet the on#y difference is their wandB@ 2on-s snorted #o"d#y and #eaned hea$i#y on inny. @ eddit? 2heir wand0@ @Her&ione<sobering char&! p#ease?@ inny begged! fee#ing horrib#y tired a## of a s"dden. %aybe not bringing Harry with her was a good thing. 4he co"#dn0t i&agine how e&barrassed she0d be to ha$e hi& see her friend #i-e this. Her&ione0s wand f#ashed in the #ow #ight of the ha##way and 2on-s shoo- her head! disoriented for a &in"te. inny p"##ed her toward the bathroo&! forcib#y e)ecting 7i## when he opened to her de&anding -noc-. @He##o to yo"! as we##B@ he ca##ed )"st as the door sh"t in his face. inny t"rned on the water in the sin- and wet a c#oth and began to stro-e it a#ong her friend0s face. Her&ione did the sa&e! he#ping to wash the other side. @,0& so sorry! inny!@ 2on-s said fina##y! her brown eyes #ea-ing tears into the f#anne#s on both sides. @, sho"#dn0t ha$e said that. ,0& )ea#o"s! , g"ess.@ @/e&"s #o$es yo"!@ Her&ione ass"red her. @He does.@ @4o&eti&es , -now that!@ 2on-s said! p"##ing bac- and ta-ing the c#oth fro& inny to wipe her eyes with. @*nd then other ti&es , )"st don0t -now.@ @Ao" )"st need to be patient.@ @4ays the wo&an who waited se$en years for &y thic- brother to notice that she had breasts!@ inny scoffed. @=atience isn0t what yo" need right now. Dic- hi& o"t on his arseB 2hat &an needs a wa-e "p ca##.@ Her&ione0s )aw dropped and she sp#"ttered! b"t inny he#d her hand "p! stopping any words that were threatening to escape. @Ao"0re an *"ror for %er#in0s sa-e! 6ora. Ao"0re a strong! independent wo&an! and if he wants to be with yo" then he0## need to co&&it. ,f not! then yo"0re better off witho"t hi&. Ao" fo"ght the sa&e war he did and &o"rned friends the sa&e as he did. ,t0s been fi$e years.that0s ti&e eno"gh to get o$er hi&se#f and pic- "p the pieces. @4top #etting hi& wa#- a## o$er yo" and be the wo&an , -now yo" are.@ 2he words &e#ted into the si#ence of the roo& and inny sighed! r"bbing her forehead in e3ha"stion.

@2here are too &any &en o"t there who wi## treat yo" with the respect yo" deser$e! 6ora. 6on0t waste yo"r ti&e on so&eone who treats yo" #i-e r"bbish that he0s stepped in. , -now that fro& e3perience. ,f yo" #o$e hi&! te## hi&. ,f he decides he can0t co&&it then yo" can decide whether it0s worth wasting &ore ti&e on! or if yo" need to &o$e on.@ 2on-s b#in-ed at her! #oo-ing as if she were the yo"nger wo&an in the friendship! rather than being years o#der than inny. @Ao"0re right!@ she shr"gged! r"bbing her eyes dry. @4o&eti&es , get so ca"ght "p in what , fee# that , forget that , don0t need to be treated this way.@ @;e## said! inny!@ Her&ione said soft#y. Her acceptance &ade inny b#in-> Her&ione was "s"a##y &"ch &ore tactf"# in her ad$ice. 7"t so&eti&es the direct approach was the best. @,0$e rea##y &issed yo"! inny!@ 2on-s h"gged her tight#y. @,0$e been a bit preocc"pied #ate#y!@ inny sighed! fee#ing her face heat. @, don0t &ean to ignore.@ @, &eant o$er the past few years!@ 2on-s dis&issed. @, owe yo"r &an a h"ge -iss when he fina##y t"rns "p! yo" -now. He0s bro"ght yo" bac- to "s.@ @,t0s tr"e!@ Her&ione said! )oining the h"g. inny #a"ghed. 4he co"#dn0t deny that she fe#t &ore #i-e herse#f than she had in a $ery #ong ti&e.perhaps e$er. 4he0d fo"nd herse#f in Harry0s ar&s. 2ears we##ed "p in her eyes and she c#osed the& tight#y! fee#ing #i-e a si##y bint for crying o$er this. @, can0t wait to &eet hi&!@ Her&ione said! #a"ghing when they bro-e apart. @4oon! hopef"##y!@ inny nodded. 8ow she )"st needed to te## hi& abo"t a## of this. 4he co"#dn0t deny that it was #ong past ti&e to ta#- to hi&! b"t so&ething -ept ho#ding her bac-. ,t had ta-en her ho"rs today to ana#y'e it and decide that she was frightened that he )"st &ight not "nderstand eno"gh to want to stay with her! and she co"#dn0t 5"ite bring herse#f to ris- what she0d fo"nd. 7"t she was s#ipping aro"nd hi& &ore and &ore! and soon she0d do so&ething horrib#y b#atant and scare the pants off hi&. :nce they0d c#eaned the&se#$es "p! the three wo&en entered the -itchen again! faces red fro& the attention they were drawing. inny &igrated o$er toward the -ids at the tab#e! co&&enting on their p"&p-in car$ing and eating handf"#s of sweets that they offered her.

7y the end of the e$ening! inny0s sto&ach fe#t horrib#e fro& a## the things she0d been offered! and had de$o"red: bisc"its! sweets! sweet ro##s and her &other0s dinner. 2he Firewhis-y she had r"nning thro"gh her $eins was &a-ing her s#ight#y di''y. 2he co#d air o"tside he#ped to c#ear her head when it was ti&e to *pparate ho&e. inny too- #arge g"#ping breaths of it! wrapping her c#oa- tighter to her as the wind whipped aro"nd her. *s she was passing the re&ains of the p"&p-in patch! a $io#ent wa$e of na"sea rose "p inside her and she #"rched forward! grasping the s&a## fence that s"rro"nded the garden. E$erything she0d eaten a## night ca&e bac- "p! &a-ing her sp#"tter and co"gh. 4he stood bent o$er in the bright #ight of the &oon! staring down at the &ess she0d &ade. Her sto&ach ro##ed se$era# &ore ti&es! threatening to hea$e again! b"t she &anaged to swa##ow it bac- down. Fina##y! after a #ong &in"te! she was ab#e to $anish the sic- and wipe her &o"th on her c#oa-. @6a&n Firewhis-y!@ she &"ttered! g#aring into the night. @2oo &any sweets.@ Her head po"nded and she didn0t e$en try to &o$e o"t to the *pparition point! b"t #eft fro& right there in the garden. :nce bac- in her f#at! inny changed her c#othes! br"shed her teeth and washed her face. 4he sti## fe#t achy and s#ight#y h"ng o$er. 4he craw#ed into her co#d bed and c#osed her eyes! wishing she0d stayed at Harry0s tonight instead.

*Chapter 7*: Chapter 7: Sometimes The &ardest Thing A

Chapter 7: Sometimes The &ardest Thing And The 8ight Thing Are The Same ,t was too co#d to be o"t tonight. 2he wind c"t right thro"gh his woo# c#oa-! &a-ing Harry shi$er against it. He0d &"ch rather be ho&e with inny! sitting in front of the fire! or! better yet! c"dd#ed in bed. E$en as the tho"ght entered his head! he p"shed it away. 8o! this is where he needed to be right now. 4ince the war had ended! they0d &o$ed their &e&oria# o"t here to odric0s Ho##ow! rather than ha$ing it hidden away in the ho"se in 4cot#and. ,n so&e ways! Harry #i-ed it better bac- at the ho"se.it see&ed so &"ch &ore rea# here at their gra$es! especia##y on this night! when the wind &ade the trees sway and creao&ino"s#y! and the #ea$es b#ow e$erywhere.

@,t0s going to snow soon!@ /e&"s said! sniffing the air. He shi$ered as if the chi## went a## the way to his bones. @8eed to speed this "p! 4iri"s!@ he &"&b#ed! g#ancing ner$o"s#y at the hori'on which was )"st now beco&ing painted in bright orange h"es. =erfect for Ha##oween. @,t0s ti&e!@ 4iri"s nodded! shifting his hea$y c#oa- aside and prod"cing a bott#e of :gden0s Finest and three s&a## shot g#asses. He set the& on top of the &ar-er with Ga&es inscribed on the front and fi##ed the&. Harry #eaned forward and too- his g#ass! /e&"s did the sa&e! and 4iri"s he#d his "p. @2o Ga&es!@ he said strong#y! @the best &ate , e$er had.hope yo"0re sti## ho#ding &y p#ace for &e "p there. Cine "p so&e dates for &e too! whi#e yo"0re at it! wi## yo"?@ Harry s&ir-ed! staring at the a&ber #i5"id in his g#ass as /e&"s c#eared his throat. ,t was hoarse and Harry g#anced at hi& to see hi& ro## his sho"#ders. ;hether it was the i&pending transfor&ation #ater tonight or the hea$iness of &e&ories! Harry co"#dn0t te##. ;hate$er it was &ade hi& #oo- awf"#. @2o Ga&es.yo" were the one who fig"red it a## o"t first and ne$er bac-ed down. , &iss yo"! =rongs.@ Harry was 5"iet for a &in"te! &eas"ring what he wanted to say. 2here was a #ot he wo"#d #i-e to say to his father! b"t this wasn0t his father.this was a p#ot of #and. @, #earned a #ot this year!@ he started o"t! his $oice #ow. @7"t &ost i&portant#y! , #earned what it fee#s #i-e to #o$e so&eone with e$erything yo" ha$e. 2o want to gi$e e$erything to that person.@ /e&"s stirred and Harry co"#d fee# the weight of his stare. *pparent#y! 4iri"s hadn0t said anything to /e&"s abo"t inny yet. @2han-s for teaching &e that! 6ad!@ Harry said. *s he finished they a## #ifted their g#asses in sa#"te and then dran- the&. 2hey refi##ed the& one &ore ti&e! #oo-ing at Ci#y0s &ar-er now. @Ao" were one he## of a wo&an! Ci#y =otter!@ 4iri"s said! e&otion cho-ing his $oice. @2he on#y gir# who e$er t"rned &e down when , as-ed yo" o"t. *nd then yo" betrayed &e by fa##ing in #o$e with &y best &ate.@ He shoo- his head e$en as a bar-ing #a"gh escaped his chest! ro##ing o"t of hi&. @2o yo"! Ci#s.@ @Ao" were one of &y best friends!@ /e&"s said! his $oice soft. @4&arter than any of "s! and &"ch prettier too.@ 4iri"s snorted b"t didn0t say anything. @Ao" ga$e &e &ore than friendship! Ci#y> yo" ga$e &e a sho"#der to #ean on and "nderstanding that s"rpassed anything , co"#d ha$e as-ed.@ @%"&!@ Harry said! b#in-ing bac- the &oist"re in his eyes. He a#ways cried when they dran- to his &other. @,0$e a#ways wondered what dro$e yo" to step in front of that c"rse.

*nd ,0$e ne$er f"##y "nderstood it<"nti# now. , sti## don0t thin- ,0## e$er fee# it the way yo" did! beca"se yo"0re &y &"&! b"t< , want to )"st te## yo"<than-s! and , &iss yo".@ 2hey dran- the toast and 4iri"s gathered the g#asses! $anishing the& and t"c-ing the bott#e of #i5"or bac- inside his c#oa-. @Co&e on! we ha$e a few &ore &in"tes. Cet0s go ho&e and get war&.@ He c#apped Harry on the bac- and they began to wa#- away fro& the gra$eyard. @;o"#d so&eone &ind te##ing &e what Harry was ta#-ing abo"t?@ /e&"s as-ed )"st before they 6isapparated. @4o! a& , going to get an e3p#anation?@ /e&"s de&anded the second they were a## standing in 4iri"s0 #i$ing roo&. Harry0s throat c#osed "p and he r"bbed his eyes "nder his g#asses! t"gging at the scarf and c#oa- he wore. Honest#y! he didn0t want to ta#- abo"t this right now. He0d rather )"st go and see if inny was c"r#ed "p in his bed. 2hen again! it rea##y wasn0t that #ate! and she was probab#y sti## with her fa&i#y. @Harry here has been -eeping a few secrets!@ 4iri"s grinned and s#apped Harry on the sho"#der! a#&ost -noc-ing hi& off ba#ance with his enth"sias&. @, &et so&eone! /e&"s!@ Harry said fina##y. @*nd she0s<great.@ @He0s in #o$e!@ 4iri"s added he#pf"##y! bo"ncing a bit on the ba##s of his feet. @,&agine that! o"r ic-#e Harry in #o$e! b"t does he r"n and te## his godfather who raised hi& for twenty9one years?@ @4ho$e off!@ Harry gr"&b#ed! e$en as his frown t"rned into a s&i#e. He0d -nown this was co&ing.had -nown since the &o&ent 4iri"s fo"nd o"t abo"t inny. 2hat didn0t &ean he was #oo-ing forward to it. @8oooo!@ 4iri"s draw#ed! ignoring Harry0s groan and catering to /e&"s0 #a"ghter. @, ha$e to find o"t by wa#-ing in on the two of the& in bed together.@ Harry -new his face was t"rning red! so he sho$ed his hands in his c#oa- poc-ets! fidd#ing with the car$ed hair c#ip that he0d finished ear#ier today for inny. He was p#anning on gi$ing it to her soon.&aybe when he sat her down and ta#-ed to her abo"t hi& being a wi'ard. 2here )"st hadn0t been a good ti&e for that yet! or a good ti&e to sit and ta#- abo"t where their re#ationship was going. He was going to ha$e to &a-e ti&e. 4oon. @=adfoot! his head is going to e3p#ode.gi$e hi& a &o&ent to e3p#ain.@

Harry sighed and t"rned to #oo- at the &an who had been a#&ost a s"rrogate godfather. /e&"s was a#ways aro"nd when Harry was growing "p! a#tho"gh he0d beco&e &ore and &ore distant as Harry got o#der and the war got worse. @=erhaps yo" can e3p#ain why yo"0$e been -eeping secrets as we##!@ he cha##enged. /e&"s i&&ediate#y t"rned on 4iri"s! a &o$e that Harry hadn0t e3pected. @He0s s&art! /e&"s!@ 4iri"s shr"gged! s#o"ching into a chair. @, didn0t say anything to hi&.@ @He didn0t ha$e to say anything!@ Harry dis&issed. @Ao"0re not as good at it as yo" thinyo" are.@ @8either are yo"! Harry!@ 4iri"s 5"ipped. @, was perfect#y fine with &y secret "nti# so&eone ca&e wa#-ing into &y ho"se witho"t any notice. Ao"0re #"c-y , was preocc"pied or ,.@ @,s that what they0re ca##ing it nowadays?@ /e&"s s&ir-ed. Harry #et his sho"#ders s#"&p! -nowing it was a #ost ca"se. He0d ne$er win this ro"nd> it was two against one. @,0& in #o$e with her!@ Harry fina##y said. @*nd yo"0## get to &eet her as soon as , can fig"re o"t how to te## her abo"t<abo"t a## of this!@ he sighed! #oo-ing aro"nd. @,t0s not easy to e3p#ain! yo" -now.@ @2he Harry =otter bit?@ /e&"s as-ed. @2he wi'ard bit!@ 4iri"s corrected with &"ch g#ee. @4he0s a %"gg#e.@ Harry #ifted the hair c#ip o"t of his poc-et and #oo-ed at it! his fingers tracing the intricate #i#y car$ed in detai#. @4he0## "nderstand! , )"st don0t -now how to start the con$ersation! honest#y. *nd there0s a#ways so&ething e#se to distract &e.@ @4he0s a redhead!@ 4iri"s added! earning a #ow whist#e fro& /e&"s. @Ao" need to find a wo&an! =adfoot!@ Harry sighed! t"c-ing the c#ip away once &ore. @, a& the on#y one witho"t one!@ he nodded tho"ghtf"##y. Harry co"#dn0t he#p b"t s&ir- at /e&"s. @*nd yo$ were ta-ing the &ic-ey.@ /e&"s opened his &o"th to protest! b"t then si&p#y shr"gged. @,0$e been seeing so&eone as we##.@ @%y co"sinB@ 4iri"s bar-ed with a #a"gh.

Harry0s b#ood ran co#d for a &o&ent. @Er<which one?@ %ost of 4iri"s0 re#ati$es were horrib#e peop#e! raised in their p"reb#ood ways and wi##ing to die for it. Co&e to thin- of it! &ost of the& did die for it. @*ndro&eda0s da"ghter!@ 4iri"s 5"ic-#y e3p#ained. @4he was in the :rder! b"t yo" ne$er &et her.@ Harry nodded absent#y. He hadn0t &et &any of the peop#e fighting against Fo#de&ort! act"a##y. 6"&b#edore had tho"ght it was i&perati$e that Fo#de&ort not -now Harry was a#i$e and ready to stand in the path of his "#ti&ate dri$e to ta-e o$er the ;i'arding wor#d! so they0d -ept Harry hidden away for years! wor-ing behind the scenes to bring the bastard down. @How is that going! act"a##y?@ 4iri"s t"rned bac- to /e&"s! who gri&aced. @2hat we##?@ Harry #a"ghed. @,! er<,0d better get downstairs!@ /e&"s dis&issed! changing the s"b)ect. Harry )er-ed his hand "p and stared at his watch. 8ow that he was drawn bac- to thinabo"t it! /e&"s was starting to sweat and #oo- &ore and &ore pa#e. Harry had tho"ght it was )"st the 5"estioning. @;e0re not done ta#-ing abo"t this!@ 4iri"s cha##enged! fo##owing his o#dest friend down to the ho#ding ce## that had been b"i#t in the base&ent #ong ago for nights #i-e this. /e&"s had ta-en his ;o#fsbane =otion a#ready! b"t he a#ways ca&e here d"ring f"## &oons! )"st in case. Harry too- a &o&ent to co&pose hi&se#f and thin- abo"t inny before he fo##owed. ;o"#d she tr"#y "nderstand a wor#d #i-e this! with &agic! and werewo#$es! and prophecies? Co"#d he e$en "nderstand it a## at ti&es? @<one of these days she0s )"st going to wa#- away fro& yo"r scr"ffy arse if yo" don0t start showing her how yo" fee# abo"t her.@ Harry entered the roo& and i&&ediate#y fro'e. @Er<, can )"st go<@ @4tay!@ 4iri"s bar-ed. @Ao" need to hear this too! in case yo" e$er decide to get yo"r head st"c- in yo"r arse abo"t so&ething.@ Harry b#in-ed at both &en for a &o&ent! 4iri"s #eaning on the bars that separated the& and /e&"s #ying on the s&a## ca&p bed that was the on#y thing in the ce##. He was staring "p at the cei#ing! b"t sti## #istening.

@He0s right! yo" -now!@ Harry cha##enged! shr"gging one sho"#der when /e&"s g#owered at hi&. @,f yo"0re )er-ing her aro"nd! she0s better off a#one. ;o&en #i-e it when yo" treat the& with respect! %oony.@ @Cisten to hi&!@ 4iri"s snorted. @:ne re#ationship and he -nows e$erything abo"t wo&en.@ @8ot e$erything!@ Harry cha##enged bac-. @7"t , -now that they don0t #i-e being treated #i-e r"bbish.@ /e&"s stared at hi& with dar- eyes for a #ong ti&e before he #oo-ed away. @,0## ta#- to her when , get bac-.@ @*nd yo"0## set things straight between yo"!@ 4iri"s nodded. @,0## te## her how , fee#! and ,0## #isten to what she has to say! and then we0## decide. together.where this is going.@ @8ot the answer , wanted! brother!@ 4iri"s sighed! @b"t , g"ess that0s a## ,0& going to get fro& yo" right now.@ @;hen did this beco&e a## abo"t &e!@ /e&"s gr"&b#ed! gri&acing as he began to sh"dder. @4"pposed<to be<Harry.@ Harry and 4iri"s both snorted. @Aeah! we##! he0s doing things right! as far as , can te##. Ao"0re the one &"c-ing it "p.@ ;atching a transfor&ation happen was a#&ost physica##y painf"# for the obser$ers. 2he s#ip and s#ide of bone and &"sc#es rearranging! the tearing of c#othing! the panting of the &an who was s#ow#y #osing his &ind o$er to the &onster he hated.it was a## g"t wrenching to watch. @, hate this!@ 4iri"s &"ttered! staring at his friend who was down on a## fo"rs. ,n the ne3t second! he0d transfor&ed into =adfoot and how#ed at the cei#ing! co&&iserating with the wo#f that #ay f#at on the f#oor. Harry re&e&bered sitting in this sa&e spot as a $ery yo"ng boy! watching the sa&e thing happen and crying beca"se his +nc#e %oony was in pain. ,t fe#t #i-e #ifeti&es ago. He stayed "nti# both the wo#f and dog were as#eep on the f#oor! their hea$y! e$en breathing &a-ing hi& tired. 7efore he #eft the ho"se! Harry stared at the pict"re of his parents that had a#ways been on the &ante#.

@,0& in #o$e! %"& and 6ad!@ he said soft#y. @*nd inny is wonderf"#. 4he0s<, thinyo"0d rea##y #i-e her. *t #east! , hope yo" wo"#d. 4he &a-es &e happier than , tho"ght was possib#e and , don0t e$er want to i&agine &y #ife witho"t her now that she0s here.@ *n "ne3pected wa$e of #one#iness bro-e o$er hi& and Harry shi$ered in its wa-e. /ight now he wanted nothing &ore than to be with inny! to ho#d her in his ar&s and s&e## the f#owery scent of her hair. He *pparated straight into his ho"se! "sing one of the bac- bedroo&s to arri$e in! and hoping inny wo"#d be there. 7"t his bed was co#d! sti## f#at and s&ooth where she0d &ade it ear#y this &orning. Harry r"bbed his face and discarded his c#oa- in fa$or of p"##ing on a coat and -nit hat. He didn0t fancy the wa#- o$er there.it was a#&ost &idnight.b"t he -new that *pparating straight into inny0s f#at probab#y wo"#dn0t be the best way to brea- the news that he co"#d perfor& &agic. 2here was sti## a #ight on when he -noc-ed on the door. 2he b#onde wo&an fro& the p"b where inny wor-ed opened the door and Harry tho"ght she #oo-ed )"st as start#ed as he fe#t. E$en tho"gh inny had warned hi& abo"t her f#at &ates! he hadn0t rea##y connected that it was the sa&e wo&an. @Hi. Er! is inny here?@ 2he wo&an hesitated for a &in"te! as if she &ight #ie to hi&! b"t fina##y nodded! ho#ding the door wide. @4econd door on the #eft! b"t , thin- she was as#eep. 4he #oo-ed rather pa#e when she ca&e in.@ Harry scow#ed! his &ind racing to try and fig"re o"t why she wo"#d ha$e #oo-ed that way. Had so&ething happened? He -new she was going to $isit fa&i#y and then ta-ing the train ho&e. =erhaps she was i##. 2hey0d both been sniff#ing a bit #ate#y and with the dra&atic weather changes o$er the past few wee-s! perhaps she0d ca"ght a chi##. He -noc-ed soft#y on the door! waiting for her to answer. inny heard his $oice in the #i$ing roo&! ha$ing )"st bare#y c#osed her eyes. 7"t the c#oc- now said ha#f9twe#$e! rather than e#e$en. 4he &"st ha$e do'ed fitf"##y for awhi#e. @Co&e in!@ she ca##ed when he -noc-ed. Harry0s head! co&p#ete with winter hat! pee-ed in the door. @Hi!@ he said! s#iding inside and standing with his bac- to the c#osed door. @,<, wanted to &a-e s"re yo" got in a#right. 4he said yo" weren0t fee#ing we##.@

inny -new the &in"te she saw hi& that so&ething was wrong. E$en in the &ini&a# #ight of the roo&! she co"#d see the shadows etched on his face. @G"st had a bit too &"ch to drin-!@ she dis&issed. @,0& o-ay now.@ He nodded b"t sti## stood there. @, sho"#d ha$e co&e with yo".@ inny shifted in the narrow bed! &a-ing roo& for hi&. He hesitated! staring at the space for a &o&ent before he began to shed #ayers! ending "p in his bo3ers and t9shirt. @Ao" had a fa&i#y ob#igation! Harry!@ she &"r&"red once he was sett#ed in ne3t to her. He fe#t a bit war& to her and she wondered if he was co&ing down with the f#"! or had a co#d. @, "nderstand that.@ He nodded b"t was 5"iet for a #ong ti&e and her &ind raced! trying to decide if she sho"#d as- hi& what had happened! why he see&ed so sad. His ar&s wrapped aro"nd her! p"##ing her c#ose and he b"ried his face in her hair. @%y parents<they died aro"nd this ti&e of year. ;e a#ways get together on Ha##oween to re&e&ber the&.@ +nderstanding and sy&pathy fi##ed her and she p"##ed hi& c#oser. @,0& so sorry! Harry. ,f , had -nown , wo"#d ha$e co&e with yo".@ @, sho"#d ha$e in$ited yo"!@ he said! nodding. @, )"st<it0s a#ways been )"st "s for so #ong.@ @, -now.@ 4he s&oothed her hand thro"gh his hair and ho#ding hi& c#ose to her. Her heart beat faster as she gathered the co"rage to say what she wanted to. @7"t yo"0re not a#one any&ore! Harry. ,0& here.@ @, -now!@ he nodded! his #ips fina##y finding hers.

*Chapter 19*: Chapter 19: 3.erything I 6eed That I 6e.

Chapter 19: 3.erything I 6eed That I 6e.er :ne) I $anted Harry got "p ear#y! hoping to a$oid r"nning into *#annah and Ch#oe. inny -issed hi& goodbye at the front door and then dragged herse#f bac- to bed. 2he sheets s&e##ed #i-e Harry and she wrapped herse#f in the&! ta-ing co&fort fro& the &e&ory of hi& here with her.

,t was bright o"t when she fina##y wo-e! groggy and with a headache. 2he roo& was o$er#y war& and it &ade her fee# a## stic-y. 4he gathered her things and tr"dged to the shower! ignoring Ch#oe0s s&ir- when they passed in the ha##. @8o /o&eo this &orning?@ inny c#osed the door and rested her head against it. 4he didn0t ha$e to wor- today! than-f"##y! and wondered if she sho"#d *pparate to the 7"rrow to get so&e =epper"p =otion. 4he0d forgotten #ast night in the &ess of e$erything with 2on-s. ,n fact! she sho"#d probab#y chec- on 2on-s anyway. Harry had so&e things to do at his shop and she p#anned to &eet hi& for dinner. He0d as-ed her this &orning! before he s#ipped o"t the door in the chi##y air! if she wo"#d &o$e in with hi&. 4he &"st ha$e #oo-ed rather st"nned! beca"se he0d -issed her forehead and to#d her that they0d ta#- abo"t it &ore #ater. 2he idea was thri##ing! rea##y. 4he #o$ed Harry &ore than anything! b"t she was ner$o"s abo"t what her fa&i#y wo"#d say. 2han-s to 2on-s #ast night! they a## -new! or s"spected anyway! that she and Harry were inti&ate. 7"t it was far different to hear so&ething and to know so&ething. Her brothers wo"#d probab#y h"nt Harry down and s-in hi& a#i$e. 2he hot water in the shower did wonders for her achy body and re#ie$ed &ost of the headache. 4he 5"ic-#y washed and then stood "nder the spray "nti# it was )"st bare#y war& before wrapping a towe# aro"nd herse#f and #oo-ing at the ref#ection critica##y in the &irror o$er the sin-. Her s-in was pa#e! &a-ing her frec-#es stand o"t in star- contrast. Her hair was rather d"## and the ends needed a good tri&&ing. =erhaps her &other co"#d he#p o"t with that today as we##. inny 5"ic-#y got dressed and br"shed o"t her hair. ;hen she was br"shing her teeth! howe$er! she gagged on the br"sh and had to di$e for the toi#et. 4he bare#y &ade it in ti&e to #ose the &eager contents of her sto&ach. Her who#e body arched and she co"ghed! sp#"ttering on the acrid bi#e that rose! b"rning her throat and nose. @*re yo" a#right! inny?@ *#annah0s $oice fro& the other side of the door start#ed inny and she stared at the f#oor! wi##ing her sto&ach to cooperate eno"gh that she co"#d stand "p. @Aeah! )"st<)"st h"ng o$er a bit.@ 2he door opened and c#osed 5"ic-#y and *#annah was there! handing her a g#ass of water and a f#anne#.

@H"ng o$er?@ she as-ed with a critica# eye. @Had too &"ch to drin- #ast night at &y parents0!@ inny shr"gged. @*#coho# and , don0t &i3 we##.@ *#annah bit her #ip and #eaned against her hip against the co"nter. @, don0t &ean to be intr"si$e or r"de! b"t<do yo" thin- yo" &ight be pregnant?@ inny scoffed at the 5"estion! e$en as it ha&&ered inside her brain. @8o. 8o! , can0t< we0$e been<caref"#.@ Her &ind went a"to&atica##y to the s&a## bott#e of potion t"c-ed away in her bedside tab#e. 4he too- it e$ery day beca"se it was &ore con$enient than r"nning to the bathroo& to do a contracepti$e char& e$ery ti&e things grew heated between her and Harry. 7"t e$en as the tho"ght entered her &ind! her &other0s $oice when she was fifteen! warning her that nothing was foo#9proof! echoed. @,<@ *#annah sighed. @,t0s so&ething yo" &ay want to consider. Ao"0$e been fee#ing sic#ate#y.achy and throwing "p. Ao" and , a#ways ha$e o"r cyc#es at the sa&e ti&e! and yo" ha$en0t to"ched yo"r s"pp#ies this &onth.@ inny fe#t as if she0d r"n head first into so&ething hea$y and so#id. 4he groped for the wa## behind her and #eaned against it! staring at nothing as she &enta##y co"nted bac-. 4he hadn0t had her period this &onth. 6a&n. 6a&n. 6a&n. ="##ing a s&a## bo3 fro& her poc-et! *#annah set it on the tab#e and t"rned to go! a sad s&i#e on her face. @,0## get Ch#oe o"t of here for awhi#e so yo" can ha$e so&e pri$acy.@ @6on0t<don0t say anything p#ease!@ inny p#eaded. 2he e&ptiness in her head was spreading! ca"sing her who#e body to beco&e n"&b! e3cept her #ow be##y! which fe#t incredib#y war& a## of a s"dden. inny -new it was probab#y )"st her i&agination! b"t< @, won0t!@ *#annah shoo- her head. @,0$e been in yo"r shoes! inny. , won0t say anything. G"st<)"st -now that yo" ha$e options! o-ay?@ inny nodded and watched her go! before her eyes t"rned to the bo3 on the co"nter. 4he -new what it was! b"t<wo"#d it wor- for her? 4he was a witch and this was a %"gg#e test. Her hand shoo- as she reached o"t and pic-ed it "p. 7"t the words on the bo3 were too b#"rry to read. inny too- a deep breath! set the bo3 down! and finished her preparations for the day before she fe#t steady eno"gh to #oo- at it again. 2he instr"ctions were fair#y si&p#e! e$en tho"gh her hand shoo- whi#e she fo##owed the&.

2he two #ines that appeared were faint and too- a who#e fo"r ner$e9wrac-ing &in"tes to appear. 7"t they confir&ed what inny a#ready -new deep down inside. 4he was pregnant. 2on-s was bare#y conscio"s when an etherea# for& &e#ted thro"gh her -itchen wa##. ,t was faint! b"t she co"#d swear it was a doe. Her eyes widened as inny0s $oice spo-e. @*re yo" ho&e! 6ora? , need yo"r he#p.@ 4he i&&ediate#y )"&ped "p! her wand in her hand. 7"t< inny0s =atron"s was a &are! wasn0t it? 8ot a deer. * =atron"s &essage was i&possib#e to &i&ic! howe$er! so she had no do"bt that it was inny as-ing for he#p. 7efore she co"#d do anything &ore! inny was there! arri$ing with a start#ing #o"d pop. @, didn0t ha$e ti&e to respond!@ 2on-s grow#ed. @;hat if the wards had been "p?@ @, too- a chance!@ inny said! reaching for a chair. @, didn0t e$en -now if ,0d be ab#e to &a-e it.@ @;hat happened? Ao" #oo- #i-e death! inny. *nd when did yo"r =atron"s change?@ 2on-s co"#d see inny0s who#e body sha-e and she was pa#er and &ore fragi#e than 2on-s had seen in a $ery #ong ti&e. *ny grogginess fro& #ast nights festi$ities was 5"ic-#y gone as 2on-s n"dged inny0s chin "p and peered into her eyes. @Ha$e yo" been attac-ed?@ inny shoo- her head and her eyes fi##ed with tears. @, thin- the =atron"s changed beca"se of Harry.beca"se , #o$e hi&. 7e#ie$e &e! it start#ed &e too.@ 4he was 5"iet for a #ong &in"te before she #oo-ed "p again. @2on-s<,0& pregnant.@ 2he words sh"ddered o"t of her e$en as a sing#e tear escaped and dripped down her chee-. @:h shit.@ 2on-s bac-ed "p! as if it &ight be catching and sat hea$i#y on her chair once &ore. @Ao"<yo"0re s"re?@ @+n#ess a %"gg#e test won0t wor- on a witch!@ inny nodded. 4he too- a deep breath and swiped angri#y at her tears. @, thin- ,0& in shoc-.@ @;hat! er<, don0t e$en -now what to as-!@ 2on-s shr"gged. @2he test sho"#d wor-! , g"ess. ,0$e ne$er rea##y -nown a witch who too- one. ;e co"#d do a potion test! b"t , don0t ha$e the s"pp#ies.@ inny was 5"iet for a &in"te! pic-ing at the s-in aro"nd her c"tic#e. @Co"#d we? =#ease?@

2on-s b#ew o"t a breath! p"ffing her chee-s whi#e she tho"ght abo"t how to go abo"t this. @, ha$en0t done one by &yse#f! act"a##y!@ she ad&itted. @Her&ione wo"#d -now! tho"gh.@ @4he0s at wor-!@ inny protested. @, can0t say anything to anyone "nti# , -now. , ha$en0t e$en to#d Harry. , )"st<)"st rea#i'ed an ho"r ago.@ @Her&ione wi## co&e!@ 2on-s ass"red her friend! reaching o$er the tab#e to co$er inny0s co#d hands in hers. @4he wi##.@ Her own =atron"s &essage! con)"red a &in"te #ater! disappeared o"t into the 8o$e&ber day! headed for the %inistry. inny0s head was down on the tab#e! b"t she wasn0t crying. @*re yo"<f"rio"s! terrified<what?@ 2on-s prodded. @G"st<n"&b!@ inny answered! #ifting her head. @, don0t rea##y -now what to thin-! what to fee#.@ 2on-s nodded and r"bbed her face harsh#y. ;itho"t another word! she got "p and went abo"t fi3ing a c"p of tea. @Ha$e yo" eaten anything today?@ inny gri&aced and &ade a gagging so"nd. @E$en the tho"ght of food<@ @Aeah! b"t<yo" need to eat. For both of yo".@ 4aying that fe#t #i-e spea-ing a foreign #ang"age for the first ti&e.it so"nded off and the i&p#ications of what she0d said )"st didn0t 5"ite sin- in a## the way. inny stared at the tab#e for a &in"te before s#ow#y nodding. @:-ay! ,0## try. 7"t no eggs> ,0$e a#ready thrown "p eno"gh today.@ 2on-s p"##ed open the ice bo3 and stared inside trying to decide what &ight wor- best. 2here was so&e fr"it! and she -new the bread was a#right. @Here!@ she said as she arranged a se#ection of things on a p#ate and s#id it c#oser to inny. @Eat so&ething at #east.@ inny too- a s&a## bite of app#e. 4he &"st ha$e decided it was good! beca"se she tooanother bite! and then another. @;hat are yo" going to do?@ 2on-s as-ed. Her &ind was ree#ing with possibi#ities. 2he ;i'arding wor#d wasn0t e3act#y -een on "nwed &others.one gir# 2on-s had gone to schoo# with had been co&p#ete#y sh"nned by her parents for getting pregnant before she was &arried. ,t was horrib#e! b"t it was a fact of #ife at ti&es. 7"t the ;eas#eys weren0t going to t"rn inny o"t> that &"ch 2on-s -new.

@, don0t -now!@ inny shr"gged. @, )"st<it0s not e$en rea# yet in &y &ind.@ @Aeah! b"t<g"t reaction? ;hat was the first thing yo" tho"ght of when yo" -new?@ @;hat a& , going to te## Harry.that0s the first thing , tho"ght. *nd then<@ she trai#ed off! her hand reaching down and br"shing her f#at sto&ach beneath the shirt she wore. @,0& -eeping the baby.@ 2he hea$iness of the state&ent h"ng in the air between the& and 2on-s swa##owed thic-#y. 4he was a &i3 of e&otions right now.torn for one of her best friends. 2here was the e3cite&ent and thri## of a new #ife! and yet< inny was going to ha$e a hard road ahead of her. @*ny idea what Harry wi## say?@ inny0s answer was c"t off by Her&ione0s arri$a#! wi#d#y careening o"t of the f#oo! her wand he#d a#oft and her chest hea$ing. @;hat0s the e&ergency?@ she de&anded! peering aro"nd with wide eyes. 2on-s swa##owed! g#ancing at inny. @Er<sorry abo"t that. ;e )"st.@ @,0& pregnant! Her&ione!@ inny said soft#y. Her&ione0s eyes went wide and she i&&ediate#y too- the seat ne3t to inny! #oo-ing co&p#ete#y "ns"re what to do. 4ho"#d she h"g her friend and co&fort her! #ect"re! sched"#e o"t babysitting ti&es<what? @:h! er<@ @2hat0s what , said!@ 2on-s tried to s&i#e. @*nd yo"0re s"re?@ @, too- a %"gg#e test!@ inny nodded. Her words were stronger now! as if by &a-ing the decision abo"t the baby she0d so&ehow &ade it a## &ore rea# to herse#f. *nd 2on-s rea#i'ed &aybe she had. @;e can do a potion test!@ Her&ione nodded. @, ha$e the things at ho&e.don0t as-!@ she g#ared at 2on-s when 2on-s opened her &o"th to 5"estion why she happened to ha$e the s"pp#ies on hand. @ i$e &e fi$e &in"tes.@ @;e don0t rea##y need to!@ inny sighed! r"bbing her face. @, -now a#ready.@ @Aes! b"t<b"t we0d better be s"re before yo" te## Harry. Ao" are te##ing hi&! aren0t yo"?@

@:f co"rse!@ inny scow#ed. @Ao" didn0t thin- , wo"#dn0t te## hi& abo"t his chi#d?@ @8o! , )"st<@ Her&ione sighed and shoo- her head. @, ha$e no idea why , said that! ,0& )"st<@ @,n shoc-!@ inny nodded. @,t wears off e$ent"a##y.@ 4he finished her app#e! ta-ing #arger bites now and drin-ing her tea as we##. @Harry as-ed &e to &o$e in with hi& this &orning!@ inny said. @;e were s"pposed to ta#- abo"t that tonight<&a-e a decision.@ @2hat so"nds positi$e!@ Her&ione added! her eyebrows rising. @He wants so&e sort of co&&it&ent.@ 2on-s tried not to scow# at the word. ,t was a dirty word! as far as she was concerned. @4he0s -eeping the baby!@ 2on-s infor&ed Her&ione. @*nd she0s going to te## Harry.@ @4oon!@ inny added. @Ci-e<&aybe right now. ;e both need ti&e to<to decide what we0re going to do.@ @Ha$e yo" to#d hi& abo"t yo"! yet?@ Her&ione prodded. @7eca"se chances are the baby .@ @, -now!@ inny said! the sad #oo- ret"rning to her face. ,t #oo-ed so co&p#ete#y strange to see it there again. E$er since she0d started seeing Harry! the o#d inny.$ibrant and happy.was bac-! and it was good to see. 2he contrast between the two peop#e was $i$id. @2hat0s another part of the sa&e disc"ssion.@ Her&ione nodded tho"ghtf"##y. @,0## go get the potion ingredients and we0## do the test.@ Harry0s ho"se was co&p#ete#y si#ent and inny fe#t #i-e she0d paced a path in the f#oorboards! waiting for hi& to co&e ho&e. 4he co"#d ha$e gone to his shop! she0d been there before! b"t this see&ed #i-e the sort of thing she sho"#d ta#- to hi& abo"t here! in his ho&e! not at his wor-. 4he fina##y sat down and #ay her head on the soft bac- of the sofa! thin-ing abo"t a## the e&otions she0d r"n thro"gh as the day progressed. First there had been the abso#"te shocof finding o"t abo"t the baby! and then panic whi#e she tried to decide what to do. 7"t that e&otion had been rather short #i$ed! beca"se she0d -nown instant#y what she wanted to do. G"st beca"se she hadn0t p#anned for this didn0t &ean it wasn0t so&ething a&a'ing and wonderf"#.

2he reso#$e and e$en a #itt#e bit if e3cite&ent started to co&e in when she was at 2on-s0! watching the potion in the ca"#dron t"rn bright p"rp#e. 4he was definite#y e3pecting a baby. Harry0s baby. *nd that changed e$erything for her. 6id she want to &o$e in here with Harry? ;o"#d he e$en want a chi#d right now in his #ife? He was we## off! she -new! so he co"#d he#p ta-e care of her financia##y! b"t she rea##y didn0t -now &"ch abo"t his past. 7"t she did fee# #i-e she -new him. He wasn0t going to c#ose her o"t co&p#ete#y when she to#d hi&! she was s"re. *fter a##! he0d wi##ing#y participated in the act to &a-e this chi#d )"st as &"ch as she had. 2hey were both responsib#e. 2he tho"ghts swir#ed inside her &ind "nti# inny c#osed her eyes against the&. Harry0s hand on her chee-! a soft s&i#e! and his $oice wo-e her. @Hi. 6idn0t e3pect to find the &ost bea"tif"# wo&an in the wor#d as#eep on &y sofa when , got ho&e fro& wor-!@ he &"sed! -issing her. inny #et herse#f &e#t into the -iss. His body was co#d against hers> he0d )"st arri$ed. @Harry! ,<we need to ta#-.@ His s&i#e disso#$ed into so&ething rese&b#ing re&orse. @,t0s abo"t &e as-ing yo" to &o$e in here! isn0t it? 6id , r"sh it? 7eca"se yo" -now we don0t ha$e to.@ @8ot at a##!@ she shoo- her head! trying to s&i#e. inny wiped the grogginess fro& her nap away fro& her face and sat "p f"##y. @8ot at a##!@ she soothed. @, want to! Harry! , rea##y do.@ @7"t<@ @7"t , thin- there0s so&ething e#se.a few so&ethings! act"a##y.that we need to ta#abo"t first.@ His forehead -notted "p in #ines and he re&o$ed his )ac-et! scarf and hat! tossing the& onto the tab#e in front of the& before sitting bac-. inny shifted! fee#ing energy careen inside her body "nti# she had to find so&e way to #et it o"t. @,<, want yo" to -now that , ne$er p#anned this. *nd ,0& not trying to trap yo" or< ,0& saying this a## wrong.@ 4he stood! the anticipation of what she needed to te## hi& growing "nti# she co"#dn0t stand sti## any #onger. @G"st say it!@ Harry "rged! co&ing to stand before her. His hands were on her sho"#ders! gent#y r"bbing. @G"st #et it o"t.@ inny too- a deep breath and #oo-ed into his eyes. @,0& pregnant! Harry.@

2here was no change for a &o&ent! and then p"re shoc- too- o$er! as if he0d been hit in the head with so&ething co&p#ete#y "ne3pected. His hands fe## away and inny had to t"rn aro"nd to -eep fro& crying. @Co"#d yo"<)"st say so&ething?@ she begged. @Ae## or<get angry or<so&ething.@ 4he heard hi& &o$e behind her and t"rned! on#y to see hi& down in front of her on one -nee! #oo-ing "p. His hands #ifted hers! his th"&bs caressing the bac-s of the&! and he b#in-ed once before opening his &o"th. @;i## yo" &arry &e?@

*Chapter 11*: Chapter 11: $hen It All alls Into ;lace

Chapter 11: $hen It alls Into ;lace $ith +ou And I, $e <o rom I= To $hen 2he words see&ed to co&e o"t of nowhere! and yet Harry -new that0s e3act#y what he wanted to as-. inny stared at hi&! her eyes b#in-ing f"rio"s#y! and the si#ence stretched between the&. @Co"#d yo" )"st say so&ething?@ he s&i#ed. @Ae##! or get angry! or.@ @6on0t!@ she said! p"##ing her hands away fro& his and t"rning. Her sho"#ders shoo- and Harry was s"re she was crying. @6on0t do that! beca"se if yo" don0t &ean it.@ @, doB@ He shot "p fro& his -nee and gathered her into his ar&s! re#ie$ed when she &e#ted in! wrapping her ar&s tight#y aro"nd hi&. @, do &ean it. ,0$e been thin-ing it for wee-s! in.@ He whispered the words into her hair! "nab#e to stop the -isses against the crown of her head that ca&e a#ong with the&. @, )"st didn0t -now when the right ti&e to as- was. *nd now<@ @8ow that there0s a baby in$o#$ed!@ inny said! nodding. @,t speeds things "p!@ Harry ad&itted! his heart po"nding away so hard he tho"ght it &ight e3p#ode. * baby<a #ife that he and inny had created. He p"##ed his &ind fro& that! "nab#e to dea# with it f"##y )"st yet. @, sti## wo"#d ha$e as-ed.@ inny0s tear stained face #oo-ed "p at hi&! her eyes bright with &ore e&otion. @*re yo"<are yo" s"re? , won0t press"re yo" into this. ,0& -eeping the baby! e$en if yo" aren0t .@ He -issed her then! the e&otion and o"t9of9contro# fee#ing ta-ing o$er! forcing hi& to act on the &ost basic fee#ings that he co"#d wrap his &ind aro"nd. He #o$ed this wo&an!

&ore than anything. *nd! yes the pregnancy had been "np#anned! b"t<he a#ready #o$ed the baby. ,t was a part of inny! how co"#d he not? @%arry &e?@ he as-ed once &ore when they p"##ed apart. 4he #oo-ed torn for a &in"te before she too- his hand and #ed hi& bac- to the sofa. 4he sti## hadn0t answered hi& and Harry0s sto&ach tied "p in -nots. 02his is where she te##s yo" that she doesn0t want that fro& yo"! yo" prat!0 he sco#ded hi&se#f. @7efore we ta#- abo"t that!@ inny said! ta-ing a s#ow! deep breath! @there0s so&ething e#se , need to te## yo".@ @8ot s"re how &"ch &ore , can hand#e!@ he &"sed! start#ed that he0d act"a##y said it a#o"d. inny ch"c-#ed! b"t it was a forced dry so"nd. @, need to te## yo"! beca"se it changes things. Cots of things. ,<@ Her words see&ed to fai# her and Harry #oo-ed at her! thin-ing that she #oo-ed so yo"ng right now> yo"ng and innocent! and co&p#ete#y terrified. @;hate$er it is! inny! it won0t change the fact that , #o$e yo"!@ he affir&ed! twining their hands together. @,t won0t change the fact that , want to &arry yo" and<and raise o"r chi#d together.@ * sing#e tear dripped down her face and she nodded! sti## #oo-ing "ns"re. @,t &ight.@ @,t won0t!@ he pro&ised. His &ind was a#ready racing! howe$er! drea&ing "p i&possib#e sit"ations that were &ore and &ore fantastica#! and horrifying! each ti&e. @,<,0& a witch! Harry.@ 2he words echoed in the space between the&! ha&&ering into his brain! and for a &o&ent! Harry had to ponder the& to decide what they &eant! e$en tho"gh his heart was screa&ing that he a#ready "nderstood the&. @, &ean! , can do &agic. /ea# &agic! not #i-e par#or tric-s and s"ch!@ inny ra&b#ed on. @,0& a wi'ard!@ Harry said! the words si&p#y #ea-ing o"t of his head. He wasn0t 5"ite s"re if he0d said the& a#o"d! beca"se inny was sti## ta#-ing! #isting the things she co"#d do with the wand she had )"st p"##ed fro& her poc-et! so he repeated it! #o"der this ti&e. @,0&<,0& a wi'ard! inny. , can do &agic too.@ He f"&b#ed for his wand and they both sat there! staring at each other. @How<oh!@ inny said! swa##owing a"dib#y. @,<, don0t -now what to say.@

@%e either!@ he ad&itted. @,0&<re#ie$ed! , thin-. ;hen yo" said it wo"#d change things<, -ept thin-ing that yo"0d fo"nd so&eone e#se or<@ @8e$er!@ she shoo- her head. 2he hand ho#ding her wand dropped and she st"died hi&. @How did , not -now?@ @How did ,?@ he cha##enged bac-! setting his own wand aside and r"bbing his face. 2he weight of e$erything they0d said in the #ast few &in"tes pressed down on hi& and Harry fe#t the insane "rge to #a"gh. 4o he did. ,t &"st ha$e been contagio"s beca"se inny gigg#ed! pressing a hand o$er her &o"th to try and trap it in. 7y that ti&e! Harry was gone! #a"ghing a## the way fro& his toes. ,t set inny off f"rther "nti# they were #eaning on each other! tears of re#ief and re#ease ro##ing down their faces. Harry -issed her then! tender#y! fee#ing as if he0d fa##en in #o$e with her a## o$er again. @2here0s so&ething , ha$e to te## yo"!@ he ad&itted once they0d p"##ed away. @,t can0t be hea$ier than what ,0$e to#d yo" a#ready!@ she shoo- her head! wiping away the &oist"re on her face. Harry gri&aced. @2here0s a reason , -eep who , a& a secret!@ he started! fee#ing as if he was &"c-ing this "p co&p#ete#y. @%y na&e isn0t Harry Ga&ison it0s.@ @=otter!@ inny breathed! her eyes going wide. @, )"st<is that it? ,t )"st<ca&e to &e.@ Harry fo"ght to -eep his )aw fro& dropping co&p#ete#y at her g"ess. @Aeah.@ He #ifted his wand and re&o$ed the g#a&o"r char&s "sed to hide his scar and a#ter his appearance. inny gasped at the sight of the fa&ed &ar- on his forehead! her chee-s going red when she rea#i'ed what she0d done. @,0& sorry! , sho"#dn0t stare! , )"st< , ha$e to ad&it , a#&ost didn0t thin- yo" were rea#. , &ean<, -new! b"t< , didn0t know.@ Harry nodded! shifting "nco&fortab#y "nder the way she was #oo-ing at hi&! #i-e so&e sort of &ythica# creat"re she0d )"st disco$ered act"a##y e3isted. @Can yo" not<#oo- at &e #i-e that?@ he as-ed! t"rning to #oo- away. @Ci-e what?@ she de&anded! forcing his chin bac- aro"nd to #oo- at her. @Ci-e yo" can0t decide to be horrified by who , a&! or -iss &y shoes! or so&ething.@ 4he s&i#ed then! a s#ow! war& #oo- that &ade his who#e body ache inside. @,0& not horrified. *nd ,0& not going to -iss<yo"r shoes.@ 4he #eaned forward! p#acing a s&a## -iss against the side of his &o"th! and then the tip of his nose.

@Ao"r eyes are green!@ she &"r&"red! )"st before re&o$ing his g#asses and pressing soft -isses to his c#osed eye#ids. Harry0s heart ha&&ered in his chest and he gathered her into his #ap! #etting the fee#ings dredged "p by what she was doing o$erwhe#& hi&. ;hen her #ips br"shed across his scar! Harry0s fingers d"g into her hips. His scar had ne$er been anything &ore than a b"rden! a re&inder of a destiny that was not his choosing! and bo"nd hi& to a &ass &"rderer. @, -now yo"! Harry!@ she whispered. @Ao"0re good and -ind.@ @*nd ,0& in #o$e with yo"! inny.@ @;eas#ey!@ she said. Harry0s eyes b#in-ed open and widened. ;eas#ey. How had he not connected it before? @Er<wow.@ @6on0t #oo- at &e #i-e that!@ she cha##enged! s&ir-ing. @Aeah! b"t<a## the peop#e in the wor#d , co"#d ha$e chosen! and , fa## in #o$e with a ;eas#ey!@ he ch"c-#ed! ho#ding her against hi&. @Ao"0$e heard of "s! then?@ she #a"ghed. @Aeah!@ he nodded! a h"ndred stories to#d by /e&"s and 4iri"s abo"t the strength and ferocio"s co"rage of the ;eas#ey fa&i#y ca&e to his &ind. @;ait<yo"0re the one<with the diary. *nd<and the 1"idditch p#ayer.@ He fe#t a bit st"pid now that he hadn0t connected who she was. inny0s face heated and she tried to p"## away! near#y snar#ing at the co&&ent. 7"t Harry0s hands he#d her sti##. @8o<hang on!@ he protested. @,< inny , was a#ways so a&a'ed by yo"r story when /e&"s to#d &e what happened with the diary. , re&e&ber thin-ing that yo" &"st ha$e been so strong.far stronger than , co"#d e$er be.@ @/e&"s?@ inny sat "p. @/e&"s C"pin?@ @Aeah!@ Harry nodded. @He was one of &y father0s best friends.@ @He0s dating one of &y best friends!@ inny inter)ected. @:r we##<was! or so&ething. *nd he ta"ght at Hogwarts the year after< He rea##y he#ped &e to get past a## the &ess in &y head that the diary #eft.@

Harry0s &ind f#ashed to #ast night! #istening to 4iri"s tease /e&"s abo"t *ndro&eda0s da"ghter. @8y&phadora?@ inny gigg#ed at the na&e. @2on-s!@ she corrected. @4he hates her rea# na&e. Ao"0$e &et her?@ @;ow!@ Harry &"sed. @8o! , ha$en0t &et her. , ne$er &et anyone fro& the :rder! rea##y. *#b"s tho"ght it was better this way and 4iri"s agreed. 4&a## wor#d.@ @*nd getting s&a##er!@ she nodded. Her head rested on his sho"#der and they si&p#y he#d each other. @;hat are we going to do! Harry?@ she as-ed fina##y. @4o &"ch has changed.@ @8ot rea##y!@ he shoo- his head. @Ao"0re sti## the wo&an , fe## in #o$e with. *nd<and we0re going to ha$e a b9baby.@ He st"&b#ed o$er the word e$en as a pict"re f#ashed in his &ind> inny with a b"nd#e of b#an-ets in her ar&s! #eaning in to show hi& the tiny face enc#osed in the soft f#"ffy yarn. * face that was so tiny! so innocent that it &ade his heart throb painf"##y. @*nd , sti## want to &arry yo"!@ he added! r"nning his hand a#ong her head! s&oothing her hair there. @2hat hasn0t changed.@ @Ao" -now yo" don0t ha$e to.@ @ inny!@ he sco#ded soft#y! @wi## yo" )"st answer the da&n 5"estionB 4erio"s#y! ,0& dying here. ,0$e proposed twice a#ready. 6on0t &a-e &e do it again.@ 4he p"##ed bac- and #oo-ed "p at hi&! incredib#y $"#nerab#e choco#ate eyes searching his face. @Ao"0re not )"st as-ing beca"se of the baby?@ @,t0s a factor!@ he ad&itted. @7"t on#y in &o$ing the ti&etab#e "p. ,0& in #o$e with yo"! inny ;eas#ey. , #o$e the way yo"0re feisty. , #o$e the way yo" ho#d &e and #o$e &e. , #o$e e$erything abo"t yo". *nd<and yo"0re abo"t to gi$e &e a fa&i#y. * baby! in. Ao" don0t -now how #ong<@ He stopped! too cho-ed "p to contin"e. @,0$e a#ways wanted a fa&i#y.@ @Aes!@ she said fina##y. @,0## &arry yo".@ Harry -issed her then! a soft -iss! #ips &o$ing against #ips and hands "rgent#y ho#ding. 2he roo& was bathed in #ong shadows and Harry0s eyes traced the c"r$e of inny0s sho"#der! fo##owing it down her ar& "nti# he was #oo-ing at her be##y! sti## f#at beneath her shirt.her be##y! where his chi#d now grew deep inside his s#eeping fiancH.

He had to sha-e his head to po"nd both of those ter&s into his head. :n#y yesterday he0d si&p#y been Harry =otter! wearing so&eone e#se0s face! "sing so&eone e#se0s na&e! and in #o$e with so&eone different. *&a'ing what twenty9fo"r ho"rs co"#d do. 8ow he was Harry =otter! who was in #o$e with! and engaged to! inny ;eas#ey. *nd they were abo"t to start a fa&i#y. 4o&ething deep inside hi& we##ed! b"i#ding and b"i#ding "nti# it b"rst! fi##ing hi& with so &"ch #o$e and -now#edge that his head sp"n. ,t was a#&ost #i-e there was a door deep inside hi& that had been #oc-ed fore$er ago and was now shattered open. *nd he "nderstood. He "nderstood why his parents had gone into hiding to protect hi&. He "nderstood why his father had stood fir& against Fo#de&ort! e$en -nowing he was going to die in the ne3t breath. He "nderstood why his &other had stepped in front of hi& and ref"sed to yie#d! e$en when she -new she co"#d sa$e her own #ife. ,t was a## abo"t #o$e. :$erwhe#&ing! cons"&ing! wonderf"# #o$e. *nd it ro##ed off of inny in wa$es that were a#&ost $isib#e to hi& as she s#ept ne3t to hi&. ,t p"#sated fro& her! fi##ing hi& co&p#ete#y. *nd he -new that she #o$ed hi& )"st as strong#y as he fe#t for her. 2hey were going to do this> they were going to get &arried and ha$e a chi#d. *nd e$erything was going to be o-ay in a way it had ne$er been a#right before. 4iri"s do'ed off and on in his chair. 2he day after a f"## &oon was a#ways #i-e this> #a'y and #ong. /e&"s was "p ear#ier! b"t he was s#eeping now! e3ha"sted fro& his body contorting and changing twice in the past few ho"rs. 2here had been h"ndreds of days #i-e this o$er the years. 7ac- at schoo#! the three %ara"ders wo"#d drag the&se#$es to c#asses! snea-ing away to see /e&"s in the hospita# wing when they co"#d! and pretend that they0d had any s#eep at a## the night before. 4o&ehow it was easier when they were that yo"ng. ;hen Harry had been #itt#e! 4iri"s had been forced to care for hi&! a#ong with /e&"s. 7"t as Harry grew! he tended to be the one &a-ing brea-fast and tea! he#ping his godfather and s"rrogate "nc#e into bed and a&"sing hi&se#f "nti# one of the& was awa-e eno"gh to ta-e care of hi& again. ,t hadn0t gotten easier o$er the years! )"st<different. 4iri"s #earned to #et go of the g"i#t and a##ow Harry to he#p where he co"#d. *nd /e&"s #earned that 4iri"s and Harry weren0t going to abandon hi& e$ent"a##y. *nd Harry! we## Harry had a#ways been sadd#ed with the chore of ta-ing care of hi&se#f a#ong with two o#d! bro-en9down &en. ,t wasn0t fair for hi&! b"t &ost of his #ife hadn0t been fair.

:ne day he wo"#d ha$e e3p#anations to &a-e to both Ga&es and Ci#y abo"t the way he had raised their son! b"t for now a## 4iri"s fe#t he co"#d do was be there for Harry when he needed so&eone to ta#- to. He see&ed perfect#y capab#e of finding what he needed in #ife to &a-e hi&se#f happy! if his recent &ood had been any indication. 4iri"s hated to ad&it it! beca"se it so"nded so<)"$eni#e! b"t he was )ea#o"s of whoe$er this wo&an was that Harry was seeing right now. 4he see&ed to be ab#e to gi$e hi& so&ething that 4iri"s had been searching high and #ow for twenty9one years for.a way to &a-e Harry tr"#y happy. 8ot on#y that! b"t Harry was spending a## of his ti&e with her now. ,t wasn0t as if 4iri"s tho"ght Harry wo"#d forget abo"t hi&! beca"se he -new Harry wo"#dn0t be so care#ess and abr"pt with his fee#ings. *nd part of it was that if Harry rea##y #o$ed her! 4iri"s -new he sho$ld be spending his ti&e with this wo&an. ,t was a cha##enging position to be in! and one that si&p#y &ade hi& e$en &ore tired to thin- abo"t! so he was trying not to. 2he so"nd of so&eone &o$ing abo"t "pstairs ro"sed 4iri"s and he set abo"t gathering tea for /e&"s! who wo"#d be star$ing. 2here were se$era# #o"d bangs against the f#oorboards and 4iri"s s&ir-ed to hi&se#f. @:#d &an is ha$ing tro"b#e getting started today!@ he &"sed! #ifting the tray. 7"t when the so"nd of so&ething scattering o$er the f#oor echoed! he set the tray aside and p"##ed his wand! &o$ing "p the stairs 5"iet#y! b"t 5"ic-#y. 2he so"nd wasn0t co&ing fro& /e&"s0 roo&! b"t fro& Harry0s o#d one. 4iri"s #e$e#ed his wand as he -ic-ed open the door! start#ing Harry! who was pawing thro"gh a pi#e of )"n- that was spread on his o#d! narrow bed. 2here was an e&pty drawer resting ne3t to his feet! discarded as Harry0s eyes searched. @Ha$e yo" seen &y ringotts -ey?@ Harry de&anded. @, tho"ght ,0d ta-en it with &e! b"t it0s not at the ho"se.@ 4iri"s b#in-ed! trying to force his &ind to catch "p with what was happening. :n#y Harry! /e&"s and 4iri"s co"#d *pparate thro"gh the wards here! so<it &"st be Harry. @Ha$e yo"?@ Harry as-ed! bare#y sparing 4iri"s a g#ance before he "sed his wand to banish the &ess bac- into the drawer and p"##ed o"t another one! d"&ping it on the faded 5"i#t. =#astic ar&y &en and &iniat"re &eta# cars &ing#ed with bro-en 5"i##s! spare bits of parch&ent! &issing b"ttons! choco#ate frog cards! and other bits and pieces whi#e Harry spread the& aro"nd the bed. @He##o to yo" as we##!@ 4iri"s said! #owering his wand.

@2he -ey?@ Harry #oo-ed rather frantic and h"ffed &ighti#y when he didn0t find his treas"re a&ong the &ess. @:h! er<, thin- its downstairs.@ 2he words were bare#y o"t of his &o"th before Harry n"dged past hi& and too- the stairs at a f"## r"n! s-ipping &any of the& and #anding with an echoing th"d on the botto& #anding. @;hat<@ 4iri"s had no choice b"t to fo##ow! his &ind racing as to what Harry was doing here! #et a#one why he was so deter&ined to find his -ey. 6id he need &oney for so&ething? Harry0s cry of tri"&ph fro& the -itchen &ade 4iri"s speed "p his p"rs"it. He he#d his wand high when he entered the -itchen. @6on0t yo" dare 6isapparate! yo"ng &an! "nti# yo" te## &e what the he## this was a## abo"tB@ He fe#t st"pid when Harry0s eyebrows rose in cha##enge. @,0##<body bind yo" if , ha$e to.@ @,f yo" co"#d &anage to hit &e! #a'y o#d dog!@ Harry snapped bac-! grinning. 4iri"s b#in-ed and #owered his wand a fraction of an inch. @Harry! what< ;hy do yo" need yo"r ringotts -ey?@ @4o , can get into &y $a"#t before they c#ose!@ he shr"gged! as if it were the si&p#est answer in the wor#d. *nd 4iri"s s"pposed it was! b"t it wasn0t the answer he wanted. @7"t<@ @, need to get so&e &oney to b"y an engage&ent ring.@ 2hat wasn0t the answer 4iri"s e3pected either and his eyebrows contracted as he tried to fig"re o"t )"st how bad#y Harry0s brain had been add#ed by whate$er force had so ob$io"s#y ta-en o$er hi&. @,0& getting &arried! 4iri"s.@ 2he s&i#e that acco&panied Harry0s state&ent was a#&ost b#inding in its gen"ineness and 4iri"s b#in-ed! trying to connect the dots. %arried. 2he f#oor was the ne3t thing he saw! rising "p 5"ic-#y to &eet hi&.

*Chapter 1!*: Chapter 1!: All $e :no) Is $hat $e-re i

Chapter 1!: All $e :no) or Sure Is $hat $e-re ighting or Harry watched his godfather tip and bare#y &anaged to catch hi& before his head crashed onto the stone ti#es of the f#oor. @4iri"s?@ he &"&b#ed! staring wide eyed at the &an. @Er<@ @6on0t worry! Harry!@ /e&"s said gr"ff#y fro& where he stood in the doorway. @He a#ways did ha$e this thing abo"t fainting at the &ost inopport"ne &o&ents.@ Harry )"&ped bac-! #etting 4iri"s0 body f#op to the f#oor when /e&"s #ifted his wand. ;ater f#ew fro& the tip! sp#ashing 4iri"s in the face. :bscenities and threats fi##ed the -itchen as /e&"s -ept the water spraying on 4iri"s! who was now awa-e. @8ow! since , &issed a## b"t the #ast #ine of that con$ersation! wo"#d yo" &ind repeating it?@ /e&"s as-ed! fina##y ending the strea& of water and p"##ing a chair fro& the tab#e to sit on. Harry b#in-ed at the e3change! t"rning his ringotts -ey o$er and o$er in his hand. @, proposed this afternoon.@ /e&"s nodded and 4iri"s swore soft#y! "sing his shirt to wipe his face dry. @, don0t 5"ite -now what to say! Harry!@ /e&"s shr"gged. @2hen )"st te## &e yo"0re happy for &e!@ Harry said. 8o &atter what they said! they co"#dn0t stea# away how he fe#t abo"t this. inny was going to be his> they were starting their #i$es together. @*re yo$ happy?@ 4iri"s peered at hi&! the &ess o$er the water forgotten. Harry -new 4iri"s wo"#d e3act his re$enge on /e&"s #ater! b"t for now there were &ore pressing &atters. @, a&!@ he s&i#ed. @%ore happy than ,0$e e$er been.@ 4iri"s and /e&"s e3changed a #oo- and both sighed. @6oes she -now who yo" are! Harry?@ /e&"s as-ed! staring down at his hands! which he stretched and f#e3ed against the tab#e.

Harry wanted to brist#e "nder their scr"tiny! b"t he sighed instead! s"pposing they had e$ery right to be wary. 2hey hadn0t e$en &et inny yet. @Aes! she does!@ he nodded. @*nd , -now who she is.@ 2he state&ent ca"sed dead si#ence "nti# 4iri"s opened his &o"th. @Her na&e is inny ;eas#ey!@ Harry p"t in before the 5"estion co"#d arri$e. Eyebrows s#id toward hair#ines and /e&"s whist#ed! s&ir-ing. @Ao" s"re -now how to pic- the&! C"b.@ @How is it possib#e that yo" did not -now who she was?@ 4iri"s scow#ed at the tab#e. @4he was a professiona# 1"idditch p#ayer.@ @, ne$er saw her p#ay!@ he shr"gged. @, ne$er &et anyone fro& the :rder.e$en tho"gh , -now their na&es. =#"s! she was ne$er in the :rder. +p "nti# today , tho"ght she was a %"gg#e.@ @4o it ne$er crossed yo"r &ind.@ @;hy wo"#d it?@ Harry anticipated 4iri"s0 5"estion. @, &et her in a %"gg#e p"b! she acts %"gg#e! she ne$er showed any signs of being anything &ore than who , tho"ght she was. 4he was doing the e3act sa&e thing , was.hiding o"t.@ @,t0s tr"e!@ /e&"s sighed. @*fter the accident that cost her the spot on the Harpies! inny went into a sort of depression. 4he stopped doing things with her friends! stopped< e$erything! rea##y. 6ora is one of her best friends! and inny didn0t e$en te## her where she #i$ed "nti# this #ast year. 2he press was br"ta# abo"t the accident! abo"t the ending of her re#ationship with that =hi##ips prat! r"&ors of dr"g ab"se and s"ch. , don0t b#a&e her for wanting to escape it.@ 4iri"s r"bbed his face harsh#y and peered at Harry. @4o! yo" both confessed who yo" were and yo" )"st decide to propose?@ Harry fe#t his face heat and he g#anced down at his hands resting on the tab#e. @8ot e3act#y. ,0$e been thin-ing abo"t it for wee-s! act"a##y.@ @Aeah! b"t<yo" )"st &et!@ 4iri"s protested. @;hy not date for awhi#e &ore before yo" )"&p into a co&&it&ent #i-e that?@ Harry #oo-ed "p weighing the odds of te##ing two of the &ost i&portant &en in his #ife the tr"th. He hadn0t ta#-ed to inny abo"t this.in fact! he0d #eft her s#eeping in his bed! with a con)"red rose and a note on the pi##ow ne3t to her! te##ing her he was r"nning an errand and wo"#d be bac- soon. 2his was ta-ing too #ong and ringotts was going to c#ose soon.

@ inny0s pregnant! 4iri"s. ,0& going to be a father.@ For the second ti&e that day! 4iri"s s#"&ped downward. /e&"s )"&ped across the tab#e and snatched the front of 4iri"s0 shirt! to -eep hi& fro& fa##ing co&p#ete#y o$er. @2hose were the e3act words Ga&es "sed to te## 4iri"s yo" were co&ing into the wor#d! Harry. ;e##! with Ci#y! rather than inny.@ @Cet hi& s#eep!@ Harry sighed! r"ff#ing his hair. @, need to &a-e it to ringotts before inny wa-es "p. , want to get her a ring today.@ @%arriage and a fa&i#y are big co&&it&ents! Harry!@ /e&"s sighed! resting 4iri"s against the tab#e. @*#b"s to#d &e so&ething one ti&e! before<@ Harry swa##owed past the "ne3pected #"&p in his throat. 2hin-ing of the o#d &an! who had been one of his c#osest &entors for &"ch of his #ife! and the way he0d been -i##ed right in front of Harry! bro"ght "p a## those o#d fee#ings s"dden#y. @He said that Fo#de&ort wasn0t the end of &y destiny! b"t )"st the beginning.@ Harry shoo- his head! s&i#ing s#ight#y. @Ao" don0t -now how &any ti&es ,0$e rep#ayed those words in &y head! trying to fig"re o"t what they &eant. *nd then today! when inny to#d &e abo"t the baby! , fina##y "nderstood! /e&"s. , chose to get rid of Fo#de&ort! b"t &y #ife.&y destiny.didn0t end there. ,t0s there in front of &e! ready for &e to grab onto. inny and this baby! /e&"s<they0re what , want. 2hey0re &y f"t"re. /e&"s stood sti## for a #ong &in"te. @, )"st don0t want yo" to regret &a-ing a co&&it&ent #i-e this. %arriage and a fa&i#y.@ @,0& ready for the co&&it&ent!@ Harry confir&ed! #oo-ing at the &an. He fe#t #i-e he was seeing a who#e different side to /e&"s than he0d e$er i&agined there was. /e&"s0 iss"es with abandon&ent and re)ection ran deep! so deep that he ref"sed to accept there &ight be peop#e o"t there who act"a##y did want hi& to stay aro"nd. @7e#ie$e it or not! /e&"s! yo" were one of the ones who ta"ght &e what #o$e was. Ao" sho"#d probab#y get yo"r own #ife straight before yo" start #ect"ring &e on &ine!@ he added! standing and &o$ing away fro& the tab#e! preparing to 6isapparate. @2e## 4iri"s when he wa-es "p that ,0## co&e by soon to ta#- to hi& abo"t this. *nd ,0## bring inny with &e.@ inny wo-e to a &ost#y dar- roo& and b#in-ed away the s#eep fro& her eyes. @Harry?@

Her ar& reached o"t across the bed! b"t it was e&pty. 2here was a dar- shape on the pi##ow ne3t to her! howe$er! and she t"rned on the #a&p ne3t to the bed! s&i#ing when she saw the rose a#ong with a fo#ded paper. @7e bac- soon! in!@ she read a#o"d! @)"st had to r"n an errand. Co$e! Harry.@ 4he #ay bac- down on the pi##ow! staring at the rose and conte&p#ating the changes in her #ife o$er the past day.or e$en the past eight wee-s. Eight wee-s ago she had been a#one! hiding in the %"gg#e wor#d and not wi##ing to face going bac- to a wor#d where she didn0t fee# she had a p#ace any #onger. Eight wee-s ago she had gone to wor- one e$ening! not e3pecting anything "n"s"a#! on#y to &eet a handso&e stranger. 8ow she was engaged to be &arried! e3pecting a baby! and the &an she #o$ed was Harry =otter.4a$ior of the ;i'arding ;or#d. 4"rrea# was the on#y word she co"#d find that wo"#d e$en co&e near to describing how she fe#t right now! and e$en it see&ed inade5"ate. 2here were so &any 5"estions she had! both abo"t Harry and abo"t their f"t"re. 6id he want to stay in the %"gg#e wor#d fore$er and raise their chi#d here? :r did he want to be a part of what he0d #eft years ago? *s &"ch as inny detested the circ"s that had er"pted after her in)"ry and fe#t the need to escape it! she0d a#ways -nown her p#ace was there in that other wor#d. 4he0d been drawn o"t here by the anony&ity and carefree character that she co"#d p#ay by being inny ;estin. ,t appeared that Harry had been drawn by the sa&e things. 7"t neither of the& co"#d deny that "nder the fa#se na&es and &ade "p #i$es! they were who they were. Her hand drifted "nconscio"s#y toward her be##y! resting against the #ife they0d "n-nowing#y created there. 2here were sti## so &any 5"estions to be answered. etting &arried was wonderf"#. so&ething that &ade inny giddy with e3cite&ent.b"t there was so &"ch &ore to dea# with.not the #east of which was brea-ing the news to her fa&i#y> both bits of news! act"a##y. 4he heard hi& arri$e before she saw hi&. 2he crac- of *pparition was "n&ista-ab#e and inny s&i#ed. etting to and fro& his ho"se was going to be so &"ch easier now. 4he wo"#dn0t ha$e to wa#- the si3 b#oc-s in the co#d. 2hen again! she was &o$ing in here! so it was a &oot point anyway. @Hi!@ Harry said as he ca&e into the bedroo&. He sh"c-ed off his c#oa- 5"ic-#y and h"rried to the bed! bending o$er to -iss her.

inny gigg#ed as he c#a&bered onto the &attress ne3t to her! re&inding her of an o$er#y e3cited chi#d who had so&ething i&portant to te## her. @;hat ha$e yo" been "p to?@ she as-ed! br"shing her fingers a#ong his pin- chee-s. @G"st needed to get yo" so&ething!@ he shr"gged! grinning as he he#d o"t his hand. * s5"are bo3 rested there and inny stared at it! g"essing what was inside! b"t not s"re if she sho"#d open it or not. @,f yo" don0t #i-e it<@ @, wi##!@ she nodded! -nowing that no &atter what Harry bo"ght her! she wo"#d #o$e it. 2he ring was perfect.not too big! not too s&a##. @, to#d yo"!@ she s&ir-ed when she saw he was grinning. 4he s#id the ring on her finger! start#ing when it si'ed to fit her perfect#y. @, got "s so&e ta-e9away too!@ Harry said after he -issed her. @,0& fee#ing #a'y!@ inny said! sn"gg#ing into Harry. @Cet0s eat it right here.@ @,s this going to beco&e a habit?@ Harry ch"c-#ed! s"&&oning the food. @,t )"st &ight!@ inny shr"gged. 2he food s&e##ed wonderf"# and inny d"g in with g"sto! &a-ing Harry ch"c-#e as he str"gg#ed to get a bite here and there. @, #i-e this!@ he fina##y said. @4itting here with yo"! eating and )"st<being together.@ @%e too!@ she said! -issing his chee-. @, want it to be #i-e this a#ways.@ @,t wi##!@ he ass"red her. @*#tho"gh! soon we0## ha$e to share the bed.@ inny s&i#ed! b"t she co"#dn0t he#p b"t be ner$o"s. @, ha$e no idea what ,0& doing! Harry. ,0& not s"re , can be so&eone0s &"&.@ 2ears sprang to her eyes "ne3pected#y and she swore soft#y! wiping at the& with one hand. Harry too- the container of food fro& her and set it aside. @4hhh!@ he soothed. @;e0## #earn together! yeah? ,0& terrified too! rea##y. , don0t -now anything abo"t being a dad. =#"s! , ha$e to ta#- to yo"r fa&i#y now. Ao" sho"#d ha$e seen 4iri"s0 face today when , to#d hi& who yo" were.@ inny b#in-ed at hi&. @Ao"r godfather is 4iri"s 7#ac-.@ 2he c#"es #aid o"t in front of her #i-e a boo- and inny fe#t partic"#ar#y st"pid that she0d not p"t it a## together before. 7"t she )"st hadn0t. He s&i#ed s#ow#y. @Aes! he is.@

@*nd that0s where yo" were a## those years. ;ith hi&.@ Harry nodded. @;e #i$ed in 4cot#and! "nder a Fide#i"s Char& for &ost of &y #ife. /e&"s and 6"&b#edore bro"ght "s s"pp#ies and , trained for what , needed to do.@ inny stared at hi& with wide eyes for a &o&ent before sha-ing it off. @, "sed to #isten to the stories abo"t yo" and wonder where yo"0d disappeared to.@ 4he trai#ed off and fe#t her face heat. @, tho"ght &aybe ,0d &eet yo" at Hogwarts., sort of had this co&p#ete#y irrationa# cr"sh on yo". 7"t , soon #earned it was )"st on that heroic character in the stories.@ @, don0t #i$e "p to the hype! , pro&ise yo"!@ Harry ch"c-#ed. @,0& not s"re how anyone co"#d.@ @Ao" &ay not #i$e "p to the fairy ta#es! Harry! b"t yo"0re e$erything , co"#d e$er hope for. *nd<yo" #o$e me. Citt#e inny ;eas#ey.@ Harry -issed her soft#y. @Citt#e inny ;eas#ey! /oo-ie of the Aear! #eading Harpies scorer for two years r"nning. ,0& not s"re ,0& worthy of yo".@ @2hat0s nothing in co&parison.@ @2hen don0t co&pare!@ Harry shoo- his head. @Ao"0re the wo&an , #o$e! the wo&an ,0& going to &arry<the wo&an who is gi$ing &e e$erything ,0$e e$er wanted. Ao"0re perfect! inny.@ @Far fro& it! , pro&ise yo"!@ she said! c"r#ing into hi&. @How are we going to do this! Harry? ;hat is the ne3t step?@ He sighed and was 5"iet for a #ong ti&e before c#earing his throat. @, thin- it0s ta#-ing to yo"r fa&i#y! in. , -now how &"ch they &ean to yo". 2hey0re a part of yo"r #ife! and ,0& tied to that now.@ @2hey0## #o$e yo"!@ she protested. @2hey0## be shoc-ed! b"t they0## #o$e yo".@ @,0& not so s"re!@ Harry shoo- his head! his e3pression t"rning dar-. @, ha$en0t e$en &et the& and ,0$e a#ready s#ept with their da"ghter! gotten her pregnant! and proposed. 8ot the best record! is it?@ 4he #a"ghed. @8ow that yo" p"t it that way<@ @,0& )"st hoping their shoc- can b"y &e a few e3tra &in"tes of #i$ing to e3p#ain &yse#f.@ @*nd )"st what are yo" going to e3p#ain! %r. =otter?@ 2he na&e fe#t foreign on her tong"e and inny repeated it o$er and o$er in her head! sti## shoc-ed. ,t didn0t see& rea# that her Harry was that Harry.

@2hat ,0& in #o$e with yo". 2hat , wo"#dn0t ta-e bac- any &o&ent of the ti&e we0$e spent together. 2hings &ay not ha$e t"rned o"t e3act#y #i-e we p#anned.or &aybe it was o"r #ac- of p#anning that set "s on this path.b"t it0s e$erything , co"#d e$er want or hope for! inny. rowing "p #i-e , did<a## , drea&ed abo"t was so&ething nor&a#.a fa&i#y to #o$e &e. ;hen , was yo"ng! that drea& was ha$ing &y parents! sib#ings and friends. *s , got o#der! it changed to be a wife and chi#dren of &y own.@ inny0s tears b"rst o"t again as she he#d hi&. @,0& sorry!@ she apo#ogi'ed. @, thin- today has )"st been<@ @,t0s been e&otiona#!@ he agreed. @6raining.@ @Ao" to#d yo"r godfather?@ @*nd /e&"s!@ Harry nodded. inny bit her #ip. @,0& not $ery happy with that &an right now! yo" -now.@ @, -now!@ Harry sighed and r"bbed his face! re&o$ing his g#asses and #aying down on the pi##ow. @, to#d hi& to get his head o"t of his arse.@ @, to#d 2on-s to broo& hi&!@ inny snorted. @, thin- that &ight ha$e been the hor&ones ta#-ing! act"a##y! now that , thin- abo"t it. ,0$e been pretty on edge #ate#y.@ He was 5"iet for a &in"te before #oo-ing at her. @, #o$e hi&! , rea##y do! b"t &aybe that wo"#d be best. %aybe they both need ti&e apart to decide what it is they want. ,n the &eanti&e! 4iri"s and , wi## -eep wor-ing on hi&.@ inny nodded and #ay down with hi&. @;here are we going to raise this baby! Harry?@ Her hand rested on her be##y and Harry0s )oined it! r"bbing in #ight circ#es. @Here or< there?@ @2here!@ he said fir&#y. @*s #ong as yo"0re a#right with that.@ His eyes searched deep into hers and he s&i#ed when she nodded. @2his baby deser$es e$ery chance he! or she! can get. *nd chances are they0## be &agica#. 2hey need to be raised there.@ inny bit her #ip. @2hat &eans dea#ing with the press.@ @Aes! it does.@ He twisted their fingers together and they rested on her be##y. @7"t , thinwe can &anage it together. ,<, want to get &arried soon.not beca"se ,0& asha&ed of the baby or anything<, co"#d ne$er fee# that way abo"t what we0$e done! inny! b"t , won0t ha$e peop#e saying things abo"t yo" or abo"t o"r chi#d.@ 4he nodded! sh"ddering as $isions of the stories that &ight s"rface in the press ca&e to her &ind. 4he had no do"bt that so&e of the& wo"#d s"rface no &atter what they tried to protect.

@, don0t want to e#ope! Harry!@ she shoo- her head. @, thin- we0$e both been away fro& fa&i#y too &"ch. , want &y fa&i#y there. *nd yo"rs.@ @:-ay!@ he agreed ginger#y. @:-ay. *ss"&ing , s"r$i$e te##ing yo"r fa&i#y! that is.@

*Chapter 1%*: Chapter 1%: I $ill "e +our <uardian $hen

Chapter 1%: I $ill "e +our <uardian $hen All Is Crum5ling 4iri"s paced in his #i$ing roo&. He hated waiting. He was r"bbish at it! rea##y. 7"t "s"a##y Harry or /e&"s were here to ca#& hi& down! or at #east gi$e hi& so&ething to distract hi&. 7"t /e&"s was #ate and Harry hadn0t arri$ed yet. He was bringing inny today so she co"#d &eet 4iri"s. @, co"#d "se a #itt#e he#p here! Ga&es!@ he eyed the portrait that had beco&e a si#ent co&panion $ery &"ch thro"gh the years. @;hat do , say to the&? ,0$e ne$er done we## with the ad$ice gi$ing part of this! yo" -now. %ost#y , )"st s#ap hi& on the bac- and te## hi& to get on with it. , don0t thin- , can do that here.@ *s a#ways! the portrait was si#ent! #ea$ing 4iri"s a#one with )"st his tho"ghts. He was )"st conte&p#ating a fast g#ass of :gden0s to ca#& his ner$es when he heard a pop in the -itchen. 2hey were here. /e&"s a#ways *pparated to his roo&! Harry ne$er rea##y had a reg"#ar p#ace! )"st where$er he fe#t the desire to appear. 4iri"s stayed in the #i$ing roo&! "ns"re whether he sho"#d go and &eet the& or )"st wait! b"t his decision was &ade when he heard Harry gi$ing a to"r of the ho"se. * soft! fe&inine $oice.so&ething that had ne$er been inside these wa##s since 4iri"s bo"ght the ho"se.as-ed a 5"estion and Harry answered. His heart racing! 4iri"s t"rned toward the doorway )"st as they entered! hand in hand. inny was $ery pretty. 4he was petite! on#y co&ing "p to Harry0s chin! and s#ight! b"t he -new that her s&a## si'e was definite#y a deception to how strong she was. He re&e&bered the stories he0d heard of this pint9si'ed dyna&o. @4iri"s! this is inny. in! this is &y godfather! 4iri"s 7#ac-.@

@=#eased to fina##y &eet yo"!@ 4iri"s said! stepping forward and ho#ding his hand o"t for her to sha-e. 7"t inny ignored the handsha-e and went "p onto her toes to press a -iss to his chee-. @2han- yo"!@ she whispered! @for ta-ing care of hi&.@ 6a&&it. 4iri"s swa##owed thic-#y and nodded! br"shing his hand a#ong her ar& and then staring as she &o$ed bac- to Harry0s side. 2hey #oo-ed good together and 4iri"s co"#dn0t deny the way that Harry0s face #it "p when she to"ched hi&.it was #i-e #oo-ing at a different &an. @Co&e on!@ 4iri"s said after c#earing his throat. @,0$e &anaged to cobb#e together so&ething to eat for "s.nothing i&pressi$e! &ind yo"! b"t it0## be so&ething.@ 2hey ta#-ed thro"gho"t the &ea# of the tentati$e wedding p#ans and 4iri"s insisted that he was paying for e$erything! o$er both Harry and inny0s protests! b"t his forcef"# opinion fina##y won o"t when he to#d the& that Harry was #i-e a son! and the on#y chi#d 4iri"s wo"#d #i-e#y e$er ha$e. inny got a soft #oo- on her face at that and s5"ee'ed his hand in a way that Ci#y E$ans had done so &any ti&es years ago. 4iri"s had to sha-e hi&se#f as the si&i#arities washed o$er hi&. inny was different than Ci#y! and yet<there was a fire abo"t the& both that had attracted Ga&es and his son to the wo&en. *nd 4iri"s co"#dn0t deny that it was #o$e he co"#d see between Harry and inny now! beca"se the sa&e soft to"ches! whispered words! considerate &o&ents were present between the co"p#e now and the co"p#e then. ,t was #i-e stepping bac- in ti&e and 4iri"s grew cho-ed "p se$era# ti&es. @;e0## #et yo" -now what day we decide on!@ Harry said when they fina##y stood to #ea$e! @ass"&ing , s"r$i$e te##ing her father and brothers.@ 4iri"s #a"ghed and then pa#ed as he re&e&bered )"st how &any brothers inny had. @Er<wo"#d yo" #i-e reinforce&ents when yo" ta#- to the&?@ Harry tho"ght abo"t it for a &in"te b"t then shoo- his head! winding his hand with inny0s. @;e0## be fine!@ he ass"red his godfather> or &aybe he0d been ta#-ing to hi&se#f! 4iri"s wasn0t s"re.

inny threw her ar&s aro"nd his nec- )"st before they #eft! &irroring how they0d arri$ed! and whispered to hi& once &ore. @G"st in case yo" were wondering! yo" did a wonderf"# )ob raising hi&. He0s who he is today beca"se of yo".@ 4iri"s swa##owed past the #"&p and shoo- his head. @ ood genes!@ he win-ed! @and the #o$e of a good wo&an.@ Her chee-s t"rned pin- and her s&i#e was da''#ing as she t"rned bac- to Harry! twisting their fingers together. 2hings rea##y were going to be a#right. 4iri"s co"#d see that in the bright green eyes of his godson as he #oo-ed down at the wo&an he #o$ed. Harry had ne$er #oo-ed &ore #i-e his father than in this &o&ent! with the f"t"re ahead of hi&. *nd then they were gone> 6isapparated! #ea$ing 4iri"s in the ho"se a#one again. He po"red hi&se#f a s&a## bit of :gden0s and went to sit in his fa$orite chair! facing the firep#ace and his fa$orite photograph. @2hey0re yo"ng and idea#istic!@ he e3p#ained to Ga&es and Ci#y! @b"t they rea##y are in #o$e.@ /e&"s arri$ed so&e ti&e #ater! #oo-ing pa#e and haggard. @Ao" &issed Harry and inny!@ 4iri"s sco#ded! ta-ing in the scattered pieces of his friend. /e&"s gri&aced. @2on-s<she bro-e it off! co&p#ete#y.@ 4iri"s0 teeth gro"nd together for a &in"te as he stared at how shattered /e&"s #oo-ed. @ ood for her!@ he fina##y said! start#ing /e&"s. @8ow &aybe yo" can get yo"r head o"t of yo"r arse and do the right thing.@ For a &o&ent it #oo-ed as tho"gh /e&"s was going to attac- hi& and 4iri"s re#ished the tho"ght.at #east it &ight pro$e there was so&e fire #eft in the o#d wo#f.b"t /e&"s bac-ed away instead. @,0& not going to -ic- yo" o"t! %oony!@ 4iri"s e3p#ained! @yo"0## a#ways ha$e a ho&e here.@ @7"t?@ @7"t )"st -now that ,0& not going to #et "p "nti# yo" straighten this o"t. Ao"0re in #o$e with the wo&an. 4he0s in #o$e with yo". 7"t yo"0re both too da&n st"bborn! and yo"0$e #et yo"r pride get in the way.@

@2a#- abo"t st"bborn!@ /e&"s scoffed. @Ao"0$e been ho#ed "p here in this ho"se for years! 4iri"s. 2he war is o$erB Harry0s fine.he #i$ed! than-s to yo".@ @2han-s to "s both!@ 4iri"s pointed o"t 5"iet#y! b"t /e&"s didn0t hear hi&. @He0s o"t there abo"t to start a fa&i#y of his own! and yo"0re sti## here! hiding in this wretched ho"se! ta#-ing to ghosts.@ He t"rned on his hee#! wa#-ing o"t and 4iri"s b#in-ed at the e&pty space. 4#ow#y! he s&i#ed. @2hat0s e3act#y what ,0$e been doing!@ he nodded! fee#ing o#der than he had in a #ong ti&e. He &o$ed into the entry way! where there was a &irror h"ng on the wa##! and stared at his ref#ection in it. His hair was too #ong! and he co"#d stand to p"t on )"st a bit of weight! b"t o$era## he was sti## attracti$e! he tho"ght. Harry had #eft their #itt#e ca$e here in 4cot#and and had gone o"t on his own.testing his wings! as it were.and had &anaged to find a wo&an he was arse9o$er9e#bow in #o$e with. %aybe! )"st &aybe! there was #ife o"tside these wa##s for 4iri"s 7#ac- as we##. Harry co"#dn0t re&e&ber being this ner$o"s e$er! rea##y. E$en facing Fo#de&ort for the fina# ti&e he0d fo"nd an o$erwhe#&ing ca#& so&ewhere inside hi& and had -nown the right things to say! the right things to do. 8ow he was f#o"ndering! and it was possib#e that he was ha$ing a heart attac- as we##! e$en tho"gh inny sco#ded that he was si&p#y being dra&atic. 2hey0d spent a## &orning &o$ing her things fro& her f#at into Harry0s ho"se.which was now their ho"se! he tho"ght with pride. *nd whi#e Hedwig sti## ref"sed to ac-now#edge hi& for -ic-ing her o"t of her ho"se! she0d rea##y ta-en to inny and was "s"a##y fo"nd so&ewhere c#ose to the witch. Harry b#a&ed it on the wo&en of the ho"se ganging "p on hi&! and inny ca##ed hi& dra&atic again. 7"t the banter was worth any teasing he had to p"t "p with! especia##y since inny "s"a##y soothed away his po"t with a -iss. 2hat co&fortab#e fee#ing was #ong gone as Harry stared at the croo-ed ho"se at the end of the path and tried to gather his ner$e. 2onight was a ;eas#ey fa&i#y dinner and inny ass"red hi& that doing this with e$eryone here was for the best.whose 0best0 was sti## "p in the air. Harry fe#t &ore #i-e he was on a s"icide &ission than anything. 2he word 0dra&atic0 had been "sed once &ore and inny acc"sed hi& of being the pregnant one. Harry s&i#ed )"st thin-ing abo"t it! tho"gh. He was going to be a father. 2he idea was so far beyond anything he co"#d conte&p#ate that it both terrified hi& and thri##ed hi&.

@4top dragging yo"r feet! Harry!@ inny sco#ded! her &itten9c#ad hand p"##ing hi& a#ong. 4he see&ed a#&ost e3cited! b"t perhaps it was ner$o"s energy dri$ing her. @,t0s #i-e tearing off a bandage<we0## )"st get it o$er 5"ic-#y.@ 2he fact that there was pain in$o#$ed in the ana#ogy wasn0t #ost on Harry. He sighed and r"bbed his face. @*#right! #et0s do it.@ 7"t inny stopped hi& on the s&a## porch! wrapping her ar&s aro"nd hi&. @8o &atter what happens in there! Harry! )"st re&e&ber that , #o$e yo". ,0& going ho&e with yo" and we0re going to be a fa&i#y. , want &y fa&i#y0s appro$a#! , want the& to #o$e yo" )"st as &"ch as , do! b"t it won0t change the way , fee# abo"t yo" if they don0t.@ 4he -issed hi& and bro"ght his hand aro"nd to rest on her sto&ach. @,t won0t change how either of "s #o$es yo".@ 2he words were #i-e a shot of p"re adrena#ine into his body and Harry too- a deep breath! preparing hi&se#f to wa#- in and face a fa&i#y that he0d ne$er &et. @*#tho"gh! , wi## te## yo" to -eep yo"r wand handy!@ she added in a whisper against his chee-. @,0## -eep that in &ind!@ he nodded! opening the door wide for her. 2hey were greeted with s&i#es and ca##s of we#co&e! "nti# it dawned on e$eryone )"st who they were greeting. Harry was fair#y s"re it was the scar on his head that drew &ost of their ga'es.he0d decided to co&p#ete#y forgo the g#a&o"r char&s tonight and fe#t a bit "nprotected. @Ao"<yo" said he was %"gg#e!@ the ta##est brother said to inny! a#tho"gh his eyes hadn0t #eft Harry. @4"rpriseB@ inny ca##ed o"t rather wea-#y. ;hen the &o&ent of shoc- was o$er! Harry fo"nd hi&se#f in the &idd#e of a rather strong set of ar&s! wrapped aro"nd his ribs. inny0s &other was chatting away at hi&! tears r"nning down her face "nchec-ed! b"t he co"#d on#y &a-e o"t a few words. @<Harry =otter<o"r #itt#e gir#<so $ery happy<@ He too- it as a positi$e greeting and patted the shorter witch gent#y on the sho"#der. @2han- yo"! %rs. ;eas#ey!@ he said fina##y. @ inny is<she0s a&a'ing. *nd , see where she gets her capacity to #o$e. *nd to s5"ee'e the st"ffing o"t of &e.@ *rth"r ;eas#ey gent#y pried his wife away fro& Harry and he#d o"t his hand. @* p#eas"re to &eet yo"! sir.@ @8one of that! p#ease!@ Harry dis&issed. @,t0s )"st Harry.@

2he &an #oo-ed ta-en abac- by that b"t nodded anyway. @;e##! )"st Harry! co&e in and ha$e a seat. , be#ie$e we a## ha$e a few 5"estions for yo"! b"t , pro&ise we0## try to accost yo" in an order#y fashion. 8o g"arantees on eorge0s beha$ior tho"gh!@ he win-ed! &a-ing Harry ch"c-#e. 2he roo& was &agica##y e3panded! Harry co"#d te##.there was no way this &any peop#e co"#d be seated at this #arge a tab#e in this ho"se witho"t it. 7"t as Harry #oo-ed aro"nd! the chaos see&ed to fit. E$eryone was #a"ghing and happy! and e$en tho"gh so&e of the& were staring at hi& fro& ti&e to ti&e! Harry fe#t a bit #i-e he &ight be ab#e to be#ong here. @4ee!@ inny said 5"iet#y! #eaning into hi& as they ate the de#icio"s food that %rs. ;eas#ey had ob$io"s#y spent ho"rs and ho"rs preparing! @, to#d yo" they wo"#dn0t chop yo" "p and ser$e yo" for the &ain co"rse.@ Harry too- a sip of his &ead and nodded! trying to -eep his face passi$e. He was fair#y s"re the &ain co"rse co"#d change at any &o&ent. @;e a#so ha$en0t to#d the& anything yet.@ @=oint!@ inny conceded! her teasing spirit di&inished so&e. @4o! Harry! what is it that yo" do! when yo"0re not o"t sa$ing the wor#d?@ eorge as-ed! recei$ing an angry hiss fro& his &other and a s&ac- to the bac- of the head fro& his wife. Harry ch"c-#ed. @,0& wor-ing on sty#ing a new #ine of 1"idditch broo&s! act"a##y.@ @, tho"ght yo" &ade f"rnit"re!@ inny gaped. Harry #a"ghed harder. @Er! , hasti#y threw a few things together bac- when , tho"ght yo" were a %"gg#e. , do"bted yo" were going to "nderstand why there were bits and pieces of fancy broo&s #ying abo"t the shop.@ * #i$e#y disc"ssion of the c"rrent broo&s on the &ar-et and their attrib"tes too- p#ace! &ain#y headed by /on! inny0s brother who was the sa&e age as Harry. He see&ed intrig"ed and as-ed if there was a ti&e he co"#d co&e and see what Harry had p"t together. He0d! apparent#y! p#ayed Deeper at Hogwarts. *## in a## it was a &"ch &ore re#a3ed at&osphere than Harry had e3pected! howe$er! )"st as he0d to#d inny! the f"n had yet to begin. /ight now he was Harry =otter! inny0s boyfriend and so&ewhat of an enig&a. 7"t before the night was o$er he was abo"t to beco&e Harry! inny0s fiancH. He wasn0t 5"ite s"re what to say abo"t the baby )"st yet! or if they sho"#d )"st #et that infor&ation co&e o"t when it ca&e o"t. 2hat had been inny0s idea! b"t Harry wasn0t so s"re. ,f yo" were ripping off a bandage! sho"#dn0t yo" do it a## at once?

@Cet0s go into the #i$ing roo&!@ %r. ;eas#ey "rged once for-s had stopped &o$ing and second and third he#pings were finished. @Fictoire can ta-e the #itt#e ones "p to the p#ay roo&!@ 7i## s"ggested! "rging his si#$er9 haired da"ghter onward. 2he chi#dren see&ed e3cited and Harry watched with rather g#assy eyes as they tro"ped "p the stairs! p"dgy #itt#e #egs c#i&bing high! and infectio"s gigg#es ratt#ing thro"gh the ho"se. inny ca"ght his eye and he -new she was thin-ing a#ong the sa&e #ines he was> it wo"#dn0t be too #ong before their own chi#d was doing the sa&e thing. He -issed her te&p#e as they stood and fo##owed her fa&i#y into the #i$ing roo&. %rs. ;eas#ey )oined the& a few &in"tes #ater! ha$ing char&ed the food to p"t itse#f away. @4o! Harry!@ %r. ;eas#ey c#eared his throat and Harry swa##owed past the dryness of his &o"th! @what! e3act#y! are yo"r p#ans?@ @,t0s a bit ear#y for that! 6ad!@ 7i## chided soft#y! s&i#ing. His h"&or drained away howe$er when he t"rned to #oo- at Harry and inny. @*ct"a##y!@ Harry said soft#y! @,0$e as-ed inny to &arry &e.@ 2he reaction was &i3ed.7i## was ada&ant#y c#ai&ing that it was too soon for that! others were congrat"#ating the co"p#e! and her &other and se$era# sister9in9#aws s5"ea#ing #o"d#y. Harry watched the $aried responses! foc"sing &ost#y on inny0s brothers and her father. %r. ;eas#ey #oo-ed torn! as if he wanted to be happy for the&! b"t )"st wasn0t s"re yet. 7i## was angry! his face red and &"ttering abo"t irresponsib#e decisions. eorge was #a"ghing and =ercy was<we##! Harry didn0t -now the &an we## eno"gh to -now what he tho"ght of anything rea##y. 2hey0d on#y e3changed a few dry words the who#e night. /on #oo-ed to be ta-ing after his father! a#tho"gh he see&ed to be #eaning &ore toward acceptance than disappro$a#. @2he on#y reason this &a-es sense at a## is if inny is pregnant!@ 7i##0s $oice rang o"t o$er the gro"p! earning hi& disappro$ing #oo-s and gasps. Harry0s who#e body tightened and he fe#t inny0s grip on his hand c#ench down. He g#anced at her! "ns"re what she was going to want to do. @*nd if , was?@ inny cha##enged! her e3pression b#a'ing. @;o"#d it &a-e a difference! 7i##?@ @:f co"rse it wo"#d!@ he protested. @Ao"0re not o#d eno"gh to.@

@Ao" can forget that arg"&ent right there! 7i## ;eas#ey!@ inny ye##ed! her face t"rning redder by the &in"te. @,0& da&ned we## o#d eno"gh to &a-e &y own decisions.@ @ inny.@ Harry ca"tioned. He didn0t want this to t"rn into a &essy fa&i#y arg"&ent.it was the #ast thing he wanted to see. @2here ha$e been p#enty of peop#e who ha$e had chi#dren when they were yo"nger than &e and.@ @HaB@ 7i## ye##ed! &o$ing e$en c#oser to inny and towering o$er her. Harry stood i&&ediate#y! his hand twitching toward his wand as he stood between inny and her brother. @Ao" are pregnantB@ Harry0s who#e body tensed for an e3p#osion! b"t it didn0t co&e. ,nstead! the tension in the roo& rose as e$eryone waited for an answer. @, a&!@ inny nodded. Her fingers d"g into Harry0s bac-! twisting in his shirt and he wasn0t s"re if she was ho#ding hi& bac-! or si&p#y trying to stay af#oat in this &ess. @7"t that doesn0t change.@ @2he he## it doesn0tB@ 7i## screa&ed! ad$ancing on Harry. His wand ca&e "p and Harry saw &otion a## aro"nd the roo& as wands were p"##ed. His eyes #oc-ed on /on! seeing the first spe## shoot towards hi&.

*Chapter 1**: Chapter 1*: This (ost Assuredly Counts

Chapter 1*: This (ost Assuredly Counts Harry =otter was a p"''#e that /on ;eas#ey co"#dn0t 5"ite see& to wor- o"t. =erhaps it was his &ysterio"s past that &ade it see& that he was so &"ch harder to "nderstand than he rea##y was. 2hat had to be it! beca"se the b#o-e that he was &eeting tonight was &odest and down to earth.so&eone that /on wo"#d &ost #i-e#y be friends with if gi$en the chance. *nd the fact that he was a#&ost as interested in 1"idditch as /on was he#ped. 2hey0d a#ready ta#-ed abo"t broo&s and /on was itching to ta#- to hi& abo"t the tea&s he fa$ored.perhaps they both shared an appreciation of the Cannons. He was g#ad that inny had fina##y bro"ght her boyfriend to a dinner and that e$eryone see&ed to be e3cited abo"t &eeting hi&. 7i## was being a bit of a git! b"t! then again! he so&eti&es didn0t re&e&ber that his yo"nger sib#ings were o#d eno"gh to &a-e their own decisions in #ife. %aybe it was a ha'ard of being in charge of the& so often when he was yo"nger> he fe#t &ore #i-e a parent toward the& than a sib#ing.

2he engage&ent anno"nce&ent start#ed /on! b"t as he watched the interaction between inny and Harry it &ade sense. *nd then he re&e&bered seeing inny )"st a few wee-s ago! o"t in the fie#d behind the 7"rrow! f#ying again. 4he was happy and see&ed carefree! #a"ghing and s&i#ing! e$en )o-ing with hi&. 4he was ha""y. *nd if it was Harry that p"t that s&i#e there! then /on wo"#d definite#y defend hi&. His confidence wa$ered when 7i## acc"sed inny of being pregnant. :ne #oo- at both Harry and inny0s g"i#ty faces confir&ed it for /on. He hesitated on#y for a &o&ent before deciding that it didn0t &atter. 2hey were happy! and they0d &ade a co&&it&ent to each other. ,t &ight not ha$e been idea#! b"t /on certain#y co"#dn0t cast a stone at the&. He and Her&ione had #i$ed together for the past few years. ,t was on#y by p"re #"c- and p#anning on Her&ione0s part that they hadn0t ended "p in the sa&e sit"ation. ;hen 7i## p"##ed his wand! /on -new he needed to do so&ething. * b#inding #ight er"pted fro& the tip of his wand witho"t hi& thin-ing abo"t it and a wa$ering shie#d appeared between 7i## and Harry. 4"rprising#y! another spe## i&pacted 7i## fro& the side and he tipped o$er! rigid. eorge 5"ic-#y #e$itated hi& toward the sofa! rather than #etting hi& fa## on the f#oor. @2here wi## be no attac-s in this ho"seB@ %o##y ;eas#ey0s $oice was fir&.)"st as strong as /on re&e&bered it fro& the Fina# 7att#e when she had d"e#ed 7e##atri3 Ce4trange and beaten the wo&an. Her stance was the sa&e as we##.her wand drawn! her feet spread and her sho"#ders bac-. 4he had been the one to cast the body bind at 7i##. 2here wo"#d be no arg"ing with his &other tonight. 2he tension see&ed to b#eed off s#ow#y and /on0s eyes b"#ged as he saw Harry0s fist aro"nd his wand! his -n"c-#es white. %er#in he#p 7i## if he0d act"a##y &anaged to get in the path of Harry =otter. @%aybe we sho"#d a## sit down again!@ Her&ione s"ggested! her $oice sha-ing. 4he and /on edged o$er c#oser to Harry and inny! who were both white and sha-ing. @8o one wi## #ay a finger on the two of yo" now!@ /on0s &other ass"red the& with a pat on inny0s sho"#der. @8ow! #et0s sit down #i-e ci$i#i'ed ad"#ts and disc"ss this.@ @%"&!@ eorge nodded toward 7i## who was staring "p at the cei#ing! his eyes b"#ging. 2he ;eas#ey %atriarch st"died her o#dest son for a &in"te before shr"gging. @,t wi## wear off e$ent"a##y.@

F#e"r see&ed to agree as she t"rned her bac- on her h"sband with a disappro$ing #ooand sett#ed into her seat once &ore. @4o! ,0& abo"t to be a grand&other again?@ 2he abr"pt s&i#e on his &other0s face was rather predatory in a way that re&inded /on to practice safe se3 for a $ery #ong ti&e to co&e! b"t it see&ed to re#a3 inny so&e. @;e didn0t p#an it! b"t we0re happy abo"t it!@ inny s&i#ed tentati$e#y. Harry0s who#e body was sti## rigid and his )aw was #oc-ed! b"t he didn0t #oo- #i-e he was abo"t to attac- anyone. 8ot yet! anyway. /on he#d no i##"sions that that de&eanor wo"#d change in ha#f a second if any of the& posed a threat to inny. @%r. and %rs. ;eas#ey!@ Harry said! his $oice soft b"t strong. @,0& in #o$e with yo"r da"ghter. , #o$e her &ore than anything in this wor#d. ;e &ay not ha$e p#anned to ha$e a chi#d right now! b"t that doesn0t change anything for "s. , sti## wo"#d ha$e as-ed inny to &arry &e. 4he sti## wo"#d ha$e answered the way she did.@ He g#anced at inny to confir& the state&ent and she nodded fir&#y. @2he baby is )"st icing on the ca-e! as far as ,0& concerned.@ He #et o"t a sha-y breath that see&ed to co&e fro& deep inside hi&. possib#y e$en a## the way fro& his toes. @;o"#d yo" a## e3c"se &e for a &in"te?@ he as-ed! standing and &a-ing his way o"t of the #i$ing roo& toward the -itchen. inny stood and! s"rprising#y! Her&ione was the one to stop her. @;hy don0t yo" #et &e! inny? Harry and , are a#i-e in a #ot of ways. ,<, thin- , &ight be ab#e to he#p.@ Her&ione and inny stared at each other for a #ong &in"te before inny nodded and sat bac- down. /on watched as his gir#friend too- a deep breath and wa#-ed thro"gh the door into the -itchen. Harry was #itera##y sha-ing when he entered the e&pty -itchen. He ro##ed his sho"#ders wi##ing the adrena#ine to #ea$e hi& so that he didn0t e3p#ode in anger and fr"stration. He0d been so c#ose to c"rsing inny0s brother.)"st &i##iseconds away fro& "ttering the words that wo"#d ha$e changed e$erything. He wo"#dn0t ha$e h"rt the &an! )"st &ade hi& we## aware that Harry wasn0t going to stand for anyone h"rting inny.either in word or action. He c#osed his eyes and p"shed the fee#ing away. 8o one was going to h"rt her! or hi&. ,n fact! other than the one brother! and a few tight s&i#es aro"nd the roo&! e$eryone see&ed to be rather accepting of the sit"ation. 4"re#y they didn0t thin- he and inny had "lanned this.

E$en as the tho"ght passed thro"gh his brain! Harry dis&issed it. 2hey &ost #i-e#y )"st tho"ght he and inny were yo"ng and rec-#ess! rather than decei$ing. He heard the door swing open and stiffened! preparing hi&se#f for an arg"&ent. He wo"#dn0t attac- anyone! no &atter what they did to hi&. @2hey don0t rea#i'e how inti&idating it can be for so&eone #i-e "s to wa#- into this fa&i#y.@ Her&ione &o$ed to stand ne3t to hi&! #oo-ing o"t the window at the white #andscape. @2hey0re #o"d and opinionated! and can be 5"ite physica# at ti&es!@ she scow#ed. @7"t they do &ean we##! and e$en if they act in haste their &oti$es are p"re.@ Harry chewed on that for a &in"te before shr"gging. @, ha$e no idea what ,0& doing here.@ 4he s&i#ed. @ et in the 5"e"e with the rest of "s. Fig"ring o"t a ;eas#ey &ind is probab#y the hardest thing yo"0## e$er ha$e to do.@ 2hey #apsed into si#ence "nti# Her&ione t"rned and began fi##ing the sin- with water. 4he spe##ed the co"nter f"## of dishes to begin washing the&se#$es and con)"red a towe#! handing it to Harry. He s&ir-ed at it before accepting and hand drying the dishes. @, a#ways c#ean when , need to thin-!@ Her&ione said! con)"ring another and ta-ing a dripping dish fro& the air. @4ee&s #i-e yo"r p#ace &"st be 5"ite c#ean then!@ Harry ch"c-#ed. @, started car$ing wood when , needed to thin-! a#tho"gh ,0d rather f#y if , can.@ @;e##! /on0s a#ways aro"nd to &ess it "p again!@ she shr"gged. @, ne$er did #i-e to f#y! rea##y. , grew "p in the %"gg#e wor#d! so it see&ed so<odd to be riding aro"nd on broo&stic-s.@ @6oes it get better?@ Harry as-ed! adding another p#ate to the stac- of c#ean! dry ones he0d been &a-ing. 4he &"st ha$e "nderstood what he was as-ing! beca"se she nodded. @,t does. 8ot e$eryone )"dges yo"! Harry. 7i## see&s to be the e3ception.@ @, don0t b#a&e hi&! rea##y!@ Harry defended. @, )"st<@ @Ao" )"st wanted to he3 hi& for ye##ing at inny!@ Her&ione finished with a nod. @Aeah!@ he ad&itted with a croo-ed s&i#e.

@He0## "nderstand that when he has ti&e to thin- abo"t it!@ Her&ione nodded. @He0s not "nreasonab#e> he )"st s"ffers fro& the ;eas#ey need to spea- before they thin-.@ Harry #a"ghed soft#y and nodded. @,0$e noticed that. inny threw her #ot in with &e before she -new &"ch abo"t &e.@ @4he -new eno"gh!@ Her&ione defended. @ inny has been so different o$er the past few years. , ta-e that bac-!@ she shoo- her head. @, don0t re&e&ber inny being e$er tr"#y happy. 7"t she is now. *nd they can see that!@ she nodded her head toward the #i$ing roo&. @2hey0re not st"pid> they -now who is responsib#e for &a-ing inny s&i#e and for bringing her bac- to the&.@ Harry foc"sed on the pot he was drying rather than #oo- at her. His chee-s were f#a&ing! b"t he "nderstood that it was a co&p#i&ent. @2he engage&ent and the baby are a shoc-! b"t it won0t ta-e the& too #ong before they a## accept that it0s rea#ity.@ @,0& not changing &y &ind!@ Harry defended soft#y. @ inny and , are getting &arried. *nd we0re ha$ing a baby.@ @ ood!@ Her&ione nodded. @2hat0s another thing they0## respect.yo"r reso#$e.@ @,t see&s strange!@ Harry &"sed after they wor-ed in si#ence. @, grew "p so a#one. , &ean! , had &y godfather! and /e&"s. 7"t<a## , e$er wanted was a fa&i#y.@ @Fa&i#ies co&e in a## shapes and si'es!@ Her&ione pointed o"t. @*nd they0re rather a pac-age dea# at ti&es. Ao" &ay not agree with the& a## the ti&e! b"t they sti## #o$e yo".@ Harry #oo-ed at her for a #ong &in"te before he nodded! s&i#ing. @, g"ess they do.@ @Ao"0re good for inny! Harry. *nd she0s good for yo". 6on0t #et that go.@ Her&ione rested her hand on Harry0s ar& for a &in"te before they went bac- to c#eaning the -itchen. @How did yo" and /on &eet?@ Harry as-ed. Her&ione #a"ghed. @;e##! it was Ha##oween of o"r first year! and /on was being his "s"a# thic- se#f. He0d ca##ed &e<we##! a horrid na&e! and , was hiding in the gir#s0 bathroo&! trying to pretend , wasn0t crying. *nd then this &o"ntain tro## ca&e in<@ inny pee-ed into the -itchen! trying hard not to #et the door s5"ea- and gi$e away her spying. @8ot -i##ing each other! are they?@ /on as-ed! resting his chin on inny0s head.

2hey both watched as Harry and Her&ione c#eaned the -itchen! ta#-ing and #a"ghing soft#y. @8ope!@ inny said! #etting the door c#ose s#ow#y. 4he sighed in re#ief. 2onight had been stressf"#! and she was g#ad it was o$er in a #ot of different ways. :ther than 7i##! and her father0s 5"ietness! e$eryone e#se see&ed $ery accepting of Harry! the engage&ent! and e$en the baby. Her &other0s attit"de s"rprised her &ore than anything. ,t was shoc-ing that she0d co&p#ete#y accepted rea#ity witho"t sco#ding or #ect"ring at a##. %o##y ;eas#ey was not -nown for being to#erant of new ideas right away. inny had been prepared for a #ect"re on being a responsib#e ad"#t in the #east! not a who#e #ist of instr"ctions on how to ta-e care of herse#f and the baby! as we## as Harry. /on had his hands on her sho"#ders! r"bbing #ight#y as they #oo-ed into the #i$ing roo&. 2heir &other and father were ta#-ing 5"iet#y in the corner and it #oo-ed as if her &other was winning points in whate$er the topic was.as if inny co"#dn0t g"ess. @4he #i-es to -eep "s on o"r toes! doesn0t she?@ /on as-ed. inny sighed her agree&ent and #eaned bac- into her brother. @Ao"0re not angry?@ @*bo"t what?@ /on as-ed! so"nding s"rprised. @*ny of it! rea##y?@ inny said. @8o!@ /on said after a #ong &in"te. @Ao"0re happy. Harry see&s happy. ,t0s a bit of a shoc-! b"t<as #ong as yo"0re a#right with it.@ inny was 5"iet for a &in"te! her fingers br"shing o$er her be##y. @, was terrified at first!@ she ad&itted. @8ot of Harry0s reaction or anything., -new he0d s"pport &e no &atter what.b"t &ore of what the he## ,0& going to do! yo" -now.@ @,t0s a big responsibi#ity.@ @E3act#y.@ inny t"rned and #oo-ed "p to the brother she0d a#ways been c#osest to. He0d been the one to notice so&ething was wrong with her in her first year and ta-en her to 6"&b#edore who had destroyed the diary. 2hey0d been c#ose a## thro"gh schoo#! b"t had started to drift apart as they got o#der. inny &issed that c#oseness. @7"t Harry pointed o"t that no first ti&e parent can -now e$erything.@ @Her&ione &ight!@ /on snorted and then sobered! rea#i'ing what he0d )"st said. @, &ean<yo" -now! when we decide to! er<@ @/e#a3! /on!@ inny shoo- her head with a s&i#e. @7reathe.@

He nodded )er-i#y. @, -now what yo" &ean! tho"gh.@ @*nd we0## be together!@ inny contin"ed. @;e can do anything when we0re together.@ /on s&i#ed wide#y. @7ri##iant how that happens! isn0t it?@ @,t is!@ inny agreed. @6oes Harry -now abo"t yo"r cr"sh on hi& when yo" were #itt#e?@ /on s&ir-ed. inny ro##ed her eyes! b"t co"#dn0t he#p the #a"gh that swe##ed o"t of her. %o##y ;eas#ey #ay in bed! "nab#e to s#eep. 4he sho"#d be as#eep! beca"se she0d been "p before the s"n this &orning. 7"t her worries abo"t her chi#dren often -ept her "p far #ater than she hoped. 2oday0s fa&i#y dinner had been $ery<e$entf"# and infor&ati$e. 7etween the three s"rprises re$ea#ed by inny! %o##y was rea##y on#y shoc-ed at one of the&. Harry =otter. ,n their ho&e! and the one their da"ghter had fa##en in #o$e with. :h the engage&ent and pregnancy were s"rprises! b"t not co&p#ete#y "ne3pected! rea##y. *nyone #oo-ing at inny o$er the past few wee-s co"#d ha$e seen that e"phoric #o$e9 dr"n- #oo- on the wo&an0s face and -nown that a co&&it&ent wasn0t far on the hori'on. *nd when she0d wa#-ed into the bac- door of the 7"rrow on Ha##oween night! %o##y had a#ready s"spected her da"ghter &ight be carrying a secret.one that e$en she didn0t -now 5"ite yet. 2here was so&ething abo"t the g#ow of a pregnant wo&an. %o##y had dea#t with it eno"gh o$er the years that she co"#d often p"t the c#"es together before the &other0s the&se#$es -new. 4he0d been the one to te## F#e"r she was e3pecting Fictoire! and e$en Co"is. 4he0d been the one to ta-e a pot of crea& of chic-en so"p o$er to *nge#ina and ta#- to her abo"t #itt#e Freddie. *nd she0d seen the confir&ation of #itt#e %o##y0s appearance in the fa&i#y on *"drey0s face not three wee-s after the #itt#e one had been concei$ed. *nd now her da"ghter.her #itt#e inny.was going to ha$e a baby of her $ery own. 2wo years ago! if anyone had as-ed %o##y if inny was e$er going to be a &other! she wo"#d ha$e had to thin- #ong and hard abo"t it. inny herse#f had scoffed at the idea! c#ai&ing she wasn0t e$er going to get &arried. *nd chi#dren were o"t of the 5"estion for a professiona# 1"idditch p#ayer. 7"t then Harry had co&e into her #ife. Handso&e! h"&b#e! wonderf"# Harry. His #o$e for inny radiated off hi& a#ong with his 5"iet strength. 2o %o##y! he #oo-ed #i-e a ba## of

r"bber bands! a## -notted "p inside with tension and power! )"st waiting to b"rst forth. ,t was inti&idating! especia##y considering who he was! b"t! then again! she fig"red that he co"#d do )"st abo"t anything with that energy! if he p"t his &ind to it. *nd #o$ing inny! and their baby! was what he0d chosen to do. He was going to &a-e a wonderf"# father! despite his ob$io"s ner$o"sness at the sit"ation. @%o##y! stop thin-ing and go to s#eep.@ 4he s&i#ed into the dar-ness of the bedroo& and reached o$er to pat her h"sband0s hand as it reached o"t! sett#ing on her hip. @, can0t see& to stop the tho"ghts tonight.@ *rth"r had been hesitant abo"t accepting Harry! e$en tho"gh he see&ed to #i-e the boy right away! &ost#y beca"se *rth"r had a#ways been wrapped aro"nd his #itt#e gir#0s finger. *nd now inny0s attention was e#sewhere. @4he0s growing "p! %o##y.@ His $oice was so for#orn and when he pressed a -iss to her sho"#der and c"dd#ed "p c#ose behind her in the bed! %o##y co"#dn0t he#p b"t fee# her heart twinge for this &an. @4he0s not o"r #itt#e gir# any&ore. 4he0s<she0s his now.@ @Aes! she be#ongs to hi&!@ %o##y agreed. @G"st #i-e , be#onged to yo" once yo" s#ipped that ring on &y finger.@ @4he0s ha$ing his baby.@ @Aes! she is!@ %o##y sighed. @2hin- what wonderf"# parents they0re going to &a-e.@ @,s it too soon?@ he as-ed! shifting in p#ace. %o##y was 5"iet for a #ong &in"te! thin-ing abo"t it. @,t0s not for "s to say! *rth"r. Harry and inny ha$e &ade their choices! and no #ife is e$er a &ista-e. ,t &ight not be what they p#anned! b"t they0re going to #o$e this chi#d. 7esides! what0s done is done.@ @,t wo"#dn0t be so bad if it wasn0t him,@ *rth"r gr"&b#ed and %o##y had to #a"gh at his insec"rities. @Ao"0re #osing yo"r #itt#e gir# to her chi#dhood #o$e. * hero who yo" weren0t e$en s"re rea##y e3isted beyond the stories.@

@Her -night in shining ar&or!@ *rth"r sighed. @, "sed to be her hero! yo" -now.@ @Ao" sti## are!@ %o##y chided! resting her hand on his chee-. @4he0## a#ways #o$e yo"! *rth"r! b"t Harry can gi$e her a #ife we ne$er drea&ed of. He can gi$e her a ho&e and chi#dren! and a #o$e that0s not on the sa&e #e$e# as what a parent can offer.@ @, -now!@ *rth"r sighed. @*nd , #i-e the boy! , rea##y do.@ @6id yo" see her s&i#e tonight?@ @:f co"rse!@ he protested. @4he was s&i#ing &ost of the night.@ E$en before his words died in the air aro"nd the&! %o##y co"#d te## that he0d rea#i'ed what she &eant. @4he hasn0t s&i#ed #i-e that since she was $ery #itt#e!@ %o##y said soft#y. @, co"#d ne$er ta-e that fro& her.@ @2hat0s why yo" weren0t angry!@ he nodded. @, can0t be angry at anyone who #o$es one of &y chi#dren that &"ch. , &ay not appro$e of a## their choices! b"t there0s no anger there. Harry is no cad! *rth"r. He0s not toying with her affections! or "sing her strict#y for his own gratification. He honest#y! tr"#y! and co&p#ete#y #o$es her. He didn0t hesitate to do the right thing the &o&ent they were faced with a cha##enge and he0s not going to bac- down now! or e$er. @Ao" saw how he p"t hi&se#f between inny and 7i##!@ she pointed o"t. @He wo"#d ha$e protected her with e$erything he had! and we wo"#d ha$e been pic-ing "p pieces of a C"rse 7rea-er scattered a## o$er &y #i$ing roo& if 7i## had been a second faster.@ @2hat spe## by /on was a nice piece of wor-!@ *rth"r &"sed. @He was faster than , co"#d i&agine.@ %o##y sat "p on her e#bow! staring down at *rth"r0s profi#e in the dar-. @*nd what abo"t my spe##! *rth"r ;eas#ey?@ 4he co"#d hear hi& s&i#e! fee# the way it stretched his face! the h"&or #ea-ing off of hi&. @;e##! yo"r spe## wor- is a#ways bri##iant! %o##ywobb#es. , e3pect that fro& yo".@ @Ao" char&er! *rth"r ;eas#ey!@ she sco#ded soft#y! swatting his chest. @:n#y for yo"! %o##y! on#y for yo".@ @2hey0re going to be a#right!@ %o##y affir&ed as she n"''#ed into his e&brace. @7eca"se they0re in #o$e.@ @Co$e is a good thing!@ *rth"r said 5"iet#y! -issing her head and c#osing his eyes.

*Chapter 1/*: Chapter 1/: This Is &o) The Story 3nds O

Chapter 1/: This Is &o) The Story 3nds, Or &a.e $e 'ust "egun 2he chaos of the 7"rrow wasn0t so&ething Harry tho"ght he0d e$er get "sed to anyti&e soon. 7"t he had to ad&it! it was f"n at ti&es. 2onight was $ery f"n! act"a##y! and he had 4iri"s to than- for that. He see&ed to be a one9&an side show tonight! entertaining e$eryone and being &ore char&ing than Harry had e$er seen. 4iri"s had )"&ped right into the p#anning for the wedding! ri$a#ing %o##y in his attit"de that e$erything had to be abso#"te#y perfect for his godson and the bride. He and %o##y fre5"ent#y b"tted heads abo"t the p#ans! b"t they wor-ed it o"t. /ight now! as it stood! there wo"#d on#y be a handf"# of g"ests.&ost#y inny0s fa&i#y! a few &e&bers of the :rder! and Harry0s $ery &eager fa&i#y of two. :ne of who& was s"#-ing in the corner! pretending his e39gir#friend wasn0t sitting with inny! Her&ione and %o##y! p#anning the detai#s of inny0s wedding robes. 2he wedding itse#f wo"#d ta-e p#ace in a &ar5"ee in the bac- garden of the 7"rrow! heated with #ibera# char&s. 7i## ;eas#ey had ta-en it "pon hi&se#f to arrange for the tent and the char&s! after he had apo#ogi'ed to inny! near#y begging her forgi$eness. inny had gi$en it straight away! as if she0d a#ready forgotten the incident had e$er happened. Harry s"pposed that0s )"st how it was in a #arge fa&i#y. He was sti## wary of 7i##! b"t the o#der &an had so far done nothing b"t be s"pporti$e since his first o"tb"rst. @=#ease te## &e /on and , get to p#an the 4tag 8ight.@ eorge s#id into a seat ne3t to Harry and gri&aced o$er at the wo&en. Harry grinned as /on )oined the&! sitting on the tab#e and swinging his #ong #egs. ,f his &other ca"ght hi&! she0d sco#d hi& and perhaps e$en set a pinching he3 on his bac-side! b"t she was rather preocc"pied right now! &eas"ring inny who was ro##ing her eyes and p"##ing a## sorts of faces. @, ha$e no idea!@ Harry shr"gged noncha#ant#y. @*#tho"gh yo"0## probab#y ha$e to fight 4iri"s o$er it.@ eorge0s eyebrows rose as if he re#ished the cha##enge.

@, hadn0t e$en tho"ght abo"t one! to be honest!@ Harry shr"gged. @E$erything is happening so 5"ic-#y.@ ,t had on#y been two wee-s since they0d anno"nced their engage&ent! and their other #itt#e secret! to the ;eas#eys. @Freight 2rain %o##y!@ /on nodded -nowing#y. @4he0## ha$e yo" hitched by the end of the wee-.@ @4o"nds good!@ Harry nodded. @ inny and ,0d do it tonight if she0d a##ow "s. ;e ta#-ed abo"t e#oping! act"a##y.@ 7oth &en s&ir-ed and Harry -new it was #"c-y inny had derai#ed that idea before Harry had gone too far with it. @%"& wo"#d ha$e -i##ed yo" for that.@ @;hich is why we didn0t!@ Harry pointed o"t. @;e fig"red we were on sha-y gro"nd a#ready.@ @,0& s"rprised the press hasn0t gotten wind of it yet! act"a##y!@ /on &"sed! nodding toward inny. Harry -new he was ta#-ing abo"t the baby! not the wedding. Harry gri&aced. @2hey wi## soon eno"gh. 2he news of the wedding bro-e fast eno"gh.@ @2hat0s what happens when yo" wander thro"gh 6iagon *##ey connected at the #ips to o"r sister! &ate!@ eorge s#apped Harry on the sho"#der. He co"#dn0t say he regretted it! rea##y. ;hat a co&ebac- to the ;i'arding wor#dB Head#ines a## o$er the p#ace were anno"ncing Harry0s ret"rn as we## as the wedding. 4pec"#ation abo"t the re#ationship was ripe and there were a h"ndred stories circ"#ating abo"t how and where they0d &et. Citt#e had been said abo"t inny0s ret"rn! other than her connection to Harry! which was fine with Harry. He0d rather the foc"s be on hi& than inny> she didn0t need any &ore stress right now. @:nce the hype o$er the wedding has died down! so&eone wi## notice that two &onths are &issing fro& the ti&e #ine!@ Harry sighed. @8ot that it &atters &"ch! anyway. ;hether it0s tr"e or not! they0re going to print it.@ @2hen don0t worry abo"t it!@ eorge shr"gged. @8o one who &atters cares.@ @2r"e!@ /on shr"gged. @4o! bac- to the 4tag 8ight.@ @2a#- to 4iri"s!@ Harry nodded. @,0d be "p for a p"b night.no strippers! tho"gh.@ @Ao"0re ta-ing a## the f"n o"t of this! yo" -now!@ eorge protested.

@Aeah! his wife &ight #et hi& get away with it if it was for yo"!@ /on pointed o"t. @8ot #i-e#y!@ Harry s&ir-ed. ,t see&ed! to hi&! that *nge#ina had eorge fair#y "nder contro#! if that was at a## possib#e. @*nd Her&ione wo"#dn0t be#ie$e it either.@ 7oth &en #oo-ed rather s"##en abo"t the who#e thing and Harry )"st #a"ghed at the&. @Ao" b#o-es so"nd #i-e yo"0re ha$ing &"ch &ore f"n than , a&!@ inny said s"#-i#y! wrapping her ar&s aro"nd Harry0s nec- fro& behind and -issing the top of his head. @;e0re trying to ta#- Harry o"t of &a-ing "s hire strippers for his 4tag 8ight!@ eorge said p#ain#y! &a-ing Harry near#y cho-e. @/ight!@ inny draw#ed. @*nd ,0& a Cr"&p#e9Horned 4nor-ac-.@ @* what?@ Harry as-ed! his eyebrow rising as both /on and eorge #a"ghed #o"d#y. @:h! Harry! yo" ha$e got to &eet C"na!@ inny #a"ghed! h"gging hi& e$en tighter. He t"gged her aro"nd "nti# she was sitting on his #ap sideways. @How #ong "nti# we can go ho&e?@ he as-ed soft#y! n"''#ing his nose into her nec-. @8one of that!@ eorge gr"&b#ed! abandoning his chair and &o$ing to the far side of the roo&! where he started ta#-ing to /e&"s. @Er! &ate! don0t ta-e this the wrong way! beca"se , rea##y #i-e yo"! b"t , can0t hand#e it when yo" two do that. ,t p"ts &e off &y dinner.@ /on s#id off the tab#e! b"t Harry bare#y noticed as inny0s fingernai#s were #ight#y scratching a#ong his nec- and into his hair#ine. @4oon!@ she pro&ised hi&. @%"& wants to do one &ore fitting to &a-e s"re the robes fit with the a#terations she0s done. 4he0s worried that they0## be too tight and show e$erything.@ @Can , see the&?@ Harry as-ed! twisting his fingers into the ends of her hair. @8o!@ inny gigg#ed. @%"& wo"#d -i## &e if , showed yo".@ @4o! #et &e get this straight!@ Harry &"sed. @4he -nows , see yo" na-ed on a reg"#ar basis! yet she0s worried that , &ay see the wedding robes?@ @Er! yeah!@ she s&ir-ed. @, didn0t say it &ade sense )"st that it has to be that way. 4"pposed#y it0s bad #"c- if yo" see &e in the& before.@ @, don0t be#ie$e in #"c-!@ Harry protested.

@:ne &ore wee-!@ inny said! her #ips ho$ering )"st beyond reach of his. @*nd then ,0## #et yo" see the&! right before , #et yo" ta-e the& off &e.@ @7ri##iant!@ Harry said! t"gging her c#ose eno"gh to -iss her thoro"gh#y. /e&"s watched s"##en#y fro& the corner of the roo&. He rea##y didn0t want to be here! b"t 4iri"s hadn0t gi$en hi& &"ch of a choice. He0d p"##ed the 0Harry needs "s0 card and /e&"s had -nown his n"&ber was "p. ;hat Harry needed the& for was sti## a &ystery! as he see&ed to be perfect#y content where he was! snogging the #ife o"t of inny ;eas#ey in the &idd#e of the 7"rrow. He0d -nown 2on-s was #i-e#y to be here.she was one of inny0s best friends and was probab#y standing "p at the wedding for her as we##. 4eeing her for the first ti&e since she0d as-ed hi& to stop co&ing aro"nd was &ore painf"# than he0d e3pected. He didn0t co"nt on &issing her so &"ch> the way she s&e##ed! the way she &ade hi& #a"gh! the way she "nderstood hi& far &ore than he wanted her to. @G"st get it o$er with!@ 4iri"s grow#ed 5"iet#y when he wa#-ed by! n"dging /e&"s on the sho"#der. /e&"s didn0t answer &ore than to g#are at his best &ate0s bac-. He had no do"bt that the pran-ing wo"#d esca#ate far beyond what it was if he dragged his feet any #onger. *#ready he was afraid to to"ch anything for fear it wo"#d disappear co&p#ete#y. First! it had been s&a## things aro"nd his roo& at 4iri"s0 ho"se: his g#asses! his hat! his winter c#oa-. He b#a&ed it on preocc"pation and o#d age "nti# it was #arger things that disappeared: his bed once! whi#e he was #aying on it! a chair in his roo&! a boo- he0d been reading. *nd )"st two days ago his c#othing had s"spicio"s#y beg"n $anishing. He was c"rrent#y wearing his #ast pair of pants and a pair of tro"sers that he had to &agica##y e3pand to &a-e fit hi&. eorge had been the first he0d s"spected! si&p#y beca"se of opport"nity.Harry had bro"ght hi& and /on to 4iri"s0 ho"se )"st #ast wee-.and se$era# snar-y co&&ents that eorge had &ade abo"t 2on-s0 attit"de. 7"t when his "nderpants had started disappearing! /e&"s0 s"spicions had shifted to 4iri"s. Fanishing "nderwear was definite#y &ore his sty#e. 4ad#y! /e&"s had a fee#ing that Harry -new e3act#y what was going on as we##. 2here were -nowing #oo-s traded between hi& and 4iri"s when /e&"s showed "p at the 7"rrow. @How0s it! /e&"s?@ eorge as-ed! sid#ing "p. His s&i#e was )"st a bit too wide.

6a&n. He -new as we##. @Fine!@ /e&"s bar-ed o"t! b"t his anger s#ow#y faded into )"st tiredness. @Ao" -now! , re&e&ber this one ti&e when *ngie was rea##y hac-ed off at &e!@ eorge said! g#ancing o$er at 2on-s! who was staring at the& now. /e&"s shifted "nco&fortab#y and #oo-ed down at his hands! twisting in his #ap. @*nd , had to #itera##y gro$e# on &y -nees to get her to ta#- to &e again.@ /e&"s sighed. @,0& not e$en s"re if , can get bac- in that way.@ @4o yo" at #east ad&it yo" want her bac-!@ eorge nodded. @2hat0s a start! , g"ess.@ @, )"st<, don0t thin- , can gi$e her what she wants.@ @;hat is that?@ eorge as-ed! #eaning on the -itchen wa## and st"dying 2on-s! who #oo-ed away. @;hat inny has!@ /e&"s sighed! nodding his head to where inny and Harry were ta#-ing 5"iet#y! their foreheads pressed together. @;hat inny has &a-es so&e of "s sic- at ti&es!@ eorge scoffed. @6id 2on-s as- yo" to &arry her? 6id she as- for the pac-age dea#?@ /e&"s opened his &o"th to respond! b"t the words died in his throat. 4he hadn't as-ed hi& for it! e$en tho"gh he s"spected it0s what she wanted. @,0## ta-e that as a no! then!@ eorge said! nodding tho"ghtf"##y. @Ao" ass"&e beca"se she and inny are friends that they want the sa&e thing.@ @,t0s what she wants!@ /e&"s said fir&#y. @%aybe so! b"t , once wanted an e#ephant as a pet!@ eorge shr"gged. @, was two! and cr"shed when %"& to#d Fred and &e that we were getting /on instead. ;e tried for years to spe## a tr"n- on hi&! yo" -now. G"st beca"se we want so&ething doesn0t &ean it wo"#d a#ways be best for "s! or it0s what we0re going to get. E$ent"a##y , got o$er the s#ight and #earned to accept /on! no &atter how grey9#ess and non9baggy he was.@ @4o yo"0re saying that sett#ing is what she sho"#d do?@ /e&"s h"ffed. @4ett#ing for so&ething other than what she deser$es.@ eorge s&i#ed wide#y. @*h! now we0re down to it. Ao" don0t thin- yo"0re what she deser$es.@ /e&"s shifted! wanting to be doing anything than disc"ssing this with +eorge of a## peop#e. @*re any of "s worthy of the&?@

@4o&e &ore than others!@ eorge shr"gged! his head bobbing to the side. @7"t! probab#y not. ,t see&s to &e that yo"0re &issing a -ey point! howe$er.@ 2he ;eas#ey twins had a#ways been too s&art for their own good. /e&"s sighed! -nowing there was no way to get o"t of this. @Ao" wo"#dn0t fee# this way "n#ess yo" rea##y #o$ed her.@ /e&"s0 )aw c#enched and his teeth gro"nd together. He #oo-ed "p! not e$en trying to disg"ise his staring at 2on-s. @*nd if yo" rea##y do #o$e her! yo"0## respect her &ore than yo" do right now.@ @, respect her i&&ense#y.@ @/ea##y?@ eorge as-ed! his eyebrows disappearing into his hair #ine. @7eca"se yo"0$e chosen to te## her! with yo"r actions! that what yo" want is &ore i&portant than what she wants! and that no &atter what her choice is that yo" don0t thin- it0s the right one. 4he0s chosen yo"! /e&"s.@ His heart twisted as he rea#i'ed that it was a## tr"e. He #o$ed 2on-s! he rea##y did. 4he was e$erything to hi&! b"t she deser$ed so &"ch &ore than he was. ;hat if! by trying to gi$e her what he tho"ght she deser$ed! he was rea##y robbing her of what she desired? 2on-s &et his ga'e and he#d it for a #ong ti&e! "nti# he had to #oo- away. ,t was sti## there .deep in her eyes was the #o$e that he co"#dn0t deny any #onger. He fe#t her &o$e across the roo&! fe#t each step she too- toward hi& #i-e an e#ectrica# charge in the air. @, was s"rprised that yo" ca&e tonight.@ Her $oice so"nded foreign> #i-e a #ang"age that he didn0t -now how to spea-! b"t tho"ght it was bea"tif"# at the sa&e ti&e. @4iri"s<@ He trai#ed off! tired of #ying to both of the&. @, wanted to co&e!@ he re$ised his state&ent. @For Harry!@ 2on-s nodded. @Aes!@ he nodded! @b"t a#so<to see yo" again.@ @Ao" can0t ha$e it both ways! %oony.@ He nodded at her forcef"# state&ent and pretended that there weren0t too &any ears in this roo& #istening in.

@, -now.@ He #oo-ed "p her again! s"rprised when she sat down ne3t to hi&. @;hat do yo" want?@ @/ight now?@ she s&ir-ed. @, rather fancy another one of %o##y0s raspberry tarts! b"t ,0& afraid ,0## pop &y tro"ser b"tton if , do.@ He tried hard not to s&i#e! b"t it ha#f appeared anyway. @, &eant.@ @, -now what yo" &eant!@ she sighed. @,s it o-ay if , don0t rea##y -now?@ 2he answer s"rprised hi& b"t he nodded )er-i#y. @,<, thin- so.@ @7eca"se what , want changes on a dai#y basis!@ 2on-s e3p#ained. @*nd ,0& fair#y easy to p#ease! &ost of the ti&e. , thin-<, thin- , )"st want to -now where , stand. , don0t #i-e the dar-! yo" -now.@ @, re&e&ber!@ he nodded. For an *"ror! /e&"s had fo"nd it ironic that 2on-s had to s#eep with a #ight on.she honest#y co"#dn0t s#eep if it was too dar-. 4he st"died hi& for a &in"te before shr"gging. @, co"#d "se a date to the wedding. *nd , don0t rea##y fancy as-ing Char#ie ;eas#ey. He doesn0t dance as we## as so&e peop#e.@ * h"ndred &e&ories p#ayed thro"gh his &ind of their ti&e together! &a-ing hi& fee# #i-e an arse for a## that he0d p"shed away. @2hat0s a## , rea##y need right now. ,0## #et yo" -now if , can thin- of so&ething e#se.@ @7esides the tart.@ @, changed &y &ind abo"t wanting the tart.@ @Fig"res.@ He s&i#ed down at his hands! beco&ing $ery aware of how 5"iet it was aro"nd the&. 7"t the roo& was sti## f"##.e$eryone was staring at the& and he shifted "nco&fortab#y. @4o! are yo" free ne3t wee-? 4ay<on the eighteenth?@ @, &ay be!@ /e&"s nodded. @*#tho"gh , do ha$e to warn yo"! , &ay ha$e to co&e to the wedding wearing abso#"te#y nothing. 4iri"s has char&ed e$erything , own to disappear.@ @8ice!@ she nodded! the corners of her &o"th twitching. @, &ay be ab#e to ta-e care of that for yo".@ @,0d appreciate it!@ he nodded. 2hey were 5"iet for a few &in"tes before he #oo-ed at her again. @,0& sorry! 6ora.@

@,0& wi##ing to gi$e yo" another chance!@ she said soft#y. @8o pro&ises! fro& either of "s! other than if either of "s acts #i-e an arse! there wi## be conse5"ences.@ He swa##owed thic-#y! his heart po"nding away in his chest. * second chance. :r perhaps it was a h"ndred ones that had passed before. @, appreciate it.@ 4he s#id off the stoo# she was sitting on. @,f yo" want to -now who char&ed yo"r st"ff! tho"gh! ,0d #oo- beyond 4iri"s.@ /e&"s0 head snapped "p as she wa#-ed away! his eyes narrowing at 4iri"s! who was standing ne3t to a s&ir-ing Harry and inny. 6a&n. He0d been co&p#ete#y had. 2he wedding had been nice! b"t this was so &"ch better! inny decided. 2he sa#ty! war& air b#ew in thro"gh the door to the ba#cony! bi##owing the wispy c"rtains o"t toward the roo&. ;hen Harry had insisted on a honey&oon away fro& Eng#and! inny had been s-eptica#. /ea##y! they sho"#d be ho&e! setting "p the n"rsery and getting things sett#ed. 7"t Harry ass"red her that a## of that co"#d wait! that they needed this escape. *nd he0d been right. inny had been away fro& Eng#and! b"t ne$er to a p#ace #i-e this before! with white sand! crysta# b#"e waters! and the sweet scent of fr"it in the air. 2hey0d been here for two wee-s! to&orrow was their #ast day. ,t was going to be hard to #ea$e! &ost#y beca"se here e$erything was abo"t )"st the two of the&. ;hen they ret"rned to Eng#and! the wor#d was waiting. Her hand strayed down to co$er Harry0s on her be##y.a be##y that was fir& and )"st t"rning ro"nd. Harry see&ed "tter#y fascinated by the fact that he co"#d see her baby b"&p now and spent ho"rs r"bbing his hand o$er it "nti# the s-in was a#&ost too sensiti$e to the to"ch. 7"t she co"#dn0t ho#d it against hi&. For hi&! the pregnancy was s"ch an intangib#e thing! and it wo"#d be for a few &ore wee-s! "nti# he co"#d rea##y fee# the baby &o$e. 2he day before the wedding! the &idwife had ta"ght the& a char& to be ab#e to hear the baby0s heartbeat. inny0s eyes fi##ed with tears )"st thin-ing abo"t it now> the soft #itt#e th"&p9th"&p that so"nded #i-e tiny #itt#e horses r"nning inside her.that was their baby. 4he sho"#d rea##y be s#eeping! #i-e Harry was.his soft snores were r"ff#ing the ends of her hair a#ong her sho"#der.b"t she )"st co"#dn0t see& to 5"iet her &ind right now. 2here was )"st too &"ch to thin- abo"t.

;as it rea##y on#y a handf"# of wee-s ago that her #ife had been going nowhere? ,t fe#t #i-e years and years. 7"t then Harry had fo"nd her! had st"&b#ed on the #itt#e p"b she wor-ed in! s&i#ed his croo-ed s&i#e and #oo-ed at her thro"gh g#asses s&"dged with his fingerprints. 2hey0d fo"nd each other! rea##y> sa$ed each other fro& the b#eary #one#iness that crept in too c#ose at ti&es. *nd now they had each other to c#ing to.the& against the wor#d. *s if sensing her tho"ghts! Harry0s fingers f#ared o$er the baby and r"bbed #ight#y! his breathing deepening again after a #ong &o&ent. 2ogether! the three of the& co"#d do anything. The 3nd A/N: I ho"e everyone has en%oyed this short little %o$rney into another H1 story. I had a good time writing it. )hanks goes to !lla who "oked and "rodded me the whole way to take a break from real life long eno$gh to get this down on "a"er. No one motivates me like yo$ do, !l. )hanks to everyone who has read and reviewed.