In Search Of by hgfan1111 Storylink: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6922211/1/ Content: Chapter 1 to 5 of 5 chapters Source: FanFiction.net Summary: Harry an !

inny nee a "itt"e pri#ate ti$e an %&na has the perfect answer: a trip to Swe en to h&nt the i""&si#e Cr&$p"e'Horne Snor(ac() *+pansion of the origina" %i#e,o&rna" H! Seasonsfest 2-1- pro$pt.

*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1: In Search Of Time

.&thor/s 0otes: 1his was a f&n "itt"e ,o&rney that $y $&se ragge $e a"ong on. Ha#e f&n rea ing) 2&"ie was a h&ge enco&rage$ent &ring the process an 3 as &s&a"3 4athy wor(e her beta $agic. Chapter 1: In Search OfTime Trouble In Paradise For Newlywed Potters? By Glow Pushbody Rumors abound that The Chosen One and his wife of just over two years Ginevra !easley "Chaser for the #olyhead #ar$ies% are headed toward a $ossible s$lit& !hatever will our beloved hero do with a bro'en heart? (lthou)h notorious for lovin) their $riva*y the *ou$le has been si)hted several times at lo*al $la*es in the Godri*+s #ollow area& The sho*'in) s*andal of this whole affair is the *om$lete la*' of intima*y between them& One sour*e tells us that they didn+t hold hands the entire time they were in her establishment nor did they share more than a few *li$$ed $hrases between them& Our fre,uent readers will remember the heartbrea'in) tale of the *ou$le+s ruined tri$ to -han)ri./a just months a)o& Re$orts of ar)uments in $ort'ey stations yellin) behind *losed doors and )eneral misbehavior astounded us all& Could that have been the brea'in) $oint in the now.s$iralin) marria)e? !hat was on*e rumored to be a hot relationshi$ now seems to be fi00lin) rather than si00lin)& 1ee$ your eyes here dear readers and we+ll brin) you the latest )ossi$ about our beloved Boy !ho /ived and his 2uiddit*h.obsessed *om$anion& Those who are in the 'now 'now to turn here for all the jui*iest news3 4our devoted *orres$ondent Glow 1hey both "ay on their be 3 too tire to get &p an $a(e a proper s&pper3 too tire to thin( of $ore creati#e ways to spen their ti$e.

56e/re pathetic35 !inny gr&$b"e into the &#et. She was "ying on her sto$ach3 spraw"e across the "ower ha"f of the be whi"e Harry too( the &pper ha"f. She ha n/t e#en f&""y change o&t of her practice (it before co""apsing there3 besi e Harry3 who ha been napping when she got ho$e. He wasn/t $&ch better3 cr&$p"ing his .&ror robes beneath hi$ an sti"" wearing his g"asses. Harry ga#e a sigh that was s"ight"y a$&se 3 b&t $ost"y apathetic. 5Can/t fin the energy to $o#e.5 !inny force herse"f to ro"" onto her si e an "oo(e at his profi"e. It wasn/t that their $arriage was sta"e7they/ on"y been $arrie for two years3 for 8er"in/s sa(e7an they sti"" ha p"enty of se+3 b&t so$ething was off. .n !inny was pretty s&re she (new ,&st what it was. 1hey were both p&tting in atrocio&s ho&rs at wor(. Harry was a #ancing &p the ran(s of the .&rors ,&st "i(e she/ a"ways (nown he wo&" 9 he ne#er ga#e hi$se"f eno&gh cre it for how bri""iant he was at what he i . .n she was stretche to the "i$it with her co$$it$ents to the Harpies. 1here were practices an ga$es3 inter#iews an appearances3 en orse$ents an strategy $eetings. ."" of it co$bine to "ea#e the$ "itt"e ti$e together. .n when they i $anage to s:&ee;e so$e ti$e for the$se"#es it was a"ways te$pere with the rea"ity that so$eone wo&" encroach so$ewhere. If her fa$i"y wasn/t f"ooing in at a"" ti$es3 the press was sta"(ing the$ thro&gh <iagon .""ey3 snapping pict&res. 1he hea "ines were eno&gh to sen !inny /ro&n the twist. 2&st the other ay= 0o) She ref&se to thin( abo&t that r& y artic"e in that ri ic&"o&s gossip co"&$n. .n she ref&se to thin( abo&t how satisfying it wo&" be to $arch own to that rag of a paper an sho#e the artic"e= 0o o&bt any action wo&" bring another sa"acio&s hea "ine an h&n re s of ow"s bac( to pec( o&t their win ows. 5It/s ays "i(e to ay that $a(e $e thin( none of it is worth it. 8aybe I wasn/t c&t o&t for this.5 Harry t&rne his hea towar her s"ow"y an his han s"i into hers3 the war$th of his pa"$ we"co$ing. 56hich part wo&" yo& gi#e &p> 8e or ?&i itch>5 He (new the answer3 chee(y $an9 the s$i"e that t&gge at the corners of his $o&th was eno&gh to ass&re !inny. She wasn/t going to gi#e hi$ &p3 e#er. She/ "aste a"" thro&gh schoo" an thro&gh a war9 a few press artic"es weren/t going to brea( her. 51hat/s a to&gh choice35 she sai 3 5@o& (now how $&ch I "o#e ?&i itch.5

Harry/s s$i"e wi ene an he t&c(e one han beneath his chee(3 c&r"ing his who"e bo y towar her. 56e nee $ore ti$e together.5 !inny snorte ine"egant"y. 5@eah3 yo& $ean $ore opport&nity for the$ to spec&"ate on the $i""ion things going wrong in o&r $arriage.5 He ch&c("e b&t shoo( his hea . 50o3 I $ean ti$e. ."tho&gh3 they o ha#e a (nac( for $&c(ing &p the si$p"est of things an $a(ing it see$ "i(e we/re hea e for r&in3 on/t they> 1he b"o(es were ta(ing the piss the other ay abo&t that one artic"e.5 She grow"e "ow in her chest an scow"e . 51he one where so$e bint saw &s at the $ar(et an eci e that the who"e two $in&tes spent in there gathering necessities was eno&gh to f"oo that a$ne gossip co"&$nist abo&t>5 56ho wo&" ha#e tho&ght b&ying toi"et paper an a bag of crisps wo&" en o&r $arriage.5 He see$e $&ch $ore a$&se by the who"e i ea than !inny was3 b&t3 then again3 he/ been ea"ing with this sort of thing far "onger than she ha . 5Or that o&r "itt"e isagree$ent o#er the port(ey arri#a" ti$e "ast s&$$er wo&" signa" how wrong we were for each other.5 It was easier to see the who"e sit&ation as f&nny if she istance herse"f fro$ it3 !inny s&ppose . She shifte &nti" they were c& "e together3 faces on"y inches apart. 5.n yo&3 sir3 ha#e got to o so$ething abo&t those te$per tantr&$s yo&/re fa$o&s for) .nyone wo&" ha#e tho&ght yo& were beating $e to eath in that hote" roo$.5 Harry grinne an "eane &p to (iss her. 5I be"ie#e they ca"" that passion3 8rs. Aotter. .n 3 as I reca""3 yo& weren/t co$p"aining at the ti$e.5 5If I ha any energy "eft3 8r. Aotter3 I/ $a(e yo& re$in $e ,&st what I fo&n so horrifying abo&t it a"".5 1hey (isse "a;i"y for a few $in&tes an then sett"e own into each other/s ar$s.

5I/$ near"y finishe with the season35 she $&r$&re . Her fingers trace a"ong Harry/s ar$ s"ow"y3 raising the hairs there an then s$oothing the$ bac( own. 58aybe we can stea" so$e ti$e then>5 5@eah3 b&t then we/#e got the ho"i ays35 Harry sai . 5.n yo&r $other has a"rea y infor$e $e that we/re re,uired to be there since we $isse Christ$as "ast year.5 1he re$in er of a string of entire ays spent in be an e+p"oring their new ho$e bro&ght a s$i"e to !inny/s face. 5It was o&r first $arrie Christ$as3 what i she e+pect>5 Harry "a&ghe an ran his fingers thro&gh her hair. 5I o&bt she e+pecte what Bon wa"(e in on.5

!inny grinne . ."tho&gh it ha been horrifying at the ti$e3 ha#ing her o" er brother f"oo in an catch the$ on the "i#ing roo$ sofa3 she fo&n it i$$ense"y en,oyab"e now as Bon t&rne fo&r ifferent sha es of re an sp"&ttere "i(e a sic( cr&p when she re$in e hi$. 5Ser#es hi$ right3 the git.5 5It $ight be f&n to go so$ewhere= So$ewhere the press won/t fo""ow3 an won/t care what we get &p to.5 !inny scoffe at the i ea an proppe herse"f on Harry/s chest. 5@es3 beca&se o&r "ast trip was s&ch a h&ge s&ccess.5 51hat was inot/i $y fa&"t35 Harry sai pointe "y. 5!eorge reco$$en e that tra#e" b"o(e. How was I to (now he/ go an se"" a"" o&r secrets to the press>5 It was no &se ragging it a"" &p again3 beca&se it wo&" si$p"y &pset the$ both. .n !inny i n/t want to thin( of the pict&res that one ca$era $an ha capt&re before Harry s&$$one his ca$era an a$age the fi"$ beyon sa"#aging. .t "east ithose/i ha n/t been printe . Her $other wo&" ne#er forgi#e top"ess antics3 e#en if they were in a su$$osedly pri#ate swi$$ing poo". 56e/"" ,&st ha#e to be $ore caref&" this ti$e35 !inny sai . 5A"an e#erything o&rse"#es. 8aybe e#en &se po"y,&ice. 1here/s ti$e to $a(e &p so$e batches. Co$e to thin( of it3 !eorge has a who"e she"f of #ia"s of the st&ff at the shop7I chose not to as( why when I saw the$ there.5 Harry gri$ace an twir"e a "oc( of her hair aro&n his finger. 5@eah3 b&t it sort of efeats the p&rpose3 yo& (now> 6hen I/$ a"one with yo&3 I want to be a"one with you.5 !inny grinne . 5@o& on/t e#er fantasi;e abo&t $e "oo(ing ifferent> Or e#en being so$eone ifferent>5 His eyebrow rose s"ow"y. 5I thin( yo&/re trying to trap $e into saying so$ething st&pi an then I/"" en &p s"eeping on the sofa.5 She "a&ghe an p"ante a :&ic( (iss on his "ips. 5I ha n/t tho&ght of it that way.5 5@o&/re eno&gh for $e3 !in. !reat 8er"in) 6hat wo&" I o with anyone e"se>5 5!oo answer35 she $&r$&re against his "ips. 1hey "ay own together3 each "ost in their own tho&ghts. 1he i ea of p"anning a trip co$p"ete with secret "ocations3 &n erco#er i entities3 an snea(ing aro&n "i(e so$e spy so&n e thoro&gh"y e+ha&sting. 5So$ewhere foreign>5 she as(e .

Harry h&$$e nonco$$itta""y. 58aybe.5 5.$erica>5 51oo crow e .5 5France> I/$ s&re F"e&r wo&" "o#e to te"" &s a"" the p"aces we sho&" go.5 51oo=French.5 He ch&c("e as they too( t&rns "isting ho"i ay "ocations3 each growing $ore e+otic than the "ast. 5So$ewhere 8&gg"e then>5 !inny as(e . 58a,orca>5 50o) !reat 8er"in3 no35 Harry b&rst o&t. 56ith o&r "&c( we/ r&n into the <&rs"eys. O&r roo$s wo&" be a ,acent an then I/ ha#e to hear Cnc"e Dernon co$p"ain abo&t how "o& an inconsi erate we were3 an see .&nt Aet&nia "oo( own her nose at &s.5 !inny grow"e "ow in her throat. 50ot at a"". 1hey/ ne#er "i#e past the first $eeting.5 He s$i"e an t&c(e her hair behin her ear3 a fon "oo( on his face. 58y "itt"e warrior. 6e/"" thin( of so$e p"ace3 I pro$ise. So$ewhere where it oesn/t $atter what we o3 or who sees &s. I on/t want to be po"y,&ice 3 b&t a ecent na$e change $ight wor( to hi e who we are.5 58r. an 8rs. Booni" 6a;"ib35 !inny sai 3 5,&st o&t for a p"easant ho"i ay.5 Harry "a&ghe . 5*+act"y.5 !inny arri#e "ate for "&nch3 b&t %&na i n/t see$ to $in . She ha on her Spectrespecs an see$e to be co$p"ete"y enthra""e in watching the crow passing by on <iagon .""ey. 5Oh3 he""o3 !inny.5 5I/$ so sorry I/$ "ate3 %&na. I nee e to rop a pac(age off at the E&rrow an 8&$ cornere $e abo&t Christ$as. .n yo& (now how she "o#es to ta"(. I i n/t thin( I/ e#er get o&t of there)5 %&na s"ippe her g"asses off an s$i"e serene"y. 56ere yo& "ate> I ha n/t notice . I was perfect"y content sitting right here3 watching the $o" biters o#er there near the ca&" ron shop.5 !inny3 co$p"ete"y &se to %&na/s o so$ething that so&n e goo . ities3 on"y no e an per&se the $en& for

51hey/re :&ite $es$eri;ing3 yo& (now3 the way they wa"( bac(war s an yet sti"" $anage to a#oi getting steppe on3 or eaten by ow"s. <a y an I ha#e been ta"(ing to Hagri abo&t bree ing the$3 yo& (now. 1he on"y g"itch has been the fact that they/re in#isib"e to the na(e eye3 so Hagri is concerne he $ight not (now when they nee he"p gi#ing birth.5 5How fascinating3 yet horrifying at the sa$e ti$e.5 !inny co&" see how in#isib"e3 tiny creat&res roa$ing Hagri /s h&t in $isery $ight be an iss&e. 1hey or ere their "&nch an ta"(e a$icab"y abo&t their "i#es3 catching &p on %&na/s wor" tra#e"s an !inny/s ?&i itch $atches an $arriage. %&na reache o#er an patte !inny/s han gent"y. 5I want yo& to (now that I on/t be"ie#e a wor that 6itch 6ee("y prints in that gossip co"&$n. It/s not fit to "ine the botto$ of an ow" cage.5 !inny was s&rprise by the #eno$ in %&na/s wor s an ga#e a gratef&" no . 5Oh3 we""3 er= 6e on/t rea""y ta(e it serio&s"y3 yo& (now. It/s certain"y not nice to wa(e &p to o;ens of ow"s with threatening "etters an s&ch3 b&t we/#e gotten goo at ignoring it a"".5 5!oo 35 %&na sai . 5.nyone who tr&"y sees yo& an Harry together wi"" (now i$$e iate"y that yo&/re so&" $ates.5 Eoth wo$en s$i"e . !inny wasn/t s&re she be"ie#e in the concept of so&" $ates3 b&t hearing how strong"y %&na be"ie#e in she an Harry was nice. 5<a y an I wo&" ne#er thin( of writing abo&t yo&r pri#ate "i#es3 &n"ess3 of co&rse3 yo& wante &s to. E&t there are so $any $ore interesting s&b,ects o&t there3 on/t yo& thin(>5 5<efinite"y.5 5.fter a""3 who cares if Harry was arreste for posing as the B&ssian .$bassa or to .&stra"ia>5 !inny "a&ghe at the re$in er of the $is&n erstan ing on their honey$oon. She ha meant to Conf&n the reporter fo""owing the$3 not #arry3 b&t she panic(e an the Eabb"ing He+ that fo""owe went astray as we"". .t "east she/ been ab"e to ta"( the two .&rors into ropping the charges an "oo(ing the other way for a few a&tographs an tic(ets to an *ng"an /Ita"y e+hibition $atch3 rather than ha#ing to bai" Harry o&t of etention. .n poor Harry ha no i ea what ha gone on or why peop"e were congrat&"ating hi$ on his appoint$ent as they "eft the 8inistry in Bo$e. 5Ho"i ays rea""y ha#en/t been o&r strong s&it3 ha#e they>5 !inny as(e . She r&bbe her forehea an trie to i$agine where on earth they co&" isappear to after Christ$as. So far neither of the$ ha been s&ccessf&" in co$ing &p with i eas.

56hat yo& nee is for so$eone to p"an it a"" for yo&35 %&na sai tho&ghtf&""y3 5that way yo&/re not bothere with the etai"s an yo& can rea""y ,&st spen ti$e together.5 56e trie that35 !inny sai with a gri$ace. 5Shangri'%a. !eorge (new a b"o(e who sai he/ be iscreet with the etai"s. I (new I sho&" ha#e he+e !eorge years ago9 his b&siness connections are a"ways on the :&estionab"e si e. I sho&" ha#e (nown when the b"o(e bragge abo&t getting !eorge his s&pp"y of E&n i$&n secretions an ha#ing to s$&gg"e the$ into the co&ntry isg&ise as a hag with a hare"ip. 0othing goo co&" co$e of that sort of story.5 5I $eant so$eone yo& tr&st35 %&na sai . 5So$eone who tra#e"s eno&gh to (now the best p"aces where yo& wo&" n/t be bothere . So$eone who wo&" n/t be notice han "ing a"" the etai"s of s&ch a trip.5 !inny/s s$i"e grew wi er an wi er as she consi ere %&na/s offer. 5E&t=are yo& s&re yo& co&" han "e p"anning so$ething "i(e that>5 %&na "oo(e s&rprise 3 a"tho&gh it was so$eti$es har to te"" with her. 58e> I was thin(ing 0e#i""e3 b&t=5 She trai"e off an was :&iet for a few $in&tes3 staring with wi e3 &nb"in(ing eyes before she starte an ga#e a fir$ no . 5E&t yo&/#e ta"(e $e into it.5 !inny fe"t re"ie#e eno&gh to s:&ea" with happiness. She an Harry tr&ste %&na with their "i#es an (new their frien wo&" n/t "et the$ own. .n $aybe they/ ha#e a gran a #ent&re whi"e they were at it. 5.re yo& s&re>5 5Of co&rse. I ha#e a trip co$ing &p ,&st after the ho"i ays that I/#e been p"anning for wee(s. 0ewt Sca$an er an I ha#e been writing bac( an forth for years now7"et $e te"" yo&3 it/s not easy rea ing his han writing7an he/s in#ite $e to co$e an #isit one of his sco&ting sites. I thin( bringing yo& an Harry a"ong with $e wo&" be ,&st "o#e"y)5 She so&n e so e+cite an her enth&sias$ was catching. Honest"y3 !inny i n/t care where they went3 as "ong as no one wo&" be fo""owing3 snapping pict&res a"ong the way. .n a nat&re'base trip $ight ,&st be the tic(et. It was a perfect co#er for a :&ic( "itt"e ho"i ay. 5Eri""iant. I can/t wait to te"" Harry)5 Harry was p"easant"y sipping his secon c&p of spi(e eggnog when Bon cornere hi$. 5.re yo& bar$y>5

5On"y on 1h&rs ays35 Harry answere chee(i"y. He watche !inny fro$ across the roo$ as she sw&ng "itt"e 1e y &p into her ar$s an c& "e hi$ c"ose"y3 bringing a wi" ro&n of "a&ghter an cyc"ing hair co"ors as the "itt"e boy c"&ng to her. She was bri""iant with chi" ren an he co&" n/t wait &nti" they were ab"e to ha#e a few of their own. 5@o&/re "etting %oony %o#egoo p"an yo&r ho"i ay.5 Bon peere c"ose"y at hi$ an then at his c&p. 5<i !eorge s"ip yo& so$ething>5 Harry t&rne to his frien an "a&ghe . 56e tr&st %&na3 Bon. .n I thin( it/"" be great. .fter a""3 anything she p"ans can/t be worse than what we/#e a"rea y gone thro&gh3 right>5 5Oh3 I ha#e no o&bt yo&/re in for an a #ent&re3 it is /una after a"". .n yo& (now I "o#e her3 b&t=5 He ga#e a paine 3 wary "oo( that $a e Harry "a&gh. 56e""3 I thin( it/s a gran i ea35 !eorge sai as he ,oine the con#ersation. 5%&na/s a"ways goo for a "a&gh3 an I can on"y i$agine the p"aces yo&/"" see. Ee s&re to bring $e so$ething nice.5 Harry stare at his brother'in'"aw incre &"o&s"y. 5I o&ght to bring yo& a heaping pi"e of n&n & &ng after yo& st&c( &s with that tra#e" b"o(e)5 !eorge ha the goo grace to "oo( sheepish. 5@eah3 I to" yo& I was sorry abo&t that. .n !inny/s a"rea y he+e $e se#en ways fro$ S&n ay. E&t=if yo& happen on so$e n&n & roppings3 I co&" &se the$.5 He wagg"e his eyebrows an then s(irte behin the$3 o&t of the watchf&" eye of both .nge"ina3 who was "arge"y pregnant an #ery testy3 an his $other3 who was not &e to gi#e birth b&t sti"" ha an eag"e'eye for $ischie#o&s sons. 5Ear$y ass35 Bon $&ttere . He an Harry share a ch&c("e that grew into a eeper "a&gh. It fe"t goo to si$p"y re"a+. 1hings ha been hectic at the 8inistry before the ho"i ays7 the rash of $ist"etoe he+ing ha perp"e+e 8&gg"e an 6i;ar a"i(e for wee(s7an the Harpies ha (ept !inny r&nning so that he an !inny ha bare"y share a few phrases in passing. He co&" n/t re$e$ber the "ast ti$e they/ sat an ha a f&"" $ea" together. .n whi"e they $anage so$e sto"en (isses an caresses3 an a co&p"e of :&ic(ies on #ario&s s&rfaces in the ho&se3 Harry was "oo(ing forwar to escaping it a"". 5<o yo& e#en (now where yo&/re going>5 Harry grinne happi"y. 50ot a c"&e. %&na/s sen ing a "ist of what to pac( ne+t wee( an we/"" "ea#e whene#er she sen s the port(ey. It/s sort of=freeing3 yo& (now3 not ha#ing to worry abo&t the etai"s.5 Bon snorte an shoo( his hea . 5@o&/re either bra#er than $e3 $ate3 or co$p"ete"y3 irre#ocab"y insane. .n 3 yes before yo& as(3 I (now what irre#ocab"y $eans.5

Harry bit his "ip to (eep fro$ "a&ghing3 beca&se he ha been abo&t to as(. .pparent"y3 being $arrie to Her$ione was in ee changing Bon3 or at "east broa ening his #ocab&"ary. 56hat can I say>5 he as(e . 5I/$ a"" abo&t a #ent&re an the thri"" of not (nowing where I/$ going to wa(e &p.5 1hey share a grin an c"in(e c&ps together before wa"(ing across the roo$ to ,oin the rest of the fa$i"y.

*Chapter 2*: Chapter 2: In Search Of Us

Chapter 2: In Search ofUs Terrible Tales -till Pla)ue Photo.Timid Potters By Glow Pushbody 5y most faithful readers this re$orter has been witness to some s*andalous affairs in the $ast "see /udo Ba)man /u*'y In /ove (t /ast Or 6leven Time /oser re*a$$ed on $a)e 7 and Is That Really ( !and In 5yron !a)tail+s Po*'et Or Is #e 8ust #a$$y To -ee 6veryone re$rinted on $a)e 9% but the *ontinued downward $ro)ression of our adored #arry Potter+s nu$tials is amon) the saddest I *an truly say I+ve witnessed& It seems months sin*e we+ve seen a $hoto)ra$h of the !i0ardin) #ero where he was truly ha$$y& Oh some of you may $oint to the weddin) s$read done by 1he ?&ibb"er3 or the en)a)ement $hoto)ra$h $ublished in 1he <ai"y Arophet as eviden*e that I+m off my ro*'er but I have reason to believe it+s all been a horrifi* ruse to hide $oor #arry+s man)led heart from the $ubli*& -u*h a noble youn) thin) he is3 4our fearless re$orter Glow.In.The.1now has now un*overed eviden*e that 5r& Potter has ta'en a leave of absen*e from the 5inistry+s (uror :ivision in order to sort out the *harred remains of his love life& #is wife Ginevra Potter is *urrently off season with the #ar$ies who de*lined my re,uest for a statement& 5rs& Potter+s family also de*lined to answer any ,uestions and were rude enou)h to threaten me at wand.$oint if you *an believe it& !e here at 6itch 6ee("y are sym$atheti* to the distrau)ht feelin)s that must be $revalent in the !easley family at this time but it doesn+t e;*use su*h dis*ourteous behavior& Our thou)hts )o out to the family and friends at su*h a tra)i* time and we ho$e that they *an *ome to )ri$s with the s$lit between our beloved $air&

!hile the *ou$le seems to have disa$$eared I have un*overed eviden*e that they are under)oin) intensive *ou$le+s thera$y at an undis*losed lo*ation to try and de*ide u$on an ami*able division& #ave no fear dear readers your thirst for 'nowled)e will 'ee$ me $ressin) on until the bitter end until we have every last detail of the minute.by.minute tra)edy unfoldin)& In fa*t your res$onse to the !i0ardin) !orld+s #ero and his marital woes have overwhelmed us so mu*h that 6itch 6ee("y will be sendin) out s$e*ial daily editions "at a mea)er e;tra three 'nuts an issue% for all our loyal followers& 1ee$ your eyes here for all the latest so you li'e me will be in the 'now& 4ours always even in sorrow Glow& Harry "oo(e &p an own the o "itt"e inn an then t&rne to "oo( at %&na. She was staring b"issf&""y &p at the f"oors that were stac(e as(ew. It was painte bright ye""ow with shoc(ing b"&e Dictorian tri$ f&"" of "oops an scro""'wor( that was :&ite i$pressi#e3 b&t i$possib"y cobb"e together. 5It re$in s $e of the E&rrow35 he $&$b"e . !inny n& ge his si e an they share a grin. 5Oh3 is it f&"" of $y fa#orite peop"e3 as we"">5 1hey both "a&ghe at %&na/s innocent :&estion an Harry bent to "ift his an !inny/s bags. 56e""3 on"y one way to fin o&t3 I s&ppose.5 5Oh3 yes35 !inny sai . 5.ny p"ace that "oo(s "i(e that re:&ires f&rther inspection.5 .s he s&specte 3 the Ee an Erea(fast was $&ch "arger on the insi e than it origina""y appeare . Insi e the "obby was a p&re white gran piano being p"aye by a ghost"y specter. 5How o yo& thin( he=5 !inny trai"e off3 staring at the sight. 5His fingers sho&" go right thro&gh=5 5It/s $agic3 "o#e35 Harry sai . 1hey "a&ghe an fo""owe %&na as she $arche towar the gran co&nter an the $an who "oo(e too thin an ta"" to be a""owe . He was stoope &p against the cei"ing a"$ost3 an ha to &c( his hea to $iss r&nning into the i$pressi#e chan e"ier that h&ng abo#e hi$. Harry set the bags own an t&rne in p"ace3 eyes wi e. It was tr&"y a$a;ing3 he tho&ght3 that this "itt"e p"ace co&" be f&"" of s&ch gran e&r. 0ot on"y that3 b&t it was sitting s$ac( ab in the $i "e of a p&re white p"ane of snow. Off behin the ho&se was a ar( "ine of trees that e#ent&a""y "e to the range of $o&ntains ca""e 1he Fe""s that %&na be"ie#e ho&se her e"&si#e Cr&$p"e'Horne Snor(ac(.

Honest"y3 Harry i n/t care if there were a her of ne#er'seen'before Finnish Co" winge !"ow'in'the'<ar( ragons3 as "ong as there was a war$ be with his an !inny/s na$e on it3 an no reporter in sight. So far3 they/ been #ery fort&nate an ha n/t been spotte at a"" on their trip. 5%&na is p"anning e#ery sing"e ho"i ay fro$ now on35 !inny $&r$&re . She3 ,&st "i(e Harry3 was ta(ing it a"" in. Harry ha to agree9 e#erything ha been perfect"y s$ooth3 a"tho&gh s"ight"y o 3 on the trip so far. E&t he co&" han "e o . 56e/re a"" set)5 %&na sai . She grinne an han e the$ an o "y shape (ey. It was hea#y3 $a e of cast iron3 an "oope with a garish orange ribbon. 5@o& two are on the Cottage f"oor. I/$ on the Swa$p one.5 She s(ippe off3 hea ing towar a gran staircase3 her s$a"" r&c(sac( ho#ering a"ong behin her. 5I rea""y on/t want to (now35 Harry sai . 5E&t I/$ #ery g"a we got the cottage.5 5I $ight ha#e to strang"e her if we/ gotten the swa$p35 sai !inny. 1hey each grabbe a bag an fo""owe %&na &p. 1he gran e&r an $a,esty of the reception area fa e an Harry was &ni$presse to fin a narrow3 cra$pe staircase with o "y &ne#en stairs. 1his ho"i ay was getting stranger by the $in&te3 b&t he was sti"" happy. 0ot one ca$era f"ash b"in ing hi$3 not one nosy reporter begging for a :&ote or as(ing bar$y :&estions. One &n&s&a" "itt"e Ee an Erea(fast certain"y co&" n/t a$pen his spirits right now. On the secon f"oor they ran into a "arge3 ro&n $an who was str&gg"ing to "e#itate se#era" tr&n(s at once &p the stairs3 an Harry/s reso"#e was teste . He re$in e Harry of Horace S"&ghorn3 b&t with an i$possib"e !er$an accent. .n he gr&$b"e an swore at his stea$er tr&n(s the entire way &p to his f"oor. !inny see$e a$&se at the character whi"e %&na f"oate fro$ step to step3 "ost in her own wor" . 5Oh3 "oo( how "o#e"y this is35 !inny sai as they fo&n their f"oor with the /cottage/ sign on it. 1han(f&""y3 the !er$an b"o(e ha isappeare on the .$erican 6est f"oor3 passing thro&gh two swinging3 woo en oors $ar(e with /sa"oon/3 sti"" gr&$b"ing. 5%oo(s "i(e I/$ &p two $ore f"ights35 sai %&na. Harry peere &p the ric(ety staircase an won ere ,&st how $any f"oors they ha char$e into the str&ct&re. It was i$possib"e to te"" fro$ where they were3 howe#er. 5I ha#e a $eeting with 8r. Sca$an er this afternoon3 b&t I (new the two of yo& wante a "itt"e pri#ate ti$e3 so I i n/t p"an anything for yo& &nti" to$orrow afternoon.5

Harry a"$ost as(e what they were in store for3 b&t !inny ga#e a :&ic( t&g on his robes an ti"te her hea in the irection of the corri or in front of the$. 51han( yo& so $&ch3 %&na35 she sai . 5@o& ha#e no i ea how won erf&" this a"" is.5 %&na (isse !inny on the chee( an then i the sa$e to Harry3 start"ing hi$ with her s& en affection. 5It was rea""y no prob"e$ at a""3 an I was g"a to be ab"e to he"p.5 5%et/s go3 Harry. I/$ rea y to see what the roo$ has in store for &s.5 5I can/t be"ie#e we/re on ho"i ay in 2an&ary.5 !inny co&" hear the a$&se$ent in Harry/s #oice3 e#en if his wor s so&n e incre &"o&s. 5In Swe en. H&nting Snor(ac(s. !ith /una&5 1hey both "a&ghe an Harry f"oppe bac( on the be 3 t&c(ing his han s behin his hea . !inny contin&e &npac(ing a few things3 fi""ing the rawers of the won(y "itt"e war robe in the o "itt"e roo$. It efinite"y ha the cottage fee" to it3 with the s:&ea(y iron'fra$e be 3 the ho$e$a e :&i"ts3 an fri""y c&rtains. 5.t "east no one wi"" thin( to "oo( for &s here35 she $&ttere . 1heir eyes $et an they both sighe at the :&iet aro&n the$. 1he re$in er of trips past3 e#en their honey$oon3 was ,&st=not p"eas&rab"e. 6e""3 there were parts that were bri""iant3 !inny co&" a $it3 b&t other parts that she/ ,&st as soon ha#e Harry $e$ory char$ away. E&t this trip was going to be ifferent. Ha#ing %&na p"an it a"" was a stro(e of geni&s3 !inny eci e 3 e#en if they were in the $i "e of nowhere. .n 3 when !inny tho&ght abo&t it3 it was a perfect "ocation to hi e away for a few ays of together ti$e witho&t ha#ing to worry abo&t the f"ash of a photographer/s b&"b3 or the en "ess spec&"ation abo&t when the newest generation of Aotters wo&" begin to arri#e. 0ot that !inny i n/t want chi" ren7or $ore specifica""y #arry+s chi" ren7b&t there was p"enty of ti$e for that. . ti$e an a season for e#erything3 right> 6asn/t that how the saying went> .n if they weren/t g&essing at e+pecte birth ates3 or na$es3 or gen ers3 or sheer n&$bers of chi" ren the two $ight pop o&t3 they were insin&ating nothing goo abo&t the $arriage. It was a"" #ery tireso$e to thin( abo&t. She wigg"e the rawer c"ose after &$ping the "ast of their soc(s in an t&rne to "oo( at Harry. He/ s"ippe his g"asses off an was co$p"ete"y re"a+e . It was a "oo( !inny ha n/t seen on hi$ in far too "ong. Stress at the 8inistry3 a hectic fa"" tra#e" sche &"e3 an fa$i"y ob"igations ha sto"en away $&ch of their ti$e &nti" !inny fe"t she ha to secret Harry away in re$ote areas of another co&ntry ,&st to get a few $in&tes with hi$.

His eyes f"&ttere open an he foc&se on !inny across the roo$. . s"ow s$i"e starte to twitch the corners of his $o&th an sprea into a wi e grin. 56hy are yo& sti"" resse >5 5Dery goo :&estion3 8r. Aotter35 sai !inny. 5Arobab"y beca&se I/$ too b&sy thin(ing abo&t the best "oo(ing b"o(e in the p"ace.5 He "a&ghe an sat &p3 "eaning bac( on his han s. 51he b"o(e in the stairway was :&ite fit.5 5Oh how we"" yo& (now $e.5 She sighe theatrica""y an $o#e to stan at the foot of the be 3 ,&st o&t of Harry/s grasp. His feet3 howe#er3 co&" reach her an wrappe aro&n the o&tsi e of her thighs3 t&gging her $in&te"y c"oser to hi$. 5@o& ne#er (now35 Harry went on3 $ischief in his eyes3 5$aybe those tr&n(s were f&"" of so$ething yo&/ "i(e #ery $&ch.5 He wagg"e his eyebrows an fo&ght bac( a "a&gh. 5%i(e3 treas&res fro$ Catherine/s Co#ert Cn$entionab"es7that p"ace where yo& get the p&rp"e bags.5 !inny bit her "ip an $enta""y patte herse"f on the bac( for ropping by Catherine/s before they "eft. Harry a"ways got that loo' when she bro&ght o&t one of those $ysterio&s p&rp"e bags. 5Bight. I/$ thin(ing a"" he has in those tr&n(s is e+tra he"pings of !er$an sto""en3 bratw&rsts3 an hea#y choco"ate tortes.5 Harry "a&ghe an inche ownwar &nti" he was wrappe aro&n her3 his fingers p"aying with the e ge of her shirt. 58&ch "ess creati#e than $e3 !in. I win the points this ti$e.5 She sighe at the re$in er of their ga$e9 it wasn/t an ongoing thing3 per se3 ,&st so$ething that they "i(e to ,o(e abo&t on an off. On their honey$oon3 !inny ha tease Harry abo&t ha#ing a "ac( of i$agination regar ing ,&st what they co&" get &p to with the two point fi#e secon s they were a""owe to roa$ the Ita"ian co&ntrysi e before so$eone arri#e to try an get a :&ote or snap a photo of the$ in a co$pro$ising position. *#er since then3 Harry ha $a e a ga$e of being $ore creati#e than !inny. .n he ga#e hi$se"f points for it. .ccor ing to his ta""y3 he was winning by we"" o#er a tho&san . 5@es3 b&t $y i$age oesn/t ca&se the ry hea#es.5 !inny grinne an trace the "ine of his ,aw with her finger. She "eane own an presse her "ips to his3 a :&ic(3 chaste pec(3 before p&""ing away.

Harry groane an trie to t&g her bac( to hi$. 5!in) 6e/re a"" a"one3 an %&na sai she was going to $eet that Sca$an er b"o(e to ay=co&" ta(e her a"" ay3 yo& (now.5 She s$i"e at his coa+ing. He was :&ite goo 3 b&t the prob"e$ was he (new it a"" too we"". .n his fingers7the ones s"ow"y &nb&ttoning her ,eans an s"i ing the$ own her hips7were $agica". 5.n the be is s:&i gy3 not at a"" har "i(e that one in75 5I/$ a"" stic(y an fi"thy fro$ tra#e"ing3 Harry.5 !inny "a&ghe as she contin&e to try escaping3 b&t Harry was far too tenacio&s to a""ow her to get away co$p"ete"y. .n 3 tr&thf&""y3 a few ho&rs in a s:&i gy be with her h&sban so&n e "i(e the perfect ho"i ay3 b&t on"y after she wipe so$e of the resi &a" f"oo pow er an other tra#e"ing gri$e that $ysterio&s"y co""ecte a"" o#er her. 5Eri""iant. Shower se+.5 Harry ,&$pe &p fro$ where he/ been (nee"ing3 trying to re$o#e her soc(s3 an p&""e her to hi$. 56e ha#en/t one that in ages.5 6ith his $in $a e &p3 Harry began p&""ing her towar the s$a"" oor that $&st ha#e "e to the en s&ite bathroo$. 56e i it ,&st "ast $onth35 !inny re$in e hi$. She co&" n/t he"p b&t "a&gh at his enth&sias$3 tho&gh. 5.n yo& ha#e a one'trac( $in .5 5@o&/re ,&st as ba as $e35 Harry sai with a "a&gh. ."" h&$or $e"te away when the crea(y oor ga#e way an re#ea"e the s$a""est bathroo$ !inny co&" e#er i$agine. 5*r=5 It was an e+p"osion of pin(: pin( f"owery wa""paper3 pin( ti"es on the f"oors3 f&;;y pin( towe"s that ha to be at "east fifty years o" 3 an a pin( p"astic shower c&rtain that hi the shower sta"". 1he cei"ing s"ope at an o ang"e an !inny (new i$$e iate"y that Harry wo&" n/t be ab"e to stan &pright in the sta"" &n"ess he was i$$e iate"y &n er the shower hea . .n getting the$ both into the tight space wo&" ta(e an act of e+tre$e coor ination. 5Sti"" intereste >5 5He"" yes35 Harry $&$b"e . His han grippe hers tight"y an he too( one short step in3 t&gging her with hi$. 5<i n/t yo& te"" Bon that tra#e"ing with %&na was bo&n to be an a #ent&re> 6e""3 here/s o&r first test of that theory.5 His s$i"e he"pe to ease so$e of the trepi ation !inny ha abo&t the strange "itt"e bathroo$. She "oo(e aro&n an "et o&t a sigh. 58a(e the best of what yo&/#e got3 yeah>5

Harry p&""e her c"ose. 5Eest i ea I/#e hear in a "ong ti$e.5 1hey (isse an too( t&rns &n ressing each other3 "osing the$se"#es in the $o$ent. Harry st&bbe his toe on the woo en #anity an !inny "a&ghe an offere to (iss it better3 b&t she wasn/t s&re if she co&" get bac( &p if she bent o#er that far. <&ring a thoro&gh e+a$ination of her bo y7one of Harry/s fa#orite past ti$es7!inny reache into the sta"" an t&rne the water on f&""y3 hoping that the "itt"e roo$ wo&" fi"" co$p"ete"y with stea$ an obsc&re the fee"ing that they were abo&t to $a(e "o#e in one of .&ntie 8&rie"/s bathroo$s. Harry g"ance aro&n . 56e $ay nee $ore towe"s.5 He p&""e one of the bright pin( ones off the rac( an he" it &p to hi$7the fabric bare"y co#ere his chest an "egs3 an wo&" ne#er wrap aro&n hi$. 51here/s a c&pboar o#er there35 !inny sai an pointe towar a oor in the corner that she ha is$isse on her origina" inspection. 51hey probab"y ha#e "oa s $ore. 6e can stitch the$ together to co#er yo&r arse.5 Harry tosse the towe" at her face an then "eane in to (iss her once $ore. Stea$ bi""owe o&t fro$ the top of the shower an $a e the o#a"'shape $irror a"" frosty. 5Co$e on then3 8rs. Aotter3 "et/s get yo& rea""y irty before we fin the $ost creati#e ways to wash it a"" off.5 0either of the$ pai any attention to the $agica" $irror3 or the way it c"eare its throat. .fter a""3 they/ grown &se to ignoring the interfering $irror in their ho&se3 an the r& e one at the E&rrow. 5I/ be caref&" if I were yo&3 earies3 yo& ne#er (now75 51han(s. 6e/#e got it.5 !inny is$isse her concerns as Harry carrie her into the o shape sta"" an a ,&ste the water so that it wasn/t sca" ing. "y

!inny/s assess$ent of Harry nee ing to stan at the ta""est en of the shower pro#e correct3 an it too( the$ a $o$ent of coor ination an tria"'an 'error to fin the perfect positions. !inny en e &p in the shorter en an there wasn/t $&ch roo$ to $ane&#er3 b&t they e#ent&a""y fig&re it o&t. Harry was ,&st getting carrie away with his (isses3 pressing her bac( against the co" shower ti"es when it happene . 5Oh3 $y) 8ar#in) @o& won/t be"ie#e=)5 1hey both fro;e at the nasa" #oice ,&st o&tsi e the shower c&rtain.

5I o be"ie#e we/re sharing o&r bathroo$ with honey$ooners. Oh3 yo& can/t get $&ch $ore precio&s than that3 on/cha (now.5 . $an/s #oice ca""e o&t fro$ another roo$. 5!i#e the$ so$e pri#acy3 wo$an)5 !inny bare"y a""owe herse"f to breath. Harry s"ac(e his grip an they stoo 3 chest to hea#ing chest3 co$p"ete"y shoc(e . Sharing a bathroo$> Ha the c"er( e#en sai anything abo&t that> Ha %&na si$p"y forgotten to te"" the$> .n how on earth were they s&ppose to share a space this s$a"" with two other peop"e> !inny co&" i$agine the$ now3 a"" presse into the tight space3 e"bowing each other as they br&she their teeth. 5I/"" bet the poor ears were ,&st so e+cite to get &p here they co$p"ete"y forgot that these *&ropean hote"s share bathroo$s.5 1he wo$an so&n e "i(e she $ight ,&st stay o&tsi e the c&rtain ta"(ing fore#er. *#ent&a""y3 !inny (new they were going to ha#e to t&rn the water off7it was a"rea y on"y "&(ewar$7an face their a& ience. Harry stare with wi e3 panic(e eyes at the c&rtain. 6hat wo&" they o if she ref&se to "ea#e> 6o&" n/t it ,&st be their "&c( to fina""y s:&ee;e a few $o$ents of pri#acy3 on"y to en &p r&nning fro$ the "oo wrappe in on"y a shower c&rtain> !inny was ,&st abo&t to whisper her p"an to re$o#e the c&rtain an ta(e it with the$7an i$pro$pt& In#isibi"ity C"oa(7when the wo$an patte the c&rtain fon "y. 5I/"" ,&st "et yo& two get bac( to it.5 She ga#e a (nowing gigg"e an they ass&$e she "eft. 2&st before they hear the so&n of the oor c"osing3 they hear her #oice again. 5<on/cha thin( it wo&" be e+citing3 8ar#in3 if it ha been so$eone famous in there>5 8ar#in $&$b"e his rep"y an the oor c"ose co$p"ete"y. Harry an !inny stare at each other an both "et o&t a s"ow sigh. 56e""3 yo& wante a #ent&re35 Harry sai . 1he si es of his "ips :&ir(e &p an a "a&gh ro""e &p fro$ eep insi e hi$. !inny co&" n/t stop her own "a&ghter an c"&ng to hi$. She (new her chee(s $&st be bright re with $ortification. 5It/s "i(e trying to ha#e se+ at the E&rrow35 she whispere . 51here/s a"ways so$eone (noc(ing on the oor35 Harry sai 3 5interr&pting ,&st when I/$ concentrating the $ost.5

1heir "a&ghter b&i"t &nti" they were ho" ing each other &p an probab"y so&n ing "i(e a co&p"e of "oons. 5!&ess that/s what we get for trying to s:&ee;e in those few $in&tes together.5 51hin( it/s safe to chance it>5 5.s "ong as 8ar#in hasn/t co$e in to chec( if we are so$eone fa$o&s=5 !inny sai . Harry "a&ghe an &c(e his hea o&t3 peering aro&n the tiny space. 5If on"y I ha n/t "eft $y wan in $y tro&sers3 bac( in the other roo$3 I co&" isi""&sion &s. I/$ g&essing that the c&pboar oesn/t ho" towe"s.5 He reache o&t an snatche a pin( towe" off the bar before han ing it to !inny. 56e/"" ha#e to $a(e o with these3 I s&ppose.5 58a(e s&re to co#er $y arse with it35 Harry sai . He grinne an "eane in to (iss her. 5Oh3 co$e on3 I/"" bet 8ar#in co&" $a(e a few ga""eons off that pict&re. I$agine the hea "ines: Harry Aotter an 6ife In#o"#e In Ei;arre Fo&rso$e .t *+otic Swe ish %ocation.5 He gri$ace an too( the towe" fro$ her. 52&st for that3 wo$an3 yo& go nic( $e so$e c"othes. H&rry3 before 8ar#in fin s his ca$era.5 !inny "a&ghe . 5I s&ppose this is an a #ent&re we $ight not want to share with Bon an Her$ione when we get bac(.5 56e/"" o$it certain parts3 yes.5 5%ea#e it to %&na to p"an the $ost a #ent&ro&s ho"i ay7an we ha#en/t e#en "eft the hote" yet)5

*Chapter 3*: Chapter 3: In Search Of A !enture

Author"s #otes: Eeta rea by 2&"ie an 4athy. .n I/$ e icating a scene to 2&"ie ,&st beca&se it $a e her gigg"e the who"e ti$e she was rea ing it. :< Chapter 3: In Search ofA !enture 5ysterious :isa$$earan*e of Potters Baffles 5inistry and Fan (li'e By Glow Pushbody

The mornin) sun brin)s even more s*andalous news to re$ort my ever.dili)ent readers& Owls have been flutterin) all over the British Isles toward me sharin) your *on*erns for our !i0ardin) #ero and his bride as well as re$ortin) that the Potters are not listed as attendin) any *ounselin) sessions anywhere it seems& (re we all sim$ly bein) de*eived? Re$orts that #arry and Ginny Potter have been offi*ially listed as +missin)+ by the 5inistry of 5a)i* *annot be *onfirmed& !hen a$$roa*hed by this fearless re$orter Glow.In.The.1now Per*y !easley brother of Ginevra Potter and $ersonal se*retary to the 5inister of 5a)i* 1in)sley -ha*'elbolt made this statement< =It is ina$$ro$riate at this time to ma'e an offi*ial 5issin) Persons re$ort althou)h I believe the *laims to be false anyway& 5r& and 5rs& Potter are $ubli* fi)ures thus I understand the *on*ern but I assure you as a family member that they are just fine&= Offi*ial denials aside the $ubli* *an+t hel$ but be an;ious over the disa$$earan*e of the *elebrities& -urely someone should be *on*erned for their welfare3 (fter all we 'now that they have both in the $ast shown $ro$ensity toward an)ry outbursts and on o**asion even violen*e& Could this vanishin) a*t be the wor' of dar' wi0ards? (re they sim$ly se*ludin) themselves away *om$letely in order to salva)e the dyin) embers of love? Or are we all bein) bamboo0led by this duo of web.weavers? 1ee$ those eyes o$en readers 'ee$ the owls flo*'in) and your $rayers vi)ilant for our heroes& (nd rest assured that your faithful *orres$ondent will be busy di))in) u$ every lead that *omes her way and $assin) every s*ra$ of information on to you& Con*ernedly yours Glow& Harry wo(e in the $ost b"issf&" p"ace: wrappe aro&n his wife in the war$th of the be . For a $o$ent3 he e#en forgot they weren/t at ho$e3 en,oying a "ate $orning c& "e before they wo&" r&sh off their separate ways. S"ow"y3 $e$ories of their tra#e" an interesting e+periences yester ay seepe bac( into his $in an he opene his eyes3 s$i"ing at the abs&r ity of the who"e thing. 6ith the e+ception of being almost ca&ght na(e in the shower together yester ay afternoon3 e#erything ha been perfect so far. .n e#en that3 a"tho&gh s"ight"y e$barrassing3 wasn/t that ba . .fter a""3 nobo y ha seen anything. 1he rest of their afternoon ha been spent in perfect content$ent3 wrappe together in be 3 ta"(ing3 (issing3 an p"anning a f&t&re together. Harry/s sto$ach grow"e "o& "y an he sighe 3 won ering when !inny wo&" wa(e so they co&" hea ownstairs for a bite of so$ething. E&t !inny contin&e to s"eep3 ea to the wor" . Harry watche her for a $in&te before eci ing he was si$p"y too fa$ishe to

wait any "onger9 he/ "ea#e a :&ic( note an then bring so$ething &p to her if she ha n/t wo(en yet. .fter a :&ic( chec( to $a(e s&re he wo&" ha#e the "oo a"one3 Harry resse an $a e his way ownstairs. 1he entry to the hote" was eserte 3 b&t Harry fo""owe the c"in( of ishes an "ow chatter to a "ong3 narrow roo$ where se#era" peop"e were sitting at a "ow3 "ong tab"e. 1he rich brown woo too( &p the entire center of the roo$ an "oo(e cent&ries o" 3 with scarring an $ar(s a"" o#er in it. 5Co$e in) Ha#e a seat) 1ea or coffee>5 . rot&n 3 ,o#ia" wo$an approache an &shere hi$ &ncere$onio&s"y into a chair before setting a hea#y ish in front of hi$ an ser#ing &p spoonf&"s of e#ery $anner of foo that sat isp"aye on the tab"e. 1hro&gh it a""3 she spo(e in hea#i"y accente *ng"ish. 5*r=5 Harry watche as his p"ate isappeare &n er a"" the foo an si$p"y no e he"p"ess"y when she as(e if he wante $ore of so$ething. 51ea3 p"ease35 he fina""y $anage to get o&t. 5Bight away. 8y na$e is Aerni""a3 an if yo& nee anything whi"e yo&/re here3 ,&st as(.5 She was gone in the ne+t breath3 wa "ing away an refi""ing the p"ates of others sitting a"ong the tab"e. 1he who"e set&p of the roo$ was rather aw(war 3 as Harry ha to "ean own o#er the tab"e to see who his brea(fast co$panions were. %&na was at the far en . She wa#e at Harry when he ca&ght her eye b&t contin&e to ta"( to the "arge !er$an b"o(e who they/ $et in the stairway "ast night. 5Oh3 "oo(3 8ar#in3 I/"" bet that/s one ha"f of o&r new"ywe co&p"e.5 . s&gary gigg"e start"e Harry ,&st as a wo$an p"oppe into the seat ne+t to hi$. Her weary "oo(ing h&sban s"i into the spot ne+t to her an ga#e Harry an apo"ogetic "oo(. 5.n where/s yo&r wife3 eary>5 Harry c"eare his throat. 5She/s3 er=she/s ha#ing a "ie in.5 1he wo$an gigg"e again an t&rne to her h&sban 3 who was now recei#ing Aerni""a/s specia" bran of hospita"ity. 5<on/cha ,&st "o#e the way e#eryone ta"(s o#er here3 8ar#in> I thin( I/"" ha#e to start saying that at ho$e. /I/$ ha#ing a "ie in/) It so&n s so $&ch better3 $ore ignifie 3 yo& (now3 than saying /s"ept in/. 8y frien s at the boo( c"&b won/t (now what to o with the$se"#es)5

Harry s$i"e wea("y an t&rne his attention to his brea(fast. 1here was no way he wo&" be ab"e to finish it a""3 especia""y not with Aerni""a/s attenti#e refi""ing e#ery few $in&tes. He/ be ,&st as big as the !er$an b"o(e if he e#en trie to (eep &p with her. 5I/$ 8a#is3 an this is 8ar#in.5 Harry shoo( her han 3 shoc(e at how fir$ her grip was3 an "istene po"ite"y as the .$erican wo$an to" hi$ a"" abo&t winning the 6i;ar ing "ottery an &sing part of their $oney to tra#e" aro&n the wor" 3 as it was the on"y thing they co&" i$agine oing with a"" of that "eft'o#er $oney3 after they/ spent so$e on their two be"o#e a&ghters Fwo&" he "i(e to see pict&res>G an bo&ght a newfang"e 6i;ar ing B.D.3 co$p"ete with $agica" o&tho&se an se"f'"ighting f"oo. Harry/s hea was spinning an he fo&n hi$se"f st&ffing $ore foo than was socia""y acceptab"e in his $o&th3 si$p"y so he i n/t ha#e to answer $ore than a po"ite hea bob now an again. <espite 8a#is/ constant pratt"e3 Harry fo&n hi$se"f en,oying the $orning. 1he i#ersity of the inn/s c&sto$ers was asto&n ing. Eesi es the .$erican co&p"e an the !er$an $an3 there see$e to be two French wo$en3 an o" er .sian co&p"e who ignore the pi"es of foo in front of the$3 an a pa"e3 thin $an with p"&$'co"ore hair that reache his sho&" ers. 5Sa#e $e a spot3 I see.5 !inny/s ar$s wrappe aro&n hi$ fro$ behin an Harry breathe a sigh of re"ief. He was s&re he/ ha#e gone eaf before she $a e it ownstairs. 5.hh3 there/s the prettier ha"f) Isn/t she "o#e"y3 8ar#in>5 !inny shoo( their han s an watche Aerni""a heap foo on her p"ate with a terrifie e+pression. 8ar#in on"y gr&nte an ate faster. Aerni""a was (eeping &p with the cha""enge of ne#er seeing the botto$ of his p"ate3 b&t ,&st bare"y. 8a#is3 seeing the way !inny "eane into Harry3 "et her con#ersation fa e o&t3 b&t i watch the$ c"ose"y with sighs of "onging an content$ent. 5I tho&ght yo& $ight s"eep the ay away35 Harry sai . 5I was "oo(ing forwar to craw"ing bac( into be to wa(e yo&.5 !inny sippe at her tea an s$i"e . 5I/$ s&re yo& co&" ha#e fo&n so$e in#enti#e way of oing so.5 5So&n s "i(e a cha""enge35 Harry $&r$&re .

1hey i their best to sa$p"e a "itt"e of e#erything on their p"ates3 b&t were soon f&"". 1he ining roo$ c"eare o&t $ost"y3 &nti" on"y a few peop"e were "eft an Aerni""a ha stoppe ho#ering. 5O "itt"e co""ection of peop"e3 on/t yo& thin(>5 !inny $&se . 5It sort of $a(es yo& won er what a"" their stories are. 6hat/s bro&ght the$ a"" here an where they/re going ne+t>5 58a#is co&" te"" yo&3 I bet35 Harry sai :&iet"y. !inny ch&c("e an eye the .$erican wo$an3 who was ratt"ing on to her h&sban abo&t the rich foo an how she/ ne#er fit into her c"othes again once they were ho$e. Harry pon ere the "one $an at the tab"e3 separate fro$ e#eryone e"se an won ere if e#en 8a#is co&" get hi$ to ta"(. His hair hi $ost of his face3 b&t now an again Harry wo&" catch a g"i$pse of the whitest s(in he/ e#er seen. His ar( eyes g"ance own the tab"e an Harry shi#ere at the #acant "oo( in the$. 56hat abo&t hi$>5 he as(e !inny. 5Da$pire yo& thin(>5 5Arobab"y35 !inny sai . 5I/#e ne#er act&a""y $et one. S"&ghorn ha that one at his Christ$as party3 b&t I i n/t get $ore than a g"i$pse. I re$e$ber when we were yo&nger an went to the %ea(y Ca&" ron. Bon sai he saw one3 b&t I ne#er i (now if he was "ying or not. 8&$ (ept p&tting her han s o#er $y eyes. Harry no e an trie not to stare. 56hy oes he=spar("e> I won er if that/s nor$a".5

!inny peere at the sa""ow $an with the p"&$'co"ore hair an shr&gge . 5!ot in the way of a ba g"itter he+> Or $aybe he/s been &sing a !i" eroy %oc(hart bea&ty pro &ct> I honest"y on/t (now.5 It too( a"" Harry ha not to shoot tea o&t his nose. 6hen %&na ,oine the$3 Harry "istene with on"y partia" attention as she escribe her ay with 8r. Sca$an er yester ay. 1here was $ention of so$e horrifica""y $ythica" creat&res3 b&t a few that Harry (new were in Fantasti* Beasts and !here To Find Them. He/ th&$be thro&gh it se#era" ti$es3 an p"aye a ga$e of hang$an with Bon on the tit"e page3 b&t certain"y ha n/t st& ie it co#er to co#er. 5.re yo& two &p for a "itt"e a #ent&re to ay>5 %&na as(e 3 her eyes spar("ing with $irth. 5Of co&rse we are3 %&na35 !inny sai . 51his who"e trip has been an a #ent&re7that/s why we "et yo& p"an it.5

%&na ga#e the$ a tho&ghtf&" "oo(. 56e""3 I wo&" "i(e to share so$e of it with yo&3 as "ong as yo& can tear yo&rse"#es away. I ,&st fig&re yo&/ want to be "oc(e away in yo&r roo$ $ost of the trip3 ha#ing copio&s a$o&nts of se+.5 1his ti$e the tea e+p"o e fro$ Harry/s $o&th an nose9 he co&" bac(. o nothing to ho" it

1hose aro&n the$ "a&ghe aw(war "y3 b&t ga#e the b"&shing co&p"e the brightest (nowing "oo(s. 5I/$ s&re we can $anage to beha#e o&rse"#es for a few ho&rs3 %&na35 sai !inny. 56hat i yo& ha#e in $in >5 8a#is an 8ar#in e+c&se the$se"#es3 8a#is nattering on abo&t possib"y going into town to see if they co&" st&$b"e on anyone fa$o&s. Harry watche the$ go with incre &"ity. He interr&pte %&na/s s(etchy agen a for the ay. 5I won er= How is it that they on/t (now who we are>5 he as(e . 50ot that I $in 3 at a""3 b&t we i n/t o any g"a$o&r char$s or anything to isg&ise o&rse"#es.5 56e""3 I i boo( the roo$s &n er $y na$e3 an a"" the tra#e" oc&$ents are &n er %o#egoo .5 Harry s$i"e . He i n/t thin( a si$p"e na$e change on a piece of paper wo&" hi e their i entities3 b&t perhaps that/s a"" it too(. 6ho in their right $in 3 after a""3 wo&" pict&re Harry Aotter an his ?&i itch Star wife to be tra#e"ing thro&gh Swe en in the $i "e of 2an&ary with s&ch an eccentric frien 3 h&nting own E"&bbering H&$ ingers3 or whate#er it was that %&na was going to ta(e the$ tre((ing thro&gh the wi" erness to fin > Or perhaps 8a#is/ eyesight was so ba she si$p"y ha no i ea who she was "oo(ing at. He ga#e !inny a pec( on the chee( an re"a+e bac( into his seat3 perfect"y content with fo""owing %&na where#er she $ight ta(e the$. She was :&ite bri""iant3 after a""3 once yo& got o#er her pec&"iarities. 56hat is it we/re s&ppose to be "oo(ing for>5 !inny t&rne to whisper to her h&sban 3 who "oo(e co$p"ete"y insane wearing the sa$e contraption that was strappe to !inny/s hea . S&ppose "y3 it was to open their $in s to the possibi"ities aro&n the$3 an he"p the$ foc&s on seeing things that they wo&" nor$a""y o#er"oo(. Harry ha escribe it as si$i"ar to a he"$et a 8&gg"e ri ing a bicyc"e wo&" wear3 on"y co#ere in $irrors that protr& e o&t on ben ab"e ar$s3 an f&;;y orange an ye""ow f&r. 1he specia" g"asses that %&na ha pro#i e probab"y i n/t

he"p the who"e i$age: they were ar( an thic(3 an they $a e !inny fee" wobb"y when she stare too far into the istance thro&gh the$. 5.bso"&te"y no c"&e3 "o#e35 Harry sai with a "a&gh. 5E&t I thin( yo&/re ea se+y with that on.5 !inny "a&ghe an sat bac( in the bench they share . 1he b&s that was ta(ing the$ eep into the Sare( 0ationa" Aar(3 where they wo&" be searching for the Cr&$p"e'Horne Snor(ac( sh& ere beneath her an she force herse"f to re"a+. .fter a""3 it $ight be so$ething she ha n/t e+perience before Fpowere co$p"ete"y by f"oo pow erG b&t it wasn/t near"y as inti$i ating as the 4night E&s bac( in *ng"an was. .n Sig#ar the ri#er was a sight $ore p"easant to "oo( at than o" *rnie Arang3 anyway. 5So this Sca$an er fe""ow is $eeting &s there3 %&na>5 %&na/s hea piece was $&ch $ore ecorate Fit e#en ha f&rry f"aps that fo" e own to (eep her ears war$ as they hi(e the $o&ntain rangesG an the p&rp"e spotte f&r esignate her the g&i e of their rag'tag search party. Her g"asses3 rather than $agnifying her a"rea y prot&berant eyes3 $a e !inny fee" as if she were "oo(ing thro&gh o$nioc&"ars the wrong way aro&n . %&na/s eyes were two s$a"" b"&e spec(s at the en of a "ong t&nne". 5@es35 sai %&na. 5He was :&ite e+cite to ha#e three peop"e signe &p for the a #ent&re to ay. 0or$a""y the off'season is :&iet for hi$. He e#en sai he $ight co$e a"ong with &s he was so intrig&e by o&r :&estions.5 54our :&estions3 yo& $ean35 !inny $&r$&re to Harry a"one. He ch&c("e an patte her sho&" er co$forting"y. %&na rifte off in tho&ght3 watching the white3 fro;en "an scape o&t the win ow. 5Isn/t this b"o(e s&ppose to be aro&n a h&n re years o" >5 Harry as(e :&iet"y. !inny ga#e a shr&g. 50o c"&e3 act&a""y3 b&t his boo( has been aro&n for ages3 I (now. So I e+pect so$eone aro&n Heno/s age3 or $aybe o" er. Can yo& i$agine what this ay is going to bring>5 Harry ch&c("e an shoo( his hea . 56e""3 it/s a story we can te"" the (i s one ay3 I s&ppose.5 !inny reste her hea against his sho&" er3 or3 we""3 as c"ose as she co&" get with the contraptions on their hea s. 1his was one other thing she co&" a to the "ist of things she "o#e abo&t Harry Aotter. He $ay ha#e abso"&te"y no interest in whate#er $ythica" creat&re they were searching for3 b&t he was eter$ine to re"a+ an en,oy it a"" the sa$e. .n he ne#er "oo(e own on %&na or her o #iews of "ife9 he s&pporte his frien s one h&n re percent3 in whate#er paths "ife too( the$.

6hen they arri#e at the on"y sign of ci#i"i;ation they/ seen for $i"es an fo&n a $assi#e sign with bos'a$s)>rd car#e into the woo . 5It $eans ranch3 ro&gh"y trans"ate 35 %&na e+p"aine . 58r. Sca$an ar an his fa$i"y (eep a resi ence here &ring the year an a"ong with st& ying #ario&s creat&res3 act&a""y bree an raise se#era" #arieties of en angere species. 0othing har$f&"3 $in yo&. I hear they trie once to cross'bree a Swe ish Short'Sno&t with a sa"a$an er3 trying to $a(e a $ore fa$i"y frien "y #ersion.5 She trai"e off an scow"e s"ight"y. 5I ne#er i hear how that pro,ect t&rne o&t. <efinite"y so$ething to as( 8r. Sca$an er abo&t.5 5Eri""iant35 Harry sai with a ch&c("e. 5Honey3 "et/s get the (i s a pet. I (now yo& ha yo&r heart set on a cr&p3 b&t I was thin(ing=why not a :&a r&p"e H rate beast that a ores fire an eats s$a"" chi" ren when cran(y. It/"" be perfect.5 *#en %&na "a&ghe at his ,o(e. 5Hagri wo&" be the first to b&y one an yo& (now it.5 !inny po(e Harry/s si e an they s$i"e fon "y. 5Begar "ess of the fact his ho&se is $a e of woo . I (now. %et/s not $ention it to hi$3 sha"" we>5 5Oh3 he (nows a"" abo&t it35 %&na sai . 5He has a "ifeti$e s&bscription to the ?&ibb"er an we i a feat&re artic"e on it a few years ago. He e#en wrote in abo&t it.5 5Aerfect.5 Harry r&bbe his face an sighe . 5I/"" go ta"( to hi$ when we get bac(.5 5Oh3 sen Her$ione35 !inny sai a goo cha""enge.5 is$issi#e"y. 5She/s r&n o&t of ca&ses "ate"y an nee s

1heir $&sings fe"" si"ent as a $an ca$e trotting &p. 5Sorry to (eep yo& waiting. 8y gran father wasn/t fee"ing we"" to ay an as(e that I ta(e yo& &p the $o&ntain. I/$ Bo"f Sca$an er.5 He was yo&ng3 a"tho&gh o" er than the three of the$. He ha a f&"" hea of ar( hair that "oo(e as if he/ atte$pte to co$b it own3 b&t ha gotten istracte ha"f way thro&gh9 the who"e bac( ha"f of his hea stoo at o ang"es. It was far worse than Harry/s &nr&"y hair3 in fact. His s(in was weather worn an crin("e p"easant"y aro&n his $o&th an eyes when he s$i"e . 1hey stoo 3 aw(war "y watching each other whi"e Bo"f he" his han o&t for %&na to sha(e. E&t %&na see$e to be in a trance9 she stare with wi e eyes an her $o&th hanging s"ight"y open.

5*r=I/$ Harry an this is $y wife3 !inny.5 Harry n& ge gent"y past %&na an shoo( Bo"f/s han . 56e/re3 er= efinite"y "oo(ing forwar to to ay. 0e#er tho&ght I/ see a Snor(ac( in $y "ife.5 Bo"f "a&ghe :&iet"y. 5One ne#er (nows what a #ent&res await &nti" the possibi"ities &nfo" in front of the$.5 !inny $o#e to stan ne+t to %&na an s"i her ar$ aro&n her frien /s sho&" ers. It was c"ear to !inny that %&na was st&nne by the appearance of Bo"f an was co$p"ete"y tong&e'tie . !inny ha s&ffere fro$ the sa$e sy$pto$s once when she was e"e#en an a (nobb"y'(nee 3 waif of an orphan boy ha wa"(e into the E&rrow. 5I bro&ght the potatoes.5 %&na he" &p the "arge bag to Bo"f3 who s$i"e . 5Aerfect.5 5Snor(ac(s aren/t carni#oro&s>5 Harry as(e . 51hat s&rprises $e.5 5Oh3 hea#ens no35 Bo"f sai . He c"appe Harry on the bac( an the two $en $o#e off own the trai" to the spraw"ing ho&se. 51hey "i(e a #ariety of root #egetab"es3 b&t potatoes are a specia" treat.5 !inny an %&na fe"" a few steps behin 3 an !inny c"eare her throat. 5I ta(e it yo&/#e not $et Bo"f before>5 %&na starte an shoo( her hea . 5*r=no. 0o3 I/$ s&re I wo&" ha#e re$e$bere .5 5He see$s #ery char$ing35 !inny sai ip"o$atica""y. Honest"y3 she ha n/t been ab"e to rea hi$ we""3 b&t he see$e po"ite eno&gh. He an Harry were carrying on a con#ersation easi"y3 anyway. 5Oh3 !inny3 I/$ $a(ing a foo" of $yse"f3 aren/t I>5 %&na "oo(e co$p"ete"y ist&rbe . 5I/#e bare"y $et the $an an a"rea y I/$=5 5@o&/re s$itten35 !inny sai with a$&se$ent. 5It/s perfect"y fine9 ,&st watch yo&r e"bows aro&n any b&tter ishes an yo& sho&" be a"" right.5 %&na "oo(e a$a;e . 5I fee" so #ery yo&ng. I can/t re$e$ber e#er fee"ing this way.5 5@o&/#e ne#er ha a cr&sh before>5 !inny as(e . 5E&t yo&/#e ate =.5 %&na co""ecte herse"f an no been "oose insi e $e.5 e . 5@es3 of co&rse3 b&t I ne#er fe"t "i(e a sni get has

!inny bit her "ip to (eep fro$ "a&ghing too har . Eoth Bo"f an Harry (ept chec(ing o#er their sho&" ers3 eyeing the two wo$en wari"y.

56e""3 so$eti$es it/s "i(e that. I was co$p"ete"y ta(en with Harry the first ti$e I saw hi$. !rante 3 I was ten3 b&t I sti"" get b&tterf"ies in $y sto$ach when he "oo(s at $e. .n the ne+t s&$$er when he act&a""y showe &p in the E&rrow=5 !inny/s #oice trai"e off. It was the tr&th an it $a e !inny fee" war$ insi e. She/ ha the$ a"" those years ago3 an then again when Harry (isse her3 an e#en on their we ing ay. 1he b&tterf"ies ha beco$e a we"co$e frien o#er the years. 5.n that/s a goo thing3 %&na35 sai !inny. 5It/s when they "oo( at yo& an yo& on/t fee" anything that $eans yo& nee to start paying c"oser attention to what/s going on.5 .fter a few eep breaths an so$e enco&raging wor s3 %&na "oo(e co$pose eno&gh. She sta$$ere a few ti$es when Bo"f as(e her a irect :&estion3 b&t i a $irab"y we""3 !inny tho&ght. 5*r=a$ I $issing so$ething3 or is %&na acting a bit=strange>5 Harry as(e as they got a"" their Snor(ac( h&nting gear strappe on. 5She oesn/t re$in yo& of anyone> Staring an sta$$ering3 b"&shing e#ery ti$e he "oo(s at her>5 Bea"i;ation awne on Harry an his face "it &p. 50ow that yo& $ention it=5 He "eane o#er an (isse her :&ic("y. 5I $iss those b"&shes. @o& rare"y o that any$ore3 yo& (now.5 5It/s a goo thing I got o#er how char$ing yo& can be35 !inny :&ippe . 5Otherwise I $ight en &p with #ery greasy e"bows3 spo&ting horri poetry3 an tripping e#ery ti$e yo& win(e at $e.5 Harry "a&ghe an his eyes trace her &p an own. *#en resse the way she was7 bar$y hea contraption3 "ayers an "ayers of co" weather c"othing3 $&"ti'co"ore stripe soc(s p&""e o#er her tro&sers &p to her (neecaps3 an hi(ing boots with war$ing char$s on the$7he "oo(e "i(e he $ight e#o&r her who"e. 56ant to get "ost &p here>5 He no being e+p"oring. e $ischie#o&s"y to the $o&ntain they were abo&t to

!inny preten e to thin( abo&t it. 51e$pting3 b&t I on/t rea""y want to free;e $y arse off. I thin( I can $anage to ho" o&t &nti" we/re a"" war$ bac( in o&r roo$.5 56ith 8a#is an 8ar#in "istening in at the oor>5 Harry as(e with a snort. He s"i his ar$s aro&n her waist an p&""e her to hi$. Howe#er3 they were both wearing so $any "ayers that their faces were sti"" a foot apart. .s they "eane together3 their he"$ets beca$e entang"e . Bo"f an %&na both "a&ghe an he"pe the$ get &ntwiste .

6hen they were a"" e:&a""y o&tfitte 3 "oo(ing "i(e f"a$ing $a i iots3 Bo"f "e the way &p the $o&ntain. Harry an !inny share a :&ic( s$i"e an a b"own (iss Fno sense stopping the who"e tre( to get their ant"ers &nst&c( once againG an he" han s. 1he faces s&rro&n ing the tab"e were gra#e. 1he tension was thic(. Bon fe"t it craw" &p his spine an ta(e root in his sho&" ers3 gi#ing hi$ an instant hea ache. 6hy co&" n/t "ife e#er be easy> 5=sit&ation is getting o&t of han =5 Bon/s eyebrow twitche an his pa"$ itche . His eyes s"i away fro$ Aercy3 who was preparing for an ho&r'"ong speech3 apparent"y3 an towar the p"ate in the center of the tab"e. 1he p"ate ho" ing the "one3 re$aining bisc&it. 1he bisc&it that !eorge was a"so eyeing. In the bac( of his $in 3 ar( an forebo ing $&sic was p"aying9 the type one $ight hear in one of the 8&gg"e fi"&$s Her$ione was a"ways trying to rag hi$ to. It was the type of $&sic that p"aye ,&st before the hero was abo&t to bite it3 or before the gir" was abo&t to be (i nappe . 5=wo&" want &s to he"p in any way possib"e=5 !eorge/s han twitche an Bon fe"t a ,o"t r&n &p his fingers3 across his ar$3 an &p into his bac(. Co&" he possib"y snatch the bisc&it before !eorge i > He #is&a""y $eas&re the istances between the han s an the p"ate3 noticing that he ha the a #antage3 if on"y9 the p"ate was s"ight"y off center an the bisc&it was $ore on his si e of the tab"e than !eorge/s. Ey a"" rights3 it sho&" be"ong to Bon. Her$ione e"bowe hi$ an Bon wince . E"oo y wo$an ha sharp e"bows. She a"ways ha an she a"ways (new ,&st when to ig the$ into his ribs. 5=can we o to he"p>5 His $other as(e a :&estion an !eorge/s eyes straye fro$ the treat &pwar for a fraction of a secon . Bon a"$ost arte his han o&t3 b&t p&""e bac( at the "ast breath. It was no f&n p"aying the ga$e if !eorge was istracte . .n it see$e .nge"ina ha sharp e"bows3 as we"". 1heir eyes $et again an the cha""enge was iss&e 3 si"ent"y. 6hoe#er got the bisc&it first wo&" win. It i n/t $atter what they/ win3 it was the princip"e of the thing3 anyway. 5=is what I propose. I rea""y thin( it wo&" wor( as "ong as we=5

Aercy rone on an Bon t&ne hi$ o&t as he s"ow"y "ifte his han . !eorge f"e+e his fingers an s"i forwar on his chair. Bon narrowe his eyes an foc&se on the bisc&it3 co&nting each bit of choco"ate perfect"y $e"te into it. Fifteen in a"". . perfect proportion of choco"ate bits to cr&nchy bisc&it. It wo&" be his& 5=an then we can e+p"ain when they get ho$e=5 !eorge/s han arte forwar 3 b&t Bon was :&ic(er. His fingertips c"ose aro&n the pri;e an he "et o&t an enth&siastic3 5ha)5 as !eorge scrabb"e for ho" . 5."" in fa#or>5 Bon yan(e his han 3 co$p"ete"y wrappe aro&n the treas&re now3 bac( an "et his chair s"i e away fro$ the tab"e. He ha n/t co&nte on !eorge "a&nching hi$se"f o#er the tab"e an tac("ing hi$ to the f"oor. 5It/s not=yo&rs=&nti"=it/s in=yo&r $o&th=5 he gr&$b"e as they wrest"e . Eits of bisc&it f"ew e#erywhere. Bon $anage to st&ff $ost of it past his teeth3 ignoring the sho&ts of in ignation an the sto$ping of Her$ione/s foot ne+t to his hea . 5Eoys)5 his $other ca""e . O&t of the corner of his eye3 he saw her p&"" her wan 3 b&t i n/t thin( she/ he+ hi$ too ba . He ro""e !eorge her irection ,&st in case she got off a goo shot. 5/ff $i$e)5 he cheere once he got the $a,ority of it behin his teeth. !eorge grow"e an "oo(e on the #erge of reaching past to retrie#e it3 b&t then tho&ght better of it. He/ been on the wrong en of Bon/s teeth before. Bon crowe in tri&$ph when !eorge stoppe str&gg"ing3 b&t the a$&se$ent of the $o$ent fa e away when he "oo(e &p at the shoc(e 3 stern faces abo#e hi$. 56ha>5 5Bona" 6eas"ey)5 Her$ione sto$pe her foot again an crosse her ar$s o#er her chest. She $&st ha#e "earne the pose fro$ his $other3 or possib"y !inny. Bon nee e to get her away fro$ the fa$i"y $ore often9 ba habits were easi"y "earne an har to brea(. Her$ione h&ffe . 5I/$ going to ass&$e yo& hear nothing of what Aercy sai > He/s wor(e har to p&t together this p"an to sa#e Harry an !inny/s $arriage an a"" yo& can o is ro"" aro&n on the f"oor "i(e a chi" 3 fighting o#er a si""y bisc&it)5

Bon b"in(e at her3 trying to piece together the bits of Aercy/s &"" speech in his hea . He "oo(e at !eorge3 who was "ying on his bac( ne+t to Bon3 an "oo(ing e:&a""y "ost. 0o he"p there. He was abo&t to protest his innocence Fthere ha been a perfect bisc&it in#o"#e 3 after a""3 who co&" b"a$e hi$>G when he rea"i;e his f&"" $o&th wo&" win no points with his wife. So he chewe :&ic(er than he e#er ha in his "ife. 1oo ba his $i"( g"ass on the tab"e was e$pty. He was parche . 56hat/s wrong with their $arriage>5 58on ie&)5 F"e&r h&ffe . 5/a#e yo& not rea ;e papers>5 Bon sat &p an scratche his hea . 5I/#e rea the ?&i itch stan ings.5 Co""ecti#e"y3 his entire fa$i"y F$in&s !eorgeG ro""e their eyes. 5Is this abo&t those bar$y artic"es that 6itch 6ee("y has been printing>5 !eorge as(e . 50ot that I/#e been rea ing the$3 b&t I "ine Earny/s cage with the$ the other ay. 1hey $a(e goo 75 5.he$.5 His $other/s se#ere "oo( c&t off the rest of !eorge/s tho&ght. 56e $&st ta(e action35 Aercy sai . 5.re yo& in or o&t>5 6arning be""s went off in Bon/s hea . He honest"y ha n/t been paying attention to any of the $eeting once the bisc&its ha been set o&t3 so he ha no i ea what he was being as(e . For a"" he (new3 they co&" e+pect hi$ to r&n star(ers own <iagon .""ey to etract fro$ Harry an !inny/s hea "ines. 0ot that he e+pecte Aercy to be that creati#e= 56e/re in.5 !eorge c"appe hi$ in the sho&" er an then offere his han to he"p Bon stan . 5*r=5 Bon f"ashe one panic(e "oo( at Her$ione3 who was sti"" "oo(ing at hi$ with those narrowe eyes. She was no he"p at a""3 honest"y. 5@eah. 6e/re in.5

*Chapter $*: Chapter $: In Search Of %uture

Author"s #ote: ?&ic( "itt"e note since I (eep getting re#iews pointing o&t how st&pi the 6eas"eys3 et a"3 are being c&rrent"y. Sha$e3 sha$e3 sha$e on $y rea ers) Iscow"sI I (now yo&/re a"" going to protest that what 8o""y an F"e&r sai in the "ast chapter $ean they be"ie#e the artic"es that ha#e been printe . 0ot necessari"y so. FStop scoffing an ,&st "isten3 for the "o#e of fanfiction)G I chose that scene e;tremely caref&""y when I wrote it9 it

is to" fro$ a partic&"ar point of #iew fro$ a reason. F<o I really nee to go into epth here>G Icrac(s (n&c("esI Fine. I wi"". It was Ron3 who we a"" (now is not the sharpest (nife in the rawer Fbac( off3 a"" yo& Bon "o#ers'I a ore hi$G an he an !eorge were "oc(e in a fierce batt"e o#er the bisc&it3 so he ha no i ea what the $eeting was abo&t3 or what was tr&"y sai . He ,&$pe to conc"&sions3 $&ch "i(e a"" of yo& who ha#e re#iewe /$essage /st&c( yo&r tong&e o&t at $e/etc. abo&t it. IsighI @o&r answers to a"" :&estions pertaining to the !reat 6eas"ey A"an wi"" be answere soon eno&gh an I wi"" start $y c"asses on the .rt Of 6riting 6ith Erashness an .bso"&te"y 0o S&bt"ety 6hatsoe#er #ery soon. 1han( yo&3 an en,oy the chapter. Chapter $: In Search Of%uture -ho*'in) -e*ret /ife of #arry Potter< Bi)omist3 By Glow Pushbody It is sadly true my dear friends& (nd you+ve read it here first3 On a very reliable ti$ from 5s& Giselle 1han a most loyal reader for more than fifty. three years this re$orter traveled to /ondon to sear*h out one of many #arry Potter si)htin)s& 5I was wal'in+ my little *ru$ :o0er just li'e I do every mornin+ when I seen +im just wal'in+ down the street +and in +and with some floo0y& I was +eartbro'en I tell yeh = 5s& 1han re$orted& =I even *leaned me s$e*s jus+ so+s I *ould ma'e sure yeh 'now? Bu+ it was +im alri)ht )ettin+ ri)h+ *o0y with some little *hit of a thin)& -hameful behavior if yeh as' me&= !hen a$$roa*hed about his re$rehensible behavior 5r& Potter?who *laimed his name is truly #amish Fournier and that he+d never heard of #arry Potter?denied any wron) doin) and defended his =wife= a woman he *alled :aisy& #is res$onse to my re$eated ,uestions about his infidelity $rovo'ed this res$onse< =I don+t 'now who you fin' you are a**usin) me of somefin+ li'e that3 (nd I don+t 'now who this #arry Potter fellow is but he+s not worf a shillin+ if he+s out *attin+ around on his missus is he? I don+t )o in for all of tha+ nonsense& -ay@what+s wif that won'y *amera? !ho did you say you was a)ain?= Come now 5r& Potter enou)h of all this evasion& (nd really if you+re )oin) to run about with a new )irl at least have the de*en*y to use a $ro$er dis)uise& !e saw ri)ht throu)h that shoddy *harm wor'& -im$ly *han)in) your hair *olor eye *olor removin) your )lasses elon)atin) your nose thinnin) your li$s and raisin) your *hee'bones wasn+t enou)h to 'ee$ you from the ea)le.eyes of our faithful followers& (nd ta'e another $ie*e of advi*e from us here at 6itch 6ee("y3 you *ould stand to lose a few stone& "-ee .&thorities 1o %oo( Into Corr&ption In .&ror 1raining on $a)e A to learn how a to$ (uror mi)ht $ass Charms Trainin) and still be unable to *on*eal his identity&%

-ho*' and awe aside now that we 'now the sort of $erson #arry Potter is we must wonder what has be*ome of his lovely talented youn) wife& 5rs& Potter was well on her way to bein) a *elebrity in her own ri)ht& Is it lo)i*al that Ginny mi)ht have *au)ht on to #arry+s de$raved lifestyle and *onfronted him about it thus sufferin) a horrible fate? Or is the whole Potter.!easley marria)e a sham to hide s*andalous lifestyles on both sides? Perha$s 5rs& Potter has a few dashin) youn) men hidden away herself? Only you our dear readers mi)ht 'now the truth& 1ee$ those wits shar$ and send in all your #arry Potter si)htin)s as we *ontinue to unravel this mystery to)ether& 4ours -leuth Glow& 5I thin( $y feet $ight fa"" off.5 !inny "a&ghe at Harry3 who was staring own at his wrin("e 3 co$p"ete"y re feet. %itt"e wisps of stea$ trai"e off the toes e#ery so often. !inny was te$pte to p&"" o&t her ca$era an ta(e a shot3 b&t Harry ha a"rea y warne her away fro$ oing so3 otherwise he/ share the pict&re he too( of her with her $o&th st&ffe f&"" of roaste potato. 5I to" yo& not to p&t so $any heating char$s on yo&r boots35 she sai . Harry ga#e a pitif&" $oan an "ay bac( on the be . 5I thin( I $ay be para"y;e . I can/t fee" $y toes.5 If she/ tho&ght he was being serio&s an not ,&st ang"ing for a foot r&b3 !inny $ight ha#e ha a "itt"e sy$pathy for hi$. He/ been atte$pting to get her attention e#er since the so"es of his boots ha ca&ght on fire ha"f'way own the $o&ntain. ."" three of his co$panions ha been so shoc(e that they/ i$$e iate"y o&se hi$ with water3 which ha p&t o&t the fire effecti#e"y3 b&t "eft hi$ shi#ering3 with icic"es hanging own fro$ his Snor(ac('h&nting he"$et. 2&st "oo(ing at hi$ now3 howe#er3 a"" wrappe in :&i"ts7e+cept his feet3 which were bare an sti"" "oo(e "i(e stea$ing cherries7an sti"" shi#ering3 $a e !inny/s heart twist in sy$pathy. 5I/$ going to go own an get yo& so$e hot cocoa3 then I/"" be bac(.5 5.n we can share a c& "e>5 Harry as(e hopef&""y.

!inny "a&ghe an presse a (iss to the tip of his nose3 which was abo&t as $&ch as she co&" see of hi$. 5I thin( we can $anage that.5 <ownstairs3 !inny as(e Aerni""a to get her a p"ate of bisc&its3 as we"" as two c&ps of hot cocoa. 6hi"e she was waiting3 she spotte a #ery ner#o&s "oo(ing %&na pacing in the gran entry ha"" of the be an brea(fast.

5%&na3 is e#erything a"" right>5 %&na stoppe chewing her fingernai" an st&ffe her han into the poc(et of her robes. 5Oh3 !inny3 I/$ horrib"y ner#o&s. Bo"f ha s&ch a won erf&" ti$e to ay that he as(e $e to ,oin hi$ for inner. He/s co$ing in to town an wante to ta"( with $e abo&t oing an inter#iew for the ?&ibb"er.5 51hat/s great3 %&na) I tho&ght the two of yo& hit it off we"".5 5Once I got o#er $y st&ttering35 %&na sai with a no . 5.n after I acci enta""y char$e his tro&sers to f"ash p&rp"e an green= .n then there was the who"e r&tabaga inci ent= I tho&ght it went=we"".5 !inny bit her "ip to (eep fro$ "a&ghing at her frien /s antics. 1he Snor(ac( h&nt3 whi"e pro &cing no #iab"e e#i ence of the ani$a"s3 ha efinite"y been a ,o&rney to re$e$ber. 5Oh3 I thin( he har "y notice his tro&sers35 she conso"e %&na3 5an whi"e he i ha#e to ig the r&tabaga o&t of his ear3 I o&bt he $in e $&ch. He see$e :&ite=intereste 3 if yo& as( $e. 1he two of yo& bare"y ta"(e to Harry an I at a""7not that I/$ co$p"aining3 be"ie#e $e. 6e3 $ore than anyone3 (now the nee to be a"one when the $o$ent stri(es.5 %&na no feet>5 e istracte "y3 b&t she i see$ $ore ca"$e than before. 5How are Harry/s

!inny "a&ghe . 5Eright re an sti"" stea$ing3 b&t he/"" be fine soon. I/$ ta(ing hi$ a "itt"e treat3 an I $ight ha#e another "itt"e s&rprise hi en in $y bag that I/"" bring o&t "ater. He/"" forget a"" abo&t his feet3 I pro$ise yo&.5 1hey gigg"e b&t then %&na fro;e. 5Oh ear. I/$ not wearing fancy &n erthings.5 She g"ance own at her bright pin( robes an t&rne this way an that3 e+a$ining the$ c"ose"y. 5<o yo& thin( Bo"f wi"" worry abo&t that>5 5.re yo& p"anning on...we""3 that is=5 !inny trai"e off3 &ns&re how $&ch %&na wo&" te"" her3 an how $&ch she act&a""y wanted to (now. 5Oh3 hea#ens no) 0ot on the first ate3 at "east.5 %&na s$i"e serene"y. 5I ,&st tho&ght= perhaps it $ight gi#e $e a bit $ore confi ence if I (now what I/$ wearing &n erneath. 6hi"e co$fortab"e3 $y /I "o#e Heffa"&$ps an 6oo;e"s/ &n erpants $ight not be the best thing if I want to attract a $ate.5 Once again3 !inny fo&n herse"f biting her "ip to (eep fro$ cho(ing on "a&ghter. 56e""3 I/ s&ggest si$p"y re"a+ing an forgetting a"" abo&t yo&r (nic(ers3 %&na. .fter a""3 if yo&/re concentrating on that3 yo& $ight acci enta""y75

5!reat 8er"in3 yo&/re right)5 %&na s$ac(e her forehea an then see$e to ca"$ own. 50o sense getting ahea of $yse"f. Bo"f $ight on"y be intereste in the artic"e3 in the en .5 !inny (ept her s&spicions to herse"f an ga#e a so"e$n no . 52&st ha#e f&n an be yo&rse"f. If it/s $eant to be3 then things wi"" happen. If it/s not3 then yo&/#e $a e a frien an ha#e a won erf&" $e$ory.5 %&na "a&nche herse"f at !inny an he" her tight"y3 s:&ee;ing &nti" !inny tho&ght her eyeba""s $ight ,&st pop o&t. 5@o&/re s&ch a goo frien 3 !inny. I/$ so g"a yo& an Harry ca$e a"ong with $e.5 !inny ret&rne the h&g an then s&c(e in a eep breath when %&na fina""y "et go. 5It/s o&r p"eas&re. 6e/#e ha so $&ch f&n3 %&na3 an we ha#en/t ha to worry abo&t a sing"e reporter or photographer. 6e ha#en/t e#en seen a 6i;ar ing paper with o&r na$es in the hea "ines since we/#e been here. It/s been fantastic)5 5It "oo(s "i(e yo&r cocoa is rea y35 %&na sai as Aerni""a c"eare her throat an han e the tray f&"" of goo ies o#er to !inny. 5I/$ going to $eet Bo"f in town. @o& go an ta(e care of Harry an we/"" $eet &p for brea(fast to$orrow. If I on/t see yo&3 I/"" (now that Harry has co$p"ete"y forgotten abo&t his feet an yo&/re engage in the $ating rit&a" of the %&$py'6inge 6oo"y'Foote Snar("epo .5 !inny fe"t her face heat as Aerni""a wa"(e away gigg"ing. 51han(s3 %&na. !oo "&c( with Bo"f. <on/t o anything I wo&" n/t o)5 %&na/s eyes went wi e an then narrowe as she tho&ght abo&t that. 5Oh3 is there anything yo& wo&" n/t o> 2&st so I can be forewarne .5 !inny "a&ghe an shoo( her hea . 50ot $&ch.5 %&na cac("e with e"ight. 5Harry is a #ery "&c(y wi;ar .5 5I/"" be s&re to te"" hi$ yo& thin( so.5 Harry3 once again3 fo&n hi$se"f in the best p"ace in the wor" . He reste his hea on !inny/s bac(3 "istening to her heart beat an the soft3 rhyth$ic so&n of her breathing. He co&" n/t fee" his feet any$ore3 b&t he wasn/t s&re if that was a conse:&ence of the hi(ing yester ay or if the $ore than twe"#e ho&rs in be with !inny ha erase a"" effects of the $is'"ai char$s. He was hopef&" that it was the "ater. In fact3 he co&" care "ess if he e#er fe"t his feet again after !inny ha p&""e o&t that perfect"y p&rp"e bag an isappeare into the "oo. She e$erge an $ost of the fee"ing in Harry/s bo y ha f"e when he ca&ght sight of the "acy bit of fabric she $o e"e for hi$.

5I thin( this has been the best ho"i ay e#er35 he $&$b"e . !inny sighe an ro""e &nti" they were c&r"e together3 their "egs tang"e . 5I agree. It $ight e#en beat o&r honey$oon3 b&t $ost"y beca&se we ha#en/t seen a sing"e reporter.5 5.n beca&se we ha#e a few "ess inhibitions35 Harry pointe o&t. He re$e$bere a"" too we"" those first f&$b"ing nights an how he/ been so ner#o&s to $a(e s&re that !inny en,oye herse"f an that e#erything was perfect. 56e/#e certain"y ha eno&gh practice35 she "a&ghe . He ran his han &p her si e3 re"ishing the soft3 fragrant s(in there. 50e#er35 Harry sai . 5I on/t thin( there is s&ch a thing.5 1hey share a soft "a&gh. 5I/$ s&rprise %&na hasn/t sent &p a tray f&"" of pro#isions. It/s a"$ost noon.5 Her fingers scratche his sca"p "ight"y an Harry "et his eyes c"ose in p"eas&re. It was perfect right here3 "ost in the $o$ent3 with nothing i$portant pressing. He was te$pte to as( if they co&" stay here fore#er. Aerni""a co&" (eep the$ we"" fe an there were eno&gh roo$s for the 6eas"eys to co$e an #isit when necessary. 51hen again3 I/$ not positi#e she e#en ca$e bac( "ast night.5 !inny gigg"e . 5@o& sho&" ha#e hear her3 going on abo&t her (nic(ers an which I tho&ght Bo"f $ight prefer. I tho&ght I was going to e+p"o e with "a&ghter.5 Harry groane in protest. 5I "o#e her3 I rea""y o3 b&t there are so$e things a frien sho&" n/t (now3 yo& (now> %&na/s "i(e=we""3 she/s "i(e a yo&nger sister to $e. I certain"y on/t want to we"" on her persona" "ife. If she/s happy3 that/s eno&gh for $e.5 !inny ga#e hi$ a "oo( f&"" of fire an it stirre so$ething eep insi e hi$. 5@o&/re a$a;ing3 i yo& (now that>5 56hat>5 He wasn/t s&re what he/ sai that bro&ght on this change of $oo 3 b&t he certain"y wasn/t going to co$p"ain. 1hey he" han s as they wa"(e thro&gh the :&aint "itt"e #i""age3 s"ow"y $ean ering an en,oying the ti$e together. 51his p"ace "oo(s "i(e so$e sort of fairyta"e3 yo& (now>5 !inny $a e a noise of agree$ent an reste her hea against his ar$. 5%&na to" $e it/s not e#en a"" 6i;ar s that "i#e here3 b&t the 8&gg"es "i#e a$ong the$3 co$p"ete"y ob"i#io&s.5 Harry/s eyes scanne the b&i" ings with showy faca es an intricate scro""wor(. It see$e o to hi$ that 8&gg"es wo&" ignore the $o#ing a #ertise$ents in the

win ows an the other &ni:&e feat&res on the b&sinesses3 b&t he s&ppose so$e peop"e si$p"y either i n/t care or chose not to notice things that were o . ."tho&gh3 he wasn/t s&re how anyone co&" e+p"ain the intricate ragon car#e on the sign of the "oca" ta#ern that act&a""y shot rea" fire now an again. 5I/"" $iss it35 he sai . 5I (now it see$s o 3 since we ha#en/t rea""y been o&t here $&ch.5

!inny/s contente s$i"e grew an she po(e his ribs thro&gh his hea#y c"oa(. 51hat/s beca&se we/#e been too intereste in o&r roo$.5 5@es35 Harry snorte 3 5the roo$ is #ery=interesting.5 5@o& (now what I $ean.5 .n he i . Spen ing ti$e with !inny7witho&t so$eone interr&pting7was a icti#e3 Harry eci e . 1he $ore he spent with her3 the $ore he wante . 1hey were foo"s for "etting his cases an !inny/s sche &"e separate the$ for so "ong3 b&t if there was one thing that he/ "earne on this "itt"e ho"i ay3 it was that the$ spen ing so $&ch ti$e apart wasn/t going to happen again. 5It/s been nice not ha#ing so$eone pop &p in o&r faces an b"in &s with f"ash b&"bs.5 Harry agree . 5Or write so$e r&bbish abo&t &s si$p"y beca&se they can. 1here sho&" be so$e sort of "aw against that.5 5Her$ione rea""y sho&" get on that3 yo& (now35 !inny sai 3 ha"f'a$&se . Harry "a&ghe soft"y an t&c(e their intertwine han s f&rther into his poc(et. 1heir feet cr&nche on the snow p"easant"y. 5Bight after she finishes freeing a"" the Ho&se'*"#es an "ect&ring Hagri abo&t his ragon'sa"a$an er esires.5 Bather than (eep the ,o(e going3 tho&gh3 !inny sighe . Harry wante to as( her if so$ething was wrong3 b&t he s&specte he (new. She was fee"ing the sa$e way he was 7satisfie after spen ing ti$e together3 torn abo&t the nee to get bac( to their "i#es3 an pon ering the f&t&re. 5I=I/$ going to fin a way to re &ce $y ho&rs at the 8inistry35 he sai :&iet"y. He chewe his "ip tho&ghtf&""y an fe"t !inny/s :&estioning ga;e on hi$. 5I on/t rea""y nee to pro#e $yse"f any$ore3 o I>5 5Of co&rse not3 Harry. 6hat/s bro&ght this on>5 52&st thin(ing35 sai Harry. 58ost"y abo&t &s3 abo&t what co$es ne+t.5 1hey/ spo(en abo&t ha#ing a fa$i"y3 b&t the "abe" /one ay/ ha a"ways been app"ie . .n it wasn/t "i(e he e+pecte !inny to gi#e &p ?&i itch an her rea$s to stay ho$e an raise a ho&sef&"

of (i s "i(e her $other ha one3 b&t that he wante her to (now he was going to be aro&n if an when they eci e to $a(e /one ay/ happen. 5I ha#e been3 as we""35 !inny sai . 56e ha#en/t ha near"y eno&gh ti$e together3 ha#e we> I $ean3 seeing each other an ho&r a ay3 or ro""ing o#er in be to $a(e s&re yo& $a e it ho$e is= 6e""3 it/s not eno&gh.5 1hey stoppe wa"(ing an t&rne to face each other. 5I agree.5 Harry free his han s fro$ his poc(ets an br&she a stray piece of hair off !inny/s chee(. 5I ha n/t rea"i;e how ba it was=b&t I/#e missed yo&.5 58e too)5 she b&rst o&t3 an her a"rea y'f"&she chee(s ar(ene . 5I $ean3 I/#e $isse you3 I $isse what we ha#e together.5 . $assi#e war$ing char$ co&" n/t ha#e bro&ght Harry $ore co$fort at that $in&te. He stare at her3 won ering if there was so$ething he nee e to say3 so$ething he *ould say to both apo"ogi;e an pro$ise it wo&" n/t happen again. E&t he i n/t (now the wor s. He i n/t (now the things to say to $a(e it an officia" pro$ise. <i he rea""y nee to> 56e ,&st nee to re$e$ber this $o$ent7this one right here35 !inny sai 3 stea"ing the wor s fro$ his $& "e $in . 56hene#er things get bar$y3 an we rea"i;e there aren/t near"y eno&gh ho&rs in the ay3 we thin( bac( to right now an we re$e$ber how it/s s&ppose to fee".5 Her ar$s wrappe aro&n hi$3 bare"y ab"e to c"asp aro&n his bac(3 he was wearing so $any "ayers. He he" her to hi$ tight"y3 an the $o$ent fe"t $agica"7not in the story' boo( sense3 b&t in an act&a" spine'ting"ing3 hair'raising ma)i*al way3 as if they were $a(ing so$e sort of bin ing agree$ent. 5Harry3 I thin(=I thin( this is $y fina" season with the Harpies.5 !inny/s wor s co&" n/t ha#e shoc(e hi$ $ore. She "oo(e ner#o&s an &ns&re3 b&t then reso"#e sprea o#er her feat&res3 rep"acing o&bt with that b"a;ing "oo( he "o#e . 5@o& on/t ha#e to35 Harry sai . 5@o& (now we ha#e fore#er.5 5I (now we o35 she sai . 5E&t I rea""y fee" "i(e="i(e this is what/s $eant to be. I ha#e other things I want to o3 as we""3 not ,&st p"ay ?&i itch.5 5@o& o ha#e $any ta"ents35 Harry sai . He wagg"e his eyebrows an !inny s:&ee;e hi$ p"ayf&""y. 1hey s"ow"y bro(e apart an c"aspe han s once $ore. . few on"oo(ers ch&c("e at the "o#ing co&p"e3 b&t no one too( pict&res3 no one stoppe the$ for a&tographs3 an no one stoo in the $i "e of the snowy si ewa"( an gape at the$.

5.n I/$ not saying I want to start creating "itt"e Aotters i$$e iate"y35 !inny warne "ighthearte "y3 5b&t $aybe we can start thin(ing abo&t it.5 Harry/s heart th& e in his chest as he consi ere the i ea. Chi" ren. He a"ways (new he wante the$7especia""y now that he/ grown co$fortab"e with caring for 1e y. 5E&t I a"so wo&" n/t $in he"ping !eorge at the shop3 or "etting 8&$ con#ince $e to fina""y "earn how to coo(.5 Harry scow"e into the istance. 5@o& coo( ,&st fine)5 !inny "a&ghe . 5Oh3 yo& an I both (now it3 b&t 8&$ is con#ince that I/$ fai"ing at that part of $y wife"y &ty since yo&/re sti"" s(inny as a rai".5 Harry gr&$b"e :&iet"y an that $a e !inny "a&gh e#en $ore. 5Oh3 on/t worry abo&t it3 she ,&st "i(es to f&ss.5 It was tr&e3 b&t Harry fe"t o being the target of her f&ssing3 e#en after so $any years. 1here was sti"" a part of hi$3 a"tho&gh it grew s$a""er an s$a""er the $ore ti$e he spent aro&n the 6eas"eys3 that was in awe at how $&ch they ha accepte hi$ into their "i#es. 8aybe it was so$ething he wasn/t e#er s&ppose to get &se to fee"ing3 $aybe that was the i$portant part7that he a"ways ho" onto that fee"ing of a$a;e$ent an gratit& e. 56hich one are we $eeting %&na an Bo"f at>5 he as(e 3 peering at the en of the roa where the "ast few b&i" ings sat before the fro;en Swe ish "an scape too( o#er again. 5H$$3 she sai to "oo( for a h&ge b&bb"ing ca&" ron an we/ ha#e the right one.5 Harry/s eyebrows rose at the sight of the b&i" ing in :&estion. How on earth i 8&gg"es $iss that? It was $assi#e. . h&ge b"ac( ca&" ron sat perche on the roof3 stea$ an act&a" b&bb"es rising fro$ it in a stea y strea$. 51his p"ace is efinite"y=&ni:&e35 !inny sai with a "a&gh. Harry ha to agree. .n whi"e #ery o fee"=a"$ost at ho$e. 3 there was so$ething abo&t it that $a e hi$

52&st so yo& (now35 he sai 3 5we/re hiring %&na to p"an every ho"i ay fro$ now on.5 5It has been bri""iant.5 5I/$ not s&re how she $anage to (eep e#erything away fro$ the press3 a"so. I $ean= thin( abo&t it. 0ot one artic"e. 0ot one pict&re. 0o one (nows where we are3 they/#e "eft &s a"one. 0o one cares that we/re on ho"i ay3 h&nting $ythica" creat&res that probab"y on/t e#en e+ist)5 He probab"y so&n e "i(e a foo"3 b&t that ha been the best part of this "itt"e trip.

5It/s "i(e we/re ,&st e#ery ay peop"e35 !inny agree happi"y. 5I "i(e being e#ery ay peop"e35 Harry sai . He spotte %&na in the win ow of the p&b3 wa#ing at hi$3 an Bo"f in the seat ne+t to her. 5Is it $a that we/re where we are3 with who we/re with3 an it fee"s "i(e we/re nor$a" peop"e>5 5.bso"&te"y35 !inny sai . She t&gge hi$ forwar with their ,oine han s. 5E&t that/s the best part.5

*Chapter &*: Chapter &: In Search Of 'eace

.&thor/s 0ote: I hope yo& ha f&n rea ing this "itt"e bit of f"&ffy co$e y. I ha f&n writing it. 2&"ie an 4athy i a"" the beta wor( on this3 an they eser#e a "ot of the cre it for it t&rning o&t so goo . 1han(s for the chance to entertain) Chapter &: In Search Of'eace -i)htin)s of Famous Cou$le Cro$ B$ (ll Over 6n)land By Glow Pushbody (fter a tense wee' of bu00 and s$e*ulation not to mention the horrifi* $roof that the #ero of the !i0ardin) !orld leads a double life one would thin' that we *ould ta'e no more3 No more sho*'in) lies #arry Potter3 No more heartbro'en heroes Ginny Potter3 (nd it seems as if the *ounselin) wherever the *ou$le re*eived it has been a su**ess& The duo was seen wal'in) down :ia)on (lley hand in hand window sho$$in) on Tuesday& 6ye witnesses re$ort they were stiff and rather aloof in their intera*tions and the *haste $e*' on the li$s they shared was far from $assionate but at least the fen*es seem to be mendin)& 5r& Potter who seems to have ta'en our advi*e and slimmed down "-ee Char$ing .way 1hose Snea(y Ho"i ay Stones $a)e C% even sto$$ed to le*ture a few *hildren who were over.enthusiasti*ally runnin) about& On !ednesday ,uite the o$$osite behavior was witnessed& The *ou$le was observed in #o)smeade in a very demonstrative amorous *lut*h that made 5r& Rufus O+1eef an onloo'er blush horribly& =That 5rs& Potter sure *an 'iss = he re$orted& =(nd 5r& Potter is ,uite er@well@res$onsive too& !herever they went to )et *ounselin) ma'e sure not to mention it to my wife yeah? -he mi)ht want me to do the same&= Thursday found the *ou$le on*e a)ain in :ia)on (lley holdin) hands and *anoodlin)& They were mu*h more affe*tionate on this tri$ than the $revious /ondon e;*ursion but

far more dis*reet with their e;*han)es than in #o)smeade& "One does wonder what 5adam Rosmerta $uts in her mulled mead3% The *ou$le made several sto$s on their tri$< they visited Fortes*ue+s I*e Cream Parlor were seen enterin) !easleys+ !i0ard !hee0es and e;ited )i))lin) from Catherine+s Covert Bnmentionables with a rather lar)e.si0ed s*andalously $ur$le ba)& Ginny did s*old #arry several times for insistin) that they ta'e a tri$ into 5u))le /ondon to +see the si)hts+ one observer noted& Friday 5r& Potter was seen in both #o)smeade and :ia)on (lley alone but he seemed intent on $rovidin) all sorts of treasure for his bride wherever she was& "Bnless he was $ur*hasin) $resents for any other wit*hes out there that we haven+t dis*overed yet&% #e bou)ht several bo;es of #oneydu'es finest a *ase of butterbeer from The Three Broomsti*'s one tri$le.*ho*olate and sna00leberry sundae from Fortes*ue+s three e;tra. lar)e robes from 5adam 5al'in+s and a hi)hly ,uestionable *o$y of 6hat *#ery *+pectant 6i;ar ing Father Sho&" 4now whi*h he *laimed was a )ift for his brother. in.law Geor)e !easley whom he des*ribed as a handsome enter$risin) youn) wi0ard& -u*h e**entri*ities ma'e one wonder what sur$rises 5r& Potter mi)ht have u$ his sleeve& -aturday found them visitin) the 5useum of 2uiddit*h and then s$endin) time to)ether at the Chudley CannonsD($$leby (rrows mat*h later that evenin)& 5r& Potter seemed e;traordinarily e;uberant *heerin) for the Cannons& It sur$rised me dear readers as 5r& Potter has always worn #ar$ies+ )reen and )old ever sin*e his then.)irlfriend si)ned with the team& 5rs& Potter seemed far less interested in wat*hin) the )ame than in readin) the thi*' tome in her la$ it is re$orted& Perha$s the obsession with 2uiddit*h is wearin) off for the #olyhead star $layer? Possibly the re*ent u$heaval and then settlin) of their marria)e has turned Ginny+s head away from the s$otli)ht and toward more ladyli'e $ursuits? In all instan*es the Potters seemed thrilled to find themselves bein) $hoto)ra$hed and even )ave a few ,uotes to this re$orter althou)h the strin) of adje*tives used to des*ribe the ($$leby (rrows is far too tawdry to $rint here& (nd one would assume that whatever *hasm e;isted between them last wee' has been brid)ed& Or is it another *ase of those de*eitful Potters $ullin) the demi)uise hair over our eyes? One dedi*ated reader who wishes to remain anonymous *ommented that all the si)htin)s seemed to $oint to use of a dod)y love $otion& The attra*tive youn) lady with a $en*hant for wearin) the latest !i0ardin) fashions said she+d had some mild e;$erien*e with love $otions in the $ast and that she *ould s$ot the side effe*ts from a mile away& =It wouldn+t sur$rise me if #arry?er 5r& Potter that is?has )rown tired of the ridi*ulously mundane life his wife $rovides and attem$ted to loo' elsewhere for the love and devotion he deserves& I wouldn+t $ut it $ast Ginny !easley to sli$ him a ,uestionable substan*e to 'ee$ her hold on him as well as his family fortune&= Neville /on)bottom a lon).time friend of both 5r& and 5rs& Potter denied the *laim& =That+s absolute rubbish& Ginny would never stoo$ so low and she wouldn+t need to anyway& #arry adores her and anyone who believes the lies $rinted in that "*ensored for the sensitivity of our readers% ra) is full of dra)on "*ensored for the deli*ate eyes of

faithful followers%3= Needless to say we now 'now where 5r& Potter learned his *olorful array of words& !ith friends li'e this 5r& Potter who needs enemies? (s a life.lon) fan of the illustrious 5r& Potter I Glow Pushbody ur)e him to *ome forward and )ive an e;*lusive interview with me& I+d be ha$$y to meet him at the $la*e of his *onvenien*e so that we *an strai)hten out all this rumor and innuendo& It+s time that our relu*tant hero set the re*ord strai)ht3 The $ubli* demands it sir3 Bntil then yours in in' and heart Glow !inny s&r#eye the isaster3 "etting her eyes scan the heaping $o&n . Her han s "ifte 3 as if to start igging thro&gh it3 b&t she was &ns&re where to e#en begin. 5I/ say it/s goo to be ho$e3 b&t=5 Harry ch&c("e fro$ behin her an n&;;"e his face into her nec(. 5I (now what yo& $ean. Cnpac(ing is a"ways the worst. I ne#er &se to o it after Hogwarts9 I ,&st "i#e o&t of $y tr&n( &nti" e#erything was scattere e#erywhere. It ro#e .&nt Aet&nia /ro&n the twist.5 !inny "a&ghe . 5Oh3 so i I) 8&$ an I &se to ha#e the worst rows abo&t it.5 51hen why o we ha#e to worry abo&t it at a"">5 Harry as(e 3 a hint of $ischief in his #oice. 5@o&r 8&$ isn/t co$ing o#er anyti$e soon an there/s no way .&nt Aet&nia wi"" show &p. .n I certain"y won/t te"" anyone we/re being s"obs.5 She t&rne in his e$brace an wrappe her ar$s &p aro&n his nec(. 56e""35 she sai s"ow"y. 5I s&ppose we co&" "ea#e it the $ess. E&t it fee"s rather chi" ish3 on/t yo& thin(>5 Harry was co$p"ete"y istracte 3 tho&gh3 by the s(in at her nec( an the frec("es on her co""arbone. He see$e to thin( they nee e (issing an e+p"oring right then. 50ot at a"". It/s co$p"ete"y a &"t of &s to ignore it in fa#or of oing so$ething $&ch $ore satisfying.5 !inny s:&ea"e when he sn&ff"e his nose against a partic&"ar"y tic("ish spot. 5@es3 b&t= it $ight he"p=if we ha n/t=.co#ere the be )5 Harry "ifte his face an peere b"eary'eye at the heap of c"othing an persona" ite$s scattere a"" o#er their be . He sighe an s"i his g"asses bac( on. 56ho says we nee a be 3 tho&gh>5 !inny "a&ghe an (isse hi$. 5Co$e on3 we/"" both tac("e it an then $aybe3 once we fin the $attress3 I/"" "et yo& istract $e co$p"ete"y.5

5@o&/re a (i"",oy3 yo& (now35 Harry gr&$b"e . He s"i his han into hers an t&gge her towar the $ess. 5I thin( we sho&" $a(e "o#e right here on top of e#erything. It/"" be "i(e the en ing ce"ebration to o&r trip.5 51hat/s what yo& sai when we sn&c( into that c&pboar in the Aort(ey office35 she re$in e hi$. 5.n right before we chec(e o&t of the hote".5 5.n when we got ho$e35 he sai with a sigh. 5I ha#e a one'trac( $in 3 apparent"y.5 50ot that I on/t "o#e the i ea35 !inny contin&e 3 5b&t I on/t partic&"ar"y fancy igging this o&t of $y bac(si e.5 She he" &p her Snor(ac( h&nting he"$et7a gift fro$ %&na to re$e$ber the trip by. Harry b&rst into "a&ghter. 5@o& sho&" efinite"y wear that "ater35 he sai . 51hat an nothing e"se.5

1he #ision $a e her "a&gh. I$agining the two of the$ trying to be a$oro&s whi"e both sporting their he"$ets was certain"y=so$ething. 5.n $aybe these.5 Harry t&gge !inny/s "ong3 stripe soc(s o&t of the pi"e an wagg"e his eyebrows. 5I/"" wear the$ to the E&rrow when we go for inner3 sha"" I> ."tho&gh3 if it/s a"" the sa$e to yo&3 I/ prefer to wear so$ething a"ong with the$.5 Harry sighe $&st.5 ra$atica""y an banishe the soc(s to the growing "a&n ry pi"e. 5If yo&

<inner at the E&rrow was far $ore re"a+ing than Harry e+pecte it to be. @es3 there was a bit of chaos3 b&t that was :&ite nor$a". Dictoire often &pset her rin( at the tab"e3 1e y was constant"y cyc"ing hair co"ors3 in#ariab"y so$eone t&rne into a canary3 or an e$&3 or so$e other creat&re3 an the noise "e#e" was a"ways ,&st be"ow co$p"ete"y eafening. 1hat/s ,&st how the E&rrow was. Bon thr&st a war$ b&tterbeer into his han an Harry ran( eep"y3 (eeping an eye on 1e y3 who was trying to ta"( Dictoire o&t of p"aying ho&se an into so$ething far $ore interesting3 "i(e ress &p. 5How was the trip> 6here i yo& en &p3 anyway>5 Harry ch&c("e . 5Swe en. 6e went on a Cr&$p"e'Horne Snor(ac( h&nt.5 Bon cho(e on his rin(3 sp"&ttering b&tterbeer own the front of his robes. 5@o&/re ta(ing the piss.5

50ot at a""35 Harry sai with a grin. 5Eest ho"i ay e#er3 I/$ te""ing yo&. %&na sho&" go into b&siness as a tra#e" p"anner. She was bri""iant.5 Bon scr&nche his face &p in tho&ght. 5<i yo& act&a""y fin so$ething>5 5Oh3 not at a"". 0o Snor(ac(s3 anyway. %&na fo&n a b"o(e that she fancies3 tho&gh.5 Harry s$i"e at the $e$ory of a tong&e'tie %&na. 6hen he to" Bon the story3 Bon b&rst o&t "a&ghing. 51hat/s perfect) I ne#er tho&ght anything co&" r&ff"e %&na/s feathers.5 5Oh3 she/s gone o#er hi$3 I thin(. Aoor b"o(e has no i ea3 I on/t thin(3 tho&gh. He see$s to be a nice sort3 tho&gh. O" er than &s. I (now they spent $ost of the wee( together.5 56hat o yo& $ean> @o& weren/t a"" together>5 Harry grinne an shoo( his hea . 1e y ran thro&gh the "i#ing roo$3 trying to escape Dictoire/s c"&tches3 b&t !inny ca&ght the two sprogs before they co&" o any a$age to anything. 56e went on the e+pe ition with the$ an ha inner a co&p"e ti$es together3 b&t we were $ost"y on o&r own.5 5<oing what>5 Bon as(e with a snort. Harry s$ir(e at his frien an the tips of Bon/s ears t&rne re with the rea"i;ation of what Harry was going to say. 5*r$3 we""= . "itt"e of this3 a "itt"e of that.5 5Oh.5 5@eah.5 1he two frien s trai"e off to s"ight"y aw(war si"ence. Harry watche !inny $e iate between 1e y an Dictoire. Since her confession that she wante this season to be her "ast in professiona" ?&i itch Fso$ething they/ both eci e to (eep secret &nti" the en of the seasonG Harry fo&n hi$se"f ay rea$ing $ore an $ore abo&t starting a fa$i"y with her. 1he i$age in his $in of her growing "arge with their chi" insi e was one that sent p"easant shi#ers a"" thro&gh hi$. 5=I i n/t (now yo& i n/t "i(e pic("es3 .ngie) %ast wee( yo& sai =5 !eorge trai"e after his "arge"y pregnant wife3 p"ea ing his ignorance of her finic(y eating habits an both Bon an Harry "a&ghe . .nge"ina3 whi"e passionate abo&t ?&i itch3 was a fair"y oci"e wo$an3 b&t !eorge/s stories of the things he got in tro&b"e for "ate"y were a"ar$ing. 5I on/t en#y hi$. Eoth F"e&r an .& rey were bar$y when they were pregnant35 Bon sai . 5@o& re$e$ber that one ti$e when Ei"" showe &p with that obsc&re he+ on his=5

1hey both sh& ere in $e$ory. It ha ta(en three ho&rs of st& ying Her$ione/s co""ection of ancient te+ts before they/ fo&n the spe"" to re#erse F"e&r/s creati#e re"ease of e$otions. 8aybe Harry co&" wait a whi"e $ore &nti" he an !inny trie to get pregnant. .fter a""3 there was no r&sh3 was there> 5Eesi es a"" the=er$=time3 what was the best part of the trip>5 Bon sai . 5I/$ s&re now that yo&/re bac(3 !inny wi"" te"" Her$ione a"" abo&t it an we/"" en &p with %&na ragging &s off to Eora Eora3 searching for the Ean e E&"bo&s Snarfb"at.5 Harry ch&c("e . 56e""3 it/ be ifferent for yo&3 wo&" n/t it> 1he best part for &s was getting away fro$ the press3 $ost"y3 an ,&st spen ing ti$e together. <i yo& (now there wasn/t a sing"e paper waiting for &s when we got bac(> 0o $ai"3 either.5 Harry shoo( his hea in a$a;e$ent. It was thri""ing to co$e bac( to a ho&se not b&rie in post an newspapers. 5*r=we""=abo&t that.5 Bon/s ears t&rne e#en re er an Harry "eane bac( against the wa""3 preparing hi$se"f for whate#er Bon was going to confess. 8ost "i(e"y3 he an Her$ione ha arri#e before Harry an !inny an gathere anything :&estionab"e &p. 6hen Harry as(e hi$3 Bon no e . 56e""3 we i that3 as we"".5 0ow Harry was wary. 5.s we"">5 Bon sighe an r&bbe his forehea . 5@o&/ better sit own. In fact3 ca"" !inny o#er. 1his $ay ta(e so$e ti$e.5 Eefore he (new what was happening3 there was a f&""'b"own 6eas"ey Fa$i"y Co&nci" in progress. .nge"ina offere to ta(e the chi" ren &pstairs3 c"ai$ing that she was the on"y innocent one as she/ ha no acti#e part in their insane p"ans. 50ow that they/re o&t of the way35 !inny sai as she narrowe her eyes at her fa$i"y. 51e"" &s what/s going on>5 She s&r#eye the roo$ an then foc&se in on Bon3 who was the $ost "i(e"y to brea( &n er his sister/s wrath. Harry r&bbe his han &p an own her bac( to soothe her. If a"" they/ one was ,&st #anish the ,&n( $ai"3 there was no reason to get wor(e &p. !rante 3 they/ bro(en into the ho&se to o it3 b&t Harry co&" forgi#e that. 5It a"" starte when that $a !"ow A&shbo y wrote that artic"e abo&t yo& ha#ing a secon wife3 Harry35 Bon sai with a scow". Harry/s ,aw roppe an !inny $a e a so&n "i(e an angry cat. Aercy c"eare his throat. 51o be honest3 the prob"e$ starte "ong before that.5

56ee(s ago35 Her$ione agree with a no . 5So$eone sho&" rea""y "oo( into her ethics 75 5I offere to ta(e care of the prob"e$35 !eorge sai . 5I ha#e so$e contacts that ass&re $e they can $a(e so$eone75 5It/s horrib"y &nfair35 8o""y agree 3 right o#er the top of e#eryone e"se. 51hey on/t e#en (now yo&3 an here they c"ai$ yo&r $arriage is fai"ing75 Ei"" ha t&rne to !eorge. 5=bet we (now so$e of the sa$e b"o(es. 1here &se to be this one c&rsebrea(er in *gypt75 5It w&; a"" for yo&r goo 3 /arry3 yo& /a#e to be"ie#e &;35 F"e&r p"ea e . 5I a$ too bea&tif&" to be para ing aro&n a; ;o$eone &;;er ;an $y;e"f3 ob#io&s"y75 5=an I co&" n/t ,&st "et the$ get away with that3 Harry3 not after a"" we/#e been thro&gh. .n !inny=we""3 she/s $y "itt"e sister75 Her$ione an Aercy were ta"(ing e+cite "y abo&t new "egis"ation to pre#ent so$ething fro$ happening3 b&t with a"" the con#ersations b&rsting aro&n hi$3 Harry on"y ca&ght a few wor s. 5Of co&rse3 we on/t be"ie#e yo& ha anything to o with "o#e potions3 ear3 b&t one $&st consi er one/s rep&tation75 1he chaos of the $o$ent $a e Harry/s hea spin. !inny "oo(e as if she $ight get a cric( in her nec( fro$ swi#e"ing her hea bac( an forth3 trying to fo""ow what was happening. Fina""y3 she h&ffe an s"appe her han s own on her thighs before retrie#ing her wan . 1he bang she "et off ratt"e pict&res on the wa"" an $a e e#eryone ,&$p. 5@o&35 she sai fir$"y an pointe her wan at Bon. 51e"" $e what/s going on3 an what the he"" e#eryone is ta"(ing abo&t.5 Bon ha his han s &p in front of his face3 probab"y to war off any inco$ing he+es. He swa""owe thic("y. 58e> 6hy $e> It was a"" Aercy/s i ea) I ha no i ea what he was going on abo&t. 1here was this bisc&it3 yo& see. 6ith choco"ate bits=5 Her$ione po(e his si e an Bon wince . 56itch 6ee("y has been r&nning ai"y artic"es on the two of yo&35 Her$ione sai . 5It/s ri ic&"o&s3 if yo& as( $e. Since they/#e starte this ai"y for$at3 there isn/t anything b&t this r&bbish they/#e $a e &p abo&t the two of yo& to p&t into it.5

Harry an !inny "oo(e at each other. 56e ha#en/t hear anything abo&t the$35 !inny sai . Her$ione scow"e . 56e""3 that/s=o 3 b&t not entire"y &ne+pecte . Aerhaps %&na $a e arrange$ents with the hote" to ho" a"" post3 or=perhaps she e#en cast an Cntraceab"e Char$ on yo&. 1hey/re notorio&s"y &nre"iab"y3 act&a""y3 b&t75 Bon sighe "o& "y. 5Her$ione. 1he point.5 5Oh3 yes3 we""=at first the artic"es were ,&st the nor$a" r&bbish7$arita" tro&b"es75 5Scan a"o&s rag35 8o""y swore soft"y. .rth&r patte her sho&" er fon "y. 1he a$&se s$ir( he wore i $ore to sett"e Harry/s ner#es abo&t the who"e sit&ation than anything. If .rth&r wasn/t too wor(e &p abo&t it3 how ba co&" it be> 5E&t then things got nasty35 Ei"" pic(e &p the story. 5Since no one o&tsi e of &s (new yo& were on ho"i ay3 e#eryone was spec&"ating abo&t the isappearance. 1hey sai yo& were in co&nse"ing to sa#e the $arriage3 or co&nse"ing to stop fro$ (i""ing each other.5 Harry snorte an raise his eyebrow at !inny. 51hey/#e got yo& fig&re o&t3 "o#e. @o& an yo&r horri te$per.5 She shoo( her hea . 5@o& (now $e too we"".5 51hen when no one co&" trac( yo&35 Aercy sai 3 5they starte to co$e into the 8inistry to $a(e 8issing Aersons reports. I $&st ha#e fifteen fi"es on $y es( fro$ peop"e con#ince yo&/ been attac(e by ar( wi;ar s3 or (i nappe for ranso$.5 Harry stare at the fa$i"y incre &"o&s"y. 56e/#e on"y been gone for a wee'35 5<oesn/t $atter3 $ate35 Bon sai sa "y. 5@o&/re a hero3 an !inny/s=we""3 she/s Ginny.5 51he best was when that reporter fo&n that 8&gg"e b"o(e that "oo(e sort of "i(e yo&75 5If yo& co#ere one eye35 Bon interr&pte !eorge. 5@eah3 an s:&inte the other one.5 51hro&gh the rain35 Ei"" a e with a "a&gh. 57an ha the who"e 6i;ar ing wor" con#ince yo& ha ch&c(e !inny an were $arrie to so$e wo$an=what was her na$e>5 5<aisy35 .& rey s&pp"ie with a s$a"" s$ir(.

56hat>5 Harry sat forwar an gape at the$. His hea was spinning3 not on"y fro$ the patchwor( e+p"anation3 b&t fro$ the i ea that a"" of this ha gone on whi"e he an !inny ha been on ho"i ay. 6o&" they ne#er be a""owe to ha#e a nice3 :&iet "ife> 51hat/s when we a"" eci e 75 54ou eci e 3 $ate35 Bon correcte . 5!eorge an I were b&sy with the bisc&it.5 51he !reat Eisc&it Eatt"e.5 !eorge "a&ghe fon "y. 51he C"ash for the Coo(ie. 1he75 8o""y c"&c(e her tong&e. 5*no&gh3 !eorge.5 !eorge ga#e a sheepish "oo( to his $other b&t e+change a grin with Bon. 56e""3 I a $it it was $y i ea35 sai Aercy 56hat was>5 !inny e+p"o e . 5I sti"" ha#e no i ea what yo&/re a"" on abo&t)5 58e either35 Harry a e for goo $eas&re. 56e eci e that the press nee e so$ething goo to report35 Aercy sai . He a ,&ste his g"asses pri$"y3 b&t the s$i"e he wore re$in e Harry of his twin brothers. 51hey nee e to see yo& as a happy co&p"e3 co$p"ete"y in "o#e.5 5Of co&rse we/re in "o#e35 !inny sai $oo i"y. 56e a"" (now ;at3 !inny35 F"e&r sai 3 p"acating"y. 5E&t ;e press=;ey ,&st o not &n erstan ;es ;ings. Jey say ;e $arriage i; in tro&b"e3 an peop"e be"ie#e ;e$)5 5So we po"y,&ice o&rse"#es3 as co&p"es3 to $a(e appearances aro&n *ng"an .5 Bon/s e+p"anation stoppe there an e#eryone bea$e at Harry an !inny. 5@o&=er=5 5.re yo& insane? Bon ro""e his eyes. 5It rea""y was the perfect p"an3 if yo& thin( abo&t it.5 5Dery creati#e35 Her$ione sai . 5.n whi"e I on/t "i(e brea(ing the r&"es75 Bon snorte . 5@eah3 yo&/#e ne#er one that in yo&r "ife.5 He co&ghe so$ething that so&n e s&spicio&s"y "i(e /gringotts/ an recei#e an angry hiss fro$ his wife in ret&rn. Harry stoo an presse his finger an th&$b beneath his g"asses. 5Hang on3 "et $e get this straight. 1o stop the artic"es3 yo& &se po"y,&ice to preten to be !inny an $e3 an =an what>5

58a e appearances35 Aercy sai 3 as if it were the $ost "ogica" thing in the wor" . 56e "et peop"e see yo& as yo& rea""y are35 .& rey sai . 5Happy together an in "o#e.5 56e certain"y i n/t $ean to &pset yo&35 .rth&r sai . His eyebrows were p&""e together an he "oo(e torn between begging for forgi#eness an efen ing what they/ one. In rea"ity3 Harry wasn/t &pset at a"". He was ,&st asto&n e that they/ gone to s&ch "engths. He "oo(e at !inny3 c&rio&s at her reaction3 b&t she was bent o#er he (nees3 c"&tching her sto$ach an "a&ghing so har her face was re . 56e""3 that/s gratit& e for yo&35 Ei"" $&$b"e 3 a"tho&gh he "oo(e $ore a$&se than annoye . 5@o&=were=&s>5 !inny $anage between s&c(e in breaths. 5."" of &s ha a t&rn35 .rth&r sai pro& "y. 5*#en $oi35 F"e&r sai with a pro& s$i"e. 5.";o&gh ;os reporter; were i$p& ent3 ;aying $y Eee" /a wan ering /an s when I in#ite ;e$ to wan er.5 Harry trie to i$agine each of the co&p"es ta(ing part in s&ch a cra;y sche$e b&t it was har to pict&re. 5Aercy an I too( a "itt"e wa"( thro&gh <iagon .""ey35 .& rey sai . 56e $a e s&re to share so$e appropriate (isses now an again3 an a"ways he" han s.5 5F"e&r an I were ne+t35 Ei"" sai . 5.n we $ight ha#e gotten a "itt"e carrie away in Hogs$ea e3 b&t in o&r efense3 e#eryone bo&ght &s ro&n s. <o yo& ever pay for rin(s3 Harry>5 5Bare"y35 Harry sai absent"y. 5.rth&r an I ha o&r t&rn3 as we""35 sai 8o""y. 56e spent s&ch a e"ightf&" ay in <iagon .""ey an we e#en share a s&n ae at Fortesc&e/s.5 5.n then 8o""y "et $e go o&t into %on on35 .rth&r b&rst o&t. 5<i yo& (now there are $achines that when yo& stic( a "itt"e car into the$3 they gi#e yo& $oney> It/s :&ite bri""iant)5 Harry fo""owe the nat&ra" progression an t&rne to "oo( at !eorge. 56e""3 of co&rse I wore a Harry s&it for the ay) <on/t be abs&r ) How $any opport&nities "i(e that a$ I going to get in a "ifeti$e> .ngie wo&" ha#e been ga$e3 b&t she/s too shirty75

5.he$.5 F"e&r/s c"eare throat an .& rey/s g"are $a e !eorge/s wor s e#aporate an he swa""owe :&ic("y. 56e weren/t s&re the a #isabi"ity of ta(ing po"y,&ice whi"e preggers. Ey the way3 $ate3 yo& owe $e three h&n re ga""eons. I ha a bit of a shopping spree for !inners3 there.5 Harry gape at hi$ an !inny snorte . 5.n ,&st when o I get $y presents>5 !eorge grinne . 5I/"" be happy to share the spoi"s when yo& get rea y to pop o&t the first wee Aotter3 there3 !in. !et on that3 wo&" yo&>5 Harry fe"t his face heat b&t chose not to respon . !inny/s cho(e so&n was eno&gh answer for the$ as a co&p"e. 5How abo&t yo&>5 he as(e Bon an Her$ione. 5<one anything interesting whi"e yo& prance abo&t as &s>5 52&st a ?&i itch $atch35 Her$ione is$isse . Bon sp"&ttere an ,&$pe to his feet. 58ust a ?&i itch $atch> 8B-T? Her$ione3 the Cannons a"$ost won that one) 1hey on"y "ost by a h&n re points an it was c"ose for the first two ho&rs.5 Harry/s incre &"ity abo&t the who"e sit&ation f"e an was rep"ace by the nee to "a&gh that rose &p fro$ his toes. It cons&$e hi$ as he rea"i;e that the entire 6eas"ey fa$i"y ha been traipsing aro&n 3 preten ing to be the$3 a"" to stop the press fro$ $a(ing &p "ies. It was horrib"y to&ching3 b&t hi"ario&s a"" the sa$e. Bon an Her$ione carrie on their bic(ering. 5I certain"y wasn/t going to spen the ay in so$e "ibrary so$ewhere.5 5For once3 I/ "i(e to see &s o so$ething that interests $e3 Bona" .5 56e f"ippe a coin35 Bon sai with a far too innocent shr&g. Her$ione/s eyes narrowe . 5I (now yo& cheate so$ehow3 Bon3 b&t I ,&st can/t pro#e it.5 Bon grinne tri&$phant"y an (isse her on the hea . 5It/s a goo thing yo& "o#e $e3 then.5 *#eryone share a "a&gh whi"e Harry an !inny processe e#erything. 6hi"e they/ been on ho"i ay3 en,oying the peace an :&iet of Swe en3 a"" he"" ha been brea(ing "ose at ho$e. .n yet3 their bri""iant fa$i"y ha one so$ething certifiab"y $a to protect the$.

5So=what e#er beca$e of the artic"es>5 !inny as(e . 5<i they be"ie#e it was &s or i so$eone catch on to how yo& tric(e the$>5 5Oh they be"ie#e the sightings ,&st fine35 Aercy sai . 1here was so$ething he was ho" ing bac(3 tho&gh3 Harry co&" te"". 5E&t=we""3 there were s&ggestions of a "o#e potion.5 !inny snorte . 5.s if I/ nee one.5 Harry grinne at her. 0o3 she wo&" ne#er nee a "o#e potion to $a(e hi$ fa"" for her. 51hat/"" be ta(en care of soon35 Bon sai . He grinne pro& "y an e#eryone in the fa$i"y t&rne to "oo( at hi$. 5*r=I $ean=we""3 it wi"".5 Harry was abo&t to as( hi$ to e"aborate when 1e y an Dictoire th&n ere stairs. own the

5I/$ not wearing $a(e&p)5 1e y roare . He o#e for Harry an b&rrowe in the s$a"" space between hi$ an !inny. 51ee yyyy35 Dictoire wine . 5It/s on"y "ipstic()5

Harry shie" e his go son fro$ Dictoire/s eter$ine efforts to get hi$ to wear the bright pin( $a(e&p. Ei"" fina""y snatche his a&ghter an too( her to the (itchen to get so$e p& ing. 5.ww3 co$e on3 "itt"e $an35 !eorge ca,o"e 1e y. 5It was ,&st the perfect sha e to $atch yo&r hair.5 1e y scow"e at !eorge an Harry patte hi$ on the bac( reass&ring"y. .rth&r stoo an c"appe his han s together happi"y. 5I on/t (now abo&t anyone e"se3 b&t I on/t p"an to "et Ei"" an $y "itt"e gran a&ghter ha#e a"" the p& ing)5 Bon sw&ng 1e y &p on his sho&" ers an the fa$i"y a"" fi"e into the (itchen3 "ea#ing Harry an !inny a"one. 1hey sat in st&nne si"ence for a few $in&tes3 "istening to the in of p& e#o&re in the other roo$. 5I on/t (now what to say3 honest"y.5 !inny "o""e her hea against his sho&" er. 5I (now. How co&" we ha#e been co$p"ete"y ob"i#io&s to it a"">5 5I on/t (now35 Harry sai 3 5b&t=in a way=it/s bri""iant.5 ing being

!inny peere at hi$. 5How o yo& fig&re> Aeop"e honest"y be"ie#e those r&bbish artic"es3 Harry. 1hey be"ie#e that o&r $arriage was in tro&b"e.5 Harry shr&gge an s"i his ar$ aro&n her sho&" ers. 5%et the$ be"ie#e what they wi"". 6e (now the tr&th3 an yo&r fa$i"y (nows the tr&th. 1hey/re the $ost i$portant ones. O&r frien s $ost "i(e"y on/t rea the$ anyway.5 !inny "oo(e so$ewhat $o""ifie . 5I s&ppose so.5 5.n 3 fro$ what it so&n s "i(e3 they/#e been gi#en proof that there/s no nee to worry abo&t &s.5 5Can yo& i$agine3 tho&gh> 8y $arents3 Harry3 preten e to be &s. 1hat $eans=5 She pa"e an stare at hi$ with wi e eyes. 58&$ probab"y (nows abo&t $y tattoo now.5 Harry sobere an wince . 8o""y wo&" n/t "i(e the i ea of that at a""3 he (new. 56e""3 if she i 3 I/$ s&re she wo&" ha#e $entione it right off.5 5I s&ppose so35 !inny sai again. She chewe her "ip3 b&t then a s$i"e too( o#er. 5I/$ going to ha#e to e+p"ain to the Harpies why $y husband was acting "i(e a star( ra#ing "&natic at a Cannons $atch now.5 Harry "a&ghe an (isse her te$p"e. 52&st te"" the$ he was pisse an ha no i ea who he was cheering for.5 51hat/s p"a&sib"e35 !inny sai with a "a&gh3 5it/s a (nown fact that yo& on/t ho" yo&r "i:&or we"".5 Harry p&""e her onto his "ap an b"ew a raspberry on her nec(. 51a(e it bac()5 5Or what>5 5Or I/"" eat yo&r share of p& ing35 Bon sai fro$ the oorway. He he" two p"ates with heaping ser#ings of treac"e tart. He e"i#ere the foo an he an Her$ione sat across fro$ the$. !inny staye on Harry/s "ap an they both &g in. 1he war$ treac"e $e"te into Harry/s tong&e an he near"y sighe in satisfaction. 5So=what was this abo&t Harry being $arrie to so$e other witch>5 5Oh3 it wasn/t a witch35 Her$ione sai . 5It was a 8&gg"e. 1hey both were.5 54ings"ey too( care of it for yo&3 wante $e to te"" yo&.5 Bon ch&c("e an "ic(e treac"e off his finger. 5Sai that A&shbo y witch $&st ha#e "earne her $e$ory char$s fro$ %oc(hart. 0ot s&re if the poor 8&gg"e wi"" e#er "ose that o twitch in his "eft eye3 b&t there yo& ha#e it.5

Her$ione scow"e . 5Arofessor %oc(hart was :&ite goo at $e$ory char$s3 if yo& thin( abo&t it.5 1hey a"" "a&ghe at her in ignation. 5I/$ ta"(ing abo&t %oc(hart now3 "o#e3 not when yo& worshipe hi$.5 Harry wince when Her$ione gaspe an they starte arg&ing again. Bon on"y "a&ghe 3 tho&gh. 5He "o#es win ing her &p35 !inny sai :&iet"y. 5It/s forep"ay.5 Harry "a&ghe an preten e to gag on his bite. 5I prefer not to thin( of it that way3 than(s3 !in.5 5Oh3 yo& sho&" be &se to it by now35 she sai with a win(. 5.fter a""3 they/#e been oing it since they were e"e#en.5 Harry narrowe his eyes at her an set his p& ing to the si e. 5@o& (now3 there/s on"y one way to sh&t a 6eas"ey wo$an &p.5 !inny s:&aw(e 3 b&t stoppe protesting when Harry (isse her. Harry fe"t tri&$phant that she wasn/t arg&ing with hi$3 or te""ing hi$ abo&t his best frien s/ "o#e "ife3 any$ore. His i ea ha been a s&ccess. 5<i n/t yo& get eno&gh of that on yo&r trip>5 Harry grinne against !inny/s $o&th when Bon/s :&estion bro(e thro&gh the ha;e. 50ot near"y35 !inny answere . She "eane against Harry an finishe off her treac"e3 fee ing Harry bits an pieces now an again. 5Oh3 I/ "o#e to hear abo&t yo&r trip)5 Her$ione sai . 5I/#e ne#er been to Swe en b&t I/#e rea abo&t how won erf&" it is.5 Harry an !inny e+change (nowing g"ances an !inny fie" e the #oracio&s :&estions of their frien . 5I owe yo&3 $ate35 Harry sai 3 5for the po"y,&ice thing.5 Bon/s grin s"ow"y sprea . 5@o&/ o the sa$e in $y p"ace.5

50ot so s&re abo&t that35 Harry sai . 5I can/t thin( of a ti$e when I/ want to be a gang"y ginger git.5 Bon g&ffawe . 58&ch better than being a scrawny spec(y s:&irt. Honest"y3 Harry3 how o yo& see o&t of those things>5

Harry too( his g"asses off an e+a$ine the$. 5<on/t (now. I/#e a"ways ha the$3 I s&ppose. Oi3 where i yo& get g"asses to "oo( "i(e $ine3 an =c"othing>5 5<on/t worry3 Harry35 Her$ione interr&pte 3 5I i n/t "et the$ paw thro&gh yo&r things. I iscreet"y gathere what we/ nee 3 b&t it/s a"" bac( in p"ace now.5 She t&rne bac( to as( !inny abo&t Bo"f. 5So3 yo& sai so$ething abo&t e#erything being ta(en care of>5 Bon no e . 5I too( care of e#erything. <on/t worry abo&t it.5

Harry was to&che that they/ a"" gone thro&gh so $&ch to appease so$e si""y witches an wi;ar s who co&" n/t $in their own b&siness. E&t3 Harry g&esse 3 it wasn/t rea""y for them that the 6eas"eys ha one it3 b&t for !inny an Harry. .n it $eant the wor" to Harry. #arry Potter+s Nearly Perfe*t /ife< (n 6;*lusive Interview By Glow Pushbody 4ou read that ri)ht my darlin) devoted readers3 The -avior of the !i0ardin) !orld #arry Potter himself sto$$ed by my offi*e just this last wee' only two days after his a$$earan*e at the Chudley Cannons 2uiddit*h mat*h with his wife Ginny to *hat& !hile he normally shies away from attem$ts to 'now more about his $rivate e;isten*e 5r& Potter was ,uite *andid with me as we s$o'e about his life and his love for his wife the only woman he+s ever loved& 5I was head over arse?er sorry?head over tea'ettle for her for awhile before I 'new what the feelin) meant = he said with a fond twin'le in his eye& =But my wife will be the first to tell you I+m more than a bit thi*'@= 1he *n