FicWad

Chapter 15: The Path of Aine

There are a lot of unfair things in the world.

I'm used to things being unfair. I'm down with it. I can handle it. At the end of the day it just makes me try harder.

Like Quidditch.

If I hadn't had to sneak every single practice while at home, and on ancient half broken brooms I wouldn't be as good as I am.

Oh yeah, I'm brilliant at Quidditch. The best actually, better than Bill, better than Charlie, better than the twins...

Ron certainly doesn't count.

I'd even beat Harry if I valued my own life less.

This is all besides the point though. Back on track, what was I talking about?

Oh yeah, unfairness.

Unfairness is having everything you own be second-hand.

Unfairness is having six boys for playmates, and being told not to spend time with the one girl who lives near you because she is, and I quote, "looney".

Unfairness is then not getting to play with said boys because you're a girl.

Unfairness is being expected to learn to cook and clean like your mum because apparently being a mother is the greatest calling in life a girl could have.

Unfairness is finding out that apparently money and the way you dress actually matters, for some pointless reason.

Unfairness is having your life saved by your crush and not being old enough to do anything about it.

Unfairness is having that crush turn into unrequited love.

Unfairness is watching that love pine over another girl once you are old enough.

Unfairness is waiting and wondering why he never notices me, and then just as some glimmer of hope reaches me it's utterly gone, swept away by the hands of a pretty french bitch, who just traipsed out of nowhere and stole the second favorite boy in my life, just like her older sister did to my favorite boy.

Oh yeah, did I mention that said boy and girl are coming to stay at my house for the rest of Christmas? No? Well, I should have cause it's kind of important to this whole unfairness thing I'm focused on.

Oh yeah, and I was also possessed for a year by the darkest dark lord of my and my parent's generation and made to commit the attempted murder of three people, a ghost, and a cat, and I guess... myself? Kinda? I don't know, that whole time is kinda hazy.

Messed me up pretty bad for a while too. That's probably why I talk to myself now and developed a healthy fear of diaries, journals, and memoirs.

The jury is still out on textbooks.

Harry's potions textbook worries me.

Oh fuck, there's the doorbell. That would be Harry and the Phlemette. So ends my solitude because it's apparently so important that the whole family be there to greet guests.

Bloody fuck dammit.

I tried to draw the least amount of attention to myself as I could. I dodged the creaky step and sidled up to Fred and made unhelpful suggestions to him in his game of exploding snap with George and avoided my Mum's eyes.

It only took a minute before cold wind and snow was streaming through the entrance hall and out into the living room. I watched the snowflakes melt on the carpet rather than greet anyone, and Harry was just suddenly there. It was ridiculous how small a room felt to me after he entered it. Like his presence was bigger to me than anyone else's. I tried to make it not obvious that I was avoiding looking at him, but that plan failed immediately. He was wearing a black wool coat, dusted with snow. It was easily the most fitted thing I'd ever seen him wear and it fit him perfectly, and was obviously knew. A christmas present perhaps? It tapered with his waist showing the lithe vee of his upper body, it was... seductive, and his face was all red and flushed from the cold, glasses fogged. He looked delicious, until I finally really looked at his face. He looked... pained? Certainly uncomfortable, and just as soon as he arrived he begged off with a stomach ache and went upstairs, my Mum's concerned eyes following him the whole way up.

The whole thing couldn't have lasted more than ten seconds, and the only other person who seemed disappointed was Mum. She looked vaguely crestfallen, and then slightly angry as her gaze turned to Fleur's sister.

That made me wonder, Mum was certainly disapproving of Fleur, but she actually looked angry at Gabrielle.

It took nearly ten minutes for everyone to introduce themselves to Gabrielle. This was a few people's first time really meeting her so introductions were in order I suppose. Funny how long it seemed to take in comparison's to Harry's brief interlude. Given the way I had seen them together last I'm surprised they weren't holding hands, but Harry had left with out a backwards glance at Gabrielle.

My spot at the end of the couch wrapped in a blanket went unnoticed as everyone gradually went their separate ways. Dad was back with his head in the fire, a poor compromise for him not being in the office. The twins went upstairs, Bill and Fleur went to bed, Ron skulked off with a surly glance at Gabrielle, far from his kicked puppy look he usually sent Fleur's way.

Only me, Gabrielle, and my Mum were left and neither noticed me. Mum gave Gabrielle a hard stare and to my surprise Gabrielle stared right back.

"I had a long chat with your mother about your... sleeping arrangements."

"Oui, 'er knees were bruised aftair."

Mum's lips went danger zone thin, "I don't approve."

Gabrielle actually spoke over the end of her sentence, I'll admit, I was slightly impressed. Slightly, "I know you do not approve, or my Mozher would not 'ave 'ad to argue wizh you for nearly an hour."

I almost gasped, and Mum replied in an angry whisper, clearly not realized I was in the room. I froze, hoping she would leave with out noticing. I did not want her to catch me overhearing this. I should have hidden better.

"Listen up young lady, you're damn right I don't approve. I almost didn't let Fleur and Bill share a room, and they're both of age and engaged. As far as I'm concerned Harry could call this his family if he wanted to, but he's too noble to ever do that. I... I tried not to use a heavy hand with him, especially after Sirius died, I knew he'd just lash out if I tried to mother him, but this is beyond the pale. The gall of your mother thinking to dictate how I run my house-"

"Eef you are so against eet, why did you say yes?"

"For Harry's sake. Believe me, if I had raised him I would have raised him better than this, so here's the rules. No one finds out. You have permission to use magic, so use it. I don't want to know anything about any of this and as far as any of my children are concerned, you and Harry are following the same rules as everyone else and you're staying in Bill's room with your sister. Am I understood?"

"You cannot expect us to act as if we are not togezzer during zhe day."

Mum smirked, never good, "oh no, I wont have to do anything about that. My boys' relentless teasing will put an end to all of that. Goodnight Gabrielle, and welcome to the Burrow. You are always welcome here. Third floor, on the left."

With that my Mum left the room. Gabrielle stood unmoving for a long moment and then sank down on the chair behind her. She seemed to be shaking slightly.

"You're staying in Harry's room?" I asked suddenly. I didn't even think about it, the words just left my mouth.

Gabrielle fell out of her chair with a squeak and glanced in my direction. When she saw me her eyes grew wide and horrified, "Ginny! Um... uh... er... 'ello?"

I cocked my brow and stared at her on the floor, "Hello. How the hell did your mum get my mum to agree to let you stay with Harry?"

"Well... um... I'm not really sure of zhe particulars..."

"Ah," I said.

There was a long silence as Gabrielle got up and brushed her dress off before sitting neatly back on the chair. She seemed to glance around a lot, or she was avoiding my eyes.

"Is there a reason you wont look me in the eyes?" I asked.

She glanced up and flushed, "sorry, I'm just... nervous."

"About meeting me? You handled yourself with everyone else just fine." A little too fine I grumbled internally, stupid charming bint.

She looked away again, "I zhink you know why."

My voice went cold, "oh... I see," I stood up and started walking to the stairs, but turned suddenly and stalked back over to Gabrielle who had stood when I did. She was much shorter and I was quite glad to look down into her eyes with crossed arms faintly looming over her, "actually no I don't see. What exactly is the reason why you would be nervous meeting me?" Her face flushed again and her eyes darted around like she was trying to escape, "are you trembling?" I asked in disbelief.

"Oui."

I stepped back, "Gabrielle, you!- You don't need to be afraid of me, I'm not going to hurt you," I tried not to let my amusement show on my face, maybe I was more intimidating than I thought."

"I am not trembling because I am frightened."

"Then why-"

She started whispering, "Ginny, I am very tired and I just started my period a few hours ago, zhis... I was expecting to 'ave a... conversation wizh you, but not immediately, you caught me off guard. Can we do zhis tomorrow?"

Taken aback it took me a minute to respond, she had been expecting this? What did that say about her? What did that say about me, "sure..." I replied slowly, "we can talk tomorrow."

Gabrielle smiled briefly before walking off with a grimace and a hand on her stomach. It took me a while to do anything but simply stand where I was and think. I wasn't really surprised she was going to bed, it was rather late.

To bed with Harry.

Nothing would have stopped me.



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I woke suddenly as I usually do and climbed out of bed fighting my grogginess. I don't really enjoy the feeling of being half awake. It was early still, and the house hadn't woken up, or at least Mum hadn't. Mum usually woke up first and started breakfast which woke everyone else up.

I was lucky enough to be on the second floor with the bathroom, so there was no one to disturb with the shower. I tapped the spout with my wand, "just shy of scalding please," and the spray immediately started fogging the mirror which coughed and said, "bit early isn't it?"

"Quiet you," I mumbled still shaking the cobwebs from my mind, and stepped in letting my skin turn pink and heated. I relished burning the top layer of my skin off and felt renewed. It was a hard fight growing up concerning anything girly. At first I just wanted to do whatever my brothers were doing. I was often excluded, though it was almost never Bill who did the excluding, but after he left the others just weren't keen on having me around for any of the "roughhousing business" as Mum called it, or Quidditch as everyone else in the world called it.

This made me hate anything "girly" for the longest time, but I've come to terms with it. Hell, it almost doesn't seem fair the kinds of soaps and shampoos available to girls but not boys. Hermione told me that in the Muggle world the difference is mostly social, with girls' stuff usually smelling like flowers and boys like... well... soap I guess. Magical shampoo though, it's designed for girls, and it's awesome.

It's also the one allowance I make for "girly" things. I don't like make-up particularly, or skirts and dresses though I did let Lavender do my face for the Yule Ball in third and help pick my outfit, but generally it's just so not me. This shampoo though is amazing. It's custom so I can make it smell however I want, but I've always been partial to the gardenias in Mum's garden.

Putting it on is like getting a scalp massage. I just feel clean and fresh. My hair is almost perfectly straight anyway but the shampoo still helps keep it out of the way, like it knows I want to keep it pulled back. The best bit though, I can direct the smell. Just a bit, but I can waft it wherever I want, well more like at whomever I want.

I read a Witch Weekly article about smells once, Hermione called it sense memory, so apparently it's not bullshite; there was also a ten minute lecture about felix felicis that I didn't listen too. Either way, when I first got it I used it on Harry whenever he was near, but I don't think it worked. Since then I just liked the smell. Though I did use it on Dean a lot. Being in separate years from your boyfriend sucks, but it's fun sending a smell he associates with you down after him in the hallway between classes.

Hmmm... Dean. Haven't thought about him much since we split. Suppose that's a sign. Poor boy, I really tried with him. Michael was just... convenient. Seriously, Hermione and I had just had the date-other-people-and-get-less-embarrased-so-Harry-will-notice-you talk and lo-and-behold there he was. Decent bloke who was into me. That was the whole of it really. Dean though, I really wish that had worked out. I'd probably not be so out of sorts now. Not having Harry is a lot easier when I have some one else. He was just so... chivalrous. I mean seriously, if I had wanted someone to cater to me twenty-four seven I would have dated Macmillan or Belby or McLaggen, pompous toss pots who want their girlfriend to act like a decoration. Sure they'll open a door and pull out a chair for you, but Merlin's saggy testicle they would just talk and talk and talk about themselves. I remember a particularly long Slug Club dinner, and McLaggen would just not shut up about his multitude of death defying Quidditch saves. This was before we (that is the Slug Club) figured out McLaggen was a long cause, but I tried to make one comment in edgewise about a particularly good goal I had made against Ravenclaw a few weeks prior, but he just wouldn't have it. Fuck me right?

Sometimes I wish I was a Muggle, or who knows, maybe after all this war nonsense blows over me and Hermione can start the World Witches Feminist club.

In any case I dried myself off and slipped on a simple tee and pants with trainers and made my way downstairs grabbing a jumper on the way. It was an old thing, big and dark red, probably Charlie's from the hall closet. It draped to my knees but was perfectly warm and as things in that particular closet were wont to do, smelled like the fireplace.

Not wanting to get my Mum's hopes up about my cooking I did not start breakfast as she often hinted at me to do (getting up early was a semi-regular occurrence for me) but I did put the kettle on. Not really wanting to do anything till I had my morning tea I sat at the table with my chin resting on laced fingers and willed the water to boil faster.

It didn't. Instead it boiled at exactly the same time it always did and I was able to get the kettle off the heat just in time to not make any noise. I was halfway through my first cuppa when the third stair from the bottom squeaked and I glanced over to see Gabrielle making her way daintily down the stair.

I could feel the involuntary nature of my eye roll, seriously, did the girl ever not look like she was floating?

Gabrielle stopped short when she saw me, and I watched her give me a once over and blush.

What the hell?

Feeling slightly uncomfortable I stood up just for the excuse to adjust the jumper and pull the neckline back onto both shoulders. I poured Gabrielle a cup and brought it to her while sipping on my own. I held it out wordlessly and she took it. I made a kind of head jerk to the porch and she nodded following me out into the cold.

"Don't you need a jumper or jacket or something?" I asked.

She had been mid sip, and she took a moment to finish her sip and swallow demurely, "actually Veela do not get cold, well... sort of, let us just say I am not cold right now."

"Right..." I responded slowly. "So, you wanted to talk then?"

"Oui... I... I'm afraid I don't know where to begin."

"We could start with you looking me in the eye, what's with that?"

Gabrielle glanced at me and blushed again, "Eet, would probably make zhis more difficult."

"What? Why?"

She took a bracing breath and turned to stare at me straight on. Her eyes went hooded and a very familiar look graced her face."

"Merlin... you're crushing on me," I whispered.

"Not exactly... well sort of."

"Are you gay? What are you doing with Harry then?" I asked, getting a little angry.

"I am not gay," she answered with a slight laugh.

She still had that hungry look and she kept glancing at my lips, "are you sure?" I asked dryly.

"I am sure, Veela do not 'ave sexual orientations."

"Ah."

Gabrielle glanced behind her and pulled her wand out pointing it at the window. I snatched out and lowered it, "what are you doing? You'll get us in trouble!"

"No I wont, Harry and I were emancipated."

"Emanci-what?"

"Eet means that in zee eyes of zhe law we are of age when it comes to magic."

"What! Why, that's so unfair-"

"You don't know!? No one told you? Ginny zhere was an attack on zhe Burrow, Voldemort burned it down, zhough thankfully Harry was not there."

I reeled, "I thought it was protected."

"Eet was, zhat is probably a story for another time, regardless the protection afforded Harry by living zhere was canceled, and Dumbledore retrieved us, and whisked us away to France to stay with my parents for a few days, and had us emancipated so we could use magic with out zhe trace."

"Aren't you a bit young for that?"

Gabrielle brought her wand to bare again, and pointed it at the window. I didn't stop her this time and she fogged it and extended the frost and snow. She threw in a few more spells including a mufliato, but I didn't recognize the last charm, "what was that last one?"

"A simple ward hex, a sound will play zhat only we can hear if someone enters the kitchen or otherwise gets within twenty feet of us. I don't want to be over'eard."

"Right..."

"Ginny I 'ave not been zhe ward of my parents since October."

"Why not?"

"Because in the eye's of Wizarding law I belong to 'Arry."

I went cold, colder than I already was I should say, "explain."

Looking a bit nervous she continued dutifully, "what do you know of Veela magic."

"Makes men randy dunnit?"

"At a base level yes, but zhere is more to it. Hermione I am sure could explain eet better, but eet iz, how do you say eet... a defence mechanic? No... mechanism!"

"What do mean?" I asked a bit calmer now, my blood still raced through my veins but I needed to hear this.

"Veela are descended from birds, in fact fully fledged Veela can transform and gain beaks and wings and feather and can even fly. Part of zhe way birds can fly iz zheir hollow bones. We are... fragile, and yet beautiful so zhe Veela developed a magic to protect zhemselves, zhrough ozhers."

I nodded, "I get it, can't defend yourselves so you mesmerize others to do it for you."

"Traditionally yes. But zhings 'ave changed. Wand magic for one, and occlumency. Even a decent occlumense is immune to zhe Veela allure, and zhere are protective spells that we cannot defend against, and even a non-magical, if strong willed, can combat the allure. So... a new method emerged. A bond, to an individual."

"You've enslaved Harry," i seethed, truly angry now.

Gabrielle just smiled and sipped her tea, "no, eet iz zhe ozher way around. I am zhe enslaved one."

I blinked twice. "Harry would never enslave anyone," I responded flatly.

"'Arry did not 'ave a choice, well he did, but you 'ave to understand a Veela bond is involuntary on zhe part of zhe Veela, but not zhe Wizard or Witch. I bonded to 'Arry when he saved me from zhe lake, and zhen he accepted when he found out zhat I would lose my magic eef he did not."

I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. Of course he did, stupid noble git. Merlin, he probably would have said yes even if it was just an inconvenience anyone ever would have had to endure.

Leaning back with my eyes closed I mourned Harry for a moment. It was slightly comforting to know Harry was with her because of yet another magical absurdity in his life. I wondered briefly, chasing a fleeting fantasy about me and Harry with out Gabrielle. Christmas would have been the perfect time to go for it. We'd have probably spent all our time playing Quidditch with three of the team members here with little to do but eat Christmas cakes and while away time.

"Well," I started with a heavy sigh, "I guess I can't hate you. S'not like you had a choice. I can't even imagine to be honest, having a force inside me I can't control giving me away to someone. A stranger even, it's not like you knew Harry when you bonded did you? Hell, Harry barely knew your sister and they competed for months. Still, I wouldn't mention you're little crush on me to anyone. It's not like I'm offended, but Mum wouldn't be very on about it and I can't even imagine what Harry would think. No... wait, I probably could, but I've no desire to get in the way."

"Ginny... I don't 'ave a crush on you."

I gave her a sidelong look, "Oh come on, I saw the way you looked at me, you don't have to be embarrassed, it's not the first time it's happened to me."

Gabrielle shook her head furiously, her hair swinging back and forth glittering in the rising sunlight, "non, truly I do not, 'Arry does."

My head swung in her direction so fast my neck cricked, "come again?"

Gabrielle got a wide hooded smile, "'Arry iz zhe one wizh zhe crush, not I."

"I already said I wouldn't get between you and him, what more do you want, why taunt me with that?" I asked a little snappishly.

She responded so far outside what I expected I was speechless, she put her hand on my thigh and said, "I would like you to come between us."

I stood, swiftly, covering the not entirely comforting shiver that raced down my spine, "what are you talking about?" I snapped.

Gabrielle looked a little startled, but visibly braved on, "I am Veela, I care not for zhe loyalty of my bond-mate, because we share in all things. And zhat iz not a euphemism, I mean zhat literally."

"What-?" I was thoroughly lost for words.

"We are mentally bonded, we experience zhe ozhers emotions and sensations, so in a way I was lying, I am crushing on you, but only because 'Arry iz."

My mouth gaped open at her, and for the life of me I couldn't close it, so I started pacing, then stopped short, "wait... Harry didn't have a stomach ache last night, did he?"

Gabrielle giggled, "no, he did not. We... struggled wizh zhe bond for zhe first few months, but over break we... well, we hit zhe breakthrough. We are fully bonded now, and zhat was zhe first time 'Arry felt zhose particular things from me."

I had to sit down from laughing, "Oh merlin, Harry's on his... his..." I couldn't even get it out.

"What phrase do you British use? On zhe rag?"

I put my hands over my mouth to quiet my shrieking laughter, this was too funny. "Oh Merlin, oh Merlin I can't breath."

Gabrielle's laughter subsided to bubbling giggle, "eet's not really, I always 'ave really bad cramps zhe first day."

"Oh go on, so if you can feel Harry, what's he doing right now?"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

"He's in the shower."

I burned.

"Touching himself."

I burned hotter and stood and turned, starting to walk away.

"No wait! Ginny!" Gabrielle grabbed my hand and pulled, "sorry, sorry, I'm kidding he's sleeping, I just wanted to see what your reaction would be."

"That's not on! I'm so embarrassed."

"You shouldn't be. Not after what you did last night."

I slapped her arm, "Oi! That's private, you didn't have permission to send your Veela sense into my room!"

"I deedn't do eet on purpose, I can't turn it off. You're just lucky Veela specific senses don't transfer over."

I pulled my hand from Gabrielle's needing to cover my face again.

"Non, Ginny," she said in soothing tones, "really, don't be embarrassed, Harry does it too, and he zhinks about you when he does."

"Stop! That's private-"

"Not to you, or at least I would hope not."

"I- what- you!" I sat heavy in the snow, "oh...".

"Ooooooh," I said again, long and drawn out. I looked at Gabrielle dead in the eye, and saw that look was back, like she was hungry, the way Ron looks at a steak. "Are you even aware you're looking at me like that?"

"Looking at you like what?"

"That's what I thought. Merlin... I don't know about this."

Gabrielle sat next to me, "but why not, you care deeply for Harry, I wouldn't even need to be Veela to see that, and Harry cares about you more than he realizes-"

"He doesn't know?"

"Oh, he knows, he just doesn't know how much, yet."

"This is wrong," I said in a whisper, "this is wrong and you know it. If you have no problem with me, and Harry..." I swallowed speaking the wish I had for as long as I could remember, "if Harry wants me too, then why are you telling me this? Why not let this all happen naturally, why not let Harry tell me all this?"

"Zhere isn't time."

"What?"

"Zhere may not be time," she said again in a pleading tone. "He... we're marked. We could die anytime, and... I've made it my job in life to bring 'Arry as much happiness as possible. If anyone needed zhat, eet's 'Arry."

I laughed bitterly, "right. I don't know Gabrielle, this is so weird. Don't you see this as weird?"

"Nothing about you and 'Arry being together could be weird. I... he longs for you Ginny. He was so jealous when he saw you kissing zhat ozher boy."

My head snapped up, "he was? I didn't notice," which was odd, since I usually would have noticed. Hell I'd seen that face directed at Cho too many times, why hadn't I recognized it directed at me? Or had I been too angry at Ron to notice in the moment.

"Would you... would you be there?"

"I wouldn't 'ave to be, zhough I would still feel everyzhing."

"Right..."

"Eet's not somezhing you 'ave to jump into Ginny, you shouldn't feel pressured, or intimidated, een many ways 'Arry is just as bad wizh girls now as he ever was."

"How could that be true?"

"Well, none of zhe girls he's been wizh 'ave been challenging, I literally fell into 'is lap."

The implication of that statement took a moment to become clear, "who else has Harry been with?"

Gabrielle looked slightly horrified, "I... I shouldn't 'ave said zhat-"

"Well damage done, you might as well tell me, it seems like if I'm to be with Harry or anyone really then they have to be with you too, so don't start lying or evading now."

Gabrielle took a breath, and thought to herself a moment, then in a whisper, "Hermione."

I stood violently, I could feel the tears welling up but I forced them down, I'd shed enough over Harry. I strode quickly away from Gabrielle, too fast for her to follow. Clearly Gabrielle did not know Harry as well as I thought, nor did I know Hermione as well as I thought. Wiping away the few furious tears I couldn't stem and trudged into the woods. Hermione had promised me, SWORN that she wouldn't be the one to take Harry away from me. That she was in love with Ron, that she would help me, and even try and push Harry in the right direction. She had promised.

I knew Harry, and while Gabrielle may be right, that Harry had feelings for me, but he would never cheat, and if he was already with Hermione, to any extent there he would stay, while Gabrielle may be fine with Harry being with more than one Witch there's no way Hermione would. There's no way I could compete with Hermione, best friends for years, if they were together it was over, and the Witches of the world could start weeping over the lost battle for Harry Potter.

She promised me.

And she wasn't here to yell at. No wonder she and Ron weren't talking, stupid jerk... didn't tell me. Fuck!

She PROMISED me.

I ran into the woods until I couldn't see the house. The woods were beautiful during winter, all shock white, and no one around to spoil the untouched nature of the view. I walked aimlessly until I found deer tracks and followed those. It didn't take long until I came upon them in a clearing, drinking from a creek.

I sat on a nearby rock, brushing the snow off with the sleeve of my jumper. There were two deer, a buck and doe. They stood side by side drinking from the creek and I couldn't help but think of Harry. Honestly if I wanted to distract myself watching deer wasn't the way to go, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. They were so graceful and beautiful. Calming despite the memories and circumstances beyond my control they brought up.

I wished I could cast a warming charm, despite the warmth of my jumper it was still quite cold, and my trainers were soaked through. I started shivering and rubbed my hands together blowing into them. It was stubbornness that kept me here at this point. I certainly didn't want to face Gabrielle, or Harry and breakfast just seemed a bit to much at the moment.

Actually, there was somewhere I wanted to go, I wanted to confront Hermione. I needed to talk to her face to face. I looked back in the direction the Burrow would be, not visible here, and shivered again. Mum would wake up soon, and there was no way I'd be back in time before she noticed I was gone. I was going to be in trouble anyway...

I stood suddenly, knowing what I had to do. I startled the deer with my sudden movement however, and they ran off. I watched them go, feeling a little guilty in startling them but put it from my mind as I started the semi-lengthy walk to Luna's.

It was a walk I made semi-regularly though, so I knew it wouldn't take that long. With any luck her father's owl would be in, and I could send a note to Mum telling her where I was. Well, at least she would think I was at Luna's, and I could even tell her why, I'm sure she would be sympathetic about me not wanting to be around Harry and Gabrielle at the moment. It was hardly a secret to her how I felt, despite my attempt to hide my feelings of late, I wasn't always so guarded you know?

Luna's house always made me smile. I thought it was bold, and having an entire floor dedicated to be a bath was sheer genius. As luck would have it Luna was actually outside, playing in the snow. I gaped, never before had I seen such a large cluster of snow angels. Some were odd too, with too many or too few limbs, and a few had large misshapen heads.

I approached Luna in the middle of making another. She had made a large grouping with no apparent rhyme or reason, and was now crafting a chain of them holding hands in a twisting spiraling line. I leaned over her and said hello.

"Hello Ginny, would you like to make a snow angel?"

"No thank you, I was actually wondering if I could use your fire?"

"Is the fire at your house not working?"

"No, I just needed to get away."

"Did Gabrielle chase you off?"

"You... what? How did you know?"

Luna stood up. She stared at the snow angel she just finished making for a long moment, and then nodded in no small amount of self satisfaction before laying down next to it and beginning another, "I didn't figure it out until the train ride home, but yes. Harry made some revealing statements a bit before term ended over supper. It took me a while to realize the nature of the relationship, strange isn't it? Seems like an excessive reward for someone saving your life, getting to take it over I mean. Though she is rather pretty, I'm sure Harry doesn't mind too much, though he was a bit embarrassed when she performed fellatio on him under the table in the great hall."

"She did what?"

"It's the technical term for oral sex."

"Oh." I tried not to blush, or think about any of that. Not one bit, no sir.

"Oh I'm sorry, that was probably insensitive of me, though I'm sure Harry wouldn't mind you-"

"Luna, be quiet please."

"Sorry."

"It's alright, I'm just... I need to talk to Hermione."

Luna got up and brushed the snow from her clothes, "Oh you figured out that bit did you? I had my suspicions, but Hermione seemed entirely too involved with all of Harry and Gabrielle's frolicking, and they started holding hands a week before term ended."

"Luna please," I was trying to hold back tears again, twice in one day, I was slipping.

She looked properly apologetic, "oh I've done it again haven't I? I never do know when to stop talking, come on, you can use the fire in my Father's study, he wont be home till wednesday."

"An expedition?"

"Oh no, just giving a lecture, he would never miss Christmas. Are you going to yell at Hermione? I don't think you should?"

"Oh? And why not?"

"Because, if anything she's probably helping you. Harry has come out of his shell more than I thought he could. He likes you, you know?"

"Yes, I've heard."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Hermione is the problem and Gabrielle and Cho and probably Gabrielle's friends from school-"

"So? I rather like Hermione, I bet she's very creative, and Ginny, you should give Harry more credit then that, he would hardly sleep with just anyone."

"Luna, it doesn't work that way."

"No? Then why isn't Harry just shagging his way through the school. He probably could you know? Especially after being vindicated by the Daily Prophet."

"Well, yes." I responded with out thinking, trying to remember if Hermione had her fireplace connected to the Floo Network.

"What rules are they breaking?"

"What? I don't know, its just... what's right."

"According to whom?"

I turned to face Luna direct, putting my hands on my hips, "according to everyone."

"Really? I didn't realize, I thought I made my own rules."

I chuckled and started looking around for the floo powder, "we can't all be as cool as you Luna."

"No, I suppose not everyone can, but those certainly aren't the rules I would make. I'd be with oodles of people if I could."

"You would?"

"Of course! Everyone has something different to say or do, and that's just what we see on the surface. People are so different, no two would do things the same way, why would I want to limit myself? I mean, I'm not saying I would be a slag or anything, I'd be rather choosy, but I can hardly decide what colour to paint my room let alone more important things."

"People would talk," I started shuffling through the hodge-podge of objects (I say objects because I couldn't identify any of them) on the mantle. Still no floo powder, "it's just not accepted, that's why."

"Because I care about what people think of me, or say about me."

I turned around and regarded Luna carefully, but her expression was it's usual wide eyed calm. "Maybe I'm not alright with it. Maybe I want Harry all to myself, I can be selfish about this, It's what most people do and expect. It's not like my Dad has more than one wife."

"No, but some husbands have mistresses, but that is neither here nor there, if your problem is not wanting to share Harry, why are you angry at Hermione?"

I sighed and sat down, Luna sat next to me and put her head on my shoulder, "I'm angry, because a timid and shy Ginny opened up to her when she stayed in my room summer before third year, and she promised to help me get over my shyness around Harry and help get him to notice me. She promised me that it was Ron she was interested in, and not Harry and that if someone claimed him before me it wouldn't be her. She lied."

"It seems more likely that her feelings changed, or she changed, or Harry changed than she lied, or she thought she was being honest but was really lying to herself. And besides, if your problem is not wanting to share Harry then Gabrielle is the real problem, not Hermione."

"No, Gabrielle was an accident and there's nothing to be done about that anyway. Hermione is too... straight laced to be alright with Harry being with her and somebody else."

Luna reached up and soothed the top of my head, much like she would pet a cat, "oh Ginny, obviously Hermione doesn't care, because Harry is already with another girl besides her, why would she care if you joined?"

I replied crossly, "maybe I don't want to join in. Maybe I want to be Harry's one and only, is that really so much to ask?"

"No, it's not, but it is also no longer possible, so if the only condition you find acceptable is you and Harry with no others then you might as well give up now and move on. If you decide that you must be the only girl in Harry's life besides Gabrielle, then you must make your intentions clear. Yelling at Hermione will solve nothing.

"Because it would be weird! It's just not how things are done Luna!"

Luna lifted her head to look me in the eyes, "according to whom?"

I got up and walked to the middle of the room, then turned back, "why are you saying all this? You've been thinking about this haven't you?"

"Of course I have, I want in."

My mouth dropped open, "you do?!"

"Oh yes, Harry is my number three fancy. Ronald used to be number one, but he was mean to me too many times."

"Who's number one and two now? Sorry, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

"Number one is Hermione, she challenges me. Number two is you. Do you remember when we used to practice kissing and your Mother told you to stop being my friend? I never forgot."

My face burned, I had forgot, "I did forget that actually, oh Merlin," I buried my face in my hands, "I made you dress up like Harry didn't I?"

"Oh yes, and we pretended to marry each other, then kiss and cuddle by the fire, because you said that's what married people do."

"You really have a crush on me? Like a proper one, and Hermione too?"

Luna actually blushed and looked away, it was the first time I'd ever seen her actually look embarrassed, "oh yes. I think about Hermione and you and Harry rather a lot. Neville too but I think I scare him, and Gabrielle is ever so beautiful."

"You're... you're so..." Luna gazed at me fondly waiting for me to find the right word. I settled on "open".

"Why thank you Ginny. Would you like to kiss?"

"What!?"

"Well, seeing as you're going to have a breakthrough soon, things are going to start falling into place, and I want to be on the ground floor so to speak. Since you'll probably have the most say I figured I'd start with you."

"Most say in what?"

"The group, the gang, the cluster or whatever it ends up being called."

"I still don't know what you're talking about."

"The group of people shagging one another centered around Harry, I want in."

"There's! There's no... group or anything. It's not like that."

"Not yet you mean. Harry has Gabrielle, and now Hermione. He wants you, he has for a while, and both Gabrielle and Hermione will understand and defer to you. I'm fine deferring to you as well, like I said I'm mostly interested in Hermione, but you and Harry will be wonderful bonuses."

I sat in a chair across from Luna, "Luna I'm still not sure I'm alright with this. At all. I shouldn't have to share my boyfriend, if Harry would even want to be my boyfriend."

"If Harry asked you to be his girlfriend and it was only Gabrielle you had to share with would you be alright with that?" Luna started, a look of cautious hope in her eyes.

"Honestly, I don't know."

"Oh poo, that's rather disappointing. I was hoping to draw a comparison. Hmmm, well I have nothing to add, let's get you and Hermione talking. That will be the most constructive thing to do now." Luna pulled the sack of floo powder from her winter robes.

"Oi! You had that the whole time?"

"Of course, but I wasn't finished talking and didn't want you to leave until I was."

"Sneaky bint," I grumbled good naturedly, despite the shocking thing Luna had said to me there was a fondness for her that I don't think would ever go away. She was always just so sweet and honest. Brutally sometimes, but I rather valued that.

"I'd try and come with, but I think you and Hermione need to talk alone."

"Thank you Luna,"

"Of couse," Luna replied handing the floo powder over.

I tossed some into the fire, watching it flare huge and green, "the Grangers?" Sticking my head in the fire was its usual meal regurgitating experience. I still didn't know if Hermione had her parent's fire place hooked up, but at least with a simple floo call I wouldn't end up someplace random if it wasn't.

The wind settled and I was stuck on my knees looking into a small sitting room. It looked like an old women's place, with doilies and china everywhere, however the walls were all bookshelves. I thought the chances of this being Hermione's place was actually pretty good, "Hello, is anyone there?"

"Goodness! Roger there's a girl's head in the fireplace!"

An older man with graying hair jogged into the room, "what was that dear?"

She responded by pointing and Roger goggled at me for a moment before taking his glasses off and wiping them off, "um... can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm Ginny Weasley, I'm a friend of Hermione's from school?"

Hermione's mum (I assumed) gave a little squeak of an 'oh'. "Um... I thought the fireplace doesn't work."

"It's magic fire Ma'am, no smoke or anything as long as it's green. Soon as the floo call is done it will go away. Honestly I wasn't even sure if Hermione had your fireplace hooked up. I'm rather glad she did, my head could have ended up anywhere."

"Oh..." said Roger, "um... does that happen a lot?"

"Only with mis-pronunciations, but your last name is rather easy."

"Ah, good then."

There was a long awkward pause.

"Do you mind if I come through, I'd really like to talk to Hermione, but my knees are starting to hurt."

Hermione's mum responded, "you can do that? Oh what am I thinking of course you can you're a witch aren't you, yes please, um... come over if you'd like, are you going to use a broom?"

"Oh no, I'll just use the fire." I leant back till my head was reunited with Luna, "I'm headed over, are you sure you don't want to come?"

"No, no, you just let me know when things start happening for real. How about I cover you if your Mum calls?"

I rolled my eyes, "thanks but that would only be useful if I had been smart enough to leave a note. Later." I stepped through and squeezed my eyes shut till I was shunted out into the Granger's sitting room.

Another squeak and Hermione's Mum stepped back, startled, "oh my, you just popped on through didn't you?"

"Eh, floo is kind of obnoxious actually, I'd have rather flown but it would have taken far too long, hello," I stretched out my hand, "nice to meet you again, though I don't think we've seen each other for years."

"Emma, nice to meet one of Hermione's friends, Ginny was it? Ron's sister?"

"Yes, please don't judge me on that lump, all we share is blood, and relatives, and parents."

Roger laughed, "Oh I like her, very pleased to meet you dear."

I shook their hands, "so, is Hermione here?"

"No, she's at the library."

I laughed, "I should have known." The I looked around at the multitude of books in this room alone. I spied a another small pile on the kitchen table in the room beyond, "she really couldn't find the book she wanted here?"

Roger laughed this time and Emma glared at him, "that's word for word what I've been saying to Hermione and my wife for years."

"Out the door, make a right and three blocks down dear, we can chat more after you get back, I'm sure you have plenty of storied about my daughter I'd love to hear, but for right now Roger and I need to have a little chat."

Roger got a scared look on his face, "now, Ginny maybe you'd like a cup of tea before you go? Floor travel must be dehydrating."

With a smirk I replied, "no no, I'm fine Mr. Granger, you have a nice chat with your wife." I faintly jogged out of the room with a snigger from Hermione's Mum's direction. Out the door and walking down the road I glanced around excitedly. I'd never been in a Muggle neighborhood like this. London around Grimmauld was all dense and loud, and Ottery was a tiny little town, with barely a hundred people living in it. This seemed somewhere in-between, a bit quaint, but lovely. Lots of trees, though a bit too organized if you know what I mean.

The library was just on the edge of densest part of town, full of building three and four floors up. The library was only two floors, but was sprawling. Nothing on the library at Hogwarts, but still, far more books than I was used to seeing (not like I spent a lot of time in the library at Hogwarts after all). Figuring I'd find Hermione in the quietest most far flung place in the library I began to search through the stacks. After nearly half an hour I thought it might have been a better idea to just wait near the entrance. She might have left by the time I found where she had been.

I needn't have worried.

Hermione was ensconced at a table in the back, presumably for at least four people, but no one else could sit there with the volume of books she had laid across the table. I snuck up behind her looking at the titles and realizing with a start some of them were magical. There was also an impossibly large number of papers all held done by a medium sized stone. I knew just enough about Arithmancy to recognize a spell structure map, but this was far, far larger, insanely larger than any I had ever seen Bill or Percy work on. Hermione, scribbling furiously with a muggle fountain pen, so close to the muggle parchment she might have been a half blind monk.

I put my hands on my hips and put my face into glare mode, "Wouldn't this be a break in the statute of secrecy?"

Hermione nearly leapt out of her chair, "Oh my goodness! Ginny!" she put her hand over her mouth, then in a harsh whisper said, "what on earth are you doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

I strode to the seat across from her's and sat. "Sorry, I needed to talk to you."

"Does your Mum know you're here?"

"No."

"Ginny, you'll get in trouble-"

"I don't care, I want to talk about Harry."

"Ha- oh..." Hermione went ashen.

I arched an eyebrow and waited for Hermione to say something else.

She looked away guiltily, "I'm so sorry."

"Not sorry enough not to shag him though."

"Ginny!"

"Quiet now, we're in a library."

"Don't- I... sorry. Ginny I... it just sort of-"

I spoke over her in a dangerous whisper, "don't you dare say 'it just happened', I know you better than that."

"No, you're right, it didn't just happen, but it did start while you were dating Dean. I will not apologize for that."

"You promised me!"

"Quiet, we're in a library," Hermione replied in a dry tone.

"You promised me. You told me you fancied Ron and had no interest in Harry."

"That wasn't a lie Ginny, not then at least."

"So, you fancy Harry now then do you?"

Hermione took a moment to set her materials aside and straighten her pen, then looked me straight in the eye, "yes."

"I knew it, I fucking bloody well knew it, you promised me."

"Actually, I promised not to claim him or steal him from you, and I haven't."

I almost blew up, but took a deep breath and spoke in a forceful whisper, "shagging him is bloody well claiming him. Sore about LavLav, felt you had to lash out, does Harry make you feel pretty and wanted?"

Hermione sat back and spoke in a forced even tone, "that was very mean Ginny. It's not like you."

"Isn't it? We had a jolly good time making fun of Cho didn't we? What was the name you came up for her? Hosepipe?"

"That's not fair, I never said that to her face, nor to anyone else but you, and I was trying to cheer you up. That had nothing to do with Cho."

"Never attacked her with birds either."

Hermione's left eye twitched, "not... my best moment."

"Better moment for you then I Ron at least."

Hermione stifled a laugh, and I giggled, and then Hermione was laughing into the pit of her elbow and stuck my fist in my mouth to stifle our laughter.

When we were done, tears streaming down our faces, cheeks pink and hurting from our smiles, Hermione got suddenly serious. "Ginny, really, I didn't break my promise, if anything it'll probably help."

I stared at her for a long moment, "explain."

Hermione took a deep breath, "Harry saved Gabrielle. Harry saved me. Harry saved you. When Harry saved Gabrielle... he gained a companion. Someone who will, by default never leave him. She cannot, actually, nor can either of them die alone. Either they both die, or neither does."

"What!"

"Lower your voice, I couldn't do a proper muggle repelling charm cause I haven't graduated yet. I'm using a cheap enchanted charm, there on the desk. It's dreadfully weak, but as I can't cast yet..."

"But you're seventeen, none of my brothers have ever let any of the younger forget the fact that they can do magic and we can't the second they come of age, and Fred and George came of age during sixth year remember? That summer was dreadful. For everyone."

"Ah, but that's because they were technically under parental supervision. The way the law works is, as long as you're in school you're still not allowed to use magic outside of school unless you're of age, and being supervised by your parents. Magical parents only, I might add."

"Stupid law."

"Thank you, now, when Fred and George left they were no longer students, and thus could perform all OWL level magic at whim, however, they legally can't perform anything they learned in NEWT year, but because there's no trace, they'd have to be caught in the act, and even though many of their products are clearly NEWT level, I'm guessing the Ministry just doesn't care that much about it. I however, still have a trace on my wand until I'm of age and graduated."

"That's... that's totally unfair!"

"I know. And keep your voice down."

"Sorry, go on then, Harry can't die? So if, Merlin this is morbid, if Voldemort AKed Harry, he wouldn't die?"

Hermione grimaced, "no I think that will still do the trick. The Avada Kedavra curse works because it separates the soul from the body, and that's how Harry and Gabrielle are bonded, they essentially share a soul. Physical damage, I don't think could ever kill either of them unless it killed both of them at the same time."

"That's... that's amazing."

"Yes it is, any more questions or may I continue."

"Sorry, go ahead."

"Never apologize for asking a question; now, where was I... Oh yes, Gabrielle is a permanent companion, Harry will never be alone again. Something he fears deeply. Be alone that is. Not surprising really, he was essentially alone until he was eleven. Why do you think he's such dear friends with Hagrid. And your family, and me. We were simply, no... lucky enough to be first. Ron is incredibly lucky to have been the first boy to be really nice to Harry. He'll never let that go. He'd die for any one of us, because we are his family, and Hogwarts is his home. Or was, I should say. Now, Harry will be home wherever he is and he'll never have to fear being alone ever again."

"So what would he need with me then? Or you for that matter?"

"Ginny, it's not the same thing as having a girlfriend. She'll never challenge him, not really. They'll never have a fight that didn't originate inside of Harry. Gabrielle is not entirely human Ginny, it's important to remember that, because that's something I forget all the time. Why do you think I gave up on Ess Pee Eee Double-you? House Elves are not Human. They think differently. Not trying to be insulting, but it's somewhat like trying to think the way an animal does, there really isn't a good way to compare."

"Gabrielle is... subservient to Harry. She is shaped by him, and their bond. I don't think Harry knows just how much or I think he'd be quite upset, except I think the same thing is happening to him. They're... not becoming each other, but I think they'll meet somewhere in the middle, rather more on Harry's end though, Gabrielle is... quite submissive. So in the end, Gabrielle will be no more capable or comforting, or loving, or helping Harry any more than he can help himself. I've watched them talk Ginny, and I didn't really see it until break, but they've... synced sort of. Listening to them talk to each other is like listening to an internal monologue, but with two sets of knowledge and different reference points. They think the same though."

"I think that when it started they experienced each other's emotions and sensations as a separate thing, but as they got more used to it, the line blurred, and the longer it goes the less the line will be visible, and both of them, as a pair will want a girlfriend, or a wife, and friends, and children."

"I... Ginny, I do not want to marry Harry Potter. I do not want to date him either. I don't want a boyfriend. I do like sex though. It's a jolly good time and Harry's damn good at it. He should be, he knows what it's like to have a vagina. Come to think of it... I'm amazed polyjuice isn't used to learn you know?"

I blushed, "Hermione... that's not on, that's just one of those things you just don't do. It's impolite."

"I don't think someone using an illegal potion to transform themselves into someone else is worried about being polite."

"No, no, no, no, no, there's even a story about it. Elliot the Illegal who committed over four thousand, three hundred, and twenty seven crimes in his lifetime made that point in his memoirs he wrote from Azkaban. He would often use polyjuice to commit crimes, but he would always switch clothes with magic, and never went "mucking around" as he put it. It's just not done."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "honestly, what if you had a willing partner? You could switch bodies for an hour, experience sex from the other side."

"But then you'd be shagging yourself. That's weird."

"Is it?"

Hermione was blushing fiercely, "to me I guess... not judging. Sorry Hermione."

"It's alright... turns out I'm rather kinky actually."

I giggled, "are you?"

"I'd tell you, but you might get angry."

"Oh... right... go back to your lecture."

"I'm not-"

"Hermione please?" As if she wasn't lecturing. Who was she kidding?

She even cleared her throat and tipped her hands together, hah, "As I was saying, I don't want to be in a relationship. Ron soured me to the whole idea, do you have any idea how much time, and tears I wasted on your brother?"

"Yes." She glared at me, "go on."

"Stop interrupting then or I'll never get through my lecture."

"I thought you said it-"

"A joke! Just a joke, quiet you." I made a zipper move over my mouth. "I've wasted too much time on your brother. I love Harry, as a friend! Quiet! I love Harry, he was my first friend. I am also, attracted to him. I do not want to marry him though, or have his children. I don't want anyone's children for a long time. I have things I need to do Ginny. After this war, after everything. There's so much work to do, and I've wasted too much time on silly things."

"But." I asked pointedly.

Hermione glared at me, "but, I like sex. And I like being close to Harry. It's just... fun. And... if it wasn't Harry, there's really no one else I'd even feel comfortable broaching the subject with. It's having my cake and eating too."

"Sorry?"

"Sorry, Muggle expression, it means I get the best of both worlds. It also means Harry feels the same way. He does, I assure you. We've mentioned you once or twice you know? And Gabrielle wants to seduce you."

"Why do people keep wanting to seduce me?"

"Who tried to seduce you?" Hermione asked bemused.

"Dean sent me the sappiest, saddest letter. I mean, I pitied him so much it literally made my chest hurt."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"And then Luna hit on me, I used her fire to get to your parent's by the way, and she hit on me, and said she wants in."

"In on what?"

"On, this, all this, Harry and Gabrielle, and you and me. She wants to shag all of us."

"Luna... wants... to shag.... me?"

"And me, and Harry, and Gabrielle."

"Good grief."

"You're telling me, you're not the one who made her dress up as Harry Potter as a kid and pretend to marry me."

"You never told me you did that!"

"I forgot," I grumbled, "Luna reminded me."

"Did you kiss her?"

"What! No! I mean back then when we were playing yes, but not today or since."

Hermione got all shifty and couldn't meet my eyes, "I kissed Gabrielle."

"Get out!"

A stern voice came from down a nearby aisle, "who's shouting? This is a library, be quiet or you'll be kicked out!"

After a mad shushing we gave each other we started whispering again.

"Well, I guess we know the bounds of the muggle repelling charm," Hermione glanced at the stone resting on the table, currently holding down a stack of papers with Hermione's handwriting on it.

"I'd say, did you really kiss Gabrielle."

Hermione put her hands over her face, eyes peeking above her fingers, she nodded wordlessly.

"Why?"

"Promise you wont get mad? It involves Harry... obviously. Oh shit! wait, I need to finish this bit it's important. Ginny I'd stop."

"Stop what?"

"Stop sleeping with Harry, just be plain old friends again if you want. I told Harry as much, that if being with you came down to not being with me I'd be fine with it."

"Oh. Thank you... I was really hoping we'd be each other's firsts," I said in a small voice.

"I know. For what it's worth I wasn't. His first I mean."

"Cho?" I asked, regretting the question immediately after I said it.

"Oh, heavens no. Believme, nothing would have ever happened between me and Harry if not for Gabrielle. She... really woke something in him. I'd have thought he'd be to scared to do anything like that for a bit longer. He's still so new to girls, what him and Cho had was downright tame really. A few kisses here and there and a lot of soulful staring."

I let out a breath.

"It's just me and Gabrielle Ginny, Harry's not a trollop." She giggled, I giggled, you get it. "Shall I continue?"

"I insist."

"It was... after the Christmas party, Slughorn's I mean."

"Going as friends, honestly."

"Shush, anyway, we made plans to... meet afterwards, but Ron caught us."

I gasped.

"He decked Harry."

"He didn't!" I shout-whispered.

"He did, then they went to Hogsmeade to get a drink and bro it out or whatever. I waited with Gabrielle and got a bit... impatient. I knew at that point that if I kissed Gabrielle Harry would feel it so I... gave him some encouragement."

"What did you do?"

"We snogged, and I... fondled her."

"I am in awe of you Hermione. Straight laced bookwork indeed," I said wryly, "if only you-can't-break-the-rules Hermione could see you now."

"You know I usually only said that right before breaking the rules right?"

"Yeah, yeah we all know the illustrious career of Hermione Granger, serial rule-breaker. Go on with your lecture Professor lesbian, I'm ever so anxious to hear the end."

"None of that," she tried to be stern, but couldn't stop from laughing, "Now, Gabrielle is Harry's companion. I am Harry's friend, a source of love, occasionally expressed physically, but separate still from Gabrielle and you, who I believe represents romantic love. Three women, who all had their lives saved by Harry, each with a separate and distinct love based relationship. If that doesn't scream magic to me, nothing does."

"Why did it have to be three, why couldn't it just be one?" I hung my head. 'Why do I always have to share everything' I asked in my head.

"Because three is Arithmantically important... oh... oh god, Ginny I'm so sorry, I forgot the moment you startled me," Hermione grabbed my wrists and held them, "Ginny, I discovered something just before you showed up, something important, something bad. Something very, very bad, and I'm so sorry, you're not going to like this."

"What? What is it? What did you discover?"

"I know why Voldemort can't die."