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Chapter 16: Unintended Intentions

Harry woke slowly on Christmas Day. It was early still, and warm in his bed with Gabrielle laying half on his chest, right hand playing with the small patch of chest hair lying across his sternum in her sleep. Harry hadn't even opened his eyes yet, knowing instinctively there were still several hours before Ron woke everyone else up in the pursuit of the large mass of gifts waiting beneath the lopsided, yet comforting for being so, tree in The Burrow's den. Mrs. Weasley had declared late last night, (with several glasses of sherry in her) that this year opening presents would be family time, and that everyone was to come down before breakfast and open them all as a group, rather than the, in her words, 'impersonal piles left on your bed.'

It was warm in Harry's bed, in that very specifically comforting way where one knows that outside the covers it is bitterly cold and the barrier between the two desperately fragile; that remaining wrapped around a loved one buried tight and snug in blankets in a little personal cave of warmth and love is only going to increase the stark cold of the hardwood floors, and alas Harry was with out slippers or dressing gown, only his somewhat threadbare pyjama bottoms remaining. It was through no small complaint on Gabrielle's part that the pants remained at all, his sleep shirts having long been abandoned to the fireplace in Gabrielle's room at Hogwarts, a sacrifice to the god of lusty girlfriends, or veela, or whatever. The bond being what it was had started to make them perpetually randy; with one being in the mood, so to speak, then other one was. It was a reciprocating cycle of passion throughout their days, unintentionally teasing one another with stray thoughts and fantasies, that ordinarily would have been gone and forgot in the time it took to think them up, but instead reverberated across their bond.

No sir, Harry would be more than content to fade in and out of sleep for the next twelve hours or so, with his lover pressed bodily to him, warm and naked and soft.

If only he hadn't needed to pee to the point of stinging.

With a weary sigh Harry spent the next several minutes extricating himself from Gabrielle and the blankets with the intent of leaving her both still asleep and with the pocket of warm air created by the covers undisturbed.

By the time Harry had succeeded in his goal nearly ten minutes had passed and the need to urinate had become nearly desperate. Moving as quickly as possible while making as little noise as possible Harry traipsed down to the second floor and moved into the already lit bathroom.

Not having the energy to wrangle the button fly on his pyjamas Harry just scooped himself out and tucked it over the waistband, letting go with a hearty sigh and an uncomfortable shiver when he was done. Once finished he shook off and tucked away turning around to use the sink only to find Ginny standing there, wide eyed staring at him through the mirror and frozen, one hand still up holding a toothbrush near her mouth, the sound of the foaming toothpaste hitting the sink a steady drip.

Harry had to clap his hand to his mouth to prevent the sound of surprise escaping him. After a tense moment where both seemed to focus on whether or not anyone else had woken up Harry whispered, "I'm sorry I didn't knock."

Ginny started to respond but realized belatedly there was still toothpaste in her mouth when nothing but a gargle came out. She blushed and bent to the sink, spitting it out. She grabbed a washcloth from a rack nearby and wiped her mouth clean turning to stare at Harry this time facing him, "S'not like the door was closed."

Harry watched Ginny's eyes flick down for a second and realized suddenly he was alone with her wearing nothing but pyjama bottoms, and that Ginny appeared to be in nothing but a worn looking terry-cloth robe and a loosely tied belt.

He turned to go suddenly whispering something like, "sorry I'll just leave you to it."

"Wait," she whispered suddenly and Harry stopped dead, turning to face her again, wide eyed in disbelief. "I wanted to talk to you alone," she blushed slightly at those words, "I mean, I needed to talk to you about something, and I didn't want anyone listening, and I was wondering how I was going to get you alone at all today since Mum is gonna take up all your time."

It took Harry a second to catch up with the entirety of Ginny's sentence, "right, um..." Harry glanced down at himself.

Ginny glanced down again and her mouth crooked into a slight smile, "right, get dressed and meet me in the shed, yeah?"

"Sure," Harry whispered back, watching Ginny as she left the bath. The robe she was wearing had been loose and quite thin, and he had noticed that her nipples had been hard. Considering for a brief moment whether to delay his arrival to the shed for a quick shag with Gabrielle, he quickly decided not to. Ginny was waiting out in the cold shed for him and he didn't want to keep her waiting long.

With a slightly quicker pace, though nearly just as silent as his previous decent Harry went back up to his room and grabbed his jumper from the night before, and pulled pants on over his pyjamas.

With his wand up his sleeve Harry walked quietly down the stairs skipping the squeaky one Ron had pointed out years ago, and out the front door which made far less noise than the back, around the house, past the chicken coop and out to the shed.

When he got there, he opened the door against the crunch of the snow in front, making a smooth pie slice, not bothering to open the door any wider than enough to slip through.

Ginny had apparently not had to use the door at all as Harry was greeted with the site of her sitting on a bench in front of a side window, still in her terry-cloth robe but with an unfastened overcoat over it that might have belonged to Charlie with how huge it was on her. As soon as harry stepped through the threshold he was delighted to find Ginny had used a warming charm on the shed not quite strong enough to remove coats, and Harry couldn't help but smirk at the casualness of Ginny breaking the rules like that. It reminded him of several stories Fred and George had told him about her. Honestly, thinking back, they might have been the greatest cheerleaders for Ginny's crush than anyone.

Harry was also quite shocked to find she had only added the jacket. The top of her robe still gaped slightly, and while Ginny did not have a large chest she was shapely and the singular glow of the lumos maxima she had cast near the ceiling created a soft yet defined shadow that increased the definition of her cleavage and drew Harry's eye like a magnet.

As Harry entered the room Ginny stood and faced him, hugging herself around the middle and staring Harry straight in the eye, as if trying to examine him.

"What's this about Ginny?"

Ginny closed her eyes as he had said her name, taking a deep slow breath. Harry watched her reopen them slowly, back to examining him.

"It's complicated, promise me you wont interrupt until I'm done alright?"

"Alright."

Ginny looked down, thinking for a moment before she started talking, addressing the floor more than Harry, "I've had a crush on you for as long as I can remember being alive."

Harry opened his mouth to speak, more in shock than anything, but quickly remembered his promise and stopped himself.

"It was stories early on, you were like... the hero in a Beetle story, and I wanted to be a damsel you saved," Ginny let out a half laugh half sigh. "I used to make Luna dress up as you and pretend to marry me as practice for when I got older. It was different you know?" Ginny looked up at Harry, "Other Heroes were old, or dead, but you were barely a year older than me, practically my age and the biggest hero anyone knew save Dumbledore. Then I met you on the platform, remember? Before your first year? I didn't know who you were, you were just this... lost sad looking little boy, and I had the strangest urge to hug you, so you wouldn't be so sad," Ginny paused to worry her thumb nail between her teeth. "When I found out who you were... I didn't know how to handle it for the longest time. I was so nervous around you, you seemed, larger than life. I still wanted to hug you though, you still seemed sad, but I just couldn't then, couldn't work up the nerve, couldn't do a lot of things."

Ginny started to pace a bit, turning from Harry and talking into her hands, "Then you saved my life. Later on I fantasized about us being older when that happened, and giving myself to you like in a fairy-tale. Hermione told me to date other people, to get more comfortable around you and try just being your friend. It worked, in that I wasn't so nervous anymore, but you still didn't seem to notice me the way I wanted, and in the end Michael wasn't right for me, and as much as I liked Dean he was never the boy I thought about kissing all day, and when I saw you kissing Gabrielle in Hogsmeade, it just... became clear you know? I thought I was, well not over you, but at least I thought I wasn't waiting anymore, but I'd just been lying to myself." She took a deep breath and spoke in a low toneless voice, "You know I've been told, over and over that you liked me, that people could see it in your eyes, but I never believed them... thought they were just comforting me, or seeing something that wasn't there or they wished was there for me."

Turning to face Harry again, her words grew more impassioned, a bit of bluster like she was trying to reach some finish line in her head, "Yesterday Gabrielle all but told me you were in love with me." Harry's mouth dropped in shock but Ginny spoke over him before he could forget his promise, "She explained everything else too by the way, were you aware that she's in love with me as well? Like, because you are and because you're mated she is too, and that Gabrielle has absolutely no subtlety when it comes to hiding her emotions? I'm still a little confused by that bit, but in any case it doesn't really matter, cause I went to see Hermione next to yell at her a bit for shagging you, oh Gabrielle let that bit slip too by the way, when she, that is Hermione, told me that not only had she figured out why Voldemort is immortal, but also how to finish him off, and it's some absurd ritual where we, that is you and me, and her and apparently like four other girls have to all shag each other to create some energy bullshite and channel it through you or the connection you have with Gabrielle, but I can't stop thinking about a world where none of this had to happen, and I just broke up with Dean and we'd have had all winter break to dance around each other and flirt, and when we got back to Hogwarts we'd have some big row, or a Quidditch win and one of us'd just snap and snog the other and I could even maybe accept Gabrielle cause that really isn't your fault anyway and you're all connected or something, and Hermione, she'd back off and see if we could be a couple, but now that isn't going to happen, I'm only going to be one of seven which happens far to often to me, and I think I love you, and apparently you love me too and it's not fair we don't get a chance to-"

As Ginny worked herself up more and more she hadn't noticed Harry approach her until he'd placed his palms against the sides of her face and kissed her softly silencing her with a whimper.

Harry pulled back and Ginny pulled in both her lips, pressing them together as if savoring the kiss after it ended. She opened her eyes languidly her mouth falling open in a quick pant, and stared into Harry's eyes lingeringly before glancing down at his lips and surging forward with a soft cry, wrapping her fists in Harry's hair, dragging his face forward to hers in a rough sloppy kiss. Her tongue swept into Harry's mouth and made his head spin. With Gabrielle he was plundering her, and with Hermione it was a dance. Ginny devoured him whole and he couldn't help but revel in it.

Finally gasping for breath they broke apart and Harry put his forehead against Ginny's, who spoke in a harsh whisper, not sounding like she even knew she was speaking, "you make my lips tingle."

Harry replied in an equally husky whisper, "is it my turn to talk?"

Ginny nodded against him.

Still breathing hard, her hands fisted in his hair, his hands cradling her head he spoke in a lovers whisper, just for her, "I've wanted you for months."

Ginny opened her eyes and Harry could practically see the fire in them.

"I'm sorry to say I was not aware of this until I saw you kissing Dean and wanted to murder him for it. I'm not proud of it, but well, I can be pretty thick sometimes."

"I'll say-"

"Quiet, it's my turn."

"My turn wasn't exactly over when you-"

"I haven't been able to get you out of my head since then. You're..." Harry let his thumb trace Ginny's cheekbone, and she closed her eyes for a moment and turned to gooseflesh. "I'm mated with a Veela and I can't stop thinking about you. Truthfully I don't know if I'm in love with you, but I do know that there's no one I'd rather find out if I am or could. I like everything about you Ginny, and looking back it all just seems so clear I just didn't know how I felt about you all rolled in with my fake family bullshite-"

"We are not your fake family Harry," Ginny spoke over him, angrily, "you're as good as family, Mum says it all the time."

"I spend all day thinking about kissing you," Harry mumbled leaning in.

Ginny took a step back separating them, but still remaining close. They were nearly the same height so neither had to bend their neck and Ginny's hard stare made Harry feel slightly cowed. Ginny spoke in a sad and angry voice, "this is weird, and it would already have been really weird with just Gabrielle, and it's about to get weirder. Killing Voldemort is more important than what any of us want really, and apparently we need to have orgies to get rid of him. Odd I know, but when has anything ever really made sense, or been fair I'm... I would have liked to have had time to date you Harry Potter, and have a real chance of falling in love, and getting married and babies and all that stuff." Ginny finished in a squeak, her breath spent having forgotten to breath through her impassioned speech. She sat down on the bench suddenly with a world weary sigh and in a small voice said, "Sorry, this is making me really sad, I feel like I'm in one of Fleur's stupid romance novels."

Feeling a little bewildered and still not sure exactly why he was apparently required to shag a whole bunch of girls to kill Voldemort, Harry got down on his knees and scooted close putting his hands on Ginny's knees to catch her eyes. "I'm not going to shag anyone just cause Hermione says so, and... damn it... why can't we do all that?"

"Do what?"

"Date? Maybe fall in love, babies... and stuff."

Ginny blushed, "I was just babbling by then, I didn't really-"

"Yes you did, and so did I. Ginny, you're... you're everything I want. It's obvious and I've been a moron. You're brilliant at Quidditch-"

Ginny burst out laughing, "that would be the first thing on your list."

"Damn straight," Harry replied seriously, "You'd be surprised what it does to me watching you fly."

Ginny gave him a look that sent shivers running down Harry's spine, "tell me," she asked in a small plaintive voice.

Harry leaned closer, his hands sliding up from Ginny's knees to mid thigh. Ginny opened her mouth reflexively as Harry neared but he passed her lips and brushed his cheek to her's speaking in a whisper straight to her ear, "I watch you, in tight leather pants, legs wrapped tight around a broomstick, hair streaming in the wind like liquid fire and your shirt plastered to your chest, absolute focus in your eyes, and the widest smile I've ever seen on you; and I think about if I were in place of your broom, with all that focus and passion directed at me, and it takes all I've got not to tackle you from the broom and shag you midair."

When Harry pulled back he saw Ginny had her eyes closed, and was breathing heavily through an open mouth. She opened her eyes, "Harry-"

He interrupted her, it felt surprising good to speak these feelings to her that had laid dormant in his head for so long, "You're powerful."

Ginny stared, non plussed, "I'm... what?"

"You're powerful, your reducto beats the hell out of mine, and you learned the patronus charm months faster than I did. You're one of the few in the DA that I think could beat me in a duel, and that is... surprisingly hot."

"Maybe you're just a better teacher than Lupin?" Harry gave her a look as if to say 'really?', "and that really doesn't bother you?"

"Why would it!? And, and..." Harry swallowed and continued in a more sedate voice, "you're forceful, you speak your mind and don't hold punches. You don't care what other people think about you. I care so much about what other people think of me, and you just... don't seem to. You're just so, comfortable being you. You impress me, you make me laugh, you're always so... positive, I envy that, and, and you know how pretty you are, and..." Harry swallowed audibly, "and I've... always wanted a family, and I happen to be rather fond of yours, not that I want seven kids..." he finished in a quiet voice.

Ginny was blushing furiously by then end of Harry's speech, but hadn't looked away, staring him dead in the eyes, barely blinking, a slight sparkle of unshed tears, "You know you're already family right? You get right? Regardless of anything to do with me."

Harry looked down and nodded, a sudden burst of shyness, and despite the sudden rush of vulnerability said, "I know, but right now, I literally can't think about anything except kissing you agai-"

Ginny put her hands to Harry's cheeks silencing him, pulled his gaze to meet hers and kissed him, hard as before, and this time they didn't stop. Sometimes gasping for air, but always returning to the now bruising kiss. They fell sideways onto the lightly cushioned bench, Ginny's hands finding their way inside the front of Harry's jumper running her hands along his stomach and chest.

Harry fisted one hand in her sweet smelling hair, and the other grabbed her left leg round the thigh wrapping it around his waist, and running along the underside through the gap in her robe.

An impassioned moan emboldened Harry and running his hand up her leg to her arse he discovered she truly wasn't wearing anything under her robe. With a groan he pressed the length of his body to her pulling her tight against him by way of his hand on her arse. Ginny whimpered, arching sweetly against him, the feel of her pressed to him, tender madness, and five minutes might as well have been five years.

She pulled away suddenly, "to much, to quick" she whispered harshly through labored breaths. "Slow," she groaned burying her face in Harry's neck. They held each other as their breathing slowed.

"My lips are still tingling," Harry admitted suddenly, blushing in embarrassed honesty. Truthfully his whole body was tingling, tingles ran down his spine from the movement of Ginny's hand and just the feel of her soft chest and firm stomach pressed tight to his front made Harry's gut do little swoops and twirls that left him reeling.

Ginny looked smug and that definitely made it worth the embarrassment. Running her hands through his hair she smiled slightly, "Something tells me this is worth figuring out."

With his arms wrapped tight around the lithe girl Harry commented, "you're trembling."

Ginny swatted Harry on the arm lightly, "prat, you can just enjoy the effect you have on me you know, you don't need to point it out."

Laughing slightly Harry squeezed tighter and kissed the top of Ginny's head, "I like that I make you tremble."

Ginny's hug tightened slightly, her fingers digging into Harry's back. She spoke muffled as she was, lips pressed against his neck, "I like that you make me tremble too."

"So what do we do now?" Harry asked, still breathless, still enjoying running his hands up and down her back, touching her on the outside of her robe this time. Harry desperately hoped she wouldn't come up with anything other than more kissing, but alas.

"The rest of my presents I should think," Ginny replied cheekily.



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It was not so much thinking about Ginny that distracted Harry during the opening of presents, truth be told she was often a distracting thought in his mind and the switch from fantasy to something tangible changed little as to the breadth of Harry's thoughts regarding the fiery girl, merely the context; it was instead the plan, which currently wasn't so much of a plan as a goal, to meet up with Hermione somehow, who was at the moment persona-non-grata at The Burrow, and somehow evade any of the Weasley's noticing the absence of Harry, and Gabrielle, and Ginny all at the same time for several hours, or notice but not care.

Quidditch was out because how would they exclude Ron with out raising suspicions. Ginny had some vague idea of going into the town, but Harry wasn't sure about that. Fred and George spent most of their time in Ottery flirting with Muggle girls using magic "tricks" to impress them so they wouldn't be there to help.

Having still felt sick the night before Harry also had his own separate agenda. He had been wanting to grill Remus about The Half-Blood Prince for some time now.

Lupin was currently staring into the fire the presents long opened, Ron was outside breaking in his new keeper gloves with Fred and George who were only too thrilled to get a chance to lob things at Ron, and Ginny was curled up in a large chair opposite the couch tending to her Comet 280 with the broomstick servicing kit Harry had gotten her. It was a depressingly unromantic gift in light of recent developments, but Harry had the sense she would have preferred it regardless. Gabrielle on the other hand had gushed over the bracelet he had gotten her. It was a thin platinum band with a series of multicolored gems, each set to ward off a different kind of dark creature. Harry had been sure it included an iridescent mother of pear gem with a grindylow repellant charm. Fleur had recognized it immediately and had sent Harry a warm smile over Gabrielle's shoulder.

With the only people right next to Harry on the couch being Lupin and Mr. Weasley in the easy chair by the fire Harry decided the right time was now. "Lupin, did anyone you went to school with call themselves 'The Half-Blood Prince'. Ginny's head had shot up across the room and her eyes narrowed, Harry hadn't realized her hearing was that good.

"The whom?" asked Lupin a bit thickly, he and Mr. Weasley had more than a few nightcaps on the Eve. Harry repeated himself. "The Half-Blood prince? There are no Wizard princes that I know of, and no one I knew ever called themselves that."

Harry glanced over at Ginny momentarily, and could tell that she was listening despite her head being bent towards the tail of the broom in her hands, straightening the same twig over and over.

"You don't think it was something... I don't know, my Dad might have called himself?"

Lupin chuckled quietly to himself, "Merlin no, never. Not only was your father a pure-blood, but you already know the only real nick-name he ever had, well... insulting nick-names not withstanding."

"Some of the spells in here, ones I'm pretty sure The Prince invented himself, I saw my Dad use... in the penseive." Harry had hesitated to share that one within earshot of Ginny who would most likely be able to worm information out of Harry now with terrible ease.

"Well, spells come and go like any fad Harry. Perhaps The Prince merely re-discovered it, or maybe he did invent it, when is the book from?"

Harry blinked, "you know, I never thought to check the publishing date."

"Well," replied Lupin, clearly thinking this ended the conversation, "that should give you a rather useful clue. It should be no problem to look up old class records at Hogwarts and narrow your search significantly."

Harry flipped the cover on the book, "says 1949."

"Ah well, that's long before anyone here attended Hogwarts, hell that was back when Dumbledore was still the Deputy Headmaster. Who was it before?"

"Dippet," Arthur said gruffly, tea in one hand, the other hand over his eyes against the harsh morning light. Opening presents had been very loud.

The mention of Dippet awakened more than a few distasteful memories in Harry, and he glanced briefly at Ginny again. He had dedicated much of the last few hours going over what she had said in the shed that morning. The one he couldn't get out of his mind no matter how he tried, was Ginny's mention of wishing she had been older during the chamber so she could have 'given' herself to him. It painted a lovely picture in his head, far removed from the actually terrifying situation it had been.

Realizing what he was thinking about practically a foot from her father Harry suppressed his baser urges and pressed on. "Mr Weasley, did you get a chance to check Malfoy Manor?"

Ginny's head raised with out pretense this time to watch the conversation. "Mmm? Oh yes, I did. Found absolutely nothing. Not a thing out of place."

"No... even under the-"

"Under the floorboards in the sitting room like you told me your second year? Harry please, I'm a professional," Said Mr. Weasley in a mock hurt tone with a wink on the end.

"Right," Harry replied with a cheeky grin.

"I don't suppose you overheard anything new on that front? Or are you still gunning after him with out evidence?" Lupin asked with more than a bit of amusement tinting his words.

"No, nothing since Diagon Alley."

"What happened at Diagon Alley?" Ginny suddenly asked.

Lupin laughed once, "Exactly what you'd think happened, Harry saw the Malfoy boy and tailed him with Ron and Hermione in his cloak."

"He went into Borgin and Burks..."

Arthur shot over Harry's objection, "Who are friends with Malfoy Sr. Have been for years, he owns twenty percent of that store now, bought it last year as a matter of fact. My theory is he only did it so he could funnel all his leftover dark artifacts out of his house with out raising any suspicions. Wouldn't have to sell them, and if they sold through the store he makes money with out having to put his name on a bill of sale for something dark. Devious really. Probably why I didn't find anything in the raid."

"A neckless from that store made it to Hogsmeade, cursed Katie Bell right in front of me. I know it was him, but as usual I can't prove anything, which apparently means no one will believe me."

"I believe you," said Ginny simply, "when have you been wrong about this sort of thing."

Arthur Weasley looked to his daughter with a softly amused smile, "I'm not saying I don't believe Harry pumpkin, I raided Malfoy Manor on a word from Harry, and yes nothing turned up, but I'd do it again tomorrow if he asked," he turned to Harry, "you've earned more than that from me by my book."

Harry looked down a bit embarrassed, but not before noticing Ginny directing a small warm smile his way while absent-mindedly stroking the edge of her jaw with the tip of a finger, and Harry's attention was grabbed by it, and he thought the shape and line of her jaw and cheekbone was rather lovely, smoothing elegantly line into line, into a long pale neck with just a hint of freckles peeking up from the neckline of her now tightly closed robe. As Harry had discovered this morning when her robe was less than tightly closed, she only had a few freckles across her nose and cheeks and down her neck, but the top of her chest starting just below her collar bone, was absolutely covered in them.

Harry wanted to explore. To find constellations in them, and make a map of her heavens.

Harry realized he was starting and noticed Ginny had crooked an eye brow, her smile wider than before.

Her smile really was lovely, twin creases at the corners of her mouth, not quite dimples and yet somehow more appealing; and the way the fireplace flickered light across her face was enchanting. Harry tore his eyes away and was relieved to notice Lupin was staring into the fire, and Mr. Weasley was still engrossed in his hangover.

It wasn't soon after when Mrs. Weasley was calling everyone in for breakfast. Harry just happened to be the farthest from the door to the kitchen and Ginny just happened to wait until he passed her to get up. She stopped him with a touch on his arm and reached a hand into his hair, "you've got a maggot in your hair." She flicked it out the nearby window and the hand that had touched him slid gently down his arm as she passed him into the kitchen, grabbing the sweater her Mum had knit her and tying the arms round her neck like a scarf.

Harry shuddered quietly before moving on himself.

Harry wasn't sure if it was intentional, but he was pretty sure it was that he ended up seated between Gabrielle and Ginny. Ron sat across with Fred and George on either side. Fleur and Bill took up one end and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley the other, and Lupin was squeezed in on the side with Ginny and Gabrielle next to Mr. Weasley, making Harry's place very snug.

Gabrielle who was still quite sleepy lay her head on Harry's arm and munched slowly on all one-handed foods: a slice of toast, a piece of bacon, or a sip of juice. Every movement was slow and weary. Ginny on the other hand was full of energy, eating almost as fast, though far neater and politer than Ron was.

Harry was just trying not to zone out having both girls on either side pressed snugly up to him.

Mrs. Weasley was in good spirits, having felt the group presents were a smashing success, though much of that probably had to do with the extravagant gifts Fred and George had gotten her, a rather stylish hat that looked like the midnight sky, and a too bright to be non-magical golden neckless she couldn't stop fingering.

"Fred and George, my little business men."

"Business men she calls us."

"No longer pranksters, we've moved up in the world haven't we?"

"Indeed we have Fred."

"Indubitably!"

"Enough, I'm very proud of you boys, and I admit, I didn't realize your jokes and nonsense would actually be... things people actually wanted, but," she sighed, world weary, "I suppose I often overestimate most people."

Fred and George looked at each other, "Was that a compliment?"

"I couldn't tell."

"Either way, doing our own laundry has given us new perspective."

"Turns out, we should have appreciated you more, but RONALD AND ICKLE GIN-GIN CAN STILL LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES!" Fred ended dramatically before turning to Lupin with serving dish held out casually, "Parsnips, Remus?"

"Your brozers are so funny," Fleur half spoke half moaned in Bill's ear. Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes dramatically, her tired stare only increasing when Ron tried to pass gravy to Fleur, almost sending it flying. With a wave of his wand, which seemed to appear from nowhere Bill halted the gravy mid-air, and boat and all gently landed on the table.

"You are as bad as zat Tonks girl," Fleur said to Ron after kissing Bill.

"Tonks," Mrs. Weasley spoke over the French girl, "isn't going to be able to make it, I invited her of course as she's such a dear friend. I don't suppose you've spoken with her have you Remus?"

"No, no. We haven't been partnered in the order for a while now. I've been going solo now, it's... necessary. Besides, I'm sure she's spending Christmas with her family."

"No, I rather thought she was going to spend it alone actually," she finished, shooting Remus a glare. Harry wondered if she was still trying to set Bill up with Tonks, though her glare seemed a little harsh considering Remus' only mistake was being unable to spirit her to The Burrow.

"Lupin, I forgot to ask you, can the form of a Patronus change?"

Lupin looked thoughtful for a moment, "it's been known to happen when the caster goes through a great emotional change, or a great shock, or heartbreak, or falling in love even. Why do you ask? Has your Patronus changed?" Lupin asked with a half smile.

"No, not at all, I just remembered Tonks picked me up from the train at the beginning of term, and I noticed her's had changed is all."

Lupin looked a little lost though he replied calmly, "did it?"

"Yeah, it was big, four legs and- hey I don't suppose it was-"

"Percy!" Mrs. Weasley had stood up and was staring ashen faced out the kitchen window, "Arthur it's Percy!"

"What?" Arthur stood up along with Ginny and Fred and George. Harry stared out the window and sure enough Percy was walking down the lane to the kitchen door, posture perfect, and horn-rimmed glasses polished and shining in the early morning sunlight.

Percy was not alone.

"Arthur, he's with the Minister, what on earth is the Minister doing here on Christmas day?"

"I'll go find out." Arthur made to go outside to meed the Minister but before he could even get his coat on the door opened and a windswept Percy entered the house, followed closely by the Minister himself.

There was a long pause, where no one moved or barely breathed which was shattered utterly when Mrs. Weasley jogged towards her son and embraced him with a cry, "Oh, Percy!"

Rufus Scrimgeour paused still in the wake of the long uncomfortable silence preceding Mrs. Weasley's raucous sobbing, looked around the room, his eyes pausing just slightly too long on Harry as he swept his gaze around. "Forgive the intrusion Madam, Percy and I just happened to be nearby, routine Minister business you know, when Percy mention what a lovely surprise it would be if he could just pop in for a minute. The poor boy was already working Christmas Day, I couldn't deny him just a bit of time to spare for his family."

Percy stood ram-rom straight, stone faced and staring at nothing as Mrs. Weasley hugged him and cried, "Oh Percy you came home for Christmas."

Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, and Ginny were all stood, equally blank-faced staring at Percy.

Mrs. Weasley finally let Percy go and made to invite the Minister to sit, but he begged off, "No, no, my dear Molly," Harry wondered how he had known her name, "This is a time for family, this is all for Percy of course, I'll just wander by the chicken coop I noticed as we walked down the path, I love chickens, they make me laugh," the Minister continued in a dignified voice. "You there, with the black hair, why don't you show me the way while Percy spends some time with his family, eh?"

Even Mrs. Weasley's countenance flattened as she, along with everyone else looked to Harry and then back at the Minister, not seeming to buy that the Minister did not know Harry's name, nor that his choice of who to guide him to the Chicken coop was random.

"Sure." Harry stood.

Realizing quite some time ago that Scrimgeour had manufactured this whole thing to get Harry alone for a minute he thought it better to get it over as quickly as possible, like removing a band-aid. He put a calming hand on Lupin's shoulder as he looked ready to stun first and ask questions later, his hand having clearly moved towards his wand, Harry only having noticed by virtue of having sat on the same side of the table.

Mr. Weasley opened his mouth but Harry spoke before he could say anything, "it's fine."

They walked slowly down the path around through the garden, the Minister glancing back and forth, "Charming."

Harry watched him the whole time. He was a severe switch form Fudge. Unlike Fudge, Scrimgeour looked like the sort of person you wanted to avoid dueling. He had scars on his face, and a slight limp, obviously tough in the same way Mad Eye was tough.

"I've wanted to meet you for some time now Mr. Potter," Scrimgeour said, still not looking at Harry, watching a gnome run across the garden and dive into a small hole in the snow.

"Have you?" asked Harry with out guile.

"Yes, but Dumbledore wouldn't let me," he turned to look at Harry face on, the gnome forgotten. "Of course he's right to be protective, especially after what happened at the Ministry last Spring..."

Harry said nothing.

"Like I said, I've been wanting to talk to you for a while, ever since I became Minister actually, the rumors Harry! The rumors flying around, we both know how the media can inflate things, and the public exaggerate... all this talk of chosen ones you know..."

Harry again said nothing, assuming that eventually the Minister would find the point.

"I assume, that you've discussed all this with Dumbledore, he did escort you from the Ministry did he not?"

"He did, and we did," Harry replied slowly.

"Of course you did, you're his student after all, and what exactly did you discuss, may I ask?"

"You may not," Harry replied calmly.

"Ah," Scrimgeour's eager face fell. "Of course, of course, confidences must be maintained in such times. I applaud your loyalty, and after all, it doesn't truly matter if you're actually the chosen on or not does it?"

Harry took a long moment to appreciate that depth of thought revealed by that last statement. "What do you mean it doesn't matter, Minister?"

"Oh, well... um," he was interrupted.

"Excusemoi Monsier!" Gabrielle was walking steadily through the snow to stand between Harry and the Minister. "I am afraid my client will no longer be speaking to you wiz out me."

"Your client?" The Minister asked wryly.

"Oui, I am ez Publicist."

"I am not a reporter, I'm an elected official," The minister replied in a sour voice.

"I am also 'is lawyer," Gabrielle replied quickly.

Scrimgeour's eyes narrowed, "how old are you?"

"And why should zat matter?"

"Because the minimum age for Solicitor accreditation is seventeen in Magical Britain and I don't think you qualify."

"I am qualified in France, my 'omeland, and I am of age zere and accredited, you may contact Monsieur Delacour of the International Confederation of Wizards if you do not believe me."

"So, you're not a citizen of Great Britain are you? Well, it wouldn't be hard to-"

"My sister iz engaged to a British national, our families are tied, you cannot deport me, and I might add eet iz a distasteful way to begin negotiations with Mr. Potter, as he quite values my company."

"I'm sure he does," Scrimgeour shot Harry a nasty look. "I wasn't aware this was a negotiation."

Gabrielle scoffed, "oh please, you clearly want somezing from Mr. Potter, so say what eet iz and we will provide a counter offer."

"Counter-"

"Oui, did you expect not to 'ave to pay for what you want? For services rendered?"

"He should do his duty to his government-"

"Excuse me?" Harry interrupted, "You mean the same ministry that appointed a torturer as a teacher at Hogwarts?"

"A... a what at Hogwarts?" The Minister looked quite bewildered but shook his head suddenly, seeming to decide further confrontation was not in his best interest, "No, no, you're right we have failed you haven't we. Fine I'll get to the point, the public believes you're the Chosen One, and whether or not you are doesn't really matter to me, but the public believes this you see? So in order to keep morale high in these dark times, I would like you to... show public support for the war effort."

"Be more specific," Gabrielle interjected as soon as the Minster had stopped talking.

"Oh, just... to give the appearance that you're working with us. I'd say the Auror department would be a good place to start. Gawain Robards, the current Head of the department would love to meet you, I've been told you had entertained the thought of applying to be an Auror someday. I would expect you coming by to have some discussions with Robards a few times a month, give the impression that you're working with us, to give everyone a bit of a boost, while also boosting your career aspirations."

Harry's eyes narrowed, despite the well crafted attempt to sway him, as far as he knew there were only three people who knew of his ambition to become an Auror besides his friends, and that was Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Delores Umbridge. Something sour turned in his stomach at the thought of her and the back of his writing hand tingled.

"So all you want iz to give ze impression zat 'Arry is actively working wiz ze Ministry, you don't actually want any of 'iz input and valuable knowledge."

"Erm, no, no any insight you could offer us would of course be quite valuable, and I'm sure Gawain would be more than happy-"

"Non, I'm afraid zat wont work at all, see 'Arry izn't 'appy wiz what's been going on in ze Ministry. 'Arry iz angry about so many zings, I'm afraid ze cost of 'iring 'Arry out as a mascot iz quite high you see, ze less dignified ze work ze 'igher ze cost."

Scrimgeour didn't look very happy now, "what do you want?" he grumbled.

"Ze authority to act as a junior level hitwizard, a readily available contact in ze Department of Mysteries: an Unspeakable not an assistant, ze use of a time-turner, and exemption from ze underage restriction on magic use for 'im and every single one of 'is friends who are also in danger for no ozer reason zan association with Mr. Potter. I can think of twenty nine people who would qualify immediately for zis exemption and ze list may and probably will grow," Harry watched as a small vein below the Minister's right eye began to pulse in the same way his Uncle Vernon's head vein would throb when angry with Harry. This obviously brought Harry much joy.

"A spelled Ministry document wiz a protean copy zat only 'Arry can write on will do nicely for editing zis list, which will of course be entirely anonymous on your end for the safety of everyone involved, can't be to careful and you never know how far ze Ministry 'as been infiltrated. If Lucius Malfoy can turn out to be a Death Eater, zen anyone and everyone should be suspect. Finally, an Auror assigned directly to Mr. Potter for his protection, a Junior Level should suffice. I believe one Auror Tonks is good friends with ze Weasley's, should be a good fit don't you think?" She turned to Harry, "Anything else?"

"Release Stan Shunpike," Harry added almost distractedly, most of his attention on a large gnome wrestling with an earthworm.

"Also, release Stan Shunpike," Gabrielle continued, "in exchange 'Arry will spend a minimum of one hour zree days a month," she held up three fingers, "in ze company of Gawain Robards to discuss ze overall strategy and psychology of Death Eaters. Mr. Potter will make his entrance and exit from ze Ministry public and obvious, but never scheduled for obvious reasons. Beyond zat, he will also write a short endorsement of you personally for the position of Minister, something along the lines of needing a Minister with a law enforcement background in times of war, and one photo op with you two shaking hands at your convenience, perhaps after a bust, no?"

Scrimgeour scowled, "no time-turner."

"Non, everyzing or nozing."

The Minister shook his head, "No, I mean they were all destroyed when you," he pointed at Harry, "and your friends broke in last year."

"They were all destroyed?" Harry asked turning away from the gnome finally and eyeing the Minister fiercely, "every single one that existed was in that room at the same time, none were rented out that day?" Then Harry smiled broadly at the Minister, "Take it or leave it Minister, I couldn't care less."

"I want TWO photo-ops!" The Minister blustered.

Gabrielle stuck out her hand, "deal."



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Harry stuck his head out just enough to see Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen talking in quiet tones with Lupin. Harry waved Gabrielle and Fleur down. They descended the stairs talking loudly in French until Gabrielle broke away and went to hug Harry. "I'm so glad you are feeling better 'Arry, we should do somezing today!"

"Why don't we go into town, explore for a bit."

Ginny spoke up from the couch just loud enough to hear in the other room, "did you want to go alone or would you like company? I could show you around, help you skip the boring bits."

"We'd love the company," Gabrielle replied brightly, "I would love to get to know you more Ginny, we are going to be sisters soon, Oui?"

"True, Oh! I know, I'll floo Luna and see if she wants to come with too, so if you did want some alone time at some point I wouldn't be be by myself, I'm sure she'd love see you too Harry. I'll go ask Mum," Ginny left into the kitchen, Harry staring after her wondering why she had included Luna out of the blue.

Mrs. Weasley could just be heard from the kitchen replying just as Ginny finished saying'Hey Mum!' as she entered, "wear your warmest coat dear and a hat that covers your ears, and be back for supper... and wear real gloves! Not Quidditch gear!"

"Thanks Mum!" Ginny yelled as she tramped back into the living room grabbing her coat jerking her head at the door, "Come on, there's this Muggle sweet shop that I swear could rival Honeydukes." Fleur waved goodbye to them as the trio left.

Once out the door they followed Ginny who said in a more normal tone, "Come on we better get Luna."

"Why are we grabbing Luna?" asked Harry.

Ginny stopped and turned, "you really are incredibly dense when it comes to girls aren't you?"

"Well..." Harry blushed, "yeah, I guess I am."

Ginny smiled and glanced behind him, seeing the coast was clear she stepped towards him and gave him a quick peck on the lips, "I suppose it's actually kind of endearing," she said with a sigh running a hand down his cheek. She spun and began walking again Gabrielle jogging to catch up waving Harry to follow them. "Come on Harry," Ginny called over her shoulder, "we don't want to be late for dinner, and Hermione is probably going to talk for a very long time."

They made the semi-lengthy trek to Luna's house and floo'd to the Leaky Cauldron where Hermione had already booked a quiet room full of anti-spying charms as none of them could legally perform magic quite yet, though soon they would all be able to, Harry smiling as he thought about it for the tenth time that hour. The thought fed him energy, and it switched back and forth between that and the memory of kissing Ginny in the shed, which gave Harry an entirely different kind of energy. Gabrielle found herself unable to stop staring at Ginny's bum.

In fact, it was hard to restrain from grabbing Ginny and pressing her up against a wall somewhere. It didn't help that every time Harry's gaze drifted to Ginny's arse as well Gabrielle looked over at him and winked.

Hermione had ordered tea service for them and they sat around a medium sized table, with Harry and Gabrielle on one side, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna by themselves on the rest. When Luna saw this she got up and walked dragging her chair to Harry's side of the table to squeeze in next to Gabrielle and immediately began cuddling her, forcing Gabrielle more firmly against an unresisting Harry.

Ginny rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, but Hermione smiled and got up to join Ginny across from Harry and Gabrielle and Luna to make things more balanced.

Everyone turned to stare at Hermione.

"Why am I always the one who has to start?"

Everyone continued to stare at Hermione.

She sighed, "Fine. Well, I suppose it all starts with the book Gabrielle gave me." Hermione pulled the book out of her bag, laying next to her chair, and laid it on the table cover side up, the loopy writing of 'Sensual Magicks' for all to read. "That, was given to me by Gabrielle after my asking to do research on Veela magic and her and Harry's bond. This book details a series of magical rituals developed by Veela, but I don't think exclusive. I believe this is actually a tangential form of magic based of the lost art of Coven magic, which are spells that can only exist when channeled through many people in a shared ritual. England was actually host to one of the most famous Covens in Magical History in 1172, where a group of twelve women ended a six year drought with a ritual that took three whole days to cast. Fortunately for these rituals one does not need to be Veela to perform most of these spells, and a few Gabrielle would be enough, but thirty-seven specifically require a full fledged Veela to get them to work properly. As it is, there are a number of useful spells that, well, we might actually find rather useful. Several of the ones that require... um... well four people," Hermione glanced at Ginny and blushed, then Harry and blushed harder, then Luna and somehow blushed even harder, "and well some of the five person spells are actually rather good as well and in fact the Mate bond Harry and Gabrielle have is probably the most useful thing of all for many of these, creating a natural focal point, and um... well, I was researching them and the base components of these spells when I realized something odd."

Hermione looked up to see that everyone had stopped listening and were more interested in laughing at her little display, except for Luna who had not looked away from Hermione since the shy Gryffindor had glanced and blushed at her, "I'd be happy to help any way I can Hermione," Luna said calmly, "do you think we should have sex regularly so that when we're doing an actual ritual we wont be awkward?"

Hermione starred at Luna dead silent for nearly a minute, "As I was saying, in this book there are rituals from two people to twelve people. It works on the bell curve as well, meaning that there are more rituals for seven people, than twelve. There are forty-two rituals for seven people to be exact, and only twelve for twelve."

"Why iz zat?" Gabrielle asked, "I had always wondered."

"I'm glad you asked," Hermione's back shot straight, "The way the rituals work, energy is passed from one person to another through acts of intimacy. By combining multiple people's magic in specific paths and courses it creates effects that are far beyond the capabilities of any of those magicals individually. The earlier spells all work as a means of rebounding from one person to the next utilizing a focal point. The paths are usually star shaped, but with too many people the momentum of the magic can no longer be kept up long enough, so it turns from reflecting star shapes to accelerating chains. Conversely the, um... acts of intimacy, change from more cooperative acts to more... circuitous acts, like water through pipes, the more people the bigger the pipe can be and the more energy it can take, not to mention the Mate bond which is sort of like... a really precise valve at the end of the pipe."

"What does that mean?" Ginny asked.

Harry had thought of asking this question, but had thought silence was probably for the best at this stage of the conversation. He was still unsure of Ginny's involvement in all this, and had a sneaking suspicion she was not entirely on board with this plan.

Hermione continued in a forced even tone, "It means, that with the right amount of people we are all being intimate with one another as a group, whereas with too many or too few we have to create a... chain of... acts, like, a big circle."

Ginny blushed slightly and looked at Harry for a long moment, who stared back unabashedly, too desperate to figure out just what Ginny thought of all this before being asked his opinion of any of this. After a moment Ginny looked around at the other girls giving them appraising looks.

Hermione apparently decided Ginny was not going to talk again, "I figured this out by the way when I started making rune charts of some of the spells, and it was in doing this that I discovered that there are two missing spells."

Gabrielle shot forward, "Really?"

Hermione nodded grimly, "Yes, there is one spell for one person, and one spell for... thirteen people."

"What does ze thirteen person one do?" Gabrielle asked, a hungry quality to her voice.

Hermione gave Gabrielle a long look, "It kills the thirteenth person, the focal point, the person in the middle, it's... essentially the precursor to the Killing Curse, at least it functions the same way" she added in a flat voice.

Gabrielle's excited face died at Hermione's words and she looked down, pensive.

"And the one person ritual?" Harry asked, finding his voice.

Hermione looked to Harry, sadness emanating from her, she spoke in a whisper, "It splits your soul in half." There was dead silence until Hermione continued, "there's more to it than that though, these types of magics aren't meant to be done alone, it doesn't work. The only reason it qualifies as one person, is because the other person involved is... dead. The caster kills someone, and then, using the ritual splits their soul in half. Do you know where one half goes?"

Harry shook his head.

"Anywhere, anything. It's hidden somewhere, and now that person cannot die. I... I think that's what Voldemort did. I think he split his soul and that's why you didn't kill him when you were a baby. Why he was able to get a body back after so long."

Something fizzled in Harry's brain, something from the memories Dumbledore had started showing him. "Oh no," Harry bent over the table his head in his hands. Images flashed behind his eyes, remembered snippets of conversation and connections. The trophies Voldemort had collected, the ring he had taken from his Grandfather as a prize, the DIARY! Harry suddenly looked at Ginny. "What would happen to something that had a piece of Voldemort's soul in it?"

"Aside from just making it evil? I imagine almost anything. It would be a part of him and child's play I'm sure to enchant it to do anything he wanted if an affect wasn't already present.

Ginny had reached the same conclusion as Harry, "You're talking about the diary aren't you?"

Hermione gasped, "Yes, yes I imagine it would, but... Harry you destroyed that!"

"He has more than one," Harry said sullenly. "As many as he could make probably, whatever the limit is."

Hermione shuddered, "There's no real limit, but understand, every time it's done, it's half again. So the first time he did it, he'd only have half his soul left, than a quarter, than an eighth. Before long he'd barely... be... human..." Hermione got lost in thought for a long moment, "My god how many does he have!?"

"He liked to collect trophies," Harry said.

"How did you know that?" Ginny asked in a small voice.

Harry's eyes shot to hers and managed to not ask how she knew that before realized what a stupid question that was, "Dumbledore, he's been showing me memories. He showed me the first time he met Voldemort, when he was ten to tell him he was a Wizard and that he could go to Hogwarts. He had been... terrorizing the other kids at the orphanage he lived in, and each time he'd stolen something and kept it as a trophy."

"Trophies," Hermione said in quiet contemplation, then looked up, "wait no! This doesn't change anything, because the seven person ritual will still solve all this regardless. There's a ritual that purifies the soul, it's intended to treat people exposed to dementors and other soul damaging magic, but I did the Arithmantic, and I think it would actually force the soul piece, or well pieces in this case, to try and fix themselves, baring in mind this ritual was never intended for a split soul, only a damaged one. Fixing a split is theoretically impossible, but whatever the soul pieces were being contained in would be destroyed in the attempt to be fixed. By using the connection that was made between Harry and Voldemort when the killing curse rebounded, we can include Voldemort in the spell. It wouldn't kill him, but it would make him mortal, and then, I suppose, anyone could kill him. I'm fairly certain all this prophecy business is because Voldemort has made himself functionally immortal, but if we can simply undue that, then it probably breaks the prophecy, which is after all a very wooly subject. I looked into it, and most prophesiers agree that it's all interpretation that creates meaning. Dumbledore was even quoted once saying 'if we didn't believe in prophecy then prophecy probably wouldn't work, probably'."

Harry cleared his throat, "Right, so what you're suggesting is that we get two more people, form a... 'Coven' was it, and all shag each other to kill Voldemort."

Hermione blushed but answered in an even voice, "no, three more, you don't count. Not splitting gender lines makes the connections stronger, except that we can use you as a focal point through Gabrielle, and your connection to Voldemort to affect him... and... to answer Luna's earlier question yes we would all have to have regular sex so that we're all comfortable. There's often chanting involved and sometimes synchronized movement so we'll need to practice and generally be as undistracted as possible whilst having..." Hermione broke off to make eye-contact with everyone in the room, lingering for a moment on Luna, "an orgy."

Harry clapped his hands together loudly and everyone jumped, "Right well, not to be a downer but from the sour look on Ginny's face I'm going to say no."

"What!?" Ginny shouted, Hermione looked stunned.

Harry continued, "look, it's a really good thought, I like it, but for now I say we should see where Dumbledore wants to take this since I'm pretty sure he's figured much of this out and is just slowly dolling the information out to me, it's kind of his thing the whole present information slowly and let others make the connections themselves, and also," Harry turned to Ginny, "we didn't discuss this outright this morning but I'm your boyfriend if you want me to be, so no thank you Hermione, as tempting as it would be to shag a bunch of girls I think three is enough, no offense Luna I like you but-"

"Harry shut the hell up!" Ginny exploded.

Harry whipped his head around to stare at Ginny like he had been slapped.

"First off, you're absolutely right we haven't discussed any of that, and yes I'd love you to be my boyfriend but that's for later, please stop making decisions based on assumptions about how I feel. If I feel some way about something you'll probably know. And second, this isn't just about you. It's not you and seven girls in a relationship, it's all of us with, well... all of us. I need to be as comfortable shagging you as Luna and Hermione."

Luna hummed contentedly at those words.

"So, no offense, but I want to hear Hermione out, and maybe we'll decide to include you in our coven. The first real coven in what, three hundred years? I'd be a part of history, and even if we can't defeat Voldemort with it, I'm sure there'd be something useful we could do with out you."

"There hasn't been a known coven in England since fourteen seventy-three, and the knowledge was expunged by the ministry. It's likely the Department of Mysteries is the only place that still has knowledge of it." Hermione recited with a stunned look.

"See, Even longer. I just hope as my boyfriend you can accept and possibly even participate in my chosen extra-curriculars."

Harry was quite understandably unable to respond.

Seeing that no one else was going to speak and Ginny in fact seemed to be waiting for Hermione to continue, she did, "Well, in any case there are a number of rituals we can experiment with in the two through four categories and even a few that normally include a member of the opposite gender, a kind of sexual sacrifice. While doing that we can scout for three more members, I have a short list based on personality compatibility and the likelihood of the candidate being bisexual. That being said, well I think we should wait on all of that until after we're well and comfortable with each other. Gabrielle I know you wont have any problems in that stead, and I know I'm... amenable to certain things, so really it's down to you three," Hermione pointed at Luna, Ginny, and Harry in turn. "Where do you stand?"

"I like girls and boys, and I like all of you. Can we have sex after this Hermione? Or at least kiss?"

Hermione stared at Luna for a long moment, "Ginny tells me you're interested in me... romantically," she finally said in a quiet voice.

"I wouldn't say there's anything particularly romantic about it."

Hermione paled, "Right, Ginny?"

"I'll think about it. In fact, I'd like some alone time with Harry if no one minds. We'll make sure to come to a decision about this at least."

Gabrielle giggled, "I zink I'll keep Hermione and Luna company for a bit, and you," she patted Harry's head, "stay out as much as you can, I know eet's gotten 'arder to block eet."

"Almost impossible most of the time now."

"Do your best, focus on Ginny."

"Yeah," said Ginny silkily, getting up and grabbing Harry's hand to pull him with her, "focus on me," she finished with a sly smile pulling him from the table and towards the door.

Glancing briefly to see Gabrielle waving to him, and a flustered Hermione who's focus was back on Luna now who was demonstrating something with her hands, Harry was quickly removed from the room by Ginny who let go of his hand to traipse down the stairs.

Following her, wondering at her abrupt switch from sullen to forceful to playful Harry followed her down the stairs in a more sedate fashion in silence.

"Come on, I'm almost never here with out everyone else, we can take as long as we want at Quality Quidditch," Ginny called over her shoulder bounding out into the alley proper.

"Wait!" Harry called after her and stopped and turned.

"What?"

"What are we doing?"

Ginny considered Harry for a long moment, the other shoppers staring forward, no one taking any particular notice. Ginny then moved over and took Harry's hand, entwining their fingers. She strode off again, slower this time side by side, hand swinging merrily, "We Harry Potter, are going on a date."

"A date?"

"Yes. A date, and maybe while we do this, we'll talk about this whole Coven business."

Harry nodded, "Alright. Do you want to stop for an ice cream first or straight to Quality Quidditch?"

"Quality of course."

Harry smiled happily, "This is gonna be a fun date."

Ginny flashed him a smile, "I think we've already covered this, we're both mad for the game, and apparently that's your main reason for liking me."

"Well... not the main reason, just the first I thought of."

Ginny laughed lightly, "Yes well, I believe the words "mid-air shagging" were used, no doubt that's why it was first." An older prim looking Witch gasped nearby, scandalized by what Ginny had said, who responded with a loud scoff and a dismissive, "prude, just like Mum, tries to pretend sex doesn't exist, like she doesn't have seven kids." Ginny pulled Harry off the main road slightly into a side alley where they were essentially alone, "Look," she turned to look Harry in the eye, "Maybe we should talk about this first, I'm sure you're probably pretty confused by now, I've been sort of up and down all day haven't I?"

"Well, yes, but it's not like it's not understandable."

"Even so, let's find somewhere to talk. I know we just had tea and cakes, but maybe we should sit somewhere and have an ice cream or something. Somewhere quiet."

"I'd like that, is there somewhere else now that Florean is gone?"

"Rosa Lee's has sundays."

Harry reached for Ginny's hand this time, and she joyfully clasped her hand in his as they strolled along the Alley. As they walked they pointed out the little odds and ends of the Alley they had noticed over the years, Ginny from having grown up with it, and Harry from the time before third year when he lived in the Alley for two weeks.

Ginny was rather fond of Scribbulus for her Quills, citing a smoother draw, while Harry had discovered Amanuensis, which was the only place Harry had ever found that carried quills made from the tail feather of a Red Hawk, which had a rigidity to their quills that Harry liked. Both agreed that Scrivenshafts in Hogsmeade (Hermione's favorite) was rubbish.

"I suppose you'll have been in all three Broom shops by now, Quality is definitely the best, but I had to get my broom from 2nd Hand when I made the team. At least it wasn't from Broomstix," Ginny shuddered, "I'd have ended up with a three seater for family holidays."

Sitting at Rosa Lee Teabag Harry had a chocolate vanilla mix, while Ginny had a magically elaborate grape bunch looking sunday, where each 'grape' was a different fruit flavor, and the stems were chocolate.

Mostly picking at his ice cream Harry waited for Ginny to say something, and after a few minutes of silence finally had to say, "Ginny I need to know you're alright with all this. I was serious when I said I'd say no for you. I like you, a lot. I can't do anything about Gabrielle, but well... she wants you as bad as I do."

"I know Harry, she gave it away first remember?" Ginny was silent for a moment, seemingly savoring what appeared to be a watermelon flavored ball of ice cream before continuing, "you've been all I've fantasized about for years Harry, it's a little hard to say no weirdness and all, and since Gabrielle isn't really a choice anymore, I've just been thinking you and Gabrielle is better than not having you at all. Is that... wrong?" Ginny put her spoon down and glanced around to make sure no one was in earshot in the sparsely populated tea shop, "I'd be scared of how much power you seem to have over me if you weren't the last person I'd think would abuse it. I... trust you Harry. One of the best things about you is how good you are, honorable. You'd never hurt me if you could help it, I know it, and it's really frighteningly rare to be that sure about someone, but I suppose that's why you're special. I know I'm not unique either, you'd die to protect any one of your friends, but I guess I'm just selfish enough to want more than that. I want all of you, but that's... just not possible anymore, so why not just go all out right?"

"Ginny I... I'm amazed you think so highly of me, though I don't think I deserve it. Either way I don't want to do anything to lose you, not when I've just really found you, I..." Harry leaned in and whispered intently, "I've never been as affected by anyone as you, and I was serious before, I really would like to be your boyfriend."

"And I'd like to be your girlfriend, so where does that leave Gabrielle, and Hermione, and Luna for that matter, and the three other girls Hermione wants to include?"

"Well, this magic is restricted right? So we have to be secret anyway, so as far as anyone is concerned we're boyfriend and girlfriend, Hermione is my best friend so it's not weird we'd be spending a lot of time together, Gabrielle... well..."

"People already know her as your girlfriend, I don't see a way of doing this with out straight up lying, and that doesn't feel right. If I'm going to be in a relationship with you I'm going to be in a relationship with Gabrielle too, regardless of this Coven thing, even if that doesn't happen, and Hermione and you go back to being just plain old non sexy friends, Gabrielle is still there, forever, and I wont do that to her, she doesn't deserve that, so we're back to being publicly different, something you care a great deal about."

Harry thought about that for a moment, "I think for some things it would be worth it."

"You say that now... in any case, I had a second point to make, which is that, I'm more accepting of Gabrielle than I thought I would be this morning. Yesterday I was livid, and heart-broken, but this morning... I woke up slightly warmed to the idea, and I guess that says something about me and what I'm OK with. And ultimately if I can accept Gabrielle, and I'm not saying that I can only that I can try... I can probably accept Hermione. And if I can accept Hermione... well you get the idea. It's my hope, that you wont take advantage of that."

"Advantage? It sounds like you're going to have to have your own relationship with these girls."

"Not necessarily, in fact I don't think I can do this with out you, but if it's somehow tied to how I feel about you... well... it might be kind of hot to... share a girl with you."

Harry's mind burned with scintillating images for a moment until he asked in a thick voice, "do you... like girls too? I think Hermione does."

"Hermione definitely does, you should have seen her face when I told her Luna wants to shag her, but well... remember how I said
I made Luna pretend to be you and marry me?" Harry nodded, "Well, we may have... um... practiced kissing too," Ginny ended mumbling into her ice cream.

After restarting his brain Harry switched to the other side of the booth, which given its placement in the corner of the shop mostly hid them from view. Ginny scooted over but asked what he was doing. Instead of answering Harry pulled her legs over his lap with one hand, and with the other around her back pulled her close and kissed her, slow and sweet. When he pulled away he said running one hand through Ginny's sweet smelling hair, "While I think the idea of sharing another girl with you is unspeakably sexy that's not why I kissed you. I don't want you torturing yourself because of how you feel about me, so let me put any fears you have to rest. I want you, desperately, more than any other girl, more than I wanted Cho, more than I want Gabrielle, more than I want Hermione. It's you I want, I'm more sure of that than anything else in my life. Gabrielle has been saying something to me about roles, how she insisted she wasn't my girlfriend. I see what she means now, she was leaving room for you because she realized immediately, she was in my head from day one and felt how I felt and wanted to make room for you."

"So what role does she have?"

"I think we settled on Mistress actually."

"How very sordid."

"We could share her anytime you want, hell technically every time we kiss she's kissing you as well through me. She'd end up knowing you as intimately as I would even if you're never in the same room.

Ginny blushed lightly, but her eyes stayed alight, "I'll think about it, so... I'm the girlfriend am I?"

"Yep, and long after this Coven business is over, and the other girls have moved on and started a family it'll just be you and me sharing Gabrielle... at least that's what I want, and am hoping for, so I'm giving you a gift."

"What gift?"

"Control, as my official girlfriend you are responsible for all decisions regarding us and our inclusion in this Coven idea of Hermione's."

"Harry-"

"No, no arguments, you decide everything, it's the only way I'll be okay with this. It has to come from you. Hermione is very fond of coming up with elaborate ideas and having me execute them, well this time I am officially nominating you for leader. I've got the DA to worry about, you can run this while Hermione makes study sheets for both of us. We just have to hope she doesn't confuse the latest spell for practice with the chant we have to memorize."

Ginny stifled a laugh, then quickly turned serious, "Alright."

Harry kissed her again, pressing her against the back of the bench a bit. Ginny responded in kind, curling into Harry's embrace, hands running harsh through his hair, turning the kiss more and more forceful. Harry licked into Ginny's mouth and after a heated moment Ginny pulled away panting, "What was that for?"

"Nothing, I just keep realizing I can kiss you-"

"Then suddenly you have to," Ginny finished, glancing down at Harry's lips before surging forward again. Harry pivoted slightly and pressed her more firmly to the squishy bench back, and she made a kind if throaty whine Harry felt more than heard, and it did startling things to him, made him boil.

Both Harry and Ginny blushed when they realized their plates had been cleared with out them realizing. They got up to leave and Harry was highly embarrassed at the salacious wink Rosa sent at him when she caught his eye on the way out the door. Bundling up against the cold they walked quicker but tighter together, arms around the other all the way to Quality Quidditch.

Relishing the robust warming charm on the interior of the store they both strode immediately over to the latest broom models, arguing about Nimbus versus Comet and how Firebolt would have to start competing with an up and coming Lightening Strike model from Ellerby and Spudmore who hadn't come out with a new model since the 1952 Swiftstick. The Lightening Strike 1 had real promise and the new model 2 series was being marketed as a Firebolt alternative, Ginny was quick to point out however that not a single Quidditch player had test flown one yet which would of course be the ultimate deciding factor, as whichever model the teams mostly bought would end up being the most popular.

"So, you're really thinking about getting the DA back up then?"

"A bit, though I'm thinking less study group, and more Order of the Phoenix style."

Ginny moved over to the clothes and fingered a Harpy's Jersey fondly, "Interesting, I hope you're a bit more selective this time though."

Harry laughed, "I will, not going to make the same mistake twice that's for sure."

Ginny turned to face Harry and put her arms around his waist, "Can I be one of your generals?"

"Hmmmmmm," Harry mock pondered pulling Ginny in tight, "No, I think you should be artillery."

"Artilli-what?"

"Big guns, sit in the back and explode things."

Ginny's eye's lit up, "Ooooooh, that sounds delightful, I always did like blowing things up." Ginny spied something over Harry's shoulder, "Oh! Look at this Harry," she left his arms so quickly she might as well have apparated, and moved towards a magical leader board which kept track of the current season, "I bet Fred and George would love this."

"They probably already have it."

Ginny laughed, "Probably," she added mildly before moving back over to the jerseys and fingering a Harpy's one again.

Harry moved over and put his head on Ginny's shoulder, "Let me-"

"No."

"No?"

"I don't want you to buy me things," she pulled away and turned looking Harry in the eyes, "I'm not going to get all mad like Ron does, I'm not embarrassed anymore, but... I think it matters. You already got me a Christmas present, and I love it by the way, my broom really needed a trim, but this would be too much." Seeing the slightly put out look on Harry's face Ginny moved over into his arms again, facing him this time, "If you want to buy me candy or something I'm not gonna argue too hard, but don't start throwing gifts at me, it sends the wrong message."

Harry nodded, "But you're my girlfriend."

Ginny seemed to try and fight the smile that crossed her face, but gave up and buried her face in the crook of Harry's neck, "You'd think I'd be able to stop blushing at some point," she mumbled so only Harry could hear, "I'm still not used to it," she pulled away with a forced serious face, "Harry Potter... my boyfriend," her face broke again for a quick moment then settled neutral, "I'm serious, I don't wear jewelry, or perfume, I'm not Lavender, you don't need to ply me with gifts."

"I'm not trying to ply you," Harry said in a beseeching tone, "I just... maybe I want to see you in a Harpy's jersey?"

"Really? I was hoping you'd give me," Ginny glanced down at Harry's chest and walked two of her fingers up to his collar, "one of your old ones, my nightgown is a bit threadbare and I need something new to sleep in."

Ginny's eyes flicked back up to Harry's as he replied thickly, "I rather like that idea on the whole,"

Ginny gave Harry a quick peck on the lips before departing again, "Come on, every year they change the design on the league balls, next season's should be out by now."

Grinning, Harry followed Ginny over to the display. The balls were kept behind glass, and flew and juked about in the case. When Ginny stopped in front of the case all the balls slowed down to show off the decals on the sides. Harry thought the design looked rather spiky and wasn't sure exactly what it was supposed to be.

Ginny leaned in and squinted, "The bloody hell is that supposed to be?"

A bored store clerk, who didn't even bother to look over, replied, "There's a sign there, underneath."

"Oh," said Ginny, who read out loud, "The new design is based on the Australian Spineback Toad, representing the stalwart dedication of our league players. What a load of bollocks, that doesn't even make sense."

"What was it last year?"

"Eh, some torch thingie, when I was a kid there was one year it was all dragon themed, and another time it was 'The Age of Merlin'. The year after it was 'The Founders Era'. I think they're just out of ideas," Ginny turned and gasped, "I just remembered! When I was five there was totally a Harry Potter themed year!"

Harry made a sour face, "What?"

Ginny looked thoughtful, "Hmmmm, I can't remember much, but I do remember there being a lot of lightening bolts all over the place."

Harry crossed his arms and nearly harumphed, "I should be getting licensing rights."

Ginny giggled, "have you read any of the biographies?"

"No, I haven't. I think Hermione has though, hell she told me as much when she first met me."

"I only read one all the way through, but it was so obviously fake. After that I would just leaf through them sometimes for a laugh, especially after I met you. Hermione and I laughed for days over an account of you taking down a vampire hoard."

"I took down a vampire hoard?"

"When you were nine actually, very impressive."

"Very, especially since I didn't even know vampires existed yet."

Ginny laughed, "Come on, unless there's something you want here lets shove on."

Shrugging, Harry walked with Ginny out of the shop and into the brisk december air, pulling the collar of his coat up around his neck and tightening his Gryffindor-red scarf. Harry put his arm around Ginny's shoulder and she turned slightly to smile at him. Her smile faltered after a second and for a moment her gaze glazed over. In an instant the moment was over and Ginny was pulling Harry into a dark side alley away from the main road. She pushed him up against the wall and held him there with her body, pressing tight to him, running her hands flat up his stomach and chest to around his neck.

"When I saw you eating Gabrielle's face in that alley in Hogsmeade, what led up to that?"

Harry flushed but spoke gruffly with out hesitation, "I mentioned getting food with Hermione, Gabrielle told me she was hungry for me."

"Show me, she was up against the wall right?" Ginny turned them, pressing her back to the wall and pulling Harry to her firmly by his hips, "I'm not short so you can't really-"

Harry gripped her by her thighs and lifted her, legs wrapping around his waist immediately. Her face was above his now, and Harry watched her hooded and flushed gaze with rapture, and reveled in the way her expression turned darker, and more insistent when he pressed his body to hers.

"I thought this was about us, and I was supposed to focus on you? I want to focus on you," Harry kissed her, soft and slow, trying to put as much emotion into it as he could, but he was rebuffed. In a sudden violent movement Ginny pushed Harry off and dropped heavily to her feet.

"It's not though," she replied in a calm tone, utterly opposed to her suddenly trembling hands, one of which couldn't seem to settle on her mouth or down by her waist, and like casting an aguamenti the words poured from her mouth, "I can't even imagine how you could focus on me, I can't even focus on me. I keep picturing you and Gabrielle, and then me and all of us, and Hermione, it's... it's just too much, and then we're just walking and talking and having a good time like nothing's weird. It's weird!" She took a breath and continued in a whisper, "I don't want it to be weird, I want it to be perfect, I've thought about this, just this, you and me, so often... just... it's not fair," Her words failed her in an loud exhale and she looked at the ground.

Harry felt exceedingly thick just standing there, not knowing what to do, or what to say, but what could he say?

Ginny continued in a mumble, looking at the ground before Harry could think of a response, "I'm sorry Harry, I wish this was easy, I want it to be easy, but it's not. I need some time to think."

With that she strode off but Harry caught up with her, "We shouldn't be out alone, I'll take you back to the Cauldron so you can floo back. You'll still have to wait for me and Gabrielle so your Mum doesn't get suspicious."

"Right. Sorry. You really do have bad luck with dates don't you?"

"I really, really do. Two ended in tears, one a bloody nose, one I made you sad, and this, where you sort of made yourself sad if you don't mind me saying."

Ginny stopped, "I'm sorry."

"I think you're just trying to hard."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we've known each other for so long, we've gone places together loads, yes there were other people with us, but lets go do something we've never done before. Let's just go sit and talk somewhere, real talk not this date chit chat."

Ginny deliberated for a moment worrying her bottom lip. After a painfully long moment she nodded.

"Come with me," Harry touched his hand to Ginny's hoping she would hold his. After a moment's hesitation she did, and he pulled her along.

"Where are we going?"

"A muggle park."

"Alright," Ginny replied after a moment.

They made their way out of the Leaky Cauldron and Harry led them to a park only a few blocks away. It was large for being in the middle of London, with a low black iron fence and large organized rows of trees. Harry led them over to a wrought iron slatted bench and sat down. He sat close and pulled his coat around Ginny's side, who cuddled into him.

They spent a long moment not talking, just watching the random Muggles wandering about. Some had dogs and Harry spent a quick moment explaining that Muggle frisbees didn't have fangs.

There was another long stretch of silence until Ginny was suddenly laughing, "thrilling conversationist you are, you have a gift."

Harry laughed quickly, "ask me something."

"What?"

"Anything at all."

"Anything?"

"... should I be worried?"

"Yes," Ginny replied definitively.

"Yes, anything."

"What's your favorite class?"

Harry let out a breath, "Is that it?"

Ginny nudged Harry with her shoulder, "I'm starting slow."

Harry chuckled, "Of course." Harry thought for a moment, "Charms," he said finally.

"Why?"

"They're fun. I like Flitwick a lot, and... well recently I found out my Mum was really good at them. Most people compare me to my Father, which... most of the time I like that."

Ginny turned slightly to look Harry in the eye, "Most of the time? You don't actually listen to the tripe coming out of Snape's mouth do you?"

Harry's expression turned dark.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked.

With a weary sigh Harry explained, "Last year Snape was giving me these awful Occlumency lessons. Before the start of each lesson he'd remove a bunch of his own memories into a Penseive. Turns out if you repel a mind attack violently you can sometimes get backlash visions of stuff in the other person's head. One time he was called away. I... wanted to know what he was hiding from me. I thought it had to do with that whole weapon business, remember?"

Ginny nodded.

"Well... I went in, saw my dad basically torture and humiliate him in front of everyone. My Mum was there, she hated my Dad. Loathed him, said it to his face. My Dad's explanation for bullying Snape was, 'because he was there'."

"Did you talk to anyone about this?"

Harry nodded and smiled, "Sirius and Lupin."

"And what did they say?"

"Long standing rivalry, Mum was a good influence apparently. Tried to say something about his age even though I was the same age he was."

Ginny out up a hand to Harry's cheek, "Harry, you're very mature for your age. Trauma has a way of doing that. I know."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you after the chamber Ginny."

Ginny pulled her hand back and turned, facing the park again, "You couldn't have been. I was still nervous around you, and you were twelve."

"Your Parent's then?"

"... They tried."

"Ginny-"

"I want to go back to asking the questions please."

Harry paused, "Fine, but we have to talk about this later alright?"

"Sometime, yes."

"Ask away," said Harry squeezing Ginny just a bit tighter.

"What do you want to do after school?"

"Quidditch," Harry replied after a long moment. "I wanted to be an Auror for a while, but... I don't I want anything to do with the Ministry, at least for a while."

Ginny hummed in a pleased way, "Bloody awesome. It's going to be awful when we play each other. I'll hate creaming you."

"Why can't we both be on the same team?"

"No boys on the Harpy's Harry. What's sex like?"

Harry choked on his own spit and spent a minute coughing, "What?"

"What's sex like?"

"What happened to starting slow?"

"That was slow. Answer the question."

"It's... a lot of fun."

There was a pregnant pause.

"Oh... do go on Harry."

"Fine," Harry cleared his throat. "It's... exhilarating, and intimate, and scary. It's... deeply personal. It feels amazing, and the sense of sharing that amazing feeling with someone else is great all by itself, and you're focused on them, and they are on you, and just for a moment you kind of... merge."

"...That was really beautiful Harry. What do you really think about Hermione's Coven idea?"

"I think it's insane."

Ginny turned again, "Really?"

"Yes, but her ideas usually are, and she hasn't been wrong yet."

"Right," Ginny replied setting back against Harry again. "Isn't it tempting though? Just the thought of being with so many women?"

"Of course it is, but I care about being with you more than that."

"And... if I said I was tempted too... wouldn't that make me... a bit of a slag?"

"Only if I'm one."

"True."

"I think this would qualify as extenuating circumstances as Hermione would say."

"She would, anything to justify learning some new magic. Do you find me attractive Harry?"

Harry scoffed, "Of course I do."

"What, specifically."

"What, you just want me to list body parts?"

"Hmmmm... no, top five.

Harry pondered for a long moment.

"Do you want me to stand up, need a refresher?"

"No, I can picture everything quite clearly."

"I'm sure you can," Ginny smirked.

"Your smile."

Ginny turned back yet again, "Really?"

"Mmhmm, that's number one. The rest in no particular order, your hair, your bum, your breasts, and your freckles."

"Something tells me two things on your list are fairly universal, try harder."

"Fine," said Harry smiling much too broadly, "Your legs then, and your stomach."

"My stomach?"

"You're very fit," said Harry in a weak voice.

"My freckles?" Ginny asked in a disbelieving voice.

"Definitely. Dead sexy."

Ginny blushed.

"I'm glad I can still make you blush," Harry added.

Ginny punched him lightly in the shoulder, "Prat." She hesitated for a long time before asking her next question. "Same question but Gabrielle this time."

Harry's mouth set in a line, "Why-"

"You said you'd answer."

"I feel like you're trying to torture yourself, or... or... force this to be casual."

"I'm trying to find a way to be alright with all this, I..." Ginny pressing in her lips and breathed heavily through her nose a few breaths, "I want to be alright with this because I want you, but it's just so... much."

"Casual is the wrong way to think about this. There's nothing casual about any of this. This is the least casual thing we could be doing." Harry paused, "Think about it this way," Harry added after a moment, "What if, Hermione and Luna fell in love, and wanted to be exclusive. Hermione is the best friend I've ever had, and the closeness we've found these last few months, I'd be broken hearted if that went away. What if... what if you fell in love with one of the other girls Hermione wants to recruit, liked them more than me. This isn't some kinky fling we're trying to organize, it's long term and intimate and we all have to be alright with that or it wont work."

It took Ginny two tries to reply and when she did it was in an almost inaudible whisper, "I don't think I could love anyone more."

Harry kissed Ginny, soft and sweet, once on the lips and pulled back, "We, as in you and me, are involving ourselves in this madness. As a couple. It's the only way I'll be alright with this."

Ginny looked down, not able to meet Harry's eyes for a moment. She took a bracing breath and said, "I'll think about it."

Harry smiled, "Cool, want to head back?"

Ginny nodded, and Harry simply stood cradling Ginny in his arms.

"I can walk you know," she said arching an eyebrow.

"This seems more fun."

"You're not carrying me through Muggle London."

"Fine," Harry said a bit mulishly, setting Ginny on her feet.



.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:..:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:.



When Harry and Ginny arrived back at the group it was too a very flustered Hermione who seemed to be trying to talk to anyone but Luna, who seemed determined to talk to no one but Hermione. Not having much else to discuss they decided to all think about the Coven plan and meet back up after break at school. In the meantime everyone was to compile lists of people they though could be good candidates for the remaining three girls.

After everyone had gone home, Ginny, Harry, and Gabrielle arrived back at the Burrow, excuses intact, right on time for supper which, while not the boisterous affair of the Eve meal, was large and festive, and even included Mad-eye and Kingsley who claimed the only reason they showed up was for Mrs. Weasley's delicious meat pies.

It was a full and sleepy house by the end of afters, with no one seeming to want to stay up late like yesterday.

Once in bed Harry and Gabrielle lay together for a time, on their sides, staring into each other's eyes and stroking their hands up and down the other's body. Exploring and teasing one another into a slow burn. By now the way's they made love had become an almost subconscious back and forth, each swaying the decision one way or another. By nightfall they had already decided, so it was a forgone conclusion that this slow teasing would soon escalate into an almost violent ravishing of Gabrielle.

It was usually this way after a frustrating day, that is to say the combination of Harry spending time with Ginny, and Gabrielle being in a room with Harry's current lover and possible future lover made for a very pent up couple.

They were just about to transition when a soft knock at the door stilled them. There was a specialized silencing charm that Gabrielle was quite deft at that only worked in one direction. Gabrielle hid under the covers and Harry went to the door pulling his shirt back on along with his bottoms.

Harry was quite stunned to find Ginny in her nightgown at his door. He made to speak but Ginny put a finger to her lips and he caught his words. Harry opened the door wider and let Ginny inside, he shut the door and said, "There's a silencing charm up, we can talk, what's going on?"

"I just wanted to talk a bit more, Gabrielle you can come out I know you're not in Bill's room with Fleur remember?"

Gabrielle popped her head out of the blankets, "Hello Ginny," she said shyly.

Ginny stared non-plussed for a moment, "Are you naked?"

Gabrielle blushed pulling the blanket a but higher up her neck, "Oui."

"We're you two-" She started to ask, but stopped when both Harry and Gabrielle blushed, "Merlin, you were. Maybe we should talk in the morning."

"Don't go," Gabrielle said blushing harder.

Harry glanced back at Gabrielle giving her an annoyed look but she just winked at him. Rolling his eyes Harry sat down on the bed patted next to him.

Ginny walked over and sat primly on the edge of the bed, back straight. "Um..." she started glancing nervously at her hands. She turned to look at Harry.

"Yes?" Harry asked softly.

"So... I thought about it."

Harry laughed, "I though you were gonna sleep on it?"

Ginny shook her head. "Thought about it all through dinner. It doesn't usually take me very long to decide things."

There was a long pause and Ginny seemed to be working herself up to something.

"What did you decide Ginny?" asked Gabrielle.

Ginny looked over at Gabrielle and stared at her face for a time. She turned back to Harry and pulled him into a passionate kiss, immediately working her hands into his hair. Harry pulled her against him tight as he could, raising her slightly, but she kept a firm grip and took the kiss deeper, and more frenzied. Harry was forced to respond only, sliding his tongue against Ginny's which seemed rather determined to map the interior of his mouth.

When Ginny pulled away Harry was left in a daze, face and lips tingling, hands clutched to Ginny like she might float away. Ginny turned to look at Gabrielle and Harry followed her gaze to see Gabrielle's face a mirror of his own glazed expression. Pulling from his embrace Ginny crawled across the bed towards Gabrielle who gasped as Ginny swooped down and kissed her.

Harry found the sight of Ginny and Gabrielle kissing intensely arousing, but the sensation of Ginny kissing Gabrielle made his head swim. While Harry at least tried to control the kiss with Ginny, Gabrielle simply went limp in supplication, allowing Ginny to do as she wanted. A euphoric wave of submission coursed through the bond and Harry spent a blissful moment watching the two girls snog and basking in Gabrielle's joy.

Ginny pulled back, Harry watching a thin strand of spit connect their lips for a breathless moment. She pulled in her lips for a moment, tasting the after image of the kiss, an expression Harry was quickly becoming enamored with. Ginny turned to Harry who still sat stupefied on the edge of the bed, arousal plainly obvious in his thin pyjama pants. When it became clear no one else was going to, Ginny broke the silence, "I want to try this out. I'm not saying I want to have sex tonight, but... I'm going to try dating you Harry Potter, mad plan and all. And you Gabrielle. You're much nicer than Fleur, no offense. I like you."

"Merci," Gabrielle whimpered, still stunned from Ginny's kiss.

Ginny turned to go, "Well, I'll let you get back to um..." Ginny turned swiftly a brazen look on her face, "What exactly did I interrupt?"

"Well..."

When Harry's response faltered Gabrielle decided to answer for him, "We were going to 'ave sex."

Harry swooped his head around to glare at Gabrielle, but she had raised the cover to her eyes, though Harry could still tell she was smiling broadly. He turned back to Ginny.

"Well? Were you."

Harry sighed, "yes."

"Can..." Ginny started and bit her lip, a challenging look on her face, "Can I watch?"

There was a long palpable silence.

...

...

...

A silence so long in fact that Harry felt the need to break it by clearing his throat, "I don't know it that's such a good-"

"Merde!" Gabrielle spoke over Harry her shyness suddenly gone and replaced with confusion and disbelief, "Are you mad!? We've been dreaming about 'er for weeks!"

"Gabrielle!" Harry shouted in disbelief feeling very betrayed. He chanced a glance at Ginny who seemed to be trying to hold in laughter. He turned back to Gabrielle and scooted over to her trying to whisper low enough that Ginny wouldn't hear and failing spectacularly, "Look, what we do is a bit different, I don't want to scare Ginny, or make her think I want to do the same things to her."

"Wait," said Ginny, "What? What do you do tie her up or something?"

Both Harry and Gabrielle turned to stare at Ginny in surprise and more than a bit of embarrassment in Harry.

"Merlin's willy you do don't you!" Ginny said with glee. She sat in a nearby chair and said, "Well, now I've got to watch."

Harry made a kind of strangled scared noise, "I wasn't going to tie her up now."

"But you do tie her up sometimes?"

"...yes, it was all her idea though!" Said Harry pointing at Gabrielle.

"True," Gabrielle added, "But I know how much you enjoy it too as well."

"That's it," Harry said grabbing Gabrielle and putting his hand over her mouth, "Look, you said you wanted to take things slow, this isn't slow, I don't know if I'm even ready for-"

"What were you going to do that you're worried about me seeing?" Asked Ginny.

Gabrielle squirmed from Harry's grasp, freeing her mouth and crying dramatically, "'Arry was going to ravish me!"

"Dammit," said Harry wrestling with Gabrielle, who was showing far more skill in escaping his grasp than ever before. Slightly miffed that she had been 'letting him win' so to speak when the had their occasional romp where Gabrielle tried to "free" herself Harry doubled his efforts to stymie her traitorous words.

"What do you mean ravish?" Asked Ginny openly laughing now.

"I like to pretend, mmmmrrrph aaah! Zat 'Arry iz a conquering warrior, and ze walls of my city are burning, my evil warlord fazer slain! Ahahahaaha" Harry had started tickling her to get her to stop but she squirmed free and began using her legs to tangle in Harry's arms to keep him at bay, "He storms into my chambers, all hard from the bloodlust of war, stripping his armor off as he approaches me. His intent is clear," Harry finally managed to flatten Gabrielle's legs to the bed and went for her arms, but her knees came up locking his hips and she flipped them, scooted up to his waist and smothered Harry's face with her chest, "He means to bed me and impregnate me making me his as is the way of his barbarian people, but he is also proud as a man, and he means to ravish me and make me his body and soul." Harry stopped fighting, letting her get to the inevitable end, "and I fight, but holds me down and takes me again and again, fills me up and makes me come over and over until I'm screaming."

Gabrielle sat up and Harry looked over at Ginny hoping he didn't find a look of disgust, but she was still laughing. When she stopped she just shrugged, "Whatever gets you off right? I'm not saying I want to be tied up, but I'm hardly going to judge how the two of you do it."

"Well," said Harry matter-of-factly, "I wan't expecting that."

"What?" Ginny asked.

"Well... Magical worlds seems so.... tame most of the time, I mean you're Mum-"

Ginny and Gabrielle both scoffed at the same time.

Ginny spoke first, "What were you going to say?"

"Zat I really need to get 'Arry to France at some point. What about you?"

Ginny laughed, "That you shouldn't let my Mum fool you, I may or may not be aware that she likes Dad to spank her sometimes."

"No!" Gabrielle said in disbelief.

Harry clapped his hands to his ears a sour look on his face, "I did not need to know that."

"I zhink eet's sweet."

"I still want to watch."

"Let's do eet 'Arry, please?" Gabrielle asked, bugging her eyes out and biting her lip, trying to make herself look as cute as possible.

Harry let out a long suffering sigh, "Fine."

Gabrielle shot away from Harry across the bed and to the far side of the room, "You're going to 'ave to catch me first!"

Harry got up narrowing his eyes, "you've been letting me win haven't you?"

"Yes."

"And you're really going to make me work for it tonight aren't you?"

"...yes" she said starting to shake.

"Because Ginny is here?"

Gabrielle whispered, "yes."

"Because the thought of me, what was it, holding you down and taking you again and again, filling you up and making you come over and over in front of Ginny is making you hotter than you can believe?"

"Oui," she breathed.

"Me too."

Harry shot forward but Gabrielle darted to the side and under his arms crawling towards the bed. Harry spun and dove grabbing her legs. Gabrielle shrieked mirthfully, "Unhand me you brute!" but Harry paid her no mind. He dragged her across the floor, grasping her under her arms and depositing her on the bed.

Gabrielle shrieked and tried to make for the other side but Harry grabbed an ankle and pulled her back pinning her beneath he weight of his body. She squirmed but he held firm, grappling for her wrists as he tried to force her legs open with his knees. It was a mistake to split his focus however as she managed to get her legs under Harry enough to throw him off.

Again she bolted and again Harry caught her, this time around the middle, hauling her back against his body. Gabrielle struggled with all her might against the corded muscled of Harry's arms but he was much too strong for her. Trying a different tactic she arched against him, rubbing her bum against the throbbing hardness pressed against her. Harry gasped and his hold on her became somewhat more sensual. One hand descended to below her ribs to keep her in place, the other squeezed a breast.

Gabrielle arched and moaned and Harry's hands went to her hips to aid her in her pleasurable writhing, but it had been a trick. She used his lax hold to break free, but Harry had been expecting this. The only way forward was towards the bed, and Harry let Gabrielle take one step before using the press of his body to tackle her to the bed, bent at the waist legs trailing on the ground.

Harry put his legs on the floor between Gabrielle's before she could think to close them, forcing them to the side of the bed. One hand went to the small of her back to hold her, and the other grabbed her hair just at the base of neck. He used this to force her head to the side, baring her neck where he bent and bit her. It was no where near as hard but it harkened back to their initial bonding that Harry only vaguely remembered. Gabrielle however stilled immediately, and let out a piteous whine, her hands fisting in the sheets before her.

Harry took the hand that had been on the small of her back and brought it to her weeping sex. He stroked two fingers splitting open the pedals of her sex, and spreading the moisture there to her clit. Gabrielle cried out softly.

"Are you going to be a good girl for me now?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"Yes," Gabrielle gasped out.

With one hand Harry reached and pulled his bottoms down, and taking himself in hand rubbed the tip of his cock against her pussy, making sure to dip slightly in when he met her entrance, and circle slightly at her clit. He did this over and over until Gabrielle was overcome and babbling in French begging Harry to fuck her.

There was a soft moan that crested sweetly above Gabrielle's low mumbling. Harry's head shot up and stared at Ginny, sitting across from them in the chair beside the bed. He had forgotten she was there in the moment. Harry was stunned for a long moment. Ginny had scooted forward on the chair bringing her feet up on the chair as well to rest, heels pressed to her bum. Her gown had fallen down to her waist baring all of her legs and knicker clad pussy. Her right hand was hidden being stuffed in her underwear, but it was obvious she had two fingers plunging in and out at a steady pace. The other mauled her breast still covered by her gown. Her eyes stayed, unblinking on Harry and Gabrielle.

Harry's initial thought was that Ginny's legs were too long to be allowed. The second was that he was actually watching Ginny pleasure herself and that was amazing on a whole separate level. It took a moment for Harry's brain to re-engage but when it did it was with purpose. He pulled back and put his hand back on the small of Gabrielle's back while bringing her head up by her hair. He forced her to arch her back, baring her chest and pointing her face at Ginny. When Gabrielle realized what Ginny was doing she gasped anew and Harry slammed into her, burying his cock deep as it could go.

Gabrielle cried out, her hands going to the bed clawing at the sheets, and Ginny cried out in sympathy, her hand speeding up as Harry fucked Gabrielle with force and fervor.

Unable to make words Gabrielle rushed towards orgasm and flung herself over with abandon. Harry felt amazing in her, the sting of his pelvis against her ass exquisite, and Ginny's stare making everything heightened.

As Gabrielle's climax faded Harry changed his grip, releasing her back and bringing her more fully against him. The hand that had held her hair went to a breast, and the hand on her back around to her front to rub at her clit, Harry's pace never slowing. As soon as he made contact Gabrielle stiffened and cried out another climax rushing out of her. Gabrielle tried to squirm away from the intense sensations but Harry held firm and followed her rolling hips scribbling his fingers against her most sensitive spot, his eyes forced closed at the intensity of her feelings.

He bit her neck again and Gabrielle was suddenly screaming and coming again the suddenness of it forcing Harry to the edge. He looked up at Ginny locking eyes with her and saw she was arching in the chair, her right hand a blur slapping against herself as she came, mouth open and rounded with a strangled cry. Harry watched as her eyes suddenly rolled to the back of her head as she shook in the chair moaning uncontrollably, her legs coming together with a snap around her hand.

It was the end for Harry who, wholly overcome, poured into Gabrielle, their world blacking out.

When their bliss ended they found themselves lying fully on the bed. They lifted their heads to a worried looking Ginny who was kneeling over them staring with a little but of awe, "I think you two just had a five minute orgasm," she added quietly.

Gabrielle giggled and muffled her laugh in the mattress.

"Yeah, the bond does that, sort of rebounds and echoes for a while," Harry explained quite out of breath. He calmed suddenly and stared at Ginny with a bit of apprehension, "none of that scared you off did it?"

Ginny shook her head, "no... that was... um... actually really beautiful. I mean, you saw what I was doing," she added with a blush. "Thank you for sharing that with me," Ginny whispered.

"We're not done," Gabrielle added muffled by the bed, "we usually do one more."

"You go again!?" Ginny asked disbelieving.

"Yes," Gabrielle answered bringing her head up, "Zat was for me, now 'Arry wants soft and slow. Eet relaxes 'im for bed."

Ginny smiled, "I think I'll leave you to it," she said getting up and fixing her clothes in place. She swooped, kissing Gabrielle once on the lips, the Harry for a much longer moment, "I'll see you both in the morning," she said, eyes heavy lidded and a coy smile on her lips.

"Goodnight Ginny," Harry said a broader smile on his face as he watched her go. As soon as the door had closed he rolled off of Gabrielle onto his back and grabbed her, pulling her face down on top of him.

"I zink zat went well," said Gabrielle with a bob of her eyebrows.

"I think so too," replied Harry with an incurable smile, and with that they kissed and lost themselves in one another, both dreaming of Ginny and the passionate way she had kissed them.