FicWad

Chapter 17: Painting by Numbers

“Hurry up! Hurry up or we’re going to miss the train! I swear, every year is worse…” Mrs. Weasley trailed off glancing at a tarnished brass pocket watch with too many hands she had plucked from the folds of her robes where there was no pocket.

Harry shifted to the side as Molly Weasley used her slightly larger than life presence to part the crowd and let Ginny, Ron, Harry, and a slightly terrified by the density of the crowd, Gabrielle who was currently under Harry’s invisibility cloak. She kept one hand firmly grasping Harry’s robes so he knew where she was and could try and block people or luggage carts that got too close.

“Well I suppose this is as close as we get,” Molly said to herself, “alright, everyone have a good term, Ron!” She shouted at the retreating boy, who had been trying to slink off with out saying goodbye, “come give your mother a hug.”

Ron reluctantly gave his Mum a quick hug before bounding onto the train with out so much as a by your leave. Sighing at Ron’s behavior, knowing he was partially responsible, Harry turned and watched Ginny give her Mum a lengthy hug and kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Molly turned a tremulous eye on Harry, and didn’t seem to know what to say beyond a polite “have a nice term.”

Harry didn’t really blame her, Christmas at the Burrow was slightly less festive than previous years, aided in no small part with the minister’s intruding, Gabrielle’s presence, and Ginny’s ups and downs, which had gone largely unexplained to anyone but Harry and Gabrielle. Since Ginny had watched Harry and Gabrielle’s intimacy she had gone back and forth between lustful, stealing quick moments with Harry for a quick song, and dour and snappish, preferring to be alone, or racing around the orchard on her broom.

Ginny had, true to form, been entirely forthcoming with her feelings. She had explained explicitly when Harry, concerned with their behavior towards one another upon returning to Hogwarts, had asked where they stood. “I’m just having a hard time of it,” she had said, “some days I’m incredibly switched on by the whole thing, I have dreams you know, about you and Gabrielle, and then some days I’m just angry at you and the world that I can’t have you all to myself.” Harry, while frustrated, was also incredibly flattered.

Harry had tried to comfort, and reason with her, but Ginny had brushed him off, “I know what I want Harry, I’m just… angry about the circumstances right now. I need space until term starts.”

Harry had so far reluctantly given her this space, while relishing the times she sought him out. Now though, she seemed not to want to leave his side as they made their way quickly towards the scarlet steam engine that sat idling in the station. Harry knowing the attention he was going to receive before finding some temporary solitude made his way quickly towards the last car where he knew there would be at least a few empty compartments.

Sure enough there were more than a few, including the one at the very back, which was always a personal favorite of Harry’s as it usually made the stretch of time before being interrupted as long as possible. Harry pulled open the door and gratefully sat down in relative solitude. Hermione had already left for the prefect’s meeting leaving only Harry, Ginny, Luna, and a cloaked Gabrielle; who sat on Harry’s right so that if someone came in and wanted the seat she could quickly get out of the way onto Harry’s lap. Ginny, to Harry’s surprise and joy sat on his left and laced her fingers through his, leaning tiredly on his shoulder. Luna sat across and did nothing to alleviate the penetrating silence.

Ginny however was having none of it, and with heavy sigh said, “So… Hippogriff in the room,” she tilted her head against Harry’s shoulder to catch his eye, “Harry… I…” she blushed lightly and pulled away, “sorry,” she mumbled. Harry had started to say ‘don’t be’ but Ginny cut him off, “Harry you know how I feel about you,” she started managing to keep Harry’s eye, worrying her lip, “And yes, I might prefer to have you all to myself but… well, so I thought about what I really want you know… I just…” she hesitated and seemed to remember that there were other people in the room. Ginny took deep breath, steadying herself before looking back at Harry, “over break I know I gave you a hard time of it, and I’m sorry. At first I was angry, don’t I deserve what everyone else has? It’s expected innit? But I’ve never really wanted anyone else.” Harry flushed, and settled on smiling in response, knowing not to interrupt, “And then I was angry at you like it was your fault you couldn’t be with me alone, but it’s no one’s fault, and… and well I really enjoyed watching you and Gabrielle, so if I can accept that, and even enjoy it?… So… I’m in. All the way.”

Harry smiled and asked, “does that mean I can finally kiss you again?” Ginny nodded and smiled sweetly. Harry grabbed her eagerly, bringing her across his lap and snagging her thoroughly. Used to a somewhat more passive Gabrielle, Ginny’s passion always caught Harry off guard. Kissing Gabrielle was sweet and calm, while snagging Ginny was almost a wresting match. “Do I get a speech as well?” Harry asked cheekily.

Ginny sighed dramatically, “if you must…”

“Don’t worry, mine’s short.”

Ginny raised her eyebrows expectantly.

“First, I’m very glad to hear all of that, and second, I plan to spend every chance I get showing you how much I want you.”

Gabrielle squealed and launched herself across Harry’s lap to hug Ginny. Ginny returned the hug laughing lightly, but Gabrielle lingered and tightened the hug moaning slightly. Harry felt himself flush, and couldn’t help but notice how hard Ginny’s nipples had become poking against Gabrielle’s soft chest. “Gabrielle,” Ginny spoke dryly, “Later alright?”

Gabrielle moved off Ginny more sedately to stand before her, a bit embarrassed but radiating such joy Harry knew he had a big goofy grin on his face. Ginny looked at Harry and opening her mouth to say something but Harry forestalled her; grabbing her to him and kissing her again. Ginny froze for a split second before responding as enthusiastically, running her hands through his hair, open mouthed and fierce. She pressed to him, Harry feeling those hard little nipples directly now. His hands went to her back and waist to increase the pressure and she sighed so sensually into his mouth Harry was hard in seconds.

Harry pulled away, a little surprised at the swiftness of his need, panting to regard Ginny, lips tingling and gooseflesh running down his neck and arms to the tips of his fingers which flexed into Ginny’s supple, muscular form involuntarily. Ginny stared back breathing just as hard, flushed, with wide dark eyes gazing fixedly at his. They both seemed to come out of their daze at the same time realizing as one that Luna was still in the room. They turned to look at her abashed. They needn’t have worried. Luna was not embarrassed, but staring at them, a bit flushed herself. “You’re very pretty together,” she said a bit breathily even for Luna.

There was another long silence before everyone just sort of went back to the way they had been.

“Ok, so… you said I was the leader then, right?” Ginny turned to Harry who nodded lightly. “So… Hermione said we needed seven girls total. Me, Gabrielle, Luna… right?” Luna nodded, wide eyed and enthusiastic, and overly serious look on her face, “… Luna, and Hermione makes four. Any ideas?” She finished in a forced even tone.

“Not really no,” Harry said quickly. Ginny gave him a dirty look and he had the good sense to look a bit abashed, “Fine, apparently Romilda Vane likes me, planning to dose me with love potion actually…”

“No then!” Ginny said fiercely, “fuck that bint, love potions should be illegal,” Ginny said in a surprisingly stern voice.

“…well, er… I think Parvati still likes me, or at least she’s forgiven me for the yule ball. She blushes every time she looks at me in any case.”

“She blushes every time she looks at you and you only think she likes you?” Ginny replied.

Harry rolled his eyes, “Alright, she probably likes me. That’s all I can think off.”

“That’s it?”

Luna spoke up softly, “What about Cho?”

Harry and Ginny replied at the same time, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Luna.”

Gabrielle scoffed, her soft plaintive voice never-the-less piercing the room like an offhand comment from a ghost, “but she’s soooooooooooo hot.”

Luna shrugged, “She’s very remorseful about what happened. She cried a lot, and she certainly thinks you don’t like her anymore. And she doesn’t even spend time with Marietta as much anymore.”

“What makes you think she’s even bisexual?” Harry asked.

Luna’s eyes bugged out a bit more, even for her, “Didn’t Marietta seem a bit over jealous of you for just being Cho’s best friend?”

Harry hummed thoughtfully but Ginny said in a very firm voice, “Not Cho. I know I probably sound like a jealous bint, but I really don’t think she’ll fit the dynamic. She doesn’t seem like someone who would be alright with all this. She let’s her emotions get the better of her.”

Harry gave Ginny a long look then turned to Luna. “Not Cho.”

“Well, I have one other good idea, but I want to approach her first before telling you who she is. If she thinks anyone but me knows she’s bisexual, she might get skittish. I also know that Sue Li fancies you.”

Ginny mumbled something and when prodded said in a clearer voice, “Katie and Demelza both think you’re cute. They know I like you though, so neither would make a move, but really Katie isn’t really interested beyond thinking you’re cute or she’d have made a move by now, and Demelza’s probably too young.”

“Definitely too young, plus I’m her captain, that’s not on.” Harry said.

Ginny nudged Harry’s shoulder playfully, “You’re my captain too.”

“Yeah, but that’s the ONLY relationship I have with Demelza.”

“Good point, anyone else?” Ginny asked.

Harry thought for a long moment and shrugged, then turned to Luna. “Who is Sue Li?”

“She’s in Ravenclaw, your year. She’s Chinese and a bit shorter than me. She’s very good at Transfiguration and Charms. She’s very soft spoken and likes to draw, mainly dragons. She’s never bullied me, and I think her favorite color is green.”

Ginny snorted, “It would be.”

Harry gazed up at the ceiling pondering for a moment, “hair down to her waist, really slim?” he asked. Luna nodded, “She’s cute,” Harry added noncommittally. Ginny raised an eyebrow. “What?” Harry asked.

“Do you… just sort of like asian girls?” Ginny asked.

“I like all sorts, thank you very much.”

“Alright,” Ginny shrugged. “I just mean, that would make more sense than you liking Cho for her personality.”

Harry, a bit cross, shot back, “She has lots of nice qualities!”

“What besides her looks?” Ginny asked with what sounded like honest curiosity.

“She’s kind, and likes Quidditch, and… and … she’s open. I mean, yeah she cries a lot, but maybe that’s better than keeping things all bottled up. Actually, now that I think about it, it wasn’t really the crying that made me uncomfortable. I was more scared of how much she opened up, I didn’t want to talk to anyone about Cedric, let alone get all that muddled up with girl stuff. I wasn’t really ready for that yet and I didn’t know how to react… how to comfort her, but is that really such a bad thing?”

Ginny looked down and sighed, “We can consider Cho.”

“We don’t have to.”

“Actually we might. We don’t have that many different girls to chose from, and remember, we not only need someone who fancies Harry, but also fancies girls, us specifically and Hermione, isn’t in a relationship already, is ready to be in a relationship, isn’t too old, isn’t too young… you see how this might be really complicated?”

“Yeah…” Harry said slowly.

“As a Veela I can sense ‘oo is attracted to me. Zhey don’t even need to know I am there, it’s an instinct, I know ahead of time ‘oo I can target with my allure the most.”

“Handy, so we sneak you into the great hall during brekkers one day and scan,” said Ginny flippantly.

“Let’s not go overboard, I don’t need to know everybody’s… um… business, we can just scan anyone we think is an actual possibility.”

“Cho, Katie, Parvati, Sue Li, and Luna’s mystery girl, right?” Ginny asked receiving a chorus of nods. “Alright, not a bad list to start I guess.” There was a knock on the compartment door. Ginny stood to open the door to find Hermione standing there close to tears. “What’s wrong?” Ginny asked pulling her inside.

Hermione flashed her wand out from somewhere Harry didn’t see, shutting the door, locking it, and putting up a notice-me-not in one fluid motion, silently. She sat heavily next to Luna. “Ron won’t even look at me,” she said in a small dejected voice. “I hoped… I hoped we could at least have talked.”

Replies varied from “He’s a big git!” to “I’m so sorry”, and even “I’d be happy to comfort you however you’d like.”

Hermione placated everyone before saying, “so, what’s everyone been talking about?”

“The harem,” Luna said succinctly.

Ginny choked, “It’s not a-“

“Coven, whatever,” Luna spoke over Ginny lazily waving her hand.

“Right, and?” Hermione asked.

Gabrielle pulled the cloak off enough to be visible to her shoulders, “Our short list iz, Cho Chang, Katie Bell, Su Li, Parvati Patil, and someone Luna doesn’t want to name before asking her. At some point I will sneak around under ze cloak and scan to see if any are attracted to girls as well as boys.”

“You can do that?” asked Hermione.

“Yes, I can sense instinctually who will be affected by my allure.”

Hermione made a neutral ‘humph’ noise. “Am I?” she finally asked.

Gabrielle looked into Hermione’s eyes for a long moment, then smiled widely, “you would be, if not for your indomitable willpower.”

Hermione smiled just as broad as Gabrielle. She turned to the girl beside her, “Luna, would-“

Luna cut her off, deciding to take a page from Harry’s book. She lunged at Hermione, arms wrapping around her neck, she kissed Hermione full on the mouth, tongue first. Hermione’s eyes widened from behind Luna almost comically large, and Hermione’s arms stayed stock still out awkwardly in the open air. There was a long moment punctuated only by Luna’s soft sighing as she shifted her head a bit more to the side and appeared to try and reach as deep as possible with her tongue. Hermione gave a visible shudder and her eyes rolled to back of her head.

With a gasp Hermione pushed Luna away just far enough to disengage and stared at her for a while. Luna was flushed and pink cheeked, panting, her usually wide eyes stare replaced with a surprisingly sensual hooded one. Hermione regarded Luna for just a moment longer before leaning back into the kiss, leading this time until Luna lay almost flat on the compartment bench with Hermione atop her.

Harry, Ginny, and Gabrielle all remained stunned where they were, mouth agape until after a lengthy time filled with the light breathy moans and sighs of Luna and Hermione they broke apart. Luna took a much longer moment to recover herself than Hermione, but Hermione seemed to have forgotten they had an audience and took much longer to fight past her embarrassment. “Yes, well, so we have a short list, I have a couple of ideas as well, what about Susan Bones?”

Ginny sucked a breath in through her teeth, “Last year I might have agreed with you, but she’s been a mess since… well you heard about her aunt right?”

Harry nodded, “I liked her, she seemed very concerned with fair play during my trial. She was one of the first to realize what a farce it was, I saw it in her eyes.”

Hermione seemed disappointed, “Oh well, I can’t think of anyone else from Hufflepuff besides Hannah…”

“We’re not going for a matched set Hermione,” Ginny added forcefully, “that’s the wrong way to look at something so… personal. We just need to find people who would fit well, houses be cursed. Also, Hannah likes someone else.”

Hermione nodded, “Yes, you’re right Ginny. Well, um… I only had one other person besides some you’ve already gone over, I assume Romilda Vane was already vetoed?”

Ginny smiled and nodded, “Oh yes.”

“Good, well, Harry… what about Tonks?”

Harry almost did a double take, “B-what?” Harry glanced over at Ginny but she was staring at Hermione with a look of surprise. “She’s um…” Harry thought for a second, he had never really considered Tonks in this light, well… he might have fantasied once of twice but never seriously, she was after all older and out of school, “How old is Tonks, do you know?”

“Well,” Hermione replied, “she was a first year Auror when we met right? How long does the training last?”

“A year usually,” Ginny said quickly.

“Wait,” said Harry quickly doing the math, “does that mean she was at Hogwarts at the same time we were?”

“She must have been,” Hermione said thinking deeply, “if she only did a year of training and joined straight out of Hogwarts that would mean she did her seventh year during our third year.”

“I don’t remember her at all,” said Harry seeing a chorus of nods agreeing with him.

Except for Luna who said, “Well you wouldn’t necessarily, she’s an metamorphmagus after all.”

“Oh!” Hermione said, looking a bit like she had a light bulb above her head, “Well, obviously.”

“I don’t think she should be our first choice though,” said Ginny, “What we’re doing is illegal. Ritual magic is heavily restricted by the Ministry, and while none of us but Hermione are of age, she’a also still a student, and more importantly, not a Ministry employee. We could face fines-“

“Which I would cover,” Harry interjected.

Ginny ignored Harry’s interruption, “or even a few months in Azkaban, but Tonks could get fired, and even charged more harshly because she’s an Auror.”

“Last resort?” Hermione asked.

“I think we should ask her first,” added Luna.

Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced at the girl beside her, “you would.”

Luna smiled happily, “Imagine what she can do!”

Hermione frowned, “I should think that would be the least important part of choosing someone for this.”

Luna frowned, “But it’s Tonks, we all already like her.”

“She could get in serious trouble,” Ginny said calmingly.

“Oh poo,” Luna grumbled and crossed her arms dejectedly.

“So,” Hermione said directing the conversation back on course, “Cho, Katie, Parvati, Sue Li, and Tonks as a last resort. Is that right?”

“Also Luna’s mystery girl,” Ginny added.

“Luna’s mystery girl,” Hermione nodded, “So five, plus a last resort. That’s less than I would have hoped. How are we going to do this? I don’t think we should just mob each person, and we shouldn’t ask everyone all at once obviously, bit embarrassing topic to go over, don’t you think?”

“Everyone should have to ask someone, and we should wait till they’re alone for sure,” Ginny said. “Luna you’ll ask your mystery girl. Once Katie gets better I can ask her easily enough. Hermione, you should probably talk to Parvati, just get her away from Lavender for Merlin’s sake. Parvati can keep a secret well enough if she knows it’s important. Luna, are you alright asking Sue Li as well? No one else here knows her…”

“It’s fine,” Luna said dreamily.

Ginny nodded, “Thanks. Gabrielle… well, you can’t really be seen by anyone here, but you’d probably be as good a choice as any if we decide to ask Tonks. Bit of a logistic problem that one, but she’s a last resort anyway so we can worry about that later.”

Gabrielle giggled, “Actually, she’s going to be guarding Harry personally.”

Harry’s jaw dropped, “I forgot! We totally demanded that from the Minister didn’t we.”

Gabrielle giggled again, “Yes, we did.”

“Well… that simplifies things,” Hermione said dryly.

“A bit. Still a last resort though.”

Hermione looked thoughtful, “Well, I will say this, she’s the only person on that list I know for a fact likes um… both girls and boys.”

“How do you know that?” Ginny and Harry asked at the same time.

Gabrielle and Luna laughed but Hermione only blushed and replied, “We… may have gotten to talking late some evenings back before fifth year. She’s… well Tonks is… not shy.”

Gabrielle started giggling to herself. Harry had gone hard at the thought and she was shifting back and forth across Harry’s lap, laughing at Harry’s attempt to ignore her. The fact that she was invisible made this especially bad for Harry who was now getting odd looks from Hermione and Ginny. “I don’t want to get Tonks in trouble, I agree with Ginny, she should be a last resort.”

“Good,” said Ginny as if the matter was settled neatly, “That just leaves you to ask Cho.”

Harry went ashen, “Er… I don’t think that’s a very good idea actually. Truth be told, I don’t think there’s any way I can make this request and not just sound like an arsehole, but especially with Cho, who… I haven’t actually spoken to since…”

“Really? Not once?” Asked Hermione.

“Nope,” Harry nodded.

Ginny was no help, “Good then, at least you’ll have something to talk about.”

“I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Harry,” Hermione started lowly, “I don’t really think it can come from anyone else though. Ginny and Cho we’re, well are… whatever, rivals. If you think Cho didn’t notice Ginny’s attraction to Harry, then you think that Cho is as oblivious as you, which is just absurd, and while she eventually understood where you and I stand, well… if I came to her about this it might just vindicate her, or make it seem like I’m gloating or something. That being said, my involvement will probably not go over well.”

“Right, what about-“

“I’ve never spoken to Cho once, despite being in the same House, well unless you count prefect duties,” Luna added before Harry could finish.

“And I would be a stranger,” Gabrielle added softly.

“Damn,” said Harry, quite distressed.



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Rather than sneak in during breakfast the next day, Gabrielle had decided to wander around Hogwarts for most of the morning and afternoon during classes. Apparently too many people at once made it difficult to narrow down, and she had been wanting to explore more, under the safety of Harry’s invisibility cloak of course. They met that evening in the safety of an unused classroom liberally laden with secrecy and privacy spells not too far from Gabrielle’s room, which would have been a little cramped with their current number. This didn’t prevent Hermione from drawing up a number of squashy, almost too comfortable armchairs rather than sitting at the wooden desks.

Several chairs went unused though, as Harry had Gabrielle in his lap, and Ginny sat on the left arm of the chair. Hermione sat across and Luna at first took one by herself before seeing the arrangement of Harry, Gabrielle, and Ginny. She switched promptly to squeeze in side by side with Hermione in her chair.

“We’re definitely going to have to find a good place to meet,” Hermione said thoughtfully, trying to ignore the small blonde cuddling her, “And far too many people know about the Room of Requirement now, so that’s out, and as I recall that was the only really good option from when we were planning DA meetings…” she trailed off in a huff.

“We can find something later, when we need to I’m sure,” said Ginny, “What I’m more worried about is Tonks, have you even seen her?”

Harry shook his head, “No I haven’t, and she was supposed to be starting her guard duty yesterday.

“So,” Hermione added, “She’s either late, or she’s already guarding you and hiding it from us, which honestly seems the more likely option.”

“Do you think she’s here right now? Or heard our discussion on the train?” Asked Luna.

“Oh please,” Ginny said dismissively, “Even Tonks would have broken protocol the minute we started talking about including her in an orgy.”

“Gabrielle,” Harry said, wanting to change the subject and find out if his uncomfortable conversation with Cho was going to happen or not, “What did you find out?”

Gabrielle smiled widely, “Cho iz definitely bisexual.”

Harry paled dramatically, “Bugger.”

“Isn’t that good news?” Asked Ginny wryly, along with Luna who nodded enthusiastically.

“Sort of, I still don’t think she’s going to go for it, and actually no matter how… er… into girls Cho is,” Harry made a valiant yet failed attempt not to picture many an interesting thing while saying that, “In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m going to get slapped.”

“I don’t think she’ll hit you, surely. Maybe just yell a bit if she’s offended,” replied Hermione.

“We’ll see,” Harry grumbled.

“Who else?” prompted Luna.

“I ran into Susan, she only likes boys.”

“Damn,” cursed Hermione.

Ginny gave Hermione a funny look, “Why so hung up on Susan?”

Hermione blushed faintly, “She’s… well…”

Ginny balked, “You too! They’re just tits Hermione!”

“They’re very nice ones,” Hermione replied in a huff.

“I don’t get what the big deal is, Harry?” Ginny turned to scrutinize Harry’s face.

Harry replied in the most neutral tone possible, “I like breasts of all shapes and sizes equally.”

“Suuuuuuure you do,” Ginny responded dryly.

“Anyone else?” Harry prompted quickly.

“Sue Li likes girls as well, but she seems very reserved, and I think even Luna does not know her well, yes?” Gabrielle asked.

Luna nodded, “I’ve only spoken to her a few times, I just noticed she stares at Harry a lot.”

Harry blushed, “Well, we can come back to her.”

Gabrielle nodded, “Then there is just Parvati, who also likes girls.”

“I knew it,” Hermione crowed.

“How did you know?” Luna asked.

Hermione blushed and mumbled something about living in a dorm together for years. It seemed obvious to Harry that Luna saw past Hermione’s awkward avoidance, but chose not to say anything more.

“That seems rather lucky, actually,” Ginny said, musingly picking at a cuticle. “So, how should we do this?”

“I think we should hold off on talking to Sue Li for a bit, maybe get a feel for who she is first,” Hermione said slowly, “Cho is probably a safe bet, and I can see if I can grab Parvati alone some point tonight or tomorrow. If- sorry, when Katie comes back we can check her. If that works out along with Luna’s girl, then we don’t have to ask Sue Li at all, or Tonks for that matter.”

Ginny looked around the room, “Cool, so, everyone knows what they’re doing.”

“Yeah,” said Harry sullenly, “don’t blame me when this blows up in my face though.”

“You’ll do fine, ‘Arry,” said Gabrielle warmly running a hand gently against his face and up through his messy hair.

Hermione got up to pack her things and Luna got up to distract her. Ginny leaned in close to Harry and talked low in his ear, “Talk to Cho tomorrow, I want to talk to you after dinner. Bring Gabrielle, we can use the room of requirement for this as long as it isn’t engaged.”

“Sure,” said Harry quickly, hiding his shiver at feeling Ginny’s breath at his ear. “What about?” Harry asked but Ginny was already rising and walking towards the door. She would have been gone a moment later but was stalled and turned to say, “Hermione can you take down the secrecy spells? I promised I would sit with my year-mates at dinner for ditching them on the train.”

“Sure Ginny,” Hermione said glad for the distraction from Luna who kept trying to hold Hermione’s hand, switching from aggressive to sneaky randomly.

No sooner had the spells been dropped when the door slammed open then shut quickly and loudly, almost toppling Ginny, who for some reason fell to the ground almost a second later in a surprising awkward tumble of limbs. “Ouch!” Ginny yelled, “Get off!”

A second later Tonks appeared from beneath an invisibility cloak, “Shite,” she swore, rubbing her head, “Sorry Ginny, didn’t see you there,” she added grabbing Ginny’s hand to help her off the floor, “But!” She started again loudly, making Harry jump, “What in bloody hell do you think you were doing, hiding in a secreted room, I must have wandered back and forth a dozen times looking for you! I’m supposed to be protecting you, you twit! How am I supposed to do that if you’re bleeding hiding from me!?”

Everyone had frozen during Tonks’ tirade except for Luna who walked straight up to Tonks and held her hand out in greeting, “Hello Tonks, nice to meet you again.”

“Oh, hello Ms. Lovegood, hope you’re feeling better from last time we met.”

“Oh much, no running from Death Eaters so far this term,” Luna replied brightly, “So, you’re guarding Harry then, were you on the train with us as well?”

Tonks shook her head, “No I wasn’t, why did something happen? Arthur told me Malfoy’s boy likes to harass you.”

Hermione shook her head, “No, he wasn’t on the train, he stayed at Hogwarts for break.”

“Good then, now, don’t think Luna’s cunning plan to distract me worked, what we’re you all doing in here?”

Everyone looked to Harry who started to stammer something, but it was Ginny who spoke up gesturing liberally as she spoke, “Oh, well me and Harry have started dating you see, but we wanted to keep it secret cause of Gabrielle, you know about Gabrielle I assume? Right, well no one else knows the actual nature of their relationship, and I just broke up with Dean before break too, so we thought it would look rather messy if Harry and I immediately started going out even though we’ve known each other for ages, and plus Gabrielle can’t be seen and we all wanted to hang out, and Hermione didn’t stay at the Burrow and wanted to see Gabrielle as well-“

Tonks cut Ginny off, “Alright, alright I get it. Bit overkill on the secrecy spells I would think.”

Hermione spoke up, speaking just a bit more shrilly than normal, “I’m afraid that’s my fault, I did some research over the break on secrecy, and unlistening, and a few alternative theories on magical locks and wanted to practice.”

Tonks smiled and nodded, “Understandable, if you’d like I could probably show you a thing or two, but next time practice on something smaller. Someone like me who has to deal with these kinds of spells on a regular basis gets a feel for ‘em, and I’ve been trying to give you at least a bit of privacy, but when I turned the corner and all of you were gone, and all I could feel was a boat load of secrecy spells somewhere in this corridor. Now, I wasn’t too worried, but what if for example, someone else had been following you, entered the room the same time as you did, then erected those wards themselves to keep me or a teacher out?”

Harry balked, that was actually a very good point. It had taken Hermione nearly a minute to remove all the spells, plenty of time for many horrible things to happen. “I guess we weren’t being very constant in our vigilance then, were we?”

Tonks barked out a laugh, eerily similar to the way Sirius had used to laugh, “That’s good, I’ll have to use that on Mad Eye at some point. Alright, you kids have fun,” she ended with a smirk, pulling her invisibility cloak on, “I’ll be outside… you know,” she waved the hand that was still visible, “around, don’t do anything too illegal, you know, as a personal favor.” With that she swept the cloak around herself and after a second the door opened and closed seemingly of its own volition.

Ginny had started to say something but Hermione shushed her, “Wait, Homenum Revelio,” she incanted.

Harry felt a fluttery, something in his gut for a split second, and asked, “Hermione what was that?”

“It’s a spell to reveal hidden people in a room. From my perspective you all glowed blue for a moment, and if Tonks had still been here, her cloak would have had no affect on my seeing the glow around her.”

“Handy,” said Harry impressed, “Now, what were you going to say Ginny?”

Ginny dithered for a moment, “We’re probably going to have to tell Tonks whether or not we even ask to include her. From what you said, I thought she was just going to be at the castle, not following you around in an invisibility cloak.”

“Yeah,” said Harry slowly, “Actually, I already knew that, well, not that Tonks was specifically going to follow me the whole time, but I knew she was here, as well as four or five other Aurors on rotations, Tonks, John Dawlish, Forrest Gates, Graham Miller, aaaaaaaaaaaand… Riley something! Yes, oh and Mad Eye shows up every once in a while. They usually just wander in random directions, with floor assignments.”

“How on earth did you know that?” Ginny asked quite bewildered.

Hermione laughed humorlessly, “Oh please, Harry has spent half this term buried in either his potions book or his map.”

Harry gave Hermione a sour look, he had hoped she might be a little more lenient on The Prince after break.

“You look at the map enough to have memorized the Auror’s shifts?” asked Ginny, sounding a bit disbelieving.

Harry replied feeling a bit abashed, “Well, I was trying to figure out what Malfoy was doing.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, but Ginny looked at Harry thoughtfully, “You’re that concerned with what he’s doing?”

“Bit obsessed is more like,” Hermione interjected.

“I think he’s up to something, and I think he’s a marked Death Eater.”

“Do you really?” Ginny asked wide-eyed.

“Harry, he’s not of age,” Hermione said in a tired voice.

“I don’t think that would matter to Voldemort,” Harry said resolutely turning to Hermione. They had both said as much multiple times before.

“I’ll help,” said Ginny.

“Me too,” Luna added.

“You can’t seriously believe that Voldemort would let a schoolboy into his inner circle.”

“No, I don’t necessarily believe that Harry is right Hermione,” Ginny said calmly, “But I also don’t care. If he thinks Malfoy is worthy of being watched, then I’m going to help.”

Hermione had begun to reply, but obviously thought better of it. She adopted a thoughtful look for a moment before turning to Harry, and quite apologetically saying, “Harry, I think you’ve earned the benefit of the doubt from me, and I apologize for not helping you.”

Harry smiled, “Hermione it’s fine, really. I wasn’t angry at you at all, and all your disagreements were very well reasoned.”

Hermione beamed at Harry and went to him for a long warm hug. She sighed pressing the side of her face into his chest, “I missed you over break,” she said quietly.

Ginny cleared her throat, “Come on, or we’ll be late for dinner.”

Harry reluctantly parted from Hermione, “I’ll catch up with you lot after I walk Gabrielle back to her room.”

Hermione and Luna smiled after Harry, but Ginny only nodded, and Harry tried to convince himself that wasn’t a sign of anything.



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Dinner was a more subdued affair, Ginny sat with her friends from her year, Luna had decided to sit near Sue Li at the Ravenclaw table facing away from Harry and his ilk, instead watching the Slytherin table rather intently. Ron was also absent, instead sitting with Dean and Seamus, the rift between them only growing. Even so, Harry couldn’t keep his nerves settled. Ginny for all her talk of being fine with the Coven was not particularly patient the last few weeks, and Harry worried about whether including Cho at all was a mistake.

They had talked at length about people begin compatible but this didn’t seem the case. Harry resolved to talk to Ginny tonight when they were alone about it. Dinner with just Hermione for company was usually a discussion on homework, and this was no exception. “So, what do you think of Snape’s lesson Harry? I thought his notes on shield spell variations was, well not easy but I think I understand the theory.”

“Really? Seemed like a lot of hot air to me. I mean, all that talk of subtlety and nuance, and strategy, it’s really just like… complicated rock-paper-scissors innit? This shield spell will stop these kinds of curses, but not these kinds, and when it’s better to use a flat shield to deflect, or curved to parry. After that it’s just recognizing curses by colour, or shape, or sound. Snape likes to complicate things.” Hermione blinked and Harry could see her working something out internally. “I just wish I was getting better at non-verbal spells, Snape keeps sneering at me every time I incant something.”

“It’s just practice Harry.”

“I’ve been bloody well practicing for months now and the best I can do is a shaky Lumos…” Harry replied in a bored tone, stabbing at his roasted potatoes. Truth be told Snape’s little sneers and snide comments had gotten to him today.

“Another perfect potion today as well from The Prince.”

“Yes well, he’s rather talented at potions you see, it’s why I keep the book around.”

Hermione was silent long enough for Harry to glance up at her and found her with a frosty look, “Sorry.”

“Harry…” Hermione took a moment, “alright maybe I deserved that, just… let me and Gabrielle look over the book, please? Just to make sure there’s nothing dangerous.”

Harry sighed and fished the book out from his bag, “promise I get that back before next lesson.”

“I promise,” Hermione smiled, “thank you Harry.”

“You’re welcome, and after you’ve seen that there’s nothing dangerous maybe you’ll let up on the criticisms and jealously. Isn’t enough to know that you’re getting your marks on your own? I on the other hand need all the help I can get, especially after Snape’s farce of a class.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Not for you maybe, us regular people need more than ‘the instructions are on the board’,” Harry said in a terrible impression of Snape but still earning a smile from Hermione, “and remember the time he just vanished my potion, that was at least worth an Acceptable.”

“True,” Hermione worried her bottom lip, “it’s not the potions stuff that I’m worried about anyway, it’s the spells.”

“Muff-“

“Yes,” Hermione spoke over Harry rolling her eyes, “Muffliato is plenty useful, true, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t dangerous. Untried and experimental spells can be destructive, that’s why there’s a whole division in the Ministry to regulate it.”

“I already gave you the book Hermione, you’ve convinced me.”

Hermione’s cheeks pinked, “I know, I just… worry about you.”

Harry smiled, “I know, and I’m glad you do, gotten me out of a lot of sticky situations; your worrying.”

“Thank you Harry,” Harry felt the slight muffling effect of a Muffliato going off, “There’s something else I’ve been thinking about,” she added in a more sultry voice. “

“Oh?” Harry asked, welcoming back this side of Hermione,

“Yes,” she said slowly, “something about next time getting to shag you to oblivion and back.”

“What did you have in mind?” Harry asked giving Hermione a confident look over a sip of tea.

“I’d like to tie you up,” Hermione said plainly.

Harry choked on his tea.

Spluttering and coughing Harry felt someone slap his back a few times. Harry turned to say “Thanks,”and saw Ginny standing there with an amused look, in her left hand she held out one of Dumbledore’s notes, “Lesson?” she asked. Harry nodded still red in the face and eyes tearing. “I’ll be at The Room for when you’re done.”

“We sometimes go pretty late.”

“It’s fine,” Ginny smiled, “Also, I just saw Chang leave the hall. Go on, nip in the bud.”

Harry grabbed Ginny’s hand for a quick moment with a smile that came out more as a grimace, “Thanks, see you later. With that Harry walked quickly past the Gryffindor table and out into the main hall. Once by himself he retrieved that map from his pack, said the words and scanned for Cho’s dot. He found her quickly enough. She was on the main staircase, and she looked like she was heading towards the Owlery.

“Figures,” Harry muttered, wiping the map and stuffing it back in his bag, before slinging the bag over his shoulder to hustle up the stairs. He did not end up catching up to her and took a moment at the base of the stairs to the Owlery to catch his breath.

“Oh! Hello Harry,” Cho said nervously, and a bit sad. She had stopped still on the bottom step of the stairs.

“Um… Hi,” said Harry already at a loss of what to say. All his old nerves at talking to Cho had returned with a vengeance, thinking about what he would have to ask her. Harry had apparently remained silent for too long as Cho started to leave mumbling something that sounded like ‘see you around’ and Harry spoke up,
“Wait! Um… can we, go somewhere please? Somewhere private?”

Cho turned around and and blushed faintly and said, stuttering a bit, “O-ok Harry.”

Harry led Cho to an empty classroom. He entered and stood facing away from Cho trying to decide how to begin. When he turned around Cho was standing near the door looking a bit nervous. Harry dove in, “Um… first of all, this isn’t going to be what you think.”

“Really?” Cho replied, amused but still nervous, a slight lilt in her speech, “Because it seems like you just led me to an empty classroom an hour before curfew. Should I be relived it’s not a broom closet?”

Harry flushed red at the suggestion, “No really, um… look, do you know Occlumency Cho?”

Cho looked a bit surprised, “A bit, enough to repel passive Legillimency. At any rate I can keep a secret if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You promise?” Harry asked.

Cho’s nerves seemed to disappear and a serious look crossed her face, “Of course Harry, is… is this about Vol- um… You Know Who?”

“Well… sort of.”

Cho took a few steps forward, “What is it?”

Harry took a deep breath, “Do you remember the second task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament?”

Obviously confused Cho asked, “I thought this was about-“

“It’s complicated,” Harry fixed her with a hard stare. “Look, this isn’t easy, nothing about this is easy, and there’s so many fucked up, sorry, things about this but… it might- look you remember Fleur’s sister right, Gabrielle?”

Cho blinked a few times, “Yes, of course, pretty memorable wasn’t it? You’re,” she frowned, “You’re dating her aren’t you.”

“Sort of.”

“Sort of?” Cho asked a bit icily.

“Cho she bonded to me after the tournament. I just didn’t find out about it until a few months ago.”

“What, like… bonded, bonded?” Harry nodded. “Congratulations,” Cho added after a moment, thought she sounded more polite than genuinely pleased.

“I suppose. I’m not going to lie, I’ve come to love Gabrielle, but to have a choice like that taken away is horrible, for both of us. I’m just glad something good came out of it.”

Cho nodded, “I agree. What’s this about Harry?”

Harry hesitated only a moment before diving in, “Gabrielle has a book, a book on Veela magic, she lent it to Hermione to study. I’m sure she could explain it better, it’s a lot of Arithmancy, but I don’t take that class. She figured out why Voldemort,” Cho shuddered, “can’t die,” Cho gasped. “It’s ritual magic you see, something the Ministry regulates, so we’d probably never learn about it here, but there’s a ritual that could be used to destroy him.”

Harry paused trying to think how to continue, but Cho’s expression had died, and in a flat tone said, “You and Hermione are forming a Coven aren’t you?”

Harry, stunned, managed to say, “You’ve heard of them?”

Cho looked away, “I’ve only read about them. They’re not entirely unknown if that’s what you thought. Any history text pre fifteenth century will eventually mention them. They were common throughout the formation of Hogwarts and the old Wizard’s Council. They were banned by the Ministry following an edict by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1437. They’re dangerous you see, a lot of amateurs died attempting rituals and it was seen as a safety hazard, or at least that’s what the texts say, my bet it was a consolidation of power. There’s still a few rituals that aren’t banned, some families have bloodline rituals they’ve been practicing for thousands of years, for things like the harvest, or home protection.”

“So… you know what they involve then,” Harry asked warily a bit stunned by the breadth of Cho’s knowledge.

“Yes,” Cho replied quickly in a deadly, calm voice. “I know.” She cleared the distance between them in three even strides. When she was right in front of Harry, who much to his chagrin had to look up slightly as Cho was still taller than him, was shocked still when she leaned in and kissed him, chastely on the lips, once. “I am flattered that you asked,” then she slapped him, hard across the cheek, “but I am offended by your proposition.” Harry took an involuntary step back, one hand to his cheek. He looked to Cho’s face and found her starting to tear up. “I really liked you Harry,” she said in a calm yet sullen voice, “And I’m sorry things ended the way they did. I wish a lot of things had been different. And I’m sorry for hitting you.”

“It’s fine,” said Harry, trying to lighten the mood, “I had it coming really. I knew this was a bad idea.”

Cho shook her head, smiling slightly, “Nothing about you can’t ever not be larger-than-life can it?”

“Apparently not. I swear I don’t ask or try for any of this shite.”

Cho laughed, quick and lovely, “I know. In another life Harry…” she trailed off, then in a more serious tone, “I kept the coin.”

It took Harry a moment to suss out what she was referring to. “The D.A. coin?” he asked to make sure.

“Yes. Just in case, you know. After what happened last year, I didn’t know if you’d even want my help, but I thought… I’ll still help you with that, if you need. I care about what happens, and I care about you, and… I’m willing to fight.”

Despite her claim Cho sounded nervous even contemplating fighting. All the same, something warm bubbled up in Harry at her words. Not something romantic, but her show of support helped Harry more than he would have assumed it would. “Thank you Cho.”

“You’re welcome. For what it’s worth, I hope the next girl you ask doesn’t slap you.”

“Something tells me I won’t be that lucky.”

Cho laughed again, just as prettily, and Harry fought to keep his disappointment at bay.



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Harry slumped back in his chair, returning from the Pensieve, thinking over what Dumbledore had just shown him. It wasn’t the memory that made Harry’s hand shake, that was actually rather straight forward, and hardly even close to the worst thing he’d seen of memories of Voldemort. “Horcruxes,” Harry said softly. Even the name was menacing, now that he had something to call them; those bits of Voldemort’s soul that Hermione had figured out existed. Harry looked up at Dumbledore and saw a resoluteness there, a resolve; Harry, though guessing, was almost sure that this resolve was Dumbledore about to tell Harry the worst of his secrets. Worse perhaps even than the prophecy, though of course this time Harry already knew what Dumbledore was going to say.

“Yes Harry, Horcruxes.”

“I’m guessing Horcruxes are bad.”

Dumbledore chuckled, though there was little real humor behind it, “Horcruxes Harry, are quite possibly the greatest abomination of Magic ever conceived. The knowledge of them is highly secret. You will find no text in the library that explains what they are, only that they are absolute evil. All forty seven sovereign magical nations have banned it utterly, it is taught in no school and the International Confederation of Wizards has a permanent bounty for the retrieval and subsequent destruction any texts that go so far as to even mention their purpose. In Hogwarts library you will find exactly eight references to their existence, and in all they are mentioned only as a product of complete evil. In fact, I might be so bold as to say, the only two people in the entire world that possess an actual book that describes the rules and construction of one are myself and Tom Riddle. I cannot of course, be entirely sure, but I spent the better part of a decade eradicating the last bits of knowledge from the world, personally. Unfortunately, I was too late in the case of Lord Voldemort. Alas, I was not headmaster then, and did not have the power to remove the knowledge from the library. My predecessor had a very strong stance on knowledge for knowledge’s sake, a lofty goal, but ultimately an ideal I do not think is possible in this case.

“Do they have something to do with why he’s still alive,” Harry asked, thinking that was a safe enough assumption on his part not to give away the fact that Hermione of all people was number three, nor how much more serious this was than they had realized.

“Yes,” Dumbledore replied, in a tired, gravely voice, “Horcruxes are soul containers. Killing tears the soul Harry. Even righteous killing. Taking a life, no matter the life taken will weigh heavy on a soul,” Dumbledore couldn’t meet Harry’s eyes, “a magical may perform a ritual that makes the tear a break, and by bisecting their soul, may place half in something else. As long as the ‘something else’ exists, they cannot die. They may be disembodied to be sure. Voldemort was for fourteen years after trying to kill you.”

Harry, feeling slightly bold and wanting to circumvent Dumbledore’s habit of very slowly doling out information, decided to let Dumbledore assume he had made a leap of logic, “So, it’s not so much that Voldemort has created a Horcrux, that seems pretty likely, and that part of Slughorn’s memory wasn’t tampered with, but the real problem is how many.”

Dumbledore looked up surprised, “Yes Harry, very astute. May I ask how you thought of that?”

Harry paused to make it seem like he was working through all this now, “Because I’m pretty sure the diary was one of those Horcrux things, and he’s still alive. Also, I think you suspect the same thing, else why would you have shown me those memories of Hepzibah Smith?”

Dumbledore smiled genuinely this time, “Very good Harry. Slytherin’s Locket, and Hufflepuff’s cup, and,” he opened one of the many drawers on his desk and pulled the diary out tossing it casually in front of Harry.

“You kept it?”

Dumbledore shrugged, “It’s no more or less than it was before Tom Riddle enchanted it; an ordinary diary, albeit one with a rather nasty bite through it. It’s worthless to anyone not interested in Voldemort’s history, but I could not bring myself to simply destroy it. Perhaps it could be used to taunt Riddle into a moment of weakness…” Dumbledore sighed heavily, “or perhaps it is simple pettiness, a trophy if you will of being one step closer to ridding ourselves of a most venomous taint on this world.”

“So, add the diary and that makes three, how many could he have made?”

“That is why we need the memory from Horace, however it is four actually, I already discovered and destroyed one other!” Dumbledore said gleefully placing the ring Harry had seen him wear earlier in the year gently beside the ruined diary. Harry recognized it immediately as the ring Marvolo Gaunt had worn.

“Your hand!” Harry exclaimed, then contrite, “Sorry, just I had forgotten.”

“The price I paid destroying the ring of Marvolo Gaunt.”

“Can anything be done?”

“Everything that can be done, is being done Harry. I shan’t be leaving this world just yet.”

There was a long silence.

“The diary and the ring destroyed, the cup, the locket, maybe his snake, is that it Professor?”

“Also the portion of soul residing in his forgery of a body.”

Harry thought hard for a few minutes and Dumbledore hummed quietly to himself. “Sir, aren’t the three most powerful numbers three, seven, and twelve?”

Dumbledore smiled again, “They are indeed Harry, three might have served, but he’s certainly made more than that, and thirteen is incredibly unlucky when dealing with magic, so it seems very likely that he’s made, or planned to make either seven or twelve, including the piece residing in his body. Technically, once a Horcrux is created, his body could also be considered a Horcrux, though easier to dispatch, in theory anyway. Regardless, we must know if he wanted seven or twelve. It would be folly and a potential abundance of wasted time, a commodity which becomes increasingly valuable, to move forward with out this knowledge.”

Harry nodded agreeing with the Headmaster. “How does one destroy a Horcrux?”

“Any magically permanent damage. Basilisk venom, the gaze of a cockatrice if the Horcrux happens to be alive-“

“Alive meaning Voldemort himself?”

“Yes, though I was actually thinking of Nagini, Voldemort’s snake. A cockatrice has a very distinctive scent that Voldemort would recognize. Correctly identifying a cockatrice between two ordinary chickens with transfigured tails placed in sacks is worth three points in the Care of Magical Creatures N.E.W.T. There’s also Fiendfyre, though that’s very difficult to control. Nundu venom is potent enough. The killing curse to be sure, though I do not suggest attempting to cast it, or learn it. There was once a time when it didn’t require as much hate to cast. It was originally invented as a means of humanely slaughtering livestock, but now, it’s purpose has been corrupted, and those who are capable of using it must keep hate in their hearts,” the look on Dumbledore’s face was devastating. He looked so sad, and Harry had trouble making eye-contact.

“So how do we get the memory from Professor Slughorn?”

“Haven’t the foggiest.”

Harry blinked several times before he was able to respond, “I’m sorry sir?”

“I’ve tried Harry. And failed, several times. I cannot use Legillimency, as Horace is a, well competent is probably the best word for his Occlumency, but it would still require barreling through his defenses, and aside from being incredibly obvious, it’s also illegal, unethical, and immoral.”

“So, what do we do?”

“It is a simple plan Harry,” Dumbledore smiled, “I will for the first time assign you homework for these little lessons. Your assignment is to figure out how to get that memory from Slughorn.”

“If you can’t do that how do you expect me to manage?” Harry asked in disbelief.

“Sometimes Harry, all a puzzle needs is a new perspective.”



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It was quite a ways from Dumbledore’s office to Gabrielle’s room and then back up to the seventh floor. Harry was half tempted to simply carry Gabrielle as to be there faster, but there was no way the cloak could hide them completely while doing so. Even so, they kept the pace up, Gabrielle glowing in the excitement Harry felt.

The only break they took was to make sure the corridor was deserted before pulling open the very plain, heavy oak door that was reflective of Ginny’s use of the room. Opening the door was a bit of a struggle and Harry got the impression that he alone would have been able to open in.

The inside was a riot of Gryffindor red and gold. High vaulted ceilings with large windows pointing out towards the Quidditch pitch. A large double tall fire place stood at one end with a massive four poster bed at the other. Harry entered and found Ginny starting at the various odds and ends set upon the mantle of the fireplace. She glanced around when Harry and Gabrielle entered, “Look at what the room’s put up here, I didn’t ask for any of this stuff.”

“Is there a-“ Gabrielle had begun to ask, only for a washroom to materialize off in a corner, “never mind,” she added cheerfully before traipsing off and closing the door.

Harry glanced at the mantle only briefly, his attention was otherwise preoccupied by Ginny. She had not changed clothes at all, but there was a ruffled look to her uniform now. Her tie had been undone, and the top three buttons of her shirt were open showing off a bit of modest cleavage that Harry could hardly keep his eyes off. In the subtle firelight it was hard to tell how far down her freckles went, which was suddenly the most important thing in the world.

Ginny grabbed a large roughly human looking figure off the mantle that looked to be made of obsidian, “What do you think, old art project? Dad told me Hogwarts used to have an art class.” Ginny glanced over to Harry and met his stare challengingly, “You’re just staring at me. You look… ”

Harry nodded, “You’ve got me a bit on edge, don’t really know what to expect moment to moment.”

Ginny smiled, a bit embarrassed, “I know. Buuuuuut,” she replaced the idol and took a few quick steps, closing the distance between them. “that’s the future. That’s other girls we don’t know yet. But tonight, I know I like you, and I like Gabrielle, and for tonight, we’re the only people that matter. And for tonight, I want to make sure I don’t get lost in the shuffle. I want your eyes on me tonight Harry.”

Harry stared at Ginny in disbelief, perhaps he had not been clear earlier, but he would be now. Where there had been inches between them there was now none. Harry crushed Ginny to him with his arms as tight as he could, around her back and her waist. Harry felt her try and wrap her arms around his back but he didn’t give her time to get her bearings. Harry took one arm and dragged her up in the air by her bum and carried her to the bed, depositing her on her back following her down.

He plundered her mouth, over and over until she lay, boneless and dizzy at his onslaught and when her arms fell Harry went for her hands with his lacing them together. When his breath failed him Harry lay his forehead gently against Ginny’s lightly pressing their noses together, eye’s closed, catching his breath. When at last his breath settled he opened his eyes to find Ginny staring back at him, eye’s dilated and wild, still panting open mouthed, Harry whispered, “You feel that? How fast my heart is beating, the way my hands are trembling. How hard I am?”

Ginny nodded, frantic, “yes!”

“No one makes me shake like you do, did you think I was lying before? I meant what I said Ginny, that’s why you’re in charge of the Coven. I may love, or like other girls, but you’re the only girl I want. So please… please tell me now if you’re really, truly alright with all this, because if you’re not then I’d rather just not do any of it than lose you! Despite what Hermione says we don’t need to do this. Dumbledore has a plan, he knows Ginny. He told me today, he told me the specifics of what Hermione stumbled upon. Well, not the coven stuff, but the Voldemort splitting his soul stuff.”

Ginny flipped them. Harry, suddenly looking up into Ginny’s face was stunned at the intensity he saw there, “Swear! Swear you’re not lying!”

“I swear,” Harry replied calmly.

Ginny started strong, but Harry could see the insecurity wash over her and in a softer tone said, “promise me you’ll never lie to me. About anything.”

Then Harry saw it, a bit of the Ginny from the Chamber, a bit of Ginny he had not seen since, and all at once Harry realized how stupid he and been. That he had thought Ginny’s moodiness was simple jealousy, or that not taking Harry at his word had been a reflection of how she saw him, which had irked Harry a bit, but this was not about him. Harry had thought he understood what had happened to Ginny, but his understanding had been with the events in the Chamber as a climax to a mystery. It was only now that Harry had some inkling as to what it must have been like to be intimately friends with Tom Riddle. Harry had seen first hand now how easily and skillfully Voldemort lied and manipulated. His diary would have woven a beautiful tapestry of lies for Ginny to fall into only to find a net hidden in the seams.

Harry reached up and laid his hands on either side of Ginny’s face, “Ginny Weasley I promise I will never lie to you.”

It took Ginny a long time to respond, “…do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I’ve loved you for years, I love all your family. Well, that I’ve met.”

“But that’s different, I worried for years that you’d only ever see me as a sister.”

Harry glanced away, “It’s… I love your family Ginny, but it’s not the same. I don’t… There are times when I feel like an outsider-“

“You shouldn’t.”

Harry looked back, “I know… you’ve all said it one time or another. Either way, I never saw you as a sister.”

Ginny nodded and Harry’s hands moved to play with her hair, she smiled before asking, “You really want me more than Gabrielle?”

Harry shrugged, “I never really wanted Gabrielle in the first place. I love her, but it was… let’s say a happy accident, besides either way we are united in our desire for you, and it’s not like you can put a scale on love, something Dumbledore told me, love only grows. And if it’s attraction you’re talking about. truthfully, there’s only two girls that ever really caught my eye.”

Ginny tilted her head to the side, “Me and Chang?”

Harry nodded. “I do have a type you know,” he said amused, “slim, petite, fit. I like long hair. Sporty is good. Passionate. Competitive. Sm-“

“Who do you think is prettier?”

Harry rolled his eyes, “apples and oranges Ginny. You’re both beautiful. Cho’s dark and demure looking, you’re bright like fire, and no I’m not just talking about your hair.”

Ginny pursed her lips, and sounded ashamed at her own need to ask, “but you like me more than Chang?”

Harry smiled and chuckled lowly running his hands up and down her sides, “Yes Ginny I like you more than Cho. She’s a lovely girl, but we have much more in common, and she’s… complicated and frustrating, while you’re rather easy actually.”

Ginny sat up straddling Harry, “What you mean easy?” she asked with a cross look.

Wide eyed and back tracking Harry said, “I didn’t mean easy-easy, I meant, just like spending time with you, just chatting and stuff. Going on a date with Cho was one of the most terrifying stressful experiences of my life, spending time with you is…” Harry let his arms flop out to the sides in defeat, “… not terrifying and stressful.”

Ginny narrowed one eye in contemplation before lying back to to let Harry play with her hair again, “Alright, watch your phrasing though.”

“I will,” Harry said far more calmly, “See? If you were Cho, you’d have already run off by now after mentioning how Roger Davies asked you out.”

Ginny giggled hiding her face against Harry’s chest before peering up through her hair, “I was so happy when your date got ruined.”

“Oi!”

“And the Yule Ball,” she added dryly, running the tip of her finger in a slow circle over Harry’s heart.

Harry grumbled, eyes narrowed, “And my first date with Gabrielle, you put a twist in that.”

“Haha, oh right. You have terrible luck with dates Harry.”

“Actually, I’m gonna call that one a win for me.”

“True, that was the beginning of the end for me and Dean.” Harry growled slightly, “Oh come off it, are you seriously jealous of Dean?”

“Yes,” Harry replied resolutely. “And you didn’t ever hear him go on and on about everything he was planning on ‘getting’ from you either.”

Ginny scoffed, “Dean didn’t get shite from me, the pillock, but he certainly tried hard enough. Besides, you have nothing to be jealous off. Hello! Life-long crush over here, I’m told it’s the stuff of legends…” Ginny added miserably.

Harry wrapped his arms around her tight as he could, “I’m sorry. Actually, your crush used to scare me.”

“Scare you?”

“Yeah… I mean, I had barely just made friends for the first time, and you were so shy, I thought it was my fame at first you know? So many people we’re, hell are nervous around me. Felt like just another unwanted benefit of my fame. Besides, Hermione was right, I did need to get to know you first, cause before you were just my best mate’s cute little sister, and that’s just about as off limits as you can get. Had to grow up myself to realize how dumb that was. And once I saw who you were really, and realized what I had been missing out on, I was done for, and you were all I could think about.”

“That’s sweet Harry, but what was scary?”

“Well… I mean there was that valentine-“

Ginny shot up out of Harry’ arms, “YOU CAN’T PROVE THAT WAS ME!” she yelled.

Slightly shocked Harry charged forward, “Oh please, how did it go?” Harry screwed up his eyes in concentration, “Eyes as green as-“

“NO!” Ginny shrieked before grabbing a pillow and hitting Harry in the face.

Glasses askew Harry tried to wrestle the pillow away from Ginny, laughing as she pulled back, her grip surprisingly strong. Harry gave up suddenly, Ginny falling backwards with a little shriek where Harry tried and failed to pin her, “next was something about my hair.”

“Shut up!” Ginny squirmed but Harry had most his weight on her. He went for her arms but Ginny tucked her legs underneath and bucked Harry off onto the floor with a painful thump.

Ginny followed quickly after,straddling Harry and silencing him the only way she could, by kissing him. Well, in retrospect Harry supposed she could have head-butted him, but thankfully Ginny was in a playful mood. By the time the kiss ended they had rolled over again, Ginny curled up around Harry with her head tucked against his neck. “I can’t believe you remember that stupid valentine.”

“Well, it was a very traumatic experience.”

Ginny slapped Harry’s chest lightly with a sigh, “tosser… I have more questions.”

They got up and went back to the bed, Harry on his back with Ginny curled around his side. Harry closed his eyes and breathed deep and calm, having Ginny pressed to him, with his arm around her was magical, and he loved the way she kept playing her foot up and down on his leg, and running her hand over his chest and side. “Fire away.”

“Where did Gabrielle go?” Ginny asked suddenly, her first thought forgotten.

“She’s taking a bath.”

“Oh. Explain Hermione again.”

“Didn’t I already?”

“Explain it again.”

“We’re friends… who are attracted to one another, and shag on a semi-regular basis. And at her request are forming a… sexy study group.”

Ginny laughed, “A sexy study group?”

“We are learning new magic aren’t we?” Harry added with a half grin and a raised eyebrow.

“I suppose. Do you love her?”

“Yes, but different from you.”

“How?”

Harry thought for a long while, feeling the curve of Ginny’s spine and relishing the way she shivered against him, “We’re friends first I guess. I know no matter what happens we’ll always be friends, and it’s not like a boyfriend girlfriend thing, cause if a couple stops shagging or shags other people there’s a problem there, but if me and Hermione did that, we’d still… just be friends. It’s separate.”

“You wouldn’t care if Hermione had sex with someone else?”

“Not at all.”

“But you would care if I did?”

“Yes,” Harry said gruffly.

“I’m not suggesting it, I guess I’m even flattered, but don’t get going too possessive mind you, that was one of Dean’s problems.”

“I know you can take care of yourself Ginny, and I’m not about to try and control your life, I’m just chuffed you want me as part of it, but yes I would be upset if you had sex with other blokes, and yes I realize how incredibly hypocritical that makes me.”

“Which is why you wanted me to have control right?”

“Exactly.”

Ginny hummed and dug herself deep into Harry’s side, “You’ve matured since last year, thinking things through, getting past a bit of your boy logic. I like it.”

Harry chuckled, “I’m glad you approve.”

Ginny bent her head up to look Harry in the eyes and brought the hand tucked beneath her head curling around Harry’s neck palm his cheek, tilting his head towards her own. She stretched then, languidly to kiss Harry, soft and slow. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny, pulling her atop him, her legs bending and tightening against his hips. Suddenly Harry was hard and again and he groaned into Ginny’s mouth as ground slowly against him while his hands moved down to her arse to help. In this position the tight denim left nothing to the imagination, and Harry amused himself feeling up and down Ginny’s thighs and arse and back and into her sweet smelling hair.

Pulling Ginny’s hair to one side Harry broke the kiss and trailed his lips and tongue across her cheek to her ear and down her neck. Everything about Ginny seemed to tighten, her legs around Harry’s hips, her hands buried in his hair. Harry heard a plaintive moan followed by a shockingly sensual grown before Ginny forced his mouth back to her own. Frantic now, breathing hard through his nose Harry tried to keep up with Ginny’s passionate snogging, but the intensity of it, the little soft noises she was making, and the way she was grinding against him was too much.

“Ginny,” Harry groaned, indented as as warning but coming out more like a desperate plea, but it was too late. Harry arched and and shook, his grip on Ginny’s thighs the only thing keeping him grounded.

Harry opened his eyes after more than a few breathless moments, thoroughly embarrassed, to find Ginny upright astride him on the verge of laughter, “Did you just?” she asked mirthfully.

“Um…” Harry whinged, and Ginny started cackling, “Oi!” Harry said, affronted.

“Bonded to a Veela, shagging another girl on the side and you come in your trousers!” Ginny put a hand over her mouth, but couldn’t stop laughing.

“It’s not that funny,” Harry replied, trying not to laugh out of sympathy, cheeks burning.

“You’re right, it’s actually really, really fucking funny.” Harry looked away, but Ginny took one hand and gently turned him back, “Hey, don’t be embarrassed, that was really hot.”

“Yeah?”

The hand that rest on Harry’s chest curled into a claw, and Ginny raked her uneven bitten-to-hell nails slowly down Harry’s chest to hem of his shirt, “Got another one in there?” Ginny asked brazenly.

“I got three in one night once,” Gabrielle said from the now open door to the bathroom. Both Harry and Ginny whipped their heads around to stare at her. She was clad only in her sheer, nearly transparent dressing gown. She strode purposefully to the bed before kneeling on it on Harry’s other side. “The third one took nearly half an hour. I had to suck it out of him,” she finished in a sultry voice, turning her gaze to Harry.

Harry shivered at the memory.

“Come here,” Ginny said softly, beckoning to Gabrielle. She leaned across Harry and Ginny grabbed her. With a shriek Ginny rolled them until she was astride Gabrielle same as she had been with Harry. Thoroughly shocked Harry turned on his side to watch, but not before quietly grabbing his wand and aiming a whispered scourgify at his trousers.

The moment Gabrielle was on her back she went boneless, arms above her head. Ginny starred down at her in wonder, “I am fascinated by your submissiveness.”

“It’s yours,” Gabrielle whispered.

“Isn’t it Harry’s?” Ginny asked.

Gabrielle shook her head. Ginny looked over at Harry who just smiled and shrugged. “Can you,” Ginny began to ask Gabrielle.

“What?”

“Can you, use your allure on me?”

“Are you asking if I’m able?”

“Yeah.”

Gabrielle scrunched her eyes, and after a moment said, “I can.” She sounded almost giddy.

“Do it.”

The curtains fluttered, and the gas lamps flickered and it was as if the room had dimmed except for Gabrielle herself. She softened somewhat, imperceptibly, but she looked that much more curvy and supple. Harry was immune to Gabrielle’s allure in the sense that his emotions could not be controlled by it, but he saw what Ginny saw, and was as affected by way of his lust, he was not however driven to perform feats of daring to try and impress her, and was able to stop himself from grabbing her or at her.

Ginny’s eyes shone in the dark, as if Gabrielle’s ‘glow’ was reflected in her eyes. Harry was already hard again, but when Ginny dipped in to kiss Gabrielle quite thoroughly Harry began to feel quite confined by his clothes. He shouldn’t have worried, Ginny became frantic, peeling her shirt off in one swift motion that faintly bewildered Harry for a second. She wasn’t wearing a bra. All three moaned when Ginny and Gabrielle’s naked chests pressed together, and Harry could no longer contain himself. He pulled his clothes off rapidly, figuring Ginny had already seem them both naked, and if Ginny was going to start undressing in front of him there was no reason to shy.

Harry laid back and propped his head up on some pillows to watch while slowly stroking himself to the sight before him. Gabrielle’s dressing gown lay in a pool beneath her, and Ginny hands roamed deliciously over her form. Both moaned and sighed and writhed against the other, and when Ginny’s hand drifted down and caressed Gabrielle’s pussy, spreading the cream she found there around Harry moaned for Gabrielle who’s mouth was otherwise occupied.

Harry moan drew Ginny’s attention and when she saw Harry naked and touching himself she gasped, and went wide eyed. Gabrielle momentarily forgotten her eyes roamed Harry’s form and when she got to his cock her gaze stayed there, “Oh fuck,” she said under her breath. A moments pause, then she nearly flew off Gabrielle to grab and grope at Harry. She made a trail of it, down his chest and across his stomach to his nob. “You’re so… you’re so… fuck.”

Ginny froze when she grabbed it as did Harry, who sucked a great big breath in through his gritted teeth. Ginny touching him there was like nothing he had ever felt. It was electric, and daring, and oh so sexy. She wasn’t shy either, she stroked him slow and firm and marveled at the way he swelled and throbbed.

“I’m so what?” Harry asked, half amused, but still desperate to know, his voice hitching when Ginny ran her hand over the tip of his cock.

Ginny bit her lip and replied shyly, “You’re so fucking sexy…”

Instead of responding slipped his hand in Ginny’s pants, and slid smoothly down across her clit and just barely dipping the tips of his fingers into the well of wet heat he found there. At the same time Gabrielle sat up, dressing gown forgotten, and curled around to lay kisses down Ginny’s back, fondling her chest from behind.

“Yes!” Ginny cried reaching blindly behind her to grab Gabrielle more firmly to her, “love me! Both of you!” Ginny tore at her pants ineffectually before Gabrielle helped, pulling her pants and knickers off all in one go.

Harry gasped, seeing Ginny completely naked for the first time. He marveled at the spiral of freckles that ran across her cheeks and down her neck to her shoulders and arms and across the very tops of her breasts. It was all smooth pale skin from there until the tops of her thighs where they started again, less dense than her arms all the way down to her feet. She was perfect. Hair wild, flyways catching the light like wreaths of fire. Her molten, chocolate brown eyes shone bright and intense in the dimly lit room. Harry went for her pussy. She had the most sparse tiny tuft of crimson hair just above her clit. That too was perfect. Harry gently slipped his first two fingers inside and displaced a ridiculous amount of fluid, running down his hand and Ginny’s legs, “Oh my god Ginny, you’re so-“

“For you,” Ginny says simply and shudders when Harry’s fingers start moving gently in and out. Gabrielle is teasing her nipples and Harry’s other hand is fisted in her hair keeping her mouth near his to kiss. Suddenly, Ginny sat up, pulling away from Harry’s fingers and poised Harry’s cock at the entrance of her sex.

“Ginny wait, are you sure?” Harry asked, almost delirious in his sense of want and need.

She replied, quick and sure, “I’ve been fantasizing about you every night for five years Harry, I want this.” She sank down. This too was perfect. All three cried out. Ginny was absurdly wet, and in one violent motion Harry was utterly encased in tight, wet, warmth, gripping and pulsing with life. “Yes!” Ginny cried out, setting a quick pace, grunting and whining. Harry could only stare wild eyed at Ginny’s exuberance. “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck,” she chanted each word higher and higher pitched. Harry could feel her tightening and then she screamed and clutched to him, arms and legs, shaking and crying out, “Oh merlin, oh fuck, Harry, Harry…” Slowly she calmed down, panting. Opening her eyes she gazed dazedly at Harry through heavy lidded eyes, “Shite.”

Harry was not satisfied, and started to grind as much as he could, stroking in and out at a sedate pace, letting Ginny recover, but not moving was not an option. Fucking Ginny was blissful, and Harry closed his eyes to revel, uncaring to the desperate noises he made.

Ginny spent a moment with her head resting on it’s side on Harry’s chest, eye’s closed with a peaceful smile, just laying boneless on Harry as he fucked up into her. Her heavy breathing and the occasional sigh the only sign she was awake. Opening her eyes she said in disbelief, “Oh shite, I’m gonna come again,” Ginny turned and with a desperate breathy voice asked, “Gabrielle, do something, anything.”

Gabrielle smirked and Harry opened his eyes to watch as Gabrielle stuck her tongue as far as it could go up Ginny’s arse. Ginny squeaked and blushed red as a tomato. Harry grabbed Ginny’s hips and held them in place to secure her squirming and picked up his pace. Ginny’s mouth fell open to a perfect circle. Slowly her eyes screwed up in pleasure and Harry felt her tighten once again around him. She came again, screaming again, and fell forward. It took Ginny slightly longer to recover this time, and when she did she sat up and grabbed Harry’s hands lacing their fingers together above his head. Leaning over she fucked him as fast and as hard as she could, which turned out to be quite fast, and very hard.

Harry gasped and grunted and when he started trembling Ginny leaned over and switched to short shallow thrusts bodies pressed together, moaning into Harry’s ear, “Yeah, fuckin’ come in me, Merlin Harry it’s so good, fuck, fuckin’ come, love.” Harry came. Shouting and bucking, Ginny put all her weight down on Harry’s center to keep him in place, swiveling her hips, still moaning sweet words in his ear, “that’s it, that’s it Harry, get it all out, fill me up, fuck that’s hot, yeah, come in me.”

With one last shudder Harry stilled, his ears buzzing. When he opened his eyes Ginny was gazing at him, love in her eyes. Voice cracking Harry said, “You’re incredible.”

Ginny smiled, “You’re not so bad yourself mister.” Then after a moment, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making my first time amazing, you as well Gabrielle,” Ginny added, turning to regard the girl behind her with a shy smile.

Gabrielle just moaned cuddling up to the both of them, also thoroughly dazed from Harry’s orgasm. “That was really you first time?” Harry asked. Ginny nodded simply. “I’m glad I got to be your first.”

“Me too,” Ginny replied.

Harry was sad all of a sudden, wishing Ginny could have been his first as well, then feeling guilty, that he should treasure his first time with Gabrielle as well. Seemingly sensing the change in his mood Ginny cradled Harry’s face with her hands and kissed him, slow and sweet. “It’s alright. Just tell me that wasn’t the best shag of your life,” she added saucily.

“That was the best shag of my life,” Harry said smiling.

“Seconded,” Gabrielle said weakly, muffled where her face was pressed against them.

“I’m-“ Ginny said, suddenly very serious, the very beginning of tears in her eyes, that she quickly blinked away. “Whatever happens Harry, I’m very glad I got to have you.”

“Ginny, I thought-“

“I’m not talking about the coven Harry. I mean… things are only going to get worse before they get better. I’ve overheard my parents talk about the war. I’ve… I’ve seen how twisted our enemy can be. I love you, Harry, and…” Ginny smiled crookedly, glancing at Gabrielle. “as far as the coven goes… well, I just came like a banshee with a girls tongue up my bum, I’m… I’m fantasizing about Hermione and Luna, and hell, I admit it, Cho is gorgeous, if a bit weepy,” she finished dryly.

“You don’t have to worry about Cho. You don’t have to worry about anyone else really. After that shag I’m fucking yours. And for the record I love you to.”

Gabrielle giggled quietly, “I think I said something similar after our first time Harry.”

Ginny punched Harry lightly on the arm, “Shut it you, don’t go getting all sappy on me.”

They shifted, so Ginny was in the middle, curled around and facing Harry with Gabrielle spooning up to her back, she sighed sounding supremely comfortable, “Merlin, I wish you could both shag me like this.”

“I have a strap-on,” Gabrielle replied sounding quite tired.

“A what?” Ginny asked.

All had fallen asleep before anyone could provide an answer.