Author's Note:

Woke up early before work and thought I'd post a day early — enjoy!

Reviews and Comments: To elin2002: Well, not quite, but it was close LOL. To Dianne: Kata was kidnapped and her baby was taken from her and then possessed by Lord Voldemort. The baby sadly died when Voldemort was reborn and the Death Eaters have been using her as they wish since then, but Woodrow uses her the most. And yes, I have copious amounts of notes including character lists and descriptions or I would go mad trying to make sense of it all! To libs614, happy to give what the doctor ordered LOL. To ScoutGinevera: I don't write by chapters so I have no idea, but realistically probably around 350-ish. To Queen Raja: Thanks! To the capitalbey: Not an Ariana Grande fan so, no, I never heard the song, but happy to make you laugh. To kittitkatlova: Thank you. To Wolf's scream: I like details.

To tim2604: Thank you! Harry definitely loved it and he definitely wants to do it again as soon as possible! To nothatchhavi: Thanks and yes, do wonder what Blaise is up to! To Menna Taha: Haha, sitting next to your mum while reading is awkward. Theo and Finn are disgustingly adorable, aren't they? To speedsONEandONLY: Theo would definitely play with Finn's wings. And ha, no, no one heard Remadora, but yes, that would be hilarious if McGonagall just made a little comment. To ManyGrey: Aww, I'm sad you skip my Theo and Finn sex scenes as I think they are quite worth the read! They are a sweet couple. But I knew you'd love the Hinny moment and Ginny will get there, she's just not read yet. To LegendDairy: Thanks for binging another ten chapters, and yes, Diggory is indeed full of disapproval LOL. To WinkingSkeever: No, that wasn't a dream. To astrigo256: Tonks still won't be pregnant for a bit as I want to keep Teddy's birthday the same as in the books. To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: I'm sorry you feel that way, I like smut and sexy time and I can promise there's a lot more to come. There is also a lot of plot-driven stuff to come as well. To bumlewis: You finally caught up! Blaise was ominous, thanks for noticing.

To midnitewanderer: I haven't heard from you in so long! Welcome back! So happy you loved the Hinny moment! I love hearing from you! To Allyriablack8: The child was taken over by Voldemort and then when Voldemort was reborn, the child sadly died. To crunchy_cheeseball: Exactly what I was going for. Thank you. To Kyregiusz: Answered in this chapter. To xXQueenofDragonsXx: No, she definitely didn't. To PurpleLotus: Thank you and Blaise has his reasons for not telling Theo as you will see. To Jmcglynn522: Feo actually and yes, it was a trifecta of steaminess, wasn't it? LOL. And you should be worried. To wildstyle_101: Thank you. I try my best not to be boring. To anika23: Thank you. I try to show the realities as much as I can.

My posting schedule: Once a week.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND FORTY-ONE:

On Sunday, Ginny was still partially in a daze. Yesterday had been the most incredible day of her life. She had two incredible orgasms… and not just an orgasm, but Harry had given them to her with his tongue! She felt like she was walking on air. She'd gone to bed the night before with a big smile on her face and she'd slept like the dead, sated and incredibly happy over her afternoon activities.

"Earth to Ginny!" Colin said, snapping his fingers in front of her face.

Ginny came out of her daydream and focused on Colin. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"By the look on her face, I'd say she's thinking something naughty about Potter," Theo said, plopping his books down on the table next to them.

"No," Ginny said defensively, looking down at her own homework. Right, Transfiguration, that's what she was working on.

Theo chuckled. "Lies." He looked over at where Luna was diligently drawing her sketch for Care of Magical Creatures. "That actually looks like a real creature. Mine are usually just blobs."

Luna gave him a dreamy smile. "But the blobs know what they are."

"Er, right," Theo said. "So, what am I interrupting?"

"Nothing," Colin told him. "Because Ginny keeps daydreaming."

"Well then spill, chick. I'm back to no Finn for another week and I need someone to live vicariously through."

Ginny smirked at him. "How is Finn?"

"Amazing. Don't change the subject."

Instead Ginny only bit her lip. "I'll talk to you lot later. Luna, I need you. Girl talk."

"Hey!" Theo said defensively. "I get to participate in girl talk!"

"Not this time, sorry. I'm having er… monthly issues."

Theo made a face. "Yeah, you two go work that out on your own."

"Ginny, you said that you had something to show me," Colin exclaimed.

"It's in the notebook marked Herald. Read it and let me know, I'll be back."

Colin tugged out the red notebook. "Found it."

"Good. Read it," she said before she dragged Luna to an empty classroom leaving her friends with her textbooks and homework.

Luna stared at her when she closed the door. "I think that we're sufficiently alone now, Ginny, and we both know that you're not having a monthly."

Ginny waved that away. "Luna, I'm just... I have to tell someone before I burst."

Luna only made a neutral expression on her face. "Go on."

"Yesterday... Harry and I were snogging and he... kissed me... there," she said.

"Kissed you… oh! Like a chaste little butterfly kiss or are we talking like a passionate French kiss?"

"Definitely the last one."

"So, he used his Parselmouth skills for good."

"Luna!" Ginny exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Luna only lifted an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that he didn't?"

Ginny blushed to the roots of her hair.

Luna gave her a smug look. "Well, how was it?"

"Incredible!" Ginny said happily. "I mean, I never knew that he would even want to do that, but he told me he did, that he wanted to... taste me. Merlin, just thinking about it is getting me excited again!"

Luna smiled at her. "I think it's rather wonderful to know that Harry would happily give you pleasure like that. I mean, you have been using your hand on him for quite some time now."

"Yes, and I also wasn't... I mean, I never let him go any further. I wasn't ready and Harry is… he never pushes and when I say stop, he does, no questions asked, so this was… Merlin, Luna, it was amazing! The second time was even better. He's a quick learner."

Luna's smile widened. "I bet he is. Is that where you two wandered off to yesterday afternoon?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes. I mean, I had planned on snogging him and maybe letting him use his fingers again but this… it was way better."

"Does that mean that you're going to do the deed on him now?"

"Luna!" Ginny exclaimed, blushing.

Luna only tilted her head to the side. "You have used your hands and now that he's used his mouth, it does seem fair."

"More than," Ginny admitted. "And I have thought about it, I just don't know if I'm… I mean, what if I can't… fit it?"

Luna's eyes twinkled. "I think that's the first time you've actually made reference to Harry being well endowed, Theo will be so upset he missed it."

"Haha. Theo gave me more pointers on the subject than I think I even needed, but I don't know if I'm ready quite yet to do… that."

"When you are, you'll know. As you said, Harry doesn't pressure you. Besides, he's been a lucky bloke for months now, I think you deserve to bask in a little pleasure before you make him even luckier," Luna told her.

Ginny hugged Luna. "What would I do without you?"

"Go mad most likely," she said rather matter of factly. "And Ginny?"

"Yes?"

"Your jaw will be sore, but it's… rather delicious."

Ginny's mouth dropped open. "Luna, who did you… when did you…?"

Luna's eyes twinkled. "Before we came back to school. Daddy's new intern at the Quibbler was very nice."

"And?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Daddy left me alone with him for the day to show him around and to explain the ropes and whatnot. He just turned eighteen, finished at Hogwarts last year. He was a Hufflepuff and his name is Dalton Wallace. We were talking about the heat-inducing qualities of a Heliopath and how whether or not it was true that the sun makes their pheromones stronger. The next thing I knew we were snogging. Daddy was working in his office most of the time and we had the last week before school to ourselves and the snogging grew a bit more heated. He was an excellent snogger, so I let him touch my tits."

Ginny's smile widened. "And?"

"He had very nice hands so I thought I'd see if he had very nice other things and I undid his trousers. He seemed surprised at first, then I got on my knees and well, he was pretty happy with that."

"He was big?"

"Well, average I'd say," Luna told her matter of factly. "It was the first human penis I've ever seen, but I think it looked fairly normal sized. It fit nicely in my mouth and felt good there, but it is a bit of a workout on your jaw. I only managed to practice four times."

Ginny goggled at her. "Luna, you are a constant surprise to me."

"Oh, good. I'd hate to be too dreary."

"So, are you and this Dalton dating then?"

Luna shook her head. "No, I don't think so. He's heading to Africa with Daddy to search for a rumoured sighting of a Heliopath army and I'm here. He was a very nice and lovely snog. I appreciated his enthusiasm. After I kissed Neville this summer I thought that if I'm going to get any experience, I need to take things into my own hands. So I did."

"Luna, I love you."

Luna blinked at her. "I know."

Ginny laughed and looped her arm through her friend's. Some things really never surprised her.

~ ASC ~

Ginny stroked Hedwig's wing when she brought her the letter, watching as the snowy owl flitted down to greet Harry with a soft hoot and nip. His owl really was one of the most beautiful she'd ever seen and she always seemed to be gone on long flights between America and Russia, not that she could blame Harry for sending the letters. She loved how much he loved Zee's family, his family. He had offered Hedwig out to her when she wanted to send a letter to Bill and she was grateful for it.

She opened the envelope carefully and was surprised to see the unfamiliar loopy cursive there.

Dear Ginny,

I know that you were expecting a response from Bill, but he has been busy with the Wizengamot and hasn't had a chance to respond. I had hoped you wouldn't mind if I wrote to you.

My English is much better on paper then when I speak, but I hope you will forgive me for any mistakes anyway.

As you know, Bill and I are planning our wedding to be in July. My sister Gabrielle will be my Maid of Honour, and I have two bridesmaids in my friends from school: Avril and Lizette, but I would really love it if you would stand in as my third bridesmaid. Maman wants me to ask my cousin, Clementine, and I would much rather not. She's quite intolerable and rather snooty. She will spend the whole time telling me how my wedding isn't nearly as grand as hers was and how the sky isn't blue enough and trust me, no one wants to deal with her. I know how much Bill means to you and I love him very much. I remember how sweet you were when we were in Anguilla and I hope that one day we can be friends.

Please write back and let me know.

Avec toute mon amitié,

Fleur

Ginny stared at the letter in surprise. She hadn't expected Fleur to write to her, let alone ask her to be a bridesmaid. She was incredibly flattered by that and felt a little guilty for treating her rudely. Well, not rudely, she supposed; she just hadn't made much of an effort, although indifference was just as bad as rudeness.

Harry added a piece of toast with strawberry jam to her plate and she turned to kiss him. She loved when he did small things like that, making sure that she ate the things she wanted if she was distracted. Harry lingered on her lips for a moment, brushing his lips across hers.

"Anything important?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, it's from Fleur. She wants me to a bridesmaid."

"Oh. That's good, right?"

She smiled. "I think so. I would really like to stand up in my brother's wedding."

As soon as she said the words, she knew that they were true. She didn't have anything against Fleur, not really. She was a little jealous of how beautiful she was (who wouldn't be), but she had been nothing but nice to her. She needed to make more of an effort.

She kissed Harry goodbye and went off with Colin to Charms class. As Flitwick reviewed the lesson from yesterday, she quickly began a response back.

Dear Fleur,

Thank you for your letter, it was a surprise! Your English on paper is amazing, you have no worries there. I would love to be a bridesmaid in your wedding! It means so much to me that you would ask. Bill is so important to me, as are all of my brothers, but he's the oldest, and to be part of his wedding would be a wonderful thing.

I would like to apologize for not making more of an effort to get to know you. Between school and spending time with Harry, I guess I just let it slip. I spoke to Charlie about you and how I wasn't sure if I felt you were right for Bill because you're so beautiful and so posh. But I was wrong to think that. You make him happy. I couldn't ask for anything else. I might also be a little bit jealous of how beautiful and posh you are. I probably shouldn't tell you that as it gives you the upper hand, but it's time for me to come clean.

Being chosen to be in the Triwizard Tournament just goes to show how intelligent and brave you are. You may not have come out on top, but you did exceptional overall and I know that Bill is always raving about you when it comes to curse-breaking. I know from experience, it takes a lot to impress Bill, especially when he knows you have talent. He pushes you hard because he knows that you can do it. It's one of the most frustrating and best things about him.

I'd love the chance to get to know you better and if there's anything you need for me to do as your bridesmaid, please let me know.

Yours affectionately,

Your sister-in-law-to-be,

Ginny

She folded the parchment over, feeling better about it and turned her attention back to Flitwick. It was going to be a good thing to have a sister, she thought. Another woman to be on her side amongst all of the boys. Now she just needed to figure out what it was that her mum kept butting heads with her over.

She wondered if being a bridesmaid would help change her mother's tune and she grinned to herself as she started to compose another letter home. Either way, she imagined her mum would be excited that she was going to be in the wedding. Flitwick's voice drew her attention and she quickly put her letters away to finish later. Right now she needed to pay attention to the Cheering Charm.

~ ASC ~

The rest of the weekend went by quickly, almost too quickly for Harry's liking. By the time he finished all of his homework from the first week, he was exhausted. But he did spend a good portion of his Sunday telling Hermione about Zee's use of the house elf legislation.

To say his friend had been excited was an understatement. She had immediately rushed to write to Zee with a million and one questions on what was happening. Harry told her that it was still new and that they were in the early discussions about it, but Hermione would hear nothing of the sort. She wanted to know exactly what the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was saying about the legislation and how it was going to be implemented or used to help other creatures.

By the time she was done, Harry saw that the letter was three full pages, front and back. He only smirked when she asked to use Hedwig to send it out to Zee.

The second week of classes started out much the same, but Monday night meant the first night of Quidditch practice.

Seamus did join them and Harry announced to the team that Seamus was just hoping to use their workout and everyone agreed that was fine. Harry explained about the Chaser tryouts being the upcoming Saturday afternoon and that if anyone had anyone in mind to urge them to come and try out for the team. Then he ordered everyone to stretch and get ready for their run. They ran up the stands, broomsticks over their shoulders and around the pitch.

"He's a sadist," Seamus spluttered when they were given a moment to stretch out and catch their breaths.

Ron grinned. "That's only the beginning."

Sure enough, Harry urged them to drop to the ground for pushups and sit-ups and then broom-ups (pull-ups on a floating broomstick). They stretched again and Harry ordered them onto their brooms. By the time practice was over, he felt like it had gone fairly well.

He chuckled a little when Seamus claimed that he was going to go and cry in the shower. He slipped an arm around Ginny's waist before she moved into the change room and tugged her towards him, bending his head to kiss her.

"No one's arse should ever look as good as yours does on a broom," he murmured, kissing her again.

Ginny smirked at him. "I don't know, yours is pretty good, too."

He grinned when her hands boldly slid down to cup his bum. "Hands, Miss Weasley," he scolded, making her laugh.

Ginny stood on her toes and kissed him once more. "Good practice, Captain."

"Thanks. Hey, did you show Colin your article yet?"

"I did. He liked it a lot. He was going to show it to the rest of the Herald tonight and let me know, but he says that he can't see them not agreeing to it."

"So, it will be published in the first edition of the year?"

Ginny nodded. "Yup. Then you'll be snogging a journalist."

"Better watch what I say around you, wouldn't want your quill to record what I'm saying."

Her lips twitched. "Too late. I've already written the poem that's an ode to your sadism as Quidditch Captain. I'm using Seamus as a witness."

He laughed. "He did complain a lot tonight, didn't he? I don't think I was too hard on the team, was I?"

"You weren't," Ginny said. "It was a fairly regular routine, and frankly I was surprised you only had us to do two laps up and down the stands as opposed to five."

"I figured it was the first practice back so I should take it easy."

She grinned. "Seamus will be in for a big surprise later then." She kissed him. "I'm going to go take my shower."

Harry tugged her back when she tried to move away. "I said hands, Miss Weasley." He placed her hands right back onto his bum and she grinned at him.

"Oh, well then." She squeezed just enough to make him squirm. "I need to go shower now, Captain."

"I can clean you off."

"Harry!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.

He grinned and kissed those flushed cheeks. "I wasn't thinking that," he admitted. "But now I most certainly am."

Ginny gave him a look and hurried off to shower. Harry sighed and stretched his arms up over his head. And now he would definitely be thinking about that in the shower.

~ ASC ~

Ron yawned as he stepped into the common room after practice on Wednesday night. He was glad to be back with a Quidditch routine, but it definitely wore him out. Seamus had claimed the second practice was more tiring than the first, making him chuckle. It had been a good workout and he was exhausted from it. Not to mention that he'd spent a little longer in the showers than was necessary, but his cock had needed extra tending to.

He'd caught Hermione bent over in the common room before practice and he couldn't get the image out of his mind. She'd dropped her quill and it had rolled under the armchair near the fire. She'd slipped to her knees and bent over to try to retrieve it and Ron had gotten a peek at dark blue knickers beneath her uniform skirt. He'd stared at the perfectly round bum, the way the dark blue edge of her knickers cupped one perfect cheek, and he'd been so hard that it had almost been difficult to stand.

Then she'd said 'bugger' and he'd almost groaned. Seeing that she was struggling to reach the quill was nice, but he stood up and lifted the chair for her. Hermione grabbed her quill and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Ron."

"No problem. But just a reminder, Hermione, you are a witch."

Her mouth opened in surprise before she caught herself. "I'm aware of that. I just don't think one needs to use magic for every little thing."

Ron only smirked at her. "Right."

He watched her stand, brushing the pleats of her skirt down and sitting back in the chair. She crossed her legs and that skirt rose up a little, revealing a hint of creamy thigh.

Ron cleared his throat. "Er, practice. See you."

And he'd bolted.

But his little shower adventure had been one of his best fantasies. She'd been bent over in the common room and his hands had slid under her skirt to cup that perfectly plump arse. His hands on her had caused her to push back onto him, to give him more grip and he'd kissed that slender neck, one hand slowly unbuttoning her blouse. Merlin, he'd come so hard in the shower he'd made a right mess and was glad the water was there to clean him off.

But the sight of her still in the armchair by the fire only reminded him of his fantasy. She was no longer in her uniform, but now in white pyjama bottoms with purple flowers. She had a black vest on underneath a grey zip up hoodie and Ron's eyes immediately dropped to the swell of her breasts, the modest amount of cleavage that showed and he licked his lips. Her bushy brown hair was wild around her head as usual, curling madly over her shoulders and down her arms, and she held a novel in her hand.

Ron took a seat in the chair across from her and she looked up with a smile

"Hi, Ron. How was practice?"

"Good. How was your night?"

"Uneventful," she told him. "I finished my Arithmancy assignment."

"And what are you reading now then?"

"Wizard's First Rule," she said. "It's a fantasy book by a Muggle that Dario recommended."

"Oh right, Dario," Ron said, trying to keep the venom from his voice. "How is your boyfriend?"

"He's not —" She stopped and glared at him with her golden brown eyes. "You're an idiot, Ron Weasley!"

She stormed off and Ron simply stared at her dumbfounded. Harry and Ginny came into the common room, holding hands, and took a seat in the chair that Hermione had just vacated.

"Where did Hermione go?" Ginny asked.

Ron glared at her. "I'm not her keeper, ask her!"

Then he stormed off, leaving his friends staring after him in confusion. He went up to his dorm and changed into his pyjamas. It was empty except for Seamus who had passed out on his stomach and was snoring loudly, one foot sticking out from his bed curtains.

It wasn't fair that every time something happened with Hermione, it was assumed to be his fault. He wasn't responsible for every foul mood that she was in. She had started to say something though: "He's not —". He's not what, Ron thought bitterly. He was her boyfriend, wasn't he? She had told him that they'd kissed. She had admitted as much which meant that once again he had been shafted to the side. He punched his pillow more aggressively than was necessary.

Maybe it was time he just gave up. She clearly wasn't interested in him so why should he be forced to needlessly suffer this heartbreak. He just needed to only be her friend. That was the best solution. Besides, he was good at pretending. He'd been doing it for years after all.

Right, he could do that. He could, but when he closed his eyes they were full of her laughing face; that look she gave him when she was annoyed but trying not to laugh, and he saw himself kissing her.

Ron groaned into his pillow. Life just wasn't fair.

~ ASC ~

Between classes, homework, Quidditch practice, and trying to find time with Ginny, Harry spent every spare minute he had reading the diary of Tom Riddle. After the cave adventure, Riddle had gone on to explain about a dog he had killed and a few other petty complaints about stupid peasants and mundane people. But the entry that interested Harry the most, was the one marked fifth August, 1938.

A man came to visit me today. He told me that his name was Professor Albus Dumbledore and when I saw him, I thought that Mrs Cole had finally come through on her threats. I thought that he was from the madhouse and had come to lock me away, but instead… he told me that I'm a wizard.

I didn't want to believe it at first either. My first thought was that if I believed it, Mrs Cole would definitely make sure I was locked away, but when he said it, it made sense. I can do things. I can do things that others can't, that I can't explain. Magic is the only explanation and it's enlightening. When he said the words, it was like this light went off in my brain and I already knew. I knew it was true. I told him to prove it and he set my wardrobe on fire, but nothing burned. The flames vanished before my eyes and the wardrobe was untouched. He told me that I've been accepted to a school where they'll teach me my craft. An entire school for magic, can you believe it? I wonder if there are others like me? Those who can see into people's minds. I don't think Dumbledore liked me very much, but I don't care. He's already better than Mrs Cole.

I can't wait to be a wizard!

Harry understood that excitement, the thought of being able to run out and perform magic, to do things that seemed impossible. He could see why Riddle would find that so interesting. The idea that he believed it immediately, without question, only further told Harry how much he was already starting to depend on his little powers.

His first weeks of school were rather mundane, but Harry did find it interesting the way that he spoke of his Slytherin dorm mates: Abraxas Malfoy, Linus Lestrange, Titus Avery, and Boris Bode. He called them privileged, spoiled, and weak-minded. He claimed that the girls were frivolous and annoying, but the subjects were thrilling. He wrote about the things he was learning and the extra stuff he was looking up on the side. His desire to learn about everything and anything he could get his hands on reminded Harry of Hermione. Anything that a professor mentioned in passing had Tom rushing to the library to look it up and to learn more about it.

He wanted to know everything.

He wrote about one of the Hufflepuff girls having an annoying cat that sat on her desk every day in Transfiguration and how he hated the way the cat stared at him, so he'd killed it. When the girl had cried that her cat was missing he'd taken glee in knowing she would never find the cat where he had left it skinned and hanging from a tree near the Forbidden Forest for the groundskeeper to stumble upon. Another one that belonged to a girl from Ravenclaw, he dissected it to better understand how it was made and left it torn apart, relishing in watching the life disappear from its eyes.

It was towards the end of his first year that he discovered the Chamber of Secrets.

June 8th, 1939

Hogwarts has so many secret passages and rooms, things that appear and disappear at will. But I'm positive that I'm the first to discover this room in centuries. I was in the dungeons, counting the stones and organizing my thoughts after my Potions exam. The candelabra on the wall was very out of place. Everywhere else in the dungeon has torches but this small candelabra in an abandoned corner seemed wrong. I played with it a moment, touching every piece of it and when I tilted it to the side, it lit up brighter and a door was revealed.

I discovered the most incredible chamber.

I think it belonged to Slytherin himself. But the most incredible find outside of the rooms and the study, was the giant snake. When I stepped into the throne room this huge Basilisk was curled up under the statue of Slytherin. At first I froze, but the snake didn't move. It was enchanted.

I woke it and spoke to it and the Basilisk told me that he had been created centuries ago. When the wizard had realized how powerful he was, he had put him into an enchanted sleep, promising to wake him when the time was right. I found a piece of parchment detailing how to put the snake back into an enchanted sleep, so I did.

That's the other thing — I can talk to snakes!

The snake understood me and what's stranger, I understood it. It spoke in perfect English. I don't know if that's a normal magic sign or not, but when I asked Brax and Titus if they knew anyone who could talk to animals they said no, but that Slytherin himself was known to be able to communicate with snakes. I guess that means I'm definitely in the right house. It's called Parseltongue and I am a Parselmouth. I don't yet know what I will do with the chamber yet or with the snake, but I know it's called the Chamber of Secrets and I know that I still have many of its secrets left to learn.

This confirmed what Dumbledore had suspected, but it didn't make Harry feel much better. He closed the book and with a glance at his watch, he knew that lunch would be served soon but instead of making his way to the Great Hall, he headed to Remus' office. He arrived just as his class of fourth years were being dismissed.

"Harry," Remus said with a smile as he put his papers away. "How are your classes so far?"

"Good," Harry said.

Remus smiled at him, using his wand to shut the door when the last student left. "What's on your mind, Harry?"

Harry shrugged and hopped up on the desk. "Stuff."

Remus chuckled. "Very enlightening. Do you want to talk about any of this 'stuff?'"

He shrugged again. "Uncle Moony, do you think that people are born evil?"

Remus' brow crinkled as he looked pensive. "No. No, I don't. Life is about choices, Harry. I think that there are some people who are born with an inclination that could be considered evil. They might want to do things that others don't approve of, but in the end it's about your choices. Having evil thoughts and acting upon those thoughts are two very different things."

"So, you don't think that Voldemort was born evil?"

Remus hesitated before he answered. "Some people, no matter how many opportunities they're given, choose the wrong path, Harry. I don't think that he set out to be evil, to be the darkest wizard the world has seen in centuries. From all accounts, he was a very intelligent young man, but he was tempted by the dark arts and well, that can twist a person in ways that one can't come back from."

He nodded. "I guess."

Remus leaned back against the desk next to him. "Look at Sirius — he could have been, quote unquote "evil." His parents drilled him with pureblood supremacy. They were deep into the dark arts and they thought that Voldemort had the right idea about him. But he made a choice to go against them and it brought out the best in him, brought out who he truly was. It's about choices, Harry. Look at me. If my parents hadn't protected me after Greyback attacked me, I would have either been killed or grown up in his pack. I would have made very different choices and maybe I would be a killer. But my parents made a choice and that choice helped shape my own choices from then on out. I don't think evil is born, I think it's made."

"But some people still have an inclination to do bad things, right?"

"Of course. We've all had inclinations to do things that we know are wrong, but again, it's whether or not we choose to do them. Knowing right from wrong and choosing to do wrong anyway says a lot about a person's character."

"I guess so."

"What brought this on?" Remus asked, his eyes full of concern as he stared at his son.

"Something I've been thinking about after reading what Dumbledore gave me."

Remus nodded. "I know that you can't tell me what he showed you, but I admit, I am intrigued."

"He wants my unbiased opinion on the matter. But it's a personal diary from Voldemort's childhood."

Remus looked intrigued by this. "That is interesting. And it's made you wonder if he was born evil."

"Well, yes."

"I won't press you for anymore, but just think about what I said. About what kind of options he had and what he chose to do with them. I think that it will help you come to your own conclusions."

"I think I already have," Harry admitted.

Remus smiled. "Good. I think these lessons with Dumbledore are going to be good for you. He's one of the most powerful wizards and being personally tutored by him is quite incredible. We both know that Dumbledore can be a bit eccentric, but learn all you can from him, Harry."

"I will."

Remus nudged his shoulder lightly. "Good. Anything else you'd like to share? Perhaps, whatever's that's been making you smile all week?"

Harry grinned sheepishly. "Oh, er… well, Ginny let…"

Remus' cheeks flushed. "Ah! Well… yes, that's erm… good. And it went…?"

"Amazing," Harry said. "Way better than I imagined."

"I'm glad," Remus said, his eyes looking everywhere but at his son. "So, lunch?"

Harry grinned at his father. "Yeah, lunch."

And he was still smiling as they made their way into the Great Hall.

~ ASC ~

Tonks rolled the heels of her hands over her eyes. She had been staring at paperwork for so long that she was sure her eyes were going to bug out of her head. She jolted slightly when a new stack of files landed in front of her.

Savage grinned at her. "Got another load for you, Lupin."

"Gee, thanks," she told him, using as much sarcasm as she could muster for the senior Auror.

Kingsley came out of his office then, his eyes on Tonks. "Lupin, I have an assignment for you. Grab Higgins and meet me at Moody's home in Portnahaven."

Tonks' eyebrows rose in surprise before she grabbed her wand and hurried off to find her partner. They arrived with Kingsley outside of Moody's home in Scotland five minutes later, and Higgins shifted slightly.

"Alastor," Kingsley declared, moving up the drive. "We've arrived."

He rolled his eyes at the booming voice declaring all intruders leave unless they wanted to be eviscerated on site. Kingsley sent a Patronus up to the house and Moody stepped out a moment later in fuzzy slippers.

"About damn time you showed up," Moody declared grumpily, gesturing them inside. When he closed the door behind them, he eyed Higgins suspiciously. "Who's the grunt?"

"My partner, Rex Higgins," Tonks told him.

"It's an honour to meet you, Mr Moody. I've heard stories."

Moody's magical eye only stared him down before he turned to Kingsley, ignoring Higgins completely. "I've gotten word on Horace. Seems he's found himself in a bad way."

"Who's Horace?" Tonks asked.

"Old Potions professor," Kingsley said sharply.

Moody nodded. "He decided to retire back in '82. He's a genius, but a pompous idiot. He likes to be with all the A-list people and he likes to make sure that he gets invited to all of the best parties and events of the year."

"And he's a little jolly," Kingsley said with a smile. "I used to enjoy his Slug Club parties in school.

Tonks exchanged a look with Higgins as he mouthed 'Slug Club' at her and she smirked. "Sounds lovely."

"Hardly," Moody exclaimed. "Anyway, I heard word that Horace thinks Voldemort is looking for him. He always admired his skill and his ear and you know the biggest thing Horace does, is not want to be associated with anyone who he put his neck out for especially when said someone turned out to be a complete maniac. He's in hiding and I think I know where."

Kingsley nodded and the four of them headed out to the village of Budleigh Babberton. Tonks was a little surprised when she saw Dumbledore step into their path.

"Sir," she said in surprise. "I didn't know that you were going to be here."

Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. "Horace is a friend of mine and I think that I have a solution to convince him to come out of hiding."

Tonks only raised an eyebrow but let Dumbledore lead the way up the little path to the house. The moment they stepped up to the house, she knew that something had happened. The front door was busted open and when they headed inside, wands out, the entire house was destroyed inside. Broken furniture littered the room and what looked like blood was smeared all over the walls and ceiling.

"Blimey," Higgins said as they stepped inside. "Do you think that the Death Eaters found him?"

"Possibly," Dumbledore said quietly. "But they would have left the Dark Mark, would they not have? And one thing I know about Horace Slughorn, he is nothing if not precise." He moved to the walls, wiping his finger in the blood and sniffing it before he tasted it on his tongue. "It's dragon."

Moody and Dumbledore exchanged a look and then both of their eyes locked onto the armchair in the centre of the room. Their wands both stuck sharply into the side of the chair and the chair howled.

Kingsley chuckled as the armchair stood up and began to deflate; it turned into a portly man in purple silk pyjamas that matched the armchair's upholstery.

"Ow!" he declared, rubbing his backside with both hands. "Was that necessary?"

"You tell us," Moody said sharply. "You're the one who made this place look like you'd been attacked."

"Wait — you did this?" Tonks exclaimed.

Dumbledore pointed to the blood. "It's dragon blood."

"Expensive waste is what it is," Slughorn declared. "And I thought you were them!"

Kingsley crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Them being Death Eaters?"

Slughorn nodded. "Who else? Corban Yaxley came to see me months ago and said that the Dark Lord requested the presence of his favourite professor. I told him I'd be delighted and then I stunned him and took off. I only just got away with my life!"

Tonks exchanged a look with Kingsley. It wasn't the first time Yaxley's name had come up in connection to Voldemort. The problem was, they didn't have any definitive proof of his involvement.

"Why did you run?" Higgins asked. "If you were his favourite professor, isn't that a good thing?"

Slughorn stared at him. "Do you want to be the favourite anything of You Know Who?" When Higgins flushed, Slughorn looked back at Dumbledore. "I don't know what he wants me for. I don't know if he wants me to become a Death Eater, to help him recruit more people or… for something else. I think he wants me dead. Either way, I wasn't sticking around to find out. I've been breaking into Muggle homes and staying as long as I can while they're on holiday. It's been horrid!"

"Shall we clean it back up for them then?" Dumbledore suggested.

Slughorn nodded and Tonks grinned as he and Dumbledore waved their wands and the room began to repair itself around them as if it hadn't been destroyed; the blood disappeared off the walls and the chandelier gleamed above them.

"There," Slughorn said. "How did you find me?"

"I've kept my ear to the ground," Moody growled. "A friend of mine claimed they saw you in the bakery in this village four hours ago. I figured you had to be nearby. I had Shacklebolt help me figure out which Muggle family was on holiday and we called in reinforcements."

"Reinforcements, now really!" Slughorn protested. "I'm an old man!"

"An old man who moved pretty damn fast considering you didn't know we were coming," Tonk said with a grin. "I'd love to know how you pulled this off."

Slughorn beamed at her. "Oh, it was just a little bit of this and a little bit of that — the dragon blood was the last bit."

"A lovely touch," Dumbledore assured him. "But you know I am quite familiar with dragon blood."

Slughorn shrugged. "I only had a minute and had to think fast."

"And you did a marvellous job," Dumbledore assured him. "But aren't you tired of running, Horace?"

Slughorn looked like he was going to protest before he nodded. "A little."

"I would like you to come to Hogwarts," Dumbledore exclaimed.

Slughorn eyed him suspiciously. "Why? I'm retired."

Dumbledore only gave him an exasperated look. "You are and living on the run, exactly how I'd like to live out my retirement."

"What retirement?" Slughorn scoffed. "You're a hundred and fifteen! You'll never slow down."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I suppose. But really, Hogwarts is the safest place for you and you know it."

"I thought that you had a Potions professor."

"I do," Dumbledore told him. "But he could always use the expertise of his old advisor. Perhaps you could even assist him in teaching some of his classes, but I would like for you to run a Potions Club along with Professor Lupin's Defence Club. You have a brilliant mind, Horace, and I think that you could provide some real insight to the students."

Slughorn shook his head. "Oh no, I won't be going back to deal with students again! I retired for a reason, Albus, definitely not!"

Moody snorted. "Retirement is absolute shit, Horace. I'm bored out of my fucking mind more often than not and I know you feel the same. It's not like you can go out and do the things you consider fun at the moment? Besides, Hogwarts will be right up your alley."

"You can have those Slug Club parties again," Kingsley supplied with a smile. "They were always fun and at Hogwarts you'll be able to have the parties safely."

"Kingsley, m'boy, look at you! I heard that your Head Auror now, I always knew you'd do well for yourself!"

"As you told me," Kingsley said with a smile. "Your glowing letter of recommendation went a long way with Moody."

Moody scoffed. "Codswallop! I figured if you put up with this old blighter for seven years you could handle anything."

"What do you have to lose, Horace?" Kingsley asked gently. "You'll be safe at Hogwarts. You can have your little parties and you can inspire new students. Not to mention meet some new people."

"Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts now," Dumbledore said carefully. "I'm sure that he would be honoured to meet the man who was a mentor to his mother."

Slughorn wagged his finger at Dumbledore. "Don't think I don't see what you're doing, Albus! Dangling the Chosen One before me like bait!

"He's more than just the Chosen One," Tonks chimed in. "He was raised by Sirius Black and I consider him to be a little brother of sorts. He's a powerful young wizard and I bet you could teach him a lot. My mother always spoke highly of you, sir. She was disappointed that you weren't a professor by the time I went to Hogwarts."

"And who was your mother, my dear?"

"Andromeda Black Tonks."

Slughorn's weathered face crinkled into a smile. "Oh, I did love her. She was a charming young lady. She was very much in love with your father. Did she tell you that I used to pair them together just so they could be seen together without suspicion?"

"She did," Tonks said with a smile. "She says that you were a romantic at heart. She loves Harry very much and I know that she would feel better knowing you were at the school to watch over him, especially now that Sirius was killed."

"Yes, yes, that was very…" Slughorn looked sad before he puffed out his chest. "Well, I suppose if it would help the boy, it doesn't hurt to meet him and watch out for him a little. I mean, between the skills of his mother and his grandfather, he must be quite the Potions prodigy!"

"Er, sure," Tonks said, exchanging an amusing look with Dumbledore.

"All right, I'll do it! I'll return to Hogwarts! But I want a bigger office! And I want the entire suite on the first floor — and a raise!" Slughorn exclaimed.

Dumbledore chuckled. "I'm sure that we can work something out, Horace. We'd be delighted to have you."

Kingsley smiled at him. "Come on, my Aurors and I will personally assist you on getting your things packed up."

"Oh, thank you, Kingsley, what a nice boy you are!"

Kingsley winked at Tonks and offered his arm to the old man. "Lead the way, Horace."

Tonks grinned at Higgins and they followed Kingsley and Slughorn out of the house. She had a feeling that Slughorn being at Hogwarts was going to be very interesting and she wondered how Snape was going to take sharing his title as Potions Master.

But she would definitely pay top Galleon to see his reaction.

~ ASC ~

Draco received his first formal message from the Dark Lord nine days into the school year. Snape had slipped it to him and he only shoved the letter into his robes to read later, feeling uneasy.

Theo and Blaise had both been trying to comfort him over the last week and a half, which he both appreciated and hated. They were no longer on the same side and his friends needed to understand that. He stayed close to Crabbe and Goyle, using them as buffers as much as for comfort. The thought of being alone was something that worried him even more. When he was alone, he was left with his thoughts, and he didn't find them reassuring.

Not that Crabbe and Goyle were much conversationalists. Goyle could talk for hours when prompted about Quidditch, about all of the teams and the players, but he wasn't too big on anything else. Crabbe tended to answer most things in grunts. But it was better than being alone.

When he read the letter that night that officially detailed his first task, he frowned. Why would the Dark Lord need some old tiara? That was the stupidest thing he had ever heard of! Was he planning on giving it to someone? The directions about how and where to find it seemed strange and Draco knew that come Saturday he would have to try to use the opportunity to find it.

He intentionally didn't look up when his dormitory door opened and when the bed shifted next to him, he snuck a look over at Theo.

"Will you please just go away?"

"No," Theo said stubbornly. "I refuse to let you push me aside. Is that it then?"

"Is that what?"

"Your first task? Have you been sent to… kill me then?"

Draco rubbed the heels of his hands over his face. "I have to find some stupid tiara first."

"A tiara? Why?" Theo asked, looking baffled.

"I have no idea," Draco said honestly. "Look, it's better if I just have to worry about a tiara because it means that for now you're safe. But please… stay away from me, Theo."

He got up and tossed the letter into the fireplace before heading into the bathroom. He needed Blaise and Theo to understand that they couldn't be around him. And if he was honest, he hoped that Theo would tell Weasley about the tiara.

Maybe something could be stopped before he was forced to do it because he did know one thing — whatever this tiara was, it was much more than a simple crown. And he knew without absolute certainty that the Dark Lord shouldn't be able to get his hands on it.

~ ASC ~

Theo did tell Ginny.

He pulled her aside on her way into the Great Hall for dinner and whispered it into her ear. The words had surprised her more than anything. As far as she knew, Voldemort hadn't made any effort to go after any of the Horcruxes that he had made.

"He needs to find a tiara?"

Theo nodded. "He doesn't know why, but it's his first task."

"Why would he tell you that? If Tom finds out that he's shared that information with you..."

Theo's eyes met hers. "I know. I wondered that myself before I realized he'd told me so that I could pass the information on."

Ginny nodded. She wasn't sure if she found that reassuring or not, but it seemed that Draco Malfoy was still trying to help them or at least help himself, but either way she was grateful for the information.

"I'll talk to Harry. Thanks, Theo. How have you been otherwise?"

"Other than the fact that my best friend has been tasked with killing me? Oh, right as rain."

"He won't go through with it. He cares about you too much."

"I want to believe that, Ginny, I do, but the more he pushes me away, the more he tries to separate us… the more I wonder if when it comes down to it if he could do it."

Ginny hugged him tight before she watched him head to the Slytherin table and she moved onto the Gryffindor one. She couldn't imagine what her friend must be feeling. His best friend, the person he'd grown up next to like a brother, being tasked to kill him and not knowing if and when it was going to happen.

It really was a nightmare.

She had asked him if he wanted to speak about getting his own dorm with Blaise, about not staying in the Slytherin dorm, but Theo had told her he refused to leave. He'd insisted that Draco needed him and that he wasn't going to run away from a friend in need no matter the circumstances. Ginny admired him for that even if it only made her fear for him more.

Once dinner was over, she pulled Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna into an empty classroom to tell them what Theo had said.

"Voldemort wants him to take the diadem?" Neville repeated in surprise. "What happens when he doesn't find it?"

"I don't know," Ginny admitted.

"We could make a copy," Hermione said slowly.

"He would know," Harry said.

"Yes and no," Hermione said carefully. "We feel the negative effects of his soul, but as it's his soul, would he feel it? Unless he was checking for it specifically, he might not notice."

Harry stared at her before he grinned. "Sometimes Hermione, I forget how truly brilliant you are."

They discussed it a bit longer, wondering if it was possible before Harry decided they needed to find out for sure. He led the way down to his father's suite. Remus had already gone home for the evening so Harry sent his Patronus out to ask him to return. He was pleased when both Remus and Tonks stepped through the fire.

"Wotcher, you lot!" Tonks said, popping a huge pink bubble with her gum.

"Harry, what's going on?" Remus asked. "Are all of you all right?"

"Yes, we're fine," Harry said. "It's just that Theo told us something."

Ginny quickly filled them in and Harry explained Hermione's idea.

Remus frowned before he nodded. "It could be possible. Of course, since we destroyed it, it will take a little longer to make a replica, but it's not impossible. Minerva and Albus will have to help."

"Do you think it will work?"

Remus shrugged. "I don't know, but I think that we have to try it."

When the six of them left, Remus sent word to Dumbledore and McGonagall asking for a meeting. Within twenty minutes, the four of them were standing in Dumbledore's office.

"What do you think, Albus?" Remus asked. "Would Voldemort know that it was a fake?"

Dumbledore tapped his long fingers together. "I think that he would if, like you said, he attempted to use it, but if he were just looking to put it somewhere safe... we might be able to get away with it. We'll need something already goblin made to make the copy believable." He moved around his office and grabbed a golden scale. "This could do."

McGonagall stood up to examine it. "I think it could, yes. We would need to see the diadem again to make sure it's precise."

"The jewelled centre is pretty destroyed," Remus told them.

McGonagall's expression remained focused as she spoke. "But the bones are there, Remus, and that is exactly what we need."

~ ASC ~

Harry held Ginny's hand in his as they followed Neville and Luna into the Room of Hidden Things that Friday evening. His friend had definitely not exaggerated. The place was massive and full to the brim of everything. He heard Hermione's intake of breath as she stopped to examine a book or a trinket.

"It was on top of this ugly warlock statue," Neville explained. "And next to an old broken cabinet."

Harry nodded as they walked through the room. It took them five minutes to find it and Neville carefully placed the diadem copy on top of the statue the way he had found it.

Luna smiled. "Perfect!"

Harry only hoped that it was going to work. McGonagall had done a brilliant job of transfiguring the scale into the diadem. It looked identical to the old one, it even had the appropriate amount of dust covering it. Dumbledore had told them that he was confident it would be accepted as the real one unless Voldemort was planning on using it which there was no use for at this time. Harry only hoped that the headmaster was right.

"So, we just leave it here for Malfoy to find?" Ron asked, his hands in his pockets as he stared at where the diadem sat crooked on the warlock statue.

"And hope for the best," Harry agreed.

The six of them spent a little extra time in the room, examining some of the old things in interest before heading to Ravenclaw. They said goodnight to Luna before they made their way towards Gryffindor.

"Do we know when he's going to go after it?" Neville asked.

Harry shook his head. "No, but I'm assuming this weekend. We're going to have to keep an eye on him and try to figure out when he has it."

"Why do you think Voldemort wants it?" Hermione asked. "Why now? After it's been sitting in that room for decades?"

"Because he never meant to leave it there," Ginny answered. "Maybe he's finally found the right spot to hide it and he wants to put it away somewhere past more dangerous booby traps. It's vulnerable in that room even if it is well hidden."

"It still seems suspicious that he wants it now," Hermione told them. "I don't know. I think we're missing something."

"Even if we are, we destroyed the real one. That's what matters," Harry replied.

He knew that his friend's thoughts were valid and he agreed with them. But why did he want it now? And what was it that had made him decide to send Draco Malfoy of all people, in after it?

~ ASC ~

The next afternoon, Harry was ready to get the tryouts for their new Chaser underway. His team was around him, waiting to be told what to do as Katie took the lead in getting everyone's names and year down. Once they got past those who had come out merely to ogle the players, they had ten Gryffindors looking to try out for the position.

Harry, however, was grinning at his girlfriend.

Per his request, she was wearing her usual Quidditch practice attire of black sweats with Gryffindor in bright red down the right leg and a black sports bra that said Gryffindor across the chest in gold. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. Overtop she wore one of Harry's old Quidditch robes open with his name emblazoned on the back. Seeing her wear his name did things to him that he couldn't quite explain. He had decided against the hat and instead had asked her to paint the words across her forehead and cheeks, reading: "Potter Is The Best Flier" in black paint.

And the icing on the cake was when she came up to him and knelt before him on the pitch, her eyes pointedly staring at his trainers.

"Captain Potter, I am here as a show of fealty, for you are the far superior flier. I am not worthy to even look upon your face. They will write songs about your miraculous aerial skills that will be sung until the end of time. I proudly wear your name upon my back in recognition of the fact that I am no better than a flobberworm. Long live the King of Flying! Harry Potter, you are the best and I must admit that I am only second best," Ginny said, her gaze full of defiance when she finally lifted her head to meet his.

Harry grinned. He had a feeling that she was going to make him pay for this later but for now, he was going to relish in the moment. "Thank you, Ginny. It is so nice of you to proclaim for everyone to hear that your Gryffindor Captain is the best flier of all time." He took her hand in his to help her to her feet. "Now that the necessities have been taken care of, let's start tryouts."

"Ginny, what the hell was that about?" Katie asked, looking bewildered.

"He beat me in a flying race and this was his prize," Ginny said bitterly.

Katie laughed. "Sucks to be you."

Harry ordered his team to start stretching before he sent them off on their usual run up and down the stairs of the stands. When Ginny headed towards the stands, he figured out exactly how she was going to make him pay for that embarrassment pretty quickly.

At first, he thought that it was an accident, but by the second time, he knew that it wasn't. He ran the new recruits through his regular drills, ordering his team to lead the way. Ginny met him step for step as they ran up the stairs of the stands, arms holding their broomsticks over the tops of their shoulders. Her thighs occasionally brushed his as they ran side by side. They were just heading back down the first row when she whispered to him.

"Good thing I decided not to wear knickers; much easier to run, I think."

His eyes flicked towards her black sweats as she ran past him and he noticed the curve of her bum tight against the fabric when she lifted her leg to move up the step. During the run up the second set of steps on the other side of the stands, she licked her lips as she spoke.

"I can't wait until we're on our brooms. I really love the feel of wood in my hands."

His cock twitched at her words and he swore she smirked at him.

By the time they hit the third staircase, Harry was hard.

"Whew, I am hot and feeling a little wet… and sweaty. Aren't you?"

Harry gave her a look as he ordered his team to stretch it out. He was determined not to let her see that her words were affecting him. The students trying out were all huffing and puffing as they came down the eighth and final set of stairs. Harry led them in stretches, trying not to notice the way that Ginny bent over directly in his eye level, giving him a perfect view of her perfect heart-shaped arse pressed tightly against that black fabric. Or the way her waistband sat low on her hips, revealing a scattering of freckles around her belly button. Or the way her sports bra molded against her breasts, making them look bigger and fuller in ways that made him desperately want to kiss them. Or the way she turned to look at him as she bent forward to touch her toes, giving him a perfect look down her shirt and he almost swallowed his tongue as he attempted to stretch his legs out so that his pointing cock wasn't so visible.

He adjusted his sweats, thankful for the bagginess before he urged his team to do pushups and then sit-ups. He'd just finished his own set and his eyes found Ginny, specifically on the glistening flushed skin above her bra as she finished her sit-ups. He tore his gaze away from her and urged everyone to mount their brooms. He timed everyone on their flying and ordered different methods from loops to dives to team flying before he had Katie and Ginny line up with each new prospect. Jimmy and Ritchie took a water break as they tested out their Chasing skills on Ron.

Harry narrowed it down to three in the first thirty minutes. He ordered Peaks and Cootes up onto their brooms and let the Bludgers out.

In the end, a fourth year by the name of Demelza Robbins was the clear choice. She worked well with Ginny and Katie. She had a good arm and most of all, she was great at passing when necessary and at dodging Bludgers.

Harry told them to go stretch it out and called his team forward for a huddle. "I'm thinking Robbins. Thoughts?"

"I agree," Ginny told him. "She's great on a broom. She's excellent at passing. She does favour the right hoop, but we can work on that."

"Great aim, great focus, and I agree with Ginny, she kept up with us," Katie said.

"Ron?"

Ron wiped sweat off his brow. "She made me work the hardest out there out of all them, I say she's in, but Wolf is a damn close second."

"Agreed," Harry said, thinking about the wolf who had the same name. He looked like he'd been born on a broomstick, but his aim wasn't as precise as Demelza's had been. He turned to Peaks and Cootes. "Anything to add?"

"Nah, we trust you, Captain," Jimmy said.

"Great," Harry said.

He turned to look at the three Gryffindors who had made it into the final try-out. Other than the second year, Jack Wolf, the other two were both fourth years, Dennis Creevey and Demelza Robbins.

"I'd just like to say that you all did great out there. Gryffindor would be lucky to have any one of you on the team. The two of you who aren't chosen today, I hope that you will stay on in reserve in case we need you. If you do so, when Katie leaves us at the end of the year, her spot will be open and one of you can make it yours next season," Harry told them. "But as to the spot for Chaser this season, we would like to give it to Demelza Robbins."

Robbins squealed in delight, hugging Dennis. "Thank you! I won't let you down!"

"Good. See that you don't. Gryffindor needs to keep that cup in McGonagall's office. Practice is at seven on Monday."

Everyone began to gather their things and head into the change room. Harry grabbed Ginny's arm before she could take off and tugged her up against him. His hands sat low on her hips as he looked into her dark brown eyes.

"I need to talk to my star Chaser about her inappropriate attire for practice."

Ginny grinned and slipped her arms around his neck. "I'm only wearing what my captain ordered."

Her exertion during practice had caused most of the writing on her face to smear, leaving black smudges on her cheeks and across her nose and forehead. He used his thumb to wipe some of it off as he spoke.

"I ordered you to paint your face and to wear my jersey, I didn't say anything about your knickers."

"Exactly," Ginny said, her eyes twinkling at him. "You never said I had to wear them."

Harry's eyes darkened. "I also didn't say that you could go around making ridiculously sexy comments to your captain."

"Oh?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Harry's fingers danced along her bare stomach. "Don't even pretend, you minx."

"Well, someone made me grovel before him in a humiliating fashion."

"Can't be humiliating when I only asked you to tell the truth."

Her eyes flashed. "We should race again."

"Why? Want to lose a second time?"

She bit her lip. "I hate you."

Harry bent his head to nip at her bottom lip. "Yeah? That's what happens when I'm right."

Ginny pulled away from him and he moaned, tugging her back.

"I'm being an arrogant prat, I'm sorry."

Ginny leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "No, I'm being a sore loser. You won the race, fair and square, and I admit it — you were the better flier… in that race."

Harry kissed her forehead. "In that… you know what, thank you. I'm not going to argue with you. I won, fair and square. You're still an incredible flier yourself, Ginny, and I wasn't being modest before, you are the far more superior Quidditch player. I love that about you. I love watching you in the air. You always look so free, so beautiful, so vibrant. You get this blazing look in your eyes right before you score. Ron claims it's terrifying, but I think it's the sexiest thing."

She tilted her head back to look up at him. "Ron should be terrified. It's my job to make the Keeper look bad."

"Most definitely," Harry said, bending his head to finally kiss her.

Her hands slid up his chest, palms resting flat in the centre as her lips met his. "I guess it was what we agreed on and you made me do it today instead of before the first match so, I guess I should be grateful."

"See? Compromise," he said, his lips twitching. "Plus, you wanted to be naked in only a hat."

"No," she corrected. "You were going to be naked in only a hat. A little hat."

"Minx," he said as she grinned up at him.

Ginny let him kiss her again as his hands slid down to grip her bum in his hands. "I need to go shower. I'm all sweaty."

Harry nipped at her ear, sucking the lobe into his mouth. "I believe you said wet and sweaty," he growled, pushing her back against the door of the change room.

Her breath hitched when his hand slid up her back and around to cup a breast through her sports bra. "That was… I was just trying to get your attention."

"You got it," he murmured, his lips on her neck.

Her skin was flushed from practice and he could taste the salt of her skin. He lingered over her collarbone, one hand kneading her bum and the other a breast as he kissed her skin. He took his time, kissing every inch of her collarbone, her throat, slipping the robe over her shoulders to kiss the smattering of freckles there. His lips moved across her chest, dipping lower and letting his tongue dip beneath her sports bra and into her cleavage. She moaned and her hands slid under the tee shirt he wore to slide up his sweaty back.

Harry pressed himself closer, allowing his erection to press against her stomach as he kissed her, his hand on her bum moving up into her hair. He tugged the scrunchie from her hair and let her crimson locks fall into his hands gleefully. Ginny's hands slid down his back and around to circle his belly button and then her hand slid lower, stroking him through his sweats. Harry bent his head and kissed her breasts through her bra, suckling until her nipples pointed through the material. His hand moved around to grip her bum again, lifting her slightly against the door just as it opened.

Harry held Ginny in his arms as they stumbled and he grabbed the frame for support, his face flushing as he found Katie Bell merely grinning at them.

"Er, sorry to interrupt, you two, but I have homework to get to."

"Sorry," Harry said as Ginny giggled into his chest.

"Bloody hell," Ron said from the change room. He was standing by the bench in nothing but a towel, combing his wet hair. "Can't you two stop snogging for one bloody minute?"

Ginny stuck her tongue out at her brother before she stood on her toes and kissed Harry once more. She hurried off towards her locker to get her bath things and disappeared into the showers. Harry only sighed as he watched her go. Jimmy and Ritchie gave him thumbs up signs as they left the change room. Demelza had gone back to her dorm to shower which left only Ron, who was still shaking his head.

"Right up against the door! How did you not think you wouldn't get interrupted?"

"Frankly, I forgot the door was there," Harry admitted. "I was too busy thinking about how good Ginny's hands felt on my —"

"— Don't finish that sentence," Ron exclaimed, his expression pained. "I get it. I don't need to know more."

"I was going to say back," Harry said, smirking at his friend.

Ron snorted. "Sure you were." He turned to grab his boxers, pulling them on under his towel followed by his jeans. He added deodorant under his arms as he turned to look at his friend. "Are you going to go shower or what? Not to be rude, but you're ripe, mate."

Harry made a rude hand gesture. "I will."

Ron shook his head. "Well, while you decide what to do about your personal hygiene, I'm going to find Hermione. She, Neville, and Luna were taking it in turn to see if Malfoy went into the Room of Hidden Things or not."

Harry nodded. "He didn't go anywhere near there this morning."

"But I think he might go there this afternoon," Ron told him. "After all, I can't imagine he'd want to make Voldemort wait too long."

Harry agreed with him, but he wasn't so sure. From the way Ginny had talked about Theo's concerns, he had a feeling that Malfoy might be working to delay this quest as much as possible.

"I don't know. We'll see."

Ron nodded. "Meet you in the common room?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "Be there soon."

Ron grabbed his stuff and left, closing the door of the change room behind him. Harry sat on the bench instead and dragged his fingers through his hair. He pulled his sweaty tee shirt off and tossed it on the bench next to him. To be honest, Ginny had distracted him from even thinking about Malfoy, which he was grateful for. As anxious as he was for Malfoy to find the fake diadem, he also didn't want to think about it. If Voldemort did in fact realize it was a fake, what would that mean for them? Could he potentially make more Horcruxes? It wasn't something that he wanted to consider, not when he felt like they were finally close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

If Malfoy had decided to find it today that was good news as it would tell them where they were in the scheme of things, but if he had decided to wait, it meant they would have to keep a closer eye on him. That wasn't something that he particularly wanted to do. His fingers itched to find the map and see if Malfoy was in that corridor by the Room of Requirement, but he had given it to Neville to keep track of him while they'd been at practice.

Harry wasn't sure how long he sat there lost in thought but Ginny came out of the showers dressed in worn blue jeans and one of Harry's old Gryffindor Quidditch jerseys.

"Where did you get that?" he asked her, pleased at the thrill it gave him to see his name once more displayed across her back.

"Nicked it," she said with a smile, bending to kiss him.

Her hair was a mess of tangles and he itched to bring his fingers through it. He watched her take a brush from her locker and he stood up behind her.

"May I?"

Ginny stared at him in surprise, but she placed the brush in his hand.

Harry bit his bottom lip as he gently brought the brush to the top of her head and combed it through her wet hair. The sight of her long red hair being combed gave him an odd sense of comfort. He took his time, brushing every strand until it shone. When he finished, he handed the brush back to her, suddenly feeling rather self-conscious.

Ginny smiled at him. She took the brush and he watched as she cleaned the hair from it with her wand. "That was nice. I liked feeling you brush my hair."

"I liked brushing your hair," he admitted. He put his hands on her waist, the ends of her wet hair tickling his wrists. "I like seeing you wear my clothes. I like seeing my name on your back."

"Mmm," Ginny said, smiling up at him. "Are you trying to claim ownership over me, Mr Potter?"

"If anything you wearing my name shows you claiming ownership of me, Miss Weasley," Harry teased.

"Absolutely," Ginny said, sliding her hands up his naked chest. "You didn't shower yet."

"No. I know, I'm smelly," he said, sneaking a kiss under her ear.

Ginny nodded, but she leaned in and pressed a kiss to the centre of his naked chest. "Yes."

He sighed as her hands roamed over his flat stomach, dancing along the waistline of his sweats, while her lips brushed across his nipple. "Ginny… I need to go shower. I told Ron we'd meet him in the common room."

"Stupid of you," she murmured, flattening her tongue against it.

He groaned when she sucked his nipple into her mouth. "Not fair."

Ginny kissed his chest softly, tilting her head back to look up at him. "Go shower."

"You expect me to shower now?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously at him. "Since we have to go meet my brother per your plans, yes." She let her eyes wander down to the tent in his sweats and her lips curved slightly. "Might I suggest you use cold water?"

Harry kissed her again, lingering for a moment before she pushed his chest away. "Okay, okay I'm going."

Ginny took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "Think of me in there."

Harry gave her a scathing look over his shoulder. "Trust me, that's not going to be a problem."

He heard her laugh as he grabbed his toiletries and headed into the shower. He'd deal with this now and then later, after dinner, he was going to put his hands on his girlfriend. And if he got his way — his mouth.

End Author's Notes:

Thanks to bumlewis for helping me with Ginny's little speech of fealty.

(French) avec toute mon amitié = with my friendship

As to the stuff on evil not being born but made — one of my favourite things from Once Upon a Time!

Thank you for reading and please review!