Chapter Twelve: The Greater Good

Molly Weasley woke up abruptly for no apparent reason. The sky was still dark, and she knew that it would stay that way for another hour or two. But still she was awake. Turning to her side, she looked sidelong at her husband. He lay beside her in the same position as he'd fallen asleep, which was unsurprising to her. Throughout the more than thirty years they'd been married, Arthur was not known to move about once asleep. Turning again she focused on the ceiling straining to hear any sound or movement. However, the family ghoul was still quiet, so she'd not been forced awake by that either. No, she had woken at six thirty two not because of some outside force, but an internal one.

From years of rising at an ungodly hour to make food for several growing boys and a surly daughter, her internal clock had been well trained to wake her before the alarm clock could wake up her husband. But those years were long gone. In fact, she didn't even have Ron, her youngest son, here to worry about making a large breakfast. Nevertheless, the habit was not likely to go away anytime soon.

The Weasley matron turned around in her bed to find a more comfortable position. If she tried hard enough, she'd be able to get at least one more hour of rest before her body would protest too much. With the practiced easy of years without a full house, Molly was back to sleep within minutes. The next time she woke the sun was just peeking out, brightening the sky slowly with its warm rays.

Moving carefully, she got out of bed without rousing her husband. He'd be up in another hour or so as was his workday habit despite today being Sunday. She smiled at the thought. Not even five years ago, and the fact that today was a Sunday probably wouldn't have mattered whether he needed to go to work or not. However, Arthur hadn't needed to go to work on Sundays for the past four years. Not a single one. She was still getting used to the idea. Bless his soul, he'd always been a hard worker, and his body had trained itself over the years to get up for work like her own. As it turned out, they both had their habits they couldn't easily break.

Molly moved carefully out of the room. She loved her husband, and couldn't see that changing anytime soon. The magic that had been there in the very beginning had not faded like her girlfriends marriages. If anything, it was stronger with each passing day. She'd support her husband in every way, and he supported her just the same. They had a partnership really. And she was sure there would never come a day where she would tire of that relationship.

So, she would make sure he had a hardy breakfast waiting for him to show her love and respect for the father of her children. Still, the nearly hour and a half it would take Arthur to be ready to eat was far too long away to start on breakfast. At least, if it were only breakfast for two, and these days it was always breakfast for two. A small breakfast affair indeed.

Which was why Sunday's like today, found Molly scrubbing away at the kitchen surfaces. Some tasks were just easier to do without the easy of magic. It would let her mind wander, and give her the satisfaction of cleaning the room under her own strength.

As she worked, the outside world made itself known. Birds chirping and the sound of gnomes in her garden were unmistakable. She'd have to ask the boys to de-gnome it while they were here today. Merlin knew they ought to do something more about them, but she didn't have it in her heart to turn them away completely. And she needed something to break up the quiet these days.

While not all quiet was bad, she missed the near constant background noise of growing children. Back then this type of quiet had always been Molly's favorite. It was the calm before the storm. The peace that would let her regroup for the demanding task of raising the rowdy Weasley children.

When Ginny was born, she'd made the mistake to believe that her daughter would be somewhat tame. But no, it had been like having seven boys in the house when they had all been home. Things breaking left, right, and center. Running feet everywhere. And the screaming and the taunting and the rough housing. The noise was a constant thing during the summer times. Even when her oldest boys had left the nest, the twins had been old enough to make up for their absence.

There were times when Molly hadn't known what to do with them. Blowing up toilets, and causing all kinds of trouble in their room. But now… She sighed as she paused in her cleaning. Now, she missed the twins and their trouble making ways. These days, they didn't even come over for breakfast. And why would they when they had someone at home to make it for them?

Well Fred had someone at home to make him breakfast. Still, the twins being as close as they were didn't really do one thing by themselves. George would surely be spending all of his mornings, or most of them anyway, at Fred's house getting that same first class treatment. Soon enough, she expected an engagement, which wasn't likely to change the current arrangement either way.

Molly sighed as she put her cleaning supplies away. She could always hope that perhaps Charlie might show up this morning, but she remembered him mentioning a baby dragon having trouble sleeping last night, so that was just as unlikely. Moving into the kitchen to begin breakfast, she shook her head at her own thoughts. No, it would be just the two of them this morning, like most mornings.

Grabbing only a handful of eggs and a small portion of sausage and bacon, she began the short process of making breakfast for two. Hash would be too much for the pair. Not to mention Ginny had been on about them eating too much fatty foods. So instead of pulling out potatoes to make hash, she switched out the thick sliced bacon for some of the turkey bacon Ginny had bought for them earlier in the week.

With the meats on the stove, she began cracking the eggs to separate out the whites. Another one of Ginny's healthy suggestions. It would have been a waste of food, eating only the whites of the egg, but these days, they didn't go through even a tenth of the amount they used too. Making this little bit of waste amounted to nothing in the long run. At least that had been part of Ginny's long monologue on healthy eating.

Popping a few slices of bread in the toaster, Molly couldn't help but lament the fact that she'd no longer be hearing the loud footsteps of her youngest son coming down for breakfast. He could eat enough to fill in the place of a couple of his brothers combined. And it had been nice having him home. She sighed wishfully at the thought. She was doing a lot of that lately.

She couldn't even be upset that he'd finally moved in with his longtime girlfriend. Hermione was such a brilliant and wonderful witch. She was honestly happy for the two of them, even if she wished they'd have gotten married first. But this moving in before marriage thing wasn't something new for this generation. Fred had done it too despite her large protest at the time. Why the two of them couldn't get married first like Bill and Percy had with their wives, she didn't know. But at least it was a step in the right direction towards marriage.

Still, without him the house felt so much smaller, and so quiet. What she really needed was more grandchildren to spoil rotten. Or to at least get on better terms with Fleur. Where did she even start with that woman? Molly set out two plates just as her husband's footsteps moved into the room.

"Good morning dear." Arthur replied as he gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "This looks wonderful." Molly gave him a tight lipped smile in reply, for which he reached over to squeeze her arm. "They'll be here shortly. Soon enough the house will be filled again."

Arthur could always see right through her. He always seemed to know what to say. Merlin knew she loved this man so much. "I know, I just…"

"That's not what's really bothering you. Now is it, dear?"

He knew her so well. Shutting her eyes for a moment, she nodded to herself. It would be better to get it off her chest. She'd feel better sharing her worries. "No it's, it's Ginny. I'm just so worried she's given up on love, Arthur." Merlin how that thought scared her more than any dark lord ever could. Love was one of the most important things for someone to have. You didn't need money, or wealth, but love… Love was essential.

"She's bringing her new boyfriend today isn't she? Todd or Tom wasn't it?"

"Something like that, I think. If he really exists."

"Hermione said she'd seen him, dear. So, I'm sure he's real this time."

"I just don't think she'll bring him."

"Oh?"

"She never once mentioned him, Arthur, and she always tells me when she has a new boyfriend as soon as it happens. Always. This is different." The frown on her lips could not be turned. This boy couldn't be that serious if Ginny didn't want to tell her about him. What if he wasn't really a boy? She was only just getting used to the idea that her only daughter might be more interested in girls than the boys she'd tried to set her up with. What if Hermione had just seen a very masculine looking woman? Merlin knew it was an easy thing to mistake. She'd done so a time or two when she'd been out shopping in muggle London.

"Well, then maybe this is a good thing, a more serious relationship. Maybe Ginny's found love again." Her loving husband was always thinking on the bright side, but she couldn't help but think it was perhaps too optimistic. Even so, there was no point worrying over split milk.

"We can only hope so." Molly moved to clear the table, but Arthur beat her to it. He was always thoughtful in that way. It reminded her often of the days before the boys had been old enough to help. She would cook and he would clean. Thoughts of their early married years, brought her back to her thoughts about her youngest and only daughter. This Sunday could possibly be a big deal. What was she going to cook? "Oh, I should have asked Ginny what he likes to eat." Now, she was just going to have to guess. Hopefully, she couldn't go too wrong with one of her better dishes. The children would at least enjoy it.

"So, we think he'll show up today then." Arthur replied with a smile as he finished washing the few dishes they had created.

"Maybe, dear. Maybe." Either way she had lunch to prepare.

Harry stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist to find clothes laying out on the bed for him. Ginny had been fussing for the past couple of days, ever since they'd received the howler. Everything had to be perfect, and he was willing to do more than usually to keep Ginny happy. She was, after all, carrying his child. But this…

Harry picked through the plain polo and blue jeans. He didn't even think he owned a pair of jeans, and he'd never seen this shirt before in his life. More importantly, he'd brought perfectly acceptable clothing for the occasion. He had gone through the first half of his life not having a choice of the wardrobes, if they could really be called that, he'd been given. Oversized hand-me-downs that had no chance of fitting, the plain Hogwarts school uniform, and the rags he'd worn while imprisoned. Now, he would not have that choice stripped away from him, at least not completely.

Letting the polo slip from his fingers, he could tell it wasn't one hundred percent cotton at the roughness against his fingertips. And if by some weird twist of fate it was, there was no way it was of a quality and thread count that he'd let anywhere near his skin. A sigh left him as he turned away from the bed. Today was not the day for arguments either. Not with all the stress the last few days had brought Ginny. And yet, she thought there was any way in hell he'd be 'meeting' the Weasleys as Tobi Evans in polyester and jeans. There was no way he was wearing these cheap imitation of clothing any where.

Walking out of the bedroom, Harry found Ginny laboring over the stove. A pungent smelling of burning food stung his noise, so he quicken his pace to salvage whatever remained. "Ginny, I told you I'd make breakfast."

"I can make eggs and toast just fine mind you." Harry moved around her to adjust the temperature of the stove and switch off the eggs and sausage and move on to the hash. "I've just been a little distracted, is all." She continued as she moved out of his way. Fiddling with her bracelet as she poured tea into two cups.

"I know, love. Just let me take care of this, alright. I like cooking for you." Harry went right into the process of seasoning not bothering to try to find the apron that didn't exist. He'd been meaning to get an extra one for Ginny's flat, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.

He felt lithe hands play at the waist to his towel. "You know I love seeing you like this, but didn't you see the clothes I laid out for you?" She whispered in his ear as she handed him one of the cups of tea.

"Can you hand me the pepper?" Harry misdirected as he took the cup. A quick sip and he turned his attention back to the task at hand. With any luck, Ginny would let the clothing thing go. At least he could hope she would. As he wasn't sure how he was going to tell her he wasn't going to be caught dead in those 'clothes'.

Handing him the pepper, Ginny continued. "Stop misdirecting and answer the question, love."

Harry peppered the hash, determined the potatoes were ready for the partially cooked vegetables and added them to the mix. "Clothes?" He asked innocently. Anything to delay the inevitable.

"Yes, the polo and jeans I laid out for you on the bed. I know you used to be blind as a bat without your glasses, but you seem to be able to see fairly well now." Ginny leant over him as she spoke, clearly less anxious than earlier.

"Oh, yes those. I saw them."

"And you decided to come out here with." She took a peek under his towel, "only a towel." She purred. If he wasn't working with hot grease, he'd be short that towel right about now.

"Hot grease here, Gin. Hot grease."

"You didn't answer my question." Ginny continued as she moved away to set the table, while Harry got some more eggs and cheese to try to salvage the burnt eggs Ginny had been making.

"I could smell these eggs a mile away." He joked as he added a generous helping of cheese and some garlic powder, knowing Ginny didn't carry any fresh garlic, to his eggs. A couple of fresh peppers would likely mask the burnt flavor as well.

"Ha. Ha." Ginny laughed drily as she began popping bread into the toaster.

"Where did you even get that attire anyway? You know I brought something to wear for Sunday's lunch with your family." It was as causal as he could get to saying he didn't want or need to wear those rags masquerading as clothing. He loved Ginny, he did. He just didn't want to have to wear jeans, or polyester.

"I couldn't find any jeans in your closet Friday, so I went out to buy a couple of pairs last night. I got that shirt and a couple of others too, while I was at it. Everything you own is just too fancy for today's lunch."

Ginny's sausage was fully cooked on some sides and partially cooked on others, so Harry cut it up to add to the eggs along with the peppers she'd roasted them in to create omelets. "Really? Because I like what I've already picked out."

"I know, Harry. I just… I just want everything to go perfectly."

"And me, wearing a nice pair of slacks and a button up wouldn't be?"

There was silence as Harry turned the heat down on the hash, and prepped the two omelets to be flipped. He felt Ginny press against him as she wrapped her arms around his waist once more. "I love you. You know that right?" Harry nodded as he flipped the omelets. "I love the way you dress, and how you can cook so well. I like when you march into a room like a hundred troubadour just announced you. I love all of that."

"But…"

"My family's always been kind of… well, poor. And I don't want you to come off as a self-entitled snob."

"So, a polo shirt and… jeans." Harry couldn't help the distaste that came out of his mouth at the word jeans.

"I wanted to get you a t-shirt, but stopped myself." Harry scuffed at her response letting the t-shirt thing go. Some things were just better left unsaid. "Besides, you love it when I wear jeans." Ginny whined.

"I'd love you in a brown paper bag, Ginevra. You're just that beautiful." Harry turned the heat off on the omelets as Ginny let go of him. "That doesn't mean you want to wear a paper bag, or that I want to wear jeans. Or polyester." He muttered the polyester under his breath knowing it was likely going to be a battle for another time.

They moved around the table as they piled the food on each other's plates. "Please, Harry. This is kind of a causal thing. I want this to go well. Very well."

They sat down next to each other, but didn't eat. Harry took Ginny's hand in his. "You also want me to be comfortable." He waited for her nod of agreement before continuing, "I'm not going to mess this up, Gin. I'll do my best, but I've got to be me. Besides, it might look good to your parents if I dress up a little." The slack's he'd picked were as casual and low end as he could get. Nothing he was wearing was made of silk or dragon-hide. It was all cotton. Sure it was one hundred percent Egyptian cotton with 140 thread count, but it was only cotton, and he desired to be at least be somewhat comfortable.

Ginny pouted her displeasure but relented. "Fine." She took a bite of food moaning a little at the taste. "This is delicious, Harry. You can't even tell I burnt it a little."

Harry leant over to give Ginny a chaste kiss. "We'll be fine, Gin. We'll be just fine."

Ron's first thought was that this new bloke was a royal douchebag snob on the level of Malfoy, either one or maybe both combined. Everything about him spoke of a privileged life, from the way he talked to the way he walked, even the way he dressed. He had the air of a kid born with a silver spoon, a privileged snob that didn't even know it. He came in out dressing everyone. Even Fleur looked more causal, then this bloke, and she could be down right fancy some Sundays.

To make matters worse, he had his hands all over his little sister. Couldn't seem to keep his mitts off her. At least he had the decency to keep them in respectable places, but that was all the praise he would giving him. Ron had been made to sit all throughout lunch watching this bloke with his hand on his sister's arm, or small of her back, or under the table doing Merlin knew what. And it seemed every time Ron looked in their direction, the bloke had his hand somewhere on his sister. Every time! It was only now that Ginny had left them to their chess game had the touching stopped.

Ron moved his knight forcing the royal douchebag into check. This game wasn't going to last much longer, although it had lasted far longer than he'd expected.

Evans, who even named their kid Tobias really now, wasn't right for his sister. Ron didn't care what Hermione said about the bloke. Unfortunately, the twins seemed to be taking a shine to him.

Ron paused in thought as Evans moved out of chess in an unexpected way placing his own queen in a compromising situation. Searching the board, he mentally went through string of move after move. Finally finding a way to challenge Evans' queen with his bishop. Evans moved his own queen out of the way instead of taking the double sacrifice like he should have. He'd noticed that throughout the match. Evans was good, but he never placed his queen into unnecessary danger. It said a lot about him at least to Ron, who'd learned to gain the measure of his opponents through chess. And what he was learning countered his first impression of the bloke.

So while Evans might have been a douchebag, Ron had to admit he wasn't all bad. If you could get around the fact that he acted like a self-entitled prick. And the fact that he'd apparently finished his schooling at Durmstrang, which was where all the dark wizards went to train, well most of them. Ron found himself thinking darkly about Viktor Krum despite that fact that he had Hermione now.

Even so, it turned out Evans wasn't completely horrible. Looking at the board and the amount of close calls he'd experienced came to mind. Yes, the way a man played chess was telling. Anyone who could play this good and with this much thought couldn't be all that bad. A wizard that wouldn't sacrifice his queen to strike a mighty blow to his opponent was someone to respect. Not a smart move of course, but it did said something about his character. Not to mention Ginny seemed to genuinely like him. So he couldn't really complain that loudly.

"I resign." Evans sighed in defeat as his king killed itself over dramatically.

"Another game of chess, Evans?" There was probably still much more he could tell about the bloke that his sister seemed to like so much if only they'd play another couple of games.

"You mean, do I want to get demolished by you again? No thanks. Besides, if I don't mingle with your other brothers, I'll be in trouble tonight. And another game with you would take all of my concentration, leaving none for anyone else." They finished packing the chess set up in relative silence. Ron not foolish enough to think he could con anyone else into playing a game with him. Once complete, Evans stood to go, "The game was a pleasure."

"Yeah, was pretty good. Maybe another time Evans?"

"For sure. And please, call me Tobi. I'd like to think we could be friends."

"Friends huh?" Ron clasped forearms with the bloke. "Maybe." He might walk like a douchebag snob, he might talk like a self-entitled prick, and he might look like an arrogant son of a bitch. But he could trade jokes with the twins, talk politics with Percy, and even knew more than he did about the muggle world. If he could get the nod from Bill and Charlie, then Ron would be alright with him too. And the way he was chatting up Fleur in French, now, left little doubt he'd get Bill's vote.

Was he good enough for his sister? No. But no one really was. So, first impression, he was likely worse than Malfoy, upbringing wise, as he'd likely never experienced any kind of hardship in his life. Still, being from a privileged background didn't make him a Death Eater. So yeah, he seemed to be an alright bloke, even if he was a bit of a snob.

Evans hadn't turned down anything mum or dad had offered him. Hadn't looked down his nose at the Burrow, and hadn't made any jokes about the number of children his parents had. And of course, his chess skills were really good despite what he'd said. Ron wouldn't mind playing him again, even. Maybe next Sunday. He seemed the type to learn from his mistakes. Whether he learned to sacrifice his queen was another matter entirely. Still, overall his impression of him was mostly positive.

Ron watched as Ginny went over to sit next to Evans. Her arms wrapped easily around his shoulders. She had a look in her eyes, of adoration maybe even love, that he'd never seen there before. And unlike his older brothers, he'd met a few of Ginny's other boyfriends. That look was definitely a first.

"I told you, she looked happy." Hermione wrapped her own arms around his shoulder as she leant in to speak in his ear.

"I guess." Ron admitted reluctantly. "He still seems like a prick."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "He does come off a little arrogant, but I suppose he does know what he's talking about."

"Do you like him?" Ron questioned as he turned his head partially in Hermione's direction his eyes never really leaving Ginny and her boyfriend.

Hermione sighed in thought. "He makes Ginny happy. Really happy."

"Yeah, but do you like him?" Ron countered turning fully to observe Hermione's response. His eyes taking in her minute expressions. A wrinkle in her forehead, and a thinning in her lips were all made unconsciously giving away her answer.

"It's not him, per se, just a feeling. Like… like a sense of deja vu." She replied after a moment's hesitation.

"Deja vu?" Ron raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I don't really know if I can explain it." Hermione paused. Ron could see her gears turning so he let her think. She'd tell him when she figured it out. "He's like a ghost. No, they're like a scene I've seen before. Only, he's a different actor."

Ron looked over at Ginny and Evans once more. Hermione had taken him to a few picture shows, so he kind of got what she was saying. So, now he looked again at the pair with a more critical eye. Really looked. Now that he thought about it. The look in her eyes was not completely new to him. He'd seen it before. More times than he'd cared to admit as she'd looked at Potter that way.

He'd denied it back in Hogwarts sure there was no way his sister could love a bloke like that. But now he was older and could realize the truth in his sister's expression, then and now. Turning to Hermione, he could tell that truth was not lost on her even if she couldn't quiet place the feeling. Ron was sure she was mentally replacing Evans with Potter. Blue eyes for green. Brown hair for black. "He's not going to turn out to be some want-a-be dark lord, 'Mione. Even if he is from Durmstrang."

Hermione smiled at him. The worry leaving her eyes as her shoulders relaxed slightly. "That's very big of you Ron." She settled again as if thinking his words over. "You're probably right. Just because Ginny's in love with him, doesn't automatically make him someone like the Reaper. Ginny's not that bad at falling in love." Hermione laughed at her own joke. Yeah, he wasn't worried about Ginny falling in love with another dark lord want-a-be. Potter had been something special. You don't get blokes like that every decade.

"Come on, let's go see what the twins think of him." Ron gave Hermione a pat on her rump as he got up.

Although he was pretty sure he knew what the twins, what all of his brothers were likely to say about him, it didn't hurt to get verbal agreements. Ron looked back at Evans as he seemed to be engaging Charlie along with Bill and Fleur with little Victoire in his lap. Yeah, he knew what all his brothers were going to say.

"Welcome to the family, Tobi Evans." Ron murmured to himself as he followed Hermione over to the twins and Percy.

"Crucio!"

Bellatrix's screams bounced off the walls of the inner chamber as Lucius kept himself from wincing. Only the inner circle members were here tonight. He'd thought perhaps, hoped even, today their numbers would include Severus, but his friend was not among them just like the last thirteen meetings.

"Master, please forgive me. I have failed you." Bellatrix gasped out in pain on her hands and knees before the Dark Lord.

For a moment, Lucius was unsure of the Dark Lord's next action. Would his frustration over the Reaper cloud his judgment? It would not have been the first time. But no. The moment stretched on with no further punishment. Finally his arm slowly lowered, a clear sign that Bellatrix would live another day. Today, it would seem the Dark Lord was in a forgiving mood.

Of course the Dark Lord's mood was probably influenced by the fact that his favorite follower had been the one to screw up their latest attack. Anyone else and they'd have been dead five minutes ago. But not Bellatrix. No, not Bella.

She'd been his favorite ever since she'd gotten out of Azkaban more than ten years ago. Now that her husband and his brother were dead, she spent even more time, alone, with the Dark Lord. Her loyalty to the monster was without question. She would have willing thrown herself in the way of a killing curse for him, or more likely the nearest body, friend or foe. It was not something any other follower of the Dark Lord would do, or could get away with.

The woman was crazy. The fact that she was also his sister-in-law did little to change the fact that she was bat shit crazy. She had always been from Narcissa's stories. And after her time in Azkaban, she seemed to have lost what little remained. Oh but she was still sharp, skilled with a wand. And dangerous, very dangerous because of her mindset, or lack thereof. Her talent and skill were accompanied with an irrational, unpredictable behavior. The combination making her the Dark Lord's most dangerous, and valuable, follower. And everyone knew it.

"As my most loyal follower, I will forgive this failure. But no more! Do not fail me again, Bella." The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed becoming nothing more than slits. This was no idle threat. Lucius understood the urgency. They could not afford missteps like this again.

"I would rather experience a thousand Cruciatus curses, master." Was Bellatrix automatic reply as she pulled herself off the ground.

"And you very well might." Came the soft but sincere promise from the Dark Lord.

There was a moment of silence before Bellatrix spoke once more. It was a bold move, but she was unlikely to be punished again. "I simply could not predict the Reaper adding his protection for the Lupin's. My sister's family should have been helpless, just as helpless as before." The death of Andromeda and her husband had been much easier in comparison all those years ago. Still, it was foolish for Bellatrix to believe the Lupin's wouldn't have added additional protection since then. Be that as it may, Lucius knew very little about the actual plan having no part to play in it, so it was possible she had taken some precautions against the standard added protection. Not that it had helped.

There was a pause as if the Dark Lord was considering the excuse. Surprisingly, he went straight to the meat of the problem. "It is interesting that the Reaper, Potter, has added his support in both the Weasley and Lupin attacks. It would seem Dumbledore's ties are harder to break than it would first appear."

Lucius stepped up slightly as he braved the silence. "Or perhaps, if I may master." Lucius waited for the Crucio or the nod to continue.

He got the nod. "Speak quickly, Lucius." The Dark Lord replied lazily.

"Thank you master." He replied as he collected himself quickly. "It is possible that it is not the Order but a specific individual that the Reaper is protecting."

"An interesting theory, but only a theory. As there is no link nor individual that connects the two families, but being a part of the Order. If there was, I assure you I'd have found it all ready, master." Dolohov scoffed at Lucius' accusation in the same breath he bowed to the Dark Lord, but Lucius was undeterred.

"There you are mistaken. The Weasley girl happens to be godmother to the Lupins' son, and spends quite a bit of time with them if my sources are correct."

"Huh. That's all you have Lucius, the girl? Why not mention that all of the Order members are close while you're at it? Godmothers and godfathers are passed around like entry badges to the Order. Sirius chief among them, but you don't see my cousin getting special attention from the Reaper." Bellatrix scoffed at the very idea.

"The Weasleys helped send Potter to Azkaban. They make a poor link, Malfoy. You're stretching." Amycus Carrow replied as if he were speaking to an incompetent child, but Lucius refused to be insulted. It was not Carrow, who he needed to impress.

"Why are you wasting my time on this notion, Lucius?" The Dark Lord replied shortly.

"Master, forgive me this moment to explain." The Dark Lord waved him on, but Lucius could sense his impatience. "It was not well known, however, my son has told me that Potter and the Weasley girl were good friends."

"Friends?" Bellatrix sneered.

"Friends in public means something much more when it is between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor. A Gryffindor whose brothers didn't approve might I add. This has led me to believe that they were more than friends, master. I speculate that they probably have history for which the saving of Weasley and her family has renewed. Explaining Potter's specific protection of only the Weasleys and the Lupins."

"Pure speculation." Dolohov spat heatedly. "I've conducted my own research on the boy. Never had Potter been spotted going out on dates, or anything of that nature. The most interaction they have ever had was in the library for which it is well known that Potter did most of his recruiting."

"My son was under the impression that he was using Weasley to fool the Headmaster into believing all his intentions were innocent. I'm inclined to believe him too, knowing what we know about Potter and his following." Goyle added. Crabbe nodded his agreement along with him. They were all fighting to disprove his theory. Lucius shouldn't have been all that surprised. If he was right he'd move up the ladder as the dark lord's favorite. A position that was highly coveted.

"This speculation is just that speculation. Nothing more than your attempt to curry favor. I thought you above that Malfoy, but I see I was wrong," Dolohov continued.

"It's a possible connection and target that we do not currently have." Lucius spoke directly to Dolohov. Turning to the Dark Lord, he bowed, "Master?" Lucius offered.

"A useless connection." The Dark Lord waved his argument away. "No, I know how to deal with the Reaper. For too long, Potter has benefited from only having attacks from one side. It's time to bring him to the light." The emphasis on the last word left little room for doubt on the Dark Lord's meaning.

Bellatrix's excitement was palpable. "So we tell the old fool, or have Snape tell him about how Potter is very much alive. Absolutely brilliant master. Brilliant!"

"I know." The Dark Lord replied smugly. "The old fool will rush to put Potter back behind bars. Leaving me free to take back the Ministry." The Dark Lord paused in thought probably imagining the scenario. "But not Snape. He has his own task that cannot be interrupted. No, we need someone else, someone new." The Dark Lord turned directly to Lucius. Pinning him in place with his stare. "Lucius, your son works with the Mudblood Granger, does he not?"

"Unfortunately master, he does. The Ministry let's just about anyone in these days." Lucius bowed his head in reply.

The Dark Lord's face turned into a grin that spoke of only death and destruction, "Good for us that the standards are dropping these days. I want him to get close to her. I don't care what it takes or how he does it, but make sure he gets close. Once he has her ear, he should let it slip about Azkaban and the Reaper. The old fool will do what he thinks is best for the greater good. Anything for the Greater Good." The Dark Lord gave a sharp laugh as he continued, "But Draco will not stop there."

"Master?" Lucius questioned hesitantly.

"He will continue associating with her until she believes that he is unhappy with his life, with the dark."

"Your will is mine." Lucius replied in a deep bow. If he didn't know any better it sounded like Severus' job was about to be replaced.

"The second goal will not happen overnight, or in the next month. But if he does this right, he'll have her fooled. The mudblood is always the weakest link. And Draco will use that to infiltrate the Order of the Phoenix."

Lucius bowed again, "I'll let him know master." He'd have to let Severus know as well as it seemed he was about to be out of a job shortly. His thoughts drifted to Potter for a moment. The Greater Good was not something new to that man. No, the last time Potter had met Dumbledore's greater good, he'd landed himself a death sentence. Lucius wondered if it would end the same now. Only time would tell.

Severus gently turned the parchment in his hand over as he walked along the gray shoreline. The parchment was simple and the words on it direct and to the point. Altogether, it was nothing to be anxious over. Still, this letter had made him fret.

Three hours ago it had come by post. He'd been surprised to get any mail this late in the day, and even more so after seeing who it was from. An invitation to visit Ankou Company's Commander at their headquarters in Azkaban. No mention of the Reaper, or Harry within. Only a single line about possible consulting opportunities.

To an outsider, it would not standout, but to Severus he saw it as the invitation it was. Harry wanted him to join his forces. Consulting work? More like spying. Any other time and Severus would have been thrilled to hear from him, to get this letter. But now. Now he'd been actively avoiding even getting the permit to make such a visit to Azkaban.

He'd been telling himself it was to avoid Dumbledore's notice. And in part this was true. A permit to visit Azkaban couldn't be obtained without greasing some wheels now-a-days. Dumbledore would notice even if he didn't actively go through the man. Despite all this being true, it was not the real reason he was putting off the task. No, the real reason was not so reasonable. He, Severus Tobias Snape, was avoiding Harry Potter.

Harry, the boy he'd failed all those years ago. Harry, the man who'd not bothered or wanted to contact him in the four plus years he'd been freed. Harry, who was like the son he'd never had. For so many reasons, Severus was not ready to meet him. Nevertheless, with the arrival of this letter, he had little choice now. The time and date were set, all included within the letter. No response was required, or wanted. All in all, it gave Severus precious little time to weigh possible options. In this directness, Harry had surely chanced.

The letter was a bold invitation with little room for subterfuge. To not go, would close all further possibility of communication but it also left little time to inform Dumbledore or the Dark Lord if he so chose. And even less time for those men to respond to said news. It was an ingenious plan, or would have been if the Dark Lord had not already tasked him to kill the lad.

So really, he had little choice in his response. No, that wasn't right. He had a choice. There was always a choice as he'd learned countless times, over and over again. Whether he made the wrong choice, now that's what mattered. And where he stood now, there was only one choice that would allow him to finally sleep easy at night.

Severus slowed as he approached his destination. A man in a gray uniform stood next to a small row boat. It was the only way to the island, to Azkaban.

"Halt! This is a restricted area. State your name and business."

Severus held the letter out to the boatman as he replied, "I believe I have the proper documentation."

A quick glance at the letter and the boatman was moving aside as he handed the letter back. Severus spared a brief glance as the man began prepping the small boat for departure. No sooner had he stepped into the boat, then they were off moving through the choppy waves. Sea salt sprayed his face as he readied himself for the meeting ahead. To think he would be willingly traveling to Azkaban when he'd spent so much time and effort trying to stay out of it. But here he was, looking forward to it even, in spite of the anxiety he felt within the pit of his stomach.

Severus closed his eyes as he cleared his mind. The crashing waves and labored breathing of the boatman the only sounds of the evening. The anxiety did not go away, but it stilled. The action soothing him somewhat.

Soon enough he would meet Harry Potter once more. It had been so long ago since last they'd met. He would no longer be a boy now. Severus even imagined he'd look an awful lot like James Potter. But that would be the end of their similarities. He'd still have Lily's eyes. Perhaps they would even show her kindness, but he doubted it as Azkaban was not a place for kindness. And that too was where the similarities would ended with even her, his beloved Lily.

Severus fully expected to see the clever and determined boy he'd grown to love. Strong body and mind, Merlin willing. How had the boy grown? Would he still hold himself the way Severus had taught him? Head held high, shoulders straight, and chest out. Would he speak with conviction and certainty? With a confidence that no one could doubt. Would he still be the young Harry he remembered? Innocent in nature, but with responsibility he chose to shoulder. At the young age of twenty-five, having had to mature in the worst place imaginable, would he be about to forgive?

Severus had spent hours upon hours contemplating these questions and possibilities. What answers would he get, and what answers would he want? He feared them in a way he feared nothing else these days. And the closer they were to the island of Azkaban, the more fear he felt within him. Fear mixed with his lingering anxiety.

Finally the boat pushed upon the sands of Azkaban for which another uniformed man waited for them.

"You must be Professor Snape." The man spoke as Severus disembarked. "We've been expecting you, Professor. If you could follow me, please."

Severus noticed the heavy enchantments that surrounded him preventing him from focusing or determining direction on the island. Only the area directly around him, not more than a foot in length, was visible to him. Everywhere else, darkness surrounded them. It was a new feature that fit nicely with the anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards Severus knew existed. He was pleased with the lengths of Harry's protection, knowing that there was probably even more that he couldn't see.

Soon enough they reached a large wood door that swung open at their approach. The doormen stood motionless in their direction with their arm held up in a weird fashion that he was sure he'd seen before. As they passed the doors, Severus caught a simmer along the surface. A ward against spell damage most likely. Again, he was pleased with the protection of this stronghold. It would not easily be defeated.

A warmth that Severus did not associate with Azkaban greeted them as they walked further into the prison. While he'd known the dementors no longer roamed this place, it was another thing to experience it. He turned his head slightly to look at the prisoners. Their noise muted by some unseen magic. They were nothing more than background, and it seemed that he too was nothing more than background to them as they paid him no attention as he passed. Strange. He wandered if they too were behind some misdirection ward.

Severus was given no time to investigate his theory as they reached the guard station. The two uniform guards stood at their approach and gave another arm motion that tickled at the back of his memory. "Professor." They spoke in unison.

Severus nodded in greeting as they stopped in front of the station. His escort giving him the same arm motion before disappearing to another section of the prison.

"Wand, sir." He turned his attention back to the guard station at the request. His eyebrow lifting in question. "Standard procedure. We just need to do a quick search. The Colonel will be with you shortly."

Severus nodded his understanding as he slipped his wand out of his robes. The process was as quick as entering the Ministry would have been. Soon enough his wand was being handed back to him as a sharp looking woman was making her way to him.

"Ma'am!" The guardsmen stood ramrod straight at her approach.

"At easy, gentlemen." She turned to him and held out her hand in greeting, "Professor Snape it is a pleasure to meet you."

"And you Colonel?" He tilted his head in question as he shook her hand. Everyone seemed to know who he was, yet he could not say the same for each new face.

"Colonel Ward at your service, Professor. I'm here to take you to the Lord General. Please this way." She waved in front of him and they made their way to the metal door. "I'm sorry someone more senior couldn't have been here to greet you." She continued as they made their way down the staircase.

"This is perfectly acceptable." He replied as he looked down his nose at Colonel Ward. It was a habit he had no plan of breaking. He listened quietly as she gave him a brief tour. The barracks, the bathrooms, and the game rooms all on different landings. The Generals' housing followed for when they stayed the night. An offhand comment about how only the Healer General spent her weekday nights here that Severus tucked away for later questioning. There would be questions enough when he saw Harry.

They reached the metal door and he watched as the Colonel placed her wand on the door. "Welcome to Anaon, Professor."

Severus paused only briefly before he stepped across the threshold. Anaon looked nothing like his nightmares, but it really shouldn't have been that big of a surprise. He turned his attention back at the Colonel who had been staring at him. "Is there a problem?"

"No, sir. Just realizing where the Lord General gets that look from." She pulled his hand into another firm shake. "It truly is a pleasure and an honor to meet you, Professor."

"Dully noted." Severus replied as she released his hand. "Now if we may?"

"Of course." She stopped outside of the deep red curtains. The Generals' housing landing had been in the fashion of green and silver reminding him strongly of the Slytherin house colors. This deep red led him to think those colors would be missing in this room. Colonel Ward bowed deep at the curtain before calling out never once leaving her bowed position, "Lord General, I present Professor Snape."

"Enter." Came a deep cold voice that was unfamiliar to him. If he strained he could imagine it sounded slightly like the Harry he knew, but there was no point in pretending. He knew who was behind the voice.

Severus passed the Colonel as she backed away. Entering the room, his first impression was correct. The room was filled with shades of red. The rug, the walls. All covered in some shade of red. It was a pity he'd not been able to rid Harry of that color. He supposed that favorite colors were like that.

His eyes landed on the bookcase with trinkets he'd never seen before. A picture of Harry during his school years with his friends caught his eye. Moving closer, he let his hand look over the young faces. Landing on Tracey last. There were too many deaths of students on his shoulders these days. Far too many.

Finally he turned to face the desk where Harry was still sitting. His head bowed over some paperwork. With a swish of his quill, he set the quill and the papers aside. Green eyes no longer hidden behind round rimmed glasses stared back at him. It was almost like he'd gone back in time, and Lily stared back at him. But there was a darkness within them that he'd never seen in Lily's. "Harry." He whispered despite himself.

Harry stood at the sound of his name as Severus blinked back unshed tears as he looked at the man. He was alive. He took a step in his direction. It was one thing to believe he was alive, and another to see it.

"Professor." Harry replied in kind.

Severus scoffed at the name, "It has been a long time since I was your professor. And longer still since you called me that outside of the classroom."

Harry had the decency to look embarrassed. "Severus." He amended. At the sound of his own name, Severus could wait no longer. He took the finally step and brought Harry into a tight hug.

"It's good to see you, lad." He whispered. Harry had stiffened on impact, but relaxed after a moment.

Pulling back Harry replied, "Time has not been kind to you, old man."

A smile tugged at Severus lips at the joke. "Says the man trying to imitate me." He pointed to the long hair.

"What can I say? I think it looks pretty cool long. I've no complaints so far anyway." Severus snorted in response. Harry looked healthy, strong. Confidence looked back at him behind green eyes. "You don't seem surprised to see me."

"You're slipping Harry. The Dark Lord knows you live."

Harry shook his head as he turned to look out the window. "He knows me as the Prisoner. Seems fine with letting it stay that way."

"Not anymore. You've made quite a name for yourself. The Reaper's identity is no longer an unknown." Severus countered.

"How?" Harry questioned turning sharply back to him.

How indeed? It was a question he'd asked himself with no answer available. "I don't know. All I know is that he knows the truth."

Harry nodded as he motion for Severus to sit. He followed shortly sitting next to him, so that they sat side by side. No desk between them now. They were equals. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"Forgive you, lad?"

"For what I have become." Severus moved to talk, but Harry stopped him, "No, you taught me right from wrong. I know what I've done. I have become the very being you've fought so hard against. Severus, I have done terrible things."

"Terrible, but great." Severus replied. Seeing Harry was about to speak again he held his hand up to stop him. Even now a man, Harry's teachings as a boy held true. "Harry do not confuse power with evil. Do not confuse weakness with good. This is a war we fight. Every day, we fight. You fight to win. Do you not see the good that has come from your choices? Your actions? Harry, you are changing the world by force."

"Still." Harry replied hesitant to accept his words.

"What you have done, and I hate to say this, but what you have done was for the greater good." Harry scoffed at his phrasing. "No, listen to me, boy. Good and evil. Right and wrong. These things are not black and white. You cannot always fight a raging fire with water. Sometimes, we need fire to win."

"And that's supposed to excuse me choices? The lives I have taken?" Harry shook his head in answer. Severus paused in thought. There was nothing that could take away the death on either of their hands. Forgiveness in this matter could never be granted, but that was never the point.

"Where is your heart?" Harry looked confusingly back at him. "In the end it doesn't matter what I think, or how I think, only that your heart is in the right place with every action you've taken. There is no forgiveness for each life struck down before its time, but. But sometimes it's about our actions and the results they bring. Not just in the here and now, but the future. So Harry, where is your heart?" Harry hesitated at his words. "Give me the real answer. Not what you think I want to hear."

"At first, it was for revenge. Everything was for revenge. Against Fudge, the Ministry, Voldemort, Umbridge," Harry spat her name. "Dumbledore." He breathed out the last name.

"And now?" Severus questioned softly.

"Now, I just want to make a place where my family can live in peace." Bright green eyes looked up at Severus. "I just want peace. Lasting peace. No more fighting. No more hate, Severus. No more hate."

"Then there's nothing for me to forgive." Severus laid a hand on Harry shoulders. "Now, I ask you. Can you forgive my failure?"

"Severus…" He could see the dismissal of all of his failings in Harry's eyes. To Harry, Severus could do no wrong. But Severus didn't want that. He needed Harry to see him as the human who'd made mistakes that have negatively affected so many lives including his own. Severus didn't want Harry to just brush those wrongs aside without thought.

"I could have done more, should have done more. I thought foolishly they'd never send a boy to Azkaban for life. If I failed here, the most that would have happened was a breaking of your wand. That foolish thought is what led you here. I am the reason you have suffered, Harry."

Harry laughed. It was a full hardy laugh that immediately put Severus on edge. Still, Harry smiled widely at him. "Severus, no one could have predicted Dumbledore's actions. I have blamed many people, including myself. But you. You I have never blamed. You were there for me. And really that's all I ever wanted, needed. Just someone on my side." Harry looked at him seriously. "Now I ask, will you stay by my side? Will you fight with me?"

"Always, my boy. Always and forever." Harry smiled at him as they embraced once more. The embrace was short, much shorter than the first. But length wasn't necessary. "Tell me, Harry. Healer General? Is she who I think she is?"

Harry looked away in slight embarrassment, before he held his head high and met his eyes. "She is with me, in more ways than one."

Severus shook his head in disappointment. "You fool. Why you think I wouldn't approve is beyond me."

Harry let out a sigh of relief. "You approve?"

"Oh course. She could have been a troll and I would have approved as long as she made you happy." Severus replied good-naturedly. It was nice knowing that Harry had someone like Weasley by his side. She was fierce, and questioned everything from everyone. That was something the boy needed.

"Very." A faraway look spread across Harry's face. Love. It made Severus happy to see it. He felt a smile of his own making its way to his face.

"She always reminded me of your mother. Passionate, fierce and powerful." Harry smiled in agreement, his eyes shining with pride. "Your mother, and I dare say your fool of a father, would both be very proud of how you've overcome adversity. The strength you've shown. It would seem, I wasn't able to weed out all of your Gryffindor tendencies after all." Severus looked over to Harry. He still had that innocent look about him that he'd had when he'd first seen him at the tender age of eleven. There was an honesty about him that Severus had been sure wouldn't survive his house. But it seemed the Lily in him, maybe even the Potter, still survived. Gryffindor foolishness, or misplaced kindness, or maybe both still survived after all those years. 'Maybe that was for the best.'

"Enough of this. Tell me, do you know anything else about Tom's movements." Harry replied as he broke the seriousness of their conversation to a less personal topic.

"Tom?" Severus questioned the name.

"Voldemort, or his given name Tom Riddle. I try not to call him by his title. Something I learned from Dumbledore actually." Severus could see the irony shining in Harry's reply. It was in the way his lips turned into a half smile, and the dullness of his eyes at the topic. Dumbledore would perhaps always be a sore topic, but they had more immediate problems.

"I've mentioned you were slipping." Harry nodded his understanding as Severus continued. "To be more precise, the Dark Lord wants you dead. And has tasked me with the implementation of it."

Harry continued his nod of understanding, "So, I'll have to look for someone else for spying." There was no question of his loyalty. No hesitation in his voice. Severus couldn't have been more proud of the trust that Harry placed on their relationship. It would seem time did not change their past loyalty to each other.

Severus felt himself relaxing as he continued with their current problem. "Yes, but that's not all. I have reason to believe that the Dark Lord."

Harry interrupt, "Please, call him Tom or Riddle. Don't give him the power of that name."

Severus gave a sharp nod as he tried the word out, "Riddle." It was odd on his tongue, but he would manage. "I have reason to believe that Riddle attacked the Department of Mysteries for a prophecy that involved the two of you."

Harry nodded as if he'd already been aware of the possibility. "Yes, my friends believe the same thing." He dismissed the piece of information to quickly. It was times like this when he remembered that the boy did not grow up knowing magic. Severus could not let this matter slide so easily.

"I'm not sure you understand the situation. The…" Severus stopped himself forcing himself to start again, "Riddle has already heard the first part of the prophecy. Due to my foolishness and youth, I am the one responsible for this. And the reason why he attacked you as a baby. You and your family." Severus closed his eyes at the memory. He'd wanted the Dark Lord, Riddle, to spare Lily caring nothing for Potter or his child. But sitting next to the very boy he'd cared nothing of before, he knew how wrong it was. His poor choices. He would not make any more of them. Not if he could help it.

"Now, you think he's heard the whole thing." Harry replied in understanding.

"Yes." Severus forced the word out, straining at the implication. Whatever that prophecy said could not be good for Harry.

"Do I need to know this prophecy?" Harry questioned, finally taking his warning seriously.

"You should know that it foretold Riddle's down fall at your hands, and your hand alone. Even so, there was much to that prophecy that I was not privy too. And from what I understand, Riddle destroyed the original. Now, we will never know the truth."

Harry paused in thought, "Who else knows? Just Tom?"

"No, Dumbledore also knows the whole prophecy as he was the one the prophecy was foretold too."

"Dumbledore?" Harry question.

"Yes." Severus could see Harry's gears working. Questioning Dumbledore's motives even further, but Severus had since learned that it was impossible to truly understand the old man's actions.

"But why send me to Azkaban? Give me a death sentence, if I'm the only one that can take on Tom? It doesn't make any sense."

Severus set his hand on Harry shoulder, "At first I was confused as well, however, you were not the only child that the prophecy could have been about. It was always possible that we got it wrong."

"Who else could it be? Who was Dumbledore's contingency plan?" Harry replied low anger burning within his eyes.

"Longbottom, Neville Longbottom." Severus watched Harry's reaction. He knew the boys were friends. Had been friends at one point at the very least.

Harry shook his head disappointment the only expression in his eyes now, "No, Dumbledore sent me to die before the fulfillment of the prophecy. He's fighting a losing battle and he knows it."

"Or you've fulfilled the prophecy already." Severus shrugged. "It is impossible to speculate on what little information we have."

Harry nodded in agreement, "We'll deal with this later."

"And of my task? How will we put Riddle off?" Severus questioned. The prophecy would have to wait for another time.

"Have you placed a permit request form yet?"

"Not yet, but I'll have too shortly."

"I'll put it on hold. That should give us some time to figure out a game plan. Our biggest problem will be Dumbledore. No worries. I'll not let Tom hurt you." Severus wasn't sure he was worth the sincerity that came forth in Harry voice, but it warmed him nonetheless.

"Tell me, anything else I've missed in your life?" It was said in a general way, but the flutter of Harry's eyes away from him gave the boy away. It would seem that he still had some of the same nervous habits after all this time.

"Yes actually," A hesitant smile came to his lips at the thought of his news. "We're expecting, a baby I mean."

"A baby? So soon?" Severus could not control the surprise in his voice, "As your dating a Weasley, I suppose I shouldn't have expected any less, but… Don't you move quickly?" There was a small smile on his own lips softening the insult.

Harry took it in stride, "Well, someone never taught me anything to do with protection spells, so really I think this is your fault."

They share a laugh. "One of many things I have left to teach you. It seems."

"A little too late for that now Severus." Harry replied with a large smile on his face, "Anyway, we'll have to tell her parents soon."

"I'm sure that will go over well." Severus could just imagine the outrage. No, he didn't think Molly or even Arthur would take the news well.

"They seem to like me alright." Harry replied cockily.

"What? The Weasley's know of you?" Severus nearly turned colors at the boy's carelessness. But Harry shook his head quickly seeing his concern.

"No, not as Harry, but as… well Tobias Evans." Harry answered nervously.

"Tobias?" He must be hearing things. For Harry to use such a name... No. Impossible. But Harry was already nodding that Severus had heard correctly.

"I needed a name to go by, so why not use one that meant something to me as well?" Harry shrugged like choosing the name was just the logical choice, and not layered with deeper meaning. "I hope you don't mind." He added shyly.

"Mind?" Severus choked out. He would not cry. Not now. "No, Harry. I'm honored."

Harry smiled brightly at Severus' response. "On the mention of family, Ginny wants to have you over for dinner."

AN: Oh man, oh man. This is just a joy to write. Honestly looking forward to the last chapter. Unfortunately its nearly 10,000 words in and still missing most of a pretty large section. I'm pretty sure I'll have finished (and edited) by the first even so. I hope you guys and gals are excited about the end of the journey. I'm tempted to give you the title, but that seems like teasing.

So, I had a blast righting Ron for the first and last time this story. I'm really sorry for the use of douchebag. I'm pretty sure it's an American thing, but felt it was the right word to use for the section. On a side note, yes I love playing chess and have no problem sacrificing my queen (Although I've played against plenty of people who do, always different motives and the sacrifice doesn't necessarily mean anything to be honest. It can, but it doesn't have to. I'm not much for soft sciences. Sorry again to any that offended.) I also like playing 'go' although I don't have anyone to play it with. Sad life is mine.

As another side note, I actually really like Bellatrix (as in she's one of my favorite characters). So, when I call her bat shit crazy, I say it with love. Still think she cray-cray that's probably why I think her. Crazy people can be enjoyable to read about.

Finally note. The Greater Good was actually supposed to be the very last chapter. But as you can see I ended up having to split. (Not like I haven't had to do that a bunch of times in this story. How outlines become epic novels - A story of my life.) With that said, I really liked the concept of the 'greater god'. We all know that good intentions can pave the road to hell. With all that said, I wonder if you guys understand the deeper meaning I'm going with behind my title chapters? Some times, there pretty obvious, but other times I think they really describe the story I'm trying to tell. Whether I tell it well (as I've had hiccups with being overly clever), that is really for you readers to decide.

KJ

PS I own nothing Harry Potter related. And all the mistakes are my own. Hoping you guys and gals are having a happy holiday.

PSS Changed Fred and George around. I was editing today, and couldn't for the life of me remember why I wrote down that Fred was in the relationship. So changed it. Now, I'm changing it back, because someone (my twin) reminded me about it.