Summer Of The Sixpack

Summer of the Six-pack

"My name is Luna. I'm fifteen years old and in love for the first time. And it's a bloody wrench in my plans, if you must know. Did I ask for this torment? Tell me, what have done to deserve this agony? My story begins as such stories often do, with a kiss. Rather than an ending to a fairy-tale, however, this kiss was the beginning of a nightmare... For the person being kissed was not me."

~Luna's Journal entry

To understand Luna's reaction, you must first understand that before the kiss, Luna's life was fairly simple, if a tad dull. But, more importantly, it was her life, and she was content. After all, Luna had a promising career ahead of her, working for her father's newspaper, The Quibbler. Her childhood had been a rather solitary one, but relatively happy. She may not have had many friends but she counted herself blessed with imagination.

Luna had grown up in the same town that her family had lived in for generations. While not particularly well off, they managed a comfortable existence. Her parents were madly in love with each other, to hear Luna's father tell of it, and had no qualms about expressing their love...loudly. They treated their daughter as an equal and encouraged lively debate and what Hermione referred to as "thinking outside the box". Everyday was full of wonder and discovery, but, unfortunately, those days were not meant to last forever. All too soon Luna's world would be shattered, and she would be the one left behind to pick up the pieces.

Harry knew this because Luna had owled him after leaving King's Cross Station. He had not said good-bye to her, since at the time he was busy dealing with the Dursleys. Walking ahead of his loathsome relatives, Harry was startled when a silky black raven landed upon his shoulder. Attached to its right leg had been a letter from Luna, the same letter that Harry was now reading as he walked to the car. Once inside, he flipped it back over.

Harry, people say that I'm the very image of my mum, but they don't see me as I truly am, and more's the pity for them. I inherited her silvery eyes and honey-blonde hair, but I personally don't see the resemblance. My dad tells me that I have outgrown my awkwardness and that I have blossomed into a fair maiden. It's pretty to think so, but we both know I'm odd, so why sugarcoat the truth? Ever since Mum died, we've refused to read the lies that the Daily Prophet prints. The Ministry of Magic deemed my mother's death an unfortunate example of experimental magic gone wrong. I know the truth; what they don't say is that she had sunk into a deep depression after her best friend Lily was murdered. I can't help but wonder that maybe that is when her fascination with what lies beyond began to take over her life. I believe that my mother threw herself into her work to find a way to, as Professor Snape so eloquently puts it, "put a stopper in death". I wish sometimes she had stayed here with me, but I understand how important her work had been to her.

I'm glad that we had a chance to speak together before leaving school. In case you were still concerned, my belongings were returned to me, with the addition of one odd item... Perhaps you might know who it belongs to? Upon my return from Sweden, I would appreciate your assistance in making sure that it is returned to its rightful owner.

Luna

Harry understood why Luna refused to "sugarcoat" the truth, although he did not think she was unattractive. After what had happened, Harry would rather be told the painful truth than a soothing lie. She had arrived in Sweden one month ago and would soon return home. Luna had been worried about Harry. Having seen with sharper eyes than most, she noticed how his relatives treated him, like a dangerous animal about to snap its restraints. They only had themselves to blame, she felt, for there was only so much abuse a person could take before they snapped and turned on their abuser. Or died...

Hermione believed that it was a good thing that he would no longer be forced to tolerate their ill treatment, but Luna felt that she was missing the point. No child should have to settle for living in a dark cupboard and being hated simply for his or her existence. It bothered her that the reason Harry had found the strength to confront his tormentors stemmed from the fact that in the wizard community he faced much deadlier foes than an overweight windbag and his shrewish wife. They were Knuts to Voldemort's Galleons, or as Hermione put it, "small change".

Luna had kept a sharp eye on Harry, sending her raven to Surrey to check on him quite frequently. He had taken the death of his godfather very hard. Luna had begun a warm correspondence with him since arriving in Sweden. He really was a most intriguing person. What was it about this boy that inspired his friends to risk everything for him? Would she sacrifice herself for him? In a heartbeat...

Which brought her to this logical conclusion: she loved him. Luna had never planned on this. Love is not logical, though. Her heart had given a flutter upon seeing him enter the compartment during her fourth year, and although highly illogical, she had wished at that moment that he would see her as more than just Loony Lovegood. Luna had never let the taunts of others bother her before, but somehow Ginny's words hurt her more than she had let on. She called her "Loony", simply because it was what everyone else did. It hurt more because Ginny had dismissed Luna as a non-entity, in front of Harry, no less. And, yet, Harry did not refer to her as Loony at all... Luna had never expected that he would offer to help her find her belongings. But she was glad nonetheless, if only for one moment that his pain would lessen. Helping others helped Harry. And, Luna was surprised to realize, helping Harry helps her, as well.

Luna had to take action, you see. His friends did not see it. Even the intelligent Hermione Granger failed to notice that her best friend was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Luna may have been pureblood but she was familiar with Muggle psychology, thanks to her mother. Harry's spark was fading away, and Luna could not allow that to happen. Ron and Hermione were oblivious to his silent cries for help. After his last letter, how could Luna walk away from the man he would not have had a chance to become? One month after the death of Sirius Black, Harry Potter, wunderkind of the wizard world, the Boy-Who-Lived, tried to commit suicide...

He returned to the Veil. Somehow Luna had known that he would, and she had been waiting there for him. He had tried to end it all, but not for the reasons the Daily Prophet would have readers believe. Harry Potter did not try to take his own life because of his unrequited love for Hermione Granger, who had been seen kissing Ronald Weasley. In fact, Harry had been unaware of this recent development, and would have breathed a sigh of relief had he known. It sufficed to say that he loved his friends, and wanted them to be happy. Once he had heard the prophecy, he had accepted that he would most likely never have someone special in his life like that. Harry did not try to end it all because of the burden of fame, nor did he attempt to rejoin his parents in the hereafter. These were valid issues he needed to deal with; however, the truth of the matter was that Harry just wanted the madness to stop. Harry Potter tried to do what he believed was right at the time. The world had placed an enormous burden on his shoulders. It was his love of the world, wizards and Muggles, werewolves and giants and elves alike, which led him to the Veil. Harry simply loved this world more than he hated Voldemort.

Harry climbed the steps onto the dais, and then noticed that Luna had stepped up behind him. "Luna, stay away from me! My mind is made up." His eyes remained focused on the last place he saw Sirius Black.

Quietly, she said, "I cannot change your mind, but I do hope you'll reconsider."

Harry laughed then; a harsh, low sound. "Reconsider? Why would I do that? There is nothing here for me now..." he grew somber.

"I'm here." Was it his imagination, or did her voice sound shaky?

He looked at Luna, and said with a tremor in his voice, "Then you are a fool. If you hang around with me, sooner or later you will end up dead. They will torture you, rape you, maybe even kill you in front of me. Just to prove that they can, Luna, because that is what Voldemort does. More people will get hurt. More people will die, unless I do this."

Luna grabbed his hand, "Then we'll do it together." She approached the Veil, pulling Harry along. She refused to let go of him.

Harry stopped cold. "What are you doing? Luna, get away from the Veil. That's crazy!" he exclaimed. He pulled her down onto the floor. Realizing that she had fallen onto his lap, his face colored. He lowered his eyes, and mumbled, "Sorry. I don't mean you are crazy..."

"Harry, I know that you are hurting, but this will pass given time, for those we love live on in our hearts. Even though we cannot see them, we know they are near. You heard them behind the veil. Just promise me one thing; please do not be in such a hurry to join them. You owe that to yourself." Luna silently added, "And to me..."

"You don't understand..." His once brilliant eyes had lost their luster. Dark circles pooled around them, giving him a spectral look. Harry looked as if he'd given up fighting a long time ago. Her heart ached to see him reduced to this shell of his former self.

"Then, make me understand." Luna waited patiently for his response. Harry had no choice but to elaborate.

Harry sighed, "The prophecy...one of has to die. The only way to defeat him is to become a killer. I'm sure that I would have full Ministry approval, too. What they don't see is that I don't want to kill anyone, not even Voldemort. I always thought that Dumbledore would handle it, but it looks like I'm the only one that could defeat him." He mumbled, "I thought that because of the link we have that if I commit suicide, then Voldemort dies as well."

Luna gave him a measured look. "It's really not that difficult to comprehend, although I'm surprised Hermione hasn't figured it out yet. I've always thought she would have made a great Ravenclaw. You'd make a fair one yourself if it wasn't for your pesky impulsiveness."

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed, affronted that Luna would insult him so. Harry tried to calm down. Luna had been telling him in her letters that he needed to ignore the bait. Half of the things Draco Malfoy said were intended to provoke him, and sadly, Harry fell for it every time. In Luna's defense, Harry had to admit that her intention was not to provoke him further, but instead, to make him listen. Luna was just more honest and said what she thought, no matter what others might think. Harry smiled. It was a slight upturn of the corners of his mouth, but it existed nonetheless.

Inspired, Luna plunged on. Who said Ravenclaws could not be brave? "Although your impulsiveness does have its rewards... Voldemort would have gotten away with the prophecy if it weren't for us meddling kids..."

Suddenly, the chamber echoed with hysterical laughter, and Luna found herself supporting him as he clutched her tightly. She patted his back, and responded in a forceful manner, "Harry... I love you, too."

It was the first time anyone had told him that they loved him, and with Luna, he was not sure if it was in jest. She was much better at concealing her true emotions than most. She had explained that what one's enemies do not know cannot be used against them. Luna knew firsthand that some people thrived on twisting his emotions around and wielding it as a weapon. Slytherins may be more physically abusive, but Ravenclaws have a deadly wit, and

can hurt you more with words than with fists. Luna had had enough experience with that from what information he had gleaned from his friends.

Somehow, her unintentional joke had the desired effect: Harry walked away from the Veil, and did not look back. Harry knew that Luna wasn't very demonstrative with affection, so it was a pleasant surprise when she hugged him, wiping away tears of laughter from his face. She quickly released him, but Harry felt as if he'd been given something precious. "Come on, hero...What is it that Muggles say? You don't have to go home but you can't stay here."

Harry chuckled. "Now, where on earth did you hear something like that, Luna?"

"My father adores his firewhiskey, you know. Sometimes Madame Rosemerta owls me to make sure he gets home safely." Luna stared into his eyes, and said, softly, "Where is your home, Harry?"

"Good question..." Harry sighed. He did not wish to return to the Dursleys', and when she suggested the Burrow, he vetoed that idea as well. They walked in silence through the streets of London for a while, but it was a companionable silence. "No offense to the Weasleys, but I need to go somewhere more private. Sometimes I love the Burrow, but lately I feel..." he gesticulated wildly with his hands.

"As if you are endangering them by staying there?" Luna guessed. Harry had barely noticed where they were, until he stopped suddenly in his tracks. He looked over his shoulder, realizing that somehow his path had led to Number 11 Grimmauld Place.

"Well, that wasn't exactly what I was about to say, but that is pretty accurate. I don't want to be a burden on them..." he began, but was cut of by a finger against his lips.

"You love them. You want to protect them. That's understandable; they are your family." Luna looked deeply into his eyes, noting that the warmth and brightness had returned while he thought of his surrogate family.

His voice trembled as he admitted, "I shouldn't betray my parents and Sirius like this..." Harry was unable to go on, and he slumped against Luna, suddenly overwhelmed with the guilt he felt for surviving when they did not. Luna gently eased his face to meet her own and placed a kiss upon his lips. He didn't pull away; instead he seemed to cling to her more, as if she was a lifeline thrown his way in a vast ocean. And then, the most unlikely thing happened... Harry began kissing her back in earnest.

If Ginny had told Luna that she would be kissing the great Harry Potter, she would have thought it a cruel joke, since the redhead knew of her feelings for him. And now he knew... what had she done? She had meant only to comfort him, but the kiss became about something much larger than two people. Harry broke away from her lips to gaze warily at her. He said in a cold voice, "Why did you kiss me, Luna? Was it because you pitied me, or because I'm the famous Harry Potter?"

Luna stared at Harry, but it was not the usual dreamy stare that she gave him, but one of sadness. "You should know that I would never play with your emotions like that. I kissed you because I've wanted to do that for a very long time. I kissed you because you are my Harry, not because you are famous. I kissed you because I have these feelings inside that cannot be contained," Luna's voice grew in strength and conviction.

Harry let all of his anger fade; he knew he was hurting Luna, but he had never even considered that she had felt this way. Suddenly, he was filled with warmth. She cared for him, maybe even loved him. She knew about his destiny, and had brushed it aside, because he was still her Harry, no matter what happened. Luna asked for nothing, expected nothing from him. She was just offering her love and support, without any hope that he would return it. Harry thought about the journal entry written on the back of Luna's letter, and suddenly he realized whom it referred to. "Luna, did you see what happened between me and Cho?" She refused to

look him in the eye, but nodded. Harry leaned his forehead against Luna's, and whispered softly, "I'm not very good at understanding girls, am I?"

"Take heart, Harry. You've got plenty of time for that," Luna sighed and continued their discussion as if nothing had happened between them. "No, you're not betraying them by loving the Weasleys. I think your parents would understand that you need a family. I'm sorry that the one you have doesn't appreciate you. You are worth so much more; why do you take their shite? You could leave, let them fend for themselves. It's a thought."

"What would they do without their little house-elf?" he grimaced. Luna poked him. "You would think my aunt had some maternal feeling to spare for me, wouldn't you? If she had her way, she would have sent me to the orphanage. That would have been just ducky... Just think, Tom Riddle grew up in an orphanage and he turned out just fine. It would have been better if he'd finished the job when he killed mum and dad, as far as my aunt is concerned."

"She took you in, though. That must count for something," she pointed out.

Harry sighed, "Against her better judgment, as she likes to emphasize. Trust me; Petunia Dursley only does what is in her best interest. As far as the leaving thing goes, I can't. It's for my protection as well as theirs. For the moment, though, I'm not going back. Maybe I'll ask Remus if I can visit the Burrow in a few days. You could come by; you live near the Burrow. Ottery St. Catchpole, right? I mean, that is if you want to see me again. Of course, you'll see me on the Hogwarts Express; what am I saying?"

He was rather cute when he blushed, Luna mused, although she was certain that he would not appreciate the sentiment. Luna decided to take it easy on him. "Rest assured, my sweet Harry, I want to see you. Convince Professor Lupin to take you into town; as a chaperone goes, he's not so bad. I'd like to take you out for your birthday. If you don't want to be seen with me, though, I'll understand."

Harry smirked, "Lovegood, are you flirting with me?"

The smile that played upon her lips came quite easily. "Why, yes, Potter. I'm so glad you've figured that out. Not bad for a Gryffindor..." She paused, thoughtfully, before saying shyly, "I could be your Luna, if you want me to be. So, what's your answer?"

Harry seemed a bit taken aback by her straightforwardness. He replied in a voice ripe with wonder, "You really are something, Luna. Yeah, I'd like to be seen with you in public; why would you think otherwise? Promise me you'll never take me to Madame Puddifoot's and it's a deal." He shuddered. "Don't ask; it's a Cho thing. I'll need to check with the Order first. Would it be okay with you if Remus and Tonks came with? They need a bit of cheering up..."

Luna nodded. "A double date it is, then," she confirmed.

Harry gasped for a moment, turning a very amusing shade, and sputtered, "But... but, he's old enough to be her father!"

The Ravenclaw patted his hand reassuringly, "I don't believe he's that much older, you know. Well, I could be mistaken; it would be a first," she pondered.

As we walked to the front door of Number 12, which had materialized out of thin air, Harry uttered softly, with a dreamy look in his eyes, "I've never been anyone's Harry before. I kind of like it." The door shut behind him, and Luna could hear a woman's voice which undoubtedly belonged to Mrs. Black berate his heritage and that of his guardian. Then, Harry's voice rose above the din, almost cheerfully, singing, "Ding, dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? This old witch. Ding, dong, the wicked witch is dead!!!" He was slightly off-key, and the music was punctuated by loud zaps as he destroyed the painting that Ginny had told her about. As Luna walked down the street, she could hear Professor Lupin join in.

Harry Potter was in love.

The beginning of summer had been dismal. Sirius Black, godfather to Harry and best friend to his father, had died. With him died all hope that Harry would have a normal life. Harry felt that he had been deluding himself for quite some time. He had trusted Professor Dumbledore for the five years that he had known him, and respected the bespectacled wizard. Dumbledore exuded confidence and calm, and this infuriated Harry near the end of term. How could his mentor remain calm when Harry felt as if his whole life had spiraled out of control! What angered Harry the most was the fact that Dumbledore did not trust him enough to tell him the truth after Voldemort's resurrection. Harry felt betrayed. Time and time again he had assumed an adult's responsibility and faced death on a yearly basis, yet he was treated like a child. And then he found out what the prophecy said. How could he fight an enemy who wanted him dead, when the people whom he needed to turn to withheld information from him? Harry was determined that this year would be different, and that Sirius's sacrifice would not be in vain.

Harry had been depressed for a very long time, but that did not matter when others were in danger. For Harry believed that the happiness of others was more important, to the exclusion of taking care of himself. He had been so used to denying his own needs that things had to be brought to a boiling point for him to admit to himself that he needed help. After the Dursleys brought him back to Privet Drive, he lasted roughly a month before he tried to end it all. Harry had sent owls to Hermione and Ron stating that he was tired of being left in the dark and that he had decided to end this once and for all. He told them how much he loved them, and that he'd given his life so that they could have a life together. Harry only meant that he had found a way to defeat Voldemort and if it meant sacrificing himself, he had prepared himself for that possibility. In retrospect, it perhaps wasn't the correct phrasing. How could he know that the Daily Prophet would interpret it to mean that he questioned his sexuality and felt that Hermione deserved to be with Ron?

Harry Potter was in love, but he had not realized it. He did not think he deserved to be loved. Everyone that cared about him would be cannon fodder unless he found a way to defeat Voldemort soon. His initial foray into dating ended badly, and he had assumed that he would not live long enough to be in another relationship. In fact, his final thought before entering the Veil was that at least he had kissed a girl before his death.

Luna stopped him from killing himself, and at first he was angry at her. Didn't she understand that Voldemort was connected to Harry, and that his death would kill the dark wizard? She did understand; he hadn't counted on that. As things often were regarding Luna, she had found a way to reach him when no one else could. He thought she had become a close friend, but he was startled to find himself wanting to kiss her. When they kissed, he realized what had been missing with dating Cho. There had been no foundation for their relationship. They had been using each other; both had been thrown together by an event, Cedric's death. Harry had wanted to forget what happened, but Cho had wanted to remember.

Luna may not be popular or good at Quidditch, or a knockout, but she understood how it felt to be the last person to be picked for a team. She understood how it felt to be ridiculed and bullied, but instead of getting angry with her tormentors, she showed that she was above their petty behavior. Harry was certain that if he told her about his past that she would understand how miserable his life had been until Hogwarts. Most importantly, she understood how much Harry mourned his parents and Sirius, because like Harry and Neville, she had lost someone important, too. The amazing thing was that she retained faith and optimism that things would work out in the end. Harry had lost hope, but found it again in Luna. Harry

realized that he had more in common with her than his best friends. Her kiss forced him to consider that up until now, he had been merely surviving. He wanted to live, really live. He wanted to experience everything that life had to offer. And he would be damned if he would let Tom Riddle take all that away from him.

Harry entered the house that Sirius had hated as much as Harry hated Privet Drive. He had not announced his intent to visit Remus, but as the only remaining link to his parents, the werewolf was in as much pain if not more. Luna had pointed out to him during their walk that he still had a family, just not one of blood. When Remus had been his professor, he had never shied away from difficult topics. Harry knew that he was the one person who might answer any questions about his mum. He opened his mouth to ask Remus if they could sit down and talk, since so much had happened in the past twenty-four hours, but was cut off mid-sentence by the portrait of Mrs. Black.

"FILTHY HALF-BLOOD WEREWOLF!!! DON'T THINK I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON UNDER MY ROOF ALL THIS TIME!!! WHAT DISRESPECT! MY BLOOD TRAITOR OF A SON AND HIS UNNATURALLNESS, FOULING MY ANCESTRAL HOME! IF I WASN'T ALREADY DEAD THE SHOCK WOULD HAVE KILLED ME... SHAGGING A WEREWOLF!!! IT'S DISGUSTING! One son a coward and the other a lover of men..." the bitter old woman spat.

Harry thought this comment was low even by her standards, but he dismissed it. After all, Mrs. Black had been known to insult anyone who wasn't pureblood. Harry refused to listen to her insane diatribes any longer. He stuck his fingers in his ears and began to sing loudly, "Ding dong the witch is dead..." His heart felt lighter than it had felt in a long time. He would miss Sirius forever, but that would become less painful given time. He felt almost gleeful, zapping her portrait and singing gaily, and when Remus entered the room, he flashed him a rare smile. "C'mon, Remus; let's get rid of the old hag once and for all!"

An assuredly canine grin graced his features. "Harry; I may have found a way to remove the Sticking Charm. Why don't we toss her out with the rest of the trash, hmmm?"

"I'VE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED IN MY LIFE!"

"Just wait; the day's not over yet!" Remus chuckled. Harry spent a good portion of the afternoon with him, zapping the portrait and sometimes physically ripping at it, until they were exhausted. The painting no longer hung on the wall, and the frame had been reduced to a pile of splinters. They sat back on the ripped cushions of the sofa with fresh iced tea, made the Muggle way. "I know magic is quicker, Harry, but tea should never be rushed..." he sighed. "And so ends the most ancient and noble house of Black. To Sirius!"

"To Sirius," Harry toasted. Sipping quietly, Harry thought about the venom which had dripped from every word that Mrs. Black had said. His curiosity got the better of him. He had to know if there was a shred of truth to the old bat's claims. "Remus, I need to ask you something. Well, actually, a few somethings... You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but I would really appreciate a straight answer." Suddenly he blushed. Maybe straight wasn't the right word.

"I'm afraid you'll have to be much clearer than that, my boy. Just what is it that you want to talk to me about?" Remus raised an eyebrow. Harry seemed far too happy today considering everything that had happened, but now he had a very uncomfortable look on his face.

Harry took a deep breath and let it all out in a big rush. "Oh, you know; girls, boys, death and being gay or not." He looked down at his hands and willed himself to remain calm. Remus never yelled at him, other than the time he took away the Marauder's Map, but even then

that had been because Harry had not seen the potential danger. There was no reason he would do so now.

Remus choked on his drink. Silently he prayed to Lily for guidance. He had hoped that some day Harry would ask for advice on love, but he had always thought it would be Sirius who would teach Harry the basics. He mused sadly, "Sirius..."

Harry replied, "If you don't want to..."

Remus set down his cup gently, and gripped Harry's shoulders. "You can ask me anything, Harry, do you understand? Anything. I will think no less of you, no matter what you tell me." He released the boy, and then reached out to ruffle his hair.

"Well, it's complicated," he began.

"Isn't love always?" Remus teased gently.

"I mean, I'd never thought of two blokes getting together in that way before, you know?" Reassured by the nod from the ex-professor, he continued, "But if you love each other..."

"Yes, Harry... if you love each other is can be a beautiful thing." He sighed. "You don't find it unnatural, then?" Remus was certain that he knew the answer, and was proud of Harry. This discussion was going better than he had thought it would.

"Once you get used to the idea, it's not so bad..." Harry relaxed. This was going much better than he thought it would.

"So, how long have you known?"

"Well, I think I've always suspected, you know... but I had to be sure."

"Understandable," Remus nodded in agreement.

"It wasn't until I stepped in the door today that I seriously considered it. I mean, I didn't want you to be angry at me, but I hoped you would understand," Harry gulped. "I need to know how you feel..."

"Harry, I will never stop loving you for being gay..." Remus responded forcefully.

"I'm not gay! I fancy Luna!" Harry clamped a hand over his mouth. That wasn't what he intended for to come out.

"Miss Lovegood? I would have thought you fancied Hermione. Hmm. Well, okay; bisexual, then..." Remus glanced at the Daily Prophet quickly.

"I'm not... that, either. At least, I don't think I am. I've never really thought about it. Why would you think me and Hermione...Anyway, I thought we were talking about Sirius."

His forehead wrinkled in thought. "What about Sirius?"

Harry groaned in exasperation, "Were you two shagging each other senseless or not?"

"Well, to put it in that crude manner, yes; but I fail to see how that concerns your love life, Harry." Remus was now thoroughly perplexed. Then Harry glanced at the newspaper and he could see the boy working it all out in his head. He silently waited for Harry to finish the article. Remus tensed for the explosion that would surely come.

When it happened, it wasn't quite what he had expected. Harry exploded with laughter. "Bloody hell, Remus! Is that all? That's why you thought I was shagging Hermione and Ron! Oh, gods; that's funny! I'll have to tell Luna this one." When he regained his composure, Harry explained about his suicide attempt. Somehow even that seemed funny to Harry. "That's what the letter to Ron and Hermione was about. Can't even kill myself when I want to, eh?"

Remus's reaction scared him. He was suddenly pulled into a tight hug, and shaken lightly. In a harsh tone, the man admonished, "Don't ever joke about that Harry! Don't you ever leave me! I couldn't handle it if you died, too..." He choked back a sob and continued, "Harry, I know you are hurting, but suicide is never the answer. I would have joined him, if it weren't for you. I... loved him, too."

Harry pulled back so that he could study his face. "I know that now. And, really, Remus, I am okay with your... relationship. Although I wish I hadn't found out about it this way. Don't you trust me?" he blurted out suddenly. "I can handle the truth."

"Harry, my boy," Remus began. He hugged him tighter. "Of course I trust you. This was just... private, you understand? Sirius and I had wanted to tell you, though. It was very difficult to find the right way to tell you. I thought you might not feel too pleased with either of us. I should have trusted my instinct. You are a lot more like your mother, in the ways that it counts the most. Your father... well, there was nothing we wouldn't do for him, but Sirius was afraid that if he knew how close we really were, that he would lose the best friend that he'd ever had. Worse, James was a brother to him, taking him in when he was disowned by the House of Black." He released Harry to allow him time for this news to sink in.

"Don't shield me from the truth, please. Everyone tries to protect me from the truth, but if they were honest from the start, maybe I could trust them more. Maybe I'd be less inclined to rush off if I knew that the adults in my life could trust me with the information."

"Yes, Harry; I understand. Trust me; I'll be having words with the Headmaster. You deserve to know about your parents, and the lives they led. These are things that other children take for granted." Remus sat down, and bid Harry do the same. He began his story...

"You know quite a bit about the Marauders, but I doubt that anyone has told you about Lily. Your father was quite taken with her, since they first met on the train, but in typical boy fashion, he alternately ignored her or teased her in front of us. In fifth year, she confided in me that she had feelings for him, but that he brushed her off. They played around a bit like Ron and Hermione, arguing here and there, but it was a cover for their true feelings. Besides, she had a friend in another house that we didn't approve of." Remus paused here, waiting for Harry to nod. "One day I saw them, kissing down by the dungeons. I knew who it was, but was sworn not to tell Sirius or James. When James found out about it, he started taking out his anger on Severus. This lead to the scene you've witnessed in the Pensieve. Yes, Harry, Severus cared for your mother. And your father was a bit stupid about it. He thought that tormenting Severus would get her attention, and it did, only not in the way he would have liked. Have you never thought why Snape treats you so?"

Harry looked puzzled for a moment, and then the realization hit him. "Snape fancied her, but she didn't feel the same way. She loved my dad. It must have burned him up when they started dating. Why did she fall in love with him, though? From what I saw, she was pretty upset with your antics."

Remus sighed, "What you need to understand is that tragedy often forces one to reevaluate their life. Your grandparents, the Evans, had been killed by Death Eaters that summer, after we took our OWLs. When Lily returned to Hogwarts, we all noticed a change in her. She was less talkative, more introspective. Her sister blamed her for everything that had happened. I had met Petunia only once, at the funeral, and I could see how much it pained Lily that a rift had opened up between them. Your aunt had sworn that she would have no further contact with the wizarding world, including your mother. Lily was despondent, and no one could reach her, or so I thought."

"Your father found her down by the girl's toilet, with a vial of potion. He recognized it for the suicide attempt it had been. He took her to Severus, since he knew more about Potions that any other student. She blamed herself for her parents' deaths. James saved her life that night by working past his grudge, and when she regained consciousness, he apologized for acting like an insensitive prat all the time. He told her that he truly loved her, and that he had had time to think while she lay sleeping. With the Death Eaters attacks on the rise, he had felt

that it was time for him to start accepting the inevitability of war, and that he would be expected to fight. The Potters were at the forefront of the conflict, since your grandmother had been raised by her Muggle aunt. Your grandmother Rose had lost her cousin Myrtle during their school days..."

Harry gaped, "Wait a minute! Myrtle... as in Moaning Myrtle? Then, my dad wasn't a pureblood after all..." He pondered this while Remus continued

"James was a pureblood, and Myrtle was his relative, yes, although he never knew her. He had only found out recently about her. Now, James didn't want to go off to fight without telling Lily the truth, but he was not supposed to discuss his heritage, after all. During World War II, a lot of families were separated or torn apart. At one point, many children were sent away from their homes because of the air raids. A very confusing time, you must understand."

Harry absorbed every word, thankful for at least having one link to the past. He muttered, ".So, then, Tom Riddle killed my parents and was responsible for the deaths of my Muggle grandparents and Myrtle as well? Anything else that I should know?" He tried to remain calm, since getting overexcited in the past had led to disastrous consequences. Maybe it would be better to find out as much as possible. Remus seemed to be willing to talk about anything but Sirius at the moment, but Harry felt that eventually, he would get to that part of the story. Difficult as it was, Harry remained patient.

"Rose Potter was quite warm and boisterous, a bit like Molly, actually. Your grandfather Stephen loved her very much, even though she was not exactly pureblood. He was a very passionate man, firm in his convictions. Sirius often told me of the fondness he had for Mr. Potter. He treated him like a son, and that meant the world to Sirius. James had always wanted a sibling, but they were unable to have any more children after his birth. So, pretty much, Sirius had the family he had wished for, and I had Sirius. Our lives were very happy, although we had to keep our relationship secret. People were not very accepting of homosexuality then, and even less accepting in the wizarding world."

"During seventh year, your grandfather was killed. Your parents clung to each other for support more than ever, and vowed to put an end to the madness. Before long, your grandmother passed away. James had no other family left, save us. That is why our friendship became so strong. We became his family, much like your friends have become yours. Which is why I was astounded when your parents were killed. How could Sirius have done such a thing?" Remus lowered his voice, saying, "I wish I had believed in his innocence, then. If it were not for this blasted lycanthropy, I would have been there to protect James and Lily, and Sirius would not have been imprisoned. I could have had so much more time with him, Harry. And now, he's gone..."

Remus wept silently, and Harry was aware of how this was the closest to losing control that he had ever seen in his father's friend. He hugged Remus, and said the only thing that he could, "But at least you had these two years together, right? Life, God, Fate; whatever you want to call it, it gave you both a second chance. I think we've blamed ourselves for far too long, Remus. It's time to heal. Luna tried to tell me before that he would live on in our hearts, and she was right. We'll never forget him. And I'll see to it that he receives justice in the end."

His old professor struggled to regain his composure. He didn't like the look in Harry's eyes. "Bellatrix will get what's coming to her, Harry, but you'll not be the one to deliver it. Neville has more right to seeing her pay than you or I. Promise me something; look out for him, would you? Alice and Frank were good to me, and they would be proud of him. However, they wouldn't want him to become a murderer."

The gleam in Harry's eyes faded, and he slumped a little. "I know. That's my job..." Harry paused, then with a smirk he responded, "Sounds like a little speech I gave you and

Sirius some time ago. So, honestly, do you still wish you had gone through with killing Peter when you had the chance?"

Remus sighed, but his voice was strong. "No. You were right; James and Lily would never have wanted any of us to become killers, especially you, Harry." Harry's head snapped up at this. "Oh, don't think you can fool me, boy. I have excellent hearing, remember?" He appraised Harry for a moment. There was something else that the boy was reluctant to talk about, and he had a fair idea of what it was.

Harry thought hard for a moment. Remus didn't know about the prophecy, unless Dumbledore told him. He would have to trust Remus to help him come to terms with his destiny. After all, how difficult it must have been for Remus as a child to be told that he was a werewolf and that he would never have a normal life. Harry was certain that he was the only adult who could understand how he felt. He was about to say something, but then realized that Remus had continued, taking Harry's silence for stubborn refusal.

"You will not kill Bellatrix, Harry; do you hear me?" Remus looked pointedly at him. "You do not need blood on your hands. Killing a person changes you, in ways that you cannot begin to imagine, and you would become like Voldemort. I see that now, although I still thirst for revenge."

Harry burst out, "I wasn't talking about Bellatrix!" Breathing deeply to calm himself, he explained about the prophecy, how he was destined to kill or be killed. When he had finished, he waited to see how Remus would react. He wanted his approval more than anything else in the world at that moment, and it dawned on him that whereas Sirius had been like an older brother or an uncle, Remus was more like how Harry imagined his father to be, before finding out the truth. Remus cried then, for the boy who survived but never truly lived, and the childhood that he deserved to have but was so often denied. And, now, he may never live to become a man.

"We will find a way, Harry. I'll do all that I can to help you defeat him. You don't have to be alone anymore."

"But, in the end, I'm always alone..." Harry trailed off.

Remus awoke the next morning to a banging on his bedroom door. He shoved Harry off of him. The poor boy awoke with a start, fumbling for his glasses on the bedside table. It took him a minute to realize why his head was pounding. Harry's scar ached. He put a hand to his forehead; it came away sticky with blood. Remus opened the door, and peeked outside. He said, "No one there," and was about to shut the door when Harry let out a yelp. Lying on the hallway floor of 12 Grimmauld Place was a semi-conscious Luna Lovegood. Her clothes were torn and bloody.

Harry immediately scooped her into his arms, as Remus ushered them inside. He laid her upon the bed, and began to check her over for signs of injury. Harry gasped as she grabbed his hand, opening her eyes to stare into his own. Suddenly, it was as if all he could see were flashes of green light, and then a clear picture of Luna running for her life from a hooded man. He caught her, and threw her down roughly in front of another man. Harry paled as the second man removed his hood, revealing blood-red eyes and slits for nostrils. "Good work, Wormtail. It seems that you have a purpose after all." Voldemort announced, "We have a spy in our midst. A pretty young thing, don't you think, Lucius?" He turned to the Death Eaters assembled there.

One came forward, snarling, "I know who she is, master. She was there at the Department of Mysteries. She was with Potter!" The tall blonde raised his cane, but was stopped by the Dark Lord from striking the girl.

"Temper, temper, Lucius!" he purred. "You'll have your fun later, I promise. Now, tell me, little girl, where is Harry Potter?" Luna raised her eyes to meet his, and stared back at him in her calm manner. The Dark Lord seemed slightly ruffled by this, but hid it from his followers. Grabbing her wrist, he whispered, "You may have a fair amount of natural talent for Occlumency, but I will break you. When I am done, you will wish for death, but you shall not receive it. You have made many enemies who are here tonight, and I'm certain they would like to exact their revenge. Tell me where Potter is, and you will be released. Defy me, little girl, and I'll let them have you."

"No, I don't think I shall," Luna replied evenly. "You want to kill him, and I can't allow that." Harry tensed. He knew what the Death Eaters were capable of. "Why would I help you, when you have killed my father and his secretary? I'm afraid that it is not in my best interests to serve you." A dreamy look crossed her face, and she continued, "Harry will win, you know." Harry wasn't sure what had happened, but Voldemort was thrown backward, clutching his wounded hand to his chest.

His eyes were like flames in his anger. "You will grovel at my feet by day's end, bitch! Lucius, take her wand away. I think it's time we sent Potter a little message..."

Luna was dragged away. Harry groaned as the vision began to change. The next scene was of a sobbing girl. With a shock, Harry realized that it was Luna. He was unaccustomed to seeing his friend like this. She was dirty, bruised, and bloody, but what shocked him was how broken she looked. There was a haunted look in her eyes that he'd never seen before. Luna rocked back and forth, mourning her father. Luna turned in the vision to look at Harry; it was quite disconcerting. "Help me. Please..."

Harry was about to say something to the Memory Luna, when he heard another voice, low and icy. "Miss Lovegood," he hissed. "We must proceed with caution. The Dark Lord sent me..."

"To torture and rape me. I know. You won't do it, though. I can see it in your eyes, Professor Snape," she spoke softly. They took the measure of each other for a moment, and then she continued, "You are a brave soul, and more noble than you think. Harry is lucky to have you on his side."

He backhanded her across the face, but she only smiled at him. "Do not say such things to me, here of all places! Think you that I care for the boy? He is nothing to me, understand?" He leaned in close enough to say, "You are treading on dangerous ground here. You will expose me if you continue. Now, listen, girl; you will take this Portkey," Snape handed her a chew toy, "to Headquarters. You are to warn Professor Lupin that the Order is in grave danger. It is imperative that he takes Potter to Spinner's End as soon as possible. Can you do this?"

She nodded. "I understand. But, you are in danger, Professor."

Snape ran a hand through his hair, mumbling, "Don't you worry; I'll get out of here. Just go!" Luna took the dog toy and was immediately taken to Headquarters. The memory ended. Exhausted, Luna curled up into a ball on the bed.

Harry looked to Remus, saying, "What is Spinners' End?"

Remus replied in a distracted voice as he helped bandage her wounds, "Oh, nothing much... just Snape's house." Harry was unsure how to react. He knew that Snape worked for the Order as a spy, but he had a very difficult time trusting him. He helped the girl to escape, so that must prove that he was loyal to the cause. However, he had struck Luna. Harry tried to understand that Snape had to keep up the appearance of a loyal Death Eater, but it still angered him. And, now he wanted them to go to his house?

Harry asked, "Remus, do you think we can trust him? I really want to believe that Snape has a heart, but you'd never know it by the way he treats me." He really didn't want to go to the professor's house, and he was worried about Luna.

Remus gripped Harry's hands in his. He shook slightly, willing Harry to listen. "Harry, if Severus insists upon using his house as a refuge, then things have gotten much, much worse. He must assume that the Death Eaters will find out that he helped Miss Lovegood to escape, and that his cover is blown. Trust me when I say that Severus Snape would never allow either of us into his inner sanctum unless it was an emergency. There are things that you still do not know, Harry... things that he would wish to keep private. Promise me that you will not repeat the mistake you made with the Pensieve. Once you earn his trust, Severus can be your greatest ally."

"Why are you telling me this? I thought you hated him, and likewise," Harry interjected. Just then, Harry noticed what had failed to see the night before. Remus was pale, shaky, and looked ill. Quickly, he added up the days since the moon had last been full. "Remus, the full moon is tonight, then."

"Yes, Harry. I will need a place to take my potion and transform. Do you see now why it is crucial that we go to Spinners' End? Severus supplies me with the Wolfsbane potion, and also he can offer me the use of his cellar tonight." Lupin grabbed a large bag, and started grabbing random objects from the house that had belonged to Sirius. When Harry gave him a curious look, he explained, "We would not want these items to fall into the wrong hands, you know. And, well, there is the matter of his will to attend to."

As Harry helped him pack, he noted with interest that the bag seemed to have a charm upon it that allowed them to put into it what appeared to be an endless stream of objects. He almost forgot to ask about the will since he had been paying attention to the bag's contents. "Sirius left a will? I didn't know he had one. Wouldn't the Ministry have disallowed it, then?"

Remus grinned wolfishly, "Normally, everything Sirius owned would have fallen into Narcissa's clutches, but the Order is working on having you and Tonks legally declared as his beneficiaries. In the meantime, we must leave at once."

Harry goggled. "Hold on a minute! Are you telling me that Tonks and I inherit whatever he owned? Including Grimmauld Place? Is that even possible?" He sat down, thinking hard. "What about Buckbeak?"

Remus gently reassured him, "Buckbeak will be freed. I will need your help with him, however, since he doesn't trust me this close to the full moon. We will send him back to Hagrid. As far as the rest, Sirius has left his vault, motorcycle, and personal belongings to you. He may have been impulsive, Harry, but we balanced each other out. I advised him to settle our accounts in case anything happened to either of us. That way you would be taken care of."

Harry sighed, hugging Remus. "I'd still rather have him, though..."

Remus ruffled his hair. "So would I, son, so would I..."

Harry had insisted that Remus send Tonks over to check on Luna's status before he would agree to leave Grimmauld Place. He promised that she would send a Healer over if necessary. As they were ready to depart, Tonks stuck her head out of the fireplace with an update. She had informed the other Order members of the situation.

Harry's thoughts turned to Luna. It suddenly hit him that Luna was now an orphan, that she had seen her father killed before her very eyes. His heart began to ache for her. He still had trouble coping with the death of his godfather, and he could imagine only too well how Luna must be feeling. No wonder she didn't want to talk about it. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Harry took off at a run down the hallway. Suddenly, the door was thrown open, and a boy collided into him. "Neville?" he inquired.

"AHHH!!!" Neville screamed, pointing his wand at Harry. "RIDDIKULUS!!! Damn it! It's not working, Ron!"

"That's because I'm not a boggart," he replied, helping the boy to his feet. Harry smiled at the redhead standing behind Neville.

"Hullo, Harry." The boy gave him a sheepish grin. He shifted nervously, but spoke clearly, "Sorry about that..."

"No problem, Nev." Harry was about to explain the situation when suddenly a bushy-haired brunette flung herself at his neck. Hermione sobbed copiously, as Harry began patting her back. He begged Ron with his eyes to do something about it.

Ron embraced both of his friends, muttering, "You gave us the shock of our lives, mate! Mum's a wreck over the story in the Prophet, you know. We've been looking for you all night!"

Hermione sniffled, and then punched Harry in the arm. "You have a lot of explaining to do. The magical world is in an uproar. The Order is furious with Dumbldore, and the Daily Prophet has your letter to me pasted on every cover. Not to mention that V-Voldemort must be having a grand party right about now. How could you do this to me, of all people?"

Ginny wandered through the door, took a double take, and knocked Hermione out of the way. Harry felt the full wrath of the youngest Weasley directed at him, and tried to prolong the inevitable. Harry sighed. "Ginny; there's very little time to explain. Luna was taken by the Death Eaters. Professor Snape helped her escape," he said, looking at her brother. "She's here with me, but we need to leave at once. I don't want to Floo with her like this until I know you'll all be safe. Will you come with me?"

Ron shifted nervously, avoiding Harry's eyes. The redhead started rummaging around in his jeans pocket for a scrap of paper. "We can take Luna, but I don't know if there is a felly... I mean, telephone here. We really should call Mum, and let her know you're okay."

Ginny pushed past him, withdrawing a metal object from her purse. "Here, Harry; use my cell phone." She slipped it into Harry's hand. Then she glanced at her brother, and explained, "Dean gave it to me as an early birthday present. He thought you might feel better knowing I was safe in Muggle London."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Gin. I'll fill you in when we get to the safe house. Take Neville and Hermione with you to Spinner's End then we'll follow."

Neville said, "I'll make sure the girls are safe, Harry." He grabbed a handful of powder, clutching Hermione around the waist with his other arm. She winced in pain. Neville was downcast. "I'm sorry, I forgot..." Hermione had to explain that her chest still hurt from the scar Dolohov had given her in the Department of Mysteries. This seemed to reassure him that he wasn't at fault. Ginny grabbed her hand as they were whisked away by the Floo Network.

Harry groaned. "I forgot to tell them about Professor Snape! I just was so scared, Ron, that Luna was hurt badly. I wanted to stay with her. I don't want her to wake up alone..." he trailed off, suddenly afraid he would start crying. Ron put a hand on his shoulder, and Harry squeezed it. The redhead had been very quiet since his arrival, uncharacteristically so. "Ron, are you alright?"

Ron hastily wiped at his own face, muttering, "Call Mum." He checked Luna quickly, and then left the room to inform Remus and Tonks of their departure.

Harry dialed the number for the Weasley residence. "Hello, Mrs. Weasley?"

"H-Harry? Oh, sweet Merlin!" Molly began crying on the phone. "Where are you?"

Harry's heart gave a mighty twist when he thought of how worried she had been and what effect the news of his death must have had upon the Weasleys. He pushed the guilt aside for a moment. "I'm fine. I'm at Headquarters for now, but I'm on my way to a safe location. Don't worry about Ron and Ginny; the six of us are headed there right now. You see, Luna's been hurt..."

Molly began to pace around the kitchen; Harry could hear the rustle of her robes. Suddenly he heard the clamor of other voices in the background. She shouted above them, in her usual no-nonsense voice, "SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!!!" In a more gentle voice, she continued, "Harry's on the phone. Okay, dear, go on."

"We'll be fine; Remus and Tonks are coming with. As soon as we can, I promise, we'll give you a call to let you know our location." Harry's heart swelled with affection, knowing that his own mum would have been frantic.

The phone was wrestled away from her by Arthur, who greeted him in a jovial voice, "Harry, my boy! Wonderful to hear your voice! See, Molly; I told you he had more sense than that. Now, Harry... I'd like you to do me a small favor."

"Anything, sir, but we must be leaving now." Harry could see Ron approaching with the two adults. He could hear silence on the other end of the phone, and wondered what Molly had done to quiet the others.

Arthur began tentatively, "There are rumours floating around right now, about Ron and Hermione..."

Harry stiffened. "You don't need to worry about that, sir. I love them dearly. They're my mates." He cursed himself for the term he had used.

Arthur said in an awe-struck whisper, "Do you really? Just, be careful, alright? I love you, Harry. You are as much my son as Ron is, so I want you to know that I would support you, no matter what."

Harry blushed. "Thanks, sir. That means a lot to me. I don't have time to explain now, but maybe later we can talk about this, with Ron?"

Arthur reassured him, "I'll handle the press for now. As far as the magical world is concerned, you and Luna are dead. I think maybe we should let them think it for a little while longer, until this blows over. Maybe it will flush out the Death Eaters. Take care of yourself, my boy." With that, he hung up.

It had been a long day for Harry. First, he had tried to kill himself. Then, he had kissed Luna for the first time. Harry had a heart-to-heart talk with Remus about his family, and found out that Sirius had left him everything of importance, and that they had been lovers. Then, Luna had shown up at their door. Finally, he had arrived at his destination: Spinners' End. He dusted himself off after exiting the fireplace, and waited for Tonks to arrive. She had explained that the Daily Prophet was all over the Quibbler offices. It was pure bedlam there. Tonks had had a difficult time convincing the Ministry to let her take custody of Luna, until she showed them her Auror badge. She explained that the girl was an orphan and that she had been kidnapped by people who would seek revenge. Therefore, she was under her protection. That meant that Tonks would be assigned to patrol Snape's house, which brought a real smile to Harry's face. Imagine what the Potions Master would say to hosting Loony, Moony, Harry and Tonks: a fruitcake, a werewolf, the son of his hated rival, and the freak of nature. Not to mention temporarily hosting Neville, Ginny, Ron and Hermione.

They had Flooed to Spinner's End and were greeted by Neville, who had been sitting as far from the Potions Master as possible. He rose to greet Harry, giving him a lopsided smile. Harry returned the smile. Harry's grin faded, however, when he saw that the Potions Master was waiting for him in the living room. Snape sneered, "You certainly took your bloody time getting here, didn't you, Potter?" He arose, wrapping his bat-like cloak around himself, and glided across the room. Harry couldn't help but admit that he had a certain style. His professor surveyed his prey, and Harry tried not to flinch as he passed him by. Neville took this opportunity to show Ron, Ginny, and Hermione their rooms. Luna remained with Harry as he stood his ground opposite Snape. His eyes lit upon the fireplace, where a soot-covered Auror lay sprawled across the hearth, her skirt hiked up to reveal artfully ripped fishnet stockings. For once, Harry mused, the hawk-nosed man had nothing to say. In fact, he seemed incapable of speech at the moment. Something in his gaze softened as he offered a hand to her. Immediately, his mask slipped back into place, but Harry had seen.

The red-haired Auror flashed a grin at the scowling man. "Thanks, Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody! So, when do we eat?" She looked around with curiosity. She strode across the room as if she was completely at home there, and plopped into a dusky green chair. "Have to keep my strength up, you know. It's terribly hard work, it is, but I'll manage." She winked at Harry, and it was then that he realized why Snape was acting so peculiar. Tonks looked like Lily.

She probably doesn't realize it, Harry mused. Hanging around with the Weasleys and me must have rubbed off on her somehow. Red hair, green eyes... no wonder he looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Or, rather, an old friend... Harry wondered then if perhaps his teacher was human after all. Lily had been his friend, and it was obvious that he cared for her. It must have hurt that she ended their friendship once she began dating James. Harry looked at her again, and found himself crossing the room to her. He couldn't help himself. He knew she was Tonks, but he was overcome with a need he couldn't describe. He had to touch her...

At that moment, two things happened. Luna yelled, startling Tonks. Harry found his face pressed against her chest as she leapt to her feet to confront the perceived danger. Unthinking, he grabbed her to prevent her fall. This caused Snape to snap, "Get your hands off of her, Potter!" Harry spun around to find that a wand was aimed at his heart. Harry backed away slowly from Snape with hands out in front. The man had a crazed look in his eyes as he backed Harry up against a wall. "You don't deserve her. She's mine!!!"

Harry blinked. "What are you on about? I don't want her! I already have a girlfriend." Harry nodded towards Luna. Tonks quickly stepped in front of Harry. Remus yelled for her to move, but Harry said, "No; it's okay. He won't harm her..."

The Auror placed a hand on Snape's wand arm. With gentle pressure, she guided his hand back down to his side. Fascinated, they watched as Severus Snape fell to his knees before her, and she embraced him. If he listened closely he could make out the words that Tonks whispered, "Harry, not James... Harry."

Snape met his eyes, green like his mother's, and a shudder went through his whole body. Harry felt strange watching the young woman stroking his teacher's hair, but it seemed to have a calming effect on him. Harry held his breath, unable to comprehend how Tonks could tame the savage Snape. "Severus, really... I didn't know. How could I? I've only seen pictures..." She knelt before him, searching his eyes. "I'm really sorry. Please, get up."

"He killed you, Lily... it was my fault..." he sobbed. "Forgive me! I only wanted you to love me in return. I never meant for this to happen..." Snape clutched Tonks around the waist, burying his head into her chest.

"Shhhh..." she whispered. "It's okay... I know. I forgive you, Severus."

Snape snorted, "I wanted James killed. He told me that if I helped him, you would be mine. I didn't know, Lily... I didn't know about Harry..."

Tonks hushed him with a soft kiss upon his lips. Remus and Harry looked on in morbid curiosity. "Severus, that's not your fault. He never told you about the prophecy, did he? He wanted Harry dead, pure and simple. I just got in his way..."

Snape suddenly came around. "The prophecy... what was so special about P-Potter, anyway?" He wiped hastily at his face, and then looked closely at Tonks. "You look so much like... her."

"It's a bit of talent of mine, you know?" she joked. "It's a great party trick, innit?"

Harry thought he had never been more surprised, when suddenly he heard it. Soft at first, but growing steadily louder... Snape was laughing. He smirked, "And just what other tricks do you know, hmmm, Nymphadora?" He was teasing her.

Her face reddened. "Don't ever call me Nymphadora!!!" She lost her cool, and poked him in the chest. This had very little effect on him, though. Her hair darkened to a silky black, and her eyes became brilliant blue. She looked like a feminine version of Sirius. She intoned, "Snivellus."

Remus choked back a cry. Harry's throat felt like it was closing up. Snape seemed taken aback. Instead of being angry, though, he seemed intrigued. "Is this your true face, then? The resemblance to Black is uncanny, if it were not for your ample breasts. Tell me, could you pass for a man in truth?"

Tonks looked about ready to hit him, but then, she smiled. "I love how your twisted little mind works... I've never tried to pass for male before, but it could be done. Wicked!!!" She grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him into the bedroom. Tonks winked at Remus before slamming the door shut.

Remus exploded, "What the hell was that all about?!?" He sat down slowly, and Luna came to him. She curled up in his lap like a small child. He absentmindedly stroked her back as Harry approached. Harry sat down beside him, and he transferred Luna onto his lap.

"Either he's always desperately wanted to shag Sirius, or else he has a brilliant plan, Remus." Harry was still in shock after seeing her transform into two people that he loved and missed so much. "Snape loved my mum..." Harry couldn't wrap his mind around it. Then, he had the most awful, terrible thought..."Remus; was Snape talking about Tonks's breasts?"

They groaned. Remus showed Harry where to stow his belongings, and departed for the basement. He reminded Harry, "Behave yourself. Severus will expect you to fend for yourself. Try to stay on his good side."

Harry teased lightly, "Yes, Mummy!" which awarded him with a shove out of the cellar. He locked the doors and bolted them to prevent Remus from escaping during the night. It had been explained to Harry and Luna that Spinners' End was located in a mostly Muggle town, so it was vitally important that no one suspect what went on behind closed doors. The Death Eaters did not know of the house, since the only known domicile of Severus Snape was Hogwarts Castle. Harry approached Snape after tucking Luna in for the night. Tentatively, he asked, "Is there anything you need before I go to bed, sir?"

Snape appraised him coldly. "Are you mocking me, boy?"

Harry shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "No, sir. I just thought that it had been a difficult day, and that you might need me."

He raised an eyebrow. "What I need Mr. Potter is a bottle of firewhiskey. However, the stuff does not agree with me. I'd settle for butterbeer. On the pantry floor is a case. Bring two bottles." Harry hurried off to the pantry, emerging quickly with his request. He bade the Potions Master goodnight, and began to back out the door. "Where do you think you are going? Sit." Snape motioned for Harry to take the armchair next to him, and handed him a bottle.

"I don't understand, sir."

"That's bloody well apparent, Potter." He sighed, slowly releasing his breath. Then, Snape leaned his head forward so that it rested upon his hands. He looked up at Harry after a moment, and said, in a gruff tone, "I apologize for my rudeness. What is said in this room does not leave this room, understand? When the semester begins, I will not be able to speak frankly with you as I do now. There will be people watching. There are always people watching me, and not just Death Eaters. You have seen a side of me tonight that I thought long buried. I admit that Miss Tonks startled me. For a moment I believed that Lily had appeared before me, absolving me of my sins. Your mother was an amazing woman, and a good friend. Yes, she was my only friend at Hogwarts, until your father took her away. I will try, for her sake, to accept that you are not like James. I will try to treat you with more respect. Respect, however, is a two-way street. I will demand it of you. I have turned my back on my comrades, and turned spy at great personal risk, because of a promise that I made to Lily. I was there the night the Dark Lord killed her."

Harry looked up at him with such pain in his eyes that it almost stopped him. Snape pressed onward, registering Harry's plea. "I thought she was visiting her sister. It was a simple plan. The Dark Lord said that I would help him destroy the last Potter. I thought he was referring to James." He held up a hand to prevent Harry from yelling. "Please, Harry... you understand how much we hated each other. I will not apologize for wanting to get even with the man who took her away, the only one I have ever loved. We entered the house. The Dark Lord killed him swiftly. You will be glad to know that he died on his feet, defiant to the last. I was told to search the house. I found her in an upstairs bedroom."

"Severus!!!" she cried out with joy. "I've missed you so much. I have such wonderful news to tell you..." She bent down to pick something up, and when she turned around, she was holding you: a baby, with her green eyes and his black hair, a child that I could have had with her someday if our lives had turned out differently. I knew then that the Dark Lord had deceived me. I may appear heartless to you, Harry, but I would never have forced the only woman I will ever love to watch her child be killed in front of her. I knew that if you died, Lily would have no reason left to live. I yelled for her to take you, and to run. The Dark Lord broke down the door, and paralyzed me. I could only look on in horror as he told her to step aside. She resisted, and placing a kiss upon your forehead, she braced herself for the Killing Curse."

Harry interrupted, "It was you, then! I thought you were my father... you tried to save our lives!" Harry was stunned. All this time the only memory he had of his parents had been incomplete. Harry calmed himself, asking, "Please; tell me what else you remember."

Snape continued, with a thoughtful expression on his face, "When the curse hit Lily, she smiled. When the Dark Lord turned to you, all obstacles having been removed, you were staring him down. He did not notice when I regained the use of my body, and crawled over to Lily. I held her in my arms, rocking back and forth, when suddenly your eyes began to glow. When the Dark Lord cast the Killing Curse, it rebounded upon him. After the smoke cleared, you were still alive, bleeding from your forehead, but alive. I could have left, but then you looked up at me with those green eyes, Lily's eyes, and my resolve weakened. You held your hands out to me, and I picked you up, not knowing what to do with a crying, wet baby. Outside, I bumped into that great big oaf, Hagrid, telling him to take you to Dumbledore. The rest you know... I hope that answers all of your questions; now go leave a man to his thoughts."

Harry smiled tentatively, and replied, "That wasn't exactly what I was about to ask you, but thank you. I wanted to ask you about Spinners' End, if it is alright."

Snape waved the question away, saying, "The house belonged to my mother. She was Muggleborn like Lily and Miss Granger, and she left it to me in her will. The Death Eaters only are aware of Hogwart's as my residence. I haven't lived here for quite some time. My father's mother was a Black. Don't look so surprised, Potter; almost all of the Black descendents were in Slytherin. The nymph and the mutt were the only exceptions." He straightened up in his chair, glaring at Harry for a moment before yawning. "I had wanted to address the subject of Occlumency lessons with you, but the night grows long and I fear I have not the patience that it would require. Perhaps in the morning we may resume, provided that you can keep your curiosity muzzled this time. I trust you can find your way to the guest room, then? You may go." The man turned from him, dismissing Harry.

As Harry paused at the door, he said, "Thank you for saving my life, and for telling me the truth."

Professor Snape met his eyes briefly, and nodded. "Pleasant dreams, Harry."

"As always, sir."

Harry walked down the corridor to the guest room. Luna remained stable in Ms. Spinner's bedroom, while Snape would sleep in his old room. Harry felt a twinge of some indescribable emotion at the thought of Snape having to live in a house that reminded him of an unpleasant childhood. He would never admit to having anything in common with Sirius, though. Harry sank down on the old sofa bed, unable to sleep just yet. He had so many thoughts running through his head, mostly about the events of the past few days. Harry was forbidden to contact anyone outside the house until Dumbledore had been apprised of the situation. He couldn't let the Weasleys suffer, though. For now, all he could do would be to help Luna recover from her ordeal. Harry crept down the hallway to check on Luna once more.

When he entered the room, Luna was moaning and thrashing around on the bed. Harry came quickly to her side, grabbing onto her shoulders to try to wake her up. "It's okay, Luna; it's not real. It's only a nightmare." She flinched from his touch, scrambling into the farthest corner, with her knees drawn up to her chest. It became obvious to Harry that she was unaware of his presence, and he assumed that she was reliving her run-in with the Death Eaters. Luna began to tear at her arms and face, fending off her unseen attackers. She began to cry. Harry's heart ached to see her like this. This was the real Luna, trapped in her painful memories, not the façade which she often presented to the world.

"Shh, Luna... No one can hurt you now. You're safe," he spoke softly. Firmly, but gently, he pulled her hands away from gouging at her face. She sobbed uncontrollably as he tried to comfort her. He tried to wrap his arms around her, but Luna fought to be released from his grasp. Harry understood her reactions to some degree, since when he had visions and nightmares, he was seldom aware of his surroundings, and often did not want to be touched. So far, she hadn't mentioned what had happened before Snape had freed her, but considering the state she was in, he assumed that she had undergone some form of torture. He kissed her, and she bit his lip. "OUCH!!!" he cried out.

Luna, startled, tried to escape his grasp, and kept screaming, "No! Don't touch me! Get off me!" Harry pressed her tighter to his chest, afraid that she would hurt herself again. When she gave up, she slumped against him, whimpering. Harry hated seeing her like this, but instinct told him to keep trying to rouse her. When she began to moan again, he made his decision. Harry forced her to look into his eyes, certain that she would hate him for this later.

Harry had never tried this before. He tried to clear his mind, whispering, "Legilimens." Harry gently pushed through the barriers she had erected, penetrating her mind, and then reeled back in shock when he entered her current nightmare. Luna was pinned against a wall in her cell by the Dark Lord, his wand pointed at her throat. Harry felt as if he would vomit. He choked back a sob, cursing himself for violating her mind. The other Death Eaters looked on, some with hungry eyes. Only one looked away. Voldemort had just finished torturing her. She lay slumped against the wall, clutching her torn robes over her bruised body. He heard Voldemort say in a chilling voice, "You disgust me, blood traitor! This is what comes of your loyalty to Potter. You cannot keep me out of your mind. I know what you fear, and do not think you can avoid your fate. Take her, Severus, and send her corpse to the boy when you are finished."

One of the Death Eaters stepped forward, and whined, "But, she was mine! Father said..." Draco was silenced by the Dark Lord.

"Your father is an idiot. He has failed me. You seek to replace him in my eyes, and so far you have not shown me any reason to favor you." Riddle's eyes glowed red as he scrutinized the younger Malfoy. Lucius, wisely, refrained from comment.

"I brought you the lunatic!" he pouted. "Surely that must mean something." Harry knew Draco was tempting fate by challenging Voldemort. However, he was either very cocky or very stupid, and Harry leaned towards the latter.

"Silence, insolent worm! How dare you address your Lord and Master with such disrespect! It's none of your concern what I choose to do with her," he thundered. Adding in a nasty voice, the Dark Lord said, "Oh, very well; if you must waste your seed, you may have the mudblood. But if you get her with child, make certain that you dispose of it."

Draco gulped, paling at the thought, but bowed before his Master nonetheless. Harry's attention was arrested by the sight of Luna struggling to regain her regal bearing. Her eyes held that faraway look which Harry had come to associate with Luna. "I look forward to the day when Harry defeats you," she laughed as the Dark Lord and his entourage departed. Harry was forcefully ejected from her mind. Luna stared at him, breathing heavily. She pushed away from him, and this time was released. "I'm so sorry, Harry. He knows what's in my heart. It was my fault," she muttered. "I should not have provoked him."

Harry fumed, "Riddle forced you! It's not your fault at all, Luna. If anything, it's mine. This never would have happened if I hadn't dragged you into this mess."

Luna reached for his hand. "Harry, you could not have prevented this. I challenged him. He enjoyed sparring with me mentally, but unfortunately for me, he saw what I feared, and exploited it. The important thing is that you are safe, Harry. We are together."

Harry Potter kissed Luna Lovegood. Luna actually cried. And for once, Harry didn't mind kissing a crying girl. Luna leaned into Harry, laying her head upon his shoulder. Luna smiled gently in her dreamy way. Soon, sleep overcame her, and she lay snuggled against his chest. Harry did not have the heart to move her, so he made himself more comfortable. When the morning came, he awoke to find that the night had not been a figment of his imagination. Luna lay in his arms, and he felt his heart swell looking down at her. In sleep she looked so vulnerable, like a little girl. Lost in thought, he did not see his professor enter the room. Harry jumped as he heard a silky voice near his ear.

"Pleasant dreams, indeed, Potter," the potions master smirked, raising an eyebrow suggestively. He began to check Luna's vital signs, avoiding Harry's eyes.

Harry grunted, "Shouldn't you wear a bell or something?" He shifted so that he could leave the bed without disturbing her. Snape waited for him to return from the bathroom, and then motioned for Harry to follow him to the kitchen.

"How is Miss Lovegood coping?" he asked Harry, with no trace of malice. Taking in Harry's guilty expression, he elaborated, "Meeting the Dark Lord under any circumstance would be traumatic enough, without having to fight him off. She is rather strong-willed and annoyingly difficult to curse. She did not break under torture, yet forced him out of her mind. There are very few who have the potential to be such a formidable foe, and if she chose not to turn against you, then she must be disposed of. It's to be expected."

Harry considered this information in a new light. Riddle was through playing games. He wanted to prove to Harry that no one was safe anymore. Harry was about to ask Snape another question, when Remus stumbled in. Snape glanced his way briefly, and nodded. Remus returned the greeting with a slight inclination of his head.

"Morning, Harry, Severus." He sat down wearily, and was surprised when his old nemesis clapped him on the shoulder, and offered a vial of pink liquid.

"For nausea. It's an old Muggle recipe."

"Pepto-Bismol!" Remus chuckled. He placed a hand on Severus's, and offered, "Stay, please. This is your home, after all."

Snape grabbed a chair and sat beside the werewolf. "Have you seen the nymph?" Harry marveled at the nearly normal conversation that the two adults shared over toast and tea. When Tonks joined them, Harry noticed that both men rose to pull out a chair for her. Snape remained pleasant towards her, and engaged her in a spirited discussion about hangover cures. Lupin would sneak looks at her occasionally, wondering what her true face looked like.

This morning, she wore a black nightshirt which claimed, "Jean-Claude slept here," that barely cleared the top of her thighs. Harry had never seen such an amount of leg on any girl before, and had to adjust himself discreetly. Her hair was black today with purple streaks, and framed her heart-shaped face. Harry told himself that she was too old for him, but he had to admit that she was quite adorable. She glanced his way, and raised an eyebrow. Harry innocently asked, "Who's Jean-Claude?"

"Wotcher, Harry! Well, you see, he's a vampire..." Tonks explained, looking to Remus, who only smiled in amusement.

"You sleep with vampires?" he blurted out, and immediately cursed himself. What she did with her life was none of business. He looked at his cup in embarrassment.

Tonks ignored the wry smile on the Potions Master's lips, and calmly replied, "Jean-Claude is a vampire who falls in love with, well, I guess you could call her an Auror. Remus let me borrow the book when I was laid up in hospital. Ripping good fun, it was, too."

"Oh." Harry blushed, staring at Tonks's neck, as he imagined a vampire, oddly enough resembling Snape, placing kisses upon her lovely throat. For a brief second, the Auror's face changed to his own. Harry was simultaneously turned on and repulsed by his reaction. He knew Snape wasn't really a vampire, but the thought had a certain appeal to it. He wiped furiously at his brow, wondering if this was how Sirius had felt looking at Remus. At the same time, he was aware of Snape's intense gaze upon him.

"Harry, you're sweaty. Feeling okay this morning?" she teased. Tonks played about with the rim of her mug, enjoying his obvious discomfort. "Maybe you should take a cool bath, eh?" The table was nearly knocked over in Harry's haste to put as much distance between himself and the Auror as possible. As he left the room, she shouted, "Make sure you use plenty of bubbles, know what I mean?"

Remus chuckled, "Nymphadora...that was unfair!"

Severus chimed in, "The poor boy will be working closely with you in a few years. Just because some say you are the village bicycle doesn't mean you need to prove it." He casually deflected the coffee mug she threw at his head with a wave of his wand. "Amusing and informative as that display was, it is time for us to discuss why we are here..."

Harry turned back towards the kitchen, hoping to find out exactly what Snape knew, when he collided with Ginny. She wore a frilly, pink pajama top held up by spaghetti straps, which revealed her belly. The matching bottoms were far too short to pass her mother's approval. Harry smiled. It was a good thing she was at the Burrow right now. Under any other circumstances, he felt certain that she'd give Ginny hell for it later. Ginny blushed slightly when she realized where Harry was looking. She gave him a playful push, and said, "Quit staring at my knickers, Potter! You don't want me to tell Dean that you were ogling his girlfriend, now do you?"

Harry mumbled, looking down at her feet, "No, I'd rather you not. Sorry, Gin. I'm not really a pervert, you know. The last time I saw you in your pajamas you were eleven. I guess I never really thought of you in that way, as, you know, a girl..." Harry looked up in horror as the words left his mouth. He wished desperately that he could take them back. He braced himself for the tongue-lashing he knew would be coming.

Ginny yelled, "Argh! You can be so dense sometimes, Harry! You never noticed me at all, did you? Do you know how scared I was, waiting to die down in the Chamber of Secrets? After you rescued me, I hoped you would comfort me. But did you spare me a glance? Did you include me in your adventures? No! It's always been the Trio, with the kid sister tagging along. I had no friends, Harry! You've always shut me out. Do you know how that feels? After the Riddle incident, the other girls shunned me. The teachers whispered about me. They kept expecting Riddle to strike through me again." She lowered her voice, "You didn't notice I was a girl. Well, I am a girl, and others have noticed. Why can't you?" She ran off in tears.

Harry was left standing in the hallway, wondering why he said anything at all. He heard a low whistle from the door to his right. Ron grinned, "You've really stepped in it this time, mate."

Harry groaned. "I didn't mean to upset her, Ron! I mean, I knew she had a crush on me a long time ago, but I thought it was over. Besides, she's with Dean now, and Michael before that. If I did fancy her, I'd have to fight off six overprotective brothers. That's suicide..." he trailed off, seeing his second mistake of the day.

Ron asked curtly, "Harry, why did you try to kill yourself? Hear me out, okay? You wrote me a note, telling me to take care of Hermione, and you scared the piss out of me! I mean, I thought you were confessing your love for me, for Merlin's sake!"

Harry felt his temper start to rise, and he responded, "And if I was gay, would you stop being my friend? Would you hate me if I told you I fancied you?" He pushed Ron against the wall, placing a hand on either side of him. "Or do you want to kiss me, but you're so afraid of what everyone else says?"

Ron mumbled something unintelligible, averting his eyes. All Harry could think of was the conversation that he had with Remus. Harry slammed his hands against the wall, in frustration. "Well! Answer me! What would you do if I kissed you right now? Wha-"

Harry's tirade was cut off by Ron's mouth pressed firmly against his own. Harry was taken aback by the feel of rough hands grabbing his arms. He could feel Ron's heart beating frantically against his chest.

Ron licked at Harry's lip tentatively, and then broke away from his best friend. Harry watched as Ron wiped at his mouth, his cheeks flaming. Ron muttered, "This can't happen... it's wrong!" He backed away from Harry and tried to escape in as manly fashion as possible, leaving Harry alone and confused. Ron slammed a door behind him, and began panting hard. How could he act upon these feelings? What would Harry think of him now? What about his girlfriend? He slumped against the door, shaking his head, repeating, "Hermione. I'm sorry. Oh, God."

Harry wasn't sure why he did it. He had assumed that Ron would have laughed off the article in the Daily Prophet, especially after all the trouble the press has caused in the past. He felt like the most oblivious person in the world. Did Ron really fancy blokes? Or was it curiosity? And, then there was Ginny to consider. Ginny fancied him, no matter how much she brought up Dean in conversation. Harry felt that he would have to apologize soon, but he wasn't sure what to say, in light of the most recent development. Hey, Gin; dump Dean for me, as long as you don't mind me snogging your brother and Luna. At least Hermione was sensible. Maybe she would know what to do. Harry realized, I can't tell her I fancy Ron. I'm not even sure if that's what I'm feeling. Then again, she's already read the Prophet by now, so it wouldn't matter much. Harry wondered if he could possibly be bisexual, as Remus had assumed, but he decided to push the thought to the farthest corner of his mind for now.

Harry approached Luna's temporary bedroom. He wondered whether she was awake or not. He rapped lightly upon the door, but no one answered. He entered the room, and was startled to find Luna gone. The window was open, and Harry rushed over to look outside. There she was! Luna was walking barefoot along the garden wall. She had daisies tucked into her hair, and her arms spread out from her body as if she were to take flight at any moment. He yelled to her, "Luna!"

Luna turned to face him, and waved. The smile on her face was wide, but Harry could tell that it was forced. "It's a beautiful day. Come up! Join me!" She reached down to him to pull him onto the wall. He hugged her quickly, and she gave him a peck on the cheek. She delved into a complicated discussion of the fantastic beasts that she had encountered with her father, seeming to gloss over the fact that he was dead. The only time she wavered was when she mentioned that she would have to take over the family business, as it were. A lone tear betrayed her. For the first time since he'd met her, Luna tried to hide her face from Harry.

Harry tilted her face to meet his eyes. "Luna, it's okay. You don't have to pretend everything's fine." He held her close, and she snuggled in his warm embrace. Her hair smelled of wildflowers. Her head tucked under his chin, she fit into the contours of his body as if made for that purpose. He pushed the thought of Ron away. It felt very natural to hold her like this. Harry did not want to break the comfortable silence, but a loud gurgle from her belly interrupted their moment. She giggled. Harry raised an eyebrow, and said, "Feeling a bit peckish, hmm? C'mon; let's scrounge up some breakfast, if Tonks and Snape have left the kitchen, that is."

Harry proceeded to tell her along the way of his awkward morning. He also explained about his strange thoughts of Snape, and how he felt so naked and vulnerable during their encounters. Harry attributed his reactions to rampant hormones. He hastily assured her that he still was attracted to her, though. Luna smiled dreamily when he mentioned Ron's kiss. "I've imagined that for quite sometime. Two handsome boys exploring their friendship and attraction..."

"Hang on, Luna! Do you even care that he kissed me?"

"That is a silly question, Harry. Of course I care whom you kiss. It's just not really a big deal, you know." Luna seemed very comfortable with this.

"It's not?"

"Why would it be? I kiss girls. In fact, I'd like to kiss Hermione sometime. It would do her some good, I think. Yes, it would," Luna made up her mind. "I'll have to pull her aside today and plant a good one on her."

Harry wasn't sure how to respond, but he gave in to temptation. "What about Ginny? Have you ever fancied her?"

Luna gave him a knowing smile, which caused Harry's face to redden. "Naughty boy! You are very curious. Ginny does kiss well. She treats it like a joke, though. If I kiss someone, I do it because I mean it. I'm not real to her as long as she still fancies you. If you want to be with Ginny, then go to her. It is your birthday, you know. "

"That's not what I meant! I just wanted to know more about you. I didn't know you were a lesbian." He looked at his feet for a moment.

"Lesbians do not kiss boys, Harry, now do they? I adore you, but I am also attracted to girls. That is not a problem, then? If you want to see me kiss Ginny, I will. No one would think anything of it; they would just pass it off as something "Loony" would do." Luna gave Harry a Cheshire Cat smile, full of mystery and merriment. She was enjoying this far too much for his liking. "It's perfectly natural to experiment at your age, you know."

"It is?" Harry shifted his gaze from his feet to her face, noting the plumpness of her lower lip. "Then, if I told you that I knew Remus and Sirius had been lovers, you would understand? I'm not quite sure how these things are handled in the magical world, to tell the truth."

"There is nothing shameful about following your urges, Harry. The Ministry hands out these pamphlets, "Your Body and You", but they don't explain how you feel. They just tell you in black and white that you have body parts that you need to wait until marriage to use. How do you know that they work correctly at all if you don't practice using them? I much prefer Fred and George Weasley's booklet, "The Proper Care and Maintenance of Your Wand". They make a rather stunning observation that your magic is much like puberty. You need to learn to control your wand much like you control your erection ..."

Harry interrupted, "I think I get your point, love."

Luna continued breezily, "And they give instructions on how to polish your wand to keep it in tip-top shape. However, my one complaint is that they have not written for the girls, you know. I intend to give them my input; I've written a rough draft, "Stirring Your Own Cauldron." Would you like to read it, Harry?" Luna rummaged around in her pockets, withdrawing a dog-eared piece of parchment. "Here it is. It may come in handy some time."

Harry muttered, "You really know how to torture a fellow, don't you, Luna?"

Luna gasped loudly, grabbing his thigh, causing Harry to nearly fall off the wall. "OOH! I have their booklet in my satchel! Come along!" Luna sprang to her feet, pulling Harry behind her into her room. She began to toss random items into the air as she searched the cluttered room for her satchel. Harry had to duck a few times to avoid serious harm. Finally, Luna produced a purple bag, from which she removed the booklet and a rather familiar quill. "That reminds me; this is the object that I wrote to you about, Harry. I do hope you know who it belongs to," Luna mused, handing him the quill.

Harry paled. He shied away from the quill, clutching his hand to his chest. Luna was puzzled by this reaction. "Hmm; it won't bite you, you know. Although that is a healthy reaction, considering that bowtruckles look fairly normal until you get your eyes gouged out by one..." Luna conceded.

Harry started to tremble, but forced himself to take the offending item. He turned it over in his hands, not looking at Luna at all. Quietly, he admitted, "I do know who owns this quill. It would be better if it is not returned to her..."

"HARRY!" Hermione yelled from the doorway. "What are you doing with Professor Umbridge's quill?" She strode across the room quickly, and snatched it away from him. "This is very Dark magic, you understand. You must tell the Order!"

"I just want to forget that it ever happened, Hermione, okay?" Harry pleaded, arousing Luna's interest. She looked back and forth between the two friends. Harry knew it was fruitless to argue with Hermione. She would make him tell the truth whether he was ready to or not. "It's over, alright? Umbridge is gone. She can't hurt me anymore."

Hermione chuckled sadly, "But, don't you see? You can't let her get away with this. This quill is the only evidence you have against her. If you speak out, then everyone else who has been wronged can come forward."

"Why doesn't Lee come forward, then? I know he served detention with the toad."

"Harry, the members of Dumbledore's Army look to you for leadership and guidance. They will not come forward unless you do first. It's time you found out how much influence you have with people, Harry." Hermione could be infuriating when she was passionate about something, but Harry knew that she was right. He mumbled his acquiescence. Hermione perked up, "Right then. You see, it 's of the utmost importance now that you approach the Ministry with this information." Hermione spread out the latest edition of the Daily Prophet across the bed.

Luna spoke first. "That horrid woman. We cannot allow this to happen, Harry." She placed her hand upon his arm, saying, "She must not become Minister of Magic. Give me your hand, Harry." She pulled his wrist closer to her face to examine the words etched into his skin, reading them aloud. "I will not tell lies... Oh, Harry," she intoned ominously, "This does not bode well. Blood Quills are banned for this very reason. They have nearly unbreakable enchantments upon them which, in your case, will force you to tell the truth no matter what the consequences. The compulsion is worse than Imperio. It is partly a psychologically conditioned response in addition to the enchantment that makes it nearly impossible to overcome. During Voldemort's first reign of terror, blood quills were used as a form of torture to gain information from hostages and as a form of indoctrination into the ranks of Death Eaters. It's signed in your blood, Harry; that gives her power over you. She is the only one who can break the spell. That a ministry official would knowingly use this upon a student raises some very uncomfortable suspicions on the whole Ministry, specifically Fudge."

Harry read the front page article, and shuddered. Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge Found Dead in Home, Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge to Assume Post After Recovery from Centaur Attack. While in convalescence, the third in command would assume the role of acting Minister. A smaller article announced that Madame Bones of the Wizengamot would be challenging her claims, and running for office. Harry had admired the woman for her fairness during his trial the previous summer. She was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She could be trusted. Harry wanted to march down to the Ministry of Magic straight away, but Hermione appealed to his common sense.

"It's not safe to leave here just yet. After Professor Snape contacts Dumbledore, we can arrange a meeting with Madame Bones. In the meantime, you do realize what this means, Harry? Percy is in charge until the election." Hermione paused for effect, and then plunged on, "Harry, you must talk to him. Ron and Ginny are too angry with him to see reason, but I know you understand how important it is that the Order brings him into the fold. He's just as stubborn as the rest of the Weasleys, and I feel that he won't admit he's been backing the wrong horse all these years. Will you try to get through to him?"

Harry sighed in resignation, "He's a right prat, you know, but I'd feel better knowing he was not working against the Order." Sarcastically, he added, "Percy will finally realize his dream; to Minister of Magic someday. The only problem is that a war is going on, and, oh yeah, he got the job not through his own merit. I'm sure that will sit well with him. How do I approach him, though? I mean, I'm his least favorite person right now. I'm the one who corrupted his siblings, you know."

Hermione thought for a minute, and blurted out, "An intervention! That's what we need. Don't worry, Harry; I'll handle getting him here. I'll clear it with Snape first, though. Leave it up to me. I'll get him here, by hook or by crook!" At Luna's perplexed expression, she elaborated, "From the telly... a show called 'The Prisoner'. It was really popular with my parents' generation."

"OH!" Luna drew the syllable out, "The picture box. It's almost like portraits, isn't it? To think, that Muggles could duplicate the effect using electricity. That's Muggle magic that is. We are not all that different after all. The human race reaches the same conclusions, only in different manners. Like religion... we take different paths to the Divinity, but we all get there eventually."

Hermione beamed, glad that someone understood. "What do you think about the role of women in religion, and the correlation between the rise in neopaganism and positions of female authority..." she began with a feverish excitement. Finally she had found someone who could debate intelligently about important matters. She linked her arm through Luna's, pulling her along as she continued her impassioned speech. Luna regarded their joined arms with a look of pure rapture on her face. She gave Harry a Mona Lisa smile before being propelled down the corridor. Harry mused; it looks like Luna's Christmas just came early.

Watching his girlfriend flirt with another girl, Harry realized that he had not seen Neville, and made it a point to check up on him. He found Neville and Ron in the middle of a heated discussion. Ron turned to Harry for back-up, sporting a black eye. "You agree with me, don't you?"

"Sorry, what?"

"Ron was just saying something about Hermione that I do not agree with, and frankly, I'm shocked that he would say such things about his girlfriend," Neville muttered darkly. Harry was taken aback by the venom in Neville's voice. "I informed him that he should treat her with a little more respect."

"He bloody hit me, Harry! The fat little bastard hit me!" Ron exploded.

Harry put up his hands to declare time out. "It would help if I knew what you said, Ron. I've never seen Neville this worked up over something, except for the time Malfoy insulted his parents. Go on, Nev," he encouraged.

Neville closed his eyes, and relaxed his fist. "We were talking about girls. He said that Hermione acts like a nun in public and a temptress in private. I told him that Hermione deserves to know what an arse he is, and that he accused her of sleeping around with all the Gryffindor boys."

"And that's when you punched him?" Harry was confused, and disgusted by his friend's gossip. How could Ron say that about Hermione? "Why, Ron? This doesn't sound like you at all. Wait," Harry thought of his reaction to Krum, "Well, you are extremely jealous, but that still doesn't explain why you would trash her reputation like that."

Ron sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. The fight seemed to have gone out of him. "I didn't mean to call her that, Harry, honest! It just slipped out."

"What! You mean the part where you call her a tease or the part where you call her a whore?" Harry shouted. Ron winced. "What reason could you possibly have?"

Ron mumbled, "I just got so frustrated last night. I thought maybe we could, you know... last night. I mean, we had the opportunity. We started to do stuff, but then she suddenly turns away from me, and tells me to go to sleep. She wants you more than she wants me. Oh, sure; in the hospital she carried on about how she loved me and she thought she'd lost me. You didn't hear her call out your name in her sleep, though. I've seen the way she looks at you, Harry. There's something there." Suddenly, he looked up, and Harry could see that his eyes were red. "Harry, could you level with me, mate? Did you shag her, or not? Because I've tried to ignore what Rita Skeeter wrote, but it's tearing me up inside!"

Harry tried to hug Ron, to assure him that it wasn't true, but he fought him off. Harry dropped his hands, remembering their kiss in the hall. Harry replied, "Of course not, Ron. I wouldn't do that to you. More importantly, Hermione would not do that to you. If she fancies me, she sure has done quite a job covering it up. Maybe she just feels awkward being here in Snape's house. I know I wouldn't want him swooping down on me when I'm in the middle of kissing someone." Harry felt his cheeks burn as the image of the Potions Master popped into his head again.

Neville added, "Maybe she's just not ready to, um, sleep with anyone, yet. I know I'm not ready for a serious relationship. I don't think any of us should rush into that. Then again, I'm half-afraid that the person I fancy will not want to kiss me anyway." He smiled sheepishly. "Have you read Luna's booklet? It could put a fellow off girls for quite awhile. They seem like so much work."

The mood in the room changed abruptly. Neville would not forget what had happened, even though he brushed it off at the time. He vowed to find out what was at the root of Ron's behavior. Neville sensed something unsaid between Harry and Ron, and thought of the rumors. Could they be more than rumors? Harry did not see him open his door for breakfast, but Neville had seen them kiss. He had ducked back inside, wondering if Harry had enjoyed the kiss as much as it appeared. Neville mused about his own tender feelings for Harry. He had known for some time that he liked boys. Until Harry started to include him in his adventures, Neville had been seeing Colin. They had kissed a few times, but nothing had come of it. He assumed that his feelings of loyalty and devotion to Harry were much stronger than his interest in Colin. When he had told Colin it was over, Colin merely shrugged, "It's Harry; how can you not love him?" He took it much better than Neville had expected.

Neville was surprised when Harry suggested that they go somewhere private. Without Ron, Ginny, Luna or Hermione...Neville felt a sudden jolt go through his body when Harry clapped him on the shoulder, offering him a butterbeer, Neville smiled gamely, but inside his heart was beating out a tango. When Harry mentioned to Snape that they would be in the attic and not to disturb them, he felt his face grow hot. The man stared long and hard into Neville's eyes, and nodded at whatever he saw there. He advised Harry, "Do not rush things, Potter. Be gentle with him."

Neville was flummoxed. He gave the sour-faced man a small smile, feeling a lot braver. They disappeared into the attic, and Neville found himself sitting across from Harry. The ceiling was low, which forced them to lean into each other slightly. Thankfully, Harry had thought to bring a flashlight, since it was getting dark out quickly. Somehow the light made the room feel more intimate and intense. "Neville, there is something important that I need to talk to you about. You deserve to here the truth from me."

"Go on, mate." Neville smiled warmly when Harry grasped his hand.

Harry sighed, "There really is no other way but to be blunt. You and I have a lot in common, much more than we ever realized. You know that night at the Department of Mysteries?" Neville's smile faded gradually, but he nodded anyway, not sure where this was going. "I found out what the prophecy says."

"Really? Well, that is great news... isn't it?" he asked carefully.

"The prophecy is about us, Neville; you and me." Harry recited the exact words of the prophecy, and watched as Neville began to process the information. "We were both born on the same July day, and our parents defied Voldemort three times before. I was marked by him, but it could have been you."

Neville paled slightly, but to his credit, he did not flinch at the mention of the Dark Lord's name. In a voice that sounded braver than he felt, he replied, "Then, it's probably best that it's not me, huh? Thank you for telling me the truth, Harry. I daresay it makes more sense now. If one is to systematically destroy a man's family, there at least better be a valid reason." The last was said in a bitter tone of voice, and Harry knew that Neville was thinking about his parents. In a more hesitant voice, he asked, "Do you reckon that's why the Lestranges came after me, then? It's my fault, isn't it?"

Harry reached for his hand. "Neville, you are not to blame. They did not know about the prophecy. They were looking for their Master. I'm sorry that your family got caught in the crossfire. Remus, I mean, Professor Lupin, told me that I need to stop blaming myself for everything that's happened. How can two innocent boys be held accountable for a madman's actions? Voldemort was so freaked out that he tried to kill a baby, Neville... a baby. The scourge of the wizarding world is afraid of a child. At least you and I have respectable fears, eh?" He looked at his thumb, drawing lazy circles on his friend's wrist. He did not release his hand immediately, trying to judge Neville's reaction.

Neville leaned forward, and Harry felt his heart jump. "With you, I can face anything, Harry. I'm not afraid to die. I'm afraid to lose you."

Harry tried to play it light and easy. "And the rest of the world?"

Neville smiled, "Haven't you figured it out yet? You are the best part of my world. Really! You've been kind to me, and you taught me how to defend myself. You stand up for me when Malfoy is being obnoxious." Neville paused, and quietly said, "And you knew about my parents, yet you never said a word to Ron or Hermione. That must have been difficult. It was hard for me to stand up to you first year, you know, especially since I liked you so much."

Summoning up his courage, Neville continued, "I have a secret of my own to share with you. I've been dating Colin for most of the school year. After the incident in the Chamber of Secrets, Ginny and I began hanging out with him more often. He's really a good bloke, rather like a puppy, affectionate and loyal, you know?" Harry nodded. Encouraged, Neville's voice strengthened. "You could say we were the Harry Potter Fan Club. Colin and I thought you would end up asking Ginny to the Yule Ball, and Ron would ask Hermione. The two of you were taking so long to ask them out, though. Hermione had always been a nice to me, helping me out with my homework and sticking up for me. I thought she shouldn't have to miss the Ball because of Ron, so I asked her out. And, well... I've had a bit of a crush on her, really. She was very sweet, but she turned me down, as you know."

Harry tensed, "And Ginny?"

Neville responded, "She loves you, Harry. Ginny was in tears, and she feared you would never ask her. I knew she wanted to be with you, and I invited her. I told her that at least one of us would be able to dance with you in public. She was very surprised, to say the least. I told her I could be her Fairy Godfather, and that I would try to make you jealous. We had a pretty good time, actually, even though I stepped on her toes a bit. When I got back to the dorm, however, Colin was waiting for me. Ron and Hermione were screaming at each other, so I took him aside privately to find out why he was upset. It turned out that he was angry that I took Ginny and not him. I never knew he fancied me. He seemed funny when I asked Hermione, but it didn't bother him that much. Ginny, however, was a third-year like Colin, so he saw it as a betrayal of sorts. When he told me that he fancied me, I ran from the room, I confess."

Harry chuckled, "Perfectly normal response, I'd wager. We are all fools when it comes to romance. What happened then?"

Neville shrugged, "Well, eventually I stopped thinking about how my Gran would have a heart attack when she found out her grandson was a poof, and gave in to my curiosity. I found out that I am comfortable with who I am, and if someone doesn't like it, that's not my problem. So, I told her."

Harry smiled, "Good on you, Neville! What did she say? I mean, I have an idea what the Muggle world thinks about that, but how do wizards..."

Neville blushed. "Well, their opinions are as mixed as on the pureblood issue, but mostly the attitude is that as long as you marry and provide an heir, you can snog whom you like in private. A bit duplicitous, perhaps, but right now there is a shortage of magical folk in the world. As a pureblood, my Gran says that I need to preserve the Longbottom bloodline, but it is not uncommon for one man to dally with another. She advised me to think to the future. It would be wise to inform the girl that I must marry that I fancy blokes as well, and to keep that relationship discreet, otherwise there would be a huge scandal. Overall, that was encouraging from my Gran." He smirked.

"So, would she approve of Colin, then?" he asked casually.

"Oh, Merlin; no. It's not because he is Muggleborn, or a boy. He's just too flamboyant. That's part of the reason we broke up. If she felt I truly loved him, then she may have changed her mind, but she felt that he was too outspoken and would have attracted attention. You have to understand, Harry... her generation is very concerned with public image. She told me that I should at least love the person enough to risk scandal. She's been dropping hints about Ginny and Hermione ever since."

Harry shrugged. In his mind, he kept hearing "we broke up" over and over. Harry was not sure what he felt towards Neville, but he was willing to explore these feelings further. "Well, at least she isn't prejudiced against Muggleborns."

"If she is, then it is because she was brought up that way. You cannot change a life-long point-of-view in an afternoon. She doesn't like Muggles, but she understands that it is essential from a genetic standpoint that we preserve all magic, regardless of the source. It's really fascinating, when you think of it. Hermione explained to me about the Florida panther in the United States. Their numbers are dwindling because they have been reduced to inbreeding. Scientists are trying to introduce other feline subspecies into their bloodline to strengthen it, even if it means diluting the purity of their blood. At least they would have a fighting chance to survive, then. Or, in Herbology, if you want to preserve a certain strain of orchid, you need to cross-breed one generation first. If it is truly rare, then you may breed back into its' family during second generation, but then you must cross-breed again soon to preserve genetic diversity. I think it's the same with magic as it is with plants and panthers."

Harry whistled, "I never knew that. How do you understand all that?"

Neville bumped his shoulder lightly, "I listen to Hermione. You should try it sometime." He straightened himself, and picked up his butterbeer to cover his nervousness. "You forgot to drink yours, Harry," he pointed out.

"Thanks, Nev." Harry took a sip, sighing as the burst of warmth settled in his stomach. The two sat there for some time in silence, enjoying each other's company. Harry asked abruptly, nearly causing Neville to choke on his drink, "What about me? Would your Gran approve of me?"

Neville glanced shyly at Harry, and said, "She'd love you, Harry. She'd love you."

When the pair came downstairs, the house was eerily quiet. Professor Snape was no where to be seen. The boys whipped out their wands and crept silently down to hall to the family room. Harry turned to ask Neville a question, when suddenly, everyone shouted, "SURPRISE!!!"

Both of them shouted various jinxes at the party guests before realizing their blunder. An irate Hermione pounced on them, her newly enlarged teeth glistening in the candlelight cast by the enormous cake. "I was very happy with the way they were, thank you very much!"

Harry glanced at the other guests. Fred and George were sprouting feelers from the tops of their heads, and purple spots all over their faces which clashed horribly with their red hair. The rest of the room had apparently managed to duck, with the exception of...

A silky voice purred from behind them, "Who taught you the Bat Bogey Hex, Longbottom?" Neville turned around to face Professor Snape, who was trying to contain his palpable anger. Neville shook his head in defiance. Snape gritted his teeth, muttering, "You are supremely lucky that you are on holiday and that my house is warded to prevent the Ministry from noticing that you have broken the Restriction of Underage Wizardry. Consider this your... birthday present." The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile as he handed Neville a small package before sweeping from the room in his flowing cloak.

Neville looked down, when the box began to shake. A soft mewing could be heard from within, and his face lit up. He hastily untied the ribbon, and picked up the squirming orange kitten from the box. "Apparently, Crookshanks has been a very naughty boy." Neville looked at Hermione with a wide grin, "I love him, er, her."

The kitten began to watch everyone in the room surreptitiously. Harry asked, "Who's her mum?" A hand landed on his shoulder. Harry turned, knowing who it was immediately.

Dumbledore stood before them, the twinkle in his eye unmistakable. "Argus came to me recently with a dilemma on his hands. It would seem that Mrs. Norris in her old age had become a mother. Alas, she does not seem to have any maternal feelings towards her offspring. Thankfully, we had managed to rescue this one before she shared the same fate as her siblings. It saddened me to hear of the passing of your toad, my boy. Five years is admirable for an amphibian. I do hope that you will take as excellent care of this rascal as you have of Trevor."

Neville thanked him profusely, as Harry's eyes fell on an unusually wrapped present. As the party progressed and the others helped themselves to cake and butterbeer, Harry cast furtive glances towards the gift. He approached the small pile of presents cautiously, hearing a tiny voice, but was only able to make out one word; "Scared." Slowly he opened his gift, and swore softly, drawing the attention of the entire Weasley clan. Tonks came forward, but was stopped by Dumbledore's hand. Reverently, Harry wrapped the tiny snake around his wrist so that he could take a closer look at it. Like frosted leaves left in shadow, still glittering, the snake's scales reflected the candlelight. Harry greeted it in Parseltongue, "Greetingsss, hatchling. You are sssafe here."

The Runespoor raised one head to regard him critically. Her voice reminded him of Parvati's. "How do you come to ssspeak asss we do? You promissse sssafety but you cannot guarantee thiss."

Harry hissed, "I am your massster. I protect my own. Ssee my friendsss? I will not allow harm to you or them, understood?"

"Yesss. Undersstood." The right head relaxed. The other heads agreed swiftly, and together they curled around his wrist.

Harry began to stroke his new pet gently, and looked up at his guests. Aside from Tonks, Remus, and Dumbledore, the only other adult in the room was Gran Longbottom. She tutted at him, but was silenced by the look from the Headmaster. Dumbledore only needed to flex a small amount of power to assure her that Harry and Neville were safe. Still, she would not be completely overruled. Carefully, she asked, "Harry, child. You do know what this creature is, correct? And, you can speak to it as well?"

"Gran, this ability of his saved Ginny's life. Harry can be trusted with the snake," Neville softly corrected his grandmother. She seemed just as surprised as Neville, and he could sense her silent appraisal of his reaction to Harry's present, or more importantly, to Harry. She nodded, satisfied, and Neville knew she had confirmed what she had already suspected. His heart swelled with affection for his grandmother.

"Albus, you never told me that he was a Parselmouth. You know how the rest of the Wizengamot would feel about this. Why would you give a Runespoor to the boy?"

Luna spoke up. "I found the snake during my travels, Ma'am. Her previous owner said that he did not speak her language. He gave her to me for free. He was afraid of me, can you imagine? All I did was say that my friend was a Parselmouth and that he would be ever so thankful if I could bring one home with me. She's a sweet little thing, really. I offered her a morsel of roast beef, and she seemed happy enough to come with me."

Harry laughed, "Luna, he thought you were referring to Voldemort." The snake raised one sleepy little head to look at Luna, and hissed. "She says that you smelled nice and kept her warm around your neck. She wants me to inform you that she is well-behaved and would never strike a lady. It goes against her breeding. Her mother served the child of an Indian Prime Minister." Harry mused, "She needs a royal name, then. I like the name Sarasvati."

The head which had not spoken yet, hissed, and Harry translated, "I have a name, you know: Manassas, after a goddess who protects against snakebites. There is a festival, Naag Panchami, celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Shravan, I mean, August. This day is holy for snakes and humans alike, for this is the day of truce between the two races. My other head had divined that it is a most lucky day for you to approach the one called Nagini. She is not happy with her lot in life, and seeks a new master. We will assist in the negotiations in exchange for a good home."

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes; Manassas could prove very useful, my boy. Tell her to contact Nagini and..."

Harry interrupted, "I'll thank you not to interfere, sir. Manassas is my snake. It is not your decision to make." The temperature in the room began to drop perceptibly as Harry glared at the Headmaster. "You are not my guardian. You have no authority over me outside of school. You do not make decisions for me, old man, especially when you do not include me in the decision making. You talk about choices defining who we are, but you do not give me the information I need to make a wise choice. You have left me with very little free will, but I still have some choice in the matter. What would you do if I left the magical world, and let you sort out this mess? Who would kill Voldemort for you?"

Ginny let out a yelp, but was silenced by George's hand on her shoulder. Grudgingly, she sat back in her seat, fuming. She continued to shoot daggers at the Headmaster with her eyes, though. Neville grabbed her hand and squeezed. Some of the others sat there gaping like fishes.

Dumbledore maintained his calm exterior, but Harry knew he had hit home with his last comment. "You cannot escape your destiny, my boy..."

Breathing deeply to calm down, Harry continued in a more normal voice, "If I must become a murderer, then I need to know how to defeat Voldemort. If you want me to do your dirty work for you, then we need to negotiate." He looked around the room, realizing what he had blurted out during his rant. Hermione looked to be in tears, while Ron seemed likely to become violently ill. Snape reappeared, producing a vial of a yellow, swirling liquid which he handed to Ron.

Neville was the first to respond. "I'm with Harry on this one. You knew about the prophecy, and that I had the potential to defeat Voldemort, and yet you never told me. Why should we trust you to decide how much information to give us and when? It's no wonder why Harry didn't trust anyone when Umbridge was abusing him..." He clapped a hand over his mouth. Hermione shot him a meaningful look.

Harry grimaced. There was no turning back now. "Luna, do you remember where we left the quill?" He began to explain in detail exactly what had transpired between Umbridge and himself during their private detentions. Luna, meanwhile, began to look under her seat, then in her satchel, finally lifting her skirt. Harry's concentration wavered as he beheld the creamy smoothness of her thighs. A snort from Ginny brought his attention back to the story. As he neared the completion of his tale, Luna came forward, brandishing the quill like a sword. "Where did you find it, luv?"

"Behind my ear."

"Then where is your wand?"

"Under my skirt." She smiled proudly at Ginny.

Ron spit out his potion. "Bloody Hell, Luna!" He seemed to be having some sort of trouble breathing. If only his friends knew that it was due to a jolt of rampant hormones wreaking havoc on his body. He reminded himself that Luna was Harry's girl, but that only brought up the Incident that he so desperately wanted to forget.

Ginny began to laugh, "Luna, show him your sheath."

Luna obliged her by lifting her skirt once more, and pointing to a leather strap around her leg that held her wand in place. "There is only one problem with its location," Hermione pointed out. "It's not a very practical place to keep it, is it?"

"Hmm... I've got it!" Luna leapt past Hermione to grab the knife from the cutting board. Swiftly she sliced a slit up her skirt on the wand side. "Look, Hermione! Easy access!" she beamed. She grabbed Hermione's hand in her excitement.

Harry's cheeks began to burn, as Ginny approved, "Way to think outside the box!"

Fred and George hooted, and grabbed each other. Ron shook his head. Harry wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Bill wink at Charlie. Charlie sighed, "Dirty old men they are. Luna, that is quite handy. In Romania, gypsy women carry wands in similar fashion."

Hermione flashed Charlie a grateful smile. "At least there are some Weasleys who are not obsessed with sex."

Charlie smiled warmly, "Who says I'm not? I'm male. I just like my girls more like you." He bowed comically before her, kissing her hand dramatically. She placed a hand against her bosom, noting Ron's reaction, and pretended to swoon. Charlie released her hand, and added, "If you were but a little older..."

"And you a little younger..." Hermione teased. "Some Weasley men," she stressed, "know how to treat a lady." She flounced off towards Dumbledore, purposefully seating herself as far from Ron as possible. "So, the topic at hand: nailing Umbridge's warty skin to the wall," she announced in a business-like voice.

Harry smiled.

Once the matter was cleared up to everyone's satisfaction, it was decided by everyone, including Harry that Dumbledore would confirm a trial date for the middle of September. It would ruin a perfectly good Hogsmeade weekend, Ron grumbled, but he agreed to back Harry up in case he needed testimony. Dumbldore called a meeting of the Order for the end of August, before Harry left for school, promising that he would be allowed to sit in on it with Fred and George, who had become full members. The younger Weasleys protested at first, but Harry assured them that he would fill them in privately. At the end of the evening, after all the presents were opened, Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Ahem! It would seem there is one more item of business to discuss before this party is officially disbanded, and poor Severus is forced to clean up our mess, though I do hope some kind souls will assist him? Thank you." He nodded at Harry and Neville. "I have spoken with the Order about the status of headquarters, and it would seem that due to the timely effort on Miss Emmeline Vance's part, we have been able to clear the name of Sirius Black, and subsequently, the Ministry has agreed to allow his will. Therefore, Grimmauld Place now belongs to Miss Nymphadora Tonks, as well as Remus Lupin, the guardians of Luna Lovegood and Harry Potter, as stated in the will. Severus, would you be so kind as to see me to the door?" he asked in jovial manner. However, the two teens did not miss the undercurrent of tension hidden in his words.

As the Weasleys and Longbottoms wrapped up their conversations, Luna and Harry crept into the main hall to spy on their Professor. They knew it would be a fruitless endeavor, however, as Snape waved them off. Harry and Luna ran up to their rooms, and began to pack their belongings in silence. They were met by their four friends, and they promised to meet up in Diagon Alley at Fortescue's when it was time for school shopping. Finally, Luna turned to Harry, after the others had left, saying, "We will be living together, Harry."

Harry winked, "Don't worry; I'll be a complete gentleman."

Luna brushed past him to meet Tonks, "That's a real shame..."

The month of August passed far too quickly for Harry's liking. Luna had proven to be an energetic companion, flitting about like a butterfly from flower to flower. It was very difficult to imagine that there was a war on, especially since Harry had not felt any pain in his scar. His sleep was far more restful than he would have imagined, for when he shook with nightmares, Luna was with him. Many a night one would comfort the other until sleep claimed them both. Luna seemed to interpret his moods accurately, and would give him space when he truly needed it. She would not leave him alone completely, preferring to read quietly or find her own amusement nearby. This seemed to suit them both.

Currently, Luna's lap held the head of one Harry Potter, of which she was often fond of stroking. His eyes scanned the results of his O.W.L. exams, blinking twice before he dropped the parchment in shock. Luna glanced lazily at the page, and pointed her wand at it. The paper flew into her hand, and she began to read aloud in an even tone, "This is quite unexpected. Professor Snape can usually be trusted to remain fair and impartial. It would not do for him to show how fond he is of you."

Harry spluttered, "You're having me on! Luna, he hates me."

"How much of what you perceive is real? Now that he has seen how much you are like Lily, I think his opinion has changed. Against his will, he admires you. He would never tell you this himself, though, but I think he sees a bit of himself in you as well."

"Now that is a scary thought..." When put that way, though, Luna's words made sense, given what Harry had seen of Snape's memories. Harry may look like his father, act like his mother, but he shared more in common with his teacher. He looked at his results again, and smiled. "I wonder what he will say when I walk into NEWT level Potions. Probably accuse me of cheating..."

Luna nudged him. "Obviously, he will continue treating you ill in public. He knows that you deserve to be in his class, but he will expect you to fail. You do not try hard enough, and you loathe Potions. Not the subject itself, though; it is your hatred of Professor Snape that has kept you performing below your ability. Show him that you appreciate his efforts to teach you Potions and Occlumency. It is not easy for him to teach students who wish they were elsewhere. Show him that he is not wasting his time."

Harry replied, thoughtfully, "The only ones he seems to single out are me and Neville. Do you really think he pushes us for our own good, that there is no ulterior motive behind it?"

"That's for you to discover, Harry." Luna sighed, staring out the window. "Tonks should be ready to take us into Diagon Alley for supplies. Ron and Ginny will be waiting for us at Quality Quidditch Supplies. Neville and Hermione may already be at Flourish and Blotts, so we need to check on my guardian." Luna stretched, dumping Harry's head from her lap. Today she wore mismatched socks, one purple with flowers, and the other rainbow-striped, with a pair of sandals. Her skirt was made of a shimmering fabric which seemed to change color from pink to green as she moved. Her simple turquoise tunic was embroidered with runes and symbols along the edges of the fabric. A pentacle dangled from one ear and what appeared to be the Eye of Ra from the other. Her wand held her hair back from her face in an almost Oriental style.

Harry smiled, noticing how she had borrowed from many different cultures. Of all the witches that he had met, Luna seemed the most eccentric, but he had grown fond of her quirks. She seemed to disregard convention in any form and remained a free spirit. A crash from the kitchen confirmed the whereabouts of the Auror. "It stills amazes me that Tonks is your guardian, Luna."

"Why should it? After all, she was friends with Daddy..." her voice trailed off sadly, and she took a deep breath. Then she continued speaking in her dreamy voice, which did not fool Harry one bit. He knew that they had been very close, and that her dad had been more of a friend than a parent at times. "Nymphadora is a lovely name, don't you think? It's a pity that she doesn't care much for it. When I have a daughter, I'll name her Nymphadora Lovegood."

Harry protested, "Doesn't her father get any say in the matter?"

Luna smiled serenely, "Then, you may call her 'Dora' if it pleases you."

Harry gulped, "I meant about her last name."

Luna tweaked his nose, "Are you proposing so soon, then?" She sighed in a cheerful, dreamy voice, "No, I'll never marry. I'll live in sin with my Gin and Mione, and we'll raise our children together. There will be twelve children in total so they will never be alone, their hair every shade of the rainbow. They'll be Longbottoms and Weasleys and Potters and Lovegoods and a few Grangers as well. They'll grow up in a better world because we'll make it better for them. Some of us will marry, but that will be just for the reporters, you know. Our hearts are too big to contain our love for just one person, and so they spill forth, blessing all. And mangos... we can eat mangos whenever we want, even when they are not in season."

Harry held her for a long moment. "That sounds lovely, Luna. To the future, and mangos for all." His heart ached for a brighter future, a future without the threat of war hanging over their heads.

Soon, they were on their way, with a bubbly Tonks chatting animatedly with Luna about girly things. Harry ignored their conversation for the most part, for Tonks had been telling Luna about his reaction at the breakfast table. Harry wanted to disappear on the spot when Luna grabbed his arm suddenly. "Look! It's Ginny and Ronald!"

Ginny was scowling at Ron, who had been waving his arms about and lecturing her. As Harry approached he heard, "...can't just string him along like that. You have to share a dorm with them, you know?" He glanced at Harry, and muttered, "Tell him."

Luna asked excitedly, "Tell Harry what, exactly?" She beamed at Ron, who for once smiled warmly at her. Luna looked from one face to the other, and her smile faded slightly. In a soft voice, she said, "I see. Ginevra, would you kindly drag my boyfriend over to Fortescue's? Ronald and I will bring Hermione and Neville by shortly."

"What about my books?" he asked in a befuddled voice. Luna held out her hand, and Harry placed a small bag of Galleons in it. He shrugged. "Are you sure about this?"

"You need ice cream, with plenty of chocolate sauce. We'll go to Madame Malkin's afterwards. You need new robes, and underwear."

Ginny started laughing, but stopped when she looked at Harry. "C'mon. They'll be fine. Try not to kill her Ron, okay? I rather like having a best friend." Ginny watched them leave, and began to fidget with her hands.

Harry reached for her hands to calm them. "Ginny, tell me. What's going on?"

Ginny pulled her hands away. She looked down at her feet for a moment, mumbling, "Ron thinks that dating Dean is a big mistake. He thinks I should be dating you." Harry did not know how to respond to that. He had known Ron felt that way, but he never thought that Ron would embarrass his sister in public over it. They walked in uncomfortable silence to the ice cream parlor. While waiting for their ice creams to arrive, Ginny broke the silence. "It's none of his business who I date, anyway! Ron just won't let it go. He told me before you got there that I should be honest with you about my feelings."

Harry replied, "Maybe he should be honest about his own feelings before yelling at you like that. Ron... how do I say this? After you ran off, he... he kissed me." Harry ducked in case she felt like throwing things or hexing him. With her famous Weasley temper, who knew what to expect? Instead his confession was met by stunned silence. Harry chanced a look in her direction, and was overcome by what he saw.

Ginny was crying in public. Normally she would never allow anyone to think that she was not as strong as she appeared. Harry supposed this came from having to prove to her overprotective brothers that she could handle herself. Harry asked softly, "Are you okay, Gin? I didn't mean to tell you this way. The only one who knows is Neville, since he happened to see it."

"My brother fancies you," Ginny replied in a dead voice. Her brother was going to take him away from her. "All this time, he's been jealous of Hermione, acting as if she would cheat on him with you. Hermione is not the one with the problem; it's Ron. Ron was suspicious of Krum, because he wanted to protect you. It had nothing to do with Hermione at all, did it?" Her ice cream sat untouched as Harry tried to explain how it happened.

Harry told her everything, including that Remus had been Sirius's lover. "I was trying to defend Remus, I guess. I just got so angry with Ron, thinking that he would ditch me if I was gay, like my father did when Remus told him. That's why he wasn't their Secret Keeper or my guardian, you know. It had nothing to do with being a werewolf at all. My dad rejected Remus, but my mum kept in touch with him."

Ginny gasped, "Did he know about Sirius, then?"

Harry smiled sadly, "No. Remus wouldn't tell him who he was in love with. He didn't want Sirius to get in trouble. When they died, and Sirius went to Azkaban, Remus could not legally adopt me, even without the blood protection thing. That's why before Sirius... died, he wrote a new will, stating that if anything happened to him, Remus would become my new guardian. At the Order meeting last night, it came into the open. The Ministry cleared his name since Luna mentioned seeing Pettigrew, but they still would not grant his last wish. Miss Vance finally pushed the papers through, so now it is legal."

Ginny grabbed his hand, "How did she manage that?"

Harry winked, "Apparently, she found a small clause that stated a percentage of the Black fortune would be donated to the Ministry if the will was followed to the letter. Tonks and her mother would no longer be disowned by the family, and inherit the house. Remus would be formally announced as his spouse, and therefore legally claim me. Fudge was greedy, and so he agreed to the deal. The Ministry does not want to admit that Fudge took bribes in office, now that he's dead. In the end, the choice was simple: create a scandal when we are the brink of war or allow a member of a pureblood family his "eccentricity"."

Ginny pondered this. "If Neville wished to marry a bloke..." Her face colored.

"Don't worry, Gin. He's told me about Colin, anyway." Harry smiled. "Unfortunately, this seems to be a one-time deal. Under the current government, gay marriages are still not recognized." Raising an eyebrow, Harry continued, "But, we could change the players."

Ginny was suspicious. "Harry, are we talking about my brother here, or not?" Her ice cream by now was a puddle.

Harry teased, "Which one?" Ginny jabbed at him with her spoon. "Alright... Hermione wants me to talk to Percy, convince him to throw in his support with the Order. Maybe we can help him. It must be difficult to suddenly have so much on his shoulders, including a war. As the acting Minister of Magic, he'll need the support of his family, and he's distanced himself from you. He'll want to save face publicly, and say that he knew nothing of Fudge's actions, and that will be devastating to his career either way."

"I see what you mean. Either he sounds like an idiot, or he looks suspicious because he rose to his position by Crouch's patronage. He has the least seniority, which will upset the Ministry workers. They will want a fall-guy to blame the rise of the Death Eaters on, and the Death Eaters will want Percy to be weak and unable to fight back. Voldemort could seize the government easily. Harry..."

"I know," sighed Harry. "Umbridge will slaughter him, with the full support of the Ministry. She's not the better choice, either. We need to keep Percy safe and in place until Madame Bones wins the election. Now is the time to tell him about her, and what she is capable of."

Ginny leaned in closely, "Percy will look like a hero. He'll be the youngest Minister, and will serve the shortest length of time, but he will have his dream, Harry. I know we teased him mercilessly growing up, but the truth is that he could have become Minister on his own without Crouch or Fudge's involvement. It just would have taken him longer. He really would be good at the job if he had more experience. No one will know how hard he's worked for his dream, except for our family. Let me help; he still talks to me." She hugged Harry, and said in a lilting voice, "I love you, Harry Potter..."

They looked up in horror to find that not only had their friends arrived, but that Dean Thomas was with them. Hermione shot Harry an apologetic look. Dean shouted, "What do you think you're doing with my girlfriend?" Ginny extricated her self from their embrace to attempt an explanation. "Save it, Ginny. I asked Harry what was going on. You two looked pretty cozy."

Harry said, "Ginny just gave me a friendly hug. We were discussing Percy and Umbridge."

Ron snorted, "That's not very romantic, mate. Are you sure that's what you two were on about?" He looked a trifle put out, as if he was... jealous?

Harry thrust his hand in front of Ron's face. "Do you think I can lie even if I wanted to, with this?" Dean leaned forward to look at the writing permanently etched into Harry's skin. He whistled, and gave Harry a sympathetic look. The tension disappeared from his face completely. "I'm not trying to take Ginny away from you, Dean."

Dean smiled in a forced way. "I know that, Harry. Sorry for the accusation. That hag did this to you?" he gestured to the scar on Harry's hand. Then, he rolled up his sleeve. "Apparently we are both too thickheaded to admit defeat." Upon his arm was the phrase: Do not question authority.

Hermione mentioned the fact that Umbridge would be running for office. "Do you want her in charge? We are too young to vote, but we can still make a difference. Are you willing to testify that she used the Blood Quill on you?"

Ginny appealed to Dean as well, linking her arm through his. "Harry is willing to go first. The more students that come forward, the more likely it will be that the Ministry will listen. If Harry is the only one to tell the truth, they might think he's lying." He refused to meet her eyes, and slipped his arm out of her grasp. Ginny noticed this sadly, but tried to ignore her aching heart.

Luna spoke in a very serious voice, her eyes seeming to bore into Dean's, "They might think he's gone round the bend, you know. The Daily Prophet has done so much to discredit him." She leaned in closely to address everyone, "It's a conspiracy, I tell you, perpetrated by the Ministry to cover up their inadequacy. You may scoff now, but think about it. A year ago, the Undersecretary set a pair of Dementors on Harry, endangering a Muggle in the process. Did anyone believe that she could usurp Dumbledore's position as Headmaster?"

Ron put a hand on her shoulder for support. "I'm sorry that I called you a loony. She's mostly right. Not everyone in the Ministry is corrupt, though. What we need is a strategy..." His face lit up. "Dean and Neville, you can contact the other members of the D.A. Find out how many people have served detention with the toad. Ginny and Harry can work on Percy. Hermione and Luna are the brains of this outfit. Maybe they can figure out the best legal course of action. As for me, I'll find out from Dad who's on our side and who would need convincing. That is, if it's alright with you, Harry?"

Harry just smiled at Ron. "Can I have a moment alone with Ron, guys?" The rest of the group wandered off, after a quick reminder from Luna about his underwear problem. He told her sarcastically to pick up a few pairs if it pleased her. After she left, Harry mused, "She might take that literally. Ron, about what happened before..."

Ron waved the comment away. "It was nothing, okay? I'm a bit embarrassed, to tell the truth. You know you're my best friend, right? I'd do anything for you, even if that was what you had in mind. I just made a mistake. It won't happen again." Ron grabbed his purchases, and handed Harry his books. "Let's get out of here, then."

"The park?" Harry suggested. Ron nodded, and they set off at once. Once they found a secluded spot, Harry said, "We can be honest here, Ron. I want you to know that I really care about you. You're the first person who accepted me for who I really am. Has that changed?"

Ron assured him, "Of course not." They sat on the grass.

Harry turned to face him. "Then, if I told you that I am having a difficult time figuring things out, you'd try to understand? Well, I think I may fancy boys as much as girls. It never occurred to me that you might be wondering about the same thing. You seemed happy enough with Hermione. When you kissed me, it felt good."

"Better than Cho?" Ron ventured, fascinated.

"Loads better, Ron. Almost as good as Luna," he blushed. Ron seemed to puff up with pride. "That's the confusing part. I enjoyed our kiss as much as when Luna kisses me, just in a different way. I need to know how you feel." Harry anxiously waited for Ron's response.

"If you don't know by now, you're a bloody git, Potter," Ron decreed, pulling Harry into his arms. Awkwardly, his arms encircled his waist. Ron looked into Harry's brilliant green eyes, saying, "I've missed you so much, you wanker. I thought for a long time that this was what best friends feel for one another. And then you cornered me, and I just kissed you. I didn't think it was wrong or dirty at the time; it just felt right. Does that make me a poof, then?"

Harry laughed, and then kissed his friend's cheek. "Well, if you are then so am I."

"Everything's as it should be, then," Ron concluded, pressing his face against Harry's chest. Harry sighed in contentment, and began to stroke Ron's hair. That obstacle had been knocked down, but there remained one more. "Harry, what do we tell the others?"

Harry murmured against his forehead, "The truth, I guess. Neville saw our kiss, and I told Luna and Ginny. The only one who doesn't know about us is Hermione. That's going to be rough. We really should tell her together, you know. She deserves to hear it from us."

"How about we give Skeeter something to really talk about? The world already thinks that the three of us are perverts; we might as well go along with it." Ron smiled suggestively. He continued, "We know Hermione feels something deeper for you. She just hasn't admitted it yet. When she gets so flustered that she can't speak, she's hilarious."

Harry mused happily, "She's quite adorable when she's angry, at least, when her anger isn't directed at me." He yawned, noticing the shadows lengthen across the sky. "Shouldn't we be getting back now? It's getting awfully dark."

Ron froze. "Harry, I've felt this before. The chill seeping into my bones..."

Harry sat upright, almost knocking Ron off the sofa. "It's Dementors, Ron! I can feel them nearby." A scream was heard from down the road. "We have to find the others!" The two raced down the street, but it was too late. Diagon Alley was in a panic. Students and parents were racing around, fleeing the hellish fiends. Harry yelled for the members of Dumbledore's Army that he had seen to cast their Patronuses. Ron and Harry began to search for their friends as they tried to fend off as many dementors as possible. Some of the adults had managed to cast successful silvery shapes. The majority of people affected, however, were not wizards or witches.

Ron moaned, "Harry, Hermione's parents might still be here!"

"WHAT???" Harry yelled. "I thought she came here by herself."

Ron shook his head, "Come on; do you really think they would trust her alone with two sixteen-year-old boys? Especially after reading the Prophet."

"Point taken. Over here!" Harry yelled to a fifth-year Gryffindor. He was shocked to find that it was Colin Creevey, tears streaming down his face.

"Harry! It's Dennis! They've got him! Mum and Dad are gone..." The boy's eyes were haunted and frantic when he realized that Harry was okay. "Have you seen Neville? He was with Ginny earlier, but I've lost him..."

Harry gently wrapped his arms around the shivering boy, and spoke. "We'll find him, Colin. Ron and I left them with Hermione and Luna a few hours ago. He'll be fine." Harry tried to reassure him.

Colin continued to cling to Harry, asking, "What about the Dementors? They're everywhere! They got Mum, and Dad, and Dennis... Oh, god, Dennis! I couldn't hold them off, Harry!"

Harry patted his back while Ron watched for a safe passage to Madame Malkin's. "Neville knows what his greatest fear is, and he's conquered it. In third year, he turned his boggart into Snape-in-a-dress, right? He's strong, Colin, and so are you. We just have to find out where they've gone." He wiped away the other boy's tears and placed his wand back in his hand. "I believe in you."

Colin straightened up, saying, "You're right. Thanks, Harry. Neville will protect Ginny and the others. He's going to be fine." The three boys ran for the other side of the street, where they saw a huddled figure on the ground. It was Dean.

"Dean, have you seen my sister?" Ron shouted, shaking his shoulders. Dean moaned for the memories to stop, holding his head. Ron tried again, "Where's Ginny? Is she okay?"

"My dad's not my father!" he blurted out. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Ron! They're gone! Ginny and Neville chased the Dementors away. She said they would stay with Tonks while help arrives. They're in there!" Dean led Ron and Colin aside, adding, "Harry, I saw Hermione down near the Leaky Cauldron with her parents! Hurry!"

As Harry made his way down the street, he saw that help had indeed arrived. He recognized a few Aurors on the scene, banishing the last of the dementors. Pushing open the doors of the pub, Harry yelled to Tom, the barkeep, "Have you seen Hermione Granger, my friend with the curly hair?" The man pointed down the alleyway that led to Knockturn Alley. Harry stood transfixed at the sight of his girlfriend cradling Hermione in her arms.

Luna's face was shining with tears, and Harry's heart plummeted. She was sobbing hard. Harry approached in horror to find that Hermione was alive, but badly shaking. He turned his questioning eyes to Luna. "Harry, the Grangers have been Kissed. I don't know how to reach her. Hermione has slipped into a state of shock."

Harry knelt by the two girls, and scooped Hermione into his arms to carry her. He looked over his shoulder to ask Luna how long she had been like this, when he caught sight of their zombie-like bodies. He closed his eyes briefly, willing away the pain. There would be time for grieving later. Right now they had to get Hermione some help. Luna followed closely behind, as they brought her to Tonks. Harry was shocked to find Percy Weasley emerging from Madame Malkin's. His face reflected the sheer horror he felt at the presence of Dementors in a public place. Harry noticed that the young man looked like he had been dealt a major blow. As he passed by Harry, he placed his hand upon the boy's shoulder. Harry nodded in greeting. Percy asked quietly, "Is that Hermione? Has she been Kissed?"

Harry replied, "Only by your brother, thankfully. Her parents have been attacked, Minister Weasley." Harry remembered at the last moment to address him by the honorific. Percy smiled weakly, appreciating the effort. "How's Ginny holding up?"

"Here; let me help." Percy leaned Hermione against him as Harry's legs threatened to buckle. "Ginny is comforting Dean Thomas. His parents have been taken from him, as well. He's been saying the strangest things, about how his father is not his father or a Death Eater. Harry, how could his father be a Death Eater? He's Muggleborn. I'm starting to fear for his mind." He seemed different somehow, more like the kind, if stuffy, prefect that Harry remembered and less like the bureaucrat he had become.

"Percy, how come you're down here?" Harry asked, and pulled back from him suddenly. Percy's features had darkened. Harry had seen this look on Ginny's face before, and it startled him to see the resemblance.

Almost casually, Percy mentioned, "My fiancée has been Kissed. My sweet, gentle Penelope, who never asked to be involved in this mess, had gone to Madame Malkin's to be measured for new robes." He placed Hermione gently next to a seated Ron, who had gone quite still at their arrival. Then, he turned to Harry, and announced, "Penelope is pregnant. She will never hold our child, never see her smiling face. I am a father and a widower all in one afternoon."

Percy stepped aside, to show that Penelope Clearwater, eight months pregnant, lay propped against the dressing room door. Ginny sadly stroked her hand, refusing to look at Harry. She spoke in an icy voice, "Her body is an incubator, but soon it will cease to function. She will slowly waste away, giving her last strength to the baby, Percy. This is what Tom Riddle has done. He has hurt our family enough, wouldn't you say?"

Percy held himself together by the barest thread of control. "Our Mum had two brothers, Harry. Gideon and Fabian Prewett were twins, much like our Fred and George. I remember them, Gin-Gin. Dad tells me I was too young to remember, but I do. They were nice to me. They made shadows dance upon the walls of my bedroom and gave me sweets when Mum wasn't looking. And they died protecting a pregnant woman named Lily. I had to comfort our mother because Dad was working long hours to support his growing family. I was five years old." Percy let that sink in.

Percy continued, "Then, when I was Head Boy, and I thought the monster couldn't get us, it came for Penny. She lay there for six months in a petrified state. When I thought my heart couldn't take anymore pain, Ginny was abducted by the same monster. I blamed you, Harry, for not protecting my sister whom loved you more than her own life, but I blamed myself more. I didn't want you to endanger her and Ron anymore."

Harry reached for Ginny's hand, oblivious to the fact that Dean was still in the room. The move had not gone unnoticed by Dean. Ginny grasped Ron's hand with her left hand. Ron's other arm held Hermione against him. Luna and Neville came to stand behind them, resting their hands upon their friends' shoulders. An aura of shimmering light began to surround the six teens. Neville spoke first. "Percy, of those gathered here, your parents are the only ones left. Voldemort and his followers have destroyed so many families, yet you still have yours intact. How much longer do you think that will last if we refuse to support Harry? Fudge and Crouch played you for a fool. They left you behind to clean up their messes. We don't blame you for being angry with Harry, but he wasn't even born when this began. If you want to blame someone, you should blame Voldemort."

Harry reached out to Percy with his free hand. "Hermione wanted me to ask you to join the Order of the Phoenix, and to stop Umbridge from taking control of the Ministry. We have asked the adults to inform you that she has abused her position, but it seems that the burden of proof rests on us. I'm sorry; these are her words. You've seen firsthand what Fudge's incompetence has cost our worlds. You are in the position to clean house. There are those who want you removed from office. I'm asking you for only one thing: a chance to prove to you that you can be the person you've wanted to be. All you need to do is to listen to us."

Ron ordered him, "Look at Harry's hand. Then you tell me that Dolores Umbridge deserves to replace you as Minister of Magic." Percy took Harry's hand in his own, turning it over. He gasped when he saw the words. Ron nodded, satisfied. "Will you insure that Harry and the others who have been branded like this receive their justice?"

Percy shook his hand. "I would have joined for Penny's sake," he admitted. "I'll see to it that tomorrow, Umbridge will stand before the Wizengamot. How many students could you gather before the Hogwarts Express leaves?"

Ron mentioned roughly twenty members of the DA that had come forward. Ginny piped up, "Then there is Lee Jordan. I know that he was punished with the Blood Quill." Percy asked where Weasley Wizarding Wheezes was located. The Healers came for Penelope and the other victims, and he left with them. Ginny asked, "Please take us home, Tonks."

The Auror wiped a tear from her eye, saying, "You dad owled me to say that the Burrow may not be safe. Your mum is on her way to Headquarters for a meeting of the Order. We'll take Hermione and Dean there." Soon they were able to leave via the Floo Network. Harry brushed off the soot from the fireplace, and ran to Remus. He didn't care if he was too old to be held; that was what he wanted most of all.

Remus ruffled his hair affectionately, "Harry, you're breaking my ribs here." Harry glanced up sheepishly at his guardian. "Dumbledore has arrived. He told me that you have been more successful in persuading Percy to join the Order." The students were admitted to the meeting. Harry saw every Weasley present, along with more members of the Order than he knew existed. "Harry, I've shown them the quill. There is no mistake about it; it was bought in Borgin and Burke's. That is the only known distributor nearby, and they deal with shady characters."

Severus Snape glided into the room, confirming, "Such as myself. This quill was purchased by one Lucius Malfoy as a present for his dear friend Dolores. She attended the last meeting where she was rewarded for her efforts by the Dark Lord. I cannot give you any more information. The next meeting I attend is likely to be my last."

Tonks cursed loudly, "Where is the Mark, then? If she had it, we'd have seen it by now. We haven't found it yet."

Snape smirked, "That depends on where you have been looking, my dear. I, for one, would not wish to be the one to examine her. She has been tattooed in an unusual place. If you want to expose her, you must find a way to knock the wig off of her head during the trial."

Fred and George shared a secretive look, and Harry smiled slightly, "I don't think that will be a problem."

After the meeting finished, Harry and Ron guided Hermione to an upstairs bedroom that she had shared with Ginny previously. Luna showed Ginny and Neville her new bedroom, excited to have enough room for her collection of oddities from around the world. He picked up a shell shaped like the horn of a unicorn, intent on his observation of the blonde. Luna seemed more than happy to distract them and to give Harry and Ron time alone with Hermione. Neville did not feel left out these days. He respected that sometimes the Trio needed time to themselves. Anything important would be brought up with the others later. He assumed that they were trying to revive Hermione.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were sitting by the bed, watching Hermione. She had not spoken since the incident, and had become more agitated by the minute. Ron held Harry's hand. Speaking in low voices, they talked about the last time they both sat at her bedside like this. It had been the first time that Ron had recognized his feelings for her. Harry mentioned similar emotions that he had felt when she had been attacked by the basilisk. "Ron, I've cared for both of you for so long that sometimes it felt like I didn't know where I ended and you began. We were a unit, parts of a whole. Last year was difficult for me. I should have told you both how important you are to me. I'm so sorry that I pushed you both away."

"Don't worry about it. I'm rubbish at this sort of thing anyway. Half the time I say things I wish I could take back. Most of the time, I end up hurting Hermione without any idea how it happened. I don't want to hurt her anymore. When she's ready to face what happened today, I will tell her about my feelings for you. It's not fair to her to hide this part of myself. What bothers me is that I still don't know how she feels about you. When I ask her if she fancies you, she yells at me or changes the subject."

Harry climbed next to her, wrapping his arms around her. "C'mon, Ron." He motioned for Ron to do the same. The trio lay there together on the bed, with the boys trying to provide Hermione with tactile comfort. "I think we can work this out somehow." They snuggled up with her sandwiched in the middle. Lying this way, Harry's body fit nicely around the curve of her body. His hand brushed the hair from Ron's eyes, and he smiled. Ron smiled back, nestling in closer to Hermione. "We don't have to rush things. For now, let's just hold each other."

Soon it was morning. Hermione awoke to find herself wedged between her two best friends. She studied Harry in silence, wondering how he managed to survive the Dursleys year after year. How he had survived the death of his parents and Sirius. How she would cope with the loss of her parents. They were in a state worse than death. Their minds, their personalities, their souls were gone forever. Ever the practical one, she thought of the funeral arrangements and contacting family and friends. How could you have a funeral, though, for someone whose body still lived? She wondered how she would explain it to the Muggles. Where would she go after Hogwarts? If she returned to the Muggle world, she would most likely be sent to live with distant relatives that she hadn't known while her parents were alive. They would not know about her powers. Worse, they could take her away from Harry and Ron. That must not be allowed to happen!

Think, Hermione. I'll be seventeen in three weeks. Until then, could I stall the Muggle authorities? I'll be legally declared an adult. Or, I could just disappear into the magical world completely, where I belong. I'll need a place to stay after the school year ends. Hermione's mind had been working on these problems while Harry and Ron worried over her. She felt a sharp pang of longing, wanting to take away their pain and come back to them. First she needed to sort her life out, though. With so many details to work out, she could push the pain away until it was safe for her to deal with it. Right now, she needed to keep a level head. There would be time to mourn later.

She gently nudged Harry awake, putting a finger to his lips. Hermione whispered, "Let Ron sleep. We need to talk. Just listen to me for a moment, okay? I'm worried about him right now. If you know what is bothering him, I'd appreciate the input immensely."

"Mione, your parents..." Harry began, but stopped when he saw the tears form in her eyes. His heart ached when he thought of Sirius. He agreed to focus on Ron's behavior. "Ron has a big secret to tell you. In fact, we both do, but we didn't think this was the right time to discuss it with you. I will tell you, but first I need to know something. How do you feel about me?"

Hermione was not expecting this and was unsure what Harry was asking. "What exactly do you mean? You're my friend, and I'm fond of you. You do know that, right?"

Harry sighed. "I want to know if you could ever consider becoming more than friends. Before you get angry with me, just hear me out. I know you love Ron; that is not the issue. I just need to know in what way you love me."

"This is coming out of left field, Harry." Hermione murmured, "You know I'm crazy about you, don't you? I've never had a crush on you, but I always thought we would be a couple. Ron seemed immature for so long. You seemed too embarrassed by Rita's article to even consider me for a girlfriend. How many times did I hear you say that we were just friends? And then you started dating Cho. So, I gave you what you wanted. We were 'just friends', and I began seeing Ron. I tried to be very supportive and helpful, but secretly? I cheered when you two broke up. She never seemed right for you."

"Thanks for your honesty, Mione. It was a complete disaster, wasn't it? You know, I always wondered why everyone else saw how close we were, and insisted that we must be dating each other. I wondered why Cho was so jealous of you."

"Did you? Harry, I've liked you since I first met you, and I knew you would have an impact on my life. You insisted that Ron help you rescue me from the troll. I fancied you, that's true, and when Ginny confessed her crush to me, I felt smug, I'll admit. You were my Harry, and I knew you were not interested in her. I flattered myself thinking that you just needed time to mature, that someday you would see me this way. Well, all I have to say to you is: you've certainly taken a long time, haven't you?" Hermione smiled timidly.

Harry began, "Well, the thing is, my life is complicated... Oh, bugger it all! Hermione, I'm in love with Luna, but I'm attracted to Ron and Neville, and maybe even Snape..." He rambled on in a panic. She stopped him with a kiss on his cheek.

"Snape? Honestly!" she giggled. She paused, thoughtful. "Is it the vampire thing?"

Harry shuddered. "How did you know about that?"

Hermione blushed. "Lots of girls think he's a vampire because of that dark, brooding persona. Not that I am in any way attracted to him, understood? I think some girls like the idea of flirting with danger. Thankfully, I'm much more sensible. Besides, I'm fully aware that most crushes on teachers do not end well..." Harry knew she was thinking of Lockhart in second year.

Harry grinned. "You do realize that I've just come out to you? That I fancy Ron."

Hermione touched his hand. "Then, I am right. Ron fancies you right back, and you've come to tell me this because you think I will hex you into oblivion if I find out from someone else." She paused, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Have you kissed Harry, Ron? I know you're listening."

Ron opened his eyes, smiling tentatively. "Yeah. Have you?"

Hermione glanced at him. "Not yet. So, what are we going to do about it?"

Harry replied, "Will you hit me if I kiss your girlfriend, Ron?"

Ron suggested, "I'm not the one you need to be worrying about, mate!"

Hermione harrumphed loudly, "Just kiss me and be done with it, Harry. We'll never get things done at this rate! I love Ron and I love you, and it's fine with me that you're bisexual." She wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed one of Ron's hands on her breast. This move shocked both boys, but they knew that once her mind was made up, there would be no turning back. "I'm tired of always being the sensible one, having to be responsible and denying myself what I want. If I must be sensible, then the sensible thing would be to act on my impulses. I want to experience this with you. I want to love you both and be loved. I want to eat mangos out of season, dammit!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You have been talking to Luna, then." She smiled warmly back at Harry and Ron, who looked a bit confused about the mango reference.

Hermione whispered, "I've tasted the forbidden fruit myself, Harry." She nodded suggestively. "Luna surprised me, that day when I was angry with Ron, you know. We were comparing the rituals of wiccans to those of witches educated at Hogwarts. Particularly Dianic covens; all female covens, that is... We were experimenting with raising energy the wandless way, and she pointed out that lesbian wiccans can focus their energies together to achieve a certain goal. We thought we could experiment, you see, to find something useful to help you defeat Voldemort."

Hermione kissed Harry's cheek. "I've done quite a bit of thinking about what I want.

There is so much death and sadness in this world. It seems to me that the wizarding world has just as many problems as the Muggle world, and most of them are the same kind. So much prejudice and intolerance... We have to start somewhere. It's wrong to deny ourselves this happiness when life is so short and fragile. I'd rather share myself with the two boys I love most in the world, and decide for myself what is normal. Luna showed me that you take what sweetness you can. If feeling this way, wanting both of you is wrong, then so be it. I'm so tired, Harry; so tired of fighting these feelings. Do you understand, both of you? I don't care anymore if this is wrong, if it is socially acceptable. I want to make love to you both. Please, let us share something special together."

Ron very tenderly kissed her shoulder. "Oh, God, Hermione. Are you sure this is what you want? Harry? What do you want?"

"I want to make you both happy. I don't know what will happen afterwards, but I know we're stronger together, and something inside me tells me this is right. Luna understands the bond between the three of us better than we do. I could lie and say that this won't change a thing between us, but it will. I just can't imagine being with Ron without you Hermione, and likewise." Harry sighed.

"So, as long as we all agree?" Hermione asked. They nodded. "Then, we just enjoy each other tonight and see where it leads."

Ron asked, "What about marriage?" He blushed, explaining, "I mean, Mum and Dad got together right out of school and had Bill, you know? They do love each other, but they had to get married right away. They'll expect us to get married, and we can't possibly do that, Harry!"

Harry mentioned his conversations with Neville and Luna. "I'm not ready to marry anyone and I'm sure you feel the same way. After school, provided that Voldemort is defeated, I want to disappear for awhile, you know. Figure out what I want. Maybe by the time Ginny and Luna have finished school, we can all get a place together."

"What about children?" Ron asked, rubbing her shoulders, sounding practical for once.

"I'm not in a hurry, mind you, but someday I would like to have a few. Of course, my career would have to come first," she pointed out.

"Naturally," Harry teased, winking at Ron. The whole night seemed surreal. Here they were, discussing the future, marriage and children. Harry wanted to believe that he had a future, that he would live long enough to become a father. He needed to believe there was a reason to hope, a future to look forward to, with every fiber of his being. As his heart soared, thinking of the love he felt for his two best friends and the excitement of their mutual affection, his scar started to burn. Harry smiled widely. "Someone is not happy with us right now," he said, pointing to his forehead.

Hermione kissed the scar on his forehead. She yelped in surprise when a flash of bright light lit the room. It was similar to the light that had surrounded the six friends earlier. Harry's heart felt like it would burst with the love he felt for his friends. Ron shouted, "Bloody Hell, Harry! I think You-Know... Voldemort, do you suppose he's feeling this right now?"

Harry shook his head slowly, "I'm not sure what all this is about, but I can feel him, inside my head. I think he felt what I'm feeling and couldn't deal with it. Something similar happened at the Atrium, when he tried to possess me. I forced him out then, thinking of Sirius, but this was stronger."

"Are you up for a little experiment?" Hermione's eyes shone with a mischievous gleam. She pulled Ron closer to her, and began to kiss him tenderly. Then, she reached out to stroke Harry's face. "I want you to kiss me. Stop fighting it; just go with the feeling."

Harry stuttered slightly, "I'm n-not very good at this kissing thing, you know."

Ron chuckled, "Well, you could have fooled me, Harry." Ron reached out with a tentative hand towards Harry's chest. When Harry did not pull away, he undid the top button of the shirt. "Is this going too fast for you, mate? We can stop, you know."

Harry placed a hand upon Ron's, guiding it lower to rest upon his waist. "Shh, Ron. Let it just happen, no pressure, no thinking..." Harry closed his eyes, and kissed Hermione. The kiss was gentle at first, but soon deepened when Hermione ran her hand through his hair. From behind, Ron started to kiss her neck, one hand trailing ticklish touches over Harry's skin. Harry realized with a shock that even the whisper of touch sent shivers through his body. Hermione was right; something magical was about to happen. He could feel the build-up of emotions like a tangible presence in the room. It was similar to the feeling that he would get when casting his Patronus. As they explored each other's bodies, his heightened sensitivity increased, until he felt tears begin to leak down his cheeks.

Ron stopped, asking, "Harry? What's wrong?" Harry's body began shaking as he sobbed. Ron looked to Hermione for help, but she seemed at a loss as well. "If you don't really want to..."

Harry sat up, wiping his face on his sleeve. He placed his hand on Ron's arm. "It's not that, at all. I mean, I'd be crazy to turn down an offer like this, wouldn't I?"

Hermione exhaled slowly, "Then what is the matter, Harry?" She snuggled up on his chest. Harry tried to find the words to describe what he was feeling.

Finally, he mumbled, "I'm afraid, all right? What if I can't do it? What if I fall in love, and then Voldemort takes you away from me? I accept that I may not survive our last battle, but I don't think I'd survive your deaths. I'm so afraid to let myself feel anything. Love, pain; anything... I want to forget about my destiny, and just enjoy this moment." He pleaded for them to understand. "Part of me wants to run and hide, but the rest of me just wants to be held, to just let it all go. I want to lose myself in this moment. I just don't know what to do!"

Ron shifted so that Harry could lean against him, with Hermione on Harry's lap. He began to massage the back of Harry's neck, trying to ease the tension. "Just relax. Right now is all that matters. It's like when you were playing Quidditch and you thought the Dementors had come. You didn't think about it; you just cast a Patronus and continued playing. You needed to concentrate on flying, so that you could land safely. You can rely on us. Think of us as your trusty broomstick..." He noticed the look on Hermione's face. She was attempting to stifle her laughter.

"Broomstick analogies," she complained. Harry cracked a smile. She stroked his arm lazily, explaining, "I was going to tell you that it's just like riding a broomstick, Harry. All of a sudden, these funny thoughts just popped into my head. Do you know how odd that sounds, Ron?"

"He was a natural, first time he sat on a broom, Mione," Ron insisted. They dissolved into laughter at this. When their spasms ceased, Ron kissed Harry in earnest. Soon, they had lost themselves in the moment. Harry's hand was inside Hermione's pajama top, and Ron's inside his bottoms, when suddenly Ginny's voice rang out.

"Are you guys coming, or what?" she shouted, banging on the door. Ron had to bite back his response. Harry tried to comment but was elbowed in the ribs by Hermione. Apparently, Ginny caught Luna in the hallway, for she added, "Have you seen Harry? He didn't come down for breakfast."

Hermione smoothed down her pajama top as the three teens entered the room.

Neville's wand was held at the ready, in case of attack. Ginny looked half-amused to see Ron with Hermione, but stiffened when she saw Harry in bed between them, his glasses askew. Luna looked dreamily around the room. Her eyes lit upon Harry, and she smiled knowingly.

"What have we interrupted, I wonder?" she teased in her detached way. "Have you professed your undying love for each other yet?" Neville's eyes widened when he realized that the trio were lounging on one bed together. Luna sensed that Ginny's feelings were hurt, and grabbed her hand. "Ginevra, it is what you think, and yet not what you think."

"Which is it then, Luna?" Ginny muttered between gritted teeth. Harry understood what Luna meant, and thought he'd give it a go.

"What Luna means is that I have told Ron and Hermione how much I love them, and they both reciprocate. So, then, us being in bed together, as it were, is probably what you were thinking, but it is not the whole story." Harry smiled slightly to defuse the situation.

"So, you want to shag my brother, and you don't care whose feelings you hurt in the process? And Hermione, you're okay with this?" she asked incredulously. Hermione pointed her wand at Ginny, casting a silencing charm. Ginny clutched at her throat, her face bright with rage.

"Ginny, it would be best if I explain, but you have to listen. I'm taking the charm off now." Hermione glanced at Neville. "We are out of the broom closet, so to speak. Ron and I both love Harry, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love Luna as well. So far, Ron and I had been holding back with each other because we both love Harry, and he loves us. It's a bit unconventional, but I really cannot see any other option but for the three of us to be together."

Neville mumbled, "I know how you feel about Ron, Harry. I'm happy for you, really I am..." He started to back out of the room, but Harry swiftly reached for his hand. Neville held his breath for a moment at the contact.

"Stay," Harry breathed in a raspy voice. He looked into Neville's eyes, registering the hurt and confusion there. "I like you, Neville. I'm still a bit new at this sort of thing, and I don't know what I'm doing. What I do know is that I feel something for you and Ron that I never thought I could feel. I don't want to give it up without knowing what it is between us, and I'd like to find out if there is something there. I think we need to discuss what the six of us mean to each other." He turned to Ginny, "I know what I'm about to say is something that I should have said many years ago. I'm stupid for not noticing you sooner. I thought for a long time that dating my best friend's sister was taboo. I thought that if I told you I fancied you, you'd hex me. But the truth is that you mean so much to me, Gin."

She glared at him. "And you love me, is that it? So now we can ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after, is that it? Oh, wait; there is just one tiny problem... my knight in shining armor is too late. Have you forgotten DEAN? He's in the next room, you dolt! You're disgusting, Harry. I thought the fact that you kissed Ron meant that the two of you were going to be together, and maybe I could learn to accept that. My brother's not enough for you, though. You want Hermione and Luna, too? Throw Neville in as a pity shag?"

Neville's voice quavered, but he spoke up. "I will not accept pity from anyone, and you know that, Gin. You offered yourself to me once, isn't that right? Should I tell Dean that you almost lost your virginity with me? That I was a substitute for Harry?" he asked in a slightly miffed tone. Ginny smacked him across the face. Neville smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "After the Yule Ball, you begged me to do it, but I told you I respected you too much for that. That I wasn't the one you wanted, and that you were too young to even think about it. Now I wonder if there isn't something more to it. I ask you, Ron, don't you agree, there is something wrong with this request?"

Ron looked at Ginny, and opened his arms up to her. They seemed to share an unspoken communication. She sank wordlessly into his arms, as he stroked her hair. He glanced at Neville, but his voice was soft as he said, "Yes; there is something very wrong with it, and his name is not Harry. His name is Tom Riddle. No one knows exactly what happened down there in the Chamber, not even Harry and me, except for Ginny. She claimed that she didn't remember anything about it, but I know she does."

Harry stiffened. Gently he asked, "Ginny, what did you see when the Dementor came into our compartment?" She remained silent, huddled in her brother's arms like a small child, clearly shaken. He thought back to third year. He had been so oblivious to her pain, and never once asked what had bothered her. What if...?

Luna sadly responded, "He took away her innocence, Harry. He played with her mind until she didn't know what was real or not. She trusted him, and he betrayed her. Ginevra trusted that Harry would slay the monster, but the monster is inside them both. She has to face Riddle on her own, Harry. You cannot save her from herself."

Hermione started to cry softly. "Ginny? Did he...?"

She looked up, her face flush. Steadily she replied, "I'm still a virgin, contrary to popular belief! He never touched me, being a bit non-corporeal, you know. Luna's right, though I don't know how she figured it out. Tom... Tom was in my head, like when he showed you Sirius, Harry. After the Dementor came, I started remembering. I thought they were just nightmares, you know. You would think that my worst memory was about being held captive? My worst memory was finding out that I had helped Tom, who was really the enemy. I began to remember my body doing things that my mind did not control. However, that wasn't the worst thing to happen. Somehow, I started reliving Tom's memories. It was like everything he experienced happened to me. I felt so powerless..."

"I know what the dementors most likely showed you, but you must remind yourself that he was the victim. You have a loving family, six brothers to protect you, not to mention the four of us. Tom had no one." Luna's eyes held much sympathy for the young Tom Riddle. "He fought back the only way he knew how."

Harry remembered what Tom had told him about growing up in an orphanage. "Luna, in the orphanage..." he began. Luna held up her hand, motioning to Ginny. Harry released Hermione, who scooted over to Ginny and Ron. Neville looked from one to the other, expecting a major revelation.

"Tommy grew up unwanted, unloved, and abused. You were locked in closet and neglected, Harry, but he suffered atrocities that you could only imagine. The one person he trusted most in the world, the only one who seemed to care, was Professor Dumbledore. He told him that he was special, that he had amazing gifts and a purpose in life. He is the one who told him about how his mother died giving birth to him." Ginny's eyes held a far-off look as she recounted the tale of young Riddle. "He adored his professor, the only one who treated him as someone worth knowing, regardless of his birth. Yet, in the end, he was betrayed. The Headmaster sent him back to the orphanage when the summer came, no matter how much Tom begged. There were unspeakable horrors in the Muggle world for Tom, and he was not allowed to use magic to protect himself. So, when a Dark wizard promised to teach him things that the school would not, Tom jumped at the chance."

Luna picked up where Ginny ended. "Fifty years later, his memory, trapped in a diary, was released. He had been so lonely. Finally, someone to talk to, but Tom felt that she had betrayed him when he found out that his adult self had been defeated by Harry. So he lashed out at the only person to ever show him kindness without asking anything in return. You, Ginny, know the man inside the monster better than anyone else, aside from Harry. There is still hope for Tom, you know. When I challenged Voldemort, I saw it. He's missing a piece, Harry. He needs his 'Tom' in order to be whole. Otherwise, he is like a Runespoor; one head wants to go this way," she pretended to wiggle closer to Neville. "And the other wants to go that way," she wiggled next to Harry. "The third head seldom survives because the other two bite it off." She lunged playfully at Ron.

Hermione said thoughtfully, "His soul. He's missing his soul. The body he inhabits is a bit like Frankenstein's monster, magically pieced together, but it needs something to bind it or else it will fall apart. How can someone live without a soul?"

Neville piped up, "Well, it is said that vampires do not have souls at all. So it is possible to exist without one. They retain their personae, but mainly it's a shell of the person they used to be. Of course, that's according to the Muggle films." He cast a sheepish look at Hermione.

Ron muttered, "Who would give up their soul, and why? Then again, what if that was the bargain? Give up his soul for immortality!" He grew silent, contemplating the lengths that the wizard had gone through to achieve his goal.

Ginny sighed, "I can't hate him, really. He wasn't always evil. He was a kid, like us, once. If we could find a way to put his soul back inside his body, would we have a chance of defeating him?"

Harry protested, "What is this 'we' you're referring to? It's my fight."

Neville grasped his shoulder. "I could have been you. It's my fight, too."

Ginny smiled, holding Harry's hand. "What about me? I'm due my share, too."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and then at Harry. "Don't think you can leave us out of it, either." They smiled as they said it at the same time.

Luna smiled in her Mona Lisa way. "I may be a pacifist; however, I too will follow you, Harry, but do not ask me to harm anyone. I will defend myself as necessary, but I will not sacrifice my morals. If there is anyway possible of defeating him without killing him, then we will find a way."

Hermione replied, "Ginny, there is just one thing I want to say..."

Ron groaned, "One thing?" which earned him a poke from his girlfriend. "What exactly is my evil genius thinking about, now?" he teased.

Hermione ignored him. "I want everyone to be completely honest about their feelings. I'll explain in a minute why this is important. Maybe you're angry at Harry because he couldn't protect you from Tom. Maybe you want him, or someone you trust, to erase the pain your possession caused you. The truth is that rushing into sex will not make the pain go away. If you're not truly ready for it, then you may be inviting trouble. You may get angry at me, but I feel this needs to be addressed before we can any further. You told me that you had given up on Harry, not that you stopped loving him. So, what I'm asking tonight, in front of the people who love you, is; do you love Harry?"

Ginny looked as if she would cry, but she nodded. "I never stopped. I tried, Harry, but it's still there. Michael accused me of still wanting you, and he broke up with me. Dean was nice to me, but I think he's figured out that I can't have a normal relationship. Every time someone gets close to me, I start to panic. I can't stop remembering what happened to Tom as a child, and I'm... afraid."

Luna cleared her throat. She said in a very serious voice, "I'm afraid of what the adult Riddle, who is ten times scarier than his sixteen-year-old self, may be capable of. He told me that he knows what little girls like me are afraid of, that the big bad wolf will find me no matter where I hide. Of course, that part had less effect, since I'm not afraid of wolves at all." She reached for Ginny's hand.

Hermione cleared her throat, "Remember when we were experimenting, Luna? Something similar happened today. When we declared our love for each other, and I kissed Harry's scar, it sent a ripple of love to Voldemort. Harry has said that he cannot stand positive emotions, being a bit alien to him. What I wanted to try is a test to see how much we can affect him, the six of us together."

Harry clarified, "We're not suggesting that we do the squelchy, but perhaps we can hold hands together for starters. We hope to raise enough positive energy to direct some toward him. At this point, I'll try anything." He gave Ginny's hand a squeeze.

Luna watched this exchange with interest. "What we feel for each other should give power to Harry when the time comes. However, we were coming in to tell you it was time to give Umbridge a taste of her own potion. We'll have to wait until the right alignment of planets to happen before we can test out our theory, Hermione." She held a hand out to Neville. "Let's give them a moment to get dressed. You three have five minutes until we leave for the trial. I suggest you throw on some pants, Harry." With that, she pulled Ginny and Neville forcibly out the door.

The courtroom still gave Harry the creeps. He felt the same oppressive feeling as he entered the room. However, this time it was not he who was restrained by a chair. Proud and indignant, Dolores Jane Umbridge sneered at Harry. The head of the Wizengamot spread his arms to signal that the trial was about to commence. The tall, silver-haired man winked at Harry once, and was greeted by a smile. Headmaster Dumbledore announced, "Would everyone gathered be so kind as to take your seats? Thank you. The trial of Dolores Jane Umbridge, Undersecretary to the recently deceased Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, and Interim Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has officially begun. Percy Ignatius Weasley, acting Minister of Magic and junior aide to the previous Minister, will bring forth the accusations against Professor Umbridge..."

"Hem, hem!" All eyes were glued on the toad-like woman as she interrupted, "I'm sure Albus, dear, that you did not intend a slight oversight when you neglected to mention my duties as Hogwarts High Inquisitor, now did you?" She simpered, "As I am equally sure that today's proceedings are entirely unnecessary, as are these absurd manacles."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, and in an impressive voice devoid of all cordiality, corrected her, "My intent was crystal clear, Miss Umbridge. The post of Hogwarts High Inquisitor was an invention of your own design, and according to the reports I have received during your impressionable tenure as Headmistress, one that you allegedly used to further your own gains. In short, the sole reason we are here today is to address the allegations against you, since you are running in the election for Minister of Magic. The public feels that an elected official should be worthy of their trust."

He motioned to Percy, "As I was saying, Percy Ignatius Weasley has agreed to question the evidence submitted. Mr. Weasley, would you kindly bring the court up to speed, so that we all may prepare for another glorious year at Hogwarts? There is a train to catch, you see." He gave Umbridge a barely perceptible smile, which looked rather Slytherin in nature. Harry could see that his Headmaster wanted this to be over with as quickly as possible, and agreed.

What followed was a short, impassioned speech about the role of an educator in the lives of her students, and the sacred trust that parents place in their child's education. He maintained that the evidence submitted would illustrate the damage that could occur when anyone in power abused the rights of the students, and allegedly, the students themselves. One by one, students came forward to challenge the Ministry decrees that suppressed their rights as students and human beings. Umbridge choose to speak on her own behalf, and casually dismissed any notions of wrongdoing, quoting the Ministry decrees that upheld her actions. She looked fairly smug throughout the proceedings, as if she was merely bored and waiting for the silly people to let her be on her way at any moment. However, things were about to change.

Percy introduced his last round of witnesses: those members of the Defense Association who had been given detentions with the squat professor. Harry could see her veneer of calm crack as the first one took the stand...

"My name is Lee Jordan..." he began. Harry's spirits began to rise with every word uttered. Lee detailed what kind of punishment he received and when. After Lee, a handful of other students came forward with similar tales of abuse. Finally, Harry sucked in a breath. It would be his turn to tell the Wizengamot his side of the story. There were things that only those closest to him knew, and he braced himself to reveal them.

Madame Bones called out, "Harry Potter, please come forward." Hermione gave him a quick squeeze for luck, and the others showed similar signs of support. Harry began with the first detention, and what had led to it.

"...Professor Umbridge told me that she felt the message had begun to sink in. She let me go, but every detention after that ended with my hand bleeding. Finally it got so bad that the wound refused to close, and now there is a permanent scar." Harry sighed when Dumbledore asked him to approach the other members of the court. He dutifully stuck out his hand for their inspection, as they began to whisper amongst themselves. Harry forced himself to avoid the eyes of the irate professor, and returned to his seat. Just as he was about to sit down, Umbridge leapt to her feet, screaming.

Dumbledore calmly pointed his wand at her and said, "Silencio. Your will have your opportunity to refute Mister Potter's claims, but for now, you will adhere to the propriety of this courtroom." To Harry, he replied, "Please continue."

"What do you mean, sir?" Harry asked. A sinking sensation began to grow in his stomach as Madame Bones brought forth a Pensieve. His eyes begged Dumbledore not to make him do this, but he nodded in resignation. "Which incident, sir?"

A murmur went through the room when Dumbledore announced, "Before the Department of Mysteries, Harry." He gave him a sad look, saying soft enough for Harry's ears only, "We need you to show that she also abused her position in the Ministry."

Harry looked into Hermione's eyes as he pointed his wand to his temple, uttering the spell, then deposited the memory in the Pensieve. He was allowed to return to his friends, and as the room quieted, he could hear the voice of the Potions Master.

"You wanted to see me , Headmistress?"

"Ah, Professor Snape... I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please."

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter. Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient."

Harry closed his eyes, and put his head between his legs. He tried to imagine being anywhere else but the courtroom. The truth was coming out, and he felt hollow inside. He tried to shut out the sound of Umbridge's voice, and concentrated on counting Ginny's freckles until he felt calmer. Her voice broke through occasionally.

"I wish to interrogate him! I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!"

Harry sat up straight in his chair. This was the important part. He watched her eyes for any sign of remorse, and finding none. She was shooting daggers with her eyes at him, hate blatantly displayed for all to see.

"You are forcing me, Potter... I do not want to, but sometimes circumstances justify the use... I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice... The Cruciatus Curse should loosen your tongue."

"No! Professor Umbridge - it's illegal! The Minister wouldn't want you to break the law, Professor Umbridge!" Hermione's voice cut in.

"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him. He never knew I ordered dementors after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same..."

"It was you? You sent the dementors after me?"

"Somebody had to act. They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it... only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Not today, though, not now... CRUC - "

"ENOUGH!" shouted Dumbledore, as the room began to pulse with magic. Harry had seen him upset before, but this was nothing compared to what he had witnessed then. Objects began to shiver across the room from him, faring better than the inkwell on the desk, which exploded. In a voice ripe with emotion, he proclaimed, "I have heard enough. I had heard from Professor Snape that she had requested the Veritaserum, which is illegal to use on students, and which would have poisoned him in such a large dose. What I had not been aware of was the extent of her crimes. Dolores Umbridge, do you have anything to say for your actions?" He waved the spell away with his hand, a feat that did not go unnoticed by the room.

She replied in a sinister voice, "It does not matter what you do, old fool. Harry will die a painful death, and I will enjoy every second of it. We will meet again, Potter, and this time you won't have your precious Headmaster to protect you." Harry froze, knowing who was pulling the puppet strings, a second too late to prevent Voldemort from screaming, "AVADA KEDAVRA!!!" From out of nowhere, she produced a wand, and she cast the Killing Curse at Dumbledore. Hermione screamed in terror as Percy Weasley jumped in front of his beloved Headmaster. He crumpled to the floor as the room began to panic. Voldemort smiled at him with Umbridge's face before she bit down on a pellet of poison that she hid in her cheek.

Harry had to crush Ginny against his chest to prevent her from leaping to her fallen brother's side. Hermione, likewise, turned to Ron, sobbing. His face was stony, and Harry could feel his rage and sorrow roll off of him in waves. The body of Dolores Jane Umbridge lay slumped in the chair, held up only by her restraints, the wand still held in her grasp.

The ride to Hogwarts that morning was a somber occasion, due to the tragic death of Percy Weasley. Hermione convinced Ron to skive off the prefect meeting, since he had been a haze since seeing his brother fall. The six of them sat in the crowded compartment, talking about what they could expect from their professors. Harry knew that Neville's complaints were intended to keep Ron and Ginny focused on something else. Ginny lay snuggled up in Neville's lap, fingering the edge of Ron's maroon sweater. He had given it to his sister since he had outgrown it long ago, yet could not bear to part with it entirely. Hermione and Luna were discussing mythological and imaginary animals; at least, to Hermione they were imaginary. For about the third time during the trip, Luna was insisting that the reason Crumple-Horned Snorkacks were nearly extinct was due to the fact that, like fairies in Peter Pan, one needed to believe in their existence. According to Luna, far too many people refused to accept that simply because they had not seen one meant that it was not real.

Luna was saying, "Have you ever seen a million dollars?"

Hermione responded in a slightly huffy tone, "Well, no. First of all, it's not the type of money one can just carry around, now, is it? And secondly, there is the fact that we seldom use American currency in the London area." While they argued, Harry noted, Hermione's hand would often find its way onto Luna's lap. He felt pretty sure that Luna and Hermione were mostly play-fighting for Ron and Ginny's benefit.

Luna sat back, satisfied. "Exactly; just because you have not had the opportunity to travel abroad or been lucky enough to see a Crumple-Horned Snorkack doesn't mean they do not exist."

Ginny piped up with, "I believe in Snorkacks, Luna. I didn't always, but you've grown on me quite a bit since last year. They are a bit like love, actually..." All eyes suddenly were on Ginny. "I've believed in love and happy endings since I was a child, but lately I've wondered if that's all it is, a fairy tale. Love is intangible. You cannot prove it exists, but we know it does. I have loved Harry since the day I met him, I'd wager. Everyone else saw it. I tried to deny that it was love, but in the end, I can't fool myself."

Neville said, "I would not have believed that boys could love each other if I hadn't met Colin." Ron reached out to grab his hand, giving it a squeeze. Neville smiled at him, appreciating the gesture. Colin would be transferring to another school, a Muggle one, for his uncle had assumed guardianship of him. Ron knew that Neville and Ginny would miss him. Thankfully, Colin had told Ginny that he would continue his magical education with an Order member, since his uncle did not know of his magical ability just yet.

Hermione looked from one friend to another, saying, "We love each other, don't we? I mean, it's not about physical attraction, at least not entirely. There is a strange bond between the six of us, and there is no use denying it any longer. If Ginny kissed Luna right now, would she enjoy it? Have you ever kissed another girl?"

Ginny blushed, her freckles standing out prominently upon her nose. "Well, I mean... We've experimented a little. Doesn't everyone try something once or twice?"

Luna looked her in the eye. Softly, she said, "Do you know why I stopped coming to the Burrow for visits, Ginevra? No? I cared for you, too much. You only had eyes for Harry; you never noticed me. You even called me Loony, for awhile, but I didn't mind. When you said it, it sounded like an endearment. You love Harry, I love Harry... I think everyone is a little in love with Harry, to be honest." She laughed merrily, "But that's okay, too. Harry needs extra love, to make up for the love he's been lacking his whole life. I have no qualms about sharing him with everyone else."

Hermione nodded, "Luna and I have been discussing this idea for quite some time, that we are probably better off for now not dating one person exclusively. It's really annoying how jealous people can get of each other..." She glanced at Ron, shrugging, "I don't just mean you, dear. This time in our life is for exploration and development of our identities. Luna refused to be labeled, and I think that it's a good idea. What we propose is that from this point on, we should date each other equally."

Harry's smile grew wider, no matter how hard he tried to suppress it. Only his Mione could come up with a practical plan for love. "We are not really a trio any longer, Ron. We're actually more of a sextet. I have to admit the idea makes sense, and it's very appealing."

Ron teased lightly, "Well, that's no surprise, coming from you, Harry! We all know that you are a wanton sex fiend...HEY!" Ron ducked as Harry began tossing jellybeans at his head. Soon it escalated to all out warfare between the six. When the door to their compartment opened, Ginny was lying across Harry's lap, trying to tickle Luna. Neville was kissing Ron, who wiped his face dramatically, saying, "Oi! Longbottom, you've got drool all over me!" Hermione was busy trying to pull her skirt down, since someone had cast the Levitation charm upon her by accident, causing her skirt to flare up.

Dean Thomas stood at the door to the compartment, a look of shock and disgust upon his face. With a sigh, he produced a sheet of parchment for Ginny. "I was going to give you this before, but with Percy and all, I thought I'd wait." He abruptly turned around, bumping into Seamus. "It doesn't matter now..."

"Hey, Dean; I thought we were going to..." his friend trailed off as Dean strode down the corridor. Seamus hurried to catch up with him.

Ginny unfolded the note, and read through it quickly. Her face fell, and she handed it to Hermione. Hermione commented, "Dean's broken up with her. He says that he cares about her and wants to remain friends. He knows that she really wants to be with you, and that he has lots of things to work through right now. Oh, Ginny..."

Ginny smiled tentatively. "It's okay, Hermione. Honestly it's better this way. One of us was bound to do this eventually." She straightened up, and the old Ginny was back. "When do we arrive? I'm hungry." The conversation drifted into the area of food, and Harry mused silently to himself that this was going to be an interesting year...

THE END