Iuga Sortis II

One

She drew the cloth over his bronzed chest reverently as she gazed upon his sleeping face.

You belong to my sister and yet . . . and yet, I belong to you . . .

She sighed, dipping the cloth into the water basin and wringing out the excess water before moving to his face. His features were strong, aristocratic, and for once, serene. Set knew nothing of this latest resurrection, or at the very least she hoped he didn't. Her sister was away with Apedemak, trying to think of ways to keep Osiris safe--and keep their feelings at bay.

I know all about denial, and it's not just a river in Egypt.

She chuckled at her play on words as she moved the cloth over his cheek.

"What's so funny?"

The voice was deep and raspy, clearly being used for the first time in a while.

Her breath caught, and her eyes went quickly to his face. Gray eyes locked with hers.

"My lord, you are awake!"

"Your laughter awoke me."

Nephthys blushed with embarrassment. "So sorry, my lord."

"No. Do not be sorry. I've always enjoyed your laughter."

This time her blush had nothing to do with embarrassment.

"Where is--where is Isis?" he gasped.

Nephthys's face fell in disappointment.

Of course he'd ask for her first! She's his queen . . .

"I am not sure, my lord. I think she is with Apedemak."

"I see . . . "

"Oh no, my lord! Nothing like that! I think they are going over plans to stop Set from coming after you again."

"I trust Isis. I trust her with my life, which she, along with the help of Thoth and you, restored to me. I thank you for it."

"You are welcome, my lord."

"May I rise?"

"It would be best if you didn't. You haven't been fully restored for a fortnight yet."

"You've always taken such great care of me, Nephthys."

"We are family, my lord. Of course I'd take care of you."

"Clearly that does not matter; otherwise Set would not attack me as he does."

"Jealousy and greed know no family ties, my lord."

"Truer words were never spoken, my lady."

His hand came up to hers; it had long since stopped wiping his face. The rag fell unheeded to the bed as Osiris placed a tender kiss to the back of it. Nephthys was sure she'd stopped breathing at the contact of his lips on her skin.

"You are wonderful, you know that?"

She paused before replying, letting his compliment wash over her. "So are you."

He smiled softly and closed his eyes. He brought their joined hands to his chest, where she could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath the back of hers.

"Do you want me to stay?" she asked softly.

"Mmm. Forever . . ."

The last word was barely uttered as it floated into the air, but she heard it anyway.

Yes, my lord. I will stay with you forever . . .

"Forever what?"

She groaned, grudgingly popping an eye open to see her brother looming over her bed.

"Sod off."

"No can do, little sister. Harry and Hermione'll be here any minute, and Mum wants us to straighten our rooms before they get here."

"My room is decent. Now go away."

She turned her back to him and pulled the covers over her head. It was disturbingly still before she felt the covers whoosh away from her.

"RON!"

"Rise and shine, Gin! Let's see those pretty brown eyes of yours!"

"I'm two seconds away from giving you a lovely black eye if you don't give me my blankets!" She rolled over to her back and threw her arm over her eyes.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Whatever happened to sweet Gin who used to adore me?"

"She regained her sanity."

"Such harsh words so early in the morning. You're a regular hag when you wake up. I fear for your husband."

"And I fear for Hermione," she mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Now get out. I need to change and make my bed since you were rude enough to mess it up."

"I'm just doing what Mum told me to do."

"There's a first."

Ron stuck his tongue out at her as he left her room. "Mum already went for Hermione, and I'm going to get Harry now, so be quick about it!"

"I hear you!" Ginny sighed, and she sat up, her palms gripping the edge of the bed.

"Insufferable git," she muttered, then chuckled. "Must be why I love him so."

They were a month away from going back to Hogwarts--Ron, Hermione, and Harry as sixth years and Ginny in her fifth year--and Ginny didn't think the month could go fast enough. She was too excited to see her friends again, not to mention a certain Slytherin Seeker.

His eyes looked so similar to that Osisis--whoever person.

Draco Malfoy, the boy who made her stomach delightfully queasy at the mere mention of "ferret." The train ride at the end of her fourth year to Kings Station was, to say the least, eventful, and definitely brought their relationship to a totally new level.

One would think snogging each other nutters would constitute going to a 'new level.'

Only thing she regretted was lying about it.

Well, I've chosen Dean Thomas, would you say he's better?

Ginny's answer was vague, even to her own ears, but if Ron rear-ended the chessboard at the thought of one of his friends dating her, she could imagine the bloodshed that would've ensued if she'd said his enemy's name.

This could've all been avoided if I still liked Harry . . .well, maybe not. Ron may have a problem with any bloke I decide to date!

She'd need to owl Dean before Ron confronted him. She hoped he wouldn't be too upset. Maybe she could convince the twins to give her some products to give to Dean for free. It's the least she could do for unwittingly subjecting him to Ron's temper.

"I'll deal with that later. Right now I need to make my bed and get in the shower before they come."

Ginny had a quick shower, dressed, and was just finishing her bed when she heard voices from downstairs.

They're here!

She ran down the stairs into the kitchen and threw herself in Hermione's arms. "Hi! Welcome!"

"Hello to you, as well, Ginny!" Hermione laughed.

"Ginny dear, don't run down the stairs!" Molly Weasley chastised.

"Sorry, Mum!"

"All right, dears, I'm off to run some errands. Do you need anything?" Both girls shook their heads. "Ron and Harry should be here soon; you'll tell them I'm away, won't you, love?"

"Yes, Mum, I will."

"There's a good dear. See you soon!" Mrs. Weasley stepped into the fireplace and flooed herself to Diagon Alley.

Ginny smiled at Hermione and hugged her again. "It's so great to see you!"

"You too! You've grown so much since I last saw you!"

Ginny had finally had her long-awaited growth spurt, and she almost matched Hermione in height. Hermione's physical appearance, however, had changed little from the end of term. Her hair was still as wild as ever, and she'd lost a little weight, but her face did had matured over the last three months. It had less of a baby aspect to it, as if she'd finally growing into womanhood.

"You're beautiful, Hermione," she said sincerely.

Hermione turned pink and shook her head. "Not really . . . ."

"Oi! That's my line, Little Sister!" Both girls jumped at the unexpected voice. "And she's right, 'Mione. You are."

Hermione turned positively red. "Ron!"

"Hermione!" he teased, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek and hugging her. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too." The exchange was so soft and tender that Ginny felt she was intruding.

"It's about time, don't you think?"

The voice was deeper than she remembered it to be, and it sent shivers up and down her spine. She turned around slowly.

Dear Merlin!

The big change was his height--he almost matched Ron now, and he'd gotten bigger over the summer. His hair was in a shaggy cut, making the unruliness of it look appropriate. His eyes were brilliant though there were faint dark circles under them. The kicker was the little half-smile he was wearing, and Ginny had to remind herself to breathe. In a word, Harry was gorgeous.

Things would definitely be easier if I could like Harry again.

She cleared her throat. "They've decided to feed you, I see."

His smirk grew. "With the 'promises' my aunt and uncle received as we left the platform, I think they had no choice but to do so. I even got more food than Dudley!"

"Well, you look good, Harry. Really good."

"Not too bad yourself there, Gin. I'll bet Dean will appreciate it," he said with a wink.

Ginny gasped and blushed. Harry laughed outright and pulled her into a hug.

"I won't tell him, Gin. I fancy my head right where it is."

"How did you know?"

"You were gone for a long time, and when we left, Malfoy wasn't a slug anymore. I may not be a clever as Hermione, but I'm not that daft!"

"I was talking to Nia," she muttered.

"Your lips were swollen. Now if you swing that way then by all means . . . but Draco was in a state as well."

"Who swings where now?"

Harry scoffed. "Not even funny. I have to notice every little detail about everyone now. I always have to be on my guard."

Ginny immediately felt shame at her insensitivity. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry . . ."

"It's all part and parcel of being the Boy Who Lived. Your life is never your own."

She squeezed him tighter before pulling away slightly. "That all changes now. For the next month, your life, Harry Potter, will be only Harry Potter's. Do I make myself clear?"

"Can I get that in writing? Better yet, why don't we owl Voldemort with your proclamation?" he said dryly. Ginny scowled, and he grinned, placing a kiss to her forehead.

"Oi! None of this . . . kissing my sister in my presence!"

Harry and Ginny smirked at each other before Harry dipped her low and pretended to kiss her. Ginny was surprised by his playful nature and heard Hermione giggle in the background.

"Geroff her!" she heard Ron yell and felt Harry being separated from her, causing Ginny to fall on her behind.

"Are you all right?" Hermione asked as she helped Ginny to her feet.

"Yeah, no thanks to your git of a boyfriend!" she said, looking pointedly at Ron.

"I'm not her boyfriend!" Ron said automatically; then his whole face turned crimson.

"Oh really! Well, what are you, then?" Hermione asked with hands on her hips.

"I'm--I-I'm your . . . your man friend!"

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other before they burst into laughter.

"Great save, mate," Harry said sarcastically and patted Ron on the back.

Ron was indignant. "Your laughter is not appreciated!" he growled and stalked outside to the backyard.

"I'll get him," Harry offered.

Hermione held up a hand to stay him. "I'd better go. His issue is with me, and since he is a 'man,' we should discuss this like rational adults." She nodded once and went to Ron.

"They're going to be worse than ever," Harry muttered.

"And snogging to boot!"

Harry made a face, and Ginny laughed. He scowled even further before he let himself chuckle. "I'm happy for them. I'm glad they've found each other."

"Or, more precisely, the clue."

"Took them awhile, didn't it?"

"Five years, yes."

It was quiet for a moment.

"I hope it won't take me that long to figure it out if I even have the luxury to find love."

"I'm sure you will. If anyone deserves it, it's you."

Harry smiled sadly and sat down on the couch in the living room. Ginny sat beside him and put her head on his shoulder. Harry's arm went around hers, and they sat in a comfortable silence. Suddenly there were two cracks of air, and they jumped apart quickly.

"Don't try to move away now. We saw the lovers' cuddle between you two!"

"Yes! I see the two Seekers have 'caught' each other finally!"

"That was awful, Fred."

"Let's hear you do better then, George."

"Hmm . . . I hope Harry's hands haven't closed around the 'snitch' yet!"

The twins laughed at their jokes while Harry turned as red as the Weasleys' hair in embarrassment. Ginny growled.

"Go wank yourselves."

"What would you know about that? Maybe Gin's turned 'beater' instead, hmm? Was she good, Harr--ow!"

"HOW DARE YOU INSINUATE AND USE SUCH LANGUAGE ABOUT MY DAUGHTER! YOU TWO SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES! SHE'S YOUR SISTER, NOT SOME SCARLET WOMAN!"

Ginny could barely control her snicker at the sight of her mother holding each twin by the ears. They winced and went down to their knees in pain.

"But Mum! She said--w-w-wank!"

"AND JUST WHERE DID SHE LEARN IT FROM, FRED?!"

"I'm George!"

"NO! I'm George!"

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR NAMES ARE! DON'T EVER USE SUCH LANGUAGE IN HER PRESENCE AGAIN, UNDERSTOOD?"

"But, Mum! It's typical Quidditch vocabulary!"

"UNDERSTOOD?!"

"Sorry! Sorry, Mum!"

"Yeah! We won't do it again, we promise!"

Molly turned their ears loose, and they collapsed to the floor like dead weight.

"Ginny, love, you shouldn't repeat what you hear all the time, okay?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes, Mummy."

Molly smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Though I am happy for you two, dears. You make such a handsome couple." Molly kissed Harry's cheek in a motherly fashion before getting the bundles she dropped and went into the kitchen.

Ginny groaned and put her head in her hands. "It would've been so much easier if I still liked you."

"You don't? I'm hurt."

Ginny huffed and glared at him. He merely smiled. "You're so cocky sometimes, you know that?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Did the twins teach you that, too?"

"Oh sure! Find something else to blame on us!"

"Yes! I get the feeling we're underappreciated in this family, Fred."

"I daresay you're right, twin of mine."

All throughout the exchange, the twins were still prone on the floor.

"AAARRRGGGHH!" Ginny stood and stomped out of the living room, Harry hot on her heels.

"I'm sorry, Gin. I know what you meant."

"Humph."

"Are you two going outside, love?"

Molly had pots and pans going as she prepared their dinner.

"Yes, Mum."

"Oh good. Ron and Hermione may need some company, don't you think?"

Ginny knew 'company' was a euphemism for 'chaperone,' and she chuckled.

"Yes, Mum, I'll go."

"Me too, Mrs. Weasley."

Molly smiled and nodded. "Off you go then. Supper should be ready shortly."

The field was green with tall grass, and wild flowers popped up every now and again. It was a beautiful countryside setting, and while her family wasn't wealthy in monetary terms, she felt richer in other, more substantial ways.

"It's beautiful out here, isn't it?" she murmured.

"Very."

He was looking at her when he said it.

She blushed scarlet. "Harry . . ."

"Your mum is right; we would've made a good looking couple."

"Well, Harry, we are two very attractive people." He chuckled. "But I don't like you like that, not anymore."

"I know. I can't say I'm not too disappointed by it, but you can't help who you have feelings for." The last part was said with distaste.

"Do you believe in soul mates, Harry?"

He shrugged. "I didn't believe in magic before I found out I was a wizard, so I guess it really doesn't matter what I believe or not."

Ginny squinted into the distance. "I mean, that you were meant to be with someone before your birth."

Harry stopped walking. "What are you saying?"

She shrugged. "I don't rightly know. Just thinking out loud." Harry began walking again, and she waited for him to catch up with her. They passed the next few minutes without speaking, and they finally reached the other couple. Ron slept with his head in Hermione's lap while she reclined on one elbow and ran her other hand idly through his hair. Ginny and Harry shared a smile at the sight.

"Oh! Hello!" she said, rather sheepishly. She glanced quickly at the boy in her lap, and she turned pink.

"I can see why you like him, Hermione. He's rather cute when he's not talking," Ginny teased.

"I heard that!" Ron muttered, his eyes still closed, but he gave a half smile to take the bite out of his words.

Ginny laughed and took a seat next to Hermione. Harry followed suit, and the four sat in silence.

"It's so peaceful," Hermione murmured after a while.

"Just watch. In two seconds, the twins will come out," Ron mumbled.

They chuckled.

"I wish it could be like this forever," Harry said sadly. Ginny reached for his hand and squeezed it in comfort.

"Don't worry, Harry. It will be soon enough."

"I've been anxious all summer. My scar hasn't given me a problem, not once. I'm afraid of what he's up to."

"Well, a great number of his Death Eaters are in Azkaban," Hermione reminded him.

"Yes, but I can't shake the feeling something is very wrong. I dread what the new school year will bring."

"Speaking of a new school year, does anyone know who will be the new DADA professor?"

"As long as it's not Umbitch, I don't really give a wank," Ron grunted.

"That's a horrible name to call her!" Hermione chastised.

"And yet, the only fitting one."

"He's got a point there, Hermione," Harry agreed.

"Yes. Good riddance to that old windbag," Ginny added.

Hermione said nothing.

"Do you think it'll be Lupin again? I sure hope it is," Ron said, finally opening his eyes.

"He's with the Order now; he may not have time to do it," Hermione said.

"I don't think Moody will do it again, not after the first go round . . ."

"Personally, I think Lupin's next assignment will be to teach us. Dumbledore wants to have someone there who will know how to defend us if the time arises. And, quite frankly, Lupin was the best DADA professor we've had yet," Ginny pointed out.

"If not to keep his eye on me while he's at it; make sure I don't fall into a depression or something," Harry said forlornly. There was a heavy silence that followed. Harry's godfather Sirius had fallen in the latest battle with the Death Eaters, and Lupin was a great friend to him.

Ginny rubbed his back in comfort. "He was a good man, Harry."

"I know he was. This never should've happened to him. It was all my fault . . ."

"Harry, you couldn't have known!" Hermione reasoned.

"If only I looked in that two-way mirror! This could've all been avoided!"

"Yes, but it's in the past now, Harry. You can't change it."

Harry ran a shaky hand through his hair, doing absolutely nothing but make it messier. "I kept it, you know . . ."

"Kept what?" Ron asked.

"The mirror. In fact, it's in my pocket now."

"Oh Harry! Why do you do this to yourself? You know he's not going to respond . . ." Hermione said

"But I can't shake the feeling. . ."

"He's de--"

"No body was ever found! I won't believe it until I see a body!"

"Fine then. Use your two way mirror, and see if you don't get an answer," Hermione challenged.

Harry was undeterred, and he took the mirror out of his pocket.

"Sirius Black . . ."

Ginny looked at him and saw the look of despair when no one replied. She glanced at Hermione who was trying not to look so smug at being right this time.

"Harry, maybe you should let it go," Ron said gently.

"No! Sirius Black . . . please . . ."

There was still no reply.

Harry let out a grunt of frustration threw the mirror away from him before leaving the group. Immediately Hermione and Ron went after him, and Ginny was suddenly by herself.

What else is new?

She sighed as she stood and went to retrieve the mirror, knowing instinctively Harry would want to keep it anyway. As she bent to pick it up, she gasped.

What was in the mirror was the last thing she thought she'd ever see.