Reign O'er Me

---

Chapter 35 - Eyesight to the Blind

You talk about your woman,
I wish you could see mine.
You talk about your woman,
I wish you could see mine.
Every time she starts to lovin',
She brings eyesight to the blind.

You know her daddy gave her magic,
I can tell by the way she walks.
You know her daddy gave her magic,
I can tell by the way she walks.
Every time we start shakin',
The dumb begin to talk.

She's got the power to heal you, never fear.
She's got the power to heal you, never fear.
Just a word from her lips,
And the deaf begin to hear.

- Eyesight to the Blind, The Who

---

"Sorry! I didn't mean to wake you, Harry."

"It's okay."

"Then go back to sleep," Ginny ordered. "It's Saturday. You're supposed to be having a lie-in."

"I'll try and go back to sleep after you leave."

"Then tell me what you'd like."

Harry waited until she passed near the bed, then quickly reached out and wrapped his arms around her, tugging Ginny back into the bed beside him. After coming up for air several moments later, he said, grinning, "I have what I want."

"For your birthday, silly."

"More of the same?"

"Maybe, if you behave yourself. Now let me go, or I'm going to be late."

"Do I have to?" Harry gave her his best sad puppy look.

"For now," Ginny laughed. "But hold that thought until I'm back."

"Okay. Be careful."

"We will be," Ginny said as she stood, picked up her trainers, and settled back on the bed to put them on and tie them. "You go back to sleep," she said, as she leaned over and kissed him. "I'll see you in a few hours."

Harry watched Ginny leave the room, closing the door behind her, and then he did as she had instructed: he rolled over and went back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over two hours later Harry emerged from the room, freshly showered and fully rested. Hungry, he trotted down the stairs towards the kitchen, where odds were a plate would be waiting for him. As he entered the kitchen, he saw Dumbledore and Cassandra seated at the table.

"Good morning, Harry, or I should say good afternoon," Dumbledore said. "I trust that you rested well?"

"Yes, Professor, thank you."

"You will find Mrs. Weasley left a plate of sandwiches for you near the stove." As Harry retrieved his plate, Cassandra added, "Won't you join us while you eat, Harry?"

"Thank you," Harry said, as he took a seat at the long kitchen table.

"How has Mr. Black adjusted to life here the last few days?" Dumbledore asked.

It took Harry a moment or two to realize that Dumbledore was talking about Draco. "Honestly?"

Both Dumbledore and Cassandra nodded.

"The physical training has been hard on him. He's never done anything like that before, while the rest of us have, at least for the past few weeks. And Chris has been riding him pretty hard. But for the most part he's held his own." Harry grinned. "He told Jamie that he could do anything Ron could do, better and with style, and he's tried hard to keep up. And Ron was even doing extra stuff on some of the machines just to raise the bar.

"In Defense... frankly, he's way behind all of us except Jamie, even Ginny. Ron says he needs a lot of work." Which was something of an understatement, actually, but with Ron blaming him as much as Dumbledore for that particular situation, there was not much point in going into all of the details with the Headmaster.

"And do you believe that the mutual tutoring is proving effective?" Dumbledore pressed.

So much for ducking that, Harry thought. "They are both uncomfortable, but so far I reckon that it's working. Yesterday Snape... um, Professor Snape did not find any fault with any of his Potions work. And Draco is at least listening to Ron." Harry neglected to add that he, Jamie, or Ginny had made sure that at least one of them had been present at each of Ron and Draco's sessions.

"Excellent news, my boy, that is most excellent news," Dumbledore said, beaming. "Speaking of Professor Snape, I must say I was somewhat surprised to find him taking part in this morning's expedition."

"Professor Snape... went to Diagon Alley? With everyone else?" Harry asked.

"Indeed. From what I understand, he had agreed to assist your sister, as well as his godson, in obtaining their school supplies."

"You mean Draco?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry, Professor Snape is also Draco's godfather," Dumbledore replied.

"I'm almost afraid to ask what he would be helping her with at Diagon Alley," Harry said.

"As you should be," Cassandra said, smiling, "given the events planned for the next few days."

"I wish everyone wouldn't make it into such a big deal," Harry said.

"But it is a big deal, Harry." Cassandra smiled at him again. "Sixteen is an important birthday, and given what Sirius has said--that this is your first party other than the one you couldn't possibly remember--it should be a big deal. Even Albus has enjoyed the preparations more than he is likely to admit."

"When Sirius sets his mind to something, he can be quite persuasive," Dumbledore acknowledged.

"Harry, would you permit me a question?" Cassandra asked.

"Sure."

"When I first talked with you and Ginny, and later with Jamie, there was a--how might I put it--a reserve, or perhaps a trace of discord between the two of you. But the past few days, it seems to have melted away."

"Um... Jamie got... got her way," Harry muttered.

"So she did," Cassandra said. "Albus was reasonably certain that the source of friction was young Draco. I understand at one point you had even come to blows."

"Not seriously," Harry said, thinking that Cassandra seemed to have the same uncanny knowledge of events she had not witnessed as Dumbledore and the Flamels. "I mean... she is my baby sister..."

"Of course, Harry." Cassandra seemed to be amused at his reaction. "I had wondered if something might have transpired between the two of you."

"Um..." Harry hesitated. He had intended to talk to Madame Flamel--if he talked to anyone at all--but the opportunity had not presented itself, and he had a feeling he knew what Cassandra was looking for. Even so, he decided to attempt to finesse. "I... just listened to her..."

Harry would not have caught the look Cassandra and Dumbledore exchanged had he not been watching for it. "Listened, Harry?" Cassandra prompted.

"Like... like Ginny and I do... without words. The first time it happened was after I woke up after Malfoy Manor."

"The first time?" Cassandra pressed.

"It's happened maybe a couple times since," Harry replied. "Is that bad?"

"Bad?" Cassandra looked thoughtful for a moment. "No, it certainly is not bad, though perhaps unusual. You are fortunate to be able to understand each other so well."

Dumbledore then asked Harry about his plans for the rest of the afternoon, and continued to make small talk until Harry had finished his lunch and returned upstairs. "It would seem you, too, are right."

"I would not presume to say that I told you so." Cassandra grinned.

"Indeed."

"Do you now see why it is important that I begin working with them both, and soon?"

"I had hoped we would have a year, or more."

"You had hoped I was wrong."

"That... as well."

"And now?"

"I only hope that we do not require too much from those who are so young."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Happy birthday, sleepyhead." Harry felt Ginny's lips press against his. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks... I think. Ugh! What time is it?"

"A little before ten. But we need to get up."

"It's my birthday. Why can't I have a lie-in?"

"Because a lot of things are happening today. Did I keep you up too late last night?"

"Um... no."

"Then we need to get up. So there's time for everything that I've planned for today." Ginny grinned suggestively.

"Are you finally going to tell me what you've been whispering about for the last few days?"

"Not yet. But you'll know by the end of the day."

Half an hour later Harry and Ginny emerged from their room, hand in hand, to a chorus of "Happy Birthdays" from Ron, Hermione, and Jamie, and a nod from an uncomfortable-looking Draco.

"Bloody well time," Ron growled, then looked pointedly at Ginny. "You said ten. Breakfast was supposed to be at ten."

"Honestly, Ron," Ginny said and then caught Harry by the arm as he headed towards the door. "No, breakfast is served up here. You're not allowed downstairs until later."

"You lot are keeping me prisoner? Up here?"

"That's right, Harry," Hermione replied. "Now come along, before I lose control of this ravenous beast."

Ginny tugged Harry towards the suite's dining room, where a lavish breakfast had been spread. For several minutes there was little conversation, other than requests to pass various dishes. Ron, to Harry's surprise, was the first to push back from the table. "We need to go," he sighed. "After cutting breakfast short again...."

"Go?" Harry asked.

"Yes, we need to go," Ron replied.

"Downstairs?" asked Harry.

"No, silly," Ginny replied. "You can't go downstairs until much later."

"Then, where?" Harry demanded.

"You'll see soon enough, mate," Ron replied. "You did make the Portkey?"

"Of course," Hermione said, as she handed him a key ring.

Ron stood and walked back into the sitting room, followed by Draco and the three girls, with Harry bringing up the rear. Ginny and Jamie touched the proffered Portkey, and Ron motioned for Harry to join them.

"What about Hermione and Draco?"

"We'll catch up later," Hermione replied. "Now go, you're late already."

Harry shrugged and placed a finger on the Portkey, and Ron triggered it. A second later, Harry found himself standing in the lounge between the two Gryffindor Quidditch changing rooms. Ron picked up a bag Harry recognized as his and thrust it into his arms. "Get changed."

As they separated into the two dressing rooms, Harry asked, "You going to tell me what's going on now?"

"Quidditch, of course," Ron replied. "Sirius decided that today was the day. Only change is that he is going to play after all."

"He said he wanted to watch."

"The only way Remus Lupin would play was if Sirius did, too."

"What are the teams? I thought Charlie and I got to agree on that."

"Um... you'll have to argue with Sirius about that. Our team has you as seeker, I'm keeper, Ginny, Jamie, and Katie are chasers, and Sirius and Lupin are beaters. The other team is Charlie as seeker, Wood as keeper, Alicia, Angelina, and Bill as chasers, and Fred and George as beaters."

"Almost the same lineup as last time." Harry nodded.

"Yeah, but this time Charlie has a Firebolt II."

"Where is everybody else?"

Ron motioned at the bags and discarded clothing around the room. "Looks like they're ready and waiting. You did get us behind schedule, you know."

A few minutes later they were walking through the passageway that led to the pitch. Ron had been correct; their teammates, including Ginny and Jamie, were there waiting for them. Harry was again greeted with a chorus of "Happy Birthday!"

"What better way to celebrate a birthday than with Quidditch?" Sirius said, beaming.

"I still say I'm too old for this," Lupin objected.

"Stow it," Sirius directed. "They're about to announce the teams."

"Witches and Wizards!" Lee Jordan's voice boomed from across the pitch. "I give you Gryffindor's Past: Weasley, Wood, Spinnet, Johnson, Weasley, Weasley, and Weasley!!!" Harry was surprised to hear a crowd roar in response.

"Just what have you done?" he demanded as he turned to face Sirius.

"Who, me?" Sirius asked, not quite succeeding with his innocent expression. "Charlie and I just wrapped up our little deal, and invited a friend or two."

"Now, I give you Gryffindor's Present," Jordan's voice boomed out again, "plus a pair of old fogies from the 1970's. I give you Potter, Weasley, Bell, Potter, Potter, Black, and Lupin!!!" Again the crowd roared its approval. "That's right, folks, two of those redheads are actually Potters!"

As the gate creaked up, habit took over and Harry kicked off with his teammates. Circling the pitch, which appeared almost as crowded as it did during the school year, Harry noted that Dumbledore, Cassandra beside him, was in his usual place, as were McGonagall and several of the other professors.

Harry landed near the center of the pitch and went to shake hands with a grinning Charlie, whose team was wearing Gryffindor robes with the red and gold reversed. Charlie made sure Harry saw the Firebolt II logo on his broom's handle. "Ready for a rematch, Harry?"

"Yeah. Good luck, Charlie!"

"I've got good luck right here, mate," Charlie said as he brandished the boom. "Good luck to you, too!"

Madam Hooch released the Bludgers and the Snitch, and a few moments later tossed up the Quaffle and the game began. Both teams scored repeatedly, as Harry and Charlie took turns pacing each other; after a little more than two hours, the score stood at 190 to 90, in favor of Charlie's team. Thus far, the Snitch had appeared twice, but neither seeker had been able to make the catch.

Sirius and Lupin were far more effective as beaters than Harry had expected. While they lacked the deadly accuracy and power of the twins, they more than made up for it by their constant wisecracking that was as distractive to Gryffindor Past as the Bludgers. They certainly were having a good time.

Both seekers spotted a flash of gold across the field, near one of the elevated stands. Harry turned quickly and shot his broom to full speed, but Charlie was beside him. Both riders hovered low over their brooms, trying to minimize their wind resistance and coax the last dregs of speed from the powerful racing brooms.

Their outstretched hands side by side, Harry realized that this contest would probably be decided by the Snitch. If it broke left, Charlie would have an easy catch, and if it broke right, it was his. The Snitch, however, had other ideas and dived straight towards the ground, both seekers in hot pursuit. The snitch headed away after almost touching the ground, and Harry gained a fraction of a second on Charlie as he made a better turn. Charlie's feet bumped against the ground for a moment, slowing him slightly. Harry accelerated towards the dodging Snitch, and a moment later closed his hand around the small golden ball.

"Gryffindor Present wins!!! The final score: 240 to 200!!!" Jordan announced as the crowd chanted "Gryffindor!!! Gryffindor!!! Gryffindor!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do I get to go downstairs yet?" Harry asked. Following the backslapping and mutual congratulations mid-pitch, Ginny had drawn him aside and used a Portkey to transport them back to their rooms at Grimmauld Place, where they had both showered and changed.

"In just a few minutes," Ginny said after glancing at her watch.

"I'm almost afraid to at this point."

"Why? You looked like you were enjoying yourself. I know I did."

"Yeah... you and Jamie and Katie will be right wicked next year. The Quidditch was fun, but the crowd... that was just a little unexpected."

"Looks like word got around," Ginny said with a smirk. "Even Mum and Dad were there."

"So what's next?"

"Lunch."

"Lunch?"

"Yes, Lunch." Ginny glanced again at her watch. "C'mon, it's time."

His hand in hers, Ginny led him down the stairs to the first floor and up to a set of double doors. Harry vaguely remembered from Dobby's tour that this was a large formal dining room, but it had never been used in all the time they had been here.

Ginny paused in front of the double doors, knocked, and a moment later opened them and pushed him inside. There, along both sides of the long table, standing and clapping, were all of the Weasleys, as well as Penny, Fleur, Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, Cassandra, the Flamels, Hermione, Jamie, Draco, Dudley, Vela, Tonks, Chris, McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, and all the members of both Quidditch teams from that morning. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers, and one wall was almost completely covered by a large banner reading "Happy Birthday, Harry!" A huge stack of presents was piled up near the far end of the table, and nearby was a huge cake.

Ginny led Harry to the head of the table, pushed him towards a chair, whispered something to him, and then took her own place opposite him at the other end of the long table.

The next two hours passed in a blur for Harry. Afterwards, he would not recall eating, though when he finally looked down, his plate was almost empty. And then there were the presents.

Even one of Dudley's spreads was no match for the mound of bright wrapping paper and ribbons that awaited Harry. Some were predictable--two thick, ancient books on Dark Arts from Hermione, a set of professional Quidditch balls from Ron, a huge box from Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes that Fred claimed contained at least one of all of their products--while others were not. There was some sort of small brass machine from Dumbledore and Cassandra, not unlike the ones in the Headmaster's office, and a Pensieve from the Flamels. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had given him several items of practical school clothing, while Charlie had chosen a pair of dragonskin boots and Bill, a black leather bomber jacket.

A package from Percy and Penny contained a set of fine Eagle Quill pens, and a scroll of parchment that at first puzzled Harry, until he realized it was copy of a proclamation from the Ministry of Magic, allowing the Hogwarts Headmaster to waive the restrictions on underage magic use for any student, and allowing those aged fourteen through sixteen to use magic under the same conditions as adults. "Those pens were used by the Minister to sign the proclamation, Harry. Percy wanted you to have them," Penny explained.

Harry finally reached a small box with a tag saying it was from Ginny. Inside was a golden ring with a note attached. Harry read the single line, written in Ginny's almost perfect hand, which read, "You'll need this later." Smiling, Harry held it up and slid it onto his finger. From the far end of the table, Ginny held up her hand, a matching ring on her own finger.

Next, Harry opened a long, flat package from Jamie--and almost broke down in tears. Jamie had given him a portrait. After a moment Harry realized that his picture had been taken from one Colin had snapped last year of him in his Quidditch robes. Jamie was similarly attired, and behind both of them stood their parents. "Thanks, Sis," he said shakily.

Sirius stood up quickly and announced, "Now it's my turn. Sorry, Harry, but I'm afraid it's not wrapped." His wand twitched and a motorcycle appeared beside Harry. "This is a Triumph Bonneville T100. It's a motorcycle, not a scooter." Molly gasped as Sirius' wand moved again and six more motorcycles appeared. "Now, so you won't do something foolish like go off riding alone, there's one here for each of you kids." Molly had turned almost completely white.

"Now, I hate to throw a damper on things, but there is a party a little later..." Sirius began.

"A party? Later?" Harry interrupted. "Then what's this?"

"Just an informal late lunch," Sirius replied. "The party is tonight."

"This is just too much," Harry said, shaking his head.

"We're playing catch-up, remember?" Sirius said, grinning. "Now, while the food was great and the company even better, I recall from my Hogwarts days that the ladies usually require some time to prepare, and Lupin and I still have a bit of set-up work to do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry adjusted the dark blue dress robes that Ginny had picked out for him, and checked himself over carefully in the mirror again. "Very nice, dear, you should dress up more often," the mirror opined. Harry shrugged, then settled into a chair to wait. Bill had brought Ginny's jewel chest from Gringotts; Ginny and the other three girls were in the sitting room, deciding who would wear what. Not that there was much question about Ginny; she and the ruby had been inseparable since she had found it. Harry was certain that tonight it would not be hidden beneath her t-shirt.

Ginny entered their room, the jewel chest under her arm. "All sorted?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Hermione picked the pink diamond tiara, Jamie the emerald pendant, and Vela chose the sapphire necklace."

"Are you going to tell me why I need this?" Harry held up the ring on his left hand.

"Because," Ginny replied, "I want to make sure everyone understands you're off the market. You're mine."

"I know that. Even without this."

"Symbols are important."

"I know. And it's really beautiful."

"Mine's exactly the same. Did you read the words on the inside?"

Harry shook his head, tugged the ring off, and read the fine, thin script: "Harry & Ginny, June 22, 1996."

"I can't believe it's only been six weeks," Harry said softly.

"We have a lifetime."

"If I can..."

"No!" Ginny interrupted. "None of that tonight. This is your night, our night."

"Have I told you I love you?"

"Not since this morning."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Now, sit down over there in that straight chair." Seeing his puzzled look as he moved, Ginny held up a bottle of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. "Tonight your hair will lie flat."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Portkey that Hermione had left for them delivered Harry and Ginny to Hogwarts, just outside the Room of Requirement. The door was open; Ginny pulled him inside, looked around the room,and waved to Sirius, who was standing across the room on... a stage?

Harry looked slowly around the room, slowly realizing that most of the Hogwarts students from fourth through seventh years were present, as well as a number of recent graduates and a scattering of younger students. At one end of the now large room, a stage was set up, and behind Sirius, there was a band. A number of spotlights--electric spotlights--illuminated the stage, and then suddenly it clicked for Harry. This was the band on Sirius' CD's.

"Hello, everybody." Sirius was speaking into a microphone. "I'm Sirius Black, and I want to thank all of you for joining us for Harry's birthday." A round of applause broke out. "Now, I'll be the first to admit we're making a big deal of things, but Harry's last party was exactly fifteen years ago today, so he's long overdue." Harry tried to slip back towards the door, but Ginny held him firmly. "I see that the guest of honor has arrived. Come on out here, Harry, and take a bow." Applause mixed with shouted "Happy Birthdays" started as Ginny tugged Harry towards the center of the floor.

"In case any of you haven't kept up with the papers, the bonnie lass on Harry's arm is the former Ginny Weasley, who, since their bonding, has taken the moniker Mrs. Harry Potter. So girls, if you're looking to dance with the birthday boy, you'd better clear it with her, first." The crowd laughed as Ginny held their hands aloft, where the two gold rings glittered in the light.

"Now, I have a few more introductions. Jamie, come on out here. This is the girl you've all been asking about since the game this afternoon, and no, Lee didn't make a mistake. Despite the hair, she's not a Weasley..."

"She's bloody well an honorary Weasley," one of the twins shouted from across the room.

"Allow me to present Harry's sister, the Girl Who Lived... Jamie Potter!!!" There was a shocked silence for a few seconds before the applause began.

"Now, I'm aware that the Prophet said, over and over, that I was the last of the Blacks; but fortunately, their reporting about that was just as accurate as the other things they said about me. Allow me to present my daughter, Velpecula Black, though she'll like it better if you call her Vela. C'mon out here, kiddo!" Again, there was a brief silence before the applause.

"Finally, I'm sure Draco needs no introduction to most of you, but in a way this a debut for him, too. Draco has, with my concurrence as head of the House of Black, taken his mother's surname. Allow me to introduce Draco Black!!!"

This time there was dead silence as Draco walked to the middle of the room, nodded at Harry, and stood beside him. Then the whispers began.

"Tonight, the music will be a bit different, and in my opinion a lot better than what you're used to. The Who is not only the biggest name in music for the last three decades; they are also the loudest band in the world: in both worlds, as a matter of fact.

"Now, that's more than enough from me. Let's get this party started!" Sirius jumped down from the stage as The Who opened with "I Am The Sea." He walked across the room; then as the band continued with "The Real Me," he led Minerva McGonagall out onto the dance floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jamie found herself surrounded moments after the music began. At first she could barely make out what the people around her were saying, but then one of them did something with a wand, and then she could hear.

"Hi! Um... I'm... Neville Longbottom. I'm one of Harry's classmates and roommates. Would you like to dance?"

"Hi, Neville. Harry has told me a lot about you. And, yes, I'd like to dance, but I'm not very good," Jamie replied, hoping that the lessons Ginny and Hermione had given her would keep her from looking like a complete fool.

"He did?" Neville suddenly looked nervous.

"Yes, he said you were very brave, and a good friend."

Neville brightened, then asked as he took her hand, "Are you from America?"

"I grew up there. It's a long story." Sirius had cautioned her to be careful about how much she told anyone.

"And Harry has kept you a secret all this time? What a prat!"

"It's a little more complicated than that."

"Now that you're here, will you be going to Hogwarts?"

"Would you like that?" Jamie asked, watching his expression through her long lashes.

"Yes!"

"I will be. I've already been sorted into Gryffindor."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If looks could kill, both Neville Longbottom and Pansy Parkinson would have found themselves in a basket. Before Draco could ask Jamie to dance, Longbottom and Parkinson had swept in, one of them beating him to the punch with Jamie and the other almost tackling him.

"Draco, I've been so worried. Father has said the most horrible things, but I knew that they just couldn't be true."

"In all likelihood they are," Draco said dryly.

"He'd be furious if he knew I had come here tonight... what?"

"It is quite likely what he told you is true, though I doubt he would tell you all of it."

"He said you defied your father and that Our Lord was very angry."

"I declared Kanly against Father, and I do not care what your half-blood Lord thinks."

"Draco! If he should hear you..."

"I no longer care. It would be in your best interests to stay away from me."

"But... what about... us?"

"There isn't any 'us.'" Not that there ever was.

Pansy turned aside, hurt and undecided, as Draco stalked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ginny had not allowed Harry to leave the dance floor. She luxuriated in being seen with him, and in the looks of envy both her partner and the ruby around her neck caused. "Isn't this nice?"

Seeing the gleam in Ginny's eyes, Harry could only nod in agreement. "Everybody went to an awful lot of trouble, like the lights, and the band's instruments. They are all electric."

"But I think it was worth it. Look, there's Professor Dumbledore, dancing with Cassandra."

"And Sirius with Professor McGonagall."

"Everyone seems to be having a good time." Ginny looked up at him. "And I like the music."

"So do I"

"A dance really isn't so bad, now is it?"

"Um... maybe not."

"Are you having a good time, Harry?"

"Any time I can be with you like this, I'm having a great time."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, Longbottom, give someone else a chance!" Seamus glowered at Neville and then turned towards Jamie. "May I cut in?"

Neville reluctantly stepped back as Seamus took Jamie's hand, but his face lit up as Jamie said, "Thank you, Neville; let's dance again a little later."

"Hi, I'm Seamus. I'm one of Harry's classmates, I'll be a sixth year next term."

"Hi, Seamus. I'm not quite sure where I'll be."

"You'll be going to Hogwarts?"

"Yes. I've already been sorted into Gryffindor."

"And playing Quidditch, I hope."

"I'd like to."

"Were you at Salem before?"

"Salem?"

"Salem's Witches' Institute," Seamus replied. "The big American school."

"Uh... no, I've never been to a magic school before."

"How could Harry hold out on all of us about you?"

"It's a little more complicated that that."

"Did you know your eyes were the exact same color as that jewel you're wearing? But they sparkle even brighter?"

Jamie giggled. "Do you say that to all the girls you dance with?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I told you a little practice would help. You're doing much better," said Hermione.

"Did I ever tell you that you're beautiful?" Ron asked.

"Yes, maybe once or twice."

"Okay."

"But a girl still likes to hear it."

"You're beautiful."

"Did you see Harry's face?"

Ron nodded. "He really looked happy, and Ginny did, too."

"Remember when we first told you?"

Ron nodded again, "You were right."

"Do you think we'll ever have what they do?"

"I think we already do. I love you, Hermione."

"I love you, too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What are you two doing here?" Draco demanded.

"We were supposed to keep an eye on... UMPH!" Gregory Goyle bent over as Vincent Crabbe slammed an elbow into his side.

"There was a party, so we came for the food and favors," Crabbe said.

"So you're supposed to be watching me?"

"Um... sorta," Goyle said, looking between Draco and Crabbe.

"And what have you seen thus far? Besides the punchbowl and refreshments?"

"Er... not very much," Crabbe replied.

"Next year is going to be a very hard year," Draco said.

"But you'll get us through, right, Draco?" Goyle asked.

"Times have changed," Draco replied. "Would you really expect me to help you after you're here to spy on me?"

"But..." Goyle began.

"Don't you understand that everything has changed?"

"What..." Crabbe started.

"You need to decide where your loyalties are. And who you need to make it here," Draco said pointedly.

"Um..."

"Why did I ever keep you two around anyway?"

Goyle smiled; finally, here was a question he could answer. "Because we're big and strong."

"And we can make people do things," Crabbe added.

"Then you'd better think about your options. How long you'd last at Hogwarts without my help. What sort of jobs you could find after you were kicked out."

"Er... what do you want us to say, Draco?"

"I'll think about that and tell you later," Draco replied. "In the meantime, I have a job for you. Keep Parkinson away from me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sirius tapped Neville on the shoulder and took Vela's hand. "Having a good time, kiddo?"

"There are an awful lot of people here. I'm having trouble remembering everyone's name, but that last boy was very nice."

"Longbottom is a good kid. Are you having a good time?"

"Yes, but I'm a little tired."

"You can sit out for a song or two if you'd like."

"I've tried a couple of times, but they kept asking me to dance."

"Then come with me. We'll get something to drink and sit down for a few minutes. What do you think of the school?" Sirius asked as he led her towards the refreshments.

"It's huge!"

"Your Mum and I both went here, you know."

"Are you ever going to tell me about her, and about... me?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. I know we need to talk." He took a deep breath. "Tomorrow?"

"No more delays or excuses?"

"Yeah, kiddo, no more delays or excuses."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"May I?" The tall boy tapped Dean Thomas's shoulder.

Dean nodded reluctantly. "Thank you, Jamie."

"I enjoyed dancing with you, Dean."

"Hi. I'm Kevin Entwhistle. I'm in Harry's year, but in Ravenclaw House."

"Hi, Kevin. Ravenclaw? You must be very smart."

"Not really, but I reckon I study pretty hard. Where has Harry been hiding you?"

"Where? That's a new question, at least. America."

Kevin grinned. "Let me guess. Everyone's been asking why they never heard about you before?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"It makes perfect sense to me."

Jamie gave him a puzzled look.

"If I had a lovely sister like you, I'd hide her from this lot, too."

"Yourself included?"

"Present company excluded. Do you like the band?"

"Yes. They're good. A lot better than anything on that wireless thing."

"The bass player-- no, the one on the left--he's my cousin, though he spells the name differently. I couldn't believe it when I heard they'd be playing here."

"Is that unusual?"

"Yeah. I don't think they've done a private gig in twenty years. They just played for the Princes' Trust a month ago. Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan were both there. And two weeks ago they played for six nights in New York. They're really big in the Muggle world."

"Wow," Jamie said, even though she had no idea what a Princes' Trust was, or who Eric Clapton or Bob Dylan were.

"Would you like to get some refreshments after this song?"

"Yeah, I would."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Looks like someone finally managed to snag Jamie for longer than a single dance." Sirius laughed.

"Getting refreshments won't keep her out of circulation for very long. She and Vela are both pretty and very popular," Chris said.

"I was a little worried about Vela. She's never been in a crowd like this before."

"She's handling it well. That was nice of the twins to dance with her first. Did you set that up?"

"Yeah. Thought it would be easier with someone she had already met and liked."

"Looks like you're getting the fatherhood thing figured out."

"I don't even know for sure if I am her father. And I still have to explain it all... and you know, to her."

"She's let you get away with putting it off this long?"

"Tomorrow. I promised. No more delays."

"That's good... I noticed you introduced her as your daughter."

"I want her to be, regardless."

"Looks like it's working out. You've not done too badly so far. Even if your idea of bonding is her riding behind you on your bike."

"The only time she was ever out was when Marlene was moving them from one place to another. The kid had never been out just riding or seeing the sights. She had a ball, despite what you and Molly thought."

"Speaking of Molly, she wasn't exactly thrilled with your presents."

"She'll get over it. They're enchanted six ways from Sunday to be safe. And to fly. Special dispensation from the Ministry, thanks to Percy."

"You might want to tell her that, first chance. You won't get a word in once she starts her wind-up."

Sirius nodded.

"Jamie's back on the dance floor... she's with Harry... and I think Ginny's coming for you." Then Chris laughed and pointed.

"Damn it," Sirius sighed.

"Dudley's harmless, Sirius. Go dance with Ginny."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Having fun, Sis?"

"Yeah, this is way cool."

"How many guys have you danced with?"

"A lot. Seamus, Dean, Kevin, Terry, Tony, Justin, Ernie, Michael, Colin, Neville twice."

"Michael Corner?"

"Yeah. He was a little strange. All he wanted to talk about was Ginny."

"She dated him. I don't like him very much."

"I didn't either. All of your roommates were nice, especially Neville, and Kevin was, too."

"That's great. I'm glad you're having a good time."

"I'm really looking forward to school starting."

"This was the first place I ever felt really at home."

"I feel like maybe I could belong here, too."

"I really liked your present. The Quidditch uniforms were a nice touch."

"Uncle Severus suggested a portrait. The picture of our parents came from your album, and Ron sent an owl to Colin and got several pictures of you. Then Ron and Hermione arranged for Colin to meet us at the pitch, and he took my picture; and then he put them all together. And Uncle Severus helped me pick a frame in Diagon Alley."

"I'll always treasure it, Jamie." He reached out to her and shared the memory of Ron's comments about baby sisters just before he learned that his sibling was probably a girl.

"Hey!"

"I like having a baby sister."

"I've never stolen your socks or snogged your friends--but I'm not making any promises about that last one."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is incredible, Sirius," Ginny said, smiling. "I've never seen Harry happier or more relaxed."

"That's what a godfather is supposed to do."

"We owe you everything. Including this," she said, holding up her ring. "Without your letters..."

Sirius shook his head. "Maybe it happened a little faster because of me, but the two of you were meant to be together. And you were what Harry needed; things have changed so much since the year ended at Hogwarts. And don't think I've forgotten what I owe all of you kids."

"It works both ways, Sirius."

"Do you think James and Lily can see us tonight?"

"I hope so, Sirius."

"Me too. This doesn't even begin make up for things, but at least something I've done has gone right for a change."

"Vela's pretty happy with her Dad, too."

"That's another one I owe all of you for, how all of you have reached out to her."

"She's family, Sirius. That's what families do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is wonderful, beloved." Perenelle's eyes gleamed as she watched the dancers.

"The music?" Nicholas asked.

"The music is excellent, though the current drummer lacks the flare of the gentleman we saw at the Isle of Wight in 1969. But I was talking about the children. Have you watched Harry? There is no braid on his shoulders for the first time since we met."

"Then it was well worth the effort."

"Jamie has relished the attention. She has hardly left the dance floor. And Vela has come out of her shell."

"Brian and Cassandra have also spent most of the evening on the dance floor."

"It is good to see Brian smile, really smile," said Perenelle.

"Soon the four of us must reach a decision regarding Ginny and Jamie."

"I do not believe we should exclude Harry and Ginny, and perhaps Jamie, from the discussion. The mantle could fall to him at any time."

"Perhaps so. Have you observed Draco?"

"Yes. His interaction with his housemates has been... interesting. Do you think he will discuss what occurred?"

"Jamie may be the key to that," said Nicholas.

"We should not use her in such a fashion. One of us must endeavor to forge a connection with the boy."

"Cassandra has achieved a level of understanding with Jamie. Perhaps she would have the best chance."

"Shall I discuss it with her?"

"Please. She still is not completely comfortable with me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco tapped Harry's shoulder. "May I cut in? And might I have the pleasure of a dance?"

"I've been wondering if you would ask me," Jamie replied as he took her hand.

"My understanding is that this is to be a long song, and that the band will take a take a break afterwards. I had hoped you would join me for refreshments afterwards."

"A long song? Why?"

"I am in no hurry for it--or this--to end." Draco's hand brushed the emerald pendant. "This emerald is the color of your eyes. But it lacks their luster."

Jamie giggled. "So I've been told."

"It is also one of the colors of my house." Little point in going there; Jamie was in Gryffindor and he was an outcast. "Emerald green is truly your color."

"No one from Slytherin has asked me to dance, except for you."

"None of them would dare."

"Who was that girl you were talking to when the band started?" Draco had not realized she had noticed.

"Pansy Parkinson. She is in Slytherin House."

"You didn't dance with her."

"No. You are the first I have danced with."

"But why, Draco? It's been a lot of fun."

"There was no one else that I wished to dance with."

"Really? But why?"

"It doesn't matter. But I did want to dance with you."

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," Blaise Zabini hissed as he and his partner, Tracey Davis, spun towards them. "Malfoy consorting with a Gryffindor, and a half-blood at that."

"That's no longer my name, Zabini," Draco said, as he tried to guide Jamie away from the Slytherin couple.

"I hear you're hanging out with the Mudblood, too," Theodore Nott said, as he and Daphne Greengrass danced closer. "You're going to pay, Malfoy."

"How the mighty have fallen," Davis sneered. "Even if she is easy, she is still a Gryffindor and a half-blood."

"And flat and boyish. Perhaps there's something else Draco has not told us," Greengrass added.

"No! Not now," Jamie whispered as Draco's hand disappeared inside his robe. "Dance towards the professors instead."

"They will not speak of you in such a fashion!" Draco whispered back, even as he led them towards Dumbledore and McGonagall.

"Then let it wait. Not here; not now. Please?"

Draco nodded. They finished the dance, staying close to the professors; then as the band left the stage, he led her to a table where Ginny, Hermione, and Luna Lovegood were sitting. "I'll be back in a moment with refreshments."

Ginny introduced Jamie and Luna, who looked intensely at Jamie for almost a minute. "You are very much like your brother and your sister."

"Sister?" Jamie looked puzzled.

"Ginny, of course," Luna said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And you and Draco dance very well together."

"Draco is good," said Ginny.

"No, not yet," Luna said dreamily. "But he could be."

"What?" Jamie asked, puzzled.

"Luna... has her own way of looking at things," Hermione explained, as Luna nodded slowly.

"He's getting closer now," Luna said dreamily. Of the four girls, only Luna had a clear view of the door. Zabini and Nott had already walked through. Draco followed a few steps behind them.

Ron and Harry joined them a few minutes later with Butterbeer and sweets. Jamie looked carefully around the room, but there was no sign of Draco. Harry had spotted her sitting here, and had brought her a Butterbeer, but where was Draco?

"Did you see Draco while you were getting refreshments?" Jamie finally asked.

Harry shook his head, and Ron said, "Bet he's in the loo, slicking down his hair. I still don't know why Sirius invited all the Slytherins, anyway."

"Professor Dumbledore asked him to," Hermione replied. "Several weeks ago, before he got hurt."

Jamie continued to search the room for some sign of Draco as the others talked. Finally, the band returned to the stage, and the other teenagers returned to the dance floor, Luna accepting an invitation to dance from Stephen Cornfoot. Jamie was feeling both a little concerned and a little miffed: Draco could have certainly said something before wandering off. She stood, intending to make a circuit of the room, but Neville approached and asked her to dance.

Why not? Jamie had intended to dance again with Draco, but she had been sitting here long enough. "I'd like to, Neville."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I think Neville likes Jamie," Harry said. "That's at least the third time he's asked her to dance."

"Maybe he fancies redheads," Ginny replied. "He had a crush on me once upon a time."

"I remember when he asked you to the ball."

"It looks like he's a much better dancer now."

"Oh?"

"Jamie's still able to walk," Ginny said, as they both laughed. "And that reminds me. Cho asked if I'd mind if she danced with you."

"Cho?"

"Cho Chang, Ravenclaw seeker and former girlfriend."

"Wanted to dance with me?"

"Yes. I told her okay. If you want to."

"Um... I reckon there's no harm if you're okay with it."

"I'm actually curious to find out what she has to say."

"If anything."

"Okay. You can ask her in a song or two, and I might see if Neville still has two left feet."

"Maybe in a song or two. They're starting our song."

"Oh yes! Love! Reign O'er Me!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the song ended, Jamie glanced around the room, but there was still no sign of Draco.

"Again?" Neville asked.

Jamie nodded as the sounds of the piano rippled through the room, then suddenly tightened her grip on Neville's hand and looked straight at him. "Neville!"

Neville flashed bright red. "Um... sor... er... sorry."

"It's okay," Jamie whispered as her face tinting red. "Did you mean it?"

Neville nodded and looked down. "H... how d... did... you... know?"

"Do you really want to," her whisper became even softer, "kiss me?"

"Yeah. I've really enjoyed dancing with you, Jamie." Neville no longer stuttered. "You're a beautiful girl."

"I've never kissed anyone."

"Harry did a good job of hiding you. But... I... haven't, either."

Jamie looked at him until he met her eyes. "Do you still want to?"

Neville nodded.

"Okay."

"Here in front of everybody?"

"Of course," Jamie said, as she steered them towards her brother and Ginny. She closed her eyes and waited.

Neville was no longer conscious of the room around them, the music, or the other dancers. All he could see was Jamie's upturned face, her lips half parted. He leaned down, inched closer, and touched his lips to hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry suddenly went stiff. Ginny turned and looked where he was looking and giggled. "Harry, remember when you asked me about how to be a good brother? This is one of the times where you don't act like Ron."

Neville pulled back after a few seconds, and he and Jamie continued dancing. As they continued past Harry and Ginny, Jamie called out, "Your socks are next, Harry!"

"You told her?" Ginny asked.

Harry nodded.

"You're in for it now."

"I reckon so. So I'm not supposed to say anything to Neville."

"Right. Now, if it were Dean, maybe. But Neville is a gentleman."

"Okay," Harry sighed. "Will you at least talk to her and make sure it's all okay?"

"It looked pretty good from here. A little short, maybe."

"Ginny!"

"Get used to it, Harry. Jamie's going to be popular."

"Like you were?"

"Worse. I was just a poor little barefoot Weasley girl until you came along and swept me off my feet. She's a rich Potter princess."

"I seem to remember it the other way around. Me flat on my back, and then with my head in your lap, and you wearing those tiny shorts, and your Mum and the professors just staring and staring..."

"It all worked out, didn't it?"

"Yeah. I love you, Ginny."

"I love you, too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco limped into the Room of Requirement, favoring his left leg. A spell had winged him, but it wasn't bad, and if he couldn't walk it off, it could be looked at later. He scanned the room, looking for Jamie. She wasn't at the table, which was understandable; it had taken far longer than he had anticipated. Still, he had taken them, two on one, and if he were honest with himself, what Weasley had taught him over the past few days had probably--no, had--made the difference. He had left his two housemates stunned; and when they woke, they would find themselves voiding slugs... from both ends.

Draco finally spotted Jamie; she was dancing with Longbottom again. It was his own fault. He had left her sitting there, but if he were to retain any sort of power at all among his housemates, he could not afford to back away from any challenge, no matter how small. And no one would speak of Jamie in that fashion, at least within his hearing. Greengrass and Davis would be dealt with in due course.

He located Crabbe and Goyle, seated at the table closest to the refreshments. He settled beside them and outlined what they were to report: his snubbing of Parkinson, his dancing with Jamie, and the results of his duel with Zabini and Nott.

"But... but... isn't that all true?" Crabbe objected.

"Exactly," Draco said. "I want them to know exactly what really did happen. Including what I do next."

Draco stood and walked towards the dance floor; when he finally spotted Jamie, she was no longer dancing with Longbottom: she was kissing the prat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That was... was..."

"Nice?" Jamie suggested.

"No... more like incredible," Neville replied. "But what was that about socks?"

"Ron told Harry that having a younger sister was bad because they steal your socks and snog your friends. I was just letting Harry know he's gonna get the full treatment."

"I'm just glad he's not trying to hex me into next week. Harry's awesome at Defense Against the Dark Arts. Last year, when we had the most horrid professor, he formed Dumbledore's Army and trained us instead. And you know..." Neville's voice dropped, "I've got a new happy thought to use with the Patronus Charm."

"Longbottom, you are monopolizing Miss Potter. May I?" Draco asked.

Jamie nodded, and Neville reluctantly released her hand and bowed. "Thank you, Jamie."

"Thank you, Neville," and then whispered in his ear, "I will always remember our last dance."

Neville bowed again, and Draco took her hand.

"I apologize for disappearing as I did, but Nott and Zabini were not content to let matters rest."

"Draco! What did you do?"

"I took care not to disrupt the festivities, as I believe you desired, but I could not walk away from their challenge. To do so would embolden them, and undermine what little influence I might retain in Slytherin." He paused and added, "I also will not tolerate their speaking of you in such a fashion. I will deal with the Greengrass and Davis later."

"What they call me doesn't matter. I've been called worse things."

"You will not be in my presence. But again, I apologize for abandoning you."

"It's okay. I'm glad you wanted to dance with me again."

"I would willingly commit the offense of which I accused Longbottom."

"What do you mean?"

"I would cheerfully dance the rest of the night with just you."

As she had with Neville earlier, Jamie felt a flicker of Draco's thoughts and realized that he was... jealous? "Would you like that?"

"I would."

"Okay. I'd... I'd like that, too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hi, Cho. Would you like to dance?"

"Thanks, Harry. I would"

"How have you been?"

"I'm good. I don't have to ask about you; you look so different than you did last year. You look really great on the pitch today. Congratulations, by the way."

"Um... thanks. You were there?"

Cho nodded.

"Um... I'm..." Harry began.

"Listen, I wanted..." Cho started.

"Go ahead," said Harry.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry how everything worked out. That last year... I was still pretty messed up from Cedric. I'm really glad that things worked out with you and Ginny"

"I'm sorry about last year, too. No hard feelings?"

"None. I'd still like to be friends with you, though I'm going try to kick your arse this year on the Quidditch pitch."

"You're on, Cho."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's the last song," Jamie repeated what Pete Townshend had just announced.

"I fear that the evening has been all too short."

"I've had a good time, Draco."

"As have I."

"I didn't know that anything could be... like... like this."

"The magical world?"

"Yes, and more. The people, the music, all of today."

"Did I tell you that you flew exceptionally well?"

"Not until now."

"You seem to adapting quite well to this world."

"Our world, Draco?"

"Is it?"

"It can be. Are you still jealous?"

"Me? Jealous?"

"Yes, you."

"Of what do I have to be jealous of?"

"Nothing... if you even the score."

Draco pulled her towards him and their lips met.

As they broke apart, Draco whispered, "I will never settle for just evening the score," as he pulled her close again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mrs. Potter, might I have this last dance?" Harry asked as organ solo from Won't Get Fooled Again began.

"This has been wonderful, Harry."

"Yes it has."

"It's going to be a little hard to go back to the routine tomorrow."

"Friday. We get tomorrow off to recover."

"Recover?"

"The day isn't over. Yet."

"Neville has had a good night. I never thought Lavender would notice him."

"Jamie may have given his stock a big boost."

"Is this feminine logic?"

"It's how the world works."

"That's so backwards."

"Maybe, but it's still how the world works. Happy birthday, Harry."

"Thanks, Gin. This has been a really, really good day."

"And still it's not over quite yet," Ginny grinned.

Most of the guests showed no sign of departing as the band finished playing and begin packing up their equipment. Harry and Ginny worked their way to the door as quickly as they could, and then, once outside the Room of Requirement, found an empty side passage and Portkeyed back to Grimmauld Place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not far from Hogsmeade, Lord Voldemort stood near the truce flag, looking towards Hogwarts in the distance.

"Celebrate tonight, Potter. Yes, have your little celebration tonight. This birthday shall be your last," he said, as he carefully pulled the truce flag from the ground. "Not one stone shall be left atop another. In twenty-four hours the war shall begin in earnest."