HARRY POTTER AND THE PROPHECY TRUE

Chapter sixteen

The sun had nearly set by the time the five gathered together in the quiet room. There was no sound, no clocks ticking like at Hogwart's, no rustle of wind around the closed windows, no moaning of ghosts or scratches of mice lurking in the corners. The aroma of cleaners and fresh linens lingered as a welcome to the visitors and Harry struggled to look around the surroundings, through the dark, closed curtains.

"Lumos," Harry commanded taking his wand from his jacket and pointing it upward. The light from the tip of his wand was just enough to give them a look at the room's elegant décor. Harry recognized it from his dream; it was the sitting room of the castle where he had found his parents. The plush furnishings were pholstered in dark red with gold rope trimming, consisting of three large sofas, half dozen armchairs with their elegantly carved backs, four matching carved tables and an elegantly carved buffet. The walls were painted white with velvet wallpaper decorating the lower half, topped by a wide walnut, hand carved chair rail. The fireplace they had just emerged from was massive, taking up nearly the entire east wall of the room with a walnut, hand carved mantle that matched the rest of the furnishings. There was a golden carving of the Potter family crest hanging over the mantle. The curtains hanging across the dozen glistening windows were made of thick red velvet, tied back with a golden rope that matched the furniture. The tables, shelves and secretary were made of a rich walnut, deeply varnished to a high gloss. The carpet on warming the floor was plush red, intricate scalloped designs embroidered in gold. In the center was an embroidered replica of the family crest hanging over the fireplace.

"This is gorgeous," Hermione whispered as though afraid to awaken the spirits of the house.

"It's getting dark," Ginny said softly. "We should put some lights on."

"Yeah," Harry said, his tone cold and distant, causing the others to look at him through the darkness. Perhaps it was the argument he had just embarked on with the Dursleys, or maybe it was his being here at the once royal palace, but either way his tone caused concern among his friends. Harry spotted the many golden candleholders lining the walls and the two matching chandeliers hanging from the tiled ceiling. He waved his wand toward the candles, igniting them all at once. The room was immediately illuminated in bright light, making the room appear more beautiful then it had first appeared.

"Why don't we look around?" Ginny asked, slipping her arm through Harry's. Before Harry could speak, a soft clattering came from the room down the hall, causing the five to look at the doorway. The sound grew louder as a shadow fell to the floor outside. Harry narrowed his eyes, the wand still wrapped tightly in his grip. The shadow grew in clarity, the large bat-shaped ears prominent in the dark.

"Harry Potter, sir," Misty said with a high squeaky voice, her tone light and cheerful. "Welcome home. Misty has made tea and biscuits. Supper will be ready shortly. Please, sit and pleasure yourself." Misty sat set down the elegantly decorated silver tray with its matching teapot, cups and sugar and cream bowls on the large buffet.

"How long have you been here, Misty?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Headmaster Dumbledore summoned Misty this afternoon. He said that Harry Potter would be here tonight with his friends and that she should make them comfortable."

"How did he know I would be here?" Harry asked with a deep frown.

"Headmaster Dumbledore is very wise, sir. He knows much about the world we live in. He told Misty that Harry Potter's Muggle relatives were visiting Hogwart's and that Harry Potter would not be liking it. He told Misty to get the castle ready for visitors. Misty is happy, very happy Harry Potter is home. James Potter was very happy when he welcomed his baby son to the world."

"You mean I was born here?" Harry asked, glancing around the room as if seeing it for the first time.

"Why yes. Harry Potter's nursery is next to the master's bedroom. The crib Harry Potter once used is still there. The Minister's wife and Miss Penelope have been working to make it ready for when Harry Potter brings his bride home to Potter Castle."

"That won't be for a while yet, Misty," Harry said, glancing to Ginny.

"But it will happen, sir. Misty knows this in her heart."

"How large is this place, House elf?" Malfoy asked, addressing Misty by her race rather then her name, a sign of his past arrogant upbringing.

"Misty is not liking the young Draco Malfoy," the little creature said boldly.

"That's not of concern whether you like me or not. You're a servant in this house and you will conduct yourself as one and answer my question," Malfoy said, his disgust for the creature vivid in his words.

"That was uncalled for, Malfoy," Hermione scolded.

"Yeah, where do you think you are? This is Harry's home and he'll be the one to order people around, not a pompous clotted Ferret-Face like you," Ron snapped rudely.

"One of these days, Weasel, somebody's going to have a very long discussion about your place and how to remain in it," Malfoy bit back.

"Are you threatening me, Slytherin?"

"I wouldn't waste my time, or dirty my hands with such a menial task. That's for servants and hired hands. I'm a Malfoy, I do not bow to such indignities."

"Since when?" Ron barked out in a snort of laughter.

"You are all guests in this house, as is Misty," Harry quickly added, hoping to avoid any physical confrontation between Ron and Malfoy. His head was aching from the previous encounters of the day and being in this place, knowing it wasn't a dream was very emotional for him. He was trying desperately to deal with all of it at once, but didn't feel he could bear doing so much longer. He could feel himself approaching his breaking point.

"My father rescued Misty and freed her, years ago. She has been with me since my birth and she has chosen to remain with me out of loyalty to my parents. She has my respect and will be treated with the dignity owed to any living creature. Understand?" Malfoy snorted, then turned and sat in one of the chairs, waving his hand to a teacup and watching as it flew toward him smoothly.

"Misty, not to sound rude, but I'm curious as well," Ginny said. "How large is this castle?"

"There are twelve bedrooms in all," Misty reported politely. "But more will come if needed."

"What do you mean, more will come?" Hermione asked.

"The castle has very powerful magic. If Harry Potter ever needs more rooms, the castle will provide them. It is how it has always been. Each room has its own bathroom as well. There is a library, this sitting room, a drawing room, a ballroom, a dining room, a banquet hall, a large kitchen, a billiard room, and a playroom for children, the master bedroom and nursery, an observatory, a winery and an Owlery. There is also a game room and the master's office. Oh, yes, James Potter put in a swimming pool on the lower level. Lily Potter loved to swim and they shared many happy hours down there together. The land has a servants house, a guest house with six bedrooms, also capable of more, a grounds keeper's house, a stable, an orchard, a large garden area and farm and a private lake."

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, glancing to Malfoy who actually looked envious. "I don't remember anyone ever bragging about Malfoy Manor being as large as this."

"Malfoy Manor is impressive, but it has never acted as a royal palace before. It is simply one of the largest mansions in all of Europe." Malfoy's words were lost on the others who had caught sight of Harry's expression as he walked slowly out the door.

The foyer was large, nearly as large as Gryffindor tower itself, but there was something else he was looking at. A very impressive winding staircase leading to the upper floor stood just beyond the foyer. He quietly walked toward it, remembering the dream he had shared with his parents many months ago. His fingers stretched out and caressed the highly varnished, carved oak banister, expertly decorated in swirls and vines. He gripped the wood, feeling the coolness beneath his touch as he slowly began mounting the stairs. The carpet that lead up them was a rich, dark red, embossed with gold diamond shaped emblems. He barely noticed his feet touching the stairs as he moved closer to the upper level. One after another he took until he found himself standing on the landing of the long hallway. Several portraits hung on the walls, their occupants watching Harry as he focused his stare to the end where he remembered finding his parents.

Slowly his feet began to move, one after the other, edging him closer to his goal. Doorways passed by as he continued to walk, portraits cleaned and peering at him as he passed. Tables positioned between each door held vases of freshly cut flowers, dishes of candies or small framed pictures which Harry ignored. He paused outside the closed door at the end of the hall, his hand twitching on the golden knob. His heart was pounding, his breath rapid as he tightened his grip and turned. The door pushed open and Harry found himself standing in his parents' bedroom, the one room out of all the others where they had shared many happy moments, and where they shared their love and created a son.

With shaking legs, he walked forward. The room was much larger than Harry had remembered from his dream. The bed positioned against the wall directly in front of him was larger than any he had ever seen. He imagined the entire Weasley family fitting comfortably beneath the carved canopy, supported by four thick, carved posters. Hanging on them were heavy velvet drapes of dark red, which matched the rest of the décor Harry had already seen. They were tied back with golden ropes and the bedspread that covered the large mattress was likewise red with the golden embroidered crest of the Potter family. There were at least two dozen assorted size pillows in red and gold leaning up against an elegant headboard and at the foot of the bed sat two trunks in the same matched carvings as the bed. Beside the bed on either side was a small table also in a matching carved design and on top of them was an oil lamp.

Near the door was a sitting area with a sofa of plush red and gold, two large wing back chairs, a table between them and a fireplace as large as the one that warmed Gryffindor common room. A carved mantle held awards won by James and Lily Potter from their days at Hogwart's. Harry walked closer to the fireplace, inspecting each trophy with interest when his eye caught the something that stole his immediate interest. Encased in etched glass that read 'Our Precious Treasure' sat a pair of golden baby booties on an oak pedestal. A small plaque below them held words that made Harry's breath catch in his throat, 'Harry James Potter; 31 July'.

Reluctantly, he turned around, feeling the spirits of hisparents near him. He knew they were there, they promised to always be with him and had told him they had never left his side. With a warm smile he turned and looked at the other side of the room. There were two large dressers of nine drawers sitting side by side, positioned against a wall-sized mirror, enclosed in a carved frame. Harry was astonished at how elegant this room was. All the furnishings were old, very old, fifteenth or sixteenth century he estimated, and all perfectly carved in a matching design of a thin leaf covered vine.

On either side of the dressers was a closed door. Harry walked to the one closest to the wall facing the hallway and opened it. Beyond was a closet large enough for a second bedroom; in fact, he estimated it to be larger than the room he had slept in at the Dursleys. There were racks that held many suits, cloaks, shirts, jumpers, slacks, ties and robes in a man's style on one side and the other held just as many dresses, skirts, slacks, jumpers, blouses, robes and cloaks in a woman's style. The walls held a number of drawers, a vanity with a two-sided mirror that showed the person looking on both front and back views of their head. Along one full wall were a number of mirrors. One full length one showed the image of Harry's front view, while a matching on - like the one at the vanity - showed his back view. There was a smaller mirror that showed just his face, complete with his lightening bolt scar, another that showed the back of his head, one that showed his image in dress robes, while still another showed him in his school uniform. The ceiling held a glass window that looked out onto the night sky, while a dozen candles lit the room from their golden holders on the walls. Harry stepped up the to racks of clothing and touched them. There was a particularly nice velvet robe of deep emerald and he took it off the hanger, slipping it across his shoulders. He looked into the mirrors and saw a sight that caught his breath.

The image looking back at him was his father's just as he had seen him so many times in his dreams. The only distinguishing mark to differentiate him from the elder Potter was the trademark scar on his forehead. Harry had to blink several times, looking from one mirror to the other to make certain James was not standing there, smiling back at him.

"Are you all right?" a soft voice asked from the doorway, causing Harry to start and turn quickly to see Ginny standing timidly inside. He smiled at her, reaching his hand toward her and pulling her into his embrace.

"This was my father's," he told her, allowing her to touch the softness of the robe.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"I've dreamed of him wearing this very thing. I've seen him smiling at me and talking to me, but I've never understood until now that it was real and not just a dream."

"Your parents loved you very much," she told him.

"I know that. Perhaps more now then ever before." Carefully he returned the robe to the hanger and walked with the young woman out of the room. He watched as Ginny curiously looked around the room, just as he had done moments earlier.

"What's in there?" she asked, pointing to the door on the other side of the dressers. Harry took her by the hand and walked toward it, pushing the barrier open. Inside was the master bathroom, more elegant and lavish than he had ever imagined. The wall on the opposite side of the closet was adorned with four very large sinks, large enough to be made for a kitchen, but these were shaped in the design of a daisy. Each had its own set of golden faucets and they were positioned in a cupboard that stretched the full length of the wall, at least twenty feet long. Above them was a wall of mirrors, exactly like those in the closet, each showing a different angle and image of the person looking on. At the far end of the room was two glistening white toilets on either side of a french bidet. In the corner of the bathroom was a shower, easily large enough for four occupants. Inside was a bench in which to sit and gold faucets that matched those of the sinks.

But by far the best feature of the room was the massive bathtub. Harry remembered the one in the Prefect's bathroom he had used during the Tri Wizard Tournament, but this one was at least half a size larger. Ginny gasped when she saw it with its dozen different golden faucets decorating the outside edge. All around the outside of the tub was a wall of mirrors, these at least looked onward in only one position - forward. The ceiling, like in the closet held a window that looked out into the sky and the lights that brightened the room was done so by golden holders on the walls, candle operas on the side of the tubs and the backs of the toilets as well as the cupboard of the sinks. To complete the picture of perfect elegance was the carpet that decorated the floor. Like that of the master bedroom, it was red and gold. Along the racks positioned near the sinks, the shower and the tub were two-dozen thick wine colored towels, embroidered with a gold family crest.

"Harry, it's simply beautiful," Ginny whispered backing out of the room. Harry closed the door behind them and for the first time, noticed the small door on the opposite side of the room, next to the sitting area. With a frown he stepped toward it, taking Ginny with him. He turned the knob and opened the door, freezing in his step. Beyond the door was a baby's nursery.

Sitting in the center of the room was an oak, hand carved crib, round and large enough for three babies, decorated with a canopy of red velvet. Hanging from the canopy was a musical mobile holding the tiny images of a Quaffle, a Bludger, a bat and a Snitch. Inside the crib was a blanket that matched the bed in the master room and a number of stuffed teddy bears, dragons, goblins, and unicorns. Harry continued his survey of the room, walking around and looking at the rest of the objects. The walls were lined in bookshelves and drawers, a bench sitting inside the large round window and a rocking chair positioned nearby. The room itself was actually round as Harry noticed at last, making it appear more like a tower then a room. There was also a changing table, a large old-fashioned stroller, a rocking unicorn - like a Muggle rocking horse, and a chest filled with toys. On the shelf near a stack of Quidditch books was a small wand made out of silver. Harry picked it up and looked at it. On the side was the words; 'To find the magic outside, you must first look within.'

"Very profound," Ginny told him.

"It's more than that," Harry said frowning. "It's what Mutgeb tried telling me when I asked her about the Green Flame Torch. She said the torch was inside me and that I would know of its powers when I needed them."

"Do you think this was a sign?"

"I don't know, but considering the way things surrounding my life has a way of showing different meanings, I wouldn't put it past it."

"This must have been a very happy place," Ginny said a moment later. "I can feel the love in here."

"I remember a dream I used to have as a child," Harry told her, looking back at the rocking chair. "I dreamt my mother would be rocking me and singing to me and my dad would be talking to me, babbling like an idiot is more like it, but behind him was these things I didn't know what they were until now." Harry walked to the mobile hanging over the crib. "I saw these over his shoulder as I looked up at him. It was here, Ginny. This was where my dreams came from. They were memories of my parents, of us as a family. We were happy."

"They loved you very much, Harry," she told him gently, watching the tears fill his eyes.

"I wish it could have all been different," he said, his tone catching on the unshed sorrow.

"It was meant to be this way. But that doesn't mean your life won't be different in the future. Harry, this is your home now, where you will raise your children and talk to them like a babbling idiot. This is where you will build happy dreams of love to last your children the rest of their lives."

"Our children," he corrected after a moment to collect himself. Ginny smiled at him, leaning into him and kissing his lips tenderly.

"Hey, here you two are," Ron said coming through the door from the hallway. "Misty said dinner is ready and I'm starving. You should see the downstairs. It's incredible. Hey, what's this?" Harry smiled at the obvious curiosity and admiration of his best friend.

"It's a nursery," Ginny told her brother. "You know, where you put babies."

"I know what a nursery is, thanks," Ron told her with irritation. He looked around the room quickly, and then glanced back through the door they had come from. "Bloody hell, what is this?" He walked through the door back into the master bedroom and gasped as he saw the décor. "This is a frigging dream," he said. "Have you ever seen a bed so big? I swear we could all fit it. And what's in there?" Harry couldn't help but chuckle at his friend as he began to investigate the closet and the bathroom, listening to his exclamations of shock and amazement.

"Harry if you ever want to sell this place let me know. I'll give you Fred and George as a down payment."

"Thanks but you can keep them. If I give it away, it will be as a wedding gift."

"For us? Hermione will flip, but thanks," Ron teased.

"No, I meant for Ginny. She's planning on having a dozen kids, remember? We'll need a place this big just to fit them all." Ginny blushed and Harry chuckled.

"Well, you have the bedrooms for them. You should see them. Everyone is decorated differently and did you notice how this place is decorated in Gryffindor colors? Your folks must have really loved Hogwart's."

"I think it just held really good memories for them, just as it will for us." The three began walking down the hall when they met up with Hermione and Malfoy. Harry sighed. The look on Hermione's face told him without his needing his powers, that she and the blond had been at each other's throats again. Hermione was a very determined woman and Harry had no doubt she was trying to sell the Slytherin on S.P.E.W.

"Hey, what do you say after we eat we check out this pool your dad put in?" Ron asked, oblivious to the look Hermione gave him.

"We can also see what kind of games are in the game room," Ginny added.

"I want to see what's in the library," Hermione commented, taking Ron's hand and snubbing her nose to Malfoy.

"You would," the blond snorted under his breath.

"I think we can probably do it all," Harry commented abruptly, stopping any further arguments for now. "It's not very late and we don't have to be back to school until tomorrow night, so we'll have time to see all of this place."

"I'm dying to see the orchard," Ginny smiled. "I love fresh peaches and the time is right for picking. Mum told me she was eager to see if you would let her come and harvest them. She makes the best peach preserves in the world."

"She's welcome to whatever she would like," Harry answered with a smile, stepping down the massive stairs to the marbled tile of the foyer. The smell of Misty's supper met them as the small group turned the corner to the large dinning room, lit brightly with an array of candles and chandeliers.

"Is there anything your parents own that they don't have to make?" Malfoy sniffed with disgust. "It's bad enough to look at Weasel in his homemade jumpers, but you have to make your own food? I suppose your father carves his own brooms out of sticks as well."

"That's it!" Ron snapped, rounding on the young man, hands balled into tight fists, his eyes flaming nearly as red as his hair. "I've had enough of your insults."

"Harry do something," Ginny begged as she watched her brother pull his arm back in preparation to punch his enemy. Without thinking, Harry looked at the scene, freezing Ron and Malfoy before they could engage in a fight that promised to destroy a large portion of the room. Harry blinked his eyes. It wasn't what he had wanted, he actually just wanted to yell at them, but he supposed freezing them was just as good.

"Harry, what did you do?" Hermione asked with a surprised tone. "Malfoy deserved having his face rearranged."

"Hermione!" Ginny snapped.

"Well, he did," Hermione said, folding her arms across her chest.

"So what do we do now?" Ginny asked with a smirk as Harry shook his head over his best friend's reaction.

"I suppose we should sit them down away from each other," Harry said. "Help me move them to the table." Harry removed his wand and with a flip of his wrist, Ron began floating a few inches above the ground, waving him toward a chair at the table. Ginny followed suit with Malfoy, as Hermione 'accidentally' moved a chair in their path, smiling as Ginny ran the blond's knees straight into the chair. Ginny frowned, but continued her actions, until Malfoy was seated in a chair opposite Ron. With Hermione seated next to Ron and Malfoy across from them, Harry smiled at Ginny, then looked to the two and watched as Ron came around, nearly falling face forward into his empty plate. He looked up in shock and confusion, his eyes wide and filled with horror. Malfoy tried to pretend he wasn't surprised with waking up at the table, when just a moment ago he was about to hex Ron into another dimension, but it didn't work very well. The look on his face was nearly as confused as the red head's, perhaps not as openly surprised though.

"If you two are finished acting like a couple of prats," Harry said, sitting in the seat at the head of the table, right next to Ginny.

"He deserved it," Ron snapped.

"Let's just eat," Harry grumbled with a heavy sigh.

Misty appeared from the door connecting the kitchen and dinning hall, proceeded by a large tray of dishes. She waved her hand and they all placed themselves on the table. Within a moment, their plates had filled and they were looking at a variety of sausages, chicken and steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, muffins, corn on the cob, fresh garden peas and steamed carrots, garden salad, sliced cucumbers and ice cold tea. Harry was amazed and delighted. He had no idea the little house elf could manage so much on such short notice. It reminded him of the feasts he would smell coming from the Dursley kitchen when he was younger, the same feasts he had been denied so many times.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny asked softly. Harry looked up and realized he had been staring at his plate, frowning as memories filtered through his mind. He had not noticed the eyes that stared back at him, watching his reactions to the plate of food. He forced a smile across his lips and cleared his throat. The last thing he needed right now was to cause any more confusion or open himself up to a world of embarrassing comments from Malfoy.

"I was just thinking how well Misty was able to pull this all together in such a short time," he lied, knowing his feelings would cause Ginny to feel sorry for him.

"Yes, Misty you did a marvelous job," Ginny commented with a warm smile as the large eared creature blushed openly.

"Misty is pleased Harry Potter and his friends like the meal. Please eat, there is dessert and Misty has set aside a plate of snacks for later." Harry shook his head, watching the house elf disappear back into the kitchen.

"I can't wait," Ron was saying around a mouth full of potatoes and chicken.

"Only you could eat something this large and still have room for dessert and snacks," Ginny smiled.

"What's wrong with enjoying a good meal?" Ron asked with a muffled voice.

"They say food is a substitute for sexual frustration," Malfoy added with a smirk, but before Ron could answer, Hermione stepped in.

"That's not a problem for Ron," she said boldly. "The only frustration he has is a lack of sleep." Ginny and Harry both looked at their friend, opened mouthed and eyes filled with disbelief. They couldn't believe the way Hermione had been acting lately, but this was the one act even they had no reaction for. The table fell into silence as the five struggled to eat. Ron remained a deep shade of scarlet the remainder of the meal, while Ginny and Harry continued to exchange glances. Malfoy concentrated on his meal, deliberately keeping his eyes cast down and Hermione ate on as though nothing had happened. For a start to their evening, it was proving to be more then they expected, causing Harry to wonder what could possibly happen next.

"I have never eaten so much," Ron said contently after nearly an hour, leaning back in his seat and patting his rather protruding stomach. "Misty is a great cook. If you don't want to give us the castle as a wedding gift, you can give us Misty."

"He most certainly will not," Hermione scolded with a disgusted frown on her lovely face. "We will not be a part of the slavery that surrounds and binds innocent creatures."

"Relax 'Mione," Ron smiled at her. "I was only teasing."

"It wasn't funny," she complained softly.

"Well, I know my family has always had at least a dozen house elves," Malfoy commented, pushing his empty plate aside. "I couldn't have survived all those years at home without them."

"You should be ashamed of yourself," Hermione grumbled.

"Why? It was a way of life for them and me. You may think you need to rescue house elves, Granger, but you may as well give it up. They are happy being the way they are. I've even heard of some house elves who were so proud to serve their masters, they had their heads stuffed and mounted after their deaths, just so they could always be a part of the household."

"Barbaric. Anyone who condones such acts should be held guilty of murder."

"You know Weasel," Malfoy began with an amused look on his face. "Since the day I met you, I have said repeatedly that I would never envy the likes of you. Now I'm sure of it. She may be worth looking at and she has a rather nice body, but I would never want to live with her. She's a real nutter."

"She is not," Ron growled, forgetting how many times he had called her that himself. "Hermione is a very dedicated witch. She fights for what she believes in and she's willing to make a statement about things she feels are unjust. If that's being a nutter, then I hope she never changes."

"Why don't we all go check out the game room?" Ginny suggested, feeling the conflict in the air.

"I want to see about this pool," Ron said excitedly.

"You can't go swimming for an hour after eating," Hermione scolded as he stood up to leave.

"Why not?" Ron asked with a frown.

"You'll get muscle cramps of course. Do you want to drown?"

"Not a bad idea, Weasel," Malfoy commented with a soft chuckle. "It would save anyone the trouble of trying to get rid of you."

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron barked.

"This is going to be a fun weekend," Ginny whispered as she and Harry stood and headed toward the stairs. Harry chuckled, then turned to Hermione who had stopped inside the doorway.

"Do any of us have bathing suits? I know I didn't bring any."

"We can go starkers," Malfoy suggested with a wicked grin. "But then, I suppose not. I wouldn't want to show up Weasel."

"I'm warning you..." Ron snarled.

"If there's a pool, I'm sure my dad and mum and some bathing suits," Harry suggested.

"And if not, we can check out the game room," Ginny smiled again.

"Why are you so anxious to see this game room?" Ron asked his sister, watching the blush creep up across her cheeks.

"Misty said there were several Muggle games there," she admitted. "I've heard of some games, but I've never played any. It sounds like fun." Harry led the way up the stairs and down the hall to his parents' old room, listening to the conversation.

"What kind of games have you heard of?" Hermione asked.

"I've heard of this thing called Molpanapy," Ginny said quickly.

"You mean Monopoly?" Hermione asked.

"That's the one, and then there is a game where you act out titles and your teammates have to guess them."

"Charades."

"And then Dean told me once, he would love to play spin the mug with me."

"Spin the bottle," Harry grumbled in a deep tone, causing the others to look at him. He and Hermione exchanged glances as he pushed the door to the master's room open.

"That's it. Can we play it?" Ginny asked like an excited child.

"Do you know what kind of game it is?" Harry asked with a suspicious glare."

"No. Dean only said it was a lot of fun. He said it was a blast with a group."

"I'm sure it is," Harry grumbled under his breath.

"Ginny, spin the bottle is game of truth or dare," Hermione explained while Harry went to his father's closet. "A person asks a question and the one being asked either chooses to tell the truth or take a dare. In most cases, the questions asked are quite personal and the dares are very childish."

"Like what kind of dares?"

"I've only played it once, mind you," Hermione continued. "But when I did, the girls wanted to know things about boys and the dares all involved boys. There was this one girl, who had to go to my friend's brother's room and kiss him. It is all very childish."

"Sounds interesting," Malfoy asked. "If the right questions are asked and the right dares are placed, a guy could be made to feel quite lucky."

"Here," Harry said, interrupting the subject before Ron had a chance to comment. "I've found some of parents bathing suits. Ron, this one should fit you and Malfoy you can try this one." He handed a pair of green bathing trunks to Ron, with white lightening bolts shooting across them, while he found a rather embarrassing pair of white trunks with large red hearts on them for Malfoy. Both boys looked at the trunks and frowned, but Ron's expression soon changed when he saw the matching bikini Harry handed Hermione.

"I can't wait to see this one," Malfoy commented with a smirk. "I still think swimming starkers would be more fun."

"It would be for us," Ron said. "I know I'd be laughing my arse off watching you dodge to hide your...inabilities."

"Let's go," Hermione snapped, grabbing Ron by the arm and pulling him out of the bedroom door before Malfoy had a chance to respond. The blond frowned at the two, then followed down the hall to the room he had chosen to sleep in. Harry turned to Ginny and shook his head. It was proving to be the beginning of a very long evening.

"Did you find an extra suit, I could wear?" Ginny asked the dark haired man who stepped behind his friends, shutting the door to the hallway.

"I did," he replied, stepping up behind her and wrapping his arms around Ginny's slender waist. "But I agree with Malfoy. I'd rather see you swimming without a suit."

"I wouldn't object if it weren't for mixed company," she smiled, leaning her head backwards to his shoulder.

"Remind me to bring you back here alone," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers of anticipation and unspoken promises to travel along her spine. Harry chuckled, kissing her neck and turning back to the closet where he had found the other bathing suits.

"You have your choice," he told her, holding up two suits. "You can wear this one," he showed her a one-piece, midnight blue suit with tiny silver stars twinkling back at her. "Or you can wear this one." Harry tossed a small bikini toward her, watching with interest as she held the very skimpy material up against her clothes. It was a beautiful plane, sky blue bikini trimmed in white lace, but it hid very little and left even less to the imagination.

"I think I had better leave this one for another time, when we can both enjoy it without anyone else around," she told him, taking the one piece and handing him back the smaller one. Harry smiled, a twinkle in his eye that matched those of the bathing suit in her hand. He removed the hand he held behind his back, lifting a matching pair of trunks up for her to inspect.

"I figured you'd say something like that," he teased her.

"You sir, are incorrigible," Ginny snickered stepping to the bathroom door. "I'll be out in a moment."

"You don't have to hide," he teased her again. "I already know what you'll look like in it."

"And how would you know something like that?"

"Because I know every detail of that beautiful body and I have a very vivid imagination. Besides, I discovered all those mirrors in the closet reflect the image you wish to see. I wondered what I'd look like in these trunks and I saw my image wearing them. Then I thought about you in both of these, and you're absolutely right. This one," he added lifting the scant material of the blue bikini. "Is best saved for a more intimate time."

"And you saw my reflection wearing them? How?"

"I've heard of mirrors like these. They are called Putare Imago mirrors. They show you what you want to see, without having to change fifteen times. I'm sure it would be helpful if you're indecisive...or a woman. But if you really want to see something funny, you should have seen Malfoy's image in those trunks I gave him. Ron should feel a little less threatened when he sees him."

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Harry," Ginny scolded with a wicked smile. "If you really wanted to give Ron the upper hand, you should have given that blue thing to Malfoy to wear."

"And remember him in it the next time you're here with me alone? Not a chance." Ginny giggled, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door. Harry smiled as he thought about the girl in the adjoining room. She always managed to relieve his mind and make him feel good about himself.

Harry stepped into the closet again, stripping out of his clothes and stepping into the trunks he had found. He glanced up at his reflection and froze at what he saw. In one mirror the image of Harry stared back at him, midnight blue trunks twinkling with silver stars, his hair a mess and his scar visible on his exposed forehead. But it was the image in the mirror next to it that made his blood run cold and his breath catch in his lungs. He had started to turn to leave when he saw the dark clouds form in the reflection and a man step out from the midst. In his hand he held a wand, around his neck a crystal teardrop hanging on a silver chain. Behind him was the image of Hogwart's but not as he had ever seen it. It lay in rubble, the walls crumbling and the grounds dead and smoldering with wild fires. The image stopped and stared back at him, a smile as evil as any he had ever seen before, dark and filled with hatred. The hair was much longer, blowing freely about his shoulders, an earring of gold in his left ear. Green eyes stared back at him, but they looked dead and empty, there was no spark, no life, no happiness. The image was dressed in pure black; his robes a rather expensive quality, and on his head, just beneath the thin crown of gold was a mark that made Harry's heart stop beating. Above his brow was a scar, shaped like a lightening bolt. It was the image of himself, the image of evil in its purest form.