Legacy

Chapter Eight

I know now, just quite how,
my life and love may still go on.
In your heart, in your mind, I'll stay with you for all of time.

Wherever You Will Go, The Calling

*************************

The following week had been interesting, if uneventful.

There were highs and lows and in-betweens. Harry and Renato had met a couple of times, to talk, but after a few minutes, they discovered there was little to say. Harry already knew all about school and Quidditch, the two priorities in Ren's life, and Ren seemed to want to discuss his mother a little too often for Harry's comfort. So they made small talk, each trying to make the other feel more comfortable, and gave each other one-armed hugs.

Harry knew if couldn't be easy for Ren. This was a lot to handle, and despite the recent addition of a razor to his toiletries bag, Ren was still a very young man. It was evident that he was confused and frustrated. During class one day, Harry looked over at the table Ren shared with Jack, only to see a scowl and flash of anger when his eyes met Harry's. But later that same day, Renato 'accidentally' ran into Harry in the hall, gave him a secret smile, and walked off quickly. Then the next day, he heard from Madame Fawcett that Renato was not 'performing up to snuff', and his teammates were getting worried. He knew that Ren's emotions were all over the place. Add a dangerously quick temper to it, and Harry was surprised not to see more outbursts. He could only wonder what was happening in Ren's mind.

The answer to that was - a lot. Ren spent a great deal of time that week thinking and feeling, not necessarily in that order. He was pretty high strung to begin with, and the addition of this new pressure was starting to affect him. His teammates were ready to throttle him. The worst thing was that he couldn't explain why. He couldn't tell people what he wanted to tell them, that he was thinking about his dad, and that everything was going to be different now.

Except that, he wasn't sure that if was going to be different.

He did know that Harry was smiling openly at him now, but what did that mean? He wasn't going to start telling him what to do, that was for sure. And he wasn't going to be a part of his mother's life, not like he had first imagined. For an instant, Ren had thought that maybe Mum would be happy now, too. As soon as he saw them together, he realized that she still had feelings for Harry. But it was obvious soon enough that Harry was very married. Ren wasn't upset - well, not that much. He understood, but for a single moment, his childhood dream seemed possible. It was tough seeing that dream so close to being realized, and then taken away again. But he did have Harry, even if he didn't know what to do with him yet.

For his part, Harry wasn't sure what to do next, either. He knew that the Weasley's would need to be told, but after that? This wasn't something that you made an announcement about (well, not fourteen years after the fact), but because he was bloody Harry Potter, not only would this news get out, but there would be people who would make it ugly, for their own profit and amusement. It was Harry's greatest wish that Ren be spared the embarrassment of having his name dragged through the Daily Prophet, as his own name once was, on a regular basis. But how to avoid that?

By the end of that week, it was getting to be too much. Harry wanted to get this out, and soon. He couldn't work the rest of the year worried about Ren, and not being able to show it. Despite the problems, he wanted there to be no more secrets.

As Harry was leaving the castle Sunday afternoon, he wondered if any other first time teacher had spent this much time away from Hogwarts.

It's not as if he was shirking any of his duties, he thought, but he felt sometimes that he was being pulled in different directions. His focus was somewhere else.

Harry had asked Ginny for her blessing to tell Ron and the family about Renato. She agreed, knowing that Ren's paternity was not likely to remain a secret for much longer. She found herself glad to be getting it out into the open. Her feelings of bitterness and longing were dissipating as she got to know Renato, and she was surprised at her own growing attachment for him.

It was Renato who had first sought her out.

He had come up to the Hospital Wing, on Tuesday afternoon, after his classes. He wanted to ask her a question about the medicinal qualities of certain poisonous ingredients, for a Potions paper he was writing. The subject was one she was familiar with, focusing on the healing properties of hellebore. They spent a couple of hours talking, first about the potions he was curious about, then her research, and various people she had come in contact with during her Healer training and studies.

Somehow that evolved into a discussion about the upcoming elections, and the rights of the half human, or other magical creatures. He was polite, well versed, and seemed genuinely interested in her work, and she found herself enjoying his company. In turn, she told him some stories about her nephew Jack that she was sure Jack would not have wanted repeated, and got a chuckle out of seeing the look on Ren's face, as he filed away the information for safe keeping, in his memory.

He was a nice boy, she knew and it was killing Harry, being so circumspect. He was so bad at hiding his emotions, and was struggling with not being able to be more of father to Renato. It couldn't be easy for the boy, either.

So when Harry asked her if he could tell the family, she agreed. It was time.

**************************

They Apparated on Sunday afternoon to the Burrow, getting there early enough to allow Harry some time to speak to Ron privately. Ginny had owled her Mum to let them know they were coming, and since it has been over a month since Harry and Ginny had been home, everyone was coming.

Ginny went off to the kitchen, in search of her mother. Harry set out to look for Ron. It was always easy to find him, just listen to the sound of the children.

Harry has always known that Ron would be a great father. It was obvious that he loved his kids. But even the other children took to Ron in a special way. In a family of brothers, Ron was everyone's favourite uncle.

Right now, though, he was on the ground, in the yard around back, surrounded by his own small brood. They were redheads, all of them, to Hermione's chagrin. He was fending off snowball attacks by his youngest three - the older two, Jack and Della were at school.

"Need a hand there?"

Ron looked up, "Harry," he smiled, "yes, a bit, please." Harry reached out and pulled Mina and Dylan off of Ron, giving them hugs and kisses. Someone was missing...

Ron started to get up when he was tackled from behind by the youngest one. Face full of freckles, tiny fists balled, he was ready for a fresh attack.

"Oy, Viktor," Ron moaned. "No more, son."

The littlest boy scowled, much like his namesake, until his Dad picked him up, threw him on his shoulders and let him sit up, higher than everyone.

"Looks like you got your hands full."

"This one, Harry," he said, picking Viktor off his shoulders, "this one is going to kill me. He's a terror, I tell you," he laughed, pulling his son's head close and giving it a loud kiss. "Go find your Aunt Ginny, kids," Ron said, smirking. At this, the little boy threw his head back, let out a war cry, and scrambled out of his father's arms. The other two kids picked up on the cry, and followed him inside.

Harry watched young Viktor running off. He was getting so big. It seemed yesterday that Viktor Krum, in his work within the Bulgarian Sports Authority had stumbled upon a plot, masterminded by the former Death Eater Igor Karkaroff to kidnap Hermione, in exchange for Harry and Ron's "cooperation" during a Magical Law Enforcement investigation of his activities. In reality, it had been five years ago. Viktor has warned them all, and Hermione had been safe, but Viktor was killed in an accident a few months later, under suspicious circumstances. It has been Ron's idea to name his fifth child after his former rival.

"So, what's up, Harry? Hermione said you needed to talk to me," Ron said, curiously. "Anything wrong?"

Harry looked peaky. "Yes. It's complicated," he said, pausing, "and I think your going to be angry with me." Harry looked up at Ron, biting his lower lip.

"Oh," Ron said quietly. He flicked his wrist, conjured two chairs, and set them down next to each other. It was comfortable enough outside, for December. They both sat down.

"Well, out with it then," Ron said, casually.

Harry had given a great deal of thought on how to talk to Ron about this. In the end, he decided to just show him.

He stood up, pulled a photograph of two boys out of a fold in his cloak, and gave it to Ron.

"Hey, it's Jack, and one of his friends - is that Renato? Look smashing in their Quidditch robes, eh? Wha - Harry, what's wrong. Is it Jack?"

Harry was shaking now. Why was he so nervous? It hadn't been this hard talking to Ginny about it.

"Ron," he said, finally finding his voice, "Renato is my son."

Ron looked confused.

Harry took the photo, and with a wave of his wand, drew a pair of frames around his eyes, and a little scar.

Ron stated at the photo. "I don't understand," he said to himself. He looked up at Harry. "When?"

Harry sat down, took the picture from Ron and stared at it, watching the boys waving at the camera, slugging each other in the arm. "Seventh year. His mother is Aurelia de Cassini. She was a Ravenclaw," he said, the last words almost too quiet to hear.

Ron looked pale.

"Ginny?" he asked, protectively.

Harry nodded, "She knows."

"When did you find out?"

"The day I got there, about five, six weeks ago. Remus pulled me aside and told me."

"Remus knew?" Ron growled.

"Oh, apparently there are a fair number of people that knew this. No one told me," he said bitterly, sinking down in his seat.

They sat quietly for a long time, looking at the pictures.

"Oh, Harry..." Ron finally said. "Harry, why did you think I'd be mad at you?" Ron asked carefully.

"Because I betrayed Ginny," said Harry, filled with remorse.

"Did you?" asked Ron, his voice a little deeper in tone.

"It feels like I did."

Ron was quiet again. He looked like he was debating whether to say something or not. His eyes were drawn to the photograph. The boys in the photo were tired of standing, so they sat down, and were talking to each other. Ron took a deep breath, and asked, "So, what's he like?"

Harry started to tell Ron about Renato. As he was talking, Ron detected a change in him. Harry became animated, in a way he hadn't been in many months, maybe even years. When he described some of the exploits of the boys, he almost glowed with pride.

When Harry told Ron about the tunnel beneath Honeydukes, they both erupted with laughter.

"They got caught - how daft! We used that for years, never got caught..." Ron remembered in amusement. He chuckled and let out a low whistle. "Blimey, Harry... so, he knows about you?"

"Yes, last weekend, his mum and I talked to him."

"How was that?"

"It was good. He understands what happened."

"So, are you going to..." Ron paused, gesturing with his hands.

"We're going to try," said Harry, looking determined. "I've missed fourteen years, but..."

At that moment, Ginny came around the corner. She rolled her eyes at the two men sitting shivering in the cold, and pulling out her wand, placed a warming spell on the chairs they were sitting on.

"Thanks, Gin," Ron said quietly. He was looking up at her with concern in his eyes. She smiled at him, and stood behind Harry, offering her hand, which he took.

"Harry's told you?" she asked Ron.

"Yes. You okay, Gin?"

She smiled. "I am," she said, putting her hands on Harry's shoulders. "I'll admit, I was upset, at first, but, it's not Harry's fault." Harry began to protest, but she interrupted him. "No, listen to me. Despite what he thinks, he didn't do anything wrong, not really." She pretended to put her hands on his neck, and choke him. He smiled up at her, surprised to hear her talking about this so freely. She shook her head at him, smiling back.

"To be honest, I was most angry with myself," she continued. "I was angry because another woman gave Harry what I couldn't. Someone else had his child."

Harry was troubled now. He opened his mouth to object, but she hushed him.

"Listen, let me talk. It's a perfectly normal reaction. I'd be a nutter if I didn't feel this way."

Ginny continued speaking quietly. "I can't have children, and that makes me angry." She looked at Ron, keeping her eyes off of Harry, who was starting to get teary eyed. "I wanted to have kids, Harry's kids. I wanted a houseful, and when I found out I couldn't...I didn't understand. It makes no sense. I'm a Weasley," she muttered to herself. "And I see all of you, having your beautiful families, and I see Harry, looking at all of them, I feel like I've let him down."

"Ginny, stop it," Harry whispered, blinking back tears now, and Ron was not far behind.

"It's okay. I didn't come out here to make you upset." She turned to Harry, "I know the past few years have been hard on you. I haven't wanted to talk about this. I made it an issue between us. I want you to know that I'm working on it. I can't have kids," she said, more to herself than either of the men listening to her. "That's my lot. But I'm tired of making it my life."

Harry and Ron sat, in silence, waiting to see if she was done talking.

"I'm getting better," she said. She moved over to sit next to Harry, who scooted over to make room for her. "So... you told him about Renato."

Harry nodded. She looked over at Ron. "Did you know he was Jack's best mate?"

"Yeah, I did." They chuckled.

"He's a great boy," she told Ron. Ron nodded at his little sister.

Harry showed her the photograph, and she started to laugh.

"We should tell the family tonight."

Harry looked at her. "You really sure?"

"Yes, we need to tell them before they hear it from someone else. I think that maybe," she turned to look at Harry, "maybe he could come and visit during the holidays," she turned to Ron, "see his friend Jack, hang out with you guys, or here at the Burrow, meet the rest of the Weasleys."

Harry looked surprised. "Do you think he'd be up for that?" he asked.

Ginny snorted. "It was his idea. He wants to get to know our family."

A herd of children tore around the corner. The sounds of Fred and George's laughter echoed out from the kitchen.

"That should be everyone," Ginny said, standing. Harry and Ron stood, as well, and followed her into the house. It was time to tell the family.

*****************************

Later that night, as everyone was saying their goodbyes, Hermione pulled Harry outside for a moment. She said she wanted to ask how things were going with Renato. Harry suspected that Ron and his brothers had a couple of concerns they wanted to address privately with Ginny, so he allowed himself to be 'distracted,' by Hermione.

"What's wrong, Harry. Are you worried about..." she asked, pointing inside at the family still talking in the kitchen.

The Weasley's had been supportive enough, under the circumstances. Arthur seemed the most disturbed by the news, but by the end of the evening, he was putting his arm around Harry, telling him to Owl them if they needed anything, or just to talk. "I've got a fair amount of experience with sons," he said thickly, looking into Harry's eyes, "even the kind that show up half grown." He pulled Harry close to him and gave him a peck on the side of his head before going back into the kitchen. Harry couldn't speak for a minute after that.

"Everything feels so different," said Harry. "I understand Arthur's being upset with me."

Hermione looked worried. "No, I mean," he grinned, "as a 'father'. I can see how her pain affects him. It's a perspective I wasn't able to have before." He put his arm around Hermione to keep her warm. "I'm happy and scared at the same time. The thought of him terrifies me. What if something happens to him?" he gulped. "What if something happens to me? And I never got the chance to explain to him, to tell him who I am, tell him about my family, about you all, and all that we mean to each other." He stopped talking. "There is so much I want to give him," he sighed, "but it feels like there's so little that he needs from me."

"Harry," she said. "There isn't anything you are feeling that we can't understand," she said, fondly. "You remember Ron when Jack was born? He didn't even want to touch him, he was afraid of breaking him somehow." Hermione smiled, thinking back. "And then when Della came, I swear, I think he lost it. From her first birthday, he's been worrying about some 'snarky bloke getting his paws on her,' or something like that. It'll be a wonder if she ever has a boyfriend." Hermione laughed. "You are never so in love as you are with your children. It's so easy to love them."

"I worry about the stupidest things," said Harry. "I catch myself getting upset when he's on his broom - he does these," Harry motioned with hands, "these dives, that stop two feet above the ground, and he takes his hands off the broom, and ..." he stopped, seeing the amusement on Hermione's face. "I know, I'm mad. But it scares me."

Hermione nodded. "It's big, isn't it. That feeling, sitting on top of your chest. When sometimes you can't breathe, thinking about him."

Harry nodded. "Does it get easier?"

She shook her head, "No, love. But they make you stronger, despite your constant ache and fear for them. They give back, so much more than they take."

Harry was about to ask about her latest pregnancy when the door opened. It was Ron and Ginny. "Hermione, get in here, its cold out there," Ron said, throwing another cloak around her. "Smart as you are, you'll freeze to death."

Ginny looked over at Harry. "Ready?"

"I am," he said. "Ron, I'll talk to you soon, right?"

"Sure, Harry. I'll owl you later this week. Let me know if you need anything, right?"

"Thanks," he said, and with a 'pop', Harry and Ginny went home.

*****************************

The week before the holidays flew by. Buoyed by the mostly positive reaction of his family to the news, Harry began to seriously consider making Renato his son in a more public manner. It was bound to get out, and Harry wondered what the best way to handle it would be. Minerva suggested to him one morning in the Staff room that perhaps he himself should make some statement. It might be less damaging than if it were a rumour printed in a gossip rag. Remus gave Harry similar advice when he popped his head into the fireplace one evening.

"Never underestimate the reaction of Wizard sensibilities," he cautioned Harry. "We are a clannish lot. Our families are very important to us. If it even appeared that you were trying to hide this, public sentiment could be very bad."

"I don't give a rat's ass about public sentiment, Moony," Harry said.

Remus heaved a sigh. "It's not about you anymore, wonder boy. This is going to impact those around you. It's their reaction that is going to be what meddlesome people want to see. The angry wife, the bitter lover, the out of control child... your family and friends will be under the public's scrutiny, even more than you, Harry."

Harry considered all of this. He wanted to avoid an ugly situation for Ginny and the Weasley's, as well as Renato and his Mum.

His Mum... that was another situation he had yet to fully deal with. He loved his wife, he did, and they would be together forever, but... it had been nice seeing her again. She had a strange affect on him. He knew that Renato had inherited some of her charm, and he was a constant reminder of her. It wasn't bad, but it was unexpected.

In any case, Aurelia would need to be involved in the 'public statement' or whatever route they chose to take. He had owled her, asking her opinion on the matter, but had not received a response yet.

He was surprised he had time to think about any of this at all. Between the hustle of the upcoming holidays and his Head of House duties preparing the students getting ready to leave for the holidays, Harry had only one opportunity to talk to Ren privately before the weekend. After dinner once evening, Harry invited him to their rooms for dessert, and told him that the Weasley's were anxious to meet him and welcome them into their family.

"Really?" Ren asked, stuffing a second tart into his mouth. Harry grinned watching him eat, and helped himself to another one as well.

Boys, Ginny mouthed quietly and rolled her eyes.

"Yep," Harry said, wiping crumbs off his face with his hands. "Maybe you'd like to come and spend some time with Jack, and his family... and with us," he said, looking over at Ginny, who nodded. "We've got a place, in Brendan Farms, um, it's nice," Harry said, babbling. Although he knew that Ren wanted to spend more time with him, coming to visit, an extended stay was a huge step, and he didn't want to mess this up. "It's near the Burrow - where Gin's family lives," he said.

Ren nodded, "That'd be great," he said, still eating. "Is it okay with Mum?" he asked.

Harry nodded, "I think so. We just need to work out the particulars, but she is okay with you coming up for a visit."

Ren smiled broadly. "Sounds great. Jack's always talking about The Burrow. Its like Weasley-ville, right?"

"Too right," Harry agreed. Ginny punched him in the arm. "Not that it's a bad thing, mind you," he added quickly. Ren smirked.

*******************************

Saturday afternoon was quiet at Hogwarts. The students had all left that morning, for their long holiday, most, as usual, elected to return home for Christmas and the New Year. Harry was working in his room, not quite filled with the holiday spirit. Ren was supposed to have come see him before he left to collect his Christmas gift, which was wrapped and sitting on his desk, but he hadn't stopped by. Harry was a little more than upset. Well, he thought to himself, I can owl it over later. Its really not that big a deal, he tried to convince himself.

He was grading essays when his fireplace gave a hiss and pop, and he saw Ron's face emerge.

"Harry, Harry," he called.

"Oy, Ron. What's up?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, its... Jack didn't get off the train. No one remembers seeing him. Luna says Nigel is missing, too."

Harry felt faint, "Renato?"

"Don't know, mate. Was going to ask you if you had heard anything."

At that moment, a knock on the door brought Harry out of his stupor. It was Minerva.

"Professor," he asked, "I just heard from Ron," he said...

"Harry," she said quietly, "I've spoken with Aurelia de Cassini. Renato did not get off the train as well." Harry sat down on the sofa. Minerva looked over that the face in the fire. "Ronald, perhaps you and your wife should come up here, so we can decide what to do next," she sighed heavily, "and Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom, as well."

Ron nodded, looking pale in the green firelight. "I need to get the kids home, or to Mum's. We'll be there soon." He disappeared.

"Ms. Cassini will be arriving shortly, as well," Minerva said to Harry. She put her hand on his back. "I'll go get Ginny, and you two can come up to my office. We'll find them, Harry. They might have just wandered off somewhere," she said, the hand on his shoulder firm, but her voice unsteady. "We'll find them."

***************************

Less than an hour later, everyone was in Minerva's office. Aurelia was crying, sitting in a chair next to Luna, who was looking uncertain and confused. Neville was standing behind both of them. Ron was holding Hermione, who was crying, as well, and sitting next to Ginny. Harry was talking to Minerva about what their next step should be.

"First, we need to determine whether they simply wandered off, left on their own, or were taken," she said, troubled. "Who was the last person we know that saw them?"

Ron answered. "Della, our daughter, saw them in the common room this morning, finishing their packing. But she didn't see them on the train. She assumed they had found a compartment together somewhere."

Snape entered the room. "I've checked their rooms, and their trunks were gone. However, there is an odour that I cannot place. I am running tests on it to determine its origin," he said, looking over at Minerva. "Hagrid insists the train counts were correct," Snape said, in a sneering voice, "although he does not recall seeing those three boys leaving this morning."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you, Severus. Now, do any of you know where they might have gone on their own?"

Harry asked, "Has anyone checked Hogsmeade?"

"I sent Hagrid to check out the Forest and Hogsmeade when I found out they were missing. Do you think they might have gone there?"

Harry paused, then stood up. "The tunnel," he looked over at Ron. "They know about the tunnel, I need to go check it."

"Tunnel, Harry?" Minerva looked curiously at him.

Harry realized that she hadn't known about it, and quickly told her about it. "I assumed Albus might have told you, we used it during... during the Battle," he said, quietly.

"No, I had no idea about the existence of a tunnel leading to Hogsmeade, other than the one under the Whomping Willow. Albus told you about it?" she said, questioningly.

Harry shook his head. "I told him about it."

Minerva looked shocked. "And you told them about it?" she asked, sharply.

"No," Harry said quickly. "No, they found out from... well, it's a Weasley...thing." He walked toward the door. "Ron?"

"Behind you," Ron said quickly, already on his feet. Hermione stood up too. "No, we'll be back in a moment," Ron said to her. "The tunnel - you can explain it better to everyone."

She nodded, her eyes still red, and sat down again next to Ginny. "Okay," she whispered.

Harry and Ron were off down the hall, running. "My room first, Ron, need to pick something up."

Harry ran inside his bedroom, and was out in a few seconds. "The Map," he said. "I forgot about it. Maybe we can see them," he added, hopefully.

Harry and Ron examined the old parchment, but the boys were no where to be seen.

Ron looked over at Harry, his face crestfallen. "Let's go check it out, just in case. They might have gotten trapped in there somewhere." He and Harry began walking quickly to the entrance of the tunnel.

Harry's stomach was in a knot. "Ron, this is the worst feeling I've ever had in my life. I've never felt so helpless. Why on earth would anyone have kids, if something like this could happen? Why would you do this six times?"

Ron's face formed a twisted smile. "Harry, I followed you around for seven years, watching and worrying that you were okay. Wishing I could help you more. It was so hard back then," he said, still walking fast. "But I never knew what terror was until Jack was born."

"What if someone took them?" asked Harry, desperately. He stopped walking, his shoulders dropped. "What if they took him because of me?" He paused for a moment, "What if she was right? Maybe he'd be better off without me in his life."

"Shut up, Harry," Ron said crossly, breathing heavy. "I don't ever what to hear you talk like that again. Neither one of you deserve this. You'll have lots of time to spend with him. You two, and me and Jack, we'll... we'll get together, and play Quidditch, and ..." his voice breaking. He looked like he was going to cry or hit someone.

"Right, Ron," Harry said, forcing himself to nod his head in agreement. "We'll find them."

They made it to the end of the tunnel in just over twenty minutes. They both stopped, and caught their breath, resting for a moment.

"Oh, if they just got themselves lost I am going to throttle them," Ron said loudly. "Lets get back, right?"

"Yeah," Harry panted, and they took off running again.

****************************

Under normal circumstances, Aurelia would have enjoyed the opportunity to check out Mrs. Potter. The horribly bad, evil part of her knew that she had a card in her deck that couldn't be trumped, and despite not winning the war, she had at least taken a battle or two. It was a small but satisfying comfort.

But at the present time, all thoughts of jealousy had flown out the window. How could this have happened? Why would someone have taken those three boys? She had worked so hard to keep him safe and protected his whole life, and now he was out there, without her. Was he scared? Was he safe? Were they hurting him?

There was a sharp pain behind her left eye, growing sharper and more pronounced. She winced.

"Em," Ginny cleared her throat. "Are you alright?" she asked. Aurelia looked at her blankly. "I mean, are you in pain? You looked like..."

"My head hurts," she said quietly.

"I can give you something, if you'd like."

She shook her head. "I want to be awake when Harry gets back," she said, looking at the door.

Ginny ground the back of her teeth together. "I can give you something for the pain, it won't make you sleepy."

Aurelia nodded her head, turned to look at Ginny. "Thank you, I would appreciate that," she said.

Ginny stood up, asked the others if they needed anything. When no one answered, she stood and walked out of the door.

It was cold in the hallways, and Gin knew she could have easily flooed to the hospital from the Headmistress' office, but she wanted to get out, walk around for a moment, and clear her head before she lost it.

"Damn, damn, damn..." she said to herself, walking briskly. Damn this blasted situation, damn that someone had taken Harry's son, damn that she couldn't help Harry, who was as hurt as she had ever seen him, and damn it all - that woman was here, needing Harry, her Harry, and she was going to have to let him help her. Ginny swore a couple more times, aloud.

She made it to the Infirmary, picked up a mild analgesic, and some calming draughts, just in case. Walking back to Minerva's office, she allowed herself some latitude to think about the woman she was helping.

There was something about her that Ginny just didn't get. Yes, she had been smart, but all Ravenclaws were smart. Pretty, okay, maybe if you liked that type (which she knew Harry did). Her mouth was too wide for her face, and it set the rest of her features off balance. Wow, this was superficial, Ginny thought. The woman's child is missing, and I'm busy comparing her to a horse. 'Just lovely, Gin,' she thought, making it back to Minerva's office.

Aurelia said, "Thank you, Ginny," as she took the flask from her hands. Ginny noticed that the one of the long fingers had a scab on it, and several of her nails were bitten.

Suddenly an owl flew in, dropped a letter on Hermione's lap, a letter that was carried, not attached to the leg as usual. It flew off at once without stopping.

Hermione cried out, "Catch it!"

Neville made a leap for it, but it was out the door before anyone else could react.

Everyone turned to look at the letter in Hermione's lap. Brushing her hair out of her face, she looked over at Minerva, and back to the letter. She broke the seal and opened it. Everyone was watching as she looked at it, and then sat down, wide-eyed, staring at the contents of the letter.

*****************************

Ron and Harry walked back into the Headmistress' office, and found it in a deadly silent.

"What's happened," Ron asked.

Hermione was sitting on the sofa, her face white as a sheet. Ginny was trying to get her to drink some water. Luna was looking at her feet, twirling her wand in her fingers. Neville and Minerva were examining a piece of parchment carefully. Aurelia was not in the room at all. Harry looked over at Ginny, who said, "She went to get some air."

Harry nodded.

"Harry," Minerva said, "this arrived while you were gone."

She held out a roll of parchment and a picture. The picture was of three boys, lying on their backs, sleeping. Harry felt his heart stop. Ron took the scroll, and opened it so that they could both look at it.

They are alive. They will be returned when the following conditions are met:

When these conditions have been satisfied, your boys will be returned to you. If you are quick, you will have them for Christmas.

Ron's hands were shaking as he held the letter. Harry felt his stomach drop out of his body. Nothing there was directed at him. There was nothing he could do. He felt powerless.

Ron looked over at Hermione. She was curled up into a ball now, looking up at Ron and Harry. "What are we going to do?" she asked them.

He looked over the letter again. Heritage Party. Death Eaters. It hit him.

"I have to go speak to someone," he said, his voice calm. "Ron, Neville, come with me, please."

"I am going, too," Aurelia said, walking into the room. "You can't leave us out of this!"

He held her by the shoulder. "I am coming back in a little while. I need to talk to someone. I need to ... I know where we can get some help," he said, pausing. "I need to ask someone for help."

He looked over at Ginny, who was sitting with Hermione. "I'll be back soon." She nodded.

He walked out the door, waiting for Ron and Neville, who stopped to give their wives hugs and followed Harry out the door.

"Where are we going, Harry?" Ron asked once they were nearing the Apparition point.

He turned and looked at them. "Malfoy Manor."