Author's notes:

Standard disclaimer: It all belongs to JKR. Except where I might use some song lyrics which I will call out at the time and give proper credit. Thank you JKR for letting us play with your toys.

Also, if you have not read my stories, Harry Potter and the Muggles' Daughter and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, you are going to be lost. They are the prequels to this. But hey, if you haven't, BONUS! You've got two whole stories you can go read before coming back here!

Last, I've picked up a Beta, so you should be seeing an improvement in spelling, grammar and punctuation from this point onward. Thank you Wolf's Scream.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

The Lost Summer: Part I

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A hand slipped through the cracked open door, leveling a wand on a sleeping body. "Cogeretur!" a voice whispered forcefully. The hand and wand were withdrawn and the door was softly closed.

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Lily slipped into Harry's room and silently padded to his bed. He was asleep, allowing her to watch him without fear of being caught. Tears slid silently down her face. No one ever told you the damage having children would do to your psyche before you had them. No one ever told you just seeing a skinned knee from an innocent fall would be a dagger to your heart. And if no one told you that, then, of course, no one told you what it would be like to find your son bathed in a pool of his own blood, hands and arms hideously burnt – in some places with the white of his bones visible – unconscious and sprawled across a young woman in as bad a state or worse and whom you strongly suspected would one day be your daughter-in-law… Provided they lived beyond the next half hour, never mind making it to at least sixteen and a somewhat reasonable age to actually marry.

No. No one ever told you anything like that.

Or what you would feel when you learnt he'd spent three hours running through the Forbidden Forest while a dragon stalked him. Or how you were to handle hearing he'd come face to face with the Shade of your husband's murderer twice in that same night and that it was in killing the possessed host of the murderer that your son and the young woman came to be in the state they were.

No one told you your son would speak with serpents or have one bound to him as his familiar. No one said anything about him killing a mountain troll while protecting three young women, one of them the daughter of the woman you consider your sister. No one said your son would be friends with that same girl and you would come to love her so much there were days you were jealous Hermione wasn't actually your daughter. No one told you seeing her lying in a hospital bed because she had willingly sacrificed herself so that none of her friends, your son being one of them, would be hurt would fill you with equal amounts pride and horror such that you felt you were being torn in two.

No. No one ever said anything like that.

And not once were you told you would stand in your son's moonlit bedroom simply staring at him because after ten months of near constant ache at his absence you simply couldn't bear to be anywhere else now that he was back under your protective gaze.

No one ever told you that in fewer than ten weeks you would somehow have to find the strength to let him go again and it would feel like you were cutting your heart out to do so.

Never.

A soft noise that took you a moment to place caused you to hold your breath. His wand had just moved from its holster to his hand. You blinked and his eyes were open. He was flat on his back and hadn't seen you yet. When did a child of eleven years learn to wake from terror without a sound? When did he learn to be still and not give away he'd discovered – if not you exactly, then something was amiss? When did he learn to wake like… a soldier? You make a little choking sound and his wand is on you. There's nothing extra in his movement. He hasn't rolled completely or tried to sit up. His arm has flopped over and his head is turned. Nothing more, nothing less; silent, efficient, he's as deadly as his deceased familiar. A fully-grown mountain troll is all the testimony needed to any who might doubt.

"Mum?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." His wand is gone as fast as it came and he's sitting up. "No. I just needed to see you. Go back to sleep." He stared for a second before he scooted back on the bed and opened the covers. Lily quickly crossed the room and climbed in with him. She lay down and pulled him back against her chest. He fidgeted for a bit before propping up on an elbow and pushing at her shoulder.

"Roll over."

"Why"

"Because." Lily rolled to her other side and he spooned behind her, wrapping his bandaged hand up over her shoulder.

"Love you, Mum." A silent tear slid down her cheek. When had it changed that he now chased away her nightmares, and not her his?

Neither of them noticed a gentle hand coming to rest on their heads and the softly spoken command of, "Sleep."

Lily dreamed. She knew that even when she was in the dream. It wasn't the first time she was self-aware while dreaming and she didn't expect it would be the last; though it wasn't exactly common either. What was different was not being in the dream per se, but to be watching it as an outside observer like she was watching a movie down at the cinema. It was odd, but one didn't make their own dreams, did they. Alright, it was very odd to watch yourself being made love to. Very odd indeed… and arousing. Her eyes widened in horror. Bloody Hell! She was sleeping in the same bed as her son! She could not have a dream like that in the same bed as her son! Her eyes snapped closed – could you do that in a dream – and mercifully the fact she was aware she was dreaming and that she was sleeping next to her son cooled her… Yes, that was more than enough… Cooled her. Perfect.

"I am sorry," a voice spoke. "I meant the dream to be pleasant but did not expect that I should trigger a memory of that nature.

Seriously messed up dream, Lily thought before opening her eyes. Thankfully the scene of her and James was gone. Replaced instead with a rather cliché, floor of all white clouds stretching as far as she could see in every direction. The cliché was completed by the requisite soft, all encompassing white light with no discernible source. About the only thing off was the woman across from her instead of James. Don't get her wrong, if she were ever going to 'Bat for the other team.' then the woman would win the lottery hands down. But if this were some kind of 'You're sort of dead, but not really dead and can go back to your life if that's what you want, scenes', then she'd rather have guessed it to be James here to greet her. "Erm, hello?" she ventured.

The woman smiled, "Hello, Child."

Oooookay, Lily thought, you look younger than me, but if I'm the child I won't argue with you… Just, would you be so kind as to pass me along a few of those genes?

"No question as to why I am here, Child?"

Lily shrugged. "You seem to be calling the shots. I imagine you'll tell me what's going on when you get around to it."

"Indeed." The woman tipped her head, considering. "Ultimately, I am here because your son, and the Daughter of your Heart – a turn of phrase I find quite pleasing – owe their lives to me. I would offer you the chance to pay that debt."

As her hackles rose Lily's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

"I have known many names. You would be most familiar with The Lady of the Lake, or perhaps Nimue. Most recently a lovely child gifted me the name of Kai. I am rather fond of it. So, if you please?"

Lily stared at her for some time before slowly sinking to her knees. "Please, just don't take me from him."

Kai smiled. Rise, Child. And set you fear aside. I require nothing more than your assistance in taking possession of something that was stolen from me." Never having been slow on the uptake, Lily swallowed fearfully. Kai laughed softly. "Trust me, Child, nothing so arduous as the labors of Hercules. I merely ask your help in obtaining the Philosopher's Stone."

Lily frowned. "But I already have the stone. If that is all you want, take it, it is yours."

"Unfortunately it is not quite that simple. You see, a particularly difficult little whelp stole it from me. Sad to say there are some rather pesky rules I must follow in recovering it. One of which says that I am not allowed to touch it unless certain conditions are met."

"What conditions?"

"The first is that the stone must be under said whelp's direct protection. A problem solved simply by returning it to him."

"Is that why he needed Gringotts and then Dumbledore to guard it?"

"Those are but the two most recent examples of a devious little trick he has used over the years."

"But if we return the stone to him won't he just arrange for someone else to keep it?"

"Perhaps. I expect that stealing it from him the same night it is returned shall make that effort a bit difficult."

"And I assume you want me to steal it?"

"I do."

"Why me? Why don't you just take it from him."

"Because those pesky little rules come into play again. You see, my hand cannot directly be the one to divest him of the stone. It must be one acting on my behalf."

"And I'm the thief you've chosen?"

"You are."

"Do you have a plan, or is it all on me?"

"Oh, I have a plan. Honestly, I do not expect things to be too terribly difficult."

"And if I do this, my son and daughter's debts are canceled; even if I fail?"

Kai tipped her head slightly. "Agreed… I warn you though, Lily Potter, the wrath of a goddess, even one so insignificant as myself, is not to be trifled with."

"I—"

"You think to find an escape;" Kai cut her off, "concerned over what right you have to end someone's life. And make no mistake; the destruction of the stone will bring about the end of both Nicholas and Perenelle's lives. I promise you this, before this night is through you will be much less concerned for them than you presently are. And should that not be enough to bring you to action… remember this."

The space they were in changed, instantly becoming the chamber under the school where Lily had found Harry and Ginny after they had stopped Quirrell/Voldemort from getting the stone. Only instead of Ginny, it was Hermione, bathed in blood and covered with hideous burns lying under Harry's crumpled body. Her heart stopped and her body began to shake as she looked down on the scene she couldn't tear her eyes from. Harry was far worse than he'd been and Hermione, she was obviously dead. The fact that her entire face was burnt away would have been enough to tell. But her skull was split open as well and her brain was an oozing, dripping mass of blackened pulp.

Lily spilled from the bed, lunging at the waste bin. Her stomach continued to heave long after it was empty. Eventually she managed to get control of herself. She spit into the bin a last time before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Weakly she set the bin down. She didn't need to look up to know Kai was in the room watching, waiting. "That was cruel," she whispered.

"My actions prevented you finding that very scene," the goddess answered without sympathy. "Were it not for me, your daughter would be dead. Your son would not wake for another three weeks. The events, yet to come, of the averted timeline would add the deaths of your son, Luna and Ginevra before they turned sixteen.

"A new way forward is set. Each choice brings a new branch; again and again, becoming untold in their number. But in all, my sight is clouded. I cannot see beyond the sixteenth passing of your son's birth. I know only that there is a narrow path; fraught with danger and death at every turn that allows at least the chance they may all reach that anniversary. There is but one act I may yet take to widen their path from the blade's edge to its back. The stone must be destroyed."

"I'll do anything you ask," Lily whispered.

"No, you would not… but what you will is enough." Lily swallowed, the taste of sick still in her mouth. "Get dressed, Lily Potter. Wear a cloak that will hide your identity. You will do exactly as I tell, when I tell you. You will not speak unless I tell you. Are my instructions clear?"

Lily nodded. "Yes."

"Good. Now go. And bring the stone."

"Where am I to meet you?"

"Simply say, 'I am ready.' and I will come."

Lily climbed from the bed. She started for the door but turned back and pressed a kiss to Harry's brow. "I swear, on your father's grave, I'll return to you." Harry didn't so much as change his breathing. Without another word, Lily quickly exited the room. She took note that the house was eerily silent but put it out of her mind. The image of Hermione's dead body was all the motivation she needed to not tempt the goddess' wrath.

Five minutes later Lily was standing in the study of Nicholas Flamel. He looked exactly as when she'd last seen him near fifteen years ago; appearing to be in his forties, somewhat short, a bit soft, with piercing blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. He didn't seem at all surprised to find his home suddenly invaded and paid her no more mind than a brief glance. "Nimue," he said.

"Nicholas."

"I was actually beginning to think I'd be spared your visit. I should have known better."

"You still refuse. Voldemort has attempted to steal the stone. Four children were injured. Two of them nearly died!"

Nicholas seemed utterly unaffected. "As I understand, they received no lasting injuries."

Fury flooded every fiber of Lily's being. Harry's burns were still healing; as were Ginny's. It was very likely both would suffer permanent scarring. She would have strangled him with her bare hands if she could have moved. And the primal scream of rage stuck painfully in her throat… Human magic couldn't touch her, but apparently the goddess could. She could do nothing but stand there with vengeance pulsing impotently in her veins.

Kai slowly began circling Nicholas. He turned with the goddess, paying no mind to Lily. "No lasting injuries," Kai said, her voice soft and dangerous. "That is what you have to say for yourself?" Lily gave herself a mental shake. She hadn't dared ask just how Nicholas had stolen the stone from the goddess, but he obviously had. If he had done so once, he could do it again. She couldn't just assume she was untouchable because she was under the protection of the goddess; not when the possible repercussion was to never return to her son. "Your vain delusions of your import have grown such that you care not of the irreparable harm you have caused them?" the goddess continued. "Your callousness is such that when faceless humanity becomes an innocent child forced to bear the weight of your crimes you remain unmoved."

Nicholas sighed, seeming to be bored with the whole situation. "You have obviously come to convince me to give up my claim, Nimue. Even if I wished to, you must know the stone is not in my possession."

"In your possession or not, you can give up your claim and return what belongs to me. Do not seek the stone. Enjoy the few years you have left with Perenelle and pass from this existence. I will grant you this. Have you not defied death long enough?"

"I don't see that you are in any rush to leave this world, why should I?"

Kai stopped her slow circle and stood at Lily's side. "Nicholas, I have indulged you in this game far longer than I should. This is your last chance. Give up your claim. I beseech you, Nicholas, see sense."

He stared emotionlessly back. "The stone is mine, Nimue."

"Nicholas," she pleaded, "you have angered the gods."

"I am a god!" he retorted angrily.

Lily couldn't stop herself from drawing a sharp breath. The immediate aftermath of her only other meeting with Nicholas Flamel had left her giddy. But time and reflection had shifted her opinion some. The man had been arrogant. But then she figured being the only man alive to have fabricated the Philosopher's Stone he probably should be allowed a bit of arrogance. The brilliance required to have managed it had certainly been applied to other pursuits of academia. He and Perenelle were likely the most learned people in all of history. But something had gone wrong. It had eaten at her ever since she'd come in possession of the stone. She'd wondered just why Nicholas had needed Dumbledore's help hiding it. Nicholas was more than five hundred years older than Dumbledore. It seemed silly to think Dumbledore could better protect the stone than Nicholas could.

Beside her, Kai drew a slow breath, seeming to grow taller as she did. "That is your final word?" There was something in her tone that had changed. By claiming to be a god himself Nicholas had challenged Kai on her level. Lily had caught it and she wondered if Nicholas realized the gravity of the mistake he'd just made.

"Yes."

Obviously not, Lily thought.

"Very well then, god, defend yourself." She snapped her fingers. The widening of his eyes was as far as Nicholas got in doing so before he was frozen in place, unable to move or speak. "Through the doorway you will find Nicholas' workroom. The stones will be suspended above the two golden cauldrons. Bring them to me."

Lily frowned; the stone was in her hand yet. She had brought it with so they could return it to Nicholas so that she could then steal it. Yes it made no sense, but she was not about to argue with the goddess.

"Nicholas has done very well to keep the truth hidden, Child," the goddess said. "The first deception being that there is not one, but two stones; one for himself and one for Perenelle. The second deception is the fake stone. He has used it numerous times to distract thieves. More than once he has managed to slip my attention from where the true stones are. I, therefore, could not discount the possibility the stone secreted at the school was indeed real and allowed those who went to prevent it falling into Voldemort's hands to do so.

"I have watched Nicholas very closely since the supposed loss of the stone and had already begun to suspect the stone at the school was a fake when he made no attempt to determine what had become of it. I was surprised to learn you had found the stone, but knew it was a fake the moment you showed me.

"As much as Nicholas angered me when he first stole the stones, I hoped a bit more time would cure him of his foolishness. Regrettably, his desire has become unquenchable. This last transgression, where he feels it acceptable to hide a false stone, and the dangers it brings, among children only further confirms it is time this game between he and I ended. I have given him every chance to avoid his fate but absolute power has proven its truth. No more. Now go, bring me the stones."

Lily needed nothing more. She stepped past Nicholas, into his workroom. This was why the goddess had chosen her. Nicholas had protected his workroom from every form of theft he could imagine. But a thief such as herself had never been imagined. Magical protections were for naught. Wards and illusions couldn't deceive her. Traps that would stop gods, wizards and non-magicals alike didn't even detect her. She crossed to the table and the two gently bubbling cauldrons with nothing to stop her. Suspended above the cauldrons were the stones. They could not have been more different from the, as big as her fist, glowing red stone she'd found beneath Ginny. Each was a nondescript grey, little bigger than a pebble. Perfectly ordinary, the only thing of note was their teardrop shape. She watched for a few moments as a drop of perfectly clear liquid formed beneath the stones and fell. Before the drop fell into the cauldrons it was caught by an invisible force – a simple Levitation Charm no doubt – and transported to one of two glass phials. Each contained perhaps a cup of the liquid. Was this the legendary elixir of life? She had only spoken with Nicholas in his sitting room on her previous meeting with him. She'd not seen his workroom, the stone or anything else.

Tentatively she reached out and took the first stone. Despite hanging over a hot cauldron it was like a sliver of ice in her palm. She rolled it between her thumb and forefinger for a moment. The chill of the stone didn't warm at all. She grabbed the second stone and gave the workroom a good look. Other than being larger than most it was quite ordinary. The only thing of real note was the rack of exceedingly rare potions ingredients on one wall. At least a dozen of them she had only ever even heard of. And one, a phial filled with a roiling black mist labeled nundu breath, she hadn't even believed was anything more than myth. Never mind what it was used for, how was it even collected? The nundu was one of two creatures considered more dangerous than dragons. Its very breath could kill a witch or wizard.

She gave a shake of her head and made for the exit. She had already taken longer than she should and she had no desire to test the patience of the goddess. She wanted nothing more than to complete her task, pay her son and daughter's debt and return home. She exited the workroom to find the goddess unconcernedly flipping through a leather tome. Nicholas was still frozen in place. Only his eyes moved about and they settled on her disbelievingly. The goddess closed the tome and turned to her with a satisfied smile. Lily crossed to the goddess and knelt before her. The goddess held her hand out. Lily hesitated. "Something bothers you, Child?"

"My Lady, what of Perenelle?"

"Perenelle is ignorant of her husband's crimes. As she should have many centuries ago she will pass from this existence. She faces no punishment for his crimes when she does."

"Is not the fact that Nicholas will be punished, punishment for her?"

"Perenelle faces her own judgment, Child. Perhaps her life will balance the scale for her husband, perhaps not. But do not assume to imagine you understand what any face when they pass from this world. Nicholas refused to escape his crime and must now pay the wages of his sin. Do not weep for him and do not fear for Perenelle."

Lily considered for another second. "How long will they yet live?"

"Nicholas can no longer be trusted to not abuse more time in this realm. I will grant him a painless passing but he will expire before the sun rises. After more than six hundred year of marriage it would be nothing more than cruelty to force Perenelle to remain here without him. She sleeps now and will pass knowing nothing of what has transpired."

Lily nodded slowly. Many times she had longed to sit in judgment of others; most notably her sister and Severus. But when placed in that situation she found it left a taste in her mouth far more foul than sick. "Does he not deserve to see the face of his executioner?"

"I am his executioner, Child, not you." Lily still didn't move. "Very well then, Child. If that will ease your conscience, then do so."

Lily rose and turned to face Nicholas. "Please grant him the ability speak."

"As you wish."

Lily pushed the hood of her robe back. Even with her hair coloured brown it took Nicholas but a moment to recognize her. "Well now, yet another who has somehow defied death. One wonders which of our crimes is greater… Is this how you avoid your day of judgment, Lily Potter?" Lily simply stared back at him. "She's lying, you know." Lily held her hand over the goddess'. "Each of us can live as long as we like. She's no more god than you or I, Lily," he pleaded.

"She is," Lily answered, "And I pray the gods have mercy on your soul." She dropped the stones into the goddess' palm.

"NOOO!" Nicholas wailed.

The stones had no more than touched the goddess' hand than they turned to liquid. She wiped her hand on her gown. "Go to your wife, Nicholas," she said.

Lily blinked and the only thing to tell her she had not dreamt the whole thing was the fact she was no longer in bed with Harry but instead in her workroom in the barn. The top of her desk was piled high with journals that were not hers and a new rack was mounted on the wall. Warily, she edged to the rack. It took but a moment to find the phial labeled nundu breath. She drew a shaky breath and slowly released it. Turning she noticed a dozen pallets with nine crates, roughly about one foot on each side set on the floor. She moved to them and cautiously raised the lid. "Merlin," she whispered. The crate was filled with golden coloured dust. She dropped the lid and tried lifting the crate. It was as heavy as one would expect. "You've got to be joking," she breathed.

"I could spread it to the winds," a voice said from behind. Lily spun around to find the goddess watching her. She bowed her head. "But I trust you will use it wisely."

"The choice is yours, my Lady," Lily answered. The goddess said nothing and eventually Lily raised her head.

"The debt is paid, Lily Potter."

Lily swallowed. "Thank you."

"My sight has dimmed. The future is no clearer to me now than you. I have done all I am allowed and can only tell you where there was none, there is now hope. If this changes, rest assured I will take action."

"I understand."

The goddess smiled and held out her hand. "Come." Lily placed her hand in the goddess' and, like a child, allowed herself to be led back to the house. She was guided to Harry's room where he remained exactly as she had left him. She climbed in the bed and he automatically rolled to spoon behind her with his arm around her shoulders. The goddess pulled the covers up and bent down in front of Lily. "Love is the greatest force of the universe. It is, at once, terrible, mysterious and wondrous and it is more than capable of bridging the distance between you, James and the fact that you are here while he no longer is. The disservice to James comes not in opening your heart to the love of another, but in blindly closing your heart to the possibility."

"I—"

"You will or you won't. It is neither right nor wrong. It merely is. Only accept that love is big enough for all eventualities."

"But I still love him."

"And his love yet surrounds you. The mere shell that is the human body cannot contain a love such as James'. It lives in your son, your daughter, Remus, Sirius, Andromeda, Malala, everyone you know and everyone you do not… Do you understand?"

"I think so."

The goddess bent and kissed her crown. "Then sleep."

And she did.

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Albus Dumbledore stood at the window of his office looking out over the Hogwarts' grounds. Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel were dead. He had just returned from the funeral services. Taken in combination with the events at the end of the school year he was quite concerned. What to make of the situation? Nicholas had assured him the stone was safe. But if it were safe, then why had his friend left the mortal world? Nicholas had given no indication he was eager to do so. Had events changed his mind? Had he deemed Voldemort too great a danger to the stone and destroyed it? If he had, then why not tell him? Why destroy the house and everything in it…?

Dumbledore quirked a brow. Because Nicholas didn't want anyone to know his journals were missing…? Because the stone wasn't missing or destroyed…? Because Nicholas and Perenelle weren't really dead…?

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Very clever old friend."

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Harry, with Hermione chasing after, raced from the barn to the house. "Hey you two," Remus said with a smile. "Lunch is just about ready so get cleaned up."

"Bril," Harry said. "Has post come yet?"

"On the table," Remus said. Harry quickly grabbed the pile and sorted through it. Hermione moved to the sink and began washing up from their work in Lily's workroom. Her second mum was less than impressed with what they'd learned in potions the past year.

Remus dropped a kiss on her crown as he brushed past her. "At least one of you listens," he whispered.

"He's just looking for something from his girlfriend," Hermione teased.

Harry dropped the post. "That's it?" he asked dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, but yes." Harry sighed and moved to the sink. "It's only been a week, Harry," Remus said.

Harry shrugged. "Whatever." He dropped into a chair at the table and Remus slid plates in front of the two.

"Thank you, Remus," Hermione said, digging right in.

Remus placed another two plates on the table and joined them. Lily came in the back door. She smiled happily. "I love having a wife," she teased and went to wash her hands

"Ha Ha," Remus retorted. He lobbed a wet dishcloth at the back of her head.

"Oi!" Lily cried. Hermione snickered.

Harry snorted. "Nice shot, Remus."

Lily pulled the sprayer all the way out, turned and let loose. "HEY!" Harry, Hermione and Remus cried.

"WATER FIGHT!" Lily shouted.

Not having water available, Harry grabbed his milk and threw it at her. "Get her!" Hermione cried. The three of them ganged up trying to wrest the spray hose from Lily. She fought them off for a second before giving up and making a dash for the door.

"After her!" Harry cried. By the time he was out the door his mum had reached the hosepipe and turned it on. She blasted him square in the face and then turned the water on Hermione.

"LILY!" she screamed. For about a minute Harry and Hermione battled it out with his mum in a fight that left none of them dry in even the smallest of places. Harry had gotten hold of the hosepipe a bit upstream and bent it in half to cut off the pressure while Hermione tried to wrest it from his mum's grasp and they'd all forgotten about Remus till he dragged the second hosepipe around and blasted them all. Only he'd charmed the water to be ice cold.

"AIEEE!" they screamed. They immediately abandoned their hosepipe and attacked Remus.

On and on it went till eventually a stern voice caught their attention. "What in the world is going on here?" All four stopped and stared at Hermione's mum. She was standing on the patio giving her best reproving glare. A bit of mud fell from Lily's hair and splatted on Harry's foot.

Harry, Hermione and Remus all pointed at Lily. Lily pointed at Remus. "HEY!" she protested. The others snorted.

"Honestly, Lily," Mali sighed, "what am I going to do with you?" Lily raised an eye at the other three miscreants. They slowly started to grin. Mali sensed the change and took a step back. "What? Wait! Hermione Granger, don't you dare!" she cried. The other three pounced and Hermione blasted her mum square in the face. "AAAIIIEE!" she screamed.

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A week later Harry was in his room when he saw the post owl winging its way into the house. He heaved himself up and made his way to the kitchen. His mum turned as he came in. "I'm sorry, Love," she said with a painful smile.

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Ginny sagged dejectedly. There was still nothing from Bill. "May I go to the paddock?" she said quietly.

"You're brother is practicing," her mum said. "Be sure you don't bother him."

"I'll just go to the orchard then," Ginny whispered.

"I'll need your help for dinner so don't be too long."

"Yes, Mum." Ginny put her letters for Hermione and Harry on the counter and quietly left. Summer was two weeks gone and she'd yet to receive a single letter from them. Luna either, but she was traveling with her father and she'd not expected to receive anything from her till the very end of summer. She tried to keep her spirits up. It was a process to get a letter to or from her friends. They first went to Sirius, who then sent them on… But Harry had promised. He'd sealed his promise with a kiss. That had to mean something… right?"

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Harry set the stuffed penguin he'd won playing the games at the traveling carnival on his desk. They'd had dragons and unicorns and fairies and any number of other magical creatures, but after his school year he'd not really wanted to wake up and see a dragon watching him; even if it was stuffed… and pink.

Mum poked her head in his room. "Hey there, Love, have a good day?"

Harry didn't answer. The fair had been part of his birthday. He'd gone with Hermione and they'd had fun, but he'd really hoped Ginny would be able to join them as well. His invitation had gone ignored. Just like every other letter he'd sent her. Neither he nor Hermione had received a single letter from their friend. "Something's wrong, Mum."

Mum came in. "Ginny?"

Harry turned around. "She wouldn't not write, Mum."

Mum nodded. "I didn't want to get involved, but I'm a bit worried as well. I'll talk to Remus and Sirius in the morning and have them see if we can't figure what's going on."

Harry smiled weakly. "Thanks, Mum." She crossed to him and wrapped him tightly in her arms. "Love you." Mum kissed his crown.

"Love you too, Baby."

Harry groaned and let her go. "Would you please stop."

Mum smirked. "Never, Baby." Harry launched a wadded up piece of paper at her. She laughed and batted it aside before taking a seat on his bed. "So it's just you and me tomorrow?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah."

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Lily stopped with Harry outside the guitar shoppe in Cheltenham. His birthday had been yesterday and the carnival. Today was just for the two of them and she'd carefully maneuvered him throughout the day so they'd walk by the shop. He'd not asked for a new guitar after destroying his first one back at Christmas, but she fully intended to buy a replacement today; if he wanted one that is. "We can go in if you like," she said.

Harry turned on her. "What are you doing?"

"I don't want you to stop playing," Mum said softly. "And you haven't been."

Harry frowned. He'd used the excuse that the sound was off ever since breaking his guitar to not play because he hadn't thought he wanted to. But standing outside the shoppe he suddenly felt the absence sharply. "Maybe we could look," he ventured.

Mum pulled him tight and kissed his crown before pulling him in the shoppe. "Come on, Love."

"Hey, Kid!" Matt greeted them enthusiastically. "Lovely lady," he added to Harry's mum.

"Hello, Matt," she greeted him with a tight hug.

Matt held his hands away from her. "Not my fault, Kid," he teased before returning his mum's hug. Harry glowered at him.

"Aww come on, Kid. You're mum's gorgeous. You gotta expect blokes are gonna look at her."

"And they better expect me to put their eyes out with a dull stick when they do," Harry retorted.

"Yesh," Matt grumbled, "he's a bit moody, isn't he?"

"He's a whelp angling for a good thumping, is what he is," Mum said.

Matt laughed. "Don't worry, Kid. I know the rules regarding your mum. Hands off. Eyes off. Lips off." Harry just glared at him. "Tough crowd," Matt muttered and went for a change of subject. "So how was school?"

Harry shrugged. If there was ever the proverbial loaded question that was it. "Alright. I'm glad to be home though."

"Too true," Matt agreed. "Still playing much?"

Harry blushed and looked down. "Not so much."

"Aww, come on, Kid, you're killin' me. All that talent and you're not playin'?"

Harry scrunched his face up. "I kinda broke my guitar," he mumbled.

"What's that?"

Harry sighed and looked up at Matt. "I kinda broke my guitar."

"Kinda broke your guitar? How'd you do that?"

"Well," Harry hemmed, "it kinda smashed into the wall."

Matt cocked his head slightly. A slow smirk spread on his face. "Let me guess, somethin' to do with a girl?"

Harry stared back at him. "Yeah," he agreed slowly. "You could say that."

Matt nodded. "Don't worry about it, Kid. Any musician worth anything's been there before." He looped an arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled him along. "Let's see if we can set you up with a new lady. What'da'ya say?"

About half an hour later Harry pointed to a natural finished guitar behind the counter. "What's that? Oh, sorry, it's electric. Forget it."

"It's fine, Love," Mum said. Harry shot her a look. "It's fine. Really."

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

Harry turned back to Matt. Matt pursed his lips before grabbing the guitar from the stand. "Come on." He led them over to a couple of stools where he plugged the guitar into an amp. He played a few chords to be sure it was in tune and handed it to Harry. "Give it a go."

Harry took it from him, bracing his arm against the expected weight. "Whoa!" he exclaimed when his arm moved up instead of down.

"I know," Matt agreed, "insane, isn't it?"

Harry carefully examined the guitar. "It's beautiful."

"Well play it a bit." Harry hopped up on the stool and gave a few experimental strums before moving into Knocking on Heaven's Door. "Aww come on, Kid," Matt cajoled. "You've got more than that." Harry moved into a number of different songs, including the one he'd written for Kaa. He refused to sing though, not trusting that he could keep control of himself if he did.

"Nice," Matt said when he stopped playing.

"So what is it and how much will it cost me?" Mum asked.

Matt rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, see, it's brand new. And this one's just a demo I got at a trade show. I'm not even supposed to get one in stock till January."

"You're avoiding the question, Matt."

"Well, it's called a Parker Fly and it's thirteen hundred quid," he finished cautiously.

"Thirteen hundred?" Mum said.

"Quid," Matt added.

"And I'd need to buy an amp as well?" Matt rocked his head back and forth. "And that will cost me…?" Mum prodded.

"Well you can get one for as little as a hundred quid."

"But?"

"But it'll sound like arse."

"What do you recommend?"

Matt pointed. "This one here will work well."

Mum flipped the tag. "Three hundred fifty quid?"

"It's on sale," Matt pointed out. "Marked down from five hundred."

Harry shifted when Mum turned her eyes on him. "I swear I won't break it," he offered.

She handed her card to Matt. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Daniel."

HPHPHP

Author's notes:

Cogeretur translates to Be Compelled.

Nothing else to say really. Hope you enjoy. And, as always, thank you to those who review.

Sorcerer's Muse