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.

I will continue to use the occasional song lyric in the story and will give credit at the time when needed.

This is the fourth book in my Slytherin Harry series. And I'm departing from reusing JKR's title because too much of the story has changed. I'll leave it up to all of you to decide just who the Blood Traitor's Daughter is. In my mind there is more than one candidate.

Book 1: Harry Potter and the Muggle's Daughter

Book 2: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Book 3: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Book 4: Harry Potter and the Blood Traitor's Daughter.

If you haven't read books 1-3 you won't know what's going on. But the bonus is you've got three completed books before you even get to this one!

HARRY POTTER AND THE BLOOD TRAITOR'S DAUGHTER

CHAPTER XXIII

When it Rains

"Potter," Bill stopped him before Harry entered Remus' room.

"Yeah?"

"About yesterday, just, my last job, they had these unwritten rules. No one is going to let someone die or be permanently maimed or anything, but the idea is, if you suffer after messing up, you're less likely to do it again. I kind of forgot I wasn't in the tombs and that you're a kid, not a trained curse-breaker. I shouldn't have done that to you. I'm sorry."

Harry frowned slightly. "I guess I appreciate that, but I don't really disagree with what you did… I fucked up. And I'm not likely to forget it. Honestly, it's kind of cool you treated me like an equal."

Bill considered him a second. "You shouldn't be, Harry. We both know what's what, just try and hold on to being a kid as long as you can. You only get one chance at it, yeah?"

"Not sure I've ever really been a kid, Bill…" Harry shrugged. "Maybe a few years after I found Hermione and most of first-year." A bit of a wistful smile graced his face. "I could stand to relive a few of those days."

"Which ones?" Bill asked.

"Meeting Hermione." He chuckled. "Got my arse kicked six ways from Sunday that day… Train to school the first time… Train home after first-year. I could live the rest of my life in that day."

"Why that day?"

"Cause I had everything that day."

"You're convinced it's Ginny, aren't you?"

"I've known she was the one from before I met her."

Bill nodded. "I can't say I don't sometimes wish she'd never met you, but I can't say I wouldn't be pleased if she does eventually pick you either."

Harry sighed. "I think there are a lot of people in my life who have similar thoughts." He stared at the floor.

"No one blames you for any of it, Harry."

Harry looked up. "Parvati's sister does."

Bill pressed his lips together. "I hate to disparage her, but there are always going to be those who choose the coward's way. It's the coward in me that wishes Ginny'd never met you. But the people who know you, know it isn't your fault. "

"You sure the coward isn't the smart one?"

"If being smart means being a coward, then I don't want to be smart."

"And what happens one day when she doesn't make it? What if the coward's way is the only way she lives?"

"Well, it's not my choice is it?" Bill asked.

"You sure it shouldn't be?"

Bill quirked a brow at him. "How about I don't tell her you said that?"

Harry eyed him for moment before he let out a sardonic little huff. "Yeah, probably a good idea, that. I like my bits attached."

Bill smirked. "On second thought, maybe I will tell her."

Harry chuckled. "Walked into that one, didn't I?"

"Yeah, well, I'm a bloke too. And let's face it, that's my sister you can't keep your eyes off. It's my sacred duty to terrorize you."

"Guess you really blew it yesterday then, didn't you."

Bill chuckled and scratched his head. "Yeah, maybe I did."

Harry stuck his hand out. "No hard feelings?" he asked.

Bill grinned and shook his hand. "Thanks, Mate."

Harry took a breath and blew it out. "Right then." He pushed the door open and entered the room. Remus lay on his back on the bed. His complexion was an ugly yellowish hue made all the worse for the pristine white sheets covering him. A strange contraption hummed and whirred at the head of his bed. Two long, tubes ran from it to Remus and disappeared under the collar of his hospital gown. Another contraption clanked away on the other side of the bed. This one had a clear tube running from it and was connected to a mask over Remus' nose and mouth. Harry could do nothing put stare.

"Hey, Pup," Sirius said softly. Harry swallowed. "It's new," Sirius said. "Part of the foundation your mum and I set up. Never expected he'd be the one we tested this on." Harry edged closer. "That one's pretty obvious," Sirius said. "He can't breath on his own so the machine is doing it for him. The other one cycles his blood." He pointed to one tube. "This one that's red is clean Blood Replenishing Potions going in." He pointed to the other tube. "The one that looks black is bad blood being pumped out."

"C–Can I have some t –time alone with him?"

Sirius stood. "Sure thing, Pup. Just if an alarm goes off, scream like a banshee."

Harry gave a jerky nod. "K." Sirius gave his shoulder a squeeze and left them alone. Harry edged to the bed. "Hey, Remus," he croaked. "You look better than I expected." Harry stopped and choked back a sob. "Sorry, I don't know what else to say." Harry reached for Remus' hand. He stood there for a long time before he cracked.

"Madam Pomfrey says people in a coma can sometimes hear what those around them are saying. And maybe I'd get in trouble for this if someone else was around, but they aren't. Somehow I think you might know anyway… But things are pretty bad, Remus. They've got you hooked up to these experimental machines and they're trying to clean your blood before the full moon. I don't think anyone needs to tell you what happens if they can't get the silver out.

"The truth is, you deserve so much more than this, but this might be all either of us get so even though it's cowardly on my part, I'm going to say this… I don't think I can ever call anyone Dad, but you should know I'm not sure anyone could have been a better dad than you have… I don't know why you've done what you have. I wish I could ask you," Harry paused. "Like I said, you deserve better than this from me, and I swear, if you just live you'll get it, but I love you Remus."

Harry sat quietly, waiting, hoping, Remus would give some sign he'd heard him but there was nothing. Harry bowed his head. "You deserve better, Remus," he sighed. "You deserve better."

Harry stepped out of Remus room to find Mrs Tonks waiting for him. "Sorry," he said, "I didn't mean…" He trailed off when he noticed the tears sliding down her face. "What's wrong?" he asked warily.

She took a breath. "Astoria's dead, Harry."

Harry rocked back on his heals. "But she was fine," he protested.

"She hit her head when she fell yesterday."

Harry slowly shook his head. "She was fine. She was fine."

"I know, Love."

"She was fine." Mrs Tonks reached for him but Harry backed away. "She was fine!" he shouted. "You told me the healers said she was fine!"

"I know, Love. Please, I know." She tried reaching for him again.

"But how?" he croaked as she pulled him in. "They said she was fine."

Mrs Tonks kissed his crown. "She had a weak blood vessel in her head. It didn't show when the healers examined her because she was sitting up. When she fell asleep last night it changed her blood pressure and the vessel swelled and burst." Harry gave a small shudder. "I'm sorry, Harry." She kissed him again. "I'm so sorry."

"D–Does Daphne kn–know?"

"No. For at least the next twenty-four hours, anything that upsets the healing process could leave her blind in both eyes. They've made the decision to keep her sedated for at least that long, but you still should not mention anything when you see her."

Harry closed his eyes and just let her hold him. "Andi?"

"Yes, Love?"

"I love you."

She cradled his head under her chin. "Oh, Love." She kissed his crown. "I know." She kissed him again. "I know."

Harry braced his hands on the lavatory counter. He wasn't even sure how he'd come to be there, just he'd needed to be alone after seeing Astoria's body in the morgue and the toilet seemed like the one place no one would bother him. It happened so quickly he barely had time to lean over the sink when he was suddenly retching. Again and again, long after his meager breakfast had been expelled his stomach continued to heave. More than once he thought he might finally have got control of himself only to have his stomach contract again. "Argh," he gasped, suddenly clutching at his side. The next time he spit in the sink there was blood. He stared at it for a few seconds before staggering to the door. "Shit. Shit, shit, shit," he gasped.

"Harry?" Mrs Tonks asked worriedly.

"Side," he croaked. "Threw up. Tore. Spitting up blood."

She stared at him for a second before quickly moving to support him. "Come on, just lie down for me." Harry groaned as she eased him back. She was already casting diagnostic spells on him when a half dozen people came running up.

"What's wrong?" a man asked.

"He was stabbed in the attack yesterday," Mrs Tonks said. "I healed him, but he's just torn his internal wounds open when he vomited."

"What do you mean you healed him? Why wasn't he brought in? Blimey, is this who I think it is?"

"Yes. I'm his personal healer and will thank you to remember healer/patient privacy regarding just whom this is. He was perfectly fine and under instructions to do nothing strenuous for another twenty-four hours."

The man took his wand out and began examining Harry as well. "Of course, forgive me. Do you know what caused him to start vomiting?"

"Stress," she answered. She ran her wand over his side.

"Ahhh," Harry sighed. "Tha's nice."

"That's my, Love." She took his hand and kissed it. "Though I'm afraid you've bought yourself a night in hospital."

"Sound's good t'me," Harry slurred.

"Nicely done," the other healer said, "We'll get a room set up."

"Remush," Harry said, "be with him?"

"Remush?"

"A family friend," Mrs Tonks said. "He was injured yesterday as well and is being treated for silver poisoning."

"Silver poisoning?"

"Yes."

"You mean he's…"

"A werewolf, yes," Mrs Tonks said.

He blinked a number of times. "I'm afraid I can't allow that."

"Why no'?" Harry asked.

Mrs Tonks hit Harry with a sedation spell. "You don't have to. I am."

"Now see here—"

"You'll find I have admitting privileges, Healer," she cut him off. "If you would kindly provide me a stretcher I shall deliver Harry to his accommodation myself."

"You cannot intend to put him in with a werewolf," the other healer hissed.

Mrs Tonks leveled him with hard eyes. "Healer…" she said significantly.

"Hegamier," he provided. "Healer, Jürgen Hegamier."

She smiled, though it wasn't exactly pleasant. "Healer Hegamier," she said, "I am Mr Potter's personal healer. Unless you wish to incur the wrath of LordSirius Black, I suggest you not question my decisions regarding his ward."

"He – Is – A – Werewolf."

"He is a personal friend of Harry's and is the most gentle man I have ever met." She smiled at the orderly who had brought a stretcher. "Wonderful. She levitated Harry onto the stretcher and then levitated it up. Focusing on Healer Hegamier again she said, "Prejudice has no place in a hospital, Sir. I suggest you spend some time and educate yourself to the facts of lycanthropy instead of the lies you think are the truth."

Malala entered through the back door. "Lily?"

"Upstairs," Lily called back.

Malala made her way through the kitchen and up the stairs. She poked her head in Lily's room. Lily was sitting on the floor, a large trunk in front of her and piles strewn about. "Hey you."

Lily swiped at her cheeks. "Hi."

"What's wrong?" Lily shrugged. Malala came in, shifted a few things about with her foot and sat down. "What's wrong, Luv?"

"Harry and I had a fight."

"Oh?"

"I tried to talk to him about the fact he killed two people."

"And that didn't go well?"

"He has no remorse, Mali; not a thought for the pain their families might suffer."

Malala took a slow breath and released it. "I see."

"The thing is, I was projecting my own feelings onto him."

"How do you mean?"

"When he saved Astoria over Christmas, I was angry with him for not killing that man when he had the chance, Mali."

"You didn't say that to him, did you?" Malala asked aghast.

"No," Lily said quickly. "I knew I was sick. What kind of mother wishes her son had just killed someone like that? I haven't stopped thinking about it since it happened. So here I am, wishing my son had just killed another human being and yesterday he does just that. He kills two people and I know I should be concerned about their families, or how it might affect Harry to take another life and instead all I feel is relief that there are two fewer people to worry about.

"I know I'm sick, Mali. And I projected that on Harry. I think, hoping he might restore my humanity by at least assuring me I haven't raised a sociopath; only he has no remorse either. I kept pushing him to try and feel something and he just got mad and told me if their families wanted someone to blame, they only had to look as far as their dead, son, brother or father to find the culprit."

Malala thought for a few moments before responding. "I haven't spoken with Harry, so I don't know if I can offer a sound observation of him or not, but in regards to yourself, you are confusing remorse with responsibility. You do have remorse for the pain their families might feel, Lily. If you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation. It's in trying to take responsibility that you're wrong. Harry is right about one thing. Remus, Marcus, his mother, that innocent witch at the stadium who was killed, everyone else who simply wanted to watch a quidditch match, they're the victims; not the men who attacked them. If a crime has been committed against those men's families, those men are the ones who are guilty of it."

"And wishing he had killed the man who took Astoria?"

"Well, I'm not angry he didn't, but I do wish that he had."

"You do?"

"Some people are beyond any obligation the rest of the world might have to offer them redemption. If that man truly was who we believe him to be, he has already escaped once. If we capture and imprison him again, only to see him escape again, who bears responsibility for the crimes he commits?"

"We do," Lily said. "At least we bear some responsibility."

"We do," Malala agreed.

Lily gave her a weak smile. "Thank you, Mali. You've helped."

"Good. Now what is all this?"

Lily sighed. "Harry's baby stuff, or at least what survived."

"Show me?" Malala asked. Lily pushed a pile out of the way and Malala moved to sit beside her.

Lily leaned over and hugged her tightly. "You truly are a wonderful friend."

Malala hugged her back and kissed her cheek. "So are you, Lily."

About an hour later the two were reading a book of wizarding fairy tales. "Lily," Malala said, "would you think it crazy if I said I'd found an answer for you regarding the invisibility cloak?"

Lily frowned. "You can't mean this, Mali, it's a fairytale."

Malala turned to her. "August 19, 1989 I sat in your kitchen and learned a thousand fairytales were true, Lily." Lily stared at her.

"Lily?" It took her a few seconds to process someone was calling for her. "Lily?

Lily shook herself. "Upstairs, Bill," she answered. The sound of feet pounding up the stairs had her setting the book aside. "Everyone decent?"

"You can come in."

He stepped in the doorway. "Oh, good, you're here as well. And, yeah, you're sitting already, that's good."

Lily grabbed Malala's hand. "Please not Remus," she croaked.

Bill shook his head. "Worse." He tried to go on, but the words caught in his throat."

"What do you mean worse?" Malala asked. Again he couldn't force the words past his lips.

"Bill," Lily whispered.

"Harry tore his wounds open. Andi's already healed him, but he's going to be in overnight."

Lily cocked her head. That wasn't good news but it wasn't enough to explain his odd behavior. "What happened, Bill?"

He closed his eyes. "Astoria's dead."

It was dark when Harry woke again and he couldn't remember where he was. He started to sit up only to find his hand was trapped in someone else's. "Harry?" Mum asked. He turned to her. It all came crashing back in a second. He closed his eyes painfully.

"It's not a dream, is it?" he asked.

"No," she answered.

Harry raised his hand and pressed his fingers into his eyes. "Please tell me nothing else has happened."

"Nothing else, Harry."

"Is anyone else here?"

"We all are, Harry," Luna said, coming into view. She took his free hand and kissed it. Hermione moved around the bed by his mum.

"Hey, Mate," Neville said.

"Hey," Harry answered.

Ginny stepped next to Luna and placed her hand on their joined hands. "Hi."

Harry tried to smile but couldn't. The whole reason he'd started vomiting had been because he couldn't purge the thought that at least it hadn't been Ginny lying on the table while staring at Astoria's dead body from his mind. "Hi," he croaked. He closed his eyes and gently pulled his hands from his friend's grasp. He turned on his side, away from Ginny and Luna. "I'm sorry, but I think I need more sleep."

HPHPHP

The following morning, Harry and his friends were outside Daphne's room. Neville and the girls were all sitting in chairs, but Harry couldn't seem to stand being comfortable; even better was being in mild pain. He was crouched, arms resting on his knees and back to the wall. His legs were not pleased with his position of choice; strange how the mind could be happy when the body was in pain. "How long has it been?" he asked.

"Almost an hour," Neville answered.

Just then the door opened and Daphne's parents came out. Harry struggled to straighten his legs while the others stood. Mrs Greengrass focused on Ginny. "She's asking for you."

"Yes, Ma'am," she said. She stepped past them into the room.

"I'm not certain how long it will be yet," Daphne's mother said to the others when the door had closed.

"We understand," Luna answered. She, Hermione and Neville returned to their seats while Harry slid down the wall to his squat again.

Daphne's parents exchanged a few quiet words before he kissed her brow. She gave him a sad smile and walked off. Lord Greengrass watched her go till she had turned the corner before turning to Harry. "Walk with me?" he asked.

Harry pushed himself up again. "Yes, Sir." He moved stiffly, trying to get the blood flowing in his legs again as they set off. Harry was content to simply follow along as Mr Greengrass led him through the maze of hallways, not really noting where they were going till they were walking out the main doors of the hospital. He blinked rapidly in the blinding sunlight and had to jump out of the way of a raft of Muggles as they hurried past what appeared to be an empty storefront with broken mannequins in the display. "Erm, where are we going, Sir?"

"Hyde Park."

"Hyde Park?"

"It's only a few blocks and I think you need to get out of this hospital as badly as I do."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, sure." He followed along as Lord Greengrass set off again. Though he paid much closer attention to his surroundings than before. "Sir, not that I don't trust you, but is this safe?"

"Lord Greengrass chuckled humorlessly. "Trust me, Harry, security is much tighter than it was."

Harry closed his eyes, squeezing them tightly. "Yes, Sir." Before long, the two had made their way to the park, past the Albert Memorial, crossed the bridge over The Serpentine and found a quiet spot to lean on the rail overlooking the water. Harry didn't really have anything to say and Lord Greengrass didn't seem inclined to talk either so they just stood there for a very long time. Eventually though, Astoria's father spoke.

"My daughter adored you, Harry."

Harry swallowed over the sudden lump in his throat. "I was fond of her too, Sir. Maybe not in the way you might have hoped, but I would have done nearly anything for her."

"Including give your life," he agreed. Harry said nothing. "You gave us four months we wouldn't have had, Harry." Harry just stared out over the water and silence settled on them again.

"I'll find them, Sir."

"You're a child, Harry, not a soldier."

"Did my mum or Mrs Tonks tell you to tell me that?"

"No, they didn't. Why do you ask?"

"You're the second person to say something like that to me in the last two days."

"Whomever they were, you should listen to them."

"I'm a child of prophecy, Sir… A Champion," he added bitterly.

Lord Greengrass placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, turning him. "You have help, Harry. People who's suffering is as great as your own, people you turn away from at your peril. Don't deny others their right to stand at your side simply because you're the one the prophecy speaks of."

Harry held his eyes. "I'm still going to find them."

"You won't have to, Harry. They'll find you." He squeezed Harry's shoulder. "Let them find you with us at your side, Son."

Ginny quietly closed the door. Though she hardly looked different than the last time she had seen her – her head was still wrapped in bandages – Daphne was sitting up in her bed. "Ginny?" she croaked.

"It's me, Daph."

She held her hand out. Ginny quickly crossed to her and climbed in the bed. Daphne took Ginny's hand and pressed it to her cheek. "You're not hurt, right? They told me you weren't hurt?" She slid her hand up Ginny's arm to her shoulder and face, frantically trying to assure herself of Ginny's words.

"I'm fine, Daph," Ginny assured. She caught Daphne's hand and kissed it. "Not even a scratch."

"And the others? It's just Remus, Marcus, his mother and… and…"

"Yes," Ginny said. "Everyone is fine."

Daphne gave a little shudder. "Swear to me."

"Pinky swear," Ginny said. She kissed Daphne's hand again. "I promise, everyone else is fine." Daphne broke down and Ginny pulled her down so her head was in her lap. She bent over her friend protectively. "I'm sorry, Daphne, so, so sorry."

Luna watched Harry walk away with Daphne's father. "If one didn't know better they would think Harry and Ginevra were star-crossed lovers," she said. Neville cocked his head slightly.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Just that I fear things have taken a poor turn in their relationship again. They'll work it out, I'm certain. I'm just rather afraid it will be a bit longer than I had recently thought."

"Luna?" Hermione asked.

"Yes?"

"I'm confused. Will you please explain what you mean to me?" Neville nodded his agreement fervently.

"Oh, it's rather simple really. I'm almost positive Ginevra has worked through everything she needs to and would be ready to start a relationship with Harry again. Unfortunately, Harry is now being eaten alive with guilt over his relief that it was Astoria and not Ginevra who was killed… Haven't you noticed, he can barely look at her now?"

HPHPHP

"Harry," Ginny said. He seemed not to hear her and continued to stare into the fire in the Slytherin common room. The five of them had returned to the school with the promise they could return to the hospital each night after classes for as long as Daphne and Remus remained in hospital. She reached for his hand. "Harry."

He jerked away like red-hot coals had been dumped on him. "Sorry," he said, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. "Sorry." She reached for his hand again. He stiffened but didn't jerk away this time. "Sorry," he said again. His eyes darted between her and the fire. "You just startled me."

She smiled. "It's alright. I was just going to say we should get to bed."

Harry glanced about the common room. It had been fairly late when they'd returned and not many people had been about yet. But now, aside from them, it was deserted. "What time is it?"

"Midnight."

Harry groaned. "Training is going to be a bitch tomorrow."

"We're not training tomorrow," she said. "Remember, we discussed it on the way back with the others. You're also supposed to wait another two days." Harry just stared at her. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

"Yeah," he agreed, allowing her to pull him up. He followed her to the hallway to the boys' dormitories where he dropped her hand. "Night," he said unceremoniously.

"Harry," she stopped him.

Harry turned back. "Yes?" Again he couldn't seem to hold her eyes.

"Sleep well."

He cocked his head. "I doubt it," he said. He was gone before she could say anything else.

Not quite sure why she was feeling disturbed she stared after him for a few moments. She shrugged his behavior off. It wasn't like things had been easy the last few days or anything. "He just needs sleep," she said to herself and turned for her room.

Closing the door, she stopped and stared at Daphne's empty bed. "Oh, damn," she muttered. She crossed to her bureau and gathered pajamas before heading for the toilet. Once changed and finished brushing her teeth she headed for bed only to stop in the door and stare at Daphne's empty bed. "Oh no you are not," she muttered. She climbed in her bed and settled in. Half an hour later she sat up in a huff. "The hell with it." She climbed from her bed and crawled into Daphne's. Who cared if it was childish as long as she managed to sleep.

HPHPHP

The following day was a complete blur to Harry. He'd gotten up, gone to breakfast, class, lunch and class again, but honestly couldn't remember a thing about the day; not what he'd eaten, not what he'd drank, he couldn't recall if he'd spoken even once. And somehow he'd ended up at Remus' bedside. "Harry," Ginny said. She placed her hand on his. He startled but managed to avoid jerking away from her.

"Yeah?"

"Were you going to go see Daphne?" Harry closed his eyes tightly. "Just we only have about half an hour before we have to go back to the school."

"Half an hour?"

"Yes."

He gave a little shake of his head. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, we've all been, but you wanted to stay with Remus."

"You've been to see her already?"

"Yes." Harry frowned. "She asked about you."

Harry took a deep breath. "Yeah, ok. Just give me a sec."

She gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll wait outside."

"Yeah, alright."

HPHPHP

Harry stepped next to the sarcophagus. It was two weeks to the day since the attack and Daphne was finally well enough to leave the hospital. "I've thought a lot about what to say today… I'm not sure I've thought of much else since first learning Astoria was dead. I'm still not sure what to say.

"I think I'm supposed to speak of how wonderful Astoria was, how she could light up a room with her presence and how much she'll be missed… And I could do that. I could tell you that I knew of Astoria before I actually met her. I could confess my intentions were to have as little to do with her as possible. I could tell you Astoria shattered those intentions. I could tell you I was as surprised by her sorting as anyone. I could tell you I was told Astoria wasn't well suited for Slytherin. I could tell you, as I got to know Astoria, I would agree.

"But while Astoria was not a fighter, there was strength to her. She held a compassion for others that drew me in. I don't believe I ever heard a harsh word from her. And I think anyone who knows me, would agree, in that respect, she and I could not have been more different. I think maybe seeing that strength in her showed me a weakness in myself. So yes, I could tell you Astoria was a wonderful person. And I could try and tell you Astoria is in a better place. And I think I'm supposed try make sense of the unthinkable and help you find comfort in her loss… I'm supposed to do a lot of things.

"Instead, all I can think about is how angry I am. And if I'm angry, I wonder just how angry her parents and sister must be. And while I may not know her parents as well as I might like, I do know Astoria's sister. And if Astoria's parents are anything like Daphne, I know they will never stand up here and tell you how angry they are. They're stronger than I am that way. But maybe that's what I'm supposed to do. Maybe I'm supposed to express the absolute rage they feel. Maybe I'm supposed to express the rage all of us should feel. Maybe I'm supposed to scoff at the idea Astoria is in a better place and tell you her place is at the Hufflepuff table with her friends, or her bedroom at home with them, talking about all the things girls her age do. Her place is at the dinner table with her parents and sister. Her place is a lot of things, but it is not wherever she is.

"Astoria was special. And there is a hole inside of me no oneis ever going to fill. I can't find anything to say that might offer comfort in her death because there isno comfort in her death. Her death is a crime that makes me question if there is anything at all in the world that is good and I have nothing to give you but my rage… I have nothing but rage."

Harry moved to Daphne and her parents. Her father stood and took his hand, bending down by his ear he spoke quietly so only Harry could hear. "I may have gone about things wrong, but I was not wrong to think you would be good enough for my daughter. Thank you, Harry."

Harry swallowed thickly. "Thank you, Sir." He moved to her mother. "My Lady."

She stood, placed her hands on his shoulders, bent and whispered softly to him. "My rage embraces yours." She kissed his cheek, pushed him back and kissed his other cheek. "Thank you, my Lord." She took his face in her hands and kissed his brow.

"Thank you, Ma'am," Harry said. He braced himself and turned to Daphne. She had only been released from hospital two days before. She wore a patch over her blind eye and the brilliant sapphire blue of her good eye was stained with blood from the broken vessels her injuries left behind. The damage to her eyes was such that tears streaked only the cheek beneath her good eye. She had buried Marcus' Mother two days ago. Yesterday she buried her betrothed. Today she buried her sister. For Harry it was meeting her gaze that had been the hardest. She stood and embraced him. His hand on the back of her head Harry held her tight. "I swear," he whispered, "I'll find them."

HPHPHP

"Hey," Ginny said, "mind if I sit?"

Harry shifted over on the couch in the common room. "How is she?"

Ginny shrugged. It was the day after Astoria's funeral and Daphne had insisted she was returning to school. "As good as can be expected I guess."

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"Yeah," she agreed, joining him in staring into the cold hearth. "I think she appreciated what you said at the funeral."

"Empty words," Harry muttered.

"It isn't empty words, Harry. It matters. It mattered to Daphne and her parents… It mattered to me."

"It doesn't bring her back. Nothing brings her back."

"I didn't say it does. Why are you mad at me?"

Harry clenched his jaw. "I'm not mad at you."

"You keep snapping at me."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to."

"Why won't you look at me?" When he didn't answer she reached for his hand. He didn't pull away but she could see him stiffen. She slowly withdrew. "And now, when I finally feel strong enough to hold your hand again, you have to force yourself to let me."

Harry stared into the cold fireplace for a long time before speaking. "Everyone thinks I puked my guts out that morning because I was upset about Astoria. The truth is, when saw her lying there, the first thing I felt was relief that it wasn't you. And now, every time I look at you, the guilt fills me and I feel like I'm going to rip my stomach to shreds again."

Ginny swallowed painfully. "What are you telling me?"

Harry bent his head, pressing his palms into his eyes. "I don't know, Ginny."

She turned away from him. "We're cursed, you and I." Harry turned to see a tear slip down her cheek. "We can't look at each other—"

He turned away again. "—and we can't look away."

HPHPHP

Ginny held Remus' hand as she sat beside his bed. It was the third of June, a bit more than two weeks after the attack and the day before the full moon. Honestly, he looked horrible. His face was sunken. His skin had a yellowish tinge to it. His hand, big as it was in hers, felt brittle, like a good squeeze on her part would snap the bones into a hundred pieces. Nevertheless there were positive signs. He had been off the ventilator for almost a week. His blood no longer ran black as it left his body. They continued to filter and replace it, hoping to purge any last remnants of silver from his body, but at least it was red. And he'd had brief moments of being conscious over the last two days. They were keeping him sedated now, trying to ensure he was as strong as he could be for the full moon. She knew it wasn't much. He'd defied the odds simply living this long and she was trying not to hope too much. But hope for Remus felt about the only light she could find right now so she took it. She knew she was being selfish, but Remus surviving was very personal to her. If he managed to live, it was because of her. Her spell had stopped the silver before it killed him and given the healers the chance to save him. If he lived, then all the suffering of the last year wouldn't have been in vain. If he lived, it proved he was right in convincing her not to kill herself after the diary. If she managed to save him, then maybe there was a tiny bit of something absolving her of having killed Sandra.

A knock on the door drew her attention. Harry poked his head in. "I was hoping I could have a minute before we have to go back."

"I'm just done." She kissed Remus' cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered.

"Sorry we're late, Professor," Hermione said as she, Harry, and Ginny came through the front gate.

"It's quite alright," she answered, closing the gates. They had only taken a few steps towards the castle when a brilliant ball of light zipped in and hovered in front of them.

"Kai?" Ginny asked. The fairy whipped around her head three times and settled on her shoulder.

"Hello all," Luna said, seeming to appear from almost nowhere. Daphne and Neville were also with her.

"Miss Lovegood," a bewildered Professor McGonagall said, "what are you three doing here?"

Luna focused on her. "I don't know about you professor, but when the Lady of the Loch tells me to follow, I follow."

"The Lady of the Loch?" she asked.

"Yes, you know," she pointed to Ginny and the fairy sat on her shoulder, "the goddess, Nimue." Kai stood from where she had alighted on Ginny's shoulder and bowed. "You see," Luna said.

Professor McGonagall eyed the fairy. "Not particularly, no." Kai stuck her tongue out at the professor before flying off about ten feet.

"Oh, I don't think she's pleased with you, Professor," Luna said. "Still, best you come along anyway." She set off after the fairy, gently pulling Daphne with.

"Now wait just one moment," Professor McGonagall protested.

Harry sighed. "I'm really not in the mood myself, Professor, but Luna's right. We need to follow her." He set off after the other two and the rapidly disappearing fairy.

"She did save his life," Ginny said, following.

"And here I thought the year couldn't get any worse," Hermione muttered.

Neville shrugged. "Sorry, Professor, I go where they go."

Professor McGonagall watched them walking away for a second before following. "If anything like this happens again next year, I'm retiring."

Kai led them across the grounds to the edge of the forest where she stopped and waited for everyone to catch up. Harry morosely stared into the forest. "Really?" he asked. Kai hovered in front of him crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "You can't just tell us whatever it is here?" he pleaded

"We have to go to the clearing, Harry," Luna said. "That's where her power is strongest." Kai clapped her hands and darted to stand on Harry's shoulder. She pointed her hand forward and marched in place.

"You do realize the mood I'm in, don't you?" Harry demanded. Kai grabbed his earlobe and twisted. "Oww. Alright, alright, I'm going." He set off, rubbing his ear tenderly. He also made a mental note to never again forget Kai knocked dragons out cold with a fist the size of a thimble.

Daphne edged next to Ginny. "Is she really, The Lady of the Loch?" she hissed.

Ginny took her hand. "Yes."

She eyed the fairy sitting on Harry's shoulder. "She's a bit shorter than I expected."

Ginny squeezed her hand. "Shush." She set off, pulling Daphne with her.

Kai sat on Harry's shoulder and kicked her feet happily; sending puffs of fairy dust into the air. Every once in a while she would direct him by either tugging on his ear when she wanted him to go right or pushing his chin when she wanted him to go left. It was quite the walk to the clearing and Harry was beginning to feel a bit like a horse from all the prodding the fairy was giving him.

"I have never known the forest to be so quiet," Professor McGonagall observed.

"It's her doing," Luna answered. "She's keeping us safe."

"Safe from what?"

"Mostly the acromantulas."

"Acromantulas?" Neville croaked.

"Yes. They're the most dangerous creatures in the forest; at least when it isn't the full moon."

"Small blessings," Professor McGonagall muttered.

"Do you have any idea what she wants?" Hermione asked.

"Obviously," Luna said, stepping into the clearing, "she has something to share with us."

"Indeed, I do, child," Nimue said. Luna and Ginny instantly knelt.

"How did you, Wha!" Harry yelped as Luna tugged him down to his knees beside her.

"Hush," she said. Harry glanced about but Luna smacked the back of his head.

"Alright, already," he muttered, bowing his head.

Hermione knelt on Luna's other side, "My Lady."

"You please me, Child," Nimue said. She eyed Neville, Daphne and Professor McGonagall. Ginny reached over and gently pulled a stunned Daphne down. She obviously hadn't really believed that Kai was Nimue. Hermione tugged Neville down.

"Sorry," he squeaked.

Nimue ignored him, remaining focused on Professor McGonagall. "Have you so quickly forgotten our last encounter, Child?"

"I have not. But these children are under my care. I would like to know for what purpose you have sought them out?"

"My purpose is mine, Child. Were your concern not for them, my patience would be thin indeed."

Professor McGonagall slowly knelt. "Forgive me," she said.

"Done," Nimue said. She focused on Harry and his friends. "You have favored me; strengthened me. I shall now favor and strengthen you." She stepped forward, placed a finger under Harry's chin and pulled him to his feet. "Rise, Child." She did the same with Ginny and Daphne. "You shall come. The rest shall remain." She turned and moved to the center of the clearing. Ginny immediately followed. Harry and Daphne hesitated long enough for Ginny to simply vanish from sight.

Luna pushed them forward. "Go."

"But—" they protested.

"She's perfectly fine," Luna said when they continued to hesitate. "It's simply not for our eyes to see. Now go."

"Such an intuitive child," Kai sighed happily. She favored Luna with a smile.

Harry glanced between them before turning to Daphne. "She did save my life," he said before turning to the clearing. He took a breath and strode forward. He also took a three steps and vanished from sight

Ginny took three steps into the clearing and froze. Her body began to tremble and a tear slid down her cheek. "Ginny girl," her father said.

"Daddy!" she cried and flew into his arms.

"Shush," he soothed. He cradled her head in his hand. "Easy now." He held her tight. Eventually he tried pushing her back. She shook her head and held on tightly. "Oh now, let me see you," he chuckled. She allowed him to push her back and he held her by the shoulders.

She reached for his face. "Is this real?" she whispered.

He took her hand and kissed it. "It is."

"How?"

"Let's not waste time with trivial things like how, shall we?" he said. He pulled her close and kissed her crown. "I am so proud of you."

Harry stopped in his tracks. "Astoria," he choked.

She smiled and took his hands in hers. "Hello, big brother."

Harry sank to his knees. "I'm so sorry," he croaked.

She knelt in front of him and pulled his head to her shoulder. "Hush now." She kissed his crown. "You gave me everything you were capable of giving. You owe me nothing."

Daphne hesitated a second longer after Harry had vanished before stepping forward. She took but a single step when the goddess moved directly in front of her. "You may choose," Nimue said. "Would you have me heal your body, or the pain on your soul?"

Daphne frowned. "I–I'm sorry, I don't understand."

Nimue smiled gently. "It is simple, Child. I can restore your sight or I can ease the pain in your heart."

Daphne stared at her. "What good is sight when the world has gone dark?" she asked bitterly. "If it will end this pain, I beg you, give me a knife that I might gouge my eyes from my head."

"And you accused me of being the dramatic one."

Daphne whipped around. "Astoria?" she whispered.

"Hello, Sister."

Daphne frowned. "What is this?"

Astoria smiled. "A chance," she said, "to help you understand."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't supposed to live even this long, Daphne… Harry was never supposed to be my brother."

"What?"

"It was you, Daphne. Your letters to father when he asked about Harry emboldened him. Your decision to warn Marcus about Draco's plans to hurt Ginny and father's eventual blessing for you to attempt to befriend her set things in motion for Harry to save me this past Christmas."

"Are you saying you would have died then without Harry?"

She stepped close and took Daphne's hands in hers. "Yes. And it would have been a long, painful death, Daphne. You saved me."

"But what was the point in saving you if you were just going to die now?"

"The point is four months, Daphne. It is the love of a brother and the hundred friendships that only formed because of Harry's actions that day. It is a thousand crimes that do not stain my soul, and it is mother and father not being destroyed by the manner of my death. It is your heart growing to understand the love between Hermione and Luna is no less valuable than that between Harry and Ginny. It is to know that you and I mattered to each other and to know we will meet again."

"We will?"

"We all meet again, Daphne. Just, sometimes, it is a long wait." She pressed a kiss to each of Daphne's cheeks. "I am proud to call you sister, Daphne."

"Wait!" Daphne cried. "You can't leave already."

Astoria pressed her palm to Daphne's chest. "I'm here, Daphne, always."

"But what am I supposed to tell Mother and Father?" Daphne pleaded.

"They already, know, Daphne." Astoria pulled her head down and kissed her crown. "I love you." Daphne blinked and Astoria was gone.

With Harry, Ginny and Daphne gone from sight Hermione leaned over to Luna and hissed, "What's happening?"

"I told you, she's showing them something that is only for them."

"Very good, Child," Nimue said, moving beside her.

"But where are they?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"They are beyond," Nimue answered. "What they see and what they are told upon their return is for them alone to reveal."

"As helpful as last time," Professor McGonagall muttered under her breath.

"As all but Harry would be dead were it not for my previous efforts, one might be more respectful of the assistance I do provide." Professor McGonagall closed her mouth tightly. "You have pleased me recently, Minerva," Nimue said. "But make no mistake, in this moment, you are every bit the child these children are."

She bowed her head. "Forgive me."

"Twice in the same few minutes, but very well." She turned as Harry, Ginny and Daphne suddenly reappeared, each on their knees on the forest floor. "You may join them now."

Luna stood and quickly moved to Ginny. Hermione went to Harry and Neville moved to Daphne. "Thank you, Kai," Luna said. She cradled Ginny to her as she quietly sniffled.

Nimue smiled. "Such a lovely child."

HPHPHP

"Gah," Remus gagged. Wolfsbane had never tasted well; it was thick and goopy and to be perfectly honest looked like a glass full of bogies. It was disgusting. That's all there was to it. But getting it down in his present condition, well he was pretty sure he'd done harder things. He just couldn't recall when. He collapsed back on the bed where he clenched his jaw tightly and breathed deliberately through his nose. Throwing up would simply mean having to drink another dose.

Lily took his hand. "Alright?"

"I'll live," he gasped.

He caught her watching him. "You better," she said.

He slowly smiled. "Didn't I tell you, I've been spending time with Professor Trewlaney. She thinks I might have the Sight." Lily giggled, but it rather quickly turned into a sob. He reached for her chin. "Hey now, none of that."

She caught his hand and kissed it. "Why did you do it, Remus?"

"Do what?"

"Why did you stay with me, and then Harry? Why did you give up your chance at a life of your own to take care of us?"

Remus rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. "I'm a werewolf, Lils," he said softly. "Playing father to Harry was as close as I was ever going to come."

"And a wife?" she asked. "Didn't you want that?"

"It was never going to happen, Lils."

"Why?" she protested. "Being a werewolf is no reason you couldn't find someone."

Remus shook his head. "Even if I could find someone who could look past the curse, I can't, Lils. The danger I put you, Harry… Hermione, everyone in is almost more than I can live with. Allowing myself a wife, you can't imagine how powerful the instinct of the wolf can be. The possibility of fathering a child, I just can't take that chance. If I were to pass this curse on to a child… I just can't. I made the decision to be celibate when we were still in school. When everything happened, I thought maybe when you were better I'd move on. But then you were better and Harry was with us and you still needed me and a few months turned into a year and a year turned into two and I realized I was content. The baser instincts of the wolf had faded. I don't know if its because I'm thirty-four, if its years of Wolfsbane suppressing the beast or something else I'm not even aware of, but I woke up one day and realized my life was fuller than I ever dared dream. If this is it, I'm good, Lils. I really am."

Lily kissed his hand again. "This isn't it, Remus. I'm honored and humbled and grateful beyond words for you, but this is not it. So don't you think that it is; not even for one second."

A knock on the door preceded it opening. Sirius poked his head in. "Kiddies are here. You want them one at a time or all together?"

"Send them all in," Remus said.

About an hour later everyone but Harry, Lily and Sirius had left the room. "Please, Remus," Harry asked.

"Harry," he said, "I know you want to be here, but if this doesn't work—"

"Don't say that," Harry snapped.

"If this doesn't work," Remus reiterated. Harry glowered at him. "It will be ugly, Harry… I don't want you to see that." Harry pressed his lips together angrily. "Harry, please."

"Fine," Harry snapped. He turned on his heel and made for the door.

Mum caught his arm. "Remus has never once asked you for anything. Are you really going to walk out of here like this?"

Harry turned around. "Why does Sirius get to stay?"

"Harry—"

"You're sending me away because you don't want me to see you die," Harry cut him off. "You're the only father I've ever known, Remus. If you're going to die, my place is at your side."

"Lily," Remus said, "help me out here."

She shook her head. "I'll go if you want, Remus. But this is between you and Harry."

Remus stared at her before turning to Sirius. He held his hands up. "Don't look at me. You raised him."

"Would you go if it was your father?" Harry demanded.

Remus tipped his head back, blinking a number of times. "Damn kid," he muttered. "Transform and go sit in the corner."

"Really?"

"I said, yes, didn't I? Now hurry up and transform before I change my mind."

Mum leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you, Harry," she whispered. Harry hugged her, changed to his wolf and went to sit in the corner. Mum stepped next to the bed. "I'll see you soon," she said and kissed Remus' cheek.

"You too, Lils."

She turned to Sirius. "We'll be waiting."

"I'll take care of them, Lils."

She stretched up and kissed his cheek. "I know." She left quickly and it was just the three of them.

Sirius glanced at his watch. "Ten minutes."

"I know."

"How you feeling?"

Remus glanced at Harry. He growled, warningly. "Not good," Remus sighed.

"Anything I can do?"

"Stop the moon rising?"

"I wish I could."

"How about getting me out of this bed, then?"

"What for?"

"I don't really fancy falling out of it when I change."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Right, sorry." He moved to the bed. "Come on."

"Just levitate me," Remus said.

"That bad?"

"That bad," Remus confirmed.

"Alright, here we go."

"Ahhh," Remus gasped.

"Sorry, sorry," Sirius apologized. He grabbed the blankets from the bed and tossed them on the floor. Harry quickly transformed, spread them out and transformed back. "Thanks, Pup." Sirius gently lowered Remus to the floor.

"Ahhh." Remus lay flat on his back, panting.

Harry transformed again. "Maybe a Cushioning Charm on the floor."

"Good idea," Sirius agreed. He quickly started casting charms and Harry transformed again.

"Oh, god," Remus gasped.

Lily purposely stayed with the healers in the hallway outside Remus' room till the last minute before moonrise before heading for the waiting room that had been set up.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked.

"He's staying," she answered.

"What? Why? If he's staying, I want to too." She tried to stand.

Luna caught her hand and pulled her back. "It's too late, Hermione."

Lily sat down and pulled Hermione into her arms. "Some things are between fathers and their sons, Love," she whispered.

Remus had never once allowed Harry to be present when he'd transformed. One of the few times he'd ever really been angry with him had been when Simper had caught Harry trying to hide in the barn the night of the full moon. Harry had been grounded from flying for two months because of it.

The saying, 'Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.' Harry vowed he would never forget it again. The transformation of man to werewolf was nothing like that of the animagus. Remus body had curled into the fetal position before arching and bowing so far Harry thought his spine would snap. And his scream, Harry's ears felt like they had been stripped raw.

It was horrific. But he forced himself to watch every second of it. If Remus could survive this every month without going mad, he could watch the few short minutes the transformation took. He was so determined to not look away he didn't really realize when the transformation was complete.

Sirius, in his animagus, padded cautiously towards Remus. He nudged the great grey wolf with his nose but got no response. He nudged him a bit harder. Remus' head lolled to the side and he whimpered softly. Harry edged forward. Sirius transformed. "Remus? Are you alright?" Remus whimpered. Harry edged closer and nuzzled Remus. Seeming to take every ounce of strength left in his body Remus thumped his tail. Son of a bitch," Sirius breathed. He focused on Harry. "I think we did it."

Harry thumped his tail and settled beside Remus, resting his head on his back protectively. Remus whimpered and Harry moved to just lying beside him. Sirius stood. "I'm going to go tell the others." Harry thumped his tail again. "I'll be right back."

Sirius walked into the waiting area and went straight to Ginny. Slightly alarmed she stood as he approached. "What?" she asked.

He grabbed the sides of her face. "Thank you." He kissed her crown and pulled her tight. "Thank you for saving my best friend."

"He's alive?" Lily whispered.

"He's alive," Sirius said.

Lily sank to her knees. "Easy now," Malala said, pulling her into her arms. "Easy," she soothed as Lily cried her relief away.

HPHPHP

Albus Dumbledore stood at the window in his office watching a particular group of students as they made their way down the steps to the waiting carriages. Things had spiraled further out of his control than he ever could have imagined.

Two separate attacks by followers of Voldemort and Harry was once again at the center of them… Two separate attacks, yet neither having anything to do with Peter Pettigrew. The significance was not lost on him. The parallels between Voldemort and Harry were self-evident. A good portion of the school still despised Harry, but a growing body now followed his lead. At the same time, even from the nether world, Voldemort's power and reach grew with Harry's. Followers were beginning to mass for both.

Thankfully, Harry seemed firmly grounded in the Light, but there was a callous harshness about him that was concerning. The boy had killed two wizards and seemed completely unaffected by having done so. Even Alastor, no matter how justified, showed more remorse. Could a soul that close to the edge resist what seemed an inevitable fall as more time, destruction and death built around his feet? If Harry fell would he join Voldemort… or would he replace him? No, Harry couldn't replace Voldemort because of the soul fragment. As long as Harry lived Voldemort would remain immortal.

He'd contemplated just killing Harry himself many times. The stain on his soul would be assuaged by the greater good of saving tens upon thousands if not millions of lives. But it was no good. The prophecy clearly said one must destroy the other. For a very long time Dumbledore had thought Voldemort's hand could be by direction to one of his followers or even one of his followers killing Harry in Voldemort's name, but the last three years seemed to indicate it would need to be Voldemort himself who killed Harry. And it seemed it would not be as he currently was, but a fully resurrected Voldemort who would do so. For all his efforts, Magicwas dictating its own end.

Tom would rise and his followers would flock to him. His very survival would convince them of the righteousness of their cause. Harry was no less charismatic. Yes much of the student body remained holdouts, but three years on from being a complete pariah he had done more to unite members of the four houses than anyone of the last fifty years. Would they continue to stand behind him? Would they still stand with him when Voldemort rose from the dead, or would the evidence of immortality see Harry abandoned in droves? Would it matter in the aftermath?

What to do in this reality he had sought to avoid? The loss of Severus was devastating. Cornelius removed from office. Amelia looking very much like the title of Interim Minister was just that. He had severely underestimated her. The ease with which she navigated the press and the public was quite astonishing. Harry and his inner circle, what was going on there? He had spent the year trying to insert Remus into that circle only to now strongly suspect the man had been there all along. Remus had claimed, despite the private tutoring given to Harry and his friends, that the boy remained aloof to him. Two weeks of leaving school every night to visit an unconscious man in hospital did not speak of an aloof relationship. No, not only was Remus part of the inner circle, Albus strongly suspected the man had been placed at the school to try and gain information on him.

What did Sirius know? What did Harry know? It was subtle, but it was becoming very clear Harry, and his closest friends, were being trained for battle. Even Daphne and Neville, the latest comers and far less gifted than the others, were vastly different than their peers. Someone who understood Magic on a different level was instructing them, and their learning curve was far different for it. Albus very much doubted, even with months of private tutoring, a single seventh-year-to-be could produce a fully formed patronus. Most would struggle just to produce a mist. Yet Hermione, Luna and Ginevra had successfully performed the charm, Hermione and Luna were doing so whenever asked. Ginevra had only done so once, but whatever her block was, once she worked past it, she would be able to again. The levels of mist Harry, Neville and Daphne were producing, it sounded as if they could succeed at the charm at any moment. But who was this teacher?

Signs pointed to Lily Potter. But he was no closer to ascertaining she was alive than he had been a year ago. He strongly suspected she was. Surprisingly, his strongest evidence had been buried in his own memories. Harry's first quidditch match during his first year had seen a large group accompany Sirius to see him play. One person within that group remained unidentified. They never once dropped the hood of their cloak, but there were definite moments where Harry and whomever it was focused solely on the other. And when Harry's broom had been jinxed, it had taken Sirius, Remus, Andromeda and Hermione's mother to hold the unidentified person back and talk sense into them. Whoever it was, their connection with Harry was strong indeed.

He had come to the cautious conclusion Lily Potter was alive. The conclusion supported the evidence of a truly gifted sorcerer guiding Harry and his friends' magical training. Lily Potter had been that rarely gifted sorcerer; power, intelligence and curiosity. The question remained how; how and why? If she were alive, how? If she were alive, why had she allowed Harry to be placed with his aunt for six, nearly seven, years? If she were alive, why remain dead?

Albus sighed. What to do about all of it?

And he needed a new Defense professor.

And there was this blasted tournament to deal with. If Cornelius was going to get himself sacked he could have at least done him the courtesy of doing so before setting this in motion.

Harry settled with his back to the wall and his leg up on the bench. "There are six of us you know," Hermione reprimanded.

Harry shifted to the floor so he could remain stretched out. "Sorry.

Neville flopped down next to him while the four girls took seats on the benches. "Man am I glad to be going home," he said.

"You're telling me," Harry muttered. "Another day in that school and I swear I'd have killed Harper."

"Let's just hope he stays away from us today," Luna said.

"Oh, he'll be staying away," Neville said.

Harry quirked an eye. "Do tell, Nev," Luna gushed.

"Well, you didn't hear it from me, but he may have eaten some bad chicken at the feast last night."

Harry held his hand out to his friend. "Nice."

Neville fist bumped him. "No problem, Mate."

"I just don't understand this school," Hermione said. "Nearly everyone thought Remus was brilliant till they found out he was a werewolf."

"They're sheep," Daphne sniffed disdainfully. "Small minded and unable to think for themselves."

"Well, Hufflepuff has been nice," Ginny countered.

"True," Daphne agreed. "I sometimes wonder if they may not be the bravest House in the school."

"Who would have thought?" Hermione said.

"So other than quidditch camp for these two, any plans for the summer?" Neville asked.

"Daddy and I are going on a short trip to Albania while Harry and Ginevra are at camp," Luna said. "But I'll be back when they are."

"I think we should all go on holiday again," Hermione said.

Harry perked up at that. "I'll bet we could talk our way to Zakynthos again, easy."

"That would be brilliant," Neville said. "I'm sure Gran would let me go."

"What would be brilliant is just staying there the whole summer," Harry said. "I'd even give up going to camp for that."

"You're crazy," Ginny said. "There is no way I'm not going to camp."

"You've quidditch on the brain, Weasley."

"I'm tired of being the second best Slasher in the school. Cedric is going down next year."

"Please," Harry retorted, "at best you're third. I can out fly you on a cracked cauldron."

"In your dreams, Potter."

"Seek tomorrow?"

"You're on."

Harry grinned. "Bril." She grinned back. He closed his eyes and settled in for the long ride back to London. At any moment the fact Astoria was dead could still hit him like a ton of bricks. Daphne, also, was far from whole. But ever since Nimue had granted he, Ginny and Daphne those brief moments at closure, life wasn't so dark. Remus was alive and recovering. He could look at Ginny again. And they had ten weeks without the trial that was Hogwarts to look forward to. He'd only just started to drift off when there was a knock at their door.

"It's your brothers," Hermione said.

"Let them in," Ginny said.

Harry inhaled deeply. He still didn't get Luna's assertion that Fred smelt of baboon. But if he concentrated as hard as he could his wolf sense was able to detect just the slightest difference between them. Fred had the barest hint of curry about him. "On my left?" he asked.

Luna clapped. "Oh, very good, Harry."

"On the left what?" Fred asked.

Harry cracked an eye open. "Smell of baboon." Hey, just cause Fred didn't actually smell of baboon didn't mean Harry was going to tell him that. Fred glowered at him. Harry held his hands up. "Just the messenger, Mate."

"Yeah, well, the messenger's lucky he's still in my good graces for getting rid of Snape."

"The baboon should be glad I can pick him out because he was about two days removed from being in permanent need of a bra."

"A bra?" Lee asked.

"Figured the needfor one was as good a way as any of being able to tell them apart."

George exchanged a look with Lee. "Kind of wish he'd gone through with it."

"Oi!" Fred complained.

"I wasn't picky about which of you got it," Harry said.

"Sorry?" George asked.

"Well, the point of doing it was I couldn't tell you apart. Means it was fifty/fifty on who would have got it." He smirked. "Or rather them."

George cocked his head. After a second he shrugged. "You know, having your own to play with might not be all that bad."

"EWW," Hermione cried.

"George Fabian Weasley!" Ginny shrieked.

"Neanderthals," Daphne muttered. "Every last one of them."

"I can hardly fault him for the logic," Luna mused.

"STOP!" Ginny, Hermione and Daphne cried.

Neville snorted. "Wa'zat?" he blurted, sitting up.

Harry laughed. "Nothing, Mate, go back to sleep."

Neville blinked a number of times before seeming to come back to himself. He eyed the twins before turning to Harry. "Which Tweedle is which?"

"Dum is on your left," Harry said.

Neville's eyes jumped back and forth between the twins. Eventually he shook his head. "Can we just go through with the whole…" he paused, blushing. The plan sounded so much better when it was just he and Harry talking and his four other best friends weren't around. "Well, with what we were going to go through with?"

"Is there something you wanted?" Ginny interrupted.

"Keeping an eye?" Fred asked.

"Keeping an eye," George confirmed.

"We just wanted to see if you were going to be around at all this summer?" Fred asked.

"Just, you know, we kind of like you, Gin-Gin," George said.

"At the very least we'd like to see you for your birthday," Fred said.

Ginny stood and hugged them. "I'd like that too." The twins stuck around a while longer, but headed off when the trolley lady stopped by. Harry bought pasties and chocolate frogs for all of them and they quietly conversed while they ate. Once finished, Daphne curled up on the seat with her head in Ginny's lap. She reached for Harry's hand and fell asleep with Ginny gently stroking her fingers through her blonde locks. Luna pulled a copy of the Quibbler from her bag and Hermione scooted close while they worked through the crossword.

"Plant that will allow a person to breath underwater?" Luna asked.

"Gillyweed," Neville said. He got up and sat on Luna's other side. "It's supposed to make you grow gills in your neck and makes your hands and feet webbed so you can swim better. I actually saw some growing in the tide pools when we were in Zakynthos."

"You saw something that would let us breath underwater and didn't say something," Harry demanded.

"Well, it could have been Suffocation Slime; which would cause your lungs to fill with saltwater and has a ninety percent fatality rate when ingested. They both look like slimy rat tails, with the only difference being gillyweed is grayish green in colour while suffocation slime is grayish green with very faint black lines on it."

"Right," Harry said. "Good call."

"I brought some back and showed it to Sprout. If we go back we can definitely try it out."

"Wicked," Harry said.

"You're going to eat something that's described as slimy, greyish green rat tails," Hermione asked. "Why not just use SCUBA equipment.

"Because, gills, duh," Harry said.

"What's scuba equipment?" Ginny asked.

"It's what non-magical people use to allow them to breath underwater," Hermione said. "I'll show you on the telly when we get to the Briar Patch."

"Muggles can breath underwater?" Ginny asked.

"Yes and no," Hermione said. "SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It's basically a tank filled with air that you wear on your back. There's a hose that runs from the tank to a mouthpiece. You breathe the air from the tank. It allows you to stay underwater for short periods of time; usually not more than about an hour."

"Have you done it?"

"Yes. My parents took me diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It was amazing."

Ginny tipped her head. "I want to try it."

"I say we do both," Harry said.

"Go right ahead," Ginny said. "I, however, am not eating slimy rat tails."

"I'm with, Ginny," Neville agreed. "Scuba sounds way better than slimy rat tails."

"Me three," Hermione said.

"I'm afraid you're on your own on this one, Harry," Luna said.

Harry glanced at Daphne but she was out cold. "Please," Ginny said. "You can't possibly think, she'll agree with you."

Harry chuckled. "Slim and none," he agreed.

HPHPHP

Kingsley Shacklebolt rolled the body over. "Shite," he muttered.

Tonks stared down at the man Harry and Bill had captured from the attack at the stadium. They'd released him with a Tracking Charm to go with the few dozen Memory Charms placed on him. As expected he'd gone to ground; not leaving his hidey-hole for near three weeks. When he'd finally emerged it had been to go to Knockturn Alley. It had only taken an hour for him to end up dead on doing so… Someone was taking no chances.

HPHPHP

Author's notes:

So ends year 3, and all you readers deserve an update. I'm currently 98% complete with year 4. However, I'm tired. Churning out 4 books in a year will do that to you. I will finish, it will just take time. As my writing is not keeping ahead of my posting, it is kind of unfair of me to keep to a two weeks between chapters schedule. Therefore, after a trip to Hawaii, I'm leaving tomorrow, I will begin posting year 4 begining June 30th. I will post a chapter a week and if I run out of material, I run out and we'll all just have to wait.

As always, thank you to all my readers and a special thank you to those who have reviewed for me.

See ya on the flip side.

Sorcerer's Muse