"Hey Gin-Gin!" Fred said after clearing his throat for the third time still didn't get their attention. "If you're done snogging your new boyfriend we could use some help finding Bill." He was starting to wonder how they were even breathing. Seeing as just a few moments ago Harry was seven foot tall and covered in black fur with some really wicked looking claws, he figured trying for the over protective big brother route was just plain laughable.

"Yeah, and could you cancel this charm, we keep bumping into each other," George added.

"Brothers?" Harry asked as they broke for air.

"Brothers," Ginny confirmed as she put her forehead against his.

"Why is it I can't keep a pure thought in my head whenever I get close to you?"

"I have a theory, but can we find my brother first?" Ginny reluctantly pulled away. If her Animagus was in heat like she thought, this was going to complicate things...a lot. With a flick of her wrist the twins were visible again. As she looked around she saw that they were still surrounded with darkness powder. She wasn't sure how long it was going to last. She gave a quick sniff, and pointed to George's left.

"He's over there. Can you get this powder to disappear or something?"

"Why waste it?" Harry asked as he reached into his trench coat that Ginny was still wearing and pulled out a large vial. Ginny's breath hitched as he had brushed up against her, but her eyes narrowed when she saw the grin he was sporting. Git did that on purpose. Oh it's on now Potter…it…is…on.

"Accio Darkness Powder," With a wave of his wand, the darkness shot towards him and into the vial. Once it was all clear he sealed it and tossed it to Fred.

"Why didn't we ever think about that?" Fred said as he stowed it in his robe.

"We're going to have to improve the formula now. Can't have those Deathmunchers figuring out that little trick now can we…rep to protect and all." "How did you know what it was called?" George asked suspiciously.

"I believe that my Uncle Moony made a rather large order with you just this morning. Besides I'm a second generation Marauder…I have a rep of my own to protect."

"Wait, Lupin is Moony?" George thought out loud.

"Kind of obvious now that you think about it," Fred said as he hit himself in the forehead.

"Duncan said that your aunt Nympy was an Auror…You uncle Moony is Lupin…Oh! She is so dead!" Ginny growled.

"I'm fine by the way if anyone cares to know," Bill told them as Fleur helped him up off the floor. His shirt was ripped to shreds where the curse hit him. His bare chest that Fleur was admiring was barely red. "Thanks for the Christmas present boys. It really saved my bacon."

"Looks like its toast now. Let me fix that for you Bill," Ginny said as she pulled out her wand, but Fleur stepped between them.

"I don't zink so. I like is ze way its is. Like a battle worn pirate." Fleur told her as she ran her hands across his chest. Bill got a goofy look on his face, as he grinned like an idiot. Ginny let out a grunt of disgust as she rolled her eyes.

"Hello cauldron…," Fred said as he leaned over her right shoulder.

"This is kettle…," George added from over her left.

"You're black," Fred and George finished as one. Harry couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

"Get off ya gits! And what do you mean by that?" Fred and George just pointed to Harry. "Oh."

That seemed to be enough to pull Bill out of his daze and straight into big brother mode, as he squared off against Harry. Bill had taken on the job of her protector the day she was born and he took that job very seriously. Ginny knew that she wouldn't have gotten over the Chamber incident without him. Because of that alone he held a special place in her heart, and probable one of the reasons she was so protective of him as well. She didn't want Fleur breaking his heart.

Bill was big, intimidating, and few had ever held their ground under his stare. He was also bigger than Harry but not by much. She really didn't want him scaring Harry off because she really liked him. She knew that wasn't going to happen By the way Harry held his ground.

"This the part where you ask if my intentions towards your sister are honorable?" Harry asked with an amused look on his face.

"Are they?" Bill growled through clinched teeth.

"Not entirely, but no less than yours are for Moonbeam over there. When something happens…it will be of their choosing. Her family was there for mine after my father was murdered. She is as much a sister to me as Ginny is to you. What you'll do to me if I hurt Ginny goes the same if you hurt her." The two continued to look intensely at each other for a few more seconds, as Bill weighed what Harry had just told him. He had made a very good point. Whether he liked it or not Ginny wasn't a little girl anymore. She had a good head on her shoulders, and by the look of it, she had finally ditched Longbottom. He would have to trust in her judgment. Slowly Bill brought up his hand and offered it to Harry. Both girls let out a sign of relief.

"What, no blood?" Hesta commented as she sat with her back against a far wall. "How disappointing." There was a trail of blood where she had crawled from. Ginny ran over to her followed closely by Fred. He stopped when he saw that most of the chest plate of her armor was blown apart and her bare breasts were showing. He quickly turned away with a face that matched his hair.

Ginny and Fleur went to work on healing Hesta wounds which thankfully were mostly lacerations. Her armor did its job splendidly. All the while, Hesta never took her eyes off Fred.

"Fear not brave Wizard" Hesta said with a grin. "You'll be seeing plenty of them tonight, but be warned I'm a demanding lover." It was all Ginny could do not to burst out laughing on the spot. George however didn't have any problem having a good laugh at his twin's expense.

"What was that all about?" Bill asked as he came up on his brothers.

"Oh, I have got to hear this story," Harry joined in, as he was more than a little curious himself. George told them what had happened earlier. To their credit, Bill and Harry kept a straight face through it all.

"As I see it you only have one choice," Bill told Fred.

"Yeah, you're gonna have to sleep with her," Harry added.

"What?"

"It's a matter of honor for her. It's not like a Life Debt or anything, but..." Bill gave Harry a little wink as he said it.

"She's rewarding your bravery with her body. To refuse would be the highest disrespect to her and her people." Harry winked back at Bill to let him know he would play along. "Besides, when you're sitting on your back porch telling this story to your grandsons, don't you want to be able to say, Hell yeah, I did her!"

Ginny was watching as Harry was interacting with her brothers with a smirk. It was as if he had known them his whole life. Like there was a place always waiting for him. It made her feel incredibly warm all over.

"Hey!" Ginny scorned them. "What are you collection of gits talking about?"

As one, they all looked over to her and said, "Sex" and then they were back to talking in hushed voices. Ginny looked over at Fleur and grinned at her.

"Boys will be boys."

"Moonbeam is it?" Ginny teased. She was starting to regret not being very nice to her.

" 'Arry always called my 'air zat," Fleur told her. "What can I zay, it took."

"I'm sorry I've haven't been very nice to you. It's just I…I…"

"A little over protective of your older brozer?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. Just don't hurt him O.K.?"

"Ze same goes for 'Arry."

"Deal?" Ginny said as she offered Fleur her hand.

"Deal." Fleur accepted it with a smile.

The door that led to the vaults opened and a large number of people and goblins came walking out. Director Ragnok was leading them. Directly behind him were four goblins carrying what looked at a distance to be a child. Gringotts' patrons quickly made their way out of the bank, so only the goblins remained.

"Lord Potter you have once again come to the aid of my people in our time of need," Ragnok said with a heavy voice. "We made sure that nothing was touched in your vault, but I regret to inform you that your house elf sacrificed himself to save us." Ginny let out a scream as she saw Duncan being carried by the goblins. The thought that her orders had led to his death was more than she could bear. Harry ran over and took Duncan from the goblins. He then slowly and carefully set him on the floor.

"I'm so sorry Harry," Ginny pleaded with Harry. "I didn't know it would do that to him. I would have never told him to do that. I swear."

If he heard any of what she had said, he showed no sign of it. Harry closed his eyes and placed his hand on Duncan's unmoving chest.

"How long?" Harry's voice that was much more calm and steady than Ginny's. When no one answered Harry yelled, "HOW FREAKIN LONG!" This made almost everyone jump.

"Nary five minutes Lord Potter," Ragnok answered. In one fluid movement Harry ripped Duncan's shirt open exposed his bare chest.

"I need a silver dagger." Harry ordered.

"Harry no! Not 'ere…not even your title will be able to protect zou." Fleur implore him.

"Please Moonbeam," Harry pleaded in a steady voice that cut right through her. She took a long breath and reached into her robe. Just like with Harry's her hand disappeared into nothing, only to reappear seconds later with a long curved Ceremonial Dagger. With a shaky hand she gave it to him.

Harry ran it across his open palm. He then cupped his hand so a small pool of blood formed in his hand. He dipped his finger into the blood and then started to draw runes all over Duncan's body. Bill tried to pull Ginny away from what she was seeing, but she shrugged him off.

Harry started to chant in an unrecognizable language. The blood on Duncan and in his hand started to glow. Harry slammed his cut hand down on his house elf's heart and let his magic flow into Duncan.

"Blood and magic of the master, granted to the servant. Let life and love be reborn," Griphook whispered.

"Blood and magic of the master, granted to the servant. Let life and love be reborn," Hesta said more profoundly. Then all the goblins got down on one knee and started to chant the words. The Weasley's looked around the room in amazement. But for all their efforts nothing seemed to be happening, with the exception that Harry was becoming pale from blood loss. Then Ginny remembered what Duncan told her. She grabbed the dagger and cut her own hand. Bill went to stop her but Fleur pulled him away.

"No Bill, if you stop the ritual they could both die." Ginny traced over the runes with her own blood then placed her cut hand next to Harry's.

"What are you doing?" He whispered to her.

"Duncan said that when you told him to follow my commands that you made me his Mistress as well. I gave the command. It's my duty to make this right." Ginny took a deep breath to steady herself. "Blood and magic of the mistress, granted to the servant. Let life and love be reborn." As soon as the words left Ginny's lips, Duncan's body gave a jolt. His eyes shot open and he took in a hard breath. Duncan glowed with magic to the point it was hard to look at him. When the glow finally subsided Duncan's right eye was emerald green and his left was chocolate brown.

"Master…Mistress…what have you done?" Duncan asked, but before they could answer another voice filled the lobby.

"I've never seen anything like that before in my life," The Minister of Magic said.

"Was that Blood Magic? It felt so pure." Amelia Bones furthered.

"That is the way Blood Magic was meant to be used, before evil men with dark hearts twisted it for their own cruel purposes," Sasha Desory told them as she walked into the room. All eyes looked to the exquisite looking Succubus. Her long flowing torques hair fell down her sleek back, right between two Bat-like, yet famine looking wings. They ran in length from the top of her head to mid calf. A long thin black tail swayed back and forth as if it had a mind of its own. Evocative violet eyes looked down on Ginny, but she didn't waver under the piercing gaze. Sasha's full blood red lips curved in acknowledgement. Her eyes softened as they fell on Harry, before she turned to face the Minister.

"Be that as it may, Blood Magic is…is…illegal." Rufus Scrimgeour's eyes had glassed over for the briefest of seconds, as his mind started to fog over. His Auror training came to his aid and he was able to focus his mind. He knew better than to look a Succubus in the eye, but he couldn't help himself. Sasha's brow arched. This one has a strong mind…good I like a challenge.

She moved her head just enough so that her silky hair broke apart to revile the flawless creamy skin of her neck. The minister with realizing it licked his lips. Sasha offered her hand and he kissed it without breaking eye contact.

"That is very true Minister Scrimgeour, but so is my presence here. Am I not unjustly labeled by your government…as…a…dark…creature?" Sasha's voice was soft and sultry, as she brought back her hand and slowly ran it down the length of her neck from earlobe to collarbone. His throat suddenly felt very dry.

"Please call me Rufus."

"You are far too kind. I am called Sasha, Matriarch of the Clan Desory." Sasha's curtsy was slow and deliberately exposed the already tantalizing cleavage of her non existent top. Several males both human and goblin alike swallowed hard. Harry mouthed two minutes to Ginny. She cocked her eye brow at that, then mouth one minute back to him. A handshake later the bet was set.

"You have come to us in our hour of need. Creatures of such beauty and selflessness should never be considered dark."

"Perhaps, now is a season of change for both our people?" Sasha's wings flutter for a second. Rufus breathed in her tantalizing scent and signed. Harry whispered. "That's cheating." He was swiftly rewarded with a stinging snap to his rear by a Succubus tail.

"I forgot how much it could sting when she does that," Harry grunted out through clenched teeth. He didn't see Ginny's mouth drop.

"I believe you are right. Would you care to embrace it with me?" Sasha stepped close to Scrimgeour and whispered into his ear. "Once the ink is dry and the magic is binding I will…vigorously."

"Then I shall put forth my best effort to see that it does." That was when Amelia had to look away to hide her smiling face. She never believed in the treatment of the Succubi by the Wizarding World. Most witches were ether intimidated by or jealous of there beauty, which was what led them to being marked as Dark Creatures several hundred years ago. Amelia was saved by one in her early years as an Auror and since then learned to see them as they truly were. She couldn't begrudge Sasha for using every advantage she had to secure a better life for her people. She almost felt sorry for the minister…almost. Poor bastard never had a chance.

"I wish Lord Potter to be the voice of my people in the Wizengamot. I also ask that you show him and his…little friend compassion and understanding. Though their actions were rash and impulsive, it was done out of the purest of intentions."

"Well…since this was the first offense and it was healing magic in nature, I see no reason that a hefty fine will serve more justice today." Rufus was no fool. He had covered up more grievous offenses that this before. For Lords that he truly desisted, it was just how the game was played. He needed Potter on his side. By his tally, the young Lord and his godfather now controlled forty-five percent of the votes in the Wizengamot. After the purging they had done at the Ministry, he was more than sure they now had the controlling vote. By the display of his Marauder's today, they were a force to be reckoned with. This was about survival. Of course having a night with a Succubus…it looked like Christmas had come early this year.

"Your benevolence has no end, as will my gratitude in this matter," Sasha purred and Ginny shook her head at that. Though, she didn't care for the little friend comment or her familiarly with Harry, the woman did just get them both out of some serious trouble. Potter, you have some serious explaining to do.

Harry helped Ginny to her feet and took her hand. He ran his wand across her wound and it healed instantly. She took his hand and returned the favor. An odd kind of silence fell between them. Not awkward per say, but an unspoken understanding as it were.

"Lord Potter, the Goblin Army is at your disposal. We will stand with you and the Ministry. That upstart want-to-be Dark Lord will regret the day he drew Goblin blood," Director Ragnok said breaking the silence. Once again the Minister of Magic knew he had made the right decision. The winds of the war were changing. He best have it to his back rather than in his face.

Sasha turned to Harry and handed him a small vial with a silvery substance in it. "For your viewing pleasure," She whispered into his ear so only he could hear. Thanks to Ginny's Animagus, she was able to catch every word. She had not completely mastered her form yet, but her senses were starting to become more acute by the day. The fact that Sasha was looking Ginny in the eye as she did it didn't sit too well with her either. The youngest Weasley unknowingly showed fang, to which the Succubus returned the favor with a wink and a kiss to Harry's cheek.

"Be nice," Harry warned her, to which she answered. "I thought you liked it when I was wicked?" It was a good thing Ginny didn't see where her tail wandered. He was pretty sure it would have been on if she did.

"His little friends name is Ginny Weasley, pleased to meet you," Ginny said as she stepped between them and shook Sasha's hand. Her grip was firmer than her petite size would suggest. Sasha smiled at the intent of the act.

"I seriously doubt it my Fiery Alpha…I seriously doubt it," She told Ginny, and then with a nod to Harry she took her leave.

"Brianna sends her love," Sasha said over her shoulder to Harry as she walked away, with more swing to her hips than was necessary in Ginny's opinion.

"Send mine back," Harry answered in a tender voice, as she disappeared out of sight.

"You and I are going to have a nice long talk Potter, and to quote your mum. Bits…tallest Tower," Ginny said as she turned to face Harry.

"You know, it sounds like foreplay when you say it like that?" Harry said with a teasing grin.

"Git."

"Tease."

"Not to interrupt what I'm sure was going to be some very entertaining banter, but I need a few moments of your time Miss Weasley. Perhaps an empty office would be best?" Amelia Bones asked Ginny. She nodded in agreement and started to follow her, but not before Ginny pointed two of her fingers to her eyes, and then to Harry's. He blew her a kiss, to which she scowled at. Harry returned fire with a cocky grin that got her blood flowing every time he did it. It wasn't until her back was to him that she smiled. He's going to be a handful.

"What is it about the scoundrels that make a girl's heart beat just a little bit faster?" Amelia commented as she led Ginny into the empty office. Lily ans Sirius came into the bank. Sirius went aver to talk to the Minister, as Lily motioned Harry to follow her. Once around a corner and away from prying eyes, Lily lunched herself at her son. She wrapped her only child in a fierce hug. Harry could fell her trembling. He tighten his grip around her and waited for her to steady. Once she had her breathing steady, Lily started to run her hands over his upper body looking for injuries, just like she did when he was a boy. Harry had learned to accept it, it was her way and she would worry until she was sure he was alright. Harry took of her mask and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"ORCS! YOU JUST HAD TO GO CHARGING INTO BLOODY ORCS!" Lily yelled as she started to hit him repeatably. He had also learned to accept this as well. She needed the release and she wasn't hitting very hard. She buried her face into his chest and said, "Are you trying to put me in an early grave?" Harry lifted her face so she was looking at the mirror image of her own eyes.

"You went into a sewer full of Trolls without backup." The weight of what he didn't say after that made it hard for her to breath.

"Touche'" Lily bowed her head in agreement. The silence between them was deafening. Harry then kissed the top of her head and she wrapped her son in another fierce hug. They stayed like that for quite awhile. Sirius stood sentinel down the hall to insure they had their privacy.

"Do you think we should ask Potter to join the DA?" Hermione asked Ron just a heartbeat before he was going to dig in to his dinner. She knew once he got started, she would have to dance around naked to get him to stop. When it came to food, her long time boyfriend was single-minded to the point of obsession. She blamed his mum for that. It was just a shame he couldn't apply that kind of blind devotion to his studies, but if he wouldn't be her Ron if he did. She kind of liked him the way he was, even if he was her polar opposite. It was a fact that annoyed her to no end when she was younger. Now, she saw the brilliance in it, they were just what the other in all honesty needed.

The muggles would say he was the street-smart to her book-smart. Her seriousness was balanced out by his whimsical nature. She had always prided herself on her ability to see the big picture, but it was Ron that always was able to get the little details that they needed. Probably one of the reasons he was so brilliant at chess. They were the perfect partners in her opinion, though she would be the first to tell anyone that his table manners needed loads of work.

If anyone had told her that Ron would be sitting next to her bed crying when she woke up after being petrified she would have called them mental. Yet that was what she woke up to. He poured his heart out to her as they talked for hours. He had touched her soul in a way that no one had ever before. Not that they didn't still have their rows. They had them plenty and she suspected they always would. Though lately it had been more like foreplay…not that she was complaining.

"Sorry, what was that luv?"

"I asked you if you think we should ask Potter to join the DA?"

"How would I know? I've never met the bloke," Ron said odd handedly.

"What do you mean you haven't met him? You live in the same dorm room you prat."

"And where did I sleep last night?"

"Oh."

"Glad you're all caught up now."

"Don't get cheeky with me or you'll be sleeping in your own bed for the rest of the year."

"Right, because you're the picture of restraint. Don't roll you eyes at me. Last night was your idea, not mine."

"We're getting off subject Weasley."

"Oh yes, Potter…DA…like we need another uptight Noble Lord bossing everyone around."

"He seemed like a very down to earth sort to me. He even made a muggle joke to me last night, not to mention he helped that first year. His mum's muggle-born so I'm pretty sure he's not all about blood status. I've heard that his mum is brilliant at potions and charms. His godfather is our DADA Professor. Since he's not taking either of their classes, I'd bet my knickers that they've taught him loads more than what's taught here. By the grace of Merlin, if the Daily Prophet is only marginally right, he kicked some serious Death Eater bum yesterday. If You-Know-Who really did kill his dad, I'm pretty sure he's not on Malfoy's team. He got past the wards of the castle, doesn't give a damn about the stupid house rivalries, and didn't back down from Dumbledore last night. Wait, there's something I'm forgetting. Oh yes…he killed a bloody Basilisk! No, I can't think of one reason why we should ask him to join the DA."

"You don't have to hit me in the head with a Bludger to make your point Hermione. Come to think of it, I'm not fancying you thinking that much about him to begin with."

"Jealous?"

"Should I be?"

"You don't have to worry about me, but I think your sister fanccies him."

"That I noticed. Where is she, by the way? Ginny wasn't here at lunch either."

"She had to escort a new student to Diagon Alley to get some class supplies. I'm sure she's fine. What's the worst that could happen?"

As if on cue, the roar of Harry's motorbike could be heard getting closer. Lily and Sirius looked at each other and smiled. They knew he took his time getting back just to piss off Dumbledore. By the look on the man's face he was doing a bang up job. By the time word reached his ears about the attack at Diagon Alley, they were already back and he was none the wiser.

All the injured were sent to St. Mungo's and repairs to the building in Diagon Alley were well on their way. Oddly enough there were very few fatalities. Not counting the Death Eaters of course. Voldermort had summoned Snape, and he had yet to return. The Minister had put a lid on what happened today, and was stonewalling Dumbledore. His informants within the ministry were purposely being left out of the loop. The only good news was that Auror Nymphadora Lupin had been reassigned to Hogwarts. He planned to put her to good use.

Harry and Ginny walked into the Great Hall. She was still wearing his trench coat and grinning broadly. Dumbledore was on his feet and marching towards them in a heartbeat. Harry leaned down and whispered into Ginny's ear.

"Hey Tease, you ready to start some shit?"

"Git. I'm already there." Ginny grabbed Harry by the back of his head and planted the boldest kiss that Hogwarts had ever seen on his lips. Cat calls and whistles filled the Great Hall as one of Ginny's legs snaked around Harry's. All the inhabitence in the great Hall drifted away as the kiss became more passionate. Their tongues battled for dominance as Ginny grabbed fists full of hair. Harry hands lifted her soft lower cheeks up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They laid claim to each other the bold Gryffindor way.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Ginny?" Neville yelled as he leapt to his feet.

Ginny gave him a cold stare, and then said in her sweetest voice, "Trading up...Duh."