"GET YOU FILTHY HANDS OFF MY PROPERTY POTTER!" Neville yelled as he pulled his wand, only to find both Harry's and Ginny's leveled at him. An amazing feat considering she still had her legs wrapped around his waist and one hand full of hair, while Harry was using his free hand to hold her up. To the uneducated eye it looked as if they were just really fast. Albus Dumbledore knew better.

Even as the cheek left Ginny's lips, Harry was twisting his body so he was mostly between Neville and Ginny. Harry and Ginny both had their wands already in hand. Regardless of how impulsive it may have looked, it was well planned out. Neville's reaction was never in question. Ginny knew him too well. Her comment hit all his red buttons on their mark. Pride, Arrogance, and Possessiveness were assaulted at once. A little public humiliation and his temper overloaded his common sense in the blink of an eye. How very Slytherin of them. Dumbledore was sure this was Potter's doing.

"I have until my seventeenth birthday and I plan to enjoy every second of it," Ginny lied. Her talk with Madame Bones was very enlightening. After much debate, they agreed that this course of action would better suit their goals. With luck Neville and Dumbledore would be in Azkaban by the end of the year. They just had to give them enough rope to hang themselves, another one of Harry's muggle sayings that she was starting to get use to. If not, Harry would go with plan B. She knew he wanted to go straight to plan B to begin with. He knew it was her battle and out of respect for her, he would follow her lead.

Neville was shocked to see both of them pointing wands at him. Due to the threat of Dumbledore's wrath, he had the luxury of hexing anyone he wanted without any true consequences. The law Dumbledore put in effect stated that attacking a Noble Lord who was the last of his line could be considered an act of Genocide. Unfortunately, Potter fell under that protection too.

"PUT YOUR WANDS AWAY THIS INSTANCE!" Commanded Dumbledore, as he marched up to the three youths. Neville spared a quick glance. The Headmaster had his wand drawn and he knew he would back him up so he relaxed a little. Then he saw that both Professors Black and Potter had their wands drawn as well. This wasn't going to end well. He knew he had to regain some of his lost respect. It was time to see how Potter would handle his Parseltongue.

"You will pay for this Potter," Neville spoke slowly and venomously, confident that it would unsettle Harry and Ginny. It was only partly successful. Ginny was unnerved by it, but she had always had been. It took her back to the chamber and in Neville's own twisted mind she needed to be reminded that she owed him her life. Potter's reaction was not what he expected.

"Seriously? Did you just hiss at me? What are you…five? Well, hiss hiss hissy hiss right back at ya scooter." Harry tried not to laugh at the ridiculousness of his taunt. He looked around to see that most of the students were as pale as ghosts, Ginny included. He knew he had to break this hold he had on everyone. "Are you people kidding me? It's just noise to scare your enemy…let me demonstrate." Harry turned his attention to Neville and gave him a feral smile with just enough fangs to make Longbottom nervous.

"ROARRRRR!" Harry roared like his panther and made everyone but Lily and Sirius jump. However, Neville's reaction was the one that amused him the most.

"Thank you for proving my point Nevy," Harry said as he pointed to Longbottom's pants.

"Ewww! That's gonna itch when it dries." Ginny added for good measure, which made everyone start laughing and was enough to send Neville running from the Great Hall.

"This isn't over Potter!" The Chosen One yelled over his retreating shoulder.

"Why do they always say that, when it clearly is?" Harry asked Ginny. She was hard pressed to keep her giggling under control; most of the Great Hall wasn't even trying.

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore bellowed out. Harry and Ginny rolled their eyes and turned to face their Headmaster. "Was that really necessary Mr. Potter?" His voice was dripping with disdain.

"Actually it was." Harry countered teeming with contempt for the Headmaster. "We are at War in case you've forgotten. I for one don't believe in giving the enemy any advantage over me. Something you should have instilled in these students once he returned to power."

"I will not be lectured to by the likes of you!"

"Getting a little unhinged by a little constructive criticism Headmaster? Perhaps you should think of retiring. You're not exactly a spring chicken anymore." Lily had to bow her head to hide her face in a curtain of rich red hair. She covered her mouth with her hand to keep her laughing under control. Sirius had to put his hand on her shoulder to keep them from bouncing up and down. He just wished he could see the old fart's face. Harry would have to show him the memory later. He was sure it was priceless.

"You would do well to remember who is headmaster and who is student, boy." Albus snarled at Harry. "You are far from my equal" Internally Harry was laughing. Could you make this any easier old man?

"Your Chosen…Boy, just ran from the hall after he pissed his pants. I would have thought after all the training you given him, he wouldn't be so skittish. You are right on one matter. We are not colleague, friends and you sure as hell are not my equal old man. From this point forward you will address me as Lord Potter. Unlike your boy, I in fact earned that title. In return, I will address you as Headmaster and I will do my best to tolerate your eccentric teaching methods. Be warned though, I will not for a second tolerate, and I'm sure the Board of Governors will side with me on this, your blatant favoritism of the Chosen…Git was it Ginny?" Harry grinned back at her for conformation.

"Yes luv, that one was always my favorite." She beamed back at him.

"Does have a certain ring to it," Harry winked at her as he said it.

"And how many Dark Lords have you brought down?"

"Please, we both know Nevy was a tool for his destruction. Alice Longbottom's selfless sacrifice was what brought down Tommy-boy." Dumbledore's eyes snapped to Ginny as he realized how much Potter had learned in the short time he had been here. Ginny just shrugged with a grin. She was enjoying seeing Dumbledore squirm.

"Keep your voice down" Albus sneered in a hushed voice. "That is not common knowledge for a reason." "Yes, let's keep the masses uneducated. It's so much easier to control and manipulate them when they can't make an informed decision. I however have learned from my father's mistake, or have you forgotten just whose house that bastard came to first that night?" Ginny gasped at what she heard Harry say, as did most of the students in the Great Hall. It dawned on Dumbledore that this was not the time and place for this conversation. He needed to regain some control over the situation quickly.

"Ha-Lord Potter, You must understand that some could use that information for dark purposes."

"I believe some already have."

"We will continue this discussion in my office, where we will discuss your and Miss Weasley's punishment for not being in class today." Dumbledore turned to address Ginny directly. "Your mother will be most displeased if she was to find out that your scholarship was revoked."

"You can take that so-called scholarship and shove it right up your old wrinkled-, "Harry stopped her before she finished that statement with just a look. She narrowed her eyes at him, as she tried to regain her composer. "Can't let you have all the fun."

"Damn you're sexy when you do that." Ginny lightly slapped him upside the head.

"Focus git."

"Tease."

"Later."

"Damn right later." Ron mover to get up, but Dean and Seamus grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back down into his seat.

"Let it play mate, let it play," Dean told him.

"You don't really have any moral high ground to stand on you know," Seamus added. Hermione gave him a threatening finger and he all but deflated. Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly.

"Oh, you're still here?" Harry asked him dismissively. "That's right our punishment for not being in class today. I know the elderly tend to get forgetful in their twilight years, but you did grant me permission to go to Diagon Alley, and to take a prefect as a guide. I don't see the problem."

"You were supposed to be back before lunch. It is now dinner."

"We gathered that by the setting sun, but thanks for the update."

"Nice one Tease."

"Thanks Git."

"I think Lord Potter has been a bad influence on you Miss Weasley."

"Has he ever. Oops, did I say that out loud?" Ginny said as she slid her hand into his and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I think it would be best that we all take a little breather," Lily Potter said as she walked up to her son. "Wouldn't you agree Albus?" Her tone made it very clear that it was a rhetorical question. She gave Harry and Ginny a warning look that told them to stand down.

"Sorry Mum, it's been a trying day to say the least."

"Yeah Professor Potter I'm sorry too. Ever since the attack, we've been a little on edge. Harry thought a long ride in the country would calm my nerves."

"And did it?" Lily asked with a raised brow.

"Yes and no," Ginny said with a slight blush. Before Dumbledore could speak, Lily answered his unasked question.

"This is my fault Albus. Harry sent me word about what happened today and asked if it would be alright to take their time getting back. With all the classes today it must have slipped my mind to tell you."

"She's good." Ginny whispered in Harry's ear. He leaned back and whispered back to her. "You have no idea."

"I need to know what happened today Lily."

"I'm afraid that they can't tell you. The ministry asked them to keep quiet until family members of the fallen could be notified." Lily used her most diplomatic voice in the hope to soothe Dumbledore. The aged wizard seemed to calm down considerably. He knew it was pointless to push the issue. He could pull Ginny into his office and probe her mind, but he doubted that Lily would have let her go alone. Not after what he tried with Harry last night. He would just have to wait for a more favorable time to alter Ginny's mind and get her back into the fold. Right now, he needed to call an emergency Order meeting.

"As for you two," Lily turned around and pointed at Harry and Ginny. "I raised you to respect your elders young man. You will do twenty laps around the Black Lake for the cheek you showed the Headmaster. GO!" Lily told her son in mock disgust. She knew he could do that in his sleep and it would show the school that she wouldn't show favoritism to him. Harry gave her a fake glare before giving Ginny a kiss on the cheek and left. "And don't roll you eyes at me!"

Harry stopped for a second, playing the part of an annoyed child, "Yes Mum!" and then continued out of the Great Hall.

"Now Miss Weasley, you will be serving detention with me right now, let's go." Ginny bowed her head and turn to leave as well. Hermione caught a glimpse of a grin through a break in the curtain of hair that was hiding her face. She was going to have to talk to her later, but not before she had a little talk with Ron first. She didn't want his over protectiveness screwing this up for her.

"Albus," Lily said as she looked back at him and nodded goodbye, and then she shot a finger at one individual that was sitting at the Gryffindor table. "There had better be a stain on my blouse Mr. Thomas."

"Sorry Professor," Dean said and quickly looked down at his plate of food.

"Busted," Both Ron and Seamus snickered out, which earned them a glare from Hermione.

"Would you like me take care of that for you Professor?" Hermione asked Lily. The Professor leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Hermione's eyes shot open in shock and then she got a predatory smile on her face.

"You are good." The Head Girl beamed at her new favorite Professor. Lily gave Hermione a wink and then followed Ginny out of the Great Hall.

Emma and Daphne were sitting in silence in the Library. The seventh year Slytherin was true to her word and helped her find all the books that she needed to understand the world she just entered. Daphne was right, they weren't boring reads and quite informative. Still, her mind kept going back to what happened at dinner. More importantly, Daphne's reaction to what happened. Emma couldn't take the silence any more.

"You like him, don't you?" She asked in bold Gryffindor fashion.

"I'm sorry did you say something?"

"Don't give me that. You heard me. You like him don't you?"

"And who is this him you speak of?"

"I might be a first year, but I'm not an idiot. I was looking at you when they kissed. You can hide your emotions well, but I saw it, if only for a second."

"My, aren't we the observant one?" Daphne was impressed and a little annoyed, but mostly impressed.

"A wise witch once told me to be aware of my environment."

"Perhaps I'll take you on as an Apprentice. No point letting my brilliance go to waste." Emma changed her hair color blond and her eyes Daphne's dazzling shade of blue. She sat up properly and looked at her with Daphne's air of superiority.

"Don't you get cheeky with me young lady," Daphne snapped as she pointed a warning finger at Emma. The first year gave her best puppy dog eyes and pouting lips.

"Ugh, you worse than my little sister," Daphne said as she rolled her eyes. "All right, class is in session. What did we learn today at supper?"

"Harry's a smartarse."

"Yes that was rather amusing, but beyond that?"

"Well he obviously hates Dumbledore, but why?"

"Good, now continue that train of thought."

"His dad, remember the way his voice changed when he mentioned him. Harry said he learned from his father's mistake. He also said that You-Know-Who came to his house first that night. Wait a sec." Emma reached into her bag and pulled out her copy of the Daily Prophet. She quickly reread the article on Harry. She gasped and covered her mouth when she got to the part about his dad. She snapped her head up to see Daphne patently waiting for her to connect the dots. "H-he killed Harry's dad the same night that Longbottom stopped him. But why would he go after those two families?"

"Good question Emma. A year and a half ago, Longbottom led a group of students into the Department of Mysteries. It's where they store prophecies. A group of Death Eaters were waiting for them. There were rumors that one of the prophecies was about You-Know-Who and the Boy-Who-Lived. No one knows what it said, but after that night Longbottom was called the Chosen One. Now, you have to understand that prophecies are a fickle thing at best. They are very easily misread. It's all about how you interpret it."

"This is what got his father killed, isn't it? Harry said Dumbledore doesn't like giving people all the facts. He blames Dumbledore for his father's death, doesn't he?"

"And the flower blooms," Daphne said with a smile.

"There has to be more to it than that?"

"Of course there is, but we don't have that information yet, do we?"

"Ugh, this is giving me a headache."

"Well that's enough for tonight. You have a very keen mind Emma, so I trust you know to keep this information to yourself." Daphne was very impressed with Emma's reasoning out abilities. She however read between all the lines that Harry threw out there. Things were about to change at Hogwarts and looked as if Harry had the Board of Governors in his pocket. This was defiantly shaping up to be a very interesting year.

"You're still avoiding the question I asked you earlier."

"What question?" Both girls jumped and turned to see who had interrupted them. Both of their eyes widened when they saw Harry Potter standing in front of them. When he got only silence he figured they weren't going to tell him.

"Sorry, private conversation, my bad."

Daphne gave Harry a slight nod, then shot Emma a questioning look. At first she didn't know what to think about it. Then it dawned on her and she jumped up.

"Sorry Daphne, this is one of those Noble House Social Formalities you were telling me about." Again Daphne gave her an affirming nod, and then stood up. Emma came around the table and stood between Harry and Daphne. Emma cleared her throat and turned to Harry.

"Lord Potter it is my great pleasure to introduce to my good friend Lady Daphne Greengrass." Emma took Daphne's hand and offered it to Harry. Realization shined on his face and Harry took Daphne's hand bowed to her and kissed her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine my Lady. I would consider it the greatest of honors if you would call me Harry." He looked up at Daphne and her eyes softened. She gave Harry a proper curtsy.

"You are far too kind Harry, and please call me Daphne?"

"Whew! Glad I didn't screw that up," Emma said with relief. Harry and Daphne chuckled at her comment.

"You did it perfectly Emma. I'm very proud of you. Now, if both of you would excuse me, I have to return to my common room, and I believe you have something to discuss with Harry." Daphne said with a look that told Emma to just do it already. Emma shook her head in agreement and Daphne smiled and rubbed the top of her head.

"See you around kiddo, Harry." Daphne turned to leave, but Harry stopped her.

"It's getting late. If you don't mind waiting, I could walk you back to the Slytherin Dungeon?"

"That's sweet. But I've been getting back on my own for the last six years." Then without thinking she got on the tips of her toes and kissed Harry on the cheek. Her eyes shot open as she realized what she just did and she quickly turned to leave. Harry was just as shocked by the gesture as she was.

Emma completely missed the exchange, because at the time she was looking past them to a table where two of her attackers were sitting with some other Slytherin's. They were trying to watch them and not be obvious about it. They were failing miserably at it. She glared at them and they quickly looked away.

"Are you sure? It's no bother really."

"No it's alright. Nobody messes with the Ice Queen. Bye." Daphne said without looking back as she made a quick exit from the Library. Once out in the hall she hit herself in the head and mentally berated herself for doing something so bold and reckless.

Harry gestured for Emma to take a seat. She did and found that she couldn't look him in the eye. She opted to look at her hands instead. So much so that she failed to see the table of Slytherin's quickly pack up and follow Daphne out. Nor did she see the vicious look that one of them gave her and Harry before closing the door behind them.

Harry took Emma's hands in his in hopes of calming her. That fact that they were trembling made him think the worst. He pushed a few stray locks of hair behind her ear. Emma let out a long breath and relaxed.

"What happened cub?"

"Cub?" Emma asked more to herself than Harry. She thought back to what she had seen earlier that morning. "Oh my,you really are an Animagus aren't you?"

"You know about Animagi?"

"Professor McGonagall turned into a cat in front of the class today. Plus, I kind of saw you turn into a big panther this morning."

"How did that go?"

"I fainted, and that's kind of where this story begins…"

"I have to say this is the best detention that I have ever served," Ginny said, as she finished cutting up some Azgar root and then tossed it in the boiling cauldron. They were currently in Lily's potions lab that was in her trunk. Like Harry's it was like a flat inside. Though it was decorated in a very differently than her son's. It had warm comfortable colors that made you felt right at home right from the off. The walls were covered with pictures of her, Harry, and Professor Black, as well as some of Tonks and her parents as well as Lupin. In one she was standing with a blond woman that looked dangerously close to Malfoy's mum. There was one of four boys that looked like it was taken in the seventies. There was a red headed girl scolding them and they were looking sheepish. All except for the one in the front that was grinning ear to ear, the one that look like Harry. The same one that was in so many photos with Harry's mum. He was always looking at her with such love that you felt like you were intruding.

"Glad you like it. Do you serve much detention?" Lily questioned with an amused look that told her she already knew the answer, but wanted to hear all the same.

"A fair few, mostly from Snape. He tends to pick on us Gryffindors the most, but I've been known to get a bit cheeky from time to time."

"And here I thought my son was being a bad influence on you."

"Not entirely, but he does seem to draw it out of you, doesn't he?"

"Welcome to my world. As for Snape, I think it was time we had one of our famous chats."

"It wouldn't involve the tallest tower would it? I would be more than happy to sell tickets for that show."

"Please tell me he's at least a competent Professor?"

"That would depend if you consider leaving the directions on the blackboard and giving you an hour to decipher his chicken scratches competent, then yes."

"Oh Sevy, me and you are going to go round and round," Lily said to herself, but Ginny caught the nickname.

"Sevy?"

"Once upon a time we were friends if you can believe it. Oh look, I think it's done. Why don't we sit and have some tea while it cools." Lily gestured to living room. Ginny got the feeling she was changing the subject and took the hint. While Lily was in the kitchen making the tea, Ginny took the opportunity to look around. There were so many pictures of them over the years. Her favorite would have to be the one where Harry looked to be five. He was riding on the back of a big black dog wearing a cowboy hat, a pair of boots, and pretty much nothing else. She was surprised to see that he used to wear glasses. Her eyes then fell on the man that looked identical to Harry, all except the eyes even though they held the same mischief in them as Harry's did. She was staring so intently that she didn't hear Lily come back into the room with a tray of tea.

"Uncanny, how much they look alike." Ginny jumped at the sudden statement. "Sorry dear, didn't mean to startle you." Lily kissed two of her fingers and put them to the picture. There was sadness in her eyes for a second and then she quickly pushed it aside and smiled at Ginny. They then took their seats.

"It must be hard sometimes, looking at Harry. They have the same gleam in the eyes."

"You are blunt, aren't you?" Lily chuckled as she poured the tea.

"Sorry, I have six brothers. Tact is about useful as a candle in a hailstorm in my house."

"Preaching to the choir. Harry is about as subtle as a flying brick." Both of them looked at each other for all of two seconds before bursting into a fit of laughter. Lily was wiping the tears from her eyes when she regained her composure.

"To answer your question, yes there are times, but I have the best of James in him. Until we are reunited, that will have to do."

"Sorry if I crossed a line."

"You didn't, but I appreciate the thought all the same."

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

"I think you will find you can."

"Why did you bring up the Succubus thing in front of the whole school?"

"I know I might have come off as a bitch, but believe it or not, I'm trying to protect my son though I doubt he sees it that way."

"You lost me there."

"Look Ginny, we all come into a relationship with a certain amount of excesses baggage. I would hate for Harry to fall in love with a witch, then a year later she finds out about Sasha and can't handle it. It would break his heart."

"Doesn't help she's got the body of a goddess and they have been…intimate."

"Are you planning on holding that against him?"

"No, of course not. Doesn't mean that I have to like it."

"Congratulations, you're human. And no, you don't have to like it. I take it you saw her?"

"Yes, she was messing with me and she called me a fiery alpha, whatever the hell that means."

"Well I'll be damned, huh. Believe it or not that was a complement. She approves of you. I know that doesn't mean anything to you, but it does to my son."

"It wasn't just sex between them was it?"

"No it wasn't, but for what it's worth the way he looks at you should tell you all you need to know."

"So, what was that we just brewed anyway?" Ginny said desperately trying to change the subject. She was starting to feel very overwhelmed. Boy, did she pick the wrong topic.

"It's called Feminin. It means restraint. It's a potion that I created, and it's for you."

"M-me? W-why is it for me?" Lily managed to keep a straight face at Ginny's reaction, but just barely. She knew all too well what Ginny was going through at the moment.

"The first heat cycle is always the worst and it is the most potent. The potion will curb the urges considerably and you won't be releasing quite as much pheromones. This will mean that you can be around my son without both of you feeling the overwhelming urge to shag your brains out. How you both have managed to last this long is beyond me. What is your Animagus form by the way? I know it has to at least be compatible with my son's or you wouldn't be going through it right now."

"A little on the blunt side yourself, aren't ya?" Ginny was red in the face from embarrassment. How does she know all this?

"Would you like some answer to the questions that must be running through your mind right about now?" Ginny numbly nodded her head. Lily went to open her mouth then stopped for some reason. It's was a delicate and deeply private situation and one she had never openly talked with someone about before. Just rip the Band-Aid off already! If anyone would understand it would be her. She took a deep breath and dove right in. They were both Gryffindors after all.

"I know you're in heat because I can smell it. I know the smell because I'm an Animagus, a Lioness to be precise. Which unfortunately happen to be compatible with a Panther, one of lives quirky little ironies? So when my son mastered his form you can guess what little present I got. I had a few awkward moments before I was able to figure out what was happening to me. Took a trip to visit my old Potions Professor and together we invented that potion we just made. I've made a few improvement to it since then, so it doesn't taste like troll dung. One vial every morning until the cycle is complete. Trust me you'll know when you done because the urge will be gone. The potion curbs it, but unfortunately it doesn't take it away. I can't believe I'm telling you this, but if you want to keep your sanity you're going to have to…self-service for lack of a better word. At least once, probably twice a day would be best. Trust me, you will need the release. Just try to think of it as scratching an itch. Now we never, never, never, never, never, never ever, and I mean ever have to speak of this again." Both women sat in silence for what felt like hours, until Ginny poised a question,

"Sooo…who's your favorite Quidditch team?"

"Bless you child."