𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧

ACT TWO, CHAPTER ONE
they're each other's lifelines.

VENUS BLACK HAD fallen asleep the previous night with a feeling of worry in her heart.

It was currently the night that Harry Potter — Venus' boyfriend, and the one destined to either kill or die to Voldemort — was being moved from Number Four, Privet Drive, his aunt and uncle's house. Most of the members of the Order of the Phoenix were going to help Harry, which was Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Fleur Delacour, Bill Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Mad-Eye Moody, and Hagrid. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry's best friends, were also going. They had come up with this crazy plan for some of them to take Polyjuice Potion to look like Harry and go to different safe houses so no one would be able to find out who the real Harry was.

And yet Venus wasn't going. She was seventeen as of July Fourth — legal, now — yet her parents still didn't allow her to go help move Harry, which Venus found totally ridiculous. However, Atlas and Mary Black did give her permission to go stay at the Burrow, the Weasley family home, to wait for Harry's (the real Harry's) arrival.

So there Venus sat, anxiously waiting in the living room of the Burrow. The house was quiet besides the sound of water in the kitchen. No one was there besides her, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley. Ginny was currently trying to take a nap, but her eyes were wide open. Mrs. Weasley was in the midst of washing all of her dishes in the kitchen. Venus knew that they really didn't need to be washed, but Mrs. Weasley probably wanted something to keep her hands busy. As for Venus herself, a book was in her hands, but her brain did not register a single word.

She was worried. So worried. Sure, she had only known Harry for about two years, but even in the span of that, he had been through so much. Now there was a risk that he could be attacked by people, especially Voldemort's Death Eaters. If anything happened to Harry . . . Venus didn't know what she would do.

Suddenly, in the darkness of the Burrow's yard, a blue light appeared. A Portkey. They had two Portkeys appear with no one so far. Ron and Tonks and Mr. Weasley and Fred should've returned, but they weren't there. Venus' eyes widened and she immediately got to her feet. She was the first one out of the door, trailed by Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.

Thank God, this time this Portkey had people. Venus saw Hagrid clumsily getting to his feet, Penelope Lestrange (Ron's girlfriend, Tonks' cousin) with her hands on her knees, and Harry. It should've been Harry, but with this plan, she wasn't quite sure. Venus slowly approached him, her hands begging to reach out to him.

"Harry?" she whispered.

He nodded frantically. "It's me — Star, it's me—"

"Oh my God," she breathed out.

Venus surged forwards. Once she was close enough, Harry instantly fell into her arms, burying his face into her shoulder. Venus wrapped her arms around him tightly and held him close. She let out a breath of slight relief. The others were in danger, but Harry was okay.

"Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "You are the real Harry? What happened? Where are the others?"

"What d'you mean?" Harry replied. He pulled back from the hug and interlocked his hands with Venus' instead, the girl moving close to him. "Isn't anyone else back?"

None of them verbally answered, but Mrs. Weasley's pale face was good enough.

"The Death Eaters were waiting for us," Harry told them, and Venus' eyes widened. "We were surrounded the moment we took off — they knew it was tonight — I don't know what happened to anyone else, four of them chased us, it was all we could do to get away, and then Voldemort caught up with us—"

Mrs. Weasley then pulled Harry into a hug. "Thank goodness you're all right."

"Haven't go' any brandy, have yeh, Molly?" Hagrid questioned a little shakily. "Fer medicinal purposes?"

Magic could've summoned it, but Mrs. Weasley hurried back towards the house. Venus just knew she wanted to hide her face from them. Harry and Penelope then immediately turned to Ginny. She answered their unspoken pleas for information at once.

"Ron and Tonks should have been back first, but they missed their Portkey, it came back without them," Ginny explained, pointing to a rusty oil can laying on the ground nearby. Venus took a quick concerned glance at Penelope — the girl looked like she was about to be sick, but then again, the two most important people to her had missed their Portkey. Ginny then pointed to an ancient sneaker. "And that one should have been Dad and Fred's, they were supposed to be second. You and Hagrid were third and—" Ginny checked her watch "—if they made it, George and Lupin ought to be back in about a minute."

Mrs. Weasley then reappeared with a bottle of brandy. She handed it off to Hagrid, and Hagrid uncorked it and drank it straight down in one.

"Mum!" Ginny shouted.

She was pointing to a spot several feet away. Another blue light had appeared in the darkness. It grew larger and brighter until George and Lupin appeared, spinning and falling. Venus instantly could tell that something was wrong. Lupin was supporting an unconscious George, whose face was covered in blood.

Harry let go of Venus and ran forwards. He grabbed George's legs, and together, him and Lupin carried George into the house. They went through the kitchen to the living room, where they laid him across the couch. Once the lamplight fell across George's head, Venus froze. One of George's ears was missing. The side of his head and neck were drenched in wet, shockingly scarlet blood.

Lupin then immediately grabbed Harry by the upper arm harshly. He dragged him back into the kitchen, where Hagrid was still attempting to get through the back door. Venus' eyes widened and she followed after Harry and Lupin.

"Oi!" Hagrid exclaimed. "Le' go of him! Le' go of Harry!"

"Lupin, what are you doing?" Venus demanded.

Lupin ignored them. "What creature sat in the corner the first time that Harry Potter visited my office at Hogwarts?" He gave Harry a small shake. "Answer me!"

"A — a Grindylow in a tank, wasn't it?" Harry responded.

Lupin finally released Harry and fell back against a kitchen cabinet. Venus immediately went up to Harry, who locked their hands together again. She looked up at him, silently asking if he was okay. Harry's pretty green eyes seemed to tell her that he was fine.

"Wha' was tha' about?" Hagrid roared.

"I'm sorry, Harry, but I had to check," Lupin said. "We've been betrayed. Voldemort knew that you were being moved tonight and the only people who could have told him were directly involved in the plan. You might have been an impostor."

"So why aren' you checkin' me?"

"You're half-Giant. The Polyjuice Potion is designed for human use only."

"None of the Order would have told Voldemort we were moving tonight," Harry voiced. "Voldemort only caught up with me toward the end, he didn't know which one I was in the beginning. If he'd been in on the plan he'd have known from the start I was the one with Hagrid."

"Voldemort caught up with you?" Lupin cut in sharply. "What happened? How did you escape?"

Harry then explained briefly how the Death Eaters following them seemed to recognize him as the true Harry, how they had abdoned the chase to summon Voldemort, who had appeared just before they got to their safe house, which was the house of Tonk's parents and Penelope's aunt and uncle. Speaking of Penelope, Venus took a glance to the living room. Penelope was currently helping Mrs. Weasley take care of George.

"They recognized you? But how? What had you done?"

"I . . ." Harry trailed off. "I saw Stan Shunpike . . . you know, the bloke who was the conductor on the Knight Bus? And I tried to Disarm him instead of — well, he doesn't know what he's doing, does he? He must be Imperiused!"

Venus resisted the urge to smack her forehead. Well, that's how they recognized him.

Lupin looked horrified. "Harry, the time for Disarming is past! These people are trying to capture and kill you! At least Stun if you aren't prepared to kill!"

"We were hundreds of feet up!" Harry insisted. "Stan's not himself, and if I Stunned him and he'd fallen, he'd have died the same as if I'd used AvadaKedavra! Expelliarmus saved me from Voldemort two years ago."

"Yes, Harry, and a great number of Death Eaters witnessed that happening! Forgive me, but it was a very unusual move then, under imminent threat of death. Repeating it tonight in front of Death Eaters who either witnessed or heard about the first occasion was close to suicidal!"

"So you think I should have killed Stan Shunpike?" Harry replied angrily, squeezing Venus' hand just a bit tighter.

"Of course not, but the Death Eaters — frankly, most people! — would have expected you to attack back!" Lupin stated. "Expelliarmus is a useful spell, Harry, but the Death Eaters seem to think it is your signature move, and I urge you not to let it become so!"

"I won't blast people out of my way just because they're there. That's Voldemort's job."

Venus blinked. Well, okay. Lupin obviously didn' have a response to this. Finally succeeding in squeezing through the door, Hagrid staggered to a chair and sat down. It collapsed beneath him, and he began to list off oaths and apologies.

Harry addressed Lupin again. "Will George be okay?"

"I think so, although there's no chance of replacing his ear, not when it's been cursed off—" Lupin began.

There was a scuffling from outside. Lupin immediately dived for the back door. Harry pulled on Venus' hand, signaling to come with them. They leaped over Hagrid's legs and sprinted out into the yard. Two figures had now appeared. It was Hermione, now returning to her normal appearance, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The two of them were clutching a bent coat hanger. Hermione ran forwards and flung herself into Harry's arms, but Kingsley showed no pleasure at the sight of any of them.

Kingsley raised his wand and pointed it at Lupin's chest. "The last words Albus Dumbledore spoke to the pair of us?"

"Harry is the best hope we have," Lupin answered. "Trust him." Kingsley turned his wand on Harry, but Lupin stopped him. "It's him, I've checked!"

"All right, all right!" Kingsley stowed his wand back beneath his cloak. "But somebody betrayed us! They knew, they knew it was tonight!"

"So it seems, but apparently they did not realize that there would be seven Harrys."

"Small comfort!" Kingsley voiced. "Who else is back?"

"Only Harry, Hagrid, George, and me," Lupin responded. "What happened to you?"

"Followed by five, injured two, might've killed one, and we saw You-Know-Who as well, he joined the chase halfway through but vanished pretty quickly. Remus, he can—"

"Fly," Harry supplied. "I saw him too, he came after Hagrid and me."

"So that's why he left, to follow you!" Kingsley realized. "I couldn't understand why he'd vanished. But what made him change targets?"

"Harry behaved a little too kindly to Stan Shunpike," Lupin revealed.

"Stan?" Hermione repeated. "But I thought he was in Azkaban?"

Kingsley laughed, but there was no humor behind it. "Hermione, there's obviously been a mass breakout which theMinistry has hushed up. Travers' hood fell off when I cursed him, he's supposed to be inside too. But what happened to you, Remus? Where's George?"

"He lost an ear," Lupin said.

"Lost an—?" Hermione started to echo in a high voice.

"Snape's work."

"Snape?" Harry shouted. "You didn't say—"

"He lost his hood during the chase," Lupin explained. "Sectumsempra was always a speciality of Snape's. I wish I could say I'd paid him back in kind, but it was all I could do to keep George on the broom after he was injured, he was losing so much blood."

Silence fell between the six of them as they looked up at the sky. There was no sign of movement. Venus stared up at the stars, wondering how many new stars were being born and how many were dying. However, the most prominent thought was where the others were.

"Harry, give us a hand!" Hagrid called hoarsely from the door since he was stuck again.

He looked down at Venus, and his voice was quiet. "Will you come with me?"

She smiled softly at him. "Yeah."

Venus and Harry walked over to the door. They freed him before heading through the empty kitchen and back into the sitting room, where Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were still tending to George. Mrs. Weasley had managed to staunch his bleeding. By the lamplight Venus could see a clean, gaping hole where George's ear used to be.

"How is he?" Harry inquired.

Mrs. Weasley looked back. "I can't make it grow back,not when it's been removed by Dark Magic. But it could have been so much worse . . . he's alive."

Venus nodded. "That's enough right now."

"Did I hear someone else in the yard?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione and Kingsley," Harry answered

"Thank goodness."

There was a great crash from the kichen. Venus glanced back, only to see Mr. Weasley and Fred stumbling in.

"I'll prove who I am, Kingsley, after I've seen my son, now back off if you know what's good for you!" Mr. Weasley shouted.

Venus' eyes widened and she shared a look with Harry. They had never heard him shout like that before. He burst into the living room, his bald patch gleaming with sweat and his spectacles askew. Fred was right behind him. They were both bale, but uninjured.

Mrs. Weasley let out a sob. "Arthur! Oh thank goodness!"

"How is he?" Mr. Weasley questioned.

He dropped to his knees beside his son. Venus looked up at Fred. For the first time since meeting him, he seemed to be lost for words. He gaped at his twin's wound over the back of the couch like he couldn't believe what he was sound. And, perhaps roused by the sound of Fred and his father's arrival, George stirred.

"How do you feel, Georgie?" Mrs. Weasley whispered.

George reached up to touch the side of his head. "Saintlike."

Fred looked terrified. "What's wrong with him? Is his mind affected?"

"Saintlike," George repeated, opening his eyes and looking up at his brother. "You see . . . I'm holy. Holey, Fred, geddit?"

Mrs. Weasley sobbed harder than ever. Venus watched as Fred's pale face started to flood with color.

"Pathetic," Fred commented. "Pathetic! With the whole wide world of ear-related humor before you, you go for holey?"

"Ah well," George responded, grinning at his crying mother. "You'll be able to tell us apart now, anyway, Mum." He looked around. "Hi, Harry — you are Harry, right?"

"Yeah, I am," Harry said, him and Venus moving closer to the couch.

"Well, at least we got you back okay. Hey, America."

Venus slightly rolled her eyes. "Hi, George."

George moved on. "Why aren't Ron and Bill huddled round my sickbed?"

"They're not back yet, George," Mrs. Weasley revealed.

George's grin instantly faded. Venus locked eyes with Ginny and nodded her head, beckoning her to join them. Together, Venus, Harry, and Ginny left the living room to go back outside.

"Ron and Tonks should be back by now," Ginny announced in a low voice as they walked through the kitchen. "They didn't have a long journey; Auntie Muriel's not that far from here."

Venus kept quiet. She hoped nothing had happened to them, but she could feel the fear crawl up her back. Venus merely gripped Harry's hand a little tighter as they walked down the back steps into the dark yard.

Kingsley was pacing back and forth, glancing up at the sky each time he turned. Hagrid, Hermione, Penelope, and Lupin stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing upwards in silence. Nobody looked around when Venus, Harry, and Ginny joined their silent vigil.

The minutes felt like years. Every little noise made them jump and turn around. And then finally, it happened. A broom materialized directly above them and streaked towards the ground.

"It's them!" Hermione screamed.

Tonks landed in a long skid that sent dirt and pebbles everywhere.

"Remus!" Tonks cried as she staggered off the broom into Lupin's arms, whose face was white and seemed to be unable to speak.

Penelope immediately enveloped Ron in his arms. He allowed her to hold him while reassuring her that he was fine.

"Ron was great," Tonks told them warmly. "Wonderful. Stunned one of the Death Eaters, straight tothe head, and when you're aiming at a moving target from a flying broom—"

Ron allowed his girlfriend to kiss him and tell him that he was incredible. "Thanks, P. Are we the last back?"

"No, we're still waiting for Bill and Fleur and Mad-Eye and Mundungus," Ginny replied. "I'm going to tell Mum and Dad you're okay, Ron—" she then ran back inside.

"So what kept you?" Lupin demanded, sounding almost a little angry at Tonks. "What happened?

Tonks sent a weary glance to Penelope. "Bellatrix." Penelope looked like she was about to be sick as she asked Tonks if Bellatrix tried to kill her. "She wants me quite as much as she wants Harry, Remus, she tried very hard to kill me. I just wish I'd got her, I owe Bellatrix. But we definitely injured Rodolphus . . . then we got to Ron's Auntie Muriel's and we'd missed our Portkey and she was fussing over us—"

Penelope made a comment about how she was glad both Tonks and Ron were okay and how she was glad Tonks injured her father. As for Lupin, a muscle was jumping in his jaw. He nodded but didn't say anything else.

Tonks turned to Harry, Hermione, and Kingsley. "So what happened to you lot?"

They then recounted the stories of their own journeys. However, the absence of Bill, Fleur, Mad-Eye, and Mundungus seemed to lie upon them like frost the entire time.

"I'm going to have to get back to Downing Street, I should havebeen there an hour ago," Kingsley revealed, doing one last sweeping gaze at the sky. "Let me know when they're back."

Lupin nodded. With a wave to the others, Kingsley walked away into the darkness towards the gate. He Disapparated just beyond the Burrow's boundaries with a faint pop. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came racing down the back steps with Ginny right behind them. Both parents hugged Ron before turning to Lupin and Tonks.

"Thank you for our sons," Mrs. Weasley said graciously.

"Don't be silly, Molly," Tonks stated at once.

"How's George?" Lupin questioned.

"What's wrong with him?" Ron cut in.

"He's lost—"

But the end of Mrs. Weasley's sentence was drowned in a general outcry. A Thestral had just soared into sight and landed a few feet from them. Bill and Fleur slid from its back, windswept but seemingly unhurt.

Mrs. Weasley ran forward. "Bill! Thank God, thank God—"

The hug Bill gave her back wasn't as enthusiastic. Venus frowned. Something was evidently wrong.

Bill looked directly at his father. "Mad-Eye's dead."

Nobody spoke. Nobody moved. Venus felt like she just got punched in the somach.

"We saw it." Fleur nodded in agreement with Bill's statement, tear tracks glittering on her cheeks in the light from the kitchen window. "It happened justafter we broke out of the circle: Mad-Eye and Dung were close by us, they were heading north too. Voldemort — he can fly — went straight for them. Dung panicked, I heard him cry out, Mad-Eye tried to stop him, but he Disapparated. Voldemort's curse hit Mad-Eye full in the face, he fell backward off his broom and — there was nothing we could do, nothing, we had half a dozen of them on our own tail—" Bill's voice broke.

"Of course you couldn't have done anything," Lupin reassured them.

They all just stood there looking at each other. Venus hadn't spent much time with Mad-Eye, but he seemed so brave. It was hard to believe somebody like him was gone.

At last it seemed to dawn on everyone, although it wasn't said out loud, that there was no point waiting in the yard anymore. In silence, they all followed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley back into the Burrow. Fred and George were laughing together in the living room.

Fred scanned their faces as they entered. "What's wrong? What's happened? Who's—?"

"Mad-Eye," Mr. Weasley voiced. "Dead."

The twins' grins turned into grimaces of shock. Nobody seemed to know what to do. Tonks was crying silently into a handkerchief — Venus recalled that she had been trained by Mad-Eye when becoming an Auror. Hagrid was dabbing his eyes with his tablecloth-sized handkerchief while sitting on the floor in the corner.

Bill walked over to the sideboard and pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey and some glasses. "Here." With a wave of his wand, fourteen full glasses soared through the room, and he held the fifteenth aloft. "Mad-Eye."

"Mad-Eye," all of them chorused.

Venus had never really had alcohol before. She drank her firewhiskey all at once and grimaced at the burning feeling. However, it sort of brought some feeling back into her after feeling numb.

"So Mundungus disappeared?" Lupin began.

The atmosphere changed at once. Everybody looked tense, watching Lupin, both wanting him to go on but slightly afraid of what they might hear.

"I know what you're thinking, and I wondered that too, on the way back here, because they seemed to be expecting us, didn't they?" Bill responded. "But Mundungus can't have betrayed us. They didn't know there would be seven Harrys, that confused them the moment we appeared, and in case you've forgotten, it was Mundungus who suggested that little bit of skullduggery. Why wouldn't he have told them the essential point? I think Dung panicked, it's as simple as that. He didn't want to come in the first place, but Mad-Eye made him, and You-Know-Who went straight for them. It was enough to make anyone panic."

"You-Know-Who acted exactly as Mad-Eye expected him to," Tonks admitted. "Mad-Eye said he'd expect the real Harry to be with the toughest, most skilled Aurors. He chased Mad-Eye first, and when Mundungus gave them away he switched to Kingsley . . ."

"Yes, and zat eez all very good, but still eet does not explain 'ow zey knew we were moving 'Arry tonight, does eet?" Fleur snapped. "Somebody must 'ave been careless. Somebody let slip ze date to an outsider. It is ze only explanation for zem knowing ze date but not ze 'ole plan."

Fleur glared around at them all, tear tracks still etched on her beautiful face, silently daring any of them to contradict her. Nobody did. The only sound that broke the silence was Hagrid hiccuping from behind his handkerchief.

"No," Harry voiced loudly. Everybody looked at him in surprise. Venus stared at him — his voice was louder. "I mean . . . if somebody made a mistake and let something slip, I know they didn't mean to do it. It's not their fault. We've got to trust each other. I trust all of you, I don't think anyone in this room would ever sell me to Voldemort."

More silence followed his words. Venus watched as Harry drank some more fireewhiskey. She couldn't help but agree. Everyone in this room, she trusted.

"Well said, Harry," Fred agreed.

"Yeah, 'ear, 'ear," George added, giving Fred a half glance, whose corner of his mouth twitched.

Lupin, however, was wearing an odd expression as he looked at Harry.

"You think I'm a fool?" Harry demanded.

"No, I think you're like James, who would have regarded it as the height of dishonor to mistrust his friends," Lupin admitted. He set his glass down upon a side table and looked at Bill. "There's work to do .I can ask Kingsley whether—"

"No, I'll do it, I'll come," Bill cut in at once.

"Where are you going?" Tonks and Fleur inquired together.

"Mad-Eye's body," Lupin said. "We need to recover it."

Mrs. Weasley sent an appealing look to Bill. "Can't it—?"

"Wait?" Bill interrupted. "Not unless you'd rather the Death Eaters took it?"

None of them spoke. Lupin and Bill said goodbye and left. The rest of them now dropped into chairs. Venus tugged on Harry's hand and looked at him. He shook his head. She frowned, feeling his hand leave hers and go to his pocket. Venus sat down in a chair by him while he kept standing.

"I've got to go too," Harry announced. Penelope then told him that what he said was stupid. Venus watched in concern as Harry rubbed his scar. "You're all in danger while I'm here. I don't want—"

"But don't be so silly!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "The whole point of tonight was to get you here safely, and thank goodness it worked. And Fleur's agreed to get married here rather than in France, we've arranged everything so that we can all stay together and look after you—"

"If Voldemort finds out I'm here—"

"Harry, he shouldn't," Venus stated softly, keeping her tone calm even though her mind was spinning. "You have plenty of safe houses that you could've gone to. Voldemort has no way of knowing which one."

He looked down at her, his eyes pleading, which broke his heart. "It's not me I'm worried for!"

"We know that, but it would make our efforts tonight seem rather pointless if you left," Mr. Weasley replied.

"Yer not goin' anywhere," Hagrid growled. "Blimey, Harry, after all we wen' through ter get you here?"

George hoisted himself up on his cushions. "Yeah, what about my bleeding ear?"

"I know that—" Harry began.

"Mad-Eye wouldn't want—"

"I KNOW!" Harry bellowed.

Venus slightly jumped and even more concern etched on her features if that was possible. Her mind scrambled for something to make him feel better.

"Harry, where's Hedwig?" Venus asked quietly, knowing he absolutely adored his pet. "We could give her something to eat."

He didn't answer. All he did was down the last of his firewhiskey. Venus felt her heart sink to the pit of her stomach. Oh. Oh no.

"Wait till it gets out yeh did it again, Harry," Hagrid voiced. "Escaped him, fought him off when he was right on top of yeh!"

"It wasn't me," Harry protested flatly. "It was my wand. My wand acted of its own accord."

"But that's impossible, Harry," Hermione argued gently after a few moments. "You mean that you did magic without meaning to; you reacted instinctively."

"No. The bike was falling, I couldn't have told you where Voldemort was, but my wand spun in my hand and found him and shot a spell at him, and it wasn't even a spell I recognized. I've never made gold flames appear before."

"Often when you're in a pressured situation you can produce magic you never dreamed of," Mr. Weasley said. "Small children often find, before they're trained—"

"It wasn't like that," Harry responded through gritted teeth.

Harry stood there, silent, for a moment longer before muttering something about fresh air. Venus' eyes were glued to the spot where Harry had just been standing. Nobody understands what he was going through. She sure as hell didn't. He had the weight of this Prophecy on his back and felt responsible for people getting hurt.

Venus believed him about the wand. She would always believe him, no matter what.

She finally decided to follow him. Venus stood up and walked outside, Hermione, Ron, and Penelope right behind her. She looked around and saw him in the garden. However, as they got closer, Venus could see that he was clutching the garden gate while shaking. Penelope was the first one to call his name.

"Harry, come back in he house," Hermione urged. "You aren't still thinking of leaving?"

"Yeah, you've got to stay, mate," Ron agreed, thumping Harry on the back.

Venus reached up and took her boyfriend's face in her hands, Harry seemingly leaning into her touch. "Are you okay? Really? You look like you're about to be sick, love."

"Well, I probably look better than Ollivander. . . ." Harry answered shakily.

Harry told him what he had been seen. Voldemort had tortured Ollivander because a different wand didn't work when dueling Harry. Venus let out a breath once he was finished.

"But it was supposed to have stopped!" Hermione exclaimed. "Your scar — it wasn't supposed to do this anymore! You mustn't let that connection open up again — Dumbledore wanted you to close your mind!" She gripped his arm to get his point across. "Harry, he's taking over the Ministry and the newspapers and half the Wizarding world! Don't let him inside your head too!"

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

THE SHOCK OF losing Mad-Eye hung over the house in the days that followed. Venus kept expecting to see him coming in the back door of the Burrow with the other Order members, who passed in and out to update them.

Venus was currently peacefully sleeping. She was sharing a room with Ginny and Hermione, and the three of them were never early risers when they were together.

"Girls!" Mrs. Weasley's voice then called, acting as their own personal alarm clock. "It's time to get up!"

Venus slightly groaned. She lifted her head up from her pillow, only to see Mrs. Weasley's gaze intently on her. Venus offered her a small smile and let out a breath of relief when she walked away. Mrs. Weasley had been hounding her, Ron, and Hermione about what they were doing. So had Lupin and Mr. Weasley, but they dropped it once they heard that Dumbledore said to keep it a secret. However, not Mrs. Weasley. She was determined to find out.

The house was filled with preparations for the wedding. However, it seemed like Mrs. Weasley had gotten to Harry to ask about Horcrux hunting even though she didn't know that's what it was — all she knew was that they were dropping out of school. Because over the next couple of days, she kept them so busy with the preparations that they barely had time to think. She also intentionally handed each of them jobs so that they barely had time to even see each other. Venus started to believe she would start to go insane with not seeing them even though they were in the same place. She happened to spend a lot of time with Ginny, though, which she enjoyed.

Finally, on the third night, all of them met for dinner. The kitchen was so crowded that Venus found herself on the opposite side of the kitchen from Harry, Mrs. Weasley obviously having her set things down on the table so she would be kept away. Even though they could talk about Horcruxes, Venus honestly just wanted to kiss him. She realized he hadn't kissed him since he got here.

"No news about Mad-Eye?" Harry questioned Bill.

"Nothing," Bill responded.

They hadn't been able to hold a funeral for Moody because Bill and Lupin hadn't recovered his body. Given the darkness and the confusion of the battle, it had been difficult to know where he might have fallen.

"The Daily Prophet hasn't said a word about him dying or about finding the body. But that doesn't mean much. It's keeping a lot quiet these days."

"And they still haven't called a hearing about all the underage magic I used escaping the Death Eaters?" Harry called across the table to Mr. Weasley, who shook his head. "Because they know I had no choice or because they don't wantme to tell the world Voldemort attacked me?"

"The latter, I think," Mr. Weasley admitted. "Scrimgeour doesn't want to admit that You-Know-Who is as powerful as he is, nor that Azkaban's seen a mass breakout."

"Yeah, why tell the public the truth?"

"Isn't anyone at the Ministry prepared to stand up to him?" Ron demanded angrily.

"Of course, Ron, but people are terrified, terrified that they will be next to disappear, their children the next to be attacked!" Mr. Weasley insisted. "There are nasty rumors going around; I for one don't believe the Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts resigned. She hasn't been seen for weeks now. Meanwhile Scrimgeour remainsshut up in his office all day: I just hope he's working on a plan."

There was a puse in which Mrs. Weasley used magic to put empty plates on the table and serve apple tart.

"We must decide 'ow you will be disguised, 'Arry," Fleur announced once everyone ate dessert. Harry looked confused. "For ze wedding. Of course, none of our guests are Death Eaters,but we cannot guarantee zat zey will not let something slip after zey 'ave 'ad champagne."

"Yes, good point," Mrs. Weasley agreed from the top of the table where she sat, her glasses on as she scanned an immense list of jobs that she had scribbled on a very long piece of parchment. "Now, Ron, have you cleaned out your room yet?"

"Why?" Ron demanded, slamming his spoon down and glaring at his mother. "Why does my room have to be cleaned out? Harry and I are fine with it the way it is!"

"We are holding your brother's wedding here in a few days' time, young man—"

"And are they getting married in my bedroom? No! So why in the name of Merlin's saggy left—"

"Don't talk to your mother like that," Mr. Weasley interjected firmly. "And do as you're told."

Ron scowled at both of his parents before picking up his spoon and eating the last of his apple tart.

"I can help, some of it's my mess," Harry offered to Ron.

Mrs. Weasley cut across him. "No, Harry, dear, I'd much rather you helped Arthur muck out the chickens, and Hermione, I'd be ever so grateful if you'd change the sheets for Monsieur and Madame Delacour; you know they're arriving at eleven tomorrow morning. Venus, would you dust again? And Penelope, you can straighten out the bookshelf."

The next day, Venus clad in some jean shorts and a striped shirt with her curls tied up in a ponytail, had gotten up a little earlier to dust. She dusted everything until it was clean and finished fairly quickly. Not seeing Mrs. Weasley's eyes on her, her and Hermione snuck up to Ron's bedroom in the attic. Ron's room was evidently still messy, and he was sitting in bed next to Penelope.

Venus sat down on Harry's camp bed. Hermione had a pile of books in her arms and sat in the far corner, Crookshanks curled at her feet. Instantly, Ron sparked up a conversation about Mad-Eye. Hermione started to sort books as he did so.

And finally, after about half an hour, Harry appeared. It seemed that Mrs. Weasley had turned her back at all the right moments.

"I'm doing it, I'm doing—!" Ron shouted, but relaxed once he saw it was just Harry. "Oh, its you."

Ron sat back down on the bed and leaned against the headboard, allowing Penelope to rest her head on his chest. Venus smiled up at Harry.

"Hey, you," Venus greeted.

Harry sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him. "Hey. And how did you three manage to get away?"

"Dusting doesn't take long."

"The bookshelf has been straigtened about five times," Penelope revealed.

"And Ron's mum forgot that she asked Ginny and me to change the sheets yesterday," Hermione added.

She threw Numerology and Grammatica into one pile and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts onto the other.

"We were just talking about Mad-Eye," Ron explained to Harry. "I reckon he might have survived."

"But Bill saw him hit by the Killing Curse," Harry stated.

"Yeah, but Bill was under attack too. How can he be sure what he saw?"

"Even if the Killing Curse missed, Mad-Eye still fell about a thousand feet," Hermione insisted, Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland in her hand.

"He could have used a Shield Charm—" Ron protested.

"Fleur said his wand was blasted out of his hand," Harry remembered.

"Well, all right, if you want him to be dead."

"We don't want him to be dead, baby," Penelope responded. "It's called being realistic. Your logistics aren't making any sense."

"The Death Eaters probably tidied up after themselves, that's why no one's found him," Ron suggested.

"Yeah," Harry said. "Like Barty Crouch, turned into a bone and buried in Hagrid's front garden. They probably transfigured Moody and stuffed him—"

"Oh my God, please don't," Venus pleaded. She then looked at Hermione, who had suddenly burst into tears. "Great, look at what you did. Oh, Hermione, it's all right." She pulled out her wand from her waistband and transfigured a handkerchief, sending it to Hermione. "Don't cry, they didn't mean it."

"Oh . . . thanks, V . . . I'm sorry . . ." Hermione trailed off, blowing her nose and hiccupping. "It's just so awf-ful, isn't it? R-Right after Dumbledore . . . I j-just n-never imagined Mad-Eye dying, somehow, he seemed so tough!"

"Yeah, I know," Ron responded. "But you know what he'd say to us if he was here?"

Hermione wiped her eyes. "C-Constant vigilance."

Ron nodded. "That's right. He'd tell us to learn from what happened to him. And what I've learned is not to trust that cowardly little squit, Mundungus."

Hermione let out a shaky laugh and leaned forwards to pick up two more books. However, when she accidentally dropped The Monster Book of Monsters, it broke free from its restraining belt and snapped viciously. Venus' eyes widened as Harry wrenched the book shut and retied it shut.

Penelope picked her head up. "Why do you have all those books anyway, 'Mione?"

"Just trying to decide which ones to take with us," Hermione answered. "When we're looking for the Horcruxes."

Ron slapped a hand to his forehead. "Oh, of course. I forgot we'll be hunting down Voldemort in a mobile library."

"Ha ha. I wonder . . . will we need to translate runes? It's possible . . . I think we'd better take it, to be safe."

"Listen," Harry began, sitting up straight. Venus looked over at him. "I know you said after Dumbledore's funeral that you wanted tocome with me."

Venus raised an amused eyebrow at Ron and Hermione. "It's starting, guys."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Here he goes."

Hermione sighed and turned back to her books. "As we knew he would. You know, I think I will take Hogwarts, A History. Even if we're not going back there, I don't think I'd feel right if I didn't have it with—"

"Listen!" Harry repeated.

"Well, you never listen to me, so I'm not listening to you," Venus commented, and Harry (playfully) glared at her. "We've already made up our minds, darling. It's been that way for about two years for me and about six for Ron and Hermione."

"But—"

"Shut up," Ron said.

"—are you sure you've thought this through?" Harry persisted.

Hermione slammed Travels with Trolls onto the discarded pile with a fierce look. "Let's see. I've been packing for days, so we're ready to leave at a moment's notice, which for your information has included doing some pretty difficult magic, not to mention smuggling Mad-Eye's whole stock of Polyjuice Potion right under Ron's mum's nose. I've also modified my parents' memories so that they're convinced they're really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins, and that their life's ambition is to move to Australia, which they have now done. That's to make it more difficult for Voldemort to track them down and interrogate them about me — or you, because unfortunately, I've told them quite a bit about you. Assuming I survive our hunt for the Horcruxes, I'll find Mum and Dad and lift the enchantment. If I don't — well, I think I've cast a good enough charm to keep them safe and happy. Wendell and Monica Wilkins don't know that they've got a daughter, you see."

Her eyes were filled with tears again. Penelope, frowning, stood up from Ron's bed and walked over to Hermione. She placed an arm around the girl and pulled her in close.

"I — Hermione, I'm sorry — I didn't—" Harry stammered.

"Didn't realize that Venus, Ron, and I know perfectly well what might happen if we come with you? Well, we do. Venus, tell Harry what you've done."

Venus looked at her boyfriend. "I mean, I haven't really done anything. Mom and Dad went back to America yesterday. Remember how we moved so they could have jobs at the Ministry? Well, every since it's started to fall to Voldemort's control, they decided to take a mission to work with MACUSA while still being a part of the Ministry." She shrugged. "Okay, Ron, it's your turn."

"Nah, he's just eaten," Ron voiced.

"If we had to see it, he does too."

"Oh, all right. Harry, come here."

Ron then took Harry out to see the ghoul. It had always lived in the attic, but the creature was now wearing pajamas and had red hair. The ghoul was also showing symptoms of spattergroit. This was because the ghoul was going to take Ron's place once he left.

They came back not even a minute later. Ron slumped back onto his bed, his head laying on Penelope's stomach. Harry returned next to Venus and leaned his head against hers comfortably. Hermione continued to sort her books.

"Once we've left, the ghoul's going to come and live down here in my room," Ron explained. "I think he's really looking forward to it — well, it's hard to tell, because all he can do is moan and drool — but he nods a lot when you mention it. Anyway, he's going to be me with spattergroit. Good, eh?" Harry still looked confused. "It is! Look, when we four don't turn up at Hogwarts again, everyone's going to think Venus, Hermione and I must be with you, right? Which means the Death Eaters will go straight for our families to see if they've got information on where you are."

"But hopefully it'll look like I've gone away with Mum and Dad; a lot of Muggle-Borns are talking about going into hiding at the moment," Hermione stated. "Well, except Charlie. You know what she's like."

"We can't hide my whole family, it'll look too fishy and they can't all leave their jobs. So we're going to put out the story that I'm seriously ill with spattergroit, which is why I can't go back to school. If anyone comes calling to investigate, Mum or Dad can show them the ghoul in my bed, covered in pustules. Spattergroit's really contagious, so they're not going to want to go near him. It won't matter that he can't say anything, either, because apparently you can't once the fungus has spread to your uvula."

"And your mum and dad are in on this plan?" Harry questioned.

"Dad is," Ron revealed. "He helped Fred and George transform the ghoul. Mum . . . well, you've seen what she's like. She won't accept we're going till we've gone."

"And like I said, my mom and dad are in America," Venus said. "They'll be safe there . . . well, as safe as New York City can be. We know how to act like No-Maj borns — God, sorry, Muggle-borns if need be. Plus, in the state of the Wizarding World right now, I think the last thing the Death Eaters need is to cross the Atlantic."

"As for me, I'll still distract my mother here," Penelope added. "Bellatrix will be keeping a huge eye on me. But no matter what she does to me, I won't snitch."

There was silence in the room. It was only broken by gentle thuds as Hermione continued to separate her books into two piles. Venus could feel Harry's gaze on all of them, but she said nothing. And finally, breaking the silence was the muffled sounds of Mrs. Weasley shouting from four floors below.

"Ginny's probably left a speck of dust on a poxy napkin ring," Ron voiced. "I dunno why the Delacours have got to come two days before the wedding."

"Fleur's sister's a bridesmaid, she needs to be here for the rehearsal, and she's too young to come on her own," Hermione answered.

"Well, guests aren't going to help Mum's stress levels."

"We should probably decide where we're going first, yeah?" Venus suggested. She looked at Harry. "You want to go to Godric's Hollow, but aren't Horcruxes the main priority?"

"If we knew where any of the Horcruxes were, I'd agree with you," Harry responded.

"Don't you think there's a possibility that Voldemort's keeping a watch on Godric's Hollow?" Hermione inquired. "He might expect you to go back and visit your parents' graves once you're free to go wherever you like?"

Harry seemed like he hadn't thought of that.

Ron spoke up. "This R.A.B. person. You know, the one who stole the real locket?"

Hermione nodded. "He said in his note he was going to destroy it, didn't he?"

Harry dragged his backpack towards him and pulled out the fake Horcrux and got the folded up note. "I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can."

"Well, what if he did finish it off?" Ron asked.

"Or she," Hermione argued.

"Whichever, it'd be one less for us to do!"

"Yes, but we're still going to have to try and trace the real locket, aren't we? To find out whether or not it's destroyed."

"And once we get hold of it, how do you destroy a Horcrux?" Ron questioned.

"Well, I've been researching that," Hermione admitted.

"How?" Harry inquired. "I didn't think there were any books on Horcruxes in the library?"

Hermione turned pink. "There weren't. Dumbledore removed them all, but he — he didn't destroy them."

Penelope sat up straight, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Hermione, don't tell me you fucking stole them."

"It — it wasn't stealing!" Hermione insisted, and Penelope let out a loud laugh. "They were still library books, even if Dumbledore had taken them off the shelves. Anyway, if he really didn't want anyone to get at them, I'm sure he would have made it much harder to—"

"Get to the point!" Ron urged.

"Well . . . it was easy. I just did a Summoning Charm. You know — Accio. And — they zoomed out of Dumbledore's study window right into the girls' dormitory."

"But when did you do this?" Harry asked.

"Just after his — Dumbledore's — funeral," Hermione responded in a small voice. "Right after we agreed we'd leave school and go and look for the Horcruxes. When I went back upstairs to get my things it — it just occurred to me that the more we knew about them, the better it would be . . . and I was alone in there . . . so I tried . . . and it worked. They flew straight in through the open window and I — I packed them."

Venus blinked. "Woah, I missed this."

"I can't believe Dumbledore would have been angry, it's not as though we're going to use the information to make a Horcrux, is it?"

"Can you hear us complaining?" Ron argued. "Where are these books anyway?"

Hermione rummaged for a moment before grabbing a black leather book, looking quite sick as she held it. "This is the one that gives explicit instructions on how to make a Horcrux. Secrets of the Darkest Art — it's a horrible book, really awful, full of evil magic. I wonder when Dumbledore removed it from the library . . . if he didn't do it until he was headmaster, I bet Voldemort got all the instruction he needed from here."

Venus tilted her head. "But didn't he ask Slughorn how to make one? Why would he ask him if he already the book?"

"He only approached Slughorn to find out what would happen if you split your soul into seven," Harry said. "Dumbledore was sure Riddle already knew how to make a Horcrux by the time he asked Slughorn about them. I think you're right, Hermione, that could easily have been where he got the information."

"And the more I've read about them, the more horrible they seem, and the less I can believe that he actually made six," Hermione continued. "It warns in this book how unstable you make the rest of your soul by ripping it, and that's just by making one Horcrux!"

"Isn't there any way of putting yourself back together?" Ron questioned.

Hermione gave him a hollow smile. "Yes, but it would be excruciatingly painful."

"Why?" Harry inquired. "How do you do it?"

"Remorse. You've got to really feel what you've done. There's a footnote. Apparently the pain of it can destroy you.I can't see Voldemort attempting it somehow, can you?"

"No," Ron voiced. "So does it say how to destroy Horcruxes in that book?"

"Yes, because it warns Dark wizards how strong they have to make the enchantments on them," Hermione explained, now turning the fragile pages. "From all that I've read, what Harry did to Riddle's diary was one of the few really foolproof ways of destroying a Horcrux."

"What, stabbing it with a Basilisk fang?" Harry asked.

"Oh well, lucky we've got such a large supply of Basilisk fangs, then," Ron commented. "I was wondering what we were going to do with them."

"It doesn't have to be a basilisk fang," Hermione told him patiently. "It has to be something so destructive that the Horcrux can't repair itself. Basilisk venom only has one antidote, and it's incredibly rare—"

Harry nodded. "—Phoenix tears."

"Exactly. Our problem is that there are very few substances as destructive as Basilisk venom, and they're all dangerous to carry around with you. That's a problem we're going to have to solve, though, because ripping, smashing, or crushing a Horcrux won't do the trick. You've got to put it beyond magical repair."

"Wait, I don't get it," Penelope interrupted. "If you're destroying these things, who says the part of the soul can't just go live in something else?"

"Because a Horcrux is the complete opposite of a human being," Hermione answered. She saw all of their confused faces. "Look, if I picked up a sword right now, Ron, and ran you through with it, I wouldn't damage your soul at all."

"Which would be a real comfort to me, I'm sure," Ron stated, making Harry laugh.

"It should be, actually! But my point is that whatever happens to your body, your soul will survive, untouched. But it's the other way round with a Horcrux. The fragment of soul inside it depends on its container, its enchanted body, for survival. It can't exist without it."

"That diary sort of died when I stabbed it," Harry announced.

Hermione nodded. "And once the diary was properly destroyed, the bit of soul trapped in it could no longer exist. Ginny tried to get rid of the diary before you did, flushing it away, but obviously it came back good as new."

Ron frowned. "Hang on. The bit of soul in that diary was possessing Ginny, wasn't it? How does that work, then?"

"While the magical container is still intact, the bit of soul inside it can flit in and out of someone if they get too close to the object. I don't mean holding it for too long, it's nothing to do with touching it. I mean close emotionally. Ginny poured her heart out into that diary, she made herself incredibly vulnerable. You're in trouble if you get too fond of or dependent on the Horcrux."

"I wonder how Dumbledore destroyed the ring?" Harry wondered. "Why didn't I ask him? I never really . . ."

The silence in the bedroom was shattered as the bedroom door flew open with a wall-shaking crash. Hermione shrieked and dropped Secrets of the Darkest Art. Crookshanks streaked under the bed while hissing. Ron jumped off the bed and tripped. Penelope jumped to her feet with her eyes widened. Harry instincively dived for his wand. Venus let out a small scream and whipped around. Standing there was Mrs. Weasley, her hair disheveled and her face contorted with rage.

"I'm so sorry to break up this cozy little gathering," Mrs. Weasley told them, her voice trembling. "I'm sure you all need your rest . . . but there are wedding presents stacked in my room that need sorting out and I was under the impression that you had agreed to help."

"Oh yes, we will . . . we're sorry . . ." Hermione stammered, looking terrified as she leapt to her feet, sending books flying in every direction.

"Venus," Harry said once Ron, Hermione, and Penelope followed after Mrs. Weasley. "Hold on a second."

She stopped in the doorway and turned to look at him. "Yeah?"

He didn't say anything. Harry merely walked up to her and placed his hands on her hips, instantly pressing his lips onto hers. Venus rose up onto her toes a bit and rested her hands on the sides of his arms, melting into the kiss. They probably could've continued for a really long time, but Venus pulled away, remembering what Mrs. Weasley had said.

"I love you," Venus told him quietly, smiling up at him.

Harry leaned down and pressed a kiss to her nose, making her laugh. "I love you too, Star."

The Delacours arrived the following morning at eleven o'clock. Venus, Harry, Ron, Penelope, Hermione, and Ginny were feeling quite resentful towards Fleur's family by this time because Mrs. Weasley insisted they had to look perfect. Once they had all been deemed good enough, they walked out into the sunny backyard to await the visitors.

After cleaning for days, the Burrow looked tidy. The rusty cauldrons and old Wellington boos that littered the steps by the back door were gone and were replaced by two new Flutterby bushes on either side of the door in large bots, the leaves waving lazily. All of the chickens had been shut away, the yard was swept, and the garden had been spruced up.

There was also a lot of security enchantments placed upon the Burrow by the Order and the Ministry. It was no longer possible for anybody to travel by magic directly in the place, so Mr. Weasley had gone to meet the Delacours on the top of a nearby hill where their Portkey would arrive. The first sound of their approach was an unusually high-pitched laugh, which turned out to be coming from Mr. Weasley. He appeared at the gate with luggage, leading a beautiful blonde woman in long, leaf-green robes.

"Maman!" Fleur cried, rushing forwards to hug her mother. "Papa!"

Monsieur Delacour wasn't as attractive as his wife, but he looked good-natured. He bounced towards Mrs. Weasley and kissed her twice on each cheek, leaving her flustered. Venus and Harry shared an amused look.

"You 'ave been to much trouble," he said in a deep voice. "Fleur tells us you 'ave been working very 'ard."

"Oh, it's been nothing, nothing!" Mrs. Weasley insisted. "No trouble at all!"

Venus rolled her eyes. Sure. Ron relieved his feelings by kicking a gnome who was peering out from behind one of the new Flutterby bushes.

Monsieur Delacour held Mrs. Weasley's hands between his. "Dear lady! We are most honored at the approaching union of our two families! Let me present my wife, Apolline."

Madame Delacour glided forward and leaned down to kiss Mrs. Weasley too. "Enchantée. Your 'usband 'as been telling us such amusing stories!"

Mr. Weasley let out a maniacal laugh. Mrs. Weasley gave him a look, and Mr. Weasley became immediately sileent.

"And, of course, you 'ave met my leetle daughter, Gabrielle!" Monsieur Delacour announced.

Gabrielle literally looked like a miniature version of Fleur. She was eleven years old and had waist-length hair of pure, silvery blonde. Gabrielle gave Mrs. Weasley a dazzling smile and hugged her. She then threw Harry a glowing look and batted her eyelashes. Harry instinctively moved closer to Venus, and she laughed slightly, elbowing his side as his arm pressed into hers.

"She likes you," Venus teased, smiling.

"And I like you," Harry responded, smirking down at her, his pretty green eyes glinting.

Venus felt her face get hot. "Shut up."

"Well, come in, do!" Mrs. Weasley urged brightly as she ushered the Delacours into the house with a lot of No, please!s, After you!s, and Not at all!s.

The Delacours proved to be helpful, pleasant guests. They were pleased with everything and ready to assist with the preparations for the wedding. Monsieur Delacour described everything from the seating plan to the bridesmaids' shoes as Charmant! Madame Delacour was very accomplished at household spells and had the oven properly cleaned very quickly. Gabrielle followed Fleur around, trying to help in any way and speaking in rapid French.

On the downside, the Burrow was not built to house so many people. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were now sleeping in the living room, insisting that Monsieur and Madam Delacour take their bedroom. Gabrielle and Fleur were in Percy's old room and Bill was sharing with Charlie, his best man, once Charlie arrived from Romania. Opportunities to make plans together became virtually nonexistent. In desperation, Venus, Harry, Ron, and Hermione — Penelope tagging along — volunteered to feed the chickens just to escape the overcrowded house.

"But she still won't leave us alone!" Ron complained as their second attempt at a meeting in the yard was cut short by Mrs. Weasley appearing, carrying a large basket of laundry in her arms.

"Oh, good, you've fed the chickens," Mrs. Weasley called as she approached them. "We'd better shut them away again before the men arrive tomorrow . . . to put up the tent for the wedding." She paused to lean against the henhouse, looking exhausted. "Millamant's Magic Marquees . . . they're very good, Bill's escorting them . . . you'd better stay inside while they're here, Harry. I must say it does complicate organizing a wedding, having all these security spells around the place."

"I'm sorry," Harry responded humbly.

"Oh, don't be silly, dear! I didn't mean — well, your safety's much more important! Actually, I've been wanting to ask you how you want to celebrate your birthday, Harry. Seventeen, after all, it's an important day. . . ."

"I don't want a fuss. Really, Mrs. Weasley, just a normal dinner would be fine . . . it's the day before the wedding. . . ."

"Oh, well, if you're sure, dear. I'll invite Remus and Tonks, shall I?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "And how about Hagrid?"

"That'd be great," Harry said. "But please don't go to loads of trouble."

"Not at all, not at all . . . it's no trouble . . ."

She looked at him with a long, searching look, before smiling sadly and walking away.

"Hm, your birthday," Venus commented, tearing Harry's eyes away from Mrs. Weasley as she hung up the damp clothes on the line with her wand. "I think you'll really like my present."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Oh yeah? What is it?"

"I'm not going to tell you, stupid."

"I love you."

"I love you too, but that's not working."

» • » ✧ « • «

HEY HEY WELCOME TO ACT TWO

I'm going to new york city today so I'm very much channeling my inner venus