The Three Keys

A/N: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters, just my Laurel and her family.

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Ch 29 - Meetings, Greetings and Talks – Part 1

Previously:

Harry was unsure how to proceed from here, sincerely pursuing a girl was new territory for him…But he knew one thing for certain, ‘Malfoy, look out. You’ve got competition.’

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Laurel pulled out the wand from her jeans waistband and handed the wand to her mother, “I got this from the Death Eater that attacked Draco.” she paused, “The same one that tried to kill Harry. I thought maybe there’s some way we can find out who it belongs to?”

Maggie took the wand and held it up, “Yes, yes. I know someone at Diagon Alley who can help us with that….He probably sold it to the person.”

Harry looked at the wand and groaned. “No need for that.” he said flatly. “I can tell you who that wand belongs to. I should know…I’ve had it pointed at me many times.”

“Who??” Maggie and Laurel said simultaneously.

Harry looked from one to the other, his green eyes glittering fiercely, “Lucius Malfoy.”

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Draco turned, his eyes set and determined, his shoulders steeled, come hell or high water, he was going to Gringotts. And, if he was lucky (which he was) and if he acted quickly, his father might not catch on until it was too late.

A wicked smirk spread across his face as he headed for the door, ‘Draco Malfoy was still alive and kicking….Look out Lucius, here I come…’

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Maggie stopped after descending the stairs in front of the closed doors to the den and turned to the children. “I’ve got a room full of people here that I need to get ready for the next meeting.” Maggie looked at them inquiringly, “You remember I told you last night we’re going to have to talk to the Ministry?”

Laurel mumbled, “Oh yeah. I guess I forgot.” Her thoughts were on Draco and on how they were going to tell him about his father…How he would react…She wanted to be with him, RIGHT NOW.

“I remember.” Harry said dryly. He had no fondness for the Ministry or any of its employees, except for the Weasleys of course. Harry suddenly remembered Draco’s warning yesterday and wondered if he should tell Maggie.

She caught his thoughtful expression and pursed her lips, “Harry? Is there something you want to tell me?”

He looked at her and his face flushed a little, “Uh, are you sure whoever’s in there can be trusted?”

“Why?” Maggie said.

Harry thought about it a moment, before telling Maggie what Draco had said regarding his father having paid informants in the Ministry.

“Humph….Still?” Maggie said thoughtfully.

“You knew?” Harry said surprised.

“Well, yes.” She offered no other explanation, just sighed quietly, “That wouldn’t surprise me, actually it would explain quite a bit.” Maggie answered.

Harry looked at Laurel, and Maggie’s gaze followed his and she frowned. Laurel wasn’t paying attention to the conversation anymore; her eyes had drifted up the staircase.

He cleared his throat and continued, “Well, uh, Malfoy said there were people on Lucius’ payroll in the Ministry as long as he could remember and still are.”

Maggie’s eyes grew dark and she said in a clipped tone, “OK. You two go have some breakfast and I’ll come get you when we need to hear your account of what happened…And thank you Harry.” Harry nodded and Maggie turned to address Laurel, “Laurel?”

Laurel’s eyes snapped back to her mothers, “What?”

“Leave Draco be.” Laurel’s face became clouded and angry looking instantly. Maggie gave her a glowering look, “He needs as much rest as possible Laurel. He’s going to have a lot to deal with soon enough, but for now, at least for the next couple of hours, let him be.

Laurel folded her arms and glared at her mother, “But Mom…”

“Uh-uh, Laurel. I mean it. He’ll be up soon enough, for now he’s fine.”

Laurel sighed, “Fine…I’m just worried about him.”

Maggie nodded, “I know.” she said quietly. “Go have some breakfast, you’ll feel better….By the way Harry, you, Ron and his sister are going to be staying with us until school begins. Since we can’t be sure how protected Ron’s home is, we’ve agreed it’s best to have you children stay with us for the rest of the summer.”

Harry’s eyes widened and he gave a happy grin. “OK.” he managed, trying not to sound as excited as he felt. ‘YES!’ he thought, chancing a glance at Laurel.

She was staring at her mother with her brows furrowed angrily. “What about Draco?” she snapped. “He certainly can’t go back to his house, now can he?? He has to stay here too!....” Laurel’s gaze turned dark, challenging, “Mother?”

Maggie nodded, “Yes, I think I agree. We’ll ask him how he feels when he wakes up.”

“He’ll stay.” Laurel said confidently, her eyes sparkling with assurance. “I know he will.”

Maggie arched her brow at her but said nothing as Laurel turned to walk down the hall toward the breakfast room. “Coming Harry?” she asked, turning back to him.

Harry nodded, “Yeah.” trying to fight back the disappointment at Laurel’s lack of enthusiasm for his staying the rest of the summer.

“I’m glad you’ll be here Harry.” Laurel said in a light tone. “You need to stay safe and believe me – no one gets through the wards my mom’s set up in this house. “

Harry smiled a little weakly, “Thanks.” he managed.

He turned to leave and remembered something, “Uh, Mrs. Winters?” Maggie turned to him. “Ron and I have a close friend of ours that always comes to stay with us for a few weeks before school starts at Ron’s house and…”

Maggie put a hand up to stop him. “Ah, I believe you’re talking about Harmony is it? Ron has already asked if she can stay with us as well.” Harry’s eyebrows shot up. “I told him yes, of course.”

“Ron?” Harry inquired, “He’s up?”

Maggie gave a wan smile, “His parents had him up quite a while ago…He’s eating breakfast.” Harry gulped at Maggie’s next words…”Arthur said they would speak with you later today.” Maggie had a completely dispassionate, parental expression on her face as she turned without another word to leave.

“Great, can’t wait.” Harry mumbled.

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Harry followed Laurel down the hall to a door she threw open, leading to a large, sunny breakfast room where a long table sat, bursting with breakfast foods and several chairs around it.

Two of those chairs were currently filled.

They walked in to find Ron sitting on one side of the table, head bent, looking quite sullen and uncomfortable and on the other side, directly across from him sat a very pretty girl with flaming red hair (obviously Ron’s sister), also eating quietly and looking quite peeved.

Harry smiled widely when he saw the girl, “Hey Gin.” he said softly.

Ginny looked up, screeched, bolted off her chair and flung herself full force into Harry’s arms, causing him to stumble back a few steps.

“HARRY!” she gasped, clinging to him and kissing him on the cheek several times…”Thank HEAVENS you’re OK” she cried. She was hugging him tightly, her head dropping to rest in the crook of his neck, her red hair cascading around his shoulders like a molten lava cape, it sparkled and gleamed like it was on fire.

Laurel looked at her, a little taken aback at the affectionate greeting and eyeing the girl’s reactions…’Maybe Harry DOES have a girlfriend?’ she though somewhat relieved. ‘That sure would make things a whole lot easier…’

Even as she thought this, she was thoroughly annoyed that Harry would dare kiss and touch her like that AND have a girlfriend…’Boys and their damn hormones’ she thought angrily.

Ron looked up, gave a scowl at Ginny’s actions and continued to glare at Harry, who was blushing a little now and holding her much to tightly for Ron’s liking.

Harry smiled and gave her a big squeeze, “I’m OK Gin.” he said, pulling back and holding her at arms length, his hands gently rubbing up and down her arms as he looked down at her. “You should know by now it takes more than a squad of Death Eaters to get rid of me.”

“Harry James Potter!” Ginny chided, “Don’t you ever joke like that again, do you hear me!” Her voice was stern, but her hazel eyes were shining happily at him. She looked into his eyes for a moment longer and turned to Laurel offering her hand, “I’m Ginny, Ron’s sister.” She said, smiling at Laurel as she rested her hand on Harry’s arm possessively.

“Nice to meet you Ginny.” Laurel said graciously, “Welcome to my home.”...’Oh and possessiveness of Harry dually noted.’

Despite Ginny’s over-zealous reception of Harry, Laurel instantly liked her. She looked Ginny over and thought she really was very beautiful.

Ginny was a little shorter than Laurel, with porcelain skin and an absolutely adorable smattering of very pale freckles running just over the tops of her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose, huge hazel eyes fringed by thick lashes, a broad, warm smile and a slim frame.

But what caught Laurel’s attention most was Ginny’s hair. It was unquestionably the most amazing hair Laurel had ever seen. It shone and glimmered in think red/auburn, silky waves that shimmered and rippled down her back like it was literally on fire.

Laurel couldn’t help feeling a little envious…’She’s breathtaking.’ She thought, glancing at Harry. He had been looking at her intently and when she caught his eye, he looked away.

Laurel’s smile was a little strained as she asked, “Shall we sit?” moving to take a seat next to Ginny. Harry followed and sat across from Laurel, next to Ron.

“Good morning Red! How you feeling this morning?” Laurel inquired grinning as Ron’s face and ears turned very pink, “How’s that ankle holding up?”

“Ankle’s fine.” he muttered, giving her a weak smile. “I’m knackered and NOT happy. Thanks for asking.” His voice was flat and he dropped his gaze immediately back down to his plate, grumbling between bites of bacon.

“You didn’t get much sleep?” Harry asked.

Ron grunted, “Try less than an hour. Right after I went to sleep my mum came to get me…” big sigh, “Remember what we talked about last night?” Ron said, glancing at Harry.

Harry’s mouth was a grim line, he nodded, “Yeah….” Remembering Ron thinking they’d be grounded for life when his parents got through with them.

“It’s way worse.” Ron groaned.

Ginny rolled her eyes, “He’s just grumpy because mum and dad grounded him until he’s 30!” she said with a smug smirk.

Ron glared at her, “SHUT IT GINNY!” he growled and turned back to Harry, “Harry, my parents are thinking of not letting me play Quidditch this year!” he finished miserably.

“WHAT!?” Harry balked…(Harry had been made captain of the team and he needed all his players! It’s their final year and the thought of not having Ron on the team was unreal.)

Ginny leaned over to Laurel, “We’re all on the Quidditch team for our house at school.” she offered by way of explanation.

Laurel nodded, “Ah.”

Ron glared at Ginny again; “It gets worse Harry…” he looked pale and put his fork down.

‘Uh-oh…must be really bad if Ron’s stopping eating.’ Harry thought.

Ron looked at Harry with a mix of fear and trepidation before taking a deep breath, “Harry…” Ron shot a glance at Ginny, who gave him a blank look back. “My, uh…my parents are thinking of not letting you play Quidditch this year either…”

Everyone cringed as Harry jumped up from the table screaming, “WHAT!!!” He sputtered, “They….they bloody well can’t do that! Can they?”

Harry looked ashen. Quidditch was the only real release that he had. It was the only time he truly felt free and happy. If they took that away from him, he knew he’d go completely mental!

Harry fought back the wave of fear and anger that was fighting to gain control, he needed to TRY and be logical about this, “They’re not my legal guardians, they – they can’t!”

Laurel sat, feeling very much like an unwelcome visitor stuck in the middle of a giant family argument…trapped and nervous.

Ron looked at Ginny again, who had her head bent low, pushing a piece of egg around her plate. She refused to meet his eyes.

Ron looked even more peaked. He knew his next words were going to COMPLETELY set Harry off and he began scooting his chair away in preparation…”Yeah…well about that…They’re thinking of writing a letter to the Dursleys letting them know what happened and asking about Quidditch…”

“Who?” Laurel couldn’t help whispering to Ginny, who she noted, was watching the spectacle with a strange glint in her eyes.

“Harry’s aunt and uncle…utterly horrid muggles.” Ginny whispered back. Laurel frowned at the use of the word muggles, but turned back to Harry.

He was pacing back and forth and Laurel thought he looked truly scary. His eyes flew wide, fists balled at his sides. He rounded on a frightened looking Ron, “YOU LET THEM DO THAT!!” he screamed, the veins in his neck popping and straining against his skin.

Ron’s face changed in an instant, it turned almost purple from fury. He jumped up from his chair and pulled himself to his full height, a couple of inches taller than Harry and yelled right back in his face, “LET THEM??!!” Ron looked homicidal, “HARRY! WE’RE IN SERIOUS SHIT HERE! We’re still FUCKING UNDER AGE!!! We did magic in front of HUNDREDS of muggles…People DIED! I’m surprised we’re not already in Azkaban!”

Harry snapped right back, his face close to Ron’s, both red and furious at each other. “FUCK AZKABAN!” Harry snarled. “We were doing magic to defend our lives, not to mention the lives of the muggles that we did save!”

Ron backed away a little and Harry glared at Laurel and Ginny, they were watching the spectacle with shocked expressions, not moving a muscle in their seats.

“GOD DAMNIT!” Harry roared. “All we wanted was ONE fucking night out to relax and have some FUN!” He turned to Ron, searching his surly face, “I don’t even KNOW what that is anymore RON!!”

Ron crossed his arms over his chest and backed up into the wall scowling at Harry, he only grunted in response.

Harry’s eyes were dark and dangerous, his voice deep, “I’m going to talk to those goddamned Ministry assholes right now! I’m not gonna take anymore of this SHIT from the Ministry for doing magic to save my life!”

Ron gulped and turned toward the windows, “Yeah, well try telling that to MY parents!”

Harry glared at him, turned and stormed toward the door when Ginny sprang from her seat and ran to him. “Harry.” she said softly, resting her hand on his arm, he tensed and yanked it away.

Laurel and Ron looked on. Ron still leaning against the wall frowning, eyes snapping with anger…Laurel rooted to her chair.

Ginny went on unfazed, “I’ve already spoken to mum and dad after they got their frustrations out on Ron.” She glanced at Ron quickly and was slowing edging her way between Harry and the door. “Now, I don’t know what’s going on with the Ministry…But you know damn well Dad won’t let anything seriously bad happen to either of you…Don’t you?” she gave him a challenging look and continued. “And, no one is writing to the Dursleys, Harry. Mum and dad realized after they calmed down, that would do more harm than good.” Ginny searched his face. Harry was breathing hard and glaring at her, his hands were still balled into fists by his side. She knew the real question he wanted answered…“About Quidditch…I knew that it would kill you not to fly, I explained it to them. They understand Harry.” She smiled sheepishly, “You’re still on the team.” She turned to Ron, “And NO ONE is going to Azkaban!” Ginny finished with an exasperated sigh.

Harry looked at her hard, “You’re not lying to me?” he growled.

Ginny had never been intimidated or afraid of Harry when he was angry, although she admitted Harry was very formidable when he was angry…

She simply looked him level in the eyes, shook her head and said calmly, “No.”

Laurel watched as Harry’s anger deflated like a balloon quickly losing air, he turned abruptly from Ginny and plunked back down in his seat, staring into his plate. “Thanks Gin.” he said tonelessly.

Ron however had pushed off from the wall and was glaring first at the back of Harry’s head then at Ginny, “What about me!?” he bellowed.

Ginny sniffed, “What about you, Red?” she taunted, returning to her seat and looking quite pleased with herself.

Ron’s eyes flicked to a horrified looking Laurel then back to Ginny, “Come off it!” he screamed, “Don’t be such a PRAT! Are they going to let me play too?”

Ginny looked serene as she poured a glass of apple juice and offered some to Laurel, whose eye’s were wide and very wary - purposely not looking at either Ron or Harry, she shook her head ‘no’ unable to find her voice at the moment.

“I dunno. I’m not a mind reader you know.” Ginny purred.

Ron was livid. Laurel couldn’t help her eyes being drawn to him. She knew she was staring, but she just thought he looked so very handsome when he was so angry like this. Dangerous and sexy, with those deep, intense blue eyes challenging and sparkling like cobalt jewels, muscles rippling, taut against his fair skin as he stood, balling and flexing his hands and taking shallow breaths, attempting to calm himself.

Laurel blushed as he looked at her holding their gaze, his eyes penetrating into hers before she tore them away, her heart flip-flopping uneasily as she looked back down at the table. She felt her cheeks positively burning now.

“I’m going back to bed.” Ron snapped, finally looking away from Laurel and heading for the door.

“Ron,” Harry said quietly, still not meeting his eyes, “I think we have to wait here to talk to the Ministry people.”

Ron looked at him and spoke in a controlled voice, “Already been in.”

Harry’s and Laurel’s heads snapped up.

“When?” Harry said, his eyes begging Ron to forgive him.

“What happened?” Laurel asked, right on Harry’s heels.

Ron gave a deep, unhappy sigh, looked between the two of them, then at the open door and went to close it before heading back to his seat. “Right after talking to my parents.” Ron and Ginny exchanged glances and he continued, “I think they want us all in there separately.” Ron lowered his voice, “You remember what Malfoy told us?”

Harry nodded, “You got a bad vibe in there?”

Laurel couldn’t help but notice that suddenly gone were the angry teens from moments ago…They’d been replaced by the powerful wizards she’d fought with the night before. She preferred these two FAR better.

Laurel also noticed Ginny had stopped eating and was listening intently.

Ron looked questioningly at Harry, inclining his head ever so slightly in Laurel’s direction. (She didn’t miss that and rolled her eyes, offended.) Harry never broke eye contact with Ron, gave an almost imperceptible nod and Ron promptly continued.

“Yeah,” Ron said, “I didn’t like it one bit. Something’s definitely not right.”

Ginny snorted and Harry glanced at her. “They wouldn’t let her even go into the room.” Ron explained.

“Fred and George?” Harry asked.

Ron shook his head, “Nope, not anyone except Percy.”

“Well, maybe he’d…” Harry was silenced by Ron’s glare. “Right, course he won’t tell us anything.” he sighed.

“How many members of the Order were in there?” Harry asked with a worried look.

“Order?” Laurel blurted out. They all looked at her. “The Order of the Phoenix?” she asked.

Harry nodded, looking deep into her eyes, “You’ve heard of it?”

Laurel sighed, “Well, yes.” She didn’t know if she should say her mom was a member or not….Laurel wasn’t really supposed to know, she’d just overheard it once when stumbling across a meeting her mom was having and pieced it together. She looked at them, “Are you members?”

“Too young!” Ginny snapped, “No one’s allowed in under 18.” Laurel knew this too, but didn’t know how much to let on, so she stayed quiet.

Ron spoke quietly, “Our parents are members and so are most of my older brothers.”

“Anyone in particular give you a bad feeling?” Harry continued.

Ron nodded, “A couple of them. We should talk to Dumbledore about what Malfoy said.”

Harry looked down, “I told Laurel’s mom this morning too.”

Ron looked at Laurel and smiled, “Good.”

Harry sighed, “We’d better send an owl to Hermione telling her what’s going on. I’m sure she’s going to want to come back early from her vacation.”

Ginny shook her head, “Told you so, Ron.” Ron glowered at her. “Ron already sent it.”

Harry looked at Ron, his mouth fell open. ‘Great…Mione is going to be totally furious that I didn’t send her the letter.’ He tried to calm down, fighting his own feelings back, since he knew how Ron felt about her. “Right,” he said darkly.

“I” Ron cleared his throat, “I just thought she’d need as much head start as possible to get back to us…”

“Has she answered yet?” Harry was terrified that something could happen to her while she was away and they wouldn’t be there to protect her.

“No, not yet.” Ron said, standing up. “I’m going to go up and get some rest. Come get me after your meeting, we need to talk to Malfoy too.” Harry nodded.

As soon as he left Ginny piped, “I tired to tell him to wait…”

Harry felt his temples beginning to throb and now whatever minimal desire to eat he’d had before, had totally vanished. He began slowly massaging his temples with his thumbs, not wanting a headache on top of everything else going on. “Whatever, it’s fine.” Harry sighed.

But, it was most definitely NOT fine. Lately Ron had been becoming more and more possessive and secretive of Hermione and of the things he did for her and of the time he spent with her.

It was starting to become an issue with Harry and he didn’t know how to approach the problem to Ron.

Ginny looked Harry in the eyes, “How’s Malfoy?” she asked, shaking him out of his revere.

She’d been dying to ask, but just couldn’t with Ron around. If he heard the tone in her voice, he’d suspect something…even though there was nothing to suspect, anymore. But still, Ginny KNEW her over-protective, crazy brother…

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair, avoiding Laurel’s eyes. There was no need for that, hers were fixed on Ginny, assessing and contemplating…She spoke before he could. “Draco’s better. He’s resting now, but when he wakes up, I’ll tell him you’d like to visit.”

Ginny looked at Laurel and caught on immediately. That jealous, warning tone in her voice and the look in her eyes said it all.

Laurel liked Draco and she was testing Ginny. ‘No thanks. Don’t need the headache.’ she thought. Besides, Ginny had her eye on someone else…She’d been having some resurfacing feelings as of late for one very cute, raven haired boy…Plus, she liked Laurel and didn’t want to cause any waves unnecessarily.

”No, don’t bother.” Ginny said airily, “I’ll see him soon enough.” She smiled at the two and stood up.

Harry looked at her, his heart beating a little faster – he realized this and instantly chided himself for having these reactions to her still, after all this time.

He couldn’t help the soft, pleading tone that escaped his lips, ”Gin, are you leaving?”

Laurel’s eyebrows shot up and she and Ginny exchanged a glance for a second before Ginny answered. “Yeah, I’m going to take a quick nap. Mum got me up before dawn and I’m exhausted. Besides, I still need my beauty sleep you know.” She winked at him, taking great pleasure in watching as a low blush crept up his face.

“Do you have a room set up yet?” Laurel inquired, hiding the smile tugging at her lips.

“Yes, I think its right next to yours, actually.” Ginny spoke to Laurel, but her eyes were on Harry. She gave him an openly seductive smile, turned and as she sauntered from the room called out over her shoulder, “See you later Harry…” snapping the door shut behind her.

Ginny was grinning from ear to ear as she made her way upstairs, her heart beating fast at the look in Harry’s eyes…

Yes, she saw too that he was attracted to Laurel, but it was obvious Laurel liked Draco. The girl practically pounced on her when Ginny asked about him, so she wasn’t a threat. No, Ginny was more focused on Harry’s feelings for Hermione, which he was COMPLETELY in denial about. But, all she needed was a little alone time with Harry and she was very confident she could take care of that problem too…

So with a self-satisfied smirk, and a wicked little chuckle, Ginny allowed a surge of passion for Harry to run through her thinking, ‘Like it or not Mione, I’m back in the picture.’

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Draco closed his door and strode toward the direction he remembered coming up from last night.

He was feeling a little better, but was dreading going out alone…Yet it had to be done and NOW.

He had to get to Potter first…Lay the groundwork with him before talking to Laurel. If he played his cards right…

Suddenly a soft, silky voice from behind him shook Draco from his thoughts, “Hello, Draco.”

Draco froze; his pulse quickening and his eyes opening wide for a minute, before regaining his composure and turning around deliberately slow. He knew that voice…He’d know it anywhere…

“Hello Ginny.”

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A/N: OK, so I really like this chapter. I started off SO not wanting to write it and then when I was done, I just sighed happily. Firstly, I think that Ron and Harry just have such a neat dynamic between them. It’s very different than the chemistry that Harry has with Draco, but just as powerful. Ron and Harry are so not afraid to get into each other’s faces and they don’t take each other’s shit. The sign of TRUE friends. And, I can’t forget to mention the introduction of my favorite spitfire…GINNY!

And, muahahahaha….one of my fav lines for this chapter…THE LAST TWO…’turning around deliberately slow …he knew that voice, he’d know it anywhere’….SIGH.

Draco, that little charmer! Even being in the chapter for like a split second and he still gets all the best lines.

OK, off you go. Tell me what you think! The love triangles are becoming squares; the squares are becoming hexagons….Grinning madly, cackling evilly and running off to continue writing!


Love ya - Lorett