Knowing now that the whole school was talking about them, Ron and Harry made a concerted effort to mingle more with other people. They started studying in the library again, frequently talking other Gryffindors into joining them. Harry started going to breakfast early with Neville, and Ron began challenging Seamus to Wizard's chess when they had some free time. And with their Quidditch match against Hufflepuff rapidly approaching, they were likely as not to be seen with their teammates.

One Monday evening, Ron and Harry were at the library sitting at a large table with Ginny and Andrew Kirke. Harry thought Ginny was acting very strangely. She kept chattering at him, which was annoying because he had quite a bit of work to be getting on with and didn't want to be up past midnight. They hadn't been there more than half an hour when a large pack of sixth-year girls, mostly from Ravenclaw and Slytherin, entered the library and proceeded to settle themselves very noisily at a table near the back. Madam Pince was at their table reprimanding them in a flash. Harry and Ron merely looked at each other, shaking their heads in exasperation. Harry's eye caught Ginny's, and was intrigued by her gleeful expression.

"Are you going to share the joke?" Harry said to her playfully.

"Yeah. But you have to follow me," she said mysteriously. Ron gave her a look as if she was mental, but Harry was curious so he followed her into the stacks. She led them to an area near the back of the library where no one would be able to see or hear them except the noisy sixth-year girls.

Quite unexpectedly, she turned to him so that she was facing the back wall and he was facing the table of girls. Ginny threw her weight against him, catching him slightly off balance, so he had to struggle to remain standing and put his arms around her for support. They made enough of a racket, though, to catch the attention of the sixth-years. Before Harry could register what was happening, Ginny's lips were pressing against his and her tongue was begging permission to enter his mouth. When he opened his lips to protest, her tongue got there first, and he had little choice but to relax and enjoy it.

She broke off the kiss and whispered into his ear, "Come on, Harry. Rub my arse a bit and put some heart into this performance. You want to make it believable, don't you?"

She began to kiss the curve of his neck, and, as she was a good bit shorter than he was, he bent down to whisper in her ear. "Er, Ginny, what do you think you're doing?"

"I'm priming the rumor mill. Are you going to help me or not?"

Harry couldn't think of any reason not to do as she requested. It wasn't too bad, either, he thought. She smelled a lot like Ron – well, like Ron after he'd taken a shower. He hated to admit it, but she was a much better kisser than Ron. It was pleasant to kiss her, although he felt no yearning for more in the pit of his stomach like he always did with Ron.

He straightened up quickly and pushed Ginny aside as he saw Madam Pince turn to walk down the aisle toward them. They feigned interest in a book on the top shelf, with Harry saying, "I'll get it for you – I can reach." After Madam Pince moved on, Harry put his arm around Ginny, pausing to whisper a word of thanks just after they passed the table of sixth-year girls.

As they sat down, Andrew and Ron looked up from their homework. "So, what was so amusing?" asked Ron.

Harry grinned like the Cheshire Cat as he said, "Your sister is brilliant, mate." He winked at Ginny and reached his hand to her across the table. She took it, and Harry gave it a knowing squeeze. Harry noticed Andrew raise an eyebrow, while Ron blanched slightly. Ginny was right, thought Harry. Ron isn't going to like this plan one little bit.

* * * * *

Even Ginny was surprised by the speed at which news of her brief encounter with Harry in the library had spread through the school. As she sat next to Harry the next morning at breakfast, she told him that Hermione had heard a Ravenclaw girl saying that Ginny had sucked him off right in the middle of the library! Harry was mortified, but Ginny thought it was hilarious. Ron was trying hard to take it all in stride, but after the fourth person came up to him to ask what he thought about his best friend dating his sister, he testily swore at Harry and Ginny and told them to get a room next time. He didn't speak to Harry all the way to Transfiguration class, and became even more annoyed when he heard Padma Patil saying to Hannah Abbott, "and he couldn't keep his hands off her." Padma stopped talking when she saw Ron staring.

It's all for the cause, he muttered to himself under his breath. What happened to making sure that he and Harry were left alone to be in love? Ron was so jealous he wanted to scream, but he knew that was wrong because it was only a ploy to deflect attention from Harry and him. Harry kept trying to stand near him as they waited outside Professor McGonagall's classroom. He didn't want to talk to Harry, though. He was sure that any words he spoke would come out hateful and venomous and, instead of deflecting attention from Ron, he was going to look like a jilted lover. Of course, that was exactly how he felt.

He might have predicted that the first question out of Susan Bones' mouth would concern Harry and his sister Ginny. "Yeah, they're going out," he said trying to sound casual, "but don't believe everything you hear." Professor McGonagall started lecturing then, and he focused all his attention on her review of Conjuring spells.

After a few minutes, though, his mind started to wander. Harry was going to come out of this plan seeming perfectly normal, but Ron's sexual orientation was still going to be in question. If they wanted to do this right, Ron was going to have to make an effort to start chatting up some girls. He looked around to see who might be available. Hermione wasn't an option, and Parvati and Lavender annoyed him and probably wouldn't agree even if he did ask them out. There were a number of girls to his left who were attractive but he didn't know very well. His gaze landed on Susan Bones. She saw him glance at her and smiled back. Susan might be okay, he thought. She was reasonably attractive, and had a great figure. She was very nice, tended not to giggle too much, and she already liked him. He tried to remember if she was dating anyone – he didn't think so. He looked around and saw the rest of the class diligently copying the assignment from the board. Ron quickly followed suit.

After spending so much time watching Harry in action, Ron had learned how to pour on the charm if he wanted to. Harry had gotten well past the stage where he couldn't talk to girls without making a prat of himself, and now he could lay it on so thick sometimes that Ron wanted to gag. During their practice time for Conjuring spells, he was showering Susan Bones with all the charm he could muster; she was eating it up with a fork and spoon. Twice Professor McGonagall walked over to reprimand them for not practicing harder, but the second time Ron managed to quiet her by conjuring a tin of ginger snaps while she stood there and offering her one. Susan was very impressed. It took all his will not to look at Harry, but he could feel Harry's gaze burning into him several times. When their eyes finally met several minutes before the end of class, Ron flashed him a friendly smile and continued talking to Susan.

* * * * *

They were alone in the changing rooms as they put on their Quidditch robes. Harry's shirt was off and Ron was mesmerized by his smooth pale skin and chiseled muscles. His mouth went dry as Harry sauntered over and stood right in front of him. He did not look pleased. In a throaty voice Harry said, "So, was that performance in Transfiguration my punishment for kissing your sister?"

Harry was now standing directly in front of him. Ron could feel Harry's moist breath on his lips. Why was Harry torturing him like this? Was he really angry about his flirting with Susan Bones? The lust in his eyes was unmistakable. Did he know what that look was doing to Ron?

"Ginny says it's all for the cause," Ron said, his dry throat cracking. "And if you could see how I am ravishing you in my mind right now, you wouldn't even bring it up."

Harry was silent for a moment, and Ron could read the anguish in his eyes. "I'm sorry," Harry moaned. "It's just that it was really hard to watch you flirt with someone else."

"Well I'm not exactly overjoyed with the idea of my lover snogging my little sister either," said Ron. "It's just a game, though. Right? Just a ruse so that we can get everyone to leave us alone. Susan and I will go on a few dates, we'll be seen having sex in the library a couple of times, and then I'll do something incredibly suave like insult her. I'll be a free man by the end of February."

This made Harry laugh, and he wore the sweet smile that he reserved just for Ron. "Ron, I…"

"I know," interrupted Ron, "me too." He brushed his lips on Harry's as he moved quickly past him to find his robes. Harry whimpered like a puppy. Ron knew he shouldn't feel this way, but he was glad that Harry was jealous. He wanted Harry to feel the same way he did. Ron had never expected to be in a relationship like this. Why couldn't they just be together? As he pulled on his Quidditch robes he saw Harry sitting on the bench. It looked like he was doing those exercises for Occlumency where he practiced clearing his mind of all emotion. He was going to have to ask Harry to teach him how to do that.

* * * * *

Much to everyone's surprise, Gryffindor's Quidditch match against Hufflepuff was no walk in the park. Zacharias Smith, the Hufflepuff captain, had put together a very strong team, and Harry was uncharacteristically off his game. After three grueling hours and more than a dozen spectacular saves by Ron, Harry finally managed to secure a Gryffindor win by streaking past Summerby to catch the Snitch two meters from the Gryffindor goal posts.

Harry heard Madam Hooch's whistle followed by a tumultuous uproar from the Gryffindor stands. Harry was stopped in mid-air holding the Snitch that was flitting its wings wildly trying to escape his grip. They nearly blew their cover when Ron embraced him a second later and the two of them led their teammates arm in arm on a victory lap of the stadium. Fortunately, Ginny flew to Harry's other side and threw her arm around him as well. Still clutching the Snitch, Harry grabbed on to her shoulder as she called up to him, "Kiss me quick, you prat!" He leaned over and kissed her cheek, hoping it would be convincing enough for anyone who might have been watching.

Just for show, Harry kept his arm around Ginny until they reached the changing rooms. He looked back to find Ron and saw that Susan Bones, clad in her yellow and black muffler and mittens, had come over to congratulate him. Ron was animatedly describing the phenomenal save he made against Smith's last scoring attempt while trying very hard not to offend her loyalty to Hufflepuff. Whether Susan cared was debatable, but she hung on his every word and appeared to encourage his lurid commentary.

He felt Ginny's hand turn his face away from Ron and Susan, and they exchanged a meaningful glance. She gently said, "He's having a hard time with this too, you know."

"Yeah," said Harry sarcastically, "I can tell it's just killing him." Harry turned toward the changing rooms at the same moment that Susan Bones gave Ron a congratulatory kiss. Ginny watched sadly as Ron kissed her back.

* * * * *

The only time Harry could remember feeling so depressed after winning a Quidditch match was when Professor Umbridge had banned him from Quidditch for life for attacking Draco Malfoy his fifth year. He joined in the victory festivities for a short while, and then quietly slipped upstairs to be alone. Ron came into the dormitory looking for him ten minutes later and found him slumped face down on his bed with his glasses off and feet hanging over the edge.

Ron checked to make sure they were alone, and then bent down to kiss the nape of Harry's neck. Harry didn't move, but Ron saw the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile. Ron whispered into his ear, "I was just wondering whether another visit to the Room of Requirement is in order. I think someone needs a little attention."

Harry rolled onto his back and looked at Ron accusingly. "She's very pretty, and nice too."

"Who, Ginny?" asked Ron, very confused.

"Well, yes, Ginny, but I was referring to Susan." Harry's eyes were shining, as if challenging Ron to state the truth about his feelings for Susan.

"Yeah," said Ron slowly, "she is. And I think she likes me too. I asked her out for next Hogsmeade weekend." He looked anxiously at Harry. "That's okay, isn't it? I mean...that was our plan."

Harry nodded reluctantly. "I suppose Ginny and I will do something together too." He paused. "This is so ironic. The only person I want to be with is the one person I can't have."

"You have me," said Ron. "You just can't touch me. Well, not in public anyway." He put his hand on Harry's thigh and kissed him with all the passion he could muster. He wanted Harry to know that Susan Bones meant nothing to him – that she was just a means to an end. Harry was his world, his everything.

They heard a noise, and Ron saw the door move. Thinking fast, he grabbed the neck of Harry's robes, lifting him slightly off the bed and snarled at him menacingly, "You'd better be treating Ginny right, or you'll have to deal with me." Then he shoved Harry back on to the bed and stormed past Dean, who was staring, shocked, from the doorway.

Dean cautiously approached Harry's bed, where he saw Harry calmly putting on his glasses. "What's going on?" he asked.

"He seems to have an issue with me dating his sister. Overreacting, I think – don't you?" Harry answered with a frown.

Dean chuckled, "Boy, I knew he wasn't too thrilled that I was dating Ginny – you know, last year. But he never threatened me. Of course, I am bigger than him, and I could flatten his arse any day. But I thought he wanted you to date her."

Harry shook his head. "I don't suppose anyone will ever be good enough in his eyes." As Harry got to his feet, he was suddenly curious. "Er, can I ask you something, Dean?" Dean nodded. "Why did you and Ginny break up?"

He grinned broadly. "Didn't she ever tell you? She said she liked me and all, but she was still in love with someone else."

"Who? That Michael Corner bloke?" asked Harry, his eyes opening wide.

"No, you, of course. She said she felt guilty being with me when she really wanted to be with you. That's why she hasn't dated anyone since last year. I thought you knew that." Dean was smiling, thinking that Harry would be enthusiastic about this news now that they were officially dating. Harry faked a smile too, even though his brain was screaming. Shit! He had no idea that Ginny still felt that way about him, or he'd never have agreed to this crazy scheme in the first place. Was it possible for his life to get any more complicated?

* * * * *

"I'm telling you, Harry, it's a nightmare!"

Ron and Harry were lounging in the enormous purple four-poster in the Room of Requirement, physically exhausted but emotionally rejuvenated by their morning lovemaking. Several of Harry's limbs were carelessly thrown across Ron, who was giving a recap of his date with Susan Bones the night before. They had decided that Sunday mornings would be "their time," since everyone expected them to sleep late and wouldn't bother to look for them unless they failed to show up for lunch.

"She's all upset because I haven't been bugging her to go up to the Astronomy Tower with me. She thought maybe I didn't find her attractive or didn't want to be seen with her. So then I play naïve and ask her what was so special about the Astronomy Tower and couldn't we kiss anywhere?"

Harry snickered. "Oh, Ron, you didn't really…"

Ron smiled. "Clever, eh? So her eyes get really wide and she whispers to me, 'People do more than kiss up there.' And then I make my eyes get all wide and I say, 'Is that what you want?' And she says, 'I don't know if I'm ready.' Merlin, Harry, why in bloody hell was she nagging me about not doing something she isn't sure she wants to do? As long as I live, I'll never understand girls!"

Harry would have found this extremely funny if he weren't feeling so anxious about it. "So what did you tell her?"

"What could I tell her? 'Sorry, I'm not interested in you because I'm madly in love with my best friend?' No, I pulled the speech out of my head that Mum gives Ginny about twice a year… 'I believe in waiting to have sex until I'm in love and I know this is someone I want to spend the rest of my life with…blah, blah, blah'."

Harry winced. "Did it get you off the hook, then?"

Ron shook his head. "Hardly. Now she seems to think I am some kind of saint for actually having old-fashioned morals and sticking to them. She said that it only makes her respect me more. Dammit, Harry, I think the only way I'm going to be able to break up with her is to be a real jerk. And I don't want to do that because I actually really like her a lot."

"You don't have to break up with her," said Harry, his emerald eyes twinkling at Ron's blue ones, "as long as the only one you're shagging is me."

"Remember, Harry, I have old-fashioned morals! I'll only have sex with someone I want to spend the rest of my life with," Ron said with a grin. "It's so difficult, you know, holding the moral high ground."

"Listen to you!" Harry sat up and put his glasses on. "We'd better get back. I have loads of homework to do today, and we have Quidditch later."

Ron agreed, and they rolled out of bed and quickly dressed. Harry consulted the Marauder's Map to ensure no one was hovering in the seventh floor hallway when they emerged. "That's odd," he said, hurrying over to Ron, who was sitting on the bed tying his trainers. He shoved the map in front of Ron's face. "Look, there, in Dumbledore's office."

Ron saw a crowd of small dots clustered in the spot designating Dumbledore's office. He squinted to read the tiny writing. "Rubeus Hagrid, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Dedalus Diggle, Minerva McGonagall, Emmaline Vance, Remus Lupin… Harry, these are all members of the Order!"

"I know," said Harry anxiously. "I wonder what's going on to bring everyone here on a Sunday morning? I hope nothing bad hasn't happened."

The coast was clear, so they hurried back to the Gryffindor common room where they found Hermione and Ginny whispering together in a corner. "Where have you been?" asked Hermione impatiently. "I've been looking for you all morning!"

"Went out for a go on the Firebolts," Harry lied calmly. "Why? What's going on?"

Hermione threw the front section of the Sunday Prophet on the table in front of them. They gasped when they read the headline.

3 MURDERED IN SEPARATE ATTACKS

DARK MARK SEEN AFTER 16 YEAR ABSENCE

Two wizards and a witch were found dead last night with the infamous Dark Mark hovering in the sky above their lifeless bodies. All three were current or former employees of the Ministry of Magic with high security clearance.

Two of the victims were identified as Ludovic "Ludo" Bagman and Madam Adrienne Tawny-Brown. The name of the third victim is being withheld until relatives can be notified. Bagman, the former Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and famed Beater for the Wimbourne Wasps, was found dead at the house of his brother, Otto. Mr. Bagman had not been seen in public since the Triwizard Tournament three years ago, and it is unknown how long he had been staying with his brother, who was found unconscious at the scene and has been taken in for questioning. Madam Tawny-Brown had been recently promoted to Senior Assistant for International Magical Cooperation after serving seventeen years in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in various positions. Madam Tawny-Brown's residence showed signs of forced entry and a struggle, and Magical Law Enforcement officials were quick to point out that time is needed to sort through all the evidence before commenting on the crime scene.

The Dark Mark was seen hovering in the sky above the site of each murder, terrifying neighbors and causing general panic by all who saw it. You-Know-Who and his followers have been suspected in several high-profile disappearances during the past 15 months, but yesterday was the first time the Dark Mark has appeared at a crime scene in nearly sixteen years, although it was conjured briefly at the last Quidditch World Cup. Many remember the Dark Mark as a hallmark of the rampant violence that characterized You-Know-Who's first reign of terror. Ministry officials refused to comment publicly, but several acknowledged off-the-record that they did not feel the Ministry of Magic was fully prepared to prevent the extreme violence that could be expected from You-Know-Who now that he has resurfaced.

Ron looked at Harry, who was scanning the rest of the article, and noticed that he had become very pale. This was what Dumbledore had feared – that the targeted killings of those who were a threat to Voldemort's return to power would set everyone in a panic.

Harry shoved the newspaper aside and began pacing. He was going to have to forget about school and focus on the war now. Three hits in one night with the Dark Mark flying overhead certainly seemed to indicate the war had escalated, and it wouldn't matter if Harry got Outstanding on all five of his NEWT exams if he were dead within the year.

"What are you going to do?" asked Hermione nervously. She glanced sideways at Ginny, who was too worried to speak.

"I'm going to take a shower, eat some lunch and then try to see Professor Dumbledore. There's no point in panicking if Dumbledore has a plan. We have to trust him on this." Harry turned away and quickly disappeared up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"That reaction was way too calm and rational to be Harry," said Hermione. "Are you sure he isn't some imposter on Polyjuice Potion?"

Ron looked at her morosely. "No, that's him all right. That's how he's been sounding all year whenever he talks about the war – or even the future. He's preparing himself to die."

"Don't be ridiculous," Hermione clucked. "He's not going to die. He's survived so many times already and he's been taking all those extra lessons! Dumbledore's plan will work – I just know it will."

Finally Ginny piped up, "And the amulet! Ron, he has to know that will protect him!"

"What amulet?" asked Hermione.

"Ron gave Harry an amulet to ward off evil – it's called a Tyet of Isis and it's supposed to be powerful," Ginny glanced at Ron, who was very annoyed that she'd said anything in front of Hermione.

"Oh, Isis! I've read about her. She's the one who rules over magic and witchcraft! I didn't realize she was a protector too. But isn't that, well, just mythology?"

"Dumbledore seemed to think it was a powerful magical object when Harry showed it to him," said Ron. "And he's wearing it – I mean, it can't hurt to have extra protection, right?" Ron looked hesitantly at the stairway. "I'd better go up and make sure he's not thinking of doing anything rash."

Ginny thought Ron might not be the best choice to prevent Harry from rash behavior, but she said nothing. She and Hermione sat down at their table again, neither having the energy or inclination to return to their studies. Ginny had watched Harry go off half-cocked too many times to think he was just going to calmly wait and see what Dumbledore had in store for him. Oh Isis, she thought, if you're listening, you've got to help him. Harry is going to need all the help he can get.

* * * * *

Harry returned from Dumbledore's office in a foul mood. He had learned nothing of substance except that Dumbledore now felt the time was right for a counterattack. It would be a number of weeks, even months, to get all the elements of his plan in place; therefore, Harry's involvement was still a ways off. He also learned that Ludo Bagman had most likely been killed in an attempt to persuade the Goblins to join forces with Voldemort, and that the two others were killed in retaliation because they had been at least partially responsible for sending several Death Eaters to Azkaban.

Dumbledore had been quite adamant that Harry and his friends make no moves to contact anyone outside the castle. "This is the moment of truth, Harry," he'd said. "It all comes down to the plan. Don't waste any emotion on hatred, anger, or revenge. Voldemort will sense that in you, and it will be not only to your own detriment, but, I daresay, to that of many other innocent people as well. We already know that he cannot possess you when the power of love is strong within you, so drive him from your thoughts by your happiness and affection for those who care so deeply about you. You are young, and it is in your nature to want to act hastily, but I would entreat you to deny that urge within yourself and focus your efforts on being patient."

Harry flopped onto his bed and stared up at the canopy. His thoughts immediately went to Sirius. He knew how Sirius had felt – being asked to wait patiently while others did the work he was unable to do. But where had that gotten him? He could say with perfect honesty that he did not care whether he lived or died. If he lived, then Voldemort would be gone forever, and he could have the life of a normal wizard. Everything bad that had ever happened in his life could be blamed on Voldemort. With Voldemort out of the way, he might actually have a future – might even be a professional Quidditch player! But if he died, well, he'd be with his parents, and with Sirius. Dumbledore had once matter-of-factly described death as "the next great adventure," and Harry agreed with him. But his death would mean there would be no one else who could defeat Voldemort. If Voldemort returned to power unchecked, it most certainly would result in a tragic loss of life. He couldn't do anything that would put Ron or Hermione, or any one else he cared about, in harm's way.

Patience. Hmph. Whenever somebody mentioned patience, Snape's voice always echoed in his mind. Snape had chastised him at least a thousand times for lacking patience and subtlety. But if he looked at it rationally, Snape was still here – even after having been a Death Eater – while Sirius, who definitely lacked patience, was not. The idea of doing anything Snape suggested went against the very fabric of his being, but Dumbledore was practically begging and, to be honest, Harry had no idea what he could actually do to move along the process.

He needed to talk to Ron. Where the hell was he anyway? Harry checked the clock, and suddenly remembered he was supposed to have been on the Quidditch pitch twenty minutes ago. Well, Dumbledore as much as told me to go have fun, he thought as he raced down the stairs.