I do not own Harry Potter, or it's characters. This is merely a work of fanfiction.

There is another death in this chapter. No one is going to miss this character, I promise.

There is a part in this chapter where Holly uses Ginny's full name. In an earlier chapter I mistakenly called her 'Ginerva' instead of 'Ginevra'. I'm going to stick with that, cause I like it better.

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Holly sat down her teacup in it's saucer. The last days of summer had fled quickly. In a few short hours they would return to Hogwarts to start their Fifth Year. Once again Holly was struck by a sense of loss at having to leave Lucius and Cissa. She had one last thing that she needed to tell them, before they left for the year.

"I've picked a day for Draco and I's bonding."

Conversation at the breakfast table grinded to a halt. Draco gulped down a large sip of coffee that scalded his throat. Ginny stifled a laugh at his expense. He looked like he had been hit over the head with a Beater's bat.

"When?" Cissa asked excitedly.

"The Summer Solstice."

Cissa practically bounced in her seat with excitement. Lucius put a calming hand on her shoulder, not that it worked. Her mind was already making guest lists, plans, and diagrams.

"Oh darling, that is perfect! Such an auspicious day, and the weather will be divine. Have you decided where to have it?"

Holly knew she was in a unique position. She could have their bonding almost anywhere. No one would refuse them, but there was only one place that both she and Draco felt completely at home.

"I'd like to have it here."

She reached for Draco's hand. He still looked somewhat dumbfounded. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it. He nodded along with what Holly was saying blindly.

"Son, do you even know what Holly said?" Lucius asked.

"I got lost at Summer Solstice," he admitted.

"Are you okay with having the bonding here?" Cissa asked.

"Of course," Draco agreed.

"The order of silk should be done within the month. I'm sure Blaise has already been working on the design of both of your dress robes, but he's bound to have more questions. It's going to be hard to plan by yourself at Hogwarts."

Holly winced. She hated the idea of making all the decisions about this. Draco had immaculate tastes like the rest of his family, but he was so busy with Quidditch, classes, and learning the family business. She raised her eyes to Cissa, who looked like she was beaming.

"Do you think you could plan it, Cissa? I don't even know what bondings usually entail. I've done some research, but the finer points elude me. I wouldn't want to miss anything. I know how significant this is for our families."

Cissa tried to contain the squeal of excitement that wanted to escape. It had been far too long since she got to organize a bonding. Instead of screaming her excitement, she smiled and nodded her head demurely.

"Of course I'll plan your bonding, dearest. It will be the social event of the decade, mark my words. Is there anything you absolutely do not want?"

Holly scrunched up her nose, "Dark purple. It was my aunt's favorite color."

Cissa nodded her head seriously.

"Of course, a horrid color for a horrid woman."

Ginny chuckled as she watched her sister and Cissa chat. She would have agreed to just about anything Holly said right now. She would no doubt work herself dizzy for the next year, planning their bonding. Good thing this year's Yule Ball was at Longbottom Manor. Lucius pulled his pocket watch, and jolted at the time on the face.

"We've got to go," Lucius announced as he stood to his feet. Draco stood and pulled out Holly's seat as she continued to discuss bonding details with his mother as they left the room.

Ginny patted him on the shoulder as she passed him, "C'mon brother."

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Holly gave a fond pet to the Thestral that had led their carriage, before she allowed Draco to lead her up the front steps of the castle. She had left the Thestral with a promise to visit the pack with Luna, and an abundance of fresh meat for it to munch on.

Holly stiffened, for a mere second, at the sight of Miss Umbridge sitting at the staff table. Draco took her hand in his, and she relaxed under his touch.

"What is it, love?" He whispered.

Holly cut her eyes to the toad-like woman wearing bright pink. A sneer took up place on Draco's features, and Holly smiled in return. She saw Blaise's posture stiffen at the woman's ensemble. She could practically hear his voice in her head now, calling her pink bows a crime against wizard kind.

"Is that the woman from the Ministry?"

Holly nodded minutely, and allowed him to lead her to their favorite spot at the Slytherin table. The other Heirs briefly caught her eyes, giving her small nods, signs that they would talk about this later.

Headmistress McGonagall stood to her feet. She informed them that Professor Slughorn would be taking over Potions once again. Miss Tonks had moved on to work for Malfoy Enterpries. She barely managed to get through welcoming back the students, before the pink toad cleared her throat pointedly. Holly watched with amusement as a vein in the Headmistress' forehead bulged. At this rate perhaps Minerva would kill her, and solve everyone's problem.

Blaise picked apart the woman's outfit as she spoke, "It should be burned."

"Shhh," Holly instructed.

The toad-like woman was shooting a sharp glare at their table, though Holly couldn't bother to make herself look remorseful. She wore a self satisfied smirk that secretly amused Headmistress McGongall to no end.

"Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged," she continued.

A small smile took up residence on Holly's face. So the Minister had planted his very own spy in the castle. Merlin, tearing her apart sure was going to be fun.

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Holly sat on her bed, and let out a sigh. Pansy and Daphne came to sit on her bed. She laid her head down on Pansy's lap, and threw her legs over Daphne's lap.

"I missed you all," she whined.

"We missed you too," Pansy assured. "Visiting, no matter how often, is just not the same as living together."

"How was Bulgaria?" Holly asked Daphne.

The blonde blushed and ducked her head. Pansy laughed and poked her in the side until she laughed uncontrollably, and clutched her sides.

"It was lovely, Viktor is lovely, it's all very lovely."

Holly pushed up on her elbows, her eyes crinkling with mirth.

"Where is he anyways?" Holly questioned.

"Ireland," Daphne sighed. "His agent did some fancy dealing, to get him traded. That way we could be closer together."

"Will you get to see him often?" Holly asked with concern.

"The Headmistress has given me permission to go to Hogsmeade whenever he can get time off. We'll be fine."

"What about you and Marcus?" Daphne demanded of Pansy.

"What about us?!"

"When will you bond? Everyone knows you're the only one he can stand. He's already repeating this year. They won't let him stay another unless you bond."

"We'll bond this summer. I"ve been waiting to set a date until I could ask Holly when she and Draco were going to get bonded."

"Summer Solstice," Holly answered.

"I'll write to my mother in the morning and let her know. I'm sure her and Lady Flint will want to talk and coordinate everything with the families."

"What about you Daph?" Holly asked.

"Oh, I'm in no hurry. Viktor will have to travel no matter what. We'll probably wait till graduation, and then I can travel with him."

"That makes sense," Pansy noted lazily.

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Classes commenced, and the days passed pleasantly. Holly was determined to apply herself more to her studies this year. Remus had informed the Headmistress that neither she, Luna, or Hermione needed Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were too advanced, they would pass their exams either way.

They were allowed to pick electives to fill their time. Luna used her time for Advanced Arithmancy while Hermione and she elected for private Potion lessons with Professor Slughorn.

"What is it you want to work on in your extra lessons?" Professor Slughorn asked at the beginning of their first extra lesson. Holly put a hand on her family journals, and raised her eyes to the old professor. She and Hermione had discussed this thoroughly during the summer.

"When my mother passed she was working on developing a fertility potion, to help those who struggled conceiving. Very Olde magic, if you get my meaning."

The professor merely watched her with a small smile.

"It's all here in her journals. She had access to generations of the Potter's potions research. I'd like to perfect it. There's still quite a bit of work to be done."

Professor Slughorn looked at her piercingly.

"You and the Heirs are very worried about the birth rate, aren't you?"

Holly nodded to Hermione, and sat back to watch her talk. She fiddled nervously with her gloves for a moment, before Holly nudged her with one of her shoes.

"I've done extensive research on this topic, with the help of my soulmate. The numbers are clear. The birth rate needs to pick up. The British magical population never recovered from Riddle or Grindelwald. The Heirs are doing everything they can to set us on the right path. Perhaps this can help."

He nodded his head, his belly jiggling with his mirth. Holly was glad to see that he seemed genuinely impressed with Hermione. She was a brilliant mind, one she didn't want to get lost in Zach's shadow.

"Well let's get started then."

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Holly woke up on the first Saturday of term, to Pansy jostling her. Holly rubbed at her eyes tiredly.

"Why are people always waking me up in the most undignified manner?" She grumbled. Pansy laughed and jumped onto Holly's bed to sit beside her.

"It is the first Saturday of term. You know what that means."

Holly scrunched up her face as she tried to think. It was hard first thing in the morning.

"Quidditch trials?"

Pansy ruffled Holly's black hair affectionately.

"That's right, love. Quidditch trials. All our boys are going to the Quidditch stadium. Marcus sent me to fetch you."

"I'm not a dog," Holly protested.

"Well of course you're not, A dog is much more cooperative."

Holly pushed herself up on the heels of her hands as she glared at Pansy, who was completely undaunted by her friend.

"You might have defeated Dumbledore, but you don't scare me."

"Of course not," Holly laughed. "You've been bossing me around since we were eleven."

"Exactly!" Pansy chimed with a smile.

She got up from the bed and tossed a green ribbon at Holly.

"Get up, get ready. Trixie has kindly agreed to bring us breakfast down to the stadium."

"She's a saint," Holly mumbled as she finally left the comfort of her bed.

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Holly watched Draco zip around the Quidditch stadium. She held a thermos of coffee to her lips, taking sips as Pansy commentated on the trials. Marcus had assured her she didn't need to try out, since her participation in practices was variable.

"Do you even know what you're talking about?" Holly asked with amusement.

"Oh, absolutely not. It's more fun that way. I know the basics, but Quidditch is Marcus' thing, not mine."

"What's your thing?" Holly asked.

"Being in charge obviously."

Holly threw back her head and laughed. Pansy was good at that.

"I bet you'll be prefect next year," Holly observed.

"Obviously," Pansy drawled. "You're too busy, and Daphne is too nice. Millie's a bitch, and Tracy is too shy."

Holly attempted to quell her giggles as the boy's approached them on their brooms. Draco hopped off his broom and landed in the row beneath her. He tugged on her hands, causing her to fall forward into his arms. Marcus landed behind them and threw an arm around Pansy.

Draco kissed Holly punishingly. He had left for the Quidditch pitch before she even woke up that morning. Holly allowed herself to kiss him back, heedless of those around them. She felt a stinging hex hit her back. She rubbed it as she pulled back.

"That hurt Pansy!"

"You should be thanking me. There's Gryffindors coming down from the castle. You wouldn't want anyone to write Cissa and Lucius, or Merlin forbid the press."

Holly looked to the hill that led down from the castle. Just as Pansy said there were little specks of crimson meandering down the hill. They more or less had a handle on the press, since the Rita Skeeter debacle. She had been released from her cage during the summer with a stern warning.

"Fine then."

Draco gave her a wink as he and Marcus remounted their brooms, and headed towards the showers. Pansy and Holly waited in the stands until the boys emerged from the locker rooms, with wet hair and fresh clothes. Draco held her hand as they walked back towards the castle.

"We have to meet with Fleur and Bill tonight," she reminded him. Draco's posture sagged slightly, threw back his head, and groaned in frustration.

"I wanted to do something just the two of us. We barely get any time alone now that we're back."

Holly leaned into his side, and fisted a hand in his robes. They had gotten used to sleeping in each other's arms after Holly's duel with Dumbledore. It was hard to go back to the way it was before. She tugged down on the arm of his sweater, and he bent down so she could whisper in his ear.

"Let's ask Mipsy to bring us dinner in my private quarters. We can spend the night there. We won't have to meet with Bill and Fleur for too long. It's only been a week, and I'm sure Fleur wants to visit Tonks."

Draco's grin returned as he considered the idea.

"That sounds perfect."

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Holly and Draco entered the room that Fleur and Bill were using for research, and took a seat in front of them.

"How did this week go?"

Fleur picked up the Invisibility Cloak, letting the fabric run over her hands. It was smooth like water. She had given them just the cloak to study first. She wouldn't let all three of the Hallows out of her possession at once, no matter how much she thought she could trust them.

"It's unlike anything I've ever seen," Fleur admitted.

"There are layers and layers of spells upon this," Bill continued. "We've only just begun to get a read on some of them, but it could take months to identify all of them. But it's not just that, the fabric is a mixture of fairy silk and something I can't identify."

Holly shared a look with Draco.

"Hair?" she suggested.

Bill stared off into the middle distance as he thought.

"It could be, I suppose. Hair magic is part of the Olde Ways, which was practiced at this time."

"If they used Veela hair it would be even more powerful, or unicorn," Fleur noted with wonderment.

"We should consider all possibilities," Holly noted. "Have you had any trouble from anyone?"

"That toad woman does not like me," Fleur sneered. "She cornered me this morning, and tried to interrogate me about what our work was here. I told her the story- we are doing research on the Founders Magic being revived and how it affects the castle. She didn't believe me. Bill had to chase her away."

Draco looked at Lord McKinnon appraisingly. He shrugged with a small smile.

"She thinks she can bully Fleur because she's French and doesn't have a title. I think she's a bit scared of me, though. It's funny. I'm just a minor Lord, after all."

"Yes well she's a bitch with no title," Holly mumbled.

The room burst into raucous laughter. Holly's face blushed a bright pink. She hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"You're not half as proper as you act, are you?" Bill asked.

Holly merely gave him a small smirk, and a shrug. Draco threw an arm around her shoulders with a broad smile. Fleur shook her head at them. Draco was more like Tonks than she expected.

"There's a lot expected of us. We try to live up to it, but no, we're not perfect."

"I just get a bad feeling about her," Holly added. "She makes my magic crawl in the worst way."

"Mine too," Fleur agreed. "Veela's are very intuitive."

Holly smiled at her friend.

"I'm sure you want to get out of here and see Tonks."

Fleur smiled at her excitedly as she nodded her hands. Holly turned her gaze to Bill. She had never heard him mention a soulmate, or a loved one beside Ginny.

"Do you have any plans?" Holly asked Bill conversationally. He sighed tiredly, and ran a hand through his long red hair.

"I'm going to go to London and visit Percy and dad. He's been shadowing other lords, trying to learn the ropes. Dad's trying, but it's just not him. It's going to fall on Percy to rebuild that family."

"I can see why Ginny loves you so much," she admitted. "I'm glad you've come home. That's enough for this week. Next week let's meet on Friday so you can have the weekend to yourselves. Good work."

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When they returned to the Common Room Holly let the guard families know they would be in her private quarters until the morning, and disappeared with Draco. They enjoyed dinner at a small table in front of the fireplace.

They sat there awkwardly for a moment, after they finished their meals.

"Bed?" Holly asked shyly.

"Bed," Draco confirmed.

It had only been a week since they shared a bed, but they were both suddenly aware of how intimate it was. Holly walked into the bedroom first, looking around the room, lit by the massive fireplace.

Holly approached the bed, where one of their house elves had left a bag for them. She reached for the zipper of the bag, but paused as Draco brought his arms around her.

"How are you, Hols? Really?" He asked in a low voice. "You haven't flown since we came back. You haven't dueled anyone in weeks. You're not even taking Defense lessons, so you won't have that to help either."

Holly felt herself warm under his touch. She spun around and pulled him close in a hug. She didn't think she could look at him when they were talking about this.

"It was easier in the Summer, when I got to see you more, when we-"

Draco's heart was beating fast in his chest. He didn't exactly know how to talk about this. It's not like there was a "How to Help Your Soulmate with their Excess Magic' class.

"When we did stuff like we did in the library at home?"

Holly nodded her head against Draco's chest. Draco squeezed her waist gently, and pushed her back towards the bed. She sat on the edge of it, and finally lifted her eyes to look at Draco. His posture was tense, his cheeks flushed.

"We can do that again, or stuff like that. Whatever you want. Whatever you need."