A/N: General disclaimers of I don't own any HP-verse or various licensed characters in this fic. Rather than create an OC to show/represent an ideal/characteristic I brought in recognisable characters that already have the established characteristic/ideal.

Tom Riddle sat in his ebony, skeletal throne in the Lestrange Manor and pondered how his immortality changed in the past few months. Most recently he and his followers had to change their headquarters twice every time important followers were captured or killed. At Nott Manor, the Carrows were captured and a few days ago he had killed Bellatrix and Lucius.

"Milord?"

Tom Riddle felt like he had no choice though as two of his most senior and trusted Death Eater's had failed him and lost two pieces of his immortality. How had this happened? Who knew the secret to his immortality? He already felt weaker and that was because that bastard Harry Potter had killed Nagani.

"You summoned me milord?"

As soon as Tom Riddle felt a loss to his power he rushed back to Malfoy Manor and saw the lowest level destroyed. His rage had been unprecedented, killing the nearest Death Eater's and torturing many others. Nagani killed and disappeared and Wormtail gone as well. Tom Riddle's power base was slowly shrinking and he had no idea where his enemies were going to strike next. All of the Horcrux locations that he had been able to visit turned up empty and he had a sinking feeling that the others would be gone as well.

"How many senior Death Eater's do I have left Severus?"

"Crabbe, Goyle, Barty Crouch, Greyback, Dolhov, Karkaroff, Yaxley, Nott and myself milord."

"Karkaroff is an imbecile Severus and you know that. So I have five lieutenants left and a handful of mindless but dangerous rabble."

Riddle counted the numbers of both the number of missions needed to be completed and his available Death Eaters'. He didn't like the ratio and his eyes shone red with his displeasure.

"What do you know about this Harry Potter? I thought I took care of him years ago."

"He is a thief milord and a self-pompous idiot. Harry Potter prefers to fight through muggle martial arts and has used very little magic in combat so far. He is part of the Thieves Guild who prefer surprise attacks and speedy blunt force."

"Why does he not use magic?"

"I do not know milord."

Riddle nodded and swirled his wand. He frowned when nothing happened and tried again but to no avail. Anger like he hadn't known for many years boiled inside of him and he exploded off his throne.

"Devilish tricksters! Curses to Merlin and Morgana both! Severus you are to find out where this Harry Potter is and then I will cut him down where he stands. Go!"

Riddle blasted the door after Severus left and the iron door caved. The Dark Lord blasted it again and this time the door flew into the next room.

Abdas Patil controlled his emotions with great effort as the two master thieves Remy and Jesse sat down across from him at the table. Parvati, his only daughter sat next to him for appearances sake but Abdas had given her strict orders not to even look at the thieving scoundrels.

"Where is Mr. Goodwin? He has been my contact since the deal was brokered."

"Mr. Goodwin is way attending to some other business at the moment monsieur."

Abdas nodded his head at Remy's response, not believing it for a second and laid out a picture of the vial, liquid and knife he would be using to cleanse the objects of all the Dark magic. He saw the corner of Remy's mouth twitch and Abdas knew the thief was trying to hide a smile.

"Given your track record of late I wouldn't put it past you to steal my inventions Mr. LeBeau."

"No worries Mr. Patil, I have no need to acquire such items. That would harm any potential deal brokering's in the future no?"

Abdas smiled, however fake and took the photos back. He waved at Remy in a clear sign for him to show his side of the agreement and Remy laid six photos down on the table. Abdas looked each one over and frowned as he looked back up at Remy.

"There were seven artifacts."

"And the seventh was taken care of. Mr. Goodwin slew the snake while out on a previous job and one of our experts determined that Mr. Goodwin is in the clear."

"Who?"

Abdas grunted when Remy gave him an enigmatic smile in reply and sat back in his chair. He waved his hand again and slid a piece of paper across the table.

"This is the address of the location where you will bring me the artifacts and I will remove the Dark magic."

"And we will be allowed on site yes?"

"The process will take many hours. I do not think you will want to wait that long."

"You jest Mr. Patil. Mr. Goodwin removed one of the artifacts of the dark taint in the field under extreme duress and the artifact is still intact. Now, how long will the process take?"

Abdas ground his teeth in silent fury and decided that he would never do business with the Thieves Guild again. They were too knowledgeable and smug in this fact that they had all the angles covered. Padma had no doubt given them the instruction and knowledge on how to remove the dark taint without destroying the object. He lost more than just a family member when she betrayed him by joining these scoundrels it would seem.

"One hour to remove the taint and double check."

"Ah, there, ya see how much better that is? Now we can discuss the finer details of our arrangement such as final procedures and payment."

If it weren't for the fact that the two thieves in front of him could kill him before his bodyguards could react Abdas would love to teach them a lesson in manners.

"Lets do so."

Luna Lovegood lay on the rooftop veranda of the Thieves Guild soaking up the noontime sun and didn't open her eyes when she felt another person walk out onto the veranda. Fiona Glennane specifically. Luna knew that she wouldn't be able to enjoy the peaceful silence for that long ever since Harry, Padma and Michael left for St. Lucia a few hours ago and Michael or Harry weren't here to stop Fiona.

"Afternoon Master Boom."

"And what exactly are you doing Novice Lovegood?"

"Why enjoying the sun of course. Plenty of it."

Even though she didn't have her eyes open, Luna kept a wary 'eye' on Fiona with her sensory abilities and changed her posture just a little to better flee if necessary. Besides Master Archive who disliked her on the principle of her being Harry's first Recruit, Fiona was the only other master thief who still kept a safe distance from Luna. Michael Westin warmed up to her some as the two of them shared spook stories over lunch one day in the mess hall a few weeks ago and Jesse was there as well.

"Still wary of me I see?"

"Same could be said of you as well Master Boom."

"I don't know what you are going to do and better yet why you left that rubbish of an Order to join the Guild. Your decision and then your induction happened too fast for me to be comfortable."

The other witch had a valid point and Luna sighed on the inside because she knew Fiona couldn't trust her like Michael and Jesse could. To trust a spook one had to be a spook as the saying went and while Fiona lived with two sharpish former spooks for decades, she still wasn't a spook. Remy, the Guild Master, appeared to be too amused with her and Padma to doubt Luna's induction into the Guild and Luna knew that Remy was watching her to see if she would fail.

"I joined the Thieves Guild and left the Order of the Phoenix because Albus Dumbledore cannot see past his crooked nose and his beloved Greater Good. He cannot lead the magical world of England out from underneath the Dark Lord Voldemort's shadow and he will sacrifice Harry because that is what he believes the Great Good is calling him to do."

Luna sat up from her position of laying down and fixed Fiona with an unwavering, pointed stare. There were very few times in her life she decided to be completely open and honest but she sensed that this conversation with Fiona was the make or break moment for them and she wanted the older woman to trust her. Fiona stood with her hands on her hips, shoulders back and fire coming from her eyes. Neither woman would back down it seemed until the matter was settled between them.

"What else? That cannot be the only reason and I still don't trust you."

"Who do you think was one of Harry's contacts across the pond? How do you think you have acquired some of the marks in Europe? I have been corresponding with Harry for the past two years and we shared quite the powerful professional relationship before he appeared at the Grimmauld Place several months ago."

Luna waited as Fiona digested the information she had just given her and sat with her legs crossed. Her gaze never wavered from Fiona's and for the moment it appeared that Fiona was stumped. Luna knew that the other woman wouldn't stay that way for long and she took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

"You. You are the one that Harry referred to as the 'Moon Child'. How could I have not seen that before until you just said it?"

"That is why I am a spook journalist and a damn good one at that. To answer the second part of your question, I decided to become a thief because I can be more effective for Harry that way. With my background and training in journalism and spook craft I can get into many interesting places but now with my thief training I can be better. I am not a front-line fighter Fiona, I never have been and I do my best work on the down low. In the climactic finale coming very soon don't you want every available asset you have to be in top condition?"

"So you are loyal to just Harry and not the Guild as a whole."

"No, I am loyal to the Guild but the Guild to me is Harry Potter, Dominus and James Goodwin. Would I have joined the Guild if Harry wasn't the one to approach me and train me? Perhaps but I prefer not to think about that."

Fiona's posture became less defiant, less angry and now the master thief stood with her hands down at her sides as to on her hips. Luna relaxed a little bit more as well, feeling more confident that the other woman wasn't going to attack her and waited for Fiona to continue the conversation.

"What is Harry to you? A friend? A lover? You know that he has his eyes set on that Padma lass right?"

"Harry and I were never exclusive but rather a means to an end and stress relief. I showed him how to live outside of being a thief and reminded him that he is human and not a machine. In return, he is my sounding board, my confidant and my protector. That is why Harry is the Guild to me and that is why I am here."

Luna watched with a wary eye as Fiona walked over to her and Luna couldn't sense any negativity in Fiona's magic. She shook Fiona's offered hand and smiled back at her when the other woman smiled first.

"Welcome to the Guild Luna Lovegood and it is nice to meet the real you. My name is Fiona Glennane. Care to have some tea with me?"

While Luna and Fiona were finally getting to know one another, Harry stood out on the front deck of his villa on the beach of St. Lucia and breathed in the salty ocean air. Michael, Padma and Harry had landed in St. Lucia about an hour ago and surprisingly Harry had slept like a baby the entire flight down from New Orleans. Michael and Padma hadn't seemed that surprised, stating that he had been burning the candle at both ends by performing double heists and being as active as he was.

"You and your lady friend set up all right Harry?"

"Yeah, I think so. She's choosing a room on the second floor and I already put all my stuff in the room I always use. You set up here on the ground floor?"

"I'm fine Harry. I'm not the one that has a megalomaniac coming after me."

Harry snorted and rubbed his side. The knife slash that Lestrange had given him back at Gringotts had healed just fine but Harry would have a thin white scar as a reminder of his own mortality and not moving fast enough.

"Fiona will be here tomorrow and I've already activated the wards. Relax Harry and let the rest of us do our jobs."

With that Michael walked out onto the beach towards the ocean and Harry heard Padma come down the stairs. Her quiet footsteps were a far cry from how she walked before she started the Guild's training and once again Harry was reminded of how excellent a thief Padma could become. The beautiful Indian witch stood beside him and leaned against the railing just like Harry was.

"I'm all set up and ready Dominus."

"You can call me Harry here Padma. I don't think Michael will rat us out for not following procedure."

"Okay Harry, now what do we do?"

"I don't know. Been a while since I've been on a vacation."

Padma giggled and stepped closer to Harry. She was so close Harry could feel her body heat and her perfume of cinnamon and natural scent of vanilla hit him full force. He knew she was trying something, quite possibly trying to seduce him and he wouldn't say no if she did because he was supposed to be relaxing.

"I am going to be honest with you Harry. I see all the possibilities of the future and in all of them we end up making sweet sweet love to one another at some point in time. Can we skip all this awkward staring and talking and just get on with it already?"

"And why would we do that? You're one of my Recruits and we haven't really had any interactions."

"Don't tell me you can't feel it Harry. The electrical charge every time we touch, the potent heavy thrum that's in the air every time we are near each other and how wonderful it feels to be like this. I see you all the time when I sleep and dream, acting so noble and brave. Then, afterwards you come back to me and the passion that exudes from us as you claim me over and over is something I've been doing my best to ignore for months now. Please Harry."

Harry grinned as he held Padma's curvy, defined hips in his hands and squeezed. Her eyes darkened and her breathing quickened but she didn't back away. Her own arms snaked up and wrapped around his neck, pressing them closer together.

"You fell into bed with Luna because you saved her life from the Order and the Ministry's Aurors. Well, you have saved me from a lifetime of being under my father's thumb and allowing me to grow into who I am. Take what is rightfully yours Harry Potter, I'm begging you."

"Oh the things that I do for the Guild."

The next morning found Harry stretching and performing some of the katas out on the beach as the sun rose up over the shimmering ocean. Padma hadn't stirred, a smile still on her face and only routine and a need for perfection made Harry get out of the bed away from her warm body.

"You didn't come out and greet me last night when I arrived Harry. Michael tells me that you were getting along quite well with your second Recruit."

"No need to be so snarky Fiona. Padma and I merely let out our frustrations and need last night."

"You did that with your first Recruit as well. You don't plan on sleeping with every female Recruit you bring into the Guild do you?"

Harry whirled around, decidedly more force than necessary in the particular movement he performed and he glared at Fiona. The witch didn't flinch, having developed a lifetime immunity to Harry's glares since she had raised him as her own and she met his glare with a motherly one.

"Do not glare at me like I am wrong in questioning you about this Harry. While both Luna and Padma are excellent additions to the Guild, you have to think about the repercussions of your actions. Both you and Luna have stated that there is nothing more between you two than a strong friendship but what about Padma?"

"She and I haven't talked about it yet and you are looking too far into the matter."

"No, I am making sure that you are thinking with your mind and not just your hormones. You care for Padma more than just as a friend. It is so obvious to those that see you two interact when you're outside the ever watching eyes of the Guild."

Harry didn't falter as he continued to perform the kata but he didn't look at Fiona either because he knew that she spoke the truth. Like Padma stated yesterday, the very air crackled around the two of them when they were alone and if it weren't for Harry's superb self-control and professionalism he would have taken Padma months ago. In hindsight however he was glad he didn't because over the past several months he had gotten to know Padma through her training and that was probably why the sex had been so powerful last night.

"You are a grown man now Harry and you make your own choices but I pray that you think before you act. Now, I am going to go have breakfast with Michael and I suggest that you get cleaned up and join us."

"Fine."

Harry stood up out of his stance and followed the beautiful and temperamental Irish witch back to the villa. Michael and Padma sat out on the deck, a breakfast spread laid out on the table and all the annoyance washed out of Harry when Padma smiled at him. He smiled back and sat down next to her as Fiona sat next to Michael.

"I bring word from Remy and Jesse. Their meeting with Abdas Patil went as well as can be expected given the recent circumstances and the two of them will be overseeing the removal of Riddle's dark magic from the artifacts tomorrow. Remy also wants us to return to England and set up a meeting with the English Ministry through Director Bones and also a meeting with that blasted Order of the Phoenix through Dumbledore."

"The time draws near Harry for the final confrontation with Tom Riddle and we know through our own informants that he is gathering up his forces just as we do the same. All the pieces are set on the proverbial chessboard and we want to make the opening move to set the pace. Have you begun training with your weapons yet?"

Harry sighed and rubbed the back of his head even as Padma squeezed his hand underneath the table. He knew what Michael was asking him and he nodded.

"I have them in my room. I will start training with them after breakfast."

"Good. Word has it that Tom Riddle is quite the experienced swordsman and for this to work you need to be able to at least match him if not beat him."

Harry nodded and stood up from the table. He nodded to Michael and Fiona when Padma looked up at him and he grinned. She looked a little worried but Harry knew that although Fiona would be particularly rough with Padma this morning, Padma would come out stronger and a better thief because of it.

"Just because we are waiting for the right moment to strike does not mean that training stops. The other Masters would like the opportunity to train you and I think you would be foolish to miss this opportunity of training with the two Masters in front of you."

"As you say Dominus."

Even though she looked like she would rather go for a swim with sharks, Padma stood up and excused herself to go get dressed in her training attire. Fiona looked like the cat that ate the canary and Michael looked speculative.

"Try not to send her limping back to her room tonight Fiona."

"Go train Harry."

Harry shook his head but walked into the villa and up to his room. He walked over to the closet and took a long, sleek black case off the top shelf. He handled the box with care and opened the lid. Inside were two beautifully crafted twin tiger hook swords and Harry closed the case with a grin. He walked back downstairs, out to the beach and set the case down on the ground.

"Open and come forth to my hands."

The box opened and Harry's swords flew into his hands. As soon as he felt the sword handles he spun around and slashed through the air. The blades sang with joy and Harry grinned like a little kid in the candy store. The next two hours would be fun.

"I think that Fiona hates me. No, I know she does."

"Stop being so melodramatic Padma. It's been a while since Fiona has had a female Recruit and since she got to train with Michael at the same time."

Harry sat on his bed in a pair of light black training pants and tank top and toweling his hair dry. He had taken the first shower, having been drenched in sweat and Padma fared no better during her training session it would seem. Currently, the witch in question was soaking in a tub and Harry knew she would be stiff.

"Oh yeah? Then why the hell did we have to practice Judo for a straight hour? Who taught her that anyway?"

This time Harry did wince as the martial arts form known as Judo was one of Fiona's favourites and the Irish witch drilled her love for the style into all of her Recruits. He could just imagine how Padma would fly through the air for a few seconds only to be slammed onto the ground or training mat (he hoped Michael put those down…).

"Judo is Fiona's favourite martial arts style simply because woman of a smaller stature aren't supposed to be real good at it. You are pretty fortunate that she took the time to teach you that."

"Still think she was letting out her frustrations about the fact that you and I slept together on me. Michael was no better having me learn jujitsu."

Harry would have responded but Padma chose that moment to step out of the bathroom in nothing but a short black towel and drying her hair. Small rivulets of water disappeared in the upper swells of Padma's breasts that were visible above the hem of the towel and her long legs looked fantastic.

"I find it flattering that even though you've pounded me into the bed many times last night that I still draw your attention. Nothing you haven't seen before or cannot claim."

"Oh I intend to."

"Oh no! Story time first. You promised last night so you could enjoy me for the fifth time even when I was too tired to move."

"Fine."

Harry saw Padma's excitement as she dropped her towel to sit naked at the foot of their bed and she twirled a long, straight black lock of her hair in between her fingers. Obviously Harry's past was an intriguing topic to her and the rest of the world but to Harry his past was normal.

"Okay we'll start off easy. What do you plan on doing with your life when the Dark Lord is gone?"

"Getting absolutely smashed and having my wicked way with you."

Padma blushed, a rosy tint on her beautiful caramel skin and she batted her eyelashes. She squirmed but didn't say anything and motioned for Harry to continue.

"Thieving of course. There are so many marks out there just begging to be acquired and I plan on attempting them all. Egypt and Romania in particular."

"What about becoming a Guild Master?"

"What of it? The Guild already has a Guild Master."

This time Padma speared Harry with a look and Harry looked back at her. She huffed and pouted.

"I told you that I am not looking into the future and besides, that ruins the fun of the game. Fine, you won't answer questions about the future so we'll move to the past."

Harry raised his eyebrows and Padma blushed a little at her assertiveness. She pushed the hair out of her face and moved closer to Harry.

"What happened the night that you were born? How did you vanish from England and live in America for so long without anyone knowing?"

"That's been bugging you since you first saw me hasn't it? If you're going to be asking these types of questions I need a drink and you in my arms. Merlin and Morgana both."

Harry got out of the bed, his mind in turmoil and he crossed the room to the liquor cabinet. He poured himself a drink, drained it and poured himself another. The liquor gave him a measure of courage and he returned to the bed. Padma settled herself in his embrace, careful not to look him in the eye and traced the scar on his side from Lestrange's knife.

"After Voldemort killed my birth parents, failed to kill me and vanished I was left alone in my birth home. Remy was there that night, acquiring a mark from some rich sap and Michael, Fiona and Jesse were there as well because they were hitting somewhere around four houses at once. Being trained magicals, they felt Riddle's dark magic enter but they had decided to acquire their marks and then leave. All of them felt my magic rebound with Riddle's and then his abrupt demise and disappearance along with my accidental survival."

"Not accidental. You didn't survive by accident and come to me by accident."

The soft but firm conviction in Padma's tone made Harry smile and he kissed the top of her head. He took another sip from his drink and exhaled.

"They found little me and sensed all the dark magic in the area. It was a snap decision really, largely fueled by Fiona's motherly instincts and I was taken to the safest place in the world. The Thieves Guild in New Orleans."

"And you have been practicing the craft ever since?"

"Well, I've been a thief ever since I've had baby teeth."

Padma chuckled and Harry finished his drink. He banished it to the sink and settled back down in the bed. Strangely he was feeling lighter sharing this with Padma and he decided to keep going. Holding secrets for too long would make one go crazy and it probably wasn't good for ones health.

"When I became something in the Guild I adopted the persona of Mr. Goodwin for my protection but in more ways than one. James Goodwin was the name that spread out across the world and not Harry Potter."

"Very clever. What about Michael, Fiona and Jesse?"

"Ask me anything about myself and I will do my best to answer. You want the story on other people you need to ask them."

Padma muttered into Harry's bare chest and Harry pretended not to hear what she said. The two magicals laid in silence for a while and Harry waited as he knew Padma had more questions.

"What about Luna? What are your feelings for Luna? She tells me the two of you slept together more than a few times and talked quite a bit."

"Luna Lovegood is a good friend and an excellent thief. I rescued her from Dumbledore's machinations and she was my first Recruit. But as far as she and I as lovers, no, we are not."

"And me?"

At this question Harry hesitated and thought about his answer. For a long time Harry had been exactly what Padma had called him the first time he brought her to the Guild, a womanizer and Harry accepted it. However, the more time he spent with and around Padma, the more he felt himself settling down and Harry smirked.

"You are my Nightingale and you will have to ask someone else or read up on the name in the library if you want to know what that means."

"You never make anything easy do you Harry?"

Quick as could be Harry rolled them over, Padma underneath him and he looked down at her. Her hair fanned out around her, her eyes warm and bright and she arched her body up to his. Padma Patil was sin and she was offering herself to him.

"On the contrary, making love to you I make easy, kissing you I make easy and giving my life to protect you would be the easiest decision I ever made."

Harry lowered himself to his Nightingale and kissed her.