Harry lay on his bedroom floor, facing the crib miserably. Even if he didn't feel as if he could go on, he would not fail his child. Nathaniel was the most precious thing in the world to him. It had been four days since he had come to the Burrow. He had made his decision at last. He wanted to see the people that he was supposed to protect first though. The Weasleys were precious to him and Hermione had just revealed to him last night that she was going to have a baby of her own. She hadn't told Ron yet. Harry's stomach was rolling, it being empty not helping in the least. The door opened quietly and someone sat down at his side. A wrinkled, cool hand touched his cheek, making him flinched and curl tighter in on himself. He stared at the floorboards in front of him determinedly.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I failed you didn't I?" Dumbledore whispered, stroking his pale cheek over and over, " I was supposed to protect you and I didn't. Maybe…Maybe Voldemort has cared for you better than I could. Has he, Harry?"

He was met with silence in which a tear fell lightly onto Harry's unresponsive cheek.

" Your baby is beautiful, Harry. He looks just like you. I know that you're going to go back to him. Please don't, Harry. Please stay here with us. It isn't safe to go back. Do you know what he will do to you once he has you back?"

"I know better than you do…" Harry whispered at last.

He would have to be completely retrained. Rebroken. The very thought of his master's anger was enough to make the boy's body tremble. Dumbledore was once again, silent.

"You are…definitely set one going back then?"

"Yes."

"Then I suppose that I can't stop you but, Harry, please be careful and know that if you can ever escape again, you always have a home here. You will always be welcome." The Headmaster whispered, bending down to kiss the teen's scar gently.

Harry did not respond but instead, tried not to begin sobbing hysterically. He was making his choice. Perhaps it would not be so terrible. Nathaniel would be safe at last. He wouldn't have to run anymore. He would be back where he belonged. Harry breathed a heavy sigh and for once, a small spark of hope burning to life in his chest. It was for the best. It was for Nathaniel. His son may even come to realize what a sacrifice his daddy had made for him one day. Shade hummed inside him, pleased at last, with his decision. He knew that the less he fussed, the sooner he would be returned to his beloved.

Voldemort grinned wickedly, looking over his maps. Finally. He had finally pinpointed the location of his wayward lover and missing child. There would be hell to pay once he got Harry back. His spouse would be screaming his name for months. Lucius glanced at him surreptitiously.

"Would you like an envoy to accompany you, my Lord?"



"No, Lucius. This is a personal matter. I will handle Harry on my own. He needs reminding exactly of who his master is."

Harry watched his master standing in the yard of the Burrow from his place on the porch. He'd told everyone to stay inside but he knew that they were watching. Voldemort's anger rushed through his body.

"I just needed some time to decide." Harry explained.

Nathaniel cooed in his arms. The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed.

"Decide what?" The sibilant hiss that came from those lips was the only indication that Voldemort was angry.

Harry stepped carefully down the steps toward him.

"To decide what is best. To take my freedom and go or to do what's best for Nathaniel and stay with you."

His master looked intrigued rather than angry at that point. Especially when Harry walked up close enough to him to kiss. He offered up the baby.

"Hold your son. I know you missed him." Harry prompted.

Voldemort took his child, much to Nathaniel's enjoyment. He'd missed his daddy. Voldemort raised an elegant black eyebrow.

"And your decision, my disobedient Consort?"

Harry smiled sardonically before lacing his fingers with his master's.

"I have decided…to forever be your consort, My ever patient husband. No more running or trying to defy what is and always will be. No more defying you. I am now determined to be the best Consort I can be." He said softly, looking directly into Voldemort's eyes and hiding nothing. "I am resigned to my fate and will accept it with open arms."

Voldemort nodded, not even giving the house another glance before apparating them both back to the manor.

"Don't think that this means I won't punish you. You know the consequences of your actions, Harry."

The teen nodded, actually feeling relieved to be back in their private chambers. He hadn't realized just how attached he had become to this place. He had been terrified of it, of everything, once but he had finally grown up. He slipped his husband's robes off like a good spouse would and helped ease his suspicions with a timid kiss.



"Will you allow me to stand by your side, not as your slave, but as your husband, once you face your Death Eaters? I want Nathaniel to have two parents. Not a battle ground." He asked, running a fond hand through the dark hair above him.

Crimson eyes darkened but he nodded none the less.

"If that is really what you want. Everyone thinks you're dead but they will know better now. Are you ready for the world to look at you as a traitor?" Voldemort asked, disposing of his lover's clothes and getting him ready for his punishment. For his torture.

"I'm ready. I did a lot of growing up while I was gone. I'm ready to stand by your side and…I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

The Dark Lord tilted his head to the side curiously, touching the boy's cheek.

"You are ready to be mine then."

He ran a burning hand down the boy's spine.

"Yessssss…"

So how was it? I told you all that it would be short. Like a mini-novel fic. Love all of you. Maybe I'll do an epilogue one-shot! Kind of a What Happens Next fanfic.