The week before the wizengot went quicker then Gideon had ever expected. Gideon spent the mornings in the library discussing the different lords and ladies on the wizengot. He needed a better understanding this time. He had an easy time against Dumbledore for Albus had few fans in the body but getting elected would be a different matter all together.

Gideon was getting frustrated beyond words trying to remember it all. "I still don't have any idea why I need to know what their favourite drinks or food is?"

Lucius smiled. "This is not like muggle elections. You will be taken out for drinks; you will be wined and dined to get you on their side, and the other way around."

Gideon groaned. "You mean that I'm going to have to spend the next few weeks pretending to be one of them."

Lucius nodded. "You are one of them though you sometimes forget to act like it. Just remember your old saying, when in doubt do what a Malfoy would do."

Gideon actually started laughing at that. "I thought you hated when I used that phrase. I believe you asked me to come up with a new word for my disguise."

Lucius shrugged. "Well for now you are Lord Malfoy as well so you can do it proud by acting like me. I just remind you again that it is only my disguise."

Gideon needed no reminding. "Lucius, I haven't seen you even remotely like that in months. You know I'm getting used to seeing you in jeans and trainers."

Lucius looked down at his clothes. "My parents would be rolling in their graves to see me in muggle clothing, not alone such casual. Robes all the way for them."

Gideon smirked. "Not ones for comfort much were they? Well I guess I'll have to get used to it. I'll be stuck in robes for the next few weeks."

"Just when you're out of Grimmauld place. Although you probably will be out at all hours."

"I don't get why me running to the bank is such a deal on my own but you guys are going to let me do this. The ministry is one thing; no one would attack me there but this?"

Lucius stopped him. "You will never be alone. Your husband or one of us will go disillusioned with you. Susan and Luna will often be in your company as well."

Gideon sighed. "I can't wait until this is all over and you guys decide I don't need a constant baby-sitter. I know I'm still a teen but I am capable of defending myself."

Lucius put a hand on his shoulder. "We know you are. But in times like this Gideon we all need to be careful. No member of the order goes on a mission alone, ever."

Gideon looked up quite sceptical. "You're telling me that when you or my husband go on business for the order, you always have someone as back up?"

Lucius nodded. "We do. Often each other. If we know there is any risk at all we are always at least in pairs. You know your husband is not trying to baby you."

Gideon felt slightly guilty. "I guess not. It just sometimes feels like you guys still see me as a little kid and forget that I'm lord Gryffindor."

"You might be Lord Gryffindor and coming into your powers but you should still be a sixth year in school Gideon, and you are still new at all of this."

"I know I haven't been in war for two decades like you guys but I have faced off against death eaters and Voldemort before. I am not some untrained newbie."

"I'm not saying that and either is your husband. But you still need some training and some field experience. Just bear with us and work with us please Gideon."

"I will. I mean I know my husband means the best for me and I really didn't mean to scare him and my fathers the other night."

"You know I watched your husband the three months he was awake and you were in prison. I have never seen him so scared. He never wants to go through that again."

Gideon cringed at his own memories of what had been for him six months. "Believe me; I definitely have no intention of putting either of us through it again."

Lucius pulled him into a hug. "I know Gideon. Now how about we go back to your studies. I know you'd like to go riding this afternoon with your husband."

Gideon smiled. "I wouldn't want to miss it. It seems it will be weeks before I get another chance. Remind me why I am agreeing to go through with this election."

"Because the wizengot has power over even the minister and if you were the new head of the body you could offer even more aid to our order through this war."

"And since I'm the one with all the titles, I stand a better chance then Susan or Luna of being elected. I guess I can deal with being a politician if it helps."

Lucius shook his head in laughter. "Being a politician isn't all that bad you know. Now let's get back at this. So what is Lord Hunt's favourite brand of bourbon?"

As they spent the next hour going over it Gideon still wasn't sure how this was going to help him win an election but he was willing to admit Lucius knew more about this kind of thing then he did. He would be happy though when the afternoon came and he not only went riding but practiced his powers. He was far more at ease learning to control fire and his earth powers, then trying to learn how to win over the lords and ladies of the wizengot.

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Severus had been in the lab all day and when his husband came in he wasn't sure what to expect. He knew Gideon had not been all that excited about the lessons he had been taking all week with Lucius but with having to return to London in a few days, they had all believed that it was necessary for them to start.

Gideon took him by surprise when he came over and pulled him into a kiss. When they came up for air Gideon smiled. "Thank you."

Severus looked down at his husband. "Might I enquire what you're thanking me about? Not that I mind the attention that came with it."

Gideon smirked. "I was speaking to Lucius and he reminded me that the order members never got on missions alone. Even grown members like you and Lucius."

Severus nodded. "And why might I ask is that a thank you worthy revelation?"

Gideon sighed. "Because I have been a royal pain. I accused you of treating me like a child insisting I never go alone. I sometimes forget it is not always about age."

Severus pulled him back to his chest. "Indeed. Do you have any idea what Lucius would do to me if he found out I pulled what you have? Your tanned butt would look good."

Gideon smiled at the image of Severus being over someone's lap. "I should remind that friend of yours that the only one allowed to spank you would be me alone."

Severus kissed him. "He'd do a little more painful like a hex. I promise you that there is not anyone alive I'd allow to spank me other then my amazing husband."

Gideon reached around and gave his husband a gentle. spank and then squeeze. "Good. Now are you almost done? I am in a desperate need for a ride after all that."

Severus put out the fire. "Better you then me. I don't think I could have been as patient with all those studies as you have been. I'd rather one of his hexes."

Gideon shrugged. "It is pretty boring but I know how important it would be for me to be elected and if this helps, then I can cope with it. But I need a break, please."

Severus led his husband to the stables. "A ride and perhaps tonight when you're done your powers practice, we can give you another kind of distraction to enjoy."

Quaker and Judas were saddled and ready to go for them when they got to the stables and Severus watched with a smile as his husband's face lit up as he launched himself into the saddle of the horse. His husband's love of riding had definitely not diminished in the months they had lived there. Severus had to admit when they were galloping out across the lawns it was a definitely needed break from all of their work and planning. He shared Gideon's pleasure.

They pulled up and dismounted for a time by the lake. Severus stroked Judas' nose. "We should have thought to bring these guys a treat out here with us."

Gideon smiled and looked at the ground and to Severus' amazement a small tree appeared and grew, apples appearing. "Here, feed your horse one."

Severus took the offered apple and fed it to a happy Judas. "You amaze me every time with your control of those powers. You have already matched me."

Gideon was feeding his own horse. "Is my husband a bit jealous because I have nearly as much control over his power as he does?"

Severus pulled Gideon against him. "It is a bit odd that you can do this so quickly but you spend more time in training then I. I spent more in my lab."

Gideon ran his tongue along his husband's lips to get him to open to a proper kiss. When they finally pulled away he smiled. "Good. I'd not want you jealous."

Severus tweaked him on the nose. "We might head back now. You will want to get some training in before dinner tonight with your dads."

Gideon agreed. He was heading for London the next day and he knew it would be some time before he'd be home. He was just happy there was over a month left before his father gave birth for he had no intention of missing the birth of not only his own daughter but the birth of his little sister as well.

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The next morning Gideon and Severus were preparing to leave. Lucius would join them in London if he was needed but for now he was heading home to France so their goodbyes were to him as well as to Gideon's fathers.

He started with Lucius as it would be the easier goodbye for him. "Thank you for all your help and advice. I will do you proud if I can."

Lucius hugged him. "I know you will." And he turned to Severus. "Keep him safe but remember what we talked about."

Severus accepted a hug from his old friend. "Indeed. I will try to keep that in mind."

Gideon was distracted by saying goodbye to his dads to have heard this. He hugged Regulus. "You keep a good eye on dad and our little ones there."

Regulus laughed and hugged his son. "You just worry about staying safe and doing what is needed, and I will keep your dad, sister and daughter safe."

Fabian smirked from where he was standing. "What am I, some kind of invalid? I can take care of myself. Now you just worry about staying safe and coming back."

Gideon put a hand on his dad's belly. "You just keep those two safe in there until I return. I have no intention of missing my daughter or sister's birth."

Fabian nodded and hugged his son. "I will do everything to ensure that stay put full term but if they're coming we'll send word. You'll not miss it, I promise."

Gideon was relieved. "I missed the conception of my daughter as odd as that sounds, I have no intention of missing her entrance. No matter what, you contact me."

With both of his fathers' assurances that night or day they'd contact Gideon as soon as his father went into labour, Gideon reluctantly allowed his husband to lead him into the floo network and travel back to Grimmauld place.