Harry woke the next morning with Mimsey patting his foot. She smiled at him and said, "Good, Master is awake. What is Master wanting to wear?"

Harry thought about that for a moment then decided. "Shorts, socks, trainers. I'll shower and change before breakfast."

Mimsey nodded, "Mimsey will have a bath ready and suitable clothing for relaxing on a beach. You will be relaxing." She cast a stern look at him.

Harry laughed. "Ok, Miss Bossy, I'll relax. I'll need it after my run, tai chi, yoga, kata, fencing and ... Merlin only knows what else. Bye." and with that he hurried out.

Mimsey gazed after him for a moment then shook her head. "Young master is going to be hurting after all that." She went to see which oils she was going to have to add to his bath.

.

He was downstairs in ten minutes, the clock in the entryway said six am. Lucius was just coming down the stairs with a grumpy looking Draco right behind him. Ron soon followed with Neville only a moment behind.

Harry looked over his group. "Ok, I know where Neville and Ron are endurance wise. Papa? Can you keep up? And Draco? How about you?"

Lucius replied for himself. "I can keep up. I've been leaving you to your runs and morning exercise in peace, I feel it's a time for you to recharge. Draco?"

Draco made a face. "I've been doing the same. Doing what Harry taught us when we were here last time. I'm fair. I think we should all start out together and turn to go back when we need to. Perhaps put down some kind of mark to keep track until we're all at the same level?"

Harry nodded. "Good idea. So ..." He bounced on his toes a bit. "Warm up. Then we run. Come on."

Harry led them down to the beach, through a permanent portal that Lucius had erected between the château and the beach. There they stretched, to warm their muscles up before running. Harry used a modified tai chi routine.

The run was interesting as Ron, Neville, Harry and Lucius were nearly matched. Neville ran out of steam first out of the four of them. Draco managed to get almost to the turn around point Harry had picked before he had to stop. He'd forgotten, in his effort to keep up, that he'd have to turn around and go back. He groaned and dropped down to sit in the sand until he could catch his breath enough to walk back to the start.

When he got there, Harry started him on another tai chi routine, starting the whole routine over again for everyone. Then he started teaching them the kata. They'd started learning this one the last time they were all here and not one of them had actually forgotten anything. They all just needed a refresher up to the point where they'd left off. Harry announced that they'd continue with yoga, then meditation. After the meditation they'd all practice changing into their animagus form.

"Now, I know we're all animagi but I think this part of the practicals should be done in private. Then clean up and breakfast. We'll take an hour to digest then sword training. Draco, you'll join in on that, if you like." Draco brightened. "After lunch we'll all head to the beach to relax and get some sun. Maybe swim a bit. We'll also have a good work out in hand-to-hand. Papa will oversee that. Ron, I'm sorry we couldn't convince Molly to allow you sword training so you'll be spotting, but you can join in on the hand-to-hand." He smiled at them all. "I know this is supposed to be a fun two weeks, and I hope it is. But, it's also the beginning of some training that I hope will keep us all alive. We're stuck in a war that we never started and I'd like to see all my friends make it through. Any comments? Complaints? Questions?"

Ron just gave his opinion in that dry way he had when he thought everyone should have seen what he saw. "After your birthday party, I don't see how anyone could have any complaints. Questions will come up, I'm sure. Comments? Why weren't we doing this earlier?"

Harry shrugged. "I didn't think of it for one. And ... well, no one else did either."

So they continued the routine as outlined by Harry.

.

Harry dropped his sweaty shorts and socks into the hamper, and eased into the warm tub. He knew that he was going to hurt when he woke up in the morning, but the bath should help. Little did he know that the oils that Mimsey had chosen would help substantially.

He got out and dried off. Mimsey had left clothing on the sink surround for him so he dressed and ambled down to eat.

Breakfast was leisurely, filled with calm talk about everyone's levels and stamina. Harry had suggested, before they went up to bathe and change, that everyone wear clothing suitable to the climate and their proposed activities. He noticed that Neville and Ron were dressed for ease of movement, while Lucius was dressed in slacks and a shirt. Draco, having no idea, was dressed in flowing summer robes. Harry wondered idly what he had on underneath them. He dismissed worry, as he could just send an elf for what was needed.

He spent his free time working out what needed to be done. He didn't want to establish a routine that they couldn't keep to for two weeks. He also was working on figuring out something that he could manage at Hogwarts. He knew that he needed the physical conditioning and who knew what Tommy might throw at him.

He startled when Lucius called him. He was standing in the door, dressed in fencing gear. "Harry, come along. And, I'd rather you wore slacks and a shirt under your safety gear. Less sweat chafing."

Harry nodded. "Ok, I'll have Mimsey bring me something. I wasn't thinking right. I had hand-to-hand in mind."

Lucius just nodded back. "I see. We won't wait on you for long."

Harry said, "Five minutes." then called for Mimsey. Lucius left him to change in his private parlour and went down to the fencing salon.

He came in just as Lucius was equipping Draco with proper protective gear. Ron was on the sidelines looking a bit disgruntled.

Suddenly, Harry realized that they'd left out something. "Papa, we forgot to include learning combat spells. There's going to be plenty of time during and after fencing practice to learn spells. Ron can participate in that, right?"

Ron brightened and Lucius just remarked, "Learning duelling protocols has always been part of this training. Spell work, manners and such. Of course he can participate in that. And I had planned to use him as an extra pair of eyes to make sure I don't miss anything while you are duelling."

Harry agreed that this was a good use of Ron's observational skills. Neville snorted at that as Ron was well known for being Mr. Oblivious. He proved to be better at it than expected.

Ron took this a lot more seriously than people watching, which he hated. He didn't really care what people were up to, as long as it didn't affect him personally. So he minded his own business, in his opinion.

The fencing went well. Draco proved to be light on his feet, viciously quick and fast to learn even the more complicated reposts. Harry worked with him as Lucius corrected them both, they ended up sweaty and satisfied with their progress.

Neville wound up fighting against Lucius. He showed a nearly inexhaustible well of stubborn ruthlessness that surprised Lucius. The young man just came back and back and back. He managed to avoid serious 'wounds' and wore Lucius down until he cried 'pax'.

Then they duelled with magic. Draco, not a surprise there, simply outclassed everyone but Lucius by the sheer number of curses and hexes he knew. Ron wasn't far behind him but he also knew some pretty powerful shields. When asked he laughingly said, "You know Fred and George, right? How was I supposed to defend myself from them?" Harry knew as much as Ron did but Neville was woefully behind everyone. Lucius spent most of the period working with him, leaving Ron, Draco and Harry more or less on their own.

They returned to their rooms for a quick wash and rest before lunch.

Lunch was another meal and that was about all it was. They were all just tired enough that conversation was confined to 'pass the butter' comments. Lucius wondered if this was a good idea but kept out of it as this was for Harry. He truly regretted Harry's party being spoiled. He was going to have to find some way to make it up to him, perhaps at Christmas.

Neville finally asked, "Harry, how long can we keep this pace up?"

Harry smiled slightly. "No more than two weeks. We all need the conditioning. Once we get in good shape, it's not that hard to maintain it."

Ron sighed, "But it still needs maintaining. How are we going to do that at Hogwarts?"

Harry shrugged a bit. "I have some ideas. Let's not worry until it's time."

When they finished eating, Harry changed into a gi then wandered out into the garden.

The rest of the party dispersed to their different relaxations.

An hour later Neville came to find Harry, announcing that Lucius wanted them on the croquette lawn.

As they walked, Neville worried. "Harry, what if I'm not good enough. I've never actually been in a fight."

Harry just snorted. "Department of Mysteries, that wasn't a cake walk. And ... I'd like to ask you to sort of not talk about that much. I don't want to upset anyone."

"Mum's the word, then. Who do you think is the best of us?" Neville glanced at Harry out of the corner of his eye.

"Papa, he's a beast. The only person I've ever seen who was as good as my Papa is Frankie. Then Liu-sifu is really good too. So ... but I really have to say Frankie as he's more in tune with incidental or accidental weapons."

Neville looked blank. "What's an accidental weapon?"

"Just something lying around that you turn into a weapon. A chair leg, mop stick, stuff like that."

"Oh, I'll have to think about that." Neville opened the door for Harry who stepped through with a sigh. Now was the time to let loose a bit and have a good workout, get rid of some tension and learn something.

Lucius turned to smile at them then narrowed his eyes, Harry was wearing his gi, which Lucius still thought looked like pyjamas.

"Well, come along, Harry. We'll warm up with a short spar. We're not going to do a long warm up as no Death Eater worth the name is going to let you warm up before trying to kill you."

Harry just nodded. "Ok, why don't we just get to it."

With that Lucius attacked Harry. They fought back and forth across the grassy area of the croquette lawn. Lucius always managed to just keep Harry on the defensive. Harry also seemed to be holding back slightly. Draco and Neville didn't notice, or didn't understand what they were looking at, Ron did.

He waited until the fight was over.

When it was time to discuss the match the first thing Ron said was, "I don't know what it is but Lucius you are holding back on Harry. It's not going to do him any good to expect one level of combat and get another. You're one of the best of the best and you're fighting like ... like" you could actually see the light dawn. "a dad. You've got to stop that."

Lucius paled then flushed. He replied to Ron's criticism by saying, "Wait until you're a father, then say that again."

Ron nodded. "I know. Dad tried to teach us to duel but he was so ... stifled for lack of a better term that we didn't learn a thing. Charlie and Bill learned for their work, and came back on their vacations and taught us. Except for Percy. You've got to toughen up. Sorry."

Lucius just grunted inelegantly then said, "So, why don't you show me how it's done then?"

Ron just stood up, shrugged and said, "Ok."

Harry got up to face him, saying, "Ok, Ronniekins, ready to get your arse handed to you?"

Ron snickered a bit then said, "Harry, wrong clothing. We're not taking a nap."

Harry just grinned at Ron. "So, want to take it off for me?"

Ron laughed back. "I'm going to try. Just don't forget the lessons the twins taught us."

Draco cleared his throat, ready to break in, but Lucius caught his eye and shook his head. He wanted to watch Harry fight Ron so he could test Ron's levels. He was sure that Harry would win as the sparing with the hired partners had been intense.

Neville, having actually seen Fred and George teaching Ron, shrugged and flopped down on a bench. Draco joined him and hissed, "How bad can it be?"

Neville didn't take his eyes off Harry and Ron when he said, "Fred? George? Ruthless pranksters? There's going to be bloodshed."

Draco gave an audible gulp.

Harry circled Ron carefully. Ron was bigger than he was and had a longer reach. But Harry was wiry and stronger than he looked. He was also faster than Ron.

Lucius found out that Ron was a fierce and dirty fighter. He'd learned from not only Fred and George, but Charley and Bill too. But it didn't do much good in the long run. Harry beat him down, but it took him the better part of ten minutes to do so. Ten minutes isn't that long in terms of actual time, but in a fight, it was an eternity.

Ron finally cried 'Pax!' and they stepped back from each other. Ron dropped to the ground and groaned. Harry flopped down too and touched his face.

"Fuck Ron. I think you broke my nose." Harry fingered the appendage carefully.

Ron, meanwhile, was exploring his jaw. "Yeah? Well, I think you loosened a few teeth. Got a fist like a damn hammer. How come you don't fight him," he indicated Lucius with a jerk of his head, "like that."

"He holds back, so I do too. Doesn't do much good. That's one of the reasons I don't have sparing partners, the other is they can't keep their mouths shut."

Lucius hurried up, took one look at Harry's bloodied face and snarled. Then he got a good look at Ron. Both boys looked like they'd been in an all out brawl, which they had. He glared at both of them and got amused looks back.

Ron remarked, soto voice, to Harry, "That's the reason Dad won't teach us Aurors moves. He's too damn soft hearted."

Lucius handed Ron a potion and said, "I heard that, Weasley."

Harry snorted then winced. Lucius chucked him under the chin gently, to make him look up. He examined Harry's nose for a moment then tapped it with his wand. A quick Episky later, and Harry's nose was fixed.

Lucius gave Harry an odd look then said, "Despite the fact that you have to learn to fight, I find myself ridiculously reluctant to hurt you. Call me a fool."

Harry gave Lucius a look of such love that Lucius shuddered. "No fool. Just a good father. But, I've had lots worse for lots less."

The look of fury that crossed Lucius' face made Ron shudder slightly. "We'll be discussing that one day soon."

Harry just nodded and said, "Ok. Now. Discussion?"

"Yes, I'll analyze your fight and we'll go over everything after I deal with Neville." Lucius handed Harry a potion and rose to his feet.

Neville proved to be as bear like in his hand-to-hand as he had in his fencing. He was nearly inexhaustible. Lucius finally wore him down though, and finished him with a quick left hook-right jab combo that left him sitting on the ground, holding his jaw.

"Ow! Damnit, I thought I had you there."

Lucius dropped elegantly onto the grass. "Nearly. But you still do not have real endurance, just a stubborn refusal to give up. It makes you clumsy."

"I could feel my moves slipping near the end." He rubbed his jaw again. "I haven't been running as much as I should, I guess."

Draco flicked his wand to heal the bruise on Neville's jaw. Since he couldn't participate he'd been elected official healer.

Harry settled nearby with Ron and Draco arranging themselves comfortably as well. They spent the next hour going over the sparring detail by detail. Lucius spared no one, including himself.

After finishing the analysis of all their fighting styles, Lucius summed up, "Neville, you know how to fight. Not very well but you will be fine at the end of the two weeks. You really need more endurance, you wear out too quickly. Ron, I do not want to meet you for real, you are big enough and good enough to be a real threat. Harry, you just need practice. And I need to get over myself. I remember when you said, 'Better a bruise from me than getting killed by Tom'. And you are right. So, I am done holding back. If you are."

Harry just nodded then said, "No holds barred. Draco, better start brewing. You're going to need a lot of healing potions."

Draco sighed. "Yes, and bruise salve and ... bath oil." He trailed off, thinking of all the things he needed to brew.

Neville blinked, "Bath oil?"

"Yes, and I'll be needing some of your lavender oil, and aloe, Flower-of-the-hour, wintergreen, and witch hazel. For cuts and scrapes ... hummmm. I believe figwort, gentian, and willow. I'll make up a general purpose salve, fairly strong. Anything else you can think of?"

Neville thought for a moment then replied, "King Solomon's Seal and hyssop. If I extract the oils instead of giving you a tincture, it'll be easier to make a salve. You won't have to deal with the moisture of a tincture. Alcohol always interferes with salves, keeps them from setting properly."

Draco gave him a slow once over then drawled, "And you're so bad at potions, why?"

"Snape. He scares me stupid. He's so mean. And he's a Death Eater. Or was. I'm not sure about him at all."

Lucius sighed, "He's a spy for the side of light. Makes him mental. His ambition has always been to be an experimental potions researcher. He hates teaching, I don't blame him either. It is ridiculous to waste his talents teaching you brats to brew household products that you'll buy. Dumbledore has dumbed down the curriculum until the graduates are almost as ignorant as they were when they started. Hogwarts has not graduated a class above the fifteenth percentile in ... I'm not sure how long. One of the things I have striven to control, in my role as a member of the Governing board, is Dumbledore's idiotic methods. He thinks every child should graduate, whether they deserve it or not."

Harry looked shocked, "You mean that he's just ... just," he waved one hand. "I don't know how to put it. He's just cut out whole subjects because he wanted to?"

"Something like that. He removed whole groups of spells as unnecessary and he eliminated ethics, rituals, staff magic and ... he just insists on all the professors loading you up with essays and busy work. Some of the students, even those who obtain O's, are still woefully ignorant. The Auror training used to take a year, now it takes three. I could go on but I would surely have an ictus. That is why I insisted on all of you working so hard on studies. You are now well ready for seventh year. You already know most of what will be taught, all you will have to do is write your essays and learn the odd bit of information here and there. Now!" He stood up, slapping dust out of his clothing. "Let's go swimming."

So they headed for the beach at a hard trot, Lucius having decreed that they would run everywhere they went outside. Harry got there first and started stripping off, as there were no girls or women around they swam sky-clad, laughing and splashing each other. Lucius even going so far as to forget his Malfoy dignity entirely and dunk Ron quite thoroughly.

And that was the way it went for the next few days. They worked out, swam, sunned and studied spells. They woke early, worked hard and bloodied each other, fighting to first blood or knock out.

On Saturday, Lucius noticed that they were all getting tanned. Draco and he had developed a golden tint to their complexion. As the Malfoy line was noticeably pale this was interesting. Ron, red-head that he was, just burned and peeled until Lucius threatened him with a good spank if he forgot his sun-block spell one more time. Neville turned brown as a berry and his dirty blond hair developed a streaky, blond, brown, red sun burn that looked very well on him. Harry on the other hand, became the quintessential 'Nut Brown Boy', which had one unfortunate consequence, his scars stood out as lighter lines and round spots.

Neville finally really noticed and stared in dismay. Lucius poked him but it was too late, Harry had seen him.

Harry noticed how all the rest of the group seemed to eye him then dart their eyes away. He had taken a good look at himself in a mirror that evening after his shower. He'd eyed the pale belt stripes across his back and the round cigarette burns that dotted his shoulders then shrugged. He was tired of trying to hide things. He would keep makeup on the scar on his forehead as he liked his looks better without it, but anyone who stared at any scar was going to be put down hard.

Now, he just turned his back to the group and said mildly, "Ok, everybody get a good look. After this, no staring. I'm sick of it. I'm not a carnival attraction or a freak show. People who are rude enough to stare and comment will find out just how rude I can be when I feel like it." He waited a few moments so everyone could get a good look. "Ok, done?" Various sounds of assent answered his question. "Anyone have questions?" He turned around to smile at his friends and family.

Neville gulped then asked, "I ... the round marks?"

"Cigarettes. Uncle Vernon got the amusing idea of using me as an ashtray. Didn't last long as Aunt Petunia found out he was smoking in the house and had a tizzy. Next?"

Neville looked green and shook his head. No one else had a question about Harry's scars. But Ron had one.

"Harry, has anyone done anything about that ... that ..."

Lucius relieved him of the necessity of finding a word by saying, "Language, young man."

Draco's flat, "He's lost his family. But nothing more. And that was more his doing than anything else. Why?"

"I want to go hurt him. Badly. I ..." He flailed his arms a bit, trying to express his feelings.

Lucius just smirked, his silky tone belying the anger he felt. "He has not been punished, yet. I am still making arrangements. I need to find out who the owner of his mortgage is."

Harry picked up a towel and dropped it in the sand, Draco joined him on it. "I bet I am. Dumbledore messed with my finances so badly that I know you're still sorting things out. Just ask... Silvershaver, Grumbleguts assistant. He'll know. Why?"

"I have a feeling that no payments have been made on the mortgage since we shut off all unauthorized payments. I have ... plans." He chuckled mirthlessly. "But enough of this angst. It is too sunny a day for it. You should all go fly or something. Now shoo. Daylight is wasting. We have completed our work for the day, enjoy the rest of it."

So the boys all dashed off to fetch their brooms while Lucius apparated to his quarters, changed and went down to the library to write a letter.

.

The rest of the two weeks passed in a blur of activities. Neville improved his endurance until he could keep up with the rest of the group, as did Draco. Draco proved to be a fierce fighter, his sword play rapidly becoming the equal of Harry's. Ron was a hard fisted, hexing demon when it came to hand-to-hand. They all could now shift into and out of their animagus form with a thought.

Lucius, who'd kept actual notes, was pleased. They were very nearly equals. Draco, due to his illness, was not a hand-to-hand fighter, but Lucius would not want to have to battle him in any other way. Ron and Neville were well rounded, excellent at sword play, spells and hand-to-hand, Lucius compared them most favourably to the LeStranges, Rudolphus and Rabastan. Harry was just plain deadly. He had an eye for what he called accidental weapons and would fling all sorts of things at his opponent with wandless magic, while either cutting them to bits or closing in for ruthless hand-to-hand. His technique of transfiguring darts from his bracelets gave him an advantage that Lucius had warned him not to display unnecessarily. He didn't know a lot of fancy techniques but he was very, very good with what he did know. Lucius would not want to meet him in a dark alley as the saying went. He felt very satisfied that he'd done the best he could to protect all the young men from attack by anything short of a full squad of Death Eaters. Dumbledore was not going to be pleased, a thing that he found most satisfying.

Harry also spent a part of his private time dancing. He loved to dance and missed his performances at the club.

He missed Frankie and Johnny so, one evening Lucius found him sitting in his parlour sniffling into a handkerchief. Mimsey had gotten him, hating to see her master upset.

"Harry, what is it, son?" Lucius sat down on the couch next to him and put an arm around him.

"I miss Frankie and Johnny. Stupid, but there you are." Harry wiped futilely at his eyes

"It is not stupid if I find my son weeping over it. Perhaps we can arrange a visit to them soon."

Harry looked delighted. "I'd love that. But ... maybe we shouldn't bring Draco ... um ... or Ron. Definitely not Neville. They ... I don't think they would handle the club very well. You know?"

Lucius sighed. "Perhaps not. Neville, no. Augusta would have a fit. Ron, not sophisticated enough. And Draco? Perhaps."

"Um ... do remember that it's a gay BDSM club. The Silken Cage caters to some very ... odd people." Harry just smiled in remembrance of a few of the more eccentric patrons.

Lucius made sure that Harry got his eyes dry then asked Mimsey politely for tea. She happily obliged, glad to see her good and kind master had stopped his tears.

"Now, gay I understand, but what in the world is bee-dee-ess-em."

Harry sighed a bit. "It's short for bondage dominance sadomasochism. The Cage specializes in fantasy rooms. The front is a dance club which splits its evenings into free dance for the customers and stage dancers, like me. The back rooms are divided into two sections. One, a

place were fetishists can do the human furniture thing, I was a table. And the other section is ... um ... customers can hire a boy, although most of the guys are over 20, they just look young and either have them..." Harry turned a bit pink. "Well, depending on whether the customer is a dom or sub, get whipped or whip someone. Or do other things I'd really rather not discuss with my father. It's a bit embarrassing. Bird and bee stuff."

Lucius managed not to choke on his tea. He'd known that Harry worked in the club, but he'd managed to convince himself that Harry had been a dancer and bar tender only. Finding out that Harry had actually worked the back, even as nothing more than furniture, was shocking.

"They allowed ..." Lucius started to snarl

Harry interrupted him. "Look. Frankie and Johnny are good guys. They know damn good and well that street kids, homeless kids like I was, have a damn hard time finding any kind of honest work. By honest I mean the kind of work that does not include dealing drugs or stealing. They were teaching me to dance and hoped that I'd like working in the back. A benefit to both of us. I didn't, it scared me, so they didn't even mention it again."

"I see." and Lucius did. He was no fool, Harry very well could have fallen into the hands of some psycho or other. "I will see what I can do about getting you to visit them before school starts. Now, dry eyes?" Harry nodded. "Good. It's a bit early but perhaps you might go on to bed, take a bit of calming draught and get some extra sleep."

Harry just nodded and went.

Lucius spent the better part of the evening trying to reconcile things in his mind. Intellectually he knew that Frankie and Johnny ran a club that catered to homosexual men. This didn't bother him in the least, the wizarding world wasn't that concerned with who you had sex with, as long as everyone was consenting, especially the spouse. But the other aspects of the sexual nature of the back rooms did concern him. He was, as Frankie would say, 'Rather vanilla.' in his sexual tastes. He wasn't sure he liked the implications of Harry working in the Cage, now that he was really aware of the nature of the club. Play acting was all well and good, the real thing could be a disaster. So, he made plans to take Harry to the club to visit.

.

And so it was that, on the 29th of August, Lucius took Harry to the Silken Cage just before opening that evening.

He wore his usual robes, these in an elegant bronze that emphasized his blond good looks and broad shoulders. Harry wore blue jeans, t-shirt and trainers, remarking that he was going to dress for the club after he got there. Lucius just raised an eyebrow and kept his own counsel.

Their knock on the back door brought a squeal from Donny, who answered in a flowing kimono and dragged Harry in by the hand. Lucius followed more sedately, but was greeted by

one of the dancers, who announced, "Now, how gay is that? Very, very nice."

Lucius just raised one eyebrow and said, "I'm bi, actually. You like?"

"Mmmm, very nice as I said. You the noble that snatched our little Harry away?"

Lucius put this innuendo to bed quickly. "I am his foster father. Nothing more. I will thank you to remember that."

"Oooo touchy! You gonna spank me?"

Lucius started to unload on the man, but Harry intervened. "Riley, bugger off. You're too young for him by half."

"I'm twice your age." Riley tried a pretty pout.

"I meant mentally. You're just near retarded enough to think that works. So, go. a. way. Shoo."

Riley pouted again, but left, crossing the door with both Frankie and Johnny. Johnny stared after him for a moment then went to hug Harry. Donny touched Lucius on the hand and whispered, "They're going to be at it for a while, come on. I'll show you the front." Lucius followed a bit reluctantly.

"Harry, pet! How are you? Let me look at you." He pushed Harry away and looked at him critically. "Well! Bulked up a bit, I see. And ... oooo, guns. Very nice. You're beginning to look like you should."

Harry grinned at Johnny then turned to Frankie. Frankie hugged him too. They spent a few minutes just babbling at each other then Frankie also took a long, slow look at Harry. "Like the make up, luv. Very ... seductive. Hot. You working tonight? Or just showing your Papa around?"

Harry grinned at Frankie's assessment. "Just showing Papa around. But, he wants to see the back rooms. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No, you just put on your old harness and go on in."

Harry grinned. "That's going to cause a problem. Papa will have a fit."

Lucius, who had been exploring the nether regions of the front of the club with Donny, returned just in time to ask, "Have a fit about what?"

Harry turned to grin at Lucius. "About the harness I have to wear in order for you to see the back rooms. No one is allowed there without escort by a 'bottom boy'. Or a lock boy."

Lucius happily put his foot right in it. "I see. Well, I am sure you will be happy to oblige me." He was a bit startled by the nearly hysterical laughter from Frankie, Johnny, Harry and the other three or four men in the room.

Harry nodded once, as if reaching some decision. "Ok, but not a word, and what happens in the club stays in the club."

Lucius suddenly got the eerie feeling that he'd just done something spectacularly dumb.

Harry left with Donny, heads together. Johnny just eyed Lucius for a moment then said, "You embarrass Harry in anyway ever, and I'll cut you into fish bait, magic or no magic." Then he turned to follow them.

Lucius followed him with his eyes, and wondered exactly what he'd stepped in the middle of. He also vowed not to embarrass Harry no matter what. So, with that in mind, he put on his 'Malfoy face' and prepared to accept whatever came his way with the calm, collected demeanour his own father had taught him.

.

Harry grinned at Frankie then said firmly, "Noting too outrageous. I'm not going to scare him. Alright?"

Frankie turned from a box he'd taken from the top of the lockers. "Of course not. But ... he needs to know ... what you had to do. Right? And we need to know if he can accept you as you really are. No dewy eyed image of you."

Harry nodded firmly, once. "You're right. But I think he has a vague idea."

Frankie finished getting Harry's outfit together. "Here we go. Nothing too revealing, but really ... hot. Without any squick factor."

He presented the short vest, tight short shorts and harness for Harry's approval. Harry nodded but added a leash to the pile. He grinned at Frankie who just snickered for a few moments before turning to help Harry get into the outfit. He finally fitted the last lock into the buckle of the collar around Harry's throat and said, "There you go. Sexy and untouchable."

Harry also let Frankie put a little extra eye liner on him and a bit of mascara and a peachy pink lip gloss. Frankie stepped back and smiled. "Beautiful. You just remember, you've always got a place here with us."

Harry hugged Frankie, wrapping his arms around the other man's shoulders and resting his head on one. "Thanks. I really appreciate that."

Frankie pushed him away gently, saying, "Ok, enough of that. Let's go shock Papa."

Harry took the leash in one hand, snickering softly. "Yes, let's do."

Harry entered the room where he knew that Johnny had stashed Lucius. He stood in the door until one of the new men noticed him.

"Holy fucking hell! Damnit!" the man mock glowered at Harry. "I totally hate you."

Harry just grinned.

Lucius looked up from his drink to see Harry standing there, wrists, ankles and neck in heavy studded straps. More straps enclosed his torso, covered by a short, soft leather vest. His leather shorts left little to the imagination. Lucius choked on his drink. Harry eased over, slinky walking with a cool expression on his face. Lucius stood up, and Harry just handed him the leash and walked away. Lucius was forced to follow or either drop the leash or choke Harry.

Harry looked around, but he didn't see anyone except Donny that he knew. Johnny had written long newsy letters to keep him up on who was coming and going, so he knew that most of the men he knew were on weekends now. The newcomers were all on during the week. He led Lucius deeper into the club, perfectly aware that he was freaking out a bit. Harry knew it wasn't very nice, but he was getting a bit of payback, petty though it was.

"This is the lounge. It's where all the boys gather for coffee, tea, to get warm or patched up. No one's here now. The few guys who are here already are either getting ready, or have early customers. Men who drop in for a 'quickie' before going home to the wife and kiddies." Harry stopped so Lucius could see the small galley kitchen, tables, chairs and couches.

After he was sure Lucius had seen enough of the back room, Harry took Lucius to the 'harness room'. "And here's where all the harness is. Each worker has his own locker and everything in it is his. The club provides most of the gear but everyone has their own so that there's no chance of cross contamination."

Lucius looked around for a moment, then put his hand on one of the lockers. "Would it be alright for me to just look?"

Harry nodded. "Just don't touch anything."

Lucius opened the locker and nearly recoiled. It was filled with canes, floggers and things he didn't recognize. "Um ..." He shut it quickly. He took a deep breath, and realized that he had to be very careful. If Harry was into this sort of thing it really wouldn't do to show anything but the utmost understanding. Lucius really didn't care who did what to whom, as long as it was consensual. He also didn't want an intimate knowledge of either of his sons exploits. He dragged his mind back from that abyss quickly.

Harry watched as Lucius' usually expressionless face displayed his thoughts quite clearly. He cleared his throat and said, "We better go on. I want you to see the back rooms, I helped clean them." He looked Lucius in the eyes. "And that's all. I know the who, what, how and why. You don't work in a place like this without learning plenty, including what you like and don't. Come on."

Lucius' trip through the back rooms went as Harry had expected. Lucius was a master of torture, but he didn't like it as much as his reputation implied. He avoided it if it was at all possible, and had earned himself a punishment from Voldie once or twice. The activities in the one occupied room made him grunt in annoyance. The boy looked bored, and the customer was a drooling moron as far as he was concerned.

"Harry, we can leave here now. That's just ... pathetic."

Harry nodded. "Most of the customers who come in this early are all wannabes. The real players come in on Friday or Saturday. Most bring their own equipment. That guy isn't called 'Quick Spank' for nothing. I'll take you into the furniture room now. Don't touch anyone."

Lucius drawled, "I wouldn't dream of it." He was beginning to really regret his curiosity. Harry studied him out of the corner of his eye. Lucius didn't look too good so Harry decided to make it quick.

The furniture room only contained a footstool, plant stand and table. Lucius walked around all three of them then just commented, "Very interesting. The chains and harness make it almost impossible to break position as well as making it easy to remain still. You were a table?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, but I only did it three or four times, not counting the times I filled in for someone who was sick. You see what you wanted?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes. Now we will go visit with Frankie and Johnny. Or rather you will. I'll have a nice stiff drink."

Harry studied his foster father for a moment, then decided to have mercy on him. "Ok. Let's go to the bar. I'll mix you something. Old Fashioned? Or something sweeter like a Piña colada?"

Lucius blinked for a moment. "How about something simple like whiskey-soda?"

Harry pouted a bit, but agreed. He tugged the leash from Lucius' hand and unclipped it from the collar. He also took off the bracelets and anklets, handing the whole mess off to one of the handlers with a soft 'Thanks.'

Lucius settled on a stool and watched as Harry juggled bottles, just for the fun of it, then mixed his whisky-soda with quick efficiency. He also made himself a coke, sticking something he called a Viking Spear into it. He didn't even startle when Frankie sat down on one side of him and Johnny on the other.

Frankie started teasing Harry, while Johnny answered Lucius' questions. They spent nearly two hours just visiting and sipping their drinks. Harry tended bar, as Waldo had called in sick so they were waiting for the relief 'tender to get in.

Finally, Lucius glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "We had better get back. Draco will have our heads, if we are not back in time for dinner."

Harry laughed. "Yes. So, the relief 'tender just got here. Give me about ... fifteen minutes and I'll be changed and ready to go. No way am I letting Draco or Ron," He laughed softly. "or especially Neville see me in this getup." He laughed again and left for the back.

Lucius realized that both Frankie and Johnny were looking at him. He felt compelled to say, "I am not sure about how I feel about all this." He indicated the club with a wave of his hand. "But I am very glad you took Harry in. He has benefited from your patronage immensely. He seems to know what he wants and how to get it. Much more so that I ever remember. Thank you." He smiled a very cold and dangerous smile. "However, I do admit to being glad he was never in the back rooms. The idea of a lock boy is original. I do not think I would have liked that much."

Johnny shrugged. "He wasn't interested. And we'd never force one of our people to do something they were not comfortable with. Not even by persuasion."

And, with that, the entire subject was dropped.

Harry emerged from the back, returned to his now 17 year old self. He smiled, hugged Frankie then Johnny, told them to write soon and led Lucius to the back alley. They returned to Le Isle du Fraises in silence, Harry respecting Lucius' need for it. Lucius turned to Harry and took him in his arms.

"Harry. I don't know quite what to say."

Harry nuzzled into his Papa's arms then said, "Then don't say anything. I know you're upset, but remember ... I didn't do a thing I didn't want to do. They were kind to me when no one else would even give me the time of day. They're good people. One thing they taught me was never to be ashamed of anything I've done. And I'm not."

Lucius sighed. "I know they are. And you need not be. I need some time to think about all this. It is nearly dinner time. Go get changed. Tell Draco that I won't be down." He patted Harry's cheek, noticing his concerned look. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I just ... need some time to keep from murdering Dumbledore."

Harry grinned. "Please don't. I have some plans for him that don't include him getting to avoid being put down ... hard." He nodded once and went up to change.

Lucius took himself off to his quarters to have himself a good think, and a few drinks.

Harry didn't need to change, as Draco had left a message with Mimsey that he wasn't coming down, as he had gotten interested in some research, and would be working late.

Mimsey just brought Harry a tray without comment. Harry found that his food was rather tasteless

.

The next morning everything was back to what passed for normal in their household. As there were only two more days before they returned to Hogwarts, they had suspended their physical routine until after they returned to school. Harry found he missed it already.

They returned to Malfoy Manor directly after breakfast, and began the scramble to get ready. Harry and Draco both had plenty of clothing, but they both needed to get their books and supplies. They'd invited Ron and Neville to go with them, and found that they already had their things. Molly had just gotten Ron's when she took Ginny shopping, and Neville said that one of the times he couldn't come visit had been his shopping trip.

So they apparated to Diagon Alley, holding hands so they would all arrive at once and in a group. Lucius lead the way to Flourish and Blots.

Harry did enjoy Diagon Alley, when he got a chance to actually look around. He was usually rushed to death or smothered. He remembered Lockheart with a grimace.

Lucius noticed and asked, "What was that for?"

Harry just replied, "Gilderoy Lockheart."

Draco smothered an inelegant snicker with one hand. "That poseur. Merlin, he was a waste of magic. Is he still in hospital?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, his greatest claim to fame was the fact that he was very good with mind magic. He used Ron's broken wand and managed to totally obliviate himself. He's still at the goo-goo, gaa-gaa stage."

Lucius sighed. "I swear, Dumbledore just cannot seem to keep the Defence position filled. It was cursed, that I know, but still." And in that instant Harry resolved that several things were going to happen in this, his seventh and last year. He just had to work out how.

"Well, the DA was a good idea, and I do take credit for teaching it. How would I go about making it a proper after class club?"

Lucius smirked. "Leave that to me. I shall put a petition before the board myself. And ... you will need an advisor."

Draco laughed. "Flitwick. He'll do nicely."

Lucius snorted. "More than. He was British Duelling Society champion five years running and International champion three. He was forced to retire because no one would face him. I'll ask him very nicely."

They arrived at Flourish and Blots just then so conversation was suspended until later.

They all entered to be greeted by the news that the new defence book was expensive. Harry snorted, as if that made any difference to any of them. Lucius, however, also declared it useless.

They bought it anyway along with the texts for Ancient Runes III and Arithmancy II. Harry had tested into them and Draco was at that level. They would be taking classes together. Harry had declared them study buddies and mentioned that Hermione would probably join them whether they liked it or not.

Books for Potions, Charms and Transfiguration were also purchased. Draco picked up a whole box of pens at which Harry made a face. He still hated a quill, he really wished a ball point was acceptable. Then he decided.

"Draco, don't bother buying enough for me. I'm going to use a steel nib." He turned to Lucius. "I need to go into muggle London for a few minutes. Any art store will do, I think."

Draco knew exactly what Harry was up to and decided that he really didn't care. If Harry wanted to start something, it would be up to him to finish it. In a way, he hoped Harry succeeded.

Lucius just gave an absent nod, he'd found an interesting book and was trying to decide whether to buy it or not.

Harry apparated into the alley behind an art store he was familiar with, went in and bought a box of nibs. He had several at home and one in his art box but he had an idea and he was going to run with it. He also bought quite a few holders in various qualities and designs. He indulged himself in ink as well, several bottles in different colors. That was one thing about Hogwarts, there was no rule as to the color of ink you had to use. Dumbledore used green and Lavender Brown used brown, not lavender as everyone would have thought. He returned before Lucius could actually miss him.

He took his books and supplies from Draco and shoved them into his rucksack. "You want me to carry your stuff too? I've got plenty of room and that featherlite really works."

Draco handed him another package, which joined its brother in the depths of the sack. "Thanks. Now, I really would like a school bag like yours. I wonder where ... who gave it to you?" Harry shrugged. He'd done all his thank you cards under Lucius' watchful eye and promptly forgotten who gave him what again. "Never mind. I bet they got it at Bags and Boxes." He turned to Lucius and asked if they could stop in to get one.

Lucius agreed and they walked down the alley, looking in windows as they went.

The stop at the luggage shop was successful, and Draco left with a school bag with his name on it, just like Harry's.

They returned home for lunch, during which they did their best to plan a routine that could be maintained by the four boys at Hogwarts. Harry included Hermione on a tentative basis, but didn't hold out much hope. Lucius remarked that they could claim it was Quidditch training, but Draco reminded him that Neville and Hermione didn't play.

It took them most of lunch, but they managed something that seemed acceptable. Lucius even knew where there was a salle, he said that, in his day it had been a prime make out spot. He doubted that even Dumbledore remembered it was there.

After lunch, Lucius told both young men that he expected them to have their packing finished by tomorrow afternoon, so they'd better get to it.

Draco rolled his eyes at Harry behind Lucius' back. "I saw that, Draco. I'll be checking." He went into his private parlour to read a book until it was time for him to check on his boys for the first time.

.

Draco just flopped down on his bed and let Gerard do what needed doing. His trunk was packed and ready in less than two hours. Mostly because Gerard asked Draco several times which of two very similar robes he wanted to take. He always replied, "Both." and went back to his reading.

Harry, on the other hand, did most of his selecting himself. Mimsey just packed, after dumping his trunk out and getting rid of a mass of sweet wrappers and broken quills, odd bits of string and all the junk a teenager collects. She also muttered a lot about cleaning it for the fourth time in as many months. Harry just laughed at her and tossed a robe in her general direction.

It didn't take Mimsey long to realize that Harry's trunk didn't have any never full charms on it. She complained at once that it would never do. Harry realized that she had always packed him in a family trunk, but they weren't allowed at Hogwarts. He wasn't sure why but he had heard several of the other students complain about it.

"Ok, so what do we do? It's too late to get me a new trunk." Harry eyed his old trunk doubtfully. It was a standard student trunk but he'd noticed that lots of students didn't use one. They used other trunks of various sorts.

He knew that Draco used a trunk that could be enlarged to hold most of what was in his closet. Harry thought of the devils bag but didn't want to have to explain his possession of such a treasure. He intended to keep a lot of things secret this year.

"Mimsey is thinking that Master Harry could use Master Lucius' old travel trunk. It is in good shape and ... very large, with several nice features. Mimsey will go look for it."

She popped out and right back in again with the trunk.

Harry examined the trunk with a pleased expression but told Mimsey that she had to ask Lucius before they packed anything in it. She popped into Lucius' parlour.

"Sir, Master Harry's trunk is unacceptable. Mimsey is not knowing that family trunks are not allowed at Hogiewarts's so she is not." Mimsey braced herself for a punishment. "Mimsey is ready."

Lucius knew exactly what Mimsey was ready for and he also knew that Harry wouldn't appreciate it one bit.

"What is the point of all these heartburnings?" He waited for Mimsey to pull herself together and tell him what she was going to do about a trunk.

"Mimsey and Master Harry is thinking that Master Harry could take Master Lucius' old travel trunk." Her hopeful look made Lucius raise an eyebrow. "Please?"

"Very well. If he wishes it. I have no objections. Just see that it is properly polished. Hummm?"

Mimsey agreed happily and popped back to Harry.

"Master Lucius said you can be having it. Mimsey is to polish it."

Harry grinned. "That's ok. A certain patina is to be expected from well made, older furnishings. I like the ... rakishness? Not sure. Just give it a good buff, figure out how it works and pack everything that'll fit. Ok?"

Mimsey obeyed happily. She was sad that her young master was leaving, but she'd known he had to go to school before she'd ever started serving him. Now, she packed for him carefully making sure that everything was in the proper place, and packed for a minimum of wrinkles. She knew that Dobby was going to take over his care the second he stepped into Hogwarts. They'd agreed.

"Mimsey is done. She has packed everything Master owns. Mimsey is going to miss Young Master." She couldn't help sniffling a bit.

Harry saw her distress and handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. "Here, blow your nose. Don't cry. I'll be back for Christmas, and you can come see me anytime you like. If Bumblemore tries to stop you just give him the raspberry and come anyway."

Mimsey looked puzzled then said quizzically, "Mimsey is not liking ..." she snickered "Bumblemore enough to cook for him. Why is she giving him raspberries?"

Harry laughed back at her. "Not raspberries. The raspberry." He demonstrated. "Like that. Very rude."

Mimsey's squeaky giggles brought another grin to Harry's face.

Mimsey finished packing for Harry, then showed him how the trunk was packed.

When Harry turned it on end and tapped it with his wand, it turned into a wardrobe that expanded to hold all his robes neatly. He closed it and turned it around to find it was now a chest of drawers with all his shirts, underwear and accessories arranged neatly so he could find things easily. Another tap and it was storage for all his school supplies. He loved it.

He went to bed a bit early, tired and ready to sleep. Draco peeked in on him at about 10pm, while Lucius actually managed to stay away until 11:30. Mimsey sat by the bed all night, just watching her young master sleep.

A Viking Spear is a chunk of pineapple, piece of orange and a maraschino cherry on a plastic spear. You stick it in a Shirley Temple so that everyone knows the drink is virgin.