A/N: Please enjoy

A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 31

April 17, 1995

Outside Little Hangleton, England

Albus stood on the edge of a path that led to a ramshackle house he had only seen in memories. Until recently, he had not had the need or desire to visit the shack, or what might be left of it. It was a reminder of his inability to predict how certain wizards might turn out and that blood was a powerful indicator of that path. Muggles still felt the power of blood in some parts of the world, but many didn't give credence to the inherent nature of family and family tradition anymore. The magic that once ruled much of the world was too weak among much of the population. Diluted by generations of no magical kin, war, rampant procreation habits of those not gifted with the ability to control magic and diseases of the blood that destroyed magic.

To those that still possessed magic and had close ties to it, blood was blood. It carried the magical traits that dominated most wizards and predicated the natural abilities of a witch or wizard. It didn't mean that individuals could not break or bend their blood away from their family's past, but it was usually an exception witch or wizard to do so. Sirius Black and Andromeda Tonks being two of the more recent individuals he could think of.

Looking down the path, it was unmistakable the centuries of dark tainted magic that still permeated the land below. He was an intruder here to these old family lands. The Dumbledores had lost their lands about the time his father was born. A bad series of investments and trade deals had sapped the Dumbledores of their fortune. The old family estates had been sold off and his family had started its fall from dominance. After selling the estates, they lost their Lordship in the Peerage. The Potters and a few others of their alliance had tried to prop them up, but his fool of a grandfather had been too proud to allow it. Instead, his father grew up a pauper in Diagon Alley, before working his way up in Gringotts and then being able to buy a new house in Mold-on-the-Wall.

After that, his father had been able to set up a good life for them as a scholar of Astronomy and a professor at Wands and Castors. It was a simple life that Albus abhorred, knowing where they had come from. He was too brilliant, too ambitious, too adventurous to be locked in such a life. Then his sister had been attacked by those muggles and it was the end of his childhood ambitions, he just didn't know until years later.

He would always claim until his dying day, and even after death, that he did not know who killed her. Deep down, he knew though, and as his penance for what had happened, he relegated himself to the shadows of what his power could lead him too.

Even with his past and the path he had chosen, he always went to the light. That was the path of a Dumbledore. Lead the light. For generations, they had done that at the side of the Potters and a few others. Now, it was all up to him to keep leading the wizarding world into the light. It was a narrow path easy to fall off, but he did as he needed. Those that opposed his vision were relegated to the side wings. He didn't want to lose magical blood, but he could not afford dissent. He had to protect his world.

That protection meant he had to enter into the vile lair of dark magic before him. Where the Dumbledore's had been leaders of the light and good magic, the Gaunts had walked the dark and crooked path for so long that even a member of their blood not raised by them turned to this dark nature. He had thought he could save the handsome and loving Tom Riddle. How wrong had he been to give the boy his heart. It had been the same mistake he had made forty-two years before with the handsome Gellert.

He knew not to make that same mistake with Harry. Even as a babe, he felt the boy would have power. How could he not with two of the brightest up and coming stars in their world being his parents. That was part of why he had helped the Potter's hide. They should be protected and indebted to him. It would help control a family that had already proved an irritation. They were too much of a leader and their influence had threatened to overpower his plans. Thus, when it became apparent that a child would need to be sacrificed to stop Tom, Harry had been the perfect choice. He figured Tom would be attracted to the Potter's power and Harry would be his downfall. It would indebt the boy to him and allow him to control the House of Potter. That would give him claim to their vast fortune to pay for the rebuilding of their world.

It was all for the greater good.

He had been correct in that thinking, but his mother had surprised him with her selfless sacrifice. Magic that he thought long dead, Tom had found and done things to keep from dying that Albus thought no one would. The idea of making one horcrux was abhorrent. To make more than one, was beyond monstrous. He knew Harry harbored a piece of Tom's soul. How could he not with the dark magic that had swirled in his scar. The book had been a surprise. He had thought it some accident that part of Tom's soul had congregated in Harry. It explained the rumors he heard for years. The fact the man had knowingly made one when only sixteen, the year Tom had approached him and soon became Albus' secret lover, had been a shock. The boy had been such a marvelous specimen that Albus fell for the then sixteen-year-old young man. Albus now understood Tom had probably used him to get at the books Albus had removed from the library after Grindewald had tried the same magic.

More galling was whether Slughorn was hiding something from him on the matter. Tom had been sly and after decades of searching, Albus had been able to piece together the trail Tom must have followed to find that dark magic. Tom had been to Romania in the summer between his fifth and sixth year. That was the year Tom had found out about the horcruxes and had made his first one. It was the year before his real father had died in the town just down the road and his Uncle went to Azkaban for a murder he did not commit.

He was not sure how many he was hunting for still, but tonight, in that dark pit of magic, he would find a third. There was no doubt of that. He also had a very good suspicion of what he was hunting. Morfin Gaunt's memories had been quite detailed about the ring that they claimed was Slytherin's. The Gaunts were not descendants of Slytherin though. Most did not know that one time three old magic families knew the language of the snakes. If they only knew it was to the Peverell's, they would have had claim over a House with as much power as Slytherin.

It was also part of why Tom would be attracted to Harry. Blood calls to blood, no matter how distant, and they both came from the Peverells. Old rivalries never die at times, and blood rivalries between family were some of the most persistent. Maybe if Tom had understood that part of their past, things might have been different.

Now, all there was too it was to enter the valley the Gaunts once called home. He cast his wand down the path to detect any wards or traps. He would not enter this as a fool.

As he walked down the path, he was surprised at the lack of protection and wards. Apparently, the House of Gaunt had fallen father than he had thought or Tom had totally forsaken the namesake. If that had been so, then the Gaunt bloodline had been broken and any wards or other magic related to the lands and their blood would have broken decades ago. That would explain the general feel of the area and lack of wards or other active magic.

It didn't take him long to make it to the house. It was in a state of decay that he doubted it would stand another five years, let alone a decade. It stood in the middle of a clearing under the dark canopy of trees. So little light came down here that the ground was covered in dead leaves or moss. At night, it was darker than dark and the light from his wand was swallowed eagerly just a few meters out. He appraised the house.

The roof had caved in. Moss or lichen covered the few remaining timbers and walls. The door had fallen in at some point and he wasn't sure the old boards covered in debris from the room and a half-foot or more of moss and damp loam would support his weight. By the state of things, he doubted anyone had been here since Tom made this the resting place of one of his most prized possessions. Casting at the house, he frowned. This was where the real danger was. A series of runes appeared on the crumbling whitewash of the wall next to the door. It was a very complicated series of wards, traps and curses that would easily ensnare the unexpecting and add their rotting corpse to the general fudd of the house.

Unsure if this was the original series of safeguards or not, he felt quite impressed. Even the best Wardbreakers would be hard-pressed to sift through this. Albus felt the longing for the handsome and brilliant young man Tom had been. Even for him, this might take hours to get to the prize he sought. He was not sure he had that time. Looking at the way many of the spells and runes interlaced each other he didn't see another option. Especially since he would need to now remember and reconstruct them so Tom didn't suspect people knew his secret.

He stood there for many minutes, tens of minutes studying the work. The more he did, the more impressed he was. Out of all the things he had seen his former student do, this was the most impressive. It was so impressive, it seemed too complicated for Tom. The boy and man always thought himself above all others and so smart and secretive that he thought no one would figure out his devises and plots.

To Albus, most of the man's plans were transparent and usually simple enough that most wouldn't think them to be so. Much of the wizarding world believed the man brilliant and Tom used that to his advantage. Don't get him wrong, Tom was brilliant, but not in the way this network of traps was constructed. This was unlike Tom to make something so complicated. Tom just didn't think that way. He preferred fear and subterfuge to puzzles.

As he stood, he realized that the feeling of dread in the clearing grew. It had been a subtle build up. So subtle, he didn't feel the hair on the back of his neck standing on end until he moved his neck. One thing Albus had always been good at was letting his instincts about magic rule his reactions and it had made him a top dueler. Often feeling what his opponent was about to do as the magic bent to the magicians will.

Thus, he stepped back and twirled, apparating a good hundred feet or more back. As he settled at the edge of the clearing, he felt it. His magic was weaker and fatigue had started to set in. The rune work on the wall had been a trap to keep someone there. To keep them studying and undoing spells that didn't exist. The real trap was a glowing rune stone under a tree twenty feet from the house.

It was a power absorber, meant to sap the power of the wizard as he tried to solve a seemingly more intricate complex set of wards. It was simple and ingenious and would have been the downfall of most. It must have absorbed a great deal of his power to still glow like that and for him to feel as week as he did. Letting out a breath, he realized he would need to leave the trap so Tom would not get suspicious. What was he to do then?

There was a stump nearby and he took up a seat on it, pondering what he was to do. He could approach the house again and he couldn't destroy the ward stone. He doubted even with his knowledge he would be able to recreate it exactly.

His wand twirled in his hands as he thought. The stone was still glowing as blue as it had when he had apparated away. If anything, it almost seemed brighter the longer he sat.

It did seem to be glowing brighter.

Albus pursed his lips. He twirled his wand and started to mutter. At first nothing happened. After a few minutes, a thin blue misty trail went from him to the stone. "Damn it to Merlin," he cursed getting up and apparating away. He was now miles away on the outskirt of Little Hangleton. He needed a space to think and make sure he had broken the curse.

He cast the set of spells again and the same blue wisp trailed away from him. Albus felt a sense of panic. He had never seen magic like this before. He had two options: go back and finish his mission or flee and find a way to reverse this.

There were a few minutes of indecision before he decided that he needed to retrieve and destroy the horcrux. It could not remain there now that two other horcruxes had been destroyed.

Apparating back, he marched into the clearing. The time for games was over. He took out a bag from a pocket inside his robes. The bag was many times larger than it should be thanks to the undetectable extension charm on his inside pocket. He took out the goblin ablatons. Their glassy obsidian surface showed the reflection of his growing pallid face in the blue light of the ward stone. If the Goblin's and Wizengamot knew about these, he would quickly be on a boat to Azkaban or on the end of a pike as he was brought before Ragnar.

He placed the stones around the wardstone and started their magic. He would have about ten minutes to retrieve what was in the house before they went off and maybe another five to ten before the Aurors came to inspect. Standing, he strode to the house. A swipe of his wand and the disgusting fudd on the floor disappeared. He was using his full might and the ability of the Elder Wand. The boards creaked under his feet as he cast a green light around. It was a second for a section of floor to show a space below it that was magically protected.

He didn't hesitate to shoot a red beam from his wand. It pulsed and held steady as the wards burned themselves up on the raw power he pumped into them. A moment later, the floor burst open and he pulled back. By now, he was breathing heavily. A black box lay in the compartment. He approached, scanning it before picking it up. A humming harmonic was already growing from the ablatons. He had a few minutes.

Box in hand, confident there were no wards, he turned and apparated a hundred miles away before taking a portkey to Hogwarts.

His feet hit the floor of his office and he collapsed. The power drain from the ward stone and his use to overpower the wards around the box that had landed next to him had drained him to near exhaustion. He felt when the ward stone was destroyed. The pull on his magic, even from hundreds of miles away, stopped. Albus didn't move though. He was too exhausted to do more than just lay on the floor and pant as his magic strained to keep him conscious. He still needed to destroy the horcrux tonight. It was too dangerous an object to remain alive in his school.

Minerva and others may think he didn't care about the young witches and wizards in this school but he knew that was far from the truth. All he did to was to protect them and their families so that the world he knew could continue and thrive.

"Headmaster," a squeaky voice came to him.

Albus sighed. "Violet... get... me... potions." He didn't specify which, hoping the elf knew what he usually took after missions like this.

"Yes," she squeaked and a moment later, the taller than usual female elf was before him. "Here are the potions you take, Headmaster."

"Help," he gasped.

The elf helped him sit up before putting the potions to his mouth. A short time later, he was able to force himself to his feet. "Thank you, Violet. You may go now. I don't want to be disturbed unless I call for you."

The elf bowed. "Yes, Headmaster." There was a soft snap and she was gone.

Albus felt better, but he could tell his magic was still weak. He was tired and weak, but there was work to do.

He placed the box on his desk. On the mantle over the fire was the sword Harry had used his second year to kill a basilisk. Until a few months ago, the only way he knew how to destroy a horcrux carrier was to damage it beyond magical repair. The goblin made sword, surely impregnated with basilisk venom, was a sure way to render the object beyond magical repair. He only hoped its original purpose would not be destroyed with the horcrux. He still didn't understand how Harry had survived the horcrux being sucked from him.

He took in a deep breath. He would need to be quick and not allow the thing to temp him. Turning to the box, he undid the clasp. His hand was steadier than he thought it might be. For over a hundred years he had searched for a legendary set of enchanted items and he was very certain the last of the three was in this box. He took in one last breath before opening the box.

He stopped breathing. Before him was a green stone with the unmistakable eye of death etched in its surface. It was the last of the Deathly Hallows. The items that Gellert and him were to set out to find that fateful summer Ariana died had now all been found. He realized he had waited too long as the green in the eye began to move, like billowing smoke.

"Albus," a smooth silky voice greeted him. Albus felt a shiver run through him. One of his largest regrets and happiest thoughts materialized out of the smoke. Before him stood a very handsome young man in Hogwarts robes and a gleaming Head Boy badge proudly displayed on his chest. There was a power emanating from the vision that echoed through the years. It was the same power that had drawn him to the boy all those years ago. This time though, he felt the wrongness in the power.

"Tom," he said to the spectre.

The thing gave him a smile. As he did, Albus could start to see the madness in the thing he had missed all those years ago. "Tom is such a plain name. Wouldn't you agree Professor? Or...," the thing started and looked around his office. It gave out a mirthless laugh. "I see you finally reached power over the small domain you wanted. You were meant for so much more, Headmaster."

Albus sighed. He knew this visage was just an attempt for the thing to control him and break free, but he found it very hard to resist this brilliant seventeen-year-old boy. He had been only the second person outside his sister and Gellert that he had cared for as much as he did. "I am not meant to have more power, Tom. You always failed to learn that there are other things far more important than power."

The thing looked down his nose at him. "That is where you are wrong, old man. You were a wonderful man in your prime last I saw you. You still had ambition. I remember our discussions. Your vision for a safe and dominant wizarding world. Now you are just old."

Albus snorted. "Age always looks far older to the young," he said.

The spectre Tom scoffed. "You were a fool back then too. You are still now. I feel the want. If you strike me, you will never be able to see your beloved sister again," a purring voice came to him. It was a voice he knew well. It haunted his nightmares and best dreams. It was the silky voice Tom had used whenever they were alone. He couldn't deny the effect it had on him.

"This stone can bring her back." There was a strange mirth filled chuckle. "Or maybe there is someone else you wish to see? To touch? Did I ever tell you how much I liked you stroking me?"

His mouth went dry. The shadow in the stone knew exactly where to hit. It took all his will to say, "You are not the boy I love."

This time the things mouth turned into an ugly snarl. "Love? You talked of love, old fool, but all I wanted was power and all it took was to let me take you to your bed. Do you remember the secrets you told me while I held you in my mouth? Secrets about magic that few know?"

Albus snarled this time. He would not allow this thing to sully the memories he held dear. "Those secrets die with you and I, Tom. I won't let anyone else do what you have done."

The thing snorted. "I have already gone beyond what you can reverse. Now, let me take you to bed one last time," the thing said in a purr. Albus felt his heart pull and his stomach churn at the same time. "One more time, Albus. I have a secret I can tell you this time while you such me off. Or are you too old to still enjoy your old plaything?"

"You are not Tom Riddle," he spat as he thrust the point of the sword into the stone and was thrown back as the thing screamed the sound of a soul being ripped apart. Green smoke spewed out of the cracks in the stone. The twisted face of the young man, still mostly human looking, twisted in his office before dissipating.

Albus fell to his feet. Something in him felt broken and the sword dropped from his hand. He felt a pain in his left hand and screamed as it suddenly felt like there was a spike rammed through it. In his stupor at hearing Tom's voice, he must have grabbed the ring and put it on his finger. He watched the horcrux die on his hand. Now, it felt like his hand was dying. The finger it was on was already turning black.

"Smart boy," Albus whispered to himself. With all the other traps, he never considered that the ring itself would be cursed on its own. Looking at the dying finger, he understood that even if he had to retrieve the ring, Tom would use another. This was a curse that had no cure and he didn't have the power to stop it now. It was a crude way to make sure anyone that went after it would die. Sap them first and then kill them. It was crude, but apparently effective.

"Violet," he called clutching his hand and closing his eyes at the pain. There was a soft crack a second later. "Get Severus. Now," he ordered before the elf could say anything.

-oOo-

Little Hangleton, England

"The window, Wormtail. Get the boards off the window," the decrepit form said in the chair. He felt something was wrong. Even the weak frail bones that this child was could feel the surge of magic somewhere close. "My wand. I need my wand," he ordered as a balding, palid looking man struggled to remove the boards over the window. The man was a simpleton who bowed to power. Even in his weakened state, the rat of a man clung to him. It was only the man's insipid draw to power, and the fact he could not show his face in any respectable wizarding place because he was supposed to be dead, kept Wormtail at his side.

"I need to open the window first," the man whimpered.

The weak body of the child protested his movement and stretched his magic. He needed his old body back. This little thing the Rat had found had a magical core, but it was so weak at this age that it couldn't even channel a hundredth of the power he knew he possessed. "Use your wand, you idiot," he spat reaching for his wand on the table next to him. "Or Nagini will have rat for a second dinner."

"Yyyes, Master," the man said. The man flicked his wand and some of the boards flew away.

Voldemort hissed as a board just barely missed him. He needed this body for a little while longer. If he were to lose it, it wouldn't be until midsummer he inhabit another body. When he looked up, his eyes looked to the far side of town in the direction of a hovel he had not seen since he had framed his Uncle for a death the man was never capable of.

Something was happening in that direction that was emanating a strong magic. His wards should have absorbed any magic that had approached the old hovel. Even from a few miles away he could feel them struggling. His already chill blood ran cold in his veins as he watched Wormtail try to remove the boards.

On the edge of his hearing, he felt a vibration in his ears. It was just about outside his audible range. No, he screamed to himself. Someone or someone's had discovered his secret. There was no other reason why that much power would be used this close to him.

The boards wrenched out of the wall. He was about to order Wormtail to apparate them to a safer place when he felt the dropping power around him and then the unmistakable blue lightening of his wardstone breaking. A second later, the crack of thunder knocked Wormtail back and shook the room.

Even in his years as a spectre, he never knew fear. There was pain. There were times of hopelessness. Even times he grew tired of ways to inflict pain on the Potter brat. But never fear. He knew he would always survive and come back. If someone knew of that one, what were the possibilities they knew of more? "Nagini," he called in Parslemouth.

Wormtail stood up shaking. "What was that, My Lord," he asked. The man's eyes were wide and terror filled. The man would know true terror. In the rattling room, his wand had rolled on the table and fell into his hand.

"Crucio!" He needed to bleed out his own fears before he could think what to do next. Wormtail screamed and withered on the floor for longer than he would normally inflict on the man, but not as long as he wanted as this weak body drained its feeble magical reserves. He was forced to stop. As it was, he doubted the man would stop whimpering and writhing for hours now.

"It's a complication," he hissed at his servant. The hissing of Nagini came a few seconds later. "You are to get us to the next safe spot. After that, contact our other servant. Our plans must be enacted as soon as possible."

-oOo-

April 18, 1995

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

Draco stood at the top the stairs. Uncle Severus had stormed into the house about an hour ago. His parents had yelled at them to leave the dining room immediately. From the railing of the balcony at the top of the stairs, he had watched his mother leave after about twenty minutes. She looked flustered and upset. That was not usual for her normal haughty exterior. Now, he was waiting for his father and godfather to emerge.

There was something really big going on.

"Draco, why don't we go out into the Solar and do our homework," Pansy said next to him.

Draco shook his head. "I don't want you anywhere near this. We are staying up here until called," he told her with a command to his voice. He once liked telling people what to do, but not Pansy. Not really anyone else either. Not anymore.

She reached a hand over his. "What is going on?"

"I don't know, but I have never seen Uncle Severus like that." The man had looked haunted, angry and jubilant, if all those emotions could be in the same person. He had also been clutching his left arm. The same arm his father had been irritable about all morning. He had actually backhanded Garret hard enough to throw the elf half cross the room when the elf touched his arm to put cufflinks on his father's robes.

"Is it safe for us to be here then? I really don't want to see you punished again," she said in a concerned voice. She had been made to watch as his father took out his anger on him that they had announced the betrothal and a date without his approval. Now it was too late. Either his father broke the deal and Draco becomes a squib, or he married the wolf. After the other moves he had made to protect both Pansy and Tracy, Draco had made his intentions clear to his father. He may be his father's son, heir and property until he was seventeen, but his wife and betrothed were his. He would not see his father use them.

Draco moved his hand to hold hers. "I think I will be alright. Did you finish your letter to Tracy?"

She pulled him towards their room. "Yes."

He nodded. This week they were supposed see to the details of the wedding. His parents were doing nothing to make this happen.

"Did you write that letter to Potter?"

He frowned. He had just about cursed the prat when he had burst into their compartment. If Tracy hadn't been acting funny already, he would have thought Potter was trying to kidnap her. Instead, it seemed Potter had done a good thing. Tracy had sent an owl to Pansy and described what happened. It made him uncomfortable to have a beast like that around but he had promised his wife that he would not abandon Tracy, and he would love her in the best way he could.

"I think talking to him when we get back will be better," he told her.

"And what about Daphne," Pansy asked in a smaller voice.

"What about Greengrass?"

Pansy gave him an unimpressed look as he closed the door. He wanted to lock and ward it, but he knew if he did, his parents would take their wrath out on him, probably Pansy too, if they couldn't get in right away. "You know Tracy wants you to talk to her. Whatever this werewolf thing is, she looks to Daphne as someone she needs approval from."

A snarl spread across his face. "I don't like Greengrass and what say does she have over Tracy? She is my betrothed."

"She is a werewolf and I told you what the Potter's told me that day. There is a pecking order among werewolves, even if she is bonded to you. I think having them on our side, both the Potters and Greengrasses, will be a good thing. I don't want to see Tracy hurt by those prats that have been threatening us," she said sitting on the bed. He hadn't realized he had started to pace. Stopping, he looked at her.

Pansy had her eyes down and hands in her lap. "I'm scared, Draco. I don't like going into Slytherin without you. Since you announce you were going to marry Tracy, those that had fallen in line with you now look at us like we are worse than blood traitors."

This is what he had seen too in the week between announcing the betrothal and leaving for Easter. He had a fear that as the date drew closer, that some of the more ardent Pure Bloods would act out their anger at them. He still believed in the sanctity of being a Pure Blood, but his foundations in the tenants had been shaken and he had shifted to think it may be better to lead the lesser bloods and beasts into conforming to their world, not throwing them out.

Moving to her, he pulled her into his arms as he sat next to her. "No one will hurt you. The name Malfoy carries more clout than you think. If they were to do anything to either of us or Tracy, their families would be ruined," he told her.

She sniffed into his chest. "I don't want them to fear us. What happens if they don't fear your parents any more? You know what our 'friends' are capable of. Some of the sixth and seventh years know some scary stuff and you know it will be subtle or untraceable."

Draco knew that. Since he was old enough to talk, he had been taught their ways, just like her. There were ways to get at people that could make their life hell, but not pass any of the hard-lines that Pure Bloods kept to ensure the Blood continued. If his family was to fall or be considered a Blood Traitor, then those lines wouldn't exist anymore. He feared that. It was why he had tried to make peace with the Delacours. There were many in Ravenclaw who followed the half-vela. If she held them at bay, then it would only be their own house he would need to protect his wives from. That was more manageable than up to 40% of Hogwarts.

"They won't dare. I am going to talk to Potter and Greengrass when we get back. I hate saying it, but much of Slytherin is scared senseless of him and the mongrels around him," he said.

"Stop calling them that. You can't slip like that in front of them," she told him pulling back. Her eyes were red and puffy and her cheeks wet. "I also won't let you call Tracy that. You will find your bed quite cold nights you slip."

Looking at her, he knew she never made idle threats. Sighing, he leaned in and kissed her on her forehead. "As you say, Mrs. Malfoy."

She gave him a watery smile. "Flattery isn't going to get you anywhere on this."

He gave her his wry smile. "Maybe, but it is better to try."

She wiped at her face. "I can't let your parents see me like this. I am going to take a bath," she told him getting up. "Would you undo my dress?"

That was one of the things he had found odd about Pansy. He had grown up with elves fussing over him when he needed help. Pansy never asked them to do anything unless she was truly busy or he wasn't around. He didn't question it as he undid the buttons on her dress. "You want to join," she asked.

He loved spending time with his wife like that, but he knew one of them needed to be available if called on. He truly feared his father now. He would stand before Lord Malfoy if it meant Pansy didn't need too.

"As tempting as that offer is, I think I will work on those transfiguration books Professor Bennick gave me. The last task is only two months away," he told her.

She clutched the dress to her chest as she turned around. The look she gave him told him she didn't believe him but she didn't question him. "Later then," she said leaning down to kiss him before walking away.

"Later," he agreed.

He clutched his hands tight in his lap. Three more months. He needed three months to claim his Scion rights. After that, he could start to break from his father. Possibly his mother too.

"Three months and one task," he muttered to himself.

Thinking of the last task brought a pit to his stomach.

-oOo-

April 18, 1995

Blyihl House, Surry, England

Bonnie woke in the cool morning. Luna had rolled over and wrapped an arm around her waste in the night. She smiled to see her best mate there. Susan lay against the tent wall, her blond hair half over her face. Bonnie found she was liking the older Hufflepuff. She may seem a little flighty at times, but the girl worked hard for her grades and she knew politics and the inner working of the Ministry like no one else. She had listened intently to her and Neville over the last two days try to educate Harry and Hermione.

It was satisfying to see a subject that others knew more about than Hermione. She was soaking it in, but Susan and Neville knew infinitely more than her Alpha's mate did right now.

She took in a deep breath. The only thing better than seeing Hermione spun around was the smell of the boy in the tent about ten feet away. She understood the attraction, but wasn't sure if she was ready for it. She wasn't sure Neville was ready for it, or if he even liked her that way.

Luna stirred and yawned. "What smells so good," she asked.

"Neville," Bonnie answered before thinking about it. She found talking and sharing her deepest thoughts with Luna was easy. Her face turned three shades of red at Luna's chuckle.

"I meant the rashers and eggs. I find him rather smelly when he is done with our Sunday lessons."

Susan rolled over towards them, still sound asleep. "Maybe we should get some breakfast," Bonnie told her, trying to change the subject.

"I'll make sure I keep a seat open for Neville. I'm sure he will want to kiss you again," she said. Luna gave her a smile that had mischief all over it.

Bonnie opened her mouth in shock. Neville had only kissed her hand when he had escorted her to the tents. As Luna predicted, Harry and Hermione were happy to share the muggle style tents with all of them at Jason's request. They had been given a tent of their own over their objections. Yesterday had been about them and it was not right for them not to be together on their wedding night.

Thoughts of Neville in fine wizarding robes and...

"Can you daydream about your beau after we get some breakfast?" Luna nudged her and sat up. They had all fallen asleep in their slips after shucking their dresses. She had danced so much with them and Neville and she wasn't asleep before her head was even on her pillow. The night before she had hardly gotten sleep staying up with Luna, Ginny and Susan. Speaking of which, where was Ginny? She had slept in here too, while the Patil's and Lavender had slept in another tent.

"Prim," she called softly, noticing their dresses were gone. A moment later, the small house elf popped into the tent.

"Yes, Ms. Green. Good morning, Ms. Lovegood," the elf said to them in a low whisper, noticing Susan was still sleeping. "What is your need?"

"I don't see a change of clothes," she told the elf.

Prim smiled. "Above your pillow, Miss. Anything else?"

"Prim, can you just call me Luna," Luna asked. "I like Luna. It's like the moon, you know."

Prim's smile widened. "I will try, Ms. Luna."

Bonnie chuckled. She loved her friend. "Good luck. Harry ordered Dobby one day to just call him Harry when he was frustrated with something and Dobby still called him Master Harry or the Great Harry Potter."

Prim's smile fell. "But Master Harry is Master Harry. It is improper for an elf to not use proper etiquette, Ms. Green"

Luna stifled a giggle this time. "Thank you, Prim. Is breakfast in the house?"

"Mrs. Jane asked for it in the back garden. It is another wonderful morning, Miss."

"We'll be up in a few," Luna told the elf.

"Very good, Ms. Luna." Prim bowed and snapped away.

"You should get Susan up. I know they wanted to start the meeting by ten and we all need to wash," Luna told her. Bonnie liked these days Luna was more down to earth. Other times, it scared her. Luna saw things at times, she was sure of it, and she suspected that was where her delusions of fantastical beasts came from.

"Sure. Oi, BONES!" She yelled and Susan shot up. The girl swung her arms and just barely missed her. Bonnie shuffled back, knocking Luna over as she removed her slip.

"Bonnie!" Luna screamed as she fell.

Susan stopped swinging and looked around. After a few blinks she focused on them. "What the bloody hell was that," she said angrily.

Bonnie couldn't keep from laughing. Susan looked ready for a fight like a wild Amazon, her blonde hair all over the place and the slip falling down her arm half exposing her larger breasts. "I told you to wake her not scare her," Luna said pushing her off.

Bonnie was still laughing. "Do you always wake up swinging at people?"

Susan glared at her. "Well, when you grow up with my Auntie you tend to think everyone is out to get you. What time is it," she said flopping back down and putting an arm over her face.

"I would say about half eight. You said you wanted to be up early today," Luna said in her more airy voice.

"I think I'll do that again tomorrow and see if she gets me this time," Bonnie said finally calming down. Growing up with her mum, she understood that fear of always being hunted, but the way Susan woke she doubted she would have had made it away without at least a good bruise if she had been closer.

"You bint," Susan said taking her pillow and throwing it at her. Bonnie laughed as she blocked it.

"You can do better than that, Bones," she taunted.

Susan lifted her arm to look at her. "Listen, runt, I can crush you."

Luna shook her head. "I don't think Neville would like that at all. I think he likes her uncrushed."

Bonnie's laugh died and she knew her face had heated up. Susan's eyes twinkled. Bonnie had a feeling she wouldn't like what was coming. "Ah, so she does like Longbottom. Does Neville know?"

"You breathe a word of this and I swear I can do to you as bad as if I was turned," Bonnie said to the girl.

There was an apprehensive look on Susan's face to see how fierce Bonnie had turned. Luna touched her arm. "Bonnie, Susan is not going to say anything bad. I think she rather supports you and all your pack and would find Neville a good match for you."

She took in a deep breath. No, her wolf didn't come out much, but she had found it was boiling close to the surface the last few days. She was also finding she was starting to get as protective of the boy as Hermione was of Harry. Sitting back, fear rushed through her. She was only thirteen. She wasn't ready for this. Her wolf wasn't ready for that kind of relationship, but it was undeniable the attraction to him.

"Bonnie, I would never hurt you that way. I know you like Neville. It's hard not to see and you two looked really good together last night. Pretty sure he likes you too," Susan said, looking a little more at ease.

Bonnie nodded. She moved to get up. "I need to get into the house."

"Only in your slip," Susan asked.

She looked embarrassed. Luna spoke up. "And what is wrong with only your slip? You should be able to be in your all if you want."

"Luna," she said surprise to her friend who was just about that. Bonnie hadn't noticed she hadn't gotten dressed yet and sat in the tent in only her knickers. She was a slight girl with few curves, but still very attractive. "I can't do that! What if someone was to see me?"

Luna shrugged. "Someone or many people will someday. Unless you never plan to get undressed for your husband."

Her face flamed now. Susan snickered. "And what of you? You going to walk out of here in only your slip," Bonnie snapped at Susan.

Susan shrugged. "How much you daring me?"

Bonnie threw Susan's pillow back at her. She would not be seen without proper clothes on. It was bad enough that the Healers and sometimes Aurors got to see her in her all before or after her change. "I am not taking that. If I lose you'll make me do the same."

"You're not as dumb as you look, Green," Susan said with a smile.

Bonnie growled at her. It wasn't anything malicious or dangerous, just aggravated. Susan eyed her again. "She doesn't mean anything by that, Susan. It's just her wolf acting up. Come on, Bonnie. I am hungry." Luna pulled a shirt over her head without a bra.

"Well, guess I'm up. Mind as well join you. Luna, your nipples are showing," Susan said sitting up and shucking her own slip off.

"It's cold out," Luna said as though it didn't matter and that explained it. Bonnie shook her head and got dressed.

Susan shrugged. "Not my call if you want them to have a gander."

A little bit later, they were sitting around some small round cast iron tables. Almost all the Hogwarts students were up and had pulled a few tables together. Luna was happily eating her eggs, bangers and beans. Susan was nursing a cup of coffee next to Hermione. They were some of the few who drank the foul-smelling stuff. The twins were still asking Harry how he had turned their shorts pink last night while she noticed them slip something into Neville's cup.

"I wouldn't drink that," she said across the table to him when she caught his eye. He looked at the twins and pushed his tea away from him. George took the cup and passed it to Fred and a few moments later it ended up in front of Harry, replacing his cup of tea. The transition had been so smooth as Harry turned to Hermione to ask her something that she doubted Harry saw it. Bonnie figured Hermione could take care of her man. Besides, it's not like the twins did anything that caused permanent damage.

Luna had tried to save a chair, but the redhead Ginny had flopped into the chair next to them, not looking all that pleased. Bonnie wasn't sure how she liked the girl yet, having only really spending any time with her this week. At times, she was just as funny as her brothers, but other times she was quiet and broody, especially when Harry was around, and she was sure she didn't like the way she looked at Harry at times.

Cedric sat next to Neville, silently eating breakfast while Angelina and him read a book on arithmancy. Down by the pond she saw Jason eating by himself. He was happily sharing his breakfast with what looked like a two headed newt. She smiled to see him enjoying himself. He was a wiz at animals, just like Hagrid and Luna. The only one missing from the table was Ron.

She was watching Harry, waiting to see what would happen when he took a sip of the tea when Luna nudge her. "What," she asked her friend.

"Neville is looking at you. I think he wants your attention," she told her.

Bonnie looked at Neville, feeling a little flustered. "What," she asked.

Neville looked abashed for bothering her. "I called your name a few times," he said in a quiet voice. She didn't miss that Susan was looking towards them.

"I'm sorry. Still a little tired from yesterday," she lied to try and get out of it.

"Oh, I hope you get more sleep tonight. Gran was planning on leaving after the meeting today and I wasn't sure I could ask you before we leave, but, I was wondering if you were here all week," Neville asked.

She blinked. Where else would she have to go? "Ah, yes," she said.

Neville nodded. "Good. Good." he said before just looking at her. "You don't plan to go anywhere this week?"

"Not that I know," she said back.

He nodded. "Right. Would you go anywhere this week?"

"Maybe," she responded, cursing that she couldn't seem to get more than a few words out at a time.

It was an uncomfortable few minute until Luna spoke up while adding jam to a muffin, "I think Neville wanted to ask if you would like to go to Longbottom Manor."

She stopped breathing and Neville's face mottled with embarrassment. She didn't know what to say. "Neville, she would love too. I am pretty sure you are both free Thursday. If you ask your mother, she can probably take you over about ten. Harry and Hermione would join you if you want."

"Luna," she hissed lowly at her friend.

Neville looked at her shyly. "Ten would be fine. We can have a picnic or something and I can show you around my greenhouses," he said in a low voice. "Jason may like it too. We have bowtruckles and a few other creatures that look after some of the plants."

Her heart thudded in her chest and she was about to say 'Yes' when there was a loud pop, a cloud of yellow smoke and a mass of movement down by the twins. everyone turned to see Hermione trying to clear the smoke and the twins laughing as a yellow canary flopped out of the smoke onto the table, chirping and coughing from the smoke.

"That's for..." George started.

"...last night," Fred finished.

Hermione caught on before anyone else and her wand was in her hand. "What did you do to Harry," she ordered as the familiar flash of a stinging hex was already leaving her wand. The laugh on their faces died as they were each hit by two hexes before falling backwards. The canary started to flap on the table, as though trying to take off. As others realized what happened, there was more laughter to see what she assumed was Harry chirping and making a mess of the breakfast around him and the upset Hermione moving to hit the twins again as they scrambled out of their fallen chairs and over the hedge.

As she was about to blast the hedge, the canary turned back into Harry in another puff of yellow smoke. Feathers flew everywhere and Harry cried out as the small round wrought iron tables over balanced with him on them and he and all their contents went crashing to the floor of the garden patio. There was some laughing from the adults as most of them around the table were laughing to see Harry covered in food and spitting feathers out of his mouth.

"When I get my hands on you two," Hermione said angrily watching the twins run towards the tents laughing.

"Can't take a joke, that one," Fred said rubbing at his side.

Harry looked around and chuckled. "Ok, got me good that time."

Hermione turned to him and she recognized the same feeling in her face she had felt for Neville with Susan earlier. Perhaps they were all on edge still. "Harry, that wasn't funny," Hermione said annoyed.

He looked at her. "Really? I thought that was brilliant. What did they give me? Now if I could just get rid of these feathers in my mouth," he said taking one out.

Hermione took a good look at him and her expression softened. "I suppose I should go find them and heal those stings," she said.

Angelina stood up. "I'll go with you. That was brilliant."

"That was a good bit of transfiguration. You want a towel, pup," Sirius said coming up to them.

Harry took an egg off his head and threw it to the ground while watching his wife walk off.

"I don't know, I think he looks better that way," Cedric said with a smirk and more of them laughed. Bonnie couldn't help it.

"Watch it, Diggory, or I will find out how they did it or ask if they need a new test subject," Harry said with a mock glare.

"Just as long as it's not anywhere I can see if you are at Hogwarts. Sirius, I must return to Hogwarts for something, but I expect to be back in the hour," Professor McGonagall told him.

"That's fine, Minerva. I think it will take that long for this one to clean up."

"Indeed," she said looking at Harry, who had stood.

Dobby had come over to see the mess, but Harry shooed him away as they all helped to pick up the tables. "I was hoping to finish those bangers," Luna said looking at the food still under the tables.

"There is plenty left," she said to Luna. "Neville, I will ask my mother."

Neville gave her a relieved smile and nodded.

Harry walked towards the house to clean up and Neville went off to talk with his Gran. Susan sat next to them and Ginny flopped into the chair Susan had vacated. "So, you and Longbottom."

It was a statement. Bonnie flushed. "He only invited me over to see his greenhouses and others."

Luna shook her head. "Bonnie, it's alright to like him. I don't think he worries about your furry little problem."

She flushed even more. She was a wolf. She was only thirteen, but Merlin she liked him. She was a wolf though. The fear must have shown on her face. "Bonnie," Susan said next to her. "We are all here, knowing full well what you are. Neville knows too. Just have some fun."

She swallowed. "Maybe," she said before excusing herself. She needed to talk to her mother. Her heart was fluttering to see the boy talking with his Gran and her mother looked at her as she approached. "What's up, Bon?"

Her mother was still a younger woman, being only thirty-two. Her features and face would make her think she was only in her twenties. Bonnie hoped she would age as well, knowing she probably would. The wolf stayed healthier longer than most witches if taken care of properly. "Mum, Neville asked if I could go to his house Thursday. Would you take me?"

Her mother looked at her. "Well, I guess it had to start at some point. Just be careful, sweetheart. Don't rush anything."

She smiled at her mum. "I just like him."

"I can tell. Come on. Let's go talk to the old vulture so we can figure out how to get there," she said looking at the woman with a vulture on her hat.