Chapter Eighty-Three

An Invasion of Gryffindors

On Sunday George made his way over to Harry's through the Floo which they had would lead them to the reception room, although they couldn't get to the rest of the mansion without permission. He would be meeting with his brothers and the rest of The Team at Harry's.

George was feeling anxious – it was the first time he and Fred had separated since learning of Mu-Molly's plans for them. Fred and George had taken the advantage of being back in Britain to spend time with their significant others. Angelina smiled warmly at him as she took his hand in hers seemingly knowing how he was feeling without him saying it.

'We don't have to go,' Angie said.

George scowled, 'I can't let my murderous mother control my life. Plus, I want to see Harry.'

'So, do I,' Angelina said scowling.

Because they were all worried about Harry who it had turned out was pregnant with Lucius Malfoy's child. Fred and George had been planning to send Lucius a "package". But then the news of his, of Molly's crimes came out and everything else had taken a backseat. Now all that worry for Harry came flooding back … as well as the urge to curse Lucius Malfoy into oblivion.

'Good evening,' the Dark Lord said crisply. 'Welcome to my home.'

George was once again struck by how normal and genial the Dark Lord was. He looked like any well to do upper class wizard. It was hard to believe that he was responsible for hundreds of deaths. And when he looked at Harry full of love and pride even George who knew the truth could only see a concerned father.

But George was still careful to be polite and respectful to the Dark Lord. George didn't think the Dark Lord would harm him if only because Harry would be furious, but it didn't hurt to be careful around the Dark Lord Voldemort.

'Lord Slytherin,' Alicia said politely.

'Is Harry alright?' asked Charlie.

The Dark Lord nodded, 'yes, he is completely back to normal. He and Lucius are in the drawing room.'

Bill frowned, 'are you okay with their relationship.'

'Lucius is the father of my grandchild and Hadrian will not let him go,' the Dark Lord said simply. 'My feelings toward it are neither here nor there.'

It seemed that the Dark Lord was as happy as any of them that Harry had been seduced by Lucius Malfoy. They made their way down the hall to the familiar drawing room where Harry and Lucius were sat very close on the two-seater sofa. Harry was snuggled into him and they were chatting happily. Harry was smiling and looked very happy – happy and in love.

Harry looked completely normal and a lot better than he had last time they had seen him, pale and lifeless on the wooden floor of the Three Chasers. Now he had a healthy flush to his pale skin and a spark in his dark brown eyes.

George did notice that Harry looked fuller around the middle than he had done but with all the other changes to Harry George had barely noticed. And if he had he would have assumed it would because he was no longer being starved by his relatives.

'Harry,' Charlie said brightly. 'How are feeling?'

'Good,' Harry said brightly. 'And Father has finally let me off of bed rest.'

'I was worried about you,' the Dark Lord said calmly taking a seat in an armchair. 'You could have been killed!'

'I know,' Harry said softly. 'But I'm okay. I meant to say Fred, George, thank you for helping.'

'Did you really-' began Fred.

'-think-'

'-that we-'

'-would not-'

'-protect you?' demanded Fred glaring at Malfoy who was sitting far too close to Harry.

Harry smiled softly, 'I just never expect it.'

There was a very sad silence as everyone absorbed that. No one could blame Harry for constantly being surprised that people cared for him! Not after the Dursleys and the Weasleys having hurt and betrayed him so much.

'Yeah, well get used to it,' George said angrily.

'We're not going to leave you!' agreed Fred.

'I … read the Prophet …' Harry said awkwardly. 'I'm sorry …'

'You have nothing to apologise for!' Fred said aggressively.

Harry blinked a few times looking confused. George suddenly remembered that the Prophet at reported the what and not the why.

George sighed, 'she was planning to kill us too.'

Harry's face immediately dropped, 'what … why? I know Molly Weasley is …'

'A bitch,' put in George.

'But … why would she kill her own children?' Harry said.

George did not miss that Harry's hands dropped protectively to his stomach. Nor the way that Lucius' arms tightened around Harry and that Harry leant into the older man almost instinctively. Fred and George shared a look.

'Not all mothers deserve to be mothers,' declared Angie sharply.

'I know, it's just … Molly's actions have always been due to hatred of anything vaguely not-light and loyalty to Dumbledore,' Harry said.

'Precisely,' Fred said bitterly.

'Apparently,' George said scathingly gripping Angelina's hand tightly in his.

'-there is a prophecy,'

'-that claims-'

'-when Prewett twins-'

'-reach twenty-one-'

'-years of age-'

'-the Dark will win,'

'That … that can't be true,' Katie squeaked a bit.

'It's complete hogwash,' Percy said primly. 'Prophecies and divination are a fools' game.'

But George was staring at the Dark Lord who had barely reacted. Yet, there was something intense in those dark brown eyes. It was the same look Harry sometimes got when he was about to pull a Wronski Feint or decide that flying with a bludger tailing him was a good idea!

'Prophecies are tricky things,' the Dark Lord said delicately. 'If there is a real prophecy then the Department of Mysteries would hold a record of it. As the possible intended recipient of the prophecy, you would be able to request to view it. Of course, to locate it you would need to know the approximate date – knowing either the prophesier or the recipient would make it easier to locate.'

George didn't know how he felt that the Dark Lord hadn't dismissed it as laughable. George didn't know if he wanted to hear it … but at the same time could he really ignore it. And he could feel that Fred needed to know the truth.

There was another awkward pause that Charlie decided to break by being Charlie!

'So, you and Lucius, that's something I didn't see coming,' Charlie said brightly. 'Hence, why you didn't respond to my flirting.'

Harry rolled his eyes, 'guess, I prefer blonds.'

'You prefer Lucius,' corrected the Dark Lord.

Harry blushed but didn't disagree.

'Are you happy?' asked George softly.

'I am,' Harry admitted.

'But still a baby! You're only seventeen!' Fred said. 'Aren't you terrified?'

George would be and he was two years older than Harry, due to graduate from school this year. He had been dating Angie for about as long as Harry had been seeing, sleeping, whatever this was, with Lucius Malfoy.

But they weren't ready to settle down. They were just enjoying being together, exploring their life as more than friends. They were both still at school; Angelina hoping to become a Chaser for the Harpies and Morants' Magical Mayhem was really taking off.

Yet, Harry at the age of seventeen was facing that. He may have more resources to take care of a child than George and Angie did, but money wasn't the only thing a child needed. He hoped Harry was ready for that responsibility.

'Honestly, yes,' Harry admitted. 'But I've always wanted a family!'

'But not that at this age!' Fred said.

'Obviously not,' Harry said. 'But what's done is done, and I will not be giving up my child nor will my child grow up unwanted and unloved!'

'Fred, enough,' Percy said. 'It's not out place, to cast judgement.'

'Harry's our friend,' Fred burst out.

'We want to make sure-'

'-he's okay!'

Harry smiled, 'I am. I know this is highly … unconventional … but it does make me happy. Can you accept that?'

Fred scowled, 'I don't like it.'

'I know,' Harry said. 'But do you trust me to know my own mind?'

George sighed, 'I do.'

'It's him we don't trust,' Angelina said sharply.

Lucius cleared his throat, 'I understand. If it was Draco in this position, I am sure I would feel exactly like you do. But I … I love Harry and I would never see him hurt!'

Harry's cheeks went decidedly pink and a lovesick smile appeared on his face. Oh, Merlin Harry was actually in love with the ponce, wasn't he!

Katie startled looking surprised, 'so this isn't just…' Katie trailed off blushing furiously.

'Not anymore,' Lucius said.

'Look after him,' Oliver said fiercely.

'I don't need-'Harry began.

'As long as he will let me,' promised Lucius.

'Okay, but just so you know-'began Fred.

'-if you hurt Harry-'

'-we will make your life-'

'-living hell!'

'I'll make sure to bare that in mind,' Lucius said carefully.

Harry scowled, 'does everyone have to threaten Lucius?'

'We love and worry about you,' the Dark Lord said quietly.

George startled at the casual confession of love from the lips of the Dark Lord. George reminded himself that the propaganda that he had grown up with wasn't true. The Dark Lord wasn't an unfeeling monster that his parents had claimed him to be, he could love, and he obviously loved Harry as much more than just his Heir.

'I know you all do,' Harry said. 'Still annoying knowing that Lucius is my decision.'

'Okay, then congratulations,' Alicia said smiling brightly. 'Do you know what you are having yet.'

'Not that it matters,' Angelina said hotly.

Katie smiled, 'Alicia's just nosy.'

'Like you don't want to know,' Alicia retorted.

'Thanks,' Harry smiled. 'And I am having a boy.'

'Aww,' cooed Katie and Alicia together looking delighted.

The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about Quidditch, Politics and School. George found himself surveying Harry and Malfoy's reactions. The way that they anticipated each other. The way Harry smiled at Malfoy in a way that George had never observed before. The way Malfoy looked at Harry when nobody else was looking.

His first reaction was right – Harry Potter and Lucius Malfoy were in love! The way the Dark Lord and he shared a look it seemed he was not the only one who had seen it … and probably liked it even less than George.

'Well, it seems we're stuck with you,' Fred declared.

'Yeah,' agreed George.

'Since our Harry is clearly in love with you,' Fred finished.

'FRED!' Harry said.

'What?' asked Fred. 'It's obvious. I've never seen you like this with anyone!'

Harry flushed looking confused … and scared. Not of Lucius but of something? His feelings? Or being hurt and betrayed again like he had been so many times. Knowing that George decided to change the subject before his brother could further put his mouth in it. Harry was clearly not ready for this talk and he didn't want to piss of the Dark Lord by causing Harry undue stress.

'So, Lord Slytherin, what's the chances of you funding Morant's Magical Mayhem?' asked George loudly.

Harry let out a breath he had been holding and relaxed into the Malfoy Lord's side. Fred blinked looking confused at the sudden change of direction but at Fred's look realised why George had changed the subject the way he had, and he too let it go. The Dark Lord looked approving of what he had done. And Bill looked … proud which was strange George couldn't remember anyone ever looking at him with pride. It was usually annoyance and reluctant amusement in his family. George couldn't even remember the last time his mother had praised him

'I prefer not to talk business at a social gathering like this,' the Dark Lord returned but he gave George an approving look. 'We will discuss it further on the twenty-fourth as planned.'

'Of course, sir,' Percy said shooting George an annoyed look.

'Well, it would be fool move on our part if we didn't give it to you,' Harry declared. 'You two will likely have Zonko's out of business before I take my NEWTs! Anyone who doesn't think that doesn't know how brilliant and stubborn you are.'

'Thanks Harry,' grinned Fred.

The Dark Lord sighed, 'Hadrian, don't agree to anything until we've heard their pitch. It takes more than just genius to succeed in business.'

Harry rolled his eyes at the Dark Lord, 'I'm not. I'm just saying you should sponsor them.'

'Because they are your friends,' the Dark Lord said.

'Well, yes, but also because they have great ideas that are far superior to anything Zonkos is producing,' Harry said.

'Why do you think we started?' asked Fred.

'Zonkos didn't provide the-'continued George.

'-products we needed,' Fred said.

'Didn't expect others to like them,' George added.

'Well, they do,' Harry yawned.

'Alright, I think that's enough for today,' the Dark Lord said.

'I'm fine,' Harry argued.

'You're pregnant,' the Dark Lord said. 'Don't push yourself too much. They can come back.'

'It's fine, Harry, we'll go,' Fred said.

'Yeah, we'll see you later,' agreed George.

Harry grinned and gave Harry a tight hug. Yeah, things had not been good. Mum had done so many horrible things and was planning to do worse. But they had survived and were alright. They still had their brothers (that included Harry of course), friends and lovers. They still had a future that despite the pain was looking bright and happy if only they could put the pain of the betrayals behind them.

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'Oh, dammit, I left my hat at the Slytherins,' Bill said as they flooed back.

'Bit forgetful,' Fred said laughing.

'I'll have to go back and get it,' Bill said.

'Don't be long,' Percy said. 'We have the house viewing in two hours.'

'Its hardly going to take two hours to get his hat back,' laughed Fred.

Bill breathed a sigh of relief – none of his brothers thought he was doing anything untoward … like going to confront a possible Dark Lord for being a Dark Lord. Oh Merlin, it was official Bill had gone officially insane.

Yet, it didn't stop him from flooing to the possible Dark Lord's manor. Within seconds Lord Slytherin was there with his wand in his face. Bill immediately brought his hands up like he had seen in some Muggle movies his dad had taken him and his siblings to see on the weekends.

'I forgot my hat,' Bill said quickly. 'And … I wanted to talk in private if that is alright.'

Lord Slytherin gave him a contemplative look but nodded, 'follow me to my office.'

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Tom frowned at the young Gryffindor who had invaded his home. But he didn't appear to be after his son or him. Although, he did seem tense and nervous like he was about to go into battle. It reminded Tom far too much of James who had worn that expression many times. Most notably when he had decided they were going to bed.

'Okay, talk,' Tom said when they arrived at his office.

'Are you the Dark Lord?' demanded Morant.

Tom raised an eyebrow incredulously, 'I thought you were intelligent enough not to fall for Dumbledore's smear campaign.'

Morant snorted, 'it is not Dumbledore's words I am listening to. When the rumours about the prophecy came Fred and George reacted to it. Look I don't care if you are a Dark Lord – I know many Dark and Light wizards who I am friends with and I know enough about magical theory to know that balance is needed! And part of my Mastery meant studying world history – I know that Dark and Light has very little to do with goodness. Plus, victors write the history … so I don't even care if you are Him or not … as long as you are not planning on murdering Muggleborns or anything!'

'I can assure you that I have no interest in murdering Muggleborns,' Lord Slytherin said dryly.

'What I am concerned about is my brothers!' Morant burst out.

Again, Tom was reminded almost painfully of a sixteen-year-old James Potter begging for a Dark Healer to save his parents. Tom had, of course, agreed in part because it would serve as a great recruitment tool. Unfortunately, as James was still underage it took a while to get Lord and Lady Potter officially released … and by that time it was too late to save them.

'I don't need to know what they are doing for you!' Morant continued. 'I just need to know that they are safe and won't end up in over their heads!'

Tom was contemplative as he understood what was going on. This wasn't a Light wizard getting all angsty and paranoid about a Dark Lord running amok. This was a big brother wanting to ensure his family were safe. It was the same protectiveness that Tom felt for Hadrian and his grandchild. And Tom could respect the young man coming and confronting someone he largely suspected was a Dark Lord (of course he could have sent a message to the DMLE telling them of his meeting and if he failed to return Tom would fall under immediate suspicion.

'I will say again that I am not the one who killed James. And I can assure you that your brothers have little to do with my politics,' Tom said carefully. 'Their loyalties are first and foremost to my son which I respect and admire. Hadrian needs people he can trust around him – and Hadrian would never forgive me if something happened to his friends. I did ask them to keep … an ear out for any suspected plots against Hadrian. Of course, that is over now. And I am intrigued in their business models and the applications of their inventions.'

Bill nodded, 'what are your aims?'

'To unify Wizarding Britain in a way it has never been,' Tom said. 'To undo the very heavily Light-biased laws that have pushed non-humans and non-Light wizards to the fringes of our society. To completely revamp the education system which is need of an overhaul. To put more protections on young wizards so that children like Harry are never allowed to suffer for what they are. And, to restrict free movement between the Muggle and Wizarding worlds which threaten are exposure especially as Muggle technology so rapidly closes the gap between us and them.'

Morant frowned, 'and Muggleborns.'

'I think that Muggleborns should be introduced into Wizarding society far earlier than they currently are,' Tom said. 'It would protect them from terrible abuses and close the educational gap that currently exists between Muggle and wizard born children.'

Morant was frowning.

'I am not what Dumbledore believes me to be,' Tom said quietly.