Chapter 6: Hols and Flamel
Eros stood at the top of the Astronomy tower waiting for his two charges to come back from the Gryffindor party. His red eyes scanning over the building and the forest behind it. He could feel the sexual desire practically rolling off the castle.
"My oh my, there is a lot of desire within these halls." He remarked.
"Having you around will only make it worse." A new voice interjected. Turning his head slightly Eros saw a man in his mid-twenties, standing next to him. The man was dressed in muggle clothes and looked rather intimidating in his tight-fitting shirt. He had wavy black hair, pale green eyes and stood at five foot seven inches.
"Do I know you?" Eros asked, watching the man curiously. Mortals shouldn't be able to interact with him so easily. He had walked over to stand next to him. The wind ruffled his hair wildly for a second before it settled down.
"I doubt it, I haven't been here long and gods like you rarely notice us mere mortals." He answered looking into the forest, his eyes were following something within it.
"You are no mere mortal, I can tell that much." Eros challenged. He knew there was something off about the man standing next to him now. He didn't feel mortal and neither did his magic. It was dense, unwavering in his presents. Something he hadn't felt in ages, he couldn't influence this man.
The man chuckled softly. "No, I'm not mortal. " He scoffed. "I haven't been for aeons."
"That explains your magic, very... unyielding," Eros said sticking his hands into his pants pockets. He was content with waiting. He didn't have to wait long for the man to speak again. "What are your plans for the two mortals under your protection?" He asked, his eyes had stopped, looking at something far off in the forest.
"You know of them?" Eros asked, a little surprised. Was this man here because of his contract with the two mortals or was it something else. Where they somehow connected to him too?
"They are in one of my classes, I teach here. Your magic is very ... distinct. I hope you don't plan on playing with their lives." The man cautioned him. Eros appeared in front of him, floating in the air. "What is it to you what I do to them?" He demanded. Even with Eros sudden movement, the man had stayed perfectly calm. "I have plans for them and I wanted to know if I need to adjust them or … remove you." The dark-haired man smiled as he finished his sentence. The coolness of the man's voice threw Eros.
He had dealt with a lot of arrogant men throughout his long life. Dealing with mortals was always a pain but the gall of this man, to openly threaten him was unbelievable. As he continued to stare into the calm pale eyes of the man, sweat started to gather on the back of his neck.
"I do not plan to throw their lives away. I only want to have a little bit of fun." Eros answered floating backwards, his hands locking behind his head. "Are you going to ruin my fun?" He asked casually. The man turned his eyes away from the forest looking at Eros for the first time. "As long as they live, I do not care."
"Well, that works out perfectly then doesn't it," Eros said, his lips pulling into a cruel smile. "I get to have some fun, sowing chaos and just fucking with people and you will have your pawns to move as you like." He chuckled.
"They are more akin to the Queen and King honestly." He said, shrugging. "They are that important are they?" Eros asked, getting a nod in return. "Oh, this will be fun to watch." Eros laughed.
"I never could understand you gods." The man sighed, shaking his head. "When you live as long as we do, things are very boring," Eros answered uncaringly. "Interfering with mortals is one of the few joys we still have. They react so … unexpected."
"But you would know that," Eros said looking off to one of the towers. "I know your magic is old, I can feel it."
"I have been around for a while. Longer than most." The man said.
"So what am I to call you?" Eros asked. "I ran into a few on my travels." He mused, reminiscing about some of his more memorable 'encounters'.
"I go by Robert Siren here." The dark-haired man revealed. Robert turned and started making his way back into the castle. "I'll see you around Eros." He said departing.
"Robert isn't much of a god name …' Eros sighed as he continued to wait for Harry and Hermione to show up. It Didn't take them long to come whispering up the steps. "Finally decided to show up?" Eros mocked them.
"It was harder to get away from everyone than we thought," Harry said, glaring at the floating god.
"It doesn't matter, we are only here to clarify the rules of this little coven." He said dismissively. Turning his red eyes onto them he smiled and drifted closer to them.
"Firstly you two are the Alphas in this pack, whoever you two bring into this coven will fall below you, Beta's," Eros said.
"Why would that even matter?" Harry asked. "What are we gaining that would need tiers?"
"Good question, if you would kindly shut up, I'll tell you," Eros said a little heat creeping into his voice. "Good. Now, as I was saying these tiers are to show your dominance. Beta's can't order Alpha's around and if you two order a Beta to do something, our bond will make them obey you, to a degree anyway."
"That's one of the perks, another is the boost in magical power you each gain by adding Betas to the coven. There is a limit of seven members so pick your Beta's carefully."
"Does it matter who adds them?" Hermione asked, working her bottom lip between her teeth.
"No, but you only have four spots left open," Eros said. "What!" Harry and Hermione asked shocked. "Little Harry already added another Member." He revealed. Hermione turned a shocked expression towards him.
"What? I don't know what he's talking about." Harry defended, but Hermione was shaking her head. " Well, obviously you do if you already added someone to Our coven."
"Until yesterday I didn't even know I was in a Coven, Hermione." Harry pointed out.
"It might be wise to ask how a member is added," Eros said floating over their heads. His legs were crossed and he was resting on his hand watching them.
"Yeah that's a good idea," Harry said before he realised who had suggested it. Harry turned a deadpan expression to the childish god. "You really going to make me ask?"
Eros grinned at them, clearly amused at the two of them. "Fine, be that way," Eros complained. "Adding someone is as easy as having sex with them, and this is the key, pushing your magic into them, marking them as your Beta."
"But we've never had sex." Hermione pointed out to which Harry nodded. "Isn't there another way?" Hermione pleaded. Eros appeared in front of her, his thumb and forefinger holding her chin.
"Honey, I am the god of Love, Lust and Sex." He practically purred, confusing Harry.
"That's not what you said last time." He pointed out, making Eros and Hermione look at him. "Last time you said 'sexual desire and attraction'."
Eros waved his free hand dismissively. "Semantics, it's all the same thing. The point is, this was, never, not going to involve sex."
"So you expect me to just sleep with anyone I want to include in this Coven?" Hermione asked, a sharp edge to her voice.
"I don't care, Little girl," Eros said, releasing her chin. "Sleep with three guys, sleep with one. It's no skin off my teeth I'm just informing you of rules."
"What do you get out of this?" Harry asked.
"Little old me?" Eros asked. "I get to play with you mortals again. I haven't had a chance like this in ages. One beautiful temptress to lure unexpecting men into all kinds of depravity." Hemione huffed at the description.
"One strapping young lad that will lead many women into lust-filled fun for hours and the best thing, they will all do it willingly," Eros said in glee, spreading his arms open. "You humans believe in fate and destiny when the truth is so much simpler, but you all want that deniability that your life was never truly in your control."
"What?" Harry asked, confused by Eros' sudden rant. Looking over to Hermione he saw her eyes wide staring at the god in front of them. Sighing, Eros turned away from them, looking down at the castle again.
"Lastly you will be in this coven for the next seven years. After the seventh year has passed the coven will be broken and you'll be free until then I get to toy with you as I please," Eros said delightedly. "Now, off to bed with you two."
"Harry, please stay behind." Professor Siren asked as the class packed up ready to head off to their next subject. Lily told him she would wait for him in the hall as she shoved her thick History Tomb into her bag.
Harry headed to the front of the class, to where the teachers desk sat. "I hope you don't mind me calling you Harry?" The Professor asked as he wrote on a slip of paper. "Not at all, Sir," Harry answered.
Professor Robert Siren was their new History teacher. He had wavy black hair, pale green eyes and a body that resembled that of a Greek god. Harry's female friends had told him so, repeatedly. He was quickly amassing a small fan club amongst the girls of the Castle.
"Fantastic." The man said, turning his pale eyes on Harry. Harry felt a little intimidated under the man's unflinching gaze. Before he could ask why he was asked to stay behind the Professor spoke.
"I am planning to cover recent History in the next couple of classes. Starting with Grindelwald's War and ending with the disappearance of Voldemort and the end of the Blood War." Professor Siren said, his hands steeped in front of him on his desk. "I am hoping that would be fine with you."
Harry was a little shocked. The impression he had gotten from the Magical community, as a whole, was that they wanted to forget about anything remotely related to Voldemort.
"I don't have an issue with it, Sir," Harry answered. "I would like to know more about the monster that took my parents from me." He conveyed.
"Good, then the first thing you need to know is that he wasn't a monster." The Professor said, standing from his chair to stand in front of his desk. "He is a mortal man that pushed the boundary of magic and paid a dear price for the sins he committed."
The confusion was clear on Harry's face and it made his Professor chuckle. "Saying that he is a monster, is giving him the power he does not deserve Harry."
"He isn't more than a man for the murders he committed or for all the crimes he has committed. Nor is he more than a mortal for all the magic he has at his command." He said placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Now, I'd like to talk to you about the recent Ritual you had undergone." Professor Siren said, shocking Harry. "R-ritual?" Harry asked, trying to mask his surprise but failing. "Don't try and deny it. I can see it in your magic."
Harry looked panicked before the Professor smiled at him. "It's fine Harry I'm not going to do anything." He revealed making Harry do a double-take. "It's referencing seeing someone as young as you and Miss Granger taking an interest in ritual magic. I will tell you to not stop with just one though."
"Why not?" Harry asked, unable to help himself. Professor Siren walked back around to his chair and sat down before he spoke again. "Rituals unstable your magic. It is why we do, did, rituals in the first place. It helps our magic grow. The downside is once you have unstabled, agitated, your magic you need to equalize it again."
The Professor opened a drawer and pulled out two slim books from it, placing them on the desk as he kept talking. "Over the years Wizard and Witches found that doing Rituals in set's of three's or seven seems the most effective way to stabilize."
"I recommend you and Miss Granger look over these rituals and pick two more to do, within seven weeks of when you did the first, for the best effect," he said pushing the slim books across the desk towards Harry.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, taking the two books and slipping them into his bag.
"No trouble Mr Potter. Please come and see me if you need any more advice." The man said in dismissal as he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk. Harry adjusted his back as he walked out of the class, meeting up with Lily just outside the class.
"Did he want an autograph?" Lily teased, bumping her shoulder against Harry's. "No, he… he just wanted to warn me that he will be talking about the Blood War soon," Harry said walking next to her as they made their way to the great hall.
"Oh, that ought to be interesting," Lily said, leaning against his shoulder as they walked. "Are you looking forward to going to Malfoy Manor?" She asked thinking of her own Yule holidays.
"Yeah I am, it will be great to see how Wizards celebrate Christmas," Harry said.
"Firstly it's called Yule and secondly, it's very similar. Some people have Yule balls where they show off their wealth and it's a great place to meet and connect with powerful people." Lily said a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Yeah, I heard some of the fourth years talking about it. Some of them are staying just to attend the ball here at the school." Harry mused, thinking back to when Nagini had asked him to attend with her. She hadn't seemed to be upset that he was going to be leaving the castle for the break though.
"That is actually something I am looking forward to myself," Lily said her smile well and truly split her face. "Want to go to our first Ball together?" Harry asked as they walked into the great hall.
Lily turned sharply to face him, her smile dimming slightly before it brightened again. "I would like that." She said tiptoe up and kissed his cheek before she pushed off him and quickly made her way to Elsa and her other year mates.
Looking at the Gryffindor table Harry quickly spotted Hermione and headed over to her. He might as well give her the book Professor Siren had given him.
Sliding onto the bench next to Hermione he placed the book in front of her. "Professor Siren said we should look into these and decide on two more to do, to stabilize our grade." He said hoping she got his meaning.
A look of utter shock passed over her features as she quickly pulled the slim book closer and flipped it open. "Our grades need adjusting?" The absolute horror in her voice would have been amusing if it hadn't meant that she had missed his message.
Groaning Harry slumped over his plate of food, but just as he was going to try again realization dawned over Hermione's face. Sighing in relief, Harry started eating, leaving her to read through more of the slim little book.
"Looks like we don't need to do the same papers." She said, an emotion hidden somewhere in her voice but Harry couldn't pick it out. "He said we have until the twentieth of next month to hand them in," Harry said after taking a drink of the Pumpkin juice.
"That's not a lot of time!" Hermione protested. "Yeah, well we've had seven weeks since the start of the month." He said, his own anger hidden thinly. Hermione looked a little sheepish but didn't comment.
"You know what two you will be doing?" She asked after a minute of strained silence. Harry glanced at her and shook his head. "I haven't had a chance to really look into the book. I'll probably give it a good read tonight." Harry said.
"You want to do them together?" She asked hopefully. Harry didn't want to stay mad at her. Sure she dragged him into a ritual, binding him to a mad greek god but she was eleven and Harry had seen the Ritual she had followed.
Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to hide the fact that Eros would be involved. Maybe they could even show it to Professor Siren and see what he makes of it. "Sure Hermione, even if we don't end up doing the same papers. Having each other to look at our work can't hurt."
Harry was quickly ripped from his eating by Merida screaming his name."Harry!" Looking to the entrance hall, he saw her standing there waving her arms, beckoning him over. Standing up he grabbed an apple before he made his way to her.
Once he got close enough she leaned forward and dragged him, by his robes, to the nearest empty classroom. "What is this about?" He asked as she had latched onto him. "The quicker you move, the quicker you'll find out." She said throwing him into the classroom.
Waiting inside was Hiccup and Repunzel. These three had grown very close since the start of their little study group and could often be seen together.
Rapunzel was a jubilant girl, always full of energy and ready for anything the others could come up with. With her personality, so at odds with the rest of her house, Harry had wondered why she was placed in Ravenclaw until she had explained the reason why using a transfiguration spell meant for turning one object into another doesn't work the same as turning an inanimate object into a living animal.
The short answer was she might act or prefer to be an airhead but that girl was scary smart.
"We found out who's Artifact is hidden in the third-floor corridor." Hiccup said excitedly, as Merida closed the door behind her.
"That's great but why aren't we telling the whole group?" Harry asked, looking between the three friends.
"It's a bit more complicated than we had assumed," Merida said with a sigh as she jumped up onto the bench next to Harry. "Meaning?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow to emphasize his point.
"We found out who's artefact it was because Hagrid had let his name slip. Nicolas Flamel." Hiccup said when Harry gestures for him to continue. His blank expression only held for a second before realization flashed across his face.
"Hermione mentioned that name. He was an … alchemist or something like that, that made some stone that turned him immortal or something." Harry rattled off. "She made a point of telling me he had even made a name for himself in the Muggle world."
Repunzel smiled at Merida and held out her hand. Merida groaned and dropped a few Sickles into her waiting hand. "Told you he would know the name." She said smugly.
"Ai, Ai whatever," Merida said before turning to face Harry again. "So you don't want to tell the others because it might get Hagrid into trouble?" Harry asked.
"Ai, but it's more than that," Merida said nodding. "We think someone is after Flemal's stone."
"Why do you think that?" Harry asked, looking between the three of them.
"Remember how you said Hagrid took something from Gringotts. Well turns out that was the same vault that got broken into later that day." Repunzel said. "Also, you don't actually believe that a Mountain Troll just randomly found its way into the school, do you?"
Honestly, Harry had been more concerned about understanding this new branch of magic that he had stumbled into. How the Troll had come into the castle was not even a question he was asking.
"Not when you point it out like that, no," Harry said, shaking his head. "So, you believe someone is trying to steal Flamel's stone?" He asked, looking at the three of them.
"Yeah and we think it's Snape!" Merida said, waiting for Harry's response. "Okay, why?" Harry asked. "Besides the whole, evil dungeon master theme he has going for himself."
Merida looked a little taken aback by his response, Repunzel was smiling and holding out her hand to Hiccup. He dug into his outer pocket and dropped a galleon into her hand, muttering under his breath how unfair she was being.
"Next time you guys bet on me, I want in," Harry said, watching as Repunzel counted her earrings. "Seriously though, why is Snape, your top suspect?"
"He's been limping since Halloween and Hiccup heard him talking to Flinch about being lucky Hagrids dog didn't do more damage," Repunzel said, pocketing her money. Merida and Hiccup nodded along. Thinking back, Harry could remember Professor Snape with a slight limp whenever he moved through the class during Potions.
"Okay but that should prove that it wasn't Snape trying to steal the stone," Harry said, to the confusion of the others in the room. "Correct me if I am wrong but if I was trying to steal the stone. Why would I tell someone that I got hurt by Fluffy?"
"He could have bribed Flinch." Merida pointed out. "Yeah, Flamel's stone also turns any metal into gold." Hiccup said, backing Merida. "By that logic, he could also have bought all the other Professors over." Harry pointed out again.
"That's why we came to you." Hiccup said, swallowing hard.
Ten minutes later…
Harry couldn't believe he was doing this. With sweaty palms, he knocked on Professor Snape's office door. His knuckles had barely retracted from the door before it swung open.
The form of Severus Snape loomed over him. "Potter." The potions master drawled. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, stepping out of his office.
"Could we talk for a bit Professor?" Harry asked as he walked towards a desk and proceeded to sit on the table.
"What is this about?" The intimidating Professor asked. Harry knew he needed to get the Professor's full attention so he decided to barrel straight into it. "It's about the stone that's hidden on the third floor, under Fluffy."
If Snape was surprised that Harry knew about what was hidden there he didn't show any reaction to it. "It would be like Hagrid to name that beast something so … undignified." He finally said. 'Help me and tell me if he is lying.' Harry told Tom.
"Are you trying to steal it?" Harry asked. His eyes were completely focused on that dark-haired man in front of him. Snape only raised a brow in question. "It's only that, you hate teaching. Everyone knows it and the stone can get you …"
As Harry spoke, Snape saw his eyes turning black, and when his pupils turned red, a smirk crossed his lips. "Honestly Severus, even kids realize you are not the purest person here at Hogwarts," Voldemort said.
"I hardly think it matters what, snot-nosed kids believe," Snape said, his displeasure clear in his voice. Voldemort nodded along as he agreed. "Be that as it may. I need you to gain his trust, do whatever you need to do."
Snape nodded his acceptance before asking. "Why are you asking this of me?"
Voldemort seemed to weigh his options before, looking around the room. "It sure has changed since Slughorn taught here." He mused. "I believe Harry is hiding something from me and I don't know how he does it. His magic has been burning me more lately and I tire quicker than I used to when I possess him. Something has changed, but I don't know what."
"Consider it done, My Lord," Snape said, with a slight bow. Voldemort pressed Harry's wand under Snape's chin, the tip growing hot. "See that you do, I will not lose this chance to return to the world."
Snape watched as Voldemort walked back to where Harry was standing before he took over. His red eyes changed to green and Harry resumed speaking. "... away from the school and set you up for life, wherever you want to settle down."
"Potter, I'm going to stop you before you make a fool of yourself," Snape said, rudding the bridge of his nose. "Granted, I don't love teaching but I wouldn't risk my life trying to obtain something the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledor, has locked away securely."
"Good," Harry said rubbing the back of his neck. The awkward silence that followed was particularly painful for Harry. "I appreciate it that you came to me with your suspicions, and not someone else," Snape said, his voice flat and his tone betraying nothing.
"No problem Sir, Slytherins stick together," Harry said a small smile gracing his lips.
"Indeed," Snape answered. "Was that all you wanted to talk about?"
Harry nodded and started making his way out of the classroom. "Your Mother and I used to be great friends." Snape's words froze Harry in his tracks out of the room. "We met before either of us came to Hogwarts and we stayed friends until our sixth year."
Harry was quiet for a long while, so long that Snape thought he would need to initiate the conversation again. "Wh-What happened?" Harry asked.
"I was an utter fool. I called her something demeaning out of anger." Snape's voice had taken on a slight waviness to it. "I wasn't even angry at her. James had just pushed me too far and I lashed out."
"James, my father?" Harry asked, his voice strained.
"I and your father hated each other. I still hate him for taking Lily from me." Snape confessed. "I believe, if you had acted as arrogant as he did, I would no doubt have hated you too."
"But when I look at your eyes. All I see is your Mother." Snape's voice had regained its normal firmness. "If you ever want to know about her. I would be happy to share what I can."
With those last words, Harry rushed out of the door, closing the door with more force than he had intended. He needed to get out of the dungeon, out of the Castle.
Much later on the fifth floor…
Harry stood, panting, across from the destroyed desks and chairs. His run outside had not helped cool his burning eyes nor had it calmed his racing heart. Looking for a different outlet he had found an empty classroom and proceeded to destroy everything he could.
It was all in vain. Even with arms that refused to obey him he still didn't feel satisfied. His magic still called to be released, his heart still hammered his chest.
His shirt was clinging to him like a second skin, his robes long ago burned to ash. Sweat dripped from his nose, his breathing was erratic and ragged. His arms twitched at odd times, muscles in his shoulders jumped without warning. His legs felt like jelly, shaking ever so slightly but keeping him standing, if only barely.
Still, it wasn't enough. Lifting his shaking wand Harry pulled on the pool of magic inside of him. Before he could cast his next spell, cool, soft fingers wrapped around his wrist. Looking back Harry saw Nagini watching him.
Her dark eyes drank in all of his before she pulled him into a hug. One Harry easily melted into. Her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders pressing his head just under her chest.
Harry breathed deeply enjoying her scent. He enjoyed the way she played with his hair, his scalp tingled as her nails worked over it. Harry needed her touch, needed to touch her more. His hands slipped up under her skirt and grabbed her ass. Her answering moan was everything he needed.
Summoning a table, pushed her back onto it. Nagini didn't resist, she sat on the desk and spread her legs a barely concealed smile playing on her lips. Harry pushed her skirt up and as he brushed his hand over her lacy panties, he vanished them.
"So eager." She teased him only to gasp a second later when Harry descended on her. Every moan, twitch and groan edged him on. He wanted her to quiver, to be the one to make her quiver. She whispered words of encouragement that made him eager to do more. Her nails trailed electricity across his neck and scalp.
He heard the door slam shut and figured she must have sealed it again. If he had bothered to look up he would have seen Nagini's wicked smile and her free hand give a little wave in the direction of the door, but Harry was too lost in her to notice.
Harry lost track of everything around him, except for Nagini. It wasn't until her legs relaxed from the death squeeze she had him in that he trailed kisses up to her neck before he claimed her lips and their tongues danced with one another.
"Do you need to talk?" Nagini asked as they pulled back from their heated kiss. Harry shook his head. "After." That was all he said as he kissed her again. Harry didn't know when Nagini had removed his clothes but there was nothing between them now.
Harry lost himself in the need to fill her, to please her. He felt her wrapped around him, squeezing him, clinging to him as he moved to his and her needs. She moaned and hissed at him, dug her nails into his skin, and sank her teeth into him.
He lost count of the number of times he released his load in her, only taking solace in the fact that she would contract, twitch and spasm not long after he came. Her legs would lock him in place more often than not, pressing him as close as possible.
Harry knew that Eros had something to do with him being like he was. No kid should last as long as he did or be so quick to recover as him, but he couldn't care about that. This was actually working, where nothing else seemed to rid him of the horrible feelings he had, losing himself in Nagini took everything away.
Nagini's legs went limp as he laid on her chest. Their sweaty bodies sticking together. After a second Harry started to tell her about Snape and his mother. How if Snape had just visited him, seen what his Uncle had been doing to him, he might have been taken away from the abuse and torture.
"I don't want to forgive him," Harry said, enjoying Nagini's nails ghosting his bareback. "but I want to know more about my Mother. Especially about her years here at school." He confessed.
Nagini was quiet for a few seconds as her fingers worked their own magic on his skin. "You could show him what, they did to you. Tell him what you just told me. If he really was your mother's friend. It will hurt him." She finally said.
"Do I want that though?" He asked. "Do I want to give him a chance?"
"If he can tell you more about your mother, yes," Nagini said. "Don't forgive him, not yet. Let him try and gain your favour. You can take it one day at a time, just don't burn any bridges you might need later."
Harry nodded his acceptance of Nagini's words. He would talk to Professor Snape but not now. Maybe after the Yule holidays, for now, he would treat him like a Professor and see what the man did.
Snape had no reason for telling Harry that he knew his mother. It would have been easier for the man, if he wanted to get close to Harry, to keep that information to himself. He would be asking Snape why he never came looking for him if he was so close to his mother. He would show him what his indecision had wrought on his best friend's son.
Fudge walked into the DMLE flanked by a dozen dwarfs. Doing a quick scan of the bullpen he saw Bones coming out of her office only to freeze after seeing him and the odd group following him.
"Minister, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" She asked barely able to keep the sarcasm from her voice. Fudge had clearly pissed this woman off, something he was hoping to fix soon.
"Ah Madam Bones, just the woman I was looking for." He said bowing his head to her. Amelia was a little taken aback by his politeness. Fudge had always lorded his position over others. Bowing, even a little, was something he hated.
"These men are here to update the structure and make some changes to the Department that should have been done ages ago." Fudge said ushering the dwarfs forward. His other hand extended holding large rolls of parchment for her to take. "These are the plans. If you want to open them up now and add anything, feel free to do so." He smiled finishing his speech.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of the Aurors leave quickly. He'll plug the leaks soon, but he wasn't here to do that now. Amelia had opened the parchment on the nearest table and she was talking with the leader of the dwarfs.
It didn't take Amelia long to wrap up her conversation with the dwarf and turn her attention to him. Stalking, because walking wasn't what predators did, towards him she raised herself to her full height. "What is the meaning of this Fudge."
"As I said, this is the first step in correcting a wrong that was done a long time ago." Fudge said, spinning his bowler hat between his hands. "Tomorrow goblins will be here to update the wards and containment fields around the cells. They will also be adding a few extra wards, that I have personally asked for."
"Not without my appro.." Amelia's words died on her tongue as Fudge held out a small piece of paper out to her. Taking the offered note, she read it quickly, her eyes widening a little.
"Can this be done?" Amelia asked amused lit to her voice. Fudge smiled as he nodded. "I was assured by the Goblins that it can be done. It cost a pile of Galleons but I believe it will be worth it."
Amelia turned her attention back to Fudge, suspicion creeping into her eyes. "Why are you doing this Fudge? You have spent years crippling this department." Her anger was thick in the air between them. "Taking our funding, restricting our power, our authority. Making us work with the bare minimum that you could possibly get away with."
Fudge just stood there taking her anger and didn't even back away. She hadn't expected that from the cowardly little man. When she was done her breathing was a little laboured.
"Would you believe that I was gathering names of the people who would be most pleased about these restrictions and seeing who would push for more?" He asked, calmly spinning his hat between his hands. He seemed completely at ease with her towering over him, her magic pushing over his.
"I honestly don't believe you have the cunningness to pull something like that off." She jabbed, her anger still boiling within her. Fudge shrugged. "If you believe I was capable of doing something like that others would have picked up on it too." He said causing her to snort in disbelief.
"Believe whatever you want to Madam Bones. I will be making a few changes in the coming years. I might have let this farce go on for far too long but I plan on making it worth the wait." With that said Fudge turned to the lift.
"I will be getting a second opinion on all these improvements you are making, Fudge," Amelia called after him. Fudge didn't break stride as he called back. "I didn't think for a second you wouldn't Madam Bones."
What had happened to the cowardly mad she had come to know and hate over the years. Turning back to her office Amelia was stopped dead by Fudge's parting words.
"Oh Amelia, you might want to look into the Sirius Black case. Lucius seemed awfully eager never to let the man have his records looked at." The lift closed and Amelia was able to see a thin smile spread across Fudge's face.
"Shack!" Amelia's scream echoed throughout the bullpen. A tall black man came jogging from a station somewhere in the middle of the pit. "Madam?" He asked in a deep voice. Kingsley Shacklebolt was a big man, intimidating and strong, his dark eyes seemed to drink in every detail around him making him a damn good Auror. He had always been one of Amelia's most trusted Aurors.
"Head down to the records and bring me everything you can find on Sirius Black Case," Amelia demanded. "Expecting to find something others have missed?" The man asked, looking a bit confused.
"I don't know, it might be nothing but Fudge said something that doesn't sit right with me," Amelia said, shaking her head. "You'll have the records soon Madam Bones," Shack said heading off to the lift.
Meanwhile…
As the lift doors closed, a black mist seeped out of Fudge and hung in front of him. "Fighting will only cause you more pain." The mist rippled emitting a deep, hollow-sounding voice.
"P-people will no-notice th-at I am d-dif-ferent." Fudge sobbed, staring into the black void hovering inches from his face.
"And you think there is anything they can do to save you." The voice mocked him, a chuckle escaping the void. "Fool, you will die, anyone stupid enough to step in my way will die. I am more powerful than you can even imagine." It said causing Fudge to twitch in pain.
"You can either accept that and be a willing puppet or I will force the issue and you will know pain until your heart gives out and I will use your corpse as a puppet." The mist said seeping back into his skin as the lift opened and a smiling Fudge walked towards his office.
He had people to see, some to kill and others to trap in their own hellish nightmares. With that thought in mind, he told Dolores that he was heading out. He easily made his way to the Ministry floo system and flooed Barty Crouch.
"Barty can I see you for a second." He asked when Crouch had walked into his floo room. "Make it fast, Minister. I have work to do." Crouch said. ushering him inside.
"Not to worry, this will be quick." Fudge said, stepping into the room. He walked past Crouch, tapping his finger against Crouch's forehead as he passed his predecessor. Black mist seeped out of his finger and quickly shot into the older man's eyes.
Crouch started gagging and coughing. After his coughing passed he sought out Fudge, finding him helping himself to his private liquor cabinet. "What was that Fudge!" Crouch shouted.
"Oh, that was just something to make you obey my will." Fudge said, tasting the brandy he had poured for himself. "You see I have plans for you and your son and I can't have wild cards like you ruining anything, with that pesky free will."
As Fudge had mentioned his son, Barty's face had drained of all the colour. He quickly forgot his fear as he shouted. "I will have you sacked befo-" "Oh, shut up." Fudge interrupted him, making Barty lose his voice.
"I meant it when I said you will obey my Will. This isn't the Imperius Curse, you will still be yourself, just fully under my control just like your friend here." Fudge said, indicating himself.
Barty tried to talk, he could open his mouth, form words but nothing escaped his throat. It seemed to just disappear somewhere before the sound left his mouth.
"Now, take me to your son. I have a business proposition for him."
Robert dragged himself out of the warm embrace of his bed and headed over to his apartment's door, where the knocking was reaching new levels of intensity. He quickly pulled some pants on as he made it to the door.
Opening the door he was greeted with the sight of a bushy head of brown hair and thirsty chocolate eyes.
"Miss Granger, a bit early for class." He said rubbing at his face. He had helped her and Harry finish their third ritual just last night and he was still quite tired from it.
"This is about the special assignment." She said, her eyes solely focused on his face. He wondered if she was just that intense or if she was deliberately ignoring his state of dress. With a sigh, he opened the door for her to enter.
She quickly walked past him, placing his little ritual book on the table along with some parchment, inkpot, and a quill. "I know you said we should do two more rituals to stabilize our magic but I was wondering if I was able to do more than just three." She asked sitting at the ready like she was actually in class.
Robert shook his head before he took the pot of hot water from the oven and poured himself a cup and made a coffee. He sent the still-hot water and a tray carrying various other things into his room.
"The more rituals you do, the greater the risk of killing yourself becomes," Robert said, making Hermione scratch something out on the parchment. "Magic always wants balance, stability to harmonize with nature. Push yourself too much and you, your magic, or your mind will break. It's why I suggested you only do two more."
"How is it that Voldemort, Dumbledor, or Grindelwald was able to become so powerful," Hermione asked.
Robert smiled. His lessons on the Blood wars had emboldened quite a few students into not fearing the name of Voldemort anymore. A double-edged sword but something he thought was worth the extra eyes on him.
"They are exceptions to that rule. Most wizards would die or need to kill to obtain the power they have. I am almost sure Voldemort and Grindelwald did kill to obtain their power, but it's not something I would endorse." Robert said. "The magic involved in even that ritual would taint and warp you. Taking a life to boost your own power is fowl magic."
To his delight, Hermione did look put off by the idea of killing a person.
"I do believe we could do something more if you are interested," Robert said, sipping some tea. Hermione seemed to have lighted up, she had clearly set her heart on some more rituals.
Before they could talk more, a sleepy Septima Vector walked out of his room, kissed him on his cheek before walking out of the room. Robert smiled at the blush on Hermione's cheeks.
"Now I believe the best we could do is another two sets of three rituals. Over the next two to three years." He told her.
"But that's nine rituals. How would that set my magic?" She asked.
"Ah yes, it's nine individual rituals but it's three sets of three rituals." He said and by the confused look on Hermione's face, he knew she didn't get it. "Magic is weird and not always logical," Robert explained it away.
Hermione didn't seem to like that idea or want to accept that it could be illogical. She seemed just about ready to respond when Aurora Sinistra also walked out of Roberts's bedroom. She kissed him on his right cheek, the other one Septima had kissed.
"Good morning Hermione." Professor Sinistra said as she walked past the young girl. She either didn't see or didn't mind the complete and utter shock Hermione was in. Her mouth was opening and closing robotically, wide eyes stared into nothing as she tried to process what she had seen,
Robert waited, enjoying his coffee, as Hermione worked her way through the implication of what had just happened. She turned a lovely red colour before turning her judgmental eyes onto Professor Siren.
"Before you start. Remember I am your Professor, I and the two ladies you saw leave my bedroom are all adults. Perfectly capable of saying no, to anything we don't want to do." Robert said. "Unless you truly believe that you, an eleven-year-old girl, know what or how we feel about each other."
"How can they be okay with you sleeping with both of them." She asked outraged. Robert fixed her with a hard stare.
"That is something you are way too young to learn about." He said firmly.
"But not too young to do ritual magic?" She asked with venom. Robert's eyes turned cold at her inquiry.
"There is that Gryffindor courage that landed you in your house. Believing you are right with no proof to back you up." He told her as he stood up. "You were foolish to do the first ritual, without an adult to supervise and this is how you treat my help?"
Hermione had shrunken a little into herself, but it didn't seem like she was backing down. "I will help you with your Rituals but my personal life is just that. Personal." Robert told her. "Leave now. I will mark a few rituals that will work for what you want to do."
Hermione grabbed her stuff and quickly got out of the Professor's apartment. Huffing as she went. "You really don't know how to pick your fights, do you?" Eros asked her, floating above her as she marched to the great hall.
"Oh, what do you know." She huffed. "I was told, sex, my body was special and shouldn't just be given to anyone."
Eros rolled his eyes. "Oh, and who told you that?" He asked, popping a chocolate piece into his mouth. "My parents, who had loved each other since they were in High School." She defended. "They only loved each other and they have been together almost just as long. Yet you want me to sleep with multiple people just to bond them to this coven."
"I am eleven." She nearly shouted as she spun in place to look directly at Eros.
Eros was completely unfazed, chewing his chocolate slowly. "I couldn't give two tosses whether you sleep with someone or not." He finally said, dropping Hermione's jaw.
"That's not true, you…" "I said for you to gain the power you desire, seven members have to be Bonded in this little Coven. Harry has already added the third member. If you truly feel that you do not wish to trade sex for power, leave it to Harry. You would just be using him to gain your power." Eros said, cutting her off.
"I am still eleven." She said through gritted teeth. Eros waved her concerns off. "So is Harry and I never said you need to add them now. Push it off until you are ready, whatever age that might be."
"Just know the longer you put this off the more time you waste," Eros said, as he faded from her sight. Hermione huffed and turned, continuing her journey to the Great Hall.
The weeks had passed so fast for Harry and Co. After his confrontation with Snape, Harry had felt a lot less guilty for distracting the man so that his three other friends could slip into the man's office.
They had found nothing that would indicate he was trying to steal the Stone. But they were still set on the idea it had to be him. He was just too hateful not to suspect, after that day Harry had fanned the flames of their suspicion just to give the greasy-haired man some trouble.
His training with Nagini had finally proven worth all the time they put into his duelling. Someone had gotten a second-year student to attack Harry in the hallways. The fight that had followed couldn't even be called that. The kid had clearly been taught how to duel but compared to Nagini he might as well have been a snail.
Harry had dodged his poor aimed shots laughably easily. The kids' shields had also crumbled to nothing after one hit from Harry's spells, but that had to be the rituals he had recently done and the Coven with Eros.
Harry had found out that the kid was a Gryffindor student that had done it to prove he was better than The-Boy-Who-Lived. He had actually expected a Slytherin to attack him first.
Nagini wasn't too pleased with his cockyness when he showed up at that night's practice session and had thoroughly beaten him to a wheezing mess. "However good you think you are Harry. Always know there is someone better." She had told him before she dragged him to the prefect bathroom and washed all his pains away.
She had also told him to keep training over the Yule break, with Draco, so that her work won't lose the edge she had achieved. Harry thought that Draco would be good as he was currently the second-best student in their grade.
He would have to see if that knowledge actually translated to skill.
It was with these thoughts that Harry made his way back to Draco for the last bit of their trip back to London. He had already decided to test out the effectiveness of his Rituals he had done with Hermione's help.
The first looked like it was a simple strengthening ritual that he thought would help him in his duels with Nagini. This would increase his stamina, durability, and strength, something wizards as a whole didn't seem all that interested in, probably why it fell out of use.
The other one he had done had taken some time to set up. Acquiring all the ingredients for the second Ritual had been a challenge, but he had agreed with Professor Siren that with a lot of Voldemort's followers still out there, it would aid him the most.
Before he could open the compartment door that Draco and Jack had told him they were in, a hand slammed onto the door keeping it closed. Looking at Eros, Harry raised his eyebrow in question.
"Just want to give you something for the Holidays," Eros said as he leaned in and kissed Harry.
Harry felt the magic travelling over his lips and into him, before he could pull back Eros had already disappeared, leaving him with an odd pins-and-needles feeling on his lips. Opening the door Harry stepped into the compartment, his fingers tracing his lips.
"Finally kissed the Muggleborn then, did you?" Draco asked as he saw Harry coming to sit next to him. The others in the compartment snickered at Draco's joke."What?" Harry asked, looking at Draco in confusion only making Zabini, Parkinson, Balstrode, and Frost laugh.
"Must have been one bloody amazing kiss," Jack said wiggling his eyebrows, mocking Harry. Finally catching up to the conversation, Harry banished a pillow across the small space smacking Jack in the face.
It wasn't five minutes later that Elsa opened the door to find all its occupants in a heated stinging and banishing fight. Malfoy, Zabini, and Parkinson seemed to be fighting against Potter, Frost, and Balstrode.
"Potter!" Elsa called loudly, stopping their battle dead. "I need to talk to you." She said, walking away without giving him the chance to say anything. "Remember to pucker up," Pansy called as Harry was closing the door. A second later a pillow smacked her in the face.
"What was that about?" Elsa asked as Harry walked closer. "Nothing." He said, but the red on his cheeks and the speed of his reply made her doubt his claim.
"Whatever, listen I just want to warn you," Elsa said, crossing her arms. "Watch out for Lucius. He might claim he was Imperiod to join the ranks of the Death Eaters but his political views and backings say otherwise."
"Yeah, you're not the first one to tell me that," Harry said, pulling a chain out from under his shirt. "McGonagall gave me her emergency Portkey." He said tapping the medallion. "It will take me to her quarters at Hogwarts."
"So, even with warnings, you are still going to spend the Yule Holidays at the Malfoy's?" Elsa questioned him. Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair. This was also something he had heard multiple times today.
"Lucius isn't going to be there. He is out of the country on some business dealings." Harry said, shrugging. "Draco wouldn't shut up about it, but even if he wasn't out of the country how do you think people will act if I die visiting them for the first time."
Elsa had to agree that it would be political suicide to do anything to The-Boy-Who-Lived. Especially on his first-ever visit to an alleged Imperio Death Eater. Shaking her head she gave Harry an evil little smile.
"Don't get yourself killed Potter. I know a certain witch who would be … Very upset if you don't hold promise and take her to her first Yule ball at Hogwarts." Elsa said her smile never leaving her face.
Harry felt the cold sweat run down the back of his neck. He knew she was promising him pain if he hurt Lily. "I keep my promises, I meant what I said to Lily," Harry said smiling easily at Elsa.
She studied him for a few seconds before she nodded seemingly satisfied with whatever she was looking for. "Glad to see that hanging out with Malfoy hasn't turned you yet." She said as she walked away.
"Girls are scary," Harry said as he made his way back to the compartment. The group of Slytherins made idle chatter as they made the last trek to King Cross Station.
"Dobby!" Draco called as they pulled to a stop. A small, peach-coloured creature with long floppy ears and massive tennis ball-sized eyes snapped into their compartment. "Take my and Harry's trunk to the manor!" He ordered before he took Harry by his elbow and dragged him out of the train.
Narcissa Malfoy was a tall, slim woman with pale skin and wavy blond hair. Her blue eye locked on him and Draco as soon as they stepped off the train. Draco and Harry quickly made their way over to her.
Harry felt the magic pulse that Eros had slipped him. Quickly looking around Harry couldn't find the winged pain anywhere. Luckily Harry caught the tail end of Draco's speech. "... duce my Mother, Narcissa Malfoy."
Harry followed the instructions Draco had given him on the train. Bowing lowly, he took her offered hand and kissed her knuckles. Once again feeling that odd magic pulsing.
"Thank you for having me, Mrs Malfoy," Harry said, looking up and catching her smiling down at him. He marvelled at how different she looked when she was smiling instead of sneering at other people, mostly muggle-looking parents and their kids.
"Draco has shared some of the mannerisms of Noble houses I see." She said in a pleased manner, Draco nodded along enthusiastically. "He's stubborn and a bad student but I'll get him there," Draco said.
"Well come along then," Narcissa said, leading the two boys out of Kings Cross Station before she apparated them home. That was not Harry's favourite way to travel, at all. "We will have to break you of that habit," Narcissa said once Harry had gotten over his sickness.
A quick swipe of her wand and there wasn't any trace of it left. "You will be apparating with me until you have a feel for it." She ordered, leaving Harry with no room to argue.
Christmas or Yule, at Malfoy Manor, was completely different from what he had ever experienced. Granted spending the day in the Dursley household wasn't exactly normal either but he had heard stories from the kids at school.
Another thing that Harry enjoyed greatly was that they were allowed to do magic while at the Manor. Narcissa had said it was because the trace couldn't tell the difference between an adult, elf, or child doing the magic only that magic is being performed.
Christmas day came around and Harry was awoken by Draco ripping the covers off his bed. "Come on Potter let's go get our presents." Muttering his agreement Harry slipped into his slippers and followed Draco to the living room where Narcissa was already waiting with a hot drink in her hands.
"Merry Christmas you two." She said with a smile until she saw the clothes he was wearing and her snear mard her face again. "Draco, honey can I have a word with you?" Nodding Draco stood and walked out with his mother.
While they were gone Harry went over all his gifts, they were few but it was the first time he had gotten any gifts for Christmas. Harry was sitting in the middle of all his gifts when the Mother and son duo came back into the room.
Narcissa gracefully made her way over to the couch and sat down. "Tomorrow you and I will go shopping Harry." She told him. "No wizard of your status should be dressed in rags like those." Harry's cheeks warmed at her statement but her next one took the heat out of his embarrassment.
"I quite enjoy shopping, you would be doing me a favour. Draco hates shopping with me." Draco's whine of 'Mother!' sent Harry into a fit of laughter. "Well, open up your gifts." She smiled at Draco and Harry as they tore into their presents.