A Second Chance

by Breanie

What if Sirius didn't spend twelve years in prison, but was given a trial after four years? Follow the story of Sirius Black as he learns what it means to be a father/brother/guardian to his young godson & the story of Harry Potter, a young boy with a loving home who learns about the Marauders from the two men who should have raised him. Slow-burn Hinny. M for sex & violence.

315. Chapter 315

Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To Katie2001: You weren't expecting so much what exactly, that caused me to mess with your head, LOL? I'm going to take it as a compliment! To darkhk: I am sorry to hear that. To Derpdude32: Yes, poor Severus indeed. To Dianne: I love that I surprised you so much in letting all of them live — you're welcome LOL. Greg is thinking about divorce because he knows that Pansy has grown to love him, but he still thinks she's only staying with him because the marriage was forced. He's not very bright. I love ganging up on poor Sebastian. His friends are just little assholes who want to see him happy. I'm glad the scene made you laugh, that's what I was going for! The "fuck him" line was totally brilliant and I have to thank the amazing celtics534 for suggesting it when I sent her the scene for advice! I love that Sebastian agreeing to ask out Theo resulted in cheering! I love how much love my OC has been getting. Fred is great for George and Angelina in helping them and yes, they needed to have that little conversation and really come to terms with what happened to them both. It was nice to bring Rolf back and yes, he will meet Luna, but not anytime soon. Love the sympathy for Snape! Thank you as always for your long and amazingly thoughtful review!

To alix33: Kane's friends are definitely huge PITAs and he loves them. Thank you! As to the Toddlerbolt, I think I saw that on blvnk's page or somewhere. I can't take credit. To Yusraa Ifthikar: Thank you! I tried to show what George and Angelina are feeling with what has happened. Jin and Durant are definitely kind of awesome and I love writing them. Yes, Sebastian has said he will ask out Theo, but he certainly didn't say when he would do it. Taking Snape's memories does have a purpose, but we won't find out for a while. Crouch will still be alive a while longer. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Proudfoot is a decent guy and yes, I rather doubt Pansy will consider Greg's plan a good one. Thank you, it was fun to make up the stuff about the Canadian schools. To scrappy8: Thank you! To Guest: Where can you get your own Oliver? Anywhere they sell British shorthairs LOL, but maybe not as overprotective as Oliver who wants Sebastian all to himself.

To Anika Nice: Hi to New Brunswick! Love knowing there are fellow Canadians on here! Thank you so much for loving my magical community within Canada, it was so fun. Beacon Hill does sound amazing, doesn't it? Plus, it would be closest to you, I think, outside of the school in Quebec. Thank you so much! To the Mandalorian terminator: Thank you very much! The curse Goyle took was pretty gruesome and he has some healing to do. I loved giving George and Angelina some wholesome moments. Love the Snape sympathy, thank you! To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you! To puttyman24: Thank you very much! I love all of the love for George and Angelina! To Cath: Bas worrying about Theo is super cute! And nope, Bas may have caved on finally agreeing to ask Theo but, he certainly never said when he would do it! It's true, D and K are tall, muscular men and J is one tiny little lady. They are a great trio! To Slaidback: You're welcome for the chapter! I'm sorry to hear the omicron anvil fell on New Zealand, it is slowly starting to taper off here in Ontario. Maybe the black panther running around the Canterbury plains is Lady G, you never know. Thank you!

To Sara: Yes! Bas is going to ask out Theo! I love how excited you are! I love that everyone just immediately loves Bas' cat! Zee's family is taking care of the twins, rotating days between aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, and cousins. As to Zee's family, no problem, I will add the family tree at the end of this chapter for you. Thank you so much! To ellyan13: Greg is healing and yes, he will be put on trial. His giant blood is very diluted, but it still saved his life. It was a good raid, they did very well. We will learn more about Sebastian's exes yes. Thank you! I'm glad you liked my Canadian schools! Thanks for the wonderful and long review! To Shouldna: Thank you and no, I've grown fond of Greg. Yes, I don't think Pansy will take the news of a possible divorce very well. Thank you! To Person: Will Auror Arsehole finally ask out Theo? Stay tuned to find out!

To Sam: No reunion for Pansy and Greg anytime soon, nope. Kane definitely has a crush on a fictional character and his friends love to tease him! Fred so is and is not a gentleman, it was fun to write him helping out. As to Snape and Crouch's deaths… we'll see. To Shivani: It was a hell of a curse, poor Greg! Tonks was lucky enough to meet J and yes, Sebastian totally knows his friends are going to interrogate him. Theo is so oblivious! Thank you! I love your excitement for the next chapter! To LilyBlack18: Can't make any promises on Snape being saved. To Chris: Thank you very much! Greg definitely does deserve some kind of amnesty, right now they want to keep him safe. Thank you! To sunlitdxys: Yes, Goyle has giant's blood, but not quite like Hagrid. His great-grandfather was a giant. Yes, the question is definitely when will Bas ask out Theo. To CherrySara: Thank you for saying that you were desperately waiting for this chapter! I'm glad you thought it was worth the wait! Thank you for giving my Theo so much love and now Bas as well. To answer your second review, Rolf and Luna will meet, but it will not be anytime soon. I have that planned out!

To Guest/Griffind00r: Thank you! That is a lot of binge-reading, I am glad you're enjoying it. I am so honoured that you enjoy ASC more than JKR's original series. To Bluerain22: Thank you! Talking polar bears was a definite must! Thank you so much! To nottthatchhavi: Yes, Greg is alive! Sebastian… he's considering it lol. Thank you for loving the magical world of Canada and as to Snape, maybe he will. Mostly, he is about to suffer horribly. To ITHersey: Bas should definitely listen to his friends! Haha, him appearing drunk at Theo's and blasting a sappy 90s love song would be amazing, but sadly, that is not going to happen. Sebastian is a very mushy guy, but he won't admit it. To Nightwing2013: Yes, Greg is alive! Yes, Yaxley should be worried, but he's smart enough to lay low for now. Thank you! I think D, J, and K all have great chemistry and I loved writing their fun banter and teasing. Yes, no more Quidditch for Angelina, it is devastating. Yes, a full year of maternity leave. It's what we have here in Canada so I made it the same in the magical world. Thank you! To pix25: Thank you! George and Angelina will get there.

To Sloopyqueen4: Thank you for loving Bas and his friends! Yes, that is exactly what I was going for, for you to feel like you were sitting there getting drunk and busting on your friend to get his ass in gear lol! Thank you very much! To 1Potterhead: Thank you! Yes, Pansy will not like to hear that Greg is attacked. To anajagpotter: Wow! Thank you so much for reading this fic more than once, let alone 3 times! That is such a compliment to know that you think I am "an amazing, talented author" who keeps you "on the edge of your seat" and makes you laugh, cry, and sometimes horny LOL. You're welcome! Thank you so much! But please don't fail biochemistry for me LOL! To AvatarJedi: Thank you! Glad I can make you not hate characters whom you usually do, you're welcome! To briana_t: Thank you! I thought it was nice for Fred to take care of them. Yes, everyone appreciated the Christmas cheer at Wiltshire Manor. Yes, how will Kane and Theo interact next? Stay tuned to find out!

To TatiRena: Thank you! Theo will meet K's friends eventually, yes. To GryffindorHealer: K was definitely very much on the spot there and yes, you noticed, Bas didn't say when he would ask him out lol. Rolf's stories definitely made Zee's day. Thanks again for your help! Thanks for saying it's fun to read my responses to people's comments. I know a lot of people don't like that I post them here, but it's easy enough to scroll past if you're not interested. A lot of people might be wondering the same thing and it's a lot easier for me then to directly private message people and those without accounts can still me responding to their anonymous reviews. I like to do it. I appreciate the reviews so the least I can do is respond to them! To Fanfis01: Thank you for loving my Canadian magical lore! To katelyn453: Thank you! Yes, the twins are a year old already, where did the time go? To free_bee: Thank you for loving the Cobra Chickens talk! Writing Canadian magical schools was a lot of fun and yes, adding in historical accuracies with stereotypes did make it fun.

To AmericanDesi: Well, I think the vastness of America only having one magic school is dumb so I'm sure America has more as well. But I don't plan on coming up with them LOL. Thank you! To CorbanD17: Thank you! Harry and Ginny will have sex when they are ready to. To AnaGPotter: Thank you! Yes, the MIA did capture quite a few and they need to see what information they can gather now. As to Theobas… soon! To AQuickRead91: Thank you! As to Theo and Sebastian, wait and see. Yes, what will Angelina do now? To Joyce Foesenek: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying ASC and enjoying poor Sebastian being harassed by his friends. To Mizfitz22: Thank you! I love that you've grown fond of Greg and Pansy. Voldemort has definitely messed with his head by sorting through all of those memories. The Order was always careful with what they told him, so that won't be a problem. Theo might bite a little LOL. To Sumsugar: Thank you! I think they would automatically go to their closest geographical school like how everyone in England goes to Hogwarts, but if they wanted to choose Durmstrang or Beauxbatons it would be an option. As to writing a story on Canadian magic, I don't plan on it, but you never know what will happen. We might hear from Gus the pet polar bear at some point though. No promises, but it might happen. Thank you!

To Grouchbear: Thank you very much! I did work really hard on creating the magical schools of Canada. I appreciate you wanting to stick around! To Bellmel: Thank you! I think Jin and Durant are definitely very badass and a lot of fun, too! Showing the different side of Bas is what made them so fun to write! Fred is definitely putting his own life on hold to help his brother and girlfriend and George is just so sweet with Angelina! Thank you so much for saying you're "in awe of my imagination" in terms of the Canadian schools. Thank you! To Preethi Rao: Thank you! It makes me smile so big to know that you find it hard to tear yourself away from the world I've created. Theobas will be soon and I hope everyone loves them together as much as I do! To marauders_mowopapr: Thank you! I know, Theo and Bas need to get together soon! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! You think Snape should escape or be rescued? He is definitely in some trouble!

To Cath: Not offended at all, Bree is my name lol. As to will Ginny ever use the tip Audrey suggested about putting a finger up the bum, maybe at some point. But not in the near future. As to your fun fact, I'm from Canada and I post on Saturdays to me in my eastern time zone. Where that falls for your time zone, I can't help you LOL. To bruh99: Thank you! It would be better for both Greg and Pansy if he told her, but we never said he was very bright. Thank you for laughing so much at my Durant and Jin interrogation of Bas. They just want him to be happy! Oliver is definitely a fucking mood! He's this adorable cat who Bas adores and he wants no one around Sebastian but him. Thank you! I thought it was so important for George and Angelina to have this moment where they both understand they are both beautiful. Thank you very much! To Steelcode: Angelina will definitely find something new to do, but we'll have to see what she chooses. Sebastian's friends are another couple of strong personalities, you are right. Thank you! Always interested, Steel, message me away!

My posting schedule: Weekly.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

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CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN:

The One With the Cappuccino

Tonks thought that the interrogations went about as well as expected. The witches and wizards that they had brought in from the Isle of Skye were as devoted to Voldemort as any could be. They believed wholeheartedly that he was the one to bring about a new world; that he was the only wizard capable of helping them build a better life. They thought that the Ministry was full of leeches and phonies; that the new laws enacted to give wolves and other magical creatures more rights was simply another ploy to help eradicate their clans. They insisted that Voldemort gave them power and freedom and that no other wizard had ever offered them such.

They had gone on and on. Between listening to the chaos they were sprouting and trying to make sense between the rhetoric and the fact, Tonks felt a headache coming on.

Not to mention, listening to Conan himself.

Tonks already knew a bit about him from Remus' talks with Adrian. She knew that he was the leader of the second largest werewolf pack in all of Europe and that according to Adrian, he could really care less about what side he even fought for. Looking at him now through the illusion charm that separated the interrogation room, she thought that he looked about as fierce and menacing as she had imagined he would. Conan was built like some ancient barbarian, strong shoulders in a muscular frame and almost as tall as Remus. His hair was grey and shaggy and his thick grey beard was peppered in reds and browns that she thought made him look very much the conqueror.

The wolf, as he insisted on being called, didn't even consider himself to be a wizard. He was first and foremost a wolf which meant that he would fight for the wolf and not for the wizard.

"If you won't fight for the wizards, why are you following around a man who calls himself the lord of us?" Atwell asked as Tonks watched yet another interview through the illusion charm.

After speaking to all of the victims, they'd made those they captured wait days in the holding cells before starting in on the interrogations. They'd started with the young ones first and now into January they were finally speaking to the ones who had been around Voldemort for decades.

Conan sneered. "I don't follow him. I work with him."

"How?"

"How what?" he demanded.

"How do you work with him? Looks more to me like you work for him. He orders you and your wolves around like little minions ready to do his bidding at first call."

The chains at Conan's hands rattled. "We are not his minions," he hissed. "We work with him because he does not try to control us like you other wizards do. He allows us to be free, to live and do as we like."

"And what's that?" Atwell asked.

Conan licked his bottom lip. "Whatever we like."

Tonks leaned forward as Savage began to detail his past, asking him questions about the life he'd led in his sixty something years as a wolf. Adrian had told her that outside of Volk, Conan was one of the most powerful wolves in all of Europe. Forty years ago, he had led raids across the continent. He forced other packs to join his by raping the women and killing the males who fought back. His army grew as he moved through Norway, Germany, Austria, and France and by the time he reached Spain, he had hundreds of wolves who followed him.

"They followed you," Savage continued. "But not out of respect. They didn't support you or your ideas. They joined you because they feared you."

Conan's lips curled. "Doesn't matter how, I still control them."

"But you wouldn't have controlled them if Camila hadn't made an alliance with you."

"Don't you dare speak her name!" Conan exclaimed.

"Why?" Atwell asked, her eyes falling on the file in front of her. "That was her name, wasn't it? It says here that Camila was the alpha of the largest pack in Spain and she refused you. Her pack fought against you for weeks and she won."

Tonks listened with half an ear as Atwell listed off the bloodshed that followed. It had been unlike anything the magical community had seen in the country in decades. Muggles, witches, and wizards were killed while eight more were turned, until finally Camila demanded an alliance. She wanted Conan to marry her so that they could rule together. It took him another two weeks until he agreed, but he did. They were married a week later and she died a year after, giving birth to their daughter, Cami.

"In the end, you still killed her," Atwell finished.

"Shut your filthy mouth!"

"That's how Greyback found you in '72, isn't it?" Atwell asked. "He found you because you'd killed the one person who didn't see you as a monster. He found you and then you took orders from him."

Conan sneered. "I don't take orders from that wolf."

"No?" Atwell asked. "Seems to me that when he showed up telling you about this Dark Lord rising in England you jumped at the opportunity to follow him?"

"I agreed to meet with him, nothing more."

"And now you're his minion," Savage said.

"I am not his fucking minion!" Conan bellowed, his chains straining against the chair.

Savage remained stock-still, showing no reaction to the wolf's outburst. It only took him a moment to calm down before Conan's body fell back into the chair, the chains rattling into silence.

The wolf's mouth was curled into a nasty snarl as he said cooly. "I am no one's minion. I merely prefer to be in the company of others who have the same taste for life that I do."

He licked his bottom lip as he began to describe some of the disturbing and depraved things that he claimed was a shared taste and Tonks bit back the nausea that sat in her throat.

Proudfoot took a seat next to her and ran a hand over his face. "That's fucked up."

Tonks snorted. "He believes the wolf is stronger than the man."

"The man is still human whether he wants to admit to it or not. He will be tried and convicted for the crimes he's committed."

Tonks nodded, turning her attention back to the interrogation in the other room as Savage took back over the interview and asked him about the wolf. Conan spoke about the pride that a true wolf took in their kills, in the hunt. He explained how the wolf is part of him and how much the wolf craved blood. When Atwell interrupted him to mention Adrian Roberts, he'd spit on the floor.

"That pathetic excuse for a man thinks that he has what it takes to lead a wolf pack? They don't even hunt humans. The way he took Greyback's own daughter as his wife was a disgrace. If Greyback gets the chance, Roberts will pay for his crimes."

"I understood you and Greyback weren't exactly on the best of terms," Atwell said. "Didn't he and your daughter have a falling out when he went for Volk's daughter."

Conan's eyes narrowed, his tongue wetting his bottom lip. "Wolves mate for life, but if the bitch is giving it for free, I'm not going to begrudge my lieutenants for taking a taste."

Savage stared. "Does your daughter agree with that sentiment?"

Conan leaned across the table, his eyes gleaming. "My daughter will rip you apart with her teeth."

"She sounds charming," Savage said.

Conan sneered. "She will lead the pack when I die. It will be her honour to do so."

"And yet you don't seem to have much respect for her."

"If she wants to waste her life on someone like Greyback, I'm not going to stop her. Volk took it personally when Fenrir left Cami for Ivory. Claimed it meant Fenrir wouldn't treat his Ivory right. Me? I know what it's like to have a wandering eye. Wolves mate for life, but until they do…" His eyes raked over Atwell. "The things I could do to you, little girl. I'd have you begging for more."

Atwell folded her hands in front of her. "I appreciate the offer, but I have a man who keeps me well satisfied."

Conan's lips curved and he reached down to grab himself, making the chains rattle. "That's only because you haven't been with an animal. Tell me, love… does your man fuck you like an animal? Leave you panting and begging and covered in his seed?"

"That's enough," Savage said.

Conan licked his lips. "Why? Jealous?"

Atwell leaned forward to stare into his eyes. "Is that what you and your wolves were doing to those Muggleborns? Showing them what it's like to be with an animal?"

"The lucky ones," he said. "Some of us just played around."

"Played around?" Atwell asked.

Conan licked his lips again. "Yes."

"Would you like to elaborate on that?" Savage asked.

The wolf only sneered and rattled his chains.

"Answer the question."

Conan stared at Atwell. "Only if the witch asks me."

Savage gestured to Atwell and she repeated the question.

The wolf leaned back in his seat smirking at Atwell. "As the lady wishes. Ever been to Bristol? There are some lovely folks out there. Let me tell you about this great meal I had a few weeks back…"

Proudfoot waved his wand to turn off the sound when Conan began to list off a number of atrocious things. The Muggleborns who had been rescued had suffered torture and abuse, but there were eight who hadn't survived along with two goblins and a Merman. Conan claimed that their bones could be found buried near the forest as he described in grisly detail how he and his pack had eaten them alive.

By the time they put him in a holding cell, he was laughing with madness dancing his eyes.

The vampires had been another story.

Unlike Conan, they were much more interested in talking to Aurors D and K especially considering K, D, and J had captured five of them in the raid. Kane only asked one question and they were singing like a canary faster than expected. When D'Estienne d'Orves asked why they were loyal to Voldemort, they explained that it was because he gave them the freedom to feed when they wanted and from who they wanted. Voldemort didn't care if they drained their prey dry and left them for dead, he just wanted them to help him when he asked. But they hadn't known what they were helping him with.

"You're trying to tell me that you didn't know that he would be asking you to kill people? Or to torture others?" Durant asked, disbelief in his voice.

Vlad Balan, who was considered to be one of the most dangerous vampires in all of Europe, leaned back in his chair. "We didn't think that it would be all fun and games, but we didn't sign on for this."

Durant tapped his fingers on the table and exchanged a look with Sebastian. "You buying this bullcrap, K?"

"Not even a little," Sebastian said. "According to our files, you met Voldemort in 1968. That's a hell of a long time to follow someone if you don't believe in what he's doing."

"I didn't say that I didn't believe in what he was doing," Balan said. "I merely said that lately he's been… different. It's like he's losing his way."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Care to elaborate on that?"

Tonks sipped her tea as she kept her eyes on the vampire. He began to explain how he felt that lately Voldemort was more prone to anger more often and how anyone who disagreed with him or who pointed out an error in his plan was immediately sent to the Isle of Skye to work as labourers for Crouch.

"He's become erratic and indecisive. He's so focused on Potter, he loses sight of other things."

"What other things?" Sebastian demanded.

"Things," Balan said, shrugging. "He likes to make us fear him."

Tonks had to admit, fear did seem to be what Voldemort was going for. Balan explained how his son Wynn had refused to kill the Muggle that he'd been feeding from, wanting to keep her longer. Voldemort had killed Wynn on the spot and he'd only looked over at Vlad and coldly told him to make sure his clan followed all orders in the future.

"He says that we're free to live as we choose, but he and his Death Eaters order us around like minions."

"You are his minions," Durant said. "He doesn't care about you. You're filthy half-breeds to him; unworthy of anything worthwhile."

"No," Balan said. "He respects us. He gives us our pick of Muggles to feed off of."

"And in return you do his dirty work," Sebastian said.

When Balan didn't deny it, the questions continued.

After Balan, Yeona Jin and Kingsley interviewed a Romanian vampire named Sarafina who was well known around the continent for her murder count and her seduction of men. But like Balan, she was surprisingly helpful when asked. She was more than willing to talk and gave names of some of the Death Eaters and of the crimes they'd committed. She was guilty of killing hundreds of people over her two centuries of existence, but she claimed that she'd never felt like the deaths had been for anything outside of food before she started following the Dark Lord. She claimed that she had once been friends with William Clovenfield and thought his ways were making him too human-like and now she regretted not following his ideals.

"I have never felt more like a monster than when I answered to the Dark Lord," she admitted. "I would rather be dead than do any more of his dirty work."

All of the vampires with her agreed.

Death Eaters had knowingly decapitated over a dozen vampires who had refused to follow orders and the ones they had kept around were kept in cages, only being let out to feed. They were so hungry upon being freed that they were frenzied and rabid, killing blindly those they were given and being used as executioners on those the Dark Lord considered enemies.

In the end, the holding cells were full of the five vampires captured along with seven wolves, and two Croatian wizards who had taken the mark fairly recently. Five wolves, two vampires, and one witch had been killed on the raid, the rest incapacitated enough to be arrested. Overall, they considered it a successful raid despite failing to capture Crouch.

Tonks took detailed notes on each interrogation, speaking to Proudfoot and Higgins as she did. By the time each wolf, vampire, and Death Eater were processed and awaiting trial, she thought that it had been a very intense week. The prisoners were all being kept in holding cells in a special department of the MIA while they awaited trial. Trials were set to take place within the coming weeks. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

She was rubbing her head when she got home, smiling at the sight of Remus reading in the living room. She sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder and stifled a yawn.

"Hi."

"Hi," he said, kissing the top of her head. "How were the interrogations?"

"About the same," she admitted. "Full of terrible things that I don't want to think about. You'd think after over a week of asking questions there wouldn't be more to surprise me, but there is. How was work?"

"Good. All of my classes were good."

"How was Harry?"

"Also good," Remus said. "He looked very content over lunch with Ginny. I only waved at him today."

Tonks linked her fingers with his. "You miss him."

Remus let out a low sigh. "It's not that I miss him, it's… he doesn't need me like he used to and sometimes that makes me sad. I don't want to intrude on his space. He has his girlfriend and his friends and he knows that I'm here when he needs me to be."

"He still comes to you, Rem."

"I know," he said, playing with her fingers. "Zee and I had this talk a few weeks back as you know. He's seventeen and we have to respect that."

Tonks nodded. "Hmm, when I was seventeen you told me that I was still a child."

"Well, a seventeen-year-old shouldn't have been trying to kiss me."

"But you wanted me to," she teased.

Remus' face flushed. "That was… we're not taking about you, Nymphadora."

Tonks kissed his fingers. "Now here we are having a baby. I'm so glad you smartened up."

"Me too," he admitted. "How is our little Teddy doing today?"

Tonks rubbed her stomach. "He wants pasta and garlic bread with maybe a side of pineapple and honey."

Remus grimaced. "I hope not together."

Tonks laughed. "Depends on which one you make me first."

Remus framed her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. "I'll see what I can put together."

Tonks slapped his arse when he stood up and when he turned around to lift one eyebrow up, she smiled wide. "I love you, Remus Lupin."

"I love you, too, Nymphadora Lupin."

Tonks watched him saunter off to the kitchen to make her dinner and wondered not for the first time how she had been lucky enough to get everything she ever wanted. She rubbed a hand over her stomach as Teddy kicked hard enough to make her wince. She only wished that her parents could be here to see how much she was expanding.

She wanted to tell her mum that she felt the baby move. She wanted to hug her dad tight and tell him her weird cravings. She wanted her dad to tell her funny stories about running around to get stuff for her mum's cravings. She wanted her mum to tell her not to work too hard.

She just wanted to talk to them.

Her eyes fell on the wedding photo of her standing between her parents in her wedding gown with her tall pink boots and her lips curved. She missed them. She missed them more than she could put into words, but she was going to give them a grandson. She was going to make them proud.

When Remus called her name from the kitchen, she slowly climbed to her feet (which was taking longer to do than she wanted to admit) and made herself comfortable at the table. When her amazing husband placed a bowl in front of her of freshly sliced pineapple drizzled in honey, she beamed at him.

Sometimes it really hit her — she was the luckiest witch in the world. Tonks grabbed her husband's hand, tugging him down to her level to kiss him and thought coming home to him made everything better.

~ ASC ~

Harry thought that being back at Hogwarts after the holidays felt oddly different. This time it was more definitive, he was in his final year of school. Unless he decided to go home for the Easter holidays, the next time he returned home, he would be finished. School would be over and he would be…

He didn't want to think about it.

Harry had taken Misha's advice more seriously though. He spent his first free period in the Head dorm with Ron, combing over his application to the Auror Academy.

"Why do I want to be an Auror?"

Ron scratched his long nose with the back of his quill, which made him sneeze. "Because it would be wicked cool."

"I don't think that's a good enough reason," Harry reasoned. "And it has to be five inches."

Ron frowned. "Bloody hell! On just why we want to be Aurors?"

"Not just that," Harry said. "Why do you want to be an Auror? If chosen, what do you think you can contribute to the field of law enforcement?"

Ron wrinkled his nose. "A good arse kicking."

Harry snorted. "I don't think that works either. Why do you want to be an Auror?"

Ron stared at him a moment. "Because I can't let you go off and get yourself killed. Someone needs to have your back."

Harry opened his mouth to protest before he closed it.

"Of course, it would be wicked cool," Ron admitted. "It would be kind of brilliant to be great at kicking arse, not to mention how great my arse will look in those pinstriped trousers the officers get to wear."

"Ron," Harry said, slowly. "It would be brilliant if we were Aurors together, but I don't need you to watch my back."

"Someone has to," Ron said, flipping absently through his application. "With that inflated head of yours, thinking you're the Chosen One and everything, who else is going to be brave enough to tell you to sod off when it's needed?"

Harry grinned. "Haha."

"But it's true," Ron said. "You need someone to help keep you out of trouble."

Harry snorted. "You're one to talk."

Ron's lips curved, but he pointedly stared down at his application. "Okay. In all seriousness now… why do I want to be a bloody Auror… erm…"

Harry stared at his own blank parchment, not entirely sure how to answer it. Why did he want to be an Auror? Ron was right, it would be cool. He'd always thought that Aurors were pretty awesome. He knew that it was challenging and it allotted you to be able to think on your feet, which he'd always felt was when he thought best. He liked duelling, but he did know that he needed to be more realistic in how he duelled as fighting for your life meant more than just stunning people. He needed to be prepared to do everything necessary to take them in and as confident as he was in his abilities, he wasn't quite there yet.

Of course being an Auror was different than being the Chosen One as Ron had said. He had a prophecy hanging over his head. The darkest wizard the world had seen in centuries wanted to personally kill him so naturally he wanted to protect himself from that. Maybe he just wanted to help people, to save them. Ginny did always say he tended to protect people, especially his friends. But were any of those a good enough reason as to why he wanted to become an Auror at all?

If he was honest, he hadn't really considered any other careers. Misha had mentioned the Auror thing and with everything he'd done and accomplished, with the prophecy… it just seemed like a natural choice for him. And with complete candor, he knew that he would be good at it. He knew that it would be fun to play Quidditch. He knew that he would love it and he thought that he was talented enough to maybe do it, but he didn't think it would be satisfying. As much as he enjoyed winning a game, he couldn't imagine making it a career. He wanted something that gave him an obstacle, a challenge to defeat…

As terrifying as the moments had been, the adventures he'd found himself on, the near death situations that seemed to follow him… they had all unfolded because he'd thought on his feet. From figuring out how to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, to saving Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets, to getting through the TriWizard Tournament, to fighting Death Eaters at the Ministry, to fighting Death Eaters at Hogwarts… all of them had involved thinking on his feet. They had all involved him having to use his wit and to know that any moment could be his last. It was exciting and it gave him a rush that he couldn't explain. It wasn't about saving people, though of course he wanted to help people, it was about more than that. It was about being given the chance to make a difference and Harry thought that there was no better way for him to do that than by becoming an Auror. He just wished that he knew how to articulate that into an essay.

When Hermione came in two hours later, Harry had surprised himself by looking down and seeing a list of bullet points outlining his reasons why. It looked like he had made a good start. Ron grumbled when Hermione mentioned that he was leading rounds with the prefects and Harry began to pack up his things as Ron meandered out to do his head duties.

"You don't have to hurry off," Hermione told him. "I was going to study anyway."

Harry stretched his arms up over his head. "You, study? Never."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Just because I have a potential job lined up after school ends doesn't mean that I don't have to do well on my NEWTs, Harry."

"You can still take a break every now and again," he said.

Hermione pat the sofa next to her. "Stay with me."

Harry made himself comfortable next to her, stretching his arm out across the back of the sofa. "Is that your way of telling me you might actually tell me what's going on with you?"

Hermione busied herself taking her books out of her bag. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Come on, Hermione. You've been off this year. I know that I'm not the only one who's noticed it. Ginny's noticed it, too. If Ron wasn't in here with you and taking care of you, I would have demanded you tell me months ago."

When she only stared down at her books, he let his arm drop over her shoulders.

"I'm fine, Harry. Really."

"It's funny because I don't believe you."

Hermione huffed. "Look, it's been a tough year, okay? It's our final year at Hogwarts and it's very stressful being Head Girl on top of it and you don't see how much responsibility that is because you and Ginny are always sneaking around the castle, doing Merlin knows what, and I'm here just trying to hold it all together and hoping that — never mind."

Harry bumped her closer to him and the moment her face turned into his chest, she burst into tears. It startled him. He'd been prepared to tease her about school not being the be all and end all, but now her face was buried in his shoulder and she was crying loudly. Harry awkwardly patted her on the head. He never knew what to do when people cried. With Ginny, it was easy, but…

He put his arms around her more securely. "Shh."

She cried for almost ten full minutes and Harry thought it was honestly the longest ten minutes of his life. He felt like he was doing and saying all of the wrong things, but when she finally stopped, he let out a slow breath.

"I'm sorry, I'm shit when it comes to tears."

She muffled a laugh. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean… thank you."

"Sure," Harry said, tugging her back into his arm to hug her. "Want me to track down Ron?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. He would only worry."

Harry gently brushed her curls out of her face. "I know I haven't been around much this year. With you being in your own little dorm, it kind of limits how much I see you outside of classes, but you know that I'm always here if you need me, right?"

"I know," Hermione whispered. "I'm just as much to blame, spending all of my time with Ron."

Harry nodded. "All of your time is accurate. Ginny said you never want to participate in their little girl nights they do or you always claim you're too busy. What's going on with you?"

"I have school work."

Harry rolled his eyes. "So do we all. That's not an excuse, Hermione."

Hermione pulled away from him, her fingers wringing together nervously. "I'm scared."

"Of what?"

Her tear-filled eyes met his. "Of never seeing my parents again."

Harry frowned. Hermione never did spend too much of her holidays at home, preferring be with the Weasleys, but Harry had noticed she'd barely made any mention of her parents this year.

"You said that they are in Australia?"

"They are."

"So, you're going to go there after school ends in June, right?"

Hermione clutched her hands to her chest. "If I can find them."

Harry lifted an eyebrow, a baffled expression on his face. "What do you mean 'if you can find them?' Didn't you just talk to them over the holidays?"

She shook her head. "Not exactly."

"You lost me."

Hermione bit her lip before she let out a slow breath. "I wiped their memories and sent them to Australia under false names so that Voldemort can't find them and they have no idea who I am nor do they have any memory of my existence."

Harry stared at her for a full minute before he blinked. "What?"

"I wiped their memories," she repeated, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"When?" he demanded.

"This summer," she whispered. "I talked about it with Ron and… we discussed it as a possibility. When the attacks on Muggleborn families started happening more frequently, I was scared. Harry, they wouldn't let me help them. They wouldn't even talk about having the Order put them into hiding. Dad wouldn't listen to me so I…"

Harry reached for her, pulling her close for a hug. "Hermione, I'm so sorry."

She clutched his shirt in her fingers as she hugged him back. "I just miss them. It's like they're just out of reach and I have so many things I want to tell them. I know they would be so proud to know that I was Head Girl and they would want to hear about my plans for the future. And I'm terrified that this war will never end and they will be trapped out there forever never knowing that I even existed in the first place."

Harry didn't even know what to say. He couldn't imagine how hard these last six months must have been on his friend and he was even more amazed that she had kept it a secret for as long as she had.

"Ron was with you?"

She nodded. "You weren't seventeen yet. I did the charm, but he helped me pack and get the house hidden and put away. I know I could have asked the Order for help, but I just felt… Harry, I had to do it myself."

He could understand that, but he also knew how emotionally traumatic that must have been for her.

"It took a lot of work," she continued, "and it was so… emotionally draining. I'm sorry if I haven't been acting myself, but I just… I feel like I locked part of myself away with them."

"You didn't," Harry told her. "You're still here. Trust me, with all the nagging you do, you're still around."

"Haha," she said.

His lips curved. "But you need to start hanging out with your friends again. To do something outside of Head Girl duties and schoolwork."

"I do other things."

"Snogging Ron doesn't count," Harry said.

She smacked him and he laughed.

"I mean, Ginny misses you. I miss you. You brought up some great stuff about the blood registry being similar to the stuff the Germans did in the Muggle world in the thirties and I love to see that big brain of yours work it's magic. I need you, Hermione."

Hermione let out a slow breath and used the back of her hand to wipe away her stray tears. "I know, but it's nice to hear it sometimes."

Harry kissed her cheek. "Good. So, tell me what you've got."

"What?"

"I know how that big brain works," Harry repeated. "I know you have thoughts on what happened over the holidays. You were too quiet about it after everything happened. Let's hear them."

"It's nothing that you don't already know."

"Indulge me," Harry said, his eyes on hers.

Hermione chewed her bottom lip before she reached for one of her notebooks. "So, I may have made some notes."

"Of course you did."

"And," she said, ignoring him. "I've noticed that there are a lot of similarities to a lot of different things, but one of the main things I noticed is the similarities to Bill 426-A17."

"Umbitch's Undesirable Bill?"

"Yes," Hermione replied. "The bill was one hundred percent squashed by Sirius, Bones, and the Wizengamot, but some of its qualities have still somehow managed to trickle through since Bones died in August. I spoke to Neville and Theo about it and there's all sorts of little cracks and clues that are coming in through some of the new Wizengamot bills that need to be taken more seriously."

"Like what?" Harry asked, crossing his legs as he leaned back on the sofa.

"The blood registry is only the start of that," Hermione explained. "Yes, by recording whether witches and wizards are pureblood, half-blood, Muggleborn, Squibs or if they have vampire, werewolf, fae, goblin, giant, centaur, mermaid or any other magical creature blood is vital for discovering the level of danger that a magical citizen may be in, but the downside to it is that it's also alerting Voldemort to who exactly those people are. At first I thought it was a ruse entirely, but since you asked Order members to protect the families of Muggleborn students, I saw the benefit in it. You've saved countless lives by doing so, but others haven't been so lucky. As a Muggleborn, I've found my liberties to be severely cut down. My favourite book store won't sell me books at a fair price for fear of being persecuted for showing favouritism. People have been saying things in passing, loud enough for me to hear but not to my face, about how Mudbloods don't deserve the honour of Head Girl and how I should be shunned for being given such a level of power."

"Hermione," Harry began. "You should have told me about that. I never did tell Ron about the bookstore, but you can't be going through that kind of stuff alone."

"It's fine," Hermione insisted. "I've handled it and you're calling the kettle black, aren't you?"

He bit his lip. "Look, people harassing me over the whole Chosen One and Sexy Somerset bit is different."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not, but since I know you've talked about it and that McGonagall put her foot down about it, I'm going to let it slide."

"You still need to let people help you," Harry interrupted. "Just because you've handled it doesn't mean you have and yes, I can hear how incredibly ironic I sound, but will you just let me help you, Hermione?"

Hermione reached over to squeeze his wrist. "Just knowing you're here when I need you helps me, Harry." At his nod, she let go of his wrist. "But back to what I was trying to say about the legislation changes is that the same thing happened in Germany in the 1930s. There's a familiar ring to it. Anyone found to be harbouring or helping someone of Jewish descent was basically labelled an enemy and in our society it's being taken as anyone found to be harbouring or helping someone of Muggle descent is considered to be an enemy. The attack on the store owners in Diagon Alley only shows those similarities. No Muggleborns were hurt, Harry. The attacks were on the people who have gone out of their way to help the people who have been deemed the enemy. It's showing that helping others has consequences and it makes people scared to do the right thing. But it's not only similar to Muggle history, there's a lot of Grindelwald peppered in."

She flipped open her notebook as she spoke. "Grindelwald was known for his anti-Muggle propaganda. He had a whole campaign preaching hate and the lust for power that he claimed Muggles had. His hate campaign stressed the ideal that he didn't hate Muggles, he just knew that the magical race was superior for lack of a better word. He claimed that the magical world needed to rise up, to claim a rightful place in the world and rule over the Muggles, but Grindelwald never stressed blood purity. I don't recall reading anything about him segregating the magical community, he only drew one line in the sand and that was between the Muggles and the magical population. Voldemort isn't doing that. He's focusing on dividing the magical world. Why?"

"Because he thinks purebloods are better?"

"No," Hermione said. "It doesn't make sense. He's not even a pureblood himself."

Harry frowned. "True. But he's not the one stressing blood purity, is he?"

"No, it's his followers," Hermione agreed. "Unlike Grindelwald, he doesn't see the Muggles having a lust for power that endangers us, but he possesses it. He's been chasing after that power for decades. He held power over the heads of the other children in the orphanage. He held power over students at Hogwarts as a prefect and then as a Head Boy. When he left Hogwarts, he lost that power."

"He already had followers at that point."

"He did," Hermione admitted. "But they all came from noble pureblood families, Harry. His followers were all pureblood Slytherins with wealthy backgrounds and family seats in government. When Voldemort left school he was once more a nobody; an orphan tossed aside because of his upbringing. Dumbledore made a comment about everyone being surprised that he took a menial job that was so below his intellect, but he didn't choose to work within the Ministry because he knew that he couldn't get what he really wanted. Power."

Harry scratched his chin. "So, you're saying that Voldemort liked being Head Boy because it gave him power and authority over others and when he finished school and Dippet denied him a teaching job, he realized that there was nothing available to him to give him that kind of authority again?"

"Yes. There were plenty of opportunities at the Ministry of Magic, Harry, but think about it. It doesn't matter if he was the most intelligent wizard to ever grace the halls, everyone starts at the bottom. Any job that he would have picked up in the Ministry would be low grade, bottom-rung. He would be a grunt or an intern, taking orders from someone else. He wouldn't have tolerated that, not after he'd had a taste of that power. By having his followers call him 'lord' it made him feel even more powerful, gave him a thrill that he couldn't explain and it made him realize that if he was going to get more of the power he craved, he would need to make compromises to do so."

"You think that he compromised?" Harry asked. "He's a psychopath, Hermione."

"I didn't say that he wasn't," Hermione replied. "But like-minded people tend to find each other. Voldemort has done a lot of terrible things, but people like Bellatrix Lestrange and Crouch Jr are the ones who are really sick in the head. Selwyn kept that Auror's wife a prisoner for years. The Carrows have done atrocious things. Bringing in magical creatures known to be violent and putting them in a violent environment… do you see it?"

Harry did see it. Voldemort had found his niche in the world and it came from the people who followed him. It came from those around him who wanted the world to change.

"The old families wanted more power for the purebloods and he promised them that," Hermione continued. "His charisma knows no bounds. The vampires were pushed out by the Ministry; he took them in and gave them an opportunity to feed freely. The werewolves were isolated and left out in the cold; he offered them a chance to have more. He promised the giants they could take back what they lost. But why did they believe him? What did he have over them as leverage to make them agree? It wasn't just about charisma, Harry. Germany's Hitler was charismatic, but so was Russia's Lenin, China's Mao, France's Napoleon, Italy's Mussolini, Rome's Caesar, and so on. Yes, it made people like them, but above all, it was how they got their way."

"Yeah, but it's not like they stood up there and told the public their nefarious plans in explicit details," Harry said. "The Death Eaters are well aware that Voldemort likes to kill people."

"They are now, but in the beginning…"

"In the beginning, it was about compromise," Harry finished. "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

"Exactly. As you said, he was an orphan, a half-blood. He left Hogwarts with no money, no home, and no plans. He needed to make friends in high places and he did. His inner circle included some of the wealthiest and oldest magical families in all of Britain. They provided him with places to stay, probably helped him buy clothes and helped him travel. In return, he helped fuel their cause."

"How, though?" Harry asked.

Hermione's fingers tapped on her thigh. "He would have given them ideas. He was full of them. Some of the first discussions on blood purity and a blood registry were brought up by Abraxas Malfoy, Cantankerous Nott, Titus Avery, Linus Lestrange, and Wendall Selwyn. All were initially turned down, especially Nott's ranting about the sacred twenty-eight since it is rumoured to be Cantankerous Nott who wrote it. But bits and pieces did infiltrate policy in the early fifties and sixties. If you look back, that's when a lot of Muggleborns were often overlooked for promotions in favour of purebloods. A lot of pureblood society events began to spring up again, the likes of what hadn't been seen in centuries, and by the mid 1950s, arranged marriages began to be the norm again among pureblood families."

"Again?"

Hermione nodded. "Arranged marriages stopped being a thing in the magical community in the early 1700s and then suddenly in the last sixty years, there's been an upsurge in them. Of course they still happened here and there, but they weren't very common. Then suddenly in the last sixty years or so, the Wizengamot is enacting laws that dictate parents have the right to arrange marriages between their children upon birth to ensure protecting a family's bloodline. At fifteen, witches and wizards could be forced to marry, though most waited until seventeen to do so. Contracts were drawn up and those who rebelled or who disagreed with the blood laws were often disowned from the old families. It can all be traced back to Grindelwald's reign."

She grabbed one of the textbooks and flipped open to a chapter on the aftermath of Grindelwald.

"Hundreds of witches and wizards were killed during the war with him," Hermione continued. "Those who supported him were cut down by Aurors when they refused to surrender. Those who were against him were cut down by Grindelwald or his followers. Families lost generations. The magical community of Britain was almost cut in half and when it was, there was a sudden influx of Muggleborns that rose up."

"Like a reflex," Harry said. "The lack of magical blood caused a surge like the magic was reaching out, looking for candidates to make up for what it lost."

"Exactly and with an increase in Muggleborns, the purebloods took it as a sign that Grindelwald had been right; that the Muggles were rising up with their lust for power. Voldemort, having seen the effects of the last decade of Grindelwald's reign, saw these side effects and helped curb the negativity. His charismatic approach made people turn to him, believing that he had answers. He showed leadership and people flocked to him. He used violence as a means of showing superiority and he promoted violence as a means to make change. When it worked, when people began to see that fear made people listen, it took on a life of its own. By the time he started really gaining power in the 1960s, it was like a snowball going down a hill, people were involved too deep to get out and he had complete control over them."

Harry nodded. "It all makes sense. But if we stopped Umbitch's bill from passing, how is it trickling in still?"

"In ancient laws and traditions," Hermione replied. "Neville was saying that Himmler and Norton were bringing up a lot of financial and monetary bills to tax the community, but he found it strange how some of the wording worked. According to his grandmother, it was because they are re-using old legislation and just switching a few words to make it apply to modern day which means that it's old legislation that is being reapproved with a new clause to fit today's society. But because it is old legislation, there are things sneaking through the cracks that most people aren't noticing. Marchbanks and Mrs Longbottom were particularly interested in one of the pieces of legislation that came up concerning emergency law."

"The one that gives the Minister absolute authority during a state of emergency?"

"Yes. It gives them absolute power once a state of emergency has been called and Neville mentioned that the financial bill addressed it in a short clause within a clause hidden in a clause at the end of one of the last bills," Hermione said. "That's what's troubling people as it was snuck in."

"What was snuck in?" Harry asked.

Hermione pursed her lips. "Taking any means financially necessary to keep the magical community strong, protected, and hidden from the non-magical world no matter how severe or unfriendly it may seem."

Harry frowned. "I admit, the wording comes off as a little worrisome, but what are you thinking?"

"The last time that clause was used was in 1625 when Thanatos Gaunt began to stress a fear that witches and wizards were being taken advantage of by magical creatures. Gaunt believed that as witches and wizards, we were above all other magical beings because of our creation of wands. He passed this clause which started off a chain of events in the Wizard's Council that are still being dealt with today, Harry. By the beginning of the seventeenth century, the giants were being pushed back, the fae were completely underground and had been for centuries, the Veela were stigmatized and ignored, the goblins were considered lesser beings and dangerous with their only authority within Gringotts, house elves had been enslaved for centuries, and vampires were treated like piranhas. In 1631, the Wizard's Council passed the Code of Wand Use and as you remember, clause three of the Code of Wand Use claimed that 'No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand.' Previous to this, house elves often used wands, goblins did, the fae did, and even some giants, but over the centuries, witches and wizards had begun to deny them these rights. With the passing of the Code of Wand Use, those rights were completely taken away as those who once may have used wands were now considered to be less than human."

Hermione moved into the little kitchen nook, urging Harry to follow her as she made them each a cup of tea. "Wands have always been something witches and wizards possessed and created. There are rumours that fae magic was used in the first creation of a wand, but the whole wand building and wand creating aspect has only ever happened with humans. Witches and wizards have never shared that knowledge with other magical beings. Goblins, house elves, and the fae were already extremely powerful human-like creatures and wands weren't essential to their powers, but Gaunt believed that giving them a magical tool, like a wand, gave them unlimited power and he feared that it would increase their desire to take over the magical world. He subjected them to a segregated world where they were told witches and wizards were better — superior. More laws were enacted giving witches and wizards unlimited power over all magical creatures. History shows the same thing time and time again, Harry. Remember the statue they replaced in the Ministry? Magic is Might."

"Yes," Harry said, getting teacups down from the cupboard. "But history is something that we can learn from. Bones knew that. The new laws she passed started changing that. This is the first time in the history of the Ministry that we have magical creatures serving in the Wizengamot. Those laws are slowly being overturned."

"They are," she agreed. "But it's those laws that a lot of the older families are still clinging to."

"And it's those beliefs that Voldemort is using to his advantage," Harry finished. "He doesn't really care. He just wants power, unlimited power. He's willing to take it any way that he can. I think he does care about blood a little, but not as much as the others because he's a half-blood himself. He sees that as an advantage over the others."

"It's why Dumbledore believes he chose you over Neville in the prophecy."

Harry nodded. He knew that. Voldemort saw a connection to him because of that blood status, but mostly he saw the power. The prophecy claimed that a boy would be born who could defeat him and suddenly his biggest fear was a reality, that someone would be more powerful than him.

"Until someone else steps up to lead the Ministry of Magic, I don't know what else we can do," Harry told her.

Hermione pursed her lips. "We need someone willing to enact change and to not be afraid to step down from controversy, but most of all, we need someone who won't allow these old beliefs to trickle in."

Harry blew a breath out. "To overturn all of the old laws? No one is going to accept those changes overnight."

"No," Hermione admitted. "But to at least discuss it would ensure Voldemort loses a great deal of his allies, don't you think?"

Harry took a long drink of his tea. "I think anything we can do to throw him off of his game is going to help us. Taking out the castle Crouch was building on the Isle of Skye was a good start to that. Tonks can't say much, obviously, but she sent word that they're learning a lot from those they captured. Not everyone is as loyal to Voldemort as he believes them to be."

Hermione held her own tea cup in her hands as she studied him. "The question is, with his lust for power, what is he going to do next? He's not going to sit back and let that raid go unpunished."

Harry frowned. He knew that as well, but as usual, Voldemort was ahead of them and he had no idea what move he was going to make next. He thought about the trunk sealed off in the vault of Grimmauld Place that was full of destroyed Horcruxes and closed his eyes. He just needed to find the time and place to get to that damn snake and then finally Voldemort would just be a man. One man wasn't as intimidating as the thought of someone who was un-killable.

"No," he agreed. "But until he makes a move and brings that damn snake with him, we're at an impasse."

Hermione drank her tea as she looked at him perceptively before she nodded. "I know."

Hearing his friend say those two little words only made him sigh. That was the crux of it. Until they could get a hold of the snake, they had to wait and it was that waiting that made it all drag on.

"Diagon Alley was the most persistent in businesses denying the blood registry, wasn't it?"

Hermione looked thoughtful. "I think there were the most businesses there, yes. But rumours are afloat about places in Apricity Lane, Luminescent Walk, Portree's Path, and Hogsmeade. Honestly, depending on what point he's trying to make, he could attack any one of them next, at any given time."

Those were exactly the words that Harry hadn't wanted to hear. What made it worse was that he knew she was right. They were back in the waiting game and waiting for the other team to send a Bludger in their direction, not knowing where it would come from or what it would knock off course only made it worse.

It gave him a lot more to think about.

~ ASC ~

Another week had passed before anyone entered Snape's dungeon other than a house elf to bring him food and water. The elf force fed him when he refused to eat and despite his best efforts to refuse, he ate and drank what was given to him. When Crouch finally returned to his cell, the wizard licked his lips, a wide smile on his young face.

"Have you missed me, dearie?"

Snape merely stared at him.

Crouch waved his wand and Snape flew back up into a standing position, arms raised over his head as his foot dragged on the floor. Crouch skipped over to him, his wand tracing over his ribs one by one before one thin, shallow slice cut above an old one and blood trickled out.

"Your memories told us so much, Severus," Crouch said. "So much about the sad, pathetic life you led. Parents who didn't understand you. That frigid bitch who deserted you for a pureblood with a bigger cock, can't say I blame her for that one," he teased, his finger trailing down the length of Snape's cock.

Snape shifted away from him the touch and Crouch snickered.

"Aw, dearie, it's been a while for you, hasn't it? Would you like me to suck you off? Help relieve that tension you've been missing?"

"Fuck you," Snape hissed.

Crouch's smile widened, his fingers wrapping around his flaccid length. "Now, now, dearie, that's not what you want to say to the man holding such precious cargo, is it?" He trailed his fingers along it for a moment before he danced his fingers up his stomach and circled a taut nipple with his fingernail. "Cold, are you? It is a tad chilly in here. Perhaps, I could warm you up?"

His wand poked into his hip and dark blue flames shot out of the end of it, burning his skin in the small spot and Snape bellowed.

Crouch bit his lip. "Oh? Too hot for you?"

He trailed his wand tip up further, burning his skin along the trail until he reached just under his breast bone.

"How about this, dearie?"

Crouch leaned in and gently pressed a kiss to his nipple before he pulled it between his teeth and tugged. The sharp pain made him grimace in surprise, but it didn't hurt. Crouch's eyes met his and he tugged on the nipple again before he bit down. Snape screamed as the wizard pulled his nipple off with his teeth. Crouch spit it on the ground and smiled.

"Delightful."

He pushed his thumb into the wound and Snape saw stars, trying to shift away from him as he did so. Crouch ignored him and instead dragged his bloody finger down Snape's body, down his thigh, and knelt before him. He pointed his wand at the same hip he'd already burned and sliced a shallow cut.

"Now that I have your attention," Crouch said. "Let's play a game."

"Fuck you," Snape panted.

"Tut, tut, tut! What a terrible mouth on you, Severus! We're going to play a game and you're going to love it. Are you ready?"

Snape scowled.

"Say yes, dearie."

Crouch grabbed a hold of his balls and squeezed. "I said, say yes."

"Y-y-yes!" Snape exclaimed, panting in pain.

Crouch let him go. "Good boy."

Crouch sat back on his knees and carefully cradled Snape's one foot in his lap. He tenderly stroked his thumb over each toe and between them.

"I'm going to ask you a question and with every truth you give me, I'll give you a reward, but for every lie…" Snape's baby toenail was ripped off with one curse and he howled as Crouch smiled. "You'll be granted pain. Understood?"

Snape's breath was heaving, but he nodded.

"When did you first turn on our master?"

Snape stared at him a moment and weighed his options. He knew that he was going to die. He didn't know when and he didn't know how, but he knew that this sick man before him was going to be the cause of his death. He would answer some of his questions, show him that he was playing along. The Dark Lord had already broken into his mind at this point anyway.

"When he told me that he was going after the Potters."

Crouch nodded and levitated some water towards him. He drank gratefully.

"Why did Dumbledore trust you?"

"Because I told him about the Dark Lord's plan to go after the Potters," Snape said.

A second toenail was cursed off.

"Not a good enough reason," Crouch said when Snape finished howling.

"It was for him," Snape told him. "He knew of my friendship with Lily and understood my reasoning."

A third toenail was cursed off.

"That filthy Mudblooded slag," Crouch hissed. "The Dark Lord would have let you have her. He planned to, you know. If she had just moved and let him kill that bastard of hers, she could have been all yours." Gone was the fourth toenail. "I would have loved to watch you tie her to your bed and just show her what a real man was like. I would have helped you fuck her. We could have kept Potter tied up in the corner, made him watch. I bet you would have liked that, wouldn't you? Would it have turned you on to fuck her while Potter watched?"

Snape howled as the nail on his big toe was ripped off. "She would have killed you before you were ever given the chance!" he panted.

Crouch licked his lips. "Dearie, what you don't seem to understand is that she chose death over you."

Crouch flicked his wand to pull Snape's arms down and the pain in his foot made him crash to the ground. Crouch was at his eye level now as he still knelt before him and gently picked up his left hand. His tongue wet his bottom lip as he cursed off the thumbnail on Snape's left hand.

"Your filthy Mudblood, the one you wanted to save so badly, chose death over you. The Dark Lord gave her a choice. He offered her a chance at life. He promised her that she would be rewarded with everything she could ever want and that you would be there for her and she — still — chose — death."

All four fingernails on his left hand came off at once and he screamed. The pain was so sharp and so sudden that he blacked out for a moment and when the room came back into focus, Crouch's wide smile was leering at him.

"Next question, Severus. How many times did you fantasize about her?"

"Fuck you," Snape hissed, his eyes full of pain.

Crouch only smiled as he began to curse off the fingernails on his right hand. "You really are not playing this game properly. Very well."

He pointed his wand and the last of his fingernails were all ripped off simultaneously. Snape hissed and screamed in pain and Crouch pressed his lips to the mangled skin, sucking each fingertip and tasting blood.

"Go ahead and scream louder. I love it when my playthings scream."

Crouch whistled jollily as he reached for his wand, slicing another shallow cut between Snape's ribs before he leaned in and lapped at the blood. He licked blood off of his lips and smiled.

"I have so many plans for you, Severus. We're going to be spending a great deal of time together. I can promise you that."

When another shallow cut sliced at his hip, Snape slammed his eyes shut and tried unsuccessfully to hold back the single tear that slipped down his cheek.

~ ASC ~

Attending the first Wizengamot session of the new year had Theo feeling incredibly nervous. After a few days back at school, Harry had corned him and filled him in on his conversation with Hermione. Theo had to admit, the witch had some really interesting points. The two of them had sat down with Neville and he'd explained how his grandmother and Griselda Marchbanks had spent a great deal of the Christmas holiday talking about just that.

Theo knew that they needed to find a way to help steer the council back towards the path that Bones' leadership had been leading it on. But until they found a new Minister, it was getting more and more difficult to accomplish. But it wasn't only attending the Wizengamot session that was making Theo nervous; it was a certain Auror who tended to be around when the session let out. Ginny's teasing hadn't helped after he'd come to the conclusion that not only had he been extremely wrong about Sebastian Kane's sexual orientation, but the fact that he apparently made the man somewhat nervous according to Auror Lupin. Theo thought that there was definitely some kind of misunderstanding somewhere and he was pretty positive that it was with them. How could he make a MIA Auror like Kane nervous?

It hardly made any sense.

He'd managed to push his thoughts back and to focus on the session as Marchbanks' began the discussion on choosing a new leader with Himmler and Norton being removed from power. The attack on Diagon Alley was discussed in detail as they spoke about the concern of Ministry sanctioned reports on those refusing to record blood status from customers.

"It's because of the blood status that these places were even targeted in the first place," Bill said when he stood up. "It was only the businesses who refused to comply that were attacked. Obviously, Voldemort is aware of who they are, which means that we have more people in the Ministry under his thumb than just Himmler and Norton were. The ones being targeted are the ones brave enough to stand up for what they believe in and they're the ones being punished for it."

Maximus Weasley stood up. "I agree with Lord Weasley. What are we doing to protect our citizens? It seems like every decision to try to protect them is only putting them in more danger."

Theo raised his wand. "We need to come together as a community and stop dividing ourselves. We're all magical. The rest doesn't matter. The bloodlines don't matter. The magic does and the only division we should be making is those of us who want to see Lord Voldemort gone and those who are fighting for him. It's time we learn to trust each other again."

Marchbanks applauded him as she stood. "I couldn't agree more, Lord Norfolk. These silly divisions aren't helping anyone. The blood registry is only dividing us further and Himmler's call for badges is not only barbaric and discriminatory, but absolutely humiliating to all of us. We know better and frankly, I'm disappointed in where the Ministry is going."

Gaius Weasley nodded. "Working in the Wizengamot Administration Services has only proven this discrimination. We're starting to put our citizens first as numbers, dividing them by blood status instead of as the witches and wizards they are, and it's not helping us. It's hindering us."

Lord Macmillan raised his wand. "I agree. We need to go back to where we started before we started letting silly things like blood status mean something. These shops that were attacked… some of them were purebloods, some of them were half-bloods… it didn't matter. No one is truly safe right now and unless we stick together, it's only going to get worse."

Marchbanks cleared her throat. "As a ministry, we need to work harder to keep everyone safe, of this I completely agree. But right now, our main priority is finding a witch or wizard to run this damn country. Without someone at the helm, our ship will sink. In the meantime, I've asked the DMLE to help organize more protection from our defence department. I don't want anyone to not feel safe."

Theo listened to the new plans with interest, but he couldn't help but agree with Marchbanks. If they didn't find someone to take over as minister soon, it wasn't going to do them a lot of good. They could only promote change, but they needed a leader to help them push that change forward.

The problem was, no one seemed to want the job and Theo honestly couldn't blame them.

When the session let out, he heard Percy complaining to his cousins about how they needed to start rallying behind some people to be minister. Percy thought Miranda Jameson, the woman he worked for in the Department of International Magical Cooperation would be a great suggestion. Bill mentioned Kingsley and Theo thought they both definitely had merit. He looked over at Neville when he stepped down next to him.

"Thoughts?"

Neville shook his head. "I don't even know what to say. I feel like we need to be doing more, but I don't know where to start."

"Me neither," Theo agreed.

They stepped outside of the doors of the council and Theo's eyes immediately spotted Kane leaning against the stone wall at the end of the hall.

"Looks like someone is waiting for you," Neville said. "Is he still asking you a million and one questions about Death Eaters."

"Yup," Theo replied. "But at least he usually brings me a cappuccino when he does."

Neville chuckled. "I'll see you later."

Theo said bye to him before he carefully maneuvered his way down the hall to where Sebastian was standing. He took a moment to really look at him, wondering if there was something there he had missed.

Sebastian was dressed in his usual dark black jeans and black combat boots that Theo knew were Auror-issue. He had black Auror robes over top with the white MIA insignia embroidered over the breast and a black button-down shirt tucked into his jeans with a gold and black tie. Theo could see his MIA badge pinned to his belt along with another small gold pin he'd noticed before. The dark stubble made him look older, hid his young face and shadowed that sharp jaw. His dark hair was artfully tousled in his usual fashion with just a hint of gel as if his hands had been running through it and his blue eyes were locked on his.

"I was hoping that you'd be here with a cappuccino," Theo said. "I could really use one after that session."

"Sure," Sebastian said, holding it out to him. "Let's go somewhere to talk."

"No," Theo said, taking the cappuccino from him. "I want to know something first."

"What?" Sebastian asked, seemingly taken off guard.

"Why is it that you bring me a cappuccino after every session, Bas?"

Sebastian stared at him. "You just said that you were hoping I'd be here with one."

"Yes, but that still doesn't answer my question. Why do you bring me this?" Theo repeated, holding up the coffee in his hand.

Sebastian stared at him for a moment before he gestured for Theo to follow him down the hall and away from the throng of people still leaving the Wizengamot. Once they were near the stairwell and away from the lifts, he answered.

"I bring you the bloody cappuccino because you told me that you like them and I figure it's the least I can do since you've been helping me."

"How?"

"What?"

"How have I been helping you?" Theo demanded. "I don't understand how anything I've said over all these weeks has anything to do with anything you could possibly be working on. I don't know anything! As we determined the last time, you are now part of everything I know. I don't have anything else to tell you."

"Every detail matters in a case," Sebastian said quickly. "I've told you this."

Theo huffed. "Not stupid shit like childhood stories about me and my friends!"

Sebastian's cheeks flushed. "They do actually and you proved that when I found out that they were alive this whole time, didn't you?"

"That's different," Theo hissed.

"No, it's not," Sebastian said. "That's why I am in the MIA and you're not."

Theo snorted. "Sure. If that's what you have to tell yourself."

"What?"

"You know it's okay to want to be friends with me," Theo said, cautiously, testing out the word. "I'm pretty awesome."

Sebastian's heated gaze met his. "I don't want to be bloody friends with you!"

Theo raised an eyebrow, surprised by how much the sudden declaration made him want to turn and walk away. "Sorry, didn't realize that Auror Arsehole had returned. Next week you can bring me a scone too if you're going to be an arse. Any kind. I'm not picky."

Theo turned to leave, but a strong hand grabbed his arm. He made to pull back but found himself pressed back against the wall outside of the stairwell. The blue eyes staring back at him were blazing with something that Theo couldn't read and he wondered if his mouth had finally gotten him into more trouble than he thought.

"I don't want to be your bloody friend," Sebastian repeated.

"Heard you the first time, Auror Arsehole," Theo said, his heart racing. "So what, you going to arrest me now?"

"I'm not going to bloody arrest you! Fuck! You're exasperating!"

"I get that a lot," Theo said. "But if you got to know me you would see that I'm actually amazing and you'd find that exasperation charming."

Sebastian's hands pressed against the wall on either side of Theo's head, forcing Theo to stare up at him. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"I thought that you wanted me to talk? Isn't that why you bring me a cappuccino every session to ask me pointless questions and pretend that you don't want to be my friend."

"I don't want to be your bloody friend, Nott!" Sebastian exclaimed a third time.

"Well, I don't want to answer any more of your stupid questions, Kane!" Theo shot back.

Sebastian's nostrils flared. "I have to ask you questions!"

"Why?" Theo demanded. "Why me? I — don't — bloody — know — anything!"

"Because if I stop asking you questions I'm going to kiss you until you don't remember who you are!"

"What?" Theo almost squealed in surprise.

Theo's breath hitched when Sebastian took a step closer. He tilted his head back to look up at him defiantly, determined to not show that he was suddenly feeling more nervous than he'd ever felt in his life. He was positive that he hadn't heard the man right. This man claimed that he didn't even want to be his friend, so this…

The Auror's hands twitched slightly on the wall on either side of his head as Theo swallowed.

"You're wrong," he whispered. "You-you don't want to do that."

Sebastian's fingers twitched against the wall again. "Don't tell me what I want to do."

"Is that an order, Auror Arsehole? Because I don't take kindly to being — whoa!"

Sebastian's hands had fallen down to grip his hips and he pulled Theo up against his body so quickly that his breath caught in his throat.

"Tell me to stop."

Theo's eyes fell on his full lips and desire soared through him. "Are you sure that you want me to stop you, Auror Arsehole?"

"That's not my fucking — fuck it! This is your last chance, Nott."

His head lowered and Theo let out a startled breath. He stared into his blue eyes, but Sebastian made no move to kiss him. Instead he kept his lips half an inch away from his and his gaze rested on Theo's face as if waiting for permission.

"I didn't know that you were a coward, Kane."

Sebastian's eyes darkened and he made a sound akin to a growl, but he didn't move.

Theo grabbed a fistful of his robes. "Either do it or let me go."

Theo had never regretted his words more.

The moment that Sebastian Kane's lips touched his, he knew that a kiss had never felt so good. The sudden intense happiness that soared through him was unlike anything he could explain. He felt inexplicably happy, safe, and lustful all at the same time. Sebastian's lips were soft and brushed his gently, teasing almost before they captured his in such a searing kiss that Theo felt as if he was suddenly on the verge of orgasm. His whole body tingled and ached and he knew that he never wanted to stop kissing him.

His fingers let go of his robes and his hands looped around the man's neck, standing on his toes to kiss him more thoroughly. He groaned when Sebastian's hands fisted at his hips, pinning him and holding him against the wall as his lips met his. When he tentatively slipped his tongue out, Theo moaned and deepened the kiss himself.

"Bas…" he moaned and Sebastian's dazed blue eyes met his, still not breaking the kiss and Theo couldn't put into words the intensity of that moment.

The Auror's lips brushed his once more before he released a strangled breath and moved back.

Theo stared at him, his heart racing. He'd never been snogged like that in his life. He was suddenly terrified of never feeling it again and wanting to run away as fast as he could at the same time. His hands bunched at his sides.

"Dinner. Tonight," Sebastian said.

Theo felt himself nodding.

"I'd like verbal consent," Sebastian said, his lips twitching.

The sassy remark made Theo's chin jut out. "Maybe you could try asking first instead of demanding it."

Sebastian scowled. "Have dinner with me tonight."

Theo shrugged. "Better, but still not exactly an ask."

"Too late. You already said yes."

"And I can change my mind," Theo shot back.

Sebastian bent his head to brush his lips across Theo's. "But you won't. I'll pick you up at eight."

"I… I'll meet you there," Theo said, suddenly feeling nervous. "And I want wine preferably—"

"Australian, I remember," he interrupted. He leaned in, his thumb brushing across Theo's bottom lip. "I'll pick you up at eight."

Then he turned and marched off, his cloak billowing out behind him. Theo stayed against the wall, trying to catch his breath and wondered what the hell had just happened.

---

End Author's Notes:

I talked about taking a posting break a few weeks back and I think that it is going to happen. I will post one more chapter next week at my usual time (chapter 316 — The One With the Antiquing), give everyone Theo and Bas' first date along with some nice Hinny smut and fluff to tide you over and then I will be taking a minimum of at least 2 weeks off from posting, possibly 3.

I will be available on tumblr for asks or questions, but I hope everyone will please respect me and this time off.

I need it.

I need it to write. To decompress. And I just need to do it for myself.

There will be one more chapter next week and then I will take the break Thank you in advance.

For Sara: Here is Zee's family tree like you asked for!

Zahira Zelena Zacarias (Zee) 9th April, 1964:

Zee's parents: Sorcha Brown Zacarias and Misha Zacarias (deceased mother Magnolia Jackson Zacarias)

The Zacarias' — live in Moscow and St Petersburg, Russia

Ivan and Anya Zacarias (Both Muggles — Ivan was the soldier in WWII with the motorbike) — All of their children and grandchildren ARE MAGICAL

1. Mikhail Ivanovich (Misha) m. Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (d June 1970) m. Sorcha Brown Zacarias (August 1972)

(a) Zahira Zacarias eng. Sirius Orion Black

(i) Harry James Potter (31 July 1981)

(ii) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black (Mina) (31 December, 1996)

(iii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black (31 December, 1996)

2. Olga Ivanova Zacarias Petrov m. Dimtri Petrov

(a) Mikhail Petrov m. Ana Ivanov

(i) Yuri Petrov (1985)

(b) Mila Petrov Sokolov m. Nicholas Sokolov

(i) Nastasia Sokolov (1987)

(ii) Dinara Sokolov (1989)

3. Sasha Ivanova Zacarias Blok m. Yerik Blok

(a) Tanya Blok Fedorov m. Alek Fedorov

(i) Eva and Irina (twin girls identical) (1994)

(b) Tatiana Blok m. Iosif Kuznetsov

The Jacksons — lived in Tacoma, Georgia, USA, recently moved to England

Colten Raleigh Jackson (Muggle) and Florence Jackson (Pureblood witch)

1. Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (deceased) m. to Mikhail (Misha) Zacarias m. Sorcha Brown Zacarias

(a) Zahira Zacarias eng. Sirius Orion Black

(i) Harry James Potter (31 July 1981)

(ii) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black (Mina) (31 December, 1996)

(iii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black (31 December, 1996)

Zee's family through Sorcha (step-family/adopted family)

The Browns — live in Edinburgh, Scotland:

Callum and Fiona Brown

1. Brian Brown m. Jocasta Fitzgibbons

(a) Dougal Brown m. Ellen Smith

(i) Jenny Brown Sterling (1972) eng. to Josh Sterling (works in the Accidental Magical Catastrophe's Department

(ii) Ian Brown (1974) — Healer at St Mungo's, specializes in OBGYN

2. Sorcha Brown m. Misha Zacarias (August 1972)

(a) Zahira Zacarias eng. Sirius Orion Black

(i) Harry James Potter (31 July 1981)

(ii) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black (Mina) (31 December, 1996)

(iii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black (31 December, 1996)

Ivan & Anya = Baba and Deda

Tetya = Auntie

Dyadya = Uncle

Misha & Sorcha = Papa and Grandmama

Colt & Flo = Grandpa and Grandma

Callum & Fiona = Gran and Grandda

Thank you as always and please review!