Hey, Everyone! This chapter, the plans for the return to Harry's birthrealm are made in earnest. Plus Hermione, Minerva, Sirius and Remus all get to meet Harry's adopted mother when the Overlord herself pays them a visit!
Meanwhile back home, Voldemort is starting to feel uneasy and suspicious. It's been days, and yet Snape has yet to report back concerning whatever urgent matter Dumbledore summoned him for. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Plans and Machinations
(Malfoy Manor, the home realm)
Voldemort was in a foul mood. His Death Eaters knew to avoid him when he was like this. Only Bellatrix and Malfoy remained in his presence, as the most trusted members of his inner circle; as well as Wormtail, devoted lackey that he was.
"What news from the Ministry, Lucius?", the Dark Lord asked.
"Minister Fudge still trusts me implicitly, My Lord", the platinum blonde man reported smoothly. "He also still chooses to believe you have not returned, despite the rumors. *chuckle!* He is still hoping to avoid a full panic by blaming all the Death Eater activity on Bellatrix here and the others who escaped from Azkaban."
"Exellent", Voldemort hissed with a smirk. "But what are you not telling me, my slippery friend?"
"*ahem*Well, the former member families of the Alliance formed by James Potter in the last war appear to be uniting again", Malfoy sweat-dropped slightly. "They managed to barely push through a few of the measures through the Wizengamot requested by Amelia Bones for her aurors."
"It matters not", Voldemort snorted derisively. "The DMLE is no match for us, especially now that I have my full Inner Circle back from Azkaban, and the Dementors on my side. MacNair and Greyback are recruiting among the dark creatures for us as well. What does concern me is whatever Dumbledore is up to. He and several of his followers have been missing for days, and no word from Severus. Where did they go? And what are they up to? I want you both to press all our informants, even if they only uncover rumors!"
"My Lord?", a voice from the door called meekly. "Please forgive the interruption, and I didn't mean to overhear, but…."
"Ah! Young Draco, please come in", Voldemort greeted smoothly. "You have something to tell me?"
"I've heard a rumor among my former schoolmates, including some just back from Hogwarts for the summer holiday", Draco said, kneeling before the Dark Lord. "They say that Dumbledore is seeking 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'."
"WHAT?!", Lucius snarled. "Impossible!"
"HA-HA-HA-HA!", Bellatrix cackled madly. "He's been missing for almost twenty years! He must be dead! Poor itty-bitty-baby Potter~!"
"SILENCE!", Voldemort roared, standing from his throne, eyes blazing. "It matters not how long Potter has been missing! If anyone can find him, it's that goat-faced old fool! Wormtail! Go infiltrate and search the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts for evidence to either confirm or dispell this rumor."
"Yes, my Lord", the rat-faced man squeaked as he all but stumbled out of the room.
"In the meantime, Lucius, have all our spies and informants keep an eye out for any sign of Potter! Bellatrix! Begin planning attacks on the Potter-allied families! They need to learn the price of opposing me. And Lucius? How goes the….. 'restoration' of Riddle Manor?"
"Nearly complete, my Lord", Malfoy senior replied. "In a few more days it will be a fortress more secure and deadly than Azkaban."
"Exellent. Then it will be time for magical Britain to learn of my return, and submit to my rule."
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"And you're certain that the Potter ancestral home—my home—has sufficient ambient magick to maintain the two-way mirror-portal with my castle here?", Harry asked of Sirius and Remus.
"Without a doubt, Harry", Sirius assured him. "And its wards are nigh impenetrable, maintained by the powerful spirit of an ancient dragon named Raknor, who willingly bound himself to the Potter family long ago; so it's completely safe."
"Like Hogwarts, the Potter lands are where several of our world's ley-lines cross or intersect", Remus explained. "Only Stonehenge has more in all of Europe, and even then it's only one more line."
"Aside from Potter Manor itself and the ruins of Potter Castle, there are several smaller manors on the property", Sirius added. "They were originally built for any vassals or allies in need of a safe haven."
"Juliet? A word?", Regina smiled after hearing that.
"Yes, Mother", the honey bee said. She walked over and took her mother's hands and they touched antennae. They spoke telepathically, so as to not disturb the on-going discussion.
'Yes, Mother?'
'As you can guess, I cannot leave the hive. Your father and the others will be able to go and return at will, but I must remain here, your sisters need me.'
'But, Mother…..'
'However, your time has come my dear', Regina grinned proudly. 'You are among the eldest of my daughters, and you've found a loving husband in the godfather of your father. You are ready….to become queen of your own hive, my daughter.'
'Queen of my own…?! But, Mother! Where….? How…?'
'The ruins of Potter Castle seem an ideal place to build a hive, given how successful we've been here. As for "how", kiss me, my daughter."
Confused, Juliet leaned in to kiss her mother. Regina kissed her lips, turning into an open-mouthed kiss. Juliet was surprised when honey richer and sweeter than any she'd had before poured from her mother's mouth into hers. She swallowed instinctively until Regina stopped.
'Royal Honey, my daughter. Only given to royals of the hive. In about a week, your change into a queen will be complete. Once it is, you will be able to lay eggs fertilized by your husband's seed, once you feed him your own Royal Honey. Choose twenty of your clutch-sisters to go with you to establish your hive.'
'Thank you, Mother! I'm so happy!'
"Remus and I should pass through first, Harry", Sirius said. "The wards will recognize us, and we can calm and prepare the staff and Raknor for you and your wives and children. Such an unexpected breach of the wards will alarm everyone and put them on-edge."
"I see you point", Harry agreed, then smirked. "I don't want to frighten anyone but our enemies."
"You can be assured, Harry, that they will welcome you and your extended family with open arms", Remus smiled. "The Potter family has a centuries-long tradition of open and equal acceptance of everyone, no matter their species or blood-status."
"I'm happy to hear tha…"
Just then, two honey bee guards entered and announced….
"Father! Grandmother has arrived!"
"Then please show her in!", He smiled excitedly. They nodded with grins as Harry, his wives and children all knelt facing the entrance to the Great Hall. Sirius, Remus, and Neville all followed suit, as a massive aura of magick preceded the divinely beautiful and surpassingly sultry and regal figure that entered, striding confidently toward them.
"All Hail Lilith, Overlord of the Demon Realm", Harry and the ladies and children all intoned at once.
"Rise, my children", she smiled when she stopped just in front of Harry and Natasha.
They did, Harry and Natasha hugging her first, followed by the other wives who were familiar with her and all the children swarmed their grandmother.
"Yes, it's wonderful to see you all", she chortled to the children. "My! How you all have grown! Have you all been behaving for your father and mothers?"
"Yes, Grammy Lilith!", they all replied at once.
"Excellent! Now, all of you go play. I have much to discuss with your parents and guests. I'll read you all a story for bed tonight."
"Okay!", they all cried cheerfully, then left the room.
"Mother", Harry greeted, hugging her again.
"Harry", Lilith grinned proudly.
"How is Daddy?", Natasha asked, as Lilith released Harry to hug her.
"He is well, and very proud of you all", she replied. She conjured an ornate, sheathed sword, and held it out to Harry. "When I informed him of these events, he asked me to give you this; the Star-Sword, the enchanted blade he carried as a Hero. He said, 'may it serve you as well as it served me'."
Harry was flabbergasted. His adopted father's sword!
"I-I'm honored to take up his blade. I can only try my best to be worthy of it."
"I have no doubts that you will, my Son. Now", Lilith grinned. "I want to meet the new members of our family!"
"Of course", Harry grinned as well. "My loves? Sirius? Remus? Neville? This is Lilith; Overlord of the Demon Realm, and my adopted mother(They bowed their heads respectfully). Mother? May I introduce Sirius Black; my godfather and Remus Lupin; werewolf and my honorary uncle. Both best-friends of my birth-parents."
"A pleasure to meet you both", she told them. "I would very much like to know more about my Son's birth-parents."
"Thank you, Highness", both replied.
"*Pshhh!* No need for that 'Highness' stuff with family", Lilith said, hugging both men at once.
"You raised and taught Harry well", Sirius grinned with gratitude.
"He was a joy to raise, and I love him dearly", she replied, looking fondly at her son.
"And this is Neville Longbottom, Mother", Harry continued, the other young man blushing. "We have the same birthday, so the prophesy could have applied to either of us. His mother is my godmother, and had things been different, we would have been raised like brothers. He has a talent for plants and now has liliraune wives in the garden."
"A pleasure, young one", Lilith smiled warmly. "You must be very brave to come to another realm to seek Harry. Your parents must be very proud."
Nevilles shy smile faded to a downcast look. "M-my mum and dad were tortured to insanity with the Cruciatus Curse not long after Harry's parents were murdered. My Gran raised me by herself."
"I am so very sorry, Neville", Lilith placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps some of the healing magick of our realm can help them."
"I already plan to see what I can do when we get there, Mother", Harry smiled.
"That's my boy", Lilith grinned proudly.
"Mother, this is Minerva and Hermione", he smiled, his arms around each of them. "My newest wives."
"Ah, I can see you are a powerful and experienced mage in your own right, Minerva", Lilith smiled approvingly. The werecat-witch nodded modestly. "You will find my Harry to be a quick study for anything you have to teach him. And Hermione….Oh you are lovely, my dear. Now-now, don't be shy! Come here and let me look at you."
With an encouraging smile and nod from Harry, the first wiccagriff stepped closer to her new mother-in-law. Lilith took her taloned hands in her own, looking her over appraisingly; from her feathery cat-like ears to the fluffy feathers for silent flight on her wings to the black fur of her legs and tail. Then she pulled the girl into a hug.
"Utterly beautiful! I am so happy for you, Harry", Lilith gushed when she released Hermione. "You and Dina were already blessed with a daughter of a new species, a rare honor in itself. And now this very talented young witch, monsterized by your own power into a new species as well? You are truly blessed, my Son. Welcome to the family, my new daughters! May you both be blessed with many, many children with Harry!"
They thanked her warmly as Harry blushed slightly. Even after all this time, he still had some modesty, and all his wives found his blushes adorable. Then Lilith turned serious.
"Now, we must discuss how to create a stable, permanent, two-way portal between our realms. It will require time and a great deal of power to establish. You will need my help", the Overlord said. "But first, I brought this from my vault for you, Harry."
Lilith conjured up a clear jar containing a golf-ball sized mass of black flames. Sirius and Remus both gasped and recoiled, realizing what it was; the horcrux Lilith had removed from young Harry's head years ago. The thing writhed angrily within the jar, as Lilith passed it to Harry.
"Ugh! Even after all these years, this…..thing still utterly disgusts me!", the Overlord said.
"Thank you, Mother", he said. "From what I've learned, I can use this to track down and destroy all of that bastard's horcruxes. He won't cheat death again. And then once peace is restored….. then perhaps I can bring your message of Love and Coexistence to my birth-realm, Mother."
"Worthy goals, my Son", Lilith smiled, cupping his cheek. "For now, continue making your plans and preparations while Natasha and I begin the Mirror-Portal Ritual. When it is ready, we will call you and the others to help complete it and open the doorway."
"Understood, Mother", Harry nodded. Then he turned to the others. "Cleos?"
"Yes, Beloved?", his Cyclops wife piped up.
"I know you are pregnant with our next child, even if you're not showing yet", he said. "Can you work your forge without risking the baby?"
"Of course, Beloved", she grinned confidently, flexing her muscles. "My kind can safely continue our normal work until our final two months before birth."
"Then please take requests from anyone who needs weapons or armor, my Dear", Harry smirked. "We are preparing for battle. Desdemona can help you. Her full-size dragon-form recently molted."
She grinned, then went to fire up the forge, while Dedemona went to collect her recently shed skin.
"Zamira?"
"Yes, Honey?", the arachne smirked naughtily.
"I and most of your sister wives will require robes and cloaks to wear over our armor and weapons. I leave that task in your very capable hands."
"Of course, Honey", she replied. "But I think I'll just stick with my usual ensemble myself", she winked.
"I knew you would", he smirked knowingly. Of all his wives, only Natasha and Dina were more seductive than Zamira. However, the sexy arachne was the most shameless when it came to her clothes…..when they wore any, that is.
"Sirius, Remus, and Minerva? I need you to tell me everything there is to know about the rest of the Order of the Phoenix as it currently stands. Neville? Hermione? Who among your peers could be trusted as allies, or even new members? Then we can make plans on what to do next when we get there."
"After we talk, I better figure out how to safely transplant my wives and Mrs. Weasley", Neville added.
"Good thinking", Harry smiled at his new friend. "My honey bee daughters could probably help you with that."
xxXXxx
Author's notes: The forces of good and the forces of evil are both on the move and making plans. What will Voldemort do when 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' returns? How will the Order react to the loss of Dumbledore? And what did Harry mean about bringing Lilith's "message of Love and Coexistence" to his birth-realm?
Long reviews and suggestions are always welcome! No flames, please.
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