CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Tom was the first to awake when the Realm of Hypnos finally allowed him to leave. For a moment, due to left over sleep grogginess, he was surprised to find Harry still curled up to him and Altair on his side, facing Tom, both still soundly asleep. It was this sight that prompted Tom to remember what had happened the night before. His future Consorts discovered the crimes he had committed in order to obtain immortality to escape his fear of death and had sworn to help him undo what he did, rather than alert the Aurors and have him thrown into Azkaban.

*I know you hate it when people say I told you so, but I did tell you,* Frey's quiet but very smug hissing woke Tom up further as his young ball python familiar slithered up onto the trunk at the end of the bed and watched the three of them. Sometimes it was like she could read his mind and it was rather annoying.

Tom rolled his eyes. *I would usually ask you not to be so smug, but I suppose in this case you actually have the right to be smug.*

*Yes, I do,* Frey agreed primly. She regarded Harry and Altair for a moment. *They look so pretty like this.*

Tom turned his gaze back onto the two halves of his heart, smiling smally. *Yes, they do,* he agreed readily. In his eyes, though, 'pretty' was not an apt description for either of them: Harry was as otherworldly in slumber as she was when she was awake, and Altair looked like a sleeping demi-immortal. But that was just his not-so-humble opinion.

*The adults came in not too long ago,* Frey informed him, knocking Tom out of his train of thought. *They thought you had all disappeared because you didn't come down for breakfast when called.*

Tom blanched a little at this. Frey continued. *They thought you three looked too peaceful and cute to disturb but I think they might come back soon because Atty and Andras might insist on waking you guys up for some coffee at least.*

That made the young Dark wizard sigh with relief. He could use a good cup of coffee after the night he had. Tom's attention was drawn back to Harry when he felt her stir next to him, nuzzling his shoulder as she began to awaken with a few groans that made his desire spike momentarily. He gently carded his fingers through her hair.

"Morning, darling," Harry whispered groggily as she began stretching, those stunning peridot eyes beginning to open.

"Good morning, love," Tom whispered fondly, as Altair too began to stir.

"Why do poets harp on about the beauty of the morning and the sunrise?" Altair complained as he put his pillow over his eyes. "It happens every day with tedious regularity."

Harry laughed shortly at that. "Good morning to you too, sweetheart."

"Urgh," was Altair's only comment.

"Someone is in dire need of coffee," Tom chuckled as he began wrestling the pillow out of Altair's hands.

"No, I need more sleep," Altair argued petulantly, trying desperately to keep a firm grasp on the pillow.

"No you don't, or Hypnos would not have let you out of the Realm," Harry stated as she began to sit up, plumping up the pillow she had been using to make it comfier to lean against.

It was at this that Tom had managed to take the pillow away from Altair, who sat up with a jolt like he had been shocked and regarded Harry for a moment. "You sound as though you know him."

"He is the twin brother of Tosti," Harry grinned. "Of course I know him."

"What are they like?" Tom dared to ask as he too began to sit up.

"Tosti is dower and a little grumpy at times, but he is now the closest thing to a father that I have," Harry replied candidly. "Hypnos is quiet but when around family and friends, he is a little more chatty, but not by much."

"They sound like they could actually get along with the Burke brothers," Altair chuckled.

Harry smiled knowingly at that, her eyes shining like jewels. She then turned to Tom with a more serious expression. "Do you have everything for the ritual, or do we need to get one or two more supplies?"

Tom smiled sadly. "I have everything, especially thanks to Loreley. I still do not understand how she knew …"

"Nothing about that girl makes sense," Altair pointed out.

"Then all we need is the full moon," Harry mused out loud as she opened the draw next to her side of the bed and she started reading the books Thomas Burke had sent on the Rite of Paean, as both she and Altair knew it as.

Tom regarded Harry for a moment, who was busy studying the ritual layout on one of the pages in the book. "You don't have to do this," he found himself whispering.

"Yes, I do. Shush," was Harry's curt answer, not taking her eyes off the ritual.

"I can do this by myself," Tom insisted.

"Very likely you would need at least one or both of us with this kind of ritual," Altair argued. Altair guided Tom to look at him with two fingers; Tom shivered at the determined look in those hazel eyes. "We're helping and that's that."

"You tell him, sweetheart," Harry concurred, still reading.

Tom snaked his left hand into Altair's curls and pulled him in for a kiss that was first gentle and loving but quickly spiralled into passion and fire. Very soon, Altair's lips detached themselves from Tom's and peppered kisses onto his already sensitive neck, causing Tom to moan and arch a little.

"I don't think we need coffee after all," Harry joked, looking up momentarily from the book.

*I'll say,* Frey, who had been watching in silence, commented, shaking her head.

By now, Altair had stopped kissing Tom and was nuzzling him lovingly. "I love you, Tom Riddle," he whispered in his ear.

Tom smiled. "I love you too."

Tom's breath hitched as he felt Altair's warm, gentle touch, slip under his shirt and gently caress and explore his torso; the Nott heir managed to keep his countenance composed but his eyes were as black as night. Tom could not help but swallow a little, knowing likely his eyes were not much better. Judging by Altair's satisfied smirk, that was indeed the case.

"You're gloating," Tom managed to observe while keeping his voice semi stable.

"Yes," Altair admitted readily as his hands made their way up and down his sides to Tom's hips. "I admit that this is the best I can do at present; I am not as awesome as Harry, who can just appear and disappear into thin air whenever she pleases."

Harry chuckled at this.

Altair and Tom could not help but regard her for a moment. When Harry noticed, she put the book down again and cocked her head at an adorable angle at them. "What is it?" she inquired.

"How do you do it?" Altair was the one to voice the question both he and Tom had been asking themselves ever since the night before. "Is it Apparation?"

An impish look entered those beautiful verdant eyes. In a blink of both of Altair and Tom's eyes, their lover had disappeared. Altair withdrew his hand from under Tom's shirt as the both of them sat bolt upright and looked around in a hurry; their eyes landed eventually on Harry lounging smugly in Tom's desk chair, grinning, but looking rather regal in her emerald night gown nonetheless.

"What the …" Tom breathed out.

"It is like Apparation, but with a twist," Harry replied, getting to her feet and walking towards one of Tom's windows. "You see, Tosti and his Reapers have two ways of hiding themselves from mortal eyes. The Invisibility Cloaks, and the Shadows. However, while one simply hides the being, the Shadows can be used for transportation, teleportation, combat."

Tom knew Harry well enough by now to translate the look in her eyes and her tone.

"There's more to it than that, isn't there?" he breathed out.

The grin on Harry's face widened and she began chuckling. Suddenly, her entire body was cloaked by a dark thick blanket of indigo and purple; the only thing soon visible was a pair of glowing green eyes within. Altair and Tom watched in awe and slight trepidation as the Shadows peeled away from their lover to reveal a hound bigger than even Andras with fur as dark as night. There were marks on the giant hound's forehead and right shoulder and glowing peridot eyes that shone with amusement.

*Merciful Python!* Frey blasphemed, hiding under the covers in fear.

"What the …" Altair breathed out.

"It looks like a Grim," Tom added breathlessly.

The giant Grim padded around the bed and over to Altair, grinning slightly before sitting down and cocking its head at them. Wait … it wasn't an it at all – those markings, the eyes. It could only be one person.

"Harry," Tom exhaled with a short laugh. "What is this? Are you an Animagus?"

Harry barked out a laugh and shook her head. The next thing they knew, the Grim had been replaced by an awe-inspiring stag with a simple cloaking of more Shadows; the stag had awe-inspiring horns and markings on its forehead and shoulder as well. Even before the two of them had gotten used to seeing their future Consort shift between these forms, she was back to her normal human self, leaning against the right post at the foot of the bed, smiling serenely.

"I am not an Animagus. It is simply called Shadow Transformation," Harry explained, suddenly looking a little sheepish. "They make combat and escaping a little bit more efficient and faster."

Altair's eyes were shining. "Do you have any other forms?"

The Mistress of Death's eyes widened for a moment before she nodded in the affirmative. Altair suddenly turned into an excited child. "May we see that one too?"

"It will freak you out," was Harry's answer.

Tom snorted. "As if those two other forms did not freak us out! Harry, come on – don't leave us in suspense."

*No, please do. I think this is already too much excitement for one morning!* Frey protested, sticking her snoot back out of the duvet momentarily.

"Frey, shush," Tom rolled his eyes.

Harry seemed to consider something for a moment before she pushed herself off the post she was leaning against and walked over to the window on Altair's side of the bed and actually opened it, allowing the cold December air into the room. Altair and Tom exchanged a quick look.

"Harry, what are you-"

Altair did not get to finish his question because the next thing both boys saw was their future Consort jumping out of the window, surrounded by Shadows.

"HARRY!" Altair and Tom chorused as they immediately jumped out of bed and rushed to the window, fearing the worst.

*Your mate is completely mad!* Frey commented.

The young wizards got to the window, ignoring the blistering cold because they looked around frantically for Harry and very soon, their eyes were locked onto something else entirely. Flying just above the back of the Evren Estates was a giant, fifty-foot dragon with glowing silver eyes and leaf-like wings with membranes that seemed to shine in the sunlight.

The breath was stolen right out of Tom's body for a moment, his hand flying to his mouth. Altair was babbling incoherently, his hands in his hair. "Aiiiiaaaa wwhaaaaaaaaa?! Oh my … Merlin and Morgana … is this happening? Is this a fucking dream? If it is, please don't wake me up because this is too scary and too awesome!"

"A dragon," Tom finally managed to find his ability to speak. "She can turn into a dragon … of course she can … why … I think I need to sit back down."

Tom made a beeline back for the bed, his head suddenly pounding like a drum. Altair soon followed, still looking pale. Harry came back in too, Shadows flowing behind her and fading away as the window closed behind her, looking a little bit regretful and guilty. While both the Heir of Slytherin and the Nott heir momentarily freaked out on the bed, Harry deliberately kept her distance.

"Sorry," she muttered, fumbling with her courting ring. "I think the dragon may have been too soon."

Tom was knocked out of his stupor in an instant as he saw his future Consort deflate and look down at the floor like her powers were something to be ashamed of. Altair recovered quickly too once he noted that Harry avoided their eyes.

"Harry, don't be an idiot," Altair stated bluntly. "Seeing you turn into a giant fire-breathing lizard, a fairy dog and a giant stag is not exactly something normal, but we have come to expect that from you. We just needed a moment to – again – recalibrate what is normal around you and what isn't."

"And get back in bed. It's cold," Tom added with a smile.

*She isn't going to be transforming any time soon, right?* Frey asked anxiously.

Tom frowned. *Frey, shush.*

Harry flushed – apparently she understood what Frey had said – as she rejoined her lovers in bed. It wasn't long after the three of them were back under the covers that there was a knock on the door.

"Kids, are you awake?" Melanie called through the door. "I have coffee and two familiars here who want to say good morning!"

*Of course they are awake! Didn't you see the giant dragon in the sky?* Frey huffed.

"Come in, Melanie!" the three chorused together.

The door opened to allow a very enthusiastic Athenaïs and Andras in first, Frey slithering quickly to join Tom in order to dodge their jumps onto the bed, the young dragon and the dog nuzzling their Witch and Wizard and then their mates as an official good morning greeting. The strange witch followed with three mugs of coffee, grinning.

"You three slept like the dead!" she stated jovially. "Perrie's nose is a little out of joint because you missed breakfast but your plates are under a Stasis Charm so everything has been solved. Oh, I should tell you – Nick and Perrie will be the only ones to look after you for a bit. Amaris is insisting on getting some fresh air and taking me with her, Henry is helping one of his children with something and Thomas is out shopping."

"How long will you be gone?" Harry wanted to know as the three of them carefully took their mugs from Melanie.

"A couple of hours," Melanie reassured as she kissed the top of Harry's head. "You have permission from Nick and Perrie to go to Dragon's Mound if you need to get out of the house for a bit."

"I think I will do some more training exercises if I need fresh air," Altair smiled smally.

"Same," Tom added with a charming smile. "But thank you for letting us know, Melanie."

Melanie rolled her eyes but chuckled. "I wish you boys would stop being so formal with me. But I guess old habits do die hard – which is probably why Henry is such an absolute idiot when it comes to courting and Tosti enjoys being alone."

Altair and Tom exchanged a look at hearing that while Harry chuckled as she sipped her coffee. Melanie didn't notice the reaction of the young wizards. "Anyway, I am going to get ready to spend my day chasing after Altair's mother as she drags me from one shop to another," she sighed dramatically.

"Oh you'll survive!" Harry grinned. "It will definitely be something to tell your parents the next time you see them."

"Not on your life! My mother and father will never allow me to hear the end of it," Melanie snorted, shaking her head derisively. "Don't even get me started on Aria; it would make her next few years!"

"You never know someone else tattles on you though," Harry grinned.

"All I am going to say that if Mera so much as whispers one word, I am going to find a way to make her life a living hell," Melanie promised ominously.

Harry blanched; clearly she knew to whom Melanie was referring to. "I am not even going to ask how."

Melanie cackled evilly, an impish glint in her eyes. She composed herself and turned to Altair and Tom with a smile. "The next time the three of you want to sleep in the same bed, at least find a way to let us know and not give us all a heart attack."

Harry rolled her eyes but Altair and Tom bowed their heads in acknowledgement.

"But you are not angry at us for this transgression?" Altair asked, looking a little nervous.

Athenaïs looked ready to do a faceclaw at this point while Andras looked at his Wizard as though he was completely mad.

Melanie snorted. "Transgression! Altair, as far as Sacrum Vinculum is concerned, you are doing something more than natural. There is nothing to get angry over because you haven't broken any rules or laws. Yes, Altair – even your mother is fine with this."

Altair visibly relaxed. Tom too felt relief but concentrated on drinking his coffee in order to ensure his countenance remained composed. Melanie chuckled, already seeing right through them. "All right then. We will see you kids later."

The strange Rollins witch was gone with a cheery wave and closed the door behind her. Athenaïs, Andras and Frey laughed away at her antics.

"I am glad my mother has decided to go out," Altair commented happily. "It has been a while since she last went out with some friends to just have fun."

"When was the last time she met up with friends?" Harry dared to ask.

"My first year at Hogwarts," Altair answered darkly. "Mother, Lady Rosier, Arc, Druella and I made a day out of it and then after bringing Druella, Arc and me back to Rosier Manor they met up with Lady Black for coffee. It's not like she never got an invite to go out, but she knew Father didn't like it."

Tom felt his brow furrow; Harry's eyes already shone with silver.

"I really do not like that man," Tom commented.

"Believe me, if we ever have children, I am limiting their contact with him," Altair growled.

"I thought that was already a given," Harry concurred, finishing the last of her coffee. Athenaïs took her mug for her and put it onto the trunk at the foot of the bed. "They will also be supervised at all times because otherwise I refuse to allow him to see them."

Tom felt his heart ache at this point. His children with Harry and Altair; he wanted that badly, but there was still a fear in his heart about it. What if there were complications during the birth that could risk Harry's life?

It was Harry who managed to lighten up first as she sensed the tension rise too high. "OK, let's do a complete left turn before we become too depressed. You're lost in a forest and you come to a fork in the road – there are three ways to go, left, straight ahead and to the right. To the left, you see blue glowing lights. Straight ahead, you see a cottage made of sweets and to the right, you see a tower with what looks like a dragon guarding it. Which path do you take?"

As always with these ridiculous situations, Altair and Tom could not help but split their sides laughing. Athenaïs, Andras and Frey were just as amused. They wondered how many of Harry, Luna, Ginny and Hermione's friends had been subjected to these wild and wacky scenarios, but they already knew that they were also likely the reason why some of the child soldiers still had the ability to look on the bright side of things.

"Going back isn't an option?" Altair asked immediately.

"Nope!" Harry answered brightly. "The trees won't let you."

"Oh boy," Tom commented.

"Erm … well the blue lights are a sure sign of the presence of will-o-wisps and frankly I don't want to get kidnapped by fairies so I am definitely not going anywhere near the left path," Altair mused. "The right path doesn't sound all that appealing either – wait, is the dragon angry, bored, asleep?"

"The dragon is alert," Harry replied with a grin.

"Alert, but not aggressive?" Altair pressed.

"Not currently," Harry confirmed, eyes dancing with mischief.

"Hmmm … the reason I ask – and you're going to think I am mad – I don't trust that damn house made of sweets. That is just asking for trouble and my senses are telling me to avoid it at all costs," Altair actually shuddered. "The tower and the dragon are definitely preferable to whatever horror is lurking in that sweetie house."

"Good choice," Tom stated, shivering at the creepy fairy tales that he had once read from one of the books in the orphanage's meagre library when he was younger and more importantly, when Mrs. Cole was not looking and no one was around to tattle on him.

"What about you, Tom?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Well, you know fully well I would not risk my life heading to the house made of sweets either – I don't have an issue with the mad witch that lives there but I don't like living in a house with confectionaries in general," Tom grimaced at the thought. He then frowned ponderingly. "I don't fancy being lured into the Otherworld by fairies either, but I also don't fancy being burned alive … I think I will risk the will-o-wisps."

Altair facepalmed.

Harry's eyes shone at that. "OK. I will first give Altair is next scenario – Altair, you come up to the tower and the dragon looks down at you and shouts, 'Are you here to save the princess?' What do you answer?"

Altair blinked in shock while Tom started chortling. "Eeeermmm … 'No, I had no idea there was a princess in the tower. I am just really lost. The trees won't let me go back'." Altair laughed at himself. "I am about to die, aren't I?"

"Nope!" Harry lit up. "The dragon sighs dramatically and answers, 'SOPHIE! We have a lost one. He isn't even a knight. Can I let him in? We don't want him to die of expose now do we?' And from inside the tower, a young princess with flame red hair and brown eyes exclaims, 'Oh thank the gods for that! Let him in.'"

Altair put his face into a pillow, splitting his sides. Tom had his head in his hands, laughing inaudibly. The familiars shook their heads at Harry, genuinely not understanding the aim or the rules of this silly game.

Harry turned back to Tom. "You chose the will-o-wisp. You follow the seemingly friendly glowing orbs and you eventually find yourself at a lone Gothic House and are greeting by a young girl in an old-fashioned white dress with a basket full of flowers. 'Hello mister. Are you lost?'"

Tom grinned. "'Absolutely. I followed blue wisps to your house, hoping to find a path.'"

"'Oh the wisps are my friends. They always try to help lost people; they bring them to me to help them get some food, wash and have a warm bed for the night. Would you like to come in, mister?'"

"I wouldn't trust a creepy kid with no adult around," Altair commented, grinning.

"I think if I was truly lost, and I was hungry and wanting to find shelter, I think I would risk being murdered during the night for it; I mean – do I still have my magic?" Tom asked Harry eagerly.

"Yes you do," Harry rolled her eyes. "So yes you have your Dark and Light magic at full power."

"OK, then I agree," Tom stated, eyes shining with amusement. He finished the last of his coffee and put the mug on the bedside cabinet and began getting out of bed, placing Frey next to Athenaïs. "As much as I enjoy this game, I do not want to spend the entire day in bed so I am going to take a shower."

"Awwww," Altair pouted.

"Altair, you and Harry need to take one too," Tom rolled his eyes. "We can continue the game later."

Tom fetched some fresh clothes and – practically subconsciously – already took off his night shirt as he made his way to his bathroom, only realising far too late that he had effectively half stripped in front of his future Consorts. The last Gaunt was very happy he was in the bathroom because when he locked the door, he could have a physical symbolism of shielding his embarrassment away from the two in question.

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"Damn it," Altair grumbled as the door to the bathroom locked.

Harry, who had been ogling Tom shamelessly as well, shared Altair's indignation. "I was enjoying the view."

Athenaïs was giggling at their expense. You two have it bad! she chirped.

Harry flushed. "Shush, Atty!"

Andras was apparently not woofing anything better because Altair was strawberry red with embarrassment. "Andras, that is not – I am not even going to give that a reply." Altair huffed and then looked at Harry with a smile. "I love you."

Harry blinked a few times in surprise but returned the smile as she gave him a quick kiss. "I love you too. Where did that come from?"

Altair shrugged as he caressed the exposed parts of her scarred shoulder with a finger. "I just wanted to say it," was his very blunt answer. "Plus, your little game has made me laugh as always and it has helped me put a few things to rest."

"You're welcome," Harry replied quietly as she ran her fingers through his honey curls.

"There is just one other thing that bothers me," Altair frowned and he lowered his tone. "I haven't been able to make or get a present for Tom's birthday and I was wondering if you have one already just in case?"

Harry smirked at this point. Oh boy, did she!

Altair snorted at her expression. "Of course you do, you wonderful woman."

"Would you like to see it?" Harry asked eagerly before she could stop herself, sitting up and bouncing a little.

Altair nodded emphatically.

The both of them clambered off the bed with Altair shouting at Tom through the bathroom door that he and Harry were going to wash, and then Harry, Altair, Athenaïs and Andras made their way to Harry's chambers; Altair was visibly nervous as they approached the grand entrance. Harry gave him a reassuring smile before opening the door and left it open behind her as she went in towards the left draw of her vanity table where she had hidden Slytherin's locket.

Predictably, Athenaïs and Andras padded in after her, eager to see what Harry had bought for her mate. After plucking up his courage, Altair stepped into Harry's private chambers, taking everything around him in, much to the amusement of Evren Peverell, who had been playing her violin as she watched her descendant bring her second future Consort into her bed chamber.

Evren chuckled as Altair bowed to her. "Good morning, Heir Nott. I hope you slept well."

"I did, thank you, ma'am," Altair answered brightly.

Harry meanwhile had found a photo that someone had taken of the three of them, still fast asleep in Tom's bed on top of the box that contained the locket. She scoffed; she knew it was either Melinoë or Hypnos who had done this. After she had recovered, Harry drew Altair's attention back to her rather unique present for Tom.

Altair's eyes almost bugged out of his head when he saw the photo of the three of them in one of the most intimate embraces that they were permitted to do before their official bonding. "Who took this?" he whispered.

"No idea, but I have an inkling," Harry sighed. "I also know why they did it. It's for the present."

"Oh?" Altair cocked his head curiously.

Harry laughed to herself. "OK. Brace yourself."

Those hazel eyes widened once more. "Oh no. Harry, what did you do?"

The Mistress of Death could not wipe the grin of her face as she opened the box that contained the precious historical artefact and handed it over to Altair. The moment that the Nott heir saw the ornate gold and the serpentine 'S' set with emeralds, his face paled whiter than snow and he began shaking his head in disbelief.

"No … no way … no fucking way! Is this what I think it is …? Harry … please tell me I am not dreaming."

"You are not dreaming," she reassured brightly.

"Slytherin's locket … the locket that used to belong to Salazar Slytherin's sister," Altair pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. "This is a Founder's Artefact. This was lost ever since the fall of the Gaunts!"

"Sssssh!" Harry hushed snappily, fearing Tom could hear them.

"How in the name of Merlin, Morgana and all the fairies of Avalon did you even find it?!" Altair wanted to know, lowering his tone.

Harry decided it was once again time to mix the truth with some acting skills. "Ever since Tom told us about how Merope had seduced Thomas Riddle, ran away from home and then was abandoned, I knew that she would have been forced to sell what she took and-or could and with her being a Gaunt, it was likely that she had gone to Borgin and Burke's," Harry explained. "Well, after Ophelia, Minnie and I went to the movies we went to get something to eat and we happened to pass Borgin and Burke's on the way to the Higgs family's restaurant; I just couldn't resist to see if the locket was still in their possession."

"They still had it after all these years," Altair stated breathlessly. He shook his head. "You … you are unbelievable. You should have let that damn Hat place you in Ravenclaw, you scary, beautiful person!"

Harry flushed.

Altair then frowned thoughtfully. "We need to shrink the photo a little but we have a bigger problem. The only way to open the locket is by speaking Parseltongue … wait a minute."

Harry tried to look innocent. Altair laughed derisively. "You're a damn Parselmouth, aren't you?"

*Yes, I am,* Harry hoped that she didn't sound too creepy after not speaking Parseltongue in so long. But judging by the shiver running down Altair's spine and the dilation in his eyes, she knew it was actually the opposite case.

*I knew it,* Evren looked way too pleased with herself.

Altair laughed. "Of course. Peverells have Slytherin blood – I almost forgot about that."

As Altair began shrinking the photo, Harry turned her attention onto the locket. *Open.*

To the amazement of Athenaïs, Andras and Altair, the locket sprung open to reveal an empty inside with some snake patterns engraved into the two sides of the locket. Once he was done with shrinking, Altair gently and carefully fitted the photo of the slumbering triad into the back of the locket, smiling to himself as he did so. Once the photo was in place, Harry shut the locket again.

*Lock,* she instructed.

The locket clicked and Harry carefully put it back into its box. The still flummoxed Altair shook his head as he watched his lover hide the box back into the drawer of her vanity table. "I don't know if I can buy a gift that could beat that," he admitted.

"Then why don't you do the make-a-gift idea you had?" Harry suggested. "Did you already have an idea of what you wanted to do for that?"

"Yes, but it would require Tom to be distracted for a long time," Altair confessed, looking nervous. "I wanted to make a music statue, like you did, but only with piano music and a song. But I don't have many moments to execute it because Tom is hardly ever distracted."

It was at hearing this that Athenaïs and Andras exchanged an excited and conspiratorial look. They could enlist Frey's help with that!

Harry giggled, seeing the look shared between her Gargouille and Altair's Northern Inuit hound. "I think our familiars might be able to help us with that. Would you … like some help with your statues, or would you like me to assist in Operation Keep Tom Occupied?"

"I would love for you to sing," Altair smiled brightly. "Especially some of your Luna songs. We both love them a lot."

Harry could not help but preen at this. Altair swallowed as tension began rising between them again. "I think I will go and take a shower."

The Lady Peverell nodded, trying to ignore the sinful thoughts that started running around her head as she started to imagine what Altair would look like without his shirt. Altair kissed her forehead, on top of her lightning scar, and left quite quickly with Andras at his heels, much to her own chagrin. Almost as soon as he was gone, Harry used her non-verbal and wandless telekinetic Old Magic to shut her door in annoyance and growled in frustration as she did so.

Athenaïs regarded her sadly.

"Niece, what is the matter?" Evren asked, trying to not sound amused but failing miserably.

"These stupid antiquated courting rules are really fucking bothering me," Harry responded snappily. "We can barely brush our hands together and there is instant sparks – we barely managed to stay in control yesterday. Albeit it was our fault but still! What happens behind closed doors should be our business alone, and not the concern of the whole of society!"

Evren hummed. "From what I gather, you three are doing very well. Sleeping together in the same bed before a formal bonding? Now that is what many would call risqué! But you are right – what happens between the three of you shouldn't be anyone else's concern but yours. Unfortunately, with all three of you being of prominent families and being in the public eye, you are in the unenviable position of having to tread carefully."

"Sometimes being a Peverell sucks," Harry grumbled petulantly, folding her arms. Yes, she was aware that she was being extremely juvenile.

"Agreed," Evren sighed. "But it is not just a Peverell problem; it is also a making-sure-the-woman-is-pure problem that has been around for centuries. I am rather surprised that no one ever dared to call me a harlot to my face!"

Harry looked at her ancestress in surprise. Evren scoffed and shook her head. "My dear Hera, are you under the impression I was celibate or something?"

Harry was red in about five seconds flat. "Eeeeerrrm … well … to be honest I didn't think about your love life."

Evren chuckled. "I was jesting, my dear. But in all seriousness, as a Noble woman with rank and status in both the magical and Muggle Royal Court, I did have to protect my reputation a little more because despite not being married, I refused to miss out on having some fun – Harry, you prude, do not look at me like that! It was very fun; I did have to make sure that people didn't blab or any … accidents happened."

"You mean, accidental out-of-wedlock children," Harry clarified.

"Exactly," Evren smirked. She turned rather serious again. "Some of my spells have been preserved in some of the journals in the study – I can help point them out if you want to try them. But I think you should also discuss it with your future Consorts, considering how careful they are with you. Even if you decide to wait until the final bonding, I want you to listen to this advice: do not ever be ashamed for being attracted to your own future Consorts! Of everyone in the world, you have the right to be attracted to them. There is nothing to be ashamed of."

Harry pursed her lips momentarily and nodded in agreement as her ancestress spoke. "I know – it's just the Sacrum Vinculum pull is making everything one hundred times harder."

"Yes, because what you're doing is not natural, to its perception," Evren explained. "Your souls and magic want to be together; the issue is, your heads are bond-blocking them because of modern day societal norms. The bond will continue protest until you properly give in, but like I said, you are doing amazingly well."

Harry smiled awkwardly. She then frowned. "Aunt, may I ask your advice on something else?"

"Of course, Niece. What is it?"

"I might have used Legilimency in order to look into the head of someone recently," Harry confessed, beginning to pace. "I have been trying to help the Lestrange family find the person who cursed young Nymera, as you know, and at the Yule Ball, I heard Altair's father talk with his mistress about trying to get divorce more socially acceptable and … I heard the woman say something that sent all the alarm bells ringing in my head."

"And you used Legilimency to see if those alarm bells were not ringing for no good reason," Evren guessed.

"Exactly. Well, as it turns out, this woman is responsible for what happened to Nymera," Harry sighed. "The issue is, I don't know how admissible this would be in court considering I invaded someone's mind without their consent."

Evren frowned. "In my time, a memory was admissible as evidence, whether it was taken with or without consent, but I suppose the Ministry of Magic made some much more tighter laws surrounding the Mind Magics and how they can be used more … ethically," she grumbled. Evren frowned thoughtfully. "I think if you really want to know the answer, you need to stick to your original plan and tell your goblin allies to see if they can help you get some legal advice, without too many people catching a whiff of why you are seeking legal help. Besides, if the goblins are your cover, people will think it has to do with financial matters, which is a whole lot safer than the actual reason."

"Agreed," the Lady Regnant smiled to herself. "Thank you, Aunt Evren."

"You're welcome, Niece. Now, I think you too should shower before Perenelle comes marching up to drag you downstairs for breakfast," Evren grinned.

Harry laughed sarcastically at that. "Yeah … let's just do everything we can to avoid that, shall we?"

Evren chuckled. Her descendant jumped quickly into the shower, changed into two layers of shirts, with one of Perrie's jumpers as the main one, and a nice pair of trousers before rushing downstairs to eat breakfast to make sure that Madame Flamel could not throw a hissy fit about Harry missing an important meal.

Breakfast was fortunately a quiet affair, with Nicholas doing most of the talking as he read some more articles about the Ministry's tightening of international travel and that it was now even more of a hassle for someone to get in and out of the country using a Portkey. Harry quietly hoped that Oscar and Satoshi would be able to get back into the country after their mission in Japan was finished but she figured that King Ragnok would be able to find a way to get them back.

After she had eaten enough that would ensure that Perenelle would be placated, Harry disappeared back up to her room to write a letter to Griphook, hoping that she would not be disturbing her Accountant during his own holiday.

#########################################################

Griphook was enjoying the last few days of peace and quiet before he was expected to get back to work. Currently, the goblin was reading a nice book on goblin forging and the cheap imitating techniques the wand-wielders developed to try and keep up with the high standards of goblin skills on the art with a nice cup of tea.

The radio was on the background, updates given sporadically on the status of the Muggle human war that was reaching a zenith in Europe. If Goldheart's information was correct, it would not be long until the so-called Third Reich would collapse into nothing but an empire of dust, and that would only mark the beginning of the horrors. Not that Goldheart would elaborate on that.

Griphook was pulled out of his book by the sound of tapping at the window of the living room. Frowning, and silently dreading the worst, the Accountant of the Peverell Vaults raised his head to see a raven from his client's House sitting on the window sill outside, cocking its head once or twice at the goblin while tapping the window again, requesting to be let in.

The goblin sharply shut his book and waved his hand almost lazily, opening the window. The raven flew in, elegantly landing on the arm of the armchair next to Griphook and holding out its leg. Griphook untied the letter; the raven took off in an instant, the window magically shutting behind it.

The Accountant wasted no time breaking the seal and unfolding the letter.

Dear Griphook,

Forgive me for disturbing you during you holiday, my friend, but I fear that I am stuck with a dilemma that cannot wait, especially since it concerns House Lestrange. As I promised Lord Lestrange, I kept my eyes and ears peeled at the Malfoy Ball and discovered something that the family has long waited for: the identity of the person who cursed Nymera. However, I attained this information in a manner that perhaps could be considered less than legal. I used Legilimency, without consent, on someone and discovered that they had made an attempt on the life of one of my future Consorts, Altair Nott, that went awry. The tampered counterfeit Blood Curse was concealed in a piece of cake that was meant for Altair but Nymera ate because Altair did not want it.

I will admit that despite knowing Goblin Law, I am less versed in the laws of my own folk and I don't know who I can trust to keep their mouth shut about why I need legal advice, which is why I am writing to you on the matter. How can I best proceed with this, and is there a way to go after the culprit without having to use the memory I obtained using rather unsavoury means?

May your enemies always fall at your feet,

Lady Hera Peverell

Griphook re-read the letter three times, blinking in amazement and smirking to himself. The Lady Peverell had found the culprit! Using Legilimency – that could complicate matters, especially since she had likely done so under covert means, but it seemed that Her Ladyship's instincts were as sharp as ever to request legal help. The Lady Regnant was ruled by two sets of laws; Goblin Law did not care how the evidence was obtained, but Griphook knew that the wand-wielders would indeed make a fuss if they discovered that the information was extracted from someone's head unwillingly. Or unknowingly, if the Lady Regnant's skills were anything to go by.

But the fact Nymera Lestrange had not been the initial target was significant; it had been Heir Altair Nott who was meant to get the Curse.

Griphook knew that Rosberg and House Lestrange would want to be apprised immediately of the discovery; the goblin also knew that the Lady Peverell likely gauged that he would get into contact with the Lestrange Accountant and her unofficial allies on her behalf. The goblin jumped down from his chair and quickly made his way to his study to write a letter of his own, hoping that Rosberg would be in the mood to see to and answer his mail any time soon.

That goblin was known to become rather lazy with his mail during his holidays.

#################################################################

"Have you been in contact with Henry Burke at all?"

"No, Aunt Livia. I am sure he wants to spend time with his family and not receive letters from someone he barely knows."

"Rollo, how are you supposed to find anyone if you don't take the time to actually get to know them?"

Rollo scoffed as he set his tea cup down. "Uncle, I don't think the Burkes, or Melanie Rollins, wish to be known, by anyone."

Ophelia was rather surprised that her parents had managed to hold off interrogating Rollo about the enigmatic Henry Burke for so long. She had watched and listened in silence from her spot by the window of the second floor family parlour, looking out across the gardens of Rowle Manor, watching the human gardeners and their elf helpers work to check on the vitality of some of the winter plants while being lost in her own thoughts.

Ophelia had been up quite early that day, not only to take a run around the garden, practise her dagger throwing and some duelling techniques with her rapier that Thomas and Melanie had taught, but also to run the duel between Harry and Melanie through her head one more time. It had been awe-inspiring to watch, but it had sent the gears inside the Rowle heiress's head whirring.

Avenging goddesses, those two words that Druella had said had stuck in Ophelia's head and simply would not leave. She knew that she was perhaps being utterly paranoid – the Mistress of Death was not going to be a normal witch with average powers – but Ophelia could not shake the funny feeling that Druella might have inadvertently been onto something because Melanie's skills and powers had not been normal either.

Melanie Rollins.

Rollins was not a pureblood name, Ophelia knew that for certain – she theorised the young witch must have been a half-blood but that would mean the Burkes would have a relation that rebelled against their pureblood doctrine. The Burkes did not take kindly to family members who diverted from that; they were even more unforgiving than the Blacks. Then again, perhaps Thomas and Henry were from a more distant branch that didn't have such an ingrained hatred for Muggles and Muggleborns.

But after doing some digging into the Burke line, Ophelia could not find Thomas, Henry or Melanie anywhere.

"Ophelia, sweetheart, everything all right? You are rather mellow today," her mother asked, knocking her out of her train of thought.

Ophelia plastered a quick smile onto her face. "I am perfectly fine, Mother. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Your mock exam results?" her father took an educated guess. Ophelia decided to take the bone and simply nodded. Lord Rowle's expression turned serious. "Ophelia, we all know how hard you worked – you will be fine. Besides, even if these results are not as desired, you still have enough time to chisel at what you need to before the actual exams begin."

"They begin in May, Father," Ophelia pointed out. "That leaves less than four months, which is not as much time as it may appear, especially with the rematch between Slytherin and Hufflepuff happening almost as soon as we get back to Hogwarts."

"Oh please! You are putting too much stress on yourself," Lady Rowle reassured. "You have that revision club of yours for a reason. I have heard rather glowing reports from Hesper Black about it; apparently it may well save a lot of grades if high standards are maintained."

Ophelia flushed, pleased to hear that.

"I should also confess that I have been in contact with the Averys again," Lord Rowle admitted. "It would seem that Heir Avery may be rather taken with you; they wrote to ask if you would consider their son formally as a suitor."

The blush in Ophelia's cheeks deepened at hearing that. "You … would not be opposed, Father?" she asked diplomatically. "The Averys may have reputation and standing but they are not Nobles."

Lord Rowle's eyes danced with rare amusement. "I am more relieved that you do not seem to be against it. The Averys may not be Nobles but they have more standing and power than many Noble Houses, and they are our friends. A formal alliance would just be the cherry on the cake." He regarded his daughter closely. "So, may I write back in the affirmative?"

Ophelia considered for a moment. She knew that her feelings for Malum were only in their fledgling stage but at the same time, she was sure Malum would be a far better option for her than any of the other pureblood heirs. Arcturus Rosier was too fickle with his heart, Felix Mulciber seemed to have eyes for War, Dolohov didn't seem too interested in courting in general and Abraxas Malfoy was too pompous for her liking. She also didn't fancy a Flint, Greengrass or Parkinson match, especially since they took so long to stop Lament's attack on Oizys, Sigyn, Seraphina and Athenaïs. The cowardly little bleeders.

"Yes," Ophelia stated before she could change her mind.

She ignored the looks of delight her parents exchanged as she left the room, her legs almost moving on their own. Part of her wished that she could be as free to choose with her heart as Harry was, but Ophelia knew that as a Rowle, she didn't have the luxury of being able to choose entirely for herself.

Ophelia's thoughts drifted back onto her friend, the Mistress of Death. Sometimes it was easy for her to forget that the stranger from Europe whom she befriended was a semi-immortal being thought to exist only in the fairy stories told to young children. A Soul Mage with deadly duelling skills – Ophelia knew that was the least of Harry's abilities. Her mother Livia was related to House Steward, and Livia got to hear stories about their Peverell cousins as a child. Some of those stories Livia passed onto Ophelia.

Soul Magic, Death infusion, Spirit Control, Animancy – a few of the other skills that were believed to be in a Master of Mistress of Death's repertoire. From what Ophelia had seen from Harry in action, she could readily believe that there was some truth to those rumours.

If those are true, are the other rumours then true as well? Ophelia could not stop the thought that ran around her head.

I really hope not, Ophelia replied to herself solemnly.

She closed her eyes.

-Flashback-

"Just one more story, Mama! Please?" seven-year-old Ophelia begged. "I am not tired yet!"

Lady Rowle chuckled. "Very well, my sweet sprite. Just one more then. Which book do you want?"

"I don't want a story book. I want another family story; a really good one," Ophelia replied excitedly, cuddling her plushie kelpie Mysandra close.

"All right then, dearest. How about I tell you about the ones called the Travellers?" Lady Rowle smiled.

Ophelia snugged under her duvet in preparation. Lady Rowle chuckled. "Everyone has a time and a place; that is what my old Nanna Steward used to say. The Weavers put people in the time that they are needed in, but sometimes there are those who have no time and no place. Sometimes the Weavers make a mistake, or another entity claims a soul as their own. These people are not ruled by mortal law; they are beholden to the gods and to Time. They are the Travellers – people who can travel from one era to another on the behest of the gods."

Ophelia's eyes shone. "They can go to the Age of Magic?"

"If they so choose, or if ordered to," Lady Rowle smiled. "Not that one would notice. They look like you or me, but with one difference."

"What is that, Mama?" Ophelia asked eagerly.

"They feel older and different," came the cryptic reply. "They have an air of mystery around them that neither Muggle nor magician can suss out."

"But how is that possible?" Ophelia asked eagerly.

"It is because they are protected by powers on high, my dear," was her mother's cryptic answer.

Young Ophelia frowned thoughtfully before she looked at her mother again.

"Could they be a child or do they always have to be an adult, Mama?" Ophelia wanted to know.

"No one knows," Lady Rowle responded conspiratorially. "For a Traveller is rarely ever chosen. The Weavers are not known to make mistakes all too often."

"You sound like Lady Malfoy, Mama," Ophelia commented with a giggle.

"Praxilla is not always as coo-coo as she sounds," Lady Rowle answered with a wink. "Now, I think it is time for this little witch to bed down before Lord Hypnos gets cranky that you are late."

-End of flashback-

Travellers.

Ophelia had long given up the childish hope and dream that they could ever be real, let alone the possibility of meeting one. Harry was strange; that was a given from the moment Ophelia witnessed her accidentally zap Dumbledore when the man had made the folly of approaching the orphan girl from behind. Ever since then, the Lady Regnant had not stopped being an enigma that frankly had many on tenterhooks because they didn't know what to do with her.

But that was one thing Ophelia shared with Riddle, Nott, Orion, Druella, Artemis, Heron and many others: she was drawn to Harry like a moth to a flame. Harry was different, was older than the rest of them in many ways and despite being so powerful, was humble and unfailingly generous. She was a myriad of contradictions that made life so much more fun. Then of course, there were those strange weapons. It was precisely these attributes that had made Ophelia consider the impossible ever since Harry confirmed to her that she was indeed the Mistress of Death.

Was Harry a Traveller? If so, had Harry managed to Travel already? Was the fact that Harry was a Traveller part of the reason she had decided to destroy the Time Compass?

You are going mad, the rational part of her mind snapped at her. The Travellers are a myth!

That is what we thought about the Deathly Hallows, Ophelia pointed out.

Ophelia finally arrived at her destination: the library. Almost immediately, the Rowle heiress marched over to the section on folklore, fairy tales and grimoires that once belonged to Granny Steward and began to pull any and all tomes she remembered that contained mentions of the Peverells, the Master of Death and Travellers and began piling them up on the reading table with determination.

It was when Ophelia had flipped through the first three books that there was knock at the semi open door.

"Ophelia, everything all right?"

The Rowle heiress did not look up from her flipping. "I am a little busy, Rollo. What is it?"

The Head Cursebreaker stepped into the library, keeping his concerned gaze onto his young cousin. "I just wanted to ask if everything is all right? You have been unsettlingly quiet over the last couple of days."

"I have just had a lot on my mind," Ophelia tried to sound reassuring as she continued to flip.

"Clearly, because normally you would have told me about you considering anyone as a suitor, let alone Malum Avery," Rollo answered coolly, sounding put out. "Last I heard you were trying to escape any suitor you could; you were planning on replacing Lucretia Black as the most difficult bachelorette in Britain. Lia, did something happen?"

Ophelia smiled at her old pet name. "A lot has happened, Rollo. You should know this yourself. Besides, I don't think you have the right to lecture me about keeping secrets, when that is all you have been doing for quite some time."

The only sound that could be heard for a moment was the rustling of the pages as they were being turned and the creaking of the floor under Rollo's heavy footsteps.

Ophelia heard the chair next to her scrape the floor. "What are you doing?" Rollo asked quietly.

"Reading," Ophelia responded curtly as her eyes landed on an old illustration in one of Granny Steward's folklore grimoires of what someone had labelled as 'The Travellers': they were off four people, two men and two women, barely looking human with spatial-like patterns around them and effigies of portals and clocks around them. Each of the people had a mark on some part of their bodies: arms, necks and forehead.

Rollo peered over at what she was studying. "I haven't seen those in ages," he whispered. "Aunt Livia barely let me look at them since I have not got enough Steward blood in me to warrant it. Why are you so interested in old bedtime stories and Granny Steward's old studies?"

Ophelia swallowed. "No reason," she lied quickly. "I was bored."

"Uh-huh," Rollo didn't sound very convinced. "When you get bored, you help Aunt Livia with her familiars or you work on your Charms; you haven't touched these books in almost seven years. What's going on, Ophelia?"

For once, Ophelia raised her eyes away from the books to make eye contact with her cousin-who-was-more-like-a-brother, steeling her Occlumency defences just in case. "I can't tell you. I'm sorry, Rollo, but it would mean betraying someone dear to me."

Rollo looked resigned but he didn't press the matter, which Ophelia was very grateful for. He did change the subject though. "Are you sure you want to consider Malum Avery as a formal suitor? I could try and buy you some more time if you feel it is too soon-"

"I could have had worse! May I remind you that Walburga and Orion have been engaged since fifth year without a single courting, and Druella and Cygnus too for that matter?" Ophelia huffed.

"Unfortunately," Rollo sighed as well.

"I am just grateful Mother and Father haven't gone down a similar route," Ophelia confessed. "They could have handed me off to the highest bidder without a single courting date but they didn't. Besides, I know their patience wouldn't last forever and I … do like Malum. A lot."

She flushed at that admission. Rollo smirked. "Since when?" he asked teasingly.

"I never thought I was attracted to him at all, but now I think at least a month," Ophelia avoided his eyes as she confessed. "There must have been something there because … well. Do not flip your lid, but we … kissed at the Malfoy Ball."

Rollo's eyes started glowing an ominous electric grey colour. "YOU WHAT?!"

"Ssssssh! Rollo, keep your voice down – why are you drawing your wand?"

Rollo was about to get up but Ophelia caught him before he could even contemplate leaving the room, causing the Cursebreaker to fight against her magic. "I am going to hex the little maggot of course."

"No you are not!" Ophelia exploded.

"You are my cousin and are unmarried; he compromised you," Rollo growled. "He should have kept his hands off someone who is not officially his to claim."

Ophelia's eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't be ridiculous! You will put your wand away and stay put, do you hear me?"

"Or else what?" the Head Cursebreaker raised a challenging eyebrow.

Oh, dear cousin, I have the whip hand over you in this one!

"Or else I mention to Mother and your mother that you kissed Henry Burke," Ophelia smirked as Rollo blanched in five seconds. "And under the mistletoe as well. Pity I did not have a camera with me; it would have made a very pretty picture."

Rollo gulped. "How did you know?" he asked smally.

"I saw you," Ophelia responded with a shrug. "You were well concealed for the eyes of most people but not me, I'm afraid. Before you ask, I didn't tell anyone, not even Harry."

Rollo looked relieved at that, calming down completely. "Thank you."

"So I would appreciate it if you could show me the same courtesy," Ophelia responded coolly, folding her arms with a determined expression in her eyes.

"Yes," Rollo coughed. "I think I may have overreacted just a little."

"Oh, you think?" Ophelia sassed with a good dosage of sarcasm embedded in her tone.

Rollo laughed shortly. "You, my dear cousin, have been spending too much time with the Lady Hera."

"I think that has been working to my benefit, don't you?" Ophelia raised an eyebrow, daring him to refute the statement.

"It was just an observation," Rollo reassured, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"Sure it was," Ophelia rolled her eyes for the first time in her life.

Rollo chuckled and then turned back to the books for a moment, eyes suddenly darker. "I still cannot believe the fool's errand Hourglass engaged in when he made the Time Compass, to try and recreate the powers of the Traveller."

Ophelia's countenance too darkened. "Indeed," she still hadn't fully forgiven the Aurors and Unspeakables for putting her friend in such danger.

"Moreover, the Time Compass could not have fully turned one into a Traveller even if Hourglass had not accidentally made it sentient," Rollo informed, looking at the illustration of the four obscure people. "The Travellers are not bound by mortal law; they fall under divine law. Even if someone used the Compass, they would still be beholden to magical law during their expedition and once they returned. Plus, if the stories are to be believed, a Traveller doesn't always get to choose to Travel; sometimes, they are ordered to, effectively."

"Something that Hourglass clearly forgot," Ophelia observed, shaking her head.

"Ambition blinds people," Rollo stated, sounding and looking rather distant at this point. He then pulled himself out of whatever train of thought he had boarded and turned to Ophelia with an interested look. "I have heard the servants gossiping about seeing you take morning runs and throwing daggers into trees. Is this true?"

Ophelia raised an eyebrow again. "And if it is? Are you going to try and stop me?"

"You should know me better than that, Lia," Rollo grinned. "I think it is very important for a young lady to be able to defend herself and hold her own should she find herself in any kind of peril, you know this."

"Which is why you are so picky when it comes to your female suitors," Ophelia grinned.

"I like powerful women. Is that so bad?" Rollo shot back.

"Perhaps you should make that clear to your mother before she has a meltdown."

"I have tried, but she just doesn't listen," Rollo huffed. He then perked up. "Would you mind if I join you tomorrow for training?"

Ophelia blinked for a moment before grinning impishly. "As long as you are prepared to be left in the dust."

Rollo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Challenge accepted, cousin!"

###################################################################

"Do you think Gringotts will be in touch soon?"

"My dear, we do not even know if the Lady Hera has heard anything pertinent at the Ball, considering what occurred."

"Has there been no update regarding the blood tests either?"

"No, my dear. Marrow has been keeping an eye on the Owlery for any owls from Gringotts. So far, nothing."

Lady Lestrange set her tea cup down with shaking hands, causing everyone around the afternoon tea table to regard her with sorrowful looks. Nymera was ironically the only one who seemed in high spirits; she had enough energy to finally read one of Oizys' textbooks on Charms that the young Avery was so kind as to lend her so that Nymera would not fall too far behind if she was ever allowed to go to Hogwarts.

"Harry will have kept her eyes and ears open; she is very set on keeping her promises, sometimes to her own detriment," Artemis informed as she poured herself another cup of tea. "Harry is also someone who is very careful about making direct contact unless she has sufficient evidence or cause for concern so it could just be that she's doing some more digging."

Heron smiled smally at this. "Old habits do die hard with Harry."

"I already knew that she would not be keeping us deliberately in suspense," Lord Lestrange reassured. "I suppose I am just … anxious for any news, since we are so close to getting answers."

"Precisely," his wife agreed readily.

Nymera looked up momentarily from her book and looked at her parents sternly; she looked so adorable that Artemis had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing out loud. "It will do you no good to stress this much," the young witch admonished. "The goblins and the Lady Hera are doing their best. They must not feel hurried or their work will become sloppy. That will do not good either."

Heron placed a kiss on his younger sister's head for that. Nymera lit up. "Oooo, a Charm to make something dance! Little Lacey, look – would you like to learn how to dance? Yes? Well we will have to learn as soon as possible."

Heron chuckled and turned back to his parents. "Artemis and I will see Harry at Charlus and Dorea's dinner tomorrow. We can ask her for any information then, if you want us to."

Lord and Lady Lestrange exchanged a look.

"Only if you find a good opportunity to," Lord Lestrange decided.

"True, Charlus has been wanting to meet Harry properly without too many distractions for a while now," Artemis huffed, deflating a little. "He and Dorea will likely be commanding most of her attention. Perhaps we can catch her when she tries to make an escape?"

Nymera giggled at that. "The Lady Hera is so strange."

"Nymera!" her mother cajoled lightly.

"Papa agrees with me," Nymera responded primly, causing Lady Lestrange to give her husband a stern look and for Lord Lestrange to look as innocent as he could manage. Heron and Artemis laughed at Lord Lestrange's funny expression. The young Lestrange frowned. "What? I am not saying it is a bad thing! I like the fact she is so strange."

Artemis grinned. "Life is never boring with Hera around!"

Heron chuckled. "No, it isn't," he agreed readily.

"Is that why the two of you are learning how to shoot?" Nymera asked curiously, earning a look from both of her parents. "To make sure you don't get bored?"

"No, I genuinely wanted to learn," Artemis smiled.

"Harry decided to make me a bow for Yule on her own accord; I didn't ask for one. Apparently she thinks I am suited to it," Heron flushed.

"She has very good intuition," Artemis grinned at him, eyes dancing fondly. "You are pretty good with a bow already."

"But why are you doing those weird exercises in the morning? The plank, you called it? And that weird side plank," Nymera wanted to know.

Artemis chuckled as her suitor turned beetroot with embarrassment.

"It is to help create more arm strength and muscle," Heron explained, clearing his throat. "Henry Burke gave Artemis, Druella and me a list to complete in the morning or in the evening."

"Nymera, stop teasing your brother," Lady Lestrange sighed.

"But that is the one thing I can actually do without expending too much energy or magic," Nymera pouted.

"Very soon you will have energy to do more than just annoy me," Heron teased her lightly. "We will get you to Hogwarts, one way or the other where you can annoy your Housemates instead of me."

"That's not how siblings work, I'm afraid, my dear," Artemis chuckled as Nymera shook her head emphatically. She cast a quick Tempus: 3.30pm. She sighed. "Damn it, I need to go home. My father thought it was a good idea to invite Uncle Fleamont and Aunt Euphemia to dinner and I have to make sure that Hecuba and Electra don't take Eleanor's job and tear Aunt Euphemia's throat out."

Lord and Lady Lestrange shot her a sympathetic look. Nymera held her tongue but she had a sour expression on her face when Artemis mentioned Lord Potter. Heron got to his feet. "I will see you to the Floo Network."

Artemis dipped a parting curtsey to Lord and Lady Lestrange and hugged Nymera before she and Heron left the parlour. As soon as the pair were out of earshot, Artemis groaned in frustration. "I should have stayed with Charlus and Dorea. Why did I let myself get persuaded by Electra to do this?"

"Because they are still your family," Heron replied with a smile.

"I sometimes wish they weren't," Artemis confessed. "My family are judgemental and closed minded half the time. Hecuba and Electra have at least the ability to think for themselves. Charlus and Dorea are the most normal; my father has his moments. Eleanor … I don't really know her all too well. Fleamont and Euphemia – stuck up Light Wizards the lot of them. If I could disown them, I would." She smiled to herself. "Harry is the family I chose; that means a lot to me."

"You and her are alike in so many ways," Heron observed with a fond grin. "It is a little scary sometimes."

Artemis chuckled and observed her suitor with curious and assessing eyes. "You liked her too, didn't you? Harry?"

Heron flushed a deep red, eyes wide. "Artemis …"

"I am not angry, or jealous. Merlin knows I get it," Artemis reassured, laughing. "I would have probably loved her too if I had that inclination for women, family or not. Don't tell anyone I said that. I just want to know the truth."

Heron calmed down instantly and took a hold of Artemis' hand just before they came to the Floo Entrance to Lestrange Manor. He stared unblinkingly into her Imperius golden eyes. "Yes, I liked Harry. A lot. But I quickly realised she and Nott had eyes for each other and I didn't want to come between them. Then after that nasty business being patched up between Slytherin House and Harry, and I started to get to know you … I felt drawn to you in a way I wasn't with Harry. I felt like writing you sappy poetry as an offer of courtship, for Merlin's sake!"

Heron still looked a little bashful at that, which made Artemis giggle. The Lestrange heir knocked his embarrassment away as he turned back to her and began carding his fingers through her curls. "I have eyes for you, and you alone, Artemis Potter. I want no one else."

Artemis beamed, looking pleased. She then laughed. When Heron frowned in confusion, she clarified. "Harry once said you have a type. I think she was right."

Heron grinned broadly as he caressed her left cheek lovingly. "Yes she is absolutely right," he agreed readily. He ran his left thumb with a feathery touch over Artemis' lower lip, causing his suitor to close her eyes at the touch.

For the first time in his life, Heron Lestrange lost his resolve. Before he could stop himself, he captured Artemis' lips in a gentle, reverent kiss, which she answered just before Heron managed to stop himself, mentally kicking himself, his forehead against hers. "Damn it. I am so sorry-"

"I'm not," was Artemis' blunt reply before she reinitiated the kiss, her own hands in Heron's curls, pulling him closer to her. Heron answered immediately, embracing her as each of them tried to get as much of a taste of each other as they could. Eventually the two came up for air, and Artemis chuckled breathlessly. "I have been waiting to do that, idiot."

Her suitor laughed shortly at that admonishment.

"Forgive me," Heron whispered, nuzzling her gently.

"There is nothing to forgive," Artemis reassured with an eyeroll. She sighed as she started to step away from him. "But I do have to go before there is a murder at my house."

Heron snorted with laughter and gave her one more parting kiss. "I will see you tomorrow."

"Already cannot wait," Artemis reassured with a cheeky wink as she turned to leave.

Heron chuckled to himself and once he knew Artemis was gone, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been terrified about over stepping the mark with Artemis – he really did not want to pressure her or put their courtship in danger – but was rather relieved to know she had wanted that kiss as much as he did.

I still can't believe Tom and Nott managed to keep their hands off Harry for so long, Heron commented to himself. The Sacrum Vinculum pull, from what he heard, was no joke. It amplified feelings already present in order for the bond to be fully completed, and was thus more difficult to resist. It made Heron half glad he wasn't part of a Sacrum Vinculum bond with Artemis.

"Yaaaaay! Heron and Artemis stopped eating each other!"

Heron blanched and whirled around. "Nymera!" he exclaimed at the same time as his parents, who were both smirking their faces off.

Nymera didn't take the hint. She pouted a little. "What? You looked like you were eating your favourite piece of cake."

Lord Lestrange could not keep his composure, laughing heartily, while Lady Lestrange was biting into her cheek to try and keep a straight face for her son's sake, who was already beetroot with embarrassment.

Little sisters, Heron grumbled to himself, trying to keep the fondness out of his mental tone but failing miserably.

################################################################

Orion was for once thankful in his life that 12 Grimmauld Place was on this rare occasion quiet; his mother had gone out with Walburga and Druella and his father had been summoned to the Wizengamot for one reason or another. Hence, the lack of relatives in the house gave him an opportune moment to think and get his thoughts in order, left alone in his room, staring almost unblinkingly at the singing Nessie statue that had been amongst his gifts from Harry.

Orion would never describe himself as a detective like Sherlock Holmes but he was a Black and a Slytherin; when there were pieces of a puzzle lying around that were begging to be put together, he simply could not resist. Like most of his friends, the puzzle Orion had been trying to figure out was his soul sister, Harry.

He had been inexplicitly drawn to her from the moment they met; Orion had known there was more to her than met the eye. As time went on, Orion realised there was a cornucopia of mysteries around Harry that had some potentially unsettling answers to them, and one of them was the reason Orion's head felt like it was about to explode, especially after the day at the Evren Estates and witnessing that duel between Harry and Melanie.

Pieces started to fall into place, revealing a startling picture.

The scar on Harry's forehead; left by a Killing Curse.

The last Peverell.

She knows where the Deathly Hallows are; they make one Master or Mistress of Death.

The paranoia around Grindelwald; risking her life to save the Flamels from his grasp. They knew her family secret.

Family secret.

Harry is a Soul Mage …

That duel … Dru compared her to a divine being.

Mistress of Death …

Orion did not like the path that his train of thought was taking, but he also had no intention or inclination to derail it. Instead, he picked himself up from his bed, walked out of his room and headed straight down the corridor towards the Black family library, a place he had not visited in almost two years. The last time had been when Orion decided to read up on some more powerful Runic protection spells after what had happened to Myrtle Warren, just in case something similar ever happened again.

The Heir to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black paused for a moment in front of the door before turning the ornate silver knob, opening the door and stepping inside with a small gulp. He always felt like he was that seven-year-old boy again, hiding in the library from his angry mother or father, and then being told that the library is off-limits until he was old enough. Orion never felt like he was old enough to truly handle to responsibilities that not only came with being a Black, but being the son and heir to the patriarch of the family.

The library always exuded power; from the dark wooden floors to the stunning bookcases that were decorated with golden leaves and ravens and the sumptuous blood red reading armchairs. There were the odd Dark artefacts displayed; Orion knew better than to touch them.

The Black Heir stamped out the trepidation that was coiling around his heart as he forced himself towards the section of the library that he knew was on Death Magic, Soul Magic and the History of Necromancy; one of his ancestors had been obsessed with the Dark Art of Necromancy and had apparently been insanely jealous of the Gaunts and Peverells and thus had tried to document anything about their craft he could pick up. Orion now hoped that the envy his ancestor had could come in handy.

"The Secrets of the Reaper – hmmm," Orion muttered as he scanned the giant bookcase. "The Power of the Soul … Soul Magic mostly … The Covenant of the Hallows … could be something … The Secret of the Darkest Art … this could be something too …"

"Orion, do you have a minute … brother, what are you doing?"

Lucretia had entered the library, frowning at finding her little brother, who normally shied away from their Family Magic unless Runes were involved, browsing the section that not even Arcturus the Elder or any of the Blacks dared to touch.

"Research," was Orion's quick answer as he continued to read the spines of the books. "No, no, no, this is about Necromancy only … yeah, I am not touching this one either; this one looks like a screamer …"

Lucretia blinked in utter bewilderment. "Why in the name of Merlin, Morgana and all the fairies of Avalon would you need to study Death and Soul Magic of all things?" she demanded, paling. "Orion, please tell me you are not planning on doing something stupid!"

Orion scoffed. "Lu, please give me a bit more credit than that," he rolled his eyes. "I am just looking for some answers to a mystery I have been trying to solve."

That was definitely the truth.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Lucretia had caught on in seconds. "You mean the Lady Hera."

Orion froze and for the first time raised his eyes to look at his older sister, who was smiling smally. "No need to look so scared, Orion. I will not sell you out to Mother or Father, or her for that matter."

Orion gulped. "I have no idea-"

"I know she is a Peverell, brother," Lucretia cut across gently. Orion looked set to faint. "Ignatius told me in the strictest confidence when I asked him the reason why everyone was so protective around her. I mean, it explains everything – why she is so closed off, why she wants to stay out of the spotlight."

"You have not told anyone else?" Orion demanded, his eyes hardening.

"No. Why would I? It is not my secret to tell," Lucretia raised an eyebrow and gave her brother an assessing look. "You knew already a long time, didn't you? That is why you looked set to attack me."

Orion's eyes became apologetic but he also did not refute his sister's statement. Lucretia took a few more steps towards him. "The reason I came in here was because I wanted to ask you something about the Lady Hera, and you, but now it seems I have my answer already."

"Did you think we were having an affair, dear sister?" Orion sounded colder than he meant to.

"Not at all," Lucretia reassured. "You and Wally have too much affection for each other, and the Lady Hera is obviously in love with her future Consorts so that thought had never crossed my mind. No, I wanted to ask in what manner you do see her as? Because there have been some very impertinent remarks running around in the family about the two of you. Callidora, Cederella and Charis have been helping to put an end to them, as have Alphard, Great-Aunt Lysandra, Great-Aunt Violetta and Great-Uncle Arcturus but … you know how our family is."

Orion's eyes flashed dangerously. "How I feel about the Lady Hera is none of their concern, Lu."

"I agree, but I am just curious myself," Lucretia admitted. "Ignatius and Grandfather still sing your praises as a team and I saw for myself how close you two are at the Ball."

Orion huffed, pursing his lips for a moment before straightening. "I admit I was drawn to Harry from day one," he confessed. "I could sense she was different and I thought she could do with a friend in a strange place. Harry treated me like a person, not as Heir Black and I liked it. She put up with my overexuberance practically without complaint; yes, I quickly grew to love her but not in the way you or any others may think. I love her like a sister; perhaps even a twin. I am not in love with her."

Lucretia nodded along. "As I thought, but thank you for your candour, brother." The Black heiress considered for a moment and smiled smally. "I for one would have loved for her to have been born your twin. I would have had a brother and a sister then; even better."

Orion smiled at that. "Yes," he agreed readily. "But I don't think she would have been the same Harry we know and love."

"True," Lucretia concurred. She turned her attention back onto the books. "Would you like to have some help with your research. I have currently nothing better to do and it would make the search go twice as fast."

"I would love that," Orion lit up. He stopped for a moment. "When will Mother and Father be back, though?"

Lucretia actually rolled her eyes at this. "You know Mother! It will take hours in her case and Wizengamot business could take hours or minutes, as you know."

Orion hummed in agreement. He then frowned. "Why did you not join Mother? You love shopping."

"True, but my concern for my little brother comes first," Lucretia answered bluntly as she too began to browse the shelves. She frowned. "What do you hope to find in books on Death Magic and Soul Magic that could help you suss out the mystery that is the Lady Hera, Sherlock?"

Orion smiled at the nickname. "I don't know," he admitted. "I have a hunch and I am hoping to try and dissuade myself from it."

"Well that will not do at all," Lucretia scoffed. "We have a 'gut feeling' as Billy calls it for a reason. Your hunch is very likely to be correct; it will not do to stick your head in the sand to avoid it." She then frowned. "What is your hunch about her, Ori?"

Orion grumbled at his old pet name when he was younger but then composed himself. "I can't tell you," he sighed. "I would be putting her in danger."

"All right," Lucretia decided to accept that for now. "Well, the situation is as clear as mud but let's continue searching anyway. Oh, what about this? Essays and Debates on Alignment of Family Magic – it even has an entire chapter on the Peverells."

Orion lit up. "It is a good a place to start as any," he stated as his sister lifted it down.

Let's just hope it proves us wrong, Orion thought to himself.

#########################################################

Harry was rather thankful that the day passed rather quietly. Thanatos came back from groceries shopping and then helped Harry train Altair and Tom a little more. After around two hours of intensive dagger throwing and duelling – after taking a stiff shower – the boys joined in a quick game of cards with Nicholas and Tosti. Harry spent her time reading and writing a song to help with Altair's idea for a birthday present for Tom, humming to the song on the radio as she did so. Perenelle was sitting with her, sewing contentedly. The noise in the house only increased when Melinoë and Amaris returned from shopping with bags after bags and Athenaïs and Andras tried to see if the two women had gotten them anything.

The Lady Regnant even found moments to slip away to her study and gather the pertinent journals that belonged to Uncle Cadmus and Uncle Ignotus on the Rite of Paean and to take them to her room to study more closely, with Evren's help.

"I have to admit, Niece, that I have never heard or seen the Rite of Paean used to restore a soul that has been split multiple times," Evren admitted as Harry studied a third diagram. "But I have a feeling that the parts of the soul inside the Horcruxes may not take too kindly to being put back."

Harry looked up at her ancestress. "Do you think the Horcruxes will make a fuss?"

"I think they will definitely try to put up a fight," Evren affirmed grimly. "You must maintain constant vigilance as always."

"I was not planning on doing anything less," Harry reassured.

Evren chuckled. "Forgive me. I just wanted to have it said."

"I assume that I need to use my own Soul Fire to 'sew' the soul back together?" Harry steered the conversation on.

"Yes, in conjunction with the Runes and sigils that need to be used in order to open the soul," Evren confirmed. She smiled smally. "There may be one extra element but I am unsure of what it is, I'm afraid; other than the full moon."

Harry frowned at this but decided to bank it away in her mind just in case. She spent another forty minutes studying before Altair came to fetch her for dinner. The two of them exchanged a knowing look.

"You ready?" he asked simply.

"As ready as I can be on such short notice," Harry replied candidly, keeping her tone lowered. "You?"

"Same," Altair answered with a tone of cold, iron determination. "But I will make sure everything goes well even if it means sacrificing my own blood. I will not lose him, or you, to this damn folly."

"On that we are agreed," Harry responded easily.

The adults, apart from the disguised deities, didn't seem to notice the conspiratorial look between the two of them as they came down the stairs. Athenaïs and Andras also knew that once more their Witch and Wizard were up to something. Tom was too busy being teased by the Flamels to notice anything untoward around him.

With the help of Hypnos and Harry playing Evren's violin, it wasn't long until the Flamels and Amaris Nott retired up to their rooms and retired to bed to fall into a very deep sleep. As for Thanatos and Melinoë, they hid in their rooms until they were summoned by Harry. As for the triad, they waited until they were sure everyone else was asleep – including the familiars – before they made their way downstairs to the music room where the light of the full moon sprayed in all corners of the room.

The three of them got to work; Harry was drawing the sigil in chalk and muttering spells incoherently while Altair was setting up black, white and green candles – all engraved with sigils as well. Tom set up privacy ward and Silencing Charms just in case, mentally preparing himself for what was about to happen. After making sure no one could disturb them, Tom drew out his diary from his robe he was wearing and removed the Gaunt ring from his finger. At the same time Harry stood up from completing the sigil. As soon as the moon light hit the graphic, it began to glow an ominous white-blue colour. The candles lit themselves and the flames began dancing as the Nott heir began to burn frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, rosemary, thyme and white pine. As soon as he was finished, Altair took the robe from Tom, leaving his lover in only his white night shirt and trousers.

"You will need to take the shirt off too," Altair informed him in a very controlled tone.

Tom nodded and did as he was told, barely even registering the cold and certainly not feeling remotely bashful about having to do so in front of the two people he loved most. Altair took the shirt and then opened the case of ritual implements.

"You will need to lie dead in the centre of the sigil, on your back. I will be preparing what is left of your soul to be mended and Harry will deal with your Horcruxes first," Altair told him.

Tom nodded sedately and lowered himself down onto the complex graphic. The diary and the Gaunt ring were placed next to him, position near the stomach by Harry, who too had lowered herself onto her knees next to him. Altair joined them with Tom's books, the Peverell journals, three Rune stones and three sigil stones, the same glowing implement Harry had used to carve runes into the daggers she forged, his wand and an athame.

"Ready?" Harry asked Tom in a whisper.

"Yes," came the assured reply.

Harry and Altair exchanged a nod and without further ado, Altair flipped instantly to the correct pages in the books, placed the Rune and sigil stones in the shape of a six pointed star on top of Tom's stomach, cut his finger with the athame and let three drops of blood fall onto each before healing himself quickly and holding one hand and the glowing implement over the stones.

"Psychí, etoimásou!" Altair stated, his eyes flashing purple momentarily as the sigil's glow intensified. The strange implement, Runes and sigils lit up with white-blue light as well; Tom groaned and cried out with the jolts of pain and the burning sensation that was seemingly digging itself into the fibre of his body.

Harry took her cue and turned her attention onto the two Horcruxes in front of her. Using her abilities to sense life forms, she focused her powers on finding the sentient core of the two soul pieces inside the objects. Finding them was not difficult; however, it seemed that the Horcruxes already had some power of their own because they managed to slip through some cracks in her Occlumency shields.

What the … who are you? she heard the Diary Horcrux demand.

I sense a lot of power in this one, the Ring Horcrux commented. Why is it getting so warm here?

My name is Hera Peverell. I am the future Consort of the person who created you, Harry told the Diary Horcrux, taking some pleasure in the surprise she felt coming from it.

The soul piece sneered. Future Consort! My maker is not so weak as to let love rule him! It is a fleeting distraction.

You clearly have been away from his soul for too long, Harry drawled. Now, are you two going to cooperate or am I going to have to make this painful and uncomfortable?

Cooperate? the Ring Horcrux repeated rather … innocently. With what?

Fixing Tom's broken soul, of course.

You mean to undo us! Unacceptable! the Diary seethed. Our main will be left undefended from Death!

Harry huffed. It seemed that this version of the Diary Horcrux was rather … childish. Guess that meant she would have to treat it like one. So you're going to be difficult?

Very! the Diary Horcrux's petulant answer came.

Very well.

Harry had rather hoped it would not come to this so early, but she fired up her own Soul Fire and sent it snaking into the diary and the ring. She almost had to laugh at the genuine surprise and abject panic that she felt coming from both the soul piece's cores as they thought to try and escape the grasp of her Soul Fire. As with Grindelwald's portrait keeping a firm grasp on Ambrose and Bradley, the soul pieces tried to keep a tight grip on their vessels as Harry used her technique to begin peeling them away from the diary and the ring, leaving both objects completely unharmed.

They fought back the entire time, but it seemed the magic that bound them was not as powerful as Grindelwald's just yet because Harry managed to work easily through their resistance.

No, no, no, no – what is this magic? the Diary Horcrux wailed all the while.

Ow, ow, ow, ow, hot, hot, hot, hot, the Ring Horcrux added.

You fool! You are condemning your Consort, the Diary Horcrux tried to guilt trip Harry as a final resort.

I don't think you should be insulting her, the Ring Horcrux commented.

The Lady Regnant ignored the Horcrux as she worked. Eventually, both the Horcruxes seemed to lose their ability to fight back and soon were resigned to succumbing to Harry's power. By the time Harry managed to dislodge the soul pieces from their vessels, Altair's preparation was complete: she could visibly the sickly red light that showed the damage done to Tom's precious soul. It was not as bad as it had been the first time she had seen it, somehow, but it was still in dire need of help. Even Altair and Tom could see the damage for themselves, and neither looked too happy about it.

The Mistress of Death held the two soul pieces in one hand and moved closer towards the damaged soul that she could swear was almost crying out in pain. She turned to Tom. "This may hurt," she warned.

"Do it!" Tom winced as he continued to feel the heat from the Runes and sigils.

Harry's eyes turned fully silver as she began 'weaving' the tendrils of the two soul pieces with tendrils from the main soul, as Altair began chanting again incoherently. She ignored the continued berating from the more aggressive soul piece and the sobbing and fear from the other as she focused on 'knitting'. Harry welded the parts together with Soul Fire, which caused Tom to cry out in discomfort more than a couple of times but she forced herself to continue as Altair used his magic to restrain Tom.

Forgive me, Tom. I love you, Harry stated to herself now and again as she worked.

However, as she continued to work, the Mistress of Death noted and sense something very strange. Even as the soul pieces were woven and melded back into place, and that ugly red light vanished and was replaced by a white-bluish one, she noticed that there were still cracks and holes in the soul that needed to be filled.

This was not good.

Harry finished her work and sat back, shaking her head. Altair saw it too. "It's supposed to be whole … we are missing something," he immediately began digging into the books again.

Tom looked up a little. "What's wrong?"

"Your soul has cracks and holes, even after being put together," Harry gulped. "We are working on a solution."

Tom nodded and closed his eyes as though praying internally.

It was at this moment that Harry felt her Link open. Tell Altair to turn to page 349 in the book he is currently reading, Thanatos told her.

Harry frowned and looked to her other Consort who was flipping through one of the books frantically. "Page 349," she told him. "Go to page 349."

Altair stopped and frowned, cocking his head at her for a moment, but did as he was told. His eyes bugged out for a moment before he started to berate himself. "I am such an idiot! Of course – how did I over look this?" Altair grinned as he looked to Harry. "I know how the cracks can be fixed."

He gave her the book and pointed to the term Kiss of the Soul. Harry frowned at it. "I don't understand," she admitted. "How can a soul kiss another soul?"

"It's not referring to the soul itself," Altair clarified. "This is an Ancient Greek ritual; the Ancient Greeks believed that if two people kissed, they would exchange a small part of their souls with each other. I can't believe I didn't see this before; it isn't just the Ancient Greeks. In Dutch folk magic, a kiss was also the method of certain healing spells!" His eyes sparkled with glee and mischief. "To fix the cracks-"

"We need to kiss Tom," Harry finished, laughing shortly. Her verdant eyes glimmered. "You first, or shall I?"

"Ladies first," Altair smirked.

Harry smirked back before shuffling over to Tom, who was looking rather amused too. "It seems that I needed your help anyway," he commented dryly.

"I did tell you," Harry grinned.

The Mistress of Death captured her lover's lips in hers; Tom answered her kiss empathetically, causing a moan to come from the both of them. The pair felt the glow of the sigil intensify and Tom began groaning in pain into the kiss, which made Harry only deepen the kiss further in an attempt to distract him.

"It's working!" Altair stated gleefully.

Harry tore herself away from Tom and turned to the other half of her heart, who had moved closer to the pair whilst keeping an eye on proceedings. "Your turn."

Altair didn't need to be told twice. He and Tom were soon engaged in a passionate duel for domination in the kiss; Harry watched in awe as silvers of white and blue travelled from Altair into Tom and all the way down to the patched-up soul where these slivers began to weave themselves into the holes and cracks, which had already reduced considerably. She had no idea why but Harry's right hand started moving almost on its own. Silver lightning danced in between her fingers and when it touched her lover's soul, small bolts of silver started to fix what was left of the minor cracks. They then ran through Tom and into Altair, causing the pair to break apart.

Harry started chuckling to herself when the soul in Tom's body glowed a nice, healthy silver. It was fixed! They had done it. The magic of the ritual seemed to sense it as well because the sigil on the floor stopped glowing, as did the Runes and sigils on Tom's stomach. The candles snuffed themselves out instantly, leaving only the light of the moon on the three of them. Harry looked at the hand where the silver lightning had come out of, blinking in confusion as to why that had happened.

"What was that?" Altair whispered.

Harry was staring at her own hand. "Do you know, I am not entirely sure."

Tom sat up as Altair dispelled the restraints on him, breathing in and out, one hand on his stomach. "I don't think I can complain, no matter what that was. I feel … lighter." He chuckled to himself. "I am … less hollow."

"I think that means our job is done," Altair grinned. He then looked to the diary with a frown as Harry put the Gaunt ring back onto Tom's right hand ring finger, just above the courting ring. "What do we do with that diary?"

"I still use it now and again," Tom flushed with embarrassment. "I suppose I could get a new one."

He sounded way too mournful for the liking of the Lady Regnant of House Peverell.

"Is that what you want?" Harry asked.

Tom smiled sadly. "I don't but if I must then I shall. It was a birthday present from Malum. One of the first presents I received that was truly mine."

"Oh," Altair wilted.

"Well, the Horcrux is gone, so it should just be a normal diary," Harry reassured. She looked around her. "Come on. Let's clean up and get to bed."

"Are we going to sleep together or apart?" Tom wanted to know as he picked himself off the floor, Altair following suit as Harry already started to Banish the sigil on the floor and the candles.

Harry looked at him and then gaped shamelessly.

Tom's eyes! They had changed. They had gone back to their beautiful lapis lazuli eyes with burgundy flecks in them; it seemed that Dark magic always found a way to leave a mark on someone.

Tom frowned, clearly unaware of the change in him. "Harry, what is it?"

"Your eyes …" was all the Lady Regnant whispered, which caused Altair to immediately take a look for himself.

His hazel eyes began shining. "Merlin …"

Tom flushed and quickly conjured himself a mirror to see what had his two lovers so spellbound. He gaped at himself, blinking at his reflection. Those eyes, his mother's eyes, were back with burgundy patches in them, creating an odd but rather appealing affect in his orbs.

"Well," he cleared his throat. "I think we have proof it definitely worked."

Harry frowned. There was a hint of disappointment in his tone. "What is it, Tom?" she wanted to know.

Tom flushed with embarrassment. "I was hoping my eyes would stay burgundy; it ensured my eyes could change colour and I rather liked that."

"I doubt that has just disappeared into thin air," Altair reassured.

"I hope not," Tom sighed.

Harry and Altair exchanged a sympathetic look and the Lady Regnant approached. "As far as I can remember, your eyes always changed colour due to powerful emotions," she stated once she was inches away from him. A grin carved itself onto her countenance. "Let us put that to the test, shall we?"

Harry ran her right hand into Tom's curls and pulled him down to initiate a heated, loving kiss. Tom answered instantly, both hands on her back and pulling her closer; he moaned with pleasure as Harry's free left hand roamed his bare torso and side. Harry kissed him a little more before kissing his still-slightly-marked neck for a bit.

"Show me your eyes," she purred.

Tom moaned in response and had to force himself to push through the desire and comply. The moment their eyes met, Harry laughed with satisfaction. Tom's eyes were glowing ruby red, but just barely because his eyes were almost black with dilation. Altair, who had been enjoying the show, also saw the eyes.

"Glow intact," he told Tom. "Still scary and sexy."

Tom flushed in an instant. He gulped a little when he saw Harry's own eyes turn silver.

"You asked if we are going to sleep apart or together," she reminded silkily. "Well, I don't know about either of you but I don't intend on sleeping alone after what just happened. Might just be part of a powerful magical ritual aftermath, but still."

"Me neither," Altair concurred immediately.

Tom breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, which bed are we going to take?" Altair continued, eyes shining with mischief.

"Mine," Harry stated immediately.

"That was solved easily," Tom managed to comment as Harry summoned Shadows and in a blink of an eye took the three of them to her chambers. This made Altair and Tom blink rapidly and look around quickly before laughing quietly to themselves. "We are going to have to get used to that."

Harry laughed as she got into bed, Altair and Tom quickly behind. Very soon, Hypnos claimed the three of them; Morpheus and his compatriots and siblings allowed them once more to go nightmare and vision free for the rest of the night.

#############################################################

"I am so glad nothing went completely awry," Melinoë commented as she and Thanatos gathered the books, journals and the ritual implements the kids had left behind. She shook her head. "Harry has no idea what she has done, does she?"

"No, and neither do those boys for that matter," Thanatos sighed.

"Are you going to tell her?" Melinoë demanded, raising an eyebrow.

"Am I even allowed to?" Thanatos pointed out. "It would not surprise me if Atropos, Clotho and Lachesis once more had a hand in this and will not allow me to tell her unless they deem fit for her to be told!"

"Aiiii, you have a point there," the Goddess of Ghosts grumbled. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Will this affect them do you think?"

"It shouldn't," the God of Death sighed. "My fear is not how it affects their health or their magic; not many can tolerate being Consorts to a Master or Mistress of Death because the affect on them is regarding their Tapestries now."

"True, but I think that isn't a problem in this case," Melinoë pointed out with a slight grin.

"Touché," Thanatos agreed.

The Goddess of Ghosts considered for a moment. "Do you think it will leave a Mark on them?"

"Definitely," Thanatos confirmed grimly. "It will depend on how quickly the Mark will form and if they notice it. Their familiars will likely also note the difference." The God of Death frowned. "My present concern is that Hypnos' kids have reported that more and more of Harry's friends are sussing out who she is."

Melinoë rolled her eyes. "Those kids are fiercely loyal to Harry; they are not going to betray her if that concerns you."

"No, but if Queenie Goldstein or any other Legilimens manages to get past their defences, they would not have need to open their mouths for the information to be divulged," Thanatos' eyes flashed silver dangerously.

"They were in the presence of Queenie and so far, so good," Melinoë pointed out. "I would worry more about what Norton Lament could tell Grindelwald."

"Indeed," the God of Death agreed in a dangerously quiet voice.

The two immortals finished cleaning up and then went to do their immortal nightly duties, before returning home in time for the occupants of the Evren Estates to be let out of the Realm of Hypnos. Melinoë and Perenelle ended up giving the three teenagers their coffee and breakfast in bed.

"This is really becoming a habit," the Immortal Sorceress had commented to the Goddess of Ghosts in amusement as they had left the three of them chatting happily about the dysfunctional Potter family.

"I think it is a rather good one," Melinoë commented. "I mean, I would be more concerned if they wanted to live separately from each other."

Perenelle hummed in agreement.

###############################################################

Rosberg grumbled to himself after making himself a third cup of coffee. He had just recovered from receiving a Howler from a fellow goblin about the tardiness of his opening of mail and dealing with correspondences and important business – apparently there had been a letter of great importance from one of the Cursebreaker teams in the field that Rosberg was supposed to deal with but didn't.

He really hated having to do business during holidays.

However, Rosberg didn't fancy getting another Howler – one from Griphook or the King – so he forced himself to deal with the mail. Updates, Accountant matters, another letter from his mother, flyers for events, a letter from his annoying sister – a letter from Griphook and it wasn't a Howler.

Rosberg decided to deal with that one first, just to be on the safe side. Griphook was not known for his patience on the best of days. The Accountant of the Lestrange Vaults broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

May your gold be ever flowing, Rosberg, my friend,

I sincerely hope that you have managed to get around to doing your mail or you would miss this very important update that I have received from the Lady Peverell on that matter she has been assisting with, regarding Heiress Nymera Lestrange. Apparently Her Ladyship discovered something very pertinent at the Malfoy Ball: the identity of the person who cursed Nymera. However, she has admitted that she has attained this information in a manner that perhaps could be considered less than legal to the wand-wielders.

She used Legilimency, without consent, on someone and discovered that they had made an attempt on the life of Heir Altair Nott, one of Lady Hera's future consorts, that went wrong. The tampered counterfeit Blood Curse was concealed in a piece of cake that was meant for Heir Nott but one he did not eat because apparently he was not hungry. Heiress Lestrange ate it instead. However, Lady Hera is concerned how this evidence would be treated in a wand-wielder court and thus would like to use us as an intermediary between her and any lawyers we may advise her to consult. I do not know about you, but I think that is wise.

I would be obliged if you would be so kind as to apprise Lord and Lady Lestrange of the situation. I am sure they are extremely anxious to know if Lady Hera has discovered anything.

May your enemies always fall at your feet,

Griphook

Rosberg almost fell off the chair he was sitting on in shock. Lady Hera had managed to find the culprit behind Nymera Lestrange's curse – in one evening! The Lestranges had been looking for answers for years and due to one Cursebreaker, they had two important answers in less than a month!

Lady Hera is a Legilimens … interesting, Rosberg noted to himself, shaking his head.

"Well, I had better go and write a letter," he grumbled to himself as he jumped off his armchair and headed to the small study. "I sometimes hate my job."

#############################################################

Tom's soul has been fixed, but apparently something else happened during the ritual? Wonder why Thanatos and Melinoë are so on edge? How will the Lestranges receive the news that the culprit who cursed their daughter has been discovered? How will Harry, Tom and Altair handle the dinner party at Charlus and Dorea's house? How many more of Harry's friends are sussing out the truth? Will Norton Lament's mouth be shut before he can blab to Grindelwald's forces? Stay tuned and find out!

Yaaaaaaay! This one was fun but also rather difficult to write, especially since I am still recovering from another bout of bloody flu. I have no idea why but I get ill so quickly in the summer, it genuinely isn't funny! I am rarely ever ill in winter or autumn when most people – it is always summer. Anyway, I have also been on the job hunt – it's going OK, I think.

Orion: … Ophelia is somehow always one step ahead.

Gellert: Well at least you're figuring it out at last!

Orion: Shut up!

Gellert: What? You are not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Harry: OK, that's just an unnecessary low blow.

Queenie: Especially since I am hidin' thin's from you, darlin', and you don't even know it!

Gellert: Well we cannot have the duel coming too soon can we?

Oh boy! Gellert, no spoilers! See you in the next chapter everyone!

Kingmaker'sUmbreon