Embracing His True Self
Chapter 61
The second he felt those lips on his, Harry's thought ceased entirely, his body however…reacted accordingly. That is to say, very, very willingly as butterflies erupted in his stomach and a low build of arousal lower still. He had dreamed of this, and it took a few seconds for him to realize this definitely wasn't a dream, it was reality a very, very welcoming reality. Those lips, which were always giving out curt advice and demands were so soft but claiming ardently, making a statement.
Voldemort was kissing him. In front of everyone.
"Mine," Voldemort had stated, claiming, demanding, irrefutably. His head protested that he didn't belong to anyone, yet his body betrayed the desire he felt hearing someone claiming him so publicly. His low grade arousal was changing, the fire burning a little brighter within him. He could feel that Voldemort had a problem similar to his own, as it pressed against his pelvis.
Blinking at Voldemort, his stupidly handsome face filled with smug satisfaction. Noticing that all had gone quiet, except the sound of noise somewhere in the background, a wailing, heartbroken sound, but it was so far away, all he could focus on was Voldemort. This had been the last thing he expected after he fought Bellatrix. Voldemort was after all inexplicably fond of her, its why he hadn't made it a duel to the death. With the added benefit of what he planned…she wouldn't be able to get on anyone's nerves, be entirely useless to everyone around her. Hell, he's expected Voldemort to be furious with her loss of magic…this was the opposite of any and all reactions he'd expected.
"All of you leave!" Voldemort declared, having made his point, that Harry Potter belonged to him, nobody else was to ever put a finger on him. "Greyback, Lestrange's take Bellatrix to my office and remain there until I return." He was probably best to get everyone out of the room before Harry exploded. That was the thing with Harry, he never knew how he'd react, even having been in his mind and knew him probably better than anyone else did – except for perhaps Barty who was just a friend, at least he better be – so that was saying something. He was fascinating, it was always amusing to see which step he would take, and this was no different.
"My Lord…please," Bellatrix shrieked as Greyback grabbed her, the rest of her words indecipherable as she screeched the rafters in. Slapping Greyback across the face, her nails digging in viciously, not appreciating the manhandling, or the betrayal and abandonment of her lord well at all.
Greyback snarled viciously, furiously wrapping his hands around her long bushy hair and electing instead to drag her out of the room. The screeching turned into screams of pain, as she scrambled to find purchase and unable to do so. All she could do was try and grip his hands in order to get him to let her go, but he didn't budge the slightest.
The Lestrange's followed silently, along with Luna who was looking rather conflicted with Greyback's actions. On one hand nobody deserved to be manhandled in such a demeaning way, on the other hand this was Bellatrix…she'd just tried to kill Rodolphus – a man she was slowly coming to love – and her best friend in the entire world. She made a mental note never to get on Greyback's bad side, he was still growling lowly as they moved through the corridors.
Only once they were in Voldemort's office did Greyback let her go, after giving her a rough shove. Not that she was in any shape to fight them, as she just lay where she'd been shoved, shaking and shivering. The removal of her magic and the small fight with Greyback, trying to get him to let her go seemed to have drained her utterly.
Rodolphus watched Bellatrix as if she was a poisonous snake ready to strike, keeping Luna ensconced in his arms. Well out of the woman's reach, and if Bellatrix wanted to try to get to Luna, she'd need to go through him. Just as she had hours earlier…had it even been hours yet? It felt like mere minutes, yet at the same time hours if not days. Bellatrix's breathing had relaxed considerably as her body went lax, but he didn't trust it.
"Rodolphus sit down," Lestrange Senior demanded, his tone gruff but his eyes heralded nothing but worry for his son and heir. "You need to rest." He added, when his son stared at him. Was that exasperated embarrassment? Was his son embarrassed by his fussing in front of his woman? Well, well, this was interesting and very new. He'd never shown that sort of reaction before. Was it because he didn't want to be seen as weak in Luna's eyes? Or was it because he was in love? Merlin, he could only hope that Luna wasn't going to break his sons heart.
"Here," Rabastan murmured, conjuring up a comfortable green two seater sofa – or a loveseat as they were sometimes called – that surprisingly didn't look too out of place in the office. This way Rodolphus can keep Luna close and get rest. He could see his legs subtly trembling from where he stood. Rolling his eyes at the gratitude from his brother as he herded them towards the soft seat and groaned as he sat down. even as he sat, he had Bellatrix directly within his sight at all times.
"We should all sit, we might be here for a while," Lestrange Senior informed them, creating his own seat as he sat, making one for Greyback who as always refused to sit. Rabastan did the same, as his father and sat down, wondering what everyone else was up to. It didn't take a lot of wondering, he already knew.
"Well, how about that?" Rabastan muttered, eyes slightly wider than normal, everyone in this room had known it would happen at some point. Their Lord wasn't known for his patience, so it was a wonder it had held this long. To have it done so publicly? "And in front of everyone too…" heck, he'd prefer the warning the Dark Lord had given instead of a Cruciatus Curse any day. So, he didn't particularly mind, still, he couldn't help but wonder if it had been normal back in the day…or if Harry was a special case.
Quite frankly the second option wouldn't surprise Rabastan the slightest.
Greyback snorted loudly, "There was never going to be any other way," Voldemort was a possessive bastard, he'd want everyone to know Harry was off-limits. "If he didn't show it he would have broadcasted it," then shown it.
"He's never been one for public displays of affection," Lestrange senior stated gruffly, not quite arguing with Greyback but at the same time still feeling in a state of disbelief. "He isn't a monk by any means…but he's never done anything remotely like what he just did in there." In fact, all indicators were subtle, he never once broke out of his masks in public and when in privacy…still had masks upon his face. He had been more pleasant since his return, the Tom he'd known a long time ago.
He still failed to see what was right in front of him.
Greyback barked out a disbelieving laugh, "You wanted him to declare every one of his bedwarmers? Power hungry smarmy bastards who agreed with everything he said in order to climb up the ladders and became petulant when it didn't work?" giving Lestrange Senior a look of utter disgusted disbelief, as if he couldn't believe the old man wasn't getting what was going on.
Arching a brow, "What are you suggesting?" Lestrange Senior asked eventually, rather baffled by Greyback's talk. It was difficult to get him to say more than a few words any given day, he'd more than filled his quota and yet here he was, still talking. It meant he felt strongly more so than any other time in the history that they'd known each other.
Greyback grinned, it was a feral sort of grin, all his teeth showing, "I'll let you figure it out on your own," Giving the sons a look, he reckoned that they had already figured it out, probably as long as he had. Made sense though, his senses gave him an advantage and the boys had been here constantly due to their ill health and of course, need to remain in hiding lest they end up unveiling the plot Harry and Voldemort had worked on in order to get everyone out without anyone the wiser. Senior was barely ever there, busy with the Ministry, the estate and of course, doing missions the Dark Lord ordered. It didn't give him much time with his sons, thus, not so much time in the Dark Lord's presence.
Rodolphus ignored the byplay going on in front of him, just tried to press Luna further into his side. He felt sick just thinking on how close he came to losing her. He hadn't been aware of the counter-spell to that particular spell, if it hit Harry then him or Harry then Luna they could have died. Or worse if Harry had not been there and just a little slower…he couldn't contemplate the idea. He would have died, but it was something he'd gratefully endure to keep Luna alive. The touch of her hand on his back soothing him, back and forth across his shoulder blades.
Unlike the others, he expressed no shock or satisfaction at being right. Luna had alluded to all this coming into play, and she was as always quite correct. It seemed some things were set in stone, and others could surprise the seer. Which was probably a good thing, there would be nothing worse than the constant knowledge of always being correct. No, he'd known it would happen, knew Harry would soon become another Lord, equal to his Lord, the only thing he hadn't been aware of was the 'when' he'd had a chance to digest it whereas the others hadn't yet. His father was in particular struggling the most, because the Dark Lord he knew would not share power, and it was how it looked the reality was, Voldemort was doubling his power base, making them even more powerful. Making it beyond one hundred percent that they would win this war with such a strong united front.
Lestrange Senior refused to be bated by Greyback, instead he ordered refreshments to be brought up for them all immediately by a House-elf.
Harry unconsciously licked his lips, a bad idea, as Voldemort's eyes flared with a feral intense desire that Harry knew was for him and him alone. He could taste him on his lips, and holy shit, his taste was…incredible. He realised he wanted a replay, he wanted those lips coaxed back onto his, not that it would take much. He wanted to run his hands through Voldemort's and see if it was as soft as it looked. Flushing bright red, Harry took a step back as his brain came fully back online again. Bloody hell, what had he been thinking for even going along with it for a second?
"What are you up to?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, cautiously, why the hell would Voldemort want him? Yes, it was something he'd like, something he'd been dreaming off since he'd seen Voldemort sans the whole snake façade. Which by the way hadn't been up at all this evening, in front of every single one of his followers. "I'm not some sort of prize to be won, just because I bested Bellatrix," in fact the thought of that being why Voldemort was making a move actually hurt, but why the hell would he want to make a move anyway? He'd had absolutely zero interest in him…hadn't he?
Voldemort stepped closer into Harry's personal space, making up for the step he took back just moments earlier. "You believe yourself to be a prize because of your powers?" Voldemort asked, feeling slight disbelief, didn't the boy look in the mirror? He wandered around Harry speaking as he moved.
"I have more than enough power of my own, Harry, I certainly don't need yours." Which was a lie of sorts, he didn't need Harry to be his partner to have his powers, he already had them just by Harry's being on his side. "I already have you on my side, I already have your power at my disposal." Brutal honesty would be needed here, definitely. He was cagy and suspicious of him, and it rather vexed Voldemort.
Harry tilted his head up proudly, "And if I said no?" he challenged him, green eyes flashing at black ones.
If Harry was deliberately trying to wind him up, he was definitely succeeding, "I may be many things, especially in the eyes of the law, but I am no rapist." Voldemort hissed out through gritted teeth, quite frankly it sounded more like the snake language they both could understand than anything else. He'd never had to force a partner to sleep with him, they all did so willingly and with relish and he never left them wanting.
A wry smirk slid across Harry's face, green eyes gleaming ferociously, well, well, it looked as though Voldemort actually just wanted him for him. There could be worse ways to lose his pesky virginity, at least Voldemort didn't care for his 'fame' and it wouldn't be spread across the newspapers with explicit details on display. That and perhaps he could make his dreams a reality, because while he didn't remember most of them in a lot of details…what he did remember could still arouse him like nothing else ever had. When would another chance come up? Quite frankly, so far, Voldemort was the only wizard who actually caught his attention. At least nobody who could make him wake up from a wet dream like the ones he's had in the past. "You might look like you're in your twenties but you're what at least in your sixties…sure you'd be able to keep up old man?" Harry asked, taunting him, sweeping his tongue out again.
Voldemort inhaled sharply, the sly little bloody vixen he was deliberately winding him up. It made the problem in his pants more prominent and what little patience he'd retained vanish entirely. Watching Harry pulverise Bellatrix without losing sweat had been…alluring to say the least. The way he had utterly and mercilessly taken her magic as well…he was perfection at its finest.
Harry's eyes widened and he gave a surprise grunt as Voldemort grabbed a hold of him, and apparated them out of the Dinning room. He didn't need to open his eyes to realize they were most probably in Voldemort's bedroom. His mouth was in the process of being attacked by the wizard as he was shoved onto the bed with Voldemort on top of him.
Arching himself up, he wrapped his legs around Voldemort and flipped them over, he wasn't going to be a submissive little plaything, and Voldemort would have to live with that. The surprise that filtered over Voldemort's face indicated he definitely wasn't expecting it.
Kissing him back, distracting the both of them, he groaned at the feel of Voldemort wrapping his fingers through his hair and scraping his scalp in the process. There was something very erotic about it, but those fingers had been the first thing to get his attention. Grounding down against Voldemort, relishing in the arousal swamping him, Voldemort easily adding to it by the guttered groan he let out.
Voldemort realized he was going to come embarrassingly early if he didn't regain control, it had been a long time since he'd had a partner. He'd lost all trust towards the end, even in trusting a partner – as temporarily as they were – in his bed. He had been too busy since his return to even contemplate taking anyone. Then his bothersome attraction to the boy grounding down on him had well…made the thought of taking another somewhat…lacklustre. the enthusiastic participation wasn't easing his problem, judging by the…rather clumsy way he was acting the boy had not had sex yet.
He had to regain control immediately, with that Voldemort twisted them so that he was the one on top yet again. Tightening his hold so that Harry couldn't get out of his hold or try to get back on top. The maddening squirming wasn't helping him regain any control whatsoever.
Harry arched his neck in invitation at the first feel of that mouth biting and nibbling along his jawline. Bloody hell, it was so good, he'd never thought of his neck as an erogenous zone before, but it most definitely was. Harry slid his hands under Voldemort's clothes, gasping at the feeling of muscle under his hand, surprised to feel it. He'd never seen Voldemort undressed, but he'd always thought he was thin and lithe like himself. He couldn't help but roam his hands everywhere he could get them. Biting his lip and trying to keep silent, as he clutched his shoulders. This was a hundred times better than just trying to jerk off himself.
He had definitely gone too long, if those inexperienced hands could reduce him to a near writhing mess. They were exploring him as though they'd never even so much as touched another person before which aroused him further. Harry Potter wasn't just a virgin he was untouched and pure, and he was choosing to allow him to be his first despite their rather less than stellar past. He would give the boy a night he would never forget. Although nobody would be getting to touch him anyway, Harry was his now, he would kill anyone who tried to touch him or have him for themselves.
Harry blinked back to himself at the feeling of his clothes being removed, indecision warring within him. A bolt of panic hit him – not fearful panic just a little anxious panic – at the feeling of Voldemort undoing his trousers. "No," Harry stated, pressing his hand over Voldemort's, none of his panic showing, instead it was a decisive answer. He might be a virgin, and unexperienced, but he knew his own mind and knew better than to let anyone run all over him. That was what being here had taught him, that everything in his life was his own decision. Screw everyone else and their opinions.
To his eternal surprise, Voldemort did stop.
He did respect Harry's decision to go no further today, it was his body and as he had said before, he wasn't a rapist. He didn't need to force his partners to sleep with him, they had all been all too willing. Sure, expecting more than he would ever be willing to give them, it was hardly his fault that they grew to expect more. They were complete fools if they thought for a second he'd share his power with them. With Harry though…he would share everything. He would go as slow as he needed. The feeling of Harry's lips against his own surprised him. So, he didn't wish to stop, he was just giving clear indications of his line drawn today.
Parting just slightly, he stared down at Harry, desire and satisfaction coursing through him at the desire and need exuding from Harry's body. The hickey's he'd marked into his neck becoming more prominent as time passed. Everyone would see, everyone would know that he had claimed the boy as his.
As if claiming them in front of every single one of his followers wasn't enough.
Nothing would ever be enough.
"You're mine," Voldemort declared passionately, before swooping in, determined to reduce Harry to a incoherent babbling mess.
Harry wrapped his legs around Voldemort, tightening his hold, "And you will be mine," he declared while panting for air as they came up for a much needed breather. His lips were tingling with slight pain at the claiming, green eyes alight with passion.
All attempts at talking ceased after that, as they both focused on each other. Bodies pressing together, fingers scraping, legs tightening, bodies writhing on each other's hard bulges as passion grew to heights neither had known. Harry because it was all new and Voldemort…who had never truly been so obsessed over another person in this regard before. Eventually the passion grew too great, broken sounds left their lips as they came.
Voldemort unwound them both, leaning against the bed, and was content to watch Harry come undone, the desire to do more, to show him everything was strong. He refused, they had all the time in the world for him to show him all pleasures of the flesh. Harry was probably his first bed partner who had no desire for power, which was ironic in the extreme, since he was going to receive that and a lot more. He would ensure Harry received nothing but complete obedience and respect from his followers. Between the both of them, they would rule over the magical world and make it a world worthy of living in.
Lucius slammed the door closed of the quarters he used while they were living here temporarily as it had been. Face red, embarrassment and humiliation coursing through him. His son, his flesh and blood had fainted at the mere sight of a little blood and their Lord kissing someone. Those around him had seen it, and had found it all too amusing. Which meant it would be around the others within minutes, they would all know.
"Do you think it's true?" Narcissa asked, wringing her hands together, anxiety pouring off her. As she petted at her son, who she'd just given a wet face cloth to. His face was just as red as his fathers, he did not tolerate embarrassment well, and he did not like his fathers disapproval which was wafting from him in droves. "Has he taken Bellatrix's magic?" his worry for her sister obvious.
"Yes," Lucius stated seriously, "I have come to realise the boy never says anything he doesn't mean." The boy was infuriating in a way, but also very powerful, very self-aware and smart enough to know what it meant. Which meant that Lucius couldn't help but respect him for that. Although, for the first time, Lucius felt fear when it came to the boy. Fear of the power he was going to gain at the Dark Lord's side, fear of the power he had clearly enough to wipe Bellatrix's magic from her. The power he must have at his disposal to wipe Bellatrix' magical core was…very telling. He certainly wouldn't be going out of his way to even contemplate antagonising the boy again. Not that he had done such a thing for a while.
Narcissa felt tears brimming in her eyes, loathing herself for it, knowing if the situation was reversed Bellatrix would spare not even a single tear for her. The love she felt for her sister was one sided, Bellatrix felt no love for anyone except for the Dark Lord. "What will he do with her?" she was useless to the Dark Lord without magic, and quite honestly…she expected her death to come on swift wings.
"Love…there is nothing we can do about this situation, please don't cry," Lucius said, stalking over and wrapping his arms around her. He hated when she cried, there were only a few instances in their marriage when she had, not including the day Draco was born of course, they had been happy tears. When she found out she could have another child she'd been so heartbroken she had cried for days. He had almost joined her, but remained strong, almost stoic to the point. "I shall ask the Dark Lord for mercy," praying that he would give it to him. He was only going to do it for Narcissa, he personally didn't care for Bellatrix. She was more trouble than she was worth. Having a sister-in-law like Bellatrix wasn't only a hindrance it was an embarrassment.
"No, he will be furious," Narcissa declared strongly, she absolutely refused to allow anything to happen to her husband. She was already losing her sister she couldn't let anything happen to Lucius. "Just leave it alone."
"Do you understand now, Draco?" Lucius demanded, eyes boring coldly into his sons. "Do you realize why it is a bad idea to antagonise Potter?" wondering if his son even understood what was going on.
Draco hunched in on himself, "Is he going to get away with what he did to Bellatrix?" he'd never called her aunt Bellatrix. He barely knew her, she'd spent his entire childhood in Azkaban. He had a few pictures of her, of course, his mother liked to show them to him. He'd been a baby though, so of course, he didn't remember it. They'd been younger, youthful and very different from what they looked like now. Although, Rabastan and Rodolphus had changed since they got out of Azkaban but Bellatrix had remained maddeningly the same.
Lucius closed his eyes, despairing for his son, he didn't understand, "He will get away with whatever it is he wants. Do you not get it? Draco, Harry Potter holds more power than I or Severus do within the ranks." He'd never seen the Dark Lord publicly declare a lover before, he was different from all others. "He will rule by the Dark Lord's side, if Harry hadn't dealt with Bellatrix for what she did…the Dark Lord would have done worse."
"You must stop this childishness at once, Draco, if I find out you have been up to anything…you will not be back here again." Narcissa determined. She wasn't going to lose her son, Harry had given out numerous warnings so far. Even the others were warning her that Harry was losing patience, Severus, Rodolphus even Rabastan for Merlin's sake.
"Why him? Why is it always Potter?" Draco asked, sounding desperate and broken. Why did it always come down to him? He was never going to be anything when it was always down to Potter. In school, it was always him, from bloody house points, fame, ability to do anything he wants to getting off with murder. Not literally of course, but still, it was always him. This was supposed to be his side, where he shone and Potter died in obscurity when the Dark Lord won.
"The world doesn't revolve around you or Potter, Draco, only you are making it feel that way," Lucius stated sharply, honestly his son was still thinking of Potter as a rival in school. "You cannot keep comparing your accomplishments to Potter. It's no way to go about life. You won't be in school much longer." It would be like him trying to compare himself to the Dark Lord and that just would not do.
That was true, Draco thought, Potter wasn't in Hogwarts, yet nothing extraordinary had happened. All he did was spells, homework, quizzes then more homework. He didn't even shine when Potter wasn't there, no, Granger was still holding the number one spot in most classes.
Perhaps it wasn't Potter at all…maybe, just maybe, he was just disappointed in his life. He had expected greatness all his life after all, raised to believe it.
Realization filtered through Draco, finally at long last, he had heard the words that would bring realization crashing down upon him.
Whether it would be enough to keep the delusions from returning nobody knew.
"I must return to my office," and deal with Bellatrix went unsaid but definitely understood between the two of them. "You will accompany me."
It looked like despite their little…get together that Voldemort wouldn't change. Surprisingly that put Harry at ease, he wasn't sure how he'd have reacted if the Voldemort had suddenly started asking him things instead of demanding it. He did flush red just imagining everyone's reactions though, they'd know what they'd been up to. He wasn't thick, he could feel the marks adorning his neck, he absently touched them, yes, on full display.
Voldemort's eyes just gleamed in satisfaction, a small smirk making its way onto his features as if he could sense what Harry was thinking. He would make it his mission to always see those sorts of marks on Harry so he might as well get used to it.
"I need to get changed.." Harry barely finished the words when the feel of magic washed over both of them, getting rid of the damp patch in his underwear. "Well…that took care of that, I would have still preferred to shower." The sweat had dried up on him, leaving him feeling a little…yucky. He didn't like being dirty, not anymore. A great deal of his childhood had been that way, since he had been able to, he had kept himself as clean as possible. Showring at Hogwarts every night – when he wasn't in the hospital wing anyway – and of course bathing or showering here. Although he preferred bathing, there wasn't a bath at Hogwarts – unless you counted the prefects bath which he didn't far too public – so yes, his en-suite was very much loved by him.
"Later," Voldemort demanded, "Let's go." he wanted this dealt with as soon as possible.
Harry huffed out a sigh, before blinking as he took in Voldemort's bedchambers for the first time. They were similar to his own in design, no surprise there. What also wasn't a surprise was the green and silver Slytherin bedding. Not only was he proud of his house at Hogwarts he was proud of his family line. The Slytherin line. It was clean and orderly, just like his office, he swore Voldemort had a touch of OCD. He was curious about the book he was reading, but the impatient noise Voldemort made Harry huff again. "Alright, alright, Merlin," Harry said smothering his amusement as he swung himself off his bed. Absently rearranging his clothes, so it wasn't too bloody obvious what they had been doing. He placed a glamour on the bite marks adorning his neck and stepped out of the room, only to feel the magic receding.
Harry barked out an amused chuckle, "You're a possessive bastard, wasn't your declaration enough?" there was little to no point to putting up another glamour he knew Voldemort would just remove it.
"I'll have you know my parents were married before I was born, as distasteful as it is," Voldemort declared imperiously, he was in no way a 'bastard' thank you very much. In the magical world such a thing was sordid and dirty, especially in Voldemort's time, not so much these days, like all things the 'badness' or prejudice came and went.
Harry glanced at Voldemort surprised that he would mention his parents instead of getting pissed, but inevitably shrugging his shoulders. He cared no more for his parents than Voldemort truly did. It wasn't the inability to care, it was the fact they'd never known them. Yes, when he'd been eleven he had pined for them, but he was no longer a child wishing and desiring for parents. Pining for something wasn't the same as missing them, he hadn't grieved like Remus and Sirius had for Lily and James Potter and never would.
The remainder of the walk towards the office was a silent one, but not an uncomfortable one. Things hadn't been uncomfortable between Voldemort and Harry since the beginning. Since Voldemort had figured Harry out, realized what he wanted and had given it to him on a silver platter. His freedom most importantly.
The silence in the room where the Lestrange's were wasn't quite as peaceful, they were tense and alert, deeply uncomfortable. Well, everyone except for Luna and Rodolphus of course, who was as always, content to spend his time with Luna whenever and wherever he could. Despite the fact they were warm, seated and had drank and eaten their fill they were still anxious by the look of it.
They stood the moment the door opened, Luna much slower than the others, not used to how things were done here. Luna though, was watching Harry intently to make sure he was alright. A nod from Harry relaxed her shoulders. She was definitely out of place amongst the others who had tensed further upon the Dark Lord's arrival.
Voldemort made his way over to the unconscious bundle in his office, and did a basic diagnosis on the woman at his feet. As expected he found her magical core completely gone, shattered beyond repair. Other than that, she was in very ill health, which disheartened him, she should have recovered by this, hadn't she been following Grant's health plan?
"Well, I do believe her…life is in your hands," Voldemort stated to Harry, "What do you plan on doing?" he wouldn't interfere with the duel and deciding her fate would be interfering. She had accepted the duel adding more weight behind it.
"I did what I intended to do," Harry said coolly, having no pity for Bellatrix, she deserved everything she got in his opinion. "What happens next can be up to Rodolphus and you." Deeply curious to see what Rodolphus would decide. Rodolphus gave a choked noise at the declaration.
He stared at Harry with a 'deer in the headlight' look that definitely looked comical on the wizard. "What? Why? Why me?"
"You've had to endure the most," Harry pointed out, "But be warned, anything she manages to pull will go directly on your shoulders. Just because she has no magic doesn't mean she isn't a danger to society." And wasn't that the truth?
Rodolphus stiffened, well, that explained his 'mercy' when it came to Bellatrix. For surely he knew that he wouldn't wish to see Bellatrix dead not really. He knew that the Dark Lord didn't wish to see her die either, so it didn't leave much in the way of options. "I…I cant see her dead," he confessed, looking pained and angry at the same time. Angry at his weakness for his inability to see Bellatrix gone from his life for good.
Harry merely nodded, waiting for Rodolphus to make up his mind, ambling over and taking a seat. Making himself something to drink and nibbling on the food that had been at some point brought up. "So? What's your alternative?"
"Harry," Luna chided, didn't he realize this was hard for them? of course, he did, he was just protecting her, going to the extreme. She appreciated it, she really did, Bellatrix could have killed Rodolphus if Harry hadn't known the counter-curse.
Rodolphus gripped Luna tightly, she had better learn not to argue with Harry at least not where Voldemort was anyway. He could see that Voldemort wasn't even happy with what she had said so far. "How about keeping her on the grounds here, with the inability to leave her abode…until…"
"Until?" Harry arched a brow.
"Until she can be put in St. Mungo's, she needs someone to take care of her, stop her doing anything…drastic, she's never gone a day without her magic," Rodolphus said, shuddering violently just imagining how she'd feel. "She might try to end her life."
"Which is why you're probably just better off giving her some poison and letting her go," Harry said darkly, perhaps he was doing the wrong thing here.
"I hate to agree, but he is right, son," Lestrange Senior agreed one hundred percent with Harry.
"Maybe, but I cant just let her die," Rodolphus argued, "You've asked me to decide, this is what I've decided. In house-arrest spell, with a full time carer so she can heal and get better. Someone strong enough to withstand whatever Bellatrix might have in store." Glancing at Luna to see how she felt about all this, and found her looking at him with a look that could only be 'starry eyed' or as close as one he'd ever seen before. She obviously approved of his mercy, although truthfully…was it mercy? Or was he just forcing her to endure more torture? Keeping her alive without magic, it was quite frankly worse than what they had done to the Longbottoms.
"Is there a cabin or anything here she can use?" Harry asked eventually, "I've never really looked properly," he added sheepishly when he got a raised eyebrow at his question. He did know there was nothing in the immediate vicinity.
"There is something…but it would need to be made suitable," Voldemort muttered grudgingly, he felt like he was betraying Bellatrix, betraying her loyalty, she had been so utterly loyal to him that he felt something. It wasn't so much as guilt…but perhaps a general sadness? If he could muster up what genuine sadness felt like he'd suggest it was that. Also slight irritancy that he was losing someone loyal to him – someone who would do whatever he asked whenever he asked – at the end of the day he'd rather have someone stable like Harry than Bellatrix though. "Until then she goes into the outer dungeons," where Harry had been, it wasn't as cold down there and there was actually a bed. He was not having her roaming around, she was a danger with or without magic.
He had noticed her reaction when he had claimed Harry, and it wouldn't do to have them in the same building for long. He would have the cabin renovated overnight, and get her situated as soon as possible. The band would be easily made, he wouldn't need to use an item either, just imbue it into the Dark Mark, making it impossible to override.
"Well, excuse me, I've got a card game to get to," Harry said, rubbing his hands together gleefully, he was going to enjoy tonight.
Voldemort watched Harry go caught between being annoyed and amused.
"I'm coming," Luna declared immediately, rushing after him.
"Don't you have an unfair advantage Luna?" they heard Harry tease Luna, her reply wasn't heard as they were too far away.
Lestrange Senior coughed to hide how amused he was by both Rodolphus' and the Dark Lord's reactions to their lovers just up and leaving without so much as showing any respect to the Dark Lord or getting their permission.
Well, life wasn't going to be boring that was for certain. It was time to embrace that.
Just as Harry and Luna were embracing their true selves now that they didn't feel the need to stick to the light side.
Just for a heads up, this story isn't going to be finished in 5-10 chapters when I suggested a time-jump I was merely just suggesting that to get ahead in the story I never intended for anyone to think it was going to be done then stamped with an epilogue but I doubt it will be anywhere near as long as Invisible but who knows? I think I had the court date set for months away so that was why originally I wanted the time-jump! Anyway will Dumbledore get out or will he only break out AFTER the trial and his reputation completely shattered? That way he could be 'killed' or will Harry visit him after the war is officially over and everyone has fallen into line causing the old man to have a heart attack and die just as his father had? Will the Weasley's fall into line along with the remaining surviving members of the Order? Or will they all require sacrificing to see to it that the magical world flourishes? Will the Longbottom's be given a second chance? But being moved to America to live out their remaining years along with Neville? Hmm… who to partner Rabastan with? Daphne? Severus? Tonks? (perhaps only to save her life but growing to care for him along the way?) R&R please!